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 Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 5:42 am
"It was horrible..." Celestia murmured softly as her friend helped her in the room, her eyes not seeming to take in much of her surroundings, the thoughts preoccupying her vision. "Everywhere I went... They simply continued to attack... Pae to each side of me fallen... The sheer amount of blood... The vibrantly red blood... Shrieking cries and the scent of burning..." Her hands raised to her head as she closed her eyes trying to be rid of her mind.
"...they came for me... struck me... it was so frightening... so painful..."
Having not noticed Vanya leave, the princess visibly jolted as she was again addressed, brought back to reality. Reaching for the vial, she brought it to her lips, pausing only to say, "Thank you Vanya..." before drinking it. Placing both hands in her lap, she obediently followed the seer's instruction, taking deep breaths. With each inhale, her mind seemed to become lighter, the majority of the fear and confusion fading away.
After a time, she spoke again. addressing her directly. "Why would you wish for me to see something so... horrible...?" she pleaded, unsure how to describe the situation in another way. There was so much before the bloodshed, now that she had nearly calmed and could look at her memories with a colder perspective, that she was confused by, but the questions kept being pushed back with returning images. It was hard to concentrate on much else despite the sedation. "...why...?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 2:34 pm
Vanya's stomach felt as if it had dropped to the floor, somewhere near her hooves. She hadn't been told to go away at this point, yet, so she rubbed the fauny's back in what she hoped was a soothing manner. It always worked for her when Takis did so, when she'd wake in the middle of the night from a nightmare vision. What...had she subjected her friend to?
The halted, disjointed description of what she'd experienced painted a general picture. One that was unfortunately all too familiar to the Seer. However, it was not what she'd expected or hoped that her friend would see. While it was a relief to see the princess start to calm, Vanya couldn't help the guilt that had settled onto her shoulders. In response to her question, she had to say something.
"Celestia, I...I am so very, very sorry. I can never apologize enough," she hung her head, shamefully. "I knew it was a risk, but I thought it a small one. I wasn't sure what you might see, but I...I thought such visions were reserved for me to endure," she finished quietly. "I only wished to share the truth with you. I didn't mean for you to see such things." She shook her head sadly. "Please...can you ever forgive me?"
She started to raise her head slightly. "I cannot take away what you have seen, but," she placed a hesitant hand on the other's shoulder. "I can try to help you understand it. Or at the least, I can share your burden. If you will let me."
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 2:47 pm
Guilt was the last thing the princess had hoped to instill in her friend. All she wished for was comfort and a way to make sense of what she had just endured. Wait... This wasn't what she was meant to see? What, then? Why would the dream turn into something different than she wished her to see? Something else softly sunk in as she thought of this.
"You... You have dreams such as that?" She reached her arms up to embrace her in a soft, comforting hug. "That is simply... horrible... How do you do it? Why must it be in it that all one can do is watch, victim to what is going to happen? It is so very cruel." She pulled away, shaking her head. "You are not sharing in my burden, no... Now I shall help in sharing yours. But..." She paused, shaking her head. "...I cannot explain what I have seen... Everything comes together, blurred... Confused..."
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 5:09 pm
This was unexpected. Vanya had been trying to comfort Celestia, fighting the urge to embrace her for comfort, but afraid in case she was angry with her for what she'd done...and now the Seer was the one being comforted.
She was puzzled for a moment, then returned the gesture. "Sometimes," she answered. "Sometimes they're more mundane. And it is not always such either. If you cannot act to change things, it is because it is a memory. If you can, well...it could be a warning, a vision, an omen...or just a nightmare..." She pulled away as well, shaking her head. "I am sorry...I'd hoped you'd get one of the more common ones...nothing so bad as you described. An argument perhaps, or just...a scene from everyday life back then. I had no idea," she dropped her head once again. She should have weighed the risks better. Or not taken such a chance at all.
