Out on the mansion lawn, Cesc didn't have long to stay indecisive. He turned to check on Hazeline a last time before he'd go try to find Lazarus and Xiu, he finally settled--but as he did, Lazarus and Xiu found him.
It was the work of an instant for Cesc to realize that Xiu was missing his wings, and immediately he felt dizzy, ill, his stomach tightening. He put a hand to his mouth and tried not to retch as the duo became closer and it became more obvious how wounded the Sigel truly was. But he was also in Lazarus’ arms, and that was something, at least…
“Help is on the way!” Cesc called as Lazarus and Xiu approached. Sirens drowned out his words as they began their approach--a fire truck first, the lights now visible past the lawn. “I have Hazeline. I think she's going to be okay. Xiu--what happened to Xiu?!”
Relief washed over Lazarus when he saw Cesc waiting for him at the front gates, the sirens from the distance barely noticeable to him. It was a very nice feeling to not be alone anymore in this dire situation.
It took the Valsaros a moment to register Cesc’s question. Turning around, he looked at the mansion, flames erupting from the windows as it slowly engulf the old building. So there was an explosion after all. Everything felt so surreal and his mind was still in a jumble. He took a few seconds to organize his thoughts, the turn of events that happened just now.
“Xiu… k-killed the professor.” His voice came out a little shakier than he thought, surprising himself even a little. “Then there was the sound of an explosion, and then…” The scene played before his eyes again. “...Xiu’s wings just… shattered!” Wide eyes met with Cesc’s worried ones, shock and alarm evident in them. “I don’t know what happened! There was… so much white blood...” He could still smell the faint smell of burnt flesh from his close proximity with the Sigel. “I had to… I just had to…” Lazarus was starting to get a little hysterical, his face a little too pale. It was evidently very difficult for him to recall what just happened, but at the same time he had to tell someone, he had to...
For a moment, Cesc could say nothing, only looking at Lazarus with wide eyes and parted lips. The wind blew against his wet shirt, cold and uncomfortable, and he shuddered as facts tried to force their way into his brain.
Xiu…
It was too much all at once. The house burned and burned and suddenly Cesc realized that what he could smell, that sick burnt meat smell, this close up was not the house, but Xiu, and that meant… that meant…
Cesc’s stomach contracted. He put a hand over his mouth, the color draining from his face. Oh, oh, God. Lazarus had…
“You--you did--” Cold comfort was trying to force its way out of Cesc before anything else did. He swallowed roughly, reaching out to Lazarus. “You did what you--you had to do to save him. Oh. Oh, my God…”
They were neither of them in charge of their wits. No--surprise and shock and terror had done that job for them, driven them out of any real sense of ability. Two men were dead, a house was burning, and Xiu and Hazeline were barely hanging on. What had they done? How had they really helped?!
The fire trucks rolled into the manor’s green. They brought with them noise and firemen and great white round eyes, shouting and arm waving and water. Cesc watched them without comprehension, as though he were seeing the scene on his television. One man approached him—no, not him, but the woman he was still crouched over, Hazeline.
“How long has she been out for? What happened here?” asked the man, gathering her. Hazeline turned her head, let out a cough and a shaking breath, but did not open her eyes. Cesc opened and closed his mouth but did not answer. He couldn’t find an answer. There were others going to Lazarus and Xiu, and there were more questions, but Rhedefre felt disembodied, floating over the entire scene like a ghost.
He looked from Hazeline to Xiu and back again.
Water was hissing at a house burning in the background.
“What happened here?” Another man asked him, more gently this time, catching the wildness in his eyes.
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 8:20 am
~:Upon Waking:~
Xiu’s breathing increased its pace as the Sigel stirred languidly, relishing the feel of the warm sheets around him. It was probably about time he woke up. The alarm would be sounding soon and the boookstore needed tidying up. The Sigel stretched.
And was jerked awake by sharp pain that raked through his body. Gasping in pain, the Sigel’s eyes widened in alarm at the unfamiliar surroundings. Where was he?
Tendrils of nightmarish memories began sneaking in as the fog of sleep lifted. Xiu groaned. It was all real wasn’t it? The fight, the explosion, the pain…
“Hazeline!” exclaimed Xiu as he struggled to sit up. That’s right. He had to make sure that his guardian was alright. He had to…
There was a crash as the drip that had been attached to the Sigel clattered onto the infirmary’s tiled floor. Xiu sat stunned in his bed, unsure of what he should do.
Upon hearing the loud clatter, Lazarus rushed into the room within seconds. And in just a blink of an eye, the drip stand is upright again and the half empty IV drip in it’s place hanging on the stand. Lazarus looked flustered as he took Xiu’s hand, checking if the needle fell out, which thankfully it did not. Although a hint of blood which was pink in color was evident in the tube.
“You got me so worried.” His voice was emotional as he looked up at Xiu, his hand which was loosely bandaged, still held the Sigel’s firmly. “How do you feel?”
Xiu felt a stab of guilt as Lazarus fussed over him. Lazarus himself seemed to have sustained several bruises and, Xiu noticed, the Valsaros’s fingers were bandaged up as well. No doubt from the...from the…
A quick glance back validated the pain he felt raking his body and Xiu fought hard to keep the nausea at bay. Reaching out with his free hand to grip Lazarus’s arm tightly lest hysteria took hold, the Sigel stared into Lazarus’s concerned eyes, panic threatening to overwhelm his own.
His breathing was rapidly escalating despite his best efforts to keep them in check and a film of cold sweat had begun to form over his exposed skin. Several times the white Sigel tried to speak but could not. It was not words that wanted to be heard but a long anguished scream.
He could not, would not let that happen. Because if he did, Xiu could not trust himself to stop.
Lazarus could see the panic attack forming in Xiu’s entire being right before his eyes. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms gently but firmly around Xiu’s body, careful not to apply too much pressure on his back. “It’s okay Xiu, everything is okay…” He whispered softly, his face leaning against the side of Xiu’s head. He could feel the Sigel’s body trembling under his touch, and it hurts him so much to see him like that. “Hazeline is okay…” He just wanted Xiu to calm down. Surely the Sigel would find peace if he knows that his guardian is safe.
Gradually Xiu’s breathing became calmer as Valsaros continued to hold and comfort him and the uncontrolled shaking soon stopped. Breathing deeply, Xiu could detect Lazarus’s smokey scent beneath all the salves and antiseptics. It was a familiar scent and one that brought forth memories of better times.
“H-Hazeline, where is she?” whispered the Sigel hoarsely as Lazarus continued to hold him close. “I want to see her…,”
Lazarus held Xiu close until he was no longer shaking, only letting the Sigel go when he asked the question. Hands still held Xiu’s arms as he answered the other’s inquiry.
“Hazeline is in the hospital, but only for observation. She should be discharged tomorrow.” He said as he explained. They got a call from Hazeline’s family just an hour ago, to ask about Xiu’s condition and update them about her situation. “Maybe if they heard that you’re awake, they’ll come to see you tomorrow.” Hazeline is definitely in a better shape compared to Xiu.
“S-She’s alright?” said Xiu, almost unwilling to believe the first bit of good news that he had heard in a long time. “My guardian is...alright,”
A choked laugh escaped his lips as the Sigel pulled back from Lazarus. “I-It worked Lazarus! The t-tra…,”
Xiu swallowed and took several deep breaths. He was not truly out of the woods when it came to breaking down it seemed. “The t-trade work! Lazarus. Hazeline is alright,”
But no matter how he tried, the Sigel could not quite bring himself to say It was worth it.
It was difficult to see Xiu like this now. It was evident to the Valsaros’s eyes that emotionally Xiu is still struggling, even with the good news of his guardian, that the Sigel was still distraught. This was very different from the Xiu that was normally very mild tempered.
Carefully, he shifted himself to sit on the edge of Xiu’s bed right next to the Sigel, gripping his hand to try and give him some comfort. “Trade?” He questioned, although he was quick to put two and two together. From what he heard from Cesc, the explosion was pretty devastating. The stag got hurt in the blast as well. However Hazeline came out relatively unscathed, even the firemen said that it was a miracle. “You mean… your wings… for Hazeline?” It is starting to make more sense now.
Xiu nodded. “I-It just happened,” said Xiu in a small voice as he leaned forward and rested his head against Lazarus’s shoulder. Tiredness was beginning to creep up again. “I don’t know how but...it did,”
Xiu shuddered. Without his wings, he felt oddly vulnerable. Gone were the stone appendages that defined him and gave the allusion that any attack from the back was a futile attempt. Unconsciously the Sigel pressed himself against the infirmary’s walls and winced from the dull pain. There were pink patches showing through the bandages and, now that he was in a calmer state of mind, Xiu noticed that his rune had a reddish glow to it too.
“Blood...whose?” asked the Sigel weakly.
Lazarus felt a little less confused now that he know why Xiu’s wings shattered. Although it was still a difficult memory to process. He remembered throwing up when everything was over and everyone was safe, when he let his guard down and his adrenaline settled. He still couldn’t find the courage to tell Xiu about the cauterization though, and he is a little glad that the Sigel is not asking.
“You lost a lot of blood yesterday night… me and Cesc had to give you some of our blood.” The Valsaros explained. “Who would’ve thought… that your white blood would turn pink when mixed with our’s.” He let out a small chuckle at the idea. “We were so worried that your body would reject our blood since it is a different color… but thankfully it didn’t.”
Xiu managed a small smile at that explanation, the small talk proving to be beneficial by distracting him from the pain and worry. “I am surprised too,” admitted the Sigel, who had read books about blood compatibility in humans and the consequences of incompatibility. “But glad as well,”
Giving a soft sigh, Xiu suddenly realized that his throat was parched. There was a glass of water on the bedside table beside Lazarus. “May I have that?”
When the glass was offered, Xiu took it and gave a cry of surprise when the water within the glass began boiling right before his eyes. Out of reflex the Sigel dropped the heated glass and winced then the sound of the broken cup echoed across the room.
Lazarus was surprised as well when the water started to boil in the cup. He tried to catch the glass as it fell but alas he missed.
“Don’t worry about it.” He turned to look at Xiu, who was still stunned from the incident. Lazarus took Xiu’s hand that was holding the cup into his own. Indeed it was very warm, and it was even trembling a little. “It’s okay… you may experience some side effects from mine and Cesc’s blood for a little while. But just control your emotions and power, and it will be fine.” This reminded the Valsaros of his days when he was a newborn Frei. He had a difficult time controlling his powers then, maybe it is the same for Xiu right now. He held Xiu’s hand closely to his, wanted to make sure that the Sigel was calm before getting up to clean the mess.
Xiu listened to Lazarus’s explanation wryly. Were there any other surprises in store for him? When his hands had stopped shaking and Lazarus had gone to sweep up the shards, Xiu folded them gingerly across the blanket, afraid of setting anything else aflame. Xiu wondered briefly how Cesc’s power would manifest and decided that perhaps it was better that he not find out. While Cesc certainly had a useful ability, Xiu did not think that he’d be able to handle cries for help in his mind right now.
When Lazarus next appeared, Xiu noticed that the other had several rolls of bandages and a bottle of antiseptic in his hands. Xiu tensed. The Sigel knew what was coming and was not keen on it.
Aside from the bandages and antiseptic, Lazarus brought a mug and a straw as well. Xiu must still be parched. “Here.” He handed the mug to Xiu, which was made of ceramic and will be able to handle the heat discharge if there is any. The water within cooling, with a few ice cubes floating.
Lazarus is expecting the type of reaction that he will be getting from Xiu already, no one likes this process, which he had to endure back then as well. “Jeremy said we have to change your bandages once every 8 hours during the first 2 days.” He glanced at the clock, it was almost 8 hours since Jeremy wrapped Xiu up after the treatment. He had shown Lazarus how to do it, how to clean Xiu’s wounds and how to wrap effectively. So the Valsaros can care for the Sigel. Even when he suggested that Lazarus should rest from his own injuries as well, Lazarus insisted that he want to help Xiu.
“Please don’t resist…” Lazarus said as he sat down on the edge of the bed, facing Xiu. Gently he pulled the bedside table over and placed the tools on it. He didn’t want to force Xiu to do anything, so he just waited patiently for Xiu. He will wait until the Sigel is ready.
Xiu took the offered mug and drank deeply from the straw, relishing the ice-cold water as it cooled his parched throat. When he was done, Xiu glanced from Lazarus to the bandages nervously. He knew it had to be done but…
“C-Can I have painkillers Lazarus?” blurted Xiu suddenly. He knew such drugs existed and if it could numb the pain, the Sigel would be very grateful indeed.
Lazarus’s brows furrowed in concern at the request. He wished he could, but alas. “Unfortunately, I am not a doctor. I can’t prescribe you painkillers…” It must be difficult for Xiu to hear it. He had painkillers when he was healing from his wing injuries the last time, but he was a fully grown Valsaros and his body functions more or less normally like a human does. So he could take the painkillers. Unlike Xiu right now, who is still a Sigel. He, like Kyou and the others, worry that a Raevan’s half formed body might not take medication as easily.
