"New shoots are finally sprouting. The stalks should be a vibrant jade green come the end of this year." Gently his fingers ran along the mature stalks of bamboo that had managed to survive the sudden withering that came over all plant life. No one truly knew why, but one day every plant started rapidly wilting. The rain spirit had thought it was due to drought, but when clouds and rain weren't able to revive them, it was clear something terrible was happening. Mircea could only watch helplessly as his century-old bamboo grove and carefully tended water lilies were dying before him. If this was to continue, then his koi who lived in the same pond with the aquatic plants would slowly suffocate. When they started to revive, he was greatly relieved and wasted no time in giving them what they needed to grow. Finally after several long weeks of tireless care, his garden was back to its former vibrant self. Though the renovations of his late master's estate were completed, this garden was a little piece of Ataiyo transplanted in Arri. It had been ages since he left that land, and he patiently awaited for the day he could return on his own accord. The death of a spirit's master did not always result in the dissolution of the contract, but Mircea never complained. Now that he had no more work to do, the loneliness was making itself more present with the passing days.

A walk outside the estate walls would do him good, he thought to himself. With his parasol in hand, the rain spirit traveled to the desert nation's capital to buy a few things. Rain spirits such like himself rarely stayed in one place for so long, as their own presence over extended periods of time would cause more problems than good. Flooding, soil erosion, and wood rot were just a few. It was not good for a place to have too much rain. Arri was an exception–being in a desert meant water was always in great demand. And as long as the rain showers were spaced out evenly, he would not overstay his welcome. Today was one of the rare instances when a sudden bout of precipitation sprinkled the city while the sun was bright. Raising his head to the sky, Mircea lowered his umbrella and let the rain fall on his face. Closing his eyes, he breathed in the scent of petrichor until the sunshower ended. Unlike most, he didn't mind the rain. It was a happy thing, not something to be loathed. The brushes and inkstones he had just purchased were safely wrapped up, staying dry.

Whenever he stood in the rain, it would bring back nostalgia and wonderful memories. Memories of days when people sang and danced when they called for him, when they hung little dolls with their wishes in the heat of Ignius. When a passing cloud went over the fields and farmers laughed as cool showers washed away the heat for a while, their joyful exclamations made his heart glad. Even if he was no longer bound, he would still stay here. This was a place where people welcomed the rain. Continuing where he had stopped, Mircea hummed an old tune under his breath as he raised his parasol to shield him from the sun.

The confidence was slowly building in Alairia as she was getting more accustomed the world and how she was to interact with it. There was a trip that she had decided to take on her own, and knew that her family would not be pleased with that. She knew also that Raith would be rather upset that she had decided to leave without him at her side. The newly blinded elf needed to build up her own self-worth on her own. It was difficult journey to deal with all the emotional torment that came as a side effect of the torture done by Xy. The dragoness had accomplished her goal even if they were not murdered in the end.

Alairia exhaled heavily as if it would expel all of her negative emotions. Long blond hair was let loose along her back, but was kept close to her head by the blinder silver circlet that covered her damaged eyes. Elven ears were still visible, as the circlet was designed to be comfortable for her despite the look of it. She kept a hand on the shoulders of her large black shepherd’s back. The dog was large for its breed, but it had quickly attached to the elf in an effort to help with her disability. Ky had been a gift from her brother, Dae. Dae knew that she would not speak of the inconveniences that she was dealing with. It was always Ria’s effort to keep a smile on her face for her family to make sure their worry was not too elevated. Her brother could read her better than anyone else. There was always a playful grin on his face as he had grown, but always was he watching his sister. Ria had always been the outgoing as well as naïve type. Now her ability to move about was heavily restrained or dependent on someone else being there. It would take her a while to be as independent as Raith with his blindness. In that, Dae had found a large black shepherd dog to be her seeing-eye dog. Upon getting him, there had been a light returned to her features.

Fingers curled into his soft fur as he led her through the streets. Sularia was a new location for Ria to explore. She had no frame of reference to what it all looked like, which allowed her to explore with new senses. Though the way Ria had come to lose her sight had been terrifying, she would not let it bar her from enjoying the world. The interaction would only be different.

