(Collab with @medalliah)
The hallway was long. It felt winding but perhaps she wasn't walking in exactly straight lines, she walked up to the wall and dragged her hand beside it, touching along the doors on the way - it was a decent enough anchor for her. She perked up as she heard footsteps going the other way, that familiar falling feeling that knotted itself into her stomach. The aura of dread brought by a Daughter of Hades. Despite the uneasy feeling, she couldn't help but beam a smile. She called out, unsure exactly of where she was - "Daughter of Hermes!"
Hayley hadn't walked far - the noises around her had distracted her more than once. First a loud bang from the floors above, then some shouting in the rooms around her. She'd kept very central, not reacting to any but not getting closer to the rooms. Then a different shout - someone calling out for a daughter of Hermes. She recognized the voice immediately, the one that had paused when speaking before. Daughter of Pelasgia. Hayley turned round, and noticed the woman kind of looking in her direction. Talking to her perhaps... "Hey, Saranja, right?" She replied, testing to see if it was for her. There was enough people around, and Hermes had a lot of children after all.
"You remembered. I wondered if you wanted to talk, I understand first days can be daunting, and I'd like to see some dread lifted off your shoulders. - I don't think I got your name." The satyress wasn't really of the mind of speaking normally- but her smile was genuine at least. She stepped a little closer toward the familiar voice from before. She was certainly painted weird, with those thin red trails coming from behind her the middle of her lip and from her blindfold down, as if she bleeding tears. An odd choice in makeup.
"Hayley...my name is Hayley" The girl said shyly - the makeup had distracted her. It seemed really unusual, and almost directing the eyes towards the blinds across the Satyr's eyes "I only arrived today here, I guess I'm kind of nervous. And um well, I'm sorry about the..." She trailed off. How do you apologize for making everyone around you uncomfortable? "I think my room is back there, but I can't go in right now it's too bright. Everyone is glowing, and it kind of hurts my eyes. Did you find your room?"
She paused a moment. She wondered - "I did. We could go back there, though you've already got your own disposition toward one of my dormmates. We could find the library- or perhaps head outside. - And a deal, I won't apologize for being blind if you do not for your own condition, as hardly comparable as they are." She flashed a winning smile. An unlikely child of Hades, to be so apologetic, but she saw plenty in this girl.
"Oh I don't have an issue with your roommate" Hayley quickly said as she shook her head "She is just kind of rude, and I don't like that." She paused there, thinking if she knew where the library actually was, before continuing "I think we should find somewhere outside to sit. It's nicer out, and we don't have to whisper." She smiled more now, actually feeling more confident with the woman being so nice to her. Although she still remained wary - what did she know? "Do you need help going outside? There's an exit around the corner towards the courtyard. And um, yeah that seems a deal, although being blind doesn't usually make everyone as uncomfortable as filling them with death." She held out a hand, in case the woman did need help being guided.
"I think she is as nervous as the rest of us. She just shows it differently." In reply to her quesiton, she stepped forward with that lilting clip clop of hooves and took her hand, holding it quite firmly in agreement of going outside, and being guided there. "But neither of us can change what we have. I don't believe that many people still apologize or believe in original sin. You are your father's daughter." She pursed her lips after she said it, how much of a comfort was that comment, really? "Was it the schools idea to keep your blood a secret? I can't imagine there being much issue if you wore it on your sleeve- it is where the veins are, after all." Was she prying too much? Her curiosity got the best of her. It wasn't every day she got to scry for someone new, much less someone this interesting.
Hayley's hand was very warm to the touch - Not a nice heat though, but closer to a scolding flame. More unnatural. Hayley hadn't really considered that feeling, it was just a part of her like the dread aura that Saranja didn't seem scared of. Listening to her words, she considered what was said. It was true, she couldn't change who she was...but was she really like Hades? That didn't seem like a good thing. she almost missed the question though as she lead them to a bench beside a giant oak tree. She allowed Saranja to sit before she sat next to her - she didn't pull her hand away. Plus she wasn't speaking, which was rude. "I don't know my father. I've never met him. To be honest...I don't even know my mother" A slightly nervous chuckle at that "I've been passed around and hiding for a long time. My father though...there is rarely any children of his, and they're not regarded as well loved. Bad Fortunes and bad luck follow his children, so I was told to hide it."
