By the River
Evelyn tread carefully through the woods. Rumors of someone out here practicing more… foul magic had piqued her curiosity in a way that made her stomach twist. She didn’t want anxiety to fester in her in this way – didn’t want to believe that Nex would turn to something like… frankly she didn’t even know what kind of magic was being practiced, she just knew that her twin was cagey and tired the like of which she’d never seen. She knew the things that bothered him though, knew he was being eaten alive.
So on she pressed, using her sharp senses to hunt down magic and its trail. She did not let herself linger on the change of something worse being out here. There were rumors she would refuse to indulge still. Her nose led her down to a clearing by the river that ran its course around campus. Sitting in its center, singing softly, just above the babble of the river, was a woman. Evelyn had never seen her before, though she thought they could be similar in age.
Her skin was a deep pink and bright pink wings emerged from her back. Her hair was dark, shocked with burgundy as it caught the dappled light. A pair of horns twisted up from atop her head, abruptly and sharply turning outward at their peak. She was dressed plainly, comfortable for the warm weather. A spring green halter top that contrasted against her complexion paired with denim shorts and woven leather sandals.
Evelyn hovered at the edge of the clearing. Hers was the only magic Evelyn could sense and the rumors had her on edge. But there was nothing foul here so she hid in the tree line and watched. As she did, the horned woman lifted her hands to her chest then spread them out over a patch of sun before her. Grass grew as her moved, vines sprouted outward tangling together as they did, then flowers blossomed. Some kind of plant mage. And a powerful one at that. Either that or a specialized vocal mage since she's singing. It seemed to her that it was unlikely this woman was behind such rumors. She only briefly considered the possibility of her being dual class. It was rare and she also didn’t have any evidence of misdeed so, accepting the risk, she stepped forward. The horned woman wasn’t facing her, so her approach went unnoticed.
“Hello!” Evelyn greeted cheerfully.
The horned woman started, abruptly cutting off her song, and whipped her head in Evelyn’s direction. Her eyes, a bright warm green, were wide with a moment of panic before settling on suspicion. “Quiet one, are you?”
Evelyn gave her a lazy grin and flopped unceremoniously onto the grass several feet from her. “One of my many charms. Name’s Evelyn, by the way.”
There was a moment of silence as the two regarded each other. Evelyn hoped her affable charm would help the horned woman feel at ease and if she could learn something about those rumors that would be perfect. Otherwise, maybe some light flirting was in order. Now that Evelyn was closer she was somewhat smitten. She had full lips, split with a crooked scar, and splashes of freckles that stood out paler on her skin. Just peaking out of her top was what appeared to be a simple heart outline tattoo, though it rest close enough to her ample bosom that Evelyn tried not to stare. In that aversion she realized she also had a tail, pink as the rest of her and tipped in dark hair. The tip swished in a manner similar to an annoyed cat, as though Evelyn had already been judged and found wanting.
“Themisa. Nice to meet you.” Her tone edged on tight. She shifted to better face Evelyn and she didn’t seem particularly enthused to have company.
“Y’know, Themisa, that was some pretty impressive magic with those plants. I’ve never seen it done so easily, ‘specially not with so many flowers.” A bit of flattery and she might be less on guard, right? And she even meant it, though she’d be hard pressed to remember the last time she took notice of a plant mage. Probably the last time she saw a pretty girl doing plant magic.
“Saw that did you?” Themisa sighed, clearly annoyed. Okay. Nope. Wrong about that one. “Look, Evelyn, whatever you came here for, it’s not me. You should go and forget you saw me.” She paused, her jaw set like she wanted to say more. There was a beat but before Evelyn could respond she continued, “It would be in your best interest to ignore anything you hear foul magic and any promises made to you about growing more powerful.” She gave Evelyn a hard look. Found wanting indeed.
Evelyn blanched. “You got me on the rumor chasing, but I couldn’t care less about being powerful.”
Confusion passed over Themisa’s face. “Are you stupid?”
Evelyn burst out laughing. “Oh, for sure!” She paused to catch her breath. “But, honestly, I wanted to make sure the rumors weren’t about my brother.” She sighed and cast her gaze over the treetops.
Themisa shot her a look of sympathy, but said nothing.
“He’s been pretty off lately. Used to be a gifted kid ‘n pushed himself real hard to keep it up. He…” She shifted uncomfortably. She didn’t want to air his dirty laundry, especially not when it was clearly effecting him so much and she didn’t know anything about Themisa. But she was speaking again before she could think too hard about what she would say. “Well, he hasn’t found his calling magically speaking and it’s eating him up. I thought he was experiencing some gifted kid burnout, but I’ve been getting more ‘n more worried ‘bout him. I was starting to think he’d fall victim to…” She rolled her wrist as she trailed off then gestured to Themisa, “y’know?”
“What’s his name?” Themisa asked.
“Nex. We’re twins, by the way, but he’s blond.”
“Well, in that case, if I happen to see him, I can impart the same advice.”
Evelyn cocked her head. “D’you got some kinda history with these rumors?”
Themisa’s brow furrowed and her mouth pursed. She began to fidget with a flower while she contemplated her words. “My sister.” She finally said. “They’re pretty far gone in it all.” Evelyn thought she saw tears prick her eyes for a moment before they were blinked away.
