Seeking New Landscapes, Finding New Eyes [Yula]

[Coci Heavenshield]

It had been the warmest he had ever felt .. not because he was tucked in under the furs for the night, but because of that kiss on his cheek and it would sustain him throughout the night long after the fire had gone out. But come the morning, Vik and Yula would aware to a crisp dawn and a clear day. After eating a breakfast and preparing the horses for travel once more, they set off across the plains toward the mountain ranges that circled Averlorn. A natural protection against the outside world, the ranges so high their peaks vanish into cloud but beyond them, a vastly different world unlike anything on Midvinter.

Only the Aelvar know of this place, this secret passage that connections the realms of men and ælven, and as the day worn on and their journey called for a pause, the horses trod the small path that took them to the rock face. Vik turned to her with a smile, just before he threw his body over the saddle and dismounted to lead his horse the rest of the way. "We shall walk from here", he said before turning his attention to the solid rock.

On the rock there is no inscription, no outward sign that anything is there, let alone a passage and even to Vik's eye it possess as a solid entity and it is relatively silent, save for the sound of the wind whistling over the peaks so high up, that it sounds mournful as if thousands of voices are singing a lament. There is a sense of nervousness in the pit of his stomach, it had been so long since he was home and so many would have wondered what became of him and how would they react to Yula, a stranger in their lands? Although the Queen had formed a treaty with the Valkyri, tension was still present between the two races .. the treaty was only new. Vik knew his mother would be pleased to see him however, that gave him heart.

He stood before the craggy rock face and stretched his arms out to his side, and spoke the word in the ælven tongue to release the illusion. The rock shimmered and shifted before them, and opened up to reveal the streaming cascading light of the doorway to the world of the Aelvar.

​

​

"Surprise ..", he smiled giving her yet another one, "Come, give me your hand", he asked as he held out his toward her. The two of them would walk the long passage cut through the mountain base that had been here for thousands of years and a pathway he knew well.

[member="Yula Perl"]

 

[Yula Perl]

On instinct, Yula took a step back as Vik began to dispel the illusion. Not that she knew it was an illusion at first—she wasn’t sure what he was doing as he spread his arms out to his sides and spoke in his mother tongue.

The rocky face of the mountain flickered before them, image of the rock and stone fading to reveal a brilliant light stretching from the ground towards the heavens. Yula unconsciously fisted her hand tighter around Ptolomy’s reigns as her head craned up to take in the entrance to Averlorn. “Did you know this was here?” She joked, albeit still distracted by the shimmering gate of light.

Wrapping her hand around Vik’s own, there was little hesitation on Yula’s part as they started their way through the mountain pathway. “I didn’t expect that.” She admitted, eyes drifting along their forested mountain surroundings. “Your people must be skilled with illusions.” Not that Yula knew much about illusions herself, but she imagined that it would take a great deal of skill to hide such an entrance.

“Your people are not used to outsiders, right?” Perhaps idly, she squeezed Vik’s hand lightly. From what he’d told her, the Aelvar were an insular people who preferred to keep to themselves. Until recently, they distrusted Midvinter’s other natives to a degree. “Have they ever seen someone as pink as me?” Now she was curious as to what sort of response she’d receive. The Valkyri may have given her a few glances in passing but they seemed more accustomed to outsiders and off-world ideas. On places like Coruscant and other diverse urban worlds, her skin color was barely enough to qualify her as a “different” humanoid.

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

They would walk the underground passage for a time yet, it was long and turned through the bottom of the mountain. There was no natural light that would show them the way, and the sound of dripping water seemed to echo through the passage loud, it was a little warmer in here protected from the biting cold of the outside world and the closer they got to Averlorn, the warmth would grow. "Walk close to me", he said tugging gently on her hand in his, as he used the force to guide them both, but there was no real danger of them walking into the walls of rock, it was wide enough for a column of horses and riders to pass through with room to spare.

"For thousands of years the Aelvar had kept themselves isolated and only recently did this change and I believe the Valkyri have since entered the forests of my people, but before that .. no". He had to smile at the thought of them seeing Yula for the first time, she would be strange to them, they would not be to her however. Yula, no doubt, has seen many different races from across the galaxy and the Aelvar was just another one of them. "So, no they would not have seen someone as pink as you", he turned to her with a smile.

