Closed Spring At The Falls (Paaie)

[Saiyin]

14th Spring 518
Just gone midday
"Speech"

Up in the sky a bird flew with his companions in glorious synergy, whilst Syna's delicate rays caressed their shimmering wings. Birdsong, fleeting yet brilliant, dazzled through the streets. Zulrav's sweet breeze idly played with pennants and the hems of ladies' skirts, whilst the people crossed the streets and winding footpaths of Lhavit's slopes below. Saiyin was amongst them, backpack laden with a waterskin and food enough for one across her shoulders, heading to the start of the Trail of Waterfalls with her heart set on a refreshing walk through the tamed wilderness that was such a boon to the city.

Season's change had come and she'd been glad of it, glad to see the back of a Winter where Morwen was still nowhere to be seen. It made her uneasy to think of the outbreaks of violence since the goddess had disappeared. She had not personally witnessed anything, but she'd heard rumours and remembered clearly the coming of the priests of the other seasons. It chilled her, even on this pleasant day, to think of their edict. Still, Spring brought change, and this year would be different. Saiyin was personally optimistic about the coming times. Her mind was mostly occupied with the growing thoughts of her glassblowing business and the massive planning needed to get it off the ground. It would be a challenge, but she was excited about it. A little too excited. Of late, Saiyin's mind had been too crowded with thoughts of costs and property and materials and clients, so after a few restless night's sleep she had decided to clear her brain of the slowly gathering cobwebs and go for a walk.

The Trail of Waterfalls was a clear choice, so she'd had a leisurely morning about the garden before leaving the house and making her way through the city to the Amaranthine Gate where she wished to start the walk. She'd dressed in her usual sturdy shoes and green shirt, and it flapped idly as she walked with purpose past the pretty buildings that made up the city. There was much to see - she looked through windows with curiosity at the wares within and the folk wearing the latest fashions that walked, peacock-like around the streets - but she was on a mission so she did not dawdle for long. That would come later, after all.

She reached the beginning of the Trail of Waterfalls as the sun reached the zenith of the sky. The top of her head was warm from Syna's heat, and she rearranged her hair which had flopped slightly from the original plait she'd put it in. Apart from a slight figure walking in the near distance, there was no-one else about. Perfect.

Saiyin began, and set her feet onto the path. Her shoes clunked pleasingly against the raised wooden surface that had been smoothed and shaped by many generations of travellers and many seasons of mountain weather. Gradually, as she walked, the sounds of the city began to fade away under the boughs of the trees. Saiyin, who had always been at ease amongst greenery, couldn't help but gaze around like a tourist at the newly budding leaves that seemed to shine with a graceful, crystalline light. The wind was peaceful under the branches, almost like she was underneath the sea, and with the hidden sounds of a trickling stream playing with the sound of the zephyr the young woman immersed herself in the tranquillity of the scene.
oocIt's a bit short, let me know if I need to edit anything.

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[Paaie]

Solar Winds Apartments
Zintia Peak
early morning

　　　　 Paaie was sitting on the windowsill of her simple apartment, gazing down at the Surya Plaza below. Syna was just cresting the tall buildings, warm and delicately yellow.

The feline hadn't bothered to get dressed yet and her hair was a mane of untamed curls, although she had remembered to pull on her loose linen shirt, rolling the sleeves up so much they ballooned at her shoulders. The young kelvic had learnt pretty quick in her first few days in the Gem of Kalea that, while nudity wasn't banned per se, her naked escapades in the market weren't approved of outside of the bathhouse.

　　　　The window was thrust all the way open and an invigorating morning breeze drifted in. Paaie shivered. It was unseasonally warm and dry for the mountains with Morwen's absences but Paaie was from warmer, dustier climates, and she was still acclimatizing to the cooler mountain air. The feline's dark, hazel-ringed gaze lifted from the bustling early-risers crossing the plaza to Lhavit's magnificent sprawling peaks beyond.

　　　　Settling her sights on Sartu, a fond smile ebbed into Paaie's small round features as she recalled her very first day setting paws into the skyglass city. It was on that very peak. Now that she had spent the better part of a moon resting and recuperating from her arduous journey over the Unforgiving Paaie felt curiosity light under her butt. The kelvic clambered down off the white painted windowsill and rolled sideways onto her bed underneath gently.

　　　　Rumbling up the blankets as she twisted and stretched, reaching for her wool leggings laying in a heap on the floor, which she tugged on laying on her back, legs waving in the air. Now suitably clothed, the kelvic jumped up and grabbed for her faded tan wool coat and shrugged into it before stepping into sturdy leather sandals. Her nose crinkled lightly. Paaie disliked shoes, they were just a nuisance for shifting.

　　　　With hair muffling her sight, the kelvic looked about for a comb, which she knew she had put it somewhere in here. Te feline couldn't bring herself to sift through the mess of parchments, paintbrushes, in various sizes, and all the little clay bowls of dried paints that littered her room to find it. Instead her hands picked random brushes and little jars of unused paint and dropped them into her backpack as she searched for it.

　　　　Eventually she decided to let her mane be wild and loose, the wind would only tug it out of any constraint she put it into anyway. Stuffing a full waterskin, food wrapped in a napkin, and a blanket into her backpack, the kelvic hefted a small canvas up under her arm and was finally ready to leave her flat.

　　　　It didn't take Paaie long to make it to the Surya peak. Though she was relieved when she felt solid rock underfoot after crossing the magnificent skyglass brigde that arched between the peaks, she couldn't help but turn around to marvel at the crystal shimmering and glistening softly. It was like someone had taken water and light and made something solid out of it. The kelvic let her feet scuffle as she meandered through the winding streets, pausing when she reached the raised wooden pathway set beside the city gates, winding into the mountains. The Trail Of Waterfalls.

