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 Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:43 pm
Eyes wide as she realized it was not, indeed, a mouse, Aki edged out after Reyna. She stopped as the object of such commotion became clear.
"It's beautiful. But...why?"
The magic surrounding it was chaotic, but Aki was staring at the details of the stone as they winked between Athans fingers and the dark energy. That color...it had to be!
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Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:50 pm
"Well," Athan began slowly, "That's a rather complicated story."
"Tell me about it," Reyna drawled out with a look of exasperation.
He frowned over at the demon before glancing back towards Aki to provide a general synopsis that might explain the wisp's existence. "It's.. essentially, the remnants of a soul that's just now been released from this particular stone." He paused for a moment as he eyed Coral. "And she's quite the escape artist, and has been a handful since her awakening."
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Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:52 pm
"Is she trapped?" Aki asked a bit softly, points of her ears dipping. That was what escape artist implied, wasn't it? Taking another step closer, Aki tried to get a better look while giving Athan room.
"Now that she's awake, as you say, can't she get free?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 9:00 pm
"In the sense that I locked her away so that I might find her a guardian," Athan answered, "But she likes to play games. Particularly hide and seek." He gave an exasperated sigh at that. He'd chased her halfway across Durem and Barton a time or two. Not to mention the adventure within the Feien headquarters.
He fell silent and watched Aki's expression change. She looked concerned. That in itself was touching. "She is free now, essentially. Her soul is no longer trapped, and she will grow to become a Shadow-creature," he explained in a quiet, serious voice, "Unfortunately, I haven't the strength to restore her or any of these... particular stones to their true former selves. But at least this way they might have a chance at life."
"It's better than nothing," Reyna chimed in.
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Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 9:19 pm
"Strength to restore..." Aki absently repeated his words, still watching the play of dark energy. It was seeking, eager...that much was obvious from the motion of the tendrils.
"Strength as in...magic? Life force?" Brows knitting, Aki met Athan's eyes seriously. "I know how to harness my own personal energies, and I have many centuries of life ahead of me yet, if all goes well." Heavy words from a slight woman, someone who seemed far too delicate for such weighty offers. "I have imbued both wards and artifacts...if this is similar, I can help."
Her lips quirked as she recalled the brief conversation in the back room, and she glanced at Reyna with a hint of a smile. "Unless it involves mice. Don't care for them, really!"
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Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 9:28 pm
"Combination thereof, actually," Athan replied slowly, "Though they do in fact rely on a guardian as their.. well... energy source. They require a soul bond to survive." He fell quiet as he gazed over at the stone straining within his grasp to be free. The tendrils of darkness were no longer wrapping and pushing against his wrist but reaching towards the elfin woman.
Reyna looked pale. Did she really know what she was getting herself into? A small frown graced her features, but she couldn't exactly stop the woman. She was an adult and was entitled to make her own decisions. Besides, if she could survive a rumble in the Library, she had faith enough in her to believe she could handle a Shadow. Didn't mean she approved, though.
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Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 9:49 pm
Aki went very still. She understood sacrifices such as these, and the terrible burden of loss it would eventually lead to. In truth, it wasn't what she'd envisioned when she made the offer.
However, it wasn't fear that kept her quiet. Such things weren't decided on a whim. It was best for all involved if the choice was carefully made. The dark wisps, however, seemed inclined.
"What could I expect, if I agree?" Some changes were weighty than others.
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Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 9:58 pm
Reyna sighed. "Trouble, for one," she replied with a small chuckle, though there was a seriousness to her voice that belied her humor. "They're inclined to mischief, that much is for certain, but..." she trailed off as she contemplated her relationship with Mystic, "Ultimately. I think it's kind of worth the chaos." The last part was muttered out with a bit of a grumble as though she were begrudgingly admitting to something she hadn't quite acknowledged out loud. At least not in front of Athan.
She laid a hand upon Aki's shoulder reassuringly and gave a light squeeze. "Athan and I are always available if you need help or.. have a situation of sorts," she went on, "If you agree, that is."
The dark haired man nodded in agreement. "As for the technical details, yes, expect a fair amount of mischief. Moreso once she becomes a child," he informed her, "She cannot speak at this moment, but she will be able to share her emotions with you. You'll be connected by a soul bond that cannot be broken."
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Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 11:14 pm
Her smile appeared again slowly. This didn't sound like the parasitic wraith she'd started to draw an image of. The word child was particularly endearing to Aki.
