Ander looked behind him on the ground, noting the pack and odd, sewn together clothing. He half-smiled to himself as he noticed that it looked almost as bad as his did, although his was obviously worse.
He bent down, retrieving it and slinging her pack over the same shoulder his was on. He carried the clothing through the entrance, slowly making his way inside. He gawked around at the glowvines and the cave. This was much better than the one he had found further down the hill! That was more like a hollow in the side of the hill with a rocky overhang.
He stopped near the winged girl, still not quite sure what to make of her. He looked around for the small dragonet thing, but couldn't see it anywhere. He looked back at the winged girl, holding the dragonet's clothing out to her almost shyly.
"Uh, your lizard friend asked me to bring this in, but... well, I can't find her. Um... what is this place?"
Haven in the Woods
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Illilli stood up from the vines and stretched her small wings.
"Ah! Thank you so much."
She arrowed through the air and attempted a gentle landing on his shoulder. It was a little bumpy but she managed to avoid snagging his shirt or falling off of his shoulder. She folded her wings to her back and draped herself over his shoulder. It was almost fun being small enough to ride on other people.
"If you could set them here on the bar, maybe I can see about getting back to normal. Whatever that is... My folks apparently didn't tell me everything about our family line... I guess I'll start by introducing myself. I'm Illilli. I grew up on a farm with my family and recently went to the city and town to see if I could make my way. Since then I have changed," she accented that word," twice..." She sighed.
"All I know beyond that is I am named for an ancestress of mine. Mom and Grandma also had names based on her name too. Momm was "Anni" and Grandma was "Nailli"... She, my ancestress, had the same name as a dragon Grandma would tell stories about all the time. Not all the stories were happy ones though..."
She dove off his shoulder back to the vine-covered bartop. "Well, how about you Geldenwing?"
"Ah! Thank you so much."
She arrowed through the air and attempted a gentle landing on his shoulder. It was a little bumpy but she managed to avoid snagging his shirt or falling off of his shoulder. She folded her wings to her back and draped herself over his shoulder. It was almost fun being small enough to ride on other people.
"If you could set them here on the bar, maybe I can see about getting back to normal. Whatever that is... My folks apparently didn't tell me everything about our family line... I guess I'll start by introducing myself. I'm Illilli. I grew up on a farm with my family and recently went to the city and town to see if I could make my way. Since then I have changed," she accented that word," twice..." She sighed.
"All I know beyond that is I am named for an ancestress of mine. Mom and Grandma also had names based on her name too. Momm was "Anni" and Grandma was "Nailli"... She, my ancestress, had the same name as a dragon Grandma would tell stories about all the time. Not all the stories were happy ones though..."
She dove off his shoulder back to the vine-covered bartop. "Well, how about you Geldenwing?"
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Gelden's mind wandered while Illilli spoke of her ancestry. The small woman's eyes and ears were filled with visions and memories, as the long-neglected space spoke excitedly about what it had been and who had lived here. She blinked as memories of a shy woman and a most cruel-looking man filled her brain, but neither brought anything other than recognition and a desperate longing for their companionship again.
She ran her hand along the dusty countertop, her eyes dull as she remembered. The dust gathered under her hand like a gray rippling wave, but she was lost inside.
Another man tried to poke through, but her brain was much too powerful for that just yet.
And the patron of this tavern, a tall, eccentric woman who welcomed all. With dragon in her eyes.
Gelden gasped and jerked her hand away from the counter. Along with these memories came pain, a pain so shooting and powerful that the queasiness in her stomach had returned twofold. Her eyes welled with tears, and she whimpered a bit. She did not want this! She refused to acknowledge it! Instead, she would throw herself into...introductions!
She flipped around and strode over to the young man, grinning brightly. She reached out and grabbed his hand in a vigorous shake.
"Hello! It's nice to meet you, and thanks again for saving my - our lives!"
She dropped his hand and pounded her chest.
