Open Familiar Places

[Aquila Donovan]

Hearing Gwin’s response to her question, Aquila wasn’t sure if she was glad or not. The knot that had formed in her chest loosened a little and then sunk lower to her stomach. She wouldn’t have to deal with Axio for another day. He wasn’t out committing crimes bad enough to be heard about by this traveler. Or maybe he is just too slippery to be caught. That thought kept staring her right in the face. Axio was too smooth. When he came back home pleading and saying that he had repented, things had seemed a bit too perfect.

Her parents were more than happy to accept him back, too happy to see the fakeness of his “perfect” attitude. That was what hurt Aquila the most. Having to watch her parents fall deeper into the pit that was swallowing them whole. For once in her life, she felt helpless. This was something herbs and medicine could not fix.

Aquila was aware of the question Gwin asked. It hung in the air, making breathing harder. What should she say? Choosing her words carefully, she spoke slowly. Her sentences were squeezing her throat – making it harder to breathe.

“He is a… a relative. I know he is traveling and just was wondering if he is okay. I stay because he might come back. There are some things I would like to talk to him about. He left in a hurry.” She stopped, uncertain if she had said too much.

Gwin kept her fingers hovering over her instrument, picking the strings to create yet another effortless sounding tune. It was obvious this was how she battled her loneliness. Using music to hide from her worries. It was almost as if she communicated to her violin by touching the strings. It responded by giving a clear sound, vibrating through the water.

[Meredith]

oochope you two don’t mind me joining in so late in the thread?
It was probably creepy to be sitting here listening to another’s conversation, but everything about it had made him melancholy. The lonely traveler, and the healer, sharing some many things about one another and asking questions that Meredith simply wouldn’t answer himself. The travler spoke of music, and played a dismal song that carried so much sadness with it. The song put a lump in his throat as he listened, but he didn’t stop or walk away. Never in his life had he met an Akvatari, but they were a beautiful race. Her tale made him think of the sea, and her wings looked ever so delicate.

The conversation had distracted him from the heat momentarily as he kept to himself, dangling his feet in the water of the river a little way down from them, but within hearing distance. He was very good at being silent, and invisible now that he’d become a recluse. He feared they’d notice him soon though, so he shut them out again and pulled his feet from the stream, moving his body so he could lay on his stomach and look into the water.

He stayed this way, watching his reflection sadly, until he’d nearly forgotten about the two females chatting upstream. He began imagining things like he always did when he was left to his own thoughts. And he began to sing very quietly. It was a song that Yarrow used to dance to. He’d made up a whole set of choreographed movements to it.

His singing voice had suffered after not using it for an extended period of time. He sung in a very low, quiet way, not at all how the song was supposed to be sung.

“…There are shadows in the sky
Dancing in the air
Calling to my heart
Saying, "If you dare,
We're running fast
We're running far
Trying to catch the morning star..."

He trailed off when he could feel eyes on him. He’d gotten too loud after all. If anyone were to comment, he would only smile at them and say “Music in itself is a kind of healing as well, no?” He said simply, without stuttering or looking nervous for once. Even just singing that tiny section of an old song had created a sense of calmness about if frayed nerves. He also didn’t look at them, and that helped him as well. He just hoped they weren’t annoyed that he’d been listening. Maybe they weren't aware that he had yet, although his comment had made it obvious, in a cryptic sort of way.

[Gwin]

.





Gwin treasured the words Aquila gave her, knowing they weren't usually shared with a stranger. Despite the simplicity of her explanation, the Akvatari sensed there was some disquiet and disharmony in them. The girl didn't have to lie to hide some details, but Gwin didn't pry. Some secrets were kept from strangers and acquaintances like a protective shell. She knew that feeling, although she tended to find comfort in the knowledge that most brief meetings wouldn't be repeated. There were too many people walking the lands for two to ever meet again by coincidence.

But if the guy Aquila cared about knew her and she knew him, there was a sliver of hope at least. "I see. Maybe he'll return. Nobody knows what will happen." Looking around, she remembered the Konti with their pale knowing gazes and shimmering scales. Sometimes she wondered if even their patron Goddess anticipated the future with all its possibilities. Even for the mind of a deity, it'd be an impossible strain, no?

As she thought and plucked her strings, a different melody cut through the little meandering one she'd been following. Abruptly her fingers stopped and blue-green eyes focused on the grass downstream. Someone was lying there, watching them and reaching out in song. When Gwin tried to catch the melody and hum along, however, it faded. Blinking, she took in the words and tried to keep her confusion at bay. For a moment she'd expected more song, not dry and flat speech.

"You speak true," she said softly. "And that was a lovely song. I'd be grateful if you could come closer and sing it again so I might join you with my instrument." With that, she lifted the violin to her shoulder and turned back to Aquila. Her gaze was not quite asking for permission, maybe apologizing carefully, for the song had interrupted their conversation. "If you can't speak of him, you could sing of what you feel, what he is to you. Nobody will understand the meaning but you... if that's what you want." Then she gave a flickering smile that disappeared as soon as the music returned.

[Mayhem1]

You're an excited PC roaming around a thread.

You're not paying attention that the story's over.

Then...BAM! You're hit with a Grade.

I'm Mayhem, the ever-present Junior ST of Cyphrus. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this grade, please don't hesitate to shoot me a PM! And please, please remove or edit your grading request once you see this. Thank you!

 

Gwin

XP

• Observation - 4
• Socialization - 3
• Violin - 2

LORES

• Aquila: An Air of Tragedy
• Aquila: Missing Someone
• Meredith: Singer
• Music: A Kind of Healing

 

Aquila Donovan

If you come back, PM me for a grade.

 

Meredith

If you come back, PM me for a grade.

Notes: A very melancholy thread. I could practically feel the Akvatari demeanor. Too bad it was abandoned, I would've loved to see how it turned out. Also, wonderful inclusion of the video.

With Regards,
- Mayhem