[J] Ankou :: Spirit Guide

[A Wandering Esper]

Brother Mine

Thabara

He really could see the stars from up here.

He had gone to explore this place on his own once Shadow and Adrian had made their excuses to leave for the night, be it to sleep or for some other form of rest. He had stuck around within the rooms which had been assigned to him for a little while, enjoyed their relative luxury especially after the hardships of the trip, but in the end he had figured there was no need to stay confined to them, seeing as he did not require sleep any longer. Instead he had ventured out on his own, to explore the vast hallways and rooms of this temple-fortress.

He moved quietly, like a ghost, barely noticed by anyone. When he was noticed, he was treated with respect, silent greetings and deep bows. They knew he was kin to The Sisters it seemed, or maybe they just treated all of Their guests that politely. He wondered how they would act towards him if they knew of his domain..

Further and further up he moved, until found a balcony of sorts from which he could see the sky well, looking up at the stars with a mix of regret and longing displayed on his face while one hand gently touched the small vessel pendant dangling from his neck. A gift, freely given, yet he still felt he should offer something in return for it. A gift for a gift, a favor for a favor, wasn't that how things were supposed to work? Just as with revenge, an eye for an eye-- He broke off that specific train of thoughts, cringing slightly and making a face as he realized the irony of it.

Perhaps he should stop thinking in such terms, but that was easier said than done. It was very much what he was made of, and one might just as much demand of him to stop breathing.

But in love, strangely, such rules didn't seem to apply - at least with Echo he didn't feel the urge to count gifts and counter-gifts. So, perhaps, in friendship not as well?

He gave the sky above one last skeptical look before he turned away from it. There was a time at which he'd stopped sleeping. He was the God of the Dead. There would be a time at which he'd no longer be required to breathe as well.

"So," he asked quietly, leaning with his back against the balustrade and peering curiously at the crow which had settled next to him quite a while ago, when he had still been stargazing, "what do you want?"

The large black bird merely blinked, preening its feathers and seeming generally unfazed by Underworld's stare. But finally it flapped its wings, airborne for only a short time, just enough to glide down the hallway and then land in front of one of the doors, peering at the blue-skinned god expectantly from there.

Zero Dream

And, inside that door, it would be evident that Adrian had retired for sleep. He should have locked that door probably, but he no longer felt the need. Or perhaps he had forgotten ? Who knew.

In fact, he was in bed, sleeping with an apparent deepness that would probably have made a rock jealous, wearing only boxers and sheets that had been half kicked-off in his earlier tossing. Now, however, he was definitively in a deeper part of sleep - the one that his fiancé had always lovingly said "that not even an earthquake could wake him from". They'd never bothered to test out that theory, but if promises of... other bedtimes activities did not get him to awaken then, they had both deemed the situation hopeless.

At least, the redhead didn't snore. His breath was slow and even, red mane tossed around around his form, and the stone clearly visible from it's location, made even more so by the slight discoloration around it. No longer was it surrounded by red, angry skin, but it seemed to have taken a bit of a grayer hue.

While one was sleeping, however, the other was not. Ankou drifted in between watching over his host's slumber and keeping it peaceful, and being bored out of his mind. When Adrian's body would become his, he would probably need sleep - but right now he did not, and did not feel the need to indulge in it. He had, after all, an host to watch over.

Thabara

Nergal knocked, and then waited, listening intently with baited breath.

_________'As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door..'

There was no reply of course, no invitation to enter, which was disappointing but not surprising - it was in the middle of the night after all, a truly 'unholy' hour.

He turned to leave - tomorrow was still another day, there'd certainly be more chances to speak to the Spirit Guide and its host - but the crow still was there, staring at him, unblinkingly.

The god's eyes narrowed slightly and, almost against his will, his right hand came to a rest on the ancient brass handle. It would be locked, he tried to convince himself, there was no sense in even trying. Besides, except for the crow's presence there was no proof this truly were the Spirit Guide's chambers - he might be intruding upon some complete stranger!

Yet he still pressed the handle down, gray eyes widening in surprise when there was an almost inaudible 'click' and the door swung open without a further sound. Undecided, fighting with his conscience, Nergal remained at the threshold. He wasn't invited, he couldn't possibly sneak in like that.. They might have been brothers once, but now, after The Fading, both their memories were damaged and fragmented like a complex ancient puzzle, with so many pieces missing..

His back started to itch outrageously once more, right between the shoulder blades where his misty wings emerged. This had been happening a few times today.. Annoying, extremely annoying, but nothing that really deserved his attention or was deemed of importance - so the god merely flicked his wings in irritation because he perfectly well knew he couldn't reach that spot, and then stepped inside. Not, however, without shooting one last accusing glare at the crow, as if it was the bird's fault he was doing this.

What would Echo do if she knew of this? Lucius? Secretly tiptoeing through someone else's room like some sort of nightly stalker.. While there might be some familiarity at least with the Psychopomp, his host definitely was a perfect stranger to him.

_________But he's only a mortal..

Laugh, that's what they'd both do, Universe and Music. Laugh that he actually made such a fuss of it, such a big deal. That was okay, he figured. He'd love to see them laugh, even if it was at his expense..

Quietly he settled on the edge of Adrian's bed, the mattress barely shifting under his weight as he sat down - as if he barely weighed anything. His expression almost sphinx-like, the deity gazed down at the peaceful face of the youth. Behind him the misty substance of his wings shifted, swirled, took on form..Feather for feather.. down to the downiest bits.. more detailed and real than ever.. Huge, and almost solid they seemed as Underworld reached out to gently touch the silky strands of red hair, twirling them lightly around his finger.

_________Will you keep those, brother?

He shifted, laid his eyes upon the gem which held his sibling's essence. It faintly reflected the starlight of his pendant, almost as if it was inviting him. Nergal hesitated for but a moment, the host..

He really seemed to sleep deeply.

He reached to touch the stone, and then he stilled, as if he had become a statue - like one of those mourning angels present on so many a tomb and crypt on the Victorian graveyards. Or a guardian angel perhaps, albeit a grim and dark one.

_________'And if I die before I wake,
_________I pray the Lord my soul to take.'

An angel of Death.

Zero Dream

He'd heard the door open, of course. The god tried to pry his host's eyes open, but the body simply refused to work. He kept his irritated sigh to himself and instead used what senses he actually could use - that is, he listened. Almost soundless steps...

_________Following me silently, soundlessly, as if I would not notice

One after the other. It was possible that he'd trained himself to hear them before death, and that he never quite forgot. Adrian's lips curved, just slightly - the beginning of a smile, or an amused smirk ? Who knew. It had to be him, he could feel it, in a way that was impossible to explain and impossible to fully understand. But it was also maddening - Nergal was right there, and he could not do a thing, beside do his best to keep Adrian asleep to avoid any possible complications.

But it wasn't even an hard thing to do, hardly so. The young man hadn't even shown any signs of awakening. In fact, he just seemed to spiral even deeper into dream...

He could feel his brother's hand hovering mere inches from the stone, in an almost surreal way. Surreal and electrifying.

And yet there was nothing he could do.

Thabara

Finally, after what seemed to have been hours when it was just minutes, he finally bridged the remaining space between his skin and the gem, gently touching the smooth, glossy surface. His eyes closed. He had no idea if it was even possible at all to communicate with the faint essence he sensed within the gem..

So he remained quiet, and focused. He was listening, albeit with senses other than his hearing.

Behind his back, unbeknownst and going unnoticed for now by Nergal, the first few feathers of his wingspan started to crumble and fade as the mana which shaped them was channeled into the Spirit Guide's crystalline confinement.

Zero Dream

Well, -now- keeping Adrian asleep became a challenge. Something was going on, but he couldn't exactly tell what, but it was making the pyromancer react. Yet, oddly, it all seemed a bit familiar. No, very familiar. But of course he couldn't guess how.

All he could truly realize, even if belatedly, is that keeping Adrian asleep was getting more and more easy, even as the fire mage kept on struggling. Still, he didn't dare try to open Adrian's eyes in fear this would unsettle him more. Not until he'd stilled. He could feel Nergal now, clearly, oh so clearly that it felt madding. He must be touching the gem, but this did not happen when the lady Shadow had done so.

But... he'd been able to talk, then.

"...What are you doing ?" The voice was hoarse from no use, tinted with surprise and worry both.

The voice was not Adrian's - but it seemed like the Spirit Guide, in all his struggle to keep his host settled, had not noticed that he just spoken out loud.

Thabara

The voice caught Nergal by complete surprise - enough for his eyes to snap open and his hand flinch back his hand immediately. With shock and disbelief he stared at Adrian's face, already struggling to come up with a plausible explanation for his presence in his room, on his bed of all things! Only.. he seemed to still be asleep?

And the voice.. it had been different.

"...Ankou?" he whispered.

Zero Dream

"Well, who did you expect, Harmodius ?" No, seriously ?

But then, once Adrian seemed to finally settle again, he could allow his attention to shift somewhere else.

Mainly that he could, in fact, -move-, as the worried tug he's been holding on the lips on his host was proving him. It couldn't be Adrian - Adrian was asleep... and would have probably screamed like a little girl and chased the poor Underworld straight out of the room. Possibly in a way that included great balls of fires.

And it all seemed way too easy.

"Am I... ...What -are- you doing ?" He asked again. "I was not able to speak a minute ago..."

Thabara

Nergal blinked perplexed, first at the dry joke - that certainly wasn't the host speaking there - and then again at the question.

"What am I..?" Some small form of movement caught his attention, and he looked down, noticing much to his surprise that he was touching the gray gem again. What puzzled him more however, was the faint swirl of mist which seemed to trail down his arms and then apparently getting absorbed into Ankou's jewel.

"Oh," he mouthed quietly, turning to see where the source of that mist lay, though part of him had already realized. Still, to see his wings so large, and so distinctly formed, and yet slowly disintegrating at their seams.. "Oh," he mouthed again. "I.. Sharing some of my mana with you, I think."

Had it been anyone else, it would have been disturbing to discover he was feeding part of himself to another. In this case however, it was almost familiar. There was no hesitation when he shifted his hand, pressing the flat of his palm against the gem now instead of merely touching it with his fingertips.

Zero Dream

"You what ?" Apparently the other god has issues taking this into account. Finally, Adrian was back to sleeping - he could distinctively tell - and he risked opening the eyes to look at his brother. They had taken a deeper hue - gold instead of yellow, and it seemed the pupils had faded slightly.

He looked almost fittingly pocessed.

"Just... don't hurt yourself." He voice did betray his worry rather quickly. Nergal, after all, was showing no want to stop this process, and if there was something Ankou seemed to remember, it was that trying to change the Underworld's mind once it had been set on something was about as pleasant as smashing your head on a brick wall. Repetitively.

Thabara

"It'll likely be only a temporary thing and do no harm other than exhausting me. Do not worry. I can take care of myself. But it.." He paused and looked up, gray eyes locking onto golden ones. "I must admit, I do not know you, Spirit Guide, ...brother. I do not remember you. But there is familiarity about this.. this sharing. As if I had done it before."

Zero Dream

Honestly, Ankou wasn't surprised. Given the fact he did not remember where he was from that very morning, how the hell was he supposed to be surprised ?

"It doesn't get any better then..." He mused out loud, then let himself think. "...It does feel familiar. But don't ask me to tell you how, I can't. I have infinitively more holes than I have memory." The body's features pulled into a small frown. "It is upsetting... But dwelling on it aren't going to make things any better, even if I do have plenty of time to waste lately."

"It would be more productive to learn each other anew then, wouldn't it ?"

Thabara

"Possibly so." He didn't sound all that convinced. Too much of him was rooted in the past that he just couldn't seem to let go of. But what choice did he have? And ever since his meeting with Destruction he had been very unsure how much he truly wanted to unearth of his past, if anything at all.

"But.. take all the time you need, to gather your strength. Do not rush. My domain is gone, brother, there is no place yet for you to carry the souls to." Underworld's words were bitter. "I should not have let it come to this, I should have--"

I should have changed.

A shiver went through his body, but his hand remained on the gem nonetheless, the contact revealing some of his feelings - his sadness, his doubts, his uncertainty. I should have changed.

"Do you hear them yet?" he asked, "The voices of the countless dead? Their whispers, their moans, their laments.. Do you see them, my brother?"

Zero Dream

Ankou remained silent for a moment. Yes, he clearly felt those emotions, so palpable that he could almost reach out and touch them.

"Yet there is no reason for you to have to deal with all this on your own." He said, then, even more softly. "Jinx... do you know if she's..."

Okay, dead, alive, trapped in a realm that crumbled ? It was his turn to emit sadness, it seemed. If the catgirl was no more, he would never forgive himself for it. The feelings were strong enough to make up with what memories had lacked - all he remembered was her name, her ruby eyes and sleek black fur...

Those claws buried deep in a necromancer's heart - so fierce...

"Not yet. I am deaf and blind - I may keep myself that way until the time come. The boy... is fragile yet. This may be too much for him to handle, if he hears and see as well."

How many times now, had he needed to send his own energy to keep the flame inside him going ? He'd lost count, honestly, but at least Adrian was improving. Lyra's return has pretty much stabilized him. Love... such an odd thing. He couldn't remember if he'd ever felt it.

Thabara

"Jinx is well, do not worry. In fact it was her who told me of your return, and it was her who implanted the jewel holding your essence into your host in such a rash way. She did not come with me, fearing rebuke and punishment from your host and Lady Shadow for what she did." He smiled a little. "She did not seem to feel overly sorry though." And why should she. She only did as she saw fit to have her Lord be reborn. Though he certainly wished the cat girl would have pulled it off more.. elegantly. "I will send her to join you, if that is your wish."

"I see.. And I have to agree. I thought I had made a great gift to my host but it.. proved to be too much for her to bear, almost shattering what I--" ..what I had worked so hard on to mend and repair. That splintered soul, always so close to be devoured by the abyss, leaving only madness. Desperate to die, until, until.. There was something of importance here, something he was missing, but he couldn't place his finger on it.. and after trying for a short while he gave up.

"Is there.. anything you wish or need to know? The Pantheon is not far from where I have taken up residence and.. while I am not exactly keen on company, I am trying to not be completely unsocial either. I have met several of those who are reborn."

Zero Dream

"I had thought so, but there was no way to be sure." Adrian's lips twitched into a smile, the movement having been unused for so long that it seemed like the god wasn't sure which muscles to pull. "This really seemed like her style, if anything."

After all, his little kitten did not only hunt mice.

"It might be better for her to wait - we will have to leave here eventually. Adrian already knows, but right now he is still a bit too weak to undertake that kind of travel. As much as he would rather stay here until the end, he knows it impossible, and he is not impossible to reason with - it was hard at the beginning, but I think he is starting to understand that I do not specifically mean any harm to him beyond was has already been done. Beside, knowing the lady Shadow, she will probably trail him. They will meet again."

He would make sure of it.

Questions... "...Where do you live, then ? So that we know where to seek you once we get to the city."

Thabara

"Well, addresses have become quite useless due to Destruction's rule.. Too much has changed. I live close to the Pantheon, though not within its direct vicinity. I suppose the crows would be able to guide you to me, or the wisps.. or Shadow herself. With the Lady having sent me gifts and offerings on several occasions it is safe to assume she knows where I live." He paused, hesitating a little before he added: "It is a twin house of sorts, two identical buildings sharing a wall. Mine is the right half."

Zero Dream

Ankou's curiosity seemed to be picked, but he decided to remain silent for the time being. And who would be living in that other half, who would he tolerate so close ? Hmmm, interesting. The urge to prod at and tease[/i[ was strong, but he managed to ignore it. Nergal was right - while they were brothers, it seemed, neither of them seemed to remember enough for him to take such liberties yet. This would come with time.

But it was easy to tell by the lingering smile that remained, that he had damn well thought about it.

"I will keep that in mind. The crows will probably be able to, yes - I do still understand them, so it will be much easier." He pondered aloud.

Thabara

"I will ask Jinx then to prepare a residence for you so that it will be ready in time for your return. Unless, of course, you'd like to take up lodging within the Pantheon itself - there are those who have done that." He did not, however, offer up his own dwelling for lodging. A hint, as subtle as he could manage, that - brother or not - he preferred to have his privacy retained.

He was about to add something, but that moment a searing pain stabbed his back, causing the young god to gasp for breath and buckle over, the space between his shoulder blades hurting as if skin and bones had been split apart with an ax. His fingernails dug deeply into the grayish skin surrounding Ankou's gem.

Zero Dream

"I shall see once I get there." It was equally as subtle, but it said it all. He'd gotten the message. Beside, the young god did enjoy his privacy as well. At least what little he had.

"Nergal !" The word left before he could think - all the worry he had kept fully apparent. He scowled a bit with the pain of the fingernails digging right into such a sensible area - Adrian reacted, too. He let the eyes fall closed as he did his best to backpedal and settle down his host once more.

"You should... stop.... ...Only hurting.... yourself now...." It was pretty hard, even with giving up sight, to concentrate on two thing at once. "Can... later."

Thabara

Thankfully the pain subsided to a low throbbing quickly after the initial outburst, allowing the deity to catch his breath and think a little more clearly. He peered over his shoulder, already half expecting what he was about to see - his left wing had dissolved completely, and the right one seemed to come apart rather quickly. Should it disintegrate completely.. He had no idea what would happen then. He might pass out, which was, given his current location, not a good idea at all.

"Yes," he admitted reluctantly, "that would be best." This was taking more of his strength than he had thought, or maybe he just wasn't as strong yet as he'd hoped to - a thought which left a bitter aftertaste. If he was not even able to keep up this for long, how the Hell then would he be able to support a whole realm?! The rebirth of the Underworld still seemed so very far beyond his reach..

He let go of he gem, feeling cold, and empty as he did, but the pain at his back lessened immediately. "Rest then, little brother," he said softly, bending forward to place a gentle kiss on the other's forehead. "Gather your strength."

Zero Dream

Ankou tried to raise the body's hand, but that control faded faster than he could move, and it felt limp at his side.

"I..." And then nothing. Adrian slept, as if nothing had happened - with the end of the pain, his spirit also settled deeper in sleep.

I will not dissapoint you.

Thabara

"Sleep," Nergal whispered, cold fingers lingering to affectionately trail the other's cheek before he left. The world started turning around him as soon as he got up, his steps were wavering and weak. By the time he'd reached the door he had to lean against its frame to remain standing, trying to catch his breath. That this had exhausted him so!

Sleep. It started to sound like a quite promising prospect to himself, if he'd actually be able to. At the very least he'd need to rest.

He took a deep breath and closed the door behind himself very, very quietly.

 

[A Wandering Esper]

A Meeting In The Gardens

Zero Dream

After Nergal had left the temple, it was back to business as usual for it's occupants, except really for the one which did not truly belong there. Adrian was very quickly growing bored - Melanctha seemed busy as of late, and he hadn't quite tracked down his mad-cat drinking buddy again. And the other temple goers / worshipers just seemed to know and proceed to behave a bit strangely around him, which he wasn't exactly keen about. And Ankou himself was pretty silent unless Adrian talked first and tried to stirr things out of him.

Kind of ironic that the god in his rock looked like an antisocial. Judging by Nergal, who while proper and polite and frilly and all that crap the pyromancer didn't particularly care about, seemed much the same.

Must be a sibling thing. Maybe he'd manage to kick it out of Ankou before he bit it.

So, like the day before, and the day before that one, he fled to the gardens. It was peaceful enough to allow him to think a bit, and he tended to remain unbothered. Except by crows, that is, but he was slowly growing fond of the little featherbutt that was tagging along - he'd taught him to eat out of his hand and all that, it was kinda cool.

Draconayzia

There was giggling through the bushes and a rather loud bit of rustling. A streak of green blurred into view right before it smacked into a pair of unsuspecting legs. The green blur resolved itself into a little girl with white wings and hair.

Following said blur was a rather large, and exasperated looking, wolf.

Zero Dream

Usually undisturbed, of course. Adrian had been busy having some sort of staring contest with the crow perched on the nearby branch (or, in less dignified words, was doing nothing at all) when the impart made him look down.

"...Erm... Hi ?" The kid had green skin. How odd.

Probably one of the divine. But, she -is- rather young.

Haha, so nothing like one of your own kind to drag you out, hm ? The pyromancer sounded a bit amused.

Well, you did ask me to be quiet. The god did not seem to quite understand.

Adrian had to resist rolling his eyes. Gods could be so... complicated. It's all good to talk if im bored out of my mind and... not quite as upset as I first was ?

True, the anger had dulled, then seemed to be mostly replaced by some kind of apathy and acceptance. It was oddly like grief.

Draconayzia

".... Hi." The little thing blinked up in slight confusion. The wolf just rolled his eyes. Too much time around gods. Scratch that, too much time around goddesses. Tilting his head back the large wolf howled, making the small one grin.

