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 Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 8:41 pm
"Here we are," Nemora said brightly. In one hand Soyo clutched a green plush toy, something Nemora had given him to (hopefully) keep his hands form straying all the time to his mouth. She held the other one while holding him upright.
Then the doors opened and a woman with dusty-blonde hair and an ash-colored pant-suit came briskly down the two front steps and approached Nemora and Soyo. Her posture was impeccible, one might want to peek around at her back to make sure a board wasn't there holding her up. Her chin was a bit up and she kept her steel-blue eyes down at the boy.
"This is your new charge, Madame?" she said in a clipped accent of unknown origin. (Even Nemora never got a straight answer about Korina's past.)
"Oh stuff the Madame-bit Kori. Yes, this is Soyokaze. Soyo," she said, looking back at the boy, "This is Miss Korina." She knew Korina had only used "Madame" because she was still rather angry with Nemora for her decision to take on such a child. For a moment she wished she had a mountain of luggage for Korina to carry, but she would think up some sort of childish revenge later. Maybe make sure some bill went off a day late or something.
Drawn to something shiney, Soyo lunged forward a bit and fell to his hands and knees, both hands on one of Korina's pilished black shoes. He gigles a bit, but stopped when Korina drew her foot back quickly.
"Come on now, Soyo," Nemora said, picking him up and, when he turned to face her, poking his nose with her own, sending him into another bit of giggles. "You'll see, Kori," she said, looking into Soyo's two-toned eyes. "You'll come to love him just as much as I." Still looking only at Soyo, Nemora went up the walk and into the house, leaving Korina to pick up the green plush-toy Soyo had dropped.
"Somehow I doubt that," she said softly, glaring at the toy. She followed with her steps clicking against the walk and locked the door behind her. She placed the toy on the small round table by the door where she would put Nemora's mail for the day. She then pulled a white cloth from her breast-pocket and leaned down to rub her shoes.
Nemora had reached the top of the stairs by then, she glanced down over one shoulder at Korina, sighed, and shook her head. Looking back at Soyo, she grinned and sai, "I've got something great to show you," in a happy sing-song voice. They came to a hall with four doors, she opened one and put him down once inside. "This is your room, Sweaty."
The walls were done in lavender and pale green swirls, the colors Nemora most associated wind with. She'd made sure to check with Zinaida about the element which would choose Soyo. There was actually another room just like this one, but geared toward a much younger boy. Nemora hadn't been sure exactly how old Soyo would be, the other room was for a newborn while this better suited a toddler his age. Beside the high window (high, so he couldn't fall out of it at night) was a large bed, more square than rectangular. It had white sheets with pillows to match the walls. There were half-a-dozen children's books on a set of small shelves, along with a small selection of toys. Nemora didn't want him to have nothing, but she also didn't want to bombarde him; better let him decide in his own time what toys he prefered.
She watched while he stood and looked around, she noticed his index finger was in his mouth and wondered what had happened to the plush toy. Must have dropped it downstairs... I'll bring it to himwhile he sleeps, she decided. He had finally turned around a few times when he looked up at Nemora.
"Thbish is ahl bine?" he asked without taking his finger from his mouth. Nemora gave a slight chuckle and got on one knee to gently take his hand from his mouth. Thankfully he didn't struggle, Nemora hoped this wouldn't develope into a habit.
"I can hardly hear you with your finger in your mouth," she said without reproach, "And yes, this is all yours. This is where you'll sleep," as she pointed to the bed, "and play, and learn to read. Yes, this is your room, Soyo."
He leaned against her and gave her a hug. "T'ank-yu mommy," he said quickly. They'd already gone over a few different niceties on the car-ride. While Soyo's body was advanced for having been born, he had some catching up to do with certain mental aspects. She suspected it wouldn't take long for him to behave and think in correspondence with his physical age.
"Wha 'bout yu?" he asked, gazing up at her with her own eyes.
She ruffled his hair, "Well mommies have their own room, you see?" she said with a smile as Soyo yawned.
"Wan' in here. Wit' me. His voice wasn't whiny, and as much as Nemora wanted to stay in here too, she knew that might also form poor habits for Soyo. He would have to learn some things rather quickly, this would be one of them.
She picked him up and sat with him on the bed. "Not tonigh," she said, hoping that would be an acceptable answer for a child's mind. As he yawned again she set him down with his head among the pillows.
"Don' go..." But even as he tried to protest, he found he couldn't keep his eyes open. Nemora slowly stood up, his hand dropped from her own and she smiled, watching him.
"Good night, Soyo," she said as she flicked the light-switch and pushed the door to an inch from closing.
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:47 am
She wore a light coat against the chill, the warm waters surounding the Port and Isle of Gambino kept Nemora's beach-side property and those nearby from much of the bitter cold they would get in Aekea and Durem. Soyo had simply refused to be held and was dashing about here and there, always a few steps ahead of Nemora. Always in sight.
Soyo was prattling on to himself, mostly incomprehensible babble, but every now and then something about a "boat" was clearly heard. Nemora had shown him pictures of her boat, which was currently... elsewhere. It wasn't your steriotypical yatch, but a large sailing vessel which could be run by two people (or one rather skilled person) and could carry seven comfortably (a few more in less comfort).
Suddenly Soyo ran back and pulled on Nemora's arm. "Yur boat, mama. I see yur boat!" He was grinning from ear to ear and hopping as he tugged her arm. Nemora only smiled. "OK sweety," That's not possible... she's only been gone a month. Did something happen? She hoped Soyo was wrong, that perhaps it was some other boat which looked quite like hers.
Soyo ran ahead again, this time only paces from the dock. Nemora raised her hand to look out better, and knew just as Soyo began to exclaim, "See, see? Blue sail, blue sail!" Sure enough, there was the distinctive blue sail of Nemora's Fortune's Wind, her first large investment after spending years running and being rather irresponsible with her inheritance.
Soyo wasn't the least bit confused by the fact that mama wasn't the one on her ship, he was just excited that it was her ship. Maybe I'll get to ride in it! he thought excitedly to himself. Mama just seemed so happy when she talked about her boat, it must be a wonderful place to be.
"Soyo! Soyo, come on back sweety," he was getting too close to the dock for Nemora's liking. She rather they walk on together so she can explain some safety rules. Soyo glanced back at her, hesitated, but ran back since she was smiling. He knew he couldn't be in trouble if mama was smiling.
"Will we go on tha boat?" he asked as he took her outstretched hand. "Maybe later," she said without commitment. It won't take long for Soyo to figure out that "Maybe later" was mama code for "No".
Soyo looked everywhere while Nemora spoke, explaining that he was to never go on the dock alone. That he was to listen to her always. That he should stand back when a boat was docking. That he should wait for whoever was on the boat to get off before even aproaching the boat. That... ...on and on and on. Finally the boat stopped and Soyo hopped a bit, keeping his feet on the wood of the dock but pulsing his knees so that he looked like he was bouncing.
There was a clatter as a ramp was set between the boat and the dock. Soyo took a step forward but Nemora already had pulled him back a bit. Remember. Wait for whoever's there to exit." He looked up with sad eyes, would he not get to go on the boat. "Just be patient, hun," she added with a smile.
"Hoy! Who's the small-fry, Poet?" Soyo glanced up, gasped, and took a step back. He was looking into a girl's face, younger than mama's but older than his. But the face... it was blue! And... and... she had four legs!
