Criala

I'm so proud of you guys!! +1

Vienele could just feel Hareven's reponse, thinking that when he said that, she and Cal hadn't done that again yet!

One day said note was found. A curious look was on the 'ker's face when she picked it up, unfolding it to see what was written inside. "..." She shook her head, letting out a sigh. There was the faintest hints of a smile on her face though.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it? Since we first met." A 'ker murmured to herself, hand resting on the trunk of a willow tree. Head tilted back just a touch, eyes staring up at the tree trunk. "And what a journey it's been to get here." A glow of deep lilac purple took over the normal teal hues. Her focus was entirely on the tree in front of her. If anyone showed up now, she wouldn't have noticed. “It was always you.” The words were whispered aloud, her forehead now pressed to the trunk of the willow tree. “No matter what, it was always you.” Stopped before the gates of Linandria, the 'ker peered up at them. A tilt of her head as she did, eyes narrowing into a squint. Trying to see through the bars, no doubt. Getting inside the city was quick at least. The first row of gates lifted before she called out, and in she was. A male 'ame was who let her in. Brown hair, one visible green eye, a green bandana covering his left one. A dark brown coat that had seen better days, but it suited him. Right hand appeared to be made of wood. A joke came to mind, but she held it off. Well, for as long as she could. It wasn't made until later on in knowing each other, at least. Introductions were made. Calius Terin. That was his name. Or Cal, for short. Everyone seemed to just call him Cal. Her own was given in return. Vienele. Just that, nothing else to go with it. From the beginning, he was very easy to talk to. To spend time with. Time passed far too quickly for her liking when they spoke. Too soon, it ended. But he was always around, so it wasn't long before it started up again. There was a night a couple months later, recalled so fondly and clearly to this day. Playing her violin, along with a friend and their lute. Just next to the edge of the fountain, she danced along to the music being made. He was seated on the edge, not too far away, watching and listening as this went on. A smile on his face. Amidst her playing and dance, she glanced at him, letting her gaze meet his. Time stopped when teal met green. With that shared look, she knew. And it seemed he did too, with the way he paused and his cheeks darkened. That night stuck with her. He was the first she’d heard of druidism. An offer for her to watch a lesson with one of his students. She didn’t mind, curious to see what went into one. It was also a good excuse to spend more time with him. Some of it, she didn’t understand, since she wasn’t a druid. What she did know was it was about connecting to a seed and causing it to grow. What came from the seed Cal grew was a lavender flower. Once he was done with it, he gave it to her. A smile came to her face though, careful as she held the flower. Honestly, it took her focus off of what was going. So, anything else regarding that lesson was fuzzy. The lesson didn’t last much longer, from what she could remember at least. His student went home, leaving them by themselves. The night took them to the Terin tree, outside of the city, in the forests of Linandria. They stopped at the base of it, and he was kind enough to offer her a place to stay. Touched by it, she gave him a hug in return. The action surprised him, but he was more than happy to return it. It lasted a moment or two, before they moved to pull back. But not enough to be pulled completely apart. Their eyes met. He leaned down, and she stretched up to meet him. That night was when their relationship first started. After that, she met his twin sons. Ruin’nir and Tam’naeuth. They were the spitting image of their father. Maybe eight years old, left without a mother because theirs had died a few years earlier. Her heart ached for these boys, the boys that would become hers in time, for she knew the pain of losing a parent. Both of hers were gone. From the start, she treated them as though they were her own, without any hesitation. Nothing was expected in return. No mentions of them acting like she was their mother or calling her Haelun. Always best to let the children come to you in situations like this. Eventually, both of them said it for the first time. Her bottom lip trembled when she heard it, from each of them, tears threatening to spill as her heart swelled. Many years together, with Cal, went by. Last she talked to him, he said he loved her, and that he would be back home later. Later never came. Years went by, but still, she waited. With so many years going by, the worst was concluded. He had to be dead. The conclusion was heartbreaking. Grief consumed her, and she vanished. When she appeared again to find Caras Eldar in Atlas, it was a pleasant surprise to run into Tam’naeuth. Profuse apologies were given to her son, apologies for disappearing. He reassured her it was okay, but what he told her next caused her heart to stop and her blood to run cold. Cal was alive, but he was with someone. Heartbreak hit again, but it was mixed with something else. Anger. He was alive, and she knew nothing of it. Relief danced along with heartbreak and anger, because he was alive. Tam’naeuth tried to stop her, but she pulled herself up from the fountain bench, aiming to exit the city. If Cal happened to show up, she didn’t want to see him right now. Not with the hurt and anger so fresh. The universe has a funny way of working, because on the way out, Cal was on his way in. She froze, as did he, upon seeing each other. He found his voice first, though