Closed On the Road We Go [Dragul]

[Svasra]

Svasra seemed startled to be called like her father, a mixture between amusement and surprise expressed on her youthful face as she grinned at Dragul. "I take as compliment," she muttered with a shake of her head. The Akalak continued though, switching to Vani. It was by no means perfect, and his heavy accent butchered some words horrendously, making them sound almost as chopped off as the cropped Common tongue. The effort made her smile though, and Svasra nodded. "She did, though about many things we have already spoken of. We will have to work on your Vani while we are away." Svasra made no move to inquire on Dragul's own period with her father, instead gesturing for the man to settle at the table.

Seating herself across from him, Svasra found herself having to look up even with Dragul seated. Now, she knew she was short, but Dragul was just massive! Before she could comment though, her parents swept in, laying out dishes and food for the guests. Svasra bit her lip, chancing a look towards her father who had the most obvious expression of either approval or disgust at this point in the night, if she was assume they went by their normal routine.

Havok caught his daughter's eye, and a slow smile spread, a slight inclination of his head to answer her unsaid question. They like him! Oh, sweet, Morwen. Svasra grinned in return, and tilted it towards Dragul to include him in her moment of happiness. "Dig in, Snowflake, enjoy," Minara said, her gaze on Dragul as she said it, calling him a fond name given to those of the Vantha. Though it was almost silly to call the Akalak such a delicate object, it was a subtle way of showing their approval.
"Snowflake, I should call you that, now on, eh, Dragul?" Svasra teased lightly, "Or, ah, polar pup? Fuzzy and small," she added with a wider grin, holding her hand out to pretend to stroke an imaginary polar bear pup. The jests caused gentle laughter from her parents, and they could only shake their heads, murmuring a small thanks to Morwen before eagerly tucking in.

Svasra took up a spoon and dipped it into the thick Cobalt Potato soup, bringing it to her lips. Not much a fan for hot liquids, Svasra had to admit this soup was one of her favourite meals. There was simply no equivalent to the gentle flavor that was enhanced with a simple recipe, and unknown spices. Though the food itself was made by Winterflame, her parents sometimes threw a few more things together, or kept it hot and the like as a way of 'preparing' a meal. The cooking skill they had themselves was null, so Svasra could not lie and claim this to be their creation, as much as they might like to think so.

The dinner itself was quiet, filled with gentle spoonfuls, and the idle comment. Svasra didn't have much to talk about that would be deemed worthy enough to pause in her intake of the soup, trying to stay as dignified as she could with company. If it was only her and her parents the soup bowl would already be to her lips, if her tongue wasn't already scraping the sides and asking for more. That would be absolutely not acceptable in Dragul's presence, and Svasra found herself having to express more self-control than she thought she would need to stay upright and taking delicate sips.

"So then," Minara said, breaking the silence half-way through. "What is the ... connection between you two?" Svasra coughed slightly on her soup, the spoon quickly put down as she looked over at her mother in shock.
"Sorry?"
"Relationship. I ... hope you told us if you two were ..." Minara paused and made a gesture that clearly indicated a much more intimate relationship than Svasra was inclined to.
"Mother!" the young Vantha admonished sharply, a flush high on her cheeks at the thought of her parents asking this at the dinner table - in front of him of all things! "It is no business of yours!"
"Ah, so you two are ...?" Havok trailed off, raising his eyebrows as he looked in between the two.
"Though I say it is no business, does not mean we are together," Svasra said defensively, a mixture of a laugh and groan exiting her lips.
"Bit odd to go running off, hmm? If you are, ah, with child, you should not run. Eh, no secrets in here, right, Dragul?" Minara chimed, patting Svasra's head as she ducked her head to sip at her soup, half-appearing wanting to drown in it.
"We are friends, nothing more," Svasra lamented, though her parents seemed much to amused at the high flush in Svasra's expression to back down.

