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 Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:33 pm
The Movement of Time
Crispin was quietly getting ready for bed when he heard a door slam. Surprised, he turned around and poked his head out into the hallway. "Who's there?"
"Master Crispin? Oh... where did Lady Morgan go?" Toki appeared, holding a tray with two steaming mugs.
"Morgan's in her room... hey, wait a minute, we sent you off for those at least five hours ago!" Crispin realized. What with one thing... and another... he'd entirely forgotten about the missing Aoide. "Where on earth did you go?"
Toki looked crestfallen. "I only went to get tea... the cupboard downstairs is empty again... so I had to go and get some, and it took a while to get to a town with shops still, and well..." The Aoide's cloth bunny ears drooped. "Maybe she would like the tea in her room?"
"Don't worry about it right now," Crispin said with a sigh. "It's nearly bedtime anyway, last thing I need is caffeine... but thanks, I guess."
"Yes, Master Crispin." Toki put the tray down with a dejected look. "Were you greatly thirsty?"
"Well, there is such a thing as water... and I guess we didn't notice, what with the kissing and all that..."
"Kissing? Oh!" Toki's face made a round O of surprise, shortly followed by a beam of delight. "How wonderful! Are you and Lady Morgan in love, then? Splendid! My congratulations to you both!"
"Whoa, whoa," Crispin flailed - knowing Toki, the Aoide would have a chapel booked the next day. "It's not that serious... I mean... I like her a lot... I don't know if I can call it love, but I like her and we kissed and stuff... and played a hell of a game of D&D, though that was first." He headed out into the main room where Toki was and sat down on one of the chairs there. "And that's all, okay? Don't get any grand ideas or make any plans, got it?"
"Yes, Master Crispin..."
"Though..." Crispin grinned. "If there are any flowers that haven't been withered to bits yet..."
Toki raised a knowing eyebrow. "I will return with all due haste, Master!" With that, the Aoide was gone, and Crispin sat back with a sigh.
Silly creature. Still, he means well.
"I wonder how far he had to go... or how far I've just sent him?" Crispin made a face. "Maybe I should have thought about that first."
It doesn't matter. Toki is happiest when he has a job to do, I think. Perhaps the greatest thing you could do for him is to set him to a centuries-long quest - and he'd show up at the end with whatever-it-was, smiling and asking how you'd been in the meantime. Shaiming radiated wry amusement.
Crispin snorted. "Probably. Well, that's that, then... um. Shaiming?"
Yes?
"Um. Do you know how long I have... with Morgan? Here?"
There was a pause. I do not. I am sorry.
"S'okay. I just thought I'd ask." Crispin leaned on the armrest of the chair, and rested his chin in one hand. "It's... brave of her. I'm not sure if it had been opposite, I'd have been able to do that..."
She is a strong woman. The fact that she is here, though... Shaiming let the thought trail off.
"I know... it means some god or another probably wants her. And I brought her here!" Crispin shifted position, and rubbed at his temples. "I wasn't thinking."
If you planned every action of your life around remaining perfectly safe and within your mortal plans, your life would have been very boring indeed... you may as well blame yourself for following Toki that night.
"And miss this? No... no." Crispin smiled, crookedly. "This has been the best thing that ever happened to me."
And Morgan?
"She's... definitely part of it."
Good. See that she knows. All will be well, Crispin. I give you my word.
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:34 pm
Wisdom's Offering
Crispin, Toki and Nebula crept down the stairs to the shop's bottom floor carefully, quietly. "Why do I have to be in the lead?" the boy muttered as he inched down the stairs, every sense alert for the presence of Destruction.
Because you are my host, and thus act in my stead. You must lead and not falter, Crispin, Shaiming chided.
"Yeah... whatever." Crispin sighed, then peered carefully down from his place on the stairs, the Aoidei paused behind him - Toki hovering in mid-air, Nebula moving cat-light on her tiptoes. They're scared too...
But there was no sign of any occupant on the flame-backed throne of Destruction, and Crispin let out a long breath of relief. "He's not there. It's okay."
"Oh, good... while I honor L-lord Harmodius with all my soul, I find his aspect of D-destruction to be... unsettling," Toki replied, squirming a little. Nebula did not reply, but merely nodded.
"Cowards, all," Shaming said aloud, adding a sigh of his own.
"That was Shaiming," Crispin added, hurriedly.
"We know," Nebula said. "Can we hurry up? Um, meaning no disrespect." She bit her lip, and a trickle of blood flowed.
"Um. Yes." Crispin moved easily down the rest of the stairs and into the throne room, the two Aoidei trailing him as he went. "There's a lot... or I think I remember there being a lot..."
My Lord was most generous, Shaming said, radiating pleasure and pride as the three of them approached the altar. While before Crispin was sure that particular dragon statue hadn't had any particular distinguishing mark, now it had a soft sheen of purple visible if you looked just so, exactly like the one Shaiming's gem held. The altar was lightly spangled with flecks that reflected the flickering firelight, like stars. And all over the top of it were riches Crispin could barely imagine. They put Toki's careful hoard to shame.
Toki let out a long, appreciative sigh. "Oh, generous! Most generous! I will take these to your chamber at once. Have you instructions, my Lord?"
"The fabrics and coins to my coffers to hoard, the tome to my chamber for reading later... it should be a fine asset to your learning, Crispin. Toki, you take the coins; Nebula, you manage the cloths and the tome. Crispin will take the sword." Shaming spoke decisively, command ringing in his voice, borrowed from Crispin though it was.
Both Aoidei bowed immediately. "Yes, my lord," they murmured, then moved towards the altar to gather up the gifts. Crispin watched them awkwardly, feeling as though he should help; but the Aoidei had come prepared with sacks just for this, and they had been ordered. He didn't want to countermand something Shaiming had said, but it still felt strange, for all that he thought he'd become used to having servants.
At last, the Aoidei backed away laden with bags, and the altar was clean save for the sword. They bowed again, and moved towards the stairs with an air of relief. Crispin watched them go, feeling slightly jealous.
Once they were gone, Shaiming prodded lightly at his host. The sword now, Crispin. Obediently, Crispin stepped forward and took hold of the sword. It was an amazing weapon, the basket hilt spun out of jade that seemed startlingly delicate, and the blade gleaming amethyst as though carved from a single crystal.
"What use can this possibly be? It will shatter at the first blow," Crispin wondered aloud, tilting the sword back and forth, watching the play of light along the blade.
Not so. It is forged by means mortals cannot dream of. I had hoped perhaps my old blades... but, no. Shaiming sighed. They broke and then rusted away, along with their wielder.
"Two swords?" Crispin blinked.
Yes. An old style, but not suited to you, I do not think. It is most important to select a weapon that matches the bearer... The dragon trailed off then, and immediately deep thoughts roiled, pushing aside Crispin's own in an unreadable torrent until he staggered. Only then did Shaiming become aware of what he was doing, and quiet himself.
"What's wrong?"
Nothing. Merely... thinking. Crispin realized with a start that Shaiming seemed shaken, and he couldn't figure out why for the life of him.
"Well, whatever. Can we go now?" Crispin held the blade gingerly; it still looked so fragile, regardless of what Shaiming said.
Yes.
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:35 pm
A Reunion... of Sorts...?Ithiltari Idhren sat down abruptly on one of the couches, arms splayed out to her side in an attempt to keep her body upright. "You were messing about again, weren't you?" the elf said accusingly, although an observer would have noticed there was no one else around. My apologies, Tilion replied, sounding a bit uncomfortable. I find I move more naturally when you're not watching. The god paused for a moment, amused. Not being under the watchful gaze of a teacher, I suppose. Idhren let out a short, gaspy sort of laugh. "Some habits never fade," she said whimsically, content to rest here, oddly at peace with her surroundings. Normally the woman spent as little time downstairs as possible, although Tilion was a fair bit more brave and had been venturing out while Idhren slept, but lately she'd become more accepting of the situation and the pair had been spending extended amounts of time, especially after finding food. Idhren had actually been on her way to do just that when her strength played itself out and counted herself fortunate that there had been a nearby couch to land on. Sosiqui "Why do you want to go downstairs?" Crispin complained, as Shaiming mentally poked at him, again and again. The two were in the hallway above, and Crispin wanted nothing more than to go in and back to looking over his character sheets. I feel someone there that I wish to meet, that is all. You have your time with Morgan; I would like some time with others as well. Crispin sighed. "Oh, fine... fine... whatever." He trudged down the hall, though, only straightening up to go down the spiral stairs. Ah... Shaiming perked up immediately at the sight of the figure on the couch below. I thought so. "Who is it?" Crispin whispered, under his breath. One whose domain was near my own. It will be good for you to meet him as well. Come! Thus herded, Crispin headed down the stairs. "Hi," he said, giving the new person a tentative wave. Ithiltari Tilion's attention wandered briefly away from Idhren, and his mental prescence perked up a bit, causing his host to look about worriedly. "Something wrong?" she asked in a low voice. No, nothing wrong. Just felt someone that I feel I should know, he responded absently, worrying at the sensation in the back of his head. "Mmm," was Idhren's only reply to him, although she swung her head towards the staircase when Crispin spoke. "Ah, hello," the elf said, swinging an arm up to wave back. "Come on down, the weather's fine?" she said, uncertain as to the meaning of the joke she'd picked up from a more recent book in the library. Tilion snorted in the back of her head, quickly quieting down as he waited for the other to draw closer, wanting to identify who it was that felt so hauntingly familiar. Sosiqui "Um, my name's Crispin and - holy cow, are you an ELF?" Crispin stared. There was a distinct sense that, had Shaiming had bodily form, he would have facepalmed. Hard. Crispin...Ithiltari Idhren blinked in surprise at the question, then began laughing helplessly, letting her other arm fold, thus allowing herself to fall backwards. Excepting the first person she'd met upon arriving here, no one else had reacted with anything other than acceptance, which had led Idhren to believe that elves weren't an uncommon sight. "Forgive me Crispin," she said after a moment, sitting up again. "I don't think I can explain my laughter, so I'll just answer your question instead. Yes, I am an elf," Idhren said, slipping part of her hair behind an ear to fully reveal it. "My name is Idhren. You've never seen an elf before?" Obviously not, Tilion remarked dryly, amused as well. Sosiqui "Vampires, pards, dragons yes, elves? No! That's so cool! Um. I'm sorry for surprising you... but I think that's really neat." Crispin practically sparkled at Idhren, only encouraged by how she'd merely laughed, instead of being offended or something. Someday, you're going to startle the wrong thing, and become dinner - and then where will I be? Shaiming said, with a sigh. Introduce me, please? "Oh, oh... um, actually, Shaiming wanted me to come down and talk to you... I'm his host. My name's Crispin. And he is the Dragon King Shaiming, the Scarscale, the Worldshield." Crispin slipped easily into the formal introduction now. Ithiltari "I haven't seen a vampire or dragon yet, but I think I've seen a pard," Idhren said, tapping her chin with a finger. "And thank you, I think?" At the introduction, Tilion came to sharp attention, pushing a bit at Idhren's consciousness. No, thank you, you've done enough. Perhaps later you can come out and play, his host said firmly. Then give Shaiming my greetings, Tilion instructed, sounding slightly petulant, which caused a brief smile to curve over Idhren's face. "Greetings to thee, Shaiming, from Tilion, Chariot of the Darkened Skies," the woman intoned, equally as formal as Crispin had been. "That's the Moon, by the way," she added with a lopsided grin and a whimsical tone. And where did you pull that from?Give me some credit, please. I didn't spend most of my life teaching History of the Gods for nothing.Sosiqui "The moon...? Oh! Then no wonder Shaiming wanted to talk to you. His domain is the stars and stuff. I bet they're practically cousins!" Crispin grinned. ... Not quite, Shaiming sighed. So it is Tilion. I thought so. Could you, hmm... Crispin rolled his eyes. "I get the feeling I'm not wanted - Shaiming seems to want to address your god without me being in the way." He sighed. "I think he knows him, or something. Stars, moon, makes sense. He knew Universe too." Are you quite finished? Crispin was surprised at how exasperated the dragon sounded. "Sheesh..." Ithiltari "It wouldn't surprise me at all if they did know each other," Idhren replied, folding her hands in her lap. "And here I'd just told him to wait his turn," she continued, frowning slightly. She wasn't sure Tilion was up to this quite yet; he had just been doing something earlier with her body. I'll be fine if I stay seated, Tilion reassured his host, teasing his way back into control. Oh fine, she grumped at him, fading back and becoming an observer in her own body. "It is good to see you, even in such a state as this," Tilion said once his control was firmer. "It...reassures me to know that you have returned." A faintly bitter tone there, as if the Lunar god disapproved of something in the current circumstances. Sosiqui Shaiming made a decisive sound as the elf sat down and the god took over, prodding at his host's mind. Crispin, if you would? I would speak with Moon myself.Crispin sighed. "Fine, fine... one moment, please, sir," he said, politely, and settled himself as well. The second he was seated, the dragon shoved past his consciousness to take control, and Crispin flailed for a moment before falling into darkness. "Hosts... they are lovely folk - or mine is, at least - but sometimes not optimal," the dragon said with a sigh, the voice clearly not Crispin's even though it was related to the boy's. Shaiming's tone was much deeper.Ithiltari "I find mine useful enough," Tilion replied dryly. "She knows her way around a library far better than I will ever know, and that is quite convenient right now." The elf's features looked momentarily thoughtful. "Yours seems well suited, however." Raising an arm to hold it out in front of himself, Tilion eyed the appendage somewhat critically. "Although I suppose we all choose those best suited for us." He let the arm fall back down, resting the hand in his lap. "How have you fared, here in this world we find ourselves in?" Before Shaiming could offer a reply, the elfin figure bent itself double, as if in great pain. "My apologies. I think our last meal was beyond the realm of edible," the god gasped out, quickly allowing Idhren control of her body once more in order to beat a hasty retreat back upstairs. "I hope we meet again," she called over her shoulder, speaking for both souls within the body.
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:36 pm
Meetings with Morgan - Toki, Shaiming, and CrispinSosiqui Toki scurried up the stairs, delighted at his find. It had been hard, and he had gone far, but oh! Such joy! The Aoide bounced happily into his master's room with his burden. "Master Crispin? Master Crispin...?" But the young man was nowhere to be found. Instead, there was a note on the table. Toki -
Master and I are out. Will return late; Lord Shaiming wishes him to observe the stars as he speaks of them. More lessons. I am with them for protection.
