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Yes!

She did it! Or close enough to it. And he helped! And in the moment of excitement he tossed his arms in the air, letting out that "Yes!" of excitement. That seemed innocent enough, but in doing so Maximos had let loose one of his fathers earliest teachings.

Dum contactus divum , operor non perdo vestri pes.

He could just hear his fathers words, repeat in his mind as he saw that finger come for him with more speed and power behind it than he had expected.

While touching the sky, don't lose your footing.

And he did, she poked and he was about to fall square on his bum, his arms flailed for just a moment, just long enough to graze hers. And that arm...that arm sometimes seemed to have a mind of its own.

In that one moment where his concentration wasnt where it should have been, his physical body copied the movement of his mind, standing and reaching for the sky, and as his spirit body fell...so did it. His meditative connection was popped, if you listened closely you could almost hear the sound, it was like someone sticking their finger in a bubble.

As his eyes opened he saw the adobe tiles of Windmill roof fading from view as gravity pulled him down the backside of the large structure. He clenched his teeth and fist before landing with a loud, wet...

--Sploosh!---

Into a patch of wet cement. A wave of the icky gray substance covering poor Walter as he tried to apply it to a large hole in the side of the building.

Maximos' right arm twitched wildly. It was something like a dog trying to eat its favorite chew toy. The weird sensation snapped his mind back where it belonged as he realized that right hand of his had snagged something. Something round, redish white, and glowing...a soul!

With on eye covered in splotch of cement he lifted the right arm, ceasing its violent twitching and held it up to his face, letting out a half beaten, half broken.

....hello?

For the poor victim, it would seem as if her poke, was all that was needed to push open a window and send her out of it. Transcending the gap of realities had been described as everything from taking a dive in a pool, bathing in fire, jumping from the tallest peak. Nocturne only knows what it would be like for her. Or if she'd been awake enough to make a sound.

All the while Walter seemed entirely puzzled.

Eh-eh-um...

He was speechless. Not only did he not intend to do that, but he hadnt the slightest clue how he had done that, or even what that was!

And for the moment none of that mattered, the scrapes from jagged cement rocks and the soreness from, falling so very far into a barely giving substances hardly mattered. He barely took the time to breath deep before his hands shoved off the cement with wet squish and he broke into motion. He whizzed past his aged butler, leaving the old man with a smirk of amusement across his face.

Bare feet sloshed through the grass followed, by the wet smack of a hand shoving open the lighthouse door leaving a drippy gray hand print on the ancient wood. Like diving in a pool, Maximos charged through the icky black behind the shaky wooden door. A poof of black escaped the door as Maximos bolted through it. With wet smacks his feet carried him through the wooden hallways and through a maze of corridor toward an uncertain destination.

As he ran, he rambled, the sciences and magicks involved on this soaring through is head. At first only his lips moved, soon followed by words spilling out like water out of a faucet. The soul, and poor woman within trapped as the unfortunate victim of the vichyssoise of verbage with came forth. Connected to his right arm as she was, she would be able to hear, as he heard, see as he saw, and even feel all as that arm saw. For a moment it would feel as if her body was Maximos' arm. And the run, would feel something like a roller coaster ride.

It had to be that. The contact. Just a touch, just a moment. And it tried to eat her...it tried to eat her! She transubstantiation shouldnt even be possible except to...no...

He broke left, shoulder charging a set of double doors and busting into his study. On either side of the room sat myriads on myriads of books, and directly across from the door seemed a laboratory set up that should belong to some sort of wizard or sorcerer. There was a broad table, a single wheeled chair, and several magical arrays carved on the floor, the table, and a few random mats laid across the table. There was even a few chemistry supplies for mixing and brewing potions. The chemicals each had a different glow, as did some of the books, and a few of the random tools.

Not real...not yet...needs a...a...

He grabbed a few books seemingly at random, searching and sorting through the pages, not a single word of the text seemed legible, but in her case, likely nothing did. It seemed the shadows themselves reached up like arms flicking books from the shelves onto the table and turning the pages as Maximos' eyes raced across them.

He couldnt let her...he wouldnt let her...no. He couldnt even allow the thought!

Until finally, he snatched a single book out of a shadowy arm, using his right arm to sweep a pile of books out of the table, and smack the recently discovered book on the table. With a wave of his hand a piece of paper ripped from a pad, and he began drawing, it looked like an arrangement of rings and lines with a few random symbols tossed in.

...it needs...a...a...

Finally, Maximos paused, a deep breath escaping his lips as he looked at the soul in his hand with a wide smile and laid the paper on the ground. Immediately it began glowing a rich violet filled the air, the glow forged and shaped into a floor size version of the symbol on the paper, Maximos kneeled near the center of array. His right arm cocked back the soul in gripped tightly and then down into went, as Maximos drove the soul into the core of the array.

