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 Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:23 pm
Shaking her head, Elle took one last long look at the statue before straightening...repeating the name softly. "Artemis! No...I haven't! Who is she?" Lady of the Hunt of some great land, perhaps? Or a vengeful goddess, come to slay those who oppose her! The possible tales seemed to weave themselves as she considered the possibilities.
"Is she all...from one piece of wood?" She didn't mean to swamp him with questions, but there was much to learn...and rarely did she find someone whose interests so complimented her own?
Stepping over a slender fallen tree, still barefoot upon the leaves, Elle paused to lift a few moldy leaves from the base of a mottled sapling. Folding them carefully between sheets of wax paper, Elle tucked them next to the Lamb's Ear.
[Off for the night! <3]
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Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:28 pm
"Artemis, the Lunar Twin, Lady of the Hunt and Moon in Greek mythology. And yes, that's all one piece. I just took my time. Can't rush something you want done properly." He smiled, not at all worried about letting her hold the small keepsake. It still amazed him how intricate he'd made that. Moreso than any of his other pieces.
"Is there a figure that you'd like me to make for you?" He was always ready for a little whittling work during his down time. It helped one wind down after a day of honest work.
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 8:49 am
Elle made sure the figurine made it safely back into Devmani's hands...brows lifting in wonder at his description of the Lady. "You know, I think I had that image in my head of her! I wonder if I picked it up from you, or if it was a fragment of old knowledge I didn't know I held!"
She'd picked a few stalks of wild mustard, lavendar blossoms nodding as she waved them idly. "Or, of course, it could have been that you illustrated her nature well enough that it was obvious. I would love a carving, Devi! But of what?"
Pondering silently for a moment as they walked, Elle added more wild mustard, with white blossoms this time, to her basket. Finally, she smiled...glancing back up at her tall companion with bright golden eyes.
"If she is a Lunar Twin, I would greatly like to see her other half! I don't feel the story is complete without both sides. Would it be the Lady of the Sun, then? Or perhaps the Lord of the Sun!"
Pausing to flick a burr from the soul of her foot as she continued, Elle shook her hair back out of the way and took a few more steps. Only a few, since her trail seemed to end. Before her, a gorge split the forest...ten feet wide, and five times that deep. A quicksilver freshwater river was making its way to the ocean, digging deeper over the years. Peering over the edge, standing carefully on the moss that lined the rim, Elle peered down into the sharp rocky depths.
"Beautiful little canyon, but what a shame! I'm sorry Devmani, I suppose I've taken us the wrong way. There is a beautiful old white oak that's fallen not a half mile on...I was hoping you could find some unique wood for your craft! I took the long way to get there last time though, it seems. Would you like me to give you directions? Perhaps another day you can seek it out for yourself!"
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:18 pm
"Thank you. It's nice to hear compliments of one's work." He was very flattered by the praise and it seemed his cheeks were content to stay lightly colored for a time.
He thought for a bit about what he could carve for her. "Well, I could make a carving of you or someone in your family. I still serve the Lady so it seems fitting I carry a reminder." The figurine was tucked safely away.
The twin of Lady Artemis? He found that a bit harder to remember. "I think that would be Apollo, Lord of the Sun and father of the Muses. Together they made the night and the day."
"What do you mean the end of the ...." The boy's hand met his forhead with a slap. Of course! It was too wide for her to jump as he could!
"I'm sorry, I usually just vault this little split. If you care to trust me I can get us both over easily. If not then dirrections would be fine."
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:53 pm
Still peering over the edge, Elle strepped back...glancing up at Devmani as she rustled past the ferns. For now, she set the subject of the carving aside...though the story of Apollo appealed to her as well. Still clutching the handle of her basket, she searched his face, and perhaps a little deeper, or any resentment accepting his offer might cause.
He seemed to be genuine, and she wasn't surprised. It suited him! "If it's no trouble, I trust you, Devi! I'm not as heavy as I look." Smiling with one lifted brow, making her humor obvious, Elle hooked her basket on a high branch...hopefully out of reach of the deers. They had to come back this way, after all...no need to haul it along.
"Tell me where you need me, and I'm ready! I'm a bit nervous about heights, though...so if my eyes are closed, don't take it personally." It only seemed fair to warn him! Taking another look at the chasm, she gave a single nod.