　　　　Paaie slung her left arm through the loop of her backpack and hefted it onto both shoulders, wondering to herself if she should have left it behind. The tantalizing urge to shift and chase down the pathway in her fur nearly had her drop her things where she was. Oh well. With that thought, the kelvic readjusted the canvas under her arm and stepped up onto the wooden boards and started out her walk down the trail.

　　　　A receptionist at the Cosmo Centre had told her there were wonderful waterfalls and gazing pools on this trail when she had been there. It was too tempting an opportunity for a budding painter to miss out on and had been tugging on her ever since. A little walk through the mountains seemed like the perfect way to appreciate the wilds of her new home. After a third of a year's worth of hard travel to get to Lhavit from the coastline of Kalea, though, Paaie realised she'd overestimated herself just a bell into her walk.

　　　　The kelvic had to pause every dozen paces to readjust her grip on the canvas, which was making her arm sore to carry whichever way she held on to it. Paaie wished she hadn't brought so many jars of paint colours too, feeling the weight of them as they clinked together lightly in her backback. Sweat beaded at the base of her neck uncomfortably and the feline didn't feel the chill off the breeze at all now, it was incredibly welcome.

Surya Peak
Just gone midday

　　　　Taking a breather, the kelvic took a moment to look around her at the lush greenery. That was something she thought she'd never get used to, coming from the deserts where vegetation was washed tan by the sand and grit that was always blown into and settling in all the nooks and crevices, making the green faded and wrinkled. Lhavit's flowers and shrubs and trees were so vibrant and heady smelling. They reminded Paaie of the oases in the desert, though where such vibrant greenery was cherished and rare, secluded in oases, here it was celebratingly abundant. Paaie decided then she loved it.

　　　　As the feline's hazel-ringed gaze was gazing about, she noticed suddenly that someone else was catching up to her on the wooden walk. A woman, she could tell by the scent which wafted through the hazy floral smells before the stranger was close even enough to distinguish. As the stranger drew nearer Paaie admired the red of her hair, which she had noticed along her travels was more prominent among the peoples outside of the desert.

　　　　Without letting her rest stretch on longer, the kelvic hefted up the canvas and took up her slow, ambling pace again. Staying just that bit ahead of the red-headed stranger. As the pathway wound deeper into the mountainous wilds, Paaie found herself cheered by the sight of birds she had never seen before darting in and out of the bushes and rocks. Her eyes followed them intently, tracking their feathery deliciousness, as they swooped and dived, teasing her.

　　　　As her attentions were distracted by the birds, the kelvic hadn't noticed that she had slowed her pace right down so that the stranger behind was duly catching up with her. When an undercurrent of gushing water ran under the peaceful hymn of birds and crickets and Caiyha's critters going about their daily business, Paaie's attention was finally tugged away from the birds by the noise. As it got louder and louder, Paaie realised that it was a waterfall up ahead. Her heart skipped and she forgot her aching bones and weary limbs as she hurried on until the sound became a nearly deafening rhythm.

　　　　When she rounded the next curve in the path, she was stopped in her tracks by the sudden sight of the waterfall. Stunned, the kelvic stared up at the Rainbow Waterfall. Awe sunk into her as Syna edged Herself over the peaks and caught in the tumultuous waves, throwing a kaleidescope of colour across the bay. Apart from the ocean, the kelvic had never seen water so beautiful in her little life!

　　　　Her breath was so taken, she didn't notice the birds coming to land on a branch and singing behind her, or even that the fellow trail walker had caught up with her too. Not until the stranger stepped past her peripheral vision and the kelvic noticed her scent was familiar. As the fellow trail walker did, Syna's midday light hit the frothy waters just right and Paaie's heart thrummed as the colours bathed the stranger, meldinging like a mirage from green to red to orange and yellow.

　　　　"Oh." The feline breathed,
"Oh!" She exclaimed again—then, commanded enthusiastically, "Stay right there, in that light!"

　　　　Whether the stranger would abide or not, Paaie didn't think on it, she was already rushing to free the paintbrushes and jars of paints from her backpack. Hunkering down, she leaned the canvas against her backpack. Chucking a paintbrush in between her teeth, she reached for a brush whose bristles were longer and tapered, which she held in her left hand.

Dipping the tapered brush into a small, lightly cracked glass jar of black paint (in fact all of her paint jars were badly abused, each with tiny cracks where paint had leaked out slightly and dried crusty down the sides, or the glass was chipped under their dented tin lids). It wasn't until she was poised ready to make her first brush stroke that the kelvic looked up at her potential painting subject to see her reaction (or if she was even still there!).

oocThat was a beautiful starter, thank you. I'm so sorry this took so long! I'm ready to sink into this thread now if you are still interested~

[Saiyin]

"Speech"

The woman was sometimes visible, sometimes not, as the path wound about the mountain side. Saiyin was comforted by the presence of the stranger, although they had yet to speak a word to each other. It was not that she wasn't comfortable with being alone. Saiyin often found solace in the quiet and the stillness to be found in her home after a day in the town. She spent time marvelling at the sound of her own heartbeat and the way dust floated without ever truly falling. These times were good for introspection too, but never for too long. After a while, silence became a toxin slowly leeching into her mind, putting her ill at ease and making her anxious, or sad. It was a hard-learnt lesson that loneliness hurts, in the long run.

The company of people was the truest remedy to sadness, Saiyin believed. It was with this in mind that she walked a tad faster, not enough to break into a run but just briskly enough to keep her in pace with the woman in front. She was easy-going; if it turned out the stranger was in the mood for a little chatter, Saiyin would be more than happy to oblige. For the most part, talk was harmless after all, and talk would help take her mind off things better than stewing silently by herself, even if it was in such beautiful surroundings as these.

