|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:23 pm
The Blessing in a Rain of FireSosiqui His quest was over.
Tian Yue descended the stairs leading to the lower floor of the Pantheon, eager to see his Lord once again. He had completed the task set before him, and found not only memory but also himself - and then, upon his return, one of his Stars had been waiting, as if in confirmation that his rediscovery had been real. He was ready to present himself to Destruction once more - no, for the first time, really.
He wore his human shape this time, and the edges of his robes stirred the ashes as he reached the bottom of the stairs and turned towards the Throne. Ivynian The lower halls were mostly silent, save the constant low thrum that some may or may not have come to recognize as a sign of certainty that Destruction was somewhere within the confines of the building. The throne room, however, was empty. The hearth at the far recesses of the chamber was curiously empty of flame or cold or heat, and in some fairy tale fashion the back of it was vanished perfectly. It was a portal to outdoors, where could not be guessed as the location was not smitten with lava floes. It led out, one could see from standing inside the fireplace, onto a expanse of sand. There were great pillars of fire and blacking smoke on the horizon, dancing like raised cobras. It was raining oil. On the crest of a near hill was the unmistakable silhouette of Destruction, wreathed in tatters and slicked with oil from the vomiting sky. While the wind was vicious there, the oil was heavy enough to prevent any of the sand from blasting into a storm. Sosiqui A soft frisson ran down Tian Yue's spine - he felt it, the unmistakable sign of his Lord's presence - but where? As soon as he moved into the throne room proper, he knew. A gateway had been opened.
A glance at the scene the portal led to convinced Tian Yue to remove the outer layers of his robes; he had no desire to roast before Destruction, figuratively or literally. He left them by the stairs, and now dressed more simply but still carrying himself as befitted a Dragon King, he ascended the stairs before the throne. Tian Yue paused in the fireplace, his every movement dashing up small clouds of ashes. Should he move forward?
Yes. The environment may not be to my taste, but I would not ask my Lord to move from His chosen place on my account. Where he walks, I will find him. He stepped forward, into heat and sand and oil. Ivynian "Time thins, stretched as spider's thread between two looms that circle ever further apart, " the Eldest neither turned, nor raised his voice, but the tones echoed and split the scene, the words unaltered. "Is it not beautiful?" Sosiqui "It is beautiful and terrible, even as you are, Lord," Tian Yue replied, taking off his glasses and tucking them away. It made the world a bit blurry, but the oil was rapidly blackening them. Best to see blurred than not at all. "As the broken shells of the stars were in the high places around the Gallery of Celestia." Ivynian He flicked an ear at the title of a place, some long ago memory and name forgotten by all else. "Tell me what you have achieved, Tian Yue " Destruction's tails struck the ground when he hissed the name. Sosiqui "I traveled to the high place, Lord." Tian Yue bowed deeply. "Time and Your element have left the Gallery in ruin, but enough remained to stir powerful memories. I discovered several relics of Tien Lung and Universe as we had been before the Fading. And I found Tien Lung in truth, as well."
He straightened. "I should not have sought Your presence before, my Lord. What came to You was incomplete, and I both apologize and thank You for not destroying it at once..." Tian Yue shook his head. "Lastly, Gianfar had asked a favor of me, which I was able to grant. I found for him his counterpart of old, reborn as well, and brought them together again."
"As for Universe, I brought him the memory and relics I had found. He seemed... surprised, caught off-guard. He remembers nothing... remembered nothing, rather. After giving him the gift I had brought, memory seemed to take him hard in its grasp. I cannot say what the result of that is, but he was - despite everything - kind." He is not irredeemable, Lord, was what he wanted to say, but Tien Lung's own redemption was at stake - he could not afford to go to bat for Universe, whose sins were greater, right now.
"If there is more that You would have me do, send me - I am Yours." The last was spoken forthrightly, from the heart of the Dragon. Ivynian There was a long silence after the Dragon's declarations, enough that it bordered on uncomfortable. At last, Destruction looked over and down the morphing god. "Then you have achieved what was meant for you to achieve. I welcome you officially back into the service of the Twin Crown, Worldshield. I shall expect that you will continue to pursue growth, that you may be fully reborn. That the powers I granted to your soul long ago will once again protect-" he grimaced, throat straining in the last words, " what i have created against what I Am." Sosiqui A wild surge of joy flashed through Tian Yue at his Lord's words. Oh well, these robes are ruined with oil anyway. He gave into the urge and transformed into dragon-shape, tearing away the stained remains of his robes with a pleased hiss before coiling before his Lord, the falling oil dripping from his scaled flanks.
"Thank you, thank you, my Lord... to hear You say that again is all I had hoped for," he rumbled. "I shall reascend... myself-Tian Yue will be as myself-Shaiming hoped for, and I will protect You and the worlds..."
He paused at those last words, the ever-so-slight change in inflection. Lesser creatures might miss it, but not a Dragon King, never a Dragon King. "It will be so. Otherwise, there will be no worship from dead and strangled mortals to strengthen the Pantheon again." Ivynian "Many now I have sent out with these words, but perhaps having achieved once you may do so a second time. Gather what you can of the Kings. Gather you brothers and sister together. A time approaches when as many of you, shored by the ranks of the Pantheon itself, will be needed. " He lay his palm flat on the dragon's flank, stroking up to the black-slicked muzzle and whiskers. "It grows late, and those sent before have neither returned nor reported. The bindings remain lost, the mirrors are gone, the circle of pillars stand half toppled in disarray. Make alliances and grow, Tian Yue. Learn more of this short world that you are brought newborn into. " Sosiqui "Gather them..." Tian Yue nodded, decisively. "Zhijian dwells near, Shenlei I have met, Qian Lung last I saw lay still within the jewel in her host's flesh. Futs Lung I know is still seeking a suitable rebirth..." He shook his head, his nostrils flaring. "How have we been scattered so far? We should be ranked by your side, bright scale upon scale." Ivynian "All was made from chaos, so chaos remains within all. In some things it plays the greater then laws or intentions. It is often so in the passing of ages, that things should not go as planned or should be. " Destruction looked out again at the cancer-waste, and his words were flames that set the sands alight, the syllables changing grains into glass. "So sets the wavering of time. Behold an hour glass, smooth, new made, to count the lasting lives of mortal men and gods. "The Eldest looked down, eyes wild behind blood and black. His voice was quiet, toned rhetorical, "But how will you choose to write you new name among the minds of mortal men." Sosiqui Tian Yue watched the sand shift and flow into glass under the heat of Destruction's power, and tossed his head to flick away some of the oil that clung to his face. "I will... protect them. They are crucial to our rebirth. Without their faith to sustain us, all this will ultimately be an exercise in futility"
He shook his head, again. "I have spoken to a few of them. It seems most have come to think all gods are benevolent, friendly. They would lose their minds if they truly knew of even Plague or War... let alone You, my Lord." Ivynian “They are learning, “He laughed, brooding fast-becoming exultation. “Let it be so, Tian Yue, a dragon written scale by scale in the heavens, the last bright stars that mortal eyes turn to and remember what comfort they once had. Better is my faith now, they will not be disappointed.” “Tian Yue...” He rolled the syllables like wine off his lips, delicately stroking a whisker as he did. “And your other consort? Have you seen her since your return?”
Sosiqui "They are learning. Even the gods they fear must have worship from somewhere. As mortals choose their allegiance - it will change. Everything will change." The thought was exciting, and Tian Yue rumbled deeply, almost like a purr. "The wonderful wild dance of the old days. Tien Lung remembers."
The purr deepened at Destruction's touch. "Consort...? Ah. Morgan. I do not name her consort, though - lover, yes, but consort is Universe's alone, if he will still bear that title. I have seen her," he confirmed, pleased at the memory.
Well, not the part where he got slapped. But the reconciliation bit was definitely a good memory. Ivynian “An old battle brought new. Strange enough that you should, so new reborn with new thoughts and loves, be compelled to reenter that arena. I do not foresee it an easy tilting, knight. “ Destruction began to walk towards the gate, back to the throne room, letting his hand slide slowly from Tian Yue. “Come, this world is dying. Let it bleed its last and colour the skies with the light of its last blood. “ Sosiqui "There was no choice to be made, then or now," Tian Yue said, simply, then moved to walk beside his Lord. The heat blasted his scales even as the oil slid down them in rivulets, lending him an odd, shimmering black sheen.
