A morning talk

JP with Lorem and Bandorchu

Last night was surreal compared to everything that came before. After so much death and despair, to suddenly have moments of intimacy and enjoyment, felt almost unfair. What made it even more out of place is that it wasn’t shared by all, like the natal day party.

As the new day was budding, Gonyaul had finally gotten a chance to do a proper mediation and salutation ritual. During this time, he struggled with why life showed him the kindness of last night, whilst others suffered. Was it even ok to enjoy anything when others were hurting?

He continued this private train of thought into his organizing of his public life. He cleaned and gathered all of the things which had been given to him for the trip, as well as spent a good portion of time washing his Arisha Ikeburer; the outfit was now permanently reddish brown, with traces of purple, instead of white and pastel blue. Next, he tended to Amu.

He was preparing to leave, though he didn’t know where he was going just yet. He just wanted to be prepared for when he figured it out.

While the last thing on the list, the drying of the garment, was still in process he finally allowed himself to address the letter Voah gave him. It had been teasing him all morning; however, the practical chores had kept him from looking further into it. Now, he really wanted to know what it said and Voah was busy.

The only other person who he trusted with his feelings in regards to this matter was Alexis. He took the letter with him and went to find her.

Alexis had left Voah and Tarmen to their private talk, and had busied herself with helping in the clean up.
It kept her hands busy while she tried to make up her mind on how to proceed.

Though in the end, it wasn’t really a question at all. She would go and try to find her missing friends, hoping they were blissfully unaware of all that had went down while hopefully carefully exploring their respective entrance to the Ypogeos. The only question was how soon and wether she could get permission again to travel unhindered - at least by Odonine loyal to the Aghul and the war chieftain.

Gonyaul spotted her and hastened his walk. He was dressed in his winter attire, clean, and hair braided in a Vauxian style. Aside from the light bruise coloration still around his neck and face, you would never have guessed they just survived dangerous caverns and a potential slaughter. In his hair, woven into the braid, was Voah’s gift of the jade pick comb.

His approached slowed as he neared his friend.

“Good morning.”

He tested her current state of mind with a genuine smile. He knew Alexis had a propensity to shoulder the burdens and responsibilities of others as her own. Was she even willing for a conversation at this time was in question.

Alexis turned at the greeting to face her friend, answering his smile with her own, though a dimmed one.

At least Gonyaul was well and accounted for. Small blessings.

“Good morning.”

He took her smile, though not as fully realized as he had grown to love, as an invitation to step closer. The chances of Alexis asking for his assistance were probably slim, she tended to like to do things in her own power and ways, but it was always worth a shot.

“I help you anything?”

If given the chance to lighten the load for her in any way was available, he would leap at the chance.

“No, but thank you.”

Alexis looked over the still ever present chaos surrounding them.

“… just trying to make myself useful for now.”

He nodded and looked about the place. Those able, had been at it all morning to reorder and fix the damages done from the attack.

So she didn’t want any help with tasks. Perhaps she needed a listening ear.

“…you need to talk, I listen?” he asked with polite empathy.

Her expression softened a bit.

“I am sorry. I am worrying you.”

She sighed.

“I’ll be alright. Eventually.”

He meant well, she knew. When he had put her on the spot by ‘threatening’ to be on the front lines with her, he had only meant to protect her. She understood. She could even wonder if she wouldn’t have done the same, if their roles were reversed. But she had long since given up on explaining why it hurt her to act against her code. Most people, quite sensibly, promoted a live to fight another day philosophy. And she got that, she really did. Even agreed, most of the time. But there were times when she asked herself at which point survival came at much to high a cost.

“Know you need me, I be for you.” He said to reminder her in case she forgot.

You worry only when something matters and is important to you. Alexis was both of those things to him. He wouldn’t press further, respectful of her decision to keep things to herself. Maybe one day she would open up, but today was not that day.

After a pregnant pause, Gonyaul inquired, “You able help me read letter?”

He pulled out the letter, that smelled like the clove perfume of Voah, and displayed it to Alexis.