RP:Embracing The Past
Summary: It's been six months since the witch sisters, Lanara and Talyara, had been captured and brutalized at the hands of their captors. The mission was to murder the witches, however, they were rescued by Krice and no one was prepared for what had followed. Lanara's mind had fractured and she was institutionalized, leaving Talyara to pick up the pieces of the path of destruction that had been laid at her feet, courtesty of her insane sister. One morning a young woman appears at the sanctuary, offering a generous donation for the care of the animals, and the rune tattoo on Taly's wrist begins to pulse. It wasn't that her sister was near, it was the next best thing! A niece! Natianara, a twenty-two year old half elf, the daughter that was rumored to have been miscarried a few years before, stood happy and healthy, and with a tragic tale to tell. Talyara welcomes her niece to the lands with open arms, and Nat is elated to have found a connection from her past, as both of them vow to strengthen their bond in the days to come.
(Post 1 of 2) It’s a few hours past dawn and although it’s summer, there’s a faint breeze in the air, causing the residents of Kelay and Sage to head out and complete their morning errands before the temperature rises and the ungodly humidity resurfaces. Kuruni’s Animal Sanctuary is in full swing at this hour, eager to pick up supplies for their animals at home, tour the facility, or perhaps adopt a hopeful critter. Venin manages the front desk, a rare smile on her face, though she narrows her gaze as a young woman approaches and rests a sack of gold coins atop the counter. “What is this?” She practically hisses the words, her expression one of suspicion, as she had never laid eyes upon this individual until this moment. Natianara seems taken aback by the vehemence in Venin’s expression, and she blinks, guileless blue eyes wondering how she may have offended the woman, when all she was trying to do was make a donation. “It’s… A donation to the sanctuary…” A hefty one at that, by the weight in the bag that’s plucked from the table, and the gleam in Venin’s gaze. “Thanks! It will be put to good use. I’m Venin, the caretaker of this place… Go ahead and have yourself a gander at what you are funding…” She dismisses Nat with a wave of her hand, as the proceeds to count the coin.
(Post 2 of 2) Natianara pauses, before giving Venin a lopsided grin, “Thank you, Venom. That would be delightful.” In truth, the shapeshifter hadn’t intended on stepping past the welcome desk, nor had she thought to give such a large donation to the sanctuary. Having only arrived in the lands a few days prior, she had a rather heated argument in Cenril, as the Ryder family refused to recognize her as their kin. Lanara had the child out of wedlock, away from the lands, and Desparrow hadn’t even known about the pregnancy. She wasn’t considered an heir by any means, had no title to the estate; however they were more than willing to give her some gold to keep her quiet and move along. Natianara didn’t want their gold, she wanted to learn about her father, and perhaps bond with her family. She had no one in this world, aside from Sharna, and she lived so very far from Lithrydel. It seemed fitting to donate to a cause that was so important to her mother, considering she changed her mind about terminating the pregnancy, and thus was the life force behind her birth. The woman pauses beside a pen filled with puppies, all of which immediately cease yipping, and nearly blow her cover. The last thing she needed was someone knowing her secret! Quickly, she walks to the rear of the building, near animals that weren’t of the canine variety, only to find her gaze drawn to the tapestry. Lanara and Talyara, sitting side by side, both donning warm smiles and dripping with sex appeal. Nat swallows hard, no longer wishing to be in this establishment, though she cannot stop staring, and comparing herself to her mother. They bore the same hair color, full lips, and the shape of their eyes was almost identical, save for the difference in color. As she’s standing there, scratching her left arm, she mutters, “I pray I didn’t catch any fleas walking in here…” It’s the precise location of where Taly and Lana were branded with their mother’s unique tracking device, and though Nat doesn’t have a runic tattoo, she’s feeling the close proximity of her aunt.
