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 Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:45 pm
He hadn't wanted to actually leave his home, all things considered. That last hour or two where they had just been settled together in his library, the warmth of the fire filling the otherwise chilly room, the smaller figure held in his arms... well, he'd not wanted to move. Szin... his little flower, he was scared and Lird could tell that, the dark, the evil that was this place, it had to be crushing in on such a delicate little being like the walls of a tumbled cavern. It was a weight he himself couldn't really understand, but remembered someone else, another beautiful little creature mentioning it once, and trying to describe it. It didn't sound like something he would ever wish to have to face himself.
He knew well enough the trip wouldn't be fun... he had already decided that as Szin wasn't really that true a member of their family it would be best not to take the lizards either, they were a skittish set and he didn't want one to bolt and have Szin lost in the caverns and caves that run off of the tunnels for days, that wouldn't be a happy result, so they would walk it... it wasn't too great a walk, a fair few days, yes, but not too bad.
The trip back to the West Dark could honestly have gone worse in Lirds mind, of course he was certain Szin was terrified for a good portion of it, and he made certain to stay close to the delicate male, keeping a hand on his arm or back, or often an arm around him as they walked so that the eyes which he supposed would still not see too well in the dark would not hinder Szin too greatly. He was worried about him, of course he was... but this trip was necessary. He needed to go back, he needed to speak with his brother, and he had to drop off the potion he'd made as well... he was sorry that the trip could potentially scare Szin so much, but he hadn't liked the notion of leaving him behind either. He just greatly hoped Szin's somewhat... gentle... nature wouldn't be found out by anyway.
Each night when they stopped for sleep he would settle down close to Szin. He hoped it wouldn't make the delicate male uncomfortable, he was trying to help, he wanted to offer him some comfort in this abysmal place. He wasn't sure how well it would work, but what else could he do...?Besides... he himself felt little in the way of desire to be away from Szin... he wanted to touch him and hold him... he wanted to catch his hand, pull him close and keep him safe, he wanted to kiss him.. Goddess he shouldn't be letting his mind wander like that though. He had too much to focus on to think about such petty wants...
He hoped Mer would tolerate Szin... if he disliked him there would be an issue... and if he liked him too well there would be another... this was such a delicate issue. As much as he was fond of the only remaining branch of his family, sometimes it caused him more worry than usual. He was just pleased that Jar wasn't here as well. At least he wouldn't have to deal with him.
A fair number of days passed before their travels were complete, but when they finally passed onto the road that would lead them down to the main city, Lird found himself sighing with relief. "We will soon be there... the road is nearly over. That dark rise in the large cavern ahead is where we are headed... the one with the dark blue lights by it... that is the main house of the G'eld family... that is where we shall stop..." He sounded tired. Days of worry over Szin and his parcel for Ariadne had drained him a little. But it would be fine now... they could stop soon.
There was a swirl of worry and relief that grew with every step they took closer to the large rocky wall that marked the entrance to the great house... black gates would hold them up until a guard came to let them in, and that was where he stopped, one hand shifting to move Szin closer to him, his hand falling to rest on the slim males back. "Soon we will go inside. Do not fret." He didn't want him to worry too much. He wouldn't tell him how powerful this house truly was.
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Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 9:36 pm
The darkness was not so...threatening. It was not the fearful cloak that blinded him and made him feel as if he were drowning. He knew exactly why that was too. It was due entierly to Lird. His voice...his touch. The gentle warmth he sensed from the taller male continued to lend comfort to him. This time he was not so afraid. This time he was not so alone. So long as Lird was near to him he felt as if nothing could possibly harm him. There were moments though, when the strange sounds of the tunnels and when he had walked too long in the darkness, it would feel as if something dreadful was looming to pounce upon him just one more stumbled step away. During these times Szin's heartbeat seemed to triple it's pace and his lungs seemed to seize up in his chest. It was during these times that Lird's guideing touch simply was not enough. Szin found himself reaching and grasping hold of Lird while the whole of the underdark felt as if it were about to come down upon him and finally end his small spark of life. He felt like he was faltering and though he had the strength, he dared not coax up the light he so desperatly wished to see. There was no telling what menace may be drawn by the out of place brightness.
Goddess he missed the sky. At times he tried to convince himself that this darkness came from a cloudy night. However, even in his mind he knew that a cloudy night would not be so utterly void of light. He was only grateful for the fact that his stamina for travel had not waned too much during his period of captivity. His years of wandering the surface had granted him a accustomed nature to long travels. It was true that he mostly traveled by horse, but he had done his fair share of walking as well. He hoped that he was not slowing Lird down on his trip, though he suspected his protector would not have said a word even if it were true.
