Each Day's a Gift and Not a Given Right

[Coryth Elaris]

For all the strangeness of the situation, Coryth felt like she was finally getting her life back in order. Laughter and true joy had long been missing and the littler redhead hadn't even realized it until that very moment. Normality, Coryth certainly needed more of that in her life. She certainly could use more time with Kaida. She beamed brightly after Kaida pulled away from the kiss. The tiny woman couldn't help but feel happy, really happy and content. She gave a small nod as Kaida warned her it was about to get cold again.

Closing her eyes, she worked a little faster to make sure she could keep up. Especially now that she had some idea of how Tapas worked. Bringing up that familiar image of the Corellian beaches she started to working on drawing her focus down to the absolute smallest level she could manage. Bit by bit, all the way down to the cellular level. From there she drew the image inward, internalizing it as she willed her body to warm while the temperature in the room fell.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Kaida sensed that Coryth was having an easier time this round, as could be expected. She felt the ripples through the Force as Coryth utilised her talent for Art of the Small. To an extent, this was probably a power the Angelii drew on when it came to the finer manipulations of cryomancy.


In any case, Kaida kept her focus and concentrated on making the temperature in the room fall at rapid speed to a dramatic level. A cold chill would envelope the entire room as molecules in the air froze. Cold wind would brush against and kiss Coryth's skin. Indeed, pearls of frost would probably begin to accumulate on her arms and hands. Now that Coryth had gotten more used to cryomancy and was evidently having greater success at utilising tapas, Kaida was holding back less. In short, within a few moments the temperature would turn oppressively cold.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

The room rapidly grew colder and as the temperature really started to dip Coryth began to struggle to keep up. It still was easier than the first time, but chasing that level of cold was difficult. Her manipulation of her own body temperature was far from perfect. This time, the hairs on her arms had yet to raise and well for the most part the redhead seemed comfortable. Though she pulled harder and harder on the force, willing it to do what she desired, to help lift her internal temperature and keep it somewhat normal.

Her skin, the chill so easily felt against it. Logically Coryth knew she should have felt frigid, should have been chattering half to death but she wasn't. It was a most odd sensation, to be so warm, nearly comfortable but at the same time feel the bitter cold. The further the temperature dropped, the harder Coryth had to focus to maintain her concentration. Sooner or later she was bound to crack, but at least for now she was hanging on.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"You are doing well," Kaida spoke in what she thought was a way to be encouraging. The effect might have been diminished a bit by the fact that her voice had turned rather frigid. Likewise, as she exerted herself, her eyes turned a crystalline blue. Her own body temperature, as if mirroring the effect her power was having on the room, was going down.


The chill brushing against Coryth's skin would intensify with every moment that passed. Without her powers, Coryth would be chattering half to death by now but she was not. Rather she was quite skillfully applying her knowledge of Art of the Small towards tapas. However, Kaida would give her no respite as she kept lowering the temperature. Eventually frost would even spread over the bed sheets. The water in the basin had by now been completely frozen into ice. With every second that passed it would become harder to concentrate as Kaida pulled at the tangled web of infinite power.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth managed a smile, having heard Kaida clearly. "Thank you." She whispered, trying to keep her focus on the task at hand.

The tiny redhead's breathing had rapidly increased in the last minute, as the strain started to wear on her. The frost spreading across the bed, Coryth couldn't miss. Not in the least as it started to spread across her own clothing. Breathe, in and out. Come on, you can keep at this for a little longer. Those little ice crystals upon her clothing and even skin in places was almost enough to throw her off.

At least she'd made it much further than the first time. Still now, she knew she wasn't going to last forever. Maybe just a couple more minutes before the tiny master would crack.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Coryth was doing well, but Kaida did not miss the tell-tale signs of the strain the little firemane was under. Her breathing had increased, frost was rapidly spreading across the bed and now even across her own clothing. Ice crystals upon crystals accumulated upon her. You see, it is not just sand that is coarse and gets everywhere!



