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Messages - Calluna

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Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 28, 2009, 09:42:39 am »

It was a last doubt of mine until some days after the wedding, and I began to wonder whether I'd really made the right decision, marrying her when I didn't have a clue how to go about being married. That particular day, we were at the lakeside, just outside Gugrontid, wrapped in the Ulbernaut fur we'd received as a wedding gift. We'd been talking about swimming lessons, and how Nolthrir usually dress, and I'd gradually grown more uncomfortable without realising it. I felt as though I'd failed her in some way, with my utter cluelessness about what exactly it was married couples did. Then, she turned to me, wrapped the fur more snugly around us both, pulled me down alongside her, and murmured 'Now... about the difference between Dermorians and Nolthrir...'

A long time afterwards, as the Crystal started to brighten, I woke up, peering down at her sleeping face where it lay against my shoulder, and I knew that my doubts were all over. Whatever one of us didn't know, the other could teach.

The End.

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 28, 2009, 09:41:25 am »

We stepped out on the small wooden pier over the underground lake together, arm in arm, as Giroum lit a small camp fire with the candle on the end of his staff. He opened the ceremony by greeting everyone, and then began to speak, his voice calm and steady. 'Thank you all for coming here today for this most happy of occasions. We are gathered here to witness the marriage of Zephan Cystennin and Calluna Shuuri. The couple have prepared their wedding vows, but first I would like to say a few words.' I heard some whispers from a few of the guests, but other than that, all was silent, Giroum's voice echoing in the cavern we stood in.

Zephan seemed to have his eyes glued on me, just as mine were glued on him. I remember Giroum's words with real clarity, but it felt almost as though nobody was present except for Zephan and I. The emotions threatened to bubble up and make me cry from simply standing there, and I had the fleeting thought that my throat would be too tight to speak my vows. In the meantime, Giroum was still speaking, his tone serious. 'Matrimony is a righteous estate, ordained by the gods unto the fulfilling and perfecting of the love of man and woman in mutual honour and forbearance. The faith of one to the other and the hallowing of the home. It is not by any to be taken into lightly or thoughtlessly, but reverently, in the presence of loved ones and the gods.'

After such serious words, Giroum's voice seemed to take on a kindlier tone, as though he was smiling. He may well have been, but my eyes never left Zephan's face. 'Having known Zephan for some time now,' Giroum continued, 'and since he introduced me to the fair Calluna, I have every confidence - as I'm sure you all do - that they have naught but the deepest love and reverence for each other.' There was a short pause, and I heard someone whispering the word 'beautiful...' but little more. Then, Giroum spoke up again. 'Please, Zephan, read your vows.' At those words, Zephan turned to face me, his eyes brimming over with emotion. He held a written copy of his vows in one hand, but while he spoke, his eyes never left mine.

'My beloved Calluna... words will never be enough to express how much I truly love you, but this I vow: To you I will always be faithful, and my continuous and lasting devotion is yours until the very end; Through good and bad, time has only proven how we are meant to be together, and to spend the rest of my life with you is a duty and destiny I gladly accept with all of my heart.' He smiled gently at me, and my heart almost burst with love. I took a deep breath in readiness, trying to summon a last bit of calm as Giroum said, 'And Calluna, please now read yours.' Somehow, I managed to keep my voice steady as I looked into Zephan's eyes, reciting the vows I'd written just a day or two before.

'Zephan, when we were young, I was blessed with your friendship. Your hand in mine gave me the courage to grow, your gentle spirit soothed my tempestuous one. I would seek out your hand in mine, knowing without knowing that it was the one thing which made me whole. When we parted, and you came to the Dome, I held my own hand, remembering your hand in mine, and longing for it to be there once more. I followed you here, not knowing if you would take my hand ever again. Today, we are here to be wed. I vow to love you as I always have and always will. All I ask in return is that you keep my hand in yours, where it has always belonged.' Zephan nodded, just once, knowing exactly what the meaning was behind my words, and then smiled at me as I let out a small sigh, relieved to have managed to speak them.

Giroum gave another short pause, and then asked us both for the written copy of our vows. Taking them from us, he wrapped each piece of parchment around a night mushroom, and dripped prayer oil over the bundles. Reciting a soft prayer, he placed both vows into the small fire he'd lit at the start of our ceremony, then took out a small scoop, watching the fire intently for a few moments. Once the vows had been turned to ashes in the flames, he collected the ashes in the scoop, and walked back over to us, pouring some ashes into our hands and saying, 'Scatter these ashes, with your vows in mind, where you deem fit.'

Zephan led me to the side of the small pier, and began scattering the ashes along the bank of the lake. I followed his actions, smiling with approval. Our vows would rest where water met land, a fitting place for a Nolthrir bride and a Dermorian groom. Once we were done scattering, we returned to the centre of the pier, awaiting the closing moments of the ceremony. Giroum gave another short pause, smiling, and then said, 'Now, please exchange rings.' Zephan placed the ring he'd had engraved for me onto my finger first, and then I performed the same action with the ring he'd had engraved for himself, and given to me for safekeeping. I saw Giroum bow his head out of the corner of my eye, and then he said, 'In the name of our lord Laanx I do now pronounce you husband and wife. Bless you both.'

