[Kelowna Kúper]

kelowna →

Kelowna realized with a start that she hadn’t spoken to anyone in a week.

Well - okay, maybe she was being a bit dramatic. She’d spoken to other people within the past week, small talk obviously, mentioning the weather to the sawyer as he hewed her staves of wood from long logs of oak. She’d said hello to the fishmonger when she bought her usual breakfast perch. She’d even managed a small “take care of yourself,” to her mother as she dropped off market shopping at her sister’s house.

But she hadn’t… spoken spoken to anyone in a week. The thought hit her as she finished her work for the day. She wiped her tired hands on her apron and sighed as she peered out the window into the grimy city streets. The cobbled walkway just outside her workshop had accumulated rain and dirt from the early autumn and glistened in the late afternoon sunlight. Well. Light. She peeked up and noticed the sky was covered in clouds. She felt a sigh escape her lips as she sat down. Her brows tugged together.

Why was this upsetting her so much? It’s not like she hadn’t gone through extended periods of time without speaking to other people. It’s just that usually when that happened, her mother, or youngest sister, or even her father when he was alive would come around and check on her. It was the realization that she was no longer a priority in their lives - she didn’t blame them, not for one second. Her sisters were both married, her youngest a mother and the middle caring for their own mother while Kelowna worked. Most of the burden of Kelowna’s work had, admittedly, become redundant as their husbands now provided for their needs. It was just as well, she’d been able to save up quite a nice nest egg now that all of her earnings weren’t going to paying the rent in their tiny tenement house. The workshop belonged to her. And there was a fire, and a corner to sleep in. She didn’t need anything else.

Still. It was a bit annoying that she’d been taking care of her entire family for years and nobody even bothered to visit her anymore. She caught the thought almost as soon as it entered her head.

“Selfish girl,” she muttered aloud, her voice like sandpaper from disuse. She untied her apron and set it on her workbench. She’d go for a walk. That would clear her head. And maybe even force her into talking to someone. Anyone? Another sigh.

Kelowna moseyed at her own pace, and along the way partook in her favorite hobby - peeking into other people’s homes and businesses. She’d long ago realized this wasn’t, per se, normal, but to be completely honest she was past the point of caring. And besides, this was her walk, she got to choose the activity.

As she went, though, an unfamiliar prickle poked at the back of her neck. She looked around, realizing that the night had grown long and the streets had grown empty. Still - it almost felt like someone was… lurking. She narrowed her eyes.

“Hello?” She croaked. And then immediately cleared her throat. “Hello? Is someone there?” She demanded, this time more clearly.

[open thread]

MADE BY MIZO

[Eveline Lennox]

♡

[ Kelowna Kúper ]

Thorne found himself restless this evening, his mind yearning to wander. He felt a certain apprehension deep within his being, for what he was not sure of. Yet. He knew that answers and truth would reveal themselves to him in time, waiting is what fretted him so. Thorne was seldom perplexed by his own feelings, and so he decided that he would fly through Nythalaê, to admire the cities dancing lights and twinkling breezes. Thorne's kind were the first sentient beings on the realm of Aëron, and he had watched the cities birth many years ago, growing in expanse until becoming the artistic capital of Selâ. 

Thorne was used to attention everywhere he went - Pixin were fearsome and large creatures, boding both strength and pride at the forefront of their existence. This time, though, he would wait until the sun nestled itself beneath the horizon, giving way to the bright orb of the moon to awaken. As the cities inhabitants began to fall into slumber, Thorne would outstretch his wings from the top of the Tree of Allways, and float downwards in lazy circles, pawing at bioluminescent bugs that buzzed beside him. All these years, and he was still the same old cat. 

Thorne felt a tug at his heart, disturbing him from his peaceful reprieve. The gravity pulled him closer, and he spotted a young girl in the distance, shoulders hunched with a rapid swing of her head to look frantic at her surroundings. He could feel her rapid heartbeat sending permeating waves through the air as he landed down the alleyway from her, his body half cloaked in shadow. As much as Thorne might like to land on a building, he scarcely believed it would support his weight. 

"Fear not, child," His voice boomed through her mind. "You are safe." He stepped forward, revealing himself fully. His muscles rippled beneath his pale ivory pelt, which thickened around his neck and shoulders into soft downy fur, making him appear even larger. Thorne's tail flicked lazily as his piercing gaze softened to meet the girls. She was so young and yet seemed very tired. He dipped his head in greeting, blinking slowly. 

☽LIA☾

[Kelowna Kúper]

kelowna →

Oh. Ah. Okay. Kelowna's eyes widened as her heart began to pound rapidly in her chest.

Murderer she could probably deal with. Mugger, she could definitely deal with. Big giant winged cat? Ehhh. She put her hand out to the wall beside her to steady herself. Her knees had started trembling.

