snelss0

Journey to the East

"Why are you less safe?" she asked for clarification.

Aimee apologized for not being good at explaining the location. Elann shrugged and nodded. She gave her another brief example of the city.

"It sounds interesting. I'm having dreams about it," she voiced with a smile.

She offered her fresh fish and Elann slyly smiled.

"Okay, but one of these times you have to cook it for me yourself. I'm going to keep pushing you to be a good cook."

Elann gave her a playful look like she was serious and was going to nag the girl to cook better and use her gift of scent to make amazing creations of food. There was nothing wrong in Elann's mind for knowing how to cook.

"Oh, well...not deep country. Maybe just something near the city. I really am not set on anything, but in my mind, I just think Noah would like it. He keeps talking about living in the city, but I know him. He hated being around so many people. I don't doubt he enjoys festivals and being in the city, but living there, constantly having people around, I just think he would like a little touch of nature occasionally. I was thinking like maybe a house on the edge of town so our backyard could just be nature or something. A way to get the best of both worlds."

She shrugged, showing it wasn't something set in stone to her. She could live contently in a small brick square and be content.

Journey to the East

"Oh yeah, because you need to hide from your prey and other predators." She understood the concept, it just wasn't on the forefront of her mind at the time. Nature was a sore subject for her at the moment, though she didn't display it. Noah would feel the restraint in Elann whereever she was hidden from his sight.

"Oh, thank you," she uttered in Fravata with a bright smile, the nerves fading from her quickly to be replaced with happiness. "And I love your haircolor anyways, so definitely don't change it."

As Aimee told Elann about the mountain pass, she shivered in the breeze and pulled her other arm about her. If she was ever cursed by Zulrav, surely even with the weakest of his marks against those cursed, she would die. As Aimee explained Elann nodded.

"Wow, that's interesting." She was going to comment more and about the fish, but Aimee wanted to know particularly about her travels.

"Hah, no actually," she answered about the boat trip. "This is easy compared to that. We spent three long months in the hull of that ship, unable to wander around. I was used to dark solitude, as my father mostly had me making rugs in the tent, but many people weren't. It was a very bad time. Some people died and were thrown overboard. I tried to help them as best I could, and for it, Yahal rewarded me by marking me once more."

Elann would have shown her her back tattoo again, but her traditional garb covered everything.

"Both Noah and I were suffocating in that Syliras city. He wants to live in the city again, but I would love to live in the country, to live off the land. Either way I don't really care, but this place seems so beautiful and clean. I don't know what Zeltiva is like, but I hope it is not like Syliras. You've both tried to explain it to me, but I guess I'm just not very imaginative. I'll wait to see it."

"I do like fish too. My father used to trade mutton for it in Yahebah. It was always nice to have a change of food from the normal, so to me, fish is like a delicacy. I just wish it smelled a little better at times. When it is rotting, eww... We usually got salted fish though for that reason. Everything rots instantly in the desert."

Journey to the East

Elann could understand her sister's hesitation. She had stated it would take months to leave her hair, that the change was permament on her hair until it grew out, and with Aimee and Elann's hair length's and growth, for both of them it could take upwards of nine months. Her husband was currently stuck with her hair as it was for a long time, so whether or not he truly liked it, she didn't particularly trouble herself at the moment.

"Yeah, that would be kind of strange to see, but we could definitely identify you easily as a type of wolf we know and love right?"

Elann didn't know the exact name of the type of wolf she was, only knowing that something about her was very wolf-like, but elegant.

"You know," she added, "I think you are so pretty when shifted..and not! But really, your fur is so pretty and your long legs. They are fitting and make you seem so elegant. I haven't seen much elegance in nature like you."

While she admired her husband for various qualities more than Aimee, she had the elegance and beauty going for her in her species.

As Aimee spoke about Zeltiva, Elann looked forward down the road as she swung her and Aimee's hand, wondering how truly far away they were.

"Yeah. I am. So is that Mountain range where we are traveling toward? It looks impassable..."

Journey to the East

It was nice to have a sister that she could walk with and hold her hand. Girls of her tribe and even in Syliras would do that. Even boys in her tribe would when talking, so to her, it was like being home.

"They can be kind of overwhelming."

It was clear that Elann was cold in the wind when the bursts would come upon her, though thankfully, the sun would shine and warm her quickly after.

"Well, I was putting in my henna treatment and just left it in too long. It wasn't that I necessarily wanted to color my hair."

She took up her free hand and combed some of her hair through her hands.

