Wane Thy Ember

All writing, drawing, graphics, ideas and otherwise posted and expressed content of this journal is, unless labeled otherwise, is original and copyrighted property of Ali J a.k.a. Ubiique.

This post will always be on top and display any and all important information about Wane Thy Ember and its Character Development.

Credits:
Header dolls by ubiique.
Emoticons by Domie1337.
Base Credits, (left to right) Hollay, Wish and Fifth.

Friendship was important, more important than chores and business, when you're moving to new areas. Her father's words rang in the back of her mind through every village she'd passed through. Mary hadn't thought she had taken the advice seriously, but she remembered. Her grandfather, his father, had come as a merchant selling sea salts and shells and the other necessities one could only find in the deepest oceans and had come back to Nopaleth. He'd come back to the woman he'd fallen in love with, to the home she wanted to give him. He'd taught his son those lessons, how to deal with people and new places. The knowledge was coming in handy, and her father had never even left the country.

So, perhaps it had been a good plan. Once the foundation of her new home had been laid, a base of supports and flooring around the wide (type not created yet) tree and the stairs around it, she had taken advantage of the public attractions of the festival and opened her own fiery arena in hopes of attracting attention, customers and would-be friends. Had it been coinsidence, then, that the redheaded elf had fallen face-first into her stone circle? Perhaps, but if she had learned anything from Academy, it had been to always take full advantages of seeming coinsidences. They may just be gifts from the Gods in disguise.

Now, she was sharing a meal with this awkward stranger, Ki'Rin, and listening to her stumble over her tales of travel of lands unknown. She was a bard and showman, an aquamancer by birth and performer by trade. Mary learned 'Rin had the circle across from her own and had been caught off-guard by the pyromancy performance. Mary couldn't help notice that she would've been quite charming were it not for the amount of staring she seemed to do.

"I've been with them nearly two years now, but I don't want to stay forever. I never wanted to stay forever," came the response to questioning about her time with the Caravan and travel to Fray Bend.

"Are they travelling someplace you want to go, then?" Mary tilted her head, making a few gently waving locks of fine white hair tumble across her shoulder.

"I think they already have." Mary was beautiful even in the harsh light of the fire. She was eerily ghostlike, delicate and her white hair seemed to catch the distant shimmer of stars. 'Rin continued to let her eyes roam over what she could see of her in the dim firelight.

"Are you going back? Where is it?" 'Rin's jaw had gone slack, but all Mary did was raise a pale eyebrow, ever the polite scholar. She was refreshingly innocent.

'Rin shook her head to clear the daze and lounged to the side, curls of fire rolling over her forehead, "Um.. yeah. Not too far from here." Not far indeed.

Mary's face practically glowed when she smiled, "That's wonderful," and that dazzling smile seemed to make the world spin for 'Rin for just a moment. Wonderful? She didn't know the half of it!

'Rin wanted nothing more than to scoop the elf into her arms and the mix of emotion contorted her face as she got to her feet, "Its late and I.." ..want to kiss you more than anything.. "..I've got an early day tomorrow." What made this girl so different from the rest? She would be spending an amazing night with any other woman tonight!

The ice elf stifled a yawn at the mention of morning; it was almost painfully cute. "You're right. Tomorrow, (Twi's father, hunting name) and I start work on my roof." She waved a partially gloved hand at the work in progress that would soon be her home.

'Rin's green eyes followed her fingers in the dark. The faded black leather cut her fingers off at the knuckles in the dark and made her hand look disembodied. She smiled to herself, "I can help if you like."

"I can't pay you much and I don't have anything to trade." Mary started poking the embers in the pit with her fingers, making the flames swell warmly.

She shrugged, "No trouble." 'Rin felt her face grow warm and was secretly glad for the darkness.

Mary stood, stretching and the other averted her gaze, "Afternoon, then?"

"Afternoon, Mary..." she said, backing away and very conscious of the burning in her cheeks.

 

 

'Rin was well away down the ill-worn road before she turned around in the dark. She took in the distant flickering fire and imagined she could see the pyromancer, serene and sleeping under her tent. It was a wonderful feeling, just to know she exists, but somewhere in her stomach, 'Rin felt an ominous unease. There was something more than she could see, not tonight, not waiting in the shadows, but that sense of foreboding lingered in the air.

 

There was no doubt. 'Rin could not leave Mary to face whatever was coming alone. She turned, making her way back to the Caravan.

