[FIN][Zena] Winters Touch [Asa/Ygraine]

[scarlett arbuckle]

Despite the fact that Ygraine and Sol had been raised in Zena, they had always lived to the south, close enough to the Sauti border that the settlement they’d been raised in was one of the last footholds before heading further north into Zena proper. Perhaps it was a good thing, then, that it was during the springtime warm season that she first traveled north with her mentor, Xansa, and father Nimueh escorting a train of mammu weighed down with trade goods from the southern lands.

Ygraine didn’t have the spirit or the gumption of an inventive tradesman, not like her mentor's wife Izuzue did. She had been raised on stories of the Alkidike's wit, of how she’d transformed a shipment of furs into a small fortune in one season. Ygraine didn’t have the knack for it, couldn’t find it in herself to call the shots, to predict the trends of prices, what products to get, or when. But she had learned how to barter, to sell and buy goods, and was decent at numbers. And with her dedication, she’d been rewarded by getting the chance to go to the place where the Grand Council was. Zidel!

It was possibly the most people she’d ever seen in one place, other than when she visited Oba as a child. And yet, it was impressive to her in ways Oba hadn’t been. Here, familiar buildings were opulent and regal, expensive polished wood, and here there were even stone-paved streets! Once they’d reached the trade district, where they could offload the poor, exhausted Mammu and Xansa could barter with the local merchants for a good price, Xansa gave her approval for Ygraine to explore nearby, as long as she didn’t go far. A decent price to pay, Ygraine thought, for her first time in such a place!

Zidel was amazing, grand and spacious, teeming with people! Most of them were Zenan, but many of them were Sauti - and there were more hybrids of the two races than she ever thought she’d see in a place together! Granted, even then she felt lingering looks, both because of her bright hair and her height. But as much as her skin itched, she was simply too excited to give it much thought, and instead was drawn away from the broad, open buildings of the merchant’s guild, and instead towards a stone square, with a grand tree settled, like a gem, at its center.

A set of railings sprawled along one side of the square, and as Ygraine approached she realized it was a cliffside, overlooking more of the sprawling city, where even from here she could see people bustling about! Sighing in utter joy and contentment, Ygraine leaned on the rails and peered out over the horizon, lips drawn into a broad smile.  

[Painted Moose]

Despite living in Zidel for the entirety of his life, this was the first time Asa had ever set foot on its cobbled streets. The hard sole boots his father had purchased for him felt odd on his feet after living so many years with nothing, but soft furs encasing his toes. And when he walked...they made little clacking noises on the stones; noises that Asa sometimes would make on purpose by tapping out a little rhythm with his heel. His father would have chastised him for goofing off, but it was just so nice to hear…

At the moment Geir was dealing with southern traders who in his words were ‘barely worth his time’, but evidently he cared for their wares ,as he hadn’t noticed when his son had slipped out of the inn. He had more or less dropped Asa off to stay warm, with express instructions not to leave on his own, and to stay as close as he could to the family healer. The old man was there, as he always was, to tend to Asa should he have an attack, but honestly, what good was he if the healer was more concerned with playing dice? He simply pointed to a corner, told Asa to sit, and promptly forgot the boy existed, as so many others tended to do.

At first this had been fine, but Asa grew weary of sitting. He had been promised a day out, and this...this wasn’t any better than staying at home! So, gathering up his gumption, the iceling had snuck out under the pretense of finding a bed to nap on. Thankfully the inn had a back door he could exploit, and just like that; Asa was free.

Covered head to toe in wrappings, furs, and cloaks Asa made quite the sight. Even pureblooded, and wealthy to boot, he was as much an unwelcome vision as a gnarled swordsman might have been. He tried speaking with a merchant, but the man simply shooed him away, fearful of what he might be hiding under those layers. Asa didn’t mind, however; he simply moved on, careful to keep the scarf around his mouth tightly bound. So far he wasn’t coughing and he wanted it to stay that way.

Eventually the wandering boy made his way to the square. The uphill walk left him slightly out of breath, but Asa had taken his time with the walk. Or, as much time as one could take while trying to hurry. By the time he reached a spot where he could see the railing he was wheezing - but not coughing! - which was as much a victory as he was likely to get.

