Completed A healing flame

[Perrine Urahil]

Perrine did not say anything else as she slowly took more spoonfuls of the stew, slowing once she felt her exhaustion become too much to keep herself fed. She had more than she anticipated, pleased that the bowl was half empty due to her efforts.

The idea of being alone could be felt in many ways, and she knew her loneliness differed from whatever it was Thraah's mother could feel. She need not ask, or elaborate on the matter, not when their worlds were so different. The Healer decided to keep quiet, to allow the mother to spend this time with her babes now cleared from illness, but made no move to leave the attic room either. It was rare for the Urahil woman to be surrounded by such hands on parenting, when she had grown up being surrounded by her cousins. She did not get to know her distant mother, nor her problematic father...

She was glad that Thraah had such love for her family, that she wanted her future to benefit them first before herself. To witness that love, that bond, was truly beautiful. Of course, the Proctor would not soften knowing this, if anything she would be driven to motivate Thraah in doing more for herself. There was more than the Initiate that would be rewarded once her career soared after graduating from the Academy.

Thraah

 

[Thraah]

The silence continued for a time. Before long the sun was getting low, beginning it's descent back to the earth.
It was then that Thraah returned and hopped up into the attic space. Her eyes were red marked and her face shined.
"The coach is back. Parked up the street. I'll take you, if you're ready."
Gently she took the bowl from Perrine's hand.

Perrine Urahil

 

[Perrine Urahil]

Perrine gathered her things and placed them back into the kit, pushing it before her as she came to crouch in the small space. Minutes later, the Healer would be standing in the home of Thraah's family and smiling to her other parents. "Thank you for the stew, I apologise for not being able to finish it..." Her eyes were red, more visible in the better lighting of mid morning. There were bruises under her eyes too, her lack of sleep catching up on her now.

"I am to collect Thraah in two days. If there is anything you need before then, send word for me. I will be staying at the medic center at the barracks."

Thraah

 

[Thraah]

Thraah's mother, whose face was a stone mask since Perrine had descended the ladder from the attic, broke a smile and gave a nod of acceptance.
Thraah's father extended his hand and when Perrine politely took it he pulled her into a mighty embrace, squeezing her hard before letting her go.
"Dad! You promised!"
Thraah chastised.
Her father smiled widely and shrugged.
"I could not help myself, forgive me Perrine."

"I'll be right back."
Thraah told her folks as she ushered Perrine out the door onto the dimming streets.
They walked at bit and for a moment Thraah was lost in how much she missed the old dump.
"Where did you grow up?"
She asked staring down the lane that held the memory of her first kiss. It was boarded up now. No access.

Perrine Urahil

 

[Perrine Urahil]

The question Thraah had asked her made Perrine clear her throat and furrow her brows. "My father inherited a small home on the Urahil Estate. I grew up close by to my cousins and spent a lot of time with them as I had no siblings of my own." And of course, her father was no mighty presence in her childhood until she became more proficient with her manipulations of the body. "A world of luxury, even if we are not the main branch of Urahils..."

But living in her smaller home, which could fit Thraah's home twenty times over, gave Perrine the appreciation of freedom afforded to her. She did not have the same disciplines as her cousins, nor the expectations. Her choice to serve as a Dreadlord was met with a pretentious curling of the lip, a judging thought, but they all came to realise it kept her out of their hairs. In their eyes, she had chosen to be a pawn.

"Even with my family... I grew up alone. My time at the Academy, I was alone too. I wanted to be out and away from there enough to graduate earlier..." And still, not much had changed in either one of her careers.

Perhaps that was her set course in life.

 

[Thraah]

For a few paces Thraah was uncharacteristically quiet. She knew what loneliness was like. The first month's at the Academy were isolating. Her friends still felt recent and somewhat shakey.
Her mind raced for words, some comfort she could offer.
"Well you're gonna have to dress down a bit but if you ever get super lonely you're welcome back anytime. Even if I'm not here there's no way my folks would refuse you after this. You WILL have to suffer my dad's hugs though. That's just how he shows affection."
It wasn't much, she didn't have much but Thraah wanted to keep the good vibe between them going for now at least.

Perrine Urahil

 

[Perrine Urahil]

Perrine laughed.

It was a musical sound, the type to make others smile.

"Hugs are not truly all that bad, but I guess I am out of practice of such. The last time I hugged ---" Her cheeks took on a pink shade, recalling just memory. A nobleman, one she had spent a night getting to know and become caught up in the suddenness of being smitten, who now haunted her thoughts and dreams. The very eyes she had been painting when Thraah knocked on her office door. Val Pirian had been the last person she had hugged, but she was not going to tell an Initiate all about him.

"I cannot recall." She laughed again.

The carriage was just up ahead, but Perrine did not rush to it.

"It is alright to be alone once in a while, but just as important to befriend many. Remember what I said about asking them for help. They help you, you help yourself by graduating and giving your family a better future... just do not forget yourself once you do reach that goal." Do not become like me, she wanted to say, but the only faults of Perrine was the father that failed her.

Thraah

 

[Thraah]

It was a lot to think about but Thraah would need to eventually lean on others even if her mind recoiled at the idea.
She hated feeling useless.
"I'm not sure I know what that means! Do people become jerks when they graduate?"
From her perspective not many Initiates needed to *become* jerks. They were acing that already. Her mind wandered to Leander, whom she could hardly believe came from the same family, even a branch family.
"It didn't happen to you."
Perrine's presence here was proof enough of that.

Perrine Urahil

 

[Perrine Urahil]

Perrine exhaled softly. "No, what I meant was truly as I said. Do not forget yourself in the process." She looked down at the Initiate, coming to a pause to address Thraah.

"You wish to make the life of your family better, but you also need to think of yourself. I have my painting to keep me happy, but you need to find time for yourself. To stay connected and reset."

But not everyone would take on the duties she had, being pulled in all directions to heal soldiers and private clients of nobility, and to teach impressionable Initiates at the Academy. Perrine always found time to paint, even if it costed her sleep. It was important to her to be happy first.

Thraah

 

[Thraah]

"Huh!"
Thraah still didn't quite get it, she was already doing what she wanted, wasn't she?
"I... I will."
Honestly she had no solid idea what Perrine meant.
Thraah knew she wasn't dumb, some people thought that. Perrine didn't right now, despite, everything.
"I mean, I'll find something."
There was a moment of silence, Thraah felt like filling it with something but the weight of the hours was hitting her hard.
"But, can it wait until we get back?"
Her eyes suddenly seemed heavy, her posture became slightly hunched. As if admitting her own exhaustion gave it power over her.

Perrine Urahil.

 

[Perrine Urahil]

Perrine gave a light laugh and nodded. "I will return in two days, at dawn. It will take a day to get back to the Academy, and I unfortunately have a class to teach upon my return. Take this time with your family, not many Initiates get to be so lucky."

And the tall blonde smiled before walking on towards the awaiting carriage, waving to Thraah through the window before the horses lead them out of the Elf Quarter.