A Moment's Meditation
Masterlist
Summary: Tav opens up about their past
Tw: Death mentions, blood mentions, angst
Dusk began to settle on the monastery, shades of reds and oranges splashed the sky, leaving a breathtaking view to watch together.
However, Tav was in a deep trance, their eyes shut as they sat cross legged on the worn down cobblestone. Freya had known monks were serious about their meditation but it had been two hours!
“You're going to miss it.”
Tav gave a faint smile. “Oh, I'm seeing it in ways you couldn't imagine.”
Freya couldn't help but roll her eyes. “I don't think I'll ever comprehend your monk phrases.”
“Is it so hard to believe that I can see a sunset with more than just sight?” They asked with a chuckle. “I can feel the rays of the sun on my skin, hear the birds chirping before they turn in for the evening, and I can sense the waning patience of a tiny companion wanting some company.”
Her face immediately flushed. “Y-You're making that last part up!”
Tav finally gave in, opening their eyes to see a flustered Freya standing on a vine tangled ledge. Their smile only broadened. “Okay, the last part was just me hearing your sighs.” They got up to look out at the view, leaning against the ledge just meters away from Freya. “But you're right, I shouldn't miss gazing upon the sunset.”
Finally, they could finally enjoy watching the sunset together! Freya's ulterior motive for tagging along with Tav was in effect, with everything going on, the two hardly had alone time together. If anything, Astarion had seized more time with Tav than her, but fortunately, he refuses to hang around when Tav is meditating.
Now she understands why.
“So… does this monastery help you… while you meditate?” Freya asked awkwardly.
“In a sense, I didn't practice the teachings of Lathander much, but this place does help me find peace amidst the chaos.”
In Freya's years of living, she didn't know much about monks, it wasn't like she saw a lot in Skaars Hollow. “How did you become a monk?”
A soft sigh emanated from their lips. “Now that is a story of the past.”
~~~
A young Tav had wandered the streets of Wyrm’s Crossing for days, traveling into alleys to dig through the trash. No one seemed to stop to help the child, they had no idea where to go. The world they grew up in had now turned terrifying, why couldn't mummy and daddy just wake up already?
It was a particularly chilly night for the lost halfling, huddling into the alley with their face buried in their knees. Tears fell down Tav's cheek, their world seemed uncertain now.
It wasn't until the sound of a crash broke the child from their sobs.
“Would you be quiet?” A male voice said. “Your recklessness will get us caught!”
“It's the dead of night, Tror. Who's out here?”
Despite their snappy tone, the feminine voice sounded soft and kind, like their mum. Pushing themselves off the cold ground, Tav shuffled over to investigate. Their eyes widened as they saw two beings much smaller than a halfling digging through a sack of trash that was torn open!
“You'd think the tenants of this place wouldn't throw out such exquisite stuff.” The dark haired woman said, holding up a hair pin that gleamed in the moonlight.
“They're elves,” Tror scoffed. “They probably threw it out cause it was last year's fashion.”
“Oh well, our gain.” The woman replied with a chuckle. “Now let's head to Sharess’ Caress, I bet they threw out a lot of food!”
As the two headed for the opening of the alley, Tav stepped out of the shadows. “E-excuse me, I need help.”
The tiny beings stopped in their tracks, letting silence filled the alley for a long time. It wasn't until Tav took a few steps closer that they moved.
“Stay back!” The tiny red headed man turned to face Tav, he pulled out a sewing pin like a sword pointed at Tav, while keeping in front of the woman. “Do not take another step!”
“I-I'm sorry…” Too many times Tav was met with nasty responses by people when they asked for help. Why did they think this time would be different?
“Hold on.” The woman stepped forward in the light, her honey colored eyes studied Tav like mum did when she was trying to find out if they were fibbing about something. After what felt like a million years to Tav, the tiny woman spoke. “You're a child.”
Tror grabbed the lady's wrist pulling her closer to him. “Does that matter, that's a big folk!”
A small giggle slipped out of the halfling's mouth, no one had ever called them big before.
“Oh hush, Tror, they can't be anymore than six summers old.” She broke away from him and smiled at Tav. “What sort of threat can a child pose?”
“Many that you neglect to think of apparently.” He grumbled.
“Pay him no mind, we just have to be extra careful due to our size.” She said, “My name is Piper, what is yours?”
“Tav.”