"This isn't even as dark as I could have had it. I got distracted, and knew that it would have set into my hair in some areas and not in others...really it only takes about ten minutes to do, and by that time I realized that if I took it out, I would look like I had dark and light patchy hair," she giggled slightly, "I decided to leave it in and just let it all set in. Does it look bad? I could have gone full black and considered it."

Journey to the East

Noah had made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with her God, that she could do whatever she wanted. It was why she took such offense at him trying to draw some picture of her God now, after the fight. It was like he was doing it just to make up with her, not because he had any interest in Yahal. In their culture, the husband would have to wander the deserts in search for Yahal, but hers would never care to do that.

He had disagreed with her in every possible way, insulting her intelligence about nature, implying that she didn't know what she was talking about with any of the things she mentioned, gave her warning glances as she simply mentioned it was unwise to stand out in a lightning storm- a common knowledge, particularly to her who was struck by lightning. He had insulted her observational skills with his sister, after having heard her declare she worshiped certain Gods and was a kelvic. Obviously they had some place in her life, which was her point, but instead she was met with a stern 'shut up' essentially. It was why she didn't want to look at nature, didn't seek to travel alongside Aimee, didn't seek to talk to her husband. She was in a prison, in her mind, unable to speak of what he didn't know, and he didn't seem to know much according to her at that moment.

Elann knew she was thinking bitterly at times about him, but mostly only when he was asleep when she could think freely without fear of the emotions filtering to her husband and causing harm to the people around them via storms. As it was right now, Elann sought to distract herself from her thoughts, thinking instead of good things as she walked, meditating on things that were righteous, pure, and clean instead of the darkness that wanted to take hold in her and fight with her husband more.

Aimee likely already knew what Elann was going through as she had traveled off with Noah the night of the hunt. Elann saw the dress show in her peripheral vision and looked up from where she was walking. The delightful smile brought some happiness to the bond as she looked up at her, though she was not likely visible from the back of the wagon.

"Hi," she chimed back. "Thank you."

Elann offered her hand for her sister instead of walking backwards so they could walk hand in hand and talk.

"Oh, yeah, I imagine. I'm surprised you even remembered. Have you been playing with the kids?"

Journey to the East

Elann had slowly woken up to the point where she could feel her husband was awake. The thought of his drawing sadly was still in her mind, the will to not want to gauge whether she could talk to him or not was not there. She didn't dislike him nor did she feel any particular anger toward him; she just wanted to leave as soon as possible and give him the space he wanted.

She threw back the blanket off of her and glanced his way, seeing he was staring up at the ceiling as if in thought. Slowly and carefully she sat up to stand and upon doing so, he rolled over with the blanket over his head and she turned away to brush her hair briefly and then walk out.

Outside, his sister was by the wagons and Elann too took up position along side of them. She mainly walked next to the wagon behind theirs, but further out to the side in the field. There she was keeping to herself along with the other ladies and even men who were riding along.

Eventually, Elann would grab a whole tuft of grass and smell it in her hands, realizing it did have a unique scent to it. Humming to herself, she cleaned off her hands and continued walking.

Journey to the East

While Elann may not have been in a good mood around her husband, once the sun began to warm her and he was asleep, she couldn't help but feel comfortable. It had been a long time since she felt warm, and after soaking up the rays all day, she was mighty sleepy. Aimee closed the flaps for her once settled into the wagon and she lay there on her back.

In the dark, she could hear the breathing of her husband and how his bond was quiet to her. She let out a silent deep exhalation and turned away from him to face the wall of the bench. She hugged a pillow and began to fall asleep.

Elann tucked the blanket about her and nuzzled into the pillow. She would only sleep for about an hour and then would wake up, looking for where her husband was and then would slip out to walk alongside the wagon train silently.

Journey to the East

Elann had no idea what was going on in his mind and so handing the picture back was a way to find out not only what she wanted to know, but also so he could safekeep it. In the end, as he spoke about how he wanted her to keep it, she still let him take it.

"Oh, well keep it safe for me then."

It wasn't as though she had a frame or a book the size of his sketch pad that was able to keep it safe. Her version of preserving it would have been to either lay it on the floor so it didn't get wrinkled - but would likely get stepped on eventually - or would be folding it in half and stuffing it into her journal.

While she could tell it took him some guts to come to her to bring her the drawing he did, it was just another example of his communication breakdown. She didn't despise the art, and actually peaked in a small way of enjoyment upon first seeing it, but she began to think about how he could have asked about Yahal's eyes, his nose, his mouth, his muscles, what type of cloak it was instead of assuming. She realized she was being overly critical, but by that time he had already slipped into bed.

