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 Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 3:38 am
Bellatrix looks up at the sky, and actually feels more energized now than she did before.
With a smile, she says, "I wouldn't mind coming over, that is, if it is not too late for you," her voice holds no jeering tone, because she does not mean this as a stab at her age, or anything like that. "I'll leave it up to you. Either way, I can call Snakey back at any time, and he can escort me back to my cave. And, Casey here," she pauses as Casey hisses at her. "By the way, he says it is a pleasure to meet you, as well. Casey, I am sure, will excort me home as well."
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 3:48 am
She smiles down at the spirit once more, canting her head to the side as she tries to understand its hissing. Finding that she can't, she doesn't let it bother her, though it does prompt a question. "Pardon me for asking, but is it possible for someone like me to speak such a language as that?" She's in the process of learning how to speak elven, and what Eirnae calls sylvan and draconic, but this language intriques her also.
"No, it's not too late for me. I don't sleep that much," she offers as a brief explaination. She decides to spare Bellatrix the details of why that is, namely because she's not apt to admit having to constantly stay alert for danger when she was younger because she had no caretaker in front of Bellatrix. Something about this other Pae makes her want to appear stronger, and to be stronger, too. Kind of like how she feels around Eirnae and Shina.
Glad that they have settled on Bellatrix and her new companion coming with her, Casala prepares to once again lead the way. "The temple is by a small glen, which has a waterfall. We'll be able to tell how close we are by listening for it."
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 3:54 am
Bellatrix frowns. "Well, the only ones that I know that speak it, apart from myself, are Lenore, Nyoka, and Damien. And, we were all born with the ability," she answers, truthfully. "I can ask one of them when I go back to Emerald Manor if they know, and get back to you?" she offers, starting to follow Casala.
She nods at the second bit of what Casala says, smiling a little. She can't understand that. When the sun is up, she immediately gets sleepy, and curls up on her bed of pillows for a nice long rest, if she doesn't have things to do. Then, it is cat-napping for her.
She grins when she talks of the waterfall. "Well, aren't you lucky?" she says. "Convenient bathing area. I have to walk to the river to bathe. But, I am going to talk to Lenore about getting some convenient plumbing in my cave," she says, and then starts to listen for the waterfall.
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 4:06 am
"I would appreciate that," she says over her shoulder as they start to move once more, "If I have the chance to learn it, I'll give it my best."
"Thank you, I think I'm lucky, too," she continues after Bellatrix comments on the waterfall, "I happened upon the temple while searching for a place to stay, and it has fulfulled that need nicely. Of course, you are welcome to come and stay there any time that you like. I'd welcome your company, and the pool in the glen is a part of my hospitality. Though I must ask, what is this plumbing that you mentioned? I'm guessing it has something to do with water. Eirnae mentioned something about asking... " She pauses as she realizes what she's about to say. "Ah... this may sound silly, but you said your caretaker's name is Lenore?"
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 4:10 am
"I thank you for that offer, Casala. And, I will extend the same to you," Bellatrix says. "The beaded curtains to my cave are always open to you." She gives Casala her usual smile.
"Well, plumbing allows you to have water in your home, without having to go and fetch it, or find it to bathe in. You catch the water in tubs to take a bath in, and in sinks to wash dishes."
However, she does have to pause, and blink, when she asks the last question. "Yes. . . ." what is that silly last name? Ah. . . . "Lenore Slytherin-Natenhar. Why do you ask?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 4:15 am
"Very kind of you, thank you. Oh.. Ah, I see," she replies as a conjunctional reply for both the information regarding plumbing and Bellatrix's response to her inquiry concerning Lenore.
She waits a bit, hearing the soft roar of the waterfall in the distance before she adds, "As Eirnae said once, it's a small world. My caretaker's surname is Syltherin-Natenhar, too. I think your caretaker is my caretaker's betrothed, and vice versa."
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 4:21 am
"Eirnae, Eirnae. . . ." Bellatrix frowns as she thinks, hearing the waterfall as well.
Suddenly, she remembers a flash from Christmas. Most things that have to do with Lenore, she doesn't pay attention to, but she remembers this, because she remembers wishing that the silly elven woman had let Lenore hit her head on the ground when she fainted. . . .
"Ah! Yes, they are," she frowns a little more. "I have seen Eirnae, briefly, on Christmas. Apparently, she scared Lenore pretty good when she showed up, because Eirnae had to catch her."
She pauses again, shaking her head. "Hmf. That is an odd coincindence. . . ." she laughs a little, and looks over at Casala again after marking Casey's progress as he snakes around her once more. "What, does that make us some sort of family?" she asks through her soft laughter.
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 4:34 am
"You know, I'm not sure?" Casala says after a moment of thought, having to speak up due to the sound of the tumbling waters getting steadily louder the closer they get to the glen.