"I'm Geldenwing, but nobody says the whole thing. It too bulky. Gelden or Geld are normally comfortable enough."
She ran her hand along the dusty countertop, her eyes dull as she remembered. The dust gathered under her hand like a gray rippling wave, but she was lost inside.
Another man tried to poke through, but her brain was much too powerful for that just yet.
And the patron of this tavern, a tall, eccentric woman who welcomed all. With dragon in her eyes.
Gelden gasped and jerked her hand away from the counter. Along with these memories came pain, a pain so shooting and powerful that the queasiness in her stomach had returned twofold. Her eyes welled with tears, and she whimpered a bit. She did not want this! She refused to acknowledge it! Instead, she would throw herself into...introductions!
She flipped around and strode over to the young man, grinning brightly. She reached out and grabbed his hand in a vigorous shake.
"Hello! It's nice to meet you, and thanks again for saving my - our lives!"
She dropped his hand and pounded her chest.
"I'm Geldenwing, but nobody says the whole thing. It too bulky. Gelden or Geld are normally comfortable enough."
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander started as Illilli landed on his shoulder. He had heard her speak, but hadn't had time to register where she was before she was suddenly draped over his shoulder.
He suppressed a shudder, moving over to the long counter as she had directed him, assuming that this was the bar she spoke of. He listened as she spoke her introductions, then flew off to the bar again.
He turned around just in time to have his hand grabbed by the little winged child. She pumped it vigorously as he stared in amazement at her. Geldenwing, she was called. And she talked very well for the age she must be in order to be that small.
It took a moment for Ander to fully recognize what was happening. As the two stared at him for a long moment that continued to stretch out, he finally understood. They were waiting for him!
"Uh, well, my name is Ander. I, uh, had to leave my parents' place and am just looking for a place to call home. I came here because I didn't want to be around people, 'cause... uh, there was an incident with my father. We..."
He paused, suddenly deciding that revealing too much might not be in his best interest. He turned away, folding his arms over his chest, his back towards Illilli and Geld.
"We had a ... uh, falling out, I guess."
He turned back, offering a wan smile. "It seems to have turned out well for you two, though."
He suppressed a shudder, moving over to the long counter as she had directed him, assuming that this was the bar she spoke of. He listened as she spoke her introductions, then flew off to the bar again.
He turned around just in time to have his hand grabbed by the little winged child. She pumped it vigorously as he stared in amazement at her. Geldenwing, she was called. And she talked very well for the age she must be in order to be that small.
It took a moment for Ander to fully recognize what was happening. As the two stared at him for a long moment that continued to stretch out, he finally understood. They were waiting for him!
"Uh, well, my name is Ander. I, uh, had to leave my parents' place and am just looking for a place to call home. I came here because I didn't want to be around people, 'cause... uh, there was an incident with my father. We..."
He paused, suddenly deciding that revealing too much might not be in his best interest. He turned away, folding his arms over his chest, his back towards Illilli and Geld.
"We had a ... uh, falling out, I guess."
He turned back, offering a wan smile. "It seems to have turned out well for you two, though."
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
Illilli could tell he was holding something back, but he seemed like a nice person so she let that notion slip from her mind for later thought. For now she needed to somehow get out of this diminutive form. She would not be able to clear vines stuck like this. She was hardly the size of the glowing blossoms!
She hopped, flapping her wings once to the inner edge of the bar and checked for any surprises. She saw nothing but a few vines, old bottles and other debris perhaps scattered by the badger or other previous visitors.
"Don't Look, gonna see if I can do something about this..." she gestured at herself before hopping off the bar and onto the vine covered floor.
"Think big huh?" she whispered to herself.
This was just a bit distressing for Illilli as both times she had changed it had been a jolt from one form to another out of pure instinct. This was different altogether.
She started by picturing herself as, well herself. Long brown hair, tall, solidly built yet not perfectly trim. Her zebra-like birthmarks a normal brown on her skin. A body with no fangs, and no extra thick claws, no tail...
