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 Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:46 pm
The lady we live for :
Alto's point of view
I dislike it when people think that I am stupid because I am mute. I do not consider myself stupid... simply unable to speak. It caused me issues at times, and I am glad the lady saw more to me than a mute aoidei.
Ah, this was so long ago... but I fear she might have forgotten. Her eyes do not hold the same spark as they did before...
I ought not to think about those things anymore. The most important thing is that she is back among us, and that she will once more rise to the glory of old, with time. How long shall it take until we once again dwell in a temple instead of a simple house ? No one really do know, even less I.
I had missed her, of course. We all missed her, refused to serve the gods who still lived, and hid. Concerto still hasn't come out, but he is finally ready to come out. I can sense it, I have always sensed my brothers, deep inside my own heart, my own soul. Losing any of them would be too much for me to endure. They where the only thing that let me survive the lost of our lady...
Ah, finally we are there. One whistle of my flute was enough to let Alto know of the fact. He knows me well, of course. Always had. He always seem to know what I have in mind, and for that I am thankful.
Have the others of the lady's servants survived ? I do not know. I really do not. I hadn't thought, back then, of anything beside myself and my brothers. I hope they are well...
But now, we enter the broken temple in which we have slept.
Her temple. Or, rather, only ruins by now.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:47 pm
The lady we live for :
Concerto's point of view
How long have I slept ? Perhaps I once knew, but now... The exact number of centuries, millenniums, whatever it was, has long faded from my half-conscious memories.
I have noticed the two crystals beside me empty quite awhile ago. This was my genius idea - only fitting that I would be the one to remain asleep, to remain trapped. I have finally, truly awoke a few days ago, but without my brothers I cannot shatter this prison. Is our lady truly alive, or was it all another mistake in my plan ? It is almost hard to believe - the images of her ending will remain forever burned into my memories. She died in Alto's arms - my poor brother, who loved her so much, much more that any of us, but her love for him was very strong, almost motherly, but not quite the same kind of love he held for her. My poor brother, who wouldn't move for hours, simply holding her limp body and crying. I feared for awhile that we would lose him as well, but he found the strength to go on, just as the lady would have wished.
Was that a sound ? Oh, I don't know. All I do know is that this loneliness doesn't seem to fade, and I cannot really find anything to occupy my mind. This might just be long...
No, that was a sound. That was a voice. Familiar, so familiar, why cannot I place it ? But then, finally, I can see, I can breathe, and I can think. They are here, both here, my brothers. Alto knew... Tempo helped me on my feet, silently, without a word. Words where never truly needed in between us, but I seem to forget, for a moment.
"Where are we going ?" I said, finally, my voice croaky from heaven only knew how long of no use. Alto didn't answer, I cannot blame him, but Tempo turned back to me.
"Home." He said.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:49 pm
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
"Happy Christmas (War is over)" - John Lennon Doing What She Feels Is Right Christmastime was not as happy as it had been once before, before Destruction's full reign. Still, the mortal where doing their best to fond some cheer in those dark times... and it was the reason why the goddess had decided to help. If she could put a smile on a few faces... then maybe she could save Christmas for a few. So she did the best she could - sing. She melded herself within the mortals, dressed in Zero's old clothes and coat, looking as normal and mundane as she could manage with wings like her's, and she helped. Helped the charities that offered soup to the homeless, but mostly, she sung. The goddess had managed to form her own little chorale, formed of herself, Lyric, the 3 aoide, and others that had joined them on the way. A few children, a strange little mouse-girl, Melody... Anyone who was willing to go from door to door in the cold and sing, or play any instrument they could, had been welcome. The lady's plan seemed to be working, she thought, every time she saw a smile draw on tired faces. Some gave money - she kept it in a little pouch to her side, to donate to a charity later. Everyone, even the aoide, where melding in the populace quite well, and the only thing that caught attention was how beautifully the head woman could sing, seemingly better than even the greatest singers of Gaia. It seemed impossible, but no one dared question, not so close to Christmas at least. The little group continued their way until they had done every house close enough to go by foot, losing and gaining members as they went. After the whole was over, Echo took the pouch from her coat pocket and handed it to the little mouse girl with a smile. "Melody, dear, could you take that back with you ? I am sure you all will find something useful to do with this money.""Really ? T-Thank you, miss !" She answered, tipping her straw hat. "You've been so helpful... and none of us know your name yet !"She smiled, as the aoide and Lyric where already on their way home. Probably too cold to take it anymore. "My name is Echo. Ill see you around, Melody. You should go back, now - we are done, and it is becoming quite cold." With this, she turned to keep up with the other, leaving the mouse girl to ponder this for a moment before she was on her way. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thankfully, the home was not too far away. But upon reaching there, Echo was surprised by two things. One was a box, resting on the doorstep, that would reveal a beautiful mirror once she would open it later, and... a horse ?! Yes, a horse was there, minding it's own business, and visibly having found her home under the one balcony coming from the brothers' room, where there was no snow. The blue horse came out with a slow trot as the goddess came, and she sent a puzzled glance to her aoide. "We do not know either, my lady..." Concerto admitted. "A gift, perhaps ?" Tempo seemed to really like the little beast, granted. "A gift... ?" She slowly rose to pet the side of the horse's face. She seemed to appreciate the gesture, offering her ear after a moment, which caused the goddess to laugh softly. "Well, are you not beautiful, little Aria ? Now, how to make sure you will stay warm ?" There was no way she could keep her inside... she would need to ask some help on this one.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:50 pm
Hello, Lovebird Zero Dream  It had been so long since she had worked out the courage to come back there, to come back to the others of the pantheon. Shame seemed to have gotten an hand at keeping her away - after all, what little more than a mortal is an goddess uncertain of the path she should walk ?
She tried to forget about it all at the moment, finding shelter from the rain as she sipped on a cup of coffee on one of the couches, long strings attached to her hands going down to her feet. This was as confortable as she had found herself being outside of her own home for a long time - expecially since her aoide where nowhere to be seen.Meepfur  Coffee, coffee...
Rio hopped down the stairs in search of a sweet caffeine fix - Oh, like you need it - meanwhile refusing to let his host and the dark lower floor put a damper on his spirits. His glassy pink wings were tucked carefully behind him, although thanks to his host and her persistent fascination with the candy they were made of, the appendages certainly didn't look like he was very careful with them. It seemed like every time he let her come forward to take care of their room-garden, she snapped off one of the pointy ends to have a nibble!They're raspberry, Alex defended, I like them.So do I, the god groused half-heartedly. If it made her happy, he didn't really mind all that much; but still, they didn't look as nice when she'd been eating on them.
Having come to the bottom of the stairs, he bustled over to the kitchen, intent on making himself a nice cup...but not only was there already some coffee in the pot, it was still kind of warm. Was there someone else down here?
Now that he was actually paying attention, the goddess on the couch wasn't hard to notice. Apologetic, he sketched a bow, wings spreading behind him with a whispery creak.
"Hello, Miss." Polite, but nothing stuffily formal. Rio hated stuffy.Zero Dream Echo visibely was lost in her thoughts as the god came in, as she didn't take any perticular notice of him. She seemed almost like if she was waiting, but for what ? He wouldn't really come here... right ?
Who knew.
The goddess snapped out of her reverie when Rio spoke, and she smiled warmly. "Hello."
What perticular wings... Meepfur Rio beamed at her as he straightened, delighted to be on the receiving end of that warm smile. He was never sure what or whom he might run into down here, so a lovely lady with a pretty smile was a great pleasure.
"I am Desiderio, Love," he offered by way of introduction. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you, you seemed like you were thinking about something. I should have thought before I spoke, but..."
"I just haven't seen much of anyone lately." The god's wings drooped a little, and his face fell in an almost child-like look of fleeting sadness. Kind of cute, really. Zero Dream "That is quite allright." How polite. That was a far contrast to some others... And almost downright adorable, really. She moved to sit upright, to give him a place to sit beside her if he wished so. "I can always use some company... I havn't talked to anyone else in some time, as well."
"Echo, music." She finally announced, her voice flowing like a song. "Most pleased to meet you." Meepfur "Music?" His smile widened, allowing a glimpse of the fangs he had leftover from his host; on Rio, they weren't menacing at all. "Delighted to make your acquaintance," he purred sincerely.
Quite forgetting his original reasons for being down here - this was so much better than coffee anyway! - he took her invitation to sit beside her, walking over and settling on the couch. He kept his wings carefully to himself, quite aware that they were sharp and kind of pokey (Alex hadn't gotten all the ends yet).
"It's much nicer down here when you're not alone," he mused, glancing around the room. "Doesn't seem quite so dark." Zero Dream Echo simpely did not worry about her wings at all - they shifted around a bit, producing a faint hum, but weren't tangible at all - demonstrated by how they seemed to peek directly trough the couch.
She took a sip from her own, fuming cup before answering. "You're right..." She trailed. "I havn't come in here in almost a year now. The darkness just get to me..." She let out a soft sigh. "But it isn't that bad when someone else is here..." Meepfur The goddess' intangible wings were fascinating. Wouldn't it be nice to not have to worry about your wings breaking? Or worse, stabbing you while you tried to sleep?
"You don't stay here, then? Maybe I wouldn't, but the Hunt gave us his room, and I fear it would sadden my host if we were to leave. She likes the plants, and the memory of her friends."Alex grumbled wordlessly in his head. The god never had any qualms about talking about her, when she was always right there. Zero Dream "I do not, no." She sighed, the memories fresh in her mind. "My host did agree to it, but... She is slipping, and I can't seem to be able to hold her here no matter how I try." Echo genuinely looked concerned - letting Zero fade was never in her intention, after all. It was nice, to have someone to talk to when there was no one there. Meepfur "Slipping? How?" Rio inquired, both curious and mildly concerned. He didn't want Alex to slip, not ever. But what if he couldn't stop her fading away somehow? Even if it was into himself.I'd rather not end just yet, either, his host put in. If you can help it. Zero Dream "I am not sure..." She sighed. It was clear that Echo wasn't too happy, and that it was never her intention. "She... seems to become more and more detached. It takes some time for me to get answers from her, as if more and more distance was put in between us." She tapped her chin, eyes concerned and full of guilt. "I must save her, somehow, but..." Meepfur "I'm sure you'll find a way," he said sincerely, resting a hand softly on her shoulder. He could only imagine how she felt, knowing how distraught he would be if his own host started to slip away. "Perhaps you could ask one of the older of us? Surely someone has preserved their host rather than consumed them, and knows the way." Zero Dream "Possibely." She said, then - pushing her worries away - smiled. "But enough of my problems, I highly doubt you are here to bother with them ?" She slid out of his hold to bring the coffee cup to the sink to wash it, her long, blue slik dress following her movements and her wings almost seeming to dance as they hummed. "Would you like some coffee, Rio ? There is some still brewing." She always brewed more, mindful of the others who would come after her. Meepfur "I don't mind listening," Rio assured her, watching the dance of her wings. "It helps sometimes, to have someone to listen to you."
"Coffee would be delightful," he replied, standing to move into the kitchen after her to hunt for a mug. "It's actually what I came down here for, but company is even better." Zero Dream "I know" She smiled, taking one of the cloth hooked there to dry off the now clean mug. But still, she didn't really want her problems to become the main focus of their conversation.
She motioned him toward the brewer. "Oh, I know what you mean." Coffee was her little weakness. Meepfur "I confess mine's only half coffee at best," he admitted, pouring coffee into the mug he'd procured until it was just under half full. Next came the sugar - quite a lot of it - and then he filled the cup the rest of the way with cream from the refrigerator.
"So, Music." He smiled broadly, taking a sip of his coffee. "How delightful! I'm always afraid I might run into someone disagreeable. I suspect, with Destruction holding sway, there are darker gods to be found."
"Although I haven't actually met any yet. My host did meet Underword's host, though. I suppose that's the closest I've come." Rio paused for a moment. "Unless you count Kaelin, but he just doesn't like Alex."Now that's an understatement. Zero Dream Underworld...
"I have been quite lucky so far, not to meet anyone really disagreeable." She said, softly, suddenly lost in thoughts. "But yes... I would not be surprised if darker gods came to their rebirth in this period. In fact, I cannot help but be quite sure it was the case. The world itself is predisposed for it. The elements of the world are calling forth for their master..."
Where are you now, my lord... ? Are you safe... ?
"But even then, for every good, there must be a bad, I figure." The goddess said, softly. "A balance must be here."
You must be safe, you must. I long to sing for you again... Meepfur Something he'd said had pulled her into her thoughts, but what? Well, there was quite a lot to think about in any case, so he supposed it was nothing special. "Predisposed...yes, I think you're right. Although it was already dark when I came."
"Balance. I have to admit, I think I'd prefer it if everything were just nice." Rio chuckled, but paused for thought. "Still...trial is hardly without its romance." Zero Dream "I would prefer that things where always nice as well, but when you think about it... If it where so, would we not forget how wonderful the things we have are ?" She said with a smile. "At a whole I simply try not to judge." Try being the keyword.
She put the now clean cup back in the cupboard, and went torward the fridge. She was still thirsty, but another cup of coffee would be overkill. Perhaps some juice, milk, or cold water would strike her fancy... and while she was where, she peered over the door. "Milk or cream ?" She asked the love god, referring to which one he would prefer in his coffee. Meepfur "I never forget what's wonderful," he protested. "But I know some people do." Rio's wings drooped a little as his thoughts drifted briefly to Khiviance. "It's so sad."
"Hmm? Oh!" He smiled sheepishly; he'd forgotten all about that. "Cream, please!" he answered cheerfully. Zero Dream The goddess took the carton of cream and put it on the counter nearby for Rio to reach, looking the fridge's contents for a few seconds more before she pulled out a carton of fruit juice for herself. She had a carving of vanilla milkshake (probably thanks to Zero) but could find none, and making some right now would be too much of an hassle. It would probably be the first thing she would do once she came home, however... Meepfur "Oh, thank you!" Rio said sincerely, opening up the carton and filling his cup of coffee and sugar the rest of the way with cream, making for a very pale drink that he stirred with his finger. Once the job was done, he licked his finger and took a sip of his coffee, smiling. Aah, creamy caffeine and sugar...
"So," he purred, "Speaking of wonderful things, what is it that gets you through the dark?" Zero Dream Echo had poured herself a tall glass, and put back both juice and cream in the fridge before finally taking a sip. Hmmmm... good.
"Music." She answered, without a second of hesitation. "Mine, other's, the mortals'... It doesn't matter where it came from. Even the saddest songs make me smile a bit with how beautifully they where written..." She let out an happy sigh. "I was happy to see my art had lived on, even if I had not." Meepfur It had been, he had to admit, a question with a very obvious answer. But that was okay! Obvious or not, it was nice to hear it form her...and to see how happy it made Echo to think of it
"I adore music," he agreed, and not simply for her sake. He really did love it. "I love to sing, but I don't doubt that my talents are likely as nothing next to yours." Zero Dream The goddess smiled, and couldn't help feeling pleased with the answer she had gotten.
"Ah, but music is always beautiful when the passion that drives it is there." She said, softly. "I would love to hear you sometime, but I understand if you rather not."
People tended to become shy when music itself expressed a desire to hear them sing. Meepfur "Oh, I would love to sing for you," he answered, not at all shy about it. "You will probably have heard better, but I am not entirely without talent." He smiled brightly, actually quite pleased to have any opportunity at all to show off. Zero Dream Echo smilled again, taking one sip of her glass. "I would be honored." She finally answered, her voice soft. She didn't hear others sing or play much at all, and it always warmed her heart to see her art being put to use by someone other than her. Meepfur One thing Rio hadn't thought about until this precise moment was what, exactly, he was going to sing. Alex's memory was full of many songs, but as he skimmed through a sampling of them, he had trouble finding one that seemed just right. Granted, she was Music and it followed that she'd embrace music of any kind, but there was also the issue that so much modern music - or at least Alex's favorites - would lose quite a bit if attempted a capella.
After several moments of sorting, however, he found something Alex barely even remembered knowing. Something she might find herself humming now and then perhaps, a folk song she had heard from her mother to which she couldn't consciously remember the words; Rio found them, and at last began to sing.
His voice was sweet and rich, and although it retained a feminine quality, it was no less pleasant for it.
"Pe-un picior de plai,
Pe-o gură de rai,
Iată vin în cale,
Se cobor la vale
Trei turme de miei,
Cu trei ciobănei.
Unu-i moldovan,
Unu-i ungurean
Şi unu-i vrâncean.
Iar cel ungurean
Şi cu cel vrâncean,
Mări, se vorbiră,
Ei se sfătuiră
Pe l-apus de soare
Ca să mi-l omoare
Pe cel moldovan,
Că-i mai ortoman
Åž-are oi mai multe,
Mândre şi cornute
Şi cai învăţaţi
Şi câni mai bărbaţi.
Dar cea mioriţă,
Cu lână plăviţă,
De trei zile-ncoace
Gura nu-i mai tace,
Iarba nu-i mai place.
— Mioriţă laie,
Laie, bucălaie,
De trei zile-ncoace
Gura nu-Å£i mai tace!
Ori iarba nu-Å£i place,
Ori eşti bolnăvioară,
Drăguţă mioară?
— Drăguţule bace,
Dă-ţi oile-ncoace,
La negru zăvoi,
Că-i iarbă de noi
Şi umbră de voi.
Stăpâne, stăpâne,
Îţi cheamă ş-un câne,
Cel mai bărbătesc
Şi cel mai frăţesc,
Că l-apus de soare
Vreau să mi te-omoare
Baciul ungurean
Şi cu cel vrâncean!
— Oiţă bârsană,
De eşti năzdrăvană
Şi de-a fi să mor
În câmp de mohor,
Să spui lui vrâncean
Åži lui ungurean
Ca să mă îngroape
Aice, pe-aproape,
ÃŽn strunga de oi,
Să fiu tot cu voi;
În dosul stânii,
Să-mi aud cânii.
