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 Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2020 6:50 am
Newgrange had kept his word; when they got home from Whisler he had made sure Nick was all right, tended to some basic things, and eventually made his way to his Wonder to talk with his ancestor.
His ancestor who was, unsurprisingly, disinterested in guests. Aldwynn would only speak to him if Arias was training, and it was only after three hours of proving that his skill hadn't gone down that the ghost would even give him much attention.
In the end, Aldwynn never really gave his permission, but he had made a few disinterested noises to indicate that he understood that Arias was bringing Nick up.
After that, they had spoken some, simply caught up on things. Aldwynn never asked but there was an understanding that he wanted to know.
They left on good terms, which made Arias optimistic about bringing Nick up.
A week and a half later, they both agreed that it was a good time. Nick was mostly healed up--still taking it easy, but that was fine. Arias wasn't worried that Aldwynn was going to try to jump him or hurt him or anything. So, holding Whisler's hand, he had whisked him away to his Wonder.
The sensation of bringing someone was strange, like it should have taken more energy but his adrenaline was too much that he didn't feel it.
They arrived just outside the great doors that lead into the room under the hill. He was still holding Whisler's hand and gave him a look over to make sure that he was all right.
When he was assured, he pushed open the door and lead him inside. The wonder was lush, covered in thick plants. Outside, soft, thick grass coated the area. Inside, it looked like there had been quite an effort to clean things up, but beautiful old vines still fell from parts of the room. It was stony inside, and cool, but no longer hostile and unwelcome as it had been when Newgrange first arrived.
Windows were carved into the walls but there were no glass; instead, you could see the yellow sky on the horizon, covered with thick gray clouds to block the sunlight. It didn't have any moisture in the air so he wasn't worried about rain and explained, "There are passages all around. Aldwynn is probably in the back room. I find him there most days."
He squeezed Whisler's hand as he continued to lead him, pausing so he could look around and take in the wonder.
He smiled at him, just watching his expression curiously, hopefully, as he lingered just outside one of the hallways he'd mentioned.
In the distance, down the long hallway, the air shifted. For Newgrange, it was confirmation that they were not alone.
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 10:36 am
Newgrange was so very different from Whisler, that the Knight felt just a little overwhelmed. “It’s…so strange to go somewhere that isn’t…you know. Cold.” He said softly, looking around in amazement at the plants, fighting the urge to go and roll in the grass.
“Everything is so nice and green, Arias…I love it.”
He felt strangely nervous too, Arias had talked so much about Aldwynn…that now Nick was quite sure that the ancestor was going to absolutely hate him…especially for how often he had hurt Arias.
Squeezing the other Knights hand, Whisler gave a smile. “…You…you’re sure that me being here isn’t going to get me into trouble? Or worse, get you into trouble with your…with ah. Aldwynn? You…do you really think he’ll support us? Or that he’ll know something about the transcendence?” These thoughts had been swimming around Nick’s head while he had been healing, but now that he was healed, now that they were actually here…
everything seemed to just be spilling out of his mouth without him having any control over it.
“…You’re truly okay with me being here too?”
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 12:05 pm
Newgrange laughed and swung Whisler's hand a bit as he walked. "It's all right, Nick," he said, squeezing his hand reassuringly. "I told him he wanted to talk to you about some things, and that you were going to come by. He was grouchy, but that's just how he is. He didn't say 'no', and that's more of a 'yes' than you know."
He glanced at him and tugged him down a long hallway that seemed like it was hidden at one point in time. "I'm glad you're here, Nick. You don't have to be so worried. Just...be yourself. It'll be okay. Here," he said, and lead him down the dark staircase, to another room. At one point in time, it had been sealed off--but now, Newgrange new the path well. He often met Aldwynn here.
In the center of this new room was a carefully carved statue of a man, handsome and standing proudly. He wore a crown and it seemed as though someone had spent a significant amount of time and effort on it. He wore something around his neck--something that seemed like it was placed over the statue instead of carved into it. Newgrange had never asked about it, though he'd caught Aldwynn staring at it every now and then.
