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 Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 1:29 pm
Time had begun to slip again. Days melted into each other. Soon weeks had passed, months, then the years began to slip away as well. Cyrus had no way of knowing how long he had searched. All he knew was that he had searched every nook and cranny of every inch of the city for Elora's key. He had even gone to Industry's temple to search, though he had saved it for last. He had not wanted to see what had been done to his lord's place of worship, but it had to be done. He had made a promise to his silent friend and he was determined to carry it through, if only because it felt good to have a more immediate purpose to fulfill.
Walking slowly through the skeleton of greatness, he made his way back to the brothel. Throwing his bag onto the floor with a loud thunk, he made he way directly to the small closet where he had taken to putting Elora during the day. He felt awful doing it, but he was worried about her being left out in the open. Just because he saw no sign of life, did not mean that it wouldn't one day find its way back to the city.
Pulling the door open, he gave her a smile.
"Hello Ellie," he greeted her warmly and carefully reached in to lift her out of the closet. "I'm sorry I took so long today. I was certain I would find the key today. I had looked everywhere else," he chatted as he carried her to the chaise and set her down gently. "But I couldn't find it. I don't think it is here in the city," he continued as he gently sorted her out. First he arranged the dress she was wearing carefully, then he folded her hands together and smoothed some of her hair back behind her ear. Over the course of time, his shyness about bathing her and changing her clothes had abated. He still apologized profusely, but it had become a bit of a routine. He couldn't let her get dusty or allow her to stay in the same clothes day in and day out. She wouldn't stand for it. He was certain of it.
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 1:40 pm
Elora stared into the dakness, she seemed to spend a lot of her time doing that. Whenever Cyrus went out he would confine her to the closet and she would sit there in the darkness, praying for his return. After years of nothing she had grown used to his company, if he did not return she would have to face a life alone. Staring at nothing. When the door opened and the light flooded in she perked up a bit. Only on the inside of course.
She listened to him as he set her on the chaise. No Key, sometimes she wondered why he didn't just give up. Searching in the broken city would be like looking for a needle.
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midnight_medea Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 1:49 pm
Cyrus watched her for a few moments, then looked around at the dilapidated room they were in.
"This place is a mess Ellie. Not just this place, the whole city. I've been through the whole thing. It's so sad to see what has become of it. It was such a crowning glory before... well, before Isambard disappeared," he said softly and turned his eyes back to her. "I don't know what to do for you. Without your key you can't move or speak or anything." It never once occurred to him that she probably couldn't hear him either. Or perhaps it did on some small level, but it was less lonely to talk to someone regardless if they could hear you or not.
Breathing in deeply, he shifted closer to her and gently eased the neckline of her dress down a bit so he could see the heart-shaped hole.
"I wouldn't try using anything but that key to try to start things up. I'd be afraid of breaking you. Then where would we be?" he smirked lightly and gently traced his finger along the edge of the hole. Sighing a little he moved back and rose to his feet. "I'll make us some supper."
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 1:55 pm
Well, we couldn't be much worse off.
Elora thought as he traced his fingers along the neckline of her dress. As she was she was broken, with little hope of being fixed. She also remembered that he didn't know he was speaking to an audience ... the djinn was mad.
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midnight_medea Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:06 pm
After eating some of his meager supplies, Cyrus settled himself across from Elora. He had been telling her one of his tales of travel as he ate, but now the story was over. Holding his hands out to his small fire, he relished the warmth, but the silence around him felt oppressive.
"I think you're right Ellie," he suddenly declared as if carrying on a conversation that had been going on over the dancing flames. "After searching everywhere and finding nothing, there is only one course of action left. We need to leave the city. Even if we can't find your key, we can find someone somewhere that might be able to help us. There are still clever people in the world. They would probably enjoy the chance to try to work on you." He paused with a frown and glanced up at her. "You're right. That was rude. Work with you."
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 12:47 pm
Elora loved listening to his tales. He had seen so many things and been so many places, she had never been outside of Albion. She had many gifts from all over the place but had never seen any of them.
At his suggestion she wanted to nod and agree, she wanted to find someone who could fix her, she wanted to live again.