The elf within would feel a feeling similar to suddenly having a bright light flashed in ones eyes after being in a dark room. As the blindness overtook her, she would feel a cold chill bathe over her body, she could feel arms and legs, and even her tail for just a split second before they were "suddenly" ignited. There was no actual burning just a rush of heat bathing over her, rising, brimming, filling until...black.

...a body.

Nothingness, but gravity holding her feet to the ground. A cool breeze blowing over he dry skin, and the scent of dozens of chemicals brewing behind her. The cold tile floor pressed up against her bare feet. The dancing lights paraded on her pale skin and dark hair. She had a body, in a manner of speaking, she was alive. A body clothed in a formal long black dress, it was very old fashioned even somewhat gothic, what with the frills on her sleeves and the ends of her dress, her hair was tied behind her in a pony tail with a silkly black ribbon. Her skin would feel distant it was as if she was feeling the world through a glove that covered the whole of her body. It was a very odd feeling, but one she could get used too. The room itself seemed very dim as her darkvision transfered the black into light.

Across from her stood Maximos, his navy blue hair matted with quickly drying cement, grey stains dripping into his loose satin black shirt, and drippy pants. His right arm twitched, while his left scratched his filthy hair. He had something of a nervous smile on his face as his right foot rubbed against his left leg, scratching off some loose cement flakes. And with an equally nervous tone he spoke, knowing she likely wouldnt understand a word he had said.

I know its not much, but a shadow shell is the best I could do on such short notice...

He waited with somewhat bated breath, for a yell a scream, laugh, even a mew. Just a reaction of any sort.

((Sorry that took so long, my monitor fell off the table and broke, so had to run to a friends. sweatdrop ))

The nervous grin grew, as his cheeks widened it into a bright smile.

Good!

He said with a bit of a chuckle. She didnt panic in fear, she didnt scream in horror, she just seemed confused and curious. And that he could work with. He owed her an explanation of sorts, but without language that would be sort of challenging.

He stepped forward, a cement covered hand tapping against his chest.

Me.

He said, slowly to introduce the sound of a new word. Each step was cautious so as not to appear threatening.

Me...Maxi.

His hand reached forward toward her chest, now Maximos was a gentleman he wouldnt dare touch a lady without her express permission, and so his hand hovered just a bit before touching her.

You...

His face went blank as his hand fell limp, falling back by his side as the realization sunk in.

....dont have a name...we'll just have to find one for you.

He leaned back in place, a hand rising to rub his chin. His eyes scanned from her toes to her head, he had modeled her body after how she used to look only with shadow there wasnt a variety of color one could access. So if there was a clue in her appearance, here is where it was. He needed to find something that could serve as a name...but, he was just so bad with names...

His eyes hovered around her face, her eyes, her ears...she almost looked like an elf, and yet so much about her was still unknown. That was it!

His eyes seemed to light up for a moment. It wasnt the best name in the world, but it would have to do.

Te...Teir...

His elven just isnt what it used to be. He tapped his chin trying to recall the proper syntax.

Tei...raesia...Kos.

He smirked.

The mystery girl. No...that just sounds too long.

He paused, letting the name roll around his head like a rock rolling around the sea wearing away the unnecessary parts. He reached his hand out again pointing at her.

You...we'll call you...Teira. Yes, I like that.

He said cocking his head to the side.

What do you think, Teira?

Maximos almost instantly tensed as she touched his hand, going almost completely silent and still as she investigated the limb, the only sound escaping his lips being a few nervous breaths. As bad as it may be, though his body was in its early 30's Maximos' experience with the opposite sex, or even with being touched at all was...well...nearly non-existent. And so after his pale cheeks turned just about as rosy as the woman before hims hair had been earlier, he let out a nervous cough and tried to continued. A bit of a childish grin ever placed on his blushed face.

He couldnt help but let out a small laugh, using his hand to try and cover his face so as not to sound rude. It was just so amusing to watch her mimic his motions try and pronounce her name. She had gotten down the pronunciation of a few words, and quickly too, but to try and explain each of those sentences would have been mostly pointless, he just smiled finished off her sentence.

.....rrrraa. Teira.

Almost immediately followed by a stout nod.

I dont know where you came from, but your welcome here for as long as you like. Infact...

He looked at a clock placed on the far wall, and took deep whiff of the air.

...its lunch time! I'm sure Walter's cooked us up something absolutely wonderful.

Now, he knew most of that might go in one ear and out the other. But by hearing the words over and over, she'd have the greatest chance of understanding them and being able to speak them.

Come on.

He said with a bright smile, in the sort of tone you might hear a parent say when calling over a child. He made a few steps to the door, and then made a wave for Teira to follow. Part of having a body would be having an appetite, and she hadnt eaten in well...ever!

Yes! Yes thats it!