“Hey,” Evelyn started softly, adjusting herself a little closer to Themisa, who swallowed hard before looking up, “you said you’d keep an eye out for my brother, so why don’t I keep one out for your sister? That way we can both have hope.” Evelyn offered her the brightest grin she could muster.
Themisa looked apprehensive at the offer but slowly her eyes softened. “You’d need more than an eye. Zon – Aluezon is an illusionist, and a good one at that. If you met, they wouldn’t look like themselves or use their name. But, in the off chance… for the sake of hope, I guess, they’re a bit older than me, with red skin and horns. Wings, but no tail.”
“Red skin, no tail. Got it. I’ve got a good nose for magic too, so maybe I can sniff out an illusion.”
“I doubt they’d be friendly if they felt caught.”
“I’d tell them I know you then.”
Themisa made a face. “Oh they would think me a nuisance, but yes. Don’t expect them to be enthusiastic, but it will help.”
Evelyn, not wanting to bother with standing, pounced from her spot closer to Themisa, who shot back in surprise. She landed just clear of Themisa’s flowers and offered her paw to shake. “We got a deal then?” Themisa hesitated for a moment. “I can spit on it if that makes it more official,” she added.
Themisa’s face scrunched in disgust for a moment before she laughed. Evelyn’s breath hitched and her eyes flared in a moment of surprise. What a nice sound. Her ears swiveled forward, she wanted to memorize the sound if she couldn’t hear it all day.
The moment passed and Themisa grasped Evelyn’s paw. They shook with a shared nod. Themisa’s hand was soft and her flowers smelled so nice.
“If we never see each other again, that’s a good thing.” Themisa said concretely.
“Wouldn’t mind if I did though.”
She rolled her eyes, “If you say so.” She spoke like Evelyn had no idea what she was hoping for.
Still, both were smiling as they parted ways.
Hope was a dangerous, fickle thing that Themisa should have long abandoned, but it kept worming its way into her. As she cleared the treetops, she shot a glance back to way Evelyn had departed. Though dense trees, she could only just make out the sight of bright purple hair headed back in the direction of the university. That look was nothing but an invitation for the coyote to stick in her thoughts.
Kindness was something she was all but unfamiliar with. Aluezon was the only person who had ever shown her any. Providing comfort – something basically forbidden by their mother – tending to her wounds, helping her keep a secret garden, they’d played together as children. So many thing their mother never wanted for them and so many secrets kept between them.
Ugh. Zon. She didn’t know how to tell them that she’d entrusted another to look out for them. Such as thing could easily be taken as a slight, but more likely she’d be admonished for trusting so easily. But it wasn’t like she made a habit of telling secrets. Something about Evelyn had disarmed her. Her ease and laid back attitude. She was open and seemed to speak first more often than think first. I envy that openness. What kind of a life leads to such open demeanor? Not one that could save her from strife, it seems. Nex. She’d have to mention him first. An exchange of information, even under the circumstances conducted, would surely be the thing to keep her safe. No. Aluezon is not a threat to me. Brizania will simply never know this happened.
She wasn’t in the habit of keeping secrets from her mother, a high control woman if there ever was one. Her life has been dedicated to what her mother wanted of her. He magic, her self, her studies, her family. Free time spent learning weapons and poisons. Learning to think and act in a way her mother approved of. Learning that she wanted to cross forbidden lines and learning how to act as if it wasn’t happening. This was the furthest she has strayed and it was terrifying but exhilarating. And Evelyn had seemed so kind, so open with caring for others. She lived in a world Themisa had only ever dreamed of.
A fear that had begun to eat her these last few years and she had felt it grip her when she looked at Evelyn. Something she had not dared to speak, paradoxically afraid that speaking it, giving it a name, was the thing that would make it real. But she could not deny it anymore. She was afraid because she wanted to run. She was afraid that somehow Aluezon would know and a line would be crossed. That she would lose them and they would never be free together. Zon had always stick closer to the rules, even when they broke them for her. It was not something they discussed, the idea that there was a line that could be crossed. How could they know until it happened that such a thing was possible and even needed to be mentioned? Would Zon even be able to look at her and tell her not to run if they, like her, had realized the thing she wanted? I don’t know the way they think. I don’t know what they would say and that might be scaring me more.
She dipped back into the trees and soared over a creek. Following it at it would through the woods, she tried to clear her head. Scared or not, had this idea not bloomed in her the same day her druidics did? She could do it scared. She would have to do it scared. Surely, she could find Evelyn again and tell her the truth. Will her open concern for her brother translate into concern for someone she’d just met? Will she understand that I want to run from my family? What will she think of my family being the one that puts hers as risk? I can’t hide that from her, can I? I need her to trust me. At least until I can be sure I’m safely away.
Themisa groaned and dropped altitude to glide right over the water. This is not clearing my head. I’m just more confused. She twisted midair, flared her wings to slow herself, dipped, and shifted into a river otter.
She splashed into the water and began to swim. Life would be easy for a bit as an animal. It was a chance to live and let herself forget. Her stolen tastes of freedom. She once thought of running away as an animal, when she could convince herself it wasn’t a real desire, and has, perhaps out of anxiety, decided it wouldn’t go well for her. It became just another instance of crossing a line she wasn’t sure existed.
No more thoughts. Otter time. She kept that reminder in mind and tried to keep herself otter busy.