|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:53 pm
((Just letting Romeo know that Madoc's going to be joining Enero and Ophelia - if you don't mind, that is : ) ))
The sudden shift in the girl's attitude took both men by surprise. Two pairs of eyes met her own, one full of sorrow and the other full of anger; or were they one and the same? "What do you know about it?" Madoc choked out, looking somewhere between crying and screaming. He abruptly turned and stormed into the forest, his footsteps unnaturally soft and his frame oddly visible even after he left the moonlight - as though he were giving off a light of his own. The trees made short work of him, though, swallowing both boy and light in seconds. The soft sound of his footsteps, too, faded swiftly, as though the darkness were a damper for sound.
Ruad sighed. The dark haired angel looked after his love for a moment before looking down, then raising his eyes to meet the girl's. He visibly searched for words, trying to find a way to say something that was a little too complicated for simple communication. How could he describe to this girl all the different emotions and viewpoints that were forcing themselves into play between Madoc and him? Ruad was partially angry at her for her rude questioning, but in all honesty he could see why someone would ask. How couldn't they, when Madoc and he were such a mockery of the closeness between bonded?
"Madoc wishes I would kill him. Wishes... he had never been born in the first place. The alchemists did their job too well..." Ruad said softly, his eyes smoldering. He was keeping calm on purpose - making enemies was not a good way to begin one's freedom, and whether or not she was nice, she was on their side. "It's complicated," the angel finally muttered, placing a hand on his forehead in frustration. Figures Madoc would leave him to explain. "Ask Madoc why he hates me so much. I wish I could make peace with the jerk, but..." Ruad shrugged, a hint of bitterness and a taste of fury in the motion, "...he won't let me."
The angel took a deep breath and brushed his hair back. "Just let it drop, and be happy you can be so close to yours," Ruad finished bitterly, his gaze flattening into emotionless oblivion. Another breath. "Basilisks are legendary lizards said to be born from a snake's egg incubated by a c**k. The name literally means 'little king'. They have poisonous breath, and they can easily kill with a glance. There are three different kinds of basilisk - a giant, 6 limbed lizard, a giant snake, and a three foot high c**k with a snake's teeth and tail. They say there are only two ways to kill one - let it hear the sound of a c**k's crow, or let it look upon itself in a mirror. Anything else you wanted to know about them?" the angel said, his voice informative, not emotional. In truth, he would like to be going after Madoc, but that... that would probably make everything worse. So he would stay here, and try not to make an enemy of this chimera-girl.
Madoc, meanwhile, had wandered about 1/4 of a mile from where Ruad was. He always knew how far away the angel was, and it always annoyed him how close it was. How he would never be free of his personal curse - a boy he loved. He had stumbled into a fairly nice clearing, though, and he lay down to watch the stars and calm himself. Just forget about her. What did she know? Madoc told himself, angrily trying to pull up a piece of grass. Every time, his arm froze up just before he could. "Even grass?!" Madoc half-shouted to the skies, though he'd already known that plants were included in the "harm none" clause of his angelic nature. The human flopped back onto the ground, spreading his wings out comfortably. At least I'm allowed to lie on it, he thought bitterly, glassy eyes staring upwards.
He'd been there for only a couple of minutes when a large shape blotted out some of the stars on the edge of the field. Madoc sat up quickly, his eyes wide. He could hear the wingbeats... Wingbeats! Two pairs of them - two creatures. And the beasts themselves, too... Madoc's eyes widened and he froze where he was, on the edge of the field. Dragons! he thought numbly, looking up at them. Somewhere inside him, he found room to hope to hell that they weren't hungry.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:40 pm
Faraday mentally winced as one of the angels angrily stomped away. There she was, letting her mouth go on auto-pilot again. What was wrong with her? Her conscience was needling her and reprimanding her over and over again. Faraday let her wings droop slightly. She was really quite the terrible person. And despite all she said, the angel even answered her question! Faraday shifted uncomfortably before finally standing.
Faraday placed her hands at her hips, looking down at her boots. She knew an apology was in order, but anyone who knew her knew that she was terrible at those as well. Biting her lip, Faraday looked at everything but the angry angel.
"You know, I really didn't mean to say that. I don't... I didn't mean it, and it was totally out of line." Her shoulders slumped and she finally looked up at the angel. "I'm sorry," she said finally, hands at her sides. Her mouth immediately twisted after those two words, but she meant them.
Inside her mind, Axis was furious.
