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 Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 2:52 pm
The Sound Of Emotion
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Natalia without site, without care except for the things that were hers wobbled her way into a standing position. It was a more a circular motion that she wondered in, and somehow never got away from. But, just in case she was to 'stray' there were currently at least nine pairs of eyes on her.
Having every eye on the little girl made it a little more difficult to play. Their attention was divided, but the divide was worth it. They raised their violins. Each as good as the next, and each almost as good as Ceres. She had raised them around the instrument. Whether shifting, emotional, pleasure, or job occupation... Each knew how to use their violin to their advantage.
Eventually, Natalia wouldn't be any different. But, for now they played for her. They played because she could not learn, or join in yet. They each wanted her to know the comforts, and joys it brought.
Natalia clapped and gurgled when she heard the music. She wanted to join in. And in her own way succeeded. As she danced in place her tail jingled; her mothers gifts coming in handy to express herself. She was throughly in delight of the moment.
Sky remained seated under the tree. He hadn't learned to play the violin, and had no interest. He found more joy in listening, and had since he was a foal. He knew Ceres' talent would carry on with Natalia. He could see it in her dance, and enjoyment of the music.
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Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:30 pm
Meeting, Mirror, Memories (AIM PRP)
Parties involved in order of first appearance: Surion Rakamash, and Kawaii_Hime_Ceres.
----
Surion stares into the mirror in his room. The tall male was at home in the inn in Faerun, his cloak was hanging on the hook in the corner next to Senti's spear. He had his ring on, like he almost always did in this world. "I need to figure out this image" he whispers to himself, it was one of the ones Tinania had not helped him sort out and he had a feeling it was important. "Now what was it she said... oh yeah..." Surion takes a deep breath, glances at the two dragonettes curled up on his bed and lifts a hand knocking on his mirror, he did not know if it'd work from where he was, but it was worth a try.
Ceres spun around in her home the moment she heard that sound. "Good gracious." She said, and hustled down the hall of her home. She was heading for the room where all guests traveled in that she invited. She didn't think to check her own mirror. "I don't remember setting up a visit..." She flung open the door, and saw nothing in the mirror. She tapped her chin.
"Hrm... Oh silly me." She turned and walked back to the kitchen to retrieve her own mirror. "Must be the mail man." She was rather excited even if her children were looking at her like she was crazy. "I'm stepping out to check the mail." She said as she gathered up Natalia from her high chair, and also her traveling bag.
Sky, in Pegasus form had just come into the living room. He been out for a romp, and some exercise. "Where you heading?"
"Mail. Just got a knock." Ceres smiled.
"Let me come with you..." Sky smiled.
"Sure." Ceres said not even thinking of the bulk, or shape of her blue haired companion. When he was settled next to her she whispered. "Ready then?" With a nod of his head they vanished to where the knock was coming from.
Ceres was sitting on a... "Bed! This isn't the mail room." She said flustered as she held Natalia tight.
"Bit tight in here..." Sky said with a snort. "Should have shifted." He whinnied in equine.
Both dragonettes scrambled to get out of her way not really desiring to be sat upon. Senti chittering up a storm and Kuyl just giving a glare that he lost his spot
Surion spins hearing voices and picking up scents behind of him. He'd expected Ceres yes, but not her entire family "Wow... it worked" he muses taking in the scene before him.
"It most certainly did." Ceres said as she blew air upwards to get the loose hair out of her face. "To a degree... Her I was thinking I was was coming to check the mail."
"You really should be a caller ID feature on that thing..." Sky couldn't help to laugh which was more a whicker. He shook his head, tossing his mane. "To bad it isn't possible."
"You really should shift... Your butts to big for the room." Ceres smile innocently as she dug around in her bag with her free hand. The two worked well together that Ceres' site was nearly flawless.
Senti scrambles across the room up onto his spear before chittering at Ceres one more time before reverting to his wooden state, a state Ceres had not likely ever seen before
Kuyl repositions himself on Surion's pillow not having the 'luxury' of reverting to any other state
"Well uhm, you did say I could contact you by knocking on a mirror... And this isn't my bathroom" he laughs before pulling a chair out from a nearby desk and turning it before sitting so the back was in front of him and he was straddling it as he faced her.
"Yes, I did." Ceres nodded with a smile. "But, first let me make some room." She said as she pulled out Sky's 'clothing'. "And, lets see... Make peace for disturbing someone(s)." She winked and went back to dig around in her bag. "Has to be something in here."
As she was occupied Sky set to shifting. He wasn't all that good with it as he had only recently put it to good use of going back and forth. It took him at least a good five solid minutes before he was fastening his clothing in place.
At which time Ceres pulled out a treat from her bag. "Always a little bit of everything in this bag." She said simply hoping to draw the critter back from his wooden state.
Surion diverts his eyes from Sky and watches Ceres for a moment before speaking to Senti in his mind. It took time to convince the dragonette to return to his live state, he'd barely accomplished this task by the time Sky had finished dressing.
Senti slowly creeps back to the bed smelling the treat.
"I seriously didn't mean to squash you..." Ceres said honestly as she laid two lids on the bed. Slowly she set the meat treats on the bed. "I keep running into you so I started packing ahead for the just in case." She smiled.
"Now. I know you didn't call me here to hand out treats." Ceres said to Surion. "So... Woman troubles, memory troubles?" She asked with a slight mischievous grin, and a giggle in her voice.
Sky took Natalia from Ceres so that her hands would both be unoccupied.
Senti digs into the treat after chittering at her for a moment almost scoldingly.
Kuyl lazily joins him in the treat.
Surion takes a breath "Last time we visited I mentioned images I'd seen from my past, Tiania solved some of them, but theres one that feels like it should be important that wasn't... "
"Solved." Ceres said simply as she folded her hands in her laps. "... And, you have called me here to help you." She smiled. "Have I got it right?"
Surion takes a deep breath and looks at his hands "You said you could help me, that I might not like what you reveal from what you see in my memories, but considering I only see a still image I'm willing to take that risk."
"Then you've weighed heavily in thought about this decision." Ceres looked Surion in the eyes. "That means you are willing to allow me in your mind. And, that you understand I may not see what you want me to see..." She took a deep breath. "I will not pry open locked doors. Things you consider private. But if it happens to be something you do not safe guard then I cannot help it. It isn't something I choose to see. It is actually what you are choosing for me to see. Even if you are not realizing that, that is what you are wanting me to see." She had to make sure he understood to the fullest extent.
Surion looks up when she begins to speak. He nods a few times as she speaks to him to acknowledge he heard what she was saying "Ceres..." he starts when she stops talking "Most of my life is a blank, I know everything I can know from the last year or so, but before that is almost all a blank, I remember learning skills, but not who taught them to me. I remember little things that Tinania was helping me remember but theres still so many things I don't." He pauses "Theres one thing in the images that came to my mind when I grew that feels important, I really want to know about it."
"I understand." As Ceres nodded she scooted off of his bed, and started towards him. She moved with a near unnatural grace. What she wore barely moved. She took a deep breath as she put her hand on his shoulder. "Then you accept what I have told you."
Surion watches her approach and pushes his bangs out of his face and looks up at her "Yeah, I do" he says after a moment, he was nervous, but, he wanted to know.
Ceres' eyes slipped shut. So much was flashing through her mind, but nothing at all seemed to stick. It was like someone took a photo album and just thumbed through the pages. She caught faces, mostly him.
Finally, the flick show stopped. This moment must have been important to Surion if this is what she was seeing. "Typical." Ceres whispered. It was as if she herself was walking through the home. "Locked door..." Where were this going she wondered. "Stairs... A certain smell of... Potions?" She couldn't say for they didn't seem to be heading that way. They seemed to be heading out. "Emerald Haven's Land." She said as it was whispered into her mind. "Theres a side road that leads to a main road." She was walking down that very road. Her mind ached it was as if the memory was ending.
"Emerald Haven...." Surion had to think about this for a time, he was otherwise silent, at least for the moment. He was trying to remember anything, anything at all about the land she was describing. Little tiny bits seemed to make sense, but he had a feeling he'd have to see the place to actually remember anything else.
Ceres turned back to the house. She was sure, but what ever this was it wasn't over yet. It wanted her to know something else. She gripped his shoulder as she began to whisper some numbers that sounded like an address. It was barely said in memory before it came to an abrupt end.
Surion looks up hearing the bare whisper with his very good hearing, his draconic hearing. What she said had to be the key, the key to finding more info about this place. "Thank You" he says quietly.
Ceres nodded her head despite how dizzy she had become. "Forgive me..." She said with what seemed to have no breath behind it. Her grip loosened suddenly, and she collapsed on the floor. Her body hitting bits of the near by furniture. She was naturally a strong woman on her island and could easily pry. But, this wasn't where she drew her power from. She was limited. But, a part of her knew he had to know that.
Sky who had been paying more attention to Natalia hadn't seen the tail tell signs of Ceres using her energy at a rapid rate. He carefully sat Natalia on the bed, and moved to Ceres. He knelt next to her, checking her over.
Surion watches her a moment before looking directly at Senti who immediately scampers over onto Surion's shoulder wrapping his tail firmly around his upper arm. The dragonette was latching on as if he had a serious purpose, not just an idle wish to be on his shoulder. Surion gets up from the chair and moves it aside. Without a word he takes his ring off revealing his kersallian and dragonic features and touches her forehead in the same place his own gem was. His gem lights up as he touches her he was giving her some of his energy.
An unease fills Sky. He is not use to Ceres exhausting herself to this point. And, he is also not use to anyone stepping in to her. His tail flicks about nervously. But he breaths easier when he sees her eyes flutter, and her lips part as she gasps for air.
Ceres stared outwardly, blankly. She breathed heavily as she felt her stomach. She couldn't see through any ones eyes and didn't know where she was. Worst of all she couldn't feel her baby. She was starting to panic. "My baby... Is she... Okay." Tears streamed from her eyes. "What... is going on. My baby. Where am I?" A dozen questions left her mouth. She was frightened of the unknown, the dark.
Surion's hand leaves his touch of her as her eyes open. A look of confusion crossing his face as he looks from Ceres to Sky. The dragonette on his shoulder had not yet moved as he did his task.
Sky looked just as confused as Surion. "You were helping a friend, and you used just a bit to much of your energy." He said in the softest tones possible. "He helped you... And, Natalia is just fine."
Ceres managed to calm her breathing. "You mean... I had a baby?" She asked a little puzzled as to when.
"You've had a baby as long as I've known you" Surion says with some hesitation. His brow never lowering as he looks back and forth between the pair.
Sky reluctantly moved away from Ceres. He heads over to the bed, and scoops up Natalia. It takes him a moment to settle next to her.
Natalia fusses for a moment at one moment being held and the next being put down. But she's got her blanket, so that makes her happy.
Ceres looks blindly in the direction of the baby sounds. "Natalia." She says as she rubs her temple. "It's fuzzy." She said as things shuffled about her mind. The sound of her child forcing her to remember.
"Just wait Ceres until we're home..." Sky says still overly worried about Ceres' condition.
"I've never seen something like this before" Surion comments after a few minutes, Senti finally letting go of his bonded and hopping down into Cere's lap tipping his head in curiosity.
"I know your voice." Ceres said turning her head to the direction it was coming from. "You are Surion?" She asked as if lost. As if she needed directions. "I've never... In all my years. I feel like some stupid kid all over again." She growled frustrated that she couldn't grasp what was lying at the surface to be remembered.
"Yeah I'm Surion" he confirms her statement "You are in my home at the moment" he adds, he hoped her coming into Waterdeep hadn't effected her memories too.
"Surion... I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important." Ceres said still trying to figure things. "Apparently I don't have enough energy to remember what I was doing, or to even try and correct the issues that are hampering my abilities." She didn't like to admit her current weakness. "Come to my island... Once I sort things out. I can help you further, and easier."
"You came cause I asked you to help me with my memories" he sighs and pauses, he felt bad, it felt that her current condition was his fault.
Senti chitters pushing into Ceres's hand with his nose.
"Then come to my island and let me help you further." Ceres smiled as she felt the critter. "Hello there. Do you like treats?" She asked as if she had just arrived. "I should have a sandwich in my bag."
Surion nods "All right" he concedes and stands up once more he slips the ring back on as he looks over at Sky giving him a questioning look that said 'she'll be ok... right?'
Senti chitters contently.
"She is a strong woman." Sky said with confidence. With Natalia in his arms it took him a moment to stand. After he was up he helped Ceres up. "I'll get your mirror." He smiled, and went to the bed to gather her things.
"Alright then." Ceres said with a smile. "You know me to well Sky." She laughed lightly.
Surion walks over to his cloak grabbing it before slipping it over his shoulders. Senti moving atop his head till Surion's shoulder was available once more. "Come on Kuyl" Surion speaks up to the red dragon a moment after this. The red dragonette lifts himself up and scampers over and up onto Surion's 2nd shoulder.
The transition was flawless as if nothing had happened. Except now they were standing in a crowded 'reception' room. It was meant for two people max, and Ceres had been meaning to expand. She just never found the time; unfortunately. "I'm feeling better already." She said as she took a deep breath. "Nothing like an elbow in ones side, and someone stepping on your toes." She chuckled. "Now if you wouldn't mind... Sky, please open the door."
Seven children were crammed into the long narrow hall way. When their mother, Sky, and Natalia had not come home after a simple quick trip to get the mail one started to worry. It was the snow ball effect. Every child knew, and not one was going to settle for second hand news.
Surion couldnt help but feel crammed "And you guys complained MY room was small" he comments as he leans against the wall waiting to be ABLE to move.
Ceres cleared her throat. "I never intended this room to be for more than one or two people. I don't typically pick up my visitors."
"I never expected my first time with you to be like this Ceres..." Sky said with colored cheeks. Veteran to mares, but certainly not to humans. He carefully removed his hands from resting on her breast. There wasn't harm as he was holding Natalia. "Yes, door." He cleared his throat and reached behind him.
"Mother!" Perian screeched. "How dare you!" She stamped her hoove, and snorted. "You, you..." She was pissed it was apparent. "You said mail, not... not." She threw her hands up.
Ceres glared at her daughter. "I'm not a little girl... Could we make a little room please." She said as she noticed her seven children in the hall. The chittering was loud as the all tried to over talk the other.
Surion slightly rolls his eyes, he wanted to quit having a foot on his and he hated elbows in his gut.
Kuyl makes a noise and hops off his shoulder landing on one head then the next he wanted to know if there was danger here.
"I'm seriously alright." Ceres said to her children with a smile. "I appreciate the concern." As she walked forward she acted as if nothing had happened early.
"You had to bring him didn't you." Cassara snorted as she rolled her eyes. She elbowed her brother. "That's him." She said in hushed tones.
"He doesn't look that bad..." Rhine said louder than intended.
Cassara rolled her eyes. "You lot are all the same."
"CHILDREN, CHILDREN." Ceres called out. "Seriously manors please."
Kuyl eventually deemed it safe enough and returns to Surion's empty shoulder, he waited till there was enough space and then followed after Ceres, he was looking at the 'children' with the one visible eye.
Once each of the children at settled a look over Ceres, and were satisfied they disbursed to their own directions. There wasn't a single child who closed their door.
"Thank You." Ceres said. "I never realized... Sorry about that." She said with a sigh as she headed towards the kitchen. "Are you hungry, or thirsty." She asked as she waved her hand and the cutlery stood at attention, and dishes sprang to life.
