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+---- Thread: [SE] breaking comfort zones (/showthread.php?tid=10121)
breaking comfort zones - Lena - 09-10-2024
Lena didn’t frequent the streets near the White Hart all too often; much more inclined to wandering through the Plaza. But picking up some favored food was for the best, as she had several other things to do along the outskirts of Stormbreak, including house touring, that she needed to be ready and not starving for.
Humming along, with Mittens hovering alongside, she could hear her stomach growl as the aromas hustled and bustled through the avenues and rows. Pinpointing on one merchant’s kiosk, she snagged a few barbecued pieces, sharing with her sneering companion, before they rounded another corner, and she recognized a familiar figure in
RE: breaking comfort zones - Ellyra - 09-30-2024
Today was not Ellyra's best day. She was back in the city to do two things: pack up her apartment, and give her notice to the clinic. The remnants of the starfall island had gone too far into her city and it scared her to her core. She couldn't stick around somewhere she was so scared -- as her history was quite clear, having taken off as soon as the barrier fell and she could travel. Packing up her apartment took less time than she was expecting, so the lioness let herself have one last walk about before heading back on a skyboat for King's End.
Then she heard a familiar voice, and whipped around.
[say]"LENA!"[/say] The lioness exclaimed, joy lighting her amber eyes and turning her grin to something that devoured her entire face. [say]"It's been ages, oh my gods, how are you!?"[/say] She didn't hesitate to close the distance between them and wrap her arms around the celestine caretaker. Though they hadn't seen each other in quite some time, Ellyra was fond of the memories she had of Lena, and respected the caretaker who gave her grace even after she smashed vampire gourds in her presence.
RE: breaking comfort zones - Lena - 10-01-2024
The day was fostered into a host of surprises, it seemed, for no sooner had she announced the other Attuned’s name did the woman come bounding – a relief, perhaps, in that she too hadn’t succumbed to anything amidst Stormbreak, the void, or matters elsewhere. [say]“I’m well,”[/say] she uttered, returning the embrace with warmth and delight. Especially given all the other circumstances surrounding their intrepid and wary fortitudes. They were alive and they were fighting, and sometimes that was all that mattered. Ellyra’s presence was another bolster in the line of formidable and enduring people.
Backing away just a little to survey the lioness, she grinned, head tilting, shoving her bag further up her shoulder and finishing off her meal. [say]“How have you been?”[/say]
RE: breaking comfort zones - Ellyra - 10-22-2024
Their hug was not a long embrace, but Ellyra didn't mind. She was so elated to see her friend that she was nearly vibrating as the caretaker stepped back and adjusted her bag. Having missed the question the first time in her excitement, Ellyra's cheeks blushed a salmon color. Had it been actual cosmetics, it would suit her, but it was very clear that it had not been painted on before this meeting. [say]"Sorry, yeah, I just, good--"[/say] She answered in short, breathy chops as she slowly shook her head, the smile never leaving her face, [say]"--I've just been trying to leave the city, actually."[/say]
Her smile faded some and she reached up to tuck her thick hair behind her ear. [say]"I just settled the last business with my apartment."[/say] She admitted, gesturing behind her. She wasn't sure how Lena would react to that news, and she wasn't sure how comfortable she was sharing her reasonings all out in the open.
RE: breaking comfort zones - Lena - 10-23-2024
If Lena’s face fell for a brief instant at Ellyra’s news, she tried to hide it well – content for her friend on new ventures, and a little disappointed one more would be gone from their expanse. It could be for any multitude of reasons why, and with everything going on lately, the Caretaker couldn’t begrudge the other Attuned. Stormbreak had simply become either a spot for the foothold of one Family member, her constituents, and the rebellious sort who refused to be dampened by the reign of power. It was understandable why the lioness wouldn’t want to be any of those things – seeking safety elsewhere. [say]“I see,”[/say] and she gave a small smile, ensuring the comprehension had passed through, and no more would need to be said.
Instead, she kept the notions light – as it could be in the circumstances, she supposed. [say]“Where are you headed instead?”[/say]
RE: breaking comfort zones - Ellyra - 11-03-2024
Ellyra took a small breath, steadying herself as she looked up at Lena, her fingers still fiddling with the strap of her bag. [say]“Well, maybe King's End?”[/say] Her voice was soft, almost testing the words before fully committing. She watched Lena’s face for a reaction, her smile hesitant but hopeful, her fingers finally still.
