Continuing the Search

I spent a considerable amount of time searching Watyr’s childhood home for any trace of her. No one had seen her, no one had spoken to her. No one had heard about any rogue druids in the area. I looked everywhere, even making my way to Darkshore. She’s nowhere. I’m falling apart without her.

I’m breaking down.

The Letter

Because of Watyr

I’ve been feeling so strange since I went to Stranglethorn with Fugikuro. Light-headed, sick, tired. All I can think about is Watyr. Where is she? Why hasn’t she written to me, spoken to me? Watyr is my best friend, my sister. How could she just vanish?

Fugikuro escorted me through the deserts south of Gagetzan. The heat made all the things that have been wrong with me amplify… until I couldn’t bear it anymore. He kept looking at me, questioning me with his eyes, but if I told him the truth – that I hadn’t eaten, slept, in over a week – I’m sure the result wouldn’t be pleasant.

Finaly, he took me back to his home. Exausted, I barely made it through the door. Sighing, he turned to me. “Ami, are you alright?”

I sighed, and he walked to the back of the cabin and set his staff against the wall. He turned to me, as I was still standing in the doorway, leaning heavily against the beams. “Have a seat.”

“Okay,” I said softly, moving slowly over and plopping heavily into the chair provided for me. Fugikuro removed some of his armor, putting on lighter, more comfortable clothing.

Me? I was to tired to change anything.

“Still feeling badly?” He asked, tugging on his gloves. They were the only piece of armor that stayed on. His gaze was compasionate.

“Maybe… a little,” I admitted.

He knelt infront of me, placing his gloved hand on my cheek. I leaned againt it, grateful for support.

“Come on, now.” He urged. “Let me examine you and find out what is wrong.”

I sighed, tugging at my belt. The slightest movement made my very essence ache in pain.

Finally, I was able to pull myself from my armor and I reclined in the chair. I could sence Fugikuro’s smile even though I couldn’t see it. “You are beautiful,” he said.

“Thank you,” I replied softly, to tired to care what anyone thought of anything.

He gently touched me a few times near my stomach, his leather gloves rough against my skin. “Ami… You look so thin! Have you not been eating a lot lately?”

I opened my eyes, gazing into his concerned face. “I… eat enough.”

“I am not convienced of that,” he replied sharply. “When was the last time you ate, Ami?”

I looked away. “Ate, huh? Well… When did we go to Stranglethorn?”

Fugikuro leaned in close to me, a hint of anger in his eyes. “Are you telling me you haven’t eaten since then?”

“…Possibly…” I said under my breath.

“Ami.” He said. “Answer me.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice catching in my throat. “I don’t know. I can’t remember.”

Fugikuro stood, a deep frown etched on his face. “Go and sit on the bed. I’m going to make you some food.”

“Fugi-”

“That is an order, Ami.”

I did as I was told, watching him leave the room.

As I rested, listening to him down the hall, I looked around the room. I’d been here before, but last time… I was a bit tipsy. On a table near the window, I recognized the rose from Stranglethorn. I smiled and closed my eyes.

As soon as I did though, I heard him return. He was holding a tray. On top was a plate with cooked fish, a cup of water, and an apple.

He set it in my lap and moved over to the table by the window. He looked over his shoulder at me, taking down a morter and pestle. “That fish was caught this morning, eat it all.” He chose a book from the shelf and opened it to the page he was looking for.

He reached into some of the pouches hanging from the wall, putting the herbs inside into the morter.

“What are you making?” I asked.

“Not a word until everything is eaten,” he said.

I nodded obeidently, nibbling on the fish. It was very good, very soft.

When I was finished, I put the tray aside and ate the apple. The very sweetest.

Fugikuro watched me as he plucked a flower from an assortment he grew near the window. He ground it along with the other herbs from the pouches.

He mixed the ground product with a few other things I couldn’t identify inside a thick mug. He returned to me and knelt down infront of me. “I cooked the fish myself, I hope it was to your liking.”

I nodded.

I touched the mug in his hands. “What is it?” I asked.

“Drink it slowly,” he instructed. “It’s not hot, but if you drink it to fast you might choke.”

He put the cup to my lips.

He looked down at me, watching approvingly as I drank. When it touched my tounge I could taste the sweetness of honey, my favorite. It moved through my mouth slowly, a very smoothe texture. Something inside tickled my nose a little, and made my mouth tingle slightly.

“It’s… different,” I said. “What does it do?”

“It will help you feel better. It has medicine in it that will give your body the nutrients it has been lacking.”

He looked at me, his eyes darkening ever so slightly. “Anything else you haven’t been telling me? Have you been sleeping?”

“Now and then,” I said.

“That means, ‘no’, right?”

“Not… necessarily…”

Fugikuro crossed his arms and sighed.

“Well…” I said, trying to think of the best way to handle the situation. “I haven’t been home for awhile.”

His face flashed with both anger and compassion. “Ami, why are you doing this to yourself?”