Most of the trip was spent in silence, to better ensure that they would not draw. Szin honestly despised the silence. He longed to hear Lird's voice almost as much as he longed to be able to see more then just a vauge shape in the darkness. His touch was comforting...but his smile and his eyes carried so much more. Despite all the fear he felt, Szin felt a unusual sort of sickness that he likened to the home sickness that came upon him at times. Lird had become a strong foundation of safety and comfort for him. The trip only helped facilitate this feeling to a even deeper level. Each night when they laid next to each other, Szin found himself pressing more tightly against the strong frame of Lird. He was his bastion of safety in this terrible world. When it came time to rise, Szin caught himself a few times nearly reaching out to grasp hold of Lird in order to prolong their moment together.
Their travel became easier after turning into one particular tunnel. Szin's feet immediatly took notice of the smoothness and the lack of dips and rises that often threatened to make him stumble. His eyes picked out blue lights ahead, and his head swam with relief at those pin pricks of light. Lirds welcome voice informed him of what lay ahead, and he could not help but smile faintly. "It will be nice to be out of the tunnels." Szin spoke his response in a soft murmur. He did not speak again until it was his weak eyes were able to make out the dark wall of the House they approched. The gate that they stopped at looked...formidable. Even in the dim light, Szin's eyes could recognise a strong physical protection when he saw it. His fingers itched to summon forth a small globe of wane white light. That he suspected would have been a poor descion. Until the time that Lird placed his hand upon him, Szin felt a sense of growing unease. He was about to enter a House. He had been fortunate thus far to avoid ever having to cross a threshold into this sort of domain. Something felt more..dangerouse about this. He felt Lird touch him though, and his face turned upwards to look into his as he attempted to calm him. He leaned slightly into that touch, and nodded his head slightly in response.
"I think..I shall be quiet now." He whispered as they waited. It probably would be wise not to speak, he did not want to cause Lird any complications with his overworld accent. Though he doubted anyone would be able to identify the lit to his words. Still, there was always a chance...and the complications that could arise..he did not wish to makie Lird ever regret extending his warm protection over him. Goddess... He would feel a misery like no other if he ever caused harm to befall Lird...
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Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:02 pm
“Quiet may be best... while I do not mind your voice, nor your singing I think perhaps in this place it would do us both well if you were able to keep your true nature a secret. There are souls who would be sympathetic to your cause, but I think any attempt to find them may lead to mor danger than it does success.” It was a long moment before Lird finally removed his hand from where his fingers had been pressing gently against Szin’s back. He wanted to afford the smaller male some comfort for as long as he could, though sadly that wasn’t a terribly long time. It seemed only a split second later that he was stepping up to the heavy gate set into the carved out rock and was pushing the large structure open. It swung easily, almost silently, only the very slight hiss of metal over metal, eased with oil gave away that it was moving at all. Outside this house at least the world seemed utterly still.
Part of Lird was almost eager to be inside, his brother had remained here, and it had been some time now since he had seen his older relative, and though he could not imaging Mer would be greatly pleased to see the nature of the companion he had brought with him, too many poor memories after all, he was sure that the older drow would not treat him unkindly. As a pair of brothers they were both really too soft to be considered true drow... their blood had been mixed, way back down the line, but the nature of their kind was usually so dark that any light at all could taint it. Black was no longer black once you’d added white to it after all. But they were committed enough to whatever orders they were given that their paler souls did not tend to be too noticeable. Violence was easy and thoughtless, they could be drow when they fought with no problem at all.
They both had to wait for a short time for the door to the main house to be opened for them, but when it was Lird simply stated his name and his request to see his brother as soon as possible, and to send word to the matron that he had the item she had requested, and that he would be willing to bring it to her as soon as she asked. After which he stated to the male that had answered the door that he would take his leave and await her word, for his assistant and he had had a long journey and he wished to settle the younger soul, here he gestured at Szin, before tiredness set in too greatly.
With that done he moved into the house, reaching a hand back to catch Szin by the shoulder, steering him along with him. He wanted to make sure the surface dweller didn’t become lost in the winding corridors of this very large house. They were lit, at least, with the same dancing blue fire as he had conjured up when they had been out in the tunnels. It was a colour that didn’t seem to hurt the eyes too badly, and could be adjusted to well.
His rooms would be as they always were here, sparsely decorated, what need had he for possessions? And set close to his brothers. He took Szin with him down twisting and turning passages, the trip was a known one to him, and eventually into a room, the heavy door creaking slightly as he opened it. With a quietly muttered spell, Lird lifted a hand and summoned another little ball of the blue fire to life, dropping it into a lamp which was held to the wall by a stone bracket, the wick caught, and the strange blue light filled the room. It was a living area with an couple of tables, some shelves, a fireplaces and several seating areas made up of cushions. There was some attempt at decoration on the walls, and there were several bracketed lights as well, two or three doors went off of this one room, though all of them for now were closed.
