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Kira had always hated the woods. Well, that was a tad dramatic actually. She hadn't always hated the woods, but she was never that fond of them anyway. Kira had started hating the woods after the ghastly forest fire had surrounded her whilst she was alone. She had chosen to ignore the fact that almost all of her companions had tried to convince her to go in the hole with them. At least it was a sight to see, the flames engulfing the vast greenery were nothing short of a work of art. Unfortunately, the lovely sight did not make up for the kidnapping, almost hanging and having Nerathiel pissed at her. I don't owe him shit. No one made him trade his precious cigarettes, least of all me. Perhaps it was a rather unpleasant manner of thinking, one that she knew was unfair to her friend to some extent, after all, the reason he in particular made her peeved wasn't exactly his fault.
He knew what he was doing, she thought, somewhat petulant. Flaunting his flame red hair and lean frame, no wonder Illiryn took a liking to him. At the thought of her, Kira felt her own heart skip a beat. My beloved druid, perfect in all her misdeeds and misdemeanors. She remembered meeting Illiryn for the first time. Not exactly the first time, seeing as that was being stuck in a train, but when they had sat at the campfire side by side. The fire had blessed her face with a healthy glow, and when Kira was brave enough to look her in the eyes, she saw a reflection of the fiery pits of hell that called out to her, that she could call home. Gods, she's magnificent, Kira remembered thinking, with her short blonde hair, pale, snow-kissed skin and the very eyes she thought she would drown in. It also didn't hurt that Illiryn could pick her up with one hand and carry her, which was a feat, seeing as Kira , despite being on the leaner side, was still 212cm tall. She thought back to Illyrin getting her off the execution block and picking her up, it wasn't the first time Kira had realized she had rather broad shoulders, but it was the first time she was very aware of it. Back then, Kira had thought, with a rather disgusting feeling bubbling beneath her skin, that Nerathiel had no appreciation for anything.
Completely and utterly unfair, she had thought, while watching Illiryn attempt to chat up Nerathiel, whose face remained impassive before turning away. If I had a beauty such as Illiryn try to speak to me, I would never dare look away. She attempted to tear her eyes off of the two, and more specifically, off of Illiryn's crestfallen expression. I would never treat her as he does. I would be so good to her, she would always be desired, needed. How is it that people who do not care for love, are always the ones to receive it. Kira had her fair share of lovers, all shapes, sizes and colors, but none of them had ever come close to making her breath hitch as much as it did when Illyrin had suggested Kira join her for a swim in the stream, it didn't happen for it was too cold, but it left Kira wondering. She had actually started seeking Illiryn out for conversations, and she enjoyed them. The woman had a firm yet gentle voice, with a manner of speaking Kira found herself drawn to, that and the fact she could make rather crude jokes, something Kira could appreciate in private. Illiryn made her feel an indescribable way. Kira chose to neglect the voice inside her that told her to stop lying to herself, she knew what Illiryn made her feel, even if she wouldn't admit it. Such a feeling was addicting in a way, no matter how much she tried to hold out, she always found herself back at Illiryn's door. When it comes to her, I am nothing more than a dog. I sit and wait and whine and when all that fails I come back to her, my tail tucked between my legs. Is there anything so humiliating as a woman in love? The realization that it was always Kira seeking Illiryn out had made her flush. How desperate can one get? Does she even enjoy my company? She is not a cruel woman and she would never say no to spending time with a friend, but does she spend time with me because she wants to be with people or because she wants to be with me? I hate this. How did I become this? Me! I've never even cared about the concept of this kind of relationship, let alone another person. I am weary of it, there is nothing I want more than this to end, feelings be damned. I'll never fall in love again if it means I am spared of the absolute agony that is this illness.