Nemora lited Soyo and held him close, her wrapped his hands into her hair and looked at the centaur woman with wide, awed eyes. Perhaps a bit scared too. "It's all right, Soyo. This is Azure." She didn't say anything yet to the centaur, she watched Soyo to make sure he could get over the initial shock of Azure. If she'd known the young centaur would be coming today she'd have given him some information about her.
Soyo looked at her for a long time, then he glanced up at the sail. "Azure matches tha sail!" he exclaimed, apparently over the shock now. He looked at her directly, repeating himself to say, "You match the sail!"
Azure chuckled. "Well that wasn't intentional, I asure you." She looked back at Nemora, "But really, who is this adorable kid?" Soyo giggled at being called adorable.
"I have my own questions for you Azure, such as why you're here? Now isn't the time, but we can swap stories inside with some hot tea." Nemora's voice wasn't as gay and lively when she spoke to Azure. She wouldn't be calm toward the centaur until she knew what brought her back so soon.
"Alright, alright! Don't have a 'taur!" A bit of Azure's teenaged tendicies began to show whenever she felt the stern "mothering" of her Guardian Nemora, who she called Poet as did the rest of the 'taurs from Cein Isles. She walked by and Soyo reached out curiousely to touch her back.
"Oh? Want a ride... Soyo was it?" She winked and he giggled. Azure glanced at Nemora. "You know I won't drop him, Poet," she said seriosely. Nemora nodded. "I know," she said.
"Well Soyo, do you want a ride?" Maybe she could make it up to him for not allowing him on the boat yet. He nodded rather quickly. "OK, well be sure to listen to Azure and do whatever she tells you to," she cautioned as she placed him on the centaur's back.
Azure reached around behind herself to take hold of Soyo's hands. "Hold on to this," she said, placing his hands on the belt to her travel-sack. "And hold on tight, 'k?"
"'k," Soyo echoed. He looked back at Nemora and grinned. "I'm goin' for a ride, mama," he said as though she'd only just arrived and had no idea what was going on.
"Yes you are. Now you two be safe. I'll be coming right behind you." Azure waved and set off at a light jog, she didn't go much faster as she didn't want Soyo to loose his grip. As she got closer she could see Korina looking out a second story window and snorted.
Once back at the house, Azure waited for Nemora. The trio entered together and Nemora set about the task of getting tea ready while Azure and Soyo spent some time together. It was soon to be naptime for Soyo, so when Nemora came back she took him up to his room. The excitement of this morning had him sleeping in her arms before she reached the top of the stairs.
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:49 pm
This RP can also be found in the Catori Archipelago (HQ) pages 58-59.
Players
ZinaidaWhite Feather
Kari/White Feather
Nemora/ChibiPoet
Soyokaze/ChibiPoet ChibiPoet Soyo waved to the driver in the dark blue sedan as Nemora took his other hand and glanced about. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, did she expect the HQ to have disappeared? "C'mon, Soyo hon."
She held his hand all the way up to the HQ main entrance. Soyo twisted his head about every which way, and even stumbled over his own feet twice while doing so. Nemora kept him upright though and only shook her head with a smile at his curiosity.
"Do you remember this place, Soyo?" Nemora asked they came through the entry way. Soyo wasn't sure, he felt the place was familiar, but had already forgotten why. So he slowly shook his head while bringing up one hand to play with his lower lip. zinaidanuru "Kari, could you move that bag of potatoes downstairs for me?" Zinaida sighed as she bustled about in the kitchen of the HQ, packing away the groceries she'd bought just about an hour or so ago. Various types of cans and boxes lined the counters, and the girl seemed to show no sign of completing her task anytime soon.
Ever since the Catori Project had opened, it was nothing but WORK WORK WORK~
Nothing was fun at all.
"Yeah, sure!" Kari complied happily, slung the mentioned sack of potatoes over her shoulder, and dissapeared downstairs and into the basement. ChibiPoet Nemora looks around, a thoughtful look on her face. All the while Soyo, face pointed toward some unknown sound, pulls at her hand. "This way, mama. There're people this way." Nemora follows his gaze. The kitchen? She shrugged, "Then lead on, little detective." zinaidanuru Was someone else here? Zinaida set a few more cans onto the shelf, and walked out into the hallway, only to lay eyes on Nemora and Soyokaze. "Ah! Hi you two! How's it been going?" She smiled at the pair, happy to see the new Catori and his guardian so soon after the summoning. ChibiPoet Soyo waved enthusiasticly, "Hello, Zinaida," Nemora said brightly. Soyo caught on quickly and echoed, "ello Zinidi," with a few modifications of his own. zinaidanuru
The groceries were calling, and Zinaida knew she could resist answering them for not much longer, so got right down to business: "So how's Soyo been doing? Has he been showing any powers over his element at all?"
Kari stomped back up the stairs, walked through the kitchen to the source of the sounds of talking she was hearing, and entered the conversation, "Hello, you two! What a cutie that little Soyo is, eh? Such nice eyes, though I can certainly see where they came from." The Catori youth smiled at the two visitors, as well. ChibiPoet "Oh no, nothing yet. Should he be?" Nemora had been wondering actually. Although she doubted such a question would be easily answered, each Catori was probably different.
Soyo turned his gaze next to Kari, and his smile widened. She was very colorful, "ello," he said again. Nemora nodded her head to the woman with a quiet, "Thank you." Having no clue from Nemora this time, Soyo couldn't help but ask, "Who you?" zinaidanuru "I can't really say, exactly," Zinaida stifled a nervous chuckle, "it's been ages since I've last seen infant Catori. From what I've gathered, though, it's probably normal if he doesn't yet."
"However, I know someone who lives up in the mountains who may be able to help nudge his power out, if you're interested. He won't be able to do much, but she could definetly teach Soyo a thing or two about magic." I'm kind of busy at the moment, or else I'd take you myself, but I'm sure some written directions would suffice."
"My name?" Kari's eyes twinkled as she looked over the wind-element Catori more closely. He seemed bright for his age. "I'm Kari! I'm a Catori, just like you! Sure, I'm a little... bigger than you are, but I'm sure that won't be much of an issue eventually."
ChibiPoet While Nemora didn't want to push Soyo, she did feel she could use some more intormation in general about the nature of his power. Since Soyo was still pulling at her hand, Nemora let go. He simply wanted to get closer to Kari while Nemora would take the time to get these directions.
"Yes, that will be fine. Who is she?" She felt around her skirt pockets, and then found a pen, but had nothing to write on. Well, she figured Zin must have something.
"Am a going to be big as you?" Soyo asked, coming closer to Kari. He remembered the trouble he got in later for grabbing at Korina's shoes, so he resisted the tempation to grab at one of her tassles. zinaidanuru "Her name's Thenai. I'd tell you more, but I would know she's one who likes privacy." Zinaida looked down, noticing as Nemora dug out a pen to write directions with, "Oh no, that won't be a problem. Just a moment, please." She bowed politely and left the hallway, walking back into the kitchen.
"Yep!" Kari nodded, and bent down to be eye-level with Soyo. "Probably bigger, actually. My growth seems to have... er... stunted." She playfully rustled Soyo's azure hair, "Stay cute, alright? It's so wonderful to see other Catori again."
Zinaida returned moments later, clutching a sheet of lined paper. On it was messily enscribed the directions to Thenai's mountain home. She handed the leaf to Nemora, "Follow this closely, and you'll be there in no time." ChibiPoet Nemora blushed a bit as Zin left, she wasn't used to any sort of bowing, and after Zin was gone she wondered if she should have bowed back. She glanced back at Kari and Soyo, and was glad the other Catori seemed to like the boy.
Soyo giggled and put his hand on his head after Kari had finished. "I'll catch up, and we can get big toge'er," he exclaimed.