His hand left her hand only for him to place it around her shoulders and pull her closer still. The light at the end of the tunnel was before them, and as they approached to exit point, already the sign of the sun's rays could be seen, and the sensation of fresh air on their faces. "Come .. we are here", he said pulling her gently walking a little quicker toward his home. As they left the passage behind them, before them spread the forest of Averlorn and the stone bridge that would lead them to his village.

It was so different here, so very opposed to the world they left behind of snow and ice.

​

​

[member="Yula Perl"]

 

[Yula Perl]

Yula squinted as the long tunnel’s darkness gave way to warm sunlight filtered through the forest flora. A hand raised to shield her eyes, dropping a few moments later as she adjusted—still, it was hard to believe that a few miles or so of tunnel could give way to such a different setting. While still cold, the woods here seemed to have been touched less by the planet’s ice and snow.

Drifting away from Vik, she reached out to run her fingers along the mossy bark of a nearby tree. “Are we on the same planet?” While joking, there was a small incredulous note in her voice. It was nice to be surrounded by greenery without the harsh bite of winter along with it.

She turned back to Vik and smiled, slipping her hand into his as they ventured onward. This was his world and she was excited to experience it—even if his people were wary of her. “I wonder how they’d feel if I had gills. Or horns, or tentacles…or made of whatever Hutts are made of.” It was a strange thought that came to her but linear nonetheless, there were certainly some interesting species out there in the galaxy.

“Excited to go back?” She squeezed his hand and faced him with a cheery smile, sensing the eagerness in his quickening steps, though it always threw her of for a few moments when she realized she couldn’t hear his footfalls. “I’m excited for you, too.”

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

He could not help but look at her with a bemused smile, and he imagined what Yula would look like with horns or tentacles. Vik remembered seeing people on Coruscant from all places of the galaxy and for him they were strange and interesting. He chuckled, a little nervously maybe, but that was not because of this as he had to wonder how they would greet him after so long. His mother would be happy of course, but the rest? Vik had changed even when he was here among them and now he had changed again. But the difference between then and now was that he knew what and why he was like he was and he had come to accept it.

The path to the bridge was well worn, compacted dirt that had been forged by thousands of years and thousand of horses hooves and cut through the forest toward the bridge. Clinging to the forest trees around them like a white blanket laid over the land the Mists of Averlorn remained to protect the Aelvar, a magic shroud that let them know if their realm had been intruded upon. It is a dangerous thing this Mist for those not invited into it's embrace but this would not effect Yula for he was here to protect her against it. But there is more to Averlorn then the eye can see ...

Vik's eyes looked deep into the trees, piercing the world beyond them, his senses alert to anything around him and he knew they would hear her, her foot falls. They were there he knew it, but even he could not see them yet. But their intentions were not with ill will, Vik was returning home and he had company so he would have them remain open, their path obvious to the eyes watching from their shroud of green.

The stone bridge covered in moss lay the path before them, and Vik took Yula by the hand and led her across the damp stone, they only got half way when out of the tree above them jumped a Ranger and landed without noise in their way. He did not have his bow nooked but held it in his hand by his side, his face hidden beneath the cowl over his head but Vik knew who it was, he could sense him and for a moment they stood in silence.

"Loras Bluewater", Vik spoke his name and met him eye to eye to which Loras raised an eyebrow, he could not remember a time in which his friend Vik had ever look him in the eye. But regardless, a smile pulled at his friends lips.

[member="Yula Perl"]

 

[Yula Perl]

Hauntingly beautiful—that was a way to describe the forest, the only descriptor Yula’s mind could come up with. The mist that touched the trees and seemed to embrace it even, that was something she hadn’t seen before. What was it that Vik had said of his home? Beautiful but dangerous? The air around them wasn’t tense, but it gave off the impression that they’d do well to respect the lands they were on. With Vik guiding her, Yula didn’t worry much.

Something prickled at her senses, something telling her that they were not alone. No one was hardly ever alone in a forest anyhow, not among the fauna and flora.