Zero Dream

"What's got you running so fast for, hmmm ?" Adrian did his best to look non-scary, or at least tried to. She did look a bit like a shy one and he didn't want to startle her.

"Hm... Wanna play a game ? You decide which one ?" Hey, he was bored.

Draconayzia

The little thing looked at him for a moment before laughing and reaching for a lock of his hair. Thankfully she didn't tug, just had a very, very sure grip.

The wolf was more than happy to let his Lady take over as she solidified in front of them.

"Tera, let go. It's not nice to grab like that. Sorry about her. I am Beryl. Who might you be?"

Zero Dream

"Hey, hey now, hair is not a toy-"

Whatever dissuading words he had in mind, they were lost when someone just... kind of... came out of nowhere and solidified in front of him. Yellow eyes went wide with surprise for a moment.

"Uh... it's okay. Really." He somehow managed Erm... holy s**t. He probably looked a bit odd, half-bent over with a small child mistaking his hairs for a jungle gym.

"Uh... Name's Adrian." There was a faint prodding. "Oh, and uh. Ankou's there too, but I dunno if he can speak yet."

Draconayzia

"Don't worry. Little scamp, go torture the aoide!" She set the childe on the wolf's back, watching as they vanished back inside.

"You must be one of the Chosen then, a Host perhaps? Forgive Tera her playfulness, she's one of the Born, not the Remade. I am Beryl of the Wind."

Zero Dream

When his precious hairs had been freed, he went to untangle it with his fingers on instinct.

"Yeah, that's pretty much that. I guess that's one way to put it." Ankou seemed to watch this on with great curiosity, as if a question was on mind. It wasn't even hard to guess what it was, so he went ahead.

"So you mean she didn't have an host and all that stuff ?"

Okay, the mental image of two gods getting it on was... interesting. At least he kinda figured where little godlings came from !

Draconayzia

"Exactly and I recognize that look. Brain out of the gutter please." Despite the slight lecturing tone to her voice there was an air of mischief to her as well.

"So what are you out in the gardens for? Just getting some fresh air or looking for something in particular?"

Zero Dream

"Mind in the gutter ? Me ?" He gave a totally innocent grin.

Yeah right.

Oh for the love of... Show a bit more respect, she is a goddess !

Oh, ease down will you ? The pyromancer was amused. Very amused.

"Random stupidity aside... Pretty much getting some fresh air. Might as well get it while I can, since, well... everywhere but here is pretty bad off."

Part of him did not wish to have to go back to the outside world, but eventually he would have to.

Draconayzia

"I think my husband takes the cake on random stupidity so no worries there." Yes, she was definitely amused now.

"I try to keep the sanctuary here as clean as I can. Thanks to my sister it's better than I'd hoped it would be. I am glad that she's back. You may have met her, Shadow?"

Zero Dream

Oh, had he met Shadow ?

"Well, given that she first dragged me into a bathhouse, then pretty much dragged my sorry a** here after I had a jewel shoved down my spine by heavens know who or what, yeah I'd say I might have seen her somewhere." He said with a grin.

And that wasn't even getting into seeing her naked or random bed-sharing. Yeeeaaahhhh.

Draconayzia

The goddess just blinked at that information. Before nearly doubling over in laughter. "That's certain Melanctha. Oh dear. HA! Was that where it ended or did she drag you off for 'nefarious and devious distractions' as well?" Oh yes, this one had certainly met her sister. Lucky him. Ha!

Zero Dream

Oh, oh, INTERESTING ! Talk about getting an answer from the most unlikely of places. He quickly did his best to memorize the name. Keke...

"Well, I did wake up to a few interesting cold patches in my bed, if that's what you're talking about." The pyromancer answered with a grin. But as far as he knew, nothing beside snuggling had ever happened. Woe !

Draconayzia

"You're lucky you didn't end as a cold patch yourself. Sometimes she forgets that her touch is a bit chill if she doesn't warm herself first." She remembered yelps coming from her sister's rooms one night and finding her the next morn grumbling about forgetting that cold was not welcome on human bodies. Beryl had been hard pressed not to laugh at her.

Zero Dream

This didn't wipe the amusement from his face any. Far from it.

"Oh, I am used to that."

A small giggle then seemed to come out of nowhere, wordlessly, in fact it had occurred in the two individual's mind. It wouldn't be long before a small, blue shadow-like creature slid out of Adrian's shadow to lay on his shoulder.

"Ah, yes. You should not worry, I've trained him well." The telepathic voice sounded a bit amused.

"I knew that'll bring you out, love. Beryl, this is Lyra - she's my fiancé... or at least she was before she died and I got a gem showed in me. This got confusing pretty fast. Uh, she was... a oddity kinda like me in life, cold to the touch."

Adrian could hear Ankou grumble something about politeness, but he quickly drowned it out. If the goddess had expected politeness and worship out of him, she would have presented herself in another way, he felt.

Draconayzia

Snickering slightly she pointed to herself. "Mated, not worried about the training so long as he doesn't stain the carpet." And this was half the influence raising Archery. This ought to be good.

"Don't worry about the oddities. Odd is normal around here. Otherwise you'd probably have cracked anyway by now."

Zero Dream

"Cracked, hmm ?" The pyromancer seemed to ponder that for a moment, as the shadow curled loosely around his arm, peering at the goddess with interest. "Ill'd have to admit being familiar with the concept."

He let out a laugh then, one hand moving to catch Lyra's silken strands of hair. "Definitively familiar with the concept, and ill'd have to agree that if I didn't, I would be by now." Even with a wider imagination and understanding than most, this whole deity business did catch him quite offguard.

Draconayzia

"Around here, that's probably something in your favor. If you don't mind, may I ask who you hold? I don't think Melactha told me."

Zero Dream

"His name is Ankou. He's the Spirit Guide, something about souls and the Underworld and all that. And he's been spending the whole of this conversation trying to fuss me into being "polite"". Adrian announced with a grin. "Feh, I am so being polite, arn't I ?" He gave her a wink.

Draconayzia

"Compared to most, no. Compared to my husband, yes. I can work with it." Oh yes she was definitely amused.

"I do not know if this will be possible for you yet, but can you let him slide forward? Take control for a short time, or at least use your voice? If so I would like to talk to him if only for a moment."

Zero Dream

"Ohhh psh." Adrian grinned, but quickly seemed to grow serious.

"I... don't know. Honestly. He tried not too long ago and it didn't quite... work." Having him take full control was SO out of question that he clearly hoped he wasn't bristling like a cat at the thought of it.

But the true question was, did he really want to try ? He'd been quite happy with simply watching up to now. He... probably wouldn't have much to say. Still, she had asked... and he may as well attempt. There was a tug around his lips, and a faint sound, but... Not more than that. Almost, and so close... but... no dice.

Hell, he'd tried.

"...Looks like that arn't gonna work. I can relay maybe ?"

Draconayzia

She offered a small smile for the host. "No, do not worry too much about it. Usually it will work later if the host and deity are in agreement, but other than that it can be tricky, even painful. Don't strain yourself. I have waited this long to chat, a bit longer won't hurt anything."

Zero Dream

"Well, okay. If you really say so. I don't really mind." He shrugged. Playing in-between wasn't THAT bad, honestly. There were worse things.

Lyra had slid back in his shadow some time ago, bothered by the light. He half-wished she hadn't so he could hold her close... just like things used to be.

Draconayzia

"I just find it easier to have the conversation without the middle missing. Words are only half the plot after all." She had learned over time to read inflection and body language as well as words to find hidden meanings. Before it had been amusement, now it was helpful.

Zero Dream

"Hmmm, yeah. I guess so." He shrugged, again. He still wasn't too bothered by her refusal.

"Ill see what I can do in the future then." But both god and host knew - they wouldn't stay around for so much longer. Maybe the lady wind would have other means to find them.

Draconayzia

Stretching out one shimmering wing she plucked a feather from near the core of muscle and sinew. Once detached from its' wing it seemed to glint metallic in the light and stiffen. "Take this if you like. For those that pass through this temple, those who would want a safe haven, this is a sort of key. Help will be given when it is needed." Smiling softly she held out the once-feather.

Zero Dream

Adrian stared at the feather for a moment, in awe at the way if reflected light, before he took it in his cupped hands.

"Thank you. That might come in handy." After all, trouble seemed to stick to him like crazy glue. "Im afraid I don't really have anything to give in exchange, however..."

Draconayzia

She smiled at the child-like awe on his face. She missed seeing those sorts of expressions freely.

"There is no need to give a gift to me. You are here, and you believe, and that strengthens me. Put that on a string and wear it as a pendant if you like. Just remember that you're not alone, alright?"

Zero Dream

"Yeah, you're right... Im not alone." He said with a small smile. "...I think ill do that." Maybe Shadow would give him a feather too, and then he would have a set ? Or something ?

That was quite an odd thought, really, but there was some comfort in it.

Draconayzia

"Whether myself, or my sister-self hears the call, we will help if we can. Melanctha and I have been too close for too long for our realms not to overlap at least a little. Why else would they call this the Temple of Whispers? There is always a breeze or a shadow near by to hear what is said, even if it's just a breath of air or the shadow in a blink."

Zero Dream

"I figure so... That must be quite something, to have a sibling that close. Someone that can truly understand you." He'd never had a sibiling.... or someone that completely understood him. Lyra came close, butttt.... not quite.

Draconayzia

"And many, many holes in the wall. You will find that one day I think. Or at least something on the same level. Who knows, perhaps your deity will become that. Mine and I did, though it took a bit on both our parts. Don't worry about it though. Let things happen, and more often than not your footsteps will be guided to where they need to be."

Zero Dream

"Guess that it helps that I am not too good at this "thinking" thing in the first place." He gave her the best smartassy grin he could manage. The effect would have been perfect, really, if his stomach hadn't expressed its dislike of being empty at the same moment.

Oops.

Draconayzia

"And now it is time to stop the food for thought and time to start the food for the belly monster. Come on." Laughing a bit behind her hand she steered him towards the kitchens. If nothing else, the cooks were very good at what they did.

Quote:

"And now it is time to stop the food for thought and time to start the food for the belly monster. Come on." Laughing a bit behind her hand she steered him towards the kitchens. If nothing else, the cooks were very good at what they did.

Zero Dream

"Hey ! Who are you calling a belly monster ?!?" He was quick to dart after her. Man, the goddesses around there were quite silly...

 

[A Wandering Esper]

Going on

He did not leave like a thief in the night this time around.

Adrian had started to hike down the mountain early on, before the sun ever rose - he was pretty sure that the goddess had followed him part of the way down even as he asked her not to, but it was alright. It was what he had expected, after all.

He couldn't just stay holed up in the temple for what was left of his life, like a bird in a golden cage waiting for death's scythe to fall on. If the god inside the rock had been a b***h, he might have done that, if only to set him back, so to speak. But Ankou, he had to admit, was not a complete and utter b*****d. Hell, sometimes if it wasn't for the gem over his tailbone he might have forgotten the god's presence entirely at times. The spirit guide was mostly silent, watching, listening - but Adrian was realizing that he was growing stronger. Slowly but surely.

It was impossible for him to pretend that his time wasn't limited, and slowly trickling out in between his fingers like grains of sand.

The pyromancer still wasn't too happy with his impending doom, but the game had been over before it had even began. Impeding with the process of a god seemed like a very bad idea - that, and if he was a good boy, he might just get what he wanted...

Only what he wanted probably wasn't what most people was thinking. But he didn't really care. He hadn't quite thought out how to tackle the situation, and this was partly way he was much more keen on the week long journey than having either sisters get himself there.

He could use the time to think. Think and figure things out.

While he might try to kick some of the habits of the god on the way out, but he had no intention of staying to see the outcome, so to speak. If he was to be dead to the world, it might as well be the whole damn way. Which was depressing to think about.

He'd better focus on not tripping and falling on one of those rocks. And on how he was gonna do the rest of the way. Like hell he was gonna do it on a horse - maybe he'd get lucky and find a group of crazies down in the village that would be willing to do the trip. Added protection wouldn't be a bad thing, and it wasn't like he couldn't deal if they were.... the opposite of added protection.

Adrian was not the best at this "planning ahead" thing, but this would do. He'd lived his whole life this way. This was a bit too late to change.  

[A Wandering Esper]

Settling the end

He'd been rather lucky, that much he knew, that there was a caravan leaving just for the city he wanted to go in, and that one of the staff had recently fallen pretty sick and that there was a spot required to fill. This gave him a decent enough transport, and they had left early in the afternoon. It was now rather late in the night, and while the rest of the team had retired to the second wagon to sleep, Adrian had stayed behind, nested in between two rows of boxes. He'd tried to sleep in that wagon, really, if only not to bring out any suspicion, but quite a few of those men snored, rather loudly. So he'd snuck out there.

Beside, for what was about to be discussed, he did not want them around. He glanced down, where Lyra had curled up in his lap and felt asleep, long purple-tipped hair sprawled around her blue-skinned face like a halo, and he couldn't help but reach out and gently run his hand trough the white locks. They were every bit as soft as they were before...

Before all that mess happened. Before Lyra and his parents died and he wound up with a gem in his spine. While his life still held some small amount of sense.

What will you do, once I am gone... ? What will happen to you, my love ?

There was a faint stirring in the back of his mind. It was a very odd sensation, when Ankou shifted his full attention to his host - something the pyromancer could quite clearly feel, akin to what one felt when someone was watching over their shoulder, but coming somewhere from within.

I will watch over her. I can promise you that. The god was trying to be comforting, and Adrian knew that, yet it did sound a bit odd.

She might not want that.

Then that will be her choice, not mine. I will not drive her away. At least I won't try to.

....You don't really care, do you ? Adrian didn't mean to sound accusatory with that remark, but it had come out before he could think any better of it. I mean, yeah, you're promising me this, and I know you'll probably do it, but it's because I want it. And you feel like you gotta make up for what happened. But you don't feel like it concerns you directly.

The moment of awkward silence that followed was all the answer the red-haired man would need.

I... I don't think I am used to care for mortal matters. I apologize.

The apology sounded genuine enough, but still sounded a bit like it came from someone who didn't think themselves as doing wrong. A polite apology. I figure it comes with the job. I mean, if you gave a s**t about every mortal you came across... Well, how many of them would use that to, you know... not die ? I can understand why. It still feels weird to me, but I think I can understand that. Do something enough and it becomes so normal that one probably don't even notice. That's how mortals work, anyway.

You misunderstand slightly, Adrian. I am not Death. Bringing souls to the Underworld is but one of my tasks. Probably my most known one, but... I do not remember everything. I don't claim to remember even many things, but I remember the basis of who and what I am, and my place in the world. When I get to a mortal, the body is already dead.

Yeah, I get it now. Sorry. Adrian let go of his lover's hairs and summoned a single flame, staring at it as it danced in his palm. This was a distraction from what he wanted to ask... but he had gotten the god to talk, and he couldn't quite let go yet. There were questions he had... What about Beryl then ? Melanctha ? You could have asked me to talk to them, but you didn't. You could have made me apologize to Beryl, but you didn't.

There was another round of silence. The god was thinking about it, and for a moment Adrian feared he wouldn't get an answer. ...I don't get any urge to talk to them. To get to know them. Not yet, anyway.

You really should. I won't always be there to talk to you. What was it that Shadow had told him ? Having the god learn from him ? ...That might have to happen. Really, he could understand the mortal part, if he stretched his mind far enough. But gods ? Other deities ? They were way the hell out of his reach. Living a life where the only one you really cared for and talked to was your brother seemed way too shitty. Maybe he would manage to drill it into Ankou by the time he was gone.

But, really... Im just delaying it now, through this has given me an insight of how your mind work. And... It has given me a hope that what I want will be carried out. He closed his hand, snuffing the flame out and returning his hand to Lyra's head. The shadow stirred faintly under the heat, but settled as if more comfortable than before, and did not wake. There are things I want to ask, things that I want carried out. Things I know you can carry out.

Ankou had remained silent, and has listened until it seemed like the young man was done. And so, Adrian... What do you wish ?

...I don't want to stay. If im going to be dead to the world, ill'd rather be dead period. Do whatever you want with me, kill me, destroy me, whatever you call it. I don't care what you do to me, as long as im not conscious to live trough it. Shadow told me her host was still there, stuck in her mind watching the body that was not her own be someone else's. I refuse to live trough this, and I don't want to be kept around out of pity. Taking me out will be pity in this case, trust me.

The memories were still vivid, even if the events had happened when he was a small child. His mother trying to teach him how to reach the astral plane - his panic when his soul separated from his body, how he'd almost gotten lost. How everytime he could not feel his tangible self he freaked the hell out.

Never again. He would not spend eternity like that.

This time, there was no hesitation. If this is what you want, it will be done. I owe you that much. Will you let her know ?

Who, Lyra ? She knows me well enough. She already knows, and she's probably already mourning me. He couldn't help but letting out a sigh. Shadow... when I see her again, I probably will. If only so she knows it is my decision and she doesn't get pissed off at you.

He let a few seconds of silence pass. One last thing, Ankou. Not exactly as important, but since we're speaking frankly here - I don't think you're gonna work out the way you are. I understand mortals, but being distant from everyone beside your brother ? What kind of ******** up life is that ? That has to be the most boring life known to man ! Gods. Whatever. This one I am fully aware that I can not force you to do, but I want you to at least try. I think you should at least try to give two shits about other gods. How the hell are you supposed to rise again anyway ? Im not sure how this is going to happen, but if im going to die for it it might as well work out in the end. You are going to need them weither you want it or not, so you might as well not be a social recluse or not have the social awkwardness stick shoved far enough up your a** as your brother has it. All you need to do is watch me, take it with a grain of salt, and learn for that. Sounds easy.

He really expected to get chewed out. He really did. Instead, he was caught off-guard when the god let out a low, amused laugh. HEY. I am very serious !

You come up with the oddest expressions, Adrian. Amusement still tinted the god's voice. You should follow her example and get some sleep. You are getting quite wordy.

Yeah, yeah, love you too. He probably wouldn't get much further than that, but... he'd gotten assurance he would get what he wanted. This would do. The rest, really was beyond his control. It should probably be beyond his caring, but... for some reason, he could not bring himself not to give two shits about the deity's future. Good night, then.

Sleep well. I will wake you up if someone comes in.  

[A Wandering Esper]

Here Feeshy Feeshy...

Zero Dream

One week was a long time's travel when the only person you were somewhat familiar with was in your head. Adrian, while being a bit of a social butterfly, found it hard to dodge the men's questions about why he just seemed to drift off sometimes. He doubted they would take "Oh, just discussing with the god that's in the rock in my lower back and trying to punt him out of his shell" as a sane answer.

So when they'd finally decided to stop and camp for once, to rest the engines, the pyromancer was more than thrilled to be able to wander off on his own, and he could also tell that the god was equally so. Adrian sometimes caught his lips moving alongside Ankou's telepathic speech, so he couldn't help but theorize that he could in fact talk out loud.

The idea was oddly exiting and very frightning all at once.

He didn't walk too far from the camp - a kilometer or two at most - and found a lake. Hmmm. The waters seemed oddly clean and pristine, unlike the lakes he had seen recently, so the pyromancer couldn't help but stop and have a look. The idea of taking a dip might have entered his mind if he did not loathe being wet.

Merci`

Kaelin rested his body at the bottom of the lake. He'd spent the energy to clean it up, but many of the fish and other things that once lived here had died. Destruction had not lied, his power was a double edged sword. Even the good things he tried to do ended up being a tool to destroy. His small underwater world was mostly dead, and a part of god felt that stab deeply. He had basically been reborn in these waters, and now all of the things that he had pulled around him as a comfort were gone.

Gone, just like all mortal things, just like all life. Faded.

His storm colored eyes opened against the water, and he rose from his cocoon, fin fanning behind him as he moved toward the lighter, brighter water of the surface. His hair, normally hanging in thick curls, caressed the skin of his body as he moved. The smoldering tattoo in his stomach actually glowing despite the water that surrounded him, like the ashes of a dying fire.

He broke the surface in a rush, his body rising from the disturbed surface for a moment, before falling back into his element. Water drops clung to his skin, and he stared up at the sky, remembering a simpler time.

The God was fighting an inner battle, and the jury was still out on which part of him would win.

He was so distracted by his own thoughts he didn't notice Adrian right away. Water rolled over and lay in the water, floating, his pale skin and deep blue scales reflecting what light there was.

Zero Dream

Adrian has finally decided to sit on one of the old stones that surrounded the lake, resting his legs for a moment and looking at the clear water. So strange, there didn't seem to be any plantlife or fish inside...

Well, until the big fish hit the surface, really, which left him a bit confused and with a rather priceless expression. What the hell was that ? A merman ? In a lake.

Ohhhhhh kay.

He couldn't help but stare for a moment at the slander form that slid through the water with a graceful ease, feeling almost enchanted for a moment before finally snapping out of it.

