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 Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:49 am
All this time I can't believe I couldn't see
Kept in the dark but you were there in front of me
I’ve been sleeping a thousand years it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything
Without a thought
Without a voice
Without a soul
-- "Bring me to life" - Evanescence Surrender maskedquerade Memi looked at the door. It looked like an ordinary door. Actually, kinda like her house's front door. Maybe there was someone who told the doors how they should look. It sounded boring. But the place was special, she knew. It was something she felt in the pit of her stomach when she couldn't eat--she'd felt it for a week. But her mother wouldn't let her out of the house. It's too dangerous she'd say. What if something happens and I'm not there to help?Memi was confident she could face whatever was behind the door. She pushed the door open, peering around it curiously and unafraid. Zero Dream Oddly enough, the second she had gone in, another turned the corner. The teenager looked lost, in the huge sweater that the was wearing and rolling the sleeves off in nervousness, in the location, and in overall everything. She stopped in front of the same door, trying not to trip on the legs of her faded-out jeans that where a bit too long for her, and also worn by the constant motion of being walked on. Was it there ? Yes, it was, no doubt. The call... this melody came from here. Silent, she pushed the door and entered as well. Draconayzia A soft rustling sound came from nearby, a glint of light off a wing. The rustling sounds continued, apparently someone or something at work just out of sight around the bend. maskedquerade Memi turned and looked at the older girl who had entered behind her. "Hello, I'm Memi. What's your--" There was a rustle from the next room. She looked over her shoulder, and then looked at the older girl. Memi hadn't seen enough of her to know who was supposed to be the leader, but if she didn't investigate soon, Memi would go it alone. Zero Dream Zero barely had the time to blink before she noticed both the child and the form. The rational, scientific part of her mind told her it was stupid... a scientific impossibility, she was imagining things with this strange song, she was about to make a fool out of herself... But the other part of her glanced at the child. She didn't seem to belong there either - she didn't seem to know. Slowly going ahead and gently putting her hand in the child's own, more for her own comfort of knowing she was somehow not alone, for the comfort of a physical contact she had not felt in a long time, than for relative safety for now, as there did not seem to be anything dangerous. Thus, she peeked a bit. "...Hello ?" She called, through what she had intended to come in a normal tone somehow came out choked into a whisper. Draconayzia The sounds continued from the further room a scent of herbs wafting through the corridors. The wing flashed into view again with a wave of lavender scent. Clinking sounds and soft humming could be heard now too. The voice was just a touch too sweet to be human, too perfectly in tune. maskedquerade "C'mon!" Memi dragged the nameless older girl behind her toward the song. Memi was very curious, and a bit reckless--her mother had always been exhausted herself chasing after her through playgrounds and the house. "Hello!" Memi said cheerfully, loudly, as she rounded the corner, looking for the source of the song and scent. Zero Dream The older girl let out a meep of surprise, but oddly didn't do anything to stop Memi from dragging her off, as if her mind was somewhere else, focused on something else. The strange music... it was getting closer and closer... Draconayzia The humming stopped when the child called out. "Yes?" The voice had a sweet lilt to it. As they entered the room it became apparent it was a kitchen, a woman standing near a burner, a few leaves of herb in her hand. The wings furled against her back and out of the way, light glinting off the indigo feathers. Kind lilac eyes looked at the new comers. maskedquerade "Hello," Memi repeated, smiling. "I'm Memi, and this is..." It suddenly dawned on her that the girl hadn't actually told her her name. She nudged the older girl gently. She was so shy... Zero Dream The nudge, thankfully, snapped her out of her distraction, and she fully noticed just who they where facing. She was JUST getting used to people with wings, but this was still a little too much. But then she seemed to understand what she was supposed to do. "Gomen nasai ! Watashi wa- no, wait..." The sentence ended in a mutter, noticing that she had reverted to her native language in her nervousness. Wasn't this just starting to well ? "I mean... I'm sorry, my name is Zero..." Draconayzia A momentary look of confusion passed when the language switched from Japanese to English but then the woman smiled. "Welcome, I am Beryl. What draws you to the Edelsteine shop?" maskedquerade " 'Cuz it's here," Memi said with a grin. "And I wanted to be here. So why not?" Memi looked at the winged odd-colored woman with interest. "So why do you look like that? Most people I know don't have skin out of a crayon box. Was it magic or were you born that way?" Zero Dream Zero cringed just sightly, hoping the woman would not find offense, or else they would most likely be in deep poop. "Ano... I have no idea." She admitted. She's already humiliated herself, it didn't really matter now... Even if I just sounded so silly. "...For about a day, I've been hearing some kind of music... It... seems to come from here. I am deeply sorry if I interrupted something..." At least she could console herself that, through history, about all the geniuses were a bit toc toc... Draconayzia "The color suits me and changes to my moods. That's why I'm this color."
She chuckled a bit and listened. "Then you've both been called. Look in your pockets, perhaps you already have it with you and are merely looking for an aide for this step..." maskedquerade "Oh." Memi blinked, and considered this for a moment. "Neat! Do you think you could teach me how?" She glanced around the room, taking in all the interesting things scattered around the room. She let go of Zero's hand and approached Beryl. "Can I touch your wings? I don't have any," she said, as if it weren't completely obvious. Zero Dream Called... ? Confusion filled the teen's mind, but she obeyed, starting to turn in her pockets, accidentally spilling the contents, which considered of bubble gum, a small screwdriver, and a case of screws. Feeling her pale face turn a deep red, she threw herself on her knees to pick the whole. "Ahhh, gomen, gomen !!!" Draconayzia "Of course you can, just be gentle." smiling she knelt down so the child could look. Seeing the screws fall over the ground and the driver kit she just smiled and scooped up the ones near her. "Not to worry, it happens. And I see I was right." She held up a smooth blue gem to the light, letting it glint. "Memi, do you have a stone in your pockets?" maskedquerade "Don't think so," Memi said, patting Beryl's wings gently. "Jen has a pet bird, but his wings don't feel anything like yours." She trailed her hand across the leading edge of Beryl's wing. "What's flying like? I haven't even been in an airplane." Zero Dream The red in Zero's face did not fade, however, quickly shoving the whole in her pocket before peering up to look at the gem... And how the soft music seemed to come from it. The look on her fact was sightly priceless. If it was producing the music, and somehow was in her pocket all along, how and why did the sound had seemed to come from here and not her pocket ? Her brow furrowed just a bit in confusion and nervousness. This was so somehow ******** with the laws of physics... Sosiqui "Called?" came a lazy, impudent voice from the stairwell. "Must everyone who comes here be 'called'? Does that mean the boy who brought my Chinese food yesterday was also summoned? Shall I go and bring him back to meet his destiny?" Illumin leaned on the banister and glanced down at those gathered, his mothlike wings flapping lazily. Draconayzia "Do you now remember Calling your own or does your own "light and glory" blind the vain Light?" Beryl's tone was a bit sort.
Turning back to the duo she placed the gem in Zero's hand. "Often one will be called here to receive a gem such as this. They are rare, and extremely special. Don't mind Illumin there. Brilliant but a bit dimmer during the waking hours like any dawn." maskedquerade Memi giggled and left Beryl's side to look up the stairwell at the person on the stairwell. "Hello, I'm Memi." She seemed determined to introduce herself to as many people as possible. "But I didn't bring any Chinese..." Zero Dream Eying Memi just a bit, Zero decided to focus on what was completely puzzling her. She eyed the blue stone with equally blue eyes, finally raising them to look at Beryl's face for the first time in this conversation, driven with a scientific mind's desire to know and understand. "...But I'm sure i didn't have it before." She said. "...Special ? How so, miss ?" Draconayzia Turning back she smiled, the stone on her chest glinting as she turned, eyes smiling. "There is a goddess inside waiting to awaken. Like I was." he hand brushed the gem just below her collarbone. Sosiqui Illumin snorted, but his eyes were bright with more than their usual glow. "Foreordained providence, and all that, hmmm? Well then." He was showing off now, vaulting down the stairs with such speed that he ALMOST seemed to float in midair, and his loincloth - only worn because others tended to pout at him without it - fluttered wildly. "No Chinese? What good are you, then?" Zero Dream Gods ? Wait, no, gods didn't exist, right ? Right. Everything had a nice, scientific explanation... But when Illumin zoomed down the stairs quicker than her sight could register, she failed to come up with that scientific explanation that would have made everything okay. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she focused on Beryl again, still watching Memi by the corner of her eyes, in some kind of protecting instinct she didn't know she had. She had seen many crazy things in this world, anyway... "...And..." Her voice had choked again, but she forced it up. "...What do I have to do with all of this ?" maskedquerade "I know who I am and I'm at peace with that. Better than most people can say," Memi said with a grin. "What good are you?" she asked in reply, tilting her head slightly to one side. Draconayzia "She has a fair question, Illumin. Oh! I know, could you get that lightbulb in the corner to work? It's been flickering." The dig was deliberate, sent with a grin on her face.
Turning back to Zero she motioned to some chairs where they could sit and converse. "You were called by this one to join with her. To help her be reborn." Sosiqui Illumin spluttered. "I am Light," he said, drawing himself up to his full height and flaring his wings behind him, for dramatic effect. A soft glow suffused through his skin - not quite the wild glory he'd once held, but that would come in time. "That should be enough," he added, self-importantly. He shot a glare at Beryl. "Electric things, feh. Go call some lord of lightning for such silly trinkets." maskedquerade "Well, is it?" Memi asked. "It's pretty, but is it enough?" She held her serious demeanor for another couple of seconds, and then lapsed back to a childlike giggle and asked, "Can I touch your wings?" Zero Dream Zero's eyes widened just a bit, as she about flopped in the chair. Yes.. the laws of physics where on vacation. "...Me ?" As if there was a doubt. Her small eyes where so full of confusion, her mind so swallowed in it that she feared that she might drown. "...How am I supposed to do something like that, im not really... someone... you know... important and powerful and all that." Yes, she did not understand a thing. Draconayzia "More Dim Bulb I'd say." She whispered the sentence just loud enough to know Illumin would hear, sending a buffet of air against his wings at just the right speed to send him to his rear.
"Lord of silly trinkets? Is that who you saw for your wardrobe? I thought you were trying to pay homage to Eamnonn, my apologies." Her tone was entirely unapologetic.
"Whether or not you think yourself important, Zero, you are. Here and now. And you've been chosen to help in a rather serious task." Sosiqui Illumin jumped, then turned to send another glare in Beryl's direction, this one strong enough that... well, it almost LOOKED like eye-lasers, even though it had no effect whatsoever. Attempting to restore his bruised dignity, he turned back to Memi. "If you like," he said, graciously. It always paid to be kind to humans when their following depended on them. True, this was a bit more contact than he would allow... but then he hadn't fully reascended to his glory, had he? A bit of indulgence could be allowed. Perhaps she'd remember her brush with Light for the rest of her life, and the memory would become a shining beacon treasured until she died. Ah, yes, of course. Zero Dream Zero watched in silence, up to the point where the god of light was sent crashing on his godly behind. Must not laugh... Must not... Must not... ....SNERK !!!!!!!!!!!! Cough. "...Gomen." However, Zero sounded like she was apologetic for 3 people. "...But what am I supposed to do, lady... ? Forgive me, but I don't understand..." maskedquerade Memi gently touched his wings, marveling at the play of light across them. "They're really pretty." She brushed the surface of them with one palm, and looked up at him. "What is this task she's telling Zero about?" she asked. Sosiqui Illumin swelled under the praise, then glanced over and frowned. Oh... wait, was that a gem in that other woman's hand? Well, damn. They really WERE called. That meant they couldn't be his worshipers, too... what a shame. He shook his head sadly, then turned back to Memi. "Hmm.... well. You see that gem?" He quirked one finger in Zero's direction. "It bears a god or goddess, waiting to be reborn. Like me." He swept his hair away and indicated the gem on the left side of his neck. Draconayzia "He's right. It's up to you to help this deity be reborn. Will you?" Zero Dream That was nice and all... But no one was really answering her question. "I know that... But what am I supposed to do in order for it to happen ? I would prefer to know what will happen exactly, if you could tell me." maskedquerade "Everything about you glows," Memi said, peering at the gem, his wings, and everything about him. "So.... a person sticks a gem on them, and they become a god?" Memi looked between Beryl and Illumin critically. Sosiqui "Basically." Illumin waved one hand at the display of gems - he'd never really looked at them in any detail. Well, except that one time when he'd gloated over them, but he'd had hot sake at the time and hadn't been quite himself... really. "They're over there, but not just ANYONE can have one. They call their perfect hosts, and then eat them up. Chomp, chomp." He mimed jaws snapping together with his hands. Maybe if he could dissuade this girl from taking a gem, she would make a lovely High Priestess someday. Ooh, yes. Draconayzia "There is already a soul within the gem, just the barest trace of the deity. You should bond, combine and become one and the same. Whether the consciousness of the host remains is up the the both of you. Over time the host's soul will fall dormant, usually coddled by the deity that takes them over. All you need to do is choose a spot for the gem."
"Illumin, you will stop scaring them or I swear I will charge the Winds to knock you over on your high and mighty a** everytime you say something snide and self serving." maskedquerade "So..." Memi looked over at the display. "The gem eats you. And the gem becomes a god. Sounds weird." She walked over to the display, and peered into it. So many beautiful stones.... "Um.... are they supposed to glow?" Her attention was drawn to one stone in particular, a sharp, diamond shaped stone. She looked at it more closely, and blurted, "Can I have that one?" Zero Dream Zero felt in silence at that, in quiet reflection. If she did this, then... It meant she was giving up, that she would never be able to go home. That she would never see her father again... But another hand, she *couldn't* go back. She would have to recreate the accident, and she didn't have what she needed... And this "magic" thing that seemed so common out here couldn't do a thing for her. And well... Maybe she WAS perfect for this. Her father probably thought she was dead... And who would miss her here ? The music from the gem, however, seemed to soften a bit, become words in the corner of her ears for a split second. Do not think such things, my one, for they are false."...I don't know." She admitted. Sosiqui Illumin growled at the glowing gem. How dare it?! She was a perfectly nice girl, and while the Chinese food boy had a certain something to him (likely the scent of chow mein that hung around him, but... eh) he was not what Illumin was looking for in a worshiper. The potential for blind admiration made him quite happy and... and... damn it! He glanced warily at Beryl, then sighed. "It might want you," he admitted, making a mental note to smack the deity when it manifested. Draconayzia "There is no "might". She does." Carefully she tried the glass and found she could slip her arm through, but was only able to grasp the gem Memi had pointed to.
"Since I could not have removed this elsewise, I think it was meant to be yours." She held her palm open, gem glinting in the light as she offered it to the girl.
Looking between the girls she gave a soft sigh. "If you are unsure you may stay with me for a time." She gave a sharp whistle, almost painful. A heartbeat later little clacking footsteps could be heard running down the stairs."Yes lady?""Go get some spaces ready for guests, Arrow.""Yes, Lady." The birdboy hopped and fluttered back up the stairs to see to his goddess's needs. Sosiqui "Why are all the GOOD ones taken?" Illumin lamented. "Wait, she?" She...? Hmmmmm. Beryl was fought over so much you'd swear she was the last scrap in a kennel of starving dogs. Khiviance was... herself, and Illumin found her far too complex to be worth his time. But... this girl was already... Well, hel-LO lover."Well. Congratulations, I suppose?" Illumin tilted his head at Memi and beamed at her, literally, his face aglow with shifting light. "How does it feel, to be offered such a thing?" Zero Dream Zero winced a bit when the sound hit her ears, but calmed down a bit, and then it registered. Staying here ? It sounded oddly comforting... She didn't want to go back to her apartment now... She didn't want to stay alone right now. But then, she technically wasn't alone, she thought, glancing at the gem in her palm. The voice had faded as if it was never there, replaced by the soft hum she seemed to be the only one to hear. "...Thank you." She gave a small bow. maskedquerade Memi held out her hands for the gem, and then curled her fingers around it possessively, like she was afraid it would fly from her grasp, or someone would take it from her. She glanced up sharply at the suggestion that she could stay, and showed the first sign of uncertainty. "But... I've got to..." If she went home, Mom would take it from her. And she'd have to go back to the hospital again. And they'd probably not let her go anywhere, and probably yell at her for sneaking out... "Couch fort!" Memi ran over to the couching facing the fire, and began to take the cushions out to build the walls of her fortress of fluff. Draconayzia After sending Illumin a look that clearly told him to keep his hands to himself until later she laughed and walked over to Memi. "You know, I can make a bed for you in my spaces. Do you have family that might need to know where you are? Do you, Zero? I'll be happy to answer any questions you'd like that I can." Sosiqui Couch... fort? Illumin forced a smile onto his face again, through the confused look that temporarily took over. "What have you got to do?" he asked, casually, sliiiiding over to the couch, wings fluttering lightly with interest. Zero Dream Zero couldn't help but smile a bit, watching Memi build her fort of fluff. How could she not be worried ? Perhaps children where blessed with things like that... And perhaps she had grown entirely too fast. She let out a small sigh. "...I got no one waiting for me, miss. Beside, I don't feel like being alone right now." She admitted. maskedquerade She looked up at him and paused, one of the cushions locked in her hands. After a moment she stood up and put it back on the couch, and sat on it. She seemed to struggle for a minute, and decided on her answer. "I have to go. But I have to stay. I have so many things I have to do that I have to decide what I want to do. Does that make sense?" Sosiqui "Where do you have to go that could possibly be more important than this?" Illumin shrugged and helped peel one of the cushions off the couch. "Are not the gods more vital than anything else in this world?" Draconayzia "It makes some sense, little one. Here, put your jewel in the pouch and don't let anyone else take it from you. You were meant to have it." She took a small velvet pouch from her belt and handed it to the girl.
