Welcome to Gaia! ::

Reserved for this RP:

Hey... can I maybe book an RP with you at some point where Kallisto actually talks either to Kortus or Tryna about beginning her studies with weapons?

reserved for solo - ready for second transcendance?

lacheavelli (12:13:58 PM): He felt horrid. He had felt horrid for the last month, and it hadn't been until he'd looked at himself in the mirror and seen how unchanging, how rigid he had become, how lonely his eyes looked in the late hours of the night, that he had been able to place his finger on the reason.

He'd forgotten himself.

Here was a man who had dedicated every minute of every day to his gods and each day became another, became another, until he forgot that time was even an issue. He had thought he stood outside of time. And now, when the sun rose in the morning, it struck his eyes and came close to blinding him and he knew that this wasn't right.

It had been what, a year? more? since he had truly lived. The gods did not abide escapism, and yet he had fallen into it. No wonder he had felt so empty after the first month. They had left along with his life, to wait until he came back to himself.

Now he stood just outside a small shop in the Red District, waiting, heart hammering in his chest. He had found her again, tracked her down. They had planned on living together - starting a life together - and he had left her. He had no right to expect she would even look at him, even speak to him, but he had to apologize. Even if she wouldn't forgive him, he had to admit what he had done to her. It was the first step, the hardest one.

He finally stepped in, unable to move much beyond the door. His hair was even longer than it had been and wild. He looked haunted, empty, and his clothes hadn't been cared for more than a few washings in many months. He was clean now, though, for this.

SkieBorne (12:35:08 PM): As with every entry into her shop, the door chimed and Auberon answered with a smile and an inquiring hum. She didn’t speak, couldn’t, but she could communicate and this new Empyrean was a customer – to be treated with the respect every one was. Around her, Opal and Jadeite swirled, chittering in their high-pitched sounds, absorbed in their conversation and barely giving the newcomer a glance.
SkieBorne (12:35:15 PM): Kallisto was in the back, preparing another batch of potions to bring out for Auberon to duplicate and thus unavailable as far as the golem was concerned. When she slid the last vial into place and rose, she wondered if the customer might need assistance… business had been good over the course of the past year and a bit. She was finally making a name for herself and earning enough for the pass that would allow her out into the world to collect a Husk. Swinging the door open, tray braced against one hip, she called out cheerfully, “I’ll be there in one second! Auberon will show you to what you want~” Her voice gad matured in their time apart, the girly tones having given away to a rich and strong voice that better suited her.


SkieBorne (12:35:22 PM): She’d settled into daily life well in Empyrean society, a dedicated shop owner and a volunteer at the arena where she trained with weapons and up and coming duelists. She and Grave had become increasingly close friends, often dueling each other in the Arena where their counts were slowly growing even – they’d both improved a lot.

At home, Kallisto’s business had grown in popularity. A relatively affordable place, the Two catered to all stages with her quality work and was rarely out of supply courtesy of Auberon. The golem had proved to be indispensable – a single, rare potion could be duplicated as many times as she liked so long as she kept the original. A good friend, she was.
SkieBorne (12:35:29 PM): (@_@ wouldn't let me post xP )
lacheavelli (12:35:33 PM): (*pats*)
SkieBorne (12:35:45 PM): (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/Puppet_master/Kallisto_Journal_Stuff/Auberonj.jpg
=> Auberon )
lacheavelli (12:36:23 PM): (Oooo.)
SkieBorne (12:36:53 PM): (83 she's nifty )
SkieBorne (12:38:37 PM): (http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=13077263
And the shop if you're interested =3 )
lacheavelli (12:39:48 PM): (Is the sundew descended from the one Yambati gave her? >.>
lacheavelli (12:39:56 PM): Yambati nodded greeting to Auberon, wondering at the golem and smiling faintly. She had done so well for herself while he wasted away. He almost greeted Opal and Jadeite but stopped himself. Hien and the others were waiting back at the home he had finally returned to the night before. They had waited with him through his vigils and were the only friends he felt he had left.

