|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:06 pm
Pipermints Anua's tushie was nestled in the plush grassy area of the Anima Gardens. It was another one of those boring days with nothing to do so she came to hang around the gardens. Since it was so close by she was now trusted enough to come here by herself.
Perched on her petite finger was a puny ladybug, which had not yet developed any spots. She seemed to be closely observing it. Asahi Kumoru Revenge, on the other hand, was still accompanied by Kumoru. He did not cling to the mage's hand, for once, but managed to follow behind him well enough anyway. Being around the mage, he had begun to develop a certain feel for him, and could at least locate Kumoru within his own house when he needed to. And since that woman had left...."Isn't it nice and quiet without Ren around now, little one?" Kumoru asked as he glanced over his shoulder at the Anima. Revenge really needed a name. He seemed to be more and more agitated with being called "little one" and other such things. Not that they had ever fit in the first place, for the blind red child with the sword.The Anima looked up as he sensed something familiar. Not the magic woman who had insisted upon staying in Kumoru's home, yet still someone he was certain he had met before. At the moment, though, he did not have the feel for her to locate her without sight. Revenge scampered into the garden a few paces, then stopped and listened. Perhaps she would make a sound? Pipermints Anua didn't seem to notice Kumoru or Revenge come in or hear him speak. She seemed to be too absorbed in watching the ladybug; wondering why it had no spots. She had found an insect book that interested her in the library a few days ago and looked through it so much that she had almost memorized all the pictures in the book.
"Poor little buggy... You'll grow your spots someday and fit in with all the others...", she murmured to the ladybug. She lifted her finger to her head to let it crawl into the jungle of her hairs. It seemed that was also a grasshopper in there, rollie-polies, a praying mantis, and several other hidden insects she had collected crawling around in her hair. Quite a few butterflies also lie perched in her hair, which strangely did not flutter away, but rather seemed attracted to it. Her small white hands parted the grass carefully, which made a tiny discreet rustling noise as she did so, and leaned over to look for more bugs to colllect. Asahi Kumoru A rustle in the grass-! Revenge immediately turned to face the sound, hand poised over the hilt of his little sword. He had heard her voice, too, though, and found it quite familiar. Forcing himself to relax and move his hand away from his blade, he stepped cautiously closer.
A faint memory of something sweet, and he remembered who it was. "Ah... Ah-noo-ah?" he said quietly.Kumoru followed Revenge at a bit of a distance; he wanted to give the boy his space, and he was comforted in the knowledge that the Anima could seem to locate him again with relative ease in spite of his blindness. Still, the mage wanted to be close in case Revenge got nervous. The little red child still felt like quite the loose cannon with that sword. Pipermints By now Anua was so stooped over looking for bugs that she nearly had her nose in the grass. She quickly sat up as she thought she heard her name being called with an "Eep!" She looked around until her searching eyes found the familiar red-colored figure of Revenge.
Once she spotted him she was about to give him a wave over- when she remembered that he could not see her waving. She had to get used to the fact that the anima could not see. "Ah.. er. Anima... friend!", she called him over cheerfully. She wasn't sure what to call him, since he hadn't a name yet. She was glad to see someone she knew, since she hadn't seen anyone she knew around the gardens lately. Asahi Kumoru Ah, there. Hearing her voice clearly, Revenge could pinpoint Anua fairly easily. Or at least walk in the right direction. He approached her, and stopped to sit in the grass a yard or two off. A faint half a smile graced his lips for the moment, pleased at being called "friend".
"Friend Anua," he replied, folding his wings neatly against his back. Revenge was still clearly an Anima of few words, but he wanted to at least make the attempt. Pipermints "You're speaking better!", she exclaimed, "Maybe I can teach you more words later. You'll be speaking like a pro soon." All of a sudden, her eyes darted over to his toes. "Aha! Another buggy." She pointed at the grass, which had a tiny bright green and blue caterpiller slowly edging towards his toes. She gently clutched it between two fingers and set it on her palm. "I think this one's called a cat-ter-pill-der. It's all fuzzy and squishy too. Wanna touch?" She set the caterpiller on his arm. "Ca-ter-pill-der!", she repeated. Asahi Kumoru Closer, then farther away, then closer, then- Goodness, what /was/ that thing on his arm!? Revenge's hair prickled like an agitated Miyazaki character's would, and he held his arm out to try to put a little more distance between the whatever-it-was and his face.
After a moment, though, reassured by Anua's apparent calm, he ventured to take his other hand off of the hilt of his sword, and cautiously stroked the thing on his arm. It was soft... fuzzy and a little squishy, just like she had told him. "Cat-ter-pill-der," the Anima repeated, gently poking the thing all over to get an idea of how it was shaped, and how big it was. Pipermints "Feels funny huh?" She gently pinched the caterpiller between two fingers and lifted it up into her hair along with all the other insects. "I'm making a zoo of buggies in my hair.
A few moments later another butterfly, a white colored one, fluttered onto her hand. "Boy. These buggies really like me. I wonder if I smell like food to them. This one's pretty. Sort of looks like feathers! In fact, I think I used to look like one of these, except with black! My mumma showed me a pitcher but I'm not sure how I got from a tiny tiny butterfly to a big person. Maybe I came from a big cocoon!" Anua continued to ramble on... until she finally stopped and the fact that he may not understand what she was saying came into her mind.
She frowned. "Too bad you don't know that many words. I bet when you do though we'll get to talk lots." Out of boredom she began to pick flowers around her and braid them into a ring meant to wear around the head. Asahi Kumoru The red-skinned boy nodded slowly, listening to Anua's voice, but only understanding a few words here and there. Still, hearing speech helped him learn somewhat. He wondered what she was talking about, though, and how she seemed to know so well what her 'buggies' looked like.
"What is a pitcher?" he asked slowly after a few moments, glancing briefly down at the spot on his arm where the furry caterpillar had been before. Pipermints Anua while continued to weave flowers into a ring she lifted her hand to scratch her head. "A pitcher?" She wasn't sure how to show him or explain what a picture was. She was glad though that he could understand parts of what she was saying. He was improving at least! "Humm... We've got lots of pitchers at home! I can show you some of them." She turned her head towards Aashi. "Is it okay if he can come over? I've got lots of cool stuff I can show him!" Asahi Kumoru The mage crossed his arms, considering for a moment. "Alright, but only if I can go with him. I want to make sure he can get home alright."Revenge glanced up at Kumoru's voice, nodding a little. He felt safer knowing that his guardian would be coming, too, since he was not too terribly fond of new places. "Visit... Anua's house," he murmured with a nod and the faintest of smiles."We probably shouldn't stay too long, though, I'm afraid," Kumoru added. "I don't think I should leave Serif with Ren any longer than is necessary. She might turn my own daughter against me...." He sighed a little and combed his fingers through his hair, which had managed to grow somewhat so that it now reached just past his shoulders. Then he leaned down to lightly touch Revenge's shoulder.The Anima took Kumoru's hand as he felt it on his shoulder, and stood. Pipermints "Ok! It's not too far away so don't worry." She quickly but carefully picked all the insects out of her hair and set them back in their habitats. As she stood she held the ring of flowers, which was almost done now. She set off towards her home with them on a small dirt path surrounded by lovely shady trees. She twiddled with the flowers and tied one last knot on it before she exclaimed, "Finished!". She held it up to appreciate her accomplishment for a moment. "It's a pretty hat for you. You can wear it on your head.", she said as she handed the ring of flowers to Revenge. Asahi Kumoru Revenge followed Anua's sound carefully, holding onto Kumoru's hand as he did so so he would not lose his guardian and thus his way home. So long as he could follow, he was alright....