"What beings called this place home, my Lord?" he asked, after one moment. "Who did they offer their souls to? Yourself?" Ivynian “This world was home to desert creatures, giant cephlopods and mortal beast-shapes without their own gods or awarenesses. Old races, yes, but instinct driven. It was not used by any, nor will it be mourned. " They passed into the throne chamber and the hearth closed in behind them like a living maw, sealing stone-to-stone solid again. “It was the heart that I wanted. The heart that was needed. “ Sosiqui "The heart..." Tian Yue resisted the urge to shake himself off as they re-entered the throne room; it wouldn't be right to splatter oil all over his Lord's seat. Instead, he settled for merely shaking his head. "Lifeblood consumed, lifeblood renewed. There must be Creation for Destruction to feed on, and Destruction for Creation to bring new life from."
He paused. "I would not have it come to pass that such... expendable... worlds run out, and more viable worlds come to the fore of the feast. I will find my brothers and gather them, and seek out my sister." Ivynian “I look forward to that. " It sounded half like a challenge, and half like something else, barely softer but present. Or was it even there? Destruction did not pause in his strides, going beyond the throne and started down the stair from it. “Be well, then, Tian Yue. I shall anticipate your presence again.“
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:24 pm
Tien Lung Rethroned
Oil slid off of Tian Yue's scales as he coiled up the stairs and into his own chambers, leaving a slick trail behind him - but he did not care. It didn't matter. Toki would despair. That didn't matter either.
He had reconciled with his Lord, been redeemed, renewed, accepted - whole again. How had he managed to survive so long without Lord Harmodius' approval? It flowed through him like life's breath itself, and he felt wild, complete, dragon.
Tian Yue had intended to return and bathe, but he found himself looking longingly up at the skylight. The urge to fly was very great, and at last he gave in, launching himself up and pushing the hinged windows away easily before curling into the sky with a triumphant hiss. Let Shartha challenge me now - I would tear her to ribbons, and rebirth her into a less contrary form.
The ruined townscape flowed away beneath his oil-slicked scales, and he climbed higher and higher, rushing with all the speed in him - upwards, ever upwards, until the atmosphere peeled away and gravity failed. Only there, where a harsh aurora danced along the last edges of the sky, did he stop.
From here, the planet sat in the discolored heavens like a dying jewel, and the scope of his lord's touch was evident. There was still pain in the gaps where stars should be, in dry ocean beds and dead former forests... but not as much. Not now.
With my throne reinstated, I grow closer to being able to fulfill my role in truth - and with luck and the blessings of the little gods, the worlds will recover. Else? We will move on! Move on, and take our mortals with us. No, not chattel as Shartha says... but we need them. Desperately.
From up here, it all looked so fragile. He hadn't gotten a proper look at the planet from the Nova Bandit, not with so much to do in the engine room. He would have to figure out some way to carry Morgan here, to see... perhaps Penny, as well. The space-faring girl would especially appreciate the freedom in flying without metal and fire in between you and the raw universe.
Silly things they are, but we need them, at the root of what we are... and I will not treat them ill. I will do my best, no, I will save this world... for them. For all the mortals on it, and the gods they depend on.
I will reclaim my dominion.
Tian Yue spiraled down again, then, tearing through the atmosphere as the friction of re-entry licked impotently at his scales, flaring on the few bits of oil that remained and streaming it away in puffs. That hurt, but only superficially. When gravity tugged on him, he allowed himself to freefall, plummeting down towards the damaged earth below until it pleased him to regain control with a whiplike crack of his tail.
He was actually a little tired when he returned to the Pantheon, and coiled gratefully into the window. The bed below was tempting, but... no. Not yet. There was one more thing.
The sword that Lord Harmodius had given gleamed on the stand in his hoard-room, where it had been placed under Shaiming's guidance. Tian Yue had never taken it up himself... it hadn't seemed right. Not until now.
He shifted back into human form and reached out, heedless for once of modesty, and took the hilt in his hand. The blade settled naturally into his grip, and for a moment he was struck with odd dual memory - Crispin taking the sword in the dreamspace, accepting Shaiming's gift; the joy of an old, tired dragon at seeing his freedom and honor restored in that taking.
And now I, Tian Yue, take it.
"With you, I will protect," he said, quietly. There was nobody there to hear his declaration, but he felt a resonance nevertheless.
It was right.
With a soft smile, he took the sword-belt and scabbard up and sheathed the blade, before turning and heading to the bathroom.
After all, Grand Gestures had their place... but so did good baths.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:25 pm
The Dragon's Dance / Always, Always
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:27 pm
No Other WayThe next morning, Tian Yue yawned, stretched, reached out smiling for his lover, then sat up when his reaching hand found nothing. The bedclothes were rumpled where she had been, but they were cold - not even body heat remained. He fumbled quickly for his glasses and kicked the blankets out of the way as he rose from the bed. "Morgan? Love?" No reply. Was she in the bathroom? A quick check showed that she was not. Where is she? Perhaps her bedroom? He grabbed his bathrobe again, no time for fancy dress, and made his way through the Aoidei hallways to her room. "Morgan?" He knocked. No answer... Concerned now, he pushed the door open and found the room in disarray. A number of Morgan's things seemed to be missing... A quizzical "chirp?" made him jump. "Hi, Paint," he said absently as the Akuti peered at him from the dresser. "Where's your mistress, huh?"Paint tilted his head, then chirped again. Tian Yue sighed. "Right..."The creature followed him all the way down the hall and back into his chambers. He was beginning to seriously consider shifting to dragon shape and flying out to search for her when he spotted a note on the floor by the bed - his moving about must have knocked it to the ground. Morgan's Letter Tian Yue, my beloved, There is something I have to do, for Tien's sake as much as my own. Her memories are in pieces and she recalls so little. I am going to do what I can to help her remember what she lost. This is something I can only accomplish on my own. Do what you can to explain to Ser, but she simply may not understand; just do not let her follow me. I can't explain everything to her... not yet. I swear to you that I'll return, beloved, one way or another. It’s just a question of whether I'll still be myself when I do come back. No matter what befalls me I will always, always love you and believe in you. You are my star, my knight, my heart. I love you. Always, Morgan He read the note again, more slowly this time, and then put it down on the nightstand with exaggerated care. Still be herself... The urge to go after her was powerful - but what would be the point? To calm the well of panic rising inside him? But she needed to do this, she wouldn't have left if she didn't... and she was no longer wholly his. Tien should have her first allegiance by rights, as befitted a goddess and her host. But... But... she's mine!He heard a door open behind him, and turned to see Toki with a pot of coffee. For two. That sent another pang through him. "Good morning!" the Aoide chirped brightly, and Paint chirped back, making Toki blink. "Morgan's little friend is visiting today, is he?" "So it seems." Tian Yue hesitated. "Morgan has gone. She is journeying for Tien's sake." Surely she will come back... I have changed, and she was still able to love me. Surely I can still love her even as she changes. But why am I afraid?
I didn't even think to tell her about my throne being reinstated. That last obscurely bothered him. "Ah..." Toki squirmed. "I see, my Lord. Only... one coffee, then?" "Yes. Only one. Oh - and have you seen Morgan's young friend about?""The... excitable girl? I haven't seen her, my Lord. Was she not in Lady Morgan's room?" Tian Yue swore under his breath. "No." Let's hope she's just elsewhere by chance."My apologies, my Lord..." Toki hesitated. "Are you quite well?" "I'm... no, I'm not fine, but I will be fine. Don't worry about me. And give me that coffee." Tian Yue sat down on the edge of the bed and rubbed at his temples, accepting the cup when Toki awkwardly offered it to him. The first sip soothed, forcing him to calm down. She had gone - but it was her choice. Her journey. He wasn't a part of it, and while that hurt... wasn't it only fair as well? Love... be safe. If anything seeks to harm you, I swear I'll find them and annihilate them such that my Lord Destruction himself will be impressed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:05 pm
Nine and Fivemidnight_medea It was early morning, Lien's favourite time of day. The air, though full of the essence of destruction was still cool and crisp. She smiled to herself as she searched for the perfect branch. There was no paper that she could find and it was driving her insane.
She was wearing the plain Ao Doi that had become her favourite, the bottom of the white pants dragged in the ash covered floor as she moved around making markings in the grey dirt.
Her mind was whirring with symbols and ideas. She had no idea what it was she carved into the ash, no idea at all. Somewhere in the deep depths of her mind it made sense.
From high in a tree above her a black bird watched with interest, its head tilted to the side and a hint of recognition in its eyes. Sosiqui He wasn't looking for Morgan. He wasn't. Tian Yue was just out for a pleasant flight to clear his head...
Or so he kept telling himself, as he soared through the sky in his dragon shape. It was true that the wind against his scales was soothing, and that the form he wore was the most comfortable of the two he possessed... but it was also true that, should he happen to spot someone that might be his lover...
His eyes narrowed as, suddenly, he did just that. There was a slight figure down below, short... his heart jumped a bit in his chest, and he arrowed quickly downward. But the closer he got, the more he realized that the woman below him was not Morgan. Sigh. Too good to be true, that.
