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 Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 12:55 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 1:04 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:25 am
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 2:47 pm
[June 8th, 2005~]
Exhaling softly she stepped over the threshold of her new home, eyeing the unpacked boxes [were there more than she'd packed or was that simply her imagination? hrm...] with something of distaste. She wasn't one for cleaning or unpacking. This of course said nothing for her unexplained urge to wash and dry dirty dishes when she was stressed.
Still... without furniture she was going to be doomed to sleep in her clothing and use her pack as a pillow and, as she'd begun to sweat from the warm temperatures of the island, a soft bed and a change of clothing sounded wonderful.
Glancing at the sun, still fairly high in the sky she pulled out the two jars and set them safely out of harms way and went to work.--It was hours later that Chao found herself in her mostly unpacked room, a small fan buzzing away. Thank gods for hurried labeling, some of which was, as she'd suspected, not of her hand writing.
How in heaven's name her family had managed this was something she was choosing not to dwell on, mostly because they'd only sent; a small sofa, two masks [one which she recognized as her father's work, the other eluded her], a weathervane of all things, a few choice kitchen supplies and a rather ornate paper lantern to add to her small collection.
Shifting around she ran a finger over the jars, smiling softly, "our new home is almost ready little one."
Fishing the last object out from a box marked 'photographs' she placed a small, lovingly framed photograph by her bed, next to a copy of The Key which she was in the middle of reading. Near the middle the tip of a pen and the top portion of an unfinished letter were marking her place.
In the picture she was standing near the middle, her twin, Rico, beside her, his arm slung around her; Aido, when she was still a baby, is in her arms. It was the final item she'd packed.
Chao sighed and slung the hammock that was splayed nearby around her neck and collecting up the jars along with her book and its contents, Chao carefully began down the ladder. She would finish unpacking later. Quote: Dear Mu' and Da', I don't know how you found out or any of that. No! I said I don't want to know. It might bring about a foul mood and as I think I'll be working with various garden tools tomorrow in a mad attempt to set up someplace to collect fresh herbs and yes, black raspberries. As I do this I don't want anything distracting me and thusly making me stab my hand clean through with a trowel. I hope you two are doing alright, Aido was fine when I left. She's grown into a fine young Tale; ask the other me to send you pictures if you'd like them. Thank you very much for the extra things, the masks are beautiful and the kitchen ware will be put to good use. My new ward is, well, currently still abiotic. It consists on an ostrich feather and a piece of Guanaco fur. I've been told they'll combine to form a gryphon which could, in all possibility, turn into an Aerandir child! But, well, baby steps. I have to finish setting up my new home before any of that can happen. There is little else to report, other than school is out now and exams have finished. They all went reasonably well, or so I hope. Hopefully the other me shall inform me of their results. Hope to hear from you soon. Your loving daughter, Aeon
"Mom would have a fit," she murmured and shook her head.
Leaning back in the hammock she quickly glanced at the two jars, verifying their safety, then grabbed her book and flipped it open, eager to get a few more pages read before the sun sank beneath the horizon.
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Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 8:23 pm
[June 14th, 2005~]
Looking around a smile grin poked at the corners of her mouth. She was done. It'd taken a good six days but she had things mostly where she wanted them and, as she was going to be living here for quite some time, there was more than enough time to move things around at whim.
Nodding a bit in silent self-confirmation she made her way up the ladder and over to her desk, flicking on the speakers which were connected to her iPod and sitting as the music began to filter into the room. As she picked up a pen and flicked open a slightly worn journal she hummed along softly, idly noting the date on the corner of the page.Chao Journal, I'm finally done unpacking. It took a bit longer than I originally expected, mostly because I decided at one point that I wanted to paint a bit. Eh, oh well, not like I'm short on time or anything, right? Though I have become, er, something of a hermit over the last few days. I'm getting used to the quiet of living on my own all over again and the odd sounds of the others moving in only adds to the surreal feeling of all this. But, here's something interesting, my Word of the Day Calendar for today's word: struthious: /adj: of or relating to the ostriches and related birds.Odd, no? Well, I thought it was. I think I'll pin the sheet up on the wall above this desk anyway. Hrm... I should try and maybe talk to the other Guardians soon, shouldn't I? Or at least check out the center. I don't really want to be a hermit.... Ugh, I'll think about it in the morning. ~Chae'
"Time to catch a short nap," she muttered to herself and, sparing a glance towards the jars, pulled her curtains shut and fell into her own bed, not even bothering to turn off the speakers. Instead she simply let the familiar sounds lull her to sleep.