She began to feel the now familiar itching along her markings and a bloaty sensation ran along her body. She groaned when a slight headache spread through her forehead.
The leaves and vines rustled softly as her body expanded.
Changing like this was quite different. It was alot harder, and much more tiring and painful; she was developing quite a headache by now.
"Oh so much better to be the me I am used to again..."
She snaked her marked arm over the top of the bar and grabbed her clothing. She dressed hastily so she could help explore and reclaim the cavern from the vines and ravages of time.
She hopped, flapping her wings once to the inner edge of the bar and checked for any surprises. She saw nothing but a few vines, old bottles and other debris perhaps scattered by the badger or other previous visitors.
"Don't Look, gonna see if I can do something about this..." she gestured at herself before hopping off the bar and onto the vine covered floor.
"Think big huh?" she whispered to herself.
This was just a bit distressing for Illilli as both times she had changed it had been a jolt from one form to another out of pure instinct. This was different altogether.
She started by picturing herself as, well herself. Long brown hair, tall, solidly built yet not perfectly trim. Her zebra-like birthmarks a normal brown on her skin. A body with no fangs, and no extra thick claws, no tail...
She began to feel the now familiar itching along her markings and a bloaty sensation ran along her body. She groaned when a slight headache spread through her forehead.
The leaves and vines rustled softly as her body expanded.
Changing like this was quite different. It was alot harder, and much more tiring and painful; she was developing quite a headache by now.
"Oh so much better to be the me I am used to again..."
She snaked her marked arm over the top of the bar and grabbed her clothing. She dressed hastily so she could help explore and reclaim the cavern from the vines and ravages of time.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Gelden's powers of perception were much duller than Illilli's. She took his hesitation for some sort of phantom pain from the falling out. She gave him a sympathetic look.
"Why, that's awful! I know the feeling. Why, me and my family, we...we had a falling out too. But I can't remember why. And you know, I didn't even remember it until we came here!"
The tiny woman glanced around the cavern in wonder, then shook her head and snorted.
"Why, that was forever ago - longer than a human generation. Goodness, I wonder what brought it to mind?"
She didn't quite know yet that it was entirely tied to this place, but as every mental door opened, the queasiness became more and more powerful until she nearly couldn't stand it. She held a hand over her tummy and produced a very depressed face indeed, as the pain roiled through inside. How odd!
"I don't know how well it's turned out. I can't remember it too well. But I'm starting to! Come on, explore with me!"
She used her determination and curiosity as a temporary buffer against the nausea, grabbing his wrist and dragging him along behind her. This room was definitely vast, and very high. There was a vague hint of what might be a pond in one corner, and she wanted to check it out.
Geld was a natural includer. It never occurred to her that the boy not not want to participate, or maybe had no interest in an algae-infested corner. She just wanted to explore until her stomach settled.
"Why, that's awful! I know the feeling. Why, me and my family, we...we had a falling out too. But I can't remember why. And you know, I didn't even remember it until we came here!"
The tiny woman glanced around the cavern in wonder, then shook her head and snorted.
"Why, that was forever ago - longer than a human generation. Goodness, I wonder what brought it to mind?"
She didn't quite know yet that it was entirely tied to this place, but as every mental door opened, the queasiness became more and more powerful until she nearly couldn't stand it. She held a hand over her tummy and produced a very depressed face indeed, as the pain roiled through inside. How odd!
"I don't know how well it's turned out. I can't remember it too well. But I'm starting to! Come on, explore with me!"
She used her determination and curiosity as a temporary buffer against the nausea, grabbing his wrist and dragging him along behind her. This room was definitely vast, and very high. There was a vague hint of what might be a pond in one corner, and she wanted to check it out.
Geld was a natural includer. It never occurred to her that the boy not not want to participate, or maybe had no interest in an algae-infested corner. She just wanted to explore until her stomach settled.
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander stayed back from Illilli as she tried her transformation, ignoring the rustling of vines and what-not. He listened absently as Gelden talked, nodding and grunting when it seemed it was needed.