Talyara had spent weeks in the Cenril clinic after her and Lanara's rescue from the witch hunters at their compound in Rynvale. Things had been a whirlwind since. She had returned to Frostmaw only to be blindsided by the famous Backstreet Bard, Nick, who had informed the witch that her sister had snapped. She had done terrible things--slaughtered innocent orphans and countless others, wreaked havoc wherever she went, and even burned down part of the sanctuary. It had taken time to rebuild, but things were finally settling with the new construction, the new workers, and even Taly. Most of her physical ailments had healed, save for a slight dent under her eye where the socket had been broken and the angry red scars on her forearm which bore the letters W-I-T-C-H, but the mental ones were still there. She often had trouble falling asleep and when she did, she was plagued by nightmares that caused violent thrashing that woke her up. There was also a deep ache in her heart with her grief of losing Lanara for a third time--even though she was still alive, her psychosis kept her locked away in a secure facility. Due to her mental instability, visiting her sister was difficult, so Taly had to settle for frequent letters from Lana's various doctors updating her status. She had made strides recently, her occupational therapist and psychiatrist had even agreed to let her use a spork now! After months of only being able to use her fingers to eat, it was a step in the right direction. In an effort to keep her mind occupied Talyara threw herself into her work--while she still volunteered at the clinic in Frostmaw, being around medical ailments was still hard on her so she dedicated most of her time to the sanctuary. Venin, despite her sour disposition, was a lifesaver, not only retaining her position as caregiver after her own attack by the witch hunters, but likewise taking on extra responsibilities at the sanctuary to make the shift in ownership from Lanara to Talyara as seamless as possible. True, she tolerated Taly a lot more easily than she had Lana, but she still gave pushback when the younger sister attempted to assert her dominance as owner and boss of the establishment. This day was heating up to be a scorcher and the little witch was dressed for the occasion. She wore a pair of denim shorts, a pair of ankle boots, and a Kuruni's Sanctuary shirt she had cut into a tank top, she had forgone the usual cover around her forearm to hide her scars, and her unruly curls had been tamed in a messy bun atop her head. Talyara shuffles a bunch of papers as she walks through the front door of the sanctuary moving towards the welcome desk where Venin continues to count out Natianara's gold donation like a miser. "I just got in the invoices from the feed farm and they are saying we are a month behind on payments! I thought you tasked Harvey with handling the animal care needs? Did he forget to pay or is the farm just trying to bleed more money out of us?" Handing over the invoices for Venin's inspection, a flustered Taly reaches up to scratch her rune tattooed wrist unconsciously.
Natianara runs her fingers through her long locks, the silken strands the exact length and style of Lanara’s, giving them in uncanny likeness. The shapeshifter had gone to great lengths to research as much as she could about Kelvar, the coven that resided there many years ago, its downfall, and of course every shred she could gather about her kin. Her arctic blue hues shift from Lana to Taly, and she sees the resemblance of Taly and her great aunt, Sharna. Those vivid emerald eyes were identical, and she focuses on the tapestry at length. It’s been a good fifteen minutes, before she forces herself to turn away. It was a good thing that Talyara rarely worked here on Sunday’s, because it would be awkward to bump into her aunt, unprepared! Wearing tan, relaxed fit, capri pants, an off-the-shoulder white blouse, and leather sandals, the young woman finds herself heading towards the exit. Natianara stops short as a Venin lifts a finger and points to her location, literally outing the shapeshifter for giving such a large donation. It would cover the animal care for at least a year, so there’s no worry about Harvey slacking on the job, but with such a hefty sum, one would expect an explanation. And she’s standing directly next to the one and only Talyara?! Like a deer caught in the headlights, Nat bites her lower lip and crosses her arms over her chest, shyly eyeing the exit. Should she just squeeze past Talyara without so much as a hello? Introduce herself as the baby that her sister failed to abort? Maybe flee to the rear of the sanctuary and shift into a wolf, only to dart past all of their watchful gazes? Her mannerisms are so Lana-esque that Taly would likely be putting the buzz in her marking and such together. Nat shifts her weight to one foot, gulping, before she offers up a sheepish, “Hello… It’s a fine facility that you have… Are you the, uh, founder?” Obviously, she knows the answer already; she’s just biding her time and not trying to look too suspicious.
Talyara taps her foot in annoyance as Venin continues to ignore her in favor of counting the donated gold and it's not until she gives a loud cough that the woman snaps to attention and snatches up the papers from the witch. "I swear that Harvey is a useless lump," she grumbles as she shakes her head. "I did give him the payment but I'll make sure he -actually- handed it over." Eyeing the abundance of gold coins, Taly furrows her brow and points to them. "Where did that come from?" It is here that Venin gesticulates towards Natianara and the little witch is turning her head to look at the woman. She has to do a double take because from the side, she very much resembles her sister, just taller. Taly blinks a few times, at first assuming it's her mind and heavy heart playing a cruel trick on her, before turning back to Venin. "Why did she donate so much?" she inquires. "Why do I care? It's ours now." Taly scoffs and rolls her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose before she turns to approach the shy looking girl who seems to be doing the same. Facing her, Talyara can clearly see the similarities to her sister, the lips, the hair, the shape of her eyes, even her mannerisms. It couldn't be...but still, there was that itch on her rune tattoo again... "Thank you so much for your donation!" Taly says cheerily with a genuine smile. "That was so incredibly generous please know it will go to good use." The little witch pauses at Nat's question and arches her brow. "Um, no that would be my older sister, Lana. I run the sanctuary now, though. What did you say your name was? We make a point of honoring our generous benefactors and I would love to include you."
