Miles Before I Sleep

[mriswith]

Ishiyo Sasaki

It was a dangerous journey Ishiyo had taken. Ignoring the hazards of the Hadarac, it had been two decades since she last set foot in this particular forest. When she'd crossed into the Du Weldenvarden part of her expected a magic beacon to light and send every assassin or guard in the surround to begin pouring out from between the trees. Fortunately there was no such web waiting for her return. Nothing but a bit of overblown fancy. Ishiyo chided herself on being so paranoid, but seeing how the dreams hadn't let up after all these years... she had yet to rule out some great darkness waiting to extract revenge for interrupting whatever plans had been in motion.

The woman in a black leather coat stopped next to a large tree reaching out into the sky among its kin. It was so wide her arms would barely near half its circumference were she to press herself up against its bark. Slowly she stepped closer to it to lay her hand upon that dry, protective skin of the tree. Drawing in a slow breath she pulled in the scent of the forest around her with a small smile on her lips.

Five years. Eight if she counted those three immediately following her birth. She'd only lived in this forest that short a time in all her life. If she got her wish, she might never live in them again. That was sad, in a way; the Du Weldenvarden might be part of what they were as Elves. Still, on a personal level, she'd never really known this world. Never truly known the people of this realm. Their politics and enjoyment of such a long, arduous game wasn't something she shared. She had much more in common with the Riders, no matter how people viewed them. Duty was what mattered. Helping those in need was important.

In part, Ishiyo blamed The Game for what happened to her sister. Still, she shouldn't dwell on it. It'd leave her open to distraction and manipulation. Such dark, turbulent emotions were best ignored.

As Ishiyo drew back from the tree she turned to continue walking. The Ília Fëon seemed a good place to revisit the forest; perhaps she would learn something of use. It was a city that shared her lack of interest in The Game. Surely the people wouldn't mind a visitor that shared their belief in that and of the woods. Kirtan had been closer to Ilirea, of course, but then the people there were not quite so accepting of people like Ishiyo; war had that affect.

After a few minutes a very faint sound caught Ishiyo's pointed ear. She stopped to listen. Wildlife filled the canopy at times, but this sound wasn't made by an animal. It was too regular with pauses between each occurrence. Two things sliding together. Metal over rock. The mercenary slowly drifted closer to a nearby tree to stay out of sight as she got a bearing on the sound. It wasn't far. Cautiously Ishiyo stepped over the forest floor, making sure to avoid stepping on any trigs idly dropped from branches above.

A minute later and she stood in view of a man--another Elf--striking fire with flint and steel. Slowly Ishiyo moved around the edge of his camp, keeping her eyes and ears open for signs of any companions the other Elf might have. After she was reasonably sure he was alone, or his friends far enough way to be out of sight, the black clad woman moved in a bit closer and appraised his camp. If there weren't any signs of danger she'd see if he would welcome company. She couldn't be too careful, however, with this being her first time back; Elves may be slow to change, but they weren't immune to it and any change could be for the better or worse.

[jayo159]

"Birds are singing,
Birds are flying
Freedom all throughout

The forest whispers
the earth; she speaks
Our heart without a doubt

Cast aside all hate and spite
Rise to the great tree's height."

The song rang through his head continuously; a strategy to keep a strong mental shield. This was in the back of his complex, elven mind ensuring his protection while his forefront was on a likewise mind dulling task. With a rhythm to it, he hit the back end of his steel knife against the flat, gray flint stone, hoping to produce the sweet spark that would ignite the soon-to-be-fire in front of him. This was all he was thinking about.

Xianex's decision to make camp in this particular spot came simply from the fact that one of his favorite tree's was just around the corner. It wasn't a particularly tall tree, but it was a particularly beautiful tree. It was gnarled all the way up the trunk, and then started twisting around itself. It's branches were in the same state, and twisted back and forth, weaving around and around until it became the most beautiful natural puzzle he had ever seen. This was also the tree that he felt the closest to, one that lead to every life changing decision Xianex made.

A sharp, new sound interrupted the rhythm of his fire making. Raising his head, he placed the stone and knife on the ground beside him. What Xianex did not do though, was grab a weapon. He would not, until the need became apparent. Assumptions were not becoming of an elf. He held his head still, listening for another sound.
Curiously enough, he didn't hear one.

