To Break a Soul
Illustrations of a Narrative World
Claiming an identity is something that I have struggled with over the years. I am an artist and a writer. Another important part of my identity and heritage is that I am part Native American, Chippewa in the Bad River Band. The older I get, the more confused I become on who I am. As a child I grew up with strong influences of knowing who I was, and being proud of my heritage. When I lost family members, I also lost connections to my heritage. Struggling with my identity, anxiety and depression, I looked to something that was for sure mine, my imagination. I started to create stories. To Break a Soul is a fictional work, created under my pen name, Emira J. S. This narrative world was imagined over several years, along with two close friends; Emily Wojtowicz and Jordan Schwarz. Together we came up with the idea of a new world, a complex sci-fi fantasy story that follows several characters on a journey through a tumultuous magical world on the brink of war.
As a creative writer, this story is what I think about and work on nearly every day. As an artist, I am often visualizing parts of this fantasy world. This exhibit is a series of images, depicting animal characters from that story: Madgaar, Lilyanna, Benihemae, Lilac, Icesella, Vivienne, Jordan, T.L., and Vulrina. Hidden within each image, are smaller images revealing the personality of each of the characters. These symbolic animal portraits can be seen as a whole from far away, but as one moves closer the details blossom. My creative process includes sketching on paper, then working digitally, using a program called Krita. Once I had the basic sketches, I began to fill the images with patterns, using a technique I’ve developed over the years, of letting the pen go, with simple lines, curves and circles to create a pattern. In a way, these patterns represent the layers and complex relationship I have with my cultural heritage. Each image is paired here with an excerpt from the story, To Break a Soul.
As a creative writer, this story is what I think about and work on nearly every day. As an artist, I am often visualizing parts of this fantasy world. This exhibit is a series of images, depicting animal characters from that story: Madgaar, Lilyanna, Benihemae, Lilac, Icesella, Vivienne, Jordan, T.L., and Vulrina. Hidden within each image, are smaller images revealing the personality of each of the characters. These symbolic animal portraits can be seen as a whole from far away, but as one moves closer the details blossom. My creative process includes sketching on paper, then working digitally, using a program called Krita. Once I had the basic sketches, I began to fill the images with patterns, using a technique I’ve developed over the years, of letting the pen go, with simple lines, curves and circles to create a pattern. In a way, these patterns represent the layers and complex relationship I have with my cultural heritage. Each image is paired here with an excerpt from the story, To Break a Soul.
to learn more about each character, click on their name.
Madgaar
Charles paced back and forth across the room, bouncing his arms gently. The crying wouldn’t stop. “Shhh” He whispered, his voice cracking. “I can’t, I can’t do this, I don’t know what to do.” Charles hissed through gritted teeth.
The bundle in his arms continued to scream.
“I’ve gone too far this time. I’ve messed up, I’ve really messed up.” Charles stopped readjusting so the baby rested against his shoulder. It only wailed louder, tossing it's weak head back in protest. “Please, you must help me! Tell me what to do!” Charles screeched, a wetness dripped down his face.
The lanky figure leaning against the fireplace mantle sighed, “Charles, pull yourself together.”
“No!” He shouted angrily, “You don’t understand! I can’t do this!” His chest tightened, the gala’s events had not gone the way he planned, “I can’t do this with-out her.” The room spun, Charles' chest heaved as he fought back sobs.
“You can get her back, Charles.” The dark voice soothed, “But not as a sobbing mess, pull yourself together.”
“You’re right, you’re right.” Charles muttered, glancing to his reflection above the fireplace. The man that stood was greyed and gaunt, eyes dark and sunken, blood splattered across his face. Charles stared silently, watching the stranger gazing back at him. Slowly he reached up and wiped away the blood from his face. “I have to make up for what I’ve done.”
The shrill cry of the baby broke his concentration, yanking him back to reality. In a panic Charles pulled the child away from his chest, Repositioned and began to bounce once again, in an effort to calm her.
The bundle in his arms continued to scream.
“I’ve gone too far this time. I’ve messed up, I’ve really messed up.” Charles stopped readjusting so the baby rested against his shoulder. It only wailed louder, tossing it's weak head back in protest. “Please, you must help me! Tell me what to do!” Charles screeched, a wetness dripped down his face.
The lanky figure leaning against the fireplace mantle sighed, “Charles, pull yourself together.”
“No!” He shouted angrily, “You don’t understand! I can’t do this!” His chest tightened, the gala’s events had not gone the way he planned, “I can’t do this with-out her.” The room spun, Charles' chest heaved as he fought back sobs.
