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Mirai
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|  | Homecoming (Harabec)
« Thread Started on Sept 10, 2009, 7:44pm » | |
Mirai paused just inside the massive western gate, stopping only long enough to toss her head back and gaze up at the great wall. Her hood fell back of its own volition, and she was left there with her face turned up to the sky as the faint mist of the falls kissed her lightly on the cheek. It felt strange to be back.
The healer soon realized that she was blocking the way and swiftly ducked aside, replacing her hood to gaze at the world with slightly frightened eyes. It had been six months since she'd last stood under these walls. Six long months, spent far afield with Master Alagos. So much had changed since she'd last been here! She was nearly eighteen now, with ears pierced to signify her coming of age. She'd learned to better master her magic and to dance the spells; Rifka, too, had leanred--mastering the fine art of begging strangers for treats. And Alagos....well, Alagos had a lady now.
Mirai's insides squirmed a little at the thought. The Lady had been the whole reason for her leaving; Master had been beside himself with the attentions of Lady Venae, and wished his pupil to witness both the formal engagement and the wedding. Six months of watching the raven-haired woman snuggling with her Master had left a sour taste in the healer's mouth along with a veil of disappointment over her heart, and it only became worse after the wedding. He was so happy....and spent a lot of his free time pressing his lips to the Lady's. If Smythesson was being honest she would have known that Alagos' happiness left her bitter because, first, she wanted him; and second because he knew how much she endured and still chose to live his own life, one that did not include her. So the girl returned to Archaeon and Illinriet strangely discontent despite coming of age; despite even Alagos' promise that he would start looking for a husband for her. There would be no soothing these ruffled feathers.
Or, so she thought. Two streets later Mirai caught sight of a furry form that made all buried sadnesses disappear. The yearning little face lit with joy and she shot forward, arms outstretched to seize the Juna around his massive torso. "Harabec!"
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Harabec Bryn Rualdin
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| | Re: Homecoming (Harabec)
« Reply #1 on Sept 10, 2009, 7:55pm » | |
[[ Yay Mirai! Nice post, by the way ]]
"Woah there lassie!" Harabec laughed, trying to balance the big sack of oats in his arms. Catching sight of his accoster's face, he laughed harder, his eyes sparkling. "Weel noo, if et isn't mah favorite lass, Mirai!"
Juggling the sack to one arm, then dropping it on the ground, he bent down to return her hug with a bear-like one of his own, lifting her feet clean off the ground. "Sure an' your face is a welcome site, though a tad smudged wi' travel dust!" Releasing her, he looked the girl, nay, the young woman, up and down.
"But ye look spry an' more fit than a Hartusian stag!"
The big Kahl's scarred face was crinkled in a wide smile. He had certainly missed the lass during her long journey with her former mentor; her energy and smiles always brightened his day.
"Are ye 'eaded home, or would ye like t'visit th' horses with me? Ah'd wager they'd be 'appy for yer company."
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~` we be in joor realms - dansen in joor story '~
[dabadee dabadie]
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Mirai
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| | Re: Homecoming (Harabec)
« Reply #2 on Sept 10, 2009, 8:03pm » | |
She smiled up at him and slipped her hand in his, feeling some comfort to be finally back with a friend. "I want to visit with you...I've missed you most of all." Mirai pressed herself happily into Harabec's furry side, letting her hood fall again without bothering to put it back up. "It's been a strange half-year, that's certain. I think playing with the horses will calm me down a little." The maid tilted her head all the way back to look up at him, blue eyes curious as she tried to remain cheery for his sake. "What have I missed?"
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Harabec Bryn Rualdin
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| | Re: Homecoming (Harabec)
« Reply #3 on Sept 10, 2009, 8:15pm » | |
Harabec touched her nose with a finger. "Ah've a suspicion it was more than jus' a borin' few months away from here, ye ken. But let's go an' see th' horses lass, we can talk more on th' way. Ach, and ye've been recruited noo t'help me feed 'em too." His eyes twinkled.
Picking up the sack of oats, he slung it over one shoulder easily, and then put his other arm around Mirai's shoulders. She was growing up, of that he was certain. But he'd known her spirit before she'd left, and it seemed to him now that something weighed her shoulders down now that she was back. Or mayhap it was what made her return? Well, he wouldn't press her. He was just glad of her company again.