Nemora nodded, and took a quick glance over the sheet. She figured she could decipher it with enough effort. If not, she certainly wasn't too prideful as to not come back if she got lost. "Thanks, Zinaida," she paused a moment, just in case there was anything else she needed to know. zinaidanuru "You're welcome! That's about it, I think." Zinaida put her hands on her hips thoughtfully, wondering if she had forgotten anything. Nope.
"Like I said, there's really not much I can tell you about Thenai. You'll have to find out most of it for yourself. She's nice once you get to know her, even if she seems a bit... cold at first. Good luck, to the both of you!"
"That'd be very nice, Soyo!" Kari cheered, truly feeling her spirits lifted for the first time in what felt like ages. "I can't wait." She looked up for a moment, seeing Zinaida bidding farewell to Nemora. Sighing, she peered back down at Soyokaze, "Well, I think you'd better be off now! Have a nice time, and I hope to see you soon!" ChibiPoet Nemora nodded, Thenai, she put the name in memory, hoping she wouldn't forget by the time she got there. "Well thanks a lot, Zinaida. I suppose Soyo and I will be going then." Soyo's head perked up upon hearing this.
"Ah, now?" He looked back to Kair. "We're going," he said in his usual way of informing people as though he wasn't aware that they'd heard everything he had. But then he smiled, "I'll practice growing real good." Nemora came up behind him and rubbed his head. "Well it's time to say good-bye for now, Soyo. We'll come back another day, alright?" He grinned and nodded up at Nemora. "O! K!"
He waved as Nemora guided him to the door and they left.
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:59 pm
This RP can also be found in the Ishel Mountain Sancuary pages 1-5.
Players
Thenai/Enhaya
Nemora/ChibiPoet
Soyokaze/ChibiPoet ChibiPoet Nemora slid the leaf back into her pocket, the other hand still holding firm to Soyo's She was begining to think that taking the time to go back for heavier coats would have been wise. When she glanced down again at Soyo, he had his other hand clutched to the collar of his light coat. "Oh hon," she bent down to pick him up. "Not much farther, don't worry." She shifted her weight so she could use one hand to knock on the door to this large, mountain compound. Oh fudge! What was that woman's name? Thenai It's the better part of a minute before there's a response...and that comes from behind and below, not inside. "Welcome. The door is not locked." A silver-haired woman in grey-blue monastic robes finishes this last leg of the path as she speaks, picking over the rocks with practiced familiarity and a heavy load of firewood slung across her back. She lets out a slow breath, trying to contain it enough to speak clearly despite the exertion. "Feel free to take shelter here, if you came to flee the coming storm. It is my privelage to provide lodging for..." her voice trails off under just a moment's strain as she sets down the wood and eases the strap off of her forehead to finally looks to the visitors. A slight pause. "...to Miss Nemora and Master Soyokaze."
Thenai's empty grey eyes dont' seem to register anything potentially surprising about her knowing their names, and she packs a few pieces of wood into a smaller parcel, covers what sits here, and pushes open the door, stepping inside and holding it open for the two visitors. "Welcome. Come in." ChibiPoet Nemora's own shock at seeing the woman keeps her from offering to open the door for her in light of her heavy load. Her shock was prolonged by the woman then knowing both of their names. Did Zin tell her we were coming? Soyo waves, though a bit slower than his usual hyper-self, probably due to the cold.
"ello," he says, with a smile despite the chill. Nemora registers the open door, "Thank you," Thenai... that was it, right? She keeps the name to herself, not wanting to be wrong. She hurries in, and is a bit worried by the mention of an aproaching storm. Would they be snowed in? Thenai Thenai smiles at both of them, particularly Soyo, though only with her mouth. "You both look thoroughly chilled. Seat yourselves by the fire and let me fetch you some blankets. Whatever brought you here can wait at least for that, I am sure."
There aren't any chairs in the room, but there are some fairly comfortable cushions seated by the fireplace, which the monk is currently busied with feeding. "Would you two like some warm water, or some tea?" ChibiPoet Nemora felt rather... humbled? Perhaps not the best description. She felt like a child in this woman's presence, welcomed but lacking wisdom to even speak. She placed Soyo on a cushion, and he promptly began inching himself and the cushion closer to the fire.
Nemora took a seat as well. "Oh, tea, thank you." Unsure if there were child-prrof cups (she'd be rather surprised if there were actually) she decided she'd simply let Soyo drink from hers. "That's quite close enough, Soyo," Thenai Thenai smiles at Nemora, bows slightly, and takes her leave, seeking the various "warm people up" supplies in question.
A minute or so after she leaves, a fuzzy, spotted young cat--more specifically, a fuzzy, spotted young cat that's three feet long from nose to rump--paces uneasily on the outskirts of the room. The little cougar has a splinted leg and, though it doesn't usually like people, is horribly curious about Soyo and his unusual smell, inching a little closer now and again, its wide eyes just begging for recognition. ChibiPoet Nemora lowered her head in responce, a bit more prepared for the bow this time. Will I ever get used to the bowing? But then Nemora took in a sharp and sudden strained breath as her eyes fell on the cougar. Her heart beat painfully within her chest, what sort of woman kept a cougar in her house!?
Soyo turned his head to look at the cougar, and his innocent eyes saw nothing to fear. He grinned and opened his hand toward the "kitty". "Soyo," Nemora's voice came as a whisper, "No Soyo, no." Her hands were clutched upon the cushion which she sat, feeling all together defenseless. Her eyes moved the length of the cat. A splint... well still, not a good animal to let roam about... The splint did nothing to soothe her, and she prayed for Thenai's swift return. Thenai Thenai returns before too long, bearing some blankets. "Here you are. The tea is still steeping." She glances at Nemora as she sets the blankets down between she and Soyo, then follows her gaze to the cub. "Oh, dear, I hope she hasn't upset you too much...Cougar is really quite well-mannered, I assure you." She walks over and lifts up the cat, bracing its weight carefully. "Alright, dear, you needn't upset the other guests. It won't become you to become too acclimated to humans, anyway, regardless of temporary lonliness."
The monk looks down to Nemora and Soyo. "Forgive me...I had not thought that she would cause a problem." She holds the animal in her lap as she seats herself on a cushion just far enough away to put some distance between "Cougar" and the visitors. "Her leg already knitted, really...the splint is a precaution. She has lived with me for many weeks now, and will until she is older." The cat is grateful for the attention, but its tilted, innocent gaze still settles on Soyo. ChibiPoet It takes a moment for Thenai's voice to register and she hastily takes the cup. She's still to frazzled to even say thank you. Soyo looked up at Thenai with a smile, "Kitty!" he said excitedly while pointing. He watched her pick the cub up and carry her with her to another cushion. He glances back at Nemora, as though asking permision to venture closer. With pursed lips she shakes her head.
Nemora held the tea close to her face, waiting a bit while the thick color spread and letting the steam warm her a bit. Questions played around in her mind, many she felt would be rather rude, and so she remained silent for a time. Soyo took the innitiative to speak then. "Is kitty hurt?" he asked. Thenai Thenai smiles at Soyo. The expression is perhaps just a little warmer, somehow, though it still fails to find her eyes. "I found kitty some time ago. Kitty's mother was not coming back, and Kitty's leg was hurt, so I brought Kitty back here. I tended his leg about where you are seated, actually, Master Soyo. It is healed now, but Kitty needs to be old enough to feed and shelter himself before he leaves again." ChibiPoet Nemora's lips stayed pressed together. She disliked that Thenai had also spoken of the cougar as "kitty". It should not be viewed as a common household pet, even if she did plan on sending it back to the wild. She wanted to say something, she felt tension building deep within her, threatening to explode. But she held her tongue...
