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 Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:23 pm
 The Story Begins...
A sly smile crept across his face as a gleam of avarice slid into view as he watched the boy. He could mold one that age to do as he wished with no questions asked. At least with time the boy would do as he wanted.
Jaster's feiry red hair gleamed brightly as his vibrant green eyes gazed in adoration at the parade. He caught sight of the elephant and shoved his way to the very front of the crowd only to stare upwards as they passed him by.
A woman with a gleaming beaded mask made of feathers and sequins glanced around as she rode high atop the great creature. Her glittering costume jangled as the bells and beads moved with each tremendous step. His jaw dropped open in slight awe when she waved directly to him. A wide grin of delight appeared as his hand rose waving in reply to her. She had noticed him and he smiled widely at the thought.
As his arm lowered, the clowns passed by, tossing buckets of confetti at the crowd. Many flinched thinking they were to be drenched in water. A few even tossed candy to the children as they continued to walk down the street. Laughter filled the air as Jaster continued to watch, awestruck at the glittering magical event taking place in front of him. When he felt the hand on his shoulder, the boy turned to see who was there. He smiled widely noting his father.
"Well, Jaster, would you like to go tonight? I'm sure it will be crowded, but I think we could manage." he asked, tossing his head upwards as if in calculation. His eyes searched the distance as if looking at something only he could see. A bright gleam appeared.
"Can we? I want to!" Jaster stated immediately, his eyes sparkling. It was unusual for his father to do much of anything other than order him about. If he was offering, the boy certainly was not going to turn him down.
"I think so. I can manage an hour or two I think." he replied. "But first we have a few things to do. The carnival will need time to set up anyhow. Let's get our work finished." he stated already turning and expecting the child to follow.
Without hesitation, he walked just behind his father as they left the street. All he could think about was that he was going to the carnival tonight and his father was taking him.
It was nearly six hours later when Jaster finished his chores. He sat down to eat his supper with his father. It wasn't much but it would do. He munched the bread almost too excited to eat, but his parent didn't like waste, so he continued to eat. Nearly dark outside, the sounds of the town slipped into the room from the open window. It was a warm night and the breeze carried with it the flavors of the bakeries and the carnival. Sweet and tantalizing, but Jaster knew better than to ask and rush his father. It would turn into anger and then he'd be unable to go. So he ate as he normally would have and tried to be patient.
Finally an hour later the man watched the boy as he finished the dishes. Jaster carefully dried and put away each and every one as he normally would have. The man glanced around to make sure that everything was in place.
"Get your jacket, Jaster. We will go to the carnival for a short time." he said, smiling briefly. It wasn't the thought of the boy going or even spending time with him. A much more important reason lay in his thoughts. There was a man he needed to see.
When they got to the carnival, Jaster glanced around, his eyes darting here and there in excitement. This was going to be so much fun. He didn't understand why his father was being so nice to him. He normally was not, but the last thing he was going to do was question it.
"Jaster, stay close. I don't want to lose you, boy." his father stated. At least not yet, he thought to himself though he added nothing further. The gleam was still in his eyes.
They walked through the carnival until they came to the animal tent. Jaster's father walked inside looking around. Jaster followed, smiling as he patted the two horses they walked past. Several cages were locked and the felines inside sleepily watched the boy. Then Jaster noticed an odd looking dog and stopped to stare at him.
"Jaster. I said keep up." the man growled at the boy upon not hearing his footsteps.
"Sorry, Dad." he jumped, hurrying forward to the man.
They stopped at the back of the tent where a man sat. He glanced upwards, then smiled widely. "My friend, I see you brought it with you. Very nicely done." he smirked as he watched Jaster and his father.
"Yes. Do you have the price agreed upon?" he replied, the corners of his mouth turning upwards.
"Right here." he snorted, then picked up a pouch that jingled from the table beside him. Tossing it to Jaster's father, he grinned widely.
The man opened it, looking inside. "Fair enough. Jaster, stay here. I need to do something for a few minutes. Do whatever he tells you to do."
"Alright, Dad." the boy said, though he moved away from the man. He just didn't like the way he looked. What was his father doing talking to someone like that anyhow?
The man simply walked out and kept going. No reports would be filed on his missing son. Noone cared and noone would question the boy's disappearance. It would be assumed he'd been sent elsewhere.
The man grinned at Jaster. "My name is Tobias, boy. And from this point on, you are my servant." he smirked.
Jaster blinked, suddenly alert and afraid. "W..what do you mean? Where's my dad?" he asked, stuttering slightly.
"He's gone. The money I gave him was for you. I need the help to take care of the animals. Your father sold you to me. You belong to me." he said as he moved towards the boy, reaching for his wrist.
The boy didn't hesitate. He slammed his foot outwards and into the man's shin. Backing away as the man doubled over in pain, Jaster glanced around for a place to run.
"You little brat! I'll beat that out of you!" the man snarled, his face darkened with fury.
Jaster bolted, passing the cages as he moved. Suddenly he stopped, unlocking the door of the first. Then he moved to the second one, opening it also.
"Stop! Are you stupid?" Tobias growled, blinking in surprise as the dog began to bark and snarl at him. It remembered the beatings and abuse he'd given it.
Without stopping, Jaster opened the cages to the felines too, then he ran. It didn't matter what happened so long as he could get out of there. A part of him ached at the betrayal by his father. He'd have to see if it were true or not, but not just yet. Right now, he was scared and he needed to run. To run and hide was all he could think of.
People behind him began to scream as a tiger stalked into view. He darted to the side between the main tents and to a back area. Slipping into a tent the boy quickly looked around. This was someone's personal tent, so Jaster glanced around for the owner. It was empty, and he stepped forwards further as echoes of screams began.
He flinched, halting entirely as someone yelled just behind the tent. But when he heard nothing further, Jaster continued looking around. A table nearby was covered with various supplies. Bread, cheese, several boxes of chocolates, and some bottles of both soda and water were placed there. Looking towards the other side, he saw a pillow.
For an instant he hesitated as he heard feet running past. Then he grabbed the casing, shoving the pillow into the bottom tightly. Jaster began stuffing the food in on top of the cushioning. Even the candy he pushed inside. Looking around he knew at some point he'd need money, especially if what the man said was true. His father HAD sold him.
It was then he noticed the orb on the table, half hidden beneath a cloth. He stared at it for a moment. Turning he made it halfway to the door, before he hesitated. Jaster turned, frowning slightly. Then he hurried back, picking it and the jewelry up in the cloth. It was quickly shoved inside before he turned for the door again. The casing was full but holding onto it firmly, the boy peeked out the opening.
Several people ran past, talking about catching the creatures and that they'd killed someone. Jaster flinched. He'd not thought of that. He'd be held responsible for it. Turning, he darted away to the grasses at the edge of the area. Then he ran as far and as fast as he could.
He'd find out about his father later, when he was sure what he wanted to do.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:22 pm
Jaster ran blindly, barely able to see where he was going in the dark. Stumbling, he lay silently trying to hold his breath in fear that someone would hear him only to have the ragged gasps blatantly tell where he was. He flinched, trying to stifle himself only to have his breath whoosh outwards again.
Paniced, his chest rose and fell quickly as he searched the blanket of shadows around him. The faint sounds from the carnival still followed him echoing slightly. The bag he clutched tighter to him, his hand still wrapped in the fabric of the pillowcase.
Insects rasped their wings beside him, causing him to jump once more, pulling his attention to them. Other than they, he heard nothing. A part of him was relieved, but another part of him still feared and he slowly, cautiously got to his feet.
He'd not go far in the darkness. The thought slid free even as he looked about for a safe place to go. Jaster stared for a moment, thinking about where he was in relation to what he knew. He needed a place of safety until he could figure out if his father had really sold him or not.
Moving along steadily, he remembered a large rock he'd once climbed upon. It was nearly ten feet tall and had taken him nearly ten minutes just to climb to the top. It was in the park and that wasn't so far from where he was now. He would be safe there, on top of the stone, at least for this night. In the daylight he could figure things out and what he needed to do.
He rounded the curve as a slight numbness slid over him. Hurt, anger, betrayal were all presently there and struggling for attention from him. Confusion and a bit of apathy slid free, nudging him onward.
Starting to climb, he stopped when the bag pulled him back downwards with its weight. Stepping back, he studied it for several long moments. Tying the top shut, he opted to toss it upwards. If it landed on top, his hands would be free to climb up afterwards. There was no way he was leaving his loot behind. He needed it.
A sigh on his lips as he picked it up entirely, awkwardly, he squinted trying to see where to make it land. With all the strength he had, he threw it up into the air. The angle was wrong and it came back down aimed directly for him. Jaster tried to catch it, but when it hit him, he stumbled backwards, landing on his rear.
Picking the bag up again, the boy changed where he stood slightly more to the left. Tossing it as hard as he could, he watched as it hit the edge, then slid downward. But then it stopped and he grinned though it was unseen in the darkness and he began to climb the monolith before him.
Halfway he struggled, glancing backwards as he tried to remember how he'd gotten to the top the previous times. Twice his feet nearly slipped out from under him, almost taking him to the bottom. The now bruised and scuffed fingertips holding him began to ache and burn slightly as he continued to climb upwards to the top.
Jaster lay backwards, closing his eyes and just resting for a moment to catch his breath when he finally reached the top. The large slightly curved surface greeted him cooly even through the shirt and jacket he wore.
Moving forward, he pulled the bag upwards. A grin slid across his features as he checked it. Nothing seemed broken at first glance. He'd use it for a pillow since that's what it was. He pulled a piece of candy out to much on, then lay down, positioning himself so that he'd not slide off the edge.
Soon enough Jaster was asleep, and the orb in the sack begain to move. A faint glow slipped through the pillowcasing lighting up the boy's face with a ghostly glow.
Jaster sighed, falling into a deeper sleep as dreams slipped over him. Some carried images of birds and cats and carnival while others carried shapeless laughter that caused him to hide. But as the warm breeze passed over, a more gentle, surer sensation leaped free.
The boy continued to sleep, peacefully unaware of what the world around him would bring. At least for this moment he did.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:23 pm
He woke up, somewhat stiff. Several times he'd waken during the night to unknown sounds nearby. IT wasn't really the sounds themselves so much as worrying about his safety. If anyone knew he'd released the animals, they'd be looking for him.
Blinking hard to shove the sudden thought of his father away, Jaster pulled some food from the bag. His stomach hurt, but he was unsure if it were from lack of food or something more. He thought as he silently munched on the bread and a slice of cheese. All sorts of questions filled his mind.
Had his father missed him last night? Was he out looking for him? Was he worried and afraid for Jaster? But had his father really sold him?
The questions shifted to what Jas knew. His father had taken him unexpectedly to the fair. He'd taken a bag of something that jingled. Like coins. He'd left him there with Tobias without glancing back even one time. New questions appeared.
If his father had left him there... sold him.., he flinched at the thought but pushed forwards, would he be happy to see him? Would he be angry? Would he send him back to Tobias? Was he only property to them both?
Worry about such things should not have been on his small shoulders. It was and it was a heavy burden to bear. Wiping the tears away quickly and angrily, Jaster shoved the rest of the food back into the bag. His appetite was suddenly gone.
Getting to his feet, he climbed down from the top of the rock. He had been tempted to leave his bag of things there, but decided that it might be best to take them. The chocolate would get messy in the sunlight and warmth.
As he walked towards the streets he knew led to his home, the boy began to wonder something more. He frowned at the thought, but then it slipped from his lips making it real.
