[Flashback, Blue Grotto] Resting in the Grotto (Velarian)

[Nisana Curare]

Nisana couldn't help but smile and giggle at Velarian's demonstration of an advanced hunter trick. He wasn't really graceful in his movement, she was sure she could have looked better doing it, but that only made it more appealing and almost cute to her. When he asked about tricks for combat, and her showing him it sometime, she gave a small nod, "Yes, she knows many tricks, and has taught me some. She does use one in this story, and it's one of my favorites. I would be happy to show you, but after I finish the story."

After Velarian asked for her to continue Nisana gave a small nod of her head, "So my Mother began to move as quietly as she could up on the creature, and started to circle around to get a clear shot at its side. She hoped to take it down quickly with a well placed arrow or two. As she moved however a bird called out above her and drew the wolf's attention. For a moment the two of them stared at each other, sizing one another up, and then the wolf started to give chase."

Coming up on the opening to the Grotto Nisana proceeded a little slower, wanting to finish the story before they climbed down the walls and towards the pleasantly lit pools, "My Mother ran, but she was not running for her life. She was determined to bring back at least part of the wolf to show for her hunt. She dashed as fast as she could, but the wolf was gaining on her. Finally she found a very large tree in her path. With the wolf nipping at her feet she ran at the tree, and then ran part of the way up it. The wolf, thinking she was climbing the tree, started to climb up it as well, but that was when my Mother used one of her advanced hunter tricks," she gave a small smile to Velarian at her use of his phrase, "She jumped off of the tree backwards and twirled while in the air so she landed facing the wolf's back. The creature was so surprised that my Mother was able to put three arrows in it before it even turned to look at her," her voice swelled with pride in her Mother's actions, "and as the wolf started to turn towards her two more well placed arrows finished it off and brought it crashing down to the forest floor with a thunderous noise."

[Velarian Zantedeschia]

"It was not my intention to interrupt," the lanky youth said quickly, already silent. There was time enough to ask for demonstrations once they reached the safety of the blue grotto. While he did not think about the chasm stretching beneath his feet, the cord was not well suited for quick and potentially dangerous maneuvers. There was little chance the tricks she could show him would prove useful to him, he was overall lacking in the physical department, yet it seemed the girl enjoyed talking of her mother's hunts the way he liked to listen to them. Or he could tell endlessly about animation.

When Nisana spoke he could see the swamp before his inner eye. Hazy wafts of mist drift among old trees and reed grass so high it could swallow a man whole. In his imagination it was dark, night, the pale disc of the moon hanging above the northern mountains, full and round and pale. The figure of Valvessa and the wolf were nothing but dark shades outlined by moonlight and what figures they cut. The wolf large and massive, dwarfing a calf by far; the huntress, small and lithe, slender. The beast should have been her death, a bloody, feral death and then she scaled the tree half, landing behind it. Picturing the scene the woman almost seemed to dance, weightless like the fog she parted, shadow among shadows. Three arrows struck home and the gray scenery was splat with crimson.

Breathing out he looked towards the young girl. "That... was quite impressive."

Velarian pushed the pictures of the hunt aside, nodding to her. "Bet you have the beasts head decorating your home now, don't you?" His own home was severely lacking when it came to trophies. There were a few, moth eaten and gray from age, a few newer pieces of his brother aside. Neither of it was a wolf's head though, nor something similar impressive. "I believe I would just have sought refugee in the tree's top, not coming down till the creature wandered of to find other prey," he admit with an embarrassed half laugh. No, his family did not contain many famous hunters and their home was decorated with his father's creation and not the remains of quarry. The boy was uncertain if that was better or not. A wolf's head would have been more impressive he figured.

Reaching the entrance of the blue grotto, Velarian swung himself up the entrance. Stretching out one hand towards the girl, he smiled. "Seems we reached the point were we started some hours earlier." He could hardly believe he would enter into the cavern the second time on one night. When he had done so earlier he had done it without aim, just to see who he would find beside the ponds. Nisana had proven a pleasant diversion from work and the possible meeting of old friends.

[Nisana Curare]

Velarian's reaction to the story brought a faint blush to Nisana's cheeks. She knew that he was most likely refering to the story, which was very impressive, and not Nisana's skill as a teller. A small part of her wondered if he might also be speaking of her telling of it, and it was that part which brought out the faint blush.

"Yes," Nisana gave a proud nod in response to Velarian's question, "My Mother has brought back many trophies to help decorate our home, and when I begin hunting I will start adding what I can," she then gave a small laugh at Velarian's admission that he would have hid in the tree. She would not admit such a thing, but she felt if she found such a creature alone at the moment she would do the same. As confident as she might be in her abilities she knew that such a thing was beyond what she could handle now, and possibly for some time yet.