"Oh... I cood take care of 'im," Soyo offered good-naturedly. "I've a nice warm room, and there's loads of-"
"Soyo!" Nemora's face flushed, she was shocked by her own voice. "Soyo," she said in a more controled voice, "We do not keep wild animals in our house." Her face still burned, and when Soyo looked at her with those pleading eyes, she shut her own and took a sip of her tea. Thenai Thenai's eyes travel to Nemora for a few moments, face unchanging, and then back to Soyo. "Your mother is correct, Master Soyo. All cats remember that they are hunters. Cougar does already. Cougar, though, like all his kind, will be larger and stronger than a person. He will be able to hurt people, should he so desire...or even by accident. That is why he should not live in the city with you." She smiles. This is a significant point, considering who and what the catori is. "But that does not mean that he will hurt anyone, just because he is big and strong. He will know his friends and never cause them pain. He will know what he is supposed to do in life, and he will do that." She scratches the cub's ears absently, to a rickety purr. "Cougar has already chosen to be a hunter, and the two of us will work hard together to make him one. ChibiPoet Nemora's eyes open just to catch the end of Thenia's gaze, and it takes some effort not to shudder from eyes which don't seem to change. A smile, a glance, would she even go into a raging fit with such eyes? Would she go into any kind of fit at all? She did feel better that she'd re-itterated her point of "no cougars in the house".
Soyo's face got very thoughtful. "I guess that's OK," he said as though thinking the cougar would be better off at his house still. He could hunt in the empty rooms, where no one goes.
Nemora took another warm drink of tea. "Soyo, would you like some tea? It'll help warm you," she added when he looked uncertain. He rubbed his shoulder with his hand. "Ok." He scooted on his knees at first, then got up and took the next two steps to her. She held the cup to his lips, the liquid wasn't as hot as when she first got it, all the better for him that it be a bit cooler. Thenai Thenai sips her own cup of tea quietly, letting everyone warm up and calm down for a few minutes. "Now, Miss Nemora...what is it that brings you up so far to visit a crabby hermit?" ChibiPoet Soyo grinned as Nemora took the cut away, she used a finger to rub away some tea from the corner of his mouth. "Good tea," he said enthusiasticaly. The cup was nearly empty now, Nemora handed it to Soyo. "Hold onto it carefully, hon, OK?" He nodded and stuck his legs out in front of him. He looked up, watching the kitty while holding the cup firmly with both hands.
"Soyo, actually. I'd spoken with Zinaida earlier today and she directed me here. She told me you would be able to teach him something of his magic, not necessarily to use it, but just to know what it is I suppose." She shrugged. Thenai She's figured. Zinaida's good about not sending people to her out of the blue, and the possibility of sending the catori and their guardians here had certainly been discussed ahead of time. But confirmation is always good, and people get nervous when you know things without being told. Come to think of it, the simple logic she'd used to derive their names had probably been disconcerting, too....
"It is possible." Thenai sips her tea quietly, pondering this a few moments, examining Soyo. His element is fully physical, she's sure of that...something fluid, though. Not water...air, maybe. Wind. She can't discount storms and mist, either. Electricity? No...something's a little off about that, it's not right. "Have you discovered any hints as to what his element is just yet?" she inquires finally. ChibiPoet "We, that is Zinaida and I, though he might have been summoned with Wind. He does have a fascination with winged things." It was an odd form of magic to her, elemental magic. Her mother taught her to use her magic, she wouldn't have been able to touch the magical core within her otherwise, Did Soyo's element act as a mother did for Overseers? Thenai "I see. Well, that is certainly a distinct possibility." Thenai listens to the trees rustling outside a few moments, their reaction to the approaching storm. "And such a perfect night to test that theory." The monk looks to Zemora. "Tell me...what is your greatest hope in coming here? What do you seek to achieve?"
Cougar's beginning to squirm. He's already getting restless in response to the long, cooped-up night on its way. He can smell the snow in the air. The monk holds up a low dish of warm water, which distracts and placates the happily-drinking kitten for now. ChibiPoet Soyo doesn't notice he's being talked about, instead he alternately watches the fire and watches the kitty.
"Seeing as he's so young, I did not come here thinking he would leave able to controle, or even feel, his element. I hope for... a bit more understanding for the both of us. And perhaps assurance of what his element will be..." She trails off a bit here, after this woman had known both of their names she'd almost hoped she was a seer of some sorts, able to look deep into Soyo and pull out that bit of information which Nemora sought. Thenai "I see." The monk sets down the water. "'Total assurance' will come in its time, but we can most certainly try to explore Master Soyo's talents." She looks over to the boy. "Master Soyo, I have great need of someone as strong as yourself assisting me in bringing in a few more pieces of wood. Would you be so kind as to help?" ChibiPoet Nemora nodded in responce, she could accept that and, for now, wait and see when Soyo's talents manifested themselves.
Soyo's eyes went quickly from kitty to monk and he excitedly jumped up, seeming to be fully recovered from the cold. "Sure!" he replied. Helpful, well sometimes. Susceptible to flattery, definately. Thenai The monk smiles, perhaps genuinely, if only for a moment, and stands up as well. "Let us get you something warm to wear, then. It will only take a minute." Thenai looks down to Nemora, a certain squirming feline held firmly in her arms. "Would you be more comfortable if I situate Cougar in another room during our absence, Miss Nemora?" ChibiPoet Soyo got up, and in his hurry stumbled a bit on his coushion, recovering quickly. "OK," he'd forgotten about the cold actually, and hadn't even considered that they'd be going outside. Still, she needed him.
Nemora quickly snatched the tea cup, which Soyo had set beside him at some point, to keep him from knocking it over when he stumbled. The cup was empty, she discovered. Holding the cup, she glanced once between Thenai and the cougar. The monk might feel comfortable with wild animals, but Nemora felt more at ease when facing the wild in the wild. Combining wild and domestic made her nervous. "If it's not too much trouble..." she said weakly. Thenai "Not at all. If you'll come with me, Master Soyo..." she heads towards a hallway, Cougar in hand, to both deposit the cat and find something warm that's small enough for the boy. ChibiPoet "Thank you," Nemora said as Thenai and Soyo left. Oh my... She felt suddenly some trepidation. She'd just let her little boy leave with the crazy monk who housed cougars!
Soyo followed along, looking about at the walls and whatever else they passed. Thenai There's not terribly much of interest, right away. Cougar is deposited, quite against his will, in a bedroom that opens to the balcony-edge of the house...even though it's one level, one side is stilted against the mountain's slope. It's quite cold in the room...not frigid, but cold. Thenai doesn't want the cat to become too terribly spoiled with the home's heat, and often creates cave-like conditions for him. She pulls the door shut.
"Well, that done, let's see to a coat for you." The hermit heads a few doors down to a long closet filled with coats and various warm things of every conceivable shape and size. That is, except exactly Soyo's size. The one Thenai finally holds out to him will cover his hands easily, for certain. "Here you are, Master Soyo. Can you put that on yourself?" ChibiPoet Soyo waves to the kitty before the door is completely shut on his chilly little room. He watches with interest as Thenai looks for something to fit him. He has his hands folded behind his back and rocks a bit on his his heels.