He frowned a bit with curiousity and surprise as the small, soft, cool flower petals touched his fingertips. "What is it?" he asked, slowing a bit as he took the crown in his free hand. It felt delicate to the touch, so Revenge tried to be careful not to crush it. Pipermints As Anua continued on the path, she responded "It's a flower crown! You put it on your head." She took the carefully took the flowers from his hands and set it on his head to show him what she meant. As she passed by she plucked a yellow dandelion from the ground and set it in his hand. "Flower. I put a bunch of these to make your crown. They're really pretty! White ones are my favorite." She reached up into her hair and picked out the lily that sat in it.
It wasn't long until the trees began to disappear and they found an opening with a small house sitting in the middle of it. "Here it is!", Anua exclaimed. She walked up a short cobble pavement leading up to the house and stepped into an already opened door. "We don't lock our house since no one really comes around here." Asahi Kumoru "Flower," Revenge repeated, taking the dandelion from his hair to feel it over and try to form an idea of how it was made. Skinny stem, a few small leaves, then a fuzzy flower part. The concepts of 'pretty' or 'white' were still completely over his head, though, but he did not bother inquiring about them.
The anima raised his head again as Anua announced their arrival at her house, setting the flower back on his hair. He shied back against Kumoru's robes a bit; his hand, now free of the flower, strayed to the hilt of his small katana, more for the sense of security it provided him than to actually use it.Kumoru glanced down at the boy and rested his other hand on the Anima's shoulder. "It's okay. Let's keep going." Pipermints Anua, noticing Revenge's movements, said reassuringly with a smile, "Don't worry! There's nothing in the house that will bite." Anua stepped into the living room, where she found Piper sitting on the couch reading a food magazine. She had sort of a just-woken-up looking and had a mess of a hair. "Mumma! I brought Koo-moo-roo and my anima-friend over."
Piper sat up with a yelp and quickly smoothened out her hair. "Anuaa! You should warn me next time you bring people over." She turned towards Kumoru and Revenge. "Sorry. I stayed up last night to finish a book so I slept in. You're free to sit if you want. It's nice to see you both again." Asahi Kumoru After having carefully guided Revenge up the steps and through the house after Anua, Kumoru smiled and bowed to Piper. "Thank you. I'm afraid we cannot stay long, though."
The mage led the Anima over to a chair, and sat down on it, then placed his hands on the boy's waist to lift him into his lap. "Want to sit with me?"Revenge's response to this was to collapse to the ground like one of the little dancing dolls when you push the button on the bottom. He quickly placed one hand against the leg of Kumoru's chair, though, for some physical point of reference, but remained sitting on the floor.
He thought he recognized the other voice within the house. Anua's friend? Guardian? "Hello," he murmured, directing the greeting in Piper's direction. Pipermints Anua took her place sitting down next to Revenge. "That's too bad. You look bigger than the last time I saw you! I hope you remember me. It's been a while since we've been at your house.", Piper said towards Revenge. "Have you chosen a name for him yet Kumoru?"
"Ooh!", Anua exclaimed, "How about we call him Tomato or Ketchup? He reminds me of it. I think those are pretty names." Asahi Kumoru Revenge shied back ever so slightly as Anua came closer. "Bigger?" he asked. He could remember Piper better now, at least... Anua sounded close enough to touch now, though. Cautiously, he reached out one hand towards the other Anima.Kumoru shook his head. "No, I haven't found anything yet that really seems to suit him," the mage said, then chuckled a bit at Anua's suggestions. "I suppose he does a little, but he seems more magical than tomatoes or ketchup, doesn't he?" Pipermints "Hrmmmm. I guess so. But I'll call him Ketchup for now." Anua clasped her hand in Revenge's hand and slightly tugged at him, not noticing he was already reaching towards her. "Hey! You wanna come see my room? I can show you pitchers I drew and my old lantern." Asahi Kumoru "Er, alright." ^^; Kumoru made mental note to work more at finding an appropriate name for the little Anima.Revenge climbed to his feet as Anua took his hand. "Alright. Lead," he told her, standing a bit stiffly. No one but Kumoru had ever lead him anywhere before. Pipermints Anua led Revenge to her room, which was connected to the living room. She was rather excited because she hadn't had anyone over at their house before. After entering she went towards the small table in her room and picked up one of the many papers that was scattered on it. She handed it to Revenge. "This is a picture! I made it myself." Anua knew he couldn't see it, but maybe he could feel the waxy texture of the crayon marks drawn on it or the sparkles. On it she had drawn a rather colorful picture of a great big butterfly, glued 2 long pieces of grass on as antennaes, and 2 black buttons as eyes. "It's a butterfly. Like what we used to be." Asahi Kumoru "Picture," Revenge repeated solemnly as he took the sheet of paper. He brushed his fingertips over it lightly, intrigued in particular by the smooth buttons. The blind Anima could not really feel the wax crayon marks, though, since he really was not 'looking' for them.
"Butterfly, too?" he added, returning his attention to where Anua stood. "Like... us?" Features showing some confusion, Revenge ran his fingertips over the paper again, on both sides. Pipermints "Uh huh. Like Anua and Ketchup.", giving a prod at him as she said so. Since he still seemed to be confused she went to take down the lantern that hung on a hook at her window and set it in his hands. Maybe he didn't know what a butterfly was. "Lantern! This one's mine. You showed me yours before. Remember I taught you the word lantern?" Asahi Kumoru The shape of the lantern was familiar to Revenge's hands. He smiled faintly, setting the picture aside before examining Anua's lantern. It was just like his. So Anua then must be the same as him, by his logic. Revenge, feeling reassured, no longer minded not knowing what exactly a butterfly was.
"I remember lantern ," he told her. "And sweets. Kumoru said to say thank you for sweets." Pipermints "That's good! Too bad your lantern sorta broked. And you're welcome. Too bad you have to go soon. Next time when you can stay longer we can make some together! It's lots of fun. Mumma taught me how to bake. In fact she teaches me lots of stuff. I mostly learned stuff from the TV though!" Anua moved towards the TV that sat in front of her bed and turned it on. She took the remote control and handed it to Revenge. "Just press around to change the channel." Asahi Kumoru "Broked," he repeated as she mentioned his own lantern. "What does that mean?" Revenge pondered it, stroking the hood of Anua's lantern gently for a moment before setting it aside quickly. Something else had just started to make noise in the room. Revenge's hand strayed to his sword as he edged away a bit, but took the remote when the other Anima handed it to him.
"Channel...?" The red-skinned boy tried pushing a button as he had been instructed, and was surprised to hear the sounds change. Pipermints Anua thought of how to explain what "broked" meant for a while. "I was talking about the big scratch on your lantern." She took a paper nearby and make a big rip in it and handed it to him. "Broked! Like this. The paper broked." Maybe he would get a vague idea of what it meant.
"You're funny Ketchup. You've got to have used a TV before! There's lots of talking on it. That's how I learned how to talk." She reached over and pressed the buttons until it flipped to a certain channel. "This one's the best. I learned a lot from this channel." She had apparently switched to a children's learning network and it was currently showing puppets playing a song. They were teaching what sort of instruments they were playing. A tinkling noise could be heard from the TV. "This is a BELL. Can you say bell?", said a tiny blue mouse puppet. Asahi Kumoru Revenge set the torn sheet of paper in his lap, no longer really paying much attention to the television. "Broked," he repeated again, running his finger along one of the ragged edges of paper. "Did my lantern make noise when it broked like... like paper? And... Who broked it?"
