Closed The Sun to the Moon [Eida]

[Sybel]

20th Day of Summer, 513 AV

The Sea of Grass was both beautiful and deadly, a fact she needed no reminder of. Countless experiences with both the Akalak and the Drykas had taught her that. But in so many ways, it was home. Undoubtedly. Sybel walked leisurely back toward the Sanctuary, crossbow slung over her shoulder and sword strapped at her hip. Her emerald cloak shimmied in the light breeze. It’d been a relatively uneventful walk. She’d considered maybe hunting some small game, but it struck her as unwise with the threat of glassbeak all about. So she stayed close to home and simply wandered, as she was wont to do.

She heard a noise - the sound of feet and crackling growth - so she hid behind the nearest tree, a blessed outlier of the Fringe Forest. The sudden outburst left her slightly winded. It seemed to be footsteps and as they drew nearer, the sun sank lower in the outstretched horizon. It was her hope to return home before Syna gave Leth his goodnight kiss, but this new development could prevent that. There was always the threat of the Cerulean. Sybel just prayed in silence that whoever it was would simply pass her by. Discretion kept her alive.

But mysteriously, they stopped short. That struck her as odd. They’d been walking to Riverfall rather than from. Curiosity overriding her better judgment, she peered from behind the tree to witness what was hands down, the most remarkable transformation she’d ever seen.

What had to be a Symenestra (and female at that) stood looking toward the rising moon, encompassed in a display of dazzling lights. Her whole body became engulfed, as if cocooned inside the star’s embrace before she re-emerged, wholly different from when she began. Beautiful raven hair replaced purest white and emerald horns, seemingly out of nowhere, curled delicately toward the sky. It was one of Leth’s children, the Ethaefal, a virtually unknown race to the likes of Sybel. She blinked before exclaiming:

”How in the petch did you do that?” Of course, realizing her ignorance, she revealed herself. ”I’m sorry,” she said, managing to look contrite. Sybel stepped out from behind the tree, silvery moonlight catching her hair. ”I’m just… Wow. Are you an... Etheefal?” Poor pronunciation and all.

[Eida]

This was an unsuccesful day for her. She couldn't find anything to eat. Her hunt was a failure she saw a rabbit but it got away as she acted too sudden and her poor vision at sunlight didn't help either. She was walking on the bridge slowly to Riverfall... she was holding her belly, her stomach was empty. She even stopped for a moment when her stomach made some little noises. That was unhealthy even for her. But there will be tomorrow for everything and the Moon will fill up her.

And another sunset had to come, another night at Riverfall for Eida. She just walked back to the city her hood was still on. Gosh, she arrived to early the Moon didn't come up yet. She shook her head and didn't mind, Syna gave her domain to Leth. Eida took off her hood and transformed to an ethaefal. She stretched a bit with her arms and she already forgot that she was hungry a moment ago. And then she heard a sound at her next.

A tree. She was not crazy trees can't speak can they? For Caiyha they could. Although she saw someone behind it. A woman, a beautiful woman. She came out from behind the tree and her blue eyes were charming for Eida. And she had to admit she was very tall. But that wasn't an excuse that she was spying on her... she had enough of it already. And as she said sorry, Eida became calmer a bit. Afterall she didn't react as others there. "No problem.... Good evening my dear! My name is Eida, daughter of Leth! And yes I'm an EthAEfal! "

She pressed the AE to correct her. She didn't know what to say, she was never sure about what to say to people in Riverfall. She never knew who is from here and who is not. ".. Amm.. ermm... Can I ask why did you hide from me? Behind a tree? ... I mean.. " After she asked it, she already realized that it was a stupid question and the answer was obvious: She wasn't a lovely race at Syna's light. "Pardon... My bad! I'm a symenestra at Sunlight of course you hid yourself behind a tree." She sighed and was gazing at Leth. If she could just really understand his ways a bit. Her skin reflected the Moon's light and she looked back at the woman."Oh don't wanna be rude! What's your name? And what do you plan at this fine night?" She started to smile and she raised her hand toward her for handshaking. Her gnosis mark was shining at her wrist.

[Sybel]

Sybel blinked. ”Ethaefal,” she echoed. ”I’ve only ever read the word before.” Her explanation feebly trailed off into nothing. ”It’s dangerous out here,” she continued, arching a chestnut brow. What an odd woman. ”Just beyond the city walls lie dangers beyond your imagining.” Did she not know of glassbeaks or night lions? ”There are a sect of Akalak, branded the Cerulean, that are known to be unpredictable. They live out there, amongst the more exotic creatures of the wilderness.”

Her chipper disposition only served to baffle Sybel further. ”Symenestra, huh.” So she was correct in that observation. ”The only way we’d see one so far south could only be because of an Ethaefal.” It wasn’t too hard to piece together. Sure, she had only nominal experience with Symenestra or for that matter, Ethaefal… But establishing context was half the battle. ”Sounds like we could learn a lot from one another.” The exchange of information had been relatively balanced between them. Sensing her opportunity, she extended a hand,

”My name is Sybel of the Tents of Alijah.” She smiled at her newfound companion. ”I’m staying at the Sanctuary. If you’d like, I can escort you back to the city.” Sybel hoisted the crossbow up, adjusting it to a more comfortable resting pose. ”I’m a passable shot but better with a blade. I can make sure you arrive safely.” Perhaps it’d be a good jumping-off point.

