|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 7:47 pm
Arc had returned to Taj's rooms. He'd found Raja, informing him of the move and location. He figured he'd let Raja tell Rissa that she had to pack up everything just to move down the hall. He'd rather not confront that kind of female outrage, though at least it was buffered by the two now being able to have an entire suite of rooms to themselves. He'd then gone upstairs to gather his few personal belongings. Hatim was there, and in a few minutes the two of them had tucked the bit of clothing that had been made or brought for them into a simple bag. He sent Hatim to help Rissa with the packing and carrying, then lingered for a time in the room that had made him feel so welcome.
He ran his hand down one of the posts of the bed, trailed his fingers along the back of one of the chairs at the fireplace. He hadn't been here long, but it had definitely felt like a place he belonged. It just wasn't big enough for what he wanted to do. With a sigh of regret, he stepped out of the door, clicked off the light, and closed the door behind himself.
It was time to let Taj know what had happened. After a moment's consideration, he went to the hidden stair that took him to Taj's private garden. It was a long shot, but not that much of a problem if he'd guessed wrong. Whether here or somewhere else, he'd find Taj eventually.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:01 pm
 Taj was sitting with his feet propped up on the footstool. He was simply watching the eideische play with one another. Or perhaps Griffebleue was courting Sonnenibelle. They had been teasing one another from the tall flowers nearby. Nefar had opted to curl up several feet away from them, his tail wrapped around him. Mystery watched them quite often. So much had changed from when Jaster was here. He still wondered what Jaster would think of this place and its occupants. Was it what he had imagined it to be? A part of him searched within himself for the answer. Not unlike Jaster had at times. He still had not given Creation the gift he had crafted for him and he had not had a chance to try to free Saljin of his curse. But there were things he was doing that Jaster would approve of. Madrigal for one. The god loved the child and considered him his son. Everyone knew it also and took care to watch over Maddie as much as Taj did. In truth, none of them had ever seen Taj lose his temper, but all knew that boy was the one thing he would be viscious over. He doted on the child and spent a good deal of time each day with his son. Glancing over at the footsteps, Taj looked up. Arctang was walking down the steps towards him. He motioned for him to have the seat beside him. Hopefully his talk with Creation went well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:11 pm
The relaxed position he found Taj in reflected the release of tension from himself as well, so he found it easy to sprawl next to his friend. He sat quietly for a moment, enjoying the solace of the private garden. Perhaps he'd have to think about having one of these created for himself in his own rooms. There was something to be said for a place only a very few could go but he.
Eventually he took a deep, easy breath and turned to look at his friend. Slowly and grandly he opened his arms, then his hands palm up, to show that he carried nothing. Softly he spoke. "He accepted it. It is now beyond doing harm." He sighed gustily and leaned his head back, gazing upwards. "I cannot tell you the weight that has been lifted from my shoulders by this. You were right, my friend, and I am glad. It was the best solution for everyone." He ran his fingers through his thick hair, massaging his scalp. "So closes one adventure, or so I hope, and another opens."
He stopped mussing his hair and sait up a bit more to peer at Taj. "I have my own rooms now," he told him, an unconscious glow of pride in his smile. It was strange, how important it was now to him to have his own area to oversee, to be master of.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:47 pm
Taj turned to watch Arc a long moment when he finally said something. He said nothing, but just watching his friend he could tell there was truth there. Arc was relieved as Taj had thought he would be to get rid of that puzzle cube. It would prevent its use by someone else because none would ever be able to get it away from Creation. He nodded, writing, < You wear relief well. There is a time to become one's own master. The Piebird needs a nest. > Taj was glad that Arc would have his own rooms. He had been glad of the company though, but what mattered was that Arc had returned. Not where he resided.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 9:59 pm
After reading, Arc nodded ruminatively. "You should come see my rooms. I think you'd like them." He stopped again for a while, staring at the falling water, mind clearly elsewhere. "It's very odd, having people who are there simply because they want to serve me." He plucked a long blade of something growing nearby and began twining it around one of his fingers, watching it intently. "I met three and was told about others... all who came there just because they thought they'd be needed. And I have a sneaky suspicion more will pop out of the woodwork."
His gaze wasn't quite troubled, but was a little disturbed as he met Taj's eyes. "I don't think I'd want to say this to any of the others," he began hesitantly, "but I'm not always very comfortable with being a diety, or a nearly reborn one." He untwined and rewrapped the blade around his finger, eyes on it again. "I know this is supposed to be the way of things... maybe it's the memory of Rairne.... but it just feels strange to be seen as something... different." A wry twist of his mouth wasn't quite a smile. "I think the others would look down on me if they knew I felt this way. I don't even dare tell Cosine." He sighed faintly then. That was another thing that felt off. His relationship with his twin seemed almost broken, but in a way he couldn't fathom how to fix.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:52 am
He understood of course. There were times when he and Jaster had both felt the same way. It was that kinship of changing that had pulled them together thru the worst of times. Each knew they were not alone and it made them the stronger for it. It made him the stronger he should say. It had been his weakness that caused his own fading.