Yours,
NebulaToki sighed. He did so want to make sure what he had brought would be suitable, but he'd gone so far for them and already Destruction's influence was nibbling at the edges. If he waited too long, they might wither altogether and be useless. So, the Aoide left the main rooms and slipped into the servants' quarters, then knocked on Morgan's door after a moment of hesitation. "Lady Morgan?" mistalina13 Morgan looked up from the origami shurinkin she had been working on, having heard the knock on the door and the voice afteward. "Come in Toki, it's open." She spoke loud enough so he could hear through the door, then she set down the piece for a moment. Just the Aoide she wanted to see. Sosiqui Toki pushed the door open with one foot, as he had both hands behind his back. "Are you at home to visitors, Lady Morgan? I come bearing a gift from Master Crispin." mistalina13 "Sure, I could use the company. I needed to ask you a favor anyway." Morgan looked back over her shoulder at him and quirked an eyebrow. "A gift, from Crispin?" Sosiqui "Indeed. Master Crispin is not present at the moment - Lord Shaiming has him off studying the heavens, I believe - but he instructed me to fetch these for you." Toki smiled, and shifted the gift from behind his back.  "I had to go far afield to find these precious treasures; but I fear by the time Master Crispin returns the touch of Destruction will have done its work on the fragile blossoms." Indeed, the petals were already crisping faintly on the edges. "So, I bring them here to you so that you may enjoy them before they fade. The vase at least will last - it is not so sensitive as the flowers. Are they to your liking?" mistalina13 Morgan turned in the chair as he spoke. "Oh, Toki, they're beautiful." She said, smiling. "It's too bad they won't last long." She got up from the chair and gave him a hug. "I'll tell Crispin thank you when I see him next, but thank you for finding them." She let him go after a moment. "About that favor I mentioned..." She smiled awkwardly and looked embaressed. "...could you teach me, how to be a lady?" Sosiqui Toki looked shocked at the hug. "My lady, your adulation belongs to Master Crispin, not to me - I am merely a humble tool for his will! But thank you for your kindness," he added. The Aoide looked perplexed at the next question, though. "A lady? But, Lady Morgan, are you not already so?" mistalina13 "I consider you a friend Toki." Morgan smiled a little. "Well, I am a girl Toki...but Lady..." She sighed softly. "...at least to me, means...polite, graceful." She rubbed the back of her neck nervously. "I'm not the best at explaining things." Sosiqui "Polite you already are... but perhaps you mean the behavior of court ladies of old?" Toki tilted his head to one side. "Graceful, yes, but also bound by rules that hardly make sense... yet they were lovely, a crowd and cluster of silk-dressed flowers, bobbing here and there. Old memories." mistalina13 "Yes, that's sort of what I meant..." Morgan smiled sheepishly. "I know it seems silly of me, but I don't want to end up an embarressment." She had grabbed the origami she had been working on off the desk and sat down on the edge of her bed, and began fiddling with it. "Why, don't you at least sit down Toki?" She motioned to the chair at the desk. Sosiqui "An embarassment to who?" Toki looked confused, but sat down. "There are other gods here and there, but they keep to themselves mostly. There is no high court here. Destruction's aspect is not... conducive to such things..." mistalina13 "I don't want to embaress myself in front of Shaiming and Crispin..." Morgan looked up from folding the last of the part of the shuriken she had been working on and tossed it lightly onto the desk, and it landed alongside a few other small origami pieces. Sosiqui Toki chuckled. "My Lord may be a Dragon King, but he has never required ceremony from those he holds close. Were you a stranger, yes, but you aren't. As for Master Crispin..." Toki raised one eyebrow, knowingly. "I doubt you would be where you are now if you were an embarassment to him." mistalina13 Morgan's thoughts seemed to drift elsewhere for a moment, before she answered. "No, I suppose not." She smiled sheepishly. "I suppose it was a silly idea in the first place." She chewed on her lower lip for a moment afterward. Sosiqui "Not silly - it was a good thought, though perhaps not practical. As for the other gods... I have never seen any deity who did not respond with at least base courtesy to a polite bearing and good manners." The Aoide reached up and absently fiddled with one of his cloth bunny ears. "Even D-destruction, terrifying though h-he is..." He looked nervous, then swallowed. "Is not cruel for no reason." mistalina13 She pulled her feet up onto the bed and crossed her legs. "Thanks Toki, for being helpful. I'd appreciate your opinion on something though..." She seemed almost shy about asking, since it was about her appearance. "...do you think I should keep my hair long?" It was an idea she had toyed with every once and a while for a time now, and she wouldn't mind a guy's opinion on it. She decided to ask Toki, partly because it would keep him here longer, talking, so she'd have company and wouldn't have to spend the time until Crispin and Shaiming came back entirely by herself. Sosiqui Toki looked confused at that question. "Cut your hair? I'm sure that's up to you, Lady Morgan." He tilted his head to one side, and one bunny ear flopped down onto his forehead; he brushed it back with a quick movement. "When Lord Shaiming was previously ascendant, I helped advise him on a great many things... but never hair." mistalina13 Morgan giggled. "I'm just asking for an opinion, friend to friend, Toki. Do you think I would look nicer if I had shorter hair?" She shook her head and brushed a bit of her long hair behind her ear. It had been many years since it had been any sort of short. "It isn't something I would be doing right away obviously." She rested her hands on her knees, and hoped she hadn't been wrong in asking for his advice, even if it was on something...rather trivial. Sosiqui "Friend?" Toki looked absolutely shocked. "Oh, no, Lady Morgan, I would not presume such familiarity..." mistalina13 "Toki, it's alright, calm down." Morgan mentally facepalmed, she had apparently forgotten to be careful how she worded things to the Aoide. She got up from the bed and walked over to him. "I'm sorry, just still not entirely used to how things work here. I see you as a friend. Your very kind, and you've helped me a lot." She smiled softly. "I would see no harm in you calling me a friend, but if you prefer not too, I understand." Sosiqui "Y-you are too gracious, Lady Morgan," Toki said, bowing to her. "I would be honored to bear such a title, if you would give it..." He smiled, tentatively. mistalina13 Morgan nodded. "I would glady, Toki." She leaned against the desk, still smiling softly at the White Rabbit. "Would you be adverse to giving an opinion now though; because I would really appreciate it." He didn't have to answer of course, it wouldn't offend her. Sosiqui "Um..." Toki thought, squirming awkwardly in his chair as he did so. "I prefer long hair," he said, finally, and reached up to fiddle with his own hair; a quick tug and the purple updo unraveled and tumbled down, reaching to the middle of the Aoide's back. "Though I keep mine up, so it won't flop in Crispin's tea or tangle in my wings." mistalina13 "Wow..." Morgan, looking a little suprised, had never actually noticed how Toki's hair had been done up. She stood and walked behind him, to get a better look at the Aoide's hair. "...very nice Toki." She started to reach out to touch it, then stopped. "Never seen a guy which such nicely kept long hair." She leaned to the side slightly and looked over his shoulder. "Best I can ever seem manage with my hair is a pony tail." She laughed a little. Sosiqui Toki blushed; the color compared to his ivory-white skin was startling, nearly blood-red. "My gender has nothing to do with it," he protested. "A servant of the gods appearing unkempt - well, unless the god one served was a god of mess or sloven, it would be unheard of. A disgrace!" The cloth bunny ears, no longer held up as firmly now that Toki's hair was down, tried to slide down the back of his head. Instantly Toki grabbed for them with both hands, shoving the headband back into place and holding onto it for a moment, so tight that his knuckles would have turned white, had they not already been so. mistalina13 Morgan giggled, seeing him blush. "I can understand that much Toki. I take it you don't get compliments often?" She put a hand on his shoulder lightly, hoping the gesture wouldn't cause him to turn any redder. To her eyes, it already seemed like the Aoide might faint and that would be the last thing she wanted to happen or to have to explain if Crispin, Shaiming and Nebula returned any time soon. Sosiqui "Compliments..." Toki tilted his head to one side, as he finally released the bunny ears and went to gather up his hair again, nimble fingers twisting it back into place. "Praise, yes, for jobs well done..." mistalina13 Morgan watched him work his hair back into place, quite amazed how easily he managed such a thing. "How long did that take you to learn to do that?" she asked curiously. Sosiqui "The hair? It is instinct now... I have been doing it for a very, very long time..." Toki looked up, his eyes a bit unfocused. "The Fading was long ago. Nebula may be new-born and the gods hold refuge in their jewels, but I have had none of these things..." mistalina13 Morgan had picked up bits and pieces of conversation here and there, so she understood a little better an Aoide's position in things. "You were alone for all that time Toki?" Her expression saddened. Sosiqui "Alone..." Toki shuddered suddenly, intense enough to make the chair rattle against the floor, from his toes all the way up to the suddenly wagging tips of the bunny ears. "All alone," he mumbled. "Everything glass, everything ash, they didn't know me, I hid, for such a long time, such a very very long time, waiting, nothing, nothing, nothing..." His tone got more and more frantic. mistalina13 "TOKI!" Morgan hadn't meant to upset the White Rabbit so much, and she regreted her words. "Toki...." She put her hands just on his shoulders at first and spoke softly, calmly. "It seems like it must have been awful for you, and I appologize for bringing it up. But, always remember, you aren't alone now. You have Shaiming, Crispin, Nebula...and me." She leaned close to him and pulled him into a gentle hug. "Your not alone, Toki. Remember that." She said to reaffirm it, in hopes of reassuring him and that it would help calm him. She drew back slightly, so she could look him in the eyes. Sosiqui Toki pulled away from Morgan hard, stumbling out of the chair and nearly crashing into the wall, before leaning against it and closing his eyes, taking a few deep breaths. "I am sorry... see, now I am the one who has become an embarassment," he said, finally, his eyes still closed as he stayed by the wall, clinging to it like a drowning man. "It is as you say, I am not alone anymore, but the memories are not... pleasant. It is not your fault, Lady Morgan, it simply is." Then he straightened, opened his eyes, and visibly steeled himself once more. "I am sorry. I should go, I have caused you trouble." mistalina13 "You aren't an embaressment, everyone has there...ghosts..." Morgan said simply, after she righted herself from nearly hitting the ground when Toki pulled away from her. She smoothed her shirt, "...and we all have our own ways of dealing with them." She took a few steps toward her desk and rested a hand on the edge, before she looked toward the Aoide again. "There is no need to appologize. I appreciated the company Toki, your welcome to visit with me." She managed a small smile. Then she plucked one of her little origami works from her desk, a small white rabbit, and offered it to him. "A white rabbit for a white rabbit." She said in a slightly joking tone, hoping not to offend or anything. Sosiqui "Th-thank you," Toki managed, offering a small and shaky smile as he took the fragile paper rabbit. "Toki?" The sudden call made the Aoide jump, and he darted to the door quickly, relieved to have a distraction. "Are you there?" "Here, Nebula," he called back, opening the door. The black cat Aoide was in the small hallway that ran between the servants' rooms, and she flicked one ear at him and gave the origami in his hand an odd look. "What have you been doing? No matter, Master Crispin and Lord Shaiming are back now. Master says he's ravenous and needs food." The catgirl folded her arms and gave Toki a sharp nod. "If you would?" "Yes, yes, at speed!" Toki turned and nodded to Morgan, mouthed 'thank you', then bowed and stood up again so fast that the bunny ears whipped up, back, and slapped him in the face. Nebula shook her head as Toki vanished. "I hope he wasn't troubling you, milady." mistalina13 Morgan smiled at Toki as he bolted off, then shook her head. "No, Nebula he wasn't." She turned and rested against the desk again. "We've just been talking a while, after he brought me the flowers from Crispin, which are very lovely." She glanced toward the flowers for a moment. "I wish to thank him for them myself, but it can wait if he's exhausted from his lessons." Sosiqui "Thank me for what?" Crispin appeared in the doorway, looking tired, his clothes smudged with ash. "Master - please, go back inside, I'll have a warm bath and fresh clothes laid out for you, and Toki is preparing dinner," Nebula pleaded. "No... I want to talk to Morgan, if it's okay with her." He smiled. "The bath can wait, okay?" Nebula pouted. "Okay," she mumbled, and padded catlike out of the room, her tail lashing back and forth. Crispin sighed, and sank into the chair Toki had so recenty vacated. "Er, it is okay with you, right? I need something less depressing to look at, and you are easily the least depressing thing I know." He smiled wanly. "Indeed, we would not impose, but if you would have us..." Shaiming spoke through Crispin's mouth this time, but the tone was unmistakably that of the dragon, though it wavered crackily between baritone and Crispin's own tenor. mistalina13 "Of course I don't mind." Morgan smiled. "...and thank for for the flowers, they're beautiful; Toki brought them to me while you were still out." She giggled suddenly, at an idea she had, after seeing how exhausted he was. "Want a shoulder rub...while your sitting there?" She took a few steps and was behind him, looking over his shoulder. "It might help you relax." She giggled again and smiled playfully. Sosiqui "Oh, he got some flowers? That's good... wow, those are nice! I wonder how far he had to go?" Crispin looked thoughtful, then shook his head. "I'll ask him later. But I'm glad you like them," he added, shyly. He leaned forward, stretched, and hung there for a moment before straightening up. "Um. Sure, that'd be nice... got all stiff from staring up, trying to find stars... that weren't there anymore..." His voice trailed off. "My old friends, snuffed out by my liege lord," Shaiming put in, aggreived. "I can hardly bear the dishonor."mistalina13 Morgan rubbed his shoulders and neck carefully, trying to work the tension out of them. She sighed softly, when Shaiming spoke. "It is a shame, the stars are such beautiful things..." Her own voice trailed off as she leaned over his shoulder to give him an affectionate nuzzle and her hands stopped for a moment, "That better, or shall I keep going a bit longer?" Sosiqui "Mmm... no, keep going, please?" Crispin said, leaning back into her touch. "Just be careful of Shaiming's gem; it's between my shoulder blades." "The stars are lovely; while their creation is not my domain, their guarding and their realm are dear to me..." The dragon sounded uncomfortable, ashamed.. "I can only hope they can be reborn. Oh, that is nice... thank you, Lady Morgan," he added, apparently enjoying the massage as much as his host. mistalina13 "Mhm...alright then.." Morgan's slipped down so she could give him a quick hug from behind, to try and brighten the dragon's mood, before she went back to massaging his shoulders and neck. "And your quite welcome...I'm just glad I can be of some use around here." She smiled. Sosiqui "Mmm..." Crispin leaned back into the hug, smiling - and then changed, subtly, his posture stiffening and his eyes drifting closed. "Don't be afraid," Shaiming said, quietly. "I have taken control for now, but it is temporary... I wanted to speak with you alone, without Crispin present, and this is the only way to do so."mistalina13 Morgan was a little suprised by the change and jumped a little. "Okay." She said, a little nervously and drew her hands back, not quite sure what to make of the situation. Sosiqui "I am sorry to scare you," Shaiming said, with a sigh. "But, what I have to say is important. There is not much time left. While I cannot gauge how much... Crispin and I are growing closer. I can speak through him easily now, even when he is fully awake, as you have no doubt noticed."
