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 Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:12 am
2.XX
~~ Comfort ~~ midnight_medea Lien wandered through the now quiet livingroom picking things up as she listened to the goddess sing a lullaby. Her voice was so soft and soothing. It took a lot for Lien not to curl up on the sofa and drift off to sleep.
If the truth be told she was a little worried about the goddess. As they spent the day playing with Grace and Caleb Echo's usual glow seemed somewhat diminished. Smiling as she picked up a scribbled picture of Echo she carried it through to the bedroom where the children were curled up on the bed seemingly out for the count.
"You're good with them." Lien whispered, walking into the room and holding out the picture. "You will be a good mother one day." Zero Dream  At least, with the children, she could pretend to be strong. She could smile, and they would be too busy being excited and playing to notice they where fake, and forced. Lien, however...
She hadn't even wanted to do this. No, wait, that was a lie. She had wanted to do this, to take care of the children as promised, but her heart wasn't quite in it. She really had wanted nothing more than to lock herself in her room and ignore the outside world. Or at the very least looking for him, even if she had spend almost every awake moment doing so, with so little sleep in between. As if it would change anything. He'd all but vanished in thin air, it seemed.
And it was her fault. Or at the very least it felt like it.
Lien's entrance startled her, her words feeling like daggers even if they should not. She pretended to smile once more. "I figure it is always easier when they are not your own." She gave a gentle pat on Caleb's head before standing to slide out of the room. The picture was very lovely, but with the mood she was in, it was hard to really appreciate it. "We should let them sleep..."midnight_medea Lien smiled and nodded, following Echo from the room and closing the door gently behind them. Once they were out in the main room of the house she breathed deeply and turned to look at her friend. "Echo, is everything okay?" She asked softly, raching out to place her hand ever so lightly on the goddess's arm. "You seem ... troubled."Zero Dream Troubled. Distressed. There where many words one could use to describe the look on the goddess' face, and the aura that seemed to follow her.
Lien ought to know, really. Even if she did not want to talk about it.
She let herself tumble on the couch rather unelegantly. "He... He's gone." She managed, looking like she would cry just by thinking of it. She realized, a bit belatedly, that she wasn't being very clear. "Nergal... is gone." midnight_medea Lien frowned in concern as Echo tumbled to the couch. Her dress floating around her. Even in her distress she looked so elegant.
She waited patiently for Echo to speak and when she did she felt both her own self and the goddess within her start to panic. She placed her hand over her mouth and sank slowly to the seat next to Echo.
"Gone?" She asked after a moment and reaching out to place her hand on Echo's shoulder. "What happened?" Zero Dream "Someone... or something..." She basically spat out the words, but forced herself to take a moment and calm down. Lien did not need to see what she was like when angry. "....pretended to be me and sent a letter for him to go to the park. Neither he or Ishum had seen what my handwriting looked like, so they had no reason to worry..." She sighed and let herself sink the couch further. "...By the time we realized what was going on and went, everything was desert. All we found there candles and... this."
She rummaged through her sleeve and let the black ringbox tumble into her hand, the pain in her eyes evident. "It is like he vanished in thin air." midnight_medea "What?" Lien asked as Echo spoke, though it was rhetorical. How could someone take Nergal. He was a god, surely he had special god powers thatcould help him. Unless, unless it was another god. But he was not full Lien. He had no true power and he was bound to mortal form.The goddess spoke in her head and Lien chewed her lip asshe did when she was nervous or thinking. She bent to pick up the ring box and looked at it for a moment. Poor Nergal. "Do you know anyone that would want him?" She asked softly. "Whenever ... whenever Nakamura took hostages, it was because he wanted something from someone. Them or someone close to them."She smiled a little and reached out for Echo's hand. "Either way, that gives him time. If they want something his life will be safe." Zero Dream "That only makes me worry more.... What would they want ? Power ? He is nearly powerless in the living world, but... That seems like the only thing I could think of... Not many of us are at their full power yet, but I figure for a mortal, even the abilities of a freshly reborn god would be impressive... I only knows of Destruction himself, and of Universe... who is bound. We can still be overwhelmed by sheer numbers."
Echo hugged her knees, clearly in distress. "I've been attacked actually. Right before you came here, actually. If I hadn't reacted quickly that mortal would have probably killed me." She tilted her head up to look at her, trying to hold the tears in. "We went back, Ishum and I, as soon as the sun rose. There wasn't even any sign of struggle... That is what scares me the most. Destruction knows what the hell happened there." The curse flew off all too easily, and the placed her head on her knees again. "...And it's all my fault... After all, someone used me to get close to him...." midnight_medea Lien listened carefully and frowned a little. She had been naieve enough to think that the realm of the gods was safe. Though, how could it be? Didn't they all fade once. They seemed just as venerable. As Echo grew more distressed Lien mover closer and hesitated just a moment before slipping an arm around the goddess. "No Echo, it's not your fault. They used you, it's cold and cruel but no fault of yours." She sighed and closed her eyes. Nergal saved her that day on the road. He had been a friend, no, a mentor. The father figure she never really had. She owed both hom and Echo everything. " We have to look for him. I'll help you, Cosine too. There has to be something that can be done, a god that can help." She chewed on her lip again. Zero Dream Echo leaned against Lien, seeking mostly comfort at the moment. She still hadn't slept... it simply refused to come at the moment with the way her moods kept shifting.
"There where footsteps, but...but they seemed to suddenly stop. It is all so odd." She shook her head a bit, sending her strands flying. "...Ill comb every existing worlds if I have to, but I will find him. I... I am lost. I admit. Both your help and Cosine's will be helpful, I believe. Is she well ?" midnight_medea Lien hugged Echo and looked off across the room as she spoke. That wasn't good. With nothing to track. "I am well." Cosine said softly, continuing to hold the goddess as Lien had. It was an alien feeling, this friendship but she liked it. It was warm. "Troubled by your news. I fear for Underworld and will help you in any way you need."Lien rested within herself for a moment whilst she thought. "Cerberus." She interjected. "Would he be able to track him?"Zero Dream "Thank you, lady. It is deeply appreciated. Your presence will help. Both of you." A small smile somehow managed to draw on her face, but it clashed with the rest of her face.
"Yes, we have brought him along. The scent simply ends before exiting the scene itself... Either the tracks where covered very well, or..."
Apparently Echo saying she would comb all the worlds to find him wasn't simply a figure of speech. midnight_medea Lien smiled softly though she was not happy. She was worried for Nergal and whished they at least had some clue as to where he had gone.
"What will we do?" She asked softly. Easing back a little to look at her friend. "Do you have any other ideas how to find him?" Zero Dream "I...." She hesitated, then sighed. "No. I have no idea where to start. He could be anywhere... There was no real clue... Only candles, probably to fool him all the more." Her eyes narrowed. Dangerously. It was alien on her face. midnight_medea Lien closed her eyes and wished that she could help more. But what was she a human with a goddess inside. Not very helpful.
"It will be okay." She said as much to herself as to Echo. She could only imagine what the poor goddess was going through. It made her think of Jessica, the sadness she always carried around. She didn't want Echo to have to carry that uncertainty with her.
"We will think of something." Zero Dream The goddess did not answer at first, simply enjoyed the warmth and contact. The comfort. It was one of the things she needed the most now.