The chill Coryth was feeling would intensify as Kaida exerted herself further. Truth be told, since she had not really rested much after training it was also strain for her, but then unlike last time she was not fighting illusionary nexu or summoning whirlwinds. No, she was simply manipulating the air molecules and freezing them in order to drive the room temperature down to truly ridiculous levels until, if she kept persisting, it would be as if they were on Hoth. It would becoe progressively harder to maintain the image of the Corellian beaches and induce warmth into your body as the bitter cold spread. The gust of an icy wind would brush against Coryth's skin, the coldness kissing her as it sought to seep into her clothing and body to drive the warmth from her.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth finally started to shiver. Her body seemed to have finally caught up with the fact that it was uncomfortably cold, and finally she had reached the limit of her abilities. She couldn't warm herself further, and the cold wind against her skin was making it extremely difficult to maintain her concentration. Seeing the frost upon her skin, only confirmed to her just how fething cold it really was.

"Kaida .... I ..." She spoke softly. "We need to stop." Really needed to stop before Coryth lost control completely and let her own body temperature plummet dangerously low again. It certainly wasn't giving up, just a matter of knowing what her physical limits were. "Can't last much longer." A bit of worry was creeping into her voice, concerned that she might not be able to maintain control long enough to let Kaida relax her own abilities and bring the temperature back to normal.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Hearing Coryth's strained, worried voice, Kaida immediately broke off her cryomantic spellcasting and tried to relax her own abilities. Needless to say this was not something that could happen within the blink of an eye, as much as she would have liked to. After all, she was getting rather worried about the short stack of fire when she heard those words.


Hyporthermia, frostbite and such were serious business after all. So bit by bit she pulled back and drew the power into herself again, as quickly as she could. The small but icy wind would dissipate as she stopped fuelling it, then the temperature would return to normal as she ceased her manipulation of the air molecules and indeed willed it to simply become warmer. Even for someone as experienced as she was, she could not make it happen instantly, but she pushed herself to. The ice in the basin was broken and as it melted on the blankets, Kaida quickly rushed over. First oder of business lay in removing the basin and the now very cold and wet blankets, since they would do Coryth little good, before she pulled open a closest with telekinesis and brought out warm ones to wrap Coryth in.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth breathed heavily, trying to cling on to the warmth she'd created within as long as she could. For she knew Kaida could not instantly withdraw her powers. The change in temperature would take time. Slowly as the room started to warm, the redhead let go of her abilities bit by bit, lowering her own body temperature. The tiny thing was shivering, chattering. The cold and wet blankets, Coryth was most grateful when they were pulled away. And soon enough the warm dry ones were wrapped around her as she clung tightly to the cloth trying to obtain some warmth from them as she finally let go of Tapas completely and allowed for her normal body temperature to return.

"I just, couldn't keep it up any longer. Had reached my limit." She whispered softly, chattering terribly. "I didn't want to push until it failed. That was bad enough the first time to have my temperature drop so fast. I couldn't do that when the temperature in the room was so much lower. I worried what kind of strain that would cause when I could not keep Tapas up any longer."

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


While Coryth clung to the warm, dry blanket and chattered terribly, Kaida had fetched her another blanket to throw over her. Was she hovering a bit? Perhaps. Likewise Coryth would have her head propped up on a fresh pillow since the old one had gotten rather...wet as well. Well, very cold and wet, so resting her head on it would not have been pleasant!


"You did right. You pushed your limits, that's what you're supposed to do. Not become a popsicle in the first place," Kaida said factually. Perhaps not the most encouraging thing to say. Having tried to warm up her own hands with hot water and then dried them off, she gently took Coryth's still rather cold hand and gave it a squeeze. "Do you want anything like...tea?"

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth managed to smile as Kaida helped to prop her up on the pillow and fetched her another warm blanket. Anything to help with the cold at this point.

"That's true," She said softly, gradually starting to warm up. "At least I managed to get much further this time, than last. And knowing my limit, is a good thing." She glanced to Kaida as she took her hand, smiling sweetly. "Tea, would be wonderful. I'll take anything warm after that."

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Kaida gave Coryth a nod and briefly left the room for a few moments, after giving the redhead a peck on the cheek. Upon returning she was carrying a steaming cup of warm tea. "There you. Don't drink too fast. It's quite hot," she said, passing the cup over to Coryth. Aww, wasn't she being sweet? Well, she was certainly trying to be. Coryth was such a special snowflake that she managed to defrost the frost elf a bit.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

As Kaida returned with the tea, Coryth slowly sat up. Doing her best to keep the blankets around her with one hand she reached out and took the cup. "You are so sweet. Thank you, Kaida." She said softly as she took a small sip from the cup, relishing the heat as it entered her body.