He nods excitedly and holds his arms out for the coat. While he did exibit quite a bit of difficulty, he was at least able to get his arms in the proper place. As for the workings of the coat itself, his fingers did not seem able to figure it out. Thenai Thenai smiles a little, and fastens him into the coat. "Would you like to accompany us, then, Miss Nemora?" she inquires. She'd really rather the guardian didn't...the statement's just a choice between seeming oblivious and seeming observant. Really, both can be useful. ChibiPoet "Oh... I..." Nemora had assumed that Thenai's sudden "trip to the wood pile" had been a way to somehow test Soyo, or search his mind for the truth behind his element. Did she really mean for her to go as well? And if she stayed, how would she busy herself?
A part of her wanted to go, for curiosities sake, but there were reasons to stay. Perhaps Soyo would say or do things with the monk that he wouldn't do around Nemora herself. And then there was the cold... yes, it was so much warmer inside. Did that make her weak? "I suppose someone should stay to watch the fire," she said in a rather unconvincing tone. Thenai Thenai nods, smiling, the expression reverted completely back to its shallow, cold-eyed version. "Certainly. Let me know if you need anything, and there is more tea on the stove. Do not worry for Soyo, we will not be long." She looks down to the catori. "Come along, Master Soyo. Let us gather some more wood to warm your mother." ChibiPoet He might have forgotten why he'd volunteered for this, but warming mama was also a good activity, and so he nodded. "We be back, mama," he said happily, not showing some of the attachment issues of younger children.
"You behave yourself, Soyo, OK hon?" She got up and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead. "And thank you again, Thenai." She'd gone this long without saying the monk's name, or asking for it. Better get it over with if she'd remembered wrong. Thenai "It is my pleasure." Thenai smiles, and heads back towards the front door, trusting Soyo to follow. She's nearly shoved backward when she opens it by the bitter wind now rushing outside. As desired. Good. ChibiPoet Nemora went and helped herself to another cup of tea before seating herself back in front of the fire.
Soyo followed, and when the door opened, he grabbed at the collar of the coat. "Oh! Cold!" he exclaimed, always one to state the obvious. Thenai Well, we can certainly rule out ice, Thenai ponders with wry amusement, remembering her own cold-weather tendencies as a child. "Not to worry, Master Soyo. We will not be long." She smiles at him and takes a few small, dry pieces of wood and holds them out to him. "Here...will you hold these for me? They'll warm up the fire nicely." The monk's eyes are scanning the area below, a sharp dropoff that's only barely shy of being called a cliff. At how the wind swirls in the crevasse below, mind systematically calculating a hundred variables as she'd long been trained to do. Yes, maybe... ChibiPoet Soyo nodds, and shivers a bit; the shivers come in little spurts so that at one moment he is still, the next his teeth chatter and he shakes a bit. "OK," he holds his hands out, the sleeves covering them still and serving the purpose of makeshift gloves, keeping his hands warmer than they would have been if exposed directly to the chill.
He looks around furtively every now and then, listening to the howl of the wind. Thenai Quartering winds...slow whirwind below. There's a tremendous potential for lift. This boy is truly a catori...the planet itself has set this up, I feel sure.
Thenai smiles. "Thank you." She steps higher on the woodpile, taking a slow breath. She reaches down to grab a large log...and the one beneath her foot goes shooting out from beneath her, throwing her balance and, with an arm-waving flourish she barely has to consciously add, the monk pitches back into nothingness, only the rocks below waiting to catch her. "Soyo, help me!" she cries plaintively as she plunges downward. If he doesn't...this will hurt one way or the other. ChibiPoet Soyo watches as Thenai climbs up the pile. He clutched tighter to the small pile he himself held. He smiled a bit as she reasured him of warmth soon.
"Lady!" was his shout, perhaps because he didn't know her name. The wood in his grasp clattered to the snow-covered walkway he'd been standing on as he scrambled toward the edge. Let it be ah soft landin', his mind screamed.
The slow whirlwind tightened, focused, drew itself around the terror of a small child, and waited. To the wind, time passed on a scale much slower than that of organics. It gave the woman a push, UP the wind commanded, of it's own volition. It had taken the small child's plea and done as it felt necessary. The wind cared not for the slope's edge or whether the woman could catch it. It had done it's deed, and if nothing else had stopped her initial momentum to make any eventual landing softer. Thenai Thenai's face had been frighteningly calm as soon as she'd dropped from his sight...now, as she goes hurtling back upwards, it bears a little smile. Well done, kid...well done. I knew you had it in you. A slight, low-level wind spell tweaks his whirlwind to pitch her more directly towards the ledge...she catches it with a deathgrip. Her fingers slip through the snow once, but the other hand found a secure stone, and she clambers back onto the house's ledge, staying as she is a few moments to catch her strength, and then looks up.
"Well done, Soyo." She looks up and smiles, eyes startlingly calm considering the circumstances. "You did even better than I expected." ChibiPoet Soyo creeps closer to the ledge, and is startled by Thenai's sudden appearance. "Whoa!" He stumbles over backwards, landing on his behind and then slipping to one side. He scrambles to get upright, not wanting to be laying in the cold snow. He glanced around wildly, there had to be some way...
But before he could think of anything, Thenai had pulled herself up completely. He looks up at her with his eyes still wild looking, and a bit frightened. "Wha-wha? I... I did'n do any'ting..." Now he simply felt all around confused.
Meanwhile, back inside, the crackle of the fire and occational howl on the wind is all Nemora is aware of. It hasn't been long enough for her to worry, yet. So she sits staring into the flames, sipping her tea. Thenai Thenai smiles, eyes softening a little, for a moment. "No, Soyo. You did do something. You are what carried me back up, in a way." She sets a hand reassuringly for a moment. "Relax. I am okay, and so are you." She takes a couple of larg logs from the pile. "Let's head back inside where it's warm, and I'll explain more there. All right?" She shifts her load's weight to hold the door open for him. ChibiPoet Soyo certainly didn't remember carrying her, and she looked too heavy. For a moment Soyo looked at her with the look of "You've got to be out of your mind." But he liked the idea of going back inside. He nodded, and began picking up the wood he dropped, and then follows her inside. Thenai Thenai is in a fairly good mood as they head back inside, faintly humming a largely monotone chant as she walks over to the fire and carefully sets one of her large logs over it, depositing the other in the pile beside it and directing Soyo to put his there, too. "Thank you for your help, Master Soyo." Her eyes, for the moment, are...nearly alive. ChibiPoet Soyo's feet take short, quick steps to keep up with Thenai. He then slowly bends himself, performing the delicate task of not falling over. He gets his pile set, though it's a bit askew, and then hobbles over to Nemora, leaning heavily against her warmth.
Nemora puts one arm around him, and draws him close, ignoring how cold his coat feels against her. She takes another sip of tea, with which to peer over at Thenai curiosely. What else might have happened out there... Thenai certainly looked different, and without knowing exactly how much snow was currently falling, she didn't know whether or not to be allarmed by Soyo's snow-covered state or not. She looked down on him and smiled, rubbing her hand along his arm.
Soyo was tired, too tired for having just carried wood. He tried to burrow deeper into Nemora, for he was also cold as well as tired. What did I do? Thenai "It is normal for you to feel tired, Master Soyo," Thenai notes gently, settling herself on her pillow again and taking up her now lukewarm tea. "I suppose that I should start by asking whether you know what 'elemental magic' is." ChibiPoet Normal for... what happened? Nemora keeps her cool and rubs at Soyo's arm a bit harder, partially for added warmth and partially to rouse him a bit.
