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 Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 11:03 am
"HA-CHOO!!"
Nikolai jumped as he felt the force of wind rush past him. Chiseled features screwed up in disgust until he realized the wind came from the boy's wings, not his mouth-- and it was decidedly void of moist, vulgar spit. Oh, it was definitely still wet, but it was only because the small, slim form walking behind was drenched with water from head to toe and those heavy wings were no exception.
Hiding back a smirk, the redhead turned around and waited until Helias caught up. Standing side by side, the guardian towered over his charge by almost a full head, Nikolai standing at 6'6" while the hraapea was a rather insulted 5'6". Helias didn't seem to mind, however, as the boy was more interested in warming up after his literal run in with the river a couple miles back.
One thing Nikolai had come to find was that his ward liked to run. It was a shock in the beginning when the bartender noticed the boy couldn't fly-- and it was a topic of worry when Helias failed to learn how to fight. As an ex-soldier and a mercernary, Nikolai traveled around a lot and was often involved in more than one risky dealing at any time. To have a child dumped on him that couldn't defend itself-- Well, as a pseudo-father, he had his work cut out for him.
But thankfully, the boy could run. The only issue with the fact was that Helias often had trouble stopping when he started, and the inertia gained from a full on sprint often caused him to fall over or into things. It wasn't unusual for Nikolai to find that they were short on funds because half of it had been used to pay for property damage. Thankfully, one didn't have to pay for river damages.
"I'm hungry."
Helias sniffled in someone else's voice, drawing Nikolai's oversized coat around his miniature form. They were so very different in that aspect: Nikolai was fair and well muscled, not exactly bulky but solid. The boy looked like he could be snapped in half if handled without care, and his skin was a dark tan as though he had been dumped in chocolate.
"Walk faster. We're not even in town yet."
Crossing his arms, the redhead turned on his heel and walked ahead, his long legs setting him at a pace that forced the boy to run. Eventually, Helias gave up trying to keep pace and fell a couple feet behind to catch his breath. He didn't hate his master, but it wasn't as though there was much love in their relationship either. If there were, it was definitely a one sided affair on Nikolai's part.
"Where are we going?"
The voice was quiet, words twisted with an almost feminine, melodic lilt at the ends. It was certainly an exotic voice, but Nikolai wasn't the type of man that enjoyed having to ask someone to repeat themselves. The bartender had issues with heavy accents of all types.
At length, they stepped off the cobblestone paths and onto a smaller dirt road that twisted into a back alley. It only took Helias a couple more minutes of intense silence before he realized that Nikolai wasn't ignoring him on purpose.
"HEY, YOU! STOP RIGHT THERE! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!"
For the second time that day, Nikolai jumped visibly at the hraapea's antics. The accentless voice mimicked was one he had hoped to never hear again-- A man he had been hired to kill just a month ago. The redhead couldn't begin to explain how strange and unnerving it is to hear a dead man's voice out of the blue every day. Perhaps a change of professions is due.
"JESUS CHRI-- Don't do that!"
Running a frustrated hand through his copper hair, Nikolai knocked twice on the wooden door before pushing it open, grabbing Helias by the shoulder and giving the boy a slight shove. The hraapea stumbled in without much resistance, already distracted by the amount of shiny that radiated in the room.
They had arrived in Amerald's workshop for the first time in almost four years and while Helias had little recollection of the place, the boy's small mind was easy enough to distract.
"Don't eat that."
Distracted from his survey of the immediate area, Nikolai stepped into the shop, grabbing his ward's jaw and removing the chunk of obsidian from the other's hands.
"I wasn't going to." Brows furrowing, a single gold eye fixed onto his guardian-- and just as quickly wandered off. Helias had made up his mind a couple years ago that if Nikolai was going to treat him like a simpleton, he'd go ahead and act like one.
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Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 1:07 pm
The door to the shop swung open and almost instantly, Amelia heard it. She was quite excited that they had gotten a customer. But she knew she wasn't allowed to go out if it was one, for Amerald would become angry with her. He told both his girls that they needed to be kept a secret. The housing area was behind the main part of the shop, only one door stood between the human race and the creations in which Amerald was so desperate to keep a secret.
She perked up, ran to that door and looked through the peephole that Amerald had installed for their use. Not many people knew of her or her sister and she was told often to not allow more people to get to know her; which was saddening for her.
As she looked, she saw someone that she recognized, it was that man, the man that had come in so long ago. And the other man beside him was his heir. Amelia jumped into the air excitedly, accidentally hitting her head on the ceiling. "Oh my! He's back! I have to tell Anna and father!" she said as she made her way back to the ground.
The little 5'4" Hraapea smiled and ran upstairs into the back room where she and Annabelle lived and stayed. Her sister was interested in her actions. "What has gotten into you, Mia?" the beautiful voice spoke. She loved her sister dearly and only looked out for her. Annabelle was almost scared for what news her sister brought because Amelia seemed so panicked.
"Anna! Your boyfriend is back and right downstairs!" she said, grabbing the side of the doorframe to keep her balance as she then scurried off to tell Amerald that they had a visitor.
"M-my boyfriend?" Annabelle stated in shock. She had hardly any friends in this world, what could she have meant? Slowly, the Hraapea got up and she too, went downstairs to look through the peephole into the shop. It was him, the man which she had her first crush on. She was just a little girl when Amerald had created him, and she fell in love before he was given to that man standing next to him. It was Helias, her first love.
Amelia knocked on the basement door to get Amerald's attention. "Father, we have a visitor!" the sweet voice said. She then waited for a response which she got a few moments later. "Alright, thank you hun." he replied.