Some part of him felt it would probably be better to leave and give the man his privacy back. But the other was now captived and curious, and otherwise did not allow him to move an inch.

Merci`

He was still confused on how to feel about the state of the world. Part of him was desperately happy, mortals were learning their place, but the other was horrified at the sheer amounts of destruction that seemed to have been wrought. He propelled his body into the shallows, so he could sit up. Amazingly the wild ringlets reformed fairly quickly when he was out of the water, like his hair dried in record breaking time.

Out of the corner of his eye he spied something that didn't belong. He turned his head, long finned ears protruding from either side of his rather pale face. Well well, what was this. Seemed to be someone intruding on his private place.

He knew he didn't own it exactly, but this place was more his then anything else in the world.

A small smirk tweaked up the corner of his mouth, and he tilted his head as he watched the boy. They weren't all that far apart, and Kaelin raised his voice so Adrian would be able to hear him. "And what is it you're doing here?"

Something about Kaelin's voice was musical, and in it could be heard the beauty that had called sailors to their deaths on the wide oceans.

Zero Dream

Oh dear.

Adrian was speechless for a moment, not really knowing what to do now that the man had seen him. And that voice... Beautiful, really, it threatened to lure him in.

"Just walking along, really.. I... We'll go on our way if we're being any bother, mister... ?"

He'd only caught that he'd said we instead of I belatedly. Well damnit, now he was going to sound batshit crazy.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Unlike Adrian, Ankou knew exactly what the other was. He could recognize one of his own very easily - and Kaelin's aura was strong, much like Beryl's had been.

This was a god, indeed.

Merci`

The god used his arms to pull himself further up on shore, before he reclined back to rest his body weight on his elbows. The powerful muscles in his tail moved, lifting the massive fin free of the water. Kaelin's head fell back and he gasped softly as the scales shifted, and a sound like tearing tissue paper carried on the air as he pulled his legs free of his alternate form. He stood, gloriously naked, and seemingly unashamed of that fact.

He turned to look directly at Adrian, the stone that made him what he was still shone where it was implanted in his hip. Deep blue scales flowed into skin in time for the blue and black stone to show up well against his pale flesh. "We mm? You and your....?" He trailed off and made a show of looking left and then right for Adrian's companion. "Or do you mean something else..."

Kaelin took a few steps toward Adrian, casually strolling through the mud.

Zero Dream

He was naked, wasn't he ?

Dear lords he was. Adrian could feel his cheeks redden at this sudden realization and cursed inwardly. It didn't help that Ankou was barely holding himself from kneeling over with laughter. Damnit, you're not helping !

He was trying to keep his yellow eyes from wandering down south too much, but at least in the process he'd noticed something important. The stone.

Damnit, you could have told me !

Useless god. Damnit.

"Me and the god inside my stone." He somehow managed to say, doing his best to keep his voice even. No use hiding it, then.

Merci`

He meandered right up to Adrian, stopping in front of him. Kaelin was not very tall for a god, topping out somewhere around five feet and six or seven inches. He still leaned over and got face to face with Adrian, putting one hand on the stone next to him as he leaned over him, forcing the other man to recline slightly or get very very close. The god reached past him and retrieved a pair of really ratty and dirty khaki ripped off shorts from the dirt somewhere next to the rock. "So your a vessel mmm? Congratulations are in order I guess. At least you won't have to live in the world the way it is today. All likely hood your going to be smothered, like my host was. Or there is a small possibility that you could live on as a small piece of the greater god that will unfurl inside you."

Kaelin couldn't help leaning his head forward and licking the boy on the cheek before he stood up straight again. "My name is Kaelin, I am one of the older among our kind. God of the Waters the flow across this planet. You are?"

Zero Dream

Adrian did recline a bit, without really noticing he was, shock crossing his face once he realized it. Had the god just... licked him ?

This was getting very, very kinky very quickly. The pyromancer wasn't quite sure if he liked this or not. He had to admit that for a water deity, he was damn attractive - those scales, really, and that voice... If it hadn't been for the possibility of winding up soaking wet, he'd damn right play along.

Ankou couldn't help but sigh a bit at his host's thought process. At least that meant the shock was fading. It was a good thing, or else he would have needed to intervene.

"My future will end once his will begin." No sadness, no regrets, no whinning about it - nothing but the cold truth in his voice. He didn't care - that was all he wanted. He would not be a prisoner inside myself. "I've already seen the world go to s**t, im not staying to get backstage tickets. Im Adrian."

The redhead waited, then prodded inside. Hey, introduce yourself. Remember what I told you.

Adrian was really so headstrong about this, was he ? Oh well, he could try. "And I am Ankou, the Spirit Guide. It is a pleasure." The words were a bit awkward, the voice a tad on a different tone than Adrian's, a bit raw from the lack of use.

...That had been quite odd, but, honestly, not as bad as the pyromancer feared. No panic had came along with it, and he had still quite felt in control. See, that wasn't so bad, really. Silly god. Staying distant from everything and everyone wouldn't earn him anything, and he wasn't like he would stay that way once he was gone. And if it lessened his chances of staying around, he was all for that silly little training.

Merci`

Kaelin's mouth curved up into a grin. He shifted his weight and balanced on one foot as he pulled on the grimy khaki shorts. They looked like they had defiantly seen better days. "Spirit Guide huh?" He buttoned them up and put his hands in the pockets, standing rather carelessly. The smirk was plastered on his face and wouldn't seem to go away. The gesture would bring attention to the ashen tattoo that adorned his belly. "Well Adrian, you don't seem to scare as easily as most. I don't even make you nervous? Not even a little?"

Kaelin was actually mildly amused by the fact that both god and host seemed to not scramble out of his space. Most seemed to, except for that wonderful woman, Mel. She had more then happily held him in her arms. So it seemed that people jumped on him or stayed the hell away, something he could deal with.

Zero Dream

Nervous ? Uh, hell yes he was nervous.That tattoo seemed also pretty odd, almost... out of place. A smoldering mark on a water deity ? Made little to no sense to him, but who was he to know.

"Just a hair. It just so happen that curiosity is winning at the moment." His greatest quality and biggest weakness, it seemed. His curiosity had gotten himself in trouble more than once, would this be one of them ? He wasn't quite sure at the moment, but there was still the lure of the other's voice... perhaps it was one of the reason he was still standing here.

Merci`

He grinned and turned around, providing Adrian with an unobstructed view of his back. Kaelin was all wiry muscle. Tone from hours of swimming through the waterways of the nearby world. "Where did you two meet? Or rather, how did you acquire your passenger so to speak?" Kaelin turned to look at Adrian again, before he sunk down to sit on the dirt nearer the shoreline.

He stretched out his legs, each of the small scales were actually a slightly different color of blue when they were shining in the light. "My host was a girl, hence the curls." He smirked and ran a hand through the ringlets, "She's long since been destroyed by my consciousness. Her mind was to weak to withstand me. That doesn't scare you? Knowing that one day your just going to, be rolled under? From what I understood, it wasn't very pleasant." He tilted his head and eyed Adrian. "I bother you don't I, you don't look comfortable."

Zero Dream

"Very roughly in a back alley. It wasn't all that pleasant, almost getting your spine hammered down." He watched the other for a moment, and followed to sit beside him. Ankou went on about being careful and respect and all that, but Adrian mostly drowned it out. "I didn't get much of a choice on the matter. Someone basically shoved the gem in me."

"Actually, I was the one to ask for that, as odd as it probably sound. Not that I doubt it wouldn't have been so otherwise, but I just.. well. There's no use for me to be here if I can't do anything beside exist. Being kept around sounds worse, so I chose the lesser of the two evils. It's not like I was going to live forever, anyway. Im just going to die a whole lot sooner than I've thought I would, but you don't really chose that anyway. You can be alive, blink, and be dead before you open your eyes again. Especially now. I guess I don't exactly see things like one would expect I would."

The pyromancer plopped his head on his knees. Did the water god bother him ? "I am just a bit startled, that's all. If I was so bothered, ill'd have left already. And those are the kind of questions that would make anyone squim a bit, I figure. No one likes to think about their own doom, after all." He managed a small smile, as if trying to reassure the water god.

Merci`

Deep blue eyes focused on the surface of the water, without him in it to disturb the surface it quickly settled and mirrored the heavens above. He couldn't help a rueful smile, and a few stray thoughts of Lucius. He missed him more then he probably should, but those thoughts were quickly pushed aside. "I see, Truth be told I am not honestly concerned with how you feel." His voice was monotonic, quiet. "I can't seem to bring myself to care about much of anything lately. Your life will end, your gods will begin, and gods, new to their powers will continue to flex their muscles. As much as we hate to admit it, our lives are focused on the humans that are suffering because of our curiousity."

He couldn't look at Adrian, he was lost in his own thoughts. It probably wasn't even clear if he was talking to the man next to him or not. "As much as I hate mortals, I need them as much as they need me."

Zero Dream

"I figured so." No, that revelation was not surprising in the least. He was a grain of sand among millions, why would a god actually care ? Beside those who seemed more contact to contact, like Shadow. They were lesser beings, of lesser power... But then, wasn't how it worked for mortal themselves, even within themselves - those with power ended up with most of the resources, seeing tthose who did not as below them.

He'd been like that, once. When he was young and spoiled and basically had endless people kissing his feet because of his gift, but... What remained of that, now ? Nothing. That life was gone and burried. And definitivly over.

"Ill go away if I bother you, really." After all, if this one hated mortals so much, it probably would be better to let him be. "I just needed to get away from the others awhile, they were starting to drive me crazy."

Merci`

His eyes moved from the flat surface of his old home to look at the man next to him. He was a mortal, yes, but that wouldn't last. He was the vessel for a god, a god that was lurking inside of him waiting to come out. That made him more then the other crawling mewling little beasts that walked on this world. It was that fact alone that had saved Alex when he would have killed her, and it was that fact now that made Kaelin regard Adrian again. "No, stay." It was a command, not a request and Kaelin rose to his feet once again. The sunlight glinted off his scales, the deep royal blue of them twinkling in the sunlight. His stone reflected it too as he turned and eyed the boy. "Stand up."

Kaelin tossed his head as he waited for the host to comply. It never even occurred to him that Adrian would refuse his sudden and unprompted statement. The sea green ringlets danced around his face, which was suddenly, for lack of a better word, playful.

Zero Dream

Adrian was startled by the sudden shift and request for a moment. Really, Kaelin's moods shifted quicker than the pyromancer could really follow.

His spirit of contradiction came right in, really, along with his rebellious streak. Really, sometimes asking Adrian to do something was a surefire way for him not to comply, if only on principle. It was just him - all passion and wildness and fire. But, really, as he was slowly starting to see, maybe water could be equally as wild, and he wasn't really willing to test Kaelin's patience. So he got up, and waited.

Merci`

Water gave Adrian a very thorough once over and he smiled a bit to himself as he closed the distance. He stood chest to chest with the red headed boy and lifted a hand to tilt his face up. "So tell me. Are you married? I didn't see a ring on your finger." Kaelin leaned in and tilted Adrian's head to the side so he could whisper in his ear. "Are you leaving someone behind like my host did?" The god couldn't help himself, something inside of him made him test his limits. He brushed the red hair out of the way and took Adrian's earlobe in his mouth, nibbling on it gently.

Kaelin couldn't help the smirk. The reactions to physical intimacies were always the best. The jerking away and the stricken horror on their face. He could imagine what it would look like even as he nibbled, and it gave him a sort of satisfaction that he could get under someones skin that quickly.

Zero Dream

Oh, lord. The urge... The urge to just give in and play right back was almost impossible to resist. Damn, he was good at this stuff.

"Not quite married." He admitted. "Came close, but she was murdered. She lives on in a way now, but ill still be glad if I can find the little b*****d and burn him to a crisp before I bite it." At any rate, Ankou would deal with him eventually. After all, he would die in turn... His only regret would be not being there to see it.

Adrian was a bit tense, really, but probably not bothered in the way Kaelin was expecting. He certainly wasn't jerking away.

Merci`

Kaelin pulled his mouth away and moved down his neck, nibbling and sucking at the skin as he moved along the jawline to the more sensitive skin. He paused for a moment, with his head still nestled in the crook of his neck. "I see, thats a sad story." He didn't sound like he thought it was particularly, but he wasn't exactly being patronizing either. He was just making conversation at the moment. "Love is transient, like everything else. It comes and goes. I was rather attached to someone at one point. I thought we would be happy together forever, as gods to not ever really die. But he ruined it, crazy dream."

He bent back to what he was doing, his mouth gentle but firm in its ministrations. His hands moved down to grip Adrian's hips while he was talking. Oh the little pyro could still pull away if he wished to, but Kaelin liked the way he looked. He was going to touch every inch he could before Adrian freaked out.

Zero Dream

Oh, for the love of everything, was it even possible to resist THAT ? Adrian was quite aware that Ankou was speaking to him, probably screeching something or other, but he was rather easy to ignore, with the... distraction... in front of him.

"Some people don't know what they have." Adrian wasn't moving out - in fact, it seemed like he was moving in, the hints of a smirk on his face. He started out easy, at least as far as his personal scale went, still not willing to test his luck too far - a nuzzle against the god's shoulder.

Merci`

His lips paused in their work for a moment as he realized that Adrian was not pulling away from him. A wicked grin curled Kaelin's lips as he spoke, "Morpheus was always hot and cold. You never knew what it was he was thinking. One minute he would be wrapped around you, and the next he was screaming and stabbing a knife through his hand." His grip on Adrian's hips tightened and pulled him even closer, so the other man could feel the stone in the hollow of Kaelin's hip. "He felt smothered by me, I suppose. He found shelter in another's bed." His voice was a little sharp, the pain that this caused him was real, despite the cool way he said it. "So I am finding my comfort elsewhere."

Kaelin pulled his head back and looked Adrian in the eyes. The god's eyes changed color with his mood, and they were darker then before. He bent his head and kissed him lightly on the corner of his mouth. "Will you show me comfort?"

Zero Dream

"Well, where im from..." Adrian moved, ever so slightly, repositioning himself but otherwise staying the same distance, one hand wandering down to feel the stone. "...Batshit crazy, no offense."

The pyromancer trailed a bit, taking in the details of the other's face before lunging again. It was impossible to say that the god wasn't attractive, especially those eyes, even if they seemed to be clear-cut opposite. He'd been hurt... He'd keep on the gentle side to start, and see from there. He rarely left others in control, but hell, this was a god - even a lustful Adrian knew better than that.

"Hmm, like..." He moved, brushing Kaelin's cheek with the tip of his nose before moving in for a gentle kiss, the one hand that was not busy with his tight moving across his chest. "...this, perhaps ?"

Merci`

A light husky chuckle escaped Kaelin, batshit crazy was probably an appropriate term for Morpheus. Crazy or not though he always thought of him when he felt this way. The hands on his body and the lips against his were warm, and welcomed. Water leaned close, finally wrapping an arm fully around Adrian so he couldn't retreat as easily. The god returned the kiss, and was not quite as gentle about it. He turned his body slightly so he could more easily ease a knee between Adrian's. Kaelin pulled his mouth away and nuzzled his nose against the other man's nose, in a type of Eskimo Kiss. "Yes, like that. You needn't be afraid of me. If I were going to kill you I promise I would warn you first. I still retain a portion of my honor even if most everything else is dead."

Zero Dream

"That's good to know." Really, after getting this far, he doubted he would get his a** killed. That and being a host kind of made the whole thing unlikely as long as he wasn't being too stupid, and damnit this wasn't stupidity.

In fact, it was DAMN GOOD. He went back in full force then, locking lips again, and pushing himself even closer against the other man, if that was even physically possible. He could faintly hear Ankou freaking out in the background, but damnit he didn't CARE ! It had seemed like eons since he had been so physically close to someone, and... it would probably be the last time. It was depressing to think about, but he shoved the thought away. He was going to enjoy this, damnit !

Merci`

Mmmm. Part of Kaelin was still sulking at the fact he hadn't managed to freak Adrian out, but a larger part of him was invested in the kiss. It was a very good kiss, the mortal had obviously had some experience. The god lowered Adrian to the ground and pressed him into the mud, not caring about it at the moment, as he was distracted by other things, like divesting them both of their clothing, and making good on the promise his body held.

***

Kaelin lay on his back and had a very satisfied smile on his face. The mud caked in his curls and made his hair hang in the long strands they would be if not for the insane hair. He rolled on his side and looked down at Adrian. The harsh edge that always seemed to be on Kaelin's face was gone, and he had an honest smile. A piece of the old Kaelin shining through. "You okay?"

Zero Dream

"Yeah..." Adrian was incredibly relaxed, for someone who was naked and mostly covered in mud. Apparently, that detail hadn't quite dawned on him yet. And he didn't care to register that fact just yet. Neither did he he register that he would need to come up with one HELL of an explaination once he went back to the caravan.

But really, screw them.

Merci`

The god turned his hand over and sat up.. the mud caked on his body didn't matter to him at all. Water formed in his hand and he used it to wipe some of the worst clumps off. "You know, I..." Kaelin paused in the middle of cleaning his hair, "I am not very good with people. I never really have been. When I was younger I was stuffy, I would hide behind being a gentleman and try to be overly courteous. My host tried to make me into something she wouldn't have been horrified to turn her body over to. She tied me up with binds of personal honor and dignity. My entire exsistance has been laced with a form of tragedy. Beryl, the vainglorious goddess of wind, tried to bend me to be what she wanted in a man, and when she was unable to control herself she had her way with me, against my will. I fell madly in love with Morpheus, and no matter how hard I tried, nothing was ever good enough for him. He hated me, as much as he loved me for the emotions I stirred in him. So he wrapped himself in the arms of Alex, the host for Rio, the god of love. I almost killed her I was so upset, and I found another I cared for, Lucius. In my youth and idiocy I tried to protect him in my own way and had words with Harmodius. The great Creator and Destroyer marked my body, though honestly I think it might have been the best thing anyone has done for me."

Kaelin looked down at Adrian and moved to start cleaning mud off his body with the clean clear water that he seemed to pull from the very air. "I know I am babbling, but I thought that since we had been together you deserved to know a little about me. I hope that you are not touched with the sadness that seem to touch others after they have known me closely." And deep down Kaelin thought it might be true, he might just be cursed.

Zero Dream

In despite not liking water much, Adrian did not move and let him clean him up. As long as he didn't get chucked head-first in the lake, he could bear it.

"I think... you should just be what you want to be. Not what others want you to be." It was really odd to think about it all, how a god went through something he hadn't expected he would have to deal with. But perhaps divinity did not magically meant that all your problems went away. "not what Beryl wants you to be, not what Morpheus wants you to be, not what Destruction wants you to be - you should just be yourself. Even if others don't agree with it... You'll be happier this way. I've loved many - some that never loved me back, and I know you much it hurts, but ill't poison your life if you keep thinking about it too much." An immortal life, at that. "At least, that's how I always saw it."

Adrian went silent, for a moment. Just listened. Ankou didn't seem to be nowhere nearby, for obvious reasons. "Ankou... Well, I can't say I understand him all that much... He's very introverted, I guess. I've told him he might want to change that, but... I don't want to force him to do anything, and neither can I. I've given my piece, and it's in his hands now." He shook his head, then started to comb the caked mud out of his hairs with his fingers.

Merci`

The god shifted and pulled Adrian so he was leaning back against Kaelin's chest. His skin was cool to the touch, but flawless. His long fingered hands moved to brush through Adrian's long red hair, water coating them as he coaxed the mud from him. "I think I am more myself now then I have ever been. I fought myself, tried to be 'good'. Mortals say that nature is not good or evil, nurturing nor cruel. I am the water, it is me. It has been a long time in coming but I am confident in who I am now. If not for the uncertainties passed on to me by my mortal host I would likely have been like this since I was able to break free of my stone." Water talked absently as he worked on grooming Adrian.

"Oh, and just as a warning. If I see you again I will likely throw you in the mud again." Kaelin couldn't help the smirk on his face, or the cocky tone of voice when he said it.

After all he was a god. What mortal in their right mind would want to deny his attentions?

Zero Dream

The redhead relaxed in the god's hold, eyes fluttering closed in thought for a moment.

"I think you're right. That is one of the first things I've learnt... The elements arn't good or evil by design. That's just something the mortal mind tacked on, depending on what is done with them. They just... are. I guess it's like that for everything that does exist."

A smirk broke out on his face at the comment. "And do you honestly expect me to complain ?"

Merci`

The god smiled. Inside he knew that the slight use of his power like this would backfire. Somewhere the fields were drying up, or a much needed well. Either way he didn't care, lives would likely be sacrificed so he could clean the mud out of a lovers hair. "Yes, You seem to have a good grasp on the circle of life and the world you live in. But the world is not as it once was. Destruction has it in his grasp and he is not about to let go. Romantic notions would be a silly thing to cling to right now." Kaelin's voice was quiet as he moved his lips to Adrian's ear. "I doubt we're going to get you mud-free, unless you want to go for a quick swim in my lake?"

