RP:In the Garden
Winter Berry Garden
Jarith was lost amidst yet another interaction with his children and mother. Tonight however, there were no illusions. The Kraken Bloom, strangely, remained silent on this evening however, strange at the least. The garden was ripe with color and much the same, laughter. Several guards paced the area, northern-borne Members overseeing the elder and her family. Jarith was in the process of helping his son and daughter build a snow-beast, because snow men were much to simple. His mother, was watching, the wizened older woman with her silver hair sat upon a chair, and only smiled, offering Jarith some news of the far reaches beyond Frostmaw. “ They still are pushing for a unification. They’ve even feigned interest in Braedan.” The words turned the former warlord’s head, as he held his son up to place eyes on the muzzle of their unfinished creation. “ You know that will not be an option, the accords were made null by their actions. They are void, we will do business with them, but there is no more a need or a requirement to link the houses. My children will not be a part of it either, you know that momair. Ciadra, and Braedan are barely beyond twelve, Children… Now, let politics aside, come help us build a monstrosity.” His daughter, a ruby-haired, green-eyed mirror of her mother laughed, crinkling her nose at his word choice, an arm wrapping around him as best she can. “Papas, it might be a nice snow beast, we don’t know!” Any newcomers would see the other side of the fallen knight, an occurrence more rare than his pity was to be found on the battlefield.
Talyara had been holed up in her cottage just north of the garden pretty much since returning from the battle in Larket. While she had’t been on the front lines herself, she had sustained a nice arrow in her back near her shoulder blade while aiding a fallen shoulder. Her arm was folded into a sling; there must have been something magical in that arrow for Taly’s normal healing abilities didn’t seem to budge the wound. Still, the witch was not one who liked to remain in the same place for two long so she had taken to walking down the worn path into the garden for a stroll. The place was almost always deserted so it wasn’t until the witch was halfway towards the bloom that she realized there were others present. Emerald eyes blinked before flicking over to the little family and their snow beast.
Jarith noted the arrival of Talyara and yet he did not recognize the witch at all, likely because they had never met. Still, with her arm bound by a sling the former knight did not see much of a threat from the female, who he noted as attractive in a fashion that he might call mousey himself. Still, Braedan began to attempt more work on the beast. The young boy stood a meter or so away, his hands cupped before him as he chanted low and soft. Magically inclined like his mother, the boy was using the elements to help him localize and build upon the creature, and when a phase came from his lips Jarith cleared his throat softly. “ Brae, we do not try to bring the snowbeast to life to eat our little sister, no matter how much she makes you mad.” His mother laughed softly the inhaled sharply, her eyes shifting to the tiny, scarf, sweater wearing girl who in the jovial atmosphere had done exactly as she was want. “Cia!” Jarith, had turned, simply watching rather than intruding, a half-smile showing and yet the tri-rings of blue would match to three rings of varied green in his daughter’s, he was intrigued, but still close enough should he need to help. || Ciadra’s little boots halted just a few feet from their newest arrival, she, having her father’s gifts had used shadows and snow to plane-walk to Talyara, her emerald eyes blinking owlishly up at the witch before her head tilted to the side and she showed a winning smile complete with dimples. “ You hurt your arm? Hi, I am Cia.. Can I help?” To emphasize she lifted her mitten covered hands and wriggled fingers inside them, everything she wore was a shade of purple, no doubt her favorite color, and oddly she didn’t seem to know a stranger.
Talyara continues to watch the family with mild curiosity, unaware of the fact that she might be coming off as rude. It just seemed like such a happy scene that it struct her surprising in a most refreshing way. A small smile tugs on the corners of her lips as she hears the man chide the young boy for attempting to enchant their snow creation. She is so focused on that she doesn’t realized the plane walking of the little girl until she is nearly upon the witch. Taly starts in surprise but her sweet smile returns to her lips easily; the empath had always love children, having taken care of them in her homeland. “I was struck with an arrow,” Taly explains in answer to the little girl’s question. “Cia, what a beautiful name that is! My name is Taly.” At the girl’s offer of help the witch politely shakes her head. “Oh now thank you, dear. I’m alright, it’s not so bad. Doesn’t even hurt. Almost better actually.” A beat, “I’m going to guess that purple is your favorite color? It’s mine, too."