As they made way to cross over the stone bridge, a figure soundlessly dropped down from the canopy of trees and came to rest directly in front of their path. Yula was taken aback, unconsciously squeezing Vik’s hand for a second. She had forgotten that Vik’s people had a tendency to move silently and suddenly she was acutely aware that her footsteps were likely heard and being tracked. Perhaps they had eyes trained on them the moment they exited the cave.

To her surprise, or maybe not, Vik addressed the new entrant by name. Her eyes tracked to the bow in his hands, grateful that it was not loaded nor did it seem that this man was holding enough tension in his body to attack. He must have recognized the pair as not hostile—or else she imagined an arrow or two raining down on them from above.

“Hello there,” She gave a small smile and a polite wave, eyes sweeping lower to see if she could catch a glimpse of his face.

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"Vik Fagrrowan", Loras greeted in return using Vik's Aelvar name. "It has been a long time my friend", his eyes shifting from Vik's to the lady standing next to him to which he bowed respectfully and with a solid sense of curiosity. "My Lady welcome to Averlorn". A gently wave of his hand dismissed those unseen in the trees, Vik thew only one that would hear them moving about the branches but he did not look up. It was not that long ago, he was one of them and would have been hiding ready to protect the realm from any intrusion.

"Your mother will be pleased to see you, but you know that", Loras grinned as Vik moved toward his friend and place a hand on his shoulder as embrace. Emotions were shared differently here, at least among the men. Loras did the same as his grin developed into a smile. "This is Lady Perl, Yula is her name and she comes from beyond the stars to be with us for a short time". This was unusual for Loras, his eyes sparkling with intrigue at the very thought of it, coming from beyond the stars which he supposed explained her pinkness.

"You have journeyed from a vast distance and must be tired", he spoke to Yula, his pointed ears twitching in all directions listening to anything out of the ordinary within the forest. Loras stepped aside to let them pass and he and Vik would catch up later.

Once alone, or rather seemingly so, Vik whispered to Yula, "I am pleased he remembered me, else we would be dead by now", a cheeky grin parted his lips and led the horses over the bridge. "We will be there very soon, just around that corner", well that corner was some ways off but the end was in sight. The murmuring breeze kissed his cheeks with a cool touch, the eventide was approaching but they would be indoors soon. And as they turned the corner, his village came into view which made Vik hesitate for a moment, it was like he had not seen his home in so long that he had forgot it, but no .. it was just different as he looked upon it with different eyes. He had forgot how beautiful it was.

Yet the closer they came, a strong sense of sadness filled the air, they are still mourning their fallen King.



[member="Yula Perl"]

 

[Yula Perl]

Vik Fagrrowan. Yula raised a brow, near imperceptibly at the mention of a new surname. Still, she didn’t raise the question nor was it important—if she’d learned anything about Vik’s heritage, it was a delicate thing and saying Velkar-son in front of the wrong person could lead to…well, what had happened at The Howlin’ Wolf. Fortunately that situation had been defused without bloodshed.

“Oh, thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you—and to be here as well.” Taken slightly off guard by the My Lady, Yula dipped her head in a makeshift bow. Even though Vik had referred to her in the same way before, it was something she’d never gotten used to. In her mind it was a title only used by nobles and not for someone lowborn. She had to remind herself that she’d yet to experience Aelvar culture and see how such things worked.

Vik placed a hand onto Loras’ shoulder and his friend returned the gesture, face breaking into a smile. Yula couldn’t help but watch with fondness, the affection between friends tugging at her natural empathy. Especially friends who hadn’t seen eachother in a great while.

Fatigue seemed to set in the moment Loras mentioned it and she laughed softly. She noted the look of curiosity the Aelvar had given her and found a measure of pride in it—generally she wasn’t considered a novelty on most of the worlds she visited. “Aye. But well worth the journey, I hear.” Yula was eager to see the home that Vik had described to her. Perhaps a bit surprisingly, she was looking forward to watching Vik reunite with his home even more than that.

As the ranger stepped aside for the pair to continue on their way, Yula couldn’t help but grin at Vik’s commentary. “Do you think he can hear us?” She whispered back, tone bubbly. “Someone once told me that Aelvar have excellent hearing.”

