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 Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:49 pm
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:50 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 2:33 pm
The hidden part of Emerwyn's mind swam with the hope that Emelyn would understand her message. It was all she could manage to write. The majority of her consciousness was restricting her emotions, not allowing her to admit that she was acting foolishly.
But, nothing would happen 'til her task was complete.
And that wouldn't happen until she found Julian.
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Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:13 pm
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Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:31 pm
Emerwyn's room was in shambles.
When she returned from getting Julian safely back to his duplex, she solemnly returned to her own.
She immediately began pacing about, casting nervous glances underneath her bed, as though something lingered there, threatening to come out and catch her exposed in her guilt.
She opened her dresser, pulling out its sparse contents, flinging them mindlessly onto the floor, leaving the drawer hanging half open. She moved then to her nightstand, casting about what articles were left there, her necklace, pens, papers.
It was as though she were looking for something. An answer.
Why had this happened? Why had she worked so hard to undo all the damage she had done, only to increase it tenfold?
The Cheshire Cat... Oh, God. Julian...
Mind racing, her hand rested hesitantly on the doorknob.
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Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 6:25 pm
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Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 1:18 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 6:57 pm
Come Full CircleEmerwyn Emerwyn began to feel restless sitting in the cafeteria for so long. It was wonderful to speak with Greer again. It was wonderful to have someone to listen to her, and to listen to. And, it was so good to see Ambrose and to find that miracles can happen on even so dreadful a place as this. But, she needed to move. Something wasn't right with her still, for all she had been able to get out. She still didn't feel all herself - there - while she spoke, or drank her tea. So, she sbruptly said, "Greer, I need to get out of here." And, without hardly waiting for Greer to respond, she stood, and began to walk swiftly towards the cafeteria doors. Greer Cassenwari Greer blinked and cocked her head, things changing too quickly for her to follow while lost in her own thoughts. A moment later her brain clicked into gear, she put down her cup, bussed her tray, and sped after Emerwyn's retreating back. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked as she caught up to the other woman outside. Emerwyn "I need to go..." Emerwyn panted as she sped, though she slowed a bit for Greer to catch up. "Something's not right..." her voice grew a little panicked as she went, and she even looked about herself nervously, as though observed by some unseen being. "Come with me... We need to go. And, please, please, don't ask me why... I just... can't be alone for this." Whatever it was that was bothering Emerwyn, it was not going to leave, and her voice was pleading with Greer, though her eyes never turned to meet hers. She continued to move quickly out of the village. Greer Cassenwari Greer did her best to keep pace, but hawks were not known for their running abilities. "As long as you don't get too far ahead, I'll be here." She'd been a jogger and a fencer once, damn it, but the halfwings were slowing her down and her legs weren't set up to run as well anymore. She better get some flying out of this or the doctor and she were going to have words Emerwyn Emerwyn slowed her pace, but slow for her legs was probably a little different than Greer's definition. Emerwyn had never been an athlete; she hardly left the house as a youth, and found herself shut up in a bookshop for the rest of her life on the mainland. But now, she found her strength and stamina increasing rapidly. Periodically, she'd slow herself down for Greer to catch up again, but then, ahead she'd dart once more, toward some unknown location. The cliffs loomed in the distance. Greer Cassenwari Her body knew what she wanted from it, but try as it might it couldn't give it. There were going to be painful, crabby muscles for her tomorrow. Emelyn Emelyn reveled in the strange mix of sensations that were afforded to her in her position. She had splayed out on the rock face, her spiney back to the sun while her downy stomach practically shivered in sheer delight with the sweet deliciousness of the cold that the rock still harbored. She had been writing for hours, sitting up on the cliffside, musing over everything that had happened to her over the past few weeks, and had only recently put aside her journal for a moment's respite from thinking. She allowed herself only to feel, and to soak in the day with an abandon totally unknown to someone who was confined to a life of sheer humanity... and nothing else. Emerwyn Emerwyn continued this odd pattern of running until she found herself at the