When Kallisto entered, his breath caught. She was beautiful, more beautiful that he remembered, more powerful, more poised. She had matured so well, and he felt ashamed to be in her shop. She didn't need to be put through seeing him. It would upset her. He would just leave as soon as he had apologized.

Her light burned him. He wanted to retreat.

She hadn't seen him just yet, so he cleared his throat, shakily. "I-" he said, hesitated, then closed his eyes. He had to do this. "I'm sorry." And then his hand was reaching for the door.
SkieBorne (12:42:42 PM): (And the tiger lily. She never gave them up... she makes her sunspots from the sundew he gave her. ^^ I told you she never let go completely )
lacheavelli (12:42:56 PM): (awwww!)
SkieBorne (12:51:23 PM): When she poked her head out again, Kallisto couldn't really see past Auberon's expectant hovering and chuckled to herself. The golem had never quite gotten the hang of good customer service... offering help wasn't quite the same as lingering needlessly. By the colours she could make out, it was a Choleric... probably here for some herbs. A flask of sunspots in hand to top off the rack, she'd been approaching when Yambati spoke.

She stopped dead in her tracks, surprised into drawing herself up to her full height, head held proudly despite the expression of bewildered surprise on her face. Fingers tightened around the vial then, knuckles going white as the surprise faded away and eyes narrowed, "Y-Yambati...!?" The voice was so familiar... welcome and unwelcome at the same time, opening so many old wounds without effort.

Her multicoloured gaze flicked away from him, as if burned, and seemed unable to settle on anything else. Wisely, Auberon stepped away and joined the Abberations in the corner to watch and wait. "I... I..." She swallowed and forced her voice into control, the tone hardening perhaps a bit too much, "I did not expect to see you. What do you want?" An edge of hostility had crept into her voice then, as she busied herself with rearranging her potions... he'd broken her heart, why had he come back? Why was he here? Were the gods calling?
lacheavelli (12:54:58 PM): He winced at her tone. "I just- I came to apologize. For what little good it will do." He ducked his head, turning away from her, unable to look. "I- You look well- I'm glad-" And he, he was unchanging and stunted and wilting, fading away. This wasn't reinvigorating him the way he had somehow hoped. It just... it hurt.

He had no idea what she had gone through, but he understood that there was no way she could still love him, could still care for him. He had abandoned her for the cold comfort of deaf gods.

"I'll go now," he said, softly, shoulders trembling. His hand closed more firmly over the doorknob, turned. But he couldn't leave, had to steel himself with a deep breath.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come."
SkieBorne (12:58:52 PM): "Thank-you." She mumbled reflexively, biting her lip. Kallisto didn't turn when she heard the door lock click at being opened once more, the soft click of the chime she'd hung over the door echoing hollowly in the awkward silence.
SkieBorne (12:58:55 PM): (oops)
SkieBorne (1:05:08 PM): When he apologize once more, the sanguine turned, her eyes blazing with some strange blend of anger and hope and voice equally hot, "Leaving again?" Emotion gripping her, Kallisto stared at Yambati, daring him to say anything otherwise. After a moment, she dropped her gaze, voice still hot as she cursed softly, "Thank-you for the apology... Yambati... maybe you should go."

With that, she turned from him and Cecil, having come at the ruckus, jumped up onto her display table to offer comfort while glaring death at Yambati. The cicus had never forgiven the Choleric for what he'd done and knew, without Kallisto ever saying so, that she had never really moved on. He'd been the light of her life... and his abandonment had rubbed salt into wounds far older then their relationship.
lacheavelli (1:09:07 PM): "I know I screwed up. I should have realized earlier, but the gods stopped listening after a month passed and I didn't return to living. I- I'm trying to start living again, and I just- wanted to atone, first, for all the pain I've caused. So I- I came here first."

