Song of Fire and Shadow 1 [Drei and Mila]

[Mila]

As Drei spoke about his origins, Mila casually rummaged through her pack and pulled out an apple. The fruit was mostly red with a few tinges of yellow on some of it's side. The mage casually cut the fruit in half and offered some to the young shaman. She took a moment to bite into her own half and savor the sweet'n slightly tart fruit. Her half had most of the yellowish tint to it. The fruit served to help replenish her energy and soothe her nerves. Drei Randus. Soon to be 18. Five year difference. She assumed by the way the shaman used past tense to describe his life, specifically the bit about his family had "owned" a circus. That he had left them for some reason or they had left him. Was friends with your father huh. She masked a small expression of worry in between her munching.

She was about half way eating her half before speaking again.

"I don't know much of anyone or anything of Bulgar. So I'm sorry I can't help you find the guy your looking for. But if you know his name or profession perhaps you can ask a guild? She paused for a moment. Slowly collecting her thoughts.

"A traveling circus huh. Sounds exciting. Preforming and watching all the faces in the crowd light up in awe. When I was about seven or eight my parents took my brother and I to see a circus performance. This one troupe would set out right on the outlying border of Taras and preform. They used magic for their effects. In order to avoid getting into trouble with Eturian law, they would cater their performances into 'historic' plays in honor of the eight heroes. I distinctly recall a sage turning a ball of fire into the shape of a dragon and had it dance across the sky. And a "hero" rose up to slay it." There was a sarcastic emphasis on the words historic and hero. She paused for a moment to finish her apple. She took the seeds that lingered and planted them in a small hole she made with her foot.

"Don't remember much of the performance after that. My brother and I got very sick afterwards though. That I remember well. Father blamed the food. Mom blamed the weather. My brother and I blamed each other. Fun Times." She shrugged. She was feeling warmer now so she released her arms from her cloak and let it hang. She stretched a little bit too. The cloak dangled casually down her back leaving most of her arms bare. She undid her ponytail letting her hair fall freely. Then gave a small scratch in the area where the ponytail was.

The mage made herself comfortable by sitting down in an Indian position. She pushed her green hair out of her face and tucked any loose curls behind her ear. That feels so much better. She casually conjured a small ball of flame in one hand. She leaned her head on the other.

"Hmm.. I wonder if I could do it to someday." She slowly let the ball of flame dance her fingers.

"Conjure a makeshift fire dragon. Use that to scare off people instead of deliberately frying them. Wonder if the same principle of your shadow twisting talent could be used." The gears in her head quietly turning, thinking.

"Don't know much about dark magic though. I know that it is one of the strongest magic's out there. And that it works differently from anima and light. And that most go mad from it if they let it consume their lives. But I suppose that's true for all things." She turned her head to look back at Drei. A small smile on her face. She seemed to be feeling and looking better. The shaman was cute but part of her wanted to ruffle up his hair in an affectionate sibling like manner.

[Drei]

Guilds? Yes, they were a thing within populated society weren't they? Honestly the notion of guilds had completely slipped his thought because he had no given instance in which to think directly of them or to them. Though he accepted the half of the apple she offered, he did not bite into it right away but paused for a few moments examining it and then her with a tilt of his head. The Shaman listened to her as she spoke, quietly examining both she and the apple she ate before his eyes drifted to the tree above them and he propped himself back a bit. Still listening, but quietly. As she spoke of the circus, his mind snapped too. Given the location she spoke of and the fact that it used magicians; for a brief moment his heart leapt in his chest at the notion of someone who had seen his family's show that he was speaking to at that moment. However when she mentioned the dancing flames he quietly masked his disappointment. They had only relied on Elder Magic for all their shows, so it couldn't have been them. Now he began to bite into the apple thoughtfully, munching on it as he tried to ponder what he might say.

It was a small bit more comforting though, to know that similar places existed such as theirs. Even if it was anima mages plying their skill which was far more acceptable. He did not react much as she told her memory regarding her and her family. How could he? What could he say, or do? Any real response might have been a bit too much for him. He chose instead to comment upon that which she spoke of, to her own aptitude. If she could do what the other performer had. This, he could respond to. Drei tilted his head a bit as he spoke; examining her almost quizzically. "I should think so. Anything another mage has done you would theoretically have the ability to do as well. It is simply if you have the aptitude. Even that can be overcome with aspirations and practice I would imagine. "

She started to speak of dark magic. It's power, and the madness it brought on. It was true. Both atleast. Elder Magic was exceedingly powerful...with a cost. Drei gazed down to his hands as he spoke quietly; the thoughts of what to say still shaping and molding as he talked. "It is...just more so for Elder magic than others. It..has a cost. Almost like equivalent exchange. When a mage borrows power from an anima spirit by getting it to fulfill their will..there is seldom a risk to the mage. With Elder Magic..that power comes at a price. For every bit you take, a little part of you gets taken if you are not careful..and sometimes even when you are. It's a tricky and maddening delima some times. "

[Mila]

Seldom risk to the mage? Mila begged to differ. The mage had seen the damages done to the human body by unruly spirits. Weak willed mages. Casters who walk around with stumps for arms. Books with details on mages who had lost all of their magic and left paralyzed.