The dragon paused, and took a few deep breaths. "I will do what I can to preserve him for you. I cannot promise I will succeed. But I recognize deep affection when I see it. I too loved, once." His voice was suddenly fond, gentle. "Once... but I have been forgotten. I will do my best to hold that fate for you as long as I can. And if it is possible..." His voice trailed off, and he shook his/Crispin's head a tiny bit. "What I intend may not be... but I will strive." mistalina13 Morgan had walked around the chair and stood in front. "Thank you." Was all she could manage to say, she hadn't exactly been expecting to be talking to Shaiming alone. She was quite nervous and her hands shook slightly so she hid them behind her back. She leaned forward and gave him a quick peck on the lips and she blushed faintly. Sosiqui "My, such an offering - though one, I think, Crispin will be better able to appreciate than this old dragon." Shaiming chuckled, fondly. "You are a brave child, Morgan, and I am glad to have met you. You will be taken care of if what I intend does not come to pass, have no fear of that." mistalina13 "It would be hard to deal with loosing either of you." Morgan murmured and glanced away for a moment, blushing a bit more now. After a moment she looked back to Shaiming. "Really brave, or really stupid, depending on who you talk to actually." Sosiqui "It is never stupid to love," Shaiming said, simply. "And I know you would rather speak with Crispin than with me, so I will take my leave... but if you would, speak not to Crispin of what you have heard." A moment later Crispin's eyes opened, unfocused, and he shook his head, then yawned. "Mmm... must have been sleepier than I thought. I'm sorry, Morgan." He sat up, and looked sheepish. mistalina13 Morgan nodded and did her best to appear as if nothing had gone on and Crispin had simply dozed off. "S'alright Crispin, perfectly alright." She had been waiting for the opportunity to steal a kiss from him again, and now was a good a time as any. She leaned over him and kissed him, it was hopefully better than last time, if nothing else it was far less clumsy. She pulled away after a moment, and the words just slipped out. "I love you, Crispin." Sosiqui Crispin leaned into the kiss, and sat sleepily back when it was done, just looking at Morgan with a soft smile - but her next words made her eyes widen. "You... you what?" he spluttered as his face turned pink. "I... um..." He stared at her blushing furiously for a few minutes, then looked down. "... Why? I'm gonna... basically die... before too long... why spend this much emotion on me?" He reached for her, his hands shaking slightly. "Morgan..." mistalina13 "I want no regrets, and you deserved to know the truth, even though I wasn't sure of it until just now." Morgan blushed deeply as well and reached out to touch his cheek when he looked down. "Because your wonderful, in every sense, Crispin..." She took his shaking hand, kissed the back of it and then pressed it against her cheek. "Nothing could change how I feel." She slid onto his lap and buried her face against his shoulder. Sosiqui Crispin embraced her, hesitantly at first, then moved to hold her close - but carefully, as though she were something rare and fragile. "Thank you," he whispered into her ear, before freeing one hand and tilting her lips up to meet his. Shaiming, being a polite Dragon King, said nothing - but Crispin could feel the dragon at the edge of his thoughts, radiating a quiet joy. mistalina13 Morgan kissed him in return. This was a rare point in her life, probably for the first time she found one person she could trust completely, even with her life. It was not without the danger though, she could loose him completely. She had told the truth about her feelings. No regrets. Everything was a gamble. For all anyone knew, they might only have today. So why not live for it? When their lips parted enough, she murmured. "I'm yours."
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:37 pm
Ink Stains
Where...? Shaiming stirred quietly awake, aware that it was deep night despite the fact that he could not see the sky. There was someone near him, close, breath stirring on his cheek...
Ah. Yes. Morgan.
"I am sorry," he whispered, quietly, and sat up, making sure his sleeping host was firmly ensconced and well into slumber in the back of their shared mind. It was ill-done, but the dragon had business... business that needed to be conducted without Crispin's presence.
He got out of the bed slowly, afraid that he would wake the girl, but her breathing continued deep and even and Shaiming escaped safely. Sensing movement, Toki appeared in the hallway near him. "Master Crispin?"
"He sleeps. I have much to do, Toki," Shaiming said, and the Aoide immediately bowed deeply.
"Of course, my Lord! What do you require?" Toki held the door open as they moved into the main chambers, those ridiculous cloth ears flopping about atop his head.
"Pen, ink, and paper; good vellum will be sufficient. And wax for my seal. Did you obtain the type required?" Shaiming moved across the room with a stately, much more stable gait. His control over his host's body had improved dramatically, though the fact that it had made something twist inside him. He was so enjoying this peaceful time, Crispin's company and Morgan's ready companionship... but it could not last forever.
"I did, my Lord. One moment." Toki went down the hall to the hoard-room as Shaiming sat down at the desk, flexing his fingers carefully. The Aoide returned with the requested materials and a white taper candle, which he carefully placed before his Lord. "Is there anything else you need?"
"Not at this moment," Shaiming said. He looked over the slim sheets; not real vellum, but a paper-maker's imitation. Well, it did not matter. After a few minutes, he opened the ink bottle, dipped the pen in with care, pondered once more, and began to write.
The concentration for such an act of fine motor skill was much more intense than for simply walking across the room, and by the end Shaiming was sweating and his fingers were lightly stained with ink. But the writing was clean and the paper itself remained unsmudged; five neat letters lay on the desk before him, black ink gleaming slightly as it dried. Three of the missives were written in the tongue of the Pantheon, the others in ordinary English.
After taking a moment to rest and steady his hands, the dragon unwrapped the sealing wax. It was deep black with silver flecks in it; night sky with stars, and once he was sure the dried ink on his fingers would no longer stain the paper, he folded the letters and addressed them before dipping the sealing wax into the lit candle. It blobbed nicely onto the letters, and the dragon exerted some of his small power to carve his sigil into the hardening wax.
That done, he dropped the pen and sat back, letting the exhaustion wash over him - Crispin's body still needed rest, and was not getting it, and he himself was tired as well. But when else would he be able to move unnoticed?
"Toki," he called, wearily, and beckoned the Aoide over to him.
"My Lord?"
"Take these letters. They are not to be brought forth until after the Change occurs. These two first; the rest will be delivered following my instructions." Shaiming handed over the five envelopes.
"Indeed, my Lord..." Toki squinted at them. "Morgan, yes, the girl... and Tian Yue? Who is this, my Lord?"
"You will come to know in time, I wager," Shaiming said, with a sigh. "And the others, mark them as well."
"Yes, my Lord. Harmodius..." Toki gulped. "And Lord Shenlei... and myself?" He peered curiously at the envelope.
"Not until the appointed time," Shaiming said, sharply.
Toki bowed hurriedly, the bunny ears bobbing up and down. "Yes, my Lord! As you say!" He quickly moved onto the last letter. "Lord Lucius, Universe..."
Shaiming closed his eyes. That one bit most sorely, but... it had to be done. Will he even care? No, surely such long time spent cannot be forgotten utterly... surely not.
"Is this all?"
"Yes. I must return - I wish to sleep, the body wishes to sleep, and it would do Morgan ill were she to awaken and see Crispin's absence." Shaiming pushed back the chair and got up slowly, a headache beginning to form.
Toki darted around him as he moved towards the door, fluttering like a nervous hen. "Are you quite alright, my Lord?"
"Yes! Toki, go and put the letters away," Shaiming ordered, firmly. "I am quite capable of taking myself back to bed."
"Y-yes, my Lord!" Toki gulped, then darted away.
Shaiming made his way back to Morgan's chamber in peace, though more slowly than he had left, and slid back under the sheets again. The girl was still asleep, and he let himself sink back, gently moving Crispin's consciousness so that it would rise to the surface...
Crispin stirred, slightly, then yawned... caught sight of Morgan, and smiled, nestling up to her, taking her in his arms again before drifting off to sleep again.
In the morning, he wondered with surprise why his fingers had ink stains on them.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:24 am
Valentine's Daymistalina13 Morgan had left something on the table of Shaiming's sitting room earlier in the day, for the amusement of the Dragon as much as his host. It was stats written up for Shaiming as a Dungeons & Dragons deity. She hoped it would be amusing and brighten his mood, he had seemed a little lost the last few days. At present though, Morgan was in her little room, at her desk and working on painting little figurines with her headphones on; Her door was open just enough so anyone passing by would know she was at home, though she likely wouldn't notice if anyone came in. Sosiqui Crispin hadn't noticed the paper on the table - he was too busy with other plans. True, he hadn't realized it was Valentine's Day until late, and Toki had been sent soaring out the door on an epic quest for some kind of gift - but the Aoide had returned successful. Relieved, and a little bemused that for the first time ever he had someone to share valentines with, Crispin darted for Morgan's room with the wrapped box in hand, hoping that Morgan wouldn't be mad for his delay. What if she thought he had forgotten? Yikes... "Morgan? Are you busy, love?" he said, poking his head in with a smile, holding the box out of sighed behind the doorframe. mistalina13 Morgan didn't notice anything until the temperature in the room changed. She looked back over her shoulder and jumped when she saw Crispin there, standing in the doorway. "Oh...hi..." She said after a moment, smiling sheepishly as she pulled the bud headphones from her ears; The music coming from them was loud enough that he could probably make out what song it was. "Come on in...you were standing there long, we're you?" She turned in the chair and rested her forearms on the back of it. Sosiqui "Just a little bit, but it's okay," Crispin said, thanking... well, the Love God, wherever he was... that she didn't seem mad. "Notice anything about today?" he added, keeping the box behind his back. "Well met, Morgan," Shaiming chimed in. "I am very much afraid that Crispin thinks himself quite clever, at the moment.'"Hey!" mistalina13 "Special....today?" It took Morgan a few moments to think of it, she usually didn't care. "It's Valentine's Day." She giggled at Shaiming's words. "Clever huh?" She beamed and got up from the chair. "He's probably up to something then." Behind her, he'd see all the various little figures Morgan had been working on painting, along with the little jars of paint and other supplies. "The question is, dear Crispin, what exactly are you up to?" She leaned over and gave him a little kiss in greeting. Sosiqui Crispin blushed a bit at the kiss, but returned it, then turning to produce the box from behind his back. It was heart-shaped, red, simply wrapped and from it wafted the scent of good chocolate. "Happy Valentine's Day," he said, with a grin. "Sweets for the sweet... or something like that. I'm not that good at mushy stuff." "Oh, that smells quite good. Could I try some?" Shaiming asked, and Crispin could feel the dragon's curiosity. "Hey, those are for Morgan!" he protested. "Don't ask after someone else's gift!" "... I am sorry, that was very indiscreet of me," Shaiming replied after a moment, sounding ashamed of himself. "It just smells lovely.""Have you never had chocolate before?" Crispin looked surprised. mistalina13 Morgan smiled. "Your sweet. I totally forgot today was Valentine's Day." She blushed a little, feeling a little embaressed. "Someone whose never had chocolate before, that's...almost unheard of." That suprised her quite a bit as well, after all who hadn't at least tried chocolate, even if they ended up hating it? "I'll tell you what, all three of us can share." Sosiqui Crispin grinned. "Oh, how kind of you... especially considering that two of us share the same taste buds, so won't need half as much..." he teased. "Stop that," Shaiming chided. "Thank you, milady. I apologies for the rude manners of my host." The dragon's tone was cheerful, though, in good humor and ready to tease as much as Crispin was. "Ouch. I am slain!" Crispin mock-staggered and flopped across Morgan's bed, clutching his heart as though he'd been dealt a mortal wound. mistalina13 Morgan laughed. "Your so silly sometimes." She moved and settled herself on the bed beside him. "But it's adorable." Then she leaned over him, it seemed as if she might kiss him again, but tweaked his nose instead. "I meant to say thank you, for stay with me the other night...it was nice, just to not sleep alone." She blushed slightly and looked away for a moment. Sosiqui "You're welcome... any time. Maybe my bed next time, it's large enough for a dragon," Crispin said as he sat up... but after he spoke, he felt a sudden stab of guilt that made him pause. What...Nothing, Shaiming said, hurriedly, and Crispin realized the emotion he'd felt belonged not to him, but to the dragon. Well. He wasn't going to go that direction, not when there were much more interesting things available, like Morgan and chocolate. "Toki went a long way to get that again, I think. When Shaiming... um.. changes... he's going to throw his power around this area, so more humans will probably come back here. It won't be hard for you, and you know you can ask Nebula or Toki for anything..." mistalina13 Morgan's expression seemed almost sad. "That might be so, but it's not something I want to think about right now." She did her best to smile, snuggled close to him and kissed his cheek lightly. "I didn't tell you who I've met here...on the times I've gone wandering when you two are busy, have I?" Sosiqui "No! Who else is out and about? We've met quite a few gods, but there are probably more out there..." Crispin looked curious, and shrugged one arm around Morgan's shoulders, pulling her in close to him. "Indeed. Several Dragon Kings yet unencountered, at the very least; I am not aware how many of the Pantheon have been summoned back to the waking world."mistalina13 "I've met two other gods...Love, he introduced himself to me as Rio. Quite cheerful, really nice, good advice too. I met the Underworld God yesterday too, Nergal...not quite what I expected, still pretty nice though. He said something about wanting to speak to you at some point..." Morgan rested her head against his shoulder and sighed contentedly. "I've been wondering, how many other Dragon Kings are there, Shaiming?" Sosiqui "Love? Huh. I bet he's having a good day today, then." Crispin leaned against Morgan and grinned. "Underworld though, that sounds creepy. Was he like an undead or something?" "Well? How many Dragon Kings, Crispin? And their names, please." Shaiming poked playfully at his host. "Or have all your studies been for naught?"Crispin sighed. "Fine, fine... there's nine of them. Shaiming is Tien-Lung. Then there's Futs-Lung, Ti-Lung, Ying-Long, Qian-Lung, Shen-Lung, Chien-Tang, Mang, and Yu Five Claws." mistalina13 "I'm not really sure...might've been." Morgan shifted a little to make herself more comfortable; she now lay on her stomach, so she could cuddle better against him and her head rested against his chest. Smiling softly, she let her mind wander as she tried to imagine what the Dragons might look like. After a moment she tilted her head up and nuzzled Crispin's throat. "Thanks for the best Valentine's Day ever..." She felt like she should say it, because it was the first Valentines she wasn't alone. Sosiqui Crispin blushed again, though this time with pleasure instead of embarassment. "You're welcome... though you should thank Toki too, when you see him next. He said he'd go to the ends of the earth, and judging by how tired he was, he might have for all I know..." Shaiming mentally stepped aside as Crispin turned to kiss Morgan again. This was Crispin's moment, not his. A day of love... and he without his own beloved, who seemed by all accounts to have forgotten his existence. Yet there were Harmodius' words, a quest of sorts... but that had to wait until he had dragonshape again, and by that time it might not even matter. But it was just as well. It would have been most awkward with a shared body... the mental image of poor Crispin perched between Morgan and Lucius, giving each a confused kiss in turn, made the dragon laugh aloud. Crispin blinked at the sudden laughter. "That wasn't me," he said, quickly. "Shaiming?" "I am sorry. I was not laughing at you."mistalina13 Morgan very nearly purred with contentment when Crispin kissed her again. The sudden laugh startled her though and very nearly jumped. "S-s'alright." She sat up and looked down at Crispin, "...and I will thank Toki too." She smiled playfully then, having gotten an evil idea. Was Crispin ticklish?Sosiqui "What?" Crispin raised one eyebrow at Morgan, curiously. "I don't like that look, that's the same face you got when you throw big monsters at us when we game..." Shaiming had tried to keep the mental image of Crispin, Morgan and Lucius over on his side of the mind (as it were), but as he turned to regard Morgan as well, the thought slipped from his mental grasp... and snap into the forefront of Crispin's conciousness. Crispin paused... for several seconds... and then began to laugh helplessly. "What the hell, Shaiming?" he spluttered, blushing at once. mistalina13 "I'm not sure I want to know...." Morgan giggled impishly, realising that gave her the opening she was looking for and tried to tickle his sides first. That was usually one of the common places people were ticklish. Sosiqui "He was thinking about me... well, us I guess... sitting between you and Lucius, that's Universe, kissi-ACK!" Crispin flailed as suddenly there were wiggling tickly fingers at his sides, and he laughed helplessly once more, squirming to try and get away. Shaiming... was grateful for the distraction from his indiscretion. What was the matter with him today? mistalina13 Morgan stopped after a few minutes, but she had ended up giggling