Joining her kin in Coerthas at the Wolf’s Perch Boarding House, Jancis catches up with old friends and some new to talk about the pains they’ve experienced and how anger has been such a large part of Isgardian culture.
From the heat and spark of rage into the chill cold of a tempered anger. Focused and practiced as iron to steel. Pounded through practice and many precise swings. Our experiences are the hammer. Our values are the anvil. And our resolve is the cold bath that seals us into this condition.
We Feel the anger. There is energy, a reserve opened up. The tenseness in your form. Feel your pulse and how it is different. The deepness of breath, the repetition of it now from before. Hunger vanishes and the mouth grows dry, face reddens. Not only is an energy reserve opened, it is refined and channeled to where it needs to be.
Like Ice where you can either feel the burn of it and focus your energy, thrum inside and live, or can let the anger let you go dormant within and freeze.
I do not know what it is like to have a nameday. I have been to others. Eroich’s. Chachanji’s. One time I got bait for Barengar so he could fish on that day and played the harp awhile.
They are all different. So I did something different, as well. Torene would most likely not recall much of the nameday. But others would. And they care for her. So it was not really Torene’s nameday, but everyone-who-cares-for-Torene-in-some-way nameday.
It was for them.
Though not everyone could make the appointment, well-wishes were sent. In some way they still enjoyed the feeling and time from whatever distance. I had food and one thing to do. Talk about where Torene was one Turn ago and finish the bracelet of jade beads.
Twelve jade beads. One for each moon. Each one important in their own way. How remarkable to pay attention to each with such attention. How she has changed and grown. How I have changed and in some ways grown.
Her heart and body have grown while mine has calmed. Her eyes seeing new things, mine seeing the same things in a new way.
The day she stayed awake until the end, looking at each person in turn and the gifts they brought. They themselves were the gift, but all the same they had to leave a momento, an intention of care and protection.
The Gifts:
Aralinde: Her time. This little one though she did not leave Dogberry’s side, spent time with Torene. Understanding the work it takes to travel – especially so young – to see Dogberry, she gave her time to be with him to share it with us. Strangers now friends. I think of her now in Rhalgr’s Reach. I must send her flowers so she remembers the Beds and the Shroud until she returns.
Baeyl: Many. Baeyl brought many I noticed. The first was her smile. The way her lips lifted up as if it was only for me to see. A secret smile that had knowledge and care behind it. The second was a set of floral pomanders with a holder carved with beautiful beasts; for the hard days where sleep was fleeting and needed aid. The last was her, a mother. A mother with much to share.
Barengar: I noticed him early on as others arrived, one of the first. He is hard to not notice, his size alone. First time I had seen the Ala Mhigan since removing the pearl. He stayed until all others departed, a gift of broken ginger cookies wrapped in parchment. It was on purpose, of course, to make the cookie last longer for a tiny person. The right amount for Torene to taste when something fun happened. Almost a training, that good things in life were connected to these sweet warm ginger cookies. Just like the ones his brother adored.
Chachanji: One of the first to know about Torene’s coming before we even knew who she was. He arrived with a box nearly as tall as himself, wrapped in decorated paper and written in large letters that only a smith’s hand could make “FOR TORENE”. He guarded it with care and in a small way I was sad to open it. The idea of a box so well decorated and wrapped to look special had to be enjoyed for existing despite what lay inside. There is a lot of intention and love when someone receives a box like that. Afterall, surprise is part of the gift. Inside was the largest plush I have ever laid eyes upon. Soft and fluffy with patches and mending, a chocobo much larger than Torene to share the bedspace with and keep her company through all her travels. He said it was his from younger days. What a wonder. To have such a treasure and to pass it on. I must needs help Torene care for this plush until she understands and can handle it herself.
Cheche: I had heard about this woman from Nathaniel. She was like a flower in a meadow, swaying to blur anyone’s vision to not see her directly. I feel remiss I rarely had a chance to speak with her. To thank her for a gift that was so well placed it was distracted as others brought gifts. Finally did I have a moment to look upon it properly. It deserved that. There was a lot of thought involved. A gathering of charms. It reminded me of the bracelet Torene wore of jade. Charms of well wishes and protection. Wards I was not greatly familiar with, animals, and one hosting the Twelve together. I must needs thank her for this gift.
Cinnabar: A steadfast companion. I personally missed much of Cinnabar’s time with Torene, but could hear it as she introduced Kwehgraf and helped them get along. I heard afterwards that Torene fed the small chocobo chick with her own hand and got to feel the soft red feathers! That the little one is safe and content to join so many others, after all the ordeals it has endured, is truly a gift. No doubt Cinnabar is to thank for the cloudkin’s demeanor. She is an example of sweetness and strength perfectly balanced.
Dogberry: Since the war spreading, I am happy to work with this man once again. Much as he is humble about his rank, I respect that. He is still as a Captain as he is not one. It never mattered. Along with bringing his daughter Aralinde, he brought beautiful blocks of wood dyed in vibrant colors. Big enough to hold in a tiny hand. They are fun to stack and even more fun to knock over to stack again.
Denz: That he was able to make it was enough, but he came with more all the same. Not Aedwen, which surprised me, but with things for Torene and myself. Astrelle had made them, he told me, two matching charms on a chain bearing the De’bayle family crest. It matches the charm bracelet for Torene, not as subtle. He is very intent on reassuring this connection. His sweetbread, he calls her. It fits. And after that, he carried the many wonders that piled next to Torene, even the large chocobo. All the while letting Torene sleep against his ribs.