What is she doing?
Another slow realization dawned along with the first - this woman, while not Morgan, also had the soft touch of the divine about her. A host? "Good morning," he rumbled as he touched lightly down several meters away from her, hoping she would not run. midnight_medea Lien drew another symbol that seemed to connect the other two and blinked as she heard something like a large bird land behind her. Jumping a little she ran her fingers through her black hair and turned to see who had addressed her. The low voice was not one she recognised.
She blinked as the dragon appeared in her sight. Any other time she might have run or tried to wake herself up from whatever dream she had fallen into. Now however she stayed where she was feeling a mixture of awe and also respect emanating from deep deep within. The voice stayed silent but she knew that this being was a familiar one.
"Good morning." She replied with a smile, bowing a little to the creature. "Um, may I help you?" She asked, feeling it was not really done to be rude to a rather large dragon. Sosiqui "I am sorry to startle you - but I sensed the movements of a god I did not recognize." Tian Yue smiled at her, a dragon's toothy grin. "I am Tian Yue, the Dragon King Tien Lung." And who are you? His gaze took in the symbols in the dirt. There was meaning there, he knew, but he could not recognize the specifics. midnight_medea Lien smiled and bowed again.
"My mother's name is Tien." She said, then realised that, this was probably not the politest thing to say to a Dragon King. "I am Lien Dao Mei, uh ... and as for the one within me I am not sure."You should speak with more care.The voice said, her voice sending chills up Lien's spine. This was only the second time it had spoken to her since the merging.And you do not know because you did not ask. I am Cosine, the counting crow.Lien swallowed at the chastisement and looked back up to the dragon, he seemed nice enough.
"She says she is called Cosine, the counting crow?" She suggested, raising her eyebrows. "She is not happy with my lack of propriety I think." Sosiqui Tian Yue shook his head. "Another Tien - my lover bears a jewel as well, and her goddess is named Tien as well. How strange to come across it so many times."
He tilted his head to one side, though, at the name and title of the goddess within the girl. "Cosine... as in mathematics? Fascinating." His scholar's mind was piqued. "Pleased to meet you, Lien. Are you newly come to this world, newly bound to the gods?" midnight_medea Lien smirked and found she could not look away, here she was in the presence of a real dragon. Just as in the stories she had been told as a child. She felt if she looked away then he might cease to exist.
She felt a mutter at the back of her mind and ignored it.
"Maybe her god is a Vietnamese dragon." She said with a shrug, assuming that his lover must be of the same species.
"I feel I should offer you some tea, though I have no idea what dragons like to drink." his question caused her to raise a slender eyebrow. "Mathematics?" She asked, obviously failing to see the link between the name and the subject. She felt stupid. "Sorry, math is not a strong subject of mine." She said softly. "Though maybe it was ... once."
She shrugged and looked down at the twig in her hands.
"I uh, found myself here a month or so ago. Nergal, he found me lying on the main path and brought me here a few days ago. I am very newly bound. Maybe, two days. It is a strange feeling." Sosiqui "Cosine - it's a trigonometric function. Nevermind." Tian Yue shook his head, amused. "And I like tea well enough, though it would be more economical to serve it to me in my human shape."
He inched forward closer and drew his tail up around his legs, cocking his head at her and sniffing. "Two days... Nergal." Who was that? Something about spirits, death... Hades? Underworld. Ah. "How is the Underworld faring? And you, so newly found by the gods?" midnight_medea Lien blinked a trigonomic what? She thought, the goddess within her rolled her eyes and slunk off back into the depths of her mind.
"Um, you have a human form?" She asked, stepping back a little as he inched closer, she wasn't sure she really trusted something so big with sharp teeth.
"And uh, I think he is faring well. He's not much of a talker, a bit moody really but I like him. Yes, a crow gave me the jewel. It's rather scary looking, spiney. I put it here." She said, pointing to her thigh. "Were you like me once? A human I mean?" Sosiqui "I do - but forgive me if I don't show you now. I don't have any clothing with me at the moment." The fanned tip of his tail waved back and forth, idly.
He tilted his head at her second question. "All gods that walk the worlds now were reborn into mortal bodies - except for Lord Harmodius, the Twin Crown. But... yes, I was like you once. More than most. The Dragon King Tien Lung, Shaiming, chose to give his divinity to his young host and consume himself instead of the boy. They melded, leaving the host's personality dominant, and I am the result." midnight_medea Lien smiled and bit back any comments about nakedness being nothing she hadn't seen before. No, she was bing polite from now on, she didn't need those defences anymore.
"Wow, that's interesting." She said, raising an eyebrow and wrapping her arms around herself. "He must have been a very selfless god?" She realised that her questions might be considered rude, though she was intrigued with how it all worked."Don't go getting your hopes up." Lien frowned and sighed,
"Nothing like mine, I fear she can't wait to be rid of me. She barely speaks. Is that usual?" Sosiqui "Selfless... yes. In a way. But also selfish." Tian Yue shifted down into a laying posture, sphinxlike. "Apparently no god had done such a thing before. Why wait for rebirth and then sacrifice what you have gained? I don't entirely understand it myself, even though much of who he was is now part of who I am."
He paused, and stretched out to regard the place Lien had pointed earlier, to indicate the jewel's position. "I suppose it would depend on the deity. Gods are much like mortals, very different in personality. Perhaps yours is simply not talkative." midnight_medea Lien smiled as he made himself more comfortable and nodded at his words. She liked him, he was gentle and easy to talk to. Much different from how she would imagine a dragon to be.
"Are you sure you don't want some tea. I can go and get you a robe." She offered with a small shrug. "And no, I do not think she is talkative. Though there is something she misses, something she wants. i can feel it. Arctang. She says it sometimes, and I can feel a longing." Sosiqui "Thank you, but no - I will be fine. I appreciate the offer, though." Tian Yue focused his attention on the jewel, wondering about the one within.
"Arctang... I'm not familiar with that name. A lover, perhaps? That's the problem with age-old deities - we come with so much fragmented memory. So much emotional baggage. Self included." He snorted, self-depreciatingly. midnight_medea Lien smirked at his explaination and looked off at a tree.
"Ah, that 'L' word again. You gods really are a sentimental bunch." She mused, turning her eyes back to him and raising an eyebrow. "Maybe, though the bond seems very close."
Lien shrugged a little and her smirk faded into a smile.
"Sorry, I must be keeping you from something?" She asked, thinking that gods must have more important things to do than stand around talking to her all day. Sosiqui "From... aimless flying," Tian Yue replied, evasively. "You were not what I was looking for, but I am pleased to have found you and your goddess all the same. Can she speak through your lips yet, or are you too newly forged?" midnight_medea Lien smiled and shook her head, wrapping an arm around her waist and looking up to the skies.
"No, she has not spoken through me yet. Just too me. Though I suppose that will come soon." She breathed deeply and turned her eyes to the floor.
"What exactly is it you look for, if you do not mind me asking." Sosiqui Tian Yue inclined his head. "Something I shouldn't be, really. My lover was recently taken as host to a goddess as well, and she has gone out to journey in that goddess' service. I must let her do this on her own... but I miss her," he added, with a soft sigh. midnight_medea Lien smiled and looked past him to the burnt landscape that surrounded them.
"I think as she is lucky enough to have someone to love her so much, she will return soon." She said with a small shrug. "It must be a good feeling, love, to have you all so uptight." A small smirk crossed her lips and she looked up to his eyes.
"Well, I had better get back to cleaning, and feeding the cats. I hope she returns to you soon." Sosiqui "Thank you," Tian Yue said quietly, then smiled in draconic fashion, showing his teeth. "Should you come to the Pantheon where many gods dwell, look for my rooms. You and your goddess are welcome there." midnight_medea "Thank you, maybe I will. I would like to meet your less scary form." She smirked, bowing deeply to him.
"Have a safe flight."
She gave a small wave and turned back towards the house, her scribblings in the ash forgotten for now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:06 pm
Twisted Tail
"The skies are in dire shape, as you well know - we had thought it merely Destruction's influence, but you meant to tell me that Universe himself has been bound?" Shartha's tone was incredulous.
Tian Yue nodded, then sighed. "I have seen the binding and the branding myself. I am not surprised at the state of the heavens if they mirror that of their god."
Shartha snorted and shook her head. "Forgive me, my Lord, but you gods seem to take ill care of their own."
"It is a sign of the Age," Tian Yue said, a bit sharply, and he glanced over at Evin. The boy was sitting very uneasily in one of the chairs, his eyes moving quickly as he tried to watch everyone at once. There were certainly plenty of targets - Tian Yue himself, Shartha, and both Aoidei buzzing around in the background.
