a day off [Porky]

She wasn’t lost. Just… Wandering.

This island, this forest was unlike anything she had ever seen before in her life. Her clan could only utter desirous whispers of places like these. Where magic was alive and the earth allowed to grow as it wished. Of course, the forest was only a small portion of this land. It had only been a week or so since her feet had first touched the soil of Manta Carlos. With the decent amount of wealth she had accumulated, she immediately got to searching for a shelter. While the nice people who traveled with her on ship offered her apartments and condos, the newcomer decided the best sort of home for her was in a crumbling little cottage, in the lighter part of the woods not too far from here. It was similar to the home she once left so long ago, and plus it was fairly inexpensive in comparison to her other options.All she needed was to find another source of income. An opening for an occupation, but that was only a minor setback. The Elvish woman had finally found what she had been so eager to look for- a new place to call home.

For now, at least. She still had a quest she committed to to aid her people. She needed an answer, for who she was and what her purpose was. She was a message from the Gods, according to her chief’s leader. But what? What message did she have? The only hint that she had devised in all her short years was in her mere name. Almost impossible to utter in her native tongue. But it translated to a word holy, yet simple- Genesis.

The Beginning.

Genesis had to be the start of a new era for her people. The elves. Degraded for hundreds of years. She couldn’t bare to watch it any longer. Yet with her travels Genesis found charm in both her beloved homeland and the distinct cultures of the humans. It was only a matter of time before she had to pick which she would opt to swear her loyalty to. Perhaps it didn’t have to be like that though.

She shook her head. Too much thinking. Worrying would do her no good. So her bare feet would place themselves delicately over rocks and grass. Her stride never fumbling. As if as smooth as the air that billowed through the trees in silence. Ironically however it was not her time to align herself with the air. It was early May. The sign of Taurus was upon her, etched on her back in a proud black natural ink. This meant the Earth was in her hands. The soil, the flowers that lined her trail, and the animals that hid within the bushes. Not when she passed by however. Her narrow azure eyes looked towards the sky. Genesis cast forth a simple whistle from beneath her lips. Only for a blue jay to land upon her thin fingers, almost enchanted by her brief song. A smile touched her face, and she delicately stroked its head. It rustled its feathers against the touch, before another came down to join next to it. Out of the elements, this was perhaps her favorite. She had an empathy with the world she so cherished. And that, simply, was something she resented losing when Taurus gave way to Gemini.

But her moment was soon shattered by the sound of an ever so familiar language. Words her father would sing to her before her bedtime as a child. This… Couldn’t be. No one else knew this language, did they? Either way the birds were placed on her shoulder. Still in the brushes, Genesis rushed to find the source of the words. Maybe they would have the answer. Maybe….

The sound was nearing as her pace picked up. The bushes ran out, but there was a grove obscured by vines as well. The sound of rushing water arose just behind the curtain, as well as what now seemed to be English. Curiosity struck the elves heart, as her hand, traced with rose-pink markings, opened the curtain. Slowly to reveal herself, looking for the source.

”Friend?” Genesis stood by the vines, her elven features lit with wonder.The one sought after would be in for a shock, certainly.The ever-so-faintly pink skinned woman raised her hand to allow the birds to perch on her fingers, before raising them above the pink hair that fell in waves. Affixed to her head where they would sit was a diadem of sorts made from twisted boughs of cherry blossom branches, while two reached up to appear like antlers. Their flowers scattered about her headpiece, as well as embedded fragments of rose quartz, which also were suspended by thin yet sturdy grasses connecting between the points of the antlers. The birds hopped about in her headpiece, as she approached the man who had his back turned on her. He was affixing a mask to her face. ”Pardon my intrusion, but I have heard the tongues of my people and...”

He turned around.

He had on no clothes.

”Oh merciful heavens, you’re naked!” She cried aloud, the birds flying out in fear as she quickly covered her face. This was embarrassing. On both their parts. Her hair fell over her features as she ducked down in shame. ”... A thousand apologies sir, I...”​

She felt terrible now. Genesis hadn’t meant to barge in on his private time, especially when he was in the nude. What a wonderful way to greet someone she didn’t know. They probably would be disgusted by her, thus effectively ruining her chances to find out more about him. A foot of hers withdrew to turn the other cheek and leave him alone. He wouldn’t want to talk to her, would he?

Well, that answer was a resounding no.