She couldn't help it, she couldn't help being afraid. This was not a usual encounter for her. Usually her days were pretty set - she'd seen creatures, large elegant beasts, in the forests around the city and sometimes wandering the skies, but seldom did they ever venture this far into the working class neighborhoods. Why would they? There was nothing here for them. Small artisans, craftspeople, tradespeople, there were no hints of magic in the dark corners of these streets, least of all within Kelowna. Even as a Selânite, she'd never had a particularly strong connection to animals - none that she'd met, anyway, even if most of those had been rats.

She wrung the fabric of her skirt with her free hand as the creature's voice began to boom within her mind. The sudden intrusion into her thoughts made a tiny squeak escape her throat, although she quickly tamped it down.

Safe? She was safe? Well. That was good, at least. The creature bowed at her. She blinked.

Kelowna suddenly remembered herself, steadied her wobbly legs, straightened herself up, and looked the creature in the eyes.

"What... who..." She paused, trying to collect her thoughts but - ah, nope. It was too late for that. "I'm going to be completely honest with you, I'm not entirely sure what's going on here." She said. "You're a regal beast, far from any regal-type perch." Her common tongue and manner of speaking was unfiltered, to be sure, but Kelowna would also probably never be described as diplomatic. "Have you come to eat me?" She concluded. There was no hint of humor in her tone. She genuinely thought she was about to become some sort of exotic commoner-meal. Well. At least she wouldn't have to work tomorrow.

Eveline Lennox

MADE BY MIZO

[Eveline Lennox]

♡

[ Kelowna Kúper ]

Thorne noticed that her demeanor did not change upon his approach - in fact, it might have made her more nervous. Had she not seen his kind often? It was true that he and his brethren did not frequent the lower streets of the city, for their place was high amongst the branches of the Tree of Allways, or within the castle halls of Cirrus, where their duties to the jewel and it's Queen lie. 

"Why, we are in the streets of Nythalaê, happening upon each other in coincidence." He responded to her with a hearty chuckle, the sound of his laughter was low and brassy, from an ancient creature who had not lost his sense of humor, despite many years of life. "The top of the world is my perch, young one." He added, "I hunger not for human flesh. You've not enough meat on the bone." Thorne noticed her small frame, and wondered if she had been neglected. Perhaps that was why he felt guided to find her? 

The powers that drove the world were often beyond his scope of comprehension. He had learned long ago to surrender to the current of life, and to let experiences be brought to you. He blew hot air from his nose, and shook out his fur, which glittered as a beam of moonlight arched from between buildings and cascaded onto his shoulders. "And why are you sneaking around at night, young one?" He gleamed a curious eye towards her

☽LIA☾

[Kelowna Kúper]

kelowna →

His low, oaky laugh caught the young woman off guard a little. She was almost flung back to a time in her childhood where she'd made her father laugh so hard he'd knocked over a cup. It was disarming, in a way, and very suddenly made Kelowna less nervous. She felt the blood rush back to her legs and face.

Kelowna's brow twitched at his comment about her not having enough meat on her bones. She glanced down at her scrawny arms and felt a tiny smile pull on the edge of her lip. Hmph. Okay, fair. She probably deserved that for asking if she was about to be eaten. 

She was momentarily struck by the moonlight glittering throughout the large cat's fur. She was not so stubborn that she couldn't admit he looked elegant and beautiful in the silver of the night. She wondered if this was a magic beast-trick - make the humans fill with awe at the sight of you, and then strike. Although, she had to acquiesce that he probably would have just swooped down and grabbed her in his mighty clutches if he had, in fact, wanted to eat her. She tightened her lips. 

"Well," Kelowna sighed in response to his question. "The days grow busy with work, more and more farmers figure themselves vintners these days," She smiled and held out her hands, the callouses catching the moonlight in a decidedly different way than his glittering fur.

"It's bottling season - more artistic men than I will cask their whiskeys, cask their wines, cask their exotic spirits. They can't do that without casks." She said. "And it so happens, I've been so preoccupied with my cask making that I have neglected my, er..." She realized that she was posturing in the presence of the elegant beast and cleared her throat.

"I've been bored, I wanted to get some fresh air. And maybe have a little chat with someone, it's been a while since I've, er... spoken, as it were, with anyone. And in general." She concluded her thought, and as to punctuate it, gave a stiff nod.

"My name is Kelowna," she offered. "And why, elegant beast, are you wandering these streets? Not really the place for you -- not meaning any offense," she caught herself, "It's just, uh, we mostly see housecats round here, not um..." She didn't rightfully know what to call him, and as she figured she'd probably offended him enough, she let the sentence hang unfinished.