However, he suddenly remembered something. Going to the medicine cabinet, he looked through it before producing a small spray can. “This is a local anaesthetic. I saw Jeremy use it before when treating wounds, especially when stitching is required.” Sitting back down, he read the label on the back carefully. “It will only last a few minutes, and I don’t know how effective it would be.” Especially considering that Lazarus is still fairly inexperienced in this. “Would this help?”
Xiu nodded. Any help was better than none. “Let’s try it,”
Sitting at the edge of the bed, Xiu clutched at the sheets worriedly. There would be pain, the Sigel knew. He’d just have to be tough enough not to cry out
Watching Lazarus get the bandages ready, Xiu braced himself. “Thank you, Lazarus,” said the Sigel quietly. “For all that you have done,”
Gingerly he helped Xiu remove the hospital robes that the Sigel is loosely wearing. “Don’t thank me yet…” He said half jokingly as he gently touched the bandages on Xiu’s back. They are wet alright, and looked clingy to his wounds. “I can’t help you with the pain when removing the bandages.”
Slowly and carefully going around Xiu’s body, he began to unravel the bandages. It didn’t take long for him to reach the last layer clinging to Xiu’s wounds though, as Jeremy only wrapped it loosely to give the wounds space to breathe. “This might hurt a bit.” The Valsaros said as he tried peeling carefully on the edges. Wincing as it looked painful for him too.
Xiu was sheepish. “I meant for being there last night. Cesc and you both. Thank you. Hazeline w-would not have...she might have…,” said Xiu, his voice cracking slightly. Taking a deep breath, Xiu tried again. “Thank you for saving us, i-is what I meant,”
As the bandages were removed layer by layer, Xiu felt himself tensing. When Lazarus finally began peeling off the bottommost layer, Xiu let out a hiss of pain. Taking slow deep breaths, Xiu tried thinking of happy thoughts. Such as birds, flowers, kittens and suchlike.
It did not work. Not so much at least. Uttering a soft expletive, Xiu visibly relaxed when the last of the bandages were off. His back felt all the better for it too. There was a mild stinging sensation as his wounds were exposed to the air but it was a welcomed change from the wet and sticky feeling of the bandages earlier.
“You should thank Joshua too.” Lazarus laughed a little nervously as he continued to peel. “He was the one who called me.”
Once the bandages were removed, Lazarus had to stare at the wounds on Xiu’s back. It looked awful. The edges of Xiu’s skin were burnt, and Jeremy had to clean the debris earlier as the cauterization was messy. So Lazarus could see Xiu’s exposed flesh in some areas, and some of these areas are oozing pink as well. It made Lazarus feel a little ill. But he had to stay strong, surely this is worst for Xiu. He is only glad that Xiu couldn’t see it.
Throwing away the old bandages, Lazarus picked up the mini spray can and sprayed around the general wounded area, praying this works. The antiseptic will hurt, a lot. Grabbing a large cotton ball, he dabbed some on and touched a smaller area first, to make sure the local anaesthetic is working. When Xiu did not flinch from his touch, he started to move to larger areas that are oozing, wiping the blood off while applying the antiseptic. Xiu did jerk a little bit during the process, but so far it seemed like the anaesthetic is working. He had to work fast yet meticulously at the same time.
“I hope… this isn’t hurting you too much…” He said as he applied more antiseptic to the wounds.
Xiu agreed. “It was a good thing Joshua raised the alarm when he did then,” said the Sigel softly. The smell of blood was strong when Lazarus tossed the stained bandages away. Xiu felt faint. There were even little bits of skin and clots on some of the more heavily stained bandages. His skin and blood clots. The Sigel wished he hadn’t looked and honestly regretted that he did.
The numbing sensation from the local anaesthetic definitely alleviated some of the pain. Xiu hardly felt a thing when Lazarus applied the antiseptic onto the superficial wounds. It was only when Lazarus touched the deeper open wounds that Xiu gave an involuntary jerk of pain. It was akin to having someone touch a raw nerve. Or perhaps Lazarus did as the pain came in jolts every time the antiseptic was applied.
Taking in deep breaths to calm himself, Xiu grimaced. “I-I suspect you may have an idea of what this feels like,” said the white Sigel through clenched teeth. Had he known that the pain was this intense, he would have been much more careful around Lazarus. Back when the Valsaros was still recuperating from his own loss.
When the last of the new bandages was finally and securely in place, Xiu relaxed and turned to face the fiery raevan. “This feels a lot better now Lazarus, thank you.” Then trying to make light of the situation, Xiu said gruffly “Right, you have seen the goods, doc. Tell me, is my back still pretty?”
Well, he tried his best. Lazarus stared at his bandaged handiwork that is Xiu. There were weird folds and creases and bandages that just won’t lay flat. It doesn’t look as nice as Jeremy’s work earlier, but he will do better next time. Practice makes perfect right? As long as the wounds are protected and the bandages are able to do their job, that is fine with him.
As the Valsaros was putting away the antiseptic and spare bandage rolls, Xiu asked the very peculiar question. Still, Lazarus couldn’t help but smile though. “You silly Raevan.” He nudged the Sigel’s arm playfully. “It’s still too early to tell.” He couldn’t come up with a funny comeback though. So perhaps some encouragement might help. “You could still heal nicely if the wounds are taken care of properly. And you’d be surprised of the kind of stuff Kyou has for reducing scars. He is quite the narcissist you know.” Lazarus laughed. “Maybe you can ask him for some later.”
Xiu gave a soft chuckle when Lazarus nudged him in the arm. Laughing felt good. It made one’s worries seem a little less dire when one laughed. But Lazarus’s comment about the wounds being “too early to tell” and the“ stuff Kyou has for reducing scars” was not lost on the Sigel. So, his back was pretty messed up then. He had suspected as much but Lazarus’s reply confirmed it.
Gingerly easing himself back against the pillows (he was starting to feel a little tired), Xiu smiled at Lazarus. “You look pretty banged up yourself. Won’t you rest with me for a little while? At least...until sleep comes?”
As Xiu began to lie back down, Lazarus hurried to fluff the pillows so Xiu would feel comfortable. Well… as comfortable as the Sigel could feel anyway. The Valsaros looked at his bandaged hands when Xiu commented. They don’t look too bad. But perhaps Lazarus himself looked tired. He had only managed to catch a short nap of about an hour or two earlier after all. This fully grown body, he just can’t stay up all night anymore like how he used to.
“Don’t worry about me.” He smiled softly as he gingerly touched Xiu’s face. With that said though, he gently eased himself onto the bed, laying on the edge of it as he extended his arm, letting Xiu rest on it. He waited for the Sigel to get comfortable. Red eyes looked at the trees outside. It looked like the weather is nice outside today. It isn’t too bright, and judging from the sway of the leaves, it looks like it has a nice breeze outside. What a shame, it looked like it would be nice to have a stroll outside. Reaching over, he closed the shutters so the room would be darker.
Cesc: Hey, buddy... How's it feel to lose 50 pounds in a night? Xiu: ...;;;; Xiu: Painful Cesc:*leans back* I'm so sorry, Xiu. Xiu: N-No, it was a good one ^^;;; Cesc: What do you mean? Xiu: Dieters would be jealous of my accomplishments. *Laughs* Cesc: *laughs* ... that's true.* pauses* Are you okay? *quietly* ... Lazarus... told me. Xiu: ... Y-Yeah...I will live Cesc: ... yeah. *half-smiles* I'm glad of that. But Xiu... I'm sorry. I told the police what happened last night. The fire and the explosion... they were going to find out either way. We have to face the consequences of our actions. Xiu: *closes his eyes* That would be the lawfully right thing to do Cesc: *softly* ... I know he pushed you into it. You never would have... Xiu: He was about to attack Lazarus from the back... Cesc: *shakes his head, pale* He always did tell us to fight dirty. Xiu: ... He spat in my face before stabbing me... Xiu: Lazarus came to my aid then. Cesc: *quietly* I'm glad he was there for you, Xiu. Xiu: ... When will the police come? Cesc: *rubs the bill of his ball cap* I gave my statement last night. I told them you're in pretty bad shape. The detective's name is Neele--he'll be in touch with the Lab soon to talk to you. Don't worry... he just needs your statement for now. Xiu: Alright.
It had been three weeks since he was released from the Lab’s infirmary. The wounds on his back and abdomen were well on their way to healing with hardened scabs forming over the afflicted areas. However the Sigel had been cautioned that visible scarring would be expected due to the severity of his wounds. Honestly, after all the testament he had to give to the police, putting up with their scrutinizing questions day after day, reliving the incident every time someone needed clarification;- scarring was the least of his problems.
But at least he had been cleared of charges and was permitted to have his sword back.
A strong gust of wind made the Sigel hunch into the collar of his cotton jacket. He could go back in where it was warmer but after being cooped up in the infirmary then the bookstore and fussed and watched over for close to three months, the crisp, fresh air and solitude of the rooftop was a welcomed change.
Not too long ago, he had done his nightly sword fighting practice here and had derived great joy from it. In his hand the Sigel still held his sword but there was now a weight to it that had not been there before. Beneath him, his rune glowed softly, casting a comforting glow to the familiar landscape.
The night was getting noticeably colder now and Xiu figured that it would be in his best interest to head back into the welcoming warmth of his home. The thought of a strong cup of slightly bitter but creamy cocoa was another tempting incentive to step away from the rooftop and in away, from the past. He would keep the sword but there were better things for which he could turn his hands to. The efficient running of the bookstore for one.
The Sigel turned and was about to make his way back into the house.
Tap tap tappity tap
Xiu froze. The wind had dropped and a familiar breathlessness had descended upon the street. He remembered such an encounter once.
Mesmerized, Xiu found himself floating towards the edge of the rooftop, blue eyes already directed to the darkened end of the street.
Tap tap tappity tap
There it was, the creature he had seen before; moving along as it probing fingers traversed from one house to the next.
Getting ever closer.
The Sigel knew what he had to do. He had done it before and it would be several weeks (at least) before he had to do it again. Facing the creature’s direction, Xiu gripped the hilt of his sword and waited for the creature to disappear as it had often done.
As expected, the shadowy being slowed to a stop and once more seemed to be gazing in Xiu’s direction. Then, deliberately, it took a step forward.
Xiu’s heart leapt to his throat.
Faster and faster now, the creature crawled, spreading its dark tendrils over any and all available surface. Streetlights flickered and shattered in the creature’s wake. A stricken howl cut short as a stray mongrel met its end within its noisome miasma.
It would be upon his home in seconds and with a sudden horrifying realization, Xiu remembered that the housekeeper liked keeping her bedroom windows slightly ajar; preferring the natural airflow to that of an air-conditioner.
Without a second’s thought the Sigel leapt from the roof and landed before the creature, sword already drawn and his rune glowing unnaturally bright.
How dare it…
How DARE it have the audacity to come into HIS territory, to assume that the opportunity was ripe for the taking just because its opponent was injured.
Xiu’s sword blazed and too late the creature realized its blunder. Recoiling its tendrils in terror, the shadow shrank in size as it tried to escape from the Sigel’s fury.
But the Sigel would have none of it. Bearing down on the retreating shadow, Xiu made quick work of his adversary. There was no hesitancy in his strike nor mercy in his eyes.
This…thing had threatened his family and for that it…would…pay.
He had already taken an undead’s life so in comparison where did these supernatural beings stand in relation to that? In the general scheme of things they are not even considered living beings and yet they are just as threatening.
A frightening memory of shadows closing in on him back when he was a frei, too weak to hold his own. Like a pack of hyenas the shadowy beings had closed in, eager to take down a potential threat.
That had stopped when he grew.
But now…
There are no laws to protect one from an insult from them and if tonight was any indication, others would also be seeking and opportunity to take advantage of his weakened state as well.
“Not if I make the first move,” muttered the Sigel. “Not if I take the fight to them,”
There are no laws to protect one from an insult from them and likewise, there are no laws protecting them from me.
I will make this a safe place for my own for I have nothing else to trade…
Except my life.
And that terrifies me.
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 2:44 am
Rapidashtrainer Crew
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Rapidashtrainer Crew
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Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2016 7:43 pm
~:No Quarter:~
It has been two months since he had started actively hunting down any and all malevolent entities that he had come across on his nightly rounds. The Sigel had started small;- removing insubstantial spectral shades that tended to do nothing more than startle people in abandoned houses and creepy bathrooms before quickly nipping up small bits of their victim’s energy in that instance of vulnerability. Those opportunistic spooks were the most common and easiest to deal with. Then he had moved on to abominable apparitions that would steal the breath of the weak or dying. The scavengers.
Recently however, more sinister spectres were making their presence known. Spectres that would not sit idly by and wait for a susceptible person to come along but would actively hunt you down as you walked through lonely stretches of road. The predatory types.
