[Solo] My Path (Vadoma)

[Yayoi]

It hadn’t been long since Vadoma had left the temple on her journey for answers. Had left Rares’ arms and let him leave on his own journey to recover the items from his Vardo. Her thoughts were always with him. When she had stopped that first dawn, taking refuge in an abandoned cabin she had thankfully stumbled upon, she had curled up in a corner, the satchel in which Pip rested in held in her arms as she drifted off to sleep. Her thoughts and memories of him were her only comfort as the sun rose over head.

It still hurt. The ache in her chest of being separated from him. It was raw and painful but she didn’t let it halt her steps or make her determination waiver. She would see him again soon. And that fact alone gave her the strength to continue moving forward. Even though he wasn’t actually there she could still feel his presence linger around her. His scent upon her skin and the warmth of his body wrapped around her. It soothed her. Vadoma could dream of him, dream of being back in that room, in that bed. Wrapped up in his arms as they made love, the sparkling nightscape of the ceiling swirling overhead. It felt so real.

When she had awoken, dark clouds heavy with rain loomed in the night sky. Threatening to break at any moment. Even so she gathered herself and Pip after lingering just a moment more before slipping off into the night once again. She wasn’t quick like some as she moved along the shadowy trail. And if it weren’t for her vampiric strength she probably would have been exhausted by now. But the weariness of her travels did tug at the edges of her being. It was scary being out here on her own. Who knew what dangers lurked in the dark. Bandits, werewolves, any number of things that could put her unlife at great peril. Vadoma could, however, take comfort in knowing that if she really got into any sort of danger all she had to do was call for Grendel and he would come and rescue her. But she was trying her best to avoid that scenario. She wasn’t a child anymore and Vadoma needed to learn to handle her own problems no matter how sticky the situation got.

As the night drew on the storm did finally break and rain poured down upon the world. Lightning flashing across the sky, lighting up the world around her. Thunder reverberated through the air as it crackled with the raw energy of the storm. At a particularly loud boom of thunder Vadoma stopped to huddle against a crumbling stone wall, a small overhang of foliage and vines sheltering her for the moment. She was lost. There was no telling where she was to be going. Vadoma had power but not the kind that would allow her to slip through the shadows and find herself at the Crone’s home in an instant. No, she would have to search the old fashioned way. Clasping her hands over her ears at the loud sound she shut her eyes tight. Crouching low, allowing her soaked cape to wrap around her. The hood casting a heavy shadow over her beautiful face.

Now what?

Suddenly she remembered the item that Rares had given her and her delicate fingers slipped into the pocket of her clothing in which it lay nestled undisturbed close to her heart. Opening her hand she admired the lovely chain and beautiful red jewel that seemed to burn with an inner fire. A fire that seemed to grow only brighter the longer she stared at it. “Keep your question simple.” She repeated the words he had told her. Easy enough. Fingers grasped the chain as she let the pendulum slip from her hand, watching as it swayed back and forth before it finally hung unmoving. “Which way?” Hopefully that was simple enough. The stone began to move in a circular fashion, as if it were thinking. Processing her question as it dangled there at the end of its chain. Suddenly it swung wildly to the left, over and over again it swung in that direction. Urgent and unchanging. Cupping the stone in her hand she gathered the pendulum together and slipped it back into her pocket, placing a hand over the fabric with a soft smile on her lips.

She stood, turning her feet in the direction the pendulum had indicated. What awaited her in this direction was anybody's guess. Vadoma just had to trust that the gift Rares had given her would lead her in the direction she needed to go to get the answers that she sought.  

[Yayoi]

It wasn’t long before the scent of smoke drifted through the damp air as she wandered through the forest. Every now and again she could catch the sound of music over the loud thunder of the storm. It drew her in, made her steps quicker until finally a large cave stood before her. The sight of Vardo nestled within its mouth brought a sigh of relief to the young vampire. She had hoped to run into a Kumpania eventually. It was better than spending another night on her own.

The storm seemed to urge her forward. Music, the sound of voices raised in song as shadows flickered across the cave walls, jumping and stretching into long and odd shapes. It was a small Kumpania. Of maybe a dozen or so Vardo, much smaller than the other Kumpania she had visited previously. The one Ravnos traveled with was rather sizable. But still that did not stop her from approaching. As she drew close she could feel the warmth of the fire burn through her soaked cloak and the sights and smells were familiar and welcome. Eyes fell to her as she emerged from between a pair of Vardo but they were warm and curious. As much to be expected. The music spoke to her essence, the words seemed to dance through the air, resonate with her heart, as a voice broke over the sound of instruments. As she moved closer to the bonfire, allowing its heat to warm her damp skin she soon spotted the source. A beauty with red and black hair stood upon a platform close to the fire. The way her body moved to the music was almost ethereal and she commanded such a presence. But the voice was also soothing, it calmed her nerves and made her more comfortable than she had been the night prior. As the song ended the woman stepped from the platform and made her way through the small group of Roma that continued to move to the beat of instrumental music. Gold eyes locked on her glowed in the firelight. She moved like a ghost, something strange and otherworldly about her. Vadoma knew instantly that she was another vampire. And a rather powerful one at that, old but not quite as ancient as her father. But it wasn’t the usual power she sensed from others, no. It was something….different. Not unlike her own but much, much stronger.

