Eftemie
Vermillion Gekko
A Puzzle To Solve
01.08.10 Joint with Talencia & midnight_medea
Eftemie
Taj smirked as he and Saljin walked in the doorway. Hesitating at the archway, Mystery glanced over towards the deer like creature grazing nearby. She skittishly raised her head at their appearance, but after a moment of staring at him, she nodded slightly and went back to feeding.
A frown flickered across his face. It had been hard on her and he nodded to Saljin who stood silently watching. She was welcome to remain. But that also meant there were others under his protection.
Tempest must have found someone. It was not a hard conclusion to come to since the man had gone out alone once more to look for his sister. Briefly he wondered if he had found her. Glancing at himself, Taj sighed. He desperately needed a bath after being at the forge all day. And his son needed some attention also.
"I'm going for a bath, Taj." Saljin stated as he moved towards the hallway nearby. "I'm also going to go play with my daughter and see Felista awhile tonight. Let me know if you need anything." Then he moved down the hallway at a nod, soon disappearing into his room.
Moving towards the secret doorway that into the other hallway and upstairs, Taj was not at all surprised to see Tempest and another standing at his door. The man had his hand raised as if to knock. Folding his wings back, he waited.
Tempest turned around at the footsteps. "The forge again, Taj?" he asked, a faint smirk on his face at the filth on the god.
Mystery shrugged, but grinned widely. Then he turned to watch Elana a moment. She had it as rough as the creature had. He now understood where the animal had come from. There was a definite family resemblance and the ease that Tempest stood before him with told him much. The man was extremely relieved. This girl was definitely his sister.
Writing on his tablet, Taj said, < You are most welcome here, little sister. >
Tempest blinked and then laughed. He should have known Taj would understand. "This is Elana, my little sister as you said. Elana, this is Tajnevaki, God of Mystery."
A frown flickered across his face. It had been hard on her and he nodded to Saljin who stood silently watching. She was welcome to remain. But that also meant there were others under his protection.
Tempest must have found someone. It was not a hard conclusion to come to since the man had gone out alone once more to look for his sister. Briefly he wondered if he had found her. Glancing at himself, Taj sighed. He desperately needed a bath after being at the forge all day. And his son needed some attention also.
"I'm going for a bath, Taj." Saljin stated as he moved towards the hallway nearby. "I'm also going to go play with my daughter and see Felista awhile tonight. Let me know if you need anything." Then he moved down the hallway at a nod, soon disappearing into his room.
Moving towards the secret doorway that into the other hallway and upstairs, Taj was not at all surprised to see Tempest and another standing at his door. The man had his hand raised as if to knock. Folding his wings back, he waited.
Tempest turned around at the footsteps. "The forge again, Taj?" he asked, a faint smirk on his face at the filth on the god.
Mystery shrugged, but grinned widely. Then he turned to watch Elana a moment. She had it as rough as the creature had. He now understood where the animal had come from. There was a definite family resemblance and the ease that Tempest stood before him with told him much. The man was extremely relieved. This girl was definitely his sister.
Writing on his tablet, Taj said, < You are most welcome here, little sister. >
Tempest blinked and then laughed. He should have known Taj would understand. "This is Elana, my little sister as you said. Elana, this is Tajnevaki, God of Mystery."
Talencia
She hefted the box of trinkets she had brought as her tribute to the lordly diety who sheltered them. Oh, she knew Tempest didn't see him that way, and certainly didn't portray him as being such, but Elana couldn't help herself. Any diety that would overtake another being, destroy them to remake themselves, she could only imagine them as being aloof and imperious. She gritted her teeth to brace herself as Tempest moved to knock on Taj's door.
She turned as Tempest did, seeing a grubby figure in old clothes. THe only truly remarkable thing she noticed right off was that he was winged, but these days such a detail was negligible as being unusual to her. A moment later her brother addressed him as Taj, and she sharpened her gaze. This? This was the godling with powers and what-not? She frowned at him, clearly unimpressed.
As he wrote, she looked him over more closely, noting he had a tail she'd missed earlier. His laughing eyes that met hers directly as he handed her his note were also slit like a cat's. Unusual, but nothing she imagined as being suitable to a god reborn. Dropping her eyes, she read his message. Little sister, was it? Uncomfortable and uncertain, she let haughtiness drop over her as a shield. Her head came up, chin extended, eyes challenging.
"Here. This is for you for as much payment as I can muster for room and board for myself and my friends," she said stiffly, extending the box she carried. It clanked and tinkled with the various stuffs inside. It wasn't the best offering, to be sure, but there were a few things in there of some decent value, and the rest could potentially be sold to the right people for a good profit. "I wouldn't wish to burden you with my crew," she added coldly, feeling her brother's disapproval beside her and boldly ignoring him. She had to settle this her own way.
What she wasn't even acknowledging to herself was that how he reacted to this was important to her. It would affect how she continued to treat him, her opinion of him, and her trust in him. She couldn't have told you how she wished him to react, nor what reaction would have garnered the best result. This was a moment in time for her, however. One that might dictate how the rest of her stay here would go.
She turned as Tempest did, seeing a grubby figure in old clothes. THe only truly remarkable thing she noticed right off was that he was winged, but these days such a detail was negligible as being unusual to her. A moment later her brother addressed him as Taj, and she sharpened her gaze. This? This was the godling with powers and what-not? She frowned at him, clearly unimpressed.
