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 Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:33 pm
The journal begins here - this post will be spiffied up a bit later, and a key will be provided for any necessary information.
All posters who are allowed to post in this thread must turn off their signatures. I do not want signatures in my journal, please. A list of allowed names is below:
All Ashes Staff (of course)
Ashe Guardians
If you are not on the list above, do not post in this thread. If you have something you want to deliver to Julien, please PM me.
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Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:38 pm
It began with him...  "When are you going to do something about this house?" Robin asked from the stairs. It was an old question, one he'd repeated each week for over two years now. The pattern never varied. Friday, he would take Mireille to lunch and they would discuss her latest chapter. One hour, maybe two, spent in a restaurant, and then they'd head back to Mireille's house. Each week, he'd wait until she asked for a few minutes, then head upstairs to check on the progress of the two rooms and bathroom there. And every week, thanks to his previous week's chiding, there was something new. At the beginning, it had been large things - a bed, a chest of drawers. But as the rooms came together, only accents remained. And these days, the rooms could be considered fiished, but the habit remained. "Why should I?" Mireille returned, her answer as rote as his question. "You're the only one who ever visits me." She stepped back out of the bathroom, rubbing her hands together as she watched him. "What do you think it needs now? Another picture?" "Maybe a quilt for the foot of the bed?" Robin suggested, offering her a smile as he moved to sit down in the living room. "Which room?" Mireille asked, raising an eyebrow as she moved to sit across from him in her favorite chair and reaching for the pad and pencil nearby. She settled the paper in her lap, the pencil lingering in her fingers as she watched him. She didn't write. The lingering notepad was like a security blanket, really - comforting to have around, but not necessarily always useful. "How about the wood room?" Robin suggested. "Something to match the dark grain? Something deep brown would look good against the tan comforter you've got up there." "I'll think about it," Mireille said, rolling her eyes as her lips quirked into a smile. "I think I know what room you want if you ever stay with me," she teased, glancing down long enough to jot down a quick phrase before looking back up at him. "So... any other notes?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:44 pm
Hidden Egg 'Get a quilt', he'd told her. Mireille sighed, shifting her purse on her arm as she perused the shop. The quilts were in back, but she'd stopped first to linger at some blown-glass atomizers for perfume, loving the intricate work on them, and the way the colored glass caught the light. Still, eventually she made her way to the back of the shop, glancing over the folded quilts arranged on tables and chairs. One in particular caught her eye, and she reached toward it, only to see the fabric twitch slightly. Fingertips jerking back, Mireille stared at the quilt for several silent seconds before glancing back to the front of the shop. She almost opened her mouth to call the woman over, but held back. Really, the fabric wasn't moving. She'd dreamed it up for some reason. Still, her fingers were skittish about touching the dark fabric, and when she finally did, she jerked it back as though to convince herself that there was nothing beneath. Except convincing herself of that was the last result she'd ever get, for when she jerked the fabric back, a white form bounced up before settling back down into the fabric. Mireille nearly screamed, her hand flying to her mouth in an all-too-stereotypical expression of surprise and horror. The scream lurking in her throat remained quiet only because it was locked inside, no air coming to let it out. She held her breath for a long moment before realizing that the thing wasn't moving, at least for the moment... and wasn't really mouse-shaped, now that she looked closer. Really, it wasn't shaped like much of anything, unless you counted wing dismembered from its body. Feeling her breath stutter to a start again, Mireille reached out, a fingertip touching the white thing warily. At her touch, the wing bounced up again, just briefly, then settled back down, nestled into the blankets. Her curiosity piqued, Mireille drew the quilt back a little farther, opening it up enough to see the egg the wing hovered near. It was a beautiful thing, a pale green with dark green swirls at the narrow end, and pale purple fog blown into swirls by wind that she couldn't feel. "Don't put your things on the quilt," came a voice from behind her, and Mireille started, pivoting to stare at the shopowner in surprise. When she didn't answer, the woman huffed a bit, reaching out and grabbing the egg and handing it carelessly to Mireille. Mireille caught it, holding it with delicate care as she stared wide-eyed at the owner for another moment. "I said, keep your things off my quilts," the woman huffed, and turned her back to head toward the counter again. Staring down at the beautiful little egg, Mireille reached one finger to stroke a wing hovering near it. The wing remained still. "Maybe... you should come home with me," she murmured finally. "No telling what people might do to you out here." The idea of the quilt abandoned, Mireille tucked the egg oh-so-carefully into her purse, then turned to head out of the shop. On the way out, she called out a quick thank-you to the shopowner.