Meanwhile, he was looking over the walls, noting old brackets where shelves were once attached to the stone, inspecting the hollowed out places where the stone itself was used as shelves. He had just noticed one such shelf, a deeper indent than most of the rest, and quite a bit higher than head height, when a small hand grabbed his wrist and tugged.
Come on, explore with me!
Ander was dragged towards the back wall, and an algae covered pond. He half smiled to himself, wondering at the fact that he could have been so thoroughly accepted into this strange little group. He shrugged, letting the thought sit for later inspection, and turned his mind to the pond and Gelden.
"What do you think this was used for?" he asked, curiosity strengthening his usually hesitant and shy way of speaking.
Meanwhile, he was looking over the walls, noting old brackets where shelves were once attached to the stone, inspecting the hollowed out places where the stone itself was used as shelves. He had just noticed one such shelf, a deeper indent than most of the rest, and quite a bit higher than head height, when a small hand grabbed his wrist and tugged.
Come on, explore with me!
Ander was dragged towards the back wall, and an algae covered pond. He half smiled to himself, wondering at the fact that he could have been so thoroughly accepted into this strange little group. He shrugged, letting the thought sit for later inspection, and turned his mind to the pond and Gelden.
"What do you think this was used for?" he asked, curiosity strengthening his usually hesitant and shy way of speaking.
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
Illilli rubbed her forehead and decided that the first thing she should do since getting "Her natural" shape back would be to clear the vines from around the enormous fireplace. There was room to roast an entire boar or deer easily with space left over.
The Glovevines rustled in an almost dissapointed way as she pulled them free from the raised platform and very old stone log risers. A few had even tried to climb the long dark shaft that still had a good draft.
The little cast iron pot she pulled out of her pack look almost ridiculous as she hung it from hook and chain that though rusty, were still quite servicable.
Illilli sighed as she emptied the last of her waterskin into the pot and scraped together enough Glowvine deadwood to make a modest fire. This had been a very long day for Illilli. As she looked around the cavern she realized that it was going to take some time to return the cavern to its obvious former glory. There were the over-grown and some dead Glowvines to remove, the small pond that definatly needed dredging and that did not even mention the interesting odor coming from seemed to be the privy room.
"Well, its gonna take some work; but what a fantastic place to stay. Much more comfortable than in town..." she muttered before calling out to the other two.
"Hey, are those rooms over there? Any of them useable still?"
The Glovevines rustled in an almost dissapointed way as she pulled them free from the raised platform and very old stone log risers. A few had even tried to climb the long dark shaft that still had a good draft.
The little cast iron pot she pulled out of her pack look almost ridiculous as she hung it from hook and chain that though rusty, were still quite servicable.
Illilli sighed as she emptied the last of her waterskin into the pot and scraped together enough Glowvine deadwood to make a modest fire. This had been a very long day for Illilli. As she looked around the cavern she realized that it was going to take some time to return the cavern to its obvious former glory. There were the over-grown and some dead Glowvines to remove, the small pond that definatly needed dredging and that did not even mention the interesting odor coming from seemed to be the privy room.
"Well, its gonna take some work; but what a fantastic place to stay. Much more comfortable than in town..." she muttered before calling out to the other two.
"Hey, are those rooms over there? Any of them useable still?"
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Gelden pointed throughout the cavern to indicate the glowvines surrounding them, then looked at Ander.
"Bet it wasn't no fun tryin' to water alla that. Maybe they set it up for easy access?"
She knelt next to the old, musty pond and waved her hand over it, thinking hard to herself. She couldn't deny it now; she knew this old place, felt a gut-deep sense of recognition by the very sight of it. It wasn't fair and it wasn't right, but she was tired of trying to deny the blatantly obvious truth to herself. This place wasn't some big annoying bout of deja vu; it was home. Her eyes dulled as she sank deep into her memories.