Xianex turned his head and almost fell backward when he saw what appeared to be an elven woman...with a leather jacket on. His first thought was of disgust 'What type of elf could stand to wear the skin of a dead animal, an innocent life'.

His face turned a shade of red when he realized he vocalized that disgust.[/blockquote][/size][/font]

[mriswith]

She held the male Elf in her gaze as he set the flint and steel aside. Neither went for their weapons as their eyes met. While Ishiyo was somewhat apprehensive--more than she'd been after returning home seventy-five years later--it was no reason to let things get out of hand. The man was not offering any threat or challenge and as such she'd treat him with the respect he deserved. Now, given his vocalization of a thought he must have meant to keep to himself, her estimation of deserved respect might be a bit lower; still, she'd wasn't the type to fly off the handle. Hopefully their entire exchange wasn't going to be colored by this lone matter of what she wore.

A corner of her lips curled upward as she stepped out into the open. No need to remain concealed now. "If it were innocent it would not have been had it torn out my throat." Not all of nature's creatures were willing to share the planet with their bipedal neighbors. It was the way of things. Even Elves and Humans had meat on the bone for a hungry creature. Then there were those that'd been touched by something not all together natural. A dangerous world they lived in. You only need to look at a Dragon to know how fierce some they could be; they were just fortunate enough the Dragons, for the most part, were on their side.

Ishiyo strode slowly toward the Elf's camp, while maintain a short distance between them so they didn't need to raise their voices needlessly. "My name is Ishiyo," she introduced herself, not expecting formal insults to be the new means Elves exchanged pleasantries. Perhaps she hadn't grown up in these woods her whole life, but there were plenty of Elves back in Ilirea and they had not taught her anything about blanching at someone before giving your name. "May I join you?" She'd yet to invade his camp. It was possible the man simply wished to be left alone. For her part it would be nice to meet someone before venturing any closer to one of the cities; to learn of any news or trouble in the region. They were a long distance from Ilirea so any news would have taken considerable time to travel that far.

Her red eyes fell on the timber to be lit for a fire, curious whether he was using a survivalist method to keep his skill sharpened or if this male Elf preferred not to use magic unless absolutely necessary. That would be just one sort of topic she would love to discuss with him. Well, that and her clothes. Not that he was alone in his observation. It did keep the rain off her, however. If she intended to venture out of Ilirea as she was now, Ishiyo might have to consider a change of clothing.

[jayo159]

Fearing she might take his unfortunate show of emotions as an insult, he tried to speak, but before he was able to she introduced herself. 'Ishiyo...interesting name...' he thought to himself. Suddenly a memory struck him of a time long ago, when elves would follow customs. A specific phrase came to mind.

"Atra esterní ono thelduin/Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr/Un du evarínya ono varda." This also meant May good fortune rule over you/Peace live in your heart/And the stars watch over you.

While he awaited her response, he started becoming self conscious again. He focused for a moment, on his appearance. All things considered, he still appeared flawless. His eyes gleamed bright with the moonlight, and the colored showed vibrantly (The effect of a clever spell). The markings on his arm shimmered back and forth, noticeable to him, but to the other elf, from that distance, it would have been hard. His hair was shaggy, but he kept it that way on purpose, and his body language was natural. He kept his cool, though he was wary of this stranger in the woods.

His thoughts then focused on the other elf. Through his eyes, he saw her as curious, and not aggressive at all. This was good, for the next thing he knew, she had asked him if she could join him. Deep, but quick thought concluded that she was not a threat, and that she was not likely to cause any harm. Xianex really did like meeting new people.

"You may share my camp with me, if you would like..." he said out loud, in a slow thought out manner. His voice came out smooth, and sounded calculated.

[mriswith]

The man's greeting was met with a smile. "Atra gülai un ilian tauthr ono un atra ono waíse sköliro frá rauthr," she replied in kind without hesitation or reluctance. The Ancient Language was one she was well acquainted with as almost every Elf was. It was part of who they were after all. A gift from long ago. In the Human tongue it meant something akin to, May luck and happiness follow you and may you be shielded from misfortune. Hopefully the blessing was truer for him than the one he'd offered was for her. Peace was going to be hard fought and gained. Even if no one was hounding her still, her own conscience--no matter how justified--ached at what had happened.

"Elrun ono," Ishiyo replied to the other Elf accepting her into his camp. She stepped out from the forest and drifted around to the side of the fire, not presuming to get too close to the man. They still hadn't even moved beyond pleasantries; be a bit forward to start intruding on his space.