Jarith continued to watch as his son gave the snow-monster a definitive dragon-meets werewolf appearance. His mother would join them, smiling a little before her hand settled on Braedan’s shoulder. “Remember little one, that people come here, and making it too scary could frighten them off.” With his son corralled by his mother, Jarith would slowly cover the gap betwixt his daughter, the witch, and himself. The seals are holding tonight, and without using too much magic himself it remained as such, Corruption slumbered on and ignored the family fun, a brief and rare occurrence for the sentient evil that had burrowed inside of the knight long ago. He seems more amused by what he’s watching anyways, and knowing his daughter’s stubborn sweetness, was curious at how she’d respond to this help refusal. ||Ciadra All but beamed at the name praise, and when her favorite color was noticed she nodded excitedly. “ Uh-huh! My brother doesn’t like it, he says it’s stupid, but he’s a meanie-butt. Your name is Taly! That’s so cool, and are you sure? I’m really -really- good at healing peoples, I don’t even have to touch them anymore!” Her words came rapid-fire, and it may even be clear that she doesn’t have much contact with other women, or more accurately the more at-large world. As the young girl’s words ended she created a small bubble of violet hued magic, which popped and vanished as she continued to smile happily at her demonstration. “See!”
Talyara raises her gaze quickly the male as he approaches the pair, making the assumption that he is either Cia’s father or caretaker. The witch isn’t very tall, but still she crouches down for the benefit of the little girl so that way they are on the same level. “I don’t have a brother but I do have a big sister and she used to tease me, too. Her favorite color is red. My full name is Talyara but most people call me Taly.” Cue a smile from the witch as she listens to the quick talking girl and watches in awe at the magic she displays. “Wow! You are very talented! I can heal people, too. I bet you could heal up my arm a lot faster than I could, but I’m trying to practice my skills.” Not true, but Taly was doing her best to appease the sweet little thing. “But next time I get hurt I’ll be sure to come and find you right away. Does that sound alright?"
Jarith slowed only as he joined them, yet he didn’t interrupt the pair, instead his focus was on the woman who without much effort or worry had jumped right into speaking with his daughter. Most thought his little girl a tad strange, and perhaps that was his fault, he was a smidge over-protective and the twins had been a bit secluded in the north with their grandmother. Either way, he smiled, showing a similar pair of dimpled and folded his arms across his chest to patiently wait. Braedan and his grandmother had taken the snow-beast and reduced it to something far cuddlier, a curious almost Yeti, being and the pair seemed to be plotting a snowball fight, if their private collection being amassed while the trio were focused on other things could be judged. || Ciadra seemed to contemplate the offer, “His is Green, and Talyara… I like that, it’s really pretty sounding.” To her credit, she only flashed those little pearly whites again when her gift was praised, and yet as the silence grew around them, and she became aware of her father’s arrival the little imp of a girl pulled a glove off, offering her pinky to Taly. “ You have to promise!”
Talyara beams as Cia praises her name as if it were the best compliment she had ever received. The empath was thankful for the rune-inscribed pendant that hung from her neck as it allowed her to block out the emotions of those gathered in the garden, which often resulted in the witch acting awkwardly. “Well thank you! I guess my mother did a good job picking it out,” she says in reference to her name with a wink. As Ciadra offers her little finger to the witch, Taly hooks her own around it. “Pinky promise!” she agrees before relinquishing it and straightening up once more. “I live just up that path there,” she says indicating the trodden ground heading north of the garden. “Who is this, Cia?” Taly asks politely, emerald eyes shifting to the man who had joined them. The empath is so involved in this conversation that she is unaware of the plotting going on in the background.
Jarith actually gives an apologetic smile as he is outed for his odd display of watching them interact. “Ah, sorry. I am Jarith, I am the father to the two little monsters here tonight. I also hope she hasn’t been a bother, Cia… she doesn’t know a stranger. Oh, and careful with that, she’s rather an intuitive little sprite...” He’d pause before glancing back at the almost strange silence from his mother and son before focusing on the pair before him once more. His voice is deep, a rumbling sound yet rather inviting, rich and honeyed. “She will likely know if you don’t uphold the promise.” || Ciadra wasn’t empathic, she was sneaky even for a little girl and her pinky promise would carry with it a brief violet spark betwixt the witch and herself. “Yes, and I can heal anything. Up the path?” Her head turned quick, bouncing red curls before shifting back. “Maybe I can visit one day.” At the question, she ignores her father’s explanation and aims a pleased cherishing smile. “That’s my Papa. He’s a worrywart, but he’s really strong and I love him anyways.”