"What will I do if it's true?"
He never noticed the bag glowed faintly as he walked down the street. The orb pulsed slightly as if trying to comfort in some way. Jaster never saw.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:24 pm
He walked slowly down the streets, slipping around people quickly and avoiding anyone who looked suspicious to him. That was hard because everyone looked suspiciously at him or so he thought.
He had been tempted to ride the bus there but feared to be trapped there. It was nearing noon by the time he was even close to his home. Clutching the bag a bit tighter, Jaster made his way to the end of the street they lived on. For an instant, he felt warm and happy to be nearly home.
Then he remembered.
He thought about his father. Would he be happy to see him or not? Would he try to take him back? He should be looking for Jaster. But was he?
The boy frowned as he caught sight of his house. His feet dragged heavily, scuffing the pavement of the walk as he hesitated at the corner of the yard. Did he really want to find out? No. He knew the answer without vocally saying it.
It had hurt what the man had said to him. He just couldn't believe his father had sold him. It just couldn't be true.
Walking into the yard he hesitated at the window. It was slightly open, and he could see a figure inside. At first he wasn't sure, but then he knew that it was his father. He was leaning back in his chair.
"Bring me a drink." he called.
Jaster blinked in surprise. Who was he talking to? Noone was there but his dad. Or so there should not be.
The woman walked into the room, carrying a bottle of liquer and two cups. She smiled as she poured each of them some from it. Sitting down on his lap she laughed.
"So where's the boy?"
"Boy? Oh, you mean Jaster. Gone to visit his aunt." he smirked, slipping his arms around her. "He won't be back. I'm done with him and she said she'd take him in."
His jaw dropped open as hot angry tears fell down his cheeks. There was no aunt at least that he knew of. His father was lying. He HAD sold him. He clung to the bag tighter as he listened to the rest of their conversation. Before it was finished, the boy had turned away, running down the street.
Without looking back, he just ran and ran and ran until he could run no more. When he tripped at the base of the tree, Jaster lay gasping for breath. Sitting up against the tree, he wiped the tears away angrily.
"Who needs him? I don't! If he doesn't want me, then I don't want him!" he snarled out. But the ache didn't go away. He did want him. He always had. Positioning the bag behind him, he just closed his eyes and tried to shove the hurt away.
A faint glow could be seen from the pillowcase, but Jaster never noted it.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:25 pm
He'd fallen asleep and woke somewhat stiff and confused. Then he remembered what he'd heard his father say. Blinking hard, he shoved the tears away. He should have known that when his mother died, his father wouldn't care about him. He'd hoped like any child does that his father would make up for her loss.
He wasn't. The man didn't care about him.
"I have no father." he growled furiously, the tears vanished. "If he doesn't want me, then I don't need him."
But what did he do now? How did he live? The stuff he had would only last a short time. And he couldn't live outside forever. The rain and weather would eventually be too much for him.
With a sigh, he pulled the bag to him. Nearly shoving his arm into the pillowcase, Jaster moved the things around inside. When he touched the orb, he frowned slightly, pulling it out to look at it.
The purples and gold gleamed faintly, but the black marking caught his attention. Shifting it around in his hands, he studied it for some time. He wondered why it was glowing. And it was warm.
For an instant he wondered how much he could get for it. But then something else slid through him. Almost... jealousy at the thought of someone else touching it. It was his.
Suddenly he wanted it and he was going to keep it. He'd find some other way to make money to survive on. Maybe someone would hire a kid to run errands or something. He hoped so.
Putting the orb in his pocket instead of back into the bag, Jaster got to his feet. He'd have to find someplace to stay. He briefly remembered there were some old buildings in the park. Maybe he'd find a way into one of those. Some had been boarded up and others looked ready to fall. He was certain that they'd be torn down at some point, but until then he might find someplace safer than being in the open. Someone might be looking for him after the events at the carnival the night before.
He couldn't get caught. Not by that man and not by his father.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:26 pm
Jaster moved quickly through the park. Nervously he glanced around him at each sound whether the snap of a twig, an errant bird's call, or the wind rustling leaves. He'd flinch at the noise whether any intent to harm him or not was there.
The bag was clutched tighter and he'd slip his free hand into his pocket to make sure the orb was there. It was almost as if he needed the reassurance that its presence was continued in some way. Whatever drove him onward, Jaster never stopped, but quickened his pace at each ping of fear or concern.
The animals he'd set free could be lurking around each tree or bush, ready to spring out at him. Their angry eyes beset him from every shady spot whether from a small flower or a thick briar.
As he neared the small bridge, the boy's eyes quickly noted its condition. The planks looked weakened, rotting in places from the weather with vines clinging to the sides of what few railings were left standing. He was quite certain that if he put his hand upon it, the entire thing would collapse on him and he'd tumble crashing down into the waterfall below. If the fall didn't kill him, it was certain he'd drown before he could get out of the watery depths there.
Jaster shivered momentarily as he stared at it. Was it solid enough to put his weight upon? He glanced around behind him and then to the other side where the buildings barely showed through the trees.
Noone came here much. That was obvious, and that made it the type of place he needed. Should he chance it? Or not?
For an instant, he closed his eyes, gathering himself together. He needed to do this. It was all there was and at least a dry safe place for him. For now.
Opening his eyes, he growled at himself. Just do it. an inward voice said.
So he did. Stepping out carefully, Jaster made his way across the bridge. The side closest the waterfall's edge looked the worst and he avoided the planking there. In a few moments, he was standing on the shore, looking back at where he had walked. He studied them in detail for several long minutes before turning away. Now he knew where to step safely.
The first two buildings he found were barely there. They were barely more than a broken foundation. The third and fourth were in bad shape with boarded up windows and doors as well as broken porches and vines growing thickly.
The larger of the two shacks would work for him, he decided, if he could find a way in. It had to be easy for him but not for anyone else. Noone could know he was there.
It was nearly a half hour later before he found the loose board on the back side. It was mostly hidden by a large flowering vine, but there was enough space that he could slip behind it and right inside with a minimum of effort.
Jaster blinked as his eyes adjusted to the gloom inside. It wasn't a large place, a two room shack someone had once lived in. There were the remains of a fireplace and chimney just beside him. He smiled faintly. That meant that he could build a fire and it would be warmer than just sleeping outside. His eyes swiftly explored the room and then the next as he moved to the doorway. It seemed safe enough and there had not been any use from what he could see.
"This will do for now." he grinned widely. "This is my place. At least until I find something better."
"It'll be better than my dad's too." he growled after a moment or two of decision making on what he needed.
Tomorrow, he'd make a list and figure out what it was he could use. Maybe he could find some of the things nearby without anyone seeing him. Right now he was tired and hungry. His stomach was his first concern.
The orb in his pocket glowed faintly almost as if in approval. Jaster never noticed as he pulled the bread and cheese from the bag. Everything else could wait.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:27 pm
Saljin Arrives As he ate, he wondered what he was going to do. Suddenly he lost his appetite, shoving the food quickly back into the bag. Tying it shut with a piece of string, he frowned as he knew the cheese and bread would only last another day or say. The chocolate was likewise going to vanish about then too. He'd have to find more food or at least a way of getting some.
The pond was not far away and if he could figure out how to get a fishing pole, he would be able to fish. He had one at home, but it was in the shed in the back yard. He'd have to climb the fence and run the risk of getting caught by his father or someone else.
Curling up on the floor, his head on the bag for a pillow, he closed his eyes as he thought about what to do. Technically, it wasn't stealing. The fishing pole, tackle box and contents were his. His father had given them to him a long time ago.
He pulled the orb free of his pocket, holding it in his palm. Jaster was unsure what it was, but he knew it was his. He wanted to keep it. Some inexplicable part of him felt better when it was close. With a smile he put it back into his pocket, patting it gently before settling down to get some rest.
As he drifted off to sleep, fish swam through his dreams for some time. But then a warm feeling came over him as deep violet eyes peered at him. A smile slid across the sleeping boy's face as the orb glowed unseen by the child.
For a moment the light intensified as if going to explode. It did, but not exactly as one would expect. A shape began to grow quickly around it, long golden tentacles reaching outwards. Long silken black hair floated around the head over pointed ears and those same violet eyes watched the boy sleeping. It was as if he knew the boy, a tentacle touching the child's face gently.
A slight frown surfaced as the goldenskinned creature blinked in confusion trying to get its bearings on where it was, what it was, as well as who the boy was.
A name came to it unbidden. Jaster... It understood. The boy was Jaster.
So who was he? Was he a... he too? More confusion as it thought about that also. It didn't know. It wasn't important at that moment. Was it?
Drifting a short distance away, the ghostly shape studied what was inside the building. Nothing seemed familiar. It felt nothing at all as it looked around. Yet when its eyes fell back upon the sleeping form of the boy, a warm fuzzy something slipped through it.
Moving nearer to the child, it settled down to watch. Whatever it was, it needed Jaster. Perhaps he knew what it was and could answer the questions it did not understand. In the meantime, it held the orb closer to its body, studying the marking within as well as the one on its hand. They were the same and the thought only made the situation worse.
Why was it marked in such a way? A feeling that something had happened suddenly crept over it and down its back. The undera shivered as if feeling that there had been a punishment involved.
Punishment? Why did it know that word? Frustration slipped into the creature, causing a shudder to ripple all the way to the tips of the tentacles. Curling closer around the orb, it moved even moreso to the boy.
It didn't understand at all why it was here or where it was. Jaster would know. Maybe.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:29 pm
When he woke, Jaster blinked in surprise at the the eyes watching him. A bright violet gaze met his own as he continued to stare at the creature. It tilted its head to watch him as he moved to a sitting position.
"W-who are you?" he asked softly, a shiver slipping through him. He wondered briefly if the thing would attack him.
The undera merely watched, holding its orb closer to it. Drifting back slightly, a ribbon slipped towards him. It touched the boys sleeve as if trying to calm him. A frown crossed the undera's face as it studied the child before it. There was a connection there, but it was entirely uncertain why or what.
Jaster watched it thoughtfully for a moment. "What are you?" he asked, his eyes darting down to the orb it held. "Did.. did you come from that?" he asked suddenly quite certain that it was so even as he questioned.
It glanced to the orb in its hand, holding it gently. A slight nod was the only indication it gave. For a long moment it stared at the marking on the globe and then the one on its hand. There was something there that was painful, but it remained unseen as the undera turned its attention away and to the boy.
Teeth tugging his lower lip, Jaster watched him silently for several long moments. If it were going to harm him, it would have done so already. Wouldn't it have?
"So...." he drawdled, releasing his breath for a long moment at the end, "do you have a name?"
The undera tilted its head to watch him, a question in its violet eyes. Long black hair floated in the air around it as did the ribbons below its ghostlike body.
"Hmm... I guess not." Jaster said, frowning slightly as he scratched his head in thought. "I suppose I could give you one. You can't very well do without a name. Let's see... what do you look like?"
It blinked in surprise drifting backwards when the boy got to his feet, then circled it. Turning with him, it watched as they went around and around. A bit of amusement slipped outwards as the boy stopped in slight frustration.
"I know." he suddenly grinned. "There was a name I once read in a book about a bird. I'll use that name... IF I can remember it all." He folded his arms, raising his chin upwards as he stared at the ceiling of the room.
For several moments he was lost in thought, contemplating this as if it were a poignant moment of epic import to him and the creature in front of him. It was a turning point.