With her left hand she tipped the handle of her sword down to raise the tip as she knelt down on the ground. No need to towering over him, even if she was only five nine. "Will you be staying the night?" Ishiyo asked, curious about the nature of the fire he'd been trying to make, "Or making a meal?" She mentally mapped out anything the other Elf might have in his camp, such as a shelter or bedroll, just in case things weren't as they appeared. She was willing to trust this man, respecting him as a fellow person, but not so far as to leave herself vulnerable in a strange land.

[jayo159]

The new "guest" so to speak was quite up front with an interesting question. Even Xianex had not quite figured the answer to that yet. Was he staying the night, or, even, why was he making a fire? All he knew was that it was the right thing to do for him -- a feeling or instinct. It came from the gut and resembled the sound of a deep rumble in his body. It was irresistible. He decided to answer the female elf honestly.

"I am not sure yet. I just know I want a fire.."

[/b][/color]The words sounded a little less smooth, and very subtly, unsure of himself.

He examined Ishiyo a little closer when she came closer to the fire. He saw her eye color, and the fine tips of her hair. He saw the lines in the leather and the curve of her throat. He saw the shape of her nose and the hands. Her hands, in his eyes, looked like the hands of a warrior. He was known to be wrong before. In the middle of his second long observations, he caught her eyes roam around searching for things in his camp. He knew she searched in vain.

Xianex never had anything with him, other than things to use when Magic wasn't helpful. He didn't use a tent, he didn't bring anything at all except his bag, and the clothes and tools on his back. When he was in need, whether that was protection from weather, people, or creature, he used magic to do it. He knew a couple helpful spells that required very little energy to maintain.

Standing up quickly, he muttered something in the ancient language and slowly walked in a crooked line, leading to plant life. He there grabbed some fresh sage and spearmint. Walking back to camp, he stopped at his bag and pulled out a pan and a flask of water. He poured the contents of the flask into the can, and then placed the leaves of the plants in the water. Xianex muttered a few more words in the ancient language and the pan hovered over the fire.

"I hope you like tea..." He said. This was why he made the fire. It wasn't for food, or for sleeping, (though those may be uses later) but it was for a drink of tea, and for pleasant, unexpected companty.[/blockquote][/font]

[mriswith]

Ishiyo knelt across from him and watched as he considered her question. The honesty in his reply brought up a few unexpected follow-ups of her own, but she held off on letting loose the flood. She was a curious creature and liked understanding the world around her, when she wasn't occupied in other matters. Why wouldn't he know why he was building a fire? It could be some sort of mystical entity guiding his actions, but she'd leave that possibility for when she'd ruled out all the more common explanations.

As he rose, she kept her red eyes on his back. Strange how he wandered in a crooked line as he did. Perhaps he'd suffered a blow to the head, or was under the influence of an ailment? Patiently she observed him collect a few herbs.

Upon his return Ishiyo remain quiet, continuing to watch as he brought out a few of the possessions he had on him. As for herself, she carried a small backpack as well with similar items to make the journey easier. Though she didn't have any pans to heat over a fire like he did. "I would like that," she replied, not having tasted tea in many days now. She didn't drink alcohol or smoke, so aside from paying intimate attention to her surroundings there hadn't been much to preoccupy herself with on the trek. Fortunately, nature threw several interesting things her way to ensure she didn't become lost in a haze. This male Elf was the most pleasant of them.

"I do not want to intrude," as she surely must be wandering in to his camp unexpectedly, "but what should I call you?" Ishiyo found the idiosyncratic behavior was leading up to something, but she would take her time to learn more before broaching the matter.

[jayo159]

Xianex muttered a few more words in the ancient language, this time loud enough for Ishiyo to hear, and the fire flared the color blue of his eyes, and then went out. The water was boiled. The energy required for that was a bit more energy than previous, but he focused it so the energy was taken from the air around it, almost self sustaining. All it required was the energy to nudge the oxygen atoms around it, closer to the fire, to increase the intensity.

'...but what should I call you?'

He stood up and walked back over toward the fire, and pulled two cups out from his bag. He let the plants soak for a few moments while considering her question. The best option he decided was again, to just tell her the truth. Lying would get him nowhere.