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common"

[Dragul]

He could tell by the look on Svasra's face that his attempt at Vani was poor and rough at best. He would need work, and from what he could understand Svasra said pretty much something to that effect. "Much work, yes".

He had been correct in his assumption of Minara's questioning, for it only seemed fitting that both parties be questioned. yet, he wondered under what assumption were they questioning him and Svasra? It was a mystery through and through. While he assumed it was for the simple fact that a person of far greater age was taking their child away, even if it was her choice that was the reason for her leaving. He couldn't shake the sensation that there was something riding the undercurrents of this evening, as if Svasra's parents had another concept in mind.

However, he had little time left to think on such things, as Havok and Minara came in bearing food. Dinner was served. Bowls of soup were seated in front of everyone, and a kind title was delivered unto him by Minara. He had heard it before amongst the Vantha, and from Svasra as well if memory served him right. However, as he heard it directed towards him it sound strange, and almost a little too silly given how strangely it wrapped about him. He was perhaps not as delicate as some would like to assume or believe. Either way he appreciated the sentiment, and the humor which Svasra quickly chimed in with thereafter. "Perhaps you should, whichever one, but know that I will think of my own name for you if you choose to do so" his face set into a grin.

The eating from there commenced without any delay, and everyone took part with a but with a respectable pace. Yet, Havok and Minara seemed perhaps a little more reserved than he was, and far more than Svasra who was still youthful as ever. He had to admit that the soup was delightful, and simple, but far more tasteful than the meager food he had eaten during his travels. He had just taken a spoonful of soup and delighted in its warmth as it slid down his throat, when Minara chimed in with something he had imagined, but not foreseen.

While he was able too compose himself, Svasra was a little more flustered, and in the process of eating. The dialogue that followed was quite interesting too say the least. For the most part he stayed at the fringes of it, trying to think of what to say, and to let Svasra defend herself. He tried his best to stifle any laughter at first, but as the dialogue continued he admitted that Havok and Minara were not out of sorts too assume such. After all such circumstances could make anyone wonder. The townsfolk for sure, and even himself. He admitted that upon first meeting and the meetings thereafter that he had thought Svasra was a pretty enough lass, but had he ever truly taken her presence in? As the dialogue continued her looked down at her, while all other eyes were occupied elsewhere, and had to admit that by all rights she was a beautiful woman. He wondered how she was not already married, but instantly thought to her personality, and reasons for leaving.

The comment which brought him out of his contemplation was the mention of a child, and now he did have to try hard to maintain his complexion and stifle any laughter. However, as he looked still down at Svasra he pitied her as Minara patted her on the head. Svasra appeared as if she wished to be anywhere but in this line of questioning. He decided it was about time that he interjected-not on his behalf for the questioning had mostly been leveled at Svasra-but on her behalf. He winked at her, and so that only she would notice, as a sign to not fret, and that he come to her aid. "I'm afraid you are a little off the mark".

"I'll admit that your daughter is beautiful and has a fiery spirit, we are but friends and traveling companions".


Dragul speaking Common, and Vani

[Svasra]

As her parents continued to embarrass her, Svasra looked to Dragul for help and what she saw there was anything but! The Akalak was amused! Amused, of all things! Svasra's expression became imploring, though he finally offered a subtle wink to show his aid was forthcoming. His interjection quieted her parents, though Svasra only blushed at his compliment, trying to reassure them as he was.
"Oh, look at that blush! Travelling companions! Eh? Not long!" Minara sung, hugging her daughter close as Svasra groaned, turning her red face away from the table as she submitted herself to her mother's preening. "I guess, hm, Akalak. Not bad. Not Vantha, but, eh, well respected here," the woman continued, seemingly oblivious to how Svasra wriggled out of her grasp.

Svasra only looked down at her soup and determinedly continued, tuning her mother out as she rambled about the two of them in a relationship Svasra had no plans of forming! As Dragul admitted her beautiful, it would be a lie to say he was any different. Though beautiful in a different sense. As the night is. Dark, mysterious, exotic, and comforting. Even so, Svasra had her own reasons for leaving. She had no room to ponder on the reality of her parents' prodding. They acted the same with any male Svasra might be chanced with, jumping to marry off the young Icemaiden. Well, she would be going off with a man, alright. Just not in the relationship, or context, her parents had hoped for.

