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 Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2005 12:20 am
Hestia ran, her hand held by a tall figure whose face was obscured by darkness. Nonetheless she recognized him, simply by holding his hand. The neatly manicured nails, traces of lavender lotion, and hairy but not horrifically so knuckles made it quite obvious.
"Papa?" she whimpered, stopping in her tracks.
Hyperion Edsel also stopped, but only long enough to scoop his daughter onto his back. "Zizi," he whispered, using his younger daughter's pet name in hopes that it would calm her. "Zizi, we have to hide. There are people coming, who want to hurt us."
Out of the corner of her eye the girl could see her mother, wrestling with what seemed to be her own mirror image. "Mama!"
The woman grabbed the other girl's hands, binding them behind her and scooting over to the other two. "Zizi, I'm here."
The other girl yanked her hands loose and ran to Hestia. "Mama, Papa, I don't want to leave! Why do we have to go?"
The parents looked at eachother with questioning glances. Paulina, the girls' mother, spoke first. "It's not our fault. But there are some people who think we've done something wrong... and they won't let us stay there."
The father agreed, hugging the blue-clad girl into him. "I promise, Cisi, everything will be okay."
Trembling, Hestia reached over her father's shoulder, clasping her sister's hand.
A light appeared nearby. "It's them," Paulina hissed. "We need to move, now!"
Halcyon, the older daughter, climbed into her father's strong arms. "I'm scared."
"We'll never make it in time," Hyperion cursed. "They'll find us at this rate."
Paulina fiddled with a bag at her side. "We should have done this in the first place." A large black cloth appeared in her hands, silver markings glinting in the faint light that approached them.
"Papa?" Surprised, Halcyon fell, her father's arms no longer supporting her. Her mother caught both girls before they hit the grass, and covered them with the cloth.
"Everything is going to be alright."
Hestia couldn't tell which parent said that, but it frightened her more than the shouts that were growing louder. "MAMA!" she screamed, fighting the cloth that wrapped around her.
"Take care of eachother. We love you."
"Papa! Mama! Wait!"
My beautiful girls. Be safe."
"MAMA!"
~~~
Hestia woke up, shivering all over. Twisting in her bed, she found that the girl next to her was also wide awake, and covered in sweat.
"You were crying," Halcyon stated as matter-of-factly as she could.
"Your eyes are puffy," Hestia retorted.
They sat in silence for a minute. "Do you think they're okay?"
"Of course they are."
"They only sent us here-"
"-for now, because they had to. And they'll come back-"
"-any day now."
Neither of them knew whether to believe what they were saying, but it was all they could do to keep from returning to the nightmare of their departure. Sitting upright in bed, the girls clasped hands, needing to feel eachother's warmth. They weren't alone. Not yet. And not ever, if they had their way.
Halcyon yawned and flopped back into a sleeping position first. Everything was going to be fine. They promised, after all.
"Night Hess."
"Night Hallie."
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2005 11:35 pm
As soon as the kettle began its cheerful whistle, Kiyu pulled it off the stove and set it gently on a trivet, next to a tray that had already been decked out. Two bowls of oatmeal, with a small pitcher of milk and a bear of honey between them, were shaded by a bud vase with a few sprigs of lavender. It was a lavish spread, but by her standards it was just appropriate for the situation.
She placed two teacups on the tray, followed by the teapot itself, snug in a quilted cozy. It took few moments of rearranging everything on the tray before the setting was both pleasing to the elf, and something that she could manage to take up the stairs without losing her balance.
Hestia heard the soft footsteps before they had even made it halfway up the stairs. "Hallie," she whispered urgently, shaking the sleeping girl next to her. "Hallie, she's coming."
It was a few moments before the sleeper's eyes opened, mirroring her sister. "Who?"
"That lady. From yesterday."
"Oh." That part she remembered clearly. They had been found, brought to an awful, crowded place with other kids. Halcyon hadn't minded so much, but she knew it made her younger sister nervous. And then they had been taken to a strange looking woman, with hair piled on top of her head and a funny looking dress, who said that she would be looking after them. Neither remembered her name, only that she was unlike anything either of them had seen before.
"Hallie, what should we do?" The younger one was clearly not interested in reminiscing. She wanted a plan. "She's almost here!"
"Well... why do we hafta do anything? Not like she's gonna hurt us or anything."
"But she's not Mama and Papa!"
Smiling, Halcyon shook her head. "I'd like to see Papa wear what she wears!" The two shared a laugh. "I know she's not Mama or Papa, but they're not here, and we can't be by ourselves."
There was a soft knock at the door, and the funny lady peered in. "Oh good, you're awake. I've brought some breakfast for you. I hope you girls like oatmeal, and there's milk and honey for it if you like. And herbal tea as well, with sugar." As she spoke she set the tray in front of the duo and began setting it up, placing napkins in their laps and pouring the tea.