There was a slight breeze and coolness to the air that gave notice to potential rain. Many seemed to talk in hushed tones that were laced with excitement. The desert city saw little of rain, and it was a small celebration when they did get it. Ria smiled down at Ky as he maneuvered through the crowds to bring her a more secluded area. It was there that she could appreciate the sounds and feel of the city.

Sniffing the air she realized that there was another person nearby. Ria shifted her feet, which Ky followed suit. The dog realized where she wanted to go and took her to the young man that was humming to himself. ”Excuse me, but what tune is that you are singing? It is lovely.” She kept her hand on Ky to give her direction, but a large smile was spread across her face. Alairia wanted to expand her world, and the humming man smelled like rain. It made her feel comforted.

A young voice came to his ears, and he opened his eyes to see a girl with a great dog at her side. His face naturally smiled, yet he found it curious that she had an unusual circlet that covered her eyes. Though that itself was not so strange to a spirit, as he had seen spirits who had human-like forms with no eyes on their 'faces'. Mircea did not know how old she was, though everyone seemed to be young to him. As for his own age, nature spirits like himself hardly concerned themselves with such things. Her question brought joy to the rain spirit's heart. How long had it been since a stranger had asked him of something like this? To her, he said: "It is an old folk song, a planting song the farmers would sing in a faraway land. Would you like me to sing it to you? I can translate it into a language which you would be more familiar with." Looking down at the dog he asked its owner, "What a lively face! How old is he? I was never good at guessing ages."

"This song is a fond memory of mine. Every year at the end of Terra they would sing as they cut furrows in the ground with their plows with their oxen. All across the fields, you can hear their voices ring in the early morning air as they called for the fabled rain-birds to fly over them and grant them a good harvest. It is usually performed again in the heat of Ignius with strings of bells, but I only have with me a drum and flute." There was a hint of disappointment from him, as the young girl wouldn't be able to experience the song in its full glory. But if she desired to hear it, then the instruments he had would have to do. If she could not see, then at least she could behold the sound. "I will do my best to imitate their song's vigor, forgive me if my voice falters." 


 

Patiently, Alairia waited for the hummer to respond to her question. She still found it difficult at times not having the ability to see her surroundings. Ky leaned into her leg slightly to give an indication that the person was indeed there as she had assumed. The woman still couldn’t figure out how Raith was able to do this for his entire life. A light smile curved on his lips as she thought of her mate, though she had left him behind at home. He would not be pleased.

Her attention was bought back to the present as the man answered her question with enthusiasm. The elf’s face broke into a wide smile at his tone. He seemed rather friendly from the sound of it. Not only did she notice that, but the aura that he was putting off was different from what she was used to. Either way, Alairia was glad to have run into him instead of the normal interactions of a market place or such. She sprawled her hand through Ky’s thick warm fur as she listened to the man. ”That is a lovely song. I have never heard anything as its like. I would very much enjoy hearing you sing it in full.”

Alairia turned her head down to ‘look’ at Ky as the dog tilted his head toward the stranger. He was a dog with great capacity, if not a little vain for the attention he enjoyed getting while guiding Ria through the world. A light pup smile was on his maw as he panted slightly in an attempt to get more praise. ”This young man is Ky. He is only a year old, though I just was gifted him a month or so ago to help with maneuvering through everything. My blindness is still relatively new.” The last bit was said with a light laugh as she had come to terms with her condition.

”I’m unfamiliar with those places you are mentioning, but I can only imagine how wonderful it would sound all together.” Ria tapped Ky three times on his shoulder and he lightly nudged her towards where a bench was available for her to sit down a listen to the rendition the man was to give. Hands were folded carefully in her lap as she listened to him sing. Her head tilted down slightly while listening to his voice.

When the song was done, Ria clapped gently as she smiled toward him. ’That was lovely. Thank you for that. Now that I can’t see, my other senses are more sensitive. I was able to hear all that you were putting into it.” She extend her hand out to shake his in greeting. ”My name is Alairia. Again, this is Ky. It is a pleasure and honor to meet you sir. Thank you for taking some time to speak with a stranger such as myself.”