"Sal... Saljin! That's it! The man's name was really long and it was Saljin Durses Armond del Rheses." Jaster replied, a smirk firmly planted on his face that he'd remembered the entire name. Then he stopped, staring at the undera intently. "I can't call you all that," he growled in disgust. "Saljin Durses Armond del Rheses. It's too long, but which part should I use?"
The undera watched him, drifting upwards to more of an eye level. When the boy repeated the name again a part of it, the undera liked. Opening its mouth, it mentally tasted the words before it tried to speak.
"Ssssallll jiiiiin..." the creature said savoring the taste of the word. Then a second time. "Saaaljin..."
Jaster blinked in surprise. "Saljin? You.. like that part of it?" He suddenly grinned widely. "Saljin, then."
Holding his hand out with a wide grin still on his face, Jaster said, "I'm Jaster. Hello, Saljin."
The undera glanced down at the hand a moment unsurely. Then it looked at its own. Reaching out it touched Jaster's hand with its own.
"Jaaaaster. Saljin." it repeated much the way a parrot did, but with one difference. It slowly understood what it was saying. These were their names.
Some part within it jumped in joy. It had a name. It still did not remember, but it had a name and for now that was enough.
"Soooo, Saljin... " Jaster finally asked. "Um... are you... a boy or a girl?"
The undera stared, then turned away. The words boy or girl meant nothing to it.
"Saljin." he replied as he moved to the window to glance outwards.
Jaster sat down with a sigh. "I guess you don't know either. Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter. Let's eat. If you can eat, that is."
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:30 pm
The entire day, Jaster watched Saljin closely. He was a curious looking creature with the tentacles hanging down. At least he thought of them as such.
By noon he had been able to teach Saljin a few more words. They included, but were not entirely limited to "No, Yes, Umm, and Hmmm." But as they had become a part of Saljin's vocabulary just as they were Jaster's the boy didn't mind.
He laughed several times as he tried to teach him. Oddly he was having fun and his problems were quickly forgotten. Each time he laughed, Saljin touched his face, tilting his head as if the expression of laughter were a foreign yet tantalizing familiar thing to him.
As the day progressed, Jaster cleaned the room they were in, trying to think of the things he needed. Winter was months away so he honestly shoved the thought aside. What he needed were things for now.
"Saljin," the boy said after a few moments. "We need a fishing pole and my tacklebox from home." Some degree of hesitation revealed itself in his voice as he thought about that word. Home. This was his home now.
The undera watched him silently. The words meant little to them, but he did understand the impression of something pushing at Jaster. He could almost feel the slight bit of apprehension in the air between them. His expression flickered for a moment, but the boy seemed determined about something. Confused for a moment, Saljin merely watched Jasters.
Jaster sighed, "You'll see." Stashing his bag in what he thought was a safe place, the boy turned back for a moment. "What do I do with you though? I don't think that you should go with me. You might frighten someone. Stay here."
As Jaster moved for the door, so too did Saljin.
"No. You can't go." he frowned stopping in the opening.
Saljin merely stared at the boy silently. He'd not be left behind.
"You stay here. I'll be back."
Again the undera moved with him outside.
In exasperation, Jaster turned around again.
"Stay here, Saljin." he said, scowling when the undera drifted around him and down the path. "Wait! Hey!" he growled, shaking his head in irritation. "Bah! Alright... I guess you can come with me, but you better not get me into trouble or caught."
Saljin almost looked amused as the boy followed him. They were meant to be together. He knew it. Didn't Jaster?
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:32 pm
Getting Supplies
When they came to the fork in the path, Jaster hesitated. Saljin moved to the side, tentacles swaying back and forth to the slight breeze. The air tossed both red and black strands of hair around equally. The wind seemed to want to dance and neither noticed.
"I can't remember..." he began, "I have to think which direction to go."
Saljin tilted his head to the right just watching the boy.
"Which way is home?" he scowled, folding his arms. He'd been in the park before, but not often, and not this far from the main area.
The undera drifted to the right even more. A leaf caught his attention as it glittered moving with the wind in the sunlight. Then an insect rasping its legs pulled him closer. But as he did so a faint gleam in the ground caught his violet gaze. A tentacle tentatively touched the gleaming stone. It was a vibrant green. A moment later, Saljin turned it over and over in the palm of his hand.
"Home?" he asked absently as Jaster muttered again about the direction.
"Where I used to live." Jaster replied.
"Jaster." he said holding out the stone suddenly to the boy. He stared at the boy's eyes and repeated, "Jaster."
Jaster stared at him a moment and the stone in his hand. Taking it he decided it was pretty. Then he suddenly spit on it and rolled it around on his shirt to make it shine even more. That's what spit and polish did- make things shine more.
"Now it shines more." he smirked.
Saljin's lips twitched upwards at the action though he didn't understand why entirely. It seemed appropriate. Jaster held the stone out to him but Saljin refused it.
"Jaster." and pointed at his eyes.
He blinked in sudden understanding. It matched his eyes.
"That's green. The color green. Like the plants, leaves, and moss." he explained, "and my eyes. Here take it."
Saljin shook his head repeating. "Jaster."
The stone was his as far as the undera was concerned and he moved away. It had the boy's eyes in it marking it as his own.
Jaster sighed, putting the rock into his pocket.
"Home is this way I think, Saljin. Let's go."
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:33 pm
Out of Sight, Out of My Mind - Pt. 1 Princess_Feylin Lore wasn't quite sure why he was at this carnival. Well, that's not quite true. He knew why. He was there because Malecoda had told him that he was becoming a bore and to go do something interesting...away from her castle. Apparently the sight of him studying and doing little else did not sit well with the sorceress. So, without consulting him, Malecoda had sent him to a carnival. Oh, fun.
He hadn't been to a carnival since he was a young child, and it had been quite unlike the one which he was currently at. The atmosphere was the same: ill-concealed shoddiness and people trying desperately to feel something, or convince themselves that they felt something. The majority of the scents were the same: too many people, animals, whatever machinery the carnival kept. The sounds were the same: yelling, heckling, cheering, and animal sounds.
To be quite honest, it was a little intimidating after the relative silence of Malecoda's castle.
And he probably looked like one of the freaks on display, being dressed in his customary clothing, which was a comfortable, informal outfit akin to what an Elizabethan craftsman would wear when practicing his craft. No one around him was dressed thus, however, so while he would have blended in on another world, in this one (whichever one it was), he was the odd man out. He wondered if it was worth it to magick his outfit to the semblence of something more normal and decided that it wasn't.
There was also the matter of Lysander, hovering at his shoulder. Maybe he would do well just to pretend to be one of the carnival employees and try not to run into any legitimate ones. Eftemie Jaster and Saljin headed out of the park once the boy figured out the proper direction. But at the sound of the carnival, he hesitated. It was still going on and after what he'd done, he wondered if everyone would be looking for him. No matter if they were. He wasn't going back home and he certainly was not going to get trapped by that man again. If he was still around.
"Come on, Saljin. Maybe we can find something here. People drop all sorts of things or forget them. And we can find something to eat here. You do eat don't you?" he asked suddenly.
Saljin stared at the boy for a moment, then simply moved closer. He still didn't fully understand what Jaster was saying but he'd figure it out.
"Nevermind." he sighed, indicating that they work their way around to the food stands. "Just follow me."
Princess_Feylin Lore was looking around, partially amazed by the technological advances made on worlds which had not developed their magic and partially concerned that someone would notice him and that trouble would ensue.
Lysander also gazed around, his mis-matched eyes wide as he took everything in. He had never seen anything like this. It was so loud and dirty and smelly, and there were monsterous contraptions and the people dressed incredibly oddly. He would have been afraid had Lore not looked so at ease. Lore was not foolish. If they were in any danger, Lore would have told him and they would have discussed how they would get out of it.
Then something struck Lysander. He had experienced the feeling only once before. It had been just before he had met Dragul. It was the feeling of another of the orb-born being in near proximity.
"Lore," he said softly, "there's another of the orb-born here somewhere."
Lore was briefly startled by Lysander's announcement, but he hid it quickly. Genevieve had not been from the Underground, and she had still had an Undera. Why shouldn't others from other worlds have similar creatures?
"'Orb-born'?" he repeated. "Where did you come up with that name?"
Lysande shrugged in the same manner he had always used, turning one palm up and bending that arm very slightly. "I heard Malecoda use it, and it sounded like an apt description, since we tend to take all different forms."
"Ah. Should we look for this other orb-born?"
"I would like to. I believe I can lead you to it."
Lysander did not mention the huge distraction his surroundings were proving to him. He could barely hear himself think. Lore felt the same way, though neither gave voice to it.
"Then let's go."
They set off over the dusty gravel in search of the other orb-born. Eftemie As they walked around the food area, the boy noticed a few things here and there. A bag of chips left behind and unopened found their way into his pocket. A bag of candy opened but forgotten soon joined it.
He figured that if it were forgotten then it didn't matter if he took it. The person doing the cleanup would have tossed the items into the trash. Keeping one eye on the ground as he walked, Jaster was surprised to note the baseball cap on the ground. Picking it up, he studied it silently.
"I guess if it's here then someone has lost it or doesn't want it. Right, Saljin?" he said, placing it on his head. "Maybe we will find something for you next."
No direction was really in mind. He simply wandered and Saljin followed him, sticking close by. Jaster did not move into the main crowd of people but remained on the sides, detouring around people as he looked about for what he could find. It would not do to get caught by that man. Or his father if he returned.
Princess_Feylin Lore, twenty one years old, had mostly outgrown carnivals. He enjoyed fairs and festivals well enough, but carnivals were not the same thing. They were merely diversions with no purpose but to make money for the people there. Understandably, markets were similar, but he had never really had cause to go to a market. Where he had grown up he had had servants to do that for his servants.
Such was not the case for Lysander, who gazed around in wide-eyed wonder at everything. Lysander saw a stall which sold what it called witches' balls and stood transfixed for several moments. Lore knew them to be nothing but blown glass, hollow on the inside and usually flawed, but he could understand Lysander's fascination. It was fine that he looked, Lore thought, as long as he didn't...
...touch.
The stall owner, who had been eying Lysander suspicously since he had begun to stare, snarled a warning to Lysander not to touch the merchandise unless he planned to buy it. Lore stepped up at once, understanding the trouble and hoping to prevent it. He didn't have any of this world's currency.
Lysander, couldn't help it. The things looked so like the orb he had come from, he had to see if they contained things like himself. So he touched one tentatively with his finger. There was no life inside it, he realized. It was hollow. Was it that its occupant had already emerged, or had it died unborn, or had it never held anything?
Holding it in his hand, he turned to ask Lore when the man behind the counter began to yell at him. Startled, he jumped in the strange way one with no legs jumps and the glasine orb slipped from his long, slender fingers, falling toward the filthy ground.
And it stopped and hovered three inches from the ground. He looked behind him and saw Lore looking fixedly at the orb. He was keeping it aloft by magic. That was a relief.
Lore held the orb aloft and then knelt swiftly to pluck it from the air, hoping no one but Lysander had seen him use that magic. If technology had advanced on this world as it had, it was not a world which was accustomed to magic. There were terrible stories about what happened to magic users on such words.
He handed the orb back to the vendor, took Lysander by the elbow, and led him away, ignoring the vendor's insulting cries which called into question his parentage, sexuality, and species. The closest he got was calling Lore and Lysander a pair of fairies.
"But I'm a fae," Lysander protested to Lore, also having heard the vendor's cries.
"He's an ignoramus. Ignore him. Try hard."
