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 Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 12:12 am
Quote: 12.30.09
When you come upon the scene, it is a weak and dying Herald that you find, unable even to stand. A few scattered feathers on the ground are the only remnants of the wings it once possessed. It has come to this place to die...or be saved? That, of course, is up to you.You are alone when you find the angel. The Heralds have long gone unsaved, and though it appears to you, it does not hold much hope of living on. Near to where the two of you meet rests a grey stone slab that the angel seems desperate to reach. With your help, the Herald climbs upon it, needing something from you to save its life. What will you choose to give it? And what significance does that item hold for you? Is it a family heirloom? Something you happened to have on hand? Something you'd purchased earlier that day? A lucky charm? A message not missed
As far as Bastion Revington was concerned there ought to be a law that forced cell phone companies to have towers in even the most remote locations if they wanted to brag that their service had limitless range. Right now the man had a blown tire, a cell phone with no reception and practically no hope of making it in time to meet his newest client before they got suspicious and bolted. Bastion prided himself on being one of the more reliable men he knew in the acquirement business, he never missed a meeting and never passed on any item he hadn't had checked by his own specialists first. The illegal dealing of artifacts which rightfully belonged in museums as well as other hard to find rarities was a risky but profitable business. Bastion preferred to keep his reputation amongst his peers as spotless as possible. It guaranteed him the chance to pick and choose his commissions and he had always been the sort of man who liked to be in control. It was for the sake of his reputation that the dark haired man trudged through freshly falling snow, the crisper older layers crunched loudly beneath his fur lined black boots as he walked. Having pulled off of the main roads to get to his somewhat remote meeting point Bastion strode unhappily through a slightly wooded area hoping that on the other side there would be a convenient farmhouse or something. The man was far too old to believe in crazy coincidences like in the movies but he’d met enough recluses who lived in out of the way places to know that the possibility of someone inhabiting the area nearby wasn’t impossible. It was far more likely than someone just passing by his stranded car and happening to have a spare tire or a phone that worked Bastion’s head jerked up at the slight rustling and cracking sound up ahead and though he couldn’t see anything Bastion doubted the local wildlife would be so noisy with a human about. As the wind picked up and blew flurries of snow around his head Bastion lengthened his stride. "Hello? Who's out there?" The sounds got closer but the slightly chilled man still didn’t see anything but drifting snow and tree branches and saplings hitting each other due to the wind. Concerned he was hearing things due to the onset of hypothermia, for his hands bore no coverings, Bastion prepared to circle back to the car only to jam his foot against something and suddenly lurch forward.. The man's arms wind milled for a moment and he reached for a nearby tree with his left but managed only to scrape his palm on the bark before he went face first into the snow. Something under him wriggled and with a surprised groan Bastioned rolled away and onto his back. The hell has that been! Nervously he turned coal black eyes to his left to see what living thing had been lying under the snow, he would hoped it wasn’t dangerous. The last thing he expected his gaze to rest upon was the still partially snow covered form of a young.. person? If they were male or female he couldn’t tell, all he knew was that their skin and hair were nearly as pale as the snow and had clearly fallen some time ago and couldn't get up." What happened to you?' Bastioned asked as he swept snow off the other's nearly prone form; feeling guilty as they shivered and a weak hand shook a small sapling held in it's grasps, likely what had caught Bastion’s attention in the first place. Whoever and whatever the freezing person was they could clearly no longer talk. Freed of the snow though the pale being made a desperate crawling lunge towards a large grey hunk of stone a few feet away, the stone itself mysteriously only lightly dusted with snow i. Bastion didn't understand why the hell this person , who had once had feathers if the frozen one he’d just stepped on meant anything, wanted the rock but it wasn't important right now. Discarding his now cracked and useless blackberry the man scooped the pale person into his arms and turned to face the opposite way, back towards his car. "You need a hospital." He only hoped there was time for that, as it was he couldn't feel even the slightest warmth coming from the feather light person's body. A strangled almost pained sound came from his passenger and they grasped feebly at the air in the direction of the grey stone. Bastion paused, they wanted it that badly!; even if it meant they froze to death. He wasn't comfortable at all with this and yet .. Bastion turned around again and careful picked his way through the