"Hopefully. I will have to go back to searching soon, but.. I had promised this to you." She smiled, yet it still seemed sad. midnight_medea "And I thank you." Lien said with a warm smile, rubbing her hand lightly over Echo's back. "So do the children I am sure. And ... when they have gone back home I will help you. I want to do anything I can.""As will I." The other voice chimed in. "As much as I can whilst I am confined. Hopefully he will be found before I emerge. If not I will do all in my power to aid you." Zero Dream "Yes, hopefully he will be found soon..." The goddess was getting pretty strong, she could tell. There was an odd mix of joy at seeing one of her kind regain their strength, yet a deep rooted pain that come with knowing that soon Lien would be gone. She said nothing, however, as to not upset neither of them, and her pained look could be easily attributed to Nergal being missing. Not just gone this time. Missing.
"...Whatever happened there, they..." There was no hesitation. It took more than one to contain a god, even as in-between as they where at the moment, not quite their own self. She'd seen him crawl out of a fight with a near army of what he had told her to be necromancers. He'd gotten pretty beaten up, but he'd gotten out nonetheless. "...knew exactly what they where doing, exactly what they where up against. Careful to not even leave the slightest clue beside faint footsteps. Even if I found where they where, I cannot barge in there alone and expect to succeed." True, at least she had power in the living world... but they where untrained, not often used for their real purpose. She would need to work on that, as she fully expected the worst. "But... I will not risk you." She told Lien, softly. Cosine... It would be her choice. She could not stop her.
"But... we can search." midnight_medea "Yes, we can search." Lien said with a smile, breathing deeply once more and running her fingers through her hair. She really did wish that she could be of more use.
"And ... maybe it will be good to have me stay here. Just in case someone brings word or he manages to escape." Zero Dream The goddess nodded, movement soft and tired. "That is probably best..." Both to watch for information and probably pick up the pieces once she returned with him in tow. midnight_medea Lien nodded and watched the goddess for a moment.
"Try and get some rest. I will make you some food to take with you." She gave Echo a tight hug and pulled away. "You will need your strength." Zero Dream She honestly doubted she could rest by now, really, but she needed to at least try.
"Yes, you're right. Thank you, Lien." The goddess forced herself to smile. "But, if the young ones are causing any trouble... come get me, allright ?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:13 am
0
~~ changes ~~ Quote: "Go home." Lien said firmly to the small kitten who had followed her out of the door and down the path. It looked up at her with big eyes and gave a pathetic little miaow. Lien sighed and smirked. "Okay, but you have to promise not to wander off." She bent down and picked him up to ride in her arms. She was on her way to the Pantheon, though she was not really sure why. Maybe it was the dark atmosphere hanging over the house since Nergal's dissapearence, maybe it was because she knew it would all be over soon. She could feel herself growing more and more exhausted, even doing the simple things. She desperatly wished she had never implanted the stone in the first place. She wanted to spend more time with her new friends. Listening to Echo, Ishum, Nergal, Jess and the kids. She was not ready to leave when she had just found her place. She breathed deeply and rested her cheek against the kitten's soft fur as she stepped up to the large building. Maybe Gianfar would be there. She would welcome coffee and his eccentric conversation. Talencia Rairne was delighted with her new toy. Well, even she had to admit he was no toy. She might be taller than she had been (for it had finally occured to her that she hadn't been clumsier than usual, but that she had grown), but Raja still towered over her like a gentle giant out of tales she could only vaguely remember being read. Outwardly she now resembled a rather gawky early teenager, maybe twelve or thirteen. Legs too long for her and a face that was beginning to elongate in a rather elegant way. But inwardly, she was still an eight year old girl, and it showed in her demeanor.
Currently, it showed through her treatment of the satyr. She had his large hand in her, tugging him along and showing him where each landmark was in the Pantheon that allowed her to navigate, and chattering the entire time. "Now you'll have to count steps to the bathroom, because it sounds like you have big feet, so I won't be able to tell you how to measure from our door to that door." She was clearly disregarding the fact that he, unlike her, could see where he was going. Still, he tolerated it, so she kept on.
One of the reasons for her babbling, which she would admit to noone, least of all herself, was that she could sense that time was growing short. What was really clueing her into this was that Arctang was much stronger than he used to be. Granted, he still tired swiftly when he did much, but often he seemed to simply be allowing her control, rather than having to concede it was hers. It vaguely frightened her, but she'd had enough of fears. Thus it was that she welcomed the distraction of Raja. He quietly endured her pattering speech about how to measure distance by steps and suchlike. What harm did it do to let her talk? She was a pretty young thing, though he'd long ago given up such pursuits. Docile as the milk cow she had earlier determined he was not, he let her tug on his hand and show him this or that. It was a bit tricky getting down the stairs, but he managed somehow. His hooves were rather large, but the steps were wide, to his relief. Even so, the trek was precarious, with a child clinging to one hand, and him trying not to trip over his own hooves as he made his way down. They made it safely, and paused there."This is where we get our food. I don't know who buys it, but I've been told to help myself, so I have. They have the most wonderful foods here... like peanut butter!" She smiled brightly to herself, and decided she should make Raja some lunch. "You sit over there," she gestured in the direction of the chair she herself had sat in, near the kitchen counters, when Garnet had given her some bread with butter. "I'll make you a sandwich." She let go of him finally and shooed him with both hands before turning and stepping carefully into the kitchen, hands trailing the cabinets to find the silverware drawer.Rajakhrev took one look at the spindly chair and knew that was definitely not going to work. He glanced around hopefully for another solution, and spotted some sturdy couches across the way in a seperate sitting area. "I think I'll just come sit over here, on the couch," he said, his voice deeply resonant, like a kettle drum in the distance. He watched for a moment to be sure the child would be alright... he wasn't entirely sure what her capabilities were, after all. It was his job to serve and ensure her safety now, and he intended to do that.
Seeing she was doing just fine, and not using anything sharp, he moved to the couches and found a comfortable perch, with room for the girl... Rairne, she'd said her name was... to sit with him. Perhaps some would say he was a lazy servant, making her serve him rather than the other way around, but from what he could gather, Rairne needed this to occupy her mind. So he patiently allowed her to do what he himself should be doing. It served her better this way, and that was his ultimate goal. Quote: Lien smiled as she heard voices in the common room. Well, at least there were people here. She thought as she stepped upand through the main doors. Hopefuly they were not the arrogant and hard to deal with kind. "Hello." She smiled, taking in the large creature that sat on the couches, at the sound of clattering cupboards she looked over to the girl and something within her twitched. It was not a plesant feeling. I know youA voice inside her said softly. "Hello?" She tilted her head to the side and hugged the kitten close to her. Talencia Raja did not, quite, leap up from the couch when someone new walked in. He didn't even rise. But he did lean forward and pay close attention, his relaxed demanor ebbing before this new individual. His eyes narrowed as he regarded her intently. He nodded a greeting while her eyes were still on him, but he continued to watch her expression as she caught sight of Rairne.
It was then that something changed. The pretty face stilled, eyes becoming uneasy. What about the child could have caused this? The woman's body also communicated unease, as she clutched the kitten so hard it squeaked in protest. Still, the satyr wouldn't have called her dangerous. Rather, he'd probably have termed it frightened. So he stayed alert, but nothing more.Rairne paused, knuckles covered in peanut butter, grasping a slippery spoon that had jelly and peanut butter both on it, poised over a thick slice of wheat bread. Someone wasn't going to appreciate the peanut butter in the jelly jar, nor the jelly in the peanut butter jar, but the girl was feeling proud of herself for managing to do this on her own. The steps and voice of someone new caused the pause in motion, though, and she turned her head to hear better.
