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 Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:56 am
Nikolai crossed his arms as Amerald filled him in, piercing green eyes settling on the man as he moved onto dangerous grounds again. Too bad he wasn't allowed to threaten the alchemist, it would certainly make the mercenary a lot more cheerful.
"Makes me wonder if girls these days are lowering their standards, or they're just interested in prepubescent boys." Words coming dryly, the man leaned back against the table, only aware of the food when Amerald moved out of the way for him to see. His sense of smell wasn't what it used to be.
"I never said I didn't have a heart. I'm just not going to wear it on my sleeve or I'll be deader than your lab rats."
Taking the potions as they were handed to him, the redhead inspected them wearily. He didn't believe in magic or alchemy, and as far as he was concerned, the only type of medication proven to work were natural herbs.
"Whole lot of good these did him yesterday, hm?" Setting the potions aside where they wouldn't accidentally get knocked over, Nikolai walked over to his ward. Stopping a few paces from the sofa, the mercenary stared down at the other's sleeping form, so intensely that Helias was sure he'd be hauled out of bed once the man saw through his act.
At length and much to the boy's relief, the mercenary turned on his heel and went back to the table.
"I already ate, but it's not a good idea to leave right now anyway. We'll see how he is when he wakes up-- I'm not about to carry the brat all the way to the station and then through Aerr."
Combing a hand through his hair and whipping off the tie that held it in place, the man turned one chair around to sit in.
"These three aren't the only ones you've made, are they? How are the others like?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 5:11 am
Amerald sat at the dining table and began to eat up the food he had prepared for himself. "Helias is still an adult, but you fail to realize that. My girls haven't had contact with anyone besides myself in so long. Finally, having someone that could possibly pose as a friend to them, is extraordinary." he said, then taking another bite.
Amerald finished his plate and then placed it back into the sink, the other meals for the hraapea children were placed on their plates and sitting, ready for when they all woke up or were ready to eat them. He then walked over to where Nikolai placed the bottle and picked it up. "If I hadn't used the mixture I had, he would probably be in a much worse condition than this, thank you. So, I'll give him this when he fully awakens than." he said, a bit huffy. Amerald enjoyed alchemy and most of the time his potions and mixtures worked well. The herbs he chose were from the finest flowers and plants, allowing him to make things that would heal a wound or essentially make people feel elated or happy. He had tried to give Annabelle mixtures like that in the past, but they only worked half way, causing a major shift into depression when the effect wore off.
Amerald shook his head and rolled his eyes a tad when he heard the word, 'brat'. He never thought of the hraapea as brats, but apparently, to Nikolai, Helias was more baggage than a happy gift in life. He looked at his own daughter, sleeping soundly on the second couch. He just smiled as his head fell slightly to the right. He was happy to see her happy. She truly did care for Helias, and he was glad she did.
When Amerald was asked about the other children he had created, he nodded. "You're right. I have other creations out there. They haven't seen me for quite some time either. I wish more people would stay around instead of fly off into the distance and only come around once every four years. But to be honest, I don't know what they're like. The only two I've ever been able to observe are my own daughters. I've never had the chance to take into account others parenting skills or what-have you. You're the first to come and visit in a long while." Amerald concluded, looking as though he was now distraught by all of this talk of past creations. He was happy to have Helias and Nikolai around, but saddened to think about his other creations and how they hadn't been around for years either.
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Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 5:32 am
"And adult with a child's mind, no doubt." The man tilted back on the chair, idly turning his gaze outside. The sun had just made its way out, finally letting go of the mountains it hid behind. In another hour, it would be high up in the sky and the dimly lit room would be bright. The skies were clear from what he could see, not a cloud in sight. It was going to be another brilliant day.
"Keh.." With a thud, Nikolai set his chair down and flashed Amerald an incredulous grin. "And you had the audacity to be annoyed with me when I'm the first to show up again? Thanks." Finding sarcasm more favourable than any other tone at the moment, Nikolai had opened his mouth to shoot another insult when he noticed his ward's one eyed stare.
"How're you feeling, twerp?" Crossing one leg over the other, Nikolai adjusted the chair until he was facing the boy.