even more as well. Hopefully he wouldn't get any ideas like that to try on her, she was really ticklish in quite a few places. She simply smiled at him once her own gigglefit subsided. "Are you okay?" Sosiqui "Shaiming's training has made me invulnerable to tickling!" Crispin proclaimed, then lunged for her with all fingers wriggling, ready to return fire. mistalina13 "ACK!" Morgan burst into giggles again when he caught her and she fell backwards, ending up half off the bed. "I'm horribly ticklish! Stop before I fall off!" She managed to say between giggles, when she could get enough air. Sosiqui "What, asking for mercy when none was given?" Crispin grinned wickedly and kept tickling for just a few more seconds - but then let up, offering her a hand to pull her back into place. "I suppose that's the duty of a Dragon King... and 'sides, I love you," he grinned. mistalina13 Morgan took a couple of moments to breathe before grabbing his hand and letting him pull her back up onto the bed. She smiled, "I love you too..." She kissed him again and cuddled close to him again afterward, burying her face in his shoulder. "Always will." Her cheeks flushed then, just for a moment. She was grateful he couldn't see her face just then. Sosiqui "For as long as I have," Crispin promised, then kind of wished he hadn't said that. Did they need any more reminders of how little time there was? No. Shaiming said nothing, but his silence was conspicious. "Hey... c'mon, let's go into the other room. I bet Toki can whip up some kind of bang-up dinner... I can't really take you out to a nice restaurant, but this is the closest thing, huh?" He took her hand in his. mistalina13 Morgan hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go, a small part of her fearing it would be the last time she got to hold him. After a moment she shook that thought off, dismissing it. She trusted the Dragon, thought she wasn't sure what he had planned. Drawing back, she managed a little almost cheerful smile for Crispin. "Sure." Sosiqui "Alrighty... let's go! I'm sure he'll be willing to help, he loves getting jobs to do. Keeps him busy." Privately, Crispin thought as he helped Morgan up and they walked hand-in-hand into Shaiming's larger chambers, he was pretty sure Toki liked having assignments because they meant he didn't have to think so much, that he got his directions from outside and that was fine. The Aoidei, both of them, were buzzing around the room cleaning, though they stopped and bowed as soon as the door opened. "Good evening, Lady Morgan... was the gift well-recieved?" Toki asked, slyly. "It was. Toki, can you make dinner for us? Something suitable for the day?" Crispin grinned. The Aoide bowed, the bunny-ears bobbling atop his head. "But of course! Nebula, if you attend to their needs... I'll be off." He darted out the door, wings fanning behind him for extra speed. The catgirl bowed as well. "Let me know if you require anything, Master, my lady," she said, quietly, and left the room with her tail twitching back and forth a little more sharply than Shaiming liked. Crispin didn't seem to notice. "Ahh! Well then - hey, what's this?" Crispin spotted the piece of paper on the table, and bent to pick it up and read it. It took a few moments, but he looked up at Morgan with a big smile on his face. "Look at that. Hah! That's awesome!" mistalina13 Morgan grinned. "Thought you'd like that. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I tried my best...it's based from the other dragon gods in the game." It had taken her a few hours just to manage a clean, decently balanced copy of it; after all there weren't many dragons in the pantheons associated with the game. "The rest is best guesses...and things you've told me about him." Alignment: Lawful Neutral. Portfolio: Balance, Chivalry, Courage, Sky. Domains: Good, Law, Protection.Those were just tidbits from what the sheet listed. Sosiqui "It looks good... from what I know, anyway." Crispin was definitely amused; he sat down on the loveseat still reading the sheet. "I have been reduced to statistics and feats... but well-reduced," Shaiming said, cheerfully. "My thanks, Morgan."mistalina13 "I'm glad you like it...and that I didn't make any mistakes." Morgan walked to the loveseat and sat herself down next to Crispin. "There are little bits and pieces missing...which you would only need for combat purposes...because I didn't know what to put down..." Mostly his weapons, some skills. Nothing really major considering how rarely deities actually were reduced to combat in the game. She smiled sheepishly. "I can always add those in later though." Sosiqui "It seems fine, though it looks like we forgot to add something..." Crispin grinned, and mentally poked at Shaiming. "A partner." He sighed then, though, his smile fading a little. "I'm sorry your love isn't here, Shaiming..." "It is no matter. He would not care to be here even if he were present..." The words were spoken matter-of-fact, without any sign that the speaker was hurt by them. "I am an old dragon, you are the young lovers. Such is the way of life. It moves in cycles - that is how it is. Even Destruction and Creation perform that dance."mistalina13 Morgan leaned over and wrapped an arm around Crispin's waist and scooted close to him, resting her head against his shoulder. "Everything does." She murmured absently before glancing up at Crispin, not knowing what else to say. Sosiqui "It is simply how the world moves. Enough," Shaiming said, pleasantly - but there was a slight edge to the words, just enough to indicate that he'd rather they drop the subject. Crispin wasn't stupid. "So tell me about the other gods you met! What were they like?" mistalina13 "I've only caught glimpses of others during my wandering...but I haven't actually spoken to any other gods, other than Rio or Nergal." Gratefully she hadn't crossed paths with Destruction, or someone else dangerous for that matter. Sosiqui "Was... Rio, was it? How was he? I knew there was one other Love god..." Crispin looked vaguely puzzled. "Most of the great domains are paired, two gods over the opposing aspects of each. Like the Darkness-That-Smothers and the Darkness-That-Shelters. Both are Darkness, but different, and together they create the whole," Shaiming explained. "It is well that there are two of Love awake in the world, for one of them was silenced for her part in injuring Creation."mistalina13 "Rio was nice, kind...polite...seemed like quite a romantic person, from the way he spoke and acted." Morgan listened to what Shaiming said as well and was a little suprised. "Silenced..." Wow, talk about divine retribution. Sosiqui "Shaiming found out what happened and explained it to me - he says he felt some of it while he was in the jewel, but not exactly what occurred..." Crispin looked uneasy. "Lucius, that's Universe, and the god that Shaiming has, um, feelings for..." The dragon said nothing. "Um. He loved Harmodius, Destruction, but then he was in his aspect of Creation. Two sides of a coin, you know? But Harmodius refused Universe's advances, so he dealt with the female Love and they made a plan, and the upside was that Lucius stabbed Harmodius... he lived of course, but it started the tilt towards Destruction. And it's not supposed to be like this; it's supposed to be balanced..." Crispin sighed. "It's so complicated. But for her part in it Love was silenced." mistalina13 Morgan nodded, it made since. Everything here involving the gods seemed to be much like a tangled web; all the strands twining into one another. She leaned over and kissed his cheek lightly. There needed to be something to lighten the mood, it seemed both Crispin and Shaiming needed to relax. "Would you like a shoulder rub...?" She asked and ran her fingers through the back of Crispin's hair gently. "...it might help you relax." Sosiqui "Sure... thank you." Crispin sighed and shook his head. "It seems like you're always doing everything for me, and all I can give you is temporary things - flowers that wilt way too fast, chocolate that... will be eaten," he added, with a grin. Me, he thought, but did not say. "I am sorry to contribute to the chocolate's disappearance. It's hard eating for two," Shaiming said, deadpan. "Hey! You make it sound like I'm pregnant or something!" Crispin delivered a mental swat to the dragon. mistalina13 Morgan smiled and laughed. "Oh your both so silly sometimes." She started rubbing Crispin's shoulders then. "But it's adorable and just makes me love you more." She nuzzled his throat then kissed it playfully. "And I'm lucky to have you." Even if it is only for a little while. She added, to herself, as an afterthought. Sosiqui "Love who? Me or him?" Crispin teased, tilting his head back, and making an appreciative sound as Morgan's shoulder-rub started to calm down the tenseness in his shoulders - it seemed like there was always something to be tense about, these days. "I can't imagine what most girls would think, having a boyfriend with a literal voice in his head... that even talks out loud, sometimes... you're a definite treasure for that alone!" "I am not a voice in your head, I am a Dragon King," Shaiming said, peevishly. "All the... hm. How odd. Pharmaceuticals to do away with voices in your head? I'd like to see someone try that on a god.""Hey, stop digging around in my memories! Morgan, never ever do this gem thing if you value your privacy." Crispin grinned wryly, knowing it was a lost cause - he and Shaiming had grown close to the point that the dragon could hardly NOT see what was in his mind. mistalina13 Morgan giggled. "You should see all the "cures" for things there are where we're from, some of them are downright ridiculous..." She continued to rub his shoulders and neck as they talked. "When you'd like me to stop, just let me know....and as far as privacy goes, I've had since I got here then when I was at home. Not that I'm planning on anything like that..." Why was she in this world then? She frowned slightly and shook her head. Sosiqui "No no, don't stop yet..." Crispin said. "I might have put on some muscle and stuff from Shaiming's sword training, but as far as I'm concerned that just means it's more to get all tense and twisty when there's stress... ooh." "Crispin was not planning anything either," Shaiming interjected, his tone affectionate. "But Toki sensed the ideal host in him - or perhaps sensed that the person I was calling for was him, and with the aid of Lord Harmodius' power, since He wishes all the gods to be reborn... Toki was able to momentarily bridge the gaps between worlds and call Crispin to me...""In my bathrobe and slippers," Crispin said, with a sigh. "And of course the first person I saw was a girl, and of course I fainted in front of her and felt like a doofus later... but that's just as well, because she wasn't who I was looking for." He reached up and squeezed one of Morgan's hands. "If nothing else you came to this world with far more dignity... and clothing." mistalina13 "M'kay...I should give you a proper back massage one of these days." Morgan grinned. "Rio said something about his host seeing you in your pajamas." She giggled and kissed his cheek. "You two do seem well suited to each other though." She squeezed his hand gently in return. "And my gaming gear. Which was good for both of us." She grinned widely. "I was trying to take a short cut home, in a city I should know by now..and I got lost." She blushed sheepishly. "But, it's the best thing that's ever happened to me." Sosiqui "No regrets? Don't you... miss people? I do, sometimes... but they wouldn't understand." Crispin sighed. "My housemates would think I was crazy, and my parents... would probably try and have me committed or try and cut Shaiming's jewel right out of me." Shaiming snorted. "Let them try! Even so reduced as I am, I would teach them the strength of the Dragon Kings." "Easy there, nobody's really going to do that," Crispin said, quietly. "That's part of why I'm not going back... that and I don't know how, and if I did get back I'm not sure how I'd return. I don't want Shaiming to be stuck somewhere he's not supposed to be... I was called here, so I have to stay." "But Morgan arrived in another place," Shaiming mused aloud. "Harmodius has not called for her; perhaps her coming is simply a coincidence. This world is a very open one, easy to travel to."mistalina13 "My parents worry about my little brother, not me. I'm the "good" child." Morgan rolled her eyes. "Sometimes I wish I wasn't so damned obedient." She stopped rubbing his shoulders and slid her arms around him. "I can understand that." She rested her head against his shoulder, then gave him a gentle squeeze. "A big coinsidence then." This was one of those times, when you wonder if fate was actually real. Sosiqui "Mmm." Crispin reached one arm up to awkwardly 'hug' back. "I wonder what they think, sometimes. Where they think I went, what they think happened to me... I'm sure they care, but even when I think about them being frantic... it makes me uncomfortable, but I can't turn my back on what I have here... not Shaiming, not you." mistalina13 Morgan sighed softly. "My parents probably figured I ran away." She nuzzled his neck and kissed it lightly again. "I love you." Sosiqui "Me too. Er, love you, not love myself," Crispin said, finally turning around in the chair to face her. "That's better... now I can retaliate!" He grinned, wickedly, and reached for Morgan- "Dinner!" Toki trilled from the doorway, and Crispin snapped bolt upright immediately. Shaiming snickered, internally. "Toki! Um. Yes. Dinner! What did you make?" He quickly got up and took Morgan's hand. There was a small table and two chairs, the size of what one would find at a sidewalk cafe, back by the windows - and while the bruised sky and the red glow of the lava might not have been absolutely picturesque, at least the window itself was pretty. The Aoide was carrying a covered tray, which he set down on the table, and then pulled out both chairs. "Sit, sit, please, Master, m'lady..." mistalina13 Morgan covered her mouth to stifle her giggle when Toki came in. She took Crispin's hand and followed him to table. Curiously she peeked out the window for a moment, then shook her head. Had the stars been there, it wouldn't have been so bad. She smiled at Toki and waved a little at the Aoide. "Okay." Sosiqui "After you," Crispin said courteously, holding the chair for Morgan and pushing it in for her, before going to sit down in his own place. Toki was fairly vibrating with excitement. "And first, the hors d'oeuvres!" He whisked the cover off of the tray to reveal a plate covered with delicate, tiny treats - miniature quiches, delicate fruits, crackers with cheeses or meats on them. "Sadly, I could not find any good wine... Destruction's taint has caused the sources I knew of to ferment overly and go off," the Aoide said, sadly. "So there is fresh water." "Wow..." mistalina13 "Thanks." Morgan smiled at Crispin, blushing faintly. Then she noticed what the Aoide presented. "Wow...Toki." Sosiqui Toki bowed. "Please - enjoy, and call for me when you are ready for the next course..." He withdrew, quickly, and Crispin blinked. " Next course?!" Shaiming chuckled. "You must become used to the... ah... 'perks'? of being a god. Such a pleasant beginning!"The dragon's own attraction to the food was making Crispin's mouth doubly water. "Okay, okay, shut your - our - whatever... mouth, so I can put food in it!" He grinned sheepishly at Morgan, then gestured at the plate. "After you, love..." mistalina13 Morgan was suprised as Crispin was. Toki was one busy rabbit. "Oh..okay." She smiled again before plucking a piece of fruit from the plate and popping it into her mouth. "Mmm.." Sosiqui "And you can enjoy the perks of dating a... er... future god... thing... sorta," Crispin said, bemused. He picked up a bit of cheese, and was surprised at the taste - nothing like the processed stuff in his fridge at home! There was something to be said for food that wasn't selected and cooked by college-age males. "Try one of the meat ones, Crispin - you too, Morgan, they look good - oh, is that salmon?" Shaiming was at full attention, and Crispin felt as though he was being oddly squished - the dragon wasn't trying to shove him out of the way, but there was still a sense of pressure, of crowding. "Okay, okay... one for me..." Crispin picked up one of the treats that Shaiming indicated. "And one for you," he added, impishly, holding one out to Morgan at mouth level. "Ah?" He grinned. mistalina13 Morgan giggled. "Okay...ah..." She opened her mouth enough for Crispin to feed her. Sosiqui Crispin obliged, though it was a little awkward - how did they manage to do things with such aplomb on television and movies, anyway? Pft. "Okay, that wasn't quite as, er, graceful as I've seen," he admitted, feeling a little dumb, but at least he hadn't smashed the thing up her nose or something. It was fine. Try a strawberry?"What, talking in my head now huh?" "Oh, I thought you wanted me to be quiet so you could put food in the mouth, instead of me using it,' Shaiming said, just to be contrary. "But mmf-"Crispin shut Shaiming - himself - whatever - up by putting in a strawberry, and remembered anew that Shaiming's talking still used his own mouth and lungs... and promptly ended up in a coughing fit as he tried not to breathe berry. mistalina13 Morgan ate the morsel and smiled. "S'alright darling." She giggled a bit, until he nearly ended up choking. "Crispin! Are you okay!" She started to get up from the chair. Sosiqui Crispin flailed one hand at her, trying to be reassuring, his words interspersed with coughs. "I'm.... fine! .... Don't... worry!" He grabbed his water glass and drained it, then coughed a bit more... then stopped. "That was stupid." Shaiming didn't dignify that with a response, to Crispin's relief. mistalina13 Morgan sat back in the chair and sighed with relief. "At least your okay..." She shook her head, "...be careful silly." She smiled a little after she spoke, just to reassure him. "I wouldn't want to have to explain to Toki why you keeled over or something...." Sosiqui "You would not have had to," Shaiming said, firmly. "A mere fruit is no match for me, and I have a vested interest in keeping Crispin as well as possible... believe me." The dragon sounded a bit fiercer than usual, and there was a strong tinge of protectiveness to his thoughts. "Well, good to know..." Crispin cought one last time, then gave Morgan a sheepish look. "I think I might be ready for the next course... whatever that is. How about you? I can have Toki set these aside for later." mistalina13 "Sure, Crispin." Morgan smiled and shifted to resettle herself in the chair.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:25 am
Personal Space
Crispin was sitting at his desk, writing down a shopping list for Toki, when the ambush came. Without warning, there were hands on his shoulders, rubbing hard, practically choking him...
