Clavott wasn't exactly sure as to why he was here. He looked upwards, toward the heavens; and as he did so, a feather-light snowflake landed teasingly on his nose.
Oh yes. That was why.
He had never seen snow like this two weeks ago. Now, however, it was all that constantly surrounded him, mounting ever higher. Great mounds of the pure white snow covered rooftops, signs, and even the shoulders of passerbys that swiftly stalked by, hugging themselves for warmth. The pearly sky was darkening, and rosy lights made homes appear to be on fire. The entire town was a paradise in white.
Smiling to himself, Clavott wrapped his cloak tighter around himself, and shuffled his boots through the knee-deep snow. He had a room at a nearby inn, and therefore nothing to worry about as other people began clamouring to get indoors. With a sigh that produced a great cloud of steam, he turned down a side street and into the nearby woods. Mountainous pine trees reached towards the sky, only to be pulled back down by piles of snow. Other trees sat completely bare.
He found what he was looking for quickly. A small open glen, nearly a perfect circle surrounded by trees. He reached for his-
Oh. He had left his violin in his room. Disheartened, he frowned- until he realized something. He didn't need an instrument to play. He rose his hands upwards, as though gripping an imaginary violin, and began to mime playing. However, the magic within him produced these notes aloud; and all of a sudden, he was playing an invisible- but very audible- violin to the darkening sky, and treating the snow to a soothing tune. Like the snow itself falling, he played, slow, delicate and beautiful. His warm honey eyes closed and an even warmer smile lit his face.
Esther was in her room at in her room in the inn. she smiled softly as she heard music. the sound was calming and made her want to go out and find the source of the sound.
she stood up from her bed and walked over to her closet to find something to wear. deciding that her floor length, black, velvet and wool dress would be warmest she pulled off her old cloths and put on the new dress. after doing that she brushed her hair with her mother's old brush and smiled softly. as she walked away from her closet and bed to leave the room ahe grabbed her black velvet cloak. she wrapped it around her as she walked down the stairs of the inn, and placed the hood upon her head as she walked out the door.
she started to walk towards the glen, following the sound of the music. soon she found a male and he seemed to be using magic to make the sound. playing an inaginary violin. she smiled softly and stood still behind a tree just listening to the music.
The sound wafted through the air like a pleasant smell, casting a drousy spell over the town. Clavott pulled the invisible bow back and forth slowly, feeling the strings drag against one another and hum. His fingers tapped the empty air, but provided sound regardless. He opened his eyes, gazing at his hands with a smile that could melt the snow at his feet. And that was when he noticed the strange, listening to his music.
With a final pull of the imaginary bow, the song finished, and Clavott turned to face the woman. He bowed. "I'm sorry.. I didn't see you there. Aren't you cold?"
she smiled softly and bowed back to show kindness. "No. I am not cold. thank you for asking. and that song was beautiful." she said softly and took a setp towards him.
as she walked the wind seemed to blow her hood off allowing her blod hair to whip out behing her and to have an affect of flying in the air. she looked around the area and then back at the male infront of her. smiling sweetly she said, "I am Esther." she stuck out her hand carefully, her eyes never leaving the male's eyes.
The wind picked up, and as it brushed soft snowy into the air and tugged the woman's long hair about, he couldn't help but feel some strange magic here. She, with her flowing gown and elegant grace, seemed a much higher class than him. With a happy nod he took her hand, and placed a gentle kiss upon it, and then straightened.
"I am Clavott," he replied. "And thank you. Even though I lack the instrument for it.." He laughed softly.
she giggled slightly at his comment and said, "no one is with out music as long as they can think of it and produce it." she released his hand and stood a few inches from him. she smiled softly and watched him, but her eyes had softened.
she never knew where she really belonged in the world nor the earth, but where she was at that point in time felt right. the cold wind continued to tug at her blond hair that kept her ears and a part of her face warm, now allowing the cold air to sting at her warmed flesh making it cold. she shivered lightly.
