Atlantic Roleplay Community Boards

[zeyla]

---

As was typical for her, Zeyla spent the day wandering the Lost Lands somewhat aimlessly. Remembering that she was supposed to stop at Sosarian Steeds, she moved on to Skara Brae and used the public moongate there to make her way to Britain. Upon stepping out, a stranger asked her if she were there to help; Zeyla inquired as to the meaning and the man explained to her there had been a mine collapse and that help was needed.

Somewhat reluctantly, Zeyla agreed to go despite not knowing much about healing people. Animals were her thing, and above all else she preferred working with, helping, and spending her time among them. But Zeyla had a conscience, and her healing bag was always freshly stocked with bandages, poultices, and a special stitching kit she created that included a special sterile thread that held antiseptic and pain relieving properties. This was a creation borne of the fact that animals can't express their pain in any way that could be considered safe. One never did want to find herself under the hooves of an upset Nightmare.

A small group of people traveled to the northern mine and there encountered a horrible sight. Boulders, ore, and rubble were everywhere, and there were two miners trapped among the debris. Diligently the group began moving what they could to get to the people, and the work was grueling. Time dragged on but eventually the miners were freed.

In time they were able to get the miners outside and basic first-aid was applied. The masked man who seemed to be the leader of the rag-tag band suggested they get the victims to professional healers and they were taken to Delucia--which was decided on by virtue of its quiet nature. It would be less busy than the bigger cities and the atmosphere was very calming.

Later in the evening, Zeyla returned and left each of the people they helped with a stuffy mongbat as a little token of her caring. She did not care for the way her hands shook as she deposited the small gifts upon the hammocks of the sleeping patients. Zeyla hurried from the healer's hut and jumped upon her beloved Lasombra.

Eventually girl and Nightmare found themselves deep in the woods of the Lost Lands, and Zeyla dismounted. After giving her favored pet a command to stay put, she sat down on a fallen log and rested her chin against a fist that was still somewhat shaky. She sat in the quiet of the forest, thinking hard and long about the state of her world.

The thoughts wandered back a few days to the night in the tavern, and without realizing it she frowned. Fast forward to the present night. It occurred to her that since the night of the Mazewood outing, tonight was the first human contact that she'd had that lasted more than a few moments. Did tipping stable-hands and innkeepers count as human interaction? With a sigh, she realized that it probably didn't.

Humans hurt each other. Who cares about them? I love my pets, and the wildlings. I don't need people! Then another part of her mind spoke up and demanded to know if that were true, why did she ditch her plans to check on the animal at Steeds, and go along with the healing party? It was a question she could find no answer to. It was in this moment that she realized how very lonely she was, and that she perpetuated her loneliness by trying to convince herself that she was a rock. An island unto herself.

Independent. Free from the hurts of humanity.

But she knew she wasn't free. That hurt followed her every waking moment, and by pretending it wasn't so only made it worse.

The big question was, what to do now?

Her shaking fist fell away, and she hung her head and cried. Sobs tore from her throat and the tears streaked her dirty face. Though she'd never admit it to herself or anybody else, it was cathartic and very healing. It was the snort against her cheek that brought her around. There stood Lasombra, nuzzling her face and trying to cheer its mistress. Zeyla stood and wrapped her arms around the animal's massive neck.

And cried some more.