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 Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 5:15 pm
Ogbonna wasn't sure of how to deal with the newest addition to the household, his newborn sister, Tavi. All she did was scream and flail, espescially when he held her, which only furthered his uneasiness about her. What was wrong with her, or, rather, what was wrong with him? He fidgeted on the mat he was kneeling on and forced himself to bow his head to the altar in front of him. A couple of statues, crudely made, and a stick of burning incense sat quietly as he thought of the words to say.
"Ault, Chi?" He muttered, his eyes darting between the figures. "... Is she afraid of me? Tavi, you know, my baby sister? ... Can you help me understand her? Please?"
(1)
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Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 5:58 pm
Aaran watched Ogbonna kneeling in front of the altar and looked to the floor. He'd spent months back in Dernd praying to Bergchi and Ault for his family's safety and never once went back to prayer after coming to Mez. He bit his lip as Ogbonna muttered to himself and folded his arms against his chest. What good were Gods that did nothing to help you? What good were Gods that made you short, weak, and terrified of thunder? What good were Gods that let other Gods murder their people? He sighed and moved into the room.
"They're not going to answer you, Ogbonna." He said, sliding sitting close to Ogbonna, but not close to the altar. "They've never once answered for me, why would they bother answering to anyone?"
(1)
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:28 pm
Aaran's voice cut through the air like a plate smashing onto the floor. Ogbonna turned his head and gave Aaran a terrified look. How could he say something like that? Of course they'd answer him, it was what they promised their people! They couldn't abandon anyone who called upon them, it was an unspoken law! He shook his head rapidly.
"Aaran, don't say that!" He exclaimed, reaching out for Aaran's hand. "Sometimes they get busy, but... I'm sure they hear everything I say, and everything you say, too!"
(2)
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:50 pm
Aaran's shoulders arched at Ogbonna's shouting and he lurched away from the Guard's hand. He didn't want to look at the altar, he didn't want to think about them, he wished he could go right up to them and slap them senseless! He made a low whining sound and scooted further away.
"No, they don't!" He shouted, curling his legs to his chest. "If they had heard me, they wouldn't have taken my family away! How could they just sit around and let their people die! How could they do this to me? My brother? My village?"
He slammed his fist against the floor and sighed, his gaze turning to the incense as it wafted over. Wait... Why was Ogbonna burning incense? This wasn't something he remembered doing with his parents when they prayed to Chi and Ault... He leaned forward and took a deep breath, allowing the smoke to fill his lungs. It was some sort of wood, musk, and floral mixture... What was it doing on the altar? His eyebrow arched.
"... Why do you burn incense, there?" He asked, pointing. "I've never seen anyone do that before..."
(2)
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Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 9:37 pm
Ogbonna's face scrunched up. He didn't understand Aaran's loss, he'd never lost anyone in his life, but he didn't like the fact that Aaran had lost his faith. The Gods were there to protect and guide you, they'd never take something from you unless it was for your own good. Even if that meant losing those who loved you the most. He scooted closer to Aaran and only looked back to the altar when he asked about the incense.
"Oh, uh, I burn that because my mom taught me to." He replied, nodding to himself. "They're special sticks that my Leaf uncle, Ezhno, brings when he visits. It's said that they keep bad spirits away and promote good health. I burn them when I pray so my mind is clear and bad energy stays away."
He smiled and reached for Aaran's hand.
"... I know you lost your family, and I can never understand that kind of pain, but... Don't lose your faith." He said. "Even if you have to adopt a new faith, don't lose it. It connects you to so much more than you know."
(3)
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Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 9:52 pm
Aaran listened to Oggie's explanation and took a breath in, allowing the smell of the incense to fill his lungs. It was a pleasant smell, actually, one that reminded him of home. ... More specifically, the smell of Gattick's bow and arrows. He let the memory slip out with a sigh and grasped Ogbonna's hand.
"I know, Ogbonna, I know!" He exclaimed, using his free hand to wipe at his eyes. "But, how can you believe in something when it doesn't seem to be there anymore? How can you pray when you've lost so much? I... I don't know how to begin anymore!"
(3)
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Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 10:04 pm
Ogbonna pulled himself up from his position and tugged Aaran into a hug. Poor Aaran was so lost and distraught, but all Ogbonna could do was cuddle him like a child. He ran a hand through Aaran's hair, took a breath, and bowed his head.
"Bergchi, please hear my prayer." He began. "Aaran needs your guidance and love right now through this difficult time. He's lost his entire family in this past war against the Obans and needs to be given assurance that they are safe with you. He needs to know that you are there and hear his cries for help because he can't see the signs you give him as clearly as he used to. Please help him to understand and embrace you again."
(4)
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Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 10:16 pm
Aaran stiffened at the hug, but soon simmered into Oggie's arms as he began to speak. The way Ogbonna's voice sounded from the position he was in reminded him, again, of Gattick and sent tears down his cheeks. However, the feeling of being close to someone was comforting, almost as if Gattick were talking through Ogbonna at this moment. He liked to think that, honestly, that his brother was in the room and watching him grow. He'd learned so much since the war... Would Gattick be proud of that? Would his parents be proud of that?