“You can get her back, Charles.” The dark voice soothed, “But not as a sobbing mess, pull yourself together.”
“You’re right, you’re right.” Charles muttered, glancing to his reflection above the fireplace. The man that stood was greyed and gaunt, eyes dark and sunken, blood splattered across his face. Charles stared silently, watching the stranger gazing back at him. Slowly he reached up and wiped away the blood from his face. “I have to make up for what I’ve done.”
The shrill cry of the baby broke his concentration, yanking him back to reality. In a panic Charles pulled the child away from his chest, Repositioned and began to bounce once again, in an effort to calm her.
Lilyanna
Her father’s metal sword clanged loudly against the marble floor. Yet it sounded like it was thousands of miles away. The sword slid coming to a stop a meer foot away from Lilyanna. She could barely feel her body, her arms were going numb from the guards that held them behind her. She swayed on uneasy feet, and watched helplessly.
“Here we are at last Illios,” Madgaar growled, after disarming the king. Illios kneeled on the ground in front of him, defeated.
Princess Lilyanna couldn’t believe her eyes. Her father was never one to give up, let alone admit defeat. She watched in horror as Madgaar raised his own sword, preparing to strike. ‘Where were their guards! Where was Andrew!’ Lilyanna’s mind raced. She glanced at her mother, who was forced to her knees, and sobbing.
“Go on then,” Illois insisted, “Kill me”
“No!” Lilyanna shrieked, a wave of quintessence, blasted the guards away from her. She grabbed the sword and rushed in-between her father and Madgaar. Lilyanna’s knees buckled as Madgaar’s sword crashed down against hers.
“Oh dear little Lily-” Madgaar cooed through gritted teeth. His lilac colored eyes, blazed in a maddened fury.
Lilyanna focused using her own powers to help steady herself and push Madgaar’s sword back. Vines broke through the tiles, wrapping around Madgaar’s legs.
“I really wish you hadn’t,” Madgaar laughed as he pulled his sword back, in a bright burst of flames, the vine disintegrated, “gotten in the way.” Before Lilyanna could blink he plunged the sword forward. Blood splattered across the floor and Madgaar’s face.
The room was deadly quiet, Lilyanna waited, waiting for the immense pain to come. When it didn’t she realized the truth of what happened. Her mother’s golden dress stood in between them.
Maribella gasped and staggered forward, collapsing. Madgaar rushed forward grabbing the queen gently in his arms. “Oh Mari- I- I didn’t mean to,” He whispered. The queen’s paled skin brightened. Turning vibrant shades of blues and greens. Her body began to weep, slowly transforming into water. She reached a hand up caressing his face.
Lilyanna strained to listen, as her mother whispered something. Her own ears only rang loudly. Her throat stung as tears streamed down her face.
Maribella turned her head weakly towards Lilyanna, and gave one last smile before she turned into nothing more than a puddle of water.
“Here we are at last Illios,” Madgaar growled, after disarming the king. Illios kneeled on the ground in front of him, defeated.
Princess Lilyanna couldn’t believe her eyes. Her father was never one to give up, let alone admit defeat. She watched in horror as Madgaar raised his own sword, preparing to strike. ‘Where were their guards! Where was Andrew!’ Lilyanna’s mind raced. She glanced at her mother, who was forced to her knees, and sobbing.
“Go on then,” Illois insisted, “Kill me”
“No!” Lilyanna shrieked, a wave of quintessence, blasted the guards away from her. She grabbed the sword and rushed in-between her father and Madgaar. Lilyanna’s knees buckled as Madgaar’s sword crashed down against hers.
“Oh dear little Lily-” Madgaar cooed through gritted teeth. His lilac colored eyes, blazed in a maddened fury.
Lilyanna focused using her own powers to help steady herself and push Madgaar’s sword back. Vines broke through the tiles, wrapping around Madgaar’s legs.
“I really wish you hadn’t,” Madgaar laughed as he pulled his sword back, in a bright burst of flames, the vine disintegrated, “gotten in the way.” Before Lilyanna could blink he plunged the sword forward. Blood splattered across the floor and Madgaar’s face.
The room was deadly quiet, Lilyanna waited, waiting for the immense pain to come. When it didn’t she realized the truth of what happened. Her mother’s golden dress stood in between them.
