The blistering heat of summer was finally, blissfully being broken by a storm. Helayne stood out front of Tanyi’s shop, watching thick black clouds rolling in across the sky. The heavy stench of the city was slowly being pushed away by rain on the wind. She leaned back against the building, her arms crossed lightly over her chest. The wind pulled at her waist length hair, whipping the long braids into a frenzy. It brought a smile to her lips, and a familiar ache all at once. She reached for it, trying to find the source of it. She’d been staying around Shanton for what felt like weeks now, lingering mostly around the occultist’s shop. Helping where she could and getting in the woman’s way elsewise. The pain was homesickness she realized. Not the deep open wound she bore for the North, but a softer pain for the wilds she’d called home for so many years now. With the storm coming, she’d have set up their camp in a familiar thick grove of trees, a safe distance from the rising river. She’d sit in the small canvas tent, Ghost pressed close at her back for warmth. Freya would hide amongst the trees, while Sif took his cover in the canopy above or occasionally hidden in the tent as well. She’d watch and listen to the lullaby of raindrops bathing the leaves and river. There was nothing quite like the peace of rain, or the thrill of a storm. Something about being in the city just wasn’t quite the same, she thought.

Sif landed on a hitching post close by, his wings raised in protest and warning for what was to come. He too seemed unsettled without the familiarity of their wandering home amongst the wildlands. She gave him a sad smile, ”You have four walls to hide in this time, friend.” The hawk gave a harsh screech, seemingly offended by her clear wants to stay outside. He seemed to take her advice though, wandering in search of the mystic. Ghost, an ever present shadow, lay curled at her feet, tucked close to the building. His wary amber gaze studying their surroundings. Helayne watched as the streets began to clear, some shops deciding to close as people hurried to the safety of their homes with the coming weather. She supposed this day would yield no more answers then the others had.

Her mind drifted to Aevor, the soldier she’d met at the celebration for August and his betrothed. The night had started out fine enough. It was the first time in a long time she’d enjoyed just sitting and talking to a stranger she felt like, save for August. Though she had to admit he had become more friend then stranger. Aevor had been able to give her a direction, something she hadn’t been able to find in a long time, someone he was familiar with that visited Tanyi’s shop. The thought of it still sent a chill down her spine. She’d watched every face that had come in and out of her door the past several weeks, hoping she’d see a familiar face, something that would tip her off. The brief flash of her memory, dark hair and silver eyes… she looked for it or some other trigger in ever person she saw… Nothing had yielded so far though. The rest of that night had dissolved into chaos, recalling her fear for August. She thought of the soldier again and hoped Aevor had made it out of there unscathed, and without the wine. A pain of remorse settled in her chest thinking of it. She’d been so worried for August and finding him she’d never tried to find out if he was okay. Maybe there was another way she could reach out to him.

Her mind was pulled from her thoughts by a blinding flash of lightning, followed by a loud clap of thunder. Her sapphire gaze lifted in time for the sky to open its downpour. She smiled, feeling it’s pull against the small bit of her elemental power that manifested in electricity, like small sparks kissing their way up her bare arms. Hel closed her eyes, leaning her head against the wall, and let the cool touch of the rain soothe the heat of her skin.

Thick raindrops pattered on the rooftop, misting into the air to kiss against her heated skin. The air was growing thicker with humidity, but the release from the heat was a relief. Heavy wind from the incoming tempest was dropping the temperature rapidly, as well as chasing away most patrons wandering the cobbled streets. She leaned beneath the eave of Tanyi’s shop, feeling her frustration grow and hope dwindle. Already she’d spent too much time in these crowded streets and disrupted the occultist’s busy shop enough. She felt a sharp longing in her chest to make her way back into the wilds for a time, but she’d felt so sure that she was on the right path. Aevor’s words had given her a possibly foolish spark, and she was loath to let it go. August had also offered his aid to her, perhaps it would be wise to begin seeking the help of others… That meant sharing details she hadn’t even faced on her own yet though.

She was pulled from her thoughts by the sudden warmth of her mother’s silver crescent against her neck. Opening her eyes to see a masked and cloaked figure no more than a few feet from her. Her stoic features hid her surprise, having heard not a sound as he’d made his approach. It was unlike her not to detect the presence of another, especially with the streets practically barren now. ”Waiting for someone?” he spoke, a voice she didn’t know, couldn’t place. He was tall, leanly built, but aside from that his guise hid near all distinguishing features. All she knew was he was something other, but what exactly that was she was uncertain. The empty sockets of his mask hid the color of his eyes, but she could feel his gaze upon her. He’d paused at the threshold, hand rested on the doorhold, waiting.

”You could say that,” she mused, head turned to the side to watch him. Her hands were braced against the wall, ready to move if she needed. Ghost lay coiled at her feet, his golden eyes turned towards the stranger, scenting the air around them, but he made no move. ”I was hoping to meet a friend of a friend…” How could she word this? She hadn’t actually tried to speak to anyone yet, and the more she thought of what to say the more she was worried she’d look a drunkard or mad. ”I’m looking for someone who may be connected or know something of my past, a soldier pointed me this way, Aevor. Thought he maybe frequented the shop.” She shrugged a shoulder, feigning nonchalance despite a growing tension in her spine.