The Anima seemed to snap out of it as he heard the bell ringing, though. "What is bell?" he asked, reaching out with one hand towards the source of the sound. Pipermints Anua's eyes set on the ripped paper and she frowned. "I don't know who broked it. I'm sure it was just an accident. Maybe no one broked it.", she said as she mildly tried to regain her usual smile.
"The bell in the TV silly! You can't touch it or anything. The TV shows pictures, remember? It's like a bunch of moving pictures that have sound. I think the TV is just confusing you even more. Maybe I'll show you it later." She reached over to flip the television off.
Suddenly she said, "Hey! You've got to meet a friend of mine. He's one of my best friends." She leaned over her bed and grabbed a worn looking plushie that appeared to be a lamb. A few of its curls seemed to be falling out and it had a few stitches where rips were mended but it was overall in a decent condition. She set the lamb plushie in his hands. "His name's Eppie. EH - PEE! He's a little shy but I'm sure he'll like you." Asahi Kumoru Revenge just nodded slowly at Anua's explanation of television. Pictures could make noise? And how do pictures move? He decided to just drop that for now, and try to puzzle it out later. Maybe Kumoru would know.
"Eppie?" The Anima took the stuffed lamb in both hands, and stroked its worn fur. "Hello, Eppie," he said cautiously, finding it strange that Anua's friend was so much smaller than himself. Pipermints "Eppie says 'Hi' back. He's a different sort of friend. No one can really hear him except me. He can't move either and he's really small and squishy. He can't see just like you! But we understand each other fine. Mumma gave him to me when I was borned from the lantern so I would have a friend. He always made me feel better because I used to be scared and so confused about the big new world outside. But I don't really need him anymore because I'm not so confused about everything now." Anua paused to think for a moment before saying, "Hey! How about you keep him? I'm sure you don't need him but you could have him as a present from me." Asahi Kumoru Revenge flopped the little lamb plush a little in his hands, smiling faintly. "Will he talk to me, too?" the Anima asked. "And if I keep him, he stays all the time, right? He doesn't have to leave sometimes?" Pipermints Anua nodded. "If you want him to talk to you he will. And he'll never leave. Just don't lose him!" She was glad he could understand her a lot more now. She was proud to know he could speak in sentences rather than only in a few words. "Has Koo-moo-roo been teaching you how to talk?" Asahi Kumoru "Thank you for friend," Revenge told her, setting the lamb in his lap. He would have to remember to ask Eppie some questions when he went home.
"Kumoru teaching... small?" he offered in reply to Anua's question. "He talks and I listen. I pick up words." Pipermints "That's good! I learned by mumma reading to me. She showed me how to do lots of stuff. She even taught me how to play music!" She took hold of his hand again. "Come on! I'll show you. I bet you'll like it. It makes pretty noises. You don't even have to see it or anything. You know there was a famous musician called Bay-toe-ven who couldn't see and he was amaazing! All you have to do is listen." With his hand in hers she led the way to another room next door. Asahi Kumoru Nodding slowly, Revenge allowed her to lead him to the other room. "Music like singing? Kumoru talked about singing once. But I not hear singing yet." Pipermints "Not from singing. Music from an instrument. It's called a piano. PEE-AH-NO. You'll see." Inside the room they arrived in there was a large object sitting against the wall with a white cloth covering it. The room appeared to be a sitting room with a tea table and a sofa in it. "This was mumma's old piano. She stopped playing with it but occasionally she'll teach me something." She reached over and pulled down the white drape covering it. She slid down onto the seat, scooting over to allow him space to sit. Asahi Kumoru It took Revenge a moment to find the seat, and make sure he had enough space to sit, but he did so. Then he reached out towards the piano until his hand met the smooth keys. "This is piano, then?" By mistake, he pressed down on one of the keys, causing it to sound. The Anima jumped at the note, taking his hand away as though he had been burned. Pipermints The girl laughed. "Don't be scared of it!" She pressed her own finger down on the key which also made a sound. "See? It's ok." Then she started to play a short simple song, involving only a variety of a few different chords. After it finished she said, "I only know a few songs. It's kinda hard to get used to. Especially when you have small and short fingers like me. Mumma says when I grow up and have longer fingers it'll be easier. It makes pretty sounds though. I want to learn how to be a professional pee-in-ist." Asahi Kumoru "Pee-in-ist plays piano?" Revenge asked, hesitantly reaching out again to press a few more keys. "How do you make music? Let me hear." Pipermints "Yeah. That's what a person that plays piano is called." She set her fingers on the keys again. "You have to press the right buttons in the right order to make music. You can make your own music too. Just try pressing the keys and see what you think sounds pretty. But I usually have to memorize the songs that other people made because they sound nicer. But since you can't read the music notes I'll teach you a song." Taking his hands, she guided his fingers on the keys, showing him each key she pressed for the song by pressing his fingers on the keys. Asahi Kumoru Revenge patiently allowed Anua to guide his hands over the piano keys, smiling a little at the song.
"Does Anua know more songs?" he asked when they had finished the first one. "I like piano." Pipermints Anua was glad he liked the piano. "Only a few more.", she replied, "I'm still learning but it's hard to memorize them all." Letting go of his hands she began to play another song, a slower and more solemn one this time. It was a rather long song because of its slow pace but when she finally finished she said, "I would show you the others but they're a little harder so I can't
play them very well." Asahi Kumoru Revenge nodded slowly, listening to Anua's song. "You learn more, yes?" he asked once she was finished playing, then reached out to press a few keys. Discovering the black keys, too, the Anima idly started playing a chromatic scale. "I might learn piano, too. If Kumoru knows. Or I learn from you." Pipermints "Uh huh. I like the piano a lot too. That would be nice if you learned. I could teach you more one day! And then we can play the piano together." Anua looked around for a moment at the clock. "Maybe we should go back downstairs." Asahi Kumoru Revenge sat back on the bench, looking a bit disappointed that he had to stop playing the piano. "Alright. I will try to learn piano or something before I come back. Play a song for you." He smiled faintly, then stood, resting one hand on his sword as though making sure it was still there.Kumoru glances up at the two Anima when they return to Piper's living room. "Oh, there you are," he said to Revenge, standing and walking over to the red-skinned boy. "I was just telling Anua's mommy that it was probably about time for us to go. Did you two have fun?"Revenge turns his head towards Anua, then back to Kumoru, and just nods. "She plays piano," he states, reaching out with both of his hands to take the mage's hand in his own. Pipermints Anua nodded vigorously also. "I had lots of fun. Ketchup should come more often! Then I can teach him some piano."
Piper smiled and said, "That's good. Anua needs some company over sometimes. She loves having visitors over as you can see." Asahi Kumoru Kumoru nodded. "We'll have to have you and Anua over sometime, too. I'm sure Serif would love to meet Anua, too. But we'd best be going now." He bowed slightly to Piper, then to Anua. "Thank you again for letting us come by," the mage said before leading Revenge out.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 7:06 am
Kumoru A very strange package arrived this morning outside my door. There was no address on it or anything, but somehow it found its way to me. I checked it with a spell, and fortunately discovered that it was not dangerous, and brought it inside. Serif, who was the one to point out the package to me in the first place, was all eyes as I opened it. Revenge also seemed interested, but also rather tense. Inside the box was a little indoor temple, maybe about two and a half feet tall. I felt a lot of energy of some kind from it, and it appeared that Revenge could, too; perhaps this, too, will turn into some sort of creature or being. It seems to be quite the regular occurrance here on Gaia. Speaking of Serif, though, Revenge has been avoiding her as much as he can. I think she really wants to meet him, judging by the noise she makes whenever she sees him, but that always tips him off that she's around, and Revenge promptly goes into hiding. I will have to talk to him sometime about that, and see if he is really scared of her or just does not like the noise. I want to sort of formally introduce the two of them to each other, but I want to be able to feel like it will go well, first. I have been searching name books of all kinds, by the way, and have still not found anything that seems to fit my little Anima.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 7:04 pm
"Bwwwwwwwaaaah!" Serif burbled enthusiastically as she ran around Kumoru's living room. There was a pretty white light running around and she had to catch it and make it hers!