He quickly grabbed a towel as the elf looked away discreetly. Her fears were still within her, until he apologized. He apologized for her mistake. And continued to speak in her tongue, with manners most admirable. Enough to make her blush, provided she didn’t frown upon the fact of being unprofessional in the front of others. But his attentions were flattering, and deserved to be recognized. This being her first real reaction with another on this island made her optimistic for her opportunities. Though… His mask admittedly made her wary.

”I’m pleased we don’t have any animosity in regards to our… Unfortunate meeting circumstances.” Genesis cleared up in her quiet yet firm voice, an indescribable accent on her tongue that made her sound otherworldly yet eloquent. Just as he, so it seemed. What grasped her attention the most was the fact he mentioned magic. This place… Wasn’t a dream. It was true what was rumored. Magical beings were present here, and she would not have to completely remain in hiding. Her eyes were still covered, but her tone was warm and well aware of what was occurring. Even if she could not see. ”How wonderful. It’s always a delight to hear that there are pursers of magic and ancient languages. A sign of remarkable intelligence, for sure.” Her voice was sure and confident, plus cheery now that she had found someone who values her morals. Or, so it seemed.

With a final few zips Genesis was sure he was now not in the nude. With that gone she didn’t have much to fret, except conversing with her first magical human she had ever met. Her face raised from her hands, and with her new contained excitement the green and pink swirling marking on the sides of her face grew out a bit more in a discreet fashion. A few petals shook from her headpiece. He was approaching her, now fully clothed and looking down through his mask. She appreciated when she could analyze features of conversational partners in dialogues, but perhaps it wasn’t a necessity here. His attitude would make up for his presence, and his kind words would shine through whatever skepticism she had. Her smile widened yet kept itself tamed as he lifted her hand to take her from her hesitance. She looked up to him, her eyes focused on nothing else but the mask and the man behind it. The man who… Looked like he was trying to impress her? What for?

”It’s certainly a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Octain.” She relaxed her fingers as he kissed her hand, whispering pleasantries in her native tongue. With that she let go for a moment to perform a small curtsy, grabbing the edge of her loose tunic. ”Most certainly. My real name is no longer whom I identify with. I am now known as Genesis Moonstrom, the one born of the stars and bearer of the signs above. Most lovely to now know each other.” She concluded in fluent and enunciated Elvish. It was easy either way to speak, but having him relay information in a tongue she hadn’t heard in years… It was truly a treat for her.

”I have arrived to seek knowledge upon the magic of this world. I wish not to bore you with my own history, however such is the reason I have come here. My powers are young, and so is my body. I’m unlike anyone in my clan, so I had to make the sorrowful decision to leave home. I have only lived here for a week, and am currently seeking out my surroundings. This will take some… Getting used to, certainly.” She spoke to him again in her dialect, before switching back to English yet again. ”Is this your home? Why are you bathing in the middle of the forest, if you mind not my asking? Though, I admit… It truly is lovely out here, wouldn’t you say?”

Little did she know, Octain was falling with her like putty in her hands.
​

As she spoke more to Octain, Genesis came to appreciate their accidental and embarrassing encounter. This was a charming conversation for her, and very informative. ”I’m pleased you believe so. Thank you.” She remarked in a sincere voice. It was after all the name she chose for herself, so at least it gained positive reception with another. Octain did seem to know what he was talking about. So at least the conversation would be equal among them, where they would understand each other.

So when he spoke of his history with magic, Genesis looked up to him with knowledge in her deep blue eyes. Her hands folded over one another, as she respectfully kept quiet as he elaborated. Only speaking when he was finished. ”Truly fascinating. It’s… Unfortunate that you were not fond of your people. My people would be pleased to meet another practitioner of magic, so you certainly would be admitted with open arms where I come from.” She smiled smally, with a nod of her head. ”Though I suppose the both of us are fairly new on this island. That just means there is still more knowledge to acquire, and new possibilities awaiting to be discovered.” That was just her mindset. Where there was confusion there was room to learn. When she was lost she could stop and admire her surroundings. ”You couldn’t be more fortunate for a day off. It feels wonderful out here.”

