So Far From Home [Eleri]

[Kesshou N'harun]

It had been a long journey, to get this far, but Kesshou had never been one to be bothered by wandering, actually preferring to drift from place to place than stay in one for very long. And it was that want to roam (was there a Wind Fey somewhere far, far back in her lineage? She doubted it, but would it matter if there were?) that landed her here, just across the border of the Wind.

She didn't often venture much further than this in her travels to this country, preferring not to get her hair so terribly mussed by the howling winds, but this place at the base of the mountains was beautiful, almost like death, and she smiled a bit to herself, the curve of her darkly painted lips almost serene. She had always had such a soft spot for beautiful things, and she ran her fingers over the pale bark of one of the many trees, a deceptively delicate touch.

These mountains were always a place of interest, and she had spent some time here in her younger years, learning to weave Wind from a Fey on the edge of the trees, where the foliage broke and gave way to the sharp, jagged rock. She could find it, if she were to look, but that Fey had likely moved on now, just as she had.

Still, she had to lean forward and press her lips ever so lightly to the bark, a strange gesture but one only she might understand (or perhaps not at all), crimson eyes alight with a sort of easy mischief as if she shared a secret with the tree that she would never tell.

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

The last few days of her time away was coming to an end...soon she would have to find the rivers that would take her back to the waiting Water Court, to an irrate mother and family. She'd gotten further this time than she had the past few times before she'd managed to get away from the world beneath the waves. It had been a rougher trip than the others as well, the bandages wrapped around her limbs telling the story of the dangers she'd met. Eleri had pressed on still, trying to put it behind her as she came to the Wind Kingdom.

The air was alive with the twisting, turning winds that sought to catch the soft brown cloak she wore, trying to tear it away from her body. The young Fey wrapped it tighter around her form though, settling her satchel at her side to help keep the fluttering fabric down. Rosy curls flew wildly into the wind...in a way the wind was much like the waters, always moving, filling in every niche, something that could be felt but hard to control. Closing her eyes she let it push her a bit as she walked over the rather rocky path that circled the base of the mountain.

Tonight she'd hoped to go to the small structures near the summit, but she was still too weak for such a climb. However, she did not let this stop her from exploring the beauty of the trees and rocks that she'd never seen before with their ashened colors...

The explorations came to an abrupt stop as she found a little ways off the path another Fey. A pinch of anxiety rose up within Eleri as she slipped behind taller stones, trekking no further now, not wishing to draw attention to herself along the path. Neutral land meant that the Dark Fey walked the paths as well, and for now the Divine did not want to press her luck leaving her self unguarded. Drawing up her hood she waited and watched from her spot as the Fey pressed a kiss upon the bark of a tree, the gesture drawing confusion into her gaze, but fascinating all the same as she remained rooted to her spot.

[Kesshou N'harun]

A hum, a quiet, slow, somewhat dark melody rose in the back of her throat, and Kesshou took a step back, her fingertips lingering upon the bark of the tree for a few moments longer as her eyelids lowered slightly, briefly, and she turned away. She turned away, and though the breeze weaving through the trees was a lonely one, there was a sense within her that she was most definitely not the only one here.

Slowly, her humming gave way to a song, the words a haunting sort of sound that was unmistakable. Weaving. She knew that there was someone here, and the intention in her magic was to find that Fey, or at least, get a general direction in which said Fey was, and she followed the instinct brought to her, turning a slow circle as she sang until finally she stopped.

"You can come out, love," she called, her smile, though a bit detached, unwavering. "I won't bite!"

Too hard, she thought, a slow blink of crimson eyes not betraying it.

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

It seemed that she'd not been noticed yet. Eleri glanced around and began to think it best that she turn around and find another path. She didn't want to think she was scared of the situation of being found by the other, but for now she just wanted to be someplace safe with food and a roaring fire instead of wondering if she might get attack without provocation. For all she knew it was a simple Wind Fey, but until she could tell she was intent on staying hidden and quenching her curiosity at a distance.

The song that rose on the wind made her lean further from her hiding spot, straining to hear just what was being sung. Something inside of her tightened as she inhaled a breath of air...

Magic

She could feel it there, pulling, rushing across her skin like tiny fingers. As the other Fey turned towards where Eleri was she pushed herself back behind the jutting rock. Had she been seen?

Before she could think further on the matter the playful voice called out to her. Every muscle in her body tensed, and for a brief moment she stopped breathing as if the very sound gave her away. Slowly she leaned forward once more just enough to peek out from where she hid, nerves on end as she readied herself to run in case danger did lurk near.

[Kesshou N'harun]

Crimson eyes remained fixated in the direction that she'd ended up facing, and being able to find other Fey was certainly an ability that could be so useful, one that she had learned early on in her travels from a Fey of similar mentality.

The Dark Fey smiled still, and began to hum again, a slow, lilting tune that was perhaps meant to reassure the one lurking nearby, and it was then that she saw it. Just a flash, a glimpse of the one that was there, peeking out from her hiding place in the rocks. How cute!

She tilted her head, a not uninviting gesture as her smile broadened slightly (though in truth it was the smile of a widowmaker, of a temptress), and she extended her arm in the girl's direction, palm upward as if to beckon her forward.