Faraday, you really pushed it this time. They were doing nothing to you. Haven't I always told you that you should watch what you say? You're lucky those angels didn't pulverize you. Heavens know that I would have, had I been there.
Faraday's wings drooped on the ground, an act of placation toward both the angel and the far away Axis.
"I'm sorry that I chased your bonded away. Shouldn't you go after him? Unless..." Faraday was at a loss for words. She knew Axis was right: she was lucky the angels hadn't smacked her or something. Faraday twisted her hands together, guilt roiling about in her stomach.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:47 am
Ruad looked at her steadily for a while, then sighed and looked away. At least she had apologised... Everyone got angry at times. God knew that he and Madoc were bad enough about it. And despite the way her mouth twisted after she spoke, he had a feeling she meant the words. "We're not exactly your typical bonded. Just don't mention it to Madoc again," the angel finally said. The girl's wings dropped farther. She must really feel bad about this, Ruad thought, wondering why she'd said it if she felt so bad about it now. But then, who am I to talk about rash decisions...
Ruad shook his head to her last question. "No, I shouldn't. He doesn't... like my company," the angel said, trying to keep the bitterness and anger out of his voice. He cursed Madoc in his mind for the thousandth time, and cursed the scientists along with them. There stood a girl who could actually love her bonded freely, whose bonded didn't hit and curse and run. There was no reason he and Madoc shouldn't be like that, society be damned! Madoc was hardly a part of normal society anyway; where had he even gotten the idea it was wrong?
They were all thoughts Ruad had had many times before, though, so he let them go with a scowl. "Just be happy you can be so lucky," he growled out, moving to sit down. Ruad would have to wait for Madoc to return, or for Madoc to call - that is, if he didn't want a fight. And at the moment, Ruad just wasn't in the mood.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:12 pm
Faraday sighed and sat again when Ruad did. She felt truly bad now. He was obviously missing his bonded, Madoc. Nevertheless, Faraday was slightly confused. How could they not love each other? Didn't they miss the other's warmth whenever they were apart? Faraday longed for Axis. She could only imagine how this angel before her must feel.
"So why... why don't you two get along?" she asked timidly. She probably shouldn't be prying, but her curiosity got the better of her. "Surely you've been bonded for a long while now."
Faraday's mind drifted to the day they had first bonded her to Axis. She had been five at the time, and terrified. Her fear stood out foremost in her memory.
There she was, a terrified, green-eyed girl, clutching at the bars of her cage and covered with grime and bruises. The alchemists had just done a test on her, and she felt as if she had been split apart. Her heart hurt, but it wasn't in a physical way. Another person or thing's memory and thoughts were invading her mind and she didn't like it at all.
"Mommy?" she whispered. Even after a year of separation, Faraday still called for her mother in longing and in fear.
"No, not mommy," an alchemist sneered. He leered at her through the bars with a derisive smile on his face. "But perhaps you'd like some company, eh?" He reached over and unlocked the cage. Faraday backed away to the far corner of the cage as a large beast was herded, snapping and snarling viciously, into the cage. All thoughts of mommy gone, Faraday's newly mismatched eyes widened in fear as the creature advanced on her. The monster had three heads, feathers and fur, wings and claws and red eyes. Faraday whimpered and curled into a ball. The beast shifted, caught scent of her and turned to stare at her. His ancient mind raced; he knew what the alchemists had done to him and the girl. He could feel her emotions running through him as if they were his own. He shook himself, sending loose feathers flying. The action scared Faraday even more and she hid her face, expecting the teeth any moment now. However, they never came. She peered out from between her fingers to find the beast staring at her. It advanced slowly, watching in interest as Faraday stiffened.
"How is it that I can feel your emotions and know what you are thinking, girl?" he asked quietly in her mind, though he knew the answer. Faraday was too scared to even answer; even if she wasn't scared out of her wits, she didn't know what the beast spoke of.
"Pitiful little human," the beast continued. Faraday could hear his thoughts clearly though she really didn't know how. The fear and confusion and impending danger did something to Faraday. She, at the time, didn't know what had come over her, but at that moment she had launched herself at Axis, smoothly transitioning from human to chimera without thought or effort. They met in a flurry of claws, teeth and fur, and at the end, both lay in opposite ends of the cage, licking their wounds and glaring at the other. From that day on, they would test each other. Five-year-old Faraday was all but gone. Being bonded to Axis had matured her a hundred times faster than normal or even possible. This enabled her to think like him, act like him, and fight like him. Faraday's physical self also grew within the next few weeks. It was a painful experience, one that Faraday did not often dwell upon. But soon she was an equal to Axis in all but age, and they continued their fighting for twenty more years, though the blows did soften up a bit.
