Private Tales Have you heard there's a rumour in Alliria?

[Althea]

She hadn't realised quite how many doors this place had when she'd come in, and after a full circle in the hallway she laughed under her breath as Gawyn had to guide her out. She clung to his arm, clearly excited to explore the city now that the heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Two, in fact.

"I.. I don't know. I, suppose a park would be nice." she shrugged, having enjoyed the park that they'd visited whilst she'd been healing.

"He seems lovely, Aodhan. Ilyena is adorable too. You're both clearly doing a very good job with her." she commented. The streets were quiet, though up ahead she could see a small gathering of winged figures and she glanced up at the General, wondering if he knew them.

 

[Gawyn]

"The park it is," he murmured and adjusted their course to head in the right direction. He had been quite content with comfortable silence but having her willingly speak and share her thoughts was a warm and welcoming thing. His eyes creased with his smile at her compliment when it regarded Ilyena and he glanced down at her with pride.

"Thank you. We try for --" he suddenly cut himself off when his eyes followed hers to the gathering above. His brows tugged down into a frown. It wasn't close to the market and whilst people socialised here it was an odd thing to do in the middle of the street. That was, until he could hear just whose voices they belonged to. Gawyn groaned.

"Here we go..." he muttered under his breath as they caught up to the group to see one winged figure on a makeshift box.

"THYASARI CALLS US COME! WE SHOULD RETURN! Revolution is not the answer, I for one--" the pasty fellow with copper wings cut off when he saw Gawyn and heads turned towards him. The General folded his arms over his chest.

"Do continue, Gaelen. Tell us what you think." A few chuckles broke out among those listening and the avariel on the stage swallowed, flushed an angry red, then jumped down.

"Once again, any of you are free to return to Thyasari if you want, but I for one remember how quick they were to forget us," the majority murmured in agreement and the crowd begun to break up into smaller groups

 

[Althea]

Thea let her hand slip free of Gawyn's arm as he groaned, though she stuck close at his back in approaching the group. Her pale eyes drifted from face to face, hoping she wouldn't recognise any of them. She couldn't help but feel slightly naked amongst so many with wings, and found her eyes lingering on the silvery set of a woman's as she stood watching the crier.

She'd never actually seen Gawyn in his 'General's' role, but the way in which he commanded the attention and the reactions he got caused a small smirk to curl up at the corner of her lips. Her stomach twisted at the subject of Thyasari, and her teeth tugged at her lower lip as she watched the groups separate. She kept quiet despite her opinions, trying her best to keep herself out of view of those looking to Gawyn.

"The General is right, Gaelen! They left us to fend for ourselves, locked us out of our own homes!" said one..

"We are stronger together! We should return!" said another

Thea let out an involuntary snort at an inconvenient moment of silence and her cheeks instantly burned. She could feel eyes on her, she could feel some amusement, but also irritation.

"What right do you have to hold an opinion girl!?" an older male with grey wings barked at her, though Thea's jaw clenched in the hopes of avoiding falling into the argument.​

 

[Gawyn]

"What right do you have. From what I recall you were deported here for stealing," sneered an avariel with dark green wings that faded through to black. She fanned them out and the man who had spoken took an involuntary step back. "In fact... if I remember right," she continued, stepping forward with a cat like gleam in her upturned brown eyes. "I was the one who brought you here in chains, no?"

The avariel had unknowingly backed up right against Gawyn's chest. As he hit solid muscle he flinch and spun away. A few of the others gathered began to laugh and the man flushed a bright scarlet red then stalked away.

The green-winged Avariel smirked and folded her arms over her chest as she watched him go.

"You should have let me drop him in the ocean when we brought him here, Gawyn," she sighed and shook her head then glanced over to Thea with a curious tilt of her head. "And who is this?"

 

[Althea]

Thea chewed idly on her lip as the female stepped in. She watched the interaction with silent admiration at the avariel quickly putting the male in his place, but as her attention turned back to them Thea’s throat cleared awkwardly.

She worked with Gawyn, then. And she was pretty... Thea’s cheeks heated with renewed ferocity and she offered a small smile. “Thea..” she answered. “Just a stray.. Gawyn and Aodhan have kindly offered me a home here.” She added with a glance to the General.

 

[Gawyn]

"Thea," she repeated with a curve of a smile and a glance to Gawyn. "And where did you find her?"

The General ignored her question with a flat stare and then glanced down at Thea, waving a hand in the pretty soldiers direction.

