Laura Par'Vulus: "The Mystery"

Guest

"La la la, la la-la-la lala" hummed a girl. She sang and danced among the trees and brushes. The completely nude Laura appeared after stubbing her toe on a rock. She plopped onto the ground and sucked on her toe, pouting a bit, but soon standing again and just walking along the forest. Her long, reddish-brown hair falling past her shoulder and fluttering about her in every which way. Finally coming to her grove she lays down on her back looking around. The happiest girl in the world. Until she finally started thinking. What of her past? Who was she? Where did she come from? Who were her parents? .... Was her name really Laura? She wanted someone. She wanted to know who she was.

After what seemed a couple hours of her deep thoughts, the man she called her uncle entered her grove. He was only her tutor though. Other such druids knew of her and figured it best to have somebody teach her things. Such as how to speak, right from wrong, and the faith of Chislev. Though this time he came for a different reason. He came to tell her to finally go into the world. Seek answers, find what the world has to offer and the dangers, the the problems, the hardships, and why people still yet struggle through such things. And so she did, but not until he finally managed to get her to wear some clothes. Which if you asked the man was harder than getting a Kender to not steal.

So now the finally clothed Laura set off into the world, to find her answers, about life outside the forests. And possibly to find answers of her past.

Guest

From now on these will be in the perspective of Laura.
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I don't know how long I walked but I finally came along a road and decided to follow the road in the direction to my left when I came across it. Hnnn! My feet are sore, I don't know why uncle told me to do this but I'm going to do it then I'm going to tell him hes a meany...And then... I don't know, but that's what I'm going to do. Yes sir.

I walked for a good couple more hours down the road until I heard some kind of 'clop clop clop clop' but realllly fast and lots of times. Until finally a man on a horse came bouldering down the road, but he say me and stopped. I didn't know what to say really so I just said Hi and waved. Then he got off the horse and I decided to ask him why he rode the horse, and he told me the horses were transportation... I didn't like that, but I was told I was supposed to just find out about the world and I suppose I will have to accept this for now. Anyhow, the man asked who I was and I told him Laura, but he seemed a little weird, he kissed the back of my hand. I don't know why. It was kinda cute but, I didn't know why he did that. He asked if I needed escort on the road but I told him I didn't even know where I was and he pointed me in the direction of Zaradene.... I didn't know what this Zaradene was but I guess it was a place where I could meet more of this kind of man. So I walked down the road and told the man buh-bye.

I came to some sort of trail and a group of men approached me and they had some sort of metal object and started running at me. I panicked and called a prayer to Mother and I made them all slip and fall. I realized now that they were like the people trying to hurt me at my grove so I called on the whip I always used to fight these people off, it was a whip of flame. I lashed it at them and made sure they no hurt anyone again.

I took one of their strange metal objects, holding it, I liked it, I wondered what it did and found out quickly as I accidentally cut my leg. And I realized I could use it like the whip, except, I don't have to bother Mother to use it. Then I took one of the mans armor and the small round object one of them was carrying, I figure these things hurt, and.. I may as well use these objects to make sure they no hurt me.

I was already missing my grove..

Guest

I walked into Zaradene, I figured out it was a town, houses, people lived in them, I found it weird but I could understand why. Ants can get annoying sometimes while you are trying to lay down. So that help keep them away. Yep. Anyhow, I decided to look at a few things and I traded some things I gathered from the people that tried to hurt me, and got something the woman called lipstick! It was blue! It was so cute, she showed me how to do it and she put it on my lips and showed me in a thing called a mirror which made another me! Eeee! I looked so cute! I love it! Heheheheh, so I bought lots of it and I gonna wear it a lot! Lots and lots! Heheh.

The woman was so nice, she also showed me some dresses but I felt constricted so I decided to stay with what I had. Then she showed me how to take care of my hair. And how to clean it properly, and how to keep it while outside and such. And then after my hair was all groomed we looked into that duplicator thing called a mirror and I looked at my hair and I loved it! But I have to keep it behind me like that, or it gonna get messy. So I'll do that, It looked really cute.