top of the cliffs. Her chest rose and fall at a pace that reached a gradual decrescendo as she slowed to a halt. The world was so clear up here, and the sky so perfectly visible, seeming only now as unfathomably wide as it was. After she had taken all of this in, her eyes roamed until they fell upon a creature bathing in the sun on a rock. This was what she was looking for! Of course! But why? She didn't know yet, but emotion completely overwhelmed her. She turned to Greer quickly. "Greer! This is it! ... Thank you for helping me." What Greer had actually done remained to be seen, but without another word, Emerwyn ran to Emelyn. Greer Cassenwari She wasn't exactly winded, per se... I mean, her lungs were fine it was just her legs that wanted to kill her. A little exasperated with her dysfunctional anatomy, she continued doggedly behind Emerwyn until they came to hedgehog and the cliff. Then she sat down. "Em is it? Why?" Not that she minded, of course, being rather partial to the writer herself she just didn't understand. Emelyn Emelyn heard the commotion long before the two caught up with her, and she rolled over to her side to look at their heads poke up over the rock as they finished their ascent. "Hey..." she said, her voice filled with suprirse. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Regardless of her surprise,she was happy to see them, and joy tugged the corners of her mouth up towards her eyes in a crinkling smile. Emerwyn Emerwyn crouched down on her legs in a quick, bouncy, and very chldlike manner before Emelyn. "Emelyn, I've been a great fool. And, why hadn't I seen it before? ... but, as someone once told me we are all fools, after all. Please forgive me; I ... I was not who I am." Greer Cassenwari Greer sat and preened her wind-whipped feathers, much more comfortable once they were settled. What the hell had happened between these two while she'd be off breaking rabbits? Emelyn I am not who I am... the words drifted slowly into Emelyn's realization. The letter. It was Emerwyn who had left it, she who was apologizing... who was afraid she was losing her mind. What little of it made sense came together for Emelyn in that moment, and she flattened her palms against the rock, pushing herself into a sitting position, wrapping her arms gently around the woman when she was nearer to her. "It's all in the past, sweetie. I just hope you're better." She shot a look over the deer-woman's shoulder, giving a small and happy smile to Greer, with a look that seemed to say "I will explain this later". Emerwyn Emerwyn cried. There, in the prickle-haired arms of this woman, she shed tears. They were so cleansing. They freed her from whatever self-imposed torment she had been going through. "Greer... Emelyn. I don't even know myself anymore." She laughed softly. "But, of course, I suppose it's to be expected. But, what I have been able to save... what's left of me... the old me... I'm just grateful to you both." It was true, these two woman had born much of Emerwyn's frustrations and had been there to hear her greatest sorrows. And had supported her though she had acted such a fool. Greer Cassenwari She may not have known why exactly her friend needed comfort, but that didn't mean she couldn't give it. Pushing herself forward, she joined the hug. "We'll always be here." Emelyn The 'group hug' flooded more delicious warmth through Emelyn's system than basking in the sun ever could, and she echoed Greer's sentiment with a heartfelt "You said it, sister." Having those words come out of her mouth made her laugh, but it struck her as truth in that moment. ...She had lost her sister, and would never again regain that special bond that she and Mizzie had shared. But perhaps, in some way... she had sisters in these women- who, despite all that had happened to them, she loved them dearly. Emerwyn Emerwyn laughed lightly again. "What an odd place we have all found ourselves in. What an unwordly, completely unbelievable situation. For all I have read, I could never in all my dreams imagine something like this ever to happen - least of all to me. We are truly a marvel. We physically stand against humankind - we look blasphemy to their unseeing eyes. And yet, thrown into this as we are, we have become all the more human for it. I shall ensure that I never forget it." Greer Cassenwari Greer chuckled. She was a scientist surrounded by poets. "For what it's worth, my life with feathers has been far better than the preceding years without." Emelyn Emelyn brushed a bit of hair out of Emerwyn's eyes, tucking it behind her ear in a tender, soft gesture that left her hand near Emer's cheek, and she cupped it with a slightly curved palm. "I'm just glad you're... better," Emelyn said, her emotions unwilling to delve into the subject of their humanity. "I've been worried about you." Emerwyn Emerwyn smiled. Though, it held a melancholy air. "Yes, for now." Emerwyn A cozy room. A fire crackling, spreading warmth where there was none. Snow fell gently on the windows of the New York City book shoppe. A group of six friends crowded around the blaze. Books lay sprawled about, and soft laughter filled the walls. This was home. These were friends. Emerwyn hadn't felt this way in a long time. She held Greer and Emelyn's words in her heart, and she cherished them.