"Zero, you may stay with me as long as you like. You are not the first, and I doubt you will be the last." She offered the teen a warm smile, the breeze in the room becoming a faint bit warmer and tinted with the scent of lily of the valley. maskedquerade "Mom says the only important thing is to be true to yourself," she said matter-of-factly, watching Illumin intently. "And I want to do that. If a person is false to themself, are they going to be any use to a god?" Memi stared at her closed hand for a moment, and then back up at Illumin. "It feels like a heartbeat." Sosiqui "Being true is very important," Illumin said, his heartbeat quickening. Even on this they were agreed - and a good thing, too. Truth and light were intertwined at the heart. Oh, this could be wonderful indeed. Once the goddess manifested, at least. A faint poke from within, probably originating from his own former host, reminded him that for now... this was a child, really. He shouldn't get so involved just yet. Later. Rats. "I am sure you'll do fine," he reassured her, then glanced over to Beryl. "What gem is this?" Zero Dream Did the woman... the goddess, know how much all this had meant for her at this moment ? The wind around her like a warm embrace was a welcome distraction. She just wanted to sleep... Not to think about all this. Maybe it would go away then ? No, that was a childish thought. It wouldn't go away... she had to come to a decision. "I understand." She whispered a bit to herself. "...But I am conflicted in between something I probably have no chance to regaining at any rate, and this..." She continued, this time loud enough for Beryl to hear. Draconayzia "Do you need to talk to someone? I have been told I listen well." The goddess moved smoothly from the fort to the teen, wings down and out in an encompassing gesture meant to welcome and comfort.
The little girl musing over the heartbeat of the gem was rather cute. "You know, some times with the older gods and goddesses here you can hear two heartbeats from their gems. One from the host and one from the deity. You have Medicine little one. And Zero, Music." maskedquerade "Thanks Illumin, you're the best!" Memi launched herself at him, hugging him around his neck. Her hand was still closed around the gem, and the gem's pulsing could be felt through her hand, slowly adjusting to Memi's own heartbeat. Sosiqui Illumin's first act was to glance at Beryl, to make sure she wouldn't kill him. Protective creature that she was.... Then, he gently encircled the child in his arms, surprised at the pleasant feeling it caused. "You are most welcome," he said, finally. "And you are welcome to stay with me, too, should you wish," he added, calculatingly, but looking over to Beryl again. His look clearly said that he didn't mean the invitation THAT way. (You pervert. Feh.) Zero Dream Music... ? Well that explained the hum... But she pushed that at the back of her mind, forcing a smile out for Beryl. She felt like she could trust her somehow... The first being she could trust in months... "...Perhaps I do, if you would be so kind..." Draconayzia "Aside from the founders, I have been here longest I think. I have seen the others grow so I have a fair background. We can retreat to my spaces and talk if you like. And Illumin, just make sure I can check on Memi, alright?" Zero Dream Zero just nodded. "I would appreciate..." Not that she minded Memi and Illumin's presence.... It was just that she would prefer to be alone with the wind goddess for something this... personal. maskedquerade Memi leaned back a bit, and considered. "Well... I mean, that would be great, but I've already taken the couches apart..." And the couches here were incredibly comfortable. Sosiqui "You can come visit, then," Illumin said quickly, holding out the couch cushion he'd liberated. "I have a nice big room," he added. "With lots of lanterns. It's upstairs, the one with the rising sun on the doorway and the lights on either side." Sosiqui was laughing at him now. Dammit! Draconayzia "You know, Memi, I think he has a rather large selection of cushions in his room to make a fort with. And I can take care of these. The ones in his room are better." With a conspirator's wink she shooed the girl towards Light.
If you'll follow me then we can go upstairs and talk." Smiling she started for the spiral stairs, motioning for the young woman to follow. Zero Dream Zero simply nodded, following the goddess, not resisting giving out a giggle at the whole situation. maskedquerade Memi looked between Illumin and Beryl, then at the cushions. Someone was going to clean up after her? What a concept... She grinned at Beryl and called, "Thank you!" before hugging Illumin again. Sosiqui Illumin raised one eyebrow at Beryl - this was hardly expected - but was interrupted from any further attempts at conversation by another hug. My, but she was cuddly? Dammit, Medicine, he thought, then sighed again. Well. There were worse things to have, and he had to admit that the girl was amusing. And... well, snuggly. Which wasn't really all bad.... adoration WAS adoration, right? He could practically feel it strengthening him already. Draconayzia Chuckling she waved a hand and created a small flury of wind that settled the cushions back on the couch. "Come, we can talk over tea and treats. How does that sound?" She led Zero down the hall to the door that showed a stained glass storm raging on a sea. Zero Dream Zero somehow kept her jaw from hitting the ground, how, she had no idea. Maybe she was, god forbid, getting used to all this. "That would be lovely. Arigato." She nodded, still following but not going ahead into the room without Beryl's permission. It would be rude... maskedquerade Memi let go of Illumin and then looked at Beryl's back as she went upstairs. "Thanks for being nice." And he didn't even know... but would that matter to a god. Draconayzia "Come in." She opened the door revealing a room with carved ivy growing up the walls from rich cherry floors. Asian screens were set up at intervals around the room. A set of screens taller than the rest blocked off most of the room further back. The front was set up for company and sleeping guests. Leading her around the large screens a large and rather luxurious bed surrounded by white veils was the first thing to be noticed. Then a set of cushy chairs and a table set with the food and drink. Hopping off Arrow went to retrieve more bedding for the guests. Sosiqui "You're welcome," Illumin said sincerely. "Please, come up to my rooms should you have need," he repeated. "Oh, and the kitchen is over there." Zero Dream The teen followed, taken in awe by the room for a moment. The Asian screens brought a tiny sense of familiarity... It reminded her just a little bit of home, and somehow, it made everything better... Slowly, she sat, still taking in the details for a moment before finally glancing at Beryl again. "Well, I... am not from this world. I came here by accident..." Somehow, the words where flowing out like water. "...I have been told my only way to return is re-cause that accident and make the way back, but I have no way to recreate it. The technology here is not advanced enough. I would take years before I could even think of having a chance... And by then, what would be there for me ? My father probably think I would be dead... And he would not recognize a woman coming back to him as his child. My mother... I have never known her and I doubt she'll even care." She snorted, but calmed herself down. "...I know father would want me to move on... rebuild my own life, but somehow... it's so hard to let go of the hope that maybe, in 20 or 30 years I just might be able to go home..." She felt the tears coming, and tried her best to hold them back. "...I don't know anymore. I just want my father... It's only been months, but it feels like centuries." A lone tear escaped from her sapphire blue eyes, avoiding the stone in her hand by a few inches. Draconayzia The goddess moved in an instant to embrace the girl, at once motherly and strong. "If you would like I can tell you of my host. Her name is Draconayzia and her tale not so very different. Perhaps it would help?" One cool hand moved to comb the girl's hair back. A gesture both she and her host had always found comforting. Zero Dream "If you want to..." She managed to say, not moving out, even slowly undoing the braids so that Beryl would have an easier time brushing the blue hairs. The wind goddess felt so warm, she somehow felt as if nothing could hurt her now... Was it what the touch of a mother felt like ? Draconayzia "She was an odd creature, dragon's child and fairie born. A war swept her home and she was left the last of her kind, awakening years after it had fallen. She was sorrowful and found her way here. I am ashamed to admit I was rather cruel to her at first. Then I found out her past, and we talked. We became friends. She is still here, inside of me."
She flicked a hand between strokes, the braids winding loose from the wind through them as she kept up the gentle touch. Zero Dream "Wow, that..." Well, she couldn't think of anything else to say... "...really sucks." She finished, sightly wavy blue hairs falling on her shoulders as the brush went trough them. This was calming... soothing. "Next to that, I have no reason to be whining, don't I ?" She gave a small smile, trough it was a bit sad, and seemed too foreign on the face of someone who, deep down, was still a child. "It has been 6 months... father much have moved on. Mourning for so long is unhealthy... Maybe I just need to move on too, before it swallow me whole." She could bet, trough, that it wasn't the kind of "moving on" that her elder had in mind when he had spoken those words. Becoming a god... Was somehow scary, very scary. But in here she would be very useful... more useful than she would be back at home. Someone else could just pick up her research... and she just be the only one fit for this. In here, she didn't have to be a genius, she didn't need to be the best. In there, she had friends. She had Beryl... Maybe this was fate. All of this. Not everything could be explained by science... Gods where far, far over those things. Draconayzia "Yes, it really does." She chuckled a bit, voice seeming to double for a moment. "Drac agrees. Perhaps later I can dredge her up and let you talk to her. It's exhausting but sometimes needed. Both Merci and Prox needed to chat before they bonded with their chosen gods. Merci was the host for Water, Kaelin. Prolixity, Dream the one that whispers and guides. Two very kind souls. And the one in your gem seems merry enough." Zero Dream "I think so, too." She said. "...Do you hear her ? Her music, that hum. It's so... soothing." A finger traced over the gem softly. But then maybe that wouldn't be needed. Maybe her decision was already made... The talk, getting everything off her chest, had helped very much. She felt... like she belonged here. If this was fate... then so shall it be. So shall it... "I don't think you will need to." She said, softly. "...I believe things happen for a reason. Maybe I was more needed here than home, and it is the reason. Someone can take my place... If father had moved on, the only loose end I have is my research, and someone else would do as good as a job than me for this. And I... might be the only one for her. Maybe I am important..." Fingers gently curled around the smooth gem, and she brought it in front of her. She watched, as if expecting the stone to answer her silent question. And in a sense, it did, as her hand holding the stone went toward her own form and stopping inches from her skin, a few inches above her heart. "Here." She simply said, knowing somehow that Beryl would understand. Zero had made her decision. She might regret it next morning... But she, as most human, was a creature of regret. Something much bigger seemed to tell her that everything would be fine. Draconayzia "That will be a lovely spot for such a clear gem. I think you two match well and I will help you as I can." Smiling she took Zero's free hand, her own gem catching the late light glinting through the window. Zero Dream "Thank you, Beryl." This time, the smile was completely genuine. "...I don't think you have an idea how this all mattered to me..." With that, she felt into silence, and seemed to instinctively know, bringing the gem closer until it finally touched the skin there. It was only sightly cold, but that made her shiver a bit still. With only a faint glimmer, the gem's hum became a bit louder, and Zero locked her jaw to keep the yelp of pain from escaping as the skin below somehow... absorbed part of the round jewel and solidified it in place, her hand dropping aside with the shock. However, the jewel remained right where it was, the glow finally fading, as well as the hum, everything becoming silence as the gem permanently settled itself into it's new home. Draconayzia "Are you alright? Each fuse is different." Her arm went to Zero's back to support her in case she fell like Prox and Merci had. Zero Dream "I think so..." She managed, still leaning for support. The hum started again, but a tad more subtle, much like a lullaby. Thank you, my one... You must not tire yourself. Come... Sleep for this moment, young one... Let my voice carry you in the realm of the dreamer for this time... We both need it."...So tired..." She whispered, before her eyes fluttered closed, carried into sleep by the faint lullaby much like a child, a small smile on her face as she remained in Beryl's arms, out like a light.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:50 am
The Morning After Zero Dream The blue-haired teenager had not moved all day, still asleep in Beryl's room, her loose blue hairs framing her face. She looked much more like the child she was supposed to be than the adult she tried to act like... however, she was starting to slowly awaken, blue eyes slowly opening. First feeling was panic. Where was she, this wasn't her room, where was Vertigo, this wasn't... And then she remembered. She remembered the events of the last night. Her hand went instinctively to her front, stopping on the gem. ...So this hadn't been a dream... Her black hoodie was laying on the ground, as she was left only with the ample white t-shirt she had worn underneath - she had probably taken it off to fuse the jewel. Her mind was just a bit clouded on that point... What had happened ? She put the jewel on, and then... nothing. Somehow, however, she found no regret, no second thoughts, only some kind of inner peace she could not explain. She got up very slowly, crouching to take her hoodie, shake it a bit, then tied it around her waist, looking around. "...Beryl ?" Sosiqui Illumin ran his hand along the single lantern he'd sacrificed from his collection, to hang in the room he'd altered for Memi. There was a small bed in there now, just the right size, and he'd lit the wall sconces. "Do you like it?" he asked, inflating with pride at his own handiwork - well, his handiwork and the strange room's execution.
He hoped she liked it. He wanted his bed on the dais back. Anyone else would have been rousted long since, but he hadn't been able to bring himself to disturb her the night before... Draconayzia The goddess wasn't in the room, but had left a note in the girl's hand as well as one on Illumin's door.
Good morning or afternoon, whenever you might wake. There will be food and drink in the kitchen, please come down to eat.
Beryl maskedquerade "Yes," Memi said from the doorway, peering inside. A room of her own that didn't have white walls! She looked like she wanted to run inside and jump on the bed and all other sorts of silly childlike things, but restrained herself for a brief moment to say, "Thank you, Illumin. It's really great!" She flopped on the bed and bounced a bit. Comfy.... She could jump on the bed later, but now... Her stomach squealed, but she wasn't embarrassed about it at all. "Are you hungry?" Zero Dream The note had dropped down in her sleep, but it was easily spotted. Blue eyes scanned the piece of paper before folding it in her back pocket, the other hand emerging with her pack of gum, popping a piece in her mouth, and tightening the knot of the sweater around her waist, and began to slowly head downstairs, still yawning a bit. Sosiqui "I suppose," Illumin admitted. He wasn't, really... at least, he kept telling himself that bathing in the light and drinking it in should be enough, but the morph was still new enough, the body still human enough, that it made certain demands. "We can go down." Even though it was daylight, when he really preferred to bask in the sun, but... well.
When he opened the door, the note fluttered; he removed it, read it, made a face and crumpled him up. Didn't Beryl trust him to care for something in his charge? He was always quite scrupulous about tending to his chambers and to all under his care... hmph. maskedquerade "What's that?" Memi asked curiously, skipping out of the door ahead of him. She looked up at him cheerfully, her stone not clasped in a death-grip, but tucked away gently in one of her pockets. Her hand touched it through the cloth from time to time. Prolixity There were stirrings outside, footsteps and movement and faint voices, pitches he did not recognize. Revei stirred from the windowsill and padded across the layers of rugs on his floor to peer out his door curiously. Someone new? Had someone gained a disciple, or were there perhaps new hosts? And if so, who had called them? Sosiqui "Just a note from Beryl telling us where the kitchen is, but I don't need it - I already know." The way he said it, you'd have thought knowing the kitchen's location was as grand an accomplishment as finding lost treasure. "Come along."
Illumin was showing off again, and he hopped lightly down the stairs, fluttering his wings behind him even though they remained far too small for flight. The illusion was what was important. He had so much to relearn about humans and how to work with them. "It's in here, " he added, gesturing from the bottom for Memi to follow him. Draconayzia Beryl had never meant malice with her actions, only aid. She missed being able to occupy herself with others. Once out of the rooms a rather delicious scent wafted up the stairs smelling of pastry and fruits.
