3. Silence [Elvira Blakely]

Silence [Elvira Blakely]


  • XII

    _Crying God…

    I still do not know how to pray.

    But now I know who to pray to.

    You gave me the choices and I followed,

    and now I carry the concequences,

    even though I am not sure what they are.

    A woman is here, or a ghost.

    They ask for a forgiveness, for mercy.

    I do not know them.

    But don't you teach that everyone deserves their pain to be taken away?

    I took my teacher's burden so he could be with you.
    Could you take away her pain?

    I do not know what she has done,

    or what she will do.

    Perhaps you will?

    Perhaps you know if she deserves that chance or not.

    And if there is a time again...

    then I will gladly be used again to hold the burden,

    even though I am not sure what it is.

    I am scared, Crying God.

    But you will it.

    Thank you._


  • ((Approved by DM Raindog))

    XI

    The tired girl's body swayed, her step unsure as she made her way through the trees, sneaking from under the canopy, her boots soaking in the small river's water. Her breathing was shallow and her eyes heavy, the day's travelings pressing her lids down. Slowly she circled the small pond and jumped over the flowing water so she wouldn't soak her boots any more than they already were. She gave a small glance around, her eyes particularly observing the hawk flying above. For a moment she imagined herself to be in the hawk's feathers, how she would fly over the land and feel the wind on her face.

    The thought brought a smile on her lips.

    Quietly she sneaked into the bushes by the hill, glancing about the small stomped-down space she had made quite the while ago. Her hands fumbled with the straps of her armor. Her back fell against a tree. She curled up into a small ball, closing her eyes, her breathing evening out and growing deep.

    ”Maaamaaa!” Elvira jumped, her eyes darting about wildly. What was that sound? Who was it? It had most certainly sounded like a child, only… There weren't children around here? Norwick certainly did have its own population, but last she had seen, the Druid camp did not have any young inhabitants.

    Elvira peered towards the small clearing, squinting her eyes to see better amidst the branches and leaves. Her face softened at the sight of a deer and its fawn, and her shoulders shook in a small unheard laughter as the fawn's wobbly legs took the young animal to the mother deer drinking by the pond. Still, she couldn't see anyone else.

    ”I am huuuungry!” Elvira rubbed her eyes disbelievingly. Had the fawn just... spoken? She squinted her eyes again, her breath halting as she kept on staring. The mother deer proceeded to nurse the small fawn. A smile melted on Elvira's lips, even though the shock just now from hearing the fawn speak out loud was still lingering.

    She closed her eyes, quietly listening the animals idly chatting. The birds' singing was calming in the trees, a badger's grumble made her shoulders shake in laughter as he tried to find some food from the ground... was this what those druids felt when they walked amidst the nature?

    Elvira picked up a piece of coal, her fingers searching for a parchment scroll from her backpack.
    She wasn't feeling so tired anymore.


  • X

    _I… do not know how to pray, Crying God

    I do not know how to speak out words that would help me,

    I do not know whom I should pray to.

    You are the one whom my Teacher believed in,

    but you were not the one whom I chose to follow.

    I do not understand the matters of fate,

    I do not understand of Faith of life works.

    I understand pain, I suppose.

    I know, I believe Vet wishes to move on.

    But I am lost, for I cannot help him, and I am uncertain.

    Vet always told me that to endure pain is to strengthen others,

    when you take the pain away from others...

    they will thrive.

    I am told to become smoke, but it is the material way I know of how to become one.

    I solve puzzles, but yet I am unable to solve this one.

    'To endure other's pain is to give strength to them”... if I endure his burden, will you let him pass on? If I burn myself, will you allow him to live with you?_

    Elvira stared down at the Tinderbox in her fingers.

    It hadn't been there a moment ago.


  • ((Approved by DM Skippy))

    IX

    Again. Cat… Mouse... Pig... Horse... Dog... Cow... Good!

    Elvira clapped her hands together, a bright smile appearing upon her lips. The little girl in front of her mimicked. The learning of animals in sign had been a rather tough job for her, but now she could make each of the signs effortlessly. Elvira could see the girl's chest puff out proudly as she proceeded to run about the orphanage, showing her friends the signs one by one.

    ”They so like visitors. And it does good, for them to meet other people.” Elvira lifted herself from the ground and smoothed the dabric of her dress. Her eyes turned to meet the nurse's kind ones, but she soon found herself turning her gaze away from the woman, if only to observe the children playing with each other, chatting about something peculiar or curled up into a corner with a book in attempt to read the complicated words written on its pages. In particular, Elvira's eyes gazed towards the little girl she was teaching earlier. What was her name? Sorie?

