RP:A Weight Lifted

Summary: It's Celeste's first day of work at the healing hut beneath Penelope's tutelage, and Lanara pops in for a visit and to bring her friends lunch. Ruari and Lana vow to try and get Nel out on the town in the near future, and Celeste opens up about the horrors of her past and how she is excited to begin her life as an empathic healer.

Part of the New Moon, New Motion Arc

(1 of 2) The next day, Celeste showed up bright and early at the hut where Ruari Erickson was the one to greet the woman inside. Celeste was smitten by that internally, for the pale blonde had eyes for the man with the raven, tousled hair and piercing greyish-blue eyes. The girl quietly observed him as he introduced the layout of the hut. The cots, the mini-filing system, the stock of medicine and herbs, clinic supplies, all of it in the tiny space. Of course the empath asked questions, and Ruari was able to answer them thoroughly. “So… We all have some sort of formal title for those who come in. Mr. Erickson is what most people call me. Penelope normally goes by ‘Doctor Nel’ or ‘Miss Halifax’. Yerrel is just… Yerrel. Do you have a preference, Celeste? Or… a last name?” The man questions the blonde with a careful tone of voice. Celeste takes a long pause at this inquiry and there is a timid look on her expression. Icy eyes look to the side before twisting her lips. “Csilla is my last name,” the words seemed faint, and almost unrealistic. “Everyone can just call me Celeste, though.” Celeste Csilla? It sounded almost like a fraud. There had to be more there. Ruari Erickson blinks at Celeste’s response and stares at her to see if the empath would say anymore, but unfortunately, she says nothing else…

(2 of 2) Penelope had been on the grounds of the hut, but not exactly the one to take Celeste on the tour of the inside of the hut, for Celeste was already there yesterday. The Ardelian keeps her attention on the outside where she stays in the pen with the horses. The woman was doing the daily feeding and watering. Her hair tangled in a curly low-do, a simple tank-top, and cotton brown pants. Her mind had been in a whirl, for Lanara was alive and… changed, and a letter had arrived from Kasyr addressing that Lionel had disappeared yet again and Xioctl was still a matter of happenstance. The Ardelian felt sick by the letter she received. The freckled woman brushes Delilah, her horse, in this midst of thought when Celeste approaches from the inside. “Hi, Miss Penelope,” the empath would say slowly. Penelope would shake out of her trance. “Oh, hey, Celeste. Good morning.” Delilah in the background neighs and trots in place at the sight of Celeste. “This is Delilah,” the Ardelian continues and places a hand on the horse's face. “She’s been around for about three years now. I call her Dee. She’s mostly for hauling supplies, and she has done a few rescues in her time,” Penelope frowns at this thought, for one of those instances brings her back to Linken. There were too many worked up emotions this morning for the girl. Celeste tilts her head at the healer before her. “You seem troubled. Was today a bad time to come?” Penelope instantly shakes her head. “No. Not at all,” and her mood shifts into a feigned smile. “Let’s get started. We have an appointment to attend anytime now.” Then, the two girls would wander into the hut and tend to their first patient of the day. A check-up for an elder. Basic. An easy start for Celeste.

(Post 1 of 2) Lanara had woken up early and spent most of the morning making finger foods for the lunch she had arranged with Penelope, delighted to have reconnected with her friend, and that she had promised to take Celeste under her tutelage. She’s confident that with some guidance, the empath will prove useful to the Amber Lunation, and that perhaps it will help her to come out of her shell a bit more. They had known each other for a few weeks now, and all Lana knew about Celeste is that she’s impossibly shy, awkward around just about everyone, and that she is best friends with Violet. The witch makes sure to make enough food to feed a small army and she places it all in an oversized picnic basket, before she runs upstairs to change into her day clothes. Once she comes downstairs, there is a knock at the door, and it’s none other than Bjorn, the hormonal hellion that had embarrassed himself beyond repair the day prior. Lana is about to slam the door in his face, but instead she narrows her eyes and barks out, “What do you want, Bjorn? I’m busy.” She -is- busy! She has to meet up with her friend for lunch to catch up and see how Celeste is doing, she has to update inventory at the sanctuary, and then she has to make out the invitations for the housewarming party! Bjorn shuffles his feet and bows his head, “I know you’re upset with me, and I -am- really sorry for how I acted around that hot healer! But… I’m here because Tiber told me to ask you if you can pick up some cough syrup for Tybalt and Corrine. It seems that they have come down with a little cold, and he knows you are seeing the ‘hippy’ so he told me to escort you while he trains with Greyson. After a moment of mulling it over, Lana shakes her head, “Tell Tiber that I am more than capable of walking the short distance by myself and that I will be sure to stop by after I pick up some medicine. Thanks, Bjorn!” She quickly closes the door so that the man cannot object, and she waits a few minutes to be certain that he’s left, before she grabs the picnic basket and heads to the clinic.