“Okay...” Lird pushed the main door to the room closed, looking around once. “I’m going to go and search out Mer, and then make my way over to see the Matron of the house... I will be as fast as I can, but I need to ensure she receives her item in good time, I would not wish her angry, I have to say...” He lifted a hand, brushing his fingers through his long hair... he wanted to wash it, but it would have to wait until later. “The door in the center there... the one directly beside that table is the bathroom... you may feel free to fill the tub if you wish to... there will be water heating over a spell in there, there usually is...” He wrinkled his nose slightly. “I will settle you properly when you come back... but the door to the right will be your room... it is small I@m afraid, but I hope it will do for now... I will not be long Szin...” With that, and a small smile, with his pack still on his back, Lird left once more. It would be at least an hour until he returned as well.
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Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 3:07 pm
Szin found himself pausing in his steps. His head lifted to look through the darkness towards the faint outline he could make of Lirds's form. Inwardly he felt a flipping of his stomach, and a familiar fear bubbled up under the surface of his mind. However, as long as that hand remained pressed to his shoulder, the fear did not overwhelm him. Szinaun nodded his head in silent acknowledgment of Lirds wisdom as he moved on. He did not wish to risk someone detecting his strange over-world accent. There would be no more singing until they had returned to someplace safe. Though that would be difficult to remember, he found such comfort in singing his songs, they chased away the anxiety and fears that seemed to cling to the walls of this underground world.
When the large gates loomed up before them, Szin could only just make out their form in the gloom. He greatly disliked the darkness in this place. It was such an oppressive gloom that weighed upon his eyes. Szin waited uneasily, that bareness upon his back felt so cold and vulnerable without Lirds touch. When the door was opened, Szin lowered his gaze to the ground. He did not wish for the guard at the door to possibly detect his inability to focus properly on his surroundings, or in some way manage to see that the pupils of his eyes were opened as wide as they could go. Lird sounded so brusque and businesslike when he spoke to the guard. His explanation of his purpose, and then the small explanation of Szin's presence brought just the smallest smile to his lips. His apprentice? Apprentice of what he wondered? It made him feel amused to be looked upon as a apprentice rather then a slave as he had been for so long. Yes, this was a far better position for him with all things considered.
Szin remembered to keep himself quiet as they entered the house. The return of Lirds hand to his shoulder caused Szin to lean back a bit, and the muscles beneath his touch relaxed. So long as Lird was there, so long as his presence loomed protectively over him, then Szin felt a great diminishing of his fear. It helped as well that the corridors were now lit with the pleasant blue light. He blinked his eyes owlishly for a few moments, then marveled at the confident manner Lird directed him through the maze like halls. How did he know which way to go? There were so many twists and turns! Szin opened his mouth and tilted his head to ask Lird how he knew these halls so well, but paused as he caught himself. Lird had warned him not to speak after all. Quickly he snapped his lips shut and bit gently upon his tongue,a s a reminder for him to keep it still for now.
When finally they entered a room, Szin waited until Lird had summoned some light for him before he turned in investigating his surroundings. His first impression was that the room felt very bleak and depressing. He was unable to form any other opinions, or alter them, right away. As Lird began to speak to him. Szin turned, his eyes peering up at his protector while being informed what was to happen next. "I understand." Szin spoke in a soft hushed voice. His head nodded, and when mention of a bath was brought up, he turned his head with a undeniably eager expression upon his face. Lird was not the only one who was rather eager for a bath. Still, when Lird spoke of settling him properly...
Szin's cheeks flushed with a sudden dark blush. His mind tickled on such a naughty twist to those words! Szin reached a hand out, hesitantly towards Lirds hand, but he withdrew it and bit his tongue a bit harder. "I shall...be eager for your return." He murmured, then watched as the strong and handsome battle mage exit the door.
Szin stood alone in the room, his eyes slowly moving through the blue lit darkness. Well..since Lird was gone, and he was clearly alone..Szin saw no reason not to summon his own faerie lights now to banish the darkness away more completely. He pressed his fingertips together, and murmured softly to himself in a barely whisper loud voice. As the spell was cast, three egg sized balls of glowing white lights danced overhead. Immediately the room brightened to a more comforting level. Szin sighed and took a second moment to inspect the room. Again, it appeared to be very stark and bare. It was so... soulless. That is what it appeared to be. Was this a reflection of how Lird felt inside? Wasn't ones personal rooms a reflection of the person themselves? Then again..
No. it was not soulless. Szin quickly amended his thoughts as he crossed to the door for the bath. What it was, was careful. Drow in the Underdark had to be so careful, and with what secrets Lird possessed, he had to hide himself. He had to hide it so deeply that even his rooms had to be hidden in nature. Poor Lird...to deny himself even that comfort of being in surroundings that at least offered understanding of what you truly were.
Szin spent the remainder of the hour submerged in the waters of the tub.He first soaked and scrubbed all of his cloths, then flopped them out onto the bathroom floor to dry. Afterwords he repeated the scrubbing process with every inch of his body until his skin and scalp tingled. Szin sank down into the waters with his eyes closed and his magical lights hanging high overhead. He enjoyed letting his hair fan out in the water. His body felt so clean and fresh now! He had no desire to leave the liquid depths of that tub. Here in the underdark, lounging in water was the closest to a free flowing breeze that Szin could find.
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