A sound was growing louder. She listened to it carefully, hearing the brittle roaring sound of water falling from a great height. Excitement stirred. It could only be Rainbow Falls..! The woman had fond memories of her childhood here, and now she wasn't paying attention to the movements of the hiker in front of her but instead walked with the view of the cascading water in mind.

There was little that could stop the childish grin spreading across her face as she stepped next to the hiker she had finally caught up with. For a few moments, they both stared at Rainbow Falls with amazement, with Saiyin stood a little forwards gazing upwards in awe and getting spray in her eyes. Saiyin was not aware of the concept of a postcard, but that was exactly how the waterfall and accompanying lake looked. Picture perfect. She blinked back the spray from her face and bared a wide-mouthed smile as she turned to the woman beside her. Now she finally had a chance to study the stranger, and she found her pleasant to the eyes but different-looking, in a way she wasn't sure about. Perhaps it was the dark, thicky-curled hair that tumbled crazily down her back. Saiyin struggled to make herself heard over the tumbling, crashing water as she went to introduce herself.

But before she could speak, the stranger was commanding her with a sweet voice she could just hear over the sound of the rushing, tumbling water and she paused with her eyebrows comically raised. "Hi!" She spoke in Common, with an accent that was squarely Lhavitian. "Uhh... Any particular reason you've..- Ohh." She watched with amusement as the stranger began rummaging and squirreling through her possessions, bringing out what looked like art supplies. They weren't the most conventional of equipment to bring on a walking trip, and Saiyin grinned and relaxed her face as the woman finally turned her gaze towards her.

"I take it you're a painter? It's a pleasure to meet you. I've been inadvertently following you for a while", she tried not to look too sheepish, "So I suppose it's only fair I introduce myself. I'm Saiyin. What's your name, Miss?" She blinked back hair from her face and shifted her feet slightly, blissfully unaware of the exact reason Paaie had asked her to stop so suddenly in the first place. Nearby, pretty birds flickered in and out of the woodland and a fish flopped with a loud splash in the centre of the lake. All was tranquil, and as was usually the case, Saiyin found herself smiling at her new potential friend, pleased that she wasn't some bore or grumpy old thing. This one seemed full of life, and she wondered quietly to herself... What was her story?

oocHeh, no worries at all! I'm glad we can write together. ^_^

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[Paaie]

　　　　
　　　　 "I take it you're a painter? It's a pleasure to meet you. I've been inadvertently following you for a while."

　　　　Paaie was already brushing tiny, tiny strokes of black on the canvas, her dark brows furrowing gently, sharper-than-usual canines sinking in to the soft wood of her paintbrush lightly. First she just painted a faint, dashed outline of the stranger, where her hair fell. When she realised she was meant to use her charcoals first to outline her subjects, the kelvic cussed silently in her head. Oh well, this was just the way she was going to do it.

　　　　"So I suppose it's only fair I introduce myself." In the interim of painting and thinking, the kelvic looked up to the stranger, who she realised was speaking to her in common with that lovely, unusual accent she had heard all about Lhavit. "I'm Saiyin. What's your name, Miss?"

　　　　As if the name sounded nice to her ears the kelvic's tone lilted upward lightly and a smile flickered into her dusky features, easing into her whole body where her concentration ebbed. Then Paaie's nose wrinkled lightly in the middle as she reached past her native shiber for the basic common she had picked up from her travels to respond in kind. "My jaim ish Py-ee." A giggle purred in her chest as she remembered this time to remove the paintbrush from between her teeth and tried again. "My name is Paaie. Yes, I like to paint."

　　　　"I see you like very much the-" Paaie was looking at the magnificent Rainbow Falls and faltered as she didn't know the common word for waterfall. Instead she just used its equivalence in shiber. It was then that she saw the beautiful, shimmering lights wrapping around Saiyin as the Lhavitian shuffled her feet against the wet sprayed wood, which reminded Paaie of why she was hunkered down. "Wait, wait, stay still!" She demanded, not unkindly.

　　　　Quickly, before Syna decided to edge a little farther in the sky and the mirage would be lost, the kelvic took up a jar of green paint and the tapered brush. After dipping, she made a few dots of green paint on her canvas wherever she saw green light. Letting the paintbrush clatter into her backpack, the kelvic took up another and did the same dip and dot technique for the orange glow, and then for the yellow hues.

　　　　When she was done the canvas was sparsely decorated with a series of colourful dashes and dots surrounding a faint black outline in the middle. This way, the kelvic had left herself little markers, to which she was satisfied she would remember the way everything looked and would be able to fill in from imagination once she got home or into a studio.

　　　　With that the feline rose at last and turned her dark, curious eyes on Saiyin as if properly seeing her. "Thank you for be still. You have beautiful hair." She grinned unabashedly, shiber rolling in her words like a purr as she mirrored what Saiyin had said, understanding the meaning if not the words themselves. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Saiyin."

　　　　Paaie did not blink for the longest time as she gazed at Saiyin. Her gaze intent and curious in that way cats were, when they weren't sure of something, although Paaie did not seem discontent or wary, just watchful. "I come here for seeing." She beamed, and looked all around her at the greenery, made lush and dewy by the spray of the waterfall even low as the waterways were, it had become an oases here.

"It is many- er-" Again, unknowing of the common for plants, Paaie added in place—"beautiful life." With a delicate shrug of her slender shoulders, she explained. "In the desert, it is not like this. I like it very much. It is your home, yes?"