it was only an utterance of her name. Everything spilled out at once for her, her emotions unable to be held back. Cracks and falters with her words. It was a struggle to get those first words out, but once she was able, there was no stopping her. How she thought he’d been dead, how she’d had to take the time to get over her grief, and here he was. Alive and well, with a new partner, with no word to her. The more came out, the more her voice softened. Her gaze fell to her feet, droplets hitting the stone beneath her. His reply was how he’d run into bandits and wandered off after on his way home, into nature. The call of nature was something druids could not ignore. He thought her dead when he didn’t find her in Caras Eldar, some years before. Easy enough to think. She thought the same of him, so she couldn’t be mad when he thought it of her. Regret replaced the dying down anger. If she’d only continued waiting, if only she’d not disappeared. ‘I wouldn’t have lost him.’ Despite it all, she still loved him. She never stopped, and her heart still melted at the sight of him, as it had years ago. Within the tavern of Caras Eldar, a short time later, the two found themselves seated at a table. She had something for him. With a careful hand, she produced a heart shaped wreath, made of lavender flowers. Brown and clearly having been dead for some time. It was a miracle it was still in one piece. But great care had been to keep it intact. It was a gift she’d made for him a long time ago. Originally, kept so she could place it on his grave, if she ever found it. But, since he was alive, it felt only right to give it to him. Shock was evident on his features at this, stunned with how long she’d kept it. With a turquoise glow taking over his visible green eye, the wreath slowly returned to life, vibrant purple and green instead of brown. A slight smile came to his face as he thanked her, lifting the wreath up. The smile on his face brought a small one to hers. An internal debate went on, and in the end, she decided to bring it up, lest she regret it later. A love for him that never stopped, how she still cared for him, and a willingness to try again, should he want to. He didn’t have to, but the offer was there. There was a slight hesitation. He still cared for her as well, but with his relationship, he needed time to think about it. Something that she respected and wouldn’t push. In the meantime, she stayed around, often visiting the Mother Grove to check in on him. A reply to her hadn’t been given, but overhearing a conversation with his partner’s family was enough to tell her his decision was made. To respect such, she pulled back, happy as long as he was. No avoidance of him, just a distance maintained to be respectful. During this time was when she first made the steps toward becoming a druid. Her dedicancy became her focus, Guyden as her guide. Her Terin mark was also obtained this time. Unofficial, she’d been one for a long time, but it was now official. There was a willow tree outside of his house, in the grove, just down the hill from it. She found herself there, sitting beneath it or on the roots, just talking to the tree. On good, bad, neutral days. There was also time made to go see it and talk, whether the soul within it could hear her or not. It took her years to try to date again. The first a dark elf, but the relationship only lasted a few years, before he vanished. A handful of years later, she met her future husband. A whirlwind of a relationship with many ups and many downs. During this relationship, in the new land of Arcas, she was attuned as a druid. Sister Lilac. In that time, his relationship had ended, but another had blossomed. Her visiting the willow tree didn’t stop, even with the changing of lands. Arcas now, within the Talus Grove. Time was still made to stop by. More days than usual were spent there though, especially during the end of her marriage. Those were some particularly bad days for her. As time continued, it got better, but the amount of time she spent at that tree remained the same. A brief relationship happened, but it didn’t last. It wasn’t anything he did. He was a good man. It was on her side. Her feelings hadn’t faded, not even a little bit, for the man she first met back in Axios. No one was him. She tried not to think about it, because as far as she knew, he was still with someone. Nenar was the one to force her to confront it. Despite the way she deflected it, the ‘ame woman saw right through her, urging her to talk to him. An uncertainty of if he still felt the same way. But the argument was she wouldn’t know if she didn’t try. With enough prodding, she relented, but asked for time to be able to bring it up. Sure, but if it took too long, Nenar would talk to Cal herself. It was atop the willow tree, where a bench was, when the talk happened. Nenar and Tam’naeuth sped the process up, with their comments and jokes. Ruin’nir seemed to be none the wiser, but made his leave to attend to business. His brother and sister followed not long after. That left them alone to talk. Nerves were almost eating her alive, but they were eased, for the most part. Talk of how they’d missed one another, and how they hadn’t stopped feeling for the other. His green bandana was removed, two green eyes meeting her teal ones now. Her hands lifted to find his cheeks, gently cupping them as her forehead rested against his. The rest of the time was spent with quiet conversation and kisses being made up for. Some time later, they were seated beneath the tree, her sitting beside him. Hareven made his appearance, chatting with the both of them. Not long later, Cal left, leaving her alone with Hareven. And what he said caused her to choke on air. “So, y’all *******?” Art By VixieBee

