Sarastuss - Blog Posts
HIS STILL EXPRESSION HIDES THE DEEP APPRECIATION LATER SHOWN IN HIS CONCISE REPLY. For there's a certain nuance in his tone, that makes it require no more than a ❝ Thank you ❞ or gestures to be felt. Though he has no real intention to hold her to her word, especially considering that they had just met each other, that their paths might not remain intertwined beyond that night, and that it wasn't her responsibility but his ❝ She is very important ❞ whether to him personally, for a greater purpose that not many, not even himself, can fully grasp or something else entirely, he doesn't elaborate. Still, the green-dressed hero had unknowingly offered her another clue.
Something he may have realized of if it weren't for the first answer he gets, as the mention of the race makes his eyes open wide ❝ The dragon-kind, you say ? ❞ his mind immediately drifts back to the creature he had saved from being sold in the market. And that all too familiar and painful nostalgia crawls its way back into his heart. As the realization that, no matter if the memory is as vivid as if it had happened yesterday, seven years had actually passed by sinks in. SHARP AND UNDENIABLE. A tight knot forms in his stomach, a lingering discomfort he attempts to shake off with a breath in order to push the past aside and force his attention back to the present.
❝ I know of a dragon, ❞ he begins, form iluminated occasionally by the flickering firelight ❝ but it has been a long time since I last saw it and I cannot say what has been of it ❞ yet something deep down tells him it would be well. Strength and independence are in its nature, and he doubts anyone would dare harm it. The real question is if the little information he has would be useful for her mission. But since she has demonstrated her own good will in helping him, he chooses to share it just in case it proves valuable in accomplishing her goal. After all, it wouldn't be the first time a small lead turned out to be exactly what set someone on the right path.
HONESTY IS MET WITH A NOD, : FURTHER QUERIES BLOSSOM, yet the petals do not flow with the gentle breeze. leave it to another adventurer to understand the power of half - truths. in search of a friend ; while the hero had little to go off on, she does think back upon any sightings of her own made upon her journey, but is left wanting. ... fingers pause their movement of the stick that was twirled in-between, &. she fixes her posture ever so slightly. ❝ i see, ❞ comes the simple response treated warmly by divine tune. genuine smile curls lush lips, ❝ i hope you find them. ❞ A SHORT PAUSE HELD, the crackles of the fire mix with the soft melody the crickets bring underneath this starry sky. ❝ i will keep my eyes open, should i come across more wandering strangers. ❞ this bit embedded with lighthearted humor, considering the two of them fit the description themselves. &. THEN COMES A NAME, ... golden orbs dilate ever so slightly, but soon such look fades into something serene, something warm.
THEN COMES HER TURN TO FEED HIS CURIOSITY, : LUMINOUS GAZE SETTLES UPON THE DANCING FLAMES ONCE MORE. &. while there is security in those half - truths, not a single ounce within golden soul warned of danger. ❝ my name, or my purpose for being here out in the wilderness? ❞ she speaks the query with a mix of softest hum, the tone amused. ... BUT BEFORE HE COULD CLARIFY, SHE CONTINUES ; ❝ i traveled here to speak with the dragon-kind. ❞ while the dragonsong war was put to an end, there were forces at play still that threatened this peace forged. ( the echo, or perhaps her soul on its' own recognizes that ancient aether, radiating of immense power could not be mistaken of. ) the ascians sought to forge war where they could, sow seeds of chaos to bring forth the rejoining. ... she hopes their doings are not tied with this friend he seeks. another pause comes, before she looks at him again, that slight curl upwards returning. ❝ ... as for my name, it is sarastus. ❞ the first light in the darkness.
HE RETURNS THE SMILE AND FOLLOWS HER LEAD, TURNING HIS ATTENTION TO HIS PORTION OF THE FOOD. The aroma alone is enough to drown out everything else, however, it's the rich flavor what ends up consuming all of his focus. THAT IS, UNTIL THE QUESTION COMES. It's a natural one, he knows — just a polite way to spark a conversation and learn more about him. Yet, he can't avoid how his muscles tense beneath his skin in response to it. Which makes him have a slightly more serious face when he looks back at her.
❝ Well, ❞ he begins, cleverly using the fact that he still had a bite left of the fish to gain some time to consider his next words. He's already decided she seems like a good person, someone who doesn't deserve deception or cold detachment. But, how much of it would be safe to tell ? He isn't sure, though perhaps there's a middle ground. One that allows him to balance both honesty and discretion in this situation ❝ I'm following the rumor that a friend I'm looking for was seen nearby ❞ a half-told truth. That way, he ensures that the possibility of HER being there wouldn't reach unwanted ears while the other would know enough to understand his intentions.