(Post 2 of 2) Around thirty minutes later, Lana comes into view, clad in denim sundress with a blue and white polka dot bow tied around her middle, and a pair of navy flats on her feet. Her hair has been pulled into a low ponytail and a few strands have been purposely left loose to frame her face. She picks up the scents of Penelope and Celeste in the paddock but she only sees a recently groomed mare, so she carries onwards to the hut and raps on the door before entering. The first person she sees is Ruari, and after flashing him a warm smile, she hands him the heavy basket, “I made enough to feed half of Lithrydel, so help yourself!” Secretly, she always hoped that Nel and Ruari would form some sort of romantic connection, but nothing ever blossomed. Even though he once crushed on her, Lana is certain that his feelings for her have faded, and so she pokes around a bit. “You need to talk Nel out dancing one night, I think it would do her a world of good! Being around this place is great and all, and it’s her passion, but she needs some time to herself, too.” Wink. Wink. Hint. Hint. Go get her, Ruari! “I’m going to check on Celeste!” The witch wanders about the hut until she finds the women and she quietly interrupts, once they notice her arrival, “Hey… I just wanted to let you both know that I’m here and I’ll wait out front with Ruari and set up our lunch! Also! I need a small bottle of cough syrup for a young boy, about fifty pounds… And some laxatives for a grown woman.” Corrine will get medicine… Just not for her cough! Chocolate eyes briefly glance at the elderly patient, before she retreats to the kitchen area.

(1 of 2) Ruari is easily attentive to the door, and low and behold, it is the Kelvarian witch. The man smiles lazily at the woman. “You and Nel are going to throw me off the lady game with all the food you always cook.” The man smirks and receives the basket from Lanara. The half-elf flips the lid of the basket to catch a glimpse of what the woman cooked because, in Ruari’s mind, Lanara also made killer grub. At Lanara’s suggestion, piercing greyish-blue eyes look up at the thought of dancing, although a brow quirks. “Nel? Time to herself? Yeah, wish me luck with that one.” He grins and sets the basket to the side before placing his hands up like horse blinders on the side of his temples. “Tunnel vision, that one. Maybe all of us should go out sometime. Maybe -you- should make her realize there is more than just… -this-.” He motions to the hut. “She’s been different since Linken--distracting herself constantly,” his voice is low, so no wandering ears could hear beyond the room. There is a small silence for a moment before he shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair. “Afterall, she listens to you the most.” The man winks and then waves the witch off.