    Rin had been to Fray Bend too many times to count now. At eight and twenty years, she was getting old to be a bard, but travelling was something she felt she may never grow tired of. This far south in Dulvinc, it was the only area on the continent that had the scent of lillens, a flower almost only found in the northern parts of the two southernmost continents. This year, though, the scent seemed dustier, lost more to the air due to the slight drought washing through southern Dulvinc. Only half a smile caught the elf's sunny cheek as she passed by a wide patch of the flowery plant, which only had two blooms and three buds.
    She had decided nearly two years ago that she was tired of risking travelling alone and gone with the Caravan. The downside was she had to pay up about a third of her earnings. Fray Bend had always been a generous city, though. Today, she knew she'd have luck and make Rider quite pleased. Perhaps she could turn a few extra coins helping the locals tend their gardens and channel a bit of water from the coast into the wells, freshening the supply. It'd take extra work on her part, washing the salt out of it, but she could do it.
    Within twenty minutes of finding a site amongst the other shops and tellers and what-have-you, 'Rin had her small arena already set up. Sandbags separated the cobblestones from her arena, the floor of which was covered in thick rags, the better to salvage any spilled water. A wooden sign, crafted as a gift from another town, was carved and burnt to read in a very bold craft "The Watery Wonders of 'Rin" and was weighted into place firmly by more sandbags. Assorted bottles and jugs and a couple of barrels of water were sitting around the back of the arena, marking the line where grass met stone; she would surely need them as the week progressed.
    'Rin was taking the time to pour a large bottle of water around the arena, soaking the floor around her bare feet when she noticed the sun peeking behind the taller buildings of Fray Bend. At nearly 9 o'clock, most of the older children would be finishing their chores and rushing to see the wonders of the Caravan. A woman had already claimed a center site, dressed in thick robes and her own site was set up in an arena, but with no markers, only a center curtain. She had been inside the entire time, silent. 'Rin was interested in seeing her show, seeing as it was across from hers, and she had gained city permission, not Caravan permission, to set up. The top of 'Rin's head began to warm up, and she grinned, forgetting the mysterious arena across from hers, a dimple piercing her cheek as she turned around, running a worn hand into her short, fiery curls and putting back the bottle.
    'Rin started exerting a little effort on the water beneath her feet. The carpet of rags rolled like a wave, rippling and wiggling around across the cobblestones. Three children were already here, grinning. Two she'd seen before, as well as a teen who was now grinning and pointing at the ground at a girl he was bringing up delicately. Her eyes bulged at the ground and 'Rin shoved her hands forward, focusing more. A splash of tiny droplets of water rose higher than the wooden banner, followed by three more, making a feriocious roar of waves crashing and splattering back down towards the rags at 'Rin's feet. Those watching clapped and laughed, the girl squealed and then giggled in amazement. The youngest of the group jumped in amazement and 'Rin could already see more folks coming. She put on a smile. Oh, yes. Rider would be pleased.
    'Rin walked towards the sandbag border, laughing heartily. "Don't forget to bring your friends and leave a donation! I've got to eat somehow!"
    "Show us a trick, 'Rin!" came a cheering request from a familiar boy.
    "Alright, something new, then?" 'Rin came towards the boy whom had brought his girlfriend and squeezed the skin of fluid at her belt into her hand. The trickles of water rose and twisted and flowed into irregular channels like many bands twisting into a ball. "For someone new!" She tossed the boy a wink and extended the ball forward, presenting it to the girl. She was pretty, dark of skin with lilac eyes. Black hair framed her face and her family's crest, a bird flying in a dual circle, was pierced with tiny studs into her left cheek. She flushed a deep rose color and 'Rin's ball of water twisted and lengthened and the topmost droplets expanded and stretched into petals that bloomed and reflected a rainbow of colors into her eyes.
