Faking Home, Open

[-Teiss]

Fustration and loneliness wore on Teiss's soul. This city wasn't what she wanted. Her days had only consisted of working and wondering, no progress. As she touched the lake's surface wither her fingertips, she watched the drops fall, the lake taking back the stolen water. The water wasn't her's. She couldn't take it, like she normally did. It was normal water to her. Here, she was normal. And empty.

The rustling oak tree standing next to Teiss's crouched form proved to create a nice shade. It was a fine temperature already, and she didn't mind the sun, though she ended up under the tree's fortress anyway. Thoughts of leaving the city filled her mind. How would she do it? Where would she live? She could go back to Galam-Yensa... Looking back, maybe it wasn't the town that bothered her: only her living, her mother. Even if she doesn't live with her mother again in Galam-Yensa, how could she look her mother in the face again, after abandoning her like she did?

No - guilt does not belong in this heart. Fear is not welcome. She will go back home. She will stare solidly into her mother's eyes, without guilt and without fear.

Teiss stood firmly on her feet, wiping the water off her hand onto her pants, and gazed across the lake through squinted eyes. She pulled fresh air into her lungs, before turning from the lake to make her way back home...the pretend home.

[-Teiss]

((OOC: Uh, this meant to be in the "Request RP" area... I think...

EDIT: This is not a double-post. The admins cannot see this post. /Jedi mind trick))

[-kilik613]

(OoC: Nah... Don't worry about it. But don't double post just fair warning berfore an admin gets ahold of you. anyway... I hope its okay but Ava has decided to join you in your quest home.)

BiC:
Ravar had taken her escape from home. She felt little need to be elsewhere after all things just wouldn't feel right for her. She felt slightly out of place in this world after all. She had no skills for magic nor the sword. Ravar had only the skill of the tounge and intelligence by her side what more could she need.

She sat poutingly in the autumn morning light her long hazelnut hair was left down and it captured the mid-morning sun. Ravar sat slouched back against one of the larger oak trees a little ways from the river side and an image caught her attention.

The person was another girl who couldn't be too old. Ravar actually had want for a friend and traval companion anyway. This was her perfect chance.

"He..." She tried to call out but her she lost her voice for a moment. Ravar called out again in a louder tone. "HEY!" She started jogging towards the girl. Ravar needed to close the distance between the two.

[-Teiss]

Teiss walked with her hands spread out in front of her, palms facing her. Her fingers compressed and expanded, opened and closed in front of her. Engulfed into her thoughts, her subconscious rang an alert: there was another voice.

Her hands fell to her side as she haulted. She scanned her surroundings with a puzzled expression. Where did that voice come from? Did she ever hear a voice?

Then she saw her answer. Incoming was a running figure outlined against the sun. Curious, Teiss turned her attention towards the person. It was a girl, and she looked fairly happy to see her. Or desperate? What a minute...Was this girl a victim of Teiss's greed? Was this girl about to arrest her? She made a defensive motion, readying herself to dart if she needed to. Yet her curiosity kept her from running.

[-kilik613]

Ravar took little attention to what the wandering women would soon do but after a moments glance she halted dead in her tracks. She may have been raised in the farmlands of Roft but even she knew the body posture of someone ready to attack or defend.

She stood for a moment and gathered her breath her hands on her knees and her body slightly slouched over. When she could speak a little better she took a few steps closer. Raver's left hand out stretched in greeting.

"Hi...um... I'm Ava." Ravar gave her nickname for she had always thought her real name was a little embarsing. Ava started to notice the others height and was a little surprised. "So what are you doing all the way out here?"

Ava tried not to be too polite but how could she not. A friendly smile swum across her lips and Ava's shadow basically covered the small girl from the morning sun.

[-Teiss]

The muscles in Teiss's body relaxed to the cordial woman. She folded her arms to her chest and gazed indifferently at this new person. The girl was gorgeous, and had a soft air about her, though there was no way in Ascantha that Teiss would acknowledge it.

"Hello, Ava. My name is..." She wondered if it would be wise to reveal her name. "...Teiss." She straighted her back, possibly to appear taller than she really was. This Ava girl was taller than she, and Teiss didn't like it. "I am here simple to enjoy the wonderful scenery." There was a hint of sarcasm implied, too suble for the girl to notice, she hoped. "And you?"

[-kilik613]

Ava could not see Teiss relax but she could pick out the fact that she was trying to make herself to be a little taller. Which gave her a little cause to smirk but she was always with a smile so Teiss would not be able to tell too much or so she hoped.

