She bows to no one.
The falling rain masked the light pad of footsteps through the hallway. It also covered whatever other strange sounds may be lurking about the musty building as Thal floated through like a wandering wraith. Her black cloak flowed behind her in the chill of the drafts, making her movements appear more purposeful than they had any right to be. Along with the aimless trail of her thoughts, she noticed little of the blank walls or daunting bookshelves. The melancholy drone of raindrops and soul sucking nip of Leafchange cold caused everyone to recede to their hovels and homes, filled with warming mechanisms and friendly company to block out the dreary weather. She had no such options, so she found herself lost in the walkways of the Atheneum - not that she would ever admit to such a thing.
Night had come to bring darkness and leech further heat from her body, providing sentient shadows around every corner. A shiver caused Thal to pull her cloak tighter around her shoulders. Something made her glance behind, but the pitch black only served to ice her soul. She had been cursed by a spirit once and, although she would never call herself superstitious, there were reasons that people closed their eyes at night.
Taking a shuddering breath, her pace quickened away from the ominous void. Lucky for her, a light finally shone from a doorway ahead, beckoning to her. Thal didn't hesitate to accept the summons as she stepped into the light of the hearth fire.
Calming the racing beat of her heart, Thal took a moment to let her eyes adjust before taking in the status of the room. The large common room was inviting with the soft glow of the hearth blanketing a comfortable arrangement of plush seating. Her shoulders released their tension and the dark thoughts were banished to the threshold behind her. A small study adjoining the room attracted her attention. To her pleasant surprise, Maea was within.
A small smile graced her lips as she leaned against the doorway and greeted the other Ancient. "I hope you are finding ways to keep warm today." Thal noticed the small cup of stale tea along with the strewn papers and ink bottles that alluded to the oppressive work that had taken place throughout the day. Concerned, Thal asked, "Have you even left this room?" What could possibly be so important that she worked nonstop to complete?
Night had come to bring darkness and leech further heat from her body, providing sentient shadows around every corner. A shiver caused Thal to pull her cloak tighter around her shoulders. Something made her glance behind, but the pitch black only served to ice her soul. She had been cursed by a spirit once and, although she would never call herself superstitious, there were reasons that people closed their eyes at night.
Taking a shuddering breath, her pace quickened away from the ominous void. Lucky for her, a light finally shone from a doorway ahead, beckoning to her. Thal didn't hesitate to accept the summons as she stepped into the light of the hearth fire.
Calming the racing beat of her heart, Thal took a moment to let her eyes adjust before taking in the status of the room. The large common room was inviting with the soft glow of the hearth blanketing a comfortable arrangement of plush seating. Her shoulders released their tension and the dark thoughts were banished to the threshold behind her. A small study adjoining the room attracted her attention. To her pleasant surprise, Maea was within.
A small smile graced her lips as she leaned against the doorway and greeted the other Ancient. "I hope you are finding ways to keep warm today." Thal noticed the small cup of stale tea along with the strewn papers and ink bottles that alluded to the oppressive work that had taken place throughout the day. Concerned, Thal asked, "Have you even left this room?" What could possibly be so important that she worked nonstop to complete?
Thalassa