"I guess not expect girl babies, eh? Only men from Akalaks," Minara was musing when Svasra had finished her soup.
"Alllllrrright, Mother, I am glad you have had your fill. Thank you!" she said, playfully pushing her mother over at the table. Minara chuckled, and winked at the two of them, though she thankfully fell silent to finish the dinner.
"Just be sure to protect her, Dragul," Havok said, his voice a surprise after not hearing it since before Minara went on her relationship rant. Svasra looked over to her father, and studied the man as he calmly raised his bowl to drink the last of the soup. Though his hands were steady, and eyes passive, Svasra studied their color, not missing the flashes of a sickly yellow and green. For her father they meant fear, and worry, tied with the ashen pallor they took the tone of a fatherly concern and anxiety.

The rest of the dinner passed silently, Svasra's face slowly returning to its normal tanned complexion, and Minara growing more serious. As they finished, Minara rose and began to pile the plates and group the spoons. "We cook, you clean, yes?" she said with a smile at Svasra and Dragul. Before Svasra could protest on how much they had actually "cooked", Minara and Havok disappeared into their living area, settling on the couches. They would discuss the night now, and most likely tell Svasra whether they gave their approval or not when Dragul and her joined them soon. They really have to get more original with this process of theirs, Svasra thought blandly, looking at Dragul with a small smile before beginning to take the dishes in. "Looks like it is you, and, ah, me, Polar Pup."

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common"

[Dragul]

The evening was going, well, interestingly too say the least.

While he was amused at the proceedings in all the humor that one could find therein, he couldn't help but feel pity for Svasra. He would find as little delight in being the focus of these proceedings as Svasra was, and so he decided endeavored to devise a means to aid or reassure her. He cast Svasra a reassuring smile and nod in an attempt to telegraph that all would be well.

However, Minara simply continued her escapade of motherly delight, and whether she truly thought they were a couple or not was hard to discern. What was dominating most of his own thoughts however, was what Havok was thinking of all of this, for he had remained silent for far longer than Dragul would have liked. Worst yet was that Svasra's parents were harder to read than he had thought at first, and thus he could not discern whether they would approve of Svasra's departure. Still, he imagined that the Svasra, being the fiery youth she was, would find a way out regardless.

In between thoughts he managed to continue eating his soup, and even managed to finish the appetizing meal. Minara even managed to finish her endeavor after seeing that Svasra had endured enough. There was a lingering silence that remained in the stead of Minara's rant while everyone finished, and as he looked towards Svasra he noticed that her gaze was fixed on her father. However, try as he might he couldn't figure out the reason. He did notice the shifting colors in Havok's eyes and Svasra's as well. Yet, he still did not know what they denoted. He would have to ask Svasra about them later.

After dinner was finished Minara and Havok quickly left the job of cleanup to Svasra and him. There was no debate, as they left them to relax in the common area, and perhaps discuss the proceedings of the evening thus far. The sound of the cute name which Svasra had chosen for him was not insulting but rather amusing. It denoted her naivety too the outside world, and he was sure if he ever had to kill something or someone in her presence, his name would change. Still he decided to play along for the time being. "It seems so, companion" he nudged her and laughed lightly, and made his way with some of the dishes towards the kitchen.

Therein they began to clean, but he felt clumsy with the awkward difference of height, for the home had not been meant for people of his size. Still he manged, and while he was cleaning he found the time and privacy to reassure Svasra. "Don't fret Svasra, I am sure that your parents hold genuine concern for you, or at least you father does. No matter the hardships it seems they put you through be thankful they yet remain to be concerned about you. Soon we will depart I have no doubt, and then the real test of endurance shall begin".