And there had been more of them around lately. Especially around hospitals and accident prone stretches of roads. Xiu had dealt with several of them already and yet more persistently made their appearance every night. It was as if…
Xiu shook his head irritably. He had one job to do and he was going to do it. For better or for worse, he would create a safe place for his family.
A glance at his watch told him that Lazarus would come over soon. They had agreed to meet in the park that evening and from the tone of it, Lazarus had something important on his mind. Xiu was impatient. He had heard the news about a series of drowning accidents taking place in a popular fishing spot nearby and was determined to sort that out before tomorrow’s news added one more name to the growing list of victims. One of the previous victims had been a friend of Joshua’s.
Lazarus hurriedly jogged towards the park. The bus had been late that evening, and the long wait had made him anxious as he knew he was late to meet Xiu. Especially considering the worrying news that he had heard from the Sigel’s family recently.
Apparently Xiu had been moody lately, and Hazeline told him that he was out a lot at night, usually till well over midnight before returning. There was even once or twice that he only returned at the break of dawn. What worried Lazarus more than anything though, was the fact that Xiu was carrying his sword every time during these outings. What was Xiu doing? Lazarus had an inkling actually, but he prayed that it wasn’t the case as he headed towards the promised location.
As he saw Xiu’s silhouette, and when Xiu noticed him, Lazarus put on the best smile he could muster as he waved. “Hey! I’m sorry I’m late.” He chuckled softly, although the Sigel was less than excited to see him.
Xiu forced a smile at Lazarus’s approach and lowered his folded arms. Despite his impatience, it had been a while since they last saw each other. He could spare the Valsaros some precious minutes. Then he really had to be off.
“Lazarus, why the sudden meeting?” queeried Xiu with a slight tilt of his head as the fiery one drew near. “Is something on your mind?”
Then realizing the absurdity of the question, Xiu gave a small frown. Of course the Valsaros had something on his mind. Why else would he insist on a private meeting in the park?
Xiu really got right to the point with their conversation topic. Well, he did say that he had to talk to the Sigel on the phone. He just wished that they could have some idle talk before they got serious. No better time than now to talk about it, perhaps. This was supposed to be some sort of intervention after all.
His brows were furrowed into a worried frown as Lazarus spoke. “Well… Hazeline and Joshua called me yesterday. They are worried about you…” He started to feel a little nervous as he begun to talk, and he knew fully well why he was feeling this. Red eyes turned slightly to look at the sword Xiu was carrying, sheathed. The aura was weaker when the sword is in it’s scabbard, but it is still unpleasant for Lazarus. “They were worried about your night outings… Xiu… tell me, what were you doing every night?”
Lazarus’s nervous and agitated manner irritated the white Sigel and it showed through the bright hue of his rune. Pursing his lips to a thin line, the white raevan stared defiantly at his fiery partner. He had not done anything wrong. Why was Lazarus taking on the demeanor of a worried ward talking to a wayward child?
“I have always endeavoured to keep the people I care about safe, Lazarus. You know that,” said Xiu softly as he unsheathed his sword. “Yet I have always found myself lacking.And when I find myself at my weakest, these ghosts- they are getting bold. But…,”
"Please, Xiu..." Lazarus pleaded. He had taken a few steps back when Xiu unsheathed the sword. The eerie glow that shone from the sword and the subtle wind that seemed to had picked up, made him sweat even in this cooling weather.
He had never seen Xiu like this, his eyes were so cold, and his posture...
The Valsaros took a few more steps back, Xiu was posed like he was about to strike. Lazarus did not know if it was intentional or not from the Sigel, but it looked like Xiu would cut him down any second. His survival instinct kicking in, telling him to run. But this was Xiu we're talking about, how can he run away, from Xiu? Surely he wouldn't strike him, would he? "Please stop, Xiu... please listen to me..."
For a moment the Sigel wavered and his rune glowed uncertainly. Then as though steeling his nerves, the Sigel eyed the fiery raevan coldly. “No, Lazarus. These spectres, they have crossed the line when they thought that they could get at my family. I am merely showing them the error of their ways. And making sure that there will be no repeated offence. Ever.”
“So if you will excuse me, Lazarus. There is a river entity that I must destroy tonight,” said Xiu, as he sheathed his sword and turned away. “ Sometimes, the sword is mightier than the pen,"
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 8:27 pm
~: Meeting in the Woods:~
The coming of the dawn found a lone figure sitting quietly on a mossy stump close to the edge of the forest. Xiu’s rune glowed softly in the weak morning light, his clothes wet from the night’s escapade with a water spirit who had a penchant for drowning humans. The spirit had been dispatched but not without giving the Sigel the drenching of his life. Coupled with Lazarus’s earlier attempts at intervention, the Sigel was feeling rather out of sorts with himself and the world.
Just a little longer, then I will leave thought the Sigel to himself although no attempt was made to do so. The Sigel was tired and deep down, conflicted. Xiu hated himself for feeling such. Why could he not be confident and steadfast like the characters from a book? Why was he feeling so bad for an action that seemed inherently good at the slightest disapproval from others? Why did he have to care?
Because those are the concerns of those whom you care about said the insidious voice in his mind.
They should have more confidence in me then replied a second voice petulantly. After all he had done, all those cleansings… and Lazarus had approached him as a counselor would a troubled youth. On behalf of his family no less.
In the surrounding silence the Sigel emitted a low growl of frustration.
It was a bit earlier than he was used to being out by himself, but the air was cool and the area was empty save for a few oblivious early-morning joggers. Dair drifted idly along, occasionally wandering a bit further into the forest before making his way back to the path. He was contemplating heading back home before Nell went off to work when one of the joggers spoke.
“You should tell your friend to quit while he’s ahead,” the jogger said, irritation clear in their voice. Dair turned to face them, frowning in confusion, but they had already jogged away, gesturing sharply over their shoulder towards the woods. His frown deepened as he turned to look where they pointed, though there didn’t seem to be much there but trees. But then a cloud passed overhead, the light shifted, and a flash of brilliant white shone out from between branches and leaves.
He only thought about the wisdom of chasing after a mysterious...thing (person? animal?) for a moment before he floated towards the treeline, stopping suddenly in surprise when it turned out to be a fellow raevan. They didn’t look like they were having the best time in the world, even if you didn’t take into account the soaked clothes, and the annoyed growl certainly didn’t help that impression much. Dair wondered if he should simply leave before they noticed he was here, but that wasn’t a good way to meet new people, and if nothing else he could simply hide in the woods if they turned out to be a bit too angry.
“Um. Are you alright?” He edged a bit closer to the trees, taking a measure of comfort from their presence.
While he had been lost in thoughts, the dawn had steadily crept up. Xiu did not notice that joggers were beginning to emerge and take note of him; an anomaly in their everyday routine. Had he been left to his own devices, the Sigel would probably have had time to dry out a little more before taking leave of the mossy tree stump.
As it stood, Xiu was surprised by the cautious enquiry. Turning in the direction of the voice, the Sigel gave a start when he came face to face with Dair’s fathomless eyes and barklike form amongst the dark backdrop of trees. Blue eyes then noticed the glowing rune and ribbon characteristic of his kind.
Upon realizing that this astonishing being was another Raevan and a Frei at that, Xiu felt himself calming down. He had not expected to encounter another raevan at this early an hour and at such a seemingly secluded area.
He had also not expected to be seen behaving in such an uncharacteristic manner.
Taking a deep breath, Xiu approached the wary Frei, aware that his bedraggled appearance would do little to instill confidence that he was not, in fact, crazy.
“Sorry you had to see that,” said Xiu apologetically. “I did not mean to cause alarm,”
Dair squinted slightly at Xiu as he approached, his white hair and clothes seemed to glow in the gradually brightening light. He was definitely older than Dair, not that that was a hard thing to be, and like Eth seemed to have a good deal more body than he had at the moment.
He also looked a bit crazy, yes. But he kept himself from backing up further as he came closer, his hands dropping down to his sides and his back straightening slightly. He could at the very least greet this stranger respectfully, and then run away if things go south.
“It’s fine, you just seemed…” there was a moment’s pause as he fished for a word that didn’t sound too insulting. “A bit upset?” It was putting it mildly, but he supposed he wouldn’t be in the best of moods ever if he had spent the morning wandering around with soaked clothes.
“My name is Dair, by the way.”
The corner of Xiu’s lips twitched at Dair’s diplomatic remark. “Yes, I suppose that’s one way of putting it,” said the Sigel dryly as he eyed the Frei. “My name is Xiu,”
Then, because it seemed unfair to take it out on another raevan, an innocent and concerned bystander at that, Xiu tried taking on a less rigid pose. With little success. His nightly hunts and consequently lack of sleep had made the Sigel a little highly strung.
“So...do you live around here, maybe?” asked the Sigel, taking on a default meet and greet conversation. “It seems pretty far out to be on your own,”
“Maybe,” he agreed, equally as dryly, though there was a small mischievous smile on his face as he spoke. It didn’t escape his notice that Xiu was still tense, and he turned slightly so he was fac8ing the woods a bit more.
“It’s nice to meet you, Xiu. I actually think I have a message for you?” He jammed his hands in his pockets to keep from fidgeting much, looking over his shoulder towards the path where the jogger was. “Apparently you need to stop doing something while you’re ahead?” A shrug indicated some measure of confusing on Dair’s end, though he didn’t want to pry too much when the other raevan was clearly on edge about something.
Xiu watched as Dair turned to face the woods and frowned at the frei’s cryptic message. “Whose message is it?” asked the Sigel with some impatience. It had been a long night and Xiu was not in the mood for mysteries. “Please be a little more specific, Dair, or I may well take it as a threat,”
A sudden thought then struck Xiu. “Are you perhaps able to interact with things-creatures that humans can’t see?”
That would make some sense then wouldn’t it? Although he could detect and subsequently destroy the supernatural, Xiu had not abilities to communicate with them. Those skills seemed to be the domain of raevans such as Eiry or Lucia. But perhaps this young frei had it too.
“Um.” The question made him frown, his shoulders hunching up defensively at his tone. “I don’t know? It was someone jogging down the path.” A finger pointed towards the direction he had just come from. “They ran off before I could ask them anything.”
He shrugged again as he stuck his hand back in his pocket, eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke. “Maybe? I haven’t been, um, around for long, I’m not really sure. They didn’t seem to be very weird, though.” There was a slight pause before he added, a bit begrudgingly, “You don’t need any help, do you?”
Xiu turned in the direction that Dair indicated and sure enough, there was no one there. It might have been the cold morning coupled with the damp clothes but Xiu felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Someone or something had told the frei to warn him not too long ago.
The Sigel did not like this. He’d preferred that the supernatural remained vague and voiceless; something not quite sentient and yet threatening. That would then justify his actions. But if they were using others as a means of getting to him, that felt …invasive.
Blue eyes stared at the sullen frei. Would Dair be an unsuspecting victim if he carried on? The Frei seemed susceptible to their encounters, if nothing else. And susceptibility might lead to inadvertent trouble if Dair got too involved.
Xiu did not think he could live with that. “No, no… I can manage,” said Xiu weakly. The Sigel needed some time to think and perhaps converse with someone with a rational frame of mind. “Thank you Dair, but I think it is best that we part ways now,”
Dair had his own misgivings about the person who had talked to him earlier, though they lay in more reasonable directions. The fact that they were somehow related was obvious by looking at them, but what were they trying to warn him about? What would they have done if he hadn’t been there, warn Xiu themselves? But the deed was done and he couldn’t find too much of a reason to obsess over the encounter for much longer.
With a quick bow of his head, Dair began to float back towards the path, though he kept his gaze on Xiu. “If that is what you think. I’m sure we’ll meet again?” Hopefully in a less awkward situation next time.
A small smile played on the corners of Xiu’s lip. “If you stick around the Lab long enough, I am sure we will,”
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Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 11:58 pm
~:Seeking Counsel:~
Atmadja
Delicate Balance
“Rhedefre.”
Granny’s voice broke into his thoughts.
Cesc was sitting at her kitchen table, poring over an open book, when she spoke. He looked up, eyebrows lifted. “Mm?”
She seated herself across from him, crossing her ankles. Beside her, Balthazar padded quietly until he was at her same attitude and sat at noble attention. Cesc smiled at the dog and then ticked his eyes back to Gertrude.
“I wish to speak with you,” she said when she was situated, her hands resting gently on one of her knees.
“About lessons?” mused Cesc. “That’s great—I actually wanted to talk to you, too, about this last chapter—“
“Do not interrupt,” she said primly, although the next moment she betrayed a faint hesitation, opening and then closing her lips. She decided on her original plan: “I wish to speak to you about your friend, Xiu.”
