Tracing strange sigils on her forehead hadn't been Beatrx's envisioned goodbye. However, Caretaker Nirvu had insisted. As things were, with the rules she had chosen to abide by; there was little choice in the matter for her. It had been at the task for a long moment, pausing only to inquire about her comfort. She watched her strange friend, her strange mentor, dip its fingers into a small well of black liquid; tried to watch as it gently etched the pattern onto her face.
First had been the markings along her mid-cheek, long and wrapping to rest at the nape of her neck. Next were the circles around her eyes, spirals leading outward. She had opened her mouth, several times, to question the meaning behind it all. That question was met with a small, felt smile. "It is to prepare your body for our parting, for the gift I intend to give you. Now, please remain still, this is a delicate ritual," she hadn't understood that, at all, but did as bid and let herself be as unmoving as stone. "We have spoken at length about your displacement, but today, the day of our parting, I will give you something to tie you tie Irriss," Caretaker Nirvu spoke gently, but its words sent a small wave of dread over Beatrix's heart.
I don't want to be...to be tied here. I want to go home, of course, she knew her situation; that she had some place in a struggle she didn't understand, that home was an impossibility anyway. I want to see my family...but, but this is important. I'm supposed to be a warrior... Her heart was heavy. The sparring session with Srath was still fresh in her mind, the phantom weight of the blade still in her hands as though some part of her yearned for it. I promised, though! That was her steel, that which allowed her to place all of her faith in the Prime Caretaker. So she did. Whatever lines he traced on her, Beatrix knew, was for her benefit.
They were in the hut she had come to call 'home', during her two weeks-and-a-day in Irriss, in the Crystalline Gardnen. Now that it was time for her to depart, things seemed dismal. I'm going to be sent out into the world, b-but why? Beatrix knew that answer well. The other Caretakers had been unhappy with her presence since her arrival. Caretaker Nirvu was the only one kind to me. It changed something in me. The second half of the thought would have sent a shiver through her, had an edict not otherwise compelled her to remain static. The candle she had noticed, before, was now lit; black and white wax trailing down the helix of that bizarre candle.
Beatrix Ashworth watched the flames as the Prime Caretaker continued its work. "Beatrix," it began, drawing her attention, "I intend to give you something called the 'Empty Sphere'. A relic left behind by an age Irriss never experienced." She desperately wanted to ask what that meant, but the Caretaker continued. "These markings are to be certain your body can bond with the Sphere properly. To make it your own. For too long has it been kept in idle, secluded hands. The other Caretakers know not what I intend. Please, keep it hidden."
I don't, either! Her fingers tightened against the slacks she had been given, drawing a handful of the coarse material into her palm. The blade she had practiced with sat on the table before her, without the shimmer it had earlier possessed; the enchantment to dull it gone. She was afraid, truly, but the trust grown between herself and the Caretaker soothed that frantic emotion. It already turned me into a fighter...am I...am I going to be a warrior, next? I-I guess that's up to me... In a way, it was exciting. She had faith that she would return to Lightbridge, eventually, but what she had been told made it clear; that time may come long down the road she would travel.
"Is it going to hurt?" She turned wide eyes to the Caretaker, staring into its faceplate, "I'm not sure wh-what the Empty Sphere is or why you're giving it to me! I don't feel like I'm right for-"
"Be still, Beatrix," the Caretaker gave her a non-existent smile, lightly putting a hand on her arm, "much like the ritual I performed to draw out your warrior's instinct, this is to provide you with a means of defense. The Empty Sphere is an artifact that requires a Mortal host, by itself it can do little but project a tangible, durable field," the Caretaker paused, considering her in the low light. "It seeks out the other Spheres, as well; which is the burden I ask for you to shoulder. If the Nomad Serpent has returned, things will become increasingly dire for Irriss. These Spheres may allow us to repel it."
A...quest, then. I'm being given a quest... Her heart leapt and thundered, settling back slowly into normality. She thought back to Srath, awaiting her outside the Gardens. Her guardian. Then she thought to her outburst; her tears and wailing. Her face flushed and she fought down the urge to lower her head, instead directing her eyes to the sturdy boots given to her. I'm really leaving... That drove a spike through her heart. The hut, the Garden, even the aloof Caretakers had become so deeply familiar over the last two weeks. Her fingers trailed to her Remembrance Leaves, careful not to impede the Prime Caretaker's movements.
