A Long Time Coming (Open to One)

[orphans]

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There'll be a lot of editing when I be done~ or if someone joins~

Three years away from the rest of the world was a long time in the grand scheme of things, but for Azza 'Sophia' Ambrose it felt equal to more than a life time's worth. Certainly more than enough time for the once uncertain and anxious girl to undergo trials and blossom into a woman no longer troubled by who she was. That was the past and no one can change the past no matter who they are.

"Eyes ahead, huh?" Azza said to no one in particular as she watched the smaller vessel that brought her ashore return to the ship she arrived upon. While Radasanth would have been the more logical port to bring her, Azza had requested to be dropped off somewhere quiet to the south of the forests of Underwood. During her time away near catastrophic events had occurred and with it the balance of power in many places had been upset. The news didn't feel real, however, as Se'lutia was far removed from the rest of Althanas - a place that might as well have been another world in this world.

Still, there was no denying the fact that something troubling indeed had happened as she turned away from the white ship with black sails to look at the dilapidated fishing village. Rather, the place seemed to be deserted with nary a soul despite the warm noon sun and gentle wind trying to convince her that everything was alright. There was a second of regret, reconsideration, and wonder if she could still return back to Se'lutia.

Loneliness crept up quickly with only the occasional birdsong to chase away the silence. A sigh passed from Azza's lips before she stooped down to collect her things and rifle through her pack to find a bit of jerky. With the bit of food to distract herself for the time being, she slung the pack and her sword over a shoulder -being careful of her wings- and stood again. Another brief survey of her surroundings told her little of where to go, but with her destination of Underwood in mind Azza at least had a direction to start walking towards.

Barely a few steps off of the worn pier the sounds of something panting and a set of feet padding about had the young woman looking about to see a scraggly looking black dog loitering around one of the rundown houses. Both of them froze as the two caught sight of one another. It took another moment for Azza to consider offering the piece of half chewed jerky. It approached slowly and cautiously while Azza held the dried meat at arm's length. "Here, doggie?"

She hoped she sounded calm and friendly. Someone back on Se'lutia had said the more primitive animals responded well to food and gentle voices. How true that was up to debate, but as the dog took the jerky to eat, Azza sighed out in relief. Fighting a stray dog the first hour she was back on native soil wasn't something she wanted to do. That and she wasn't going to be able to move too briskly in her robes and she certainly didn't want to tear them up.

"Right," she started as she stood and looked about where to go. "Eyes ahead, yeah?" this time asking the dog. "I don't suppose you'd know the way to Underwood do you? It's been a while since I've been back home you know?" As expected, the dog only stared at her and gave a perplexed whine. "Yeah, I guess not."