Fish Out of Water

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

The rivers were warm compared to the ocean at this time of the year. Though Eleri didn't mind the cold unlike her family, she enjoyed the almost summer-like warmth of the sun shining down through the shallow waters. The ocean stayed cold for longer into the hot summer months even with the flow of ice and cold waters coming in on the tide...the constant motion and coldness was sometimes too much as she loved how the world above changed with seasons. Perhaps Eleri had been more suited for a life on land then in water, but she couldn't deny her love of the feeling of water as it wove around her as she moved, how it hid so much life within its depths.

At the bottom of the river she looked up at the nearly darkened canopy of tree branches with new buds beginning to bloom. Sun shimmered along the surface of the water, the rush over rocks further distorting the blue sky and light. Slowly she floated up towards the surface, careful to watch around her in both the water and the land in case others were watching or waiting for her. She prefered her trips to be made alone.

Breaking from the surface two hands gripped at the soft grass and branches before a sudden splash and push of her tail brought her form up onto the bank of the river. Deep violet and teal scales shimmered softly, though slowly they lost their sheen as they grew paler, softer looking before the split of the fin grew and where her long tail had been before was two shorter limbs. Getting to her feet Eleri stumbled to a hollowed truck, reaching in to retrieve the dry white dress that she pulled over her mass of coral-colored curls. Once she was dressed she pulled more from the trunk, a small satchel made of leather and soft silk shoes that she relished the feel of as she put them on her feet.

Njosnavalin was one of her favorite escapes though it held sore memories that still made the scar on her leg ache. No matter though, the water fey loved the feel of sun on her pale skin, the sweet taste of honey from the hives that hid among the branches or trees, the feel and smell of the air. She set off along the winding worn trails that seemed long abandoned as grass and flowers grew over some parts, a soft hum escaping the blue tinted lips as she moved futher from the waters into the depths of the forest around the river.

[Ainde Su'Jat]

The swell of a gentle breeze rippled gently through the trees, the scent of reawakening heady and sweet on the air. Ainde was walking about the river's edge, splashed with broken facets of the sun's rays as he kept his eyes peeled for medicinal plants. No matter that he could not actually feel the warmth of the sun's rays on his skin in this weather, the appearance of the scattered rays at all warmed his heart thoroughly.

He hummed softly to himself, caught up in his momentarily-carefree thoughts, as he stooped to the water's edge, plucking a handful of unimpressive rushes from their place of growth. He stopped humming unconsciously, staring at the structure of the roots. Perhaps not the most interesting job, but someone had to do it. He sighed to himself, looking at the reflection of the sun off the water's surface.

And then, as quickly as that, he snapped the rushes off into a short bundle, and started anew his search. He would have time for relaxation and wistful thoughts later, once everything was set right...

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

The forest was much like the depths of the oceans with their own wonderous giants of life. Like a heartbeat one could hear the water working through their systems like a soft pulsing drum. The Divine of the Water Court made her way through the weaving trees letting fingers wander over rough bark that reminded her so much of the surface of coral. She continued to hum, letting it grow louder before something on the wind silenced her own rising voice.

A soft tune...not too far from her. She'd thought the stretch of water had been isolated, but perhaps she'd been followed? Or perhaps an Earth Fey wandering the forest as well?

Curiosity rose within Eleri like a swelling tide as she circled back to the river, further down from where she'd emerged. From the edge of where the trees ended and the bank of the river began she lingered half-hidden behind one of the wider trees watching the figure that wanders along the river. She found it curious the manners of the other as she followed him from afar her journey into the deep forest forgotten for the new fascination for the time being.

[Ainde Su'Jat]

"Hm. Then again..."

Ainde unslung his satchel, setting down about the short grass around the river's bank. He sighed a little, setting aside the thoughts in his mind that would only trick him out of enjoying what was otherwise a beautiful day. He stared upwards, taking in a deep breath and admiring the forms of the clouds, the rich blue of the sky. Pulling a waterskin from the main pouch, he began swirling its contents about gently as he directed a thin vein of cold from his person into the agitated contents.