Faraday blinked, coming out of her flashback. The angel was still sitting there, and that made Faraday wonder how much time had passed.
"So, uh... Why don't you guys get along?" she asked again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:58 pm
"A while..." Ruad repeated softly. What had it been, now? Nineteen years, he thought. Nineteen... They had gotten along, at first. Very well, even! It was only when Madoc discovered his attraction for the other that things started to go downhill, and fast. Painfully fast... That had been the worst time for Ruad, personally. The transition in Madoc from acting as his best friend to treating him as though he was a hated enemy happened in less than a month, and with no explanation...? That was when they had begun their fights, fights they'd never had before.
Ruad, too, slipped into reminiscing.
"Madoc, wait!" he called, running to catch up with his bonded. The human had been storming away, and all because Ruad tried to take his hand as they usually did while walking. Ruad reached out to touch Madoc's shoulder, but the other boy shook him off with a snarl. Madoc turned swiftly, yet unfamiliar anger and sorrow in his eyes, and glared at Ruad.
"Don't touch me!" the human snarled, a hint of hysteria in his voice even as he used the momentum from his turn to land a solid punch on Ruad's nose. Ruad staggered backwards, then dropped to the ground in shock. Madoc's face, too, was bloody, but for some reason Ruad doubted the tears in his eyes were from pain. "Just.... go away!" Madoc choked out through what seemed to be growing sobs. The human turned and ran for all he was worth. And for the first time in their life, Ruad didn't follow.
The angel put a hand to his forehead, finding the memory to be unwelcome, angering and saddening. His eyes flicked upwards when the girl repeated her question. Ruad hesitated, wondering if he should tell this girl Madoc's biggest secret, the one he thought even Ruad wasn't privy to. A throb in his side convinced him. Little jerk, the angel thought angrily, laying a hand on the place where Madoc had punched him. He half-closed his eyes for a moment, his hand beginning to glow with a soft light as he did. In seconds, it was healed.
"Keep a secret?" Ruad asked suddenly. Okay, so maybe he'd sell Madoc out to this girl, but that didn't mean he wanted her spreading the information around. ...Not that he could think of why it would matter, but hey. Principle of the thing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 4:57 pm
Faraday frowned slightly as the angel, too, began to have a flashback. However, it didn't seem to have a single good part, judging from the angel's face. Her heart went out to the angel, and Faraday sighed. It must be horrible to have a bonded who hated you. Thinking of bondeds brought Axis' image to her mind. She was suddenly overcome with longing for Axis' presence and she folded her arms and dug her fingers into her arms to keep from crying aloud.
He'll be back soon, she told herself over and over again. He just has to find out about those basilisks.
Faraday's eyes drifted down to where the angel's hand was on his side. To her surprise, his hand started to glow, and the angel seemed to be in less pain.
"Wow," she breathed, her mismatched eyes wide. So this is what an angel does? Cool. Kinda like Axis' serum in his fangs. Faraday ran her tongue over her sharp teeth and thought of the poison in her fangs.
Funny how Axis and I are like the opposite sides of a coin, yet so alike and close.
"A secret?" Faraday asked, surprised. "Um, sure, I can keep one... It's not like I have family and friends to tell it to." She shrugged. "But I really don't know what this has to do with your bonded, Madoc. Oh," she continued, frowning a bit. "I didn't catch your name. I'm Faraday, and my bonded is Axis." Faraday gave the angel a half smile, still feeling guilty about chasing away Madoc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 2:54 pm
Ruad mulled again over whether or not to tell her. It was Madoc's "big secret", yeah, but what did he have to lose between them? Madoc already acted like he hated and didn't trust him, so why not at least earn it? Because I want to get along, came a whisper from the back of his mind. The angel scowled, angry that it was true. The girl - Faraday, now - afforded him a little bit more time by asking his name.
"...I'm Ruad," he answered slowly. Ruad bnēi 'Elohim, angel of the Second Sphere, born to be the Virtue of Liberality. How far I have fallen... Ruad heaved a deep sigh as he recalled his full title. Since he had been cut off from the heavenly source, his actions, thoughts and feelings had been dictated by Madoc's. No longer was it a divine light that flowed through to him, but the mortal light of Madoc's. It was something he had long since ceased to cry about, as he had already come to peace with the fact that he would never be able to go back. Someone had already replaced him as the next Virtue of Liberality - perhaps even as the next Ruad. It sent a stab of anger into him; anger and sadness. To have given up the light of the Lord for this mortal world...