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:29 pm
A breif note --14-06-05-- So that's what was in the box with holes in it....
Loki trotted about happily; pleased to have finally been let out of the box he'd been so uncomfortably shoved into earlier that week. Though, it had had good food in it.
The Sunchild's hooves clicked sharply against the ground as he navigated through his new home, having left Chao to be alone with her book up in her room.
Suddenly, as the wind shifted, new scent was caught by his sharp nose and he stopped, coiled and alert, ears flicking back and forth, searching for a sound to go with the scent.
Slowly he padded towards the front door and nudged the slightly open apparatus father open until her was able to slip out, still looking for the source of the scent.
The trail led him to a little ways out front in the form of a small envelope. A longer trail continued on but was beginning to fade. The wind that had originally thrown the scent his nose's way had blown itself out and was dulling down to a gentle breeze.
Still, the letter was interesting enough and he picked it up carefully, only lightly tasting it. Yep, almost the same taste as the last envelope he'd nearly eaten, which was sad, because if it was anything like last time if he tried to eat it he would have an angry Guardian on his case.
Oh well.
--
The flutter of wings drew Chao's attention away from her beloved text and she paused her hand in the middle of a page turn. Sighting the Sunchild she smiled, "hey Loki, do like the house?"
The Sunchild bobbed his head in a nod and trotted towards Chao, hopping onto the bed and placing the letter in her lap before curling up at her feet, tail thumping away.
With a blink Chao reached towards her bedside and, after checking the sender's name, 'Anthony Blakewell, hm? Wonder if he's a new neighbor', pulled out a small letter opener and had the envelope open in a moment.Anthony Blakewell: Official Document Dear chaoticdivinity, I am happy to note that the accomodation you were allocated has now reached a stage which is suitable for your Aerandir items to be placed together within a single bottle. This will allow for them to "merge" - admittedly, however, this process may take some time. The reason I am writing to you is to confirm that we have a name for your Aerandir for our records. Further study of the evidence gleaned from your artifacts has shown that it is 82% likely to be female. I included this information with the hope of perhaps aiding you in choosing a name. If you could get back to me with haste I will arrange for all of the formalities to be completed so that we may start you on your way as an Aerandir guardian. Yours sincerely, Anthony Blakewell, Ar' Idil Administrator.
Giving Loki a fond pat she shifted and pulled out an older notebook. Over half of the pages had been pulled out but the the first intact page in it had a small list of names. Crossing off the one's meant for males she pulled out what other sources she had for names and began to try and pick out a, hopefully, suitable one for her Aerandir to be.Chao's response Dear Anthony Blakewell,
This is such exciting news! I'm very glad the artifacts are ready to be placed in a single jar and will be closer to merging together.
As for the name, since the results have shown that there is an 82% that the Aerandir will be female, a fact which made the process of finding a name much easier, I've chosen the name of "Sanar." It is a word of Spanish origin and holds the meaning of 'to heal'. I hope I have chosen a good name for her.
Thank you for dealing with the formalities, I hope I'll have the chance to meet you face to face sometime soon.
~Chao
"To heal..." she tilted her head gently then shook her head. You could heal many things, both physical and psychological. Old and new. In a way it seemed fitting that a being which was part of one large effort to heal and right the consequences of the past to have a name of that sort. Even if it was a bit too sentimental a thought to venture aloud she was sure her subconscious had latched onto the reasoning tightly anyway.
Looking to Loki she grinned softly, "plus it has a nice ring to it, right Loki?"
Loki simply yawned. Chao rolled her eyes, stood and went over to the jars, smiling gently.
"Hello Sanar."
With that she turned and headed down the ladder, off to mail her reply to Mr. Blakewell.
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 7:46 pm
June 18th, 2005--'To New Beginnings' [Ar'Idil Lodge: Pages 1-4]Exploration of the Lodge and yet another meeting of all the Aerandir Guardians living in Setone. Cookie baking and chatter follow.]