Kumoru glanced up from his note taking as Serif squealed and laughed. When he had learned the little cantrip spell to make a small sphere of light that would float around on its own, he never thought that it would prove so useful in child care.
"Serif, quiet down," he cautioned the girl. "Daddy is busy working." The command would more than likely be lost on her, but it was still worth the try. With a patient smile and a small sigh, the mage pushed his reading glasses up his nose a bit and went back to his work copying a spell from a large old magic book.
Revenge crept warily into the room, tensing at Serif's every expression of exuberence at chasing the magical light. Fortunately, the thing had lead her close to the opposite edge of the living room, and almost into the kitchen. Hearing that she was safely far away, the Anima boy darted over towards Kumoru's sound and presence and nearly ran into the mage's armchair.
"Woah, you alright?" the mage asked, having caught the red blurr out of the corner of his eye and turning just in time to see Revenge skid to a halt beside his chair. He set his pen down in the crease of the spellbook, and reached down with his free hand to touch the Anima's shoulder.
The boy touched his father's hand with his own, then hopped nimbly up onto the armrest of the chair.
"Fine," he told Kumoru, grabbing a fistfull of the mage's robes for a moment to help maintain his balance. Then Revenge sat down on the arm, dangling his legs off the side. "What are you doing?"
The mage helped steady Revenge, and moved over once he sat down to allow room for his wings and tail. "I'm trying to learn some magic from this book," he told the boy.
Revenge nodded slowly. He did not understand quite how or why, but he knew books had stories in them, and he enjoyed stories. The Anima had felt his bedtime story books all over, and had not found anything that seemed like a story to him. Perhaps books were like Anua's picture, and there was some special trick to getting whatever was there; Revenge hoped he could learn it soon.
"Is it a story?" he inquired after a moment. It was not bedtime, but perhaps the story would be interesting anyway. "Can you read it to me?"
Frowning a little, Kumoru glanced down at his current page, quickly scanning the lines of text. "I shouldn't," he told the Anima. "This book is written in magic words, which might make spells if I say them."
"Why?" the boy asked. "How do words make spells?"
"It would be hard to tell you how, but magic has a special language made from words from all over the world, and all of them have special power." Kumoru hoped that was a satisfactory response, since the long version of it he had studied in his classes at the Tower of Wings would almost certainly be too much for the young Anima.
The Anima nodded again, then asked after a moment, "What do magical words sound like?"
He jumped a bit and tensed as Serif squealed in the other room, and went running across the living room again in pursuit of Kumoru's magic light.
Kumoru glanced at Serif and laughed, then back over the writing before him. "Well, they sound a lot like our words. But they have power in them, like I said. Sometimes when you say the right word, even if it doesn't make a spell, you can still feel something from it."
"Would I feel them, too, or would I need to be a wizard like you?"
"I really don't know. It's up to the person and the words, I guess." The mage's brilliant blue eyes were drawn to one particular word on the page, and he decided to speak it aloud; a single word would not form a spell. "Arlyn. That's one of the magic words."
"Arlyn," Revenge repeated softly. As soon as the word had left his lips, he felt a shiver through his whole body. It was not quite unpleasant, like a cold shiver, but it was still somehow odd-feeling.
Kumoru glanced over at the Anima as he felt the boy shiver. "Arlyn," he said again, then added, "It means 'oath', like a promise you make to someone. It's Celtic, I believe." Had Revenge felt the power of it?
"I know..." the boy murmured absently, then turned towards his father. "Can it be... my name?"
The mage did not respond right away. He was excited and intrigued that he himself had been drawn to a word of magic that seemed to resonate with his Anima. Did the boy have potential to learn magic? It was entirely possible, Kumoru figured, since the child was clearly magical to begin with, but he had been uncertain about whether or not Revenge's magic resembled his own at all. Perhaps it really was the same.
But count on magic to accomplish something that had seemed simple but proved to be harder. After all his searching for the perfect name for the Anima, they had finally found one without even really setting out to do so. Surely this was a sign that it would suit the boy well.
"I think it would make an excellent name," Kumoru told him with a smile. "You are Arlyn, from now on."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:52 am
The new thing in the house had showed up a week or so ago. Arlyn had not really been able to visit it too often, since the Noisy One had taken such great interest in it, but when she was asleep, that was a good time to go to the temple.
Arlyn kept his sheathed sword in his left hand as he groped ahead to try to find the temple. He had memorized most of Kumoru's house, but the temple was new and he had not yet had the time to commit to memory its exact location. The Anima found it after a moment, though, and ran his fingers cautiously over the smooth wooden surface.
The temple had something in it. It was trying to get out. Arlyn could feel it. It was not quite a voice, even within his mind, but it was a feeling of being trapped. The red-skinned boy understood that well enough, of course, he had been trapped once like that, too.
He sat cross-legged in front of the thing, laying his sword across his lap and folding his wings against his back. The thing inside the temple seemed to know he was there. It gave Arlyn kind of an antsy feeling, like someone was watching him, or gently tapping his shoulder from behind. Did it think he could let it out?
Arlyn prodded the wood pannels with his sheathed blade. "You trapped?" he asked it, not really expecting a resonse. "It's hard. Out here is much better. Maybe you get out soon."
It really did seem like the thing was asking for his help.
The Anima twitched his tufted tail once, considering. Maybe he could carve his way into the thing with his sword and the thing inside could get out that way.
But wait. He had never met this thing before. Arlyn had been trapped once, and how had he gotten out? A butterfly came, and he jumped out of the lantern into that, and made himself this body. He had not had any help.
So why should this thing ask for his help? What right did it have? Arlyn felt anger rising in his heart. This thing had offered him no assistance when he was imprisioned. So he had no obligation at all towards it.
He stood up and turned away, lashing his tail behind him. "No," he told the temple. "Find your own way out." And with that, the Anima left. The Noisy One could have the stupid temple to herself. Arlyn wanted nothing more to do with it.
