[centre][color=tan][h2]Recognised on the Road[/h2][/color][/centre] [hr] It would be generous to call what Lucia and Sanya were walking on a road - it would be polite to call it a path, perhaps. Despite the evident number of tracks and people they passed by, no work had been done along this route to make it safer or more convenient to walk. The highlands weren’t particularly known for being convenient to traverse, naturally, but for such a busy transport vein, it was almost uncanny how nature hadn’t resigned under the stampede of a thousand feet. Joining the two on the path was what looked like a farmer thirty or so paces ahead of them, dragging a stubborn pack stag by a rope about its muzzle, and a pair in white cloaks, about ten paces ahead. They were chatting amongst themselves, giggling every so often. [Color=tan]"...So there I was, staring down the tallest man I'd ever seen. Group of people around us, cheering him on. Oh Sanya you should have seen their faces when my tattoos knocked him out. It was hilarious."[/color] Lucia laughed for a moment before scrunching her nose. [Color=tan]"Then they said I cheated and I uh… Got run out of that village with only my pride intact. Not the greatest story, I know. I didn't cheat, I'll have you know. They said,"[/color] and here she imitated a man's voice, [color=tan]"'No weapons, fists only' and my tattoos run to my fists so."[/color] Sanya, for her part, kept her eyes mostly on the people ahead of them, gently touching her spear on the edge of the path as a makeshift walking stick. [color=a187be]”Great story, Lucia,”[/color] she replied between breaths as she swatted a particularly intrusive fly out of the sky with her free hand. [color=a187be]”Personally, I’m always for people getting punched. It’s very cathartic. Got any non-violent stories, though?”[/color] Lucia rolled her eyes. [Color=tan]"Course I do! I've traveled far and wide and I've seen many things Sanya."[/color] Lucia waves her hand out in front of her. [Color=tan]"Now there was this one time I nurtured a leon cub back to health and helped kickstart a civilization. Or the one where I grew a Sylphi from a pot. Or perhaps the one about the Luminant?"[/color] she asked with a grin. [color=a187be]”A Sylphi?”[/color] Sanya queried in turn, casting a glance over her shoulder out of habit before putting her gaze forward at the people ahead. [color=a187be]”Aren’t they from beyond the southlands? No wonder we keep missing each other. I’m the only one who stays put.”[/color] she continued with a feigned dramatic sigh. She gave Lucia a look, and a wry, if small, smile. Lucia put a hand to her head, and pretended to faint, landing on Sanya's shoulder. She looked up at her blinking and said, [color=tan]"Oh how I grow weak from your charm."[/color] she said with a laugh. [Color=tan]"Admit it, you missed meeee."[/color] Sanya rolled her eyes and sighed sharply, though the smile lingered. [color=a187be]”You’re impossible,”[/color] she retorted, a light shrug of her shoulder to force Lucia to walk without support. [color=a187be]”But I suppose it’s nice,”[/color] she added after a few moments. [color=a187be]”To be allowed to walk in her majesty’s shadow.”[/color] She glanced back to Lucia with the same barb as before, but softened after a few seconds of thought. [color=a187be]”You’re still the talk of the prairie, you know.”[/color] [Color=tan]"Am I?"[/color] she asked, looking at her nails in an elegant gesture before smiling crookedly at Sanya. [Color=tan]"It is my home after all."[/color] [color=a187be]”It’s more than that,”[/color] Sanya sighed calmly, eyes forward to keep an eye on the winding path. [color=a187be]”You have a way with people. No one in my tribe remembers me, not to mention the Highlands. It’s the same wherever we go - they like you,”[/color] There was a brief pause, as Sanya considered her own words. [color=a187be]”Unless you cheat in a fair fistfight, of course.”[/color] Lucia chuckled. [Color=tan]"That's fair."