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 Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:17 pm
post directory
one SELF JOURNAL ENTRY [ "Discovering Pasayo" ]
two SELF JOURNAL ENTRY [ "Welcome to the Family" ]
three ROLEPLAY SUMMARY [ "Egg Roleplays" ]
four GROWTH QUEST [ "Hatching" ]
five SELF JOURNAL ENTRY [ "The Hatching of Pasayo" ]
six ROLEPLAY SUMMARY [ "Child Roleplays" ]
seven SELF JOURNAL ENTRY [ "A Nightmare" ]
eight SELF JOURNAL ENTRY [ "The Fall" ]
nine SELF JOURNAL ENTRY [ "Inoru" ]
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:31 pm
Quote: [ self journal entry = "discovering pasayo" ]
The report he had been watching on the television at home earlier made no mentions of rain, same to the reports over the radio that he only clicked off just moments before in his tiny corner office, and he pursed his lips together as the sky grew darker still with each pass of a breeze over the treetops and amongst the clouds. He had not thought to bring an umbrella along with him to work as he tended to trust the words of the weatherman (or woman, depending on the time and day), and despite Piero's love for rain he wished inwardly that no drops would fall on him during his travels home.
So it was with a faint prayer in his heart that the clouds would carry whatever it was that had been entrusted to them far from his location, far from his steps that lead him across streets and through parks, and place it in a place perhaps far more suited and in more need, that he took the first of many strides away from the college entrance and out towards the main sidewalk. The wind whipped around him with a bitter howl as it ran against the tall buildings that surrounded streets clogged with cars and pedestrians, and if only for a moment or two amidst the howling it sounded like the wails of a human voice, a woman who was crying out against the tides that carried her further and further away.
The man tilted his head as he listened the the howls and wails, the moaning and crying nature pushing against a city that only took and gave nothing in return, and as he took each step towards the park that he would have to cross through to reach the second half of his destination he could have sworn the wind had sent gusts around his ankles to pull his feet off the regular path and towards the grassy knolls. It could have all been Piero's imagination as the man had one what was quite active and large thanks in part to his current home environment, but when he noticed that the winds seemed to be blowing differently against fellow travelers who passed him with their heads held down and coats held tight against their quivering frames, his imagination ceased to exist and a strange reality took over.
Each gust of wind that swept at his ankles now seemed to try and lift his hands skywards as he progressed further and further into the unmarked trails of the park, his shoes stepping onto leaves that had fallen outside of the eyes of man and had lain forgotten for years past. They seemed to crumble to dust as he trod upon them, their final fragrances of life and death releasing into the air with dreary puffs, and Piero finally came to a halt as he reached what seemed to be a clearing amongst the branches that had parted along his walk. The winds had more or less guided him here by pushing all else aside and refusing him a step or two out of line, their howls and shrieks still filling his ears as chill ran from his neck to his feet down his spine.
Here, here. He's here.
What had sounded like a solo woman's voice at first slowly melded into a chorus of men and women yelling and whispering, screaming and singing all at once. It was both beautiful and terrifying to his ears, almost bringing him to a breathless halt that would call forth tears, yet before Piero could even open his mouth to whisper a sound of amazement the whispers and roars, the songs and screams started up again as the wind pushed against the back of his head to direct his gaze upwards.
Here, here. Take her.
It happened almost too soon for the man to completely fathom what had just occurred as a crack of an overhead branch drew his eyes entirely up and towards the sky. The clouds were so dark, so threatening with wind and storm that had not been predicted for today's forecast, but it was the gusts and gales themselves that took precedent over everything, their colored movements painting the sky as something seemed to glide down from the space provided on the gentle caress of a wind quite pink. Piero raised his hands upwards as the object came close to his head, enough that the tips of his fingers brushed the hardness of a shell before a full weight graced his palms and arms. The wind stopped roaring about him, moving to an eerie calm as his eyes moved down to the wondrous prize in his arms, the wondrous gift the winds had carried so far.