snow and fallen tree branches to lay the likely dying ..something on the rock, noting they seemed almost instantly more peaceful then. There was a queasy feeling in Bastion’s stomach though as he remained bent over and they continued to stare at him almost expectantly. "I'm not going to watch you die." Maybe it was shameful but Bastion was greatly disturbed by that concept, if this strange person wanted to freeze to death in the dead of winter that was their business , he’d helped them get to the place they wanted it to happen at but that was the end of it. At least he thought so anyways, but as he stood up a rolled up old worn map he'd tracked down the day before fell from the black Marketeer’s inner jacket pocket out onto the snow. Bastion cursed, as he hoped the map wasn’t damaged and reached for it at the same time as his pale skinned companion did. Something had flickered in it’s eyes, something that didn’t speak of death but of desire. The dark haired man frowned , the map wasn’t for this lost nearly lifeless waif it was for a wealthy client who was probably getting antsy right about now. As they both shivered from another blast of icy winter air Bastion completed his reach and picked up the now partially wet map before placing it in the other's outstretched hand, "Okay then it's yours." Bastion didn’t believe in coincidence and besides he still had a compass he could sell to his client. This was more important, seeing what happened next, what the now featherless figure asked for now. Nothing, the wind blew, snow fell and the map seemingly disappeared under the other’s body. Bastion breathed, it breathed, they watched each other in silence until Bastion turned away and began to slow cold walk back to his car where he’d have to hope for rescue. Whatever was going in here, whatever the future held for the other his part in their life was clearly done.
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Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 10:26 am
Quote: You sit inside, protected and comfortable as the weather rages outside. The evening meal is on the table, and you're filled with an intense feeling of well-being. Your mind veers, against your will, to the dying creature that you had come across. It certainly wouldn't be comfortable tonight. What are you thinking? It's probably already long gone. But...what if it isn't? Go back Bastion slipped his fork out of his mouth slowly, the man enjoying the last piece of rich cheesy veal Parmesan that had been on the utensil. Given recent events Bastion was more than content to relax a little an enjoy a good hearty meal. The fact that it was his nature to indulge himself didn’t hurt things either. The only question now was whether he had room for the blueberry cobber he’d had the staff make today or not. As he chewed the last of his dinner Bastion noted it was quieter than before now, that the wind had ceased it’s howling. Dark eyes were drawn to the window and he noted with surprise than not even a few flakes of snow fell from the sky anymore, in fact craning his neck Bastion could see that most of the cloud covered had shifted further east leaving a star filled sky clearly visible. For a second he thought of that strange pale figure and wondered if it had lived long enough to see the stars one more time. The thought made his stomach turn uncomfortably and Bastion tried to brush the thought aside but it would not go. The more he tried to think of something, anything else the more guilt he felt and the more images of that unknown person assaulted his mind. Despite what he may have thought earlier Bastion’s conscience not clear, not ready to accept that he’d done all he could for the other. “I could at least fetch the body and make sure it gets a decent burial,” the wealthy man muttered to himself as he pushed his chair back from the table and stood. Bastion didn’t really look forward to going out to pick up a corpse but it seemed that he wouldn’t rest easy until he did. A half hour later Bastion instructed his driver Charles to pull the car to a stop exactly where his car with the flat tire had been before. He let himself out of the back of the vehicle and began to once again trek out into the woods thinking that maybe he should change policy and have Charles drive him to meetings with clients from now on. It somewhat lowered the privacy level but on the other hand he wouldn’t be alone when strange things happened. Snow crunched once again under his boots and as Bastion tried to remember the exact location of the boulder he found himself falling forward again. Less than happy to have buried himself face first in snow a second time Bastion growled as he got to his feet and dusted himself off with his gloves. A small noise from behind him though made the man turn and his eyes open wide. “I’ll be damned.” It seemed as if his strange companion from before had not succumbed to the cold as he’d previously thought. Though it did lay curled around the trunk of a tree, once again partially covered in snow. It seemed as if this fallen one simply did not have the strength to get very far under it's power and yet refused to die. There was no sign of the precious map he’d given the other as Bastion pulled the pale skinned light weight figure to it’s feet and began to make his way back toward Charles and the car with them. “I guess I really won’t be watching you die.”