In the kitchen she hummed over the work, glad to be busy with occupied hands. maskedquerade "Mmkay," Memi said, hopping on the spiral banister and sliding down, giggling all the way. She jumped off, landing rather unsteadily on her feet, and then ran past Illumin into the kitchen. "Hello Zero! Hello Beryl! Ooh, that looks good," she said, carefully taking a cut apple from a tray. In her mind, she was a guest, and if someone was cooking it was probably for her. And if she was going to be a god--not that she'd decided--she needed to eat breakfast. The Breakfast Of The Gods! She broke into inexplicable laughter. Prolixity A flicker of wings down the stairs, wings and voices and footsteps he didn't recognize. Revei smoothed his robes and emerged from his room, following the footsteps - and the fascinating scent he now smelled - down towards the kitchen at a dignified sedate pace.
He paused partway down the stairs to observe. Beryl, of course, and a girl, still human, and a deity he did not think he had met. Had he? He frowned to himself and came the rest of the way down. "Is there any coffee?" he inquired of the room at large. Sosiqui The food DID smell good, and Illumin nodded politely to Beryl as he entered, immediately going over to the window and standing in the sunlight. Ahh, that felt good. "What are you making?" he asked, tilting his head back lazily and half-closing his eyes.
His eyes opened again as Revei entered. "... Dream." Draconayzia "Fresh fruit, apple tart and some sticky pastries I can't remember the name of. Help yourself. " She was smiling as she worked. Without replying a cup of espresso made it's way to Revei's hands and she placed a light kiss on his cheek before going back to work at the stove. There was also something sweet smelling stewing in a pot. Zero Dream Zero blinked as Memi zoomed past her, and couldn't help giggling when she did. Laughter was contagious. And then she heard a question about coffee. "I second the coffee question !" She chimed. And then, she saw Revei. ... Oh. my... ...Well, god ? Teenagehood, such lovely years... ...But damn, that one was hot. Prolixity Revei turned to regard Illumin, his eyebrows going up. "Yes. ... Light." He did know this one. Echoes on echoes of memory moved sluggishly, and he broke into a bright smile. "You are here."
There was someone else interested in coffee. He gave the girl an approving smile. Another host? Or a disciple? Whose? maskedquerade Yech. Coffee. She soon recovered from her laughter and approached the very colorful new person. "Hi, I'm Memi," she said with a smile, looking up at him. Her hands were clasped behind her--apple slice still whole--and she rocked back and forth from the balls of her feet to her heels. "What's your name?" Sosiqui Illumin plucked a bit of apple tart from the nearest plate and let the pastry dissolve on his tongue, closing his eyes again - taste was the sense he'd remembered least in his time asleep, and the one he enjoyed the most. The rest of eating might have been an annoyance, but taste was wonderful. Usually.
"I thought I remembered you, from before, when this merging had not yet happened, " he said in Revei's direction, tilting his head to one side and swallowing the tart. "So it wasn't... or maybe it was, hah... a dream." Zero Dream Zero just about melted, but some miracle somehow came her in whole. However, hell did she blush. "...Hi." The stone on her front, just above the t-shirt's collar, glimmered a bit, as if answering Revei's question. Prolixity A second cup of coffee was pressed into Zero's hands.
"Memi, this is Revei. He's Dream as I am Wind. Does that make sense?"
She chuckled, ruffling the little girl's hair as she turned off the boiler.
"Revei, after your drink would you perhaps care to spar for a bit? I am getting out of practice. " She gave Zero a conspirator's wink as she moved back to finish at the stove. maskedquerade "It makes sense as much as anything does," Memi said with a laugh and a grin as Beryl ruffled her hair. "Nice to meet you." She waved, and took a bite of her apple slice, still crisp and cool. "So are you the one making me dream of her?" Prolixity Revei bowed shallowly to Illumin and sipped at his coffee, thoughtful. "I see the resemblance, now," he said. "For now. You are a touch brighter than at our previous meeting." His lips quirked in amusement. "Perhaps."
He looked down at Memi. "Hello, Memi," he said gravely. "I am Revei, Messenger of Dream. I welcome you." He shook his head at the question. "No, I have sent you no dreams. She is calling you."
The other girl was blushing furiously, and he wondered why. Her shirt had slipped down slightly, and a jewel glinted in her skin. Ah. That answered that. "I welcome you both," he amended.
"Certainly," he told Beryl, and stretched loosely. "It has been a while." Zero Dream At the wink, Zero seemed to become even redder, all the while willing her face to NOT blush like a tomato. It... wasn't working very well. So, instead, she concentrated on her coffee. Yay ! Sosiqui Illumin raised one eyebrow as everyone seemed to mob Revei at once, and felt slightly jealous of all the attention - but the sun was too warm and pleasant, and the pastry to sweet, for him to consider any attempts at diverting people's focus onto himself. "We must speak at some point," he told Revei, raising his voice a bit so that Dream could hear him, before leaning back on the windowsill. "Much has passed in these past... " How long had it been?"... years," he said, finally. maskedquerade "Revei, this is Zero," she said, stepping aside. Teenagers. Hmph. "I think she needs to drink some coffee before she really wakes up." She laughed and left them to each other, skipping over to the stove. "What are you making, Beryl?" Draconayzia "A little something for later. It needs to cool yet. Other than that, I'm not telling." She laughed, putting a dab of the stewed fruits on the girl's nose.
She took a glass of clear water to Illumin. "This acceptable or would you rather have juice or tea?" Wind was determined to have a good start to everyone's day. Zero Dream Thankfully, Zero's attention was too fixated on her cup to notice just what Revei had been looking at, and her mind too busy wondering whether or not she should hide under the table or not. When Memi said her name, she jumped just a bit, but seemed to be getting just a bit better. "Hey, how you're doing, mister... uh... Revei, wasn't it ?" OhboyOhboyOhboy. Prolixity "When we have a quiet moment," Revei nodded to Illumin. "We can - reminisce, perhaps." He fluffed and settled the feathers of his right wing. "I look forward to it."
"Thank you, Memi," he said, a little puzzled, and focused his attention on Zero, a curious golden gaze. He took a moment to inhale the scent of coffee rising from his mug and take another sip, savoring the ritual. Then he gestured towards her gem. "May I ask?" Sosiqui Illumin raised both eyebrows this time. "Of course... but my, my, first glance and already...." he said in Revei's direction, letting the words trail off and punctuating the sentence with a smirk. Draconayzia "Let me know when you're ready, Little Dream."
Wiping her hands on a towel she tidied up the rest of the cooking mess and stored the rest of the food for later. Zero Dream "Ask ?" Blink. Wait... "Ohhh, I see. Music." She said, *hoping* it was what he meant... maskedquerade Memi left the stove after peering curiously at the pot for a moment to stand near the window next to Illumin. She took the stone out of her pocket and held it up, letting the sunlight shine through it. There were blues, and purples, and... a little pink, punctuated by dark spots that almost had a glow of their own. When the colors flashed across her eyes, it was like that was something she could see inside the small gem. Does something trouble you? the light voice asked cannily. I can make it all better... Sosiqui Illumin glanced down at Memi and rested one of his hands on her shoulder. "It's a pretty gem," he admitted, admiring the way the jewel's facet's reflected the light. "Medicine, huh... healing, or cure... or poison? It can be so many things." Prolixity Revei blinked at Illumin. Then the caffeine and the clues clicked together, and he blinked again, and smirked faintly back. It was flattering. He shifted slightly, not quite posing for better effect, and told Zero, "How lovely. A beautiful jewel."
"I shall!" he said to Beryl. "Activity would do us both good. How is your wing?" Zero Dream "Uhhh... thank you ?" Blushieblushblush... Damn, the bottom of the table looked inviting. Suddenly, however, she seemed to calm down a bit, snatching a bit of food with a small hum that seemed almost foreign. Draconayzia "That is very lovely Memi. You match beautifully." She smiled, ruffling the girl's hair again. It wasn't clear why, but she'd always liked children.
"It's completely healed, thanks in great part to you. Shall we? " She motioned to the doors that led outside. Sunlight glinted off two glaives standing at the ready in a ready marked training circle. maskedquerade "Medicine is poison and pain, " Memi said, turning the gem to shine light across Illumin 's face. "But it also cures, sometimes. The stuff they give you today causes worse problems than what it 's supposed to cure. " Hacks. But I am Medicine. Panacea. It is nothing to me.Memi's eyes narrowed. "Prove it, " she whispered. Sosiqui Illumin blinked at the sudden change in Memi's mood. "Are you all right? " he asked, frowning slightly, and giving the gem an accusatory look. Prolixity Revei tilted his head to one side and smiled faintly. "You must be a good match, " he said, to Zero or to the goddess who already manifested in her. Either way. "Please pardon me - or if you 'd like to observe? "
He drained his coffee mug and et it down on the counter, then followed Beryl to where the weapons shone in the sun. He picked up one of them. To a trained eye, his stance was inexpert, his grip slightly clumsy. Draconayzia She picked up the other glaive, settling into a defensive stance. Prolixity had beaten her before and she 'd trained, but she was still far from proficient.
"When you are ready, sir. " Zero Dream "Uh... " Zero blinked a bit, snapping to reality again. What had just happened... ? "...Well, if you don't mind... " Her eyes went to Memi for moment, holding worry, then to Illumin. She would be okay, she had him, right ? Nodding a bit to herself, the worry faded, and she got up to follow Revei, her embarrassment completely faded by her little timeout, more curious to see what was about to unfold. Prolixity Revei shook his wings out and used them to help balance his stance. How odd. This felt so unnatural. He circled to the right, closing in carefully on Beryl. The glaive felt rigid and unyielding in his hands, and he rolled his shoulders, trying to get rid of the sense of wrongness that seemed to collect there. maskedquerade Illumin looked worried for her, but she laughed it away and grabbed a berry tart, munching on it thoughtfully as Memi walked to where Beryl and Revei held their glaives. She snagged a whole apple on her way out. Zero Dream Zero sat in the grass, watching with a deep interest as the two prepared themselves. Seeing Memi, she smiled and motioned her to come sit beside her if she wanted. maskedquerade "Apple?" Memi offered the apple to Zero as she licked flakes of crust from her lips. Who'd have known that the goddess of wind was a good pastry chef? Zero Dream "Sure, thanks" She swallowed her gum before taking a bite in the apple. Hmmm, well that sure did beat whatever she ate in the morning when she was on her own... usually the first thing in sight. Draconayzia She counter circled the Dream.
In a sudden movement she spun from defensive to offensive moving to crash the pole of her glaive into his. maskedquerade Memi plopped down beside Zero and let her legs stretch out in front of her. Leaning back on one hand, she held her tart with the other and ate as quickly as she dared, watching Revei and Beryl. It didn't look very interesting to her--and she had no idea what she was looking at, really--but they treated it like it was important, so she wasn't going to mess with it. Prolixity Revei acted on instinct at the attack, dancing back in an almost careless motion and swinging the glaive - but the motion was all wrong, it wasn't fluid enough, and the shattering vibration of wood on wood sent shocks up his arms. The angle of the collision was wrong, too. What? He twisted and tried to hook the weapon out of Beryl 's hands. This wasn't right.
His fluid, assured movements spoke of some degree of expertise in fighting, but they were entirely different from the way the kitten had fought, and he seemed awkward with the glaive. His expression, too, said that he was confused, and beginning to be angry about it. Draconayzia Vibrations ran through her arms as well, but not as violently as they ran through Revei's. Noting that he was off balance she danced back and motioned with a hand to halt for a moment. "That doesn't seem right, perhaps a different weapon? " She was not going to force him to fight with something that he was not familiar with. Zero Dream He blocked wrong, she knew, the second Revei had started moving. She had never wielded a weapon, but... to program something into a robot, you had to know the gist of it. She couldn't tell how he would have been supposed to block, but it wasn't the right way, she knew. She remained silent trough, not wanting to bother the two. She almost wished she had her guitar - She hasn't played in some time, but now the urge was almost overbearing, as if something wanted to come out. Prolixity "I am fine," Revei said stiffly. His pride stung nearly as much as his palms. "I will carry out what I have begun." His eyes slid sideways to Zero and Memi. It looked like he had bit off more than he could chew, and in front of an audience, as well. He backed off a couple of steps and took his stance again, fighting to draw the memories of his host 's experience with this weapon. Draconayzia She gave a small nod and settled into her stance again before attacking. This time she moved to hook his weapon up and away. Prolixity Revei slid one foot back and brought the glaive up to meet the attack with a quick twisting motion, knowing as he moved that it was too slow, too stiff, entirely the wrong angle. Too late to correct. The impact unbalanced him, and the weapon flew out of his hands, and he fell heavily onto his back, air knocked out of his lungs.
He squeezed his eyes shut, feeling faintly nauseous from the fall and the embarrassment. Draconayzia Beryl dropped her weapon instantly, helping Revei to sit up and rubbing his back. "I 'm sorry, are you alright? " Prolixity Revei puffed out, "Fine, " and assessed his condition. Sore, breathless, silly-looking. None of it life-threatening, but ... nrrrrr. "You appear to be correct," he admitted grudgingly. "Perhaps a different weapon. " He kept his eyes on his feet, disgruntled. Zero Dream Zero almost jumped to her feet, but Beryl was there before she had gotten up, so she stopped her motion. Not even gods knew everything... She wanted to go, get up, show him, help him, but she didn't have the fighting book she used for reference. And he looked so embarrassed too... Suddenly pitched by a bit of guilt, the teen stared at the ground, wondering if it would have been better to stay inside. Draconayzia "Do not worry so much. It is natural your weapon would change from his. Drac's was a broad sword while I am better with daggers. It is nothing to be ashamed of, just a new learning tool. Here." She led him over to a covered shed and opened it. Inside was neatly kept collection of every weapon she could find. Only those with a gem in them could open it though.
"Take your time and choose." maskedquerade Memi held in her laughter, for once, since it wasn't at all funny. "He looks all right, " she whispered to Zero. Only his pride is bruised. But you, I can help...Memi steadfastly ignored her gem. Prolixity "Later, I think," Revei answered, picking himself up. "When my breath and my pride are more recovered. I will try to recall what I know, or knew. " If he had to, he could ask Morpheus - no, absolutely not, out of the question, he would remember it himself or by trial and error.
He bowed to Beryl, then to the observers. "Perhaps next time I will make a better showing of myself, " he told the two girls, trying to salvage the situation. maskedquerade "It looked all right to me, " Memi said honestly. "I can 't do anything like that. Does being a god make you know how to fight? " She stood up and brushed off her backside, having finished her tart not long ago. Zero Dream "Better than I would have done, Revei." She said, forcing a smile and trying to force her guilt to leave. There had to be some way she could make him feel better... "Hell, I can try if you want a laugh. I make so many stupid things, mistakes... are things you should learn from, not something you should be embarrassed of... Of course, I need to take my own stupid advice, but hey..." Prolixity The fact that he was not being laughed at did a great deal to smooth Revei's mood. "If your god knew how to fight, that ability should resurface, " he told Memi. "My host fought with a glaive before I emerged more fully; I recall battle, but not what I used. Obviously," he added dryly, "it was not the same. "
He gave Zero a quick, teasing glance. "Perhaps you would consent to spar with me sometime. " maskedquerade "Oh. " Memi looked a little crestfallen. "I guess I won 't then. " Medicine didn 't seem like the fighting type. Zero Dream Zero blushed just a tiny bit, but chuckled. "As long as you promise not to kick my a** around too much, I figure that could be arranged... " A tiny smile formed at the corners of her lips. Draconayzia Raising an eyebrow a mischievous look crossed her face. Winking to Zero she gently bumped Revei in the back just hard enough to send him tumbling right into Zero.
