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+--- Thread: (Shortstory-OOC Welcome) A Tale of Wind And Water. (/showthread.php?tid=4999)
(Shortstory-OOC Welcome) A Tale of Wind And Water. - IncubusManatee - 10-10-2013
The room was dark, and the smell of pipe tobacco filled its interior. An old man slowly rocked on a old wooden chair. Slowly puffing on a pipe. His clothes were old, and his features akin to that of rock. Deep, sharp and cliff-like. Even the smile he wore was unusual. Twisted to one side like a madman's grin, showing the pearl white fangs behind the lips of his maw. Â This always fascinated the children whom always came to visit and hear his stories. Sometimes more enraptured by his visage then the actual story.Â
Graith chuckled softly as the children had come again. Asking of a story they had never heard before. "Tell us a new one!" They shouted with joy as they crashed through the door earlier. The sounds of Ul'dah's streets flooding in until the door was once more sealed. Encircling the decrepit old man like wolves, hungry for fresh meat.Â
And like any of his stories, he always liked taking them from what he had experience, seen or heard in his life. There was one story he had not told in a long time. Years it had been.Â
"I shall tell you of a man and woman. A love story." The old man spoke, voice like the grinding of stone against stone.Â
And those words certainly had an effect on his audience. The young Hyur girls giggled and listened, while the boy's were a little more disgusted. Grumbling. Which elicited a hearty chuckle from the old man. A swift shake of his head soon followed, making his salt-and-pepper hair sway gently.
"Trust me, boy's. You will enjoy this story. It is of a warrior...I shall name him Wind. And of a woman, whom I shall call Water-" The old man began once again, but was interrupted as a young blond haired midlander girl raised her hand and spoke. "Was that their real names?" Which caused the old man to chuckle once more and shake his head. "No, Nell. No. But it is who they are. You shall learn soon."Â
Taking several moments to pull air into his old lungs as he began to speak in a deep and sonorous voice. Filling the dark room, the fire from nearby flickering every so often.
"Wind was an impetuous man, doing as he so pleased with his life. Flitting from place to place. Fighting as he saw fit. Living as he saw fit. Until his world crashed about him. Life had no meaning for him at that point. So he wandered. Traveling all over Eorzea, wherever his feet led him. Haunted by the realization he was a monster. Not like the ones outside the walls, in the wilderness-but a monster on the inside.
He arrived here once...a long time ago. Seeking nothing but the nearest vessel of spirit to drown his thoughts. He happened across a blind woman whom was peddling. Her bones showed. Her hair was ragged. Clothes were holey and just as ragged looking as her. The only thing she had on her of value was two bronze bangles. What made him notice this woman was one thing-she was smiling."
The old man took a moment to breath and let that set in, before continuing slowly.Â
"Wind asked her, 'How can you smile when you have nothing? Are you not unhappy?' as he approached her. Her response shocked him to the core. 'I am but happy to be alive. And able to hear your voice. Sir.' Â This woman was Water. Calm. Peaceful. Kind. And those words had brought light into the darkness which had choked Wind's mind. The two of them became fast friends from that point on.
He clothed her in the best wares he could find. Paid for a safe place for her to stay, taking her off the streets. And made sure she had everything she ever needed. But could never stay. He was bound to roam. That was who he was. So he traveled, and every time he would come back-new stories followed with him. Telling Water of all the things he experienced. Felt. Thought. Saw. He was her eyes. Explaining ever last detail down to the smallest speck of dust. And she listened.
He loved her. Beyond what words could explain. And she knew this. And she loved him in return. Many a night was spent embracing in the silence, nothing but themselves and the silence to accompany them."
A small cough escaped his lips as he stopped once more. One of the young girls once more raised their hand. It was Nell again. Always the inquisitive one. "Why did he not take her with him on his journeys?"
"She wished to join him on his path. But he was greedy. He knew of the dangers on the road. So he would not take her with him. She understood why he did it. Though it slowly took its toll on her. The loneliness of being without him for such long periods. Slowly she became sick. But she always smiled for him, and hid it whenever he visited." Graith slowly said. Coughing again gently as he tried to clear his throat. Short breaths rasping out of his lungs before he could begin. Smiling once more.
"One time he was gone for a longer period then usual. So she was wrought with worry. Driving her further into unhealth. She died three days before he arrived. Upon finding out that she was dead, he was grief stricken. Sullen once more. Infuriated with himself. He had been saving to provide them a home for both of them to live. Working every job he could on the way back to her. It was all for naught though in the end."
At that point, Graith stopped speaking for a long while. The children were silent. Only the crackling of the fire meeting their ears.
"It was a long time before Wind had regained himself. Wearing the bangles that Water had worn when they first met-he began travelling again. Doing as she did. Smiling for the world. Bringing forth happiness. Living for her. Seeing and experiencing in her name. Hoping she forgave him for his weakness, and knowing that he would once again rejoin her. It is said he still travels to this day. Never stopping for long. Knowing at some point he may come to rest, and his heart may belong to another-but he shall meet Water at the end. And be reunited once more."
With that the old man finished his story. Waving at the children. "Go young ones, I need some sleep."Â
Midst several 'Awwh's' and 'one more', they began to leave. His hand ushering them towards the door in a slow wave...