Over the River and Through the Woods | Open

She basked as the sun warmed her face and the water caressed her ears. Goodness, how could one ask for a day better than this? Everyone was so wrapped up in war or technology that they seemed to have lost sight of the beauty right before them. Her face fins twitched under her hijab as she detected another sound entering the scene. She opened her draconic eyes and turned her head to find the source. As expected, she was not alone.

Fortunately, it was not a hunter, but a magi. A young one that she did not recognize by name, taking a stroll by the stream. Ah, it was good to see that some still had the good sense to enjoy a beautiful day. She gave him a wrinkled, friendly smile. To her surprise, he settled down in a seat not too far from her.

“My, most people are so wary of others,” she said with a dry chuckle. “It’s refreshing to see the opposite. Are you seeking company, child? Or is this old woman in your way?”

Perhaps he was here to meet a friend or a lover, or simply enjoyed this spot as much as Cherche and was too shy to ask her to move. She wouldn’t have minded, but if he was to stay by her, then there was no way he could avoid a conversation with the talkative old leviathan.

“It is a lovely day today, is it not?” She carried on with a happy sigh (Assuming she wasn’t asked to move). “The perfect weather to just sit down and enjoy everything nature has to offer. Oh, but how rude of me not to introduce myself before borrowing your ear! Please call me Cherche. And what may I call you, child?”

291 WORDS ● Kai Stiel ● Hello, child

She chuckled at his assessment of her age. “My, what a polite young man you are! Goodness, you will make me blush at this rate. Ah, but make no mistake, child. I’m only twenty-seven years from seeing two centuries. Though I am glad to hear I do not look as old as I am, ha!”

She smiled and took the hand with a gentle shake. “Kai, what a nice name. It is so good to meet you; perhaps I should introduce you to my brother-in-law- he could use a refresher on proper manners!” With a satisfied hum she took her hand back and massaged some more aching joints. Her eyes went back to nature, to the gentle flowing of waters and playful leaping of fish.

“Well, I do hope this day convinces you to get out more often, mm?” She took a deep breath of that fresh air, filled with the comforting scent one could only enjoy near water. She smiled wryly at his comments; it seemed he had no idea of her station, which was perfect; she disliked when people stiffened up at the mention of it, or treated her differently. Sure she understood why, but oh was it tiring. She wasn’t some goddess or queen; she was just an old woman with enough sense to guide a hurting population back to stability.

“I did not spend as much time out enjoying the festivities as I liked, I’m afraid,” she said. “Though I was there, I spent most of my time tucked away in the temple. I do regret missing it, but it simply gives me another reason to look forward to the next year. Did you get a chance to enjoy it, Kai? There are so many exciting things for young people to do.”

She chuckled again; ah, the young kitsune was giving her a joyous day. She admired curiosity and questions, which was why she never said no to babysitting duty for anyone in town. “Ah, just to enjoy some peace and quiet as they take down all the decorations and stands. It’s too much hustle and bustle for me, and it is such a lovely day; how could I say no to a stroll? The water is always so relaxing; there have been days where I have spent time here from dusk to dawn.” She laughed. “I’m afraid I might fall asleep before sunset if I tried that now, though.”

404 WORDS ● Kai Stiel ● Goodness, how polite!

She nodded and laughed when the kitsune did; sometimes it could be hard to tell how people felt when talking about family. It seemed he cared, though, so it was probably a safe subject. “Family does always make things more enjoyable, doesn’t it? Perhaps not always,” she added. “But as I always tell young people: cherish your family, and don’t forget to call home. Maybe next year for your brother, then.”

Her wrinkled hands massaged each other as the aches flared up. Ah, the joy of getting old. Cherche focused on the scenery while listening to the young magi, nodding along. Yes, there was a certain joy in the calm after a festival; the cool-down after a party, getting to kick your feet up and relax, and most of all, the silent connection that lingered after such a grand coming-together, where people could reflect upon their families and friendships in a renewed light. It strengthened her people, their bonds, their connection to Haven and to themselves.

However what appeared to be a sly innuendo came from the kitsune, drawing a wry grin and a raised brow from the old leviathan. “It is certainly nice to have some private time with company after such festivities, I agree,” she said. She said nothing more, never hinting at whether or not she understood the meaning under his words.

She chuckled and shook her head. “A brother-in-law,” she corrected. “Though he is some of the only family I have left. I was the oldest of two sisters; it was Serena he married.”

She smiled with a twinkle in her eye as memories came back. It was short-lived, though, as the subject was Elijah, not Serena. She folded her hands together and pressed them to her chin. “Elijah… hm. Sometimes I’m not sure how to feel about him; I love him as family, make no mistake, but he is a bit… difficult, at times.” She guffawed at the understatement. The two of them butt heads frequently over Haven’s future. “I know he is a good man under it all, but even old fossils like us can change. He is as stubborn as the earth he works with, and a worse listener.”

Despite the joke, her mood didn’t lighten; rather than laugh, she sighed, and her face grew more somber as she watched the fish play in the water.

“Worst of all, he hurts deeply; like many of us, he has lost much. He is on a path of vengeance.” She shook her head and readjusted herself. She realized it was getting a bit grim for a lighthearted conversation with a stranger, and she turned to him with a smile. “Oh, I just worry for him- but don’t tell him I said that. I’ll deny it.” She laughed as she wagged her finger at the young magi.

