Wilder Mind

Taegen was usually always on point when it came to directions, and while technically it wasn't that he was lost, only that the clan he had planned to meet up with had moved on and not sent a raven to let him know, either way he was now unsure where to go. At first he headed in the direction it seemed they went, but eventually lost their trail and he ended up just wandering.

He wouldn't say he was lost, but he was definitely way more turned around than he was used to being and in a part of Rivain that he'd never been before. So, yea, he was lost. Eventually he found himself approaching a hug. At first he just decided to hang back, no telling who lived there or if they wanted to be bothered. Though perhaps they might know where the clan had gone since they were in relative close proximity, or perhaps they preferred their privacy, but it was late, maybe they would at least let him put down camp outside their home, but then it felt a bit of an imposition to even ask.

Finally his legs moved and he went over to the hug and knocked on the door.

Hello?! You don't know me but I assure you, I mean you no harm, just a bit lost... kind of, sort of, well it's embarrassing really....

Visitors were not always frequent. At least, not at this time in the day - or evening, as it were. Many who came seeking her talents tended to find her outside, waiting patiently for those brave enough to approach an Aberration such as herself. But having closed up shop for the day, she'd made herself a pot of tea, and sat staring at it while the leaves steeped.

Eriar tapped on the table in a rhythm, pausing periodically to watch one of her ravens come mirror the gesture. She smiled at her, Athim had always been the smarter of the pair. A rap at the door, however, drew her attention away from both bird and tea. Shifting her feathered companion to her shoulder, she rose and made her way to the door.

Calling forth a slight gust of wind, she used it to open the door before she reached it. An unknown elf stood at the door looking a little... off-put? She couldn't place it yet, so instead spoke.

No man wise enough to find me would mean me any harm.

Even with her large wings folded up behind her, they were unmistakable. As were the horns upon her head and tail that swayed behind her. In stark contrast to the generally intimidating appearance, however, she wore a warm smile.

I can also assure you, I've had far more embarrassing visits than yours. With a wink, she added: What brings you to me? Stepping back, Eriar gestured for him to enter the humble abode. Enion and Merilin were away, thus making it quite safe for this stranger to stay for a bit.

Gesturing next to the table for him to sit, she went to retrieve an extra teacup to share the freshly brewed pot. All the while, listening to him if he should share his woe.

Taegen wasn't too phased when the door seemed to open itself, after all he was a mage himself, he just hadn't been expecting it. He took a tentative step into the home as he looked towards the sound of the voice. It certainly wasn't what he'd been expecting to find, though he liked to think of himself as someone with an open mind, and he'd been to Arlathan enough to understand aberrations and this woman wasn't the first he'd met.

Ah, yes hello, so I was heading to Arlathan, per usual, but somehow got turned around. I'm usually better at directions than this, but well, I was distracted, so distracted that I barely recall the last few hours of my journey. It's not really like me to check out like that, guess I had a lot on my mind. I was rather hoping you could set me on the right path. OK, so he was staring a little bit at her wings, but it was really hard not to, it wasn't a look of horror or disgust, but like someone might look at a beautiful work of art.

Eriar paused as she reached for the extra teacup. Surprised at the stranger's tale. He'd certainly got himself quite far from his intended destination. Almost to the point she wondered how he'd accomplished it at all.

She swallowed that surprise, though, not wanting to stress him out further. Instead, she continued right along what she'd been doing, as if what he'd told her was as simple as being the wrong village over.

Well, she started, setting the teacups out and pouring the freshly brewed tea. The smells wafting off the liquid warmed the small home, spices mingling in the air just as she liked. Cinnamon, allspice, cardamon, ginger, and a hit of citrus. A favorite, truly. I could certainly show you on a map where it is you'd need to go, but... Eriar trailed off, seating herself as she studied the stranger. You give me the impression of someone who needs to talk. So, please, I offer my ear for whatever ails your mind.

Taegen wasn't sure what to make of the offer, part of him was pleased, another part of him wasn't sure how he felt about being called out on needing to talk. He wasn't usually the sort that 'needed' to talk, that didn't mean he didn't need to, he just was generally more closed off than that. Perhaps the fact that he was so distracted that he got lost meant that he needed to talk more now than ever. This or that, stay or go, what did he do. 

Finally he nodded slowly and decided to take her up on the tea, it definitely smelled nice and he was thirsty. 

Well, yes sure, just for a little bit. A little bit didn't hurt anything did it, no of course not, don't be silly. He took a seat nearest the closest tea cup and blew on it slightly, a habit of his going back to when he was a kid and got impatient and drank the tea before it was cooled enough. You have a lovely home here. He was trying to word things politely instead of how he usually worded things, not that he was usually impolite, but perhaps not quite as polite as he was currently being.

Without even blowing on the tea herself to cool it off, Eriar took a satisfied sip. The advantages of having dragon genetics in her system. As long as you need. She replied, offering him a smile as warm as the tea in her hands.

