He entered through the Itọju, from the dark forest into the still light city. He knew, however, that this light would soon be gone and then the entire forest plunged into darkness. He, himself, did not mind the darkness, it was something that gave him time to think, during the trials of Cylus there was not much else he could do but think. He would often meditate under the constant night sky, taking the time to work on himself spiritually. But he would still take the time out of his busy schedule of meditation and eating to pop into the city, whether it was in need of food or just to take part in a celebration.
A celebration was his reason for heading there today, it was the alaiwa snäyì. He remembered the walk from when he was a child, but what he remembered better was his father never allowing him to drink the Holpxay. But this arc was different, he was a man, nobody could dispute that especially not after what he had been through just two seasons before. Few Sev'ryn could claim to have fought in a war to defend their people from certain evil. What he knew none could say at all was that they had shot an arrow at Lisirra, none could claim to have come so close to the evil immortal who had originally killed his forefathers.
He shook his head at the thought of evil and suffering, he had enough of that when he tried to sleep. The waking hours were all he had left to enjoy, and the dreams he might have that weren't related to Oscillus. Ti walked out of the other side of the Itọju, people had already begun gathering. Nearly everyone had their Lantern with them, he as an outsider did not, he had only one source of light out in the forest and besides the moon and stars it was fire. It had taken his father many years to teach him hoe to control it and avoid causing a forest fire. He was very proud of that skill as few could say they knew how.
He walked towards the group, everyone seemed rather unfamiliar, he believed that maybe he should come to the city more. Out in the forest it did get lonely, and before while he was younger he had not minded. But now as he had become a man he was in search of something the forest alone could not supply, friendship from another person. There was also something else but he could not think fully what it was. Instead he moved towards the contingent of people beginning to set off on the walk as he realised entering was unnecessary as he was again about to leave now. The Kẹjï Kisa was outside the walls after all. He continued searching the crowd for someone he might recognise, his eyes eventually landing on the red haired girl, Vega.
He began to worm his way through he crowd excusing himself as he went and trying to get to her. It was certainly no easy task, especially when trying not to bump into people or make anyone drop the precious lanterns. "Good evening, how are you Vega?" He asked as he finally managed to get beside her, they were already entering the tunnel back out of Desnind. He smiled widely and charmingly as he waited, hoping she would recognise him. She had stayed with him after all he would imagine her to remember his face.
There were a lot of people here and Vega knew not one of them. Why was she here, she wondered? Was she so very desperate to fit in that she felt the need to stand around like some lone sad sack of potatoes, looking at the people here and wondering who they were. Did that one know her mother? Had that one argued with her father? It was not exactly something which she wanted to be thinking about, in truth and so she turned around, more or less of the opionion that she should just get herself out of here when she saw a familiar face approaching her. As she saw him, her face lifted in a smile and her eyes shone a vivid amber with flecks of purple. "Ti'niva! I was hoping to see a familiar face! How are you? Or, wait... ibiti sarkin. Ibiti sarkin, how are you?" She couldn't resist the smile of pleasure at remembering the phrase he had taught her. "I have taught that to at least one other person. Your wisdom is being passed on."
Looking around at where they were, Vega gestured around and gave a slight sigh. "I think. I think that we are here to stand as a light against the dark of Cylus. To promise that, even in the darkness, light exists. But I don't know that." She glanced at him and gave a good natured smile. "In fact, I'm more or less guessing." She took a swig from the small flask that she had at her belt and Vega offered some to him. "Whiskey? It'll warm the cockles, I promise you."
Whether took some or not, when they were done, Vega tucked the flask back and then looked at Ti'niva again. "I know, by now I should probably know this, but people keep talking about iyọ. What are they?" Most of the people here, of course, were not speaking common and Vega had not considered just what an isolating experience that might be. However, she was determined to take a full and active role as she could. "Will you help me take part in this?" The young woman glanced at Ti'niva apologetically. She did seem to ask a lot of favours of him, but then it was his to say no if he wished not to.
"I well, you?" He asked in response to her question. He was impressed to see her speak the greeting he had taught her when they went to meet the elder. He felt a smile crawl across his face when she told him of the passing on his wisdom. Nobody had ever described thinks he said as wise so it made him feel happy that it was viewed that way. Now he was curious who else she had met to teach the words too. "Who you tell words too?" He was wondering who else was here and new in town. He, himself, in the forest did not get to meet all the comers and goers within the city.