Her hand shifted in her grip multiple times, from holding it lightly to holding her arm in a dainty, two fingered grip. The dread she could deal with - the heat was anathema to her. In a reverse, the satyress was pale and quite cold to the touch. "I grew up in an orphanage. I do not know my parents either - but I know that I am like them, for better or worse. I know that you are like him, for your reservations. Someone needs to be there - it isn't all hellfire and schemes." That was definitely too far. She evened the score quickly, flustered as she spoke. "Sorry. I shouldn't have pried in the first place, and would that I couldn't - I wouldn't have. I just look at people and all of these things are so eager to talk to me, like a secret kept too long, bursting at the seams -" She paused a moment and continued in rhyme, as if it was just another facet of conversation you could shift to. "To all the things you tell in dreams, a name, a god, a dreadful heat, in fame, in pain, unwanted seat- the Fates are kind but crueler still, loneliness no minor ill."
Hayley again listened as Saranja spoke. She did frown momentarily at the mention Hellfire, but it went away quickly. Eventually she started to smile and she laughed after a moment. "You know, you're really nice to listen to. So thoughtful, and quite poetic" She gave Saranja's arm a squeeze "I've always been quite lonely. Passed around from family to family, nobody wanting me. It wasn't until I met the principal that I found out why. It didn't help" She shook her head "But listening to you, well...I guess I might have some hope. But not as a child of...Hades" She whispered the name "Maybe Hermes will be more acceptable, huh?" She went quiet for a moment, looking down at her lap, before adding "Why do you accept it though? You see so much of everyone, surely you see what will happen in the future? I...I'd like to have friends, and be normal, but I'd accepted that for someone like me it's normal to not have friends. Sounds really silly doesn't it, after your elegant words" She laughed again "I'm not really very good at that though. Never did well in school, or at home, or anywhere."
She flinched at the soft squeeze of her arm. She wasn't really expecting it - but her expression shifted from surprise to an easy smile. She listened in return, the smile turning sad and sympathetic as she did. "I know how you feel. It's hard to fit in, isn't it?" She didn't really need to explain herself, her legs, horns and the bleeding paint underneath her blindfold was probably enough. "Whatever you are, you are a child of the universe no less the trees and the stars. You've a right to be here. Be at peace with your god, whatever you conceive him to be- I see many futures ahead of you. I see ones where you grow bitter in your loneliness, you disregard your father as you disregard people who would be your friends. In others, I see you brandish him like a badge, unafraid of what people think, unafraid of who you are. Further still, I see you proud in secret- would that oxymoron work well enough. You don't want to cause trouble, but you've reconciled over Him, and who He is and what He does." She paused a moment, moving a hand to hold hers, despite the heat. "In almost all of them I tell you to be gentle with yourself. The path is long and winding, but remember that when the road is easy, the destination is worthless."
Hayley nodded, looking more sadened now. "I can't imagine how you would have found it, but you seem stronger for your experiences at least" she offered, accepting the Satyrs hand in her own and squeezing it gently "And it's good to know that at least in some of my futures, I can accept Him as my father. I guess I was destined to meet you here no matter what future it was" There was a small smile at that, and a tear rolls down her cheek as she whispered "Thank you." She just held Saranja's hand for a short while, not speaking, just considering the words. Almost in prayer, except for the single tear on her cheek. Eventually, she asked "What do you tell me in the other futures? I hope in the others I'm a little less tearful and a little stronger."