“Ah, I tend to go on if you let me,” she said. “Tell me about your brother. Does he not live in Haven?”

494 WORDS ● Kai Stiel ● Family fun

She kept up her practiced smile as the little kitsune spoke. It very nearly faltered when he called his brother “human;” to Cherche, to be compared to a human was a distinctly negative thing. It meant you were violent, shortsighted, ignorant, and fearful. Inwardly, she sighed; another poor magi lured by humanity, living in their cities and being oppressed under their rules. How could any magi be happy there?

She looked away from the magi, back to the water. “Hmm. I’ve heard things about the University. It is supposedly a place of prestige.” She barked a short laugh. “Though I hear mostly it is a place where humans go to learn false magic from other humans.” Wait, that was strange, then. She turned an inquisitive eye to the younger magi.

“I did not think magi were allowed inside. How is it that your brother came to study there? Is he truly a human?”

Eugh, that thought made her sick. Plus he apparently was a large man with a temper? Was this poor kitsune unlucky enough to have a human parent and brother? Horrible! This was why she wished she could ban such practices in Haven… but that’s such a human thing to do, to ban something because it disturbs you. She listens to her people; her role is less of a leader and more of a guide, in her eyes. And so such things were authorized, if frowned upon.

She exhaled a short laugh and smiled. “Family, indeed. Still, be grateful to have someone. Not many of us do, anymore. If you both wish to live peaceful lives in Haven, you are more than welcome.”

275 WORDS ● Kai Stiel ● Yeah.... human...

She took a deep breath. Ah. It was meant literally, not as a metaphor, as if his brother was human-like in personality. She had misunderstood. She forced a small smile even in light of this revelation; Kai could not choose his parents or siblings, so even if his family had humans in it, he was still a magi, and deserved respect.

“Mm, I suppose so,” she said. Eager to let the thread end, she didn’t bother following up with more talk. The University was a shady organization that worked close to hunters, and therefore could not be trusted. Even the name left a sour taste in her mouth.

She nodded, secretly glad there wouldn’t be another human in Haven. “Well, the offer always stands,” she said. “I can promise that; being a governor does come with a few perks, one being that what you say goes!”

She laughed a bit at this. “Ah, but do consider my words seriously, Kai. It’s dangerous out there in the cities. You are always welcome to live a more peaceful life in our little piece of Ethea.”

She rose an eyebrow and turned her attention from the water to the curious young man. Personal, is it? A slow nod indicated that he was okay to proceed. The question, however, was more philosophical than she had expected; the kitsune was full of surprises, it would seem. With a small hum, Cherche turned her gaze back to nature’s beauty.

“You know, not all of us old people are wise, Kai,” she said with a smirk. “Some of us have lost quite a few marbles over the years! Ah, but this is a question with as many different answers as there are people in the world, and it’s impossible to say if any of them are correct. In these times, I turn to the Great Mother, Arithelia, and listen to Her wisdom.

In short, I would say the answer is ‘yes,’ but things are so rarely black and white. Those that seek forgiveness with their actions shall receive it, if their desire is earnest. And so too it is with love. No person is entitled to either, but all people are capable of receiving both; it is up to them, and how they live their lives, that determines if they will.”

She cleared her throat and smiled briefly. “Ah, but that’s just the ramblings of an old woman. You’ll never find the answer that is right for you if you only listen to the words of others.”

420 (#nice) WORDS ● Kai Stiel ● Grandma talks your ear off

The leviathan gave Kai a warm chuckle at his words. My, were those tears? Ah, such an emotional young magi… “You’re a very kind young person, Kai. It would be rude of me not to accept such a lovely compliment. I am always glad to offer what little insight I can.”

She gently shook her head. “Ah, do not misunderstand me, child. ‘Earn’ has a certain connotation in our modern dialect, an implication that you must work for it. But there are many ways one can ‘earn’ love, and I do believe you’ve done so without realizing it, Kai.” Her tail swished lazily as she returned to massaging her pained joints. “The most common way, of course, is to give love. Friendship, relationships, marriage, companionship… all of these are exchanges of love, wouldn’t you agree? And then, of course, there’s familial love; a baby earns the love of their parent simply by existing. As long as they share the feelings as they grow, both have earned love.”

She paused with a pleasant smile as she remembered good times with her children. “But neither is entitled, do you understand? A child does not owe a neglectful, selfish, or abusive parent love simply because they are related. A person who is selfish and cruel has not earned love, but once they change their ways, they open themselves to the possibility again, do you see?”

She turned to Kai and gave him an unmistakable wink (despite her singular eye). “I have no doubt that a kind person such as yourself has earned the love of many in your short time on this earth. And if you have not, then you will; continue on with the kindness I can see in your heart, and you will, one day, earn the love you wish.”

And to prove her point, he thanked her for her time and company. Goodness, if only all young people could show such respect! “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you wish, of course; nature is all of our home. The feeling, however, is mutual. I prefer such delightful company to alone time.”

Mm, questions for him? She had a few in the forefront of her mind, namely why would any magi choose to live in a scum-city like Dagos instead of Haven. Instead, she focused on more enjoyable topics of discussion. “Hmm, well, Kai… why don’t you tell me a little more about yourself? What do you like to do? What parts of Haven are you enjoying?” She continued to ask such grandmotherly questions, like career aspirations and such, to learn a little more about the delightful young lad.

440 WORDS ● Kai Stiel ● Kai is so precious