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 Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:04 pm
...Plucking the Strings...
...brings about memories...Quote: 1/21/04 The light, vibrant air crested through the room like a wave of the sea. Gyre sat upon her throne, her chubby hands ever present onthe strings of her love - the harp. She knew not exactly how to play, and her guardian knew not how to teach her, but the child presisted. With each pluck of the magnificent strings, an image conjured itself in her mind. Each note struck a chord of a memory, if only a glimmer. A city in the trees...a mother and father...a sister and brother... But what were these visions? Were they indeed memories? With a mind too underdeveloped to comprehend, Gyres eyes just floated about each image, watching. Who were these people? And why did they sing? The masks. She remembered. The masks, like hers, held the power. A Gift to change the shape of the wearer. Only the tree people could use the truely magical ones. Each had a purpose for the wearer... Gyre blinked away the latest vision. She turned her tiny head, fingers wrapping around the wooden mask she always kept with her. She took it off, staring at it, wondering. Why? Why a falcon? Silver eyes graced the body of the harp. How it glistened in the morning light. She had never known such adoration before...or had she? She couldnt recall. All she knew was that she loved the harp, just as she loved her family. Another pluck of a note, high pitch dancing in the air. The mask fell to the ground...
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:05 pm
The day was bright and early. The family sat on the couch, watching the television. Lu, the guardian, flipped through the channels as quickly as possible. Lucius sat next to her, amazed at all the flickering pictures. Gyre tried to comprehend each one, failing every time.
Finally, Lu landed upon a nature show dedicated to the swan. Gyre's eyes immediately lit up and she jumped to the ground, smashing her face into the television. The swan enthralled her. Lu got up to pull the child away before irreversable brain damage occured. Gyre was finally peeled from the screen, but with great dismay.
Watching from a distance, Gyre began to imitate the swan's graceful movements. That was when Lu noticed her mask was missing. She shot up to look for it when she realized that Gyre knew it was gone as well - and didn't care. Lucius crawled down next to his older sister and mimiced her too, not really seeing what was so great about a swan.
Lu sat down again, watching the children curiously. Gyre, to her, was always a falcon. Why the sudden change?
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:07 pm
jacknblack Quest Time!Without Gyre constantly wearing her mask, it accidentally becomes misplaced one day after a venture out with her guardian. It is unclear whether it was lost before, after, or during this short, fairly routine trip. However, noticable changes will be made evident in both Gyre's behaviour as well as more subtle ones in her appearance. Take her through this difficult stage of change, and have her realize just what the mask meant; this should also reveal more to Gyre about her past. Good luck, young Legend!
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:08 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:09 pm
Hidden Dancer, part IIQuote: That evening… Lu frantically began to tear the place apart. Well, not literally tear, but she could have, given her current state of emotional trauma. Her Legend child Gyre, the one whose personality was unwavering in its happiness and sociability, began to change. A change such as this was what worried Lu the most. Before embarking on her endeavor to turn the house upside-down, the Guardian had placed a call to the local physician, hoping there was a medical explanation for such a dramatic change in character. "Nothing is wrong with your daughter, miss." The doctor explained gently. Lu's voice cracked as she had explained the situation� Gyre was calm, almost...Zen in nature now. But the Guardian had thought she was ill or depressed. Children could get depressed, right? The doctor sighed, explaining to her once more. "Listen, Miss Lu, there is nothing wrong with your daughter. Perhaps she's just tired? If her eating habits are unchanged, she breathes normally and functions properly in every other regard, then she is fine. Perhaps she just needs time outside or something? I'm a physician, not a psychiatrist. I can�t help you in that regard. Good day, miss." The dial tone greeted her then. She sighed, tugged at the horns, which protruded from her skull. What was wrong with her? She paced about the house, Gyre sitting, still serene, on the couch beside her. What was wrong? What was wrong? Then, she realized it. The mask. Why hadn't she thought of it before? Gyre came to her in a mask, always wore the mask, refused to let her even touch the mask before and now� Now her daughter didn't wear it. The mask, which she had become so accustomed to seeing upon Gyre's head, was gone. Gone! Missing! What had happened to it, and why hadn't she noticed it missing before? Thus began the insatiable desire to rip the place to shreds until she found it. It had to be here somewhere. Had to be. And, looking on as unmoved as before, Gyre watched her Guardian slip into a silent mania. Nothing was safe from the Mancubus� claws. The couches would come up, down, and then the terror would move into another room. But, little did she know then that the child herself knew where the mask was. But for Gyre, it wasn�t a matter of where the mask was, but what the mask meant. Gyre turned away and crawled off into the seclusion of her room, where the mask lay hidden in her nest of a bed. She could hear her Guardian's semi-suppressed shrieks in the living room.