As the village came into view, Yula squinted in order to get a better look—this one didn’t have Aelvar sight—and soon she was able to make out buildings and bridges. As they neared his home, two things struck a chord with the Zeltron. First was the architecture, so delicate and refined yet unique to the woodland realm. Set in a backdrop of forest with warm natural lighting, it was an absolutely picturesque scene. She made up her mind then and there that Aelvar artisans were truly masters of their craft.

The second thing she noticed was the heavy sadness that clung to the village. As they approached, the feeling only became more intense and real as if they were walking into a cloud.

“Is…this normal?” She mumbled to Vik, brow furrowing. It likely wasn’t.

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

He had to grin, "Yeah Loras probably heard every word", Vik turned to Yula with a smile and continued to lead her onward. "This is only normal when there has been a death of high importance, the Aelvar mourn for months until the Queen decree that period over. But each death is important and I think that there has been many", he too could sense the heavy grief upon his kin and he knew why, he had heard the stories of the Great Battle and that the Aelvar had been fighting alongside the Valkyri. He regretted not being a part of it now, having been away running from his own mind. But regret was coupled with a great happiness, and that was the fact that he met Yula in his troubled journey.

Yet among the sadness Vik could sense a joy, and immediately he knew. He turned them down a smaller path that would lead to the residences of the Aelvar and to his home. "She knows I am here", he whispered to Yula. But they did not have to wait long, for on the path coming toward him was his mother, a beautiful as ever. To the eyes of the outside world, she looked as young as he, but hundreds of years rested on her brow and experience of the wilds beyond the mist was written upon her heart. Just like him, she loved the trees and forests and everything that lived within them. Not just of Averlorn but of Midvinter and with her duty as ranger, she had travelled in secret beyond the veil. It was how she had met his father.

Although the Aelvar do not outwardly express emotions, at least in public, today was different and as his mother come near she took her son in an embrace and held him like she would never let go. She welcomed his home in the old language, and told of her love for him and a single sparkling tear rolled down her cheek before she pulled back to look at him, and for the first time in a long time, Vik did not shy away from her gaze but instead met it. "I love you too mother, and have missed you very much".

He turned toward Yula, and took her hand once more pulling her closer to him, "This is Lady Yula Perl, she is a friend of mine who has come to stay with us a while". His mother would see through the polite words and find the truth but she did not displace it. Her son had changed very much from when he had said goodbye to her, and she knew that a part of this change had something to do with this girl. "This is my mother, Lady Eva Fagrrown".

[member="Yula Perl"]

 

[Yula Perl]

The reunion of mother and son was emotional—as to be expected, at least from Yula’s point of view. As the two embraced and shared words in their native tongue, they appeared as two bright spots in the Force. Yula couldn’t help but grin, happy for Vik and his mother as well. It was apparent that she’d missed her son as any mother would, the single tear of elation rolling down her cheek speaking louder than words ever will.

In the back of her mind Yula had to wonder how long Vik had been away from home for. Given the lack of air traffic over Midvinter and the several day journey to his village from the planet’s space port, it was difficult for him to go home. Far more difficult for him to than for her.

As Vik reached for her hand and introduced the two women, Yula felt her stomach tighten with anticipation. The nerves were unexpected and caught her a bit off guard, but she was meeting the mother of her…good friend. She hoped to make a good impression.

Yula didn’t have the best grasp on Aelvar culture or how greetings typically went so she defaulted to her Zeltron sensibilities, her people being much more open with their emotions in general. “It is an honor to finally meet you, Lady Fagrrowan.” She bowed her head in deference for a moment, reaching to grasp Eva’s hand with her own. “Your son has told me much about you. He speaks very highly of you.” She looked so young though, young enough to be Vik’s age. Perhaps there was something in the water of Averlorn. "I am Yula Perl from the world of Zeltros."

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Eva's eyes glided from Vik's to Yula as she spoke to her, a study of her face and her skin could be seen in them taking in all her features before a small smile and decline of her head to acknowledge her title and connection to her son. Eva moved closer to Yula, her feet just as silent as his and she raised a hand to cup her pink cheek as if wanting to feel the colour of it for Eva had seen such beauty within the likes of skin before. "Welcome Lady Yula, come the both of you, you must be tired from your journey".