It was an egg, one so large it could not have been created by any living creature that possessed nature's blessings, and its shell was as black as ebony. White lines decorated its surface here and there, perhaps making a pattern that only the winds knew the true meaning of, and with a trembling finger Piero traced a large line that ran down the egg's center with a marking that looked like a wound too painful to properly bear. He had hardly noticed the wings that fluttered at the small egg's side nor the pink cloud that whipped about between his fingers and around the egg's base when he felt the small creation in his hands start to vibrate, to thrum with an energy unlike any he had ever felt before.
It was as if a tiny voice was calling out to him, letting him know that something was living inside this mysterious treasure, and without any feelings of disgust Piero could only lift the bundle to his face and press his check against its cold shell. The thrumming hounded his ears with a gentle rhythm of acceptance and hesitation, excitement yet pure terror, and as the wind around slowly started to blow again Piero took a few steps back the way he came, carrying what was dropped from the skies for him.
He could no longer hear the cries of the wind as it slowly turned its way towards the north once more, returning to its place of origin perhaps, and as the gentle breezes pushed against the pair once more a solo voice echoed with a mournful undertone.
Here, here. Do not forget me . . .
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:52 pm
Quote: [ self journal entry = "welcome to the family" ]
The small egg was set on a cushion taken from one of the sofas in the main television room, and as the different lights danced over the glossy black that was her shell a few strangers made their way into the common room through different entrances.
From the north came a young man with silver eyes and black hair, his clothing neat and his steps soft against the hardwood floors that were often cold this time of night. At his side was a smaller child, one who seemed dwarfed by the height of the older boy, and he clung like a frightened sheep against both of his legs. They both had come from one of the rooms that sported a television set, the sounds of an animated show and its laugh track echoed through empty halls.
"You wanted to see us, elder brother?"
From the south came another pair of boys, those these ones walked as if something weighed them down heavily and carried with them the feeling of unease and perhaps a slight tint of despair. They walked hand in hand, for their wrists were chained together by a magick no mortal eye could see, and as they approached the door the sheep-like child moved further behind the legs of the youth with silver eyes.
"This is interesting, Piero. For you to let us out-"
"-must mean there's something important happening today. Am I right?"
The figures from the south spoke one after another, finishing each others sentences as if they only shared one thought between the two of them, and even though they stayed in the shadow of the door frame it was quite easy to see the large items that graced their backs. Several feathers were already falling to the ground, rich black ones that slowly started to smoke and curl as the air took over and disintegrated them, and Piero frowned for only a moment before a smile took over his face and he motioned to the egg on the table.
All eyes were quickly turned to inspect this newcomer with wings, though only the child who held onto the silver-eyed youth's legs like a vice was the only one who seemed to be ill at ease and wishing not to be present.
"Earlier today as I was leaving work I seemed to have picked up and egg while passing through the park. I believe she may not be a creature native to the nature of this Earth and do not know her true form, but I feel that she was entrusted to me by the winds to care for and raise her."
The boy with blue eyes scoffed at the mentioning of the words 'care' and 'raise', inciting a small scowl from the youth with red eyes next to him who swung the chained arm slightly. A bolt of pain rippled through both of their bodies, and as the blue-eyed child opened his mouth to speak again he was met with a stern look from the silver-eyed youth. His jaw slammed shut and his eyes narrowed almost to slits, though he choose not to speak from then on.
"Getting a little cocky, are we? Just because we're bound doesn't mean that I can't say what I feel about all this emotional talk. He found an egg, so what? We have dozens in-"
Another shake of the arm sent both young men into shivers, and the rest of the group either frowned or cowered in fear. It was obvious that while they were all living together this was not a complete unit, more like a gathering of strangers under one roof, and Houkan sighed before he gently touched the smallest child on the head.
"Not here, not now. You both are well aware that you do not behave this way in front of your host and in front of Dusk."
"Houkan is right you know, Lune. If you want to argue we can do it when we get back to our room and -"
"Enough. Sol, Lune, Houkan, please keep in mind why I have called you all here this evening. This child will be depending on each and every one of you to help her along in this life and I expect you to be able to put aside your petty squabbles and give her the assistance she needs. She is, after all, only a child. That being said, everyone present please give your greetings and welcome to Pasayo."