Remembering hurt so much. Silent tears began to fall, with no indication of their existence save their existence itself. Ruad had never been one for sobbing, or heaving. Just silent tears, as any angel with tear ducts would cry. It had to do with the purity of emotion, and the angelic penchant for it. Any purity I have left is such a mockery, Ruad thought bitterly, using a wing to hide his face for a moment as he wiped his eyes. As he drew his wing back, he thought, I can't tell her this, can I? Sadness had dulled the anger he'd felt just moments before, as had thoughts of his life before being bonded - of the purity he'd had then. Then, he never would have considered sharing another's secret. But now...?
"I have become so like a human..." Ruad said softly. He closed his eyes for a moment, then raised his head. "Never mind... Sorry," Ruad said to Faraday. I can at least pretend to have some angel left in me, he thought, though his voice was hollow even in his own head.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:36 pm
She tilted her head to the side quizically. Faraday had no idea why Ruad was crying, but she suspected it had to do something with Madoc. Well, that part was kind of obvious. Suddenly Faraday didn't want to be there, seeing this angel cry. It almost physically hurt her, to see such a being in pain. However, the chimera in her made her overcome the pity. He probably wouldn't want it anyway.
Slowly, Faraday stood.
"I'm sorry, Ruad," she said. "I didn't mean to ask a question that would hurt you. I'll stop talking about it, okay?" Faraday wasn't quite sure what to do. She was never good at comforting others, especially herself. Where would she have learned that?
Again, yearning filled Faraday. She really wanted Axis by her side right now, she wanted his warmth and presence. Wrapping her arms about herself, Faraday shivered involuntarily.
When is Axis coming back?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:13 pm
Phalynch turned around to face the Chimera, his eyes stayed low, as to still not pose a threat, but now a little anger dwell in him. First off, no one could speak down to Elimera, even if they were right, for she was only doing what was needed to be done, not only that but he helped guide her words, so when the Chimera said that he would not fall for such enchantment, he was saying that their plea was not of a concern to him. Had he just reacted on basilisk intent alone, he would of looked into the eyes of the Chimera long ago, but there was something deeper in Phalynch than just that. He knew if someone could resist Elimera's alluring call, then, they are worthy to be called ally. So with that thought in mind, he played the grand courter for them.
"Hey," although he preferred to speak in the mind, when he had to he could still speak in a thick deep dark tone, "I glad you're one to look beneath the depths of intentions, but I wish for you to look even deeper." Had he been human he'd probably would of been smirking right now, his teeth made an attempt at it, but he dissipated due to it might look like a growl. "Here's the thing, if you saw her and I acting as brash as basilisk tend to do, would you of cared to continue our chat? Actually, would you even of stayed here to greet us?" He shook his head, "I highly doubt it, and so with that said, we only do what we must to survive, and as she said, we are doing this more than just for ourselves. We want to help those who can't help themselves, and so that is why we are seeking for others to join us, so we can be powerful enough to crush those tormentors of yesteryears, without having any of us become folly to them."
Elimera nodded her head as she agreed with Fay, "Yeah I know it might seem stupid going back there, but after talking to Fay for it forever, he convinced me, that it is not a matter of a want, but a need, to go back and help free those less fortunate." Her arms parted as if she was making an offering gesture, "What do you say? Want to join us? Fay is a smart one, he can come up with a plan whenever we are ready."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:11 pm
((sorry it's been so long. I've been kinda sick : P))
Ruad's eyes flicked to Faraday when she stood. What;s she doing? he wondered. The angel doubted she was going to hurt him, somehow. She had had ample opportunity already, and he didn't think she was working for the scientists. Her apology surprised him more than an attack would have, though. Ruad's eyes widened, but he smiled as well. It's not so bad, having someone who'll say "sorry" around... he thought.
When she mentioned the question, Ruad just chuckled bitterly. "It wasn't you," he told her simply. And it hadn't been. "I started it... Thinking, you know how it can be," the angel continued softly, waving one hand rather limply. Ruad looked at her... She sure seemed to be pining after - Oh. Right. Not everyone hated their bonded.
"Oh, just go back to him," Ruad said, his voice only slightly heated. "It's clear you want to." God. And it had only been what, a couple of minutes? Try having a bonded who never wants you around, ever, the angel thought, though he knew it was a little bit unfair. Knew he shouldn't begrudge Faraday it... But somehow, he couldn't really help it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:22 pm
Axis snorted. He backed away a bit, wings twitching restlessly at his sides. He had to battle his instincts to stay on the ground.