His eyes shone blue directly at her, and he caught the color of her eyes - red - for the first time. It was shocking, to the point where he shuddered the words out "M-my name is-s Xianex...The Nomad Xianex."

He had been a nomad for a really long time now, and he only had ever seen another elf twice, in those long years. He didn't feel loneliness like any one else would, and instead replaced those emotions, with insanity. It wasn't an extreme case, which was self apparent, but it was there. Xianex walked back to the tea and poured two cups, handing one to the other elf.

'Does she expect me to give more information?' he thought to himself as he examined her. He of course was not going to give more until asked. It was his time to listen, and listening is what he did best. The sounds around him told him what he needed to know; which way water was, weather the wind is blowing or not, if a storm is coming or a stranger, but it can also come in handy socially. He almost forgot.

[mriswith]

"Xianex," Ishiyo echoed as she thought about the name-title he gave himself or had been nicknamed by others. The Nomad Xianex. Sadly, she couldn't say if that name should be known to her. It hadn't filtered back to the city of Ilirea in any case. Not everyone loved large cities, however; she'd met a number of people that confessed they'd rather be out in the wilds than spending more time than they had to in the city. Xianex was obviously such a person, but there was something else there too. It was more than a preference; at least that was her impression of observing him so far.

As she reached out to accept the cup offered to her, the young woman reflected on Xianex's appearance and his use of magic. Not a boy; he had the appearance of a mature Elf closer to her age than an elder. Stark, blue eyes. Handsome, though it appeared not as breathtaking as her red ones had been to him. Xianex didn't seem to hold back much of what he felt, even if he didn't express it in so many words. Charming, in its own way. Certainly a contrast to The Game so many Elves played further north.

Feeling the warmth of the tea bleeding through the cup into her hands, Ishiyo's eyes fell to the contents. Still strange he'd been trying to use flint and steel if he had enough control over magic to light a fire and make it burn as hot as it had. "Do you live around here?" she asked before lifting her hands up to take a slow, measured sip of the tea. As much as she'd like to trust a fellow Elf, she had to be sure nothing else had been added to the pan. If he could use magic then her eyes could be deceived. Not that any cheap parlor trick would work; she herself was talented in the art. 'Never underestimate your enemy,' they had taught her. For many years they'd taught carelessness and lofty, judgmental assumptions could cost you dearly when dealing with the unknown.

Hoping to keep Xiane engaged, she lifted her head back to look up toward the canopy, "A beautiful evening." A chill to the air. It was as fresh as it was sharp, though the tree tops helped trap the warmth collected in the soil that would try to escape on a cold, winter's night. She hadn't felt any signs of it raining, either, so for that the man's lack of a tent seemed just as well. She, herself, preferred a bedroll; less of a hindrance if something came upon her as she slept.

[jayo159]

The female elf sitting across from Xianex asked him another question before taking her first sip of the tea that was so recently prepared. He considered the question before taking the first drink from his own cup. That was a difficult question to answer. Others would say, if they knew him, that he had no home, and was just a wanderer, when he would say that he has many homes, and likes to visit them all.

"I am a Nomad in Heart and Soul." came the reply. It was simple and expressed both of those sentiments exactly. He spoke smoothly again, added by the new feature of slow too. He articulated everything and emphasized the words Heart and Soul. He knew that this answer was true, and easy to understand.

The truth was that Xianex was so obsessed with the truth, and honesty, and being who you really are, because of The Game, the political garbage they participated in in the citys of Du Weldenvarden. He vowed to never go into the capital, but he just hasn't gone into any of the others. He couldn't handle it now. He would probably be considered a freak too.

Without realizing it, Xianex raised his face to the sky at the same time she did, almost like it was a natural thing to do. He heard her second questi-- He realized that it wasn't a question at all and he was slightly relieved. Her statement rang true for him as well.

[mriswith]

After a short time Ishiyo let her eyes fall back on the other Elf. A wanderer, just as he'd said. Was it lonely? Did he ever visit the cities? The forest was beautiful and she didn't doubt he managed to make a living without too much trouble in the lush foliage, but she did wonder what had motivated him to leave everything behind. As alluring as nature could be, when she'd run from the Elven lands she'd sought out Ilirea as a place she'd come to trust; it's people were just--or tried to be--and the politics mild in comparison. Then there were the other Elves, and a few Humans, that helped take her mind off things; they gave her jobs and things to do to fill the days. Ishiyo had never had the talent to become a hermit and study day in and day out.