"I think I see. But...have I invited myself, so to speak?" She'd been rather forthright with her offer to help...perhaps they hadn't intended for her to meddle. "And what does...she...feel about the matter?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 6:53 pm
"Dear lady," Athan began with a charming smile, "I dare say you are one of the rare few that have outright volunteered to help. Most Shadows have a way of choosing their guardian and more or less... surprising them with their presence."
"Or maybe it's you being manipulative," Reyna coughed behind one hand which earned her a frown from Athan. She snickered faintly. There was a mild truth to her words, but she meant it mostly in jest.
"Well," he went on, clearing his throat, "Let's just see what Miss Coral thinks about the situation she's faced with." His mouth quirked in a hint of what could be considered a smirk as he let go of the stone.
It swirled dizzily midair before finding its balance. The dark tendrils that surrounded the stone almost seemed to bubble and churn like waves from the ocean. It drifted its way towards Aki and hovered close for a moment before deciding to hide within the woman's shadow, content.
"Looks like she decided you're too sweet to pass up," Reyna replied with a brash grin.
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Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:01 pm
Aki watched, wide eyed, as the stone extended toward her. In that moment, she knew that very little would ever be the same again. She felt little when it descended into her shadow, until a faint trill gave her stir. Shocked, and more than a little startled, her expression didn't change.
"Too sweet. Or..." Said Aki, fiding her words carefully as she twisted to peer. "Too gullible." It all happened so fast. Aki was suddenly aware of how every article of the past few minutes had combined to bring her to this place....every lingering reach of dark swirl, and every selection of careful verbage.
Reyna hadn't been far from the truth, but Aki felt no resentment. "Does this mean...neither of you are alone?" Her luminescent gaze fell upon their shadows, light sliding across her elven face.
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Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:26 pm
"Reyna has a Shadow," Athan answered with a solemn nod, "But he isn't present at the moment." With a contemplative look he glanced towards Reyna before addressing her, "You ought to introduce him to Aki sometime, hm?"
The demon nodded. "He's a bit moody, but he'll behave since he knows you're a friend of mine and not just another new guardian that wants to poke and prod at him." She snickered faintly, fanged grin firmly in place. "Really I think he's just self-conscious," she added in, "Athan on the other hand is Shadow-less because he's too old."
The man sputtered and shot the silver haired woman a rather indignant look. "I am not too old!" he declared, "I've a bond to all of them. So there."
Reyna simply rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, buddy."
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Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 12:29 pm
Aki suddenly smiled, a moment of amusement washing over her. Old? Suddenly, she felt right at home. Between an elf, a demon, and whatever Athan happened to hail from, they were all a long lived bunch. Made her feel right at home.
"Well...I suppose we both have a lot to get used to, between the two of us." She was gazing toward her shadow again, and smiled at a glimmer of Coral."As soon as we're settled, I promise you a game of hide and seek you'll never forget!"
Apparently that was a decent thing to say. A thrill, not of her own making, shot through her, and Aki smiled. It was the same tickle as a glass of wine, almost, a feeling that Aki had nearly forgotten.
Based on Athan's description, and Reyna's subtle warning, she'd been expecting something...well...harder. Darker.
Of course, the day was young. "Coral...is a lovely stone, and would make a lovely name. Is that okay, do you think?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 7:51 pm
"I think it would do just fine," Reyna spoke up with a faint smile, "I call my Shadow Mystic.. as his stone is mystic topaz. Works for me until he decides he'd rather have a different name."
Athan still looking a bit put out at being called old simply nodded before clearing his throat. "As Reyna stated before, should you ever need anything or are concerned over your bond, please come and visit us. This place is always welcome to guardians."
"Now," Reyna interrupted with a grin as she moved to stand behind the desk near Athan once more, "About these particular stones. Are you just bringing us eyecandy or are they for sale?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:12 pm
Still smiling, Aki nodded...though she kept glancing behind her as though she was expecting something. "Sale or trade! You'd be surprised how difficult it is to sell some of these stones. From the size alone, many simply assume them to be lab produced."
Holding up a lovely square cut emerald, Aki peered through it...smile fading as she spoke. "That, or gotten through ill means. Neither assumption is true."
Returning the emerald to the side compartment, Aki glanced down into the glass show case...gazing at the jewelry displayed with a critical eye. "Beautiful design, and gorgeous crafting. If you'd be willing to work with me on a few custom pieces, and perhaps a promise of a few more of the same in the future, I'd be happy to offer you some stones of your choice."
There was no way to balance the accounting on an offer such as that, and Aki felt no need to try. The value of the stones in the case differed wildly, but often the true value could only be seen with an artist's eye. In truth, she was rather interested to see what they'd select if they agreed.
"Five settings, earrings count as one, for four stones. Interested?"
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