Aste să le spui,
Iar la cap să-mi pui
FluieraÅŸ de f**,
Mult zice cu drag;
FluieraÅŸ de os,
Mult zice duios;
FluieraÅŸ de soc,
Mult zice cu foc!
Vântul, când a bate,
Prin ele-a răzbate
Ş-oile s-or strânge,
Pe mine m-or plânge
Cu lacrimi de sânge!
Iar tu de omor
Să nu le spui lor.
Să le spui curat
Că m-am însurat
C-o mândră crăiasă,
A lumii mireasă;
Că la nunta mea
A căzut o stea;
Soarele ÅŸi luna
Mi-au ţinut cununa.
Brazi şi păltinaşi
I-am avut nuntaÅŸi,
Preoţi, munţii mari,
Păsări, lăutari,
Păsărele mii,
Şi stele făclii!
Iar dacă-i zări,
Dacă-i întâlni
Măicuţă bătrână,
Cu brâul de lână,
Din ochi lăcrimând,
Pe câmp alergând,
De toţi întrebând
Şi la toţi zicând:
„Cine-a cunoscut
Cine mi-a văzut
Mândru ciobănel,
Tras printr-un inel?
Feţişoara lui,
Spuma laptelui;
Mustăcioara lui,
Spicul grâului;
PeriÅŸorul lui,
Peana corbului;
OchiÅŸorii lui,
Mura câmpului?“
Tu, mioara mea,
Să te-nduri de ea
Åži-i spune curat
Că m-am însurat
C-o fată de crai,
Pe-o gură de rai,
Iar la cea măicuţă
Să nu spui, drăguţă,
Că la nunta mea
A căzut o stea,
C-am avut nuntaÅŸi
Brazi şi păltinaşi,
Preoţi, munţii mari,
Păsări, lăutari,
Păsărele mii,
Şi stele făclii!"
(( translation XD)) Zero Dream The goddess felt silent as he started to sing, leaning sightly on the table, with her chin nested in her open palm, her eyes closing in order to focus more on the song. She could not understand it, of course - she was music, not language or knowledge - yet she still enjoyed it. True music did not need understanding to be enjoyed, after all. And his voice was definitively gorgeous, he had to admit.
"That was beautiful." She said, very obliviously meaning it. "You do have a very lovely voice, Rio." Meepfur Rio opened his eyes after he'd finished, and favored Echo with a bright, flattered smile. "Really, you think so? Why thank you!"
"It will be a fight for me to remain humble," he said with pretend dismay, "Now that my singing has the praise of Music herself." Quote: The goddess couldn't help a soft, lady-like laugh. "Oh, I am sure you can manage." Her word did not mean alot right now, after all... "I have complete faith in you."
She pondered, silently, if she should ask for advice about... well, was she not supposed to be forgetting about this, at any rate ? That, and she would surely never dare make the first move... The goddess grew pensive, for a moment.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:51 pm
I feel so light
This is all I want to feel tonight
I feel so light
Tonight and the rest of my life
Gleaming in the dark sea
I'm as light as air
Floating there breathlessly
When the dream dissolves
I open up my eyes
I realize that
Everything is shoreless sea
A weightlessness is passing over me
"Tonight and the rest of my life" - Nina Gordon Wind And Music Zero Dream The balcony was always her favorite place to play at - a place where air circulated and where people could hear her play (they did seem to like it, after all).
The snow really wasn't a problem, as the goddess was bundled into a long coat, her non-gloved hands dancing upon the strings of the guitar that had once belonged to her host, as her mind was off drifting and pondering. What to do, what to do... Draconayzia Even with the shadows dancing on the edges of everything it was good to stretch her wings again. She really had to stop falling into these random trances or sleeps. Time gaps were not a fun thing to work around. Less fun when you go in tired and wake up feeling like you only blinked.
A soft sound hit her ears as she traveled as the very air. Unconciously she moved towards the sound, finding a happy memory at the edge of recollection. Zero Dream Unaware of the nearby goddess, Echo continued to play. The door opened and a pale hand put a small cup of streaming tea on the nearby glass table before scurring again inside, without the goddess herself noticing. She was so lost in thoughts... What could be done ? She had to stop this, but... how ? This was very complicated, and she didn't really want her host to fade... Then why was she ? She hadn't wanted things to go this way !
Giving an aggravated sigh, the sound of the guitar paused, and, once she noticed the cup, a small smile crossed her lips as she took a sip. Raspberry... it had to be Alto. Concerto always made mint tea, and Tempo made lemon tea. Always their favorite kinds, depending on who was on teapot duty. Good thing she liked them all, and the random factor was quite interesting. Draconayzia Smiling softly she closed her eyes and hummed along. After all, running into a wall wasn't even notice-worthy when one was as solid as the air. The tune carried, light and etheral, almost dancing around the music layer before falling silent at the pause.
Shaking hreself from her little daydream Beryl couldn't help a smile. "Echo?"
It had been a long time since she'd seen the fellow goddess. Pulling herself together, literally, she hovered just above the balcony rail. There was a true smile onher face as she spoke. "Hello, sister. It has been quite a while, hasn't it?" Zero Dream Echo was a bit startled when Beryl suddenly took form, and almost dropped her cup. However, once it faded, a genuine smile replaced the shock. "That it had been, my sister. Much too long, in fact."
Most of it had been guilt on her end, from being forced to take one she loved away from her so swiftly. But waiting any longer would have had dire consequences to them both. Ah, it felt like so long ago.
And if this wouldn't stir Zero up, nothing possibly would.
"Would you like to come inside ? It is getting quite cold." Draconayzia "It has been too long. And I have a few new individuals for you to meet someday. For now though, yes, I'd like to come in since you've welcomed me."
Still in her outfit of flowing guaze and gosamer she landed lightly on the balcony, shuffling her wings into place. If she concentrated then the cold didn't affect her. That didn't mean she didn't like being warm, just that clothing was not so much a bother as it might have been.
"May I ask what you've been up to? Besides one of my favorite distractions that is?" Motioning to the guitar she let a bit of a playfl smile light her face. Zero Dream "New individuals ?" She asked, as she got up. She was wearing a light blue dress, revealing the light blue sari she was wearing under the unbuttoned coat. The fact that Beryl was relatively clothless did not bother her, but Echo did not have the power to not need clothes to retain her modesty. At least not yet.
"Not much, I must admit..." At least, not much that actually was visible to other. "I do believe I am still trying to find myself, so to say... And I must say that I am quite pleased on my art being a loving distraction." She smilled before opening the door and sliding inside, motioning the goddess to follow.
"Would you like a cup of tea ? Seem like it is raspberry today, but I could brew some other flavor, if you would prefer." Draconayzia "Yes. Two specifically. But that will have to wait until later." Breifly pausing outside the door she let her form fade, the snow that had accumulated dropping through her and leaving her dry, and walked inside, whole as before.
"Ah, but a distraction that loves it's call. That makes it all the better." Her wings came down, wrapping around her form like a cloak. It might take a few moments for the feathers to warm again, but nothing worrying.
"There are very few teas I dislike. Raspberry will be quite fine, thank you." Zero Dream Her curiosity definitively stirred. "Ah, but who would those two be ?"
The inside was mundane, really, not something one would expect a goddess to live in. But it seemed to suit Echo just fine at the moment, as she reached out to take a cup from the cupboard.
And, sitting not to far away in what seemed to be a living room, was the peanut gallery, for a lack of better way to talk about it."Well who-ah. If all the gods that came around here looked this good, things would be more interesting." So whispered the paler one with the music note tattoos.Right beside him, the black haired figure facepalmed. "And I hope for your a** that neither of them just heard you !" And the last, with long blue hairs, remained silent, but from the look on his face, he was thinking exactly the same thing as his black-haired counterpart. Draconayzia "Tera-Ilana, godess of Archery. And Caolan, godess of Suffocation." There was a secretive smile on her face, a joke that she knew and was holding back for now.
The small space was mundane perhaps, but cozy. Sometimes she missed her rooms back at the shop with the opulent aires ath the Temple.
hearing the voices in the next room she couldn't help but raise and eyebrow, violet eys shining mischeif. "Sorry, taken."
She gave the response with just a little waggle of a wing tip and a flutter of fingers before turning back to Echo, trying not to laugh at the two behind her. Zero Dream "Well, I cannot wait to meet them." She said, still pondering why they would be so important, and the oblivious not quite dawning on her yet. She turned back to her friend, cup and teapot in hand, only the hear the second statement. "Uh ?""Awww crap !" Was Concerto's reaction as he ducked, as if he feared some kind of divine wrath.And a rolling of eyes. "Pardon him, lady wind, he is a idiot, to put it bluntly." "Am not." Came the whining from behind a couch. "Just very appreciative of beauty !"Having finally heard her aoide, Echo couldn't help but let out a laugh. "Pardon them... The three are brothers." As is that explained everything. And, oddly... it did. Draconayzia Beryl had a very hard time supressing some rather unladylike snickering.
"The fact that all three of you were oogling my tail speaks volumes." With a wicked little smirk on her face she flicked a wing.
And an impish little artic blast blew right down their pants into areas that never really want to feel that cold.
Beryl couldn't help it this time. She started to giggle. "Don't worry, I've met my mate's followers and their families. I've found that quirks run in series where relations are involved."
She was still trying to hold back her laughter. Zero Dream "Ahhhh." As if that somehow made perfect sense. And again... it did. Finally sitting down again, she poured the hot liquid into the cup and handed it over to her. "So, how have you been ?""Well, I wasn-" And then, suddenly... glorious silence. Anyone's wondering why ? Oddly, it was Alto that looked like he would soon commit brothercide. He had been the only one who hadn't said a word, after all ! He was innocent !!! ...Not that he hadn't stared a little bit. Ahhh, men in flocks. What a wonder. Echo knew ALL TOO WELL that something had to have happened when Tempo cut off like that, and she herself almost wound up laughing. She wasn't going to defend her aoide - they quite deserved what they got. And perhaps this would teach them that not all gods where as easygoing as the one they served.
"Do I even want to know what you did to them ?" She whispered with a smirk. Draconayzia Beryl was fast loosing her struggle to keep her laughter in check. The faces on the aoide were priceless. Too bad there wasn't a camera around.
"The same thing I did to Eamnonn in the beginning if he stared a bit too much. Artic wind up the shorts." With that she clutched her ribs and gave in to the giggles, tears of mirth streaming down her face. Zero Dream "Artic wind up the..." Suddenly understanding, Echo couldn't help herself - she bursted out laughing, a very womanly and acoustic laugh, really, but still really sudden. "Oh my. Perhaps they'll retain a lesson from that one !" Draconayzia Echos laughter seemed to infect Beryl anew. After several minutes of laughing that only ended because her ribs were aching was she able to gather her wits again. "It they do not, simply let me know."
She almost started snickering again. Zero Dream Echo seemed to finally able to calm down her own laugher after those few minutes, but still wasn't risking taking a new sip of tea just yet, as there where still a few infectious giggles every now and then. "I must admit your ideas of punishment are very... creative." Usually she wouldn't have found it funny, but... damnit, it was !
The aoide, wisely, all remained silent. Draconayzia Beryl grinned. "I blame it on the snarky dragon whow as my host. Fusing with her seems to have done a mischeif to my humor."
And there was an understatement. Zero Dream "Thanksfully, Zero's humor was never this... extreme." Echo giggled.If you like to think that. A little amused voice in the back of the goddess's head answered. One could almost feel the grin. Then I believe I should offer no comment.Ah, there you are, my one. I was afraid I had lost you.Sorry hon, you're not getting rid of me that easily. It was all jokes, of course. Echo had never done anything to repress her. In fact... what Echo feared was fading had been caused by her own boredom, had all been her own fault. It was harder to keep interested into the real world, the goddess included. They would need to talk of this one day... The teenager could not keep on living this way forever, and did feel awful for worrying the goddess... But what could be done ? It was the fate she had chosen. If only she had known beforehand... It didn't take much - a gentle prod, an unvoiced request, and control of the body reversed... at least temporarily. She almost never asked for such, having learnt of how tiring it would be to the goddess that now inhabited the body that had been her, but now she couldn't help herself. On the outward, the difference wasn't all that visible - after all, Echo, at least for now, only looked like a potentially older Zero, with wings, strings, and blue patches thrown in. To anyone observant, however, the difference was huge - the differing ways to sit and stand, a bunch of little details, down to the different twinkle in those blue eyes, and the michevious grin that, while not malicious in the least, was not what one ever expected to be seen on the gentle goddess' face. "I see you're still creative with punishments." This was the biggest hint - the voice that spoke had lost it's natural melody. "Glad to see some things at least stayed the same~" Draconayzia Beryl's smile turned a bit somber before she rushed forward, pulling Zero close in an embrace of arms and feathers. "Perhaps not as similar as you would like. Do you remember that godess I talked of? Archery?"
She did not begrudge the goddess her rebirth, or the consequences. She'd seen what ighting them could cause, how ill gotten some gains could be. Echo was as gentle as Revei had been with the kitten. Perhaps they could be another pair to find peace.
Pulling back slightly she let her hands run through the wild hair, her own twined with braids like the teen had given her some time ago. Zero Dream She still had the braids... It made Zero smile. She stayed in the hug for a moment, until the wind goddess let go herself, and nodded. "Yes, we heard." It was weird to have to talk for two. "Another one that you took under your wing ?" Oh, the pun. Draconayzia Beryl sighed softly, letting the fine stands of hair that fell towards her face fltter for a moment. Finally getting herself together she made sure her wings were steady around the girl before she spoke again. "Suffocation, yes. Tera-Ilana and Caolan are my daughters."
There went that bomb. Zero Dream "Your..." She blinked a moment, before finally realizing. "That's awesome !!!" Zero grinned. "I bet they're beautiful. So, when do we get to see them ?" Echo was equally as excited at the announcement. Draconayzia An unknowingly held breath wooshed out when the godess relaxed. A smile lit her face again. "Soon if you like. I can either bring her here or you can visit the Temple if you'd rather. Caolan stays with her father an Tera has a mischevious streak in her as big as her father's with a fair touch of my speed. It's like I'm raising a little demon rather than a godling!"
There was enough mirth and warmth in her eyes to bely the joke. She wouldn't give either of them up for anything. Zero Dream "Echo's as excited as a schoolgirl at the idea of seeing your temple." The teen grinned. "So I guess it would be that option." Maybe you are exaggerating.... just a little.The whole had the teen a bit puzzled. Did the wind goddess expect her to be pissed off that she had children ? An eyebrow rose in thought, but she said nothing of it. After having lost control of her body for so long, hiding some of her reactions and more complicated movements where surely harder. She wasn't even risking herself to walk in a straight line right now. Draconayzia The wind godess barely suppressed a snort at the anaology. "I think she might blame some of that upon your influence. I did not have any taste for certain fruits until I merged with Drac." There was a hint of jest in the voice.
She hadn't realized how much she missed the younger dieties since she'd fled the shop. A little note stuck itself in her brain, telling her to find the others soon, if at all possible. They were too much like family to loose.
Smiling agian she pulled the young woman into another hug before gently steering her towards the couch to sit. She looked a bit more than wobbly. Zero Dream "Sure, suuure~ Always my fault, isn't it ?" The teen teased, eyes still glimmering. And wobbly was right, especially with how she almost ended up face first on the ground on her way to the couch. "Well, wasn't that just graceful..." Draconayzia The teetering wasn't a surprise at all. "Don't worry about it. You have a valid excuse, unlike those who teeter from getting inebriated."
With a little finese she managed to help Zero walk and settle on the couch. "You don't think the aoide will try anything, do you?" She raised an eyebrow, looking at the males from the corner of her eye. Zero Dream "You know, I should have done that at least once before this whole thing happened. Gotten wasted so just I could said I've done it once." All said with complete seriousness. "Oh, the guys ?" Which where all acting as sage as images, yet ready to intervene if Zero was to get up and fall again. "I think they're still trying to recover use of their bottom halves. Beside, they know Echo's still listening." She shrugged. "It is kinda unfair on the lighter blue one tho, he can't talk." Ah, someone who sympathized. Alto was soooo glad. Too bad it came a *little* too late. Draconayzia "I have seen the results. They are not desireable." Beryl had that mothering tone in her voice again. Lots of practice there.
There was a trace of that giggle again. "Well then, they should learn not to just stare like that. They're lucky I'm one of the kinder dieties. With some of the others they might have been ... reprimanded." There was a mild term. Still the godess gave them a wry smile. THat was as far as she'd ever go in 'punishing' someone unless they directly hurt someone under her care. Zero Dream "Oh, they're not that stupid. Usually." Zero giggled. "They're usually quite decent. Maybe the full moon is out, or there's some kind of hormonal surge in the air..." The 3 brothers remained silent again, but really did hope the conversation would deviate into a new direction soon enough... Alto was blushing, Tempo was trying NOT to, and Concerto looked ready to run for his holy life... especially since all of this was his fault, and he would likely have to deal with two VERY angry older brothers later on... Draconayzia Beryl looked over at the males and was trying not to giggle again. This was getting stupid. "Relax, gentlemen. Just try to remember that not all females actually like to be oggled. You might have to deal with one who has a mean streak." Zero Dream "Lesson understood... Actually I am a bit more worried by death by brothers in the near future, madam..." Concerto admitted, and Zero bursted out laughing - a bit oddly, like if both herself and Echo where laughing at the same time, but in different voice. It sure was the case, however. "Oh dear..." She somehow managed to calm down to look at Beryl. "Echo's getting tired... Looks like we have to cut this short." She sighed a bit, but gave the wind goddess a hug. "See you... Maybe not in the same way, but..." And Zero had slid back into her own little mind-space, leaving Echo back in control. It took the goddess a moment to get her bearings straight again. Draconayzia Beryl fell right into snickers with Zero. She remembered when her own voice had echoed like that. Oddly enough she kind of missed it.
"I understand. Rest well." She returned the hug, keeping light hold as the music godess reasserted herself.
