Praise the Sun! (Open)

Yasker wasn't one to waste time or take vacations, in fact when his older brother Roland had told him to take some time off he had at first refused. There was an myriad of things that needed to be done to continue advancing the cause and a vacation would give no benefit to the Movement, to relax now would be to let opportunities go by and goals be delayed. So he reiterated his disapproval of relaxing and his dear brother responded by calling their father and that was that.

"Really rather be taking down the humans." He grumbled from his spot in front of the lake as he made a few more brushstrokes. He wasn't ready to admit to himself that the two days that he had already spent in the cabin near the lake had done him much good, revitalizing his spirit and body with the fresh and untainted scents and visuals that only nature could provide. The day had been rather fruitful so far, beginning with a small prayer to Arthelia and the burial of a seed as tribute before taking a several hour long hike. It had been lovely taking in the purity of the area while occasionally picking up rocks and minerals for a projected planned later in the day. It was the sanctity of areas like these that the cause was unknowingly fighting for because if humans were left unchecked they would certainly strip the lands of everything for more cities and profane technology, they would take away all meaning and purpose that the earth had to offer and use it for their own gains.

After the hike, Yasker went to work using tools he had created through transmutation to grind up the rocks and minerals from earlier into pigments for painting. After finding out where his brother was sending him for 'vacation' Yasker had brought several canvases and an easel along with several paintbrushes with the intent to paint several pictures for his parents back in Suraja. During his hike he had found a lovely spot that framed the lake just perfectly to be a background in the portraits he was planning and now he had been standing for several hours, carefully adding strokes to the portrait of his cherished sister, Wyveria. She was always on his mind since she had volunteered to work in Dagos, securing and smuggling all shipments that came in from their parents in Elios, a job that garnered plenty of danger from gangsters, hunters and Ethean police. It was rough for her but she took it and stride and Yasker figured a painting of her would go a long way to showing how much he and the rest of their family appreciated what she did for them and the movement.

He had decided on a half-length painting and had already finished everything up to her biceps. The ochers he had selected captured her fiery red hair exceptionally well in a way that complimented her tan skin and orange feathers that adorned her collarbone and shoulders. He felt confident that it had also captured her personality with her trademark playful smirk to the way her crimson eyes stare back at the beholder of the painting with an abundance of kindness and understanding. The ultramarine he had made from lapis-lazuli was giving the lake behind her a perfect deep blue that spoke of unknown depths and mystery. The blue would contrast well to the red aura he planned on giving her once he finished the background and her body, something that would approach one of his best works if the pigments held up as well as he hoped they would. "Years of painting lessons with mother are finally paying off." He said with a chuckle as he sat down on a wooden stool he had brought to take a short break.

It was certainly peaceful, or rather had been until some woman ran out of the woods and into the lake, laughing loudly the whole way. She seemed to live in the area if her clothes were anything to go by and her level of familiarity with the lake. Yasker took the sight of her diving into the water then coming out to frolic with the deer with a bemused expression, slowly twirling a paintbrush between his fingers as he considered how to handle this. She seemed friendly enough, most likely a Magi too which meant Yasker would be friendly as well until she gave him a reason not to be.

"Of all days this certainly would be the best day to take a dip in the lake. The weather is prefect for it." Speaking loudly enough for her to hear him from the shore. He popped his head out from behind the canvas, smiling and waving with the hand that wasn't holding the paintbrush. He probably looked a little out of place, a blonde man in a white V-neck shirt and black pants but no shoes, rather clean too with just a few smudges of dirt and paint on the shirt.
Lelianna Varna

"I came to the lake to paint yes, but not the scenery. It does however provide me with inspiration for other works." Standing up to add a few more strokes, before sitting back down to examine his progress and listen to Lelianna. That was her name, or at least the one that she gave him and her words confirmed his assumption that she did indeed live out here. Very interesting...

Seeing how he had no reason to withhold his own name from this forest dwelling Magi, Yasker provided his own background. "Greetings Lelianna! I am Yasker Romundia, third child of the Romundia family that hails from Elios." Giving her a respectful nod of his head before putting his paintbrush back to work on the canvas. She seemed nice enough, a bit isolated and eccentric though, probably a result from living her whole life out in the woods if he had to guess.