Kira had been lying on her bed and staring at one of Lord Mace's books, in the middle of contemplating the merits of never speaking to Illiryn outside of quests again when she heard a knock on the door. "Come in." she called out, not looking up from her book. "Where have you been?" a lovely, deep voice asked her. Kira felt her heart stop, willing it to get a hold of it's self before answering. "Hello, Illiryn. Lovely day, isn't it? Oh, I'm doing quite alright. Bit of a slow day, really. Those would be my responses to questions people usually use as a greeting, a concept you seem unfamiliar with." Kira was pleased that her situation didn't disable her ability to snark. She was rather used to it, and she enjoyed being snarky towards the woman in front of her in particular, mostly because she would always get rather petulant, huffing and making her annoyance known by speaking in a higher pitch tone than her usual one. "Kiraaa" whined Illiryn, her brows furrowed and an expression on her face that made Kira want to tease her just a little more. "What?" she asked smirking, "I'm still not hearing any polite greetings out of you." To which Illiryn groeaned, rolling her eyes. "Oh come on, I'm your own and when you're amongst your own there's no need for silly greetings." Kira was far too focused on the word your to respond, giving the blonde the wrong impression. "Fine." said Illiryn, sulking. "Hi Kira, lovely weather we're having, isn't it? How are you? Are-" Kira put a hand over her mouth. "Stop, I was just teasing and got lost in thought." Kira interrupted her, feeling a bit warm about her friend being willing to conform to her wishes so easily.
"Oh, good then." For a moment, Illiryn even looked worried. "Can you answer my question now? Where have you been, I've been waiting for you." And if Kira wasn't in too deep before, now she certainly was. Kira wasn't sure how to respond to Illiryn. She spoke up, and hoped she didn't sound strange. "If you've been waiting for so long, why not come find me sooner? Why must I always be the one to look for you?" she asked, aiming for relaxed and uncaring, unsure of how well she achieved it. Illiryn frowned, a crease in between her eyebrows forming. Would she let me soothe her with a kiss? "That's not how you work though. Or at least, that's not how I thought you worked." Now Kira was confused, she raised an eyebrow in a go-on gesture, which her friend did. "You don't like when we, any of us, chase you. Like insisting you join us, even when you do, you don't like it, because you enjoy having the power of being the one to start something. Was I wrong?" She tilted her head sideways and Kira found herself wanting to grab her face and pepper kisses all over it. The more prevalent thought, however, was that Illiryn had a read on her. A good one, at that. She pays attention to me. She watches me? No. Does she? How else would she know this? It cannot just be intuition. Sure, I prefer to chase, but there was a sort of vindication that cannot possibly be replicated when she came to look for me. Kira realized she had been silent for far too long, snapped out of it and reassured her friend.
"No, no, you were right. Once again, I was only joking, you are far too an appealing target to resist." Illiryn's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, as if she didn't quite believe Kira. Thankfully, she seemed to let it go. "I have a plan for the two of us today." she declared. Kira perked up. "What's that?" somewhat amused by the sheer enthusiasm that Illiryn was exhibiting. "A picnic!" Illiryn proclaimed, loud and proud. "A picnic?" asked Kira, trying to stop the indignant tone from seeping in her words. Illiryn laughed. "Why not? I get to have some quality time with nature and you get to day drink. Plus the two of us can spend the day hanging out alone." The word echoed in Kira's head and suddenly she found herself agreeing. "Great, I'll pick you up around three. See ya, Kira!" The woman in question could barely speak. Is this a date? She mentioned several times that it's just for the two of us. Then again, she hangs out with many people alone. But does she place an accent on the alone for them? Gods, this is embarassing. Perhaps I ought to just wait for today and see.
As Kira was getting ready, she heard her door open. There wasn't any need to turn away from her mirror, she knew who it was. "Hello, Jaya." she greeted, more preoccupied with putting on her earrings. Jaya huffed and flopped on the bed. "What ails my little friend today?" Jaya chose to respond by getting up, running over to Kira and clambering into her lap. Kira ran her fingers through the girl's wild curls, not looking down yet. "It's quiet here. It's quiet and I'm bored and no one is around." Kira hums in response. "A horrible thing. Would you like to stay with me? I am meeting with... a companion in two hours and I ought to start getting ready. I could use your magical work with hair." Jaya grinned and nodded. She ran over to the bed and sat at the foot of it, pointing to the floor. Kira made her way over and sat down, the feeling of anxiousness that had made itself at home within her, finally leaving her, if only temporary.
