Aea
Manakete
"Music can heal even the most broken soul."
Posts: 54
Profession: Wanderer/Entertainer
Affiliation: Sacae
Affinity: Wind
Dragon Element: Air
Profile: ~Aea~
OoC Alias: Kyra
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Post by Aea on Jun 29, 2017 21:16:50 GMT -6
Aea stood atop a medium sized hill which overlooked a small village, just at the foot of the northern mountains, barely within the borders of Sacaean land, with the familiar windswept plains of tall grass surrounding the hamlet on all sides but north. She breathed inward and out slowly as she began to descend the hill, heading towards the very town that had sheltered her after her awakening 80 years prior. She doubted that anyone there would even remember her, but she needed to see the town again. She needed to make sure it's people, likely the children and grandchildren of the ones she had known, we're still getting alone alright. With a brisk pace, she walked speedily towards the edge of town, which was likely to be unguarded, beyond maybe a couple of the village's stronger men or women. Sure enough, there were, but she was allowed in freely when she proved she meant no harm, backing it up by conforming her lack of any weapons. Though something did seem a bit off with them. Normally, the people of Galerock were cheery, but these two guards seemed more solemn, almost emotionless. Why though, Aea couldn't begin to guess, and chose not to inquire further. When she stepped foot inside the simple wooden gate of the town, she almost gasped from excitement and emotion as memories of her time there came flooding back. She was reminded of the smells of baked goods and meat cooking from the various townsfolk that were skilled in such things. She reminisced about the children that would run through the streets, playing with each other and annoying some of the adults in their youthful ignorance, something that Aea had been admittedly stripped of long ago. However, the thing that stopped her from being happy at returning was the realization that everything was not as she'd remembered it. In fact, it was almost the opposite. Some of the houses looked weathered and decrepit, and none of the children could be seen running about, or even out in the street at all for that matter. The people who were out and about looked miserable, as though any soul they once owned had been ripped away from them by force. W-What happened here? What could have caused the people of Galerock, nay, even Galerock itself, to get turned into the inverse of its former self? I must get to the bottom of this... At that, Aea went to a nearby villager, asking him where she might find whoever currently was in charge of the town. He answered that it was the wisewoman Hiina. Wait, I.. I know that name... No, it can't be... At that, she rushed towards Hiina's abode, not even asking for any directions to get there. [Music]Once Aea arrived at the house, she knocked urgently, but still relatively gently, on the simple wooden door. After a few long moments, a small elderly woman with long gray hair, extremely wrinkled skin, and an expression that implied great wisdom due to her old age stood before her. Before the woman could even ask her anything, she went slackjawed as tears began welling from her eyes, and she choked out the words, "A-Aea? I-Is that really you?"
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Aea
Manakete
"Music can heal even the most broken soul."
Posts: 54
Profession: Wanderer/Entertainer
Affiliation: Sacae
Affinity: Wind
Dragon Element: Air
Profile: ~Aea~
OoC Alias: Kyra
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Post by Aea on Jul 1, 2017 18:26:18 GMT -6
Aea was almost ready to cry as the old woman instantly recognized her, and she felt tears starting to leak from her own eyes. Rushing over to her, Aea hugged her tightly, crying as she choked out, "Hiina, i-it's so good to see you again! I'm so sorry I was gone for so long!" At that, Hiina returned the embrace, though what Aea did not notice was the puzzled expression on her face.
Moving away a bit, Hiina looked at Aea now with a more serious expression. "Aea, we have many things to discuss... Among them being, well, you. I don't mean to be blunt or anything, but you don't seem to have aged a day since I last saw you almost eighty years ago. I have a feeling there is a secret that you kept from all of us here in Galerock. At least, the ones that used to be here..." Hiina then looked towards the ground, her expression solemn in remembrance of those who had passed on from the mortal world. "I'm sure you're also curious as to what's happened in the years you've been gone, and why there is currently no chief presiding over the village. I am willing to answer those questions, but only if you tell me a bit more about yourself. Apparently as close as we were, there were still things I was forbidden to know. So please, come inside. I'll make you some tea if you'd like..."
Aea got very nervous all of a sudden, and she debated just running away from her old friend right then and there. However, she stopped herself, as this was probably the last person still and live from her time in Galerock, and aside from simply catching up with her, she did truly wish to know what had happened to the town. And so, she went inside, accepting the offer of tea as she sat down in a simple chair amidst the fairly plain house, which almost didn't seem fitting of someone in charge of a whole town. Finally speaking up after a bit of an awkward silence, Aea said, "Hiina, before I begin, I need to make sure that I have your utmost trust. This is something that I have never told a single soul up until now, not in any of the ce-, er, not in all the years I've been alive."
Hiina's attention was dead set now, intrigued by the mystery Aea was ramping her statement up with, and she nodded."Of course you can trust me, Aea. We were best friends when you were here, even if I was only ten years old at the time. You were always so kind to me, and I like to think I returned the favor when I could. I have no reason to betray you now, especially given my age and general fragility."
Aea smiled a bit at her friend's response. "V-very well then. Now, this may sound crazy to you. In fact, I know it will sound crazy, but I have to say it. I'm sure you've heard plenty of folk tales about the dragons during the time of the Scouring, and how they were supposedly eradicated by the Church of St. Elimine. Well, I'm here to tell you that some of them survived the inquisition. I know not how many, but I do know that there is at least one: me." Letting out a heavy sigh, Aea prepared herself for the worst from Hiina, even getting ready to run away if necessary.
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Aea
Manakete
"Music can heal even the most broken soul."
