Mystic homecoming|Ilyamen

[tuo]

Etch stood on a small hill, looking out at a small caravan some distance from Ilyamen. "I think we found them Meeka.."

[Kender Bard]

Meeka moved away from where she was looking at a flower to stand at Etch's side, slipping her hand into his as she peered into the distance. "Really? Then let us hasten." She flashed him a bright smile. Her earlier gloom of being in Humontis had dispelled, and she was in high spirits with Spring fully underway.

[tuo]

Etch squeezed her hand and began to walk down the hill to the caravan. "It has been some time since I had met with my family..I wonder if they will even recognize me."

[Kender Bard]

"You are a distinct man," Meeka remarked, smiling at him. "A mother rarely forgets the face of her child. I've seen mothers in Humontis able to pick their dirty, coal smudged child out of a whole bunch that are equally as dirty." She squeezed his hand softly. "But we shall see."

[tuo]

Etch smiles down at Meeka as they approached the caravan. As they approached a young boy spotted them and called out to his parents, soon there was some activity as they watched the two warily before two elderly figures approach with smiles and bow there heads to the two before the male spoke. "It has been long since the paths we walk has joined together son. Welcome home."

Etch smiled and bowed his head in return. "I am glad to see that you still walk such predictable paths elders."

The formalities over, the woman comes over and gives Etch a hug. "Oh son we've missed you so much!"

[Kender Bard]

Meeka felt a stirring deep in her heart at the sight. Rather than feeling sad, it brought her joy. She remained quiet though - she'd let Etch introduce her however he saw fit. She was content to watch the reunion and steal a little warmth from someone else's fire, as the saying goes.

[tuo]

Etch returned the hug before she took a step back to get a good look at Etch and made an amused tsk. "My, you just keep on growing and adding more tattoo's every time you do.."

Etch's father harrumphed but smiled a little. "Still honoring all of the Forces equally then I can tell by the way you greeted us."

Etch nods and held a hand towards Meeka. "Mother, father. I'd like to introduce you to Meeka Artemisia. Meeka, these are my parents, Georgios Sharar and Nilam Araceli."

[Kender Bard]

Meeka clasped her hands and bowed deeply to them, as if they were royalty rather than old wandering priests. "It is a great honor to meet you both," she murmured, voice taking on the tremulous edge of shyness now that she was thrust into the spotlight. "You have raised a great man."

[tuo]

Nilam smiled and looked over Meeka. "Oh, you are such a polite young lady. It is a pleasure to meet a friend of my son's." She walks over and embraces Meeka into a hug.

Georgios chuckled in amusement. "No need to be so formal miss Meeka. And dear..you shouldn't squeeze so much lest she can't breath."

[Kender Bard]

Meeka blushed hotly but hugged Nilam back, awkwardly though. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy it but.. it'd been a long time since an older person hugged her.

"I-I cannot help but be formal," she stammered, flushing. "I hold Etch in the greatest of respect, for he has saved my life more than once."

[tuo]

Nilam eases up on the hug and beams at what Meeka says. "Oh, you simply must tell me about you and my son." She smiles and tries to herd her to the caravan gently.

Etch smiles in amusement and nods to Meeka if she looks to him to let her know it's all right.

Georgios clapped Etch on the back. "You picked a good time to return son. We were just preparing for Cailiday and we would hope that you can stay with us during it."

Etch nods and smiles. "Of course. I have wandered away from my family long enough, my feet would welcome familer company on it's path."

[Kender Bard]

Meeka walked along, trying to put on a brave front for Etch's sake. These people warmed her spirit in a profound sort of way, how they opened their folds for her, but a lifetime of temerity is not to be quelled.

"I'm not sure what to say," Meeka mumbled, then decided to start from the beginning of relevance. "I was the property of a Clear, prior to the War. Etch found me as such, and freed me from my old master. He was a cruel man, and Etch is such a better master."

She had not meant to slip and call Etch her master in front of his parents. But it was such a normal thing to her, that she did not even recognize her error.

[tuo]

Nilam frowns a little bit at the 'master' comment. "Oh dear..why do you call my son master..?" She asks in worry as she guides Meeka to the cooking fires for something to eat.

[Kender Bard]

Meeka sniffs at the food, blushing at her mistake. "I'm sorry. It was a slip of my tongue. I believe that my fate is not my own, but guided firmly by Etaf's hand. Since Etch delivered me out of slavery, I saw him as the guiding figure of my destiny, and deferred to him as my master. I will admit my view on him has become a bit changed, in that regard..."

[tuo]

Nilam ponders what she said as she urged her to sit down. "Why do you believe that you have no choice in your life dear?"

Georgios was keeping Etch busy so that Nilam could have some private talk time with Meeka.