"There were fish in here, big ones, like those oriental ones. With the neat colors along their bodies...and if you went down into the tunnel...this is the entrance to the horde!"
She jerked in mental triumph, then stood and grinned up at Ander.
"This, my friend, is the entrance to a real dragon's horde! Do you know what that means? I sure hope it's still there!!!"
She looked more and more excited as she continued on, envisioning a marvelous golden pile of coin and treasure, ripe for the plucking. Illilli's question nagged into her mind, and she blinked and looked over at the...woman? Gelden blinked in surprise and some shock. Where'd the little dragoness gone? For that matter, the dragon woman?
"Why Illilli, you changed yourself! Congratulations!"
The little faerie clapped her hands in delight, recognizing an accomplishment when she saw one. She skipped over to the taller woman and beamed at her in pride. Today had definitely brightened.
"Well, it was a full tavern, with rooms and all - why, I'll bet the beds are still there, though probably disgusting."
She waved Ander over to help explore the rooms to the side. The doors were all open by a crack or so, as animals had nudged their ways inside over time. She went to the first room and shoved the door open, piling dirt against the other side as she moved the door. Inside, indeed, there was a bed. A big one, too. And once upon a time, it may have been comfortable. Now it had been taken over by mites and various other critters.
The corner nearby held, of all things, an old, rotted crib. Made of once-good wood, the thing was also covered in vines, and was large enough to hold at least two babies together, with room to wiggle. Gelden fixed her gaze on it, and every ounce of blood drained from her face as memories suddenly assaulted her on all sides. She stood frozen in place, staring at that crib. She started to shake, and it grew worse the longer she stood there. But she remained silent and locked into whatever mental hell she was.
"Bet it wasn't no fun tryin' to water alla that. Maybe they set it up for easy access?"
She knelt next to the old, musty pond and waved her hand over it, thinking hard to herself. She couldn't deny it now; she knew this old place, felt a gut-deep sense of recognition by the very sight of it. It wasn't fair and it wasn't right, but she was tired of trying to deny the blatantly obvious truth to herself. This place wasn't some big annoying bout of deja vu; it was home. Her eyes dulled as she sank deep into her memories.
"There were fish in here, big ones, like those oriental ones. With the neat colors along their bodies...and if you went down into the tunnel...this is the entrance to the horde!"
She jerked in mental triumph, then stood and grinned up at Ander.
"This, my friend, is the entrance to a real dragon's horde! Do you know what that means? I sure hope it's still there!!!"
She looked more and more excited as she continued on, envisioning a marvelous golden pile of coin and treasure, ripe for the plucking. Illilli's question nagged into her mind, and she blinked and looked over at the...woman? Gelden blinked in surprise and some shock. Where'd the little dragoness gone? For that matter, the dragon woman?
"Why Illilli, you changed yourself! Congratulations!"
The little faerie clapped her hands in delight, recognizing an accomplishment when she saw one. She skipped over to the taller woman and beamed at her in pride. Today had definitely brightened.
"Well, it was a full tavern, with rooms and all - why, I'll bet the beds are still there, though probably disgusting."
She waved Ander over to help explore the rooms to the side. The doors were all open by a crack or so, as animals had nudged their ways inside over time. She went to the first room and shoved the door open, piling dirt against the other side as she moved the door. Inside, indeed, there was a bed. A big one, too. And once upon a time, it may have been comfortable. Now it had been taken over by mites and various other critters.
The corner nearby held, of all things, an old, rotted crib. Made of once-good wood, the thing was also covered in vines, and was large enough to hold at least two babies together, with room to wiggle. Gelden fixed her gaze on it, and every ounce of blood drained from her face as memories suddenly assaulted her on all sides. She stood frozen in place, staring at that crib. She started to shake, and it grew worse the longer she stood there. But she remained silent and locked into whatever mental hell she was.