They walked with the crowd and were in the tunnel out of the city by the time she gave him the flask. He looked at it curious and copied her action drink the liquid. As soon as it touched his tongue he scowled and struggled not to spray it all over the man in front of him. His face was scrunched up as he managed to swallow the liquid passing the flask back to Vega. He had never drunk whiskey before and he didn't think it would again. The taste did not sit well with him and the burn was like drinking fire. He looked at her his eyes wide. "I no like this whiskey, but you right it make me warm." He said rubbing his throat a little and clearing his throat with a cough. The taste lingered on his tongue and he could not wait for the Holpxay to clear it away. The wine was famous in Desnind and his chance to drink it had finally come, he was happy about that.
"Iyọ, they are large glowing butterfly or Caterpillar before Cylus. They make light for us here, no fire so glowing animal keep us seeing at night." He said pointing to the lanterns. "This why they glow any of three colours, blue, green or yellow." He looked at her hoping it made sense. Glowing butterflies for someone who had never heard of them before must be ridiculous, but he knew when she saw them at the star release she would understand. She asked again for his help, she seemed to want to understand what was happening and this strange Sev'yn tradition and so he would teach her. "I will help you understand yes, what you like know?" He always liked to make sure he knew what people wanted. That made it easier for himself and so he would not ramble on too long. They left the tunnel and were now just out into the forest heaidng for the winery.
Ti'niva asked about who she told his words to and Vega smiled. "A friend, a new friend I made. His name is Arlo. He's a traveller, like me. I wanted to talk to you about him, actually." She gave a bark of laughter at his reaction to the whiskey. "Don't drink it, Ti'niva, if you don't like it. I'm sorry. But you're warmer, aren't you?"
Vega went back, then to what she had been saying and she gave Ti'niva a smile as he handed her back the flask. "Arlo has a camp outside the city, so do I, so do you. I thought since it's Cylus and difficult for us all, we might all share a camp, if you want to. Share resources. If you want to, that is." If he didn't, it was no bother to Vega, she had no interest in pushing anyone. It made good and logical sense to her, but what Ti'niva wanted to do was up to him. "He's a good sort. Human. I think you and him will get on well. He has a horse and wagon, which could be useful. He and I have gone hunting a few times, he's handy with a bow." A reckless lunatic, also, but she didn't mention that. She did add, with a wicked smile and a twinkle in her currently violet eyes. "He is not cantakerous."
He told her about the iyọ and Vega grinned. "They go to cocoon now then? Ashan, they are butterflies? Pretty. When I was a little girl, I had an imaginary friend who was a butterfly. I don't know why. It didn't speak or anything, just was always there. Strange." In terms of helping her, she smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Ti'niva. ọfïïsï ke’u, Ti'niva. Or, another way to say it." Vega lifted her hand to her lips, touching the lower lip and then moving her hand out in a sweeping gesture, almost like blowing a kiss. "That is thank you in sign. Arlo is teaching me a little, I thought it would be helpful when hunting, to be able to communicate without speaking."
Looking around Vega sighed slightly. "I'd like to know all there is that you can tell me about this festival. These people and their ways. I keep wondering if I'm related to any of them. I might be, and that's ... really really complicated. Did you find out when my Aunt Najina might be coming back to the city?" Vega hated, with a passion, the idea that she might miss her aunt, but if it was after Cylus, she didn't think she could stay longer. She might start feeling at home or something awful.
This Arlo sounded like a useful man, someone who could definitely be a help during this hard season. The idea of them all moving their camps to make one was also appealing, that way there was safety from any beasts of the forest and also a more abundant supply of resources. He nodded as she spoke about the man, she seemed to hold him in reasonably regard. He had earlier trusted her and as she had been well of intent and character he would trust her judgement of Arlo. "I would be happy we come together, that make Cylus a lot better." He said, he had noticed his common improving since he left Desnind originally, the language had begun to feel much more natural than before.
He smiled at the use of the word she had taught him previously. "Not cantakerous, I hope good of that." He looked at her now wondering her meaning. He hoped she meant good by it and not that he was the complete opposite. Foolish people who were too quick to make decisions and don't think things through were not made to live in the Makubwa Lori. She continued by talking about the Iyọ and then an imaginary butterfly. He looked at her confused, but decided not to comment on the oddness of it.
She showed him thank you in sign, what an interesting concept language through actions. He too could see the advantages of such a thing, but he could also see the drawbacks. At a distance he imagined things could very easily be mixed up and then you may have been worse off than just going to each other and whispering. He kept his concerns to himself as he repeated the motion, it looked strange but it was fluid and easy to copy so he had no issue repeating the action. "Why this sign made, for who it use?" He was happy to ask this, he always liked to learn new and interesting things. Especially things that were done by those not of his race. He repeated the action again just to make sure it was memorised for if he ever needed it.