"No, I don't live out here. I'm simply spending a few days on a forced vacation." Chuckling as he thought about his circumstances again. "My brother owns a cabin nearby, partially a place for getting away from everything and partially to be a safehouse. I'm just using it until they let me know I can go back to work." Finally dipping one of his brushes into the ultramarine to begin painting the lake in the background. "This area is lovely but it could use a few more vineyards so I could get some wine. It's been a while since I had a cup of good vintage, let alone a bottle." Lamenting the lack of the alcohol anywhere nearby with a sigh. "I don't suppose you have any bottles with you? I couldn't imagine living out here long without something tasteful or strong to drink." Giving her a wry grin before looking back at his painting to check for any blemishes again.

"What about you? Do you live in Haven and help out the movement and come here to get away or have I guessed wrong?" Asking her a loaded question to find out more about her. If she was then at least they'd have something in common to talk about for a bit, and if she wasn't already part of it then this could turn into an opportunity to recruit her. The movement could always use more Magi and even though he didn't know what this one was capable of, an extra body was always something to celebrate. "These woods are good for getting away from the problems of the world but that doesn't make the problems go away, just makes them take longer to reach you." His golden feathers turning blood red to match his eyes as he spoke matter-of-factly.
Lelianna Varna

"Likewise, Lelianna." Returning her official greeting before going back to painting while continuing to listen to her. It wasn't surprising that she hadn't made any vineyards out her since she didn't strike him as the drinking type but it was still somewhat of a let down. It was probably for the best though, Ethean brands were already diluting his taste-buds with their watered-down and unrefined mixtures so a little abstinence until he could get his hands on bottles worthy of his lips would pay off in the end. Maybe he'd ask father to send a couple of bottles from the family vineyard next time they communicated so he'd have a good drink and mementos from home.

Well Yasker had definitely been right about her living in the area, as according to her own words she was a hermit. He took that news with a respectful nod and grunt, although he did find the idea of abandoning everything and living out in the woods to be a sadly humorous endeavor. He could partially see the appeal of connecting to nature on such a deep level and it seemed Lilianna had accomplished that if her statement about working with the forest was anything to go by. Yasker could recognize that it was noble in it's own way as opposed to his own journey of uplifting the Magi, after all the forests were just as important of any Magi, simple extensions of the world that they were all intimately connected to in one way or the other.

However it seemed that Yasker had hit her reasoning for being here almost on the head, although it seemed whatever reason had forced her into exile had expired a while ago. He hummed a little tune as he added to the painting, allowing silence to set in for a few moments as he considered where next to take the conversation. It was far too early to pry, nor would it have been right of him to do so to another Magi that shared such an affinity for nature. The painting of Wyveria seemed to agree as he could already hear his sister yelling at him for thinking only of business and bringing down a perfectly good mood.

"I apologize for my comment." He said with a sigh, setting the paintbrush down before standing up to stretch. His golden earrings jiggled lightly with the motion and continued to as he made his way over to where Lelianna lie. His collar of feathers had turned back to their normal radiant gold as he looked down over her, smiling kindly as he offered her his right hand to stand up. "Why don't you show me some of your favorite spots around here? There's no way this lake is the only treasure that the woods has and as a servant of these woods there must be some areas you take great pride in maintaining." Maybe it wouldn't hurt to put business aside for a few moments and just enjoy the company of another.
Lelianna Varna

"Think nothing of my words, I'm starting to believe my brother was right about my need to unwind." His voice having a hint of mirth as he helped Lelianna onto her feet before heading back towards his painting. "I don't mind the walk, believe it or not I've been walking around the forest for most of the day so a couple more miles won't hurt me. Besides I'd love to see your garden and who knows? Maybe if you have the right vegetables and fruits I might be able to make you a dinner fit for a noble. I just need to secure my painting so the weather won't affect it in the meantime."

Securing the painting only took a few moments as it was a simple matter of covering the easel and painting in a thin layer of dirt then transmuting it into diamonds to protect the underlying painting from the elements. While he was at it, Yasker also created a cube of dirt before transforming it into obsidian. He didn't believe himself to be in any of danger from this Magi, but being prepared was far better than being dead.