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander knelt at the side of the pool, nodding in response to Geld's comment about watering glowvines. As she described the little pool and it's inhabitants, a picture formed in his mind. His eyes drooped, the picture became clearer before him. His mental eye slipped into the pond, past the fish flitting about, slipping through a crack in the pond and against the current, deeper until finally it showed him a pile of gold and jewelry.
Ander's amazement was so complete that he suddenly lost contact with whatever magic he had been performing. He was leaning very far over the pond, and was just able to keep himself from falling in. He breathed out heavily, suppressing an involuntary shudder as he realized that he had again been using the magic without concious knowledge.
He brought his mind back to what was happening around him. Ander shot a shy look towards Illilli, offering a tentative smile to see her in her human form. Following after Geld as she moved towards the doors, Ander decided to check another room farther on, passing Geld as she stopped to open the first door. He didn't notice the look on her face or the fact that she was unable to move.
The glowvines here weren't as abundant, and many of the vines weren't even giving off the soft glow they did in the main room. Ander pushed the door open, unconciously muttering a word as he did so. The glowvines suddenly pulsed to life, brilliantly illuminating the room.
Within the room was a moldering straw bed, fully collapsed. The bedsheets were tattered into wispy nothingness, nearly disintegrated. The wood supports were splayed in many different directions, cracked and splintered, and chewed on by various creatures. There was what might have been a bureau in one corner, and a cracked mirror that was covered in years of dirt and grime.
Ander took all of this in, still completely unaware of Geld's nightmare of memory.
Ander's amazement was so complete that he suddenly lost contact with whatever magic he had been performing. He was leaning very far over the pond, and was just able to keep himself from falling in. He breathed out heavily, suppressing an involuntary shudder as he realized that he had again been using the magic without concious knowledge.
He brought his mind back to what was happening around him. Ander shot a shy look towards Illilli, offering a tentative smile to see her in her human form. Following after Geld as she moved towards the doors, Ander decided to check another room farther on, passing Geld as she stopped to open the first door. He didn't notice the look on her face or the fact that she was unable to move.
The glowvines here weren't as abundant, and many of the vines weren't even giving off the soft glow they did in the main room. Ander pushed the door open, unconciously muttering a word as he did so. The glowvines suddenly pulsed to life, brilliantly illuminating the room.
Within the room was a moldering straw bed, fully collapsed. The bedsheets were tattered into wispy nothingness, nearly disintegrated. The wood supports were splayed in many different directions, cracked and splintered, and chewed on by various creatures. There was what might have been a bureau in one corner, and a cracked mirror that was covered in years of dirt and grime.
Ander took all of this in, still completely unaware of Geld's nightmare of memory.
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
"I think I'm gonna have to make a broom..." Illilli was muttering to herself again. She had found what looked to be the tattered and gamey smelling pile of bits and bobs the badger had used as a den. It was in the room past a hallway lined with stone shelving, what once was a well laden pantry. The pantry was littered with stone jars of who knew what and age shattered glass bottles.
The badgers den was in the middle of what would have been a rather luxurious deep tub. Of course, if there weren't a colection of bones and teeth and musk filled leaves.
Illilli tried one of the handles to the larger sink, apparently the kitchen basin, and even after all the time that had passed she was rewarded with a stream of water. Although it a rather nasty looking stream of water.
"I bet the pond sources this... It really needs dredged." a blob of something grey and gooey plunked into the basin before she turned off the water.
She walked over to the strangly odorless privy. Grabbing a stone she dropped it in and listened... nothing reached her ears. It was then she noticed some writing in a language she did not quite recognize around the rim. Maybe that had something to do with the lack of disgusting odors. She thought perhaps it was gnomish script as the characters ran together.
She decided to see how Geldenwing and the young man were faring. When she noticed Geldenwing standing there, she could not help but ask, "Are you ok Geldenwing? What is wrong?" She quickly walked over and kneeled next to the faery lass.
The badgers den was in the middle of what would have been a rather luxurious deep tub. Of course, if there weren't a colection of bones and teeth and musk filled leaves.
