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 Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 4:50 pm
He watched her curiously, hearing every word very very clearly. They seemed to hang in the air, to whisper and echo in his ears. They seemed gilded with gold and unfathomably sweet. To think she held such faith in him was uplifting and truly wonderful. He couldn't help it was his smile grew wider, the light in his eyes dancing to an inner pulse that for a brief minute he fancied was timed her own.
But as Danna continued, those words quickly turned sour, raking across his senses like a poorly tuned instrument. No longer were they beautiful words uttered by someone held dear; they were warped and twisted from true friendship from faith to.... devotion. A strange, almost fanatical devotion that went against everything Astaroth stood for. His features altered from delight to disgust, his smile warping into an ugly frown as the light left his eyes to be replaced by a dangerous glint.
Anger seeped into him, filled him utterly and it took every ounce of willpower he possessed not to strike her. This fanaticism that she displayed now rubbed him entirely the wrong way. Every Empyrean was equal - none were better then others. Each has a strength, a calling that he or she is fit for. How dare she assume that he would be so.... utterly egotistical as to believe he was capable of outshining every other Empyrean - including her? And to think he would seek the attention that would come with being the best made his lip curl. Astaroth was a creature best suited to the background. He preferred to work and learn alone, to help but not be the focus....
Slowly he shook his head. Her words stung. Stung ever so deeply. He had thought that perhaps she may have started to understand him, that he might be able to welcome her into his arms. And now this... the anger fell away suddenly, replaced by a hollow feeling that made him feel utterly cold. He didn't want a follower or somebody to worship him. He wanted... an equal. Someone he could confide in, could speak his mind without fear of reprimand or a 'yes man' attitude.
It seemed Danna wasn't that. She wouldn't see past his passions, couldn't look at him as a person. That strike a blow deeper then he would have thought. Gritting his teeth, he rose quietly, blinking furiously as he fought back the chill that had encompassed him. Casting a look at her as her gaze rose once more, he hoped she could at least understand the silent message his eyes carried. She had hurt him deeply.
Without a word, he left the table, bag and golem forgotten as his long legs carried him away in swift, silent strides. A moment later, Astaroth had disappeared out of sight. Where he would go now, he knew not. He only knew he had to be away from Danna before he either slapped her or burst into tears. He didn't want to hurt her. And he had hoped she would feel the same way.
He had been proven wrong.
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Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:00 pm
As Astaroth's expression changed Danna felt the cold of it numb her. She sat still, confused, in shock, lips a tight line and eyes stretched wide like a deer in the headlights. The so-called illumination she had thought she had reached felt now like a burn for which she could find no salve. She had been wrong about something. Something in her words, something in her voice perhaps had angered him. She felt her resolve decaying swiftly as if overtaken by a foul bacteria, and she found she was unable to move.
Astaroth rose and abandoned his belongings. Danna watched him helplessly, stunned and speechless. Astaroth left and the cold stare he'd given her burned brighter in her mind than his smile had. She felt the cold of the empty aisle around her. She heard, acutely, the sounds of the distant Library as though they came to her from far away. All of her euphoria and hope from a moment prior were no where to be found. She searched her heart, she wracked her mind and all she could find was a nameless horror, a terribly loathing for herself. It seemed everywhere in her, like a massive thorn bush that had overtaken her, revealing her to be weak, to be broken and crumbling. She felt her throat convulse in disgust as she fought to not vomit.
Hatred. It had been hatred, betrayal in the Melancholy's cold glance. And there had been nothing of the moments of friendship, of kindness, of pride in her that she had seen in passing. He had passed his judgement, and she had failed.
Danna felt her cheeks hot and wet, and blinking, realized she was weeping. The choked sounds of her thoat hurt her ears to hear, and she hiccoughed, trying vainly to stop the flow. She brought both fists to her eyes and shook her head, her entire torso shaking with wracking sobs. And then she saw it.
Lying on the table, alone and abandoned was Yggdrasil. She looked so out of place in all this ugliness... A creature of love and protection and friendship. Danna heard herself scream in horror, and cut the sound as quickly as she could, but the terrible noise seemed to ring in her ears. Heaving heavily, Danna grabbed her satchel, and leaving Yggdrasil on the tabletop she ran. She ran as fast as her legs would carry her and did not stop when she passed through the doors of the Library.
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Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:41 pm
As Astaroth meandered down the hall, lost in thought he moved to adjust the reassuring weight of his bag and found empty air. Stopping, he found himself caught in indecision - should he return and face Danna or simply collect the bag later? Despite how tender he felt, he realized abandoning his things had not been the best idea. He wasn't sure if he would be able to return to the Library later and so with a deep sigh he turned around and with feet dragging, returned to the library.