And he saw that he wasn’t alone. A windling? A mix, from her pointed ears, and a tall one. Were they normally so tall?
 

[scarlett arbuckle]

They’d been traveling throughout the nights, so it was still pleasantly early in the day by the time they’d gotten to Zidel. As tired and road weary as Ygraine should have been, her excitement washed it away, and instead she contented herself with her view, trying to pick out places in the distance that appeared interesting. She wondered if her baba would take her there, if she described them? If they’d pass by these places on their way out of town, or to the inn? Humming thoughtfully to herself, Ygraine barely noticed when someone else appeared behind her… aware only in the distant way one was when people milled around you, but were beneath your notice.

She continued to gaze, feeling briefly like a queen overlooking her territory, until the thought struck her as funny and she laughed at her own imagination, shaking her hand and drawing a hand along her face. She was still dirty from the road, and sweating under her layers, her curly hair somewhat messy from her trip, but Ygraine couldn’t dredge up the will to care about her unsightliness.

As beautiful as the sight below was, her own tiredness was catching up to her, and Ygraine didn’t like the risk of a sudden sweep of vertigo sending her over the railing, so she turned away from it, instead strolling lazily around the tree- only to pause, catching sight of the lone person who shared the small square with her. Before she could help it, Ygraine choked out a laugh, covering her mouth with one half-gloved hand. It just… was a surprise! Here it was, a cool spring day… and here was some person (a foreigner, she expected) bundled up in so many layers of furs, scarves, and clothes that she’d be surprised if they could walk without waddling! She’d seen her father bundled this way, before… when he’d returned to Zena for the first time, since his trip to Oba. Swaddled like a babe, and unendingly grumpy - but, back then, her baba had explained the reason he was wrapped so tightly.

‘So he doesn’t get sick, my starbeam- he’s been so ill, getting a cold now could do him some real harm.’ Nimueh had explained patiently, resting a hand on her shoulder, and it was in this trickling memory that Ygraine’s smile left her face, and she felt suddenly ashamed for her laughter, which the stranger certainly had heard. Sweeping her hand up her face, and through her messy hair, Ygraine crossed the space of the square to greet the person properly, noting how she was, despite her age, already at least a head taller. “I’m sorry, that was rude of me - but you don’t look very comfortable, is all!” She pointed out, gesturing at them with her hand.  

[Painted Moose]

Asa moved closer to the tree with a measured step before flopping his back against it for support. He was still standing, but sheesh - if walking took this much out of a person, then how did the nomads do it? One of his hands instinctively went up to grasp the cloth above his chest, even as his breathing starting to even out. For a moment he had all, but forgotten the stranger - until...she was laughing? At what-?

Oh.

His cheeks flushed a warm indigo hue, and instinctively he lowered his gaze. He was already preparing to lower himself into a sit, despite the oddness of the whole situation, when the clacking of boots had him looking up once more...and look up he did! Gods, she’s tall. Asa straightened his posture some, gulping despite himself. Surely not all women were this tall? He hadn’t met that many in his life, outside of his mother, and if anything she was smaller than him, not taller.

“Worry not,” he answered at length. “You aren’t the first to think me odd, and surely won’t be the last.” Seeing her run a hand through her hair reminded him of just how truly warm it was underneath so many layers. At first he hadn’t thought anything of it, but after being so active…”Is it...do you think it warmth enough that I might be able to shed some of my garments?”  

[scarlett arbuckle]

From this close, Ygraine could see that he was, indeed, a Zenan himself- his skin the same hue as his grandmother and baba. But beyond that, she couldn’t see much more than the shape of his eyes, and the hint of fringe at his eyebrows - his mouth was still covered and muffle,d for the most part, by the scarf over his mouth. For all that he wore, she had expected a traveler, covered in fraying, fading strips of cloth, but every single piece was vivid as the day it was dyed, the seams tight and well sewn… expensive.

Thankfully, he answered - his voice breathless and somewhat wary. Ygraine smiled brightly, relief softening her posture - because truly she didn’t want to go back to the inn with the knowledge that she’d laughed at an upset a complete stranger, simply because she was being judgy! Maybe as a kid, but as she grew Ygraine was doing what she could to turn over a new leaf as best she could.