Natianara is amused at the interaction between the two women, and even though Taly may be the owner of the facility, it was clear that Venin ran the show. A hint of a smirk appears on her lips, though it’s gone as the witch advances. Was that suspicion in those emerald hues? The little woman is a perfect blend of Sharna, Thronnel, and of course, Lanara, that it catches the shifter off guard. That gold was hush money, and she had only kept enough to afford some food and lodging for the week, vowing to donate the rest to charity. What better charity than this? It benefitted animals, was built by her aunt, and once managed by her mother. Struggling to find her words, Nat extends a hand, remembering to be cordial and trying to sort through her shyness. “You are very welcome… I’m an animal lover. Honestly… I would adopt one of the puppies, but I have a very jealous kitty already, and I better not upset her!” A nervous giggle ensues, only to be followed by complete silence. If she gave her true name, it would be the final piece to complete the puzzle. Her first name ended in ‘ara’ and her last name was infamous in Cenril, plus Taly likely knew of the relationship between Des and Lana. Should she lie? Fearing karma, she lowers her eyes and swallows hard, deliberating on the situation. “Um… My name is Natianara Ryder. But everyone calls me Nat, for short. It’s, uh, nice to meet you… Aunt Talyara…” She speaks in a hurried and hushed tone, hoping her words only reach those tapered ears, before she lifts her head, “Is there somewhere private we can go and speak?” Cheeks burning, she feels anxiety creeping in, before she lowers her hand and waits further direction.
Talyara continues to be as coy as possible, keeping her expression professional but kind, as if this were merely a polite interaction. "Oh I have a special cat at home as well," she assures Nat kindly. "We wouldn't want to upset your little one. However, if you ever decide to add to your brood please let me know. Your application fee would be waived, of course, given your generous donation." Talyara shakes Natianara's hand politely before slipping her hands into her front pockets and rolling up on the balls of her feet anxiously waiting for the girl to offer her name. Natianara Ryder. The name was no coincidence, and while her expression remains professionally kind, her emerald eyes widen in realization, her heartbeat quickening in her chest. Talyara swallows hard, emotion building in the base of her throat and she blinks rapidly to keep her sudden tears from falling. "Of course!" she says in a pitch a bit higher than normal when she requests somewhere more private to speak further. Sweeping her arm towards the opposite end of the sanctuary she bids Nat to follow her. "Venin, I'm going to get this kind young woman set up as one of our official benefactors in my office. Please talk to Harvey about the invoices as soon as he comes in." The caregiver simply waves her off as she has returned to counting the gold and Taly quickly moves off down the hall to the large office that used to be Lanara's. Once inside, she shuts the door shut and immediately pulls Natianara into a tight hug before pulling back, her hands still resting on her niece's arms. "I'm sorry I know not everyone likes affection," she says with an apologetic wince. "But how are you here?! I thought Lana had..." Talyara trails off and quickly clears her throat. "And you should be a toddler! Oh my goddess, please, come and sit. Tell me everything," she gestures to the chair in front of the desk before taking the seat opposite, leaning forward and drinking in her niece's appearance.
