Nevas's Story

MJ reluctantly took the bed. Despite all her complaints, she ended up with the bed. He's the one who paid. He deserves it. But she knew it wasn't any use to argue. Marvina waited up until she believed Nevas was asleep. Then she reached in her satchel and dug around for her medicine. As she found it and pulled it out, it slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor. "Crap," MJ whispered as she leaned over to pick it up. Luckily, the container of liquid didn't break from the fall and as far as she could tell the sound hadn't woken Nevas. Marvina sighed and drank some of the liquid scrunching her face at it's bitterness. The strange thing was sometimes the bitterness bothered her, sometimes it didn't. She thought that by now she would be completely used to the taste, but she wasn't. MJ placed the vial back into her satchel and laid the satchel at the side of the bed. Marvina laid in the bed and tossed and turned until she finally fell asleep.

It was a dreamless sleep for the Druid, not that it was strange for that to happen, it was a hit or miss with dreams, but it just meant he wouldn't feel any disorientation when he woke up. Which he did around six, as his internal clock was telling him to get up now. Groggily, Nevas wiped the sleep out of his eyes before cracking his back, "Uhg, I'm startin' to fell old." he whispered to himself as he moved towards the window. There where clouds in to sky, whether that meant it was going to rain was anyone's guess.

Deciding to kill some time before his companion woke up, the mage decided to get them some food. Leaving his bag and staff on the chair, Nevas quietly exited through the window and made his way over to a fruit stand he saw earlier the other day. It wasn't open when he arrived, didn't look like there was anyone around either. After a quick scan of his surroundings, the Druid quickly grabbed what he could and proceeded to quickly make his way back to the room. Upon entering the room via the window, he noticed that MJ was up, "Oh mornin' lass, just thought I'd get us some food." and of course she questioned where said food came from, "....Found them."

When MJ woke up, Nevas was gone. She sat up and looked around the room frantically. He wouldn't just leave, would he?Upon seeing his staff and bag was still there she relaxed. He was coming back. MJ decided to start her morning meditation, but it wasn't long before the druid was back, so she cut off the meditation early. Marvina gave him a suspicious look but it was early in the morning. She was still a bit sleepy and she was hungry, so she didn't question him any further. So, she just answered with a skeptical "Oh." She hoped he hadn't gone through, or gotten into, too much trouble to get the fruit. MJ changed the subject, "So, how did you sleep?" She still felt bad about the druid having to sleep in the chair. MJ made her way to the window to look out and see how the weather was.

Shrugging, Nevas swallowed the food in his mouth, "It wasn't duh best sleep I've had, but I have slept in worse places then a chair, so it wasn't too bad." he took another bite from his apple, "Trust me, rocks be one of the worst things ya can sleep on." he continued once his mouth was empty. After they had their fill, the duo got their things, returned the room key, and left. The streets of Renala where mostly empty at this time, as people were just starting to wake up and businesses started to open their doors. They ended up walking past the fruit stand that Nevas robbed, the owner was talking to the guards about his stolen goods.

The Druid ignored the accusing stare of the small gypsy, he wasn't caught in the act so he didn't do it. They made it out of the city a bit past seven, before making their way to the Emerald Sea. Looking at the map, the mage noted that they were at the bottom right, and their destination was at in the middle left of the continent, "It's gonna be a few days before we make it, two at the very least if things don't be poppin' in our way." rolling the map back up, the Druid placed it back into his bag as he used his staff as a walking stick.

"Okay," Marvina responded. She had travelled much furthur before, of course she used to travel in a wagon and with a larger group of people, but she was excited nonetheless. Marvina then thought of her empty water canteen. Perhaps along the way we'll come across a river or spring, she though. Marvina decided to break the silence through a song her aunt had taught her. Her aunt used to tell her that she heard the song while walking through the forest and upon following where the song was coming from she came across a group of fairies singing and dancing. Her aunt said she watched them in secret hiding behind a tree, until one of the fairies looked right at her and gave a ominous grin. Her aunt said that she back to where the caravan was so fast that that even the wind itself wouldn't have been able to catch her. Whether or not it was true, Marvina enjoyed the story and the song.
"I wandered alone to the forest one night
Led by a music strange and clear.
Those who seek us surely find us
See the trail we leave behind us
Some bewildered, some enlightened
Some are brave, some are frightened
Are we kind or are we vicious?
Nectar poison or delicious?
That, my sweet, you will discover
Faerie foe, or faerie lover
Come and play as the wild faeries play
In a magical circle, a fairy ring
You won't want to leave and forever you'll stay
Once you begin you are caught in a trance
And the world can grow old in a single night
If you happen to pass when the moon is bright
And the veils are thin you will find me here."