[Saiyin]

"Speech"

The woman was holding the paintbrush in her teeth, and it was this action that filled her eyes with mirth. How strange! Still, most people had a quirk of some kind or another. That was what made people interesting. Though, Paaie's particular quirk looked quite tricky to master. She began to tilt her head, trying to figure out how she painted using her mouth rather than her hand, but the woman ordered her to stay put and so she ceased moving. "Is that okay?" Suddenly, she supposed she should feel quite honoured to be the subject of an artist's fascination. Saiyin had never thought herself to be pretty, and she wasn't, truthfully. It was nice to be painted, and she wondered what the outcome would be, already rushing ahead even though she knew the artistic process was usually a lot slower than a quick sketch.

There was more to ponder over in regards to Paaie. Not only was her mannerisms not quite ordinary, but her speech was different and unusual too. But they fell into a companionable silence whilst the artist worked and Saiyin looked around without moving her head. She saw the birds now and heard their twittering song. With her eyes she began to count them, one, two, three... But she soon lost count, and instead she simply counted the colours, of which there were many. Finally it seemed that Paaie had finished for the time being, and she grinned and relaxed a little.

The woman fixed her with a stare, one that she met with a smile that grew a little confused as the ticks passed by. It was a little rude, but she was glad when Paaie's eyes dropped a little and she interjected life into the conversation. Once again, Saiyin found herself wondering what her story was. It was pretty clear she wasn't from the city of Lhavit, unless she'd led a sheltered upbringing. That would be sad, she thought, but then if she was from elsewhere Saiyin's curiosity would be forced to come to the forefront. She was steadily patient yet insatiable when it came to other cultures. There was something hugely fascinating about hearing stories of far-away places. Her family had instilled a love of the unknown in her, and although she wasn't the type to wish herself away into a dangerous and strange place, there was nothing that could hurt her from the telling of a story.

Saiyin nodded a few times as Paaie exclaimed about the 'beautiful life' of the Trail of Waterfalls. She agreed- wholeheartedly. "There are many, many beautiful trees and plants along this trail. I haven't walked it since I was much younger than this, yet nothing has changed. The water still flows, the trees still raise blossom to the sky, the birds still sing even though I'd forgotten some of it. " Then, at the mention of the desert, she beamed and brushed her flyaway hair from her face impatiently. She still kept the glowing happiness of the compliment she'd been paid earlier tucked carefully away though, ready to be returned at an opportune moment. Now there was something she wanted to ask. "The desert? Do you know of Ahnatep? I have a friend who comes from there, she says the desert is beautiful. Did you come from there? I know it's very beautiful here, but the desert... Wow."

"As for me, yes! I live in Lhavit, was born here, and I don't plan on leaving." She broke off, resting her voice from talking over the rushing waters. An idea struck her, and she brightened again. "So, would you like to walk with me? I think I'm going to walk the length of the trail today. If you're up for it, that is. There'll be plenty more to paint along the way. I'll hang around here with you if you wanted to paint the waterfall. Though, if you want to get rid of me, I'll be on my way, Paaie."

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[Paaie]

oocOops, I meant to write that Paaie was holding a brush between her teeth while actually painting with a brush she was holding in her left hand, I must have edited a line out somewhere; my apologies for how awkward that must have read, hehe!~

　　　　 As Saiyin told Paaie that she had often came to the Trail of Waterfalls when she was younger, the kelvic beamed excitedly. Imagine growing up in a place like this! She thought. When Saiyin agreed with the beauty of the trees, the shiber-fluent Paaie noted the word away in her thoughts for remembering.

　　　　Saiyin was asking her about Ahnatep and the kelvic's smile ebbed just a little as she shook her head of curls. "No, I'm not from Ahnatep, I have never been there; I am from Yahebah." The kelvic's thoughts turned glum as she thought of home, so far away, and the tensions that rippled betweem the ancient city of the eypharians and the modest benshira.

　　　　Saiyin was gushing, though, and the way she seemed to come alive with wonder and curiosity made the kelvic forget herself and she was soon grinning along with the lhavitian. "-she says the desert is beautiful. I know it's very beautiful here, but the desert... Wow."
Paaie giggled and agreed, "It is different, yes it is beautiful. I like the, um," She said 'oases' in shiber and gestured about them at the lush greenery and the magnificent waterfall offering its undulating tempo to compliment their excitement. "With trees and flower, it is very precious."

　　　　As her newfound acquaintance seemed to take a moment to enjoy the sound of rushing water and singing birds, Paaie's own thoughts became inward and relaxed as she used the moment to pack away her paintbrushes and jars. As she did, she realised that a strap wrapping around her backpack to enforce it was just perfect for securing her canvas to the pack and cussed herself that she hadn't thought of it earlier when her arms were sore carrying it. Once she was all packed up again, the kelvic lingered, watching Saiyin watch the waterfall and birds with a gentle smile dancing in the light dappled across her eyes.

　　　　Paaie didn't notice how reluctant she was to leave the lhavitian's company, but she did decide that she liked Saiyin's presence very much. Saiyin made her feel soothed and excited all at once. As they admired the waterfall together for a few chimes, contentment seeped into the quiet ebbing between them. When Saiyin stirred a light flutter of disappointment at the prospect of parting ways fluttered in her briefly.

　　　　"So would you like to walk with me? I think I'm going to walk the length of the trail today. If you're up for it, that is. There'll be plenty more to paint along the way. I'll hang around here with you if you wanted to paint the waterfall. Though, if you want to get rid of me, I'll be on my way, Paaie."
　　　　　　　　—"Yes! Yes I love to!"
　　　　　　　　　　　　Paaie purred, before Saiyin had even finished her proposition. "I will paint tonight, it is beautiful here with nice company." The kelvic pushed her hair—which was getting frizzier by the tick amid all that fresh, dewy spray—out of her face before shrugging her backpack onto her shoulders again. Giving the waterfall of rainbows a last look of wonder, the kelvic turned her gaze toward the winding path they had yet to take. "How far is the trail?" She asked curiously, falling into step happily alongside her new companion. As they ambled down the wooden boards, Paaie thought about how excited the lhavitian had been to discover the kelvic was from the desert, and how she had said she would never leave Lhavit. So the kelvic started talking about her homeland, hoping that Saiyin found it interesting.