He would probably have to start all over again with learning botany and expected all the people he knew from his youth to hate him for what he had done to Kallisto. Still, that was his punishment. He had to be strong enough to bear up under it.

"... Good bye," he whispered, adding mentally, my love. And he turned the knob and went outside.

He didn't go far, though, sitting down on the nearest bench, sighing and looking upwards. His heart ached, his head swam. What have I done?
SkieBorne (1:19:41 PM): The sanguine caught Cecil up in her arms then and buried her face in his fur as she went to favourite seat and curled up in it. She was so conflicted, aching... aching for everything. "Why... Cecil? Why? I'd given up..." She murmured, hugging the cat close.

"You're crushing me..." He replied, pushing paws gently against her chest, "I don't know why, Kallisto. If I were you, I'd never let him back in here. The scoundrel can rot in a ditch. I don't like him." Ever the protective guardian, Cecil purred to Kallisto and let her abuse him.

Around her, her Abberations and Auberon had gathered, Opal and Jadeite buzzing worriedly about Kallisto's head. The Golem didn't know what to do... so stood there with arms outstretched to mimic the hugs her master would occasionally give friends.

A storm of emotions raged through her, much like when he'd first left and she felt lost. She didn't need a man, didn't need anyone, knew that now. But why, then, did this hurt so much? She'd sworn to herself so long ago that if she saw Yambati again she'd tell him to leave and never come back but... but that had flown from her mind, wasn't even a thought when she had seen him.

Seen him... her mind drifted to his words and played over what she'd seen. He looked disheveled... not holy but worn... had that soul searching been so rough on him? What had he found that had left him in such a sad state? I'm trying to start living again... the words echoed and she wondered for a moment before shaking her head. "No. Not again. He'll just leave."

The doorbell to Yambati’s house rang one day, in the middle of the afternoon. Auberon, a pleasant smile upon her lips, stood at the door with an ornate envelope held out between her arms. When the door opened, she warbled and bobbed her arms, offering the letter to the one who answered.

It was a letter from Kallisto, written in a tight, neat script. Rigid and well aligned, it was obvious she’d been tense while writing.

Greetings Yambati,

I have had much time to think about our brief encounter. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for my reactions and harsh words. I had given up on seeing you again, so lost to the mystics you seemed. Your unexpected and sudden arrival on my doorstep was… surprising at the least.
SkieBorne (2:36:45 PM): The doorbell to Yambati’s house rang one day, in the middle of the afternoon. Auberon, a pleasant smile upon her lips, stood at the door with an ornate envelope held out between her arms. When the door opened, she warbled and bobbed her arms, offering the letter to the one who answered.

It was a letter from Kallisto, written in a tight, neat script. Rigid and well aligned, it was obvious she’d been tense while writing.
SkieBorne (2:36:51 PM): Greetings Yambati,

I have had much time to think about our brief encounter. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for my reactions and harsh words. I had given up on seeing you again, so lost to the mystics you seemed. Your unexpected and sudden arrival on my doorstep was… surprising at the least.

I would also like to say that it is good to see you are well. Has your soul searching given you what you wanted to find? It was important to you… important enough to sacrifice everything else. Are you happy with your new life? Is it fulfilling? … Was it worth it?
SkieBorne (2:36:57 PM): I missed you Yambati. I loved you, thought I could believe in you. We were friends, once, with dreams and shared goals. When you left, I was lost. I cannot say I am overjoyed to see your return to the city proper but it is good to know you’ve come back.

You mentioned wanting to live again and I applaud that. Are your familiars still by your side? I’ve found comfort in mine, though Cecil swears up and down he’ll cut you shreds if he sees you again. You met Auberon, my golem. I bought her not long after your departure… she’s originated from Luxury Lather and is capable of duplicating anything perfectly. She’s really very friendly and capable.
SkieBorne (2:37:07 PM): Life has been busy for me, between training and working. Now that I am a Two, the amount of time I have has increased dramatically. Ironic, isn’t it? How we thought that growing like this would make us even busier then we were in our school days.