Meanwhile, Amerald was in his basement workshop, chiseling away at some of the rocks Annabelle had discovered on her latest trip around the world. This was the perfect thing to distract himself with since there had been a lot going on recently. He was getting more and more anxious with each passing day that his creations would no longer be able to be created. People were becoming suspicious and he did not enjoy that at all.
With a small hammer, he would chisel away at the rock until he found something beautiful. In a basket next to him on the floor were many beautiful gems that sparkled like the night sky. "Huh...that's funny...these rocks don't seem to contain many crystals at all. Ugh...what a waste." he said, putting the hammer and chisel down, getting up from his stand and taking off his glasses, placing them on the table which he had been working.
He rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger and went to the other corner of his room where he had placed the different potions he created earlier that day. He was known as an alchemist around the town, able to give medicine to clients who wanted it. But secretly, he was a scientist, one that worked with DNA splicing and creation of anthropomorphic humans.
He grabbed a few bottles of his famous healing poultice and turned off the light as he went upstairs. By that time Annabelle and Amelia had retired to their room, Amelia extremely excited and Annabelle nervous for their encounter.
As he entered the room and saw who was standing before him, he dropped all of the bottles he had been carrying and stood in awe. It was Helias after all. "I-it's...it's you...H-Helias? Oh my..." was all he could say before he ran to him, giving him a very large hug. He didn't care what Helias would say, but he was definitely interested in him all over again.
"I cannot believe it's you. It's been ages since I've seen you. You've grown to be such a dashing gentleman. But you're cold and wet? What happened to you?" Amerald asked, standing straight up and waddling over to stand in front of Nikolai. Of course, the man was much taller than he, only being about 6' himself. He was not too thrilled that Nikolai had kept Helias from seeing him for so long.
He put his left arm on his hip and pointed straight at Nikolai. "What have you done to this poor boy?! This is all your fault mister! Why have you been such a stranger? All these years and not even a picture or a letter from either of you. I'm quite disappointed. But I'm over that. I am just so happy to see you both! Let us get together in the back room for some drinks and appetizers. You can meet Annabelle and Amelia again if you'd like. It's been so long, I doubt you even remember them." he said. He seemed almost angry at first, but then as he said that he was 'over it' he instantly grew a grin of absolute happiness and walked over to the door where he motioned the two to go.
"Oh dear me...I seem to have made a mess. Oh well, I'll clean that up later. Watch your step please...broken glass is never fun to get under your skin. Hehehe."
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Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 3:16 pm
Helias jumped in surprise as Amerald entered the room, not quick enough to run behind Nikolai as he usually did whenever strangers tried to touch him. Already stuck in his guardian's grip, the hraapea struggled awkwardly when he was suddenly transferred into the shopkeep's embrace. Wings ruffled a little unceremoniously as he found himself lifted off his feet, Helias bit down his bottom lip and was completely silent.
Nikolai ignored his ward's frantic looks, instead leaning lightly against an empty shelf and glancing around the shop. He vaguely recalled two little girls living in the same residence. Had they grown up as well? Children had never been interesting to him, but Nikolai had something he wanted to confirm.
"He ran into the river on his own. I didn't know he couldn't swim." The answer came flatly, almost in a monotone as though Nikolai had found things more of an issue on his end. Which, as far as the mercenary was concerned, it was. Even if he had simply sat down on the river bank and 'cheered' the drowning Hraapea on. It was a form of man-training, as Nikolai called it.
"As for not being in contact, I told you from day one that I'm a wanderer. He was the one who wanted to follow me." Transferring his weight back on both feet, the tall man stepped over the broken glass and towards the back door the other gestured to.
When Helias found himself released, he was about to vault out the window and run for 'safer' grounds. Unfortunately, the bartender had already predicted his route of exit and hauled the boy back inside mid-jump, tucking him beneath one arm and dragging him along.
"Hey!!"
"Didn't you have two little girls with you? He might stop running if he sees them."
"Don't talk like I'm not here, young man!" The voice this time was that of an old woman. Perhaps around the age of sixty, with a raspy undertone that was copied right down to the airy sound made by several missing teeth.
"Stop it or I'll sell you."
"......"
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Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 5:02 pm
Amerald smirked as the two went into the back room, one in the other's arms. That was cute. Amerald actually giggled a bit as he closed the door to the shop. "Doesn't mean you couldn't have sent a letter. Wow, you really do hate me, don't you? Oh, but never mind that, come along." he said, leading them into the main portion of the house.It looked somewhat fancy, a couch sat across from a large bookshelf filled to the brim with science and history books as well as any other books he may have accumulated over the years.
"Yes, Amelia and Annabelle. They should be back in their room." he said as he went to the staircase.
"Please, have a seat, I'll get the girls." he said as he pointed towards the couch.
With that, he left the two to do as they will and went upstairs to the girl's bedroom. He gave a knock and opened the door. "Girls, company has come to see you, but you already knew that, yes? Come down, we can't be rude." he said, closing the door behind him and walking back down the stairs.
"So, is there anything I can get for either of you to drink or to eat? We have a variety of drinks. Just say the word and I bet we can concoct something up for you. After all, we can't have my child or the father of my child going hungry or thirsty can we? Haha!" he said, smirking as he did. He loved to consider his creations 'his children' and an extra bonus was probably making the guardian rather uncomfortable, which he often liked to do to see how people would react.
"I'm here!" Amelia said as she finally came off the final step. She smiled at Helias and his guardian and gave a simple wave. "And I brought Anna with me." she said as she gestured to the woman who just had finished coming down.