Teiss replied to Ravar's question and Ava could almost detect a slight sarcasm but shrugged it off. No matter how much sarcassm would be used today Ava was in desperate need of friendship.

She of course looked the small girl up and down and the thought that Teiss was a little bit older than what she actually looked came to mind. Well age shouldn't matter in any friendship.

"I'm here to escape the injustice of home and relish in the world around." Ava spoke in a slightly childish tone but her soft tone of voice would hopefully bring Teiss to a more trusting standered towards Ava.

[-Teiss]

Teiss noticed Ava's eyes size her up. 'Yes, I'm small', she thought. 'Sorry we can't all be tall, beautiful ladies like you.' A slight smirk creeped into the corner of her mouth in response to Ava's answer. " 'The injustice of home', eh? Do you live here in Ascantha?"

[-kilik613]

Ava could see a glint of mischeviousness in Teiss's hazel eyes. Slowly she took a couple of steps back as to not intrude and try to keep it from having Ava look so tall. Her shadow withdrew a little from Teiss's face.

"Not from around here." While she spoke this Ava looked over her shoulder to give a reference of 'here'. "I'm from Roft. The crop capital of the world." Ravar's tones were a little worried and she was starting to feel homesick. Still there would be no way that Ava would ever go home.

She took a deep breath and looked at Teiss a note seemed unstrung about her. Teiss's clothes were a little worn torn for better were and she could have seen better days. Ava had an idea, hopefully this would get her to like the young farmer girl as everyone so avividly would refer to Ravar as.

"Hey. How would you like to go into town for a little. I'm getting a little hungry after all and besides that this mid-day breeze is only parching my throat and causing my belly to growl." Ava spoke in her airy tones of voice completely oblivious to what Teiss's home life might have been like.

[-Teiss]

As the girl posed the question, Teiss glanced between Ava and the ground in consideration. She didn't feel all that enthusiatic about lunching with some stranger...but then again, this could be an easy opportunity to swipe some goodies off of her. She was too friendly; too trusting. It would be easy.

Teiss lifted her eyes to meet Ava's. She spoke strong and defiantly, with more of a jovial tone..at least compared to her previous lack of manners. "Alright. That sounds very fine. I should have enough with me to buy a meal."

[-kilik613]

A few minutes had passed and there was that awkard silence between Teiss and Ava but there would be no doubting the fact that Ava would get to show off her skills as a seducer. Life on the road for the last few days were rough but Ava had always managed a way to eat and sleep safely for the night.

So why should today be any different? After all it would just be with her plus one. Why by anyone standereds should that change anything. So this was the start of some random misshappenings Ava could tell but how much she was for uncertian.

Teiss made a reference in buying herself a meal, Ava had other plans but quickly agreed along with her. "I think I have just enough myself." Ava spoke with a sly grin as she put both her hands in her pockets.

She turned to look at the morning sun glisten off of the calm lake that rested not so far away. It was peaceful, way too peaceful. Heh, that would all change very soon.

[-Teiss]

Using her peripherals, Teiss inconspicuously eyed the girl strolling next to her. ' "Just enough" ', she mocked. 'Sure.'

She walked with a straight posture, her arms still folded in front of her. Sounds of crunched soil escaped from under her prized leather boots. It was a rhythm that seemed to justify the silence between the two strangers. A worn brown hat brushed against her back, strung onto a chord wrapping lightly around the front of Teiss's neck. She felt all the more boyish next to this very feminine creature. The sharp nails of envy begun to dig their way into Teiss's core, though she pushed then out before doing any damage. 'I am not jealous. Her beauty makes her ignorant. I don't want that.' Her logical reasoning seemed to suffice for the time being.

[-kilik613]

Ava walked patiently. The silence was broken only by the soft crunching of the gravel underfoot for even then the young maiden walked gracefully but with an air of surprising knowledge about her.

She walked with her back strightened and allowed her hands to flow with the movement of her steps. She looked down at Teiss and smiled but her thoughts were freaking her out. What if she doesn't like me? What if I'm nothing more than a freak to a realm of unnaturals anyways? What if? The words played silly motions in her head and the look of stress slowly creeped upon her face.

Her sky blue eyes even showed that pange of worry and hate that she had lived with for so long. There was just nothing that could be done. "Hey... Teiss?" Ava spoke softly almost afraid. She took a smaller stride down the paveway awaiting for an response. "Where do you wanna go?"