"This is Isis, she used to be one of the prison transporters in Thyasari then she got stuck here in lockdown," the last part of the sentence was clearly an old jibe that had become a joke for Isis stuck her tongue out and scrunched up her nose before turning her attention back to Thea. "Thea is going to be helping us out in the medic centre," he explained. "You'll probably see a lot of Isis, she's actually got quite the green thumb and has taken to looking after our park."

 

[Althea]

The wingless female's gaze shifted between the two before being downcast, her cheeks heating in discomfort. Where did he find her? Her throat cleared awkwardly and she offered a tight smile to the woman as Gawyn introduced her.

"Oh.. That's nice." she said politely, rocking back and forth on her heels as a palpable silence fell.

"So you've.. Known each other for a long time, then?" she asked for the sake of asking.

 

[Gawyn]

Isis' expression changed just slightly at Thea's words, picking up the subtle undercurrent of the other woman's discomfort. Gawyn, oblivious however, opened his mouth to reply so Isis cut in to save he and Thea both.

"Since the closing, though more out of necessity than any real fondness," she through him a lazy half smile whilst he stared at her bewildered. Without giving him the chance to retort she turned back to Thea and inclined her head. "I best be moving on, may you settle in well Thea," and then the avariel was off striding through the town.

Gawyn stared after her.

"Did... did I do something wrong?"

 

[Althea]

Thea offered the other female a small smile as she answered, though it seemed that Isis had felt it necessary to explain their relationship and Thea's brows rose. "I see.." she answered awkwardly and nodded as she bid her farewell.

"Thank you.." she answered, her eyes folding over those beautiful wings of hers with envy and longing combined.

Her brows dipped at Gawyn's question and she sighed with a shake of her head. "No Though I think perhaps I did.." she murmured quietly and folded her arms tightly around herself. Gods, she hoped she could fit in here. The last thing she wanted was to make people feel uncomfortable, and that wasn't off to a great start. She wanted so desperately to belong with her own people and yet she could only shove down that jealousy so much. She would always want her wings back, she would always want her brother back, and she would always find it difficult to trust anyone when those closest to her turned their backs on her so easily. Still, it didn't mean she didn't want that too.

The little gathering had dispersed thanks to Isis and Gawyn's presence and Thea's throat cleared. "Perhaps I should stay closer to the hospital.. Maybe show me the way there first?"

 

[Gawyn]

Gawyn scratched his head as his eyes moved from Thea to Isis' retreating back and back again with a look of male confusion. From his perspective the whole thing had gone rather well. Isis could sometimes be a bit terse with newcomers and she'd actually smiled at Thea. Of course, between women maybe that wasn't so friendly... Gods his head hurt.

"Yes," he said, grateful for the change of subject back to what they had originally left his home for. "It's this way," he smiled and gently raised a wing to brush it across her back and guide her down another avenue. The rest of the journey was far less dramatic down pretty little streets which seemed mainly reserved for residential living. A few people who were out on errands waved but nobody else paid them much attention until they got to the hospital.

"Would you like to meet the head nurse first?" He asked, glancing down at her with a warm smile.

 

[Althea]

Thea glanced over her shoulder at the wing as she felt it brush her shoulder. She thought it would have bothered her, perhaps it should have, but it didn't. She'd already had it wrapped around her, and she realised then that it was a comfort she rather enjoyed. She refrained from taking his arm this time, though. Many of these people knew him better than she did, and after meeting Isis.. Well, she didn't want to cause any more awkwardness.

"Oh.. I.. Now?" she asked, glancing down at herself as though checking that she were presentable enough. "Are they as scary as the elven nurses?" she asked with a laugh under her breath, though she was quite serious. She needed these people to accept her, and she wasn't particularly good at making friends these days.

 

[Gawyn]

Gawyn lounged back lazily against the stony column that made up one of the large supports of the hospital. It was nearly as wide as him if he spread both sets of his wings out to their full length.

"All nurses are scary," he reminded her though softened it somewhat with that crooked smile and a hooked brow at her nerves. "But if I remember right, you seemed to have gotten on just fine with those elven nurses," in fact, he'd had gone so far as to say they were wrapped around her little finger. To his own detriment. "If you'd prefer to settle in to a home first though we could always come back here tomorrow. It's been quite a long day," and it wasn't too long ago she was in a hospital bed herself.

 

[Althea]

Thea gave the General a tight smile and laughed mirthlessly under her breath. "I was, sort of a nurse, you know. You don't find me scary." she teased.

