Taymist

Not seeing how Wolfkin can do this either. First it's too close to TV and second they can't hide their affiliation given their eye colour.

Absolutely Lara, of course it is. ;D She's sitting with a WS of 3 right now, so needs some Dream training to progress. Can you recall who your mentor was or had you not been assigned one yet? I don't have any note of it.  :)

*huggles and passes a bowl of chili*

Rhya tried to relax as Owen brushed her hair but found it difficult as she adjusted to the new knowledge so rudely thrust upon her. Despite her inner assurances to herself, she was not nearly so certain that she could pretend nothing had changed. Thankfully, Owen provided a distraction by speaking of his past and his childhood and, as she listened, she became engrossed in picking out the undertones he was trying to hide with an almost monotone voice. There was pain and hurt, lonlieness too and tension.

He paused, handing her back the brush and she ran a hand over her hair, checking for tangles as she turned back to face him. She said nothing, merely waiting for him to continue, surprised by the sheer strength of the protectiveness she felt.

“But, despite all this, I did find people who would accept me for who and what I am, not just among our own folk, but outside the Wolfkin, they are there, it is just not that easy to find them, but they are out there.”

His voice trailed off leaving Rhya to wonder what had made him speak of such things.... what response he was looking for. Does he class me as one of these people? No, surely he would not see her as so blinkered. Then perhaps he's trying to reassure me? But that didn't sound altogether right either. She thought back over the past weeks, recalling her impression of him at their first meeting and the sadness she had sensed, images of him playing his flute on the balcony and relaxing one evening at the Inn. She remembered his patience when teaching, his concern over the safety of those in the Stedding, his empathy through her changes of moods, his gentle humour.... and then tamped down on her anger that people had treated such a man in a such a way.

Of their own volition, her fingers lifted, catching several strands of white hair. "Like snow," she murmured, then caught the slightly startled expression in Owen's eyes and flushed, looking away and dropping her hand as though burned. Strength comes from honesty my girl, she heard her Grandmother's voice distantly in her head, we each face our tests but it is how you face them that matters.

Her shoulders straightened at the thought. Hiding isn't honest. How can you expect trust if you hide what matters? Rhya raised her eyes again allowing her feelings to show. She need not speak of them but she need not lock them away either. Should they be recognised for what they were, then so be it. It was nothing to cause shame, rather the opposite. Content with her decision, she spoke quietly but firmly into the silence, her voice suffused with all the emotions the evening had brought, intent on wiping away any of that pain she could.

"Judgements prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances, Owen and preconceived notions are just locks on the door to any wisdom we might gain in this life.... chains forged by ignorance to keep men apart. A very wise lady once told me that if you judge people, you have no time to love them. If we all judged... the world would be a cold place, don't you think?" she paused, lifting her hand once more. "What matters... all that matters... is what is in here," she touched fingertips to Owen's temple, "and in here.." her palm lay flat against his heart. "The only person who can take your worth from you... is you. No-one else can do so.... unless you let them. Will you allow them do that still? Or will you accept who and what you are? It is not enough that others do so if you do not."

So caught up in what she was saying, Rhya didn't realised that her hand remained where she'd left it till she felt the steady hearbeat beneath her palm and self consciously withdrew it. Fool I may be, but an honest fool at least, she thought self-mockingly.

As the conversation swirled around her, Rhya surreptitiously surveyed the young man standing beside her whom she'd just greeted. His clothing was a colourful mish mash that she'd never seen before yet recognised instantly as a trademark of the Tuatha'an. She'd heard traders talk of them though, as far as she knew, her father had never had dealings with them.

The lad seemed shy and uncertain, clearly overwhelmed by his new surroundings, but he was polite and making an effort which was more than Rhya had done since she'd been brought to the Stedding. The thought shamed her until her common sense reasserted itself and reminded her that everyone dealt with change differently.

Taking a swallow from the tankard Blaeric had provided, her eyes caught sight of a second obviously new face. The poor girl looked miserable and very alone but was soon joined by another woman so Rhya returned her attention to the banter flowing between the Rangers and was soon laughing at their teasing and joking.

"Don't mind them Seth," she smiled at the slightly uncertain look on his face, feeling a sudden rush of empathy and spoke quietly. "This can be quite a lot to take in during your first few days. I take it you've just arrived today?" She resisted the itch in her fingers that wanted to brush the fall of shaggy brown hair out of his eyes. He was probably close to herself in years but had an innocence about him that made him appear younger. At his nod, she ignored the rush of homesickness she felt and told him, "I've only been here a matter of weeks myself. It does get easier though."