Mages needed to borrow or ask the spirits so that they could manifest into the element of their choice. That required precise thinking and control. Even if it's for a moment. Though with practice, a mage could conjure a spell of their choice with out thinking. For spells like fire for example. The mage channels the spirit of the world and manifests it into a ball of flame then usually throws it. But if the mage were to keep it in their hands the would have to struggle to keep that control over the flame. If the caster is distracted, drunk, or overly emotional the flame reacts to that. No amount of practice, could account for emotional distress that could happen in combat. At least that was the way she was taught. And it's worked so far.

She kept her eyes trained on the small fire. The orange ball of flame flickered as Mila was mildly distracted by Drei talking about Elder magic. At how it comes with a price. She wasn't sure what but she felt something heavy in the air. The small fire got even smaller until it looked like a tiny ember.

"All power comes at a price." She spoke with a somber tone. She shook her head. The small ember of flame slowly reshaping itself into a tiny ball of fire. She close her eyes for a while. She let out a small sigh. And shook her hand letting the ball of fire fizzle out.

"Did your family teach you magic?" She kept her gaze back at the ground. Dark magic is not something to exactly pick up. Her mind kept reeling through old memories, through gossip, news. Her mind fixated on both the good and bad things associated with the trade. Word had reached here of an alleged cult of shamans that attacked Etruria. Another spoke of a circus family of shamans whom would preform in Sacae. Her "uncle" once spoke of a shaman whom used his talent to try and stop a natural disaster and failed. Her hand found her forehead. She tried to tell her thoughts to stop.

[Drei]

"Did your family teach you magic?"

If it was possible, he was sure a physical hole would have manifested it's self within his chest. It certainly felt like one had. Hollow, and cold his thoughts became like an iron wall as he instantly and swiftly repressed the surge of memories that tried to swirl about themselves. Drei had to steel himself if he was going to talk about his family. Steel himself hard at that. Amber gaze hidden from her with ashen bangs blocking his face partially he looked to his palms with a frigid stoic glance that could only be described as "dead". Luckily it was hidden though. When he spoke, his tone was a bit flat; as if feeding mere information. However he answered the question none the less.

"Yes. My father was adept at both Elder Magic and that of Nature. That he could commune with both the Void and the Spirits of Nature was always an amazing thing to me. He could generate flames on his own for his performances. He could physically manifest shadows as palpable objects one could grip. He was capable of harnessing winds or ice and encasing these physical shadows in them to create fantastic optical illusions. It was he who taught me how best to commune with the Void. How to prevent it's influences from creeping through cracks in the mind...but my mother..

"

He paused briefly with his gaze lingering to his palms as he eased his eyes shut. Repression. Quell all thought. Empty the mind. Enter the void. Empty, and become but wind. He opened his eyes again to talk, maintaining his composure with no sign of internal struggle.

"She was adept with Elder Magic as well. However she was also a remarkably talented healer. I'd seen her heal wounds I never thought one could heal yet she also manipulated the shadows equally to my father. She taught me my form for meditation, and the state of mind to be in when shaping my magic. They were both remarkable teachers..."

After that he went quiet for a few moments. Simply reflecting Reflecting and repressing.

[Mila]

Mila watched and listened to Drei talk about his family. The more he spoke the more she realized what had happened. His use of past tense, his stoic face, his silent somber expression afterwards, it wasn't hard for the mage to piece together that shaman guy’s parents were dead. And he loved them. Mila knew the pain of losing loved ones. She had watched her own parents die from illness. At that time she had her brother to comfort her. Her extended family helped to deal with the grief in their own way. She had people around her. Drei was alone. She felt like giving the young shaman a hug. To tell him it was going to be ok. To have him cry out all of the frustration, hate, and confusion. But she did not know him well enough to give him that luxury. And he would probably reject the offer. Society has taught her that boys do not cry. No they take out their frustrations on other things. Like walls or other people. Crying is weak! Stop that! She could almost hear her senile “grandfather” shouting in her ear. Which in turn prompted her "uncle" to shout back "stop yelling at the children". Really should go see those guys some time.