Lore knew better. He knew what the vendor had meant when he said that, and he knew better than to be offended. It wasn't the truth, and it didn't concern him. What concerned him was the tail he and Lysander had picked up somewhere near the corndog vendor. Eftemie
Saljin watched the people as they passed by he and Jaster. Some glanced at him strangely and others merely smiled as they moved by. His eyes searched the crowd and the booths. He'd never seen such things before.
Jaster picked up a few things as he went by the tables. Sealed bags of chips or unopened candy bars were quickly shoved into his pockets. It wasn't what he should be eating all the time but for now it would do.
He vaguely remembered his mom planting a garden, but he wasn't sure he could do that. He'd have to figure something out though. Even if he did plant one, what would he plant? And how did he get seeds?
Stopping, he scratched his head, scowling. He'd worry about that later and it made his head hurt right now. His eyes scanned the crowd around them and he suddenly stopped, staring in surprise. There was someone who looked like Saljin but not quite. The coloring was different but the shape was pretty much the same. He had tentacles just like his undera had.
"He's like you, Saljin." Jaster said slowly, moving back to the side of the booth partially hidden. "I wonder if they know what you are." Frowning, he wondered if he should say anything. The last thing he wanted to do was get caught. He had taken Saljin's orb from the carnival afterall.
Princess_Feylin "Don't worry, Lore," Lysander said softly, sensing by the tense way Lore held himself that he was worried about something. A quick glance over his shoulder told him that the other orb-born was the person who was following them. He didn't see Jaster, who was not of a height to be seen through crowds. "Our tail is the other orb-born. I'll talk to him if you like."
Lore wondered if the feeling of being watched was the result of the other orb-born's proximity. Perhaps he was learning to sense their presence. Or, more likely, he was not and he was just as aware of being watched as he had always been. He nodded, though, when Lysander spoke.
"Please," he said softly.
Lysander floated away from Lore and over to Saljin and Jaster.
"Hello," he said, turning so that he greeting included Jaster, whom he hadn't seen until he drew closer. His attention was really on Saljin however.
Urg. Short. Sorry. Eftemie "Hello." Saljin repeated, drifting around Lysander in a slight circle. Then he moved back over to Jaster.
"Hi. What are you?" Jaster asked. "I mean... You are like Saljin but I have no idea what you are. Saljin... he just appeared a couple days ago from a globe."
Then he stopped, brushing the hair from his eyes. "I'm Jaster. That's Saljin." He suddenly got a bit nervous, looking down at the ground, scuffing his toe in the dirt. Afterall he'd taken the sphere from this carnival. Were they looking for it? Was he in trouble again?
Glancing quickly behind him, the boy made certain he had a way out. Just in case.
Princess_Feylin Lysander cocked his head to one side, and then decided that he didn't like that pose, though it did convey an attitude of query very well. Instead, he held still, deciding, based on the boy's attitude of discomfort that approaching further would only startle him.
"My name's Lysander. I'm a seelie fae. After a fashion. Like Saljin, I'm one of the orb-born, but I'm older I think. My stage of life is called a Corsea."
At least, that's what Malecoda called him, and she seemed to be in a position to know. And there was no way to prove whether she was right or wrong anyway. As far as he knew she could be feeding him utter bunk, but it hardly mattered, as he rarely saw anyone who would be in a position to de-bunk him.
He looked over Jaster's shoulder to where Lore leaned casually against the side of one of the few permanent structures this place boasted and watched. Perhaps it was Lore's staring which was making Jaster uncomfortable?
"That's Lore. He is to me what you are to Saljin, Jaster."
It might not have been a totally accurate statement, as he wasn't sure what Jaster was to Saljin, but he hoped the analogy would carry and show that Lore had been the one to keep him as an orb and care for him as an Undera. If it didn't, it would likely only confuse the pair of young ones.
Lore watched Lysander, unable to read lips at any distance but practiced in recognizing his own name when it was being spoken and deciding that it was as good a time as any to make his entrance. The longer he waited, the more anxious the boy was likely to become.
Taking a somewhat circular route so that he didn't come upon the boy and his Undera from behind, which was a creepy thing to do at best and outright frightening at worst, he came to stand a little behind Lysander, whose one wing quivered very slightly, indicating that he was aware of Lore's presence.
"Hello," Lore said softly. "I believe Lysander has already made my introduction?" Eftemie
Jaster watched them both silently for a moment. "So Lore, you are his protector? Are you Saljin's too? Am I in trouble for taking him?"
He glanced at the crowd of people passing by. Saljin drifted at his side reaching out a tentacle slowly to touch Jaster's shoulder. Shoving the hair from his eyes, he gazed around the area for a moment.
More and more people were coming and it was starting to get crowded in some places. The increase in people meant that more workers would be coming. And most likely that man would be moving around too.
"We should probably move more to the side. I don't want to get caught here and I'm sure there are some people looking for me." he finally admitted. The last thing he wanted to do was get caught by that man his father had tried to sell him to.
"I took some things the night I ran away. Including Saljin." he professed. It was probably not the brightest thing to admit but he decided that since they seemed to know already it might just be the best thing for him to be entirely honest about it. "I won't say I'm sorry for taking him either. I like him even if I don't know what he is."
Princess_Feylin Lore was taken aback by Jaster's question. He had not exactly considered himself Lysander's protector since Lysander became a Corsea. Lysander was well-qualified at this point in his life to look after himself. With some notable exceptions. Such as carnivals.
"I know nothing about...Saljin?" He took care with the pronunciation of the Undera's name. He knew too many people who were picky about pronunciation. "I'm certainly not his protector. I hope."
He accompanied his statement with a wry grin. He was good at those, and they came so much more easily than candid smiles. But mostly it was just the expression which came to his face naturally. He decided it might be best to let the bit about someone looking for the boy pass for now, and did as the boy suggested.
"Don't think you shock me. I've known a few lightfingers in the past. Few of them regret their thefts." Lore realized he sounded much more disapproving than he was. "Sorry. I don't think you could give Saljin back if you wanted to. He's...Lysander, do you want to explain this?"
The Corsea, who had been hovering silently beside Lore nodded and took over. He had done more research on the subject than Lore had, and actually knew more about the orb-born than Lore. As he spoke, though, he addressed himself, naturally, to Saljin, who was like himself.
"You, Saljin, are one of the orb-born, which is to say, you originated in an orb, and then you emerged as you are now. The orbs are created by the Goblin King, who lives in another world, called the Underground, where magic is...more common than it seems to be here. They end up with the people who are meant to have them. You belong with Jaster, in other words. In the lifestage you currently are in, you're called an Undera. I'm the next stage, a Corsea. According to my research, there are other, further forms, at which we, the orb-born, acquire legs. I'm looking forward to that point."
He paused, checking to gauge whether Saljin was absorbing any of this. Thinking back to the other Undera he had met in his life, Dragul, he wondered if he was working at a level beyond that of an ordinary Undera. He, as an Undera, would have understood, but he was raised in a different environment, a scholarly environment.
"Are you understanding any of this?" he asked. Eftemie
Saljin listened to Lysander closely. He pursed his lips a moment in thought, then nodded his head slightly.
"Orb-born. Yes. It fits." he replied, glancing over at Jaster. "Jaster is protector for now. I protect him I think when like you." He was still trying to understand all the words and such used. He'd not been awake very long and though he understood the basics, some things were a bit harder to get clearly.
Glancing down at the marking on his hand, Saljin held it out, backside upwards so the dark almost birdlike shape was easily seen.
"Do you know what this means?" he asked softly, staring at it in confusion for along moment. Then he glanced over at Lysander. "It does not hurt but I think it did once. I.. It came from before the orb. I think."
Jaster nodded, relaxing a great deal more than he had been. He still watched the crowds but with a bit looser attitude and not so ready to flee the area. "Alright. I just wasn't sure, Lore. I think Saljin belongs with me. Saljin has not been awake long. Maybe two days or so. He seems to learn fast though."
The boy noted that Saljin was speaking much clearly than he had been. He was quite sure that the undera had been listening to conversations as they moved around the area or even to his own words as he spoke to him.
Princess_Feylin Lysander studied the mark. He, personally, was covered with bright yellow markings, like tribal tattoos. His research said it was evidence of what tribe of fae he belonged to, but he had not yet gotten around to researching which tribe that was.
He thought about it: he had seen another Undera similarly marked, he realized. Dragul, the goblin-type, had borne a mark on the back of her right hand. He shook his head apologetically, having seen a similar mark did not mean he knew what it signified.
"I'm sorry, Saljin. I don't know what it means. It is possible that it came from before the orb. I don't know much about what happens...before," he said.
"It is good that you mean to protect Jaster. Humans need our help you know," he confided softly with a smirk, "they're not as smart as they like to think."
Lore nodded his agreement. He didn't know how quickly Undera developed, speech-wise. Lysander had been virtually silent as an Undera, rarely forming full sentences when a single word would do, but he wasn't sure it was from a lack of ability. Rather, a lack of interest in saying more than was necessary.
"They do learn quickly." That, at least, he could verify. "And he seems to be quite well-developed and intelligent."
Lore had no way of knowing that, of course, but it seemed a fair thing to say. One always says a baby is precious even when it looks like a dessicated piglet, and it was usually best to say a pet was intelligent even if it was dumber than a box of rocks.
Saljin was neither of those things, and so the words, while mostly meaningless, cost Lore nothing to say. But then, words had never cost Lore anything to say. He had, after all, been raised at court. In this case, Saljin did seem to be developing well and to be at least capable of reason, which was more than could be said for many human beings. Eftemie Saljin rubbed the marking on his hand a moment. No pictures came readily to him and he pushed the thought of it from his mind.
"Jaster is smart." he nodded to Lysander, "but... sad?" Uncertain whether he had the right word or not, he glanced over at the boy as he spoke to Lore. Yes, that was one of the feelings he saw in him. There were others, but he'd not defined those yet.
The loud voices of a man and woman arguing caught the undera's attention. He listened to their words but also tried to catch the meanings of them as he watched.
An image of loud voices and golden eyes dropped down on him, causing a sudden frown. He blinked several times trying to hold it, but the memory slipped away from him before he could catch it.
Jaster nodded. "He listens alot and says little. This is the most I've heard him speak other than a word or two at a time. I think it's because Lysander is sort of like him."
A thought occurred to the boy and his teeth tugged on his lip a moment. "Is there anything I should know about Saljin? I mean, is there any way to tell what he will be able to do? And he's going to get more solid like Lysander? Where's he from?"
The boy suddenly grinned nervously, running a hand through his hair. "Sorry if I'm asking too many questions. It's just I don't know much about him or people like him."
The loud voices bothered him too and he glanced at the tables behind him. "We should probably find a quieter spot."
Princess_Feylin "That sounds like a plan," Lore agreed with Jaster's suggestion to relocate. He jerked his head in a direction that seemed less busy, more quiet. "Shall we go this way?"
"And you're probably correct about Saljin. He's likely trying to learn everything he can now by listening and watching," Lore continued. He paused before adding, "You're not asking too many questions. It makes good sense to want to know more about one such as Saljin. He's quiet beyond the normal range of experience. I'll tell you what I can about what to expect."
"He'll definitely get more solid like Lysander's done. And he'll do it all at once, which may come as a surprise to both. When Lysander grew to the Corsea stage of his life, the one that comes after Saljin's stage, which is called Undera, he had no warning. He just grew. It made him really tired, but that might not be a universal reaction. I don't think there's a way to tell what he'll be able to do, if he's able to do anything."