"Lead the way!" He said cheerfully, walking back to her with the obsidian cube in hand. For the most part he enjoyed the walk in silence, taking in the sights and just generally enjoying the companionship. Sometimes silence could be just as welcoming as chatter and Yasker took the moments to reflect now that he couldn't distract himself by painting or collecting certain rocks. Then Lelianna asked him a question, well reflecting would have to wait then.

"That's a hard question to answer." Laughing a bit as he ran one hand through his hair while his feathers turned blood red. "I'm inclined to saying Elios as that's my true and only home but I assume you mean where am I staying while in Ethea. I've probably only been in Ethea for a month now and no where for longer than a week. I stay in hotels or safehouses either set up by the Movement or my family but so far I've visited Haven, Dagos and Felici. Mostly doing recruiting but also intelligence gathering. It's all prep-work for the bigger plan and I think tha-" Stopping himself with a chuckle as he realized he was talking about work again. "To answer your question, no where currently." Speaking curtly but avoid going on a rant. "What about you? Surely you lived somewhere before settling down in this forest."
Lelianna Varna

"Which city is my favorite?" Pondering the question aloud with a hint of amusement. "Haven wins by default simply because it is the only city in Ethea I can walk around without the stink of racism wafting around; but I don't really have a favorite, I prefer my homeland and the estate back there. While it was modern in design and practicality, there was also nature growing alongside it. Nature and technology intertwined. I haven't encountered anything like that in Ethea, the cities are so modern and technology focused that one can forget that grass used to grow where they now stand. Felici is just a stronghold of Ethean power to me and Dagos is a city of commerce with a vicious underbelly." Speaking rather casually about his dislike for cities.

Like in most things balance was important and Yasker saw none in the cities of Ethea. Forests were nice but couldn't provide shelter or comfort like buildings could. The Ethean cities were planned out and provided many amenities but also took over land and left filth in their wake. Of course humans didn't care what the consequences all the building and waste would cause since they relied on technology to the extent that they had to create technology to solve problems caused by other technology.

"It probably doesn't help that I'm only ever visiting these cities to discover any weaknesses in Ethean institutions." Chuckling as he glanced towards Lelianna. She was definitely a strange thing that was for sure. A hermit Magi that used to live in Suraja and is curious about the cities in Ethea. He was far more interested in learning more about what had gotten her to this point in her life that she rather live like one in exile, so he decided to make that his objective for the day; if anything it would help keep the boredom away.

"I am interested however about your time in Suraja though. You may not be a native of those lands but right now you're the closet connection I have to those land and I have many fond memories of exploring and training in the Sands of Nyoka and the jungles to the east. I assume you didn't live in Elios since you were unaware of my family so I'm going to guess..... Junos! It's the closest town I know of to the Kujiua jungle and I can easily see someone's love for nature being born from growing up around that area. So am I right?" Giving her a wide grin as he thought of his own childhood in Suraja. "Even if I'm wrong I would love to hear some stories of your time in my lands, there aren't enough foreign Magi in Ethea, for good reason." He couldn't wait to return to Elios someday, the architect of Ethea's downfall and rise of Magi influence. Oh it would be quite the event; the wine would flow, stories would be told, fallen friends honored and finally Yasker would be able to sleep soundly knowing that the future of Magi was safe and his own grand legacy was secured.
Lelianna Varna

"It's quite the lovely garden." Paying the hermit a compliment as he crouched in front of one patch of plants, looking it over. "Truly lovely. I think my father would love to meet you; he had a garden of his own, spanning throughout our entire house. Vines on the walls... Moss on some of the floors... Jasminum sambac in the bathroom..." Becoming lost in the past with a smile for a few moments before sighing. "I could certainly get you the seeds from plants back in Suraja that you want if you give me a list of them before I leave. I know my father wouldn't mind sending me some and then I can give them to you. You'd get your plants and I'd get to feel more at home if I'm ever in the area again and stop by, everyone wins." Standing back up and following her through the garden. "It wouldn't be any trouble for me so don't even consider compensation." Dismissing any worry of payment with a wave of hand. "It's the least I can do for a fellow Surajian."