Clavott noticed her shiver. Now he felt bad; she had come at the voice of his music, and now the chilly winter air was making her pay for it.
"Here," he said quickly, removing his long cloak and draping it over her shoulders. Underneath he wore a simple, common green tunic shut with a dark leather belt, and a pair of tan breeches. The winter air hunted him now, but he didn't mind; it felt refreshing, and he had begun to get too warm anyways. Still, he folded his arms across his chest to keep a bit of that warmth.
"thank you." she said gently looking at him with thanks and longing in her eyes. she smiled softly at him then noticed the way he was dressed. "Aren't you cold?" she asked and huddled her self into the cloak and took a step towards him.
she then she added to her question, "do you live far from here?" her body had stopped shivering as she closed the gap between them and hugged him. she burried her face into his chest.
"I'm not cold," replied Clavott calmly. Well, that was a bit of a lie- the cold was beginning to sting his face a bit. But it didn't bother him as much as he thought it might. As Esther buried her face in his chest, he blinked, unsure of what to make of it, then said,
"I'm staying at an inn nearby. It's warmer there- maybe you would be more comfortable?" He didn't want it on his conscience that he would be responsible for creating the first ever woman icicle. It was getting dark as well, and he was not aware of what lived in these forests.
"are you sure about that comment about not being cold?" she asked and took a few steps away. "i also live in a near-by inn. it's not to far from her. mabey we shall go?" she looked at him and started to walk over the hills of snow.
the weather was starting to change. the air became colder and the sky filled with dark, violent clouds. indicating a possibal storm. "i think we should get inside soon. i looks like we are going to get a storm. a nasty one at that." she looked back to him and held out one of her small hands for him to take.
Clavott nodded at her comment about the storm- the winds were picking up steadily- and took her small hand in his. Though his hands were a little large and bony, they seemed gentle and soft.
Walking close beside Esther, Clavott smiled and gazed up at the clouds. "They're still beautiful, though," he murmured. Looking at the distance towards the town, he pointed to a average-sized, well-lit inn that shone like a ruby in the snow. "Is that your inn?" It was his, at least.
she smiled softly when he took her hand. his were a little bigger than hers, but were nice and soft. she walked at a slow pace and kept the glance ahead of them.
"yes the coulds are beautiful. if only they didn't bring such a storm they would be even better." she smiled slightly and soon saw her inn. when he asked a question she relied, "Yes that is the inn that i live in." she looked back at him and stopped when they had reached the door. "I take it you live here as well." she said softly and reached to open the door, dropping his hand that held hers so warmly.
He smiled. "Yes, I do. For now, at least." When Esther opened the door, he followed her inside, feeling a pleasant rush of warm air hit his face. It was nearly empty within the inn, except for a few men sitting at a table near a roaring fireplace. Stairs at the back of the room led up to the second floor, where rented rooms sat.
Clavott rubbed his hands together, trying to fend away the chills that began to grow unpleasant. He looked at Esther, searching her rose face. "Does this feel better?"
she smiled slightly as she felt the warmth and entered into the inn. she looked at the fire and walked over to it. she spreaded her hands before the warmth in an attempt to get them warm. she looked back at Clavott and said, "yes the warmth feels better. what room is yours?" she said/asked and soon put her gaze back to the fire.
"It's up the stairs. The first door on your left." His honey coloured eyes watched the fire as well, watching it dance and hearing in his mind the music it could make; energetic and flamboyant. It warmed his heart.
Clavott hesitated, and then remembered; "Maybe you could return my cloak to me when you're finished with it?"
"mine is on the last door to the right. so we aren't far from eachother. and yes I will return your cloak back to you." she said softy and removed it from her body.
she also took off hers and revieled her dress and held her cloak in her arm. she looked around the room that they were in and noticed a couple of males playing cards and talking and some drinking.
Clavott watched the woman, noticing her elven ears. He admired elves; they moved with grace and ageless beauty, fitting within the fabric of nature with ease. He envied them, in a way; at least with their noticable features, they knew what they were. He had no clue as to what he was.