Lore thought about Jaster's last question. Where's he from? That question could take a lifetime to answer. There was much to explain about the Underground and the Goblin King. And for all that, there was still much more he didn't know about both subjects. But he ought to try. Leaving a person in ignorance when it's within one's power to educate them even a little was an ignoble act to Lore's way of thinking.
"The orbs like the ones Lysander and Saljin emerged from come from another world, called the Underground. The king in the Underground is called the Goblin King, his name's Jareth. He creates the orbs and sends them out to people who need them, people who have made very powerful wishes, usually. The creatures which emerge are supposed to help these wishes come true somehow."
He wasn't entirely certain of everything he told Jaster about why the orbs were sent out, but he was fairly certain, and it was what he had been told. Not that Malecoda hadn't lied to him in the past, but he didn't think she would lie to him about Lysander.
Lysander, meanwhile, watched the Undera in his instant of distraction. It was as though he was looking at things which weren't there for a moment, or remembering something. Lysander waited for the moment to pass. He was rarely taken over my remembrance in the midst of other activities, but when he was he didn't appreciate being interrupted.
"It seems to be common among our humans. Sadness, that is. I think it's their sadness and the need for relief that causes us to come into their lives." Pure speculation, that, but it wasn't an invalid conclusion to draw, based on his own experiences. Eftemie Jaster thought for a moment. "Underground, huh? That could be interesting to see sometime. I might think about it when Saljin is older. Maybe by then he will know what that mark is and need to go there. We could do that together" The thought never occurred to him that he might not be allowed to go there.
The boy watched Saljin a minute smiling slightly. "More solid. I think he will like that. Not sure why, but it means he will be able to do more stuff with me. I thought I might teach him to fish. After I get the fishing pole and stuff I need from... " he hesitated, suddenly frowning. "Where I used to live. I don't live there anymore."
He could have said his father sold him and that he did not want him anymore. Jaster said none of that. It mattered now. One day it wouldn't.
Then he grinned. "But I found a place. It's got a fireplace and all. Lots of room too. I just don't have much yet. And a creek nearby so I can fish all I want."
Saljin watched Lysander a bit more but studied Lore and Jaster both. He listened carefully to what everyone around him was saying. For a moment he would focus on one's words then shift to what another was saying. But Jaster held his attention longer than anyone. It was easy to see he cared for the boy already.
"Jaster needs to... laugh." he finally said softly. "I..He will one day."
Princess_Feylin "Of course he will," Lysander agreed. "He's at a difficult age, and his life can't have been easy to this point, else he wouldn't have you."
Lysander had no way of knowing if Jaster was at a difficult age. It seemed to him that every age was difficult, but it did him no harm to reassure the Undera who was so conscientious.
"That sounds promising," Lore said. "Fireplaces are nice, and space is wonderful. I'm not too sure about fishing. I've never done it."
He said this with feeling, because he was a firm believer in both. Despite his own magical abilities, he truly preferred an old fashioned fire to warm himself rather than some warming enchantment. He also made no mention of Jaster's former home. He didn't seem comfortable with the topic, and Lore was hardly in a position to force people to think on unpleasant subjects.
"And you'll like the Underground. It's...wonderful. Lysander and I live there, so when you make it there, see about getting into contact with us. We'll be glad to have you any time." Eftemie "Fishing is fun even when you don't catch anything. It's just sitting and doing nothing much on a nice day. You should try it sometime." Jaster nodded watching Lore with a smile. "I think we might do that. It could be fun when Saljin is older to see what is going on there. Have you seen much of the carnival? The man with the animals isn't a very nice person, so watch out for him if you go back to look at them."
Saljin nodded, thinking a moment. "I would like to see.. the Underground." he finally said, still wondering about it. When I am like Lysander, then we find..." A feeling of familiarity slid over him as he thought about the unknown place. A flash of gold dropped down on him.
He blinked in surprise, murmurring, "Golden eyes... I know golden eyes." Saljin glanced into Lore's and Lysander's faces again to recheck the color of their eyes.
Neither were what he was looking for or had remembered.
Princess_Feylin Lore couldn't imagine sitting and doing nothing. For the last year of his life, he had never been given such an opportunity, and though he had spend many of his prior years doing something almost like that, but doing nothing at court is as much doing something as it is doing nothing. It's all about how one does nothing. Simply doing nothing would be unacceptable.
"I've seen very little of the carnival. To be honest, I didn't mean to come here at all. I was sent here by someone who thinks she always knows what's best for everyone."
Lysander watched Saljin with interest as he seemed to experience another of his odd remembrances.
Well, golden eyes certainly didn't apply to him. His eyes were mismatched blue and yellow. It was one of the few mismatching on his Corsea for that he didn't resent. He thought it looked quite interesting, actually. And besides, Malecoda's eyes were mismatched, when she didn't disguise it. If it was good enough for her (though she did disguise that trait), he couldn't complain.
Lore's eyes were a warm chocolate color of brown, so golden eyes weren't him either. Lysander gave his slight, characteristic shrug of dismissal and looked expectantly at Lore.
"I wouldn't mind seeing the animals," he said. "They may be different on this world than Underground." Eftemie "They are interesting," Jaster agreed, then added hesitantly. "Saljin and I are trying to stay away from there. My fa... " he stopped and then continued after bracing himself. "My father sold me to the man, but I ran after letting the animals out. I don't know if they are still looking for me or not."
Saljin moved a bit closer to Jaster at the admission. A tentacle touched his shoulder gently. He could see that this hurt even if he was not entirely certain what pain was. The undera only saw that Jaster was feeling something that he did not like.
"My mom died and I had been with my... with him since. I thought he cared but he doesn't." The boy shrugged. "It doesn't matter now. I have Saljin, but I came here just to get some food and a few other things for us. Until I get my fishing pole back that is." A slight grin appeared on his face.
"Yes, I'm going to steal it back from where I used to live. When HE isn't home." Princess_Feylin Lore withheld judgment. It was not a common practice in his world to sell one's children. At least, not at court. He knew it happened elsewhere, usually with young girls, and he knew that many people at court felt as though they had been sold into marriage, but he got the feeling it wasn't quite the same thing.
Lysander, who had never though a sentient being could be sold, was horrified at the concept, and it showed on his face and in his posture and manner that he found the idea repugnant.
"Lore," he said softly.
Lore knew what Lysander wanted. Lysander wanted him to do something about the situation. He wasn't sure what Lysander expected him to do, but he guessed that Lysander did expect him to do something. He had to make an attempt.
"Stealing isn't a good habit to get into," Lore said, almost to himself. "Once you start, it's very difficult to stop."
He cocked his head to one side. Actually, it would be simple enough for him to retrieve the fishing pole magically, or anything else Jaster wanted. It was just a matter of summoning it. He was good at summoning spells.
"I could get it back for you in a manner which is not quite stealing. At least, it holds less chance to get caught by someone else. I would need to know exactly what your fishing pole looked like, however. And, if there's anything else of yours that you want from that place, I'll need to know exactly what they look like, too." Eftemie "I know I shouldn't." Jaster replied, but added, "but I don't have much choice without my pole and tacklebox. With it I can fish and cook that for food for awhile. My mom taught me a few things about fishing and hunting and wild things to eat. She was good at it." He smiled faintly at the memories.
He brushed the hair from his face thinking for a moment as he watched Lore. "You can really get my stuff without getting into trouble?" His mind was suddenly made up as he nodded to Lore.
"My fishing pole is about this long." Holding his hands stretched out, he continued, "It's blue with silver eyes that the line goes through. That's green. The reel is open so you can see the line, and has a red handle with a blue and silver bars." He scrunched his face up a moment thinking. "It's got a red and yellow bobber on the end. Not one of those long ones, but a little roundy one made of some sort of plastic and there's a brass hook on the end about this big."
"And... the tackle box is about this long and this wide..." he held his arms out again moving them to show both sizes. "It's dark green and has a black latch on it and black handle." He continued describing every detail as much as he remembered.
Saljin tilted his head as he listened. He was still listening to each word and some he didn't quite understand yet, but he was interested in what Jaster thought important to him. The boy's smile had softened when he thought of his mother. He wondered if he had any possessions or had ever had. And what exactly was a mother? Should he know that?
Then he stopped. "There are other things, a box of things that were from my mom. It has pictures of her and me. And a few things I put in there. Some of her jewelry I hid from him when she died. He was selling everything." He described in detail a metal box that the lid came off of in which he had several brightly colored marbles he'd collected as well as a jacket he wanted and the quilt she'd made for him with the matching pillow. He was sure his father would either sell it or destroy it.
He blinked in surprise suddenly as a thought occurred to him. "How are you going to get all that out of the house without someone seeing you with it? And you'd have to carry it.. and maybe get caught and... " He shook his head. "Maybe just the fishing pole and tacklebox. Noone would think too much of them but if you go carrying out the other things, it might be a problem. I'd rather you not get into trouble because of me." Princess_Feylin Lore smiled as he conjured the specific details of the objects Jaster listed. He couldn't help that the smile was enigmatic. He was just pleased that he could put his magical abilities to some sort of practical use. Doing chores for Malecoda didn't really count, as far as he was concerned.
"He's going to summon them," Lysander explained.
He was used to a world where everyone knew of magic, even if they couldn't do it themself, and it had not occurred to him that Jaster might not live on such a world, though he had seen for himself that this world relied much more heavily on technology.
Fortunately, Lore was able to explain better: "By concentraing very hard on a specific object and having a very clear picture of it in my mind, I am able to will it to move between places almost instantaneously."
He was hesitant to say "magic." The word tended to bring out odd things in people.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:34 pm
Out of Sight, Out of My Mind - Pt. 2 Eftemie Jaster listened carefully, nodding to what they told him. It sounded like something his mother had once mentioned. He frowned thoughtfully.
"So.. it's like teleporting them here?" he asked softly. "My mom said that people could do anything if they put their minds to it. Even teleport or magic or all sorts of things. Even talk to animals or she used to tell me. I always wondered if she could do stuff, but she never said. It seemed to me that she always knew things before they happened. I thought she was just good at guessing or knew something I didn't, but she always seemed so sad about it."
Saljin wondered again what a mother was like and whether he had one. But as he watched Jaster, he knew that the boy's mother had loved him alot even if the father did not. Too bad she was gone. Jaster needed her around.
A feeling of protectiveness slipped through the undera and he moved closer to the boy. Jaster's father would never get near him again if Saljin had his way. Neither would anyone else who would hurt him. Princess_Feylin "It's not quite like teleportation, but it is similar," Lore said, taking pains to make sure that he was clear in his explanation so as not to misinform Jaster. "And your mother was correct: people are capable of many feats generally considered inhuman or impossible if they put their minds to it, but his is more a matter of will and discipline than mere effort."
Lysander had never heard Lore explain his ability to summon things. It was a skill Lore had had before meeting Lysander, and so he had not had to explain his processes or learn the process in Lysander's hearing. Lysander, therefore, listened intently to Lore and wondered if he might learn to do such things. He doubted that he could. This was most definitely human magic that Lore used, and Lysander was no human. The fae, he had read, were incapable of using any magic but that which is innate to them.
"If you'll give me a moment..." Lore didn't want to put off the summoning for too much longer. He couldn't hold the images in his mind in perfect detail for extremely long periods of time if they were things he had never seen personally.
Without seeming to do anything, Lore summoned the objects Jaster had wanted, willing them from one place to another. Momentarily, almost instantaneously, actually, the items were on the ground at Jaster's feet.