"Hello, who are you?" she asked with child-like bluntness, as well as the air of blithe ignorance that such a direct question might be rude. "You don't sound familiar to me." Even as she spoke, though, Arc stirred restlessly within her. She'd come to recognize this as indication that he knew that this was a god or a host of a god. The girl shrugged it off, taking it for granted that there would be many more in this place than she knew. "I'm Rairne, and I'm the host for Arctang. The big guy over there is Raja." She turned back to spreading the mess she'd made onto the bread, not minding the bits that got away from her and spattered the counter. midnight_medea Lien smiled as the girl addressed her and released her grip on the kitten a little. She was an odd little thing, her height causing her too look older than she was, or at least Lien assumed her to be. Her face was young, as was her speech. She had been about to explain who she was when the name, Arctang, caused a ripple that shot right through her. Cosine was struggling to come forward and she did not want to let her. "I am Cosine." the alien voice said softly. "Show me my brother. I have searched for him."Talencia Rairne froze, the spoon clattering to the counter before she turned slowly to gaze towards the new, strange voice with her blind eyes. She held very still, astonished. Somehow news of Arctang having a sister had never come up... there had always been something else to tackle, some other thought to pursue. He had a sister?! She could feel him fully aware now, but holding almost as still as she was, as if he could hold his breath, tucked away in her mind as he was. A sudden shiver shuddered through her, like a breath of bitterly cold wind. She felt a rise of panic as it occured to her that this... this might be it. Shuddering inwardly this time, she gave in and let Arctang sweep forward, taking over. But even as he did so, she clung close to him, like a child hanging on a parent out of fear of seperation.Could it be? He felt stiff with shock, and could feel Rairnes confusion and fear. He hadn't told her, he realized with a start. With everything else they'd negotiated on, he'd never informed her that he wasn't supposed to be alone in the first place. As Rairne made way for him to take control of their body, he absently wrapped a comforting tendril of himself about her mental self, even as he strained against the confines of the body's blindness.
"I am here, sister-mine," he said softly, a smile growing on his face. "Is it really you? Could it be?" Disregarding the peanut-butter-smeared knuckles much as Rairne had, he cautiously edged around the island in the kitchen. He rarely had directed such movement, as Rairne was much more adept at it. Still, he'd learned a bit, 'watching' how she moved and managed. So he did get around the end of the island's counter so that he faced where his beloved twin's voice had come from last. "Is it really you, Cosine?!"Meandwhile, Raja watched and listened warily. There was much more going on here than just two strangers meeting, and that was for certain. He glanced from one to the other, feeling the tension in the room mount sharply. What was going on? He might have moved then, but for his Lord coming into control, expressing no concern. The child might not be aware of dangers, but Arctang was old, much older than even he himself was. He would know if help was needed, or if this individual posed a threat.
So with the god of Numbers in the forefront, the large satyr relaxed marginally, leaning back again, but keeping his keen turqouise eyes fixed on the two figures now facing each other. Was this to be a pleasant, happy greeting, or one of bitterness and sorrow? He knew not, for his master had not mentioned a sibling. Beyond that, Raja really even didn't know enough about his master to guage how he'd react to ill news, or unwelcome tidings. So once more, he had to settle for watching and waiting. midnight_medea Cosine grinned as the voice of her brother spoke, her hands dropped to her sides and the kitten landed on its feet with a soft yelp. "Arc." She said softly, also trying to move forwards, unsure of herself. "It's me." She felt like crying, she thought she would never find him among the many gods that existed in this world. "I can't believe i have found you." She breathed and held her arms out to him. It was over, the waiting. She could feel it. Within her Lien started to panic. She could feel it too. No. No, not yet, I'm not ready. She protested in thoughts. I need to tell them, they need to know.Talencia It was indeed her! He edged further around the edge of the counter, not darnig to let go of it, but aching to get closer. He bumped into a stool that stood against the bar-side of the island, but didn't even bother to grunt at the stubbed toe and bonked knee he gained from it. Instead, he squared himself, then daringly let go of the counter to reach fingertips towards the body his twin inhabited. "Come closer, my love. I can't reach you, and I can't see you either." The last was spoken with irony. He had come to accept the limitation, but never had liked it. He liked it even less now. He wanted to see his sister, and he wanted to see her NOW.Rairne, meanwhile, kept a tight hold on Arctang. She felt the rising power, even if he didn't. Something was happening, the closer he got to his sister. The closer they got, that was. They for how long? Agonized and growing more frightened with every heartbeat of their shared body, she frantically began to recall things. Her mother's voice, the feel of those soft lips on her forehead, her father's booming laugh, the birds singing outside the window of one of the old houses she's snuck into, the delight of finding that soft if raunchy blanket, and the comfort of discovering Baby among it's folds. At the thought of Baby, she desperately wanted to scrabble for where she devoutly hoped the doll was, at her waistband.
But she was locked out of controlling her own body. Arctang was in the throes of ecstasy at finding his sister, and was blind, for once, to her own woes. Terrified and feeling alone, she set up a wail in the back of their shared mind, feeling bereft and despairing as she sensed the inevitable coming. midnight_medea Lien wanted to cry at her helplessness. No matter how hard she tried to move forward, Cosine kept pushing her back. She was trapped as she had been when she had first been taken. Bound and held, everything she knew and loved ripped away from her. For once she could not fight and she felt lost. So very lost. Cosine moved forwards as he brother said he could not see. That troubled her. Would he be blind when he was reborn? "I'm coming." She said softly, walking towards him despite Lien's protests. She could not leave him now she had found him. she had to move on. The kitten mewed at her feet, she ignored it as she reached her brother and threw her arms around him, though he was smaller than her, she could not help herself. it had been so long. Too long. Talencia Light quick steps approached with her voice, and then her arms were around him again. His throat closed in a very mortal reaction of tears... bah, it probably was the fault of all those hormones he'd stoked up for Rairne to grow faster. He wrapped his own slender arms around her tightly, fighting down sniffles as he buried his face in her shoulder. How odd to have her slightly taller than himself! Closed off to all else, he simply reveled for the moment in being together with his twin at last.
But an odd, rising humming broke into his reverie. He wasn't hearing it with his ears. It seemed to be within his own mind, and behind the hum of power was a faint wail of utter despair. Baffled for a moment, he stayed as he was, arms hugging his sister's host body to himself, as he pondered what the now deafening hum might mean. The desperate wailing grew with it, and it finally dawned on him what this was. The change. That must be it. His last thought was to reach for Rairne to comfort her, and then he was siezed in a crushing hold. It felt as if some giant fist had closed tightly about his body and his soul.
His back arched as his lungs screamed for air they could not inhale. His arms tightened about his twin, while his mind reached for both her and his own host's mind. He curled Rairne close to him, embracing her with a love he had thus far only felt for his sibling. He was able to register her relief, her gratefulness for his embrace, her fears, and her complete and utter terror. In the moments that stretched so long, he tried to convey reassurance, caring, and his own upsurging of gratefulness for what she was willing to do for him. It was but an instant of communication, all consisting of feelings and emotions, for once free of inhibitions.
But when his reach meet his sister's mind, he found her equally embroiled as he was.
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:16 am
Changes ... cont.midnight_medea Cosine hugged the young girl ... that was Arc tightly. It felt strange, very strange for him to be the one burying his face against her shoulder when so often it would be the other way round.
Then suddenly she felt it too. A thudding, as though all the blood in the body of Lien was rushing past her ears. Thudding and pounding through her mind and around her body.
She felt Arc's arms tighten around her and she dug her nails into his skin. She could not stop herself, there was pain and a tightness in her chest. Her heart felt like it might explode.
Within her Lien panicked, she called for those she was being forced to leave behind. Cosine tried her best to calm her, offer her comfort. She would pass on her goodbyes, make sure that they knew. She would honour those bonds, ones that she too had made.
Time was up and there was nothing any of them could do. Talencia Raja had been watching merely the outer version of the meeting, seeing two very happy siblings coming together after who knew how long. Arctang had explained to him how he had been dormant in that stone that was still lodged in Rairne's right shoulder, so it could potentially have been longer than the memories of mortals, for all he knew.