He sniffled as Ogbonna ended his prayer and shifted his position to be more comfortable. The room felt so warm, like he could take a nap, and his eyes wavered. However, as they drifted to close, a figure appeared across the room and waved. Aaran squinted and watched as another figure joined the first, and his breath caught in his throat. Was that his parents? He wiggled and tried to point to them, but his body felt heavy, as if something were holding him back. He could only watch as they smiled, waved, and referenced to an empty space beside them. What were they trying to say? Why were they waving at nothing?
(4)
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Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 10:26 pm
Ogbonna couldn't process the events that unfolded after he'd tried to comfort Aaran. Aaran's eyes had remained half-open and glued straight ahead for several minutes before Ogbonna noticed something wasn't right. He wasn't moving, sniffling, but he was breathing! What happened? Why wasn't Aaran responding to him?
"Aaran! Wake up!" He cried, shaking Aaran's arms. "Come on, are you dead? Are you asleep? Speak to me! Move your head! Shut your eyes! Aaran! Please!"
The guard clutched Aaran to his side and held his breath, before racing out of the room.
"Grandpa, mom, dad, somebody!" He screamed. "I think Aaran might be sick! He won't move!"
(5)
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Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 10:45 pm
"Aaran! Wake up!"
Ogbonna's voice cut through the warm environment that Aaran was in like an arrow, but when Aaran turned to look for Ogbonna, he wasn't there. Where was he, anyway? Everything around him had suddenly changed, almost like he was in a...
Oh, he was dreaming. But... It didn't feel like a dream. The grass, the wind, even the sun in this place... It felt so real! He looked towards where he'd seen his parents and reached out to them.
"Mom, dad! Are you really there?" He called.
The wind kicked up around them as his father reached out for Aaran's hand, only to be pushed back by his wife. Somehow, Aaran understood that he wasn't supposed to touch them, even if he desperately wanted to. It was like this place was just a meeting ground, a place between worlds, a place between the world he was in and theirs. He leaned forward and blew them a kiss, which they reciprocated, before taking breath.
"Where is Gattick? Is he with you?" He asked.
Once again, his parents pointed toward the air and waved excitedly. What did that mean? Nothing? They were excited about nothing? ... Did that mean that Gattick wasn't there? The wind shifted again and grew colder.
"Do you mean he isn't here? Is he alive?" He cried as the world began to fade. "Where can I find him? What should I do? Mom! Dad!"
He began to struggle against the wind as it pushed him further and further away from his parents and back into the waking world. The smell of Ogbonna's incense grew stronger and stronger until, finally, his eyes fluttered open. He heaved a breath, looked around, and stared at the mess of people around him.
"Oggie, you won't beli-Ow, my head!" He shouted, rubbing the side of his face. "... What happened to me?"
(5)
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Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 10:56 pm
Ogbonna jumped from his chair and rushed over to Aaran's side as soon as he'd shouted for him. Aaran had been out for several minutes, giving everyone in the house a scare, espescially Oggie. He thought he'd hurt Aaran somehow, it was a relief to see him awake, even if he was in pain. He placed a hand, gently, on Aaran's head and ruffled his hair.
"You passed out, that's what!" He exclaimed, shaking his head. "I was terrified, I thought I hurt you!"
He positioned himself so he could sit next to Aaran on the couch and smiled when his father came in with an cold cloth for Aaran's head.
"He's awake now, thank Chi." He said, smiling. "You can tell everyone else to calm down."
"We're still getting a healer." Mycah replied, placing the cloth on Aaran's forehead. "It's hilarious that the one time we need Rastian here, he's miles away in the rain forest. Hopefully the old shaman here won't mind helping us out..."
"I'm sure he won't, dad." Ogbonna said, patting Aaran's hand. "Aaran's nice, he wouldn't trouble him."
(6)
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Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 11:30 pm
Aaran wiggled as his hair was ruffled and leaned back against the bed. That experience, whatever it was, had taken a lot out of him. What was that place? Was that really his parents? Or was it all just a dream made up by his tired, grief-stricken mind? It was far more comforting to assume that it wasn't a dream and that his parents were communicating with him, espescially since he was too tired to weigh the possibilities. He smiled at Mycah as he placed the cloth on his head.
"Yeah... I'm good for arguing for today." He said, chuckling. "I just want to rest right now."
He turned to look up at the ceiling, and then toward Ogbonna. He didn't know if he should express what he'd experienced or not. What if Oggie thought he was crazy? He sighed and squeezed Ogbonna's hand.
"Hey, Oggie... Have you ever seen spirits?" He asked. "... Like good ones, that guide you. Are those real things?"
(6)
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Posted: Sun May 03, 2015 12:09 am
Ogbonna paused as Aaran squeezed his hand and smiled down to him. His question, however, made that smile widen. Maybe Aaran hadn't lost his faith entirely, he'd helped him find it again! He wiggled into the space next to Aaran and wrapped his arms around him.
"Yes, there are plenty of those." He replied, nodding. "They are everywhere around you, Aaran. I believe that. They're why Natsu found you and brought you here when you needed a place to stay. They're why you're still here."
(7)
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Posted: Sun May 03, 2015 12:14 am
Aaran snuggled against Ogbonna's chest and allowed himself to relax. Ogbonna was so comforting and... Intelligent? Or would it be more correct to call him wise? He huffed to himself. He really needed to stop thinking and just simmer down now. He was tired, emotional, and had a rough day.
"... Thank you, Oggie." He said, sighing. "I guess... I guess I'm not as alone as I thought I was. Thank you for helping me realize that."
(7)
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