The flickering flames of the overhead candles cast small dancing shadows around the tavern. It was dark outside, the evening wearing on. The rain had stopped, after several days of intermittent drizzle and down pour, but only recently, wet footprints still littering the tavern’s floor. Sitting at their favorite table close to the back sat Althena and Marloff, seated next to one another, a pot of tea between them, the Ixifar twisted slightly in her chair to face her love, hands clasped tightly in the Empyrean’s larger hands, her tea cup, sheltered in the space of her elbows, sat forgotten.
The Ixifar leaned forward, earnestly talking in low tones as she explained her latest encounter with the newly formed Shade, Blaise, and Poppy. “We have very different opinions on the Life and Death issue.” She glances up into Marloff’s face. “He is adamant that none deserve to be resurrected, regardless of how they met their end, who they were in life or even what they could accomplish if given that extra chance.” She tilts her head slightly, arms shifting as she grasps Marloff’s hands tighter. “Poppy is quite angry with him, for he did make a statement against all such as she, and she also took issue with how she thought he perceives those healers who do perform resurrections. Although he was respectful and polite to me.” She frowns slightly, replaying Blaise’s words. “And I know that, had I been born somewhere else - or even among my own kind - I may well share the same opinion of the undead. But, it is difficult to, knowing what I do, having spent so much time serving in Istensia’s church. But,” she looks back down to their hands. “I do understand…somewhat. He is guided by the pain of loss, and as so many do when that pain is still a twisting thing that takes hold of the soul, he means to take it out on the rest of the world.” She shakes her head. “It is such a sad thing, to see everything as bad, unable to see what good there is in the world.” She looks back up into Marloff’s brown eyes, smiling. “Everyone has loss in their lives. He has chosen to take his feelings of pain out onto the rest. I fear that I may have to go against him again. And this saddens me. He is not evil; his purpose as a Shade is not an evil intent, just…misguided. He is too inflexible and unyielding as he follows this path, determined to share his pain, regardless of who may suffer.” She looks down at their joined hands, thumb rubbing along the scar that mars Marloff’s thumb. “He has talent. His music…” She smiles. “Do you remember that traveler who used to come to the shrine? Humming that little song of his?” A thoughtful look crosses her face. “Or, had you started coming to the shrine at that point? Time flies, and I sometimes lose track of the path it takes.”
Althena let Marloff's words - wise, as always - sink in. She reaches over and gently brushes the sole tear from Marloff's cheek, thumbing it away as she offers her love a soft smile. Turning her chair slightly, she takes hold of Marloff's hands once again.
"What you say is quite possible, my love," she frowns slightly. "I simply wish there was some way I could let him see - or acknowledge - that the world, as a whole, is not a currupt, disgusting thing. That there are things within worthy of preserving." Her frown deepens. "And while I appreciate the confidence you show in me, I am uncertain how we can achieve this synergy you speak of. Our views are diametrically opposing." She sighs. "There are times I wish I had your gift of Sight. It certainly would make my job much easier."
"Do not sell yourself short Althena. Your sympathy toward others is nothing more than seeing things to come, caring about them shows that you know their lives will hold value to future endeavors."
*conjures a small loaf of bread*
"Today we consume this loaf and it gives us nourishment enough to see tomorrow. If we hold onto it too long, it molds and crumbles to nothingness, becomes wasted. Life can be the same... The world sometimes needs to consume a life in order to make tomorrow what it needs to become. Hold onto life too long and its value can diminish and crumble away."
*waves hand over the loaf - a large bumble bee appears in its place*
"This small creatures time in Orn will be short, yet it will do its work and bring much good to the fields that we all count on."
Pauses for breath and a sip of now cooling tea.
"Loss does not have to be all bad."
Althena's hand pauses in mid-air as the loaf of bread disappears and in its place appears the bee. Pulling her hand back, she gives her lover a sidelong glance. Watching as Marloff takes a sip of his tea, she leans back into her chair. "I understand that not every life is worthy of another chance." She begins slowly, understanding that Marloff's mindset would take this turn. "There are those lives that, if extented or renewed would be filled with pain. And still others who offer nothing to life other than pain and evil to others." She tilted her head, offering a small smile. "Trust me, never would you see me trying to resurrect those who pass due to infirmary or the evil they cause. But," she reached forward now, earnestly grasping Marloff's free hand. "there are those who deserve a second chance, who could make a difference. How can we be bestowed these gifts, gifts that allow us to pull those souls back from Death, if they were not to be used?"
