|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 2:02 pm
 22nd December Ianna sat at her desk, as per usual, reading and writing in what appeared to be a very old ledger. Six children had been found, and one still needed a home.
Carefully she wrote over the pencil marks for the newest wand with her fountain pen, making sure not to blot any of the ink. SHe wanted it to be neat and legible. It was just the kind of person she was.
"I wonder how long it will take this time to find a home for the little thing, eh? Though I'm going to be sad to see this one go. It's so pretty and wrapped in fire..." she trailed off and stroked at the wand.
It would be interesting to see who this one went to. Little did she know that the new guardian would be coming in shortly to claim it.Dafriel wandered the early morning streets, restless. He had left Kelinor asleep, for once a respite while the children she had adopted were being cared for by their great-aunt in the days running up to the holiday. Theoretically the shapeshifter was shopping for a gift; but his mind was moody, swirling with thoughts of home, and he strolled the streets with a vague frown on his face, pale eyes lost behind the glasses.
Eventually something nibbled at his attention, and he glanced up. Just a normal, quiet street, a few people wandering here and there. And another shop, that somehow drew his curiousity. The man, if he was in his other form, would have pricked his ears and sniffed cautiously; instead, he just shrugged and turned the handle to the shop door, peering into the room with dust dancing in the sunbeams.
"Good morning," he said aimiably, scanning the walls of boxes and eyes finally settling on the pale woman sitting writing at a desk in the centre of the room.
"Are you open?"Ianna's silver eyes lifted to look at the man who had peeked in. "Mmm, we're always open." she said, shifting in her stool. A voice in her head immediately prodded her to let her know that the one who had entered the room was yet another guardian to her wands.
HER shinies.
"Come on in and sit down...Welcome to Ghosts of the Past....YES Matilda, I realize...NO Matilda...JUST SHUT UP DAMNITTTT!"
She growled low, seeming to be talking to herself. Ianna was really annoyed by her daughter, so it seemed, especially since she had JUST gotten Coailiann to take a nap after hours upon hours of her crying. "Mmph....sorry, please, come in..."
"Ghosts of the Past?" Dafriel looked vaguely confused as he was told to take a seat. He hadn't somehow wandered into a pet adoption shop, had he? He was definitely shopping for a present, but another pet was not what Kel-chan needed. A brief thought sprang into his head as he realised he had no pet or strange ward thrust upon him; he grinned to himself, revealing slightly pointed canines, unuasual on such a mild looking, bespectacled man. He slung his black coat onto one arm, and pushed the sleeves of his blue shirt further up his elbows as he took a seat, peering round the shelves once more. He politely continued paying attention to the woman, but blinked as she seemed to be talking to herself. Maybe she was called Matilda?
He cleared his throat, trying not to catch dust in it.
"Uh... so, what do you sell here, miss?"A devious smile touched Ianna's lips. "Oh, we don't sell anything here, darling." she said. "We give things. Hold on a moment..."
The woman disappeared behind the desk for a few moments before popping back up, a large leather bound book being plopped on the desk with a large, loud THUD...Dust flew everywhere as she did and she giggled to herself.
"Place your hand on the book, please?" she asked, pushing the book towards him until it was sitting right before him. Once more, she wondered what reaction she would get THIS time. Each guardian had wonderful reactions, but none had been better than the black man's.
The moment he touched it, the book would start to glow and would fly open, dust being sprayed every which way and the pages moving quickly, as if an invisible wind was rushing past and rustling the pages. It would stop on a page with a beautiful sketch of a wand, wrapped in fire, feathers hanging from it..and a pair of wings.
Under the picture it would say:
"Egypt. Wand ID 00005. A Soul has been trapped within the confines of the wand. Congratulations, you have become the next guardian to take on the task of raising it from infancy to greatness. We, Ianna and I, have the upmost faith in you to complete your task dutifully. Best of luck,
Matilda."
If he looked to the side, he would see the exact wand pictured sitting beside Ianna.It was till morning, and Daniel was still in bemused mode. He blinked at the thud the large book made on the table as it was placed in front of him, and automatically reached a hand out.
A few milliseconds before he touched the beautiful leatherbound book, instinct kicked in. Wait a minute! What the hell did he think he was doing? They give stuff out, huh? Well, he wasn't going to be saddled with anything, that was for damn sure!
Pale blue eyes startled and then angry, he whipped his hand back, but his fingers brushed the surface as they retreated.
"Kirichnahin!" The word was probably an expletive in whatever northern tongue he uttered it, the way it was spat from his mouth as a crazy thing began to happen to the book. His chair thudded back as he extended long legs to push himself away, and he was on his feet as the book finally fell open with a frenzied rustle, and was silent.
Dust settled on the tableau, the still-grinning woman, the man half stood up in his seat, the book sitting innocently as if nothing had ever possessed it.
Dafriel swallowed before setting his face into a narrow frown. He could see the beautiful sketching in the book, the writing a little too small for him to see from that distance, but a quick glance suddenly revealed that the exsquisite drawing was merely a copy of the gorgeous real item sitting previously unnoticed on the desk beside it.
"Please tell me this is a shopping catalogue," he growled, eyes flashing dangerously.Ianna giggled. "Oh No." she read slowly the reading of the book, and watched for his reaction.
Inside, she was near giddy from his reaction. Definitely one of the top reactions....and that was a highlight of her day. "You're going to be a father....Daniel." she raised a brow. "Lovely name, by the way."
She loved the fact her daughter knew things and she could frighten the customers. Just then, though, a baby's cry filled the air and caused her to hiss. "Excuse me. Coailiann's up."
The woman walked into the next room, picked up the infant, and walked back out...a placated girl in her arms.The shapeshifter's eyes darted to the door, the windows. Oh, no. A father? This was EXACTLY the opposite of what he'd come out to do. Here had been priding himself on not having fallen victim to the craziness that surrounded Barton town, where people became guardians to children not of this world... obviously spoke too damn soon, didn't he.
"How do you know my name?" He spoke harshly, the scent of the silvered woman's smug satisfaction filling his nose as she excused herself momentarily. Was this some kinda trick? He didn't let on that at least his real name was safe; she had used his nickname instead... Perhaps she had heard it once.
His mind quickly dismissed that however. Something was up, and it was a baby. His mind, running as it was along the lines of 'guardianship', quickly connected the firetwain, rich spice-smelling wand with a child, and he leaned forward to slam his hands on the desk either side of the book, and read ferociously.
'Congratulations'?
Just freakin' great!
He recognised the last name, Matilda, as what the woman had been muttering. Who Ianna was, he had no idea. He read it again, a sinking feeling in his heart.
"And what happens if I say no?" He looked up, lip curling slightly derisively as he raised his head to fix the woman with a piercing gaze, as she stood unconcernedly, a girl-babe cradled in her arms.Ianna blinked. Maybe this guy wasn' t the best of guardians for a child? Eh. If the wand chose him, the wand chose him. There was no switching guardians...not right now, anyway.
"You can't. If you do, the babe will die. The soul inside this wand died a horrible death already and is being given a second chance. Do you want to be the one to take the poor babe's life away?" she replied, sliding into the stool she had perched herself on previously. Coailiann looked over to Daniel with wide eyes, shining brightly and innocently...for the most part. She seemed a little mischievous as well.
"And I know your name because you were supposed to come here, it's simple as that." If he reacted this badly to the book, how would he react to the paper portal which would transport them into the main headquarters? She didn't quite like to think of that
She did know, however, that Matilda could protect her and the infant if needed.The man continued standing there, the hard look upon his face for a few seconds. Then, as if suddenly coming to a conclusion, he rolled his eyes up to the sky and flashed a defeated grin, slumping back down into the chair.
"Okay, okay, I get it," he said, vaguely annoyed but with a wry tone. "Kel's always getting these little burdens. Just never figured it would get round to me."
The initial shock over, he pulled the chair back towards the table for a better read. Studying it again, at last he shrugged.
"Well, I'm not the kinda person to leave little kids trapped... wherever they're trapped. In this wand?" He reached out to stroke the smooth wood gently, marvelling at the slight warmth it emitted, the feathers ethereal and soft to the touch. He became aware of small eyes fixed upon him, and looked up at the curious Coailinn.
"Is this little one from a wand as well?" He indicated with a brief wave towards the baby. Seeing her still staring, he pulled a face, to see if she would laugh. The werewolf had his scary, vicious front, one that he tried to convince himself was his real one, but underneath he wasn't that averse to fatherhood, even if it was of the proxy type.Ianna gave a little chuckle as relief flooded her. He hadn't refused the babe..."Yes, their soul is trapped in that wand. It's a Phoenix, by the way...If you couldn't tell by the feathers and fire...which is absolutely cold and won't hurt you or light anything else on fire." She paused.
"Coailiann did indeed come from a wand, just as my other daughter, Matilda did. She's the one who trapped the souls in the wands to give 'em second chances....Kay here, however, decided she wanted to skip three stages and go straight to infant, not giving anyone time to claim her, so she became mine. She's a rebellious little Sidhe babe."
Coailiann, at the mention of her name, gave a cute little babble and clapped at her hands. "Ahugha!". An incoherant baby speech, but baby speech none the less as she reached out to grab the feathers hanging from Daniel's wand. She almost succeeded, as well, until Ianna pulled her back into her arms.
This caused the little girl to pout and give a dissatisfied snort. And then a whimper.The 'shifter picked up the wand curiously. It was just shorter than the length of his forearm, and beautifully light. He gave it an experimental twirl, but then suddenly stopped, guilty. "So... uh, how does one go about caring for these wands? How do you release the child?" He was holding it gingerly now, as if he expected it to break. Another thought struck him.
"And this... Coailinn," he struggled slightly over the pronunciation, leaving a soft northern burr to it, " she is a Sidhe? Are they not all Phoenixes then? And how do you come by them?" He stopped for a few moments, suddenly realising he was on question overload.Her silver eyes watched him and then smiled at his questions. It was good to question and not just accept. "You just..make sure they don't break. Talk to them. When they feel as if their safe, and you've accepted them, they'll slowly begin to emerge. As a wisp, at first, and then a baby ghost. From there it'll go to a normal infant baby, solid and mostly human.
And Coailiann...Yes, she's a Sidhe. There's many many different souls, and you're probably the only one who will ever get a phoenix. Right now we have a Selkie, A sidhe, a Kitsune, A moon child, and a naga...They all have one thing in common. They are all magical creatures who died a horrible death."
"A horrible death?" Daniel turned the wand over slowly in his hands, as if he could see right into it and find out just what had happened. He stroked it again curiously before looking up at Coailinn. "So... that smiling little babe you're holding was once older and then died?"
He tried putting the wand into his pocket, and though it stuck out just a bit, flickering feathers glowing softly, it still fitted. Even if it did jab into his leg when he moved. He had to take care of it, huh?
"Oh yeah, and do they have to return here often?" He gestured at the dusty shop, pale eyes wandering around it.A nod was his answer before Ianna figured out how to explain it. "Yes, a horrible death. Nobody really knows how they died except Matilda, and she won't tell...They themselves won't know either until they reach their teenage years.."
"As to your other question...No, they don't have to, but it'd be nice. The other wand owners should form friendships and have interactions, as well as the children when they emerge. They'll need support from eachother later in life. They are, indeed, some of the few magic folk left to be honest." she scratched the back of her neck. "The human population...tends not to be too happy with magic..." Daniel looked away wryly at her last comment. How true that was, and he was only a mongrel one...
He blinked a little though. If Matilda wasn't this woman, then she must be Ianna. How foolish not to have introductions...
"I know you already somehow knew my name, but I'll say a formal hello myself then before I must take my leave..." He still had that shopping for Kel to do, even if he did have a 'surprise' nestling in his pocket already.
"My name is Daniel von Aeriwald, a pleasure to meet you." He inclined his head, his hand going absently to the wand."Ianna Umbridge." she said, giving a small nod of her head. "And before you go, I have one more little thing to show you."
The young woman smiled softly, "Please press this."
She slid a sheet of paper over to her, written upon it was gold letters saying "Press Me". As soon as Daniel so much as touched it, he was transported into a large room. As they entered the main lobby Via the portal connecting the shoppe and the headquarters, the first thing they would notice is the vast...largeness...of it. The high ceilings, edged with gold, the large chandeliers dripping with crystals, the smooth white tile-floors, colorful rugs, and beautiful paintings.
To the left was a large recreational area complete with a large flat-screen television, several rows of various games, movies, video game systems and books. There was a basket of toys in the corner, full of plushies, dolls, cards and various other objects which would appeal to most ages. Included in the area were several comfy looking couches and plush chairs just made for sitting, lounging or bouncing in. It seemed to be heaven on a fluffy carpet. It even had a foos-ball table and an air-hockey table....and for the slightly more food-minded GoTP, a mini fridge always full.