”So what is your name, exactly? And how do you cope with the Akalak being as you are? I can’t imagine they give you an easy time in your... Sunlight form.” Ah, the curse of shapeshifting races. Kelvic and Ethaefal, though different might they be, still had that common denominator. Being human was such a relief, at times.

And so she set off, gesturing for Eida to follow.

[Eida]

She was a bit confused about the woman's reactions. Eida wasn't sure if it was a warning or intimidation. But she could realize very soon, it was only a warning. She smiled at Sybel as she was worrying about her. She even laughed at it a bit."Oh don't worry! I met night lions before. Nature is my home, it's dangerous but if you see beyond it... And Leth is protecting me as you could see, he marked me."

It was such a relief that she was kind and looking for knowledge like her. Finally another person who accepted her no matter what she was. She nodded and gladly joined to her and following her. "Oh don't worry! I met night lions before. Nature is my home, it's dangerous but if you see beyond it... And Leth is protecting me as you could see, he marked me."

She was following her while she was answering her question. "I'm Eida, Daughter of Leth! Well... I had a lot problems at the beginning, thank to the Moon and Sun there was a Drykas man who helped me at the city, to understand it. I think you would know him, his name I believe: Vanator." She said and was gazing at the sky and at the stars along the Moon. It was another beautiful night, and she had a wonderful person who could she walk with and talk with. "I came with my kelvic bondmate, my lover to this city! After living the nature, we travelled and we ended there... but yeah. An akalak kid threw a stone at me, the moment he saw me. " It was a painful memory for her but she smiled as it was only a memory now. A bad memory.

[Sybel]

”Hail, Eida.” She smiled warmly. Eida the Ethaefal. She seemed sweet if not a tad naïve, and Sybel realized she might need a bit of looking after. Almost no one felt safe in the wilderness. Sybel blinked at the following statement, caught off-balance by her knowing Vanator. A stab of uncharacteristic jealousy ran cold through her veins, quickly replaced by guilt. Eida was already attached. How silly of her, to be jealous of a woman she just met.

”I know Vanator,” she said, barely concealing a grin. How obvious could one person be? ”I’ve known him for a great long while, though we’ve recently reconnected. He’s a good man.” It was just like him too, to help a woman in need. She could always rely on him to do the right thing. ”You can trust him. He knows the Akalak well, so you’ll be safe with him nearby.” The natives of Riverfall were steeped in tradition, bound by honor and legacy. They’d have little tolerance for a Symenestra in their midst. Threats were not tolerated within city walls.

”You’re lucky that kid only threw a stone,” she said, frowning. He couldn’t have been very old. ”Symenestra carry deadly poison with each bite, powerful enough to liquefy the intestines of a fully-grown man. The Akalak know this and therefore, hunt your kind. So long as you only walk the streets at night, you’ll be okay. Just don’t get caught in a public place during the change.” She didn’t mean to scare the poor girl, but it was important Eida understood the gravity of the situation. It could spell death, if she was careless. ”Let’s just say the result wouldn’t be in your favor.”

They continued to walk onward, home drawing closer still. ”So, tell me about your life. Who is your lover? What was it like to bond?” She wondered if it was very different from love. Could animals feel love, truly? It was one of the many things she wondered.

[Eida]

She looked at the woman. So she was his lover. Eida couldn't feel luckier this night. Her smile was bigger and brighter. "He is! He wouldn't be there..." She didn't want to think if he would not be there. She just let the thought and sentence on the air not ending it. It wasn't necessary. She isntead continue with this. "You are a lucky woman! He must be a lucky man too! Leth bless you both." Inside of her she blessed them too. They were great people they deserved it.

Even though Eida knew only little about her. Her words, her kindness told anything about Sybel. She was just nodding on her warning. At least Sybel cared about it. But she knew what awaits her so that's why she was running away for the first place. She giggled a bit when the woman said she was lucky that the kid only threw a stone. "Pardon, I just find it ironic. I'm lucky to get hit by a stone only. Isn't that silly a bit? " She was laughing at it now but at first she was crying. Painful old memory.

She put her hands together when she asked about her life. She didn't even know where to start but she answered first for her questions. She was looking at the Moon and she could blush when she was talking about him. "Well you know. He is a Raven Kelvic and I met him since I fell. His name is Arckhebohn. Being bonded with him is just... a strange feeling. We are equal we share each other everything we can. I think that he has an animal side means he got two more eyes to view the world around him. " Her eyes was shining while she was telling that. Yes he was everything to her. At that point she was looking around. She noticed they got back by now she didn't even notice.

"Well about my life... " She was thinking but she rather asked her."Oh well what do you want to know exactly? "

[Sybel]

”Thank you,” she said, embarrassed at all the well-wishing. ”I am lucky.” And oh, how true that was. Sybel was blessed by Ovek, that much was certain. To find Vanator again, after so many years… She understood what Eida meant completely. No one wanted to consider a life without their loved one. ”Leth, huh? I take it he’s your Father, then.” That was right, wasn’t it? Ethaefal were either of Syna or Leth.