Annabelle smiled at Helias with a kind, warm smile. She then walked up casually as to not alarm him or make him think she liked him. That was the last thing she wanted to do. She set out her hand for him to shake, that was, if he knew the common gestures that introductions and meetings used. "Hello, my name is Annabelle. I'm Amerald's second creation. You must be Helias. I remember you from when we were just children. This is my older sister, Amelia." she said, smiling. She did remember him, quite well in fact. It wasn't extremely long after he was created that he left however. But nevertheless she did remember him.
Amelia went back behind the bar with her father and whispered to him. "I really hope they get along. I want to see Anna happy for a long time." she said sweetly.
He chuckled a bit as he poured himself and the girls their favorite drinks. "You have such a kind heart, child. Always thinking of others and their happiness. I'm sure the two will hit it off." he whispered back. He then placed Annabelle's glass on the other side of the bar so she could grab it when she wanted. He handed Amelia's glass to her and set his aside until he could pour their guests some drinks as well.
"Nikolai, shall we leave the children to their antics and talk in private?" he suggested, still behind the bar. He didn't really mind, but it was a suggestion nonetheless. He smiled and awaited a response.
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Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 5:38 pm
"I don't hate you. I just don't particularly like you."
Dumping his charge onto the couch without much care for safety, Nikolai quirked a brow, staring the boy down once Amerald had left. He found Helias's stare as unnerving as the kid no doubt found his own, but eventually he did win the contest and the hraapea averted his eyes, sinking lower into the soft cushions.
"Do I look like a father?"
Nikolai's voice had gone cold as ice, no doubt finding Amerald's generalization a bit offensive. He was two years to thirty and while his face was still young, it was scarred like the rest of his body-- the redhead was a little bit touchy when it came to questions of age and status. He still didn't think he was old enough to be called a father. Hell, he could barely call it babysitting. It was more like being stuck with an unwanted tumor that happened to get in the way all the time.
Attention diverting to the two girls that entered, Nikolai's expression visibly softened as they introduced themselves. "Hello Annabelle, Amelia." From what the mercenary already could see, he had probably screwed up raising Helias at some point in the past few years. Why were they so much tamer and....... Normal?
"...Lead the way. I wanted to ask you something anyway." Rather immune to the situation at hand, Nikolai was all business the moment he remembered what he was here for. Fishing out the letter from his pocket, the man checked with it briefly before nodding towards Amerald, suggesting he take the lead. He had only recently taken a look at the letter, even though it had been delivered quite a while ago. It had outlined something about crystals and abilities.......... Something, he'd have to take another look during their course of conversation.
The guardian and creator's words fell on deaf ears as Helias studied each of the girls carefully, sitting up a little more politely when they stopped in front of him. A flicker of memory lighted itself in his mind, but it disappeared before it fully formed. Try as he might, he had no real recollection of the two aside from a faint feeling.
"My name is Nikolai--"
Helias stopped. No wait, that was the wrong voice and introduction. Brows furrowing, he muttered a soft "Uh oh." he had heard once while passing an open stage theater. Eventually, he stood up and cleared his throat to hide the embarrassing mistake.
"Yes, I am Helias." Using his own voice this time, the lilt in his words were a little thicker. He was definitely uncomfortable.
Staring at the outstretched hand, the boy hesitated for a second before taking it, kneeling down to kiss the back. He had never seen Nikolai shake a lady's hand before, but he had often seen the bartender flirt with the barmaids in this manner. Unfortunately, Helias didn't understand that things were applied differently depending on circumstance.
"Sorry, girls. He's kind of stupid." Nikolai offered from across the room, challenging Helias's glare with a platonic shrug.
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Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:29 pm
Amerald huffed a bit when his company mocked him. "You're a funny man, have I ever told you that?" he replied as he came back from around the bar and motioned towards the hallway leading back down into the shop. "We can go down to my basement. Come." he stated as he unlocked the door with a special key and started down the cement stairs, leaving the girls with Helias altogether.
Once he got to the bottom, he lit a few candles in place of light so the two could talk and actually see one another, for there was no other light around. "So, what was it that you needed to ask me?" he asked curiously, sitting at his main desk flipping through some papers and then pushing them aside. He turned around to face the man, and then awaited a response.
Meanwhile the girls were still upstairs with Helias. When he introduced himself as his guardian, Amelia giggled. Annabelle rolled her eyes at her sister and she knew she needed to stay quiet. She grabbed her glass and drank from it.
The moment that Helias grabbed Annabelle's hand, she felt a shriek of chills crawl up her spine. She smiled...but then he got down on his knee and kissed her hand. That almost melted her. She kept her composure, but blushed incessantly. Her hand instantly began to shiver and shake a bit. "Oh, there is no need for that." she said, taking her hand back and sitting on the couch next to Helias. She smiled and could not get the blush to go away. Her solemn face was finally brightening up, Amelia had noticed that.
Amelia grabbed Annabelle's glass and brought it to her, setting it on the stand next to the couch. "So, Helias, what kinds of fun adventures have you been away on? It's been so long. We were a little older than you were when the creation happened, so we probably remember you better than you do us. But how has it been for you, adjusting to this world? I hope people haven't been making fun too much. Annabelle and I aren't even allowed to leave often...but she gets to travel the world and find pretty gems. Now that's the life." Amelia said smiling, sitting on the ground as she did.
Annabelle spoke up, "No, it's not all that great. I miss my family here. But it is beautiful out there, especially when the night drops and you can see the beautiful sunset in the sky." She said, looking into Helias' eye. She seemed to fall to pieces when looking into it. It was love at first sight all over again. She didn't know how to control it either. She couldn't help herself. She finally cut the gaze and looked around the room, then down at Amelia's shining face. Annabelle felt herself blush and then she turned from Helias all together, facing the nearby wall, drinking from her cup.