Guest

I met many people lately. Storm, Tristan, Azura, Tantra. They are all really nice to me. Tristan though, he told me about something that I am really curious about. And.. I ..happen to really want this.. I've never really had it. Family. He told me that people fall in love and make a family, I'm...well.. I've never had a family. I want one. And, I.. want to know how it feels to be in love. He said I would know though when it happens, so I won't look for it, I figure it just happen. I wish I knew who were my parents.... ~She sighs~ I wish I had people to call family.

Guest

I was running around the roads and just looking here and there. I was learning a lot about people and places, as Uncle said. But today I was reallly scared. I missed Uncle so much! I was running and a huge towering beast was there! So I ran away! And ran and ran and then there was another...and another! And finally I saw a building and a person standing next to it and screamed to get inside there was a big creature attacking. She laughed at me and so I just ran inside figuring she'd fight it away. I was so scared, I ran into the building and found the first corner and curled up and hair that I didn't have was standing on end. A lady and a man walked over to me and said there was nothing to worry about, and that the creatures were really really nice actually. And told me to come with them and they would introduce me. She... she seemed nice enough so we went outside...and.. We met Glitter, a dragon. He scared me a lot but ... he said he was like me. And he knew I followed the Mother. I... liked him, he was nice... So was Amia and Marcus. Though I fear I may crushed Marcus' arm off while I was hugging him in fear of Glitter. Heh, I feel so bad... so silly.... My first embarrassment. But it was a nice thing to find out, I learned of dragons. So I went to a city called ...Par..lan...thas....or was it.. Puh.. lawn..thas... ..Ah well it was something like that and found a big big BIG! Library, they pointed me in right direction to learn about dragons and so I learn a couple things about them... the uhm, Meh..tall..ehck.. dragons are good..and..cah..ro...mah..tic.. dragons are bad..Hrm.. metal looking ones be good and colorful ones be bad. It good to know which ones to be scared of.. Yep.

Guest

After my discovery on 'dragons' I just sat around Pah-lun-thas...for a couple days, watching the people. I watched the young boys play fighting and wrestling and playing pranks on the young girls, I thought they were mean! But I let it go as I saw one of the boys off to the side handing another one a flower, now I thought that was cute.. "Wish someone would give me a flower!" ...Ooops..did I say ..that out..loud? ..Eek..how embarrassing.. Heh.. Ehh... I...

Well I arrived in a different part of Pah-lun-thas and I started watching a the people. They were walking about doing business..both days, I wonder why? I thought it was really boring. Trading all these items for no reason.. *Sighs sadly* So I asked someone why they do it! Heheheh.

Well.. after talking to the man about why he does his job day after day he say to support his family, to keep food on the table and make sure they have shelter. I understand now. They have job to make money so they can buy things to support family... I like that. Very noble what these people do day after day just to keep their family happy.... *Sighs sadly again* I wish I had someone to do that with or for me. Wish I had a family...

Next I watched really really old people. People like uncle! White hair long beards! *Giggles* They are cute, forgetful and cute. I watched him tell stories to a group of young children on the street side. He captured them in his tale of dragons and majesty and all this other stuff! eee! Oh..my.. ..I'm sitting in the crowd with the children..erhm..I'm..going..to walk..away now..heh..heh..heh..

Final thing I witnessed was in a monastary, to Pal-uh-deen. Yeah, thats his name.. I went inside and..there was a man laying off to the side, they tell me he was on his death bed, he was dieing naturally of old age... I was curious... I went over to talk to the man. He had no family, no visitors there for his last moments he said. And that he was glad I came over. I held his hand gently and he told me his name. Xavier Desthin.
I told him mine...Laura Par'Vulus I said. His eyes widened suddenly at my name, and he asked my name again. Laura Par'Vulus. He smiled warmly to me and raised his hand to my cheek, gently stroking it and, I was wondering why he was so suprised to see me...I asked him why my name was important. His response...

"I knew your father."

Guest

I talked to a girl name Tiny, some really quiet weird man named..uhm.. Sarosh..and a kinda cute but obviously realllly really shy Olcan.. heheh. I wonder why people try to hurt him, he seem nice enough. Huhm.. Well anyhow I talk to Tiny and she tell me to find some new clothes and gave me suggestion on some and so I went to Zaradene and found clothes place and went inside and looked around. I found some reaaallly cute things and I put them on and they were comfortable too! Heeheh, though one of them I just think looks reeaally good with my hair.