[-Teiss]

With Ava's question, Teiss felt the burdens and responsibilities of leadership kick in. As annoyed as she was that a strange girl was already expecting answers from her, she saw past it, and into Ava's need for a friend, a companion.

Teiss looked up to the sky. Threatening clouds eased their way in from the north, pregnant with water....lots of nice water. Her gazed returned to the dry path ahead.

"I know the owner to a tavern in town. He can provide us food for cheap, if need be...and it may need be. But before we go there, I need to drop by--GAH!" A devil fly suddenly lodged itself into her throat, and she engaged into a fit of forceful coughing. She stopped walking for a moment, coughing, trying to get the insect out of her windpipe. Finally, all seemed to be clear. "Ahem, uh, excuse me. Choked on a bug." She continued the trek, trying to ignore her little coughing fit. "As I was saying, I must go help someone close up shop before going to eat...if you don't mind, of course." She hoped she recovered well from the awkwardness caused by the fly. It was a little embarrasing. Not at all clever and smooth, like the criminal she should be.

[-kilik613]

Ava saw a spark of leadership in the small girl. Even if Teiss had accidently caught a fly in her mouth which only gave little cause for Ravar to giggle. Teiss spoke of going into town to help someone close up shop and maybe stopping by somewhere at a friends house for a meal. Well the cheaper the better after all Ava was near down right broke and she really didn't want to have to sweet talk her way into anything.

"Well how long will it take and for the sake of the gods are you okay?" Ava whiped around due to a bluish tinted face Teiss. Something wasen't right here although the tint went away after Teiss caughed out a bug of some sorts. "I guess you are..." after she continued to walk a little ways.

There was no doubting the amount of trouble the two would soon be getting into. Ava gazed around for a little while as they started to get near the front gates of the city. Already she was a little more happier and her mood was a little more bouncy.

[-Teiss]

Teiss waved her hands in the air, as if to push away Ava's concern for her health. "I'm fiiiiiine. Please. It shouldn't take to long, really. Don't worry about a little rain ruining your hair. We're sure to be eating by the time the first drop hits the earth." Of course, feeling the behavior of the incipient rainfall, she knew it may very well fall sooner. It would be strong, yet brief. It would slam the rooftops and pound the floating dust to the ground. Tomorrow's departure would be a muggy one.

"So tell me, Ava. Why are you really here? You seem to young and fragile to be roaming around."

[-kilik613]

The threat of storm was in the air but there was no worry to Ava about any of this she loved the smell of rain and water but yet never knew why. Teiss seemed worried about Ava being too young to be a wonderer.

"Well its like this... my brothers became knights and are on their way to becoming great worriors. I have no skill or ability. I want to travel the world and not be a damsel in distress but the hero-ess that you so often hear about in the long forgotten ages. I want to learn magic and alchamy but I have no skill in any of it. I just want to prove myself worthy of Redemption without shame to my family." She spoke rapidly. As if time could stop right this second. Her words were flushed and she spoke with a bit of pride and she passed into a dreamful state.

For a few moments there was silence and then Ava spoke once again but in calmer tones. "I want to prove to myself I can do it without the help of my family."

[-Teiss]

"Oh, but you may need your family. They are your support. Your fortress." Abhored memories of her mother singed her thoughts. The hatred...the loneliness...the-- No, that fool wasn't her family.
"Often, however, this family will let you down. They will be foes instead of allies. They will fall short of their role as a fortress. It will be as if the word "love" is a mere joke."

She flexed the fingers on her right hand, trying to imagine the power returning to them.
"But if you can find an alternative, you may find the world more managable on your own. You may find the strength in a lost world, the hope within darkness. Tell me, Ava: have you found an alternative? If it isn't magic, what is it? I'm curious. We alchemists simply cannot understand how you all live without this power. It must be empty. Simply empty."

[-kilik613]

"Alchamy?" Ava exclaimed. "I have no source or alternative to power. I have no promise to the sword. None claimed me in the art of magic and Alchamy has been but forgotten in my quest for hope of man-kind." Ava was surprised never had she met an alchamist before.

She would have asked for Teiss to prove it but even this young maiden knew that no type of magic or alchamy was allowed within walls or even outside of the city walls for that matter.

"You must teach me." Here a tone of hope shone through maybe just maybe friendship might spark that want deep inside to give her something to get out of this.