We stood there smiling at one another for several moments, I think, because eventually someone, Lhaa I think, muttered 'Now's when you kiss her.' I turned to smile at the crowd, unsure of who had spoken, and then, all of a sudden, I felt a tiny bit of mischief was in order! I turned to Zephan as he leaned in to kiss me, and wrapped my arms quite firmly around his neck, making sure he couldn't pull away without lifting me off my feet! His arms circled around me out of instinct as his lips met mine, and I put every ounce of what I felt for him into that one kiss, forgetting where we were, who stood there watching, everything. I couldn't tell you how long that kiss lasted, but we were both a little breathless when we finally parted!

I looked up at Zephan as he whispered 'I love you...', his face still reddened in the deepest of blushes, though he gave me an amused little smile. I replied, 'I love you too, dearest...always have.' and smiled at him. He beamed in return as people began shouting their congratulations and clapping. Thinking back, I'm very glad he managed to remain calm enough to thank first Giroum, and then our assembled guests, because at that moment, my emotions rose in another wave, rendering me speechless, and making my legs shake. Once he'd thanked everyone, he simply turned to me, smiling in understanding, and then, he did the one thing he knew would calm me enough to allow me to walk with him off the pier. For the first time as my husband, he wrapped my hand in his, and I finally felt completed, as though I'd come home.

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 28, 2009, 09:40:39 am »

Throughout the entire ceremony, I couldn't take my eyes off Calluna, even if I'd wanted to. My realisation had shocked me to the very core, and I felt I didn't know the first thing about being a husband to this beautiful creature. All my imaginings of our life together seemed somehow inadequate, and I found myself falling in love with her all over again, even as we spoke our vows to one another, and exchanged rings. I knew that her quicksilver nature and her tiny stature would always make her appear more girlish than she actually was, and I found myself adoring that about her, that she could still appear child-like in her actions, charming even me into treating her like a little princess. There was nothing remotely childish about the way she kissed me after the ceremony, though, and I found myself blushing. I worried whether I'd manage to be a good husband to her, now all the rules seemed to have changed.

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 27, 2009, 09:28:52 pm »

The day of the ceremony finally dawned, and with it, I finally began to grow a little apprehensive. Zephan seemed to have grown suddenly calm, though, and seemed to have everything planned quite precisely. It was a long walk to our chosen location, and we'd decided to make the journey together with our guests, rather than leaving them to make their way there without us. Giroum had gone on ahead the previous day, to give him time for a slower pace, and to set up the site before we arrived. I don't remember too much about the walk, other than how excited and nervous I really was. It felt like I'd explode, and I could barely keep myself from squealing giddily, like I would have when I was a little girl. This was it! In a few hours, we'd be married!

Once we arrived, the guests who'd travelled with us moved directly to the underground lake we'd chosen to hold the wedding at. Only Garosan remained, a bodyguard of sorts, as rogues liked to travel through some of the tunnels. It was time for us to change into our outfits. I insisted on Zephan going to change first, so that my outfit had maximum impact on him... I can be rather mischievous when I set my mind to it. As he emerged from the tiny side cave we'd decided to use as a changing area, I could see that my trust in Lhaa's skills weren't misplaced. Zephan was in the most gorgeous silk suit I think I've ever seen, earth brown with green trim, and gold painted vines. It was all I could do to tell him how wonderful he looked! I just wanted to -stare- at him for a day or two!

I think that I managed to collect myself fairly well, under the circumstances. After all, we were there to be married, not stare at one another like a pair of statues! It was my turn to change into my outfit, and as I stepped into the side cave, a wave of nerves hit me in a rush, as I wondered whether Zephan would really like what I'd be wearing. It was all I could do to get into the gown without damaging the delicate fabric of it. I did finally manage to dress, though my hands were shaking so badly by the time I'd done, I had to lean on the cave wall for a few minutes to steady myself before stepping back outside. As it turned out, I really need not have worried for an instant.

I walked back through the vines that overhung the side cave mouth, still rather shaky, but taking care not to snag my gown on anything. As I approached Zephan and Garosan, I drew myself up to my full height, summoning a little courage, and turned this way and that, asking 'What do you think, love?' Zephan's reaction was more than I could have ever hoped for. He just stood there, his hand to his mouth, blushing furiously. Perhaps I should explain. I was barefoot, and wearing a tightly fitting sea green gown, the bodice made of darker silk leaves, very low cut and wispy looking, with a vine extending from my shoulder to my wrist on the left arm. The sides of the gown were split right up to the thigh, and painted with the same gold designs as Zephan's suit. He seemed rather... stunned by it, and it took the cold flat of Garosan's sword on the back of his neck to make him stop staring at me and realise we had a wedding to attend!