The Dragon King was keeping himself deliberately busy. Less time to think meant less time to worry.
"Regardless, I want to know everyth-" Tian Yue began, then stopped as a skitter of movement on the floor caught his eye.
It was a rat - a terrified rat, its fur an unusual orange shade, and Toki's eyes widened. "I'll get the broom," he muttered, but Shartha stepped forward suddenly, shouldering the Aoide aside.
"My lord-" Her voice was shocked as she stared down at the rat, and Tian Yue shifted to look at it more closely. And as he did so, the creature's frantic squeaking seemed to melt in his ears, revealing a core of meaning as the noises resolved into words.
"-oh, my Lord..." The high-pitched voice was desperate, pleading, and Tian Yue stared.
"This is..." Toki stepped forward and crouched next to the rat, then lightly scooped it up. The creature did not resist as Toki lifted it, then cupped it in his palms and held it out to Tian Yue like an offering.
Tian Yue cupped his own hands, and a slight tilt of the Aoide's fingers sent the rodent sliding lightly into his grasp. The rat trembled lightly against his skin, and he knew, and smiled.
"Lao Shu - you have returned. I can't believe it, Tian Yue breathed, amazed. At last, another of my Stars!"
Shartha rumbled. "I thought I felt a presence. Well met, Rat."
"Shartha, we must feast our new guest," Tian Yue said with a smile as the dragon stepped forward to nose lightly at the rodent resting in his palms.
The creature accepted Shartha's soft snuffle - but then let out a sudden squeal of terror and scurried up onto Tian Yue's shoulder, trembling against the side of his neck.
As if echoing her own thoughts, there was a sudden squeal of terror from the Rat - Lao Shu - who scurried up onto her Lord's shoulder. "Lord!"
"What is it?" He put one hand up to lightly touch Lao Shu's head.
"I was chased by that terrible creature for... months, weeks... so many days, so many deaths... I only just escaped." The Rat swayed slightly and pointed one tiny, trembling finger at Nebula. The Aoide immediately stopped her work, giving Lao Shu a quizzical look.
Tian Yue laughed, and he felt the Rat stiffen. answer was a laugh. "Nebula? That's impossible. She's been here the whole time." He nodded, and Nebula moved to curtsy lightly in front of them. "See, nothing to be afraid of."
"A pleasure to meet you, sir," Nebula began - and then a strange, strangled cry made them all jump. Toki rushed towards the door and threw it open the rest of the way, but they caught only a glimpse of something moving before whatever-it-was was gone.
"What was that?" Tian Yue said, sharply.
Toki crouched and examined the floor, then stood up. "There's blood," he reported.
"Blood..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:07 pm
At Last, Rest
That evening found Tian Yue reclining on his bed, Lao Shu curled comfortably on a pillow at his side. The Rat looked much less frazzled now, having been given food, water, a bath and a combing under Toki's frantic attention.
"Thank you, my Lord," he sighed, flicking his tail so that it curled around his body. "You are still as kind as I remember."
"And you... well. I suspect you will become what I recall once the stress of your journey recedes." Tian Yue reached out one hand and lightly ran a claw down the rat's back, gently tickling the fur.
The rat's ears flicked back, and he curled up a little tighter. "It was terrible, my Lord. After being killed here once or twice -"
"I'm sorry!" came another wail from the other room, and Tian Yue raised one eyebrow at the dividing curtain.
"I know you're sorry, Toki, but I wish you were as sorry for eavesdropping as you are for trapping Lao Shu."
There was a pause, and then a skitter. Tian Yue shook his head and turned back to the rat. "He truly is sorry."
"I was disoriented as well. This place... this aura... it's dangerous, my Lord. I don't know how you can stand it."
"I guess I'm used to it. Perhaps my nature protects me as well."
Lao Shu shrugged and rested his chin on his forepaws. "After those deaths, I found myself further out in the city, and that was when I started being chased... and eaten. Over and over and over and -" He stopped abruptly, and a shudder shook his whole body.
"Hush, my Star. It is over," Tian Yue said, firmly, though the tip of his tail twitched. It bothered him that his Star had suffered so before finding his way home. Even if they were effectively immortal, they still suffered pain and trauma with each death and subsequent spirit-flight. "You do not have to recount the details for me. Save your breath and mind and rest."
"Mmm." Lao Shu squeaked, then put his head down on the pillow and curled up, but this time in a sleeping pose rather than one of fear. "Thank you, Lord. Thank you... so much."
Within a few moments, a little wheezy snore emanated from the sleeping rodent, and Tian Yue smiled slightly. But it still bothered him. Who could have hunted his Rat with such single-minded purpose. Why... and how could they have been able to track Lao Shu so effectively? And what had cried out and then left streaks of blood outside of his door?
It was a puzzle, one that he didn't have all the pieces to, and that didn't please him one bit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:08 pm
Her First StepsSosiqui Tian Yue had been in his treasury, examining the index of a tome that had recently come into his possession, when Toki ran into the room babbling a mile a minute. The dragon could only make out fragments - 'Nebula' here, 'jewel' there, 'visitors' scattered throughout. "AndIdon'tknowwhattodo!" Toki paused for breath, and Tian Yue took the opportunity to reach out and catch the Aoide's wildly gesturing hands by the wrists. "Slow down and calm down, Toki," he said, with a sigh. "Now. What's going on? Slowly."Toki shook his head, making the bunny ears sway back and forth. "I sent Nebula out not an hour ago, but she's back, and filthy, wearing rags... and there's a jewel. In her EYE." Tian Yue stiffened. "What?""Just as I said!" Toki nodded rapidly. "A great golden gem in her right eye! I think it may be a divine jewel. And a sphinx brought her back!" Ordinarily, the report of a sphinx would have been deeply exciting to Tian Yue, but the mention of another one of his household with a jewel overshadowed everything. "I'll find out what's going on," he said, and pushed past Toki to stride out into the living room. "Nebula? Is it really-" He stopped. And there she was, his black cat Aoide - sitting on the edge of the couch, one eye wide, the other.... the other, just as Toki had said, consumed by a great golden gem. There was a power there, unmistakably. Her face was filthy, crusted with dried blood. But there was something else - a soft thrill that had nothing to do with divine power, but rather with deep and ancient familiarity. The same touch that Shartha and Lao Shu bore. Stars above-"... You're one of the Stars," he whispered, so quietly that she was the only one who could hear. "Nebula. How long?""I-I've always been me... Tian Yue?" She spoke the new name awkwardly, her voice shaking slightly. "Why not Shaiming?" "You know why, unless..." Tian Yue tilted his head to one side, then shook his head. "I think we need to talk - no, later," he added as she opened her mouth. "I take it this... er, young sphinx... helped you back here?" He glanced over at the creature waiting by the door. Odd stature, but... she was lovely, in an odd way. A distant part of his mind hoped she'd come back later, when he could really think about sphinxes, when he had the idle time to enjoy her presence. Nebula nodded. "Ixa. Ixa, this is my Lord, the Dragon King Tien Lung, Worldshield." Tian Yue nodded to the sphinx. "Thank you for your kindness in bringing my servant home. How can I reward you?"Prolixity Ixa watched in silent, fascinated confusion. There was far more going on here that she understood. The dragon-tailed man who carried himself like a lord - no, like a Lord - wore an aura of power around him, power so palpable she could almost taste it. Ixa understood, quite suddenly, why Nebula could believe so deeply and completely in him. The cold ball of dread in her stomach grew weightier. "I would claim an explanation as my reward," she said quietly. "I don't understand what is happening. Though I will return, if you would tend to your servant first." Sosiqui "An explanation..." Odd request, but if she helped Nebula back here, one is definitely warranted. Tian Yue nodded, then turned back to Nebula. "Shall I do this now, or later?""Now is fine," Nebula said, her voice faint. Is she well? Oh, that's a stupid question, dragon - just look at her! Tian Yue nodded again, a small, sharp movement. He turned back to Ixa. "Now, then. Ixa, is it? What is happening is simple - the gods are returning. We are being reborn and rising again. You may find it strange, or hard to believe, but it is true nevertheless." He spoke simply, straightforward. There was a time for eloquence and lengthly explanation, but this was not that time. Prolixity Ixa tried to keep the skepticism from her face, and mostly succeeded. The gods are rising again. She had heard it a hundred hundred times, and it had never happened. But something in her whispered, truth, truth. That little kernel of belief frightened her more than she could measure. "I see," she said slowly, and rose to her feet. "I thank you." She looked to Nebula, still sympathetic to the girl's pain, still unnerved by her devotion. "Be well," she said, quietly simply. She wanted out. Now. Sosiqui "You are welcome here - some of the rising gods would not welcome intrusion, but I'm not sure those sentences are enough repayment for your help. If you wish more in the future, you have only to ask," Tian Yue replied. Nebula turned to Ixa, bit her lip, and bowed her head. "Thank you. I... hope I get to see you again. If not - thank you." Prolixity "I may return," Ixa allowed. Her curiosity might yet drive her back. But an irrational fear was ruffling her fur, and she needed space and time to think it over, to get herself under control. She rose to balance briefly on her hind legs and give a proper bow, then fell back to all fours and turned to beat a hasty retreat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:09 pm
The Chosen Confusion
After the sphinx left the room, there was a moment of awkward silence before Tian Yue stepped away from the door, shaking his head. He was vaguely aware of being in something like a state of shock as he turned to the terrified Aoide perched on the couch. "All this time... so close, and I didn't notice..." He walked slowly over to Nebula, and she followed his every movement with her one-eyed gaze. "How did this happen?"