At the mention of a name all of the heads turned once more to the winged egg, the multiple pairs of eyes scanning over her every surface, and one by one each young man greeted the egg with their own name and hopes for the future.
"Lune. Stay away from me."
"Sol, let's be friends."
"My name is Houkan, I hope for a wonderful future with you. This child here, silent as he may be and you may never see him again, is called Dusk."
Dusk merely bowed his head humbly before placing his gaze back into Houkan's knees, and Piero smiled as he watched the small wings flutter ever so slightly. A gentle hum was being issued from the black egg now called Pasayo, her cloud moving about her shell and making her seem like an illusion.
"If we're done now, I'm going back to my room along with my brother. We're-"
"-probably going to have a long talk, aren't we?"
With that the pair moved away from the frame and headed back to the south, towards the conservatory that glowed eerily from the lights placed randomly amongst the plants. Once they were finally out of vision from the remaining three, Houkan turned his eyes towards his brother.
"Pasayo, elder brother? You certainly have a way with naming, don't you?"
"It is only because she is the first child of our own, Houkan, as as such should she not carry a name fitting like her older brothers? Pasayo is indeed perfect for her."
Houkan smiled sheepishly at his brother's reasoning, nodding his head as he did his best to gently remove the child that clung to his knees from holding so tightly. Piero was already moving into the next room while carrying the egg with him, talking to her in a hushed voice about the different rooms she would be able to explore. It was rather endearing to see him so attached to an object so quickly.
"So we're welcoming another clown into this circus of a family. . ."
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:53 pm
Quote: [ roleplay with toulouse = "where are my manners" ]
Piero met a young man named Toulouse while out on his walk. He learned a bit about what an Ashe is (vague amount) and perhaps acquired a new friend.
They parted with the hopes of seeing one another again . . . Quote: [ roleplay with rioge = "pardon the intrusion" ]
Houkan bumps in to (literally) a young Ashe child named Rioge and thereby learns from him and his caretaker, a Fae named Araran, what exactly the egg he holds in his arms is.
Fae are real, or so it seems . . . Quote: [ roleplay with kashya = "midnight at the mall" ] Quote: [ roleplay with mauritius = "give my regards" ]
Houkan met a strange deer woman who would not believe that her egg could perhaps be something inhuman (despite her being what she is). He was given her email address, only he does not have a computer of his own.
How troublesome . . .
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Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 12:06 pm
[ G.r.o.w.t.h. xxxQ.u.e.s.t. ]Pasayo's egg and the circumstances surrounding it are so strange. Not only is not very much known about her, but she seems to be very attracted to others of her kind. Pasayo looks to be more aware of her surroundings than most eggs too. Try to find a few items that she may like, to coax her out of her black shell. Make her want to come out and join the family!
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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:13 am
Quote: [ self journal entry = "the hatching of pasayo" ]
Piero gently touched the surface of the shell with his gloved fingertips, a concerned expression riding over his usually serene features at the weak response he received from the egg. Usually when the child was touched she would thrum with enough delight to make it seem like she was vibrating, her wings fluttering around her and the soft pink cloud whipping about like a breeze was taking over, but today at his touch she only seemed to shrink inward and her wings drooped at her side like a sign of disheveled glory.
"Ever since our last outings where she met many of those other children, the ones like herself, she seems to be so languid once we return to the home. Do you think she could be ill?"
"Maybe heartsick, but not ill. She's an egg and can't catch any kind of diseases, you know."
Houkan looked up from the kitchen table where he sat with his books spread out in front, a pen in his hand as he prepared to continue copying notes for his classes that started up once more the next day. He did not have much time to worry over the condition of the strange egg that he often found in his arms when it was not in his elder brother's embrace, but he did manage to spare some concern over her condition with his glance.
"She's been getting bigger with each contact as well, so maybe the reason she's so tired like that is because she's wanting to hatch soon?"
"Always a strong possibility. I never did ask the others about how the children moved from eggs to actual children, as it did not occur to me to do so at the time, and now I wonder if that might have been a foolish choice. Neither of us know anything when it comes to properly hatching eggs that contain inhuman creatures. If our beloved cousin were here I believe we could ask her, but as she has gone off on another one of her trips and left us with three of her more interesting charges I would say that idea is out of reach."