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:10 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:11 pm
Hidden Dancer, part IV
Quote: The day was long, cold, gray and wet. Lu was not a happy camper at all. Usually she was on the day after her weekly feeding, but she was too worried about Gyre to be very content with a full belly. Instead, the Mancubus sunk back into the cotton and polyester couch cushion; one of the few she didn't destroy. Luckily enough for her family, (and her income) the damage was not expensive to replace. So, throughout the day, Lu moped about, watching Gyre from the corner of her eye. The once-falcon child sat in her playpen, quiet. Quiet. That was what got on Lu's nerves. She hated the quiet. It made her nervous. Now, she had come to expect a certain amount of noise and shrieking from the baby, but ever since the introduction of that harp... The harp! It wasn't the mask! It was the harp! The Mancubus eyes widened and she dashed off to the living room where the instrument stood. Gyre's eyes followed her Guardian's movements, perplexed. Lu came to a halt at the harp, knowing she could not lift it. The Guardian looked ot her charge, and then to the harp. It had to go. If it was making Gyre act strangely, it had to leave. Thusly, she attempted to pick it up by herself. No such luck. Gyre, however, sensed what her charetaker was about to do, and began her squeals of protest. As Lu continued, the squeals and pleads turned to shrieks. The woman finally stopped, walking back to her baby, wide-eyed and confused. Reaching into the playpen, she picked up the child, cradling her in her arms. Gyre quieted, knowing full well that Lu had understood the message. Gyre looked up at her Guardian, her silver eyes glinting in the afternoon sunlight. Lu blinked back, her gray eyes tracing Gyre's sharp features. Her maternal insticnt told her to look for injuries incurred while protesting... Turning the baby in her arms, Lu could not find anything noticably wrong with the child, except... Except... Were her wings different? They were! Upon closer inspection, Lu noticed Gyres wings had a subtle difference to them - they were beginning to turn snow-white in color. And her hair was beginning to do the same thing. Odd. She hadn't seen it before. Only the very tips of her hair and wings began to change. But why? Gyre suddenly fidgetted. "Daina! Daina, where do you think you're going?!"
Trees...away from the family. Freedom.The baby was scared now. Lu held her close, watching in wonder. She had no idea how to help. The baby's wings twitched and she let out a cry. "Gyre?!"
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:13 pm
Hidden Dancer, part V
Quote: The cry was heart-piercing. The Guardian stood, stunned, as her child's lungs belted force a shriek of pure terror. One, single, solitary shriek. Lu knew not what to do. Instead, she watched, dumbfounded, as the baby quieted suddenly. The eerieness of the house made her that much more uncomfortable. Sitting up in her arms, Gyre reached out towards the one thing that could give her answers. Towards the bedroom Lu walked, watching with her dull, gray eyes as the Legend lead her onward. Into the deep-reaching depths of the darkened bedroom... Gyre immediately wanted ot be set down, and was obliged as fast as possible. Lu watched as the baby pulled ou the mask which she had been searching for for days. Gyre then held it up, curiously enraptured by it. It seemed to speak to her... Lu knelt down on the carpet, her ears twitching to listen. Freedom..., it spoke with a deep, trusting voice. Freedom from what?, the bird-child asked, her soul tinged with fear from what the knowledge might bring. Song. Freedom from rule. But also...pain. Lonelyness.Lonelyness? But I'm not lonely...You are not now, but you were...I was? What do you mean, 'I was.'? I was never lonely. Who is Daina? Why do I see through her eyes?Daina is you. Was you. Daina was song never meant to be sung. Daina was dance that was never allowed to be performed. Daina was...Daina... Daina was... me?Yes, child. Daina was you. Daina wanted dance, but family was strict. Family wanted song, Daina wanted dance. Daina wanted freedom. Daina flew away, never to return until now.Daina...took the falcon mask...and flew away? How? If she flew away, how am I here now? Did she...did she...die?Daina was away for a long, long time. Very long. Very lonely. Daina merged with mask, and became freedom. Daina forgot old family. Daina only knew freedom.Daina only knew the falcon!Indeed.The mask fell silent then. Gyre let it drop to the ground, its wooden frame cushioned by the plush carpet. Lu crept forward, lightly touching the baby's shoudlers. She did not ask about what the mask told her. She only knew that sobs now came forth from the baby, and that she had discovered something... Something painful.