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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 10:55 pm
Metamorphosis
Bastion lay curled up comfortably in bed, muted rays of golden sunlight streamed in through a half covered window. They fall across the slumbering man's skin and warmed it in little patches. Minutes ticked by and as the dark haired Revington’s chest rose and fell in a peaceful manner the shadows that protected his eyes from the encroaching light were slowly driven back. Bastion tired to squeeze his eyes shut tighter and wrinkled his nose in displeasure when he was inevitably forced awake by the brightness and heat upon his eyes. The man cursed himself for forgetting to fully close the curtains the night before thus allowing for this earlier than desired waking, With a frustrated sigh Bastion rubbed the sleep from his eyes and slid out of bed. There was no point trying to go back to sleep as Bastion was unfortunately one of those people that once awake stayed that way. After sliding his feet into a pair of comfy new slippers the dark haired man pulled on a luxuriously soft housecoat and padded out into the hallway headed towards the kitchen. Coffee, everything would be better once he had some coffee in him, it might be pathetic but Bastion was simply one of those people who didn't function well in the mornings until he’d had his caffeine. So much so that his staff was used to seeing him in his most informal clothes in the morning as he was usually in no mood to dress himself until after he’d had his fix. A short while later Bastion sat at the dining room table, the hand of a steaming mug of coffee in his left hand. Just the smell of the liquid ambrosia was enough to perk him up and the few sips he’d had him already more alert as he listened to the sounds of the staff moving about the manor. Not that that was an overly loud sound, he was a wealthy man but he didn’t employ more people than was necessary to care for the manor and make sure his owns needs were satisfied while he worked. That and he made sure they were well aware they were staff and not servants, he paid them a wage but not all of them lived on the grounds and they were free to find other employment if they wished. “Sir there’s a .. problem with your guest.” Archie Black appeared in the doorway of the dining room, the tall thin man bore a mildly distressed look upon his face. Bastion’s heart sank “ Has it died then?” He’d become fond of the silent pale being over the last little while and believed it to be getting better even if it rarely moved and usually only in response to his presence. Bastion had hoped that whatever ailed it could be overcome with nourishment and care. It seemed that despite his and the staffs best efforts it was not to be. Archie shook his head "Not quite sir,.. well possibly." It was clear by his tone of voice that the man was unsure of what to say and would rather Bastion just get up and come see. Bastion knew that becuase he'd heard the tone from the other man many a time over the years. Bastion raised an eyebrow but nodded "Let me see." As he spoke he rose from the table and lifted his coffee mug in the process. Caffeine was still needed to function and depending on what awaited him he may need it more than usual. The walk to the guest room was a harrowing one for Bastion. He paid no notice to the new carpet in the halls nor the freshly dusted paintings that lined the walls. The dark haired man took the stairs two at a time, coffee nearly splash out of his mug with each hop and his heart beating as fast as his feet moved. Bastion had literally stumbled across the other more than once and for all the trouble and stress they brought he wasn't ready to see the wingless one die yet. Of course from what Archie was saying they may yet be alive or only semi dead? The idea of a zombie or perhaps vampire having risen in his guest room was disturbing but it was the black marketeer's smallest concern at the moment. With Archie behind him for support Bastion reached out with his free hand and tentatively turned the ancient brass doornob, there was a small soft click and then with the slightly amount of nudging the door swung open. As he peered inside the last thing Bastion had expected to see was a small boy stretched out on the guest bed, never mind one that looked exactly like the much larger person who had once lain there. "Who are you?" It was impossible for them to be the same person after all the other had been sexless and on the verge of death. This boy, for he certainly appeared male, looked lively even if he was laying down. there was life in his eyes and a small grin on his face. Bastion's question was greeted with a yawn, another smile and a small shrug from the boy. " Who're you?" the child echoed softly?