As the woman drew close she smiled warmly at her. Now she could really get a look at the woman and Vadoma saw how absolutely stunning she was up close. There was something strange about it though and she could have sworn for just the briefest of moments she had caught a glimpse of white hair and wrinkled skin. As quick as it had happened it had been whisked away.

“Greetings, copil drag, I have been expecting you.” Those gold eyes glowed brighter in the darkness. She had been expecting her. But how? Vadoma only questioned briefly, the recognition that lingered in those gold eyes. As if this woman knew her, knew who she was, what she was and why she was there. A hand suddenly pressed against her back as the other woman had drawn in close before Vadomahad realized. “Come, there is much to do tonight before I send you on your way and the sunrise pauses for no one.” The stranger lead her through the moving bodies to one of the larger Vardo. It was quite intricate and very lovely. Again Vadoma noted how different it was from her father’s and Rares’. When she was ushered inside she took in the layout, the decorations and items that lay about here and there. There were any number of musical instruments hanging on the walls. Any number of interesting treasures and bobbles, there was probably a million stories wrapped up in this Vardo alone.

“Sit, stay. I will make us some tea.” As the woman slipped away into the kitchen Vadoma found a comfortable looking chaise to lounge upon, though she merely sat. Her hands on her knees before she idly checked to make sure Pip was still doing alright. “So tell me child, has your power always bled like that into the fabric of your surroundings?” The voice sounded distant, slightly muffled from the walls that separated the two rooms. Bleed into the fabric of her surroundings? What did that mean?

“I….I don’t understand what you mean.” She admitted. Feeling almost stupid for not understanding. There was only so much Ravnos could tell her about herself. The rest Vadoma had to discover on her own.

The woman returned, carrying a single cup but that same, warm, knowing smile lingered on her lips. Like she knew a secret that she would slowly reveal to the young vampire. “You are like a beacon in the dark, my dear. If you are not careful you will draw the eyes of those much greater than you or I to your doorstep.” It was a warning. Vadoma could clearly recognize it and it was frustrating. Why could nothing ever be so simply explained? Why did everything need to be wrapped in riddles and vagueness? She accepted the cup offered to her, watching as the other woman settled into a plush chair not far from where she sat. Her crimson gaze falling to the cup in her hands, admiring the lovely pattern etched upon its surface. Steam lifted from the warm liquid it held. A deep, rich purple unlike anything she had ever seen before. Its scent flowery and heady, making her feel almost dreamy as it filled her senses. As she took a sip, its warmth spread through her chilled body and she could feel her eyes begin to droop, the muscles in her body relax. A quick sliver of panic raced through her before she knew it she had slipped into slumber. The last thing she could recall were those glowing gold eyes as the woman’s face hovered over her.  

[Yayoi]

When Vadoma’s eyes opened she was no longer sitting in the Vardo with the strange woman. She was floating in an inky darkness. A vast void that stretched in all directions. She found she could turn, her body felt weightless. Suddenly small pinpricks of light began to emerge and an energy swirled all around her. Stars raced across that darkness and lit the abyss in a blaze of light. What was this place? As she turned a large sphere had suddenly appeared in the darkness, it loomed over her, making her feel small and insignificant in its presence. A sudden flash of light broke over the horizon of the sphere and she suddenly realized that it was the sun. Instinctively raising her arms to cover herself, fully expecting to burn up into ash. After a moment, her arms lowered as nothing happened. The light from the sun spread across the sphere, lighting up land formations and bodies of water across its surface.

Was this Faetasia?

The sight of its beauty took her breath away. How blessed she was to see it in this capacity. Something probably only the Gods could ever lay eyes upon. But as quickly as its beauty revealed itself to her darkness spread across its surface. Water boiled and the land cracked and fell apart. What was once a glimmering jewel of green and blue was now ugly and desiccated. Her hands came to her mouth, eyes wide as she gasped at the sight. A low hum began to ripple through the air around her and suddenly she felt herself drawn back. The sphere shrinking in size until it’s entirety was within her gaze now. Over top of it in the darkness of that abyss a pair of large, golden eyes opened. Wide and unblinking as they regarded her. All the knowledge of the world, of the universe seemed to swirl within those enormous eyes as their gaze stared straight through her. Making her feel naked against them. Like she could not shut them out or keep them from peering into her very being. Probing into her deepest, most secret thoughts.