Surion glances watching them leave. His attention thereafter returning to Ceres wondering if she was better now. "I'm good, I don't need anything, thanks" he replies as he follows after her.
Ceres nodded as she waved her hand again. Everything returned back to a still state. She motioned to the living room. "Then we'll sit in there. There is a telly. But it doesn't' pick up much at all. Your lucky to get past the static. And black and white is horrid." She chuckled. "It is an original."
Surion laughs "I don't have one of those at all where I live" He nods following after her where she motions "So this is your home then?" his eyes were taking in everything around him.
"Yes. It is pretty large except the reception room and the hall. Every room can fit at least 12 comfortably. The rooms have king sized beds, comforts, and full sized bathroom."
"Yeah that main entrance is a mite bit ridiculous for size" he laughs and finds somewhere to sit "I'm content in the inn, we can move whenever we need to without any issues."
"That is the guest reception." Ceres chuckled as she pointed to the front door. "That is the main entrance. I don't get many visitors, and I don't normally go and get them... So I never saw fit to have a larger room. But, since being pregnant I'm realizing I really should expand it."
Sky laid Natalia on the floor on her blanket. Where she proceeded to search about for her kiwi bird. As well as taking in her surroundings by feeling around. She put the occasional thing in her mouth.
Surion smiles "well I suppose I'm an exception this round aren't I" he laughs and watches her child with a smile.
Ceres nods her head. "I seem to be making more and more exceptions as time goes along." She crossed her legs at the ankles and put her hands on her knees. "So, then... Did you have any questions about earlier?"
Surion looks at her and then realizes the woman must have her memories back and is rather relieved "Question? uhmmm not really I guess... You told me much more then I knew before which will help me find more" he replies.
Ceres scoots out of the chair, and moves onto the floor to be with Natalia. "Sounds like it was well worth going against my word them."
"Going against your word?" now this statement confused him, he couldn't recall her doing such.
"I had to do just that to get that last bit... You didn't want me to know it, but I felt in a way you did.. So I pried." Ceres said softly as she pushed a toy next to Natalia.
"How can I not want you to know something I didn't even know was there?" The look on his face was one of confusion as she explained herself.
Ceres laughed lightly. "Your subconscious..."
Surion scratches his head and then shrugs "All right" he chuckles softly "I didn't even know I was doing it so, don't worry about it."
Ceres nodded her head. "I have nothing else to offer you at the moment. But, you always know how to get a hold of me." She said as she stood up. "But, next time we'll make sure to be here... Not anywhere else."
Surion nods "Perhaps with a few less trampled toes as well" he adds with a grin.
Ceres chuckled. "Bringing you here means less complications." She waved her hand towards the kitchen. "Before you go... Something for the road. For them at least." She smiled.
Surion laughs "This is true" he follows after her not knowing where they were going but not worried either.
"You didn't have to get up." Ceres chuckled. "I've got enough will to get things done around here while I sit on my rear." She winked as a container floated before them. She took it and handed it to Surion. "A little treat for them. I believe I promised them something."
Both the dragonettes become more interested rather quickly. "Thanks" Surion thanks her as the go after that treat.
"Surion..." Ceres said softly as she studied him for a moment. She decided it best to just discontinue that thought. She moved down the hall. "I'll show you out. But, know that anytime you need me all you have to do is knock."
"Understood, thanks Ceres I really do appreciate your help" He smiles and nods.
When they were out of earshot from Sky, and tucked into the room she smiled. "I would accompany you, but I do not think it would be wise." It was the first moment since her return home that she let on any indication of knowing that something had happened in helping him. "But, I can assure you that I will be alright... Travel safe."
Surion nods his acknowledgment. "Thats ok, thanks again" he follows her to the way home. Her house was odd to him, so he was happy enough to be headed home, besides the fact he had a lot to think about now.
Ceres touched the mirror, and within seconds the 'portal' was open, and he was gone. She closed the door behind her, and head back to the living. She had hoped she had helped, rather than harmed. He did seem content enough...
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 3:19 pm
Tumble...!
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Natalia awoke with a start. It was unexplainable, but she just knew that her blanket wasn't in the crib. "Mine..." She stood up quickly, as she let out high pitched cry. "Want." She shook at the railing.
As Natalia stamped her feet she felt the worn kiwi bird. It wouldn't do. She wanted everything that was hers. She wanted it bad. The more she shook the railing of her crib, the more it dissolved from under her grip.
Ceres came running into the room in time to see her toddler tumbling out of an open crib. She wasn't sure she could explain what had happened other than perhaps her child's will... But her attention was again draw to Natalia.
Natalia let out a gurgle of delight as she threw her arms into the air with victory. In her grasp was her blanket. All seemed right with the world again. Not a word, not a sound had been made since her mother had entered, but yet she turned her head to look directly at her. "Mine!" She clapped.
"Yes, yours..." Ceres said with a sigh as she tried to settle down. Now that noise had stopped she hoped that Sky would turn around and go back to sleep. She had things under control and there wasn't a reason to have the entire house awake over the issue.
Natalia continued to look in the direction of her mother. It was based on voice now, not by site. That moment was gone, and now she was content.
A smile never left Ceres as she pulled Natalia into her lap. "You're growing up so quickly." She said running her fingers through her hair. "No denying that..." She didn't go into detail because she knew there wasn't a point.
Natalia took in a deep breath as her mothers scent filled her nose. Her fingers continued to kneed the blanket. As soon as Ceres put the Kiwi in her other hand her eyes slowly closed. She had what was hers.
"Time has come little one for you to have a bed... Though I am sure you'll make changes to it when you see fit." Ceres said even though she knew the other had fallen back to sleep. "You won't control it, or even understand it... But in time you will." She smiled as she worked a bit of her own will into changing the crib into a bed.
With Natalia tucked in, and sleeping soundly Ceres left the room. She motioned her hand and the door shut silently behind her. She was a bit startled when she ran into Sky who was silently waiting for her.
"Mortality suits us." Sky said as he brushed the stray strands of hair from Ceres' face. He could already see the enviable in her eyes.
"They grow quickly..." Ceres said softly. The shadows hiding her even softer smile. She put her arm around Sky's waist. "Soon it will be time for mirrors..."
"That is still a bit aways." Sky said without an ounce of regret in his voice. He actually welcomed the changes that were occurring. Arm around her waist, he led them both down the hall to their bedroom.
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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:25 pm
To Be Named (Thread ORP)
Parties involved in order of first appearance: Kawaii_Hime_Ceres, and Lilly_Foxx.
----
The 'little train' of three came into the clinic; it was only a portion of the family. Natalia's hand in Ceres' hand in Sky's. Ceres and Sky settled themselves onto the floor near the sofa.
Natalia though she cannot see has become slightly accustom to the clinic, and taken it as 'hers'. She felt around for her mothers bags, and once she was that far she didn't stop. She began digging in she felt, and tasted everything that her mother hadn't tried to take from her.
The door creaked open. Jaio'lan stepped in somewhat nervously. She and her mate had managed to get an engagement and she knew she would be spending a lot of time here. The woman reasoned she may as well get to know the place, as there were sure to be complications in their little 'project'. Her tail trailed behind her, talons clicking on the floor. She was nervous and it was clearly written on her face. She headed to the corner of the room and picked up a children's book and flipped through it. She had yet to learn how to read English and figured trying out one of these books might be a good supplement to her lessons. She crossed her legs at the ankles and went back to the first page of the book and began attempting to read.
From the moment the lady had walked in Sky's attention had been drawn. He 'studier' before adverting his attention to Natalia.
"Excuse me Miss..." Ceres smiled most politely while remaining generic about the lady's marital status, she hoped. She turned her head in the direction Sky last looked. "You are new here. Expecting?"
She looked up and closed the book. She smiled softly. "Not yet...my mate an' I jest got our appoin'ment. We were 'aving fertiliteh issues, so not yet." She looked to the child. Even her eyes seemed to smile. "Yer daught'a is gorgeous. 'Ow ol' is she?" Jiao'lan asked, her tone quite similar to a thick, Jamaican drawl.
Ceres thought a moment. She wasn't exactly sure how to gage her daughters age. She tapped her finger on her chin. "4, 5ish." She chuckled. "You blink as she grows."
"This is a really good clinic, so I know you'll have no trouble." Ceres smiled brightly. "We didn't have any trouble at all with conceiving once we got ourself appointment."
Sky put his hand on Ceres' shoulder. "You'll go on and on without even knowing names." He chuckled. "Woman are all alike." He snorted playfully.
She chuckled slightly. "So I've been tol'." She agreed. Her expression grew slightly pensive. "Even so, our onl'eh issue wasn' jest concievin'...me mate is...de same species but very geneticall'eh diff'rent. S'gonna be an int'restin' adventure dat's for sure." Jiao'lan smiled. "I can' wait t' 'old me chil' in me arms fer t'firs' time." The woman added with a slightly whistful sigh.
"I am Ceres born of Island and Celestial Magic with a tinge of Human." Ceres motioned to her mate. "This is Sky born a Pegasus. And, with magic turned human. He has the ability to choose his form." She pauses only because of Sky's moment but quickly resumes. "We've never had sex."
"The moment you get to hold the little one will be one of the best in your life." Sky said softly. He gave a laugh that was half a wicker. His eyes continued to move around the rooms, though Ceres' did not.
Natalia began to bang on the tables giggly wildly. She was excited to make noise, and a lot of it.
"Et's a ples'a. I'm Jiao'lan...my 'ome doesn' really 'ave a name. Et's abou' twenteh mile off de shore o' Gambino." She explained. She wondered, since her mate had a human form why they hadn't shared something so special and wonderful but kept her thoughts to herself.
It would have been far too forward of her.
"I'm sure et is." She was worried about labour, however.
Jiao'lan was allergic to most western medicines hence many failed attempts at other clinics. If the possibility of large horns and sharp claws wasn't frightening enough, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to handle the pain or would be far too weak to get their child out on her own. From what she knew of pain she seriously doubted any sort of strange breathing would do her a bit of good.
"I live on an Island not found by man unless by ship wreck." Ceres says calmly before she sensed the tension of Jiao'lan. It took her a moment before she stood up. Her walk wasn't that of someone common, it was a walk that came with age. She sat down in the chair next to her, and put her hand on the others knee. "You seem a little tense. Would you like to talk about it?" She had learned how to read people via their body language. She had to be quick about it because she saw through others eyes.
"Food!" Natalia said as she continued to bang on the table.
Sky pulled out a simple p&j sandwich from his bag, and handed it to her. "There you go."
She smiled ruefully. "I'd be liein' if I said labour wasn' about de scariest thin' ter me. Claws, 'orns," She shuddered. "Not t'mention dat anyting dey could give me I'd pro'ally 'ave an allergic rea'tion to." She paused. "Dere's also actually gettin' de behbeh out...I'm not de strongest ting and me mate's...a rather big'un." She admitted sheepishly. Here she was, not even pregnant yet and scared out of her mind. She felt like an idiot for getting so worked up. The female didn't even clear four feet tall though.
"Perfectly natural fears." Ceres continues to smile warmly, her hand doesn't move. "My biggest fear is that Natalia would come out to be a Centaur, or have some other human/horse combination . All I could think of is that if that happened I would die." She took a moment to gather herself. Those thoughts still stung. "I'm prepared to die, but I just didn't want to die that way." She sighed softly. "But, in the end I just listed to my body, and did the natural thing. Everything came out alright."
"No mater what features you or him have... Remember those are fully matured features. When your baby comes out she/he won't be at full potential, so it isn't likely that the baby will come out equipped with a full set of 4 inch claws." Ceres was doing her best to reassure and encourage the mother to be.
Jiao'lan nodded and let out a shaky breath. "I'pose yeh 'ave a poin'." She admitted. "Dere's jest so many unknowns...my species 'ave shelled young'ins an' 'is do deh 'ole mammalian ting." Her voice hitched. "I jest 'ope we're doin' de right ting...our behbeh could be deform' or...who knows wha'." She shook her head. "I couldn' live with meself if I did tha' to a chil'." She stopped and dried her eyes. "But...I'm borrowin' trouble again...dis is...jest de sort of ting I'd like to..Gawd I need t'stop worryin'...'ere I am...frettin' abou' anyting and ev'ryting...heh, 'ow rude 'o me. Sorreh I jest...got started an' couldn' stop." She added sheepishly.
She was going to say, 'this is the sort of thing I'd like to share with my mother'. Her species wasn't supposed to associate with her mate's, let alone reproduce. As far as this sort of thing went she felt completely alone. Yes, she had the love of her life but, let's face it. She needed another woman. She needed someone who had gotten this perticular badge of honour before.
There was only so much her doting mate would be able to help her with.
"First time jitters." Ceres says rubbing the ladies knee trying to comfort her. She would have hugged her, but didn't know if that would be considered appropriate for such a short time knowing her. "Get it off your chest... Keep a going." She said encouragingly. "You don't want to bottle these things up."
"I'm certainly not a doctor... But, the odds of something terrible happening to your offspring is like a billion to one." Ceres continues to encourage the woman. "... This is a fine clinic, and there are plenty of parents that you will meet that will be there and with you. We are like family here."
Ceres didn't keep an eye on Natalia because she knew Sky was right there for her. It was just one of those levels of comfort she had with her partner.
Jiao'lan's eyes welled with tears. "I feel like a hatchling wantin' me moth'a...but, dat doesn' change de fact..." She said bringing her hand over her mouth. "An' she'll nev'a want t'see me again...or have anythin' t'do with 'er gran'chil'." She wiped at her eyes again. "I can bareleh read or write...everyting is so...so...differen' 'ere. S'a cult'a shock...I onleh know English 'cause of de people dat 'ave found de islan' I grew up on. I-I don' know anyone but me mate...I'm...I guess I'm startin' t'wond'a if dis was de right decision. I mean...I want a behbeh more den life it'self but...dis is scary enough when yeh're comf'ertable with yer surroundin's. " She couldn't hold it back any longer and began to cry into her hand, shoulders shaking.
"I'm here for you." Ceres smiled softly, and finally decided it was safe to embark on a hug. After all the lady looked like she really, really needed it. "If you desire to learn to read, and write I'll teach you."
Jiao'lan returned the embrace and nodded. "Tank-you...dat is one of de kindest tings...any'un's ev'a offered t'me." she dried her eyes with a flight feather one last time. "Oh Lordi-be I mus' look a frigh'..." She managed a smile. "De worl' needs more carin' indivig'als like you."
Ceres blushed as she nodded her head softly. She held out her hand. "Bag please." Sky nodded, and handed her her bag. "Let's see." She says as she rummages in her bag. It is now more apparent than ever that she cannot see through her own eyes. She puts her mind to it as she feels around. "Mmhm... Yes, yes." She grins, as she starts pulling out a mirror, and some tissues. "Here we go." She says as she hands the things over.
She took the mirror and tissues gratefully and began to make herself look somewhat presentable before handing the mirror back and rising to put the used tissues into a nearby rubbish bin before sitting back down. "Again, tank-you..." She cleared her throat. "For...everyting." She added with the utmost sincerity.
"My pleasure." Ceres said patting the other on the knee again. "Anytime... If for any reason you need a shoulder to lean on just rap on your mirror and say my name..." She chuckled. "I travel via mirrors. Anywhere and everywhere." She was trying to keep the mood light hearted before it became heavy again with pain.