It was a quaint and nostalgic feeling walking through it, reminding him of his father's botany lab with hardy strains and species of plants reaching the ceiling, all vying for sunlight. Of course where she probably grew these for her own pleasure and maybe sustenance, dad had created them to serve a purpose whether through promising healing properties some oozed or hyper-lethal toxins released in spores or coated the thorns. Everything served a purpose and that purpose was to aid the Magi in any way possible. There also was a small nugget of disappointment because of all the potential this Magi was squandering by living her days out in the woods. Yes, the maintenance of nature was an important duty but Yasker had seen enough of what this Magi could do to know that she could do far more good in the world if she was aiding the Movement.

However he kept those thoughts to himself for now, instead widening his smile as Lelianna turned to face him. She looked far more relaxed now that she was in her garden, like a rabbit back in its burrow. Maybe now she would begin to open up without having to be asked. "I can see you care for this garden well, nourishing it not just with magic but also attention. You treat it like an extension of yourself. This must have all taken years to grow, did you immediately settle in this forest once you came from Suraja and start growing?" His brilliant red eyes hiding his intent while his voice relayed some level of innocence.

If he could set up a timeline then finding out what and when had driven her to becoming a hermit would become much more simple. There was trauma in her past like many Magi had and understanding the root of it would allow him to understand the person she became because of it, what it molded her into. Once Yasker knew and understood it, recruitment would only be a matter of using the right words and convincing her that helping the movement would help her heal fully so her comfort zone wouldn't just be the forest she resided in. Patience would be paramount as Yasker could already tell that getting her to give up the ghost would take a lot of time and effort. So it should be a fun challenge.
Lelianna Varna

Hesitant, so on the right track. "Hm, well I won't ask anymore about your before the woods, seems like you don't want to talk about it." Giving her a understanding smile before crouching over the ground with one hand on it. "Most of the people of Haven are good people. Many are part of the Magi Liberation Movement. I won't preach to you about it; but like you tend to the forest, they tend to something far bigger than any of them, something bigger than even me and my family. It's about planting the seeds for things that you might not be there to see, but you do it with the up-most grace and care anyways." Talking with a faraway voice as he concentrated on slowly pulled a small pillar of emerald out of the ground. It couldn't have been much thicker than a person's calf and only would have reach up to his knee if Yasker had been standing.

"We're fighting for "something" and we do it so the next generation won't have to." Continuing as he placed both of his hands on the pillar and slowly began to shave away at the edges and smoothing it out as if he was sculpting with his actual hands instead of using his powers. His voice was calm and careful, choosing each word after some thought just like how he decided what to do next to the pillar. "Maybe all that is beyond you, maybe you have your own priorities. I can't judge you for your choices any more than you can for what I do. But from one person who cares for this world and the green to another, I do not want to see it burned and choked under the yoke of humanity." His hands were moving quicker, each digit playing a role independent of the other. He had never sculpted this before but the idea had popped into his head and the inspiration felt right, as if the gods have given it to him.

His eyes were closed as he worked and the sculpture quickly took shape, although the constant movements of his hands kept it's true meaning hidden from Lelianna. What an apt thing it would be, a gift from one Magi to another that had learned they had more things in common yet were worlds apart. "I don't ask you to give you own life, or to take another's. Simply do what you can to help your own people before there aren't any left." Giving a sigh as he pulled his hands away and stood up, with his work done. There embedded in the ground was a verdant sculpture of Arithelia, one of a more motherly figure with a small child on her shoulders and arms outstretched. It wasn't overly detailed but it didn't need to be for it's meaning to get across.

"It's something to think about and my gift to you." Leaving it's meaning unsaid for her to consider and apply her own to. "I'll be at the lake for a few more days and painting at the same time like before. If you want me to get you those seeds just give me a list and I'll be more than happy to get them all for you. For now, I need to pick up my painting supplies from the lake and finish them back at the cabin before the light completely disappears; my own cabin is quite far unfortunately. It was quite the blessing to meet you, Lelianna." Giving her a small bow before turning to leave.
Lelianna Varna