Talyara chuckles and gives her head a small shake. “Oh no you’re fine. I’m Taly, in case you didn’t hear,” she introduces for his benefit. “And she isn’t a bother at all, she’s quite the delight actually,” the witch informs Jarith, sneaking a wink Cia’s way. “Oh I intend on keeping my promise, no worries.” Then back to the little girl, the empath bobs her head. “Absolutely, you can visit anytime you like as long as you father says it’s okay.” Parental permission is always important! At Cia’s explanation of her father Taly laughs. “Well, that just means he’s a very good Papa then. You must be very lucky."
Jarith laughed in response to his daughter’s summation, and oddly shows a faintest blush at her compliment. His head dips at her conversation, smirking. “ So long as everything goes as daddy hopes, you will be permitted to visit miss, herm or Mrs?” He clears his throat with the query, blinking at her for a clarification before continuing. “Talyara as much as she allows.” A snowball is launched from across the garden, its aim is true, hurtling towards Jarith’s turned back and his mother scoops a second aiming much like her grandson before releasing the second, but this one is aimed at the new acquaintance. Jatih shifts his sights from Talyara and back to Cia, pleased she at least has a new friend, -Thushh- The device impacts with a slushy explosion. “Oi! You rascals.” || Ciadra hop-skips happily before nodding her own affirmation. “He’s the best in th- oh!” She giggles, twisting and then ducking down to scoop ice up herself. “Lookout! We are being attacked, help papa!” The fight, it would seem, is on.
“Miss,” Taly quickly answers. “But please, just call me Talyara or Taly, I much prefer that,” she says with a smile. “I like to collect pretty rocks and I have some very nice purple crystals that I think you would like, Cia.” The witch blinks as a snowball seems to smack Jarith in his back before several others follow. Taly lets out her own squeal and quickly hops back, trying to stay out of this family snowball fight; however, a rogue snowball catches her in the stomach and she screws up her face in mock offense. Talyara is incapable of making a snowball the “regular” way as one hand is trapped in the sling. However, is she a witch or not? Scooping up a bit of snow in her good hand, the witch extends it out in front of her and blows across her hand. Infused with magic, particles of snow head towards the opposing due; however, as they head towards Jarith’s son and grandmother they transform into snowballs in midair.
Jarith was already joining in the non-magical side of the snowball fight, as Talyara was struck. He looked to her and then back towards his son and mother. “Something tells me you two loons just made a boo-boo.” He was right and she joined the fray without a second thought. His laughter and the scream from his son is short-lived. The duo opposing them having literally been assaulted by multitudes of snowballs at this point, drives his eldest to action, swiftly enchanting the snow-beast into the fight. The creature begins lobbing snowballs at an alarming rate, and the only lucky fact is that it cannot see, so the flying projectiles are crazy, a hailstorm of snowballs. The warlord’s laughter is loud and clear, and he on several occasions puts himself in the way of oncoming shots, taking the blows when he can on the two girls. It wouldn’t show, but these moments are so rare for the little family, and Taly is a part of a very special moment. || Ciadra seems only too willing to continue the war, when Taly shows her magic, those green eyes grow wide, a smile showing awe. “That’s so great, look papas, did you see!” He excitement is dwarfed by sudden ire as her brother enchants his behemoth and she growls. “Braedan Cole! You dirty little cheat! Miss Taly had to use her magic. Ugh, boys.” The little girl furrows her brows, and clasps her hands, focusing herself on the creature for a moment despite the snowballs until without a word the snow-creature explodes into a fog of crisp white powder. Her excitement shows, despite the clear effort it had taken and she dances. “ I did it, I did it!” Smile wide as can be on that cherub face she dances in the flakes as they again coat the garden, and the former combatants. Braedan, seems stunned, a smile on his face.
While Taly might internally feel a tad guilty for impeding upon this little family’s personal time together, the short little burst of fun was most welcome to the witch. Within the last couple of months she had suffered from possession and most recently had been in the Battle at the Bridge in Larket. Couple that with having no family despite her sister (who had been absent from her life these past few months), this bit of fun was a welcome reprieve for the empath. Taly has no shame in taking refuge behind Jarith when she needs to; however, she likewise shields Cia the best she can. Laugher flows from the witch’s mouth easily and free, her own green eyes going wide as the beast comes alive. Still, Taly cannot help but focus her attention on the little girl as she uses her own magic to destroy it. “Way to go Cia!” She praises easily. “You, too, Braedon,” she calls out after learning his name. The witch looks up as the flakes of snow fall from the sky and stick to her dark hair and lashes, dampening her sling. “Unfortunately, I think I better head back home,” she informs the family. “My bandages are all wet now. But thank you for letting me join in on the fun. And please, come visit anytime you’d like.” After a quick wave to the family, the witch saunters up the path back to her cottage.