"Are you alright?" Zero Dream "Yes... A bit dizzy but, it should stop soon enough..." She managed after a moment. This was made a bit harder because it did not happen all that often... But Zero had been considerate to watch out on how the goddess was faring. Draconayzia "I understand, been through the same in times past. Do you need something to sip? Sometimes it can help." As it was she just held the younger godess carefully, rubbing light circles on her back to ease her back into balance. Zero Dream "Yes, that does sound like a good idea... There is a pitcher of cold water in the frid-""Oh, please, allow me." Concerto visibely had recovered enough to get up and bolt to the kitchen before either could protest, the other two watching. Apparently, the aoide did not have much "work" as Echo did most of everything herself still. ((Unfinished.))
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:52 pm
Old Friendships Remade Anew Prolixity The korat found Echo first. It had been tasked to search for Music, and to deliver a message. It trotted to her feet and sat down, coiling its tail neatly around its paws. "Dream seeks an audience," it said, in its scratchy, croaking voice. "Dream seeks Echo." Zero Dream It was the scratchy voice that got her out of her thoughts, as the black haired goddess looked down at the tiny little thing that sat at her first. Her first reaction was of course, long the lines of "How cute !", but she did her best to repress that. Dream... Revei ?
"Can you bring me to him, little one ?" She said softly, reaching down slowly to pet it. Prolixity "Dream seeks Echo," the korat repeated, got to its feet, and trotted off, tail straight up in the air. It looked back once to make sure the goddess was following. At the mirrored doorway of Revei's rooms, the korat paused, clacked its beak at her once, then padded straight through the door, having no apparent need to consider such things as whether other beings might have more physical solidity. Zero Dream The goddess followed the little creature to the letter, adjusting the guitar on her back and combing trough her thick hairs a bit with her fingers before finally knocking on the door. Prolixity 
After a moment, Revei opened the door. "Echo," he said, and bowed. She still bore the seeming of the shy girl he remembered; but her eyes and her carriage and the wings that waved gently at her back told him that Echo had been reborn. He was startled to feel faint pang of sorrow. He had barely known the host, and yet - but it was the ay of things, as it must be. "Come in, please. I have had fruit and wine brought, or coffee, should you so desire it. Thank you for coming."
Zero Dream She gave a small bow herself, before stepping inside. "The pleasure's mine." She smiled, curious about why the dream god had sought her out, but in no hurry to ask. "Coffee would sound wonderful right now, I must admit." She pulled the guitar from her back and set it against the doorframe carefully, to be able to sit comfortably if he invited her to do so. "How have you been ?" Prolixity "Mazed and confused and so terribly busy," Revei said airily. "How have you been, my lady Echo? I found that I had not paid my respects since - for some time, and thought to remedy that oversight." He padded over to a low table surrounded by cushions, where a tray of fruit sat, along with a covered carafe. "Come and sit down," he invited her. Zero Dream "Thank you." She said softly as she did so. "For me, oh... I am mostly fine. A few confusing things, but... Mostly things have been going as well as they could be right at this moment..." She looked up to dream with a smile. "I must admit I have not paid respect to others for some time, as well. I am slowly trying to rectify this." Prolixity "It is a tempting thing to withdraw into oneself, sometimes." Revei folded himself neatly onto the cushions and poured coffee into the cups that Garnet had left there for the purpose. "I have been fighting its lure. Thinking, perhaps, that I should make a journey, if I had a place to go. Perhaps even if I did not." Zero Dream "Yes, it is... perhaps a little too easy." She had withdrawn after all... And it had been all too easy. "Perhaps that is not a bad idea... And perhaps I should do the same as well. I am not totally sure..." Prolixity "I do not know where I will go," Revei admitted thoughtfully. He moved his feet among the cushions. A korat slipped up beside him, bumped its head under his hand to seek his attention. He stroked its shoulders absently.
"Music," he said suddenly, and turned his gaze to the korat. "Here. Let Music hear the bell, pretty thing."
The korat blinked its inky eyes and turned its head to look at Echo, first out of one eye, then the other. It opened its beak. From its throat there came a single note, the tone of a bell. The korat paused, then played the sound again and shut its beak, looking very pleased with itself indeed. Zero Dream "I do not know either, if I do wind up going trough that idea..." She mused, idly reaching for one of the cups to take a sip of the coffee inside.
She listened intently once dream had spoken, and let the little beast do it's performance. "Oh, that was beautiful." She said with a smile, moving to scritch below the korat's beak, like one would do to a cat's chin. "Pardon my curiosity, but what are those little creatures ? I cannot recall ever seeing one before now." That, and they where awfully cute. Prolixity The korat immediately cuddled up to Echo, enjoying the attention. "Beautiful," it said, in a scratchy imitation of Echo's voice.
"They are my koratti, my messengers," Revei explained. "My servants, from before. The creatures of Dream are mine to command." He smiled fondly at the korat. "They have remembered the sound of the bell. In my dreams, my memories, I recall that Music, too, was linked with the bell. My bell." He tilted his head at Echo, an oddly birdlike gesture. "Do you remember, at all? Was that you?" Zero Dream Awwwww.
It was clearly visible that the goddess was easily attracted by cute little critters, as she kept with the scratching and the petting. So cute~
Her attention returned to Revei, however, when he spoke more in details of the bell. A bell, a bell... Did she remember ? Could she even answer that question ?
"A bell..." She whispered to herself, trying very hard to find her way trough foggy memories of the past.
It took a moment, however, until she actually answered. "I do believe it might be." She said, softly. "I have heard this sound before, I am certain. My memory, however, is not in the best of shape..." Prolixity Pleased with this rightful homage, the korat settled itself comfortably into Echo's lap, rubbing its cheek along her hand.
"Nor mine," Revei admitted. I half-remember it. A memory like a dream, like an imagining. I was not entirely sure I had not imagined it; byut if it is familiar to you, too - " His expression took on a distant cast, his gaze unfocusing. "Three things," he mused. "A bell, a book ... I do not remember. I must remember. The sound calls to me, pulls at my memory, at the stone I slept in. If you can remember anything, perhaps it will shake loose the dust and mist that covers my recollection."
His gaze refocused, and he picked up his coffee. "If you can, my Lady. If you will. I think perhaps we once were friends, and I would like to resume that friendship, if you will. I remember - I remember your laughter." He smiled hesitantly. Zero Dream The goddess smiled, letting the tiny creature settle before running an hand across it's back, like one would do for a cat. After taking another sip of coffee, she carefully put the cup down before losing herself in thought for a moment.
"Of course." She said. "I remember smiles that looked much like this one." She, then, traveled into her memories again. "I have no memory of a book... Well, no memories that also seem linked to you." She said, softly. "Ahh... I remember, vaguely... I gave the bell it's chime." It was so hazy. "I cannot remember how it looked, or where it could have gone to... I gave it it's chime, and... and Forge. Forge made the bell itself. I think. I cannot remember which, or if it is right..." Prolixity "Forge," Revei said. "Yes. Yes, that is right. Forge made the bell, and you gave it its sweet voice, and I - " He laid two fingers against his lips, staring into space again, struggling to chase down the elusive memory. "I wrought the call into the metal and the sound." He blinked. "The Ivory Bell," he said. "Pale and compelling. A voice to call the creatures of my realm. I remember. I remember!" A quick, bright smile lit up his face. Zero Dream Echo couldn't help but give an happy grin. "I am glad, my friend." She said, voice as melodious as ever, fingers still gently running down the creature's fur. "Ah... We where both young, where we not ?" She suddenly remembered. "It had been the first time I had done something like this... And I was scared it would not work. But work, it did..." How amusing it was for things to come so easily after so much struggling. "I can see it now, yes. Almost white, and beautiful. Forge had clearly put forth much care into making it..." Prolixity Yes. "Yes, I think so. The world was young, and we were young, all of us, and we could do anything ... " His voice trailed off, and he smiled, a little melancholy. "Beautiful in appearance and in sound. We were grateful. I know it, I remember it."
He picked up a piece of fruit and nibbled it absently. "It comes in bits and pieces," he mused aloud. "Fragments and dreams and thoughts. The koratti remembered for me first. Faithful capricious creatures. They brought me the sound, so that I could dream it and recall." Zero Dream "Yes... it does." She mused to herself, bright blue eyes closing. Would she ever completely remember... ? "My aoide have helped me somewhat, but I fear I might never completely remember." The goddess gave a soft sigh. "But I am glad to have been of help into making you remember something so important. My memory, as broken as it might be, has not forsaken me yet." A small smile drew on her slender lips. Prolixity "We are all, I think, a little broken." Revei made a graceful half-bow, as well as he could while seated. "It is not so surprising. We slept so very long." To rebuild, to heal ... perhaps one was possible. Perhaps both. Perhaps neither. He kept that thought to himself. "My aiode have been helpful, too. They are good servants." Zero Dream "Indeed..." Echo answered, voice ever so soft, as she took a sip of the cup. "I do hope the bell will be able to be found." There was no doubt, in her mind, that dream would seek it out. Prolixity "If it still exists in this time, I will find it," Revei promised solemnly. He offered Echo a smile. "You see, I do have someplace to go! Once I figure out where that is," he added thoughtfully. "An adventure, of sorts." Zero Dream "This is starting to sound like quite an adventure, yes." The goddess tossed a bang of tick, silky black hair behind a pointed ear. "I would definitively like to see, and hear, it again, should you find it."
Ahh, but where to begin ? After all, how could one figure out exactly where to look ? It could have stayed in place, where it had last been seen - or it could have went who-knew-where, passing trough foreign hands after they had all fallen...
She reached for the bowl to take a string of grape, after putting the cup back down, her other hand still busy with the little korrat. It reminded her a bit of Vertigo, her host's cat. Prolixity "I shall bring it to you, when I have found it, if I can find it." Revei nodded, toying with another slice of fruit. It was good to have an idea of a purpose. Something to do, somewhere to go, nebulous as the thought might be.
The korat stirred under Echo's fingers and made the sound of the bell again, quietly pleased with itself. Zero Dream The goddess smiled to the korat, visibly still impressed. Socute~
She gave a nod to Revei, a bit lost in thought. Would something like this also happen to her, someday ? Had she processed things as precious ? Prolixity Revei sat quietly a moment, watching flickers of thought pass across Echo's face. Finally, curious, he picked up a grape and offered it to her. "I have no pennies," he said lightly. "Will a grape do to buy a thought?" Zero Dream "Hmmm ?" The goddess blinked, tilting her head up to look at her friend. Apparently, she had not heard of the expression before. She took the offered grape, but was still a bit confused.
"I was just thinking about a few things. Trying to remember some more, I figure." Echo answered. "I do not even remember if I had precious things that I ought to remember..." Prolixity "If it is there to come to you, it will come to you. If it is meant." Revei ran a finger around the mouth of his coffee cup. "Perhaps it will come to you in your music, as I seek my memories in dreaming," he suggested.
His memories had been there all along, written silently in his mind, in his soul. His fingers brushed against the cool surface of the jewel in his wrist, the place that had once been his prison and cocoon. When he looked at the carvings on the walls, they stirred vague memories. So familiar. And yet when he shaped his rooms, he had had no inkling of the meaning the shapes bore; it had been locked away within his dreaming mind, below the surface of his consciousness.
He stretched and flexed his wings. "I have yet been reborn longer than you have," he said gently. "If it will come, it will come."
Zero Dream "You are right." The goddess said, a smile drawing on her lips. "I ought not to rush things... It might cause problems in the long run."
She had not thought of this. It would make sense, that if Revei remembered trough dreams... that she might remember trough music. It made so much sense, in fact, that it reminded her of some thing. "My songs. When I play, when I sing, they all seem to come to me as if they where a part of me. I have only composed one new piece ever since the rebirth..." That piece had been the one Nergal had asked for. Aislin's lament. "Perhaps... They are shards of memory. I do know that I have created them... So, perhaps... Shards of memories waiting to snap into place." Prolixity "It would make the sort of sense that such things seem to make," Revei agreed. He paused, considering. "Will you sing for me? I do not think I have heard you." Zero Dream Sing... ? Why not ?
"Of course, give me a moment..." She said softly. Singing was no problem, but... what to sing ? Which song ?
Finally, she seemed to settle, and sapphire blue eyes closed softly. And, a few second later, she sang, her voice even more undoubtedly beautiful than the one she spoke with. It was apparent as to why she had chosen that particular one - soft, gentle, but also related to the dreamworld. The words had came to her as she talked to the dream god earlier, which lead her to believe that, perhaps, sometime ago, that song had been for him, for her dear friend. But until she knew more, it was hard to say for sure.
After a few minutes, she slid back into silence, eyes again opening, curious to see if he had enjoyed it. Inside her mind, she was always a bit nervous when she sang. Playing an instrument did not raise the same kind of nervousness, and it came a little bit easier. Prolixity A quiet, soft song, something like a lullaby, he thought. But almost sad, even in its sweetness. Revei closed his eyes to listen better. Echo's voice was entrancingly beautiful. Well, of course it was; she was Music herself. Even in a half-mortal self, her song was captivating.
When she finished, he opened his eyes and smiled. "Beautiful," he said reverently. "You do me honor. Thank you." Zero Dream "I am glad you appreciated it." She smiled back at him, looking more serene than when she had started to sing. "The lyrics came back to me when I thought of you... Perhaps I might have wrote this for you." Prolixity "Perhaps you did." Revei returned the smile. The song had left her calm, self-possessed. It seemed right. For a moment he thought of the nervous young host, wondered momentarily if she had left anyone behind. Perhaps. But Music had returned, and that, he felt, was a good thing.
Such a dilemma, the manner of their rebirth. He could not help but feel it was necessary, at least in part. But watching the hosts fade or step back for the gods who inhabited them, he had gained a new appreciation for the flexibility and strength and presence of mortals. Maybe it was a lesson.
The korat in Echo's lap stirred and imitated a few bars of her song, curiously. Zero Dream There was indeed nervosity and uncertainness, but the goddess did her best to keep it under lock and key from everyone, even her own aoide. She had, of course, a confident... Where no one would think to look.
After all... It was unfit for a goddess to be plagued with self-doubt, was it ? Sometimes, Echo couldn't help but wonder - was this a part she had gotten from Zero, or was it... herself ? It was hard to gauge how much she might have changed, if she did not know how she had been, so long ago, when the world was still young...
She whistled a few notes idly for the korrat, wondering if it would pick them up. Prolixity The korat tilted its head, listening carefully, then repeated the notes back to Echo, its tail waving. It looked pleased with itself.
"You have a friend," Revei said, amused. Zero Dream "It does seem like it." The goddess answered, a bit amused, and gave the korrat a gentle scratch under the beak as a reward. "It reminds me of Zero's cat, a bit..." Prolixity "Did she have pets?" Revei asked, curious. It was so natural to him to have the koratti around him, once he had called them back, that he had wondered how he could have ever existed without them; or if he, in fact, had. The child hadn't had any pets. But then, he had spent too little time in this world to acquire any ties to it. Zero Dream "Yes, she had..." Echo started scritching the korat again, cooing at it for a moment. "A cat, with his pelt in the patterns of a night sky and a strange little fuse on his head, named Vertigo. He acts like a normal housecat, as far as I know. There is another winged creature she had, that neither of us really know what it is... Blue with yellow-ish spots, wings and metal-like legs. I've been taking care of both of them as she wanted me to." Prolixity The korat cooed back, smugly, and clattered its beak.
"A kindness," Revei murmured, thoughtfully. Echo honored her young host; that was perhaps as it should be. Zero Dream "I feel that I owe her that much." The goddess replied, in a soft voice. "It was how our relationship was all along, and how I hope it will continue to remain... The choice where her's and it is my duty to honor the few wishes she asked me to honor."
And sutch simple things it was... take care of the animals and the guitar. It was all there had been to it. The youth had no family in gaia, after all, and Memi was gone before she had. Prolixity "I understand that," Revei said, quietly, seriously. "Our hosts are our first priests, here in this time."
He picked up his coffee mug and frowned at it. "We are become so very serious, and my cup is empty," he said mournfully. "One of those things I can fix," and he picked up the carafe. Zero Dream "This is how I feel, as well."
The talk about the coffee reminded her of her own cup, which had been laying on the table for some time, the contents growing a bit colder, fact that she noticed when she finally went to take another sip. The taste was quite good still - a bit different, but a nice taste still. It reminded her of the iced coffees Zero used to drink all the time, only less sweet.
"I fear that we have, have we not ?" She let the cup down again, gently, nuzzling the korat lovingly with a finger. But what could they talk about that was not serious ? With the state of all things... The goddess was at lost for a moment. Prolixity "A common sort of problem. I fear I have laughed too little for some time," Revei mused, cupping his hands around the newly warmed ceramic. "Have we all? Are there any here who still laugh easily? Or has that too fallen by the wayside? I am being depressing again. Do you play chess?" Zero Dream The goddess shook her head, bangs of silky, black hairs following the movement before settling again on her shoulders. "I am not sure... Some still manage to smile. I still manage to smile, at least. I can still find warmth and good in this world... it is just harder to find." But how long would that small nest remain ? Revei was right- they where both being depressing.
"I have never played." She said, welcoming the distraction. "But I would be willing to try, if you could teach me." Prolixity "I am no particularly good teacher, but if you will be willing to be patient with me, I shall try." Revei smiled a tiny stretch of a smile. He rose and vanished briefly behind a screen, returning momentarily with a box in his hands. He set it down beside the low table and pushed aside the cups and bowl of fruit.
The chessboard that he produced from the box was a minor work of art, obsidian and opal. The pieces too were exquisite, and as he set them out on the board, he began to name them. "This is a pawn ... " Zero Dream At the very least, asking had been worth it just to see the board and the pieces - the goddess was quite awed by the craftship that the objects showed, and how precisely and lovingly the pieces seemed to have been made, with a care for even the smallest details. She listened intently, like a student would to a teacher, nodding as each piece was named and put on it's correct spot, doing her best to commit the names and location to her memory. Prolixity "All the pieces move differently. A pawn may move a single step forward, not to the side, not back. A knight moves two spaces and one to the side. A bishop moves only on the diagonal, a rook only in straight lines ... " He touched each piece lightly as he explained, laying out the shape of the game for her. Simple enough, on the surface of it.