    'Rin offered it to the boy, and nodded, "Impress your lovely lady, Boy!" Flushing, the youth nodded and reached for the rose, but the moment his fingers clasped on it, it splashed to the floor and the elf spread her arms and frowned theatricly before laughing, "Ah, I guess it takes a certain hand, doesn't it?" 'Rin laughed again and as the rest of her audience began laughing with her, a sudden roar overwhelmed the sounds and a blaze from the neighboring arena drew everyone's suddenly silent attention towards the spot where a curtain had just been. Now, there was only a funnel of flames.
    'Rin yanked the cork out of a barrel, leaping the sandbag barrier and pushing through the crowd. A trail of thick watery rope was hovering behind her, extending as she went and the small gathering crowd of shocked onlookers parted slowly and stiffy for her to pass through. She wound the rope, summoning more and more fluid into a ball above her head that kept swelling. In seconds the barrel had been emptied and the elf readied to send the ball towards the now dwindling funnel. It looked more like a bonfire now.
    Suddenly the flames exploded outward, embers flying towards the walls of the arena the folk were now circled around and dying before they passed through. Startled, though, the onlookers took a step backward and 'Rin's ball of water splashed down on her head, soaking her leathers thoroughly and plastering her red curls to her head. A woman now stood where the funnel had been, a black mask and a smug grin adorning her face. 'Rin had been set to be angry, but now her feelings were suddenly terribly mixed.
    She was beautiful. Shiny white hair threatened to conceal some of her face which was pale and smooth, fair as fair could be. Delicate ears were pointed and adorned with hoops and rings that merely drew attention to the sparkling silver beads that hung in loops across her shoulders from the sleeves of a deep fiery orange top. She was, well, definately a woman, as that shirt clung in ways that made 'Rin's eyes bulge. A belt with several pockets and bags held a long matching skirt in place which was open from the topmosts of both thighs showing shapely legs in netted leggings and black sandals. 'Rin couldn't figure out how long she'd been sitting there watching her until she was picking up the coins left around her arena and removing her mask. 'Rin had been so busy watching her she had missed the whole show. The gathered people were dropping money and leaving, waving and smiling. Apparently it had been some sight.
    Still, she couldn't rip her eyes from her. It was like some dream and it had taken up.. the rest of the morning! Caravan was closing for the afternoon to prepare for its evening show! 'Rin hadn't made a dime and yet, she wasn't sure she really cared right now. She was already heading towards the woman before she found her face on the stones and the air out of her body. 'Rin hadn't realized she was that close to the edge of the arena.. she'd tripped on a sandbag. She groaned and found she was being turned over and pulled into the lap of an angel. Wide green eyes blinked up at the black mask that was being ripped off.
    "Holy Goddess, are you alright? Did you faint?" And 'Rin could only nod affirmatively, even though it wasn't true. Light blue eyes stared down into hers in concern, bluer than underwater flames. Sure they exist. How else to the merfolk stay warm? "Can you stand?" White hair was brushing across her forehead; it was the most amazing sensation she'd ever felt. 'Rin's stomach twisted and her heart raced. What was wrong with her? She tried to form words.
    "I .. are you hungry?" 'Rin most certainly wasn't.
    The angel smiled and lifted 'Rin so she could sit up and get to her feet. "A little. Are you paying or asking for a meal?" She leaned to pick up the last of the coins on the ground and 'Rin found herself blushing furiously. The view was enticing.
    'Rin was staring again and clenched her jaw in embarassment at the realization, turning redder.
    The other turned and the smile she wore faded to a look of unease. "Maybe you do need something to eat.. we.. we'll go to my place. I have fresh fowl to cook anyway. I'm Mary." She entended a hand, partially covered in black leather, faded but new.
    'Rin took it and found herself blushing again. "Mary.." came a voiceless breath and she took in a breath, "Ki'Rin. I'm Ki'Rin. I.. yes. I.. I'll help."
    Mary was already dumping her earnings into a bag and heaving it up with a grunt. "Well, come on then."
    'Rin's eyes bulged. You idiot! She dove forward and pulled at her bag, trying to heave it onto herself, "No! I.. I'll help you! Its ok!"
    She shrugged. An ice elf. She's.. an ice elf. Nopaline women..  here!
    'Rin followed helplessly. She couldn't take her eyes off this woman. What was wrong with her? 'Rin had never been the romantic type. Then again, she was breathtaking. And she was so nice!