“I’m sorry Drei. I did not mean to bring up painful memories. I.. you have my condolences.” She placed her hand over her heart and gave a light bow. It was the simplest form of respect she could give at the moment. But what to say next? She did not know exactly how to comfort a teenager. Kids were easier to deal with; she could simply conjure up a story and entertain them. Drei wasn't a child. It did put into perspective what kind of home life Drei had. Shamans were usually outcasts in society. But he was part of a traveler’s circus, constantly moving, entertaining people, and training. The young mage was reminded of her own family. They were identical in the fact that instead of being part of a circus she was part of a mercenary group.

“It’s strange. You and I are a lot alike. Our upbringings. Yours was a circus. Mine is a mercenary company. Both involved a lot of travel. Our magic is influenced by our emotions. If emotions aren't kept in check, disasters can happen. We’ve both have had personal losses.” She looked up at the clouds in the sky.

"Wonder if our parents are looking down on us now."

[Drei]

He looked up to her with a bit of a smile. It wasn't a large grin by any stretch, but more of a small knowing one before he looked back to the shade darkened grass which the tree overshadowed. His gaze hidden by ashen strands of hair yet still a long one. He paused for a few moments before actually speaking, but when he did reply to Mila his tone wasn't as dead as before. Simply..a tone. "It's alright. It's bound to be mentioned from time to time. It's better to get used to stating facts now, as opposed to later. " The days on end he'd spent just throwing up walls to block out the reality that his parents were dead allowed him a refuge. A place to retreat until he suppressed and crushed the depressing thoughts which tried to crop up. It was a bitter sweet feeling of relief. Part of him felt like he did a disservice to his parents and due to such had small tendrils of guilt constantly snaking through his thoughts. Another part of him though didn't know how to function without the defense mechanism of suppressing it.

Parents watching down on them? Now there was a memory he felt he could bring up. A ghost of a grin tugged at his lips for a fraction of a second as he spoke up. He'd even chuckled softly before speaking. "My father was fond of saying..when their time came. Mom would watch me from above, and he'd keep an eye from below. Heh..he was rather adamant he'd not rest in the heavens, but who can earnestly say? In a world where we command forces of nature based on but our whim and humans have grown so strong with magic that they could rival dragons at one point...I don't think we'll know though until we get there. Well..haha..I guess I'd see my father atleast that is." He'd developed his father's sense of humor. Though scarcely seen, a bit dark or dread impending upon himself; something he would have been proud of no doubt. Curiosity tugged at Drei about Mila's loss, mentioning her parents as well...but he knew all to well the pain of talking about it. He'd not bring it up unless she started talking of it. Not everyone after all was as quick to share their stories. Nor their heartaches. Honestly he was surprised he had revealed as much as he had to her.

[Mila]

"I think I would have enjoyed your fathers's sense of humor. You seemed to have inherited some of it." She smiled softly.

"Its been over" She paused for a moment trying to recall the exact time. Even counting on her fingers.

"Golly, it's been five years since I lost them. I just like to think where ever they are they are watching my brother and me. In life they were fond of high places. They would comment on views they had from mountain tops. Though that changed when they found us." She slowly got up. She felt well enough to move about.

"'Grandpa' said when he finally kicked the bucket he would personally find and smack all of his family who died before him. Let's just say he's got a lot of relatives to hit." She stretched lightly. Her handss quietly went over her pockets checking to maake sure things were in order.

"That's true though. We won't know where we go at the end of this life until we get there. Hope, I don't end up in the lower place though. That's underground." She shuddered softly.

She put her hands over her shoulders and rubbed her bare arms. The exaggerated motion served to emphasize her point. She took one deep breath and let out through her nose.

"Right then Drei. I am not sure what else we should talk about. You've got a guy to find. And I've got preparations to make. I'm heading out towards Lycia next. Hear they got a huge monster problem that I want to take a crack at solving. Perhaps if things don't pan out well with your father's friend you could join me?" She asked with a bit of a smile. Her hospitality shining through her words. She was not expecting him to say yes. They had just met a short time ago. She waited to hear his response.

[Drei]

He let a small smile break his features as he grinned a bit. Hearing the comparison of him to his father was a compliment to which the severity would likely not be appreciable by most; nor the severity understood. In Drei's opinion his Father showed some of the best people had to offer. (Like most children) He idolized his parents and they had been heroes to him. Instinctively, as she talked and stood Drei himself slowly stood up. However the way in which he stood showed his odd circus esque lifestyle. From cross legged, he slowly untucked his legs but sprung up as if hopping only to slowly extend one hand backwards as if to stretch. He bent his back lower until he shifted his weight upon his palm as it pressed off from the cool green blades of grass which adorned the ground like an ocean of viridian. He held the poise briefly as he shifted his weight and balanced himself upon one palm idly. His purple robes clung to his figure; but the back coat fell down behind him like a curtain.

