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 Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:41 am
It was a while after he had met Jabril, and Xanul was wondering if he should follow the other's advice and look for his sister. He knew about Swax's fascination of experiments and science, but was rather hesitant. Could it really solve the problem of his berserkerness? Although Jabril seemed to be rather...obsessed with his science...Xanul couldn't help thinking this was all because of magic. He had grown up in a magical family after all, and there were some things about it science couldn't explain.
Now that he came to think of it, vice versa as well. If he couldn't solve the problem using magic, well. That wasn't exactly the problem he was mulling over, however.
If he went to see Swax, there were many possibilities. What if...mother was there? What if Dad, or any of his aunts and uncles were there too, looking for him? He had already met some of his family and even though they had tried to convince him to stay, he had declined. And he really didn't want to go through that experience again, seeing the upset expressions on their face. He heaved a sigh, leaning back on the branch he was currently on. Xanul found being up in a tree a particularly good place to think, especially those who hadn't shed their leaves. It provided coverage, in case any kitsu he knew walked by.
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:01 am
Orta was beginning to wonder why she'd thought this might be a good idea, wandering across the Mountain side. The snow wasn't much more than a powdery, thin layer across the ground today, but the air was chill and when she hit a large enough break in the trees the wind whipped right down and sucked all the warmth out of her. She had her scarf wrapped partly around her head to try and help her keep warm, and partly around her neck, so it was neither fluttering free as usual or completely in a headwrap as she had done many times in the past; though not really here in the past.
Caim had found her out here, buried under snow a ways from the main path. She was, perhaps, hoping that if she looked hard enough she might find the dragon, or her friend Mobo. Kitsyn and Caim were very kind, and they made good friends, but it just wasn't the same. Though it might be nice to run into Xanul, too... she had worried about him ever since their talk the other day. She understood why he wouldn't stay... but he really shouldn't avoid everyone all of the time, either. He was such a bright personality, and she knew he loved his family... it was horrible that something like this had to happen to someone like him.
Suddenly the wind gusted past and Orta crouched and shivered before slinking over to hide behind a tree with a bush at the base, both of which still had most of their leaves intact. It was remarkably warmer, and the snow hadn't really managed to reach beneath the tree and bush. It would be nice to warm up for a few minutes before tackling that game trail again. Though if she didn't find something soon she was going to head back to the Place in a hurry. Cold and hungry do not a happy kitsu make.
Idly she glanced around her little hideaway, subconsciously looking for something edible, perhaps. But of course, there was nothing, unless she wanted to try chewing on some tree bark or something. But up in the tree she thought she saw a flash of blue and yellow. Sort of like on Xanul's fur... but... that wasn't really him up there, was it? "...Xanul?" She called, softly. It couldn't hurt to check... or she hoped it wouldn't. Things were much safer here than her original world but she didn't let that make her think that it was free of dangers, either.
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:09 pm
It was rather cold, but Xanul didn't really mind it, being a Nobody. Still, it was rather annoying when the cold wind whipped at him, causing his dark hair to ruffle and droop over his eyes. He blew the black strands from hindering his vision, and let his tails drape lazily down from the branch.
Eh? He blinked. He could have sworn he heard someone call his name. The half-Nobody looked frantically from side to side, looking for who was it that had called him and prepared to open a portal... when the branch he was on wobbled and he dropped down into the snow in front of Orta.
"Ah?" He popped up from the snow a few seconds later, the snow covering his hairs and parts of his fur. "Orta?" Golden eyes found her, and his shoulders relaxed. "Uh...hey." God, he must have looked pretty stupid just now.
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:25 pm
Orta involuntarily took a step back when Xanul fell out of the tree, an instinctual reaction to avoid getting hit. Then she stepped forward to stand by his side. "Oh... I am sorry, Xanul, I did not mean to startle you. Are you all right?" He hadn't really looked stupid to Orta. Perhaps if he had been up there trying to do something to show off as Mobo had often done and then fallen, she might have dubbed it stupid. That simply seemed like a natural reaction if his mind had been elsewhere. Not that such things necessarily made as much sense to the ego of the one who fell.
She was glad that he relaxed upon figuring out it was her; she'd been worried he wouldn't have wanted to see her, either. Though her train of thought was interrupted as the wind tried to get through the bush at them. It wasn't so bad as before, but she still shivered and frowned slightly. "I have decided that I am not at all fond of the cold."
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:16 pm
"Yeah, I am." The male replied, shaking the snow off his fur, although some remained on his hair. He did feel rather stupid however, he hadn't meant to fall out of the tree, and furthermore, in front of someone he knew, which made it even more embarrassing, for some reason.
As the wind blew at them, he frowned, and simply waited for it to stop. He had learnt that no matter how much he scrabbled to put his hair back into place, the wind was determined to mess it up. "It's not very nice." He agreed, then gave her a curious glance. "What are you doing out here then?" He meant it as a concerned friend. If she didn't like the cold, well, she could stay in.
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:43 pm
"As long as you are not harmed..." Orta had no incling as to Xanul's embarrassment, though she probably would have been as perplexed as he was about it, if for different reasons. As it stood she was mildly perplexed why she enjoyed the way he looked with those sparkly flecks of snow in his hair.
She shifted her feet around at his question, almost as if hoping the motion would help her explain. Her chain jingled softly. "I... well I suppose I was partly hoping I would run into you... to see how you are doing. Though I was worried you might not want to see me..." She took a breath and continued. "But... well, I was found out here after I had gotten lost during a blizzard. I suppose I have been hoping that maybe the dragon... or my friend Mobo... might appear. I miss them... and it seems so many worlds have multiple people appear here..." She trailed off and shrugged slightly, staring rather fixedly at the ground. "It is... silly..."