“Tav,” She repeated in a sweet voice. “What are you doing out here? It's not safe for a little one.”
“Mu-Mummy and daddy won't wake up.”
Piper pursed her lips. “Pray tell, what do you mean?”
They didn't know the answer, but hot tears pricked the corners of their eyes. Tav had spent an entire day trying to shake them awake, they didn't even sleep on their bed, they laid on the ground.
Tror stepped forward “Piper, there's blood on their shoes.”
When Tav was trying to wake up mum and dad, they were laying in a puddle of blood, but why did that matter? They get cuts when they play outside. “Did they get a bad cut?”
Piper's gaze softened at the child. “Something like that...”
Tror stepped in front of Piper. “This is all very sad, but we have to go.”
“We can't just leave them!”
“What would you have us do?” He ran his hands through his fiery colored hair. “Take them home?”
“Can I?” Tav asked. “Just so for a day, out of the cold?”
Piper's eyes only softened at Tav. “I'm afraid our home is too small for you, but don't worry, we'll do something.” She grew quiet, the motherly demeanor morphing into one of uncertainty. She stood there, glancing between Tav and the streets beyond them, the features on her face scrunched up as she racked her brain for an idea.
“The Open Hand Temple!” She gasped out. “The monks could help you!”
“The temple?!” Tror cried out. “That's on the other side of town!”
Piper glared at her partner with her hands on her hips. “It's the only place I know that would be safe for them.”
Tav had heard of the monks before, but they didn't know much about them, did mum and dad know more about them? “Will they really help me?”
“Of course they will.” Piper clasped her hands together. “Now, let's make haste, you shouldn't be out here any longer.”
She took confident strides towards the child, seeing her closer made Tav realize just how tiny she was, she didn't even reach their knees. “Kneel down, and hold your hands out like so.” She said, cupping her hands. Tav did exactly what she said, their eyes glued to her as she climbed into the child's hands.
She was so warm compared to Tav's icy hands; they felt a little bad she had to deal with that, but she didn't seem to mind. “Now, follow my instructions and we'll get you there before midnight.”
“Have you gone mad?” Tror shouted as he ran up to them. “We can't just guide a child through the streets, what If someone sees us?”
“At this hour?” Piper jeered. “You worry too much, my love.”
Fierce brown eyes glared up at the two. “I will not go along with this, I'm sorry Piper but this is too dangerous.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
Piper gave a shrug. “I'm not going to make you come on this dangerous quest with us. Just go back home and I'll be back within a tenday.”
His eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “You're serious?!”
Piper didn't respond to him, she just looked up at Tav with a smile. “Let's go hun.”
Tav was hesitant to go, they didn't want Piper in trouble, but finding a warm place was more dire. They stood up and headed out of the alley, they didn't get very far before the sound of feet hitting the road followed behind them.
“Okay, wait! I'll come along!”
~~~
“And then I was taken to the temple. It wasn't until later that a monk took me to the mountains to train under the ways of the four elements.”
As Tav wrapped up their story, Freya could only conjure up more questions in her head. “And what of the borrowers?”
“They left before I reached the steps.” Tav smiled as they continued to reminisce. “I would leave out scraps of my food under my bed but I never saw them again.”
“I suppose that was to be the outcome.” Freya's words didn't match her views; she understood why they never kept in contact, but if she were in that position, she probably would have at least wanted to make sure the child was adjusting, maybe even give a proper goodbye. But Freya knew she was being biased.
“I wouldn't dare to hold that against them.” They broke away from Freya's gaze to watch the sun dip into the horizon. “They did a lot for me in that short moment, I'm not sure I'd be here if it weren't for them.”
“You mean with the tadpoles?” Freya gave a cheeky grin.
Tav snorted in response. “Oh absolutely! If it weren't for the tadpoles, I wouldn't have great company.”
“I guess you have a point, you and Astarion are becoming such good friends.” She teased back, but the borrower felt a trace of venom laced in her words.
“I'm not just talking about Astarion.” A dashing smirk flickered onto the halfling's lips. “I've had a soft spot for borrowers since I've met them, so meeting you has been one of my favorite memories so far.”
A blush scorched Freya's pale cheeks, hearing them say that was like a symphony to her. She couldn't believe that traveling with Tav would make her heart sputter like this, if only she knew if Tav thought of her this way. Freya turned towards the breathtaking view to enjoy this small moment with Tav. “Me too…”