(( Crossposted from Mekhare's diary ))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 8:52 am
Asahi Kumoru Arlyn clung fretfully to Kumoru's hand as he followed his father through the mall. There was so much noise around him, and every now and then someone would brush past, and on top of that, Kumoru had fixed his sword up with cord so he could carry it across his back. It was nice having his hands free, but the red-skinned boy dearly would have loved to have had the weapon close at hand for comfort."Come on, we're almost done," Kumoru reassured Revenge. "I just need to get one more thing, and then I'll go and buy you and Serif some toys." Lucifer Force Nephilim yawned in her mother's arms, while Luciel leaned over to peer in a store's window. Jewels of every kind sparkled and winked at her. She shoot her head. Too expensive by far. She shifted her daughter in her arms before her eyes wandered to another store. Clothing, this time. The house occupants always needed clothing. Nephilim followed her mother's attention to the store, but something red distracted her, and it wasn't a fake Santa this time. She gurgled and twisted, causing Lu to look in Nephi's general flailing direction. Odd. What strange manner of creature was that boy? Curious, she wandered closer, hoping to not appear rude. Asahi Kumoru There was that feeling again. Someone's attention was on him again. Arlyn was gradually forcing himself to get used to it, since so many people around him on this trip seemed to want to notice him. He slowed down a little, turning his head about to try to see if he could pinpoint the person. He could not do so by sight, but had gotten good at hearing people; unfortunately, this 'mall' place was filled with so much background noise. Maybe if he stopped walking and concentrated...."Hm, what's wrong?" Kumoru asked, turning around as he felt Arlyn stop behind him. The mage glanced around at the bustling Christmas crowds, his blue gaze falling on a lady carrying a baby after a moment. He smiled to her and bowed slightly, then peered back down at the Anima boy. Lucifer Force Nephi suddenly voiced her enthusiasm. "Gah!!" she flailed and pointed, causing Lu to sigh. Such was a baby, she supposed. Walking forward to the strange man in a dress, she smiled. Shifting Nephilim again from her newest position, Lu apologized for her daughter's behavior. Among the chaos of the Christmas crowds, the time to be rude was nil. Shaking her head, she could not get her daughter's attention off the strange, blindfolded red child. Lu smiled. "I guess Nephi really likes your... son? Whoever he is, he's a cutie. I hope you don't mind me stopping you during your shopping..." Asahi Kumoru Kumoru shook his head and brushed a few strands of hair back behind his ear; his hair was recovering from the cruel cutting, but it was still not even close to the length it had been before. "It's alright. He probably needs a bit of a rest anyway." He reached down to touch Arlyn's shoulder gently, and asked, "Do you want to say hello?""Hello," Revenge replied flatly, his head snapping up to face Luciel and Nephilim. The tuft on the end of his tail fuzzed out a bit, but he did not outwardly appear too agitated otherwise."Poor guy is a bit edgy with all the crowds here, and I don't blame him." Kumoru sighed and laughed a bit, glancing around at all the people bustling about. "Don't they know they still have over three weeks still to shop?" Lucifer Force Lu smiled and knelt down to give Nephilim a closer look at the small boy. In true Mancubus fashion, she gave Arlyn a good sniffing before deciding she liked him. Giggling, she clapped and smiled. He must've smelled good, because she hardly ever liked anyone on first sight. Lu stood again, smiling. He was so polite, as was his father! But something about the man confused Lu. Walking over to stand next to him, she blurted out, "Why are you wearing a dress?" Realizing her rudeness, her face flushed crimson. "I'm so sorry!" Asahi Kumoru The mage's eyebrow twitched once, almost imperceptibly, but his small smile never faltered. He brushed his free hand over the deep navy fabric of his robes and patiently told the lady, "It is not a dress. They are robes. Typical garb for a wizard, and quite comfortable, too." He had been asked stranger things before, really.Hearing the baby's laugh, Arlyn slowly and cautiously reached one red hand in the direction from which he had heard the sound come. Lucifer Force Lu decided a bench would be best, especially if Arlyn wanted to see Nephilim up close. "Would you mind if we sat down? We can avoid the crowds that way." She wandered over to one of the open benches, setting down the one bag she carried with her. Nephi constantly flailed at Arlyn, thinking he was the most interesting thing she'd ever seen. "Wizard? I'm sorry. I've never meet a wizard before. What sort of magic do you use?" Asahi Kumoru Nodding in agreement, Kumoru followed her and led Arlyn along with him. When they reached the bench, Kumoru took a seat, and guided the Anima's scarlet hands to the edge of the seat. "Here, we can sit for a bit while we talk to this nice lady, and you can meet her little one."Arlyn nodded, feeling the edge of the bench a little before climbing onto it. It was a bit of an odd fit, between the sword and the wings, but the Anima managed to get onto the seat without poking his father's eyes out. "Who is little one?" he asked, wondering if the name represented the little giggle sound he had heard."I use air magic mostly," the mage replied. "I dabble in a few other areas, too, though." He did not plan on mentioning anything of his primary interest in necromancy, since so many found that quite an undesirable attribute. Lucifer Force Lu's ears perked. "Air magic? That sounds wonderful! And useful, I'm sure. Wizards and mages like you make me wish our kind were able to use magic. It's very difficult for us. I've only known one who's been able to produce anything magically." She smiled, in awe. Lu wondered if her unique...gift... would be considered magic or not by people of such high stature. She wasn't about to ask, though; not in such a big crowd. Nephi wiggled her tiny arms towards Arlyn, fascinated by him. Lu scooted her forward, allowing her a better look at Arlyn. Lu explained. "If she tries to bite you, let me know. She's apt to chew on most anything now. I think she's getting her teeth." Unconsciously, she grinned, momentarily flashing a bit of her sharp teeth. She didn't mean to, though. The last thing she wanted was to scare a new acquaintence. (( ** unfinished ** ))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:24 am
revenge to reciprocity, and the meaning of christmas: 1 "... Get any model for up to fifty percent off, now, during the holiday season! But don't wait! Christmas only comes once a year! ..." Arlyn sat facing the radio, wondering when it would stop yelling at him and play more music. He liked the music, but the 'commercials', as they were called, after nearly every song were really irritating. With a frown, he drew his sword and held it towards the radio, poking it once or twice."... Do you have a gift for your sweetheart yet? You may want to consider getting her that diamond bracelet she's always had her eyes on because now, for one week only ..."There was a way to change the music, but Arlyn was not sure how Kumoru had done it. With a sigh, he got up and sheathed his katana again, and went to find his father. He wanted /music/, not people talking about some holiday thing or that Christmas stuff.
Come to think of it, he still did not understand what that Christmas was all about. There had been nothing but talk of that when Kumoru had dragged him to that crowded place to 'shop' a few days before.
When he managed to locate his father, Arlyn decided to ask about the Christmas first."Christmas?" Kumoru closed his book and set it on the table, then reached down to take Arlyn's hand. "It's a holiday. It marks the birth of an important person named Jesus. Some people consider him divine and some people don't, but almost everyone goes out and buys gifts for each other. See, it's special because everyone gives presents to their friends and family." The mage hoped the Anima would not inquire further about the religious significance, because he himself did not subscribe to it and was not sure how well he could explain.The red-skinned boy was silent for a few moments, running his fingertips over the wrappings around the hilt of his sword as he considered this. Then, speaking slowly, he asked, "Why do you give things to people? Why should you do that if they don't do anything for you? You do get something back for it, right?""Well, that's the point of Christmas," the mage replied, getting a vague sense of why they were having this conversation. The boy was Revenge, after all. "The giving is more important than the receiving. You give a present to someone else without expecting anything in return, and it makes them happy, and that makes you happy, too.""I don't understand," Arlyn told him flatly. "They would be happy because I gave them something and they didn't have to give me anything. That isn't fair.""But they want to give you things, too.""Because I gave them something first.""Because it's Christmas.""... Are you going to give me something?"Kumoru nodded. "Of course. I bought it for you when we went shopping."Arlyn crossed his arms. "Because you want me to give you something back.""Because it's Christmas."The Anima frowned, turning his head away. "... I still don't understand. And I'm not giving you anything until you give me something like you said you would.""Christmas isn't for another week or so," Kumoru told him. "That's the day everyone exchanges gifts.""So I have to get presents before Christmas, and give them out on Christmas, and just trust that everyone got me a present?" Arlyn's tail lashed behind him. "Too much trust. I don't like it. Give me my present now, and I'll get you something for Christmas."The mage found it hard not to be frustrated with the boy. "You don't have to get me anything, you know."Arlyn turned back to him at that. "... But... you already said you got me something."Kumoru laughed a bit and ruffled his white hair. "So you do trust me when I say I got you something.""You didn't give it to me yet." Turning away, the Anima sighed. He was silent for a few moments, then murmured. "I'll think about it. But you don't get your gift until you give me mine."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:06 am
revenge to reciprocity, and the meaning of christmas: 2 Arlyn retreated to his room and flopped down on his bed. Such a dilemma. Should he go ahead and get a present for his father, and just trust that the other had done as he said? The Anima certainly did not want to ruin the holiday for Kumoru, but he was still not totally sure about just /giving/ him a gift.