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:27 pm
[June 20th, 2005~]
[Good news arrives in a small package.]Anthony Blakewell The records have been completed and your items placed within the same jar. A photograph was taken to mark the occassion for you:  Anthony Blakewell, Ar' Idil Administrator.
"Hear that Loki? Sanar's one step closer to existing as a Gryphon Aerandir now," she said, eyes flickering to the Sunchild who nodded, a content smile drifting on his maw. He hoped people would continue to send letters as when he delivered them Chao seemed to always be left in a wonderful mood. And wonderful moods meant good meals and long walks to the Sunchild.
Not that he wasn't curious about what was in the jar that Chao seemed to be so intent on watching like a hawk, he just liked the little side affects of having it around as well.
Sliding off her bed Chao took the jar in hand and placed it on her desk, far away from anywhere it could possible fall off and shatter. She turned to her speakers and flicked up the volume control so that music began to filter throughout the room. Satisfied she opened one of the drawers and slid out her journal with ease before flicking it to a fresh page, grabbing out a pen and sitting down to write.Chao Dear Journal, It's so easy to forget to write. The days start to pass and then something will click and I'll sit up and realize I've left you in the dark for days! Maybe that just means I'm settling into the rhythm of life here? Several interesting things have happened since I last wrote; I ran into the other guardians a few days ago. Jizzy made cookies and we all got to talking. It was very nice. I've also received two letters from one 'Anthony Blakewell.' The first was to acknowledge that my accommodations have created a fitting atmosphere for the Aerandir that I am to be Guardian of, it also asked for a name and explained that there was an 82% likelihood that the gryphon will be female and asked for a name. Eventually I decided on 'Sanar' which means 'to heal/cure' in Spanish. I came upon it when I was reading Sabriel, it belonged to one of the Clayr mentioned 'Four sees all in frozen water' and all that. I sent back my response quickly. Today I received another letter confirming 'completion of records', the letter itself is attached with a paperclip to you now, journal. With it I received the two artifacts which make up Sanar in their new single jar! This means they can now 'merge' and eventually become Gryphon Sanar. This is so exciting! But of course, now I'm restless but I know that the items won't merge any faster no matter how hard I stare at them. I think I'll take Loki for a walk and maybe try and do some sketches of the island.... ~Chao
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Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:54 am
June 24th, 2005--Fun Fun Questing? Ar'Idil Thread: Pages 2-3(+?)First sighting of Osero! Jizzy and Abbey have [so far] joined the mini-quest to see who this mysterious being is and are heading to the lodge.
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Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 7:27 am
[July 4th, 2005~]
[The same place it always falls.]
With a light yawn Chao closed the book she'd been reading, taking advantage of the early morning sunlight to stay in bed a bit longer before heading downstairs to make breakfast. Her eyes flickered to look up at the three jars currently occupying her shelf space and suddenly she felt a memory stir and she rolled over. Looking down she pushed her pajama clad torso off the bed, balancing on one hand while her grey eyes scanned the shadowed area beneath the frame. With a smile she reached in and pulled her intact, albeit slightly dusty, journal out from beneath her bed.
With a push, a bit of flailing and worming she was back in her original position and flicking the book to a fresh page.Chao Dear Journal, I'm really awful at keeping journals, have I ever mentioned that? I tend to lose journals, usually beneath the bed and don't even thing to look there for a while. Which is where you ended up these last few weeks. So if I don't write for long period of time it's not you, it's me and the awful forgetfulness that comes from deciding one is going to take one's jars sightseeing for a few weeks.
Anyway, that was more than enough when it came to excuses. She put her pencil back to paper and continued on.continued I am currently taking care of three jars, it seemed Wyv had some things to take care of and the other day she came to me and asked if I wouldn't mind taking care of her jars as something had come up and she had to return to the mainland for a few days. That was back on the 28th, I hope she can make it back for the Summer festival. Speaking of which it is the day after tomorrow. The last time I was at the Lodge I heard the other guardian's from Cetalu will be coming over for the six days. It'll be fun to meet them, and maybe get some advice? I think most of them have been here far longer than our not-quite one month stay here on Ar'Idil and for most, if not all, their Aerandir in gryphon form. But none of this is verified fact so I could be totally wrong! It's too early not to be slightly cynical. Sanar seems to be doing, er, fine I suppose. As fine as a jar can be. I took her sight seeing along with Wyv's jars. We?ve gone up to the watch towers, along the beach and down to the river. Because the three jars were taking up my satchel's limited space I couldn't safely bring my sketchbook without risking a large amount of ripping from my abused bag. So no island paradise drawings yet, save for a few that were etched in the sand and have been washed away. The other me sent along Across the Wall Garth Nix's newest book. I've read a bit to San as well as some of Night Watch by Terry Pratchett. Wyv's jars have been getting to hear a bit of it as well, hopefully they don't mind. Ack, I hear Loki shuffling downstairs. He's probably wanting breakfast, something I wouldn't mind either. Breakfast and a good shower.... Until next time, ~Chao
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Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:17 am
[July 6th, 2005~]
[Hello, hello, it's a New World!]
