Post by tarsus on Oct 8, 2010 11:30:32 GMT -6
It was peaceful here, almost enough to make the Half-Elf forget of the war brewing in the distance, of Panthea and how she wished the eradication of all they knew. The rushing water, the ear-splitting noise of the fall as thousands of gallons tumbled over the edge, the cold spray against his face and body; all of it where things that could bring a bit of comfort to a constantly raging heart. And for that it made this place incredibly special to Tarsus. Undoing the clasp to the sword-belt that hung about his waist, the Half-Elf laid it down gently upon the grass near the waters edge, moments later the Shield of Tears was removed from is back and set down as well. Ignoring the buckskin leggings he wore or the light leather tunic, the man jumped into the water. It was freezing, almost stinging his skin, but only came up to about his knees. The current was surprisingly slow for a waterfall, legend saying in Isa's kindness even a waterfall had become gentle.
Walking towards the edge of the fall, Tarsus gazed over the edge and smiled lightly with memories of his last jump. However, the thought also brought a painful tone to his features, thoughts of Rhona slicing against his heart like a razor. Shaking his head lightly, the man took another step closer to the edge, kneeling down lightly to stare down into the water. It was beautifully clear, like liquid crystal, and as he drew cupped hands to his lips he found it to be refreshing, as if it washed his very soul. The Falls were known throughout the Kingdoms as a place of eternal peace, of tranquility. Simply put they were a place that even someone like Tarsus could manage to find a moment of simplicity from a complex and twisted existence. Perhaps they truly were magical.
Drawing himself back to his full height, Tarsus let his eyes roam about the trees around him. A soft breeze danced it's way through the leaves, the nipping cold of autumn on it's heels. It also brought with it the faint scent of rain, and adverting his eyes to the Heavens above, Tarsus noticed the sky darkening lightly as an October rain threatened to bathe the Land of Light in that moment. Smiling lightly to himself, the Half-Elf found his mood rising yet again. If there was one thing he loved in this world more than anything else it was a good rain, something about it simply brought peace to his cold heart. It was as if the rain itself offered him his salvation he chased so desperately, though when the clouds broke and the sun came out it always bittered his soul, it undid the work of the down pour.
One more step brought Tarsus to the very edge of the Fall, a single wrong step or a heartbeat of lost balance would send him tumbling over the side; and that made it all the more worth it. He was the type of man that couldn't feel alive unless it was in the moments where only death seemed so certain. He was the kind of man that couldn't find happiness so instead he found excitement and exhilaration; he chased adrenaline instead of peace. Glancing over the edge, the man found the fall to be a long one not that it concerned him in the least. As he stood there, his eyes closed against the cold water and rumbling below he found the Heavens above gracing him with another gift. Out of nowhere a clap of thunder tore across the land, shaking the very earth and seconds later the sky was shattered by a flash of lighting. In that moment it looked like the Gods were smiling upon Tarsus; finally giving him something he wanted.
Drip, drop. Drip, drop. Drip, drop. The sound of steady, heavy rain drops falling against the surface of the water became musical in it's pattern, the noise mixing beautifully with the crash of the water as it rushed over the edge and slammed down below. The thunder above rocked the world as another clap rang out; the chaos of the moment brought a satisfied smile to the lips of Tarsus. It was in moments like this that he found himself at true peace, in the midst of complete insanity. As the world raged around him, as nature conducted a vicious symphony for him; all of it he found to be strangely beautiful for the simple reason you could see life in it. The intensity of it all, the vivid dynamic showing life. It made Tarsus himself feel alive. That was in itself something beautiful, something he couldn't turn his back on.
Fingers rose to the clasps of the leather jerkin, his hands tearing at them in a frenzy. After a few moments he removed the light piece of armor, and tossing it to the waters edge where his other things rested, Tarsus found himself feeling freer. Feeling more real. The heavy drops of rain splattered upon his chest and back, soaking him in seconds. As the cold autumn breeze wrapped about Tarsus and kissed his flesh he found his flesh standing on end as goosebumps erupted across him; the sensation of it delightful. He felt as if he was being purified in that moment, as if the brands of The Pit that graced his back and the various tattoos that had been placed upon his body while serving as a Gladiator were being erased. However, deep within himself that black heart of his remained unchanged. It whispered out to Tarsus telling him this sliver of happiness could not last. It told him none of this mattered, simply a moment of beauty in a lifetime of horror. And it was true.