Maribella gasped and staggered forward, collapsing. Madgaar rushed forward grabbing the queen gently in his arms. “Oh Mari- I- I didn’t mean to,” He whispered. The queen’s paled skin brightened. Turning vibrant shades of blues and greens. Her body began to weep, slowly transforming into water. She reached a hand up caressing his face.
Lilyanna strained to listen, as her mother whispered something. Her own ears only rang loudly. Her throat stung as tears streamed down her face.
Maribella turned her head weakly towards Lilyanna, and gave one last smile before she turned into nothing more than a puddle of water.
Benihemae
Lilyanna gazed gently down at the small baby in her arms. The baby kicked, babbling incoherently, her giant green eyes widened as she fell silent. Lilyanna furrowed her brow in concern something may be wrong. Relief washed over the new mother as the baby broke out into a wide smile and giggled.
“She is beautiful,” Alfior said, causing Lilyanna to jump. He held out his hands, “May I?”
“Of course,” Lilyanna quickly replied, gently passing the child to him. “Mind her head.”
Lilyanna watched Alfior closely, as he stood up straight. Benihemae sniffled in his arms, but was quickly soothed as Alfior gently bounced her.
“Hush now child, no need to cry, your Kryoux is here.” Alfior hummed softly, pressing his cheek against the top of her curly head. “Have you eaten, Lilyanna?”
Lilyanna shook her head. She had been busy taking care of her new daughter, and eating had somehow slipped her mind. With the thought of food, her stomach immediately growled impatiently. Lilyanna looked to her daughter in Alfior’s arms. She was sleeping soundly, Lilyanna felt as if something wasn’t right. Benihemae had been very fussy about going down for a nap for the past few days. She normally wouldn’t go down for another three hours. “Why do you ask?”
Alfior frowned, “Hm, well I have a meal prepared for you. I will watch her, you need to keep your strength up.” Alfior’s words were kind, but his tone was far from it. He wouldn’t care if she wasn’t Benihemae’s mother.
Lilyanna scoffed slightly, “I’m feeling rather fine…” Lilyanna lied, not wanting to leave her daughter. “What’s with the urgency?” Lilyanna asked, standing and moving towards Alfior.
“She has fallen asleep, would you rather be absent while she is awake?” His voice bordered a snarl, “Besides, you’ve hardly eaten much this week,” Alfior pause and smiled down at his daughter as she yawns and snuggled closer, “Besides, it’s the least I can do, you’ve done so much for her. I would like-” He paused, his voice was soft and sweet again, “I would like to take a moment to be with my daughter. If that’s alright with you?”
Lilyanna froze. She couldn’t say no. She had no reason to say no. The last thing Alfior would do is hurt Benihemae, but something was terribly wrong. Lilyanne knew it, but she didn’t know what. He was being kind. Alfior wanted nothing more than for Lilyanna to leave. Having her in his kingdom was a threat to everyone's safety here. He made sure to remind her of that fact every chance he could.
“Yes,” Lilyanna whispered, defeated as she walked past him, and into the small dining room.
“She is beautiful,” Alfior said, causing Lilyanna to jump. He held out his hands, “May I?”
“Of course,” Lilyanna quickly replied, gently passing the child to him. “Mind her head.”
Lilyanna watched Alfior closely, as he stood up straight. Benihemae sniffled in his arms, but was quickly soothed as Alfior gently bounced her.
“Hush now child, no need to cry, your Kryoux is here.” Alfior hummed softly, pressing his cheek against the top of her curly head. “Have you eaten, Lilyanna?”
Lilyanna shook her head. She had been busy taking care of her new daughter, and eating had somehow slipped her mind. With the thought of food, her stomach immediately growled impatiently. Lilyanna looked to her daughter in Alfior’s arms. She was sleeping soundly, Lilyanna felt as if something wasn’t right. Benihemae had been very fussy about going down for a nap for the past few days. She normally wouldn’t go down for another three hours. “Why do you ask?”
Alfior frowned, “Hm, well I have a meal prepared for you. I will watch her, you need to keep your strength up.” Alfior’s words were kind, but his tone was far from it. He wouldn’t care if she wasn’t Benihemae’s mother.
Lilyanna scoffed slightly, “I’m feeling rather fine…” Lilyanna lied, not wanting to leave her daughter. “What’s with the urgency?” Lilyanna asked, standing and moving towards Alfior.
“She has fallen asleep, would you rather be absent while she is awake?” His voice bordered a snarl, “Besides, you’ve hardly eaten much this week,” Alfior pause and smiled down at his daughter as she yawns and snuggled closer, “Besides, it’s the least I can do, you’ve done so much for her. I would like-” He paused, his voice was soft and sweet again, “I would like to take a moment to be with my daughter. If that’s alright with you?”