The boy rolled over carefully to avoid squashing his wings, and suddenly felt the fuzzy, if worn, form of Eppie under his shoulder. Sitting up, Arlyn picked up the plush. Oh yeah, he still had not repaid Anua for giving him her friend. Eppie was very soft and cuddly and nice to sleep with. A wonderful gift.
Arlyn realized he was then required to get Anua a gift. She had been so nice to give him Eppie when he had done nothing for her... what could he possibly get her to repay her for that?
Well, Kumoru had said Christmas was not for another week or so. The Anima had time to think it over.
The radio, when it was not playing music, had often mentioned something called a 'Christmas List'. Based on his recently-acquired knowledge of the holiday, Alryn deduced that this must be a list of people for whom to buy gifts. Maybe it included what to get for them, too. He did not know how to write yet, though, so he figured he could just keep his Christmas List in his mind.
Arlyn stored mentally: Anua. Gift: currently unknown.
And then he decided that perhaps a nap with Eppie would help him think of something.
Something occurred to him, though. What if Anua got him something for Christmas, too? Then he would have to get her something for Eppie /and/ something for her Christmas present. Should he then get her two things, just in case, to be sure they would be exactly even? Arlyn mentally added another space in his Christmas List for Anua's second present.
Christmas was so complicated!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:23 pm
revenge to reciprocity, and the meaning of christmas: 3 Asahi Kumoru Arlyn had come to the gardens with Kumoru often enough that he felt he had memorized the way. Coming alone was still frightening, though, with things like people and cars milling about that could not be memorized. Fortunately, no one tried to touch him.
He recognized the Anima Gardens when he reached them, by sound or smell or some other hidden sense. Revenge felt much safer once he arrived, though he was not sure why he had come. Just to get away from home, he supposed. Maybe he could talk to someone else, and try to sort out this silly Christmas stuff. Ask what he could get for Anua, if nothing else.
The Anima took his time, wandering slowly about the grounds and listening carefully for a sign of someone else. Cerena Cerena hummed happily along to the music playing from the little white box strapped around her waist (the greatest invention ever! Chai had given it to her if she promised to be quieter!) as she swept the cobblestone paths to the house. "I'm faiiiiiling Engliiiiiiiiiiish!" She sang along with one of the popular Evanescence songs (she was cool! She was hip! She was down with it!) "Drowning in wooooords! Lalala~ It's soooo absuuurd, ohhh!" It was unlikely that, given this distraction and the addition of her own naivete, she noticed a young Anima approaching. Asahi Kumoru The Anima froze as he heard someone singing. It sounded like the radio, but much worse. Curious, he crept closer, keeping his hand on the hilt of his sword and lashing his tail behind him.
Arlyn reached the cobblestone path Cerena was sweeping, and stopped, hoping he was a safe enough distance away. Whoever it was really did sound into the music. The Anima tried waving a little towards where he could hear her. Cerena The motion immediately caught her attention and Cerena blinked and looked up, slipping her earphones off and letting them hang around her neck where they continued to blast the rest of the song unaccompanied. "Hey there!" She greeted amicably, noting the blindfold curiously -- but it made sense, after all, 'revenge was blind' and whatnot. (...Or was that wrath? Did it matter?) She quickly swept her gaze across their surroundings, looking for some sort of taller human-shaped thing that was supposed to be taking care of this one, but finding nothing, she finally frowned and turned her attention back to Arlyn. "Have we met? I'm Cerena. Are you here by yourself?" Asahi Kumoru "I'm Arlyn," the boy replied, bowing slightly as Kumoru had instructed him to do whenever he told someone his name. The Anima never completely understood this gesture, or waving for that matter, but his father had told him to do it, so he would.
"Nice to meet Cerena," he said, then addressed her other question: "Yes, I came alone. I needed a walk. Do you live here?" Cerena Cerena nodded at first, before realizing that he wouldn't be able to see this. "Err... Yes, I do. I suppose you could say I'm Chai's partner...?" Cerena trailed off, already regretting the words, and suddenly glad that he wouldn't be able to see her flush beet-red, she amended quickly: "I help Chai, mostly by taking care of the house and the grounds and meeting with the new Anima owners." She finally reached to click the white music-box off and let go of the broom, thoughtlessly letting it hit the ground noisily. "Would you like to come inside? I've got um tea and juice and cookies and stuff!" It felt kinda weird -- this was the first time she'd ever spoken to an Anima without anyone else around, and she couldn't help thinking that she was forgetting some sort of rules for addressing one. Asahi Kumoru Arlyn's expression remained mostly blank as he nodded, and tried to recall if he had met this Chai person. He did not recall it, anyway.
"So you are... Kumoru's friend?" he asked after a moment, venturing to step closer. "I can come inside," Arlyn added, perhaps a bit warily. Anua and her mother had offered him cookies before, too, though, and they proved to be very nice people. And, truth be told, he was a little hungry after having come all this way on his own. Cerena "Um, well..." Had she even met this 'Kumoru'? "...I know of him, and I think he knows of me... So..." It was the truth, even if cast a rather suspicious light over herself. "Well, if you're sure you're okay with it, follow me then!" She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether she was supposed to offer an arm to him or whether that would be construed as insulting. She finally settled for stomping very loudly down the cobblestone path, mumbling something about watching for the stairs, and slid open the front door while awkwardly waiting for him. "So, um." She said then in an effort to make some conversation, "How is... your life? Do you like it?" Asahi Kumoru Arlyn followed, wondering why she was stomping around so much. Was Cerena very heavy? He did take notice of her mention of stairs, though, and used the sheath of his sword like a cane to find the edges of them so he would not trip.
"My... life?" he repeated when Cerena asked. The Anima realized he had not really thought much about it before. "I like living with Kumoru. There is a girl in the house who is very noisy, though. Her name is Serif. I hide from her because she makes lots of noise. But the house is big enough to hide in." Arlyn paused for a moment, wondering if there was anything else to add.
When nothing else came to mind, he ventured to ask, "I worry about this Christmas thing. What is it? Can Cerena tell me more about it?" Cerena Well, it seemed he had grown up well. He wasn't exactly... bloodthirsty... As Cerena might have originally believed, and for that she was truly grateful. This Kumoru person had done a fine job, she would have to send him a fruitcake or something! "Christmas?" She repeated, wondering about the oddly random question. She began to lead him into the house, through a narrow hallway and into a dining room. "Christmas is -- um, there's a low table in the middle of the room you can sit by, and lots of pillows scattered around the floor, take as many as you'd like. Oh, and would you like hot chocolate? Lemonade? Tea? -- a time of year where there's lots of celebrating for... For other people?" She sheepishly scratched the back of her neck. "Generally people give presents to other people to show them that they care... Family members, friends, loved ones, and so on..." A pause. "Christmas is also about Santa Claus, and being as good as one can be so that Santa will bring you lots of presents!" She grinned wildly, launching into her 'I've been so good this year!' tyrade now that she had properly informed him of the 'moral' meaning of Christmas. Asahi Kumoru Wait, Santa Claus? This was definitely something new. "Um...." Arlyn began as Cerena went off talking. "Santa Claus? What is Santa Claus?"