I don't know why I feel like I should... make myself look pretty with these things... Always told that I look beautiful as is. But .. I dont know it confusing.

I went back to Tiny house and knocked on door though and heheheh, she came out and said I looked really good in them! Even Sarosh said I look good. Heheh, so I'm going to keep wearing them.. Yup.

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So I talk to Tristan again and we started talking about love again, what people do when they in love, how they express it. What you feel when in love and I think it kind of strange but I am so curious about it... I guess I wont know exactly until I fall in love..huhm.. Anyhow.. He told me about how people kiss! And at first he say people hug and kiss.. Like friends family and lovers...and so I gave him a kiss on the lips and hugged him to show him we were friends and... I feel really embarrassed now because that is supposed to be how lovers kiss ....not friends.. Ehhhh.. He told me that too late! ....Ah well, it was kinda nice. Though then he tell me people use their tongues and...that seem kinda weird but.. I won't question it ... I guess its just another thing I find out if it happen to me. Though I need to find Gabriel and give him a hug, appreciation for helping us out...

We went to a hill and looked over Crystalmir Lake...later that day..and uhm.. It was.. so beautiful.. I always love going there. He also ask me about the grove I spoke about and..I think he try to trick me into telling him where it is but I saw right through him! Heheh. Oh...then he tell me about his first love, and what happen to her. He never tell me exactly what happened but I don't think I want to know. Thats awful! Mean bandits! I would've gave them something worse than just cutting tham down! Made locusts feed on them for that atrocity! Grrrrr!

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I stepped into the tavern in Zaradene, to rest a moment and I find Storm at the bar, she said hi and ordered me a drink, then we took a seat on the floor. She gave me my water, heh I was really thirsty then. Anyhow we started talking, she started telling me that her business is really slow, that not many are hiring mercenaries, I say I hope it pick up, but uhm, I don't think it a nice business. We talk about a few things, that people have been teaching me about love, oh and Tristan about certain ritual people do to show affection, like kissing. Oh! And I kissed her on the cheek as we get to that topic too, as I remember Tristan said friends do that. Heheheh. Then she started talking about intimacy, that, sometimes mating be done just for fun. Hnn, I don't like that, it just don't sound right, and then she talk about how two women do it and I was confused, it didn't make sense....She brought me upstairs and she was gonna show me, she took her clothes off, and started kissing me, and used her tongue, but... Tristan said only lovers do that! And I wasn't..in love with Storm! It don't make sense.. Why!? What... I don't know I'm confused!

"No! No, this..this no feel right.. No, stop. Let just not do this, I think I understand how it work...Can we go outside, this...this room is giving me a headache."

Phew... That is over, good. I... I needed to stop that. Her...her hands were touching me, and I don't know why..there. Not sure why it feel nice, but not. Hnn, she say I will know who I will do that with when time is right but, that just feel...weird to me, the whole thing, just feel wrong. Maybe because it was just with her...Hnn, it should be keep between man and woman. To get family, mating.. Yeah. It just the feeling I get in my stomach, it just not right to me. Felt like I was going to throw up, but I didn't feel sick. I, wonder if Tristan know something, I want to know more about this... though I don't know if anyone else can tell me anything, it might just need to be experienced, but, I will wait to do anything like that. Lots of thought. Lots... ...

Guest

Time was coming! Those big mean lizard people are going to Good Bay..to.. be mean! So I ran to Good Bay... to cheer people up before they came! Heheheh. I gave lots of flowers to alot of those nice people in those big clinky white clothes. Even gave a couple hugs, the ones who were really nice anyway. Then...then I saw the scared ox! Just.. all alone in his pen! And I went to talk to the cute guy! He was scared, so I lead him away to a hill where I told him to stay until I could figure out a better place, so he stayed there waiting for me. Then I went back inside the town and gathered some other animals, like this one cute puppy, a kitten! Eeee! A Kitten, yep, I took her to the hill too. Heheh, I hardly ever get to meet kitten, heh. Oh! Then whats his name, Sar...Sarr...Sari...Saro...Hnn! Sarosh? OH right, Sarosh, he gathered up the children in Good Bay and he said he was bringing them to Zaradene. Oh then I helped him gather the other children. Then left, and decided to bring the animals to Zaradene, and uhm, yeah, we went to Zaradene and so I left the ox next to the one in town, and gave one of the girls the kitty, let the dog roam free but told him to be nice. Then I saw Sarosh in Tiny lap, she was crying and it look like Sarosh was taking a nap in a bad position, but I saw something wrong, like he passed out or something so we brought him to a room, laying him down.