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 27, 2009, 09:28:11 pm »

The day we'd chosen for the ceremony seemed to arrive faster than I'd expected, and the journey there seemed to be shorter than I ever remember it being. We'd arrived, and the guests were settled in quick time, leaving Calluna and I to change. She insisted I go first, wanting her gown to have maximum impact, and then, once I'd emerged wearing my silk suit, she ducked into the small cave we'd decided to use as a dressing room. It seemed to take forever for her to change clothes, and I was beginning to wonder if she was having a last minute attack of nerves. Just as I was about to start forward, intending to go and see if she was alright, the vines parted, and she stepped through them, walking up to stand before me, a small smile on her face. The sight of her stunned me into the realisation that I'd been treating her almost like a child, hitting me full force and making me speechless. This was no little girl! Her figure, though slight, was that of a fully grown adult, and a breathtaking, heartbreakingly beautiful woman, at that. I just stared at her, unable to believe what I was seeing, and it wasn't until Garosan placed the cold flat of his sword on the back of my neck that I even partially regained my senses. Even then, I barely managed to offer Calluna my arm, and walk her through to the underground lake.

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 25, 2009, 10:10:28 am »

Just after I'd accepted Zephan's marriage proposal, we met with another Nolthrir named Lhaa, who was to make our wedding outfits. I felt slightly sorry for Zephan as I stood on the chair to be measured. There was much whispering between Lhaa and I regarding my dress, and my poor love seemed rather suspicious. You can't blame a girl for wanting to look her absolute best though, can you? I think Zephan was more than a little perturbed about our discussion of the tailoring, especially when it was suggested that everything be nice and tight, to show off our respective figures. He's such a private person, I don't think it occurred to him to show off in front of his friends a little. He did let me make most of the decisions though, bless him, and after we were done, he didn't really ask -too- many questions, though he did keep giving me suspicious glances for a while when he thought I wasn't looking.

Things seemed to be getting organised at quite a pace by now. Zephan's friend Giroum had agreed to perform the ceremony, we'd decided on a location, the outfits were ordered and being made, and Zephan had quite neatly taken the issue of food out of my hands, sneaking off to prepare things whenever I was sleeping. I did get to make the tinga tea, yes, but other than that, I don't think I laid a finger on any cooking tools before the wedding. People did keep asking whether we were nervous, as I recall, but I'd quite honestly never felt so calm in my life. Perhaps it is the groom who has the nerves, rather than the bride. Either way, I was so sure that this was what I truly wanted that nervousness never even entered the picture.

A couple of days before the ceremony was due to take place, we had one more visit with Lhaa, who wanted us to try on our outfits. The fit of my gown was quite simply perfect, and the detailing exquisite, and exactly what I'd requested. Zephan seemed keen to attend while I had my final fitting, but both Lhaa and I insisted he didn't see my gown until the day. I'm not sure he understood why, but he seemed happy to comply with our wishes, sitting in the bar with Aiwendil until I was done changing into and out of the gown. After we'd both tried on our outfits, Zephan looked ever so slightly pink around the ears. I think he was a little embarrassed by how showy his outfit was, in truth, though he didn't actually say so. I was confident he'd look wonderful in it, having seen how beautiful my gown was, and how well made.

We spent the next couple of days in Hydlaa, rather than rushing around. It was important to be well rested for the ceremony, after all. The last thing I wanted was for either of us to fall asleep mid wedding. Zephan seemed to be a little restless, and growing more nervous by the hour. I, on the other hand, used those few quiet days to really think about what I wanted to say to him when it came time to make vows to one another. It was a mammoth task. No words could ever adequately describe what I feel for Zephan. They haven't been invented, and they never will be. I began growing frustrated, not knowing what to say to him that I hadn't already said. Eventually, I went to buy a blank book, and started writing anything that came into my head, hoping to hit on what I wanted to say to him.

I filled the entire book with useless nonsense, near enough, and I suddenly decided I was just going to say whatever popped into my head at the time, not the best solution, perhaps, but the only one my brain could come up with so close to the ceremony. I hadn't realised that I'd flung the book away until Zephan went over and picked it up, placing it into my lap carefully, and gently folding my hand into his. That's when it hit me. Whenever I got frustrated, upset, hurt, angry.... Zephan would just calmly take my hand in his... and every time he did, it brought me peace, clarity, and a sense of being complete. With that feeling, I knew exactly what I wanted my vows to be, and wrote them down on the last page of my little book.

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 25, 2009, 10:09:37 am »

It fell mostly to me to get things organised for the wedding. Calluna was still unfamiliar with who the best tradesmen were, and she didn't know anyone well enough to go around inviting people. I was determined to change that, however, and spent the next few weeks introducing her to everyone I knew. Giroum was first, of course, as I wanted to ask him to perform the wedding ceremony. I was a little ashamed of myself, actually, because as soon as I introduced the two of them, I felt an insatiable urge to show Calluna off like some prize. I wanted to show everyone how happy she made me, and prove to her how glad I was she was in my life after those six years of separation. We visited with almost everyone I knew, and my instinct was the same, each and every time. I'd take a slight step back, and allow her to take centre stage, beaming from ear to ear as people complimented her on her beauty and made her blush.