[/color] she caught up to Sanya and walked next to her. [Color=tan]"It can be a blessing and a curse, you know. Most times I can't go anywhere without being remembered or recognized from stories. Though I suppose whenI not recognized I get captured so…"[/color] her voice faded away for a moment before returning with vigor. [Color=tan]"People remember you. If not your beautiful face then your deeds. You leave an impression good or bad. Mostly good."[/color] she said kicking a rock. [color=a187be]”Maybe,”[/color] Sanya conceded with a quiet sigh. [color=a187be]”But it might be better this way, anyway. I’m not as good as you with being popular.”[/color] she leant over to give Lucia a gentle shove with her shoulder. [color=a187be]”You can do the prancing and twirling, and I’ll do what I’m good at.”[/color] With that, she hefted [i]Sorrowsting[/i] just a little more than before, underscoring her words as they followed the seemingly endless path through heavy terrain. [Color=tan]"Yeah!"[/color] Lucia said, returning the shove in a playful manner. She then looked up at the sky and closed her eyes as the sun hit her face. She then casually said, looking back at Sanya, [Color=tan]"You are pretty good at twirling that thing."[/color] with a smirk on her lips. Sanya lifted the spear off the ground, giving it a proper spin in response to Lucia’s words. She sighed quietly to herself not long after. [color=a187be]”I had some time to practice, after all,”[/color] she intoned, before returning the hilt of the spear to the ground in tender assistance to her journeying. [color=a187be]”Sometimes I wonder if I could have gone back to another life. If I had listened to…”[/color] she paused, either out of bitter memory or trouble recollecting the name. [color=a187be]”...Yaian, instead of doing what I did. Ever so often, Lucia, I just want to stay somewhere nice. Maybe forever.”[/color] Lucia took her free hand within her own, and stopped them both on the path. [color=tan]”I thought the same once, but you know who I… Lost…”[/color] she said sadly. [color=tan]”Yet, if it had never happened, who knows where I would have ended up and you, I never would have met you that fateful night. This is not to say, maybe you shouldn’t try it for a time. You’ve always wandered Sanya, but there comes a time for rest. Even for stalwart protectors of the innocent. What is it they say…”[/color] she said, thoughtfully. Before smiling again. She began to sing a poem softly. [center][color=tan]”If ever there was a time, When you wondered what could be, Wash that regret away like grime, And remember that you are free. Take a chance, make a laugh, do as your heart desires.”[/color][/center] Lucia looked at Sanya and pulled her into a tight hug. Sanya smiled, and returned the embrace with a gentle calm. “P-pardon,” came a voice. When the two looked ahead again, they found the two druids standing in awe before them, specifically Lucia. Their eyes were clearly affixed to the halo above her head. “A-are you, pray tell, blessed by Heaven’s Eye?” “The tattoos, Gene! Look at the tattoos! By Macsal!” whispered the other while squeezing her companion’s arm. Lucia looked down at them with a neutral expression. As they garnered outside attention, Sanya was quick to dislodge herself, apparently not too keen of sharing a moment in the spotlight. Her gaze investigating the two druids, and briefly following their stares towards Lucia, she took a step back with her spear and muttered [color=a187be]”Invite the wolf and it appears.”[/color] under her breath. Lucia glanced at Sanya before turning her attention to the two girls and flashing a smile. [Color=tan]"Hello. You two must be druids yes? The clothing gives it away."[/color] she mused. “Ho-hoooooh my gods! Obee, she spoke to us!” “I know she did Gene - don’t freak her out! Druids?! Oh, oh, wow! No one’s called us -that- yet! We, we, we can’t call ourselves -thaaaat- yet, nooo! We’re still learning!” replied the one called Obee, who was still staring at the halo. She raised a shaking finger to point at it, her companion Gene lowering her head as though she didn’t consider herself worthy to behold Lucia’s presence. “Is that… Are you a [i]helgen[/i]?” [Color=tan]"A what? [i]Helgen?