To the right was a large elaborate counter, which seemed to have a force-field of some sort around it, keeping anyone who was not Ianna or Matilda from going behind it. On the counter lay a roster with the names of all the Ghostly children and their guardians, and an appointment book.
From there, it branched off into halls with rows and rows of rooms. Some were storage, some were guest rooms, some were bathrooms, and one very large and ornate door to the end of the hall led to the gardens. "Welcome to Headquarters, Daniel... You're welcome here at any time.""A- wha???"
The sunlit dusty confines had vanished, leaving instead much more opulent surroundings. Daniel spun around immediately, looking for how to return. He always liked to know the exits... but it seemed as though this time, he would have to trust the hostess.
Finding his voice at last he managed a reply. "Ah... great! This is a good place you have here...." The roster caught his eye as he stared wonderingly around, and he trotted over to have a look.
"So, little thing, are you and I on here yet?" He spoke almost to himself as he ran a thumb over the wand tip, squinting through his glasses at the names. Come to think of it, what was this being's name? It's gender for that matter?
"Um... does it have a name?" He turned to ask Ianna, eyebrows raised.At least he hadn't freaked out like the darker man had. "Nope, you're not on there yet. And no, it doesn't have a name. You name it, when it's born...when you find out whether or not you have a son or a daughter." a smile touched the woman's lips as she looked around the headquarters.
"This is my home, it's in another realm. One that Matilda built...it's safe here, for the magic folk. Nothing will really touch them here, as far as I know...There's an easier way to get in, however, it's the door over there." she pointed to the door to the right of the desk. "It leads back into the wand shop. In the shop, it's to the left of the desk, and leads into here.""That certainly makes life a lot easier," he nodded. "So this is safe?" A thought strayed across his mind; if they had died horrible deaths, perhaps they had been killed. And with magic folk, who knew how long vengeance lasted? The agressors might return...
He removed the wand from his pocket and addressed it solemnly. "Well, little wand, you and I will have to return, once you are coaxed from your prison."Ianna smiled a little. This man was actually pretty decent. Little wand chose well. "Yes, as far as I know, nobody can get past Matilda's magicks." she paused. "Except for Coailiann, here." she looked to the babe, now asleep in her arms. Aparently, the adult talk bore her to slumber.
"She surpassed Matty's spell and grew too quickly." another pause. "You're already fond if it, somehow, aren't you?"Daniel blinked. Fond? He looked at the wand, and smiled unconsciously. Now that it had been given to his care, and he knew a little about it... yes, he was kind of fond, the same way he felt when he was helping Althalus with his writing, or Laurel to talk. Fond... this time, it would be him the child turned to automatically. Perhaps he wouldn't mind it, after all...
"You may be right," he said grudgingly, pushing his glasses back up his nose with a smile. He pokceted the wand once more, and peered around again. "Is there anything else I must do or know?""No, not unless you have more questions which you feel need to be answered." She answered, shifting Coailiann in her arms gently, as not to wake her. It was hard enough getting her to sleep.
"You can come around at any time, talk with the other owners. Several of them have wands who have already grew to wisps, if you have questions about it...Really, you should come by often, if you can anyway. It'd be good for you, and the phoenix child.""I will, you can count on it." Finally, another reason for him to roam the town.. though if the assassins found out... He dismissed that thought strongly from his mind. the Felus had not found him yet.
He touched a pair of fingers to his forehead in a salute. "Well then, I will return, and perhaps a few wisps may have emerged from the wand, huh?" He grinned, and bowed a little. Now for shopping... and Kel's reaction. Ah, now that would be fun....
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 12:44 pm
Shiroko looked up indifferently as she heard the door open in the hallway, and put down her sketchpad. The concept of art was confusing to her, but also intriguing; when no-one was watching she liked to play around with the pencil and paper, but swiftly hid whatever she was working on. With a smooth movement the persocom pushed the pad under a sofa cushion and got to her feet, pattering out into the hallway as little Althalus came thundering down the stairs.
The door opener was in fact looking vaguely bemused, even as he closed it behind him and flung his coat carelessly over the bannister. He held no keys, as the door to his and Kel's home was a mental lock; but he was holding a curious looking wand.
"Dan-yel!" Althalus grinned and cannoned into the tall man's leg, and was promptly picked up and tucked under one scar-laced arm, giggling madly, the small lizard-daemon that was his companion wriggling under his bandana. Daniel laughed and addressed the silver-haired persocom who stood in the doorway, eyebrows raised.
"Hold this wand for me one moment will you, while I deal with this rascal?" His words held the mock anger and laughter for the little boy, but also a tinge of seriousness which made Shiroko dart forward and take the curiously warm length of wood from the man's hand. She held it cautiously, examining it and trying to scan through her files to find out what it was.
When the shapeshifter returned from his tussle with the little Forgotten, he motioned Shiroko to follow him into the lounge. Althalus followed too, more calm now but just as curious. The little boy's own guardian, Daniel's fiancee Kelinor, was out shopping still; Shiroko, who knew that the man had been doing his own gift buying that day, handed over the wand as he sat down at the little table at the side of the room.
"So, Daniel, what's this? Kel's gift?" The child-like persocom was only that in looks most of the time; her mind was sometimes closer to a cynical thirty-year-old than her small stature would suggest. And now her tone held a sort of diselief, wondering what on earth it could be that Kel would want this wand so much. In reply Daniel stroked the wand lightly as it lay on the table in front of him.
"Actually, Shiroko, this is mine, I think."
"You think? How can you shopping and buy some pretty trinket and not even know who it's for?" Shiroko flicked one silver plait over her shoulder, peering more closely at the artifact.
"I think it looks cool!" said Althalus enthusiatically, putting one foot on the chair bar and leaning over to get a better look. "All firey..."
Daniel smiled a little bemused still. "Actually, it's not a pretty trinket. It seems this time I was the one who ended up with a little one to care for..."
"This is a child??"
"There's a child trapped inside the wand, yes. Or at least I think."
"A little brother or sister like Laurel then!"
"I guess so, Althalus... isn't that exciting?"
Shiroko tossed her head slightly. "I'm sure that's exactly what Kelinor wanted, another mouth to feed..." She made a face. "But I'm guessing you had no choice, right? That's the way it seems to work in this part of town..."
Daniel could do nothing but nod, his curious potectiveness for the wand reappearing once more as he wrapped his fingers carefully around it.
"I guess it just means that I'll have to go shopping again tomorrow."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:40 am
 29th December
Oh, how Patrick loved this Lobby. This is where he brought his children when Mordread needed to sleep in, or they simply wanted to come see Ianna. Shockingly enough, Iamel was usually the one who demanded to see Ianna. The woman gave him shiny trinkets that no one else had and didn't treat him like a bad kid or even a kid with wings.
He liked that.
So that's where they were now. One pipsqueak gaurdian of death was playing a video game at one of the televions, a half-horse superstition was settled on the couch with a coloring book and carefully making sure to draw inside the lines, a baby bird-anthro was stuck in a baby playpen and happily chewing on some cold rings and the last baby was strapped to patricks chest, a meerkat, asleep once again and looking angelic.
He wasn't.
Patrick himself was just leaning up against a wall, the fox messanger wand in his hand, stroking at the soft ivory quietly. The little wisp had grown a little more tangible, a little less like just a puff a smoke and more like something that was meant to be there, especially after the last day or two. The dark mans eyes were distant, partially on his children, but out in the distance, wondering what life would be like with this next baby in it.
Three babies.
Two children.
Five kids under the age of ten, all in teh same house.
Oh, god they needed to move soon...
Once more, opening that wooden door in the dusty shop and appearing here was a great surprise to Daniel. He blinked at the increase light, and then at the increased population.
How many kids?
His pale eyes darted behind his glasses until they rested on the dark man leaning at the side, his expression far away as he watched over the other inhabitants.
And softly stroked a wand in his hand.
Almost automatically the 'shifter's fingers went to reassuringly touch the warm weight of the wand at his belt. After returning to Kel, after the initial shock had worn off, an interesting leather attachment had been made for a belt; the wand slid snugly into it, bottom half secured, like a scabbard almost. The soft, flickering feathers that adorned the top were free, only a little crumpled by their stay under the coat. Thinking of that, Daniel shrugged out of said item and laid it carefully across the back of a nearby sofa, silver-traced hand resting gently on the wand.
"Greetings," he called to the other man, hoping to snap him out of his reverie. He hadn't met another wand-carrier before, and what was that odd wisp?
The kids paused in what they were doing and looked at him as well, rest assured. The winged boy scowled, turning back to his smash-and-kill game, the little satyr girl smiled and the baby...continued to gnaw on her teething ring. SOmehow she could do it without having a usual human mouth - beaks were sometimes hard to chew with.
Bah.
His eyes flickered up at the voice of another person, blinking a few times behind hsi thick glasses. Seeing his full on face would be a bit..shocking as well, considering teh amount of piercings he had littering his skin and the brightly colored plastic that filled him.. Patrick was a living display of piercing art. But he smiled, a faint but kind smile... the type of smile someone tolerant of children and strange people would have developed.
"Hello. So Ianna roped you into one of the kids too?" Patricks voice was low, nodding gently over tot he others wand. He was better at talking with boys then girls.. It was more relaxing.
Akilah, in his pouch, didn't like patrick moving so much. He chirruped his discontent before his head tilted to one side, successfully falling asleep once more.
Daniel smiled somewhat wryly as he came to share wallspace beside the colourful man. He seemed somewhat more of a shadow, his brown hair and pale blue eyes unassuming behind the glasses, the blue shirt and black trousers disguising him effectivily as any other Gaian. But where his shirt sleeves were rolled back, they revelaed a lacing of silvery scars on his pale skin, and that same wry smile revealed pointed canines.
"Roped in is a good name for it," he commented, crossing his arms across his chest as he peered curiously at the little meerkat child. The wand hung comfortingly against his hip, brown and firey to the ivory pale of the other one.
"You walk in, unsuspecting, then next thing you know, you're told you get to have a baby inthe next few weeks." He monotoned, lips quirking into another faint grin, tucking the tip of his own wand into the front pocket of his jeans. It slithered down so only the tip was showing, the black mist curled around it quite cheerfully. "What's yours, then? A mermaid? The wind of the West? Eros?"
Akilah seemed to know he was being studied and thus opened the big dark eyes he possesed, peering at this strange, pale man for a long moment. He was just a newly born little child but he still knew strangers when he smelled one. Daniel was on the recieving end of a not so nice churr from the meerkat before Patrick pushed the blue and yellow binkie into his mouth. A few sucks of that and Akilah was out like a light once more, his little tail curled up under him.
"Tell me about it." Daniel sighed as he removed the fire-wrapped wand from his side, twirling it absently round his fingers before holding it up in front of him. "Apparently it's a Phoenix, or will be. I mean, my fiancee is normally the one who gets these children thrust upon her..."
He glanced slyly around at the full room. "And if these are all yours, then I'm guessing you at least are no stranger to the idea."
He grinned, studying the wand closely, leaning in a bit, "Does that fire burn?" His voice is low, hand moving to take his own wand back out. The little wisp was still there, hovering, gentle, and the little tail and feathers were moving just slightly.
"This one is going to be a messanger of Inari. A fox thing, I'm pretty sure. That's..about it though." A soft laugh, head shaking with a small smile.
When Daniel mentioned the children, Patrick just grinned, a wide crooked smile, sli shoulders rising into a shrug. "What can I say? Lahela," He nodded to the little bird girl chewing on her teething ring, "Was offered to me for money and a house to study. Akilah was just luck." A fond pat for the little meerkat (who churred sleepily), "And bird-boy and the horsie girl were things I purchased that...turned into children. Without warning, mind. At least HERE they tell you.."
The shapeshifter nodded, slightly bemused, at the little creatures playing around the room, before remembering he had been asked a question.
"The fire? Um, no... you can tell it's there, it flickers against your fingers and it's vaguely warm. But not burning." That would have been something to look out for. He looked over at the other wand, the wisp clinging to the end of it. He was sure it was vaguely transparent; he moved his head slightly, staring at the little thing.
"So... the wisp.. comes from the wand?" He held his own precious spice-smelling one towards the wisp and its own wand, wondering what it would do.
"Yep...started when I went to go pick up, Lahela." Dark eyes fluttered back down to the wand, fingers moving to stroke over the cool ivory length. "Supposedly..it's how the kids come back, y'know?"
A quirk of a fiercely pierced eyebrow and he glanced over to the pheonix wand again. "Do you think yours will be a boy or a girl?"