Taking another sip of ale, Rhya raised her voice again, "Well if there's going to be music it should be a lively night.... at least if you all stop arguing long enough to play!! Blaeric, if you're done choking to death, I need you to run another errand for me."

She smirked slightly as the man spluttered into his ale once more and drew him over near the door, whispering a few instructions and then rejoined the group while Blaeric left the building. At the look of curiousity on Owen's face, Rhya smiled complacently, her eyes laughing up at him, "There's no point having a servant if you don't put him to work, now is there?" 

Dae!!  :o You actually did it at last  :P lol. *hugs* Glad you joined us  ;D and look forward to seeing your Band bio, just started a Bander myself.

No problem sweetie, wasn't your fault. Thanks for being so quick.  ;D

No problem hun, I know you're busy.  ;)

Stop pondering lassie and just do it  :D you know you want to  ;) ;D

Hey guys, if you haven't been over to look at the Suras Project yet, then now is a good time. Discussion has started on the background and details of the "wolf related" group in the Suras world. Go check it out, make suggestions, write some RPs if you want. Your input and ideas will be welcomed.

You can find the thread HERE

and various other information about Suras on the same board.  :)

*chuckles* I hear ye Rae, keep expecting it myself  :D

Excellent, sounds good hun  ;D

Mine is unlimited thank heavens!! I don't think I could cope with watching what I use lol.

I've posted!! Come on guys, get over there and join in. Let's have some fun. :D

Rhya hadn't been sure what to make of the idea of spending an evening at the Hole in the Wall but for once the thought of company was actually welcome and she figured there would at least be some faces amongst those gathered that were newer than her own. She'd heard mention of recent arrivals and they were likely to feel as out of place as she had during her first week.

Thankfully there seemed no requirement to dress up. Owen had assured her of that before he left. This was no fancy dinner party such as her mother liked to attend but more a convivial gathering, a relaxing evening amongst friends. Not that she'd made any friends so far but from her walks around the Stedding she'd come to recognise a few people, had been introduced to one or two of the Rangers and had exchanged pleasantries with others. It made the evening to come at little less daunting.

Sitting in her room, surrounded by the faint smell of honey blossom from her earlier bath, Rhya's one concession for the occasion was to fasten her pendant round her neck and slip a pair of silver ear-rings into her ear lobes. The ear-rings were no gift as her pendant had been, but rather a purchase she'd made herself several years ago. Shaped like acorns and oak leaves, a tiny bell was cleverly concealed in each one, so that each step she made was accompanied by a delicate ringing that afforded her hours of amusement. Brushing her dark hair till it hung in a smooth sheet down her back, she was satisfied that she'd made all the preparations she could and hastily pulled on the pair of black knee high boots she'd cleaned earlier.

"Presentable," she murmured softly, checking herself over one last time before heading out to the balcony. The evening air was soft and mild, no need for a cloak. She didn't have far to walk and saw no point in carrying anything that she'd likely forget come the end of the night.

Making her way through the Stedding she saw others moving in the same direction and nodded greetings to those she recognised. Taking her time, she walked round the Infirmary, noting that for once it was not a hive of activity and followed the path towards the lake side where the Ogier-built watering hole sat, looking for all the world as though it was a part of the forest itself.

Rhya pushed open the door, her eyes scanning the interior, automatically searching for Owen and found him standing with two other Rangers just as her own arrival was noted.

“And here she is to collect her winnings now. Rhya, come over here, Blaeric has some good news for you that I am sure you will like.”

As Rhya joined them, Blaeric looked rather abashed and began his explanation of what had happened. Eyes twinkling, she laughed outright at the conclusion of his recitation.

"Then you'd be as well starting now. I seem to be short a drink," she commented with a grin, quirking an eyebrow at his slightly crestfallen expression. As he moved off to do her bidding, she transferred her attention to the rest of the large open room, taking in the other patrons and the general air of festivity. "Looks to be the start of a busy evening. Will there be music later?"

She almost missed the reply as the door opened again announcing more revellers.

Just bumping as a reminder for an FL CC.  :)

Aww ok sweetie. That's a really sucky system btw  :-X *hugs*

The bed dipped slightly under the new weight but still it took the gentle touch against her face to pull Rhya back from her encroaching slumber. All thought of sleep fled as she opened her eyes, caught and held by the intensity of Owen's stare and, somewhere in that moment, the warring emotions she’d been trying to understand clicked into place, coalescing into a tight ball of certainty that locked her breath tight in her throat.