She stared thoughtfully at him for a moment and then shook her head.. "No.. No I should do this now.." Before she changed her mind.. She thought anxiously. "Besides, if it doesn't go well, its unlikely I'll need to pick a home nearby." she smirked and lifted her shoulders in a shrug as they swayed.

After a nod in reassurance to herself she wandered in through the large, oak doors. The familiar scents of herbs and ointments tickled at her nose, and her brows rose as she stared around the place in awe. Healers wandered here and there, sparing her curious glances as they passed her, though Thea's gaze settled on the female sat at a large desk in the middle of the room. She glanced up at Gawyn, her brow quirking in question.

 

[Gawyn]

Gawyn's only answer was to raise both his brows. Did he not find her scary? He seemed to ask with his look before following her inside the hospital. This place always brought back memories that had a dark edge to them. It had been in these halls he had lost comrades, family, men and women he would have considered as close as siblings. He tried to avoid it as much as possible.

The healers all smiled and he returned each greeting with a nod. When Thea glanced up at him in question he nodded and dipped his head to murmur in her ear.

"Galena runs the hospital basically, she would be the person to talk to about joining."

 

[Althea]

The atmosphere was generally quiet and pleasant enough that she managed to calm nerves at least a little. The emotion of a place had a tendency to wrap itself around Thea, and it was sometimes difficult to separate them from herself. Hospitals were generally filled with pain and sickness, but this one was at least on a level she could manage for now. She'd been used to so much chaotic fear and anger, both her own and that of others over the past few years, that this was respite.

She drew in a breath and nodded at Gawyn's words, and onward she strode toward the desk. She had to clear her throat quietly before the female looked up at her. "Miss, Galena?" she asked, the confidence she'd gathered quickly crumbling away.. "I.. Hi. I'm Thea. I'm new here and.. Well I used to.. I was hoping you might, that I might work here. I can help people die...I mean." Thea sighed deeply and the woman could only blink at her in confusion.

"I'm an empath. I worked at the hospital in Thyasari. I'd like to offer my help here, and perhaps learn more, if you'd have me." she breathed and offered a flustered smile. Galena's brow furrowed slightly, and Thea knew it was because she'd mentioned Thyasari without the presence of wings on her back. Her cheeks heated furiously and she wrung her fingers together.

"Sorry, I can be a little anxious meeting new people." she admitted quietly..

 

[Gawyn]

Galena glanced up as the two approach from behind wire-framed glasses. The large oval glass made her eyes look owlish but they narrowed like a hawks when she saw Gawyn, her eyes roving over him as if searching for what medical attention he required this time. Her pre-emptive ire was so severe even Gawyn could sense it and he half slunk behind Thea like a naughty school boy. When Thea spoke those owlish eyes turned to the girl instead, though her expression smoothed into polite friendliness instead.

Once the girl was done the older avariel healer quirked a brow and tilted her head to the side.

"An empath hm?" she seemed to mull it over. "It had been many moons since we've had an empath, Aodhan so rarely leaves his tower now. I can't say it is very exciting around here given the size of our population... but if you're willing to help with pain as well as death," she shrugged. "We most certainly could use you."

 

[Althea]

Thea wrung her fingers together as she watched the female consider her. The thought of her request being rejected was enough to make her nauseous. She so desperately needed a purpose, and even more-so she wanted to make some attempt at remembering who she was before she'd done all the terrible things that she'd done. Her guilt would always be there, but at least if she was helping people instead of hurting them, she might somehow cleanse her soul.

The answer she'd hoped for sent a wave of relief crushing over her so fast that it was everything not to lunge over the desk and cling to the female. Her head nodded, clearly enthused by the offer and she beamed. "Yes. Yes I am more than willing. Thank you." she smiled broadly, looking up at Gawyn to share her gratitude, and turning back to the owlish woman. "Thank you so much."

She glanced around, her brow arching, but she refrained from opening her senses. It was a mistake that she'd made many times in the past, and one that would likely cripple her with pain in a place like this. "Is there anything that I can help with now?" she asked.

 

[Gawyn]

Galena pursed her lips thoughtfully and went to open her mouth when Gawyn swept in.

"I think, perhaps, you should find yourself a house to settle into before jumping into work," he suggested softly, putting a hand on the small of her back. He knew how quickly medics got swept up in the never ending slew of their work and he worried she would find herself at the end of the day tired and without a good bed in which to sleep.

"You're still healing," he said in a lower pitch so only she would hear and the concern was written plain as day on his face. Galena glanced between the two before giving a reluctant sigh.