"The aim of it is to keep your king from capture, and to capture your opponent's king. If the king is within danger of capture, that is check, and if capture cannot be avoided, it is called checkmate, andthe game is won." He tipped the black king over neatly, and smiled. Zero Dream She listened in silence still. This was a bit complicated... hopefully she hadn't understood something wrong. The dream god was being great at explaining, however, Echo doing her best to keep her attention to which piece he was touching. She was, unsurprisingly, a very auditive person, and it took a bit more concentration on her part to follow his hand movements. It was good, however, that it made her do the piece/name association all over again, making sure she had gotten it right.
"I believe I understand." She smiled. "You are a better teacher than you believe yourself to be, my friend." Prolixity "No, no, I leave the true teaching to those who do it better than I," Revei protested, smiling. "Try it. You have got white, so you will go first, that is how it goes. I shall go easy on you, I do promise." He righted the piece he had tipped over, and settled down on his cushions. Zero Dream The goddess nodded, before peering toward the board in thoughts. The information was still very fresh, and she wasn't quite sure what she was supposed to do first. And also, she did not want to keep Revei waiting for too long.
So, after a moment, she finally did her move, one of the pawns going forward. Prolixity Revei nodded. "Yes, like that. Pawns may also move two steps on their first move - " he moved one of his own - "but only on the first." Zero Dream "On the first move of the game, or on the first move of each individual piece ?" She asked for classification, as her hand moved to move another pawn two cases forward, hand lingering on the piece in case she had to back up one spot. Prolixity "Of each piece. But afterwards they may not do it again." Revei rested his elbows on the table, nodding encouragingly. Zero Dream She released her hand from the piece then, leaving it two cases in front of it's initial position, and waiting for him to do his move. Prolixity Revei made his move in return, and smiled at her. "Here, now it is your turn again. I am not so terribly skilled. Perhaps you shall best me yet." Zero Dream Echo smiled in return, pondering her next move for a moment before finally moving a snow white piece. "Your turn, my friend." Prolixity Revei had had a good dealmore of experience with the game; but his nature tended to make him flighty and impulsive, and so the game was closer than he had expected. Echo had acquired a row of shining black pieces by the time Revei slid a rook into place and announced gleefully, "Checkmate!" Then he added, "But you are a good player. With practice I think you will beat me yet." Zero Dream "Perhaps." The goddess, thankfully, was one that lost with elegance. "I do look forward to play more with you, my friend. Chess is very interesting, I find."
She started to gather her side of the pieces, helping dream in the task of putting the whole away. Prolixity Revei set the pieces back in their places on the board, in neat, regimented rows. "Perhaps I will have occasion to play later," he said cheerfully. "I am in better spirits. I hope that you too have been cheered." He rose and bowed elaborately to the dark-haired goddess. Zero Dream "I am definitively in better spirits as well. Much thank to you, my friend." The goddess rose as well, gently replacing what she had moved in the process. "But I am afraid I must take my leave soon... My aoide must be wondering when I dissapaired to." She didn't really want to leave, but it had been hours already, and she had promised Zero they would go visit that one shop she liked... one of the fews that was still standing, among other things. And those three brothers where impossible to calm down once they got worried. "You should visit, someday - my door is always open." Prolixity "I will come and see you," Revei promised. "I will tell you what has come of these memories, when I track them down." He stooped to pick up the korat that had been sitting in Echo's lap. "If you wish to send me a message, call for my servants. They will come." Zero Dream "I shall." She said, retrieving her guitar next to the door and strapping it again to her back. She looked almost like a gypsy then, with the glimmer in her blue eyes. "I wish you the best of luck, my friend, and I look forward to the day where I will listen to your tales. For now, farewell..." And please stay safe.
She gave a bow of thanks before heading out of the room.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:53 pm
Picking Up The Pieces Thabara Ishum had hurried ahead upon their arrival at the Pantheon, to hold the doors open for his master and the Were, respectfully bowing his head as they passed him by. He remained on the steps a little longer, carefully scanning the suroundings with sharp eyes. But nothing and no one seemed to have followed them, except for the two Siirae which were looking at him expectantly with their gleaming, way too intelligent eyes. They'd clearly had a feast today, their bellies obscenely round and heavy, looking like they were about to burst. The Aoide quietly shook his head and whistled a command, accompanied with a dismissive wave of his hand. He was very fond of these creatures, but they were unclean and not to enter a sacred building. When he turned, pushing the door closed behind himself as he entered the dark foyer, the Were was already halfway up the stairs. Nergal, however, stood frozen on the spot, only a few steps into the hall, his eyes fixed on something-- no, someone in the throne room. Harmodius, was the servant's first, terrified thought. But then he realized, heard rather than saw, who it was and relaxed. The distinctive melodic hum the goddess' 'wings' emitted was almost inaudible, yet allowed no doubt about her identity. She showed no sign of having noticed them, too wrapped up in her thoughts perhaps, or in the midst of composing a song. Ishum rocked back on his heels, his eyes flicking back and forward between his master, the goddess and the injured werewolf. Finally he made up his mind. He let the large rucksack slide from his back and with a few swift steps he was behind his lord ot gently push him forward, towards the throne room. "I'm sure the revered lady will be much more proficient to take care of your wellbeing than lowly me could ever be," he suggested politely, his voice smooth as honey. He let go of his master's shoulders and quickly stepped backwards, offering both deities a deep bow. "I will see too the wolf," he excused himself and speedily retreated up the stairs, taking two steps at once. Better to leave the two of them alone, yes. Oh yes. Nergal made another uncertain step forward, his gaze still locked on the lone figure on the couch before him. To see her here, at the heart of Destruction's power, was a surprise. The memory of nightmare he'd had after his encounter with Kaelin returned to him vividly, filling his heart with dread. Was she alright? Or had his worst fears come true?
"Lady Echo," he finally offered a tentative greeting.Zero Dream Echo was a very particular one when it came to writing. Very rarely would sitting down somewhere would work out for her fickle inspiration, no. It needed all short of terrain, positions, and settings to inspire her correctly. Therefore, it wasn't all that unusual for those who knew the goddess to find her in rather... well... unusual situations and positions. So there she had been, laying on the couch, and using what little place she had left on it to hold a writing pad there. The throne room was oddly inspiring today, so much that potential fear at meeting the one who inhabited it was pretty much unknown to her mind. Write write write write~
She was completely clueless as the pack entered, and even less that Nergal was at the door, until he finally spoke. This finally seemed to snap Echo back to reality, made her look up... and the second she had seen him, both pad and pencil met the ground as she came up in a hurry.
"My lord..." He was injured. Covered in blood. Where the hell had he gone trough ? Asking if he was okay was kind of out of the question, obliviously, as she stopped shyly in front of him. She had an idea, but... hopefully the lady wind would not mind. "Come, you look like you might need a bath." She said softly, still wondering what she was supposed to do with the rest of the injuries. They needed at least to be disinfected and bandaged... but she was no medicine. Thabara  Nergal breathed a sigh of relief - obviously there was no need to worry, her reaction left no doubt that she still was her old self.
"It ... is not as bad as it looks," he tried to allay her fears, suddenly very much aware of what a mess he must look like. Not to mention the stench. At least he was somewhat used to the sickening aroma of rot and decay, but how bad must it be for her to bear this in her presence?
"The result of getting ourselves into a battle with cultists and their undead puppets. Most of that blood isn't mine. But I would very much like to wash the filth and the stink of the undead off me." He gave her a small, regretful smile. "I am sorry. I truly wish we would have met again under better circumstances than these."
He stepped aside to clear the way towards the staircase for her, after all he had no idea which of the many rooms upstairs might be hers.Zero Dream True, the smell... wasn't exactly pleasant, which was probably the first thing that had come to the goddess' mind was to shove him in a warm bath. She headed toward the staircase, silent in her worry. What if it had been worst than this ? As foolish as it was, she wished she could have been there. At least she could have tried to do something... ? Ha. She would only have been in the way.
It was only when on top of the stairs that she remembered to answer. "Do not worry." She said a soothingly as she could. It was better to see him looking like this... than not see him at all.
"Hopefully Lady Beryl will not mind..." she sighed to herself as she opened one of the doors. As far as she knew, the other goddess mostly was in her temple now, but... The room was neat, beside the small part where Zero lived, which was a little more chaotic. Oh dear, she would have to clear that out, too.
She probably would have laughed, if the situation didn't had her so worried. Thabara Nergal followed quietly after her, stopping only for a short moment to pick up the large backpack his Aoide had wisely left behind. It was comforting to know he'd have at least some clean clothes to change into.
He took a quick glance around once he arrived at the top of the stairs, but his servant was nowhere to be seen. However, further down the hallway a door was standing slightly ajar, and quiet voices could be heard. He didn't have to see the lush greenery trying to grow beyond the boundaries of that room to know whose chambers these were. He knew it all to well already. So, the werewolf was an acquaintance of hers ... But of course, where else should Aislin have seen him?
He sighed, feeling that his chances to have Gaia hear out his pledge had just plummeted to ... about the depth where his realm had once been, at the very least. He eyed the green tendrils warily, his thumb absently rubbing against the ring of living vines encircling his finger, hoping the plants had no way of sensing his presence. He would have to face Kishara anyway, but he'd prefer to do so refreshed and rested.
He blinked, finally taking notice that Echo was obviously waiting for him to enter the room.
"My apologies," he murmured, stepping inside after sending one last nervous glance in the direction of Gaia's room, "I was thinking. So ... this are not your chambers, but lady Beryl's? Are you certain it is alright to use?"
From the looks of it the mistress of storms must have moved out quite a while ago, but still ... Zero Dream She did wonder why he had stopped so suddenly, but again, it wasn't the time to ask.
"I believe so." She let him enter first, then followed, closing the door softly behind her. "My host stayed with her in this room all the while before the merging... And I am sure she will understand, if she ever asks me for a reason." Going back to her own place might be too dangerous.
Before she could even think of doing anything with the wounds... he definitively needed a bath. "The bathroom is over here." She said, pointing to one of the doors. She would wait here, or better, go look for a first aid kit somewhere downstairs. Thabara So, apparently for a host to be rooming with a deity further along their path of ascension wasn't all that uncommon. To him, who always preferred solitude above company, it seemed strange.
Nergal let the backpack drop to the ground right where he was standing, and carefully leaned the wrapped scepter against it, praying it had not been damaged in that fierce battle. With a slight pang of guilt it he noticed the dark footprints he had left behind on the floor. A good thing there were no carpets.. He unlaced the heavy boots using only his right - every attempt to try and move his left arm was immediately rewarded with a sharp pain in his shoulder - hoping to spread no more filth in Beryl's chambers if it was possible at all.
When his hand was already resting on the handle to the bathroom, he hesitated.
"Echo.." he said slowly and turned to look at her, his eyes serious. Something bothered him, so much was obvious. "When you took over your host, did that cause Lady Beryl to be mad at you?" Zero Dream She watched silently first, quickly realizing how he didn't use his left arm - probably broken, to her. She would have to figure out how to bind it correctly... and, as much as the situation seemed embarrassing... have to help further than she had thought.
When the question was asked, she thought about her words for a moment. "I thought she was, at first. But we met again recently, and I realized it was only fake guilt on my part on how it happened. I had held on as long as I could, and the process wound up happening right in front of her." She admitted with a sigh. Something really bothered him... "My lord, what is on your mind ? Perhaps I can help..." Thabara 'Fake guilt' - I wish that would be it and nothing more. But the hurt and anguish in Kishara's eyes had been all too real.
"I think the matter would be easier to handle, somehow, if I actually would feel guilt," he told Echo with a bitter smile. "You may indeed be able to help, or perhaps there is some sort of advice you could offer me." He leaned against the doorframe and looked aside, a few of his dreads sliding forward and hiding his face.
"A capable ruler and judge, that I may be.. Diplomacy, however, has never been a skill of mine. The interaction with others, to take their intentions and feelings into consideration.. That is something I know not how to deal with. It.. confuses me. I think I may have done wrong, however, I can find no error in my ways." He breathed a deep sigh and pushed back the dreads which had fallen forward. "There are times at which I think I am not be supposed to feel," he muttered, more to himself. He was the Underworld's head judge after all, and feelings would only cloud his objectivity.
He pushed himself away from the doorframe, remembering too late that it would now have to be cleaned as well, and reached for the handle once more. "Let us talk more about this matter later, once I have bathed." Zero Dream Echo listened in silence, as she always did, and understood. The lord of the underworld was far from a social butterfly, and social skills where acquired with practice, after all. She disagreed very strongly with the last part - a deep frown to herself being the only sign she had even heard with a relative clarity. As a goddess of music, her hearing was very acute indeed, even if there was time she did wish that it was not.
"Don't be so hard on yourself." It was all she said on the matter. "Yes... better get all of this cleaned and bandaged before infection settle in." She knew that much, at least. The goddess returned to her softer demeanor then - Echo was rarely able to remain firm very long, but it usually did wonders to drive her point across. "I would rather not have you ill..." Worry in her eyes, right then.The first aid kit is downstairs. A distant, fuzzy memory. I know a few things about bandaging, from working with dad. Ill tell you what to do.Actually, it might be better if you did it yourself. Echo admitted. My hands are shaking too much. I am so nervous...Me ? Wait, wait - I just took control a few days ago. Are you sure you'll be fine ? The last thing Zero needed was two exhausted gods on her proverbial arms. I will. Echo did her best to sound certain. As long as he would be alright, she could deal. Zero was a bit more detached from the situation - she would be able to proceed better. Thabara He wasn't aware that his muttered words might have hurt the gentle goddess, until he saw the frown upon her face. He felt like he ought to apology to her, but he wasn't entirely sure for what, so in the end he let it be.
"Do not worry," he tried to lessen her concerns, "I have found that my wounds heal quite fast." Infections had never been a problem for him, possibly because bacterias were not fond of his low body temperature, or perhaps it was the half-divine blood in his veins. Whatever the reason, it allowed his injuries to heal a little faster than a normal human's and more cleanly. However, he had no idea what poisons or remnants of dark magic might dwell within the blood of the undead..
"This might take a while," he warned her as he stepped into the bathroom, "so please take your time to fetch whatever you need." He gave her a tentative, yet genuine smile before he closed the door behind himself, just barely resisting the urge to lock it. Zero Dream "Take as long as you need, my lord." She said softly, and once the door closed, she likewise stepped out of the room, careful not to step into the mud. The first thing to fetch was the first aid kit, and a few cleaning supplies. Once those objects where found, she made her way back into the wind goddess's room, and, laying the kit on a table, she took the mop and started to clean as much of the mud as she could before it dried out, and would wind up harder to remove. Better stay occupied in her wait, after all - it kept her from worrying. Too much. Thabara Disrobing with only one hand at his disposal was a hassle, especially when it came to the lengths of bandages which bound his chest into a more pleasing shape, and he considered himself quite lucky that it had been his left shoulder that had caught the impact of the iron bar and not the right. Or his skull, come to think of it. He would definitely have to thank Ishum for his warning later on.
A bit late he remembered to check for towels, but to his relief there were plenty, apparently the shelves had been stocked for a possible return of the Wind Goddess, or guests. He discarded his filthy and blood-soaked clothes into the laundry basket, and then waited patiently for the bathtub to fill completely. Fortunately there were plenty of soaps and oils to chose from, so hopefully he would be able to get rid of that foul smell.
He scrubbed himself thoroughly, at the same time taking stock of his injuries. There were plenty of bruises, where his pale blue skin had started to shift to a purple tone, a number cuts - none of which were bleeding much, two or three graze shots and quite a few.. bites. His face twisted into a grimace when he found those, and the took extra care to clean those, gritting his teeth to bear the pain it caused.
All in all he had been extremely lucky, with only his shoulder to worry about.
He drained the water and took a quick shower to rinse the last of the grime from his skin and hair and then picked the largest towel he could find to wrap himself into. After all not only his hips had to be covered, but his chest as well..
With a frown he glanced into the large mirror, wondering if this really was the time to be embarassed about this half-morphed body. She would see it now, there was nothing he could do to prevent that from happening. But was it really that important? Echo knew his host had been female..
Taking a deep breath he left the bath, holding the towel in place with his right hand to prevent it from slipping down, the somewhat female shape of his chest all too obvious now. Zero Dream Echo had pretty much finished with cleaning the mess Nergal had made on his way to the bathroom. Only the boots remained - she wasn't too sure what to do, or where to put them, so here they would stay for now, at least.
She was enjoying a nice, cold glass of water when the underworld god finally stepped out of the bathroom... wearing only a towel. As much as this was to be expected, it still took her off guard, and a blush formed on her pale face, which only worsened from the whistle that came from one little corner of her mind which was inhabited by a certain teenage girl... And apparently her cheeks where nothing - in comparison, her pointed ears seemed almost on fire.Dude looks like a lady, much ?It took everything inside the goddess not to facepalm hard enough to have her host actually FEEL it, but she managed - probably only by some divine intervention. At least, now that all the dried blood and grime was gone, he didn't look as much of a trainwreck as he did initially... She might actually be able to handle this. Because from Zero's mad case of giggles at the whole scene, she didn't quite trust her host not to act stupid at the moment. Thabara Echo's blush only worsened his own embarassment, causing his ears to darken to a significantly deeper shade of blue than usual.
"I will be easier to take care of the injuries that way," he mumbled. "Besides, I forgot to take clothes to change into with me, they are still in there," he pointed with his bare foot at the backpack, absolutely refusing to let go of the towel. "And with only hand for me to use.." He stopped himself before he could say any more rushed past her to sit down on the edge of the bed, while at the same time desperately trying to retain at least some sort of dignity.
And probably failing hopelessly. Zero Dream "T-that's okay, really." The goddess somehow managed, taking the bag with one hand, the first aid kit with another, and moved to sit right behind him, almost loosing her composure when the last sentence came out, along with what it probably meant. Oh dear oh dear.