And that same immature voice whispered ‘he talks funny!’ in her ear, even as she fought to be civil. “Warm enough for a few, at least.” She responded, amused. Tapping her booted toe against the stony ground, Ygraine sucked on the inside of her cheek, before finally making her decision. “Mind if I sit here? I just got into town - a bit tuckered out.” She admitted, gesturing with a point of her foot towards the bit of grass and tree beside him.  

[Painted Moose]

Her eyes were the most mesmerizingly horrific thing he had ever seen. All at once they were glorious, like little clouds trapped on her face, but that pupil less gaze was disconcerting. The only clues as to what she was actually looking at rested in the subtle movements of her head. Little tilts, the fall of hair on her face when she turned...Asa wasn’t a people person, but he found himself watching her both out of a nervous fascination, and plain awe.

Because surely, for all of her apparent oddities, she truly was an exotic beauty.

“Very well, then.” Nodding his head, Asa twisted his arms to shrug out of his outer coat, and the subsequent coat underneath that. This was, of course, after removing his outermost cloak, leaving him with a thinner, lighter coat over his tunic. His hair was now free to catch in the light breeze, wrapping certain strands around golden baubles. Gently, carefully, as if afraid of the repercussions, Asa brought his scarf down from his mouth to rest comfortably around his neck instead.

“One moment, miss.” Asa took all of his outer layers and fashioned a sort of cushioned seat for her against the tree. He, too, sat, but Asa settled just to the right of the bundle with a pleased little sigh. “If I might ask, where do you hail from?”  

[scarlett arbuckle]

Up close like this, Ygraine realized he was staring, but it did little to dampen her mood; she was already far too giddy about being in such a new, interesting place - and besides. It wasn’t likely that they’d meet again, so she didn’t let his staring affect her. At the very least, he wasn’t wrinkling his face in repulsion, or shouting things - not that such a thing had happened to her, before. If there was one thing her family had done, it was shielding her and her brother from such things.

After a moment though, he seemed to remember himself, and instead began to tug off the… many, many layers that he was cocooned in. He had come off as an older fellow, thick and hefty, but as layer upon layer was shed, she realized he was her age… young, somewhat lithe, with delicate features and soft, downy looking hair, covered in accent-jewelry that shimmered in the daytime sun.

He contented himself with fluffing up a plush seat next to her, and Ygraine didn’t interrupt - although she was used to flopping down against trees, or even climbing them, and would have been fine without, the hybrid was still flattered at the attention, even if it was out of gentlemanly manners. Once he approved of her sitting, Ygraine lowered herself carefully, feeling self conscious of her dirty clothes, hyperaware that she was spreading dirt from the road onto his pristine, new coat.

“Zena, same as you. Around Coeld.” She answered, holding her expression neutral, as if daring him to press the question he really was aiming for. At least, for a moment, because then her expression broke into a teasing smile, and she hastened on to what he was really asking, as diplomatically as he could of course. “My fathers’ blood is wind and shifter; then ice and alkidike. Alkidike as in…” She motioned to her eyes, then dropped her hand into her lap. It wasn’t really necessary to admit that her maternal blood came from her surrogate mother ; for all intents and purposes, it worked out the same, and it wasn’t a stranger’s business how she had been born, only that she was. She and Sol had been born, just like everyone else, but letting them believe she’d been blossomed from a bud, like her baba, held some sort of exotic otherworldliness that she sometimes idealized, despite herself.

If he asked her something, it was only fair to return the gesture, right? “So why would a Zenan bundle up so much, especially during springtime?”  

[Painted Moose]

Without his many layers to keep him padded, Asa could feel the bark of the tree pressing against his spine. It was an oddly refreshing experience, having to shift around to find a good spot, but in a way it was a novelty to him. At what point in his life would he be able to sit outside, against a tree of all things, ever again? Even with his fingers encased in gloves Asa found himself plucking at little bits of root and dirt, mesmerized in a way only the truly sheltered could be.