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:15 pm
Hidden Dancer, finale
Quote: The wailing turned into a choked, quiet sob as Lu edged towards the baby. Her tiny wings vibrated with the force of her sobs as Lu picked her up to cradle her. Bouncing Gyre on her hip compulsively, the Guardian wandered out into the vastness of the living room. Gyre clutched her Guardian's shoulderblade, blinking back the last of her tears. The woman sat down on the plush couch, sinking back warmyl and comfortably. Gyre crawled out from her caretaker's arms and sat next her her, rubbing her tiny, silver eyes. The tips of her hair shone in the light of the floor lamp next to them. Lu turned to watch the child as she looked up. "Mama?" she asked, eyes twinkling with her tears. Lu tilted her head, smiling warmly. "Yes?" Gyre sniffed again, cupping her face in her own hands. This was difficult, but it had to be done. "Mama? Would you let me...dance... if I wanted to dance?" The Guardian chuckled, but it wasn't in a mocking sense. When finished, she nodded profusely. "Of course! When you're here, you can do whatever makes you happy, as long as you don't hurt anyone in the process." A last nod sent it home. Gyre's heart was relieved. Since what the mask told her was believed to be true, she had had a sinking feeling Lu would want to mold her into an image upheld by the family. But her Guardian had no family she'd seen, and was about as strict as an elderly woman. Still, that fear had persisted. But with her caretaker's assurance, all was lifted. Lu had but one request, though. "Gyre, when you want to dance, may I watch?" The overwhelming feeling of freedom the Legend child had gotten from this simple conversation equaled, or, perhaps, surpassed, that which she felt from the falcon mask. She felt she could do anthing her heart pleased under the watchful eye of her Guardian. Still, she wanted to know a bit more about her past... But for right now, she didn't care about a thing. They embraced each other, Lu smiling again. Gyre dropped immediately to the floor, pointing to the harp. "Mama? Could you play a song for me? I want to dance..." Lu stood, bowing, and walked ot the harp. Sitting down behind its massive curves, she sighed, a bit nervous. "I don't know exactly how to play," she explained, "but I'll try." And thus, the Legend began to dance... A dance of freedom.
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:16 pm
Pink Lemonade Pink swung open the driver side door to her brand new car, Della almost flying off of her hear. At the same time, all the other doors opened with her's. Mesmerelda, Ursa, and Guinevere, with the help of Cheska who opened their door and let her ride on her back, all hopped out of the car and bounded after Pink toward the door to one of their friend's house. There were many on the list of stops that day and they had only just begun! Pink got there first, having a head start and all and rang the door bell. Moments later nobody came, and pressing their ears to the door, they heard nothing from inside. "They must be out doing the same thing we're doing Mom." Ursa pointed out. "Excellent point!" Pink said and left their present on the door with a note. "They'll get it as soon as they get home. Now quick! Everyone to the car, we have no time to waste!" And with that, they raced off, hopped in, and Pink sped off to the next house. Quote: Dear Lu and Gyre, Here's just a little something to celebrate the loving time of the year and hopefully to let you forgive my horrible memory of all the other holidays we forgot to commemorate with gifts. Happy Singles Awareness Day! <3 Pink, Ursa, Guinevere, Mesmerelda, Della  
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:17 pm
Valentine's and More...
Glad to report that the terror seems to be over. Gyre is fine, and Im so relieved. At first, I thought it was me who did something wrong, but apparently, Gyre's a strong girl, and she can overcome anything she sets her mind to. She's speaking a lot more, too, and she and Lucius have taken to practicing their writing. Gyre loves the markers I bought for her. She's drawing lots of dancers and swans, too.
I dressed her and myself up, and we went to the Legends Valentine dance. Gyre had on the cutest little white lace dress. She looked positively radiant. We saw Chesai and Dare (who was looking very strapping.) It was lots of fun. I plan to take her back there.