Nevas rose an eyebrow at the song, it was interesting and familiar. He couldn't say where he heard it, he was up in a tree about to fall asleep when it reached his ears all those years ago. Deciding to answer in kind, the Druid sang, "Sing for duh lost, for eternal affairs, sing to raise our spirits in great despair~. Through the ashes of oblivion~. Quick an' unseen like duh dragon's offspring, for we owe no debts an' bow to no king~. Every war has its costs an' we've paid, won by duh bond of duh party we've made~." it was the song he learned after the maelstrom incident, though this time he was able to make out some more lyrics, "Broken swords an' dragon's bones, scattered on duh way back home, beating to duh sound of clashing steel~. When they're on our heels. Now chant duh tales an' legends told, strengthened by duh hymns of old, weathered as this winding road is long~. So we sing our traveler's song."

It seemed to fit as they continued down the path. Noon came around as they made it to a small stream, "Let's take a break here lass, we can start again in an hour." the Druid stated before plopping down and going over the map. In the three odd hours the two had walked they were able to make it to the half way point on the peninsula. Not bad progress, Nevas estimated by the end of the day they would make it off the peninsula, getting closer to the mainlands center. If they could see the mountain in three more hours then they would be set.

"Alright," Marvina responded and began fishing in her satchel for her canteen. As she found it she held it up, "I'm going to go get some water." MJ began towards the spring half skipping half walking, canteen in hand. When she reached the side of the spring, she leaned over and placed the canteen into the spring letting it fill up. Once it was full she went to walk back to where Nevas sat, but spun around a bit too quickly. That combined with the damp ground caused Marvina to slip into the spring. MJ gave a slight squeal as the cold water surrounded her on all sides. Marvina climbed out if the water cursing under her breath and began trying to wring out her dress that was now soaked all the way up to her waist.

Hearing his companions squeal, Nevas quickly moved to the spring, "Lass! Are you...o...kay...." he trailed off as he saw her wringing the bottom part of her dress. Turning around as quick as he could, the Druid began to walk away, "I'm just...goin' to be over here...pretendin' I didn't see anythin'." making his way back to his stuff the young man was red in the face, 'By the sun above...that be the most awkward moment for me. I mean I thought the lass was in trouble! Nope, just accidentally be goin' for a dip wringin' out her dress, and be showin' them smooth, glistenin' legs...wait, duh fuck did I just think!?' quickly shaking his head to banish the unwanted thoughts, Nevas decided he had to calm down.

Taking off both of his shirts, the Druid began to do what he did best, climb up and down the tree that offered cool shade in the afternoon heat. Jumping to the first branch, the young man quickly used it to gather momentum by swinging back and forth, before flipping over to the next highest branch and quickly stood on it. After his feet stood for a second he leaped to the limb directly above him, and once again gracefully flipped to the highest branch he could.

He know that the trees didn't mind people climbing them, just so long as no damage was don't to the plant that is. After reaching the top, the brunette jumped onto the tree limb under him. Landing on his feet he quickly grabbed on the branch and swung to the next lowest until he finally reached the bottom. After his little free running session he returned to his discarded shirts and put them back on. Turning around he noticed a slightly red faced MJ looking at him.

MJ could feel her face getting warm with embarrassment. She figured that by now it was qred enough to match her hair. Well, Mom always said you lnew how to color coordinate. "I- I'm so sorry," Marvina stammered. "I was just trying to get water and I slipped and when I got out of the water, I wasn't thinking. I was just trying to dry my dress out. I didn't mean to be indecent. I'm so sorry. I'm such an idiot." The more she talked the faster her mouth moved. By the end of her explanation she was talking a mile a minute. She hadn't even realized she said the last sentence out loud, believing she only said it to herself in her head. MJ looked down to the ground and shuffled her feet awkwardly. First the dress fiasco, and then I see him without his shirt, which I'm just going to pretend didn't happen. If it isn't addressed it didn't happen, Marvina told herself although she knew it wasn't true because she couldn't stop thinling about it. MJ then made an attempt to change the subject, "I got some water if you want some." She then offered the canteen to Nevas and made a joke at her own expense to try to cover up how embarrassed she really was, "It only cost me what was left of my pride."

