Call them biased but Saima was always one to enjoy a story of mythology. And so hearing Stella read those stories was inherently relaxing. It allowed them to take a moment to drift away from the realm the both of them existed in and back into the times of old. Back into where seemingly impossible things happened every day. Such a thought caused their original eyes to appear – white irises gazing back at Stella, intrigued by the way these tales played out. “I imagine you get the same satisfaction out of reading those stories that I get hearing them.” It’s probably a part of why they’ve felt such a strong kinship with her off the bat.
“What kind of story do you want? It’s hard to describe the past when it’s often so mixed in. Mixed in terms of whether I was actually around, in the way I had been involved. It’s..an interesting situation to be in. However, I guess I can tell you about some of the ways I lived among people. I did a lot of music-related work. I helped teach kids folksongs that remain to this day, along with some that have unfortunately been lost. Sometimes people would let me tell stories about way, way back – about the stars, about stories of creation, about the gods that they worshiped. I’ve gotten to see them in person. I knew that they had existed in a way.
I’ve done work as a scholar, a farmer, a musician. I don’t really know.. I’ve just been shifting roles along with the times. And sometimes my sense of the past is off-kilter because I’ve had to flit out of this present space to avoid being caught up in some of the circumstances people have faced.
I guess the consistent thing is being something of an observer, a volunteer, and trying to bring a sense that there was so much more than what one could see.
But it’s hard to articulate the ways that I’ve crossed between worlds – bringing a sense of truth to the more unusual aspects of belief that people have.
Since encountering Stella, Saima has definitely found themselves improving in their mood just because they don’t feel so completely disconnected from the world around them. It seemed like only the simple matter of finding other beings similar to them could bring a lot of peace.
“Tell me, what you have been up to all this time. I’m sure you have some stories under your belt.“ Over some coffee, it only seemed appropriate to spend some quality time with someone they could come to hold so dear.
There’s a familiarity in the way Stella comforts them. That takes Saima out of the reverie of criticism and being hyper-aware of how they appear to others. It’s this unapologetic acceptance that gives them a feeling of relief that is hard to find. In the way that they’ve been altering their life around, it’s necessary to have such a friendly presence that seems to think well of them.
“I’ll try, I’ll try. It’s just often a strange place to be in. When you’re just not belonging and trying to no longer really pretend that you do.“ They give a little bit of a wave as if dismissing their own anxieties. Returning a small smile to Stella, they are incredibly grateful for that offer. “I appreciate that so much. Sometimes it’s so easy to have lost track fo that – so such reminders is all too useful these days.“
✧ ★ ☆Their presence is unspeakably comforting, familiar even. And she cannot stop staring into their eyes with a wild concentration that strains her own. What is it about them that is so familiar ?? With nervous fingers, she pulls back her golden tresses from her face, tucking them messily behind an ear. She hesitates, noticeably taking her time to ruminate and muster up enough boldness to ask.
❝ Have we met before, Saima ?? I can’t help it. You remind me of something important … something I must have forgotten. But I don’t know what it is. ❞ The ghost of pain slips through her blue hues, reflecting its sorrowful light as she keeps her steadfast gaze on the taller youth.
❝ I thought … with all this talk about mythology, perhaps you’d be the one to remember for me. You don’t think I’m a little odd, do you ?? ❞
They have to admit there’s something quite uncanny about this encounter as if it should have happened a long time ago. And yet it hadn’t. Stella feels like something that Saima had rarely stumbled upon these days, a feeling that was often as elusive and secretive as they could themselves be. As their eyes gaze over at the girl, they think for a moment, letting fingers twirl in their hair as they reach for something.
“…I don’t think we have met, but… I have to admit something about you feels familiar too. Maybe we’ve come from a similar kind of experience.” They spoke a little hesitantly as they are trying to form the thoughts that would best express what they were trying to say.
They gave a little bit of a nervous laugh. “Hah. Well. Maybe we’re both a little odd. Because you strike me as oddly familiar in a way that I’ve known from my own experiences.”
✧ ★ ☆ It takes all her self-restraint to keep from blurting out her excitement. The embarrassment of making a big scene, of stealing the public’s attention towards her loud mouth, it’s enough to keep her from jumping up and down and gushing over all of her favorite Greek gods and goddesses. Instead, she shies and ducks her head behind her golden tresses, smiling coyly with the giggles coming out her nose. But it’s as clear as day from the look in her eyes that she’s overjoyed.
❝ Seriously though, ❞ begins the shorter youth, ❝ most people are so out of touch with the ancient myths. Even the schools don’t really teach their students the stories, nor do they intend on keeping the tradition in the curricula. I feel like … they’ve forgotten … ❞ Forgotten who Stella was, who her family was, who her people were. The darkness of such grief briefly rises like storm clouds, overshadowing her previously joyful expression. She’s quick to catch herself, however, and immediately hides behind her mask once more. ❝ Sorry for being so rude !! I totally didn’t introduce myself. My name’s Stella. Stella Telmes. ❞
It was rare to see someone so enthusiastic about these kinds of stories – which tipped Saima off that there might be more than meets the eye to this young lady. Although the same could very well be applied to them as well. The light in her eyes inspires a delight in their own – just for a moment hinting at their otherworldly nature.
A nod of sympathy, of understanding. It is a situation that they know all too well. “Oh, that’s so sadly true. It’s easy for people to forget and get so focused on the now that the traditions can get lost. Luckily enough people are still passionate about maintaining stories – from where I’m from, people at least kind of have a connection with that feeling. ” It was the fact that forests and such places were still treated as sacred back home that gave Saima a lot of relief in comparison to what had to be many places.
“It’s fine really…” They chuckle a little bit, waving it off as if it was nothing. “I go by Saima. Saima Vaher, nice to meet you, Stella.”
Seekesotsibteadmist 