[Stone Gardens] Thinking of Family (Kendall)

by **Jaelyn Baroth** on February 4th, 2011, 9:45 pm

Season of Winter, Day 47, 510 AV

Once more Jaelyn found herself wandering through the Stone Gardens, but unlike other times she was not here to clear her mind or meditate. She was here for the solitude, to be away from the others that she knew. Much had happened this season, some of which had brought about thoughts that she normally kept at bay.

Walking along one of the paths she gave a soft sigh, her eyes not focusing on the stone around her, but gazing at some point off in the distance. Her thoughts were of her Father, the focus of her world and reason why she strove so hard to become a Knight, and of the family he had last in the years before her birth. Her Father had never spoken much of them, and she had never pushed to know with the pain in his eyes when it was just mentioned, but she had heard some rumors and stories. Normally she had simply ignored the stories and whispering, knowing her Father would tell him if he wished to, but after what had happened earlier in the season she found herself growing curious on occasion.

Letting out another sigh she gave a shake of her head. It wasn't her place though, if Father wanted her to know the truth he would tell her! Giving a firm shake of her head she turned her attention back to the stones. Focusing intently on them she tried to clear her mind of the curious thoughts and regain her driven and devoted thoughts.

by **Kendall Saarinen** on February 13th, 2011, 7:31 pm

The city of Syliras was much larger and noisier than Zeltiva had ever been. Although at first Kendall found the city to be intriguing and different his child-like sense of wonder was quickly draining away. There was too much stimulus around him. So many noises without the aid of the ocean waves to help equal them out. Like a scared animal he began to seek a quiet place to find solitude again. Maybe he had been spending too much time with Cathan. Possibly the canine man's wolfish qualities were rubbing off on him. This thought made Kendall chuckle. He held Cathan in high regard although they had not known each other for too long. He was the first person to treat him like a normal human being after the accident. Such treatment did not come for free though. In return Kendall always treated the Kelvic with as much respect as he gave. It never ceased to surprise the canine man to see kindness from a human. Kendall could not bring himself to treat Cathan like an animal though. He saw too much of him self in the man's golden eyes.

Now separated from Cathan, Kendall wandered through the city taking in the scenes. It was beautiful, he would give the city that. It just was not to his liking. He was already ready to move on, although he knew some time would be needed before he and Cathan would set out into the Wilds again.

As Kendall walked he spotted a small garden a bit out of the way of the city. "That looks quiet enough." He walked over to the garden and smiled at the scenes around him. This was what he was looking for. A quiet atmosphere apart from everyone else. He wasn't alone though. Across the garden a woman walked alone. She seemed a bit distraught, although he could only tell this because she was shaking her head in an all too familiar way. It was an innocent enough gesture. A simple attempt to drive the chaos of the mind away. It rarely worked though. The threatening thoughts always came back, and with a vengeance. Kendall knew he should keep his distance from the woman. It really was not his place to meddle with other's issues. He could not help but begin to walk over to her side though. As he moved closer his thoughts began to battle. "She is really pretty. No! I can't think that. I like guys. I can't think a girl is beautiful." He shook his head trying to banish the more masculine thoughts from his mind.

Kendall was now at her side but what was he supposed to say? He hated how shy he had gotten as of late. "Pardon me miss, are you alright?" Not many people walked around shaking their heads unless they were having internal conflict or a wet dog trying to get dry. He had not seen Cathan try to shake himself dry while he was in his human form but there was no doubt he would see it someday. "Sorry, issues are personal. Don't feel like you need to tell me. I just wanted to make sure you were okay." Since meeting Cathan Kendall hated to just let people go when they were in trouble, or even upset. This woman was nothing like Cathan though. She was not a lost wolf starving for food. She did not need help. He would offer it if she needed it though. It was not like he was a busy man.

by **Jaelyn Baroth** on February 15th, 2011, 3:12 am

A sudden voice at her side caused Jaelyn to jump slightly, it wasn't common for people to catch her unawares, and when she turned to face the man her eyes widened slightly and she felt her heart jump as well. The man was incredibly handsome, the most attractive man she had ever seen, and he was standing right next to her. For a moment all she could do was stare up at his blue and green eyes in silence unsure of what to say.