Lilyanna froze. She couldn’t say no. She had no reason to say no. The last thing Alfior would do is hurt Benihemae, but something was terribly wrong. Lilyanne knew it, but she didn’t know what. He was being kind. Alfior wanted nothing more than for Lilyanna to leave. Having her in his kingdom was a threat to everyone's safety here. He made sure to remind her of that fact every chance he could.
“Yes,” Lilyanna whispered, defeated as she walked past him, and into the small dining room.
Lilac
Lilyanna sat in the garden on a grimey stone bench. The plants that were planted were grey and thorny. She sighed, the thick smoggy sky and the ashen sandy ground made for a nearly barren landscape. Anything that survived, didn’t thrive.
“Lilay?” A heavily accented voice whispered, breaking the eerie silence, and echoing off the castle walls that enclosed the garden.
“Eleanor, it’s not good is it.” Lilyanna whispered back, her voice wavered.
The scrawny brown haired girl emerged from the shadows. Her metal arm creaked and groaned as the gears spun to make it work. “It looks like the island is slowly killing her. Since she’s so young, her body kinesis is so malleable. It's slowly destroying the cells, and her kinesis is attacking the body. Plus with her size…” Eleanor trailed off. She sat down next to Lilyanna and shivered slightly from the cool air.
Lilyanna looked down at the small creature no bigger than a rose that slept curled up in her hands. “My dear little Lilac,” the small figure stretched. His vibrant purple hair fell long down his back. Delicate wings like that of a butterfly protruded from the barren shoulder blades. Still damp and curled against his body.
“Ahmana, Ahmana!” He squeaked, “Why does your face leak.” He whimpered. Crawling on her hand towards the tattered sleeve of her dress.”
“Oh my brave little boy, Naylutae is no place for a fae, nor a child.” Lilyanna soothed, “You belong with your kind, with those who can take care of you.”
“What do you mean, Ahmana? I belong with you,” Lilac cheered, smiling brightly.
Lilyanna smiled through her tears, “Of course you do.”
Eleanor moved to the ground in front of Lilyanna, starting to draw symbols in the sand. The symbols glowed faintly and the sand began to spin. Flowers and ferns began to sprout in the circle of symbols.
“I promise I will find you again, Lilac. Please don’t forget me.” Lilyanna whispered. She stood and kissed the small fae on the head. She quickly and gently placed the small creature on a large blooming flower.
“Ahmana! Please no! Ahmana!” He screamed.
Lilyanna quickly pulled her hands away as Eleanor broke the circle. In an instant the bright green growths disappeared. The eerie silence filled the dying garden again.
“Lilay?” A heavily accented voice whispered, breaking the eerie silence, and echoing off the castle walls that enclosed the garden.
“Eleanor, it’s not good is it.” Lilyanna whispered back, her voice wavered.
The scrawny brown haired girl emerged from the shadows. Her metal arm creaked and groaned as the gears spun to make it work. “It looks like the island is slowly killing her. Since she’s so young, her body kinesis is so malleable. It's slowly destroying the cells, and her kinesis is attacking the body. Plus with her size…” Eleanor trailed off. She sat down next to Lilyanna and shivered slightly from the cool air.
Lilyanna looked down at the small creature no bigger than a rose that slept curled up in her hands. “My dear little Lilac,” the small figure stretched. His vibrant purple hair fell long down his back. Delicate wings like that of a butterfly protruded from the barren shoulder blades. Still damp and curled against his body.
“Ahmana, Ahmana!” He squeaked, “Why does your face leak.” He whimpered. Crawling on her hand towards the tattered sleeve of her dress.”
“Oh my brave little boy, Naylutae is no place for a fae, nor a child.” Lilyanna soothed, “You belong with your kind, with those who can take care of you.”
“What do you mean, Ahmana? I belong with you,” Lilac cheered, smiling brightly.
Lilyanna smiled through her tears, “Of course you do.”
Eleanor moved to the ground in front of Lilyanna, starting to draw symbols in the sand. The symbols glowed faintly and the sand began to spin. Flowers and ferns began to sprout in the circle of symbols.
“I promise I will find you again, Lilac. Please don’t forget me.” Lilyanna whispered. She stood and kissed the small fae on the head. She quickly and gently placed the small creature on a large blooming flower.
“Ahmana! Please no! Ahmana!” He screamed.