"I know I'm not your parents," she said with a cool tone. "And I won't try to replace them. But I'd like to be close to you, in my own way, if you'll let me."
The elf took another breath, as if she was building up to something important. In a rush of anti-climax she cocked her head sheepishly and asked, "Would you mind reminding me what your names are?"
Both girls choked on their oatmeal. The elder one recovered first, beating her chest with one fist. "I'm Halcyon."
"Hestia. Hestia Vasili Edsel." Timidly, she held out one hand in greeting.
"Oh. Halcyon Roula Edsel." In her own show of embarrasment she blushed, but copied her sister, putting a hand forward. "You?"
"My name is Kiyu." She took one hand in each of hers and shook firmly. "I really hope you'll like it here, lovelies."
Hestia gave a quick glance to Halcyon, who shrugged. Neither one knew if they were going to enjoy their stay, but they hoped they would too."
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Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:06 pm
Kiyu's Journal
Journal,
It has been a relatively calm few months with the girls. I am surprised. I thought they would act out more, some sort of defiance for being placed with me. But they have both been polite and agreeable. I suspect that they were raised that way. Whoever their parents are, or were, must have been both strict and loving, to mold behavior in such a way that it still holds. It makes me wonder why they were given up, even though I knew that is both intrusive and impolite. Of course, I know better than to ask.
Halcyon and Hestia are a delight to live with. Both of them are bright and interact well with the guests from Shisei. But I fear that all of this is an act, and that they are holding their true feelings inside. I truly hope this is not the case. After all, Devi-sama acts the same way, and as wonderful as she is it is clear that her past is still haunting her. These girls should not have to run from their phantoms at such a young age. Or ever, if I have a say.
Halloween was delightful. Halcyon was a bumble bee, and Hestia was a butterfly. We spent the holidays with Devi-sama and her children. Hestia and Halcyon seemed to enjoy it well enough. They did not play much with the children, but Devi-sama's Linnea seemed to take a liking to them, which is unusual for her. I am glad that all sides are beginning to let down their barriers. It may make them more relaxed, and after all, what more can a parent hope for?
If I am one, that is.
*Kiyu*
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Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 7:14 pm
I have recieved the message, and will RP. {This post will be replaced by an RP post soon}
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Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:17 pm
The windchime clinked melodically in the soft breeze that came though the living room. Kiyu looked at the new addition, as she always did when it sounded. Even though the chimes had been in place for a week, she wasn't used to them. It was always a surprise when they sounded, though certainly a pleasant one. It was an equally pleasant surprise when the chime was brought home, after one of the girls' trips out with their surrogate uncles. Whoever had picked out the fine instrument certainly had good taste.
"Aunty Kiyu?" A pair of faces poked around each side of the door. Almost identical, they purposely kept their bodies outside, curious if the woman would be able to tell them apart.
She could not. "Yes, girls?"
It was both a disappointment and a victory. While they were right, that Kiyu wasn't able to tell who was who, she hadn't even tried. Pouting visibly, one of them entered, revealing her blue overalls. "Aunty Kiyu, can we have the bells in our room? Just for today?"
That was an odd question. Kiyu had offered to hang the chimes in the twins' bedroom when they were first purchased, but they had declined. And only for a day? "Why, Halcyon?"
The girl's twin bounced in, flouncing about in her pink ruffled dress. "We want to make a movie," Halcyon answered excitedly. "And we think the bells would be good music," her twin, Hestia, added.
"They're chimes, not bells," Kiyu corrected lightly. "And I don't see why not, if you promise to be careful." The chimes, as if agreeing, sounded loudly behind her. That noise was joined by a few rejoicing shouts from the girls, and Kiyu almost missed the last sound thrown into the mix... that of someone saying "Excuse me."
All smiles and always the hostess, the elf turned towards the window. "Yes?"
A small cloud of orange was hovering around the windchime. It blended well with the painted coral metal of the chimes, but upon closer inspection one could make out a slightly darker puff on top that could be hair, and two yellow slits that seemed to be eyes. There was no visible mouth, but the air was clearly speaking. In fact, it seemed to be speaking directly into Kiyu's mind, as well as the minds of those around her.
"Excuse me... can I be in this moo-vee?"
Halcyon and Hestia stared at the small cloud, mouths in matching expressions of shock. Then, as fast as they had been surprised, they recovered and were clamoring for the wisp's attention. "You're so cool! Who are you? Can you fly? Your voice is pretty!"
More used to such odd phenomena, Kiyu was nonetheless taken aback. "Pardon me, but may I ask where you came from?"
The wisp gestured with one cloudy tendril at the windchime, which was still active in the background. "My name... is Orali," the voice came again with satisfaction.
"Orali?" Now she was even more confused. "Ora-Lee? But that's the company that sent me a letter last week."
"I heard the name," the wisp, Orali, replied. "I like it."
The twins had heard enough. "We want to play with Orali," they said in unison, each reaching for the puff of air between them. Four arms sank through her, much to their surprise.