He said clapping in excitement, it was wonderful, perfect, amazing even! And to see that smile on his face, an honest pure smile, such a thing is a rare sight no matter who you are. He couldnt help but beam with joy, his smile was only broken by the gurgle from her stomach, and the confused look on her face, because the combination of the two caused him to break out in laughter. It wasnt mocking laughter, not in the slightest, instead it was the sort of laughter you give when a child takes it first steps, or says its first word.

It had been years since Maximos could honestly say he'd felt so relaxed, so simplistically good about something so simple. Maybe the ice had been broken earlier. Perhaps thats why he did it. Years from now, alone in this very study he would probably ponder what made him react the way he did, but when he saw her confusion over the word "come"...he was less inclined to try and tell her and more to show her.

He took a few steps back forward toward her, reaching his right hand out, the limb twitching twice, and kindly grasped hers, and gently lead her forward with him repeating the word with a smile on his face as he made his way to the door.

Come on.

It wasnt until the door was opened and he was making his way into the hall, that he realized exactly what he had just done. And for a split second he paused, before realizing it was too late to stop now. He looked back at her with a purely innocent smile, and he was off!

Excellent!

He said letting out, a boyishly light laugh as they set off. The halls were many, and a bit like a labyrinth, the turns and doors might be somewhat reminiscent of the trip Teira had take to get down here in the first place. What with whizzing through halls and doors of this tangled maze, but never once did Maximos seem lost. He even stopped a few times to look back and make sure she was ok, his hand never wavering or shaking, this place can be rather scary if one is by themselves.

The halls were all dimly light, though that was a side effect of darkvision, when ones eyes take in darkness as one would take in dark things tend to appear with a bit less color, and a tend to be not nearly as bright as normal. Even still, the halls were fully decorated and spotless. They were home to countless antiques be it old clay pots, paintings, or just old sets of armor, or trophies. Ebony and silver seemed to be the main colors old display with a dash of blue much like Maximos' hair, and some flecks of red and violet. Not a one of the antiques seemed to terribly showy, it was as if the house was designed to show age and history, but no wealth or status. It was meant to be simple, and yet complete. And odd mix, but Walter had managed it.

After a few minutes of walking, the scent had grew almost to the point that it overrid the scent of old wood, and flowers that filled the halls. As they drew closer it was harder and harder to tell exactly what was for dinner, mostly because it seemed like everything was. And while Teira had no memories of any food, the scent barraging her nose was most definately a medly of many different things.

Eventually Maximos came to a stop in front of a set of grand double doors, and gently pushed the open to reveal a table full of countless goodies. There were at least a hundred different foods on display, all sorts of dinner, and two table settings placed, both across from each other. Walter stood beside the table, with a towel over one arm, and a hand gently resting on the nearest chair. His white hair was combed and tied back behind his head, and his aged eyes gazed at the two with something of a quirk about them, his eyebrows arching as his eyes rested on the two holding hands. But he held any judgment to himself, Maximos seemed to respond with a nervous gaze at the floor. He made his way to the seat closest to Walter and gently released Teira's hand.

She had seemed very good at mimicking, and so Maximos met her eyes with a smile and grasped the seat beside her, gently pulling it out, sitting down, then looking at her. Silently hinting with his eyes for her to try.

Walter laughed, sort of light an old grandfather looking down at one of the grandkids. This just reminded him so very much of Maximos when he wasa child. His eyes met hers, his gaze was aged, and yet warm, old and yet kind. His left foot slid back and he took a very formal bow, tucking the toweled arm beneath his chest while the other warm extended out to his side.

Walter, Walter Worthington the 3rd. At your service.

His very aura, is presence beamed "friend", it was just a special quirk about Walter, despite his age, his powers, and his skills, he was never threatening. He gently rose, adjusting his monacle, and gesturing to the bright young lady with only the kindest eyes.

And you?

Maximos just watched for the moment, Walter had used some big words, but he also used a few she knew. He wanted to see how she would reaction, but his eyes stood on her so that should she look at him she could see he wasnt abandoning her.

Some sentiments dont need words. For example, Maximos' soft eyes meeting hers as she turned to him and gently nodding so as to silently say, "Good". Walter of course continued as if she had spoken completely flawlessly, and absolutely nothing odd was going on here.

Indeed.

He said with a smile.

And it is my very good pleasure to meet you, Lady Teira.

Maybe none of that made sense, but whatever he said, it was said in a most kind way. He made a very simple gesture to her seat and plate, while his opposing white gloved hand rested on the back of her chair.

Now, if you'd like to take a seat, dinner will be served shortly.

That likely came across as gibberish and so Maximos turned in his seat, just waiting for that moment where Teira might look at him, at which point he'd sort of repeat half the motion of sitting down for her, this time going so far as to grab a fork, and then look back at her with a bright smile.