As he wrote, she looked him over more closely, noting he had a tail she'd missed earlier. His laughing eyes that met hers directly as he handed her his note were also slit like a cat's. Unusual, but nothing she imagined as being suitable to a god reborn. Dropping her eyes, she read his message. Little sister, was it? Uncomfortable and uncertain, she let haughtiness drop over her as a shield. Her head came up, chin extended, eyes challenging.
"Here. This is for you for as much payment as I can muster for room and board for myself and my friends," she said stiffly, extending the box she carried. It clanked and tinkled with the various stuffs inside. It wasn't the best offering, to be sure, but there were a few things in there of some decent value, and the rest could potentially be sold to the right people for a good profit. "I wouldn't wish to burden you with my crew," she added coldly, feeling her brother's disapproval beside her and boldly ignoring him. She had to settle this her own way.
What she wasn't even acknowledging to herself was that how he reacted to this was important to her. It would affect how she continued to treat him, her opinion of him, and her trust in him. She couldn't have told you how she wished him to react, nor what reaction would have garnered the best result. This was a moment in time for her, however. One that might dictate how the rest of her stay here would go.
Eftemie
Taj silently watched her a moment before turning to his pad again. < There is no price for the returned prodigal. All here are family and welcomed in their need and ours. > A sudden glint caught his eye and he blinked twice upon seeing the puzzle box nestled in. For a long moment he stared at it in confusion.His eyes drawn to it, he reached out to take it in hand, but glanced to her for permission first. He knew this. A faint memory dropped down over him as he held it for a long moment. Another hand had held the box and he frowned as he turned it over and over in his. He did not know the symbols but there was something about this box. He needed to think. He had seen the markings before. Where? The thought of his library came to him. A book. For a moment he hesitated then turned. There was something he needed to do with this box. He could feel it within himself urgently.
"Is something wrong, Taj?" Tempest finally asked knowing the god never acted like this. He had known Taj would not take payment for Elana, but he knew she would offer. The box was something else though and he glanced at his sister wondering where she had gotten it.
He glanced at both Elana and Tempest first shaking his head no, and then yes. Then he shrugged, motioning them to follow him. Stepping forwards, he moved through the wall, waiting halfway for them to come forwards. Then he was moving down the secret path to another doorway and into the hallway beyond. Again he waited until they were beside him before he moved towards the library.
His fingers touched lightly down the spines of the books there one after the other. Noone else was in the room as Taj pulled out a book, flipping it open. Shaking his head, he placed it back. Turning back to Tempest and Elana, he indicated the markings and a section of books in front of him. There was something here and he was sure he had seen the symbols in a book though he had no idea what they were. And he had seen someone holding this very cube. Who?
Talencia
Her first reaction to Taj's response was a mixture of scorn and grudging appreciation. She still didn't like to feel beholden to him for something she couldn't pay for. She determined to find some way to make up for it, something she could do to lighten someone's work here perhaps.
Things turned strange then, though. Something interested him in the box after all. He lifted out the odd heavy metallic cube Veridan had brought her. She shrugged at him when he'd looked to her for permission. As far as she was concerned, it was his already anyway. Still, the way he peered at it wasn't like a miser with his treasure, but rather like a baffled man trying to remember something.
His confused answer to Tempest tended to confirm this assessment. When he gestured for them to follow him through a wall (through a wall?!), she was left with a problem. What to do with the box of random valuables? She glanced at the her brother, who was already moving to follow Taj. Noone else was around, so she shrugged and just set the box against the wall before darting after Tempest. He had said they were all family, after all, and families shouldn't steal from one another. If what he'd implied was true, the box would be safe enough there.
She followed the two through a tangled passageway and emerged into the library she had heard about. She gazed about her in astonishment. This was some library. The avid reader in her seethed with agerness to sit down with one of the tomes and peruse to her heart's content. Apparently they were here on a mission though. It wasn't hard to decipher the motions Taj made. He wanted to find those symbols, and thought they were in this section of books.
Unaware that she was finding herself treating the god as just another person, she dutifully pulled a book down and began to flip through the pages. Though she moved quickly, she was also notably careful with the fragile pages. Clearly some of these books were old, older than she could guess. It wouldn't do to damage one of them, no matter how important this might be. She shook her head as she replaced the book and chose another. This could be practically impossible, depending on how prevelant the symbols were in whatever book he sought. Without looking at every page, she wasn't entirely sure what her chances of stumbling upon what he was looking for were.
Things turned strange then, though. Something interested him in the box after all. He lifted out the odd heavy metallic cube Veridan had brought her. She shrugged at him when he'd looked to her for permission. As far as she was concerned, it was his already anyway. Still, the way he peered at it wasn't like a miser with his treasure, but rather like a baffled man trying to remember something.
His confused answer to Tempest tended to confirm this assessment. When he gestured for them to follow him through a wall (through a wall?!), she was left with a problem. What to do with the box of random valuables? She glanced at the her brother, who was already moving to follow Taj. Noone else was around, so she shrugged and just set the box against the wall before darting after Tempest. He had said they were all family, after all, and families shouldn't steal from one another. If what he'd implied was true, the box would be safe enough there.
She followed the two through a tangled passageway and emerged into the library she had heard about. She gazed about her in astonishment. This was some library. The avid reader in her seethed with agerness to sit down with one of the tomes and peruse to her heart's content. Apparently they were here on a mission though. It wasn't hard to decipher the motions Taj made. He wanted to find those symbols, and thought they were in this section of books.