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 1:38 am
"Trust me, I don't try to be. There's not much humor involved in my line of work." Nikolai shot back in turn, removing himself from the couch and heading after the alchemist. He didn't think Amerald knew what his real job was, but the man had a million complaints about his bartending job even minus the whole killing people bit on the side.
As they descended the stairs, the mercenary visibly tensed with each step down. Darkness was a friend, but Nikolai never particularly liked enclosed spaces. Basements were usually damp and uninviting-- it was amazing how Amerald could lock himself in like this.
Snapping out of his thoughts when he was addressed a second time, the man stepped forward and placed the letter onto the desk. He wasn't illiterate by any means, but Nikolai was definitely lazy. He preferred to talk than to read, especially if the information didn't stick to him the first time. As far as the man was concerned, only truly important things should be read and those made themselves hard to forget.
"You sent me that a while ago. I only received it recently. It said something about crystals and... Abilities, right? What was that all about?"
----
The hraapea was quick to released Annabelle's hand, a little surprised when he found her tense and shiver. He didn't notice a reaction like that when Nikolai did it. Had he done something wrong? Thankfully, the boy didn't need to dwell on the matter much further when Amelia cut in. Standing up to take a seat after them, Helias ruffled his wings in thought at the question.
Briefly, he tried to remember what had happened over his past few years 'alive'. His guardian never talked much about when he had been created, but Helias also knew that he wasn't born like normal humans. It was a topic that they simply never touched on-- and now that the girls were talking about it, Helias found he was rather curious about the whole process. He couldn't remember anything aside from living with Nikolai, so was he born as a baby like the humans, or had he always been like been like this? He remembered growing taller, but never the time before he could walk and mimic things. Speech and song had always been a part of him, even if the former often had a hard time presenting itself naturally.
"I don't.. Know about fun." The boy frowned, rubbing his left wrist absently as he furrowed his brows, probably thinking too hard on the matter. He really couldn't recall any happy moments, but he couldn't think of any unhappy ones either. Living with Nikolai was kind of neutral, but he did know that he was simply supposed to tag along and never ask questions. Eventually, he grew used to the whole thing and watched the man go about his business with a detached sense of self.
"We travel all the time, but I'm not allowed to see or talk to anybody. Nikolai hates it when I mimic things but it's hard for me to talk--" Failing to find the words for his normal speech, Helias made a half gesture to himself.
"I don't think it's.. Fun. But it's not what you call 'dull', either."
Folding his wings neatly behind him, the hraapea sat up a little straighter, looking from Amelia to Annabelle. He didn't seem to notice the latter's affections though, merely brushing it off as a 'girl thing'.
"Why can't you go, if she can?" Looking down at the girl before him, Helias leaned over a little further. She was pretty, like her sister, although the boy didn't know enough to classify her as such at the moment. He only knew that the girls were attractive in a different manner than the type Nikolai likes. At the very least, they had most of their clothes on and it was less uncomfortable this way.
In his defense, it was perhaps only the third time since Helias was allowed to talk to someone his age. His guardian often thought that children asked too many unnecessary questions.
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 10:07 am
Amerald watched as the man tossed the letter on the desk. He picked up his glasses which were there and placed them upon his face. They began to make their way down his nose before he quickly pushed them up again. He took the letter and opened it, reading every word carefully.
"Oh my...this was sent to you over a year ago. How in the world could you have just gotten it recently!? Oh. Never mind that...alright. Well since you're finally here I might as well tell you. You see, my little girl Annabelle flies to the Nuan Peaks every now and again. When she returns she brings with her these rocks. I have no idea where she finds them for I hardly leave any town. If anything I take the tram to the different cities, but that's about it. Anyhow I chisel away at them and find these." he said, reaching down to the basket beside his desk to bring out the different radiant crystals which he had.
"Now, I had experimented with all the different kinds and I have realized that they give off this aura...a special aura that, if infused with one of my creations allows them to obtain otherworldly powers of control and manipulation. See, Annabelle was my first experiment using these Crystals." he began, taking his glasses off and placing them back on the desk along with the letter. He placed his elbows on the desk and clasped his hands together, one of his index fingers pointed up, his eyes seeming to fill will emotion.
"She...went through a lot of pain to get where she is today. I lied to her...told her it wouldn't hurt much. But she cried and cried. I couldn't stop her. She was just a teenager when all these experiments were going on. She hates coming down here now, because whenever she does she feels uneasy. But I would too if I was lied to like that. This type of crystal..." Amerald stated, moving his attention to the bucket. He grabbed out a crystal and held it up. It was beautiful, radiant, and ruby red. "...was the type I used for her. Out of it, she obtained the ability to manipulate fire. With a flick of her wrist, she can create fire within her palm that does not burn her. What a strong woman she has become." he continued, eyes glazed over as though he was looking passed Nikolai and into another realm.
-----
Annabelle kept swirling the liquid in her glass around and around slowly, keeping her mind off of Helias as much as possible. Though she listened intently at everything he had to say. She began to dislike Nikolai just because of the way Helias spoke of him. He didn't seem kind, nor did he seem like he even took good care of the poor Hraapea boy. She kept silent however, glancing at Amelia's reactions to things whenever she felt like it.
Amelia on the other hand frowned as Helias did. "Well, traveling sure does sound fun. But what's wrong with mimicry? I find it fun. Watch...Anna, say something." Amelia said, smiling up at her sister.
Annabelle just smirked and said, "My heart longs for love, but cannot find a decent heart with which to share it. It pains for love, but there is none to find. My life is not wasted, but is not full either. Love is just an emotional toll with which my heart longs to pay, but cannot find the right heart to pay."