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Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 5:33 pm
Emerwyn paced slowly within her room. That's all she did now. Paced, and thought, and re-organized her photographs.
And, she wrote. Nothing she wrote was complete, however. And every piece seemed to always lead in one direction: A path without an end, and... the White Stag.
It had begun to haunt her dreams again. She was always running, in all sorts of places. Distractions la off to the side of the path, but never crossed over. All things once held dear to her, her friends, Jerrick, her store, her books, Ian, Julian... All things that hurt her, Moreau, the island itself, beasts, symbolizing her curse, and a face she could not name...
But none of these things, good or evil, could keep her from her goal. Her goal which grew farther and farther away every night she dreamed about it.
Emerwyn had taken to sitting and pacing about her room in the nude. Perhaps it was her animal instincts growing stronger, but it made her feel far more comfortable. She began fiddling with her clothes, even ripping her shirt in two. Then, she got an idea.
Awkwardly, Emerwyn fixed a pencil between her fingers, and did a quick sketch. She was no artist, but the design was clear.
Then, she did something that she never thought she'd feel compelled to do. And she did regret turning to them later, but the fancy tickled her.
She called for scissors, needles and thread.
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Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:21 am
When you feel it hit you it starts in your fingers. You look at them and notice they are painfully closing together into two large fingers that are overtaken by the black, thick, nail like covering, they can still grasp and move things but with none of the precision you once had. You look down and notice your feet are doing much the same, only growing more completely hooflike, so much that you can stand on them.
You groan in agony as the pain travels up from both. Your feet growing longer and shaping so that you find yourself standing on your new hooves. Your arms grow longer as well as the deer like muscles make you appear thinner and more built to dash away at a moment's notice or a scare.
You feel your tail scretching and growing longer and more furred. The bone growth particurally painful. You feel the ears stretch and point in an almost upward direction, they don't so much move as they do scretch and change.
As this happens your nose becomes darker and grows more and more like that of an animal. You feel your sense of smell pick up particurally. You notice that your eyebrows seem to have left you even before you started changing. You hadn't noticed till now as your eyes start slowly slightly moving apart, your brow ridge growing more and more pronounced. Even as this happens they change shape slightly, and almost as an after effect the serum corrects the stigmatism in your eyes. As after a moment of painful burning sensation the world comes through more clearly.
Your left there, still part human, but now with insticts and senses that aren't your own.
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 8:06 am
The Kingdom of Serenity and the White Stag The great Princess of Peace, Ellenwy, was one of immeasurable grace and kindness. She was soft-spoken, and everyone who knew her had hardly a negative thing to say about her. But, the Princess was sad. Her entire forest kingdom mourned with her, though they knew not what troubled her. In fact, she hardly knew herself. All she did know was that her dreams were constantly haunted by a solitary figure, running, running. The Princess wanted so badly for it to stop, she wanted it to stay with her. It was a White Stag, glowing radiantly, yet softly. In it was the power to bring eternal peace to the Princess' soul, hence bringing eternal peace to her kingdom. One day, without warning, Princess Ellenwy left the castle. No one knew where she went, and no one could find her. This was because she had left behind the entire forest before anyone realized she had gone. She ran for many days, stopping to watch the sun rise and set. Every time the sun sank into the horizon, she shed a tear from her right eye, mourning the death of her guiding light. Then, when it was again reborn, she shed a tear from her left eye, rejoicing in its return. When nearly a month of this had past, the Princess Ellenwy came to a new forest. This one sang with a happiness she could hardly even dream of. Desperate to find who ruled this place, and how simply being in it caused her soul to soar, Ellenwy dashed through the trees. She stopped frequently, to ask the citizens, "Oh, please, good fellow. I have been traveling for sunrises and sunsets uncountable. Will you please tell me; where can I find the ruler of this place, that I may discover the secret to happiness?" The squirrel, being one who could never take much seriously merely giggled, and pointed her in many different directions all at once. The owl, being wise beyond even his own comprehension, told her solemnly, "You needn't look any farther than where you began." The fox, being a conniving fellow, only helping others when it was in his own best interest, suggested she travel into the dark caves, failing to mention that few who entered ever came out again. Ellenwy, not knowing that the fox had deceived her, took his advice, and moved west toward the dark caves. The caves were growing darker still, as the sun set behind them. "That's alright." The wise Princess said. "Not even the sun can guide me through this