Unaware that she was finding herself treating the god as just another person, she dutifully pulled a book down and began to flip through the pages. Though she moved quickly, she was also notably careful with the fragile pages. Clearly some of these books were old, older than she could guess. It wouldn't do to damage one of them, no matter how important this might be. She shook her head as she replaced the book and chose another. This could be practically impossible, depending on how prevelant the symbols were in whatever book he sought. Without looking at every page, she wasn't entirely sure what her chances of stumbling upon what he was looking for were.
Eftemie
As the three of them began going through books, Taj reached upwards taking down a grouping of three books. The first one when opened revealed little other than words. The second book he placed on the first when it did nothing to help solve the problem. But when he opened up the third book, Mystery hesitated, staring at the symbols on the page. One was similar to the cube. Holding it out, he turned it to study them both.Tempest noting the hesitation moved towards Taj. It was a book of numbers written in hieroglyphics that were particular to some ancient race. "Numbers? Is that what the sumbols are, Taj?"
His eyes gleamed in excitement as he turned to watch Tempest. A quick nod and he shut the book. Now to solve the problem. Then he stopped again, his fingers hesitating just an inch before the cube.
The image of the cube in a hand came to him. He had seen it before but as he focused on the vision, memory, he looked up into the face of the one holding it. He could see the eyes very clearly and he suddenly grinned widely. He knew this person.
Arctang. The God of Numbers had held this very puzzle box. He had gone to get it when they had been faced with Samyaza. A sudden frown came to him. Arctang had not been seen since then either. Why?
Taking his tablet, he wrote, < Numbers once held this puzzle in his hand. It needs solution. Perhaps a clue to his disappearance.>
Mystery was uncertain why, but he needed to figure this out. His fingers moved quickly as he began moving the blocks. One shifted upwards as another shifted downwards. Taj had no idea what the true solution was, but it needed solving. This had something to do with Arctang and perhaps there was a clue inside to the god's whereabouts.
Tempest sighed. Taj would be at that for hours. And he'd not even gotten his bath yet. Glancing over at Elana, he said, "I'm going for a tea and something to eat. Find a book and pull up a seat. He will want us to wait until he has this solved since it was you that brought it here."
Talencia
Elana did indeed curl up in a chair, but did not pick up one of the tantalizing books. Instead, she was focused on the stranger fiddling with the cube that apparently was a puzzle of some sort involving numbers. She nibbled her lip and considered this enigmatic character. He certainly was nothing like what she'd been expecting. He perched absently on furniture, his entire focus on the cube, apparently unaware of his filthy state or her presence.
Definitely nothing like her mental image of the reigning gods. She took the quiet moment of noone observing her to ponder her own stereotypes. This definitely wasn't what she had been expecting. Could the others be equally... human? That was the best she could define it. He was distinctly down to earth in a way she would never have believed. Tempest had certainly tried to tell her, but it was something she had had to observe and accept herself.
Setting aside these rather uncomfortable thoughts, she leaned forward to peer at the cube and what he was doing with it. After watching intently for several minutes, she spoke aloud, half forgetting he wouldn't respond the same way. "What is the objective of it? What are you trying to make it do?"
Definitely nothing like her mental image of the reigning gods. She took the quiet moment of noone observing her to ponder her own stereotypes. This definitely wasn't what she had been expecting. Could the others be equally... human? That was the best she could define it. He was distinctly down to earth in a way she would never have believed. Tempest had certainly tried to tell her, but it was something she had had to observe and accept herself.
Setting aside these rather uncomfortable thoughts, she leaned forward to peer at the cube and what he was doing with it. After watching intently for several minutes, she spoke aloud, half forgetting he wouldn't respond the same way. "What is the objective of it? What are you trying to make it do?"
midnight_medea
Cosine lookd up at the sound of voices. She had hidden herself away at the back of the library. A perch on a worn, leather seat where she worked on formulas for the computer system she had begun with Gianfar.
She liked the silence of the library. Ankou's rooms were not loud, though people came and went. Aoide, Echo's children. At times it could be hard to concentrate on complex matters. She was only a newborn goddess after all, number did not always come as easily as she would have liked.
Curious, she closed the notepad and slipped the pen through the spiral binding. Her slippered feet touched the floor and she stood before making her way to the end of the row. She did not recognise the voices, though ... there was something familiar. Something she could not put her finger on.
She stepped out and walked along the rows until she came upon them, Taj. That must have been the familiarity she sensed.
"Lord Mystery." She smiled, looking with interest at the cube that he appeared to be fiddling with.
She liked the silence of the library. Ankou's rooms were not loud, though people came and went. Aoide, Echo's children. At times it could be hard to concentrate on complex matters. She was only a newborn goddess after all, number did not always come as easily as she would have liked.
Curious, she closed the notepad and slipped the pen through the spiral binding. Her slippered feet touched the floor and she stood before making her way to the end of the row. She did not recognise the voices, though ... there was something familiar. Something she could not put her finger on.
She stepped out and walked along the rows until she came upon them, Taj. That must have been the familiarity she sensed.
"Lord Mystery." She smiled, looking with interest at the cube that he appeared to be fiddling with.
Eftemie
Taj glanced over at Elana having taken his hands off the puzzle to write a reply to her. < The puzzle knows how it must end, but the path is my riddle. > He would have written more but heard the voice beside him.Glancing over at Cosine, he suddenly grinned, a cheshire in his face as he promptly plopped the cube into her fingers. It was then he remembered he was filthy.
< Perhaps luck is on your shoulder to open this trinket. Twas Arctang's puzzle but a solution needs to present itself soon. > He was unsure why he felt that but he was quite certain that it was necessary.