Lilyanna quickly pulled her hands away as Eleanor broke the circle. In an instant the bright green growths disappeared. The eerie silence filled the dying garden again.
Icesella
Icesella sat on the table in the dining, looking over a bunch of maps and invasion plans that she had been recently working on.
“Icesella! There’s newcomers!” Hannah shouted from the other end of the hall. “Senna made contact and they should be arriving shortly.”
“Thank you Hannah, would you go prepare a resting lodge for them? Have you seen Stark anywhere laity by the way?” Icesella asked, not looking up from her papers.
“Looking for me, snowflake?” Stark teased.
Icesella looked up to see her fiance standing directly in front of her. “Sorry, I guess I’ve just been stressing about getting the first Taviti. The division in the Nogreun has intel the Taviti is not only in the castle there, but that it's on display in Oleana’s throne room.”
“So much for a quick in and out mission, huh?” Stark sympathized looking at the castle plans.
“I think our best bet is to-” Icesella started, but the smell of strangers pulled her thoughts away, “They’re here.”
“I know,” Stark replied, he was on alert too. He stood, “We should greet them, you after all are our commander.”
The giant doors to the hall opened, Rohxie dressed in bright battle gear entered, followed by three others. Icesella instantly recognized the one from her scent. She was taller than the other two, her face round with a slight overbite. “Cryst?” Icesella whispered gently.
“You mean Cryst as in litter mate Cryst?” Stark asked, his eyebrow raised gently. “Who's the boy? He’s different, he couldn’t be could he?”
“Human, I thought I was imagining it.” Icesella replied, “The other girl, she isn’t human but she also isn’t Quiallian.”
“I don’t know what she is,” Stark replied, “But we better keep an eye on her.”
“Yes, well it’s time I introduced myself, and reunited with my sister.”
“Icesella! There’s newcomers!” Hannah shouted from the other end of the hall. “Senna made contact and they should be arriving shortly.”
“Thank you Hannah, would you go prepare a resting lodge for them? Have you seen Stark anywhere laity by the way?” Icesella asked, not looking up from her papers.
“Looking for me, snowflake?” Stark teased.
Icesella looked up to see her fiance standing directly in front of her. “Sorry, I guess I’ve just been stressing about getting the first Taviti. The division in the Nogreun has intel the Taviti is not only in the castle there, but that it's on display in Oleana’s throne room.”
“So much for a quick in and out mission, huh?” Stark sympathized looking at the castle plans.
“I think our best bet is to-” Icesella started, but the smell of strangers pulled her thoughts away, “They’re here.”
“I know,” Stark replied, he was on alert too. He stood, “We should greet them, you after all are our commander.”
The giant doors to the hall opened, Rohxie dressed in bright battle gear entered, followed by three others. Icesella instantly recognized the one from her scent. She was taller than the other two, her face round with a slight overbite. “Cryst?” Icesella whispered gently.
“You mean Cryst as in litter mate Cryst?” Stark asked, his eyebrow raised gently. “Who's the boy? He’s different, he couldn’t be could he?”
“Human, I thought I was imagining it.” Icesella replied, “The other girl, she isn’t human but she also isn’t Quiallian.”
“I don’t know what she is,” Stark replied, “But we better keep an eye on her.”
“Yes, well it’s time I introduced myself, and reunited with my sister.”
Jordan
He remembered voices and laughter echoing around him, until they were cut off by a loud bang. It was deafening. Like a roar of several cannons shot in unison, or that of a lion inside his mind. Screaming replaced the laughter. And then silence. He was surrounded by silence.
Who was screaming? Was that me? He thought faintly. Nothing. It was dark and cold, there was nothing.
What happened? Where am I? What's going on? He shot up with a start opening his eyes to a bright light. It stung. His head throbbed from sitting up too quickly, and his body ached to lay down to sleep again.
What the hell happened?
The world was quiet, not a sound. No whisper from the trees, no calls from the birds.
Have I gone deaf?
His own thoughts seemed to yell against the stillness of the world around him. He warily looked around as he fought his body to keep his eyes open. Unsure of how he managed to end up outside, let alone laying next to a lake and woods, he looked out at the vast water that stretched out to distant mountains. It was unsettling but he wasn’t sure what was more unsettling to him. The fact that he didn’t live near any mountains or how the water was still to the point it looked frozen yet the edge of the water moved against the sand as if it were breathing. And still it was silent. The water would swell slightly moving up the shore in one large movement and fall back slowly like the rise and fall of his own chest. He stared, watching the water rising and falling silently as his body woke up. Bit by bit he could start to feel his arms and legs, how cold they were. His head felt heavy like he was still asleep.