The stag groaned inwardly and sat back on his chair, deflating. He might have known this would be coming. He wet his lips. “About Xiu—“
“Rhedefre. Allow me to finish before you editorialize my comments.” Gertrude said sternly. “I am not going to lecture you about what happened this summer. I may presume you have had enough of that vein. I have looked into the matter and I consider it as settled.” She paused, choosing her next words. “It appears, however, that Xiu has not.”
Cesc frowned, straightening. “Wait, what?”
“I see you did not know,” she said. Gertrude nodded, slowly. “Yes… yes, that is a relief.”
Cesc stiffened, now leaning forward. “What are you talking about? Is he in more trouble?”
“No,” said Gertrude. “This time he is causing the trouble. I have heard some troubling rumors from good friends of mine in the magical community. I am afraid your friend has begun to wreak vengeance upon any spirit he finds troublesome. Rhedefre, I do not hesitate to tell you in the strongest fashion that he is going quite overboard in his methods.” She frowned, and there was a spark of anger in her blue eyes. “I have been told that he is disrupting a delicate balance.”
Blinking, Cesc watched Granny, surprised at the level to which the woman seemed to be upset. Wasn’t ghost-busting a good thing? And, anyway, how could Xiu kill something that was already dead?
“It’s that bad?” he said, doubtfully. “I’m sure Xiu would never hurt anything innocent…”
“Oh.” Gertrude’s voice was cold, and in that one syllable there was an angry dismissiveness. She drew back, and even Balthazar snorted and eyed Rhedefre suspiciously, watching his mistress’s discontentment. “Rhedefre. Have you learned nothing? Such a statement. As though innocence were the only component of our lives. There are ghosts and demons and darkness all around us. They are what allow light to exist.” She glanced at him. “But I suppose this is your soul’s prejudice. White stags are not wholly appreciative of darkness; their business is light.”
Cesc balked, coloring. “That’s not what I meant.”
Granny lifted a hand. “We can discuss that momentarily. Rhedefre, I need your absolute word that you will tell Xiu he is making a grave mistake. Do you understand me? A grave mistake. Perhaps—from one soul of light to another—it will make a difference.”
Comparatively drier and considerably more sober than he had been the night before, Xiu found himself gravitating uncertainly in the direction of Vermillion Bakery.
Xiu was hesitant. He did not want to trouble the stag but after his less than civil parting with Lazarus and the reluctance to face his family (no doubt they would want to know the outcome of Lazarus’s intervention), the only place left for some sensible advice would be from level headed Cesc.
The white Sigel shivered slightly in the crisp morning air. Hopefully he did not smell too much of damp swamp. Toiletries had been reduced to nothing more than running his fingers through his hair in an attempt to look less harrowing.
The morning was still early and Xiu hoped that the bakery would not be open yet. Nevertheless, the Sigel decided to pay a visit from the back door in order to not terrify potential customers. Giving the back door several quick raps, the Sigel floated back and waited.
It was morning, but a strange time of the morning--too late for deliveries, but too early for customers. Cesc had just slid the first batch of crusted breads into the oven and was about to turn his attention to frosting the cookies that had by now cooled when the rap at the door took his attention: so, it was with an expression of curiosity that he opened it, unveiling the ragged-looking Xiu.
The first thing that hit Cesc was the smell. His nose, now a sensitive, cultivated baker’s nose, as important as one’s palette, immediately registered that Xiu had not spent his evening reposing on a field of wildflowers. Nor did he seem to have gotten much sleep. It was a look that Cesc might have commiserated with, had the smell that hit him been whiskey rather than… uh… swamp?
“Xiu?” Cesc said incredulously, blinking in the morning light. It had been months since their run-in with Igan and Professor Estoc… had the trauma of it started to unwind his friend? “Hey, come in--are you okay? What’s going on?”
Xiu hesitated for only a split second before the prospect of warmth and shelter swayed him. Tucking his sword close and floating gingerly into the bakery, Xiu gave Cesc a grateful smile. “Thank you Cesc and...sorry for the sudden intrusion,” said the Sigel sheepishly as he floated in the least obtrusive looking spot in the kitchen. The warmth however was making the swamp smell even more apparent. Xiu glanced worriedly at the resting doughs and cookies. He would feel really bad if those took on the damp smell he had brought with him.
“M-Maybe somewhere away from the kitchen?” ventured the Sigel apologetically. “I won’t be long,”
Cesc was about to protest Xiu’s modesty before common sense told him the value of the other Sigel’s suggestion, and all Cesc could do was crack a smile. He turned, checking for a moment that nothing would burn in his absence, and then nodded to Xiu.
“No, don’t worry about it. Stay as long as you want. Here--this is the door to our apartment. Come up with me,” offered Cesc, floating across the kitchen to the door to the stairs. He opened it and ushered Xiu within, then waved him up the flight of stairs to the landing.
It was a warmly-decorated apartment, with a crushed velvet chesterfield sofa of red and dark wood and an armchair where an orange and black catsune slept in a curled ball. There was another narrow staircase upward on the opposite end of the landing, and three doors, two of which were open: one that showed a clean, soft-blue bedroom, another that led into a simple bathroom.
“Do you want to clean up?” asked Cesc. “Or catch a nap or anything? You’re welcome to whatever you need. I’m here for you, you know, Xiu.”
Once out of the kitchen and in the decidedly more private residence, Xiu felt himself relax slightly. The apartment was cozy and comfortable looking and the sleeping catsune completed the restful scene.
Turning to his friend, Xiu nodded affirmative when the offer to clean up was given. If nothing else, looking halfway decent would help with the talk he had planned to have with Cesc later on. “A quick shower would be great,”
Setting his sword aside, the Sigel followed his friend up to the bathroom. “Sorry about this,” said Xiu once again. “But it seems that...I may be in need of some advice,”
Guy Smiley lifted his head and blinked blearily at the duo as they floated by, and heaved a magnificent yawn before tucking his head back under his tail to continue his nap. Cesc led Xiu to the bathroom, opening a closet door and taking out a folded towel set and putting it on the sink counter beside the shower. He also pulled out one of his t-shirts, a long-sleeved, plain heather-grey cotton shirt, and placed it beside the towel.
He let the movements cover up the silence after Xiu spoke, then nodded slowly.
“There’s soap and shampoo in there, and the right handle is the hot water. It takes a second to heat up, but then it stays hot pretty long. Take your time, alright? I’m ready to talk whenever you need it. No rush.”
After spending such a long time in heavy damp clothes, the hot shower was nothing if not invigorating. Cleaning himself thoroughly and then letting more of that deliciously warm water run over him, Xiu exited the shower feeling civilized and refreshed. Borrowing Cesc’s shirt had felt awkward but it was better than the alternative;- his old and damp smelling clothes.
Xiu’s heart was beating fast. He was not looking forward to what would come next. But he could not keep Cesc waiting. The bakery would be running soon and it would be selfish of him to stall his friend. Floating over to where the catsune was napping, Xiu was uncertain if he should keep eye contact or look away from the other raevan. Like a child about to admit to a wrongdoing, Xiu was nervous.
“ I think my paranoia may have gotten the better of me,” said Xiu by way of an opening conversation. He did not know how Cesc could help but he needed someone who could be trusted to make sensible observations.
While Xiu was in the bathroom, Cesc went back down to his work, doing as much opening duties as swiftly as he could until he heard the rush of water twist off in the upstairs bathroom. With his ears perked, he took off his apron and floated back upstairs, taking a seat on the armchair ottoman. Distractedly, he pet Guy Smiley, who chirped sleepily, until Xiu came out.
The conversation started rather abruptly, and Cesc sat a little straighter as Xiu’s words registered. His heartbeat quickened, and his conversation with Granny suddenly resurfaced in his mind like a jellyfish washed ashore on the beach, unbidden and unwelcome.
Damn it. He hated it when she was right.
“What do you mean?” asked the stag.
Xiu hesitated, reluctance threatening to overcome his need for counsel. Taking a deep breath, Xiu stared into Cesc’s concerned eyes. “Soon after I was discharged, I realized that ghosts were encroaching into my territory. Because they perceived me as weak…,”
Here, Xiu eyes flashed angrily. The traces of his indignation still apparent. “They thought that I could not hold my own,”
“So I ...removed them. With extreme prejudice,” said the Sigel flatly. “I had thought that my actions were right and proper. Lazarus tried to talk me out of it but I brushed him aside,”
“Until this morning when a frei conveyed a warning, courtesy of the other side,” said Xiu miserably. “If they are using young raevans as conduits. I don’t think I could live with that…,”
Cesc listened, pulling his bottom lip in between his teeth as he nodded. It was as Granny had told him: Xiu had done what he thought to be best in the situation. And what he thought was best, well… it wasn’t. And it wasn’t even remotely high on the list of the right things to do.
He was curious as to who the young Raevan was that had warned Xiu, but the curiosity was pushed aside for the moment--there would be plenty of time to ask particulars after Xiu was safely settled, and this whole thing was put behind them.
“Actually,” Cesc began, clearing his throat, “It’s not just Raevans. My, ah… longtime teacher, Gertrude, she is really active in the magical community. And she told me that she’s been informed that you’ve been… going off the deep end a little bit. I’m not going to lie--I thought she was overreacting. I didn’t see how exorcising spirits could cause waves. But, Xiu, if this is going around the community, and other Raevans are even telling you about it, you… you really need to take a hard look at what you’re doing.”
Xiu listened to Ces’s words with a sinking heart. How could removing spirits, bad ones at that, cause such a ripple in Gaia? But here was Cesc, validating Dair’s words and Lazarus’s concern. Hunching over, Xiu placed his head in his hands. “I guess I do,” said Xiu in a wretched tone.
“Only thing is, would it be alright if I just stopped? You mentioned that it has gone deep. Just how deep is it?”
With a sigh, Cesc let his shoulders slouch, and he put one hand up to rub his eyes. It was a conundrum, and one that he didn’t have a compass for. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I don’t really do anything with ghosts.”
He frowned, rubbing his jaw idly with the knuckles of his hands, his eyes unfocused. He could send Xiu to Gertrude, but the woman’s upright severity might make the Sigel feel worse about the situation than he clearly already did. And after their horrific experiences with Professor Estoc, Cesc wasn’t sure a strict older figure well-versed in the dark arts was really what the doctor ordered for Xiu.
If only there was someone else, someone friendly and engaging, but still knowledgable about these things…
A lightbulb went off in Cesc’s head. He straightened suddenly, snapping his fingers.
“Oh, hey, wait a second--” he said, his expression brightening. “Actually, now that I think of it, I do know someone who could help you. Do you know the rusalka Raevan, Vesna? She’s got the black sclera and she’s really bubbly; she’s more like a teenage or tween girl--she’s got a lot of phone charms and a really cute smile?” He paused, waiting to see if the description caused any recognition in his friend, then continued. “Her guardian, Lorenzo, is a necromancer that’s all about outreach and bridging gaps and that kind of thing. I think he’d be able to help you, or point you in the direction of someone else who can.”
He pulled out his cell phone, scrolling through his contacts until he alighted on Lorenzo’s name. “Yeah, here we go. Let me give you his number…”
Xiu nodded glumly. It was as he feared, the Stag had no experience when it came to dealing with the supernatural. Eiry and Lucia might have been better choices but it had been a long while since he had heard from either of them.
When Cesc’s snapped his fingers though, the Sigel looked up, surprise. Did Cesc have an idea?
Apparently he did for the dawn Sigel immediately went off to describe a raevan he had never heard of before. Xiu shook his head. No, he did not recognize any raevan by the name of Vesna but her guardian certainly seemed like someone who’d fit the bill. Xiu needed someone who could assess the situation and Lorenzo seemed like a likely candidate.
“Thank you so very much Cesc,” said Xiu as he pocketed the number. “I think I shall head over right now,”
“I’ll give him a call and a heads up, if you want,” said Cesc, rising as Xiu announced his intention to leave. “He’s a professional, so I’m sure he’ll be up by now and willing to help out. And, hey, if it doesn’t go well, give me a call, okay? I can ask my teacher what to do if you need more help.”
He smiled a small, encouraging smile. “Good luck with this, alright, Xiu? I’m tired of us always being in trouble. Let’s just go relax sometime soon, yeah?”
Xiu smiled gratefully at Cesc’s encouragement. “Thanks Cesc. I’d like that very much,”
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 11:13 pm
~:Negotiating with a Necromancer:~
Sword by his side and a plastic bag containing his damp clothes, Xiu checked the address Cesc had given him once again. This was the street then. This was where he would be meeting the raevan Vesna and her supernaturally attuned guardian Lorenzo.
While comforting that Lorenzo is a guardian to a raevan, Xiu was nevertheless glad that Cesc had called ahead. It would have been awkward otherwise to just appear before someone’s doorstep requesting aid.
Cesc had mentioned that Vesna was a friendly raevan with a lovely smile. Xiu hoped her guardian shared his raevan’s good nature.
Well, there was only one way to find out. Taking a deep breath, Xiu rang the doorbell and waited.