Her smile turns into a grin at the thought of Eirnae having to catch the woman her mother has described as her 'beloved'. "Sounds like it was quite the occasion. I imagine the reason why she had to catch her is because she thought Eirnae was dead, or at least I don't know many people that can cast their spirits out like Eirnae did and be living. She hasn't told me how she got her body back, though."
She steps out of the last of the trees that surround the glen, the waterfall at its loudest decimal of sound here. Casala calls over to Bellatrix, "Just give me a second." She turns and walks over to the edge of the small lake that the waterfall feeds, a stream trickling away from it and winding its way through the nearby woods. She bends down and whispers to something invisible beside the pool, and in a matter of moments the waterfall's cascade calms to be at a bearable volume. "Thank you," she says with an affectionate pat on air, straightening and coming back to stand by Bellatrix.
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 4:46 am
Bellatrix shrugs, and makes a note of asking Lenore about that at some point.
She does nod over what Casala says about Lenore thinking Eirnae was dead. Vaguely, she remembers that most people at the party thought she was. . . . Then again, most of that night is a pretty big blur.
She watches as Casala talks to someone that she can't see. She know, from first-hand experience now, that it has to be some sort of spirit. Of course, the waterfall's noise level decreasing dramatically only makes her more curious. When Casala returns to her, she asks, "Who were you speaking to?" She wanted to add that whoever did that, did a neat trick, but that sounds far from respectful, so she does not comment on that.
She looks around, filing away everything that she sees in her efficient memory. She finds that she likes this place, even if it would get a little too sunny for her taste. It is pretty right now, with the sky darkening overhead. She is sure that the moon would look beautiful here, if she is here to see it when it rises over the trees.
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:43 am
The glen truly is a place of beauty, at least to an observer who can appreciate the natural wonders of the world. Wildflowers are scattered around the grassy clearing in a colorful halo, their soft petals waving in a gentle breeze that also rustles the blossoms on the cherry tree by the lake. Their scents mingle in the air, adding to the atmosphere of floral calm. The waters that tumble down the rocky side of the nearby plateau seem clear as cut crystal till they encounter the pool itself. There, it rises up in a gurgling white foam, then calming into a first blurry, then mirror bright clear reflection of the starry night sky.
In response to Bellatrix's question, Casala gestures in the direction that she just came from. "I was addressing the keeper of the lake. He watches over all who live within its waters, and guards them from dangers, like us." She smiles a bit at that last part. "He has taken it upon himself to also watch over the rest of the glen these past few years."
There is a pause as she turns to look out to the waterfall and remains silent and still, as if listening to something. She nods after a while, turning to face Bellatrix again as she says, "As you are my guest, he wishes you to know his name. He is known as Sumlian, and he has agreed to inform the others that live here to not hide the glen from your sight should you return here on your own. He also conveys his greetings to you and Casey. He is honored to have Yaaraea within his glen."
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:09 pm
Bellatrix, knowing she won't see anything, still looks in the direction that Casala indicates. She listens to her explination, nodding in teh appropriate places to show that she understands.
When she is told the spirit's name, she is unsure whether she should address Casala, or look in the direction of the spirit. Feeling it is best to show the spirits the same respect that she would a new snake, she looks off in the direction that Casala indicated a few moments ago, and inclines her head. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sumlian. And, I feel honored that you trust me enough to lower the defenses here," she smiles, though this time it is not her usual, eerie one. This one is respectful.
She resists the urge to shiver when Casey nudges her to grab her attention. She pauses, listening to him, and then chuckle. "Casey wishes me to convey that he feels as honored as you, Sumlian, for being allowed in such a beautiful part of the island." She reaches out and gives Casey a quick pat on his head, having to resist the urge to shudder again.
Bellatrix returns her attention to Casala again, now her usual smile on her lips. "I have to admit, Casala. You have captured my curiousity with your temple. I have only seen one in my imagination. I have read about them, and they are said to be beautiful tributes to gods. Can this be said of your temple? Because, I must admit to you, I admire beauty."
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:39 am
Casala seems pleased by this exchange, looking back in the direction that Bellatrix bows her head in with a slight smile that lights up her blue eyes. "Sumlian appreciates both of your words," she reports in a calm, detached voice, as if truly serving as the voice for the elemental spirit.
Her voice regains its usual warmth when she replies to Bellatrix's question, as if coming to her senses. "I consider it beautiful, though a large portion of it is still in ruins. With the help of some of my friends, it's in the process of being repaired, along with several works of art that I've collected from around the island." She is especially proud of the latter, having wandered through all of the not-so-dangerous territories to find them. "Which reminds me, the temple is this way..."
She beckons for Bellatrix and Casey to follow her as she makes to leave the glen, waving a goodbye to the unseen Sumlian with a promise to return for a chat soon.