"Are you going on a date?" The question snapped Kira out of her calm state and she felt a lump form in her throat. "Well, I'd like to think so." What kind of an answer is that? I sound like an insecure schoolgirl not a grown woman. Stupid, this, me, it's so fucking stupid. "You'd like to think so? How does anyone get confused about that girl? You're either going on a date or you aren't." Jaya said, sounding particularly confused. Kira sighed and barely gritted out and answer. "It was left unclear." Jaya made a face and decided to move on. "You're done for twin. Who are you going out or not going out with?" Kira was now feeling irrationally annoyed. I know my love life is not very prosperous, but I do not enjoy a tiny monk making sure I know it. "Well that's none of your business now, is it? Besides, a lady never kisses and tells." Jaya groaned, throwing her head back. "What are you playing at, acting all picture-perfect polite over here. Fine, keep your secrets, but tell me how your may be may not be date went." With that, Jaya made her way out of the room. Kira felt sort of bad for keeping things from her impish little friend, but it couldn't be helped. She decided to throw her a bone. I'll make it up to her later. "Sylrien is teaching Valentyn how to use a bow and arrow in the training room, that ought to be plenty entertaining." Jaya's little face split into a wide grin and she ran out, her cackles heard throughout the castle hallways.
Kira watched her face in the mirror, she had always known she was beautiful, but with the way Jaya had done her hair, she had accented her face and angled it perfectly. Smart little thing. She applied sunscreen on her face and started to wonder what Illiryn was thinking about. Is she as worried about this as I am? No, of course not, this is a hangout between good friends, nothing to worry about. But is it? Would she have made an effort to invite me and make sure I knew we were going to be alone if it weren't a date? No, this is not a path worth thinking about. She doesn't keep the company of women, despite her appearance. She takes a shine to pretty boys like Nerathiel. Ugh. A woman with so much love to give, so attentive, with a man so uncaring, the thought of it is repulsive. I am repulsive. Embarrassing as well. The moment someone shows me kindness beyond the bedroom I fall in love? Pathetic. Ridiculous, even. Gods, I don't even want to think about this anymore, I'm going to have a nice day with a friend today, we will eat, drink and laugh and I will forget any and all thoughts of love and yearning, for it is simply not a train of thought worth following.
As Kira was dressing herself, she couldn't help but think it was all terribly silly. The very notion of her having feelings for someone, at least. That and the fact that those feelings are unrequited. Best not to think about it, I'll have to content myself with simply staying at her side and watching her give all her love to those undeserving of it, just as any good, selfless person would do. This is not going to happen, unfortunately, because there is not a person alive that possesses more greed than I do. I wish for all of it, all her time, looks and attention. Another thing that is not going to happen. I seem to be on a roll today.
The outfit she had chosen was no different than her usual one, if only a bit more colorful. A maroon, short sleeved shirt with ruffles, paired with an ankle length black skirt and knee length black boots. She looked up and the clock told her she had about 20 minutes before Illiryn came to pick her up. Sitting down at her vanity desk, she put on her earrings and a couple of rings, all with ruby stones to match her beloved amulet's, of course. Kira looked good, of course she did, but she couldn't help but be concerned over what Illiryn would think about it. She had no time to dwell on the thought, because a knock on the door brought her back to reality. A quick glance at the wall confirmed it wasn't yet 3 o'clock.