Nodding, Nevas accepted the canteen before taking a nice sip of the cool water. Wiping his mouth of the excess water, he handed it back to it's owner, "Trust me lass, pride be overrated. Besides what's that human expression again? Pride goeth before a fall? Best to keep a level head, over no head." he gave her a comforting hand on her shoulder, "And like I said before, ya got a good head." he gave the gypsy a smile has he lightly gave her shoulder a squeeze, "Come on, let's be getting a move on. We got a few hours of sun left, might as well make the best of it." he stated as he grabbed his bag, before turning to wait for his companion.

Pride goeth before a fall, MJ repeated in her head. Mine went after a fall. "Thank you," Marvina said and smiled back at him. She placed the canteen in her bag and continued on. She walked silently and couldn't think of a thing to say. Her dress wasn't dripping anymore, but was still slightly damp, and therefore a bit chilly. As long as there isn't any breezes, I shouldn't get too cold, MJ thought, But then again a breeze may help the dress completely dry faster. Marvina let her mind wander as she walked. Then, she smelled the smell of lavender. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the lilac cloud that was her spirit guide. Despite it not having a face she got the feeling it was smiling. When she turned her head to look at it, it was gone. MJ turned to see if Nevas had saw it, but it didn't seem like he had. How bizarre it would show up now? "I wonder why?" Marvina murmured. She again spoke aloud words meant only for herself.

Turning his head slightly, Nevas raised an eyebrow before shaking his head slightly and turned his attention back to the road. He had no idea what she wondered and he was going to leave it at that, he wasn't some gossip monger who needed to know everything. The duo walked for hours before the sun started to set, luckily there was a small group of trees off to the side of the road, not big enough to be called a forest, but had enough trees together to provide decent protection from night time predators, "We should make camp here, easier to do when there's still sun than in duh dark."

After a few minutes of setting up, the Druid/gypsy duo sat in front of a recessed fire pit. The warmth was nice, as a rabbit slowly cooked over the flame. Not that Nevas needed to cook his food, but as a human he knew that it would be safer for Marvina to consume, "So tell me lass, where are ya from? I don't think ya ever mentioned ya home." the Druid asked, he was quite curious to know, but if she didn't want to talk about it then he wouldn't push. After all, he hasn't seen his family in years, so most likely his information on them is out dated.

"Well, I was raised with gypsies. We don't really tend stay in one place all that often. We're nomadic. I suppose the caravan itself used to be home." I smiled remembering it. "I'm not a part of it anymore. Mostly because I made a bad decision. Sometimes I still write letters to my aunt and mom though." I said pulling out paper and ink from my satchel to show him and then placed the items back in. "It always takes quite a while to get to them there because I have to find and pay someone who delivers letters and then, since they're always moving around it can be hard to find them. My aunt has talked to me in my dreams a few times. I'm not sure how that works, but she does it. It's especially strange since those are the only dreams I can remember. Under normal circumstances, I've never been able to remember my dreams." MJ realized that she had been rambling and tried to get back to the question. She answered the question but the next sentence rang in ther ears. I don't think ya ever mentioned ya home. She supposed she didn't really have one of those at the moment. She tried to spin it into a more positive way. "I suppose that currently, however, I am my own home because I haven't found my tangible home yet. What about you?" Marvina asked Nevas and hoped she wasn't intruding by asking.

Leaning back the Druid gave a small chuckle, "To a Druid like me, ya could say I'm already home." upon seeing his companion's confusion he went to elaborate, "From a young age we Druids are taught that if there be trees, there be home. So I can relate to ya in the fact that we Druid like to move around, but the main difference is that we just go from one home to duh next." after looking over to the tree next to there little camp he continued, "My people have a tale, that dates back before the time of man...."

Giving a sigh before shaking his head, "Now, I've never been good at tellin' stories so ya need to bear with me." Nevas looked towards MJ, continuing when he was given conformation, "It is said that before man and his creations roamed duh planet, duh world was covered in duh sea. We Druids sailed the Great Ocean for many years, until one day, duh sun shot down a beam of light. From that light came duh first continent, along with duh first forest. It was in that forest our people thrived, an' soon more rays of light came from duh heavens an' gave us more land."

The Druid paused his tale to take a sip of water before continuing, "It was there we where first connected to nature, an' duh trees became homes to our people. We became a mighty empire, we respected duh land, an' in return duh land provided. Our reach stretched the globe, until one day a fool, who's name we have long forgotten an' shunned, thought himself better than our ways. Duh fool took what he wanted, an' gave nothin' back. This angered duh sun, and in a rage, duh sun shot a ray of light so powerful that the continent split itself into many pieces, and most of our homes were burned into ash. So we share what homes we have left, and formed clans within with other families. We make an effort to never make duh same mistake as duh fool, least we want duh sun to unleash it's wrath once more."