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:13 pm
A hearty, heartfelt laugh burst forth at the issue of weight. "You sure? After all I am a frail little thing." He was still making odd sputtering noises as he tried not to laugh too hard.
Finding a patch of rock and twig free ground he knelt down. "Just hop on and keep your feet from kicking my sides. I'll help keep you in place. Oh, and please don't touch the scars on my back, they're still pretty new."
There were markings on his left shoulder that almost looked like a constellation in their own right. He waited patiently, trusting his new friend.
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:31 pm
Pausing for a moment as she nodded at Devi's directions, smiling along as he laughed, Elle finally stepped forward. Gentle of his sides, avoid the scars! Sliding one leg into place, she settled across his back easily. This wasn't too hard!
Until he stood up, at least. Leaning forward, staying clear of the scars, she reached around his stomach for balance. Her legs pressed firmly and evenly against either side, careful not to jab, tickle, or poke. She didn't know how to ride, but she knew how to be considerate.
Elle learned rapidly to shift her weight to accomodate his steps, and settled her weight squarely. Nodding once, more for herself than anything, she tried to keep her eyes open. "I'm ready!"
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:38 pm
It was a little odd to have her back there since he was used to people knowing how to sit a horse. Not a hard problem to fix though. Putting his arms back he wrapped them around her waist so she was snug against his human torso. "The scars I was talking about are on my left shoulder. So long as you don't poke it's fine."
Chuckling he trotted around a bit to let her get comfortable before lining up before the cliff. There wasn't much room to run. He was fine with a jump this short. "Ok, I'm going to have to hit speed fast so just hang on tight and it'll be fine. Here we go!"
He went from zero to gods-only-know in the blink of an eye, gate so smooth it was almost negligable. Within a few pounding seconds they were launched over the gap and safely on the other side. The only bump was the literal one from landing. "Sorry, a bit out of practice jumping with passengers." He knelt down again to let her off.
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:03 pm
The sudden wind snatched the breath from her as Devmani jumped...hair streaking back from her face. To her surprise, Elle kept her eyes open...though she pressed against the safe parts of Devi's back. Making a small noise as they landed, her shock was washed away by laughter...she hugged the centaur lad for a moment around his middle before sliding off.
Her legs wobbled a bit beneath her. "Oh that was...wow! I bet that's what flying is like!" Her tone was a bit wistful. She would never know...the thought unsettled her a bit too much. But riding... "Just amazing! Someday, perhaps you could give me advice? I've got to feel that again, before my days dwindle! Ooh, there's always the way back, isn't there?! Thank you!"
She knew she was no good, but Devmani had kept her safe, just as he'd promised. Reaching for his hand, Elle gave it a squeeze...appreciation bright in her gaze. He wasn't only entertaining to talk to, he was giving as well...and surprisingly mature for his age! Finally, a bit of color touched Elle's cheeks as well.
Ignoring it, she let go of his hand and dashed ahead...full of energy and exhilaration from the exciting event. Leaping from a fallen log, she grabbed a sturdy branch and whipped around a tree...racing for a neary by hill. Her voice floated back to Devmani, though she was sure he'd catch up in a mere second.
"Come! This way!"
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:46 pm
The centaur could practically feel Elle vibrating on his back from excitement. That one jump was usually all it took to cure people. Still a laugh tumbled out at her sheer exuberance in the aftermath.
"Well, I can ask my girlfriend about flying if you like. She's rather good at it." There was a merry grin plastered across his face. She was so odd, mature and childlike all at once. It was strangely familiar.
"Of course, and you're not so bad at it. Just nervous and starting off like everyone else was at one point or another. And honestly, when I'm in human form I STINK at riding. It's sort of a professional courtesy not to ride the horses or other animals we keep."
Laughing he followed readily, catching up and keeping a light trot as Elle ran along. He'd get in a good romp once they hit the meadow.
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 2:03 pm
Slowing to catch her breath, Elle chuckled as Devi sauntered up easily. He was unstoppable! "I don't think I want to try flying, too much for me. I'd love to meet her though!"
She continued to listen as she hiked...pushing forward and enjoying the stretch of her muscles. "And I agree, about riding that is. Aki has a stable at her other location, but I've never been inclined to see it. Unless you're invited-" She paused to sketch a bow of thanks to Devmani, eyes bright with a smile. "-It seems like quite an assumption."