[/i]"[/color] Lucia asked. The two novices nodded. “Y’know, a holy person! Kaer Togen tells us they’re blessed by the gods themselves, and that they have special powers granted to them.” “Yeah, yeah!” agreed Gene. “There’s even one to the south of here - they say she’s as beautiful as the sun itself, and that she sings with a voice that captures you in a trance! In two years, we’ll be making our [i]reiygang[/i] to see her at the [i]Reiyasblot[/i]!” Sanya, who had initially found the attention bothersome, now seemed to derive some little amount of pleasure from watching the exchange unfold in front of her, a miniscule smirk building on her features. [color=a187be]”Oh, she’s a [i]helgen[/i], alright.”[/color] she interjected from the sidelines. [color=a187be]”You’re looking at the daughter of the Sun Mother.”[/color] The two novices stood stunned, casting sideways glances at one another. “Y-you don’t mean…” Obee scanned Lucia’s appearance again. “... Lucia, daughter of the Sun Mother? R-right?” “Ohmygod,IthinkshemeansLucia,daughteroftheSunMother,” Gene whispered in a single breath. Both immediately cast themselves to the ground, clumsily bumping into each other as the path was rather narrow at this point of the road. “LUCIA, shoot, I mean, GREAT, BLESSED LUCIA! It’s the greatest honour!” “Such an honour!” Obee echoed. Lucia shot Sanya a knowing glance as the two prostrated themselves before her. She pointed at her in silence then casually drifted her finger across her own neck before turning back to the druid girls. [Color=tan]"Yes, I am Lucia. Daughter of Oraelia, daughter of the sun, second child of the Bright One. You've found me Obee, Gene. How might I assist you this day?"[/color] she asked before adding, [color=tan]"Oh yeah, you can get up now."[/color] They remained prostrated. “Gene, she told you to stand up,” whispered Obee. “I’m not getting up first! You know how disrespectful that is?” Lucia sighed, before her tattoos erupted from her body and gently wrapped around the two girls. They were then lifted up at the same time. Her tattoos unwrapped themselves and then molded back onto her skin, pulsing. [Color=tan]"Remember girls, though you may see me as some [i]helgen[/i] figure, it's not polite to keep anyone waiting. Now… let me get a good look at the both of you."[/color] The novice girls stood facing Lucia, eyes trying to look just about anywhere else as to not be disrespectful. They clutched their humble walking staffs like stuffed animals, and the wind had long since blown their hoods off their heads, revealing one plain, pale, freckled face with blonde hair and a noticeable overbite, and one darker face with black hair, stopped nose and thick eyebrows. The black-haired one, Gene, opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again, evidently waiting for Lucia to say something instead. Sanya rubbed at the bridge of her nose, leaning heavily on [i]Sorrowsting[/i] as she watched the scene unfold. [color=a187be]”Go easy on them now, Lucia.”[/color] she intoned idly, before lifting her hand up to her mouth to cover a brief yawn. Lucia glided between the two and eyes them up and down, first stopping in front of Obee and touching her cheek lightly, before giving her a playful pinch. She did the same to Gene before coming to a stop before them. [Color=tan]"You have beautiful songs but my oh my, so young. How old are you two?"[/color] she asked. “She touched me,” whispered Gene to nothing in particular, eyes wide as saucers. Obee had a similar expression. [Color=tan]"Yes yes and now each of you will bear ten children in my name."[/color] Lucia smirked. “As the [i]helgen[/i] wishes,” acknowledged Obee and bowed her head. “As the [i]helgen[/i] wishes,” echoed Gene. “Kaer Togen won’t mind that we look for mates three years early, right?” “Not if a [i]helgen[/i] demanded it, what, are you stupid?” Lucia seemed to pale. She took a sharp breath and said, [color=tan]"I was kidding! I was kidding! Don't do that. You have to wait until you're able to bring into this world a life. You must be prepared."