The Ashen haired Shaman gazed to Mila and commented with a lighter hearted tone now leaking in. "He sounds like one of my uncles. He was always ranting about how despite his age he'd out live us all. That he'd laugh when we died because we were so impatient to see the rest of the family. He ah..was a crude fellow sometimes but a good man." His continued use of past tense would be his undoing if subtlety was his goal. At this point he might as well openly say his entire family and extended family had been killed and save himself the time. He chuckled again though when she mentioned going under ground in the after life. He chimed in while gazing at her upside down due to his handstand as he stretched; a small series of pops rippling as the shifting weight realigned his back lightly and cracked it. "Perhaps we can write letters to eachother then once we pass on; I hear their not that far away from one another. Just a climb up or down after all."

Hmm. It was an idea. Him traveling around to find himself? Though he was hesitant as he thought it over he smiled a bit before shifting his weight forward and front flipping onto his feet again suddenly; nodding as his expression shifted to it's normal one. "I'll certainly consider it. If this doesn't turn into anything I may very well take you up on that offer Mila. "

[Mila]

Mila tilted her head at Drei. His handstand was amusing and it seemed to have put him in a better mood. As she could tell by the small change in the tone of his voice. This made her smile. She wasn't sure if he was doing this for his own amusement or if he was subtlety trying to impress her.

"Writing letters from the afterlife to one another? Do you think we would have access to hands, pen, and paper once we are dead? Why not just meet in the middle as spirits? Back home we would celebrate the first day of November with a small party to honor the fallen. One of the old world beliefs that they would come back from the dead once a year and party with the living. You were.. supposed to do the party near the graves of the fallen. And pretend they were still there.. so as not to offend." The smile she had turned to a soft frown.

"But.. ever since the prophet came to power.. we lost the ability to do that. It was seen as "barbaric" and "not elimine-like" which is total bull." She crossed her arms. She did not like the state Etruria was in.

"Stupid prophet." She muttered. Then shook her head. This was not the time to dwell on the politics of home. For now she needed to focus on the present.

"As much as I love writing and reading. I'd take the day of the dead party over the letters any day." She tried to make herself feel better. She started thinking of the parties her family would do. And of the deserts she would help bake. Her mouth was watering over the thoughts of apple tarts and vanilla bread pudding. The fights she would have with her brother and her "cousin" Julie over who got the last slice of something sweet that they all enjoyed. Only for "grandpa" or "Uncle Louie" to go and steal the last slice for themselves so as to end the arguments between the children. She missed the stories her father would tell. She was quiet for a while before Drei spoke about taking her up on the offer.

"Alright then. I will still be in the area for a few more days. I'm staying at the Inn. Let me know what you decide." She waited a bit for his response. Then shook his hand before dismissing herself from his presence. She had no idea if she would run into Drei again or if he was to travel with her on the journey. But whatever happened Mila felt happy. Happy that she had befriended Drei and they both got to know each other.

[Drei]

A party to the dead? That was certainly an interesting idea. Not one he'd ever heard before, but then again he didn't profess to be knowledgeable on all of Elibe's customs. As blood had distributed to his body he felt the relief of the stretch and realignment to his bones thanks in part to how he held himself up with twin downcast palms; he felt much better. Now upon both feet once again however he shifted his weight to his left foot as he looked around a bit, thinking quietly while she spoke of the choice as to weather exchange letters or celebrate a festival. The only drawback to this seemed to be that it was once a year. Letters could be done at any time. Perhaps he was over thinking however.

Instead he nodded a bit with a small hint of a smile and extended his hand. Clasping her own he shook it, and as she moved to leave he also motioned to exit the small field. It was time for him to continue his soul searching. Perhaps this man did indeed have the answers, though maybe he did not. One couldn't be sure until they checked could they? The snowy haired shaman spoke up while he slowly moved in a direction that distanced themselves, calling back to her as he made to exit. "I'll certainly do that. I should know honestly by today whether or not I am traveling with you. So, that being the case see you this evening either way? I'll let ya' know if I am going or if I'll be wandering elsewhere. Until then, have a good day Mila."

He took a moment to turn and nod before spinning about and heading out of sight. Things to do, and places to decide whether or not to see.

[end thread]