Fiddling with her second set of goggles Chao yawned loudly; it'd been an early day so far as the nap she'd accidentally taken earlier that day had done a small number on her sleep schedule. While she'd managed to get to sleep easily once she'd woken up a few hours before she'd been unable to get back to sleep and had instead settled to watch the last of the preparations for the festival occur from her rooftop.
Quickly she pulled out her journal from the shelf it'd ended up on after she'd last written in it.Chao Dear Journal, It seems today is the start of the summer festival! Yesterday, after waking up from an impromptu nap at the Lodge [I still can't believe I fell asleep] by Jizzy the two of us managed to get quite a bit of cooking done. I've found another person who agrees with me on the virtues of cooking from scratch. I also noticed that San's jar had begun to emit a steady glow, as Tobias' [Jizzy possible soon to be Aerandir ward] jar was also glowing I'm assuming this is not a bad thing but rather something that is meant to happen. I hope I'm right. I should finish getting ready, the festival is going to begin soon. ~Chae'
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 2:08 pm
Summer Festival-July6th-July12th [ x]-Chao arrives at the festival, sights Jizzy and begins to set up the food. All the while carrying Sanar's now glowing jar. [ x]-Sanar's jar breaks within her bag and a glowing orb emerges. [ x]-The glowing orb materializes as Sanar!
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 2:12 pm
July 13th:Chao: Post fesitval Journal: Sanar is here. Lying down and eying a far too curious Loki. Yes dear journal! Sanar lives! She is no longer inanimate! NO LONGER MERE BITS OF UNLIVING MATTER! I AM A MOTHER! .... Again. Wow, this feels different. This time it was a whole series of events leading up to her birth, unlike Aido, who just appeared out of nowhere in the Study [which reminds me, I really do need to write to her]. Yet at the same time it's very similar. I was so terrified when her jar broke in my bag, though I was quickly assured by Anthony Blakewell [who I finally had the pleasure of meeting face to face, I don't believe I ever gave him my name, too wound up because San' jar was in pieces I suppose]. First it'd been the glow her jar took on a few days ago, though thankfully Keilin [a very nice friend of Abbey, she lives on Celatu I think] reassured me was a perfectly normal occurance and my unborn gryphon was not, in fact, radioactive or something of a similar sort. Oh yes. I know, it was a silly notion to have, but maternal insticts can do odd things to a person. Some part of me still insists I shouldn't know this but the world of Gaia seems intent that I will, regardless of my age. But what does it matter anyway what should or should not be? I'm so happy she's here....
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Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:34 pm
[July 17th, 2005~]
-backdated-
[Words drifting across the world.]
It was early morning; the sun had just shed its first rays a few scant minutes ago. The village was still mostly quiet but already the small household was up and about.
The door creaked open and the clack of hooves rushed towards the opening as Sanar and Loki quickly rushed outside into the backyard, a sleepy looking guardian following slowly behind.
It was like having a baby in the home all over again, waking up at odd hours, Chao supposed the real relief was that she didn't have to haul herself to school afterwards, she could simply sink into her hammock, half closed eyes tracing after her two wards.
"San, Loki, don't stray outside the yard!" she called as the two began to move towards the edge of the yard. Used to such orders Loki moved their impromptu game of tag back into the yard.