Am I dreaming? Was I drugged? Thoughts were slow and took effort. He glanced down at his hands that were holding him up, partially buried in the sand. The ashy sand was grey against his tanned skin. He lifted his hand out of the sand and looked at it, his fingers turning pink from the cold. “What happened?” He whispered his voice scratchy as if he hadn’t spoken in weeks. He slowly stood up and turned to look at the woods, the trees were leafless, twisted and gnarled. Their branches all turned towards the ground as if they were reaching out to grab anyone who passed under them. A fog thick and heavy spread around the bases of the trees making the woods seem even more grey. “ Where am I ?” He voiced again as he shivered from the cold air that wrapped his bare body. Before he could think another thought he hit the ground hard. The breath knocked from his lungs as the world spun quickly.
“DeeAh Vee Fae Fanvin Are Kay ous!” a woman’s voice cursed.
Who was screaming? Was that me? He thought faintly. Nothing. It was dark and cold, there was nothing.
What happened? Where am I? What's going on? He shot up with a start opening his eyes to a bright light. It stung. His head throbbed from sitting up too quickly, and his body ached to lay down to sleep again.
What the hell happened?
The world was quiet, not a sound. No whisper from the trees, no calls from the birds.
Have I gone deaf?
His own thoughts seemed to yell against the stillness of the world around him. He warily looked around as he fought his body to keep his eyes open. Unsure of how he managed to end up outside, let alone laying next to a lake and woods, he looked out at the vast water that stretched out to distant mountains. It was unsettling but he wasn’t sure what was more unsettling to him. The fact that he didn’t live near any mountains or how the water was still to the point it looked frozen yet the edge of the water moved against the sand as if it were breathing. And still it was silent. The water would swell slightly moving up the shore in one large movement and fall back slowly like the rise and fall of his own chest. He stared, watching the water rising and falling silently as his body woke up. Bit by bit he could start to feel his arms and legs, how cold they were. His head felt heavy like he was still asleep.
Am I dreaming? Was I drugged? Thoughts were slow and took effort. He glanced down at his hands that were holding him up, partially buried in the sand. The ashy sand was grey against his tanned skin. He lifted his hand out of the sand and looked at it, his fingers turning pink from the cold. “What happened?” He whispered his voice scratchy as if he hadn’t spoken in weeks. He slowly stood up and turned to look at the woods, the trees were leafless, twisted and gnarled. Their branches all turned towards the ground as if they were reaching out to grab anyone who passed under them. A fog thick and heavy spread around the bases of the trees making the woods seem even more grey. “ Where am I ?” He voiced again as he shivered from the cold air that wrapped his bare body. Before he could think another thought he hit the ground hard. The breath knocked from his lungs as the world spun quickly.
“DeeAh Vee Fae Fanvin Are Kay ous!” a woman’s voice cursed.
Vivienne
Fred drifted awake, Dr. Lorena was sitting in a chair beside his bed, a piece of metal in her lap. She was focused intently on the object, working on attaching a thin golden netting to the back of it. As his vision focused Fred recognized she was working on a mask. The mask Dr. Lorena wore was brilliant, a face of a phoenix, vibrant reds, oranges and purple metal feathers. Decorated with gold and jewels, it was a masterpiece. He wished to reach out and touch it, curious if the feathers were real with how much detail they had.
Fred glanced around the empty room and sighed. Dr. Lorena made no movements to acknowledge that she had heard him. He was beginning to get used to her body language. It was different, and often impersonal. The mask didn’t help. “Why do you wear the mask,” Fred asked sullenly.
Dr. Lorena muttered something he didn’t understand. Fred knew she was speaking Synsauli, for the sole reason because he couldn’t understand it. She spoke both Synsauli and English, although her English was odd and slightly different. “Because we all-”
“That’s not what I meant Dr. Lorena.” Fred quipped, “I, just, I’ve been here as long as I can remember, and you pretty much are the only person I see.” Dr. Lorena didn't respond. “I just want to see what you look like!” His voice raising. He didn’t like to yell, but he could barely control his emotions. He felt tears welling in his eyes, “Dr. Lorena, I want to know if you look like me.”
Dr. Lorena froze; she seemed to stare at him for a long moment. From behind the mask she was emotionless, he couldn’t even see her eyes. Bits of her messy brown hair stuck up from the straps of the mask.