He then asked her about her differences. To which… She finally hesitated. Should she reveal who she was to him? Or perhaps give him a hint? Well, she clearly was a being of pure magic. Perhaps she could relay that to him. ”Well Sir, you see I was born under a prophecy so to speak for my people. I am a Zodiac Elf, according to my ancestry. However I am the only one in several millennia to be born directly from the signs above. They imbue my flesh and bones, and provide me their magic directly. So, I suppose you could say, that I am truly made of the magic from the stars.” She clarified, opening her palms to show. It would be then where out of nowhere that tiny replicas of stars that looked like sparkles, appearing to form into the constellation of Taurus. ”Everything about me is tied into the signs. It is the era of Taurus right now. Its spirit is within me, giving me life.” With that, she raised her hand to let the stars disperse, floating away gently as fireflies would. For a brief moment, a frown touched her face. ”But my people do not know how to help me with my powers. They have told me I am the key to their answers. The lock is still a mystery, and that is what I am here to find.”

Her attention soon perked to more of his background. It fascinated her, listening to his stories. Her hand reached up to place a loose strand of her pink hair behind her long, pointed ear. Before folding her hands once more to listen. He spoke to her in beautiful Elvish. His words smooth, and taking her within them. While she was not experiencing just what he was, it was clear that she had some sort of interest in what he had to say. She would once more speak in her tongue. ”Are you a wanderer as well? A nomad?” She asked, before nearing him a bit to look up and down his body. Though she was statuesque herself he was still much taller than her. ”I can understand the appeal of travel. To not wish to settle in one place, to be alone against the world. However having a home to come to after a long day is a wonderful feeling. You feel as though you belong to something, even if you are alone.” She shrugged her marble-like shoulders. ”At least, that is how I feel.” But she would ultimately smile to him in assurance, whistling again for birds to land on her headpiece. ”I would not give up this though for the world. I suppose that is why I chose to live out here, during my stay.”
​

For the first time in this course of conversation, a frown touched the angled face of the Elven woman. He was angry at a force she could not comfort, a past she didn’t wish for him to delve in. She looked down in apology. She hadn’t meant to cause tensions in areas not needed. ”Forgive me for my insensitivity. I do you have seen brighter days now that you are away from your clan.” For her? She couldn’t imagine not having a close connection with her life at home. It was who she was. Life however served differently, for different people. Everyone had a story to share, which was what fascinated her. Vitality was wonderful in that way. So was this world, or so she believed. ”I couldn’t agree more.”

It seemed though that a display of her powers had taken a bit of his mind off of his initial thoughts. Which was wonderful. Because she had never shown it off before to anyone outside her tribe. He seemed… Fascinated. With who she was. He knew she was rare, just as she did. Still… It gave her a feeling of aloneness. She was one of very few, and even further one of a kind. Genesis’ head bowed slightly as to convey her gratitude. That at least he knew what she was. Then again, he seemed to be of incredible aptitude. ”I shall keep that in mind, kind Octain. Your knowledge may come in great use for me.” And, it already has.

What seemed to impress her though was the nature of Mister Octain. His wisdom seemed to have a source of sorts. She should have known his title. After all, it seemed that magic was emanating off of him. Still, to meet the Magistar himself…. Certainly an honor. One of the highest, if she read properly in her studies. Seeing as she was practically made of magic it was her duty to respect such an apt practitioner. Graciously, she lowered her head a bit, closing her eyes as a hand placed on her chest. ”It is a great honor to be within the presence of the Magistar itself. I hope such an encounter with a mere elf has deemed worthwhile to you, Magistar.” She looked back up again, to smooth out her clothes and stand with impeccable posture. If she had anything down it was her ladyship, as taught to her by her mother. He deserved so much a place to be at least. After all, one such with a lofty title needed only the finest. But the fact he appreciated what was given to him naturally was admirable on its own.

She just may begin to feel what he was…

But not yet. Her smile didn’t waver as he spoke more. She could talk to him all day. He backed up a bit, to which she placed a hand quickly on his arm. For once, without thinking of her morals. ”Oh, no! It is no trouble I...” Then, she remembered what she was doing. She lowered her hand and coughed a bit. This was unlike her when she was with strangers ”Forgive me.” But it seemed her efforts were not in vain. He spoke of an offer…

He wanted more of her.

”I would be most delighted to do that with you” But, she had no way of contacting him. She was after all against technology. ”If… We were to cross paths again. I would hope so, however… The fates may align for something different.” She sighed. They were both nomads, after all, and things usually didn’t work out for those who constantly wandered. Her back turned as she neared the vines that once obscured him. Her head turning to look at him, as sunlight began to pour into the grove. ”On any case it was certainly a pleasure to meet you, Sire. I do hope that we may perhaps see each other again?”​