She didn’t have a name for it, had never even experienced the like before. Somehow though, she knew it was vitally important, knew that any prospect of being without this man in her life was unbearable. It had crept up on her... taken her completely unawares.... slid under her skin and taken up residence. And now what could she do?

Nothing, the word popped into her mind with extraordinary clarity. There was no reason to think it would ever be reciprocated. She was just another Wanderer to be taught... a friend at best... maybe even family in a way... but anything more? Rhya couldn’t see it. It would have to be her secret. She would deal with it.

Owen’s softly spoken words finally registered somewhere but she was too distracted by the slight edge of vulnerability to his voice to react immediately, taken up with sorting her own thoughts and studying the face before her almost in wonder.

Eventually, realisation dawned that the silence had stretched long enough and a response was needed. Pushing herself  to a sitting position, Rhya smiled faintly and turned her back.

I can do this. I can live with it. I just need to be strong. Her fingers closed round the pendant at her throat, thinking of her Grandmother, one of the strongest people she’d known. Life is so strange. The words came at last.

"Will you brush my hair please?"

You'll need to apply to the BT Division Leader for a Talent, I'd think.

Thanks Raeyn.  ;D

*laughs* you can retro RP anyway Jehaine so any of you new folk can still feel free to join in.  :)

*pokes Erik* does that mean you'll be there too? Hmm?  :D

*goes to poke Kara*

It's not forgotten Tiggy, I did PM Kura about it but he's kinda disappeared again and I had no reply. I believe the Admins are working on a solution so bear with us hun.  :) Appreciate your patience *huggles*

Definitely, count me in!!  :D

Me likey!! Much easier and more logical *puts White hat away*  ;D

Wenches? Well at least he isn't addressing us as ladies I suppose.

Elynde had to suppress a smile at the thought. No-one in their right mind would mistake her for a lady. As the first recruit finished his moves, she looked him over a second time with slightly more interest, appreciating the danger his dagger could pose to the unwary if they focused overly much on the rapier. An intriguing combination but not one she'd place money on if the opponent had a longer reach and a heavier weapon.

Still... with speed and accuracy... the thought trailed away as the woman beside her moved forward, shooting an almost beseeching glance in Elynde's direction. She knows little of swords that one. The woman's moves were hesitant and choppy. One good blow and the blade would be out of her hands.

She transferred her attention to the Sergeant, noting the impassive expression on his face as he watched the displays from the recruits and wondering how many of those he'd taught had learned enough to survive over the years.

The woman bowed to Ronas and stepped back. My turn then. Elynde slowed her breathing and moved out onto the empty circle of sand, taking up a standard guard stance, her weight evenly balanced just as she'd been taught. She did nothing fancy or unusual, her skill wasn't up to that and she knew it. Simplicity was better than over reaching your own ability. All that had mattered in her training thus far was to be able to hit your target and not get hit yourself... or at a minimum, not fatally.

Slash low to high, reverse, block, thrust, parry, keep the blade moving.... Elynde slid through her usual basic practice moves with a flexible but firm grip on the hilt, feeling her muscles loosen up with the exercise. Finally, returning to a guard stance, she came to a halt and moved back to her earlier place and awaited the scathing remarks that were sure to follow.

8 posts completed for Arrival thread.  :)

More than a little bemused by the Accepted's words and mannerisms, Kiyi dipped yet another hasty curtsy to Melianna as she hastened out of the room, exchanging confused glances with Esther at the same time.

Once the woman had gone, the silence stretched uncomfortably. Kiyi was unwilling to be the one to break it having, in her opinion, done more than enough talking for one day. Esther appeared to be as ill at ease as she was herself and just about as thrilled to find she had a room mate.

Well, we'll just have to make the best of it. It's not as if they're going to ask us what we prefer! she thought, deciding to make an effort as Esther spoke into the quiet of the room.

“Good evening … Kiyissalle. Uhm … don’t worry about the … mess. We can put our things away now, and maybe go to supper after that? I think that was the dinner bell that just went.”

"Indeed so Esther, that sounds like a sensible plan and please, call me Kiyi," she responded politely with a warm smile, her social training taking over in such an awkward situation. "I'm not terribly hungry to be truthful, mostly tired. We had a very long journey to get here. Have you travelled far from home yourself?"

Kiyi moved delicately to her side of the room, hastily straightening the bed sheets and shaking out the dress she'd left on the floor before folding it neatly on the chair in the corner. It was so tempting to just collapse. Sleep was beckoning strongly now.