"10 minutes early? Are you that excited to see me?" was what Kira chose to greet her companion with. Illiryn had an excited expression on her face, eyes crinkling at the corners and wide grin, almost childlike in it's nature. "Kira, you will not believe what a perfect spot I found." she began to ramble. "It's quite literally amazing, it's right next to the river, but I spoke to the insects and asked if they would be willing to leave us alone, which they would be as long as we leave some crumbs for them. Also it's not to far and it has spots in the sun and in the shade, so our food doesn't go bad in the heat." Then she smiled, somewhat sheepish, a far cry from the wild grin she had on her face before. "I didn't interrupt you, did I? You are ready?" Kira smiled at her, a genuine, unpracticed smile. "No, darling, you've not interrupted me. I'm all set, so now you must take me to your dream like place." The woman beside her nodded and smiled so bright, so beautiful, it made Kira's eyes sting and her body tense up. How am I to survive today?
The two were walking down one of the many hallways in Lord Maze's castle, discussing something that Kira considered rather stupid, yet she couldn't help indulge. "Lord Maze does not want his little servant minion boy. I will say this a hundred times if it gets you to understand." She spoke in a hushed tone, not wanting the two of them to be under scrutiny for daring to discuss the Lord's personal life. Illiryn was not bothered by such notions. "I thought you of all people would see the vision. The man gets off on making him do things he can do himself, and he espeacially likes when the little man calls him my grace. Is that not the most romantic thing you've heard someone say?" I could call you a thousand things with far more romance interwoven between the lines, and if you wished for it I would call you my grace as well. Kira does not say this out loud. "I think you are so starved for entertainment in this godforsaken castle that you are starting to reach for things that simply are not there." is what comes out instead. Illiryn huffed but spoke no more of it, choosing to shake her head solemnly. As they were about to walk through the castle doors, Illiryn stopped her and offered her arm. "As is befitting of a lady." she declared, an eyebrow raised and for a moment Kira thought there was an unspoken challenge in those words. Heat rose to her cheeks and she was grateful her dark pigment did not allow others to see her in what would have been a state of disarray. "How kind of you. Ever the gallant knight." With that, she placed her arm around Illiryn's and the two walked out.
On their way to the forrest, they passed an exasperated Sylrien coaching a sheepish looking Valentyn, while Jaya and Nerathiel sat on the side and watched. "How can anyone be this uncoordinated?" Sylrien yelled, not really angry just confused, elliciting laughs from the group. He turned to Nerathiel and Jaya. "And you two! What the actual fuck are you doing here? What do you even do besides sitting here and being useless? Shoo, go be useless somewhere where you won't distract us." Which only sent the group spiraling even further. Seeing as the women had yet to be noticed, they quietly slipped away, barely containing their giggles as they did so.
"I pity the poor man that has Sylrien as his teacher." proclaimed Kira, always eager to make conversation. Illiryn chuckled, a deep and rumbling sound that resonated with Kira, that made her feel as if she were truly there. She wasn't sure what 'there' was, just that Illiryn made her feel it. "I think it's about time he learned, and Sylrien likes him well enough, so he won't be as cruel as he might be to someone else." Kira hummed in response, not wanting to spend the valuable time during this get together talking about Sylrien, despite being the one to bring her up. "Perhaps." she said, unfocused, before noticing something in their surroundings and feeling an idea form in her head. "Say, what are these lovely crimson flowers? I feel I see them everywhere and yet I cannot for the life of me figure them out." The joy on Illiryn's face was devastating. If Kira were to ever lose her memory, that was the only thing she would want to remember, that smile and the way her face shined when asked about her passion. The object of Kira's desire was currently lunging into an explanation that Kira was determined to listen to. We ignore her enough, I shall listen to all she ever has to say, no matter how stupid, insignificant or irrelevant it may be. She tuned back in just in time to hear Illiryn's explanation.
"The passiflora vitflovia is a flower that grows around woods mostly, but it also grows near places surrounded by the sea, they have spikes to protect themselves and release toxins when someone attempts to break of the head of the flower, which is actually impossible because their stem is built out of carynx, an ancient-"