Amelia just stared at her, eyebrows furrowed. "Umm...okay never mind. So, what was that again? Oh, right. She can leave because she doesn't mess things up the way I do. I would love to talk to other people if I went out there, and father knows that. I just wouldn't be able to resist the urge to smell the flowers, speak with the people, run through the town. I know father would hate it if I did, and he can trust Anna knowing she won't do those kinds of things. The second she gets outside, she goes into hiding and then flies far into the sky so that she just looks like a large bird. Then she is gone for a few weeks and returns with a couple baskets of rocks which father uses to extract the crystals from." she stated, almost all in one breath. She only knew that these things existed because Annabelle had told her of her adventures. She always loved hearing Annabelle's stories and would never give them up for the world.
Annabelle just nodded. "Everything she told you is correct. Father would hate for us to be found out, and luckily, thus far, I have not been." she concluded, taking another sip of her drink.
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 4:56 pm
Nikolai crossed his arms and leaned against the rough stone wall as Amerald began his explanation, having long ago decided to ignore the first question anyway. As far as the redhead was concerned, his business had little to do with Amerald and their arrangement didn't exactly require much personal information. After all, Helias had been the one to choose him as a guardian-- neither of them really had any say in the matter.
When the alchemist seemed to drift into his own thoughts, the mercenary dropped his gaze to the floor and lowered his head, exhaling in what might have been the faintest hint of a chuckle.
"You're a sick b*****d."
The words came smoothly, his usual low voice made just the slightest bit darker by the breathless way he spoke. If Nikolai had thought Amerald to be crazy before, he was elated to a different league of insanity after hearing the explanation. Still, the man wasn't someone who would deny power at the cost of emotions and trust. When he had 'adopted' the hraapea, Nikolai had been hoping for a partner. What he got in return was a little girl-- This might just be his way out.
"But pain's not an issue. What side effects have you noticed in her? It'd be great for the kid to gain some powers, but if the side effects make him more of a wuss than he already is, then I don't need this offer."
---
"My heart longs for love, but cannot find a decent heart with which to share it. It pains for love, but there is none to find. My life is not wasted, but is not full either. Love is just an emotional toll with which my heart longs to pay, but cannot find the right heart to pay."
The words were echoed back to Annabelle without the faintest blink of eye, like an echo that pinpointed the unique characteristics of the hraapea's voice. Helias flashed her a grin, but it was clear that he had no idea what he really said. The boy saw words as music, rising up and down-- it held no particular meaning to him so long as he could 'replay' it. This was the only skill he had and the only thing he had ever been praised for.
Shifting slightly on the couch, the boy tucked one leg underneath him. He knew enough that sitting in such a manner was frowned upon, but reading what little of the atmosphere he could, Helias figured it would be alright. Casually, he leaned back against the couch and refolded his wings properly as Amelia spoke.
"Nikolai doesn't like it either." Frowning as he tried to recall what exactly it was he overheard. After a minute or two more, the boy gave up and heaved a soft sigh.
"I believe it had something to do with our appearances. There is... Something called a slave market, I was told once. The people who work for it collect interesting or beautiful humans to sell." Pulling out a small lyre from his sleeve, Helias plucked at the strings absently, as though it would help him find the words he was looking for. "And I think.. Nikolai also said that we should not exist. So if we meet the wrong people, we might be killed? Well, I don't really understand it. But I don't understand a lot of what he says."
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 2:41 am
Amerald's eyes teared up as Nikolai said the nasty words. He knew deep down that Nikolai was right however. He was sick for putting Annabelle through such pain for an experiment. She was like a daughter to him and he did these things for science. What a b*****d he really was. He placed his left hand over his eyes to cover the pain in which he was beginning to experience. He sat back in his little chair, folding his right arm under to grab his elbow for support. Tears could be seen falling from his face. It was such a bad memory for him as well as for Annabelle. But Helias was not his own, so he had no say in whether or not to put him through the pain. It was up to the two who it really concerned: Nikolai and Helias themselves.
"I...completely agree with you, Nikolai." he started, taking his hand and pushing it through his silver hair. He blinked hard, trying to hold back some of the tears while he cleaned off his desk of the current crystals, tossing them back into the wicker basket and moving the papers aside. "But you aren't the one who has to experience any of the pain. It's obvious that you don't seem to have a heart towards Helias. I don't understand why I figured you would make a good candidate for this job over four years ago. But what's done is done." he stated, getting up from his seat, walking over passed Nikolai to the large shelf which contained some of the excess crystals.
Amerald picked each one up, one by one, and held them in his arms as he made his way back to the desk. He set them down apart from one another making his way around the desk. "As far as side effects go, as soon as Anna got through the pain, she felt much stronger. Almost instantly she felt power. She wasn't ever one to be strong, but after that, something within her changed. Now she is able to fully defend herself. I wouldn't consider Helias a 'wuss' by any means, Nikolai. He is just a poor creation within this world, one that needs love and care, something he obviously never got from you. But if power and manliness is what you're looking for within him, maybe breaking him out of his fragile shell, one of these is for you." he said, sitting down and then floating his hand over the different crystals that sat before him. He almost sounded like a salesman for a moment, but at the same time, he was worried for Helias' safety.
-----
"She does have a beautiful mind, doesn't she Helias?" Amelia stated as she smirked, looking up at her sister.