Helias said nothing in response, merely blinking once-- twice, and then shifting around again. He tried to sit up, automatically using his left hand for support and collapsing back on the cushions. Unamused and feeling the sting ricochet up his arm, the hraapea took another minute before trying again, this time more successfully with his right hand. Now sitting upright, the boy rubbed his good eye awkwardly with his serviceable hand. Even though he had been awake for a while already, it still hadn't entirely dawned on Helias that he wasn't home.
Looking first at Nikolai and then Amerald, the boy mouthed a request for water. When no sound came out, he licked his dry lips and tried again. What came out was a rather unflattering croak, caught between a groan and a half formed word. Helias's wings deflated, folding themselves against the couch almost as though hiding from the sheer embarrassment.
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Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:39 am
Amerald shook his head, disagreeing with what the guardian said. He didn't feel like Helias still had the mind of a child. He was fully grown, and could probably take care of himself. Amerald then threw a glance at Nikolai. "Heh, I would be just as annoyed with the other guardian's if they showed up on my door now. Though I bet they wouldn't have been half as stubborn or unkind about the meeting at all." he said, huffing, sitting back in his chair.
He watched as the hraapea sat up with the wrong arm. He cringed at the sight but regained composure when Helias tried the same action again, this time with the other arm. When he fully sat up and tried to explain that he wanted water, Amerald had an idea of what he wanted. He jumped up and went to the cupboard which contained the cups and glasses. He grabbed a small glass out and filled it with water instantly. He then grabbed the little mixture from before and brought them both to the boy. "Drink this, and I swear you'll begin to feel better within the hour. This is a special, very expensive liquid I create for healing heavy wounds, but in this case, I would consider it a would that is even worse than a large wound. And here's your water." he said, setting both of the liquids on the side table for him.
Amerald smiled at his creation as he backed up slowly. He went to the bar-counter and leaned up against it. He waited for Helias to finish. "How do you feel today? Any better? It will just take a bit of time for you to recover some strength. When you finish that poultice, I'm sure within the hour you'll feel good as new, and then soon after, we can test these new powers of yours. I need to take notes on the powers of darkness still, for you are the only one with them thus far." he said, nodding. He needed to take notes, otherwise he would probably mess things up somewhere down the line. He loved his notebooks full of the different experiments he'd put things through, they were each filled with a memory and experience to get things done right the first time.
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Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 1:32 pm
Nikolai shrugged-- he didn't think he was being difficult or stubborn at all. The mercenary found nothing more annoying than an indecisive person, and he had appeared knowing full well what he wanted so how could he possibly have been difficult? Clearly, Amerald was from a different planet.
Helias downed the water greedily, finding it only enough to wet his throat. The blood loss from yesterday was taking a toll on him and any extreme movements gave him a headache. His vision was no better, now blurred occasionally be a thin sheet of white. The lyrebird's lips twitched into a sharp frown, as close enough to a wince as he was going to get.
"Like hell."
For a second, Nikolai thought the voice was someone else's. Upon closer inspection, the mercenary noted the unique accent and wrote it off. There was something different about Helias's voice-- something a little darker-- bitter, maybe? Then again, Amerald had said something about the hraapea not being himself for a couple of hours. The redhead allowed himself to relax, eyes resting on the boy as though inspecting a new puzzle.
Helias, on the other hand, ignored his guardian altogether and stared down the offered potion. For a split second, his eye pulsated to its normal gold colour and the boy turned his head.
Another moment of silence and Helias reached out for the potion, uncorking the top to down the liquid. It was a bit more dense in texture, like drinking yogurt, but it wasn't foul enough to make him hurl it back up. Setting the empty container aside, the boy hit the couch again and simply stared up at the ceiling. The aching in his left hand made him want to scratch at it, but each time Helias brought his right hand over, a new pain blossomed anywhere he touched.
"Does the transformation make a hraapea forget his manners?" Nikolai asked idly, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his seat. He didn't say it to chide the hraapea, but more out of genuine curiosity.
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Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:16 pm
Amerald nodded. He knew that the hraapea would feel quite terribly, but he hoped that the potion he gave to him would soon work. It usually did when regular humans drank it, so this should have been no different. Amerald smiled as he watched the boy down the thick liquid. "I'm sorry for your pain, but soon enough, it will be better and you will be much stronger than before." he stated.