(Post 1 of 2) Natianara was genuinely impressed with how well Taly is handling the news, though she notes the change of pitch in her tone and the shock in her eyes. Nat had expected to be slapped, shunned, but not exactly accepted, at least not at their first meeting. This green eyed witch was quite different from anyone she had ever met before, and she finds herself following her into an office. The door is being closed, and she cannot help but inquire, “Is Venom some sort of leprechaun? I’ve never met one, of course… But I know that they value their gold, and tend to be rude little imps.” There’s innocence in her tone, as she’s not jesting, but rather curious about the caretaker. Before she gets an answer, her petite aunt draws her into a tight hug, and although Natianara is usually shy around strangers and a bit of a loner, she finds herself bending to return the affection. “You are older, but I’m several inches taller.” This is said in jest, to lighten the mood, though tears sting her eyes as she inhales the scent of Taly’s shampoo, with just a touch of lavender. They both take a seat, and once her legs are crossed and it’s her turn to speak, Nat nervously chuckles, “I honestly didn’t think you would be here… I-I only arrived in the lands a few days ago. And… My first stop was in Cenril, at Ryder Sanctuary? Well, they wouldn’t recognize me as Desparrow’s legal heir, and they gave me ‘hush’ coin to leave and never return to the castle. So… I decided to give a generous portion of it to this place, and then I was going to head to Venturil, until we bumped into each other. I have been researching my relations for the past several months and Sharna thought it would be best if I had some more hands on research, as I wouldn’t be a target for any witch hunters.” She swallows, eyeing the still healing wounds on Taly’s forearm, courtesy of her captor. “I’m sorry… I know this is sudden…”
(Post 2 of 2) Natianara grows self conscious, as she’s under such scrutiny from Taly, so she looks at her clasped hands atop her lap as she fills in her aunt on the origin story. “My mother, Lanara, and Desparrow were living together for nearly a year. They were friends, not exactly lovers, but one night one thing led to another, and I guess I was the result… Lana took a leave from the lands to tend to things in Kelvar, and she realized she was pregnant, and came back to Cenril. However… When she returned, she heard the horrors about the forced lycanthropy, the murders, the evil deeds of Desparrow, all that had been happening right beneath her nose, in their shared home! He was on the run for quite some time, though the authorities eventually captured him, and Lana broke up with him. She fled the lands, vowing to terminate the pregnancy, in fear that she’d give birth to an abomination like Desparrow… It was the middle of a swamp, somewhere between Gualon and Kelvar, where she had changed her mind… She didn’t realize she was being followed, and when she turned around to head home and carry the pregnancy to term, she had tripped. Her stalker, none other than your father, my grandfather, Thronnel, caught up with Lana. Rather than heal her of her skinned knees, concussion, and bruises, he erased her memory. I’m not sure what happened next, maybe it was the stress, or maybe it was the fall… Lanara went into early labor, and I was born at just under six months old. Thronnel was furious! He lifted me and aimed to smash my head on a rock, but my great aunt Sharna, his sister, she entered the scene and begged for him to hand the baby over. She said that I likely wouldn’t live anyway, but since she couldn’t have children, it would be a wonderful gift. Thronnel ran some tests… And after seeing that I am void of any magic, he relented. Lana returned to Cenril, with a new identity and an erased mind, which you helped recover later by sacrificing your empathy. Thronnel caught up with both of you, and died at the hands of Eirik. And Sharna…” Her voice trails off as tears well in her eyes, “She raised me for nearly two years… Before she came to the lands to check on you and Lana, but was captured while in Larket. She was brutally tortured, rescued by Eirik and some friends, and she came back to me an entirely different witch. She didn’t feel that I was safe, being so little and with no magic to protect me, so she used her magic to age me twenty years. My mind and body have both been aged… So, I’m twenty-two now… I –am- a witch, in the spiritual sense, though I cannot command the elements. And… I’m not exactly a werewolf. Apparently Lana’s powers subdued the lycanthropy, and made me a shapeshifter, but please keep that between us… And I’ve been trying to track the steps of my mother… To see the places she’s been and hear stories of her adventures. I… I still haven’t figured out my purpose in life, and I don’t think I can, without knowing where I come from, if that makes sense?” Smiling, she meets Taly’s gaze, “I know it was a lot… I’m sorry.”
Talyara barks out a raucous laugh as Natianara inquires as to whether or not Venin is some sort of leprechaun, the whole gesture lightening up her expression and making her emerald eyes shine with mirth. "No, no she's not a leprechaun. She's just a miserable woman who, for some reason, loves this place and wants what's best for it. I wasn't lying when I said your donation will go far here.” Taly is glad her affection is well received, she remembered in the early years of her friendship with Krice he didn't care for such gestures and the witch had to constantly remind herself that not everyone enjoyed such things. Once the pair are seated, Talyara plays the part of attentive audience, hanging on Nat's every word as she explains about her recent arrival to the lands and her attempt to receive recognition within the Ryder family. She tuts to herself but is secretly thankful--she never trusted Desparrow and after hearing of his crimes against the people of Lithrydel, especially children, she was happy to know that her niece was not pulled into that family. A darkness clouds her eyes when Thronnel is mentioned, a cold shiver running down the length of her spine. Natianara's story echoes what Talyara already knows, but from the other side of it. Of course she is happy that Nat survived Lanara's initial decision, her premature birth, and the attempted murder at the hands of Thronnel. She is unfamiliar with her paternal aunt, but is thankful that she was able to save the young baby and protect her the best she could. Upturning her palm and reaching across the desk, Taly silently invites Nat to places her own there. Should she comply, the witch would give her niece a reassuring squeeze and a soft smile. "Please don't apologize, least of all to me. It is truly a blessing from the Goddess that you survived and are sitting here across from me, a beautiful young lady." Taly reaches up to swat at a rogue tear that drips down her cheek. Complete disbelief would probably hit her when she was alone, but for now, she is so overcome with elation. Aside from her mentally unstable sister, Talyara thought she had no family. And now she had a niece! "I understand how you feel, I was lost when I first came here as well. It took some time, but I finally found my home here," she reassures Nat. "How are -you- feeling about all of this? Do you have a place to stay? Do you need anything? Can -I- do anything for you?"