(2 of 2) Penelope pokes her head out of the curtain once she finds a shadow beyond it. A familiar frame of shadow. “I thought I heard a chime-y voice. Conspiring?” The hut was not that big, but big enough not to hear whispers. “Also, I do not have -tunnel vision-.” The Ardelian looks past Lanara to Ruari who seems to be whistling mindlessly like nothing happened. “I’m nosy, remember?” The girl grins before pulling the curtain all the way open where Celeste appears with a stethoscope. “Alright, Mr. Gregorson you’re good to go. Watch the yoke in the eggs, will you? Too many could lead to a bit of… well, we talked about it.” The elder shakes his head. “Always on my case, Miss Halifax.” The man then slowly gets up and wanders shakily out of the hut with Ruari’s assistance. Celeste then looks to Lanara. “Is Tybalt sick?” The empath asks and then Penelope looks to Celeste. “There is medicine over on the shelves. Should be a small vial… Ingredients are on the front. Apple cider vinegar, lemon, lime, raw honey, and fresh rosemary. Guess I gotta teach you the tricks of medicine,” the freckled healer smiles. Celeste then wanders while Penelope looks back at Lanara. “Laxatives?” The healer wants to laugh, but she knows that is not doctor ‘protocol’. There is a hint of a smile on her face. “Troubles? Please tell me Tiber’s cooking is not -that bad-.” Pause. “Castor oil and juice. Castor oil tastes pretty disgusting, but you might be able to mix it in something? Orange juice actually masks the taste pretty well, if that helps. Or you can do the classic prune juice.” The healer wanders over by Celeste to the shelves where there was a jar of the castor oil. “Actually, this is pretty common. Especially for… elders.” The healer smirks before pulling the mixture off the shelf to Lanara.

(Post 1 of 2) Lanara is about to reply to Ruari when Penelope’s head pokes out from behind the curtain and the man seems to cower in the corner, and so the witch turns the charm on her friend, “We need to get you out of here sometime… You aren’t getting any younger, and part of caring for others means that you need to care for -yourself- even more so!” It’s true, one cannot pour from an empty kettle! Lana doesn’t mention the fact that Ruari told her anything about Linken, but she’s flattered to learn that her best friend listens to her the most, out of everyone! Yerrel? Ruari? Lionel? Kyori? Nope. They have -nothing- on Lanara Banks! “Perhaps we can all go out for drinks later in the week? I know of a few cool places that have a dance floor!” Whether or not Nel agrees to this, Lana finds herself holding a jar of castor oil and a mischievous grin is on her fair face, as she hadn’t thought about mixing prune juice -and- a laxative. Corrine is sure to be in the bathroom until sometime next year and it’s the happiest Lana has looked since Tiber proposed! “Excellent! Thank you!” Celeste asks if Tybalt is sick and she gives a curt nod, “So far it’s just the sniffles and a cough, but I figure it’s best to treat early, rather than let him get really sick.” Smirking, Lana leaves the healers to say goodbye to the old man, and she retreats to the kitchen where she helps Ruari arrange plates, utensils, food, and drink. A conspiratorial glance is given to the curtain, before she returns the man's earlier wink, “I’ve already set the bait, so now you just have to do your magic, up until the day we actually plan on going.” Nel is likely to agree and bail at the last minute, she gathers, as her friend has become a bit of a hermit in the past year or so.

(Post 2 of 2) At last, Celeste and Penelope are finished caring for patients and have washed their hands, so they can all sit together for lunch. A spread of various types of cheeses and crackers is on one tray, fruit and nuts are on another, and a tray of sandwiches is on a large tray. On freshly baked rolls rests a bed of dark green lettuce, grilled chicken drizzled in a zesty pesto sauce, melted provolone cheese, and quarters of artichokes complete the delicious combination. Off to the side is a pumpkin cake roll with swirls of cream cheese, topped with confectioners sugar, for a tasty dessert. Lanara finishes squeezing lemons into a pitcher of ice water, and she pours everyone a glass, pausing for a toast, “To health! To those that heal others, be it a sickness of the mind, body, or soul, and to those of us that can always use a little healing ourselves. May we always take time to nurture those around us, and to teach those that wish to learn to help others.” She flashes a smile to Celeste, “So… How is your first day going so far?” Lana glances to Nel, hoping she will provide an update from a teacher's perspective, as she takes a few grapes from the platter and half of a sandwich, “Do you think this is the right field for Celeste?”