Jiao'lan tried to hide her surprise at what Ceres had just told her. It was most certainly a culture shock coming from her semi-tribal home to a place where magic was abundant. She smiled softly and nodded. "I'll keep dat in min'." She said. The woman had so many thoughts coursing though her mind. She couldn't put her finger on just one to focus on. "Tings coul' always be a lot worse den dey are. I s'pose I jest 'ave t'rememb'a dat." She mused aloud.
Yes, things could most certainly be worse.
"Chin up. Just remember that." Ceres smiled as she stood up. "If you'll excuse me I've got a few things to take care off before I return home." She shouldered her bag. "Don't hesitate if you ever need a friendly ear."
With that the little train formed one more. Sky, Ceres, and then Natalia. They were pretty much the 'picture perfect' family.
Jaio'lan smiled. "Tank-you again, it was good t'meet'cha." She said before picking up her book once again. She was bound and determined. She would finish 'Goodnight Moon'.
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Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:36 pm
Sisterly Bonding
----
Nataila had felt every inch of her room, and the home that she could reach. She was very familiar with her surroundings. And, ever since her mother had transformed her crib into a bed she'd taken it upon herself to make good use of her knew found freedom. She knew better than to go outside, and respected her moms wishes.
"You're up early this morning." Perian chuckled, and patted the kid on the shoulder. She knew it wouldn't startle the other as Natalia had an amazing sense to know about what was going on around her.
"Pretty sissy." Natalia grinned as her right hand felt the legs of her sister. She had a very bright smile on her face. "Breakfast for me and kiwi?" Please." She had added her manors as an after thought.
"Sure, thing." Perian chuckled as she lifted the kid, and sat her on her back. "All aboard the sissy train!" Even though she knew that Natalia couldn't see she still acted out the arm motion, and made a loud choo-choo noise.
Natalia giggled, and clapped. "Choo-Choo!" She mimicked her sister repeatedly as she wrapped her arms around the others waist. She knew that she was safe, but she liked the added supported.
Even when they reached the kitchen Perian kept Natalia on her back. "Let's see." She giggled as she opened the cabinets and refrigerator.
Natalia giggled just as much as her sister. She had a good idea of what was going on when the cabinets and refrigerator opened and closed. "Pancakes..." She squealed.
"Pancakes it is then." Perian reopened the previous cabinet and got down the mix. "With fresh strawberries, and bacon." She said as she got those items out of the refrigerator.
"Want a hand." Aurora Dawn said with a yawn, black ears twitching. She wasn't really wanting an answer. Still in the process of stretching a little she took the bowl of eggs from Perian with a smile.
"Thank You." Perian grinned as she picked up the bowl of pancake mix. "Want to help Natalia?" She asked as she took the little girls hands and put them on the spoon while she continued to hold the bowl.
Natalia giggled as she stirred the pancake mix with the occasional help from her sister. "I'm a big girl." The grin on her face was one of those that you could have sworn went from ear to ear.
"Here, I'll take over the bacon." Tinker yawned as she turned down the burner just a touch. Despite the stove area beginning to be a little bit crowded they worked well together.
"Seeing as you've all got the cooking covered I'll dress the table." Aurora said with a twitch of her tail. She gave Natalia a quick kiss on her forehead before she moved to a different set of cabinets.
"We work together." Natalia smiled as she now held the bowl of mix while Perian scooped spoon fulls of mix into the frying pan.
Cassara didn't say a word as she came into the kitchen. She took note of what was and wasn't being done. What wasn't being done was the clean up. A steady pile of dishes was forming. "No problem." She finally said, more to herself, as she turned on the water.
"Morning everyone." Ceres laughed as she noticed a kitchen full of 'kids' in their pajamas working together to fix breakfast. "How about I call Ayisha, and Rhine and their families."
"There is plenty." Perian said as she flipped a pancake onto the plate.
"Up!" Natalia giggled as she caught of glimpse of the pancake being flipped up into the air. It wasn't something regular, or something that could be controlled. That made the moment that much more exciting.
"That's right... Up!" Perian smiled, as she did it again.
Ceres couldn't have wiped the grin from her face if she had to. It was moments like this that warmed her up the most, and made her proud. "Be back in a moment." She said as she lingered for a moment before she left the kitchen.
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:15 pm
A Long Awaited Visit: Arrival (Guild PRP)
Parties involved in order of first appearance: keetabirdy, and Kawaii_Hime_Ceres.
----
It seemed like ages since she had seen Ceres and Sky...The last time had been at that noisy club and they hadn't really been able to talk. They hadn't even seen each other's children yet and they were almost 6 months old! Keeta finally decided she didn't want to wait for another chance encounter and thought she would attempt to drop in on them. Besides...she was lonely again. Kael was still missing and it seemed less likely by the day that he would return.
That morning Keeta had packed a bag for herself and an even larger one for Joel, not knowing how long they might be gone, and carried everything to the bathroom. She hoped she wasn't being rude by just inviting herself over, but she missed her friends. When she was ready, she picked up Joel and craddled him on her hip, before tenatively knocking on the mirror.
"I hope they're home," she said to Joel, before ruffling his hair slightly.
Ceres just knew like always when someone was knocking on her mirror. She promptly stopped what she was doing in the kitchen, and went to the closet sized room. She dried her hands while walking what to most was a long, narrow hall.
Waisting no time at all she opened the mirror, and taking a couple steps back so that the guest would have room since the room really didn't have much to spare.
While Ceres waited, that split second that it would take, she pondered on just who could be visiting. She didn't remember inviting anyone, but company was always welcome.
Keeta gasped a bit, when she went through the mirror, only having done it twice before and with Ceres at her side at the time. Trying her best to keep a hold on her bags and the baby, she stumbled slightly as she appeared in the room. She dropped the bags almost immediately, so she could stready herself against the wall and keep herself and Joel from ending up on the ground.
Joel was wide-eyed and had a hold on Keeta's shirt as though his life depended on it. He was silent for a long moment, before starting to cry from the fright he had just had.
"It gets easier with time." Ceres smiles as she offers a hand to help Keeta steady herself. Once everyone is standing without a chance of spinning, and tumbling she lets go.
"It is a pleasure to see you after such a long time." Ceres says as she motions Keeta down the hall. "Why don't you and the charming young man follow me down the hall."
"Sshhh, shhhh, Joel, it's ok...." Keeta said, trying to soothe the frightened boy and following Ceres down the hallway, leaving the bags behind in the mirror room. She looked up at Ceres with an embarrassed smile.
"I'm sorry, I guess it scared him. I hope you don't mind me dropping in like this. I just haven't seen you or Sky in so long. And I've never met Natalia...."
Joel slowly started to quiet down as Keeta cuddled him, but he looked around with an almost distrustful expression. Eventually he was only sniffling, two of his fingers securely in his mouth as he continued to cling to his mother, his eyes starting to roam and look around at the new environment.
"You have nothing to be sorry for." Ceres smiles softly. Every step she takes make it that much more evident that time is starting to catch up with her. Although she is still just as elegant.
The living room at the moment was empty, but she knew that it never stayed that way for long. Someone was always coming or going. "You'll have to excuse the mess." She smiled politely as she waved her hand. "I was actually in the process of tidying up when you arrived."
Ceres motioned to the living area. "Take a seat. We have a lot to catch up on." She took a seat in the rocking chair that sat near the doorway that lead to the kitchen.
"Silly me." She laughed. "Little ones and all." She motioned her hand and a baby proof area sprung itself into life. A nice sized play crib with soft toys, and blankets.
Keeta did notice Ceres' more...fragile...appearance, but didn't say anything. If Ceres brought it up, that would be one thing, but she figured her friend didn't want attention drawn to it. When invited to sit on the couch, she did so gratefully, Joel still with a deathgrip on her.
"Oh you don't have to worry about that, a mess doesn't bother me. We both have children, so I understand how easy it is for things to pile up," Keeta smiled.
"And we do indeed have a lot to catch up on, but before we do that, where is the rest of your family? I was hoping to get to see Natalia and Sky at the very least. This, as you probably figured, is Joel." Keeta tried at this point to disentangle herself from her son, hoping to transfer him to the little play area Ceres had set up.
Joel, however, was not yet ready to let go and protested by fussing and continuing to cling to Keeta's shirt. When she gave up for the moment, he continued to suck on his fingers and he eyes traveled to the woman in the rocking chair, studying her curiously.
Ceres tapped her finger on her chin. "I assume Natalia is nosing about her siblings bedrooms. They let her get away with it, at least at the moment." She chuckled. "And, Sky..." She sighed softly her mind running away again.
"Is right here." Sky laughed as he sat down next to Ceres. "I was lying down for a nap. Us old farts... You know." He laughed. "Pleasure to see you again Keeta." He was very well spoken now.
Both looked up as they heard a loud squeal of glee down the hall. "KIWI!" Natalia exclaimed. She had lost him earlier, and had been on the hunt since after breakfast.
"It's nice to see you too Sky." She smiled at him and was about to identify Joel for his sake, when she heard Natalia down the hall. Keeta smiled wider and glanced from the hallway to the pair.
"That was Natalia I take it? She's already talking as well?" she asked, thinking the voice was too young to be any of Ceres' other children. She didn't hide the suprise in her voice at how quickly Natalia was growing.
Joel's head turned in interest at this younger voice and lessened his hold on Keeta. He had never really heard a young child's voice before and it intrigued him. All three of his eyes were now fixated on the hall door.
"Yes... that would be Natalia." Ceres smiled softly a she motioned down the hall. "She'll start violin lessons soon. She's already been sitting with us for a while now and she really enjoys it."
"So whose the little guy." Sky grinned taking notice of the little one clinging to Keeta's shirt. "Couldn't be the one whom you carried all that time." He teased.
At the moment they couldn't hear anything else out of Natalia other than playful laughter.
"Wow....she's really growing quickly. I mean it seems that way at least, compared to Joel." She smiled, shrugged and directed her next words towards Sky.
"And yes he is. Sky, meet Joel Harding, who is currently being a little more clingy than normal, but I'm sure he'll be fine in a few minutes.
Joel's eyes were still glued to the hallway and his grip continued to lessen as he began to forget the fright from moments earlier. There was something much more interesting going on now. Now that it was simply laughter, however, his middle eye turned towards Sky and took him in as well. All these new faces!
Sensing am opportunity, Keeta tried once more to free herself from her son, and this time her attempt was successful.
So engaged was Joel in what he was trying to see, that he hardly noticed that he was being removed from her lap and placed in the pen, until the mesh fabric surrounding it blocked his view. When this happened, he turned and looked at Keeta, a small frown appearing on his face.
"He is very precious." Sky smiled taking his attention off of everything else and focusing it on Joel. "You'll have a playmate in a few moments." He grinned as he took in every detail of the little boy.
"That's if she'll share." Ceres said with a roll of her eyes. "I swear never have I had such a greedy child, and it isn't that she does without." Her voice was very hushed as if trying to hide the facts from her own child.
Natalia's curiosity was peaked now that mystery of the missing Kiwi was solved. With ease she walked the house, dodging every 'obstacle'. "Who guests mommy?" While she could speak there wasn't any structured grammar to it.
"Well young children don't often understand the concept of sharing, because it's hard for them to identify with anyone but themselves." Keeta turned away from Joel and smiled when she saw Natalia enter the room.
"I'm Keeta, and this is Joel," she said to the young girl, indicating her son with a pat of his head, when she said his name.
Joel peered through the mesh of the playpen as well as he could at this new arrival, who was not a great deal bigger than himself. His eyes all focused on her, intensely curious.
Natalia's head turned toward voices but didn't directly look at anyone. Her eyes were all over the place as she continued to walk forward. She sat the Kiwi on the coffee table and then held out her hands. "I touch?" It was a question that sound more like a statement.
Ceres took a hold of her daughters hand. "This is Keeta." She put the hand she held on Keeta's hand. She kept it at one introduction at a time. She waited to see how Keeta would react before she allowed her child to just go touching whatever, but it was how she saw at the moment.
"I touch?" Natalia did it again very unsure. She was trying to remember all those manor type things her mother was trying to teach her. "I want to." She pouted.
Sky leaned forward and picked up the Kiwi. He knew good and well that when the moment ended she'd want it right away. And he knew that, that right away didn't include another search of the house in the child's mind.
Keeta smiled, not minding at all that Natalia wanted to "see" her in that manner. She moved off of the couch and sat on the floor, so the child could have easier access to viewing her.
"Yes you can touch me," she said speaking gently.
Joel regarded this whole thing with suspicion. Why was another person his size touching his mommy?
Natalia was all grins about the mater as she heard the lady agree. Once her hand had been moved she just knew that the lady had moved. Noticing it was close to her height she assume the floor was now where the lady was sitting.
The first thing Natalia did was trace her fingers of Keeta's, both hands. "You got hands like me with ten fingers." She smiled. Her little hands traveling towards the womans face via her arms. She was extremely steady, and gentle in every touch she made. It was apparent she did a lot of touching. "What color eyes?" She asked curiously as she felt the others eye lashes.
"Yes I have ten fingers," she repeated with a smile, confirming Natalia's discovery. Keeta sat very still, allowing the girl to explore her and learn her features. She glanced at Ceres and Sky every so often and gave them a smile, showing she was enjoying getting to know their daughter.
"My eyes are grey," Keeta replied to Natalia's question. "And my hair," she said, guiding one of the girl's hands to her hair, "is blue," which it was now. Finally all of the brown dye had grown out her hair and her natural blue shown through, matching the color of Joel's hair.
Joel continued to watch this whole thing with frustration. He was stuck in the playpen while this other person got to touch his mommy's face and hair! He made an upset noise from the pen and made a somewhat uncoordinated attempt to hit the side of the pen, from where he was sitting.
Natalia stroked, and tugged at Keeta's hair. "Pretty lady." She squealed excitedly as she lowered her hands. "Who is boy?" She said turning her head in the direction of the noise the boy was making.
Ceres smiled cheerfully from Keeta to Natalia. She was very impressed with Natalia's actions. "That is Keeta's son Joel." She left the rest of the introductions up to Keeta.
Keeta took Natalia's hand gently once more and led her over to the edge of the pen her mother had created.
"Joel is in here, Natalia. I don't know if he'll want to be touched though. He doesn't appear to be in a very good mood.... Let me get him out and we'll see if he'll behave for you, so you can see him.
By this time, with mom so close and Natalia right there, still close to her, Joel was reaching and fussing to be picked up. He didn't want this girl stealing his mommy from him. He frowned at Natalia and clung to Keeta's shirt as tightly as he had earlier when they had come through the mirror.
"I'll get us some juice." Sky said with a smile as he left the living room. He knew the mothers had everything under control, or as much under control as things could be.
Ceres decided to stay out of this, and see how things played out. She knew how kids could be, especially hers. Knowing Natalia was generally very possessive Ceres was actually surprised that she hadn't said the word 'mine' yet.
Natalia couldn't see what was going on. All she knew is that Keeta had a hold of her hand and was going to introduce her. She tried to wait as patiently at possible, but for her age it was somewhat difficult. "He no like me." She finally said. "No make fuss. Try gain later." She put on a false smile trying to make it seem like she was alright. She couldn't hide her disappointment easily.