The path leading to the temple is an old one. Once paved with smooth marble cobblestones that formed murals of the relationship between the Guardians and their charges, now it is grown over and missing several key pieces. Still, it rings with an echo of ages now passed. As they break from the line of trees, the white marble of the temple rises up before their eyes. Tall pillars wound with flower bearing vines bear up the tall, and in some ways still majestic, building. Most of the roof and walls are gone, though one side stubbornly retains a portion of both. Along that wall stand the worn effigies of whom Casala calls the Sentinels. Ever watchful, even after all these centuries alone, they stand in varying poses of alertness, guarding what remains of the temple against all threats.
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:52 am
Bellatrix waves in the direction Casala does, saying her own goodbye to Sumlian, as she follows Casala.
When she sees the ruin of the temple, she feels a little tug at her heart.
No, she thinks. You do NOT care that someone is living in a place that has barely any roof! So what if the elements will get her? She asked for it!
Mentally groaning, and fully prepared to kick her own a** when she gets home, she says, "I could help you restore this place, if you like. . . ."
The voice in Bellatrix's head gives a long-suffering sigh. As if you don't have enough to do!
Shut UP!
. . . .
"It's beautiful," she adds, staring at the temple. It does have a great beauty to it, even if it is a sad one. Her eyes look at the worn sculptures, again thinking of how sad it all is. How could they let something like this get into this state?
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:15 am
Well, she hadn't expected that offer. Not that she believes Bellatrix to be cold hearted, it's just that no one had said anything about it before, with the exception of Eirnae, of course. Her caretaker and Shina have been helping with the reconstruction of the roof every time that they come over to visit, Eirnae saying that she isn't comfortable with Casala not having a more secure home to reside in. Perhaps it's also because she's rather proud of doing as much for the temple as she can by herself. There is something deeply satisfying about working with one's own two hands. Still, now that the offer had been made, she certainly couldn't ignore it. She suspects that doing so would only prove to annoy her new friend. She already has some of the spirits that live around the temple helping her, so why not Bellatrix?
She nods, accepting the idea of aid and flicking her pride away with a wave towards the side entrance that has been cleared between a Sentinel's ankles. "I would appreciate that. Right now, things have been rather slow. I hate to ask my friends to work any harder than they have. That they have been helping at all is a blessing."
"It is, isn't it?" she adds as she continues towards and through the doorway she indicated, comforted by the sight that meets them once 'inside'.
The tile floor is much like the road they just walked to get here from the glen, though each stone looks to have been cleaned and polished. While there are still bits missing, and some look to have been secured in place as if by a child, the images that flow in its art tell tales of great love from the age when the temple was first created. Two statues of winged women hold tall white candles in each hand, their eyes set with glittering black stones that seem to follow the two Pae's movements. These seem to be depictions of an angelic and a demonic Pae'il Elder, one with her halo and feathered wings, the other with her tail and bat-like appendages. They look as if they had been smashed at one point in time, then pieced together. One is missing most of one leg, and the other part of an arm and a chunk of a wing. Other statues of various sizes are set about in a half circle that separates the roofed portion of the temple from the open area, each one in much the same state as the two candle bearers. Silk cushions of blue, white, and black hues are piled along the wall, some gathered in front of a small shrine at the center of the 'room'. The shrine is not more than a white marble table with nine legs, each ending in a different type of animal's foot. Upon its smooth surface rests four candles, two set to either side of a small orb that contains a fully bloomed iris.
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Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:31 am
Alright, she accepted. And, the little voice in her head is snickering at her because of it.
Serves you right.
I thought I told you to shut the hell up. . . .
No, you told me to shut UP! Remember?
She has a moment to pause, and think herself having cracked, really finally having gone insane. Other Pae'il don't have battling voices in their heads, right?
Pushing that thought aside, and willing herself to be sane once more, she smiles. "I can't promise I will be here every day, but I will come when I can." However, she did sense the little pride-flicking that Casala did, and has to smile. She knows how that goes. . . .
When they are inside, she feels another tug on her heart again. She doesn't know why she feels this way, especially since she has never, ever been sad before, but the overwhelming neglect of the place just kills her. She does notice the care that is being taken to restore the once beautiful place again, and she has to feel even more respect for Casala over it.
She stops and looks, almost sadly, up at the winged women. She wonders if Casala would be upset with her if she asked Lenore to get her some replacements for the peiced-together eyes. She decides not to ask her. Instead, she will just get them, and give them to Casala at a later date. She reaches up, and touches the the tail of the demonic one, and sighs a little.
Perhaps it is all because Bellatrix respects beauty of all kinds that this is just so sad for her.
Pushing that thought aside, she smiles at the little shrine, and actually quirks an eyebrow at all of the pillows. She isn't the only one, then. She chuckles, shaking her head a little. "I'm sorry. It's just. . . . I never thought we would have so much in common, not on first glance of you," she says, motioning to the pillows. "Pillows. All I have in my cave. They are my bed, and my chairs. . . ."
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