　　　　"The desert is beautiful, in a way, it is beautiful like the water because of the way it make you feel. The desert is so big. It is hot during the day, so hot it make your feet burn if you do not wear shoes. There is not much water for drinking, at all. It can be so dry it feel like the wind itself steal the water from your lips." Paaie watched as a bid flitted past, wishing she was wearing her fur so she could give chase. "During the night, though, it is very cold, but the stars are like crystals, which is good because without them you could be lost in the sands forever." The kelvic spoke easier as she dipped into her memories, losing the fear that her basic common would hinder her.

　　　　"In some parts the ground is so hard and dry, it cracks, like scales. In the deepest parts sand dunes stretch for miles and miles, as far as the eye can see. They reach up like giants towards the sky, taller than any building, like waves in the ocean, too, the dunes move everyday. The wind makes shapes it, like a potter shaping clay. When you wake up and look on the desert one day it is not the same as the day before. It is like it is alive, a big, humming, thriving beast which make you feel small and humble walking on its back. Beautiful and dangerous too." The kelvic breathed, and paused within herself, as if just describing had brought her to her homeland.

　　　　"Sometimes I didn't like the desert, it is so quiet, not like here. It is easy to forget it is full of life. Only the wind speaks, and always sound like moaning, like it is sad. Everything else is small, and quiet, like shiny beetles, and snakes." Paaie's nose wrinkled for a tick at her mention of snakes, before she went on, "You can tell when a snake has been because it leave, like, a little shape in the sand. Like this—" The feline drew an 's' shape without its middle in the air to show Saiyin the snake tracks she often saw while stalking. "I don't like snakes, they are very fast, and hiss like they are angry all the time." She stated simply.

　　　　A tick slipped by as she wondered if Lhavit had any snakes—"I like the mountains, they give me the same feeling as the desert, it is humbling. Make life seem full of chances"—she concluded thoughtfully as they made their way down the trail.

　　　　A few ticks slid by in which Paaie's thoughts wandered idly, until she began to wonder about Saiyin and the life that she seemed content with here in Lhavit. "What keeps you here in your home city? Do you have a family?" She asked, curiosity colouring her voice, and then, "What do you like to do here? Is many artist here like me?"

[Saiyin]

"Speech"

oocHaha, no worries! I did wonder...

Saiyin chuckled at Paaie's hasty reply, and grinned with relief. Sometimes, people didn't enjoy the company of strangers, choosing instead to foster relationships with the small group of those already known to them. Saiyin was glad then that Paaie was not one of those kinds of people, and glad too as they began to walk away from the waterfall that she followed with readiness not reluctance. She pondered on the answer to her question of how long the walk was, and found to her surprise that the answer was not quickly forthcoming. Maybe, even when she was a tiddler, she'd never walked the entirety of the walkway. There was always something else to be done, errands to run, lessons to take, stories for her mother to hunt. Little Saiyin had loved the outdoors, but mother and father seemingly never had enough time, though she did remember wonderful occasions, picnicking and dancing in the waterfall's spray.

She dismissed the nostalgia, and turned her gaze to Paaie. "I do not actually know how long it takes! Maybe a few bells, or longer?" She tapped her chin thoughtfully, and settled on, "Yes, three or four bells, I think." She thought about the size of Lhavit itself, about how long it took to walk from home to anywhere else in the city. The trail wound its way around the city all the way to the other side, she presumed. What lay in between was more of a mystery, although she knew by its very name that there would be waterfalls and more beautiful, verdant greenery.

They walked in silence for a short while. Saiyin enjoyed listening to the dull thump of her feet on the wooden boards, and the now more gentle sounds of running water rushing over the stones. They walked up a slight incline, and Paaie began to speak.

Saiyin listened at first with polite curiosity, and then with the avid concentration of a child being read a story. She absorbed the lyrical speech of the Kelvic woman, the lush descriptions of the desert sands and the way it lived and breathed. Stars like crystals, beautiful and dangerous. She tasted the words on her lips, and could almost feel the dry air that she described. Her eyes were alight with wonder and amazement, childlike yet brimming with fascination. It was a new city that she had mentioned too, and Saiyin ruminated on the word: Yahebah. Her mind ran wild, imagining what it could be like. Although she knew of Ahnatep, there was little that Hessel had told her that could help to paint a picture of the city in her mind. She knew the language of the Eypharians a little, despite taking several chimes to say a sentence most of the time, and she understood a little of their culture. But of the world down there she knew very little.

Paaie's speech stirred long-forgotten wanderlust in a way she hadn't expected. What would it be like to feel the scorching sand beneath her feet? How would it feel to sing into the wind, or gaze at the crystal stars at night? The dark-haired woman suddenly posed a question, and that snapped her out of the daydream. She grasped at words for a moment, then answered slowly and carefully. There was a romantic, dangerous appeal to the mysterious lands of Ahnatep and Yahebah, and as much as she could dream, she knew where she belonged. "I ask myself the same question sometimes, when I'm dreaming, or especially when I hear you talk about your home. To hear that land being spoken about like that, I can't help but wonder a little if I should visit. But I don't, and wouldn't. Lhavit is my home and it has always been my home. I feel a great sense of belonging here. I understand how I fit in, in a way that I would struggle to anywhere else."

