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 Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 2:07 am
 Leaning against the railing of the balcony, Nergal watched as the Aoidei left. He had managed to send them on an errand, the whole lot of them, one they'd hopefully not return from anytime soon. It hadn't been easy to convince them to leave - Tempo specifically, who was his Lady's sworn protector - and only Priya seemed to be delighted at the prospect of being sent out on a mission with 'the boys'. In the end Alto had rolled his eyes and simply shooed them all out. He turned now, glancing up at the balcony as if he'd caught up Nergal's thoughts somehow, and gave him a knowing smile. Nergal acknowledged it with a brief nod. So, there was at least one among them smart enough to realize that he wished to be alone with Echo.. But then he cringed inwardly as his ears picked up Ishum mentioning something about 'quality time' and then laughing.
Make that two, then.
True, he wanted some time alone with the gentle goddess, but it had nothing to do with that so-called 'quality time'. He needed to talk to her, desperately so, to establish clarity about what it was they both felt.. or not. He had been cowardly putting it off, finding excuses left and right (mostly in the form of the present Aoidei) to delay what would possibly hurt them both, but now.. he was running out of time.
He turned, his gaze resting on the small wooden box he'd placed on the coffee table, and then veering towards his luggage neatly piled up in a corner. A backpack, a bedroll, a set of saddle-bags, the sheathed khopesh, and the carefully wrapped shape of the scepter. He was ready to leave anytime now, and he would probably do so tomorrow, at sunrise.
She ought to know, before I leave.
It was strange for Music's dwelling to be so quiet.. without the constant melodic hum of her 'wings' and the chatter of the Aoidei. Strange how much he had gotten used to it.
Something soft pressured against his ankle suddenly, and when the god looked down slightly startled he found that Vertigo was rubbing his head against it, and starting to emitt a low purr. Smiling softly, he picked up the feline to hold it and absently pet its star-sprinkled fur while he waited for Echo to return.
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 8:04 am
 But then, in that house, things did not stay silent very long, as proved by a voice that slowly made it's presence known nearby, in a language that had not belonged to the goddess, but to the host, a long time ago.
Kokoro ga kogetsuite yakeru nioi ga shita, Sore wa yume no owari subete no hajimari datta
Echo was nearby, and hadn't really seemed to realize that the aoidei where gone just yet, by all apparences brushing her hairs in the bathroom as she sang, idely finding herself braiding a part like her host had done so long ago. She did it, every now and then - probably fueled by the fact that Zero was now completely a part of her. The good news in all this, is that the merge hadn't really changed much about the kind goddess...
Akogareteta mono wa utsukushiku omoete, Te ga todokanai kara kagayaki o mashita no darou
Finally, she came out, and stopped for a moment, noticing the packed belongings. So it was time, it seemed. But then, she saw the two and couldn't help but smile.
"Do tell me, my lord... has my cat adopted you, or have you adopted my cat ?" She said, an amused tone in her voice. Another change - she was calling Zero's things hers much more freely now.
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 11:10 am
"It would be the first of the options, I fear," Nergal admitted, playfully flicking a finger against the Vertigo's strange glowing antenna before he put him down. The cat gave him a slightly insulted look and then trotted over to Echo, rubbing his head against her legs and peering up at her expectantly.
"Don't pick him up," Nergal muttered dryly, though the corners of his lips titched upwards slightly, showing he was not being entirely serious about this, "it will only prove to him that he has managed to train us sufficiently."
He hesitated. It would be so easy, he realized, to have this be nothing more than a casual conversation and humorous banter..
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 12:33 pm
Echo couldn't help but let out a small giggle, heeding the "warning" as it was.
"I am afraid I am already properly trained by now." Echo gave a mock-pout toward the cat, who meowed in answer, sitting to peer up at her expectantly. Finally, however, Echo cracked and picked him up.
"See ? I can't even resist those eyes of his." She smiled, scratching under the cat's chin before letting him settle on her shoulder.
