• Closed • [Creede Camp] Blessings & Curses

[Elisabeth Black]

Arc 721, 52 Ymiden

Elisabeth and Vega discussed the housing in Haven a bit, and the young settlement leader realized, after Vega offered to help, that she had missed one key point. "I would appreciate the help. It occurs to me that I don't know what kind of condition the structures are in, but I want to make sure the settlers are safe in them, protected from the elements and all that."

As their conversation moved on, Vega gifted Elisabeth with a look inside Biqaj society and Rakahi language, which the young woman was thrilled about. You could take the girl out of the Academy, but the Academy would never entirely leave the girl. She loved learning in all forms, and the unexpected lesson was something she would remember.

Elisabeth's expression was thoughtful as she considered the redhead's words. "So, are clans something like," searching for the right mix of words, "a family you create yourself?" Different societies and languages were like onions – they had layers, and peeling back the layers was part of the joy of learning. It was safe to say that Elisabeth's eyes were as big as Joy's as the pair listened to the information given.

Vega said Oram had been in the area, and Elisabeth thought she remembered him saying something about coming to Hopetoun. Blinking as Joy mentioned that her mother had a horse named Storm, Elisabeth grinned. "Well, then, perhaps Storm and Storm should meet soon. What do you think, Joy?" Softly squeezing the young girl's hand, she looked down at the girl, curious to hear what she thought.

The trio made their way to the Oasis. Elisabeth had seen it from a distance during one of her previous trips, but it appeared they were going straight into it. Joy was ever the mindful guide, prompting the young woman to glance over at Vega and smile. To see Joy so happy in her environment was a real testament to what Vega and Arlo had given her so freely since the Feast – unconditional love.

Elisabeth's eyes glanced around at the wonder that was the Oasis. It was truly remarkable, and everywhere she looked, something new to see, and at the center, a lake as clear as any Elisabeth had ever seen. Wait….no. She had seen ones like it before, but smaller maybe? In the caverns back in Rharne. Smiling, she glanced over at Vega, bits, and pieces of the memory coming back. "You created the Oasis, yes? Brightgleam? It's beautiful here…" She didn't entirely trust her memory on the matter, hence the questions, but tried to put the puzzle pieces together as best she could.

Kneeling, getting on Joy's level again, she told her a small piece of a story. "Right after your Da'oat," pausing a moment with a glance to Vega to make sure she got the term right, "and I first met each other, we went on an adventure. When I think of adventures, I think of all the wonderful people now in my life because of them." That particular adventure had also brought Varlum and Gennadiya into Elisabeth's life.

Soon enough, a dog came charging their direction, to the apparent delight of Joy. Vega called out to him, and Elisabeth was introduced. Reaching a hand to pet the dog gently, she grinned a bit. "Well, hello there, Zyqat. You are quite the happy fellow, aren't you?"

The Dire Lioness was impressive, and while Elisabeth noted Vega and she exchanged glances, the young woman did not inquire or interrupt the process with questions. It was a respect issue for her, and she wouldn't impose her curiosity on others in such a way. Vega moved to take a seat and asked Elisabeth if there was anything similar in Haven. Finding a place opposite of the redhead, and offering Joy a place to sit next to her, if she desired, the young settlement leader nodded her head.

"The Cove. I'm sure it has a proper name, although no one seems to know it, and I haven't found a reference to it in the Baron Books yet. It's on the north edge of Haven, and I go there to meditate and breathe. There's this giant, smooth black rock in the middle of it. Not very tall, but gets exposed more when the tide pulls out a bit. I stand on it and watch the water sometimes. It's very peaceful there."

[Vega]

52nd Ymiden, 721

Vega nodded at Elisabeth's words regarding the housing in Haven, though it was all a bit bass ackwards to her mind. "Jus' ask the people what live there. They've jus' lived through a sudden an' unexpected freeze, an' if that don't tell them what problems their house has got, then it hasn't got no problems." Sometimes, Vega thought, she was just too straightforward for her own good. Other times, though, she thought that others were just too over-complicated. She wasn't sure where she was in that analogy in this conversation, but she was sure it was one or the other.

As for what clans were, she shook her head but wibbled her hand a bit to show that there was some flexibility. "Not really. Clans tend to be family based, at least many of them. Like, our clan is Lei'nox. That were my mother's name, so my Papa named our clan after her. It's were originally him an' his twin. When my Mama died, he brought me to his brother, who had three boys already, an' they were raisin' us together. So it were family. Then, my uncle died an' the clan, such as it was, were my father an' me an' my cousins. Blood. Blood is important, but it's not the only thing. Arlo became part of the clan, an' that means his Papa is, an' my cousins have married. The twins married the useless twins, an' Huw married the useless twins' older sister. Suddenly, it's not all blood, but its all family. " Vega shrugged slightly. "It's complicated, I think, from the outside. Straightforward when you're in it."