"Don 't worry Memi, I 'm sure Medicine could at least give a good bop in the head with a caduceus. " maskedquerade "A wha-sis? " Memi blinked at Beryl. Prolixity "You could tr - AUGH - " Revei lost his balance again, stumbling forwards against the teenager. His wings jerked out with shock, and he wavered and started to topple over. Zero Dream SMACK. And the birds tweeted. So, we had Zero on the ground, with a certain dream god... point blank over her. Nice. Her face turned redder than it had been earlier, which had to be a world record, her hairs sprawled in the grass, unable to form a word, even less a coherent sentence. Draconayzia "It's that staff you see on medical buildings. The one with the snakes on it. "
Watching the Dream and Zero fall for each other literally made it rather hard for her not to giggle. Prolixity Revei managed to catch himself so as not to go sprawling directly onto Zero, but it was a near thing. Through his own annoyance, he noted her blush. ... Smirk. He raised an eyebrow at her, and then pushed himself back up into a crouch, offering a hand to help her up. "I do believe Beryl did that on purpose, " he said, quite casually. Draconayzia Giving Revei a look she calmly walked over and swatted him in the back of the head just hard enough to send him sprawling over Zero again. Prolixity His hand shot up to block the smack, and he twisted around to give the goddess a warning look. "You see? " he said over his shoulder. "I believe some kind of .. retribution ... is in order. " Draconayzia Giving him another look, and Zero another wink her tail moved and smacked the Dream god in the rear. The feathers would keep it from hurting and the landing... well... he didn't seem to mind that at all from the last encounter. Zero Dream Memi looked at Revei and Zero, and then back up at Beryl. "Why do you pick on everyone? " she asked curiously. Zero Dream Seeing the smirk, she began to wonder if there was some kind of godly cosmic joke about this, and, she managed to find enough courage to move to take the offered hand... ..Only to see Beryl 's second motion and be 100% sure of it. However, then, she seemed to calm down again, relaxing and slowly managing herself back on her feet, trough the motion seemed awkward. "Perhaps so... " The voice that came out was smooth like honey, melodious and kind, trough definitively amused. "I didn't want to attempt this so soon, but I believe she might just die of embarrassment, wind... better let my one calm down a little bit. " She laughed a bit. "The young ones... "Draconayzia "Only because Revei is a dear friend and I think he 's rather cute when he gets a bit off settled. "
She looked confused for a moment and then grinned. "My apologies, Music! I promise, I yield. " Prolixity Revei barely retained his balance this time. He gave Beryl a more irritated look. "Enough, " he said. "I am embarrassed, her face will catch on fire, and I would like to remain on my feet. "
He softened slightly then to tell Memi, "She is playing, that is all. " maskedquerade "But... she did it to Illumin too, last night. " The pattern of behavior was clear to her. She was a great cook, but Memi didn't like that Beryl liked knocking people over. Maybe it was a God Game...? Draconayzia "I am sorry, Revei, I meant no ill will. " Slightly embarrassed that she had been acting so petty she knelt down to look Memi square in the eye.
"I am sorry. Revei and I joke from time to time and I was in a bit too high spirits for my own good. Illumin, well, he annoyed me and I retaliated. Not kind, but I was not cruel at least. " Zero Dream "Don 't worry about it, young one... " She hummed, running an hand trough Memi 's hairs idly, glancing at Beryl with a amused, almost mischievous air. "Oh, things changed all of sudden... " She let out a melodious laugh. "But please. Call me Echo. " maskedquerade "Okay. " Memi nodded at Beryl and then looked up at Echo. "Is she letting you do that, or are you making her? " Her hand moved to rest over her pocket where the Medicine jewel was resting. Prolixity Revei shook himself. "I am aware, " he told Beryl. "I - do not wish to catch pieces of her dreams. " He combed his fingers through his hair, trying to drop his irritation.
"We are friends, Memi, and I owe Wind much. She has - needed to play, " he added thoughtfully. "I hold no grudge. " Draconayzia "I promise to not be so harsh next time. And thank you, Echo. Just for the sake of formality I am Beryl. And this is Memi and Revei. "
She looked to the jewel in the little girl 's hand. "I think that Echo took over for just a time to help. She is definitely a nice goddess, don 't you think? I think your 's will be just as kind. "
"I had forgotten you could do that Revei. My apologies. Perhaps something else to show just the graceful creature you are? "
She moved from Memi to the opened shed and pulled out a package. Opening it a pair of silver gloves could be seen. "I propose a dance, and these are so you get no such fragments from me. " Offering an apologetic smile she slid the gloves on, reaching past her elbows. Zero Dream "...I figure, a bit of both, young one. " She admitted. "I thought it was best to interfere... But my control is not strong enough that she cannot stop me. I mean no ill to my one... In fact, I owe her so. I believe she 's starting to want to come back now... Perhaps we will talk a bit more later, dear friends. "Zero went stiff for a moment, but caught herself, blinking a bit in confusion. "...Wh... " She started, shaking her head. She already know. "She 's right, Memi. " ...Echo, uh... maskedquerade Memi looked up at Echo, and Beryl, and Revei. There was a calculating look there, born of trying to read the lies and truths of doctors, nurses, and parents. But they weren't just people, they were gods. And while she knew about doctors, nurses, and parents, she knew very little about gods. Deliberately, she broke away from Beryl and said in a perfectly calm voice, "Excuse me, I need to go think. " She turned, and headed for the door back inside. Prolixity "Showing off? " Revei asked, a smile teasing at the corner of his mouth. He swept a dramatic bow to Beryl, taking refuge in overacting.
He gave Zero a long look. "I believe she will be kind to you, " he said. "That is well. I would not wish to have forced my host silent. " Draconayzia A small frown creased her features as Memi walked away. Giving a short whistle she was a face peek out and then look to the girl before it vanished.
Smiling again she turned to Revei. "Would Sir care to lead then? "Arrow hopped from the rooms he was tending and down the stairs. "Hello? " Zero Dream "...I... guess... " Zero answered, watching Memi leave. Part of her wanted to go after her, but... no, she couldn't. She had to let things run their course... And to tell the truth, she was a bit tired... confused. Her head did hurt a tiny bit. Seems like this was much too early for this, for the both of us... I apologize.Zero 's eyes widened a bit to the voice in her head, but she calmed down, her eyes still not leaving Memi's form as it disappeared inside. "...It's okay." She whispered. Prolixity Revei looked after the vanishing child. He shut his eyes for a moment. A catlike form materialized out of the shadows near the door and moved on silent paws after Memi. The Dream deity turned back to Beryl with a smile and took her gloved hands, humming softly. A distraction.
"Some music, perhaps? " he suggested. maskedquerade Memi calmly closed the door behind her, and then broke into a run for the stairs. She pushed past Arrow without any regard, burst into Illumin's room--he didn't appear to be around, probably still basking in the sunlight--and then closed herself in the room Illumin had made for her. She wondered if the doors had locks, and then realized it probably wouldn't do any good. More than anything right now, she wanted to be alone. But she couldn't bring herself to throw the gem out. Draconayzia Beryl gave a small nod, waiting for him to start. Memi's reaction concerned her. Then again Rhia's reaction to Morph had been much more sever from both perspectives.Arrow was surprised when the girl shoved past him. He sat outside the door and just waited. For some reason Beryl wanted him to watch after her and he would. And he was patient. More so than most beings his age. Zero Dream Oh, he had to say that word, didn't he ? Zero instantaneously perked. "Are there some instruments around ? I can play guitar... " Prolixity "I am certain we can find something - perhaps Beryl has another magical closet with instruments within? " Revei said carelessly. Draconayzia "Oh and you assume I have everything, don 't you? " Chuckling she reached into the back of the shed. "Only because I hadn't put it properly away yet. "
She handed the guitar to Zero and took her place again. Zero Dream OHYES. "Arigato !" The girl beamed, sitting cross-legged and settling the guitar gently on her knees, taking a pick out of one of her back pockets (perhaps giant pants where useful for one thing...) her worry forgotten for the time being. She began to play random notes, nothing in particular, adjusting the tension of the cords to her liking. She was used to electric guitars and playing things much more... heavy, but for this she went for something much more peaceful, just following her... instinct ? Perhaps it could be told this way. Prolixity "Only because you always do, lovely lady, " Revei replied. He extended a hand to Beryl, smiling obscurely, some unidentifiable sorrow flitting quickly across his face, gone as soon as it had appeared. Draconayzia She looked concerned over the expression. Still she took his hand with a small curtsy. It was too fine a day to worry too much. And soon she 'd be slumbering for who knew how long. Best to enjoy the light for now. Zero Dream Zero remained silent, only her fingers moving as the rest of her was still. She 'll have to go soon... feed Vertigo and make sure Yoko had not gone paranoid over her absence. The dream was a ratter protective sort... But she wondered... Beryl and Revei lived there, right ? In a room ? Would she... be able to live here, too ? And bring Vertigo and Yoko with her ? Hmmm... Prolixity Revei led the dance, eyes half shut, apparently lost in the music. He had the expression of someone distant in deep thought, his feet moving gracefully and absently. Draconayzia Wind 's movements were graceful, easy and fluid. Sighing contentedly she let herself be danced around by Dream. She had missed this. Zero Dream Yes, my dear friends... forget your worries for a moment... You two seem to definitively need a little moment of calm... I do not care the reasons unless you care to tell me... But if I can help with this...Zero didn't even seem to have heard Echo, too caught in her concentration to notice anything. Her eyes where closed, fingers dancing over the strings by pure instinct, following the melody she created as she went, hidden in her little bubble of peace and quiet. Whoever dared say music wasn't therapeutic was a complete dumbass. Prolixity "To calm the savage beast, or the savage heart," Revei murmured, mostly to himself. He twirled Beryl carefully, caught her hand to kiss her glove, and then bowed. "I think I will go and soak my soreness," he said to both of them. "My gratitude, for the dance." Draconayzia Completely at ease she smiled and gave a nod in thanks. "Of course, Sweet Dream. Take care of yourself and visit more often if you would please."
Still smiling she turned to Zero. "That was lovely, thank you. Is there anything you'd care to do now as Revei seems to need a break?" The comment was made so as to not offend either, just a note that Revei should take care of himself so they could enjoy more dances later. Zero Dream Zero nodded a bit, understanding. "Rest well, Revei." She said, stopping the dance of her finger and letting the music fade. She glanced up at Beryl, then. "Actually, there was something I wished to ask..." Draconayzia "Of course. You may ask me anything you like. Would you like to talk out here or in my rooms?" Prolixity Revei swept the women a deep bow and wandered back towards the house, hands folded behind his back, expression faraway. Philosophy, or memory, or some dream, who knew? Zero Dream "Here's okay." She answered, getting to her feet and handing back the guitar. "I was just wondering... You and Revei live here, yes ? Illumin as well ? I was wondering if it would be possible for me to do so as well. And brings my two pets along. I cannot leave them behind." She explained. "...And I would ratter not have to deal with my landlord wondering why I have a gem on my front." She laughed a bit. Draconayzia "Of course you can! By all means bring your pets. You can stay with me for as long as you like and later we can make you your own rooms." As she talked a figure slunk out from the woods. The large grey wolf looked at girl and goddess curiously. Zero Dream "Arigato." Zero gave a small, polite bow, then her gaze went to the wolf. "...Uh ?" She blinked, hoping it wouldn't well... attack or something. Draconayzia "What?" She looked around, confused until she spotted the wolf.
"OH! Don't mind him. Hidalgo, here." The wolf's ears perked and he trotted to her side. "This is Hidalgo, one of my pets. Don't worry, he doesn't attack anyone with a gem. Embedded or otherwise. Hidalgo, say hello."
The wolf made a small whuffing noise and waved a paw at Zero. Zero Dream "Aww." Zero smiled, crouching and slowly reaching out to pat the wolf on the head. She was a bit nervous still, but she trusted Beryl. "Hi to you too, Hidalgo. My pets are a little less... exotic." She laughed a bit. "One is a bit of a strange cat, Vertigo... He has a fuse on his head and his fur looks like a constellation. The other is Yoko... I'm not quite sure what she's supposed to be. She's some kind of bird... She made my nightmares go away when I came in this world." Draconayzia The wolf made a rather happy sound and leaned into the hand making Beryl chuckle. "He's still a bit of a pup. Full grown physically but puppy when it comes to getting his ears scratched."
The wolf just flopped and enjoyed the treatment. "They sound very nice. I have Pewter who looks somewhat like a cat and Nevada, a Dream. Perhaps that's what Yoko is?" Zero Dream "Maybe. I don't... really know much about this world." She admitted, a but sheepish. She had been so focused around going back home, had convinced herself that this was all temporary... "I need to go make sure they're alright." She said. "And gather my things. Don't worry about it, I don't really have a lot of things. My guitar, a few blank books, clothes... things like that. I should go organize everything, trough." Draconayzia "That's perfectly fine. I have places to store things here so no worries. Once you get back I'll make sure to have some happy distractions planned. How does that sound?" Zero Dream "Sounds awesome." She smiled, throwing her sweater on to hide the jewel from... too curious eyes. "Ill be back soon." The teen continued, before she was off.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:51 am
Close One Door, Open The Next It took Zero about ten minutes to get back to her apartment building, and finally to reach her own apartment, only to have a face-off with a sightly irritated dream. "I'll explain later, I promise." Zero sighed, almost tripping into Vertigo as the cat went to rub against her ankles, giving the feline some food and cool water while she gathered things. Yoko went and decided to nest on her shoulder. "What's important is that we're leaving," she said, taking a backpack and throwing most of her clothes into it, along with a blank book and a pen, as well as her incense stick and burner. That about encompassed all her processions, apart from her guitar, which found it's place on her back, while she would carry the backpack in her hands. The fridge was empty - she had been needing to go get groceries badly, and now this worked at her advantage. She waited until Vertigo would be done eating though, taking a look around the small apartment that she had lived in the last few months, taking in the details to remember them as much as she could... knowing it was probably the last time she would see it. Oddly enough, she still felt no regret. Insecurities, confusion, and slight fear of the future, yes... but if she somehow went back and had the choice again... She would still do it. Maybe her and the goddess... Her and Echo... were really the perfect match everyone kept saying they were. She shrugged it off though, leaving the rent money for the unpaid month on the table, along with her room keys (that would be explanation enough) and, after nesting the purring Vertigo in her other arm, she left with only a faint hum in the night air... Close a door, open the next.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:53 am
Carry Me To The Heavens Draconayzia Wind walked down from her rooms, blanket in hand to lay over the teen. Sometimes people were left well enough in place. And the couch was particularly comfortable. She'd tried it a few times herself. Zero Dream Zero shifted just a bit, but remained asleep. On the floor, there was her backpack, and the guitar was laying on the side, put so no one would accidentally knock it over. And, on the arm of another couch, a feline peered a little bit curiously at the deity, wondering just who was this strange woman. Vertigo remained silent, however. Draconayzia Who, who, who!? The bluejay Dream hopped about on Beryl's shoulder. Who you? I Nevada!"Hush Nevada, let the girl sleep." Smiling she reached down and gently scratched the cat behind the ears.
"Hello there. You must be one of Zero's companions, is that it?" A faint scent of rain and late blooms wafted off her skin. It seemed that her scent started to change to match her moods unconsciously. Zero Dream Hush, yes, please. Another voice answered, belonging to the dream settled beside the cat. She seemed a bit uninterested by the situation, preening. Vertigo instantaneously started purring, tail swishing back and forth. The lady smelled different too ! How curious~ Draconayzia Sorrysorry. Who you? The Dream alighted next to it's blood kind quietly, starting to groom the other as it had been taught. What bring new Dream here? Girl your Dreamer?Chuckling she put the light blanket over the girl and picked up the feline. "My aren't you a precious little thing. I'm sorry I don't remember your name." One hand cradled the cat as the other tickled belly and ears. Zero Dream I Yoko. The dream answered. Dreamer, yes. Won't be too long...Oh, she knew her dreamer well, yes. She seemed just sightly amused. Vertigo didn't give much thought at the two dreams, as he was very much in the feline equivalent of heaven, purring his little heart off and licking Beryl's hands affectionally. And, in the meanwhile, Zero was slowly inching just a bit off the couch... And visibly had to prove she was no goddess of gravity. SMACK went the teen to the ground. Dreamer awake now. Yoko announced, as if this was perfect routine. "...Ow..." Draconayzia Nevada squaked.
Dreamer hurt? That wasn't nice."Oh dear, are you alright, Zero?"
Keeping the cat cradled Wind knelt down to see if Zero had really injured anything. Zero Dream Dreamer allright. Happen all the time. Yoko answered. "...Im fine..." She answered, shifting in a sitting position. "...Happens all the time." She smiled a bit, however. "Jeeez, making yourself comfortable, uh ?" She teased, wapping the cat's tail lightly and playfully. "Silly Vertigo found a cuddlespot." Draconayzia "Ah, so that's this little engine's name. I was starting to think it might be "Vroom"." Chuckling she tickled the cat's belly in a purr spot.