Keeta, truth be told, couldn't figure out what had Joel so upset. He was always so happy! She could understand him being scared earlier, but he was fine when she had set him in the pen, but for the past several minutes he had just seemed cranky. Instinctively, she checked to see if he needed to be changed, but he was fine, and she had fed him just before they left....
"I don't know why he's like this Natalia, but I don't think it's because he doesn't like you." She looked toward Natalia sympathetically and reached out to stroke the girl's hair reassuringly.
"Joel...come on honey, be nice and let Natalia get a look at you." She rubbed his back and tried to get him to cooperate.
He continued to cling to Keeta, however, and watch Natalia carefully, all three of his eyes focused on her.
Natalia was suddenly not interested in getting to know the boy. Her little body did a dance but it wasn't anything that screamed for attention. "I go potty mommy?" It was one of those statement, questions type thing again. But it made the room aware of her sudden disinterest as she turned to head for the bathroom. She however didn't know of the crib, and ran smack into it.
Ceres was already standing by the time her child began to cry. But she couldn't get to her in time before the screaming began. "There, there..." She said trying to sooth Natalia.
"It hurt mommy. It hurt." She wailed as she sucked in breath after breath. Despite it hurting, it was more of a fake cry. There were no tears shed. She really just wanted attention.
"Let's get you to the potty." Ceres said not giving into the act, but at the same time trying to help her child.
Keeta watched it happen almost in slow motion. She was just a little too far away to steer Natalia in the right direction before she ran into it. When it happened, Keeta cringed instinctively knowing what the likely response to it would be. In seconds, her ears were greeted with the expected wails and she looked at Ceres and Natalia sympathetically.
"Do you need any help?" she called after them.
Joel just watched Natalia wide-eyed. It was a new sound for him to hear the prolonged cry of another child. He wasn't used to other children crying. In fact, except for when he was born, he really hand'd been around other children ever. Ceres was really Keeta's only friend with children and this was the first time they'd seen each other with the children, since either child had been born.
He seemed to relax a bit as Ceres carried Natalia from the room. The sound was lessening and the strangeness of having another young child nearby lessened.
Natalia toddled quickly down the hall. It was like the incident never happened. She was bubbly and cheerful, and had the memory of where about the crib was that she ran into. "I back!" She exclaimed and clapped. "Now I see him?"
Ceres wasn't far behind her daughter. She took a seat next to Keeta. "We are all so use to the house because it never changes. I forgot to warn her..." She said in an apologetic tone. "I hope it didn't frighten Joel."
By this time Keeta had managed to disentangle herself from Joel long enough to get him to sit in her lap facing outwards. He had almost forgotten about Natalia even though she hadn't been gone very long and was now making an uncoordinated effort to grab his feet, which had suddenly become very interesting.
"Well he seems none the worse the wear for the moment...." Keeta said shrugging as she watched her son.
"I just hope Natalia can deal with disappointment if he doesn't take her exploration well. He's not used to other children." She started to pet Joel's hair gently as a reassurance.
"Yes Natalia, you can see him now, just be very careful. He's a little scared and doesn't understand that you just want to get to know him."
Natalia didn't stumble over the crib in her return to the sofa, but she did take her time. Really wanting to see him, but really not wanting to frighten him. She was in a pickle. She didn't know how to process a decent out come. Despite not seeing a thing to begin with her eyes clamped shut. After several long moments of standing confused in front of Keeta she finally opened her eyes. But instead of seeing nothing, she saw everything. But, it was fleeting. "Three eyes." She murmured, unsure if she had really seen anything at all.
Ceres blinked a few times, but tried to not show to much surprise. She knew that Natalia had done this previously, and even managed to will things to the way she wanted it to be. But, it was still irregular that it happened, and it still caught her off guard.
Keeta looked at Natalia in surprise. She had seen Joel? But she hadn't even touched him...
"How.....?" she began, glancing at Ceres briefly, before nodding, not sure if the toddler could see her do so.
"You're right Natalia. He does have three eyes...."
"It comes and goes... She has no control over it." Ceres said still pretty amazed. "But, generally happens when she really wants something." She smiled.
Very proud of herself Natalia clapped excitably. "He very pretty boy." She smiled. She decided that the glimpse was good enough, and that she didn't need to go and touch the boy and make him unhappy. She could get a better look later.
"I've got juice!" Sky said coming into the room unaware of anything that had happened. "And, sippy cups for the kids." He smiled, and sat the tray down on the coffee table before sitting next to Ceres.
"I wonder if she'll gain the ability to control it as she gets older, or be able to see all the time?" Keeta thought aloud, before turning to Natalia when she spoke.
"Thank you honey. I like to think so. Maybe when he gets a little older you can be friends?" She smiled at Natalia, hoping the little girl would like this idea.
"Thanks Sky," she said, reaching for one of the sippy cups and helping Joel drink from it.
The blue-haired boy sucked on it half-heartedly. Now that he no longer felt threatened, he had started to blink sleepily in Keeta's lap. It was getting to be close to his nap time.
"About her site we'll know the outcome when she becomes a teen. It would be nice for her to have both gifts. The gift to see all the time, and the gift to see through others eyes." Ceres smiled softly.
Ceres put her hand on Sky's knee. "Keeta brought a few things with her. Would you please collect them from the room, and set them up in the guest room."
"Of course." Sky smiled. "I'll call Ayisha over. The twins don't need their crib any longer." He grabbed a cup of juice." Excuse me." He said as he headed out of the room.
"Once we get little Joel set up for a nap we ladies can go for a walk if you like Keeta... You look as if you could use a small break." She said in a whisper.
"Indeed it would, I just hope she doesn't get frustrated with it one way or the other before then, if it's going to continue to be unpredictable like this. I don't quite know what all Joel's sight has in store either. The doctor seems to think that....well...that he might be able to see like a chameleon. It's hard to tell for sure yet, seeing as he's still a bit young for his vision to have entirely developed, and that he can't communicate what he is seeing, but still...." She ran her fingers gently through Joel's hair, before looking up at Sky and smiling gratefully.
"Thanks for doing that for me. This one definitely could use a nap. He's been really cranky today. And I think I'll take you up on that walk Ceres."
Joel's eyes were barely open now and he had all but forgotten the juice. He was snuggled up contentedly against Keeta, his head nestled in the crook of her arm.
"Children have to bloom into their own." Ceres smiled softly. "Or, else they cannot find their place in life. And, one who is unplaced is unhappy."
"In any case I am sure both Joel, and Natalia will grow up just fine. Because in reality every child is a lil different." Ceres stood up, and motioned towards the bedroom. "While I get Natalia occupied with one of her sisters you can tuck Joel in. If you need anything just ask Sky."
"I busy mommy!" Natalia protested. "I lost Kiwi again." Her voice consisted of half a pout as she continued to feel around the room. "I know I put him right here."
"Your daddy has Kiwi sweetheart." Ceres said as she scooped up her little one. "We'll get Kiwi and then take you over to Ayisha and Masika's place. You can play with the twins." She smiled.
"No mommy!" Natalia huffed. "I want Perian. Pretty horsey sissy give me ride." She crossed her arms, and refused to hold onto Ceres.
"Okay... We'll see if we can find her." Ceres said in defeat.
"I suppose that's true. I just want him to be happy and I want to do the best I can by him...." She smiled and stroked Joel's cheek softly before carefully trying to stand, as not to disturb the boy who had finally drifted off.
Keeta headed towards the bedroom where she had stayed last time, smiling when she found the crib already there. She would have to thank Sky again later. Gently she laid him down in the crib, where he fussed for a moment, but settled down and was sleeping peacefully again before long. She pulled the covers up and watched him sleep for a moment, before returning to the living room to wait for Ceres and the promise of a walk.
"Sorry it took me so long." Ceres said in apologetic tone as she came into the living room. "Took me a bit to find Perian. I am just glad she wasn't reluctant to take Natalia. Those two get along so well."
"Shall we go then? Before motherly duties take charge again." Ceres' chuckled. "In any case don't worry there are 8 experienced bodies available should anything come up."
"It's ok, I haven't been waiting very long. I always like to watch Joel sleep for a few minutes. He looks so peaceful when he's sleeping." Keeta stood and waited for Ceres to take the lead for their walk. She didn't trust herself to lead anywhere on the island, as she had been warned before not to stray off the paths and whatnot.
"I'm glad to know that a lot of your children are around today to tend to Joel if he needs it. It's still so hard for me to leave him, even for a little while. I just hope no one minds being a babysitter. I mean, I don't think Joel's going to wake up any time soon, but still..."
"It is more like 9 pair of hands that are experiences. And, as a general rule around here everyone chips in." Ceres smiled as she opened the door. "You should have seen them cooking breakfast the other morning." She laughed. "5 of them gathered around one stove, Natalia included... Priceless."
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Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 3:20 pm
A Long Awaited Visit: Exploration (Guild PRP)
Parties involved in order of first appearance: keetabirdy, and Kawaii_Hime_Ceres.
----
Ceres put her fingers to her lips, and let out a high pitched whistle. "I believe during your last visit there was something you wanted to do, but couldn't."
"Patch, and Perch... At your service Ceres." The two whickered in harmony. They out stretched their wings as they folded their legs under them.
Patch and Perch were a pair of female twins. White coats, and wings with purple dapples. Minds full of creativity, and not an ounce of anything bound them to the ground... Not even reality.
"She is a first timer." Ceres said in equine as she motioned to Keeta. "So, please, no no fancy flying." Once Ceres had their nods of approval she turned to Keeta.
"Just watch their wings. You might have to fold your legs a little." Ceres motioned Keeta toward Patch's. "She may wiggle a bit, but it is to just get you situated. Their magic will hold you in place... so no need for bits, bridles, or saddles."
"Sounds like fun," Keeta said, laughing. As she pictured it, however, she thought of how lonely her place had been since Kael had disappeared and she grew a bit somber. Her sadness was soon forgotten, however, when suddenly the two equines appeared.
Keeta looked at the pair in wide-eyed wonder. They were beautiful and amazing and like nothing she had ever seen. She hadn't even seen Sky in his equine form so this was entirely new to her. As a child, she had imagined creatures such as these and Ceres had told her they existed on her island, but it was one thing to imagine them and picture them in your mind and another to have them actually stand in front of you.
She was even more amazed when Ceres appeared to be speaking to them in their language. It was clear they were intelligent and she felt like she should greet them as well But how did one address a horse? Feeling a little akward, she finished listening to Ceres's directions before stepping forward and smiling shyly.
"Hello. I'm Keeta. Thank you for offering to give me a ride," she said, looking at the equine Ceres had pointed her towards. Keeta wasn't sure how much the equine actually understood, but she hoped that regardless, it would realize that she was trying to be appreciative and friendly.
Patch nuzzled Keeta's palm. "They call me Patch." She said via the mind link which was followed by a vocal whicker like laugh. "So long as you are touching me you'll understand me. Nothing to be afraid of. Hop on, and leave the rest to me."
Ceres said side saddle on Perch. She braced herself with her hands, but didn't put her complete weight on them. "If I sat as I showed you my attire wouldn't be appropriate... And, I'm a little more use to this."
"All aboard." Perch whickered playfully, but Ceres understood, and smiled. She wiggled just a bit to make sure Ceres was centered. When accomplished she pranced around proudly, but it was all good fun.
Keeta jumped with surprise at the mind speech that came from Patch, before relaxing and smiling. It was so much like what Luna and Amena used to communicate. She was starting to become accustomed to it.
"Thank you Patch," she said, climbing on, feeling a few butterflies in her stomach. It had been years since she had ridden a normal horse (the last one had been back in Evin) and now she was going to be riding a flying one. She felt akward having nothing to hold on to.
"Should I hold on to your mane at all?" she asked Patch as she tried to settle herself on her back.
"My magic will hold you steady." Patch said as she stood up slowly. She didn't want to startle Keeta. Slowly she wiggled herself until she was sure Keeta was in position. "We all wiggle." She said as she turned her face just enough so she could look at who was riding her. "You may hold onto my mane if it makes you feel better."
"Perhaps a bit of a walk before you break into a run to take flight." Ceres smiled as she patted Perch on the side of her neck. "So that she can get use to the wings."
"Not a problem at all." The two whickered in unison.
Keeta took a small chunk of mane for reassurance even though she believed the equine. It was herself she didn't trust. She smiled at Patch and nodded when she turned to look at Keeta.
"A walk sounds good. I haven't ridden in a long time, and I've never flown..."
Ceres crossed her legs at the ankles. She sat in the fashion she would if she were in a chair. "Equines of this Isle do not need what humans have created to ride them. Everything here has adapted to the magic that is abundant due to the Maidens will." She smiled trying to reassure Keeta a little more.
The two winged Equine walked with that same graceful air that Ceres herself normally displayed. There was little about them that was jerky with the exception of the occasional ruffle of his wings, and their occasional whicker that caused their necks to move.
Keeta smiled as they began to ride, feeling comfortable after a short while with the equine's fluid movement. She soon was enjoying it very much and starting to look around her at the sights she hadn't gotten to enjoy the last time she visited the island. Before long her hands released their grip on Patch's mane and they simply rested on her back.
Noticing Keeta had eased up Ceres new it was pretty much time. She had been watching Keeta so that she could know when the other was ready for the next phase. "Easy does it." She says to the Equines. She pats Perch gently on the side of her neck. She didn't want to out right say it and startle Keeta who at the moment was content.
Patch and Perch remained fluid as they picked up speed. Wings out stretched. Neither hesitated as they let their bodies take over what came naturally since birth. The sun glistened against their dapples. Their mains flowed in the forming breeze.
"Here we go." They whickered in unison as they felt the wind under their wings, and their hooves left the earthly bounds below.
As they picked up speed, Keeta could tell what was about to happen and her stomach clenched slightly in anticipation. She once more grabbed a small bit of flying mane to help balance herself as she felt the wind against her face and waited for them to take off.
When they left the ground, the newness of the slight weightless sensation, made Keeta's head reel slightly. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes to balance herself once more, before looking out at what this different perspective on the world had to offer.
"I rather prefer this view." Patch said to Keeta as she steadied herself. They didn't venture to high both remember that Keeta was knew to this experience. But, they were well away from the nearest tree line. "Freedom at its finest. Not to mention it isn't crowded."
"Better than an airplane... Hrm?" Ceres chuckled. "Not that I've ever been in one, just heard of them... I'm not all that into mans 'modern' inventions. Unless it is a convenience appliance for the home such as a toilet, or kitchen gadget... The invention of the light bulb was pretty handy as well."
"I've never been in one either, although I hear they're comfortable," she said to Ceres before replying to Patch.
"It's beautiful. To think I lived all my life not knowing what the world looked like from above..." she trailed off, continuing to take in the scenery: the ocean, trees, and some other buildings on the island. She saw where Ceres' home was, but didn't know what the other buildings were for.
"Ceres, what are those places I see over there?" Keeta asked, pointing a good ways further down the island.
"Unfortunately not even I know much about those buildings. But between a sister of mine, and myself we are looking further into it." Ceres sighed softly. "But, I can say... Their are only two ways to get to this island. You can either come via mirror, or ship wreck. Maidens out of boredom will often lure ships to this island, and turn the passengers into toys." She took a moment to glance over at the buildings. "We can only guess what they went through before their demise..."
"Please, don't think for a second that I am that way. I am nothing like the other maidens." Ceres said lowering her head as she pulled her hair over her shoulder. She twirled the tip around her finger. "The two that I call my sisters came to the island via ship wreck, but it was pure accident. They liked it here, and decided to stay... We are all really close." She finally smiled.