Oh, which reminds me. I should take Gyre back to the HQ. I'm sure she misses her friends.
(to the left of the margins) Note to self - Take Gyre to HQ...
She's also starting to dance. Ever so slightly, and it is a bit clumsy, but who am I to talk? It's the cutest thing ever! Even Lucius is helping. I gave him a tupperware bowl, and he turned it into a drum. He happily beat the "drum" for Gyre's little dance. It was the cutest thing ever.
She's turning into more and more of a swan. I just know it.
Lu
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:19 pm
Quote: I met with Pink again the other day, bringing Gyre into the HQ for the first time in a long time. Pink's pregancy is coming along nicely, but she says that her lover, Lulu, has been gone for quite a while. Makes me wonder where my significant other is... Gyre's teaching Guin to dance, which was the sweetest thing I've ever seen. It's not really dancing yet, as she's still just a baby, but you can see how much she's trying. We went and saw Swan Lake, the true ballet, about a week ago. She's been inspired ever since. I am so happy I took her to see it. I should definately write to Darke, or figure out where he is one of these days. The house gets lonely, despite all the occupants running around. I also heard there's a few new Legends to meet. I should definately take Gyre in again. Perhaps it will ease the depression. The table kept rattling as Lu was trying to watch television. It neever occured to her that tables rattled by themselves. Sounded like glass bowls rolling over hardwood. Her eyebrows scrunched together, trying to block out the sound. Unfortunately, it kept getting louder, and louder... "ARGH! What is tha infernal noise?!" she wailed, stomping into the kitchen where the noise was originating. When her feet stepped onto the cold tile of the kitchen floor, Lu stopped dead in her tracks. Gyre was busy dancing on the table! The guardian blinked, confused. Where had she seen that dance, and where had Gyre learned it from? Thinking a bit, still watching Gyre's every movement, she tried to remember further back. Gyre's feet stomped the table, her voice cheerful with laughter. She clapped her hands with the rhythm she made with her feet. She was sometimes unsteady, but with age came balance. Then, it suddenly clicked in her head. It was a Spanish dance... The Flamenca? From television! She left Patience to babysit when she went out for groceries, and she must've seen it on television! A smile lit up the caretaker's face. She began to cheer and clap with Gyre's beat. The Legend was elated! Giggling, she danced about, turning around, the cloth of her pajamas flaring out like the skirts of the Spanish dancers. Laughter filled the house as more residents came to watch. Gyre was thrilled ot have an audience that appreciated and respected what she truely wanted to do... "Momma...Why green?" Grye asked quietly as her caretaker slipped over her head the last piece of the green ensomble. Gyre was neated dressed in a St. Patrick's Day frilly green dress, complete with shamrock barettes and green sparkly shoes. The definition of cute! Lu couldn't help herself. "You, my dear, are so cute!" And now, she wouldn't get pinched! Such was the tradition. If one did not wear green, one was promptly pinched. The caretaker then picked up the baby Legend, decked out in green, and set her down on the floor. (She was being dressed on the bed of Lu's room.) Next on the hitlist was Lucius! But being such a sweet and easygoing boy, the owl child didn't mind at all being dressed for the occasion. Lacking a green tux for him, Lu improvised with green socks, shorts and a matching shirt. Lucius hooed his approval as he wandered over to the mirror. His guardian handed him a plastic shamrock to put in his hair. Patience, the resident Poke-Anthro, was made for St. Patick's Day. Being green herself, all she did was pull out a grass skirt from the Halloween stash and pranced about the house. Green apple Kool-aid was made int he kitchen to celebrate the holiday. Lu wrapped up some green cupcakes for her sweetheart on this day as well, and made him a card. "All ready for mailing!" Lu announced and went outside to set the package near the mailbox. Patience started to hand out the green sprinkled cookies to all the residents of the house. Neruo, the Feien fairy, carried the newest bloom about, landing on the coffeetable. He explained the ins and outs of St. Patrick's Day to the bloom, hoping it could understand. Gyre led Lucius about by the hand, helping him to stand when he fell. (He was still learning a stable walk.) When everyone was back in the house, treats and drinks were passed out in full. Then, the Mancubus set up several movies to watch for family time.
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:20 pm
Neruo could not help but ask, though, from his position on the coffeetable. "Lu, why are we celebrating so much? Are you Irish youself?"