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Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:49 am
But Where to Put You? Mireille waited until the door was closed behind her before she gingerly opened her purse, not quite sure what she should expect to find within. When she saw the egg still nestled with in, the wings twitching a bit as light streamed down on them, she relaxed ever so slightly. It was just an egg, really... an egg with hovering wings, but no teeth, and it hadn't exploded. She slipped a hand within the purse, scooping up the egg and blinking a bit as she realized it was warm. "What are you?" she whispered to the egg, not really expecting (or waiting for) a response. The egg was pretty, at least, she decided after a few moments, though when she looked a bit closer, she caught a whiff of dead ashes. Deciding after a few moments that the safest place would be somewhere tucked away, where no one else would go. She strode past her living room, pausing in the hall between her bedroom and office before turning toward the cream and white room where she slept. Her bedroom was the only definite place where even Robin wouldn't venture, so it had to be the safest for her new treasure. Snagging one of the pillows from her bed, she turned to the chair by the window and set the pillow down before putting the egg gently in the center of the pillow. There, the egg would have sunlight and comfort, a place for the wings to rest when they were tired... if they got tired. And she could watch it from her bed. Kicking off her shoes, she stretched out on the bed, pillow tucked under her chin as she angled herself to watch the egg. Maybe by tomorrow, she'd have some idea of what to do about it, but for today, she was lost. All she could really do was look at it and try to figure out just where it had come from. Would it hatch? Would she be left with some odd little bird that she hadn't the slightest idea how to care for? Was it somehow mechanical, clockwork insides that allowed the wings to float and move as they did? Mind caught up in her musings, it took a moment to catch a whiff of that odd dead-fire scent clinging to the egg, and she frowned. The egg was lovely indeed, but she didn't really want to sleep each night surrounded by the smell of ashes. Not when even in her conscious moments, the smell brought back sharply painful memories. Rising, she made her way to the dresser and rummaged around on the cluttered top for one of the candles she loved to burn. It took a few moments before she finally settled on her favorite: a huge, three-wicked candle the color of rich cream. Setting it as near the egg as she could, she reached for the lighter nearby and lit each of the wicks, watching the merry little flames dance for a moment before turning back to the egg. She stood over it for a bit, waiting as the scent of vanilla nutmeg pound cake (according to the label) began to fill the room. The wings twitched a bit at the smell, then seemed to lift high for a moment before dropping down to rest against the pillow. For all the world, it looked as though the egg had just breathed deep of the deliciously sweet scent, then sagged into the pillow contentedly. Shaking her head at the very thought of such a thing happening, Mireille turned to head to her office, reaching in the top drawer of her desk for a camera and moving back to take a picture of the egg. Once it was developed, she could use it to get some idea of just what the thing was without endangering the egg itself... if it was even alive. But all that aside, she returned to her room, settling back on the bed with notepad and pen, her eyes on the egg as she began to write.
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Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 7:53 pm
Learning of Eggs Roleplay post with Riyo the Neko YoukaiAfter Mireille goes back to buy the quilt she'd found her egg in, she happens to meet Cindy, and learns a bit more about the eggs they both have.
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Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:10 pm
What to do now? "So you're alive," Mireille said as she entered her room again, pulling out the quilt she'd purchased and moving to settle it around her egg. The wings dropped a little, nestled against the fabric for several moments before floating back up, but no other answer was offered. Sighing, Mireille sat slowly on her bed again, staring at the egg. Somehow, somewhere within her, she'd hoped for, even expected, her egg to start talking to her, like Cindy's egg seemed to do with Cindy. But there was only silence from the pale egg nestled in the new quilt. "Well... what do I do with you?" Mireille tried, arms folding across her chest as she watched the egg. She let a few moments go by, then asked, "Are you going to hatch?" Nothing, and nothing again, and Mireille finally gave up, rising slowly from where she sat. She hesitated, then said one last thing. "If you need me... I'll be in my office..."
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Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:45 pm
[ G.r.o.w.t.h. xxxQ.u.e.s.t. ]
Julien's egg is such a curious thing. It doesn't seem to do much in comparison to the other eggs. It makes you wonder what type of creature is residing inside the the blueish shell. What kind of things could it possibly like? Try to to find two items that you think might appeal to the unhatched egg. Maybe Julien will be convinced to come out of his shell?