Returning Velarian's smile Nisana took the boy's hand and let him help her up and into the entrance of the Grotto. It wasn't that she was not capable of getting there herself, she had clearly done it earlier in the day when she had first arrived, but it was... nice having Velarian help her, and she also found that holding hands with him was rather pleasant as well. Pleasant enough that she hesitated a moment before releasing his hand once she was fully up and in the entrance.

Giving a small nod in agreement to Velarian's statement she said softly, "It does not seem like that long has passed, but it is getting late," almost as if to underline her statement she gave a small yawn, bringing a hand up to cover her mouth as she did, "Ah... Shall we head down? I could show you that move my mother used against the wolf once we're down there," at this point she didn't really care so much what they did, but just wished to spend a little longer with Velarian before she went back to her Web for the night.

[Velarian Zantedeschia]

"Only if you aren't too tired," Velarian laughed. He had squatted in the entrance when helping the young girl up but now he stood again, looking down the grotto stretching out in the dark below. Basins shimmered to their feet and it took the boy a moment to pull away from the sight. His eyes wandered towards Nisana again. She does sound tired, he thought ruefully, realizing he had forgotten how young she was. It should have been hard to forget, but he had done so still. A quiet moment he studied her. After a day of training she had to be considerable more weary than him. He halted from climbing down into the smaller cavern.

"Would you rather go home?," Velarian asked in a sudden display of chivalry. "I could bring you to your web's place if you like." He had a vague idea where her family lived although he had never paid them a visit. For his aunt he sometimes delivered clothing and fabric, when buyers had ordered a piece rather than purchasing it off their stall at the market, but he was certain he would recall a delivery to the home of the famous harvester. He was also sure, he would not have forgot a place with so exotic hunting trophies.

"You can also show me the trick another day," he suggested with a smirk.

He certainly wouldn't mind yet another meeting with the young girl. His brother might tease him for hanging out with children so much younger than him, but then the older youth was busy with his own training lately and Velarian doubt to see much of him in the days to come. "Or we just take one last walk around the ponds now we are already here."

And then he would come to finish his unpleasant task of weaving. His aunt might already have checked on him and his work and he would rather have something to present the next time she found her way to the loom. He could only hope his father had more tasks for him soon as it meant escaping Nassana's clutches.

And after his little presentation earlier, he felt eager to advance his knowledge of Animation.

[Nisana Curare]

Nisana’s cheek’s colored slightly with an embarrassed blush at Velarian’s laugh, and she gave a quick shake of her head in response to his question of her being too tired, “No, I am only a little tired. I do not need to sleep for some time,” she was starting to feel tired, but she was sure she could push through it for a little while longer. More than that though she did not want Velarian to think of her as some child that had to be to bed early each night.

“I can return to my web later. I said I would show you the trick, and I keep to what I say,” Nisana said with a smile and another shake of her head in response to Velarian’s offer to take her back to her Web, “Come,” she motioned with her head as she started to climb down into the Grotto, “Let us find somewhere with enough space and a good wall for me to demonstrate on.”

Descending down the cavern wall into the Grotto Nisana glanced at Velarian for a few moments. When she had come here earlier that day it had certainly not been with the intent of finding someone like Velarian, but she was very happy with what had happened. She could just imagine how jealous Serena would be of what they had done, and the beautiful gift Velarian had given her. Just the image of her sister’s face caused Nisana to give a soft giggle as she arrived down at floor of the Grotto.

[Velarian Zantedeschia]

Despite her assurance the older boy watcher her for a long moment. Partly he was worried about her, partly he was worried about himself. He was unsure if he would be able to carry the girl home should she decide she was to tired to do so in the end. His father would not be pleased if he had to head home to ask him for help. The old man was likely sitting in his study now, preparing his work for tomorrow. He did not like meeting individuals not from his web and he surely would not enjoy to meet them with their sleeping daughter in his arms. Embarrassing situations made most people feel ashamed, his father however they made feel angry. Velarian could already imagine the face he would make, lips all pressed together, his eyes narrowed and shining with quiet ire.

The boy shook his head. No, he did trust Nisana. If she said she would make it, he was sure she would. "That's great to hear," he admit honestly, his face showing one of his most confident smiles. His newest acquaintance seemed as even if she was tired, she would force herself to keep her promise. That was rather admirable, in the youth's eyes.