    ”Ah yes, Sorie. Her parents got lost while traveling the sea. A storm, they said. Left the poor girl and his little brother all by themself.” The woman's hand motioned towards a small baby boy furiously trying to crawl across the room, a nurse slowly walking behind him and making sure everything was alright. Elvira nodded, realizing she must've signed her thoughts out without actually noticing it herself. ”His name is Johhan,” she heard the nurse muttering next to her. ”He is eight months old.” Elvira found sadness pressing on her shoulders. So many of these children had lost their parents, or would never know them for one reason or another. However, she was also glad that the Orphanage appeared to be doing good work, and the happy children around her influenced positively on her happiness aswell.

    Her eyes turned down as Sorie ran over, the child's brown piggytails whipping after her. A smile spread on Elvira's lips as the girl tugged her sleeve. ”Colours! I want to learn colours!” Elvira offered a small nod and a smile to the amused nurse she was changing words with, letting the girl drag her over to the cushions for another lesson.

    ”I uh… didn't know you stayed here at all...” Elvira stopped the signing, glancing up at the slightly smiling figure who owned the familiar masculine voice.


  • VIII

    Why is all this happening?

    It had been the only thought running though her head, a thought she still couldn't find an answer to. Where was she again? Elvira could only remember how she had rushed out of the Temple of the Triad after simply… appearing in front of a statue. She had been shaky, unable to hold herself properly together, tears flowing down her cheeks as she soundlessly sobbed.

    Ilmater, wasn't it?

    Her mind was foggy, images running though her mind in a speed faster than she could probably comprehend. The ghostly figure, the strange place she had been in. The words her teacher had told her, how she had ran through him while trying to desperately rush for a hug. The guidance he had offered.

    ”You are not a naive child anymore.”

    Perhaps it was true. She wasn't. But it didn't make any of this easier. Why wouldn't he answer her questions? Back in days he always would.

    Why did you leave me? I miss you every day.

    He had told her he knew how she missed him, he knew how painful the separation had been for her.

    ”Fate doesn't always take us where we desire.”

    What was her fate? How would all this eventually end? And of all the times, why now? She didn't have any idea how she had ended up in that place, yet according to him she had brought herself there. She had heard the words coming out of her mouth, yet it wasn't her sound, but someone else's. Atleast, if she could still remember correctly what she had once sounded like.

    ”Don't get caught.”

    His words before she disappeared, then appeared again in the Temple. Caught? By who, by what? Back in days he would always tell this to her before they would send her out to play a game in the city. They would too. Her throat felt tight, more tears forcing their way to flow along the fresh tracks on her cheeks. She had found herself on a bench, unsure of how she had ended up here. Perhaps it had been as the spot she had ran to? Or perhaps another disappearance-appearance? It was all so confusing!

    ”Are you alright? You seem distressed about something.”

    It had been the words from the kind man that had found her. Bon. She hadn't been able to answer his peculiar questions, about a lost lover and fear on giants. What lost lover? She didn't understand that sort of things! And giants? How were giants connected to anything?

    ”May your love love and take care of you.”

    She felt bad now, thinking she hadn't been able to tell him it was alright, that she was better and he had done nothing bad or unsuccessful. She would have to remember to do that later.

    ”I heard there is an inconsolable woman in the Residental district. I hope she is feeling better now. Perhaps you should tell me?”

    Raryldor had found her. He had offered her a cookie, and Bigby had wandered over to her. The cat had been warm and soft. She remembered how she had offered the cat some of her cookie, and he had eaten it completely. It had cheered her up. She had felt better, but it had also been time for her to go, to plan and to try and put the pieces of the puzzle together. She would have to talk with Rary later aswell.

    Elvira closed her eyes, letting her mind taker her to a peaceful place, away from everything and everyone, atleast for just a moment.

    _Why do they call you Vet?

    ”A vet is a person who takes care of animals. Or someone who has very much experience in something and has been doing it for long.”

    I don't think you look old. And you take care of these people. They are not animals.

    ”Oh, sweet little Elvira. Not everyone agrees with your point of view, even though it is a rather flattering one. Would you pass me the scalpel, please?”

    Is it the one with the round head?

    ”No, the one with the very small and sharp blade. That over there.”

    Alright, here you go! Can I clean the next one?