"Ília Fëon is not far from here, is it?" Ishiyo lowered the cup from her lips after she'd taken another short drink. "Have you been there before?" Xianex didn't seem to be particularly social; at least he wasn't taking any lead in asking the questions. For her part there was a time to be quiet and reflect, but seeing how they'd just met curiosity had taken the forefront.

The company, however reserved, was nice after her long travel. She'd learned of a few curiosities out there in the Hadarac and South of its expanse that might interest her companion if he enjoyed wandering. It would be nice to have someone to interact with on the way. On the other hand she could continue to Ília Fëon and see what could be learned there as well. For now, she was content in traveling out into the world she'd tried to steer from over the past two decades. The best way to master your fears, they said, was to face them.

[jayo159]

"When I was young, Ília Fëon was by there. I spent time here whenever I could. One of my closest friends lived here..." He said without thinking for once. This contact with another living concious creature was actually throwing off his habits. For instance he had not been able to visit his favorite tree yet, nor has he climbed the tallest tree he could find to scout out the area. He was unsure of how to act right now.

'...perhaps I should tell her about the vow....but why? What social necessity does it qualm?....Maybe it's just polite...it's been so long...' His thoughts were chaotic and out of the norm. The usually cool and organized thought trains that usually knew just where they were going, were right now, scattered and unsure. This lack of experience almost quieted the forests song in the back of his mind. Almost, but it never could.

He decided that it was time to take the agressive side of conversation and start digging for more knowledge.

"Where do you come from, Lady Ishiyo?" he asked her, starting the process of volleying questions back and forth. His blue eyes shimmered and naturally changed shades to a much darker, shade. If someone were to look deeper, his emotions were dark swirls dancing in the blue, like storm clouds in a strong wind. Xianex continued sipping his tea, unnoticing of his emotional give aways.

The forest around the two shivered as a cool wind blew through. The tree's groaned with frustration at the shifting of their weight, and the branches swung around threateningly. The day was progressively getting darker and the fire more inviting. Letting out a sigh of contentment, he was almost shocked when Ishiyo replied. He had forgotten her for a moment.

[mriswith]

Where did she come from? Ishiyo regarded her companion for a time, considering his question. A simple and straightforward request, mirroring her own, but one she gave an extra moment's contemplation. "Ilirea." Xaniex seemed mildly surprised when she responded, causing the corners of her lips to curl upward. "I was raised there. It is home." Everything she ever had was in that city. Even those few, short years in the heart of her homeland had been an illusion.

She sat for a moment, watching him as she took another drink of the cooling tea. "Lovely place to live," she offered, finding the forest around them quite beautiful. Xianex seemed to like it. Spent his entire life in the woods, away from the city. "How long have you been traveling?" More to the point, why had he started? She suspected he had a sensitive story, much like herself, to explain it. Wasn't her place to intrude, but that didn't mean they couldn't dance around what they held so close to their chests. Steer away from the wound that still ached, as it were.

"For my part, I recent left Ilirea to visit the forest once more. I never had much time here," Ishiyo offered freely, not wanting to be dragging answers out of him like some pleasant form of interrogation. He deserved information about her as much as she asked of him.

The small smile grew for a moment, "You can call me Ishiyo, if you like. I have never been much of a Lady." Some might get the wrong idea, thinking she was a noble of some sort worthy of 'Lady.' Not that she was adverse to it; she just didn't fit into the role. Dresses, jewelry, politics... it was enough when she wore silver charms. Dark colors might fit her at times, but she was more attuned to black. Throwing herself out into the dangers of the world to keep them back from Ilirea required skulking about in dark places; blending in was a very useful skill in that trade. On occasion she did wear a woodsman or range outfit, but that too was not for her. She liked being around people too much to live out in the woods for long stretches.

[jayo159]

Quick to recover Xianex nodded when she told him of her home. He had of course been there too, it was another one of the popular city’s that his parents liked to travel to. He had often gone with them on such visits, loving to travel. This one time he felt it was appropriate to reply.

“I was born and raised in Ellesmera, myself. My family holds some power there, but I was always able to visit the other town, and other elves.” His face started tense and ended relaxed as he ended the sentence. It was hard to give this much personal information, but he managed.