It wasn't until the missive of Toffee's that Rosalia learned of Hook's end. A frown tugged at her lips, amber reading along each word. "Oh." The only sound that came out, filled with a sadness, for the Musin she'd only met once. Not only that, but the rest that of the Musin, for they surely felt this loss deeper than she did. After all, they were his family, not her. But he was a nice little Musin, and she'd liked him. How could anyone have wanted to hurt him?

Rosalia didn't see Hook again, after rescuing him from the Elvenesse river. She didn't know of the poor Musin's demise. Every so often, she wondered if he was alright. If he'd been tossed into another river and if he had, if someone fetched him out just as she had. The piece of taffy he gave her was still within her dress pocket. ((NOOO! I loved Hook 😭))

Skin number: Number one Bid amount: 90 mina Discord: Zadie#4764

Skin number: Number one, Crimson Dragon Bid amount: 60 mina Discord: Zadie#4764

I would have to agree with you about it being engaging for the patient, Latte. It also works in reverse too. I have multiple characters that are healers, all with different ways of approaching things and handling issues. Across all of these characters, I've had multiple people that, as soon as whichever medic or healer I'm RPing as, get there and tell me in LOOC that they're just gonna AFK through it. On my side, the healer's side, this is just kind of disheartening. You don't even get the chance to interact and involve the other person in the process. Something that I personally enjoy is fitting technique to the characters and wherever they live. Writing out medical things as that character is pretty interesting, in my opinion. Some of the most fun I've had with medical RP is teaching people how to do things and writing out things as that character would. It's also been a great learning experience. There are plants that I didn't realize existed in real life until people told me they were real life plants. Like Witch Hazel. I had no idea before RPing as a medic.

I love Carol

Art by Elentori A ‘ker sat beneath a willow tree, her back resting against the trunk of it. A staff laid across her lap, dark oak with vines and lilacs going up it. The sun was setting, a mixture of red, orange and purple across the horizon. Things were calm. A lesson with Hareven finished not long before. He had gone off to do whatever it is he does. Whatever it was, she didn’t know. The man always just marched to the beat of his own drum, following wherever it took him. The one thing she did know was that, along the way, he found others and welcomed them into his family with open arms. Something she experienced firsthand. Their first encounter was an interesting one. Over a century ago now, and it was during her dedicancy. Someone, she didn’t remember who now, threatening her along with two other dedicants. Hareven pressed the person’s neck to a tree, with one hand, until a sickening crack came. And that was the end of the situation. Her teal gaze lifted upward, trailing along the leaves of the willow tree. Hints of a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Her hands clasped together, resting on the shaft of her staff. While shocking at the time, she came to learn that Hareven was just Hareven. When first arriving at Linandria back in Axios, she was by herself when she stopped at those gates. No family, no friends. Just the violin, a sword and clothes on her back. Little did she know back then, stopping at those gates, how much it would change her life. An ‘ame was who let her in, a singular green eye visible. The other was covered by a green bandana. A brown coat on his frame, and an introduction soon given to her. Calius Terin. Cal. It didn’t take long for the two of them to grow close. A love for him never faded, even after a hundred years apart and other partners in between later on. Along with him came his twin sons. Ruin’nir and Tam’naeuth. Two young boys she quickly grew to love as her own, raising them as if they were her blood. “I think we’re the lucky ones, to be honest. We were small, motherless children. Then you showed up and fixed all that.” Even with two hundred years passing since then, they were still her boys. No matter how much time went on, the image of those young eight year olds stuck with her. Aspects help anyone or anything to try to hurt those boys or any of her other children. Miklaeil was a grown man when she met him in Atlas, within the city of Caras Eldar and the Sparrow Grove. That changed nothing about her eventually seeing him as one of her own. Something he said that she remembered so clearly. Within the walls of Aegrothond, seated a table talking with him and others. “She reminds me of my own dearly departed Haelun.” Aegrothond was where she first met Nenar. Ribs broken. She tried so hard to get her to stay, so that she could treat her injuries and so she could rest. But it didn’t work out that way. Artimec hadn’t been welcome in Aegrothond at the time, and so Nenar left with him. Thankfully, it wasn’t the last she saw the ‘ame woman. Frequently, she saw her at Aegrothond and the Mother Grove. The more time spent together, it wasn’t long before the two were bonded as family. Mother and daughter. A bond that could not ever be broken. What started as just being her step-daughter evolved into Eretria being thought of as her own daughter. Despite being divorced from the small ‘ame’s father, the two of them were still as close as could be. A mother-daughter bond that was as real as if they had been blood. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her. Nerrin, as well, was her family. Meeting Ara’nora took some time, but she adored her granddaughter with all her heart. The spitting image of her father and mother. Anything that girl needed, she would do her best to fulfill. There were only fond memories of Marie. How she missed that halfling. A sister she viewed her as. Attuned only hours apart, and by the same person. Kasfer. Often, she missed taking a stroll through the grove and running into the halfling. Too long it’d been without her bright presence. The heart breaking sorrow when she felt the loss. It was a void yet to close to this day. Over the years, there were glimpses of Evar’tir around the different elven cities of each land. But hardly any, if any at all, interaction with him. Not until he became Cal’s student. The memory of her first time talking to him was clear. Her, Evar’tir, Nen and Cal were all seated beneath the willow tree, just down the road from the Talus grove entrance. Now she was proud to call him her brother. Kasfer was her first teacher, and Guyden was her guide. Both were considered family to her from the years she spent around them. Concern peaked its head up every so often, due to how many years it’d been since she saw either of them. The only reason she knew they were alright was because none of the losses felt over the years belonged to them. No graves for them, so at least they were alive. Nowhere to be seen, but alright. Soon enough, she was pulled from her reminiscing. Quite a journey the last two hundred years had been. Plenty of highs and lows. It was worth it though, because of all the bonds she formed along the way.