Tempest returned to the library glancing around as he carried the tray of tea and sweet breads he had taken from the kitchen. He smiled upon seeing Cosine with them. " I brought some tea and rolls. I was going to ask you, Taj, why you did not give it to Lady Cosine. Lady, this is my sister Elana. Elana, this is Cosine, the goddess of Numbers."
<Tis her twin's puzzlement. > Taj replied in amusement as he poured a cup of tea for Elana and then Cosine before himself and Tempest. Something important was happening and though he desperately needed a bath, it would wait until he saw what the result was.
Talencia
His answer, of course, did nothing to enlighten her. She also looked up at the voice, seeing another winged person, this one with neon colored wisps dripping from her feathers. Momentarily she wondered what was with people around here and wings, but the thought was brushed aside. Taj seemed quite delighted to see her, apparently as it had something to do with the cube she'd brought to him.
She sat back in her chair when Tempest entered, accepting a cup of tea from him. She was just lifting it to sip when she was introduced to Lady Cosine, but as she smiled and nodded her head in greeting, her brother dropped the bombshell. This was another diety. Startled, Elana nearly dropped her teacup and threw Tempest a look that inquired wildly if she was to rise and bow, prostrate herself, or what? Warily she looked back at Cosine, but saw no sense of superiority in her at all. Slightly unnerved by the thought of being in the presence of two gods, for she once more was reminded that Taj was far from being merely human, she set aside her teacup and stuffed her folded hands between her knees. This was entirely beyond her, and she concluded she'd best just keep silent and let those about her handle all this mysterious cube business.
Taj's information about a twin went right over her head, though she gave him a polite smile of thanks. Was life always like this in this mad place?
She sat back in her chair when Tempest entered, accepting a cup of tea from him. She was just lifting it to sip when she was introduced to Lady Cosine, but as she smiled and nodded her head in greeting, her brother dropped the bombshell. This was another diety. Startled, Elana nearly dropped her teacup and threw Tempest a look that inquired wildly if she was to rise and bow, prostrate herself, or what? Warily she looked back at Cosine, but saw no sense of superiority in her at all. Slightly unnerved by the thought of being in the presence of two gods, for she once more was reminded that Taj was far from being merely human, she set aside her teacup and stuffed her folded hands between her knees. This was entirely beyond her, and she concluded she'd best just keep silent and let those about her handle all this mysterious cube business.
Taj's information about a twin went right over her head, though she gave him a polite smile of thanks. Was life always like this in this mad place?
midnight_medea
Cosine smiled back to the mute god and raised an eyebrow as the puzzle was placed in her hand. There was a strong sense about it. Arc's. She frowned a littke and held the puzzle up to the dim lights of the library. Her foolish brother had gotten himself trapped.
"What makes you think I can solve this." She said, turning her eyes to mystery then back to the cube. The numbers on the sides were ancient. She stared at them a moment, possible numeric patterns presenting themselves slowly. Yet she was reluctant to obey.
"My brother is within here?"
"What makes you think I can solve this." She said, turning her eyes to mystery then back to the cube. The numbers on the sides were ancient. She stared at them a moment, possible numeric patterns presenting themselves slowly. Yet she was reluctant to obey.
"My brother is within here?"
Eftemie
Tempest stepped to the side to sit down with his sister. "Drink your tea, Elana. This should be interesting. And relax little sister. Noone's going to bite you." He smirked slightly as he turned to watch Taj and Cosine.Taj grinned widely. < Even a god may find themselves trapped by folly. > he wrote and indicated she work on the puzzle. < Tis a solution I see but not one I know. Millennia may pass at Mystery's pace while Numbers continue to write themselves and the solutions they seek.>
He was extremely amused by Arc being in the cube. It would give him something to tease his friend about. Looking at Cosine, he waited expectantly for her to open the cube. He would keep turning it if she was not prepared to. But this still amused him.
Talencia
She looked askance at her brother in clear skepticism. Noone was going to bite her, but she was in the presence of not one, but two dieties, with what she could only suppose was a third somehow contained inside the cube? She felt he could hardly guarentee she wouldn't become bitten in some fashion or another. Still, his amusement gave her a sense of normalcy on an emotional level. She gave him a tart look and primly lifted her cup again to sip.
The tea was unremarkable when she had the god, goddess, and cube puzzle to dwell on. She was rather confused on what exactly was inside, or how they knew it to be so. After all, here was a diety of Numbers, so why would old numbers on the outside of the cube reveal who was inside it? She shook her head in bafflement and sipped her tea. She had no appetite for the sweet bread, however. She was reluctant to admit it, but this was exciting, and it had her stomach in flutters. Scowling to cover her honest interest in it all, she folded her legs up underneath her and devoted herself to drinking her tea for a time, letting it settle warmly inside her. What matter were the affairs of the gods to her? Still, she stole peeks at the goddess' progress on the cube.
The tea was unremarkable when she had the god, goddess, and cube puzzle to dwell on. She was rather confused on what exactly was inside, or how they knew it to be so. After all, here was a diety of Numbers, so why would old numbers on the outside of the cube reveal who was inside it? She shook her head in bafflement and sipped her tea. She had no appetite for the sweet bread, however. She was reluctant to admit it, but this was exciting, and it had her stomach in flutters. Scowling to cover her honest interest in it all, she folded her legs up underneath her and devoted herself to drinking her tea for a time, letting it settle warmly inside her. What matter were the affairs of the gods to her? Still, she stole peeks at the goddess' progress on the cube.
midnight_medea
Cosine smirked a little, her hands trembling as a complex war waged within her. One she did not fully understand. The goddess she was, fighting with the goddess she was becoming.