But as they clasped ech other close, the tone of things changed. It was subtle, for a dozen heartbeats, but very quickly after that it became obvious. The woman's nails drew blood from where they gripped, and Rairne's small body was arching. The satyr surged to his feet just as the both of them dropped where they stood, arms and legs entwined in ironic parody of the embrace they had just shared.
Alarmed, he darted across the room, his size belied by his speed. He knelt carefully near Rairne's head as her body spasmed. Arctang's voice came to him in a strangled gasp. "Time... upstairs.... bed..... hurry!" Even though they hadn't quite discussed this, Raja being a magical creature understood. Merging had been briefly mentioned, as well as rebirth. He had equated them as synonyms, due to their context. That must be what was happening, because it couldn't be very comfortable to either of them, to change one body to begin being another?
Gently he gathered the small body that soon would belong only to his Master, and rose to his feet gingerly. On the floor beside him the form of the woman was also twitching. Arctang had called her sister... so perhaps she too was being reborn and needed tending? It only seemed the right thing to do, but he'd have to come back for her. Walking as if his burden were made of glass, Raja carried the trembling body upstairs to the room they had just left. He settled her on one side of the bed, smoothing out the covers beneath and beside her. It was then that he found the small, blue-swirled shell. Not recognizing it, he simply put it on the nightstand and then hurried back downstairs.
The woman seemed no worse for her wait, though still caught in the throes of the coming change, apparently. He knelt and slid his large, muscled arms beneath her shoulders and her legs. It was undeinably awkward, and it took a bit of a struggle to settle her larger body comfortably in his arms. But once that was done, he had no trouble striding up the stairs and down the hall to where he'd put... well, he wasn't sure if he should think of her as Rairne, or him as Arctang. He supposed he should get used to thinking of them as joined under the name Arctang.
After making the woman as comfortable as he could beside Arctang, he bustled out of the room to get a bowl of water and some towels, as well as some extra blankets from a closet in the hallway. Beyond that, all he knew to do was wait. He set his preperations on the dresser, closed the door firmly, and sat down to wait. midnight_medea Feverish the body of Lien/Cosine twitched on the bed. Her mind in turmoil, lost to dreams. It’s you that I adore,
you’ll always be my whore.Music, pulsing, throbbing slipping through pores, infecting blood and seducing the weak. Lights, flashing, luring, creating shadows and hiding sins. In the dappled light of the disco ball the broken dolls seem whole. Their skin unburied, pupils undilated. Perfection. Everyone’s fantasy. One, familiar, moves atop a shiny black table he movements fluid, hips swaying, swirling as pale fingers smooth their way over soft skin and the starched material of the school uniform she wears. Don’t blow those brains yetFlesh, men in suits, watching, wishing, believing, before going home to their wholesome wives and children. Look at those cavemen go.Time rewinds, our voyeur slips and slides. Falling to a time long before. A town of lights, a backstreet, a small room. A girl whimpers as a man gets his monies worth on the old bed that has seen many nights like these. The room is hot, stifling and unbearable in the summer heat. Paper made out of broken twisted dreamsIt is later in the year, frost has formed on the dirty windows of the room. The girl is different now, made up like a doll. Though still young the adult dress hangs off her small, undeveloped frame. Make up a mask on her young face. Gotta keep it up now, there you go.She shoves the businessman onto the bed with practised ease. Honey bring it close to your lips yes.Broken child, useless doll, Dancing The men have her uniform She wears nothing. “Do you understand?” As the voice came out of the darkness Cosine picked up a lighter from the black side table. Papuru Rabu, Hotel, Shinsaibashi, Osaka. She did not know this place, she thought as she glanced to the bed. A man lay on the satin sheets, dead, his blood seeping onto the purple covers making them dark. “Cosine, do you understand?” The doll and girl from her dream stepped from the shadows, cleaning a knife with a towel from the bathroom. She wore a short red dress, impossible heels and a mask of makeup. It took a while for her to recognise her. Lien, the body she inhabited. “Cosine?” The red lips said as she moved closer. “I … I … Why?” She questioned, troubled as to why they were separate again. The lips smirked. “Poor mouse. No wonder they do not know you exist.” The knife flashed in the light of the fake chandelier. “He was in the way. This is survival Cos, all of it. This is what it means to survive. To fight. You wanted my strength and confidence. I am giving it to you.” The red clawed fingers took the goddess’s jaw and tilted her head back to the light. “I do not give my life away for you to fade again. Do you understand that? You have to fight. Your are just as important. Live, love, hate, feel. Stop at nothing!” The brown eyes burned into her as the young woman spoke with passion, her life written in her eyes. “If you go back to hiding in that library you will be just as worthless as that rock you came from.” The red claws moved to caress her cheek. “You are beautiful, intelligent. Always believe that. Humans would be lost without your influence. Even some of the gods. You have seen it.” Lien leaned in closer, smelling of a sweet, floral perfume. A lipstick laden kiss was pressed to her cheek and the knife pressed into her hand. Cosine lifted it and looked, it was ornate, the one the girl had been carrying when she was found close to death. “I am ready Cosine.” She smiled, stepping back. “Use this new strength and send me to sleep.” Cosine looked down to the knife and to the woman who had chosen to give her life. “It is easy Cosine, just do it.” The goddess took a deep breath and moved forwards, taking Lien’s shoulder in her hands and pressing the knife to her dress. “Thank you sister. Sleep well.” She whispered as she pressed the knife through flesh and tissue, warm blood spilling out and over her hand. “Tell them I love them, I die happy.” The words spilled from those painted lips as the Asian girl slumped to the floor. Talencia Cradled by the softness of the bed in the semi-familiarity of the guest room at the Pantheon, Rairne mentally and emotionally clung to Arctang. Faintly, through the link he shared with his... twin sister?.... she could sense the similar echoes of pain and fear coming from the other host. The moment had come, and the little girl was having to face the fact that she wasn't ready.
Where one might have expected blind and incoherant panic from her, she actually was quite sane in her feelings. In an odd way she was detatched, regarding and acknowledging her reactions. The first and most prominent one was of plain terror of the unknown. it was all well and good to say one understood what was supposed to happen, but to come face to face with it caused her to realize she knew nothing about this.Arctang poised, like a single droplet of water trembling at the tip of a leaf, ready to take the plunge into the wide world. He reveled in the fierce pressure that was building, driving him to begin the change, to become himself, to be reborn! it was a force he could not, and refused to, deny. But amidst his increasing joy and anticipation, he also was aware of the guailing little soul, which he required for his rebirth. He could feel the capability to simply take what he needed from her, but he rejected that method out of hand.
Instead, he reached his mind to touch hers. It was unlike any other way he'd ever tried communicating with her. It carried a sort of humble request combined with an admission of vulnerable need. He opened himself entirely for her to see and explore, as he never thought to do before. In the past he had probed her mind, her memories, her feelings. Now he welcomed her in to do the same.
"Come in, little sister," he beckoned her softly. "I need you. I need you to understand. I need you to become."Frankly astonished by this approach by Arctang, Rairne stepped across the threshold of his mind hesitantly. Her first impression was of endless strings and streams of figures that resembled those on the cube, as he had shown them to her. The flow of numerals swirled, pulsed, and advanced on her, eventually nearing to evelope her entirely in their baffling perpetuality and infinity.
