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 Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 1:57 pm
Arctang wasn't used to his new rooms yet. He'd slept there once, hyper-aware of all the others there with him. He couldn't hear them, but he knew they were all there, both old and new acquaintances. His new bedroom was much bigger than the one he'd had in Taj's rooms, and it seemed to echo emptily. He had slept restlessly, tossing and turning uncomfortably, despite the plush bed.
Upon waking, he'd dressed and snuck out of the rooms, still feeling conflicted about it all. Taj's talk with him had helped, but it still felt so odd, having a household of people all looking to him for... guidance? protection? Something. For now, he needed time and space to think.
**********
After spending a long morning at the Forge, doing his best to keep up with production and acquisition, he made his way back to his rooms.... his rooms. Waiting on the other side of that door were responsibilities he wasn't sure he was ready to tackle. People looking to him as a leader? The very idea gave him shivers. But still, it needed doing, and they had all chosen him over any of the other available gods or goddesses, including his twin. He owed them something for that choice and that dedication.
He opened the door, stepped into the entry chamber, and came nose to nose with someone. Well, it wasn't quite nose to nose... this person was a good deal taller than he. Nose to chin was closer to the truth. He tipped his head up and up, and met fierce green eyes in a dark face.
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Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 2:27 pm
She had waited for some time for him. They'd been let in by one of his servants, and allowed to choose rooms for themselves. They'd been scrutinized by some hooved girl, but she'd not prevented them thus far. At this point, Tamora wasn't certain where Ty had gone, but she was determinedly laying in wait just inside the door. A couple people had come and gone and given her startled looks, but she had continued to patiently wait.
The door opened, and through it finally came the slender, slight form she'd been waiting for. She moved forward quietly and stood straighter, intent on not just greeting but assessing the one she'd chosen to follow. The wash of dots across her skin tingled, as if harmonizing with something unheard. Then he turned, nearly bumping into her. Firmly she stood her ground, gazing downwards at him, not thinking about how intimidating it probably looked to him. Yes, yes he did need her. Undeniably. This was no warrior, no magic-worker. There was no lack of intelligence behind those eyes, but she saw none of the combatative spirit that would keep him safe when war struck.
"You. You need me. I will protect you."
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Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 2:39 pm
She had a deep, commanding voice. This was the second thing he noticed about her, after the fact that she was tall. He took a step back and cleared his throat, a little too startled by both her appearance and her rather bold statement to say anything just yet. He adjusted the fit of his coarse and sooty shirt. No matter how he tried to stay clean at the forge area, even without going into the forge itself, he always ended up filthy. It bothered him, as always, and provided a temporary 'out' for him currently.
"Here," he said, gesturing for her to walk with him. He led her out of the entry chamber and into the garden. He gestured to the second gust courtyard, which he was already considering absorbing into his own private bedroom. "If you will meet me in there in half an hour, we can talk about it," he said firmly, trying to sound reasonable and authoritative both. "Right now I'd like to get clean before I consider anything... new." He fumbled the last word uncertainly, not wanting to insult this newcomer.
She seemed to accept this and moved towards the courtyard. He hurried off to the next set of rooms over, mind tumbling over a number of ideas on how to better situate his rooms to suit himself, as well as mulling on what little the stranger had said.
He showered quickly, all the while considering that she wanted to protect him. Well, he had Raja didn't he? Wasn't that enough? Some misgivings deep within made him wonder though. He'd felt the touch of Samyaza. Perhaps he would not have if Raja had been there... but who could say? That terrible being seemed to be much more powerful than she'd proven. By the time he entered the sunny courtyard, his stomach was roiling as if infested with serpents.
He sat down on a bench facing the central fountain, gesturing for the tall woman to sit with him. Feeling more comfortable in his loose silk shirt and khaki pants, he tucked one foot under him and spoke seriously. "What makes you think I need protection, and why you?" His eyes were on hers, expression non-judgmental. He was open to her answer, but felt how she answered was important.
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Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:10 pm
Tamora had wandered about the cobbled courtyard for a time, gazing at the climbing plants, the entire wall of windows that were angled open to the breeze. It took her a little time to realize the chirps and calls she heard were not birds, but very tiny dragons, brightly colored and very vocal. Perhaps her little viper would have friends here... or prey. The idea made her smirk a bit before she realized this might not be so amusing to the one she sought to protect. Perhaps she should have a talk with the snake before something unfortunate happened, after all.
He wasn't gone very long before he stepped in from the garden, dressed comfortably and with his tousled hair still damp. She sat where he indicated, adjusting the hilts of her twin glass swords. In retrospect, it probably would have been more polite to remove them before talking to him, but they were after all the instrument of what she proposed, so perhaps it was appropriate after all. Regardless, he didn't seem bothered by their presence in his house.
"My lord," she began, "I am no fool. There is war coming, though it seems noone knows when." Her eyes trained on his face carefully took note of his reactions. He was unsurprised by her declaration at least, which was good. It meant she didn't have to convince him of the danger, at the very least. "Others have been allying themselves with this god or that, choosing whom they would serve. Not all do, of course," she added with a negligent wave of dismissal by one hand, "but I am not one to sit idly when I can do something to help." She stood then and crossed her arms over her chest, feet planted firmly. "You are one of the less-warlike gods, and I think you need me to help you stay that way." It was simplistic, as far as reasons or arguments go, but she didn't like to dance around issues.
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 7:26 pm
Well, she certainly had a point. She was observant, clearly capable, and determined. He regarded her thoughtfully, then nodded slowly. "You make a good case. But you must understand, not only am I non-combatative, I also am a neutral force among the gods." He gave her an intent tip of the head. "Given the choice, I will side with good, because it is my nature to do so." He did not need a battle maiden beside him that would contradict his allegiance when he had to make one.
Her immediate firm nod of agreement and acceptance eased his mind, and he finally smiled at her. "Then you are welcome, mistress of the swords, to the household of Arctang, the Pie Bird." He paused and quirked one side of his mouth upwards. "That is, if you will first grace me with your name?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 7:30 pm
Heat flushed her cheeks at his request. She hadn't yet introduced herself? She could have groaned with mortification, but bowed her head instead, letting the beads among her braids click in quiet accompaniment. "Forgive me. I am Tamora, and I vow to serve you with every available resource." She paused, considering what she'd just spoken, and amended it slightly. "Except cleaning up offal." She wrinkled her nose at the imagined scent. "That is one thing I cannot do without getting violently sick." Her eyes darted to his, gauging his reaction.
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 8:17 pm
He burst out laughing, both at the look on her face as well as at the absurdity of the very idea of him putting her to work as a pooper scooper. He could see the image of her bending her tall, muscled frame to shovel the excrement of some small pampered dog. He shook his head, sucking in a breath and fighting off further laughter. "No no, never fear. I do not ask an armswoman to dirty her hands in such a manner, I promise!"
He smiled hugely and held out his hand to her to shake firmly. "Welcome to the family, Tamora."
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