With my staff to the ground I prayed to mother, to give them strength, agility, endurance. To make them more perfect physically. It work as mother allowed me to make all of us stronger, faster, and with more energy.... I hope that help Sarosh wake up faster. Tiny seem really sad.

Oh! Then me and that cute shy Olcan when downstairs to give them privacy and we talk for a minute. He say he is just, really shy to new people, he needs time to adjust. Heh, but he walk off really quickly again! Maybe he still shy, I think its really cute. Heheheh. OHP! But.. the animals! I forgot to check on them again, grrr!

Guest

The near to nude woman had entered the small grove, seeming more of just a little circled clearing of trees with a bedroll and a pack with food and such. She glanced around, looking for something as she found her target it trots out happily to greet her.

"Hello Merre." She smiled, as she leans down on all fours, fur starting to ripple from her skin, and within a moment she had taken the form of a wolf, and upon taking the form she nuzzled Merre before placing a slobby lick straight across Merre's head.

Both of the wolves gaze darted up suddenly with small growls as rustles are heard in the nearby brush, but soon an old hermit appears in the clearing, using a staff of some sort to help walk. He had wrinkles lining his face, under his eyes, around his chin, the man seemed to be at least a hundred years old, despite being a human. He spoke softly, somewhat quietly to the two wolves, his voice crackly.

"Cut the growling out Laura, Merre. Just me child." Upon that both of the wolves stop growling and their tongues come out and they pant, both of their tails wag happily, almost in synchronicity. They both trot up to the old man nuzzling against his legs very gently before the one transforms and gives the old man a big hug, giggling.

"Uncle!" She says, elated to see him. And she quite naturally wiggles her nose against his giggling still. "How are you uncle?" she then reels her head back, looking at him questioningly.

"I'm fine child, what do you take me for? Some old blubbering fool who can't make his way around? Sit child, I know you were looking for me." She nods, going to take a seat on her bedroll, leaving a place for him which he takes, wrapping an arm around Laura. "Tell me then child, what is it you needed me for?" She wraps her arms around him, snuggling him for a moment as she looks up to her uncle with a frown.

"Well, I met a man in ..Palanthas...awhile ago. Xavier Desthin. He said he knew my father." she comments shyly.

"And so the day comes where you seek your father. Are you sure you wish to know who your father is child?" He asks, his voice sounding of wisdom, a sudden youth accompanying it. She only replies with a nod, firmly. "Your mother was but a very young woman inside of Palanthas. She was only at the young age of fifteen when she met your father. A nigh on naked, fur wearing elven boy, just cresting to adulthood. She had immediately fallen in love with your father, saying she loved his grace, his kindness, and that he was an angel to her. He in truth was a stubbornly foolish man, and as they continued to see each other now and then, he began to grow fond of the woman, often returning to the city to visit the young woman. Though he never stayed for very long, preferring to live in the forests and finding the city stifling to be in, but he was continually drawn back to her presence. Be it curiosity of the woman, be it odd attraction to her, he had never figured it out," the old man continued his story, speaking to the bright-eyed woman hugging him, as if telling a story to a child, though now, the child seemed older, and more mature in a way. He smiled down at her and continued his story. "Years passed, she had blossomed into a flower of a woman possessing beauty that challenged that of some of the fairest of Elven maidens. She had long, silken, fiery strands of hair, just like yours child." The woman giggled slightly, nodding at the resemblance to her mother, but stopped and continued to listen quietly.

"She had big, black eyes. Orbs that stole your fathers heart at the sight of this blossomed woman. He had lost his care that she was human, and she had never cared he was elven, and they simply walked towards each other without a word and embraced each other. He glanced down at her, oh I had not mentioned your mother being a human, and your father an elf, he was still yet the taller of the two. He brushed some of the hair from her face, and they gazed into each others eyes, still yet without a word before they finally let go, and kissed. Unfortunately for the two, the young flower of a woman's father had been watching nearby." He sighs, glancing down to the now very enthralled girl in who now resided in his lap with a frown. "Are you sure you wish me to continue child?" She again nodded, yet more vigorously.