With that he paused to continue his work. "Oh and can you tell me anything about what the colors in your eyes mean? I am most curious".

Dragul speaking common

[Svasra]

Svasra watched Dragul amble into the kitchen, seeming out of his element as he steered around objects only to find himself in the path of another. The sight was easily amusing, and Svasra laughed lightly as she followed behind. The young woman came up beside Dragul, and fell into an easy pattern. As Dragul washed the dishes, Svasra dunked them for a rinse before drying and placing them in the allocated spots. Svasra listened as Dragul reminded her to be grateful of the attention her parents gave, and Svasra nodded with a small sigh. "I know you are right, I am ... bless ... blessed, to have them," Svasra agreed with a nod of her head.

When Dragul inquired about their eye color, Svasra paused in her work. He doesn't know? she thought in surprise, as such knowledge was common sense in Avanthal. Then again, she supposed the dual-soul aspect of the Akalak was common sense in his home as well. "Our eyes," Svasra mused, turning to glance at him briefly to show off her multi-hued gaze. The young woman smiled, and her gaze turned a silver-y white, almost purely so were it not for the flecks of various colors that swam in their depths. "Let me ... tell you a story."

"Bear with me," Svasra said offhandedly as she dipped a plate into the icy rinse water. When she shivered, it wasn't just from the chill, but also anticipation. "I will try to say in Common, though much of ... the beauty, will be lost." Pausing to gather her thoughts, Svasra remembered the skeleton of a certain legend, and the young woman was almost sure she could improvise the rest.

"Close your eyes for this ... is for your head, through your ears. From there it will ... sink, into the soul. Become ..." Svasra frowned, and much of the cadence in the story was lost in translation as she struggled to remember the proper words, having to scrape more poetic phrases for the rudimentary Common she knew. "Become real there. Let me take you back ...

"Back to a time where we .. the Vantha, were human. Plain, and, ah, simple. No hair color, but, black. No eyes with ... more than, one, shade." Svasra shook her head briefly as she finished the dishes, displeased with the story, and prepared the phrases in her mind before saying them, so they at least had more flow. It made her pause between sentences, but it helped the understanding.

"Morwen is not only our queen .... but, goddess too. She .... painted the stars, each night, with her hands .... Spread her color across the heavens ... To those who lived with her ... in Avanthal ... it was a beautiful reminder each night, of .... the goddess that watches over," Svasra said, leaning against the wall of her Arvinta as she spoke. "We would ... try to mimic it in our paintings, our stories, our carvings. Capture the beauty, and keep it here to live on throughout the day," she continued, lapsing into Vani as the story flowed.

"Yet, nothing measured the radiance of the Aurora. Nothing amounted to the splendor of its soft weaving colors above our heads, their rich pigment speaking volumes we could never reproduce. Yet, it was only a challenge to be answered. Another goal in mind, as our people strove ever harder to find the missing link that made Morwen's Lights speak to us.

"Morwen watched us, as she always does. Watched us persevere, and show more and more wonder within our work. The gifts we gave, and the things we made in that time! They say not such work can be done now, hidden in the very depths of Morwen's palace. Morwen was moved by our work, and by our very devotion to the love she showed us each night, reciprocating as we tried.

"It was then that she knew how to make her aurora last the whole day, every day. She knew the perfect art to capture its beauty, and knew the only people in the world who would cherish it.

"Announcing a gathering before she left for the Winter, Morwen stood before her people. They watched her with smiles, and waves, polite curtsies, bows, and grins from ear to ear. She made sure she met every one of their gazes, each eye color, taking in their rich depths, and their vibrant hues. Spreading her hands, she released the color of the Lights for the night that had fallen. It sprung from her fingers, her palms, and her cold touch as it reached skyward

"The Vantha stood in awe, and wonderment. It was as captivating and wondrous as every other night, each new swirl of color unique as every moment. It was described as the epitome of beauty and grace, watching the lights spill from our Goddess' hands, watching her fingers reach towards the stars to paint their display of wreathing ribbons that breathed life and stories into our days.

