Distant Goodbyes

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"but here i am with arms unfolding
i guess it isn't quite the end
old partner in crime, i am going to try
to fall in love with you again."
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The cloudbusting downfall seemed never-ending as the roars from above echoed through the minds of Crookback Bay. Copious teardrops from the sky melted and became one with the cobble, soaking the wood and any other dallied strangers that would fall victim. Tentative, infinitesimal raindrops made their way down and off the leaves, finding their lost way home. They gave no encouragement to the disoriented souls around them, including the absent Altalar.

Unsettled and blustery winds whipped past Leuthien's face, splattering shadowed stains of water along her despondency features, marching forwards until the storm suddenly stopped. Protection above her head that was unwelcomed to some degree, rueful oculars staring down the iron door. Nonetheless, the click of the motion setting through finally settled her placid stomach adrift. The castle was bitter. Frigid. Cold. Everything was still intact, the same exact way before the empty ordeal.

Silence was loud over the constant flickering down the Suvial's cloak, residue of the war outside, dripping off the cloth. Drip, drip, drip. One step was responded with a creak, wood squealing out under her. The aureate light burnt out long ago, leaving the walls bare and caliginous to the eye. Darkness filtered every inch of the vicinity, leaving nothing behind in its wake to assure there was absolutely nothing for one to focus on. The prevalent rumbles and crashes outside couldn't compete with the overwhelming, hanging stillness of the gargantuan castle walls.

More screams of crying wood sounded from under her boots, following her all the way behind her until she got up the stairs and to the lonesome rooms. Her eyes ran across the scattered papers, her own, reaching a vacant hand down towards them. Blank. Dried, heavy paper unfilled with the words she could not speak through her mind to her hand. Desolate gaze reading at the nothingness before a simple tilt of her head spoke more than she ever could. The rain splashed down and deafened any ears close enough with the unbarred window beside her, but still couldn't grab her attention. Fixated on the plethora of shaking parchment pinned to the wall, designs and drawings of all kinds shone even without their light. She knew who it was from, exactly the one who left the home so empty.

A soundless pace towards the filled wall that seemed to just cross her sight all these days being cooped up in the same room. Gloved digits running across the cracked fine art, almost haunting now. The touch seemed to peel her back, surfacing any memories possible, and to take her into their hold.

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Catalon was never quiet, there was not once a dull day in that damned city. And it seemed even more so for the acquainted pair each and every morning, afternoon and night. Although, Lorelei was nowhere to be found. It was typical of the Estling to do such so late at night, even if she didn't mean to, there was always a cloud of trouble around her. Leuthien still waited for her, as always, in the small shop of hers.


The bell rang throughout the thin walls, and there she was. "Uhm, hey, Leu." There was a small mutter from her. Unlike usual, she carried bags. Not many, if there was damn anything worth value to take with her, but some. Her boots clicked against the dark oak wood and came to a stop near the Altalar.

"You're late. Did you want-" Abruptly cut off, her words came to a stop. "I'm leavin' Catalon. You know, it's been fun, and everyones been real nice. But.. I need somethin' more, you know?" Following that was a few more moments of silence. Frozen hands and blank minds looking towards one another, waiting for one to speak again. "..Well. I'm happy for you. When are you leaving?" "Tonight. Actually-, right now. My boat is waiting for me. I just.. wanted to say that. Thanks for letting me stay over sometimes. Write to me, alright?"

There was nothing left to say. Such a sudden departure and hollowed steps that seemed to echo more than they should've. But, there was some dwindle of happiness for the woman in front of her. She deserved it more than anyone else in this city full of sinners. The constant life of running, no matter how much she lived for it, it was never enough. A nod and smile was the last thing she would do before yet to see her again, lost to the night.

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As the reminiscing thought came to a close, what really pulled her back was the nearing crackling outside, even causing her to jolt in her spot. She blinked a few times at the artwork before retracting her hand, coming to a short end of her thoughts.

It was just like last time. Except, she couldn't keep up with Anathiel's running. The constant begging and aloof screaming that slowly tuned out with the rain and distance between them both, simply watching her desperately run to those same docks. Unable to see what dream her silver eyed friend had seen in those hazy, fogged winds through the burnt corpses of the remaining Crookback. There was one thing she knew. She wasn't anymore free here. The one ambition she wanted to accomplish for herself, reaching out to new things that never seemed to stay for her. If this leaving was what made her break the chain and spread her wings, so be it.

Maybe she was really gone this time, never to return. The thought made her hands clench, squeezing leather against leather, heart violently crawling up to her throat in a way she never thought it could.

"Not even a goodbye."​

Whether the flaring emotion was anger, frustration, yearning, or sorrow, it was there. Tearing at the flesh inside of her, wailing to get out and leave, to expose itself. But there was no relief, Leuthien creaked to her left, following her devoid mind further into the stone castle and down to the lower area. She stood at the doorway, facade cracking as she looked towards where just the other day wrestling and laughing filled the air, happiness bursting through everyone's chest, now was empty and imperturbable.

A few more strides allowed her to stand in the middle of the room. Finally, she took it all in. The scattered memories, the gutted promises, crocodile tears, shattered dreams, and lonesome hearts. Everything seemed to crash down with each other, becoming a collective plethora of barren messiness. For a few moments, she stood there. Taking it all in.

Then, the creaked crying continued as she glided across the wood, back to one of the lower rooms that gave her a clear outlook on the simmered and ashed remnants of Crookback. She could see the head of blonde and red hair, watching out into the night. A silent promise, and knowing gleam.

"I'll make you proud.

You will always be a friend, but forever an Alpha."​