"Both of my parents are dead." She mentioned it in a manner-of-fact way. "It's sad but it happened and that's just life. My mother thought she could leave the city and remain safe, but the matter of fact is that the world is a dangerous place. I commend your courage, but personally I could never risk the wilderness. It may be beautiful and stunning and a place I dearly want to see, but in my heart I know that I would not survive."

She shrugged, but she remained steadfastly walking. She brightened a little at the last question, and nodded enthusiastically. Lhavit was well-known to be artistic and brimming with culture. "Oh, there are plenty of artists! Some show their work at the Basilika for starters. They give talks there too, and maybe you could even find someone willing to share tips. As for myself, well, I'm starting a glassblowing business! I turn sand into things, like cups and bowls and vases. Sometimes I challenge myself and make sculptures too. I could show you how sometime, if you'd like. It's tricky, but the heat of the furnace on your face is exciting and witnessing the red-hot glass bubbling into shape is amazing. What do you like painting most, Paaie?"

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[Paaie]

　
　　　　 Paaie relished the avid attention that her walking companion was investing in her as she told her of her desert home. It told in the way her voice rose with excitement as she crafted her descriptions and the grin that settled comfortably into her eyes. So when Saiyin began to speak, for once the feline felt inclined to listen deeply.

　　　　"Lhavit is my home," she said, and the kelvic found herself captivated by the Lhavitian's steadfast sense of belonging. Where the kelvic's nomadic life had forged in her feet a restless itch that never seemed satiated wherever she landed her paws, there was something warm and wholesome about Saiyin's love for her home that was novel and refreshing to the feline.

　　　　As much as Paaie spoke about the beauty of her desert origins, she was none the sadder for leaving it. Paaie did not belong to the soils on which she trod. The kelvic listened and was mildly distracted by a sense of longing that Saiyin's words stirred in her then. Her ma and pa had spoken to her a little about The Bond. Paaie was too young to really understand but now, here, walking alongside Saiyin and almost feeling the tangible thread that connected Saiyin to Lhavit, Paaie's need for The Bond flickered deep in her bones. The kelvic might find it in a person rather than a place, but in that moment, Paaie regarded Saiyin with wistful envy. Saiyin had found her Bond already.

　　　　"Both of my parents are dead." The way Siayin spoke so matter-of-factually jerked Paaie out of her envious daze and the kelvic looked at the woman's face curiously, though with little to say or feel in return. They were not her parents so she needn't feel sad, and Saiyin seemed well-adjusted, so she didn't express sympathy.

　　　　Like Saiyin, Paaie regarded death as a matter of life. Death was inevitable, and she thought little about it. Maybe just in avoiding her own ending, since she very much liked chasing, and eating, and napping, and all the pleasant sensations of life. Who knew if there were fish, and warm ledges, and gentle hands to stroke your coat when you fancied it in the afterlife? Better not to take chances.

　　　　As Saiyin spoke of the wilderness as stunning and dangerous, the kelvic recalled the arduous journey that she had had to make across The Unforgiving and hummed in agreement. "-in my heart I know that I would not survive." The glass-maker admitted, without shame Paaie noticed. The feline almost purred, baring a gentle grin of lightly pointed canines as she agreed. "You are wise, Saiyin. I travel with companions, they know wilderness, but it was a hard journey. I not go back, better to stay in Lhavit and see beautiful oases like this."

　　　　The kelvic glanced about them at the calm beauty that had been tamed and kept at bay along the trail they walked and appeciated it even more so. To be able to go into the wilderness on a whim like this for a peaceful walk was a treat indeed. Lhavit was a special place, that was for sure. Paaie's deep eyes glinted with excitement as the Lhavitian told her about the artistic culture in the city. Paaie wondered what the Basilika was, but it sounded like a marvellous place for hearing interesting things and meeting interesting people. The kelvic decided she would go there next time she ventured out.

　　　　"I turn sand into things." Paaie couldn't help be absorbed in the excitement and pride that lit up her companion as she spoke about her art. Paaie had never seen glass made before and the idea that it came from sand made her giggle. "All time I live in the desert I not see glass is made." When Saiyin posed her a question about her painting, the feline rolled her shoulders lightly, proudly, before answering. "I like paint life- uh- not special things. I like colour." Her Benshiran upbringing ebbing in. "I like paint people who have light in their eyes, like the way you look at water, or the way you look now when you speak about making things out of sand."

　　　　The kelvic wasn't sure that meant anything to the glass-blower, and her brow furrowed as she wondered how to put what captivated her into words that made sense. "Like red-hot glass bubbling into shape." She stole Saiyin's words, and beamed, "Something raw and beautiful I put in painting." A tentative thought appeared to flit across the kelvic's features, which she mused with for a tick, before she posed it to Saiyin in the form of a request.

　　　　"You can make sculpture—
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　—of me?"

　　　　The idea of having an image of herself shaped in glass, suddenly, was so appealing to the kelvic it lit her with an excited grin. She had no mirrors in her apartment, but mirrors always showed your flaws anyway. A nice sculpture to look at herself, yes, now that would be nice. But, which form? The kelvic danced as she walked, skipping in front of Saiyin as she let her thoughts tumble between them.

　　　　"—But you must help me, which look? I like my fur best. Have you sculpt many things before? What about like this? Should I look regale?"

　　　　The feline was certainly feeling playful now she was considering how she would look made of glass, as just then she stuck her hip out, planting a hand delicately there, and leaned her right shoulder forward to accentuate the curve of her thighs. Oh, how the light would catch, and make rainbows across the floorboards. As if she were made of light. The kelvic tossed her unruly mane over her shoulder and laughed. It was a miracle she didn't fall over, walking backwards poised as she was—

　　　　　　　　—until she did.

