The Meditation of Thais

[Serenity]

(Any GM and player may join in on this, just please be aware that I do post slowly due to school and such.)

In a field just outside of Wistvale, Serenity sat with legs crossed and eyes closed on a clean patch of grass. Her head and back were straight and arms were resting above her legs.

Rotating slowly around her, were three perfectly formed balls of dirt, all as large as she was. They were floating, levitating about five feet off the ground and moving around her in a circle. Three holes in the ground from where these earth spheres came from could be seen not far from her.

The mage rarely took the time to practice her basics, the more boring aspect of learning magic, but the rewards for practicing these things learned at the University could not be ignored. It took students many sad attempts at more advanced techniques to realize how important exercises like the one she was doing were.

When Serenity started learning earth magic from a master, this study was done with three pebbles instead of the dirt spheres she was using now. The mage was at peace, using her focus on the exercise at hand without a second thought.

[Grayell]

Grayell had been running a game trail when his canine nose picked up a familiar scent - one he had not come across in some time. He'd heard from Margrett that Serenity had been skulking about town, though he had not seen her at all which was unusual. He had a head full of questions and mixed emotions for Serenity, not the least of which was why she would simply avoid him - when they'd established that they were to be friends. Close friends in his mind... but it seems he had been mistaken. That aside, she'd all but discarded the duties of council, another thing that didn't have him all too impressed....

... but more than that was that she simply hadn't taken the time to even say hello.

His brow furrowed a little at these thoughts, but none of it would matter. He wasn't in the habit of reaching out to people who apparently wanted to be left alone... least of all after he'd dropped quite the load on them as Grayell had in the tavern that evening. Perhaps it was his fault. Perhaps he was being unreasonable.

Perhaps, he would just check to see if you she were well and leave it at that and nothing more. It was odd that she were out here, away from the relative familiarity and safety of Wistvale.

He loped along the trail then, following her scent until it broke from the trees. His eyes spotted her a ways off, sitting and apparently training in some manner. He started to head toward her... and then remembered. Not like this.

Instead he resumed his usual human form and as she focussed, he approached. He didn't wish to startle her and therefore, his voice was quite calm when he spoke.

Tis a lovely day.

He had changed quite a lot since they last met. His hair, his face and even something in his posture. A lot had happened in the time that had passed, undoubtedly this was true for her as well.

[Serenity]

The globes of dirt stopped in their tracks almost immediately when Grayell spoke to Serenity. The mage hadn't moved yet before the mud ball did. They slowly hovered back in unison over the holes in the ground where they came from where they disintegrated back into the ground.

She opened her eyes which glowed a light blue that faded before revealing the true nature of her irises. Sighing in relief, she picked herself back up and twirled on a heel towards Grayell with a smile on her face. The lady walked over to the councilman and gave him a brief hug before stepping back a little.

"Grayell! Its good to see you again, the lady Margrett told me you were away on a trip, I didn't know you've arrived back."

After she said this she finally noted the changes Grayell had gone through, her eyes studying him slowly. Serenity herself had been gone for a while on her trip back home, that time was starting to feel like a year now that she saw Grayell again.

[Grayell]

Grayell studied her with a stern look for a time and then sighed. Hopeless. He smiled a little then, weakly and looked away from her. She was still beautiful and the sight of her reminded him of her voice.

It caused emotion within him but not conflict of affection, he had found his only true love in Kiko. What he felt was a savage pang of regret.

I.. have been back for a long time Serenity. I haven't seen you. I know you've been busy but I have to say, I was starting to worry. The whole town has fallen apart for the most part and I know you have a lot going on with you and Margrett and all...

He wanted to bitch at her. He wanted to tell her he was upset, that he was hurt in that he wanted them to be best of friends and yet; she'd simply seemed to have avoided him. The damned ring hung around his neck still. But he wiped his hand over his eyes and down his cheek and shook his head whilst staring at the ground. Then he smiled a little more.

It's really good to see you Veronica.

[Serenity]

She raised an eyebrow, slightly confused, "Is that so? I've only just arrived back home a few days ago from my trip. You should have knocked on my door, oh but I suppose you didn't realize I was back home as well."

Serenity crossed her arms and cocked her head slightly to one side, "What do you mean the town has fallen apart? Margrett didn't mention anything when I returned, what's going on?"

Her eyebrow raised a bit when he mentioned she and Margrett, not exactly sure what he meant.

Could he know? Margrett didn't mention anything about our current relationship did she?

[Grayell]

Grayell shifted almost uncomfortably and the corner of his mouth pinched then. He folded his arms defensively, he wasn't sure how to be around her after all this.

I have known. Margrett is quick to keep me up to speed on her exploits some days... I didn't come by because I know you two have been busy. I ah.... didn't want to intrude.

But I have been at the hall. You've been gone a long time. Orp has done nothing to help. Zaedus is the only advisor to have done a damn thing and now he has personal business to attend to. I have tried to keep it all together and it's simply not possible.

His face soured a little then, a lot had happened and he wasn't certain any of it made much sense.

So Marg... she didn't tell you about her... stepping up to help run the town? Nothing?

[Serenity]

(I suppose I will have to get into the habit of keeping a timeline. This takes place only a few days after Serenity arrives back home.)