But eventually the indistinct fog of numbers cleared, and she felt as if she were in a cavernous chamber, walls rising in an elegant curve to arc above her. Pocking the walls in frequent and regular intervals were niches, shelves all indicated with impossibly long and intricate strings of numbers. Amazed, she stared at the representation of Arctang's mind, having never seen such an image before. Oh, she had been in chambers like this before, but how does one take in the sight of something when one has never seen before? Completely awed, she began to run her hand along the curving wall, trailing her fingers over the tiny unending numbers. She soon grew curious about what was contained within each cubby. She chose one at random and reached into it.
Instantly, she was transported into what must have been a memory of his, though shecould neither move nor speak. An observer only, she reeled as the images played out before her in blinding color and clarity.
She left the memory with a startled gasp, staggering on the serene and uncluttered floor of Arc's cavernous mind. The senes of seeing was making her dizzy with its unfamiliarity, but she was left with a glow from the note of love that the scene had ended on. She blinked eyes that could see in this alternate reality. Was that what it was like to have a twin? She had never wondered, knowing no twins herself. But she had heard of them. Intrigued but uncertain she wanted to experience more, she moved to the next niche and cautiously reached into it. Once more she was sucked in, this time with only Arctang and his thoughts and travels to deal with, which she found much easier and more familiar.
Urged on by the excitement that tinged the last memory, she plunged both hands into the next one, barely giving herself time to take a breath in this surreal place.
When she woke this time, she was laying flat on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Again, she thrummed with the connection and closeness between the twins, something that went beyond a mere sibling bond. Dreamily, Rairne fluttered her lids. The roof of Arctang's mind blurred, revealing a stormy sky. A sweet, lilting song began, and as words began to echo softly, she sat up to reach towards the sky. For pinning downwards towards her was a small black shape. It was a blackbird, singing his song in counterpoint to the words and tune floating about the chamber. Tears streamed down Rairne's cheeks as she stretched both hands towards the soaring bird, welcoming him, calling for him, ready at last to do what must be done.Blackbird - The BeatlesBlackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free.
Blackbird fly Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird fly Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.Together, their joined forces working entirely in concert, with one will, they began their task. As one, they began the physical shifts that would bring their body closer to what Arctang should be like. They would have to dole out the necessary energy carefully, spending only so much on each change. That in mind, the first to be enacted was the most painful. The wings.
Bone structure extended from the shoulder-blades, emerging with a visceral rip and pop from the confining skin. Even as they extended, though, muscle formed upon the bone structure, precious blood lost in beadings and drippings before the skin could form, building in layer upon layer to protect the newly formed wings. They kept their efforts minimal... the wings were small, much too small to be of use. But they were there. They were nearing the end of the allotted expense for provision of wings, so in unison, they formed feathers, glistening black and glossy. Power dripped from them as the blood had but moments ago, falling in twisting and twining patterns that would confuse and entrance the eye. Their work complete here, they moved on together.
Next they needed to manage their gender. Clearly female was not going to be acceptable for the male god of Numbers. But also clearly they were not going to have time to remake what needed remaking. Of one mind, they chose to simply wipe the slate clean. After much tiring work, the body they owned no longer had any discernable or indiscernable gender. No reproductive system existed at all, though there were allowances for the unmentionable necessities.
Swiftly, with flagging strength, they moved on to the last important detail... their eyes. Working quickly, physical circuitry was reworked, or made anew where it had lacked. Internal nuances that required finesseing were altered, and the pupil was cleared, though not darkened. Light flooded into their joint sight, causing both to flinch in startlement and pain, as unexpected as the pain of the other changes had been expected.
The last remnants of power of their joined minds was spent, painting their body lightly. Bits of hair gained new color, and touches of skin earned a new hue. As if lit from some unseen neon light, the surfaces glowed with bright color, subtle in their intensity. Arctang reached to do more, but Rairne gently drew him back, her last thoughts those of satisfaction and soft sorrow. Sensing her fading, the Pie Bird spent the last moments of merged power, bringing the last of her into himself, finishing his inward self with the essences of who she was. She would forever be a part of him, though never again herself.With a rattling, gut-wrenching gasp, he awoke. midnight_medea Cosine cried out in pain as her body started to change, growing and shaping to form something between the two of them. Curves swelled where there had been none, making the fabric of the clothes she wore tight and uncomfortable. Sprouting wings tore through flesh and material flexing and extending as a newborn bird.
Her hand found her brother's, desperate for his strength and reassurance. It hurt so much, she was afraid and he would know what to do. Arc always knew what to do. Talencia  It was so bright! He squinted with a grunt of near-pain, shifting himself to try and block out some of the light. It was then that his back screamed bloody murder, giving proof that though he and Rairne had tried to finish the healing, clearly they had failed in that respect. He had to admit, he hadn't focused much on healing the rents the wings had emerged from. But before he could do more than groan, he felt fingers suddenly laced tight in his own, squeezing fit to kill. He found his sense of touch hyper-sensitve, moreso than he'd expected. Rairne must have really relied on it, he realized. But for now, his focus shifted, and he turned pale but sighted eyes to regard his twin sister.
Or, what was becoming his twin. A body writhed next to him, dark hair strewn across the pillow and caught across the beautiful face of a stranger. Her body arched in pain, a cry escaping her. Struck to the heart by her agony, he painfully hitched himself up onto his elbow, still keeping his hand in hers. With his free hand, despite the pulling it caused upon the torn skin of his shoulders, he cradled his twin close, crooning softly and gently stroking her back, her arm, her hair, her face. He spoke no real words, only nonsense murmuring, but inwardly, he reached for her much as he had done for Rairne, encompassing her with love to comfort and reassure. He made sure she knew that she was not alone, and never would be again. They were together, and nothing was ever, EVER, going to seperate them again.midnight_medea When the pain had finally started to fade Cosine found herslef clinging to the body that was her twin ... or at least she hoped so. Surely it would not just be her who had changed.
"Is it over?" She whispered hoarsely, her won voice now coming from her own mouth. She swallowed and brought her hand up from Arc's arm. It was her's now. A strange concept after being stuck within a strangers body.
She looked up to the face of her twin and smiled.
"It is really you." she said happily. "We're truely back." Talencia "Well, almost. But not quite." He fingered her dark hair with the streaks running through it ruefully. "It will take much more time than this for us to be wholly ourselves again." A warm place within him made him continue the thought. "But we won't ever be as we were before, will we?" His tone was soft and thoughtful, almost wistful. "We've been given something more."
That warm place within him glowed, like a hot ember in the depths of night. That ember had no thoughts, no input, but it was a reminder to him. A reminder to treasure what he'd gained by knowing the little girl. By living life through her... well, not eyes, obviously. But that was the idea. Not only that, but what he had learned through her sacrifice. He would never, ever, forget. midnight_medea Cosine listened and nodded at his words. Something more, yes. Now they had knowlege, a second chance to correct their mistakes and be reborn as true gods. They were a long way off but closer than they had been.
"I was so worried I would never find you." She said softly, shifting to sit properly and tracing a finger over his pale cheek. Almost to see if he was real. "I had thought for a moment that Destruction might be playing a joke when he said you were reborn. I should not have doubted him." Talencia "No, you shouldn't." He lightly tapped her under the chin, marveling at being able to touch her once more. "He would have no reason to treat us badly, now would he? You and I are neither truly moral or truly immoral. We are simply his." He gave her hand a final squeeze and then used that hand to prop his chin on as he reclined beside her and glanced around the room he'd inhabited but never seen... including the very quiet satyr.