Daniel blinked. "I'm not sure..." He gave the wand an intent gaze, as if he could see into its depths and the spirit inside. "As far as I knew, all phoenixes did was rebear themselves, so had no gender... of course, I'm most probably wrong." He flashed a quick, disarming smile at the other man. "It feels kinda male to me..., well," he said, hastily correcting his own possibly misunderstood words, "it feels like the spirit inside is a boy. ut who am I to guess," and he shrugged. "Feels odd though, not being able to give it a name. 'Little wand' isn't right for everyday usage." His smile quirked. "Can you tell whether this little wisp is a boy or a girl?" He dipped his head corteously to the purple coiling wisp as he did so, unsure of how sentient it was as yet, and not wanting to insult it.
he laughed at the others words, nodding slightly and pausing at the smile. If he could blush, he probably would. Pretty things smiling at him were always a little weak spot of his.
"I can't tell, no," The science geek murmured lightly, letting his eyes slide back down tot he wand. The wisp was just bobbling there cheerfully, and Patrick smiling again, fondly. He adored his children, of yes he did. "But I get the same feeling.. More male then anything. Maybe we're biased? I call it foxboy anyway - not like it talks backc but... comforting."
A soft laugh, twirling the wand slowly between thumb and forefinger. "Either way, theyre bound to be cute...right?"
"Cute, I guess so," and the shapeshifter laughed, taking off his glasses with one hand and rubbing them on his shirt. He peered through them for a second before replacing them, and then grinned. "That's a bit better. Foxboy.... less of a mouthful than phoenixboy. Much easier on the tongue," he admitted, leaning the back of his head against the wall and yawning slightly. "Sorry, late night."
In fact he'd spent the last night not roaming the moors, as was his usual reason for late sleeping, but studying this cinnamon-smelling wand. Where had it come from? A desert? It felt so dry, that vague warmth arid... He must ask the Ianna woman more about it sometime.
"It'll be easier when the damn things are humanoid...ish... and can be given proper names. It's damned hard to name something without a gender thus far." That was his only gripe thus far - he wanted to know the gender, damnit. Ah well.
He'd find out eventually.
"No problem.. Me too. Lahela's teething and Akilah isn't too prone to sleeping in the dark unless he's curled up tight against someone else, so ..lots of waking up with us too." A faint smile, peering down at the meerkat nestled against him with a soft laugh. "...these are going to be interesting times. I'm almost positive these kids will have magic.. It'll be...interesting.."
Daniel nodded, that though also striking him. He blinked.
"I don't think any of Kel's kids have magic.. apart from Alex, but I know it's not much. And this'll be a new baby too, I guess..." Laurel had just grown out of the teething, the wailing, the sleep patterns... he thought they'd escaped it. No such luck. He brushed the brown fringe out of his eyes irritably. He really should get a hair cut...
"How long did it take to grow to wisp?" He inquired suddenly, running a finger thoughtfully down the firey wand. "Maybe as it grows older it will be easier to tell the gender?" He couldn't remember whether Ianna had said they grew into babies after wisp or not.
"For foxboy?" Patrick paused, eyebrows knitting together as he pondered that, gazing at his wand once more in thought. "About...a week and a half? Two weeks? It wasn't too long or anything.. nothing like a real 'pregnancy' length."
A faint snicker, head shaking as he rubbed the back of his neck gently. "Ianna said the wisp was the shortest stage, though..so hopefully it'll be something...else? soon enough."
Daniel had wondered about that too. Some beings that came from items, he knew, just *poofed* one day and were there. In this case, it was a lot more subtle, the being truly 'coming from' the wand...
"I remember seeing Coailinn," he said finally. "The wisp will form into a baby eventually, right?" He tapped his fingers on the wand, turning his address to it. "I guess I just have to have patience, huh little thing."
"Coailinn's a cute little crapper... I hope foxboy here turns out to be as adorable as she is." A faint smile from him, fingers still stroking at his wand lightly before tucking the wispy-thing back into his pocket.
"All in all...it shouldn't take too long. I think. I'm pretty sure soon this place'll be crawling with little magical things."
Akilah sleepily crooned his agreement.
"And I'm sure they'll all be damned cute. Too cute for their own good," and the 'shifter laughed slightly. "Otherwise why would we end up being happy to care for them? Hey, even this wand for some reason is making me protective..." He brushed an invisible speck of dust off the smooth shaft of the spicy-smelling wand, cool flames leaving flickering reflections in his glasses.
"Me too," He agreed mildly, lips quirking into a faint smile, head shaking. "It's weird. Just wait until it starts poppping out some smoke on you, man... It'll get really creepy then."
Patrick himself had gotten a bit paternal and overprotective when he'd seen his wand giving off signs of life. It had been something to scribble in the journal, after all, and amazingly interesting to watch. His wand has shook, trembled and rolled like it had a life of it's own.
So. ********. Interesting.
A faint, quiet laugh and Patrick let his gaze flicker to his watch, frowning slightly when the numbers sunk into his brain. "s**t... I didn't realize what time it was.. We have to be going."
As if they heard their father say this (and Iamel did - he was great when it came to hearing things he wasn't meant to), Akuti and the birdboy started filing over, grabbing random things that belonged to them, here and there.
Daniel also stood up from his position against the wall, turning his eyes to where his watch normally was but remembering he had forgotten this morning to put it on. Ah well...
"Well, I'll be sure to look out for that," he laughed lightly. "Thanks for the advice, Patrick. And I guess we're sure to run into each other soon enough." Sliding his own wand gently into the holder at his waist, he gave a little courtly bow. "Farewell for now, and farewell, little wand of Patrick's," and he grinned.
Babies were strapped in (talking, clacking, cursing orotherwise) and the other two children were kept in a strict line of his eyesight, lips quirking into another grin as he faced Daniel.
"I demand a play date or something equally out of style once we both have the children with two legs and arms, instead o wands," He grinned a little more, returning the bow with a lavish air only patrick could really pull off. He was a weird one and goddamn, did he know it.
The little wisp giggled in Patricks head, curling contentedly over what was nearby as the little group bustled out. Dinner was to be made, there were kitty boys to harass...
Oh, what a life in barton town...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:46 am
 2nd January Hey Journal.
I know I don't write here much; to be honest, I'm not really one for writing my feelings down. But I guess the habit's stayed with me from before I had people to talk about my thoughts with.
Kelinor...
Kel was shocked, but then over the moon at the fact that I personally had been chosen to care for a child. She's had it happen often to her... I thought I was immune, coming so late to Gaia, and keeping a low profile...
But those who search for me search for a lonely, irritable Dafriel. They would not expect this man I have now become, Daniel, living as I do here with her..
I digress.
What I really wanted to write about is the wand, and how odd it feels to be a personal guardian to it, not just a benevolent uncle/father to Kel's children. This creature, trapped as it is because of a horrible death, is relying on me PERSONALLY to release it and care for it. I am a leader of my pack, strong, capable; or so that is what is perceived of me. What happens if I fail now? What if I cannot release this phoenix spirit, through something I cannot understand?
I guess all I can do is persevere. There are other wand owners, I know; I'll speak with them, and see how they feel. But all wands are different..
Perhaps I should describe this wand here, in case I lose the pictures; it's so delicate looking, very light, but always slightly warm; the wood smells spicy, like cinnamon, and is a warm brown colour. There are two small orange- and gold-feathered wings attached to the top of it, and a firey tail-looking thing winds its way to about halfway down its length. It's about the length of my forearm, from elbow to wrist, maybe a bit longer... and something about it tells you it's alive. I know that sounds odd when you write it down, but it seems sentient, I swear. Shiroko can't sense it, of course, but all the others can. Even Althalus is perfectly happy with the idea of getting a new sibling, and not being incredulous about it being a wand. Then again, perhaps that's because he's from a book.
Gaia confuses me... it's so different from the highland mountains and valleys. There, there are few magical beings or things... Barton teems with them. I'm adjusted, I know. But I still love the night's hunting on the moors, and running with the pack.
That reminds me. I must send to Pine and Kasuri, for next week's meeting. Now the New Year is upon us, we must begin again. Farewell for now, journal.
~ D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 2:31 am
 It was cold.
A cold winter's day, and Daniel was lounging on the floor in the living room, Kel-chan curled on the sofa opposite, deep in her book. The only other occupants were Shiroko, drawing quietly in the corner nearest the kitchen, and little Laurel, fast asleep with her green-curled head slumped into Kel's lap. It was late afternoon, and a cheerful fire was burning on the small hearth, bringing a soft light to the otherwise cold room with its grey windows letting in the iron coldness of outside.
Daniel shifted slightly, letting the toasted part of his arm move away from the flames and letting his other side benefit from the warmth. In his right hand he ran the smooth flickering wand over and over his fingers, lost in the way the flames were so cool as opposed to the ones opposite him. The warmth released the sweet spicy smell of the wood into the air (Daniel had decided it was cinnamon wood; the smell wasn't as strong because cinnamon itself was bark, but still...). He'd done some research on phoenixes; he was unsure from which of the cultures this one came, but after the initial shock his fiancee gladly helped him. She was a postgrad at the Barton University, working in the library some nights and researching her papers on Greece and Egypt at others. Apparently the phoenix appeared in most world cultures, but this one had come from Egypt, and the cinnamon would fit with the Arabian thought.
As a semi-magical creature himself, Daniel could not help but feel a strong affinity with this little soul, trapped through terrible means in this wand. The tail strand on the wand wrapped itself delicately around his fingers for a moment before flickering off again, the warmth tickling the skin. So close to the fireplace, the heat was creating a little breeze, and the wand almost yearned towards it in his hand.
Huh? How could a wand yearn for anything?
The shapeshifter sat up again, twisting his body round until he was sitting crosslegged and facing the fire. His redhaired fiancee looked up from her book for a second at the movement, but returned to it, her hand stroking the little head in her lap. Daniel did not notice; his entire attention was fixed on the wand in his hands. He laid it across both palms, the firey feathers whispering across the back of his hands. The fire called to it somehow.. it made sense, of course, but it felt so odd. Somehow there was a sense in the back of his mind, a presence that came from the phoenix-soul within that wand.
Come out and play.
He could not help the thought; Daniel wanted to help this being, and so close to the flames something was oddly calling it, yet repulsing it; as if it adored the fire, but also feared it.
Why would a phoenix fear fire?
Come out and play...
Slowly, almost tentatively, the wand shook a little, vibrating in his hands. It paused, then shook again.
And a small amount of mist formed, coiled slowly from the tip of the wand. It was the same colour as the feathers, with small, glowing sparks floating within its depths, the edges a cool smokey colour. More, and then more appeared, a floating wisp issuing from the wand as the wondering Daniel slowly held the latter upright, letting the wisp waver slowly in the heat of the fire.
"Hello, little one," the man said softly, unsure of how to treat this tender, vulnerable wisp.
"Daniel?" Kel-chan had shut her book, staring wonderingly at the wand he held now and its wispy issue. "What... what is that?" Manouevering a sleeping child was not difficult, and she laid Laurel carefully down on the sofa and came to kneel beside him, fingers reaching unconsciously to the firey-coloured wisp, the orange and red and gold almost bewitching. It flinched away from her hand a little, and she drew it back startled. Daniel turned to give her an almost excited smile, pale eyes bright behind the glasses.
"It's the little soul in the wand. I told you, did I not?" He held the wand firmly, as if he would drop it and the wisp would disintegrate in a second.
"I just asked it to come out, and here it is..."
And a small tickle in the back of his mind was that of contentment, and excitement, and fear of this new world and life the soul had come into.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 4:03 am
 Auriga crept downstairs, as well as she could. Going down the stairs was easy, even if it was undignified; it was just a question of sitting on one's butt and lowering yourself down, step by step. The crutch would have made too much noise, and Auriga wanted to be quiet, more than anything.
What did hinder her however was the item wrapped tightly in her fist. Leaning on her knuckles for weight hurt, but she had felt its presence, and decided to bring it anyway...
The Astra hadn't slept; she felt happier at night-times anyway. Cool darkness filled the hallways of the house, and even Althalus was asleep. The curtains had been open, and the starlight from which she was born had filtered into her consciousness and made her yearn for a better view. So she had left her room, and had been heading for the downstairs when she had seen something else glowing in the shadowy hallway.
The faint, firelike glow had alarmed the teenager for a moment; was something on fire in Kel's room? She's nearly shouted out, but instead crawled ungainly to where the door stood ajar.
She'd tried not to peek too much into Kel and Daniel's room, for propiety's sake, but on the table that stood next to that door lay a wand. Daniel's wand, with that poor little soul trapped inside... the wisp floated a little way away from its makeshift prison, and a wistful itching in the girl's mind assured her that it, whatever it was or how sentient it was, wanted some company. But the starlight still called to her, so there was only one thing for it. She reached up to the wand, and took it with her.
