Flashback Surviving Paradise

[Jabari Dreamchaser]

- 32nd of Fall, 509 AV -

"Psst. Dream. Wake up." Heavy eyelids complained to perceptive ears in hopes that the they would stop listening to the soft whisper invading tonight's sleep. "Uhhn" was all that escaped the youth's lips. They too, sided with the rest of his body in disapproving of Jabari's sense of sound.

"Come on now, none of that. Remember your promise." Muffled words attempted to find the Vantha in his slumbering state. What did she say? Conscious and unconscious portions of his psyche debated over what words were actually heard. A belly anxious to break it's fast chimed in on the matter assuring all parties that it had understood her just fine. "Pancakes?"

"Promise!" Mystery hands rocked the boy's body back and forth in an attempt to wake the child from slumber. Elsewhere, a pirate Jabari stood aboard a swaying ship made of pancakes sailing across a sea of syrup. He looked to a blurry crew and called out. "Men, more pancakes!"

"Oh for Caiyha's sake!" A loud thumping sound accompanied the outcry, as the adopted son of The White Isle was shoved forcefully out of bed. The impact of the floor below brought him to the present, albeit a bit discombobulated. Waking senses attempted to adjust as a soft but firm female voice broke the silence. "Where are you?"

"What?" He knew this question. It sounded so familiar. It was important to know the answer, but why? Clouded thoughts tried to recall the reason. As if to help in it's recollection, the voice repeated "Where are you?" I know that voice... Niva? The mental fog began to dissipate and memories returned.

"Home. Mura. Konti Isle. The Sebakem Ocean. Mizahar."

Location. It was one of the most important pieces of information one should obtain when surviving in the wilderness. It was also the very first inquiry Niva made all those days ago when Jabari had agreed to learn from her. Ever since, and without fail, she would politely challenge at the start of each new lesson 'where are you?' It had become somewhat of a reflex by this point to respond with his whereabouts, starting with the smallest detail and working his reply outwards.

"Good. Get dressed."

[Jabari Dreamchaser]

"It's dark."

"Yes, that tends to happen at night." Quips seemed to find Navi the same way visions found her sisters. She had always been sharp, of both mind and body. Jabari wondered if that was the reason she had received The Call. Avalis must have had need of her talents elsewhere. Or was it Caiyah, whom Navi prayed to so often, that sought her out? Not one to pry, a curious teenager looked for the answer to another question. "Where are we going?"

"You tell me. Knowing where you are is one thing when it comes to survival, but it won't do you much good if you don't know where you're headed." The Vantha tried to recollect the various turns they had made so far. It wasn't easy. He had been so busy maintaining his balance in the moonlight and keeping an eye on Navi so that he wouldn't get lost. It was difficult paying attention to much else. Taking in a deep breath and trying to focus, the student surveyed the surrounding areas.

In the distance, moonlight reflected off the white stones of Silver Lake Lodge. Was that their destination? Navi turned her head while continuing forward so that she might look over Jabari, her eyes daring him to speak his mind before careful consideration. No, she wouldn't have woken him from bed to take an evening trip to the Spa. Redness flooded his face as the Chaser of Dreams realized what other location lay in this direction. "Silverwood."

He caught a smile forming on Navi's face as she looked away. This had been her way since she started mentoring Jabari. It had taken him a few lessons to realize, but often when he answered a question correctly, Navi wouldn't say anything. And so, he took the Konti's silence as a confirmation, finding satisfaction in his teacher's smile. Still though... "Is it alright for us to be out there at this time? Won't the creatures of The Silverwood be resting?"

Without missing a beat, Navi responded. "Don't worry. If Caiyha has a problem with our presence, she will surely send something to eat us."

That was when Jabari first started praying to Caiyha.