“Please,” Fred whimpered. He watched as she finally moved, reaching a hand behind her head to grab at the strap. Fred stared in shock at the face that stared back at him. Her darkened face was scarred and slightly bruised. Her hair fell to just above her shoulders, it was uneven. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her eyes stared emptily back at him. “Dr. Lorena-” Fred swallowed uneasily. “Are you blind?” Her iris' a pale purple, but they had no pupil. Yet she seemed to stare right at him.
Fred glanced around the empty room and sighed. Dr. Lorena made no movements to acknowledge that she had heard him. He was beginning to get used to her body language. It was different, and often impersonal. The mask didn’t help. “Why do you wear the mask,” Fred asked sullenly.
Dr. Lorena muttered something he didn’t understand. Fred knew she was speaking Synsauli, for the sole reason because he couldn’t understand it. She spoke both Synsauli and English, although her English was odd and slightly different. “Because we all-”
“That’s not what I meant Dr. Lorena.” Fred quipped, “I, just, I’ve been here as long as I can remember, and you pretty much are the only person I see.” Dr. Lorena didn't respond. “I just want to see what you look like!” His voice raising. He didn’t like to yell, but he could barely control his emotions. He felt tears welling in his eyes, “Dr. Lorena, I want to know if you look like me.”
Dr. Lorena froze; she seemed to stare at him for a long moment. From behind the mask she was emotionless, he couldn’t even see her eyes. Bits of her messy brown hair stuck up from the straps of the mask.
“Please,” Fred whimpered. He watched as she finally moved, reaching a hand behind her head to grab at the strap. Fred stared in shock at the face that stared back at him. Her darkened face was scarred and slightly bruised. Her hair fell to just above her shoulders, it was uneven. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her eyes stared emptily back at him. “Dr. Lorena-” Fred swallowed uneasily. “Are you blind?” Her iris' a pale purple, but they had no pupil. Yet she seemed to stare right at him.
Vulrina
“How could you!” Vulrina roared, the large wooden door to the study flew open, and banged loudly against the wall.
“Rina darling, anger doesn’t suit you.” Madgaar’s cool voice soothed.
“How could you let her run off! She tries to run away, and instead of stopping her, you give her more supplies! Have you lost your mind!” Vulrina shouted, marching up to her father who sat calmly in a large chair near a dying fire.
“Rina,” Madgaar warned, “Anger doesn’t suit you, sit down and we can discuss this.” His dark lilac eyes flashed.
Vulrina felt like she was about to explode, first Ahmana died, then Nayari fell ill, now Vivienne. Vulrina collapsed on the floor by her fathers feet. “Kryoux, Please, I-I can’t lose her too.” Vulrina whimpered tears streaming down her face.
“Darling little Rina, You’re not going to lose Vivienne.”
Madgaar’s calm voice only angered her further, why didn’t he seem concerned. “She’s sick! Vivienne isn’t right in the mind! She’s delusional. Yet you let her run off with that- that boy!”
Madgaar chuckled slightly, “Vivienne will be alright, she can handle herself.”
“Why wouldn’t you tell me! Let me go with her!” Vulrina gasped standing up, looking into Madgaar’s darkened eyes.
“Because she wouldn’t want you to go with her, and it's better this way.”
“Better!” Vulrina screeched, starting to laugh incredulously, “How in Nalahiem is this better! Am I not good enough to go with? I’ve trained side by side with her since we both could walk!”
“Because she is delusional, you can’t go with her. You don’t believe in her mission.”
“Well her mission is idiotic and a delusion” Vulrina scoffed.
Madgaar nodded, “Exactly, which is why I’m having you follow her. I want you to be reporting only, no interference at all.” Vulrina opened her mouth to protest, but madgaar silenced her, with a glance, “I mean it, now go to bed, in the sunrise you will go after her.”
“Rina darling, anger doesn’t suit you.” Madgaar’s cool voice soothed.
“How could you let her run off! She tries to run away, and instead of stopping her, you give her more supplies! Have you lost your mind!” Vulrina shouted, marching up to her father who sat calmly in a large chair near a dying fire.
“Rina,” Madgaar warned, “Anger doesn’t suit you, sit down and we can discuss this.” His dark lilac eyes flashed.
Vulrina felt like she was about to explode, first Ahmana died, then Nayari fell ill, now Vivienne. Vulrina collapsed on the floor by her fathers feet. “Kryoux, Please, I-I can’t lose her too.” Vulrina whimpered tears streaming down her face.