Anyway, I thought I’d properly welcome you.

Farewell, Yambati. May the Metatrons Guide You.

lacheavelli (2:41:17 PM): He held the letter in his hands for a long time after he'd finished reading it. Part of him wanted to tear it to shreds. As the days had gone by and he'd put his life back together, cleaning his garden and his home and his mind, he'd considered just... moving on. Fully breaking from the past and starting anew. He had wondered if that was the only thing he could do. But though the words in the letter still stung, he kept it. He placed it next to his bed. He read it every morning. And two weeks later, he was at the door to Kallisto's shop again, opening the door gingerly. In a basket over one arm, he had a few sundews, young and healthy. He had almost brought lilies for her, too. They were blooming so brilliantly. But he knew that it would hurt her.

Yambati looked around for her. He was clean again, with new clothing, a hair cut, everything once more what it used to be. He was perhaps more solemn than before, less hot-headed, but that was probably to his benefit.
SkieBorne (2:48:05 PM): "Sorry! I'm closed right now! Come back in an hour or so?" She called, "'Less you like spicy things?" Kallisto, steaming pot in hand and apron over her clothing, came to stand at the entrance to her kitchen and blinked. Auberon simply warbled quietly and gestured at Yambati before moving off.

"... Yes?" She spoke, shifting so that her weight was mostly on one leg. He hadn't replied to her letter, probably just thrown it out... More together, now, her posture was proud and had a determined set to jaw that hinted at the fire that burned within. She'd recovered surprisingly quickly after that first encounter, had picked up the pieces that had fallen and put them back with tender care... tucked the treasured memories away for another time.

What was past... was past.

"I didn't expect you today. You really should give notice before you drop in like this, Yambati." Turning, she returned to the kitchen, "Come in if you want. Do you need anything?" Brisk and business like, she even offered him a smile.

lacheavelli (2:51:40 PM): "I'm sorry," he said, something that was a refrain whenever he even thought of her. I had enough trouble just getting up the courage to come here, he thought, as he followed her, Hien entering and tagging at his heels. "I've just brought sort of a... a peace offering, I suppose. For your stock." Nestled in with the sundews were a few wild spring onions that he'd found and tended. "A few baby sundews and some spring onions. I'm... I'm getting the garden back in order. It's my first goal." He couldn't smile back at her, even though his heart fluttered when she smiled at him. He didn't deserve that smile.

"If- if you'd like, I can grow anything you run low on, though I suppose with Auberon..." Still, he wanted connections back. She was the only person he could imagine truly reconnecting with.

SkieBorne (3:17:43 PM): She scoffed, but hid the sound behind a cough, "A peace offering?" Kallisto glanced over her shoulder at that, gaze sliding to the basket, "Onions and sundew, hmn? I have a garden of my own, now, out back. It's small but it does the job. I can put the sundew with the other one... and the onions... I'll see if there's room." She didn't move, however, instead poured some more water into the pot she'd been mixing before tasting it with a wooden spoon, pondering the flavour. "Needs to simmer. Here," She set the pot on the stove and turned to Yambati, wiping clawed hands on the fabric before taking it off to hang on a hook, "I'll show you the garden I built. It took a while before anything would grow well... I've never had a green thumb."

As they moved through the house, her workspace became visible... a true Alchemist's workshop, the thing she'd dreamed of as a Zero. The supplies weren't particularly fancy, as she couldn't afford the special things, but they were there nonetheless. "If you'd like to set up a supply contract with me, I'll need to know what you grow and how you grow it. Many potions require a certain type of care as well as a specific plant. You'll receive some payment for the raw goods, and likely some store credit if the product exceeds expectation. We can discuss the specifics over lunch, if you like. This is the garden." Opening the back door, the sanguine smiled, her guard dropping for a moment. Every time she came here, she felt better... relaxed.