He'd seen the boy's aversion to water, and Kaelin just had to push his luck.

Zero Dream

"Yeah, in the end all that won't exactly matter much." He couldn't help but agree. The situation did not look like it would calm down soon. Maybe, with some luck, he wouldn't be there to see and feel the worse of it.

He'd seen and felt too much already.

The fire mage seemed to ponder this for a moment, oddly enough. There were clear... possibilities... which was the only reason he even pondered this over.

Merci`

The god grinned, and he scooped Adrian up in his arms as he stood. "Your right, there is usually a saying for the type of situations you mortals are in.. Cest la vie I think is what it is." He walked toward the lake, and held him very tightly so any squirming or panic would not free him from Kaelin's arms. "But we have more pressing and immediate concerns right now. Which is getting you clean enough to rejoin your own kind."

He stopped walking when he was about knee deep in the lake. His tail would form should he move much deeper. Water looked at Adrian, and gave him a very smug smile as he dropped him in the warm water.

Zero Dream

"Pretty much."

He only realized late, much too late just exactly what the god was up to, so comfortable the embrace was. He did indeed squirm, but lit managed little in the way of thing.

And, right before the god flinged him right in, the redhead let out some kind of pathetic eeping sound. And then...

SPLASH.

The pyromancer muttered something that was probably best left unheard, sat in the water, and started a sad little attempt at shaking his hairs dry, sending droplets everywhere.

Merci`

The god chuckled and dropped to sit next to him. His legs being covered mostly in water they began melding together. The scales seemed to flow, drawing his knees and ankles more firmly together, and bright sea green fins seemed to flow outward from where his feet used to be. The transformation took less then a second but it was still quite the sight. Kaelin leaned over and got nose to nose with Adrian, "I can quite easily dry you off, but you need a bath."

Seal-like, Kaelin wormed his way deeper into the water and pulled Adrian with him. "This water won't kill you. I promise. And I can do that, since it's mine. So dunk your head and get all the muck out so people won't ask why you were rolling like a pig in mud.

Zero Dream

Adrian wasn't really surprised, scared, or put back. Of course water could kill. Fire could kill. Everything could kill. It all depended on what one did with it.

Ah well. He was wet already, so might as well. At least he did know how to swim - wasn't all that good at it, but at least he wouldn't sink like a rock. He followed the water god, and, after a whole lot of mental prodding and trying to forget this was actually water, dunked in.

Merci`

Kaelin chuckled and wrapped his arms around Adrian, holding him like a child would a teddy bear. "You are insanely adorable do you know that?" He cooed at him after the the other man's head broke the surface. "You look like a wet cat." Water kicked his tail and drug him further into the lake. Kaelin loosened one hand to rub it all over Adrian's body, though whether to help him clean or molest him more was anyones guess, as Kaelin didn't bother keeping his touch to appropriate areas.

Zero Dream

"Am not." The boy pouted a bit, after he had caught his breath. Weither this was aimed at the adorable or the wet cat comment was up to anyone's guess, as he was dragged down into the water mere seconds after he had finished speaking. He was not quite comfortable, but the pyromancer had to admit this was interesting.

But then, how the hell was he supposed to resist hands like that ? He did not even know if it was possible, and he wasn't the one who wanted to try.

Merci`

The god hugged him tightly against his body and he muttered, "You know, your clean now. If you want I could take you to shore and let you get dressed. Or, we could stay out here and I could show you a very very good time. It's up to you little cat." Kaelin was practically purring, but he was enjoying himself, and was allowed to tease someone now and then.

Zero Dream

And, of course, just like a cat, Adrian's curiosity was indeed perked. A good time, hmm ? Oh, really ? Of course now he had to stay and figure it all out, like the curious little wet feline he had been dubbed. His only answer, due to his lack of being able to talk underwater, was a grin that made it all too evident what he chose.

Merci`

Kaelin made good on his promise, both not killing him and making sure that he screamed. The god pulled Adrian into the shallows to bask for a few moments. Kaelin happily allowing the mortal to use his arm for a pillow. "See, water isn't that bad." He teased quietly. "Your clothes should still be decently clean up there."

Kaelin had a definitely smug tone of voice.

He rolled over to lean over Adrian, "I do honestly hope we see one another again before you fade. You are an interesting mortal." Water then sat up and stretched, worming his way further into the water. "Take care of yourself..."

Zero Dream

"Yeah... I hope so, too." He didn't make any promises. He wasn't exactly good at keeping those, and it was hard to predict how long he even had left. But damn, did he ever have a little secret weakness for smug bastards. He wasn't used to it, but he had pretty much been like a toy in Kaelin's palm the whole time, and damn him, he had liked it.

"Take care... Kaelin." He watched as the god slinked back into the lake, then got up and started to walk off, barefoot. His shoes were missing in action and he didn't care. His heart felt surprisingly heavy...

After he was a few meters away from the lake, the boy all but erupted into flames, leaving burnt trails in the grass yet keeping what was left of his clothing unharmed. After he was completely dry, he turned to stare at the lake some more, putting out one stubborn flame that clung to the tip of his hair like the flame of a candle, and then finally left.

He would miss him.

 

[A Wandering Esper]

Meeting You

At LAST, finally he'd found himself in the city again. This had to honestly have been the longest, most boring and annoying week of his 20 years of existence. At all, he had quickly ditched his caravan "buddies" and set out to prowl the streets, to find Nergal. Ankou held information he himself did not remember hearing, but he didn't think anything odd of it. He had almost nodded off once or twice as the two deities had exchanged politeness and blah. Another boring thing, formalities.

Neither planned on really sticking around, but they would at least announce themselves. At least that was what Ankou said.

Adrian, honestly, was just glad to be free to do as he wished again. Next to being stuck in a caravan full of curious and eccentric people going in one direction, running errands for the god inside him felt like freedom.

He followed the spirit guide's mental directions to what seemed to be a duplex. Which half ?

...Erm... Damnit, which one had it been ?

How helpful. Adrian rolled his eyes. Let's see then, this... one ?

Before Ankou could get any word in, the pyromancer gave a few, steady knocks to the wooden door. There were the sound of footsteps inside, but once the door opened, he would come face to face, so to speak, with a tiny, black haired woman, who looked equally as startled to see him than she to see her.

...Not the right door. He could almost feel Ankou facepalm. If the god had processed any face of his own, that is. But damn, she's smoking hot.

Likely another of the divine. It didn't seem like Nergal to live next door to a mortal. That, and he could feel it quite clearly, even if Adrian couldn't really tell. Be polite and apologize for bothering her.

You're starting to annoy me with all that politeness bullcrap !

"Errrr, sorry, lady, wrong door. Ill be on my way..."

"Ah, you must have been looking for Nergal, then ?" The goddess seemed a tad less puzzled then, ears twitching slightly. "I am afraid he must not be home. Happens often lately it seems. Ahhh, so you must be..." She looked a bit puzzled again. Damn, she was cute when she did that.

"Adrian." The pyromancer supplied, helpfully. "Ankou's host. I guess he's talked about us then ? And... you can actually tell when he's here or not, just like that ?" He was honestly a bit impressed.

The woman gave him a smile. "A tad. Here, come inside - it will do you no good to wait on the doorstep, will it ? Let me get you something warm to drink, at least." Her smile turned a bit impish as she turned to lead him inside. "Ahhh, you see, there's little magic about it. It is easy to tell others apart by the sound they make."

"Really ?" Some kind of goddess of sound, then ?

No, not sound, I don't think. She feels... familiar somehow.

She guided him to a table, and slid a cup of warm coffee. Oh, god. Coffee ? Seriously ?!

".....Swweeettt." He was quick to take a sip. Coffee, the second best thing in the world. After alcohol of course. "so, who are you ?"

Adrian ! Damnit, he'd said to be polite !

The goddess did not seem very bothered. "I am Echo, the Voice of the Countless, goddess of Music. It is a pleasure to meet you both."

A-ha ! Adrian - 1, Ankou - 0. But damn, that cute little smile... How much do we bet she can melt hearts of stone ?

...Not betting against those odds. Honestly, this was starting to make a whole lot more sense now. Music, living next door to his brother... Ohhhh yes, this was all starting to sound interesting. Melt hearts of stone indeed.

"When do you think Nergal is gonna be back ? We're just dropping by to say we're around, if all."

She looked pensive now. "I have no idea. Sometimes he leaves for days on end on short, or no notice at all. If you are looking for some place to stay, I am sure I could find you something..."The goddess bit her lip in what seemed to be thought.

"No, no, it is allright. Really." He said with a smile. This looked like such a puzzle to fit him somewhere. "But, since we are not sure when he will be there, maybe you could help us with something ? Directions, really." He finished his coffee with one last glup, not caring much that it was still scalding hot. "...I was wondering if you could show me the way to the pantheon ?"

The goddess seemed to grow much more serious then. "Are you sure you wish to go there ?"

"Yes, I... must. For personal reasons." Her reaction did strike him as slightly odd. What was she scared of ? It wasn't like he would get implanted with yet another gem.

"I can give you directions... Or lead you there, if you wish ?"

"That would be great, honestly. This part of the city I am not too knowledgeable... If that is not too much trouble, really." He honestly didn't want to bother her, she was such a lovely, nice lady.

Nergal was one hell of a lucky b*****d.

"It is not, really. Let me get Alto, and we can get going. We can talk more on the way."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a bit soothing that she was not really talking about the whole host thing too much, not asking him how he'd came to become one. They were talking idle things, conversation that seemed normal at the first glance.

It felt... oddly refreshing. The man she had identified as Alto followed closeby, completely silent. Perhaps one of her servants ?

But then.... something tackled him from behind and he couldn't help but freeze like a deer in the headlights.

"MASTER !!! MYAAA !!!! YOU CAAAMMEEEE~~~ !" ...He'd been assaulted by a cat. A big cat. With boobs. At least those boobs were covered, honestly. It was less distracting.

"What the ?! Get off ! GETTTT OFFFFFF !" Damnit, was the goddess laughing ?!

"Jinx, darling, I am afraid your enthusiasm is making Adrian uncomfortable." Ankou smoothly took over, trying not to let his amusement betray through his voice. Jinx slid away from him then, but instead rubbed her head to the side of his arm, letting out a low purr. Jeez, just like a big housecat.

"And you... err... would be ?"

"Myaaaa~ I am Jinx, aoide to the spirit guide ! Oh, mya mya myaaaa, I am so glad you came at last~ ! You forgive me, don't you ?"

...Errr. Forgive her ? ...Then she must have been... ...Yeah, it made sense. A loyal servant, carving for her master's presence. A cat, agile, leaving no sound behind her.

It must have been her. He should have been angry, really, but she seemed so... happy and desperate at the same time. And the lady Echo seemed oh so very confused now, so it might be better to talk more about that later. "...Errr... yeah ?"

"Oh~ Mya, thank you thank you~ !!!! Where are you going, mya ?" The catgirl tilted her head side to side, looking at Echo and Adrian both. "I see you've met the lady ! This is a good thing, yes, yes, myaa !"

"We are going to the pantheon, Jinx." Echo replied.

"Ohhhh, myaaa~ ? Then I shall accompany you both !"

This was perfect, honestly. Oh so very perfect~ Then she could show the lord of lords that she had done exactly as he had asked ! Plus, the boy seemed stable enough now... The shock must have faded. Oh, happy day, she finally had her master back !

She wouldn't let him out of her sight for too long, now. Maybe things could become normal again.  

[A Wandering Esper]

Presentment

Zero Dream

It took some prodding before the lady Echo agreed to lead him to that place they called the pantheon. He knew he had to go there, really, for Ankou's sake. Try to find out more about who existed and who yet still stood dead.

The pyromancer had apparently took it upon himself to try to establish a circle of contract that the god would be able to reach for once he was gone.

The lady had left for home, understandably, but Jinx followed the boy and her master like a black shadow, at last nuzzling his hand with her face like an housecat would have. There was still some Ishum-indulged guilt lurking, but she would be a good little girl and present him to their lord indeed. The pyromancer seemed lucid enough not to do anything too stupid.

"Someone has one hell of a sense of decoration." Adrian couldn't help but let out, after he saw the lava pools. The heat did not bother him, it felt just barely over "normal" temperature for him.

"Such is the will of the Lord. Come then, mya~" She guided him toward the throne room.

Ivynian

Destruction paced the long walk before the throne, a long scroll clutched in his jeweled grasp. The contents must have been irritating, important, or both, judging by the crease the marred his smooth brow.

He paused when the door to the Pantheon had finished closing, and strode the distance again to the great arch that broke the entrance from the Hall. He leaned each hand on the arch, filling the opening with wings and glittering dark. “So, kitten, you take your time in finding your master. I trust your journey was not overharsh.....Welcome, Pyreflame. “

Zero Dream

Jinx smoothly moved to kneel. "Nothing too difficult for I, lords of lords. As promised, I have brought him to you."

Wait... what ? Adrian wasn't quite sure he liked this. Who was that guy, and how the hell did he know one of his names... ? Still, there was something about him. Something indescribly intimidating, powerful - not something he had felt in any of the deities he had met yet.

Or perhaps something he had felt, but on a lesser scale ? He couldn't tell. It seemed smart to echo the cat and kneel in turn, and so he did. "Erm... It is an honor, sir ?"

He is Harmodius, Creation and Destruction both. Ankou explained. ...He must have been the one to give the stone to Jinx.

So he's the one doing all this ? I mean, all those wars and plagues and all ?

.... why ?

There must be a reason, like all things. The end ? No. What use would it be for himself and the other deities to be reborn so close to the end ?

"It is indeed an honor to be in your presence once more, and to live again. I must apologize if my kitten has caused you any trouble." He spoke slowly, still rather unused to having a speaking voice after so long. He'd noticed the expression on the elder deity's face, but thought it wiser not to ask. At least, not yet.

Ivynian

“Rise, GuidePyreflame. I thank you for your presence. “

The Eldest let his arms drop to his side again, the scroll still clutched in one, transferred easily into a prehensile tail. How small the boy seemed. “Welcome both, formally, to the Pantheon. Here you are welcome to take your easement, meet your brethren again, and come to greater power. Come and go as you like. Your journey is just beginning. “

Zero Dream

Adrian did, indeed, feel very small. Not only in stature, but in all other ways possible - like a single, meaningless grain of sand trapped in hourglass.

It took Ankou sending a twitch in one of his legs to get him to rise and react again. For the first time since this whole thing started - no, for what was probably the first time in his short life - someone intimidated him to the point of leaving the usually brash pyromancer mostly speechless.

He was sure more than happy to let the god handle this one.

"I thank you, once more." He could not quite control the body yet, no, but he could made react. He gently coaxed his host into a more relaxed stance. Fear not. No harm will come to you. At least as long as he didn't do anything stupid, which seemed pretty low on the pyromancer's priorities at the moment.

"...I would appreciate being able to stay here, and get myself re-situated once more, if at all possible. There is many things I do need to learn once more, and have some place to call home once more." Talking was getting a bit easier. Unlike Adrian, he needed some stability, some constant where he could go back and think.

Since the Underworld was gone, the pantheon would do.

What are you doing... ?

Did you think I would have you half-sleep in broken, looted homes again, Adrian ? We can find shelter here, as so many do. Ankou didn't realize it, but he'd guided the redhead's eyes toward a scrolls, an inquisitive look on their shared faces.

Ivynian

“You will find in this place a hall of doors. Search for the one that is marked by a lone field of forget-me-nots, over it flies a vulture and a crow, each laden with burning candles. Withing shall be apartments for your use, to furnish as you desire and are able from the worlds around us.“

“A word of caution as well, though you appear familiar with each other, you are yet bound to the stone Ankou....it will drain you both mightily to so guide your host's hand so much. Speak to Adrian's mind, and let him speak for you both for now. I have heard your voice, I am pleased. The rest will come soon. “

Zero Dream

Oh dear, he was gonna have to play relaying again ? The nervous pit in his stomach couldn't help but grow a bit.

Calm down... Ankou tried to sound soothing and comforting, and... probably failed at it. Everything will be fine.

Jinx moved slightly, gently brushing the side of her face with Adrian's shoulder, as if trying to soothe him in her own way. She did not intervene in any other way as the two deities discussed.

Right. That was easy for him to say. There went nothing, then.

"A fine gift indeed, and a sage advice, which we shall heed." Adrian was the one to speak, but the words where clearly not his own. "After so long with no self, I seem to forget my own boundaries all too easily."

It would do them no good to collapse here, really.

Adrian felt silent, as he listened to the deity ponder. To ask or not ? Normally Adrian would have went ahead and just asked, and been somewhat irritated by Ankou's indecisions, but... not here, and not now.

"Pardon my boldness, Lord, but I must ask - is something on your mind ?" He was clearly referring to the scrolls, and the reaction they seemed to cause in the elder.

Ivynian

It took some moments before the Eldest spoke. Wings arched close to shoulders, black and ruby-gilt screens to hidden thoughts.
“A word of thought and perhaps of caution, Pyreflame. Have you ever considered what it would mean to be truly immortal? The years that woudl weigh heavily, blur into single pictures so large that it took the concentration and magnification of dedicated thought to bring all the details back to colour and life? Letters, numbers, writing, code, computers data.....these things all make it possible to recall in instants what could take days to re-live. “

“But sometimes, we stumble upon things that wake the memories we'd rather forget. Gods.....Adrian....gods didn't always have that luxury. Some of us still do not. “

Zero Dream

Ankou remained completely silent, but on Adrian's point of view it was clear that the god was listening, intently, his attention undivided, unlike when he had spoken to some others deities. That silence also made it clear that the fire mage could not rely on his own word.

After all, the question had been for host, not deity.

Away from the within, Adrian couldn't help but shuffle a bit nervously. "I... admit I've thought about it. So many seems to seek it, either by want, or by fear of their own end. It it not something I've thought to seek myself."

There was a moment of silence as he thought about what to say next. Which was honestly not something he was used to. "The luxury to forget, or remember ? I... am sure that there are things that are better left forgotten, maybe..." It did not matter if you were mortal, immortal, god or otherwise - there couldn't be joy without pain.

After all, there was many things he wished he could forget.

He did, of course, not dare ask what the eldest had found.

Ivynian

"With forgetting comes new trials, just the same. It is no matter. Have you yet sought out Underworld, that lives and reigns again in this life? You were of a close knitting, I recall."

He paused, and looked again at the cat upon the floor, "Serve him well, and help in seeking furnishings. Likely fireproof ones to begin with. The buildings nearest here and this neighborhood of the usual Door are well picked over by the preceeding hosts. You should remember, inside, how to will the Doors of the gods to work and allow access to other places.".

Zero Dream

And that was enough to get Ankou to speak once more, and have him settle back in the most comfortable spot of relaying back and forth. "We have... Well, he has sought us in reality, but the answer remains the same. We were close, indeed."

Jinx's tail began to wag around as attention was given to her, making slow, lazy circles in the ash. "Always and forever, Lord of Lords. It shall be done, and I do remember, if a bit distantly, mya." After all, in ages past, her lord, while at the top of himself, rarely even bothered with doors.

She all but ignored the confused look Adrian sent her, letting out an happy little purr. Ah, to finally have purpose once more !

Ivynian

"Good, then you already have ally at this early stag of your new existence. Do not think it one sided, though, as he will need your support as well. He has had difficulty ....adjusting....to change. That, at least, should be a familiar situation for you both."

He looked smug, the briefest twitch of an ear and turn of his mouth as flickers danced along the gilt jewels in his hair and gold of the spikes along his collar. Some memory of the Underworld? "I shall leave you to it then, if there is nothing else?"

Zero Dream

There was no flash of recognition that would betray if the god remembered or not on the young man's face, but at the mention of that fact, Ankou seemed to stop paying attention to the outside world once more and just think

That seemed like their cue...

"Yes, sir." Adrian's voice came out only barely above a whisper, and both he and the cat turned to leave. Better see where that door he had talked about was...

 

[A Wandering Esper]

A Place To Call Our Own

Adrian was more than happy to flee upstairs. In fact, he probably jumped over a few of them. The pyromancer was not easily intimidated, but damn - really, Destruction had the presence of a god, every aspect of him demanding respect. None of the other deities he had made had managed to rattle him like that.

He didn't stop when he reached the top, instead started walking down the long corridor, as the catgirl quickly caught up with him. The doors seemed pretty close to each other... But hey, at least it would be something, as tiny as it was. Or seemed to be.

It took a few steps to finally get to the door, but he recognized it immediately among all the fancy designs. The redhead hesitated a moment, but the catgirl brushed past him, her tail trailing around the side of his legs. "Well, what are you waiting for, mya ?" She opened the door and slid inside, and as he followed her, the pyromancer quickly once more realized something important. Not all things are always as they seem.