_______
Lorenzo’s smile was debatably lovely, but he was this: professional, punctual, prepared.
He opened the door promptly and held out his hand to Xiu, saying, “Rhedefre called ahead and said you were coming. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” The building he was gesturing Xiu into was a neat brownstone whose bottom floor had been converted into a sort of homey looking office and waiting room.
“Usually all this is tidier,” Lorenzo said with a wince, gesturing at the mess of books and notes and magical devices left around willy nilly. “Strange things have been happening lately, and most of the licensed necromancer committee has been working on damage control, even junior members like myself.”
A decidedly undead looking cat with glass green eyes wound its way through one of the stacks of books, blinking at Xiu curiously. Lorenzo pushed past it and opened the door to his office, clearing off a chair for Xiu and sitting down at his own disheveled desk. “How may I help you?” he asked, reaching into a drawer and pulling out yet another notepad. It seemed he was running out, or at least had needed to borrow one from somewhere else, because this notepad was Sanrio themed and the cute mascots jarred discordantly with the rest of the room.
_______
“The pleasure’s all mine,” said Xiu as he floated in after Lorenzo. Glancing around, Lorenzo’s office brought to mind scenes from private investigations and mysterious clients. Was he a mysterious client? Xiu did not think so. He kept his identity and was not in any danger. At least, he hoped so.
The appearance of the cat though made Xiu pause. There was something odd about that feline. Perhaps it was the eyes. Or the way it stared at him. Or perhaps a combination of both. Xiu observed the creature for moment longer before hastily floating after Lorenzo.
Settling himself into the recently cleared chair, Xiu looked nervously at the necromancer. “When you said damage control, err...what kind of damage are we talking about, exactly?” _______
Lorenzo grimaced as he fumbled for a pen. “Oh, it’s all a bit specialized, really. I don’t think even senior necromancers really have a clear idea of what, exactly, is going on, but for some reason, our powers are going haywire. It’s become far easier to resurrect the dead than it should be- which sounds like it would be a good thing for me, doesn’t it? But some of our clients have been reporting that their stitched limbs are actually healing, and there are incidents where corpses have literally risen from the dead without a necromancer involved at all.”
He shook his head and gestured to a pile of case files on the end of his desk. “We’ve been trying to find and rehabilitate the undead who became undead essentially against their will- they’re quite traumatized, and totally helpless. Meanwhile, there have been reports of the kind of undead that you might call a monster appearing around Gaia more and more often. Those would be people whose souls lingered because of vendettas or ill will inflicted upon them in life. We actually can’t do much with those but confine them, except for in special cases where we can actually find a loophole to satisfy their vendetta, or otherwise...”
He gave a small, strangled laugh. “Well, a good example of otherwise is the raevan I care for, Vesna. She used to be a rusalka, and Lab 305 was able to help me rebirth her into a vessel not bound by the same rules that made her dangerous in undeath.”
Waving a hand aside, he continued, “That’s all complicated, though, and it’s my problem, not yours. What seems to be your problem?”
________
Xiu listened to the long list of anomalies experienced by the magical community with mounting horror. Had he been the cause of that? Could hunting down spirits really lead to the undead rising unbidden? The part about the appearance of dangerous monsters correlated to the number of increased incidence he had experienced though. Was this the ripple of consequence Cesc and Dair had warned him about?
If sinking through the chair was an option, Xiu would have done so by the end of Lorenzo’s explanation.
Fidgeting worriedly, Xiu was startled when Lorenzo finally directed a question his way. “I umm… may know what is causing all of this,” said the Sigel sheepishly. “Recently, I had an irrational fear of having my family hurt by spirits. So I went after them and removed any potentially dangerous entities I came across. This went on for about two months. I thought I was doing good. Until Dair and Cesc warned me that what I was doing was...wrong. That is was disrupting something in Gaia and...the consequence of it might be dire,”
________
Lorenzo was a mild mannered man, but the look that passed across his face as Xiu spoke was about as dark as his muscles could muster.
He laughed again, the short and strangled noise he made before mentioning Vesna. “I’m sorry,” he said, “You’ve… been hunting spirits? For two months?”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “N-not to worry,” he said, regaining some composure and smiling a brittle professional smile. “It could have nothing to do with this. I mean, surely you were referring to some kind of professional… or a guide… or somesuch thing, right? You weren’t just using your personal judgement to draw a line between good and evil, right?”
His voice rose slightly. “And… And surely you wouldn’t harm anybody who hadn’t actively threatened you, right? You didn’t just hunt down anything that seemed like it might be able to hurt something?”
“A-and the disposal,” Lorenzo added anxiously. “You used proper exorcism techniques, and… and I’m sure that you purified the area afterwards, and that you made sure to find an expert to make sure that the damage wasn’t undue…” He trailed off, giving Xiu a chance to allay his fears. “You seem like the kind of responsible person who would handle that kind of situation thoroughly, right?”
___________
Xiu felt himself shrinking smaller and smaller into his chair as Lorenzo bombarded him with questions concerning the proper management of undeads. Never in the Sigel’s life had he thought that such thorough procedures were needed. In his naivety he had honestly thought that exorcism was about as straightforward as those shown on television and in books.
…
He had been watching and reading the wrong kind of resources it seemed.
“I am really sorry,” said Xiu meekly. “I did none of things. I just…,”
Here, the Sigel gingerly unsheath the sword at his side and showed it to the anxious human. As the Sigel held its hilt, the blade glowed with supernatural smiting prowess. “I obtained this sword a long time ago and it … acts as a catalyst to my abilities,” said the Sigel looking embarrassed. “And I was born with the ability to see malevolent spirits. So when I found out that dangerous entities were threatening my home, I ah...put two and two together. And then went on from there …,”
The look that Lorenzo was giving him made Xiu wished that he hadn’t done any of those things. In the bright light of day and from the comfort of the necromancer’s office, it was starting to look like a harebrained scheme.
___________
Lorenzo directed the sort of stricken look that was lingering on his face at the sword Xiu had presented to him.
“Magical weapons,” he said hollowly. “The number of times they’ve slipped into some untrained supernaturalist’s hands and wreaked havoc.”
He shook his head. “It seems like your problem is very likely my problem, after all.” he decided grimly. “I hate to have to tell you this, but it seems like your actions have very likely thrown the balance of life and death into question.”
Pulling the sanrio notepad over, he scribbled on it for a moment and held it up to Xiu, explaining: “The world has many types of energy, and, as you know, there are people who are sensitive to certain types of energy and can sense it or harness it for their own purposes, especially in countries like Gaia, where different types of energy tend to converge. You seem to be one of the people who is sensitive in some part to these energies. I am someone who can harness it.” He shrugged uncomfortably and said, “Life energy is a little different from other types of energy in that there’s more of it, and it needs to be constantly recycled. This process is pretty flexible- necromancers like myself can harness it and redirect it into corpses and such without disrupting anyone else’s lifestyles, and sometimes it even gets redirected by people who die with a strong desire to accomplish something or hurt someone else- making what people often define as monsters. Other people can linger behind just as spirits, unable to stay in their corporeal forms, but still powerful enough to disrupt the recycling process and linger in the world of the living as imprinted energy.”
“If you’re still following me, the process of recycling this lingering energy is something complicated and dangerous. As a necromancer, I’m bound by rules and regulations, just as exorcists and every other kind of professional who deals with this energy in any way. If I were to just go around resurrecting everything dead I came across, I’d cause too great a disruption in the process of recycling. That’s one of the reasons why necromancers are more common than they were in the bad old stories where you’d hear about an evil sorcerer raising an undead army- because we’ve found ways to control the damage that tampering with that energy can cause.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t believe that you had bad intentions, Xiu, and if you want my help, I can certainly try to fix this now that I know the cause. But I need your full cooperation to do so, because death magic demands responsibility for one’s actions, and in this case, you are the actor, not me.” He cleared his throat. “And I must also insist that you receive proper training if you continue to use this sword to exorcise spirits. Exorcism is a wonderful profession, but like with any career, there are rules and there is training that must be completed for a reason. If you’d like, I can put you in touch with a few of my contacts, but you must try to understand how to use your abilities responsibly no matter what.” He smiled wanly. “Are you still with me?”
_____
Xiu listened to the gravity of his deeds worriedly. The spiritual world seemed more complicated that he had been led to believe. Nodding slowly at Lorenzo’s explanation, the Sigel looked worried at the mention of being held accountable for his actions. Technically, he knew that it was fair but it made him uneasy all the same. It is never fun when one had to face up to the consequence of their actions and the Sigel was beginning to feel weight of those words.
“Yes, I understand,” said Xiu carefully. “And learning how to better use my abilities responsibly seem like a good idea. Sorry if this is causing you and your community undue trouble,”
“I-I am prepared to cooperate in any way necessary,” said Xiu earnestly. “ If I can mitigate the effects of my actions, I wish to do so,”
_____
Lorenzo smiled. “Well, that’s progress, then,” he said, and started pushing the debris in his office out of the way to make a large clear space on the floor. “My role in this process,” he explained, getting up to rummage through his desk again, “Will be as a conduit. As a mortal, I cannot judge you for a transgression between life and death, I can only tell you what went wrong. The only being who could fix an imbalance on this scale would be a death god, so I’m going to summon the death god I have a contract with, Veles.” He set aside a few loose papers, smoothing any dust bunnies off the wooden floor. “Now, normally I would have to run this all by the licensed necromancer committee, but as a favor to Lab 305, and against my better judgement, I am going to keep this under my hat. The reprisals that you face from Veles will likely be bad enough without further complicating the matter.”
He pulled a piece of chalk out and a small kit, placing them on the floor next to him and starting to draw the shape of a circle on the ground in chalk. “Necromancers generally make contracts with death gods whose religious following has waned over the centuries. Veles is a Slavic god, which is one of the reasons why I was sent to deal with the rusalka Vesna’s soul is. Now, formerly Veles was a fairly just god, but in the years since his religion has declined, he has fallen more into the tendencies of his, ah, other sphere of influence, which is as the god of tricksters. Well, he’s also the god of shepherds, and I’ve made some very nice sweaters from--” He coughed, “Anyway, the point is that you will have to be on your toes when you deal with him. I can help you, but I cannot speak for you. If you feel at any point like you are in danger, let me know, and we can summon a necromantic lawyer to represent you. At no point should you agree to something which you do not understand.”
He got up and dusted his knees off as the ornate chalk summoning circle was finished. Unfolding the kit, he took out a small, practical knife, and held it to his arm. “One last thing. I’ll need my full concentration during the summoning, so please stay still and quiet. Once Veles is amongst us, I will be free to talk, but not until then. First, his messengers, the Koledari will line the room. Those are masked figures. He will be the last figure to emerge.” He flicked open the knife and said, “Let me know when you’re ready. To speak with him, I must part with some of my blood in the circle, and since you are the one with business with him, so must you. Don’t use the sword- I have another knife in the kit, and they’ve both been thoroughly sanitized. And don’t go overboard, either- just a very small incision is more than enough.”
________
“You are going to summon a Death God here? Now?” exclaimed Xiu with alarm when the necromancer fished out a piece of chalk from the contents of his desk. Never before had the Sigel seen anyone do a summon with such a nonchalant manner. Usually it involved lots of physical and mental preparation as well as a good amount of stress and agitation from the summoner who had to do it in an abandoned murder house at midnight on a full moon.
But then again those were from books of the wrong kind.
Floating nervously in a corner while Lorenzo drew a summoning circle, Xiu was surprised when the mention of a necromantic lawyer was made. “There are lawyers for such transactions?” said the Sigel with some incredulity. “If I had known…,”
Perhaps it was better if he did not go into the details of his unsupervised negotiations with a trickster back when he was frei. It was getting complicated enough as it is. Floating over to Lorenzo and picking up the offered blade, Xiu flicked the knife open and observed the necromancer’s actions. When the incision was made and blood dripped into the circle, the Sigel followed suit, cutting a small slit in his palm and letting his white blood fall into the summoning circle. With baited breath, the Raevan stood at ready.
________
“Since he’s a death god I have an established contract with, the process isn’t too involved for me,” he reassured. “It’ll be draining, certainly, but not dangerous for you.” The ‘for you’ lingered in the air a little ominously. He cleared his throat. “And I’ll be fine, too. Normally I don’t summon him often, but he is a fairly weak death god, as things go, though of course his power still far outstrips that of a mortal. As for lawyers, I’ll give you one’s card after all this is over. Er, if you ever find yourself in this kind of situation again. But, you know, try not to. Find yourself in this situation again, that is.”
Outstretching his arm, he made a quick but precise incision, drawing blood which hit the floor with a soft plip.
He watched at Xiu lifted the knife to do the same. “Don’t worry,” were the last words he said, then he held a finger to his lips for silence, clenched and unclenched his outstretched fist, and began to chant in an ancient tongue.