One person did curb this urge in me somewhat. The dressmaker, Miss Lhaa, seemed to be a little too keen to discuss how tight my pants ought to be, making me a little nervous, and when Calluna stood there for her fitting, there was a lot of whispering between the two of them, and a lot of pointed glances in my direction. I know my love, and I knew she was up to something, but no amount of suspicious glances at her yielded any information as to what. She'd simply smile, and say 'You'll see!' Once the fittings were done, I carried on with the rest of the preparations for the ceremony, taking Calluna out to choose a suitable location, organising the food, and paying a Kran to act as waiter on the day. When everything was finally ready, I began to grow slowly more apprehensive, wondering what exactly it was Calluna and Miss Lhaa had cooked up between them. A few days later, we went for our final fittings, and although I tried to enter the room while Calluna tried on her gown, both she and Miss Lhaa ushered me back out of the room again. If my suit was anything to go by, then Calluna's gown would be a work of art.

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 24, 2009, 10:37:10 am »

The next few days were a different kind of blur. We still travelled back and forth, completing errands and picking up new ones, only now, my hand was wrapped warmly in his again, and we spent hours sitting in the grass, just enjoying being close to one another again. We were walking through Hydlaa one morning, on our way out to Ojaveda, when he said he had something to ask me. “Ask away!” I said, but instead of doing so, he mumbled something about the location not being nice enough. We set out for Ojaveda as planned. My curiosity kept getting the better of me, and I started badgering Zephan to ask whatever it was he wanted to ask. He kept on refusing, with the same excuse, that the location wasn't nice enough. After a while of walking, it suddenly dawned on me what he wanted to ask, and I almost slapped myself for being so dumb!

We walked for a little while longer. All the while, my brain was churning, trying to think of how I could get Zephan to ask his question. We hadn't gone far when I heard myself say, 'You know, when you -do- ask that question, I think you'll get the answer you're hoping for...' GAH! How horribly mawkish! The thought still makes me blush, even now! Regardless of how ridiculous I think I sounded, it seemed to relax Zephan, who had been looking rather pensive for a mile or two. Finally, we stopped by the shore of a lake, and took a side trip around it. Even though I'd figured out what Zephan's question was, it still stole my breath away when he dropped to one knee, right there, and asked me to marry him. I barely managed to reply, and I'm not sure, but I think I might have cried.

Between all the training and wedding preparations, both Zephan and I seemed to be permanently tired, falling asleep wherever we'd set up camp practically as soon as we'd unrolled the ulbernaut furs. Life seemed to consist of appointments and sleep, with a little training thrown in just in case we weren't quite tired enough. Though we were exhausted, I was probably happier than I had been for years. Not only was I learning many things and growing strong for my small size, I was about to be married to the only person I'd even consider as a life mate. Life took on a sweetness I hadn't experienced, even as a child, and every small thing Zephan and I did together seemed strangely momentous, our combined joy imprinting our actions on my memory easily.

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 24, 2009, 10:36:28 am »

It was as though the six years apart hadn't happened. No matter what we were doing, Calluna's hand would find a way to sneak into mine, usually accompanied by her sidling closer to rest her head on my shoulder, if we weren't walking or running. I found myself treating her like I always had done, without any conscious effort. It felt like we were children again, wandering off on a big adventure, her hiding behind me when things seemed a little scary. I was so proud of how well her training was going. She took to sword craft well, and was improving her cooking skills whenever we passed through Ojaveda. I made sure she was always safe, and that I was always there when she needed me, like the protective older brother figure I'd always been when we were young.

Her training was taking us further and further afield, so it was several days between our visits to Hydlaa. I'd placed an order with a jeweller during our last visit, and while she slept before a planned trip to Ojaveda, I visited him again, to pick up the ring I'd had made for her. Now I had enough savings to support us both, and I wanted to ask if she would marry me, just like I'd vowed to myself all those years before. By the time she woke, I was so excited I blurted out that I had a question to ask her, before I could stop the words tumbling from my mouth. Inwardly I cursed myself. I'd so wanted it to be a surprise, and to choose some pretty location. Now, I'd roused her insatiable curiosity, and I spent the whole trip to Ojaveda dodging her wanting to know what I was going to ask her, my nerves growing more and more each time, wondering what her reply would be. Then, as we were climbing one of the hills, she stopped dead in her tracks, and smiled. 'You know, when you -do- ask that question, I think you'll get the answer you're hoping for...' she said, tilting her head to look up at me. It felt like a spring had unwound within me, and I relaxed. All that was left to do was to find someplace suitable to ask her. It suddenly occurred to me that I'd been invited to a wedding a while back, at the Lake of Stealth. With that thought, I knew that I would be taking her there to ask my question. We'd been travelling most of the day, and I knew she was growing tired, but I didn't dare stop. I wanted to be there by the time the Crystal started to darken.