"There." Eftemie ((Omg! Lysander grew?! He's gorgeous! heart )) Jaster gasped in delight when the things appeared. He stared at Lore a moment with gratitude in his eyes. This was his stuff and now he had a picture of his mom too.
Taking the box first, he opened it carefully. Moving aside a few things, he pulled out a photo. It was of he and his mom.
"This was my mom," he said softly, holding it out to Lore. "She was pretty, wasn't she?" The boy looked a great deal like her, the hair and eyes the same as hers. The smile on his face was like hers also.
Saljin moved looking over the boy's shoulder for a moment. So that was what a mother was. He'd not entirely understood, but was beginning to do so now. If she was gone and the boy depended on her so much, it made sense that it was for him to protect Jaster since she could not.
The explanation from Lore caused him to think back over the words spoken. Jaster said magic. For some reason that word sounded familiar to him, but he could not see why. He suddenly wondered if he could do anything, but upon hearing the happiness in Jaster's voice, his attention turned back to the boy.
Princess_Feylin Both Lore and Lysander looked at the photograph obediently. Lysander was amazed at how clear the artist's rendering was. Lore, knowing something of photography, though it was not a thing he had grown up with, nor a thing found Underground, was less impressed, but he agreed with Jaster that she was very pretty, and said so.
"The two of you look very similar," Lysander remarked. He wondered if he had a mother. Probably not. He was orb-born.
"Yeah. He grew a bit ago, but I've been RPing him as a Corsea for the time being while I finish up his Corsea-based RPs. In the Summer Ball he's a Courtier. Eftemie
Jaster nodded. "We do look alot alike," he agreed. He moved a few things around in the tin. His mother's jewelry and his bag of marbles were there as well as a few other things that included a birthday card from her and a drawing he'd done.
He pointed to the quilt. It was done in a haphazard way in the pattern of crazy quilts with needlework, velvets, and brocades. The color ranged from a deep green, to a vibrant blue, but the most interesting part of it was the paisley. It was done in gold, a deep violet and the same green. "She made that for me three years ago."
Saljin reached out to touch the quilt gently. "Soft." he said, then tilted his head as he studied the fishing pole. "Fishing? What is fishing?"
((Sorry so short. Jaster's just happy that he has his things back and he didn't have to run into his father... )) Princess_Feylin Lore and Lysander murmured appreciatively over the handiwork exhibited in the quilt. Lore had never known anyone who sewed for any sort of purpose, and Lysander had never known anyone who sewed, period. To both, it was interesting.
Lysander craned his neck, looking around and wondering if he dared suggest that they move on. He was glad that Lore had done this good thing for Jaster, but all the waiting around and the definite hints of oddness from Saljin and morbidity from Jaster were becoming a bit much for the Corsea. Eftemie "Fishing is something we can do later, Saljin." Jaster grinned. "But I want to get these things put away. Lore, Lysander, if you want to go look at the animals, you should. There's lots to see here and I will be back. A fortuneteller and rides, also the games are a bit of fun."
Then he shrugged, "Or you can come with me. It's up to you. I don't want to go near the man with the animals." He suddenly laughed. "I'd take you fishing but I have to catch some bait first. Either crickets or worms will be best right now."
The boy stopped for a minute, staring thoughtfully at Lore. "Lore, I owe you for getting this for me. Thank you."
Jaster bowed politely as Saljin watched. Then the undera tried to bow. Instead he ended upside down, staring at them.
"I think I did something wrong." he said in slight amusement as he righted himself.
((LOL I think we are running out of things for them to do now. Any ideas?)) Princess_Feylin Lore was indifferent, but Lysander clearly wished to remain a little longer in Saljin's presence, reversing his feelings of mere moments ago. It might have had to do with the Undera's somersault, which he found quite amusing.
"Do the fortune tellers here actually See?" Lysander asked.
Lore waited, and after Jaster made his reply he said in an undertone, "You owe me nothing, Jaster. One studies magic to learn to facilitate. I have only done as any student of magecraft mgiht have done."
This was not quite true, as there were as many who made a study of magic and used the power for purposes considered evil as used them for good purposes, but Lore felt that it was his duty to act as an ambassador for magic-users everywhere, and he would not willingly give them a bad face.
You may have a point. How does a trip to a fortune teller sound? Eftemie ((That works for me. A fortuneteller is a good opportunity to cause trouble or allude to things noone knows yet, lol. XD I actually use one from time to time for my Edel.)) Jaster thought for a moment. "I've not been to her yet, but I've heard that some are able to tell things that come true. I wonder what she'd say."
The boy frowned for a moment. "I want to take this stuff back where I live so you could go see the animals and then I will meet you at the fortuneteller." He suddenly laughed. "I'm curious what she would say."
Saljin tilted his head as he listened carefully. What was a fortuneteller? He listened with a great deal of interest.
Jaster picked up the things and turned to Lore. "Does that work?" he asked, smiling. "Half hour? Her tent is on the other side and the animals are the way." He pointed his chin in two different directions.
Princess_Feylin Lore accepted Jaster's proposal, confirmed it, and then set off with Lysander at his side, toward the direction which smelled like animals. He could have located the place magically, as Jaster's directions had been less than informatinve, but his normal five senses worked quite well, and there was no need for him to use magic that didn't need to be used.
His nose proved to be an apt compass, for they came across the animals shortly. Lysander peered at them with interest, but when he saw the manner in which they were confined he looked pained and suggested that they move on. Lore was used to seeing animals on display and in worse conditions than this carnival kept, but he acquiesced. He could understand that Lysander, being a creature more in touch with nature than human beings, was more sensitive to the treatment of nature's denizens.
They walked on until they reached a tent with a gaudy sign over it that read "Madame Xerez, Fortunes Told." There were lots of giggling people outside the tent, all holding almost identical conversations:
"Should I?"
"Go ahead. It won't hurt, right?"
"Yeah, but I don't really believe in this stuff."
"Really? A palm-reader once told my Aunt Tracy that she'd meet her husband that same day."
"Did she?"
"Yes. She met the palm-reader's husband at the ring-toss booth a few hours later."
Laughter.
Lore had the distinct feeling that this world put no stock in fortune tellings whatsoever. That interested him. He was used to more superstitious people, he supposed, and used to Seers being treated with some respect. Things were different here, he reminded himself. Eftemie It didn't take Jaster and Saljin long to get back to the cabin. He carefully placed the things where they'd be safe. Twice he stroked the quilt to make sure that it was really there and glanced at his mother's picture.
"It'll be alright, mom." he said softly, a faint smile on his face. "I'll be alright."
Tucking the image back into the tin, he looked about for a safe place to put it. When he found what he considered such, Jaster turned to the undera who had been watching him closely.
"Ready, Saljin?" he asked moving towards the door.
"Yes. I like Lore and Lysander." he stated. "What is a.. fortuneteller?"
"A person who tells your future or at least what they think they see of it." the boy replied, scratching his head. "I can't say whether they know for sure but it should be fun anyhow." He shrugged as they moved down the path.
"I see." he replied softly. He didn't but it was an expression that Jaster used whenever someone explained something to him.
"You'll figure it out when we get there, Saljin." the boy replied with a surity that caused Saljin to glance his way.
Before long they were just outside the tent the lady used. His eyes darted over the crowd looking for them.
Stepping up beside Lore, Jaster said, "That didn't take too long. We hurried."
Princess_Feylin Lore nodded, agreeing with Jaster's statement. There wasn't really any way he could dispute it. Besides, the necessity of the boy's return to his home had given him an opportunity to warn Lysander that this fortune teller would probably be a farce, but that it should, at least be amusing. Lysander had been horrified by the disrespect given to a Seer, which had prompted Lore's explanation.
"Shall we?" Lore asked, motioning toward the brightly colored tent. He would welcome some diversion.
I'm going to let you say what all happens next with the entrance and all that. I've never been to a fortune teller or palm reader in my life. Eftemie ((Okay, I can do it. I used to GM a forum ffrpg so she will be no problem. I will warn you though that I tend to go with what I see in someone else's writing and use what they do against them. I like slapstick and irony alot. ^_^;; ))
Jaster nodded, smiling. The last time he'd been to a fortuneteller had been a carnival with his mom. The lady had been a farce but it had been fun. His mom had even dressed up when they'd gotten home. A few moments later she'd introduced herself as some Madame Ophelia and used a deck of cards to tell his fortune. They had laughed alot that day.
She was dressed in a tiered skirt and blouse that were plaids and paisleys mixed in every shade under the rainbow. A shawl in red was wrapped around her shoulders and tied. Strands of small and huge beads surrounded her neck and wrists. A glass ball on a pedestal was placed on the table before her. Violet and black eye makeup as well as bright red lipstick was on her face.
The globe had an electric light in the bottom and Jaster already knew it was not a crystal ball like his mom had told real seers sometimes used as a focus. He'd never thought to question how she knew.
But that's what she had called them and then explained to him that seers were very different from carnival fun. They might find amusement in their tellings and lace them in riddles, but their gifts were nothing to be made fun of. Their abilities were magic she said with a secret smile as if she knew for certain.
Saljin tilted his head sideways at the garish woman before them. Then he noticed the slight movement of the curtain behind her. A shadow of a figure moved behind for an instant then the jingle of a spoon in a teacup could be heard. He moved towards that direction his attention entirely taken until the woman before them spoke.
"Come in! Come in!" she said, her voice lilting upwards almost into a screech of sorts. A grin broke out on her face and the brightness of the red lipstick only made her seem more surreal and out of place here. "And what can Madame Dorvas do for you? Tell a fortune perhaps." she added, playing the role to the limit as she did what she thought all gypsy fortunetellers did.
The undera blinked in surprise as the woman patted the table. He drifted back behind Jaster frowning at the loudness. The boy snickered slightly, shaking his head. This was much what his mother had done in make-believe. This was merely a farce for fun and he was going to have some.
"I want my fortune told." he said. "Think you can read it?" he challenged boldly. "If so you'll have to do better than you did with the ones who were in line before us."
The woman blinked nonplussed and had the grace to turn slightly pink. The spoon in the cup behind the curtain stopped for an instant as a slight snicker was heard. Then it began again.
"A challenge?" the woman said, recovering quickly as she glanced at all four. "You are all together, so please have a seat, and I will tell you what is in store for you."Princess_Feylin Lysander and Lore, being almost of a height, though Lore was unusually tall for a human, exchanged a look over the head of all. This was definitely a hoax. However, they were willing to submit to it, for the sake of diversion. That was what Malecoda had told them to do: have fun.
They took seats by the table alongside Jaster and Saljin, Lysander doing so a bit more awkwardly than Lore, lacking legs, or even anything below his hips. Saljin probably was similarly impaired, though Lysander couldn't tell because Lore and Jaster were between the two orb-born.
Lore cocked his head as he felt something not quite like magic brush him, like a loose piece of silk. It was among his abilities to see magic, and so he looked around. The darkness inside the tent did not serve as a hinderance because magic went beyond dark and light in terms of spectra. He found where the magic emanated from - behind the curtain - and would have looked further when the woman spoke again. Eftemie
Madame Dorvas had been entirely surprised when Jaster challenged her fortunetelling. That much was easy to see. No meeting the man posing as her husband or even daughter for these. Though she was quite certain that they knew it was fun, it had still caught her offguard.
"Well, let's see what is in store for you." she glanced at Saljin first. Staring at him a moment, she glanced at the crystal globe. "I see a black bull in your future. And it's got a red flag. Take good care of it but remain out of its path."