Fatima: She is bright like a star and smiles so bright I even caught Torene looking expressly at it. Alas, there were so many to greet I did not greet the lady as much as I wanted. Still, she brought a gift more than eating some of the many sandwiches the party had. There was a bag of gil coins. Many. I will have to find someone to teach Torene how these coins work, for I know I do not understand them well enough. A place within her bed I can store them. Until the time comes. So many coins.
Flora: I did not get to speak to her, but she brought a friend. Perhaps she is training with beastkin? It was a large feline that kept her arms busy and gave her so many kisses it looked as if the woman was blushing from the redness. I did see Ghaellon and Barengar smiling. I was so glad to see her.
Ghalleon: As with Flora, I was remiss to not greet with more than a hello. I still carry his prayer with me and that is a grand gift. How funny it is to think back to last Autumn and the concerns he had for me. And the argument we had, having a meeting of minds. Yet now here we all were, smiling and glad to have people we recall and remember. To enjoy some company even for a short while. The gift of a friend.
Jacline: She had a cane. I could see the fatigue in her face, even through smirks and funny jokes. We were together when the aether changed, to see some of the truths. I knew she was still recovering from that ordeal. Yet here she was regardless, standing, joking, and even brought Torene the most amazing present. I half-spun when the jack-in-a-box sprung near violently out of its box. Torene still stares at it. A first foe? A first fear to overcome? It was perfect. It has a funny song then a big surprise, like a prank. Torene will grow to love it, I know it.
Nathaniel: He came to the Shroud. Those few words mean a great deal. All my energies and efforts were put into Torene for this sun and he understood that. Then also came with kin and friends, eyes of amber keeping an watchful eye on them all as well as Torene. And me. As if that was not enough, he presented her with three gifts. Three useful gifts. They were useful in more than their intended purpose as his apprentice made them to learn the craft. Though I would think it a masters, a journeyman’s at least. A light shaped like a fish that can create light from water. I already use it to tell Torene stories when the sky is without stars. A spool of thread that looks to be made of gold, for all the tears and rips clothing in play will get. And one thing I know is of Nathaniel’s own hand without him telling me. It feels like the staff he gifted me with. An amulet of moonstone that could purge darkness. To keep her safe. For truly the darkest of suns. Such potent magicks can only last so long, but from the make I can tell it is made for such and can be re-imbued. Not that by the reason alone would I take Torene to Nathaniel. There is another home there.
Ojene: A music box of soft wood that smelled like the ocean and has many animals embossed with metal carved into its frame. It was wrapped in a soft blue cloth that Torene even covers the box with, then uncovers it. I think it keeps the animals shiny. I got to play the music the other night, it was as if Menphina wrote the tune, a song of love and sweetness that lulled both of us to sleep. I realized that Ojene had only recently returned from Doma and made the trip to the Twelveswood after being so long from her beautiful house and home. Her own child was resting there, naught but a Turn older than Torene. I cannot wait to see her again and learn more.
Reginald: I am so glad Reginald has come back into my life. He is the most unique knight I have met to date. An old friend. He arrived with a quilt Torene still grabs often. Each square is unique to its fabric and feel. The colors are warm. I think for Torene it is still a mystery, for each time she finds a different square, it is as if the entire feel and sound is new. I will have to ask him what scents he wants added to it as they fade. Right now it smells a lot like the cologne he was wearing.
Sui: For good health. There was a big bouquet of bright marigolds. Many like a setting sun in Summer. And some like a sun at full noon! It was enough to see Sui’s bright smile, but then the flowers. I found one of the tucked into Torene’s blanket when she fell asleep. The others I will carefully dry and preserve. A marigold is a challenging flower for such a task, but they are for good health and a gift to last a lifetime.
Swozbhar: I saw him talking with Tausenadel. Is he also interested in beasts? Or the sea? It was good to see him, especially in happier times and with less stress in his face. He brought a beautiful wind chime of bones from seakin. It must have taken a lot of work, for none of it smelled fishy, only the soothing scent of salt like an ocean. He said it was more for me than Torene, but who could not enjoy such a thing? I can see Llymlaen sending a breeze to make its soft music start. Or if the Navigator cannot, I just might.
Sylbfohc: He was beaming despite long suns at sea and only arriving back home, and so funny. Torene lit up at his full voice, mouth open in some of the biggest smiles even at first meeting. She does not see a lot of beards, though. And his is certainly eye-catching. I look forward to sharing more stories of his daughter Little Estorme as well as the invitation to work for him with the Maelstrom. Even atop all those things, he insisted on a bag with many gil coins within. For Torene and all the things she will need. I must needs store it away. Such things are beyond me. Traders willing, they will not be beyond her.
Tausenadel: Long have I known Tausen and he was the best hands to help with the party. His experience with beasts, be it to rescue them and recuperate or keep them, is second to none. The Beds were full of many of his little fosters and wards that sun, finding new hands to pet and flowers to explore. He also told many a story, including some of mine favorites. Even if the group got dysentery. I could tell most of the others enjoyed it, pausing in whatever they were doing to listen. I am lucky to have such a great friend.
Ulysses: I know he is still recovering, but still he came. And not alone. Marcel was with him. A bearcub that I knew was small for what he would become, but ever so large already. It was so nice to see him.
