• Closed • [Haven] Visiting a Haven

[Kori'än]

29th of Saun, 721
Haven, Faldrass Island

Faldrass was turning to be a more interesting place than Kori'än would have anticipated. He adjusted the bag's strap over his shoulder, looking at the second just-rising-from-the-ground settlement he was visiting in just a few days. Truly an opportunity he would never think he would have. In fact, this arc had been full of experiences and opportunities he never would've thought he could experience. If this was what freedom was, then... Then he wished he had broken free of his shackles earlier. He wished, one day, he could offer this kind of opportunity to everyone else. Deserving or not, it didn't matter ― life happened to everyone, whether they deserved it or not.

Wishful thinking wasn't his style, however. Settle his sights on what he could accomplish. And what was within his grasp was the approaching settlement, near the beach, quite a peaceful location, although that might just be his state of mind. When someone had mentioned its name back at Hopetoun, he had remembered Elisabeth's question back at the Feast, and he wondered, briefly, if he would find the woman there. She had intrigued him, many things had intrigued him during this arc―Well, many things had intrigued him in his life. The major difference was that, now, he was free to pursue this curiosity.

So despite the soreness settling in his muscles due to all the walking and exercising he had been doing in the last few trials, he was still excited to be able to see not only one starting settlement, but two. He had to extensively promise the merchant that had brought him to the island that he would be back in time and, if not, that he was fine with being left behind ― which was a lie; he needed to get back to Aokan and Laneey, but he was planning on being back on time, anyway.

Kori'än felt like, little by little, he was starting to feel part of the life in Scalvoris. He still wasn't sure exactly where he fit in, exactly what he wanted to do with his life, but he felt like he was getting there. Maybe.

Letting out a long exhale, he moved his hair damp with sweat away from his eyes, looking at the approaching assortment of simple structures and tents that was Haven, starting to become desperate for a shadow to rest on, the two suns weighing heavily above him. Still, as he approached the settlement, his steps slowed even further, as he saw the guards. The reality of talking to people seemed to crash down on him again, and Kori was suddenly nervous, despite not having done anything wrong. Everyone that he could see seemed satisfied and at ease, if not a bit bothered by the heat, but he supposed that was more than expected.

He stopped, finally, unsure about how to proceed.

[Elisabeth Black]

Arc 721, 29 Saun

Visitors to Haven were becoming more and more common, and while the guards of the settlement were the friendly sort, it had taken a bit of time to get used to people coming and going that weren’t of Haven.

When Kori'än approached the settlement, two guards approached him slowly. There was nothing threatening about their demeanor, just curiosity. The human man and avriel woman glanced in his direction, but before they could say anything, Kori'än would hear the soft sound of another curious party.

“Meow?”

On the ground, next to his leg, Kori'än would find a beautiful, long haired, tri-colored kitten. It was apparent from the size of the creature that it was no longer a ‘kitten’ in the sense of being that small. Staring up at him, two curious, gorgeous orange feline eyes, slowly blinking as if wondering with Kori'än would do.

Before he could do anything though, a soft voice spoke from behind him. “Storm considers himself the official welcoming party to all that come this way. Secretly, I suspect he’s trying to figure out who will be the most likely to give him fish bits and scratches, but attention is really all he wants.”

If Kori'än turned, he would find Elisabeth standing nearby, watching the pair, smiling at their interaction. If she was surprised at his presence in Haven, the young woman didn’t show it. Her expression was placid and friendly, much like he would remember from the Feast.

“Kori'än, it’s a pleasure to see you again. Welcome to Haven. Can I interest you in a drink? It’s a bit toasty out here – even on the beach. This silliness that is Saun, I swear.”

For her part, Elisabeth didn’t feel the need to ask the man why he was there. In her experience, he would tell her soon enough. No use harping on the issue or forcing him to say anything before he was ready.

The guards moved away, trusting Elisabeth had the matter well in hand. If there had been any reservations on her part, an indication would have been made but that wasn’t the case, allowing them to return to their patrol.

Smiling, Elisabeth waved her hand toward the settlement. “Shall we?” Storm sauntered along with them, behind the pair, slightly miffed that his examination of the new one was cut short. No matter, there would be plenty of time to determine the new one’s suitability for servant-hood.

The young woman wasn’t sure if Kori'än was in a talkative mood or not, so she took up the mantle of such until she had more information regarding the reason for the encounter. “I grew up in Viden – lots of snow and ice, always cold. It’s been an experience being elsewhere for Saun. I’ve been in the water enough recently that I think, perhaps, the others might believe me to be a mermaid.” A soft laugh accompanied the comment, but she ventured no further with that.

As they walked, he would note various basic housing structures and some tents. The people seemed relatively happy, chatting and greeting the pair as he walked along with Elisabeth. He would also find that Haven itself was situated just off the orange sand beach and afforded one a spectacular view of the Hollow Sea.