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 9:16 pm
Herald 1.17.10
Time has passed, and your Herald is becoming fond of you and beginning to show affection. You two have grown closer, but that's not the only aspect of growing.
The Herald is maturing into a young child before your eyes. No longer dying and weak and no longer sexless, it now has beautiful angel white hair and dark blue eyes of unusual depth. You may have noticed that the Herald has been scratching and touching its back for a while, and now it's finally explained. The herald's wings have started to grow in.
How do you deal with the child's discomfort? Do you have any remedies to ease it? How does he/she react? How do the wings reflect the item given? New wings for a new start When Bastion had walked into Orion's room, formerly the guest room, he hadn't expected to find the boy writhing on his bed as if he were having a seizure or heart attack. Fear gripped the man for a moment as he watched the odd display "Orion?" Bastion’s hands clenched tight around his steaming mug of morning coffee and the glass of orange juice he’d brought for the little blue eyed boy. At the sound of Bastion’s voice the fair skinned boy paused in his wild thrashing and turned his head to look at Bastion " It itches." The two words were a soft whine of frustration as the little boy lay on top of cream coloured sheets with an unhappy look plastered upon his face. To Bastion though they greatly eased his worries. Though he was young Orion got stronger and more energetic everyday, if this was what Bastion thought it was, good old childhood chickenpox, than there was nothing to worry about. "Stop itching and let me see." Having had the disease himself as a young boy Bastion had no need to worry about contracting it again now, or at least little worry since a second catching of it was quite rare. The long legged dark haired man strode across the room quickly then leaned over the bed to better examine the flushed and unhappy looking Orion. Coal black eyes scanned what skin he could see on the boy but found out of the ordinary, of course the first pox usually appeared hot in warmer places and that meant a more thorough exam was needed. "I'm not going to tickle you," he promised, sending his child an honest and reassuring smile as he slid Orion’s pajama top up to further hunt for the first signs of chicken pox. Maybe Orion needed to have a bath first, he mused upon finding nothing on the boy's chest or underarms, those were known to bring the spots out fairly quickly. "My back is itchy" Orion grumbled and gestured towards it as he frowned. " Just my back." Truly he showed no signs of discomfort or having been scratching at all elsewhere. Bastion frowned again, that didn’t sound like chicken pox and come to think of it he'd spotted Orion trying to stare at his back or leaning on it oddly on occasion over the last few days. "Sit up" he commanded gently, determined to figure out just what was causing his newly arrived son so much trouble, hoping it was nothing serious. The lumps he found on Orion’s back immediately caused Bastion to worry again. A couple hours and one doctors trip later gave both males a somewhat surprising if pleasant answer. It seemed Orion was growing in new wings and they were slowly starting to emerge from his back. Under the boy's thin and pale skin one could make out the faint impression of the shape of the feather as they pressed against the skin as well as a strange pattern on them that Bastion could swear looked a bit like a map. Strange circumstances these were and yet both man and child were happy. Although Bastion imagined Orion could care less about wings so much as the news that the itching would go away in a few days and that that doctor had a medicine that would keep the pain to a minimum. Not an oral medicine though, instead they’d been prescribed a small jar of a strong smelling clear balm that Bastion currently rubbed over Orion’s back avoiding anywhere his wings appeared most ready to breach the skin lest the slight touch cause harm to that area. It wasn't much but it was all Bastion could offer Orion right now. " Do you.. do you remember the map?" He asked quietly. Bastion has mostly avoided the topic of the herald's death in his larger form because it never seemed like the right time to explain but now.. perhaps it was. " Map?" The confusion in Orion's voice confirmed that he did not remember that time or whatever came before it. Yes, even though Orion was young it seemed he and Bastion needed to have a little talk about life and death.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:40 am