Gentle fingers drew her from racing and tangling thoughts; chasing away phantoms of doubt. Caretaker Nirvu was standing before her, its faceplate lowered to observe her. In the dancing light of that lone candle, color seemed to catch vibrantly on her companion's not-face. "It is done. All that remains is for you to accept the Empty Sphere..." it folded its arms, Beatrix feeling its sad smile, "and for your departure." The Prime Caretaker turned and approached a hefty box, occupying a far corner of the room. Slowly, it stooped to open it. A wave beckoned Beatrix forward.
She could still feel the ink on her face as she did, wet and strangely heavy. Over her companion's shoulder, she could see it. Perfectly average, in an odd way. A glass sphere, larger than a marble but barely. It could fit in the palm of my hand. The Caretaker turned to face her, straightening itself. "This is the Empty Sphere. One of five Spheres that exist within Irriss," sensing the question it continued on, "the others correspond to the elements. Fire, Water, Wind and Earth. Each of them responds to the Empty Sphere, lending their power to it. It is..." Beatrix tilted her head, waiting, "a complicated thing. Even we are not sure of its origin." That didn't sound good, at all, but Beatrix kept her trust braced at the forefront, "Though several of us have given guesses. We are, however, familiar with its use."
Beatrix knelt, looking close to the Sphere. It's...strange. I can feel something from it. She couldn't place the feeling, aside from longing. It's r-reaching for me! For something that was supposed to be empty, there was a thick swirling of what she assumed to be smoke within. Beatrix Ashworth found herself incredibly uncomfortable. Something about the Empty Sphere suddenly seeming slightly sinister. "A-And this is for...me?" Her hands moved forward, slowly, hesitating just above the thing's sufrace. "But why? What does it do...where do you want me to go? What d-do you really mean when you say 'accept the Sphere'?"
A broad non-smile came from her companion. "I assure you there is no danger in accepting the Sphere, Beatrix. I have warded you to integrate it. To accept it, however, is to play host to it. It will become a part of your body, something you can control; with time and guidance," her heart sank, but the Caretaker remained stationary; watching her as her jaw dropped, "It will strengthen you. What I did, today, to prepare you for sparring is nothing compared to the boon this Sphere will offer."
She took time considering it. It-It did help me learn to fight. I promised to help. This is scary, I want to go home I want to go home I want to go home!
With those thoughts, the Sphere moved into her skin. Melting into a puddle of chromatic mercury, flowing upward to make contact. Beatrix watched, awed and repulsed as it seeped into her palm. A trailing along her neck made her lift her hand. The Prime Caretaker stopped her, gently. "Watch. You called to it." The markings snaked down her neck and those close to the left arm made their undulations toward where the Sphere had liquefied and slid into her skin. She was too stunned for protesting thoughts. "The markings will form your Sigil, Beatrix Ashworth. Then, after a time, the Sphere will form where it first entered you."
Wh-what's...
Ecstasy jolted through her, Beatrix's face coloring further. Her body tensed and twitched, but the new, faint presence she felt was already familiar. Already conjoined to her.
"The Sphere will seek out the other Elements. Those scattered when Irriss was..." Caretaker Nirvu paused, for a moment, "changed. There is much you must learn, Beatrix. I have instructed Srath to guard and instruct you, until you have come to master your abilities. I am afraid, however, that this is goodbye." It moved forward, lightly lifting her from her crouch; drawing her eyes to it. Slowly, Caretaker Nirvu embraced her. Beatrix's eyes watered. Despite the strangeness, despite the secrets; it had been kind to her, honest with her.
She didn't cry, but she found her voice in their embrace.
"Can I come back, some day?" She was squeezing harder than she meant to, the strange markings having settled on her palm. Already it hurt, as though there were something growing there. "I...I'm going to miss you! I'm going to miss this place!"
Caretaker Nirvu stepped back, almost reluctantly.
"I will welcome you into the Crystalline Gardens, should you return," it folded its arms, giving her the sense of a smile, "but you have a long road to walk, Beatrix Ashworth. A long road to your home. Srath is waiting on you. Do not forget to take the blade." There was a long silence. "Goodbye, Beatrix Ashworth."
"Goodbye, Caretaker Nirvu. Thank you for everything!"