He lay back a moment, staring off into the sky and becoming lost therein once more, his hand idly shooting a stream of red wine from the 'skin into his mouth. Truly, it was beautiful country, one that could only be improved by the addition of...

"Fish."

He allowed himself to smile for his own benefit, briefly. He gloated in the pride possessed by those who had recently produced an edible meal, completing every step; from the point it was still alive, swimming, to the point where you ate it.

Slowly, he rose to his knees, pulling a roll from his backpack and starting to eat reservedly, chasing every other mouthful with a swig of wine while his eyes slowly started to observe the landscape around him, carving an indelible memory.

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

From where she lingered Eleri let herself fall back into her own thoughts...the other was distinctly Fey, the movements and gestures as he went from work to rest familiar to her as she recognized him as another Fey like herself of the water. He didn't look familiar though, definitly not one she'd seen within the inner court at all. Still even recognizing another water fey she was cautious to just approach. As curious as she may be she knew all to well how ever Fey's of the same kingdoms could be.

As he ate the wind blew the scent of food and wine among the trees and Eleri could feel her own stomach tighten as she had not eaten that day before coming up onto the surface. She sighed, her own search for what she'd come for would be put on hold as the tug of her thoughts pushed her to satisfy her curiosity.

Stepping from her spot she moved towards the river a bit more. "I usually don't see others around here too often. Let alone on land as opposed to the waters." She spoke up before going straight to the water's edge, cautious not to get too close as she moved. "Or rather I should say you are the first I have found around here. It is curious." Her tone was soft, warm as she offered a welcoming smile.

[Ainde Su'Jat]

"I usually don't see others around here too often. Let alone on land as opposed to the waters."

Ainde looked up unconcernedly, his eyes being greeted with an unexpected and, at least thus-far, pleasant surprise. He spoke plainly, though his good humor was quickly and fairly obviously being suffocated behind a wall of careful indifference.

"Ah, is that so?"

He struggled for class, apparently cold enough to put himself off. He smiled wanly.

"I will admit, you're the first person I've seen since I left the village a few days back... I'm just up gathering herbs to make a..."

He stopped himself, his smile widening whilst hot blood suffused his cheeks. He turned away slowly, and took a deep breath. Sighing inwardly, he waited for his minor blushing to subside, attempting to change the topic.

"That is, I'm gathering herbs to make medicine; no matter what reason for. Would you care for a fish roll or a kebab? The rolls are fresh, I made them myself this morning... And the Kebabs are a day old but they're still good, if you don't mind them cold..."

He turned back again, apparently having reconquered his composure, with a quiet smile wrapped about him like so much impenetrable armor. The sound of the water subtly streaming past them filled in the space of silence now between them as Ainde extended a roll, palm up.

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

Eleri knew control, she'd seen enough royals within the inner court stifle anything that would seem emotional behind a mask of calculation. So when the Fey she'd been watching seemed to take the same countenance her own smile faded just the barest fraction.

Another note as his hesitation of what he'd been gathering things for, the sudden flush making her relax a little more as it showed as more of a true emotional response. Her interest spiked at what he stopped himself from finishing with his words, but she didn't push...

The smell of food...it had been one of Eleri's reasons for coming up to the surface in the first place. The young inner court member had a weakness for the novelty of the sweet, sugary honey that was found on land that often when living in the tides of the ocean were nearly impossible to come by. Still she felt her stomach clench a little at the thought of food, and reached out her hand to take a roll.

"Ah...thank you." She murmured before biting into the soft, salty flesh of the bread. Removing her shoes she slipped her feet into the water, letting the cool liquid rush around her flesh, beneath the water the flesh taking on more of the dark, cool color of her scales as she kicked.

