07-22-2020, 06:25 PM
Though she was presently watching the clouds in the sky, Thalia’s lips quirked into a smile for Kemala’s words. “A strange fish,” she laughed. “Then I think you have found yourself in good company.” Grey eyes peeked up, sharing a glitter of amusement that was utterly guileless in its quiet acceptance of strange. Her last conversation with Aylin fluttered somewhere in the back of her mind, though she did not allow herself to dwell on it, or the way it felt like a weight in her chest. Kemala was a stranger, granted, but her company was pleasant; soothing in some way Thalia did not contemplate too deeply. And it wasn’t just the sistery resonance, though certainly it helped.
She passed the drawing up to the woman’s open palm. It was a collection of studies extrapolated from the original drawings, idle musings really. The compliments washed without much reaction, until the final words, upon which Thalia pushed herself up onto her arms. “Really? You would?” Her head tilted, curious. It was not contemplation on whether or how much to trust; Thalia was comfortable in her skin, cognisant of her oddities, and rarely filtered herself for the benefit of others. She welcomed serendipity with both hands, and did not question the joy of fortune. She realised, then, that much like Nox, Kemala’s words implied understanding of the world’s supernatural mysteries. Though she said creature, not monster. Mostly, though, Thalia’s smile was for the offer of help so freely offered. Company was welcomed.
She shifted to rummage into her bag, producing the newest of her sketchbooks. A swipe on the cover loosened sand sneaked amongst her belongings, and then she offered it out if Kemala wished to peruse further. “I’ve never seen water this clear. It’s beautiful to swim in. Did you know something like eighty percent of the wildlife here is endemic? They say a water dragon called Lusud-Khan lives in the lake -- there are carvings all over. Nothing like this though.” A gesture briefly indicated her own drawings, and then her chin sank into her fist, tone enamoured of the beauty and mystery of the place. “People see strange lights, above the water, and below it too sometimes. In fact there’s a place called Cape Ryty they don’t let people visit at all, because they disappear. Lightning strikes the rocks there time and again -- an angry spirit cursing the land. Boats vanish sometimes too. A whole pleasure boat back in 2011, can you believe that? I heard the locals say that sometimes there are whirlpools out there, that they are gateways to hell.” She did not seem disturbed by such ghostly tales so much as fascinated.
She passed the drawing up to the woman’s open palm. It was a collection of studies extrapolated from the original drawings, idle musings really. The compliments washed without much reaction, until the final words, upon which Thalia pushed herself up onto her arms. “Really? You would?” Her head tilted, curious. It was not contemplation on whether or how much to trust; Thalia was comfortable in her skin, cognisant of her oddities, and rarely filtered herself for the benefit of others. She welcomed serendipity with both hands, and did not question the joy of fortune. She realised, then, that much like Nox, Kemala’s words implied understanding of the world’s supernatural mysteries. Though she said creature, not monster. Mostly, though, Thalia’s smile was for the offer of help so freely offered. Company was welcomed.
She shifted to rummage into her bag, producing the newest of her sketchbooks. A swipe on the cover loosened sand sneaked amongst her belongings, and then she offered it out if Kemala wished to peruse further. “I’ve never seen water this clear. It’s beautiful to swim in. Did you know something like eighty percent of the wildlife here is endemic? They say a water dragon called Lusud-Khan lives in the lake -- there are carvings all over. Nothing like this though.” A gesture briefly indicated her own drawings, and then her chin sank into her fist, tone enamoured of the beauty and mystery of the place. “People see strange lights, above the water, and below it too sometimes. In fact there’s a place called Cape Ryty they don’t let people visit at all, because they disappear. Lightning strikes the rocks there time and again -- an angry spirit cursing the land. Boats vanish sometimes too. A whole pleasure boat back in 2011, can you believe that? I heard the locals say that sometimes there are whirlpools out there, that they are gateways to hell.” She did not seem disturbed by such ghostly tales so much as fascinated.
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