"Well, now that we know he's running fine shall we get you moved in?" Zero Dream "Oh, I've wondering that." She got up, and nuzzled the side of the cat's face with her own. "Poor, poor mistreated Vertigo, uh ?" The cat didn't seem to care much for the teasing, too busy purring still. "Sure, if you don't mind..." Draconayzia "Well, I'll help you with these since I've already charged Arrow with a task." Carefully she picked up the guitar. "Follow me, I've made you a place in my rooms." Still holding the cat the goddess started for the spiral stairs. Zero Dream The teen flung the backpack on her back and followed, trying to comb her hairs with her fingers to make it less tangled. A bit of black was starting to show at the roots, where the dye had faded. Yoko flew and nested onto her shoulder, as was her habit. Draconayzia Nevada chittered happily and flew ahead up the stairs. Chuckling at the antics of the 'herd' she went to her door and opened it."I've made a small room for you. I hope it's alright." She opened a small door just off to the side. By some work of magic the ceiling was a skylight, a soft bed, a dresser, one japanese screen and a night stand were the only furnishings in the room. The walls were the same pattern as her's. "You can decorate or move to your liking." Zero Dream Zero just... stared for a moment. She was asking if that was allright ? That was more than she could have asked for ! "....Wow." She just, simply, couldn't stop staring. "Arigato..." She headed inside, sitting on the bed and opening the bag, but stopped, a sudden twinge of guilt coming over. That one was Echo's, but her own followed soon enough. "...Beryl ?" She cast her glance on the goddess. "...Do you think... yesterday... was my- our fault ?" She was, of course, talking about Memi's sudden leaving, but that seemed evident to her. Draconayzia Setting Vertigo down on the bed she regarded the teen seriously. "I think in part yes. I think in part her own fears and what she and her deity have been talking about. There have been fuses that were cruel, and harsh. I'll admit I was not kind to Draconayzia when I first took her over. I was very much a demon. You and Memi are in good company though and I think things will go well. She is also a child and even the bravest warriors blanch in the face of eternity. What shouldn't they?" Zero Dream "Yeah... Im scared too, I admit." She said. "...I just didn't want to influence her decision. Echo didn't want to, either... It is something she must decide on her own, something she must come to terms with on her own... That's the only reason why I didn't follow." She shook her head a bit, passing an hand trough her hairs before starting to unpack. "...I still owe her an apology, trough." Draconayzia "As do I. For now, Arrow is watching her for me. He is not a deity, but one of my acolytes. A child himself she may be more comfortable talking to him."
Smiling she offered a gentle hug in reassurance. "Now, is there anything you care to ask me?" Zero Dream She remained silent for a moment, but then, visibly, her tummy decided to do the work for her, giving a slight grumble that sent the teen blushing in embarrassment. "...Gomen ! I... guess im hungry." She forced out a laugh. Draconayzia The growl made Beryl laugh appreciatively. "I forget sometimes. As I've grown in power food has been less a concern and more a treat. Just a moment." Walking from the room she returned with a plate of chilled fruits and a glass of water. "It's all I have up here. We can find you more later if you like." Zero Dream "Oh, that's fine, arigato." She gave a small bow, still a bit red, and started munching on a pineapple piece. Vertigo, in the meanwhile, had decided the pillow was a nice place to fall asleep onto, and was pretty much giving the bed a test drive. Draconayzia Beryl chuckled at the feline and moved to scratch an ear. "Perhaps I should bring you a spare pillow just in case? Is there anything you'd like to do? Even something that seems completely ridiculous?" Zero Dream "Oh, that's fine..." Her free hand moved to run across the feline's back, a smile on her face. "Im Vertigo's pillow most of the time." She said with a chuckle. "He's... a very affectuous cat." "Well, completely ridiculous, I've always wanted to fly." She laughed a bit, visibly joking a bit. "Right now, ridiculous would more be, I want a stage with enough speakers to make those wall shake and a few hours of playtime. But seriously... I can't really think of anything. This is more than I could have asked for, really." Draconayzia "Well, I'll see if I can't sound proof your walls. I tend to value my quiet lately. As for flying though, do you want to give it a go?" Zero Dream "I was kidding... Im not really that loud, don't worry." She blinked, suddenly, as the rest of the sentence sunk in. "...Are you serious ?" Draconayzia "Of course I am. About both." Standing she started to stretch her wings and prepare. Zero Dream ...Ohboyohboyohboy. Well, at least it would be an head start ? Or something. After all, all the gods she saw so far HAD wings in some fashion... Didn't keep her for being just a bit scared, trough. "Uh, okay..." Draconayzia Beryl chuckled a bit. "Don't worry, you basically can't drop if you try flying with me. And despite the number of wings around very few can fly. Kaelin can't fly at all but his legs turn into a tail in water. A rather nice tail at that." Smirking a bit she turned her back with wings spread. "Well?" Zero Dream I believe you should give it a try, my one. Perhaps we do need a distraction, no ? Echo whispered, trying to calm down her host. "...Okay." Zero finally answered after swallowing the lump that had started to form in her throat, getting up. Draconayzia She smiled, dipping down a bit to get the teen situated on her back before shooting through the skylight. The portal opened readily for goddess and guest, parting like water as she took them skyward. Zero Dream Thank god for that portal, because Zero almost had an heart attack right then. She stood as still as she could, not wanting to unbalance Beryl or otherwise do something stupid like she was so used to... but overall was having a BLAST. She was only just a bit too paralyzed to let it show. Draconayzia She kept the flight relatively low, wanting to let Zero see the shop and surrounding area. "How do you like it? I'm not scaring you am I?" Zero Dream Well, just a bit... ?"Ah, no, not at all ! It's awesome !" She grinned. Draconayzia "Then you've got to be crazy." Laughing she circled the lake a few times before flying back to the shop and through her window. "Feeling a bit better now?" Zero Dream "Never said I wasn't..." The teen gave a wink and laughed. "Yeah... A lot better, actually." Beryl had the knack for this stuff... She wasn't the first after all, and probably wouldn't be the last. "Thanks." Draconayzia "you're very welcome. Just don't expect that too often, it's a bit tiring." Smiling she stretched her wings. The healed one was just a tad tight.
"Is there anything else I can help you with?" Zero Dream She just smiled. "No... ill be fine, thank you." Draconayzia "Alright then. The bathroom is easy enough to find. Please pardon me while I shower and take a small nap. I've been up longer than I thought." Smiling she turned and left Zero to her unpacking. Zero Dream "Sleep well..." She said, focusing on just that, pulling clothes into neat piles on the bed for now.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:54 am
Dear Diary... Zero had finished placing everything in it's destined location, but stared a bit at the blank book that now rested on her knees. Why not ? She shrugged, flipping the cover open, taking a pen, and starting to write in sightly messy handwriting. Quote: It's odd. I haven't kept a journal in a long time... Ever since I was 12, actually. I thought it was childish. But then, what do I have to prove ? I don't even know... I don't even know how I'm supposed to act at the moment. Whether or not I'm a child, or adult, or a mix of both like how I used to be treated in the labs. It's so... confusing. I still feel like s**t about Memi. No, hell, we BOTH feel like s**t about what happened there. I want to apologize, but I'm afraid I'll just scare her again. It's so weird... and so hard. I want to find the magical words that would make everything okay... but I don't think they even exist. It's so confusing...
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:55 am
Hello, Everlong... Hello, I've waited here for you... Everlong...It had been a few days now, and Zero settled... But it was just one of those periods where she felt like an hermit, so she had remained in the room Beryl had made her, only coming down to eat at odd hours where she knew no one would be downstairs. Right now, she just felt like being alone. Tonight, I throw myself into... And out of the red, out of her head she sang...The pick danced over the cords of the guitar, that wasn't plugged into anything, as the teen didn't want to disturb the wind goddess. It was also why she sang only into her head. Because what is the reason to sing if there is no one to hear, my one ?...That and there was no one to hear it, yes. Come down, and waste away with me... Down with me...A shame, my one. You are gifted with a lovely voice.Ha... Slow how, You wanted it to be... I'm over my head, out of her head she sang...What is it about this song, my one ?Uh ? It connects to you, you consider it important. I would like to know why, if you do not mind.And I wonder, When I sing along with you... If everything could ever feel this real forever... If anything could ever be this good again......My father loved this group, especially this song. I basically grew up with it. ...I miss him. I am sure he would be proud of you... of everything you managed. You are an extraordinary child, my one, but they seem to have forced you to mature so fast...The only thing I'll ever ask of you, You've got to promise not to stop when I say when... She sang ...I know. But there's nothing that can be done about that anymore, Echo...
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:56 am
Parents Are Such Silly Things Sometime maskedquerade Memi was holed up in her newly-made couch fort, staring down mutely at the silver bits of plastic in front of her. She had gathered up every plastic shard of her phone and had it laid out carefully, as though she were going to try and put it back together. It was wrong to be afraid of her parents, but she didn't want to go back; she wanted to call them again and explain to them what a good decision she had made, and how it would be so much better for them. Even though it was hopeless. Zero Dream Soon, footsteps where heard, and someone came down the stairs. Zero passed an hand trough her now black hairs, only a few accents of blue left - the rest had washed off when she last took a shower, and she didn't feel any urge to go and get some more dye. She was headed to the kitchen, but spotted the couch fort in the corner of her eyes, and stopped. "...Memi ?" maskedquerade "Hi Zero," Memi said, getting up on her knees and looking over the couch fort at the other girl, making an effort to look happy. "Your hair's different, did you dye it?" Zero Dream "Actually, it was dyed before. That's my natural hair color." She answered, but couldn't help feeling a little awkward. "Uh... well, you know, about last time ? Im sorry..." maskedquerade "It's okay, it was just a little weird. But I did it too, see?" She pushed her sleeve up and showed the gem, still surrounded with slightly swollen, red skin. "So at least I can understand the weird so it won't be weird anymore. Does that make sense?" Zero Dream "As much as anything around here do." She gave a small laugh, but spotted the shards of plastic, kneeling to look at them. "Damn, what happened to it ?" She mused, once figuring out it was a cellphone. maskedquerade "I broke it," Memi said, her voice hushed and disappointed. "I wanted to call my parents, to tell them I was okay and not worry, but they want me to come home, and they talked about the police and kidnapping... I don't want anyone here to get in trouble!" She looked up at Zero with tears in her eyes. "It would be my fault too. They were supposed to be happy, but they're not, and I don't know what to do." Zero Dream Zero rose an eyebrow as everything sunk in, as her hands where already working on snapping the pieces back together on impulse. She hadn't worked on anything mechanic on quite some time... "It's not your fault... I... can understand that they want you to come back, after all, you're their daughter..." Her heart sunk a bit, remembering about her own father... And how she didn't even have a way to even let him know. "...It is a misunderstanding... That happens sometimes. Adults have problems understanding things like this... But it's... not like you can go back now..." She sighed. "Wow." maskedquerade "But they always complained about how expensive the hospital and the doctors were. They should have been happy," Memi insisted. "Do you know what a cult is? I tried to explain about the gods thing, but they got really upset when I told them about that..." Zero Dream "A cult is a term usually used to talk about a fake religion... It's pretty much a negative term." She answered, her brow furrowing. That would need soldering... Reaching for her side, the pulled out her own cellphone. "...You can try to call them on mine, if you think ill't help..." She doubted it would, but hey. maskedquerade "I don't think it'll do any good. They're still angry." Memi sighed. "But the gods are real, right, so it's not fake?" Zero Dream "Yeah, it's not." She answered. "...Your parents just think it is. Like, probably... if anyone told me about all this without me coming here, I think I would have thought it was fake too... If that makes sense." She pushed the cellphone back in it's carrier. "Well, at any rate, im not sure if I can fix your phone. Some important circuits snapped and im not sure if they'd work even if I soldered them back together..." She flipped trough, and removed a tiny little card, about as big as a dime. "All your phone numbers and other things are probably on this card, trough... So at least that's okay." maskedquerade "Thanks," Memi said, holding the card between two fingers. "Do you think I should go and tell them, or let them come here? I really want them to understand, but I don't think it's a good idea..." Zero Dream "I don't know." She admitted. "I don't know your parents, so I can't really say if it could help... or just make things worse..." Hopefully they wouldn't try to trace the call... Now that would create a messy situation. maskedquerade "I dunno either." Memi sighed and propped herself up on the edge of her cushiony couch fort wall. "Do you think I did something wrong coming here?" Zero Dream "That'lld be saying I did something wrong coming here myself. I think that's one of those questions that only you know the answer of, Memi... Only you can judge this for yourself, not another." She idly put all the plastic shards into a little pile, reminding herself to pick them up later. maskedquerade "It's the first time I've done something big by myself. I don't know." Memi looked miserable. "And even if it was a bad idea, it's too late. I keep telling myself I shouldn't worry, but I love my parents and I can't make them understand." She looked up at Zero. "What do you do to make the doubt go away?" Zero Dream Quite a trick question. Zero idly bit her lip, thinking for a moment. "...I don't really have any... magical means to make everything be okay." Of course she didn't, but hey. "...But usually when something's eating at me... I either play my guitar... or go outside and hang out in malls or something." maskedquerade "I usually play, but I don't feel like playing," Memi harrumphed. "Well, thanks for trying to fix it. I shouldn't've thrown it at the wall." She frowned down at the bits and pieces. "I wish I had a magic way to make everything okay..." Zero Dream "Yeah, me too... That'lld be quite handy, wouldn't it ?" She sighed, fiddling with the collar of her huge sweater. "You can have mine trough, if you want. The card should work in it. I haven't used it in months, anyway..." maskedquerade "That's okay. Thanks." Memi shook her head. "I don't want you to get in trouble if I call again. Maybe they won't find me until I'm gone...." Memi stood up and started putting her couch fort back in its proper place: back on the couches. "Thanks for talking with me." Zero Dream "No problem..." She smiled a bit, helping with replacing the cushions. "...That's what friends are for, isn't it ? See, if I hadn't come here, I wouldn't even have a friend to talk to when I need someone..." maskedquerade "Oh, do you talk to Revei a lot? He's nice. Have you stopped turning red when he looks at you?" Memi asked, altogether innocently. Zero Dream Sure enough, that was a one-way ticket to making Zero's face start competing with a tomato for the truest red. "...I havn't... really seen him since last time. Or anyone else on that matter... I just felt like being alone... I have those kind of moments sometimes..." maskedquerade "Well, he's really nice. We talked when I woke up this morning. He gave me some pomegranate seeds that were really yummy!" Memi smiled. "Since you like him so much, maybe you could have a picnic in the garden under one of the trees, and play guitar for him? We had a picnic in a tree, but it would be easier under one. He said he liked the shade." She looked enthusiastic about the idea, even if she wasn't anywhere involved with it. Zero Dream And at this point, Zero's face had the tomato be pale in comparison of her face. "Uh... Eh... Ano... Maybe... But it's a little silly." She gave a nervous laugh. "He probably thinks im stupid..." maskedquerade "It's not silly," Memi said adamantly. "We had fun. We talked and laughed a lot. I think he thinks you're cute, not stupid." She stuck out her tongue. "Why don't you like yourself, anyway?" Zero Dream "Well, it always seems like im doing wrong things at wrong times..." She said, trough, to be truthful, the question was a little bit hard to answer. Why did she ? Hate was probably a bit too strong of a word, yet she wasn't proclaiming herself the next Einstein either, like those who wanted to asskiss to her for technical favor did... back home... in what seemed to be eons ago. "...I don't think I really know." maskedquerade "Everyone does, but it's not always. I mean, there was the time I got out of the bathroom with some paper stuck to my shoe, and I got all the way back to class before someone told me." Memi giggled. "I think you should like who you are. You're nice, and helpful, and you almost put my cell phone back together from little itty bitty bits of plastic. You're cool, and if you don't think so, you're sooooo wrong. So there." Zero Dream Zero couldn't help smiling a bit. "I did that too once. Only change "going back to class" for "an hour and an half at work"... And yeah... you're right." maskedquerade "Yes, I know I'm right," Memi said, attempting to look serious. "So don't tell yourself you're going to do something stupid. I bet a picnic with Revei would be fun. Since I've already had mine, you give it a go, okay?" Zero Dream "...Maybe." She answered. "I mean... It's a little confusing. Even if... well... ...Im going to be gone soon anyway. Did that make sense ?" maskedquerade "One thing I've learned is that you've got to have fun, as much fun as you can, for as long as you can. Not doing anything because you don't have long to do it isn't fun at all." Memi leaned back on the couch. "I mean, humans don't live too long compared to elves, so would it be a good idea to sit back and do nothing because I don't have centuries to do it? No! Same for dragons or anything else that lives a long time." Zero Dream She almost commented that elves and dragons well... didn't really exist, but then she remembered that well, duh, you're in gaia for crying out loud, of course they EXIST here. "I know, but liking someone..." She refused to speak of the other l-word, ohnoohno. "...Is just a bit different... for me anyway. It's hard to explain... I do worry about alot of things that seems silly, don't I ?" maskedquerade "No, worrying isn't silly. Worrying too much is silly, I think. And it makes you not-do things that could be really fun, or really good. If I worried about getting sick, I wouldn't've left the house and come here. You just need to be you." She paused. "Minus the worry." Memi smiled. "Maybe you could think about it and try to explain it, and then it won't be so hard? It's like my parents used to say that when I was an adult, I'd understand, but I think they just didn't know and didn't want to try to know, you know?" Memi bounced a little on the couch. Zero Dream "Maybe." She said, sliding to sit on the floor. "...Well, on one hand I have people who always used to treat me like an adult, but then threated me like a child whenever they felt like it either. I think too much about things, but there's day im not to sure if im supposed to be a little girl or an adult, you know ? Like... Im used to have people expect one of those two of me, and act accordingly... But I lost all that when I came into this world, pretty much. So maybe I just don't know what "being me" really would be..." Zero Dream "Don't think. Be. It's much less trouble. I mean, thinking is great, but it's like worry. If you think about what people expect you to be, you'll never be yourself." Memi flopped over on the couch and let an arm dangle over the edge. "Can't follow people all the time." Zero Dream "You're right, but I do it without really thinking.... oh boy, that was a sad pun." She laughed a little. "Bah. I shouldn't bore you with those things anyway, uh ? Im hungry, want anything to eat ?" maskedquerade "If you were boring me, I would have told you. Because, I mean, who likes to be kept in the dark? Don't worry," Memi said, nudging Zero's shoulder. "But sure, I could eat. Whatcha wanna make?" Zero Dream "Something that won't set off the fire alarm." She sounded very serious. "Pizza, maybe ?" maskedquerade "Pizza? Sure. I do pancakes really well, too, if you like those." Memi got up from the couch and started for the kitchen with long, slow steps, spinning around as she walked, arms flung wide but careful not to knock anything over. Zero Dream "Hah, pancakes." She laughed a bit. "When I was younger, I ate so much, and I mean SO MUCH of them, that I can't stand them anymore." The teen was amused at the memory, heading for the fridge once she made it to the kitchen. "What do you like on your pizzas ?" maskedquerade "Anything. I like mushrooms and ham especially. Sometimes chicken. There's this one place in town that makes really spicy fried chicken, and sometimes I cut that into pieces and put it on my pizzas," Memi said. "It's super-delicious." Zero Dream "Sounds like it. I put chicken on mine sometimes. And green olives. I always get sick when I eat mushrooms..." She spoke, as she started to take out what she would need to make the dough. "No one really know why, it's just like... I can't stomach them at all." maskedquerade "I knew someone who liked the taste, but mushrooms didn't feel right in his mouth. Maybe that's why," Memi suggested helpfully. Zero Dream "Something like that, probably..." And it was then learnt that two girls making pizza = not a pretty kitchen afterward.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:03 pm
Stare At The Moon After pizza was accounted for and very much eaten, Zero went outside, just staring at the stars and the moon. "...Tsuki no suteki... Ne," she said to herself. The moon WAS beautiful tonight, in the cloudless sky. She was right, you know, my one."You heard?" she whispered. It is getting hard to control what I hear and what I do not. I apologize."It's okay. It's not like I have secrets to hide... None of this, anyway. I know she's right, but.... habit." Changing one's view is not easy, I know."Or admitting that you're not perfect... as much as you wish to be." Both grew silent, though, and simply watched at the spectacle the moon and the star made, though the same eyes.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:05 pm
The Ghost Of You Prolixity Revei lay on the grass in the garden, basking in the moonlight and passing the time till minight by counting the constellations he knew. There was the Basket; there the Crow's Eye and the Leaping Wolf; across from them in their stately procession the Diadem sparkled among the wash of stars that formed the Path of Trial. He sang absentmindedly in a dead language. Folksongs of the people who had once worshipped him. Draconayzia Soft song met his own from the sky. A particular group of stars much like the Seven Sisters circled above the shop like divine fireflies. Prolixity Revei watched the circling stars with some curiosity. Certainly not a common occurrence. The voice was familiar, though. He broke off his own song to call up into the sky. "Hello, Beryl." Draconayzia The song floated down, gaining strength until the goddess hovered a few feet from the ground. "Hello Revei."