Natianara had little knowledge about what happened to the sister’s once Sharna had returned to the lands, though she had gotten wind about their capture and her mother being institutionalized. She also assumed it was the blonde bard that has put his fame and family at risk, that had taken the fall for her crimes. “Aunt Sharna looked after you, too, from afar. She has your eyes… And she’s –nothing- like Thronnel! She’s full of love and light, but she knew that Lana would never bare another child, and that it wasn’t fair for her to be my ‘mother’ for all time. She thinks I should make my home here, and I may, but I haven’t decided on that just yet.” The hand atop the desk is eyed for a moment, before she slowly rests her palm atop Taly’s, feeling that unmistakable tingling in her wrist once more. “Thank you for understanding my story… I promise I’m nothing like Desparrow. I try to see the good in everyone, I know not to get to close and to protect my heart, and I’m a firm believer in karma.” Sheepishly, she chuckles, “I even named my kitty Karma!” It’s a heartwarming moment as they lock eyes, for the first time, and both women are overcome with emotion. This is the first step to a new beginning, one that revolves around the one they had lost, the woodland witch that had suffered at the hands of insanity. This road would be different, a fresh start in a new land for Natianara, and a chance to connect with a lost family member, and to look after her niece, for Talyara. “I… I have been staying in taverns. But, I would love to maybe meet for dinner in a few days? Maybe I can visit your place?” She wouldn’t move in if the offer was on the table, it was much too soon, though maybe an occasional nightcap would be accepted. Nat was known for keeping her distance, but the urge to grow nearer to her blood was consuming. “And… There is one thing I need from you! Could you tell me why my wrist keeps tingling and itching? Am I allergic to something here? It’s strange… It’s stronger in your presence.” Once she receives an answer, she would rise to her feet and offer a shy hug to her aunt, before heading out to explore more of Sage Forest. The non-leprechaun would be given a curt nod upon her departure, and a black cat would be anxiously awaiting Nat at the entrance.
Talyara is pleased to hear that Sharna is nothing like her brother who was truly the epitome of evil. "I am glad to hear that she was good to you, aside from saving you from Thronnel." The comment about her eyes is met with a small smile; Taly had always loved the color of her eyes until she discovered it was a trait she inherited from her father. It made her feel better to know she could now say it was a trait from her aunt instead. "We have our share of troubles here. I'm sure you heard about the witch hunters on the loose, but there is also trouble in Venturil. Something about large reptilian beings not allowing others to pass so please, stay away from that area." Talyara couldn't bear the thought of losing her niece so quickly. "I know you are nothing like your father, rest your worries. Lana and I are proof enough that you cannot help who you come from, look at who our father was! We took after our mother just as you do," Taly says with a kind smile, that familiar ache in her chest threatening to consume her. She doubted the doctors would allow Nat to visit Lana or even Taly to mention her at all, unless she made a miraculous recovery. They didn't want to disturb her troubled mind any further. Talyara wanted nothing more than to invite Nat into her home; however, she didn't want to smother the poor girl or make her feel pressured in any way. "You are always welcome in my home, my dear, for a quick visit or anything else you might need" she tells her niece emphatically. "I don't live down here in Sage, though. I live up the mountains in Frostmaw. It's very cold and snowy up there, so mind you dress warmly." Talyara proceeds to explain how to get up the mountain and through the garden to her cottage. "My, uh, boyfriend might be there, though," she admits shyly, her cheeks heating with a blush. "He was the one who rescued your mother and me from the witch hunters." When Natianara inquires about her wrist Taly grins, turning her own arm over so that she can see the tattoo there. "When your mom and I were babies, our mother branded us with this rune tattoo. Whenever we were near each other we'd feel it in our tattoo. While you don't have the same brand, you have the familial connection. So if you feel a buzzing or itching, it most likely means I'm nearby." When Nat moves to stand to take her leave, Talyara does the same, walking around the desk to embrace her niece and give her an extra squeeze. "You're not alone in this world, Natianara," she murmurs quietly in her ear. "If you need anything at all, please don't hesitate to reach out. I so look forward to getting to know you more." After releasing the young woman to take her leave, Talyara closes the office door once more and presses her back to it. Slowly, she slides down onto the floor before allowing the full force of her emotions to take over and sobs to consume her lithe frame. A little piece of Lanara had come back to her.