Soyo had in the meantime slipped two fingers into his mouth, he slipped them back out to answer. "Mama can move things with 'er mind, is that an elmenent?" Nemora smiled, that in itself was likely answer enough. Thenai "I fell. Soyo caught me by manipulating an existing wind feature," Thenai notes simply. She looks back to the boy. "That is not elemental, but you're close...it is magic, another kind called psionic. 'Elemental' means that you are very connected to some part of this planet, and that part of the planet to you...we determined tonight that what you are connected to is the element air, the wind that you felt with you this evening. Wind blew me back up to you. And it did that because, even without fully realizing it, you wanted it to. The wind is a special friend to you, and it pays special attention to you."
The monk smiles gently. "You are a special boy, Soyo. Tonight was only a beginning, and it will not always be so hard, or so frightening." She looks to Nemora. "But he really is exhausted, as to be expected of the first time he strongly accessed his element. I would invite you both to stay here and rest tonight, if it suits you." ChibiPoet Nemora gasped, she knew there had to be something more involved than "I fell." but decided not to press the issue upon hearing the rest of what Thenai had to say. She gently picked Soyo up so he could curl into her lap, half listening. She figured she'd have to explain some of it again in the morning. It really was an interesting form of magic. She may use shields and wards to protect herself, but she certainly didn't commune with them. They were purely functional. Thenai made it sound as though elemental magic was a living thin. Perhaps it was, just as the rest of the earth.
"I like friends," Soyo mumbled, falling asleep. Nemora smoothed away some of his hair from his face and tugged his hand a bit until the fingers there fell to his side.
She looked back at Thenai. "Thank you, again. And yes, I think it would be better to wait out the storm," she said, hearing the wind reaching higher and higher pitch while they'd been sitting by the fire. Thenai Thenai nods, smiling a little, a hint of warmth towards Nemora there for the first time and perhaps only time in awhile, considering the landmark they'd just reached. The expression fades as she stands up. "Come, then. I'll show you to a room." ChibiPoet Nemora carefully stands, keeping Soyo cradled in her arms and nodding her understanding. Since her hands are full she leaves the cup, she hopes it won't be too much of an inconvenience for Thenai. Thenai Without further comment, Thenai leads them to the most recently cleaned guest bedroom--only a few minutes before she had left on her wood-gathering excusion, actually. "Here you are." She lights the small fireplace with a box of matches, on the mantle though the room isn't exactly frigid to start. "There are extra blankets in the closet further down the hall and to the left if you need them," the monk notes. There is a candlestick beside the bed if you need the light...modern convenience has a tendency of pulling one further from natural elements and is a deterrent to meditative reflection, so you will not find any light switches or such. Is there anything else that you need before I retire for the night, myself?" ChibiPoet Nemora places Soyo on a bed and begins pulling the cover up over him. "No, we'll be quite all right, thank you," she said softly, though it was rather unneccesary, Soyo wasn't going to be waking any time soon.
"And thanks again for having us. I feel better know a bit more about what to expect from Soyo in the future." Thenai "It is not an inconvenience, Miss Nemora. Soyo is certainly not here without reason. All of the catori may well prove very important to all our futures, and is it to all of us to prepare and support them however is most possible. You are welcome here at any time, for any reason, as is Master Soyo."
Thenai bows politely and takes her leave without awaiting acknowledgement. She's tired, herself, albeit mostly from hauling as much firewood as possible while there was still dry wood to be had, rather than magic. Still...she can feel the effect that her slight spell had had on her. She will need to meditate tonight before sleeping, let it conjour up the wrong dreams. ChibiPoet Nemora, still tucking in Soyo and with her back to Thenai, pauses a bit, listening to the monk's words. She thinks on this, perhaps a bit too long, because when she turns to say something, she is already gone.
Nemora turns back to Soyo and finishes tucking him in. Perhaps for the best, she thought to herself.
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Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 2:56 pm
This RP can also be found in the Ishel Mountain Sancuary pages 5 - 6.
Players
Thenai/Enhaya
Nemora/ChibiPoet
Soyokaze/ChibiPoet Thenai The next morning dawns clear, cold, and white. A foot and a half of snow has blanketed everything--really, not as bad as it might have been--and first light sees the compound's owner getting the house's various fires going strongly--first in Nemora and Soyo's room, though very, very quietly, setting food on to cook and tea steeping, and working hard to clear the paths between the buildings.
She is still debating whether to clear the path down the mountain. They'll almost certainly want to leave. But if the planet--the very ice she is so connected to, no less--had conspired to keep the new catori-guardian pair here, then it must be for a reason, and she should not try to thwart that. It would be going against the way of things. ChibiPoet Soyo actually stirred before Nemora, probably due to having a lower tolerence of the cold then her. And the fact that he'd slept fitfully anyway being in unfamiliar surroundings.
As he awoke, he noticed the room was warmer than it had been... when? He couldn't have told you. He'd forgotten waking up through the night, not freezing, but cold nonetheless.
He looked around and it took a while for him to remember where he was, or why he was here. Something about elmenents... his mind said foggily. He vaguely remembered being extreemly tired after going to the wood pile with.... he didn't know her name! He'd never asked in the whole evening, and hadn't caught the few times (maybe only once) which mama said her name.
He decided his first order of business would be to find mama. He climbed out of bed, and as though unwilling to travel alone, he drug the pillow he'd used that night behind him. He ventured out into the hallway, but had no idea where to go from there. Thenai Thenai is still shovelling, though near one of the doors to this building and visible through a window. Despite the lack of modern convenience around here, some things are just practical. Her steel shovel scrapes fairly rhythmically over the paths. ChibiPoet After discovering the source of an odd scraping sound through a nearby window, Soyo got very close to the glass to watch. So close that his break made a fog upon the glass. When he noticed this it didn't take long for him to place his hands against it, leaving little palm prints along the window. He forgot about the lady outside in the snow and was soon busying himself blowing on the glass, then making hand prints. Thenai Thenai smiles slightly when she sees his game. Children don't need meditation, really...everything for them is a meditation. She goes back to her task. That certainly didn't mean they couldn't be made to wait.
After a short while, she puts the shovel aside and, first shaking the snow from the warm wraps about her sandal-ed feet, opens the door with just enough warning that she won't take part of his face with it. "Good morning, Master Soyo. Did you sleep soundly?" she inquires as she steps inside and closes the door. No sense in letting heat out in a place there's no central heating system. ChibiPoet Soyo backs up so abruptly that he just manages to avoid tripping over his own feet. He looks up at her with a, "'morning," and a cheery grin. He somehow felt wrong asking her name, and did not. He nodded, "Yes, thank you," remembering his manners.
Nemora, it seemed, was quite the heavy sleeper. She'd been awake most of the night worrying about Soyo and wondering if she should go check on him. As a result, she still sleeps. Thenai Thenai smiles her empty smile at him. "That is good, then. Is your mother still asleep?" She pulls the curtains as she speaks, again an insulating measure. ChibiPoet Soyo glances around, as though expecting Nemora to simply be there. He slowly slides two fingers into his mouth, the index and middle of his left hand. "Mmm.." the fingers slide out enough for him to say, "I guess..." in an unsure voice before heading back into his mouth.
Thenai "Well, was she still there when you left?" The monk inquires, tilting her head. ChibiPoet Soyo nods, but she might have gotten up since then, how was he to know? "We should go get mama!" he says rather suddenly with a lot of excitement.
Nemora had woken up, but only a few seconds ago. She was letting her mind and body slowly wake up before even trying to move. Aside from her restless behaviour in the night, she also just wasn't a morning person. Thenai Thenai nods. "Yes...you go see to her, Soyo...tell her good morning. I'll have breakfast ready when both of you both feel that you're ready for it...just follow the sounds and smells." Her face is quite a bit on the blank side again. ChibiPoet Either he just doesn't notice, or maybe Thenai's blank faces don't bother him. It's really hard to tell. He nods though and scampers back the way he came.