Found in the classifieds Etching and sketchingSummary: Bastion and Orion respond to a newspaper summons and while things are very creepy in the curiosities shop they leave with an old Etch a sketch.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:45 am
A blank slate
“Help,” Orion’s voice was soft but urgent, the young herald desiring assistance immediately. “In a minute.” Bastion replied, the dark haired man not looking up from his paperwork. He was currently hunched over his desk examining an old deed, a will and a diary that mentioned both. If he was correct the three of them would help him track down a man he needed to see about a particular golden statue. However the hand writing on everything was so small and obscure in some places he was double checking to make sure everything was as his source had suggested it was. Losing his place in the writing to help Orion would be less than optimal if he wanted to get this done before dinner. “Help please,” Bastion sighed “I will come rescue you from the maze in a few minutes.” It was Orion’s new game, use the strangely gotten but apparently harmless Etch a sketch to make a maze which he was then “ lost” in and have Bastion come rescue him. Rescue of course being Bastion trailing his finger through the maze till he got to the end. It was cute in a way and Orion seemed good at manipulating the toys nobs to make the mazes, he wasn’t going to make the Mona Lisa but they were better than Bastion’s own staircases, still it was getting old and Bastion needed to finish his work. “Why don’t you get one of the staff to rescue you?” Most of them found Orion to be cute and the winged boy generally seemed to be fond of them. “It’s bleeding,” Now his son’s voice became a more desperate and higher pitched whine. Bleeding! Bastion whipped his head to left, eyes going wide as he watched what colour there was on the Etch a Sketch leak out of it and puddle on the floor. The expensive Brazilian cherry hardwood floor! Of course as the colour seeped out of the toy and closer towards Orion Bastion left from his chair and towards the boy, no way in hell was he letting the kid get hurt by a ******** Etch a sketch. Unfortunately for Bastion, Orion was on his feet and fleeing towards him in the blink of an eye. The small boy barreled his legs and in what bad become a common occurrence lately Bastion found himself falling forward, unable to regain his balance due to Orion still wrapped around his legs. Both ended up back on the floor, Orion crying softly and Bastion cursing at the throbbing in his cheek and nose. He was too old for this. Lifting his head Bastion blinked slowly as he regained his composure. Before him was not a red gray and black puddle of god knew what advancing on him to possible mutate and kill him but instead a small child, no bigger than Orion. A child who looked suspiciously like someone had been using her as an Etch a sketch. “No, absolutely not,” the man muttered pulling himself to his feet and gently touching his tender nose. Not broken or bleeding but definitely bruised. “No Returns” Orion pointed out, the herald’s sobbing stopped as he too stared at the little girl that had come from the toy. Bastion’s eyes shifted between his son who seemed to be thankfully unharmed and the thus far silent and decidedly strange looking girl. His life seemed to be getting more and more complicated and there was always an item involved. “No returns.” Bastion echoed softly, resigned to the idea that his family had grown once again and that he’d need to change his advertising ad for a nanny to include care for two children.
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 12:21 am
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:08 am
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Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 6:00 am
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:02 pm
Herald 2.13.10
Your Herald has been acting strangely all morning, sneaking around the house, and jumping at every small noise. The cause of this behavior is discovered shortly; you find that a priceless object has been broken and it would appear that it was your Herald that broke it.