Smiling she landed soundlessly on the dew-damp grass, letting her form solidify again. The mantle of stars stayed circling her brow. Zero Dream Not so far away, another voice burst into song. Zero had no idea of the presence of the two deities, nested into a tree, and almost not remembering how she had gotten there. Everything seemed to be a blur for the last few hours... As if she felt sightly disconnected. "I never said I'd lie and wait forever........" Prolixity "How lovely. I see you have got yourself a little piece of the sky, come down to circle your brow. A beautiful adornment for a beautiful goddess," Revei said, and did not bother to get up.
He turned his head slightly at the new voice. "Another nightingale," he said lazily. Draconayzia "Thank you. It was a gift from Lucius for an item I had made for him."
Her attention turned briefly to the tree. Flapping her wings softly she rose, hovering easily in front of Zero. "Hello, how might a fellow singer to the stars be feeling?" Zero Dream She continued to sing a moment, before noticing she had been talked to. "Uh..." Damnit, FOCUS. "Beryl ? Ano, im okay..." I hope. She rubbed the side of her head a bit, black locks being pushed off the side of her head as she did so. Prolixity Revei pushed himself up on his elbows, focus shaprning a littl to pierce the night. He smiled, but did not say anything. Draconayzia She smiled softly. "Would you like a hand down seeing as you're a bit distracted?" The dancing ring of lights around her head cast a soft light over the area, lighting the diety's face in bits and piece of patchwork blue. Zero Dream "...A little might be an understatement..." She announced, trough extending her hand so that Beryl could help her down. She noticed the stars, and after staring for a moment, she spoke. "Where did that come from ? It's pretty..." ((Sadly, this rp was never finished, I believe.))
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:06 pm
Coordination At It's Finest Right now, Zero seemed to be hovering in between total focus and her mind being extremely foggy... if she didn't plain sleep for hours. She really didn't like it... But Echo seemed to have as much control over it as she did... so she endured. At least right now her mind wasn't lost in what seemed a sea of jello, as she flipped through a book about stars and constellations she picked up not too long ago. She knew Echo was reading at the same time, and both respected each other's reading speed and concentration with pure silence, only flipping the page when both where ready to move on, in the kind of total, unnoticed synchronization that could only possibly exist when two were connected mind to mind. Too bad no one was there to see it...
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:07 pm
You And Me maskedquerade Memi came in the door quietly, shifting her backpack full of medical texts from shoulder to shoulder. After grabbing an apple from the kitchen fruit basket, she went into the couch room, dropped her backpack with a muffled, fluffy thud on the cushions, and flopped down herself, munching on the crisp green apple. Zero Dream A now familiar guitar-rattling came from further in the room, but Zero did not seem to have spotted her friend just yet, fingers dancing on the cords in the tune of a song that perhaps only she knew. When the bag dropped, trough, she finally noticed she was not alone, and perked, a smile drawing on her face. "Memi !" She called, putting the guitar aside. maskedquerade "Mphello," Memi said around a mouthful of apple. She swallowed, then grinned. "How are you?" The girl rolled her shoulders and took another bite. Zero Dream "'M good." She shrugged. "My brain's not quite feeling like jello at the moment, so..." She blinked a bit. Something seemed different with Memi... but she couldn't put her finger on it. Dismissing the thought, she shrugged again, moving the guitar in it's casing to make place for Memi so sit beside her, should she want to. maskedquerade "Jello's good," Memi said absently, taking another bite. "Panacea made me go to the library today to read medical books. My brain is so jello." She made a face, and picked herself up off the couch to flop beside Zero, very deliberately leaving her backpack behind. Zero Dream "Jello's... kinda weird. Let me guess, those with the big words ? I don't think I would survive the experience." Zero laughed a bit, even if she used similar big words almost daily... Ahem. "Echo's... Well. s**t's happening and neither of us seem to really know what's going on. We should win the prize of the most clueless morphing, or something." maskedquerade "Yeah, big words and weird pictures." Memi nodded. "I don't know what's going on, and Panacea doesn't talk to me much. I'm feeling better, but that's about it." She took a few more big bites of the apple. "Didja want an apple?" she offered belatedly. Zero Dream "Sure." She answered, throwing a bang of black hair - still with the faint blue tint - away from her face in faint annoyance. "I wonder why she had you read those books, trough... Shouldn't she know all about it, being the goddess of it ? Maybe she is not familiar with modern methods, after so long..." The voice that answered the question was definitively not Zero's. Too... melodious and more feminine. Blink. "...See, that's the kind of thing I mean. Oi." ...I had not planed to speak that one out loud, my one...Yeah, I know. maskedquerade Memi looked surprised, but resigned. "Yeah, something like that, I think. She was always asking me about my surgeries and stuff, so I don't think that's how she did it. It's always herbal stuff and exercise, as far as I know." Memi pulled herself to her feet and made a quick dash to the kitchen for Zero's requested apple. "I could have made a house with all the books that were about medical stuffs!" Trotted back in, she said, "Catch!" and lobbed the apple gently at Zero once she'd gotten the teen's attention. Zero Dream Luckily enough, she caught it (and it did not go ping on her head, the logic that most thrown object in the teen's surroundings seemed to follow) and took a bite into it. "Maybe you should have... that would have been fun, prolly. Would have to run like hell away from the librarians, but fun still." maskedquerade "I think I punished them enough with all the books they'll have to put back. I don't think I'll be able to go back..." Memi smiled a nervous smile with far too many teeth and took another bite. "What have you been doing?" Zero Dream "Decent enough, minus the mush-jello moment. Been playing guitar alot... guess im going trough a tiny antisocial phase again." She shrugged. She did that all the time - nothing too special. "And you, apart the book hell ?" maskedquerade "Not much, really. It's kinda odd. I've met a god named E-am-non, I think, and someone who came in and told me about some hide and seek games, but I just seem to eat and sleep and play. It's not really as interesting as I thought it would be--y'know, when you're in school and all you want to do is play." Memi glanced at her apple and sighed. "There's no one my age here, and while it's nice to have all these people--gods, whatever--here, it's like they're up here," she said, stretching her hand holding the apple up as high over her head as it would go, "and I'm down here," she moved her other hand just above her knees. "But," Memi said, her face brightening up instantly, "no one's told me that I'd understand when I'm older since I've been here." Zero Dream Zero couldn't help but laugh. "Oh god, me too ! If I had to hear "You'll understand when you're older" one more time..." She trailed off, grinning a bit. "But im here, right ? Could have been alot worse, and you're my best friend no matter what." She put emphasis to this with a nod, and took a bite in the apple. maskedquerade "I wonder if we'll be friends later.... well, I mean it won't be us..." Memi fought with the concept for another few seconds, and then gave up. "I'm really really glad you're here," she said finally, leaning against Zero's shoulder. "Echo's very nice, so I doubt she'd mind... and im glad you're there, too. I know I can tell you how I feel, and you won't laugh at me or something like that." Zero didn't seem to mind, only shifting to sit cross-legged on the couch, her upper body not moving as to not disturb the younger girl. maskedquerade "Echo and Panacea are different from us. As nice as it would be to stay friends, it wouldn't be us staying friends. It would be kinda like inviting someone you don't like to your birthday sleepover because your mom knows their mom." Memi wrinkled her nose as she looked at the mostly-eaten apple resting near her knee. "I wouldn't want to try to force gods to be friends, even if one 'doesn't mind.'" Zero Dream "Hm... yeah, you have a point." She frowned a bit. "Maybe they'll find a way to have us still talk to each other, they're gods, after all..." She didn't want to really thing about... then... just yet. The idea of Echo completely taking over... She had to admit it scared her. What would happen to *her*, then ? It wasn't time for remorses, but she was still scared. If she had to do it over, she would do it again... "...It scares me a little trough." She admitted. "...I mean, when Echo comes out, where am I going to go ?" maskedquerade "I dunno. Eamnnon said he didn't eat his host, but Illumin made it sound like it always happened. I'm scared too, and I don't know if I really want this or not..." You bargained with me for health and freedom. If you really want to clutter up what could be a happy time with doubts, you may do as you please, but it would not be something I'd advise.Memi smiled at that. "Don't worry, be happy, is that right?" She shook her head and snuggled against Zero. Zero Dream "Yeah... I guess you're right..." She forced a smile, twirling a bang around her finger. "...Echo must be asleep... she usually would have replied to something like that... Heh. She's always humming, even in her sleep, so it's hard to say..." maskedquerade "I get the feeling that Panacea just sits in my head and watches me. Kinda weird. Like being in a staring contest with a guy without eyelids." Memi pondered this image. "I don't know if I blink if I lose or she wins... or if there's a difference." Zero Dream "Some people are like that... I met a few." She pondered this over. "...I guess there wouldn't be a difference... But hey." She took another bite of the apple, looking thoughtful. "...But im not really good with things like that." She leaned her head a bit, to there it was right beside Memi's. "...I try not to think about things like that too much, they just make it harder." maskedquerade "Yeah..." Memi was quiet for a moment. "But I don't know, and I can't just let it go. Maybe that's how religions got started in the first place?" They started to venerate gods, Panacea spoke up stiffly. Zero Dream "Me neither. And... that would make alot of sence, actually, when you think about it... people would do anything for an answer, and gods happen to be able to provide them..." She sighed a bit absent-mindly. "And when humans started to be able to find the answer on their own... they faded." maskedquerade "Maybe," Memi agreed. "Kinda like asking your parents about stuff, and then you grow up and don't need them anymore? Kinda? Or is it not really like that?" She certainly wasn't in a position to know. Zero Dream "I dunno." The teen admitted. "I don't think it's one of those things people really notice... or think about... so who knows ?" For sure, Memi sure did make her think outside the box, sometimes... but it was a good thing. maskedquerade "Not me," Memi said with a smile. Zero Dream "Not me either." She laughed a bit. "Funny how you're always the only one around when im in there... you'ld almost think im a god repelant or something." The teen seemed to find this oddly funny, even if she had no idea where it came from. maskedquerade "I think they stay up in their rooms... Illumin doesn't like going out in anything other than really bright light." Memi shrugged. "He said that Luc-something liked the stars, so maybe he only goes out at night... Maybe we're the only ones normal enough to be out?" It was an idea, though not a very well-formed one, and she giggled quietly. Zero Dream "Maybe." Man, she was saying that alot today... she giggeled. "But I haven't seen even Beryl in a long time, and I basically bum off a part of her room. Maybe she's just like me and has times where she just wants to stay alone..." She shrugged, not seeming too worried. Gods could take care of themselves, right ? maskedquerade "Maybe." Memi was saying that a lot too. "I don't understand gods at all. I don't see Illumin all that much either. That, or he's looking at his lanterns. I sleep in his storeroom." She smiled and stretched her arms. "Most people want to be alone sometimes. Maybe gods are the same way?" Zero Dream "Probably... I know ill'd go insane if I had to be around people all the time. Being alone and just thinking is good, sometimes... But being completely alone sucks. I doubt they think any different..." Apart a select few, but hey, humans where like that too. maskedquerade "I guess. I like people," Memi replied with a smile. "I'm alone too often to like it." Zero Dream "Im alone often, but I still like it. But then, im wierd." Zero comically stuck out her tongue. maskedquerade "We've got deities in jewels stuck in us, of course we're weird... though... I suppose not by Gaia's standards," Memi said thoughtfully. Zero Dream "Yeah, I figure." She smilled.... but then yawned, and then seemed to fall asleep all of sudden. maskedquerade Memi looked at Zero, and then snuggled up beside her, letting herself fall asleep, if more gently.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:08 pm
Talking About The Future Zero couldn't help but wonder... What would happen then. She had told Memi she wouldn't worry, but still... It was hard not to think about it... and to not be scared. My one, you know I will never hurt you...I know...Then please, share with me... What are you scared of ? Please let me put those fears to rest....I don't know.Outside the mental talk, she was playing... and then sang. "Afuredasu namida nara ima wa tomenakute ii, kanashimi no saigo ni wa hikari ga sashikomu hazu... stay... stay... stay... stay..." Then I do believe you need to focus. It is impossible to be scared without a reason, my one. So young, so young... So confused, as she had once been. Ask me your questions. Each and every question you wish. Anything that goes through your mind, my one....After we merge, what will happen to me ?"Sou, onaji kimochi shinjiteta, keshita memori mitsumeteta... Ima anata ni aenai kedo, setsunai omoi kakushite..." What would you prefer to happen ? Stay in my mind as part of myself, my conscience, my dreams, my closet confident, my voice ? Should we sing as one, or would you prefer to leave as some do ? It is all up to you, to the best of my abilities.Would you be able to... bring me home ?"Tsuyoku nareru motto, tashikamete yuku no..." ...I am afraid this is beyond what I can do. If I were Travel or Creation, perhaps... I apologize.It's not your fault. I want to stay within you, then. I figure... It can't be so bad. Would I be able to still speak to Memi... ? Do you know ?"Afuredasu namida nara ima wa tomenakute ii, kanashimi no saigo ni wa hikari ga sashikomu hazu... Isogisugite, kowashite kita mono, torimodosu no, watashi rashiku aruku tame ni..." It might be possible. I have no idea if such a thing was ever attempted... I figure it would depend on Panacea, too.... "Nee, mata anata ni... Ano toki wa... saki ni sayonara iwasete, shinjiteru kitto atarashii asu o..." My one... ?It's okay... I feel better now, thanks. I think your honesty... is better than anything you could promise me, Echo.Of course, she was still scared... but it was a little better.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:09 pm
Let's go out to the city after the rain
Making our curiosity swell up like a bubblegum bubble
The puddle reflects a blue, blue sky
Without a doubt, tears
will dry up too. Jelly bean
Ah Let's take our time walking
in the pastel sunlight
through the happy days and unlucky days.