"Are you a healer then? I didn't know there was a village nearby here...where is it?" Her questions seemed endless, more lingering on her tongue. Pushing a stray rosy curl behind her ear she looked up towards the rich blue sky, "Then again I've been swimming for a while now just to get here...the river is so deep from the winter snows that it's hard to notice anything sometimes unless it's beneath the waters themselves." She laughed softly, the bubbling noise rising up in the warmer air before she took another bite of her food, falling quiet once more.

[Ainde Su'Jat]

Ainde smiled a bit more openly as she bit into the roll, letting himself come back to the relaxed state he enjoyed , his mind's cogs starting to turn in their sockets as he thought of trivial discussions he could waste some time with. He decided to start where she prompted.

"Ah, it's near here, about half a day's travel west... Not even a village, though, just three families living in a small homestead in the middle of the woods. I've been working my way down the river, collecting feverbreak and whatever else I come across that's useful..."

He decided to leave the question about his profession go unaddressed, instead choosing to answer it through implication.

"Two of the older boys have come down with a fever, and they should be fine... But their mother's very weak after having their new child... If it spreads to her, and she doesn't have anybody with healing skills around... Well... It's a gloomy thought, to be sure. I just have to be back on time. Certainly, it's no reason that I can't enjoy my lunch, on such a beautiful day as today... You're a Courtier?"

He gave her a half-curious look, out of the corner of his eye, whilst he imbibed another mouthful of his wine.

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

She chewed thoughtfully on the roll, fish was really just fish in the end. It wasn't that she didn't like it, but where she'd lived in the water with her family the taste of fish had gotten to be as plain compared to the exotic foods she'd partaken on land in her own travels. Still she was more than thankful for food to have right now as it silenced the hunger pangs in her stomach.

"You walk far for medicine...might almost be easier to just use the river." She started, "I've been hearing that with the winter others have been growing sick. It's sad when it effects the small ones. It is good that there is at least one healer around for such a small village." Eleri sighed gently, letting herself bask in the warmth. Healing took a lot of energy, to be traveling to do such a thing ...she couldn't help but be impressed.

Her surprised showed as he named her as a courtier. Taking another bite into the roll she smiled, "Now why would you think that? I'm far from any court."

[Ainde Su'Jat]

"Just hazarding a guess. Didn't mean any offense... So, then, if you're not a courtier, then what do you do for a living?"

Ainde pulled a bundle of cloth from his satchel, unrolling it and plucking a skewer of meat and vegetables from the small stack contained therein. He held the point towards Eleri, hoping she'd catch his hint.

"It would be easier, in the short term. But, if I collect the means to make medicine, I can move on once they're better, right? Gives them something to help them in case it comes back again... I don't know. You can't thwart death, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't do what I can."

Ainde stretched out his legs in the grass, taking a deep breath to relax, the blades of grass within a few inches of his body becoming coated in a thin blanket of frost. His breath started to issue out in thin wisps of white cloud as he seized a kebab in his other hand, though he made no effort to consume it as of yet.

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

Any giggle that would have come from Eleri's lips was stifled by the food in her mouth as she hid her smile. The other had been correct in his guess, but still she'd found some amusement of not being noticed as a person of the inner court, "No offense taken...I am...a traveller..." She looked up from her food at the offered bit from her companion, "It is hard for me to stay too still in this world. An occupation that has other's who know me a bit crazed." She continued to kick her feet in the water, smaller fishes nipping at her toes, tickling.

With the new offering of food she carefully piece by piece took it apart popping each peice between her lips as she chewed thoughtfully. "I don't argue the effort to go and help such people...it is a kind brave thing. Though with the tensions there are it is hard to find acts of kindness." She slipped a little further down the bank, leaning over to scoop up a handful of the fresh water and bringing it to her lips to drink. The cool, crips touch and taste seemed to was away all flavors, numb her tongue as she gave a small sigh. The taste of winter still lingered.

Looking over her shoulder she quietly contemplated the other as he lay down, her gaze taking in the frost near him. The cold that seemed to rise from him surprised her, making her shift back a little cautiously. "You're an Ice Fey..." Her voice came in the softest murmur, like water through the reeds as teal eyes grew wide.