"Holy..." The room was big, only made to seem bigger by the sheer emptiness - but no matter, it was much bigger than the space in between the doors should allow it to be ! And there were yet more rooms ! His mind was still boggling about the fact when a low, pleasant laughter came from the god.

Quite nice, isn't it ? He, unlike his host, wasn't so surprised, but he was indeed pleased. It would do nicely, and this way he could watch others as his leisure, and keep an eye on the pair that lived nearby. After all, his vague memories told him his brother was much like he was, and he couldn't think of many reasons why another, especially a lovely lady, lived so closely. So he would watch over her when he would be unable, just like...

The memory was gone, just as quickly as it came, and he was returned to the present.

"Yeah..." He couldn't help but trail out loud, as Jinx went to explore the other rooms just like a small housecat would.

Still a tad empty, but... that can be remedied. Probably not tonight, he knew. The host was tired from the day's events, and it was quite easy to tell. Maybe he would be able to send Jinx to at least find something soft to sleep on...

"Master, myaaa ! Look !" The catgirl darted out, holding something... small, gray, and fluffy. "Isn't it cute ?!?"

Adrian gave a blank stare for a moment, trying to identify the small animal, but eventually found himself unable to do so. "What.... the hell is this ?"

"It's a floox, mya !" She answered, as if it was plainly obvious. "I had no idea the little guys made it ! Ahh, you're a cute one, arn't you ? Myaaa~"

"Kitten, if you don't mind, I believe we would be in dire need of a bed. You can play with the floox as you wish afterward." Really, the thing was... kind of cute.

"Ahhh, yesyes, my apologizes, mya ! Ill be right on it !" Jinx set down the small animal, who gave a small, protesting chirp, and hightailed it out the door.

Apparently, Adrian did not wish to hold out as long as it would take, because after the catgirl had been gone for a few minutes or so, he nested himself in a corner and simply felt asleep there. It was odd to think it probably would be the last time he would have to do this. He was once more somewhere safe, protected, some place where he could actually fully rest and not have to keep himself half-awake just in case someone found him.

It felt.... good. It was the last thing he thought before his mind drifted to dreams, chirping floox in lap.  

[A Wandering Esper]

Harbinger of Doom

Thabara

It was night, and all seemed silent within the Halls of the Gods, except for one lone golden-winged aoide, pacing up and down the hallway and wringing his hands with distress. Two weeks had passed, and still there was no life-sign from his lord, no clue found as to what had happened, who had taken him. Too long, too long. His brother needed to be told, he just couldn't stave it off any longer.

After taking a deep breath, Ishum knocked, at the only door possible. A field of forget-me-nots. A crow and a vulture laden with candles. He remembered his symbols well.

Zero Dream

The space inside, much bigger than the spacing of the doors would have allowed one to believe it to be, was still rather simple and barren. A larger room with a few smaller ones.

But at least, the larger room had a bed. And it was sure being used. Adrian had spawled into some kind of impossible position and passed out hours ago, only to be joined by both a shadow-y blue creature and a purring aoide, each clinging to one side.

This left the god, amused, to wonder how far the boy would jump out of his skin once awakening.

When the knocking was heard, one of Jinx's ears twitched. "....Mrrrrmya..." Argh, she felt so good in there...

"Go see who's at the door, kitten." He would have done so himself, but his movements were still rather basic. That, and he would have to deal with Adrian freaking out, which was not high on the list of the god's priorities. He could be patient a bit longer...

"Yes, master, myaaaaa..." The catgirl slid out of the bed and gave a few shakes of her head to awaken herself fully. If this was some mortal's idea of a joke...

The door cracked open, revealing a red eye, before opening fully. "Ishum, myaaa !" Ah, now this was more like it ! "You came to visit us ? B-But im not done with this yet, myaaa ! Finding lovely things is so hard around there ! I..." The catgirl paused a bit, ears drooping back slightly. The beastmaster didn't look... so hot. "....Are you allright, mya ?"

Thabara

"I'm not," Ishum said tonelessly, trying to peer past Jinx' shoulder to catch a glimpse of what lay beyond the door. "But what I feel like is irrelevant. Is your master in? If so, I must speak to him at once. I bring bad news." He had never looked so serious.

Zero Dream

Jinx's ears flattened back. "What are you talking about ? Of course how you feel is relevant ! ...B-bad news ?" The feline looked more worried than ever - had he been punished again ? "....Myaaaa..."

She stepped aside, opening the door to allow him inside. "Lord Ankou is awake... but I believe the host is still asleep."

"And you'ld be wrong." There was a young man sitting on the bed, trying to tame his fire red mane with his fingers. Lyra was also awake, curled loosely around his shoulder and watching with interest, not speaking as of yet.

"Whosdat ?" He asked out loud, apparently not awake enough to think his questions instead of speaking them aloud.

He seems familiar enough, but...

Thabara

"I'm Ishum, beast master and stable keeper to the Underworld, though 'errand boy' would describe my current tasks best." The aoide's smile was tinged with sadness as he knelt, lowering himself deep enough for his forehead to meet the cold touch of the tiled floor. He hadn't done that for.. quite a while now. How things have changed..

"I bring news for Lord Ankou of his brother, bad news." The golden wings pressed flat against his back.

Zero Dream

Ishum. Ishum... the beastmaster, yes. That was it. The memory was hazy, but... it was there,

Adrian... This seems important.

Uh, okay. More formalities, ergh. "He says you can rise." ...Really, that looked painful. "What is it about then ?" About Nergal, probably, but...

It really, really didn't look good.

Thabara

Ishum raised his head, but remained kneeling. "My Lord.. It pains me to bring such bad news, but your brother.. He is.." The aoide took a deep, staggering breath. Stammering around like that wouldn't do good, best begin at the beginning. Move on from there.

"Two weeks ago, there was a letter, looking to be an invitation from Lady Music.. I let him leave, alone, as he values his privacy quite highly. However, the invitation turned out to be fake, a setup, a trap. But by the time this was realized, it was too late already."

"My Lord.. Your brother was taken. I don't know by whom, or for what purpose.. Only that there were many - too many for him to stand a chance against - and that they may have used some sort of portal as neither Cerberus nor the Worldshield were able to follow their trail."

Zero Dream

"...What ?" Both host and god replied at once, through granted one sounded much more upset than the other. In fact, Adrian was afraid Ankou would jump the gun and shoot the messenger, so to speak, for a moment, but thankfully he let himself calm down.

"...A portal, then... And nothing else ?" Damnit, there was nothing he could do about that yet, still trapped inside the gem as he was !

...Or perhaps... Portals did not always mean other worlds, through it often turned out that way. And he had crafty little allies... He'd pulled Adrian's expression into a half-thoughtful and half-upset frown without really noticing it. It was quite easy to see there was a storm brewing right below the surface, but tightly locked away.

"Well then. If you both would accompany us outside ? Let us see what can be done."

Where are we going ?

Right outside, a mere few steps. You will be back in bed with your lovely ladies soon enough. And he would be free to seethe and wish impending doom on those bastards in privacy soon enough, yes.

Jinx had remained silent, one hand over her mouth in shock. Dear gods... oh dear gods. No wonder he was so upset... And she'd seen nothing of it. The catgirl couldn't resist - she dropped on all four and huddled against him, rubbing the side of her face against his own before standing one more, extending one hand to help him up.

She wasn't quite good at comfort, but damnit, she could try.

Thabara

"Nothing else, only.. that they must have utilized the assistance of a shape shifter of sorts, who was able to convincingly play the role of Lady Music.. Or else I very much doubt he would have fallen for the trap." Ishum pressed his lips together until nothing was visible of them but a thin, colorless line and the pale punctures of the old scars. That he had encouraged Nergal to leave for that dreadful 'date' still weighed heavily on his consciousness. But.. who would have thought that..?

Jinx awkward but sweet attempts to comfort him almost brought tears to his eyes, and when he reached out to accept the hand she'd offered to help him up he looked immeasurably grateful.

"Of course, Lord Ankou." But what was it that could be done? God and mortal soul had been just recently fused, and his own Lord's powers were still so little even more than two years after his rebirth..

But.. one did not doubt the gods, and unlike his older brother, Ankou had always had a good grasp on the concept of hope. The ghost of a smile touched the Aoide's lips as he recalled how alike and - at the same time - how very different those two had been.

Zero Dream

Adrian went out the door, both aoidei in tow, quickly heading down the stairs at the god's urgings.

Lady Music... Ahhh, so that might explain. Yes, perhaps this was exactly as he thought, and if the situation hadn't been so dire, he probably would have been very amused, but... there would be time, later, to poke fun at the lovebirds.

Hopefully.

Once they had finally gotten outside, the god whistled, loudly... and waited. It didn't take long, before the first bird came, black plumage shining and perching itself on Adrian's outstretched arm. The redhead vinced a bit as claws pierced holes through his jacket, but Ankou seemed far from bothered. Unlike most creatures, the crows thrived in this age, lovely, crafty birds that they were.

"I have a mission for you." He spoke, his voice low and even, yet somehow commanding. "For you and your brethren of all worlds. My brother is missing, and I am powerless." His voice had gone a bit on the bitter side, but he quickly corrected it. "Look for portals to other worlds... Be on the lookout for him. Tell your brothers and sister to do the same. If any of you see a glimpse of anything, any information that can be relevant... Report back to me."

The god forced his host's head forward a bit, to nuzzle the side of the bird's head lovingly. "Now, go."

The crow gave a loud croak, and then was gone.

Thabara

But of course, the crows.. Ishum smiled, finally able to see a glimpse of hope after two weeks filled with despair and guilty self-reproaches. "They have come to his aid before, even before you were reborn.." The aoide's golden wings flicked slightly. He had never been good with birds himself..

Zero Dream

"They are smart little creatures." The god answered, his voice lighting up with a bit of pride. "They remember what most of us may have forgotten."

"So... Do you think they will find him ?" Adrian decided to just talk out loud, for clarity to the two aoidei.

"I cannot promise that, but... they can and will get to many places any of us would be unable to." After all, who did suspect a crow ?

Jinx had been silent all the while, apparently not noticing as she had looped her arm with Ishum and was all but clinging to him. "Myaaa...."

Thabara

"I just wish there was more that could be done.. I'm keeping my ears open for rumors as that's apparently what I do best, but--" Ishum gave Adrian/Ankou a wistful smile. "It'll take time for them to spread and reach me, precious time." He drew Jinx closer without really thinking about it, drawing comfort from her warmth and obvious affection. There were so many places the crows could not get into - buildings, underground facilities - but he did not want to speak of it.

"Lord Ankou.. It's my fault he ran into that trap. I encouraged him to go when otherwise he might have been too, erh, shy. And I let him leave alone. I.. I should have noticed something was off." He bowed his head, ready to accept whatever punishment his Lord's brother would wish to exact on him.

Zero Dream

Ahh, the poor skittish beastmaster. Beastmaster in more ways than one, really, he couldn't help but think, if he could tame his kitten so easily.

He tried to speak, but.. It was getting difficult. He'd already done too much already. Better not push his luck. Adrian, please, tell him this...

"Really, how where you supposed to know ? If it looked perfectly like her... Hell, if it quacks like a duck and looks like a duck... Really, you couldn't have known." He shrugged. "Ankou's spoke too much already, and he's not too fond of the idea of us both passing out in your faces, but he wants you to know that he would probably have done the same thing, and he doesn't hold you responsible at all. Really, who cares about laying blame right now ? The important thing is that we find him quickly, isn't it ?"

Thabara

"Yes.. You're right." Ishum exhaled slowly. Ankou's-- No, Adrian's words were surprisingly reasonable. "We should leave the blaming to Lord Nergal once he's back. It's what he's good at, after all." He forced his lips into some semblance of a smile.

"There is one more thing, my Lord." The beastmaster rocked back on his heels. He didn't like bothering the Spirit Guide with requests when he was obviously already exhausted, but this had just came to him and he needed to ask. "Priya, my Lord's personal guard, currently accompanies Lord Silence on a journey - but she should be back soon. Once she is back.. I would like to go search for Nergal myself." If she lets me live, that is..

"You were a wanderer between the worlds, Lord.. And as it looks like some sort of portal was used to take Nergal away.." He peered at the redhead with a hopeful look on his face. "If there was a way to travel the worlds, the planes.. Do you recall anything?"

Zero Dream

Jinx's ears moved backward slightly. Will all this brainshock, she'd all but forgotten about Priya, and... she didn't know anything yet ? Hot damn, he was gonna get skinned alive. Probably.

The catgirl bit her lip, but remained silent.

But, would the lady Echo not need him ? Or perhaps... Perhaps he, no they, host and god, could handle that. Try to give the gentle one some support. It was the only thing he could do, that did not involve uprooting Adrian from the very world he had lived in.

He was stealing his life - the least he could do was to allow the boy to live his last few weeks... months... however he wished, to an extent.

But information, he could give. Then, Adrian, tell him this...

"Ankou says that there are doors, at the pantheon." The redhead started. Those doors again... "Doors that connect to various world, to most likely all the worlds to ever exist. He thought them destroyed, but lord Harmodius told us otherwise." He paused for a moment. "...But he would like you to come by before you decide to leave. It's easy to get lost if you are not experienced with them."

It really did sound like it - how did someone know which door was the right one ?

Thabara

The beastmaster nodded, his face thoughtful. "They'd work similarly to the many gates of the Underworld I'd guess.. Thank you." He bowed. "I will get back to you about this as soon as I'm ready to leave. That is, if Priya doesn't break every single bone in my body and skins me alive upon her return for what has happened." He cringed. He had no idea at all what to expect from the white-furred feline as he still didn't know her all that well. But she had quite a temper, that much he was sure of.

Zero Dream

"They probably would, but..." Adrian cut himself short, shaking his head once he realized he probably wasn't to retell that.

Ankou did not remember.

"Angry catgirl, hm ? Hope you can run. Fast. I learnt to do it, after Lyra tried to freeze me alive a few times. That's the best advice I've got for ya."

 

[A Wandering Esper]

The Rage Of A God

After Ishum had left, Adrian and Jinx had headed back inside, and Ankou had fallen completely silent. The redhead had tried to talk to him a few times, but had wound up unanswered - it became quickly apparent that the god was upset and he soon gave up, and went back to bed instead, and felt quickly asleep.

But, for the first time since their joining, Ankou was not looking over his host's sleep. He had withdrawn, and was simply seething at the current situation. His brother, missing. Gone. With no clue. And there was nothing he could do. He was stuck, a mere voice in his host's mind. Even if he had wanted to make him go, and even if Adrian had agreed to go on a wild goose search, there would still be the limitations of the mortal body to deal with.

The urge to simply go, leave, go somewhere where no one would find him and where he could seethe and scream to his heart's desire was strong, overwhelming, but of course, that was not possible. So he did the next best thing - walling himself in some remote part of Adrian's mind, shut off the outside world, and kept very quiet as to not awaken anyone and then have to deal with pesky questions. He wasn't in the mood for them. Perhaps oddly, those thoughts and behaviors, his want to just withdraw from everything did not feel odd or worrying - it felt perfectly normal, perfect warranted.

A piece of him that had survived even death.

It was better that way. Better to be alone, to be nothing among nothing, for he did not know how he could possibly be decent around other sentient beings at the moment. It had taken all his self-control to be so while the Beastmaster was there - half-scared to death as he was, the poor aoidei did not deserve to see any of it, and therefore he hadn't. Right there, right now, there was no reason to pretend to be calm and composed - as long as he did not make any sound, no one would know. This was a challenge in itself, but thankfully there were thoughts to keep him distracted, some more violent and angry than others. Like what he would do to whatever b*****d of a mortal who had done this...

But really, this whole thing seemed familiar. The feeling of the emptiness around him, of being but a small grain of sand in something infinite, something no mortal minds would have had a chance to truly comprend or understand. After all, how many of them understood the true working of their own minds and exactly what it was capable of ? Not many. Neither did he, actually, but hey, he worked with souls, not minds.

_________And yet, there is life even in emptiness.

...Where had the thought come from ? What did it refer to ? He didn't know, couldn't remember, had forgotten. His current situation only added to his frustration. So many things were gone, lost. How many would he be able to find once more ? Too many questions, but not enough answers. It just might be more production to do just as he had said to his brother, back then - to focus on rebuilding instead of remembering things that may never come. They had been, after all, dead for ages. He knew very well what kind of decay could come with such things.

But right now, nothing mattered. He stared at the errie blankness, and still couldn't shake off the feeling of familiarity. He would stay here, alone, until he would be able to pretend once more.  

[A Wandering Esper]

Solace Song

Sosiqui

It was easy to retrace his flight back to Echo's house. Tian Yue landed and quickly moved out of sight of the windows before shifting to human form; after all, most people's houses weren't set up for the convenience of dragons. He changed quickly into the robe he'd brought, then took a moment to make himself presentable - and to think.

Nergal's vanishing - no, kidnapping, godnapping - was unacceptable, no question about that, but Zhijian needed his aid... yet so did Echo... and he knew which way he would have to go, even if it hurt to have to choose. Their Lord's orders outranked All. Period.

So it wasn't really a choice...

Tian Yue sighed, slipped his feet into the shoes he'd brought, then padded over to knock on Echo's door. If only there was something he could do. It didn't seem right to be a god and yet be so helpless.

Doubtless those still entombed in jewels thought that, if they were capable of such, every day.

Zero Dream

Things had not been going well. Ishum and the lady had been searching almost never-endingly, following each and every lead they found, one by one. Some seemed to hold some true merit, were worth deeper analysis, but they never seemed to lead them far enough to call it progress.

It was depressing, so see her like this. Depressing and horrible, and most of all he felt completely useless. The mute aoidei didn't seem to be able to do much beside stand at her side. Tempo could at least fight... and Concerto was keeping watch at the pantheon while tending to Love and his daughter. Really, it seemed like there wasn't much he could do.

He perked up as a knock sounded on the door. The goddess was busy... and Tempo had gone with Ishum, this time. He shook his head as if to work himself out of his depressed daze and went to open it. He gave a bow to Tian Yue and gestured him to come inside - after all, he doubted the other knew sign language.

Really, being mute was so bothersome.

Sosiqui

"Ah... Alto. Is your Lady present?" Tian Yue stepped inside with a solemn nod.

Zero Dream

The blue aoide nodded, and, after motioning the dragon king to follow him once more, turned and headed deeper into the house, to the second story. He stopped right in front of what looked like a living room of sort and peeked in, knocking on the wall lightly to announce his presence.

"What it is ?" The voice that answered the sound was Echo's, definitively, but it seemed that something... was missing. The pale form looked up from her perch on the windowledge to see what her confident was signing her. Tian Yue... She was in no fitting mood to receive him, even less in the physical state to do so. She was clothed simply, still covered in dust - probably only recently arrived home, but what was so startling was that she looked so tired. There was no smile on her face, no light in her eyes. She slid off her seat and brushed some of the dust away as she moved to greet him, not as elegantly as she usually did. "It is a pleasure to see you today... Would you like something to drink ?" It sounded genuine, and it was, but there was no joy in her voice.

Sosiqui

"Echo..." Oh, she looked terrible. And here he was, coming to tell her that he would probably be leaving before too much longer... "I'm sorry if I interrupted anything. I take it... that there has been no news?" he asked, as gently as he could. She looked as though a stray breeze could break her to bits.

Zero Dream

"You did not." She reassured him. "There are rumors, some which could seem genuine enough, but... they don't seem to lead us too far. They're protecting their tracks, it seems." The goddess let out a low sigh. Everything so far had been in vain...

No wonder dark thoughts came all too easily. But at least... at least she wasn't quite alone in all this.






"Of course they are." The was a youth there, with hairs as red as a flame, who had remained silent until now. From his position leaning against the wall, he had been easy enough to overlook. "They are probably well aware enough that if they can be tracked down, they will have quite the welcome comity to go kung-fo gun ho on their happy asses." He muttered, flicking one long bang away from his face.

Adrian ! Would you please watch your language ? You are in presence of a dragon king !

A what now ? He looked puzzled for a moment, but smoothed out his face quickly.

Sosiqui

"Of cou-" Tian Yue stopped, surprised, as another voice, an unfamiliar one, mirrored his words and continued to speak. He hadn't noticed the red-haired young man when he entered, so focused had he been on the distraught goddess. "And who is this, Echo? Another companion of yours?" Now that he focused his attention on the newcomer, he could feel power there... no, two kinds of power. Strange, and a little confusing, difficult to isolate.

Zero Dream

"This is Adrian, host to the Spirit Guide. He... has been very helpful to me lately." The fire mage's sometimes playful antics had been some of the few things that had managed to make her smile, laugh, or otherwise keep her from sinking completely in the last few days.








Dragon kings would be... over-gods, if you will, to put it simply. Second only to Harmodius.