Ah Ah Ah Ah
-- "Fruit Candy" - Kojima Megumi Two Girls And A Kitchen Zero Dream Hunger was what brought Zero out of room that day, combing her hairs with her fingers as she went down the stairs, turning to make a beeline for the fridge, glancing at what was inside. No leftover pizza... man. Needless to say, the teen was no fan of "ordinary" breakfasts. maskedquerade Memi was already at the stove, but she was cooking pancakes. "Good morning!" she chirped. "I know you're not a big fan of pancakes, but what do you want for breakfast?" She already had a small stack covered in honey that was half-eaten. Apparently, she couldn't let her pancakes sit long enough to get a full stack of them. Yum! Zero Dream Zero jumped a bit, visibly not having heard Memi at all. "Hey ! I didn't know you woke up early..." She smiled. "Um... In there any hazelnut spread ? Ill just make myself some toast or something..." maskedquerade "Probably. Check in the cupboard with the peanut butter," Memi said, leaning down to take another bite of her pancakes; honey dribbled down her chin, but she quickly licked it up. She shook the pan a little and then picked it up and flipped her pancake. It landed in the pan--this time--but it was half up on the sloped edged of the pan. "Still haven't gotten the hang of that." While Zero looked for the hazelnut stuff, Memi put two slices of bread down in the toaster. Zero Dream "My dad couldn't ever get it right." Zero gave a light chuckle, kicking a stool to be able to reach the highest part of the cupboard. Visibly the last person to have went for the hazelnut spread was a tall one. The teen wasn't of the most amazing height either, and had to stand on the tip of her toes before finally managing to grasp the jar and jump down. "Im not even attempting myself." She extended her hand, searching for a spread knife blindly as she watched Memi cook. maskedquerade Memi let the pancake brown, and got another plate out for the toast that was going to pop up. "I'm getting better at least." She turned one edge of the pancake up and then set it back down. "How did you sleep?" Friskit It had been wiser that she do the delivery during the morning hours, last night it started storming something fierce and would have been idiotic to fly during a dry lighting storm. Friskit was pouring the speed into the new heavy-duty metal broom the wires cracking and whistling in the bristles. "Wunnerful new place i've never been..." She paused getting out a directional compass from her bag and setting in the coordinates again to check she was on the right path. "Right...thataway." Tucking the box back into her delivering bag she sped on, looking downward for the house and circling it a few times in the air before coming to a quick stop at the door. Friskit looked up at the strange house, sniffling a bit since the cold air had given her a little of a cold. This place fair reeked of magic that much was sure..and here she was without her camera. "Oh well.." She reached over ringing the doorbell and taking out the order in question, as well as a few things she had bought with her own money, a few boost bijou's, who'd want a personality-less friend anyway huh? maskedquerade The doorbell rang. Memi checked her pancake again, and tossed on on her plate, crisply golden brown. "I'll get it!" She tossed the skillet in the sink with a loud clatter on her way by, an slid to a stop in front of the door. She opened it breathlessly and said, "AreyoufromtheForge?" Zero Dream "Good enough." She yawned, then perked as both the toast sprung and the doorbell rang. "Uh... ?" And then Memi was gone before that went out. Sweatdrop... --- And somewhere else... Wren was indigned. VERY indigned. He couldn't believe his brand new motorcycle had been bested by a BROOM. Seething to himself, he finally caught up with Friskit, pulling and parking sideways, leaping clean off and going beside her. He was supposed to just watch for now... bah. Friskit Friskit leaned over and nodded, holding her broom copper wire bristles up in one arm and the box with a signing paper and a small attached baggie. "Aye.. oh and there was a random happence.. occaisionnaly customers at t'forge get a familiar..it's a completely random happence mind but I think you'd like to know yer one of the few.. Memi Panacea, aye?" She handed the box over and sniffled rubbing her nose a bit before digging into her bag. "I'm t'walk you through a few of the things.. I have a fandangle familiar m'self but she's a bit under the weather atm and getting a bit of fixing.. Ah'm friskit may I come in a bit?" Zero Dream "Memi ? Who it is ?" Zero peered from the hallway curiously, munching on one toast (with almost as much hazelnut spread than the bread slice was tick.) Wren had not noticed her yet, taking mental notes. maskedquerade "Hey Zero! Come see what I've got!" she called over her shoulder. She took the paper and signed it. "What'sa familiar?" Memi shook the box; it jingled. "Are the sprockets really that big?" Memi looked at the box; it was taller than she was! "I thought the catalogue said they were like three inches! Wow!" Friskit "err ah.." Friskit paused. "Here... dun shake the poor fella in there too much.. A fandangle familiar isn't a big sprocket.. they come about the size and shape of a big dinner plate.." She looked back at Shirren. "Well are you comin' in or not ye scunner?" This kid had energy to spare from the looks of things. "Settle a bit and Shirren and I here will show ye how to take care of em." Zero Dream "Yeah, yeah..." He rolled his eyes a bit. "If you allow me..." He gently took the huge box, in order to carry it inside. "Whattitzit, Memi ?" Zero blinked a bit, glancing as the whole happened. "What's going on ?" maskedquerade "I ordered some sprockets that Panacea wanted from a place called M-something's Forge, and apparently you get free stuff. A familiar like a dinner plate, I guess, but the box looks way too big for just that!" Memi was bouncing with excitement. Free stuff was always cool! Friskit "A familiar.. as in a creature of magic tha can help yeh do magic, produces it's own magic and eventually will grow in tae something larger than a dinner plate.. You've also gotten some sort of specially ordered item in there as well.." Friskit trotted in setting her broom carefully behind the doorway and trotting into the kitchen. "That's good Shirren.. just carry it on in there and we'll show this young lady.." Friskit paused looking at the other person who was awake and about. "Scuttle me and call me shanks.." maskedquerade "I dunno how to scuttle, but hello Shanks!" Memi said cheerfully. "What's 'shanks'?" Zero Dream Shirren gentely let the box slide to the ground in the middle of the kitchen, and it was then that he noticed Zero. ...There was something familiar about her, moreso than the name... The hairs where different, but the eyes and the shape of her face was the same. "Holy s**t, that's huge !" Zero... wasn't giving much thought to Shirren. "Can we open it ?" maskedquerade "Sure," Memi said, sitting down next to the box and starting to lift and peel the packing tape away. "Maybe it's already grown up a bit?" The box jingled a little more as its opened. Memi giggled. "This is so cool." Friskit Friskit stood back a bit, waiting with a smile and nudging a dazed wtf looking Shirren with an elbow. "Psst.. Wren.. shut yer mouth yer starin an it's rude t'stare" To Memi she smiled warmly, sniffling again as she watched Memi pulled out the staff, damn cold. "I doubt yer fandangle's grown up at'all.. that's the staff someone put onto your order.. Panacea aye?" Zero Dream Zero attacked the top of the box, herself. "Hah, it is ! It's like it's your birthday... only not !" That successfully snapped him out of it, causing him to give a sightly embarrassed smile. "Yeah, some people added on to the order last night after it was made..." maskedquerade "Panacea what? She couldn't put anything into the order without me knowing." Memi held up the staff and shook it, it chimed merrily. "It's so light." She shook it in Zero's general direction and grinned. Something else in the box jingled, and rose slowly out of it. A cog-disc to match the staff came into view, seeming to take stock of the situation. It looked at each person, passing over Memi, before returning to face the girl and shaking itself gently. "They match!" the girl crowed happily, reaching out with the hand not occupied with the staff to play with the disc's little silver rings. Zero Dream Zero had only started to watch at the staff when the fandangle rose... ...and she flipped over to geek mode. "....This is. The coolest thing. I've ever SEEN." She looked very, very, VERY awed, her jaw barely not hitting the ground, as she peered to look at it from a closer angle. Wren was definitively puzzled... but he looked over at his padget, seeing there was another delivery, a pretty big one. "Ill handle it, heavy stuff." He told Friskit before leaving, his mind running. Friskit "So they do.. now e'en then.. " Friskit reached into the box and pulled out the sealed tube of buzzing sprockets. "i'd suggest you keep these wee sprocket scunners in a nicely sealed up room so they don't cause havok outside.. And this is yer fandangle controller.. it'll let ye give him abilities and help you keep track of 'is health. " She held up the baggie with the the instruction for the fandangle care and the controller in one hand. "Now then.. let's start first by taking out some of them crystals you ordered." She turned and watched Shirren leave. "Fine but try and be back on time for training tomorrow or i'll be forced t'call yer sister.." maskedquerade "Ooh, he does stuff too?" Memi set down the staff and took the Fandangle in both hands, and shook him gently. The Fandangle seemed to take this patiently, or at least blankly. "I am Asclepius. You are... you are not... you are... my Bond," the cog seemed confused as it jingled. "Cool! Whuzzat?" she asked, looking up at Friskit. Zero Dream "Holy s**t, it talks, too !" Zero looked up. "Can I get one too ?!?" Insert total cute puppydog eyes here, batbateyelashes. Friskit "When he calls you his bond that means youre the person he's bonded to...except you are and you aren't at the same time..." She took the controller out of the baggie and looked at it. "The controlled says he's bonded to a Panacea.. " maskedquerade "Oh, so he's not actually mine." Memi looked disappointed. "But I mean, what does bonded mean?" She let go of the Fandangle and it hung there in the air while she picked up the staff again. They made noise. This was so amazingly cool. Friskit "It means basically.. that for all of his life and whatever magical spirit is his guide... he's going to be there. No one else is going to have him as a familiar, he's completely faithful to whomever he is bonded to and will do everything he can to protect them if need be." Zero Dream "Aww. Well, he's still cool anyway." Zero couldn't detach her eyes from it, trying to understand just how it was possible, how it was made, how it worked... and all that stuff. maskedquerade "Okay. So..." Memi peered at the Fandangle and nudged the rings with the staff. The jingling would never get old. "How do I take care of him?" Friskit "Well let's start setting him up.. used to be the fandangles came with an element prechosen but now you choos eit.. kind of drone-ish for my tastes.. ...You use crystals to choose the element your fandangle is going to be.. and.. let's see.." Friskit picked up the box and carried it over to thet table emptying out three wrapped and labelled crystals. "You've got two healing crystals and one life magic crystal.. ...you can order more later. You put your fandangle near the crystal and the absorb the energy from it, draining it.. ..then the crystal is just a fancy show piece and yer fandangle can do healing stuff.. you can buy things so your fandangle can learn magic tricks too." Zero Dream Zero listened silently, as if absorbing the information like a big, curious sponge, even trough the information was not destined to her. She simply had to know how such a wonder worked ! maskedquerade "So I essentially make him who I want him to be?" Memi asked curiously. She reached out to poke Asclepius again, but he drifted away slowly, more toward Zero, who seemed less likely to poke him. Friskit "Yeh.. but there are a few ways you can randomize things.. just so's he'll be more interesting... ...load'im up. afterwards the crystals are just pretty spirit magnets... you'll attract life and healing spirits to em." Friskit set them out and then dug into her bag again taking out the catalog. "You'll need to bring him to the shop once a month at least for check-ups.. And he'll need to charge once at day in the element you choose.. so.. your life sprocket will probably stick around him a lot.. an stop poking the poor dear he's not a toy... prolly don't like being poked more than you do." maskedquerade Memi looked confused. "I like being poked." Friskit Friskit shrugged and shook her head opening up the catalog to the upgrade items. "Every fandangle owner has a run of credit at the shop right now since it's the opening.. ...now I brought three of these Bijou.. they're personality seeds.. some come with certain element types but I brought a few of the all purpose ones along.. now you could choose the personality and mental quirks.. or you could randomly let them be chosen." She ushered the fandangle to the table. "He's got a hatch here that you put them in.. along with a lot of the other upgrade materials.." Zero Dream Zero didn't poke it, but did look it over with the kind of admiration most girl her age usually reserved for pop idols. maskedquerade "Okay. So I order more stuff for Asky on credit, and then plug it in? Doesn't sound too hard." Memi reached for Asclepius, and it immediately backed off an shook on its own, making the pleasant chiming sound that Memi had been immediately fond of. I think you're bothering him.As soon as Panacea "spoke" up, the Fandangle immediately zoomed over and began rubbing Memi's arm where the jewel was set. Memi giggled at it. Zero Dream Metal simply working like this... how amazing. Echo could not help but think, visibly having recently woken up. Welcome to my world, then. The only thing visible from the mental conversation was the smile on Zero's face, and her trying to imitate the chime idly with a barely audible whistle. Friskit "Pretty much yeh. ...there's also language and skill crystal sets that you can buy to so that he can learn things. There's more info in the catalogue but how about you set him up. He's at the widget stage right now.. just a step above cog. here ..we'll use the psychic-life crystal first. Prolly would be best." Friskit let out a warble of whistling notes to get the fandangle's attention. "Asceplius... come on here and we'll start setting you up." She held out the crystal. "It's good for them to get interaction with other Fandangles.. kind of like play groups or dog parks, there's usually someone with a fandangle familiar at the shop when you come in..." maskedquerade Asclepius turned toward Friskit and began drifting over. "Do they normally come with names?" Memi asked, watching the cog and resisting the urge to flick the silvery rings. Zero Dream Zero (or maybe it was Echo... ?) continued her low whistles, not really cutting herself into the conversation again, deciding to just listen for now. Friskit "Some do.. some don't. Most get named by their bonded ones." She waited and gently with a cupped hand guided him over to the life crystal. "You stay there and focus on absorbing all the magic that one crystal produces.. absorb it into yourself. there we go.." maskedquerade Asclepius locked onto the energy signature of the crystal and began absorbing it, almost automatically. "Oh, okay. So what kinds of stuff can he learn? Like escape artist stuff or pulling rabbits out of hats?" Memi asked, watching the disc... float. Friskit "Well he could learn how to use the energies he gathers.. make them into tattoos, runes, writing.. those are picked up by using an artifice." Friskit pointed to the section in the catalogue showing them and listing what each artifice did. "There are learning jewels you can pick up too.. Learning jewels will teach your fandangle how to bandage wounds, paint art, play music, or learn new languages via the network link in your controller." maskedquerade Memi considered Asclepius. "Asky's a disc, how would he bandage anything or play an instrument or paint? The languages thing I get, but the rest don't make any sense." Friskit "Some of it he'd be able to do using the magic he's absorbing from the crystal.. some of it he'd be able to do later... here.. these are the body frames he's going to evolve into." Friskit showed the evolution chart from the pack with the controller. maskedquerade "Huh. Weird." Memi flipped through the catalogue. "Why does he look like the staff?" Friskit "I'm not sure... maybe it has something to do with whatever spirit is going to guide him later one.. something related to that staff." Friskit shrugged and looked at the cog. "I think he's got bijou already the way your controller reads..why don't you fiddle around with it? i've got go fly off and do more deliveries.. but if you need anymore help or information just call the shop or call my number" Friskit scribbled down the number for her s-tone and padget. "Share the catalogue with friends.. the crystals are for fandangle owners only.. so you could trade them with other folks or give em as gifts." Zero Dream Zero flicked a bit trough the catalogue while the two where talking, spotting a very cool looking necklace. Telsa, uh... ? Mental note to order. What did credit card bills matter when you're going to blink out of existence anyway ? "Those crystals are pretty..." She noted, especially the one that looked like a rainbow. Friskit Friskit looked up as she heard the other girl speak noting the familiarities and brushing them off again, before talking. "I can extend you a line of credit.. probably not going to use all of mine as an employee and a fandangle owner at the forge. write down what you'd like and I'll see about delivering it sometime later." She took careful note of the girls fingertips which were starting to show signs of having been doing a lot of playing lately. "You a musician?" Zero Dream "Really ? That's so nice, thank you !" She scampered in her pockets for a pen and some paper. "Well, I guess you can say that." She smiled, thinking that "I have a goddess of music inside me" might not be the best explanation. "I play guitar a bit..." maskedquerade Memi flipped through the catalogue on her own while the other two were talking, making notes for an order. Panacea weighed in constantly, telling her exactly what to buy, with Memi making additions as she cared to. Friskit "You're new to it.. your finger tips are swollen and slightly red.. suggests you've not done much playing before but are doing that more often now... your fingers will develop calluses eventually.." She held up her own hand the thick caluses at the tips of her left hand but not her right. "Used to play music myself." Zero Dream Very observant."...Wow, you're good." She smiled. "I really started doing it often recently, yes... But I don't mind, really. Ill'd have messed up my fingers even in mechanics anyway, so..." maskedquerade "Okay, I've written down everything we want," Memi said, folding over an order form torn from the catalogue. "Do I just give this to you, or do I have to mail it again?" Friskit "You two just give it to me.. i'll deliver the orders at a later time." At this time friskit took a glance at the clock on the wall and gave a start. "CRAP! I'm late! Thanks i'll catch y'all later gotta fly now by!" She made a mad dash for the door after getting both their orders and nabbing her broom stick out, straddling it before blasting straight up into a spiral into the sky. maskedquerade Memi waved cheerfully after the delivery woman. After getting her plate of pancakes--now chilly--from beside the stove, she sat down and started eating them, occasionally nudging the staff to make it chime.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:10 pm
Haunted Zero Dream Zero was simply sitting on a couch, eyes closed and as motionless as a statue for some reason or another... visibly sleeping in some kind of odd position, only opening an eye and glancing sideways when she heard noise. Beryl... and someone else she didn't know. Yawning a bit, the teen couldn't help but wonder why she had fallen asleep in the first place, carefully setting the guitar on her back before stretching and getting up, not too sure if she should join in or not. maskedquerade "Perhaps you should introduce yourself, Memi," Asclepius suggested quietly. It galled him to see her just standing there, and he stood... er... floated... slightly confused. He hated seeing her charge into a conversation, but standing back and rudely watching was just as bad, perhaps worse. Panacea decided to humor the metal disc who called himself Asclepius. A fitting name, perhaps. She walked over to a couch moderately close to the other deities (or proto-deities) and sat down, the rings on her staff settling with a final-sounded clinking."That is not what I meant when I mentioned an introduction," he said primly. Ivynian The movement from the other couch drew his attention, and he slowly turned to examine the source. Awareness struck again and he looked to the frame near the stair.....they were surrounded. As if all of me were needing to be laid bare before such childrenAnger flashed brief balefire through his eyes and faded quick as magician's flash paper. "It seems we are not alone. Greetings to you both." Draconayzia Wind caught the flash of fire but decided to question it later. "Hello Memi, Zero. Or am I mistaken in whom I address?"