Marvina sat quietly as she listened to the Druid's tale. MJ had heard many different stories about how the world may have started, but this one was new to her. She decided that this version was her favorite. Although she couldn't tell if was her favorite due to the story itself or the fact that Nevas was telling it. MJ smiled. "I really enjoyed that story. I think you did a great job telling it," Marvina told him. MJ hadn't known much about Druids, but she appreciated being able to learn more. Marina let out a yawn and stretched her arms a bit. "What do you plan on doing after your adventures in Vobrala?" She asked not knowing if she truly wanted the answer. They had talked about the past, it only made sense to talk about the future. But right now sitting with Nevas next to the fire, Marvina was really happy. She knew that at the end of their trip, this would most likely come to an end. MJ wondered if Nevas had a plan after this. She knew she didn't. She planned to just keep wandering until she found a place that felt like home.

Shrugging before shaking his head, the Druid replied, "Don't really know to tell ya duh truth." gazing up at the sky, he saw the sun had completely sank below the horizon, "Thoughts for later, we best turn in for duh night." after putting out the fire, Nevas climbed to a low-ish hanging branch. He offered Marvina if she wanted to sleep on a branch, but she declined and he wasn't going to push, using a minimal amount of mana, the Druid made a small extension of the tree to act as cover for his companion when she went to sleep. pulling out his rope he quickly tied himself to the tree's trunk before going to sleep.

Marvina went to take some of her medicine before going to bed. She noticed there was only about two days worth left. She wondered if it would still work if she used a smaller dosage so she could spread it out and make it last longer. She took the smaller dosage and placed the vial next to her bag before falling asleep. When she woke up, her heart beat was rapid and she was sweating. She looked around into the dark and began remembering where she was. Marvina looked up to see Nevas still asleep in the tree. She took deep breaths and calmed herself down. You're okay. You're fine, she told herself. Just a night terror. That's all. You need to get back to sleep or you're going to be exhausted tomorrow. MJ laid back down and tried to fall back asleep. It took a while, but eventually, she did.

Six came and with it Nevas' awareness. Groaning lightly the Druid untied himself, before slipping off the branch. Landing softly on his feet, the mage checked to see his companion was still asleep, 'I'll let her sleep in some. We be doin' good with time, an' it's also not like we have a time limit, so we can go at a leisurely pass.' the young man thought, before gathering some dead branches off the ground to restart the fire. Marvina awoke to the smell of cooking meat an hour later, "Mornin' lass, breakfast be about done so come help ya self." he stated before he bit into his rabbit on a stick. Rabbit was a pretty lean meat, so for someone like Nevas, who consumed a lot of energy, he needed to eat a whole rabbit it feel full, of course he had caught another one for MJ to eat.

"Morning," MJ replied as she rubbed her groggy eyes before moving and sitting next to the fire. Marvina decided to pick the leaves she felt stuck in her hair out before getting food. She ran her hands over her hair in an attempt to make sure she got everything out of her hair. Then she went and got a rabbit. "Thank you," she said before taking a bite, "It tastes really good." Marvina ate until she was full. She had only eaten about a third of it before she was full. "Thank you for the-" MJ paused and pointed at the covering from the tree while trying to think of what to call it, but couldn't think of the right word, "-that."

Taking a bite out of his rabbit, the Druid waved her off as he chewed before swallowing, "Ah, it was nothin'. Ya didn't want to sleep in the tree so I just made sure ya would be safe." the covering, while small, was enough to hide her body to those who didn't know what to look for. Also if it rained it acted as an umbrella to protect against the weather. After he finished eating, Nevas used his magic to return the cover back to the tree, before proceeding to put the fire out. Once the fire wouldn't be considered a danger, the nomadic duo continued on their way.

It was around noon when the clouds decided that they wanted to release their water on to the world bellow. Nevas once again had to use his magic to form a small umbrella with his staff, that he gave to MJ as rain didn't really affect him. They walked for another hour, making it to the base of the mountain, before having to run into a cave as the rain decided to pour down harder where Marvina returned the mage's staff. Of course between the two of them, the Druid was more soaked.

Taking off his shirts once more, Nevas turned his staff back to normal before having it grow twigs that died and fell off. Using the twigs he made a small fire to dry of his clothes, while either not noticing his gypsy companion's red face, or he had just decided not to mention as to not have her feel even more uncomfortable. MJ meanwhile, now was able to get a better look than before at the Druid's bare chest. Her companion's muscles were on the leaner side of the spectrum, though they still had definition to them giving the Druid a more stream lined silhouette, though she guessed that just made it easier to jump around like he did.