Annabelle's face flushed when he had repeated what she said. It was perfect, nothing was wrong in the slightest. Was it as if he felt the same way? No, he was just repeating what she had said. She placed the cup down on the nearby stand and turned to face both of the others and smiled. "Helias, you sound beautiful when you copy what others say." she stated, half jokingly. But honestly, she just needed something to say. This school girl crush wasn't just that, but also a reopening of feelings for her to try and make something work for once in her life. When the comment of the slave market came up, both Amelia and Annabelle went silent once more. Annabelle's wings fidgeting every now and again, looking down at her hands which were neatly in her lap while Amelia sat and contemplated the facts that she had just received.
After a bit, she finally spoke up. "I've heard of such things...it really is a terrible fate for those who get caught in its grasp. It's a secret however, for the most part is what I've heard. The government doesn't much like humans for sale. We would be considered 'exotic creatures' to the humans outside of these walls. They would definitely use us for show or possibly put us to death because of our different appearances. Those government officials have all the power within this society."
Amelia was curious to know what this 'slave market' Helias was talking about really was. "Wh-what!? Slave market? And we shouldn't exist? Well, he doesn't seem like a kind man at all. What did we ever do to deserve that. Even I think we deserve a bit more respect than that, you know...being Hraapea and all." she said, a bit disgruntled by the comment the male hraapea mentioned. She didn't seem too happy about it, but nevertheless kept the rest of her opinions to herself.
"Please calm down, Amelia. There is no need to be worked up. Maybe Nikolai just does not know how to cope with these situations." she said, trying her best to defend the man in which she had a distaste for already. But nevertheless, he was the guardian of Helias, which made him an important figure in Helias' life.
Amelia smirked and knew that Annabelle was finally breaking out of her shell. She stood up and then walked over to the counter where the drinks were. She guzzled down the rest of her drink and said, "Oh, I just remembered something. I'll be back in a bit. I have something to do upstairs." she said, smiling and winking at Annabelle before dashing upstairs as fast as she could.
"Ame-" was all she could say before her sister was gone. She instantaneously began to blush, for she knew what her sister was up to just by the secretive wink she had done. Annabelle tapped her fingers together, looking down at them. She began to blush and couldn't hardly think for all of those emotions began to well up within her. She didn't know what to say. "Well...Helias...I do wish good luck with any future endeavors you may take hold of. You and Nikolai. It is important to try and get along with your guardian to the best of your ability, whether or not they truly care for you. You must always care for them. Please, do not forget these words." she stated, turning her whole body, lifting her leg upon the couch and folding it to the side so her foot hung off a bit. She placed her arm on the back of the couch as she said the statement. She meant it too. She felt it was quite important for a hraapea and its guardian to get along.
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 3:40 am
Figuring that old man deserved as much respect as a little privacy, Nikolai averted his gaze when the alchemist began to tear up. He wasn't very good with comfort and words-- Then again, perhaps a man like him wasn't cut out for sympathy and compassion to begin with. As far as the mercenary was concerned, what's done is done and there's little point crying about the past.
When the comment on his relationship came to pass, the redhead's left hand twitched briefly, so slight that it could have easily been missed in the darkness. He had never considered himself a kind person-- any man who lived to drink and kill would be lying if they said otherwise. But he had never considered himself heartless, either. If Amerald needed, Nikolai could think of a million ways he had been tolerant of the hraapea he had unexpectedly been saddled with. Balling a hand into a fist, the man drew in a deep breath before releasing it slowly. Now wasn't the time to argue about his reputation and humanity. Nikolai didn't need anyone reading him like an open book anyway.
"I believe he's received adequate love and care. If the former not from me, than definitely from himself. I didn't raise him to be dependant on others, which is what he'll need if he wishes to survive in the real world. Unlike you, I plan to release him at some point. Your girls are fine locked up, but he's hardly a woman despite that absurd appearance."
Letting his hand relax, Nikolai left the support of the wall and headed back over to the desk when he saw Amerald lay the crystals out before him. He had little knowledge of gemstones, but from what he could remember, amethyst was usually regarded for wisdom-- Aquamarine for water and ruby for fire. The rest was unidentifiable.
"Have you found out which gemstone does what? From what you've told me, there's no visible down sides-- but that is obviously too good to be true."
Picking up the ruby, Nikolai turned it over twice before setting it back down. Fire would be a useful skill when traveling, but the boy was so bloody stupid that the mercenary wasn't sure he'd know when to hide his new found power. Fire was risky when dealing with humans.
Eyes trailing over to the blue gemstone, the redhead frowned before reaching over to spin it gently. What use was water? He could think of a few, but none that would be strategically useful for his naive ward.
-------
Helias quirked a brow, almost a perfect mimic of his guardian. Was the girl mocking him? What did Nikolai call that... Sarcasm? Well, it didn't seem to be tainted with any malice so the hraapea let the comment slide with a placid smile.
"Nikolai's okay once you get to know him." He offered simply, taking a while to digest the rest of the conversation. It was rare for his words to matter in any way, so having to actually listen and form his opinion was a challenge. Unfortunately, it seemed he was too slow, as Amelia left before he could properly respond.
Not exactly catching onto the tone or circumstance of Amelia's departure, the hraapea turned his attention to Annabelle when she spoke. The question was on his face, but he gave no voice to the words.
"But he said don't care for him, and he'll do the same for me." Tilting his head to one side, the boy didn't lift his gaze. He knew it was uncomfortable for most people to be stared at [Nikolai had told him this on several occasions, usually accompanied by the hoodie coat.] but at the moment he was rather curious. Why was she turning colours? Was that the type of bird she was influenced with?
"You're turning really red. Like when Nikolai sits out in the sun for too long."