As it turned out, we made it there slightly beforehand, and so, I slowed my pace, wandering around the banks of the lake, telling her that my friends had chosen this spot to exchange their vows. As the light began to fade, casting that brilliance which makes every colour shimmer, I turned to her, and took her hands in mine. All of a sudden, I was very nervous, and had to clear my throat before I could begin speaking. 'Calluna...' I said, watching her smile nervously, and taking in a deep breath before I continued, 'The moment I saw you again at the Bronze Doors, I believe it was a sign... I don't really have the words to describe fully what I'm feeling, but I know I love you... and looking back, I always have.' With that, I sank slowly to one knee, retrieving the ring from my belt pouch, and looking up at her, feeling rather shy, for some reason. 'Will you marry me?' I asked, opening my hand to reveal the ring. For a moment, she looked as if she was going to cry, but instead, she gasped in a breath, and whispered, 'I love you too... and yes... of course I will!' She held out her hand, and I gently slid the ring onto her finger, leaping up to hug her tightly and croak out 'Thankyou!', blinking back a scatter of tears.

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 23, 2009, 03:17:39 am »

That night, Zephan took me to the Secret Garden, setting up a few blankets for me to bundle up in, and telling me he'd stand watch while I slept. Although my mind was reeling, I must have been more tired than I thought, because the next thing I remember is being shaken awake by him just after dawn. The last thing I wanted to do at that point was to face an entire day of being with him, especially now he'd admitted to having a 'special someone'. I wanted to crawl into a dark corner and hide, but I knew, deep down, that I couldn't, that I needed his help. And so, I followed where he led for over a week, doing the tasks he pointed me towards, speaking to trainers and people who needed jobs doing. It went by in a blur, and I'd almost forgotten him mentioning his mystery girl because of how busy we were, running back and forth.

Another day, another journey back and forth. I was growing stronger daily, and I'd managed to save a little money to cover basic expenses. I counted through my tria, deciding I had enough saved to be able to strike out on my own. Although we'd fallen into a more amicable silence by then, I still didn't want to become a burden, nor did I want to be anywhere near Zephan when he finally did pluck up the courage to tell his girl how he felt about her. I kept badgering him about telling her, and he kept mumbling about it not being the time or the place. As the days wore on, I noticed a different, softer look on his face, as though he'd come to some momentous decision. We began talking as we used to, though I felt reluctant at first. It was after I'd noticed this look on his face that I decided to ask him more about his mystery girl, what she looked like, what kind of person she was. Little did I know that I was about to get the shock of my life.

Zephan seemed a little reluctant to describe the object of his affections, skirting around the issue when I asked, or giving me a vague impression of the kind of person she was. After several conversations like this, I think I'd asked once too many. He sighed heavily, and refused to answer me. I decided to stop pressing the issue, after all, I had no real claim on his life, and no real right to know one way or the other. Oddly, this decision brought me a strange sort of peace. An acceptance, if you like. We carried on with our tasks, running back and forth, and I finally felt able to continue on, with Zephan as the dearest of childhood friends, guiding me as I learned my way around the Dome.

It would have been one or two days after I'd made peace with myself when we arrived back into Hydlaa. Zephan had his own errands to run, and had left me to sleep at Kada-El's, a bit more confident that I could handle myself, should any trouble start. When I woke up, the first thing I saw was Zephan, sporting a grin I hadn't seen him wear in years, a bunch of flowers in his hand. He gave me the most heart-meltingly boyish smile, and I think he even blushed a little. 'Look!' he said, 'I have flowers for her! I'm going to tell her how I feel today!' I couldn't be anything but happy for him, looking at the pure joy in his face, and I told him I'd be in the Arena, training, so he could find me afterwards, and tell me how it went. He said he'd walk me there before meeting his girl, ever the gentleman, so I quickly got ready to leave, not wanting to hold him up now he'd made his mind up to tell her.

We left Kada-El's a few minutes later, and aimlessly sauntered towards the long staircase. Well, -I- aimlessly sauntered. Zephan, on the other hand, was practically floating off the ground in excitement, his good mood infectious. I just hoped that his girl wouldn't break his heart, seeing how happy she made him. We started down the stairs, but just as we rounded the corner, Zephan stepped in front of me, making me stop suddenly so as not to bump into him. I was about to tell him to watch where he was going, and step out of his way, but he turned to face me, beaming sunnily and holding out the bunch of flowers. 'These are for you.' he said, a catch of emotion in his voice.

I was totally, completely stunned into speechlessness! There -was- no mystery girl! He hadn't found someone else, or even -thought- about finding anyone else! Before, he'd spoken of how his parents had ordered him to leave, and that he'd worked at being a hunter, saving every spare tria until he had enough put aside to sweep his girl off her feet utterly. At that moment, he could have been penniless. He'd already managed to sweep me off my feet, right then and there. Truth be told, he'd already managed that particular feat many years earlier, and I wouldn't have cared one bit if he'd still been penniless. I stood there, flowers in hand, beaming from ear to ear, the heartache of those six long years melting away for good.

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 23, 2009, 03:16:29 am »

Over the course of several weeks, I took her from city to city, pointing out the well paying jobs, and taking her to visit the best trainers under the Crystal. She never knew it, but I waited until she slept, slipping extra tria into her pouch so she never ran out of training money. I'd offered to give the cash needed to her, but she wouldn't accept it, telling me she didn't want my charity. On our journeys, she took to quizzing me about the special girl in my life, and I found that I was oddly reluctant to admit that it was her. Instead, I mumbled vagueries, trying to deflect her from her questioning. After a while, she simply stopped asking. She began to smile more often, and the mood between us improved drastically. Hope began to flower in my chest again, that maybe she'd figured things out on her own, but as the days wore on, it seemed as though she'd reverted to being my friend, and nothing more. I decided that I had to tell her, and tell her soon, before she grew strong enough to survive on her own, and slipped away from me again.