darkness. I shall have to find my own light now." It was indeed very dark, and the Princess was frightened at first. But, the Princess was never judgmental, and told herself, "This could be someone's home. After all, the fox said I could find the King here. Perhaps this place has its own light." Ellenwy traveled through the cave for three days without end, searching for the King and his light. But, soon, her hope began to fade, and she realized that the fox had tricked her. She sank down to her knees and began to cry, lost as she was, unable to see. It seemed she would always be sad. And then, she looked up. A flickering orange glow appeared around the corner of the dark cave. A tall, thin shadow appeared against the dirt-covered wall. The Princess' first impulse was to run away. But, as the figure revealed itself, her heart calmed. He was indeed very thin, clad in a long, gray robe, with a hood that hung low over his face. All that could be seen was a wide, blank grin. She did not know whether to fear it, or welcome it. The light was a ball of flame that hovered above his long-fingered hand. "Please, good sir," Ellenwy said, slowly approaching the figure. "I am looking for the King of these woods, so that I may find peace. Do you know where I may find him?" The figure was slow to speak, and even though the Princess could not see his eyes, she could feel them watching her, deep, green and longing. "I do not know," he said at length. "But, p-please, if you would be so kind as to lead me out of this cave, I will gladly aid you in your search. I know the Great Wood well, but these caves are dark and foreign to me. I have been trapped within them for a very long time, with only my small light to guide me." "With your light and mine together, I am sure we will find our way." And Ellenwy took him by the arm, and they began the journey back through the caves. The robed figure shuddered at her touch, but when she turned to look upon him, she saw that now his smile was small, and peaceful. "I am called the Wizard of Many Faces," he said. "And I am the Princess Ellenwy, of the Forest of Serenity, many leagues away from here." Not another three days later, the Wizard of Many Faces and the Princess Ellenwy made it to the end of the caves once more. And, though they were back out in the light, Ellenwy could not help but feel that a dark presence still lingered within the young Wizard. The Wizard of Many Faces led Ellenwy with ease through the bright woods, until they were almost at the center. The Princess could feel her soul lift even higher as they approached the castle. When the reached the gate, however, they were shocked to find that it had been locked tight. And it seemed that it had been that way for a long time. The many chains that covered the gate were completely grown over with wicked brown vines. Ellenwy let out a cry and fell to her knees once more. The wizard knelt by her side, not knowing what to do for his new friend, the only one who had shown him such kindness. Then, a figure emerged from the trees. He looked very much like the Princess, his four hooves stronger still than her own, and his arms more broad. His hair was shining ebony, and his eyes green. The Wizard and the Princess looked up at the graceful being. "I was he whom you sought, fair one," he said. His voice was sad, and it broke her heart to hear it. "But, now, no longer. My kingdom is no longer mine. The happiness that once reigned is now darkness." Ellenwy rose to meet the sad King's eyes. "Then we are all together sad," she said wisely. "and must now join together to find our happiness." The King took her hands. "You are indeed wise and fair, oh Princess-" "Ellenwy." The Wizard watched on in silence, his sadness growing despite his grin, and his many faces fighting for power within him. A sound rang out through the trees. It was a horn, but not like any the three had ever heard. It was metallic, noisy, and bore no real music. It pierced into the core of their very being, and they all wished to fall to the ground, moaning in agony. Then, the sound of heavy hoofs grew louder toward them. A hunting party was coming. The Princess, the King, and the Wizard turned and fled, knowing that they would be killed if they were found. The Wizard, being of quick mind, and intelligible of these lands, led the others to an alcove where they could see and not be seen. When the eyes of the Hunter met Ellenwy's, a great fear and anger rose within her. She wanted to leap from the hiding place, and strike him down off his horse. But the King's strong arm held her back. "What are they seeking?" she asked as they disappeared. The Hunter's cold eyes still haunted her being. "They search for the same thing you do, Princess." The King said. "They have discovered the White Stag, and will not rest until it is hunted down. They will harvest the happiness, and squander it 'til there is nothing left. "What shall we do? We must find it first!" "We may. But, let me ask you - what will you do when you find it?" The Princess did not know how to answer. She simply looked into the King's eyes, where she had found comfort, and then to the Wizard's eyes, where she had found friendship. But, in both of their eyes, and hers the same, was an empty space. "We shall all seek the White Stag together. And together, we shall see what befalls us." The Princess Ellenwy of the Forest Kingdom of Serenity took the hand of the Wizard of Many Faces, and that of the King of the Great Wood, and together, they followed the path of destruction that the Hunter left behind. To find happiness, and to find what they were missing.