As he did so, every light in the house grew dim, then snuffed out entirely. The darkness was not just darkness, but blackness, suffocating sound itself. Then, the chalk circle began to glow blue, as did Lorenzo’s own eyes, his mouth still reciting almost robotically. Around Xiu, blue lights began to zip by, and around the whole office, maybe the whole house. Ghosts of mice, insects, birds, anything that could have ever lived and died in the house, their features worn and faded, but glowing brightly.
From the circle, a silhouette emerged, then somehow solidified, turning into a masked shape in a heavy, dark cloak. It went to the edge of the room, and was soon followed by another, another, another, until the walls were lined with figures in masks. Lorenzo’s eyes glowed brighter, and the mess scattered in the room began to lift off the ground ever so slightly as the largest figure yet emerged, then there was a solid thump as the mess landed again and Lorenzo’s head flopped downwards, almost like he had lost consciousness. The figure formed fully, a man dressed in heavy, dark wool, adorned with many, many masks, and wearing one that had the features of a sheep. He had a heavy beard, a sharp smile, and smelled like sheep and springtime.
The lights snapped back on, and Lorenzo came to, sweeping the figure a respectful and cautious bow, which the figure returned. It spoke in the same ancient tongue Lorenzo had chanted in, a rumbling sound, which Lorenzo returned, before gesturing to Xiu and explaining something, an exchange too short to relay any of his circumstances but one:
“Ah,” said the figure, in modern language. “How rare of you to summon me in service of another.” His gaze turned to Xiu, and the gaze of every masked koledari in the room turned with him.
“You are in the presence of Veles,” he introduced, “And I would know what you seek.”
Nearby, Lorenzo suggested, “A respectful bow is the ordinary greeting.”
Veles waved a hand in dismissal. “If his story is amusing, I can forgo the formality. So, mortal. Amuse me.” ________
The hairs on the back of Xiu’s neck stood when the chant began. Those words, although indecipherable to the Sigel, carried with them a certain sense of foreboding and unease. When blackness engulfed the house, Xiu resisted the urge to break free and make a grab for his sword as instincts were screaming at him to do. Around him, spectres of living creatures spiralled and swirled, fading in and out of focus as their silhouette traversed across the room.
Then, a figure manifested out of the summoning circle. Followed by another and another. The Sigel felt vulnerable, trapped as they encircled the room. Turning to Lorenzo, Xiu noticed that the necromancer’s eyes were glowing in a hue similar to that of the summoning circle. Unnerved Xiu tried diverting his gaze to something a little less disconcerting but between the encircling masked figures, the swirling remnants of creatures long past and the worrying summoning circle, the Sigel found it hard to do so.
It did not help that items around the room were beginning to levitate. Once again Xiu found himself wishing that he had his sword with him. The ever increasing mass of negative energy was putting him on edge. That was why he hated visiting museums, antique shops and cemeteries. The stale energy that flowed from them drained him.
The circle seemed to be glowing ever brighter and Xiu had to squint in order to observe the figure that emerged from within it. Massive and towering, the being landed with a heavy thud onto the bare wooden floor. When it spoke, the being’s voice rumbled and reverberated across the tiny room. Thankfully Lorenzo seemed prepared for this and after a brief explanation, the towering being switched his tongue to that of the modern language.
“Veles, Slavic god of death, I am Xiu, a raevan created by man. I seek your aid. I-I have done a grave travesty upon the balance of life and death on Gaia and I wish to remedy it,” said Xiu as he stared into the depths of Veles’s gaze.
“I have been engaging hostile phantoms in combat and expunging them from this living plane but now I am told that my actions have begun to affect the living. I...do not wish this,”said Xiu as he tried his best to to remain calm. The presence of Lorenzo beside him aided in this endeavour greatly and the Sigel was grateful for that.
________
As soon as Xiu identified himself by name, Veles appeared to be almost half-listening, and when he finished speaking, Veles was silent for a while still. Then, though it was hard to tell under the mask and the beard, he cracked a wide smile and laughed. His masks all trembled as though they were laughing with him, and the mask on his face shifted, and the room seemed to shift with it, a twist in reality which at first seemed to mark his departure. Once the eyes adjusted, though, it became apparent that there was still a figure standing where Veles had once stood, but she was a woman, a slender brunette who was the spitting image of Hazeline Lee.
“You remind me of someone I once knew,” she said, and her voice sounded like Xiu’s guardian, but it had a strange quality to it, almost echoing. “Rather, one who, like me, has become much diminished. He, too, leapt to stop injustice without ever considering the consequences.”
She strode over to Lorenzo’s desk and leaned back in his chair. The koledari were still focused completely on Xiu, and she soon turned to follow their gaze. “Chaos caused by mortals should be something only mortals have to suffer. You’ve caused a small stir amongst the gods to the dead, you know. And I see that your actions have run this volhov ragged, too.” She gestured at Lorenzo.
“By all rights, I should let you suffer your folly forever. It’s what the old me would have liked. But nothing interesting has come of my godhood in a long time, and mortal volhov these days are so responsible as to be dull. Though this summoning shows that they still have their little surprises, I suppose.”
She steepled her fingers. “I can restore the balance of life and death, diminished though I am. If the souls in my underworld were to roam the world of the living for a time, balance could restore itself without further mishap.” Picking up Lorenzo’s Sanrio notebook, she flipped the pages idly. “But even if your folly doesn’t haunt you for eternity, there still must be a price.” She grinned. “I mean, there doesn’t have to be. But an empty underworld is a boring underworld, and the situation isn’t quite funny enough for me to inconvenience myself for free.”
She pursed her lips. “Still… It’s been so long since I was able to demand a price from a mortal who wasn’t one of his kind.” She gestured at Lorenzo again. “So what interesting type of thing are you willing to pay?”
________
Xiu uttered a gasp of alarm when Veles took on the form of his guardian, Hazeline. Immediately the Sigel could feel his heart racing and his shoulders heavy with shame at his guardian’s disapproving gaze. It was hard trying to keep his eyes on Veles, who was now even speaking with his guardian’s voice. Logic and reasoning told him that this was just a facade. He had even seen Veles transform into Hazeline before his eyes. But it nevertheless unnerved him.
When the being began reprimanding him though, the Sigel could only lower his head in acquiescence. He had done wrong regardless of what his intentions were and this was the pill he had to swallow.
When a fee was mentioned though, the Sigel was immediately wary. He had done this before and had not come away unscatched. Memories of that terrible incident flashed through his mind, of being speechless and silent for so long. Of being horrified to know that his voice had been traded for a love whose design was to end in tragedy had Cesc and him not interfered.
The Sigel’s rune glowed brightly for an instant as he weighed his options. A part of him wanted nothing more to do with this being and its flippant desire for a trade. But the sensible part warned him about behaving out of line. He had been cautioned that a due was required and had agreed to it. It was time that he kept his end of the bargain.
“My sword, I can offer you the sword with which I vanquish malevolent entities. Without it, I will no longer be able to wreck mayhem amongst the undead,” said Xiu quietly.
________
Lorenzo nodded encouragingly, but Veles frowned, leaning idly on Lorenzo’s desk.
“A powerful magical sword… Lightly used.” She walked up to Xiu and examined it, but shook her head.
“Interesting, but if I take this away from you and you can’t make the same mistake that got you into this situation, you won’t actually have any proof that you’ve learned anything.” She strode back over to the desk and sat down. “And while your sword is certainly powerful, I don’t find it to be terribly amusing.”
“You must give him more than that to work from,” Lorenzo insisted.
“I don’t see why,” Veles complained. “If it’s easier for him, so the worse for the lesson. And you did summon me to judge him, correct? If he’s someone I deem worthy of aiding, then he will be clever enough to make a deal with me that both pleases me and saves him a great deal of trouble. If he is dull-witted, he will sacrifice a great deal more than I would have settled for to get perhaps half of the help I am able to provide him with.”
She kicked her feet up on the table. “My volhov there, and all my volhov are clever little mortals. So I assume that if one of them summoned me to meet with you, it must mean he has some faith that you will be clever, too.”
“This situation goes beyond faith or cleverness,” Lorenzo argued. “It affects the gods as well.”
“And any god could fix it,” Veles drawled. “If your friend cannot make good on a deal with me, he can surely ask another necromancer to help him find a better way to repent.”
Lorenzo opened his mouth to protest, but as he did, a tentative knock came on the door of his office.
“Da-aaad,” a voice said from the other side. “The power’s all weird, and Buddy’s freaking out. What’s going on in there?”
“Oh, nothing!” Lorenzo said, his voice suddenly full of strangled cheer. “I tripped over a, uh, cord of some kind.”
Veles seemed piqued by the visitor. “Come in,” she said in Lorenzo’s voice. Coming from Hazeline’s mouth, the effect was bizarre.
The door opened, and Vesna floated in uncertainly, holding her still-powered 3DS with the screen tilted towards her chest. “You never let me come in here--” she said, then, when she processed the scene before her, she laughed. “Are you having a party in here or something?” Pointing to the koledari, she added, “Even your parties look weird.” She noticed Xiu next and seemed even more confused to see a strange raevan. “Are you my dad’s friend, too?” she asked. “I’m Vesna, I’m a frei! Well, duh, I guess. It’s nice to meet you, though!”
________
It was awkward to see the being in Hazeline’s form talk and act that way. Hazeline had always been somewhat of an introvert and seeing her striding from one place to another in such a confident manner unnerved the Sigel. Watching her closely as she inspected and subsequently rejected the sword, Xiu felt himself raking his brain for a suitable offer. What could a deity of the Underworld possibly want from mere mortals as Veles was in the habit of saying.
Whatever it was, it seemed that he would have to think hard and fast about his next offer for Veles was already beginning to look bored.
It was then that a cautious knock on the office door was heard and the voice of a young girl addressing Lorenzo came through. Before anyone had time to stop her though, Veles had invited her in.
The tensed atmosphere of the room seemed to take on a decidedly lighter mood.
“N-Nice to meet you too, Vesna,” said Xiu, taken aback by her friendliness. Glancing sideways towards the stunned necromancer, Xiu wondered how the negotiations should proceed with the frei present. “We were just having a rather important discussion…,”
________
“Oh!” said Vesna. “Well, I think pepperoni.”
“...What?” Lorenzo said, bewildered.
“Pizza, right? The most important party decision.” She went on, “I mean, I can’t eat it yet, but pepperoni’s a classic.” She seemed to realize something and asked, “I mean, unless anyone’s vegetarian??”
“More important than pizza. Vesna, you’re really not qualified to be here right now--”
“No,” Veles interrupted. “No, go on, Vesna.”
“Her blood isn’t in part of the summoning circle,” Lorenzo seized upon desperately.
“But she asked to be invited in,” Veles said smoothly.
“Yeah, don’t go having a party without me,” Vesna whined. “You haven’t had time for anything but work lately.”
“Vesna!” Lorenzo persisted, “Don’t you have to get back to your game?”
Vesna looked down at her 3DS screen. “Well,” she said, a tad coldly, “I guess it’s more interesting than a Dad party I wasn’t even invited to.”
“Game?” Veles asked, striding over to Vesna.
“Yeah!” Vesna grinned up at the strange woman. “It’s the new Moon Factory. I’ve played through, like, three different routes by now, but I really want to try them all since all the characters in this one are really cute.” She thrust the 3DS towards Veles, who took it and examined it as if it was something she’d never seen before. “See, in this one you can be royalty?? And also a farmer and a warrior of justice,” Vesna continued. “And your best friend’s a phoenix. Well, my best friend is a nymph. Like, IRL. Her name’s Eden, but she doesn’t really game much.”
“Game…” Veles repeated. “And what are you?” she asked, looking up from the screen into Vesna’s eyes. “You seem familiar somehow.”
Lorenzo shook his head furiously.
“Well, my soul is a rusalka, but I’m a raevan,” Vesna said flippantly. Turning to Xiu, she asked, “What’s your soul? You look super cool! Is that sword real??”
________ The situation was fast becoming out of hand; even before the mention of pepperoni pizza. Xiu watched the interaction unfolding before him as one would a trainwreck. It was happening but there was no way to stop it.
It was not long before Vesna’s attention shifted to the white Sigel. Deciding it was better to ride the current than fight against it, the Sigel gave the friendly Frei a bewildered smile. “I am Xiu and I have a Pi Yao for my soul. And yes, the sword is real. Please be careful with it,” cautioned the Sigel worriedly when Vesna floated over to inspect it. The last thing the Sigel needed was for Lorenzo’s charge to hurt herself in this rather awkwardly balanced situation.
While this was going on, the Sigel could not help noticing that Veles had once again shifted her attention to the gaming console before her. There were short beeps when the deity initiated wrong instructions to the characters in the game.
“It is not my place to say this but, Vesna, I was wondering if you could possibly let the nice lady over there have your console,” said Xiu before leaning over and whispering quickly “I will buy you a new one. Promise,” ________
“Don’t,” Lorenzo interrupted. “Give it to Xiu. Trade him for something.”