[say]“It’s—it’s not forever,”[/say] she rushed to add, a nervous chuckle slipping out. [say]“I mean, probably not forever. It’s just… I think I need a change, you know? A real one.”[/say] Her voice wavered, but she didn’t look away.
She lifted a hand, brushing a stray lock of goldenrod hair back behind her ear. [say]“Everything here just started feeling so… closed. I don’t know if that makes sense,”[/say] she murmured, a blush coloring her cheeks again. [say]“I just need to see what else is out there.”[/say] Her hand came back down to her bag. [say]"And King's End is so new, and they could use a nurse. I could maybe open a clinic and help a lot of people that are moving there, and, well, year."[/say] She bit her lip, waiting, as her words hung between them, feeling like she had just vomited all over the caretaker.
Her reasonings all seemed true enough even as she spoke them, and she didn't want to hang on to the fact that Starfall was so fucking close.
RE: breaking comfort zones - Lena - 11-03-2024
[say]“King’s End is beautiful,”[/say] she murmured in truth – for it was. Fields upon fields of green, of memories, of legends and tales and things intermingling and taking hold; places where people lived and dreamed nowadays too, civilization springing up from hedges and barrows. Her own fingers stilled too, resigned to collect together in her hands, woven and measured, quiet and understanding. She knew why people left and why people lingered – for a few sparse moments after seeing Dahlia for the first time, after refusing to be on her council, she’d wondered if she’d have to be the former too. If she’d have to run and not look back on everything she’d built and fostered, nurtured and loved. Or if she’d simply perish – and none of it would’ve mattered.
And then she’d dug her heels in, found solace in what she had, and made sure not one, single, solitary sovereign and their Family was going to ruin it. Painstaking and deliberate, but diligent and unassuming, a noble mask printed on lingering smiles while desperately clinging to information from outside regions and other kingdoms. Haunting Frey’s Breath. Striving to find the ways in which she could aid and support and defy all in equal measure. [say]“It does,”[/say] she reassured. Stormbreak ostracized; sagacity and wisdom done in whispers and solace, rather than in the comforts of their own homes. [say]“We are doing what we can, but…,”[/say] she trailed off, not willing to give over to that well of the unknown either. Determined, perhaps wrongly, foolishly, naively, believing their efforts were something more. [say]“It’s okay,”[/say] came a little quieter, with all the reassurance she could muster. Because rebellion looked different everywhere. [say]“And you’re going to learn so much. Do you need help with packing or anything?”[/say]
RE: breaking comfort zones - Ellyra - 11-15-2024
It never felt like enough. Nothing ever did. Ellyra tried not to dwell on it—it felt indulgent and messy--but the thought lingered even as she decided to move from Stormbreak to King's End. It was easier for the lioness to disguise her moving away from the city with the void-bound leadership, rather than why she always feel so unmoored. Everyone else seemed to have something that anchored them. A home, a purpose, a someone. Even Lena had the Celestine. Something solid and real to hold onto. She had tried to find hers, or at least convince herself she had, through the clinic, but...
It wasn’t that she wasn’t grateful. She knew how lucky she was. She’d had good things, good people. But none of it ever filled the hollow space in her chest. It was as though a piece of her was missing, something vital she could never quite name. But she couldn't get that out in words. Instead, she was able to mask it in fear and trepidation of what might be to come and her own weaknesses in that fight--which she wasn't even a part of, and did not want to be. She was a nurse, not a warrior.
She tried to break a smile when Lena gave her reassurance, even though it was quiet. [say]"I don't think so...but if you need anything, you can write me! And I'll write you to tell you about how its going in King's End."[/say]
RE: breaking comfort zones - Lena - 11-15-2024
If Lena didn’t have her support structures, it would’ve been much different. A reason to flee, maybe, into other lands and ventures. But here, in Stormbreak, she had family and friends, an occupation and a role, and plans to see through. Had she realized Ellyra was feeling so untethered and disconnected, she might’ve tried to aid in the overt feeling of helplessness; but conclusions were forgone, and there was always the possibility that it wouldn’t have mattered. Minds could and would be made, sometimes regardless of actions. And maybe, through this impending journey, the lioness would find exactly what she needed.
For Lena wasn’t a warrior either; a mender, a Caretaker, a piece of the puzzle Caido frequently forgot. She just carved a little section for herself and for so many others: trying to erase the harm.
So she smiled warmly again, nodding at the sentiments, the routine of impending goodbyes. [say]“Of course. I would love to hear all about it.”[/say]