"WAUGH!" Crispin flailed most ungracefully, then remembered his training and managed to get away from whatever it was, though he heard his clothing rip and felt scratches open up in his skin. Once free, he whirled, ready to run back to the bedroom and grab his sword if he needed.
Well done, Shaiming said, lightning-swift as the dragon too rose to attention, in case his assistance would be required... but there was no assassin in sight. Only Nebula, the Aoide shrinking away from him, her hands clasped to her chest.
"Nebula!" Crispin spluttered. "What were you doing?!"
"I was... trying to give you a r-rub... you l-like them, right?" Nebula said, and to Crispin's surprise she sounded on the verge of tears.
"Not like that, I don't! Look what you did to my clothes!" Crispin reached back and felt his pajama top; there were now long rents torn in it from where Nebula's claws had caught, and he winced as his fingers brushed scratches in his own skin. They came away with streaks of blood.
Nebula's lower lip trembled. "I-i..."
"Go get Toki and tell him I need some bandages." Crispin turned away from her, angry.
"B-but!"
"You have been given an order, Nebula," Shaiming said in his most commanding tone, his voice rich with disapproval. "One of your claws bit too near my jewel. Oh, take care, Aoide..."
Nebula's eyes were huge now with fear and regret, tears trembling in them. "I... just wanted to do for you... l-like Morgan could!" And with that, she turned tail and ran for the door, her shoulders shaking.
The door slammed, and in the sudden silence Crispin was dumbfounded.
"What... what just happened?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:26 am
Green and Growing ThingsSosiqui There. That is the place Morgan indicated - let us hope she is within. Shaiming's mental voice was strong, but there was concern there - and a wave of memory that was very deep. Crispin gulped as he waited in front of the doorway, hesitant. The Twin Crown was awe-inspiring... what would His Empress be like? Would she have the same kind of intensity, that made one feel infinitely fragile merely to be in her presence? Go on, Shaiming said, prodding his host. Morgan spoke well of her. Do you not trust Morgan, at the very least?"Of course I do," Crispin said, automatically, then braced himself and knocked on the door. Lady_Ourania Kishara scrubbed the dirt off of her forearms with a damp washcloth, clicking her tongue when she considered the crescents of black-brown caught beneath her fingernails. It wasn't often that the Mother exercised her dwindling human-half by engaging in activities such as standard gardening - delving into nutrient-rich soil with bare hands and relaxed elbows, knees aching from the concentration of pressure she exerted on them as she worked - but the possibilities behind the seeds that Ishum had given her had finally broken through a will that was admittedly not ironclad, and she'd proceeded without another thought. Alexander had been dismayed by her insistence, of course, but he had left her to it, perhaps sensing an ulterior motive intermingled with the honest wish to simply feel stable lives beneath her fingers.
She didn't bother to consider how much time she'd devoted to tending the array of plant life overtaking her borrowed quarters; how many hours and days were spent touching them, sampling their unique bouquets, listening as they were disturbed by well-meaning creatures that shied from easy view. The grove thrived when she was in residence, sustaining itself on whatever force she still possessed and extending peace of mind in return. But it was fragile nonetheless, a pocket universe dependent upon her whims and the delicate balance of control she held tenuous sway over; and so the occasional reprieve was necessary in times of internal struggle, even if it meant being covered in muck up to her armpits while humming with the abandon of a honeybee. It was not crucial that she put the seeds in fertile soil, not required that she water them or speak softly to them: Gaia knew that her presence was enough, at least in the closed area of Love's room, but it felt somehow therapeutic to pretend otherwise. She enjoyed the process, the assembly, the accompanying messiness - perhaps even the dirty fingernails, so long as she didn't pay them too much attention.
Finished and in the process of cleaning up, she nearly missed the light rap of knuckles on the door, becoming aware of it only when the vegetation over threshold began to sway restlessly.
"Oh," She exhaled, glancing once at her still-soiled hands before motioning for the plants to pursue their own ideas. One tendril of ivy slipped down to turn the knob, gripping the brass and slowly manipulating it until the inner lock came undone. The door swung inward on silent hinges as she wiped the last obvious smears of dirt from her fingertips, unable to do much for what was packed beneath her nails as she deposited the cloth on the tabletop and turned to greet whoever had arrived.
The goddess' brow furrowed minutely at the image that met her gaze, not at all recognizing the figure who looked to be predominately pale skin, spectacles, and nerves. "Greetings, young sir." She addressed him politely, her wings giving the briefest flutter of curiosity before they stilled. Was he looking for someone, or had he simply been lured by the rumor of green? She posed both questions in a simple, unthreatening format. "Can I help you?" Sosiqui It is she, Shaiming whispered, and Crispin bowed immediately, low and with great respect. "Greetings, my Empress... I am Crispin, host to the Dragon King Shaiming, Worldshield and-" Wait-But Shaiming's thought came too late. "-Starscale Consort. Lord Harmodius told us to seek you out, and I know Shaiming would love to speak with you, if you would hear him," Crispin finished, shyly. Shaiming held himself rigid within his host's mind, waiting to see if Kishara would remember the significance of that title. Once consort to her first and beloved child... Lady_Ourania If the immediacy of the bow did not faze her, the resuscitation of her old title certainly did, her dark brows raising slightly even as she dipped her head in acquiescence to the announcement. It was the final part of the introduction that was like the fatal strike after a stunning blow, stopping the goddess cold. Worldshield. Harmodius. And the last... Starscale Consort, spoken in the same breath as the first, but infinitely more interesting. She focused on it, though mention of her former love proved enough to lure her away.
"Harmodius sent you?" She half-whispered, her blood feeling suddenly thin and unable to maintain even her modest frame. Did He know of her plans to seek out their firstborn son then? Was He plotting to discourage her actions, or advance them? But that made no sense, at least not considering the company He had sent. The Worldshield was loyal, but she remembered nothing of a coercive nature attached to him; precisely the opposite, if anything. The goddess shook her head, seizing upon the gnawing worry and subjugating it with rapid determination. "I forget myself, please, rise Sir Crispin, Dragon King Shaiming. Come inside, if you will, and sit if you have need to. I would very much like to hear what has brought you to my doorstep..."
"Starscale Consort." There was something in that title, but she could not yet grasp it, too insubstantial a wisp of thought. But the goddess was certain that turning her attention away from it would make the obvious jump into clear tangibility, memory being a fickle thing with ever malleable rules. And whatever it was that she could not tackle, it felt of suspiciously grave import, but she could no more force the past to resurface than she could tame Destruction.
Speaking of the Twin Crown, why had He directed a Dragon King to her of all the Edelsteine? The very prospect of learning His reasoning had her slightly anxious, but she kept the emotion from her features, resolute when it came to keeping the air clear of anything but solid and sought after information. Sosiqui "Thank you, your... highness." Crispin settled on a title, unsure of what exactly one called the Empress of the Twin Crown, and followed her inside with a timid but pleasant smile. "And my greetings to you as well, Lady Kishara," Shaiming put in, his voice deeper-pitched, a baritone to Crispin's tenor. "That was Shaiming," Crispin added quickly, to avoid any confusion. "He's getting pretty strong, so it's easy for him to talk like that now." "Thank you, Crispin... oh! So green, so alive. As expected of Gaia herself," Shaiming said appreciatively as they entered the room. "Such life I have not seen in some time, as close to the Twin Crown as I must remain. It is a joy to see, my Empress - and to see you as well. Xuan Yi's host mentioned your return, and Lord Harmodius - he sent us here to seek your will.""It's beautiful," Crispin added, softly, looking around in awe at everything. Lady_Ourania "You may call me Kishara, Crispin. No frills are required in this place. I extend the same offer to you, Tien Lung." She gestured to a chair, indicating the dual-minded individual could sit if they so chose. "And it is just as well that you grow stronger: Destruction requires someone to keep His temper in check, among other things..."
There was the barest hint of bitterness in her tone, but it was not directed at them by any means. It truly was a relief to know that the darker aspect of the Twin Crown was not alone in His nameless dilemma, though it was not her who had rushed in for the rescue. It made her heart muscle ache as though it had somehow become bruised in the clash of her indecision and His disinterest.
The Dragon King and his host's remarks about their surroundings softened the sharpness of her gloom, her face finally allowing a smile to slip into surreptitious existence. "I am glad it pleases you. I find it a great comfort in this place..." She touched a stem near her, appreciating the cool, unyielding feel of vegetable flesh that buzzed with vitality beneath her fingers. "Though, I must admit, I am reluctant to leave it at times."
Her gaze sharpened imperceptibly when Harmodius was mentioned again, this time in relation to her. "My will?" She repeated quietly, absently winding her fingers in the strands of her bracer as she considered both boy and dragon. "May I ask what it would be in relation to?" And why He would defer to me? But she kept the second question internalized, unwilling to ask such a piteous thing. It was strange, to think of Him speaking of her, though it was not necessarily unnerving; at least not until she learned what He had charged her with. Sosiqui Crispin sat down with a nod and looked around curiously, then settled as Shaiming indicated his desire to speak. "Your will in the matter of my abilities, my lady," the dragon said. "Before too much time has passed, I expect to come into my power once more, and to be able to protect some fair bit of territory against the influence of Destruction. I asked Lord Harmodius where he would have me place my shields, and he referred me to you. My own thought was to erect protection around this place and the surrounding lands, to draw humanity back in peace to the gods instead of having the temple be the locus of destruction... but I will defer to your will, should you have a better idea." Shaiming inclined Crispin's head slightly in a small, polite nod. Crispin, for his part, stayed quiet. He wasn't sure why Shaiming didn't just take control directly, but the dragon had his reasons, not always explained to his host. Lady_Ourania She took a chair once they had settled, poising herself on the edge to show her attentiveness while crossing her ankles. The goddess listened with an expression of faint bewilderment as the answer was delivered, wondering first why the Dragon would offer his services at all and secondly questioning Harmodius' state of mind when He had advised the assignment be hers.
"I am truly grateful for the generosity," Kishara began frankly, her words carefully woven so that no room would be left for unmeant offense. "But also... somewhat confused given the implication that I would know any better than yourself. I'm afraid my rebirth has not been the most inspiring, and I know very little of what occurs beyond this place. Honestly, even the happenings in this House are sometimes beyond my knowledge.
"I could not fathom telling you that your idea is incorrect, and I see no reason to think that it would be. I do not doubt that there are still a few devout individuals nearby and that they await some signal that the world will someday return to what it was, albeit with the addition of Us weighing heavily upon them. This city has been bathed in darkness for far too long, and I would agree that erecting a pinnacle of light here where it all began... it would be a worthy choice."
She grew silent for a few moments, a contemplative look crossing her features before she came to a decision. "If I may add... there is a city some distance from here, a place where five rivers meet though they contributed largely to its near demise. It is called Koiso, and though I believe the population has dwindled to a modest number, I would request that they be protected as well."
The gesture was almost an apology to the Underworld god she had mistreated, though the grudge was still too strong and senseless to dissipate entirely. She had never encountered the people who lived there, had never seen the swelled rivers and the bridges, and she likely never would. But she remembered well the way Nergal had spoken of his warm reception, at least by some, and she felt no hesitance in asking for Shaiming to direct his ability to blanket them in a protection the people must have long since forgotten. It hurt her faintly to think that the only reason she knew of Koiso was due to another god's explorations, especially when she had spent so much of her free time merely picking through the outskirts of her city, looking for someone to save. Perhaps a pilgrimage was in order, a journey to find those who were a great distance from herself but in just as much need. Gaia could only wonder if such was a better idea than seeking out Lucius, who would display no appreciation or want for her attempts.
Something made her consider the venture to Universe she had put off more closely, a gentle pressure that insisted she was overlooking something. A frown, very subtle but still present landed on her lips, and it took only a few moments for her to realize exactly what was troubling her.
Starscale Consort.
Lucius.
There.
Kishara drew in a sharp breath of surprise, wondering if this was some omen informing her that she had tarried far too long in seeking out the oldest child. Was that another reason Worldshield had arrived? Or was that simply an unintended effect? Regardless, she knew not to put it off any longer.
"Have you..." She began, pausing before continuing, her voice a little less strained. "Have you spoken to Universe in your time here?" Sosiqui As Kishara spoke, Shaiming lightly nudged Crispin, and without warning his conciousness sideslipped - but not into oblivion, as had happened before. Instead, Crispin found himself a passive observer as Shaiming took control. There was no fear, though; he trusted the dragon far too much for that. Instead, there was only curiosity. Was this how it felt for Shaiming all the time? Shaiming bowed his head to the Empress as she finished her request for protection. "I will throw my shields about this place - and Koiso, if my powers extend that far, though they may not do so... but not through lack of my own will. Would I could ascend into my full power at once, but alas - we are all bound by the slow upward struggle. Still, I will do what I can." And then, to Crispin, Remember this.Huh? Why?Never mind that, just remember. Shaiming refocused his attention on Kishara just in time to see a realization dawn across her features, and he sighed, mentally, fairly sure what her next question would be.
"Yes... I have indeed seen Lucius," the dragon said, in a tone of regret. "More than anything, I wish I could have been here sooner. The blade he wielded should by rights have pierced my scales ere they ever approached our Lord - and had I been here... he may not have felt the need to put hand to sword in the first place." There it was, spoken plainly, and all the more painful for that. Lucius.Lady_Ourania "I hold you to nothing on the matter of Koiso. I know only too well the frustration of powers coming slowly back to oneself, and I sense your efforts would be considerable." She replied gently, hoping that he would not charge himself too harshly if the attempt was futile. In truth, Kishara was grateful that he would even try, though she could think of nothing that would repay Shaiming such a kindness. It would be something she would have to give lengthy consideration, but the goddess was already taking the arrow's path when it came to the matter of her once son, and she locked quickly onto the dragon's next words with a fierceness she did not normally display.
"I see..." She intoned quietly, a measure of sorrow tinting her tone. What had she expected? That Universe would remember his former life and all who had been crucial to it? "I had hoped... but no. I would only say that the fault does not lie with you, even if it seems natural for all of Us to take up some share. I was recently manifested when it occurred, and through my host's prior knowledge I was able to sense a sliver of whatever gripped him then. I should have known, should have anticipated some grim event, but I permitted distance and weakness to dictate my actions instead of instinct. And it seems as though such has ruled my life ever since...