"I would never think of you like that Ceres. You have shown your kindness repeatedly. I wasn't aware you had 'sisters.' How long have they been here? Perhaps you could introduce us someday? I'd love to meet the rest of your family. I've met all your children." Keeta smiled back at Ceres.
"If you ever want company checking out those buildings let me know. I'm usually up for an adventure."
"It is usually months at a time before we see each other. I use a lot of magic to maintain mirrors that my children, and they can use in much the same fashion that I can... But, even still it is easier sending letters than people on a regular basis." Ceres tossed her hair over her shoulder. She straighten up, and leaned back a bit. She was in a more cheerful nature now. "When I hear from them again I'll let you know an we can arrange a meeting." She giggled. "Once is a use to be pirate, and the other is a person from the 17th century that came through a whirl pool..." She tipped her head enjoying the wind that brushed against her. "Or, at least something like that..."
Ceres looked down at the buildings. "There are better adventures to be had than a look into the past in an old musty building." She said softly. "Lexiel, however, thinks differently... Maybe it is my age. Then again perhaps it is the century she is from." She shrugged her shoulders. "But... If old builds are your thing who I am to deny a look around." Despite her previous statement you could tell her curiosity had sprung free.
"A pirate and one from the seventeenth century? Sounds like an interesting couple of ladies. I bet we'd have a bit in common, seeing as none of us would have been raised in an enviornment with all the modern conviences. Which one is Lexiel? The one from the 17th century?" She glanced over at Ceres and thought she could see a glimer of interest there. But she would go off of what her friend had said, not what she figured from her expression. Keeta was never much one for assumtions.
"Well if you were more interested, I'd say lets go now, it'd give us more of a chance to talk and whatnot, without having to fight the wind. But if it's not your thing I understand...I can always go another time." Keeta shrugged, appearing not too mind too much either way.
"Lexiel is the one from another time, and Fauste is the one from the sea..." Ceres chuckled. "My first five years were spent on earth... but that was 450 year ago." She took a moment to look down again. The ruins were not to far off. "A visit to those ruins would be nice... But, you'll have to be extra careful."
Patch and Perch flicked their ears as they whickered. The circled around the ruins several times before they were nearest to the ground. They galloped in the air until they touched earth. There was a few momentary bumps as the surrounding area wasn't the most stable for a decent landing.
"Forgive me." Patch said still focusing as she slowed down to a walk. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"I'm not too worried, but I'll be careful," she said smiling at Ceres. "I know I don't want to pull on Joel what my mother pulled on me...seeing as I already did one thing to him that my mother did." The second part was said in an undertone and her face grew a little cloudy. She thought of Kael again and wondered what became of him.
When she saw they were approaching the ground, she braced herself for the landing and held onto Patch tighter with her legs. She patted the mare when they landed and she apologized.
"Nothing to worry about Patch. I know it wasn't an easy place to land. Thanks for bringing us here." Keeta smiled and patted the mare again before dismounting and looking up at the ruins. Her mouth opened slightly in awe as she looked upwards at the stone building.
"This is one pretty amazing place. It's so strange to see it so worn down and forlorn. In Evin some of the nobles still lived in places like this..."
"I could rebuild it with my will... But then the island would be short a relic." Ceres said as she waited for Perch to tuck her legs under her in a sitting position.
Slowly Ceres stood, and brushed her clothes of wrinkles and misplacement. She then turned to the Equines, and with the gentlest smile she smoke to them. "I will call for you so please do not wait on our behalf." With that they 'jerked' their head in a nod before walking away.
"We shouldn't judge ourselves based on our mothers mistakes otherwise we'd live in their shadows. I believe everyone should be allowed to make their own mistakes." Ceres put a hand on Keeta's shoulder. "I have something serious to ask you before we step inside... A bit of a personal question."
"No I wouldn't rebuild it. It's beautiful in it's own way. It's just strange for me to see it like this is all." She said turning to Ceres with a smile as the maiden sent off the equines. Keeta waved to the pair as the went off and then glanced back at Ceres as she approached. At her statement, Keeta looked at her curiously and shifted a bit in discomfort, not sure what her friend was interested in discovering.
"What is it you want to know Ceres?"
Ceres closed her eyes, and sighed heavily. "Sky, and my time is nearly up Keeta... We're at peace with this... Really." She said softly as a tear ran down her cheek. "I'll do everything in my power to teach Natalia everything she'll need to know... But, once she has her mirror my magic and time is up."
Ceres opened her eyes, and looked directly at Keeta. "I do not want to teach her to follow the lore of the island. I want her to follow her dreams, and her heart... This island will need her, and she will probably need it..."
Ceres took a deep breath. "Sorry, I'm rambling a bit... My point, and question... She'll need motherly advise. She may have sisters, but she won't have me. There will be boys, and making a living... I don't know if at all she will have questions, but if she does would you be the person she can go to?"
While Ceres had said it was something serious, this was not at all what Keeta had expected. She looked at Ceres in surprise and almost embarassment at being asked to fulfil this role of honor in Natalia's life. Not to mention how awkward she felt discussing her friends' imminent demise. It wasn't something she liked to linger on.
"Why y-yes!" she sputtered, giving Ceres a hug, while looking a bit frazzled. "Of course! I'm honored that you would ask and I'll be glad to...but are you sure you want it to be me? I don't have the best track record in the world, and you haven't even known me but for as long as we were pregnant. And there's your sisters..."Keeta trailed off, looking at Ceres to make sure this was something she really wanted for her daughter.
"Natalia may have her aunts, and her siblings but as the tally goes they are best at railing together in times of need... They all have different and unique lives. Lives that Natalia may not want to pursue, and thus the advice might not be what she needs." Ceres said softly.
"You are a mother and regardless of past choices you will always think in the best interest of a child." Ceres eagerly returned the hug, and whispered as if everything depended on the next few words she would speak. "I have faith in you Keeta... And, it is time you have faith in yourself."
Keeta clung to her friend and felt a few of her own tears sliding down her cheek. She had known Ceres little more than a year and yet they had already become hard and fast friends. Her words meant a lot to Keeta and she nodded slowly, trying to have faith in herself as her friend asked.
"Thank you Ceres....I-It's hard for me to know you and Sky won't be around soon. I know there will be a hole in my heart when it happens, but I will definitely do whatever I can to do my best by your daughter. If that means she needs to live with me for a while, to borrow money, whatever." She stepped back so she could look at Ceres, smiling shakily and sniffling.
"How soon do you think.....?" she trailed off, letting the question finish itself.
"At the rate things are going we've got a while, but not much." Ceres said looking up at the clouds. "It will happen shortly after she comes of age... 14. She'll be able to take her mirror then."
Ceres looked back at Keeta. "I'll have enough time to teach her, what should hopefully should come naturally. There isn't enough..." She paused for a moment not sure of the world. She decided to skip ahead. "To sustain the both of us once she comes of age. I know it seems a bit on the cruel side..."
Ceres took a hold of Keeta's hand. "Shall we." She motioned towards the inside. "Before we set out the spickets." She said as she used her free hand to wipe away her tears.
Keeta actually let out a little sign of relief at this. While the time it would take for Natalia to come of age would seem a small amount of time to someone like Ceres who had lived for centuries, to Keeta, it seemed almost a long while yet and she was grateful to know she would not lose her friend right away. She gripped Ceres' hand tightly and started forward.
"I just hope I can be everything for her that she needs me to be. I'll definitely try to come around more and establish that relationship with her."
"I know Keeta. That is why I asked you and no one else." Ceres smiled cheerfully. "I'm honored to be your friend. And, I look forward to all the time we will spend together."
Ceres closed her eyes and raised her hand. Slowly, with a very loud creek, the massive wooden doors opened. "We'd never have gotten them open on their own... Strange thing is that on occasion they are actually open." She giggled. "Guess that could be kinda spooky to the average traveler."
"I'm looking forward to it as well," Keeta said, squeezing Ceres' hand again and turning to look at the solid wooden doors. Well, if Kael wasn't going to be around, at least she knew Ceres would be there as long as she could be.
Her jaw nearly dropped open as she saw Ceres open the doors, seemingly with the effort of her own will. Keeta knew she was using the magic of the island, but still.
"Really? They're actually open on their own sometimes? That is kinda creepy..." she said, her skin crawling slightly. "Wonder if there are ghosts in there?" Keeta continued in a teasing manner, trying both to lighten the mood and try to hide the fact that she was a little bit nervous. Not nervous enough to turn away, just enough to be wary. She took another step towards the open doorway.
"Well, shall we?"
"Probably. Like I said no telling what limits there are when it comes to this island." Ceres chuckled even as the doors slammed shut, and locked. "Well we are here now... No turning back."
"It doesn't startle me because I did play here as a kid. I've played everywhere... Things just remain unexplained to me..." She gave Keeta's hand another firm squeeze. "And, don't worry there are other ways out although they won't be as easy as waltzing out the front door."
Keeta yelped loudly, her voice echoing off the stone walls as the door slammed shut. She looked at Ceres wide-eyed and shook a little now, despite the reassurance that there were other ways out of here. Briefly she wondered what she had gotten herself into.
"So I guess I can't hope you were the one who closed the doors then?" she asked nervously, as her eyes began to explore the space they were in. It was a large entrance hall with high ceilings and, to Keeta's relief, large windows, which let in enough light to see by, even though many of them appeared to be covered over in ivy. It caused a green tint to the light in the room, and it was quite beautiful.
"If it would make you feel better I'll tell you that I did indeed close and lock the doors." Ceres said as she put on the warmest smile to make the other feel better.
Ceres snapped her fingers and the melted sticks of wax with wicks hardly there lit. "A little something to help us in our exploration." She took in a deep breath. "Very must." She said coughing just a little.
Now Keeta was confused, not knowing if Ceres had actually closed the doors or if she was just saying that to make her feel better. Deciding she'd rather not know, she tried to push the issue away in her mind.
"Well makes sense, seeing as there's probably not much airflow through here with the doors closed most of the time. Seems to have kept most of the animals out as well..." she remarked, noting that aside from the cobwebs, a mousehole here and there and a few bats hiding in the rafters, there didn't appear to be much evidence of animals living in the space.
"Maybe they know better..."
"The Equines use the stables from time to time to get out of the room." Ceres said as she walked forward slowly letting go of Keeta's hand. "My favorite room is a just a bit this way..." She didn't have a clue if Keeta had heard her. She had a sudden burst of curiosity.
Keeta had in fact only half-heard Ceres, but decided to follow her anyways. She didn't much care for the thought of staying here by herself if there were invisible forces at work here that could close those doors. Stepping quickly to catch up, she stayed a pace or two behind Ceres, looking around the whole time and taking in the ancient and crumbling walls. They passed a tapestry here and there that Keeta might have stopped to examine, if she hadn't wanted to be left alone.
"This is my favorite room." Ceres smiled like a giddy kid with a new candy bar just bought for them. "The ball room." She giggled and picked up her attire as one would a dress. "Can you picture the dances, and all the people." As if she could hear music she began to dance.
The ballroom itself looked untouched. Not a thing out of place. The ceiling and windows were intact. It spanned a very large area. At the end was a long buffet style table. The dishes, candles, goblets, and the like still sat proudly as if today was the day... However, it was apparent that the people had just vanished.
Keeta stepped inside and didn't say anything for a long time. She was taking in the place and the images Ceres had suggested to her. Watching Ceres, she also smiled at her friend's mirth. It was good to see her happy after the serious topic they had just been discussing.
She wandered to the banquet table and walked along it, looking at the fine place settings and decorations, her fingers tracing the edge of a glass or plate, here and there.
"It's like it's under a spell or something...." she finally said, in breathless wonder.
Ceres' dance came to a stop as the music did that played in her head. She was a bit breathless as she looked to Keeta, and banquet table. "I suppose that is one way of looking at it... Then again you can look under the table and noticed bones." She said as she walked over to where Keeta was. "I guess in a way it is kind of fascinating.
Keeta froze and turned towards Ceres, her eyes wide once more.
"There's bones under there?" she asked, afraid to look and discover it for herself.
"I thought you said they had just vanished...."
"They did just vanish... There food didn't just vanish with them." Ceres grinned. "Didn't mean to startle you. I am sure scavengers picked bones clean and left them there when there was nothing left to satisfy them." She picked one up from the ground. "See... Didn't mean to startle you."
"Oh..." Keeta said, clearly relieved. "Those kind of bones." She giggled, embarassed.
"Sorry, I thought I was more hardened for stuff like this with my fighting background and all, but even when I was a mercenary...when I killed someone I didn't have to stick around and see what happened to them." She shuddered and again thought of Kael, wondering if his body was somewhere rotting...all alone....
"No!" she unintentionally said aloud, closing her eyes in frustration, trying to block out the image.
"Keeta." Ceres said pulling out a couple of chairs from the table. She waved her hand to relieve them from dust, and to stabilized it. "I think there are things you want to talk about, but just don't know how. The beginning is the best starting point..."
"I'm sorry..." she said softly, sitting in the seat Ceres had provided.
"It's just that Kael...I don't know if you ever met him?....he said he wanted to be with me, to be a father to Joel. He seemed genuine about it and was even helping out with some of the parenting responsibilities.
He was working exploring abandoned dungeons and whatnot, for treasure, with a group of other adventurers. On this latest one he said he could be gone for a couple of weeks, but...it's become much longer. It's been almost two months now and it's becoming difficult to bear, not knowing. My mind alternates between something horrible happening to him and him just up and running because he couldn't handle being in a fatherly role..." Keeta bit her lip and looked down, trying to maintain composure.
"Joel used to look around for him, I could tell, but he seems to have almost given up now...."
"Cheer up Keeta... You must always hope for the best, or the best will not come." Ceres said taking a seat next to Keeta. "Another way of saying it is expect the worst, and the worst is what you get."
Ceres put a hand on Keeta's knee. "Regardless of the outcome I'm here... And..." She took a moment to look away from Keeta, before looking her in the eyes. "If life ever becomes over bearing in even the slightest I am here. And, if you don't like life where you live my isle is open to you. I can link a mirror, and teach you... I can even have a house built for you."
Keeta shook her head.
"I couldn't ask that of you. You seemed already to imply that your resources were stretched with your children and sisters. With things the way they are I couldn't ask you to stretch yourself further. And...my Evin family is still there in Gaia. True, I don't see as much of them as I like, but they are still my family....
"Thank you though. It's a comfort to know you're here for me. I just wish I knew what has happened to him..."
"My offer is always open..." Ceres smiled. "And, perhaps he shall come riding from the sunrise on a white horse to sweep you off your feet." She giggled. "Or, at least that is how it works in romance novels in one way or another."
"Maybe....I can hope," she shrugged a little, trying to offer Ceres a small smile and stood.
"And thank you again for your offer, but again, I couldn't put that strain on you..." She started walking towards the entrance to the ballroom, back the way they had came. She could see the light in the entrance hall was beginning to dim as the angle of the sun changed.
"We should keep moving, if we're going to get out of here with enough light...And it'll help take my mind off things..."
Ceres waved her hand returning the chairs to their places, and natural state. "If you are in a rush to find the exit... I've got my mirror. We can be back in comfort in no time." Ceres said trying to avoid the previous topic all together so Keeta could find some peace. "But, there are still plenty more of rooms to be explored."