“Coeld, you say? If I am not mistaken that’s a traders settlement, which I would wager is why you are here.” He smiled, a little hesitantly. There was something guarded about that neutral expression, as if she were waiting for something bad. Was he...did he miss something? Soon enough it dropped away, however, and Asa released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

“Forgive me if I sound rude, but how do you see? In my studies I read that antennae were integral to Alkidike sight, but you are without.” He tucked one leg underneath the other, and turned, just enough so that he could lean against the trunk of the tree with his side instead of his back.

Now it was his turn to shift. Asa looked uncomfortably down to his hands. “It is hardly a topic for a lady’s ears, but I would not slight you by withholding your answer.” He did not want to harm her emotional state by talking about it, especially since his mother always acted with such dramatics when it was spoken of. Asa had no way of knowing if it was just a female thing or if his mother was unique in that aspect. “ I was born weak of lung, and it is expected for me to...uh, perish before adulthood. It is the anniversary of my birth, however, and my father allowed me to accompany him. Under strict rules, you understand; rules I have...inevitably broken.”  

[scarlett arbuckle]

“Yes, exactly.” Ygraine answered, looking at him in surprise. He seemed well studied - he’d read about alkidike physiology, apparently, as well as the local towns. But he didn’t seem to realize how some would have found him pointing out their faults as offensive. Thankfully, Ygraine had progressed as a huntress enough that she only felt the smallest of twitches of disdain at the prying question, and pushed them down, deciding instead to answer him honestly, without emotion tinging her answer. “My vision it’s… hard to see what’s beside me sometimes. My brother has antennae- and from how he describes it, they help him feel around him - he can tell when someone is behind or around him, or trying to sneak up on him. I can focus on things in front of me, and see some, off into the distance, but…” Ygraine scooted a bit closer and motioned a hand along her periphery, as if to illustrate where her field of vision fell away.

She couldn’t see as well as her father could, as he’d pointed things out before only to realize that Nimueh and Ygraine couldn’t tell, at a glance, what he was talking about. But they all couldn’t see as well as Sol, with his antennae. But her grandmother, Izuzue, had taught her ways to deal without her antennae in the snow, had even admitted that her antennae kept her at a disadvantage when hunting in the cold, and at least in that Ygraine seemed to thrive.

...Ah. Ygraine watched him shifting about in his seat, fingers plucking at the earth, and assumed that he was uncomfortable… but looking at his face told a different story. He seemed tense and uncertain, but not perturbed - not until she asked such a personal question. Then he locked up like a clam, shifting and fidgeting. And as he spoke, Ygraine sobered up somewhat. It… wow. She… had never really thought of being unhealthy. It happened, sure, but she was more used to news of infants catching chill in their early winters, or elders in the community getting sick.

She had no precedent for someone her age walking around with what equated to a death sentence. Uncertain how to respond, Ygraine nodded in understanding, fingers tugging at the cloth of her skirt, before she decided to, instead, focus on his admission of guilt - and his earlier question. There was little point in prying him about such sordid details, when he was clearly uncomfortable. “..Ah. I see.” She cleared her throat, then turned to properly face him, reaching to give his scarf, around his neck, the slightest of tugs, forgetting all sense of propriety. “Well, we don’t get any younger by following rules all the time, right? You’ve got to let yourself get out and have some fun.”

Especially if you were expected to … perish, as he put it.  

[Painted Moose]

Asa had a hard time imagining that another such hybrid existed, but if what she said was true then there was, indeed, another. A male, with antennae! Furrowing his brow, the young iceling thought on it, and settled on a theory, “Your brother has a supposed advantage, but I see it as a weakness. Initially one would assume that you would be the ‘weaker’ party but you have learned to cope with your disability. He has not. He can be incapacitated by removing the antennae, or injuring them; if the enemy were so inclined. “ He was musing to himself, outloud, completely ignoring her for the length of time it took to speak. It was something he often did at home, and his lack of eye contact with her was normal enough for Asa, if not a little odd for outside parties.