He hesitated, then offered her his hand once more. "Maybe I should escort you to your room?"
she smiled slightly and brushed her blond hair behind her pointed ear. she looked at him and looked into his eyes when he had spoke to try and see if he was hiding anything.
she smiled once again and shoke her head and clasped her hand in his. "sure." she replied to him.
Clavott nodded and then, taking in slow stride with Esther, led her towards the stairs. A few of the men looked up from their half-emptied mugs, but made no remark.
As they climbed the stairs, Clavott looked down at the elf, her blonde hair draping over his shoulder, and asked, "Where are you from, if you don't mind my asking? I've never been to an elf village or anything of the sort." They reached the top of the stairs, continuing down a long and narrow hall built from rosy wood.
she walked with him not caring about the humans that watched them. she could hear their questioning remarks as they walked.
when they reached the top of the stairs she replied to his questions, "I don't actually remember where i was from. I know it was in the mountians though. my village was not that peaceful. we were always being attacked. i was actually supposed to bring my village peace, but ended up killing them all. I have lived in the woods for some time now. doing nothing."
she sighed softly as they reached her door. reaching into her bodice she pulled out her key and opened her door. "you are more than welcome to stay if you wish. or you can go to your room and come back." she said as she hung her cloak in her closet next to about five others of all colors.
At the mention of the incident, Clavott winced slightly, picturing the sight in his head. She slaughtered an entire village? He cast a sideways glance at Esther. She didn't seem at all like one who would do such a thing, on purpose, at least.
Welcome to stay? He looked around the room curiously. It was warm and comfortably, and nicely furnished. It was more lavish than his room, at least. He smiled at Esther. He wished to know more about this elf. "If you don't mind.." He hovered at the doorway, a little shy.
"i do not mind. and i know that you are thinking that i killed my villiage. am i correct?" she asked and walked over to her table and sat down in one of the chairs. "please come here and sit down."
she smiled softly at his actiona and hoped that he didn't fear her for any reason.
Clavott blinked, then strolled into the room slowly, closing the door silently behind him. His eyes never leaving hers, he sat opposite of her at the table.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean-" He paused, very curious now. "What happened?" he asked, innocently enough.
she smiled slightly and watched as he closed the door and crossed the room. his eyes seemed to never leave hers, nor did hers ever leave his.
then she dropped her gaze and started to speak, "I't is alright. I will tell you what happened." she paused and took a deep sigh as if it were painful to remember, then she continued, "when I was about 13years old or so, I was told that i would restore peace between a village that attacked us often. i was told that I would be marring the leader's son. My brother didn't like the idea one bit. But who could blame him. I was concidered my village's most beautiful girl, and my brother was protective of me. so, when the man came to clame me. my brother, my dear sweet brother, attacked him. They fought for what seemed hours. And soon they both were in a nother place. they had killed eachother. The man's father was angered and killed everyone else in the village, except me. I remember his last words to me, he said, 'I am leaving you alive. So that you can remember what you have done.' i ran into the woods and lived there. And now here I am." she took a deep breathy and kept her gaze to the table. a single tear rolled down her cheek then dropped to the table.
As Clavott listened quietly to her story, he felt an overwhelming sorrow grip him. This beautiful elf woman, sitting so near him, had such a completely different life, different experiences. A mixture of guilt and pity rose within him; guilt that he should have such an easier life and pity that such a travesty should ever happen to a woman so pure. After a pause, he leaned forward, and with a single, soft touch, lifted away the trail of that solitary tear on her cheek.
Only after doing so, did he seem to notice he had been a little innappropriate. His father had always punished him for treating people of higher status like ordinary people- but he could not help himself. All were equal, in his eyes. Still, feeling a tad ashamed of himself for forgetting this, he sat back in his chair and rest his arm on the table.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, both for the action and for her story.
"for what. the story that I have just told or you lifting away the tear? either i do not mind. the story is my past, that i must leave behind. Thank you." she said softly and looked around slowly.
soon after she looked back at him and asked, "What was your home like?" she cocked her head to the side slightly.