"I'm not in a rush to leave, I just wanted to make sure we weren't caught here in the dark. Plus, I didn't want to sit there and let myself think any longer. So long as we're moving I should be ok..."
Keeta stepped out into the hall and started heading off in the direction opposite the entrance, figuring the other rooms were down in that direction.
"So...tell me what you do know about this place, aside from the mysterious doors and people vanishing. You said you explored it as a child. What else have you discovered?"
"There are runes... And, it is taking a long time to decipher them." Ceres said as she followed after Keeta. "As a little kid I didn't care about what I found... This was simply a place to play. I was still over whelmed by the fact that this place was my destiny."
Ceres ran her fingers along the walls. "I do remember that this place is a maze. There is at least, if not more 3 pairs of stairs up, and 4 stairs down." She smiled. "Lots of trick latches, and steps. Nothing is what it appears to be most of the time."
"Somewhere down below is a tunnel that leads to the tower... You could walk through the front door, but in times of emergency you'd want an unforeseen way across, and back here if need be." Ceres mused aloud towards the later of the sentence.
"Have you managed to dechipher anything of them? I'd offer to help, but I'm afraid I don't know much about things like that. It sounds like your sister would know a fair bit more." Keeta continued to look around her as they walked, looking for evidences of any of the things Ceres was referring to, but she didn't see any, as they were well made and still remained hidden, particularly to the untrained eye.
"Sounds like it would take more than one visit to see it all. Perhaps I'll come back on my own at a later date and look at some of the things we miss today. Have you attempted to 'map' the place, or catelogue any of the things in here? I know I'd love to spend some time looking at the tapestries...."
Although this place had sort of scared her at first, with the talk of ghosts and the slamming door, Keeta was growing more and more interested. She wanted to discover the mysteries of this place...
"Lexiel spends her time translating the runes. I don't know though if she has cataloged or mapped this place." Ceres grinned as she found what she was looking for. Since leaving the ballroom she had been counting steps. She pushed the stone into the wall revealing an empty room with a stair case. "I, however, have mapped out in my mind what I have explored. But, I am sure there is more to be found."
"Seeing things in a different view, or not being able to see at all trains you to use your other senses to find things." Ceres said as she headed towards the room she had opened. "The stairs lead to the Astronomy Tower."
"That was a nice trick," Keeta said raising an eyebrow, an appreciative expression on her face.
"Maybe you can teach me how to look for things like this. If there has not been a map drawn, I'd be interested in trying. Especially now that I'm going to be visiting the island more often with Natalia and all..." She looked up the winding staircase.
Ceres looked at Keeta for a moment as she thought. "Trust me, and I'll teach you." She said as she made a piece of material appear in her hands. She walked over to Keeta, and covered her eyes. "I'm going to teach you to see, and feel all over again." She said as she took the other's hand.
"Count every step you take, and feel the details with your hands." Ceres said encouragingly as she lead her friend towards the stairs. "I learned on stairs myself... And, don't panic. We've got my eyes, and I see through everyones eyes."
"But..." started Keeta nervously as she took the first shaky step, feeling for solid ground under her foot and her free hand resting against the wall. "You can't see through my eyes because they're covered, so how can you see any better than I can right now?"
"I never used your eyes to begin with. Simply because you never gave me permission." Ceres said with a warm laugh. "There are plenty of eyes though small rodents, birds, and a few bugs around... If there were a ghost or two I could use their eyes but alas I don't believe there are any around." Ceres said feeling the need to add.
Ceres carefully helped Keeta up the next stair. "Remember to keep a count on how many there are... It will make getting down all that much easier." She said trying to re encourage her friend.
"Oh...." was all Keeta said to that. She didn't know if she would ever quite understand how Ceres' vision worked. Maybe she would eventually learn through growing closer to Natalia and seeing how she developed. For that reason alone, this lesson on learning to walk in darkness might be valuable.
"One..." Keeta stated obediently, before hesitently taking the next step, her hand still on the wall. It tried to feel the textures there and helped to steady her at the same time. She had played games as a child like Blind-man's Bluff, but it had been a long time since she had tried to walk without the help of her eyes.
"Two.......three...."
"The less you try to see with your eyes, and the more you try to see with your other senses the easier it gets." Ceres said trying to offer advice for her. "It is harder for you because you've always been able to see, and that is what you rely on."
They climbed a total of twenty four steps before they came to a landing, and the end of the stairs. "Wasn't all that bad was it." Ceres said softly. "I'm going to remove your blindfold so you can have a good look around since there is plenty to explore." She giggled. "Unless you want it left on..."
"No...I managed it ok. But I think I'm going to need a lot of practice if I'm to get anything out of it....And I think I would like the blindfold removed. I'd like to see the vantage point from up here in the tower," she said, her hands reaching up for the ties of the cloth covering her eyes.
"You did an excellent job." Ceres said praising Keeta with a small round of applause.
"There are a few hidden perks in this room that I've found, and I'm sure even more that I haven't. From what I've gathered, and from assumption they liked to keep things hidden... But from what I don't know."
"Thank you," Keeta said, turning a little red at the praise.
"What is it you've found?" she asked, instantly curious. She looked around the room, trying to see if she could detect any of the hidden things Ceres had discovered, without being told what to look for.
"Oh, now come on Keeta... If I told you what I had found it would take away the fun of your exploration." Ceres giggled. "But, a little hint would be the desk... For starters."
"Well if you told me, then I could spend my time looking for new things," she said teasingly at Ceres, as she walked over to the desk and began examining it.
It was a beautiful antique (obviously) oak piece. It was nice and sturdy and the wood was richly dark. On top it had one of those panels that was hinged underneath, that when closed laid at an angle and hid the contents of the desk, and when opened laid flat and served as a writing surface. Underneath were drawers for more storage. Carefully she opened the desk and began to explore the inside which was full of little niches and crevices for storing things.
"Oh, alright... Just a little hint." Ceres grinned. "You cannot trust your eye because it is what is underneath."
With that Ceres walked over towards the bookshelves. She knew there was another secret over here, but she wasn't going to pull out the book and distract Keeta from her current exploration. She ran her fingers along the old, leather bindings. Every book was made by hand, and had been throughly used. Pages wouldn't be contained for to much longer.
Keeta nodded thoughtfully and continued to study the desk. Part of the fun was just seeing the fine workmanship of the piece. Her hands ran over the smooth surface, only pitted by a few scratches here and there. There didn't seem to be anything on the top part of the desk.
Underneath.... She got down on her hands and knees and crawled under the desk to see if there was anything to discover down there. In the back of her mind, she figured she was taking Ceres a bit literally, but it couldn't hurt to check.
Ceres walked over to the desk hardly able to control her fits of laugher. "Remember what I taught you the stairs. Feel with your fingers." She said gently. She ran her fingers along the rim of the desk facing where the chair would have been. Finally she found the 'bead of decoration' that was different. She pushed it in. "Here we go." She said as another compartment opened.
Keeta grinned sheepishly and started to crawl out from under the desk to inspect the little compartment that had opened.
"I guess I'm not very good at this. I'm sure given time to explore longer there was a chance I could have found that, but who knows?"
"Practice makes perfect." Ceres said looking up, and out at the sky. "We best get a move on it... The sun will set soon, and this place lets an awful chill set in after dark." She looked to Keeta and smiled. "Besides we can always come back another time."
"Indeed....not to mention our children are probably beginning to wonder what became of us..." she glanced out to the window towards the setting sun.
"I should probably stay the night if that's alright. I don't want to make Joel deal with traveling though the mirror twice in one day. Not yet at any rate. And it'll give me a little more time this trip to get to know Natalia."
"Natalia is use to my absence. Although, I try an not make it a regular practice. But, that is where Sky and her siblings come in. We are all close knit." Ceres smiled as she looked over at Keeta. "They will treat you, and Joel as part of the family."
"I never expected you to leave this evening, and neither did you..." Ceres chuckled. "Hence why you brought an over night bag." She said softly as she walked towards the stairs.
"Well...Joel's not used to mine so much, but with a few people. I've been taking him to work and seeing as he doesn't have a father around at the moment, I'm kind of a one-woman show. I appreciate you including me in your family. It'll be wonderful for Joel to have some form of siblings." She smiled and followed Ceres down the stairs.
"And this is true, but I never like to assume things one way or the other. I just like to be prepared."
"We have a saying in our house that started with child number two... Always room for one more." Ceres chuckled. "Unfortunately I won't be bringing home any more children... But our arms are still wide open."
Once the two had left the room the door closed behind them as if it had a mind of its own.
Ceres remembered that the front door had closed itself earlier, she didn't want to go back and find it closed. "I'm not going to deal with this mess... Any other day I would because there would still be plenty of time left." As she spoke she pulled out her mirror. "If you'll take my hand I'll have us out of here in a jiff."
"I'm not sure I'm ready for a saying like that quite yet in my house. Goodness knows I couldn't fit but one or two more in there as it is. It's only 2 bedrooms..." she chuckled slightly as Ceres paused and glanced at the mirror that was being pulled out.
Keeta nodded at Ceres and took her hand, her stomach doing the little flip-flop it always did before she went through a mirror, it still being a strange experience for her.
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Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:56 pm
A Long Awaited Visit: Breakfast for Dinner (Guild PRP)
Parties involved in order of first appearance: keetabirdy, and Kawaii_Hime_Ceres.
----
Ceres had brought them into the shower of her master bathroom. "I thought this would make a more comfortable shift..."
The walk in shower itself was large enough to fit two persons comfortable, and bath them comfortably as well with double shower heads. There was a little bench along the opposite wall of the double doors.
Ceres let go of Keeta's hand and opened the stall door. "I suppose we are lucky Sky isn't in here at the moment..." She giggled. "Now we just have to hope he isn't napping in the nude." You could tell by her voice she was only teasing.
Keeta had to agree that this was a more comfortable shift than the one from her house to the closet-like space where guests usually came in. She began to wonder why she didn't have people enter the house from here, as it seemed a bigger space, but then she figured it was for the reasons Ceres had already listed, however jokingly. Keeta raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"Indeed."
"Ceres. Keeta." Sky smiled as he saw the two make their way down the hall. "You both were gone longer than the little guys nap, and he woke up a lil hungry... Hope you don't mind. We only had real milk." He said as he patted lil boy on the back as he rocked him in the chair. "Natalia is in the kitchen with Perain. Something about pancakes for dinner." He chuckled.
"Girls favorite thing. Quick and easily." Ceres grinned. "Sky has things covered if you would like to join me in the kitchen. It is a site to watch them cook."
"I don't mind at all," Keeta said, relief clear on her face, glad to see that Joel had been well taken care of. Her expression changed slightly to one of concern.
"I'm sorry that I left you guys for so long. You sure you don't want me to take him?" Her stomach was empty and the pancakes sounded wonderful, but she wouldn't shirk her motherly duties and be a burden on Sky.
"Keeta it isn't a problem at all." Sky said as he continued to rock the baby who appeared to be content in his arms. "You go on with Ceres I got this covered... We are sorta like the pros around here." His voice wasn't proud, but light as if trying to comfort Keeta and help her to where she didn't feel bad.
Ceres took Keeta's hand. "Come on, or we'll miss out." She giggled, and pulled Keeta without conformation. "I wonder who all is in the kitchen..." She said as she swung open the door.
Keeta gave a somewhat resigned sigh. She still felt like she should be taking Joel, but it was nice to have a break. Not that Joel was a lot of trouble, but the responsibilities of being a parent still wore on her over time.
Joel looked up at Keeta with his round eyes, from where he was sitting cuddled against Sky. He didn't seem to mind so much that she was close, but not the one holding him.
"Thank you Sky," she called as she was pulled out the door, not quite sure if she was pleased or bothered by Joel's ease with Sky. As they walked down the hall, towards the kitchen, Keeta disentangled herself from Ceres and ducked into her room.
"I'm just going to change really quick ok? I feel all grubby from walking through the ruins and I'm sure I look just as bad. I don't want to show up to dinner all dirty. Be right there I promise!" She smiled.
This was a typical day, and Ceres really hadn't thought about being grimy. "Alright then." She called out, and she headed for the kitchen.
Ceres went straight for the sink to wash her hands. She didn't do things by waving her hand unless it was just herself cooking. "What can I do to help?" She said with a smile as she dried her hands. Only a few of her daughters were present: Perian, Natalia, Tinker, and Aurora.
Keeta walked into the kitchen only moments later, also heading to the sink to wash her hands. She had slipped into a comfortable skirt and loose fitting shirt that were more comfortable, and (she hoped) more tidy than what she had been wearing. Hanging back for a moment, she smiled as she watched Ceres interact with her daughters.
"Again!" Natalia chirped in excitement as she watched them go up into the air, and back down into the pan. It was her favorite part about making pancakes... The flipping.
Perian laughed as hard as she could while flipping the pancakes. "Alright, you... Just be careful back there." She said feeling it was important to emphasize since after all Natalia was getting very excited on her back.
Tinker and Aurora were laughing just as hard as Perian as they both attempted to keep the eggs from sticking to the pan. It was only a two person job due to them laughing so hard.
Somehow though despite all the fun they were having they managed to keep the place clean. Occasionally grease or egg would hit the stove, but it was quickly cleaned up by one of them. The stove wasn't typical it had been extended to be wider. But, still the girls were close together, but they all worked well together.
Ceres smiled when she was Keeta come into the kitchen. "You look lovely." She grabbed enough forks and knives from the drawer. "You can help me set the table.." She said pointing to a cabinet near the sink. "Plates and cups."
Keeta couldn't help but join in the laughter as it was contagious. It was enjoyable to watch Ceres' daughters have so much fun. She hoped that one day, she would be able to have fun like that with Joel...would she ever give him any brothers or sisters to have experiences like this with....? The thought only lingered for a moment, before she was distracted by Ceres' request.
"Sounds good to me," Keeta said with a smile, heading over to the cabinet and opening the cupboards.
"How many are we setting for?"
Ceres' eyes lit up brightly as she burst out in a new fit of laugher. "Keeta... I haven't the slightest idea how many." She took in a deep breath and tried to be a touch more serious since she knew it was probably bad that she didn't know how many to set the table for. "We never know just who's going to pop in. Everyone always knows when dinner is..."
Ceres took a moment to make a mental count, which spilled out into speech. "Me, you, Sky... Aurora, Aurora Dawn, Perian... Tinker, Cassara, Rhine... Ayisha, Masika, the twins... Natalia, and Joel." With each name she raised a finger. "That's 15 unless I miss counted."
"Goodness sakes," Keeta said, her eyes slightly wide, but her mouth in a smile. She had almost forgotten how large Ceres' family was.
"Well, Joel won't need to sit at the table. I expect with Sky having fed him, he'll be asleep soon, if not already. So...fourteen...." Keeta started digging in ther cabinet for plates, grabbing a stack of five at a time, not wanting to overload herself and drop them. She began to lay them out on the table and then went back to the cupboard for the next stack.
"Does everyone usually show up?"
"They normally show up a few at a time, but occasionally they fill the table." Ceres grinned. "Rarely is there a bad moment at the dinner table. Although, we consider it open discussion." She sat out folded napkins, forks and knives near each plate Keeta had sat out.
"We've got pancakes!" Perian said in tones of delight as she carried the large platter full of pancakes to the table. Some were regular, some berry, and some chocolate chip. "Something for everyone!"