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 12:01 am
Coaxing... She first noticed it the next morning as she started getting dressed. Her egg drooped, wings fluttering only a bit, and very listlessly, as she kept the drapes on the window closed. But the moment she'd finished dressing and opened the drapes, letting the morning sunlight stream in, the wings were up, buzzing happily before settling into their more comfortable patterns. Mireille paused, staring at the egg for a moment before trying again. After five or so minutes of the drapes being closed, the egg seemed to lose its energy, only to regain it as soon as it was sitting in a pool of sunlight again. With a soft, gentle smile, Mireille moved to sit beside the egg, careful not to block the light. "You like light, huh?" she asked softly, reaching out with a finger to touch one of the wings. The soft feathers were a pleasure to pet. "Right. I'll be back soon," she promised, grabbing her purse and heading to the door. She knew of no shops that carried suncatchers, but other things were, perhaps, just as good... It was late when she returned to the house, her arms laden with bags filled with boxes. She set them by the door, then headed to her bedroom, contemplating the egg for a moment before moving to gather up the quilt she'd arranged around it. That, she took out to the living room, making a nest of it near her window. And once the nest had been made, she moved to get the egg, settling it down within the quilt. "I hope this suits," she muttered, moving to her bags and digging out the various boxes. One by one, she carried them to the window, watching the egg as her shadow passed in front of it each time. Each time, the egg's wings flittered a bit, discomfited by the sudden shade. Nodding to herself, Mireille reached into the first box, pulling out an orb cloaked in sea green and golden dust, and placed it carefully on the windowsill so that the light from the sun would catch inside it, passing through to gleam with glittering gold, onto her egg.  After she'd settled the orb into place, she paused for a moment, watching as the wings began to almost dance around the shell. Crooking a half-smile, she reached out, touching the egg's shell lightly. It felt warm yet, and still smelled faintly of ashes, and she frowned, glancing back to her bedroom. She'd have to get that candle out here. But for now... "Like that, do you? I've got a few more," she promised, moving away from the egg to dig out three other boxes. One by one, she set up the bottles of potions around the orb, letting the light shine through translucent liquid and clear glass so that more colors caught on the egg. The way the wings moved with each successive bit of light change, she could almost swear she heard small squeals of pleasure. By now, the egg's wings were almost doing cartwheels, so excited was it. She chuckled, taking a break long enough to dig the candle out of the bedroom and set it up, then moved back to her bag again, where one thing remained, hidden by plastic. "I don't know what you're going to hatch into," she confided, as she held the bag closed. "And I doubt you're really going to like this, but...," Her voice trailed off as she drew out a soft plush teddy bear with a purple ribbon. "I thought... maybe you could cuddle with this, or shred it, once you came out." She tucked the bear into the nest so that it almost seemed to be holding the egg, and then she sat back, just watching the egg as she smelled the sweet goodness of her candle. "I hope you like them," she whispered, then leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes and simply dozing there in her chair, a happy smile on her lips.
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 6:00 pm
Hello There, Pretty Boy The silver-haired boy stretched, silvery eyes looking around the dim room as he considered the bits of eggshell scattered over the carpet. They were grey in the moonlight, and he squatted down, lifting one of the largest bits of shell in his fingers and turning it over delicately. So strange, being here, really... It felt comfortable, like he was meant to be right where he was, but at the same time, like the fit was just... slightly off: a puzzle piece that fit so perfectly you couldn't tell the slight sliver of light between the pieces. He finally moved to the windowsill, placing the fragment of eggshell in the little nest of quilt before turning to look around the room again. To his right, he could see the gleam of a silver appliance beyond a few stairs. To his left was a wall. And just ahead of him were stairs and two doors. He nodded, making his way to the stairs first and padding up them carefully. His bare feet were silent on the carpet that lined the stairs, but he found himself pausing halfway up. The door at the top of the stairs was closed, his eyes barely able to tell in the dim light. And it didn't feel quite right. That was not where she was. Instead, he turned back, contemplating the two doors before trying the one just opposite the stairs. It opened with a slight creak, but before he'd opened it too far, he realized that it wasn't right, either. She wasn't outside. Which left the other door. Carefully, he pulled the front door shut again, his free hand splayed against it to keep it from making too much noise as it clicked into place. He hesitated, remembering a small knob that had turned when he'd opened the door, and decided to turn it again, sending the bolt home, and locking the door once more. That done, he turned to the bedroom door, opening it with the same careful touch. Unlike the front door, this one didn't squeak at all. He stopped it halfway open, his thin body able to slip right inside. Once there, his eyes lit on the woman sleeping in the bed, and for a long moment, he simply watched her. The sheets around her were tangled, speaking of anxious nights and nightmares, and one leg was kicked out from them, the satin pajama pants she wore hiked up past her knee. She hugged a large body pillow to her, the top of it tucked under her chin and her hair splayed in unkempt strands over the white pillow. Eventually, the boy stepped forward, carefully reaching to untangle the sheet enough to draw it over her bared leg before