Lu stopped handing out cookies to set the tray next to the Feien. She smiled, giggling. "Honestly, I don't know what my ethnicity is. I just love the color green!"
Everyone in the room who understood started to laugh. The children were settled on the couch, the animals on the floor in front of the television. The moive began to start, and everyone was happily eating and drinking. It was a wonderful day.
Luciel stumbled back into the house, brushing leaves and other debris from her tangled locks. Yet another successful hunt, but it was so late now. She could smell the ground heating up - it was nearing dawn. She hated sneaking out this late at night to feed, and she hated how she had to keep such a deep secret from her family. She didn't think anyone knew. She hoped no one knew. If they did know what she could do, would they fear her?
But they truely had nothing to fear. She could could them, but never had the thought enter her mind. Instead, her thoughts were paranoid and racing as she stepped into the kitchen. There, she fumbled her head into the sink to wash off the stinking blood and bits of flesh, knowing that just the noise of turning on the water to the pump in the sink would be enough to disturb the lightest of sleepers.
After she was thoroughly washed and dry, the mancubus looked up. No one was present. She did not see anyone at all. Breathing a heavy sigh of relief, Luciel tried to tip-toe back to bed, but something stood in her way. Shadowed in the darkness of the deep hallway, a little one leaned against the wall, rubbing their eyes. How long had they been standing there?! Sniffing the air, she knew who it was.
Gyre.
Panicked, the mancubus rushed the Legend, scooping the child up into her arms. Did she see anything? Anything at all? Gyre blinked, her silver eyes practically glowing in the dark.
"Momma, what are you doing up so late?" she asked sleepily. "Why didju stick your head in the sink?"
Luciel sighed. What do I tell her? That I was out eating someone? How well would THAT go over? She shook her head, all but shaking, fearing her daughter's hatred of her if she told her the truth. yre was so young, free, and delightful. How would such information affect her? Maybe she would tell her...someday.
Placing Gyre back in her makeshift nest at the foot of her bed, Luciel climbed into hers to sleep. Gyre all but forgot her questions as the veil of sleep rested upon her eyes. Lucius didn't even stir, his constant, soft "hooing" keeping time with his breaths. The mancubus tossed and turned until she finally went to sleep, the nitemares dulling in her mind.
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:22 pm
Quote: Journal, Gyre didn't seem to remember the events of last night. I can't believe she woke up and saw me! That was so terrible. I could hardly sleep last night, I worried so much. I can hardly hold the pen while I'm writing this. My biggest fear is that she'll hate me. She's so sweet and innocent... What would happen if my little swan saw blood on me? Or worse? I have to be more careful. Other than the nervewracking experience last night was, I have some other bit of information to report - my blood-brother, Serath, is moving into town soon. He contacted me recently, via his newest invocation, the "animacristallo". I don't have enough time to explain. Gyre, Lucius and I are going to sit down to watch family movis together. I do hope Serath isn't going to cause too much trouble. He's going to be moving into the guest room... Lu
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:23 pm
Quote: 3/24/05 A new Feien arrived today! He's the cutest thing! Well, next to Neruo's poof-mop of hair, I suppose. I was so glad that Feien are born into the world with the ability to speak. Everyone in the house has been dying ot get a look at him, but I don't think he likes it too much. He's very...withdrawn. But, I had to have Gyre take a look at him. He was sitting on the coffeetable, and I rounded Gyre up to see him. Demetrius is his name, and he's very yellow. Gyre, I think, was a bit wary of him, since he didn't move much. "Is he...dead?" she asked me. Lucius hung on my arm. "Hoo." he replied, as always. He's not dead. I'd know if he was."No, honey, he's just quiet." I explained. Gyre took that answer instead, and crawled up to the coffeetable. Demetrius noticed, but didn't move. Gyre used the coffeetable to stand and waved to him happily. He turned his gaze slightly, but didn't say anything. "What's wrong?" she asked, concerned. I could tell. She's very mature nowadays. "Nothing's wrong. I'm just...thinking." Gyre was overjoyed that she got a response. Her face lit up, but I'm not sure she understands the concept of 'leave me alone'. I took her up in my arms, with Lucius, when I thought the new Feien had had enough. He's only been around for a little bit. Too much stimulus could be bad for him. Gyre seems to want to be friends with him. I think he'd appreciate it, too, but sometime later.
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