Piero continued to stroke the shell ever so slightly and as the weak thrumming slowly grew a bit stronger with each pass he raised an eyebrow at the egg before looking over at his brother again. Houkan's gaze had returned to his school books and his mouth was moving as he wrote down the needed items, and Piero grinned as he lifted Pasayo from the cushion she was resting on and into his hands.
While the brothers knew next to nothing about hatching an egg, be it natural or unnatural, Piero was fairly certain all that would be needed would come to the pair in time. They could perhaps coax the child to come out and join them without having to do any actual injury to her future body, though exactly how that was going to happen seemed a little beyond Piero's vision of the future.
"Perhaps she would hatch if she were given the proper items needed to do so? Like some sort of quest fulfillment?"
"She's an egg, not a video game character."
"That is true as well, but none the less we could try to prepare a proper hatching ground for her. Line a box with some shredded tissue paper and a towel, not to mention set aside some water just in case."
"She's an egg, not a kitten. Elder brother, do you honestly not know what she needs? If this egg hatches into a child she will need proper clothing to wear. As there are only men in this house we hardly have anything suitable for a young girl, so I suggest you go out and buy a wardrobe ahead of time so when she does decide to grace us with her appearance we'll be properly prepared."
"Exactly, which is why you're going to accompany me in the hours before supper to get what we need. Someone like yourself would be knowledgeable about the care of children, as you are raising Dusk, and as such would know what we need to purchase together. wait here while I go give Pasayo to someone so we can shop for her in secret."
Houkan opened his mouth to protest, but his brother merely;y nodded his head in his own agreement and took Pasayo closer to his chest as he started to walk, heading towards one of the hallways. He made his way down the one that housed only three doors as compared to the usual six or seven, and as he approached one painted stark white against the dark cream while, he cleared his throat softly before knocking and turning the handle.
There was nothing to be seen, save for a low table sitting near the entrance. The windows had been blocked out with tape and curtains, creating a thick and artificial night, and Piero stepped inside before squatting down next to the low table.
"Do you mind if we sit this child here for a while? Houkan and I need to go out to buy a few things before supper and we feel that it would be best to leave her in your care. Lune and Sol would simply destroy her, I'm afraid to admit, so you are the only one we can turn to."
Piero rested the egg against the low table top, ignoring the fact that there was no cushion like usual for it to be propped up against, and the egg rocked back and forth for a moment before he righted the shell so the wings stood properly on either side and the little cloud hung about the bottom.
"I am going to leave her here for now, you do not need to bother with her unless you truly wish to. Please do not let this disturb you, and I will be back for her as soon as our shopping is over."
Pasayo's egg seemed distressed for a moment at its new surroundings, the room entirely dark save for the soft glow of a purple lantern that was resting on the low table quite close to her. The lantern only lit up enough area of the room to allow the floor a gentle visibility that would prevent someone from tripping and stumbling about aimlessly
"I will return soon, please take care."
"Oh."
The voice was incredibly soft and seemed to come from the shadows instead of a set location, and as the door closed to the room a figure slowly came into the pale light. Perhaps it was from the lantern's glow, or perhaps it was from the fading light that managed to sneak a tiny hand through the slivers of space against the curtained windows, but the child who made his way quietly towards the table had a purple hue about his skin and hair.
He was dressed simply compared to the other members of the 'family', his outfit consisting only of a large white sweater that hung over his frame and stopped just slightly below his knees, and his hair was draped about his shoulders in a massive braid that seemed too adult for his childish body. His feet were bare and shuffled along the hardwood floor despite the cool temperature that seemed to permeate the air thanks to no heat or light being allowed in, and as he finally drew close enough to the egg that he could reach out and touch her a pair of sheep ears poked their way though the thick black mop of hair.
"Do you...want a cookie?"
His voice seemed to underused, as if he spoke to nothing but the shadows in whispers hardly audible to human ears, and at the question he slid a half-eaten chocolate chip circle towards the egg who in response seemed to lift her wings up. Any person with the slightest bit of idea would know that an egg could not consume a cookie no matter how hard it may try, since eggs do not have mouths or hands, but as this child who lived his life in a darkened room did not have much of an idea a cookie offer naturally came from him.