"So lass, tell me o' yer adventures in th' far distant lands. Did ye see anythin' special? How did yer trainin' goo? Ah'd love t'hear all aboot it." They began walking up the winding, terraced streets towards the Rim, where the city stableyards were.
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~` we be in joor realms - dansen in joor story '~
[dabadee dabadie]
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Mirai
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| | Re: Homecoming (Harabec)
« Reply #4 on Sept 10, 2009, 8:28pm » | |
Oh, dear. She should have known Harabec better than to think that he wouldn't catch her moods; it seemed like there would be nothing for it. Mirai put on a brave face and tried to answer, brushing a dark strand of hair out of her mouth. "Hmmm. There's much to say...I'm not really sure where to start. Training was fine, when Master and I trained; we didn't do it so much. Not as much as before, I mean." She attempted a smile. "I taught myself to dance spells--that was fun. I dance well. Oh, and I had my coming-of-age."
But the smile faded, and she bit at her lip. "But things are very, um, different. Master Alagos wanted me with him for his wedding." The Healer looked to the side, nonchalantly brushing at her apron while Rifka peeked out of the pocket. "She is a Lady, a really beautiful Lady--prettier even than Eira--and when she was in the room he forgot me. It was six months of watching them hold hands and share whispers and little kisses, six months of standing on the outside behind a glass wall. Even worse, as soon as he told me I knew something that had barely crossed my mind before. I wanted him." Mirai touched her toe to a pebble, sending it skittering away as a thoughtful frown creased her brow. "I don't know. I didn't like watching them and I didn't like the wedding, and now that Alagos has promised to join with Archaeon in setting out my dowry and stuff, well...I don't know how I feel. Right now it seems that he just wants me out of his worry so he can go to his lovely lady and forget more. Live life without me in it. I hadn't realized I was such a burden."
She managed to look back to the Kahl with her face expressionless, and Harabec could notice that for the first time in their acquaintance the healer wore no flowers in her hair. "...I really missed you." This came out soft.
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Harabec Bryn Rualdin
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| | Re: Homecoming (Harabec)
« Reply #5 on Sept 11, 2009, 1:18am » | |
"Ach, mah little sadeyes. Ah missed ye too." They were at the first paddock, and Harabec set the sack down once again. Then he knelt so he could look into her face, curling his thick shaggy tail around his footpaws. "Sure an' it sounds like ye be growin' up all at once lass." A kindly smile warmed his face.
"Alagos is a braw mage an' mentor, but he probably dinnae recognize how all that makes ye feel. But," here the big Kahl brushed her hair back from her face and squeezed her shoulder, like an elder brother comforting his sister. "I dinnae think that he's tryin' to get rid o' ye. Mayhap his own marriage brought t'mind that ye may be settin' oot t'get married too, an' he wants ye to be all taken care of."
His back was to the paddock, and the nearest pony lowered its head and nipped at his furry head. "Oy ye braw beastie, leave off!" Harabec mock glared at the offender, and then refocused on his friend.
"So ye realised ye are in love wi' Alagos then? Or is it somethin' more like jus' a special feelin'?" His expression became embarassed. "Ooops, but ye noo 'ave to tell me lass. Tis very personal, it is."
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~` we be in joor realms - dansen in joor story '~
[dabadee dabadie]
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Mirai
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| | Re: Homecoming (Harabec)
« Reply #6 on Sept 12, 2009, 10:25pm » | |
"Yes, Harabec, it is." Mirai looked at him, only softness in her face. "It's very personal--but you I would tell anything. I trust you more than any person living, and if you told me that I needed to throw myself off the Wall and into the falls, I would do it knowing that you would lead me into no harm. I love you." She moved to her knees and gave the Juna a kiss on his furry cheek, then blushed and lowered her gaze. "As for Master Alagos...I...I don't know. I've never been in love before; not man-and-woman love. How can I say if what I feel is love or not? All I know is that he has been with me for seven years, and I was beginning to imagine him with me for the rest of my life. I don't trust men easily; you know that. Alagos seemed like, like--well, like the only possible husband I could ever have. I am safe with him and I admire him and sometimes when he looks at me, I blush. Is that love? I don't know."
