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The wind blew strongly on Taliyah’s back.
When Yasuo instructed her to travel through the Freljord on the way back home, she really should have asked him for some fur-lined clothing…
She wrapped herself in rocks, providing herself an outer shell to help in the heat.
Turning back wasn’t an option.
She would persevere. She had to get home.
She had to show them. How she changed.
Into a confident person, able to control her powers and trust her own skills.
No. That sold her short.
She had become a confident woman .
Comfortable in womanhood.
She would make it through.
And the best way to stay warm was to keep moving."
…
The breeze was still this morning.
“Ah. Movement.”
A feminine voice.
“Aha! Seems like they’re alright.”
A masculine voice. Very masculine.
Taliyah shook off the rocks that had made her bed for the night, keeping only the outer layer to keep her comfortable. Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, she saw two people staring back at her.
One, a woman. Sporting a comfortable hooded tunic and skirt, her gaze commanded authority. Not in a threatening way per say, but Taliyah already knew this was not someone she wanted to mess with.
One, a man. A half-naked man with a big moustache and a bigger shield.
Taliyah’s brow furrowed in confusion and the man laughed.
“Well met, stranger! You certainly have adapted to the climate quickly!” the man said, beaming a big smile.
“T-thank you,” Taliyah muttered, instinctively. “I am trying my best.”
“Well, your best is certainly better than a lot of the travelers we see.” the woman replied. “These rock formations are… most unusual. Is this a talent of yours?”
Taliyah nodded. “They are. I’m sorry though; I cannot offer my services to your people at this time. I’m just… passing through.”
The woman laughed at the offer. In other circumstances, Taliyah may have been offended by the bluntness of the gesture. “No! Not what I was going to ask at all…” The woman trailed off awkwardly.
“In fact,” the man, continuing the woman’s point, seemingly oblivious to her discretion. “We were going to ask you to STOP using them!”
Taliyah’s heart sank.
No.
No.
She had just learned how to use them! They were safe! They would be fine. It was all going to be fine. Yasuo had told her so!
“I can control them!” Taliyah began clarifying. “It’s completely safe; I know how to avoid causing an avalanche or -”
“Your control is not the concern. Your tact and skill seems undeniable.” the woman said. “The concern is the noise.”
“The… noise?”
“Traveling around on big rocks makes great noises! Scares away wildlife. Upsets the mounts - and upsets Braum’s poros!”
Oh.
Well, technically better to be a rude, noisy person than to be a curse!
“I’m sorry. I just was in a hurry and… didn’t think. I’m traveling home, you see, and it’s important I get there swiftly!”
The woman smiled.
“I’m Ashe. I’m the Queen of these lands. Come with me. I’ll give a mount and some proper clothing.”
Taliyah’s brain froze.
First, queen. Is that good? Can she casually address a ruler? Everywhere she had encountered thus far had rulers who were distant - only approaching subjects with intentions to exploit or execute them.
Ashe was being nice though…
Secondly, mount. Mount is good. Taliyah didn’t know how good she’d be at riding one, but it certainly would be faster than she could ever be on her own feet.
Thirdly, clothing.
She glanced at Braum.
They wouldn’t… expect her to dress like him would they? She couldn’t.
Sure, some women could, but she wasn’t going to! At least not now…
She glanced down at her body, covered by the layer of rock.
It was nice to present so… neutrally for once. She was taking some enchanted seeds - “to help bring out your true self,” as Yasuo had put it - but their effect was slower then ideal.
“I’m perfectly comfortable!” Taliyah interjected. “It
Braum raised a big hairy eyebrow in confusion. “But the rock is so hard. It cannot be comfortable!”
“It’s very comfortable! It’s cozy, warm, and… and… YOU’RE SHIRTLESS?”
Braum laughed once more. “So Braum is! But Braum would not want you to be so unclothed. You’d freeze!”
Ashe nodded. “Some women in my tribe do elect to… forgo certain articles of my clothing, but I certainly wouldn’t force such a practice onto a foreigner.”
Braum gave Ashe a friendly slap on the back. “You know, when Ashe was younger, she would fight without wearing so much as -”
Ashe gave Braum a friendly elbow to the ribs.
“She does not need to hear that information. Now, will you return with me to town?”
Taliyah nodded. “Let’s go.”
…
The mix of furs and fabric fit Taliyah like a glove.
Warm. Comfortable.
Easy to move around in.
Feminine.
She was given some extra yarn as well, so she could practice weaving herself with Freljord supplies.
Taliyah smiled at her reflection in the ice.
A baby reindeer trotted behind her happily, seemingly signalling its approval as well.
“Is Taliyah happy?” a boisterous voice asked, approaching Taliyah’s lodgings.
“Yes, Taliyah - er, I am. Thank you, Braum. I’m sorry if we got off on the wrong foot earlier.”
Braum laughed, a sound that was becoming more familiar to Taliyah by the moment.
“It is not a problem. Braum knows that not every place is so accepting.”
Taliyah shook her head.
“I… think most places are. But it’s another thing to accept yourself…”
Braum looked at her with confusion.
“Is there not a prohibition on magic in some regions?”
Oh. Magic. Of course. That is what he meant.
“Y-yes! True… but, even there, you can find people who accept you. You just need to know where to look.”
“An optimistic view! Rare to see in this age, especially in the youth.”
Taliyah smiled. “Where others see problems… I try to see learning opportunities."
And this day… She had learned the world could be kind too. A feeling that alone could keep her warm for the rest of her journey.