“What??” Vesna asked incredulously. “I’m not just gonna hand out my stuff as party favors. Why can’t you give them your books or something, huh?”
Veles looked up from the game to watch this exchange, a flicker of amusement on her face. The room shifted again, and Vesna clutched at her head, spinning around to see what was going on. “Wha-”
Sitting at the desk was a teenage boy in a somewhat implausible fantasy outfit, a smirk plastered on his face. Vesna gaped. “That’s… You’re… But you’re supposed to be in the game!”
The otome character dangled her 3DS from his hand. “I take it back, volhov. The man is clever. Or,” he glanced at Vesna, “He is lucky.” Looking back to Lorenzo, he chided, “But you, volhov. Tonight, you have been foolish. Or perhaps unlucky.”
Walking over to stand next to Xiu, he announced, “Vesna, I find you very charming! You have gained many heart points from me.” Comically, a bar of pink hearts appeared over his head as he spoke. “But you still need to finish this special event, I think.” He handed her the 3DS back and asked, “With no hints from the participants, will you trade this man your precious game?”
Vesna floated back a bit. “I, uh,” She glanced over to Lorenzo, who looked pale and anxious.
“Yeah. Yeah, I’ll give it to him. Xiu, um…” She held up her hand in the gesture for a high five. “Gimme five?” ___________
Apparently Veles had sharper ears than the Sigel gave him credit for. In an instant, the deity had shifted its look to that of a young man with a shock of blue hair and stunning yellow eyes, Had Xiu himself not been a raevan or met other raevans, he’d have thought that the character was overdoing it. When the being spoke though, the Sigel felt a shiver down his spine. Did Veles know that luck manipulation was something he possessed? Not that he was using that skill at the moment but the choice of words and the being’s penchant for teasing made it seem more than mere coincidence.
Being warned to keep his silence while Vesna was left to make a choice, Xiu felt his heart beat rapidly. What would the young Frei do? They had hardly known each other and already he was asking her to give up her game. And being forbidden to tell her the gravity of the situation at hand.
But Vesna pulled through and Xiu watched stunned as she approached him with a raised hand. Unable to believe his luck, the Sigel returned the high-five albeit shakily before turning to the aggressively style teen on the desk. “May I offer you a trade now?” asked the Sigel uncertainly.
“World balance for umm...that,”
“It’s a 3DS,” whispered the Frei in a tone Xiu had heard children reserve for archaic individuals.
“Err...yeah, the 3DS for that,” said the Sigel weakly.
___________
“A box full of worlds for the fate of one world,” Veles summarized. “The deed is done.” Still in the guise of the teenage otome game character, he strode into the middle of the room and drew a circle in the air. A new light shone where he drew, and the smell of a damp marsh filled the air. Vesna grew pale and faint, reaching halfheartedly for something to hold onto.
Veles watched her with some amusement. “It’s the world you belong in, rusalka,” he said. “Don’t tell me that life in the mortal world has turned you sick of it?”
“Her place is here,” Lorenzo said sternly. “And you have a job to do.”
Veles raised his eyebrows, but spoke a sharp command in the ancient tongue that he and Lorenzo had first addressed each other in. There was a rushing noise and a wailing as souls flew forth from the circle, choking the air with their very presence. They all seemed to brush against Veles almost affectionately before rushing through the walls, the windows, right through the bodies of the living congregated in the room, and into the icy December night.
“And it is done,” he said, gesturing broadly at the world inside the circle. “What an interesting thing you have asked me to do, and what amusing things I have seen tonight.” He met Lorenzo’s gaze again, and added, “Things I’ll not soon forget.”
The koledari around the room vanished one by one, and then when only Veles remained, he turned to Xiu once more. “You seem to have a penchant for getting into trouble. Your father was not pleased with what you did, you know.” Grinning, he said, “I helped you this once, but a word of warning: your family feud is of no interest to me.”
And with that, he vanished, leaving nothing but the feel of damp and springtime. The moment he did, Lorenzo scuffed a line through the circle with his foot, then, once it was well destroyed, collapsed to the ground, taking deep and careful breaths. ___
As the souls poured through the portal Veles created, Xiu instinctively grabbed Vesna and shielded her from the onslaught of supernatural entities. The force of their entry was suffocating and in its midst, the Sigel’s rune glowed brightly.
Then, as soon as it happened, the flow stopped and all that was left were the two raevans, Lorenzo and the Slavic God. With his heart still pounding in his throat, Xiu stared at Veles with incomprehension. Father? Family feud? Just what was Veles talking about?
But it seemed as though the deity was done with conversations. In the blink of an eye, Veles had disappeared, leaving the room feeling unnaturally empty and quiet. Gingerly letting Vesna go, Xiu turned to Lorenzo. “I-Is it over?”
___
“It’s over,” Lorenzo reassured him. “The natural order should be restored. I’ll report to the licensed necromancers’ committee that Veles came to tell me that the gods chose to intervene. I don’t know if they’ll believe me, but involving you in the kinds of punitive restrictions that the committee would place on you would only hinder your ability to seek proper training from this point out. And you will seek proper training, correct…?”
“What is over,” Vesna interrupted, her voice rising an octave in alarm. “What was all that? Who did I just give my 3DS to?”
“Your 3DS,” Lorenzo said, gingerly as possible, “Now belongs to a Slavic death god.”
Vesna made a noise of disgust. “Can’t I even play Moon Factory in peace without Russian traditions ruining it for me?”
Lorenzo laughed, genuinely laughed, maybe for the first time that evening. It was a weak laugh, nonetheless. “You did well, Xiu. Truly. I’ve never seen a person get away with giving Veles so little in return for so much.”
“A 3DS is a lot!” Vesna insisted. “It took me, like, weeks of begging to get one. You made me make a presentation!” She turned to Xiu. “You’re getting me a new one, right? That high five wasn’t really great.”
______
Xiu felt his shoulders sag with relief. “Y-Yes, I will. I won’t do something this foolhardy. Ever again,”
Laughing along with Lorenzo over Vesna’s indignance, Xiu shook his head. “Vesna saved me. If she had not shown Veles that...3DS, none of this would have been possible,”
“So yes, Vesna. I will be getting you a new 3DS. With the games that came with the old one, if you wish it,” said the Sigel, unaware of the cost of console games. “I made a promise did I not?”
Then turning to Lorenzo, Xiu’s voice took on a more serious tone. “And what do I owe you? If you had not helped, I don’t think I’d be smiling like this right now,”
______
“We did,” Vesna confirmed. “I’ll have my people contact your people with the details.” She picked up the Sanrio notepad that Veles had left discarded on Lorenzo’s desk and started making a list that was maybe only a little longer than what she had actually lost.
“If I charged you money on top of what I’m sure Vesna’s going to hit you with, I doubt you could afford it,” Lorenzo joked, “And even if you could, you certainly wouldn’t be smiling.” He walked over to the desk as well, and pulled something out of the top drawer. “Instead, take some of these cards. All of these people are licensed exorcists. Ask them to teach you and find one who works. And this,” he pulled out another business card, “Is the contact information for a legal firm that specializes in necromantic law.” He drummed his fingers on the table thoughtfully. “As for my payment, we’ll just say you owe me one next time I need an exorcist. If you’re done with training. Sound fair?”
Vesna finished with her own list and pulled it out of the notebook, handing it to Xiu with a flourish. “These are the ones we need to get. And if I don’t get to come along and pick, just know that the 3DS has to be pink.” _______
Xiu pocketed the list of contacts carefully and held out his hand to the necromancer. “That is fair. Thank you very much, Lorenzo,”
By this time, Vesna had apparently completed her rather extensive list of games. Glancing through them and nodding solemnly, Xiu folded the piece of paper and tucked it into his pocket along with the cards. “I shall keep that in mind,” said the Sigel with his most serious expression. “I will not let you down,”
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Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 7:38 am
~:Letting You Go:~
The ride home to Barton was blissfully uneventful. As the bus trundled along familiar streets, Xiu allowed himself a moment’s respite. All in all, he was glad that the issue could be resolved as quickly as he did and he really had Cesc, Lorenzo and Vesna to thank for that.
The White Sigel smiled. The young Frei was really quite a handful but it was lucky that she appeared when she did. Had it not been for her 3DS, he might not have walked away unscatched. Lorenzo had warned that the cost of the sacrificed console and its games would cause a dent in his wallet but compared to the past injuries he had faced, that seemed like a small price to pay. It helped that Hazeline, his guardian had been generous with his monthly allowances.
The bus finally rattled to a tired stop at Barton station. From there, it was but a fifteen minute walk to the bookstore where he lived. While the Sigel still did not relish the thought of explaining himself to his guardian, recent events had made that problem seem small in comparison. He would be frank and he would be honest and he would apologize. Then he would call Lazarus up and apologize to him as well. Perhaps even arrange a small dinner date with the fiery Sigel.
Xiu allowed himself a small smile. Yes, it was going to be alright now. Gaia’s supernatural world would be overrun with Slavic ghosts but Lorenzo was confident that over time, as the general ghostly population of Gaia increased, these transient ghosts would gradually return to Veles and his underworld. Xiu decided he could live with that.
The bookstore was within sight now and with the promise of a warm bath a clean clothes, the white Sigel quicken his pace.
“I’m home,” said Xiu as he unlocked the front door and floated it. “Hazeline, Joshua, Mrs. Bedievier, I am back,”
Odd. The house seemed silent and yet it was certainly not empty. Hazeline’s car had been in the parking slot of the bookstore so she was definitely home.
A sense of unease was beginning to gnaw at him. Hastily floating up, Xiu was surprised to find his guardian sitting expectedly on the sofa of the living room. And Lazarus was beside her. Joshua and Mrs. Bedievier was nowhere to be seen.
Blue eyes flicking from one figure to the next, Xiu stared uncertainly at the two figures before him. “Hazeline? Lazarus? What’s going on?” asked Xiu worriedly. “Did something...happen?”
“Sit down Xiu,” said Hazeline, her voice curt and her expression tensed. “We need to talk,”
“Hazeline? Is something wrong? Is someone hurt?” asked Xiu with mounting panic. Did Joshua get into an accident of some sort?
“No, Xiu. We- Lazarus and I are here to have a talk with you,” said Hazeline reluctantly. “You did not return home last night and Lazarus told me what went on in the park. Xiu, explain yourself, “
Like a deer caught in the headlights, Xiu could only stare from one silent and determined figure to the next. Despite his best efforts, Xiu could feel himself getting defensive. It was not...fair.
But he could not let his recklessness get the better of him. Not this time. They were owed an explanation and he had promised himself that he would sort it out. Only, he did not expect it to come so soon.
Floating over to an empty armchair beside Hazeline, Xiu steeled himself. He had done it twice already. He could do it a third time.
---
As Xiu’s story progressed, Hazeline could only listen with amounting horror. From hunting malevolent entities viciously at night to striking deals with the gods of the the underworld, Xiu’s tale seemed like the stuff sagas. Not something a normal person should nor want to encounter.
How could Xiu, amiable and helpful Xiu do that?
But from Lazarus’s grim expression, Hazeline knew that every word spoken was true. Beneath the Sigel’s currently meek and humble demeanor lay a fierce and stubborn soul that would burn itself out before it allowed anything to harm its family. Xiu’s recently shattered wings were a testament to that.
Her raevan could not go on harming himself like this.
Guess there was no other choice.
“Xiu,” said Hazeline softly and felt terrible when her Raevan flinched as if struck. “This can’t go on, you know that right?”
The Sigel before her nodded slightly but his body appeared tense.
“Please know that this is for the best,”
“Hazeline, what do you mean? Lazarus?” stammered Xiu as he glanced to his partner who refused to meet his gaze. “E-Everything’s alright now. I’m sorry I made you worry but really, it is all under control ,”
“You keep saying that but you can’t help but throw yourself into harm’s way,” said Hazeline with an unhappy sigh. “And you do it heedlessly and selflessly,”
“Xiu, it is time you paid a little more attention to yourself,”
“I’m not sure I am following you…,”
“Xiu, what I am saying…,” said Hazeline as she slowly extracted a small package from her purse and offered it to the stunned Pi Yao “Is that from here on out, I am releasing you from further obligations to this family. Live your life as you choose and know that I shall support your choices. Just ...don’t go risking your life for our sake anymore, Xiu,”
--- The blow came as sudden as it was unexpected. For a moment, the Sigel could not breathe. It was as though his world had collapsed with the denunciation of his duties. Duties? No, he did it because they were family. Because he had wanted to do it.
…
Right?
A traitorous memory emerged. He had been terrified of the pain he felt when his wings shattered. Then the fear had evolved into paranoia when he realized that should any harm come onto his family, he’d experience that same pain once more. He had been zealous in his hunt in order to reduce the chances of a disaster befalling his family. So that he would not be hurt again…
But he did not want this!