On one hand she wanted her brother to return. She had not got the chance to know him before doom had descended and swallowed them both up. They were strangers really, strangers with a connection that needed to be understood.
The other hand, however, was not so enthused. Wasn't it fun being the only representation of Number. Why should she share? Why should she be pushed into his shadow once again when she was enjoying the light.
Her hands shook a little more as she ignored her darker thoughts and raised the cube again and started to work through the sequence, turning it this way, then that. Concentration furrowed her brow until she slid, what she hoped would be the last piece into position.
On one hand she wanted her brother to return. She had not got the chance to know him before doom had descended and swallowed them both up. They were strangers really, strangers with a connection that needed to be understood.
The other hand, however, was not so enthused. Wasn't it fun being the only representation of Number. Why should she share? Why should she be pushed into his shadow once again when she was enjoying the light.
Her hands shook a little more as she ignored her darker thoughts and raised the cube again and started to work through the sequence, turning it this way, then that. Concentration furrowed her brow until she slid, what she hoped would be the last piece into position.
Talencia
Each side read the numbers in sequence... 1-9 in six archaic or familiar lagnuages. The side that was uppermost erupted open, a column of light rising from it brilliantly. From it appeared a figure, hovering inexplicably above the cube. Cautiously the figure stepped from the light and nearly fell to the floor. Not at all the graceful emergence that Rajakhrev had managed. Sprawled on the floor, he took several deep, experimental breaths, just lying there. The cube closed back up and lay inane once more, though the numbers were no longer in proper sequence.
He looked no different than he had that fateful day. He had on dusty traveling clothes, and his hair was as mussed as was usual. He raised green eyes beneath locks of hair frosting to the same green. His gaze was unfocused at first, as he took in his location, his being, his reality. Yes, there was the cube, solidly in the hands of.. he raised his gaze further to her face. With a cry he lurched to his feet and wrapped his arms about his twin. Cosine. He was back. He was with her. Unabashedly he wept, holding her close in an intense embrace of affection. For her ears only, he murmured over and over, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He stood there, unwilling to let her go for several minutes, merely rocking her back and forth as he clung to her.
But some unnamable sense finally told him that they were not alone. Others were here. Turning, but keeping hold of his sister, he took in those others present. A young woman, a slightly older young man, and someone who appeared vaguely familiar. Clearly he was a diety such as himself, though, so Arctang bowed. "My thanks," he said clearly, half expecting his voice to rasp from disuse. Time did not pass within the cube, though, so it had been no time at all in truth since he'd last spoken. "My thanks for whatever hand any of you had in releasing me." Tears came again to his eyes, but these were the pleasant if achey sort. He would never forget these faces, those present when he had escaped his prison. "My deepest thanks, truly." His words caught as he tried to speak through a constricted throat.
Whispered almost to himself as he looked from one face to another, ending on Cosine, he spoke the only other thought on his mind. "I'm free!"
He looked no different than he had that fateful day. He had on dusty traveling clothes, and his hair was as mussed as was usual. He raised green eyes beneath locks of hair frosting to the same green. His gaze was unfocused at first, as he took in his location, his being, his reality. Yes, there was the cube, solidly in the hands of.. he raised his gaze further to her face. With a cry he lurched to his feet and wrapped his arms about his twin. Cosine. He was back. He was with her. Unabashedly he wept, holding her close in an intense embrace of affection. For her ears only, he murmured over and over, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He stood there, unwilling to let her go for several minutes, merely rocking her back and forth as he clung to her.
But some unnamable sense finally told him that they were not alone. Others were here. Turning, but keeping hold of his sister, he took in those others present. A young woman, a slightly older young man, and someone who appeared vaguely familiar. Clearly he was a diety such as himself, though, so Arctang bowed. "My thanks," he said clearly, half expecting his voice to rasp from disuse. Time did not pass within the cube, though, so it had been no time at all in truth since he'd last spoken. "My thanks for whatever hand any of you had in releasing me." Tears came again to his eyes, but these were the pleasant if achey sort. He would never forget these faces, those present when he had escaped his prison. "My deepest thanks, truly." His words caught as he tried to speak through a constricted throat.
Whispered almost to himself as he looked from one face to another, ending on Cosine, he spoke the only other thought on his mind. "I'm free!"
Eftemie
Taj suddenly grinned as he saw Arctang stepping forwards. He had been right. Arctang had been at the root of the puzzle cube though he had been unsure how.He slipped his arms around Arctang after Cosine let go of him, then wrote < Friends were Mystery and Numbers long err this. There is always room with Tajnevaki's domain for rest and clarity. > It was a pure luck that they had gotten him back at all.
Turning he watched Elana a moment, then bowed to her gratefully. < My gratitude for such a welcome gift. > It was then his filthy hair dropped into his eyes and he sighed. He needed a bath still but Arctang needed more so he simply remained beside him. There was much that Numbers would need to hear yet and there were questions that needed answered. Even Elana did not know entirely what had happened, though he was certain that Tempest had explained some of the situation.
His eyes frowned slightly at the words 'I'm free!" in concern for Arctang. It would not have been easy trapped inside there with noone. He would have to remain close to his friend and help him no matter what it took. Perhaps it was Chance's effect more than luck. Chance that Elana had survived outside and away from everyone and chance that someone had the cube. He smiled slightly. There would be mysteries in this world still and no reason this could not be one of them.
midnight_medea
Cosine watched in amazement as the figure hovered above the cube then stepped out to become a fully formed being. Cosine recognised it as her brother ... or the changed child that he had been bonded to. Her green eyes glanced down to the cube, closed and once again set to trap.