This totally threw a wrench into everything. Why on earth would this Santa Claus be giving Arlyn presents? The Anima was certain he had never met anyone by that name before. So he was a stranger. There was no way Arlyn could have given him anything. And now this stranger would be giving him gifts? What in the world would Arlyn be able to get this Santa Claus in return? He could not just mess up the holiday for this Santa Claus by not giving him something back, though.
Fretting over this new problem and anxoiusly awaiting Cerena's answer, the red-skinned boy managed to find the table, and sat down carefully on one of the cushions nearby. Cerena Cerena, refreshments temporarily forgotten, plopped herself down on a pillow opposite the young Anima. "Well," She began carefully, "Santa Claus is a jolly old man who loves everyone, so of course gives them gifts! But he only gives gifts to those who are good, to encourage good behavior, and won't reward people for bad behavior, so those who were naughty get coal instead of presents. On Christmas Eve, you hang a stocking and a plate of cookies and milk and then he will come down the chimney and fill your stocking with candy and leave gifts under your Christmas tree and eat the cookies and milk!" "Of course," She added quickly, "It helps if you send a list to Santa of the things you want, and that's fairly easy to do. Just write one and then address it to "Santa Claus: North Pole" and drop it into the mailbox. Does that make sense?" Asahi Kumoru Arlyn pondered this in silence for a few moments. "So, Santa Claus gives you something even if you're bad?" he inquired, wanting to be clear about what the requirements for exchange were. It was nice, knowing exactly what he had to give to this Santa Claus, but the Anima did not want to go leaving cookies out if there was a chance he would get nothing in return.
The boy shifted his wings a little and twitched his tail before asking a few more questions. "How do I make a list? And what's a chimney?" (( ** unfinished ** ))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:21 pm
(( ** reserved for conclusion of Christmas story ** ))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:23 pm
brothers: 1 Donat had always been curious about the doorway off of Kumoru's library. All doorways had a room on the other side, but the goat did not think think he had ever seen where this doorway led. It was after lunch, and Kumoru was off by his big desk in the library, looking at books or making marks on them with a feather or something. He did that a lot. It was boring, though, at least after a little while's watching, and there was no more letters practice to look forward to, either. Donat figured now was as good a time as any to test the door. He walked a bit unsteadily on two legs until he was sure he was out of his father's sight before putting his hands on the floorboards, too, and scampering off to reach the mysterious doorway. Donat would have to get onto twos again to reach the door, but that was okay. It was just easier to walk on foor feet. Fortunately, Donat had grown just enough to be able to reach doorknobs now, if he stretched. He could get all four of his fingers around the knob, and while it was a little tough without an extra finger like Kumoru's or Serif's, the goat could manage to turn it. This knob was stiff or something, and it took a little more force than Donat was used to to get it to open. But the door latch clicked quietly after a moment nonetheless, and Donat tottered backwards with his hand on the doorknob to pull it open. Arlyn's head snapped up as the door to his room suddenly opened. Well, it was no bigger than a closet, really, but it was his and it gave him a place to be alone and feel safe when he was sleeping. Like now. The anima crept out from under his blankets, and carefully set the lamb plush from Anua aside before grabbing his sheathed sword. Who would dare intrude upon him?Donat was surprised at how small the room was, but it was all done up like a miniature bedroom. There was a dresser and a small window and a light in the ceiling, and a bed in the middle. His brother Arlyn was in the bed, too! He was always easy for Donat to spot because he was so red and had wings. But this must be where Arlyn went all the time. The goat-boy's brother frequently slipped away for long periods of time and Donat never knew where he was. With a cheerful smile, Donat raised his hand and waved to his brother. Well, whoever it was must not have been Serif. Arlyn would have heard the girl's noise already. And his father always knew to leave him alone here. Starting to draw his sword, the anima hopped lightly down off of his bed and approached the doorway.Oh, Arlyn could not see, could he. Donat felt a little silly waving, and stopped. Arlyn was coming to meet him anyway, so the goat took a seat on the carpet in the doorway. "Hi," he said with a small smile. "Hello," Arlyn replied quietly before he could stop himself. So it was the new person. Quieter than Serif, at least, and not so intent on coming after him. With the exception of this intrusion.
Best to ensure that it never happened again. Arlyn drew his sword.Crossposted from Donat's diary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:24 pm
brothers: 2 "This is my room," Arlyn told Donat, grasping the hilt of his sword in both hands. He would not threaten his brother yet. If he was like Serif, Arlyn would not need to. If nothing else, she knew to stay away from him when he bared steel.Donat nodded, glancing around the small space and appearing not to notice the weapon. "Small room," he commented. He sounded so... unconcerned. This would require more effort. "I don't like visitors," Arlyn said. Donat had spoken, so the blind anima was able to pinpoint his location. He raised the blade to actually point it at the goat.Eyes widening with curiousity, Donat took the other end of the shiny sword that was pointed at him gently between two fingers. "Is it sharp?" he asked innocently, peering at the steel. Frustrated by the ineffectiveness of his efforts, Arlyn turned the blade to the side and jerked it out of Donat's grip, cutting his brother's finger in the process. The little one should be afraid of him, especially with the sword!
"Get out of here.""Hey!" Donat yelped, immediately withdrawing his hand as the blade drew blood. He thrust his injured finger into his mouth and sucked on it, wincing a bit at the metallic taste of the blood. "Jus' want'd say hi," he mumbled around his finger, giving Arlyn a hurt look. With a heavy sigh, the goat-boy backed out of the doorway and started to push it shut. Wait, the little one had come especially to see him? Why? It was not like Arlyn himself had gone out of his way to welcome Donat into the house or anything like that. He had no obligation to. But neither did the goat. Why did he want to come visit?
The red-skinned anima heard him going now, though. So at least he had gotten Donat to leave like he wanted. With a sigh, Arlyn sheathed his sword and turned to climb back into bed. He had a nap to finish.Donat pushed the door shut carefully, trying to remember to be quiet. His finger hurt, though, and it was getting icky-tasting red stuff all over the place. Why had Arlyn done that? The sword was pretty. Maybe if he went back a different time, Arlyn would be nicer? Crossposted from Donat's diary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:26 pm
brothers: 3 "... Oh gods," Kumoru sighed as Donat toddled into his field of view sucking on his bleeding finger. No need to ask how the injury had happened, considering the goat-child seemed to have come from the direction of Arlyn's room.
"Here, I can heal it for you," he reassured the boy, holding out his hand.Donat sniffled and, relieved to see that his father was not angry, took his finger out of his mouth. Placing his injured hand into daddy's, the boy whimpered, "Arlyn cut me for bein' in his room." Kumoru nodded slowly as he concentrated on his magic for a moment. He had to take the energy to heal from somewhere, but since the cut was really fairly minor, the mage chose to use his own this time. With a few murmured words of magic, Kumoru set the child's skin knitting back together quickly, and so nicely there would not be the slightest scar.
When he was finished a few moments later, he looked up into Donat's eyes and sighed. Punishing Arlyn would do no good, he knew from experience, and at the same time, Donat had most definitely done nothing wrong. "You shouldn't go to Arlyn's room unless he invites you," Kumoru told the boy gently. "I know you were just being nice, but Arlyn likes to be by himself a lot.""Why?" Donat peered back at his father, looking a bit confused as he put his newly-healed finger back into his mouth. "Doesn't he get alonely? I get alonely if I'm in my room all the time." "Arlyn is different, though. Some people, like your brother, don't always like to talk and play all the time. Or he likes to play by himself. You still have your sister Serif, though, don't you?"The goat pouted. "He doesn't play with Serif or me ever, daddy." The mage was not sure what to tell him. In truth, he himself did not completely understand Revenge and his mercurial moods.
