as the world turns
For Harper
Sohalia Lumaris
the Luminary
Cartographer

Age: 20 | Height: 5'6" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak
Level: 4 - Strg: 17 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 18 - Luck: 21 - Int:
TARAK - Mythical - Griffin (Fire Breath)
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#1
Sohalia
It was a beautiful Flowerbirth day as Sohalia soared on ivory wings above the Wildwood. The sun was shining, the leaves were green, and it was finally warm. She'd never been a fan of the cold, so the return of spring was always a welcome time for the young woman. Crossing a thermal, Sohalia soared even higher, barely needing to flap her wings thanks to the warm, upward draft. She could stay here for hours. If only she didn't tire so easily.

It was nearly time to leave the Greatwood. Sohalia had spent over a season in the beautiful realm, but her heart was not yet ready to settle. There was so much more in the world that she wanted to do and see, and now that Tal had helped her to overcome her fear of skyships, there was nothing holding her back. She couldn't fly as fast or as far as a skyship, so to explore more of Caido, she'd had only one option. It had seemed a bit silly to be so afraid of skyships when she was perfectly fine with flight, but then, sometimes fears were irrational.

Beginning to tire, Sohalia banked towards a nearby clearing and began her descent. Upon landing, she transformed - an interesting process that was more uncomfortable than painful, though she was sure it looked quite bizarre to anyone who wasn't accustomed to it. As a human, she was blonde-haired and grey-eyed, typically garbed in comfortable dresses. On this day, the dress she had chosen to wear was a deep blue. A little winded from her flight and from the transformation, Sohalia found a comfortable-looking tree and settled herself at its base, fanning her skirts around her legs gracefully. She could rest here for a while before returning to Sidhe Village, where she would prepare for her next great adventure.
it's just a spark, but it's enough to keep me going
Harper Quinn
the Stalwart
Teacher

Age: 33 | Height: 5'10 | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Nomadic
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 15 - Endr: 27 - Luck: 19 - Int:
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#2
Harper

With Jude returned to his mother for their visitation time, Harper takes the remainder of the day to himself in the Wildwood, grappling with the fraught tangle of emotions in his chest. Leaving the Village behind on human feet is a matter of respect to any of the Attuned and the older Fae in the area. They do not deserve the residual echo of his emotions tainting their own moods, no matter how badly he desires to pierce through the boughs and branches overhead on soot-black wings to find peace amidst the clouds and wind.

He nearly tramples on the young woman's skirts, so deep in his head does he find himself. Dancing to the side in something too steady to be called a stumble, Harper flushes to his ears in embarrassment at his own lack of focus as he eyes the colorful fabric to ensure he hadn't trod spring soil onto its hem. "I'm so sorry, I know you're too colorful for it to be believable if I say I didn't see you, but I was distracted," he laughs, hand coming to his nape in a habitual sheepish motion. Eyeing the way the young woman rests against the base of the tree, Harper can't help the sudden concern that creases his dark brows. "Are you okay? Do you need help making it to the Village?" The Greatwood loves to send non-natives on winding trails, ones that could easily tire someone out to dangerous levels if they didn't come prepared. He has certainly seen it happen enough times to automatically offer assistance to anyone who looks remotely out of breath.
can we go back to the world we had?
with a love so sweet it makes me sad
Sohalia Lumaris
the Luminary
Cartographer

Age: 20 | Height: 5'6" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak
Level: 4 - Strg: 17 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 18 - Luck: 21 - Int:
TARAK - Mythical - Griffin (Fire Breath)
Played by: RayoDeSoleil Offline
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Posts: 1,056 | Total: 2,063
MP: 3230
#3
Sohalia
Sohalia liked it here in the Greatwood, settled amongst ancient trees with root systems so wide they could cradle her like a baby. Perhaps it was the owl part of her that longed for the muted darkness of the forest: it felt, somehow, like home, and she found herself settling comfortably into the base of the tree. It would be silly to take a nap her, where the woods could so easily turn on her, but Sohalia was young and naive, oblivious to the dangers of the world around her. She'd almost decided to close her eyes when -

"Oh!" she squealed as she sat up straight in alarm, watching a strange man nearly trip over her feet. He righted himself in an oddly graceful way as she yanked her legs closer to herself and bolted to her feet, her blue skirts swirling around her ankles. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to be in the way," she said, her apology colliding with the man's, and she laughed gently to dispel any lingering tension in the air.