With a nod of satisfaction Chao turned her attention to the photograph and white sheet of paper that were sitting on the small white table at her side. Laying it across a hardback book she tugged a pen out from her bun and began to write. A letter to Durem Dearest Aido, Rico and Chae, I hope you've all been doing well, I've finally settled into life on Ar'Idil it seems. The collection of peoples here is just as interesting as in Gaia's normal throve, just on a smaller scale. Almost all females here from what I've seen, not that that matters; though, I still think Gaia must have something like a 70:30 divide when it comes to males and females. It's vaguely quiet here, but maybe that's just because the village is only half full or so. It was worse before the gryphon's arrived, more of a ghost town than a village. Speaking of Gryphons, Aido, you're an elder sister! Attached is a photograph of Sanar. I swear you're already influenced her a bit; she's waking up at odd hours and finding her way into things. Thankfully her curiosity is not quiet as extensive as yours. I love you dearest but I only wish to have one of you. It's my sanity you see, or, our sanity I should say [hello other me!]. No really, in all seriousness, I love you, keep yourself safe and live life to the fullest. I miss you desperately so don't grow up too fast or change too much. Say hello to Linny and Huni and Syrie and everyone else for me as well. I miss them, though I might very well have made a few new friends here, which makes things better. I've attempted to explore most of the island on your behalf, my dear Aido, but we're not allowed across river as of yet. Something about unstable ground? I doubt it would stop you but with my luck I'd break something and if I did I'll never be able to feed Sanar and Loki and bad things will happen. Speaking of which, which of you three put him in a box?! I didn't find him for days. At least you put a ton of food in there and he seemed no worse for the wear, but it's the principle of the thing. Chao, hopefully you're not driving yourself insane watching the group and having a wonderful time with the summer work. Send any to me and it will meet with a watery grave. Rico, I'm not sure if you're back yet but once you do you should come visit, that goes for you too Aido. Very little else to report other than if you guys wouldn't mind shipping down some books and extra toys I'd be very grateful, Love, ~Aeon
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Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:37 pm
[July 19th, 2005~]
[Going through the motions.]
It was a splendid sunset, a prelude to a wondrous full moon. Closing the door cautiously to her house, as to not wake the sleeping Aerandir inside, Jizzy snuck off. Her bag was slung over her shoulder and her stride was weak and shaky.. She could not be seen clearly in the darkness, but her destination was obvious, she was heading for the lodge.
"Sanar!" Chao cried, nearly tripping over her own feet as she stumbled after the tiny gryphon, footsteps exhoing softly about the lodge. She'd come here hoping to grab some food supplies for herself and her small family with a sleeping Sanar. Sadly once the door to the structure had closed the gryphon had woken to find herself in the new place and had immediately escaped her mother's arms to investigate the odd texture of the floor. Then the entire thing had became an excellante game of chase when her mother had begun to run after her.
Jizzy's shadows figure leaned on the wall of the Lodge door, trembling slightly before she rushed in.. She seemed not to notice her neighbore and friend, much less the small Aerandir, but she had noticed.. She kept the hood of her sweater up, to hide her features and quickly slipped into the kitchen.
Sanar's attention flickered towards the largebeing as she passed and with an excited click ran quickly after her into the kitchen, hooves clacking against the floor.
Chao made her way back into the hall a minute after, having nearly lost track of the tiny gryphon in the living area and had ended up tripping over a chair in her haste to follow the tiny being, "ugh, San!" she called again. Why did all of her children delight in making her look for them?!
Jizzy was hurriedly shifting through the shelves and cupboards.. 'Tea, tea.." She murmered under her breath, his unaturally pale fingers flying all over the kitchen.. "Where do they keep the tea?"
Sanar watched quietly as Jizzy rummaged through the cubboards with a slight tilt to her head. What was this tee the bigthing was looking for? Was it the smallgyph that she'd seen before?
Chao checked any open doors and rooms for her gryphon charge but couldn't find her. Catching a snippit of sound coming from the kitchen she made her way over to the well lit room.
Jizzy heard the clicking and flinched slightly.. She'd followed her.. no no.. not good. not tonight.. Her rummaging hands finally found the cups and tea bags she was searching for and she set about to get a kettle to boil water in. This was found much quicker and she rapidly set it to boil, glancin at the clock beneath her hood at odd times.
Chao stepped into the kitchen quietly, noticing Sanar sitting in the middle of the floor, her dark eyes fixed curiously on Jizzy while her eyes flickered about excitedly, before she noticed her friend.