The cold ground was rougher on his bottom than what Asa was used to. He was used to sitting on plush cushions, or layers of fur; now he was sure that was a root trying to bruise his bottom. Asa shifted once more. Would she take pity on him, like the cousins who came to visit him, or would she ignore him, like father’s guests? Maybe...perhaps he shouldn’t have said anything. This could have been a chance to meet someone who didn’t know.

When Asa looked up those eyes were on him again; and the blatant, forward stare was enough to cause him to jump. And now she was touching him; touching his scarf, but it was close enough! “Miss, you mustn’t-” Furrowing his brow once more, Asa shook it off and gave into a quick, low little chuckle. “I am out and I am having fun. This is the first time I’ve been out, and you are the first outside of my family that I have spoken to. I consider that a grand exercise in ‘fun’.”  

[scarlett arbuckle]

Ygraine’s mouth twitched, briefly, in an effort to hide a shocked smile. This poor boy… really had no idea how to talk to people, did he? But at the same time, she couldn’t help but feel charmed by how utterly insulting, and yet endearingly optimistic his words were. She hadn’t even thought about the casual motion, until he had called her on it - and Ygraine quickly dropped her hands, and allowed herself to flush pink in shame at her presumption. If he had a weakness of the lungs, no doubt he didn’t want her touching him, getting him sick- that, or being a little rich kid, he probably didn’t want the dirt to spread onto him. She felt instantly embarrassed, and also shamed at being scolded.

“Well, while you’re pondering the effects of chopping my brother’s antennae off, I’ll just take that as a compliment.” She drawled playfully, even if the awkward guilt at her previous goof made her words feel stilted in her mouth. With the snarky response shot back, Ygraine’s easy smile fell, and instead she dropped her hands to her lap, nails picking at her fingers nervously. Really ? The first person outside of his family? He found sitting outside a tree fun? She longed to drag him along somewhere… to show him the view, or to take him back to the edge of town where the mammu and other familiars were. Had he ever seen a mammu? And yet, as soon as the suggestions rose on her tongue, they dried like ash; because why on earth would he even agree to come with her in the first place?

If she couldn’t drag him somewhere, then she might as well open the doors to a good conversation! Mind made up, Ygraine cleared her throat and shifted to sit more comfortably, gesturing airily towards him. “You must have a lot of hobbies then, right? Something you like to do while you’re inside? I work on accessories, sometimes - my dad is better at it, but I have fun. What about music?” She dropped her face slightly, as if to focus her eyes on his fingers, wondering if the hands under those gloves were used to pluck at strings, or tap drums?  

[Painted Moose]

Her blush added a smattering of rose to pale cheeks, giving her wintery appearance a pop of spring. Asa found that he quite liked it. Though, he assumed that because she was flushed that he was as well. Having someone that close...it had been the most exhilaratingly terrifying experience of his life! And a strange girl at that! He had seen others through the window doing such things so casually, but Asa had never dreamed it might happen to him. To have someone treat him so casually, as if he weren’t a fragile piece of glass…

Seeing her change in mood, though, dampened his spirits. “Miss…? Have I done something to offend you? I’m very sorry if I have.” Was it the talk about her brother’s antennae? Had he overstepped a boundary? Asa leaned back against the tree bark, head lowered as he pondered it all. “Hrm?” Turning once more to look at her, Asa blinked his wide eyes, looking decidedly uncomfortable. Hobbies?

“I’m afraid that I am quite dull.” He reached up to rub the back of his neck with a weak laugh. “I- Well, this may sound odd, but I like to imagine stories for passersby on the street. Our estate has lovely views, and I can see quite far, so I see quite an array of people. I tend to imagine what it’s like for them. Where they might have gone, based on bearing and garments worn, their profession, gossip one may hear about relationships in a tavern-” Absolutely none of that idleness was fit for a young man in his station, but long hours spent alone gave Asa’s mind reason to wander. “You say you work with accessories? Are your family jewelers, then? My father is a merchant who specializes in accessories. Maybe he’s met them before.” It was highly likely, as Geir had spread his business over the years. Still, even Asa knew his father likely wouldn’t remember their names; anyone who wasn’t pure bred ice with a considerable family inheritance tended to be beneath him. “As for music I’m afraid I’m not well versed. A few of my healers sang a few prayers, but beyond that I’m afraid I haven’t heard much. “ Almost as an afterthought he added, “I CAN embroidery, though. I added this pattern to my coat myself.” Asa held up the edge of the thin coat, where sprawling golden vinework branched off into lotus blossoms along the bottom edge of his garment.  