This was probably eons more embarrassing for him than it was for her, so she did her best to calm down, make the blush go away, and just get it done with, hoping her host would stop laughing at both the gods' reactions soon. As much as she just wanted to shut her voice out, for the first time ever, she needed her for the potentially broken arm, which she knew nothing on how to mend.
The goddess started on her task of binding the wounds - disinfecting them one more time for maximum ease of mind before warping the bandages as best as she could, occasionally going back to redo those who where too loose. His blue skin felt so cold under her touch... not really unpleasant, but she would probably deny having thought about that for the time being. Thabara He shifted every now and then in an attempt to help her, so that she could reach certain spots of his body better, occassionally even moving the towel aside or down when it was required, while pointently staring into another direction. It was obvious he had been binding his chest to shape it into a less female form, the marks the tight bandages had left still very visible on his pale skin.
Her touch seemed almost seeringly hot to him, and while the embarassed god stubbornly tried to tell himself it was only the difference in body temperatures, he still-- Why, of all people possible had it to be her to take care of him? He would have to 'thank' Ishum for this mortifying experience as well..
He used his good arm to pull his bag closer once Echo seemed to be about finished with her task. Upon closer look it was quite easy to tell that the problem with his left was not the hand or the arm itself, but rather the shoulder. The skin above his collarbone was visibly swollen and had shifted to a deep, almost black tone of purple.
Nergal ignored it for now, asuming Ishum could still look for it later once he had hopefully managed to escape Kishara's chambers unscathed and without burning his tongue. Instead he started to dig through the contents of his bag, producing a selection of clothes from it, as well as a small, yet heavy object wrapped in silk. This might be as good of an opportunity to give it to her than any other.. Zero Dream She said nothing about the binding marks, or the fact that there where boobs there altogether, not wanting to embarrass the underworld god further. And possibly to not embarrass herself further, as Zero was only now just starting to stop laughing.
Finally, everything seemed to be taken care of, beside the shoulder. It was a good hint that the arm was actually shattered, which brought the matter outside of both her and her host's field of experience - Zero did have to make a cast once, for her father. It hadn't really been medical quality, but it had done the job until the little family could have headed to the hospital. Basic first aid skills where always useful when working with machinery, anyway.
"This would be it, I believe. I am afraid neither me or my host are too sure what to do with your shoulder, so we would rather not risk anything..." She said softly, double-checking to make sure she hadn't forgotten a wound.
She let him choose from the clothes, and while he did so, she did find herself intrigued by the object warped in silk, but did not ask. Had she always been so curious before the fading, or had that been Zero's influence ? The goddess wasn't so sure, and it was a bit unsettling. She would sure prefer to remember more than bits and pieces... Thabara There was a secret smile on Nergal's lips when he noticed her gaze was lingering on the small wrapped object. He had no real experience in picking gifts, so he was rather uncertain if she would like it. He felt she deserved an apology after she had kindly offered him her hospitality the last time they'd met, and he had 'thanked' her by leaving early without even as much as a good bye.
"I will have Ishum look after it, once he returns," he told Echo softly, experimentally touching the swollen skin and promptly drawing his breath in with a sharp hiss. Ow. "He is somewhat experienced with things like that." He just.. really hoped the gossipy Aoide would manage to keep himself out of trouble. Himself and his master.
"Now, if you would be so kind to turn around?" He cleared his throat with an embarassed cough. "I think I can manage most of this alone.." He nodded at the clothes he'd laid out. Zero Dream Ishum ? Ahh, so he had found his master after all. She had been somewhat embarrassed by how vague the help she could give to the aoide had been, but it seemed that it had turned out alright after all.
"Ah, yes, of course." She said, ears reddening a bit again as she turned around. The wall did look mighty interesting right now, anyway... Thabara Nergal's gaze lingered on her long silken hair, and for a moment it looked like he was about to reach out and touch it. But before his hand had even started to rise he already let it drop again, and turned his back to the goddess himself, the expression on his face one of confusion.
He had picked wide, comfortable clothes on purpose, so getting into them wasn't quite as much of a hassle as he had originally feared. It hurt terribly, however, whenever it came down to having move his left arm - once he had managed to pull the black sweater over his head, his face was quite pale. But in the end there were only two things he had to surrender to: His socks - he could live with walking barefooted for a while however - and the buttons of his gray cargo pants.
"Echo? My utmost apologies, I fear I require your assistance.." Zero Dream She waited patiently, sometimes playing with a bang of stray hair, staring at the celling, but never once peeking (even if Zero was cheering on her to do it - thankfully now she could tune her out...). The situation was VERY akward.
When he finally spoke, she turned, winding up beside him. "Yes ?" He did look allright. He was missing socks, but that wouldn't really be a problem, right ?
...Oh, wait. Oh. Oh. Oh s**t.
It seemed now that this couldn't possibly get any more awkward.
It was just a button, right ? Right. That's alllll it was. And so, she went and, well, buttoned the pants, her ears flaring BRIGHT red once again. Thabara Nergal closed his eyes, desperately trying to ignore how close she was, yet painfully aware of it. He couldn't help but wonder, in all those countless years he had spent judging the dead - had he ever met the soul of someone who died from from embarassment?
"Thank you," he muttered once she seemed to be done. "I.. ah.. I am really terribly sorry about putting you in such a situation." He sat down on the bed again, though he certainly seemed tense and jittery enough for one to expect him go hiding under it any second now. His cheeks felt like they were on fire, and indeed, their color had shifted to deep blue now, with a hint of purple.
Tentatively he reached for the small silk-wrapped object, the fabric cool to his touch. A gift, but was this really the right time to give it to her? Given the current circumstances it might be.. missunderstood. Zero Dream Echo sat as well, right beside him, not looking much better with how red her cheeks where, and she wasn't exactly doing a good job with trying to hide it.
"That is allright, really." The most important thing was that he was allright after all, right ? After how much she had found herself worried... Thabara "This is for you," he finally said after taking a deep breath and handed over the small gift. The situation couldn't get possibly more awkward anyway..
"It is.. nothing of worth, I fear, merely a trinket." He paused, struggling for words. "I.. wish to thank you for so kindly offering your hospitality the last time we met, and.. I wish to apologize for having left without a single word to you." There, that had been awkward, but it hadn't hurt at all, had it? Why were such things so difficult for him? "You must have been worried." Zero Dream "Really ?" She said, surprised, as she took the small object warped in silk. "you should not have, my lord... it was perfectly fine." It seemed so hard for him... Then the last sentence hit. Had she been worried... ? Answers from "yes" to "I almost set off looking for you" came to mind... "I worried a little, I must admit..."
She started to unwarp the present, but then remembered something. "Oh, how rude of me ! The horse... had it been you ? She is quite a splendid lady, and patient to a fault to my own akwardness as far as learning to ride her went... Might I ask, where have you found her ?" She was quite curious about her new companion, pretty sure she had came from the Underworld god... Thabara "A horse?" Nergal blinked surprised about the unexpected turn of their conversation, and then he shook his head. "I am sorry, but I know nothing of it. I have not even seen one since my rebirth, unless you would count these strange 'Sirae' Ishum brought a--" He paused, a frown appearing on his face, having suddenly remembered that Ishum had made certain assumptions about his relationship with Echo. "Actually, it may have been Ishum's doing," he admitted. "He seems to think.. Ah, nevermind that. I will have to ask him."
Gently he reached out to pull the last layer of silk aside from the gift, revealing the shimmering, flawless surface of a beautifully crafted glass bauble. One side was flattened so that it wouldn't roll away, and on the inside there tendrils of different colored glass twirled around one another, surounded by small bubbles.
"I noticed your desk and thought it might be of use for you. It is a paperweight," he explained with a slightly teasing smile.
"And.. I was worried about you as well." Zero Dream "Ah..." She said, a bit embarrassed now. "Then... could you please tell him that I truly appreciate the thought ? She is quite the darling... I will have you two meet someday."
A paperweight. It took everything inside the goddess not to burst into a good-hearted laugh. This was so Nergal... always finding something not only beautiful, but also useful. "Ah, it is beautiful, my lord !" She ran a finger on the surface of the glass. "I will be useful, I believe." She answered with a bright smile, but it faded a bit as he last spoke.
"Worry about it ? But, my lord, there is no reason to..." She hadn't been anywhere dangerous after all. Thabara "It was truly his doing, I will let him know." Nergal nodded. "And then I shall complain about how it comes that you got a horse and I did not. I surely would have liked to do at least part of my travels on horseback.." He paused, trying to grasp some remnant of a memory lurking at the borders to his consciousness. "I wonder if it is one of the world-walkers," he murmured softly.
He smiled when the goddess expressed her delight about the gift - so he wasn't that bad at gift-picking after all, it seemed - but it quickly faded when she claimed there had been no reason to worry about her, and he shook his head.
"I found you in Destruction's throne room, that is a dangerous enough place in my eyes. I take it you do not know what happened to Kaelin?" His expression was serious, grim almost. Zero Dream "A world-walker ?" She asked, visibly clueless. Not even the shadow of a memory awoke at the mention of the name.... and Echo's specialty had never been other lifeforms anyway. I had been the music she taught them...
She couldn't help but grow a bit worried afterward. It wasn't anything new to see the underworld god with a serious look on his face... but this serious ? The name was unfamiliar to her. "Kaelin... ? What happened to him ?" Thabara Nergal nodded slowly. "Horse-like beings, gifted with the magic to pass the chasm between the worlds, able to travel freely wherever they wished to - even into the Underworld. If it is truly one of them, it was a thoughtful gift indeed. However, I might be wrong - my memory is a fickle thing in these days."
So she didn't know about Kaelin.. He wondered if anyone did. "Kaelin.. He is the Lord of the Waters. So far I have only met him twice. The first time was the morning I left the Pantheon. He was.. friendly. Cheerful, perhaps a little too gossipy and bubbly for someone as quiet as me. But the second time I met him.." He shook his head, the look in his eyes grave, but also - very deep down - angered.
"It was in a distant town, one that has been hit by a flood, fittingly. I do not think it was Kaelin's doing, but it might as well have been. He has changed, Echo. He has been changed, by Him, our Lord Destruction. He is His now." He shivered slightly as he recalled the eerie glow of the seal burned into Water's skin. "If such a fate were to befall you.." Zero Dream She listened intently to both matters, and covered her mouth with her hand in shock as he finally told what had happened to the water god. Oh, dear... and here she had been, right in the proverbial wolf's den.
"I... I apologize, I did not know.... I did not want you to worry..." She said softly, breaking eye contact so he wouldn't see the guilt building up in them. Echo now looked as uncertain as she did inside : unsure of her place in this new world, and unsure how to act. Thabara "Please, there is no need for you to apologize," Nergal said softly. "I am.. just glad to find you unchanged and safe. When I first saw you down there, so close to His throne.. I already feared my nightmare had come true."
Reluctantly, slowly, he raised his right hand to touch her face, gently brushing aside a strand of her black hair. It felt just like he had imagined, heavy, and incredibly soft, like silk. For a little while his fingertips lingered on the soft skin of her cheeks, then gently traced the line of her jaw before he pulled his hand back with a look of regret. "I am sorry," he said, though it was unclear what it was he was apologizing for, of it it was even directed to her.
"I will need to speak with Harmodius," he murmured. "I owe him thanks for bringing me back, and there are a great many questions I have." Like the fate of Death.. and of the other Underworld, his Queen. "Lastly, I am in need of a room for my own, at least temporarily," he added with a grimace. " I do not wish to strain Lady Beryl's hospitality longer than I have to." Zero Dream The change of subject was VERY welcome, so she didn't even bother to continue onward. Nothing had happened... so she had no reason to feel like this, right ? Now that she was aware, she could be more careful.
But the fact that she had made him worry in the first place... He had much more important things to worry about without her being a distraction... right ?
The touch on her face was surprising, but she did not move beyond tensing instinctively on contact, only to return to normal a second later. His hands where so cold, she noticed again - but again, the feeling wasn't uncomfortable.
"Perhaps... I could help out with a few of those questions ? My memories does fail me, but sometimes things can be stirred out... Or perhaps what I learned in the present would be useful ?" If she could help him... this would make up for making him worry, yes ? Thabara "Perhaps.. Do you know if Death has returned to us by now, or possibly the other Underworld? Or.." He hesitated for a moment, but the decided it was worth a try. "Do you recall anything connected to the name 'Sanatruces'?" Zero Dream The goddess pondered for a moment, a single finger tapping her chin in thought. "I do not remember seeing, or hearing about Death's rebirth... nor of another underworld, I am afraid." Another underworld... his lady ? These stirred very foggy memories... "And I am afraid that the name Sanatruces stirs nothing of my old memories..." Thabara "Hm.. Do not worry about it. Many of us seem to have lost their knowledge of things past, most of it at least. My own memories.. They seem to be fading even more rather than to return to me, but that may be a good thing." He would have shrugged if it hadn't been for the sharp pain in his left shoulder.
"But perhaps.. you can offer me some advice instead." Zero Dream "Advice ? Of what kind, my lord ?" She asked softly, finally resuming eye contact now that she thought she had a good hold into her inner conflicts. Thabara It was Nergal who avoided her gaze now, struggling for the right words to explain what was bothering him.
"I think you may know.. My host, Aislin, stayed here as Gaia's guest for quite a while. They were.. close, very close. Like mother and daughter." He paused for a moment, his thumb absently touching the ring of living vines which encircled his ringfinger.
"It was truly unfortunate.. Would the circumstances have been different, Aislin surely would have been her follower. Her knight, her palladin, perhaps something more even. The Lady Gaia called her her champion, and I do not think she was speaking in jest." He sighed, his look distant as he recalled the events of that night.
"Lady Gaia.. She surely must have realized that losing her 'champion' would be inevitable. She was talking to Harmodius that night, an attempt to tip the scales which - obviously - was not crowned with success. My host had promised to wait for her return, however, because of me she was not able to keep that promise."
"To return to her quarters in the hopes to find comfort and solace in the arms of her champion, her adopted daughter.. and to find only me - I do not think she has forgiven me yet. And now I need her help and am at quite a loss about what to do." He looked down, his dreads sliding forward and hiding his face in the shadows. Zero Dream "Ah..." She said softly, laying back against the wall and staring at the calling in thought. She had known about Aislin and the lady gaia, yes, but she had no idea that they where this close. But even then, she couldn't say she was really surprised. Gaia was a mother first and foremost, having created all which existed, so having her wounding up taking someone under her wing like this...
"I must admit that this is complicated..." She whispered, before talking a bit louder. "Well, before you even begin to talk about what you need her with, my lord, I believe that, first of all, the best thing should be to mend the disagreement that happened. You two definitively need to talk to each other, and while I cannot help you with the act itself..." She paused. "Well... First of all, you need to remain calm even if she gets angry at you. People do sometime say things in a way they shouldn't, in anger... But the more anger there is, the worse it shall be."
She paused a bit, tossing a bang of hair nervously. She did not know the lady gaia especially well... What if she was being completely wrong. "You need to explain to her exactly what you just explained to me, my lord. But also, let her speak - let everything come in the open, and hopefully, after the frustration is drained... some kind of middle ground can be found ? I... cannot tell you it would be better to bring a gift or not. I mean, the thought might be well-received, but I do not know the lady well... She might not take it very well... Conflicts are very complicated." She sighed again. "Hopefully this will be to some kind of help... But I cannot be sure how she will react..."
Then, another idea. "Aislin is... still present, yes ? I mean, I do know she is asleep, but... can she be woken up ? Again, this is a wild guess... but maybe it will help for her to have proper closure. To be able to say her goodbyes directly to her. Would it be possible to ask your host if she would want to talk to the lady without directly waking her to ask ? If she agrees... Then it might be a good idea to ask the lady gaia if she wishes to talk to her again. Some tend to find relief in closure... I believe lady Beryl felt this way." Thabara He listened to her words intently. What she said made sense, and some of it he had already figured out himself, just not been sure if it was.. right.
"Goodbyes.." Nergal repeated softly, accompanied by a slow nod. The face of Xingyuan arose from his memories, tears streaming from her eyes. Yet another mother who had lost her dearly loved daughter. He had granted her the wish to see her one final time, and afterwards she had seemed.. relieved.
"That is a very good advice indeed. However.. Aislin asked me to never be woken again, and I promised it to her. While I am sure she would not mind to be woken for this reason.." He shook his head. "I cannot break a promise once given, for whichever reason. I gave her a chance to relieve me from it when the changes began, but she denied. From then on I was bound by it." Zero Dream "Very understandable." She nodded. "The promise should not be broken, then, if she has insisted not to." There had to be another way than to pull the poor girl in the mass of the conflict... "But, yes. I am afraid that there is no magic words, no "one way to set things right". The keys, however, I've found, is communication and patience." Thabara Nergal sighed, closing his eyes for a moment in quiet despair.
"Both are traits and skills I quite obviously lack. But what you have told me.. I think it will help a great deal, as long as she is only willing to listen." That would be the problem, he realized. What if Kishara downright refused to see him?
"If I may ask another favor from you.." He looked at Echo, hesitating. He was quite aware he could probably ask her for anything, but she already had done so much for him today.. "If possible, I would like to occupy that guest room of yours again. Only until I have aquired rooms of my own, of course. I do not wish to be a bother." Zero Dream "This is no problem, my lord." She said, visibly happy that he had asked. It showed mostly in the way her eyes shone.
"You should probably get going and rest... I will be on my way soon, once this room is clean." Thabara He shook his head, smiling softly at her.
"I will wait. I know it is not far from here, but.. I am quite worn out, so I think it would be unwise to walk alone." He didn't mention his other motive to wait for her, that he did not want her to walk alone in a town where Necromancers and their undead puppets were roaming the streets freely. He wanted to offer her at least some protection, even if it might not be much, exhausted as he was.