What was done was done now. She needed to fix her mess as much as she could. "I...when I said that I could share your burden, I meant it a bit more literally than you might have thought," Vanya began slowly. She reached up to gently turn Celestia's face towards hers. meeting her gaze with sightless eyes. "I can attempt to see what you saw...but I'd like your permission first. It's like...I can share your experience, but you'll have to guide me. I can see and experience what you experienced, but only if you can focus on it. I know that might be hard, and if you'd rather not, we can try this the old-fashioned way, just talking about what you saw," she said delicately.
"If you'd prefer, we could ease into this with simple questions before you make any decisions." Her 'readings' depended on the thoughts of the one in question, and whatever their focus, she would see. Which was why she'd never do a reading on a friend without permission, as it felt like an invasion of privacy...and there was no telling what she might see.
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 5:23 pm
Listening to the explanation of the different types, Celestia simply nodded, letting her pull away as she wished. It wasn't simply a hug for comforting Vanya; it also served in comforting herself, helping her to feel safe in someone's, a dear friend's, arms, knowing that she understood the feelings she was having and the emotions filling her very being. "It is no fault of yours that I saw what I did, though, I wish whatever spirits were toying with me were less sadistic than they appear to be..." she finished the comment with a horse laugh and small smile, trying to make light of the images plaguing her.
A long moment passed as their eyes locked, the hollow, red irises seeming to stare into Celestia's very being.
"You... can do such a thing?" she questioned, her head tilting slightly in her friend's hands. Her mouth twitched into a small smile as she shrugged. "Wow, that is quite surreal. I would have never imagined one capable of such a feat. I..." she paused before nodding once, deciding on trying out this new experience. "...I believe it should be an experience in itself. I should like to try it with you, but you shall reiterate to me what it is you see, will you not? Perhaps that would help my thoughts." Even if it would expose her mind, at this point, the princess felt she had little to hide from her friend, particularly when this could help to calm the images.
Were it not for the sedative, she would likely still be about herself in tears.
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 6:02 pm
Vanya nodded solemnly. "It is not always easy, but it helps when one is willing. I do not do so often either, only when necessary. I think though, that this is for the best in our current situation." The Seer shifted slightly, turning so that she faced the fauny princess. "You are in control, okay? You will guide me with your thoughts, focus on the memory, and you may ask questions as you will. I will simply be an observer and answer what I can."
She took a deep breath, calming herself as well before they began. Then, she reached up, laying her fingertips lightly against Celestia's temples and closing her eyes. "Now...relax and open your mind...I shall see what you saw as long as you hold your concentration. If we can, I think it best we start at the beginning?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 6:25 pm
The princess's eyes followed the fingers as they came to rest upon her head, a soothing effect seeming to flow from them as her eyes came to close as well.
From the beginning...
The meadow in front of the great tree, faun soldiers sitting to either side of her. Their voices, muffled, before she came closer. To the distance the woman with feathers and children, some of them crying to remain with the men, others going willingly. Her invisible hand reaching to comfort one as it was sent away. They must fight to protect all of this... They are going to all die, slowly, painfully. Flickers of the mangled corpses to come of the faun she saw, their hearts pierced, their skin bubbling beneath hot oil, their eyes widened and dull... Silence...
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 7:05 pm
At first, the images flickered then stabilized, the open plains stretching before Laisidhiel, cast in shade. Soldiers, then a caretaker of some sort, children, more soldiers. the vision sped up and whirled, images of horror mixing in and taking over...
Feelings of nausea and disorientation washed over the Seer and she broke contact quickly, holding her own head. "Celestia? Celestia!" It wasn't often that the soft-spoken Seer's voice carried such a sharp tone, but she needed to startle the other out of her memories.
The images had spiraled out of control quickly, yet...Vanya had had similar memory visions of her own before. She knew enough to recognize the scene. "By the Earth," she murmured with the tone of an uttered curse, reaching gently for Celestia's cheek. She wore a look of pity. "They showed you...the Fauns' final stand...?!?" Disbelief obvious in her tone, Vanya pulled the princess towards her before she could object. No wonder she'd been so shaken. For now, the Seer just held the princess in sympathy.