"In fact, I think perhaps after we have rested, we should go see him," he continued musing aloud. "This room was acceptable for a little host like mine, but it is much too confining for myself, Raja, and you. I shall have to ask for better accomodations." He paused to consider where she had been all this time, returning his gaze somewhat anxiously to her new face. "You will stay with me for a little while, won't you?" His voice was uncertain and terribly hopeful. It carried the sense of loneliness he'd endured all that time, trapped inside his gem, seperated from her. He hated to give her up again so soon, but even he had to admit, she was her own person. She could go where she wished, without him if she so chose. midnight_medea Cosine smiled as he reclined next to her and ran her fingers through her hair. Her hair. What a thought. It was shorter than she remembered but maybe it was time for a new look.
She listened to him as she always did and looked down at his request.
"I, I have to get back." She said softly. "There is trouble with the god of the Underworld. I have to get back to Lady Music incase she needs me." She breathed deeply and turned her eyes to her twin, smiling. "I will come with you to Destruction though." Talencia His heart fluttered in alarm as she refused, but he settled himself. He would still live here, but they could each go where the other was, at any time. He was sure of it. "And after we present ourselves, may I come with you to meet your Lady Music? Perhaps.. there is some way I can help with this Underworld that I can see you so wish to help." He stroked her forehead fondly and sighed. "But for now, I think we must rest, regain our strength. Let Raja tend to you, dearest sister, and then sleep, knowing you are safe, and we are together once more."
His own eyes were growing heavy even as he spoke, and he could hear Raja stirring, the sound of water dripping and splashing, and the warm touch of a soft dampened cloth. He once more slid his hand into her hand, linking fingers loosely, before allowing himself to drift peacefully into his first natural rest in uncounted years. midnight_medea  Cosine smiled and shifted to lie down next to her twin.
"Once I have returned, I will take you to meet her. I need to go back alone first." She said softly, yawning and curling up, her hand tucked under her cheek.
She did not know Echo's reaction to her change and did not want to shock her with two of them. Especially at such a delicate time.
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:18 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:19 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:20 am
3.III ~~ Homecoming ~~ cosine returns home and is in for a bit of a shock as Echo has morphed too.
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:21 am
3.IV
~~ Searching for Ishum ~~ Outside there was only silence. No birds sang, even the dust on the ground dared not stir. The earth was in mourning. Cosine shuddered a little, the numbers that were rolling through her mind soaring up and up. Death was everywhere, she needed to keep a record, she needed the book of souls. All things needed recording. Later, later she told herself. There were more important things to be done. Her bare feet touched the rough ground and she wished she had gotten some shoes. No time for that, however. Things to be done, always. She could remember a vague time when she would forget to eat or brush her hair, even forget to return home when she was lost to a task. Once her mind had orentated itself she made her way swiftly to Nergal's half of the house . "Ishum?" She called as she turned the door handle and pushed it open, her voice echoed around the hall. A series of mews greeted her, but no smile and golden wings. "Ishum?" Emptiness.She went no further, he was not there. Where though? A memory. That day. The stables. She turned from the cats and ran to the makeshift stables. "Ishum? Ishum where the hell are you?" She called, walking into the stables. "Are you okay?" A moment of nothing passed and her attention was caught by a shifting in the stables. "Aria." She said softly, making her way over to the spooked Erras. She glanced around the stables, there was no sign of Nergal's mount. Ishum must have felt the wave and ridden off to check on others. Now she felt a little stupid. She should have gone with Echo. What if she had needed her. The young goddess took a breath and walked over to Aria, the poor thing was on edge. Cosine held her hand out in a peace gesture and waited a moment for trust to come. "It's okay, I won't hurt you." She said softly, moving to run her hand over the soft hide of the creature. She needed to think. If only there was a way, a way of knowing everyone was okay. Black wings.There was something there. Something deep in her mind, almost forgotten. "Infinity." She whispered as she rested her cheek against Aria's neck. Infinity was her best friend, confidant and advisor. But where was she now?Dead? No She had been around, she had a memory, almost. She had given the stone to Lien, followed her though the darkness of her world. NergalShe had been there when he helped Lien and took her to Echo. But where was she now?Cosine felt rather lost and small. Echo had gone to the Pantheon, Ishum was gone and her brother was far away. She was alone Pantheon. She knew she needed to get there. They would all be there. That would be the first place Infinity would search for her, especially after what had happened. Cosine was afraid, she would be going there alone. Though wasn't this what she wanted, to forge her own path, build her own strength. This was her new life and she was the only one who could live it.
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:22 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:24 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:25 am
3.VII
~~ The Week of Sloth ~~
I InfinityNever-endingLife is a series of cycles, circles. We start from nothing, a tiny collection of cells and matter. We are born, a helpless child, grow, become a helpless adult and die, a collection of cells and matter. Cosine had now come full circle, stuck as her host once was, exhausted and ready to just curl up and give up. Lost.The path to the Pantheon was a straight one ... was it not? As the crow flies. Then why was she now lost with no clue as to her location. She had wandered through the town and in her weariness must have taken a wrong turn. Forest, or what had once been, stood all around her. Towering black skeletons raped of their life and leaves by destruction. More bodies, she was sick of them. Towns she had walked through people wailing over lost loved ones. Bodies of adults, children and babies, the elderly and the innocent seemed hit the hardest. Hell did not discriminate. Here, in the forest the bodies were of animals. Foxes, rabbits, birds. Those who had survived the coming of destruction now fell prey to this ... whatever it was. Her bare feet ached as they trod on the painful ground, her dress was dirty and a feeling of utter hopelessness engulfed her. Why hadn't she stayed at the house with Tempo and Alto? The sky began to grow darker. Soon it would be night and she would need to find a place to sleep. It was getting so hard, so hard to just place one foot in front of the other. SleepHer feet carried her to the abandoned hut. Left by those who fled in the coming of Destruction, it had been looted and the windows smashed but it was shelter. It took all of her strength to walk from the main room to the back one to find the old straw mattress and moth eaten blankets. Here she collapsed, curling up as small as she could and letting sleep take away her exhaustion. From the moment Cosine hit the bed she slept. Deep, dreamless sleep. The kind which went on and on and before you knew it you had slept the day away. As dawn’s light she did not wake. Even when the say reached its height she slept still, ignoring the cries of sorrow that echoed through the depths of the forest. It was only as the light began to fade that she stirred. Turning on the dirty and old bed, murmurs falling from her lips and her eyes refusing to open. Why should she wake? What was out there for her? Nothing. The world was dying, she was lost and alone. Get up.Lien? No, she was gone and no matter what she said there was nothing she could do to make her wake and move. Get up child. You have a long road ahead.A weight on her side, a sharp pain to her shoulder. “No.” She mumbled, curling up tighter. She did not want to face this new world. It was too much like hard work. The pain came again. Wake up. I can help you.The words were no language, more like suggestion, their timing matched with what seemed like the cawing of a crow. Wings flexed and she cracked an eye in the fashion of a lazy teenager. The weight shifted from her side and she found herself face to face with a large black crow. That made her move, or rather jump so much she almost rolled off of the bed and onto the hard mud floor. What in the name of … The slowness seemed to have seeped into her usually fast brain. She tried to force it away, there was something she needed to be doing … she knew this creature. But where from and what was it she was on the path to. Cosine and the crow stared at each other for a few moments. It was there somewhere … it would come to her, she just needed to give her brain a huge kick into action. “Infinity?”