　　　　A board on the walk was lightly loose at the edge and Paaie's feet caught against it. In a flurry of waving arms and a surprised gasp, the kelvic managed to grapple onto a tree that was leaning into the walkway and she laughed, thankful for its being there. Just as the kelvic was covering up the pink embarrassment that had crept quite warmly into her cheeks with a playful curtsy, her gaze alighted on the river rippling along beside their walk and she muttered in awe at the scene. A little pool gathered where the river's course met with stubborn rocks.

　　　　The water wove around the rocks, where reeds set their roots into the grassy knolls the slower currents deposited there. The reeds rustled and swayed in the breeze, whispering excitedly at the trail visitors. In the middle of the river it had parted ways around a particularly large rock, and this was the object of Paaie's gaze. Clinging to the barely bare rock was a blossom tree, full of green buds with their pink petals just peeking out, waiting for the warmer weather when they would bloom in their full glory.

　　　　The kelvic stepped down off the wooden board trail to get closer to the river edge and peered in to look for fish. "Look the water is so clear!" She tucked a weft of frizzy hair behind her ear as she peered at Saiyin. Dark gaze slipping to the Lhavitian's pack, the kelvic took a few short sniffs and beamed. "Are you hungry? I have cheese."

[Saiyin]

"Speech"

"Wise, me?" Saiyin tipped her head slightly and laughed, not at Paaie but at her choice of words, which she found quite funny. Saiyin didn't think she could be wise. Learned people were wise, and she wasn't one of those. She'd had an education as had most Lhavitians, but she hadn't been interested in books and knowledge of Mizaharian matters when she had been a child. The concept of wise-ness being linked to sensibleness was alien, but the comment was a passing one and Saiyin didn't dwell.

They kept walking at a steady pace and Saiyin took time to look around at the scenery, wondering what her favourite season was, and thinking it might be Spring after all. The conversation moved on from Eyktol, which Saiyin regretted slightly, but she perked up as Paaie talked about her painting and her eyes lit up further at the request that followed. She could hardly believe her ears... and her eyes! Saiyin watched her strutting, wondering what exactly she meant by 'liking her fur best', but then she set aside the question for another time as the woman tripped and stumbled over, just about catching herself on the tree branch. Barely suppressing the mirth that bubbled from her lips, she hid her mouth with her hand as she giggled at the sight of the Kelvic's unfortunate prancing. It was a light-hearted chuckle, as it was obvious to Saiyin that the young woman had only damaged her pride.

She mused over the sudden request as she walked forwards and followed the Kelvic's entranced stare to the beautifully balanced blossom tree. It was stunning. The light was caught perfectly by the newly formed, delicate leaves as they rustled in the light breeze. Pink blossoms were just about to form full flowers, which Saiyin was sure would flutter into the water and be swept away by the crystalline waters. The image was timeless and entrancing, and she stood next to Paaie with just the same amount of awe writ clearly across her features. It was the perfect image...

An idea was beginning to form. She wasn't thinking in a business sense as such, but Paaie's playful mood was infectious and the idea could turn out to be a good one. They were both artists, after all, and Lhavit was gorgeous inspiration. With a nod, she turned to the other woman, and shared a sparkling glance with her. "I will happily make a statue of you, Paaie. However, I have a proposition."

The corners of her eyes wrinkled with a challenge of a grin, and she hurriedly tucked hair behind both her ears so as to have no distractions. "We'll have a competition. As we are both artists, we will each make a piece of art of this beautiful tree, I with glass, and you with paint. We'll showcase them both at the Basilika next season in Summer. If you manage to sell your painting first... I'll make your statue completely free of charge!"

"How does that sound?" She clasped her fingers together and raised her brows expectantly. The challenge was naught but a friendly one, but she wasn't sure if the other woman would read it as such, so she tried to make herself look relaxed and casual. Whether it worked or not, Saiyin's stomach still growled at the prospect of food, and so she agreed, telling Paaie, "I've got a little bread and dried apple in my pack, and there's fresh water in the river. Let's settle for a picnic." She clambered down, and rolled up her trouserlegs to submerge her feet in the swirling, ice-cold water with a shocked gasp and a small splash, before beginning to unlace her pack and draw out the small supply of food from within.

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[Paaie]

　　　　" Iwill happily make a statue of you, Paaie. However, I have a proposition." The kelvic really did purr then, gaze dancing from Saiyin's pack to the grin that had settled into the red-head's features. "We'll have a competition. As we are both artists, we will each make a piece of art of this beautiful tree, I with glass, and you with paint. We'll showcase them both at the Basilika. If you manage to sell your painting first... I'll make your statue completely free of charge!"

　　　　As the glass-blower set her challenge, her grin infectuously drew the kelvic's lightly pointed canines to flash in her own smile too. A game! The feline liked a challenge, especially if there was a prize involved. Most especially if that prize was a statue of herself made of glass. "How does that sound?" Saiyin seemed quite relaxed, her challenge not-at-all in bad spirits and her playfulness made the kelvic like her more. Still, the lhavitian stirred up something in the feline that made her toss her magnificently messy curls and purr impishly. "I look forward to winning your lovely statue."

　　　　As Saiyin sunk her feet into the icy water, the kelvic let down her own pack onto the river bank. She drew out the cheese and set it by the bread and apple that Saiyin had brought. Quite pleased with the picnic, the kelvic settled herself cross-legged on the ground and gazed out at the gently rippling waters. Content to enjoy the peace with Saiyin, she even flopped onto her back, settling her arms behind her head and drawing up a knee so she could cross her leg over and sway her foot gently in the air.