Ahh. Well that explained both Echo's and Ankou's attitude. But that meant more formalities. Oh bahhh. After further proddings, he gave a bow. "It is an honor to meet you, Lord Tian Yue."

The two kinds of powers seemed to mingle a bit, but it quickly became evident that one was divinity, and the other fire, in lack of a better way to put it. Wild and untamed, beyond what one could expect a simple mage to have control of.

Sosiqui

"Ah. Nergal's brother." Tian Yue nodded gravely to the host. "Echo mentioned you. I am glad you have found each other. It's too bad we couldn't meet in better times, with better news."

He glanced back at Echo, then took a few steps over towards her. "I am glad to find you with someone else here to support you if you need it. I came to tell you that I will most likely be traveling in the near future. Orders from our Lord must outrank everything else, I am afraid... not that I was very helpful in the first place." He shook his head, sharply. That was still frustrating. It seemed wrong somehow that a god could find out little more than a common creature.

Zero Dream

"Do not say that..." The goddess also moved closer, and shook her head. "You were there when I desperately needed someone, and that is more than enough..." She had hoped to be able to call for him in the future, but that was not to be. Another hurt among many, so much that she barely even noticed it. Still, he had a point, and she was not mad.

"Where will you be going, then ?" Some of the goddess' curiosity apparently returned, as she tilted her head a bit.





Well ?

...You should talk for me. Please.

It was rather easy to see that Ankou was NOT in the mood to deal with people, and he probably didn't wish to upset the dragon.

"Yeah... I wish there was something I could do about this..." After all, if deities couldn't find a trace, how could he ?

Sosiqui

"To the remains of the ancient Pantheon, with my brother the Fangbridle, in search of his tack. He must be prepared for our Lord's riding." Where Destruction might wish to ride, and to what end, was largely immaterial at this point. "I hope it won't take too long."

He nodded at Adrian. "You can do exactly what you are now... and here's a nice thought for both of you. Whoever has taken Underworld, they cannot hold a god forever, and the instant they die... the situation will be quite reversed, and on a far more permanent basis." There was absolutely nothing nice in the Dragon's smile.

Zero Dream

The old pantheon... It still stood ? No, wait, Tian Yue had said remains. And yet, try as she might... Her memories did not stirr. She remembered nothing of the ancient city of the gods, of what must have been her home.

"I hope you will find what you are both looking for." The goddess nodded, her expression somewhat puzzled and probably betraying her thoughts.

"I... do not remember anything. How it looked like. This is upsetting..." She whispered.



And that is if I don't get to them first... Ankou added silently. Likewise, the god's tone of voice promised nothing good.

"I doubt they'll live long after we find them." Adrian added with a nod. "I will burn them to ashes myself, if I have to. It may not be my business yet... it a sense, it kind of is." It was, after all, impossible to ignore, with how close host and god were becoming lately, with how easy it was for one to catch the feelings of the others. He couldn't help but think he didn't have long left. Perhaps he was wrong, or maybe he wasn't, but right now, it didn't matter.

Sosiqui

"Don't feel bad about it," Tian Yue told Echo firmly. "The realm where the ancient Pantheon once stood has entirely collapsed into the mortal worlds, it seems. It no longer exists in anything like its former glory. We are relying on Toki to help us find it." He offered the goddess a bemused smile. "See how desperate we are?" he joked.

Then he glanced over at Adrian. "Of course it's your business. Really, this sort of thing should be everyone's business. If such a thing could happen to one of us, it could happen to all... though I imagine Lord Harmodius would have something to say about that." The Dragon King was vaguely troubled by his Lord's seeming inaction. But perhaps there wasn't really much danger, or perhaps this was important. There was so much they didn't know.

Zero Dream

Somehow, this managed to get Echo to crack a smile, if only for a moment. "Wholly desperate indeed, dear dragon. I fear I will not be much help either." The goddess shook her head.

"Perhaps we shall rebuild it, one day." She'd found she did not mind so much living among mortals, but perhaps, sometimes... some place which could only be accessed easily by others of her kind was a good thing. It was all too easy for mortals to stumble onto the new pantheon, but then... That was probably part of the idea.

The mention of the twin crown made her sigh in turn. "There must be a reason... Surely if there were dangers too big, he would intervene..." She could only hope. She didn't know. Had never seen Destruction in this life. Her fragmented memories refused to tell her anything that might be of use.

Adrian had shifted to lean against the wall, yellow eyes closing. He was doing his best for Echo, not only because it was what Ankou wanted, but because the goddess honestly did not deserve all this bullshit. He had to make her hold on, until Underworld could be found.

"He would." His voice was level, with no hesitation. Status aside, Tian Yue was pretty easy to talk to... a bit like the goddess herself, actually. Maybe it was why they got along so well.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue hesitated. "Have you... asked Him? Lord Harmodius, I mean. Even though I am quite certain he would act if Nergal was in danger of his life, perhaps... he might know something? Unless it is something we are not to know. Sometimes one does need to... to handle things on one's own." His tail swayed awkwardly from side to side. Perhaps they were all overreacting, but what if, what if...

But he had to admit that Destruction was not the most approachable of deities. He shook his head. "Now I'm just repeating myself," he said, with a sigh.

Zero Dream

"I..."

The goddess hesitated, for a moment. She hadn't even let herself think about this. Hadn't allowed herself to think about it, about how it could potentially help. That might have just been the answer, but it... seemed too easy. And too unlikely.

And would that not be too amusing, the little broken child of Creation begging for help ?

"I havn't." She shook her head, as if it would make the thoughts go away.



Adrian hadn't moved from his spot, but the fire mage was now watching the goddess with apparent curiosity. Something about Destruction seemed to bother her, but what ? Well, yes, he'd about scared him shitless - the redhead just presumed that it was what the elder god just did, but... she was a goddess, herself. What was bothering her so ?

"If there's no lead soon, I... guess I could try it."

Sosiqui

That's right... Echo has known Creation. That was not something that Tian Yue had seen, not this incarnation of Tien Lung, though of course there were memories of alabaster skin and delicate, chiming wings.

He nodded at Adrian, then turned back to Music and shook his head. "I wish I could bring you something besides platitudes and ideas you've already thought of. Some solution, some news, some novel idea that would change everything. Such things seem to be in short supply, these days."

Zero Dream

"It is allright... You must focus on what you need to accomplish right now. We all fight our own battles, no matter the form they take, they are there, somewhere."

A few months ago, it wouldn't have occurred to her to think like this. But now, this seemed true, no matter where she was looking.

"I will find him." Her voice held no doubt nor hesitation. "....But it would be nice to know where to start."

Echo wasn't used to this. She was used to have it easy, if she dared think that way. Perhaps this was why she had always remained there, doing what seemed to be so little in the face of a much bigger problem.

No more.

"Yeah, they know what the hell they're doing." This got him a prod from Ankou not to blaspheme in front of gods (and that technically hell wasn't as he'd been taught anyway) but he ignored it. If the god focused to prodding him, then he just might stop focusing on brooding. "We went there and we didn't find anything either. Not that we expected to..." He shrugged. "We're hoping the crows will overhear something."

Sosiqui

"Then you and your master have one up on me. I wish your birds luck in their listening," Tian Yue told Adrian, wryly. That must be convenient.

"Echo..." He turned back to her, then reached out one hand to gingerly squeeze one shoulder. "You will. And if I can, I will throw all my resources into that search - if it is still needed - when I return. Unless my Lord has further use for me..."

Zero Dream

"You need not to worry." She leaned against him, drawn in by the feel of the hand on her shoulder, smooth even as it belonged to a dragon. The touch of a friend, the comfort of a friend. A little thing, such little things, yet how badly needed at this point of time...

"You need to focus on what you need to do. We shall do the same... and hopefully there will be no need for you to focus on this upon your return." Heavens only knew if she would hold out like this for that long. What the dragon spoke of did not seem like a short journey.




"Yeah, we'll find him. They'll all be right there when you come back." The pyromancer did not include himself in that statement - there was no bitterness in his voice, but there was some faint, lingering sadness.

Sosiqui

"I sincerely hope so." He nodded at Adrian, soberly, acknowledging what the host meant underneath the words he spoke. He seemed like a good man, someone the dragon could trust to do well by his friend while he left. "If Toki does not attend us, one of your Aoidei could perhaps send news to him, Echo?"

Zero Dream

"That would be a great idea." The goddess nodded. "And they could leave a message, if Toki goes along with you." The news would make their way, somehow. "Would either of you like something to drink ?"

She did not feel like the best hostess for now, that was for sure - it should have occurred to her a bit ago...






There she went again. She needed so badly to find something to distract herself... "...Some coffee would be nice... But only if Lord Tian Yue wants something too... ?"

Really, he would have taken it upon himself to do it, but it was painfully apparent that the goddess needed something to take her mind off things.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue smiled. "Of course. Far be it from me to ignore your hospitality! Though I should return to the Pantheon before too long. I have Toki hard at work researching, and the instant he finds something... my brother and I should be off on that trail."

Zero Dream

She nodded in answer. "Tea, then ? And coffee for the odd one." She said with the slightest smirk as she headed for the kitchen.









The pyromancer did not move from his leaning against the wall, but childishly stuck out his tongue. "Not odd !"

Sosiqui

"Either is fine with me," Tian Yue said, smiling to himself. He remembered Crispin and Shaiming's wars over warm beverages quite well, though the memories were at one remove, and confusing if he thought of them together - for, in a way, he had experienced both of them. At the same time.

Confusing indeed.

Zero Dream

It did not take long before the goddess returned with a tray full of goodies, and set it on the nearby table for her guests to enjoy.

"There. You two should sit down, you know - I doubt it's that much of a hurry, no ?" Expecially with Toki being rather... scatterbrained... at times.

Sosiqui

"I think I can spare a moment," Tian Yue said, with a smile. Something in him was antsing to get moving, but he could tell that Echo needed this - a chance to breathe, a moment of distraction.

For now, that was more important. But what to talk about? The only thing he could think of was the journey, or the spectre of Nergal looming both vast and absent in his mind. The journey, then. "Do either of you recall much of the ancient Pantheon? Ankou, perhaps?" Now that Echo seemed a little bit more stable, he felt he could free some attention for the silent god within the redhead.

Zero Dream

"nothing is really coming back to me..." The goddess shook her head slightly. "There is a feeling of familiarity... I definitively know what you are talking about, but I cannot seem to recall anything... definite. Or useful." She gave a small sigh.








The redhead perked a bit, sight leaving the cup of coffee to look over at the dragon. There was a split second pose for some mental communication before there finally was an answer.

"The city of the gods..." The voice was a bit raw, unused - and clearly not belonging to the host. "I do not think I have lived there, but I remember loosely.... gates. There were many entrances, many ways from outside to inside. I do not know how many, or even how many still stand, and if they would still work.... But.." How... odd, that this would be the first thing to come to his mind. "...So perhaps if the first you find is no longer working... Then there may be others."

Sosiqui

Tian Yue nodded, slowly. "There is a Gate in the world we're searching for. Even I can barely remember, and I wrapped my coils around that place for how long?" He snorted, self-depreciating. "I remember the canals. The temples. The Tree. Streets and gods, godlings and Aoidei, over and over, world without end..."

He shook his head, clearing the reverie. "Until it did."

Zero Dream

"We all seem to have some massive memory problems, it does seem." There was a bare hint of amusement in the voice, but it was extremely faint. "But then, that is what entropy does to the soul. It erodes, until nothing, mind and memories and personality, is left. We are all quite lucky, when we look at the big picture, to retain even fragments. I imagine.... that there may be some beyond rebirth, even among ourselves."

Adrian really almost couldn't believe this. The god was socializing, going beyond answering the question asked, and he hadn't even needed to prod. There was a faint annoyed streak from the god which proved he had clearly felt those thoughts, and the redhead couldn't help but giggle inwardly.

"But then..." All amusement had faded from his voice by the time he finally spoke. "What about those who arn't... ?"

The body's expression shifted, lips into a tight line. "...I can only hope the end beyond the end was not painful."

The goddess listened, in despite not liking what she was hearing. Of course it was believable that not all of them would make it... But she did not like to think about it. How many of those would be friends, lost not only in memory but in complete truth ? What about the holes in her memories, would these ever be truly filled again ?

How much was simply hidden, waiting for the right time to manifest - how much was truly lost forever, eroded by nothingness as the spirit guide spoke ?

She did not know, and perhaps it was better that way. The past was the past, and it was better to focus on the future. She knew that, and yet...

Yet she couldn't stop wondering. And clinging to it.

Sosiqui

"This is true, no doubt," Tian Yue said soberly, taking a sip of his coffee before returning his attention to Ankou. "I fear that Futs Lung-" He cut himself off, then shook his head. "But surely the Dragon Kings, if any, would survive and grow strong. We cannot lose any of my brothers." His grip on the coffee mug tightened.

Zero Dream

"Surely. The mana is stronger in the dragons, so ill'd expect..." The god trailed off. "Has something happened to him ?" Surely there would not be a worry unless something had.









Likewise, there was a worried look on the goddess' face, and, wordlessly, she slid one hand on his shoulders to show her own support. "He will be fine, no matter what... I am sure of it."

Sosiqui

"The host was not strong enough; the gem recovered from mortal dust. Last I heard." Tian Yue sighed. "But surely Lord Harmodius will do his utmost, Destruction or no."

He gave the pair a wan smile. "So much for bringing cheery news, but when the Fangbridle and I have returned - we will find better. Or, failing that, make better." He took another long sip of the coffee.

Zero Dream

"Oh... Im sorry." Echo whispered. That was horrible... "Yes... I am sure all will be fine, still. If there is enough of his mana left, something will be done." Destruction or not, she doubted He would let any of them down... Even less one of His dragons.








Holy... That can happen ?

Undoubtedly. Individuals able to rebirth a dragon must be few and far in between.

But...

There's no need to worry. He tried to sound as comforting as possible, but probably was not very convincing. I will not let your sacrifice be in vain. If it somehow happen, then I better not get yet a third chance.

All the span of a second. There was worry on the boy's face, which did not quite match the voice that came out of his mouth. "That is indeed unfortunate... I wish him well. I have no doubt that some of his mana survived where the host did not."

It just seemed like a waste - a useless death without a result. An individual who was completely, mind, body and soul, destroyed for what came out to be nothing at all.

The thought caught Ankou off-guard - he had no idea why he felt so strongly toward this, but he masked it from his host well.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue smiled knowingly at the red-haired host. "I was afraid of the same thing," he said, quietly. "When my name was Crispin and the Dragon merely a voice in our mind. But it did not happen."

He looked over to Echo. "We can only hope - but there is much of that. It survives quite well even in this day and age, if only someone will give it an opening."

Zero Dream

"That is true... Well, if I hear anything about him, I will have news delivered to Toki ?" This might be hard, as she was doing quite a good job at completely ignoring the pantheon and either being walled like an hermit, or being gods-knew-where searching for a clue, any clue... But maybe. She would keep her ears open.







Adrian had what seemed to be the most priceless face for a moment while he processed that one.

...I can't tell if he's lucky or not lucky, really.

And Ankou couldn't help but be a bit fascinated by this revelation. That would have been an interesting thing to see for himself, but alas.

"He has nothing to fear. I've disturbed quite enough to have it all end as such." There was an undertone of something in the deity's voice... sadness ? Guilt ? It wasn't very easy to identify, and it left as quickly as it came.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue nodded to Adrian/Ankou. "No doubt of that. I am certain now that any amicable bonding cannot possibly end in that way." He grinned, then drained the last bit of coffee from the mug before turning his attention to Echo.

"That would be excellent, if you can spare a messenger. I believe Toki will remain behind, unless we absolutely must have him, but - er, he doesn't know that. Yet." The Dragon King looked faintly, comically guilty for a moment.

Zero Dream

First Adrian, and now Tian Yue. It was hard to keep on sulking with those kind of expressions, so the goddess couldn't help but give an amused smile. "I can spare the messenger, I am pretty sure. Concerto is at the pantheon quite often, tending to Rio and his daughter. That will not be any trouble."







Amicable... That would not have been the first word to pop in the god's mind, but perhaps it was indeed so. He did manage quite well, no, they did manage quite well to not constantly be at each other's throat in despite of how messy this all started.

"It's only amicable when he's not being dumb." Adrian chirped, more than sick of the awkward atmosphere and more than ready to do something about it. Looking like quite the smartass indeed (hopefully proving he was not quite serious), he went to finish his own cup.

Ankou grumbled a bit, but soon radiated smugness. You seem to be quite skilled at that - do you have prior experience with your own mental speech, dear ?

That, coming from Ankou, along with the god's tone of voice, came completely out of the left field, which was the main reason for the redhead choking on his drink, not the god's lack of being remotely skilled at humor. "Augh ! Deloyal tactics !"

Sosiqui

A smile quirked on Tian Yue's lips, the Dragon King pleased both at Echo's improved mood and at the interplay between Adrian and Ankou -something he remembered fondly, if a bit strangely. The double-sided memories from that time when Crispin and Shaiming had been together but separate were an odd bunch indeed.

"Be that as it may... I should be going," he said, and was surprised to find himself regretting that fact. "Any moment the page with the answer could be turned."

Zero Dream

He probably should have gotten going, too, before Lyra and Jinx started to wonder where he went, since what was supposed to be a simple dropby to make sure the goddess was okay had evolved into a longer stay, but he was not ready to leave the goddess alone just yet. He knew too well that her somber mood would be quick to return once she would be left alone with her thoughts.









"Of course... I have held you way too long already. Hopefully the answer will be found soon, and then you can get going..." Echo worked herself back on her feet to lead him outside. "I wish you the best of luck, my friend."

Sosiqui

"And I wish you the same," Tian Yue said quietly, tilting his head down to place a chaste kiss on her forehead - knowing she would not misinterpret the gesture. "Be safe, as the Worldshield commands." There was a certain power in the benediction, an ancient echo of words said countless times when the world was much younger.

 

[A Wandering Esper]

The Other Option

Sosiqui

Phaedra purred quietly inside Nebula's mind. Everything was coming into place now. The kitten's mind was cracked and broken like an exquisite crystal, a single breath away from falling apart but by her power. The expenditure of her own strength didn't matter as much anymore; she was growing now, swiftly moving towards dominance...

... and, really, the cracks held together only by her whim were so very beautiful.

The Aoide stumbled a bit as she walked down the stairs, her eyes glazed, pupils oddly dilated. Phaedra's restraint had forced her into sanity, true, but it had also placed her in a deep and impenetrable mental fog. There was the soft and confident voice in her mind, and she listened, and she did what it said.

All else was bound, lest it all fall apart before Phaedra was ready.

Zero Dream

Adrian had been doing his best not to let the recent happening get to him too much, but when about everyone he knew was either depressed or angry, well, it didn't do a whole lot for one's mood.

He'd been on the lower level of the pantheon a lot in the last few days, the lingering warmth from the nearby lava pool comfortable to him, while it was probably stifling to anyone else. He was sitting on one of the nearby stools, one of the few that were still in one piece, holding a somewhat precarious balance with it on one leg and supporting himself with one foot on the table. This didn't seem hard to maintain at all as he was absent-mindled munching on a sandwich he had made with some meat and bread he had found in the fridge. It smelled safe and didn't take like s**t, that was good enough for him.

When he saw a black-furred catgirl from the corner of his vision, his first reaction was an obivious one - thankfully he noticed he was wrong before he'd spoken Jinx's name. No. Whoever that was, that was certainly not Jinx.

One eyebrow rose for a moment, confused by this turn of event. She looked.... lost ? Not quite there ? And that eye... no, that gem....

Oh.

Sosiqui

Someone Phaedra didn't recognize was downstairs, but her interest was immediately drawn to the young man perched on one of the kitchen stools. Such exquisite red hair... hmmm...

But properly working using this... this clouded sack of meat... was next to useless. The goddess sighed, her impatience flooding back. Perhaps she should just concentrate all her energy on her own rebirth, and damn Nebula to whatever she could manage to do on her own with the shards of her sanity falling around her.

The Aoide stopped and gave Adrian a blank look. "Hi," she said, flatly.

Zero Dream

"Hey." Adrian let go of the table and allowed the stool to fall back in position with a soft thud. Really, something seemed odd here. Odd and wrong.

"Are you.... okay ?" He tilted his head a bit. The catgirl didn't seem all.... there. Or there at all. Whatever one wanted to word it.

Sosiqui

Hmm... Oh, it was tempting. Too tempting. She hadn't had any real fun in a few weeks...

The Aoide's mouth opened, but instead of the blank tone that had previously been used, a surprising, rich, and sad alto voice began to speak. "I am quite sorry. My host is not... well." Phaedra infused her tone with vague distress, then poked Nebula to stumble just so.