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:26 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:28 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:29 am
3.X
~~ Alone ~~
Week of Envy
I Day 1With dawn, far in the distance a trumpet sounded, loud and ominous. The heralding of the morning was followed by a shattering sound as though the windows of the world had smashed. As the sound washed over the dying world the fatigue and laziness that had gripped all washed away, there was a moments pause, as if for a breath before something all together more sinister began to work its way into the minds of men and gods. The green eyed monster free to roam and cause what havoc it pleased. In a small room in a fair sized semi-detached house a young goddess received a rude awakening. The sound of cats fighting, and then … a smash above her head, water and china rained down onto her bed covers and she jumped up with a scream. “OWCH!” She shouted as her bare feet touched the floor and were met by shards of a smashed mug. Somewhere she was sure she heard laughter … though from who? “What in the name of.” She muttered, watching the water drip down the wall. Who the hell had thrown that. Or knocked it flying. Damn cats her rational mind cursed. Wincing she picked her foot up and surveyed the damage. No blood drawn, well at least that was something. In the main part of the house there was yet another crash, and the frightened cry of a kitten. She turned just in time to see Shandar come charging through her room and skid under the bed. What the hell was going on? Muttering to herself she walked out and to the living room. In the middle of the floor there lay a smashed vase. Though, who knocked it and how the hell it got in the middle of the room was beyond her. “Bloody cats.” She muttered, walking over and crouching down to pick up the pieces of the pretty thing. All the goddess’s things were very pretty. Not that they were even hers. More some poor mortal’s who had died. Wasn’t that grave robbing. Echo and her Aoide accomplices and everyone thought she was such a benevolent and kind goddess. “Right.” Cosine muttered to herself as she carried the pieces of broken glass through to the kitchen and dumped them on the side. That was why she was off grabbing a piece of the glory at the pantheon rather than helping those who worked their backsides off for her. It made Cosine sick the way everyone was instantly at the music goddess’s feet. Even her own damn host worshipped her. What kind of a betrayal was that? Day 2Nothing. Cosine sat at the small desk in her room and worked through the book of Souls, noting numbers as that was all that she was good for. Shandar strolled in carrying some toy he must have stolen from the other cats, gave her a look that said ‘touch it and I’ll remove your fingers’ and hopped up onto the bed. Cosine did not look up from her book. HER book. At least she could be useful somewhere and then, then she might get some damn recognition for her art. Music was such an easy domain. Day 3“I said get the hell off my bed!!!!” Cosine shouted. Her anger met by ten feline eyes saying MINE. No damn respect. She was a goddess! Sure, not a full one just yet, but she was one, and a damn sight more powerful than any stupid fur balls. She must have looked rather silly if anyone could see her. A winged woman, dressed in an old, oversized nightshirt. The only thing of her hosts that would actually fit over her new hips, Two holes had been sliced in the back to accommodate her wings, Arguing with a bunch of cats. “Right, that’s it.” she said firmly in her best school teacher voice as she moved to pick them off the bed. Yes, a rather insane idea considering, but really, what could a bunch of domestic cats do? Day 4“Ow.” she muttered to herself as she sank into the bath. Well, at least the hot water was working. The water was welcome relaxation even if it did sting the cuts that ran up her arms from the cat battle the previous day. She had managed to get them all out, finally and shut her door. Things were getting really creepy. They were fighting all the time and possessive over the stupidest things. Then there were the -other- strange things. Laughter, stuff moving, she had almost been hit several times by flying objects and was running out of logical explanations. The goddess closed her eyes and welcomed the feel of the warm water as it caressed her aches and washed the dirt away. She bet Echo never had this trouble. The cats wouldn’t scratch her … stupid ghosts or whatever wouldn’t throw things at her head. Noooo not Miss perfect. So neat, so beautiful and kind. It just wasn’t fair. She wanted to be those things. She was far more intelligent than Echo. She was far more intelligent then most of them. Even her own stupid brother. She had felt it … the pain. Something had happened to him. It was interesting, she knew it was something bad, yet she did not care. If he was going to march off and get himself killed then that was his own stupid fault. Who needed his strength and charisma. Who needed any of it, any of them, any of what they had. She did. Day 5Normality. That was the best thing to do in these circumstances. Still stuck with the dilema of clothing Cosine pulled on the robe that Lien had worn when Nergal found her and ventured out into the house. It was quiet, as was the trend of recent days. “Reduced to wearing rags.” She muttered as she wandered through the house … then it struck her. Here she was making do when there was a whole wardrobe of pretty clothes at her disposal in Echo’s room, it wasn’t like the goddess would miss one or two garments. Smirking to herself she turned and made her way back up the stairs.
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:34 am
3.XI
~~ Busted ~~
Week of Envy
II midnight_medea Cosine stared into the mirror for what seemed like the hundreth time that week. She was a mess, nothing that would resemble a goddess. Even if she was half a one. She sighed and pulled at the old nightshirt she had been living in. She wanted clothes, gorgeous beautiful clothes ... clothes like Echo.
But Echo wasn't here, she was still at the Pantheon. Of course the Aoide might know where she could get such things but they seemed to be keeping their distance. In the corner of the mirror she spotted an object zooming towards her. She ducked, a cushion from the livingroom hit the mirror and bounced onto the floor.
"Oh, that was scary." She muttered in a dry tone thinking of all those beautiful fabrics and dresses in music's wardrobe. Surely she would not mind if she took just one ... one dress wouldn't hurt. Or two maybe, the goddess thought with a smile that erred just on the wrong side of sanity.
No one would know.
Smoothing her hands over her nightdress that had seen better days she crept out into the call, raising an eyebrow at a cat who hissed and stood over a half chewed mouse.
euw, as if she would want that.
Echo's room. She had only been there once, the day of the wave. The goddess paused, glanced around to see if anyone was coming and slipped into the room just as a coaster struck the door behind her. Thabara  It wasn't long after Echo had left the room - leaving Nergal alone with his struggle to align the Echo he knew with the one he had just encountered - when the door opened again. Soon, too soon to be her - unless she had forgotten about something and returned right away - and indeed the person who entered was someone completely different. Familiar though.
"Lien ..?" Nergal inquired hesitantly. There still was a distinct discrepancy between the person in his memories and the one who had just stepped in, but the semblance was close enough. Cosine's ascension hadn't caused her body to look as radically different as Echo's. "No," he murmured softly, recognizing his error as soon as that thought had struck his mind, "you.. must be Cosine?"
How much time had passed, he wondered, to allow for both goddesses to ascend? His gaze rested on the various instruments assembled in the room for a moment, taking notice of them now for the first time since he had awakened, and also of the layer of dust covering them. They had not been touched for quite a while. What... had happened?midnight_medea Cosine had just shut the door ever so carefully when the male voice met her ears. Lien? She blinked and spun round. Okay, poltergueists she could handle, pissed off cats fine ... but now, now there was some strange pale man in Echo's bed.
"Wha ... " she began, her mouth open like she was trying to catch flies.
Wait,
There was something familiar about him. The way he spoke, his manner. She breathed deeply and closed her mouth.
"Lord Nergal? Is that you?" Cosine asked tentatively. Was he a ghost too? Or maybe she really was going insane. That would account for the odd appearence. "I was er, just um ..." She gestured hopelessly and glanced around the room. "Looking for Echo." Thabara Nergal? He hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. After all he had gone through that name still seemed to fit best, despite the fact he was able to recall a confusing number of other possibilities.
"Yes," he said quietly, slowly moving to sit up again despite the fact he'd been told to rest. "Everything.. has changed, it seems, since I was taken, with me being no exception." He hadn't had a chance to look into a mirror yet, he realized, gazing down at his hands, that flawless white skin.
"Echo.. You have just missed her. She went down to get something for me, but should be back soon enough." He offered her a smile, uncertain and a little wistful. "Congratulations ..?" midnight_medea Cosine smiled as he confirmed he was Nergal and she stepped a little closer, her hunt for pretties seemingly forgotten.
"Congratulations to you too, and ... you have no idea how good it is to see you home, safe. If a little, or a lot different." She nodded a little and sat down gently on the edge of the bed next to him. It seemed Lien's boldness had yet to leave her among other traits. She studied him a moment and smiled, a little warmer. There was trouble behind his eyes and he seemed confused, weak despite his renewed power.