"Morwen did not allow her lights to stick to the sky tonight though, no, she had a much better use for them. As the Vantha watched, confused, and distressed, to see the lights fall like threads back to Morwen, the woman of winter only smiled. 'My children!' she spoke, in that voice of hers that had the softness of snow, yet the power of storms, 'These Lights are not enough within the sky. They deserve to be part of Avanthal in every soul, and every movement.'

"The Vantha took this as displeasure, crying out apologies, and promises to work harder. For our art and stories to possess the radiance of the Lights. They called for her forgiveness, to allow the another chance, if only she would grace their skies with her artwork.

" 'Shh, my children, my Vanthas,' Morwen said, a small smile turning her pale lips skywards, eyes watching her people as they fell into an expectant silence. 'Shh, and listen.'

"The Vanthas listened, but heard nothing. They only heard the beat of their own heart, and the whistle of the wind around the city. The noise of the Tundra. The softness of their breaths. 'What do we listen for, Goddess? For we only hear ourselves, and the wilderness we live in,' one bold Vantha called out, his tone one of confusion, looking to their queen for clarity.

" 'Ah, yes. Yourselves, and my Tundra. My icy world you live in so beautifully. You, my children. You are the beauty of the aurora each and every day. The way you live, you sing, you paint, sculpt, work, care, is the wonder of the lights. You need not try to recreate the Lights, for you are them, in more ways than they are themselves. The Lights are a reflection of you, a painting of your struggle, and devotion each night midst the heavens, where such being as you belong.' Morwen stood before her people, her children, her Vantha. Some had tears in their eyes, others smiling with a love renewed. 'You are the perfection of the Lights. You are the gift,' she said, as a mother would her children.

"Morwen had not finished though, as she still had those swirling colors within her cupped palms, flickering against her snowy skin. 'I have a gift for you, though, a small one. You wish the Lights to be seen during the day?' Gasping as one, the Vantha nodded, and cheered, calling their pride of Morwen to the skies. Laughing, Morwen threw the colors into the air, infusing her own Djed with the strands as they stuck to the sky briefly before being to fall to the earth. 'Catch them, children, and they will be yours,' she called.

"The Vantha scrambled to catch the figments of color, outstretching hands, hats, and lifting children so they could reach into the stars themselves to reach the twisting lights. The first one descended, caught by a young Snowsong. Falling onto her hands, the child laughed, and watched it writhe like something alive.

"It was alive though! Alive with the love and the magic of Morwen herself! The light sunk into her skin, leaving a tingling feeling as it disappeared within. A sudden exclamation as the girl glowed with light, from within it seemed! The lights flowed from her hair, and her eyes, making her glow as she gasped in surprise. More cries of shock as people began to shine with her, shining with a radiant light.

"Morwen stood before them all, shining with a pure white light of her own as her eyes closed. 'Close your eyes, children,' she commanded, and the Vantha obeyed. Morwen weaved her magic, and tied the Light of Morwen down within the very people of her city. Tied to their souls, to their hearts, and to their minds. It connects our souls, as one people, our minds, as shown in our hair, and our hearts, in our eyes.

"When Morwen and her people opened their eyes, the world was not the same. It was filled with the Aurora. It was filled with the luminescent colors of the night. People looked at each other, and found their gazes a flickering array of hues. Their hair was washed with streaks, glowing under the display of Morwen, and the light of Syna.

"Morwen had granted her people their very wish, to see the Aurora every moment of every day. She gave us a piece of her Lights, and made us the very embodiment of them. It is said, even now, each of us Vantha are born with a strand of Morwen's Lights, and a thread of Morwen herself, tied to our souls, minds, and hearts." Svasra finished, her own multi-hued gaze melting from a silver-y white to a flicker of many others.

"Oh no, I, ah, slipped into Vani!" she said, worry creasing her features. "Did you get anything ... from that? Our eyes, they change with emotion," Svasra added, apologetic as she glanced away with a frown.

