Tauri Katag left her younger sister Elena with her own thoughts at the pool.
Instead of trying to go to bed and failing to fall asleep once more, Tauri opted to take a stroll through the gardens of her familys villa.
As she walked in the dark silence of the late evening, she thought of the conversation she had with her sister regarding the Ebon Aspirant.
The more Tauri walked the more she found herself thinking of Stryg and their last few interactions. Ever since she had tried to teach him how to swim things had changed, her perspective had changed. She was aware of him in a way she hadnt been before.
She usually didnt think about it, but every ti his eyes t hers
What am I even thinking!? Stryg is my student hes Lohs apprentice hes my sisters goddamn fianc! The last person I should be wasting my ti thinking about is that dumbass goblin hybrid.
And yet his annoyingly cocky and confident smile kept appearing in her mind.
Stryg huh? she sighed.
Yeah? a voice ca from above.
What the fuck!? Tauri jumped back and looked up into the trees.
A pair of lilac eyes peered down at her from the darkness of the branches.
Stryg? Is that you? Tauri asked incredulously. She tried to make out his silhouette, but try as she might, all she could see were his lilac eyes.
Why do you look so surprised? Youre the one who called out to , Stryg said calmly from the tree branches.
I didnt think you were She shook her head, You know what? Nevermind. What are you doing up there? Its the middle of the night.
I was ditating or at least trying to. I was never very good at it.
Have you tried ditating in your room? Sitting on a soft bed instead of rough bark helps, you know.
I saw no reason to stay in bed. Feli went off to take care of so important things or so she said. I didnt ask for details.
You didnt want to stay in your room so you chose a tree instead? Tauri asked skeptically.
Mhm. These trees, theyre not the sa, but they remind of Vulture Woods. They help relax, he admitted quietly.
Oh I see, Tauri nodded slowly. When Im stressed I usually go for a run.
What?
Im just saying I know what its like to be so stressed you cant even sleep, Tauri shrugged.
...Does running help?
Usually, I guess Ugh, can you co down already!? Its getting really annoying talking to a tree.
The branches shook and Stryg clambered down the tree bark on all fours, head first, like a squirrel. Tauri watched with a mixture of surprise and bizarre curiosity.
What the fuck did I just witness? she mumbled.
Hm? Stryg reached the grass and jumped to his feet. He leaned over close enough he could feel her breath on his face. What do you an?
Tauri leaned back until she was afraid shed fall over. The thought crossed her mind that Stryg didnt quite understand the concept of social boundaries and personal space. Suddenly, the idea of her being alone with him in the middle of the night seed very inappropriate.
Um, nothing, dont worry about it, Tauri said and took a step back. I I should get back. Im pretty tired.
Mm, Stryg nodded and turned his attention to the sky.
Well, um, see you later. Good luck with the ditation, Tauri turned around and walked away.
A storm is coming, he said.
She paused in her steps and looked back, Huh?
Theres a storm coming, he said as if it was obvious.
Tauri glanced up at the night sky, there was barely a cloud in sight. And you know this how, exactly? she asked doubtfully.
I just sorta do, he shrugged.
...Ugh, dammit, Tauri sighed in frustration and walked back towards him. She sat down on the soft grass and leaned her back on the tree trunk. Okay, Ill bite. The skies are practically completely clear. So why in Bellums na do you think a storm is on its way?
Stryg sat down next to her and inhaled deeply, Its in the air, cant you feel it?
Are you sure youre not just drunk from the festival earlier?
I dont get drunk these days, at best I usually feel a bit of a buzz, not much more.
Why is that? Do you have so secret pri mage spell to cure drunkenness all of a sudden? she chuckled. Or even better, do you have sothing to cure hangovers?
No, it has sothing to do with my body. Or at least thats what Holo said, Stryg stared at his hands.
Whos Holo?
A friend, I think? She told my bodys healing ability has recently begun to grow, significantly. Alcohol doesnt affect very much anymore. I think it has sothing to do with my hybrid nature. So mutation, probably.
Well, thats pretty neat, no? Not the drunk part, but Id love to never have a hangover again.
Yeah, I suppose, he said sullenly.
You dont like it? she frowned in confusion.
No, its not that, its just I dont know, he sighed, Sotis I just wonder if my parents were the sa. Could they heal like I do? Did they feel the things I did? Were they like , in any regard, if even just a little? Or was I always just different?
Tauri was at a loss for words. She hadnt expected Stryg of all people to open up to her about anything resembling private thoughts or worries. He had always put up a strong front in all the years she had known him. So why now? Why talk about these things all of a sudden? Was it because of his duel with Sylvie tomorrow? Or was it sothing more?
Tauri swallowed and whispered, Do you miss it? Vulture Woods? Your old tribe?
