Nova

Nova

"Time is not your enemy, forever is."

At first they simply thought she was simply slow to grow. Yet as the weeks turned months and months turned years Nova’s body stayed as it had been since birth even as her mind matured and sharpened. Many took to avoid her, thinking her cursed, but her family stood by her. Cared for her. Supported her.

It was Nova’s parents who saw her loneliness, as all those who she’d wanted to befriend with either took no notice (or perhaps only pretended not to) of her or left her behind, and her unhappiness in the clan where she was avoided like she had plague. They decided that when the opportunity came they’d find a way for Nova to leave the clan. And finally it appeared in a form of a merchant from another clan. They asked him to take Nova with him as he left though they did not tell of her condition. He accepted but only to his birthclan.

“I prefer to travel alone and I have no need for apprentices,” he told them.

--

As they reached the clan the merchant whom Nova had come to know as Thunder took her to meet the clan leader. Aava would like to know her, he told Nova, as she would most likely stay for a while. That, and the leader might know something of her condition. How he knew of this he’d not tell straight only saying that he was born of Water. Nova supposed that actually did explain it.

“I have no knowledge that would help you,” the leader said to Nova after they had exchanged greetings, “but my clan has many others that might.” She paused just for a moment before continuing with a wry smile. “Though do not go to Thunder for information. His prices are understandably rather high for such things.”

--

“Greetings, little sprite of youth,” the water surrounding her said. “It has been long since I have last seen one of you.”