　　　　The feline watched the branches of the trees swaying above them for a chime or so, until she noticed a bird like she had never seen before flitting by the river edge. It had brilliant electric blue plummage, a slim body and an elegant long sharp beak. It was a kingfisher, if only Paaie knew to call it that. The kelvic sat up slowly and watched the bird swoop across the water, noticing the small splashes that broke the surface sometimes and the way the kingfisher dived towards those. Intrigued, the kelvic watched and saw the kingfisher dive and then lift up out of the water in a cascade of droplets with a tiny fish in its beak. Startled, she pointed enthusiastically, "Look Saiyin, fish!"

　　　　A bird with a fish in its mouth was just too much for the young kelvic to resist—and to be fair she had been resisting the birds all day!—she thought to herself. In a tick the kelvic was wrapped in a glow of warm yellow light and where a girl had been sitting beside Saiyin before, a heap of clothes tumbled to the ground with a gentle plop. A gentle breeze stirred the trees and the branches rustled, when a cat leapt out from under the bundle of linen blouse and wool leggings!

　　　　Fair gold-yellow fur with start black spots and stripes down her back, with her long tail swaying out behind her, the cat darted up to the river's edge, hackles raised and head down, making for the kingfisher that had just landed unawares on a gnarled shrub nearby. Her paws splashed onto a pile of smooth stones which were only partly submerged and the cat halted abruptly in her tracks though. She turned her small triangular face round to regard Saiyin for a tick, with a frown and large eyes. She meowed, looking at Saiyin in a way as if to complain 'why didn't you warn me, this water was freezing!'

　　　　Having seen the cat, the kingfisher flapped its agile wings and made off with its fish to a higher perch. Oh no you don't! Paaie thought, sticking her butt in the air and raising her shoulders even farther as she squashed herself against the ground. Reaching her paws out, she settled them down ever-so-gently, letting the pads of her feet spread out to take her weight evenly, so that she barely made a sound as she snuck closer to the bird. Watching intently, her pupils absorbing almost her whole eye, as she snuck closer, closer. The kingfisher wasn't silly, though. It gobbled down the fish and blinked at her with a beady eye. Paaie's tail flicked. I bet I'm faster, bird. The small gesture challenged. She settled her feet under her long, lithe body, and felt the dirt give under her paws as she wriggled into position.

　　　　　　That's it, birdy...

　　　　　　 　　 She P O U N C E D!—
　　　　　　　　　　　 —leapt too high and too far.

　　　　With a disapointing—SPLOSH—the serval landed in the river. Panic set in as the icy cold assaulted her skinny form, the water logging in her lovely fur and making it flatten against her. Paaie kicked and reached with all four paws furiously, managing to stay afloat. She twisted herself and even managed to angle herself towards the bank where Saiyin was. However, the river had other ideas.

　　　　The gentle currents which slipped under the water's surface caught under her and bore her down-stream. Luckily there was a bend in the river not too far so Paaie gave in and let the currents drift her towards it. After a few chimes of kicking her paws and keeping her little white face out of the cold water, the river took her to the bank. There she unleashed her claws to grip onto the dirt, and hauled herself out of the cold clutches of the water. None-the-worse for wear, the serval cat shook off, silently cussing the kingfisher.

　　　　When the feline turned to see how far she had drifted, her ears drew back as she realised—she was on the opposite bank to the trail, and Saiyin.

　　　　Darn it! The kelvic glanced down at the river, which was deceptively still, and contemplated getting back in to swim across to the other side again. After a few chimes of deliberating—and shivering—the kelvic decided it wasn't a good idea. Paaie lifted her gaze to Saiyin and perked up her ears, waving her tail in good spirits. She called to the glass-blower—then realised with a sigh that the woman likely didn't speak cat. Paaie began to giggle at herself, which is how she appeared after she wrapped herself in that warm glow again and shifted back into her tawny human form.

　　　　Dripping wet, curly hair lengthened by about five inches and sticking to her bare shoulders, the kelvic shivered and wrapped her arms around her naked body, feeling the chill of the Spring air brushing against her bare back. Her laughter lingering on her voice, she waved across the river. "I'm sorry Saiyin, I can't get back in, it's too cold! No worry, I will go back and get warm, before I catch my death" Sure enough, her teeth chattered even as she was smiling, "no worry, I not forget our competition!"

　　　　Without waiting for an answer, or answering any questions the glass-blower might have posed her, the kelvic waved goodbye and shifted into her fur. It was remarkably warmer than her two-legged form, she noted. With one last reassuring look Saiyin's way, the serval cat dashed off into the underbush, a blur of golden fur and black spots as she chased her cold back down the bank towards the city proper.

☆☆☆

　　　　Later, she sat bundled up in blankets in front of the hot stove in the kitchens of The Solar Winds Apartments, her sniffling drawing the attention of the apartment's mysterious crow kelvic housekeeper, Shay. The crow was just passing by into the hallway and paused to give Paaie an oddly protective frown. Seeing the gleam in her eye, the feline pouted childishly, but lifted the hot drink, which Shay had put in her hands and insisted she drank, to her lips for a sip nonetheless.

　　　　The feline had to admit the spiced wine was delicious, it's warmth sinking into her cold, weary limbs. Shay nodded with a hint of a smile, and strode out into the hallway to see to a matter with another guest. Relieved to be left to her thoughts, the feline nudged closer to the hot range, smiling fondly as she thought about the interestingly plain woman she had met today at the Waterfall, wondering...

　　 　　 　　 Had Saiyin made it all the way to the end of the trail?


oocI'm sorry this took so long! I completely forgot I was meant to put in an exit for Paaie! I hope that one is okay. It was a plasure to write with you, your character and writing are so lovely! When I'm a bit more settled/active, if you'd be interested, I'd love if we could meet in thread again & build on the things we've started here~