Eveline Lennox

MADE BY MIZO

[Eveline Lennox]

♡

[ Kelowna Kúper ]

Thorne was glad to hear the girl laugh, and his whiskers twitched with juxtaposed amusement. He took a step forward as she splayed her hands out in front of him, remembering to keep his steps gentle to avoid frightening her further. Thorne could admit that his form was fearsome. He stood 6ft at the shoulder, his fangs have torn flesh of ancient monsters, his claws were razor sharp and the size of daggers when extended. But his soul was warm, and his heart full of life.

Thorne sniffed her hands, the scent of leathered skin, wood and sweet wine clung to her palms. Marks of hard work, he noted. He nodded as she spoke about her work, happy to learn about the intricacies of her mortal human life. Thorne was often distracted with his tasks to the realm and it's respective leaders, he hadn't spent time watching the crafts of artisans evolve. 

He chuckled as she stopped, embarassed. Silly creatures, they are. Thorne bemused to himself, flicking his ears. "It would seem the threads of fate have lead us along the same path. I do love to listen." He stood valiantly as he introduced himself, wings feathered out to display his might. "I am known to be Thorne, The First Pixin." He was proud of his place in hierarchy, and would let it be seen by all.

He pondered a moment, reflecting on how to answer her question. "I felt the moons call, and it led me here." He responded, then repeated her name back to her. "Kelown. You are right this is not my normal place. But perhaps.." With a heave, he lowered himself down, inviting her to climb upon his shoulders. "I can show you mine. Shall you choose to trust me, child?" He purred slyly, tail flicking. 

☽LIA☾

[Kelowna Kúper]

kelowna →

"Thorne," Kelowna tested the name and nodded. "Very pleased to meet you, Master Thorne," she grinned and very nearly held out her hand to shake his before realizing that was probably not the smartest thing to do. "I don't know too much about the threads of fate, but it wouldn't be the first time my whims got me into a situation. A good situation!" She clarified, pushing a lock of golden hair behind her ear. "And I suppose I did set out to do what I intended. I'm talking to someone, finally," she said. She offered the Pixin a toothy grin and put her hands on her hips.

The great beast leaned a shoulder down, inviting her to climb onto his back. Kelowna's eyebrows raised as she sized him up. "Oh," she wrung her hands together and glanced at the night sky. Did he mean... to fly her up there? She felt her heart quicken. No. No way. She couldn't possibly do that, she might suffer some sort of massive coronary event. That was no place for her. Although...

She had to admit, his fur did look soft. And now that she was thinking about it, maybe the heart quickening was excitement and not complete dread. She reached out a trembling hand and steadied herself against Thorne's shoulder. He was warm, and she was right - he was very soft. Okay, she supposed, here goes nothing.

She very gingerly climbed onto the Pixin's back, making sure not to poke him with an errant elbow or knee. "Is... is this alright?" she asked. The last thing she wanted to do was prod him too much.

Eveline Lennox

MADE BY MIZO

[Eveline Lennox]

♡

[ Kelowna Kúper ]

Thorne purred as she climbed to sit between his shoulder blades, the sound reverberating around the empty cobblestone streets, sending ripples through small puddles that pooled in shallow crevices. Yellow slitted eyes peered through the shadows as a lanky house cat surveyed his ancestor, before shooting off to hunt a mouse that shrieked down the alleyway. 

He gave her leg a strong but gentle nudge until he felt she was adequately seated. "Hold on as tight as you can manage," Thorne sent the thought to her, permissing the girl to bury her fingers in his tousled mane. No matter how hard she might yank, it would not hurt him. He steadied, muscles poised to spring forward. 

Thorne took three great bounds before leaping in the air, his wings spread wide to catch drafts of wind to carry them upward. With every beat, they rose higher. The bite of cool autumn air whisked by as they climbed in altitude, but the heat permeating off the giant cat would be enough to keep the small human girl warm, for a time at least. 

At first the wind yowled in their ears, and then it fell silent, asleep with the rest of the city. They circled the lower streets, swooped over the Nerenne fountain which bubbled and twinkled even with no one to admire its beauty, and to the higher streets of the Noble houses. Regardless of social standing, all things were equally small when perceived from the sky. Above them, the stars danced, so close you could almost reach out to grasp one. 

Thorne looked behind his shoulder to check on Kelowna, "How are you faring? Is there anything you wish to see?" He asked, "or anything you would like to share with this old cat?" 

☽LIA☾

[Kelowna Kúper]

kelowna →

Kelowna regarded the Pixin's instructions carefully, and gave a solid nod before squeezing her legs together and grabbing a fistful of his golden fur. She was hardly fully settled when the great cat took three huge bounds and then leaped straight into the air.

Kelowna felt like she had had the wind knocked out of her. Her stomach plummeted, and her eyes began to water as the wind rushed into and past them. Oh great weave, oh heavens, oh father, She sent up prayer she could think of before squeezing her eyes shut, locking her arms and legs into position and just focusing on not letting go. But as soon as the wind had begun to rush, it stopped.