Annabelle, who was still sleeping lazily on the other couch twitched a bit, eyes opening just a tad and soon she was fully awake herself. She let out a rather large yawn and rubbed her eyes much like Amerald did often. She instantly realized where she was and looked over to Helias, seeing him lay there in pain was a terrible sight for her. She looked up at Amerald and shook her head in disappointment. She stood, allowing her wings to stretch forth and then she began to make her way upstairs. "I do hope that you feel good for what you did last night father." She said, bitter about the whole situation. She then turned to Helias before walking up the stairs too far. "Helias, please feel better." she said. She didn't want to stay around there any longer than she needed to. She was angry with Amerald, that much was clear. But for the most part it was because of her crush. She folded her wings behind her, allowing herself to walk up the stairs much easier than hitting them on the walls constantly.
Amerald knew she was disappointed, and for that, he felt sorry. He felt tears begin to fill his eyes, so he instantly looked away. "This may have been a mistake, Nikolai. But what's done is done. We can't take it back now." he said, one single tear fell down his countenance and rested itself at the bottom of his well shaved chin.
After a few moments of silence, he turned his attention back to Nikolai. "I don't recall that ever happening with Anna. She was in pain, yes. She was a bit bitter, but after the pain subsided, she was much better. She does have the power to manipulate fire, and I would do this procedure for any hraapea who wants a better defense mechanism. But sometimes the pain is just too much for one to bear." he concluded, standing up and walking to sit where Annabelle had been sleeping. "Helias, please let me know when you feel better. Then we can test these newly acquired powers you have." he said, sitting back within the soft cushions of the couch, folding his left leg over his right and waiting.
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 11:53 pm
Helias didn't seem to hear Annabelle as she made her way up the stairs, instead focusing quite intensely on the ceiling. His hand was balled up tight, unable to relax as the pain intensified in radiating pulses. He could barely hear Amerald through the white noise that crowded around his ears, so loud that it threatened to drown out his vision as well.
Then, true to the creator's words, the pain began to subside and the hraapea could relax. He closed his eyes, breathing a slight sigh of relief when he melted onto the couch. For the first time in hours, he felt a soothing calm-- but the fix was only temporary. Helias was dully aware of the fact that there was no form of medication in the world that could chase away the pain brought on by such a tremendous change.
Like a far away echo, the boy opened his eyes when he remembered Amerald's words. Normally he would cordially accept the request, but instead he set his jaw and sat up. When the boy spoke, his tone was low and challenging, almost matching Nikolai but still uniquely his own.
"I feel better, but not enough to help you out."
Sitting up with one hand on his half mask, the boy rubbed his eye idly before combing back his long bangs. Skillfully, he gathered up his messy hair and smooth it back down; tying it into place. As though he hadn't just gone to hell and back, Helias stood and faced both men in the room. Straight backed and relaxed, the boy was devoid of any of his former demure attitude, instead replaced by an almost cocky confidence.
"Is this part of the process?"
Nikolai could only ask again, staring at his ward with his usual impassiveness. Piercing green eyes traveled down the boy's slim frame, once with scorn but now with a bit more respect. It was the way Helias always held himself that annoyed the mercenary most-- that sulking, slightly hunched over slink that told the world what a wimp the lyrebird was. Now all of that was gone. The redhead stopped when he noticed the tendrils of what seemed to be smoke coiling around the boy's boots.
As he watched, Nikolai took a step back, body tensed. There was no aura or change that he could sense, but the mere sight of unnatural smoke and shadows made him easy. Being born a mortal after all, the thought of magic opened too many possibilities for a paranoid mind.
"Seems like it wasn't a mistake after all, hm?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 12:12 am
Amerald nodded as the boy told him he was not ready to help out. "Oh, the time will come when you feel one hundred percent better, trust me. It just takes a bit." he said, smiling.
He wasn't nervous, but he had been taking mental notes of all of these changes that had occurred within Helias throughout the past few hours. Yes, he was feeling better, but not well enough to actually start using the powers bestowed upon him.
"Heheh, yes, the process is a long and arduous one. But in the end, it's definitely worth the pain I believe." he said. Helias definitely did seem a bit more confident after the procedure. Amerald just hoped that he wouldn't burst out into complete and utter rage before taking the time to explore these new powers.