This room was as large as the one they had entered through and had many different doors. There were a few windows to shine light into the room, but they were small, as if this place were meant to be protected and more private than the entrance.
Leaning against the wall and facing the statue was a ghostly figure; his arms were crossed over his chest and his gaze moved from the statue to the doorway as he watched the two enter. He wore an unimpressed, stoic expression. He had black hair, tied in a loose braid and thrown over one shoulder. He wore a uniform very similar to the one Arias now wore when he powered up, but there was something older, something more archaic about his uniform.
It wasn't difficult to infer that this was Aldwynn; scars marred much of his visible skin, the most notable of which was a faded gash from one eye, across his nose and curling over his cheek.
His eyes were cold, guarded; they were green in color with faint flecks of gold that caught in the light. There was an agelessness about him; he looked both young and old. His face was handsome, but his lips were pursed into an unfriendly scowl.
"Aldwynn," Newgrange greeted.
"Arias," the ghost replied, and his eyes fell to the Polaris knight by his side. "And you must be Whisler."
Newgrange didn't seem turned off by the flat voice of Aldwynn's voice. "He is. Are we interrupting something?"
Aldwynn didn't look like he was impressed with the question and just continued to look at the two with his bored, judgmental expression. "No. What do you want?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2020 6:48 pm
It seemed that Arias had been right about his ancestor. Whisler had been working to keep his mind focused on everything that he was seeing, there was a lot more to look at here than there was on his own Wonder and he wanted the chance to take it in…but far too quickly they reached Aldwynn…
And it was quite clear that the…ghost? Spirit? Whatever he was…didn’t like Whisler. Or Newgrange, for that matter.
Idly he wondered if the male had been like this in life or if it had just happened after he died…which…wouldn’t be too hard to imagine. He bet that he’d be in a perpetually bad mood after he died too.
Clearing his throat slightly, Whisler nodded and took a step forward, extending a hand out to Aldwynn. “Ah. Yes. I’m Whisler. It’s…very nice to meet you…Arias has told me so much about you!” God, this was worse than when he met Mr. and Mrs. Hunter…at least they smiled.
This was much worse than meeting any of Arias’ family.
“You…ah. It’s very nice to meet you.” He said again, giving what he hoped looked more like a dashing smile than how he felt. Somewhere in the realm of ‘going to be sick’.
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2020 8:29 am
Aldwynn watched the hand and then offered his own as if to shake; unsurprisingly, it passed through Whisler's but Aldwynn expected this and his eyes lifted to the Polaris Knight's face.
Finally, he replied with a disinterested, "Mm."
Newgrange' gaze had fallen on the statute in the room, the one Aldwynn spent time with--and had been spending time with, before they arrived. He knew better than to ask, especially with company here, but Aldwynn caught him looking at it and cleared his throat, drawing his attention.
"Arias tells me that you have some questions. That you wanted to meet me. I hope he has not misled you into thinking I am a willing host."
"I told him you weren't good at meeting people," Newgrange smiled. "He is understanding. I told him you must get lonely up here and could use a few friends."
Aldwynn's expression flashed, like he was both alarmed and nervous about this concept and tried to hide it behind a cold mask. "You misled him. Ask your questions. I'm busy today."
Newgrange just swung Whisler's free hand and squeezed it reassuringly; he was relaxed. This was what he had expected, and he seemed at peace; he could read Aldwynn, at least somewhat. He was still wearing a soft smile and hoped that his calm could pass to Whisler.
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 2:04 pm
Nicolae managed a small chuckle and he swallowed, tucking his hand behind his back and looking away. “…No, he didn’t mislead me at all. He’s worked very hard to make excuses to not bring me up here…and honestly, you’ve really helped put a strain on our relationship, so…no, I wasn’t mislead…”
He focused his eyes on the floor after a moment, his expression screwed up into a frown. Finally, he lifted his head and shook his head. “I don’t…think that I have anyone at my Wonder who I can talk to, but…” He swallowed and shook his head. “If you’re lonely, driving people off won’t help. I wanted to know if you knew how to get rid of this glow that has plagued me ever since I reopened the hot springs on Whisler. I. Don’t want to be so closely tied to my wonder any longer.”