"Oh, Celestia...I am so, so sorry." She'd never imagined... Vanya had sensed potential yes, in a friend and former leader with aspirations to become one again. But, did the spirits sense something more? Or were they just being cruel? Why would they have granted her one of the most important, yes, but also one of the most horrible moments of Faun history to witness?
"You poor thing," she muttered, willing to hold the fauny princess for whatever comfort she could get from the embrace as long as she needed. After a moment, she added in a whisper, "The first time I saw it...I woke up screaming. Sobbed like a child afterwards." Yes, her version had been somewhat corrupted near the end...but...as she'd learned later, the real ending wasn't much easier to watch.
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 7:23 pm
The sudden snap of the seer brought the princess's eyes open. She had begun sweating again at the memory, as she had the first time, sickness in the pit of her stomach. Looking away, she muttered softly. "I... I am sorry..." Her eyes wandered back, disbelieve in her eyes at the differing tone in her voice. Never had she heard her speak so harshly about anyone, especially the spirits. "The final stand... Is... Is that what this battle was called...?"
She hated this look that her friend was giving her; it appeared to be... pity...? Was that was it was? A look meant for comfort, yet, also filled with a sorrow for her. "Please... do not look at me in that way." Perhaps it was because of the visions, but her tone came out harsher than intended. Instead she looked away, breathing softly. "Sorry... I meant no harm".
"You did?" It was hard to imagine Vanya in any sort of emotional pain; she always seemed so strong.
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 2:27 pm
Vanya reached for one of Celestia's hands, wishing to remain in contact, as much for her own benefit as the princess'. "I am a Faun like any other," she said quietly. "I am not emotionless, though sometimes I have to try to put my emotions aside to deal with the issues of others. Sometimes I am more successful than others. My worst memories and nightmares seem to have to do with that battle. As well as the most ominous warnings of our future," she finished with a shake of her head. It wasn't easy to relive your own death, over and over, in various shifting circumstances.
"I do not know if it was ever given a name, specifically. There were few Faun left to bother with naming it afterward. Only one, in fact, and it's a subject I prefer not to bring up without just cause," she said quietly, thinking of the only known survivor of that battle: Earthmother. "I have come to refer to it as such myself only, for that is what it was; the final defensive battle of the Faun against the Blood Pae'il, a last stand in an attempt to protect their home and their lineage."
After a moment's musing, she stood. "Let's try something else. Distractions to maintain focus." She crossed the room and began pulling a few things from a drawer and setting them on a shelf. Some incense and oil appeared, and after a few minutes, the room filled with the scent of lavender and spearamint. "Relaxation and clarity," she murmured, returning to Celestia's side. Taking her friend's hands, she said, "Alright, let's try this a little differently. I know that it's going to be hard, but there must be something the spirits wished you to learn from this. So, let's try to take things slowly this time, start at the beginning, and focus on what they showed you. I can try to help keep you on track, but I can only read the strongest images that you show me." Now that she knew what situation they were dealing with, she had a general idea of what path the dream may have taken, but not what details were given to Celestia. That was what was important. "Now, slowly this time. Picture the plains. Still and quiet. What did you see first? What did you hear?" The Seer's voice was calm, lilting lightly with the hint of a rhythm designed to soothe and direct. "Find that first encounter and focus on it." Her fingertips brushed against the princess' temples once more and her own eyes closed in concentration.
Spirits, help me to help her through this.
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 2:52 pm
Deciding to go along with her friend's idea, once more Celestia's closed her eyes, trying to focus on the situation. She was standing again outside of the tree, wind blowing softly, the area absolutely silent. Again she looked to the adorned female surrounded by children before going closer to the group of males. Any flickering of their corpses to come were very light and but a momentary distraction, and the scene continued. They said what they did, about this fight being the last attempt, before the children were taken away. A moment spent watching the one child quiet down.