"Well," mused Kiyu as Orali followed the girls inside. At least this time she had found a friend that wouldn't get hurt by her children's exuberance.
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Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:18 pm
"How much do you want it?" Hestia asked teasingly.
Orali tilted her head, considering. "Lots."
"Then you have to defeat the two-headed dragon!" Throwing a blanket over her shoulders and her sister, Halcyon loomed menacingly. The fact that she was standing on a chair helped a good deal.
"How do I do that?" Orali questioned, head resting on her shoulder.
The twins looked at eachother. "You can cast a magic spell," said one. "Or slay her in battle," said the other. "But it's not easy!" the two exclaimed together.
"Maybe you can go on a magic quest," Hestia thought aloud, her voice dream-like. "And meet wizards and goblins and find something to beat the dragon."
Halcyon shook her head. "That's not how you get to be a knight, Hess. You have to work hard on it. Practice lots. And beat up other people."
Switching so that her head rested on her other shoulder, Orali wavered. "I don't want to beat people up."
"Well... maybe you don't have to beat people up," Halcyon amended. "But you still have to work. It doesn't just happen."
"But you also have to go on a quest. All knights go on a quest," Hestia insisted.
"I think I'll start with practicing," Orali decided, flipping upright. "That way I can do more things on my quest."
Halcyon threw the blanket off, letting it slide to the floor. "Can we help?"
"I think so."
"How?" The two chorused, hopping down from their chair and landing in a pile on the pillows beneath.
Orali sucked in a breath. "When I know, I'll tell you."
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Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 8:58 pm
[Reserved for Orali's transformation]
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Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 8:59 pm
"Fly to the sunset," Orali sang to herself, shifting a broom from one hand to the other. She really didn't want to sweep up the hallway, but she did offer to do any task in exchange for lessons in being a knight. "Fly beyond the sky..."
"Orali! Orali!" Seemingly from nowhere, Hestia bounced into view, Halcyon close behind. One twin was carrying a hairbrush and assortment of ribbons, the other a comb and a few elastics. "Can you do our hair please?"
The spirit frowned. Hairstyling wasn't really her area of expertise. "Kiyu can't do it for you?"
"She's busy washing dishes," Hestia informed Orali, waving her hair supplies. Halcyon stopped shaking her head long enough to offer an agreement. "I bet you'll be great!"
Doing hair had to be easier than sweeping up, she supposed. And she couldn't very well refuse them after they'd already gotten everything ready. "Alright then," Orali agreed, taking a seat on a footstool. "Who's first?"
The twins exchanged a glance. "I am," Hestia decided, climbing into Orali's lap. "I want my hair tied up on both sides, with bows, please."
That didn't sound too hard. Orali grabbed the hairbrush and started to pull it through the girl's thick wavy tresses.
"Ouch! That hurt!" Hestia sniffled a little, rubbing her head with one hand.
"Sorry," Orali was quick to apologize. She took it slower, carefully holding each lock of hair as she brushed it. With the comb she divided the hair into two hanks, and bound each one with an elastic.
Soon two fat ribbons were handed over. "She wants pink ones," Halcyon said, bouncing from one foot to the other. Waiting was hard!
The ribbons were slick and Orali had difficulty tying them. It took several attempts to make passable bows, but Hestia seemed satisfied with the end result, and skipped around the room while the others watched her hair bounce around. "Thank you for being so patient, Halcyon."
"I want braids, please. Two. But no ribbons or anything, just plain, okay?" Clearly waiting all that time had given Halcyon time to perfect her request. She was also fidgety while Orali tidied her supply of elastics and such. What was taking so long?
Not having to worry about ribbons again was nice, but Orali had seen Kiyu do braids before, and they looked complicated. "Uh... how does a braid go again?"
Halcyon had to think about that one. "There's three pieces of hair, and you take turns moving each one into the middle. Switching sides, I think."
First Orali took care to brush the hair out, and then divide it in half as she had before. "This might take a couple tries," she warned, separating one half of the hair into three strands. Into the middle, into the middle...
"How come your hair's so short?" Hestia asked when she finally stoipped skipping.
Orali barely heard, busy taking out a section that definitely looked wrong. "I don't like having long hair."
Not like long hair? "How come?" the two chorused, both equally puzzled.
That braid looked okay, sort of. Wrapping the end in elastic, Orali began the other side. "Well, it gets in the way when I'm trying to do things. I just don't think it's right for me... though it looks gorgeous on people like you two, and Kiyu."
"Oh."
"And you're done." Orali patted Halcyon on the back. "It's my first time doing a braid, so you might want to get Kiyu to fix it for you later."
"Thanks Orali!" the twins chimed, grasping eachother's hands and skipping off.
"You're welcome," she called after them. That had been a nice break, she supposed. But the broom was still there, practically shouting at her to get back to work. "I heard, I heard," she grumbled, picking it up where she left off.
"Fly beyond the sky..."
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