Congratulations, Treshure!

Within the Father Circle, in a home beneath a tree, was an 'ame woman, not a former or current member of the Father Circle. Perched on the couch, amber gaze watching the flickering flames of the fireplace. Her recent conversation with Syndra came to mind. "Rosalia, I didn't expect to find you still here." Only one thing kept her there. A promise of forever, to wait and to always find their way back to one another no matter what.

Eraami was able to read the new treasury police. She is very proud of her former healing student being the Financier of Elvenesse.

Having been present at the meeting in which Evar'tir was chosen to be the next High Prince, the Lilac Druid and Terin Elder wasn't surprised by the news. Vienele gave a nod of approval, folding the letter to tuck into her pocket. "I've faith you'll do great, Brother." A thoughtful look came to her face, wondering if she'd be able to attend the coronation. Would a gift be needed for such?

((I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, great job, Sug! +1

As her brother went on his way, to go wherever it was that he went, the Lilac druid offered him a simple farewell and to be safe on his way. She turned, teal gaze lingering on his back as he walked off. Often she wondered where it was he went. He was never one to sit still for very long, not in all the time since she'd met him. The answer to that curiosity was likely to be everywhere, for he marched to the beat of his own drum and let it take him wherever he wished. Sometimes it took him to good places, sometimes bad. It's just how life goes sometimes. But he was one of the most genuine and honest people she knew.

Congratulations to @ScreamingDingo! Can't wait to see what you do with the Story Team and how all of this goes.

Vienele paid her brother a visit that day, only to be met with his house full of origami animals. Amusement was apparent on her face as she looked at each one. "You'll have to teach me how!"

RP Name: Natalia Marie Falcone MC Name: TotallyNotZadie Voted: Yes

Take care, Rift. Hope you'll still around discord to chat still. It's been good having you on the server and as an Admin. But you gotta do what's best for you.

Sobs echoed from somewhere within the temple of Thalassa, the sound carrying off of the stone. Following the sound of it was what led Estellise to Rhae. This was when she learned of what happened. The situation with Valerica wasn't something she'd known about, as she'd been spending most of her time at home, resting due to how late she was into her pregnancy. There was no hesitation to scoop Rhae up and hold her close, spending as long as it took to try to reassure her. Hours it took likely before the young 'fenn was calmed. It would have been a lie if she said she wasn't worried as well, but it was worth waiting to see what happened. Val was worth any wait they'd have to do. 'Please come home soon, Val.'