She squeezed, despite the uncomfortable, scolding heat. "I say the wrong things in a lot of them. I might be saying them now, I'm unsure. But I've learned to be sure of myself, whatever it is I'm doing. I see so many possible futures that to get stuck and anxious for just one doesn't seem like a good use of time. - If you really want to know, in some of them I advise too strongly. I tell you to hide or be proud - when its never my decision to make. You're always strong, in the ones I've seen. Strength isn't measured in a single lonely tear. I've found it much easier to tell from the way people talk, and what they do. You offered a hand to guide me along - you're polite and apologetic, maybe too much so, or maybe you just feel you've a lot to make up for. Good souls do that, not poor ones." Her voice was soft, and she offered something in the way of a reassuring smile, her stare close to Hayley, though looking through more than looking at.
"How do you face all these futures, don't they become overwhelming? Painful? Confusing or overlapping?" Hayley asked quietly, as if concerned her questions would just add to the overwhelming ideals of what Saranja had to deal with "I...I don't think I'm a nasty person, although I've been told I am, so I'm glad that you see a good soul in me. You've been kind to me, and your words are as much of a helping hand as I have me" another squeeze, her smile warmer even though the Satyr couldn't see it "So if you need help, I'm happy to help you. I've never had a friend though, so forgive me if I'm terrible at it" She laughed, but it was a warm laugh. The aura of dread that normally circled her seemed so much weaker than usual - barely noticeable in her happy state "If you don't mind me ask, how did you cope with all this growing up? You grew up in an orphanage..did they know about who you are, what you are? Ah, sorry, don't mean to be rude" A slight blush, suddenly worried that she may have offended her only friend.
She might not have seen the smile, but it was something that could be heard in someones voice when they spoke, the lines that were set in their face. She didn't have a smile on when she spoke, her brow furrowed and her lips pursed, a subject quite close to her, but not uncomfortable to talk about. "They do. They are. I forget I'm talking to the same person sometimes - I get wrapped up in what I see its so easy to forget that I'm still here. I forget to eat, on occassion. I see them when I sleep and I struggle to differentiate them from what's real." She paused a moment, thinking of home. "It was an orphanage for the supernatural. Similar to where we are now. I had no friends aside from my carer. He read to me when my eyesight left, told me about books, about how to act, he's my father, really." She smiled at a few unspoken memories, sharing the expression with Hayley. "If I've not been rude in what I've said to you, you'll never be rude in prying things from me."
"Let's hope you're not mixing my future up with a son of Zeus then!" Hayley laughed, but fell silent as Saranja told her story. It was so lovely, so sweet. She was envious of the Satyr, who had grown up with a caring person and a world where she belonged. It wasn't fair that Hayley had experienced the total opposite - rejection and revulsion, passed around like an unwanted child. Saranja could feel that aura of dread starting to increase again. "You were so lucky. I...I only remember being read to once. It was in my third foster home, Alison was the womans name. She collected horror stories, and read one to me. About a monster who terrorized a family. When she finished, she compared me to the monster...I was only seven at the time, but that story has always stayed with me" She brought a hand up to wipe a tear away "Sorry, I didn't mean to ruin the moment. I'm really jealous of you I guess. I won't let it mess things up, I can enjoy being with like-minded people now, instead of being moved around all the time with normal people."
She nodded, and paused after she spoke, struck silent for a moment. When she did finally talk again, she echoed what she had said before. "The Fates are kind but crueler still, with hurt your every thought did fill - they mete their justice as they may, and leave the broken where they lay. But Fate - and her sisters true, are just a truly lonely few, their hands can never reach as far, as Asteria and her shining stars- but giving man the sight of true, to see things that will bear anew, pass duty on and let it stay, into heart and tender way." She had some self awareness however, summing up the spontaneous form with something easier. "She has given me the eyes to see, and with them I would do well to impart some of the kindnesses she's missed." She softened some. She couldn't rightly shrieve Hayley of her past, it was filled with broken homes and relationships that had fallen through before they had started. Even now, that dread was seeping into her. It tinted everything in a navy grey and the thought of returning to her room alone was there.
