Solo [Flashback] We Were Never Friends.

[Etori Whitevine]

35th, Spring 508 AV There was a serine quiet atmosphere filling Stories In The Snow library that day. It was the perfect kind of quiet for study, to bathe the mind in knowledge. Etori appreciated the quiet, indulged in it. For she still had a lot to learn about medicine and first aid techniques. She was finally able to get a library card and was keen to start borrowing and reading all the medical books she could get her hands on. Of course, she had read most of the collection they had in the library many times in the past. Revision never hurt anyone she supposed. She only had the books to teach her. Everyone else was against her deep determination and drive to become a medic. After all, she was born into the Snowsong Hold…not the Whitevine Hold. This though, didn’t stop Etori from trying to follow her dreams. She wanted to break through the stereotypes that the Avanthal Culture held… and she didn’t really care what she had to do to get there or what other people thought of her because of it. At this moment Etori sat at one of the library’s large study tables occupied by a book in her hands. She mumbled quietly to herself as she read a chapter on how to control blood flow for maybe the 5th time. Though every word she read intrigued her. She really did have a passion for this stuff. As Etori turned the page of her book a figure appeared behind her. It was a young girl. She looked interested in what Etori was doing. Etori had noticed the presence but didn’t want to break her concentrated, she figured it was just the nosey librarian. “What are you reading there?” asked a confident feminine voice. Etori was surprised by the voice but didn’t bother turning her attention away from the book. She was too engaged by it. “How to apply First Aid.” Etori had mumbled in response. She hoped the stranger would leave if she answered their question. “Oh! Let me see!” the strange girl had chimed and peered over Etori’s shoulder. Etori became irritated by the girl’s nosiness, she was destroying the perfect atmosphere. She just wanted to be left alone. “Go away…” Etori had muttered loud enough for the girl to hear. “I’m just going to hover here. If you don’t mind.” Said the girl with a smile in her voice. Wow, she really didn’t know how to take a hint… “I do mind. So go away…” The stranger ignored her protest and continued to hover behind Etori. She kept glancing from Etori to the book the vantha currently held in her hands. An interested expression formed across her face. Etori’s irritation only grew as the girl’s presence remained. “I’m Isamy, by the way. And what is your name?” “Etori…” she said reluctantly Isamy looked in deep thought. As if something had suddenly occurred to her. “Say, aren’t you from the Snowsong Hold?” “What of it?” sighed Etori “Oh nothing. I just find it strange that someone from the Snowsong Hold is reading a book you would see someone from the Whitevine Hold reading, is all.” “So what? Is it a crime? I don’t want to stick to these stereotypes…People should have the right to be what they want, regardless of the second name that they bare.” Isamy had giggled aloud suddenly. Which had caused Etori to turn around and stare at her with narrowed eyes. That was the first time she had looked in her direction. The girl was quite beautiful and looked about a year older than her. Her hair was long and jet black with glimmering streaks of purple. Her bangs framed her angel like face perfectly. But her eyes are what Etori found most striking. They were a deep violet and stared into her own with such intensity. Etori could feel her cheeks heating up a little at the sight. But her annoyance with the girl didn’t leave her. “What is so funny?” she asked annoyed. “I’m sorry, it’s just. You are unlike anyone else in Avanthal. You are different, I like that.” Etori’s cheeks flushed a deep red and she found herself turning back to her book in a quick movement. The girl’s intense stare made her feel uneasy, or had it been her words? She wasn’t sure. “Well, I could say the same for you…I mean, who just waltzes right up to a stranger and introduces themselves?” “Many people, how else would anyone meet each other at all?” “Whatever, I wouldn’t do that. It’s weird if you ask me…” “Not as weird as you reading that book. Maybe I should start reading a book on music composition.” Joked Isamy, though there was some seriousness to her tone. “What Hold are you from anyway? Skyglow?” asked Etori a little curious but still unwilling to meet the girls eyes again. “I’m from the Whitevine Hold actually.” Smiled Isamy as she knew this would grab Etori’s attention. Etori froze at the girls words. She then closed her book in defeat. She suddenly felt stupid and rude. This was her chance to make friends with someone! Not just anyone, someone from the Whitevine Hold. The Hold she wished to join someday. Etori turned to face Isamy, the girl smiled at her in triumph as she had finally caught the stubborn girl’s attention. Etori’s expression wasn’t so giddy. She looked apologetic. “I’m sorry about…you know. Not being very welcoming and all.” “Don’t worry about it. I wouldn’t expect someone with your reputation to be kind to a nosey stranger like me.” The girl smiled and before Etori could question her about what she meant, Isamy had snatched the book from the table and began to flick through it. Irritation took over Etori again. She tried to snatch the book from the girl’s hands but it was no use, Isamy had pulled it away from her reach. “This book isn’t very up to date…Your filling your head with out of date theories.” Chuckled Isamy. “Just give it back will you. I need it!” said Etori as she tried to swipe it from the girls grasp again only to fail a second time. Isamy held the book high out of her reach with a grin. “Oh don’t worry. I will give it back, on one condition.” Etori frowned “What condition is that?” “Meet me at The Ice Fields Cemetery before night fall.” Etori stared at her incredulously. Why on earth would she want her to meet her at that place… “Why-“Etori began to question but Isamy was quick to cut her off. “No questions! If you want the book back agree, or else I’ll borrow it for myself.” Etori’s frown had deepened. But the girl who was now blackmailing her continued to smile down at her. “Fine…I’ll meet you there.” Etori finally agreed much to her dismay. “Great!” Isamy exclaimed before she happily went to hand her back the book but as Etori grabbed it and tried to pull it away from her, Isamy kept her grip on it and added “Just note, if you are a no show. I will seek you out.” And with that last threat she released the book, sent another smile Etori’s way before she turned on her heel and walked towards the library’s exit. Etori watched her walk away with a disbelieving look on her face. She didn’t know what to think of Isamy. The girl seemed friendly when she had first approached her, but she had begun to act threatening while keeping that friendly smile across her face. Did she really want to be friends with Etori? Or was there some ulterior motive behind her actions. And more importantly, did Etori want to become Isamy’s friend? What did the girl want from her exactly? Why had she asked to meet with her? There was only one way to find out…