He squeezed Arias’ hand, his body beginning to tremble slightly as anger filled him. “I want to leave all of this behind and just…get married. Live my life with Arias. And look, if you can help us, then you can be all up here alone again, just like you obviously want.”
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 2:20 pm
Aldwynn's eyes flashed but his jaw set firmly. Newgrange seemed a bit alarmed and turned to face Whisler, his hand tightening around his, but he seemed to disagree with the hostility a bit. Before he could turn to Aldwynn to say anything, the ghost flickered from sigh for just long enough that it seemed like he didn't intend to manifest. And then, arms crossed over his chest again, he just looked down at the two Knights.
"I appreciate your bluntness."
There was more than he could say, so much more. He locked eyes with Newgrange and, for a split second, there was an understanding.
Aldwynn could have easily said that the strain on their relationship was Nicolae's inability to hold to his oath of loyalty to his partner. He could have said that the strain stemmed from Nicolae's selfish lust. That the strain came from lies and deceit.
But, he didn't.
His shoulders squared, and instead, he said, "You seem to be grossly ignorant of your own Wonder, though. I severely doubt you'd be so if you had anyone still there. The past Knight of Whisler wasn't the sort to keep her mouth closed, from what I hear. So you must be a reincarnation."
His eyes scanned Whisler for a few seconds and then he shrugged. "People didn't go to Whisler for the hot springs. They went for the brothel. So I can tell you haven't spent much time there. I've only heard rumors of Transcending," he shrugged. "...It wasn't common in the past. But I know that all oaths can be broken, if you're desperate enough."
His eyes lingered on Whisler. "...If it meant you had to give up being a Knight to be free of your duties, would you still do it?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 3:06 pm
Brothel? Whisler blinked rapidly, frowning and glancing over at Arias, his mouth opening in surprise.
“…What do you mean…they went for the brothel? I…it’s just a hot springs, right? It…a brothel? I…”
It was a lot to take in, and for a moment he wasn’t sure that he could breathe. So far this trip had been…a lot. Perhaps it had been a good thing that Arias hadn’t brought him up here before this. “…The past Whisler was a her? Did you meet her?” Having this scrap of information made him suddenly want to learn more, made him want to dig out and explore the rest of his wonder.
“I thought…it was…some kind of…of something. It has heat, and I appreciate that…I…”
Could he give it up, if that what it took to break the transcendence? He…
“…I couldn’t stop being a knight, Aldwynn. I don’t want to give up being a knight. I love my wonder. And I love…” He gestured to himself. “…But I don’t want to be forced to go there…I don’t want to have my body start giving me Hell because I can’t get up to my…my b-brothel…” He shuddered. “…I don’t want to give up being a knight. I just…want to give up being forced to go back. I want to be able to go on a vacation with Arias…I want to be able to…to just. Live my life…”
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 3:25 pm
Arias nearly choked at the word but suddenly things almost made sense.
Almost.
Aldwynn watched him for a moment and then answered, "Is it such a horrible thing to have to visit your Wonder for an hour or so in the middle of a vacation? Be lucky you didn't have to spend your entire life there, with no permission to leave."
There was a bit of sorrow, of loneliness, but he masked it well and kept the conversation moving. "I never went, myself. Once I was assigned here, I stayed here."
For his life. Through his death. For a thousand years of solitude.
"But he went," he nodded to the statue without looking at it. It was like it hurt him to take in the statue's appearance. "...Told me all about it. He, too, was misled by the promise of hot springs. But." Another shrug. "He wasn't one for the finer details, anyway."
He exhaled--a habit, obviously. He had no need to breathe given how long he'd been dead for. "...Your Wonder understands you. It has a core that resonates with you. Find it," he encouraged, and while it wasn't exactly easy to tell, there was something genuinely supportive to his words. He was calloused from solitude and whatever memories of his death he still carried, but his walls were fragmented.
Arias listened attentively, a silent observer.