"I had spoken to Harmodius when He was in the throes of change, and to Destruction ever afterward, but I have avoided Lucius out of fear and disillusionment. I go to him soon, to speak to him and to try to understand... but I do not know how he will receive me, or even if he will. And I do not know if I can insist should he refuse."
Helplessness, hopelessness. They ate at her belly like scavengers, ripping and tearing in great, hulking mouthfuls the tissue that previous disappointments had left behind. Why was she so incapable of setting things to rights? Why was she so damn scared of everything? Even her host had been braver, more apt to charge headfirst into the situation without giving it a second look. Where had that stability gone when she'd taken charge of body and soul? Sosiqui Shaiming bowed his head. "I understand. I, too, had hoped... could hardly believe it when I first saw him, a resplendent deity once more as I remembered him, but bound - no. It should not have been. The fault is mine." Self-condemnation clanged like chains in the dragon's words, and for a moment Crispin nearly drowned in a flood of bitter guilt that emanated from Shaiming.No... it's not your fault...My lover, the one for whose sake I took the title of Starscale, makes in the name of searching love an attack on my Lord, the one whom I am sworn to protect? Whose fault is it, then, Crispin? Whose? The dragon's words were swift, and harsher perhaps than Crispin had ever heard him speak. To Kishara, Shaiming said, "I wish you the best of fortune. He is... not irredeemable. That I believe firmly. I saw in him glimmers of what once was... he spoke with my host in sound mind. Bitter, yes... unremembering, but... not unkind. He wished even to see us again someday," and to Crispin's utter shock, Shaiming's voice broke.
For a moment Crispin floundered in a wave of pain, the memory intertwined with that pain... Shaiming had been so happy to see Lucius, and then the fall - the crash as he realized the branding, the binding, and the deep loss in not being remembered. 'I hope to meet you again, Crispin, and your Dragon King'... as if he had been nothing truly important. Nothing.Shaiming... Crispin managed, rattled. He'd never felt the dragon this way, except for the vaguest of echoes as he clung to the jewel atop the shop roof, and he hadn't understood at all then.
Shaiming recovered admirably, though, and bowed to Kishara again. "My apologies. I do hope he will receive you, my Lady. As I said, though he did not recall me... he was not unkind." Lady_Ourania Kishara saw the flashes of emotion, irrational and much-needed as they moved with draconic swiftness across a boy's facade. Her chest ached when he spoke of Lucius, so clearly still enamoured with someone who held the distinct possibility of being gone forevermore, of knowing such and still hoping against all else. It mirrored her own pain, her own terror that no matter what she did or tried or emulated, that it would never be what it had. The glory that existed was ruined, tarnished by mistakes she still could not fully recognize. And the guilt was insurmountable; the guilt would be the only thing which would never dare to leave her lest she fail to learn.
"Shaiming," She rose and went to him without hesitation, the whispers of her skirts drawing the sweet, tall grasses closer as she tenderly took his bowed head in her tiny hands, fingers grazing cheekbones as she touched her forehead to his. Connected in sorrow, connected in loss, they shared the same tragedy.
"I am sorry," The Mother whispered, two tears falling down her cheeks, neither of them shed for herself. "Truly and completely, but it is not your blame to take and it is not your heart that you should question. I know. I know and I find that I cannot stand it most days when I look outside my window and see what my two great loves have wrought against each other in their loneliness and confusion. It hurts me more than the Fading ever could have; it takes from me what I had not realized I would be forced to salvage."
She backed away slightly, only then becoming aware that the intimacy of the closeness might have made the other uncomfortable. Her hands went back down to her knees, her frame almost kneeling before him in his chair, seemingly unaware of her position as she stared up at him. "But if there is a way to fix this, if there is some way to right what has been done while Others slept and dreamed of a day when they would be reborn, then we will find it. They will remember, and they will rejoice in what has been reclaimed, and then all of this pain will only echo in the past where it belongs." Sosiqui Shaiming looked up, startled at the sudden touch of her hands on his face... but he did not move away. Instead, a soft smile touched his lips as she moved away, uncertainty plain for him to see. "You are again as you always were," he said, quietly. "Some things I am pleased to find constant. There is change, yes... perhaps a new tentativeness in your step, but underneath you are the same. Lord Harmodius was righter than he knew to send me to you, Gaia." Lady_Ourania Relief found her through his smile, and the tenseness left her shoulders in a great heave, like the briefest shudder through a mountain range. His words rendered her immediately speechless, but internally she felt as though she were melting into that definition, melding the then with the now and accepting it as she had been unable to acknowledge so much else. Did he speak the truth? It seemed nearly impossible, everything she wished overthrown and destroyed when before she had been so much more. And yet she needed to hear him speak them, to hold them against herself like a talisman against the bleeding darkness that would inevitably arise when she faced Universe.
"If I could but help who I am..." She replied a bit wistfully, touching the plane of his cheek once more before rising off of her knees. "And yet, I cannot. I do question Harmodius' intentions, and I do believe there was someone more qualified than myself to aid you in such a decision. But I am glad to have met you again, Worldshield, and know that I hold more faith in you than I ever will in myself." Sosiqui "It was my host's lover who told me where you were - Morgan, she's called. Perhaps you remember her," Shaiming said, pleasantly. "Thank you for your advice. It will be followed as much as I can when the time comes. I will be sure to seek you again then, to show you what I have done... and, perhaps sooner if the opportunity arises. I enjoy your company, my Empress." Shaiming stood and bowed low to her. "For your sake, I pray that the Twin Crown is balanced once more."With that, Shaiming receded, and Crispin abruptly found himself back in control, suddenly enough that he stumbled forward a bit before steadying himself. "Um. Sorry," he apologized, feeling foolish. Lady_Ourania The information about Morgan quirked an eyebrow, interested to learn that the webs of fate happened to work in such mysterious ways. It suddenly clicked where the child had been spending her days and nights, and the goddess couldn't help but smile slightly, "I do. A sweet girl, and well deserving of his company."
Kishara nodded, leaning her head forward when he bowed, still feeling a bit shy when it came to attempting a full-blown curtsey. "Your presence is equally pleasurable, Dragon King. I would see you again soon... and I thank you sincerely for all you have said and done."
When she glanced up again at his mention of the Twin Crown, it was Crispin staring back at her, jittery and a little embarrassed. The goddess' look softened and she smoothed his hair back into place where her fingers had disheveled it before. "There is little reason to apologize, Sir Crispin. I am fortunate to have spoken to the both of you. Would you like to sit for a while longer and regain your bearings? I could offer you something to eat and drink as well, if you would care for it." Sosiqui "Um... sure, if that's okay with you," Crispin said, relieved, turning to look around again. "It's so beautiful in here! Is it your power that keeps it so green and lovely?" Shaiming, for the moment, had retreated deep, though Crispin could feel the dragon's thoughts against his own every so often, like waves on the shore. Lady_Ourania "I think I must insist," Kishara responded with a faint smile, patting his hand fondly before moving away to find something to help his weakened state. "Do you like blueberries? Grapefruit, perhaps?" She sorted through the leafy vegetation of trees and bushes, easily able to locate what she was seeking. Foods with energizing properties would help him the most, but the goddess did not want to force too much into him so soon. Shaiming had likely exhausted both of them in their extended conversation.
She tried to recall where she had left the flask of water as she answered the young boy's question, taking up a small bowl to collect his choice of fruits. "Thank you, I enjoy it as well. My powers appear to bleed off into the realm of green more readily than anything else, though you will find that these particular plants are a bit more alert than any that still live on the outside. You are welcome to take something with you once you leave, should you so choose; I gave your Morgan flowers to take with her." Sosiqui "Anything!" Crispin leaned forward in curiosity. "Thank you, you're very generous... it's been ages since I've seen really fresh fruit. Toki, he's one of the Aoidei, tries really hard... but usually he uses dried or canned, since those don't go bad so easily." Lady_Ourania Amused by the enthusiasm that was reminiscent of Morgan's, Kishara gathered whatever was nearest to her fingers, occasionally checking for ripeness before she presented her findings to Crispin. "You were very generous to come here, as was Shaiming. I can offer you some fruit at the very least. And water? Or tea, perhaps? Though I cannot promise that it will be very good tea." If she was going to keep offering it to people, the goddess supposed she would have to experiment a bit more on her own time. Morgan had been polite about it, but Gaia still felt mildly guilty at the prospect that the woman had drained her cup because she had not wanted to offend.
"You're welcome to come here if you're looking for fresh fare. I have vegetables as well, and a tiny garden of herbs if you wish to sample them. The same invitation is extended to Toki, should he care to accept it." Sosiqui Shaiming sniggered mentally; Crispin batted the dragon away. "No thank you on the tea, I don't really enjoy it - though I'm sure once.. um... I'm gone, Shaiming would love to take the invitation for me. He loves it." He picked out a blueberry and popped it in his mouth, pausing to savor the taste. "Mmm... wonderful! I bet they grow the best they can for you, Lady Kishara. Thanks for the food offer, I bet Toki will love you for it." Lady_Ourania "Water it is then," Kishara had finally recovered one of the bottles containing the sought-after liquid, siphoning a portion of it into a cup that was unfortunately mismatched with the bowl she'd given him fruit in. It was strange to hear a host speak so plainly of vanishing, of allowing their god to manifest without a fight, but then it seemed as though many of the other Edelsteine had taken unwilling participants. Crispin was another subject entirely.
"I would be honored to brew Worldshield tea. Hopefully I will be more practiced at it by then." Or at least she'd have something other than a candle to heat it with, that would have helped as well.
Gaia's eyes sparkled as Crispin enjoyed his modest meal, finally taking a seat since her task of restoring him appeared to be working well. "Just tell him to be careful when he comes without warning. There is an old wolf who likes to act as though he owns my quarters, but he is largely harmless... still it is best to exercise at least some caution around him." Sosiqui "A wolf?" Crispin looked startled. "Is he tame? I'll be careful... but maybe that means I should come with Toki. He's kind of... easily startled. Fragile. He didn't fade with the others, you see, so all the time alone left him kind of... um..." Crispin made a twirly gesture by his temple, indicating that the Aoide had gone a bit loopy. "Just in case, I guess." Crispin finished the water and fruit, then smiled and stood up. "Thanks very much, Lady Kishara - you're definitely the nicest goddess I've ever met! I'm glad you're the mother of everything... it suits you." Lady_Ourania The question of tameness nearly caused her to laugh, but she buried it deep in an effort to keep from frightening Shaiming's sweet host. "In a way, but he has been particularly unpredictable as of late. I do not worry for your safety around him, but if Toki is as delicate as you say, perhaps it would be best that he did not come alone. There are typically others here, my own Aoidei among them if he would like someone to speak to, but it is best that some caution be used when dealing with my canine companion."
Kishara watched as he straightened to a standing position, her cheeks flaring with mild pink when he declared her title suitable. She wondered some days if her maternal persona had not been mislaid in this new life, better applied to someone else. The goddess rose as well, giving him a swift embrace of pure impulse and smiling fondly at him. "You are more than welcome, Sir Crispin... and I thank you for saying so. To hear such faith warms my heart... as your dragon has."
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:27 am
Silent Whispers, Silent Tears
Crispin was disoriented for a moment - there were stars overhead, but they weren't the ones on the ceiling of the bedroom, nor were they the blackened and eroded ones in the real sky. "Where...?"
A presence, behind him, and he turned to see a dragon there, hanging huge and heavy in the mist, burnished purple coils looped tightly. He took a step forward, having not seen this dreamlike place since their joining. "Shaiming?"
The dragon flinched, then looked up, coiling in on himself a little tighter. "What do you want?"
"I just - am I dreaming?" Crispin blinked.
"In a sense... this is how close we have become, it seems. Your dreams, your forays into the subconscious - I am everywhere." Shaiming laughed, but there was no joy in the sound.
Crispin folded his arms and looked at the dragon. "Something's wrong. C'mon."
"It is not your concern." Shaming turned away.
"It is! It is my concern! Because you're my best friend, and - because you and I are... what we are! I'm your host!" Crispin took another step forward, then one more, reaching out one hand tentatively towards the dragon's scales. "Come on, snap out of it!"
Shaiming lifted his head then, and let out a low hiss - his look was of a predator regarding something very small and insignificant, but Crispin forced himself not to quail under the dragon's gaze. "'Snap out of it'? Do you - can you dare to presume what this feels like?" The coils tightened, and Crispin got the distinct impression that if Shaiming held human form, he'd be in the fetal position. "Can you possibly comprehend the depth of what I feel? I think not."
"Shaiming, this is - I can feel it! It's flowing off of you in waves!" Crispin let his hands drop to his side, and clenched his fists. "Like it or not, we are becoming one - and..." He shook his head, his voice softening. "I can feel it too. It's... it's terrible... the guilt and... the loss, and the love." He looked up at the dragon, feeling miniscule beside Shaiming's bulk. "I can feel it."
Silence. Then, "Can you?"
And the floodgates opened, the dragon's emotions pushing Crispin to the ground, a screaming torrent of pain and memories - of wings that held the galaxies ripped apart, of the livid wounds that pierced Lucius' arms with coarse wire, of those same arms glorious and bright enfolding... of rainbow hair and soft alabaster skin smiling, intermingled with the coaldark visage of Destruction, and something between the two of them that flickered only for a moment. Of love, and loyalty so strong that it was the driving force of all existence, of devotion older than the stars - of the stars themselves, spun free from laughing fingers and guided gently home between draconic coils. Of the celestial song, bright and faceted... and of silence and screaming as darkness took bites out of the sky. Disaster spreading across the land, uncontained, unchecked, unshielded as raw godpower buried the realm of mortals. Old friends silenced, and all of it, all of it insignificant before that face of loss. And the knowledge, biting like a demented beast that could not be satiated, that all this could have been stopped if only he had been there... if only his lover had his dragon by his side, if only the scales were there to shield, if only, if only. Blame. Loss. Darkness. Guilt.
All of this, and more, crashed over Crispin with the force of a tidal wave, beating him low in the dreamspace, and he shook under the brunt of it. "Shaiming!" he screamed, clutching his head. It was too much-
And then, suddenly, it was gone, and Crispin shuddered as he uncurled. The dragon floated before him, stately, face still as stone.
"Now do you understand?"
Crispin stood, wiped the tears from his eyes, and rushed up to the dragon, wrapping his arms around him as best he could. "Shaiming - I'm sorry. I'm so sorry... it's not your fault, it really isn't... but we'll fix it. All of it! Together!"
The dragon stiffened, and then, slowly, collapsed downwards in a heap, encircling his host in a gentle embrace, placing one claw underneath and lifting him up. Crispin shifted his grip and resettled with his arms around the dragon's neck, burying his head in the strangely soft scales. "I'm sorry..."
"I... I as well..."
They held each other, host and dragon, exhausted in the dreamspace, but together.
"I promise... I promised when I took your gem..." Crispin said, after a while.
"I know you did. I trust you. I trust you, Crispin." The dragon looked out away from him for a moment, eyes unfocused. "I trust you..."
He said something else, then, but Crispin didn't catch it as he sank gratefully into the oblivion of true sleep, wrapped in the dragon's gentle coils.