"I'm fine, thank you for asking; I was just resting before I returned to the Village," she explained with a bright smile. "It was fun, flying through the trees, but it wore me out. It's nice in here, isn't it? What a beautiful old forest! I'm Sohalia, by the way," she added belatedly, remembering her manners. "Pleased to meet you!"
it's just a spark, but it's enough to keep me going
Harper Quinn
the Stalwart
Teacher

Age: 33 | Height: 5'10 | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Nomadic
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 15 - Endr: 27 - Luck: 19 - Int:
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#4
Harper

It's a bit of a hullabaloo, their near-collision and subsequent apologies, and it helps wash away the dire mood that had been clinging to Harper's shoulders mere seconds before. While the Fae are far more tolerant of his presence after years of visitation, the young woman's laughter is a balm he hadn't known he'd needed until he heard it. Something far friendlier than anything he's faced in the past few days.

Harper can't help his own charmed laugh at her exuberance, the way her words trickle forth in an eager stream despite her supposed exhaustion. "It's beautiful here, absolutely. I usually fly my way in and out when I'm not escorting my son, the trees are too wily and love to make me late," he chuckles sheepishly. Extending a hand as she hadn't done so herself, Harper smiles warmly. "Harper! It's a pleasure. Sounds like you're not a local then?" Though her admiration of the forest didn't necessarily fully imply being a visitor, it held the wonder of one.
can we go back to the world we had?
with a love so sweet it makes me sad
Sohalia Lumaris
the Luminary
Cartographer

Age: 20 | Height: 5'6" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak
Level: 4 - Strg: 17 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 18 - Luck: 21 - Int:
TARAK - Mythical - Griffin (Fire Breath)
Played by: RayoDeSoleil Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,056 | Total: 2,063
MP: 3230
#5
Sohalia
Sohalia took the proffered hand with another sweet smile. "Is it that obvious? No, I'm from the Hollowed Grounds originally," she admitted. "But now I'm exploring Caido. The Greatwood was my first stop, and it's proven to be all I could have hoped for." She dutifully ignored the fact that she was exploring to avoid processing her grief after her guardian, Auden, had died. Perhaps she wasn't even aware of her evasion. It wasn't like she'd had much practice dealing with strong negative emotions.

Not yet, anyway.

In any case, Sohalia released Harper's hand and clasped her own behind her back. "Do you come here often?" she asked. "I'm going to be leaving soon, and I want to be sure i see everything before I go." Bright and sunny, she was unaware of her chattering, barely pausing long enough for Harper to get a word in. "Do you have a favorite place in the Greatwood? Or outside of it, I suppose," she added. She may as well get recommendations for elsewhere in the world, too.
it's just a spark, but it's enough to keep me going
Harper Quinn
the Stalwart
Teacher

Age: 33 | Height: 5'10 | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Nomadic
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 15 - Endr: 27 - Luck: 19 - Int:
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#6
Harper

"Not too obvious!" he hastens to assure her as they shake hands, "I'm just pretty observant and know most of the non-Fae faces here." And even those he is coming to categorize; whenever they deign to walk on the ground that is. He is inclined to ask how her travels are going so far, but she has questions of her own to pose it seems.