I looked away, his gaze penetraiting me to my very core.

“Talk to me! Why haven’t you been taking care of yourself?”

He rested his hand on mine. “I… just… haven’t had time to do these things lately.” I said softly. “I’ve been very busy. Everyone I meet wants my help.”

“So busy you can’t take care of yourself? That isn’t normal!”

I rubbed my temples. My brain felt like it was spitting apart.

“Am I going to have to lock you in here? Make sure you eat and sleep?”

“I can’t stay here! I have too much to do!” I sighed. “People need my help.”

“You need to take care of yourself first.”

“I can’t stay here, Fugikuro.”

“You will not leave until you swear to me that this will never happen again.”

“It’s not that simple!” I said harshly.

“It will be if I make it so.”

“Being here, eating. Sleeping. It won’t fix anything.”

“You think you can help the people you care about while your body withers away from lack of rest?”

“I’ve been doing just fine so far.”

“You told me your head and stomach were hurting.”

“Sometimes it does hurt enough to say something. Sometimes it doesn’t.”

“What if you are trying to help someone, and you are in pain… what if you pass out from lack of food and sleep?” Fugikuro began to raise his voice with passion, splitting my skull. “What if you end up getting yourself, and those you are trying to help killed because of your boarish pride?”

“I… have blacked out… a few times…” I admitted softly. “Aries watched over me.”

“I am giving you the choice.” He said. “Stay here, or promise me.”

“I can’t stay here…” I whispered. “I can’t stay here, Watyr isn’t here…”

“Either you promise me, promise me here and now that I will not have to worry about you behaving this way again… or you will not leave this ship.”

“I understand,” I said softly, “I will try.”

He gripped my chin in his hand. “Look me in the eyes.”

I couldn’t hold it inside anymore, and my eyes spilled over with tears.

He put his hands on my shoulders. I could feel the tears flooding over my cheeks. “Do not forsake my trust, you who said you loved me.”

He forced me to look into his eyes again. His voice was soft. “I swear to you, if you let this happen again, you will have no place in my heart. If you can’t afford food, if you don’t feel well enough to eat, you tell me. You will not ever, ever starve yourself again.”

He sighed. “I’m treating you this way because… I care about you, Ami.”

“I promise,” I managed to say. I wiped my eyes fiercly, but it’s no use.

“I need you to be healthy and be safe so that my heart can keep strong enough to protect those I am sworn to. Do you understand?”

I nodded.

His gaze met mine, a single tear rolling down his cheek.

“I can’t lose anyone else…”

I looked away, unable to watch him like that. I couldn’t hold it in anymore, all the stress and pain I’ve been feeling over Watyr’s disappearance just bled out of me. I was sobbing, I couldn’t help it.

He pulled me into his arms, resting my head on his shoulder and rubbing my back softly.

“Stay with me tonight,” he whispered lovingly in my ear. “Let me hold you until you cannot cry anymore.”

“You… smell like honey…” I said, my voice cracking with sadness and tears.

He chuckled softly, his hands continuing to rub my back.

I could feel myself start to fade in and out of conciousness, exaustion taking over.

I barely felt him lie me down, supporting my head with his hand. I felt him curl up next to me.

And then… I felt nothing.

The Ribbon Dance

My absolute favorite self portrait. The festival was amazing: I even made a new friend!

Honor the Flame

Contrary to my element, my two favorite things at the festival are the large torches everywhere, and the candles that float in the waters in the major cities. I enjoyed the festival very much, as I hope you all did.

“Evening by Candlelight” ~ Photograph by Watyr

Goodies at the Festival

You may visit the vendors at the festival, and in exchange for fireblossoms you’ve collected, they will pass on to you lots of fun things. Fireblossoms are collected by Honoring the Flame in each city. When you have enough, you can buy clothes, food (like Amithyst’s favorite: smores), potions to make you dance in flames, flowers to share with your friends, and even a strong alchaholic beveridge that will set your breath on fire!

While in the city, I was showered with petals someone bought from the vendors.

Care to dance? No matter what your race or class is, you turn into a dancing pixie.

The Festival Continues!

“A Festival in Darkshire” ~ Photograph by Watyr

I love all the light the festival brings, even in Darkshire!

There are fantastic events at each location, including firebreathers! I’m going to learn how, too.

“Festival on the Beach” ~ Photograph by Watyr

My only regret is that Amithyst isn’t here to appreciate all the life. She would love it even more than I.

The Midsummer Festival

The Midsummer Festival has been in progress all week. I have plenty of interesting things to share with you, so there will be more images per post this week!

“Candle Line” ~ Photograph by Watyr

 Even Darkshire got in on the festivities.

“A Dark Festival” ~ Photograph by Watyr

Light in the Darkness

Even in the darkest places, there is hope.

“Ruins” ~ Photograph by Watyr

Traveling

I ran half way across the continent today! I stopped to admire the falls, as always.

“Lakeshire” ~ Photograph by Watyr