[/color] she then sighed and rubbed her brow. [Color=tan]"Now, how old are you two?"[/color] “Fifteen!” they chorused. [color=a187be]”Practically adults,”[/color] Sanya intoned with some feigned wisdom to her tone, giving the three a dulled smile. [color=a187be]”Getting a late start, if you ask me.”[/color] “Kaer Pinya said the same, actually,” Gene added. Obee elbowed her in the side. [Color=tan]"Listen close girls. Only bear a child with those you love. Take it from me, It'll be worth it."[/color] she said, a hint of sadness in her voice. The girls looked at one another. “You wish to see Macsal again, don’t you?” asked Gene carefully. “Must be terrible being apart for so long. I cried when Kaer Rast told us that story,” added Obee. Gene nodded along. Lucia tilted her head at the two and awkwardly shuffled in place. [Color=tan]"He was my love, after all."[/color] she said absentmindedly. Sanya leaned on her weapon, watching the three with a growing restlessness, no doubt brought on by the building awkwardness. [color=a187be]”Good grief,”[/color] she breathed with a sigh to follow, when silence seemed to grow in the conversation. [color=a187be]”Just don’t get forced into anything, right?”[/color] Sanya paused, rubbing at her temple. [color=a187be]”Love is-... complicated. Listen to your heart, and you’ll do great.”[/color] “We will!” they echoed. Then there was silence. “Who are you again?” asked Gene and Obee elbowed her in the side again. At this point, another couple of farmers had appeared behind them, shepherding diligently a stubborn flock of goats up the pathway. Sanya didn’t reply to that, though managed to seem at least a little amused. Instead she glanced down the road, and then looked to Lucia - and her alone - to speak. [color=a187be]”I think we’re taking up the road. ...Path.”[/color] Lucia seemed to be in a daze before Sanya spoke and when she did she looked at her and coughed. [Color=tan]"Erm… Yes. We should be going."[/color] she turned to look at Obee and Gene. [Color=tan]"It was nice meeting you two, best of luck in life."[/color] she said in a hurry as the goats approached. “Oh! No, no, no, no, no! We can’t let you go now!” Gene insisted! “Oh, for sure! We -gotta- take you to Ha-Dûna now. The archdruid would be honoured to have you!” The two of them shook with excitement as though they were standing on quaking soil. Around them hopped a sea of goats. Lucia looked back at Sanya and gave a shrug. [color=a187be]”Evandra above.”[/color] Sanya muttered, and sighed sharply as goats rushed around them. [color=a187be]”Where is Ha-Dûna?”[/color] “That way!” shouted Gene with enough force and vigour to scare a few goats and pointed up to the top of the hill. “About two days on foot! We were actually just heading that way - and now we’re definitely heading that way.” “Uh-huh!” Sanya looked back at Lucia and returned the shrug. Lucia laughed after a few seconds. [Color=tan]"Well, it's not like we were going anywhere anyways. Lead the way girls."[/color] Lucia said to the two. The two novices celebrated and started leading the way, swimming through a river of goats to the surly music of the farmer complaining they’re in the way. [hr] [hider=Summary] Lucia and Sanya walk a lonely road - the only one that they have ever known - together with a few other people. After Lucia shares an extremely great story, the two talk some real talk and do some immortal on immortal bonding. Their tender girl moment is ruined by the arrival of two druid novices - who immediately fangirl over Lucia in every way possible. Sanya does everything she can to not help, and Lucia struggles to teach the two young ladies anything of value. After the group are assaulted by an oncoming herd of goats, they resolve to keep moving. The two druids demand to take Lucia to Ha-Dûna, and both Sanya and Lucia are like “eh, we got time.” and head out with the newly formed fanclub. [/hider] [hider=MP/DP Summary] Fool! You glanced upon the eldritch abyss. Nothing is here but doom! [/hider] [hider=Prestige] Lucia: 0 +5 = 5 Sanya: 19 +5 = 24 [/hider]