his fingers touched her cheek softly. The connection felt right, his fingertips sliding down until his whole palm cupped her cheek as she slept. "Waken," he whispered softly, thumb brushing against her jaw. His ears, sharp though they might be in the silence, still couldn't quite catch the word she mumbled as her eyes fluttered slowly open. And then she'd jerked away from him, staring with wide eyes as she clutched the sheets to her bosom. "Who are you?!" she demanded, her voice breaking a little as she looked around the room wildly for anyone else. But there was no one else here... only the two of them in the whole house. The boy smiled gently, climbing up onto the bed and sitting just at the foot of it, in a corner where he could get away easily if she didn't want him there. "I came from the egg," he offered softly, hands folded in his lap. Calm eyes watched her, his smile unfading as he waited for her to process that before offering the next tidbit. "You're to be my guardian for now." "Guardian?" Mireille stammered, calming a little when the boy made no effort to approach her. "What... what do you mean?" "Please watch over me and protect me," the boy returned, bowing just a little to her. "Follow the task you accepted when you brought my egg home." He watched her eyes widen into impossibly large circles, and chuckled gently. So strange for her to take it in, really, he knew. He could feel the shock beating against him like a palpable force, and decided to fight it. "I would like you to treat me as your son, if you will," he added softly. "Son...?" Mireille whispered, her eyes suddenly a bit too bright, even in the moonlight. She hesitated, then nodded slowly, swallowing away other words before finally offering, ever so softly, "You won't have a father." "I need only you," the boy returned, searching her face for a moment before crawling off the bed. "Will you name me?" He padded backwards, feet finding their unerring way toward the door. "Name me, and then rest. Tomorrow, we can talk again. You don't sleep very well; you should get more sleep than this." "A name?" Mirielle asked slowly, but already one was in her mind. Years ago, they'd had names planned... would it really be so awful to use one of those names? "A name," the boy nodded, again offering her that gentle smile. "Julien," Mireille finally offered. She watched him turn to go, and just before he pulled the door shut, she added, "Julien Michel." Outside the door, Julien nodded softly to himself. It was a good name she'd given him.
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 7:00 am
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:21 am
The Shopping Trip If there was one thing Mireille was infinitely grateful for, it was that Julien was such an easy child to get along with. He had his Moments, but they were few and far between, and what remained was a nearly constantly good-natured child. There were times that Mireille actually half-considered that Julien may not be quite the nice boy he seemed... surely no one was THAT kind and THAT generous? But it seemed so natural for him that immediately after the thought flitted through her head, she was dismissing it with angry disdain. Julien was exactly as he appeared to be... no more, no less. "Have you found anything?" she asked as she watched Julien poke through the clothes on the rack. He nodded, looking up at her as he held up a pair of slacks and a dark sweater. "I like these," he offered, and Mireille took them, slinging them over one arm as she followed him around the store, grateful he was able to choose his own clothing. She hadn't the first clue what to buy him, so when he periodically held up an outfit for her approval, she only nodded, taking them and settling them over the growing pile on her arm. They were heavy, but better for her to carry them than him! At length, when he'd finally decided he had enough variety that he'd be able to pick out a few things properly, he led her to a shopclerk, who handed her the key to one of the dressing rooms. She unlocked it for Julien quietly, setting the clothes down and pausing at the door. "Will you come show me?" she asked, nodding to a chair just outside the dressing rooms. Julien frowned at the clothes, then nodded slowly. "If I like them, I will," he qualified, offering a half-grin before he closed the door on her. Reminding herself that he didn't really need her opinion at all, Mireille waited quietly, watching the door with eagle ayes and listening for any hint that Julien might need her. No hints ever came, but four outfits did, modeled by a smiling Julien... and she found herself loving every one of the outfits. "We'll get all four," she promised him gently, and he chuckled at her, heading off immediately to get into the makeshift clothes they'd used for the shopping trip. There was a jaunty bounce to his stride, though, and somehow... Mireille thought that she'd made his day with the offer...
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Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:26 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 1:50 pm
[ G.r.o.w.t.h. xxxQ.u.e.s.t. ]
Julien is becoming older, stronger and more self reliant. While he’s still the same little boy who you hatched from the egg, you still start seeing subtle differences that are beginning to blossom mentally and physically in him. There is some hidden ability growing inside Julien, along with his new journey into adolescent. How does he react to these changes and his new ability? Is he scared, happy, or just the same old Julien? (Note: It doesn’t have to be some extraordinary magical ability. It can be anything from body duplication to “hey I’m an musical genius!” Please, just pick one ability to explore and remember that this is a new ability, so your Ashe may not be fantastic at it the first go.)
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Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:21 am
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Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:23 am
The Park's the Place! Roleplay post with IvyroA chance meeting at the park turns into a foodfight... and leads to a new discovery.
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