"Oh, hey Jizzy!" she greeted warmly, sweeping up an unprotesting Sanar while the gryphon was still occupied.
Jizzy jumped at Chao's voice and cursed slightly under her breath. She was trembling more noticably now and she made a point to have ehr back to Chao, to keep her face hidden. "Hey Chao." She said, in as much of a friednly voice as she could muster.
Chao's smile faltered slightly and she tilted her head, the hairs on the back of her neck stood to attention as she noticed Jizzy's trembling and how her friend didn't seem to want to face her. Old insticts surfacing she shifted her weight slightly, feeling her legs coil, "you alright Jizzy?"
"Yes, Yes, I'm fine.." She said, much to quickly for it to sound honest at all. The kettle whistled and Jizzy hurried shakily over to it, pouring it into the cup and placing the teabag inside. Her hands were shaking as she did this, and terribly pale. She took long extended drinks from the cup, still keeping her face hidden.
Chao actually frowned at that point and, bracing back the little voices in her head, she moved forward towards her neighbor, "are you hurt?" no point beating around the bush and all that.
From Chao's arms Sanar clicked quietly.
"No.. No.. I..I'm not hurt.. It it isn't that.." She said softly, calmer now, but still rather on edge. Her eyes darted to the clock once more.. it was getting later. She took another long swig of her tea and as she turned shakily to pu the cup away, something happened to the hadn holding it, causing it to fall and crash to pieces. Jizzy's hand had just, lost it's solidity for a moment, becoming translucent and misty looking. It soon regained its solid form and Jizzy was bent over the pieces, attempting to pick them up.
Ah!Bigcrash! Sanar clicked sharply at the sudden noise, made one valiant attempt to struggle from Chao's arms then went limp.
Distracted with the task of getting her bare feet away from the shards and then noticing the transparency of Jizzy's hand Chao didn't notice that the gryphon in her arms was no longer coiled like a spring but limp as a boned fish right away.
"Jizzy?" she questioned before looking down and gasping as the limp body in her arms, "San!"
Jizzy looked up at Chao as she called for her Aerandir, accidentally giving Chao a glimpse of her face. It was sunken in, gaunt, and deathly pale.. She barely looked alive, except for her eyes, which shone with concern. "I'm sorry." She said rapidly, her shaking voice alden with guilt before she turned back to the shards..
As her mother called Sanar quickly looked up and ruffled her feathers, placing them back in place.
Something clicked in Chao's mind from the research she'd done after recieving her two jars, when frieghtened ostriches often feign death. "Gods..." she murmured, eyes sliding back to Jizzy and gasping at her friend's face, "Jizzy! What happened?"
Jizzy now realized her mistake and finished picking up the shard, throwing them in a wastebin as she rushed from the kitchen. "It's nothing important." She called back, making slow, shaky progress towards the door of the lodge.
Placing Sanar back down on a nearby chair Chao quickly dashed after Jizzy, grabbing a hold of her arm before she could make it to the door, "like hell, what's going on Jizzy?" Concerned blue-grey eyes stared at the back of her friend's hood.
Jizzy winced at her touch and glance at the clock.. It was late.. oh dear it was late.. "I.Uh.. follow me.. There isn't time to explain right now.." She said, turning her skeletal face to her neighbor, her eyes pleading.
"Right..." Chao murmured, giving the skeletal face simply a look of concern, thankful that Jizzy wasn't simply trying to shake her off. The click of hooves against flooring caused her to look back as Sanar moved out of the kitchen.
Wondering why the bigthing looked bad Sanar hopped into Chao's arm's, ears flickering as Chao turned back to Jizzy, let the girl's arm go in a show of trust and replied, "right then, let's go."
"Stay close.. and try not to fall behind.." She said quickly, and she set off, much faster than before. They had lost so much time. Though her steps were shaky, she was walking as fast as she could, heading out into the field outside of town.
Once they were outside Sanar hopped away from her guardian's arms, liking the feel of the earth against her hooves but staying close to the quick walking bigbeings.
Occassionally glancing to her gryphon to make sure she was following at a steady pace Chao continued to follow Jizzy out of Setone and out into the field.