The white haired man glanced down at the boys feet as he stood up at last. "Well well well, it seems as though we have some power after all. What do you feel, Helias? Anything strange about your feet or any other bodily differences you can make out?" Amerald asked. He knew that the boy must know what he was doing, or else he had no idea and for that, Amerald would then begin to fear the excessive shadows and black smoke aura flowing off of the boys feet.
"We won't know if it was a mistake until after he tests his powers. We want to know if he can control them, or if this is a bit too much for him to be burdened with at the moment." Amerald said, slowly backing away, allowing the lyrebird to have as much room as he needed to fully take grasp of these newfound abilities within himself.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 12:49 am
"I don't feel anything."
Helias responded curtly, his gaze sharp and meeting Amerald's own without flinching. He could feel the power beginning to resonate from his very core, racing from his feet up and through his fingers. The power surge was very small, as though someone had only left the valve to his full strength opened by a millimeter. Small shocks would accompany the feeling of strength from time to time and Helias was aching to get the feeling over and done with. Whatever was holding back his potential strength wasn't doing a good job of it and the hraapea was stuck teetering on the catalyst.
At length, the boy took a couple steps around the room. There was the usual numbness that came with using his legs after a while of sitting, but aside from that there was nothing he could actually feel. In appearance, however, it looked almost as though Helias was walking on water. Ripples of smoke radiated where ever his heel touched, evaporating just before they collided with an object. Helias was aware of them, but he had no idea how to start or stop whatever it was he was doing. The shadows were creeping up his leg, yet never rising above his knees. If he had to describe it, Helias would probably say they were 'tame', even though he wasn't sure what a 'wild' shadow would be yet.
"And this counts as...... ?" Nikolai quirked a brow. He didn't like the way his ward was talking, but his mind was currently on other things. Those wisps of smoke seemed to be responding to his emotions, as they creeped closer from time to time-- just for the hell of it. The mercenary didn't really want to know what would happen if they touched him, even if the answer was a simple 'nothing'. Nikolai had a feeling that cutting through shadows was about as fruitful as cutting water.
"I don't think anything should be worth the pain." Helias muttered darkly, more like a side comment to himself.
"Now then, are we done with this lovely parade?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 7:45 am
"Nothing at all? Hmmm..." Amerald replied, rather to himself than to his creation. He was a bit worried. He didn't want to leave Helias until after he realized his potential and at least learned to control these very strong powers. Amerald kept taking mental notes as a way to learn the uses of this shadow casting. He was unsure how he could help Helias, for this was the first time he had to deal with it. He would definitely try.
Amerald took a glance at Nikolai who seemed to appreciate Helias just a tad bit more than he had before. Was he scared of him? Or was he just quiet due to the fact that he was so enthused with his 'new' heir. Either way Amerald found him to be a capable guardian for Helias at any rate. After all was said and done, Helias wouldn't be who he is today without him. Amerald just shook those thoughts from his mind completely, focusing as much as possible on the boy at hand.
Amerald watched as the shadows crept up Helias' leg. He was unsure how powerful Helias truly was, but he definitely wanted to find out. He was so curious. "I'm so very sorry that you had to experience that Helias. If you truly want to be done with me and leave, you may. I won't stop you or keep you prisoner here. I just wish that you would be careful and not overwork yourself. I'd also love to know how powerful you truly are." he said.
"Nikolai," Amerald started, "Can I please talk with you in private one last time." he finished. Amerald really just needed to get his opinions out there, but in front of the vulnerable Helias, that may not be a good idea. Helias seemed so different now than he had been when they first came. Amerald was a bit scared, but hoped nevertheless that he wouldn't allow this new sensation of power to reach his head and start messing with the makeup of things. All he could do is pray that Nikolai would take good care of him now. Especially if he wasn't wanting to practice his new found abilities now.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 11:58 pm
"Okay." The response came distractedly as the mercenary watched his ward move. Without hesitation and without restraint, head held high and with just the slightest bit of scorn, Helias disappeared through the door and out into the shop front. There wasn't even so much as a parting comment, let alone any further exchange of words. Nikolai was dully aware that he would have a hard time finding the boy if he wandered out into the woods, but the guardian trusted Helias wouldn't be that stupid. There was more to their relationship than just reliance-- it was a two way deal and the boy didn't seem to have turned any dumber than he had been.