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:10 am
He couldn't help but smile at the sight, but it faded from his face quickly, making place for a more serious expression. No matter how much he wished that time would stand still, that he could remain in the company of the person he.. 'liked' very much forever, without any duties and responsibilities to take care of - it could not last. The ruined landscape he laid his eyes upon for a moment when he glanced back over his shoulder before he stepped back into the room was a painful reminder of this fact. Nothing could ever last.. Change, it seemed, was the only thing consistent about this world, be it in the form of Creation, or Destruction.
"Echo.." he started hesitantly, but then stopped. When had he become so familiar with her that he had started to drop her title, calling her by her name only? And how did it come that he felt so terribly nervous now, much more so, it seemed, than when he had gone to face Kishara, or Lucius?
"There is something I need to talk to you about," he finally said, his voice firm. He still could pretend he was going to talk only about taking his leave tomorrow, but he knew he wouldn't. He owed her at least this much.
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:42 am
Echo seemed to grow serious as he finally had, herself noticing the use of her name, without commenting about the fact. She didn't really mind, from other gods, that her name be used. On certain mortals either, she didn't mind.
"What about, my lord ? I... did notice the luggages, if that is what you mean. I figured this was coming." She said, softly. She was sad to see him go, but hey, this was sure an improvement from him leaving in the wee hours of the morning. Instead of setting him back even more in his quest, she preferred to count her blessings.
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:57 am
"Yes, about that too, but.. I actually meant to talk about something else. Us."
There, he had said it. No turning back now.
"I.. noticed that you seem to.. harbour certain feelings for me," he said nervously, trying to tread carefully. He didn't want to hurt her, if it was possible at all.
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:09 am
Us. Hm. Uh oh.
Echo wasn't sure what to think, what to answer to that. What would he rather hear, a yes or a no ? Or... well, didn't she owe him that much ? She remained silent for a moment, thorn in between truth and what seemed to be the easy way out, the way to make sure nothing might break.
"...Yes. I do." She answered about what seemed to be forever, and left it at that.
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:36 am
Her feelings for him had been fairly obvious, yet to hear her actually admit them.. that was different, like suddenly being plunged into ice-cold water.
"Then.. there is something you ought to know. Something about the past which you.. possibly do not remember." He gave off a short nervous laugh - a strange, strangled sound which just as well might have been a sigh.
"Even I remember merely bits and pieces of it, the clearest in my dreams.. Yet once I wake they fade and elude my grasp once more."
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:46 am
Echo remained silent, only a nod showing that she was, indeed, listening, not wanted to betray her nervousness with any kind of sound.
Something had always stopped her before... but what ? Why ? Maybe that would tell her exactly what that had always been so. Even now, something in the bottom of her soul insisted that she should never had let it show, should never have spoken up.
But what.... ?
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:09 am
It pained him to see her remain so quiet, and with a pang of guilt he realized that even the soft hum of her wings seemed to have stopped.
"What I do remember," he finally forced himself to say, every word feeling like he was driving a blade into her flesh, "is that there was an empty throne next to my own. The Underworld was once reigned by two, Echo, just like any of the other domains. And seeing that both Loves have been reborn, and both Dreams.. There is a good chance that one day my Queen may return as well." Something felt deeply wrong as he said it, but he attributed it to his own strong affection he felt for Music.
He bowed his head, not able to look her into the face any longer.
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 11:24 am
Two.
Memories of her dream flooded back into her mind at that moment. Two, two, of course, of course. Oh... oh god.
Echo again remained silent, barely daring to breathe, but it quickly became apparent that her attention was elsewhere...--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "....It is quickly breaking apart, that much I do know, Echo. I have been unable to go back for so long... But the Underworld is collapsing. I fear I might lose him, just as I fear I might lose you..."
She felt so weak, unable to stand, unable to sit, unable to move. She tried to at least sit, but a pale hand stopped her. "Don't. You need to save your strength." the voice said to that. And Echo couldn't disagree.
"I hear them... They say they no longer have a need for me, that Song is their own now. So many of us are growing weaker. Perhaps this is the beginning of the end... or a new area to rise, one where mortal deny the gods that I have given them so much. Nergal is strong... He will be alright, I am sure. As for me... There is little I can do, especially as I am now."