[scarlett arbuckle]

“Wh-- oh, no, no!” Ygraine waved her hand as if to dismiss the suggestion, but he looked so uncomfortable, now, with this new line of questioning that she felt increasingly like she was badgering him. For all she knew, he wanted to be here on his own, relaxing in the comfortable cool afternoon, and instead some stranger was chatting him up! Even so, he actually did respond to her questions, and was engaging her further with questions of his own… should she continue, then? She looked at him with brief uncertainty, but … at least in this she could understand, if only a little. When particularly torrential snow storms kept the villages locked down, the only place to retreat to to shake off your stir craziness was the local tavern; and in such a place, when most of the faces were new and unfamiliar, the fun was in hearing the stories from these travelers.

Well, in her case she could actually hear the stories first hand… in his, he had to invent them himself.

“No, for my baba and I it’s more of a hobby, although we do sell them sometimes. My family works with furs a good amount of the time, but we also bring items in from the west. Jauhar wood, rocks- some shells from Matori, spices and silk from Oba…” They were best at importing goods, and providing high quality fur. But her grandmothers did less hunting, these days, and more trading of other people’s goods.

She perked up, though, when he continued, and leaned in with interest, whistling at the beautiful, coiling vines and delicate petals. Before she could remember herself, Ygraine reached out and trailed her fingertips along the designs. “Really? It’s beautiful ---” And here, she remembered that she still didn’t even know the iceling’s name. Pulling back again, Ygraine lifted her eyes to peer at him, lips quirking up into an embarassed smile. “I should really ask your name; so I can brag in the future that I know who made these gorgeous designs. I’m Ygraine, by the way.”

 

[Painted Moose]

"Does your mother practice it as well?" A family hobby sounded like a lot of fun. Something one could do with others; one where ideas and thoughts could be shared...it sounded wonderful. As he listened to her speak his eyes grew wider, his smile brightening by fractions. "How wonderful! Do they often travel to these lands, or are the goods strictly imported? Have you done much traveling, Miss? Have- Ah, forgive me, I've asked too much."

For a moment he forgot his place. It wasn't proper to ask so much from a stranger, let alone a young women. Where were his manners today?

"Gorgeous? You are too kind, Miss Ygraine." Still, it felt good to be complimented. Asa's fingers trailed his designs, his own eyes fluttering downward to avoid looking at her as a flush darkened his skin. "My name is Asa Gilmyr, son of Natsiq and Tikaani. Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner; I seem to have lost myself today." He lifted a hand to his mouth to cover a cough, the first of many more to come, he knew.

He looked about for his scarf, only to remember that it still hung around his neck, albeit loosely. Shaking his head at his own foolishness, he pulled it up around his mouth, stifling yet another cough.  

[scarlett arbuckle]

It was nice to learn his name - her mind tumbled over the names, wondering if she should recognize them. Perhaps her grandmother would know, when she returned? It meant, at the least, that she could find him again in the future the next time her family traveled here. Hopefully, she mused, it wouldn't take as long to return as it had to visit in the first place?

He seemed so worried about being impolite, dwelling on not introducing himself, over questioning... she couldn't resist the urge to snort and quirk a slanted smile his way.

"Quit worrying about it - your manners are lost on me!" She joked, growing more confident by the moment. "Well- my parents don't travel too far anymore. Sometimes to Sauti, but they avoid going further than that." With good reason - it had been years, but she still remembered those darker times, in her childhood. Leaning back, Ygraine tilted her face diligently away, letting him cough without fussing. He had already admitted his sickliness, and really it would only stress him out further if she mother henned at him, the way she was itching to.

She wanted to rub her hands along his arms, or tug him up so she could escort him back inside but... again with overstepping the boundaries. Ugh - she'd forgotten how tense meeting new people could be! When you got used to the people around you, you learned your limits. But here?

"My-- oh. No, my other father enjoys dancing more, at least I think he does."