And now they were at the bottom of the stairs. Auriga flicked the loose curly hair behind her irritably; she hated having to crawl like a baby across the floor. Her one leg dragged out behind her as she made her way into the living room, and her eyes lit up as she saw Sammie raise her head sleepily off the sofa.
"Hah. Samantha! Give me a hand here?" The Astra spoke softly, but let her voice carry. The large feline shook her long ears slightly and blinked.
"Auriga? What are you doing awake? And is that.. Daniel's wand??" Despite the questions, the Libre had immediately jumped down gracefully from her sleeping place and padded over. The teenager put one hand on the tall back of the feline, pushing herself upwards with practised ease and balancing carefully, her other hand still clutching the wand and it's wisp protectively. She whispered softly to it.
"Don't worry little one. We're just going out to see the stars."
"You're going starwatching, in the middle of winter?" Sammie's face was a little incredulous, but she supported the crippled Astra without a word as the trio made their way slowly to the patio doors. Auriga leaned on the glass a second before pulling open the sliding panel. A freezing breeze rushed through the gap, pushing the teenager's greek-sytle nightgown against her and causing the wisp to flutter precariously. A distressed cry pinched the back of her mind, and Auriga quickly turned to put the wand in shelter, mortification in her face.
"Hush, hush! It's alright, it's alright..." The words were as if comforting a baby, which the wisp was certainly not, and wasn't really that sentient yet. Perhaps the girl was imagining it...
But the initial draught was gone, and now only a light breeze flickered the nightgown about her calves. And there high aboce were the things she wished to see, to commune with; the stars. She held the firey wand up close to her face, the wisp floating almost amidst the curls of her hair.
"There. Aren't they beautiful?"
She stood there for who knows how long, Sammie stolidly supporting her and the wisp close to her face. She had no idea how it felt about the stars, but she imagined it at least enjoyed the company.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 4:34 pm
 January 11th Daniel had returned to the headquarters, somewhat agog with questions for the mysterious Ianna. The wisp floated gently from the top of the wand held firmly in one hand, moving slightly in the breeze created as they walked. But the shop had been empty; so had the main lobby of that wonderfully bizarre headquarters in the back. The 'shifter began to feel a little uncomfortable; he didn't want to feel like he was intruding. Perhaps she was through this door?
The door in question opened onto a lush garden, smiling under a winter's sunshine. It must be winter, sensing that slight chill in the air, but the plants still flourished, and a fountain splashed merrily a little way off. Daniel blinked, and slowly touched the damp raindrops still adorning his coat. Well, that proved it was definitley not quite of this world...
He kept the wand close to his chest, protectively almost curling his body around it, and looked around.
"Anyone here?" Amparo Fernandez had wandered into the gardens purely by mistake, but once inside... she didn't want to leave any time soon. It was peaceful, and somewhat quiet, and generally the chaos that followed Antonio or Jonathan was not following her in this little sanctuary.
The brunette didn't quite notice anyone entering the gardens at first, but after a moment of silence, she turned, and looked towards the door from her perch near a tree, blinking. She grinned slightly. "Oh, hello there." She called carefully, moving around the tree and walking over to the entrance of the Gardens.
Amparo eyed the man carefully, with a faint gleam in her eyes. It wasn't unfriendly, but more curious than anything. That was Amparo's signature look, curious and somewhat protective, especially of those she knew well. "I'm Amparo." She greeted, holding out her hand. "I didn't know anyone else was here today." She grinned sheepishly, rubbing her neck with her free hand.
Her own wand had been left aside by the tree, carefully tucked out of harm's way, but still in Amparo's view had she been looking. Amparo did not look to losing her wand this far into watching it. That would have been hell to explain to Ianna. Daniel almost looked surprised, even though he'd been expecting, or hoping, to find someone. But he hadn't met this woman before... was she a wand owner too? His pale eyes darted surreptitiously behind his glasses, trying to figure this one out. From what he had picked up he thought only wand owners were allowed here, so therefore..
Suddenly remembering his manners, he bowed a little, smiling courteously but keeping the wand and its... wisp thing out of the way.
"Greetings, Miss Amparo," he replied, and took the offered hand briefly beofre grinning. "And I was just thinking the same thing. For a while I thought I was the only one here..." Ganty looked around she just arrived in the garden and was finding somebody ells to talk to, she haven't really seen anybody other then somebody how told here that she didn't have a wand. Here own wisp was slowly floating from one side to another she loved looking at it float. She heard some noise and looked around, she saw a man and woman talking. What should she do walk over or just mind here own business, she mad a decision and walked to them, with here wand in one hand and in here other hand some flowers. "Hello there, how are you both doing. My name is Ganty first time talking to you both" Amparo smiled at the courteous manners of the man, and tipped her head slightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister..." She trailed off, eying him patiently for a name. And then she continued, with a cheeky smile. "You're a wand owner, aren't you?" She asked, crossing her arms in more of a comfortable way than a defensive one.
Amparo watched the man patiently, until her periphreal vision saw someone coming over from the couple's side. She turned slightly to see the woman wandering over, and smiled slightly. "Hello, Miss Ganty." She greeted. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Amparo held out her hand patiently for a handshake, with a slight grin permanently tugged onto her face. "My name's Amparo, and this is..." Again, she realized she didn't know the stranger's name, and smiled at him sheepishly.Daniel blinked and then suddenly remembered. "Oh! How rude of me, I do apologise... I go by the name of Daniel. A pleasure to meet you both." He grinned, slightly embarrassedly before noticing the wand in the new woman's hand. Another one with a wisp? The other man, what was his name, Patrick, his wand had been a wispy thing also, but with more.. well, wisp. Did they all come out at similar times?
"I see you are a wand-bearer, Miss Ganty," And he gestured one hand towards the silvery item in question, other holding the firey wisp-and-wand close to his chest. "And are you in the same boat as us, Miss Amparo?"
He glanced around, wondering if there was somewhere to sit. Inconvinient to be standing near the door like this. Ganty looked at both of them, here wand in one hand, she girl named Amparo held out here hand, Ganty took here hand with a smile "Nice to meat you Amparo and please don't call me miss we are all owners after all" She turned here face to the man and heard his name is Daniel and gave him a smile "Also nice to meet you Daniel, and yes this is my wand, got here some time and goes by the name Artemis but well i almost always call here wispie at the moment because i think it suits here better" She looked at here wand, still going to one side to another and saw it was floating toward Daniel, it was not until that moment she saw that he also hade a wand and a wisp! She was happy to finally meet somebody how was going true the same things as here. "You also have a wand i see! I'm so happy to see other people with wands!" She then turned to Amparo. "Do you also have a wand?" She smiled slightly at Daniel and nodded to him. "It's nice to meet you, Daniel." She replied, smiling at him. Then she blinked at Ganty, and grinned sheepishly. "Oh, of course." She rubbed her neck, watching the two talk over their wands.
And then they both were looking at her, asking if she had a wand. A wand... "Oh!" She winced, and bolted over to the tree she had come from. She carefully pulled the wand from it's resting spot, and carried it over sheepishly. "Of course, of course. I set it down when I came here so I wouldn't break it or lose it." She explained, rubbing her neck.
"It's not a wisp, yet, though." She looked at her wand, running her finger across the rough crystal carefully. "I just got it a little while ago." She looked up, and smiled. "It was fun trying to explain to the boys at home why I had a wand." "Hah, I know that feeling." Daniel smiled wryly, putting one hand to his face. "But it's even more difficult now the wisp is out..." A light tickle in his mind, a giggle, and the feeling was gone again. He smiled fondly at the wand. "But hopefully it won't take long. Or for your little one to be freed either, Miss Amparo..."
He was looking interestedly at both of the women's wands while he spoke. One was silver, slender and shining with a circular disc; the other looked as though it came from a forest or swamp, curved and full of glistening secrets. How strange it was that they were all so different... he remembered the ivory wand and its wisp that he had sen belonging to Patrick. Even that was unique. Ganty giggeld at Amparo. "I can see way its hard to explain to your boys way your taking care of a wand, did they take it all right?" She looked at Amparo's wand, it was long and made out of wood with some kind of crystal on top, she loved the color the crystal has. "Daniel how did you get your wand? It looks very interesting with those wings on the side, i think our wands are about the same age and i hoop they will both grow around the same time. She looked at the wand from Daniel, that one looked even more interesting, a small wisp was floating from side to side, almost reaching here own wisp, but slowly moved away from it again. "So what are you both doing here? I'm here because i wanted to talk a look at the beautiful garden and i wanted to talk to other wand owners, i'm happy to finally meet some. Amparo smiled sheepishly at both of them, and looked down at her wand fondly, before glancing at their own wands. She rubbed the crystal on top of the wand quietly, and shrugged at Ganty. "They took it well enough. Jonathan..." She rolled her eyes at the name, "He took it worse, but he's not very good with any type of child. Antonio was fine with it."
For which, she was grateful.
She smiled slightly at Daniel, and eyed the wisp. "I hope the wisp comes soon. I'm a little worried, though." She rubbed her neck. "The wisp is the most sensitive stage, innit?"
Amparo glanced over at Ganty, and smiled sheepishly. "I had to get out of the house. Jonathan was getting on my nerves, and I can't fight with that man without one of us getting shot." She explained sheepishly, rubbing her neck. "Sooo, I wandered here, to the Headquarters. Didn't expect anyone else to show up, though." She smiled at both of them.
Daniel furrowed his brows, staring at his wand, his hand still curled more than protectively around it. The little wisp moved slightly in the breeze, and a small shudder trickled down his spine. It was true, he was a LOT more careful with this little thing... it just felt so delicate. He nodded at Amparo.
"It's supposed to be the worst stage, delicacy-wise... all the more reason to hope we can encourage them out further, I suppose." He rubbed one hand on the back of his neck, and looked thoughtful.
"This is the first child I've ever been the guardian of, instead of Kelinor... in a way, I'm paranoid about messing up." He laughed slightly, still managing to look a little worried."I was told the same thing Daniel this stage is hard to take care of, i have to keep a eye out for my little wisp all the time because i don't want it to get blown away, one time i was almost to late to save my little one, it was a hot day and my cat was in the house, we also have a wind blower in the house and my cat turned on the blower! I just made it in time, i was so scared!" Ganty looked at here wand, holding it close to here. "I don't want anything to happen to my little one" And she smiled "So what are you both up to? Want to get something to drink and sit here in the gardens sharing our thoughts about our wands?" Amparo smiled sheepishly and shrugged. "I would, but I really should be off." She rubbed her neck sheepishly. "I didn't plan on staying this long, the boys're moving and... Yes. I don't quite trust Jonathan with my...."
Saying guns would probably raise an eyebrow and a few bad reputations.
"Delicate things." That worked nicely. She smiled sheepishly at them both, and tipped her head. "I should probably head back to make sure he didn't move them around. I wanted to pack those myself, Jonathan has a knack for just shoving things into a box."
Jonathan had a knack for just about everything that annoyed Amparo. Somehow, this wasn't too surprising to the girl. She lifted her shoulder in a shrug and grinned. "But it was nice meeting the both of you, and I hope I'll see you two soon." She grinned at them meekly, and turned to leave, thoughts racing as she remembered just what guns had to be placed where, in case Jonathan did move them.
In which case, she'd have to shoot him later. "Perhaps we will see you another time then, Miss Amparo," And Daniel smiled courteously. "Good luck with the house moving..."
The last time he'd moved house, it hadn't been exactly planned. Carrying one bundle didn't really class as packing, either.
His thoughts jumped back onto the rail concerning the wands. A fan? That would surely harm the little thing! It was hard enough picking a calm day to visit the shop, even if it had been raining... his fingers gripped the wand a little more firmly.
"Shall we go in to get a drink then, Miss Ganty, and see Amparo off?" His grin this time was wider, revealing sharply pointed canines for a moment. It probably was time to be leaving soon anyways. ---TBC---
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:14 am
[Whoot, off hiatus!] 8th of March Another slow day, Sibuna noted as she whirled out from the kitchen door with her arms laden down with two plates each, apron furling in her wake.
"Here ya are, Miss Cathy." She chirruped as she sent the omelette down the table to one of the regulars. What? An omelette for dinner? Sure! The diner in which she worked served breakfast all day as well as dinner and lunch at their respective times. One would be surprised how many people came in asking for pancakes rather than a steak or any form of a healthy dinner.
The dark-skinned woman passed two more plates to a couple sitting near the door, continuing on until she'd reached the back of the place. There she set her final plate down, right in front of the small, grey-haired child that hunched himself with apparent determination over a children's book. However, when the grilled cheese and fries was set down before him, he glanced up.