Finally, the tree line broke...and the meadow opened before them. Down a gentle slope, green grass spilled...dotted with fluffy yellow blossoms. Off to one side, near a winding stream, the old white oak lay. It had been undercut over the years by the slender brook, and finally tipped...spanning the stream as a natural bridge.
At the base, where the weight of the falling tree had cracked, pale and pure heartwood shone. "Ooh, there she is! Beautiful, hmm?"
Elle had already given her respects, and had eaten more than one lunch upon the trunk of the fallen giant. Hanging back, she let Devmani have all the space he needed. It would be a few minutes of a walk for her, but surely much faster for him! Aside from the shards of splintered wood near the crack, huge boughs and snapped off...proving more than enough fine hard wood.
"Take a look if you'd like! I'll catch up!"
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 2:18 pm
Devi laughed and smiled. The young centaur was always one to "feel his oats" after a good jump. And now ther was a meadow waiting for him. He couldn't helpd but prance a bit as he moved.
"Pardon me. Habits being what they are and all." Giving a sheepish grin he was off like a shot over the green, kicking up his heels in pure happiness. What ever bothered him couldn't keep up with him now. Worries and concerns were left in the dust as he circuited around the meadow, vaulting a few fallen branches.
Finally working off a bit of his energy he sauntered back and walked alongside Elle as they went towards the oak.
"I'm more than happy to wait and walk with you. Just ... had to get that out of my system." He gave an embarassed laugh but the grin remained plastered on his face, a mix of delight and prospect.
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 2:27 pm
Waving him forward, Elle walked slowly as he circled...mainly watching where he was going, rather than where she was going. As he closed in again, she was laughing in shared joy. Though she hadn't been the one running, the comfort and delight rolling off of him was more then enough to get her going as well.
"Lovely! You've good form! I know nothing of centaurs, but surely the Fa'e you mentioned are proud to have you among their numbers!" How often she wished she could do the same! Her life was a quiet one, though...and while sturdy, her body wasn't meant for such work.
Pausing to flick another burr from where it pressed against her sole, Elle peered up sidelong at Devi as they walked. "Have you been out this way after night fall before? Seen all the fireflies, rising like sparks from a fire? The whole valley, filled with them!"
She motioned broadly, sighing at the memory. It was quite a walk to skirt the chasm, rare she had that much time to herself. "If you haven't, it's worth seeing."
They were drawing closer to the tree, so Elle let her words fall silent. Bending to pick a few tiny spotted mushroom, she flipped them over to double check their gill pattern before popping them right into her mouth.
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 2:40 pm
Devi chuckled as a bit more color crept into his face. It was hard not to blush at least a little when someone kept praising him.
"Thank you, as I'm sure your's are you." In his opinion he was nothing spectacular, just another living creature doing what he felt he needed to in the long scheme of things. By sheer chance was his old soul remembered at all. By even greater chance he was back now. It was an odd build up of coincidence.
"Oh have I! Every little light can be timed and if you're careful you can scoop them right out of the air. Here." He was watching a part in shadowed grass. Quick as a blink his hand struck out, gently catching something. Opening his hand he revealed a small firefly.
"They come out a bit earlier when it starts to chill I've noticed." Gently transfering passenger to friend he looked appretiatively on to the oak. It had been a giant and a right old grandfather when it fell.
"You fought long and hard and now you kin sprout around you. You should be proud." One hand rested against the trunk as he looked over the oak saplings that were growing in wake of the fallen giant. With every end new beginnings. Just as it should be.
Looking to the underside of the tree for a certain plant he suddenly froze and smiled. "Elle, are you afraid of any creature? Please tell me if so, I don't want to scare you with what I've found."
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Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 10:01 am
Pausing, clutching the little firefly carefully in cupped hands, Elle considered his question. "Afraid? I think I'm only afraid of mean dogs, sharks, and jealous women...you know, things that can't be reasoned with!" Her brow unfurrowed, smile appearing once again. What had he found?
Keeping her distance, Elle raised onto her tip toes in the grass...letting the firefly drift free as her attention wandered. "Do you need any help? If you've been bitten, let me know and I can help!" She assumed it was something venomous...otherwise, he'd be in the midst of a struggle or soothing by now.
Taking just a few steps closer, she bent forward...dropping her gaze, since raising it hadn't seemed to work. What was under there?
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