    The sun was setting by the time 'Rin and Mary were eating. 'Rin had actually taken the liberty of cooking the birds for her and was glad for it. While it cooked, Mary had fallen asleep, having said she was only going to rest her eyes from the show (which 'Rin had yet to mention she had completely missed). But what was she doing here? A Nopaline this far from her country.. it was unheard of. It was obvious she hadn't been here long; her home wasn't completed. She had a canvas and sandbags to keep the wash of downhill water off of her belongings. She had thicker materials piled over boards for a makeshift bed, even. And when the time came to wake her, 'Rin must've watched her almost unnoticable breathing for several minutes before calling her name.
    Now was her chance to learn more about this ice elf, so far from home. And somehow, 'Rin had an uneasy feeling that she wouldn't learn the important parts this day. That feeling spoke of future heartbreak and sorrow, but 'Rin couldn't leave now. Couldn't let this woman out of her emerald green sight.

Her head fresh with stars, Mary threw herself gleefully onto her bedroll, stifling an excited giggle. Stars were pretty in the sky, but.. they glittered with emotion they could never possess unless they were shining in his eyes. And now? Now, she would have her moment, all to herself, with him for an evening. For weeks she had been questioning the obsessive fascination with him that had seemed to bubble inside her, but tonight, there was too much satisfaction, contentment. So much so, that there was no room for the usual, nagging doubt.

Mary made herself comfy in her bedsheets and padding, the makeshift bed she was using while her roof was completely filled in, and relaxed, slipping into sleep with amber brown eyes looking curiously at her behind shut lids.

~@~

It had only been moments before she found herself staring into a pearly white mist that was coalescing into shapes as she watched. Voices struck her ears before she could begin to discern anything visual.

"What do you know of what I seek?" the voice was masculine, smooth and would have been like soft butter on her ears had it not been for the tone with which anger flooded so readily it threatened to bleed her sensitive ears.

"I do not know what you seek.. I.. I only know what I have seen." It was a child. What on earth was this?

"Then what have you seen, Boy?" The voice hissed, apparently to the boy's discomfort, because he whimpered and sniffled.

"Images.. " There was a pause and then a loud crack, followed by the sharp intake of breath. "S-She is the bottle! She is the bottle within which your answer lies!" If he hadn't said boy, Mary wouldn't have know the child's gender, he was so young.

There was a bang, and Mary assumed a table or wall or other thick wooden object had been struck rather viciously. She strained against the fog that clouded the scene, but everytime she thought she could make out something, the fog shifted, blurring.

"Who is she?" The demand ravaged the air smoothly once more, angry and impatient.

"She is a white lady," came the child's reply.

"Yes! A white lady! But who?! Where is she!" Impatience but through the pearly mists and there was another loud crack.

Answering in sobs, the boy spoke up again, "No.. ! Please.. I.. don't know her. She is a white lady in the arms of death!"

Several objects clattered about in the empty visual she was looking at and the angry man spoke again, "Clean him up." There was no more rage, but impatience still pushed everything he said into an uncomfortable sound. "Feed him and lock him in his room again. Give him a treat of his choice within re.." The voice faded beyond her abilities of hearing and she squinted into the foggy mist.

Suddenly, the pearly glittering cloud parted, revealing the face of a child looming close in front of her, so close she could reach out and caress the angry purple and red scars that bubbled against his white skin, breaking his visage apart from his face in stark relief where glazed and sightless eyes fastened on her own gaze and locked it in place. He was silent for a while, and Mary couldn't help but examine his face, knowing the injuries about his eyes to be from burns, seeing from experience the damage fire can cause because of pyromancy for beginners.

"I am his slave," he spoke finally, and Mary jumped, having been immersed in examining his features, "but I am no enemy of yours. He must not have what he seeks. As you hear me, spies come to find you. Do not fear, for you will not be slain."

Finally, she spoke, surprised at the belief in her voice, "What? Why me? Whose spies? What do I have?"

Tears started to trickle down his partially scarred face, "He must not have it. They are looking for you." The mist suddenly darkened to near black in mere seconds, and he leaned forward, his nose almost touching hers, "Run, Girl! Now!"

~@~

Mary woke with a start, a cold sweat beading along her skin. Still in white linen, she stood, grasping a blanket and the garmets she had laid out for the next morning and leaving her tent without a second thought. She rushed, hurrying in the dark of early morning and down the streets until she found the inn. As her hand rested upon the handle of the door, she heard a distant crash in the direction she was coming from and slipped inside silently, fumbling for 'Rin's room clumsily and slipping inside. She'd be safe until morning.. right?

As she slipped into the bed, 'Rin moving aside so Mary had her own space on the smallish cot, Mary lie in the dark, looking up at the ceiling. A child's voice echoed ominously in the back of her mind, "They are looking for you.. !"