"Brain food for the young man in the back." A wink of her long lashes before she gently removed the book in front of him. She closed it, setting it to the side of him, before the thick wooden wand leaning against the window. "No more studying until you've eaten and washed your hands, okay? Don't want no stains in it when your sibling comes around, do we?"
She patted his head after he nodded, moving back towards the bar, which she planned to wipe down to pass the time.
A woman dressed in black stepped in, carrying with her a frigid gale that chilled one to the marrow. Either she had somebody carrying a fan on full blast behind her, or she was some immortal being or something. Probably the latter; not really surprising, considering the residents of this world of Gaia.
As a matter of fact, Kierla was pure human. But perhaps the gods were with her.
On close observation, one could see that in a wand with some sort of haze protruding at the tip was in her left hand.
"Hello?" she inquired softly.Daniel was hungry. REALLY hungry.
It was one of those annoying times of the month, when even during the day he was slightly affected by the strength of the lunar calendar. Anyone who might have seen him previously would think he looked a little odd; his normally mid-brown hair was an almost perfect black, and the eyes behind his glasses were oddly red instead of the innocent pale blue of always.
Needless to say, he was hungry, and out shopping, and for some reason something about this place pulled him in. He rested one hand briefly on the thin, cinnamon-smelling wand in the holder at his waist, fingers curling protectively around the wispiness that clung to the to of the feather-decorated item.
And as he stepped in, he immediately sensed why he'd been drawn here, and let his eyes fix upon the two other wands that were present, and their guardians.
Taking a breath, he smiled disarmingly and cheerfully. "Good afternoon," he commented as he leant against the bar.As the door opened for Kierla, Sibuna was already attentive and ready. "Good evenin', ma'am," She greeted the young woman, studying the customer's choice of wardrobe with what seemed to be curiosity. In reality, it was probably some mild sense of unease- had she just come from a funeral or something? "Please, go ahead and sit where you want and I'll be right with you."
Normally, she would have escorted her, but she'd spotted Daniel not too far behind her and decided against it. "Evenin' sir." She nodded to him, beginning to remove herself from behind the bar. "Please find yourself a good seat and I'll be right back."
She walked towards Kierla, beginning to remove the pen from behind her ear. "Or... are you two together?"
Kierla looked behind her in surprise with a rather distracted, "Oh, hello?"
Then she turned back to Sibuna. "Sit?" she said in that same scatterbrained tone, as if her mind was currently on the beaches of Hawaii, sipping cocktails.
Waaaiiit a second. "What am I doing here?"Daniel couldn't help grinning at the bemused state of the other woman who had come in, and replied for her.
"No, we're not together, but the three of us might well as be." He turned with a florid little bow, not caring of the maybe curious other customers, his hand still protecting the little wisped wand at his waist.
"Daniel is my name... may I have the pleasure of those of you two?" He smiled, making sure the wand was prominent.
"And as to your queston, miss," he turned slightly to address the woman newly arrived, "I feel it probably has something to do with the item in your hand."Well, this was certainly quite odd. It took a minute for Sibuna's normally sharp mind to situate itself, rolling about the answer Daniel was giving Kierla. She glanced to the said wand, pressing her lips together. So! They also had wands from that peculiar place, albeit theirs was... steaming. There was no other way she could have described it.
"Ah, well... I'm Sibuna." She offered, tapping at her name-tag while she watched Daniel take a bow. People generally didn't do that in the city. She smiled despite herself then looked to Kierla. "And I'll be your server today. Please, let me find you two a good booth."
The cook, who had peered out from the kitchen door, eyed them all warily, especially the back of Sibuna's head. However, once he saw that she seemed to be trying to seat them, he slipped back into his domain.
"Chef gone?" Sibuna murmured quietly before glancing over her shoulder. Yes, gone. "I'm sorry to be a bother, but you'll have to either sit down or come back later. I can talk, seeing as its a slow day and all, but let's not stand in the entrance, okay?"
"Daniel, Sibuna?" Kierla said blankly. Then she shook her head, and when her eyes opened again, they appeared much sharper, although rather colder. "I am Kierla. Pleased to meet you." She, too, noticed the wands all around, but chose to not trouble herself over that. They would be able to talk soon. "Come on, Mr. Daniel; we don't want to get Sibuna in trouble, do we?" "But of course not," the man replied smoothly, though he could not help an inner smile at 'Mr. Daniel'. He pushed his glasses up his nose with one finger and swept an arm before him, gesturing to the other to go first. Where he grew up, such courtesy was only expected.
He was curious however as to where the other woman's wand might be. He sensed it, and smelt her own curiousity, so she must have one somewhere. It would only make sense.
Following Kierla, he laid a finger on the tip of the wand unconsciously, feeling that little tickle of consciousness that proclaimed that the item was not something inanimate. He smiled, and continued inwards.Sibuna gave a relieved sigh at their agreement and moreso to their lack of anger. Sometimes people got offended when she said things in such a way. One couldn't get along with everyone, but she still did her best to make sure to humble herself enough so that conflict was mostly avoided.
She led them towards a seat in the back, where her black-skinned ward was munching away on his dinner. He looked up to observe the people she was leading back towards him, smiling in the way he'd been taught.
"Daemyn, be a good boy and pass Mommy the stick." She asked him softly with a smile of obvious affection. Gulping down his mouthful, the said boy reached over and grabbed hold of the wand -or the 'stick' he called it- and slid it across the table. Sibuna clutched it and lifted the flowering staff from the table.
"Well, right there looks big enough." She nodded to one of the booths nearby, leaning the wand against her shoulder as she did. The general area was immediately populated by the scent of sweet flowers and honey. Go figure.
Kierla followed after Sibuna docilely with a nod of thanks toward Daniel, nostrils flaring very slightly at the scented air. Yurgh, how sickeningly...sweet. She had to smile, however, at Daemyn, remembering how Yachiru had also made the same assumption.
Seating herself delicately in the gestured to seat, Kierla placed the pegasus wand on the table. "So."
>> ..just as if it wasn't enough to be meeting GotP owners by the dozens, back at HQ, now she was bumping into them on the streets.Daniel was trying to keep his curious look hidden behind the glasses as he looked over the new wands. A tree, and a pale winged one... both new. So, even more people had been dragged in by that darned book... there must be a hell of a lot more than just five now, he thought, unhooking the warm, cinnamon-smelling wand from his belt and laying it across his knees, hand curled round the wisp should any stray breeze flutter past it.
"So indeed! Miss Kierla, Miss Sibuna, how strange that we should meet at such a time... there are many more wands about than I originally thought." He flashed a smile, and shrugged his dark coat from his shoulders, collar on his blue shirt undone at the top button. He smiled brightly. "But while we talk, is there a chance of getting something to eat?"
It was annoying, meeting others at this time, when they might not recognise him so well if they met again. But he could not ignore the hunger gnawing at his stomach, especially if he did not want to eat particularly in the hunt that night. "I didn't get mine too long ago..." Sibuna shrugged. "And I haven't been going to the shop as much as I should." She conveniently left out the part that she was scared of the portal. Light grey eyes studied the wisps on the wands before she herself set her wand on the end of the table, hers long enough a bit of it poked over the edge. She had not opted to sit with them, merely leaning her tall frame onto the end of the table.
Hearing Daniel, she drew a pen from behind her ear and a note-pad from her apron. "Sure thing. What can I get you to drink? There's a menu right there if you haven't been here before," she didn't think they had, "Or I can place your order now if you know what you want."
Daemyn craned his head back to try and get a glance of Sibuna's 'friends', drawing a stapler from his pocket and idly opening the top. He seemed innocent enough, what with his shimmering black eyes and sweet little smile. Yeah, right. He soon lost interest and pulled over his book, munching on the remaining half of his dinner while he flipped through it. What Sibuna didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
"Miss Kierla, are you gonna want anything?" Asked the waitress, smiling at the girl. "I believe I probably got mine around the time Sibuna did as well," Kiarna said. She, too, decided to leave out her following words: I probably wouldn't have gone to the shop too much too, but for some reason I just keep wandering into the damn place. A shifty glance and a random ninja outfit added at the end of that would be perfect. But, of course, being Kierla; she doesn't and merely contents herself with: "No, no thank you. I have absolutely no idea why I came in here in the first place; that seems to be happening a lot recently." A pause, as she reconsidered. "Well, maybe some glass of water." Another hesitation, with a bemused glance at the pegasus wisp thrown in. "I wonder if these things can taste or eat? Probably not, but that would be...amusing, to see things disappearing into a blob of mist." "These things?" Daniel teased lightly. "Poor little wisp. I don't think so yet... I think we have to coax them out a little further." He propped up the wand on his lap, the top with its curious wisp leaning against his shoulder.
"I got this little guy... quite a while back. To be honest, I'm surprised there are so many more... that Matilda girl must be busy." He hoped he'd remembered the name right. For some reason he tended to get it mixed up with Ianna's.
"And thanks for the offer, I'll take some water too, and..." he pulled the menu towards him briefly, "You have something with steak in? Like... a sandwich or something..." That was probably a no-go, he realised, and tried to make himself think of more normal foods. "Is that so?" She asked, blinking down at the little pale wisp. It was, hmm... Sort of cute? In that smokey sort of way. The notepad was untouched as she remembered the simple drinks.
"Is there really a lot?" Sibuna asked, trying to comprehend the thought of all that could come from wands. "Excuse me, Miss Kierla. Is yours an... angel?"
She quirked a brow at Daniel, quickly covering her smile with her hand. As soon as she gained her composure, she nodded her head, jangling all the jewelry around her neck as a result. "We have 'steak'. Fillet mignon, t-bone, strip. The closest thing we have to that kind of sandwich is... roast beef? Though," She lowered her voice, as if she had something awful to confide to them. "Chef kinda undercooks steak if you don't ask for anything over well. Lord forbid you ask for rare- you might as well go find a live cow to chew on. 'scuse me."
She slipped away from them for a moment, returning with two glasses of water in hand and a bit of lemon hanging on the side. These she set before them. "Pegasus," Kierla countered Sibuna. "I suppose you could say a type of angel, perhaps. Maybe." Her head turned like an owl's to glower silently at Daniel's teasing, but a faint smile quirked up at his unusual order, which grew a little wider at Sibuna's warnings. Huh. In the old days - the good ol' days - Kierla would have probably pretended not to hear anything. As a matter of fact, the old Kierla probably wouldn't have been here in the first place. But Kierla shook off the dreary thoughts of old-Kierla-new-Kierla things, and casting around for a good subject of conversation, she grabbed hold on Sibuna's previous question. "Ah...so what souls reside in your wands?" "Rare will be fine for me," Daniel replied with a disarming smile, trying to make it as offhand as possible. To be honest, at other times, he actually preferred it medium, but... he shook his head irritably and tried not to think what strange impression he must be making on the other owners.
"I'm pretty sure this little guy is a Phoenix," and Daniel turned to Kierla for this answer, crimson eyes reflecting fondness as he held the wand leaning against his shoulder a little tighter. "But why he's been stuck in the wand... I don't know." He looed puzzled for a second. "And I'm not sure why I keep saying 'he', either. Phoenixes are mostly interpreted in myth as being asexual... but this little guy just feels like a 'he' to me." He laughed lightly, using his other hand to push his glasses back up his nose. "Silly, huh?"Sibuna kept her comments to herself, smiling rather sheepishly as she jotted down the man's order. "Rare. Right. I'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail." She tore the ticket off her pad, then briskly walked towards the kitchen. After collecting a few plates and tips, she returned to their table.
"Mine? I've got a ma- Well, it's a type of nymph!" The woman had conveniently forgotten her charge's official name. To Daniel, she frowned thoughtfully. "Not at all! My son over there, he came from a bottle in a much more vague substance than what you have there. I knew he was a boy, though. I've been prayin'. And now, even though I don't have anything like what you two have, I think what'll come out of this strong piece of ash will be a girl. They're generally female, I read." Kierla truly tried not to stare at the man, really she did. And she succeeded, too, except for a curious glance at him. She herself detested rare meat. Ugh, now they'd moved on to the genders. Which, naturally - "I honestly have no inkling of what my pegasus will be. Pegasus, in Greek myth, was a male; but he didn't exactly die an unfortunate and unworthy death, did he? No, he was turned into a constellation. So I doubt he's the one sucked into this wand. But I've never heard of pegasus as a species, only as the one.." "Tell me about that," Daniel leaned back and yawned slightly, keeping his mouth covered with one hand diplomatically. "In most myths there is only one Phoenix... how can this little fellow be the one?" He shook his head slightly, a vaguely puzzled expression on his face. "But there you go. As for the others..." he paused a second, mentally counting up. "Ive seen a moon wand, a kitsune spirit, one who's is unknown... and of course that little Coailiann..."
