The Past Looms Up
There was a chill in the night air as Riesse sat perched on the stone balustrade surrounding the small balcony just outside her bedroom. Goose bumps laced her arms though she was more than sure they were caused by more than the chill in the air. Her petite, curvy frame drew strength from the stone at her back as she leaned against the manor home, face tilted toward the stars. "Gods above, please help me.." The whispered prayer offered up to any who would listen was shakily uttered, broken by the quiver of her voice. Earlier that evening, Riesse had been enjoying an outting with her new friends, Christabela and Aeydark Bal'annor. She'd even met yet another friend of theirs, a cheeky Troll introduced to her as Jal'eh. The Mage fondly recalled the ease of talking with them, the inherient way the married couple put her at ease without them being aware of how hard it was for the woman to be in the company of so many strangers. For so long Riesse had warred with her emotions and the shear terror of people around her realizing just how 'different' she was. Most times, she was sure that the 'mask' she wore was securely in place. But, this night...the mask had been ripped from her, laying bare her heart.










