Into the Wind do I speak

[Lirinya 4021]

 

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(Unless your char is creeping around Ildon, don’t metagame.)

The setting sun.. 

Is that how long she had been sitting here? The sun had shone and the day had been bright when she first took a seat on the hilltops surrounding Ildon.

It must have been hours, then…

 

A glance cast rightways toward the settlement, and then ahead to the looming island that housed the Idunian capital. What, really, was this place? Was this really going to be home now? It felt continents away from what she was used to. Perduran… What a place it had been. 

 

She did not know the way it came to be. Its history, its origins. She didn’t even, really, get to know why her father had been its leader. He had promised her lessons on history, academics, administration, leadership..

 

Leadership.. That had been her purpose- her goal. She was going to inherit Perduran from her father, Aedric, and at such an age- had only grand and brilliant plans for her tenure. Street parties, painting days, festivals that lasted months. Honestly- what else is there to leading a settlement?...

 

Who knew the danger that lurked within the walls of Man and Humanity. You think the war is the only thing you have to worry about?

 

A breeze crept through the woodland behind. Branches rustled, grass danced to the melody and just for a moment, the youth was certain that she was not alone.

 

“Pap?” Of course, the fear of her father actually answering would be much, much greater than that of suspect. She knew he was gone- knew there would be no sudden, dramatic return from within the forest and yet.. her uncle Aurus had instilled in her the belief that no matter what, her father would hear her.

 

“Pap..” the youth spoke again, comforted a second time as the breeze continued its gentle pass through. “Uncle Aurus said that you are always here, just in the wind, is that true?”

 

“I sit outside some days and sing to you, do you like it?”

 

“Mam abandoned us..” Ah, there it was. The budding topic, the heartbreaking subject. Normally, a child might seek the comfort of their parents for such a moment but.. Who do you turn to, when one parent is no more and one is the cause? 

 

From her satchel did the girl produce a soft toy. A sheep- some fluffy thing that had grown somewhat dirty since she received it. It had been well loved, thus far. Within its collar sat a rolled up piece of paper. Something which had, as well, seen better days. “Aunty Einin gave me this,” the youth held the toy aloft and for a split second, the wind seemed to examine it. The breeze caused the paper to flutter, and the girl smiled.

 

“I kept the letter you sent me last. I read it all the time.”

 

“Mam said.. You would want me to be Duchess of Perduran. But I do not think so.”

“Uncle Aurus said you never wanted to stop being a Greye….”

 

“...Mam does not know I am here.” The admission was offered to the wind once more. A secret she shared only to it. “We had a fight, I was rude to her-” briefly did the youth pause as if she waited to be scolded for her admission. “-And then I walked away. I did not go back to Perduran- I went to the keep. Now, I am here.”

 

“I am sorry, Pap.” Tightly did the youth hold the toy to her chest. “For everything. Mam took me to a meeting about Perduran. I think she leads it, now. In your place. But why would she? Should she not want to be with us, here?”

 

“They murdered you. Everyone is angry, I can tell, at Mam for staying behind.”

 

The sun fell further behind the wall of mountains across the river and so the breeze began to subside. Evening began to creep, and a chill fell over the hilltop. But there was one last breath, one last billowing gust that rippled through the countryside. Then it was gone.

 

“Good night, Pap,” the youth smiled into the darkened sky. 

“I might forgive Mam one day. Maybe if she comes to live here with us.”

“But until then, Pap, do not be mad at me for not talking to her, please.”

 

There was no response from the wind, this time around. It had all fallen silent, eerie almost now that nothing replied to her pleas.

A gentle sigh escaped the youth as she pulled herself to stand, dress littered with leafy foliage and dirt but, it mattered not. This was her ritual, now. Every few days- this exact spot. It helped, at least she believed, to process the grief and loss of both parents even though one was still alive.

 

So she made her way back home.

 

“I will talk to you in a few days, Pap. I love you.”

 

 

 

[Monty Cobra 921]

Spoiler

 

[TaraJess 2848]

At a dock did Aurelian's feet idly swing over gentle water, a shaggy dog asleep at her side. It was quiet, leaves rustled in the wind, the smell of spring slowly nearing, one day nearer. An aged note was pulled from her pocket, the writing slowly fading away at the folded creases, ink lost to time. She didn't realize until now that her Pa forgot to draw the rest of the family, not just her siblings and her parents. Her heart did not only bleed for them... it bled for her aunts and uncles, her granpa and gramma, her cousins. Her cousin. 

No, she wasn't around too much... God knows their paths had been so different so far, but... the pair of them were still children. They had their whole lives. She, Aurelian, who had tried so desperately to hide her linage for so long, hearing shame upon the name Greye, found something to be proud of. Loyal, loyal hounds. Even when she was endlessly angry with them, endlessly begged... she was still Aurelian Greye. And yes, whilst her cousin may bear a different name technically, she too was Greye.

[Onion 246]

That was beautiful. T.T **slow claps with tears in her eyes