"I believe I might know the ideal place to go," he continued already crouching. Careful he lowered himself over the edge, both hands closing around solid rock. A brief moment his legs were swinging from one side to the other, but then his toes found holes and cracks in the stone and he breathed out. Careful he started to climb, his fingers caressing the hard surface, ever searching for spot best suited to support his weight. The wall was smooth from myriads of hands who had smoothed its surface, yet there ere still areas better suited than others for a save decent. Velarian was not a fast climber. He was a prudent one.

There was a good chance for Nisana to reach the ground of the grotto long before the older boy did. If so Velarian would merely smirk, starting to lead the girl deeper into the grotto. So late at night the place was not as frequented anymore. Most younger Symenestra had found themselves a bed in their web's residence and older couples had likely decided to continue the courting in a more private surrounding. Once a woman had reached her thirties, they were free to do most anything they wanted. Or so his aunt kept pointing out. He was not entirely sure what to think of that, yet his weaving mentor seemed to know what she was talking about.

They passed a pond of deep aquamarine color. "It's right over there."

Before them opened the back of the cave. Few people followed the grotto to its end. There were not as many basins and fewer places to sit down. Vealrian stopped turning to Nisana. "What you think? Fitting your needs?" Folding his arms behind his back he grinned. "If you like... I can play the evil wolf."

[Nisana Curare]

Earlier that day Nisana had not been sure what to make of the smirks that Velarian gave her, but as she waited for him to finish his decent into the Grotto she couldn't help but smile back at him. There was a warmth and friendliness to those smirks that she had grown to like over the last few bells. When he did reach the Grotto floor she motioned and said with a smile, "Lead the way."

Following behind Velarian her eyes wandered over the features of the Grotto with a fresh appreciation. Before she had simply thought of this as a nice place to come and rest after a long day of training, but now she was starting to realize just how beautiful it all was. Maybe some time later she would come back here and take the time to explore it well. Of course, that would be even better if Velarian was there then as well.

When Velarian stopped and turned to face her Nisana gave a smile and a nod to the boy, "Yes, that should do well," before she could start looking for a good angle to run at it from Velarian's grin and next comment made her giggle and smile at the boy, "Well, you could if you wish, but I should try it first to make sure the wall will work."

Turning her gaze from Velarian and back to the wall and floor she took a moment to find a good path that would give her a straight run at the wall, and a good area to land in. After a few moments she found a good place, and moved into position. Turning her gaze to Velarian again she gave a faint grin, "Now, watch closely."

Giving a slow breath in and out she crouched down slightly, and then started to run at the wall. The sound of her feet against the floor echoed slightly in her ears, providing a counterpart to her breathing, and she quickly came upon the wall. Instead of stopping, as most would do by instinct, she brought a foot up and planted it on the wall. Gripping the cold hard surface she continued her run up the wall a handful of steps until she could feel her momentum slowing.

Kicking off the wall with both legs she curled up her body and rotated through the air. For a moment she was sure she had done perfectly, and a smile touched her lips as she thought of how Velarian would react. Out of practice she extended her legs back out as she approached the ground ready to land triumphantly. Too late she realized she had over-rotated, and while her feet did touch the ground first it was not a good landing. She couldn't absorb the force of the spin, and so she fell backwards from where she had landed. Bringing her hands down by reflex they smacked painfully against the stone floor, but she at least managed to keep from hitting her head as she skidded backwards a short ways.

Face burning from embarrassment Nisana stared at the ground away from Velarian. Though her body hurt and she wanted to get up and try to soothe it she was more worried about what Velarian would say in response to her silly failure.

[Velarian Zantedeschia]

The move looked impressive at first. Light footed the girl scaled the wall, walking it in a way the boy had never dreamed possible. Absently he wondered if a human would be capable to do the same thing, or if one indeed needed the a Symenestra's properties to climb the way Nisana did. Velarian knew his people excelled in the field, their hands and feet finding grip where others might not. Still he was unsure if it was the child's inherit traits or her momentum which let her crest the wall with such ease.

Pushing away from the wall the girl hung in the air for half a second. Arms stretched out, she shared a certain similarity with a bird in full flight. Had birds had been able to fly belly up at least, something Velarian was not sure about. Instinctively the boy took a step back to give Nisana more room for landing safely. The trick seemed incredible dangerous to perform the young Symenestra had admit to himself even while the youth' body was spinning in the air before him. When he had still been younger he had broken his arm once in a quarrel with his brother. The older boy had not even done much, yet the bone in his arm had snapped with a sound Velarian could now hear ring in his ears. It was not a nice sound. It was a sound which harbored bad memories of pain and long days spend at home afterward. And an angry father.