The slap of feet against the ground grabbed his attention and he looked up just in time to see Danna fleeing, the glitter of tears flowing from her face. He stopped dead, the hollowness inside of him deepening as that image burned itself into his mind. Opening his mouth to same something, he reached out but the hand fell limp by his side. She wouldn't want to see him right now, would she?
Biting his lower lip, he found his satchel untouched and slowly, he took its familiar weight. Gaze passing over the chairs pushed out in a haphazard way, he fought to keep from collapsing into one and withdrawing entirely into himself. He'd been hurt and now.... Danna's tear-stained face flashed brilliantly in his mind and he sagged as though a giant weight had fallen on him.
And there was Yggdrasil... Danna's and his efforts personified in a glorious golem. A culmination of the things they shared. Fingers trembling, he took the paper and clutched it to his chest, tears no longer threatening as the chill in his spine thawed. Something was terribly wrong. Utterly and completely amiss. It didn't settle well in his stomach and he felt sick. This wasn't right....
The image of Danna crying flashed in his mind once again and his frown turned into a thin determined line. Reverently, he pressed the drawing between the pages of his treasured book and gently pushed the chairs in.
She was crying because of him. He had done that. He had hurt her and he had left in an effort not to.
She must understand that? Slowly, he shook his head realizing the foolishness of that belief. He'd simply up and left without a word. But should he correct her? Would she even want to see him again?
No. It didn't matter if he would see her smile again or not. Astaroth had to correct this. If their friendship couldn't weather it then.... the thought struck him like a thunderbolt. It was too great to even consider and yet the possibility remained. It gave him urgent purpose.
Angry as he may have been, it didn't mean that he no longer held her dear. He liked her too much to simply throw away her companionship that easily.
Breathing deeply, he left the Library to search for her, hand laid protectively along his satchel and the precious contents. He'd speak with her and she could reject him if she wanted. If she did, it would be because she would be happiest with him no longer around.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:23 pm
Kallisto had finally finished the books she'd taken out some time ago and decided she'd return them. They were a little worse for the wear but only because she'd used them quite a bit during her studies. Circle magic had proven far more interesting then she had first expected and wanted to learn more - which meant broadening her horizons so she could be more proficient with it.
And of course, Alchemy would be the subject of one of the books. She found she couldn't get enough of the fascinating subject and wanted desperately t try to brew her own potion. A simple one of course but she would have proven to herself that it could be done.
And so with a bounce in her step and determined glint in her eyes she wandered the library in search of interesting subjects.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:25 pm
Yambati, meanwhile, was pacing the aisles of books with a determined-looking scowl on his face, hands clasped behind his back. There had to be a simple dueling-for-beginners book. He had no idea where to start, but he knew that the more specific books wouldn't be of any help. Not until he knew the basics.
But of course, he couldn't find it. And true to his stubborn nature, he refused to ask for help. Instead, he just muttered under his breath and kept looking, not noticing the cheery Sanguine girl approaching.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:34 pm
Kallisto glanced from the shelf to the person before her, offering a cheerful smile before continuing past Yambati to stop about halfway down the aisle. Dropping into a crouch, she pulled a book out and muttered quietly; something along the lines of "too basic".
She grinned suddenly, pleased to have found a book to her liking, "Excellent. Now to practice grappling on Cecil!" She chuckled, imagining the snide remarks he'd make after being told he was to help her. She wasn't yet sure about Jadeite and didn't think requesting help from the aberration would be such a good idea.
Now to find something for literature - the topic still confused her but it was important for circle magic and therefore a necessary evil. Rising, she tucked the book under her arm and paused as she turned to go. That boy looked angry about something and she debated on whether to ask or not.
At length, her curiousity won over her caution as it usually did and she padded over him, smiling uncertainly, "Excuse me, but are you looking for something?" He didn't look as though he ought to be in this section and she wondered if he'd gotten turned around some how.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:43 pm
Yambati glanced up immediately, and in the moment before his scowl could settle back in place, he merely looked surprised. Then the frown returned. He looked her up and down for a moment. A Sanguine. Just like Mathiaz. He could only pray she was a little more restrained.
"... basic things on dueling," he said after a moment, voice rather bland (although probably intentionally so). He tilted his head slightly and, unclasping his hands, fixed his glasses.
So much for not asking for help, hm?