What is the object and what is its importance? How do you react to this? Do you punish them or let them off with a warning? How does your Herald react? Was it your Herald that broke the object or maybe s/he was an observer to the act? Bastion crept up behind Orion who was sitting on the sofa then scooped the toddler up and into his arms, ignoring the surprised squeal and struggle his son gave. “ You can go back to watching” he paused to try and figure out what show was on the tv “ Kratt’s creatures later, we need to have a talk now” he intoned firmly. The serious words had an immediate effect in making Orion go still. The young herald knew he was in trouble and wasn’t about to deny it. Though Bastion already knew no one else could be responsible for the destruction he’d found only moments ago. The only other possible culprit was the boy’s slightly older sister Carina and she’d already been questioned. The golden haired boy fluttered his tiny wings and pouted. “It was an accident, I promise” Orion looked genuinely upset as he spoke and his tone was decidedly apologetic. “ It was really heavy and slipped.” The herald stared down at the floor ashamedly as he was carried from the living room. Bastion sighed and shook his head as he carted his song upstairs and back to the scene of the crime. He’d been wondering why the boy was acting all out of sorts and unusually distant today. Normally Orion was all smiles and giggles and adventuring till he collapsed for a nap. Apparently when guilty the toddler became reclusive, at least until his shows came on anyways. A few moments later the pair were in the second story room that had been designated as Bastion’s small personal library. The walls were lined with bookshelves and situated in the center of the room was a black leather loveseat. The object of interest however was an old looking book that lay pages down on the floor. It’s spine was cracked and dented. Some of it’s yellowed pages were tearing away from the center and other had already freed themselves to settle around the broken book. “Do you want to explain?” Bastion’s tone was a touch softer now. “ It’s a map book and I wanted to see the maps but it was high so I hadda stand on my tip toes and then when I pulled it out it fell and broke.” Orion mumbled his explanation into his father’s chest, the boys thin arms looped around the man’s neck as he held on more for comfort than necessity. “Why didn’t you ask for help?” He himself might have been busy but someone on the staff could have helped the boy if he’d only asked. Orion could have had what he wanted and the book would be undamaged. It was a two hundred year old first addition atlas too and would be expensive to repair if it could be repaired. It frustrated him to know end that this had happened when it was so preventable. At the same time the boy in his arms was so young and hadn’t done it on purpose. Bastion was torn between being reasonable and being justifiably pissed off, this parenting thing was hard. Orion raised his head and stared with watery blue eyes up at Bastion “I was too excited to wait” he admitted. “And you didn’t tell me right away because?” Bastion pressed. This was the bigger issue at the moment, this hiding of his misdeed. Orion flicked his wings again and squirmed a little. “I was scared and I didn’t want to see your angry face” the little boy sighed “I was gonna tell you later.” Bastion had a feeling later could have been in the days or weeks to come depending on when Orion felt brave enough to confess. That however would not do. “ I see well I know now and you’re going to have to be punished” he warned. “Starting with a long discussion on patience and taking responsibility.” There would also be groundings and perhaps a night or two with no dessert but that was as far as Bastion felt he could go with a toddler. The man could only hope Orion would learn his lesson between the talk and deprivations. In the mean time he'd see about locking away his most valuable possessions just in case.
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Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 11:49 am
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Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 3:56 pm
Pre growthQuote: It's now time for your Herald to learn about the birds and the bees- and how hard they sting! What a neglecting guardian... How does your Herald react to a bee-sting, and how did it happen?
Doesn't always pay to be nosy
Orion hummed to himself softly as the toddler crawled through the on his hands and knees. The young herald was more than capable of walking and running but right now crawling was necessary. He was following a bee as it flew from flower to flower in the backyard. tbc
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Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:05 pm
reserved for growth response.
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Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 8:49 pm
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 10:11 am
* takes place late august* Airship adventures part one. It hadn’t taken very long for news of the suffering demi god to reach most of Gaia. While much of the mainstream media had failed to make it to the burning ancient creature a few helicopters had survived the trip and the footage they showed was heartbreaking. Not enough help was getting to the octopus like being and what aid did get there wasn’t enough. No one yet knew if the fire could be contained and if it was if too much damage had already been done for survival to be ensured. It was a depressing news story that only got worse when you factored in the many tragedies that had befallen the rescue groups. Despite all of this Orion fidgeted every time they passed by the airship port while out shopping. He wanted to go so badly, it was the weirdest feeling but something tugged at him inside at the thought of the adventure and the papery thin feathers of his wings rustled all on their own. It wasn’t that the young boy was a hero because while he liked to do the right thing Orion did not possess the sort of selflessness heroes did. He also wasn’t all that interested in having the treasure or fame taking this trip promised. For the herald it was more internal, an unspeakable need he could not deny. The unknown and uncharted called to him. TBC
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