And there was so much to talk about with her son, since he left to travel and Eva was excited to hear about the worlds beyond the stars from which Yula comes from. "You must tell me of your home Yula, this Zeltros .. you will have to forgive us here in Averlorn for we know of no other place but our home". And this of course was by choice and necessity if their kin were to survive not only the thousands of years of strained relations with the Valkyri, but for themselves as well.

The walk took them through the wider streets of the residencies until they reached the edge of the village and there stood Vik's home beyond the fountain. It was a small place, big enough for mother and son to comfortable and behind the home were the mountains and the mists that guarded them and all of Averlorn. As they came to the door and Eva gave welcome by opening it, she declared that food would be prepared as they were hungry. Nothing had changed since he left home, everything seemed to be in the same place and it was just as colourful as he remembered. Which he was pleased to see, it is good to have a constant in your life as especially if it is home.

"I hope you will be comfortable here Yula", he said taking her into the main room so they could rest before the food arrived. Like his mother, he cupped her face and smiled, "Thank you for coming home with me", he leaned down and kissed her cheek pressing his lips to her soft skin and stay a little longer than necessary. "After we have rested, I will show you the lake, the Frostvatn".

[member="Yula Perl"]

 

[Yula Perl]

Inwardly, Yula breathed a sigh of relief as Eva cupped her face. She didn’t know why the nerves struck her so suddenly, but really…she did know why in the back of her mind. A smile spread across her face as Vik’s mother welcomed her to Averlorn. So far everything he’d told her had been true—Eva was a woman of grace, a mother’s patience etched into her youthful features. Still, Yula was struck by how young and beautiful she was.

“Of course.” She agreed readily as they made their way towards the Fagrrowan home. “I’d love to.” Zeltros was a typical industrialized world as far as much of the core and colonies went, with a pheromone tilt and a penchant for hedonism. In her travels she’d met insular people before, though with the Aelvar she felt more welcomed. This was likely due to Vik’s presence, but she appreciated it all the same—keeping to themselves all this time meant that Aelvar culture was complex. It also gave them the time to dedicate to becoming excellent craftsman, if the careful architecture of the buildings around them was any indication. Perhaps what was most surprising was how clean everything was. Even in the upper city districts of urban worlds there was some level of grime. The air here was crisp and clean, untouched by the pollution that hung in the air over places like Coruscant or Nar Shaddaa.

As they settled in the main room for the time being, Yula smiled back at Vik. The lingering kiss on her cheek caused a pleasant tingle of heat to spread across her face for a brief moment, a sensation she welcomed by now oddly enough. Maybe it had something to do with being exposed to the cold? “Well, thank you for inviting me.” She mirrored back. “I’ve never been to a place like Midvinter. You’re helping me become more well-traveled.”

Absently, her hand rose to tuck a dark lock of stray hair behind his ear. Her hand shook for a moment as her brain made the delayed connection of what she was doing before she simply accepted it, hand falling back to her side. In some ways it was as intimate of a gesture as the little chaste kisses they shared, though thoughts stirred in the back of Yula’s mind of when—if—they would turn less chaste.

“You never told me your mother looked young enough to be your sister.” She murmured, grin stretching her lips. Eva had a sort of ethereal, exotic beauty to her. She certainly didn’t look old enough to be mother to someone Vik’s age, but then again… “Now that I think about it, how old are you exactly? A century or two?”

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

His eyes fixed upon hers as her hand raised and gently replaced his hair behind his ears. He could not deny the trembling in his blood as it stirred at her intimate touch. The time would come for them. A moment of solitude that would provide Vik with the moment he had been waiting for from the moment he set eyes on Yula. And he felt it too, from her a sense of something that longed for a warmer touch, a closeness that only they would share. It filled him with courage beyond any measure, and equally .. fear. Fear on so many levels but no matter them, he would protect her from anything that was set to harm them.

“The Aelvar blood is old, as is our race and we live long lives that go beyond many and yet not as long as some”, he grinned a little. Yet he knew the price of a long life that spans beyond the years that she would live but it would be his burden to bear, and his alone. “I look to be no more than twenty of your galactic standard years, but I am passed two centuries I believe”, he looked to be thinking of it, but birthdays are not numbered here in Averlorn, it is simply impractical.