"For once the ape is correct, settle in today and report here first thing in the morning. I'll be able to give you the full tour and start you on the rotas then."

 

[Althea]

It didn't feel right to know that there were people here who might be suffering and that she was leaving, but she knew Gawyn was right. She was still weak, and she'd be of little use to anyone if she didn't allow herself to rest a little more first.

Thea's lips twisted as she refrained from laughing at Galena's underhanded insult. Her throat cleared and she looked up at Gawyn with a restrained smile.

"Alright.." she sighed as she nodded in agreement. "Thank you, again."

She turned, nudging Gawyn's arm as she headed back toward the door. "Lets find me a home, Ape."

 

[Gawyn]

Gawyn spluttered first at Galena and then at Thea for use of the irritating nickname. Fuming, he could do little more but follow Thea unless he wanted to leave her to go outside alone but he made sure to shoot the smug looking chief healer a look that promised death. She returned it with her own icy smile. Outside in the light of sun where its rays could warm his wings and rid him of the feel of that smile, he huffed out his anger and rolled his shoulders.

"Healers," he muttered beneath his breath then headed up the street. Being close to the hospital it was actually one of the busier streets where families who had first settled here had done so because they had wanted to be close to loved ones and then had never moved on.

"Do you want to be up high?" he asked and glanced over to her. He had a few homes in mind to show her and they all had their perks. "There's one at the top of the hill that has nice views, or one just off to the right here that backs onto the gardens."

 

[Althea]

Thea didn't need to be an empath to feel the burn of his anger and her smile quickly vanished as she dropped her gaze, murmuring a quiet apology.

She felt instantly shy and timorous again as she stepped out into the street, her stormy eyes drifting from face to face, and wings to wings. Her arms wrapped around her, but she didn't feel cold.

"Nice views would be nice.." she answered with a slight shrug.

 

[Gawyn]

Gawyn glanced down at the demure response and bit the inside of his lip. Perhaps he had overreacted to the nickname but Galena and he... well the history was long and unfriendly. Now it took even less for them to annoy one another. A word. A look. He thought about trying to explain it to Thea but his mouth remained shut and his tongue felt dry.

"This way then," he said softly and with a hand to the small of her back guided her on up the hill.

Once at the top he stopped in front of a tall, three storey building. As was the way with most Avariel buildings they did not start until a good few feet off the ground and every floor had a balcony. Gawyn pushed open the well oiled door.

"There's one other lady who lives in these apartments but she prefers the lower floor - her wings were mangled at birth so she had to use the stairs," he said softly as they walked up and up to the very top and a bright lemon yellow door which he pushed open. Inside was a sunny, bright suite of rooms that made up a simple yet stunning apartment that offered sweeping views across the city to the sea beyond.

 

[Althea]

That shy awkwardness seemed to melt away as she looked up at the building with the yellow door. She did give a pained look up at the General as he mentioned the unfortunate female's mangled wings. She didn't know which was worse, having had wings and learned the feel of the air before losing them, or to have them still and not be able to use them. Either way, she couldn't help but ache for the woman he spoke of.

Thea wandered inside, the tension she'd unknowingly held in her muscles easing off as her pale eyes drifted took in the home and the views that it boasted. "I... I can keep this place?" she asked, her fingertips drifting over the hanging crystals by the window, their little prisms dancing around the room as they chimed. She looked back at him with a smile in her eyes.

 

[Gawyn]

In that moment Gawyn wanted to give her everything.

"Yes," he said through a tightness in his throat causing his voice to come out like a croak. He cleared his throat and repeated. "Yes, it's all yours. If you want it," he glanced around the small flat. It didn't look like much especially when he thought of his own home but to a woman who had lived in god knew what... He could see what a palace it felt like.

"We can look at some more if you like but if you want this one..." he held up a key with a smile.

 

[Althea]

The way his voice sounded had her open her senses up before she could stop herself. Her brow furrowed for the briefest of moments as she felt some sort of pain that she didn't quite understand. She cleared her throat too, and her cheeks dimpled as she smiled back at him, stepping forward to take the key with a chuckle.

"This one." she said firmly. It was the first time she'd felt home since Thyasari, she wasn't about to go looking elsewhere. She looked down at the key in her palm and squeezed it into a fist before her arms were suddenly around his waist and her cheek was pressed to his chest.

"Thank you." she mumbled. She'd barely known him any time at all and he'd taken her from that place and those people, he'd saved her life and looked after her, he'd given her a purpose, and he'd brought her home.