"Just be nice to him when you see him, I guess, and stay out of his room, and when he wants to play, maybe he'll come to you." Hopefully this exercise in patience would not be too much for the little goat. Serif, at least, understood that Arlyn was dangerous when he wanted to be; Kumoru was not convinced that Donat was afraid of him, even after having been cut now.... This idea required three fingers; Donat stuck two more from his other hand into his mouth and idly sucked on them for a few moments. Then he took all three out and smiled a little. "'kay. I want to be nice enough for Arlyn to want to play with me. I'll do it. And maybe big brother can not be alonely anymore." Crossposted from Donat's diary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:28 pm
brothers: 4 Even though his finger did not hurt or anything anymore, Donat still thought it might be a good idea to go off on his own and play for a while. He had some wooden blocks that required his attention, after all. The goat thought back to the last time he had played with blocks, quite a feat of memory for him since this had occurred over a week ago. He and his sister Serif had played together. They had taken turns building up a tower as tall as they could, and when the tower was complete, the other would knock it over. And then they would switch. It was a fun game for a while, though Donat remembered he had tired of it more quickly than Serif. By the time they had had to stop for dinner, Donat had been in charge of the construction by himself, and Serif squealed with delight every time she kicked the tower over, or pushed it, or crawled into it, or thrown unused blocks at it.... Since he was alone, Donat thought he would try building one and just letting it stand. Serif got noisy all the time, and he seemed to get tired of her games more quickly than she did. The blocks made a nice little wooden sound clicking against each other as they were stacked, too; a sound Donat had of course been unable to hear with all of his sister's excited chatter. Maybe Arlyn liked quiet games, too, and that was why he never played with Serif. Serif seemed to leave him alone, too, except for the occasional shouting and waving her arms like she was happily trying to scare the red-skinned boy. It annoyed Arlyn without fail, but Donat was not sure if Serif understood when he told her not to do that to her brother. With a self-satisfied smile, Donat added another block to his tower. He could play quietly, so in his mind, that should be enough to lure Arlyn out to join him. To the goat-boy, it was a little like a mouse in a hole in the wall, like from one of the picturebooks Kumoru had gotten him. If things were quiet outside, the mouse would get curious and come out to look. Except Arlyn was sharper than a mouse. ... Maybe if he came to play blocks, Arlyn would leave his sword behind. Donat was sure no one needed a sword to play blocks. Crossposted from Donat's diary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:29 pm
brothers: 5 Arlyn sat cross-legged on his bed, arms wrapped around the somewhat unruly bundle of both his sheathed sword, and his plush lamb from Anua. Eppie, the plush, was admittedly rather quiet much of the time, but was a comforting presence nonetheless. The Anima had long ago decided that Eppie was the only one allowed into his room, except for maybe Kumoru, if he had a good reason.
And the rule had held out until earlier, when the new boy, Donat, had decided to invite himself in.
How dare he.
Certainly put a damper, in Arlyn's mind, on any obligation to follow any rules that Donat might lay down. Not that the goat had. But if he did, Arlyn would certainly not follow them.
.... Eppie seemed to be voicing different opinions, Arlyn thought as he brushed his lips gently across the lamb's curly, if slightly worn down, wool. Something about Arlyn and Donat being brothers, and at least Donat was a hundered thousand times quieter than Serif. The girl seemed intent on frazzling Arlyn's nerves at every opportunity. And Arlyn responded by avoiding the opportunity whenever possible. That was the reason for the KEEP OUT rules for his room.
Did the rules really apply to Donat, too, though, Eppie questioned. The lamb found the little boy inoffensive in all respects, although a part of Arlyn suspected that was because goats and lambs were not really all that different. They were kin. Still, Eppie countered, that meant that Arlyn was even closer to Donat, since Arlyn was his brother.
Arlyn held the lamb plush out at arm's length and told it, "Maybe sometime I introduce you to him." And went on to specify that this would occur outside of Arlyn's private KEEP OUT room.
Eppie figured this would be alright, but still murmured a little about Arlyn being nice, too, and playing with Donat. The boy did go out of his way to come visit, did he not?
The red-skinned Anima was forced to consider this. He was all about reaction, reciprocation. Everything done to him had to be returned. But Donat had caused no harm. Not like Serif. He would exhaust himself if he actually took the time to repay her in full, scream for scream and chase for chase. Brat.
But back to his brother. Donat just wanted to say hi. That sounded like just part of being a brother. Which was nothing bad.
With a sigh, Arlyn got up out of bed and carefully placed Eppie on top of his head. Balancing the stuffed animal there with little trouble, Revenge headed for his door and then out into the library. He was not completely sure what all he might have to do, but Eppie was insisting that he be a brother back to Donat.
And Donat was not Serif, so Arlyn figured it could not be too bad.Crossposted from Donat's diary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:31 pm
brothers: 6 Arlyn had the house memorized so well at this point that he knew he could get anywhere without having to worry about Eppie falling off of his head. Unless Serif ran into him or something, but Arlyn would have been able to hear her coming from a mile away, enhanced hearing or not.
Little wooden plink! sounds from the living room told the Anima that someone was playing blocks there. The lack of any other noise led him to believe that it was probably Donat. So the red-skinned boy headed over in that direction, sword in hand just in case the goat was mad at him for earlier.Donat, having determined after a few attempted towers that the carpet did not make a good enough foundation, had moved his blocks onto the low wooden table in the center of the living room. It was nice and flat on top so he could stack the blocks there and they would not get all crooked so easily. He was just stacking away and minding his own business when Arlyn appeared, hesitantly sneaking around the corner into the living room. Was he coming to play, too? Donat waved a four-fingered hand to his brother before remembering that the Anima could not see him with that silly cloth over his eyes. So he just offered a little, "Hiya," and glanced back to his tower. "Hello," Arlyn replied softly, creeping closer to the table. He had memorized the whole room, so he knew precisely where the table was, and by listening to the little noises Donat made, Arlyn was able to find where his brother sat around the table. And all without letting Eppie fall off his head.
"This is Donat, Eppie. See how quiet he is?" the Anima told his lamb plush quietly as he took a seat on the carpet near where the goat was playing blocks.Donat set another block carefully on top of his tower, then sat back to peer at Arlyn and the cute little animal sitting on his head. Was he being introduced? Kumoru had taught him to always be polite when meeting new people, so Donat smiled pleasantly to the little creature on top of Arlyn's head, and waved. "Hiya," he said again, for the lamb's sake. "Are you big brother's friend?" The red-skinned boy paused a moment to listen to Eppie's response. Then he passed the message along to Donat: "Eppie says he is my friend, and is very pleased to meet you." Arlyn took the plush off of his head and set it on the table, so Eppie could get a better look at Donat.
Then, frowning a little, Arlyn asked hesitantly, "... Can I play blocks with you?"Donat leaned onto the table to peer closely at Eppie for a minute, then grinned and patted the plush on the head. When his brother spoke again, Donat sat back and looked over at him. Arlyn still had his sword. It was sitting on the carpet next to him, and it was inside the long thing so Donat could not see the shiny part. Arlyn was not touching it, though. So maybe he would not try to use it. After about two second's consideration, Donat nodded. "Okay. Big towers are easier with two people. Does Eppie want to help, too?" Arlyn touched the scabbard of his sword for a moment, then chose to leave it behind on the carpet as he scooted closer to the table. He gently moved Eppie a few inches to the side, then carefully felt across the table in an effort to find where Donat's existing structure was.
Eppie was really smart, he thought. Wise words from the lamb. Smiling faintly, Arlyn told Donat, "Eppie says he just wants to watch, 'cause I'm your brother, so I need to help."Crossposted from Donat's diary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