Once he was laid down to sleep, she would slip silently out the back and down into the grass to begin to pick more flowers and to distract herself. She couldn't even admire the nature around her anymore as his words stung her still, that he didn't like when she spoke of things she knew nothing about. There was a bite of pain on her lip to keep her from feeling too strongly about the fight and she sought distraction elsewhere with her eyes, deciding to run ahead of the wagons a bit.

She would continue on her feet for some time until midday and then would come back and nap in the bed with the flaps closed.

Journey to the East

Elann hadn't watched him draw the figure, nor did she give him corrective comments as he did work. If he had wanted clarification, he could ask; yet he didn't. She ultimately just rest her head in her hands and stared quietly out the back toward the side of the wagon that she sat on.

Upon him finishing, a weighted breath was heard. She shifted her gaze, rolling her head in her hands so she could see what he was sighing about in his unease that had tapered off. It seemed he was done. She didn't know why he was tearing the paper out of the book though, as most of his drawings were kept within its pages. As he handed it over, it was clear he had begun to draw her among other things amidst the unfinished pages.

"It's nice, very pretty."

She then handed it back to him to keep, but she was sure it was meant for her to keep. It was awkward, him handing her the art. Was it supposed to be some form of peace gift? Was it because he felt guilty? What was his motivation? Did he just want to draw her a picture? She had no idea. A normal human she could gauge what she knew of them and measure what he likely wanted, but with her husband she had no idea. It could have very well been a symbol of his undying love for her and she was supposed to see that, but as it was, she was handing it back for him to keep safe in his book.

He could see that she wasn't lying, she did find the art very pretty, even though she didn't think it matched with her God. It was no fault of his. She hadn't explained him well enough for Noah to know, and likely it would only be through many questions that he could ever get close to what he looked like exactly.

Journey to the East

Elann could hear the rustling sound coming from behind her. It wasn't uncommon for them to make noise while each of them were sleeping on the long wagon rides. Even talking at normal levels were allowed. Sleeping in the wagon for the most part was just to pass the time, not a needed activity. For Aimee that day it was, but most days, Noah could have made a racket and not much disturbed anyone.

In reality, the opening and closing of the trunk was somewhat muffled by the overbearing creaking of the wagon itself. Still, just that little bit extra was enough to sometimes hear if at the right moment. She heard him, but didn't look back. Her ears were attentive to hear him and at the sound of paper rustling, she figured he must have grabbed his art supplies.

As he came closer, bearing fear and nervousness, she briefly looked toward him, seeing the shy look on his face before he even finished settling in. She refocused on the fields behind them, assuming he was going to draw something out the back.

His question came, and part of her wanted to lash out something relating to his inability to understand and would he really want her to speak on such a thing? She resisted the temptation though and had to remind herself that she loved him and he had attempted for whatever reason to come close. It in no way mended their relationship, but she considered him at least.

The please sealed the deal, him looking up at her. She bit her lip as she looked down to the ground briefly before closing her eyes.

"I have met him a few times, and each time he is different. Imagine a man who is your height, with thicker, longer curlier hair than yours, not like a woman's, but like how yours would be if you let it go wild and grow out. He seems to be like a man, physically perfect from what I can tell. There was no weakness in him as I viewed him and he was confidently a warrior. His hair is brown and his skin golden like a man kissed by the sun, yet not burnt. Two of the times he has worn pure gold, so pure it was near see through. He had it on his belt and the sandals laced up to his knees, and a large glittering gold spear, as though the gold had sand in it or something. It shimmered more than his belt or sandals. He has a gentle look, like someone who is kind, someone who cares, and he seems joyous...pure. Two of the times he wore a reddish colored tunic with a cloak, both embroidered with gold that looked like the stars were rest upon him."

She combed back her hair, looking up from where she had closed her eyes. She then looked out to the side at the passing fields.

"Upon his back are always wings that contain all colors, even ones I can't describe, but are similar to my eyes in color I guess, or to the wings on my back, though they are far from the glory he holds. Sometimes I have seen him, he is pure white, as if the sun emitted a white light like the color of snow, like this..."

She reached up to close the flap, concealing her entirely from the driver behind, and her hand crept into her dress and pulled out her mangalasutra. Upon holding it, that same pure white filled the wagon with pure white light. Silently, she slid it back in and returned the flap upward.

"His face was different each time, but he seemed handsome, strong, and capable each time I have seen him, and each time I could feel it was him more than perceive with my eyes his features."