(1 of 2) Penelope quirks a brow as she lets the castor oil go into her friend’s grasp. “I -do- take care of myself. I take bubble baths and sip wine. That I consider self-pampering.” She grins snarkily at the witch. Her head then rolls to Ruari who is still assisting the old man before she shifts her moss eyes to Lanara again. “I like dancing… Maybe I’ll think about it. Plus I never go out with -you-,” she contemplates with Lanara. Perhaps Penelope would take the bait. Celeste, however, frowns at Lanara’s response on Tybalt, but she nods anyway. Meanwhile, Ruari is busying himself in a crevice of the hut with the basket. He neatly wraps the napkins around silverware in a tidy way and places the food in an organized fashion with a furrow in his brow. Concentration. As Lanara approaches, he does not even glance the woman’s way; he is almost so transfixed. A perfectionist. The name of ‘Nel’ is what makes his head lift, even if his smile is slight and casual. “You mean pull her out the door? Sure. Sure.” He smirks. “Just give me a word, and we will be there.”

(2 of 2) Once they are all together with their food, Penelope and Ruari are almost foaming at the mouth from the delicious spread before them. Two foodies at heart. Celeste is patient and looks calm and serene with her smaller plate than the Ardelian and half-elf before her. The four of them lift their glasses in honor of Lanara’s toast before they all clank together. “Wow, Lana,” Penelope begins, “This was -so- thoughtful. Like, what the heck? Who has time for this?” Beat. “You, Nel. You and Lana are literally similar this way being ridiculous hostesses,” Ruari retorts with a roll of his eyes as he sips his lemon water. The banter dies as Lanara questions Celeste who is slowly sipping her water. A mindful woman. She takes her time breathing after drinking before looking to the three around her. “My first day is… better than I expected. Nel has been very informative and direct. I appreciate it. Plus, I’ve already learned so much. Ruari has really been helpful with making sure I’m okay with what I’m doing. These two truly care about their work,” the empath states. Nel then looks at Lanara. “I’d say that Celeste will fit fairly well around here, honestly… I see room for growth, but we never stop growing. I’m just glad she found you, Lana. We need the extra hand, and I see Celeste having a great future here… She’s a quick wit.” Which Penelope appreciated. “Where did you find her, anyway?” Penelope grins which makes Celeste giggle slightly while being flattered.

(Post 1 of 2) Lanara watches the playful banter in the expressions of Nel and Ruari and again she mentally questions -why- the two have never attempted to date or kick up anything romantic. They are both good looking, enjoy healing and helping others, tease each other mercilessly, and have known each other for years! Perhaps after all this time they view each other as siblings? Lana busies herself by trying not to step too much in her bestie’s business, because Nel is now off on a tangent about how she releases stress and the last thing she wants to do is stress her out further! “Yes! Bubble baths and wine can do wonders… As well as meditation, a long walk in the forest, or relentlessly stabbing a voodoo doll of the person who upset you in the first place.” She half smiles and winks to show she’s -mostly- jesting, as she takes a bite of her sandwich and faintly blushes from the praise. She enjoys cooking for others and she appreciates their enjoyment, “You all are so very welcome! Anytime.” And then the banter between Ruari and Nel returns and Lana lifts her glass of water to her lips to hide her knowing smile. “We -must- go out sometime soon…”

(Post 2 of 2) The witch remains silent as Celeste speaks of her first day of work and once she sums up that she truly enjoys healing and feels comfortable at the hut, Lana nods encouragingly, “I knew that Penelope would be the one to set you on this path. And, it means so much to me that you both are working under the same roof.” She smiles, though there is a hint of hesitation in her dark eyes when Nel asks how the two came to find each other. Penelope Halifax is her best friend and she definitely trusts her with even the most confidential of secrets, so after a moment, Lana lowers her water and clears her throat, “Remember that enchanting spell on the amulet we did with Kyori? To hide Tiber’s true form?” Lycanthropy. She glances at Ruari, and thankfully he’s pretending he’s not eavesdropping, but if Nel trusts the man then so does Lanara. “Well… It was for a rescue mission as some others were being held captive by this psychotic scientist in Venturil. Celeste is one of the six that we rescued on that mission…” Lana locks eyes with the young girl, “But… I know very little about Celeste’s years before she came to be a prisoner.” Will the girl finally open up? “Please, keep this to yourselves, as there could be others that would wish to harm Tiber and I for all that went down on that day.”