When we arrived back in Hydlaa, she looked drawn and tired, and I insisted she went to Kada-El's to get some sleep, not wanting her to over extend herself. She readily agreed, and flopped on the bed already asleep, leaving me to arrange the covers over her. Looking down at her sleeping face, I couldn't stand to wait any longer. There was never going to be a 'right time' to tell her the truth, and I'd tortured myself for long enough. If she didn't want to be with me, I didn't care. I just had to know, one way or the other. I took another long look at her sleeping face, and went out to gather some flowers for her. She should always have flowers, I thought to myself, remembering the little wooden frame I'd made for her so long ago. When I'd got a good bouquet together, I went back upstairs at Kada-El's, to wake her up. As I climbed the stairs, I suddenly felt rather mischievous. Today I'd tell her the truth, yes... but not before making her think I had someone else first.

As I opened the door to her room, I heard her stir in her sleep, and instead of waking her, I sat down in the chair opposite the bed, waiting for her to wake of her own accord. She sat up, rubbing her face in the most endearing, child-like manner, and her gaze wandered from me to the bouquet I was holding. I felt my cheeks turn pink, but it was too late to back out now. 'Look!' I said, 'I have flowers for her! I'm going to tell her how I feel today!' She smiled, a wonderful, beaming smile that melted my heart, and almost made me admit the truth to her on the spot, and then told me she'd go and train in the Arena, so she wasn't in my way. I told her I'd walk her there before handing over the flowers, then went back outside, to give her a chance to freshen up in privacy.

She emerged a few minutes later, wearing the armour I'd given her, her curls fastened back so she could wear her helmet, and gave me another smile. Rather than saying anything, I walked outside, then down the stairs, with her following. All of a sudden, I couldn't wait any longer. The 'right time' had come! I stepped in front of her, and turned to face her, holding out the flowers. She stared at me, completely confused, and a little annoyed that I'd blocked her path. 'These are for you.' I said, offering her the bouquet. My heart seemed to leap into my throat as I said it, causing my voice to catch. I held my breath, waiting for her to respond, not knowing what her reaction would be, not daring to hope for any sign that she still had feelings for me, and then... she took the flowers from me, a brilliant smile lighting up her face. I let out the breath I'd been holding, and returned the smile, knowing, without a word needing to be said, that everything was going to be alright.

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 22, 2009, 01:24:38 pm »

To say Zephan was surprised to see me would be a huge understatement. He just -stood- there, staring at me like I was a ghost. In a way, I suppose I was. The teenager he'd abandoned in his home village, standing in front of him as an adult, six years after he'd walked away in the middle of the night. He didn't appear to know what to say, so I quickly delivered my message, fully intending to leave directly afterwards. But then he uttered the dreadful phrase 'We need to talk.' After so many years, and so many conversations, that simple little phrase tore me in two. I wanted to run as far and as fast as my legs would carry me, but I longed for the way we used to sit and talk for hours, forgetting anything but our conversation. Begrudgingly, I agreed to talk to him, and after the celebration had finished, he led me to the nearest quiet spot.

As soon as we'd set out, the years of trying to hide from Kellan without him there boiled up inside me, and instead of sitting and talking, I lit into him with anger, hissing and shouting like the worst kind of fishwife. I screamed, cried, threw a tantrum, and through it all, he was quiet, his face growing more and more pained and sad. I don't know how long I vented my frustrations on him for, but by the time I was finished, I was actually tired, as though I'd physically thrown each word at him. And still, he was silent and sad, waiting for me to finish ranting. Finally, I fell silent too, my anger dissipating as I saw how sad I'd made him. We sat in silence for a while, but not the comfortable silence of before. For the first time ever, I actually felt uncomfortable in his presence. I couldn't wait to leave.

After I had calmed down enough to speak in a normal tone of voice, I asked him if he planned on visiting his parents, to reassure them. He sighed, and said he would, then asked what I planned to do. I told him I would be leaving, to try and find my own way in the world. He looked indescribably sad, and for a moment, I almost regretted what I'd said. I almost blurted out that I never wanted to leave his side again, but the thought of our six years apart stopped me. He was a fully grown man when he'd left, and I was just a silly teenager. Obviously he'd have moved on, and after all, we'd only ever shared one single kiss, brief, and easily forgotten. He insisted on escorting me to Hydlaa, where I'd be safe, and find work. I agreed to this, thinking he'd leave me at some inn, and that then I could try to build a life from nothing, and move forward, even if I'd never truly move on.