    ”Thank you, little one. And yes, yes you can.”_

    Elvira felt herself smiling.


  • VII

    How did they find me?

    Elvira's lips trembled, her hands clutching the reins of the galloping horse. She barely noticed the wind and the rain beating against her paling face, or the sounds of the howling gnolls in the distance and the rocky road under her mare's hooves.

    Perhaps I just didn't notice it? But it is my backpack! I know it inside out.

    Her eyes barely registered the direction they were heading, even though unconciously she did know. The horse would go the familiar road, over the bridge, into the place she had became familiar with. At first she had been a bit scared. It had been under ground, by the cliff. It scared her, but also oddly - she noticed as time went on – comforted her. The owner was rather nice, and she could spend long time there, and still feel nice.

    But he is… he is not here anymore. Who could have sent it? And guild? What is he talking about. Why don't I know anything!?

    Had she showed it to anyone? Jonni? Jonni was nice. But no, it wasn't him. Elaine? Wasn't she there? Yes, she was. But did anything happen? Maybe. It was odd, as if there was a hole in her memory. She might have seen it. But perhaps… it wouldn't hurt. She wouldn't know, though.

    I promised to make a picture. I remember this. Elaine asked me to.

    Elvira's hand gently pat the horse's neck, offering the mare an apple. She took off the saddle and the bridle, also shifting the backpack on her shoulder again as she walked off, leaving the horse to eat and wander in the secluded area. She settles the tack down, covering them with leaves and branches before making off towards her destination, walking down the stone steps, small hallway and towards the sound of the water slowly flowing. She picked a mug on her way to her usual spot, heavily dropping her backpack and setting her mug on the ground before simply laying on the pile of pillows. She closed her eyes, taking shallow breaths as the soft squeaking of the rats invaded her ears.

    It is alright. Just draw. It will soothe you down. Smile… Smile!

    As per the magical command, the woman's eyes opened, a smile spreading on the soft red lips.

    Yes… I will figure it all out. I always have. I always will. It is alright. Don't worry. Not now. Not right now.

    Yes, she would just have to wait for the results about the duskwood. Meanwhile, all she could do was be careful with her step and be. As she always has. As she always will.

    So… what do I see them like?

    Nimble fingers picked up a piece of coal, a bottle of ink and a quill while her other hand went to take out some rolls of clean parchment. The fingers picked up the coal, hovering over the parchment as if wondering what to do now. Then, as nimbly as the fingers had picked up all the items from the backpack, the coal landed on the parchment, drawing the first line.

    I won't be taken.


  • VI

    Did they see me?

    I don't think so.

    _No one.

    No one.

    ”No one wants to get face to face with their past.”_

    Brimstone.

    _”Try, you'll never know if you don't.”

    It won't work. He is better than me._

    ”So, is there anyone special?”

    _What are you doing here?

    What has happened to you?_

    ”Should have known better than to expect a straight answer from you.”


  • V

    _Clash.
    Scream.

    ”Run!”

    Slash.
    Hurt.
    Pain.

    ”Smile, little Elvira…”

    No.
    No!
    NO!

    ”Always remember to smile…”

    Don't go.
    Please.

    ”Smile, so that my death did not go waste.”

    Don't leave me.

    ”Smile that beautiful smile of yours, even if you are not heard.”

    Death.

    ”Smile, little Elvira.”

    I don't want to go through that again.

    Please don't make me go through that again._


  • IV

    ”Haven't enjoyed such yourself?”

    Huh?

    ”Finding that perfect person who you just know is meant to be your other half.”

    Stare.

    ”I'll take that as a no?”

    _I don't understand that sort of thing…

    This pie is good._


  • III

    ”There are people around here who make good friends.”

    I am just passing by.

    ”World is a lot more interesting place with you in it.”

    _I am no one.

    I rather like to be no one._


  • II

    ”Have you ever considered it? To be a part of something?”

    _I am not afraid of the dark.

    Shrug.

    I am afraid of what is in the dark._

    It is better this way.

    Darkness helps me hide.

    It is safer.

    ”Well, you are not exactly the easiest target to spot anyhow.”

    ”For who?”

    _Why should I be?

    Smile.

    Why not detatch herself,

    like she has before?

    Everyone._


  • I

    I don't think he's bad.

    Do you want to play hide and seek?

    Perhaps he even… protected me?

    A cold pull of safety.

    But why? What is he?

    A caress of hair.

    What does he want?

    Good bye.

    I don't understand!

    Male. Sore. Human.