(1 of 2) Celeste smiles slightly at Penelope and Lanara in that moment with a nod of her head. Celeste could feel the tranquility in the small circle, and perhaps it was the trust in Lanara that she felt, though Penelope had a very calm atmosphere about her. The hesitation in Lanara’s eyes causes Penelope to blink intently before lowering her food to provide an extended hand. The circle of trust. Lanara could trust the Ardelian. Penelope nods slowly when she reflects on the night of enchanting the amulet. Penelope slows her chewing as she listens about the rescue mission. “You were held captive?” She looks at Celeste in horror. A hand reaches up to touch her chest in habit as she massages her collarbone. Obviously captivity was something that was relatable to Penelope’s past. Long before she had met Lanara. Long before she had become a healer. “Your secret is safe with me, I promise,” moss eyes look to Ruari who is now side-eyeing Celeste and Lanara. “You can trust us. Besides… we have a confidentiality policy here.” Well, that was more for the medical side of things, but… Lanara and Celeste would get the point. Penelope and Ruari were a safe space.

(2 of 2) As Lanara moves on to Celeste’s years before becoming a prisoner, Celeste does not blink nor shy away. “You know, I’m not really one to be naive about people I surround myself with.” She begins, “My empathic ability, especially when people feel emotions and don’t mimic them, it can be really hard not to read.” She looks at the three. “Before you and Tiber found me in the lab, I lived in a very small village beyond Lithrydel. Our people were kind. We give. We live life with love. And within that, you find others who give and love. But sometimes… love is blind.” She tucks some blonde strands behind her ear. “When I was in my village, I met a man. A very, at first, loving, kind man. Someone who would bend backwards to give someone in need anything. Money, food, shelter. I was in love with him.” Big, pale blue eyes stare at the three in the circle before she looks down. “I’m not naive, but… I could not feel the empathy off this man. It was so foreign to me. Such a foreign concept, for I was the only empathic one in my village. I wanted to know what he felt. Desmond was his name. When we got to know each other, he told me he was in love with me. He cared for me with physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and other acts of service. All the love languages you hear. He had them all, but… I could not -feel- what he felt. I could not tell whether he felt the same when he said those words.” Pause. “One day, he planned a day out near the water. I remember that day so clearly. He packed a picnic basket full of wine and food as we were going to have a picnic… like this.” There was a twist in her face as she looked at Lanara. “When we were out on our picnic, a ship was coming, and I remember the wine had made me feel fuzzy. Quicker than usual… Then, besides Desmond’s voice, I heard another… another strange man. They were talking of slavery and I remember in the distance, there was a boat.” She shook her head. “Desmond was something I didn’t understand. Someone who did not have remorse for his actions.” Pause. “I don’t know how I escaped. My legs were heavy, but I just ran, and somehow, I ended up in the middle of a forest in the dark. I knew I couldn’t go back. I didn’t even know where I was, but I knew I couldn’t keep my… real name, so I started over. Celeste. Celeste Csilla.” There were no tears from the empath. “I’m not sad. Not anymore. Relieved if anything. And relieved to know I can… trust you all.” Pause. "I didn't run into Alastor until a couple years later, but I knew I couldn't go back to my village beforehand because I knew I cost Desmond a heavy price. Besides... everyone in the village loved him. He was a known face, and I... in the shadows."