"...And talk to it. Being a Knight is a give and take. If you have Transcended, it means your Wonder trusts you with that responsibility. I wouldn't be so quick to throw it away. One day, you may need that power. You should try to find a compromise. Or make time to visit your Homeworld to appease it. It's a part of you, and you a part of it. If you spend more time there, you may find it's not so horrible a place. You might even enjoy your trips up there. In Newgrange, there are places to meditate. To train. To heal. Wonders are not simply places. They are living, breathing things. Your wonder is a part of your life. You get sick because it is sick, without you. All Wonders fade without their Knight. Newgrange used to be flourishing. Before Arias came back, it might as well have been a wasteland. And I have watched new plants grow. I have watched it restore itself. We have a long way to go, but I can see the change, even when he is away on Earth."
He looked at Whisler. "Give your Wonder the love and respect it deserves, and it will give you the same back. And after you have spent time there, and gotten to know it...then you can make the decision to give it up if that's what's right for you."
Another second of silence, and then, "I am sorry you do not have someone to guide you on your Wonder. It is an unfair burden to put on anyone. Especially if you did not sign up for this. I am not a good mentor. But you are important to Arias. I will help you if I can. Especially if I can convince you to bring him back here more often. The East Wing needs repairs. You two would be better suited for that than I am."
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 4:57 pm
Brothel?Whisler hesitated, nodding slowly, his eyes flickering to the statue after a moment, and then going back to Aldwynn. “I suppose it’s not…not horrible, no. I just. If I didn't have to power up…the biggest temptations wouldn’t be around and…”
And what? He would have a better chance at controlling himself? His libido? The roller coaster of emotions that he was feeling from this visit almost had him feeling dizzy. “…You’ve…never left here? Ever? Since you became the knight of Newgrange?”
It was the only question that he could think to ask, but after a moment he managed a smile. “…I’ll come back. If you need my help with repairs…I’ll come back whenever. I…” He looked at Arias, hesitating. “…If that’s okay? May I come back I…” He swallowed. “…I want to spend more time here with you. I love you.”
Whisler hesitated, looking back at Aldwynn. “Sir? May we have some sort of oath here in front of you? When we marry? Is there…any way that you know of to bind wonders to one another?”
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:29 pm
Aldwynn watched the two of them, watching how happy Arias looked at Whisler's kind words, the way his fingers curled around the Polaris' Knights as if to reassure and support this decision. Arias had nodded his own approval when Whisler asked if he could return.
He didn't need to answer if he'd never left, that much was obvious. He had haunted the place in life before he had done so in death, and he was more protective of it than could otherwise be explained.
And yet, Whisler's words almost seemed to touch Aldwynn; when Whisler asked, Aldwynn's eyes darted--albeit briefly--to the statue in the room and then back.
"...If you help clean up Newgrange and make it a fit place for a ceremony, you may give oaths here, before me. There are rooms for that. Buried beneath rubble."
He gestured down a long hallway that was visibly collapsed at the end. He had never spoken of it to Arias before, so when Aldwynn spoke of it he couldn't help but peer down the hallway.
"...There are ways to bind Wonders," he added after he lowered his hand. "...You must find a treasure. Something of value to your wonder, that you can entrust to your chosen. Take it to the core of your Wonder, and have it blessed. Exchange your tokens and it will bind the Wonders, in a small way. If Arias gives you a blessed treasure from Newgrange, and you give him one from Whisler, you will have free passage here and he will have free passage there. You can travel to either world as if it were yours. Of course, to do so means..." He eyed the passage again. "...You will need to do some heavy cleaning here. And you," he looked to Whisler. "Will need to find the core of your Wonder. But it can be done."
Arias blinked and released a surprised breath. "...Really?"
Aldwynn looked to him. "I would not lie to you about something like that. If you want to do it, do it. It's difficult to be undone, so make sure you want it."
It was as much of a warning as he would give, and Arias understood. He looked at Whisler once more, swallowing. He tried to look calm but there was hope in his eyes--and a bit of excitement.
Aldwynn didn't often talk about the sealed rooms, didn't give permission for others to come, didn't ask for help. But he wanted Newgrange repaired. And he was telling them how to do it. He would give his blessing.
He was trying to be helpful.