Horrified but seemingly paralysed with shock, Xiu watched as Hazeline got up and placed the neatly wrapped package in his hands.
“I obtained this amulet when you surrendered your soul to me. Now, I am giving it back,” said Hazeline as she pressed the bundle into Xiu’s hands. “Consider yourself relieved of your duties,”
When the Sigel failed to respond, Hazeline beckoned Lazarus over as she herself stepped back. It was time to let her Sigel go. It was for the best.
Lazarus had been waiting with Hazeline since the morning. They had a long talk about what happened and had an extensive discussion on what might be going on and what they should do. And this was their conclusion.
The Valsaros had stayed quiet, listening to Xiu’s extensive tale and letting Hazeline do all the talking. He felt like this was a family matter, and he has little control over the effects and what is happening to Xiu. As the Sigel had proven to him yesterday. His frown tightened as he recalled the memory. The Xiu before him now was so different from the one at the park. Even if understood all Xiu had to go through to change back to the Sigel that he knew, he still sent a chill down his spine at the mere memory of his icy blue eyes.
Lazarus actually hesitated for a second when Hazeline beckoned him over. However, stepping up, he walked towards Xiu. This was a difficult moment for the Sigel, that he understood. And this should be Xiu’s moment’s, not his. He should focus on the Sigel, he should support Xiu. He went up next to Xiu and placed a gentle hand on the Sigel’s back. He wanted Xiu to know that whatever happens, he would be right next to him all the way. That Xiu could lean on him.
The touch of Lazarus’s hand against his back seemed to break the spell of paralysis that had befallen the white raevan. Reaching out and taking the Valsaros’s hand in his, the Sigel silently held onto them for a long while as though deriving strength from their warmth. Beneath him, indicative of the internal turmoil that the white raevan was feeling, Xiu’s rune flickered erratically.
Hazeline watched as her raevan seemed to be struggling to cope with the current situation. Part of her wanted to reach out to Xiu, to take it all back. But that was not meant to be. Xiu had to live for himself now. He could not continue a life of being subconsciously bound to servitude, however much he might deny it.
As Lazarus and Xiu remained side by side; as still as paintings, Hazeline made to leave.
“Hazeline, wait,”
The guardian turned around and noticed that her raevan had left his seat and was now floating before her; his tremulous rune now settling back to its gentle glow. Contrary to how he had been only moments before, the Sigel’s expression was now calm and composed and he carried himself with quiet dignity.
When their eyes met, the Sigel gave his guardian a respectful bow, his hands holding onto the amulet she had so recently given him.
“If that is your wish, then I shall humbly accept it,” said Xiu. “Thank you, Hazeline,”
At this point, the guardian hugged her raevan.
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2017 6:39 am
~:The Taste of Freedom (Part 1):~
Five minutes before the alarm clock rang, the Sigel awoke and stretched. The birds outside were already chirping and soon the smell of dark coffee would waft through the house. Then, another day at the bookstore. Another day of tending to the …
Xiu flopped back down onto his mattress, momentarily stunned. He need not do them. Hazeline had told him so. His guardian had dismissed him. Spectacularly so.
Of course, it would only be a matter of time before he snuck his way back into the running of the bookstore (Xiu already had an excuse ready. It would be to legally earn his bed and board. Hazeline was free to draft out a letter of offer if she wished) but for now the Sigel suspected that his guardian would not be too pleased if this strategy was brought forth prematurely.
Curled up against the warmth of his blankets, Xiu relished the sensation.
For all of five minutes.
Then he was up again.
No reason to let discipline fall apart at the drop of a hat. He could put this recently acquired time to good use.
A sumptuous and leisurely breakfast with a good book to read, for example.
Yes, it would be easy to redirect one’s attention to the simple pleasures in life.
Hazeline was at the breakfast table by the time the Sigel left his room. Like him, his guardian’s typical schedule ran like clockwork. Today was no different it seemed.
“Since it is the weekend, I will be tending to the bookstore today,” said Hazeline as her raevan joined her at the table. “Mrs. Bedievier will help run it during the weekdays when I am at work,”
Xiu laughed. “Not going to let me help out huh?”
“Nope, not at all,” said his guardian with a shake of her head. “Your one and only current job, is to focus on rest and relaxation. Doctor’s orders,”
“You don’t mean…,”
“Yep, the one and the same,” said Hazeline with a grin. “Didn’t think we were going to be that worried, did you?”
“I’m really sorry,” said Xiu feeling ashamed of his wanton recklessness. “I had no intention of worrying you and yet, I did it all the same,”
“It’s fine, Xiu. That’s essentially you. From Frei to…Sigel,” said Hazeline with an exaggerated sigh. “It seems that it is my lot in life to raise a raevan like you,”
Xiu smiled softly at his guardian’s attempt at humour. “About last night though…,”
“I meant every word of it,”
“Alright…,”
“So what will you do now?”
The Sigel grinned. “Breakfast in the park and then maybe…I will catch up on my reading,”
“Oh? Of what?”
“Sun Tzu’s Art of War,”
“Xiu!”
“Just kidding,”
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Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 7:11 am
~: Restless Search:~
Xiu woke up restless. But it wasn’t the foreboding restlessness that the Sigel had come to associate with the presence of spirits. No, this time around it felt different. It felt as though…he needed to find something. Something important.
Floating out of bed, the Sigel took note of the time displayed on his beside clock. It was eight thirty in the morning. He had slept for close to nine hours. A far cry from those long sleepless nights when he had been out hunting ghosts and later working in the bookstore to avoid suspicion. The Sigel smiled and stretched languidly. Those days were behind him now. From here on out (in the near future at least), his days seemed to be filled with nothing but sunshine, great food and (if the mood took him), afternoon naps. Such decadent living would have had the old him shaking his head in disbelief.
As he took to his morning ablution, the Sigel considered the day’s activity. He would head to the park to feed as he always did. Then…well, it really was a matter of putting one’s time to good use. He had already visited the museum the week before, went to the art gallery several days ago, visited the zoo yesterday and today the Sigel would find himself…
“Visiting temples,” said the Sigel softly to himself. This was then followed by a look of surprise. His family had never been very religious and Xiu himself had never taken the initiative to do so.
But temples were culturally important sites and there were bound to be historic ones on Gaia. A quick search on his smartphone would direct him to the more prominent ones to visit.
Alright then. thought the Sigel to himself. Temples it is.
---
The crowds of noisy tourists thronged the cobbled path leading up to one of the largest oriental temples in Gaia. Busloads of tourists (according to the website) would come here every day to visit the luck giving springs as well as to pay homage to the various deities that resided within the temple walls. Flanked on either side of the temple street were vendors of all kinds offering their wares. From food to knick-knacks, the street had a very festive feel to it. Xiu smiled, relishing the positive vibe of the area. It felt great.
As the Sigel followed the crowd up to the entrance however, something made him stop in his tracks. He was…unable to move on. Beside him, a middle-aged tourist brushed past and stepped through the main gates.
Surprised, the Sigel tried to enter the temple grounds once more but found himself unable to do so. Not without great effort.
As he tried a third time, a deep growl emanated within his mind. Leave. You are not wanted here
The Sigel backed out hurriedly and was met with the irate looks of tourists as they maneuvered around the stunned Sigel.
Bewildered, Xiu glanced around and found himself drawn to the two large and intimidating statues of lion dogs guarding the gates. Once more the threatening voice boomed in his mind A disgraced guardian is not welcomed here .
Heart thudding rapidly in his chest, the Sigel beat a hasty retreat and only stopped for a breather once some distance had been placed between him and those lion-dogs.
What just…happened?
Disgraced?
What did they mean by that?
He had been to temples before but had never experienced such an event. Of course, that was before…
Did being “freed” by Hazeline make him a disgraced guardian?
That was crazy. He should just forget about this and visit something else. And yet…
Now that he knew what he was looking for, Xiu could not abandon this sudden and intense desire to enter a temple.
Which shouldn’t be too hard as there were plenty of temples around. Right?
---
The evening found Xiu wandering up Old China Town in the outskirts of Barton. In the past, this place had been a busy business hub but as development moved away from the busy street, so had the people. Nowadays the place is mostly run and inhabited by the older members of society.
Nevertheless the town felt peaceful and Xiu found himself in a contemplative state. He still harboured a strange desire to set foot into temple grounds but oddly he was denied entry in all the places he had tried so far.
But as the sayings were wont to go, tomorrow was another day and with no commitments to speak of, the Sigel was in no rush. He would continue his search tomorrow. Just as the turned to leave, something made the Sigel pause to look around, a puzzled expression on his face. Then, as if drawn by invisible strings, the Sigel floated down a narrow branching path from the main street. Where the buildings along the main street were made out of mostly shops and businesses, the narrow lane was privy to the dwellings of the inhabitants of Old China Town. Back before cars had become a necessity.
Further on the narrow lane widened to reveal the setup of a morning wet market, the smells of the goods sold still tangible in the cool evening air.
In his quest the Sigel did not tarry long but pressed on, curiosity and anxiety building up as he came ever closer to his destination. Narrow streets and compact buildings soon gave way as Xiu emerged from the cramped dwellings to what may have served as a playground for the children of the past. Now all that remained was an empty patch of land with sparse grass eking out a living from the hardened soil. Beyond that however…
Xiu felt his breath caught in his throat. Another temple but this time, it was not as large or as intimidating as the others had been. Judging by its modest appearance and remote location, tourists were apt to give the place a pass.
Despite it all, Xiul once again felt the familiar draw. Just as he had with the other temples. Cautiously the Sigel approached the building but stopped short when he noticed the two Fu-dogs flanking the entrance. Feeling dispirited, the raevan floated uncertainly before the temple. He would not be able to set foot in there. Of that he was sure.
“Something troubling you young man?”
“Huh? Oh…umm… no. not really,” said Xiu turning around to see who had spoken.
The old man grinned. He was about as old as anyone Xiu had ever met and his hair as white and fine as dandelion fluff. “Afraid to go in? You shouldn’t be. Folks here won’t eat ya,”
“I-I know that,” said Xiu awkwardly. “It’s just that…,”
“I’ll let you in,” chuckled the old man. “Or I am afraid that curiosity’s going to get the better of ya,”
“Thanks but…you see,” said Xiu as he floated after the wizened human. Despite his sinewy appearance, the human held a steady pace. “I can’t…,”
“Oh why?” asked the human as he turned around to face Xiu. “Having some inner guilt? Religion’s the best cure for that,”
“No, no. It’s just that those Fu-dogs…,”
“Pay them no mind, I am letting you in after all,” said the old man with a dismissive wave. “They are there to guard against evil spirits and calamity. And stuff… which I take it that you are not?”
“No,” affirmed Xiu. “I am just a …a …,”
“Guardian?”
“Huh?” said Xiu looking stunned.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell,” said the old man with a smile as he took hold of the Sigel’s hand and drew him over the temple’s entrance. “I grew up my whole life here. And I have the knack for guessing these things,”
As he passed through the entryway, Xiu felt a momentary drag as though passing through a thin film. And then he was in.
“So,” said the old man with a grin. “Satisfied?”
The temple’s interior was small but not claustrophobicly so. With no other soul in sight, peace and tranquillity seemed to permeate its very being. Xiu took a deep breath and closed his eyes, his rune glowing brightly for a moment. Yes, this was the place. It felt right.
“Yes,” murmured the Sigel. “Yes, I am,”
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 5:12 am
~: Sporadic Diary Entry: ~
Turns out the old man from the temple is known locally as Old Man Tang. He was brought to the temple as an orphan a long time ago and now appears to be the sole caretaker of the place. Locals do come to worship and pay respects to the deities there. However, despite Old Man Tang’s meticulous efforts, the temple is showing its age.
I have attempted to fix what I can from tutorials and DIY videos but I am afraid that it would take a skilled hand to make any significant improvements on the place. Old Man Tang seems happy enough that the roof isn’t leaking anymore though.
The two lion-dogs guarding the gates have stopped being hostile to me. Apparently they viewed me as a threat to their position. Once I have made it clear that I had no plans to usurp their roles, they seemed welcoming enough. I am glad. Conflict is the last thing I wish to deal with at this point in time.
Hazeline is aware of my visits to the temple and while surprised, she seems supportive. I am glad to have Hazeline as my guardian.
On a more serious note, I have been sleeping a lot more lately. I do not know why this is so as my days are not strenuous. In fact, I currently live a life of idle luxury.
Hazeline reckons that it might be just my body trying to play catch up but she would highlight it in her report to Dr. Kyou if I felt it necessary.
I did. In all my life, I have never slept for fourteen hours at a stretch.
That was two days ago.
Yesterday, I clocked in eighteen hours of sleep.
Hopefully Dr. Kyou would be able to shed some light into this phenomena.
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2017 6:59 pm
If anyone's interested, the blank Progress Report template can be found in the provided link. Feel free to edit as required for your own raevan: Blank Progress Report