Lanara gives Penelope’s hand a gentle squeeze and nods to Ruari, because she believes that they are trustworthy folks, and she would trust her life in their hands. Celeste Csilla will come to learn that, too, but it seems both women are grateful for the reassurance. Sadly, Lanara relates to being held captive, as well as nearly being sold on the slave market, but she doesn’t interject or share her story. It’s not her place, nor is it her moment. This is about Celeste, and it wouldn’t soothe the girl's past by comparing it to others. Having faced similar ordeals of such terrifying heights isn’t something people want to have in common, but it seems that Nel grows uneasy at certain aspects of Celeste’s story, too. Is it her intuition or the fact that the healer is rubbing her collarbone with eyes that are in a memory farway? Everyone is silent for the duration of Celeste’s story, and the witch wears several faces throughout, one of sadness, followed by understanding, and ending with that of anger. It’s so quiet in the room that one could hear a pin drop and it seems that all four of them have lost their appetite. The pale girl looks at peace having told her story, and that’s all that matters, because the last thing Lana wants is to make her relive the horrors of her past. Slowly, she extends a hand and gently pulls Celeste’s hand into her own, giving it a little squeeze, “Thank you for sharing your story… I’m sorry you had to go through all of that, but hopefully things are starting to look up, and you will have a bright future with happiness at every turn.” She could find love again, make a career as a healer, and learn how to fully tame her inner wolf. “I’m certain that there’s a reason we are all here today, and that with each coming day, we will be more connected.” It’s the first time she’s ever initiated physical contact with Celeste, or any of the Pack, to be honest. Sure, Tybalt sometimes would give her a hug or sit on her lap, and Bjorn would toss an arm around her in his playful way, but Lana made it a point to never push herself on anyone until they were ready. And so this contact is sincere but brief, as she rises from the table and addresses Ruari, Nel, and Celeste, “How about we have some dessert, hm?” She hopes to end their lunch on a happier note, but it will be obvious to Nel that Lana hopes to chat with her in private whenever possible, perhaps to see if they can figure out a way to help heal Celeste as she helps to heal others.

Celeste instantly feels the comfort in Lanara’s grasp and easily eases into it. There is a feign smile, but there is a softness to the blonde although the story was a grimmer tale. “They already have. Well, despite the lack of choice with the lycanthrope, I’ve learned to start embracing it. That’s all you really can do. I can’t change it, though it has brought me closer to nature. I can feel some others dwelling, so I tend to be optimistic about it.” Celeste looks between the group and nods in agreement. There was a reason that she was there with the people. “A part of me thinks that this is the start of a new family since I can’t return to my own, but I find peace within thinking of everyone. We need each other.” Celeste concludes. Penelope stares at Celeste with a gaze of melancholy as the Ardelian begins to understand why Lanara had brought the hydromancer. The sound of dessert pulls Ruari and Celeste’s gaze, but Penelope’s is still stuck on Celeste’s. The freckled woman glances towards Lanara now and catches the subtle lingering glimpse, so instead of following, she lets Celeste and Ruari go. Ruari can deal with dealing out dessert with Celeste. Penelope would watch them leave before addressing the witch. “Your secret is safe with me. Celeste is safe here. Even with Ruari. He knows. Ruari will only get upset if something happens to the hut, but I won’t let it, and I trust you that nothing will happen. Celeste seems very patient. Tender. A great asset. Besides, who will take care of the place if I decide to go one day?” The girl smiles briefly before it fades.

Lanara falls silent as Celeste reassures the group that she’s starting to embrace her life as a lycan, and that she feels accepted by Ruari and Penelope. It’s music to Lana’s tapered ears, but it’s refreshing to know that she made the right choice putting the teen into their care and beneath their tutelage. Celeste will prove to be an asset to the Amber Lunation and it will give Nel a little breathing room to enjoy her life outside of the hut, as her entire existence is devoted to healing others. She deserves to live a little! Once the best friends are alone, Lana reaches out and takes Nel’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, “Thank you for this, Nel. I know you didn’t plan on taking on a student at this point in time, but it’s practice for your future as much as it is for Celeste’s! And… Tiber and I are both so grateful for your help, Nel, I hope you know how much this means to us.” The members of the Pack are growing in the witch, and as their Luna, she knows how important it is to put their needs above her own. She had definitely made the right call by partnering Celeste with Nel, and she offers a warm smile, as she gathers her things and prepares to leave, “I better be on my way! I have to meet with Cybil to enroll Tybalt in school.” She briefly talks about the child, before continuing, “You. Ruari. Me. We must plan a night on the town very soon!” She presses a chaste kiss to her friend's cheek before she offers a parting wave to the duo in the kitchen. Once outside, Lana releases a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding, as though a weight were lifted off of her shoulders.

This is a Healer's Guild RP.