< Perhaps it is that which is the very essence of one's strength this time around. > Taj wrote. < Only fools would not understand such wretchedness when all feel it. >
Reaching over to the teapot, he poured two cups of tea. Taj held one out for Arc before taking his own. But then he put it aside for the pen again. < 'Tis like a cup of tea. Sugar changes it making it sweet yet all know it has been altered but it is no less enjoyable or sad or strange. > He hoped Arc understood that more than they felt that way even if they denied such. There were times he was uncomfortable with his own lack, but thankful that Jaster had what he needed. It would have been better to have Jaster at his side serving him, but then again he supposed the young man was. At times it was Jaster as much as himself that acted.
< Creation changed all from what they once were just as he himself has changed. Else why are we as we are? A gift given of what he himself has with Aristogeiton is what Jaster has become for me. Perhaps thoughts of her should be the same. > Then he grinned widely. < Or perhaps such weighty ideals should be left to the scholars and their books and I am the fool, grinning like a cheshire instead of enjoying the moment for what it is. >
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 5:56 pm
He accepted the cup of tea and sat back again, mulling. "Yes, I could see how that would be true," he admitted. It wasn't something he tended to think about normally... that having Rairne as a part of himself made him better and more than he'd been before the Fading. "It still feels odd to be served though. Half of me wants to deny it, to refuse to be waited upon and treated differently." He sipped his tea, then smiled at his friend. "But it seems like you have a comfortable situation here, and yet are also served by others. It feels more like a household than a rich man's domain."
He sipped his tea again, savoring the warmth flowing down his throat. "I think that is what I fear, really. Being seen as high and mighty and self-important. I don't want to be that way, and something in me... perhaps remnants of Rairne, feels it would be wrong to act that way." He suddenly flashed a bright but almost tearful smile at Taj. "She would have liked you, you know. She'd say she shared mystery with you because of her eyes... that none knew just what she was capable of due to her blindness."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 6:16 pm
Taj nodded, watching Arc a moment. This was where some of Arc's gentleness came from. Perhaps that had been what Arctang had needed the same as he had been taught to care for what was happening in the universe. He vaguely remembered traveling all the time. That was still there, but now he was here and though he would still travel, he made certain that everyone had what they needed first.
< Tis not only duty to be served, but to serve. A mother serves her children and husband no less than she would her friends and parents. A father does no less. Am I not the father to those who serve me and they my children? Are you not? Tis one's family that gathers to one- no matter the distance or the blood. And is not unconditional acceptance of that service also part of a father's duty as much as it is for the children to provide it? >
He had not taken Maddie just because he was Jaster's son. Taj had taken him because he was also his own. Just as Triq appeared as they passed thru for another reason. She had been gathered to him and he protected her as he did Maddie. The things she did, she did because she wanted to. And he allowed her to do so because it meant something to both of them. In time Arc would see this.
< Jaster was not merely host. He was intimate friend in all thoughts. She will be and we have met thru you. >
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 6:26 pm
Willing service... yes, that was it. That was what set one life-type from the other. He would not be one who demanded service, but one who accepted what was freely given. He certainly had not asked Fynna or the rest to tend his rooms and make his food, but clearly that was what they intended to do. He gnawed his lip in thought. Yes, that should make it okay, for he would take them in and protect them as his new family. A smile tugged at his lips at that thought. He had a new family! But one that still included Taj and those he'd come to care about here.
"You have taken very good care of me here, Taj. I thank you, from the bottom of my heart." Which, thanks to Rairne, was very deep indeed. "Those who serve you served me as well, and all are welcome in my rooms at any hour, night or day, should need or desire arise." He raised his cup to a sort of toast to his host. "You have harbored those who follow me as well as myself, and have been the closest of friends when I needed it." A faint sadness colored his smile. "So from Rairne and myself... thank you." He was right, after all, to some extent. Taj had meet Rairne, and vice versa, if only in the most distant and vague sense.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 6:42 pm
Taj watched Arctang silently for a long moment, then his lips twitched. Soon he was grinning a full cheshire grin as he raised his own glass to Arc's and nodded. A twinkle appeared in his eye as he wrote.
< What kind of friend would not? >
He would make sure to tell his own that if something happened, they were to seek out Numbers and do as he asked. And should this fight- he was certain was coming with the grigori arrive- and he did not return from it, then they would have Arc to go to. So long as Numbers himself survived.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