[Kori'än]

The sight of the avriel made Kori'än press his lips together, grip tightening around the strap of his bag and taking a step back. They didn't seem aggressive, but he had learned quite soon that could change in the blink of an eye. He was, after all, a stranger here, and he wasn't keen on picking up a fight with a guard ― not now, not ever. There was an expanse of land behind him, multiple places to run if needed, but he couldn't help but feel trapped, eyes glued on the wings on the woman's back. Perhaps he could just turn around and leave.

The meow that came to his ears cut through the tension, and Kori looked down, smiling at the not-quite familiar face of a grown, beautiful cat. "Well, hello, Storm," he whispered, sending a quick glance up to the guards. Before he could do anything else, though, a voice came from behind him, making his shoulders tense as he spun around, side-stepping Storm to face the newcomer. It was only when he saw Elisabeth's face that he recognized the voice.

The woman was just like he remembered ― if he could even say that after nothing more than a brief actual interaction. Not dressed in the same fancy clothes, that's true, but that only made her seem more approachable. Elisabeth didn't just seem friendly, but also calm, and that, more than anything, was what made him so relaxed in her presence. Kori'än didn't really understand why. Maybe it was the memories that weren't even his, maybe it was just something in her that seemed trustworthy. He knew better than to lower his guard completely, but it was still nice to relax a little. Her greeting made him smile, biting his lip to hold down a small chuckle. "Silliness is to put it mildly." There was a hint of annoyance in his voice, more directed at the season in particular than anything else. "I'd... like a drink, yes. If it's not too much of a bother." One step at a time. At least the guards were moving away, allowing some more of his stiffness to melt away.

Before following the woman, Kori'än knelt, offering his fingers for Storm to sniff, if he wanted to. He didn't stay still long, nor tried to pet the cat without his permission, but it was a small greeting. He wasn't all that much better with animals than he was with people, but at least it was more comfortable. Standing up again, he brushed the dust and dirt from his pants as well as he could, adjusting his bag in his shoulder as he followed Elisabeth, sending quick glances towards Storm as they walked, a small smile playing on his lips.

Like she had done before, Elisabeth didn't nudge him to talk, instead doing so herself. It was easy to just listen to her and not feel like he was dragging the conversation, but it was also easier than usual to engage. "Viden," he stated, then cleared his throat. "I'm from Viden as well. Or, at least, around that area. I don't quite remember." Not the place, at least. He did remember the cold, however, the biting, unrelenting cold. He absently scratched the tip of his nose, wincing slightly and deciding to focus on the rest of her words.

"Is that even possible? To be a half-mer?" he wondered out loud, genuinely curious, before shaking his head. A joke. She was making a joke. He didn't need to turn that into a serious inquiry. "I'm sorry, I just..." He made a wide motion with his hand, before brushing his hair away from his face yet again, sighing. Heat. So much heat. If not for the unrelenting brightness of the two suns shining above the ocean, Haven would look so much like a sanctuary. Regardless, it was beautiful, the orange sand reflecting the sunlight and making everything more intense, almost like a painting.

Kori cleared his throat. He had been ignoring most of the greetings others were offering them, only occasionally waving back awkwardly. "I'm sorry to drop by unannounced―" he frowned, cutting himself off. It sounded like he had come to see Elisabeth. While that wasn't completely untrue, it wasn't the main reason, either. "I mean, I assumed you'd live here, because of what you asked Ziell. But I didn't come because of you," he winced. Try again. "Not that I was trying to avoid you either." She didn't care. "Everything that happened... There's a lot I'd like to ask, maybe, I think, I don't fully understand everything, but I also assume that's not something you'd want to talk about. So I didn't come for that." He was blabbing, trying to justify things in his head that Elisabeth hadn't even asked about. Kori sighed, rubbing his forehead with his hand, then drying the sweat on his pants. Annoying.

"I heard Haven was in Faldrass while I was visiting Hopetoun, and wanted to come and see how it was like. That's all. But I can always offer help, while I'm here."

Yes, he'd like to ask about Haven. About the events that he had seen. About a lot of things. Somehow, it felt like he could ask her anything. But that false sense of knowing her, just because he had seen her in memories, was dangerous to dwell on. He needed to remind himself they weren't friends ― barely acquaintances, and it wasn't his place to shower her with endless questions to satisfy his curiosity.

[Elisabeth Black]

Arc 721, 29 Saun

Storm happily sniffed the offered hand, glancing curiously up at the man before he and Elisabeth began speaking. He enjoyed visitors very much – the more, the better, in his opinion. The settlers were lovely and accommodating, but, as Storm saw it, his needs were growing, so the more people to cater to him, the better it would be for…well, him.