Zero Dream

Just as she probably expected, the long-haired man was quick on his feet, catching the catgirl and lifting her with a surprising ease, to settle her down on the stool. "Would probably be better for you to sit... Would water help ? What's wrong with her... ?" He did not seem confused by the idea of hosts and deities, which pegged him as an host himself.

Sosiqui

Ah, perfect. It was good to know that her talent for reading people still existed, divine ascension or no. Nebula let out a little surprised gasp as she landed in the young man's arms, and she gave him a bewildered look.

"The trials of this Age have proven too much for her mind," Phaedra said, her voice thick with worry. "It is only my power that holds her sanity together, now... the last gift I can give her before we become one. I am sorry to bother you. We only needed food..."

All so very true. All so very false. All so very delightful.

Zero Dream

The man's pointed ears seemed to droop slightly. The sight of the catgirl reminded him too much of the period of time in between when Lyra had died, and when he had met Melanctha and had Ankou forced on him. The god was oddly silent - probably off sulking again, which did not raise any alarm bells in his mind.

Was it was would have happened to him if... ?

Better not to think about that.

"Just stay put, ill get you something... okay ?" He made sure Nebula was settled and had little risk of toppling over before turning to look in the fridge for something. He'd probably be able to pull off another sandwich...

Sosiqui

"Thank you," Phaedra whispered. Nebula slumped, but stayed up on the chair with the goddess' help. Later she could fall off again, when it would be most useful, but for now she needed to stay put. The goddess communicated this to her and received vague acknowledgment.

Good.

"It is all I can do to move her now, so much of my power is used up keeping her mind intact. I'm... I'm sorry. I'm so afraid of what would happen if I let go." A touch of barely-controlled panic in the voice, yes. Perfect. "Someday it will be over and I can give her mercy, but now... I fear it would be the end of both of us..."

Zero Dream

The end...

Adrian once again had to push the thoughts that bothered him away. He'd found the lunchmeat and bread again, and turned back to the table to prepare the sandwich. "That would probably not be a good thing, I bet..." Honestly, the catgirl looked like she wouldn't even able able to function on her own.

"Oh, and you might be... ?" Curiosity, now.

Sosiqui

"Rainbow," Phaedra said, quietly. Oh, she was quite certain that one would not be coming back. First to Fade, worn away to dust and nothing far before the ancient and powerful deities like herself had finally capitulated to the inevitable.

A sweet and gentle domain, even better for dropping one's guard. "Thank you," she added, her voice barely a whisper.

Zero Dream

Oh wow. She's chose quite a shitty moment to be reborn into... "s**t, im sorry." He whispered. "The world's gotta be awful to you..." Hell, there hadn't been rain that didn't feel acidic for quite some time, forget all about rainbows !

Indeed, it seemed like Adrian's guard was quite non-existent. Normally he'd be a bit more cautious, but the current situation pulled at him. And after all, none of the deities had lied to him yet...

Sosiqui

The ghost of a smile appeared on Nebula's lips. "Don't be sorry... I'm glad to be reborn. I just wish it didn't have to come with this kind of price." Nebula blinked and glanced up at Adrian, right on cue. "Existing at all is better than... not."

"Thanks," Nebula mumbled, dully.

"Shh, easy, dear kitten," Phaedra breathed, then sighed for Adrian's benefit. "I can tell you also carry a deity inside of you... may I ask who?" Just the right little edge of shyness...

Zero Dream

"Yeah, I can tell there's quite a few that thinks that way. I think... ill'd do it, too, if I had to. If it was my only way to live. I wouldn't like it, but... ill'd do it, if I had a realm of influence that needed me."

He finished the sandwich and gently pushed the plate toward Nebula. He leaned against the table a bit. "The spirit guide. It's been a few months, so I don't think there's much time left for me either... But that's okay. I made my peace with it." Mostly.

Sosiqui

Nebula reached out, took the sandwich, and took a bite. It took a while to chew, and Phaedra took that opportunity to think. The Spirit Guide, hmm... interesting. There were vague thoughts of starry skies, fires and smoke rising to the heavens, and shamanic ritual. That tribe she'd infiltrated once, bedded a holy priest of some sect or another... made off with some treasure, she couldn't remember what it had been, but she had left him to deal with the empty hole in his temple and the hole in his heart. Had he been a worshiper of the god who now dwelled in this red-haired pile of naivete?

Good memories.

When the Aoide had taken and swallowed several bites, Phaedra nudged her host to put the sandwich down for a moment and let her speak. "What does the Spirit Guide do? Other than the obvious, I mean. Rainbow, well... that's simple. Small. It fits well enough, but I was always curious... about the greater gods..." She gave Adrian a shy smile before letting Nebula's face fall blank once more and allowing the Aoide to pick up the sandwich again.

Zero Dream

Adrian remained silent for a moment. "...Actually, im not quite sure... Beside the obvious really. He never really explained it to me in great details, just small bits of this and that. Mostly souls, I gathered. I think... he just wants me to live and not worry about this stuff."

It was quite hard not to feel the guilt the god was feeling at dragging him into the whole venture of his missing brother, no matter how much he had tried to stiffle it.

Sosiqui

"Oh..." So more information would not be forthcoming, it seemed. Such a shame... but there was still plenty of potential for play. "I wish I could have allowed her... something like that..." Her voice choked up.

It took only a small prod to make Nebula's tear ducts start watering. The Aoide put one hand up to her cheek, vaguely surprised by the sudden dampness, a perfect picture of confusion and grief. Phaedra wished she had a mirror, and wondered idly how such a pose would work if her host was petticoated and laced up as she had done for her benighted Dragon King. Now there was a fantasy...!

Very useful, this perceived vulnerability.

Zero Dream

And there it was. The not so hidden weakness of the redhead - lovely ladies in trouble.

"Hey... hey. It's okay... Ill't all be fine, right ? You couldn't help it..." He murmured, doing his best to sound comforting, one gloved hand reaching to wipe the tears away. He wasn't quite sure what to do, honestly. He knew what to do with Lyra.... but this wasn't Lyra. Showing off didn't look like il't take her mind of things, either.

Sosiqui

Nebula trembled, then fell forward, clutching at Adrian - Phaedra hadn't been expecting that, but she twisted it to her advantage, increasing the pressure to cry. Sure enough, the Aoide began to bawl, her shoulders shaking as tears poured down her cheeks - releasing all the anger, the frustration, the emotion that the goddess-induce haze had forced inward.

Phaedra allowed it, hungry.

"Oh, dear... oh... I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she babbled between sobs, whenever she could snatch a breath, her own voice transmuted very nearly into a sob itself.

Zero Dream

Uh, well... Well....

Oh s**t.

The redhead all but blankstared for a moment, before instinct took over and he allowed his arms to slid around her in a gentle hug, radiating a faint warmness from within. He was at a complete loss of what to say, so he thought better to say nothing at all.

Sosiqui

Nebula clutched at Adrian wildly, holding on tight and burying her head against his shoulder. The sobs quieted down to quiet gasping sounds, muffled.

"Thank you..." Phaedra breathed, inwardly amused. "She may think you are the one she loved," she added, with a twinge of regret in her tone. "I'm... not entirely sure..."

Zero Dream

Oh.

There was a lump in his throat, and it took him quite a bit to be able to swallow it down. "I... I know what it's like, to lose the one you love." He held her a bit tighter. "...It's horrible. It's like the whole world rips open at your feet and nothing else matters anymore."

Sosiqui

Nebula took one long, shaky breath and fell quiet at last, though trembles still ran up and down her body.

"He was not lost. He... left. When I..." Phaedra made a sound like the exquisite 'Goddess of Rainbows' was choking down a sob of her own. "Perhaps she would not be like this if... I..."

Zero Dream

What...

Another string was pulled, and yellow eyes narrowed slightly. Who the hell did something like this in a situation when one needed the most support ?!

Oh, but he knew the answer all to well.

A coward.

"...Im sorry." It was all he could find to say, really. All that was acceptable to say, at least.

Sosiqui

"No, I am sorry... I led her here looking for food, not for somebody to burden with our own cares. I... thank you for being so understanding," Phaedra said. "Come on, dear... let go..."

She nudged lightly, just enough to make Nebula shake, but nowhere near enough to make her let go of Adrian - but, to the other host, it would seem as though she was fighting the goddess' gentle coaxing. "Oh..." Phaedra fretted.

Zero Dream

"I..." Really, it looked like the catgirl needed the comfort for now. "...She can stay here a bit longer... I don't mind, really... It's okay."

He gently coaxed her off her feet and sat, gently moving her to sit on his knees. "There... Take all the time you need. Im not going anywhere..."

Sosiqui

Nebula leaned forward, then, her eyes brimming with the last tears, a blush barely visible in her dark furred cheeks...

... and leaned forward and kissed Adrian soundly on the mouth.

Wild with delight, Phaedra flowed into the motion, deepening the kiss at once, pressing hard. It had been so very long since she'd had a chance to play. When Jahara had risen, perhaps she would discover the delights of a sphinx's body, but this one...

... well, she knew what humans said about redheads. Was it true? Who knew. All the goddess knew was that she was having fun. She probably wouldn't get more than this out of the boy, but oh! she certainly still had it in her. Not fifteen minutes from initial meeting to this, and with Nebula impeding her, too!

Zero Dream

To say that the redhead was surprised was probably an understatement. In fact, Nebula was in a sense quite lucky, since he came quite close to dropping her when the shock hit.

WHOAH DAMN.

He had the perfect deer in the headlights look on his face for a moment, but strangely did nothing to pull away or stop the kiss. Did nothing to further things, but did nothing to really STOP, either.

Not that it was evident to stop a kiss with so little wriggle room if the other party was reaching for the back of your mouth as if to play tonsil-hockey, honestly.

Sosiqui

Hmm! That was a surprise, indeed... Phaedra pushed a little further, and Nebula tightened her grip on Adrian-

seeing, inside, the face of the Dragon King she was so desperate to please, so desperate for his approval; do you like me now, Tien Lung? do you?


please?

The goddess really could not decide which she liked more, the sensations of kiss and embrace, or the desperate twisted desire that writhed through her host's psyche. Pity she probably couldn't get the kitten to take it to the next level, but well... the boy was himself a host. Best not to prey too much.

Zero Dream

Some of the stupor was starting to fade, and yet.... yet....

It was one thing to know her somehow alive, if different. But this... This he missed. Endlessly. He'd never told her, did not want to admit it. He still loved her, she was still The One he always came back to among many, the one he had wanted to spend his whole life with, but something was gone and it wouldn't come back, and even if it one day did he wouldn't be there anymore....

He pulled away from her, as gently as he was able, doing his best to contain himself, to bottle it all up again. He ran a finger on her cheek, trying to calm down both the catgirl and himself.

Sosiqui

Nebula stiffened. He was... pulling away? leaving? didn't he want her anymore? "M-my Lord?" the Aoide quavered, grabbing hold of his wrists and holding tightly. The look in her one remaining eye was broken, but there was something obsessive in the depth.

Her grip was a little too tight.

Zero Dream

"I... Im not the one you're looking for." Didn't she see that ? Didn't she realize that ? Or what she truly that broken. "Im sorry... I... I don't know who your lord is... and I doubt I could replace him even if I tried."

Everything was trashing inside, all he wanted to do was run. She was starting to cut the circulation in his hand and it hurt

Sosiqui

Something changed in Nebula's face. no. no. no. he doesn't want me. doesn't... no... not again... doesn't want... no... The Aoide rocked back and forth for a moment. In her mind, the edges of her sanity eroded down further under the strain; Phaedra pulled the pieces at once into her own psyche, purring faintly to herself.

This was so delicious, and she didn't even need to do anything herself anymore - merely sit back and enjoy.

Nebula's expression twisted into something hurt and angry. She jerked away from Adrian, hard, her tail puffed up like a bottlebrush. "All I ever wanted... but you never..." she snarled, crouching down like a cornered - wounded - animal. Phaedra laughed inside her mind, but she barely heard it.

Zero Dream

What the... ?!?

Likewise, Adrian darted back - created distance in between them, created enough room to react. If she tried anything, he would have no other choice but...

Damnit, he didn't want it to get to that ! Why did this have to be so ******** up ?!

"Please, listen to me - I am not the person you think I am... I don't know who your lord is, but it isn't me !"

Sosiqui

Nebula crouched, snarled, and - froze in place, her pupil dilating sharply, her limbs suddenly trembling as the goddess stopped all muscle movement. "Oh, kitten," she sighed aloud, her tone quite different from how it had been before; now it was thick with amusement. "It may be playtime, but that doesn't mean you can hit your playmate when you don't like his behavior. That's terribly naughty."

The Aoide slowly stood up, her movements mechanical again, as they had been when she first came down the stairs.

Zero Dream

When she snarled, he shifted by instinct - the second he saw her move, he would let the flames out...

But then that moment never happened. Still, his guard did not slip down - there were faint flicks at the tip of his fingers, but he did his best to keep them contained - for now.

The goddess' behavior had changed way too sharply. It became evident now that he'd been played. "Get out of here."

If she didn't, she would soon be missing a large patch of fur.

Sosiqui

"Hmmm... sorry, sweetie. You're such a nice boy. I was really hoping it wouldn't turn out like this, but she needed a release. You did quite well." Phaedra laughed, then pivoted Nebula neatly on one foot. The Aoide walked stiffly towards the stairs, walked up several of them, then stopped and looked back at the halfway mark. There was a swirl of peacock blue in the catgirl's red eye.

"Phaedra, Goddess of Greed, Imperatrix. Did you like the kiss? You're welcome." The smile was golden, sweetness and light.

Zero Dream

Really, he didn't seem to appreciate much - the flames grew wilder and bigger, but he finally sent her a glare, turned, then left for outside.

This was not worth getting in trouble over. At least not getting in even MORE trouble than he just dug himself into.

 

[A Wandering Esper]

Because I Love You

It took a few hours before Adrian finally went back to the pantheon, made a beeline for his Ankou's room, ignoring anyone and anything that might had stood in his way. He was still positively boiling, and anyone with half a brain would steer clear of him, anyway. Setting a few abandoned things on fire had drained the twichy flames that were lurking under the surface, but his anger hadn't quite drained yet...

But then, he always underestimated idiots, and right now he felt like the biggest of the all. King Stupid the whatever. He slammed the door as hard as he could, almost sending the poor Jinx into hysterics - for a split second he almost forgot it was her and not that.... b***h, and almost chewed her out. Thankfully he held his tongue, went straight for the bedroom, slammed the door again.

"You always know how to make an entrance, dear."

His heart sank.

Always actions over words. He was awkward with words sometimes - they never quite came out the way he wished, to the dept that he meant them. But then he grinned, inched his way upward and kissed her lips, ignoring the shock of her cold skin against his own warmth.

Words couldn't tell her how much he loved her, now and forever. There were others but they were not The One - she was, and no one else would be able to achieve that.

With actions, he did not need words.

....But now there was no way do to that anymore. He was only left with words, and he was not good with those. Something had been lost, forever, and he hadn't quite realized it until now.

Thanks to that b***h. Damnit. He just let himself fall on the bed with a grumble.

"Adrian ?"

"Mrrph." He lifted his head from the pillow. "What ?"

"Honey, what's wrong ?"

He tried to lock it all inside. It would be better if she never knew. But somehow... it didn't work. So he let it all out. Everything. From the encounter with Greed, to the kiss, and about what happened within him, what he felt inside - how much he loved her but how he could never find in the right words, the words that weighted heavily enough to tell what he really felt, about how sick he was about everything and about how he just plain didn't want to die, because this was exactly what would happen since he refused to be trapped inside a body that wasn't his own at all.

It was far from graceful, but the shadow creature listened, silent. Only when he was done, only when tears he had been holding inside for much too long were finally spilling, that she curled up loosely around him. She wished she had answers but... honestly, she had little herself. But, at the very least, she was good at listening. She curled and stuck her nose to his own. Both remained silent, for what seemed to be hours, until he finally spoke.

"...Honestly, why the hell do you even put up with me ?"

"It's all quite simple. Because I love you. I love you, your smiles, your flames, your storms and your tears. For the good and the bad."

It was only after all that that he finally drifted to sleep - she brushed his tears away, but neither truly moved until the next morning.

Maybe nothing was lost, after all. Not yet.

Maybe things had just changed.  

[A Wandering Esper]

Ashes and Flames

Cinderfae

The chill of the stasis capsule still clung to her annoyingly. It was getting late and she should head in to rest but after being in a force sleep for almost a year sleep didn't seem so important. For a year she had rested and dreamt with Karaskis, Cinder wasn't sure how the goddess was feeling about their realizations. As for now the Goddess was quiet; as if some sort of offering of friendship or understanding Cinder had lit various candles around the house and from the Goddess she could almost feel the warmth of those flames but they did not burn.

Cinder's reverie was broken however as the goddess now more awake decided to end her silence. Technology, that's what you call that. I feel like I was a popsicle for a year. Don't ever do that to us again. Even the complaining was only half hearted it seemed.

Cinder shook her head slightly and took up a mug with warm drink from the counter. The night was lovely, the skies churned dangerously and the stars were almost hidden from view but the air was fresh and sometimes that is all that one needs. As she moved Cinder noted that her joints didn't ache, the stasis chamber at least in the end had done something. Resting against the railing of her porch she looked out over the waters and wondered what happened to the creature that had taken her Merci` from her.

Zero Dream

Adrian was honestly as restless as the god inside his own head. He wanted this to end. He wanted not to worry about all this bullshit, to be able to get as much time of some sort of normality before the inevitable happened. And yet, as much as he wanted to be angry at Ankou for wrecking everything... He couldn't. If he had had a brother, and said brother got lost, he would be freaking out and raising hell too. The thing here was that the god couldn't do so directly.

The pyromancer muttered something under his breath. It was not safe to be outside alone at night - and it looked like there was a damn storm brewing, too - but those 4 walls of the room at the pantheon and Ankou's inner monologue was starting to drive him nuts. It was getting harder and harder for the both of them to keep their own thought THEIRS. It was bothering him.

His steps had lead him there - from the distance, he probably looked like a fireball on legs - both to supply some lights to see where he was going, and in a faint chance to cancel out the rain should the sky decide to downpour on his unhappy a**. He had came that direction often, honestly, in a faint hope for some clues.

Adrian.... The house. There is light now.

The redhead stopped, blinking. True. There was light. Candlelight, but light. How.... odd. Just like a cat, curiosity got the best of him and he had to check it out.

Cinderfae

Cinder took a drink of her tea and then as the rain started she smiled faintly with a sigh. "Always loved the rain," she lamenated to no one in particular. Though even if not to anyone in particular the dusky voice of the goddess was there to answer.

Why would you love it? It so...wet. There was distinct grumbling in Karaskis' voice as she spoke.

Cinder sighed and responded more out of idle non-tiredness then actual caring if Karaskis understood. "The skies are lovely, the stars, planets, comments, and just wonderous things. But in space there is no atmosphere no rain, no clouds." Cinder's voice drifted off as Karaskis interjected.

But at least comets burn as do suns and so many other things.

Cinder sighed to herself, "I have doubt you would really let me sleep even if I could find myself growing tired."

Before Karaskis could answer however Cinder picked up movement along the lake, "we aren't alone." She murmered, she had learned to communicate to Karaskis without speaking but some habits, especially for old pirates, take a long time to die off.

Another crazy person out in the rain. Karaskis voice came through annoyed and rather uncaring. Until Cinder took steps to move to the stairs of the porch. Careful now no telling what they are up to, your armed right?

Pushing back the commentary that had recently gotten more clear and more annoying Cinder peered over at the figure. From the size she guessed it was a girl, or perhaps a slight child. "Hullo there?! Best get out of the rain."

Zero Dream

And then the downpour started. The fire wasn't enough, and died down quickly. Damnit.

At this point, he was willing to take the risk that the other might be not-so-friendly - hey, if she wasn't... That's where huge balls of fire came in the equation.

He all but dashed under the porch after he had been invited to, shaking himself off much like a wet dog irritably would. His hairs was poofing thanks to the humidity. BAH.

"So... So sorry, miss. I won't bother you long, as soon as this damned rain stops." He muttered. "Ill be on my way... okay ?"

Cinderfae

Cinder chuckled slightly as he shook himself off and smiled. "That's fine looks like you lost your light in that downpour, I have keetle on would you like a drink?" On closer inspection Cinder realized that at the distance she had been wrong definantly a boy though from his frame it was hard to tell his age. "I'm Cinder."

Karaskis was watching as well Cinder could feel her moving within and behind her looking the new arrival over curiously. Perhaps a bit too slight but pretty enough at least. Cinder's eyes got wide a moment and she turned her head to look to the door of the house, catching herself from speaking outloud just barely she then was forced to choke down laughter. Somehow she managed to clear her throat. Would you stop checking him out.

Karaskis seemed to consider Cinder's order before responding, but I do like pretty things.