[-Teiss]

"Teach you?" Her eyebrows furrowed, and she shook her head. "Oh I could. However, it will cost you....your life." An evil chuckle escaped from Teiss and she rubbed her hands together greedily for further effect. "Yes, yes, your life! What an irony that would be: to learn an art only to die with it! Mwahaha...." Teiss couldn't help but to take up the opportunity to make Ava feel uncomfortable. It's the sick humor residing in her that keeps things interesting.

"But to the point, that was only for my own laughter. I do not need your life. But I will not teach you. That's out of the question. I am not a teacher. Go find an alchemist teacher. You aren't in much luck if you wander around asking any random alchemist if they would teach you what little they know."

[-kilik613]

Teiss's response saddened Ava for a second but there was no matter for her expression was priceless as Teiss gave her an idea of what humor was to the short girl. After a few moments Ava gave some thought to it. "Well no matter, I could never have the paitence and probley don't even have the skill to be an alchamist."

There was no mistaking the momentary saddness in Ava but there was excitment in her posture and an avidness in her walk. As long as they were here in the city she would not be able to use her skills and that was more than enough to make them nothing but equals here.

[-Teiss]

Teiss looked forward, ignoring Ava's solemn mood. She had no effort to waste on sympathizing. Her only mission for the evening was to take advantage of the naïve Ava and pack up for tomorrow's departure. Teiss worried, though. This girl didn't seem to have much on her. Would it really be worth a grueling evening of tolerance to swipe a few coins? Probably not. However, she figured there's never any harm in being at friendly terms with many people. The benefits have always outweighted the burdens.

"I see the city just ahead. I will show you where I live. It's suggested you buy Mrs. Nameka's candies while we are there. They are worth the buy; you have my word on that." She smiled in the most friendliest way she could fake, hoping to show a smile even a king would buy.

A few moments passed as they closed in on the city buildings. The paint on the walls seemed duller, either caused by the distance or by the lack of sunlight trapped behind the clouds and horizon. It simply looked different. A trader dressed in vibrant foreign garb smiled as he passed. Teiss wondered why the trader would be leaving the city in the evening. Odd.

Upon reaching the city grounds and passing through the outskirts, Teiss spoke to Ava in a different tone than her usual strong character she tends to give off. This time, she spoke softly, as if speaking to a friend. It was hard to tell, even to Teiss, if her tone reflected a truth.

"I apologize if I came off as rude earlier. I don't mean to imply that you can never learn alchemy. I'm sure you can. I just felt a little offended, since I was born with these powers and only know what I've taught myself. It doesn't seem fair to me that people think they can learn alchemy like it is a game." Teiss sighed, speaking lower. "Maybe I'm just fustrated that I haven't been able obtain teachings myself. My mother forbid it, and only recently was I able to escape her. After I stay with J... a friend in Galam-Yensa, I will find teachings." Thankful she caught herself before revealing a name, Teiss ignored her mistake, hoping that treating it as negligible would cause Ava to do so as well.

"Follow me."

[-kilik613]

Ava notice strange colors and people wearing vibrant clothes. Things were definatly alot different than that of a farming community where everyone basically wore thier earthy colors.

Teiss spoke of several things and Ava could not help herself when she heard the word of candies come out of the short woman's mouth. There was no controlling her and she just wanted to get to where they were headed all the more faster. Time was now of the essance to the outgoing simple minded girl.

She listened intently as Teiss spoke about her problems with alchamy and understood why she had gotten so snappy with her but that didn't really matter at the moment. They were equals at the moment and maybe Ava would find skills she never even thought of before.

"So... What are we waiting for? Lets get some candy." Ava blurted out with impatient tones. Completely disregarding the last part of Teiss's statement.

[-Teiss]

Teiss led Ava through the fine streets of Ascantha, littered with dozens of interesting people. Teiss subconsciously observed the people, noting behaviors, details, and faces for future reference, something done so often it seemed integrated into her brain to be done automatically.

After one corner, then another to the left, then another, Teiss and Ava reached the entrance to a small shop titled "The Ascanthan Candy Store". It was neighbored by more developed businesses. It seemed like the candy store should be intimidated by the larger businesses surrounding it. But if it was, it showed no signs of retreat.

Teiss creaked open the glass door with the words "Open dawn 'till dusk except Fridays-Sundays" painted in green.

"Oh Misses Nameka..."

(The Ascanthan Candy Store---continued here)