Posts: 54
Profession: Wanderer/Entertainer
Affiliation: Sacae
Affinity: Wind
Dragon Element: Air
Profile: ~Aea~
OoC Alias: Kyra
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Post by Aea on Jul 17, 2017 10:55:57 GMT -6
Hiina's expression was one of shock mixed with utter confusion as she tried to grapple with the revelation that her old friend had given her. Aea? A dragon? It sounded impossible, and yet she couldn't find a single stutter in her friend's speech, nor was she ever known to be much for lying. Letting out a sigh, the old woman spoke, "Aea... I.. I believe you. As crazy as it seems.. No, how utterly insane it seems, I can't help but feel that you're telling the truth. Eighty years ago, I may have thought differently, but I've been around long enough at this point to know when someone is lying or not. So now, having told me this, I think I have even more of an urgency to inform you of what's happened. If you are in fact a dragon, yet still cared for our little village all this time, then perhaps you have the power to help us, or at least gather up the sort of people that can."
Aea was almost shocked at how well Hiina was taking the news of her draconic heritage. "O-oh, wow.. Hiina, I didn't think you'd be so accepting of what I am.. Thank you." Hearing the shift in gravity in her friend's voice now, she said, "Oh? Go on, tell me what's happened. What is it that plagues you, or has plagued you in the past since my leaving? How has it caused the village to suffer so much? Once I know, I'll see if I can perhaps do something, anything to help."
Nodding her head, Hiina began her tale. Her voice was soft but serious amongst the flickering candles of the house, the wind blowing in gently through an open window. "It all started around a year or two ago. This was not some ongoing issue for the village. We suffered much in a very short time. I am sure you have heard of the beasts known as mauthe doogs? We were beset by an entire pack of the creatures one dreaded evening. We had done nothing prior to provoke them, and yet they were so bold as to attack our town head on. We may not be the most fortified village in Sacae, but this is still extremely unheard of. We were only barely able to fend off the assault, killing maybe half of the beasts. Ever since that night, there have been occasional attacks, and any hunting parties attempting to go after the creatures have hardly ever come back in their entirety, if at all. It is indeed hard to keep everyone motivated and cheery when the looming threat of those horrors is ever present. I.. I know you alone may not be able to bring them down, but I thought it would be my best bet. Nobody else I've come across from outside town is ever willing to help us. Is there any way that you might be able to?"
Shocked at the story of mauthe doogs ravaging the town, Aea hesitated on what to say for a moment. "I.. You're right, Hiina. There isn't anything I can do alone.. But I'll tell you this. If I can find enough people that are willing to help fight these things, then I will return, but only when I myself am stronger as well. I don't want to sit off to the side while friends and hired muscle fight at the behest of the town and myself. No, I will join them, but that is something I cannot do right now. I hope you can forgive my lack of immediate action..."
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Aea
Manakete
"Music can heal even the most broken soul."
Posts: 54
Profession: Wanderer/Entertainer
Affiliation: Sacae
Affinity: Wind
Dragon Element: Air
Profile: ~Aea~
OoC Alias: Kyra
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Post by Aea on Jul 20, 2017 19:50:59 GMT -6
Hiina seemed a bit downtrodden at her friend's response. Though it was the answer she expected to hear, it wasn't the one she wanted to hear. She sighed deeply before responding, "Don't apologize, Aea... I realize a pack of mauthe doogs is no walk in the park, believe me. After all, I saw the attack unfold right before me. I understand your caution and wanting to gather more help before taking action. However, be aware that doing this may mean that upon your return, there may not be any village to save. We lost many good men and women in that initial attack by the doogs, and many more abandoned the village in the time since, seeing it as a lost cause to continue maintaining our home. We still have just enough soldiers to fend them off when they attack, but seeing as the beasts seem to grow ever bolder, I fear that may not be the case for long. I just hope you've put all this into consideration is all..."
Tears welling up in her eyes, Aea felt utterly useless. She knew that she couldn't handle a whole pack of mauthe doogs, but at the same time, she felt horrible for having to leave the village behind again, knowing that another attack was surely imminent. It was better than staying here though. If she remained, it wouldn't do the town any good. At least if she went to find help, there was a chance of eliminating the doogs for good, instead of simply holding them off. "I-I'm sorry, Hiina.. I probably seem like a coward, running off again. I promise I'll be back though, I will! I won't let the place where I spent many years be torn to shreds by those... those monsters! I just can't do it on my own, maybe not even with the soldiers you currently have available, and you've shown me you understand that. I guess I shouldn't linger too long then... The longer I wait, the better chance they'll attack again before I can get enough help."
Moving closer to her friend, Aea wrapped her arms around her, squeezing Hiina stronger than she even had anyone else. "You're my best friend, Hiina. You seemed like you understood me on some level more than anyone else, even before I told you what I am just now. I'm sorry I haven't been here for you all this time, but I'm glad things seem to have mostly worked out for you, until now at least."
Smiling gently, Hiina gave her friend a hug in return. "Aea, it's alright... I think I understand now why you felt you needed to leave, and why you still must leave yet again. I wish you good luck and happiness on your journey, and that you'll be able to teach those doogs what cold, hard steel tastes like when you return."
Smiling back now, Aea simply said, "Thank you for being so understanding, Hiina... G-Goodbye again..."
Walking Aea to the door, Hiina said softly, "Farewell, my friend..." At that, Aea walked out the door of her old friend's home, feeling conflict over leaving the village for the second time, but doing so all the same, even if out of necessity. She swore that she would return. She would be stronger then, and she would have help from equally strong warriors from Sacae and the lands beyond. She just knew it. She could feel it in her bones. Upon her return, the doogs would shudder in fear, and wish that they'd never sunken their teeth into a single villager from Galerock.
(End of Thread)
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