kocurkowa

Winter arrived faster than anyone could have expected, covering the world in a thick snowy blanket and bringing more gloomy days, but the cheer in the air and all the decorations that adorned the Collective’s residence brought back the memories of joy, happiness and sharing. Sitting by the fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate, Seva found herself reminiscing on the past couple of months, how much she had grown attached to this unusual group of people that she now considered her friends. She thought she ought to give some back to them and then, an idea struck her. Not too difficult to execute, yet bound to please everyone... or m

‘Come on, Thes, it will be fun!’ her sister was standing at the door to Thesdeia’s room. ‘Besides, I know that Vish is going to be there,’ the smugness in her voice was almost palpable. Still sitting on her bed, Thesdeia sighed and burried her face in the black dress she was holding. She kept that one for special occasions, it was made by her grandma, and it was fitting for that night. It was her friend’s birthday, one that would celebrate her coming of age, and everyone was invited. Including Vishries and everyone in their friends group knew that Thesdeia had the biggest crush on him. ‘I’m gi

Moving into the Collective’s building gave Thesdeia newfound appreciation for her sensitive hearing. Throughout the day, when she strolled across mostly empty halls, she caught all sorts of different noises. Sometimes it would be the sound of vials clinging while someone moved them around, most likely by Talaith, who was always busy working in the alchemy lab, the sounds of fighting coming from the top floor, or frantic scribbling on paper. However, her favourite was the faint sound of music and singing. There was Ramon, with his unmistakable voice. Whenever Thesdeia heard a harp playing in the distance, she could immediately p

Thesdeia knew that her job would present her with at least a couple of inconveniences, but nothing prepared her for the morbid nightmares that persisted through the first month or so. Sometimes it would be a face, covered in scars and screaming for help, or otherwise, including a vision of disembodied limbs covering the floor like a carpet. She had little to no sleep during this time, which made her relatives concerned enough to ask Thesdeia if she really wanted to work for them. It was a tempting proposition, just to quit and move on, but she felt that someone was calling to her, telling her to stay, so she persisted. Soon after, the nightm

It was their first stop on the surface, since she left behind comforts of her underground home. All of Thesdeia’a belonging fit into a small backpack - two sets of clothes, her favourite dress, one family photo and a bunch of knick knacks that she managed to grab hastily. A couple of dverg merchants she was traveling with have set up a camp and they assigned her to the first watch. The night was unusually quiet, save for one lonely voice in the distance. Thesdeia pulled her coat tighter, not because of the cold - the air was warm and the campfire help too, but she wanted to shield herself still. She peered into the flames, getting real

Sometimes when Thesdeia sat on the windowsil and looked outside, she thought of home. But... what was home for her, really? It felt like soft hum of multiple water pumps, cold rooms, distant people and death. But it was also her sister Kaldrie, first taking care of Thesdeia and eventually moving out to live her own life. Hardly ever did Thes associate her parents with home - they were too distant, spending majority of time on their own affairs. She had occassional friends, coming and leaving her life, so she learnt how to do without those alrogether. Surprisingly, the best memories of home were those with her sister and her family. Not all