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 7:38 pm
Nicolae smiled softly, looking so excited after a moment. “I would…I would be honored to help clean up Newgrange…I…Arias and I were going to do the same for Whisler…there’s so much rubble leading to the ah…” He flushed slightly. “…The rest of the building…that I just haven’t…gone to explore yet…ah.”
He squeezed Arias’ hand tightly for a moment. “You will help me won’t you? Clean up my wonder so we can find the core? So we can…” His eyes were sparkling strangely, and he looked more hopeful than he ever had before. “So we can make this oath to ourselves? I don’t want it undone. Not ever.”
Whisler smiled brightly, looking much more hopeful than he had when they had walked in here. “…I give you my oath here and now…that…that I’ll be yours…only yours for as long as I live, Arias…my Newgrange…”
It might have been a premature declaration…but he meant every word, here and now at least.
And he would do his very best to mean every word in the future too.
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 8:07 pm
Arias blinked and laughed at Nick's enthusiasm. The shadow in his heart wanted to challenge him, to say 'We'll see', but the light in him, the hope, wasn't so keen to give up.
"I thought we were going to have some sort of ritual, some sort of ceremony! I would have prepared a speech or something," he laughed softly. He was smiling though, looking into Nicolae's eyes with nothing but love. "...But I give you my oath as well. And I'll give you a better one when I have time to write it."
Aldwynn crossed his arms over his chest and, once more, for the briefest of glances, eyed the statue. It was lingering this time, though briefly, and he had to tear his gaze back to the two knights before him.
"But you know I'll help you," Arias said to Nick, just resting against him. "It'll be easier if there's two of us working. We can alternate between Whisler and Newgrange. And we'll make dates of it, so it won't be lonely. Plan our weddings, our ceremonies." He was smiling, optimistic again. "Find tokens to exchange?"
It was like a treasure hunt and his eyes were sparkling in a way they hadn't been in a while. He was hopeful. He was excited.
He leaned forward and kissed Nick with an earnestness and trust that he hadn't been able to muster in a while.
Aldwynn could see the emotions on his face, and perhaps because it seemed like such a private moment, his ghostly form only lingered for a few seconds before it flickered out of sight. His presence was still there, an unseen figure in the wind, but it was somehow just a bit less intrusive.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2020 4:38 pm
“I obviously want something more formal too, I’m just…declaring my intentions here and now!” Nicolae laughed, reaching up to stroke Arias’ hair for a moment, a happy smile on his face. “I think making dates and cleaning our Wonders…working on them…it sounds utterly perfect to me…”
He returned the kiss eagerly, pleased by the light that had seemed to rekindle in his fiancé’s eyes. He felt…better than he had in a long time. And the very fact that Aldwynn had seemed to give his consent to everything just by…by vanishing and letting them have their moment…
It made the knight feel just a bit happier. A bit better about this whole thing.
Finally, he broke the kiss and rested his forehead against Newgrange’s. “…I love you, Arias Hunter. Just so you know that…should we go home? I want…I mean…I kind of want to take you out to dinner and put on a movie or something…I want you in my arms tonight…if that’s okay?”
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2020 4:51 pm
Arias' eyes remained on Nick's for a moment but his smile softened as he processed everything. "I'd like that. A lot."
His fiance's enthusiasm was contagious and he found himself nodding before he'd really even processed the request. "...I suppose we've given Aldwynn enough excitement for the day." He looked to the empty room and called, "We'll be back, Aldwynn, I promise. Thank you for speaking with us today. I'll train extra hard the next time I'm here."
The wind in the room seemed to move, but there wasn't really anything of a verbal response. Aldwynn heard; it was as much of a confirmation as he was willing to offer while they were cradled in such an intimate embrace.
Arias rested against Nick and just smiled. "...Dinner and a movie and curled up in bed sounds good to me, Nick. I'd really like that. And then we should figure out when we're making more trips. I want to explore your wonder with you. A brothel," he laughed softly. "...I wonder what else we'll find up there. Nothing too indecent, I hope. But I'm...looking forward to spending time with you. I'm excited. I love you."
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