"No...cookie? Then....I don't know what else to offer. You..."
The small child squinted his eyes as he looked closer at the egg, his head moving back and forth with a slow rhythm as he seemed to be thinking of something. His braid swung like the arm of a clock behind his back as he did so, the whole scene seemingly frightening when only illuminated by the tiny lantern.
"Oh, I...I remember you. You're called....Pasayo....right?"
An exaggerated clapping of hands followed the announcement of the egg's given name, and at the calling the tiny wings rose up once more and the cloud slowly started to move about her base. Were the words of this child having so much of an effect on whomever dwelt inside? As he opened his mouth to speak again the wings fluttered every so slightly, as if in anticipation of what may come next.
"I would never...could never...forget someone like you. I..have never seen...anything quite as beautiful...as your wings and shell."
That simple phase, the words "never forget" may have been what Pasayo had been wanting more than anything, and no sooner had the small child finished his sentence than a loud cracking sound filled the air. Worried eyes quickly checked the shell over again, as Dusk wondered if he had done something terrible and caused Piero's precious egg to be ruined, and as he noticed the fissure that ran along the white mark that looked like a scar the color seemed to pale more from his face and his eyes began to water. He was going to run out of his room and look for tape, to fix her quickly, but stopped dead in his tracks as another crack seemed to follow across the glossy black shell, and another soon after that. Small flakes were falling now and lined against the table as the fissures grew larger and larger, and after a moment there was no sound.
The cracking stopped, the wings dropped down to the side from their upright position, and the cloud ceased to billow about the base. Dusk felt his heart drop into his throat as he noticed the egg had stopped shaking too, as it had started when the first crack appeared, and no sooner could he wonder if Pasayo had died then a bright flash of light filled the room. He had to cover his eyes in pain to keep what he could out, the brightness overpowering the soft glow of his lantern, and for a moment he could only cower and wait for it to die down.
When it did he dared to peek his eyes open, only to see that the egg was entirely gone. nothing stood in its place, whatever hatched having moved away, and he opened his mouth to cry out when he felt something heavy press against his stomach and he felt the warmth of arms trying to fit about his torso. Something was holding on to him, or someone, and Dusk looked down with shock to see nothing but a bright head attached to a naked, shivering body.
"....Pasayo....?"
There wasn't an answer, but somehow the small boy knew this to be the egg, this shivering frame that whispered into his stomach and chest to be the same, and with a slight motion he tried to reach past for an object on the table.
"Now...do you...want a...cookie...?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:07 pm
Quote: [ roleplay with toulouse = "a time of night" ]
An issue arises and Pasayo first meets Toulouse when he comes crashing into Piero's yard, wounded. It seems he's being chased and is some kind of prince, but Piero won't have him causing any danger to himself or to this family.
When wounds are healed Pasayo and Toulouse take a bath together, and the elder Ashe is sent away with a protective token . . . Quote: [ roleplay with b'elanna = "let's compare and contrast!" ]
Out and about, Piero and the newly hatched Pasayo meet an energetic young woman named Fumei and the rather interesting egg she carried with her named B'Elanna. It seems that Ashe attract other Ashe, and a relationship is quickly formed with questions being asked and answer.
Piero buys Fumei a music box before they part, as a memorial to their meeting . . . Quote: [ roleplay with aesop = "a lesson of artistic quality" ] Quote: [ open roleplay = "a glimmer of magic . . ." ] Quote: [ open roleplay = "halloween roleplay event" ]
Probably could be best described as a dream Pasayo had, as there were many people there she had never seen before as well as one she oft dreamt about anyway. Disguised as a teenager and dressed as a Greek noble Pasayo met so many new faces and perhaps somehow gained an admirer she never knew.
Such is the fate of dreams . . . Quote: [ roleplay with archara = "wintery days" ] Quote: [ roleplay with toulouse = "redemption" ]
After a bitter argument causes Pasayo to run away from Houkan and Piero's side she finds herself at the bottom of a hole and injured beyond her own understanding. No one is looking for her that she knows of, and memories from the past come back to remind her that she'd died alone once - it shouldn't be impossible for it to occur again.