❝ Oh, and my name is Link by the way ❞ the hero adds, his voice easing back into its more casual tone as he realizes he hadn't properly introduced himself before. With everything that had happened, it had completely slipped his mind. Then, he discreetly wipes at the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, just in case any remnants of their meal lingered there. Don't want to look stupid now, do you ? he thinks quietly before asking ❝ What about you ? ❞
THERE IS CERTAIN FIRMNESS TO THE SOFT REQUEST, : ONE SHE CAN RECOGNIZE ALL TOO WELL. perhaps that is why she does not even attempt to utter an argument, or perhaps it is because of the genuine hunger she feels within. ... SO, corners of her lips are tugged upwards ; the sun could very well reside even in that softest of smiles. gloved finger reaches for the skewer, for a moment ethereal eyes focus on it, but as she gently takes hold, her gaze lifts to meet with his own. ... ❝ if you are certain, ❞ AH, ONE MORE WAY OUT GIVEN! though the food is at her grasp, she does not take a bite. but, an answer soon comes ; one that is fair, perhaps given with the knowledge that such a factor would ease some concern. &. if that was the case, he was correct ; something that she confirms with a nod of her head. ❝ thank you. ❞ words of gratitude echo once more, &. then, the skewer is brought to her lips, &. she takes a bite. ( rest now, hero. )
SILENCE FILLS THE AIR, : IF ONE EXCLUDES THE SOFT SOUNDS THE HORSE BESIDE THE CAMP MAKES, ALONG WITH THE CRACKLING FLAMES. another skewer upon her grasp already, though she has eaten slowly. let that speak volumes on how long the silence had stretched. ... but glances has been stolen, once or twice ; not out of suspicion, more out of curiosity. she twirls the stick slowly around &. round between her fingers. ❝ so, ❞ she begins, boldly breaking the silence. ❝ what has brought you out here? ❞ FROM ONE ADVENTURER TO ANOTHER! always eager to hear the tales of others, as she is to share her own.
THE ONLY RESPONSE SHE GETS FROM HIM IS A SOFT SHAKE OF HIS HEAD, WHICH CAN ALSO BE SEEN AS A WORDLESS REFUSAL TO ACCEPT HER CONCERN. He doesn't see why it should be a problem, and proof of that is how, without a second thought, he leans forward to reach for one of the skewers, carefully plucking it from its place over the flames. Now that it's closer, he realizes how mouthwatering it looks even if it's far from the finest delicacy. He pauses for only a heartbeat, then turns toward her, extending the skewer before his stomach has the chance to make a sound ❝ Here, ❞ he says, the words soft but firm, not leaving room for any argument.
❝ it's fine, really ❞ his tone gentler now, reassuring. If he had offered her his food it was because he was willing to share — SIMPLE AS THAT. There are no expectations of getting anything in return, no hidden motives, just the wish to show the same generosity others had shown him when he had found himself in her shoes. Yet, Link can sense there's something more to her concern, a hesitation that goes beyond the food itself ❝ You'll have two and I'll take the other two ❞ he adds, his gaze steady, not once breaking. By dividing it equally, he hopes to ease her worries. To show her there's no reason to feel guilty for accepting or as though she is taking too much.
WITH PERMISSION, : SHE TOO STEPS CLOSER TO THE WARMTH OF THE FLAMES, their flickering light reflecting from the black &. golden armor upon her figure. ( observant had the molten golds been ; yet weapon was not reached for. neither did she summon her own in return. ) ... ❝ thank you, ❞ gratitude voiced by angelic tune, woven with warmth &. accompanied by a nod of her head. so, THE WARRIOR OF LIGHT takes seat upon the ground, this moment of rest welcomed. ethereal warrior she may be, but she too could tire. she simply forges through it. her skin unscathed, armor wields no marks upon it ; but that is only a testament to her skills &. strength, not of a fact that trouble was not encountered. ( for you always seem to find it, do you not, hero? )
ANOTHER LOOK TAKEN AROUND, : THE SPOT HE HAD CHOSEN TO CAMP UPON SECURE. but his voice broke through the short - lived silence, &. it prompted glowing hues to focus upon him ... from there, to the flames. this is where sarastus paused herself, before gaze lifts once more, ❝ have you eaten anything yourself? ❞ comes a query, though spoken with a neutrality, concern is embedded into it.
❝ i am just a lost traveler, seeking rest for the night. ❞
The green knight starters / Accepting
THE CAMPFIRE CRACKLED SOFTLY IN THE HEART OF THE NIGHT, ITS GOLDEN LIGHT CASTING DANCING SHADOWS ACROSS THE SURROUNDING TREES. Link sat cross-legged on the cool grass, the flames reflecting in his eyes as Epona stood nearby, her ears flicking occasionally at the distant sounds of the wild. The scent of woodsmoke mingled with the crisp night air, and the world seemed quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. Suddenly, a faint noise ( too deliberate to be the wind ) broke the stillness. Link’s sharp instincts immediately took hold and he rose smoothly to his feet.
That's how the stranger would find him, standing with calm yet watchful eyes studying her for a few seconds before finally breaking the silence ❝ You are free to stay if you want ❞ the words were as straightforward as they were simple, spoken without hesitation or pretense. It was almost surprising...his lack of questions, his absence of suspicion. But perhaps it wasn't so strange; anyone with ill intent would likely have been far less obvious in their approach. And if you looked closely, his sword, though seemingly out of reach, was positioned perfectly for a quick draw, even if he had stepped slightly closer.
It didn't take long for the hero to return to his spot by the campfire, settling back onto the grass with the same unhurried ease as before ❝ though I'm afraid I don't have much to offer ❞ he said, pausing for a moment before adding ❝ just some food, if you are hungry ❞ while gesturing toward the freshly caught fish cooking over the flames. Their edges crisping in the warmth. It was a humble gesture, but genuine, and he hoped it would be enough. The only other thing he had were a few carrots which were meant for Epona and, therefore, NOT SOMETHING HE WOULD SHARE.