Lifting the teapot to refill her cup, Althena glances over at Marloff. "Just as I prepare myself for an argument with you, you turn around and agree with me." She grins as she takes a sip of the steaming tea. "That is what has made life so interesting with you these past many years." Glancing down at the few swirling tea leaves in her drink, Althena sets it down, her grin replaced with a sad frown. "But, I still have Blaise to contend with. Unless there is a way to let him see how life truly is - the good and bad - then I fear we will continue to be at odds." Sighing, she glances around the tavern, the smile returning as she sees many familiar faces. "But, I guess that will simply have to be, then. There are many here I would gladly stand before Death himself for." She turns her gaze back to the love of her life, reaching forward to grasp his hands again. "The most important, here, who has always stood beside me, regardless of the fool decisions I may make from time to time."
'And when you know in your heart it is time for a life to leave Orn, stand by Blaise, this will show him you are not against him and that you can support his work as well.'
*ponders his next question*
'On a related topic, Althena, you hold a secret. I can feel that you do and see it hiding in your eyes.'
Marloff raises hands and cradles his chin with both index fingers. The thoughtful look on his face quickly turning to a grin, he extends one arm a gently taps once on Althena's forehead.
"Would you be so kind to share it with me? My curiosity needs to be satiated."
With that he leans in very close and percents an eager ear.
Pondering Marloff's suggestion, Althena nods. "That would, indeed, show Blaise that not all are against him. And, that there are sometimes when Death is the only final solution." She nods, smiling, "I can most certainly do this." Tilting her head slightly, she frowns. Marloff knew all her secrets, having helped her from the very beginning. Then, understanding dawned upon her, and she gave her lover a sheepish smile. "Ah, yes...it is not my secret, however, if any within Jastrey - in the whole of Orn - understands the value of a secret, it is you. I trust you with my own secrets, my love...." and then she leans forward, whispering softly into the Empyrean's ear, her breath lightly caressing his ear as she speaks. Then, smiling, she straightens.
Tea cooling, Althena glanced down, staring at her hands. "It is a pain I hope to never know," she looks up at her lover. "I understand you may outlive me by centuries, Marloff, but I need you to promise..." her voice falters here, unshed tears choking as she shakes her head and lifts the cup to take a sip. Sighing, she sets it down, skaing her head. "That is a foolish thing...a foolish promise to try to extract. You will feel how you will feel." She brushes quickly at her eyes, turning to look back at Marloff. "And, do not think I have forgotten that I asked you if you knew the traveler to the shrine? Recalled the tune?" She smirked slightly at him, trying to shed the heavy feeling that suddenly overcame her.
"I have often heard you humming that old tune. You know the one. Yes, I do remember that traveler, a kind soft spoken soul. I wonder what ever became of him."
*Marloff deliberately avoids the talk of Althena moving on and leaving him alone in Orn once again. If he were a different sort of man, he might try and discover a way to keep her and not ever let her travel to the next. But that is not what she would want anyway, despite the fierce words she had shared with Blaise.*
Drink your tea. Enjoy the day. Savor your friendships. Be content in your path.
Althena sighs around the lip of her cup, smiling as she takes another sip. She knows Marloff will, yet again, avoid the discussion that needs to be said. They have been together many years, and, unlike her lover, she will not live centuries untold. However, she knows it pains him, and so she will let it go. Again. They know one another better than anyone has neither the other, so she will leave it to his best intentions.
Putting the cup down, she closes her eyes, bringing the melody to mind as she softly hums it, just under her breath, so Marloff can hear. As it continues, she whispers the words neither had known until recently.
"But Love, our love has not ended:
it has no birth or death, no beginning or end
like a voyage, we’ll sail it together
Through the years,
changing lands, changing ships."
She trails off slightly, shaking her head. "I cannot do it justice," she replies, picking up her tea cup, letting the song lay unfinished as she continued sipping at her tea, lifting her eyes, fist to gaze at her love, and then to trail around the tavern, smiling at those who sat with friends, enjoying the evening, shifting to those who sat alone. A few unknown faces, yet. But, overall, many whom she had come to care for during this last few mestruns.
" My poor Althena, you have taken so much upon yourself. It is of no surprise to me that you share his pain. Empathy can be a great burden, to feel all the suffering of those around you. This is one of reasons I love you. Blaise will follow his path as you must follow yours. Perhaps your ambitions can work together and form some synergy. Nothing is either good or bad, it is thinking that makes it so. Find the good and keep your gaze upon it, nurture it."
Marloff closes is eyes for a long pause... Then continues.
"Blaise does not see things as you do. It seems to me that he is doing what he feels is right, the way things should be, for him. I know that feeling of great loss. It will rip your soul to shreds if you allow it. Blaise walks his new path to shroud his suffering and protect others from it as well. Let me put it this way, losing someone precious is a terrible thing, it brings heartache and misery. If this soul is summoned forth to roam Orn again, it can be a comfort but, this opens up the opportunity to lose them once more and more torment. I do not know know the mind of Blaise, but surely this must be part of his thinking."
Thinking of the man whom he had called father,a single tear traces the lines of Marloff's face as is makes its way to the floor.