"I am sorry, I fear I left the bathroom in quite a mess. I will help, if I can." Zero Dream "No, no, it will be fine." She said, finally getting up and taking the mop from where she had put it against the wall. "It might take some time... At least try to sleep a bit in the meanwhile ?" The lady said, visibly a bit worried for his wellbeing still. Thabara "I will try to," Nergal promised and leaned back into the pillows, trying to make not too much of a mess out of Lady Beryl's bed. To fall asleep with the intense pain torturing his swollen shoulder seemed downright impossible at first, but the soft, melodic hum emitted by her wings..
He passed out not even five minutes after he had laid down.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:54 pm
Will You Still Be There As I Wake ? The events of the day still overwhelmed her, and only now, it seemed, that either deity was getting a bit of rest. It was late, and both had bid the other farewell for the night, but the goddess did not fall asleep for some time. She instead, sat on her bed, trying to calm down her worries. He was okay now, he was somewhere safe. All she had to do now was to make sure he would stay until his shoulder healed completely. Make sure he healed, then he could go on with... whatever he had been doing. She had no clue, and she hadn't thought to ask. For him to wind up this way... No matter. He was safe here. If whatever had hurt him even dared to set foot in here... she would deal. It was weird, to hear different voices - she was of course used to living with other people. She could overhear master and servant speaking from a few rooms away - while she wasn't concentrating enough to hear what was actually being spoken (nor did she want to), but she heard and recognized their voice quite clearly. She had worried, of course, she could not denied... Worried when he left without a word, before she even awoke. Worried it had been her fault, worried that he might have picked up what she felt deep inside and decided it was better not to face her. Honestly... she couldn't really blame him. Underworld had much bigger things to worry about. He had a whole realm to rebuild... She just wished she could tell him how. Or could help in some way. Slowly, she slid into bed, burrowing under the sheets and listening to the two voices until they finally quieted. One part of her wanted to stay awake, just to make sure he didn't leave... He was not in the condition to pull out another stunt like that. But... no, it wouldn't do. The lord had a good judgment - she would have to believe. And so... she finally drifted off to sleep, humming some odd lullaby to herself in the process. And, thankfully, she would wake to see her fears quieted the next morning. The lord of the Underworld would still be there when she would wake.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:54 pm
Sail away, it's time to leave
Rainy days, are yours to keep
Fade away, the night is calling my name
You will stay, I'll sail away
Once upon a time we used to burn candles
We had a place to call a home
We dream that we lived
Was better than divine
Every day was like a gift
Once upon a life
"Sail Away" - The Rasmus The End Draws Near Again, there was nothing that existed. Again, she was alone. There was nothing but darkness, and even if she screamed, Echo would not answer. The goddess would not ignore yet... not like this, anyway. So, to the teenager, this meant that the goddess could not hear her. Again. She was getting a bit worried by all this. She slowly worked herself on her feet - for she had a body here, oddly... Not a real body of course, but maybe some kind of spirit-version of a body... She didn't understand it too well. It was one of the big clues that something was amiss - with Echo, she had no body. She was only a voice. Her legs wobbled a bit, unused to standing, but she managed to stay upward. She hated this place. She hated it so much. It was cold, and empty... There was nothing, there was no one, it felt... it felt like death. Like every other time she was stuck here, panic slowly started to rise. She had never told Echo about any of this - didn't want the goddess to worry. She had better things to do, right ? She had to find her way back... god, she had to find her way back, back to Echo, back to safety... Echo had, of course, noticed. And had decided she was getting to the bottom of this business, too worried about the young girl that had been her host to care about safety. Or to care of the scare her aoide would have if they found her, passed out in her room. It had been very simple to come here, even more simple than she had thought it would be - she gave up the control of the body, and since Zero was not there to take it... it had taken her here. It reminded her of her time in the jewel. But no, this was too cold to be her jewel. What would the teenager be doing there anyway... ?
Was this... limbo ? True nothingness... ? Frowning, she accelerated, a whole new world of worries opening up to her. If there was still enough link in between her to take her here, there was probably enough link for her to take the teenager out. But how long would it last... ? Suddenly she feared for her existence more than ever before. Was it already too late... ?There was still nothing, no matter how fast she ran. And panic kept rising. What if she couldn't even get out this time ? She didn't even know how she got out all those other times, anyway ! Anxiety and fear rose to the point that she felt down, shoulders shaking with panicked sobs she tried hard to keep inside at all costs. Maybe there was no way out there. Maybe it was over. Then, a flash of white, in the darkness... It looked almost blinding, with the rest of the world being black. It was the first thing she saw. Then, once the figure came closer, pale skin, and glowing blue eyes... Making her out wasn't hard. Zero worked herself up and ran, the fastest she could, toward the goddess, like a scared child toward their mother. Echo eventually stopped and waited, arms spreading to allow the teenager in an embrace, and once she had found warmth and comfort, panicked tears spilled down. "I want out of here !!! I... I want out !!!!" It was not hard for Echo to scoop her up. The teenager felt as light as a feather, and small... so small. Getting out was as simple for the goddess as getting in was. All she had to do was go back to the body... and finally, awaken. She moved to sit on the bed, letting out a sigh of relief as it seemed that no one had found her unconscious. Zero was still crying, in the back of her head... She waited, with the only sound being the buzz of her wings, until the teenager calmed. Apparently she had never been so happy to have been a little voice before.I... I... thanks, Echo...It is what happens all the time lately, my one ?...Yes... I didn't want to worry you. I guess that did not work, uh... ? ...I hate that place. It felt like death.So headstrong, as always...
I agree, it was. I am not sure what caused this... but this is dangerous, Zero. It... it is too late for me to change things...W-What ?! But... I don't... I don't want to die, Echo... Im so scared...I know, I know... Well... There is a way, but I am not sure what you would think of it...What it is ? Zero's voice was tense and scared. It couldn't be worste that this, right ? The link that keeps us together, that keeps your soul a part of mine... is growing weaker and weaker. I cannot keep you alive as you are right now, but, if... If we merge, if I make you a part of me... Then you will live on trough me. We... will be one.There was silence, for a moment. Zero seemed to be thinking this trough more than she had thought out anything else so far. Die, or lose your own free will and being, to become something greater, yet, still live... ...Echo... Ill merge, then. I don't want to die.I won't let you die. I promised, did I ? But, are you sure... ? If I start this, there won't be any going back on your decision. Echo knew the teenager was impulsive... Hell, the decision of taking her in, the decision of living alongside her as a voice... All where decisions taken impulsively, and decisions she had proven to regret. Zero feared death... and Echo feared to lose Zero. She was a part of her... A part of her she did not want to see suffer. She was almost like her daughter but, then, it was so twisted... the mother taking everything from the daughter. The goddess herself felt a pang of guilt then. Had all of this been a mistake... ?I know... but I don't really have a choice. Im ready. Better get it over now, before she could start to doubt and regret. You will have to sleep... this will take a long time, and if you drift again... The consequences would be disastrous. For both of them. Neither would be whole again, she knew, and there would be no way to mend. She began pulling on that one little string... must like the ones wound to her own body, the string that tied them together. There used to be so many... had the rest of them snapped ? As she pulled her closer to her own self and subconscious, Zero formed into an intangible body, trapped and tangled in guitar strings.Was it how Echo had kept her here all this time ? It felt like being a bug trapped into a spiderweb, yet she wasn't scared. She trusted Echo more than anything else - it seemed like the goddess was unable to do anything but kindness. "It might do you a bit of good." She said, with a silly grin. "You're too nice sometimes. You could use to take example of me a bit. But not too much, will you ?" Echo couldn't help but laugh a bit, a laugh that ringed in the emptiness around them like a few tiny bells. "Ill keep that in mind. ...I will miss you.""Why ? Im not going anywhere, right ?" She rose an hand, freeing her arm from her prison of strings to touch the goddess' cheek softly. To anyone else and in any other situation, she would never have dared, but... "You're strong, Echo. We'll be fine." "You make me strong, most of the time." She admitted. Like reaching out into nothingness without a second thought..."And you give me too much credit." Zero sighed, then closed her eyes. Echo seemed to tire out. Her hand let go, and felt to the side, not quite limp yet. It was time. Echo pulled the string once more, caddling the teenager in both arms once she was close enough. Slowly, she reached out to kiss her forehead, and, as they touched, the hand finally felt limp, as she drited on into a painless sleep, from which she would never wake up quite as herself anymore. The strings around her shook, then, obeying the goddess' will, affixed themselves into the invisible walls. She would not drift again.
Finally done, she let go, Zero's spirit self sitting in mid-air, as if sleeping in a bed of strings. Her task done, she cast one last look to the girl that had been so precious to her, before turning and returning to the real world. Zero was affixed into the most secure place she could think off... Her gem. What used to be a prison, was now a sanctuary.------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Back into her body proper, Echo had settled to staring out of the window. She missed her voice already and... had it been truly the best thing to do ? Now that the deed was done, the doubts where starting to eat at her.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:56 pm
Aftermath Of The Task Thabara They hadn't walked far yet when Nergal stopped and turned to look back at the building which they had just left behind, the expression on his face distant and thoughtful. The scepter, safely wrapped again to protect it from curious views, lay cradled against his good shoulder."My Lord, what is it?" "Nothing in particular. Just.. thinking." Nergal glanced at his Aoide for a moment, wondering how much of the conversation with Gaia he had overheard, and what his thoughts on it might be, but quickly enough his gaze was drawn back to the looming silhouette of the Pantheon. It was like a vortex, bending and twisting the fabric of reality and irresistibly drawing in those who would end up to fuel the rebirth of the gods of old, one way or another.
"Let us go," he finally said, tearing his eyes off the carved obsidian walls of the temple.
Echo's dwelling wasn't too far from the temple, and on their way back to it neither god nor servant broke their silence. Many of Gaia's words still echoed within Nergal's mind, some of them infuriating, others devastating, or plucking at strange, half-buried emotions and memories. However, his brooding was put to a hesitant end for now when the first melodic tunes of Echo's guitar reached his ears.
He craned his neck to peer up at the goddess' balcony, to see if he could possibly spot her sitting there. The ghost of a smile flitted over his lips - it was good to know there was a place he could return to, where he would be welcome and could find comfort.
"Ishum?""My Lord?" "Why don't you go and tend to your beasts, hm?""But of course my Lord." Ishum bowed deeply and then darted off. He had already fed the Siirae before his lord had sent him off to bring his message to Kishara, but he knew when he was dismissed. Zero Dream Yet the balcony revealed no one upon it. The sound clearly was coming from inside, and it became evident as the pair drew closer. The goddess was preoccupied in her own right, the notes playing perfectly only because of her own divinity.It was Alto that opened the door once the underworld god had made himself there, offering a quick bow of greeting. The mute aoide did look a bit concerned as he moved out of the doorway to let Nergal in, fingers quietly moving to form signs, hesitantly and slowly. He had no idea if the god knew the language - if he did not, he would find one of his brothers to relay the message for him. The lady seems troubled. Perhaps you could talk to her, lord ? At any rate, it seemed her servants where not getting her to talk about what could hold her attention. Thabara Nergal was relieved when the door was opened for him, as the Aoide's mindfulness saved him from figuring out how to knock without having a free hand at his disposal. He returned the greeting with a polite nod as he stepped inside and watched quietly as Alto's fingers danced through the air. He recognized it as sign language instantly since he had seen Caolan use it before - however, the meaning behind the intricate movements and gestures stayed a mystery to him.
"I do not understand," he admitted, shaking his head with a slight frown. The Aoide seemed to be concerned about something.. Had something happened to Echo while he had been away? Zero Dream Alto let out something that resembled a sigh, yet no sound came out. It was so bothersome to be mute, which was usually why he did not handle meeting the other gods, or things of that nature. That task usually felt to one of his brothers.
Talking about them, he paused for a moment, and realized that both where quite far. Just his luck. He went deeper into the kitchen to retrieve a paper pad and a pencil, writing out exactly the same thing that he had signed before handing it over, looking a bit embarrassed by the whole situation, as he had not wanted to distract the Underworld god.
However, he trusted Nergal. If anyone could figure out what was going on in his lady's mind, it was him, and as much as he didn't like to admit it, he would probably do a much better job than he could do with it, even with all the affection he held toward his goddess. He was the one her heart visibely had chosen, and he respected that. Thabara Nergal gently rested the wrapped shape of the scepter against the wall before he accepted the notepad Alto was holding out for him to carefully read what he had written down.
"I will see what I can do," he promised as he handed the pad to the Aoide. He had hoped to find comfort in the presence of the gentle goddess upon his return from the straining audience with Gaia, but Echo had her own worries and troubles it seemed.. There was no need to add his burden to hers, he decided quickly.
"However, I must warn you," he announced quietly, bearing a wry, ironic smile on his lips. "Words, comunication, considering feelings.. It is nothing I have much experience with. I am.. simply not good at it. I may do more harm than good." He looked at the Aoide, his concern and uncertainty clearly displayed on his face. "Where is she?" Zero Dream Alto simply nodded, telling the god to follow him with a motion of the hand before he went deeper into the house, to the living room.The goddess still sat there, playing her guitar, but one look at her face showed that she was not focused on the task at all. She seemed to come back to reality when Alto gently tapped the wall to catch her attention, and she looked up, doing her best to manage a smile to Nergal, even if worry was affecting her deep inside.
"Welcome back." She finally said, the tiredness inside her voice unmissable. "How did it go ?" She still hoped for the best.
Instead of motioning to sit to the right of his goddess, Alto silently slid out of the room to leave the both of them alone, not needing any dismissal to know that he should retire himself. Thabara "Not the way I imagined it would.. She granted me the favor I asked her for, but denied me her forgiveness. She forbade me to even speak of it, or else the audience would fail and I would have to leave." He huffed angrily, his frustration clearly showing on his face for a moment. "She does not want to give me a chance, it seems."
He seated himself next to the goddess, mindful enough to gently move aside the strings which spawned from her body before he sat down. For a moment his gaze travelled towards the window - the sun was still standing in zenit as far as he could tell, so the audiene could have lasted barely more than an hour. It had seemed like an eternity to him. "I hope there will be another opportunity to speak to her, maybe she will be more inclined to listen to me if some more time has passed and her grief has lessened."
For a little while he remained in silence, only shifting uneasily every now and then, wondering what to say next. Alto had been right - the goddess seemed distracted and heavy-hearted, and the tired tone of her voice did not escape him.
"What about you?" he finally asked. "You seem.. Something seems to bother you. If there is anything I can do..?" Zero Dream "Communication is only possible... if both are willing." She said softly, shaking her head a bit and sending a river of black, tick hairs over her shoulder. "It is possible... but sometimes, grief do not fade. I truly hope a resolution is possible, as well." Echo really disliked conflict... She had hoped to be able to help, but... she bit her lip, silently.
"I... no, I will be fine." She answered, looking out the window for a moment. "These are matters in between my host and I... but I truly hope I did not make a mistake." Thabara "What kind of mistake?" Nergal asked gently. "I.. I certainly do not mean to pry but.. When I met Kaelin for the first time, he asked me a question which concerned the soul of his host. And while I did not think myself the answer I gave him was satisfying in any way he ensured me it did help him. Perhaps I will be able to offer some sort of advice to you. Souls.. are somewhat my domain of ruling after all." He offered her an encouraging smile. Zero Dream Echo remained silent for a moment, visibely thinking of how to put it all in words.
"From the very start... I let Zero be the master of her fate." She started. "I gave her the choice, and she had chosen to exist alongside me, as I existed alongside her in the beginning. But lately... I do not know if it was my fault, her's, or if the current events have influenced it... but she was... slowly fading, growing more and more distant without truly realizing it. She was dying... and she was so scared. She feared death more than anything else in the world." The goddess sighed. "I... I talked to her. And I realized the only way left I had to save her was... to initiate a merge. She agreed to it... So I did just that. But if she ever wants to change her mind... I won't be able to do a thing, now."
There was, again, silence, as the goddess collected her thoughts.
"...She was so young. Not even an adult yet, and I took everything form her... I figure, in a sense, she was as much of my daughter than Beryl considered her to be such. She was the host I needed, I know... but still, I believe some part of me regrets making her go trough all this. I wanted to save her, and... it was the only thing left." Thabara Nergal listened quietly, only nodding one or two times. To care so deeply about her host, that was so like her, and so unlike himself..
"It is very different from how things are with my host then," he finally said. "She as lived.. been forced to live on for centuries, and it has been her explicit wish that nothing be left of her. But even if she had not asked me for her to perish.." He shook his head slightly.
"The mortals.. they always seem to fear death so much," he murmured with a wistful smile. "But for most of them, there is something beyond. Be it wandering in Limbo, as most seem to do now, be it to face my judgement once things have returned to their predetermined order. Eternal bliss, punishment, rebirth.. It may take time, but all of these things lay in wait for them. Not for our hosts, however." He paused for a moment, lost in his own thoughts. He had not wholly spoken the truth.. He had noticed it when he had summoned the souls of the dead a few days ago, so close to the epicenter Destruction's rule was affecting even them, slowly but surely disintegrating or corrupting the essence of many of them.
"The end they face is final," he spoke on after a little while. "True death. The reason, perhaps, why Gaia's anguish is so great. No one, not even the most powerful of us can ever give her back the daughter I took from her."
Nergal leaned forward a little to lay his hand on hers. "You have done the right thing, I think, and very brave thing as well as it may affect yourself." He looked worried for a moment, wondering how much the personalities of goddess and host might have merged and how much they were still separate, but he quickly banned that expression from his face. "It is my firm belief that it is better to do something, even if it may be the wrong thing to do, than to do nothing." Zero Dream Echo wasn't exactly seeing things on the same page - while not out of kindness, he still had honored his host's wishes, and this was just as noble. The rest of the sentence, well... Maybe it was why he liked him so much, even if she didn't agree. They where very different from each other, and she considered her to be much stronger than she was, on all plans.
"Yes, but even if you where to tell them that... many would still fear death. Mortals fear the unknown, they generally fear what they cannot see or understand... And death will be one of those things until it is finally time for them to die."