Vik led Yula to a table which soon would be set with food to push away the hunger of the journey and as if on cue his mother returned providing them with the delights of the forest, berries and fruits, bread and soft cheese and decanter of the purest water as sweet as the morning snow. Vik caught sight of his mother’s eyes stealing a glance toward them and the moment that had passed not lost on her. “Please eat”, she said as she sat with them.

“How did you come to meet my son?”, Eva asked with curiosity and a wish to learn more of this girl that clearly had the attention of her beloved son. “I also sense you are blessed with the gift of the Frostvatn, so strange it would touch upon someone so distant from our lands”. This a common thought from a people that do not possess a full understanding of the world beyond the stars.

But it was Vik that spoke first, “The magic of Frostvatn reaches far beyond our borders, far beyond the night sky .. I have seen it and felt it in others as I have travelled and yet what I have seen was only but a droplet of what lay beyond that. It is known to others as the Force”.

[member="Yula Perl"]

 

[Yula Perl]

Yula couldn’t deny the nerves tightening her stomach and chest but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly why she was anxious. She knew, obviously, that she and Vik were attracted to each other and had formed a bond that would only grow. Or at least, she hoped it would grow. With the way he looked at her and the amorous tension between them, neither of them seemed intent on walking away.

Something else had caught her attention for the time being. “Two centuries?!” She’d been teasing when she made her guess and the reality of it was startling. Though in a galaxy of things far more peculiar, she supposed it shouldn’t be as surprising. “You look good for being an old man.”

As he lead her into the dining area and his mother swept in with the food. “Thank you.” She smiled in response, seating herself and taking in the spread that had been prepared. The question didn’t catch her off guard but it played on her nerves anyway, though Yula was able to keep herself relaxed enough. That sort of thing came in handy as a smuggler—couldn’t sweet talk your way out of a cargo search if you were a nervous wreck. As Vik spoke to clarify the Force in more detail, Yula nodded before following his explanation.

“He is right, there are many people in the galaxy who have the Force—or gift of the Frostvatn. My mother and brother have it as well.” Yula reached for a piece of fruit, something pear-shaped and fleshy that she couldn’t readily identify. A small bite revealed that it was sweet with notes of peach, and she chewed quickly in order to answer Eva’s first question.

“We met on my homeworld, Zeltros.” A fond smile tickled her lips as she thought back to that day. Vik had been shy at first but the two got along well quickly. “It is a world with many busy cities. The buildings there are tall and made of metal, they stretch high into the sky and are all close together. It’s very bright with lots of lights and bold colors. My people are fond of…festivities.” That was one way to put the pleasure planet. Perhaps she would be surprised to learn that her son had been to such a world, perhaps not. “It is not all cities though. Vik and I met in one of the smaller towns that is known for its forests and nature preserves. We happened to be staying at the same inn and he accompanied me in traveling through one of the rougher terrains leading to the sea.”

She side eyed Vik with a hint of a good-natured smirk. “Perhaps he thought that I couldn’t handle it on my own.” She took another bite of the fruit, this one bigger as she savored the flavor.

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

“Well I don’t look to bad for an old man, do I?”, he asked with his own sense of mirth. Yet, he sat back and listened to Yula explain to his mother the delights of her home planet to a lesser degree he noted which was probably for the best, he doubted his mother would understand what would be meant by them. Not that there was anything wrong with it, it just was not the way on Midvinter let along the Aelvar. Eva listened with full attention and wondered what she had missed out on in her life time but on Midvinter that is enough going on to satiate the most avid adventure. Simply put, life was considerable different.

“One thing I taught my son was never to underestimate the strength of women. In our culture there is no distinction between the two sexes, not one is stronger over the other. Their strengths and weaknesses maybe different but none the less, each has them”. Eva looked to Vik with a smile. “And I would never presume to think that of you”, his smile formed into an all-out grin, Yula was more than capable of handling herself he knew that from their first meeting.