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 4:09 am
Amerald instantly began to chuckle a tad. "His 'absurd appearance' came from you, so don't pick fun. As for my girls...they are none of your concern. Love and care are needed by others. Has he been exposed to any other people or even creatures for that matter? I'm guessing you keep him pretty 'locked up' in your own way, yes? After all, remember what we talked about in the beginning. I told you never to allow his race to be found out. They would kill him if he was seen by the wrong people. If he has been around others, I hope you trust them. If not with your life, for your son's." Amerald stated, opening a drawer that contained some files and papers on the subject of crystals.
"Well, so far, every crystal has a different aura attached to it. For example, this quartz is dark gray. With my research I've determined that if infused, it will give the power of air. The ruby is for fire as aquamarine is to water. This smoky quartz crystal is for earth control. Amethyst is for superior mind tactics and item manipulation. The sapphire crystal is to control and manipulate ice. Emerald is plant life. Diamond is light. Onyx is darkness. This moonstone is metal manipulation. Finally, citrine contains the aura for electricity. he stated, pointing to each one as he talked about it's power. His research was sketchy, but he thought that it was pretty right. After all, Annabelle was the only one infused. He wouldn't put any hraapea through more pain and suffering than needed. Thus he had determined, a minor rule within his own conscience, no hraapea is to have more than one crystal infused. Plus, he had no idea what side-effects there would be if he had infused more than one.
"As I said, I saw none in Annabelle. She had been a bit more adventurous, but other than that, she has just felt the good from the crystal. I haven't written any specific documentation on any downside to using one of these crystals." he concluded.
"Are you really planning on having me infuse Hellias with one of these?" he asked.
-----
Annabelle instantly turned from Helias, ignoring the comment completely, turning a deeper red than before. She waited a bit before turning back to respond to his other comment. "I bet he is okay, especially if you truly think so." she stated. She was still a bit unsure of how she felt about him. He hadn't done anything to her, and therefore, she didn't instantly dislike him, but hearing what was said earlier made her feel unsure about him.
Suddenly, she felt her heart sink. How could anyone tell their son or daughter to not care for one another? This was such a foreign concept to Annabelle, she really had no idea how to respond. Fury began to build within her bones. She felt her muscles tense up a tad, but she kept her anger under control for as long as she could.
"Do you have any idea why he would have said such a thing to you? Not caring for one another is wrong, especially since you two are family. His blood, whether he wants to acknowledge it or not, is running through your veins. Does that mean nothing to him!?" she said, her red face dissipating and tears welling up within her eyes. Her muscles as tense as they could be. She couldn't believe Helias had to live with such a man.
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 4:47 am
"I hope you understand that calling him my 'son' only makes me want to rebel, even though I've done a relatively good job of keeping him alive so far. It'd be a waste, wouldn't it?" Nikolai frowned, crossing his arms as he looked and memorized the new information. Quickly, he made a mental list of pros and cons, comparing each gem to the next. For the life style he had been living, the ability to manipulate darkness and shadows would probably be the most useful. Everything else had their little quirks and while the bartender wouldn't mind putting up Helias to beta testing two stones, the look in Amerald's eye already told Nikolai more than he needed to know about the other's opinion.
Sliding his hand along the desk, Nikolai picked up the onyx stone. It would have to be this one, even though the amethyst was quite tempting.
"Seems like Helias will be your second guinea pig. Shouldn't be an issue since he's not your daughter and all." Locking gazes with the other man, Nikolai flashed an indifferent smile. "I plan to convince you on the task, but the final say will be his. I don't find it common practice to lie to children."
However, the bartender was definitely not above applying some pressure of his own. The man knew quite well how much Helias disliked the thought of pain and responsibilities-- it was why he still acted like a child.
"Now then, tell me what happens during this process."
------
Helias almost flinched at the girl's sudden anger, unable to keep up with her train of thought. It was only when he properly registered Annabelle's words that he looked at her again, a little distracted. Why was she so angry? It didn't have anything to do with her, did it?
"Attachment is a weakness, so stop clinging to people like a little girl. Comrades and friends will betray you, and family is only a flightful ideal. Trust yourself and your instincts, because even those who are supposed to love you will sell you out the next chance they get. Understand? Good, now go to sleep and stop bothering me or I'm leaving without you."...........?"
Recalling the first snippit of conversation he could that applied to the matter at hand, Helias didn't need to think when he was mimicking. The low, smooth tone of his guardian came easier than his own voice-- it was one he copied a lot, both to remind him of lessons potentially forgotten and to practice for his 'job'. The hraapea actually enjoyed Nikolai's voice, since it was one of the rare few that didn't give him a headache. Sometimes he wished the man would sing a lullaby or something so he could copy it, but the idea of Nikolai being anything but aloof made his stomach turn.
At length, Helias offered a slight smile, copying another of Nikolai's more frequent sayings.
"There are always two sides to a story."
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:00 am
Amerald rolled his eyes. "I have my doubts that you would ever do a stupid thing like that. Rebelling against my wishes is the last thing you should think about doing. After all...I know things that even you don't know I do. You might want to think before you talk to me with such a tone. After all, I am older than you, thus I should have your respect. I keep tabs on all of my experiment's guardians. Whether you would admit it or not, I do know of your secret life." he said in an extremely low tone, acting as though he was rather disappointed in the man. Did he really know something? Or was he bluffing? He made it hard to tell, but he seemed too serious.
After saying that, Amerald just sat back and watched as Nikolai made his way through the different crystals in front of them. "Just because he's not one of my own does not mean I want to see him suffer. It does feel as though he is like a son to me. After all, I am his creator." Amerald huffed. He ignored the latter comment and looked at the onyx orb the man held within his hand.