"I... am fine," she finally managed to say after what felt like almost a full bell, but probably wasn't even a chime, "This season has simply been an eventful one for me, and I was thinking about it some. I appreciate your concern though," with a faint smile she offered her hand to the man, "I am Jaelyn Baroth, and you are?"

As Jaelyn looked up at the man she hoped that he would stay and talk with her for some time. Not that she was hoping for some attention from the man, she doubted someone as handsome as he would be interested in her, and it wasn't like she had time for such things in her training. He just seemed very nice and it was always nice to talk to nice people.

by **Kendall Saarinen** on February 22nd, 2011, 10:53 pm

A blush covered Kendall's face as the woman jumped at his greeting. "I'm sorry miss! I didn't mean to startle you!" He felt bad watching a woman jump, especially because of his own actions. Her stare was a bit unnerving and he had seen the same gaze before. It took him back to the Kelp Bar with Kain. Of course that instance was a little different considering Kain was a guy. There was something else in her eyes. Was it worry? He felt his heart drop a bit to see the woman seeming so flustered.

He smiled at her and gave a little chuckle. "Trust me, I know all about eventful seasons. I am Kendall Saarinen. It is nice to meet you." He held out his hand to shake hers in greeting. He looked around the garden and pulled his coat around him tightly. "I am new in town. I hail from Zeltiva but I am traveling for a while. I am on my way to Ravok but for the rest of the season I will be here in Syliras." Kendall smiled at the fact he was able to speak so easily to the girl. He had not be able to do so with anyone other than Cathan and Sondra in a long time. Kendall wanted to ask more about the girl but he did not want to see as though he was being nosey. A woman, especially as beautiful as her, might not want random men off the street probing her about her personal life. "What about you? Are you a native of Syliras?" He was not sure how to go about getting the woman to open up. Making friends with a girl was much more complicated now that he was a guy. Even small talk needed to be monitored so Jaelyn would not think he was some creep looking for a quick girl to flirt with.

by **Jaelyn Baroth** on February 23rd, 2011, 5:19 pm

“No need to apologize Kendall,” Jaelyn gave Kendall a reassuring smile and a firm shake of the hand, “It was my fault for being so distracted,” she gave a small nod as he said he was from Zeltiva, but her smile vanished and her eyes widened slightly as he said he was going to Ravok. That man had been from Ravok, and he had been pleasant and charming at first as well.

Unwittingly Jaelyn took half a step back from Kendall and a faint shiver traveled through her body. The urge to run and get as far away from this man as she could was strong, but she fought against it. He had done nothing to her, and a Knight was to be fair and accepting of others. He could simply be a merchant who sold his wares in many cities, and there was nothing wrong with that. Doing her best to push through her unease she gave a faint smile to Kendall as she spoke, “Yes I have lived in Syliras for all my life,” she paused for a moment, unsure what to say next. Even without her nervousness she was not very good at casual conversation, “Are you... How have you liked the city so far?”

by **Kendall Saarinen** on March 2nd, 2011, 3:55 am

While at first the woman seemed to eye Kendall with flirtatious glances she now seemed to take up a more hesitant gaze. "What did I do wrong?" He frowned looking at her. He was really starting to hate this new, awkward nature of his. He missed the days where he could hold a conversation with ease. He forced a smile on Jaelyn's reguard and tried to even out the slipping atmosphere of the garden. "I'm sure it was interesting growing up here. There is so much activity and noise. It's much different from my home." He smiled as he thought about Zeltiva. Although terrible things happened back there he could not help but love the city. It was a part of him.

Jaelyn's quick change in her question worried Kendall. He looked at her quizically as he continued to mull over why she would be so scared of him. "I have just arrived here but the city seems to be everything the stories say and more. I am really happy I decided to stop here." Kendall smiled while looking around the garden but his face turned back to it's normal solem state when he looked back to Jaelyn. "Look, I'm not going to hurt you if that is why you are so scared. I wouldn't dream of it. In fact, I don't think I could hurt you, even if I wanted to." Kendall knew his own strength and he knew for a fact he wasn't very strong. He was simply a scholar, not a fighter.

by **Jaelyn Baroth** on March 5th, 2011, 11:33 am

Jaelyn quietly listened to Kendall as he spoke of his thoughts of Syliras. She nodded her head to show she was listening, but she didn't speak as she fought against the desire to run. She did not want to offend Kendall by treating him poorly for something he had not done, but the desire was still strong to get away.