Once out in the field, Jizzy continued out until a large patch of earth greeted them... She looked up, the full moon was about to reach its peak in the sky. Her chalk-white hand dipped into her bag and pulled out an equally white piece of chalk. She left her bag at the side and began to draw some sort of circle in the patch of earth, filled with intricate symbols that were hard to draw with her shaking hands.
Chao paused just outside the patch of earth, watching quietly as Jizzy worked.
Sanar arrived a moment later and clicked quietly, eying the intricate symbols on the grass curiously. Making to get a better look at them she started forward and was suddenly off the ground, back in Chao's arms. Clicking quickly and unhappily she nearly began to fight back but instead realized that she could see the symbols much easier from this position and stilled.
After a while Jizzy had finished, the circle was complete and seemed much more than just a simple chalk mark. As the moon rose the chalk seemed to give off an eerie glow. Jizzy shuffled to the center of the circle, removing her jacket, revealing her bony and gaunt figure. She began to chant as the moon kept rising and once it reached it peak in the sky, the glow of the circle grew blinding and flashed.
The guardian frowned slightly at the sight of Jizzy's gaunt figure but the line smoothed out as the girl began to chant. She tilted her head, hoping to catch a familiar phrase. But no, all indecipherable. At the flash she turned away and sheilded Sanar's eyes with a hand.
The light receded and Jizzy was now, lying face down on the ground, no lnger gaunt, no longer pale. The circle around her faded away. Her bretahing seemed steady now, as if nothing was wrong.
Gently moving Sanar to the ground Chao approached her friend and sat down beside her. "So..." she said casually, "what was that?"
Jizzy opened her eyes and sat up, rubbing her temple.. "I..it's a long story.. It's a ritual I have to do every full moon.. to" Her voice lowered significantly.. "keep a body.."
Sanar climbed into Chao's lap at that point and bunkered down.
Absentmindedly Chao stroked the gryphon's fur, "huh. Interesting." Her tone was nothing but curious, "how'd you lose your original body, if you don't mind me asking."
Jizzy's face darkened significantly.. "I..was..killed..." She said forcibly.. "my famil gave me up.. so I would die.."
Chao grimaced, "families... can be cruel," she murmured, glancing to her friend, "people can be cruel. But that's horrible that they did that to you." She gave Jizzy's shoulder a companible squeeze.
Jizzy shuddered slightly at the weight.. She wasn't used to physical contact so soon after the ritual, it unnerved her slightly, but kinda comforted her. It wasn't easy to speak of her past. "they had reason to.. I'm the weakest of the family... I was back then too?."
Chao let out a tiny mirthless laugh, "natural selection, eh? That's still an aweful reason to give up a member of the family."
"I never have forgiven them.. " She said softly, feeling the tears well up in her eyes.
Removing Sanar from her lap Chao lent down and wrapped her friend in a hug.
Jizzy's tears flowed freely as she felt her friend near her. She retuned the hug, letting the emotions from hundreds of years of resent flow from her.
Sanar quickly wandered over, the bigthing was better it seemed, but dripping like the rain when it fell off their roof. Arcing her head up she nuzzeled one of Jizzy's arms.
Chao stayed silent, simply letting Jizzy cry, rubbing the other guardian's back soothingly.
Jizzy felt the small Aerandir nuzzle her arm and pulled away for a moment, wiping her tears away from her eyes.. "Please.. Chao.. don't tell anyone.. Please.. my family is still looking for me.. or. more like what I have, and if even a whiff of it came thier way.."
Chao blinked and nearly laughed, their situations were quite alike it seemed, "why would I tell anyone? It's obviously an important secret." She frowned, "but no, I won't tell anyone. I promise."
"Oh, thank you.. thank you.." Jizzy said, the relief in her voice inmense. She obviously was quite acred of her family.. "not even Tobias too, though..."
Another blink, "but Tobias can't even talk..." the gryphon's probably couldn't even really understand them yet.
"I know, but he will.. and.. I couldn't let him know.. that.. I'm not alive.. and what if they take him from me because of it.." Jizzy said, her voice slightly panicky. She didn't want to lose Tobias, he was almost all she had.
Chao merely arched an eyebrow at the fretting girl. "Jizzy...erm, have you perhaps met the great expanse of Gaia's population?" She gave her head a shake, "there are all manner of different species out there, Gaia's like a safe haven for everything. The only reason I can imagine Tobias being taking away from you was if you purposefully put him in plausible danger like if tried to hurt him yourself."