Her relaxed posture stiffened slightly, off put by having unknown ears attached to their words.. Zero Dream "Hey." Was the answer Zero gave, plopping back again, giving off a polite smile and seeming a little confused. Memi was acting a little weird... She couldn't remember her having been that silent even since she met her. But then, perhaps it is not what you see, my one.The teenager blinked, but seemed to understand what the goddess meant. Echo had taken her over a few times, mostly by accident, but still... It was probably Panacea. The only sign of this knowledge she gave a simple nod, remaining silent, not too sure what to say, with two people she didn't know around, much like when she had initially came. "Well, im me, if that's what you mean." She answered Beryl. maskedquerade "Greetings to you, Beryl of the Wind," Panacea said. Her voice was not lilting or harsh, having only the qualities of exceptional gravity and politeness. "I am Panacea, it is perhaps our first true meeting. And who is this other that I have the pleasure to address, that I may do him honor?" She turned her gaze on the deity, her eyes wholly Memi's but screening something... more. Draconayzia "Ah, so I was half right. This is Lucius, the Universe." She gave the new deity a small nod of her head in acknowledgment. It still bothered her the other had not given a clue to her presence.
Who hides behind favored eyes? Not that one. Ivynian "Be easy, young one. Commanding your hosts form so soon will drain you. Do it neither long nor often until you truly find your strength. We have one in our midst who has already suffered, and Harmodius now must hodl vigil over him." His mouth straightened while a brow arched is disapproval. "I am Universe, called Lucius in the new consciousness...the honor is mine." He gave a slow nod of acknowledgement. Zero Dream ...Okayyy. Too much gods at once... too much at once... Oddly enough, it was probably a bit like Memi had felt when Echo had taken over... She tried to shove the guilt the memory brought along away, rubbing her temples a bit. She had no idea what to say... so she simply stayed silent. That and Echo's humming was louder than usual, and was starting to give her an headache... maskedquerade "Then to the Universe, Lucius, I also give salutation," she said, shifting herself on the couch; the staff clinked quietly. "And also to Zero, in whom Music dwells." Panacea smiled at the god, and continued, "I thank you for your concern and advice, but I assure you I have no intention of destroying the body I worked so hard to restore. She sleeps, innocent and unknowing; I merely wished to see as myself for a while." She stretched out her hand, the staff resting now on her shoulder. If perhaps she looked hard enough, she could see the puppeteer's strings rising from the fingertips. Draconayzia It was odd to watch the small body speak so anciently. Years of knowledge on an unfitting face. Still, there was something to be glad about. "You have healed her? What of her family? Unlike many who come here she is not alone in this world."
She kept a corner gaze on Zero, afraid that she might be ill the way she was looking around.
"Lucius, who is the one Harmodius is watching?" Ivynian "Angst has fallen into disrepair....he took Nev'n's body too soon and for too long. Now his stone grows dark. " His gaze went to this....panacea. It was part warning, part concern. Our first meeting and already this host's deity manifests....I have not done my duty. But some thing..No. Things must be left behind to achieve others. maskedquerade "Her body is whole, but her family remains dangerous. They seek to reclaim her, but she will not be. I believe she will be staying within these walls for a good while," Panacea said, amusement in her voice. "I do not believe she will care for it, but at least she will not have to go to the hated library."Asclepius drifted over to Zero and shook himself lightly. She had seemed so interested in him before, perhaps it would serve as a distraction from his Bond. It disturbed him that he had not recognized her himself. Draconayzia "Your words are harsh, medicine. Or perhaps it is only the body you treat. Will you not even let her say goodbye? Or give her family something to release? It might make things easier on you both." memi was a sweet child and if the dragonkin had wailed then the child's would break hearts, mortal and deity alike.
"I am sorry to hear about T'lai. I could have stopped him before but I did not. Then again perhaps I couldn't have stopped him. Either way I am not Time and cannot change it." Zero Dream Zero smilled a bit, reaching out to the cog and simply brushing her hand on the smooth metal, not outward poking like Memi did. Too much names she couldn't attach to faces... But then, Echo seemed to, in a sense, save her, and give her something to say. "...Echo says she is pleased to meet you, even if indirectly... And that she would send this greeting herself, but she believe it is not time yet. Something like that, anyway..." She yawned a bit. Ivynian So they can all speak.Lucius gave a nod to the other girl, a recognization of her speech, " Well met then." He rose, turning in towards the beyond of the kitchen, "Perhaps they will be less uncomfortable around you, Sister Lady. You have always had more a knack with the initiates.....more parental seeming." maskedquerade "She may say goodbye, should she choose, but now she is too afraid of losing her new friends," Panacea smiled at Beryl and Zero, "to return to her family. I cannot say if the bonds of fear that push her or the bonds of love that pull her are stronger." She chuckled. "What a child she is. She fancies that she is free."Asclepius came closer, and allowed himself to be caressed. "Do not trouble yourself, Universe. Your realm can include the couches as well," Panacea smiled. "I shall take your advice and retire, as I seem to have interrupted something of import. Perhaps we shall meet again in less uncomfortable circumstances. I am sure," she continued, rising and turning to Zero, "that the child will return to you as ready to play as if she was to pour all the joy of her life into the one afternoon." Zero Dream Zero swallowed the lump that was forming into her throat, and simply nodded to Panacea. "I know." It was all that needed to be said, really... She let her hand slide off the fandangle, as he would probably want to follow his Bonded. Ivynian "Set instructions for me, if there are any, on paper. We may have words again in more private perhaps." He bowed to the room and strode out the front, out into the realm. Draconayzia "I shall, thank you." Giving him a light kiss on the cheek she watched as he left.
"I am sorry for my cool reception, Medicine. There are a few things that seem to bother me more than they should of late. I would like to keep my promise to Memi to take her flying. Or perhaps the newly grown Arrow would like to. And Zero, or Echo should that be who speaks, would you care to talk for a time? I find myself in want of company lately." Zero Dream "Ah, well, Echo doesn't really take over. It's me." She shrugged, visibly still a little... confused ? Overhelmed ? "Our voices mix sometimes... but that's on accident." She flicked a bang away, blue eyes downcast. "Sorry about that. I can try, but I fall asleep at the drop of an hat, lately... That's what happened here, I must have felt asleep and woke up when I heard you two..." Draconayzia "Not to worry. It gets very confusing sometimes. I wasn't as... gentle... with my host as Echo is with you and the change was more notable. Just let me know if you are too tired to talk and we can stop. Have you decorated the space I gave you yet?" She was smiling again like she used to, leading the teen towards the kitchen for a snack. maskedquerade "I shall leave that up to her. If I tarry longer, she will awaken before I find the bed. I had hoped to be illuminated, but that will have to wait." Panacea nodded, and gestured to Asclepius, who paused, and turned, ready to fly to her side, but she held up her hand. "Stay with her, should you care to, I will return to rest in a little while." Panacea turned and walked back into the kitchen toward the stairs, quietly jingling and chiming the whole way."I love her, but I do not know what to think of her," Asclepius admitted quietly. Zero Dream "Well, that would help if I got warnings." She chuckled. "...But yeah, I guess im having it easy next to some... And uh, I havn't yet... Completely forgot about doing that, actually." She admitted, a bit sheepish. "I will soon, tho. Vertigo's already started on that, I can tell..." She gave a chuckle, then turned to the fandangle. "...A foreign voice on a familiar face... I think I know how Memi felt, now." Draconayzia "Do not worry too much." She pushed a plate of fruits in front of her friend, taking a chilled and sugared grape for herself.
Her habits were changing slightly, but not as drastically as they had been. Her hair now always looked windblown and her form tended to fade and mist if she let her mind wander. A strand flicked in her face and she gave it an annoyed glance. "I wonder if I should cut it or bind it somehow....." Zero Dream Zero did not seem to really notice, taking an apple and biting into the fruit. "It feels weird to have my hairs loose, but im too lazy to remake my braids." It took at least 4 hours to do it all, on average... So she had decided not to bother unless a specific reason would show up. "It's up to you, really... But ill'd go for binding, myself." Draconayzia "It's odd. I can brew a tea or bake or do some rather homely domestic things but I can't brain my own hair." She gave Zero a slightly amused look.
"Figures, doesn't it?" Zero Dream "Given that you're talking to the girl who can create robots and get stumped by her math homework ?" Grin. "It took me a long time to get it right. Even then, it takes forever. Like... 4 hours for everything." Draconayzia The goddess laughed. "It always seems to end up something like that. Perhaps some time you wouldn't mind helping me, though? I always manage to brain in a few feathers and they tug." Zero Dream "Sure." The idea of helping, well, a god, was a little funny. "When I have enough focus to do it in one sitting or something. Or not tie it up in knots." She laughed a bit nervously. Draconayzia "I'm sure it will be very nice. From seeing your skill with your own hair I think you might be just the person to tame this." violet eyes glanced up at blue locks that floated idly around her head. "If I'd have known it would do this I would have kept my host's hairstyle. But no, I had to grow it out!" A merry laugh followed the complaint. It was an odd day for the goddess to laugh at herself, carefree for once. Zero Dream "We all do things like that." She laughed. "Like, once, I was sick of long hairs so I got them cut REAL short, was trying to do an anime-ish kind of haircut with lots of spikes or something. You have no idea how bad it LOOKED !" She grinned. "It was such a pain to grow out again." Prolixity Revei closed his door firmly behind him and padded down the hallway towards the stairs. Voices and footsteps outside had reminded him of the outside world, and he felt that he could certainly use some company other than his own thoughts just now. Morpheus slept again, and did not seem inclined to rouse. Just as well. Revei was in no mood for argument.
He headed down the stairs, wrapping his robe tight around him and looking as though he might have a small invisible thundercloud trailing above his head. Draconayzia "Ah! Well that's understandable. What was... Revei!"
Smiling and giving a small laugh she whirled over to her friend pulling him lightly into a waltz around the kitchen. "No storm clouds today, Sweet Dream." maskedquerade There was the sound of a door closing quietly upstairs, and then the light thumping of running footsteps and the continuously pleasant jingling of metal on metal from the upstairs corridor. It came rushing down the stairs, and resolved into Memi, who caught herself on the bottom of the stairs and grinned at everyone. "Hello hello!" Zero Dream "What was... ?" ...Wait, Revei ? ...Magically sinking into the couch seemed like a good idea, fighting the mental battle and blushing just a bit. He didn't seem too happy... wasn't the time to have him put up with her immature antics. "Memi !" She smiled a bit awkwardly, after all that had happened so far... "How are you doing ?" Prolixity Revei shook off the touch with a wordless shiver and went to perch on the counter, tucking one foot under himself and crossing his arms over his chest. He looked a little strained, as though he had not been sleeping well, his hair and wings a little bedraggled. "Is there coffee?" he asked plaintively.
He nodded to Zero, and then to energetic Memi. Draconayzia Not one to be put off today she gave a nod and handed him a steaming mug. "Now hold still, won't you. I promise not to hurt or give you anything bad to dwell upon."
Slipping a pair of gloves from a drawer she sled them on and started to gently work the Dream's wings with practiced skill. maskedquerade "I'm okay, took a nap, feeling really good." Memi grinned and tilted her head crazily to one side. "You don't look so good though. What's wrong?" She let her stafff thump on the ground with a heavy, pleasant crash of metallic sound. "Are you sick? I can help, even if Panacea's being quieter than usual. Zero Dream She gave Revei a warm smile in return, but then seemed to just... blank out and curl up just a bit, visibly asleep before the movement was even over.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:11 pm
Danger Zone Usually, when Zero woke, it was, at most, a day later. But on that day, the calendar sent a shiver down her spine. 4 days... She'd somehow slept through 4 days. She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat, flopping back on the bed. Visibly, someone had eventually picked her up and brought her back in her room... Yoko watched her dreamer with a bit of a worried expression. The dream knew this was not normal... knew that something was happening. Too much sleep. Vertigo did not seem to share the worry, rubbing against the teen's ankle, wanting to be picked up. The feline instantly purred when he was finally in her arms, but Zero petted him absentmindedly, eyes blank as she was lost in her thoughts. She did not understand any of this... Changes, my one, I am sorry. I could not wake you up....And it was scary. You mean you were in control... ? And you didn't do anything? Zero did not sound mad, only confused. I did not have your permission... nor the strength. I do not want to jeopardize you and have to call onto Panacea's help if such a thing can be avoided, my one. What others do to their hosts are not my place to speak for or against, or judge, but I do believe into not doing to others what I do not wish to be brought onto myself. It is how I think......If it happens again, and you think you...We....we would be okay... Go ahead. I trust your judgment. She would have to. But it wasn't so hard: as scary as the situation was, as scary as becoming a goddess and completely losing yourself was, Echo had given her no reason not to trust her. And trust her she shall, and will... because if that trust, the small bit of balance she had left in her life besides Memi, was to break, then she would have truly entered the danger zone.
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