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midnight_medea Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:00 pm
Cyrus watched her still features in the firelight. Even after all of this time and his awkward attempts to sort her out, she was still strikingly beautiful.
"Tomorrow we will leave. You and me. We will see the world together," he smiled and nodded contentedly to himself. "We should get some sleep. Rest well," he smiled to her and waved his hand over the fire, causing it to sink down to soft embers.
They travelled a long time. With him on foot and carrying his things and Elora in his arms it was slow going, but he enjoyed these travels much more. He spoke often to her, pointing out the beautiful things in the world and telling her more stories, several of them repeats by now. The djinn paid no mind though, mostly because he could not remember what he had told her already.
It was a happenstance that he heard about it. He had left Elora tucked away safely and had gone into a small village to get some more supplies for himself. While he waited, he heard about a place called the pantheon. It was supposed to be a safe haven for those that were still recovering from the near destruction. It was also rumored that it was a congregation of the old gods.
With hope pouring through his firey veins, he had hurried back to Elora and scooped her up. Tirelessly, he pressed on. There was a renewed sense of excitement about him and his chattering. His words began to turn to what ifs and hopes. He was never very sure how long it had taken them to get to their new destination, but when it appeared on the horizon, time did not matter much to him anymore. They had arrived. He had carried her to safety. He was certain of that.
"Look Ellie," he breathed and turned a little so she could see what he saw. Hugging her tightly, he began to move forwards and on into the marketplace.
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:25 pm
Elora listened, as that was all she could do. Listen to his tales see the sights but not comment on them. Still it was better than being chained to her prison. She could feel the excitement building in him as they reached the place he sought, she just hoped that they would be able to find someone who could help them.
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midnight_medea Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:32 pm
It had been a long time since he had been around quite so many people. The market was busy and there was noise and activity all around him. It was a little overwhelming. Hugging Ellie tighter a frown furrowed his brow. It was hard to think with everything going on around them. His life of solitude had really begun to take its toll.
"Stick close to me El. I won't let anyone bother you," he murmured and made a move to avoid a gaggle of young women chattering happily amongst themselves.
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:36 pm
The shopkeeper they stopped near watched the pair of them with interest. At first he thought the woman might be asleep but then he realised what she was, a very fine specimine, one of such quality he hadn't seen for a long time. A mechanical doll, they had been very popular once upon a time.
"I'll give you fifty for her." he said casually. "She's clearly seen better."
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midnight_medea Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:44 pm
Cyrus turned in surprise as a voice sounded near his elbow. Seeing the shopkeeper and the way he was looking at Elora, a deeper frown descended over his brow.
"Excuse me? How dare you talk about her like that," he growled and took a step back from him.
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:46 pm
The man put his hands up.
"Hey now, I was just offering, thought you were here to barter."
Esha picked up and orange and squeezed it to see if it were fresh or not. She enjoyed being out and about in the market, buying the best produce to cook with. Across the way she could hear the slight raised voices, though did not think much of it.
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midnight_medea Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:50 pm
Cy's anger began to bubble up despite the man's defensive posture.
"You thought that I was here to barter? Is that the sort of business you run?! You sell living things for your own sick pleasures?" he demanded and took an imposing step towards the man. "You are sick," he growled and watched as flames jumped up from the ground around the man.
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:53 pm
"Living?" The man said, confused and looked to the doll again, not expecting the flames that jumped up.
As people stopped to stare Esher looked up and blinked, that was a face she had not seen in a long long time. She moved away from the stally to get a better look at the large djinn. Yep it was definitely him.
"Cyrus." She called out, noting his anger, and then the woman in his arms. "Elora!" She had thought they were both lost.
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midnight_medea Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:59 pm
Cyrus was oblivious to their audience. He had one intent on his mind. He would not let anyone ever refer to Elora as this man had. The sound of his name caused him to blink. For a brief moment, he looked down at Elora as if she had spoken it. But then he heard the voice again, this time calling Elora's name. Turning, his brows lifted.
"Esha," he grinned and stepped away from the terrified man. Pushing his way through the crowd, the flames dropped away as he came to a stop in front of the felin. "Where have you been? You were gone for so long," he smiled. He had always liked the little catwoman, even when she was teasing him.
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