"My son's mother lives here, I bring him here for visits so I'm often dropping in," he admits easily, despite the wealth of information such an admission provides. Harper has always lived his life with his heart on his sleeve. "If you're a reader, the Undercroft is a must. They don't let you check things out usually, but there are many rare books! If you're a shopper, there's a great bits-and-bobs seller at the Bodega run by a Fae named Ulrich that I love." Running a hand through his hair he lifts his eyes skyward, trying to think of any other fun places off the top of his head. "Otherwise, of course I'd say come to Torchline next! I'm a councilman there, and it's a huge hub - much bigger and higher population density than the Greatwood of course, so if that's not your thing maybe put it lower on the list." He winks, grinning amiably. Torchline isn't for everyone, but he loves it all the same.
can we go back to the world we had?
with a love so sweet it makes me sad
Sohalia Lumaris
the Luminary
Cartographer

Age: 20 | Height: 5'6" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak
Level: 4 - Strg: 17 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 18 - Luck: 21 - Int:
TARAK - Mythical - Griffin (Fire Breath)
Played by: RayoDeSoleil Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,056 | Total: 2,063
MP: 3230
#7
Sohalia
Fortunately for Sohalia, her new friend didn't seem to mind her chatter and questions. He answered amicably, and the young woman relaxed in the man's easy presence. "How old is your son?" she asked, curious; she was a poor judge of age, and in her mind, the man before her didn't look old enough to have a child. Of course, technically, she supposed that she could have a child herself, even if the thought made her shudder. She was nowhere near ready to be a parent!

"I've been to the Undercroft," she said aloud, allowing her meandering thoughts to slip away in favor of the conversation at hand. "I found some fascinating books on Caido's geography. I'm planning to visit the Oerwoud next; it sounds absolutely mesmerizing!" She giggled, giddy at the prospect of new places to explore and new people to meet. "Oh, there was the most wonderful tea shop that I visited at the Bodega!" she added, thinking with a smile of her time there with Tal. "But I don't recall a shop run by an Ulrich. I'll have to keep an eye out before I leave!"

She listened with interest as Harper described Torchline, tilting her head to one side as she considered. "I want to see all of Caido," she told him eagerly. "Torchline is certainly on my list! What are your favorite things in Torchline?"
it's just a spark, but it's enough to keep me going
Harper Quinn
the Stalwart
Teacher

Age: 33 | Height: 5'10 | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Nomadic
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 15 - Endr: 27 - Luck: 19 - Int:
Played by: Brit Offline
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#8
Harper

Harper can almost read the confusion in her eyes, or perhaps he merely assumes it given the strange reactions he has had from others in the past - and it makes him laugh, a little sheepish. "Ten, actually. But his teacher took her eyes off him too long during a field trip and he aged faster by visiting a Frey shrine. I'm just glad I'm still young enough to keep up with him!" He is a family man, one who would have been happy with children at any age, but at least his mentor and parents could rest in peace in the afterlife knowing he'd at last made it to thirty before having a child.

"If you're a fan of forests and plants like the Greatwood, it's perfect!" He had grown up surrounded by skyscrapers and modern architecture, so it is still novel to him even after so many years in Caido. "Torchline's biggest draw has always been the beaches and the weather, and I love to swim and surf so as lame as it is to say something so obvious, probably that," he chuckles, sheepishly grabbing his neck and shrugging. "I'm a fair weather guy, so the constant sun is a huge bonus." Made obvious by his deeply tanned skin and salt-curled hair, marking him as a clear visitor in the Greatwood.
can we go back to the world we had?
with a love so sweet it makes me sad
Sohalia Lumaris
the Luminary
Cartographer

Age: 20 | Height: 5'6" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak
Level: 4 - Strg: 17 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 18 - Luck: 21 - Int:
TARAK - Mythical - Griffin (Fire Breath)
Played by: RayoDeSoleil Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,056 | Total: 2,063
MP: 3230
#9
Sohalia
Harper's explanation makes more sense, then, and Sohalia nods in understanding. "I see," she said thoughtfully. "I've heard of Frey, but I'll admit that I don't know much about them aside from the basics. It's interesting that they would take an interest in aging someone like that. Or was it the shrine itself?" Realizing she was musing aloud, she shook her head, smiling sheepishly. It was questions like that that drove her to annexes of knowledge, like the Undercroft. Above all else, she simply wanted to understand.