"Well?" wasn't laced with anger or anything but an expecting sort of curiosity. She expected the girl to come to her, now, and waited patiently for her to do so on her own.

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

From beneath the edge of her hood Eleri met the crimson gaze for a second before she realized she'd been spotted. The Water Fey began to draw back, intent on running, but was stopped by the soft lilting voice that called out to her as if she'd been expected the whole time. She froze unsure of what to do as she glanced back out past the stone, fingers gripped the rock as she stepped a little further out.

The long cloak brushed the rocky ground as she moved just within arms reach of her hiding spot, hood still up as she studied the other. Hands clasped tightly in the soft linen dress she wore, the soft violet fabric wrinkling and rustling with the wind. Eleri remained rooted to her spot, tense as she slowly lifted a hand to draw back her hood. If the other was not a threat, then she did not want to appear to be one either...for now Eleri doubted her body could take much more abuse.

"Who are you?" She asked softly, her voice carrying through the air, the sweet tones made to echo off the valley of the mountain.

[Kesshou N'harun]

There was a touch of fear in the girl, but perhaps it was not entirely unwarranted, and Kesshou had always found such timid things to be so appealing. As the other Fey finally stepped out from her hiding space fully, she let her eyes wander over the form, appreciative as the hood was drawn back and such a sweet face was revealed.

From her travels, she noted the other's style of dress and that she seemed perhaps a Fey of the Water, but looks could be deceiving (after all, she herself currently looked so unassuming). And ah, what a sweet, sweet voice carried by the breeze, befitting of such a sweet, sweet face, and her eyes met with ones that looked the color of the sea and offered a small push of her power (just a fluttering, perhaps, an urge to move closer, like the siren's call).

"Perhaps a gypsy," she answered, as though thinking of it herself. For who was she? Aside from a name, and a rather loose association with the court of her birth. "A restless soul, perhaps not unlike you?"

Because she was certainly not a Wind Fey.

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

The look that scanned her form made her shiver, pulling her cloak tighter around her form. When their gazes met again she began to turn her own away but found herself locked with the other woman. The feeling in her chest tightened again as she took a few tentative steps forward, unsure why she was doing such a thing, but at the same time desired to move closer.

Curiosity perhaps? As the other Fey spoke she simply nodded, "You are Fey though...where do you come from?" Eleri asked outright before giving her own nod.

"I am a traveler...I am on my way back to my own home. I am expected back." She felt defensless...the only water available that in her wineskin at her waist. Still there was something about that gaze, the soft smile that made her relax little by little. "What is your name? Even if you are a gypsy you have a name, don't you?"

[Kesshou N'harun]

She certainly was a lovely thing, and Kesshou kept her gaze, kept those gentle tendrils that drew the girl forward in place like beckoning fingers. Come into my lair, said the spider to the fly and she kept her arm outstretched, as if waiting for the Fey to take her hand when she made it to her.

"I come from many places, dear," she replied. Vague? Perhaps, but not entirely untrue. A pity that the girl was expected back, though, which meant she couldn't keep her for too long, couldn't take her back with her, and she had so been wanting herself a pet.

"And as for my name, is it not rude to ask before you introduce yourself?" It was a teasing sort of statement, not really a reprimand and the smile on her lips stayed the same. "But, you may call me Kesshou," a slightly stronger push, but only on the pronunciation of her own name, "if I may call you...?"

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

The other woman was very lovely, but something more than her beauty drew Eleri in closer. Her feet moved as if not by her own command, and yet she didn't feel too panicked about her body's actions as she kept moving forward, closer and closer until she was within the other's range of grasp. She closed her eyes then, looking away for a moment as if to try and shake the cobwebs that seemed to make her thoughts hazy.

What she'd said of returning home was mostly true, her little escapades had drawn to a close, but simply because if she was absent too long others would come fetch for the young Divine. Yet she now wanted to linger, to stay close to this one and hear the dolcet tones of her voice more. She leaned in a little closer now, feeling so relaxed as a smile tugged at her pink lips.

"I am Eleri...Eleri Danu'Fada. Water Divine." She uttered before she seemed to start with a tense jerk. Why had she given her whole title so easily? A hand came up to her mouth just moments to late as if to shove the words back behind her lips.

Turning she looked over her shoulder before looking back at Kesshou, "Ah...I am sorry Miss Kesshou, but I should be going. It is growing late and it is dangerous to be out here alone at night." She felt anxious now as she took a step back, fighting the urge to take the outstretched hand of the still strange Fey.

[Kesshou N'harun]

The strings were pulled, one by one, though Kesshou was disappointed when the girl managed to look away before she'd managed to catch her by the hand, though she didn't show it, instead gave a tilt of her head, kept her eyes fixated on those closed lids and when they reopened-

Ah~

She had been right, about this Fey's origins, but a Divine? How quaint! Unfortunate that the statement had been perhaps a push too much without a stronger constraint to keep her where she was, and the girl seemed startled, the way she look over her shoulder and the words she uttered a sign of a slipping chance.