What is different this time is the interference of Toulouse, called to her side by an uncertain feeling and a charm given to him by Piero. He finds her and saves her life, but not before a word spoken by Pasayo shakes his foundations, as does a name said by him.
It ends with a kiss, what could this mean . . .?
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Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:11 pm
Quote: [ self journal entry = "a nightmare" ]
She never quite recalled how she got to that point in her dreams, the part where she would fall down so quickly only to wake up screaming loudly against her pillow. Waking up covered in sweat was becoming an all too familiar feeling, the night clothing soaked around the collar and down her back like two hands that wanted to squeeze away her life. It was almost like a blanket of fear had been wrapped around her as soon as she had managed to drift off to sleep, only to wake her once the corners were pulled too tightly and all air had been cut off.
There was a clock in her room on the wall, one barely illuminated by the moonlight, and as the small girl squinted she could vaguely make out the analog hands that pointed at the 2 (small) and somewhere between the 4 and 5 ( big ). Piero had insisted the young girl use an analog clock in her room instead of a digital, to help her learn time, but when she would wake in the early hours with no lights to guide her part of her wondered if Piero cared more about keeping the inside of the house looking old than actually her ability to tell time.
Not that she was doubting him. Pasayo would never raise a moment of doubt in her mind towards either of the two men who were properly caring for her. They did all they could do her, nurturing her to a state where she was able to care for herself with little to no aid, but there was nothing they could do for her about these dreams. They had increased in number, almost every day now, and the young child was growing fearful of trying to close her eyes each night. Exhaustion was so close it was breathing down her neck at every moment she stayed awake, trying hard to lull her into its embrace and whisk her off into another episode of fits and tears.
This was almost too much for the child to hold in anymore, this sickening feeling of wanting to cry and sleep at the same time, the feeling of not knowing what to do or who to ask what was the right thing to try, and without much more though the little child slipped over the side of the bed. Her feet contacted with the wooden floor and created a thunk, one that seemed to resonate and echo in the darkness of her room where the only sound was her breathing and the steady tick-tock of her wall clock, and for a moment she searched around for her slippers.
For some reason the later it was, the less light there was, the easier it was for the child to see. But for now that did not matter, she merely wanted to find a source of comfort to help ease the small chill that was still running down her back and causing her throat to tighten with each swallow she forced and each breath she took. It was suffocating, this fear that always drove her awake, and so she padded over to her door and opened the handle silently, letting the sound of creaking enter the hallway and permeate the silence.
Her body knew the way to his room. She did not need to trust her eyes for this, the child could probably make the trip blindfolded and backwards, maybe even disoriented and on her hands. This path was like a safety net to her heart, and with each step she made towards the door only a few feet away from her own her mind raced and her pulse increased. The little child knew she would not be turned away from his side, he would surely be awake for her, but it did nothing to ease the unease she was carrying. Instead of fear now she was feeling something akin to butterflies in her stomach, a feeling that only developed at night and when she was making her rounds like this. Nerves, perhaps?
She had no further time to think as her hands reached out and touched the smooth wood that composed his door, the feeling so familiar and dear to her fingertips that she ran her tiny hands up and down for a moment before she balled them into a fist and light rapped upon the surface. No more hesitation here, no more need for butterflies. They all faded away on the touch of that wood which had been worn down by her own hands long ago, the earlier attempts and fear that had driven her into pounding and scratching like an animal to get inside.
From the other side she could hear the sound of weary footsteps making their way over to the door, the person walking swaying as the hand of sleep still had a hold on their balance and body's mind, and the little child Pasayo backed up as the door's handle creaked to be opened. A face peered out into the darkness and looked around, side to side, before finally glancing down to see what had caused this waking moment.
"Pasayo? Is something wrong?"