"I promised her I would not let her be destroyed." She said with a small smile. "And I do my best not to break my promises. She seemed okay with that... She said it might do me some good." The goddess couldn't help but laugh a bit. "Which may be the case. She is not completely gone yet, neither is the merge any close to be complete. She is merely asleep, but... I think I already miss her. She was a bit like my conscience, the little voice in my head that would tell me when I was doing something stupid. I am not scared for myself... she was a wonderful person." Thabara "Promises should always be honored." The Underworld god nodded solemnly. "I do not think she will ever regret her decission to become one with you. To be part of your creations, your songs, your melodies.. I almost envy her a little." He smiled at the goddess, but inwardly he was still worried about her. Considering the host's young age the merge was unlikely to cause any drastic changes, but still..
"Do you.. have any idea how long it will take for the merge to be complete? Or what its consequences might be?" He tilted his head a little, trying to hide his concern behind a mask of detached curiosity. Zero Dream She was a bit surprised. It was easy to see that he was a bit worried, even as he tried to hide it, but... why was he so worried to begin with ? "Oh, you flatter me, my lord." She gave a good-hearted laugh at his compliments.
"As for time... I suspect a few weeks, a month or so at most... I cannot go too fast, as souls are far from being my specialty... making sure she would not drift again, making sure the strings would stay strong enough, was hard to begin with..." And the only reason she had been able to do so to begin with was because this was, in some way, still the teen's body. "As for consequences... She will influence me somewhat, there is no escaping it. But... we where alike, in big points. This was what I decided to take her to begin with. She was very curious, but I believe I was already being this way somewhat. Even now, I do still hold many of the traits she held. They will only become more permanent, as they would have eventually faded as I rose in power before. The biggest thing is... she was much stronger than I was. Braver, too." Thabara Nergal flushed almost instantly at the goddess' laughter - flattery had not been his intention, in fact he had been quite serious about what he'd said.
"A month," he murmured quietly, letting go of Echo's hand so that he could unlace his boots. "I may still be around then - I certainly will not be able to travel again until my shoulder has fully healed." Without even thinking about it he drew his legs up on the couch once he had kicked off his boots, a surefire sign that he was completely comfortable in the other deity's presence. His anger and frustation about Gaia was forgotten and not important anymore, at least for now.
"It seems strange that one of us would claim for a mere to be stronger, or braver.. I believe you to be neither weak nor faint of heart. However.. I am reliefed you will not change too much.. for I.. I like you just the way you are." He avoided her sight, regetting deeply now that he had decided to tie his hair back into a ponytail this morning, because his ears certainly felt like they were on fire. Zero Dream Her cheeks took on a shade of pink as he spoke. "Thank you... I don't think I would want to change too much, anyway."
Eventually, a furry little body slid out of Echo's room, stretching as he came out of the door. Vertigo then walked toward the two, sniffing at Nergal for a moment for recognizing the sent and leaping up to nest in between the two, purring softly. Thabara Nergal absently petted the starry feline, glad for the diversion it offered from his embarassment.
"Was I.. was I able to help you at all?" he finally asked somewhat sheepishly. He hadn't been able to give her any advice after all, but at least she had laughed and she did seem to be more at ease now. Zero Dream The cat leaned into the petting, visibly very happy of the attention he was getting.
"Yes, you have." The goddess answered without hesitation, hand reaching to pet the cat as well. His presence alone had helped, really... and also the words. Thabara "I must be getting better at this 'comunication' thing then," Nergal mused jokingly.
"It is a key, just as you said," he added more solemnly after a little while. "To such a great many things.. I am slowly starting to realize how important it truly is. If only I was more comfortable with it." He sighed. Zero Dream "It will come with practice..." The goddess answered, the end of her pure white dress trailing on the ground in front of the couch. It was a new one she had been gifted with, and she adored the feel of the silk on her skin. "But one thing with communication is... It can only be reached if all parties are willing to listen, but sometimes, it is not the case. We may be divine, but... I do believe that each of us has something to learn." Thabara "True. I would like to believe that we all are without shortcomings.. But if that were the case, the Fading would never have happened, would it?" His fingers accidently touched hers when petting the cat, and he hesitated for a moment before he drew back his hand.
"Speaking of listening.. There is something I wish to tell you, about where I have been all these past months, and my reasons to seek out Gaia and Universe. But firstly, there is something you need to see." He quickly slipped off the couch and went to retrieve the scepter, handing its wrapped shape over to Echo once he returned to her.
"I fear you will have to undo the knots yourself," he told her with an apologetic smile. "I certainly wish my shoulder was healing faster.." Zero Dream Her cheeks took a rosy tone once she felt his finger on her's, and she did find herself trailing them for a second as they finally withdrew.
Was it silly to keep on hoping... ?
Thankfully, her attention was diverted nicely by the bundle that was handed over to her. After finally undoing the knots, she found herself staring in wonder for a moment, a finger running on the smooth surface before she finally thought to ask. "What it is... ?" Thabara "A means to find someone.. important, I believe," Nergal told her, as he settled next to the goddess on the couch again. "Someone important enough to have - in the distant past before The Fading - Universe, Death, Gaia and Underworld enchant this artifact to point the way to one single mortal soul."
For the second time this day he recounted how he had come into the artifact's possession, this time however without the restraint of leaving things unsaid. When he'd told Gaia, he'd not mentioned anything he deemed to be unnecessary, or simply too embarassing. With Echo, however, he felt the need to explain why he had been away for such a long time, and to tell her of all those people he had met along his way. Except for one, they'd all been mere mortals, but each of them had tought him some sort of lesson it seemed.. Or maybe it had been the same lesson ever and ever again..
When he finally ended his tale with the kind people of Koiso who had nursed him back to health he noticed with surprise that the sun was already standing quite low. Hours must have passed while he told her his story. Also, he noticed with embarassed surprise, when had Echo started to lean against his shoulder? Or was it the other way around..?
Gently he reached to caress the smooth orb at the scepter's top with his fingertips. "I was able to restore some of its former power, and despite our differences Gaia did her part as well," he told Echo quietly. "I still need to seek out Universe.. I hope this will be enough, because.. I think if Death had returned to us I would know. I only remember bits and pieces of my past, but it is only natural to believe we were close. I would know, I am sure of it." Zero Dream She listened intently, a but surprised he had not withdrawn or asked her to when she found herself leaning on him, eyes closed, listening to the sound of his voice. When exactly had she became so bold ? Had Zero already started to influence her ? But, it just seemed all too easy to just blame the merge and move on, especially this early. She just wanted to be close to him while she could, knowing full well he would leave as soon as he could, the fact all the more renewed in her head by the tale he spoke. The goddess far from blamed him, of course... But it still weighted heavily on her heart.
"Universe... I have no clue where he may be..." She sighed, slowly opening her eyes at last, but not bothering to move, at least for now. For some reason, the slight cold of his skin was comforting. "It would make sense that you two would have been close, indeed..." Death. She remembered very vaguely, she had never been comfortable around him. Which, to some, might make the current situation almost ironic.
Should she ever bother to speak of the other thing that was on her mind ? The goddess bit her lip softly, unsure if she should voice herself further or not. "Do you think... I could help if I came with you... ?"
There. The cat was out of the bag. Thabara "You, erh, what?!" Nergal stared at her, eyes wide with surprise, and for a little while he was completely, utterly speechless.
"Well.. If it is your wish to accompany me," he finally said slowly, "I will certainly not keep you. However, my journey has already been quite dangerous, and I do not know where it will lead me next. While I would greatly enjoy your company.." He hesitated, hoping she would not be hurt by his reply, especially after having voiced her wish to be stronger. "More than anything else, Echo, I wish for you to be safe." Zero Dream She knew it was a pretty stupid thing to say the second it had entered her mind - after all, would she not only hold him back ? He would have to constantly make sure she was okay, and, and... it just seemed like a bad idea.
"I know." She answered, head going downcast. "But... I am sick of sitting there and not being able to do anything. There has to be something I can do... Something I can help with, somewhere... Things just keep happening and developing around me, and I can't seem to be able to do anything to make them better..."
She remained silent for a moment, the only sound being the buzz of her wings. "I apologize. It wasn't exactly the best thing to ask." She admitted. Thabara "Oh, please." Nergal shook his head energically. "There is absolutely no need for you to apologize. It is just.. I have gotten hurt quite badly twice already, and I am quite aware that I have been lucky. If something happens to me, that is my own fault and my own problem. But if something were to happen to you.. I simply fear I would not be able to protect you."
He was a little surprised to hear her admit she was at a loss on what to do, her words vaguely echoing Kishara's, though without the anguish and despair.
"When I was on my host's homeworld.. One night I passed by a church, a temple, where mortals had gathered to sing in honor of their god. I was not the only one to stop and listen for a while, and a great many of people would even enter the church. And those who walked on.. did so with a smile on their lips." He paused for a moment, carefully picking his words before he spoke on. "Your melodies, your songs.. They have the power to reach the hearts of the people, to soothe their pain, to give comfort, to make their losses more bearable.. to bring hope."
He shifted a little uneasily, not really wanting to tell her what to do. "Why not go out and.. remind the mortals of your gifts?" he suggested. Zero Dream She listened again, pondering this for a moment. It was not a bad idea, she had to admit. Still, deep inside, she was not really *that* sure that her songs could already do half that. Sutch was the uneasiness that her half rebirth caused within the gentle goddess.
"That does sound like a good idea." She said finally, not mentioning that she had done much the same on Christmas. Thabara Nergal smiled, feeling a small rush of happiness that his idea had been so well received. Echo still seemed to be in doubt though, and he half-guessed why.
"It may not seem to you like you can do much now.. I know. But I am certain it will make a difference," he tried to assure her. "And as you grow in power it may open the path for you to other possibilities." Zero Dream She nodded softly, conceding this one without a doubt. "I seem to have issues, ever since the rebirth... Where I seem to be thinking too much about about here and now, rather than focusing on the future. I think this may be my biggest issues. That, and self-doubt..." The goddess admitted, visibly a bit embarrassed by the last few words. She was a goddess, something inside her head screamed. What was there to doubt ?! Goddess perhaps, but not flawed, her mind would reply to itself.
"I am a lucky one, to have friends I can rely on, that will help me trough my fears..." The lovely afternoon with Revei came back to her mind. "Dream guides me in patience, you, my lord, guide me in careful action..." What would she do without them ? She didn't even want to think about an alternative where close bonds, past and present, did not exist anymore. Thabara "It is only natural that you would doubt yourself. We are gods, yet we fell from glory - all of us but one. So we must have failed, somehow, sometime." Nergal looked down at his hand, a pale line still visible where Gaia's ring had adorned his finger. "I.. think I may have figured out some of what led to the downfall of my domain, albeit I cannot be sure about it until I remember more of my past. I have a few vague ideas on what might be done to remedy these deficiencies but.." He shook his head, a short, mirthless laughter leaving his lips. "Now look at me getting ahead of myself," he muttered dryly, "I do not even know yet how to remake my realm. But perhaps my search for this 'Sanatruces' will reveal some of my own past to me, and an answer or two. One can always hope."
"However.. I am glad that you would refer to me as a guide, and as a friend." He looked up at the goddess to give her a gentle smile. "Your hospitality, your sound advice, and that you are always willing to listen.. I cannot put into words just how much I appreciate this." Zero Dream "Memories... things and paths will come to us as they are ready to open... It is probably better to not rush things." Echo said, softly. "The only true way someone has no hope of ever getting what they wish is to give up. Zero told me this often..."
"Listening is a thing im fairly good at." The goddess said with a smile, finally getting up the couch to idly watch out the window - the sun was setting, now... "But it is quite alright, my lord, sometimes, words are not needed." She turned to look at him again then, a soft smile on her features. "It is easy to see in your eyes, so words are not needed." Thabara He felt a slight twinge of regret when she got up, a part of him wanting to protest and wishing she had remained at his side just a little longer. His right, where she had leaned against him, suddenly felt awfully cold.
"I hope that - one day - I will be able to repay your hospitality and your kindness. You will always be welcome to enter and leave the Underworld freely as you wish, once I have restored it.. Though much time will pass until that happens, I fear." Once that time came he might have to ask a favor of her, but it was too early to even mention it now.. Falling into silence the Underworld god swiftly and quietly worked to wrap the scepter again, as good it was possible with only one hand at his disposal. He would ask Ishum to wrap it properly again once the Aoide dared to return to his master's chamber.
"There is much I need to think over after what I have learned today," he finally said, looking up at Echo. She looked absolutely gorgeous as she stood there, her skin seeming almost to glow golden in the warm light of the setting sun. A part of him wished to stay, to admire her a little longer, but instead he slipped off the couch and cradled the silken bundle against his shoulder. "I think I shall retreat for the night." Zero Dream "As you wish, just let the aoidei know if you need anything." She paused for a moment, then suddenly seemed to remember something. "Oh, I forgot to ask... How is your shoulder going ? Is it getting better ?"
Even if she didn't want to see him leave, she still wanted him to heal up as fast as possible. Thabara Nergal nodded. "It is. Ishum said I should give it two or three more weeks before I start using my left arm again and put some strain on the shoulder, and then possibly another four or five weeks until I will be able use it normally again." He looked annoyed, the prospect of being forced being stuck and sit idle for such a long time again clearly didn't sit well with him, even if it gave him an excuse to enjoy Echo's company for a little longer before he left again.
"But the pain has lessened, and at least it seems to heal without complications. You do not need to worry." He was about to take his leave, but at the door he paused, a thoughtful expression on his face. "There is one thing.. Your Aoide, the mute - Alto was his name I believe? - I would like to learn the sign language from him, it will give me something useful to do." He smiled as he thought of Hunt's daughter, the little death goddess would surely be delighted if they could talk without an intermediary required to translate for her.. He definitely planned to revisit her father's temple as soon as he had recovered enough to tackle a longer hike. "If you are not in need of his services, send him to my room please."
Taking a small bow, barely able to not wince at the stab of pain the movement sent through his shoulder, he left. Zero Dream "I am glad to hear that at least the pain is lessening." Echo nodded. "If medicine was here, it would have been possible to do more, but..." Medicine. called some part of her conciousness. Memi, called the other. Where was she... Was she safe... ?
"As you wish. I believe he will be quite happy to have someone to teach to." Alto was getting pretty bored lately... Taking a bow herself, she went on in search of the aoide as he left.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:57 pm
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:58 pm
Goodbye, Mother Echo flopped on her bed that night, an huge smile on her face still as she hugged the case of the violin, almost if it was a precious child. The hairpin and the other trinkets she had picked up from the artisan's room where left on a nearby desk for now. "Such luck." She told herself again, opening the case to caress the soft wood. True craftsmanship... she had to admit she had not seen something like this for ages. So beautiful. And money meant so little to her, or course. Divinity did not bother with such matters. The building they where staying into was abandoned, so it was free - no one ever mattered to send an electricity bill on anything. And more importantly, Zero had gathered quite alot of money on the side of the various small jobs she had before being chosen. Probably set aside to pay whatever it would take to make it back home. It was pretty sad, in a way, that it was impossible for her to have made it. Even if she hadn't given herself to the deity, the kind of mage that did those things did not run the streets... and those who did charged much, much more than what she had set aside. But right now, it didn't matter. Zero was starting to no longer be Zero, and so forth. The lines had blurred in between them, and right now both where content with the lovely day and evening they had passed. But still, she had chosen to hold no memories that belonged to Zero. She had chosen to let this part slide into the void - one last bit of respect of her privacy. Only a few names, places, and things would remained - the most important ones, those too important to erase. The strongest was Tadashi Hazuki. What little she had identified the name as the one belonging to the young girl's father. What was left of the memories showed a man with salt-and-pepper hairs, a mustache and a finely-trimmed bread, a bit overweight, with warm eyes and smile. And there was a longing, the strongest thing. A longing to see him one last time, for final goodbyes. A longing so strong that it was PART of her, she realized, as she felt a pang of sadness in her chest. I want to see him. I must see him, one last time, I must, I must, I.... !!!! Her host was screaming in her sleep. Of course, by poking around, she was sure to have at least stirred her. One last time while he may recognize me...It will be too long yet. There is only a little time left... you know as well as I can, my one. She slipped. You can say the things you think. I never had much of a mother, she never cared. Ill'd rather have you.Echo remained silent for a moment. As you wish then, daughter.If I cannot see him, then... find him. Find him, and show him that I have become something beautiful. Show him that I am not quite dead...I will, and I promise, should I find him. Now sleep, before you hurt yourself...The last thing Zero would feel was the soft feeling of a kiss on her forehead. Goodnight, mother...Echo stayed silent and pensive for a moment. There was little she could do about it. Unless... Unless... She felt asleep as her plan was formulating in her head.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:59 pm
A Dragon And His Chosen Zero Dream Even with Nergal's worry still fresh on her mind, Echo could not avoid the pantheon. Maybe if she ignored the throne room, it would be fine... Fact is, her avoidance of the place had made her lost touch with so many of her own kind, and she did not wish to start the circle anew again. She liked to have a basic idea of what may have going on, and, most of all, she did not want to withdraw anymore. The goddess wished that the feeling that she had abandoned her own kind after the rise of destruction would fade...
Still, she did not stay long in the pantheon, usually. With underworld staying with her, she was afraid that too long of an absence might cause him to worry. Her walk had brought her here today, and she had decided to stop and rest her feet for some time. Music was, slowly, putting her plan in motion. A plan which, maybe... may at least return smiles on worn faces, if only for an instant.