Clavott perked up at the question, knowing the perfect answer.
"Well.. It had wheels."
With a bright smile, he explained. "I grew up on a caravan, really. Moving from town to town. My father- he was a merchant. He and his merchant group, they.. they found me on the road when I was young, and, not sure of where I had come from, they took me in as their own. I just played music for them on the long roads."
Looking down at his hand, Esther's tears still glistening upon his index finger, he pressed three fingers down up on the table. A few notes, a chord from a nonexistant piano, played out into the air; and when he lifted his fingers, the sound vanished.
"It's.. natural, for me." He continued to press down upon the table as though it were a piano, his fingers traveling up and down the keys that were not there. A soft, sweeping lullaby.
"oh. wow." she said amazed that he could creat music just with his hands and fingers. "you have no idea where you came from either then."
she sat back in her chair and gently closed her eyes listening to the music that he was playing.
(OOC: For an idea of what he's playing, try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AC47QeO ... re=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AC47QeOvj8&feature=related) )
Suddenly feeling the music flow through him, just as it had in the snow covered clearing earlier, Clavott's hand began to travel faster, more smoothly. He raised his other hand from his lap, accompanying the melody softly. Like the gentle falling snow outside, or the warmth of the fire inside, he played.
He looked up over his hands, toward Esther. As though reading her soul, he let her own story play through his fingertips- and it was heartbreaking. Each note anticipated the next delicately. He slowed, then stopped, wishing to say he was sorry.. but the words couldn't fall past his lips.
she reopened her eyes when he stoped and smiled gently at him. "That was beautiful." she smiled and looked out her window where it was snowing lightly. she looked back at him and asked, "Would you like anything to eat or drink?"
She stood up and waited for his reply.
"Oh.. A water might be nice.." Clavott stood to help her, and was welcomed with a dizzying rush to the head. He stumbled slightly. He hadn't realized how much magic he had just used, and was now feeling the repercussions. The violin in the clearing, and now the piano- it made his limbs shake.
With a shy smile, he sat back down, slowly this time. "Sorry," he muttered for the multiple time that night. "A- A water, if it's no trouble?"
she smiled softly as he replied that he would like water and went to walk from the table to fetch it. her expression suddenly changed when she saw that his limbs shoke lighly, and then he sat down.
"'Tiz not trouble at all." she said softly and grabbed two glases and a pitchure of water. she placed them both upon the table and poured them both a glass. she then placed the pitchure down onto the table and sat in her chair, giving him his glass and then taking hers.
"So. what do you do for fun?" she asked trying to start a conversation.
"Thank you." Clavott slid a hand casually across the table and grasped the second glass, feeling pleasantly cool. At her question, he took a sip, and replied, "Can't you guess?" placing one hand on the table and trilling a note with two fingers.
"Music.. is really all I have." He was watching his glass now with mild interest, not truly watching the water or the slight frost on the cup. "It's all I've ever had, really, and.. All I ever will have, probably." He traced small designs on the frosted glass, before looking back at Esther.
"I'm sorry. I'm not very interesting." He smiled apologetically. "What of yourself?"
"no it is fine. i am of no intrest myself." she said with a slight laugh and watched as his fingers made noise. her gaze then went back to his eyes as she spoke, "I am usually out riding my horse, but in a storm i try not to." she missed her horse and relized that she would have to find her soon.
sighing she stood up and walked to the window. she leaned against the wall and whispered gently, "Laiah, where are you?" she looked out the window with her elven eyes to try and find her horse, but since it is white she could not.
Clavott watched her curiously, and followed her gaze through the window, staring unfocused at the hazy white air. Winds had begun to arise from seemingly nowhere, tossing what few people who still remained outdoors like ragdolls. He heard her gentle whisper faintly on the edge of his hearing, and looked at her with an expression of genuine sympathy.
"You're horse.. is missing?" He smiled sadly, as if to offer hope or reassurance. "If that is the problem, I would be more than willing to help you find her."