Houkan's voice echoed just like all the other sounds, though this sound was far more impacting on the child than the silence of night, the silence of emptiness and loneliness. Pasayo's eyes quickly filled with tears as she dashed forward and latched herself to his leg with slightly audible sobs, the rest of her mouth and the sound buried deeply into the fabric of Houkan's flannel night pants. Louder and louder came her cries as the source of her comfort knelt down at her side and placed a large hand on her small back. The hand moved up, then down, up once more in a rubbing manner that seemed to cause the chill to vanish in the gentle and loving warmth it created, and the young man moved his face down to where it was close to the child's own.
"Hey there, no tears. Was it another nightmare, the same one as always?"
She could only nod, not wanting to deny the reason for her trip out of her bed and into the darkness; a miniature rule that had been set by Piero as a protection for the family was that everyone would stay in their rooms until the sun came up. Yet here both of them were, in the hallway with one in tears and the other barely awake enough to understand the situation.
The gentle hand on her back moved to her hip, a motion that caused the little girl to blink for a moment as another hand joined on the other side and gently tightened in a grip. Before her mind could react, before she could wonder what was going on, Pasayo was lifted into the air and cradled gently against a chest whose heartbeat she knew all too well. It had been so long since Houkan had held her close, the habit having stopped once Piero had decided that perhaps Pasayo was growing too old to be carried around like she was but an infant, so without any feelings of sadness once more the tears flowed down blackened cheeks and onto balled fists. So nostalgic, so comforting, it was almost too much.
If to stay like this for a while before being carried back to her own room was an option, Pasayo would have given anything to do it. She nuzzled her head against the young man's chest, her ear over his heart, and closed her eyes to accept the sounds that were her whole world from the time she was an egg. She did not feel the movements from when he started to walk, nor did she feel the location that was coming, though when the walk ended at a much shorter rate than usual she was forced to open her eyes...and stare at the bed inside Houkan's room.
"I know I should not let you sleep in here, Elder Brother would be mad, but seeing as it is late and you obviously will not be going back to sleep any time soon I think it would be best if you just stayed in here with me for the night."
A smile, a gentle set down onto sheets that were alien, all added together to create a puzzled look on a child who was relieved, so happy. When the larger body ushered for her to move and lay down, to 'not talk but sleep' she merely obeyed, that fear of sleep she had possessed only moments before fleeing away into the night like birds from a scarecrow, and she moved from her feet to her back against a pillow that was almost the size of her body. It was soft and smelt of sleep and sweat - Houkan must have been sleeping hard as well, and the little child rolled onto her stomach as the bed moved down with the weight of another person beside her.
"You can sleep well now, and do not worry. I will be here should you wake up, no matter what, so rest without fear."
His lips brushed the tip of her nose, an affectionate gesture he probably did not even know he had done thanks to how tired the young man was, and with a yawn Houkan nestled himself down deeper underneath the blankets and rested his head on the pillow near Pasayo's own face. The little child, her heart pounding now with something other than nerves, fear, or hungry ambitions, tried to close her eyes to match the expression she was watching. She could sleep now, she should sleep now. Everything was fine.
Though she dreamt once more of falling.
It was always about falling.
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Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:20 pm
Quote: [ self journal entry = "the fall" ]
She could not remember how many times her body contacted with the walls as she went down, the pain only testifying to an incident that drew up a blank as a wandering mind tried to recall. All she knew was that she was at the bottom of something, a hole perhaps, looking up at darkness as far as her eye could see from where she lay.
. . . .
She couldn't move her mouth to speak, or at least when she did manage to part her thin lips no sounds issued forth other than the harsh gurgle of someone breathing with what sounded like water in their mouth or lungs. It was not water, she knew that much, as the bitter taste of iron poured onto her tongue from an unknown source and slowly puddled over the side of her mouth and down her cheeks to the floor on which she lay.
Her right arm was bent above her body at a crude angle, the lack of feeling other than a dull ache radiating from it indicating it had most likely been dislocated before it was broken or she was simply in a point of shock to where pain meant nothing to her body. Her left leg went done in a similar manner, only not bent so crudely but indeed broken, and from what senses she had remaining on that limb she could feel the warmth of blood oozing out and over her legs before streaming away. It was not just from her mouth and leg that she could feel the ache of blood leaving her body as the sting came from everywhere that it possibly could have come from, even daring now to leak slightly from her nose as her ragged breathes tried to force themselves in and out.
