she was healing. with The Mothers aid, and the aid of the waterways she could swim within, Galateia was making progress by the day. the white pearl did not dally, and was eager to be able to walk independently again. for now, however, she leant upon the supportive scaffold of Akantha, comforted by The Matriarch's presence and touch. Galateia had updated her on her own progress. day by day, her limbs grew a bit stronger; no longer did they quiver, and no longer did she need to stop every so often as she moved with another from destination to destination. her progress was remarkable, but this could be attributed to her willpower and her mental fortitude. she believed, and so she did.
as they moved, Galateia paused to sniff at the soil. her paws pressed into the loamy earth of the island, and Galateia turned toward Akantha with a twinkle within her eye. she was thoughtful for a moment, and then pressed her snout against the earth, following a particularly interesting scent trail. when they came upon nettle, Galateia nosed it gently.
this will help with my pain,
and when she could not remember the name, a bird sang it to her; her emerald eyes turned upward, and then she peered toward Akantha with delight.
nettle leaves! when your joints ache, it is these that you take,
and oh, did hers ache.
Of all the Sisters, Akantha enjoyed the company of Galateia the most. She was not prone to pick favorites, and any fondness for the pearl nymph was withheld behind the walls of her neutral facade, but the emotion she felt in the presence of the sea's chosen was an undeniable comfort in contrast the torrent of thoughts that raced through her mind on any given hour. Because of her weakness from her Mothers' trials, the Matriarch had spent a great deal of time with her until she gained strength enough to leave the caverns on Ankyra and join them on Soteria.
Today found them walking beneath the mossy boughs of the Thistlewood. Akantha supported the smaller woman's weight with ease. It was a rare thing, indeed, for the Amazon to accept any touch from even her dearest Sisters. Her naturally combatative nature prevented her from gleaning any pleasure from physical contact, but the moments Galateia required additional assistance she was there—a shadow and a protector.
When Galateia parted her side again, Akantha waited patiently by for the girl to root out what her nose sought. She watched as the emaciated girl moved, noting how fluid and sure of herself she was despite the weakness in her musculature, and wondered just what sort of Sisters would be born from her womb. In that same beat, she wondered just how she might look in full splendor; cloaked in the fathomless gown of the Sea and crowned by Moonlight.
The exclaimation of joy drew her from her mind and her attention focused on the shining emeralds that peered back into her own woodsy hazel. A smile curved across her muzzle and she approached to inspect the plant that Galateia motioned to, "and you eat it straight off the stalk?" She asked, feeling as if this knowledge she shared was both a gift, and a lesson. The Matriarch had not found herself in the shadow of a teacher in many years, but felt just as keen as she did when she was but a child.
plainly, Galateia adored Akantha. the woman was the first she had seen upon being born out from the seas depths—her link, and her devotion, to the woman was unquestionable. she had imprinted upon her in her own way; she trusted all that came from her, and accepted what she provided. someday, Galateia knew she would repay this debt in all the ways that she could. the warmth of Akantha's eyes reminded Galateia of home; she felt at peace, and was at utter ease.
the inquiry asked by Akantha was responded to with a nod. yes, indeed; the leaves are edible. if one has not utilized the herb before, it is best to start small and only use a small amount; the more leaves, the stronger the dosage. and this is not always a good thing—too much can cause one to become ill,
she told the Matriarch. though she supposed that was true of anything, when it came to plants such a thing could be fatal due to the medicinal properties.
her eyes surveyed the earth Akantha stood upon. this area... it would be good, to plant things here that cannot be found on the island—the earth seems fertile,
she observed with a grin. the island could be a veritable safe haven for the sisters, and when her garden was completed they need not leave it for any cure as this place would have all it could host! such a thought excited Galateia, who desired only to aid others. what of the other islands, Akantha? could you tell me of them?
she hummed, wondering if any others might have soil similar to this—but also desiring to hear of all that Akantha had seen from her own wildly beautiful perspective! though she was an Amazon, her eloquence seemed to be unmatched by any other of her Sisters when impassioned! Galateia so loved to see her in such a way, and hoped to see it emerge now.
Galateia went on to explain further, elaborating on the questions that surely lurked within the confindes of Akantha's mind—like a fig plucked from the stalk and opened to expose the intricate flesh beneath the tough exterior. It was an excellent metaphor to their oddly syncretic relationship. The little threads of knowledge that Akantha desperately craved. They served as a relief to the overwhelming busy noise in her mind as of late, and the burden of leading an entire flock of eager worshippers as an untrained, and untested, Matriarch.
