Travel to Magnolia from Balsam [800 words]
An outstretched palm pressed against the cool glass that separated Ilyana from the outside world. The chill of the window suggested that the winter air outside was unforgiving: the precise reason that the young woman had waited until it was light to travel, having a bit of light provided so much more warmth after all. The sun hung low in the eastern sky, peaking firey oranges on the outskirts of the horizon. The azure haired maiden smiled deviously at the painting that seeped the edges of the sky canvas in front of her. She imagined the entire sky catching ablaze, as the sun conquered it for its own. Her own fingertips grazed the lighter that she kept in her jacket pocket, reassured at least by its presence.
Now that the sun was making an appearance, the young woman knew it was time for her to disappear. The petite thing drew a coat around her, covering the typical skin that peeked out of her typical attire. A bag slouched its way over her left shoulder, her rifle draped over her right. She braced herself for the winter wind as she opened the door, closing it quickly behind her. She let out a steady breath, a cloud forming in front of her lips as she did. She smiled at the puff of air, nostalgia flooding over her body. It was cold, but not nearly as cold as the mountain village in which she spent her youth. In fact, this would have been balmy weather back home. She chuckled at the thought. It had been ten years since she had fled the burning forest, her bare feet scraping against the icy ground. She remembered the pain fondly. She didn't hope to forget it, at least, not until she had apprehended the mage who had destroyed the village, and her childhood along with it.
Deep in reminiscing, the woman traveled through the remainder of Balsam, her back the only part of her body facing the town that she had been calling home for over a year. She wasn't sure where she was going, only certain that she needed a change of scenery. She had merely picked a direction and followed it. Eyes watched the ground as she walked, her boots scuffling against the pathway with each step forward. She intentionally walked with her head down. She watched the ground for other feet, insuring that she wouldn't collide with them, not that there was anyone to collide with, at least not on the main road. It was cold, and early. The young woman knew that most people would disregard walking in such weather, and would have rather taken a train or car instead. Tickets required knowing a destination, however, and that was something that the Ilyana did not possess. Besides, the blue haired woman had always been peculiar, though-- and today she was in no hurry to get where she wasn't, and she didn't mind the cold.
Fingertips grazed the pocket of her jacket again. The lighter was still there, but there was nothing else in the pocket. Even if she had a destination, she couldn't really suggest taking a train. Funds had been tight, and the young woman hadn't found the innate desire to refill the now empty bank. The young woman sighed, unsure of how she would afford room and board wherever she found herself. She contemplated missions, the large board that was in the guildl hall that she hadn't looked at in nearly a month. Perhaps she should have taken a request before she left. She supposed there were always odd jobs around. There always seemed to be someone willing to pay for something. If she were desperate enough, any work would due.
Hands buried deep into her pockets, as she continued on at her leisurely pace. Eyes scanned the edges of the road, even with her head downcast. A heavy feeling weighed deeply in her chest. She felt uneasy walking, all of a sudden, even with the sun now high in the sky. The trails had gotten busier, which caused the young woman to feel nervous. Prepared hands emerged from the pockets and made a new home, resting on the strap of her rifle-- be it in an attempt to protect the firearm from being lifted, or in an attempt to urge any hooligan to think twice-- an onlooker could probably not differentiate between the origin of the motion. Regardless, she pressed forward, eyes raising from the ground, in an attempt to better navigate the much more populated roads.
Ilyana soon found herself on the outskirts of a town. It had been the first time that she had been interested in her location the entire trip. Azure eyes scanned the area around her. She considered asking a fellow traveler where it was that she had found herself, but a stirring in her stomach caused her to resist. Besides, a welcoming sign proved to have adequate enough information. Magnolia.
Her brow furrowed. What was in Magnolia, that had been tied to imaginary strings that pulled her here? A red headed mage flashed into her mind, though Ilyana attempted to shake the image. "I am sure it is just a coincidence." She tried heartily to convince herself. "Might as well say hi: we're both here anyways..." she decided, her pace quickening some as she did.
893/800
![Imaginary Strings [Travel] HnLiSy9](https://i.imgur.com/hnLiSy9.png)