Dioma Statistics:
Elementalists Born per Breed:

72% of Ice Elves are born an elementalist:
Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Light, Dark, Temperate, Climate, Metal, Emotion, Knowledge, Memory

2% of Wood Elves are born an elementalist:
Air, Earth, Light, Dark, Climate, Metal, Knowledge, Memory

16% of Sea Elves are born an elementalist:
Water, Earth, Dark, Climate, Emotion, Knowledge

12% of the General Elf Populous are born an elementalist:
Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Metal

16 of Half Elves are born an elementalist:
Fire, Air, Light, Climate, Metal, Emotion

1% of Wraith are born an elementalist:
Air, Dark, Temperate, Emotion

4% of Humans are born an elementalist:
Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Temperate, Climate, Emotion, Memory

24% of Aquilians are born an elementalist:
Water, Air, Light, Dark, Temperate, Climate, Emotion, Memory

Thin fiery eyebrows shifted downward and concern flooded 'Rin's face, emerald eyes losing their luminance and creating a dull seriousness.  She took a step forward, shoulders tilting backward slightly while her chin bent lower and emphasizing the sudden change in emotion, those hands to capture Mary's shoulders and ensure her attention to what she was saying.
      
      "Mary, don't you understand?" 'Rin shook her head to emphasize the words as she spoke them, taking a glance to each of Mary's watery eyes as she did so, one of 'Rin's fiery curls threatening to spill into her face the whole while, "When I close my eyes.. when there's nothing left to see.. " The concern drained away in an instant and she stepped back again, hands raising to the sky as she closed her eyes, grinning like a child who had just been bathed in a rainbow.
      
      Her hands fell again, one hand landing on Mary's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze, those green eyes glittering and lighting on her face again, "..I still see you." Despite the smile, tears welled, toiling aggressively under 'Rin's control. "I could spend every moment from this day forward blind and it would be ok. I've seen your face, Mary; it'd be ok."
      
      Mary blinked, stepping forward as, when one tear managed to break free of Rin's eye, she seemed to crumble, arms sliding around Mary's waist as she fell to her knees with a muted sob. Mary caught her, hoping to keep her from hurting herself, but instead, she toppled backwards, landing firmly on her rear with a grunt.. "Rin.. " Rin's face was buried against the ice elf's waist. "Rin, what are you talking about?" Somewhere beneath Mary's own well-constrained demeanor, she found she was suddenly fighting down a boiling rage.
      
      Without warning, 'Rin let go of Mary. Her knees slid under her and the ice elf, alarmed, could do nothing but observe as 'Rin pushed Mary's knees down, straddled her thighs and muffled the oncoming protest with a kiss, those hardened hands grasping Mary's neck and pulling her into it. For a moment.. as 'Rin pulled back and stared tearfully into the ice elf's gaze, that boiling rage was silent. There was nothing.
      
      "I'm saying I see you, Mary. I'll always see you." 'Rin smiled through her tears, wiping them away with the back of her hand, "I love you. I've been.." she reached towards Mary's cheek, hidden under that soft white hair.
      Whatever had been keeping the anger, the frustration.. the pain.. down all this time since Mary had found reason to leave home suddenly broke. For a couple of seconds, there were only tears, hot tears rolling down her cheeks in buckets. Then 'Rin was scrambling away as the air around the ice elf began to waiver and burst into flame. She rose carefully to her feet, and Mary's clothing changed, mostly in color.. the bluish fabrics turning a sudden lava-like red, the silver undergarmet becoming translucent.
      
      As quickly as it had come, it faded, a cool mist of frost billowing from under her feet and enveloping, suffocating and extinguishing the flames that had burst from Mary's skin. Her clothing's colors even seemed to cool, as the lava-color faded from a fiery orange back to the teal it had been, the silver undergarmet visible again. Again, where there had been fury, there was now sloth, and the ice elf sunk to her knees.
      
      "You.. can't ..love me. There is nothing to love," as the fabrics in her clothing returned to their normal colors, her aqua eyes shut. Rin was rushing forward and Mary found herself collapsing into her arms.
      
      'Rin laughted nervously, "You've got to be kidding me."
      
      Mary lifted her head, tears still soaking her cheeks, "You asked me why I left home, 'Rin." She tried to relax into 'Rin's arms; she was suddenly exhausted, eyelids heavier than the world, "I'm dying, and there isn't much time." Mary dropped her cheek to 'Rin's shoulder, "That's why I left. That's why I'm here. That's why there is nothing to love."
      
      Ki'Rin could do nothing but stare down, holding something she, since she had met her, found herself having a hard time thinking she could live without.. and she was going to be have to be without. Disbelief, sometimes, is a very overwhelming thing.