[h2][center][color=forestgreen][b]Aɴɴᴇᴠᴀʀ Tᴇʟ'ᴇᴛʜɪʀ[/b][/color] [b]&[/b] [color=FF4500][b]Tᴇᴍᴘᴀ Gʜᴀᴜɴ[/b][/color][/center][/h2][Hider=Summary]A small conversation between Anne and Tempa pertaining to the nature of Death. They exchange opinions before Tempa reveals why she's actually come to Vaald. Before Anne could respond, a booming voice was heard from behind them...[/hider]
As Anne walked towards a more secluded area of the Serene Pools, she once again sensed her surroundings and the magical essence that was permeating the area. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before exhaling. Having settled her mind, Anne wore her trademark smile and was about to turn around and call on Tempa when she heard hurried footsteps right behind her. She continued to draw distance from the rest of the group as she walked, keeping a leisurely pace, and waiting for Tempa to catch up. The moment the Iath appeared next to her, Anne looked over at her and asked. [color=forestgreen][b]"So, what exactly did you want to talk about, Tempa?"[/b][/color]

Tempa followed along a few paces behind, letting her thoughts roam. Approaching the devout of Gnara would certainly help placate the unease that seemed to linger about...even in a place so supposedly placid as the Serene Pools. The rest of the group was left behind, in a short moment, the Firebrand lengthening her strides to match the Druidess. She was given a smile and a question; one she had been prepared for, but a little hesitant to be forthright with.

[color=FF4500][b]"What do ya think about [i]death[/i], Druidess?"[/b][/color] she paused, a brief frown settling in.[color=FF4500][b]"Not to be rude or nothin', but what's ya name, anyway? Ya know mine..."[/b][/color]

It would be an understatement to say that Anne did not expect that sort of answer when she mouthed her question. All the signs were there: the fidgety stance, the trembling voice that also hinted in a certain amount of annoyance when Tempa first called out to Anne, all were signs that the Iath had gone through a lot. Anne blinked a couple of times and looked at Tempa. She studied her face, and the most strange of feelings passed through her mind. She felt a peculiar sense of familiarity, a kind of feeling that someone only gets when they meet another who has experienced the same kind of pain they themselves have. Yet, Anne could not grasp the reason she felt that way.

The sudden surge of emotions caused her left eye to twitch slightly, but nevertheless, her face remained the same smiling face she always had. Anne realised that she had probably been staring at Tempa for more than a moment, and quickly averted her gaze, and instead looked forward, her face donning a thoughtful expression. [color=forestgreen][b]"My name is Annevar Tel'ethir, but you can call me Anne if you want. As for what I think about death? Death... is a complicated matter, even for me to explain. I have, however, thought about it from time to time, and have come to the conclusion that regardless of the way someone returns to the embrace of Stieg, it is the way in which they live their life that shapes how they will be remembered. Only by living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment of it could then someone, on his deathbed, be able to confidently say[/b][/color] [i][b]'I have lived'[/b][/i].

Tempa stared back as Anne undoubtedly observed her, yellow eyes meeting silver. She had thought before compassion was plenty among those devout to the gods, but empathy was something she had rarely been the recipient of. It brought a smile to her face, crinkling the edges of a couple of scars; a smile that persisted while the Druidess spoke. Relaxing, she shifted Alacrity from her shoulder to behind her neck; draping her arms over each end as she listened and reflected.

[color=FF4500][b]"Alright, then, Anne it is. Nice to meet ya!"[/b][/color] there was a genuine pleasure in her tone, despite the inherently macabre beginning of their conversation, [color=FF4500][b]"I agree wit' ya, for the most part. I guess the thing that's been eatin' at me is more than the idea of 'havin' lived'. I like to think I lived a lot more than most people are ever gonna, but my...my [i]actions[/i] probably won't get me a lotta respite, in the end."[/b][/color] Her smile waned, a little, and her eyes dropped to her feet. [color=FF4500][b]"Ain't all about me, though. I'm in Vaald to see a friend off, this Festival."[/b][/color]

Tempa didn't have the strength to say Elise's name, but her tone well conveyed the sorrow of a long-dreaded parting. She bit her lower lip, shifting on her heels before carrying on. [color=FF4500][b]"I'm more worried about her, really. More worried about how my world is gonna change without her..."[/b][/color]

As the Iath warrior-lady spoke, Anne could obviously sense a faint aura of sadness emanating from Tempa. Anne began to speculate the reason why, and she thought back to the fact that Tempa was actually one of the Afflicted. The half-elf's eyes inadvertently fell on Tempa's chest once again, and on the purple mark that poked out of her garment. However, when Tempa mentioned that she had actually come to say goodbye to a friend of hers, Anne had been shocked inwardly at first, before she too, slowly looked down at her feet, not knowing what to say. A few moments passed in which nothing but the sounds of their surroundings could be heard. Anne then suddenly thought about something, but right as she made to speak, a sudden voice was heard coming from behind the two girls, the desperation evident in its tone.

[color=FF7518][b]"THE UNDEAD!!!"[/b][/color] it yelled, [color=FF7518][b]"UNDEAD BENEATH VAALD IN THE AQUEDUCTS!"[/b][/color]