Then came the the 6 leaders: the circle, all dressed win their arms. Among them was Earthmother. Celestia neared as all but she and the past seer left. Their conversation continued, particular focus on the small movements they made, the gestures, the closeness, rather than on the words spoken.
Fear not, love...
Pausing in her memory, eyes continued to be shut, the princess spoke. "Vanya... It appears the old seer was quite close with Earthmother... Were you aware of this fact?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 3:10 pm
Flickers of information, images, emotions. The Seer had to take these and piece them together; it wasn't quite as easy as she had explained, but...it was hard to explain something to someone when it was an entirely different sense than any they'd ever experienced before.
Comments about the Blood Pae'il, a betrayal, a hunting party...then the children, more of the same, this being the final stand...even the soldiers had known it at the time. And yet, they stood their ground.
On to...the Circle? And Earthmother? A young Earthmother. Admittedly, Vanya had not deliberately sought out visions of her past life specifically...she just received them sometimes as part of what she saw of the big picture. Experiences that had once belonged to her. For her own personal reasons, the Seer paid close attention, noting the mention of Templa and Vilya's plan, and how the Faun were to hold the Blood Pae'il here while they completed their mission. This wasn't news to her, yet, it was the first confirmation she'd received of what Rais and Earthmother had shared with the new Council members at their induction.
Then Arda moved away and the others seemed to follow. Vanya assumed that this would lead to the portion of the vision she was more familiar with, but for some reason, the Seer took a detour. Well, this was new.
A few moments later, the connection wavered and was almost broken...but due to the Seer's response this time. What...what had she just witnessed...? What did it mean? Why had she never Seen this before? Why would the spirits hide this of all things from her? As questions raced through her mind, the past Seer turned his eyes on Celestia, and Vanya through her. She felt a shiver race up her spine...and then he was gone.
Celestia was asking her a question. She barely heard it at first, delaying her answer and then having no idea what to say. "I...I had no idea," she admitted in a shocked whisper. The implications of just what she had seen between the two had set her head swimming. She felt like she'd been caught spying...but...on herself? An odd concept, but she felt her face heating up nonetheless as her mind tried to process what this might mean.
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 3:18 pm
"Do... You wish to see the rest..?" The princess hesitantly asked, hoping that she wouldn't have to purposefully try and remember that. Maybe it would help to sort out the feelings, but that didn't make them any less frightening.
It was strange, however, that Vanya was unaware of this connection. Why would she had been shown to her before the owner of the memories? How could it be so? "Does it, you suppose, have any significance to the present?" Probably, considering it was the will of the spirits and all. Even if they were cruel and sadistic, she found it unlikely that they would show something so important just to show it.
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 3:29 pm
Still a bit distracted herself, Vanya hesitated before answering. "Only if you think there is anything in particular that may have been useful. I believe I'm familiar enough with the general happenings and can answer any questions without having to see it again." It seemed like they could both use a break at this point.
As for her other question, "I...don't know." Her face was still a bit flushed, wondering how in Laisidhiel she was supposed to try and find out more about this. And why had the spirits shown Celestia first, and not Vanya? Though, she was starting to entertain the possibility that certain spirits simply did some things for love of mischief...
Sighing deeply, Vanya tried to focus on her friend first once more. "Anything else of note that may strike you as important? If not, I'm sure you have questions...other questions...and we'll see if I can't fill in some holes, given what you've seen."
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 3:39 pm
"The only thing I can think of is the very painful, frightening way in which it ended. I suppose you have felt the same though." It was a huge relief that she could try and forget the gore and the blood, bury it deep, deep in the depths of her mind, hopefully to never resurface unexpectedly again. Surely it would be interesting when she was no longer in the presence of her friend to keep her calm; who knew how she would be able to handle it then.
How about they change the topic of their conversation, now that they had the opportunity? "You... mentioned in the letter that you had found a means to solve my... problem..." She paused, knowing that there was simply no going back on what she would need to do with this information. Even if there was a love now forming between her and Aquos's family, with her husband and adoptive daughter, this was something that must be done, for their sake. For her sake. "Is this true?"
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