His cry made her jump and his tight embrace felt ... awkward. Cosine let him cry, her eyes focused on the wall behind him. If he had just waited, he might not have been in such a desperate situation. The lack of thought in his actions was very ... un Number like.
"It is good to see you back brother." She said softly, easing herself away and smiling a little. "And in good health. You must be tired after your ordeal."
His cry made her jump and his tight embrace felt ... awkward. Cosine let him cry, her eyes focused on the wall behind him. If he had just waited, he might not have been in such a desperate situation. The lack of thought in his actions was very ... un Number like.
"It is good to see you back brother." She said softly, easing herself away and smiling a little. "And in good health. You must be tired after your ordeal."
Talencia
Elana stared in shock. Somehow, she'd thought that the idea of a god being inside that little cube was just a figure of speech somehow. When it opened up and out stepped another of their kind, she very nearly dropped her teacup to shatter as it may. Her fingers reflexively tightened just before it slipped from her grip. The slop of liquid that escaped the cup went utterly unnoticed.
She was still staring when he turned to greet them all, to thank them. Still staring when the first of them, Taj, turned and wrote a note of thanks to her as well. She? She was to be thanked? She had brought him all this way in that little faceted box? The very idea was staggering that she would have a hand in such a thing. Carefully she put her teacup back down and pinned her folded hands between her knees. This was terribly unsettling to say the least, as if the last year hadn't been bad enough. All of a sudden she had an intense wish for Tor to be there to hide her face against.
Arctang resonated with joy, but the tenor of the moment was marred, only just slightly. It was like one instrument in an orchestra being mistuned, jarring in the background of harmonious loveliness. He paused, brows wrinkled as he strove to put his finger on it. As Cosine stepped away from him, murmuring platitudes that lacked the warmth he'd hoped for, the source became clear. He turned to her with an expression of dismay, hurt floating to the surface of his face for a fleeting moment.
His time in the cube was not misspent, however. Though he could not have told what caused her discomfort, the reason was not his to determine. She was uncomfortable and displeased somehow. He refused to allow his own situation to take away from how important she was to him. She must come first, he thought fiercely. Willingly he dropped her hand, released her. "I'm sorry, sister," he said softly back to her, trying to meet her eyes. "I've done aught to upset you?" No empty offering was this. But too also he saw reticence, a withdrawing of her from himself. Unconciously he ran his hand through his hair as he took a breath and blew it out gently. "I would make it right, whatever it is," he imparted, again seeking her eyes. It seemed as if he wanted to take her hand to convey his sincerity, but did not. He kept his hands to himself, respecting the distance she seemed to desire. "Please, when you can, tell me how to make it right with you."
She was not the only one. She could have been his world, if she had let him. But he knew there were others to look after and consider as well. He turned to Taj for a firm clasp of hands. "Thank you for your hospitality. I think I shall accept it." He glanced over his shoulder at his twin. "For now at least. Things are rather too chaotic to know where my place is just yet." Which reminded him. "I must see Destruction. Has he... has he survived?" Of course he must have, for the world to remain, but in what state?
She was still staring when he turned to greet them all, to thank them. Still staring when the first of them, Taj, turned and wrote a note of thanks to her as well. She? She was to be thanked? She had brought him all this way in that little faceted box? The very idea was staggering that she would have a hand in such a thing. Carefully she put her teacup back down and pinned her folded hands between her knees. This was terribly unsettling to say the least, as if the last year hadn't been bad enough. All of a sudden she had an intense wish for Tor to be there to hide her face against.
Arctang resonated with joy, but the tenor of the moment was marred, only just slightly. It was like one instrument in an orchestra being mistuned, jarring in the background of harmonious loveliness. He paused, brows wrinkled as he strove to put his finger on it. As Cosine stepped away from him, murmuring platitudes that lacked the warmth he'd hoped for, the source became clear. He turned to her with an expression of dismay, hurt floating to the surface of his face for a fleeting moment.
His time in the cube was not misspent, however. Though he could not have told what caused her discomfort, the reason was not his to determine. She was uncomfortable and displeased somehow. He refused to allow his own situation to take away from how important she was to him. She must come first, he thought fiercely. Willingly he dropped her hand, released her. "I'm sorry, sister," he said softly back to her, trying to meet her eyes. "I've done aught to upset you?" No empty offering was this. But too also he saw reticence, a withdrawing of her from himself. Unconciously he ran his hand through his hair as he took a breath and blew it out gently. "I would make it right, whatever it is," he imparted, again seeking her eyes. It seemed as if he wanted to take her hand to convey his sincerity, but did not. He kept his hands to himself, respecting the distance she seemed to desire. "Please, when you can, tell me how to make it right with you."
She was not the only one. She could have been his world, if she had let him. But he knew there were others to look after and consider as well. He turned to Taj for a firm clasp of hands. "Thank you for your hospitality. I think I shall accept it." He glanced over his shoulder at his twin. "For now at least. Things are rather too chaotic to know where my place is just yet." Which reminded him. "I must see Destruction. Has he... has he survived?" Of course he must have, for the world to remain, but in what state?
Eftemie
Noting Elana's discomfort, Taj glanced at Tempest who nodded. They had been around one another long enough that he knew what the god wanted him to do. Comfort his sister. Turning back to Arc, Mystery nodded, grinning widely. He was glad that his friend was accepting his hospitality. It would give him time as well as safety to learn the things that had gone on.