She shook her head. "It's something. And I hate Lady Venae for stepping in and ruining what I wanted, that's certain. I couldn't stand the way she cooed at me all those long months. Like a child. A child to her and a child to him." Mirai buried her head in her hands. "I just don't know!"
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Harabec Bryn Rualdin
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| | Re: Homecoming (Harabec)
« Reply #7 on Sept 12, 2009, 10:35pm » | |
Harabec's eyes smiled as she gave him a fond kiss on the cheek. She was so dear, like a little sister to him!
Patting her shoulder, he paused for a moment, letting her regather her thoughts. "Ach, growin' up is noo easy, lass. Love, weel, there be a lot o' different kinds of love. Aye, an' it can get a might bit confusin' too. Ah loved...an' still love, mah dear wife. That's one kind o' love. Then there's th' deep love for a frien' or a brother. Kindly love t'other that ye dun even noo. So many, mah wee lassie."
He rocked back on his hocks and winked at her. "An' what's this Ah heard ye say? Throw yersel' off a cliff? Weel noo, fret not lass, Ah'd never do such a thing!"
Harabec twitched his tail into one hand and used it to brush at his chin thoughtfully. It was an odd habit of his when he was mulling over something. Finally, he held up a finger. "Ach, Ah've got just th' thing lass! 'Ere, try this. Put yon Alagos an' his lady outta yyer mind. Focus on what's 'ere noo, have fun in th' moment. Give yer mind a break o'er frettin' on him, an' in a while coom back to it. See if yer feelin's are th' same or noo. How does that sound, mah wee lass?"
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~` we be in joor realms - dansen in joor story '~
[dabadee dabadie]
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Mirai
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| | Re: Homecoming (Harabec)
« Reply #8 on Sept 15, 2009, 8:15pm » | |
She smoothed out her dress with her hands and looked down a moment, thinking this over before finally giving Harabec a nod. "I...I'll try. I don't know that I can, but I'll try not to. u.u I just...well, maybe you're right and he does just wants to see that I am taken care of, but you know how I am with men. I don't want a stranger around to take care of me. I'd like a friend." u.u
Mirai pulled her knees up to her chest and tucked her arms around her legs, resting her cheek on her knees and looking over to the Juna. "Harabec....will you tell me about your wife? I've no father or mother or master to ask about these things anymore; I would like very much to learn about her. Of course..." She hesitated. "...If it's painful for you, just let me put my arms around you and don't you worry about it. Nothing in the world is worth hurting you for."
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Harabec Bryn Rualdin
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| | Re: Homecoming (Harabec)
« Reply #9 on Sept 15, 2009, 8:46pm » | |
Harabec mussed her hair gently. "Ye dinnae need t'look farther then ole Harabec for a friend, lassie. Ah'll keep watch over ye." he said it simply, straight from his heart. He wasn't one for eloquent words or flowery promises. He just said what was in his heart and mind.
The evening was fading into night, and the lamplighters were dancing their slow dance from one lamp post to the next, igniting tiny fires that wove their light with those around them to illuminate the streets. It was a warm night, with the hushed roar of the falls around them.
Harabec leaned back against the paddock fence, tucking his feet beside him so he could face Mirai. His normally cheerful face had become calm, and slightly sad. But he patted her arm to reassure her.
"Ach, noo there's no one lovelier in mah mind than mah wife." A wistful yet melancholy smile brushed his snout. "Aye, there'll allus be an ache from missin' her, but Ah know Ah'll see her again, so it's noo too painful. Her name was Tesann, an' she was so graceful an' lovely, Ah thought she was of th' Ruling Houses. Fierce like th' northern wind, she was. But so very gentle too."
The big Kahl's shoulders relaxed as he pictured her in his mind. "Twas she who taught me 'ow to love th' Ardorian horses, ye ken? If they misbehaved, she'd be in th' midst of 'em, tellin' 'em to behave!" He laughed quietly. "She 'ad this blueish gold fur that reminded me o' bright summer days."
Turning to Mirai, he smiled. "Sometimes Ah imagine she's followin' me aroond. Ah wonder what she'd make o' my being in Cascade City, of all places!"