"I-i..." Nebula swallowed, hard. "I... there was a... a rat..."
Behind him, Toki cleared his throat, guiltily. "The one in the walls that I was complaining about prior to the full rebirth of our Lord? ... that, er. Was Lao Shu, the Rat of the Zodiac..." He paused, then continued in a tone of pure apologetic agony, "I apologized profusely for the mousetraps!"
"And he forgave you, Toki," Tian Yue said, patiently. He moved to pull one of the armchairs closer to Nebula's seat on the couch before sitting down himself. "But he also said Nebula had been chasing and eating him... which she denied..."
Nebula's expression was briefly horrified - but then she took a deep breath and began to speak, a torrent of words that only became faster the longer it went on. "I... I don't know who's been here, but it wasn't me, I swear it wasn't, because after I found out about the rat I had to chase it, and I've been chasing it for I don't know how long, honestly I don't, because every time I killed it it just reappeared, only it looked like a different rat, and I was so angry and I didn't understand, just like how I don't understand why... why I always felt drawn to care for Tien Lung... and... then the rat finally ran back this way and... I saw you greet it and... I ran... and..." The rush of words finally dissolved into racking sobs as Nebula curled in on herself and cried.
Stars above... Tian Yue glanced back at Toki, who shrugged. As much as I don't want to believe it... she has to be telling the truth. She could never hide her feelings. He turned back to the sobbing Aoide with dread in his thoughts. "So who was here in my service, presenting herself as you?"
"I don't know," Nebula wailed, uncurling only a little bit.
"I thought it was strange, how suddenly she was compe-" Toki gulped as Tian Yue shot him a glare, and he backed away. "I'll, um. Go.. clean. Elsewhere."
Tian Yue leaned in, focusing on Nebula. "Nebula. This is important - have you met me before? Not me-Shaiming. Me-Tian-Yue." He reached forward and put one clawed hand on her knee. Her skin trembled slightly at his touch.
"N-no... I didn't even know you changed your name..." she stammered.
Tian Yue leaned back and raised both his hands to his temples, rubbing at them. "No wonder I didn't notice before that you were a Star. Tien Lung had not truly been awakened the last time Crispin and Shaiming saw you, and the Nebula I know is... not you. No wonder. Stars above..."
"Star... what... does it mean, to be a Star...?" Her voice was halting, nearly broken.
How can she not know? "The feel of it is not as powerful in you as it is in Shartha and Lao Shu, too - maybe that's another factor. I wonder why?"
"I don't... don't know." Nebula shook her head, then visibly winced. "I... f-found this." She gestured at the gem with one shaking hand.
"Yes. Yes, I see that." And that was the thing he simply could not get past - the jewel, so clearly that of a deity, but in her eye socket of all places?
Nebula suddenly stiffened, then looked down. "S-she offers you her greetings."
"She - a goddess, then. Which goddess? Tell me everything you know. And I return your greetings, Lady. Be welcome to the house of Tien Lung." Tian Yue nodded, acknowledging the presence of the other deity. Who are you? What have you done? He had a strong urge to be angry - after all, this goddess had damaged what was his, and one of his Stars besides.
"S-she says that her name is... Phaedra... and that you can call her Imperatrix...?" Nebula relayed the message haltingly.
Tian Yue raised one eyebrow at that. "An interesting way to style yourself... but I know of only one Empress, Gaia the Mother of All, and as a Dragon King I will give the title to no other. Phaedra, then." He was pulling rank, but he didn't much care - he was angry, and he could be angry at this Phaedra in all the ways he couldn't be angry at Tien.
"My Lord, can you... can you do... something about her...?" Nebula clasped her hands and leaned forward, her tone pleading, desperate.
Tian Yue sighed, and shook his head. The Aoide slumped back. "The Pantheon must be reborn in its entirety. I would be a hypocrite to try and stop it when my own ascension began in the same way. But I hope Phaedra will be kind to you." His eyes narrowed slightly.
Nebula paused, then looked down. "She says she'll tend to her own as she will... and that she holds claim to m-me now, that you can't deny it," she mumbled, after a moment.
I... I can't deal with this any longer. I need space to think, to clear my thoughts... "I cannot deny it. I merely ask for your kindness in memory of Nebula's service to me," Tian Yue replied aloud, then rose. "Nebula, your room is open and clean. I'm sure Lord Harmodius will be able to find you a suite of your own soon - you should rest. I'll send Toki to tend to your wounds."
"Thank you, my Lord," Nebula whispered.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:10 pm
The Signs of the Age
Tian Yue managed to remain his composure for long enough - just long enough. He watched Toki gently guide Nebula out towards her rooms before turning, walking deliberately over to his bed, and plunging one clenched fist into the pillows.
"Why is everything around me broken?" he snarled, drawing his hand back with claws bared. Punching was not effective; he slashed at the pillows this time, sending a flurry of stuffing into the air. He had strong urge to take his dragonform and give full vent to the feelings storming through him. To go kill something, possibly.
He needed Morgan. Or Lucius. Somebody.
But Morgan belonged to a goddess and Lucius was bound and branded. Toki's mind was cracked, Shartha couldn't get past the knot of hatred in her soul, Lao Shu was still traumatized - justifiably so - from being killed and reincarnated dozens of times in rapid succession. Nebula had been taken by another deity, brutally, and the Aoide he had thought was his was... someone else's entirely. Probably Tien's; what she had done was Trickery, after all.
And everything was falling apart around him.
Sometimes I could almost let myself hate Shaiming for foisting this on me.
Good job saving the world.
"My Lord!" came a shocked voice from behind him, and he turned to see Toki standing in the doorway, face reflecting disapproval at the fluffs of stuffing floating through the air.
"Toki - I'm sorry." Tian Yue shook his head.
"You are... angry," Toki said, his voice quiet. "I remember this anger."
That took Tian Yue aback. "You do?"
"Yes. Tien Lung was ever so when the atrocities of the world were too much to bear. It surprises me you have waited this long to disembowel your bedding, to be honest." Toki's smile was wan, ironic.
"Sometimes, despite everything, you still manage to know me better than I know myself. It's disconcerting," Tian Yue complained, slumping to sit on the edge of the bed.
"I have served you for thousands, millions of years," Toki said, his smile quirking into a hint of genuineness. "You have been Tien Lung only a very little compared to that - but you are still my Lord."
"How is Nebula?"
Toki looked uneasy. "She... was never very well in her mind, my Lord, but I believe something in her has broken."
"Broken. Everything is broken." Tian Yue snorted and turned away.
"It is a sign of the Age," Toki said, quietly. "You told Shartha that."
"I did. It doesn't make it easy to deal with."
"I know." Toki squirmed for a moment, then sighed. "I am sorry."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:11 pm
Her Second Steps
Tian Yue was working at his desk, attempting to track where the literal stars of his Stars might have plummeted as they fell into the worlds, when a door opened nearby and he nearly jumped.
He turned quickly, and saw Nebula standing hesitantly in the doorway that led from the Aoide quarters. He gave her a quizzical look. "Nebula? I wasn't expecting you awake so soon, after..."
She smiled. "I'm okay. Mostly. Really. Um."
Tian Yue returned the smile, though there was still a thread of concern in his mind - she looked tired, no matter what she said, and the flesh around her destroyed right eye was still inflamed. "Well, I'm glad to hear that. Is there anything you need?"
"Um. Not me, but... Phaedra wants to go to the place where I, uh. Found her." Nebula bit her lip and stared at the floor, looking distinctly uncomfortable, then glanced up again. "It's a treasure hoard, and I thought you might li-" The words cut off as Nebula stumbled forward suddenly.
Tian Yue moved quickly to catch her, and she sagged into his arms. "Careful! Are you sure you're okay to be moving around? The fuse is an exhausting experience. Trust me, I know."