After lunch was over, Vik excused them both from his mother’s company to take Yula for a walk among the forest which would leading them to the Frostvatn. A vastly different place among the wilds of Averlorn, it would be like stepping back into the landscape of Midvinter and the realm of the Valkyri. The Vatn a most sacred place for the Aelvar and the source of their ‘magic’, or rather their connection to the force. A nexus that has been shielded from the galaxy since time began.

Although all Aelvar can walked the lake’s edge, it is only the women that are permitted to draw close to the source and the Lady of the Lake, the Queen is sole ruler over them all. The loss of her husband had hit the Avelar hard, but none more so than the Queen who has withdrawn from common sight. Her daughter, Princess Iòunn now stands as regent until her coming of age, only then will she take up the title of Queen.

Vik pushed back an overhanging branch to reveal the lake frozen in time and spiralling up from the centre of the lake was the white force nexus. “This is the heart of Averlorn”, he said softly near her ear, as if trying to keep a secret from the lake itself. He walked passed her to the edge of the lake and turned to bring her closer, the power of the force the most powerful here on Midvinter and Vik could feel it surging through him, his very blood pounding with strength and power and coupled with the god-like gift he felt invincible, it was heady and intoxicating.

He did not know it, but this was the reason for the battle of the Gods, what Grima was after when she attacked Midvinter, the battle in which his father had fought against her alongside all those that fought to the death to protect their homeland and freedom. Grima could never use it, she is not connected to the force but he was, he was exactly what she would want, Vik could become a powerful weapon for her if she was ever to discover his existence. Was that why his father had pushed him away?

A question that would require an answer, but not today.

​

“Beautiful isn’t it”, he stated as he turned to look into her eyes and watch her reaction. But somehow that was not on his mind, not directly. Vik felt himself move forward leaning toward her and this time nothing was going to stop him. His hand raised and lifted her chin upward, he was only but a breath away but he did not stop until his lips pressed against hers. The moment of the touch set flame through his body, a fire of love and passion the likes he had never experienced before, it is just as heady and intoxicating as the power around him. His lips parted and he kissed her sweet warm lips firmer.


[member="Yula Perl"]

 

[Yula Perl]

As they trekked closer to the Frostvatn, Yula could feel the presence of the Force amplify. It was not a sudden change, nor was it gradual, but steady and strong. What is this…? She’d never felt fluctuations like this in the Force unless it was being used by someone, and then never on this scale. If she had trouble starting a campfire before, right now she felt as if she had the ability to burn the forest down with ease (not that she had any inclination to, of course).

Vik’s breath against her ear, a hot mist against the chill of the air, caused her to pause as a slight shiver trickled down her neck. Yula chewed her lower lip idly, eyes widening a notch as she laid eyes on the Frostvatn—a spectacular display of nature and the esoteric, all wrapped up in one elegant scene. Spires of energy twisted and danced around each other as they reached out of the lake and towards the sky, all framed by crystalline water and rocky shores. This was the first time Yula had laid eyes on a Force nexus, not that she knew that such a thing existed.

Turning towards Vik, the light of the Frostvatn reflected off of ice and snow crystals and danced in her eyes. “It’s unlike anyth…” A bit breathless, she faded mid word when she realized that Vik was moving towards her, the intent in his jewel green eyes clear. All it took was the brushing of their lips to warm her, excitement coursing through her system like she hadn’t felt before. At last, their play back and forth had come to a head.

Finally.

Her hands found their way to his chest, curling into the material of his shirt as she urged him closer to her, almost forcefully. Fire in her blood, she kissed him back harder as if he’d just challenged her.

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Any capacity of rational though left Vik’s mind the moment Yula pulled him closer and kissed him back with the hot taste of fire on her lips that was equal to his own. All he wanted was more of it, never to part his lips from hers and the more they did the hunger he grew. At some point his arms wrapped around her waist held her pressed to him and there was nothing that could pull him away from her, save for Yula. There was little doubt of his wanting or his intentions which was clear through the tense of his body and only what small modicum of decorum was left in him, stopped him from making love to her here and now.