Her explanation - as meandering and unclear as it was - got them to the Oasis. Vega nodded at Elisabeth's question. "Yeah, I made it. Lovalus saw fit to make me her Grand Warden, an' that means I can create these. I guess that happened because of all the Storm's Edge stuff. I like it here, it's peaceful, you know?" Joy listened to Elisabeth and nodded, but she glanced at Vega slightly and Vega grinned at her. "Yeah, I know, Ipi, but adventures are dangerous an' grimy an' you end up covered in dirt an' with cuts an' things. Meetin' people over cake an' tea is a much nicer way to make friends." She reached out and stroked Joy's hair.

Joy's ideas of adventures and how many she'd be going on were distracted away from her by Zyqat and she beamed up at Elisabeth. "His name means fighter in Rakahi. That's Leona, she's from Daia an' Mama an' her are friends." Vega nodded. "All true," she said without pause. They talked about their happy places, spots where they could rest and be calm - for Vega it was here, for Elisabeth it was a cove in Haven. Zyqat bounded about - the dog had mis-matched eyes and was obviously a very varied variety of mutt, but he was also obviously fond of Joy and the girl of him.


"So, you know Oram? I like him, he's got his head on straight an' all. How'd you know him? Another one of your adventures?"

[Elisabeth Black]

Arc 721, 52 Ymiden

Vega's comment was a sensible one. Perhaps Elisabeth was trying to worry too much about things that didn't need fixing. 'If it's not broken' and all that. She spent a reasonable amount of time anticipating issues, but maybe it was a bit too far. The young woman didn't intend to complicate things, but sometimes it just happened.

The redhead explained the difference between what Elisabeth had proposed about clans and the truth as the conversation continued. However, it seemed there was a bit of wiggle room in the definition. "Perhaps," she said, as Vega remarked that it might be easier to understand from the inside. "But, you've explained it well. I think I understand now. Family is important."

It was in Rharne that Elisabeth had learned about the Wardens. Vega, Varlum, and Gennadiya were all Wardens, and although she hadn't learned much, being a Forged now gave her a better understanding of the relationship. A smile slipped across the young mage's lips as she looked around. "It's beautiful here, Vega. What an amazing ability to have." Of course, she knew that everything around the oasis had been done by other means, but the oasis itself was something of a miracle, in her eyes at least. Then again, she had some abilities that others might consider as such. It was simply the world they all lived in, but that didn't keep Elisabeth from appreciating it with child-like wonder sometimes.

Elisabeth agreed with Vega's comment about tea and cake being a nicer way to make friends, although it rarely happened that way for her. Perhaps Cassion had something to do with that, and if she were ever lucky enough to see him again, she'd have to tease him about that. Adventure seemed to be around every corner.

Petting Zyqat, the young woman smiled as they all settled. Vega asked about her association with Oram, prompting a light chuckle. "Yes – the Forging. He went to Sweetwine, but I saw his meeting with Vhalar previous to that. He's quite sensible, and I enjoyed talking to him."

Looking around, Elisabeth thought that the Oasis was the perfect setting for the first part of the story she wanted to tell Joy. Having Vega there made the moment even more unique and special, she mused, digging into her bag to draw out the storybook A story book - "The Princess of Fection" - it is the tale of a princess who traveled the world but ends up back home (in Fection.....). It tells of all the many different languages she has learned on her travels and the glorious food she ate and the many adventures she had. When you read this, it imparts one language (your choice) to your pc. This language is at Conversational level and does not count towards your Linguistics maximum number of languages. You may assume that you have the base requirements for this language and may progress it as usual if you choose to. - Rewarded in "Ice" by Pegasus mentioned earlier.

Showing the book to Joy, Elisabeth smiled, opening up the front cover. Forging a relationship with Joy would take time, and the young mage understood that, having no desire to force or rush anything. Her voice was soft and clear as she read out loud the first words on the page.

"Once Upon a Time…."

[Pig Boy]

Player Name: Elisabeth

Points awarded: 15
Magic xp: none

Knowledge:

Caregiving x 3
Linguistics x 2
Socialization x 3
Logistics x 2
Detection x 2

Loot: none
Injuries/Overstepping: none
Wealth Points: none

Skill Review: All Skills used appropriately to PC's level

Player Name: Vega

Points awarded: 15
Magic xp: none

Knowledge:

\Needlecraft x3
Caregiving x 3
Teaching x 3
Linguistics x 2

Loot: none
Injuries/Overstepping: none
Wealth Points: none

Skill Review: All Skills used appropriately to PC's level

Notes: A friendly meeting for friendly friends.

Vega's interactions with Joy and Elisabeth and all her family/companions that were included really made this thread for me. I enjoyed the opening scene where Vega was trying to fit a dress to Joy. When asked what she thought about the dress, Joy said it's green. That was kinda cute.

Elisabeth seems to have a real weakness for little children, girls in particular. It's a consistent part of her character, from Ruari to Joy, she does seem to gravitate toward them. I was really impressed that she was willing to give up the Chamadarst coin for Vega. Although at the same time, I'm not that surprised. She is pretty selfless typically.

I enjoyed this thread from beginning to end, and the ending where Elisabeth opens with the first lines of the Princess of Fection was pretty neat. I wonder what langauge she'll be learning from it if any? Maybe she'll learn Rakahi?

Anyway, great writing.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this review, feel free to PM. Enjoy your rewards!