We took the journey to Hydlaa in easy stages, Zephan insisting on regular breaks so I could sit and rest. Although I didn't let him know it, I was grateful for those breaks. It seemed the hunter's life suited him, and he was far fitter than he'd been when he still lived in the village, easily outstripping me in stamina. We talked as we walked, and as we rested, and I found out that he'd managed to build himself a decent life in the city, and had made friends with several people. The knowledge made me uneasy, and more than a little sad. If he had friends, then surely he had someone special. I tried my best to hide how sad that made me, and cursed myself for taking so long to follow him, and for making such a mess of our reunion. Of course, Zephan knew I was sad. He even asked me why I looked so upset more than once, but I kept avoiding the question, not wanting him to know how strongly I still felt for him.

That evening, we arrived in Hydlaa. As we'd drawn nearer to the city walls, we'd fallen into that uncomfortable silence again, and I was dreading having to say goodbye. I had no money, practically no marketable skills, and nowhere to sleep. My only option would be to try and find someone willing to pay me to run messages, and hopefully make enough to pay for a room for the night. The further we walked into the city, the more I began to fear that I'd end up in some doorway, prey to whoever walked the night. Zephan led me to Kada-El's, and bought us both a drink. Clearly, he intended on staying with me, at least initially. Although I was grateful for his company, I felt a little guilty for taking him away from the life he'd built for himself. I tried to make the water pouch he'd handed me last for as long as possible, but it seemed to be gone far too quickly. Once Zephan had finished his drink too, he led me back out into the night, saying something about finding me a place to sleep.

My heart sank. Clearly, he seemed to view me as a charity case, a face from his past that he would help out of duty and reminiscence. Before I had chance to think over my choice of words, I heard myself ask the question I didn't want an answer to. 'So, is there someone special in your new life?' He paused mid-stride, and turned towards me with a sad little smile. 'Yes, there is,' he said, 'but she doesn't seem to know it.' I forced a smile onto my face somehow, and took a deep breath to steady myself before continuing, 'Well, you should tell her how you feel, then! How is she meant to know unless you say something to her?' He sighed, and carried on walking without a reply. I felt as beaten up as if I'd just had a run in with Kellan. Of course there was someone he'd fallen for. How could I have been so stupid?

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 22, 2009, 01:22:52 pm »

And then, at the wedding, there she was. Alone. I had no idea what to say to her. So much had happened since I saw her last, I had no clue where to start. All I could think of was our hut, where we used to talk for hours, and so, the first thing out of my mouth was 'We need to talk.' I'd decided to go and find a quiet spot anyway by then, and I held my hand out to her, inviting her to come along. She walked right by me, not taking my hand, and I had to run after her for a few paces in order to lead her somewhere we could talk without being overheard by any passers by. I had a feeling it wasn't going to go well. She seemed like a tiny bundle of pent-up fury, her eyes crackling with rage, and her fists balled up with tension.

I was right. As soon as we'd begun to walk, she lashed out at me verbally, accusing me of abandoning her, of leaving her there to be beaten, of not caring, of lying about how I felt... It felt like someone had kicked me in the stomach. I stood there, finding it hard to breathe, unable to reply. She wanted to leave, she said, and not return to the village. I could hardly believe what I was hearing, but at the same time, I couldn't blame her. I -had- abandoned her, and left her there to be beaten. My parents hadn't given me a choice, but I could have at least waited for her in the hut for a day or two... Racked with guilt, I offered to escort her to Hydlaa, thinking that I could use some of my savings to help her get started on a new life, so she wouldn't have to worry about how she was going to feed herself until she managed to get established. Then, I imagined, I'd fade from her life, debt paid, and she'd never want to see me again. As for me, I didn't know what I'd do, but at that moment, the only thing that mattered was her.

On the journey back to Hydlaa, we managed to hold a far more civilized conversation. I told her about my life there, and about how I'd managed to carve myself a place as a hunter, just like I'd wanted. I told her that outside the village, I'd had no trouble in making friends. At that, she fell silent, her face solemn, and her eyes so sad I wanted to fold her into a hug and never let go. I asked her why she was so upset, more than once, but she never gave me a reply, just shaking her head, or changing the subject. It hurt me to see the haunted look in her eyes, but it seemed there was nothing I could do to cheer her up, even though I tried to keep talking to her. Finally, we arrived in Hydlaa, and I took her to Kada-El's, just to get something to wash the travel dust from our throats. Once we were a little more refreshed, I told her I was going to find somewhere quiet for her to sleep, and we walked back out into the darkening city.

As we walked, I sensed her hesitate, more than once. She'd said several times that she wanted to pay her own way, and I kept reassuring her that she would be able to in time. I thought she was about to make the same complaint again, and I almost stumbled over my own feet when she asked, 'So, is there someone special in your new life?' I still don't know why, but instead of telling the truth, I gave her a smile, and murmured the reply, 'Yes, there is, but she doesn't seem to know it.' She smiled in return, and said 'Well, you should tell her how you feel, then! How is she meant to know unless you say something to her?' I couldn't reply to that. It seemed as if she was preparing to brush me out of her life entirely. Instead of an emptiness, however, I felt filled with purpose. If Calluna wanted to forge ahead on her own, then the least I could do was to make sure she had the training needed so she could survive.