Taking another sip from his tea, he savored the flavor of the spearmint as it passed over his tongue. He watched her as she absorbed the information he gave her, and then he watched her as he listened to her next question. ‘How long have you been traveling?’ He assumed she meant as a nomad, but was not sure. He thought it through and decided his answer should be concise and include all options. Before he started speaking, he started tapping his fingers up and down. A habit of his that he could never overcome under stress.

“I have been traveling since I was a child. My parents have been to every important city that the elves ever thought of. I’ve been in self exile for around 50 years. I don’t remember exactly.” The time had traveled at first slow, and then incredibly fast. He didn’t understand what magic was at work, but it was strong.

Xianex looked up at the sky again, noticing that it was already a little bit darker. The first star could be seen in the furthest reaches of space, just a pinpoint of light in the little clearing in the middle of Du Weldenvarden. Looking down he focused on Ishiyo again and found her to be talking. What she said shocked him, for it was more personal than she had been herself, as open as she was being. Xianex weighed the options in his head, and decided to give her some personal information of his own.

He spoke slowly, in the ancient language,“I have vowed to never enter the city of Ellesmera again.” He left it there, his face tense again.

[mriswith]

Ellesmera? They were certainly far from familiar territory then. As a Nomad Xiane would be of more sure footing. Still, they were both far from the place of their births. It was interesting to hear of his family power there; Ishiyo wondered how much or in what places it was, or had been, held. Who in Ellesmera didn't hold or strive for power? A very subtle and dangerous Game they played with one another to pass the centuries. There were few rules; one of the most grievous was taking blunt, graceless actions to seize power. Anyone with enough magic or swords could take it; it took far greater strategy to weave in and out of social circles without your opponents seeing or learning of it, gradually positioning yourself until you could absorb or be given what you were after.

That was how her sister had explained it once, long ago. Ishiyo had never been particularly interested, so she'd gotten something of a general idea just so she wasn't oblivious to what was happening around her. Her sister had also felt even in Ilirea the effects of the game could be felt; it would do an Elven Rider well to know the tactics of those she might have to work along side.

Then Xianex confided he'd been traveling, on his own, for around fifty years. Half her life. A fair amount of time then; no wonder the Elf looked so comfortable. Well, he would if she stopped distracting him.

With a slight nod, Ishiyo acknowledged the weight of what he'd said. Obviously it was no easy matter to discussion, leaving its weight on his shoulders and face. Not to engage in a 'who can confess more' exchange, she replied in the Ancient tongue, "Neither can I." If there was one place in all the Du Weldenvarden she could not go it was there. Twenty years was far too short for them to have simply forgotten. Two centuries would be too short.

Not wanting to force Xianex to talk about things that made him uncomfortable, she set her cup down with a smile thinking of other topics. "I am not interrupting anything am I? If I can help, in exchange for your generosity, please ask." If the man had been roaming for fifty years he must surely have certain tasks he performed to close out one day and prepare for the next. Simple things, perhaps, but a strange appearing out of the woods could cause all sorts of turbulence in his otherwise tranquil world.

[jayo159]

Xianex’s felt almost insulted. He didn’t view this act as generosity, and he didn’t need anything back. It was true that he had not performed his general tasks – not like she thought, on a day to day basis, but more of an area to area basis. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, and breathed out. Opening his eyes, he decided to reply.

“I will not ask anything from you, but you may offer services at any point. It is polite, but not expected, and most certainly not necessary.” He spoke slowly so he could think about his words, and place them in a way that sounded most tactful to him. “Would you care to accompany me on a short trip. There are two things I need to do before night consumes, and surrounds.” The words came out in his native tongue without realizing it.

He took the few seconds necessary to decide his general direction. He would head first, north west to the tallest tree in the region (He knew because he spent a lot of time trying to find the tallest known trees in Du Weldenvarden. It killed some time, he enjoyed it, and it helped protect his life. He would always climb to the top and send his tendrils of consciousness out into the distance, as far as he could. As an elf, he had learned how to do it and only touch a remote part of any living beings energy, where he wouldn’t feel it. A very light touch.

After he visited the tallest tree, he would visit his favorite tree. That was to the east of that region, on the other side of the camping spot they were in now. It was a short journey and wouldn’t take much time. He smiled to himself, remembering the tree and what it meant to him. It was only more beautiful at night.