However the young girl seemed to do well enough. Until her toes touched the ground. The smile which had started to rise in his face died in an instant. The child's own sway carried her backward, the movement too fast and unexpected for the boy to still catch her. He jumped forward although he knew he was to late, crouching down by Nisana's side instead.

"Are you alright?"

Concern had turned his smile into a frown and Velarian leaned closer to the girl than he would have done without her failing. "You almost managed it," he tried to joke as he saw her cheeks turning red. "I am sure I would not have come so far even." He would not have tried either, but that was a detail better kept to himself, the youth found. Sitting back just slightly he started to look over the future huntress. There was no wound he could see. The sight let him breath out in relief. It did not mean she had to be alright, yet it was a good sign.

Getting to his feet he offered her his hand. "With a little more training I am sure you could do it. Or even just a little more luck." With a frown he eyed the wall. "Maybe we should have gone somewhere else. The limestone is smoother than tree bark. With a tree you might have managed."

This time he tried to make his voice sound confident. He was rather happy with the outcome.

[Nisana Curare]

The sound of Velarian's voice brought Nisana's head up, and her eyes widened slightly as he leaned close to her. For a brief moment the pain didn't matter, or the cold stone floor she was sitting on. All that Nisana's mind was focused on was Velarian's proximity and the frantic beating of her heart. When Velarian sat back the moment faded away, and she was reminded of how much the bad landing had hurt.

Carefully she stood up, giving a soft hiss of breath at the fresh pain stacked on top of her tenderness from before. Velarian's encouragement however brought a shake to her head, and a determined frown to her lips as she glared at the wall, "No, it was not the wall. I know I can do it, I just didn't focus enough. I'll show you."

Taking several deep breaths she glared at the wall for a moment, but then closed her eyes and cleared her mind. She would not let this wall, or this trick, make her look the fool in front of Velarian. Opening her eyes once more she focused on the wall, running towards it once more. Her body complained and ached, but she ignored it. Pain happened often during her training, but her had always told her that the ability to overcome it was an invaluable thing for those who hunted.

Once more she approached the wall at a run, and then ran up it several steps. Again she kicked off away from the wall and curled her body to flip around, but she did not curl up quite as much this time. Closing her eyes she let her instincts and training guide her body's movements. Spreading her arms to her sides slightly she spread her feet apart to help better brace her landing.

For a moment she was lost in the feeling of floating, of not touching anything but the air, and then her feet felt the sting of landing on the hard stone floor. This time she was perfect in her rotation, and her legs absorbed the momentum so she remained standing. It certainly hurt, especially after the recent failure, but she refused to let the pain show through. Letting out a slow breath she opened her eyes and gave a brilliant smile to Velarian, "There! I knew I could do it. I just was lazy because of how late it was."

[Velarian Zantedeschia]

"There is no need to -"

Velarian did not finish the sentence. Already the young girl had taken aim for the wall again, seemingly determined to not fail a second time. The sight let him take a step back, almost hesitant. He could have reached out and stopped her, could have grabbed her, yet Nisana's confidence let him pause. He slump back another two feet, making sure he would not serve as a distraction to the young woman. Although he felt the urge to keep her from running up the wall – it was not as strong as his wish to see the trick through to its end.

This time her performance was all the more more impressive. The boy could not have said where the second exactly differed from the first, the details of one motion flowing into the next lost on him. Fascinated he followed the girl's movements, her swirling in midair and the now perfect landing. The echo of him clapping hands rung dull through the cavern.

"Remarkable." With the girl turning towards him, Velarian strolled forward once more, relieved she had succeeded without a further scratch. "Truly remarkable. I suspect long training is needed to move like that?," he asked, an actual answer unneeded. It seemed like one of those things you would have to train time and time again until you you were able to execute it flawlessly. Just a year ago he had spend half an hour each day practicing to draw circles, with a piece of coal on stone floors and parchment. The girl's training, he bet had been more arduous however.

"Your mother had to be pretty proud of you," the boy smiled, glancing back towards the rock Nisana had scaled. One had to be sure of his skill to attempt the trick the youth had just shown him and Velarian felt no desire to try himself. "But... you should be more careful next time," he said hesitantly. "I would have feel horrible, had you hurt yourself." Also, since he had asked for her to show him the feat in the first place.

About to walk back into the more populated area of the grotto, he stopped. The boy waited to see if the girl would walk along with him. Ruby eyes studied her. "It has been fun, spending the evening with you."

His gaze swung towards the cave entrance and back to Nisana. "Eventually something to repeat one day?," he smirked, his expression of boyish innocence. "For now though I feel I should bring you home. Else someone at your web might worry what happened to you."

Without a second thought he reached out to offer her a hand.