A mystery. That's what Gino Falcone had been to Natalia. Her future father-in-law, and yet she hadn't really had the chance to get to know him. Any interaction between the two was a simple 'ciao, come va?' and didn't extend much further than that, resulting in little personal experience with the man. Regardless, her heart ached for her fiancé. It also ached for their son who would never meet be able to meet him, and little Ludovica who would grow up not really knowing her father.

The room was empty, except for the mali’fenn woman who resided there. Careful steps took Estellise upstairs to the bedroom. Once she was there, she collapsed onto the bed into the blankets and pillows. Turquoise settled upon the ceiling above her. Slow, deep breaths. “Damned octopus…” It was muttered beneath her breath, which she’d finally caught. There were red marks all along her right leg, bruising already starting to show along them from where the deformed octopus had its hold on her. Her eyes closed, arm lifting to rest over them. Quite the ordeal, but she had survived. She’d gone through too much to be eaten by some deformed octopus. “He tried to kill me, Estellise!” The man’s voice was raised, echoing throughout the room. Amber smoldering, full of anger and rage. All directed at her. “I don't want anyone else to die.” Her words were barely audible, along with a slight shake of her head. But they were heard, and it caused a snarl to escape him. “Estellise, you said you wanted to help me, didn’t you?” “Y… Yes.” “Then tell me what I need to know.” A deep, growling rumble came from his throat. “I don’t know anything you don’t know!” “Disappointing! Then you’re on his side!” He stepped forward, which caused her to take a step backwards. “I-I..” Deep under the surface, yes, but he didn’t need to know that. “There has to be something you know. He was rather protective of you at the end there, before he decided to leave. Maybe something to do with that.” He persisted. “I don’t have any information for you. Nothing that you don’t already know.” She was adamant with her reply. Another growl escaped him, fueled by him not getting his way. That hate and anger filled gaze burned. And it lingered on her face. This lasted for several minutes, before he finally tore his focus off of her, and he let out a long, drawn out sigh. “Fine. But you will play your part when the time comes. Understood?” The anger and hatred had died down in his gaze, but it was now replaced with expectancy. “If you don’t…" He didn't have to finish his sentence for the threat to be real. A slow nod of her head. It was a threat that she knew he’d have no problem carrying out. But the nod seemed to be enough for him, because he gave one nod, then stormed down stairs to where his room was. ~*~ "The only reason we got back together was because I didn't want you to have any reason to remain loyal to Lothric. Are you aware of that?" There was no emotion to the man's tone, as they laid side by side. "...I thought that might have had something to do with it." The timing was what told her that. But... Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. "That's all it had to do with it. I didn't feel any sort of feelings towards you. I felt the same towards you as I did someone I've never met before. There was no love." "I... See." She hated that it hurt, that there had been a tiny bit of hope that the man she first met was still in there somewhere. She also hated that, deep down, she wasn’t surprised by it. He’d always just used her and used others to get what he wanted. "I was going to kill you and pin the murder on Lothric. Use it as a way to ruin Fennic and Irrinor relations further." Even the admittance of his plan didn’t shock her. It wouldn’t have been the first time he’d done something like that to someone. Why would she have been any different? ~*~ "No idea. Men are weird. Maybe you've got an issue with pride. Or..." There was a split second pause here before Rhae shrugged her shoulders, thinking better of it. "I'm not going to finish that one." "Finish it." was the reply she got from the masked and robe-clad figure. Wisps of black were leaking out from the visor of the mask. "No." The reply was rejected. "Okay then. Give the Parasite control." By the tone of his voice, it was meant to be a demand. "No thanks." A demand that was denied. "Does it really matter?" Estellise spoke up, arms crossed and resting against the top of her ribs. This ended her silence in the conversation, though her question was ignored. "Wasn't a question, Rhaella. Give control to your Parasite." Still, the man persisted, despite being told no. "Would really rather not." Rhae held her ground on the matter though. "I don't care. You'll either finish your statement or you will give control." Another demand. "I think I'll do neither." But she wasn’t having it. In a moment, the black wisps flowing out from the mask began to thicken, and the sense of dread in the room thickened and grew stronger, having an effect on those around him. Estellise pressed her crossed arms tighter against herself, breathing out a slow and shaky breath. "Nope!" Rhae spun on her heel, so she could face the