"Morning mama!" he cries after shoving open the door. Nemora props herself up on her elbow and pushes some of the hair off her face. "Good moring *yawn* Soyo. What have you been up to?" She slides out of bed in the same clothes she wore yesterday and reaches out to Soyo who quickly runs to her and leaps onto her bed.
"Oof! So, tell me, what have you done this morning?" she asks while smoothing his hair. He tells her about playing with the window and Thenai's talk of breakfast. Nemora gets out of bed, puts her shows on, and takes Soyo's hand as they head toward the smells of breakfast. Thenai Thenai is busy, quiet unless you count the banging of pots and pans, various sizzlings, scraping of utensils, and so on. There are some eggs, some plain rice, and some ham on various corners of the flat stovetop, the kind that's designed to feed a lot of people if the need be. She looks up when Soyo and Nemora walk into the room, beginning to serve things into bowls. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?" ChibiPoet "Yes, thank you," Nemora wasn't really going to be truthful and say, Oh yes aside form the fact that I fretted about wild animals in the night and couldn't stop thinking about what Soyo might have done or what might have happened to him the other day.
Soyo, still holding his mother's hand, stood on tip-toe trying to see the top of the burner. It was a fasinating thing, nothing like the one at home. He pulled away from his mother a bit, but Nemora could tell what he was about and ushered him away. "It'll be hot, Soyo. Come, sit," she said happily.
Soyo settled, Nemora glanced about, "Is there anything you need help with, Thenai?" Thenai "Cougar still needs to be fed," the monk notes. A touch of humor touches one corner of her lips, though shunning the rest of her face. "But I believe that I will see to that." She carries bowls with rice and topped with each an egg and a piece of ham over to the catori and his guardian. Really, she's comfortable eating as though she were still in the Far East, but, as it stands, she gives them forks.
"The snow is high," she observes as she walks back to the stove for her own food, "and is likely to be even more so down by the road. This particular path is not often cleared promptly. Do you have anywhere to be?" ChibiPoet Nemora gave a weak smile and nodded, heading back to the table by Soyo. He let the fork sit for a bit, poking at the food. It was unlike his usual breakfast, but it smelled good. Eggs he knew, but not ham. Nemora picked up his fork and turned it for him, "A fork'll make thing easier hun," she said with a smile. He glanced over at Thenai, wondering why she didn't use one, but started eating nonetheless.
"No I suppose not," Nemora replied thoughtfully, though she by now should let Korina know where they were. Well, perhaps if the day warmed enough to see them home just around lunch then Korina wouldn't be too worried. If they needed to stay another day due to snow... well maybe Korina would know to check back at Catori HQ to find out where she and Soyo had gone. Thenai Thenai nods, and looks back to what she's doing. "If the road is cleared today, I will clear the path to it for you. If you wish. However, this may be the planet's way of suggesting master Soyo--and you too, Miss Nemora--remain here a few days." ChibiPoet Nemora thought about that. She'd always been more of a "running-from-fate" person rather than a "bieliving-in-fate" person, but fate or no if the raods were blocked there wasn't anything she could do about it.
"Then do you have any way I could contact someone? Let them know where I am?" Korina would have a field-day with this. Already she thought it a mistake to adopt Soyo. Though with the physical similarities it didn't feel much like adoption.
Soyo ate away happily at his breakfast. He found the ham rather yummy, the rice too. He was getting more in his mouth than anywhere else, but he'd still need some cleaning up once finished. Thenai Thenai nods. "There is a telephone downstairs. You may certainly use it as you need to.
All told, she'd as soon have them go as stay. Really has no preference. She doesn't get lonely. Really doesn't. But then, she told Zinaidanuru that she would do the best she could for the catori children. And if that's the case, she'd best listen to what the planet has to tell her. ChibiPoet Thank you, Thenai," she was actually surprised there was a phone, but it was probably just her feelings still about having wild animals indoors. She looked at Soyo, smiling slightly at his messy state. How would he handle having his daily routine upset, she wondered.
Soyo glanced up and grinned at Nemora showing bits of rice stuck to his teeth. Nah, he was such a fun-loving little character, Nemora decided he wouldn't cause much of a fuss. She'd give Korina a call after breakfast. Thenai A light smirk touches a corner of Thenai's lips as she watches Soyo. "There is a full washroom at the end of the hall with heated water." ChibiPoet "Thanks, Thenai," Nemora says, whiping at the corner of Soyo's mouth with her thumb. Seeing as all that's left are a few stray pieces of rice which Soyo was reaching into the bowl with his hand to grab, she stood up and took his other hand. "Come along hon, let's get you ready for the day."
"Bye bye," Soyo said, waving his rice-y hand making two stray grains drop to the floor, unnoticed by him or Nemora, as her back was already turned. He had that loveable grin on his face, as usual, before turning to look up at mama.
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Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 9:08 pm
She set off at a quick pace, whipping around a bend. "Gotcha! ...uh... what?" She saw no sign of the boy. "Well he's a quick little bugger," she said to herself. She idly tapped one hoof while tapping her finger to her chin.
Soyo watched from his hiding place, he hadn't been all that quick at all, but was simply hidden within the bush right near Azure's tapping hoof. He had his hand pressed close to his mouth, the corners turned up, he was clearly trying to hold in his giggles at Azure's inability to catch him. His other hand was holding a bit of the bush up from his face so he could see better. However this made it hard to keep his balance for long. "Woh-oh-oof!" He teetered a bit and fell back on his bum.
"A-ha, now I've got you," came a voice from above as Azure parted some upper-branches of the bush to see Soyo better. He gave one of his high-giggling squeels and pushed himself backward, trying to come out of the bush on the opposite side form where Azure was. Suddenly he heard a strange tinkling-bell noise behind him.
Soyo turned, his two-toned eyes wide with curiosity as he spied a silver, shiney fairy! "Yea, Kris'll keep you there for me," Azure said triumphantly as she went around to the other side of the bush.
Azure forgotten, Soyo turned about onto his knees and reached out toward the fairy. '`-.'`-.'`-.'`-.'`-. The fairy moved back, just out of reach. Soyo frowned a bit, but was not yet discouraged. He lunged forward, trying again to catch the fairy... when something caught him instead!
"Now I've really, gotcha," she said softly, picking him up off the ground and grinning at him.
"Wha's that?" he asked, pointing to the fairy as it twittered about.
"That, little boy, is a fairy. A crystal fairy to be exact. Her name is Kristal." The fairy hovered just out of reach, curious about the boy but unwilling to be caught and handled. "If you stop reaching for her and just watch, she'll eventually come to you," Azure said, readgusting her hold on Soyo so they could both be more comfortable.
"Can I have a fairy?" Azure pursed her lips together, she didn't want to go above Poet's head on this one. Instead she walked Soyo over to a bench and sat him down. She bent her legs underneith her to be at his height.
"I don't know really, that would be up to Po- your mother," Azure figured Soyo didn't call his mom "Poet", probably just mommy or something like that. The fairy came closer and settled onto Azure's shoulder, watching the boy.
"Well... we could go ask her?" Soyo's hands fidgetted, he remembered what Azure'd said about reaching, but the fairy still hadn't come to him. How long did he need to wait?