"So be it child. Your mother's father was not the best man, he had arranged her to be married to a noble within Palanthas, and unfortunately for her father, he did not take kindly to this, nor did she for that matter. She had persuaded your father to steal her away, and take her away, but your father had planned such already, and more. And in the black of night that resided over Palanthas, he did indeed return to her home, sneaking into the home silently and moving into your grandfather's room he began mercilessly beating him and beating him for treating your mother that way, as if she were nothing but a pawn to bring him wealth. He did so until he was dead, and he went to clean himself up before finding your mother and sneaking her out of the house, leaving her with the belief her father was still soundly sleeping in one of the rooms. It was the one lie he had ever spoken to her.. in their brief period together child. I will skip the more boring parts of this child but they had retreated to his grove, living there in peace for a year before your mother bore a child, which they named Laura..Laura Par'Vulus. You child. They began to raise her, tending to her and seeing to her needs and other such things. They loved you dearly Laura. It was truly perfect for the two lovers. Though there was not all serenity. Your grandfather's consorts were angry with your father and had searched long and hard for the murderer, and having finally come across his grove, they set up a plan. They were to raid the grove, kill your mother and you, and leave your father unharmed to live in misery with the loss. And so they came but your father wasn't so uninformed, the forest as his ally. Though there were many, he managed to ward them off, then an arrow flew forward at your father." He stops abruptly. Laura looked up at him frantically, almost fearful.

"Uncle! What happened..! Teell me! What happened!" She almost squeals, shaking him somewhat as he snaps out of his thought and glances down to her continuing his story.

"Your... your mother stepped in its path, taking the arrow deep within her side. Saving your father's life. The assailant did not live long as young Merre's grandfather here, soon got a death hold on the mans neck. He managed to heal her wound, but it was still too far beyond his power, which had began to dwindle in the past year. She died, three weeks later, and your father was sorrow filled. She had healed from the wound but she was infected from having gotten the wound and died from sickness. He, contemplated delivering himself to her, he contemplated returning to Palanthas in fury, he contemplated ending your life because you reminded him of your mother. None of these did he do. Instead, he raised you for years, until he decided to simply watch over you child, allowing you to be as yourself, and asking the followers of our dear Mother to assist in watching over you." Her eyes teared up at the knowledge of her mother's death, but she wiped them, again glancing up to him, holding him tighter.

"What, happened to my father? Is.. Is he alive?" He pleaded, wanting to know so badly she kneeled in his lap somewhat peering directly into his eyes. The old man's features began to simply reverse aging seemly but she didn't take notice.

"He watches over you dear child, still to this day. And he is closer than you had ever realized. He wanted you to be independent, as you have become. Though he regrets not showing himself to you my dear child." His ever reversing features began to take shape.

The man Laura sat upon began to look less human, and less aged. His ears began to grow in length, forming into soft points of elven ears. The wrinkles fading into soft smooth skin. The long white beard losing its gray color, reverting to a brown color before the beard simply dissipates into thin air. His features turned from old and withered to youthful, soft and smooth. He smiled softly to her but it soon faded seeing her reaction, which was startled, confused, fearful and almost angry.

"Who... Who are you! What've you done with Uncle!?" She demanded. Which he kindly responded to her with patience, in a soft tone, wise beyond the years he seemed to actually hold.

"I am not your uncle no, I have not ever been that my child. And that is what you are, my child dear Laura." She shaked her head, looking at him confusedly, almost disbelievingly.

"Why! Why if you're my father! Why! Wwhhy!! Did you leave me believing I was alone for my whole life! Why! Tell me!" She screamed at him, crawling forward to hit him with her bare hands, sobbing between her screaming. He doesn't respond, not knowing the answer truly himself. He reached forward to hug his daughter. Though she pushed him away, standing and darting off into the woods, crying into her hands.

To only the Gods know where she ran. From away from her father she ran. Away from the one who had let her live in a lie she ran.

She ran, to find clarity. She ran, oh did she run, because she was angry. And none did follow, not even Merre who depressedly stayed with her father.

She ran..