Deciding it was best to ignore Karaskis for a moment Cinder took a breath and then addressed Adrian, "Get you dried off at least, what were you doing out on such a night anyways?"

Zero Dream

Adrian rose an eyebrow. Damnit, him looking like a disgruntled wet cat wasn't all that funny at all ! "That... would be pretty nice, actually." He shook himself off some more. "If you don't mind."

There was something, something that drew him in. Something familiar.... But he pushed it back. Must be his imagination.

Cinderfae

"Alright, have some clean towels as well." Cinder walked into the house and picked up a towel on top of a basket of clothing near the door laying it on the back of the couch. "Don't mind the bits and pieces of the house...sort of getting back into things. Was away for a while."

More like we were frozen. Karaskis' dour reply came.

Cinder kept on with her attempt to ignore Karaskis, "Most the bulbs in the house are bad now. So decided to get the candles out." Inside the house various surfaces were covered with candles of varying sizes and shapes. Each was lit giving off a soft glow. "How do you like your tea?" Cinder asked as she moved over to the kitchen.

Cinder could feel Karaskis' attention being pulled to the boy, probably more like a youngman but when you got as old as Cinder more and more started to become like children. Would you stop staring it's annoying.

There's something about him, I just can't place it.

Zero Dream

"Thanks" He immediately took it, and did his best to wring out water from his hair without making a mess all over. He quite liked the candles, actually. It really.... put him at ease, for some reason. Made him relax.

Note to self : gather alot of candles.

"Any kind will do... Im not that picky." He largely preferred coffee to tea, but hey, who was he to b***h at something freely given ?

Cinderfae

"Black tea, sometimes too strong for people." Cinder dropped the tea into a fresh mug before putting the hot water over it. Then while waiting for it to steep she leaned on the counter to watch her guest.

"I'm Cinder by the way, what do you prefer to be called?" Years of dealing with various alien races and strange customs had broke her of the habit of asking for 'names'. Karaskis voice broke through to her contemplative, look at his features...I don't think he's an alien but probably not quite human either.

Cinder noted his red hair, not that much off from her own but in the candle light her eyes just caught a glimspe of his yellow ones. So what he isn't human at least not fully...hardly anyone is around here.

From the mantle a light flickered a few times on a small piece of technology. Mycroft was awake too it seemed and also interested in the guest. The rate at which it was going seemed as if Mycroft wasn't just idly watching either...he really was very interested.

Zero Dream

After he had finally gotten dry enough to be able to tolerate himself without being too cranky, Adrian walked to the table to sit as well, unaware of the two mostly invisible beings holding an interest in him. As he often did, Ankou was mostly silent now.

"My name's Adrian. Pleased to meet ya."

Cinderfae

Ask him his heritage. Came Karaskis' voice and the light on the mantle continued to blink and then the color of the light turned green. Mycroft was asking permission to speak. Cinder sighed as she leaned back taking the tea strainer from the mug. "Sugar? And then I think there are a couple of my...house guests that might want a word with you."

Your just going to reveal me to him, are you nuts. Karaskis' voice sounded with disapproval.

No just tired. Plus your the one so interested in him...and no you can't keep him.

The feeling from Karaskis was almost like pouting, Cinder glanced down at the mug to keep her amused expression from being seen.

Zero Dream

The feeling wouldn't stop. And Ankou was TOO quiet, just like he did when he was watching and analyzing. There was still something he couldn't explain, but... Really, the mention of house guests pretty much did it in.

"Please." He spoke, still mostly relaxed. It was hard to be fidgetty with those candle... and that feeling. "They may, if they want." He shrugged a bit. "I've got nothing to hide."

Cinderfae

Cinder dropped a couple of sugar cubes into his tea, "Might change your mind, but well I won't hear the end of it if I don't." Cinder glanced up at the mantle as she handed the mug to Adrian. "Go ahead Mycroft."

Lovely let him speak before me, Karaskis grumbled again.

Your awful whiney for a goddess.

The light on the device on the mantle flickered a few times and Mycroft spoke, "well he isn't entirely human, but really who is now a days." After a moment a projection came from the device of an elderly gentleman in a smoking jacket. "Still not perfect but at least a few repairs means I can greet you politely. Anyways, as I was saying not human at least not completely...your much too warm for that aren't you."

And then Karaskis pushed and spoke through Cinder, "Your heritage is of fire, isn't it?" The voice was dusky and not entirely Cinder's. Cinder pushed her down as quickly as she could.

What the hells was that. Cinder scolded, don't do that...

It's like with that animal...I can sense them.

Resting against the counter going somewhat pale Cinder speaks, "I'm hoping that because of the direction you came from..you know of the stones and gods. Because if not this explanation is going to take a very long time."

Your getting better the last one you threatened to shoot.

Yeah...well she annoyed me more.

Zero Dream

In all honesty, Mycroft seemed to startle the young man more than the goddess did.

"Your guess is as good as mine." A small flame flickered in his palm, and he started moving it from finger to finger effortlessly. "No one knows. Not even my mother knows what the hell im supposed to be. I don't think my father ever gave a s**t, if he ever realized I existed, that is. Most people think it's magic, but.... where I went to school, they told me whatever it was, it was too strong. The common ways to stop magic can't stop me."

If he knew of gods and stone ? Oh dear. The poor lady... had no idea.

"I am.... pretty familiar with the idea."

Cinderfae

Karaskis for her part was rambling at this point in thought, Not a full fire being or I would have sensed that much sooner...likely a half breed of some sort. I wonder if it's one of the elder beings -

Mycroft for his part had settled into a holographic evening chair smoking a pipe as he waited to hear the conversation.

Cinder rubbed her temple a moment before sighing. "Right well," She lifts the thin shirt she was wearing slightly and moves the pajama pants she had been wearing to reveal her hip with Karaskis' jewel in it. "I'm guessing you have something similiar."

At Cinder's question Karaskis got quiet, there was almost a sadness in it. Not one of my own.

Zero Dream

"Hm-n." Was the only acknowledgment the lady got. In the light of the candles, she would spot his own soon enough. He hadn't bothered to hide it this time. She had seemed surprised when the goddess had used her voice. Perhaps in her case... it hadn't been long. She probably had more time left than he did.

He forced himself to bite his bitterness down, knowing full well that with how they were now, Ankou probably would have picked it up all too well. It wasn't really his fault... but at the same time... it was.

He continued to flick the small flame back and forth, until he sent it flying forward, merging it with one of the candles before taking his cup to sip. Damn, she was right - that stuff -was- strong. But he wasn't too outwardly bothered by it.

"I daresay I've almost gotten used to all this madness by now. Good thing, since I probably don't have long left."

Cinderfae

Cinder frowned slightly as she listened and she felt pain for him. For all those that would be lost so these gods could awaken. Surprisingly enough Karaskis seemed to be having similiar feelings. The want to help him or at least provide something came upon her; he's lost.

So are so many now. Came Karaskis dusky and somewhat reserved (for once) voice. I can perhaps answer his questions for him some.

Cinder blinked a few times and looked over to Adrian, "Well it seems my er...stowaway may have some answers for you."

Goddess! Karaskis scolded.

"Or as I prefer to call it, Parasite. As is more scientifically accurate." Mycroft's refined voice was heard across the room as he added to the conversation.

"Right, well -" Cinder put her hand up and motioned to Mycroft to quiet, for a moment there was a twing in her joints. Karaskis exerting her powers had upset the technology again. Cinder took a breath and for now ignored that pain. "the goddess, Karaskis. She is the Fire Goddess, and she seems to believe the blood you aren't so sure about comes from one of her creations."

Zero Dream

Not very polite, that thing. Ankou grumped a bit, yet refused to let this distract him too much. A fire goddess, hm... Then the cat would be out of the bag soon enough. The god had, of course, knew, but never mentioned it since the host had never seemed to care. Or were appearances once again deceiving ?

Hey... At least he's honest. But... That goddess... She could tell him ?

....Did he really wish to finally know ?

"Really ?" Was all that came out.

Cinderfae

Cinder's eyes flickered a moment to a sparkle in the candle light. Adrian had almost always been facing her since she met him but as he moved it had finally hit her...or rather she had finally spotted his gem. Your right he is rather pretty.

Yes, I told you that sometime ago. Sometimes you can be terribly slow. Karaskis voice was not particularly attentive at the moment more idle chatter.

"Yes, I believe we can. Well if your interested in knowing that is, about your powers and the like." Cinder pulled a stool up and took a seat on the end of the bar as she spoke.

Don't be so slow about it, tell him and then find out where his parent is.

Cinder sighed inwardly, I thought you were getting better with this whole humanity thing.

I usually am, but one of his parents was an elemental...a fire elemental. And...it would be most helpful to know where they are.

Zero Dream

"I...." He hesitated a bit. "I think... I would like to know. To have at least an answer to that..." It became clear that this had probably been bothering him for awhile. No matter how deeply and carefully hidden it may have been, it had always been there...

"...Yeah... ill'd rather know, then wish I had known in the very end." No regrets. No more regrets.... He would have enough, when the time came.

Cinderfae

Cinder nodded slightly watching the boy's reaction. In the corner Mycroft flickered and vanished from view as the AI turned himself off. "Well Karaskis says that your part elemental. Fire elemental of course." Cinder gave a faint smile, "unfortunantly I can't really tell all what that means myself."

Then you should let me speak, Karaskis spoke within her mind somewhat abrasively. Find out who his parent was. I need to know, they will be needed.

Cinder leaned and rested against the counter as she listened to Karaskis, "Karaskis is wanting to know about the elemental parent. Do you know anything about them?"

Zero Dream

It all seemed so dumb, so evident, like it had been in his face all long and he'd simply refused to see it. Yet, on another hand, it seemed completely unbelievable. "I thought... Elementals did not exist anymore."

But then, he'd thought the same with gods.

"I don't know, really. Never seen him. For all I know he either doesn't know I exist, or doesn't care. My mother... didn't remember much about him, at least that she told me. She met him at some kind of festival and wasn't.... quite sober." He snorted a bit. Thank god she had kicked out that habit afterward.

Cinderfae

"Not nessecarily true, there are the ageless. Immortals that worked as servants for the Gods. Some still exist even now." Karaskis' voice was thoughtful as she spoke through Cinder. Cinder herself...was annoyed.

Cinder frowned and for a moment like she swollowed something sour as she found she had her voice back. "Right then," Cinder pauses a moment. "I'm coming to hate when she does that."

Karaskis had gone quiet and contemplative for the time after hearing of Adrian's father.

"She seems interested in finding him. Perhaps we can sort out more information at some point or let her. Find out what festival and where it was located that sort of thing." Cinder glanced to the clock on the wall. "But it is fairly late, so up to you if what to attempt to chatter on or leave it for another time."

Not even sure why I'm helping you...or considering helping you.

Zero Dream

"That might be hard. My mother... was murdered a few months back. Unless you can talk to the dead..." The thought was painful, the sorrow in his voice intense enough that it seemed that it could easily be touched. "But if he's... one of those ageless thingbabobs, and if he was hers.... He might come back. I know his aoide came back running as soon as Ankou was around.

Hell, it's the reason im in this mess to begin with.

".......And uh. You get used to it."

Cinderfae

Cinder frowns as she listens, "I'm sorry to hear that..." she was sorry but really didn't have much more to say on the whole ordeal. "Didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

Karaskis seemed to shift impatiently over the whole thing. It's true once they know I'm here they will come...I just feel as if things are not moving quickly enough. Karaskis then cut Cinder off leaving the rest of her diatribe to herself.

"Right then...more to speak on or..." Cinder turns slightly to get sight out the door. "Your welcome to stay but seems the rain is letting up."

Karaskis at that point decided to interject. Tell him he can stay in your bed.

"I'll do no such thing," Cinder growled slightly under her breath quite obviously to herself or rather the voice of the other within her.

Zero Dream

"I should probably go nuts, before you get a worried catgirl following my scent and invading your house." He paused, then pondered for a moment. "....Yes, I assure you I am not making this up."

My kitten is indeed quite protective, is she not ?

Protective is probably not intense enough of a word.

Adrian seemed puzzled for a moment, but seemed to quickly chalk it up at some host/goddess disagreement. It was quite a good thing he could not read minds.

Cinderfae

Cinder chuckles and quirks a brow, "a cat girl interesting. Actually if you don't mind I might take a walk up that way with you. I haven't been up there for sometime and..." Cinder pauses for a moment, "has anyone heard from Kaelin recently?"

Karaskis she could tell shifted slightly as if considering something while they discussed. Yes we should go, we should see what has been happening.

"In fact, what all has been going on. We can talk and walk if you like. Keep your cat girl off the trail." Cinder grins faintly, cat girls didn't bother her after all her Merci` had once been a kitsune.

Zero Dream

"Yeah, that could do." He finished his cup and set it on the table, moving to stand up.

Kaelin. Oh boy. Kaelin. Of all the deities she could ask about, it had to be him.

"I've seen him personally, some time ago." ********, he had no idea how to word this. "...I think he wanders quite a bit."

Cinderfae

Cinder stands and pulls her pilot jacket over her shoulders. She she turned to look at Adrian and that he was quite a bit shorter then her hit her as she had to look down. "Sounds about right, fecker ran off after our last conversation," there was a note of bitterness in her voice. Cinder walked to the mantle and picked up the device that held Mycroft clicking it to her belt.

"Kaelin's host...their name was Merci`," Cinder wasn't sure why she was telling him of Kaelin but she stopped herself.

Getting sentimental and your not even drunk yet. Karaskis made a sound that Cinder suspected sound much like a chuckle.

Cinder blinked while gathering her thoughts before speaking again, "So recent news...what's been going on?"

Zero Dream

That did indeed sound like Kaelin.

"...You were close ? ...No, I shouldn't be asking. Sorry." He shook his head.

"Well... Destruction reigns. If you see a catgirl with a gem in her eye stay the ******** away..." He sounded particularly bitter. "She's a host and her goddess is a b***h and an half. The host herself is pretty.... kapput. If you see what I mean. Hm. I don't... really know much. Maybe if you tell me expecially what you know, it would help ?"

As he spoke, he was heading out the door, hoping the rain had completely stopped.

Cinderfae

Cinder sighed slightly at the question, "ended up here looking for Merci`." She didn't expand on the relationship more Karaskis was right in some respects...she just hadn't had enough to drink.

"What deity has the cat girl then? And well I think I might end up a bit bitchy if I had gotten the gem in my eye as well." Cinder glanced to Adrian's gem as she spoke. "I have a port there...at that point on my back." Before she knew it she had stepped up toward the door and reached over her hand brushing Adrian's exposed back where the gem lay as she does.

Oh! You touched him. Shame on you. There was a distinct sound of mockery in Karaskis' voice.

"Destruction reigned last I knew as well. Something to do with a love spat or something...never did get the whole story. Seems things haven't changed that much." Cinder looked up at the sky outside, "someone needs to wake up Harmonius."

Quote:

Adrian just let the Merci issue drop. Even he wasn't stupid enough to know when to shut up... sometimes. He grinned a bit once he felt her hand on his back, but quickly smoothed out his expression again.

"They're trying. Apparently it's... not all that easy ? I dunno. That s**t is so complicated. And the b***h was Greed, unless she lied to me twice.

Cinderfae

"Greed, right. Sounds like a real winner. And I thought Fire was a pain in the a**." Cinder looked up at the sky as she made her way off the porch. "I guess I've been sulking enough lately time to go find out what can be done. And kick it's a**...or at least a cat girl in the teeth." Cinder smiled faintly though her voice sounded very serious.

...try not to patronize me while I can hear you. Which now would be all the time. And don't get us killed by kicking crazy dieties.

"Know who all is part of the plan to fix," pauses a moment, "is fix even the right word. But whatever happened to Harmodius."

Zero Dream

"Nergal, I think. Hm. Beyond that... I am honestly not too sure. I really had no idea of all this crazy s**t before I had a gem shoved in my lower back, you see." He was no longer so bitter about that, no, but it did sting a bit.

Cinderfae

"Hmm, I'll have to poke around to see who is about. Figure out who to talk to and what to do." Cinder looked head they were almost to their destination. "Karaskis might be taking my body over...and even on the way out. Refuse to do it without a fight."

Fighting me or Destruction though I wonder.

Both, because both of you are bloody bitches.

Zero Dream

Honestly, there was a part of "do not CARE" which was the source of alot of Adrian's ignorance. He was pretty much resigned, by now. He wouldn't live to see most of it, so it didn't matter. He wanted little more but to spend what he had left with people that mattered to him.

"Hopefully you'll find out more about this. Sorry for not really being helpful..."

Cinderfae

"You've been help enough already," Cinder smiled, she could tell he was sad and she understood it. Living like this and knowing your time was short was never easy. "Plus your cute couldn't of asked for a better late rainy night companion. Myself, I just think before I go I should do a bit of something...sort of like paying for the past."

Sentimental again, sure you aren't drunk.

Shut it you, might just be able to at least find out what is being done so you have a world once your yourself again.

Zero Dream

"Why thank you." The redhead said with a smirk, and they were finally at the steps of the pantheon. The way back had seemed much quicker than the way out, probably due to having an interesting companion.

"Well... I should probably get going." The redhead honestly had quite a few things to mull over, thanks to the revelations of that night. "If you need me, just go to the second story and look for the door with crows on it - if im not there, well, someone else might, or just stick a note under or something."

Cinderfae

"I'll keep that in mind," Cinder smiled, he was interesting to get to know at least. "Myself...I think I've been hiding from this place. Seems the time for hiding is over." With a grin Cinder winked and moved up the steps to open the door, might as well see who is about.

"If you need me, I'll likely be around the house out there by the lake. If I do end up relocating....I'll let you know."

 

[A Wandering Esper]

The Crows

The more time passed, the more god and host seemed to grow restless, for reasons that seemed completely different, yet converged to one single point : Both felt trapped, unable to do what seemed the most important. This had led Adrian to wander again, to clear his mind once more... or at least attempt to.

And wander he did - without a plan or purpose, until he finally decided to perch himself on the roof of an abandoned building to rest and overlook the city, which seemed to break down further and further every day.

Ankou.... How long ?

I do not know.

Another exchange that could have been interpreted in many ways, yet no matter what the redhead might have meant by the question, the answer would have remained the same. There was simply no way to tell.

At this point the wait seemed worse than the inevitable. It could happen anytime, anywhere, and there was simply no way to tell. But then, if he had gotten an answer, had gotten hours, days, or week tacked on what remained of his lifespan, would that not unsettle him further ? Probably. Maybe it was one of those things that no matter the outcome, he could never truly "win" - aka get an answer which would have settled down his nerves.

As always, it didn't take too long for the crows to find him. No matter where he went, they always seemed to find him nonetheless - drawn to their yet unborn master like moths to a flame. And each time, they had found nothing - nothing concrete enough, anyway. Ankou had taught him how to recognize males from females - how to handle them without the birds getting scared. It had gotten to a point where he could freely touch them, stroke those black feathers without them reacting in a negative way. Heck, he dared say they liked it, and if one got the treatment for too long, the others grew jealous of the attention.

At first he had disregarded it as an odd thing, but the god constantly affirmed that the black feathered beasts were much more intelligent than most people, mortals or god, thought them to be. The pyromancer was starting to believe that.

Knowing full well this would happen, he had, as he mostly did when he wandered out, worn a black leather trenchcoat Jinx had found for him - beside being very stylish and comfortable, provided at least some protection from those small clawed feet when they decided to come close enough - they always did. They perched themselves nearby, waited until the young man was ready - when Adrian finally lifted his arm, they came. The offered arm was always the first spot to be taken - the shoulder opposite to that arm seemed to be another prized perch for the birds. Those who found no space landed on the roof, or stayed in the nearby trees, who had long since died and lost all sign of greenery.

As much as they reminded him of the inevitable, Adrian had grown to like the crows. They had freaked him out at first, but by now, after being followed constantly by them, he had grown a like to them - they never asked dumb questions (or at least if they did, he could not understand them). Their beady eyes had a look of longing in them, but nowhere as sharp and obvious as those Jinx often sent his way.

The bird on his shoulder started cawing about something or other - Adrian didn't really pay attention, instead running a finger down the back of the small female that had perched herself on his arm today. Ankou was listening and it was what really mattered. However, when the god seemed to focus more attention that usual on the chatty bird, it made the redhead perk in turn. He could very clearly feel the god consciousness shift and perk within his own.

"...Ankou ?"

....Finally. Finally... It wasn't much, it really was not much. Names, species, a location of meeting which unfortunately was not the location he was truly looking for. But it was something. Concrete information they could actually use. Honestly, he should have guessed - now that he had more pieces in front of him, the puzzle snapped in place almost completely. Demons were always seeking power - and what better than the power of a god ?

The one true question remaining was just how they had managed to take him....

Ill explain later. We must find the lady as soon as possible !