Elisabeth, for her part, simply kept talking. The young man seemed to be more comfortable when she did so, and it was no great matter for her. While she didn’t necessarily enjoy small talk, the young leader realized that some people needed it to gain their footing in social settings, and she was more than happy to accommodate. Recognizing what different people needed was important, and something she had worked on very hard during her time as settlement leader.

As they walked, he opened up more, sounding very much like someone looking for answers. Elisabeth had some, but she recognized the curious nature – she had been very much like that when introduced to the world of monsters, magic, and Immortals. Of course, her education had been a crash course. The least she could do was make sure he had a good foundational understanding.

They approached Haven House, and Elisabeth gestured to an outdoor area in front with a canopy, blankets, pillows, and a large, low table. It was obviously set up for outdoor entertaining during the hot season. “Please, make yourself at home, and I’ll grab some drinks.”

She wasn’t gone but a moment when Elisabeth returned, a tray of small nibbles and drinks in her hands. Setting the tray down, she lowered to the blanket and began pouring drinks. “Iced tea. I know most people enjoy it hot. I do as well, but I’ve discovered that during Saun, nothing beats the heat like a glass of it iced.”

Grabbing a small lemon wedge, she plopped it into the glass and slid the drink over to him, gesturing at the snacks. “Please feel free to help yourself.”

For a time, the pair sat quietly, settling in under the canopy while the young woman pointed out a few things in the settlement proper for him. Elisabeth talked some more and told her guest about her life. Of course, things didn’t get really interesting until Rharne, but since he was from Viden, she included a bit about her time there.

Kori’ian remained quiet, but it was apparent he was absorbing what she said and listening attentively. She told him about the Stormlands in Rharne, and how her early experiences there with Vega, Varlum, Faith, Pad, Genna, and Vivian had started her on the path she remained on and would forever travel.

The Mummer’s Ball – that one took some explaining. There were elements of that evening that she still didn’t understand herself, but that moment had helped shape her into the young woman she was.

Balthazar had been a large part of her time after the Ball, but Elisabeth kept most of that to herself, mentioning only that he had asked her to travel to Scalvoris with him, assuming that it would be a quick trip. Of course, that’s not what ended up happening, and that was a prominent point she wanted to make – life often did not subscribe to what someone assumed it would be. It had a plan of its own.

So Scalvoris, and then the arrest and trial. Elisabeth glossed over a lot of that because it wasn’t necessary to the overall story. It had introduced her to Jacien, but that wasn’t something she would be explaining.

Haven took over the bulk of things, with Elisabeth speaking of their entry into settlement life and the early challenges. Oddly enough, she hadn’t been in Haven long before the Forging called to her, marking an incredible milestone in her life and marking her life as one that would be in service to others.

As the conversation continued, she answered whatever questions came her way, but for the most part, her guest seemed content to listen to her stories, and she was happy to keep talking. Storm joined them towards the end, curling up in Elisabeth’s lap for his noon-tide nap and happily ignoring whatever it was that the two were doing.

Ever-conscious of not wishing to assume anything, Elisabeth offered Kori’ian lodging for the evening, should he desire. When the time was right, she excused herself to tend to settlement matters. However, before she left his company, she did point out a few places of interest that he might wish to check out, like Blackstone Cove or the farm - Delilah always enjoyed company.

The guards grabbed her attention for a few moment, wanting to discuss some logistical issues with the clam farm. It was obvious that it would need to be expanded sooner rather than later, but it was time to make some tentative plans towards that end. Quickly, she jotted down some notes and decided that a conversation with Maris and Sasha would help her narrow down what needed to be looked at.

After finishing what needed to be done, Elisabeth found herself on the beach again. It was strange that a girl from Viden found so much comfort in the warm sand of Faldrass, but she did. To her, it was home. She and Balthazar’s. Their home.

Funny how life turns out sometimes.

[Pig Boy]

Player Name: Elisabeth

Points awarded: 15
Magic xp: none

Knowledge: None requested
Skill Review: All Skills used appropriately to PC's level

Notes: It's a shame you two never quite got the chance to wrap this one up. I enjoyed the flow of the narrative and the way each of you impressed on each other. The fact that your pcs are both from Viden was an unexpected bit of serendipity.

Kori, your writing really is wonderful, hopefully you find your way back here sometime. I kind of laughed when Kori wondered if mer could actually be half-breeds, but then surmised that Elisabeth was jesting. Then again, have you checked that she doesn't switch into a mer tail every forty or so days? J/k. If you want points and knowledges from this thread, if you come back, please resubmit with your skills used and knowledges requested.

Elisabeth was her usual contemplative self here, and Storm was his normal out-going and curious self, being the official greeter and lord and master of Haven. I enjoyed the summary of Elisabeth's recent life, from the time she left Viden to her departure to Rharne, and then all the business she got up to there, most of which I've got a passing familiarity with.

Good writing the both of you.

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