< A room is yours, my friend. Destruction is gone. Creation, Lord Harmodius, reigns in his stead and this world mends. The pieces of Aristogeiton were gained. None know where Samyaza resides or when she will return. Nor Gaia's arm. Forges have been made to arm the mortals that remain. The Pantheon is green, but not all. Universe perished and the sky needs made once more. For now all come here to live. Mortal halls and godly rooms line this place. We still rebuild and a myriad of tales other than these few. >
It was not much written but it contained alot. Specific details could be given to Arc when once more he was rested and comfortable. There would be time then to tell all that had happened while Arctang was trapped. Perhaps he would even have a tale or two to reveal. And he could give him the prized silks he had saved all this time.
midnight_medea
"Nothing." She said, watching him as he begged for forgiveness. "You have done nothing Arctang." Aside for getting yourself trapped in a cube for months. "I just do not feel we have had the chance to become reaquainted after our rebirth, I remember nothing from the time before." A half smile crossed her lips. "We are like strangers though I am sure we can remedy this now you have returned." Her half smile formed itself into a full one. She glanced to Taj as he offered his rooms and nodded to herself.
"Forgive me brother, I could not offer you rooms. I live with the Spirit Guide, in his rooms and space is not something we have in abundance."
"Forgive me brother, I could not offer you rooms. I live with the Spirit Guide, in his rooms and space is not something we have in abundance."
Talencia
This was a lot to take in. What Cosine said seemed logical enough, but somehow he felt that the natural bond they should share as twins, regardless of memory loss, was starkly lacking. It baffled his tired mind, and he began to feel the strain of his time in the cube weighing on his physical body. Not to mention the implication that his sister was living with another god? Perhaps even... well, that was better left for a time when he could think more clearly. Right now, he was beginning to sag visibly. His body itself was no tireder than it had been the evening he was sucked in, but his mind and heart were positively wrung out.
It crossed his mind that he needed to find Raja and ask him about all this, about re-emerging and how to deal with it. Rajakhrev would know how he felt. How in the world had he survived in there for so long, he wondered of a sudden, thoughts whirling at the idea of spending hundreds of years trapped inside. Come to think of it, how long had he been inside it?
He turned to ask Taj, but staggered as he did so. Frowning, he righted himself but found he wasn't inclined to move much more than that. All four limbs felt terribly heavy. All he wanted to do was sit down, right then and there. So he did, folding his legs under him as he sank to the floor. His energy of excitement at being freed had run out of him like water, leaving him only with his mental and emotional exhaustion. "I think," he announced rather vaguely, "that it may be time to rest." Even sitting, he swayed a bit, resisting the urge to simply sprawl right there and close his eyes.
Tempest's arm about here helped some. She'd forgotten how good it felt to be sheltered. She'd been the one doing the sheltering for some time now, so this was a nice change. Not just that, though. She'd also forgotten how well he comforted her. Finding herself relaxing as the others talked, she leaned her head against his shoulder and let herself savor the chance to relinquish all the responsibilities to someone else. It was wonderful. Even as she sighed softly and accepted her brother's offered comfort, though, her eyes followed the goddess and her interactions with her own brother. She watched the subtle plays of emotion, or lack of it. Her heart told her she should sympathize with the brother, but in truth she could completely understand the sister's point of view. Had she not herself put distance between Tempest and her, to the point of actually running away? Yes, sometimes even the closest siblings needed space, room, a seperation from one another. Being clsoe didn't mean you had to be of the same mind.
She looked up at Tempest from her safe nestle beside him. Even now, she didn't think they wanted or needed the same things. She was learning though that this did not exclude being close anyway, didn't mean they couldn't provide for each other's needs. WIth another sigh, she snuggled a bit closer to him and once more savored the chance to simply be instead of act.
It crossed his mind that he needed to find Raja and ask him about all this, about re-emerging and how to deal with it. Rajakhrev would know how he felt. How in the world had he survived in there for so long, he wondered of a sudden, thoughts whirling at the idea of spending hundreds of years trapped inside. Come to think of it, how long had he been inside it?
He turned to ask Taj, but staggered as he did so. Frowning, he righted himself but found he wasn't inclined to move much more than that. All four limbs felt terribly heavy. All he wanted to do was sit down, right then and there. So he did, folding his legs under him as he sank to the floor. His energy of excitement at being freed had run out of him like water, leaving him only with his mental and emotional exhaustion. "I think," he announced rather vaguely, "that it may be time to rest." Even sitting, he swayed a bit, resisting the urge to simply sprawl right there and close his eyes.
Tempest's arm about here helped some. She'd forgotten how good it felt to be sheltered. She'd been the one doing the sheltering for some time now, so this was a nice change. Not just that, though. She'd also forgotten how well he comforted her. Finding herself relaxing as the others talked, she leaned her head against his shoulder and let herself savor the chance to relinquish all the responsibilities to someone else. It was wonderful. Even as she sighed softly and accepted her brother's offered comfort, though, her eyes followed the goddess and her interactions with her own brother. She watched the subtle plays of emotion, or lack of it. Her heart told her she should sympathize with the brother, but in truth she could completely understand the sister's point of view. Had she not herself put distance between Tempest and her, to the point of actually running away? Yes, sometimes even the closest siblings needed space, room, a seperation from one another. Being clsoe didn't mean you had to be of the same mind.
She looked up at Tempest from her safe nestle beside him. Even now, she didn't think they wanted or needed the same things. She was learning though that this did not exclude being close anyway, didn't mean they couldn't provide for each other's needs. WIth another sigh, she snuggled a bit closer to him and once more savored the chance to simply be instead of act.