Amerald looked up at the man, still sitting in his seat. After a few moments of thinking and gathering his thoughts, he decided to try and explain to Nikolai the process of infusing a crystal into a hraapea.
"To be honest, it's a rather tedious process. One that requires my complete concentration and a steady hand. I first take them to that table over there. I call it my 'operating' table. It's where Annabelle was infused. My research is pretty solid and I think I have a good understanding of what I am to do. After all, it worked with Annabelle, so it should work for any other hraapea. First, I sterilize the knife and must cut open a slot into their dominate hand or foot, wherever they would rather. With that, I must break the crystal and place its shards within the open wound. The wound must be deep enough to fit all the shards. Then I sew the wound and we take care of it for a few hours. One mustn't use that hand for at least a week after the initial infusion. After it is fully healed, one can take out the stitches themselves or come back to see me and I'll do it. But instantly after the infusion is complete, the hraapea will feel much stronger...more powerful then they did before. Like Annabelle, I suspect most hraapea when the initial pain is over, will be a bit rambunctious for a few hours before they calm down. No matter how calm the feather they came from was, they will be quite a handful for a few hours, crying, going through the excruciating pain of the transformation. But they should be back to their normal selves within a few hours, just with a renewed sense of strength that sometimes wasn't there beforehand." he said, pointing at the table and then looking Nikolai directly in the eyes. He wasn't kidding. The process was tedious and Nikolai needed to know that Helias would act a tad bit different, especially for the first few hours after the initial infusion.
-----
Annabelle was now becoming furious with the guardian that was supposed to 'take care' of Helias. Why would he say things like that? It was obviously his voice. Helias wouldn't make something like that up.
Annabelle instantly jumped up and said, "You are quite right Helias. There are two sides to every story. I think it's about time father knew of your so called 'guardian's actions up to this point. He would be furious knowing how he has been treating you." she stated, beginning to walk towards the hallway leading down to the basement.
"Anna...what's going on?" Amelia stated as she came down the stairs. "I heard yelling and was wondering what was happening."
"Nikolai isn't who we think he is. He is not fit to care for one of father's creations." she said, obviously furious.
"Anna, please calm down. There's no need to throw a fit. I think you should just go upstairs and calm down a tad before you speak to anyone anymore. Please? For me?" Amelia pleaded. She hoped that her sister would see the light and realize that how she was acting was rather unlike her. She didn't lose her temper too easily, and Amelia blamed it on the fact that Annabelle really liked Helias all over again, wanting only the best for him.
Annabelle began to tear up a bit, realizing the extreme anger she had portrayed embarrassed her. Her face reddened. "You are probably right Mia. I am sorry for losing control like that, Helias. Please, forgive me." she asked, slowly walking across the room to head upstairs for a moment. There was more than one reason behind this. Yes she did need to calm down, but she had also wanted to get away from Helias for she felt as though she made a complete fool of herself, acting in such a childish way.
Amelia gave a small smile, hoping her sister would be alright. "Just giving her some space is best. What were you two talking about anyway?" she asked.
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:03 pm
Nikolai didn't so much as flinch, merely flashing Amerald another of his indifferent smiles. For a bartender that never stayed in one place for long, it wasn't unusual for him to be faced with these kinds of accusations. He wouldn't be moved until the man gave him any sort of specifics-- and even then, the redhead had always been good with covering up his tracks. No matter what, he was confident in the alchemist's inability to point any fingers at him. It helped that Nikolai was a noble born-- it would be hard pressed for him to be touched physically. Perhaps have his reputation tarnished, yes, but that would only bring more people to his undercover business. In this day and age, everyone just seemed to want to kill everyone else.
"Are you threatening me? I don't do well under threats, especially since you seem to have more to lose than me." Leaning against the desk, the mercenary quirked a passive brow. Amerald was one of those bleeding heart types he'd come to dislike and the more he talked, the more Nikolai found the man unfit to judge his relationship with Helias. One who cried over duty wouldn't understand.
He fell quiet when the alchemist began his explanation, only seeming to be half listening as he heard the shouts from upstairs. Eventually, he turned his eyes onto Amerald and fully concentrated. There didn't seem to be anything special in the process-- Nikolai wondered if he could do it himself.
As soon as the thought emerged, the man pushed it aside. He may wish for Helias to grow powerful, but he wouldn't screw around that much. Magic and alchemy had long been a foreign topic to him. Nikolai could teach on the ways of hand to hand combat or long ranged shooting, but when it came to anything other than weaponry, he was a fish out of water.
"That's fine. Shall we begin, then?" Turning on his heel, Nikolai made towards the stairs that lead back upstairs. He didn't hesitate on his reply, already having made up his mind long ago.
---
Helias had got up when Annabelle headed out of the room, planning to follow her out of natural reflex. He had wanted to say something in his guardian's defense, since Nikolai really wasn't as bad as the girl seemed to be thinking. As he had thought on several other occasions, living with the man was like watching a play. One never physically integrated themselves into his life and vice versa. It was an arrangement he was alright with, if they subtracted all the 'man training'.
The boy stopped as the two sisters talked, a little awkward in his new predicament. He should probably say something to Annabelle-- Maybe an apology? Though he wasn't sure what he'd be apologizing for. Before he could make up his mind, the girl had gone. Bewildered, he looked to the remaining sister for answers.
"Nikolai." The answer came simply, almost easily missed if one wasn't concentrating. "Why did she get so angry? She doesn't have to live with him so if she doesn't like him she can just not talk to him?" It never really occured to the hraapea that Annabelle had been angry for his sake. After all, any form of care he received was often displayed indirectly and subtly-- Nikolai didn't believe in pampering or thinking for someone else.
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