He remembered something as well. "And that damned weird book said that this wand was the fifth to be found..." Sibuna was used to odd orders, to be frank. She'd learned to push such things out of her mind while she had a job to do. "My my, seems you two have had a nice think about it. Now I've heard about both of yours. The Pegasus is that horse that opens some of the Paramount movies, right? The one with the wings. The phoenix... that's the bird that goes through continuous cycles of death and rebirth by flame. How exciting!"
Of course, she wasn't really looking for excitement. She'd never stop stressing if her child could fly away on her at any time. Or burst into flames. "It really doesn't matter, does it, Miss Kierla?" She implored, watching the little wisp coming from the wand with pink wings. "Whether you've got the famous one or not?" "I seem to recall that the book said my wand is the 12th. If I remember correctly. Phoenix...that makes me think of one of those so called 'classics' that my sister loves to read. The Magic Carpet. Had a phoenix in it. But that's besides the point..." Guh, Kierla was getting distracted again. She quickly focused on what Sibuna was saying. "Paramount?" she said, puzzled. Then she remembered; it had been such a long time since she could just watch a movie.. "Oh, right. Yes, I suppose that the pegasus is that. And no, I don't really care whether it's the famous one or not; in fact, I prefer it even. But I've never heard of any other pegasuses..." Now she was troubled. Great. "I don't really know much about nymphs. A wood nymph, I'm guessing from the looks of that wand; a dryad? I didn't even know there were different types of nymphs, beyond the water variety and the woodling creatures," Kierla admitted. "And I don't know much about phoenixes either. I'm sorry I can't help either of you in any way." "Twelve? Good grief..." Daniel broke off for a moment, blinking. That meant there really were more than he thought... no wonder he kept bumping into them and their guardians. The pale girl must be busy...
"I guess it's easy enough to go and do research on the subject." The 'shifter leaned his elbows on the table, the wand still cradled in the circle of his arms. "My mat - er, fiancee studies old myths and stuff, she has a library stuffed full of books on the subject." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "To be honest, I really should do some more research myself..."
"That's good." Sibuna sighed her relief, tracing her fingertips over the twisting wood of her wand, delicately petting a flower. She really liked the smell- reminded her somewhat of home where honey was included in everything from milk to toppings. "I didn't know about nymphs at all until I went to the public library. Even then, I didn't get to stay too long because they're near closing time when I get off work. Far as I know, nymphs were like faeries without wings, and naked. No modesty. Hopefully I won't have that sort of problem with mine."
"Twelve?" She mused, blinking towards Daniel. "I was number fourteen, I think. I s'pose there's no hurting in learning up on what we'll be bringing up later. I guess I'll have to go buy a book since the library's closed. And I could also have it for future reference..." In the back, a small bell 'ping!'ed. Sibuna straightened herself, removing her presence for only a moment to come back with Daniel's steak which was, in fact, rather red.
Kierla certainly raised an eyebrow at Daniel's stumble over words, wondering what he would have said; but she didn't dwell on it much. There certainly were straaaange people here in Gaia. Instead, she took a dainty sip from her water glass, and decided to choke (rather undignified, I must say!) on her mouthful at Sibuna. Naked faeries without wings, indeed! "Maybe we all should meet someday in the library or a book store, and look all these things up together, hmm?" Kierla suggested with more than a touch of a smile. The misty wisp wiggled slightly before returning to its usual comatose and calm state; almost as if the creature (could it be called that?) nodded an affirmative. But perhaps it was just Kierla's imagination, or just some random wind; the second time she glanced at it, it remained still and floating, as it always had been. "My thanks," Daniel nodded, and tucked in to his food, however being perfectly restrained. He'd made enough slip ups in company for today.
"Ha, yours sounds like it might be a bit of a handful," he laughed lightly at Sibuna round his mouthful. "And maybe that's a good idea..." He tapped the knife handle against his wrist thoughtfully, crimson eyes narrowed behind the glasses. "I know I'd like to know more about my little guy, and to be honest it'll do me no harm to know about the others. After all, while he's growing up, he'll want to understand more about the others, since they are the only ones who'll likely understand his situation."
He took another mouthful, the wisp balancing on the end of the wand leaning close to his ear in a tiny draught, or perhaps through affection. ----TBC----
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:54 pm
 "Don't stay up too late..."
Daniel attempted to uncrick his neck from the small screen he was staring at, but was hampered as his fiancee leant sleepily on his shoulder, peering over with interest at his search results. Kel blew a piece of bright red hair from her face, attempting not to yawn as her eyes flicked over the notes and pictures that were strewn over the desk.
"When I said I'd lend you my mythology books it wasn't so you'd spend all night poring over them," she said with a small laugh. "Come up soon?"
Daniel leant back with a smile, catching her arm as she turned round and fixing her with an amused blue stare.
"I won't be late, so don't get jealous of my little wand, huh?"
"As if," Kel retorted cheerfully, turning with a flick of her hair. "Night!"
As the redhead left Shiroko looked up from her neat sitting position on the floor, hands neatly in her lap, nearly disappearing in the thick cream sleeves of her jumper. Several wires trailing from her ear and up to the small screen that was propped on the small desk. The room was warm and yellow, the curtains drawn on the night and lights quite dim except for the one on the desk, which gilded the silvery persocom's hair and features with an odd golden glow.
"I found another article," she announced, eyes mirrored but her voice excited. "This one's about the Japanese phoenix."
Sitting back in his chair properly, the shapeshifter perked up, running one hand back through his short brown hair and leaving it in unruly spikes. "Let's see?"
On the desk beside him, clear of the scribbled papers and stacked books, the wand lay quietly, feathers moving in an unseen heat breeze, the wisp curled round the top. Little sparks flickered in the depths, and Daniel smiled fondly, one hand going to unconsciously curl around it, protecting it from draughts and harm.
He had already ascertained that it was, beyond a doubt, a phoenix's soul trapped within the cinnamon-smelling smooth wood that made up the wand. But what kind of phoenix?
Earlier that evening Daniel had sat down to do a bit of research through his mate's books, her study of ancient civilizations quite handy in this situation. But the more he looked, the more he found... Shiroko had become curious also and had been sitting beside him, her persona today the innocent child rather than the cynical laceclad girl. It was a change from the normal, to have the normally distant computer-girl excited about something for once. She had at once offered to look on the internet for him; after much tinkering and something about randomising IPs (he hadn't understood a word) she had announced that she would not be found immediately be hooking up to the system, at least if she stayed on for no more than four hours. And she could find and process data a lot faster than Daniel simply trailing through sites himself.
He glanced down at his notes for a moment, eyes flicking over what he had already discovered.
Solar eclipse - a sunbird's wings?
Egypt - The Egyptians were the first to speak of Bennu, which later became the Phoenix in Greek legends. Bennu was mostly depicted as a heron, with a long straight back, a head adorned with two erect feathers, and its plumage red and golden. It was the sacred bird of Heliopolis, city of the Sun, where it stayed on the ben-ben stone or obelisk, inside the town's sanctuary. Its true home was however the Arabian desert; it only came back to Heliopolis to die and be reborn. Benu was associated with the Sun God Ra and with Osiris, God of the Underworld, who is said to have given the secret of eternal life to Bennu. Bennu symbolises rebirth, as it rises from its ashes like a new sun rises when the old has died. It also symbolises a new period of wealth and fertility.
Greek - In Greek and Roman legends, the Phoenix was the symbol of immortality and resurrection. It was associated with the Sun god. Its name "Phoenix" is the Greek word for "red," which links this magical bird to fire and the sun. It is said to resemble an eagle or a peacock. The Greek believed that the Phoenix lived in Arabia. At dawn, each morning, it sung a beautiful song, so beautiful that the Sun god would stop his chariot to listen. The Phoenix is a unique bird, there may only exist one at a time, which makes it a solitary bird. It does not reproduce, which adds to its loneliness, as only its death will bring on another of its race. When it feels its end approaching, it builds a nest with the finest aromatic woods, sets it on fire, and is consumed by his own flames. From the pile of ashes, a new Phoenix arises, young and powerful. It then embalms the ashes of its predecessor in an egg of myrrh, and flies to the city of the Sun, Heliopolis, where he deposits the egg on the altar of the Sun God.
Staring at the small screen in front of him where Shiroko had helpfully displayed the article, he squinted through his glasses and began to read and note.
Japanese - The firebird of Japan was known as Ho-oo, and represents fire, the sun, justice, obedience, and fidelity. It only appears as the herald of a new age and very rarely. It nested in a beautiful parasol tree with much foliage around. Most enchanting song of any bird, and gorgeous multicoloured plumage.
He scribbled an extra note.
However this one appears not to have been a solitary sun creature, but was a symbol of love and there were both male and female?
He drew two lines underneath, and then reached over to stroke the wand beside him absently before continuing.
In conclusion -
Phoenix themes
-----------------
- Fire
- Sun
- Beautiful (vain?)
- Likes beautiful surroundings
- Wealth, fertility
- New life, rebirth
Contrasts - a loner, or wedded bliss? Must find out more when Bennu comes out.
His hand stopped as he realised something. Without thinking, during the course of this research, he had named the small phoenix soul. He knew it was male, or at least felt it very strongly; and the name... just fit somehow.
He picked up the wand carefully in both hands, and held it in front of him, the hovering wisp emitting vague curiousity. Daniel smiled.
"You don't mind if I call you Bennu, little one? It fits so well..."
Shiroko looked up surprised, breaking off her scan-search. The man had said that with such tenderness; she wouldn't have been surprised if he tried to hug it, but that might be a little impossible, it being as insubstantial as it was. Good grief, this was her tough shapeshifting rescuer? Come to think of it, he was tolerant of Althalus and the other children that Kel kept around.
"Right! I'm going to bed, I think," the man pushed long legs away from the desk and stood up, the wand cradled in one arm. Shiroko blinked, and unhooked the wire carefully.
"You're leaving the books everywhere?"
"Why not." Daniel winked. "I'll tidy in the morning. Goodnight, Shiroko, and thanks for your help, huh? I'm sure Bennu thanks you too..."
And with that he padded out into the hallway, leaving a thoroughly bemused persocom surrounded by books and notes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 2:55 pm
 10th March Loud, violent screams were coming from the headquarters - not exactly a pleasant sound for any outsider. Anyone who knew Ianna and Coailiann, however, knew that it was a fairly common thing.
Coailiann was throwing yet another tantrum and trying to make Ianna's brains explode with the shrill noise.
"Coailiann Umbridge! You stop tha-" narrowly she dodged a toy being levitated at her, "GAH! COAILIANN!"
"NO! NO NO NO NO NO! NO!" she screamed, picking up one of her stuffed toys and throwing it, rather forcefully (at least, for a three year old) at her mother, "NOO!"
Ianna made her way through the obstacle course of flying inanimate objects to grab her daughter, pinning her arms to her sides. Not that that would help - her levitation skills, when angry, were far better than normal. And she was promptly hit in the back of the head with, you guessed it, an apple.
"Coailiann, MALEN is moving in. He loves you, you hear? He loves us. You LIKE Malen."
Coailiann stopped throwing things around and sniffled, green eyes filling with tears, "No share. Del bad."
Ianna sighed, "Del isn't bad. And she didn't touch your things, she was LOOKING at them. You need to learn to share."
"NO!"
It went on like that for a good hour. Ianna was about ready to cry.
---------------
"Um... is this a bad time?" Daniel hesitated in the entrance way, hand on the wand looped at his belt, the wisp twining slightly around his fingers for protection from flying apples. He stood uncertain, poised to go.
He had actually been packed off here this morning by his fiancee, who'd told him to 'get out of the house' while she was writing; he forgave her the peevishness, since he knew she had an assignment to complete for her doctorate, but still, he did feel a bit... belligerent. Pacing moodily about the streets outside, for some reason the wisp became... anxious. He knew it couldn't really all be emotion from the little soul, some of it was bound to be his subconscious; but he hadn't visited in a while, and so had resolutely stepped through the portal in the dusty old room.
And happened across flying apple chaos.
----------
Coailiann stopped her movements at another, unfamiliar voice. It gave Ianna the opening she needed to pick her up in her arms and whisper fiercly in her ear, "Do that one more time and you'll never seen an apple again and I'll give Del all your toys, got it?"
Coailiann whimpered rather loudly but went lax in her mother's arms. Ianna didn't say things she didn't mean, she had learned. Not good to make her mad.
Ianna let out a breath of relief as she went to the couch and set the now very tired sidhe child on the cushions, "No, it's fine. Coailiann just found out that my..uh...friend is moving in," a small nod of her head.