[mriswith]

"It would be my pleasure," Ishiyo replied at the offer to join him on his short trip. Perhaps he wouldn't ask anything of her, and that was selfless and polite on his part, but she wouldn't want to consume his time or resources without at least offering. Xianex left it open for her to contribute if she felt like offering, being kind enough not to decline outright. Completely declining might have suggested a lack of trust either in her ability or character.

Having not slipped her small pack from her shoulders yet, Ishiyo stood to her feet slowly with a smile on her lips. "If you prefer to travel in silence, to hear the woods, I understand. If you would like to talk, however, it too would be my pleasure," the female Elf offered. It would be rude to chatter away incessantly as if she couldn't hear or feel the world around her, distracting the man from what he loved so much as to leave all "civilized" society in order to experience it at its fullest. At the same time, she did enjoy company. A fine line to walk, especially when Xianex wasn't a typical Elven male. Ishiyo couldn't rely on common expectations she'd grown up with in Ilirea or experienced in the city he'd shunned.

In their walk she would let Xianex take the lead, by inches or feet, depending on the terrain--if it were too narrow or treacherous to move side by side. Despite what her clothes may have made the man think, she hadn't lost all connecting with nature. It was true she spent a good amount of time in Ilirea or hunting various jobs in or out of cities rather than camping in nature as Xianex did, but she like to think her times in the woods were more than blind necessity when they happened.

[jayo159]

Xianex stood up at the same time as Ishiyo and stretched his legs a little bit. After lowering his left leg back to the ground he looked in the direction of his first destination. The tallest tree wasn’t very far away from camp, but perhaps it would take a ten minute walk. Gracefully he took a few steps closer to his new companion. “Whenever you’re ready then,” he said with a smile.

He turned around while waiting for his reply and started gathering possible necessary items. The bag with the majority of his tools was the first thing he grabbed. He slung it around his back when he heard her reply. The trail stood waiting for his feet to touch it.

“We must walk at a quick pace. It isn’t essential that we make it before dark, but it is helpful. Then we can keep the rest of the night to enjoy a fire and talk.” He wasn’t sure if he was talking for her benefit, or his, but the words just came. Facing the northwest, he began to walk.

(sorry about the incredibly short post. Next one will be bigger.)

[mriswith]

"Of course," Ishiyo replied calmly as she stood in Xianex's humble camp. They'd proceed quietly then, at first, and later discuss other matters. It would be interesting hear what a man like Xianex had to say; doubtful he'd be versed in political or social topics of late, but he might surprise her if he'd had any contact at all since his seclusion in the woods. She would also like to know what it was like. She'd grown up in a city, even if she ventured among the woods; Xianex, meanwhile, had grown up in the woods--when keeping the matter framed in an Elf's lifespan instead of a Human's.

She made sure the fire had been snuffed out before following with her male companion. It wouldn't be pleasant to find a fire ravaging the trees because they'd gotten careless after all. Though with how Xianex handled magic losing control of the fire had never really been much of a concern. Unless he was trying to use flint and steel. Ishiyo smiled remembering how she caught him trying those out instead of magic.

It'd be nice to see the landmarks Xianex favored in the area. His use of a tall tree was a wise idea. Unlike open terrain you couldn't tell what was happening around you until it was nearly upon you; if it came to a fire--which the Elves wouldn't let rage unchecked, admittedly--it was best to have as much warning as possible. There were other matters, as well, like creatures flying in the sky or the use of magic casting a glow over the sky above. Ishiyo was sure all sorts of strange things could be witnessed peeking over the tree tops.

[jayo159]

Xianex slowed down for a moment and looked behind him, to make sure Ishiyo was following. Now that he had the idea of a companion in his head, he didn’t like the idea of losing her either. He almost felt responsible for her or perhaps he was just excited to have someone to talk to. What he caught in his view was understandable; the fire should have been put out first.

As soon as he saw he trailing behind he started walking forward again. He didn’t set off too fast for fear she would have to exert a lot of energy to catch up, or just think that he was trying to escape her. With an eye at the sky, he maintained a clear path through the forest, easy to follow, in and the reverse.

When he determined she was within earshot, he thought they could discuss – nothing to serious, because that would come later. “What brings you to this part of Ellesmera?” starting off basic was the best option, and it was the only question that the socially inept elf thought to ask. He was curious about a lot, he just wasn’t sure how to word it.

(OOC: My mind is blocked from school. The trimester is about to end and I have some things I need to finish. When you post, I'll try my best, but please don't expect anything great until march (sorry))