Azure didn't really know what else to do, she could say she'd get him one, but what if Poet didn't aprove? And she could just deny him one, but he'd pout. Little kids liked to pout a lot. "I suppose we could. It's been a while now, I'm sure your mother would like a break. Let's go find her, OK?" Azure remembered the reason they were out here to begin with, so Poet and... that woman could do some cleaning. It was getting late in the day though, nearing supper time. Surely they were finished by now, she and Soyo had been sent out just after an early lunch.
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Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:27 pm
Korina went to the far back of the library right away, drawing open the curtains to let murky light filter in. The windows had been washed on the outside, but not the inside. Dust floated away from the curtains as they moved causing Korina to raise a rag up to her face and squint her eyes.
Seeing as this was the fifth large room they'd worked on together, Nemora and Korina went into their usual rhythm. Which is to say, Korina started with the windows as light was very important to her, while Nemora went around with some paper keeping track of things too large to move by hand, things to be thrown out right away, and things to keep. She prefered organizational work to cleaning.
The library was large, oddly enough it might be the largest room in the house. The ceiling was high, it took two floors with a sky light above, there was no room directly above it as the third floor was a bit smaller than the first two. Every bit of wall which wasn't a window was covered with books. Or at least bookshelves as something had knocked a bunch of books of the shelves on one part of the wall. The room once had deep red carpetting, but years of dust and moisture in the air had turned patched of it brown or black. New carpet. went onto the list of things to do.
Nemora went around the edge of the room, poking at the edge of the carpet and wondering if she could just pull it up herself. While Korina moved from the lrage, center window to one of the smaller and higher ones, Nemora set her clipboard on a shelf and knelt in one corner of the room. With her eyes shut she began to explore the workings of the carpet. THis was a very new use of her telekinesis. She tended to focus on things she could see, but she knew from experience that she could also move those things which she could not see.
It took some effort, and some time (Korina had already moved to a third window) before Nemora had worked free most of the nails around the room which held the carpet in place. There were a few she hadn't been able to move, and she wasn't sure why. She'd just have to tackle those by hand. She'd made a small pile of the other nails. Her knees creaked from sitting so long as she got up to gather them when the door was slowly pushed open. Since the carpet was loose though, it caught and wouldn't budge any further that to let in some brunting on the other side.
"Ugn.... *huff* Azure... help me," came Soyo's voice in a whine. Korina glanced up once, but went back to window washing. Nemora got up hurredly and pulled at the carpet a bit to keep it from bunching up under the door, while Azure tried to get Soyo to close the door again so Nemora could fix the carpet. "Patience little one, patience, Azure said silently, holding him back.
Nemora opened the door, carpet folded away from the door by the corner showing bare floor underneith. Nemora knelt down with open arms, "Well what are you up to, little guy?" she asks while he rushes to her. He can hardly speak calmly as he gushes about Azure's fairy and how much he wants one.
"...an I'd take good care of 'er and wouldn't forget her ever. And Azure said maybe, if I'm good, an' she'd go get one, but you'd 'ave to say OK an' I promice I'll be real good..." he went on like that for a bit while Nemora knelt with a smile on her face, her eyes occationaly flitting up to Azure. When at last the boy took a breath, Nemora interupted.
"You have to understand Soyo, fairys like that come from far away. Azure would be gone a long time if she were to go get you one." Nemora knew she'd be just fine with Soyo having a fairy, despite the things he said a fairy wasn't like having a dog or anything. It could pretty much take care of itself.
Soyo's face scrunched a bit as he began to think quite hard. He didn't want Azure to leave. He wanted a fairy. He just had to figure out which he wanted more. He looked up at Azure who simply shrugged her shoulders in a "well?" sort of way. Then Soyo pulled away from Nemora and moved to wrap his arms around Azure's front legs. Azure stays," he said sweetly, then looking high up at her. "Please?"
"Sure kidd-o, I'll stay. One day I will have to leave though," she told him.
"And then you get me a fairy?" Soyo asked excitedly.
Nemora got up and ruffled Soyo's head. "If Azure's able to get you a fairy, then you may have one," she said. She was about to ask that Azure take Soyo back out of the library since things were getting dangerous now, especially with the loose nails and carpet. But then she heard a small gurgle coming from Soyo.
"Oh my, look at the time!" she exclaimed. "Guess it's about time we all ate, wouldn't you say hon?" Soyo nodded and called up to Korina. "Korina! We're going to eat now, gonna come too?" Korina didn't always eat with Nemora and Soyo. Her own schedule seemed to run on 48 hours rather than 24. The silent woman simply waved off the offer and continued cleaning. Nemora rolled her eyes at such dedication to a task so dull. As Nemora took Soyo's hand, he craned his neck around to look all over the room. He let out a small gasp of astonishment, perhaps just noticing how large this room was.
"Explorations can come later, hun," Nemora said gently. Soyo went to pout, but seemed to think better of it. The idea of a fairy still fresh in his mind, he didn't want to do anything to jepordize his chance of getting one. He nodded and grinned, the trio (Azure, Nemora, and Soyo) left the room and headed to the kitchen.
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Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 8:14 am
She took a few steps into the room, her hands behind her back and a tiny jingle sound following her. Soyo stired a bit and turned toward the sound, but did not open his eyes, he seemed to drift between sleep and waking until Nemora came and sat on the edge of his bed.
"Good morning, Sunshine," she said sweetly.
Soyo giggled weakly as he stirred. "It's not mornin' Mommy," he said with giggles still in his voice. He reached for her and slowly sat up only to lean against her as though to go back to sleep.
Nemora gave a dramatic sigh, "Oh no, my little Soyo is going to sleep forever. Whatever will I do?"
Soyo giggled again, "I won't sleep forever Mommy, just a little bit." He looked up at her, bi-colored eyes blining sleepily and with a grin on his face.
"Well you'll have to be awake before I can show you what I've brought you," Nemora said teasingly, making the jungle sound behind her back again. Soyo's eyes lit up, and then he got thoughtful. Was it a fairy? But... Azure had to get that, right? And it was a much higher sound. It was exciting anyway, whatever it was. He scooted on the bed until his feet were hanging over the side and he nodded furiosely. "I'm up!"
Nemora smiled and brought her hand from behind her back, holding a pale blue-purple pipe with bells tied to it. Soyo looked at it, it was pretty... but what did it do? He reached one hand gingerly toward it, would it break? Momma didn't often give him things that would break... but this was so beautiful looking.
"What is it?" he finally asked. Nemora winked and turned it around in her hand with one swift motion. She brought it to her lips, and to Soyo's eyes seemed to hold it kind of funny. She blew, and out came a wonderful noise! Like the perfect whistle. She did this for a while, playing a melody Soyo recognized as the one she'd hum to put him to sleep. He was too awake though for it to work now. She finished and handed it to him.
"It's called a pipe, Soyo, and it makes music. Would you like to learn how?" Nemora had always wanted to learn various instraments while she was younger, but it was an expence her parents felt unnecessary.
Soyo nodded, this would be fun! He put the pipe to his lips and cletched it tightly with both hands and blew into it as hard as he could! Tweeee! Soyo gasped, it wasn't the pretty sound Momma had made, not at all! He looked at her and asked, "Why is it mad at me?"
Nemora tried not to laugh. "Oh Soyo dear, it's not mad at you. It simply doesn't obey you yet. It will take many many days of practice and learning." She ruffled his hair. She'd gotten books for pipe and recorder and intended to teach him herself. "But for now..." and she grinned, "I think it's time for cookies!"
Soyo leapt from his bed. "Yeah!" He held onto the pipe as he followed Nemora down the stairs, careful not to run. He would get no cookies if he ran down the stairs!
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