"What do you need?" Turning away from the closed door, Nikolai shifted his weight back onto both feet, making his way over to Amerald. His movements were fluid, but marred with a tension that told he was focusing. Listening in case the hraapea decided to return.
((Super, super short, sorry! T_________T ))
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 12:53 am
Amerald watched as the boy totted off into the main shop. There he could do almost anything he wished. Amerald only had a few words to ask of Nikolai. "What I need from you...is to love him. Care for him. Don't be so hard on him for the next few weeks. He's quite vulnerable at this state. I don't want him to misuse his powers. I can tell he's quite a strong hraapea now. That Onyx installed into him is now a major threat to his former personality. I remember, Annabelle was so full of life before I gave her the crystal. It's like she's a completely different person. Just be careful. There's no telling what Helias may do now." he said.
It was as though Helias was a bomb waiting to go off. His demeanor had changed drastically since their reunion had begun the night before. Amerald was almost choked to tears when he watched the boy move across his shop. He knew that this may be the last time he saw these two in a long while. "And again, please make sure you keep him safe...although, I do believe he can beat even you up now haha!" Amerald said with a chuckle. He was just trying to make himself feel better, for he didn't want to make this parting a disaster for himself emotionally.
Suddenly, without further word, Annabelle made her way down the stairs and into the shop room, passing by the two men as if they weren't even there. She walked into the shop and closed the door behind her. "Helias..." she began, hoping to grab his attention. "Please keep yourself safe on your journey. I know last night was painful...believe me." she began, clasping her hands together to rub the scar that was left. "Please don't take your anger out on your father nor mine. Once you get to feeling better, I know you will be a very strong hraapea." she said, holding out her scarred hand for him to grab, just as they had done in the very beginning of their meeting.
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 9:26 pm
Nikolai had a hard time keeping himself in check. Being a man of action and not words, Amerald's concern slid in one ear and out the other-- after all, the redhead had long since decided that the alchemist would play no part in how the hraapea was raised.Crossing his arms, the man scuffed his heel against the polished floor for a brief moment, watching his own movement with great interest. Eventually, he lifted his gaze to Amerald once more.
"The powers are still new to him, I highly doubt he'd be able to beat me with sheer strength. At any rate, it's not as though this change is bad as long as I can keep it under control. I'll deal with it in my own way."
Watching as Annabelle sped past him, Nikolai quirked a brow. He had meant to leave at that point, but humored the girl enough to stall for a few more minutes. He just hoped that she was quick with her words.
"Thanks for your trouble last night, but we can do without your concern. You left him with me and that's where your duty ends."
---
Helias had been half way out the door when Annabelle came into the shop, although he had kept walking until the girl called to him. Wings rose in mild acknowledgment, spreading out to their full length before refolding themselves neatly across his back. The boy didn't turn around.
"Try not to tell me what to do."
Running a hand through his hair, Helias glanced up at the clear skies before heading down the path. Unlike when they had first reunited, he ignored the outstretched hand with perfect knowledge of what he was doing.
No sooner had the boy left did Nikolai open the door behind Annabelle. One look at her and around the empty room told him all he really needed to know.
"Which way did he go?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 4:20 pm
Amerald rolled his eyes once more before responding to the man. "Listen, I understand you don't appreciate my comments, but at least take it into consideration. He's fragile right now." he said. He was saddened by the conclusion of the days events. It was still early morning and Helias was already leaving. Amerald didn't want him to get caught out there, but luckily he probably wouldn't, as the sun was barely over the horizon.
Meanwhile, Annabelle fell victim to the pains of heartache. As Helias was leaving, without even a soft goodbye, Annabelle was crushed. "I-I am sorry." she concluded before her eyes began to tear up. She turned to the window and watched as she saw Helias trail off into the distance.
As Nikolai came through, Annabelle just turned her face and pointed in the direction he had gone to. She was definitely in pain and it was easy to see. She couldn't believe Helias was acting the way he had. She wouldn't forgive Amerald for that, but he was her father, thus she needed to forgive him at some point.
Amerald came through the door right after Nikolai and said, "Please, take care Nikolai." he said, watching as Annabelle slowly made her way back into their home. He knew what was upsetting her, it had to be the leaving of her new friend.
[[crappy post is crappy. T-T Sorry!]]
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