A quirk of a brow at his comment. I thank you, but I doubt it is the loveliness of my home that ails your mind. She let out a gentle hum, leaning back and flicking her wrist toward the nearby countertop. Solas, the cards. The bird obliged fairly quickly, carrying over a small case that contained her deck. Solas then hopped away and onto a perch with his sister.

Perhaps a reading? she offered to the stranger, beginning to clear the cards.

He still wasn't sure what he needed to talk about. His mind was closed off to him. He'd never been good at being self-aware or anything like that. She was correct, though. He definitely didn't need to talk about how nice her home was. When she, or rather the bird, brought out the cards, he raised an intrigued eyebrow. He wasn't as good at reading cards as he was the stars.

You're a seer as well. Though I'm not nearly as good at reading cards as I am the stars, but I also live by a rule, I never do readings on myself. Too much a chance I'd be biased and not see what I'm meant to see. So I'm interested to see what you come up with for me. I promise to try to be open-minded, though being open-minded isn't exactly one of my strongest attributes. There was a small part of him that worried about what she might see, but he was committed now. No turning back, so to speak.

An often sought seer, as a matter of fact, she offered, flashing a smile. It had not taken long for Merilin to get the word out about her abilities across the villages and cities of Rivain once they'd awoken. It was a good source of income, but she did not make a habit of charging for surprise readings such as this. After all, it was her offer to do it.

But she could see something was needed. This was needed before he could continue his journey. Why else would he have been guided to her humble abode?

Her hands moved deftly with the cards, years of practice even before she'd gone into Uthenera. Satisfied with where they were at, she carefully drew a three spread. Then, flipping each in turn, she studied them. Her eyes would flick occasionally to her guest before she returned them to the cards.

To the first she gestured. Ten of Swords. Upright. You are at a low point. This has brought you here, now. Something will affect you that was not foreseen. Perhaps the loss of something once held? She offered out one hand for him to take, and if he would, she'd continue, tapping into a bit of her magic. You have forgotten. What was... What is... and perhaps yet what is to come.

She'd allow him a moment to process and ask any questions before proceeding to the next.

The Demon. Taking her hand back toward herself, she conjured small shadow figures to dance over the space between them. He tells us that we must be assertive. Allow Fate to take the wheel, do not hold back. Eriar looked up to her guest, even as she subtly manipulated the figures. Two separate, coming together in an embrace, and then back apart again. They did the dance a couple times to her whim before dispelling. He shows me that someone will return to your life, perhaps someone that you have strong feelings toward. She gave no indication of the type of feelings, instead, letting her words hang in the air as she did once before.

Lastly, we have Justice. Briefly, her eyes remained on him, watching and studying his features, his reactions. After a moment, she smiled as she continued. We come now to your search for the truth. What brought you here, why you found yourself at a loss. She reminds us that not everything is as we originally believed. You have reached a tipping point, da'len, and you must be prepared to make a decision. But trust your heart. A small shadowy heart shimmered between them, beating and pulsing as if to prove her point. It will not lead you astray.

Ten of swords upright. Interesting. He didn't like the sound of losing something. He took her hand and continued to think about her words. Forgetting things that also didn't sound ideal, but it could have multiple meanings, depending. Though he was lost when he came across her home, so that was something, maybe. He nodded and tipped his head to the right, curiously. He wasn't really sure what to say. His brain was still trying to wrap around the card. 

Interesting... Well, he wasn't known for being a man of many words. He blushed slightly at the part about having strong feelings for someone. He wasn't blind where Elrea was concerned. She was attractive and had a lovely personality, but what did he have to offer someone like her? Better to be single. That way, he wouldn't have anything to lose. He couldn't imagine going through what he went through when his wife died again. It would certainly kill him. 

You've given me a lot to think about. As far as trusting my heart, I'm afraid that's not something I'm very good at. Not that my heart has led me astray before, but losing my wife years ago has made it hard for me to trust my heart again, to risk going through that pain again. He wasn't sure why he was telling Eriar all this, but she just felt like the sort of person he could talk to without fear of judgement.

Eriar watched him quietly as he seemed to process everything. Then, suddenly, he was spilling a lot more information than she expected. Still silent, she took in his words and considered answers for him.

A slight hum tickled her mind as Ludus took interest in the topic of discussion. They were an old spirit, very old. But despite thousands of years worth of potential opinions, they were often a mute passenger. Eriar's lips curled into a smile, pleased to see her lifelong companion had found interest in their guest.

Her loss should not bar you from loving another, she started quietly. A twinkle behind her eyes alluding to the more present spirit within her. Grief reminds us of the love we will always hold in our hearts. She covered both hands over her chest, over her heart. A wistful, forlorn smile matched her overall posture. It is not a void, not a hole to fill. Tis a reminder, not an obstacle.

Laying her hands down on the table again, Eriar's smile warmed. Ludus says that you should open your heart, not strangle it for your loss.