Made me promise I'd try
To find my way back in this life
I hope there is a way
To give me a sign you're okay
Reminds me again
It's worth it all
So I can go home
-- 'Memories', Within Temptation
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:27 am
Bright and Blessed SongZero Dream  Even with Nergal's worry still fresh on her mind, Echo could not avoid the pantheon. Maybe if she ignored the throne room, it would be fine... Fact is, her avoidance of the place had made her lost touch with so many of her own kind, and she did not wish to start the circle anew again. She liked to have a basic idea of what may have going on, and, most of all, she did not want to withdraw anymore. The goddess wished that the feeling that she had abandoned her own kind after the rise of destruction would fade...
Still, she did not stay long in the pantheon, usually. With underworld staying with her, she was afraid that too long of an absence might cause him to worry. Her walk had brought her here today, and she had decided to stop and rest her feet for some time. Music was, slowly, putting her plan in motion. A plan which, maybe... may at least return smiles on worn faces, if only for an instant.
She busied herself with making some tea - she had gotten used to others lurking about, and sometimes sounds or smells were enough to draw them out of their quarters...Sosiqui The duty of Tien Lung is to protect the Throne of the Twin Crown.And, with that lesson in mind, Shaiming had trotted Crispin downstairs to stand vigil, the sword Lord Harmodius had given him in hand. That had been two hours ago, and Crispin was trying very hard not to fall asleep on his feet. "He's not even in here! Why do we have to do this?" Crispin grumbled, glancing over at the empty throne and its background of roaring flames. Because it is our duty. From now on, I wish for us to do this for a while each day, to increase your stamina for such things and to make you realize the importance, Shaiming said, with the same solemnity as he had the first time he'd told Crispin this. "You keep saying that. I'm tired of it. Can't I have a break?" Crispin thought he heard someone moving around in the kitchen, suddenly, and he latched onto the excuse like a starving man to a sandwich. "There's someone in the kitchen, I think... we could go see... please?" The dragon sighed. Very well, he said, grudgingly. "Yes! Um, I mean, thank you." Crispin sagged with relief and sheathed the amethyst sword, making sure it was carefully secured to his belt before moving gratefully into the kitchen - and there was someone... no, a goddess, obviously... that he'd never seen before. "Greetings," he said, cautiously, but with a ready smile. Zero Dream When the sound of footsteps gave out the boy's entry, Echo turned sightly, to greet this new face. An host, no doubt. Not old, either - maybe around the same age than her own had been.
"Good day." She said, softly, setting the kettle down to heat and turning her full attention to Crispin, a smile on her face, careful of the strings that dropped down from her wrists. "And who might you be ? I do not think we had the pleasure of meeting before." Sosiqui "I am Crispin - host to the Dragon King Shaiming," Crispin said, carefully, giving the odd... stringed? ... woman a tentative smile. She seemed friendly enough, but he was always on his best, most formal behavior with new deities until told to be otherwise. "My greetings to you, goddess," Shaiming said. "Um. Yes. And you are...?" Crispin asked. Zero Dream Dragon king... This meant something important, she knew of it, but her memory remained stubborn and refused to give her any further details. She had not seen an host in a long time - it was almost comforting to know that the process had not come to a screeching halt...
"I am Echo, and my realm is music. Come, sit for a second, you look a bit tired." She answered. Sosiqui "Music?" Crispin tilted his head to one side. "There's a goddess for that? That's awesome! You must be like the ultimate muse!" He beamed at her, obviously impressed, and moved to sit as she indicated. "Ahh... that feels good. Shaiming, that's my Dragon King, had me standing in the throne room for hours!" "It is my duty," Shaiming said, mildly. "Okay, no, it wasn't too bad, but I'm glad to get a break." Zero Dream The boy seemed to be amazed by such simple things... The goddess couldn't help but think of this as very endearing. "I guess you could say that. Would either of you like something to drink ?" Both dragon and host seemed to get along well enough, which also brought a smile to her face. Sosiqui "Coffee!" "Tea would be lovely."A pause, then laughter, one sound but mingled as though two were joined in the same mirth. "Okay, um. Maybe cocoa or milk or something, if we can find some. Shaiming and I... don't agree on the matter of beverages, I'm afraid." Crispin looked sheepish. "Fine sake... but there's none of that here," Shaiming added, wistfully. "How do you fare, Music?"Zero Dream She couldn't help but give a faint, almost musical giggle when the two blurted completely different things. It reminded her of herself and her own host - those little things seemed to be resurfacing lately, with the merge... only there was no voice anymore, only implulses. Lord, she missed her voice.
"Cocoa it is, then." She said at least, reaching into the cupboards in order to attempt to find some, taking another cup and laying it down on the counter alongside her own - the little string coming out from the end proving that she stood on the tea side of things. Not that she disliked coffee either...
"Sake does not seem like a bad idea in the least, either. I heard it was quite good, but I've never had the pleasure to try it out. But alas. I have been doing better as of late, thankfully. I feel like I am finally starting to find my new place in this world..." Echo suddenly stood on the tip of her toes, grabbing the can of cocoa powder that was hidden deep inside the cupboard. Sosiqui "And what place is it that you seek?" Shaiming asked, curiously, letting out a soft mental sigh at the thought of good sake shared with friends. "What song will Music sing in these dark times?""Wow, you're dour today," Crispin remarked, getting up to go and rummage through the fridge for a snack to go with the drink. "Do you want something to eat, Miss Echo?" Zero Dream "Songs of hope, song of dreams... Whatever I need to sing in order to return a smile to dark faces, or a twinkle in muted eyes... If only for an instant, then what I have done will have mattered." She poured boiling water in both cup and set herself on the task of preparing the boy's cocoa.
"I am not really hungry, thank you." The goddess gave him a smile. "how many sugars in your cocoa ?" Sosiqui "A worthy choice," Shaiming mused, as Crispin located an apple inside the fridge and claimed it for his own. "There has been too much of sadness and waste lately, too much ruin and not enough joy. When I ascend into power once more, I will be able to shield this place from the influence of Destruction, so that humans will not fear as much to come to the gods.""No sugar, thanks," Crispin said, returning to his seat and taking a bite out of the apple. "It's sweet enough as it is." Zero Dream Sheild... ? Damn this faulty memory of her's... She could not retell a thing about this one, and it was all a bit confusing to the goddess. "It is quite a good idea." She said, turning to reveal a smile, carefully bringing both cups, one in each hand, to the table, putting the cocoa in front of the brown haired boy. "If I can somehow be of any assistance to you..." She doubted so, of course... but maybe ? There where just days where she felt so useless, so... insignifiant.
She took a sit beside host and dragon king, taking a sip of the tea. The scent from the cup could quickly identify it as lemon. Sosiqui "I fear not, in terms of power, until you have ascended further - but perhaps a sweet trill of song. As you know, there is a special kind of strength in that," the dragon replied. "I value it; so, too, should the rest of the world. Do you worry?"Crispin took another sip once he was sure Shaiming was done talking; he didn't want to risk half-choking again as he had before by misjudging when to stick something in his mouth. Zero Dream "I do worry." She admitted, trying to banish the thoughts from her mind with another sip of tea. "I find it too hard not to. It just seems like... I have done so little." She bit her lips - she really had to get out of this habit of dumping her problems on perfect strangers. "But I am comforted by the thought that things will get better soon." Sosiqui "I have done very little... there is little to do, enmeshed in this jewel as I still am," Shaiming said. "And in the face of Destruction - as a guardian of Our Lord I cannot presume to judge him, nor claim him false, which he is not... but it is intimidating. That, I understand, though I myself cannot undertake any chance to change what he has become. Only shield the effects as best I can, when I can." Zero Dream The goddess listened, then shook her head. "Destruction... is still my lord over everything. Yet... I do fear him." She admitted. "But I cannot deny what I know is true - he remain first and foremost our lord, and I will not deny him the respect he deserves. I do hope, however, that he may find his balance again." Sosiqui "There are those who would wish that Destruction remain to the fore - but I have sworn neutral in that conflict," Shaiming said, bowing gracefully - or he would have, if Crispin hadn't jumped at the sudden movement and dropped the cocoa mug with a crack and a splash. "Oh, oh no," Crispin said, dropping down to pick up the pieces, his ears red with embarassment. "Oh dear... I am sorry," Shaiming said, abashed. Zero Dream Echo's first reflex was to perk up at the very clear crack at that she heard, and, quickly following the first, the second reflex was to look over and make sure the young one was not hurt by either the hot liquid or glass shards. Relieved to see that he seemed okay, the goddess quickly was on her feet. "Ill go get a rag to clean this up - be careful with those shards, please ?" She couldn't help but feel a bit motherly to the boy.
It reminded her of Zero... so much.
She quickly went on her way, and soon was helping with the cleaning. Sosiqui "They're not sharp," Crispin reassured her, oblivious to the mothering - he was kind of used to it, from women, enough so that he really didn't notice it anymore. He scooped up all the shards and carried them over to the trash can. "Destruction strikes again, huh?" Don't blaspheme, Shaiming said, sharply. "Whoa, I was kidding - hey, Miss Echo, I'll clean it up, don't worry," Crispin raised his voice to the goddess. He couldn't imagine a goddess cleaning up his spill... Zero Dream "Are you sure ?" Echo didn't really care about cleaning things herself - her aoide had to basically force her to sit down so that they had SOMETHING to do, after all ! "Well... Do you want something else to drink, then ?" Sosiqui "No, I can do it... I mean... you're a goddess and stuff," Crispin said, blushing a bit. "And it's my mess, anyway..." He took the rag and bent to soak up the spilled cocoa; there wasn't too much of it anyway, since he'd already drained half the mug. As Crispin cleaned, he felt Shaiming's attention refocus on the goddess. "I do have a question for you, as it happens - I was told by a friend of my host that Nergal, Underworld, was interested in speaking with me... and told by another source that you might know where to find him...?"Zero Dream Echo was just about to say something, but stopped to listen as the dragon once spoke. Who could have known.... Ah, no matter.
"Lord Underworld has been staying with me, actually. He has had some issues with his shoulder and he is staying in my home until it heals..." The goddess answered. "He does not wander into the pantheon often, but I shall let him know, and he probably will come. I would offer to bring you to him, but... My aoide are known to eardrop somewhat." She couldn't help but sigh a bit at the thought of those three. "And I assume you would prefer your conversation to remain private." Sosiqui "Ah, so..." Shaiming paused. Echo wasn't the only one with eavesdropping Aoidei, as it happened. "As he wishes, I'm sure. I still have the leisure to place myself at others' disposal, though once my duties can be taken up again I am sure I'll be busier. Still, best to do what I can while I have the liberty to do so..."Crispin started washing out the rag in the sink, wondering again at how odd it was for reasoned, mature conversation to be coming out of his mouth, without him controlling it, in a voice not his own. While he went about the most mundane tasks, Shaiming could still speak from within as though he were on a pedestal talking to a great audience. Zero Dream "Agreed." On that point... Well, Echo felt like she had too much free time, sometimes. The only person that actively seeked her for help was Revei.
Echo sat then, letting the boy do as he wished. "You remind me of my host, Crispin." She said with a smile - this was a compliment. Sosiqui "Your host?" Crispin tilted his head to one side as he turned to look at Echo, curious. "What... um, what was she like? Shenlei's host talked to me once, that was kind of weird, but..." Zero Dream "She's about your age, actually. A deeply talented young lady, kind and gentle with friends but not afraid to stand up for what she felt is right." She paused for a moment - she did not want to scare off Crispin with what had happened to Zero - it was her own mistake, and the dragon would likely not do such, so she omitted part of the explanation, but ended it with the truth. "I am afraid that you cannot speak to her, however... At least not directly. She requested that we become one being." Sosiqui Crispin just nodded. "I understand... it's different for everyone, isn't it?" He'd never asked Shaiming what he intended to do, and the dragon had never told him - but it didn't matter, really. He trusted Shaiming more than he'd ever trusted anything in his life. He paused, though, then went on. "What's it like? Becoming one with your host, I mean?" Zero Dream "It's like..." She paused for a moment, drinking some tea and pondering how to explain this. "It's kind of like taking a little bit of both and in the end, neither are really the same but neither are really... gone, either. It's not a bad feeling, neither does it hurt really... It's just a bit weird when you start realizing how you start doing and thinking things the other would had, and so forth." Sosiqui "Hm." Crispin looked thoughtful. "It... doesn't really make sense to me. I mean, it does - like something in a book, from a distance, that would never really happen... it makes sense if I think of it like that. But if I try and think of it as something that's going to happen to me... it doesn't, not really." Zero Dream "I understand." The goddess nodded. "I believe it felt quite the same for her, and that I would feel quite the same if I had been in either of your places. I consider you, and all of the hosts, very brave indeed to face the unknown in the way they do." Sosiqui Crispin blushed. "Um, thank you... though it's okay, really. Shaiming and this world are everything I ever wanted, and Morgan too... she's wonderful. Um. She's my girlfriend," he added, feeling silly. "Isn't it funny? I'm not sure when I'm going to just vanish, but even so, I'm the happiest I've ever been." "A feeling not unshared," Shaiming added. There had been some happier times, but there was something to the contentment of teaching Crispin, his trust and ready response, the evenings spent with him and Morgan... and while waiting was terrible, the fact that what was coming had not yet occurred, that he didn't have to bend his will on the world, was... kind of nice. Zero Dream Ahhh, young love. So tender and passionate... "Yes, that does sound quite wonderful. She sounds like a keeper." The goddess winked. "I would love to meet her someday, if possible."
It was nice... to see that she was not the only one who had a good relationship with her host. But then... the link in between Crispin and Shaiming seemed even stronger than the one between herself and Zero. Sosiqui "I'll be sure to let her know that - she's met several of the other gods, and she hasn't been blasphemous yet," Crispin said, with a grin. "Do you, um, live here? I mean, in this temple. Thingie." Zero Dream "No, I do not. I do not live far, however." The goddess answered. "I prefer it this way - I happen to be in the company of lovely people that would be too difficult to house in a single room. However, I might one day look into getting one here still, to use as a writing place, should our lord be willing." Sosiqui "Oh... I was just wondering how Morgan could find you, if she wanted to talk with you. Do you have a map or something?" Crispin looked curious. "Is it very far?" He glanced at the odd pulses behind her back - they looked like wings, but he wasn't sure. Zero Dream "Oh, I see - It's not too far, no. About 5 minutes walking at most. Here, let me note this down..." Echo quickly retrieved a paper pad from the bag she had left in a corner nearby, noting down the address and drawing a very simple map - which could probably make anyone thankful that she was the goddess of music, and not of drawing.
"Here - I apologize for the map, I am afraid my drawing skills are not exactly up to part." The goddess admitted, looking cutishly embarrassed as she pulled the sheet out of the pad and handed it over. Sosiqui "It's okay, you don't need to be good at drawing," Crispin said with a wry grin. "There's another goddess for that, right?" Within, Shaiming roused and prodded at his host. I believe this is a long enough break for today's practice...Crispin sighed. "Sorry. Shaiming wants me to get back to standing by the throne room. He says it's his job to protect Lord Harmodius, and he wants me to see what it's like, or something." "It was a joy to meet you, Echo," the dragon chimed in, politely. "I hope we will meet again."Zero Dream "I should get going, anyway." The goddess nodded, flinging a strap of the messenger bag over her shoulder. "It was a pleasure as well - don't be shy, either of you. My door is always open."