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~` we be in joor realms - dansen in joor story '~
[dabadee dabadie]
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Mirai
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| | Re: Homecoming (Harabec)
« Reply #10 on Sept 15, 2009, 9:26pm » | |
Mirai looked at him very seriously, then touched her hand to his cheek and lowered her voice to a solemn tone. "Harabec, Mrs. Tesann would love you just as well here as anyone else, and you will see her again. I've not---I've not told anyone this, but awhile ago, before I left the city, i decided that it would be...wise to offer my worship to Lord Death instead of, you know, the healer goddess. The usual. I thought my talent being what it was, it had to come with his permission so I-- "
She swallowed, then bent her head forward. "I saw him, Harabec. He never spoke to me but he showed me the World Beyond and my mother's face, smiling at me from a country so beautiful I can't begin to describe. Just looking at it I ached to be there."
There was a silence, then the maid lifted her head and gave the Juna a sage's smile. "Your lovely wife is surely waiting for you, and watching us now, and loving the two of us both. I know it to be so." She put her arms around his neck and kissed him sweetly on the cheek, then stood up. "In the meantime, you get to have me so you aren't so lonely. And right now--" She dug a hand into her apron pocket. "I have some gold, here, part of my gift--for one of your fancy horses. Would you help me find one?"
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Harabec Bryn Rualdin
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| | Re: Homecoming (Harabec)
« Reply #11 on Sept 17, 2009, 2:47pm » | |
Harabec's heart was so touched by Mirai's sweet words, that his eyes were a little watery. Smiling, causing a single tear to etch down his furry cheek, the big Kahl gave her a hug.
"Yer words're wiser than yer age, lassie. Thank ye, Ah truly believe that Ah'll see her again. As ye'll see your mother. Now!" He wiped his eyes and his sorrow was gone, replaced by a twinkle.
"Ye want t' buy a horse, th' noo? Weel then, let's see what we ken get for ye! Up on yer feet, time t' meet the bonnie bairns from Fendlas Plains. Ardorian horses," he grunted as he stood to his full height and offered her a hand. "Ye cannae buy them, they choose their riders. But these horses from Fendlas are noo swaybacked nags either! Goo ahead in, let them get t' know ye."
With that he opened the paddock gate and stepped in amongst the horses. They were dwarfed even by his size, but most were of a tall, long legged breed. They were quite familiar with him, nuzzling his pockets and lipping at his tufted ears.
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~` we be in joor realms - dansen in joor story '~
[dabadee dabadie]
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Mirai
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| | Re: Homecoming (Harabec)
« Reply #12 on Sept 24, 2009, 10:39am » | |
She smiled and stood up, giggling to watch the horses nibble on her friend. Mirai shooed a few away with a laugh and offered out her hands, laughing all the more when whiskery muzzles buried into her palms in a search for oats. The healer shook with suppressed giggles as she was nosed and sniffed and butted, trying her best to keep quiet and still so she didn't startle the friendly horses. But it was hard going, because--
"Th-this tickles!" Mirai gasped it out, tears in her eyes, then shrieked out a laugh when one blue roan snuck up behind her to blow on her neck. "EEE! Harabec this tickles make it stop---" The same mare nibbled happily on the back of her dress, and all at once Mirai whirled to throw her arms around the creature's neck. The mare gave an indignant snort and a toss of her pretty head, then eyed the little barnacle clinging to her and lowered her head to sniff the girl's hair, nibbling on it approvingly after a moment of consideration. This made Mirai laugh all the more, and she turned shining eyes to the Juna. "I like her. She makes me laugh." >w<
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Harabec Bryn Rualdin
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| | Re: Homecoming (Harabec)
« Reply #13 on Oct 20, 2009, 12:30pm » | |
Harabec swatted away one buckskin that was trying to nibble on his right horn, and then burst out laughing at Mirai's predicament. "Hoho, they're a lively bunch, th' noo! Looks like that one's takin' a likin' to ye lass. Tis a beautiful horse, that is."
He knew that many of the horses were quite pricey, and he wondered if Mirai had enough to come close to the price of the blue roan. But no worries, he'd take care of it.
"Weel noo, if she makes ye laugh, Ah'd be happy to hand her over to ye lassie. Let's see," he scratched his chin, nudging a pair of chestnut mares out of his pockets. "She could be yours for two Crowns?"
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~` we be in joor realms - dansen in joor story '~
[dabadee dabadie]
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