About that time her comlink beeped, and Coryth frowned a little as she pulled it from her pocket. She read the brief message, her frown deepening. It wasn't what she expected at all. Nor who she expected to be contacted her. "How odd..." She mumbled before placing the device back in her pocket.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Kaida noticed that Coryth had received a message, though she would obviously not know its contents. Likewise the frown did not escape her attention. "What is it?" she asked after the redhead had given her rather cryptic response. She took a step forward though to her credit she did not try to get a look at the datapad. "Has something come up?"

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth sighed, "It seemed I've been summoned by the Lord Protector. Which is all sorts of awkward because ... Well, let's jut put it this way, I was really hoping to get away with never having to see him again. Especially after he broke my heart. Never really was there for me, but ... such is life. Can't have everything I want, nor would that have been a good relationship either." She gave a shrug. "Guess, awkward I'll just have to deal with, long enough to see what he wants." Little did she know what would be waiting for her on Fondor. It certainly would be the last thing in the galaxy she could have expected, ever. "And honestly, he never really loved me. If he had, he would have found a way to be there when I needed him most."

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"The 'Lord Protector'? You mean that blustering, incompetent idiot who was only good for licking Cater's boots?" No, Kaida did not like the man at all. Then the rest of Coryth's words caught up with her. Awkward seemed a good way to describe things.


"That pig broke your heart and is still standing? Makes me think my people have a point or two about men," she scoffed. Yes, she was clearly getting pissed. You did not mess with Coryth that way! For a moment ice pricks were manifesting in her hand and it was turning frosty before she managed to dissipate the effect. With her other hand, which had remained warm, she touched Coryth's cheek. "I'm sorry. Did the message say what he wanted to summon you for?"

 

[Coryth Elaris]

"That would be the one." She shook her head slowly. That had been one heck of a mess for her.

"Oddly enough, yes." Sighing she ran a slow hand through her hair. "More than anything, I was disappointed in him, never been disappointed in anyone. Wasn't even angry. To a degree I knew it was coming. He was always in love with someone else, and me? Well I was an afterthought." She then nodded, "Even I am starting to think the Eldorai do have a few good points about men."

She then frowned, "It's okay though, I'm mostly over it. Still hurts, if I'm being honest. I wish I could have been angry over it. But, no ... instead just disappointed which is so much worse." One last sigh, "No, it didn't say. But I'm inclined to think its official business since it comes directly out of his office on Fondor. Guess I'll have to go and find out what he wants. Could be about my medical director post, no idea truly. And who knows maybe I can break his nose while I'm there. Certainly would make me feel a smidge better about it all."

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Kaida liked to think she was fairly open-minded, modern and conscious about the errors her people had made in the past. Likewise the fact that their past had been a lot less glorious than the Old Guard would have them believe. Part of her could not help think that, while she disapproved of the misandrist and frankly primitive line the likes of the Kaeshana Women's League were taking, it could not be denied that most men were idiots.


"I understand. Well, you're in no condition to travel right now. You need rest. He can wait a day or two," she said firmly. The so-called Lord Protector should be grateful that Coryth deigned to visit him. As might have become clear, Kaida's opinion of the man was very low. The same applied to her opinion of the Protectorate in general, for the nation seemed defined by general inertia, at least in her opinion.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth sighed, "You're right. I shouldn't be traveling at all right now." Probably the first time the redhead really admitted something like that, that she should not, could not travel for the time being. "And frankly I like the idea of making him wait on me. After all I have myself to look after, a beautiful woman at my side... Why the hell would I dash off instantly, simply because I was beckoned." She then gently squeezed Kaida's hand, rather glad that she had the Eldorai here with her now.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]

If Kaida had had a whiny, insecure personality she would have suddenly gotten mopey about a guy Coryth had loved calling her. Despite the irrationality of getting sulky since he had broken her heart. However, unlike some of this writer's characters, she was not a whiny wet hen.


"Only minions come running when beckoned...and you're certainly not that. And you're getting...very good at sweettalking," Kaida said...sweetly. Well, that was a lame pun. Or maybe this writer is not feeling very witty today. In any case she planted a kiss on Coryth's cheek.