"I think she back, I was look for you tomorrow to tell, but you here so I tell now." He smiled happy to give her the good news, It was always better to tell something good than bad. HE had been inquiring with people around the city since they last met trying to find where the aunt was and it had become apparent that she must have left for a short time. However, someone did tell him she was going to return soon and then another had told him Cylus. "People tell me she come for Cylus, so I hope see her here then bring you to her tomorrow. But you here so we search together." He tried his best to explain that he knew she was going to be here, nearly all Sev'ryn attended and he knew she was in the city now.
He moved onto the festival and what it meant. "Well festival is celebration of the butterflies for giving us light, every arc they make Desnind light and we be safe at night thank to them. So the Sev'ryn walk with the lantern they in and thank them for their sacrificed freedom for our life." He said explaining the simplicity of the festival really. "As for Holpxay that just for enjoyment, it make good mood for all and show off the goodness arc has provided." They were already near to the winery and the smell of the Holpxay was fresh on the air.
"That's excellent news. We'll come to your camp, shall we? It makes more sense since you've got the construction there. The lean to." Vega was pleased, she really didn't want to spend the money to be cooped up in an Inn and, alone, that might be her only option. "Yes, it will make Cylus better. Share resources, company too. In the cold and dark, it's easy to lose your inside light." To her, that was a clear and simple statement of truth. More mariners got lost during Cylus than any other time of the arc, after all.
"it's good not to be cantankerous when you are young like Arlo. Old and cantankerous is ok. You've earned it. But young and cantankerous is just rude. He isn't rude." He was somewhat odd, given to fussing and a number of other things, but those were for him and Ti'niva to work out between them and not Vega's business at all. She smiled though, at the look on his face when she talked about her imaginary friend from childhood. Ti'niva's was a much more usual reaction and Vega should have expected it, in truth. She gave a grin and said no more.
"Arlo's grandmother is deaf, so can't hear him speak. So he learned this to be able to speak with her." Vega explained, when Ti'niva asked. "I think it could be useful in some circumstances, and better to know it and not need to use it than to need to be able to use it, and not know it." Made sense to her. Vega looked at him, though, and all thought of anything other than what he said was lost as she realised that he was telling her that her aunt might well be here. She looked around as though she would spot her in the distance and recognise her, her eyes flashing a deep blue with gold. "Thank you, Ti'niva, I would like that very much. You are a good friend truly."
The smell was lovely, the closer they got and, around her need to try and pick out her aunt from the sea of strangers, Vega did her best to listen to him. It was a celebration of celebrating and thanking the glowing bugs which turned into glowing butterflies. It was a beautiful idea, she had no doubt. As the darkness descended on them and with the glow from the lanterns reflecting, the silver blood which flowed in Vega's veins showed in ever such a slight reflection under her skin. That, her height and the colour of her hair made her stand out more than a little. "It's a nice tradition, Ti'niva. I like it. Do you think she might be here? Do you know what she looks like?" Vega grinned at him with a slight lifting of her shoulders. "Sorry. It's exciting. Is there anyone we could ask?" She looked at him with a concerned expression, "or would that be rude? I don't wish to be rude."
That made sense to him, his camp was the only one with any kind of structure in it, even if only big enough for two people at a squeeze. Yet he imagined it could be extended with the simple use of an old tent, or some big canvas sheets, if anyone had any. "Yes, my camp is good, you come there and stay for Cylus it safe for all then. I know forest, you two have helpful skill, good for Cylus." He let out a wide smile as he wondered how it would be to live with people after so long. It had been two years after all since he last lived with someone for a prolonged period of time. He hoped it would go well, he was always welcoming and helpful and this Arlo chap sounded pleasant enough.
She asked about her Aunt and Ti's face lit up a little more, he had been told something that may delight her. He reached over and took her hair gently. "This, her hair red like you, one of few Sev'ryn." He released her hair and tapped her arm. "It very rare, few have that, but it is Sev'ryn." He hoped this made her feel more comfortable among their kind, she was half Sev'ryn after all. To him she was not bad or unwelcome, if anything he was happy to see that people from different races could create something as wonderful as life together. He himself now began to search for the signature red hair, he doubted there would be any others there.