"I've never really been anywhere that had bad weather," Soh admitted after Harper described Torchline. "I came straight to the Greatwood when I left the Grounds. A friend of mine invited me to Halo, but I'm not sure how I feel about the cold!" She laughed sweetly. "But I do love to swim, so I bet I would like Torchline." Except, perhaps, for the sun. Her pale skin would burn in an instant if she braved the beach without some kind of protection.
it's just a spark, but it's enough to keep me going
Harper Quinn
the Stalwart
Teacher

Age: 33 | Height: 5'10 | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Nomadic
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 15 - Endr: 27 - Luck: 19 - Int:
Played by: Brit Offline
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Posts: 1,036 | Total: 6,169
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#10
Harper

"The shrine itself. It's a strange phenomena, but if a child has the sincere desire, their wish is granted. It's why the field trips normally are carefully regulated to avoid such areas," he chortles good-naturedly. Losing out on those precious years with Jude had been difficult, but not unbearable. "His mother is Frey's demigoddess actually, so if you have any questions I can try and answer them." Phoebe was often quite busy these days, or he would have recommended the two meet.

"And you don't consider the Grounds to have had bad weather? I used to live there, I'd certainly call it that!" he teases with a bright, playful grin. Any kind of mud, rain, and snow was far less desirable to the nigh-eternal sunshine of Torchline to Harper. "The Citadel in Halo is magically warmed now, but the trek to it can be rough. If you purchase the right clothes it can be a breeze though! Just make sure you buy from Halo - anywhere else won't have warm enough materials." He'd learned that the hard way, and Talyson had been forced to rescue Harper that fateful day. "There's no place better to swim than Torchline! I'd avoid swimming in the Greatwood - there's strange algae in the Crimson Cataract, and the Stone Symphony's waters are quite dangerous. I'm sure there's a few good places, but on the whole..." he see-saws with his hands and chuckles, hoping he's not scaring her off fully.
can we go back to the world we had?
with a love so sweet it makes me sad
Sohalia Lumaris
the Luminary
Cartographer

Age: 20 | Height: 5'6" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak
Level: 4 - Strg: 17 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 18 - Luck: 21 - Int:
TARAK - Mythical - Griffin (Fire Breath)
Played by: RayoDeSoleil Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,056 | Total: 2,063
MP: 3230
#11
Sohalia
Interestingly enough, Sohalia had met Phoebe - it was brief, and it was some months ago now, but it had happened all the same. If she'd known back then who she'd spoken to, perhaps she would have had more questions. As it was, it was just a chance meeting in the forest, one that Soh rarely thought of, these days. Completely unaware, Soh simply smiled, intrigued. "Oh, how kind of you! I'm sorry to say that I only really know that Frey has two aspects, and that they have something to do with the Celestine in Stormbreak." She made a face. "I'm not really even sure what I'd want to ask, if I'm being honest. I appreciate the offer, though."

At Harper's teasing, Soh giggled. "The Grounds aren't that bad," she protested playfully. "At least, not as bad as some of the other places I've read about. Have you ever been to the Feverlands? I hear they're horrid," she said rather cheerfully. "I'll keep that in mind for Halo, though. I have a friend who I think could help me get the right materials." She thought again of Tal and his courier business. She'd been thinking of him all this time as a friend, but he did run his own business. Perhaps it was time she supported his work.

"I suppose Torchline would be ideal for swimming," she mused, almost ruefully. "But there are, surprisingly, some nice areas in the Symphony. There's this one bend where the water branches into a little cove, shallow enough that I can touch bottom all the way across. It was quite nice." Aside from nearly drowning my friend, she added silently. She wasn't about to share the story of her atrocious swimming lessons out loud!
it's just a spark, but it's enough to keep me going
Harper Quinn
the Stalwart
Teacher

Age: 33 | Height: 5'10 | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Nomadic
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 15 - Endr: 27 - Luck: 19 - Int:
Played by: Brit Offline
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Posts: 1,036 | Total: 6,169
MP: 9427
#12
Harper

Harper had once been in her shoes, unsure where to even start in terms of asking about the Gods, so there is clear sympathy in his expression as he waves away her gratitude easily. "Of course! It can be really overwhelming, I totally understand. Safrin is my herald so I'm best at answering anything about her, but if you think of anything that books can't answer you can always send me a letter." Even without his last name or address, most everyone in Torchline knew Harper by first name alone and would ensure any wayward letter would end up in his hands. "I actually run a school for young adults outside of my council duties, so I can't really resist sticking my nose into things."