Glancing over at Jaster she said, "Hmm... a challenger to my abilities. Perhaps I'll tell you yours last."
Jaster broke into laughter. "It doesn't matter. It would be the same either way." He smirked slightly as he watched the woman. His mother had done a much better job though at making it fun. He watched her skeptically.
The barest tinkle of laughter slipped free of the curtain behind the woman. A faint breeze caused the fabric to sway for an instant. She listened from behind already knowing there was something special in these four and it amused her that they all saw through the glammer most carnival goers enjoyed at face value.
Were they worth her time? She sighed as she sipped her tea savoring it for a moment. Perhaps.
Turning to Lysander, she said, "I see the reigns of a horse of various shades in your hands. I'm sure you will find a use for him."
Watching Lore for an instant, she turned back to the ball. It flashed several times as she focused on it.
"I see a black cat with a yellow ribbon in your future. But I think its claws have been pulled so no worries there." she stated, looking up with a faint smile.
"And now you again, boy. I think there is a tiger waiting for you. His green eyes are very bright and inquisitive, but I don't think I'd catch him by the tail."
Saljin turned sideways to watch the others as she gave each one their fortune. A black bull? "Jaster, what is a bull?"
The boy snickered. "I'll explain it to you later, Saljin. A tiger, huh? I can't wait."
Madame Dorvas laughed shaking her head. "You are a hard nut to crack, child. But have fun." she winked at him. "I suggest that you take a ride on the ferris wheel. The carnival is very nice from the top and the lights shined brightly."
Princess_Feylin Such excellent advice, Lore knew, he would have to follow. As to black cats with yellow ribbons, well, he would be happy to meet any cat. He liked cats. Lysander looked a little confused at his fortune. It was not quite what he had expected. Actually, it was nothing like he had expected. A horse of various shades, indeed! What utter rubbish.
Lysander rose and began to move toward the exit, his disgust palpable. Lore noted his departure, but his attention was still mostly focused on the concentration of power behind the curtain. He tried to see what was there, but the darkness of the tent made it difficult for him to see anything but the magic. He wished he had his reading glasses. They served the dual purposes of helpign him when reading, and also keeping him from seeing magic while he looked through their lenses.
"What is behind that curtain, Madame?" he inquired politely, ignoring the glare Lysander shot him. Eftemie Before Dorvas could reply, a gentle voice was heard.
"I am. Would the four of you care to join me for some tea?" she asked, moving towards the curtain. A well-manicured hand moved it aside. A young woman with ageless grey eyes peered out from the small opening. Her lips twitched upwards. "Please."
Her smile and amusement deepened. "I am the true challenge here. Dorvas, see that we are not disturbed and I will see that they receive what you have promised them."
Madame Dorvas raised an eyebrow, nodding. "She doesn't bite, so go along. It is an honor to get a reading from her."
Jaster stared at her a moment, caught by the sparkle in her eyes. It was much like his mother's had been. His lips twitched upwards.
"I'm game." he suddenly said, finding his voice. "Let's go, guys." He was already moving towards the curtain as she stepped back holding it open.
"A brave soul." she whispered in amusement. "I like that."
Saljin glanced up at her as he followed Jaster behind the curtain. He stared briefly at her hair then took in her other features. Small strands of curls had escaped around her forehead, though the rest of her snowwhite hair was in dreadlocks that fell to her shoulders in the front and her waist in the back. Silver earrings dangled, but they were unusual. The left was an eye of Udjat and the other was a large hoop with a chain connected to it. The chain looped upwards to an ankh post in her ear.
Around her neck she wore several silver chains of various sizes over the black top she wore over a simply black skirt with an odd silver design in thread at the bottom. A large amulet crafted of silver and various stones gleamed as it hung from a black choker around her neck.
The room was comfortable, with plenty of cushions and warmth supplied not only by the vibrant colors scattered but also by the small stove nearby. A pot of tea was on a tray in the center of the table surrounded by the comfortable chairs and couch. A plate of scones, sweet rolls, and cookies sat beside the empty cups, small plates, and spoons. It was obvious that she entertained from time to time.
"Please take a seat and help yourself to the refreshments." she said, warming her own cup of tea. Then she poured four more, one for each. "If you like cream and sugar, you may help yourself to that."
Her pale eyes watched Jaster a moment, smiling as if she knew things about them already. Then she studied Saljin, Lysander, and Lore.
"New friends." she smiled faintly as she stated without asking. "Those who are kindred spirits are often drawn together but whether for good or bad only time will tell. And I have no crystal ball as I do not need one to see."
Princess_Feylin Lore was not overly impressed by the second Seer's pronouncement. Unlike Lysander, he had been acquainted with Seers, and he knew a great deal about them and the limitations which governed their abilities. He knew that even when a Seer seemed to be exactly right, the best Seers didnt' actually See as much as they observed, much like a false Seer. It was simpler, because people rarely wanted to hear the truth.
He did not take cream or sugar with his tea, though he occasionally took honey if the tea was oversteeped. This tea was not, and so he had no cause to ask for the sticky stuff. He smiled to see scones on her table. He had missed scones while living with Malecoda. Trying to explain scones to the kitchen staff was like trying to explain sex to a blade of grass, he'd found.
He sipped politely at the tea while watching Lysander try not to stare. The woman's accuracy, as compared with the other's wild predictions, was remarkable to the Corsea. Eftemie She sat down on one of the couches, kicking off the sandals she'd been wearing. A moment later her barefeet were curled beneath the skirt as she continued to watch each one in turn.
"My name is Ijera. I hope you don't mind the informality." she said softly. "I much prefer it." Her eyes turned to watch Saljin for several moments, then Jaster.
"Jaster and that's Saljin." he smiled. He liked her already. "That's Lore and Lysander. We just met but you are right. We are friends already, but I think that's a bit obvious."
She laughed, a warm musical sound that echoed slightly. "Yes, I suppose it is, but then many people miss the obvious and make things much more complicated than needed. I think you are first, Jaster."
"It's been rough for you for awhile now." She watched the boy's eyes closely. A flicker of pain slid through them. She'd already noticed that in the depths of his eyes. "I suspect that you lost someone close to you. Don't worry. Those who really love us still watch over us even as spirits. But pay attention to what you do and how you do it, and you will get what you need. Drink your tea and eat as many of those as you want. Much better than nothing but stolen chocolates, no?" Her lips twitched upwards in secret amusement.
"Hey! How did you know that I..?" he scowled suddenly, glancing down at the floor nervously.
She reached out gently tilting his chin up, so she could see his eyes. "It's alright this time. As I said, just pay attention to what you do. You have a wonderful life ahead of you full of adventure and true friendship, but you must consider your actions."
Jaster nodded to her. "I'll try."
Ijera smiled, patting his cheek, then turned to Saljin. "I think you are next."
Princess_Feylin Lore could see the Sight around this woman, and when she turned it on Jaster, and then to Saljin, he suppressed a shiver. He was not used to dealing with true Seers. They were always hard to find, and he was not comfortable with them. Too often they Saw more than they said, and he was a private sort who didn't care for having his insides on display for others. It was, however, something he had chanced when he came to this tent, and when it was his turn, he knew, he would meet her odd-eyed gaze unflinchingly and remain expressionless throughout.
Lysander, impressed with her extensive knowledge, was not sure, entirely, if she had Seen anything, or if she had merely observed these things about Jaster. If a person knew what to look for, he reasoned, these things would be obvious. Jaster didn't look like a person who had lived a privileged life recently, and generally young children didn't live thus unless they lost a care-giver. As for stealing chocolates, he had seen Lysander palm a few things as well, and had written it off as a human fascination. The advice was just common sense, as far as Lysander could tell.
He was interested in knowing what she would have to say to one of the orb-born, however. Eftemie She watched Saljin a moment reaching out to touch hand with the marking on it.
"A curious thing... A punishment this is from a cursed life before but it will benefit you and those around you. Black feather flights and black cats prowling are what I see within still waiting to get free. Both pleasing shapes if one understands them. A way was found beneath... under ..." She hesitated a moment trying to find the proper word. "A second chance was offered from those there and taken." she blinked slightly, her eyes became distant for barely an instant. It was the merest flicker within before she smiled at him. "Golden fairy eyes dance in mischief underneath your protection. This person is important to you and knows much but whether they will reveal their knowledge or not, only they know.
"Golden eyes... Dreams... memories come with golden eyes."Saljin blinked, frowning slightly. There were times he saw those eyes but only as a flash. Sometimes they danced and other times they looked pained. "I... do not remember."
"You were sent to one but another needed you more, so it is Jaster you remain with. In time all will reveal itself and you will understand. Your lost friend will find you again."
She shook her head, sipping her tea momentarily. "It is all I know to help you, Saljin. A good enough purpose as anything."
Saljin had been the orb in her care, though she was unsure why it had been given to her. But she remembered the marking on it as the same on the undera's hand. And Jaster- she suspected he was the one who had not only stolen the orb and chocolates from her tent but also been the boy sold by his father to the animal master. The man was still looking for him, but he'd find no information from her.
Glancing towards Lore, she smiled, her gaze amused. For an instant her eyes intensified, but then she bowed her head slightly nodding. "Lore, I know that you like your privacy. And I have no desire to intrude upon your own magic. We must all have our secret delights afterall. So with your permission, I will amuse Lysander instead."
Princess_Feylin Lore nodded, keeping his amused smile to himself. He like that this Seer was polite enough to at least pretend not to pry into his life. He knew that she probably had little choice as to whether she Saw anything of him or not, but at least she was trying to respect his privacy.
"By all means," he said with a gesture indicating his permission.
Lysander was a little disappointed. He had wanted to know what the woman would say about Lore. Lore was from another world, not the Underground, which was a shared other world, and he had wanted to see if the woman could See anything about him at all. He, Lysander, thought it was perfectly obvious that Lore was a private sort of person. Eftemie She smiled nodding, turning to watch Lysander. "Don't be disappointed. It simply means that you now get the attention, Lysander. Most unusual to have eyes two colors, but perhaps it is an indication of who you really are. You live in more than one world, finding a fascination in small things that others miss. It could be as simple as a blue marble shining in the sunlight or a piece of cotton that you marvel at its whiteness. You have a very childlike appreciation and sensitivity.. an innocence... that one can only hope you will keep as long as you live."
"Too often real life not only intrudes but injures in ways others don't always understand. Keeping sight of things others don't notice often keeps one well-grounded. Your outgoingness goes far in pulling your friends to appreciating what you do. There is a time and place for fun even when one doesn't see that." she smiled. She didn't want to say that Lore needed to have more fun so much as hint at it. But Lysander was pulling him out in ways that Lore did not even understand. So had Jaster and Saljin.
"As for what Dorvas promised you," she said, "these are for you." She moved towards the box nearby. Pulling out one item at a time she handed one to each.
A black stuffed bull with a red flag attached was given to Saljin. Jaster received a bengal tiger with green eyes. A black cat with a yellow ribbon was handed to Lore and Lysander received a unicorn whose mane and tail were the colors of the rainbow. It looked very horselike and each fit the first fortunteller's predictions exactly. It was done in fun and she smiled in amusement as she watched them.
"You are welcome to come back anytime. I live in this town and volunteered to help Dorvas as she is a friend." Ijera smiled faintly, holding out a card to each of them. "This has my address on it. Feel free to stop by should you wish." Princess_Feylin Lysander marveled at the seer's forthrightness. From what he had heard, seers had a tendency toward being vague and deliberately incomprehensible, which made sense, since a great many were charlatans, it seemed. It was easier to be accurate when one didn't go into specifics.