Kelowna tested an eye, letting her vision come in as a slit at first before fully opening her eyes. What she saw nearly took her breath away more than the great leap. She gasped, looking to the glittering lights below, and as Thorne began to maneuver over the streets, expertly weaving through the air like an acrobat, the cooper felt a grin grow on her face. This must be how the magic folks lived every day - the thought sent a jolt of electricity through Kelowna. How had she not known such wonders existed? And so close to her own home?

The small cloth she wore on her head to contain her mane of white-gold tresses fluttered off. She made a quick grab for it, but then watched it fly off into some unknown location below. She didn't mind too much, though, as now the wind was running wildly through her hair. It felt good.

Kelowna heard the Pixin's voice in her mind and leaned down close so her face was closer to his ear. The wind might have quieted a bit, but it was still louder than she was used to. "Master Thorne, I have never seen anything like this in my life!" She exclaimed, a hearty chuckle following her words. "You, my friend, are incredible!"

As to his questions, she chanced a lean to look at the city. "There's my shop," She said, regarding a small stone building with a thatched roof. "And over there is where my youngest sister lives. Her husband is rich," She grinned, looking at a giant tree with an earthen building nestled almost into it.

She saw the great Tree of Allways, which was an ever-present canopy over the city, but noticed a glowing and swirling mist. "What is that?" She asked, pointing unsteadily for just a moment before snatching the Pixin's fur back into her hand to regain her balance.

Eveline Lennox

MADE BY MIZO

[Eveline Lennox]

♡

[ Kelowna Kúper ]

Thorne let out a guffaw, deep and hearty, his heart filling with kittenish joy as he heard the girl yelp and howl behind him. It was rare that he allowed himself to be ridden by anyone other than the human Queen, who had grown accustomed to the speed and height while in the air. He was glad he had the opportunity to do so. 

His ears flicked back as Kelowna listed the mortal shops and houses in detail, as her hair whipped around her face. Perhaps he would take the Queen here someday, to meet this crazy girl and learn about their lives, how fleeting they might be. There may be things that can be learned from those whose lives are but a short spark in the darkness of infinity. 

Thorne weaved through the air currents, allowing it to carry them closer to the Tree of Allways. "That my dear, is what holds our realm together." He responded, tucking his wings in slightly so they would gain speed, angling straight for the mist that billowed lazily around the great Tree. They burst through it with ease, beads of silvery water coating them both, glinting reflections of the stars. 

Thorne descended, bringing them closer to the Portal that breathed Silvermist from its yawning mouth, so that the girl may reach out and touch it. "It's called Silvermist, and it's one of the driving forces in our world, seen but also felt. It brings us magic, and forces time ever onward. Shall we get closer?" He asked, wings beating methodically. 

☽LIA☾

[Kelowna Kúper]

kelowna →

The specks of mist hit Kelowna’s cheek like little needle pricks, and she squinted slightly as they flitted through around the base of the tree. The boughs overhead reached down like long spindly arms. It was quite beautiful, she noted, though their branches looked like fingers.

She took in the swirling mist, breathing it in deeply. It smelled woody and wet, the way the mulch smelled underfoot in the forest after it had rained. Thorne’s strong wings took them closer to the tree and Kelowna reached out her left arm, straining it closer and closer to the wood. Certainly, she felt drawn to it. It was so much bigger and grander up close than it was from her shop door. She had stood in that doorway and looked into the great canopy countless times, but she had never been so close as to almost touch it.

As the Pixin banked, she retreated her hand and clung to the fur of his mane once more, only just realizing that the droplets had accumulated so much so that they were dripping off of her ears and nose. She wondered what her hair must look like - it was probably puffed up, the droplets clinging to it like dew on the grass in the morning.

As Thorne began speaking to her, she leaned in closely - not to hear him more clearly, she knew his words were only coming to her mind at this point, but to feel his warmth on her face. The wind and the mist had made her nose go red, and her cheeks were cold. ”Magic…” she repeated after him.

She was wholly unfamiliar with magic. She knew it existed, she had seen people and their beasts conversing and strolling along, but she herself had never felt the pull of it. She had assumed that magic was just something reserved for people of more prominence in their world – she knew of the magic keeping their queen young, the magic that allowed the tree to grow so great above them, magic that let human and animal bond in incomprehensible ways. But she was a simple girl, with a simple job, and a simple way of living. What could she possibly know about magic.

”I would… I would like to see it,” She replied gently to the great Pixin’s request. ”Is it… is it dangerous?” she asked, gripping his fur and burrowing into it just a little more.

Great weave, she was scared. This was an emotion she didn’t often feel. A shudder went through her, despite herself.

Eveline Lennox

MADE BY MIZO