"I-I'm fine." Nebula's voice sounded flustered as he set her back on her feet, and his brow furrowed slightly. Was she still on about that...? "Thank you." She hesitated, then continued. "An old museum. You might enjoy it?"
"A museum?" Tian Yue grinned, trying to diffuse the strangeness of the moment. "That does sound interesting."
"There's a vault that's not really been bothered... except by me. It has a lot of nice things in it," Nebula continued, smiling back, her ears upright.
"Very well, I shall fly you there and we'll have a look. Let me go and transform - are you ready to leave now?"
"Yes!" Nebula's smile was radiant - too radiant, and Tian Yue turned quickly, snapping the curtain between them before going over to the bed. He sank down to sit on the edge for a moment, massaging his temples.
She hadn't changed at all. Still needy. Still... affectionate. Too affectionate. She wants too much, yet... yet I can't prove anything. Her glances, her expression - oh, when was I any good at reading those? He sighed, frustrated, and began to shuck off his robes. Women. What I wouldn't give for Morgan to be here now - she'd dissuade Nebula, hopefully, and...
And he needed her, damn it. He could read her like a book, a dearly loved tale where almost every word was memorized. That closeness - was that what Nebula wanted?
If so, it was something she could never have.
Tian Yue sighed again, and shifted into his dragon shape. They would do this, and it would placate her for a while, and before too long her goddess would doubtlessly meet with the Twin Crown and get her own rooms - and then it would be over.
And then one day the goddess would take over entirely, and she would be gone forever.
The thought of that happening to Morgan nearly crushes me... but it's almost a relief to think of it in Nebula's context. For a moment, he felt guilty.
Then he took a deep breath and went to fetch his - Phaedra's - Aoide.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:12 pm
The Cold Tide
Tian Yue soared high over the ruined city that surrounded the Pantheon, wearing his dragonshape. Nebula was seated awkwardly on his back, and from the little shifts and movements she made, he thought she was speaking with her goddess.
The flight and the silence were soothing; the view and his awareness of his Aoide's pain much less so. They flew quietly until the dragon could bear it no longer. "Which building is it?" he rumbled.
He felt Nebula lean forward slightly as he turned. "Um... That one, I think. The one with the fancy front."
Tian Yue looked carefully at the buildings below, then nodded. "Hold on." He waited until he felt the tug of her grip in his mane before slanting into a quick dive that brought them swiftly to the ground in front of the building she'd indicated.
Nebula slowly slid off of his back. "This is the place," she confirmed.
Tian Yue tilted his head back and examined the battered facade, his nostrils flaring slightly as he scented the air. "This place must have been magnificent in its heyday." He wished he'd seen it then, but... he'd been busy, in both his former incarnations. But now... there didn't seem to be any danger, despite the building's dilapidated state. It looked structurally stable, and there were no fresh scents indicating anyone inside at the moment.
"Phaedra wants us to hurry," Nebula said, after a moment.
Tian Yue nodded. "I will remain in this form unless it becomes a problem," he said, lifting one claw and moving some of the rubble and twisted metal that partially obscured the doorway. "It has been looted?"
"Yes," Nebula confirmed, coming tentatively up behind him and peering into the dimness beyond. "The vault was, um. Untouched."
The dragon twined through the new, larger opening with Nebula trailing. He paused in the foyer and sniffed around again before lowering his head to the floor. "Blood."
"Probably mine," Nebula mumbled.
Nebula's... no... there's something else there. sniffed again, then shook his head. "Some of it is yours, but not all of it..." He followed the trail to the basement door, then turned to look at her. "Someone else has been here, and suffered for it." He shoved the door open and slid down into the darkness.
The light at the bottom of the staircase was erratic, and there was a trail of blood all the way down the stairs. Still two scents, still Nebula's old trail and the new, fresher one. He twined out into the hallway, snorting at the flashes of the damaged bulbs, and followed his nose to the metal door at the end of the hall.
Once there, he paused - Nebula's handiwork was evident in the dents, and for a moment Tian Yue had to admire her persistence. How long had she worked here in the flickering light to damage the vault enough to get it open?
But there were other concerns. There was a puddle of blood in front of the door, this one nearly all belonging to the more recent visitor - and, almost more worrying, a word scrawled over the door in waxy crayon. Cursed... hm. That's rarely a good sign.
He heard Nebula come up behind him, and turned slightly. "Someone else has been here," Tian Yue rumbled, stepping away from the door so she could see. "There's writing..."
Nebula peered, then shivered almost imperceptibly. "Cursed..." She quickly drew closer to Tian Yue's side and put one shaking hand on his shoulder. "D-don't go in there."
"I can't do that," Tian Yue replied, firmly. "It would have to be a powerful curse indeed to affect a god. Stand back..."
She obediently took a few steps back, and Tian Yue took a deep breath before gathering his power. Not the protective aura, not this time, but the simple spell-shield. It would take anything a mortal could throw - at least for one hit, and if he let anything get more than one hit in, he would be a sorry excuse for a Dragon King.
Thus prepared, he nodded to himself and reared up to put both foreclaws on the wheel that opened the door. The gears within the door ground, but the wheel moved, and the door clicked open.
Immediately the scent of blood and bile flooded out, and he twitched reflexively before stepping forward through the open door. The scene within was grim, bleak - more blood, Nebula's and the stranger's, a puddle of dried vomit, and signs of some sort of struggle. He couldn't even look at the treasures gleaming on the shelves, so strong was the sense of horror and fear in the vault. "Vomit. Don't step in it," he warned Nebula, absently.
"I'm not going in th-" Nebula began, then cut off abruptly and stumbled forward.
That sounds familiar... Tian Yue winced on Nebula's behalf, then bent down to sniff some more as the Aoide headed for a broken case on one side of the vault. Definitely some sort of struggle - whatever had happened here had deeply traumatized the target. But there was no scent of death... whatever it was hadn't been fatally wounded...
"Jahara...?" Nebula's voice rang out suddenly.
"Hm?" Tian Yue turned, his expression wary.
The catgirl had a terrified expression on her face, and her tail was all puffed out. "M-my Lord... I think there was another jewel in there."
"Another jewel?" Tian Yue's eyes narrowed. The vomit and blood did not indicate a friendly scene. "Who?"
"She... she said the name Jahara," Nebula said, and shuddered before taking a step back from the treasures - then jumped, and trembled again. "I want to leave," she whispered.
Enough of this. "Then let's go," Tian Yue said, quietly. "I know your intentions were honorable, but I cannot in good conscience take anything from this place. Not now."
There was a pause, and then Nebula clung to Tian Yue's tail. "She... wants them," she whimpered, shaking. "Help..."
What are you doing to her? The dragon gave Nebula - or, rather, the goddess within the Aoide - a suspicious look, then paused. I want to tell her no, but... if she comes away with nothing, she'll just make Nebula go back. Best to compromise. He nodded then, reluctantly. "Loot as you wish - but do it on your own terms. You'll have no help from me." He stretched his head upwards, asserting dominance.
Nebula's expression twisted, and then she pivoted abruptly to face the shelves. After a moment, she began opening cases and taking items from them, her movements slow, stiff, blank.
And Tian Yue watched, feeling helpless. The goddess had been right, frustratingly - her claim over Nebula did dominate his, and he could not interfere. My Lord ordered me to gather... that the Dragons and the Pantheon would all be needed... but what need is there for this? What need?
It is a sign of the age.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:13 pm
Introducing the Performermistalina13 Asherah had spent the last few days trying to decide her next move. Nebula's reappearance was unexpected but at least it would free her from this monotony. She craved to be by her mistress' side, where she belonged. The feline had hidden away in Morgan's rooms once Nebula had reappeared. It seemed the safest place for her to be. But she knew sooner or later someone would come calling and ask the inevitable questions. Sosiqui Nebula moved around her room, her hands full of plunder from the museum's vault, and tried not to think of that cursed room any more. The easiest way would be to simply lose herself in Phaedra's constant commands, drone-like... but there was a sort of madness down that road as well. The goddess was purring in delight over her new hoard. Mostly, anyway. Phaedra kept see-sawing from glee at the finds, to grumpiness at the apparent small size of their catch. That last confused Nebula deeply. Jewels and precious metals and all manner of rarities from the inner vault of a major museum and she still wasn't happy? Move that one - no, don't shed on it, or I swear I will order you to shave yourself! Phaedra ordered. Nebula sighed, and moved the appointed object half an inch to the side. "There?" It will do. For now. Again, satisfaction warred with displeasure in the goddess' tone. Sit. I wish to survey my findings.Nebula gratefully lowered herself to perch on the edge of her bed. She could feel the goddess rummaging around her remaining eye, taking snatches of sight. The feeling was bizarre. As Phaedra moved and muttered to herself, Nebula tried to think of other things. Dust under the bed, should clean it... wonder how my Lord's doing... funny little sound in the next room...