"Pancakes! Pancakes!" Natalia clapped and cheered.
Aurora was close behind them with a plater of bacon, sausage, and eggs. "Glad to have you for dinner Keeta." She said with grin. "Hope you came extra hungry!"
Keeta glanced wide-eyed at the pile of food as she turned around with some glasses for the table.
"Goodness sakes..." she said, smiling. "I don't know if I'm hungry enough to help you all finish that off, but I'll do my best! It smells wonderful!" She set down the glasses at the table and went back for a second group, before finding herself a seat.
"You ladies did a wonderful job. Thank you."
"Pleasure." Aurora said with a cheerful chirp as she found herself a seat. "We are use to cooking large amounts. Isn't that right Perian?" She said to her sister, as she began to fill a plate for herself.
"You got that right." Perian laughed. "You wouldn't believe the food we go through in a day. Especially when everyone eats three meals here." She looked from Aurora to Keeta as she fixed a plate for Natalia first, and then for herself. "But, mother only insists that everyone always show up for dinner."
"Pancakes." Natalia giggled, and clapped excitedly. "More syrup!"
"The only time we pass plates of food from one person to the next is when everyone is present." Ceres said motioning to the middle of the table. "Please, help yourself Keeta..."
"I can only imagine..." Keeta said in response to Perian's comment about the amount of food they consumed in a day, as she reached to grab a couple pancakes, as well as some eggs and bacon.
"Does the island provide most of it? It seems like it would be quite an expense otherwise..." Doing the numbers in her head, she knew she would never be able to feed a family this large with what she made at the Casbah.
"A bit on the complicated side. There are plenty of fruits and vegetables that we can grow ourselves. We aren't big on eating a lot of meat. What we do eat we've got to get from somewhere..." Ceres lingered on the last word as she laid her hand flat on the table. "This island provides for us in many, many ways." She said as she raised her hand. The higher she raised her hand, the higher the stack of currency. "I didn't make it, but I can summon it. It is what gets left behind on sunken ships, and ship wrecks."
"Rhine and Cassara like to try and make it on their own." Aurora said with a mouth full of pancake before realizing exactly what she was doing. She covered her mouth an excused herself.
"Mom is the only one who can do such 'tricks'. Eventually, Natalia will learn. We live comfortably, and do not abuse what the island provides us." Perian said with a smile.
Natalia picked up the pancake and ate it like one would a sandwich. She didn't usually try and eat with a fork as she found it too time consuming since she couldn't see what she was eating... Also, half the time it ended up on the table instead of in her stomach.
Keeta's eyes grew sligthly wide and her mouth stopped moving mid-chew, at the money that appeared on the table at Ceres' command.
"That's a pretty impressive trick I must say...I hope Natalia has your wisdom in how to utilitze it when it is her turn." I'll try to help her make good choices when you're not here... Keeta finished to herself, feeling her heart ache again at the thought of her friend no longer being around. She didn't know how much Perian and Aurora knew and didn't want to burst their bubble if Ceres hadn't told them yet.
"If you are ever in trouble Keeta what is ours is yours." Ceres smiled as she made the money vanish as quickly as it had appeared. She helped herself to a couple more pieces of bacon and another pancake.
"I was in the other room taking a peek at that lil cuttie in Skys arms when I thought I heard someone say my name." Rhine said as he picked up Keeta's hand and kissed it. He then plopped into the nearest chair. "Hey Aurora before you go how bout passing me some of those eggs." He grinned. "And, by the way Cassara's on her way."
"You're in an awfully good mood this evening." Aurora said as she passed the plate to Rhine. She tried to hide the red in her cheeks as she quickly collected her dishes. She hadn't intended for it to sound so brazen.
"Aurora dear its life... And fortunately yet you just haven't bloomed." Perian said as she too collected her dishes.
"I have to bloomed." Aurora said with a huff as she dumbed the dishes into the sink. She then snatched the dishes from her sister. "It isn't like you do it either... Does that mean you haven't bloomed either." She narrowed her eyes.
Perian cleared her throat. "I wasn't trying to start anything... Just trying to make you feel better is all." She leaned against her sisters side, and whispered into her ear. "Besides it is us who have more fun because we aren't tied down."
Ceres looked at Rhine who was trying his best to stay out of the 'tiff' as much as she was. "So dear how was your day?"
"Thanks Ceres," Keeta said smiling, but knowing that she would be very deperate indeed before she would think of asking Ceres for help like that. It was one thing to ask her for advice and another to ask for physical resources. Just then Rhine appeared and kissed Keeta's hand, eliciting another blush like before. She tried to hide her embarassment by taking a bite of her pancake before responding to his comment about Joel.
"Thank you Rhine. His name is Joel, if Sky didn't tell you. Is he still behaving well for him? I can go get him if Sky wants a break..." She continued to eat, while waiting for a response, trying to ignore the slight argument between the girls. Keeta figured it might cause more tension if they knew they were drawing attention to themselves. She was glad when Ceres started another conversation and tried to focus her attention on that instead.
"I don't think he told me his name, but then again I was to busy to going gaga over another baby in the house." Rhine brandished his fork towards Keeta as if making a point more than making a threat. "He's doing perfectly fine with the little tyke..."
Ceres gave Rhine one of those looks causing the boy to put the food in his mouth. In other words she was shutting him up.
"You sure are a louse of a romantic." Cassara said hardly controlling her fits of laughter. "Thank heavens you aren't drinking or you'd be all over her like a fly would a pile of dung."
"Would you two..." Ceres started to say with a roll of her eyes. "We have company. A PROPER young lady..."
"I aint no lady..." Cassara said with a snort before turning her attention to Keeta. "Welcome to the mad house where we serve crazy siblings..." She grinned and snatched the plate of food from Rhine before he could take anything else off of it.
Keeta turned as Cassara walked in, a little surprised, but pleased at her pleasant attitude. Last time Keeta had been here, Cassara had been barely civil and it made her feel better to know she had a humorus side at any rate. She couldn't help but blush and stare at her plate though, when the comment was made about Rhine's romantic nature.
"It's nice to see you again Cassara," Keeta said, trying not to let her embarassment show in her voice as well.
"Vlad." Cassara still held a smile even if her voice was short. She sat the plate of food back on the table, and then grabbed the syrup. "By the way, congrats on the baby."
Rhine no sooner than he had sat down to eat was standing up with an empty plate. "I'm sorry mother to eat and run, but..." He didn't finish he just hugged his mother from behind.
"No need to explain yourself." Ceres said as she patted her son on the hand. Once he was gone she gave Cassara one of those looks. "Dear, there isn't anyone here who is going to expose you."
"No, she does a good enough job herself." Aurora Dawn said as she came into the kitchen at the tail end of the conversation. "But, who am I to say anything... Apparently I expose more of myself than I should..." She added as she saw the look she was getting from Cassara.
Keeta inwardly cringed at her mistake. Right, Cassara preferred to thought of as a man. Well at least she still had a smile on her face.
"Thank you for the congratulations, Vlad," Keeta said, purposely using her male psuedonym so that she would recognize her acceptance of it. Even though she hadn't finished everything on her plate, Keeta stood and headed for the trash can to dispose of the rest of it. The table conversation was getting to be a bit much for her this evening.
"You know...I think I'm gonna go relieve Sky, so he can enjoy some of this. It's probably about time for Joel to go to bed anyways."
"Sky's putting both of them down for bed time." Tinker said mater of factly. It was just her way about things. "But, Perian said something about Natalia wanting a bed time story to be read to the both of them."
"Keeta if you wouldn't mind... I'm going to get this kitchen cleaned up." Ceres smiled. "There is a library nook in the living room that is full of bed time books."
Cassara was already half way to the sink with a pile full of dishes in hand when Ceres mentioned that she was going to clean the kitchen. "Mother why don't you take the night off... Tinker and me got this."
"Alright then I'll take you up on your offer." Ceres said with a smile. "Thank You both."
"Oh, of course I'll read them a story," she said with a smile on her face. Keeta was grateful when Tinker's statement didn't stop after she had said Sky was putting the young ones to bed. She didn't think she would be able to stay much longer in the kitchen and was glad of the excuse of a bedtime story to escape. Never having grown up with siblings or having raised any, she wasn't quite ready to deal with the little squabbles that went on. She wondered whether she would be able to handle it if or when Joel had siblings to squabble with.
She had started to head out of the room when the girls offered to clean the dishes for Ceres and she paused in the doorway. "Going to join me for a bedtime story then?" she asked.
"I would be absolutely delighted to join you for a bed time story." Ceres said as she washed her hands at the kitchen sink. She then quickly dried her hands.
"Dinner isn't usually so embarrassing. I don't know what came over my children this evening especially when they could plainly tell we had company." Ceres said when they were out of ear shot from the kitchen.
"It's because they are secretly inducting her into the family." Ayisha said catching her mother off guard who turned around with a start. "Sorry about that mom... So, is there any dinner left for the four of us?"
"Tinker and Aurora Dawn are busy cleaning up the kitchen, but I'm sure if you hurry." Ceres said hugging Ayisha, Masika, and then the twins. "Keeta and I will be reading the kids a bed time story."
"From my family to yours congratulations on your bundle of joy." Ayisha whispered as she gave Keeta a quick hug.
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Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:57 pm
A Long Awaited Visit: Bed Time Story (Guild/AIM PRP)
Parties involved in order of first appearance: keetabirdy, and Kawaii_Hime_Ceres.
----
Keeta whirled around as well, with the sudden intrusion of Ayisha's voice into the conversation. She blushed slighly and mentally kicked herself for it. She really needed to stop wearing her emotions on her sleeve like that.
"Thanks Ayisha. How are the twins? Getting bigger I see. So you really think they're trying to make me part of the family?"
"Yes. That is why they are secretly testing you. They want to see how you react to them, and how far they can push you." Ayisha said with a smile. "Go on now, kids wait for no one."
Ceres watched Ayisha and her family file into the kitchen. Afterwards she refocused her attention on Keeta. "Lets pick out a book Keeta." She said motioning to the book shelf."
"Have a good evening," she called after them as they departed for the kitchen.
"Does Natalia have any particular favorites?" Keeta asked Ceres as she scanned the titles "I'm sure Joel will sit and listen to just about anything. I don't think he's old enough to understand much speech yet, although I still read to him, because I know he enjoys listening to the sound of my voice."
"I generally tell her tails of the island as bed time stories. I try and keep out the nasty parts that kids her age don't know... But, at the same time I want her to know as much as possible." Ceres smiled as she ran her fingers along the spines of the books. "How about a random find?"
"Hmm....maybe you could tell Joel some of those stories sometime. I'm not so gifted at the storytelling thing, unless I have a book in front of me." She glanced back at the titles.
"A random find sounds good. Am I searching for the random book, or are you?" Keeta asked with a grin.
"It would be a pleasure to entertain Joel sometime with stories of the Isle." Ceres grinned as she pulled a book out from the shelf. "My fingers have already done the walking... And, Cinderella it is."
"Alrighty then," Keeta said, smiling as she headed down the hall. Do you know where Sky set them up for the night? Joel was in my room earlier, but I suppose he moved him to Natalia's room if they're reading a story together?"
"Logic tells me they are set up and waiting for us in your room." Ceres took Keeta by the hand in a friendly, sisterly manor. "I don't know why I brought the book with me... I know it by heart, or at the least the abridged version." She laughed.
"Ah, but the kids like to look at the pictures," she said, squeezing Ceres' hand. "I know the abridged version as well, but I don't think it's as fun. You can add more to the story when you can talk to the kids about the pictures. It's probably not a story I'll be telling much at home though. If Joel turns into a typical boy, he'll want to be as far away from Cinderella as he can manage from what I've seen," Keeta said, laughing like Ceres.
"Natalia can only see the pictures that fill her head. And, I hope she'll always need the story... Brave prince, beautiful princess." Ceres sighed happily. "Someone gallant that rides a white horse..." You could tell Ceres was slightly fantasizing herself about the situation.
"Ah, true. I forget sometimes...that she can't see like me. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be insensitive." She smiled at Ceres' expression, wishing wistfully that she had the same thing going for her. But nothing seemed to be going terribly right as of late.
"Don't worry yourself sick over it Keeta. We all slip up from time to time... And, sometimes Natalia even amazes us with a brief moment of site." Ceres grinned, and gave her a quick hug.
"Thought you'd never get here." Sky laughed from the corner of the room. He had both children on his lap, and was rocking them to keep them occupied.
Keeta hugged her back and stepped into the room, glancing at the children. Joel had a frown on his face despite being rocked, and Keeta thought that perhaps he even would have had his arms folded in protest had he been old enough and coordinated enough to mimic the gesture. Her brow creased in confusion. Why was he looking upset? He had seemed to enjoy being with Sky earlier.
As soon as he spotted Keeta Joel began to fuss and wiggle, looking towards his mom in frustration with his current circumstances. He did NOT want to share a lap with this other small person. And his mom had been gone all day, and he was tired...as Keeta made her way over to him, Joel began to cry. It had been a long day.
"Here Sky, let me take him," Keeta said, lifting the boy from his lap, with an apologetic smile, and then attempting to soothe him, walking around the room and talking to him quietly.
"All yours." Sky said as he scooted Natalia from his lap, and then stood up. "I'll leave you ladies to the details." Before he left the room he made it a point to caress Ceres' cheek. He however didn't do anything past that as he didn't want to embarrass her. With the soft sigh of Ceres he left the room.
"Right then." Ceres said snapping back to the moment. She scooped up Natalia. "Onto the bed time story about a prince and princess."
"Those are the best ones mommy!" Natalia clapped and giggled. She couldn't help but to wiggle in her mothers arms. She was very excited about this.
Keeta smiled as she watched them interact, continuing to calm Joel. He was growing quieter under her touch, but was still upset. She kicked herself for having left him so long and continued to pace the room as she looked toward the mother-daughter pair about to read the story.
"Joel, listen, she's going to read a story." She wasn't sure how much the boy understood, he wasn't even crawling yet, after all, but she thought she'd try.
Ceres put her hand on the book but didn't open it. She closed her eyes, and focused. After a minute or so the books images appeared on the wall. "If you wouldn't mind Keeta... Could you please do the reading." She said with a gentle smile.
Natalia curled into her mothers lap. She was already half asleep from the excitement of the day. This, however, was worth staying up for. Story time was always one of the best parts of the day. "Keeta read story. Please."
"Of course Natalia," she responded, pleased that she was interested in having her read. "Shall I do it from the book, or just do my best by heart?" Keeta asked the little girl, knowing Joel wouldn't have an opinion on the matter.
Joel, instead was transfixed by the images that were suddenly displayed upon the wall. They provided enough of a distraction that he stopped fussing and focused his sensitive eyes on them.
"What ever lady like." Natalia said as she turned her head in the direction of Keeta's voice. "Do you like stories?" She asked during a small yawn.
"Yes I do. I think stories are some of the most wonderful things in the world, because you only need a voice to tell them." She smiled and began, continuing to rub Joel's back, although he was still watching the wall.
"Once upon a time, there was a young girl who lived with her father and she loved him very much. They were happy together, but he got lonely, and so he married a woman who had two of her own daughters, both around the age of his own...."