He couldn't help but be surprised, though, that she had pronounced him innocent in any fashion. He was nothing like so innocent as others of his race, who resembled insects in more than just their wings, which they would eventually lose, it seemed. Their minds seemed to be simple, too. Theirs was true innocence. He had learned too much of human things and sorcery and other worlds to be like them.
He smiled, however, at the unicorn she gave him. It was an unusual thing. He thought that it resembled a unicorn very little, being altogether too heavy and equine. He knew of unicorns and had even seen one on two occasions. He was not sure he would find a use for this unusual trinket, but he was sure he would keep it. He liked the thing, however.
"Thank you," he said politely, executing a flawless bow that would have done any master of ceremonies proud, perfect in its depth and degree with regards to the station of the recipient. It was one of the skills he had picked up from Lore.
"Yes," Lore agreed, rubbing the cat's forehead with the meat of his thumb. "Thank you."
He did not bow, but he did incline his head respectfully, as one will when acknowledging an equal. She had true magic, and she had the use of it, which made her relatively unique in this world, he suspected. That, in and of itself, was worthy of his respect, but she was also a practical person, and he appreciated that a great deal. Eftemie ((Sorry it took so long, Fey. It's kind of short. Still working on the kitchen. And my uncle died so RL kind of intruded a bit more than normal. Where to next?)) "Come see me anytime," she replied softly. "You are very welcome. Jaster," she began, turning to the boy. "You can deal with anything you need to. Just remember that you do have very good friends who will help."
She could hear Dorvas giving her usual speech to another group of people but noone caught her interest.
"There is still much to see, so go on. I will still be here for two more days. Then the carnival ends."
Jaster nodded, brushing the hair from his eyes. Saljin drifted closer when she had said friends. Was that what he and Jaster were? Friends? He and Lysander and Lore also? He needed to think on that word a bit.Princess_Feylin No worries. I don't mind. I know that RL can be awful, believe me. Actually, I was going to say that I'm kind of stuck with where this should go. Should we just let it taper off?Lore and Lysander allowed themselves to be ushered out, Lysander still fingering the unicorn thoughtfully. Lore had tucked his token into a place in nul-space from which he could retrieve it at a later, more convenient time, back Underground.
While he was thinking of the Underground, he realized that Malecoda would be summoning him and Lysander back at any time, without warning, and that she would probably choose to do so in short order. She didn't like to let Lore have too much fun. Lore supposed he ought to tell Jaster that, so the boy wouldn't be surprised when he and Lysander suddenly vanished. Eftemie ((Yeah, kind of unsure where to take them at this point, but I do know that we could have them run into each other later and Jaster try to teach them to fish, lol. That's what part of this was about. It could be fun. XD Let me know.)) "I'm not sure what you want to do next, Lore, Lysander, but I think it's getting late and I'm going to head back to where I lived." he smiled at both. "Thank you again for getting my stuff for me."
He reached into his pocket digging for a minute. A crumpled and partially folded piece of paper came out in his hand.
"Here. This is a map to where I live. That way if you happen to visit again, you can find me. At least I think that's where I'll be." he grinned. "My drawing isn't great, but it will get you in the right direction."
Opening it up, Jaster indicated where the bridge, and forks in the path were as well as where he was.
"I hope you will visit. I'd like to hear more about the underground." the boy said as he refolded the paper and held it out.
Saljin watched. "Yes, visit." he repeated, his eyes going back and forth between Lysander and Lore as he tried to watch the reactions of both. It was almost comical to see the undera making faces. Jaster snickered when he noted it.
"Just back up a pace or two, Saljin. It's easier." he stated his hand indicating to move back. "He's so funny sometimes." The boy was grinning widely in amusement.
Saljin studied Jaster and then drifted backwards. This time instead of his eyes turning from one to another he moved his entire body back and forth.
Princess_Feylin I may just send Lysander (since he's all grown up now), but that sounds good. Perhaps in a separate RP?Lore didn't ask how Jaster happened to have a map to his home on hand, though it was not an invalid point. He merely accepted it with his thanks. He politely ignored Saljin's scrutiny. He had been brought up not to comment on such behavior.
Lysander carefully took the map from Lore's hand before the student sorcerer got a chance to add it to the pocket of nul-space. He wanted to look at it. And so, he was relatively oblivious to Saljin's scrutiny.
"Until that time," Lore said when he realized that Lysander was otherwise occupied and might forget social pleasantries.
"Oh, yes. It would be most interesting to return here," Lysander said, taking his eyes briefly from the map.
He was familiarizing himself with it so that he would not need the somewhat battered paper should he ever make a return trip. Small objects like that tended to be lost during transport frequently. Eftemie ((Sounds good to me. I wish I was done with the kitchen already, but I don't see being done with it until after christmas, lol. But hopefully I'll get more time since I just have to start redoing it now. No more stripping it down. heh)) Jaster nodded. "I'll teach you to fish. Bye." he grinned as he and Saljin turned away. A few steps later, he turned back to wave and then they were lost in the crowd and soon in the darkness of the park. He knew his way and he was safe enough on his way there.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:35 pm
A Bit Of Luck?
After leaving Lysander and Lore behind, Jaster smiled to himself as he walked the dark path towards the area he now lived. It was nice to have some new friends, and he did consider them such. Hopefully he'd see them again. It could be fun teaching Lysander how to fish and the boy snickered at the thought. Maybe it would lead to a waterfight like it always had with his mom.
Maybe.
Saljin followed beside him, watching the sights and sounds of the night as he moved with the boy. There were so many things he wanted to stop and see but at the pace the boy was moving, he understood that if he stopped, he'd get left behind. He was unsure yet something drew him about the night.
It was as if it were familiar to him in some way. The sensations he was receiving made him shiver slightly in anticipation of something lurking just out of his sight. Something prowled there, purring as if calling to him. It stretched and reached outwards with dark paws that only he understood as if his very being yearned for what was there hidden in the dark and cursed shades of the night.
Cursed shades? he blinked in surprise as the concept crashed down upon his immediate thoughts. It thudded shoving the idea that had been taunting and teasing him aside.
His instant reaction was to glance down at his hand and the marking there. A curse. Somehow he understood that it was so. But why? And how had he come to gain it? Who did this to him? And when did it happen? Where did it happen? And were there others?
A growl slipped free as more unanswered questions slipped downward. He needed answers. Not questions.
The sound that escaped his lips caught Jaster's attention. The boy stopped turning to stare at him.
"Is everything alright, Saljin?" he asked softly, eyes gazing in concern.
The undera merely watched him for a long moment before replying. "Yes. Just no answers to what I know but do not know." Shaking his head in confusion, Saljin shrugged, tilting his head slightly, followed by smiling faintly. "I guess I have to find out where I have been to know where I need to go."
Jaster blinked in surprise and then broke into laughter. "I think I understand that. But right now I think we need some sleep and with a bit of luck, we will get some tonight. Mom's blanket will keep us warm too."
Saljin reached out a tentacle gently. "Sleep." he agreed, moving for the building just ahead. They would figure it out.
"A bit of luck.." he mused as he slipped inside. "What is luck, Jaster?"
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:36 pm
Jaster had easily settled down in the warmth of the quilt. It wasn't just the physical comfort that warmed him, but also the thoughts of his mother. For a few moments it was hard for him to believe that he actually had it as he stroked the fabric gently. It belonged to him again and his father would have no chance to touch it again.
Then he drifted off smiling as he dreamed of her and how happy she would be. His face took on a peaceful almost blissful expression drawing Saljin's attention to it.
Settling down beside Jaster, the undera watched reaching out to tough the side of Jaster's face. Wast that what happy looked like? Jaster had said that was what he was. Happy to have his things.
Were things important? He didn't know but Jaster seemed to thing so. Lore had as well or he'd not have helped return them.
He glanced around. Did he have things? Was he supposed to? His eyes drifted slowly downwards to the marking on his hand. That was his. Whatever it was.
A memory of golden eyes was his also. And the images the fell down with them. They eyes were intense and he constantly wondered who they belonged to. That golden gaze was the one who could tell him what had happened to him.
His thoughts shifted to what Lore and Lysander had said of the Underground. A tingly sensation slide from the back of his neck to the tips of his tentacles at the thought of the place. Then he shivered fully.
Glimpses of dancing and others whirling around and around suddenly confused him. Laughter. Glasses clinking. Music. Masks.
Saljin blinked in surprise, eyes darting around the area as the images disappeared. He tried to focus and will them to him, but they remained unseen.
With a sigh, he curled up next to Jaster. The boy's eyes blinked open and he held the blanket back so the undera could snuggle beneath.
"Stay warm, Saljin. Tomorrow we will get some wood and go fishing." he said yawning. "Lots to do."
"Lots to do.." Saljin echoed as he did as asked. And lots to remember.
But when?
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:37 pm
Jaster and Saljin picked up wood for nearly two hours. The boy carefully stacked it on one side of the room, but also into the next room. The door there was still good and he calculated that if he shut it during the colder months, he'd be able to keep one room warm but have the convenience of having more wood nearby. That way neither of them would have to go far.
Saljin watched and did as he was told, but still took the time to make Jaster laugh as he followed through. By mid afternoon, both were tired, hungry, and a bit dirty.
"Bath, Saljin." Jaster stated. "We both need it." His mother had always reminded him to do so, but he'd been slacking the last few days. Under the circumstances it was understandable but still he preferred being cleaner than he was.
"Bath, Jaster?" he asked, turning around to watch the boy. "What is a bath?"
"A bath is when you clean yourself off in the water. Usually soap and water, but all we have is water right now. And it's going to be cold." the boy replied.
A few moments later, both were moving timidly into the water. He'd picked a sunny spot, hoping that the water there would be a bit warmer. The pool was to the side of the main stream and there was little movement there except a few fish. He could see the bottom as it was only about two feet deep. His clothing hit the ground except for his underwear. He'd hang them up to dry afterwards.
"Come on in, Saljin." he smirked when the undera stopped at the edge.
Saljin's eyes blinked as he studied the surface and the flashes of fins there. "Fish?" he questioned.
"Yes. Fish. But they are too small to catch now." he replied, glancing down. He cupped some water in his hands and tossed it at Saljin with a smirk. "Waterfight!" he yelled, and began splashing Saljin.
The undera's eyes blinked in surprise, his mouth dropping open as the water hit him. A moment later his long hair was drenched and clinging to him. Then his lips twitched upwards as Jaster continued to laugh. Splashing back, he agreed.
"Waterfight, Jaster." he replied, his tentacles splashing water towards the boy. It was not an uncomfortable feeling taking a bath. But Jaster was having fun and so was he.
For several long moments they played in the water. Jaster suddenly snickered and looked himself and the undera over.
"We are both clean now. I guess we didn't need soap this time." the boy grinned as he stepped from the water.
Saljin stepped out, shaking himself gingerly the way a cat would have. Not so much in dislike as it was simply over. He stared back at the water and then at Jaster who was mostly dressed by this time.
"I think I like baths, Jaster. They are fun." he commented, moving towards the cabin.
"Yes. They can be. Mom and I always had fun when I was little. One time the entire bathroom was covered in water and she wasn't even mad at me for it." Jaster replied, pulling his shirt over his head. "Let's eat and then we will go to the library. It's not too far."
"Library. Okay." Saljin repeated thoughtfully. Maybe Jaster needed another mother.
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