"You took my words the wrong way, Basilisk; I was merely telling your bonded that she should stop acting with pretty words and just come out and say what she needs to say," Axis said mentally. His multiple mouths were not meant for human speech and he had to resort to this kind of speaking.
"I quite agree that the Classifieds within the fortress need rescuing. There really is no choice as to whether or not we go in," Axis continued, inclining his head and keeping his eyes firmly on the trees beyond the basilisks. "All those years trapped within those walls has given my Çlassified and I resolve and determination. It's just a matter of time before we crash in and kill the alchemists and guards within." Unbeknownst to him, Axis' claws were digging into the dirt and grass below him.
Faraday cast Ruad a wounded look. She had said sorry, hadn't she? She could understand his irritation, but she couldn't help it. She wasn't used to being away from Axis for so long.
"There's no need for that, all right?" Faraday said frostily, staring at Ruad. "I apologized to you, so forgive me if I don't quite understand why you're acting this way." Faraday stretched out her wings. If things were to continue to go downhill between herself and the angel, there wouldn't be much point in remaining there when the angel clearly gave her an invitation to leave.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:37 pm
Ruad gave a heavy "heh", his mouth curling up in a bit of a smile. He pitched his weight backwards a little bit, catching himself on his hands and then stretching out his legs. It was a much more comfortable position. "Can you blame me? I'm jealous," the angel explained, his voice reasonably congenial and as calm as he was not - he was still sad, still angry and still frustrated from what had happened earlier. It hadn't really been fair of him to snap at her so, no, but she was hardly a saint in the snapping department either, so Ruad didn't feel as bad as he might.
"You're lucky. That's all, I suppose," Ruad added, his eyelids dropping a bit as he spoke. "Axis is lucky too, lucky you want to be near him so badly." The angel thumbed a piece of grass but didn't pick it - old habits died hard, especially in angels. What went so wrong between us, anyway? he thought. It was a thought he'd had so many, many times before. Ruad was pretty sure he hadn't done anything to bring it on, but Madoc still... always... Ruad clenched his hand into a fist and gave the ground a light hit with it. Stupid Madoc...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:37 pm
Faraday snorted and shuffled her wings before folding them against her back. Folding her arms, she stared at Ruad. She supposed she deserved that after her behavior earlier, but the remark still stung. Silently she regarded Ruad as he hit the ground in frustration. Her mouth twisted.
"Fine, I shan't talk about it or make it so obvious that I miss him," she said, a slight undertone of loftiness in her voice. Faraday had to pause a moment and when she spoke again, the said loftiness was gone. "I really don't know what's going on between you and your Classified, but I'll be a bit more sensitive about it." Sighing, Rainer sat on the ground again. She drew her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Staring moodily at nothing in particular, Faraday asked softly, "Well, what now?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 4:09 pm
The loftiness grated on Ruad's nerves. He shot Faraday an angry look, but she didn't seem to be looking back. When she next spoke, though, the loftiness was absent and... Well, the angel appreciated her words. Ruad paused a moment, breathing out, then looked up and smiled softly. "Thank you," the dark-haired boy said simply, though there was an undertone of true gratitude in his words.
Madoc was a sore spot for Ruad, and vice versa as well. Neither knew entirely how to react, but since Madoc reacted with anger... Well, Ruad just followed suit. In some ways, he couldn't help it. Whenever Madoc got angry the emotion just bled over into Ruad.
Speaking of Madoc... Ruad cast his consciousness out, looking for his bonded. Madoc was about 1/4 mile away... Feeling calmer now, too. That was all Ruad could tell without pressing the matter at the moment as Madoc constantly worked to keep him out, but it was enough. Ruad came back to the present just in time to hear Faraday's question.
The angel smiled wryly. "We're both waiting for our Classifieds, right? I guess we wait," he replied. "Unless, of course, you'd like to do something?" Ruad amended quickly. He really could do with something to keep him busy at the moment... A fly would actually be very nice, but he couldn't really fly unless Madoc was as well. Not really. It was, to Ruad, one of the most annoying things about being bonded to the human - especially since he'd become so belligerent. Madoc never wanted to do anything Ruad did, and it was usually just for the sake of argument too...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Skunk Blossoms Vice Captain
|
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 7:36 pm
{I really have no creativity right now, and I have no idea what to post. Maybe if someone ran into us? I don't know.. Anyone have any extra ideas to share? ^^"}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