[Ainde Su'Jat]

Ainde shrugged, shooting his new companion a look that was caught between trying to be hard, and downright petulant.

"Not so. My mother was. And we can leave it at that, if you like."

He exhaled a slow, deliberate breath, conquering the urge to throw up words like so many digested, cliché plot twists. He gave Eleri a soft, reserved smile, broken by his thoughtfully pulling a piece of meat from the skewer in his hand and observing it momentarily before popping it into his mouth.

"Ah, that is, I don't mean to be rude about it. It's sort of a touchy subject, if you get me. Traveler? I wasn't aware that was a full-fledged profession... Then again, in this day and age, I suppose any way you can make it... Um, I'm Ainde."

On this last addition, he extended his hand, eyes focused on the river as though it were suddenly world-encompassing, though despite himself, he wore the faintest glimmering of a smile.

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

"I've heard some say that even one parent of ice is more than enough...then again most of the things I 've heard and never seen. Or met, for that matter." Eleri relaxed a little bit, the tension leaving her shoulders as she resumed eating. It was true, with her court status it made it risky to travel too far from the safety of the light Fey territories, even though she always wished to go further then where she had traveled.

"I've never met any ice fey...only heard stories from older Feys in the courts and villages. I apologize...I didn't know." Sincerity laced her words as she brought her feet up, her knees curling to her chest as she looked down, fingers fiddling with the soaked hem of her dress.

The extended hand held no food like the last time but Eleri took it all the same, his smile inviting as she leaned in. Slender fingers wrapping around his as she shook his hand, her own smile echoing his own, "I'm called Eleri, and yes, I'm a traveller. Not so much in profession, but desire."

As she spoke she drew the water from the fabric of her dress, tiny drops beading along the linen, the darken, damp white drying and brightening as the drawn out water rolled effortlessly into the grass by her feet. "As much as I am a part of the waters like the others in my line I've fallen in love with the world outside of it. I cannot go too far, but one day I will see everything and have my own stories to tell. Right now I am tied to obligation."

[Ainde Su'Jat]

"We are often quick to judge, when fed the perspectives of others for so long that they seem to become our own. I, myself, have never been to my mother's place of origin; I fear they would not take kindly to my appearance there... Or, maybe I'm just afraid of what I'll find."

Ainde nodded to Eleri, glad to have the awkwardness of the first impression out of the way. His eyes trailed to the water flowing uniformly out of Eleri's dress, and a quizzical look came into being on the half-blood's face.

"I've been a short distance in my years, to be sure, and I've seen many a wondrous and miraculous thing under this sky. I may hope that you come to see the wonders of the living world to your heart's content, someday... You speak of obligation--Do you mind if I inquire as to the nature of your bindings?"

Ainde shifted back into a sitting pose, idly waving away a blackfly or some other small, pesky insect, whatever it may be, from the end of his nose, whence it had begun to flutter most invasively.

[Eleri Danu'Fada]

"Stories are stonger than truth unfortunately. I've seen many young ones act out what they've been told of the war and other fey by elders, their excitement unmatched even when it comes their lesson of history and magic." Eleri remained silent on if she had been one such youth only a few winters before in her own mind. "Our past, our origins...they are important in building who we are, but they are not vital." Picking up a pebble she smoothed a thumb along the flat side of it before she skipped it across the river's surface.

"A stone could teach you more about how to be a good person compared to what any city full of Fey could teach...and vice versa. It's all based on what we strive for." With her dress dry she put her slippers back onto her feet, for a brief moment a flash of her burn scar visible around her calf, but quickly hidden again as she stood.

"The ropes that bind me are family and honor. You were not so far off in your guess of me before when you thought me a Courtier." She let out a mischivious giggle, brushing fingers through her wild coral curls,"However, my passion lies with learning truths...not within safe walls taking orders from others." Her smile grew wistful as she stared down into the waters once more, the beautiful blue sky and sun relfecting back as the afternoon dragged towards twilight.