... sound?There shouldn't be anyone in there. Nebula stood up and turned, much to Phaedra's displeasure. Had that woman returned? Ooh, that woman... that woman... Jealous, are we?"Shut up," Nebula mumbled, and padded cat-silent out into the hallway to listen at the door of Morgan's room. mistalina13 Asherah's ears perked at the sound of someone in the hallway. Was someone coming? She stilled herself and listened. The footsteps were too light and there was no rustle of fabric, so it could not be the Worldshield. One of the Aoide then? She sniffed. Perhaps they wouldn't even stop long enough notices noise from this room? Even if they did, there was no reason she should not be here. This was her mistress' host's chamber. If she could no go out and search, this is where she should remain (even if it irked her to do so.) Her tail tapped lightly against the bedframe as it flicked in agitation. She needed to get out of this place if it was possible. Sosiqui Maybe it was her imagina- no! She'd heard the soft tap that time. There WAS someone in there. Nebula's fists clenched at her side. And what now, kitten? Do you suppose it is your Lord and his lover, tangled skin on skin? Hmmm? Phaedra chuckled, and Nebula's tail lashed back and forth. She didn't want to think about that. But no... no. She didn't feel him there. Maybe just the girl, then... Another sound startled her, and Nebula realized she'd put just enough weight on the door handle to turn it down some. Just as the person within had betrayed their presence, she'd betrayed her own. Now what, now what? The goddess was eager, amused, as if if the Aoide's every movement was a soap opera for her amusement. Nebula took a deep breath. Do what an Aoide ought, ask if there was anything to do, and then... leave, red-faced. She lightly pushed the door open a crack. "Forgive me, my Lady - is there anything I... can... do...." The scent wafted lightly past Nebula's nose. The same scent she'd smelled on her pillow, her sheets, in her room- mistalina13 Asherah had risen from the bed as the door handle began to turn, her muscles tensing. Someone had stopped by the door and was opening it. Very well. Time to get it over with.The feline smirked when she spotted who had opened the door. Nebula, the one she had pretended to be. And she looked upset by something. This was priceless...Sosiqui Nebula stared. It wasn't her Lord's... woman... at all! The face that met hers was nearly identical, almost, almost like looking into a mirror. But not quite. Not quite. And just like that, Nebula's shock flashed into hot anger, and she pointed one trembling finger at the interloper. "You. You. You did this." mistalina13 "I needed to be nearby. Your absence simply gave me an opportunity and I took it." Asherah smirked. "That's all there was to it." Her tail flicked idly back and forth as she watched Nebula. "But, out of curiosity, what do you claim I was responsible for?" Sosiqui "You..." Nebula snarled, all her fur standing on end. "You stole... me! My place, my Lord, my everything, they didn't even know I was gone when I needed help, and... this, this is your fault!" She jabbed one finger at her ruined eye, the gem gleaming in the socket. Yes, kitten, and? Show me your anger, show me what you'll do to keep what you most desire! Show me, Phaedra purred. "I don't know who you are, but... you'll pay for what you did. You'll pay!" And with that, Nebula slashed at the other's face, claws outstretched, aiming to cut across the other's eye. Exactly as had been done to her. mistalina13 Asherah moved slightly to dodge the blow at her face and reached to grab the Nebula's hand to keep her from trying again. "I'm an Aoide, same as you." She snorted. "We are replaceable, you and I...all Aoide are. But our lords and ladies pick favorites. Is that why you're angry, that you're not a favorite?" She glared at the other feline and tightened her grip. "If anything you should be glad you're on your way to freedom." Sosiqui "Let.. me... GO!" Nebula jerked away as hard as she could, but the other was stronger; she could not break the grip. "Freedom... this is your idea of freedom?!" The pitch of her voice tilted upwards, towards the hysteric. "I am going to die without ever getting what I wanted, and if it hadn't been for you... he would have come looking for me! I would have been safe!" Naive, Phaedra chuckled, but Nebula was well past caring. She tried to pull away again. mistalina13 "If he is what you wanted, you have no chance anyway." Asherah released Nebula's hand after another moment, ready to grab it again if the other did anything foolish again. "If one of them wanted you, they would've found a way to take you regardless." Her tail began to lash back and forth, clearly she was getting irritated. "Besides, is dying not preferable to the situation your in now?" Sosiqui "How dare you," Nebula snarled, and launched herself bodily at the other. mistalina13 Asherah snarled, the anger pent up from being stuck in this place was beginning to surface. She was ready when the other feline launched herself at her. "It would seem there is nothing left to you anymore..." She did her best to maneuver so as to pin Nebula to the bed, hopefully without too much of a fuss. "...not even sanity." She dug her claws lightly into Nebula's shoulders. "If you would wish to still serve your Lord before you perish...I would suggest shelving the fantasy that he might see you that way." Sosiqui Nebula hissed, then spat in the other's face. "You have no right-" "What in the name of the Twin Crown Himself is going on in here?" came a sudden sharp tone, and Nebula stiffened. Tian Yue... And now it gets even more interesting."Stand aside-" Tian Yue began, then paused. "Nebula and... I assume the one who served me under that name? No more of this, not in my chambers. Battle elsewhere, later, if you must.""Lord," Nebula managed, twisting away from Asherah as best she could. "I've found her, the interloper - do something to her! She did.. . she did... much to me!" "I assume you are under Tien's service, if you are in this room," Tian Yue said, addressing the other Aoide. Much to Nebula's consternation, his voice was not unkind. Firm, but not angry. "May I ask your name, and your purpose in serving as my Aoide?"mistalina13 Asherah let go of Nebula and drew back upon hearing the Dragon. "You are correct, my lord." She took a few steps back from the bed and Nebula before bowing. "My name is Asherah, I serve the Commedia Dell'Arte." She drew up again, to look him in the face, clearly unafraid. "I wanted to stay close for when I was needed by my lady...or her host." The last was added as an afterthought, mostly for Tian Yue's benefit. Asherah had no reason to like or dislike the girl, but her allegiance lay with Tien. Sosiqui Nebula stayed on the bed and fumed, trembling a bit with her anger. How could she just stand there and... bow to him and... ! She bit her lip, hard, and got a thin stream of blood running down her chin for her efforts. And her lord seemed blind to everything Asherah had done! He was even nodding at the whore! "I thought as much, when I found that the Nebula I thought I knew was someone else entirely - it seemed most likely that you were Tien's. Your Lady has gone far afield, it seems. Perhaps you should seek her out. I do not think it would be... prudent to remain here, for now." He glanced over at Nebula, and she stared back at him, trying to communicate a million things with her eyes. Punish her! Hurt her as she's hurt me! Please!Such wild desire, Phaedra crooned, and Nebula flushed under her fur. mistalina13 "That was what I had planned, to explain myself in the morning and depart afterward. I had not expected my Lady to leave so soon." Asherah nodded politely to Tian Yue. "I will ready myself to leave now, if you wish." Sosiqui "I think that would be best," Tian Yue replied, far too mildly for Nebula's taste. "Thank you for your service; though it was done under a false name, I have nothing to complain of otherwise."Nothing to complain of...! Nebula practically snarled at the Dragon, but she managed to choke it down. mistalina13 "Very well, my Lord. It has been an honor to be in your service, even if it was for a short time and I am delighted to hear I did not disappoint." Asherah smiled softly. "I apologize for the deception, but it was necessary. Might I speak to Toki as well, before I leave, to apologize to him as well?" Sosiqui "If you like. I believe he is in my chambers, cleaning as usual. Go quickly to your mistress, then. I worry for her host," Tian Yue added, more quietly. She was going to get away with it. Asherah was going to get away with... doing everything she'd done. Nebula shifted, and hugged her knees to her chest. mistalina13 Asherah reached down to retrieve a small bag from beside the desk. She had packed it days ago to be prepared to leave whenever it would be required. She slung it over her shoulder and bowed again to Tian Yue. "Thank you, my Lord." She rose and slipped past him out of the room and into the corridor, making her way quickly to Tian Yue's chambers to find the Rabbit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:14 pm
Lashing Out
Tian Yue saw Asherah out, then turned back to Nebula, already dreading what he would find. The Aoide was becoming completely unmanageable - and he was beginning to worry about her sanity.
"You shut up." The soft snarl came from the bed behind him, and he turned around, one eyebrow raised. The black cat was curled up on the bed, her single remaining red eye staring dully at him. She held one of the bed pillows to her chest, so tightly that her claws tore rents in the fabric. "Not you," she mumbled, and he relaxed a little bit.