But she wouldn't let this one get away just yet, oh no. Things had just gotten so much more fun, and she gave a subtle shift of her hand, an emphasis to take it as she spoke, "But Eleri, my dear," to be sure the girl's eyes were where they should be and she snatched her up again, tightening the strings and pulling harder on her little puppet, "you are not alone at all, you see."

She kicked it up a notch, to instill a yearning to stay, to confide, perhaps to instill a feeling. "For I am here with you, so why not stay, love?"

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

That moment to look away, it gave her enought time to clear and organize her thoughts. She had to leave as the sun over head began to sink towards the mountains. The next village was still far down the path, and though she didn't mind the cold the Water Fey preferred tonight to be spent under a roof and not out here in the wild with the wind picking up as it caught her curls and mussed them around. Then of course there was the other with her. Something did not feel right, but as she met her gaze again she felt her mind drift from that though as she lifted her hand, the cloak slipping away to reveal her bandaged wrist.

Her name, it sounded so sweet, kinder than she'd heard any other person speak it before as she smiled and took the hand outstretched to her. Fingers clasped it gently as she stood there and felt the warmth in that touch. "I just, I don't..." She began softly, trying to pull from whatever magic was slowly pulling her in, but no matter how her mind and body struggled with it she only fell further into it. "I don't want to leave." Eleri murmured as her grip on the hand wavered.

She wanted to stay...needed to stay with Kesshou, but something deep within her told her to continue on down the road, to get away. "I don't know what's happening..." Her voice trailed off in a whisper as she moved in closer now, her own magic clashing with Kesshou's struggling for dominace of the girl's mind. Her body moved willingly, mind lost in the haze of need, but there was still a spark of fight in her eyes.

"I want to stay here, but I know...I shouldn't stay." Her head bowed slightly, confusion and the fighting emotions of fear and desire swirling in the air around her. "Just who are you?"

[Kesshou N'harun]

It was so simple, and Kesshou wasn't even pushing her power anywhere near its limits, and as soon as the girl's fingers touched hers, she let herself sweep her eyes away, down the girl's form again long enough to take in a few more details than the cursory glance earlier had given her (her influence still kept steady through the way their hands clasped together). She took note of the bandaged wrist, and wondered who it could have been that had wanted to hurt such a pretty thing.

"It's alright, love," she purred, soothing as she placed her other hand atop Eleri's gently. It was a delicate process now, because drawing them in was easy, and killing them was easy, but convincing them to stay while they were still themselves, that was the fun part, and that was precisely what she was aiming for. "Tell me," she said, and it would be an obligation at this point for the Fey to answer, she knew, "who is it that hurt you, my sweet Eleri?"

Her fingertips brushed lightly over the bandages, and she closed the remaining gap between them, twining their fingers together and reaching up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind the Water Fey's ear, a lingering caress along the soft line of her jaw and just the slightest nudge up under her chin to get her to lift her head again.

She did not answer the girl's question yet. All in due time.

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

The cloak fluttered open now that the arm beneath it was outstretched, the wind toying with the heavy brown fabric as cold played over her form. Soft violets layered in hues from the softest dusk to the darkest midnight, making her pale limbs seem even more so, though her reset fight also playing into her more porceline color. She remained still as she was examined, her own gaze taking in the distinctive feminine shape of Kesshou's body, the yellow of her hair, but those crimson eyes were what frightened her and made her both want to run and stay all at the same time.

Her chest tightened once more as her wounds were questioned. A few fading bruises visible above the bandages. Shame colored her cheeks a soft pink as she remembered the panicked fight at the Fissure, fear rose up again as if the Fey who had done such awful things would appear out of nowhere. Biting her lips she let the pain bring her out of her own memory, "A-A Fey of the Dark Court...he wanted to kill me." Eleri stated, beginning to pull her hand away though found herself caught up within the touch as fingers wove and lock together.

"I'm not yours..." She muttered softly as teal eyes fluttered open and close, still fighting is some sense. Lifting her head at the gentle urgings Eleri's breath hitched at the touch. It felt safe, comforting...pushing aside all of the dark memories for the time being, but there was an edge she just couldn't quite make out. The young fey leaned into the stroking fingers just slightly, letting the softest sigh slip past pink lips as she still let herself relish it.

[Kesshou N'harun]

A Dark Fey, was it? She made a soft tsking sound at the news. What a poor dear, her fellows were never very nice when it came to battle, and she was certainly no exception, but with a want to kill and yet here she was? How curious, for she didn't seem the type to kill at all, and to stop someone with the want for it was usually to do just that.

"He should be shamed," she soothed, thumb rubbing ever so slightly against her skin, "for attacking such a pretty thing..."

Not hers? She tightened the hold of her power a bit inadvertently at that. "But you could be," she murmured, eyes half lidded as she let her hand cup Eleri's cheek, enjoying that soft little sigh. No, she wouldn't mind it. It had been a long time since she'd had a pet, but they were buried memories (though just a touch of it rose to the surface and shone in her eyes for a brief moment).

"Tell me," because she was curious as to whether or not she knew him, "what did this Fey of the Dark Court look like? I may wish to teach him a lesson if I see him."