Eftemie
Taj moved towards his friend immediately. There was time for information beyond the basics later. Arctang obviously needed rest and he would get it. Sliding his arms around Arc's shoulders, he helped him back to his feet. Glancing at Cosine, Tempest, and Elana, he indicated they follow back through the hidden path. The box of trinkets still waited on Elana and he was certain Tempest wanted to spend some time with his sister. Although it was important to go out looking for others, Taj would send Saljin and Puck out to look for the stragglers that slowly came in each day. In the morning things would look different for all.
Cosine could freely visit her brother as she knew she was welcome at any time and Taj liked the goddess of numbers. Maddie had taken a liking to her also and she felt as if a part of the family. They would all figure out what needed done later.
Tempest picked up Taj's tablet, glancing over at Cosine. The god would want it later. "Lady, it was pure luck that we even had the cube. My sister only arrived here today and it came with her. I wonder how he got trapped in it and how it found it's way back. We will see if we can find out such for you." Perhaps it was important to know and perhaps not. But the offer was made so that if it were important, it would be known to them.
midnight_medea
Cosine moved forwards as her brother stumbled. Confused she might be but she was not entirely cold hearted. Taj reached him first and she straightened watching the small group of people. Her gaze followed Taj's indication and she smiled, of course he would have some hidden way to the library, she should have expected nothing less.
"Thank you." She replied to Tempest's words, bowing her head a little and looking to her brother with a smile. "I think you will find Mystery's rooms very comfortable brother. There are many friendly faces. Though I hope you will not be offended if I do not join you. You need to rest." She reached out a hand to place it gently on his arm. "Come and find me in the morning, I live behind the door that shows a field of forget-me-nots with a crow and a vulture bearing candles flying over."
"Thank you." She replied to Tempest's words, bowing her head a little and looking to her brother with a smile. "I think you will find Mystery's rooms very comfortable brother. There are many friendly faces. Though I hope you will not be offended if I do not join you. You need to rest." She reached out a hand to place it gently on his arm. "Come and find me in the morning, I live behind the door that shows a field of forget-me-nots with a crow and a vulture bearing candles flying over."
Talencia
No longer the proud godling he had started becoming after his void burn, born of anger and frustration and a desire to do something, Arc was more than willing to lean heavily upon his half-remembered friend. The world steadied some as he took some deep breaths and moved slowly. Best not to aggrivate his addled brain by moving swiftly.
The feeling of his sister's light hand on his arm made him turn towards her. He gave her a gentle, warm smile and gently slid his fingers under hers. "No apology needed, sister. I am merely grateful to be free, and to have gotten to see you once more. He raised her hand and lightly kissed the back of it before letting go. "I shall come looking for you then." The image amused his weary mind. A candled crow. His smile turned a bit silly, but he didn't speak his odd, drifting thoughts. "Farewell until then."
He turned back to Taj and gave him a smile also, still slightly goofy. "So Mr. Mystery, is there somewhere a Pie Bird can nest in amongst your domain? Lead on!" His expansive gesture as he descended further into silliness nearly knocked his wavery balance off again. An exhausted Numbers in a safe place equalled a rather large portion of amusement.
The feeling of his sister's light hand on his arm made him turn towards her. He gave her a gentle, warm smile and gently slid his fingers under hers. "No apology needed, sister. I am merely grateful to be free, and to have gotten to see you once more. He raised her hand and lightly kissed the back of it before letting go. "I shall come looking for you then." The image amused his weary mind. A candled crow. His smile turned a bit silly, but he didn't speak his odd, drifting thoughts. "Farewell until then."
He turned back to Taj and gave him a smile also, still slightly goofy. "So Mr. Mystery, is there somewhere a Pie Bird can nest in amongst your domain? Lead on!" His expansive gesture as he descended further into silliness nearly knocked his wavery balance off again. An exhausted Numbers in a safe place equalled a rather large portion of amusement.
Eftemie
A wide grin slid across his face as he nodded to Arctang. There was definitely space for him to rest. Leading him through the hidden spaces and directly to the stairs leading upwards towards his own rooms, Taj turned to the left towards a space that had until now been left empty. He had been uncertain what it was for, but now he knew.Sandwiched between the workshop and the room of oddities, was enough room for the God of Numbers to reside. Basic furniture shaped itself as Taj moved towards the door. The room itself was arc shaped- a fact not lost on him and which should at least amuse them both. The room was plain and simple but he knew that it would shape itself to Arc's designs once the god had rested and become more himself.
Helping Arc to the bed, he wrote before moving towards the door. < The room shapes itself to your demands. Explanations of silence and more can wait until rest has come and gone. My aoidei are at your command, my friend. The hidden stairs turn to my room at the top should you need me. Welcome home. > He knew Arc would understand what he had written. He would deliver the silk shirts he had gathered for him when it was time for the tales to be told. Arc had missed much but he had also been missed.
Now though it was time for a bath and moved towards the door where Tempest and Elana still waited. A quick glance at both revealed that they were waiting patiently. Something he appreciated from them. Her box of trinkets still waited in the hallway and he knew there was truly no way to thank her for the gift she had given. He hugged her gently before picking up the box and handing it to her. Then he was gone into his rooms leaving them standing.
"Let's go sit awhile, Elana. You did Taj more of a service than you know. To find a lost friend helps in these days when so much has been lost. No less than finding you, little sister. And I just want to enjoy that you are here." Tempest stated with a smile.
