FlyingDingo78900
Hero
As a small caparii took in the sight of her home in the dim light of a candle lit in the night, she smiled. Her family rested happily as the moon hung high in the sky. Theodosia felt great pride in her family seeing her lover and children fast and peacefully sleeping through the night. To think she started out as a reckless young girl who only wanted to bring back the name of her people not too long ago was enough to make her think she was a new person. She learned from her mother’s mistakes and only wished to continue along her life with her family, blood related or not.
Silently, she double checked her bags. Theodosia was a woman who often traveled for her work and it was difficult thing to do. This time she need not to travel on business but instead pleasure and personal time. Sure, the sweet town of Astrum had it’s docks and such but- sadly there was only ever one boat to where she was heading and for that reason alone, she had to head to Storm’s Landing. With a kiss being pressed to her Drew’s cheek, she couldn’t help but grin, seeing him smile lightly as he rested. Oh, how sweet and loving he was and how much she’d miss his touch, not only of intimacy but even the tiny things most take for granted such as being able to hold his hand or the slight bump of each other when passing in the halls of their home. Her heart held him dearly and it hurt her to be apart from him even if it was for a few days.
Theo dare not wake the kids, seeing as it was late and tomorrow they would need to be going to school or doing their basic training. Seeing Lina’s door closed she kept walking, giving the teenager her privacy but when approaching Keiko’s room, she’d enter. The room was homey, well lit on such a bright night as the baby slept. With silent steps, she’d make her way to the cradle. Keiko didn’t always have an easy life but- she was better here. Drew had saved her life and Theodosia couldn’t be happier with her adoptive daughter. The Moor had been burned badly but after a lot of caretaking, she was at least living normally. With a finger, Theo would gently rub Keiko’s chest. Her heart near bursting at the sight of Keiko grabbing lightly onto it as she slept. The caparii would press a kiss to her forehead before silently leaving the house, locking it behind her.
The trip to the docks was nothing special, the sound of her hooves tapping on the cobble and stone streets echoed throughout the town as she approached the docks. A few guards looked to her, sharing small talk.
“I see you are off again Theo- What shall it be this time?” One spoke up, seemingly in a good mood.
“Ah, nothing more than a little gathering trip is all. I take it the dock patrol has been slow tonight?”
“Oh, you have no idea.” He would motion over to the other guard who was sat on a shipping crate, looking tired out “Kevin here can barely keep his eyes open and it’s been hell on the man.”
“Well-” She’d turn to the other guard “Luckily there is only a few more hours left in the night and after that you can go home.” Theo smiled, going to speak up before the captain of the ship called out.
“ALL ABOARD!” He called out, the hardened sea man looking fairly awake compared to the others on the docks.
“Seems like I am being called boys, take care!” She turns to go on the boat, waving to the guard as she did so.
It took a bit to get the ship going, the caparii taking her time to settle down with what few passengers were about as she secured her mask over her face. The infection did make one thing better- travel. Less people often sailed now, being fearful of the infection and trying to avoid it like the plague it was. For tonight, she’d take comfort in this fact while snuggling up to her travel bags. Nothing could ever replace the warmth and comfort of her overly lavish bed at home where her lover was fast asleep but, for now she'd have to deal with it.
As morning took hold on the world, the caparii would awake to being jostled by another passenger. A small elf child grabbed onto her sleeve, tugging on it. Theo thanked them, seeing others unload from the ship to the docks. It was nothing special as she made her out and into Storm’s Landing, heading out from the mass to her own little spot in the town. Theo’s old shop had been turned back into a home, looking rather lived in due to Haldir’s sister and her husband taking residence. For some reason today they didn’t seem there. Odd. Theo dropped her bags by the door, yawning with a hand trying to cover the act. It was still fairly early on in the day, the skies still holding a tint of orange to them.
Perhaps a drink would be in order- No. Not after the bat attack. Theo gulped, deciding not to go there after that whole mess. What could a girl do for fun while waiting for a few days? Theo hummed to herself, grabbing her waterskin and heading out again. The Cathedral was always open and had a library, learning sounds like a good time to her. With a tap of her hooves, she’d head to climb the stairs by her house to The Cathedral.
As she came up to see the shrine to the fallen gods, a feeling of mourning settled in. Odd, Theodosia never really felt bad about the gods since she wasn’t much of the religious type but now- she could feel a pressure weighting on her she had never felt. With timid steps, she walked over, her heart getting heavier with each step till she placed a hand on the edge of the fountain. Maybe for now, she should leave… It took a lot for her to peel away from her spot, having to take a few minutes to level her feelings and even to step away to turn to the large building. With a shaky breath she stepped inside the hulking build. The size, the details just- everything was intimidating. Maybe she could take a few notes and tell Count Lune for the Sallana shrine being built. Speaking of Sallana, as much as she heard the name of the goddess about on the island there wasn’t much she knew about them. All she knew was that she took Vermella’s mantle and such. Maybe now would be a good time to learn about her?
After taking in the sights she’d head up to the library, her hooves making a thud noise as her hooves hit the stairs with each step. The place was- erm lacking you could say but luckily it had some books to browse through. Finding the section on Sallana wasn’t hard to do. A smile rested on Theo’s face as she grabbed a few books and moved to sit on the floor by the shelves. She was eager to read, learning about things she only knew of partially made her happy and excited. The caparii mainly found reading useful cause well, she’d learn from it and already had. Spending weeks in The Compendium was not a fun time but having the comfort of pages and pages filled with useful knowledge was what kept her going. That and the occasional sip of liquor if she was to be honest. Hey, you can’t keep an Engem away from their alcohol for too long.
As Theodosia sat and read the books The Cathedral had to offer, she felt something click with her. Sallana seemed to be a perfect for the young woman. Love? Theodosia thought love was the best type of feeling you can share with someone, be it a friend or family member. Blood also was important to her, something that one should not spill carelessly unless fighting for somethings or offering to someone of importance. Theo’s family was also something she held onto closely, her skin would forever mark her name and family. Even if she wasn’t connected to her actual blood family, that connection you make with others where you are so close you could be basically be family was something that you should never throw away… You know, the more and more she reads- the more and more she felt inclined to open up to this goddess.
The caparii shifted in her seat, letting the hours pass as she read through more. She finally found a god she could connect to after being told from her mother never to trust any of the gods. Maybe this was it? Maybe she finally found a bigger thing she could be a part of? Sallana the goddess of family, blood, fertility, wine and so much more was quickly winning the mortal over. Maybe she should take a few moments to pray on her way out…