And now... the lecture. Stars above, I wish I didn't have to deal with this. "I should hope not - what were you thinking?!" Tian Yue shook his head. "Attacking another deity's Aoide in my own chambers-"
"She - you don't understand! She stole... she stole me!" Nebula's voice shook with barely-contained emotion, and the pillow tore a little more in her grasp. "She stole who I was, and you didn't... didn't notice..."
A cloud of regret passed over him for a moment. That much... that was true. "I did not, he admitted. But I had no reason to believe anyone would feign being you. She is one of the Trickster's retinue, and will go out to join her goddess." He turned back towards the door, his tail twitching once under his robes, making the fabric shift. If only he could follow...
"Who?" came the blank reply, behind him.
"Trickery. Tien. Morgan is now host to a goddess, like yourself... didn't you know?"
"No," she said, flatly. "You didn't say."
Tian Yue turned back to her. She pulled the pillow up over her face a bit, but she wasn't quite fast enough to cover the look of predatory glee that marked her face. A slow burn of anger swept over Tian Yue, and he had to struggle for a moment to keep from outright striking her. No - no violence. She's not well. She's not well. You can't hurt her. With an effort, he kept his face and voice calm. "My apologies. At any rate, Asherah meant you no harm."
"I don't care. She did what she did, and I'll hurt her for it someday." Nebula's one eye glinted as she spoke, and at last the pillow gave up the ghost entirely and ripped right down the middle, spewing stuffing out onto her stomach.
Stars- "Nebula..." He hesitated for a moment, searching for words. But there was nothing he could find, nothing that could fix this situation, and he just shook his head again. "Stay away from her if you can't control yourself."
She was silent for a long moment; talking to the goddess, maybe. "Fine," Nebula mumbled at last, voice muffled by the pillow.
"... Good." Tian Yue sighed, then turned. But before walking out, he looked back at her. "And clean this mess up, please." That said, he walked quickly down the hall and away, in search of distraction, escape - anything that would get him away from the poison that seemed to be invading his once-servant's mind.
May her sanity last until it is no longer needed - that's all I ask at this point. That's all I ask...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:15 pm
Her High Tower
Once again, Tian Yue needed a distraction - now more than ever. He needed an escape from Morgan's absence, and from the presence of Nebula and her oppressive goddess, whoever she truly was. The feline Aoide did require care, but she was so desperately needy about it that Tian Yue found it easier to have Toki tend to that. It made things... simpler.
Instead, he sought the skies, and his Stars. Now that Lao Shu was recovering, he needed something to do.
Something he could fix.
Tian Yue twined through the air towards the building that Shartha had claimed for herself, wearing his dragon form. The choice of shape had been quite deliberate. While his bond with his Stars dated to ancient times, they had all been reborn since - there was much that needed to be reforged. And his bitter dragon responded better to him when he was dragon himself.
The building had once been a hotel, and Shartha had made her home in the former penthouse. "Shartha," Tian Yue called out as he moved into a hover next to the shattered window that was the penthouse's new aerial entry-point. "Shartha?"
A moment later, Shartha slid out of the dimness within her lair. "Greetings, my Lord." She inclined her head with some respect - not as much as she should have, but since her rebirth she had been lacking in certain aspects. "Please, come within."
Tian Yue landed and looked around with interest. It was dim inside, but the trappings of former glory were all around. She had made a nest of what were once fancy feather beds, it seemed.
"How is Evin?"
Shartha snorted, softly. "I have given him the gifts you press on him."
"That's not what I asked. Where is he?"
"In his chamber. Close enough for me to feel winged; far enough so I don't have to look at him." Shartha's tail lashed back and forth, and her tone turned sullen. "He is my chattel."
It was easy enough to find him; the boy's scent led to a nearby room, and Tian Yue pushed the door open with his muzzle. There was a startled yelp from within, and in a moment Evin was on the ground in front of the door, kneeling, head bowed. His hands were shaking.
"Be at ease," Tian Yue rumbled, and the boy relaxed, sagging forward a bit. "Did you enjoy my gifts, Evin?"
He nodded, slowly, and indicated the clothing he was currently wearing - a set that Tian Yue had given to him at their last meeting. "Th-thank you, sir."
"Lord," Shartha hissed, and Evin flinched. "Lord," he amended.
Evin's room was small, but he did have a bed and windows at least. Still, his mannerisms said a great deal about Shartha's treatment of him. Tian Yue turned and gave Shartha a look, eyes narrowed. "You mistreat him still, dragon."
Shartha was taken aback for a moment, then rallied, her eyes bright with anger. "And what about me? Do you care only about the boy? What is he to you?" She hissed at him, her tail lashing back and forth violently. "I am one of your ancient Stars! What about me?! Do I have to die a thousand times like Lao Shu first?"
Evin quickly scurried to a far corner of the room as Tian Yue growled. "The Xiù Long I see before me is far smaller in spirit than the one we invited to the heavens. I know it was not always so. What has changed you?"
"What has changed me?" Shartha let out a bitter laugh. In the corner, Evin curled up. "Whose fault do you think it is?" She fanned her shriveled wings. "Their fault! His fault!"
"Oh? Evin holds sufficient power to do that to you?"
"His people - they were envious, long ago. Envious of our mastery of the skies! They wanted it for themselves, so they ripped it out of our very souls... can you imagine that? How it feels to be missing part of your soul, how it is to be empty? What it's like to desperately desire something that should be yours by rights? Can you, my Lord?" The look in her eyes said it all - no, you can't, you are pampered, you are spoiled, you are a god-
"I can," Tian Yue said, firmly. Every old flickered memory of stardust's touch. Every thought of the Pantheon in glory. The hazy half-coma of life - if you could call it that - within the jewel, longing for release. Morgan- "I can," he repeated.
Shartha stared deep into his eyes for a moment, then looked away. "Lord," she whispered. "Help me."
Tian Yue took a step towards her and nuzzled lightly at her cheek. "Xiù Long... I will discipline you if I must - but I would rather renew friendship with you. I worry when you slip from my bright dragon into a cold and angry creature."
"It is so hard. So hard to remember what I was in those days, when this new memory and new hatred are so much fresher in my mind..."
"I understand that entirely." Tian Yue gathered his power and gently formed a shield, pushing it out around them to encompass the top floor of the building. Immediately, the oppressive atmosphere that pervaded the world lessened. In the corner, Evin sat up in surprise.
Shartha stiffened. "What..."
"I have exerted my power. Destruction's aura cannot affect you as long as it surrounds you... now, think, my Star. How do you feel now, at this moment?"
"I..." She paused, and tilted her head to one side. "The anger... is lessened." The last was said in a tone of wonder. "I can think without it pounding on every thought."
"And you, Evin?"
"Ever since Shartha took me, and brought me to this world, I have been afraid..." He shook his head. "I am still afraid, but now... it does not paralyze..."
"Remember this. Remember how it is to live this way," Tian Yue said, gently, looking between dragon and bondmate. "There is no further need for your hatred, Shartha. To preserve it would be dangerous - many of the humans in this area are hosts to rising gods, or their servants and followers. You will never return to the people who raised you - let it go."
"I..." Shartha looked down. "I feel almost as though I could say yes, Lord, but..."
"Shartha, I will leave this shield around your dwelling, and I will take Evin back with me."
"No!" Shartha yelped, and Evin looked up and stared at Tian Yue with wide eyes. "I need him!"
"I will return him... but he needs tending to. You need healing. Rest here, in my protection. Do you have food?"
"Cows," she acknowledged, after a moment.
"Good. I will return in a few days to see how you are. You asked for help, did you not?"
"I did." Her voice was barely a whisper, and she bowed her head. "I did, Lord. Thank you."
"You are welcome. I will return in a few days' time. Come here, Evin, and ride on my back." Shartha began to protest, but a quick glance silenced her once more.
Evin stood up and walked tentatively past Shartha, who watched his every movement with glittering eyes. One hand darted out to touch Tian Yue's shoulder, as if he were afraid the Dragon King's scales might burn him. When nothing happened, he quickly climbed up to huddle on Tian Yue's back, his hands clenched into his mane.
Tian Yue shifted slightly to make sure all lied well before nodding at Shartha. "Rest and heal, Shartha."
"Yes, Lord."
"Hold on, boy - we fly!" Tian Yue raised his head and launched himself into the air, prompting a startled squawk from the boy and a renewed grip on his mane. He soared out of the hotel's penthouse and away, climbing quickly as he turned towards the Pantheon again.
The boy was trembling on his back, but not as badly as he had been, and Tian Yue smiled with grim determination.
Maybe he couldn't save Morgan, or Nebula, but he could save Evin.
And if I can't save one human boy, how can I possibly save the world?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