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common"

[Dragul]

Sadly, the grand majority of the story was lost on him. However, he did understand that the different colors represented different emotions, due to the fact that Svasra actually said that in common. He was saddened by the fact that his Vani was so poor, and thus hindered him from understanding the full splendor of the tale which Svasra expertly delivered unto him. Still the language was thankfully delightful, and it diffused any awkwardness. The little he was able to discern was that it had something to do with Morwen, and the ancestral Vantha.

"I am sorry lass, but I only understood but a fraction, for my Vani is sadly poor..." he paused as she turned and frowned, and shifted towards her, placing his hand on her shoulder with a weight of assurance "but do not fret lass, for it sounded like music to my ears, and that made it worth the while none the less, and I have faith that your skills will only improve with our journey".

"Speaking of which, I wonder when your parents will cease their discussion and come to a decision on this whole matter so we can get a move on" and he laughed as he gripped her shoulder with sincerity.

[Svasra]

Wearing a gentle smile, Svasra made note to write a Common translation of a few of her stories one day, as all of them were recorded in Vani's elegant script. It would take very long though, and she would have to do it with someone who knew both Vani and Common. What a task, Svasra thought sadly, but tried to look at it like a challenge that just needed to be completed. If she wrote them down, as much as she hates doing it, Svasra could then read the stories until she memorized the flow of Common. If she ever wished to appeal to a Common-speaking audience, then unfortunately, that seems in the direction she had to head first. Improv will just have to be improved with time.

It seemed Dragul's words summoned such as her mother's gentle call sounded from their meagre living space, only private so long as Dragul and herself stayed in the kitchen. "They must, ah, be done now," she said with a nod, venturing to the sofa where she settled down to face her parents, who wore mirrored expressions of neutrality.

Once they had been seated, Minara and Havok glanced briefly at each other before her father spoke. "Dragul .... you seem a very genuine man," he noted, meeting the Akalak's piercing gaze. "I think that you are quite the type to go with our daughter, but all in all, I cannot seem to worry about her in your presence. I don't think I fully get your relationship, yet it works, and I know Svasra feels at ease with you. I cannot see any reason to not approve her choosing you as a companion." Havok spoke a majority in Common, as once Svasra had started learning, her parents had exponentially improved from the embarrassing speech they used to vaguely teach her with. Even so, a good portion of his words were in Vani, mingling the two in an odd juxtaposition with the harsh Common nestled around the fluid sounds of Vani. Whether it was because he was tired of speaking Common, or playing with the knowledge Dragul's Vani was quite poor, Svasra didn't really know, but by the flickering violet that usually signified humorous, she guessed it was done on purpose.

"You are a sweet boy, Dragul, with an interesting past, and I believe a far more interesting future. As parents we can do little else but sit down with you and hope the character you show us is true, but we do believe it is. Though, I wish I had more time to get to know you, and more importantly, for my daughter to know you, such is not the case by the time-frame you have given. Svasra is quite apt at taking care of herself, there are some things she will need help with, and I hope you can look to you." Minara spoke in the same mingled language fashion, and Svasra only hoped that Dragul had gotten most of what she said.

After their words the night seemed to relax, a little desert shared between them, and a bit of story to throw around. Svasra enjoyed the time she spent with her family and Dragul, knowing the night would be one she was pristinely remember. Smiling at him, Svasra almost didn't want the night to end, but when it did, she couldn't find anything in her to be sad. She didn't want to end the night in a regret and yearning for more time she could not have. Instead, Svasra laughed as she walked Dragul out of her Hold, and skipped back to her home, singing a gentle lullaby.

"Sleep, dear child, with the sun
When the night as fallen, the day is done
Sleep, little bear, close your eyes
Slip under the covers,
and let your imagination fly
Sleep, my snowflake, in the skies
With the lights of Morwen
In the heavens high."

Note: "Svasra speaking Vani, Svasra speaking Common"