Illilli tried one of the handles to the larger sink, apparently the kitchen basin, and even after all the time that had passed she was rewarded with a stream of water. Although it a rather nasty looking stream of water.
"I bet the pond sources this... It really needs dredged." a blob of something grey and gooey plunked into the basin before she turned off the water.
She walked over to the strangly odorless privy. Grabbing a stone she dropped it in and listened... nothing reached her ears. It was then she noticed some writing in a language she did not quite recognize around the rim. Maybe that had something to do with the lack of disgusting odors. She thought perhaps it was gnomish script as the characters ran together.
She decided to see how Geldenwing and the young man were faring. When she noticed Geldenwing standing there, she could not help but ask, "Are you ok Geldenwing? What is wrong?" She quickly walked over and kneeled next to the faery lass.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Deep within, sorrow, pain and anger lashed at the fae's heart, reminding her of all that was lost and gone, forgotten by time. Frozen by both shock and dismay, she stood silent, letting the waves of memory pour over her until tears spilled down her cheeks. She'd married. And she'd been a mother. But more than anything, she'd been in love. Loved him, and loved her children, and loved her friends. And they were all gone, gone and probably dead. This musty cavern full of decay was all that stood of a once-proud monument of family and joy.
Illilli's voice beckoned, from far away, and now all of the similarities were too much to bare. Even the name had the same sort of length, same jumble of syllables that twisted the tongue.
"Anna?"
Gelden blinked at the larger woman, then squinted, trying to recognize her. It took her a full minute before this one's name came to her.
"Oh...Illilli. Hello."
Her voice cracked, and tears still flowed down her glittery face. Crying clearly wasn't a natural thing for her.
"I remember this place. I remember my...my children, and my husband. My love. Oh, my love!"
Finally the faerie burst into tears, loud ranking sobs that engulfed her as she collapsed and mourned the life that had been lost. She grabbed the pendant, forever around her neck, as she remembered its purpose. All tied to him, to his memory.
Illilli's voice beckoned, from far away, and now all of the similarities were too much to bare. Even the name had the same sort of length, same jumble of syllables that twisted the tongue.
"Anna?"
Gelden blinked at the larger woman, then squinted, trying to recognize her. It took her a full minute before this one's name came to her.
"Oh...Illilli. Hello."
Her voice cracked, and tears still flowed down her glittery face. Crying clearly wasn't a natural thing for her.
"I remember this place. I remember my...my children, and my husband. My love. Oh, my love!"
Finally the faerie burst into tears, loud ranking sobs that engulfed her as she collapsed and mourned the life that had been lost. She grabbed the pendant, forever around her neck, as she remembered its purpose. All tied to him, to his memory.
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander stepped back out of the doorway as Illilli spoke to Geld. He frowned as Geldenwing seemed not to recognize Illilli, calling her 'Anna' or some such.
He took a few steps towards Geld as she suddenly burst into tears. Her agony rolled through him in waves, and he dropped to his knees, feeling her pain. She had lost her family at one point, and he himself had just lost his own family.
Adrift in his own thoughts, Ander's tears streamed down his cheeks, unnoticed as he stared blankly at Geldenwing's sobbing form. He remembered the last festival's dinner, where his father had brought the whole family to the mayor's and introduced them to many important people. He remembered the pride he felt as he knew for the first time that his father was himself an important man, and that he felt his family was good enough to introduce to such important people.
But it was all over. Ander has severed the ties with his family when he couldn't control his magic, when he allowed a bolt of lightning to sear through his own father.
Tears spattered to the ground by his knees as he began to shuffle forward towards Geld.
His voice came out in a rasp, sadness and pain evident. It gave him a more adult tone as he said, "Geldenwing. I know how you feel. I know what it is like to lose your family..."
He stopped, holding his arms open towards Geld, tears snaking trails through the dirt on his face.
He took a few steps towards Geld as she suddenly burst into tears. Her agony rolled through him in waves, and he dropped to his knees, feeling her pain. She had lost her family at one point, and he himself had just lost his own family.