doorway. That was as far as she got though, because a gloved hand shot out and aimed to tangle their fingers within her ivory locks. With the grip on her hair gotten, she was yanked down onto the ground as much force as possible used to do such. A shrill shriek erupted from her, likely heard throughout the entire Estate. A heavy thump came after when Rhae's back collided with the floor. Her hands shot up to her hair, one against her hair and the other searching for the hand clutching her hair. Estellise was frozen in place, her eyes widening and her mouth hanging up. All of her senses were screaming at her to intervene. But she knew what would happen if she did. He had killed her once, so she was told by Lockezi, and he wouldn't hesitate to do it again. He knelt down on the ground, lowering his head so that his mask was close to Rhae's ear. "If you are going to insult and belittle me, I do not care. But you will do as I say, and you will not try to avoid me to get out of it." Rhae grit her teeth, her eyes narrowing into a glare at the man. Estellise was only able to stare, gaze darting back and forth between the two in front of her. "We had ourselves an agreement, Rhaella. You will do as I say, and you will listen to me. Remember?" The grip on her hair remained tight. "Estellise won't do nothing for you. She will watch, and she will listen. I do not want to scold you, but you need to understand." "I didn't want to insult you! That's why I shut up!" Rhae squirmed, both hands moving up to try to loosen the fingers latched onto her hair. "I realized what I was going to say was bad, and I didn't want to finish it! You're really going to force me to insult you? Really? This isn't a Shade thing, so let me go!" "I want you to listen to me. Say what you were going to say, Rhaella Tathvir. If I were a Paladin, and you made the same slip, I would have done far worse to get you to talk." "It's not important! I'm not telling you! So, either let me go, or do what a paladin would do. Treat me as those idiots would, if you want. Or are you really that worried about your stupid manhood?" The words came out as a growl. Promptly, the man released her. Seeping out from his skin, within his hand, was a thickening mass of amber. "Fine." A feeling of relief spread throughout Estellise's body once Rhae was released, though she didn't fully relax just yet. Upon being released, Rhae turned herself over, tearing herself out of his grip. Daggers were still being glared at him. "If you really want me to shut up for paladins, just cut out my tongue, why don't you?" Any sense of relief was instantly shattered for Estellise. Her arm was snatched by him, his left hand tugging her in front of him. A gasp escaped her at this. She kept herself extremely still, aside from a slight upward tilt of her head, especially when his right hand moved close to her throat. The glare Rhae had faded, her eyes widening. She scrambled to get herself to her feet. As soon as she was, she launched herself at him, grabbing at the arm which held the amber. "Let her go!" She was able to grab his arm, but the stream of amber stretched out to wrap around Estellise's throat. Though his face masked, Rhae likely felt the glare and unamusedness coming from him. Rhae growled, her hand whipping down to her belt and withdrawing the wickedly sharp fork she kept stashed there. "Let her go." She raised it, the tines of it pointed towards his neck. The only thing Estellise was able to do in that moment was keep still and take slow, deep breaths. There was nothing she could do to retaliate. No weapons on her. Her medical satchel was down stairs, no use to her now. Fortunately, the tendril of amber released her, and from the grip he had on her arm, he yanked her to his left and released her. His attention was on Rhae now. "Are you threatening me, my dearest Rhaella?" Estellise stumbled as she was moved, sucking in a deep breath and her hand lifting to rub at her throat. "You're threatening my mother. So yes, I am." Her scowl deepened. "Shut up. Shut up." The grip she had on the fork tightened then relaxed, and then tightened once more. She seemed to be fighting with herself. "I am not weak..." The man simply watched her, his arms crossing over his chest. The sound of armored foot steps coming up the stone steps brought Estellise out of it. A sound all to familiar to her now. Her arm lifted from her eyes so they could open, turquoise meeting green. "Hey." It was a soft greeting from her upon seeing Taal at the top of the stairs. "Hey." He returned her greeting with a warm toned one of his own, something akin to relief on his face as he drew closer to her, standing at the foot of the bed. "Quite the trial... I was afraid for a bit there, you know. Not even the sea could stand up to me if something happened to you." "Don't worry. It takes a lot more than an octopus to get rid of me." She reassured him. Her arm lifted, hand reaching out to grasp his. Reaching for the light. And the light, her light, reached back, taking her hand, pulling her out of the dark yet again.

((I don't wanna know what lurks in Lake Eada. I've seen horror movies, i know where this goes. nice post tho +1