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:15 pm
Well, the snow had cushioned his fall, and even if he had been hurt, Xanul himself would not have minded, really. He still felt rather guilty for hurting his mother, of all people. Somehow, he felt like he deserved to be hurt in return.
"Ah." He replied simply, his dark tails twitching. He looked mildly surprised for a moment. "Why wouldn't I want to see you? You are my friend after all." He wouldn't really mind seeing anyone, really, just that he wanted to avoid them until his mission to control his powers were done. He just didn't want to hurt them, whether it was morning or night. "It's not silly." He assured her, a slight frown crossing his face. "I mean, I mean, Grandad has many friends from his past life here too." Like Ginny and others he had spoken of. "I'm sure he'll turn up someday."
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:43 am
Orta might or might not have told him that thinking he should be hurt in return for what had happened was silly; it was a sentiment she could understand the feeling behind. She felt guilty at times for the infant dragon she'd been caring for... following into the blizzard had resulted in her arrival here, but she still worried what had happened to it. It was all she'd had left of the dragon, and she had failed her charge, for she didn't know if it had lived or died in that horrible snowstorm. She'd almost died, as well... would have if Caim hadn't found her. She fluctuated between thinking that dying would have been her due and finding the thought rediculous; either way, she was here now, and still alive, and she intended to continue to live.
She smiled faintly at the reassurance. Perhaps they would show up. Perhaps not. She wanted to believe it but it was difficult... though perhaps a bit easier simply because of the fact that she was here, when there was no real explanation. It was possible. Still, she didn't know what else to say about it that wouldn't make her feel more silly still, so she dropped it in favor of the topic just before it.
"I am not certain why I thought you might not want to see me... just that I know you have been avoiding everyone. I do not know how far your sentiment of avoidance extends amid the web of family and friends and acquaintances. I know why you choose to keep your distance... and that it must be akward for you because they want you to stop doing so. But... I do not know, but it seems to me that it would be better for all concerned if you would still visit from time to time. In the middle of the day, away from the full moon, perhaps? They are understanding people, but they care about you very much. If you visit once in a while, they know you are well, and would perhaps be less inclined to "chase" after you when you are away." Her mouth remained opened in a silent "ah" for a moment before she closed it and stared at the ground again. "I am sorry... it is your business, I did not mean to... butt in so."
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:26 pm
The guilt never ceased to be within him, no matter how many people told him that it wasn't his fault. In fact, them saying so made him feel quite worse. He didn't want to think of that now, just wanted to focus on what he had to do; to control his newfound power.
He wanted to tell her that it was okay, that her friend would show up, but who was he to tell her that? Plus, it wasn't as if he could read the future. So Xanul remained silent, all the while listening to her and trying to get the rest of the snow off his hair.
"I'm just...scared." He admitted, looking slightly uncomfortable. "If I go back, I'll not want to leave. I've bumped into my aunt and her kids, and..." He paused, a sorrowful look in his eyes. "It was hard for me to force myself to leave. I don't want that." He sighed, giving her a forced smile. "Plus, it happens almost every night. The moonlight causes my berserkerness." He padded forward to place a paw on her shoulder with a sad grin. "It's alright, Orta, I know you just care." He knew many did; they all cared, and also worried for him.
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Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:36 pm
Orta was silent for a long moment, brow furrowed in thought. "Well... why don't you write letters, then, until you can come back? They can't follow you through that portal, since it just takes you from one spot to another... and you can leave the letters somewhere. I could pick them up... I wouldn't tell them where you're staying even if I did know. This is painful for all concerned... but it is better to keep them safe until you are safe to be around, yes? Especially the little ones..." She'd never really had to go through anything like what Xanul was facing, but she understood his feelings on the matter, all the same. Sacrificing oneself for the good of the whole, especially the future generations, was unfortunately common back in her own world. But this way, maybe... there could at least be some sort of contact.
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Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:41 pm
"I don't know..."He trailed off, looking hesitant. Write letters? He'd never really thought of that. No one could exactly pinpoint where he would be next, though he'd be usually in the corridors between the portals or in Aroha's house. Xanul usually liked to pop up here and there, to avoid kitsu he knew, mostly. "Maybe." Most of them would have known he was safe though...seeing that he had met Liliana and Remus. And he was much relaxed now, knowing that Saix was taking care of his mother.
The little ones. He bit his lip hesitantly. Meeting Liliana's kits had made him laugh, and he had an odd fondness towards them. They were just so cute and innocent...and they reminded him of himself and his siblings. He sighed. "Maybe I should."
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:29 am
Orta smiled faintly and attempted an akward sort of playful nudge to his shoulder with one of her paws. "You should. I believe it would be good for you and for them. Do you need me to help or do you have something in mind?..."
She shivered again slightly, peering around Xanul at the infamous cold weather and sighed softly. "I would enjoy to remain here and chat but I think it might be best for my health if I went somewhere warm... and I know you are disinclined toward going anywhere populous." After a moment's indecision she sidled over and made an akward attempt at a one armed hug. "Hopefully we shall bump into one another again before horribly long. And maybe the weather will be... less cold."
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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:03 am
"I'll think about it." He grinned at her lightly, filing away that thought in mind. Writing letters...might be a good idea after all. He really wanted to keep in touch with his family and know how they were doing.
"Ah." He blinked, bobbing his head, agreeing. If the cold didn't suit her, well, she should return. If not, she could get sick...and it could get really chilly sometimes, he knew. Although he did feel a little twinge of regret that they could not talk for long. "I hope so too." He said sincerely, returning the hug and giving her a light pat on the head.
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