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Post by Holly on Nov 29, 2011 22:44:57 GMT -5
ordeum 15, 1581, late afternoon
naktis, vesperian badlands, verfall
"Aria, sh-she truly is a m-m-menace! We're s-so b-b-b-blessed to have you around to g-g-get rid of her! Th-that's what th-they kept saying," Pascal explained in his usual stuttering fashion. He adjusted himself on the Mystic's shoulder as she walked, trying not to fall off. His peach colored eyes were stretched wide. He was not too fond of Naktis, but at least it was a little better than the dark land of Acerbus Umbra. He jumped and nearly fell off her shoulder as a dog barked in the distance.
"You know, as much as I like Colbie, she does tend to make a big deal about nothing sometimes," Aria chuckled, catching Pascal before he could completely slip off. "I mean, I'll give her credit for finding Nuala because she was causing a bit more trouble. But, did she give you anything more than 'she's a menace'?"
Pascal pondered for a minute. "Sh-She mentioned something about h-how p-p-people were dying wh-when they went in. H-How this person w-w-was burning people t-t-t-to ash. M-Maybe this w-w-woman is a ghost!"
Aria shurgged calmly. "Never know until you see," She smiled.
As they approached the house that Colbie had informed the Mystic about, Aria gained a puzzled expression. It looked like any other regular house on the street. If anything, it had a perkier vibe to it. The flowers and colors seemed inviting, not forboding. Just for safety, she placed Pascal on the ground and told him to stay there before going inside.
Upon entering, Aria created an orb of soft light to illuminate the dark environment. "Hello? Is someone here?" Her voice was steady, not showing fear, but also not too harsh. Scanning the room, she knew someone was indeed there; she could sense them. She wasn't going to force them to come out yet if they didn't want to. "I'm not going to hurt you. My name is Aria Ruoshe. I'm the Mystic for Acerbus Umbra. I'm just here to help you." She took a step closer to the place where the person was hiding.
Without warning, a girl burst out from behind the couch and shot a ball of pure shadows and a ball of fire at the Mystic. Aria was quick to react, though, with orbs of the opposite element. Water clashed with fire and light collided with shadow. Hesitation was not shown in the girl's actions, however. She leapt forward after her first attacks, hand outstretched. The Mystic responded in the same way she would have if this were a normal battle. She grabbed the girl's hand and, before she could use any magic, Aria silenced them.
The girl stumbled back, eyes stretched wide. She took a stance and flicked her wrist in a motion that Aria recognized as a lightning spell. Aria tried not to laugh as she recieved nothing from the movement. She had to admit, it was quite a surprise about who the "menace" was. The girl was pretty with waist-long, golden blonde hair and oceanic blue eyes. The purple sundress she was wearing was tattered and dirty, though. If anything, she was no more than 15-years-old.
"You're a pretty smart girl, you know that?" Aria grinned. "If I didn't silence your powers, you seriously could have teleported me somewhere far." She took a step forward and the girl responded by taking a step back. "My bad," She retreated, putting her hands up. "Would you mind me asking you some questions?"
The girl hesitated, eyeing the Mystic with suspicion. After a moment, she shook her head.
"Alrighty. Are your parents here?" She began.
The girl shook her head.
"How about siblings. Do you have any?"
The girl nodded.
"Oh, good. Well, are they here?" Aria found a seat on the ground, crossing her legs casually.
The girl shook her head.
Aria frowned and scratched the back of her head. "So, you're here by yourself?"
The girl's wary expression changed to that of depression as she nodded slowly. She sighed so heavily that it even made Aria tired.
"Sweetie, what's your name?" Aria inquired quietly. Every minute she spent with this girl made her more and more intrigued. Roxanna and Falkor were interesting kids, but there was something different about this girl.
The girl, much to Aria's disappointment, shook her head again. She obviously didn't quite trust Aria enough yet.
They sat in silence for a minute or two, the girl shifting nervously and Aria looking at her thoughtfully. "Okay, one more question," Aria finally said, watching the girl perk up. "Would you like to come with me and get some new clothes? Maybe some food as well?"
The girl nodded, a small smile pulling at the corner of her lips.
Holly's eyes scanned the growing crowds for a sign of Chase. It had been only a few days since the incident. With such a short time, she still didn't want to see him. It hurt to think about it. She sucked in a sharp breath, feeling tears prick at her eyes.
"Hey, you okay?" Aria asked her, reminding her she wasn't alone.
Swiftly, she nodded, turning her head away.
"Well, we're here," Aria gestured to a small building. A huge window faced out into the street, displaying some of the dresses they had. The mystic walked in first, holding the door for Holly. "Okay, just pick out anything you like." When Holly didn't take a step towards the clothes, Aria laughed. "Hold on. I got this." She turned, "Colbie! I've got a project for you!!"
From somewhere in the back of the shop, a short, skinny, pale woman appeared. Large, gray mouse ears stuck out from her head, signifying she was a mouse kalahati. Her huge, dark eyes gleamed with friendliness as she found Aria and Holly. "Hello hello! Who's this cutie, Aria?!" The store owner knelt down and pinched Holly's cheeks.
"This is... Well, this is that 'menace' you reported," Aria smirked, then laughed as Colbie scrambled behind a rack of clothes. "Relax, she's harmless. Really. I silenced her powers."
Colbie nodded hesitantly, coming back around to the two. Cautiously, she studied the olisthir over, making "hmm"s here and there as she nodded. "Got it."
By the time the sun was near to setting, Holly and Aria were at a small tea shop in downtown Naktis. Holly beamed as she looked down at her new dress. It was fairly simple; A white, knee-length dress with floral patterns at the bottom, tightened at the waist with a tan belt. Aria had also bought her a new pair of golden sandels. Still smiling, she took a sip of tea.
"Have fun today?" Aria put another sugarcube in her tea. That was the fifth one that Holly had observed.
Holly was about to nod before a thought suddenly hit her. The whole day, Aria had put up with her and she didn't say a word of thanks. Heck, she didn't even tell the kind mystic her name. "Umm... Holly," She murmured.
"What?" Aria raised an eyebrow.
"My name is Holly. Holly Skies," The Olisthir replied. "And I haven't killed anyone. I just teleported them away so they couldn't hurt me, then I left ash around the house to make it seem like I killed them. I thought if people thought I was a murderer, then they would stay away from me and I could stay in that house." Aria's expression practically asked her why, so she continued, "My parents and siblings were killed not too long ago. I don't have anywhere else to go and... I'm afraid that people will hurt me more... That's why I made those people disappear."
Aria didn't speak for a long period of time. She stared at her tea, adding yet another sugar cube. "You know... I had a daughter, but she died."
"I'm so sorry," Holly muttered.
The mystic offered a sad smile. "She was the world to me, but, unfortunately, I can't bring her back. When I came to this realization, I also came to the realization that things happen for a reason and, while you can't trust everyone, you have to trust someone, even if it's one person. Because, when times get tough, Holly, you can't get through it alone. It's just an illogical thought that a lot of people have." Her gray gaze fell on Holly. "Excuse my subject jump, but, trust me, this will make sense. I really think you could use some people to trust. People that will keep you safe no matter what. And I've witnessed your skills today, Holly. Your magic is a little rough around the edges, but you have a lot of the basics and raw talent." She laughed to herself, "Okay, now I'm babbling. What I'm trying to say is this: Holly, would you like to be my apprentice, thus making you the next mystic of Acerbus Umbra?"
The olisthir looked over her shoulder, in the direction of her home. Turning back to Aria, she inhaled a deep breath, smiled, and responded, "I would love to."
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