But she shook the concerns from her mind with ease when the pallid woman addressed the idea of planting non-native species in the lands. A thrill of pleasure raced down her spine at the idea of harboring and nurturing rare and useful flora, away from the theiving gaze of the mainland wolves. Drageda might, someday, benefit from them. And then, an idea hit her, but she withheld it for the time being and tucked it away for further examination when she returned to the company of the Mothers.
"I've only visited this one at length, though the next nearest appears to be the sister to Soteria. I've called it Eleos." Akantha explained. "It is habitable, though the forest is thinner than the Thistlewood and there are few beaches which led me to ignore it for the time being." A quick glance to her companion revealed that she was hanging on every word; the verdant depths of her brilliant gaze was brimming with elation, and the emotion was imparted upon Akantha. An infectious flutter of her pounding heart drew a smile out of the Matriarch, "There is no easy way to it, and one has to cross the channel which is tempermental at best. I've decided to involve it in one of the trials required to become High Priestess."
"As for the rest, they are as much a mystery to me as you are."
the words of the Matriarch held Galateia in a reverie as she briefly closed her eyes to envision the land Akantha called Eleos. the way the word flowed from the others raven lips reminded Galateia of the Sea when it rushed, playfully, to their paws as they lingered upon the shoreline. that there were few beaches surprised Galateia, whom had assumed that all islands were surrounded by the sand—it was here her eyes opened and she peered at Akantha with awe and wonder. the earth they lived upon was as incredible as the Sea to Galateia, who felt an undeniable link to the trees that bent to caress her as she moved through them, to the blooming flowers that sang the song of their rebirth which, implicitly now, she understood.
I should like to see it,
Galateia breathed to the earthen-hued Akantha, a small smile pressing to the edges of her lips. and twas not for the mention of High Priestess that she desired to go, but to see all that she could that they possessed; to know the lands well, and know what she could do, there. but wishing to regard the words shared to her in confidence by her adored Akantha, she hummed: the trial sounds to be a good one—the battle would surely be as much a mental one, as it would physical; it is important to know that those who guide us are capable in this,
for if they could embrace the tumultuous handling the Mothers could dole, then perhaps they could handle the chaos life could bring, and better yet lead others through it.
Galateia had much to learn before she dreamt of such a position for herself, but within her heart was ambition. it was quiet, and required some kindling—but firstly, before she could even think of it!, she must heal. she thought of the other islands, and remarked without thought: I should love to see you, discovering one of your other islands,
and the thought caused Galateia's own heart to race as she looked toward Akantha with a radiant smile: knowing it is yours, though not yet knowing the fruits that it may bear,
the idea thrilled her! I wish I were well, so that I could see your eyes witnessing a place like that for the first time!
for Akantha was beautiful to Galateia—sharp and fierce and wild, unfettered and savage, but sweet and good and full of love. why, Galateia knew not one thing more lovely than this, and it was all that she saw when she looked to the Matriarch.
If Akantha ever stopped to reflect on herself, which she rarely did, she might find that she was not at all her usual cantankerous self around the pale nymph. Her emotions often came and went as did her moods—as unpredictable as the tides, some would say. One moment she was a tempest; dangerous and raging. The next she was a tide pool; calm and inviting. Not even Kalika, whom she'd spent the most time with since her return to the Teekons, could predict which direction it would turn next. But somehow, in the company of the woman cast upon her shores by the Mothers, Akantha experienced a calm she hadn't felt in many, many moons. She knew better than to indulge in it too often, but she could not help but steal away with Galateia on occasion for her own selfish satisfaction.
A reverent reply passed between the young woman's lips and bade Akantha's smile to grow even further. It illumiated the naturally dark planes of her face, and sparked in the depths of her hazel eyes. Something within cried out in blind elation and launched itself against her ribcage, aching, and grasping, for purchase as Galateia continued to express her thoughts. The praise served to bolster her ego, and she cupped both ears towards her younger charge as a chuckle tumbled from her throat. The Matriarch desperately—foolishly, wanted to skip the pretense, and elevate the young woman to the rightful place her mind had set for her. But she did not wish to risk the wroth of the Mothers so she remained mum on the thought.
Heat rose to her cheeks at Galateia's final remark and immediately her mind jumped to the poetic—they were opposites; a benevolent, kind, scholar to her fierce, untempered, barbarism. Try as she might, she could not find a single flaw in her companion. Where Kalika tried, Galateia just did; where Indie spoke, Galatiea sang. Akantha was impatient; Galateia was infinitely so. Akantha knew it was unfair of her to compare her Sisters in such a way, but her currently narrow perspective did not permit her to care.
"Then I'll wait until you are." Akantha replied, leaving no room for arguement. "How else am I going to keep a record of anything useful? My eyes see only a forest, but you see a wealth of properties that I would otherwise miss."