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:28 am
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:29 am
Ebb and Flow
The days since Crispin and Morgan had returned from Earth had become slow, quiet, but filled with a palpable tension... a long wait. Waiting for the inevitable with a mixture of dread and a strange relief, that soon the waiting would end and the Dragon King could do his work in protecting the world from Destruction's taint. And bittersweet, knowing what would happen, especially for Morgan.
The busy but joyful days of before seemed distant. Crispin and Morgan still met every day and spent hours together, but it was more subdued, and there was a hint of desperation in their kisses, with the knowledge that every one could be the last.
Crispin paced back and forth one evening, glancing out through the curtainless windows every few seconds. The glow of the lava in the 'garden' still underlit everything with a warm but harsh red touch, and the sky seemed more and more depleted of stars every night.
"Shaiming?"
Yes?
"Is it... y'know? Yet?"
The dragon sighed; they'd had this conversation so many times that it was beginning to be like the proverbial child on a car trip. Are we there yet? No. I will let you know, Crispin - there won't be any doubt!
"Sorry," Crispin mumbled, then stopped at one end of the windows and looked out at the view, such as it was. Even as he watched, a star streaked down, falling - but there was nothing of beauty in it, as there might have been under better circumstances. It was like watching an airplane crash to the ground. "There goes another one."
I felt it, Shaiming mumbled, and winced. That star... he had felt it, and deeply, more deeply than most. Do you know which it was?
"One of the last ones remaining in the Draco-looking one here," Crispin said, with a sigh. Most of the Gaian constellations had been different, but a few seemed just like those of Earth's sky.
Mmm. The dragon thought, and Crispin stumbled - it was hard, much harder to keep their thoughts separate, but some of the dragon's thinking was utterly obscure to Crispin's mind. He couldn't even comprehend it, and if he tried, it just gave him a headache. I thought so.
"You... thought so? Well, whatever." Crispin pivoted and began his walk back across the room, pacing like a great cat in a cage. "Shaiming-"
I'm doing what I can! the dragon snapped, aggrieved. Do you think it is simple to join wholly with a mortal's soul?
"No..." The host shook his head. This, now, Shaiming's silence and thoughts constantly roiling, like an ocean he was almost-but-not-quite drowning in... it was almost unbearable. The calm before the storm, stretched out to terrible proportions, until it seemed something had to burst from sheer tension.
With another sigh, Crispin changed course towards the couch, and threw himself down upon it, curling up on the cushions to try and lose himself in sleep. Maybe then it would all go away.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:30 am
Deepening Bondsmistalina13 Morgan was awake but didn't want to open her eyes just yet. She was in bed with Crispin, snuggled up to him, the only place she felt safe and comfortable these days. She sighed, nuzzled his throat and tightened her grip on him. Last night her body had finally given up and decided it needed rest, so late last night she had come in quietly and climbed into bed beside him, hoping he wouldn't mind. Sosiqui Crispin stirred, finally waking up enough to realize there was someone in the bed with him - his sleep was very deep lately, and plagued with dragon's dreams. "Mmm... Morgan?" he mumbled, turning towards her with a yawn. He sure hoped it was Morgan, and not Nebula. mistalina13 Morgan half opened her eyes, feeling him stir. "Hey." She shifted so he could more easily turn to face her and gave him a little kiss once he did. "Morning, darling. Sorry to intrude without asking first..." She smiled softly and snuggled against him again. Sosiqui "S'okay." He smiled sleepily and rubbed at his eyes before shifting to put one arm around her. "How're you doing?" Within, Shaiming stirred a bit, but said nothing. mistalina13 "Better, now that I've actually slept." Three days without sleep tended to make anyone cranky. "You alright?" She yawned a little and looked up at him. Sosiqui "Eh..." Crispin rolled over, fumbled his glasses off the nightstand, and put them on before turning back to Morgan, nestling down into the blankets and pillows. "I'm okay. More of the same, I guess... I'm sorry. We shouldn't be acting like this... it's not like we didn't know it was coming..." Shaiming grumbled, faintly. mistalina13 "S'alright, love." Morgan blinked, wondering where here only glasses were, only to realise she had fallen asleep wearing them. Lovely. She frowned slightly, pulled them off checking to see if they were bent, before sliding them back on. "If you wish to stay in bed today, I'll gladly stay and keep you company if you wish." She laughed, then remembered something. "Oh...before I forget, Fangbridle sends his greetings. I came across him last night while I was out walking, he asked me to pass on the message." Sosiqui "Maybe, maybe not. We can play it by ear." Crispin stretched, then resettled. It was kind of nice to just rest, together. "You weren't sleeping...?" Fangbridle... Zhijian. Shaiming's thought was clear, but so was his hesitation to voice it aloud. The two humans had been rather desperately clingy as of late, and the knowledge that it was his fault - and the usual feeling of being a 'third wheel' - made the dragon reluctant. Sosiqui "Toki..." Crispin sighed. "Toki's been staring at me whenever he's around, like I'm going to explode or peel away and leave Shaiming standing where I was... and no, Shaiming told me it doesn't work that way," he added, quickly, lest he scare her. "So no, he didn't mention anything." But that was the same subject they'd been hashing over, melancholy, nearly every time they saw each other now, so Crispin moved to a new one. "Fangbridle... that was the gem in Seppa, the big cat host... so she... changed, then? What was he like?" mistalina13 Good, the last thing she wanted Crispin to do was worry about her. She looked nervous, but relaxed after a moment. "Mm..rather nice, rather nonchalant about things, quite a bit like a cat still...it would seem. Kept calling me 'mouse' though." Morgan shook her head. She had only squeaked once, besides she hadn't expected to find a giant Dragon-Cat curled up in the throne room. Sosiqui "Quite a bit like a cat?" If the resemblance was only 'quite a bit', then it would definitely be the Dragon King, not Seppa. Crispin felt a twist of sadness; the pard had been kind, and pleasant to be around. Had they really only met once? Why hadn't he sought her out again? mistalina13 Morgan nodded, "I'm sorry." She reached up and caressed his cheek lightly. Sosiqui "Oh, it's okay... but thanks," Crispin said, abashed, but leaned lightly into her caress. "I only met her once... and it's good the Dragon Kings are coming back... the world being right again is more important. It is," he repeated, as if trying to convince himself. He knew in his mind that it was true, that the worlds restored to balance and normalcy was worth the price of a few mortal lives - more than worth it - but a cranky bit of his heart was still holding out, stubborn. mistalina13 Morgan smiled up at him, though half heartedly, trying to think of something to brighten the mood. She blushed faintly, was that the only thing she could come up with? Tilting her head she nuzzled his neck and kissed it lightly. Well, at least it was something. Sosiqui Crispin blushed, but moved to kiss her back, the tips of his ears bright red. "You always know what to say... or what not to say," he said, with a grin. "You're... so strong." mistalina13 "It helps, when your whole world gets dumped upside down." Morgan smiled and kissed him in return. "But, I think..." She kissed him again lightly. "...this is the best my life has ever been." Sosiqui "We'll bring the stars back, me and Shaiming," Crispin promised, thinking also of the bound god he'd met on the roof of the temple, so long ago. Maybe Shaiming would bring them back for Universe, but he would bring them back for Morgan. mistalina13 "Your so sweet...both of you." Morgan whispered. "I love you, very much." The words were meant for them both, but with a different meaning. With Crispin it was affectionate, deep and passionate. With the Dragon it was the bond between close friends, she respected and admired him a great deal. Sosiqui "Mmm..." Crispin nuzzled her neck, dropping a somewhat awkward string of little kisses. Cuddling in bed like this, and with that desperation again... it was getting difficult to ignore desire. But... how did you ask? This was somehow different than with Laura; there it had been just for the hell of it. "There's a party in my pants, and you're invited..."The memory made Crispin scowl a bit. He didn't want to go there, in that way, with Morgan. She was too special for that kind of casual, needless fling... so he settled for holding her close, wondering if she felt what he did, and waiting. mistalina13 Morgan made a little appreciative noise and blushed when she felt Crispin's lips against her throat. "I uhm..." She paused, her voice a little shaky. "...don't suppose, you would be...." Her voice just sort of died off again, she was too embarrassed to even mention the idea, even though she'd thought about it more than once. She kissed him again lightly, then whispered. "...interested in...well..." Her blushed deepened again and she glanced away. Sosiqui Crispin blinked, and flushed beet-red as well, but moved to hold her closer. "In?" he asked, hopefully, reaching for one of her hands and entwining her fingers with his. "I'm... very interested... in anything you want to do right now..." Shaiming was no fool; the dragon retreated as best he was able. This was definitely not something he was involved in. This was for them alone. mistalina13 It took a moment before she could look back at him. "Would you, make love with me?" There, she'd manage to say it and not look away, or die of embarrassment. But her voice was soft, and she seemed almost shy about it. Sosiqui "Make love? I was fairly sure we already had a great deal. I've been generating love for you since I first saw you," Crispin said, teasingly - with no doubt of her desire matching his, the tension broke. "But, if you'd like some more... of course, my princess." Goofy smile, but Crispin's heart was pounding. The dragon couldn't resist a soft, affectionate chuckle before he withdrew fully. mistalina13 Morgan's blush faded and she smiled. She could feel her heart racing as well. "Never can have enough, darling." Then she leaned in and kissed him again... Sosiqui Crispin returned the kiss deeply, and moved to get rid of the clothing that was in his way. "I love you," he breathed, amazed at how different it felt, with Morgan... how different it was, when there was love behind it.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:31 am
Overenthusiasm
After Morgan had reluctantly left Crispin's side, the boy had fallen into a good, deep sleep - and Shaiming had moved to take precedence. The dragon was antsy, and he well know that his host had been feeding off of his own emotions in the past few days, making a growing wave of restlessness. They were well-matched indeed; maybe too well-matched. It was much too easy to get out of control as one amplified the other, and so on.
Toki sprang up as Shaiming entered the main room, staring narrow-eyed until Shaiming folded his arms and gave the Aoide a look. "What is it, foolish servant?"
Toki's eyes brightened, and he let out a whoop. "My lord Shaiming!"
Shaiming groaned, and moved to sit at the desk, then raised one hand to forestall the Aoide's jubilation. "Toki."
"Surely the world will know joy and protection now that you have been reborn!" Toki trilled, in an ecstasy of delight.
"Toki."
"Oh, bright and blessed be the stars that look down upon this day!"
"TOKI!"
The Aoide, who had started dancing across the floor, skidded to a halt and looked wide-eyed at him. "My lord?"
"Do you see any dragon scales? Any dragon tail? Any change at all? Anything whatsoever?"
"Um." Toki shuffled his feet. "No?"
"Then by our Lord Himself will you calm down!" Shaiming snapped, then turned to the desk, massaging his temples lightly. That was all he'd need, to have the boy wake up with a headache.
"Sorry, my lord," Toki mumbled, looking sheepish.
Shaiming waved him away with one hand. "Go... elsewhere for now, Toki. I have some matters to attend to." He turned away from the Aoide and pulled a book towards him, then frowned. "Wait. Toki?"
"My lord?" Toki's voice quavered, desperate for approval.
Shaiming sight. Perhaps he spoke too harshly to the feeble-minded Aoide. "I require a tome from my hoard. Bring... that large volume of herbology."
"Yes, my lord!" Toki darted down the hall at speed, and Shaiming got in a few more good rubs of his temples before the Aoide was back, placing the large old book in front of him. It smelled of dried herbs still, a testament to its use - any good book of its trade would bear the marks of that trade, to show it had been used practically, instead of shut away somewhere.
"Thank you. Stand for my orders, my Aoide." Shaiming nodded to Toki, who drew himself up straight and saluted before moving to wait by the hallway. The dragon turned to the book at hand, turning the pages with care. Every so often a dried leaf or twig would slide from between the pages, and he tucked them back in with care.
At last, after consulting the index, Shaiming found what he was looking for, and copied the recipe onto a slip of paper. "Toki, give this to Morgan as soon as you can. Perhaps slip it under her door."
"Yes, my Lord." Toki took the paper with care, then bowed. "Will you require my services further?"
"Not as yet. Please deliver that message first." Shaiming closed the book, sighed, then pulled the original tome towards him and opened it to the bookmarked place.
Yes... I remember the stars that lit the way, he thought, running one finger lightly over a chart of the heavens. The Gallery of Celestia. To tend to the matter of my consort...
The dragon sighed once again. And that, that was where the flaw in his plan lay gaping wide, a chasm for his good intentions.
I'm sorry... He shook his head, and turned again to the book before him. But by order of my Lord, this cannot be unfinished.
Crispin woke the next morning on the desk, face-down in a book of star charts, with echoes of the dragon's thoughts ringing through his mind, and was confused.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:32 am
Heart of the Night
Mist, soft light, endless stars. The dreamspace again.
It was familiar by now, and Crispin walked over to lay one hand on the scales of the coiled dragon. Shaiming was always there now, growing clearer and more distinct by the day; he didn't even start when Crispin touched him.
"Crispin. I wish I was not always at the end of your dreams," Shaiming said, with a tinge of regret.
"No, I... I wanted to say I was sorry," Crispin said, looking down and biting his lip.
The dragon was taken aback. "For what?"
"For... I know, you said you liked it so much. The days we spent together, you teaching, me learning... all the stories of the old days of the gods and stuff, and the sword lessons... and playing D&D with Morgan, and being together and happy, the three of us..." He shook his head, sharply. "I shouldn't have gone through the portal and seen what Earth was like, and that Morgan was missed... it changed everything. Too much. And I'm tired of waiting - but not because of you," he said, quickly. "Because of how it's changed. I want it back, how it was..."
Shaiming bent down his great head and nuzzled softly at his host. "Reality is a difficult thing to face. It shows strength, that you realize what has happened. There is truth in the saying that ignorance is bliss."
"Yeah... Shaiming, I haven't changed my mind. I know I have to do this, that I can't take back being your host, but I wanted you to know... that I still want to. That hasn't changed." Crispin looked firm.
"I am... honored by that," the dragon said, settling down on the ground, his long coils glistening in the starlight. Crispin moved to lean against them, and Shaiming shifted to hold his host lightly in a curve of his great body.
"I still want to, but I don't want to... go out... like this. Not like this, with Morgan so worried and desperate and... I want to be happy!" Crispin sighed.
"All it takes is a decision.... there is sadness, and for that, I apologize... but there is also joy. The grass will grow again. Morgan will be protected. There... will be hope, Crispin."
"A decision... huh. I guess... it seemed like what happened to the world was more overwhelming when it was my world... like there couldn't be any joy anymore... not everyday. That Morgan and I had to snatch what little we could here and there." Crispin tilted his head back and closed his eyes, feeling the rise and fall of the dragon's breathing. "She's so worried. I can't tell her not to be."
Shaiming shook his head, his mane rippling. "You should not. She faces pain - but the road must not be paved with more pain. Her memories of this time need not be punctuated with anguish! Bring her joy, Crispin. Bring the stars back for her. You cannot change what will happen... but you can make the path joyous despite the destination."
"... I'll try. No, I will," Crispin said, opening his eyes and clenching one fist in resolve.
"That is my host, my squire," Shaiming said, affectionately, and blew warm breath over Crispin that ruffled his hair. "And tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow... I'll fix it. I'll pave the road."
"But now, rest... sleep, beloved." Shaiming shifted his coils and watched with a smile as his host gradually slipped back into true sleep.
When Crispin was silent again, breathing evenly, the dragon tipped his head up to the stars, undamaged here in the dreamspace, and was himself silent for a long, long time.
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