Natalia did her best to imagine the different sounds, smells, and even tastes that would be attached to the words from the story. She would occasional ask what certain things would look like, and even the colors. She couldn't help herself but put herself in place of the princess. She liked the very fact and thought of dancing with the princess. Though, she would easily admit she didn't like those nasty step sisters.
Ceres took part in helping with her daughters questions. As the story was told Ceres brought animation to the book via use of the wall. She did this so Joel would have something to keep him occupied. It was like watching a movie on the TV.
"...and Cinderella and her prince lived happily ever after." Finally Keeta reached the end of the story, Joel asleep against her shoulder. She started to walk slowly towards the crib and laid him down gently, so as not to wake him. He squirmed a little, as if on the edge of wakefulness before settling down and falling fully asleep again. Keeta walked over to the bed and sat on the edge next to Natalia and Ceres.
Natalia yawned sleepily. She was half asleep, but she had been intent on staying up to hear the end to the story. "Happy ever after." She hummed softly as she climbed out of her mothers lap. She wanted to dance around the room, but didn't know much about the guest room so she decided otherwise.
"Yes, happily ever after." Ceres said with a chuckle. She grabbed the book and then pushed herself to stand. "Rooms all yours. Rest well." She smiled softly, and gave Keeta one last hug for the day.
Keeta gave her friend a warm hug back. Even if today had been somewhat complicated, it had been a good day, and she was glad she had come. It was good to be in the company of friends again.
"Thanks Ceres. Have a good night. You too Natalia," she said, giving the little girl's shoulder a squeeze.
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Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:02 pm
Barton Town Postal Service (AIM PRP)
Parties involved in order of first appearance: Kawaii_Hime_Ceres, and Surion Rakamash.
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Ceres lazily left the bathroom of the Barton post office. The staff was pretty use to her... Although one or two new persons might question how she was always leaving said bathroom, but never entering. She went to the end of the line like any good person would. Even if she had an 'account' with them she didn't have an actual box to receive mail. It was complicated, and she never got into the details about how she received her mail with anyone.
Ahead of her Surion was already talking to a clerk, he didn't want just an account he wanted a mail bin, and it did not have to even be big, but he wanted one that he could access at any time of the day, and this was what he was conveying to the clerk.
Ceres had never seen the line move so slow. She stepped aside to look ahead of her. She couldn't believe the people, and to top it off there were only two clerks and one was very, very occupied. She lifted the rope, and stepped out of line. She smiled politely as she walked back behind the counter. "Hey there Marry." She smiled politely.
Marry looked away from the elderly man she was waiting on as she felt about under the counter. "You couldn't have showed up at a better time." She said as she handed Ceres a name plaque.
"Anytime Marry." Ceres said with a cheerful giggle. "This will mean I will get my mail quicker." She waved her hand under the counter to change the name on the plaque, and then she sat it on the counter.
"No I'm not putting a last name to this and I'll be paying pure gold so please do not be concerned, in fact you'll get a generous tip if you'll leave the name thing alone, thank you" he could be just barely heard from where Ceres was, a few minutes later he was thinking 'finally' to himself as he finished dealing with the rental.
Ceres was able to quickly move the line. She didn't have to move from her spot to find mail, and get it put in the right bend. She could just 'magic' it there so to speak. But she was discreet about it, and worked under the counter. When the line was close to nil she cleared her name form the plaque and stepped from behind the counter.
"I can get my mail now." Ceres chimed happily. Having been busy she hadn't noticed Surion yet.
Surion steps away from the counter, stepping backwards as he worked on hooking his new key to the keyring and not noticing as he backed up into her on accident
"Excuse me!" Ceres blurted out. "You've already gotten your mail." She put her hands on her hips. "Now move out of my way so I can get mine!" She didn't realize it was Surion who had run into her.
"I haven't gotten anything but a key I..." he looks up, normally he would have started with an apology but the abrupt and harsh reaction he had gotten from the person he had bumped into was catching him off guard and putting him on the defensive... he stops talking for a moment recognizing the face "Ceres?"
"Surion." Ceres said in surprise. "I'm so sorry... This place usually isn't this busy. I just wanted my mail." She said softly. She stepped forward so the lady could hand her the bundle and whisper her thanks again.
"I wouldn't know how busy it usually is" he admits sheepishly "I came to rent a mail bin, I wrote Nani a letter and I want a place where she can contact me if she wants... I just came from the house in the Haven lands."
For a moment she was half occupied checking the small stack of mail. "Did it go well?" She asked Surion as she stepped out of the way so that the others could be waited on.
"I don't know yet... It unlocked some memories, and I had a bit of a cry.... I guess how it went will be determined by how Tinania responds if at all" he admits.
"Love troubles?" Ceres asked in a concerned tone, but didn't expect the question to be answer. "In any case I hope things turn around for you. You could just a bit of cheer." She quickly said to prove she wasn't actually trying to pry. She quickly hugged her friend tightly.
"Not sure you can call it love troubles, but I remember more about the past, not everything but enough" he makes a face
"I didn't mean to sound as if I was jumping to conclusions. It was just a guess." She said apologetically. She motioned for the door that led outside. "Shall we..."
"Sure... I'm done here anyways" he drops the keys into his pouch for the moment and then picks up a helmet that was on the counter.
Ceres heads towards the door. Outside she found a bench to sit on. She was fairly exhausted with the use of her magic, and her not being on the island. Her body showed how tired she was. "Everything else alright?"
"Yeah I think so, I'm getting used to riding a bike again, I found it at the house, had the keys with me so I brought it back with me, gotta rent a storage place for it though" he drops onto the bench.
"By bike do you mean bicycle. You know two wheels, little seat, and handlebars." Ceres was doing her best to describe what she knew as a bike from all those years ago. "I've always wanted to ride a bicycle but I never learned..."
"Noo not quite, I mean that," he points at the Harley parked a distance away.
Ceres looks the direction Surion is pointing. Getting a pretty good look, but not enough to cure her curiosity she forces herself to stand. She wobbles for a moment from exhaustion. She uses a tree to steady herself, before walking towards the bike. "This is more like a motor car." She says taking in the details.
"It's a Harley, a motorcycle" he admits following after her.
Ceres usually kept up with most everything that had or was being invented. But as far as transportation was concerned all she kept up with was the creation of the car, and airplane. "Is it hard to use?" She said touching it as if it was fragile.
"Not overly, just have to get used to keeping balance on it" He hooks the helmet on the handlebars watching her actions wondering why she was treating the machine like it would crumble under her touch.
Ceres withdrew her hand from the machine and stood up straight. "I think I still prefer Equines, or other fast moving creatures. Something about moving metal..." She smiled looked at Surion. "I always wondered do machines think for themselves?" She blushed feeling a bit stupid when she normally knew everything.
Surion chuckles "I can understand why you prefer animals" he leans against the bike "As for thinking for itself, unless they are like Tez, I doubt it" both dragonettes recognized the female voice and slip out of the saddlebags skittereing over to to her in search of treats.
"It was silly of me to think that they could think for themselves. After all we haven't really progressed that much." Ceres chuckled to pass off her moment of stupidity.
Ceres' smile brightens when she sees the dragonettes. "You've got me down don't you." She said petting them for a moment with her finger. She opened the bag on her shoulder, and tucked the pile of mail inside. Then she began rummaging. "Must admit... I'm a little off guard today. The bag is entire luck." As she says that she pulls a container out containing a sandwich.
"Well Tez can think for himself, but if I am remembering rightly he has a spirit which inhabits him" he tries to explain the best he can.
The dragonettes chitter at her happily and dont stop their noses pointing in the direction of the closed container in her hands.
Ceres giggles as she watches them despite them being on her shoulder. "I bet you want this." She says in a slightly teasing voice as she slowly sits down. She opens the container, and takes away the bread since she knows they are after the meat.
The volume of their chittering increased as she teased them and Surion just chuckles watching the scene, there were very few people the pair had taken to.
Ceres sat the container on the ground so that the two could easily get to the treat. "There we go." She says gently scratching their heads once more with her finger.
The pair of dragonettes went after it at a rapid speed. Surion laughs and turns his attention instead to his friend "You have quite the reputation with those two."
Ceres glances down at the two watching them enjoy their treat. "It just takes a little patience... That is the key. With it you can get along with most anyone." She smiled softly as she looks to Surion. She didn't want to sound full of herself.
He nods with a smile "Definitely," he pauses "so how is your daughter?" he asks after a moment.
"Natalia is growing like a weed. She walks, talks, and is starting to do things for herself." Ceres' eyes lit up. "She even has brief glimpses were she can see things. She can use her will as I can. But both are things she cannot control, thus it happens generally at random."
He grins, he could tell his friends was very proud of her daughter "Thats awesome, only practice and getting older will make her better I guess?"
Ceres nodded. "Yes, time and practice. And soon... There will come I time when I just won't wake up." She dug around in her bag to find another sandwich container. She knew there wasn't a lot of meat there to satisfy the two of them.
Surion's brow went up at her claim at not waking up, but then even no one stayed waking up till the end of time "Wow.... thats no fun... It'll be a long time before I have to worry about doing that myself."
"By the time Natalia has her mirror and can use it my magic will come to an end... My time will be up, as will Sky's. We have no regrets, no concerns." Ceres smiled cheerfully pushing back the tears. "Let us hope that you have a long while before your times up. You are young, and life has just begun for you..."
"Here we go." Ceres told the two that were hovering over the empty dish. She sat the bread aside and put down more meat for them. "That should fill the both of you up."
"Wow, does that mean you will still be pretty young when you pass?" he ignored the dragonettes more concerned with his discussion with Ceres "As for me I have probably four, five hundred years...."
"I am 450 years old... If you count that as young then I suppose I will die young. Most maidens don't make it past 30 or 40 years of age. Then again most have their children at an early age." Ceres tucked away the containers that only held bread.
"Wow, I would never have thought you were 450 years old" his brows went up, but then even his mom looked young for her age.
"Perhaps my looks can be explain because I only gain a physical year once every 25 earth years." Ceres pulled her hair over her shoulder. "I have lived this long because I have never physically given birth until recently."
"Wow, you are definitely a unique woman" he pushes upright and encourages the dragonettes to get back in the saddle bags.
"Unless you are in a rush they are fine." Ceres says softly still in no hurry to stand up.
"Oh I'm not in any major rush at the moment" he left them be again and leans on the bike. "I think one of the next things I'm going to try and sort out is mom's heritage, someone taught me how to use my Kersallian skills and I don't know who."
"Did your mom forget as much as you?" Ceres asked as she leaned against the tree making herself even more comfortable. "If you need any further assistance all you've got to do is ask."
"Actually she lost more then me, she remembers absolutely nothing of this world, and refuses to return even when I tell her about this place," he sighs as he explains this.
"If she is at peace then let her forget. Let her live out her days as she is know... There must be reasons she wants to not remember." Ceres says as she plays with blades of grass.
"To be honest I really don't know why" he shrugs "She likes another guy out there now I'm not particularly fond of the guy, but mom really likes him so I'll leave it be and just watch him."
Ceres nods. "That is the best thing you can do. Watch and protect her. There may come a day when she wants to know... Then is when you should be there to help her." She smiled. "Surion... I have a question that you might can answer."
Surion raises a single brow "Waht question would that be?" he asks curiously.
Ceres could already feel the heat in her cheeks. This wasn't something she could ask her kids after all she preached enough about it... She didn't really know why when it came to her it was unspeakable. "You're a guy... Do you think I am wrong to not have sex with Sky... I mean I sleep with him just not like that. And I know there isn't a lot of time left in life."
Surion's brow went even higher "Don't ask me that one," he laughs. "I honestly cannot tell you the answer."
"It is the one thing that scares me. Not the person, just the..." She fidgeted with the ends of her hair. She was very nervous over this subject. "I guess I'll never know."
He laughs, "I wish i could tell you it's the best thing in the world, but I still don't remember everything."
"Understandable. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable... I just thought maybe you could help me out." Ceres grew even redder. "That doesn't sound right... But you know what I mean." She smiles as a yawn escapes her.
"Nah not uncomfortable, just caught off guard," he chuckles seeing her blush.
Ceres doesn't directly look at them, but she continues to smile. "I should be getting back, or they'll all be wondering what happened to mother... Makes you really wonder who's the parent." She chuckled, as she pushed herself to stand.
He laughs. "All right then, I need to run more errands anyways," he pulls his helmet on which caused the two dragonettes to move back onto the bike. "Was great to see you again," mounting and uprighting the bike just sitting on it and watching her.
"It was a pleasure to see you again." Ceres said as she shouldered her bag. She took a moment to dig around in it before she closed it. "A treat for the road, or for later... In case you don't get home anytime soon." She says giving him the sandwich box before she waists no time disappearing as if she was never there to begin with.
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:48 am
 Ceres There has always been a continuous tomorrow for me. Never a time when I new I simply wouldn't wake up. Now, I suddenly feel how short life is in the greater scheme of things.
I have no quarrel or complains of this for all things must come to an end. It was part of the scheme of things, the greater plan of life. I did what I did, and I did it out of selfishness in a way. But, also I did it for love.
We've have always strived to learn of this isle, and of the history it holds. And, the funny thing is, of all the time I've lived here my time too will become a mysterying soon enough. If only I had taken more time in the logs of my kids, or even before then. But, when death isn't apart of your equation time is trivial, and meaningless... You never think the end is coming. I so much went as far to think at one point I'd out live my adopted children. I am glad I am wrong.
But, with them... each of them, and what they can remember I will live on. Especially in Natalia. Once, she is of age the isle will no longer be able to contain two keepers with such power and my time will be up. By then she will be everything I was, except a different person all together.
It almost hurts to know that when it is my time, it will be Sky's time. She at that time will only have her siblings. I couldn't have that for her because I knew what close to solitude was like. I have asked Keeta to offer her guidance (among other things) when the time comes and I cannot...
But, enough of what deserves an entire tissue box for those who stumble upon this thing and actually read it...
Natalia grows so quickly. I don't ever remember growing this quickly, then again I never had anything to really measure time. She is constantly on the move, she talks freely (ditching grammar), and she even has an amazing memory. She impresses even me. Full of vibrant hope, and playfulness. I know she is eventually bound to get herself in trouble. Time is already showing me this because she is having random bouts of site, and control over her will...
I'll close with that for now even though I know I never say enough.
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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 11:57 am
Sky In all my years I've watched many foals born into this world. I've watched them grow into their own, grow old, and when their time came... pass on. Many of these foals have been my own. Parents aren't meant to surpass their own children, but things just aren't like that with me... Until now.
Rearing to go since birth Natalia is so vibrant and full of life like any foal. But, yet... She isn't just any foal. In fact she isn't a foal at all. She has it in her, and many traits of her mother. She appears to be a beautiful winged human female.
I can only imagine what the future holds for her. I hope it doesn't hold 425 years. I hope it doesn't hold out living her own children. Truth is I haven't a clue what her life will mean, or what she will bring to this island . She isn't like any of the maidens previous... She is a cut above them even her mother. Ceres knows it, so I have no fear in this being found and read.
There is a connection with everything vital to the island. Everyone can feel it. We all know when one of our own needs help. Natalia is one of our own, but yet she isn't. I can feel it. She isn't bound to the curse, and to the island. But, the island still needs her. I can only hope for all that has been founded she will stay and continue to maintain the beauty even if under the surface there is a bit of evil...
All parents hope the best, and brightest future for their offspring. I am no different. I just place her on a higher pedestal when I probably shouldn't.
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