He pulled back from her breath heaving in his chest as he looked deep into her eyes wanting to find her thoughts, if she wanted the same and would be only there would he find the answer and act upon it, if it was her desire. His hand moved from her waist to her face cupping the side of her cheek with a touch so pure in tenderness that would not be mistaken. Yet his body craved her, his mind overruled by it that drew closer once more and kissed her again. This time with love, a display of it touched on his mouth.

He knew he was getting way ahead of himself, what little of his mind was left knew it, but the force of nature was demanding and he wanted nothing more than to make her happy, fulfil her desires and for himself. It would only take a sign from her, an encouragement that would signal her wishes as well and only that would be answered.

Never in his life had he felt like this, not with anyone. And Yula is the most precious person in the world to him. “Tell me”, he managed to whisper through their kiss, “Tell me”, he repeated breathlessly.


[member="Yula Perl"]

 

[Yula Perl]

As Vik pulled back to caress her cheek, he’d find Yula with lidded eyes and parted swollen lips. Her fingers clenched into the fabric of his shirt before uncurling, one hand drifting into his hair while the other slid around his shoulder. Her body demanded that she surge forward but Yula paced herself, Zeltron sensibilities awakened but not fully in control.

Their eyes met and the way his fingers drifted against her flushed skin spoke to his gentle nature. Their lips met again, this time with a wisp of a request between breaths. Everything was so intoxicating—him, him and her together, the scenic backdrop of the Frostvatn and the presence of the Force hanging heavily in the air.

Suddenly her hands left him, though they quickly returned to his shoulders and pushed him a pace away from her so that his back would be resting against a tree. Any shyness or sense of modesty Yula had around him had evaporated and was replaced by an amorous energy.

Her lips crashed against his in a lusty kiss and she parted only to speak in a rushed whisper against his lips. “I want you.” At once her hands were wandering while she moved to nip at his ear. “I want you.” she repeated, soft breaths drifting over his skin.

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

He felt the hardness of the tree on his back, but he cared little about it, all he could do was close his eyes and thump the back of his head against it as her hands explored him delighting in her touch. Her words sent an explosion of feelings and thoughts through him, his body taking charge as she whispered her desires with hot breath against his ear. Nothing would stop them now, each as overwhelmed by the emotions causing through their bodies, it was electrifying.

Vik’s hands rested on her waist, only to glide under her top caressing the softness of her warm skin, it was only a momentary sense of control, before he began to fight to remove the fabric that parted them from each other. Once they are free from impediment, free to display their desire for each other, he turned her in the place they stood, lifting Yula off the ground and placing her against the soft bark.

He looked into her eyes for a fleeting moment heart pounding against his chest, Vik’s passion for her found in his eyes before his lips devoured hers once more.

A veil of mist blanketed the two friends as they become lovers, and the afternoon stole away until the black of the night shrouded them.


[member="Yula Perl"]

 

[Yula Perl]

When all was said and done, night had trickled into focus. The pair had barely noticed of course, their attention pointed elsewhere so much that even a war could have fallen into the background. When they finally came to rest, dusk had reached them.

Nestled together on the makeshift bedding made from their fur cloaks, Yula stirred. She was exhausted, dazed, satisfied and…happy. For the first time in months, the lingering thoughts and implications of what had happened on Skor retreated from her mind completely. There were no battles, no Sith, no criminals lurking or poised to strike. For the moment, all was right with the galaxy.

Her head was resting on the side of Vik’s chest, long dark hair splaying outwards. The majority of her body was covered by the fur cloak—and thankfully so, given their surroundings. The material was insulative enough to keep the flush from her skin from diminishing too fast. Idly, she curled a hand into the snow beside them, and watched as the flakes on her fingers melted. Though the stars above dotted the sky, the light brilliant light from the Frostvatn was still reaching upwards.

Tilting her head to get a better look at him, she exhaled slowly. “So…what does this make us?” Yula wouldn’t deny that she’d grown attached to Vik, but what truly surprised her was the seed of anxiety in her stomach. Turns out her feelings ran deeper than she had initially thought and the thought of being rejected made her chest and throat tighten. She didn’t know much about the Aelvar traditions of sex, whether they viewed it as more casual like Zeltrons did, but perhaps that was just her projecting her worries. What she really wanted, above all else, was to be with him and only him.

[member="Vik Velkarson"]