Childish to his core, Harper makes a 'yuck' face (complete with sticking his tongue out) at Sohalia's defense of the Grounds' weather. Though he breaks immediately and laughs because - "Unfortunately yes, I have been. And it was awful!" Though he rarely ever burns, he'd been rather pink to say the least by the time he'd made it home. Even flying had been no escape from the wretched sun.

"I'll take your word for it; I'm not one for cold waters, personally. I have delicate sensibilities," he stresses dramatically, with one hand over his forehead in dramatic swoon. "Though I can never resist wading in regardless. I blame that on my elephant shift though; constant desire to splash around with little regard for human skin's limits." Which often led to Harper standing awkwardly in the water with elephant skin shifted on his legs to withstand the chill.
can we go back to the world we had?
with a love so sweet it makes me sad
Sohalia Lumaris
the Luminary
Cartographer

Age: 20 | Height: 5'6" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak
Level: 4 - Strg: 17 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 18 - Luck: 21 - Int:
TARAK - Mythical - Griffin (Fire Breath)
Played by: RayoDeSoleil Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,056 | Total: 2,063
MP: 3230
#13
Sohalia
A school? Sohalia tilted her head to one side, interest clear on her pretty face. "How wonderful!" she exclaimed. There was something about seeking and sharing knowledge that appealed to the young woman. Perhaps it was because she had been so sheltered for so long. "I would be interested in seeing this school of yours." She wondered how many people her age attended Harper's school; most of the friends she'd been making lately were older than her. There was nothing wrong with that, but it would be nice to meet some people closer to her age.

Harper was charming, there was no doubt about that, and Sohalia giggled as he stuck out his tongue. He may be older than her, but he certainly didn't act much like it! "I'm going to have to make a quick trip to see for myself," she mused in reference to the Feverlands. Although, at this point, she'd heard nothing good about the place. "Or maybe I should just listen to everyone telling me how terrible it is and skip it!"

Soh laughed outright as Harper fake-swooned. "It's not terribly cold, but I suppose if you're delicate..." she teased. Again her interest was piqued when he mentioned an elephant shift. "I've never actually seen an elephant," she admitted. "I didn't realize they enjoyed splashing about in the water."
it's just a spark, but it's enough to keep me going
Harper Quinn
the Stalwart
Teacher

Age: 33 | Height: 5'10 | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Nomadic
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 15 - Endr: 27 - Luck: 19 - Int:
Played by: Brit Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,036 | Total: 6,169
MP: 9427
#14
Harper

Harper sheepishly waves away her excitement with a grin. "Oh, it's nothing fancy. It's a small building at best, but it works for the number of students I usually have. But if you ever want to take any classes, you absolutely should!" Otherwise he wouldn't put it on her list of 'To See' items considering how lackluster it would be to any non-prospective student.

He definitely isn't the type to act his age, too full of love for life and a desire to grow old but not grow up for things like that. "If you're the adventuring type, it's good to check all the boxes. But maybe just charter a skyboat - fly over it nice and quick and high up in the airstreams to stay cool." He wiggles his dark eyebrows at her with a conspiratorial grin, happy to give her this little trick for any variety of inhospital places to visit.

"And I am delicate! Don't I look the type?" Feigning a wounded, pouting expression, Harper gestures to his general him-ness. He definitely doesn't look the type on the outside - rather tall, and clearly muscled from a strict exercise regiment. But that's part of the humor! "If you'd like I can show you! They're pretty rare in Caido, I haven't even encountered one in the wild myself."
can we go back to the world we had?
with a love so sweet it makes me sad


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