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 8:25 am
When Emerwyn's deep slumber was broken, she awoke writhing in agony. She tumbled out of bed, reaching out for something to hold on to. When she found nothing, she attempted forcing herself to her feet. Leaning desperately on the nightstand, Emerwyn shoved her groaning body against the gravity that was so much stronger than her.
She had to get out of this room. She could not stand to remain in there while this was happening. But she could not secure her footing.
Repeatedly, she slipped and fell upon the ground.
In horror, she saw her feet as they had begun to merge at the end. Skin peeled furiously from her toes, and her fingers. Tearing, she shoved one hand into her mouth, but the taste of her own blood caused her to spit it back out.
Time quickly ran out for her to fuss over her fingers and feet, for her own skull felt as though it were breaking in many places at once. She grabbed it, and let out a piercing, if gurgled scream. Beneath her dripping palms, Emerwyn could feel, to her own dread, her skull exanding and changing. And slow it did change. All night, the pain continued, as Emerwyn's body continued further down the path to deformity.
Finally, she was able to stand, though painfully, on her feet. Quickly, she grabbed the garment she had only just finished creating for herself, and she wrapped it about her. She struggled momentarily with the clasp, but pain and impatience would not allow.
She dashed out of her room, and ran down the stairs, and into the trees.
Her disposition being as panicked as it was, her sharpened sight and hearing only aided to bring out the pain more. Her eyes watered in the cool night air, and her ears rang with the jungle sounds, sounds she had never heard before. And still she ran, 'til she reached a cluster of large-leafed bushes.
Here, she lay on her front side in the cool leaves, still twitching with the agony that would not leave her be. Her fingers moved slowly to her rear, where the tail she had already aquired grew further still. Her feet flexed and unflexed with her hands, cramping as they did. Her 'fingers,' being now so hard as they were, could do nothing to massage herself, and she was left to writhe alone, and unheard in the bushes, praying for the end.
Finally, Emerwyn's vision blurred and faded, and temporary peace was found.
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Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 1:28 pm
Emerwyn found rather quickly just how good it felt to run around on her new legs, and made herself quite content to do it all day after her grueling change. However, when the day began to end, she found herself feeling very lonely. She sat against a tree, wondering what on earth she was to do about this. Then, she hopped up nimbly to her feet, and cantered back to her room and struggled with the doorknob momentarily. She laughed in memory of her friend's turmoil. What was even more of a struggle was getting hold of a scrap of paper without tearing it. And even worse still was securing a pen in her hand fit for writing. However, she eventually managed, thanking something other then the Doctor that she'd retained her thumbs. The note she wrote read thus: The Note I am waiting - number eighteen. The writing was crude, and at best legible, but she was satisfied, and went off to slip the note under his door. Then, she returned to her room, and waited for the King.
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Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 1:32 pm
Ian had just gotten back to his duplex from the cafeteria with some lunch when upon juggling his food he managed to open the door.
On the floor, not far from the opening was a piece of paper. Setting down the tray Ian picked up the note and read it carefully. 18. . .searching his mind Ian realized that it was Emerwyn's duplex. He had told himself that it was better if he avoided her, but she obviously wanted to see him. Frowning he pocketed the note and leaving his food where he had left it, went to the nearby duplex and knocked on the door.
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Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 1:38 pm
Emerwyn's body grew light, and her heart beat harder in her chest when she heard him knock. And all at once, she grew anxious. She didn't know what to say to him. What was there to say? Why did she even ask him here?
First, she clasped her crude, newly made cloak tightly about her. Then, slowly, she walked over and opened the door, her thumb being an even greater blessing still.
Her deformed face smiled warmly.
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