She busied herself with making some tea - she had gotten used to others lurking about, and sometimes sounds or smells were enough to draw them out of their quarters... Sosiqui The duty of Tien Lung is to protect the Throne of the Twin Crown.And, with that lesson in mind, Shaiming had trotted Crispin downstairs to stand vigil, the sword Lord Harmodius had given him in hand. That had been two hours ago, and Crispin was trying very hard not to fall asleep on his feet. "He's not even in here! Why do we have to do this?" Crispin grumbled, glancing over at the empty throne and its background of roaring flames. Because it is our duty. From now on, I wish for us to do this for a while each day, to increase your stamina for such things and to make you realize the importance, Shaiming said, with the same solemnity as he had the first time he'd told Crispin this. "You keep saying that. I'm tired of it. Can't I have a break?" Crispin thought he heard someone moving around in the kitchen, suddenly, and he latched onto the excuse like a starving man to a sandwich. "There's someone in the kitchen, I think... we could go see... please?" The dragon sighed. Very well, he said, grudgingly. "Yes! Um, I mean, thank you." Crispin sagged with relief and sheathed the amethyst sword, making sure it was carefully secured to his belt before moving gratefully into the kitchen - and there was someone... no, a goddess, obviously... that he'd never seen before. "Greetings," he said, cautiously, but with a ready smile. Zero Dream When the sound of footsteps gave out the boy's entry, Echo turned sightly, to greet this new face. An host, no doubt. Not old, either - maybe around the same age than her own had been.
"Good day." She said, softly, setting the kettle down to heat and turning her full attention to Crispin, a smile on her face, careful of the strings that dropped down from her wrists. "And who might you be ? I do not think we had the pleasure of meeting before." Sosiqui "I am Crispin - host to the Dragon King Shaiming," Crispin said, carefully, giving the odd... stringed? ... woman a tentative smile. She seemed friendly enough, but he was always on his best, most formal behavior with new deities until told to be otherwise. "My greetings to you, goddess," Shaiming said. "Um. Yes. And you are...?" Crispin asked. Zero Dream Dragon king... This meant something important, she knew of it, but her memory remained stubborn and refused to give her any further details. She had not seen an host in a long time - it was almost comforting to know that the process had not come to a screeching halt...
"I am Echo, and my realm is music. Come, sit for a second, you look a bit tired." She answered. Sosiqui "Music?" Crispin tilted his head to one side. "There's a goddess for that? That's awesome! You must be like the ultimate muse!" He beamed at her, obviously impressed, and moved to sit as she indicated. "Ahh... that feels good. Shaiming, that's my Dragon King, had me standing in the throne room for hours!" "It is my duty," Shaiming said, mildly. "Okay, no, it wasn't too bad, but I'm glad to get a break." Zero Dream The boy seemed to be amazed by such simple things... The goddess couldn't help but think of this as very endearing. "I guess you could say that. Would either of you like something to drink ?" Both dragon and host seemed to get along well enough, which also brought a smile to her face. Sosiqui "Coffee!" "Tea would be lovely."A pause, then laughter, one sound but mingled as though two were joined in the same mirth. "Okay, um. Maybe cocoa or milk or something, if we can find some. Shaiming and I... don't agree on the matter of beverages, I'm afraid." Crispin looked sheepish. "Fine sake... but there's none of that here," Shaiming added, wistfully. "How do you fare, Music?"Zero Dream She couldn't help but give a faint, almost musical giggle when the two blurted completely different things. It reminded her of herself and her own host - those little things seemed to be resurfacing lately, with the merge... only there was no voice anymore, only implulses. Lord, she missed her voice.
"Cocoa it is, then." She said at least, reaching into the cupboards in order to attempt to find some, taking another cup and laying it down on the counter alongside her own - the little string coming out from the end proving that she stood on the tea side of things. Not that she disliked coffee either...
"Sake does not seem like a bad idea in the least, either. I heard it was quite good, but I've never had the pleasure to try it out. But alas. I have been doing better as of late, thankfully. I feel like I am finally starting to find my new place in this world..." Echo suddenly stood on the tip of her toes, grabbing the can of cocoa powder that was hidden deep inside the cupboard. Sosiqui "And what place is it that you seek?" Shaiming asked, curiously, letting out a soft mental sigh at the thought of good sake shared with friends. "What song will Music sing in these dark times?""Wow, you're dour today," Crispin remarked, getting up to go and rummage through the fridge for a snack to go with the drink. "Do you want something to eat, Miss Echo?" Zero Dream "Songs of hope, song of dreams... Whatever I need to sing in order to return a smile to dark faces, or a twinkle in muted eyes... If only for an instant, then what I have done will have mattered." She poured boiling water in both cup and set herself on the task of preparing the boy's cocoa.
"I am not really hungry, thank you." The goddess gave him a smile. "how many sugars in your cocoa ?" Sosiqui "A worthy choice," Shaiming mused, as Crispin located an apple inside the fridge and claimed it for his own. "There has been too much of sadness and waste lately, too much ruin and not enough joy. When I ascend into power once more, I will be able to shield this place from the influence of Destruction, so that humans will not fear as much to come to the gods.""No sugar, thanks," Crispin said, returning to his seat and taking a bite out of the apple. "It's sweet enough as it is." Zero Dream Sheild... ? Damn this faulty memory of her's... She could not retell a thing about this one, and it was all a bit confusing to the goddess. "It is quite a good idea." She said, turning to reveal a smile, carefully bringing both cups, one in each hand, to the table, putting the cocoa in front of the brown haired boy. "If I can somehow be of any assistance to you..." She doubted so, of course... but maybe ? There where just days where she felt so useless, so... insignifiant.
She took a sit beside host and dragon king, taking a sip of the tea. The scent from the cup could quickly identify it as lemon. Sosiqui "I fear not, in terms of power, until you have ascended further - but perhaps a sweet trill of song. As you know, there is a special kind of strength in that," the dragon replied. "I value it; so, too, should the rest of the world. Do you worry?"Crispin took another sip once he was sure Shaiming was done talking; he didn't want to risk half-choking again as he had before by misjudging when to stick something in his mouth. Zero Dream "I do worry." She admitted, trying to banish the thoughts from her mind with another sip of tea. "I find it too hard not to. It just seems like... I have done so little." She bit her lips - she really had to get out of this habit of dumping her problems on perfect strangers. "But I am comforted by the thought that things will get better soon." Sosiqui "I have done very little... there is little to do, enmeshed in this jewel as I still am," Shaiming said. "And in the face of Destruction - as a guardian of Our Lord I cannot presume to judge him, nor claim him false, which he is not... but it is intimidating. That, I understand, though I myself cannot undertake any chance to change what he has become. Only shield the effects as best I can, when I can." Zero Dream The goddess listened, then shook her head. "Destruction... is still my lord over everything. Yet... I do fear him." She admitted. "But I cannot deny what I know is true - he remain first and foremost our lord, and I will not deny him the respect he deserves. I do hope, however, that he may find his balance again." Sosiqui "There are those who would wish that Destruction remain to the fore - but I have sworn neutral in that conflict," Shaiming said, bowing gracefully - or he would have, if Crispin hadn't jumped at the sudden movement and dropped the cocoa mug with a crack and a splash. "Oh, oh no," Crispin said, dropping down to pick up the pieces, his ears red with embarassment. "Oh dear... I am sorry," Shaiming said, abashed. Zero Dream Echo's first reflex was to perk up at the very clear crack at that she heard, and, quickly following the first, the second reflex was to look over and make sure the young one was not hurt by either the hot liquid or glass shards. Relieved to see that he seemed okay, the goddess quickly was on her feet. "Ill go get a rag to clean this up - be careful with those shards, please ?" She couldn't help but feel a bit motherly to the boy.
It reminded her of Zero... so much.
She quickly went on her way, and soon was helping with the cleaning. Sosiqui "They're not sharp," Crispin reassured her, oblivious to the mothering - he was kind of used to it, from women, enough so that he really didn't notice it anymore. He scooped up all the shards and carried them over to the trash can. "Destruction strikes again, huh?" Don't blaspheme, Shaiming said, sharply. "Whoa, I was kidding - hey, Miss Echo, I'll clean it up, don't worry," Crispin raised his voice to the goddess. He couldn't imagine a goddess cleaning up his spill... Zero Dream "Are you sure ?" Echo didn't really care about cleaning things herself - her aoide had to basically force her to sit down so that they had SOMETHING to do, after all ! "Well... Do you want something else to drink, then ?" Sosiqui "No, I can do it... I mean... you're a goddess and stuff," Crispin said, blushing a bit. "And it's my mess, anyway..." He took the rag and bent to soak up the spilled cocoa; there wasn't too much of it anyway, since he'd already drained half the mug. As Crispin cleaned, he felt Shaiming's attention refocus on the goddess. "I do have a question for you, as it happens - I was told by a friend of my host that Nergal, Underworld, was interested in speaking with me... and told by another source that you might know where to find him...?"Zero Dream Echo was just about to say something, but stopped to listen as the dragon once spoke. Who could have known.... Ah, no matter.
"Lord Underworld has been staying with me, actually. He has had some issues with his shoulder and he is staying in my home until it heals..." The goddess answered. "He does not wander into the pantheon often, but I shall let him know, and he probably will come. I would offer to bring you to him, but... My aoide are known to eardrop somewhat." She couldn't help but sigh a bit at the thought of those three. "And I assume you would prefer your conversation to remain private." Sosiqui "Ah, so..." Shaiming paused. Echo wasn't the only one with eavesdropping Aoidei, as it happened. "As he wishes, I'm sure. I still have the leisure to place myself at others' disposal, though once my duties can be taken up again I am sure I'll be busier. Still, best to do what I can while I have the liberty to do so..."Crispin started washing out the rag in the sink, wondering again at how odd it was for reasoned, mature conversation to be coming out of his mouth, without him controlling it, in a voice not his own. While he went about the most mundane tasks, Shaiming could still speak from within as though he were on a pedestal talking to a great audience. Zero Dream "Agreed." On that point... Well, Echo felt like she had too much free time, sometimes. The only person that actively seeked her for help was Revei.
Echo sat then, letting the boy do as he wished. "You remind me of my host, Crispin." She said with a smile - this was a compliment. Sosiqui "Your host?" Crispin tilted his head to one side as he turned to look at Echo, curious. "What... um, what was she like? Shenlei's host talked to me once, that was kind of weird, but..." Zero Dream "She's about your age, actually. A deeply talented young lady, kind and gentle with friends but not afraid to stand up for what she felt is right." She paused for a moment - she did not want to scare off Crispin with what had happened to Zero - it was her own mistake, and the dragon would likely not do such, so she omitted part of the explanation, but ended it with the truth. "I am afraid that you cannot speak to her, however... At least not directly. She requested that we become one being." Sosiqui Crispin just nodded. "I understand... it's different for everyone, isn't it?" He'd never asked Shaiming what he intended to do, and the dragon had never told him - but it didn't matter, really. He trusted Shaiming more than he'd ever trusted anything in his life. He paused, though, then went on. "What's it like? Becoming one with your host, I mean?" Zero Dream "It's like..." She paused for a moment, drinking some tea and pondering how to explain this. "It's kind of like taking a little bit of both and in the end, neither are really the same but neither are really... gone, either. It's not a bad feeling, neither does it hurt really... It's just a bit weird when you start realizing how you start doing and thinking things the other would had, and so forth." Sosiqui "Hm." Crispin looked thoughtful. "It... doesn't really make sense to me. I mean, it does - like something in a book, from a distance, that would never really happen... it makes sense if I think of it like that. But if I try and think of it as something that's going to happen to me... it doesn't, not really." Zero Dream "I understand." The goddess nodded. "I believe it felt quite the same for her, and that I would feel quite the same if I had been in either of your places. I consider you, and all of the hosts, very brave indeed to face the unknown in the way they do." Sosiqui Crispin blushed. "Um, thank you... though it's okay, really. Shaiming and this world are everything I ever wanted, and Morgan too... she's wonderful. Um. She's my girlfriend," he added, feeling silly. "Isn't it funny? I'm not sure when I'm going to just vanish, but even so, I'm the happiest I've ever been." "A feeling not unshared," Shaiming added. There had been some happier times, but there was something to the contentment of teaching Crispin, his trust and ready response, the evenings spent with him and Morgan... and while waiting was terrible, the fact that what was coming had not yet occurred, that he didn't have to bend his will on the world, was... kind of nice. Zero Dream Ahhh, young love. So tender and passionate... "Yes, that does sound quite wonderful. She sounds like a keeper." The goddess winked. "I would love to meet her someday, if possible."
It was nice... to see that she was not the only one who had a good relationship with her host. But then... the link in between Crispin and Shaiming seemed even stronger than the one between herself and Zero. Sosiqui "I'll be sure to let her know that - she's met several of the other gods, and she hasn't been blasphemous yet," Crispin said, with a grin. "Do you, um, live here? I mean, in this temple. Thingie." Zero Dream "No, I do not. I do not live far, however." The goddess answered. "I prefer it this way - I happen to be in the company of lovely people that would be too difficult to house in a single room. However, I might one day look into getting one here still, to use as a writing place, should our lord be willing." Sosiqui "Oh... I was just wondering how Morgan could find you, if she wanted to talk with you. Do you have a map or something?" Crispin looked curious. "Is it very far?" He glanced at the odd pulses behind her back - they looked like wings, but he wasn't sure. Zero Dream "Oh, I see - It's not too far, no. About 5 minutes walking at most. Here, let me note this down..." Echo quickly retrieved a paper pad from the bag she had left in a corner nearby, noting down the address and drawing a very simple map - which could probably make anyone thankful that she was the goddess of music, and not of drawing.
"Here - I apologize for the map, I am afraid my drawing skills are not exactly up to part." The goddess admitted, looking cutishly embarrassed as she pulled the sheet out of the pad and handed it over. Sosiqui "It's okay, you don't need to be good at drawing," Crispin said with a wry grin. "There's another goddess for that, right?" Within, Shaiming roused and prodded at his host. I believe this is a long enough break for today's practice...Crispin sighed. "Sorry. Shaiming wants me to get back to standing by the throne room. He says it's his job to protect Lord Harmodius, and he wants me to see what it's like, or something." "It was a joy to meet you, Echo," the dragon chimed in, politely. "I hope we will meet again."Zero Dream "I should get going, anyway." The goddess nodded, flinging a strap of the messenger bag over her shoulder. "It was a pleasure as well - don't be shy, either of you. My door is always open."
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:00 pm
The End. It was over. Deep inside her, she knew what it was finally over the moment she had awoken that morning. And she sat on her bed, alone, pondering this over for a moment after making sure the feeling was true. There was nothing left of Zero in her mind. Only broken strings remained behind, only a fragment of memory. She was saved... but the cost for the young girl's safety had been great. Some part of her mind found it awkward to think that they once where two distinct souls, as if they had always been together. Some may say that this was true - that maybe, the youth and the goddess where destined to cross paths, destined to eventually become one. Many things where lost, of course - Echo's immortal soul had been much stronger than Zero's, and most of her actually memories and knowledge had been discarded - she had no right to know, after all, it was probably better that way. What remained where a few characteristic traits, feelings, and her own mind acting as a little internal conscience when both part of the soul might disagree on something. Which was better than nothing at all, she figured. Zero had been precious to her, and now she was completely a part of her. Instead of her turning into nothing, they would grow together, and once again rise to greatness together, with her help. The youth deserved nothing less. And with that thought in mind, the goddess went on with her day proper. Perhaps she should take Aria for a ride ?
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:01 pm
Wake up
My love
Never thought you'd make me, break me
Now I'm up from below
Such a brilliant star you are
And will your love keep burning baby
Burn a hole right through my eyes
All these short times feel like no time
I thought you ought to know
"Lunacy Fringe" - The Used Dream A Little Dream Beautiful, as always, one would say. Long, thick hairs falling back, silk against the silk of her white grown. She whispered to herself as she walked, trying to soothe her nerves as her footstep resonated on the floor, trailing her movement. Perhaps it had been unwise to come here alone, without her aoide, without Tempo, but... she had thought wiser not to cause any commotion. Ah, so young and naive. Still so soon after everything began... It was her first time in this place, she realised suddently, almost surreally. The halls where confusing to her, and she became more and more unsetteled as she found herself lost. calm down she stopped, taking a moment to calm herself. She had to stay calm, being nervous wouldn- "Excuse me ?" The voice almost made the goddess jump out of her own skin, as she turned to face the source of that sound. Ah, she had been so nervous she hadn't heard his footsteps. A golden winged figure, black on white... Ishum... ?"My apologies." The goddess finally spoke. "I seem to have gotten lost. I am Echo, the voice of the countless. I come to seek the lord of this realm-" The underworld. Nergal. A third person. Who.... ?"-I believe I owe him some apologies." The servant bowed. "Then, please follow me." No sound then, beside the footstep of the pair. Hallway after hallway, until, finally, a thone room. Two figure waited. Two. The underworld... And his queen. Echo felt on her knees in respect, but then a voice. His voice. "Rise." He said, sharply. "A goddess out not to bow as freely as a mere mortal." "I apologize." She did her best to swallow the lump that was forming in her throat. "I believe you are aware of the reason of my presence here... ?" "Ah, yes." The woman answered this time, face hidden behind a regal black veil. "But I must admit we where not expecting to see you in person." "I believed it would be better if I came." Echo answered, softly. "I came as an apology. My followers are a bit... flicle." Ah, yes. The first one that decided to try to get his beloved back from death. That never really worked too well..."I shall do all in my power to make sure a situation like this will not happen again." Fat good that one did... that sure wasn't the last."You ought not to worry so much." The lord replied. So young, so shy... It hadn't been long since she came to be, and it showed. "Mortals shall be mortals." Still, the fact that she had came this far, deep into the unknown, for an apology... was commendable. "Ah, but you must be tired, lady Echo." The woman said afterward. "Please, do stay for a bit... I would love to show you my gardens." Nergal glanced at his queen for a moment, a but puzzeled, but he said nothing. Perhaps this young goddess could keep her company for a while... "I would be pleased to." She answered with a smile. Friend, confident, student at times, maybe. She loved to play the harp. She loved it when I taught her how to pull those strings, the look on her face when I had a harp made for her by Concerto warmed my heart. I love him, I love him, but no, never, I can't... I can't do this, I must pretend there is nothing, I will never be able to live with myself if I don't, I can't hurt her, I can't, I can't ! She deserves him more than I do, at any rate, I must forget about this...Then, finally the goddess woke. Allready the memories where fogging. What... What had that been all about... ? Ah, if only Revei could have told her...
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