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 21, 2009, 05:30:40 pm »

I'd set myself a date when I planned to run, telling nobody, and still hoping that the hut was a safe place to start from. The week I'd planned arrived, and I started getting increasingly nervous, to the point I couldn't rest, pacing the house and chewing my lip. It was that week when a friend of my mother's arrived for a visit. Her husband was a merchant, and they spent their time travelling between the levels, bringing much needed supplies to the various villages. She and my mother seemed to be constantly chattering, and they went to visit Zephan's parents more than once. The day before I'd planned to run, my mother took me aside, telling me she needed to ask me a huge favour. I obliged, of course, and we went to the back of the house, where we could speak in relative privacy.

She told me that her friend had seen Zephan several times on her trips to the Dome, in the city of Hydlaa, and also in Ojaveda. Zephan's mother wanted to know if he lived, and despite my mother's friend assuring her of the fact many times, she refused to believe it until someone from the village had confirmed it. My mother had suggested I go and find out, and Zephan's mother had agreed, desperate for any news. I was to travel with the merchant caravan, and seek out Zephan. The thought filled me with a sense of foreboding. He'd been gone six years. I didn't want to find out he had a wife somewhere, probably children, a home, a life. And yet, this was the ideal opportunity to escape from Kellan. Needless to say, I agreed to go, and spent most of the remainder of that night collecting my things from the hut, under the plausible excuse of packing while my parents slept.

My trips back and forth took until it was almost dawn. I was exhausted, but happy to finally be escaping the nightmare. I made my way down to the hut one more time, to collect the cushions Zephan and I had pilfered so many years ago. They were threadbare and hadn't been sat on in years, but somehow I felt the need to leave the place as we'd initially found it, minus the dust and spiders. As I approached the hut, I noticed the door was ajar. Initially I didn't think anything of it, as I'd been trekking back and forth long enough not to care. I'd been careful about closing the door at first, but I thought I must have left it off the latch by mistake. Shrugging, I went inside to collect the tatty old cushions, smiling wistfully and wishing Zephan were there.

As I turned to close the door, I heard a chuckle that made my insides flip over in fear. Kellan! I don't quite know what possessed me, or where I got the strength from, but as his hand wrapped around the door, I slammed it as hard as I could, then slammed it again, and again, and again, until I heard a howl of pain, and a rustling and cracking of branches, that sounded like someone running, fading into the distance. Shaken, I managed to collect the cushions, and made my way back to the house on wobbly legs, not really caring if he was still out there, just wanting to get home, and leave the village. I made it home without any further incident, and my mother's friend arrived not ten minutes after I'd flopped down in front of the dying embers of the fire.

I clambered into the wagon, exhausted, after kissing my parents goodbye, and settled down in the blankets I'd brought, too tired to even notice when we moved off. I don't know how long we travelled, because the combination of my relief at leaving, plus the adrenalin of the dawn and my sheer tiredness knocked me out cold, and I slept for most of the journey. When we arrived at the Bronze Doors, however, my mother's friend woke me, and pointed me down the hill. It seemed a celebration was taking place, and standing there, at the back of the assembled crowd, was a figure I could recognize amongst a million Dermorians. Surely in six long years, he has found someone special, I thought. With a heavy heart, I trudged down the hill to fulfil my duty, and deliver the message from his mother. After that, I didn't much care where I went, as long as it was far away from Kellan, somewhere where I'd be safe.

Single Author Stories / Re: Zephan and Calluna's tale.

« on: September 21, 2009, 05:28:59 pm »

I travelled the slow way to Hydlaa, and hired myself out as a messenger boy. It made me enough money to eat, and sleep safe, but nothing in reserve. At first, I didn't really care. I felt despondent, as though I had nothing to live for. Existing suited me fine, and I was determined to do penance in my exile, hoping that somehow, Calluna would know. And then, for the first time, I began making friends. Real friends, who helped me learn new skills and grow strong. I was finally starting to turn into the hunter I'd always wanted to be, and I even started to grasp the Crystal Way. I learned how to mine, and soon, I started to accumulate savings. Not much at first, but the pile soon grew. Oddly, the fact that I had extra money brought my hope alive again, and I often found myself daydreaming of going to the village, and sweeping Calluna off her feet, and yet, something held me back from making the journey back home.

I didn't want to admit it to myself, but I think I was scared of what I might find at the village. I didn't want to go back, only to find Calluna had fallen in love with someone else. My mother's words still rang in my ears at those times, and I didn't want to lose control and hit someone Calluna was perfectly happy with. I loved her far too much for that. And so, I stayed away, harbouring my secret hopes. Eventually, I made a niche for myself in the hunting community, and the sheer volume of work took the edge off my longing for a life with her that would probably never be. I learned to distract myself out of my daydreams, and to never grow too close to anyone, wanting to hold myself to the vow I'd made years before. Calluna, or nobody. When I slept, though, my dreams tormented me. I imagined all kinds of horrible things that might have befallen her, or that she'd been married off to someone she didn't like, let alone love. Soon enough, I became a light sleeper, not wanting those dreams to wake me up sobbing any more. By this time, I'd been gone for six years.

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