"yes she is missing. She had went after a stallion and I have not seen her for a few weeks. I would like it very much if you helped me. thank you. we shall go when the wind dies down and the storm is over." she said gently coming away from the window.
she sat back down and started to laugh lightly. "she is pure white and will blend in."
Clavott groaned, a bit playfully, reaching his hand up to run his long fingers through his hair. "Wonderful. Maybe if I played her a song, she might come out?"
He watched Esther for a moment, then smiled, somewhat bashful. "Thank you. I.. I haven't had company for a long while. People don't usually care for spending time with the musicians; it's often a song, and then people are gone." His smiled faded slightly, his expression forlorn. "People are like that," he sighed. "Like songs. They come and go."
she smiled softly and spoke, "mabey she will come out with a song. i use to play for her all the time, but then stopped. i don't remember why i stopped." she sighed softly and went to her kitchen counter and retreved an apple form the basket and took a bite. "want one?" she asked.
His eyes brightened. "Play? What did you play?" He stared at the colourful red and green apples in the basket by Esther, and shook his head gently. "And no, thank you." He took a sip from his glass, watching the elf woman over the rim of the cup.
"i use to play the flute as well as the violin." she said softly and smiled. she bit into the apple. munching slowly on it as silence filled the area. her bites became slower. then she started to laugh for no reason.
when she had stopped she placed the apple core in a small cloth bag and sat down at the table, her eyes never left him.
Clavott watched Esther curiously as she began to laugh; as to why, he had no clue. His eyes focused on hers, intensely blue, like the southern oceans.
"What is so funny?" he asked with a sly smile.
"i'm sorry. i do not know what just came over me." she said softly and looked towards the window. the snow had started to stop and was coming down very slowly.
"I't looks like the snow is starting to stop." she said and smiled bring her gaze back to him.
Clavott glanced out the window, and his smile immediately grew. "So it has!" he exclaimed, filled with a sudden warmth. Excited now, he stood and held an outstretched hand out to Esther.
"We can search for your horse now. I'm sure it can't be far."
"oh, i wouldn't put it past my mare to get far." she said with a slight laugh. her mare was one of a kind and not at all afraid to take on a challenge.
she stood up and walked over to gather her and his cloaks. she handed him his and placed hers around her sholders. next she grabbed her flute from its case and opened her door. waiting for him to follow.
Clavott accepted his cloak from her and wrapped it around his shoulders as well, buckling it shut to protect him from the chilly winds. He admired her flute as its shining keys reflected light into his face.
"That is beautiful," he said, pointing at the instrument as he followed her out of the door. "Wherever did you get it?"
"my mother had made if for me out of the trunk of an oak tree." she said softly and held her wooden flute close to her body as she stepped out of her room. she shutted the door and locked it, placing the key back in her bodice.
she walked down the stairs and opened the main entrance to the inn and walked out into the snow. she looked up into the air and let a whistle escape from her lips. "Now my mare is pure white, and on top of it she is not that much of a horse that you might know. her name is Laiah in case you forgot." she sighed softly and thought of her mare, Laiah, a rather sad excuse for an unicorn.
"Laiah," Clavott repeated in a whisper, to remind himself. The winds carried his voice away. He wrapped his cloak around his shoulders tightly, walking beside Esther to protect her from the harsher winds.
He smiled warmly, glancing at the pearly heavens. "Maybe you should dye your horse!" he suggested over the howling wind. The thought of a purple mare made him chuckle. Drawing a deep breath of cool air, he looked up and down the bare street, hugging himself for warmth.
"Where can we start?"
she smiled softly as he spoke her horse's name in a soften whisper and allowed herself to look at the world before her.
she started to laugh. her soft melodic laugh that was usually calming, at his statement. "and what color shall i dye my whorse?" she asked and glanced at him. her eyes were soft. she noticed he was cold and quickly relplied to his question, "aye. let us go before we catch our death from the cold." and with that she started to walk towards where she hoped her horse was.