They hadn't exactly discussed what they were. So she couldn't much say "My Boyfriend" now could she? It wouldn't be completely true. And that was never a good thing - Ianna didn't like to lie.
"Needless to say, she doesn't like the idea of having to share me or her toys with his daughter. Please, come in. It's been a while since I've seen you, Daniel."
--------------
"For which I apologise," and Daniel smiled slightly as he came in further. He shrugged his heavy overcoat onto the sofa, carefully to mind the wand and its hazy occupant; it was cold outside today, but in here warm enough for his shirtsleeves. Pushing his glasses up his nose briefly, he came a bit closer, a smile crossing his face.
"Well, you've certainly seemed to grow, little miss," he commented, more to Ianna than Coailiann herself. "And able to levitate things?" This was more of a question, his eyebrows tilted curiously as he sat down on the sofa opposite, moving the wand easily across his lap, yet still in the belt loop.
--------------
"No need to apologize. Life gets the best of us thrown into things," Ianna said, making herself comfortable on the couch. Coailiann, wanting to snuggle, crawled into her lap and rested her head on her mother's chest, "I see, so after trying to kill me with projectile objects you want love. Being a mother really is a thankless job."
Coailiann smiled a little bit and turned her head to look at Daniel again, "Hi!"
Ianna shook her head, "Unfortunately, yes, she can. And herself, which makes it hell on me to keep her in the playpens or cribs anymore. I've just about given up..." she trailed off and closed her eyes, "What about you? What have you been up to?"
-------------
It shouldn't really have surprised him, seeing as he'd been told that these little souls were from magical beings, but Daniel still blinked. Perhaps Bennu might be able to do the same...
"Me? The same, I guess... a little wisp came out of the top of the wand a little while ago," and he unlooped it, hand cupped around the misty sentience in case of stray breezes. "And I've been doing a hell of a lot of research." He grinned, leaning back on the sofa and stretching his spare, silver scar-laced arm along the top of it. "If it's a boy, which I have this weird feeling it is, I'm going to name him Bennu. If he doesn't like it he can always tell me another name when he can speak..."
Remembering that Coailiann had just done that, he waggled his fingers at her. "And hi to you too, miss."
--------------
"Research is good," Ianna said with a smile, cuddling her now very tired daughter close to her. Coailiann simply drooped and closed her eyes, finding the new stranger a little dull now.
That, or she was just very tired. Ianna had a feeling it was a mix of the two. Coailiann tended to get bored of new things rather easily. Which made it hell to get her toys.
"I like the name, and I'm sure it will to, if it's a boy. What if it's a girl, though?"
--------------
"I don't know," Daniel admitted, twirling a finger lightly around the top of the wand where it not leaned against his shoulder, the wisp hovering quietly. "I guess some kinda of variation on the name, since Bennu means phoenix.. Or maybe another version of it, like Scarlet or something." He laughed. "Did you know the word for phoenix came from 'red' in a strange language? Though thinking on it now, Scarlet's a bit too..." he fumbled for a word, "... coquettish for my tastes."
Eyes pale and curious, he stared at the little wisp that felt oddly happy/content for a while, before he realised he was neglecting the conversation, and hurriedly turned his attention back to the host.
--------------
"No, I didn't know that. I guess you learn new things every day, hmm? You think I would have, considering all my studying for getting these things..." Ianna gave a little shrug and shifted on the couch, pushing her glasses further up on the bridge of her nose.
Damn things had a liking for annoying her that way.
"No, Matilda, I do...Ugh. Matilda wants to know if that fiance thing of yours is going to want a wand because...." she paused as if getting the rest of it, "Because she...What? Shut up, Matilda...Nevermind, Daniel."
Matilda seemed to be a little on the crack-smoking side of things lately. It probably had something to do with a good chunk of soul missing from her - but that was no excuse!
Coailiann made a little sound of discontentment and shifted, punching at Ianna to try and make her fluffier.
"OW! Coailiann!"
------------------
Daniel could do nothing but blink at the thought of the harried Kel with a wand as well. He pictured her mentally, Laurel clinging to one leg, Althalus attemtping to climb up her back for a ride and Alex and Shiroko bickering behind her, all whilst trying to coax a wisp from a wand. The image was so bizarre he let out a small cough of laughter, unluckily coinciding with Ianna's disgruntled exclamation as the toddler on her lap punched her sleepily.
"Uh - oop... sorry," he apologised, an unsuccesfully checked grin spreading across his face, revealing slightly pointed canines. "I'm not laughing at you..."
-----------------
Ianna, nursing a new forming bruise, just laughed softly, "Didn't think you were, though it wouldn't be a surprise. Constantly laughed at because it doesn't bother me, see," Ianna lifted her head to look at him and sighed, "I think Coailiann needs to go to obediance school."
Had the toddler not been asleep, Ianna would have earned yet another punch. It was clear that while sweet most of the time, she did...have a little problem with her temper. Not a good thing for someone with psychic-like powers.
Not good at all.
"So what brings you around here, hmm?"
----------------
Daniel wisely left the subject of obedience be, judging by the vaguely harried expression on the woman's face.
"Me? Er..." he shrugged expressively, a little apologetic. "To be honest, I've been told to keep out of the way while something's going on, and I was wandering around town when this little thing," he turned to smile absently at the wisp-like soul, "somehow reminded me that I haven't been back here for a while. Well," he amended quickly, "back here and spoke to you again. I've met so many other guardians though... I didn't realise your... Matilda," he remembered the name, "was so busy... it must be hell on your schedule," and he scratched the back of his head with a sympathetic grin.
------------
"Yeah. Tell me about it. The Drowish people aren't exactly friendly to surface dwellers in the least bit and...Well everywhere else is just killer on your back," she smiled weakly and took a deep breath, "Normalacy is a luxary I guess I cannot afford, eh?"
Her hands gently stroked her daughter's head, earning a soft, contented sigh from her. At least she was an angel while she slept.
"I hope you and the other guardians got along well?"
----------
"Drowish? Was that where the newest wand came from?" Daniel blinked. From where he came from, drow were related to vampires, and hence one of the most terrible enemies one could face... He shook his head differently. Things were different down here in the city, and he had to learn that. With difficulty he focused on the question he had been asked.
"And yes, the other guardians I've met are all perfectly nice people... I reckon I know Patrick a little better than the others, but really, it's been difficult to drop by," he confessed, tapping the wand lightly against his shoulder.
----------
"I had to go into the underdark to get the newest wand. Almost got caught, too. Narbondel." she gave a shudder, "Worst experiance of my life, and I swear if Matty makes me do anything like that again, I'm quitting."
It seemed the woman heard her and was speaking to her, because Ianna was scowling again, "Fine. Have it your way. I hate you, Matty," there was a long pause and Ianna laughed, her face cheering a little bit.
At least their spats didn't last too long, "Yes, Patrick. He's actually become one of my good friends. Yashima and Coailiann actually get along pretty cutely....Amazingly enough. Coailiann doesn't share very well."
------------
"Yashima is a cute little bugger," Daniel agreed, looking curiously at the little girl now sleeping on Ianna's lap. "And you know, Coailinn looks so peacfeul and sweet at the moment... if I hadn't seen the flying apples, I wouldn't have believed what you just said." He laughed lightly. "But that's not a bad thing. All kids are a bit like that, I think. Althalus is the worst for it... one of Kel's little charges," he explained, brushing his short brown hair away from his face irritably. He probably needed it cut again.
"He take just about anything from another child, just for the fun of the taking. Now that's really troublesome." He laughed depreciatingly.
-----------
"Malen's daughter, Del, only so much as LOOKED a Coailiann's stuffed toys and she threw a major tantrum. If that's not troublesome, I don't know what is..." She smirked, "Matilda had no such problems. The only time she threw a fit was when someone touched her spell books."
That had been rather scary, raising Matilda, though. A five year old speaking with perfect and correct sentences and acting like a twenty year old. It was creepy.
"It sounds like your house is pretty full, hmm?"
------------
"A little," Daniel admitted, shifting slightly on the sofa. "To be honest, when I moved here, I hadn't realised this town's inhabitant's propensity... to become guardians to little ones," and he smiled ruefully. "I thought it was strange that Kel had so many little ones, and now here I am adding to the chaos. I've only been here a few years... I should have expected it sooner, huh?" He laughed. "Here's hoping I don't let this little guy down..."
-----------
"Yeah, I have been stuck with two, and I've lived here all my life. It helps that I rarely leave the house anymore, or I swear this place would be crawling with kids. Which, you know, wouldn't be so bad with all the room we have....Except for one small fact. I'd lose the little sanity I have left....Anyway, I think I should go put Kay down in her crib for a nap. If I don't, she ends up drooling all over me..."
Ianna stood up slowly, careful not to wake the half-asleep Coailiann up. She was hell to get back down.
-----------
"And that is always something to be avoided," and Daniel stood up as well, the wand still in his hand but cradled carefully. He smiled. "Perhaps it would be wise for me to come back another time, and not disturb you." He swept a little bow, like the well-brought up noble he was, and then grinned impishly.
"Good luck with any more wand finding, and thanks for the chat!"
He slotted the wand neatly into its holder and picked up his coat again, not wanting to impose.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 3:42 pm
It was before sunrise, and Dafriel stood in front of the window, elbows leaning on the window sill. The waning moon was still visible in the paling twilight that heralded the entrance of the day; he watched it impassively, thoughts dull but unable to keep his eyes off the lunar light that ruled his life.
To be honest he had things to thank for it; he would never have met the twins, never have changed his way of thinking, never have had to flee to Barton. Never have bitten Kelinor.
He turned, chin resting on his hands as he looked behind him. The redhead still slept, hair spilling across the pillow, fist uncurled against the sheet, mouth slightly open. His ice blue gaze softened slightly as he realised it had been a year and a half since that event. And almost a year since he'd been living here.
That thought jolted him slightly; a year? Was it really that long? His brows furrowed, and he turned back to stare at the moon once more, head propped on scar-laced arms as the sky continued to pale. High above it was still a deep, dark night blue; but around the horizon yellows and greens had begun to shimmer, like the northern lights in his own country.
He shifted his thoughts to that other body that shone in the sky. He was attuned to the moon; according to his research, wasn't little Bennu attuned to the sun? He blinked slightly at the irony, and looked sideways to where the wand lay across it's stand, wisp curling back up and across the warm, cinnamon-smelling wood in the pose that Daniel had named 'sleeping'. His gaze turned fond, and he stepped over to the stand, picking it up gently.
"Hey Bennu," he whispered, keeping quiet so as not to wake the room's other occupant. "Want to come watch the sunrise?"
He returned to his station at the window, one hand wrapped around the body of the wand, other shielding the small wisp protectively from any stray breezes. Indeed, he felt fiercely responsible for the little being; he'd never expected the responsibility, that was certain, but he'd been won over by that tiny, tickling consciousness that emanated from the wisp. He was now resolute in his task of coaxing it from its prison; he didn't know how it had been put there, but he knew it was wrongly.
The horizon began to glimmer with red and gold streaks, staining the few clouds that streaked the sky in shades of cherry blossom and lavendar, the sky around turning a paler pink. Sunrises were paler than sunsets, Daniel noted with a little smile. It was strange, how you notice things like that sometimes...
At first he thought it was just his imagination supplying suitable sound effects. But as the liquid golden shimmered in its sudden appearance above the horizon, an unearthly little tune soared around him, notes tumbling down scales and then climbing back up into the air, falling in eerie melody that was haunting, yet beautiful. Daniel drew in his breath a little, and tightened his grip on the wand, as the morning sunrise bathed him in firey light.
As if in response to this baptism of sunlight the small wisp shuddered slightly, and Daniel turned his head immiedately, concern in his soft tone. "Bennu, are you alright? Don't worry, I'm here for you..." His pale blue eyes reflected orange and gold. "I'm always here for you."
And his words were a release, and the wisp threw off a bright glow suddenly, increasing, billowing, coalescing. The wand floated unresistantly from his hand, the cinnamon wood shrinking in size, the feathers twirling wildly in the sudden heat and energy. Small, ghostly smoke-formed hands wrapped tightly around the prison, the colour of fire with crimson and ash flecks deep within the semiopaqueness of the swirling substance. The sembelance of a head turned towards Daniel as the glow faded slightly, and a slight sound could be heard, a real sound, not a mental one. A baby's voice, one that sounded uncertain, one that could break into laughter or tears at the wrong response.
The shapeshifter swallowed, and carefully put his arm around the floating little ghost-child, though he dared not touch it, insubstantial as wind and ashes. But it seemed to take comfort from the thought, and brought a hand up to its mouth, gurgling slightly as the sun fully cleared the horizon, the firey colour turning to a brighter gold as the day began.