"I've only met with Margrett a few times, she may have mentioned that, though I had no idea things were so dire nor that she was actually planning on stepping up to a leadership position."

The way Grayell was speaking, it seemed he knew there were sexual relations between she and Margrett. Serenity's peace vibe was gone and she shook her head slightly. The mage didn't want to bring it up, not with the knowledge that the town being in a rut as it were.

She rubbed her forehead for a moment and sighed, "Alright, anything else I should know about?"

The lady was not upset at Grayell, more so at herself for not inspecting the town thoroughly while she was back home these past few days. She had kept to herself mostly and fixed things back up at her hut.

[Grayell]

(A lot of his interaction with Marg is only a short while here and there. The bath thread was only one night and she spilled the beans about her maybe wanting more from you two.)

Grayell shrugged but his eyebrow raised hen he saw he was causing her stress.

Yeah, there is in fact.

You need to know that I missed you Serenity. That I feel like crap for speaking to you the way I did and that I really do want to see us be friends.

He smiled a little sheepishly.

You had me enamored miss and whilst that was a very special thing, I really hope that prior to that night I was nothing but a gentleman. I mean... not like the gentlemen you know. I er... I mean...

Well. Bumbled into that and trying to make sense now whilst being clearly flustered. He was not a gentleman, Serenity was refined, a noble woman and he was and always will be a outlander.

I mean that I... you know, liked you a lot but I hope I didn't come off as too crude. I hated it when you left, I know we parted on good terms but I had no idea what you thought of me. I made an ass of myself that night and I apologize. It wasn't fair.

[Serenity]

She was looking down slightly, not really focusing on Grayell even when he started talking. Slowly, Serenity looked up again, slightly puzzled, and then an ever so slight grin followed by a chuckle caught in her throat.

"Grayell, I haven't really thought about that moment in the tavern much at all, not even on the night when it happened. It made me realize something had to be done back home and that is what has occupied my mind from the time I gone and coming back. There were times when I missed Wistvale and its people, including you of course, but I never thought serious ill of you. Perhaps a few instances of confident advancement had me wary before," she raised an eyebrow with a little smirk, "But you're a gentleman above most I've seen claim as much."

Her posture relaxed some and a cool breeze conveniently passed through them both, whether Serenity had done that herself was uncertain.

"I was gone for quite some time silly man, would you really think I'd keep such a little trifle in mind through it all?

[Grayell]

Yes.

Grayell turned and looked to the sun, his hands on his hips and his brow furrowed in angst.

Look.. I said more than what I felt. I told you In was once like James is now.... that I am still like he is. Sort of. I felt that was a betrayal of trust Serenity. To know your pain with that and not mention my own affliction.

I felt it would have influenced what you thought of me... and so I feel like I hid it from you.

[Serenity]

James...

Serenity tried not to bring up her husband so much anymore in conversation, nor think of him unless it was in a good light. She had enough time to do so during her resent long journey and enough time to settle things with his family while leaving hers well enough alone.

She did remember Grayell mentioning he was a werewolf, or is, she couldn't recall the facts. That night in the tavern it was sort of blurted out among so many other things that it left her speechless.

She pondered it some after she left Wistvale and heard that her friend Becky was apparently dating one, a werewolf, which shocked her more than she showed. In truth, she didn't give Grayell being a werewolf to much thought, she had already come to know him throughout most of her time in Wistvale. It would be strange to just...she wasn't sure.

"Its...alright Grayell," she said almost uncertain, "We all keep secrets for good reason. It would be unfair of me to judge you knowing I've likewise kept a few from you and several others that I've met over time."

She sighed, not sure what to say or what he would like to hear, "But lets not keep on this topic, you have nothing to fear." she emitted a small smile, "Now what of Wistvale, is there something I can do for its people or have I failed as a member of its council already?"

[Grayell]

(Ick with the council OOC mess.)

Grayell seemed pensive for a while and then made his mind up with a smile and a nod.

I hate to discuss politics at any time, least of all when we've just caught up. Or are catching up. Surely there's more pleasant things to discuss.

Grayell thought on this a moment to and then smiled, bright and sincere.

Well perhaps you wouldn't object to me buying you lunch. As a friend. We could discuss things over a drink perhaps.

It.... has to be a little more appropriate than standing in the middle of a field and chatting about the council and all the drama that entails.

He chuckled in that familiar way, she'd put his initial concerns about their friendship at rest. That was quite a load of his shoulders.

[Serenity]

The cry of a bird, a hawk it seemed, could be heard in the distance and this sudden sound made Serenity take notice. The mage seemed to analyze the distance before shrugging it off and turning towards Grayell again, "Sure, that sounds lovely, I suppose I was just about done here anyhow."

She dusted her clothes a bit, having dirtied them a little sitting on the ground the way she did and waited to follow Grayell.

"What did you go on a journey for, if you don't mind me asking? Margrett didn't mention the details."

[Grayell]

Grayell turned to once side and leaned, waiting for her to join him before stepping on their journey toward town. He was far more relaxed now, arms slack at his sides until brushing a hand over a plant, plucking at the grass... he seemed more alive when in the outdoors such as now.

That's a terribly long story and has a lot of fang and furs in it of course. You want the long or the short version?

[Grayell]

This is very dead. I am taking 1 point cause it will neaten up my acclaim.