To one side were the majority of her plants... most common ones, easy to take care of and useful in their many applications. At the back of the garden, in ornate boxes set above the rest were her tiger lilies, now a multitude of them from that single plant Yambati had gifted her. Below them, in separate boxes, were some sundew, again from the one Yambati had given her - though she didn't mention that as she drew near. "Sundew here... and hmn..." She glanced around, "The onions can go over there, see? There's some space. Thank-you."

lacheavelli (4:58:49 PM): This is what I could have had. I could have had a beautiful alchemist with a beautiful workshop, and a fully-tended garden of my own to supply her. His expression darkened, but he smiled faintly, bitterly, as he entered her garden. "You've done wonderfully," he murmured, feeling the weight of her accomplishments as he moved to go transplant his offerings. He made quick work of it, hands only a little less sure than they had always been. Working kept him from thinking.

"I- I'm not sure if I'm ready to enter a formal contract," he confessed. "I feel like I have to relearn things all over again. I still haven't gone to see Quenda, as terrible as that sounds. I'm too ashamed." Before, it would have been too proud. But not now. He was humble to the point of paralysis.

SkieBorne (5:12:35 PM): "... Ah. Well, speak with her and see what she says." Kallisto replied, watching him as he worked. "I doubt you've forgotten everything.... If you'd rather use it as an opportunity to work out the kinks, I can agree to that. I just won't be using the plants in my potions at first. I'll sell suitable bundles as raw materials for apprentices, and you can earn what those sell for. Is that good?"

She'd crossed her arms beneath her chest and tilted her head thoughtfully, "If you're ashamed, the only way to overcome that feeling is by going back to her. Move on, look forward, forgive if you can, and accept what's past is past. Trust me." She frowned slightly. Yes, trust me on that. "Besides your garden, have you set out for anything else? Any other goals?"

lacheavelli (5:17:08 PM): "No. I don't know.. what to aim for anymore. You asked in your letter if I found what I was looking for. I didn't. The gods didn't want the faith of a man who would sacrifice everything for them. They wanted the faith of a man who could balance all aspects of his life. I just... I never realized that. I didn't want to be wrong. I had gone too far and already lost everything. Now I've come back and my familiars still want to stay by me, but I fear that's about it. My house is furnished only with what the housing commission could spare and the garden is only growing beautifully cultivated weeds, really, aside from the few seeds I still had. I'm a bit of a wreck." He laughed, weakly.

"I'm trying, though. Looking at everybody who's moved on and grown - it both horrifies me and is finally making me move.

"But providing you with raw materials sounds like something I might be able to do. It'll at least give me an external purpose that's clearly defined. But I- I don't want to enter into a business agreement if it's going to cause you stress."

She scoffed at that, "A wreck...? Yambati, you chose to walk away. You chose to persue something you didn't understand... left me to chase after something intangible." Kallisto glanced away, shaking her head, "If you are suffering because of it... I can only say good. I trusted you, Yambati. More then I trusted anyone else, even Grave. And look what it did." She couldn't really keep the sting from her words as she spoke, the grief and the anger pent up for far too long.

"Then try. Come back to us. Come back to the life you held before you disappeared... things are different, Yambati." She sighed as she moved away, "But there's still room for you, somewhere. The city needs its people. You won't cause me stress, I won't let you. If... if I can help you back into routine, then I will. Consider it a thank-you.... for times well spent."
lacheavelli (8:54:05 PM): He wanted to leave at her words, wanted to run away, wanted to go, Fine, then I accept my punishment and punish himself physically to match what he felt inside. But he didn't. He just sat there, staring blankly at his hands. He couldn't even muster a response. His eyes burned, his heart ached, and he wanted nothing more than to have never existed, to never have done... this.