Vadoma clenched her head between her hands. “Stop it!” She cried out. Her voice echoed across the void. Suddenly she was swept away from this place. The eyes left far behind as her feet felt something solid beneath them. When she opened her eyes once more she was home in the temple grounds. Was it all over? Had she been sent back home? The atmosphere seemed strange though, like she was walking through water as she moved along the path that led to the temple door. A faint rain fell, washing everything in a grey and hazy light. But she could not feel it upon her skin. It did not soak into her hair or her clothes. Vadoma could feel a heavy sadness in the air, as if a great pain of loss had settled over the temple itself.

As she drew closer to the steps that led up to the temple she could hear crying. Like that of a small child but she knew there were currently none that lived on the grounds. Soon the figure of a small boy standing on the steps came into view. His arm across his eyes as he stood there sobbing. Her heart instantly broke and she felt an overwhelming need to go to him. To comfort him and tell him that everything would be ok. Cradle him in her arms and kiss his head, sing to him and make his face light up with joy.

She stopped herself.

Eyes lifted from that arm to stare up at her, rimmed with tears as streaks of red fell along his small, pale cheeks. He had to be very young judging by how small he was. But those eyes tore at her heart. How familiar they were and a name entered her mind but she did not dare speak it. This boy’s name. Vadoma dared not let it leave her lips in fear that she may never leave this place. That it may become real and an inevitability that she created simply by uttering his name.

But deep in her heart she knew. This small boy was important to her. And there would come a time when he needed her the most and she would not be there to comfort him. The pain of that realization scorched through her and her own tears began to sting at the corner of her eyes. Why was she seeing this? What good would all this pain bring her? She couldn’t stand it. It hurt too much.

‘Rares.’ Her mind flickered to him, held onto him and struggled to keep her senses about her. Again she was whisked away in an ever flowing torrent from this scene into another. A dark hole in the wall tavern. The air, heavy with smoke and the murmurings of its patrons. From a dark corner, deep amber eyes stared through her but they did not see her. There her love sat by himself, what he was doing in such a place confused her and she had to resist the urge to run to him. Wrap her arms about his neck and cover his face with kisses. To feel the press of his firm and sturdy frame against her own.

It was too much.  

[Yayoi]

As quickly as it had begun the vision ended. Vadoma opened her eyes slowly, finding herself now laid down on the chaise. A blanket had been pulled over her, tucked around her small form with care. Slowly she sat up, bringing a hand to her head as it throbbed. Catching the glow of those gold eyes as fragrant smoke left the strange woman’s lips with a smile. “What did you see, copil?”

Vadoma’s eyes scrunched shut as she tried to recall what she had seen. Like waking from a dream the smaller details began to fade but those that struck her the most profound lingered. “Nothing good I think.” Slowly her crimson eyes opened half way as she sat there, staring at the intricate pattern of the blanket that still rested across her body. The sound of a tongue clicking against the roof of a mouth caught her attention and she finally looked up at the woman. Watching as she brought an elegant looking pipe to her lips.

“I have had these visions, too.” The Ravnos stood from her seat, settling the pipe onto a holder where smoke rose into the air as it continued to smolder and burn. It was a warm, rich scent. Familiar to her but laced with something new. Moving across the room she went to a small cabinet and opened it. Retrieving an item and shutting the door before her steps brought her closer to Vadoma. Outstretching a hand , an ornate pendant swung from her fingers on a golden chain. Two serpants entwined with one another, one with red eyes and the other with green. “This will keep you safe, for a time. But fate comes for us all sooner or later and you cannot run from it forever. No matter how fast you think your feet might carry you.” She slipped the necklace over Vadoma’s head before stepping back. “Now, dawn is quickly approaching…” Vadoma blinked; shocked at how much time had passed. “Rest here, fata dulce, and you may continue your journey the next night to come.” The woman turned from her.

Reaching out, Vadoma snagged the woman’s wrist. Her gaze burned with so many questions that remained unanswered and likely would. “Who are you?”

A comforting hand slipped over her own as the woman chuckled. It was a rich laugh that sent warmth coursing through the younger vampire. The woman seemed to consider the question carefully before she spoke. “I have had many names in my lifetime. In this one I am known simply as Durga Syn.” She removed Vadoma’s hand from her wrist before her quiet steps carried her to the doorway that led to a short and dark hall. “Rest well, Vadoma. You will need all the rest you can get for what lays ahead.”

When she slipped into the darkness Vadoma blinked. Suddenly realizing that she had never told this woman her name. So how….?

She glanced warily about the room before pulling the blanket up over herself. Completely cocooning her body as she lay back down to wait out the daylight hours. How could she rest with these images flooding through her mind? She attempted to pick out any details she might have missed but found it difficult to keep her eyes open any longer. As she slipped into true slumber her thoughts returned to Rares and she imagined herself there with him. His arms wrapped about her body, keeping her safe from the world outside. The warmth of her love spread through her limbs as she could feel him, smell him, hear his voice as it whispered in her ear and she smiled.