"Good morning, Bennu," said the man, awed at what he had just observed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:33 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:48 pm
 3rd April Daniel hummed quietly to himself as he sat on the sofa, hand scribbling away on the notepad on his lap. Beside him, Bennu snuggled into the side of his leg, ghostly head leaning on Daniel, body stretched as much as a baby could on the soft surface. The shrunken wand was clasped in one snoozing wrist, and trailing smokelike wings and tail glowed a warm orange against the material of the sofa.
Daniel placed his left hand absently on the baby ghost's head for a moment before using it to push his glasses back up his nose. It certainly was quieer here for getting his thoughts all in order.Malen walked into the lobby fromthe hallway, spying Daniel he smiled.The man had a baby ghost that was terrified of Kishi which meant if they stayed a while she could finnally socialise. It was hard from where he stood to tell exactly what the other man was writing so he cleanred his throat to announce his presence. Having sensed another ghosts presence kishi had no issues about venturing forward unannounced. However upon sighting the resting ghost she huffed and settled to the floor to wait for her father.Daniel looked up suddenly, hair falling across his face until he brushed it away hastily and smiled.
"Hey there," and he resisted adding a name to the end of the greeting because he was not entirely sure that he remembered it correctly.
Meanwhile on his lap Bennu's head suddenly rose, peering about curiously as he sensed the presence of another. Floating slowly upright the baby ghost peered over the back of the sofa, concetration fixed curiously on the purple-tinged babu ghost on the floor.Malen smiled "I hope we're not interuppting you, I was just bored and with Ianna out I get lonely since I haven't got clue what Kishi is babbling to me in my head half the time." Malen figured the man probaly dealt with the same problems and knew the frustration it could cuase when tryignti decipher if they wanted food, cuddling, you to go away. " I'm Malen incase you've forgotten the one who doesn't bite unless you're an attractive girl" Kishi waved the hand with her small winged wand and then floated upwards.Bennu squeaked in alarm and then curiousity in Daniel's mind, before gurgling slightly and floating above the sofa to perch precariously on the sofa back, wand flailing slightly and echoing Kishi's movements. The firey smoke of his wings flared for a moment, before settling quietly.
"No, you're not interrupting," Daniel's voice held a note of cheerfulness as he yawned and stretched his arms above his head, careful not to dislodge the baby ghost. "And I remember now, Malen.. from the library? I'm Daniel," and he smiled, revealing slightly pointed canines for a moment.Kishi waved both arms this time and flexed her own wispy wings in pleasure.Malen smiled and extended a hand " I remeber you." Considering that there was giant variety ofof species on gaia he was none too surprised to see canine features on the other man. While he himself was perfectly normal he feline contacts which seemed to sooth the people he met becuase they mistook him for yet another oddity on gaia not a rare normal human with no extrordinary powers. Putting his notebook to the side, Daniel hurriedly got up to shake the man's hand. He hesitated only an instant; all vaguely feline-featured people did not have to be felus. He was safe for now, surely. At least in this part of Gaia. It had been.. months now since the last assassin came.
He smiled brightly and shook the man's hand before sitting back down, peering at the young baby ghost that Bennu's happy gurgles were aimed at, though it was his head they echoed in.
"What a pretty colour," he said warmly. "This one's yours, isn't it? I don't think I ever caught his, or her, name?"
Bennu clapped silent wispy hands and floated gently down off the sofa back, wand held carefully. He didn't meet many others that had been trapped like him.. Malen smiled "Her name is Kishi and she's a Succubus. Who is your little one? Based on his coloring and the flameyness I'm guessing he's some variation on a the pheonix?" For a moment Malen had sensed tension from the other man but it had quickly passed so he made no mention of it.
Still curious Kishi extended the bat winged tip of her wand intending the pokethe other solid being."A little girl huh?" He couldn't remember what a succubus was for a moment, and then blinked. "Ah.. uh.. isn't that a little dangerous?" He peered over at the little ones, and the wand poking that was going on.
"And yes, that's my little Bennu... a phoenix." He laughed. "Easy enough to guess, huh?"
The flamefeathered wand tip quickly came out to parry the other, but the baby ghost that was Bennu jumped slightly as they came into contact and withdrew it suddenly. He didn't like the slightly sticky feeling, something static.. he hugged the wand tightly to himself, and burbled quietly.Malen nodded " Yes well so is that butterfly woman's Drow considering the spider on top of it's wand so don't feel bad.technically by looks most peopel would probably assumed Kishi's wand ment vampire." Kishi shivered and pulled her wand back to her, the sensation had been weird and not exactly pleasent."Yes, but succubus are well.. only dangerous to guys, right? Will you be safe - uh." He laughed suddenly, embarassed. He scratched the back of his neck and continued. "I guess. you'll have thought about that kind of thing. Like.. I hope Ben won't be burning me, though I'm sure he won't..."
The latter, if his ghostly features could be made out, smiled cautiously. Still hugging the wand tightly to himself, he floated up a bit, and extended one vaporous arm towards where the two men were talking. The gesture was unmistaklebly (to Kishi) 'that one yours?'
"I'm not sure I'm ready for a self-combusting baby." Daniel laughed suddenly. "I just hope that's not part of what he becomes right away, huh?"
He turned slightly, and peered at the ornate looking clock that graced the main lobby of the headquarters. Blinking pale eyes behind his glasses, he looked back apologetically.
"Ah... I didn't realise quite what the time was. And my fiancee asked me to buy some groceries before I returned..." The 'shifter made a small face. "My apologies..."
Bennu clapped his hands lightly, and a burbling laugh whispered on the wind. They each had a someone, that was good... in fact his one was heading over this way? The baby ghost tilted his head and then flailed little hands down at Kishi as he was taken up in Daniel's arms.---TBC---
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:03 pm
 Living with a being that only burbles loudly in your head and appears to only whisper to others is.. difficult.
"Shush, shush," said Daniel worriedly, arms cradled awkwardly around the insubstantial cool firesmoke that was Bennu, wails echoing in his head. And as he walked backwards and forwards across the living room floor, the other occupants looked at him blankly. Althalus looked up from his drawing paper that he was sharing with Shiroko, and laughed.
"Bennu's shushed already, silly!" The toddler smiled widely and tucked his red pencil precariously behind his ear.
"Trust me, he's not," Daniel replied shortly, bouncing the ghost babe lightly. He wasn't quite sure what had caused the racket that Bennu was setting up, but as a rule the phoenix was normally quiet...
"Well, I can hardly hear him," said Althalus stoutly, scrambling to his feet and pattering over, one hand coming up to cling to the 'shifter's trouser leg and bandana'ed head tilted backwards curiously. So Daniel's surprise, the baby ghost in his arms quieted down for a second, his head craning downwards.
"Am I not good enough for you then, Ben?" Daniel's tone was self-depreciating but he grinned as he crouched down to bring the babe within range of the little Forgotten child. The small 'hand' not clutching the wand waved out a bit at Althalus, and the burblings quieted even more. All Althalus could hear was like a whisper on the wind, and he grinned.
"Bennu is going to be my little brother," he informed the ghostbabe importantly. "Which means you and me are going to do lots together when you become not seethrough..." His fingers curled around even smaller non-existant ones, and accidently.. passed through.
Daniel attempted to prop the almost non-existant weight of Bennu on his knee, one arm still protectively around him, and patted Althalus on the head.
"You're a good kid, Althalus. Stay that way, okay?"
The Forgotten smiled, and nodded cheerfully, before going back to where Shiroko sat patiently, pencils held idly in laceclad hands. The persocom raised one small eyebrow at the phrase, and fixed Daniel with a piercing look; but she said nothing, and Althalus continued drawing, and Daniel stood upright again, cradling a much quieter Bennu. Kel had said Althalus was destined to be a thief, a deciever, unless he fought hard against it; while he was still a toddler, he showed these traits rarely. Hopefully.. he'd be as good a big brother to Bennu as he promised.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:03 pm
Another Flaming Wand?18th April Daniel wasn't quite sure just what to do with the little baby ghost. The flamecoloured wisps of his hands were clenched tight around the tiny wand that remained, and his mind emotion was that of sulking. What had he done wrong now to the babe? Sighing, the tall man rolled upright on the sofa where he had been sitting in the headquarters, attempting to remember how to fold paper birds for Bennu's amusement. After a brief acknowledgement... the sulk.
"Look, this one flies," said Daniel exasperatedly, making the clumsy origami flap its wings.Nephrenia walked into the main room of the headquarters, wand at her side as always a light smile on her face and sat down on the couch next to the man that was almost visibly desperate to get the whisps concetrated attention. She smiled and took the wand from her side waving it near the baby ghost "hey baby, wanna meet a freind?" Daniel had sensed the woman immediately and turned his head to watch her walk in, torn between politely standing up and continuing his quest for Bennu's good books. As she sat down however with the wand, he realised she was a fellow guardian, and shuffled over to let her sit down more easily, pale eyes gauging Bennu's reaction. He grinned at the other as the baby ghost appeared to blink, and floated a little more upright, vaguely curious at the other wand.Neph smiled "He's like all babies, show him something on fiare and he'll love you forever" She threw a wink at the baby moving the wand closer so that it might interact with the wand, "I've been sensing her more often now, enough to see that she is indeed a she. What is yours?"
Daniel laughed. "Perhaps this little boy is more intrigued with fire than most." He pushed his glasses back up his nose with one finger, and grinned slightly. "This is my little Bennu, a phoenix spirit. And my name is Daniel, Miss...?""Nephrenia Delaterre, It's a pleasure to meet you Daniel, And this little girl here is Ryvan, or at least thats what I have taken to calling her, I am horrible at naming children, as evidenced by my teenager Trinket." She smiled again "A pheonix, that is amazingly interesting. I can't wait to see what the boy looks like as a child, beautiful as his guardian prehaps?" Daniel blinked again in surprise before leaning back and laughing a little at the comment. Well, that was a first. "If he ends up like me, he'll be as ugly as sin," and the tone was fond as he rescued the floating babe and curled him into one arm. The little arms still flailed curiously at the wand, even though Bennu had learnt that he never wanted to touch another wand.
"And are you a new wand guardian, Miss Delaterre?" He smiled charmingly, the slightly pointed canines flashing for a moment.Nephrenia smiled at the man "Yes I am very new I confess, so I know nothing near what I would like to about the wands or their lifespans." Her smile turned into a smirk "And you should be so disparaging about your looks I know plenty of women who would bed you in an instant, I may not be one of them but still." Neph just liked flirting far too much, she was happily engaged yes but there was nothing wrong with flirting so long as everyone understood nothing would come of it Daniel returned the smirk easily. "I think my fiancee would quite easily rip my throat out if I did do such a thing, so I'm afraid it doesn't come up very often, Miss Delaterre." He looked at her appraisingly before returning a curious glance to her wand. "And of your Ryvan? I would say she is connected to fire as well, no doubt?""Most likley she is I don't know much about her, except for her name that is." THe woman laughed lightly "As for your fiancee, if he or she truly loves you they wouldn't kill you, prehaps make you sleep on the floor but not kill you." Neph smiled remembering spending nights on the floor when Umbra was pissed "Depends on the time of month, Miss Delaterre." He grinned. At least he did not have to cope with both PMS and PLS at the same time. That probably would have got his throat torn out on a full moon night, even if it was against Kel's better judgement. He leaned back, the ghostly burblings of Bennu floating in the air between them. He was highly intrigued by this other soul, connected as it was to fire, and had ceased his sulking for certain.Nephrenia laughed "True enough, a time for sure for me to be grateful my mistress is kind for the most part." She looked at the wands happily, "well they do seem to be getting along well don't htey?" "Most certainly, if one can tell how a wand and a spirit can get along from our outside view." He tilted his head with an easy smile, Bennu settling down slightly against his blue-sleeved arm. "I had to do a bunch of research on little Ben, but only really after I remembered what that ig book had said and after he had emerged a little from the wand."Neph tried hard to remember what the book had said and failed miserably, "I'm afraid I cannot remember what the book said about the wand." A sigh and she slumped down into the corner of the couch looking pensive. Daniel looked thoughtful for a moment. "I'm sure if you asked Ianna she would either let you see, or get her voice in her head to remember... wait, I think it's called Matilda." He looked guilty for a moment at forgetting the name; he'd been around this headquarters long enough, he should remember. "Or rather she. The one who found these wands," and he gestured to the small wand that still lay within the loosely curled grip of wisplike fingers."Oh, I'll have to do that, prehaps when I offer Malen my son's services as a babysitter, he adores the wands and whisps and babies, especially Kishi, I swear that boy should have children of his own." Neph seemed completley oblivious of the fact that she had changed the topic and she was indeed, oblivious. ---TBC--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