With that in mind, Tarsus allowed his eyes to once again stare of the edge of the fall. If he jumped again, in this moment of vague delight, where the chances of seeing true happiness that much better? In his attempt at death could he possibly see life? Pondering the thought deeply, the Half-Elf allowed his eyes to slide closed and for his mind and body to become enveloped in the power of the nature at work around him. He didn't know how long this could last him, how long this could stem off the ever-growing darkness within himself, but in this moment it could. For this brief page in history he could be something close to at peace. And that was enough for him.
Walking towards the edge of the fall, Tarsus gazed over the edge and smiled lightly with memories of his last jump. However, the thought also brought a painful tone to his features, thoughts of Rhona slicing against his heart like a razor. Shaking his head lightly, the man took another step closer to the edge, kneeling down lightly to stare down into the water. It was beautifully clear, like liquid crystal, and as he drew cupped hands to his lips he found it to be refreshing, as if it washed his very soul. The Falls were known throughout the Kingdoms as a place of eternal peace, of tranquility. Simply put they were a place that even someone like Tarsus could manage to find a moment of simplicity from a complex and twisted existence. Perhaps they truly were magical.
Drawing himself back to his full height, Tarsus let his eyes roam about the trees around him. A soft breeze danced it's way through the leaves, the nipping cold of autumn on it's heels. It also brought with it the faint scent of rain, and adverting his eyes to the Heavens above, Tarsus noticed the sky darkening lightly as an October rain threatened to bathe the Land of Light in that moment. Smiling lightly to himself, the Half-Elf found his mood rising yet again. If there was one thing he loved in this world more than anything else it was a good rain, something about it simply brought peace to his cold heart. It was as if the rain itself offered him his salvation he chased so desperately, though when the clouds broke and the sun came out it always bittered his soul, it undid the work of the down pour.
One more step brought Tarsus to the very edge of the Fall, a single wrong step or a heartbeat of lost balance would send him tumbling over the side; and that made it all the more worth it. He was the type of man that couldn't feel alive unless it was in the moments where only death seemed so certain. He was the kind of man that couldn't find happiness so instead he found excitement and exhilaration; he chased adrenaline instead of peace. Glancing over the edge, the man found the fall to be a long one not that it concerned him in the least. As he stood there, his eyes closed against the cold water and rumbling below he found the Heavens above gracing him with another gift. Out of nowhere a clap of thunder tore across the land, shaking the very earth and seconds later the sky was shattered by a flash of lighting. In that moment it looked like the Gods were smiling upon Tarsus; finally giving him something he wanted.
Drip, drop. Drip, drop. Drip, drop. The sound of steady, heavy rain drops falling against the surface of the water became musical in it's pattern, the noise mixing beautifully with the crash of the water as it rushed over the edge and slammed down below. The thunder above rocked the world as another clap rang out; the chaos of the moment brought a satisfied smile to the lips of Tarsus. It was in moments like this that he found himself at true peace, in the midst of complete insanity. As the world raged around him, as nature conducted a vicious symphony for him; all of it he found to be strangely beautiful for the simple reason you could see life in it. The intensity of it all, the vivid dynamic showing life. It made Tarsus himself feel alive. That was in itself something beautiful, something he couldn't turn his back on.
Fingers rose to the clasps of the leather jerkin, his hands tearing at them in a frenzy. After a few moments he removed the light piece of armor, and tossing it to the waters edge where his other things rested, Tarsus found himself feeling freer. Feeling more real. The heavy drops of rain splattered upon his chest and back, soaking him in seconds. As the cold autumn breeze wrapped about Tarsus and kissed his flesh he found his flesh standing on end as goosebumps erupted across him; the sensation of it delightful. He felt as if he was being purified in that moment, as if the brands of The Pit that graced his back and the various tattoos that had been placed upon his body while serving as a Gladiator were being erased. However, deep within himself that black heart of his remained unchanged. It whispered out to Tarsus telling him this sliver of happiness could not last. It told him none of this mattered, simply a moment of beauty in a lifetime of horror. And it was true.
With that in mind, Tarsus allowed his eyes to once again stare of the edge of the fall. If he jumped again, in this moment of vague delight, where the chances of seeing true happiness that much better? In his attempt at death could he possibly see life? Pondering the thought deeply, the Half-Elf allowed his eyes to slide closed and for his mind and body to become enveloped in the power of the nature at work around him. He didn't know how long this could last him, how long this could stem off the ever-growing darkness within himself, but in this moment it could. For this brief page in history he could be something close to at peace. And that was enough for him.