When Kendall mentioned that he wouldn't hurt her Jaelyn's cheeks flushed with embarrassment and she dropped her head in shame. He was right. Despite how incredibly attractive he looked Jaelyn did not think should would have a hard time defending herself if Kendall attacked her, and he had given her no reason at all to fear his actions. She still had a very long ways to go before she was truly ready to be a Knight.

Giving a soft sigh she shook her head, her gaze still remaining on Kendall's feat instead of his face as she spoke, "No, I must apologize Kendall. You have done nothing wrong. I am the one who is wrong," there was just a hint of anger in her voice as Jaelyn spoke, anger at herself, "I had an unpleasant experience that involved a man from Ravok, but that is not your fault. I should not treat you poorly because of something you were not involved in. Please, forgive me."

She couldn't bring herself to look back up at Kendall again after she finished speaking. Not until he had said he forgave her for he rude actions. She had to be much better than this!

by **Kendall Saarinen** on March 26th, 2011, 2:05 am

Kendall could tell the girl was feeling bad. He did not want to make her feel bad. It did worry him that she spoke of a man who seemed to have hurt her. Kendall knew about hurt although he was sure it was in a much different way than Jaelyn knew. Everyone had their pains though. "I don't want to say something out of line but I'm sorry that the man bothered you." He did not know what the man did but he could feel Jaelyn's fear. The fear had to have been strong for him to feel it. His mark did not give him the ability to tell what caused the fear but he could make the correlation.

It would have been a lie if Kendall had said he was not a bit offended by Jaelyn's quick jump to judgment. He was used to people making assumptions about him. It was a part of life now. He lied through his teeth though. "It is fine. Don't feel bad. I forgive you." He wanted to make her feel better but he did not know how. "So tell me about you, if you would like." Kendall did not want to pry. He knew he would not want to give too many personal details about himself. He was trying hard to break the ice though. He did not want the girl to dwell on the fact that she hurt his feelings.

by **Jaelyn Baroth** on March 29th, 2011, 7:17 pm

The fact that Kendall was apologizing, when he had no need to, reminded Jaelyn of just how much work she needed to do in order to be considered a Knight. So far Kendall was showing more of the Knightly virtues than she was! She wanted to go off to study and train to pound those ideals into her mind, but she had to make proper amends to Kendall first.

Finally looking back up at him she managed a weak and rather sheepish smile, "You are too kind Kendall, to forgive my rudeness so easily," she did her best to hide her anger at herself as she spoke, "I do not think I am that interesting to know about. Most of my life I have spent training and working to become a Syliran Knight. I am a squire currently, and have a little over a year until I am old enough to go on my quest and become a full Knight. I am sure that you have met many people much more interesting than me in your travels."

by **Kendall Saarinen** on April 2nd, 2011, 7:13 pm

Kendall gave the girl a small smile. He really just wanted her to feel better. "It seems quite interesting to me. I mean not everyone can become a knight, right?" Kendall could not imagine being a knight. For one, he did not think he was strong enough in the slightest. He knew how to fight and he could weild a sword but he was a little to scared to confrunation to fight for an entire city. "It takes more guts than you think to defend a city like you knights do. I know I could never do it." Zeltiva did not have such people. He did know that some moved to Syliras to become knights. Her childhood friend Markus had done that very thing. "I wonder if she knows him."

"I have met a few interesting people along my travels but there is something interesting in everyone I suppose." He hated to see the girl play herself down in such a way. "This is a strange question but I know of someone who moved her from my home to become a knight. I was wondering if you might know him." Kendall was unsure if he should ask the girl about Markus. It might pave the way to a conversation he did not want to have about his origins. Still, he had worried about Markus since the day he left Zeltiva. They had been quite close in their youth. "Do you know Markus Andres? We knew each other when we were younger." He was a bit worried the woman might say that Markus had died or that something bad had happened to him. "Think positively. He was a smart kid. He is probably doing well."