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 9:32 pm
"Oh, that's just over there." She smiled, "In the martial arts section. You... don't seem the type to be interested in such things though." She tapped her chin thoughtfully, "Can I ask why?" Kallisto wasn't entirely sure what to make of him. His demeanor didn't exactly shout kinesthetic or fighter for that matter.
Perplexed, she hoped he'd answer her question.
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:08 am
Yambati considered just walking away - he'd learned what he needed to. But he didn't. She wasn't annoying at all (at least not yet), and she seemed to know at least a little about dueling. Maybe she could help him.
He pushed some of his hair out of his eyes. "I went to the Lovers' Duel. I guess that's the only reason. I saw that battle doesn't have to be ugly, if done right - and I want to do it right. I want to have that level of... excellence? Precision?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:32 am
Kallisto broke into a grin and nodded knowingly, "Ah, I see. Beautiful wasn't it? I hope to become that good someday. I practice but I'm not even anywhere close to scratching the surface." She chuckled, "Kind of daunting, actually. But I want to be a Grigori so perfecting my skills is a must - and something I enjoy doing."
Kallisto was glad he appreciated the duel it had been quite the interesting match despite how out of place she'd felt at the end. She nodded, "I'd have to go with precision. Absolute precision. Amazing really."
Then she paused, what he's said actually sinking in and she blinked, pleasantly surprised, "I'm sorry, you said you want to duel? Neat!" She thought for a moment, thinking back to Orrys' class and not remembering seeing him there, "Did you miss PE? If you did, you'll have to catch up with Professor Orrys first - it's against school rules to duel in the Arena without attending his class beforehand." She smiled, hoping she was being helpful.
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:46 pm
"I didn't expect to enjoy it," he admitted, shifting so he was leaning one shoulder against the shelf nearest him. "I... had never even considered dueling before. I thought it would be ugly and pointless. It is probably still pointless, but definitely not ugly."
He pondered a little.
"I missed that class, yeah. But I'm nowhere near being able to consider dueling - that's why I'm looking for a beginner's book."
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:52 pm
Kallisto laughed, "Never pointless!" She paused searching for a name and finding none, "Oh, what was your name? I'm Kallisto. I think I've seen you before but we haven't actually met." She turned and headed back towards the martial arts section, gesturing for him to follow her, "There's plenty of books to help and some games. Though I think the games are more about tactics and hand-eye coordination but that's just me."
She was chipper and energetic, obviously passionate about the subject of dueling - especially after having the honor of watching the Lover's Duel. She paused before the basic section and tilted a few books out so that Yambati might look at them, "Those might be to your liking, I think." She nodded as she crossed her arms. Simple but too simple.
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:00 pm
Yambati took the books from the shelf, flipping through them quietly for a moment. Without looking up, he spoke. "I just don't see the validity in a contest of strength and skill as determining who is right in an argument. ... Perhaps I just didn't like that the duel was a lovers' quarrel. It didn't sit well with me."
Her voice was starting to get that bright quality that marked coming annoyance, he noted. Then again, she was talking about something interesting to the both of them... and she wasn't being a pest. In fact, she was actually beginning to capture his attention.
He glanced up. "Oh. And I'm Yambati."
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:22 pm
"I don't think it was much about who was right...." She trailed off musing, "I see dueling as more of an opportunity to better yourself. After all, it takes huge amounts of self-control, practice, and concentration to get anywhere. At least that's why I enjoy so much." She chuckled, "Though I have to admit it's a wonderful way to relieve stress."
She nodded, "I enjoyed the fight but... I don't understand why they didn't keep in private. Unless Professor Dameron has always been so, well, dramatic." She shrugged, turning back to him and tilted her head, "See anything you like, Yambati? If not, I can go find Requiem if want. He's the librarian and rather helpful." She flashed a smile at him, not registering that he may be becoming annoyed with her.
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:30 pm
But he wasn't, and that was why he had a small frown on his face. He didn't like it when people didn't follow his expectations. He was selfish like that.
"I agree, that it's a way to better yourself. Which is why I don't understand why you would use it to settle an argument. I wholly agree that they should have at least kept the reason for the duel private. By the end, though the fight had amazed me, I... Well, I just wanted to leave. I felt wrong, seeing all of it.
"Like a voyeur."
He paused, glancing at the books again. He had two in his hands - The Weaponless Warrior by Gichin and Sparring by Orrys. A slightly longer glance at both, and he nodded. "These look promising, for a start at least. But before I leave, I should probably find a book on herbal medicine..."
He shook his head slightly, to stop his musing. He was actually talking to somebody - this was no time to let his mind wander off. "... You said you've sparred before? I know I can't actually duel yet, but... perhaps you could teach me something?"
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