They entered into the winery now the smell of the Holpxay was strong on the air. He could hear the laughter of people, the joy on their voice warmed his soul. The area was beautifully lit up by all the lanterns, it was a wonderful sight. How the blue green and yellow lights mingled together, they lit up the trees and the forest quite stunningly. Ti paused for a second to admire the view before leading Vega to get some of the arcs Holpxay. He could not resist trying the fruity alcohol. The difference now from normal was that the wine was free and warmed with the addition of spices. The server gave Ti two wooden casks at request, both filled with the warm red liquid. For a few moments he was reminded of blood, of the battle and what had occurred. He shook his head and quickly tasted it, putting his mind at rest as the flavours mingled with his tongue. First was the fruit, the berries that had made the wine, this was followed by the alcoholic taste and finally the spice, it was a warm kick at the end of the fruitiness.
Now he turned to Vega smiling. "Good yes? I like, this first time for me too and it very nice." He looked around now, letting his eyes run over the many people in search of red hair. He was looking for anyone with hair of that colour. He saw none, until a woman entered. She was smiling and she was short, but she had familiar hair, it was almost the same as Vega's. Red and curled, it was like she had it transplanted. Ti pointed to her and tapped Vega. "Look, I think I see, she might be aunt, she have your hair." He looked at her wide eyed, to be truthful he had had his doubts about actually finding the woman. Yet it appeared that there she was, the woman they had been searching for.
All was well with the idea of them setting camp up together and Vega smiled and nodded. She looked at little surprised, in fairness, as he took hold of her hair and her eyes widened slightly as he said that her aunt had red hair like she did. She felt a burning sensation in her nose as tears sprang to her eyes. She blinked them away, but she did not deny them or wipe them from her face, because that would be dishonest and Vega was not. "Really? I have spent my life wondering where it came from, thinking it was my Sev'ryn side but then I came here and it wasn't. Are you sure, Ti'niva?" She was pleased, more pleased than she could say and it showed. Her eyes were a deep amber flecked with gold and her face told of the wave of emotion that she felt.
Getting herself under control, Vega walked with him to the winery, looking around at the lights with amazement. "It's magical tonight, isn't it? It's beautiful, I'm so pleased to have seen it." Her gaze was drawn to the lights, the myriad of colours and the effect on the surrounding area. "Thank you, Ti'niva. For helping me look." She took the drink from him and lifted the small cup up, in front of her. "May your life be long, filled with love, light and laughter and may the wind ever steer you in the direction it is best for you to go." It was a traditional toast amongst her people and Vega smiled at him as she sipped the red liquid. "Nice. Warm and sweet and nice. Not harsh like whiskey, hm?"
She too was looking around but it wasn't until Ti'niva pointed her to the woman at the entrance that Vega caught sight of her. Short, but then that was no surprise, Vega got her height from her Biqaj family. The hair though? Lifting her hand up to her own tresses, she felt the strangest hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach and she took a step backwards. Now that it was here, now that the woman was in front of her, or might well be, Vega felt her courage leave her. Usually fearless, this short Sev'ryn woman had the possibility of telling her what she had always dreaded hearing.
"Oh...." Vega breathed in and gulped the drink down in one mouthful before reaching over and taking Ti'niva's cup out of his hand and doing the same with his. "I'll get you another one later. Oh." The woman walked in, smiling and greeting people and Vega watched, wide eyed. "Ti'niva, I don't know how. I've wondered all my life about this part of me and what if.."
What if she wasn't wanted here? What if and what if swirled around like the colours in her eyes and Vega's chin jutted forward in an expression of defiance. All her life, she'd wondered and she wasn't going to let fear stop her from finding out. If she wasn't wanted, then she knew. Always better to know, she considered. So, she put her hand on Ti'niva's arm, squeezed gently and nodded. She stepped over, then to the woman and she smiled a nervous smile. Her eyes were a bright emerald green as she looked at the face of the woman who might well be her mother's sister. "Ibiti sarkin. Good trial. I am.. my name is Eva Lei'nox, though people call me Vega. My... my mother, she was Sev'ryn, married to my father Jo'qan." The words almost tumbled out of her mouth.
"I have come to find my family, and I think you are my aunt?" Twenty arcs old she might be but, in that brief trill, Vega sounded like a child seeking approval. It was something she was aware of and she didn't mind. After all, it was exactly how she felt.
Ti watched in surprise as Vega downed both of the drinks, his eyes wide as he watched in awe. "Easy, no drink fast, need no drunk." He said nervously as she looked at him. She seemed afraid, like she was worried she did not belong with their people. She deserved to be there as much as he, the Sev'ryn blood that ran through her veins gave her as much of a right as any other person there. She set off across the winery and he followed her towards the redhead they believed to be her aunt. He felt nervous for some reason, even if it didn't effect him.