Hayley sighed gently. The poem was lovely, and full of wisdom that she herself was lacking. My first friend and all I'm doing is pouring my life onto her She thought mournfully to herself. She let go of Saranja's hand after placing it back onto her lap, and spoke quietly. "I don't mean to go on. I...guess I've not had someone to confide in before. Maybe...a happier topic, before we both get upset? Hobbies, things you like? I want to get to know my friend better as you know so much about me I'm sure. Also you mentioned forgetting to eat in the past...are you hungry? Um...what do you eat?" She wasn't sure if meat would be an ideal meal "I guess it's too early for lunch but..." She trailed off. She was babbling to cover for her own feelings but it wasn't helping and the aura was as strong as ever.
"If you have truths to tell, I'd offer an ear to hear - but if you want to know about me, I'm fine with indulging you." She paused a moment but continued, hoping to comfort or at least distract with a few facts about herself. "I enjoy talking to people, as poor at it as I am. I like music. Rachmaninov's Italian Polka is so wonderfully heartbreaking everytime I listen to it and I wish I knew why. I want to learn how to bake - and I do well with gardening. I really like reading, but they don't often have the books I like in braille." Her life on a page, she decided, was quite small. She realized she was hungry. She hadn't eaten this morning. She hadn't eaten the day before. She was ravenous and hadn't realized. "I'd love something. I'm a vegetarian, if...that wasn't a given." Thoughts drifted to an awkward surprise birthday meal of a beef burger from a fast-food restaurant.
"Um...Rachawhat?" Hayley asked with a confused look "I've never heard of that musician before, is he good? I can cook. I had to learn to cook when I was young, never made a cake but I make a pretty good spaghetti if I do say so myself! I'm making myself hungry now, let's get some food" She hopped up at that, smoothing her skirt down before turning and taking Saranja's hands to help her up "As for gardening...don't ask. Really. I think plants hate me, but I'm good with soil. Really good! Well...as long as it doesn't need to be really fertile anyway. I may just have to do the cooking while you do the gardening. What's your favourite book? I adore ' To Kill a Mockingbird', I've owned it about four times. Well...borrowed about four times" A slight blush "Never really owned it." Once Saranja was up Hayley squeezed her hands gently "Do you have food in your room or do we find the cafeteria?"
"Rachmaninov. He was a russian composer and pianist. He wrote some wonderful music. I'll have to show you sometime." She stood a bit slower, smoothing out her own skirt and the fur on the top of her legs. She gave a thought. She'd read so many books, it was horrible to have to declare one a favourite. "I enjoy poetry collections. I suppose Emily Dickinson's collected works would have to be my favourite. I've never read 'To Kill a Mockingbird' though I'm told it is good.- I only have books in my room." Hyperbole, but she was sure she brought no food. It completely slipped her mind, as it often did. "Guide me, Hayley of Hades, and I will trust us not to cross the Styx." A poor joke, but at least she was trying. She gave a small smile that made it obvious that it really wasn't her strong suit.
"I'm...not going to try and say that name" Hayley replied sheepishly "But I'll give it a listen. Classical music, right?" There was a look of surprise though at the confession of never having read it. "You've never read To Kill a Mockingbird? Ok, that will have to be changed. I'm sure I can find a braille version, it's a quite famous book after all!" She tried not to frown at the joke though, taking the girls hand again and forcing a chuckle "There's no entrance to the Underworld near here, don't worry. I'll cover the fare though if I find one, family discount!" A small giggle at that, before she added "Please don't say that around other people though. I...I'll tell people in time but not yet. I want to know who I can trust...like I trust you. Now let's get some food" she started moving towards the building once again "Although I don't actually know where I'm going, so this will be a bit of an adventure. Watch out for the door" She added as she opened the door and lead the Satyr in.