"... I don't- I-" He choked on his words. They were bitter and swollen. "I have no excuse," he finally managed, squeezing his eyes shut.
SkieBorne (9:09:07 PM): His pain both hurt and soothed her. Sanguines were known for their vindictive temperaments and Kallisto, while more level-headed then most, was no different. He had hurt her... it was only right he tasted some of the pain he'd so easily left to drown in. Head high, she watched him over her shoulder, a single reptilian eye catching his gaze, "No. You don't. I am willing to work with you, though, and help you back to your feet. I've propsered enough to light the way for you." She sighed, voice growing a little gentler as she continued, reaching to fix his glasses for him, "I thought I hated you. But I don't, Yambati... Angry, humiliated, and many other things but not hate. I'll help you if you really want it."
lacheavelli (9:12:12 PM): "... I wish it were hate and nothing else, to be honest," he responded, voice heavy with pain, with understanding. "It would have been so much easier for you. You did nothing wrong- I'm the only one who should suffer because of my actions." He did rise, though, running a hand through his ponytail. "I've told you that I'm sorry more than you probably want to hear, but I never expected forgiveness. All I want now is to atone. I- I'm fully aware that I can never pick up where I left off and that even if I succeed in finding my way again, it won't ever be the same. But that's... okay. It is what it is. And if you are willing to extend a hand to me, no matter how painful it might be to either of us, I'm thankful. I'll do my best to... I want to... I don't know, but I suppose I want to make you proud. To heal what little I can."


SkieBorne (9:24:38 PM): Some part of her understood his decision to leave but she's buried that understanding a long time ago. It'd been lost beneath the pain. "Atone? Yambati..." She sighed, mismatched gaze intense as she held his own gaze, "Just accept the help and stop rubbing salt in old wounds. I've thought too much on it already. Just... grow what you can and bring it here when it's ready. I'll send Auberon with your cut as it sells."

Her voice was tense, caught. Just agree... please. I can't forgive, I won't forgive. He looked so pathetic, so honest in his grief... Kallisto shook her head. No. This was the man that had betrayed her. Once a traitor, always a traitor. She didn't need him to validate her as a person... she was loved and needed, didn't need a significant other to solidify those feelings.

Her gaze hardened as she repeated her mantras to herself and inhaled slowly, releasing the breath a moment later. "Are we agreed then?"
lacheavelli (9:27:00 PM): "... We are." What had he expected? Her to go, I understand now and welcome him back with open arms? That would never happen. And though he knew he could live alone - had always expected to except for that brief period of bliss - it seemed more now like the price he had to pay than the right and normal course of things. "I apologize. I didn't mean to rub salt in old wounds." I just wanted to finally explain what happened. "I'm going to go see Quenda at the first opportunity. Perhaps I'll be able to get my old job back."
SkieBorne (9:34:13 PM): "Forgiven." She replied offhandedly, "Quenda would be a good person to speak to, and Tryna, if you're going to supply plants to alchemists. She may be able to suggest the easiest and most versatile ones to cultivate. Thank you for the sundew and onions, Yambati. They go nicely with the garden." It was a subtle dismissal but a dismissal nonetheless as she turned away to tend to the garden, crouching before the new sundews. Even when the rest of the garden could use some attention, it was always the sundews and the lillies that got attention. They were too important... symbols of a time when she'd known love, treasured for that.
lacheavelli (9:36:49 PM): "Hopefully I'll be able to supply you with useful plants sometime soon. I'd... I'd like to be useful again, instead of just reconnected."

He looked at her for a moment, then picked up his empty basket and made his way back towards the house, to go through to the door, to leave. He almost made a comment on lunch - she had almost implied he could share it with her on his way in, after all - but realized that he wouldn't be able to make it all the way through without saying something unbearably stupid or just breaking down. So instead, he murmured a soft, "Goodbye," and left.

He would write her the next time he wanted to talk to her. That would be easier.