. . . .I fell . . . .
So slowly thoughts began to permeate her brain, little bubbles here and there that seemed to pop and release their message like tiny records, and bits of information started to gather at the far corner of her mind. It was painful to think of what had caused this, how this might have occurred, but it was something she had to recall - something important as to why she was now down here and why she would stay down here.
No one is looking for her, a cold voice reminded her. No one knows where you are, you do not stand out enough for someone to care. You brought the argument upon yourself and ran off on your own, and they will not search for you until you can no longer be found.
No, that was not right. She did not remember arguing with anyone over something trivial, she did not remember crying when she could not get her way and being struck across the cheek. There was only a brief memory of running off and into the woods, her feet carrying her over branches and her skirt getting ripped on a rock or two as she stumbled around aimlessly. She had carried herself far away from the two gentlemen she had been with, far enough that she was long out of their sight and probably their minds for the moment.
But still, why had she run on? Foolish childhood pride and anger, or was it just the desire to move until she could go no further, take no more steps? Her running had turned to walking after she had run out of breath and felt that enough distance had been placed should they start a pursuit of her for any reason, and after a while even that walking had turned to a leisurely stroll.
They will not come for me.
As far as she could remember she had not seen the hole in front of her, the large mouth covered with decades of dead foliage from the trees that draped over the mouth like beckoning fingers to unsuspecting creatures. It was only when her step hit the end and scattered downwards, her voice letting out a small gasp as air rushed from her lungs, that the small child knew she had encountered a proverbial 'hole in the road'.
I am going to be down here forever.
So it had all come back to her now though it had taken longer than one would have guessed, as the air around her now felt more chill with the setting in of the night, and the loss of body temperature thanks to her excessive injuries and bleeding only seemed to add to the chill. If she had the ability to shiver at this point in time she would have been, instead she could only continue to stare up at the darkness that loomed over her like a familiar blanket. Her jaw remained slightly open as her breathing became less ragged amongst fewer breaths, the task of even trying to get air into her lungs now a painful chore.
Am I going to die alone?
No, that was not all she wanted to think, what she was feeling down in her core as a fear that enveloped each of her nerves and sent tremors down from her hair to her toes. It was odd that she could feel these phantom terrors even though most of her body had gone numb now, her toes frozen as they sat in the open air thanks to one of her shoes being torn off during the fall.
Somewhere near here the faint sound of a bat awakening from its slumber. . .
Am I going to die alone...again?
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Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 10:46 pm
Quote: [ self journal entry = "inoru" ]
Face were peering down at the newborn babe wrapped in a lace blanket, the delicate beading gently touching her skin and causing her face to contort into all kinds of 'delightful' expressions. It seemed that each distortion would bring coos and awes of approval from the hovering faces above, and the little babe merely burbled with the thoughts and confusion that came with the position.
The babe had ivory skin, almost so white it looked like she was made of glass instead of real flesh and blood, and adorning her head in what little could be made out were curls of the richest gold that seemed to catch each glint of light in the area. Her cheeks were flushed rosy red, her small lips full and pouting as they begged in whatever manner a babe cries, and from the way her tiny fingers poked over the sleeves of the large bedding-gown she wore it was clear she would have a lovely figure as well. In all, a perfect child for a perfect high society family.
"We've named her Inoru, which has the meaning of 'to pray'. Our babe was blessed with such looks one can only pray that she will grow into a fine beauty . . ."
" . . .Which is why we consider you generally useless. You are not skilled in the ways of the arts like your elder brother, nor do you possess unspeakable passion for music like your younger sister. You...you are simply a disappoint to your Mother and I."
It had been merely a decade, old enough for the babe to turn child, and already the feeling of change had swept across the high family and struck their beautiful babe down.
Her beautiful hair had turned to mud at the passing of her third summer, the gentle golden curls now straight sticks that clung to her cheeks whenever the weather turned to humid and puffed at the roots instead of curling; her eyes had darkened as well from their icy blue to a more tempered brown
- to be continued -
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