Syrena

let the water take me

Another joins (of course, they always do), though this one smells like the Falls as well. Like water and vegetation, a smell that’s quickly becoming once again familiar to the seal-gray mare. She’d called the Falls home once before, briefly, before disappearing back to her nomadic ways. It was tiring and difficult, this staying in one place. She grew restless too easily, a lifetime of wandering suddenly leaving her trapped. It was far harder than simply picking up and moving to the next exotic location.

Instead, she journey’s from the Falls to the Threshold, again and again, her legs refusing to stay still. Not that she’s any good at this recruiting thing, and of all the possible representatives of the Falls, she’s one of the least qualified. This Vu, however, is dainty and pretty and her voice is sweet and her eyes seem kind enough. She’s the type of mare you want out in the field. Not Syrena. With her lack of emotion and her deadpan voice and her half-assed smile (she is trying, this is just the best she can muster).

It’s not so much that she doesn’t care about the others in Helovia. The problem, really, is that this is not the life she once had. This is not the life she wants. And it is hard to stomach the reality of standing here exchanging pleasantries (something she hates, it’s a waste of time). So damn hard.

The other mare has few words. She offers a name and the word understand in their language. Her words, when they do come, flow is something that sounds a lot whole like gibberish. Though Vu seems to understand (of course she does, she seems like she’d make an effort). Syrena tries to look pleasantly interested, though probably fails, but soon enough the pretty little Pegasus is speaking again and asking questions. And at least Syrena can handle answering questions.

“The Threshold is where everyone comes when they first find Helovia. It’s a place for recruiting, mostly. Though you can choose to simply make your own way here, if you prefer.” Hell, even those that didn’t live in a herd were out and about here, recruiting for their own causes. Whatever those were. What were any of their causes, really? To live, to do something, and then to die. What a pathetic existence.

It was her existence now. Not that she could come to terms with it.

“There are four herds in Helovia, and each are slightly different, though I won’t pretend to know much about the others. The Falls accepts all species of horse,” a fact probably made obvious by the fact an equine and hybrid sea creature were both willing to recruit a Pegasus, but whatever, she’s answering the question. Take it, even if it’s obvious. “If you choose to live in the Falls, you’ll be asked to pick a job – healer, warrior, thief, crafter, or storyteller. That choice is yours, but everyone is expected to contribute.” She pauses, having been very matter of fact in that reply. She’s good at matter of fact. She’s bad at ‘oh it’s pretty’, but she figures that might be worth something. “The waterfalls, for which the kingdom gets it name, are rather lovely as well.”

"words"