“Darling little Rina, You’re not going to lose Vivienne.”
Madgaar’s calm voice only angered her further, why didn’t he seem concerned. “She’s sick! Vivienne isn’t right in the mind! She’s delusional. Yet you let her run off with that- that boy!”
Madgaar chuckled slightly, “Vivienne will be alright, she can handle herself.”
“Why wouldn’t you tell me! Let me go with her!” Vulrina gasped standing up, looking into Madgaar’s darkened eyes.
“Because she wouldn’t want you to go with her, and it's better this way.”
“Better!” Vulrina screeched, starting to laugh incredulously, “How in Nalahiem is this better! Am I not good enough to go with? I’ve trained side by side with her since we both could walk!”
“Because she is delusional, you can’t go with her. You don’t believe in her mission.”
“Well her mission is idiotic and a delusion” Vulrina scoffed.
Madgaar nodded, “Exactly, which is why I’m having you follow her. I want you to be reporting only, no interference at all.” Vulrina opened her mouth to protest, but madgaar silenced her, with a glance, “I mean it, now go to bed, in the sunrise you will go after her.”
Tainughryaiaxlaintigrinosium
Tigerlily
Jordan could smell smoke, but couldn’t see it through the thick greens of the jungle. He knew he was probably the last one to notice. Being the only human he was at a disadvantage. Everyone else had advanced olfactory senses. It was something he wasn’t used to but was getting better at understanding.
The hair pricked on the back of his neck as they made their way through the dense plants. Icesella was in lead, while Hannah took the tail end of the group. Vivienne and Cryst stood at his sides. Jordan glanced to Vivienne, she gripped her weapon tightly in her hand. She had noticed it.
Icesella held her hand up, and the group halted. Jordan watched as the girl who stood in front of him magically transformed into the giant snow-leopard. He had watched her and Cryst do this hundreds of times already, but it was still something that amazed him.
Icesella flicked her tail, and dropped into a crouch. She slowly crept forward into a small clearing. Her white and black fur stood out sorely against the vibrant greens, murky browns and various colors.
Jordan crouched down himself, he felt soft fur brush against his side as Cryst followed her sister's lead. In a flash of flames and fur, another cat burst into the clearing tackling at Icesella. Soon the two large cats were locked into a tussle of fur and claws. Blood spattered the clearing, until the two broke apart and circled each other, both with fangs bared.
Jordan felt his heart pounding in his chest, The tiger was a bit bigger than Icesella, and she in her leopard form, stood to Jordan’s shoulders. He watched as the ground singed under the tigers paws, and where Icesella had landed blows, the skin was frozen.
Suddenly the two both stood, back in anthron. The strange girl had dark skin, and dark hair pulled into a long braid. Her arms were decorated in flaming tattoos that danced. She walked towards Icesella and held out a hand, “You fight well,” she praised.
“And so do you,” Icesella responded, “Where do your allegiances lie?”
“I have no allegiances,” She spat.
The hair pricked on the back of his neck as they made their way through the dense plants. Icesella was in lead, while Hannah took the tail end of the group. Vivienne and Cryst stood at his sides. Jordan glanced to Vivienne, she gripped her weapon tightly in her hand. She had noticed it.
Icesella held her hand up, and the group halted. Jordan watched as the girl who stood in front of him magically transformed into the giant snow-leopard. He had watched her and Cryst do this hundreds of times already, but it was still something that amazed him.
Icesella flicked her tail, and dropped into a crouch. She slowly crept forward into a small clearing. Her white and black fur stood out sorely against the vibrant greens, murky browns and various colors.
Jordan crouched down himself, he felt soft fur brush against his side as Cryst followed her sister's lead. In a flash of flames and fur, another cat burst into the clearing tackling at Icesella. Soon the two large cats were locked into a tussle of fur and claws. Blood spattered the clearing, until the two broke apart and circled each other, both with fangs bared.
Jordan felt his heart pounding in his chest, The tiger was a bit bigger than Icesella, and she in her leopard form, stood to Jordan’s shoulders. He watched as the ground singed under the tigers paws, and where Icesella had landed blows, the skin was frozen.
Suddenly the two both stood, back in anthron. The strange girl had dark skin, and dark hair pulled into a long braid. Her arms were decorated in flaming tattoos that danced. She walked towards Icesella and held out a hand, “You fight well,” she praised.
“And so do you,” Icesella responded, “Where do your allegiances lie?”
“I have no allegiances,” She spat.