Eida’s sudden laughter was just too strange. But in a way, fitting. Sybel laughed alongside, more or less at herself. ”I suppose you’re right.” There was no sense in thinking of what could have happened. But naivety could be costly in a world so unforgiving as Mizahar. As she described her relationship, the Benshira smiled. ”Everything? As in, you share thoughts or feelings? Or is it more that you speak about it all?” Were they linked empathically? She’d never read anything that mentioned that.

As they passed through the gate, she gave the guard a curt nod. ”Well, where are you staying?” She wanted to make sure she got home alright, if nothing else. ”Unless you’re employed here, you must just be passing through. Akalak aren’t overfond of freeloaders, not to say that you are one.” She grinned. ”Do you plan to settle and become a citizen?” It was unlikely, given the circumstances. ”Or do you live in the wilderness?” That was far more realistic. But again, there were dangers to be aware of.

”I imagine you come to the city by night only. What do you like to do when you’re here?” Perhaps they’d take a walk down the beach.

[Eida]

OOCSorry for the delay! And if you don't want them to be at the beach yet just tell me I change it!

She nodded." Yes, he is indeed!" She said, her only Moon Father. Thinking about her bond and relationship with the kelvic was strange now. She was happy and it was special but she had a strange itch. She didn't mind and just continue."Oh yes, yes sorry! I mean we feel each other even at distance. And at the moment I feel something strange about him. But maybe I guess it's just me."

She rather move on about it, she didn't want to give more thought. Everything was fine, right? Her mood didn't go down, but she was worried a bit. She again giggled about those questions. "At the streets and at the wilds." She added calmly like it was a usual thing. "But really, I'm not sure if anybody would kindly give me a room, since some saw me and there are little rumors I think. " She sighed, being a citizen would be also impossible for her. "That way? No. They don't care if I'm marked by God or even I was chosen by him. I had a symenestra past and that's important to them."

She was still wondering what kind of past lives others had so she could tell how their hate is unreasonable. Like Eida remembered she had wings and tail at one of her life. Strange."Well, I try to explore the city's parks or meet with people who doesn't mind me. At the moment I don't know what's my purpose at that world again." She was walking with her for so long, she found herself at the beach. She had a great time so no wonder she forgot about the outer world. "Oh let me ask: Do you have any God or Goddess you worship to? And do you plan to marry to Vanator?" Two different questions in the same time. But for Eida she did a "marriage" in front of Leth, so it wasn't really different for her.

[Sybel]

HeyEthaefal don’t remember their past lives that specifically. Eida might get the sense that at one point she had wings and a tail, but not that she was in fact an Akvatari. Just clearing that up!

Before she knew it, they were at the beach. So it was true then; Kelvic and those they bonded with had some sort of sympathetic link. Sybel quietly filed that away for future reference. There was a sudden unease in Eida, something she’d rather not express. She purposefully ignored it, grasping toward happier things.

”I worship Ovek, Akajia… Wysar and Yahal. I actually serve a lot of different gods, for different reasons. They all hold dominion over a part of this life and since I love life in most respects, it’s only natural I suppose, that I favor many rather than few.” She smiled up at the sky. Riverfall just happened to be the home to two of the four, for starters. It was an added bonus to finding Vanator.

Speaking of which, she blushed profusely. ”Not married,” she said quietly. Not yet, anyway. It was on her mind, but she’d rather wait for him to trust her completely. That would take time, of which she had plenty. Why rush toward such a serious commitment? Even with the weight of the years gone by, she still flinched from the idea of it all. Sybel had vowed never to get married. It was a very silly vow, all things considered and she’d been seventeen at the time. But still. That sentiment was still a part of her, somewhere inside.

”What about you? Do you only worship Leth? There’s Yshul and Akajia, and they too represent different facets of the night.” As they walked she admired the dark surf, lapping hungrily at the slowly eroding sand. She sighed, suddenly contemplative in the face of its quiet susurrus. The night always made her thoughtful.

[Eida]

Ovek, Akaija, Wysar and other gods and goddesses she didn't know much about. She was amazed how many gods she did worship to. But as Sybel said it was natural for her and she agreed on that.

When Eida saw Bel was blushing she had a big smile on her face. They were not married... for now. At least Eida thought that way. She was wondering when and how will it go for them. Althought she rather didn't ask about that as she thought maybe Sybel doesn't know it either. After all her 'marriage' just came too. She didn't plan too and it wasn't official, but for them it was. Before Leth.

About her, worshipping to others she was deeply thinking if she knew any gods or goddesses who involved in her life. But she couldn't think any. When Bel mentied Yshul and Akajia she had to laugh a little bit. "I don't know much about them but I value things in a different way than Yshul and shadows may talk too much sometimes. Of course they both are important just not to me. And as I said before, I don't know much about them. " She said. And also mentioned Tanroa for a little. "So I guess I only worship to my Father. But I also can thank a gift from Tanroa. At least I believe it's from her. I had a hard understand for her at first."