Adrift in his own thoughts, Ander's tears streamed down his cheeks, unnoticed as he stared blankly at Geldenwing's sobbing form. He remembered the last festival's dinner, where his father had brought the whole family to the mayor's and introduced them to many important people. He remembered the pride he felt as he knew for the first time that his father was himself an important man, and that he felt his family was good enough to introduce to such important people.
But it was all over. Ander has severed the ties with his family when he couldn't control his magic, when he allowed a bolt of lightning to sear through his own father.
Tears spattered to the ground by his knees as he began to shuffle forward towards Geld.
His voice came out in a rasp, sadness and pain evident. It gave him a more adult tone as he said, "Geldenwing. I know how you feel. I know what it is like to lose your family..."
He stopped, holding his arms open towards Geld, tears snaking trails through the dirt on his face.
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
"Oh dear..." Illilli grew up on a farm, without much socialization. Going into town had been a new and almost frightening experience. She didn't have much experience handling people in a state of emotional breakdown. And now she had two people who were clearly upset by a great loss, a loss she couldn't understand too well.
Well, whenever she had gotten upset as a child, her Mom had made her some nice tea, which she just happened to have on the fire back in the main room of the series of giant geode-like rooms that made up the caverns.
"Whats wrong? I don't know how I can help, but I have some mint tea back in the main room..." her helplessness in the face of their emotions made her want to break down and cry too. She couldn't forget the fact that she was NOT human, like she had grown up to believe. That could make things complicated. Particularly in any regions near the City.
"Lets go back to the bar, too bad I don't have anything stronger than tea to offer..."
Well, whenever she had gotten upset as a child, her Mom had made her some nice tea, which she just happened to have on the fire back in the main room of the series of giant geode-like rooms that made up the caverns.
"Whats wrong? I don't know how I can help, but I have some mint tea back in the main room..." her helplessness in the face of their emotions made her want to break down and cry too. She couldn't forget the fact that she was NOT human, like she had grown up to believe. That could make things complicated. Particularly in any regions near the City.
"Lets go back to the bar, too bad I don't have anything stronger than tea to offer..."
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
The moment he offered her solace, she was in his arms, gripping him with all her minimal strength and sobbing into his shoulder. She wished so desperately it could be *him* she was clinging to, but he was gone, along with all the happiness she'd felt around him. So she settled for the male that was present, though it broke her heart to do it.
But crying was foreign to her, and she was soon cried out and pulling away from the taller figure. Her eyes were tear-bright, and her face a mess of dirt and water, but she gave him a big, bright, sunshine smile. Then she sniffled and wiped her face off.
"This is a weird feeling, and I don't like it. So I'm gonna go over there, and have some tea. Come on. Let's put it behind us together."
Her reasoning was an odd blend of maturity and immaturity, as she offered to go drown their gut-deep pain in a lovely blend of tea. And the oddest part, she honestly didn't see the difference. She would never mature past a certain mentality, though she'd once had a family and the responsibilities of such.
Now she leaned forward, and whispered into his ear, a fellow conspirator.
"I don't think Illilli knows what to do with our sadness. Let's go be cheery for her, k?"
But crying was foreign to her, and she was soon cried out and pulling away from the taller figure. Her eyes were tear-bright, and her face a mess of dirt and water, but she gave him a big, bright, sunshine smile. Then she sniffled and wiped her face off.
"This is a weird feeling, and I don't like it. So I'm gonna go over there, and have some tea. Come on. Let's put it behind us together."
Her reasoning was an odd blend of maturity and immaturity, as she offered to go drown their gut-deep pain in a lovely blend of tea. And the oddest part, she honestly didn't see the difference. She would never mature past a certain mentality, though she'd once had a family and the responsibilities of such.
Now she leaned forward, and whispered into his ear, a fellow conspirator.
"I don't think Illilli knows what to do with our sadness. Let's go be cheery for her, k?"