"I'd never hurt Tobias, and if anything happened to him.. I'd.. I don't know what I'd do.." Jizzy said, feeling slghtly reassure, but still panicky.. "That's another reason why I need you to keep this secret for me.. for Tobias.." She was ver unsure about her situation, not having been discovered in ages.
Chao bit her lip and nodded slowly, "I guess it'd be rather hypocritical to refuse.... Though you really should tell him someday Jizzy. Fate loves to kick people in the head when the least expect it when it comes to things like this."
"I guess.. but not son.. He's much to young..." She said hurriedly, mulling over the situation in her head.. "I'd expect it to be a shock, but.. you didn't seem to surprised.."
Chao merely shrugged and leant back on her hands, immediately Sanar climbed back into her lap. "Eh, well, this is Gaia, you know?"
Jizzy chuckled, halfheartedly.. "True.. the shot time I've been ehre have shown me wierd things.. some good, some bad, but almost all wierd.." She said, trying to stand, but her knees buckling under her and falling back.. "nit ready yet, then.." She murmered.
Chao gave Jizzy's leg a fond pat, and rolled onto her knees, somehow scooping Sanar up into her arms at the same time, "if you need to get back you can always use my wonderful self as a walking cane."
"I'm not in a hurry.. Tobias sleeps like a rock, and I just need a few minutes I think... It's risky business what I do.. doesn?t come without repercussions.." She said softly, stretching legs as to get them working properly.
With a click Sanar jumped from her mother's arms and began to trot about. The big things were just making noise after all.
Abandoned by her gryphon charge Chao snickered and fell back into the grass, "what kind of repercussions?"
?I can't perform much other magic at all without sending out a sort of.. beacon.. Makes me easy to find.. easy to trace.. My senses are dulled, especially sense of taste, not that I need to eat to survive either.. I'm not.. really alive.. I just take on solid form, there isn't a drop of blood in me.. load of other things as well.." She said all of this very knowingly, like an expert of the field.
"Makes sense..." Chao said slowly then chuckled, "but you still love to cook. I knew this girl once, very limited sense of smell, couldn't identify things or tell them apart, amazing cook though."
"I've always had a passion for cooking.. I only cook for others though, due to my condition.. no point in cooking for myself.." She said, feigning cheerfulness. She missed being alive and it showed.
Chao nodded lightly and tilted her head, "I don't suppose there would be a way to permanently restore you body?"
"If there is, I haven't found it.." She said somberly, sighing heavily.. "and even if there was, I expect it to be very risky.."
"Most likely," Chao murmured in reply, it was silly to think that such an undertaking wouldn't be either insanely dangerous or have a cost so high it wouldn't be worth it.
She tried to stand again and this time her wobbly legs allowed her to remain upright.. "It's tough enough like this... but It's all I have.."
Chao nodded slightly and stood up; there wasn't much she could think of to say to that, "Sanar!"
From a little ways off Sanar's ears flickered at the calling of her name. Turning away from the patch of dirt she'd been pawing at she bounded back to the two guardians.
Jizzy smiled down at the Aerandir that bounded towards them.. "Lively, aren't they?" She said softly, trying to maintain her balance.
"Very," she replied as Sanar bounded into her arms with one mighty kick of her legs, "but at least the village doesn't seem so deserted with them around, ne?"
"Yeah, the village is much more alive now.. No ghost town anymore." She said, taking a tentative step and wobbling slightly.
Chao nudged Jizzy with her own shoulder gently, yet again making the offer to be a walking cane.
"I'm fine really.." She said, at the same time contradicting her words and placing her hand on Chao's shoulder for support for her shaky legs.
Chao smiled and bore the weight without comment.
"I'm going to owe you quite a bit after tonight.." She said softly, smiling at her friend.
Chao laughed and would have waved a hand, had they both not been occupied with carrying Sanar, "nonsense, you don't owe me anything."
?I owe you plenty... the last person who found out about? my condition, well, he ran away and there was a witch hunt after me soon after. It was a nice place, Salem.." She said absentmindedly.
"Salem?" she asked with a tilt of her head, "never heard of it. And, no, you still don't owe me anything."
[to be continued....]
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