"You can't give up, Echo. You can't... So many people need you, even if you do not realize it. I need you. My love needs you, too - have you not noticed how you manage to make him smile ? So few can..." The woman trailed an hand trough silk-soft hairs. "We're like sisters, you and I. And we are both women of taste, to care so deeply about the same man."
"I... Wait, it's..."
"Shhh." the Queen said, softly, a soft finger touching the goddess' lips. "I know it all, Echo. It's impossible for you to truly hide it. You do love him, I know... But you would also never act on it, which is why I always trusted you so much. I quite honestly can't blame you for that. Oh..." She turned, met eyes with Alto, who had been standing there all along. The aoidei nodded and went off. The goddess was growing cold... More than ever, the queen was afraid for her friend's life. Was it what would befall the whole pantheon... ?
"I still feel guilty, sister. And I fear nothing you can say will erase that guilt in my heart completely..." Echo answered with a soft smile. "But... it is good to know you do not hate me for it."
"Oh, Echo." She sighed. "I can't lose you. I can't."
"I can't promise you. Go to him... Go to the one we love, and remain by his side. Surely he will need you. I am in good hands - do not worry about me. Focus on your realm, sister. Nergal is going to need you more than he ever has."
"Not until I find a way to save our realm... I will find it, and I will stop this." The queen ran an hand on the goddess' cheek before getting up. "Don't give up. I will fix all this..."
"I will not. Do what you need to do, dearest sister. I will wait here."
Little did she know, it would be the last time the Queen of the Underworld would see her dear friend alive...--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suddenly back in the present, Echo found herself leaning on the nearest wall for balance, as her legs threatened to give in. She remembered, now, and she quite honestly felt rotten. So that was why... oh dear, that was why. And she had dared forget.<
"Oh..." She finally said, in between sobs that she had no idea that had started. "Oh, sister... I have finally... betrayed you, have I... ?"
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 12:17 pm
Nergal finally dared to look up, more than just a bit worried when he didn't hear anything from her at all, except for shallow, strained breathing..
She was staring at him wide eyed, but her look went right through him and he could tell - whatever her eyes were seeing, it was something far beyond his reach.
"Echo?" he mouthed gently, horrified of the impact his words apparently had made on her and growing more and more worried with with each passing second - but his voice did not seem to reach her.
What had he done?
Finally, she faltered, tears streaming from her eyes, and blindly grasped for the nearest wall to find hold. Without thinking, Nergal jumped forward to support her, to hold her.. A moment later he found himself gently lifting her up and carry her to the couch.
"Shhh," he whispered soothingly into her ear, his lips brushing against her skin, "it is alright. Whatever it is, it is alright."
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 12:39 pm
And she offered no resistance, still too confused, her mind still too clouded in between past and present for her to truly react. The pain... oh, the pain. Not of his words, she was always expecting something akin to rejection but... No, the pain lied into the deep feeling that had took seat inside of her, so strong and vivid that it took over all her senses for an instant. How had she dared ? She should have remembered, should have... And now she had went and done this.
But the same they had made it to the couch, Echo seemed to be calming down - or at least, opening herself to reality again, burying her face in Nergal's chest to cry, even if she seemed like the last thing she should be doing. One side of her mind, Zero no doubt, screamed for her to calm down and stop this, but the rest of her wouldn't listen. Everything seemed to be going out now, each and every time she felt like crying but kept everything inside herself.
"No, it's not..." She managed, voice muffled by the fabric and her sobs. "I... I have done the one thing I had promised her that I would never do !" Echo clearly felt horrible, but how to tell Nergal it wasn't his fault ? She couldn't find the word to explain it, they eluded her in the whirlwind of shock, panic, and self-loathing. She didn't even deserve to be in his arms now... It should be her instead. Oh, she couldn't even remember her name, but the feelings, so strong...
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 1:09 pm
For the time being, Nergal simply held her, gently stroking her hair and continuing to whisper soothing words into her ear.. It seemed the right thing to do, and it came to him strangely natural, despite his usual awkwardness with closeness, and feelings.
"No, shhh.. It is alright, you have done nothing wrong.. Please.." He hesitated, clearly not wanting to cause her any more pain. But.. "Please explain.. You do remember? Something?"
For I do not.. Nothing but the sound of her dress whispering across the floor..
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