"We all missed you. Are you well?" she gestured to his convalescance in the bed and folded her hands in her lap. "Did ... " A small, nervous pause. "Did you get hurt?" Thabara "I.. Thank you." He inclined his head politely, his smile deepening a bit as her welcome made it all feel a little more.. real. It faded quickly from his face, however, upon her next query.
The way he tensed and froze, the way life seemed to drain from his eyes within moments was more then enough to tell her that, yes, he indeed had been hurt. "The marks and injuries.. were numerous," he said, raising one trembling hand to gaze at it for a moment before he let it drop back into his lap. "So strange to see them gone now without a trace. It does not seem right." He shivered. Those scars weren't truly gone. They were just not visible anymore. "So little seems right and make sense right now."
"Do not tell Echo," he pleaded all of a sudden, his tone urgent. "She suffers enough already." midnight_medea Cosine was disturbed by the look that came over his face. She should not have asked, really should not have asked. She watched the haunted gaze take over him and the tremble in his hands. This was Lord Nergal. Underworld. She swallowed. If it could have shaken him so then it must have been truely terrible.
"I will not tell her." She said softly, thinking of the pain she saw her in when the wave hit. Slowly she reached out and took his cold hand in her warm ones and sent a wish.
One for sorrow,
two for joy,
three for a girl,
for for a boy,
five for silver,
six for gold,
seven for a secret,
never to be told,
eight for a wish,
nine for a kiss,
ten for a time
of joyous bliss.
"May the future bring you better times." She said softly, leaving a feeling of warmth to wash over him. She might not be strong or powerful but every little helped. The goddess released his hand and folded her hands in her lap once more. "I met your brother." She ventured, changing the topic to lighter things. Zero Dream  Echo had been gone for quite a bit by now, balancing the tray with the cup on one hand as best as she could without sending the whole thing crashing down while avoiding poltergeists, cats, and other assorted things as she was, ironically enough, looking for Cosine. She figured the young goddess would like to know about this - there was also Ankou and the red-headed host, but.... she couldn't exactly just dump a whole happy troupe of people on him while he was recovering, no.
When it seemed the goddess of numbers was nowhere to be found, she turned to head back to her room, sidestepping away from the glass shards as she turned the handle to slide inside.
"Oh, there you are, dear." Echo's ears perked upward. "I was looking for you, but it seems that you've found your way on your own, hmm ?"
She had, of course, noticed that something seemed to be very... off with Cosine in the last few days. Hopefully this would help a little. Seeing the young one so... off tilter broke her heart. It seemed the motherly feelings had carried over from host to goddess rather easily, and it would be easy for Nergal to see that by the look in her eyes, by the way she approached them, kicking off her shoes as there was no glass to worry about here. She set the tray down on the small dresser right next to the bed, in his reach and sat beside Cosine. Hopefully he would speak up if they where invading his space, as it seemed to be the last thing she was thinking about at the moment. Thankfully for them both, it seemed that she had only heard the last comment.
"Oh, yes, Ankou. He and Adrian are... at the pantheon, I believe."Thabara "Thank you," Nergal murmured softly. She had used her powers somehow, he sensed, feeling a slight shift in things, and warmth brushing over him. It was.. pleasant, so he simply let it happen, not trying to pit his strength against that of the younger goddess. She did not mean ill.
He looked up when Echo entered, wondering how just much of their conversation she might have overheard. He quietly took in the sight of her as she walked close. She had changed, grown, not only in appearance and powers. The impression he had of her, was that of an uncertain teen, awkward and embarrassed about herself and everything. Now.. it seemed she had grown up, her motherly attitude towards the younger goddess strangely reminding him of Kishara's.
He gave Echo a grateful nod when she sat down the tray for him, cold fingers quickly wrapping around the porcelain cup as if trying to absorb the warmth it gave up. For a few seconds, he closed his eyes, simply enjoying the aromatic scent before he took a sip. It was bitter, having been brewed too long, but it didn't matter.. To him it tasted like heaven. Still, he'd have to teach her how to do it properly, sometime. "Thank you," he murmured again, finally registering what else had been said.
"My brother is here?" There was a strange ache at his back, from where his wings sprung, and he wondered if the scar-like marks were still there, on this new, flawless skin of his.
midnight_medea Cosine looked up as Echo entered and suddenly felt guilty for her invasion plans. Stealing, she didn't steal ... did she.
"Oh, Echo." She smiled warmly and turned her eyes to the goddess as she sat next to her. Now the sadness would leave her. She hoped. "I um, I was wondering if you could lend me some clothes." She said, gesturing to her old ones and trying not to eye Echo's own ones up too much. God! what was wrong with her.
"The pantheon?" She questioned a little confused. "Adrian came back here with me ... though come to think of it I have not seen him since." She frowned a little and hoped that they were safe. She had liked them both despite the brief and rather depressing meeting. She had not seen much of anybody since. Sticking to her room and only venturing out when she knew others would be asleep. Zero Dream She listened to Cosine speak, a small puzzled look crossing her face. That must have happened while she was out... probably mourning.
"...So there's no way to know where he actually is." The goddess barely repressed the urge to facepalm. How peachy. Hopefully he would show up again on his own.
With that out of the way, the goddess pondered things over, fingers tapping one finger on his chin as she got up and went toward the dresser in silent agreement. The request did not sound too unusual to her, and the undertones thankfully seemed completely lost on the goddess. Her glance went to what was inside the dresser, back to Cosine, and so forth, a few times, thought apparent. No, that just wasn't her color, that looked like it would be uncomfortable on her... ah, this however...
This went on for a few minute, until she finally returned with an armful of things. Most did not fit her anymore, so she had little attachment left to them. "Would that do ?" Would at least get her started, which wouldn't be a bad thing. Thabara Nergal simply nodded and took another sip of his coffee, too worn out to seriously wonder about his brother's whereabouts. Instead he kept gazing at the two goddesses, trying to get accustomed to the changes which had been brought on by their ascensions. Especially Echo. The way she moved, the way she gestured and talked. The way those strange eyes seemed to shift in accordance to the highs and lows of her voice. The way those strings trailed after her as if they possessed a life of their own. Perhaps they did.
He should have recognized her, despite everything, he should have. If appearances kept fooling him like that, how could he still say that he ...?
That he loved her?
She would forgive him, of course. Point out the circumstances. Too kind, always too kind.
He emptied his cup, setting it upon the tray a little harder than he had been intending to, and let himself drop back into the pillows. midnight_medea Cosine smiled as Echo stood and went to her wardrobe. So many beautiful fabrics, she could see past the open door. Beautiful ... second hand fabrics. A voice within her moaned. Cosine frowned and kicked it out of her head. Anything was better than what she was wearing now.
She turned her eyes back to Nergal, watching him watch the goddess. It made her feel uncomfortable, almost if she were intruding some how. The clothes were placed in her arms and she looked up at Echo with a smile.
"Thank you very much."
The goddess stood, hugging the pretty fabrics to her chest and glancing between the two of them again.
"It's nice to see you back safe." A nod and she moved towards the door. Nice, but how long were they all safe for? "Um, if you need anything you know where to find me." Thabara "Yes.." There was something he had meant to ask her, but the question had faded from his mind again before it even had a chance to fully form. Later..Zero Dream Echo nodded as well, eyes soft as she watched her leave. The day had been.... very eventful. She could use the rest, also.
"If you need anything..." Her voice was soft, as she looked at Nergal once more. "Let me know. I will be downstairs, alright ? Rest."
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:44 am
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