Ti listened to Vega explain herself to the woman, telling her who she was and explaining the reason for her being there. Ti stood there slightly awkwardly, feeling pointless as he watched the events unfold. He didn't even have his drink anymore and so he just stood there twiddling his thumbs, looking around and trying not to look too strange. He smiled at the two of them as he began to rock back and forth a little, uncomfortable in the situation. An idea occurred to him and so he quickly interjected before the aunt had time to respond. "I go get drink for us, I er... yes." He quickly maneuvered his way into the crowd and back towards where the drinks were being handed out. He felt like he had been holding his breath before.
As he left the two redheads conversation continued, Vega's aunt's eyes seemed to light up when she realised who was talking to her. A wide smile spreading across her features, it would be rare to see a happier looking person. Her red hair was almost identical to Vega's and if she were a little taller you might have been able to mistake the two from behind. Ti watched from a distance as he waited int he short line for some more spiced Holpxay. Even from this far away you could clearly see the excitement and surprise in the woman's eyes. "Vega, I never think I see you." She said opening her arms wide to embrace the girl before her.
If Vega were to allow the embrace they would be interlocked for a short while before the woman would separate and start to speak again. "Hello Vega, I Najina, your mother my sister." She laughed at her won speech, clearly knowing her common was not as good as it had once been. "I sorry, my common no so good. You mother always gooder than me." She rested her hand on Vega's arm and looked up at her. It was like she was holding onto Vega to make sure she was real, as if she would disappear if she was let go.
"Welcome to Desnind, I see you make friend already. I no know him but Sev'ryn rare bad." She certainly did believe that most Sev'ryn were a kind people and few would ever be a risk to someone else, especially not to someone who shared blood with them. "I no believe you here, your father he never want see you, he here?" She asked now about her father curious whether she was here alone after knowing that her father had been the reason she was gone so long. "You have me hair but your mother spirit, I feel it around you, wild and want free adventure. If you non Biqaj eye and no red hair you look almost like her." She was still smiling, wide and pleasant, a smile that showed her true happiness at what was happening.
Ti collected the three cups of Holpxay now and began to walk back to the two chattering red heads. Their hair was like a light house, something that made them easy to spot within this sea of dark haired Sev'ryn. He carried them carefully through the lively crowd of people, he almost spilled them twice but he managed to reach them with three still full cups. The warm spicy aroma being all he could smell while he stood before the women offering them up.
It was all she could do not to guffaw at his thought of being drunk on two glasses of this stuff. They used stronger to strip the paint on their ships. But, Ti'niva meant well and Vega nodded. "Biqaj courage. Strong heart, weak mind. I don't know. I'll just... thanks." She gave him a grin and then went before she ended up bursting into tears, thumping him or in some other way shaming herself. It had to be said, when she introduced herself to her aunt, Vega didn't even hear Ti'niva say he was leaving, she didn't really hear anything over the thumping of her heart in her ears.
All semblance of self control fled the Biqaj~ Sev'ryn mixedblood, though, as her aunt wrapped her arms around her. Vega let out a gulping sob and she hugged the woman without shame or concern for how it looked. She embraced her tightly and when she pulled back, Vega had tears running down her face. Her eyes were a deep metallic silver flecked with gold. "It's beautiful. You're common. It's beautiful. You... what is the word for 'aunt' in your language?" Vega was determined to learn all the Xanthea that she could, determined to speak her mother's language if she could. It was something which she was driven to, she could not explain more than that.
Just as her aunt clung to her, so did Vega cling right back and she looked over at Ti'niva as aunt Najina spoke of him. "He is my friend. He has been very kind. His heart is good, beautiful." Vega shook her head though, as Najina asked of her father. "No. He gave me his blessing but he could not come back here. He has never... there has never been another for him. He loves her still." Vega knew the absolute truth of that and spoke it with pride. No matter what there had been between these two halves of her family, of her soul, they had found a unity in her parents. "I.. oh, I have so many questions. He hurts, my father, it hurts him to speak of her. I know very little. Will you tell me her stories? Did she have... did she write diaries? I do, my father does not. I just want to know her, who she was." Did the woman even begin to understand, Vega wondered? She hoped so.
Just then Ti'niva returned and Vega turned to him, her eyes still silver with gold flecks and tears running down her face. She waited until he had put down the drinks and then, quite without warning, she hugged him. "Ọfïïsï ke’u. Thank you. So much. Ti'niva. This is my aunt. Aunt Najina, my mother's sister, this is Ti'niva. He is my very good friend." Vega was, in fact, shaking from head to foot with emotion and, as soon as she calmed down she'd consider threatening Ti'niva was physical violence if he told anyone that she cried. But right now? She was just completely overwhelmed. "I.. I have so many questions and I can't think of one of them."