Stryg looked up at the tree above them and stared at its branches and dark green leaves, Most of Glimr Groves trees have so sort of fluorescence within them, their leaves glow with an inner light. This one doesnt. In that sense, it reminds of Vulture Woods. Its nice
Is that so? Ive never been to Vulture Woods. I dont think I know anyone that has, besides you, of course. Whats it like?
Hm? Stryg furrowed his brow.
Vulture Woods. Describe it to .
Its cold, he said gruffly.
Our whole realm is cold, she said wryly. Ive heard the others are warr, especially the Aurous Realm.
Is it? he asked curiously.
Yes, now that Ive taught you sothing, its your turn to tell sothing I dont know about your precious Vulture Woods, she grinned.
Stryg blew out a long breath of air, ...The trees are twice the size of the ones here. Their bark ranges from a pale white to a dark grey. The leaves are blood-red, not just in autumn, but throughout the year. In the dawnlight and sunset, the world is dyed a scarlet red from the light refracting off the leaves.
It sounds beautiful, she whispered.
It is. Ive never seen anything else like it since I left.
Id like to see a scarlet world, at least once, she said wistfully.
Youd probably die, outsiders dont survive in Vulture Woods.
So Ive heard, Tauri said dryly.
Its true. There are many dangers in the forest; various poisonous plants and hungry beasts, like dire bears, or wolves that hunt in packs, killing off the lone goblin that strays too far from his tribe. Not to ntion the dire vultures flying about searching for the mangled corpses left by predators, of which there are many.
Predators or corpses?
Both.
Sounds like a lovely place, she said sarcastically.
Maybe not, but it was ho, he smiled softly.
You miss it, dont you?
Yeah he nodded subtly.
A clap of thunder resounded in the distance. Droplets of rain began to fall from the sky.
Ill be damned, Tauri remarked in wonder.
I told you, he said matter-of-factly.
Suddenly the rain quickened and turned into a downpour.
Ah, shit! Tauri covered her arms above her head to little effect.
The water easily flowed past the trees leaves and poured over both of them, soaking their clothes. Tauri cursed. Stryg simply laughed in delight.
Whats so funny!? she said angrily.
Its nice to feel the rain on my skin, he closed his eyes and took a relaxing breath. Its been too long.
Well so of us dont like freezing, Tauri shivered and rubbed her arms.
Stryg placed his hand on the bark and channeled green mana into the tree. A series of thick branches grew out from the trunk and ford an umbrella of sorts above them.
...Alright, I admit it, being a pri mage has its perks, Tauri smiled lopsidedly.
Stryg smiled.
Now we just need a fire to warm up, she said and began channeling orange mana into her hands.
And burn what? The garden? Everything is wet, he noted.
Hmm, well, I could just keep a fla alight above my palms.
For how long? Fla spells consu orange mana very quickly and you would need more than just a little fla in your palm to keep yourself warm. Your mana wouldnt last long.
So what do you suggest, Mr. Magical Genius? she raised her eyebrow.
How about this? Stryg reached his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close.
Tauri felt her face grow warm. She frowned, Are you serious?
Youre warr, arent you? he said innocently.
Tauri narrowed her eyes in suspicion. She couldnt tell if he was doing this on purpose or if he was just not thinking about the ramifications of his actions. Knowing Stryg, it could have been either.
Tauri sighed. His skin was cool to the touch, but it was at least warr than the freezing rain. It was difficult to think of her cold drenched clothes when all she could hear was her heartbeat thrumming in her ears.
The scent of his hair wafted into her nostrils. He slled like crushed leaves and a hint of sweat. It wasnt terrible
...Im a little warr, she muttered, peeved.
See? It works.
Dont push it, she glared at him. The ground is still cold and wet, and so are my clothes. A fire would have been better.
True, Stryg said slowly. How about this?
He lowered his arms and grabbed her by the waist. Tauri shouted in surprise as he lifted her with ease and placed her on his lap.
Okay, now I know youre doing this on purpose! Tauri said angrily.
Stryg could feel her tight round bottom pressing on his thighs. He had always wondered what it would feel like to be pressed against her beautiful body. He reached his arms around her soft waist and hugged her. You dont have to sit on the cold ground though, right?
Thats not the point, she huffed.
Stryg rested his head in the crook of her shoulder. Her black wet hair pressed against his cheek. She sohow always managed to sll like sweet vanilla.
Can we just stay like this, for a while? he whispered into her ear.
An excited shiver ran down Tauris spine as she felt his breath on her neck. It was difficult to think clearly.
You think youre smart, dont you? she said, annoyed.
Not really.
She sighed reluctantly, Just until the rain lets up
Tauri swallowed and tried to relax her tense muscles. She leaned back on his chest and rested her neck on his shoulder, her cheek touching his. Slowly, she closed her eyes.
The rain fell over Undergrowth in a downpour
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