Uluki smiled. It had been so long since she'd seen Sprocket. She hoped Mercedes or Mara had been feeding him, or at least letting him out to graze. Mara knew about horses, but wasn't exactly the model of reliability, whereas Mercedes, always dependable, was a city girl and probably didn't even know what horses ate. Uluki hoped between the two of them they could work it out. If she'd had a choice, she would have brought Sprocket with her...
Actually, if she'd had a choice she wouldn't be here at all.
Some people she'd met here were nice, and the countryside was certainly scenic, but everything was so different, and rather frightening. She was so far from home. And they were so unwanted here...
"Rollick, do you still have that piece of paper?" she asked suddenly. "The one the man from the village gave you?"
He nodded, and after a moment of rummaging through his pockets he located the notice about the laws against magic, which he'd been presented with as he made inquiries about the area. The notice didn't affect him in the slightest-- he had no magic at all-- but he'd brought it with him anyway so he could show it to her. It had been a subject of great concern to both of them.
She continued to stroke the horse's neck absently as she read aloud from the notice, calmly and without emotion. "No citizen shall use, develop, practice, encourage the use of, or research magic or magical entities without the explicit authorization of the judges in charge of religious, cultural and ethical enforcement... Any person found to be in violation of these rules or found to be a threat to the prosperity and well-being of the city of Marn as so deemed by the honourable judges of religious, cultural and ethical enforcement may be forcibly removed, confined for an unspecified period of time or executed."
Rollick looked slightly ill. "Are you sure you want to go to Marn? It sounds like the most dangerous possible place for someone like you."
She nodded. "It's just a matter of time before they hear about us anyway, and we'll draw far less attention and concern in the city than if we were lurking around the woods. We'll go to Marn, and you and the children will find someplace safe, you and our new friends..." She acknowledged Angel with a smile. "I'm going to turn myself over to the authorities."
"What? You can't! They'll kill you!" He looked horrified.
She shrugged, acknowledging the possibility. "They might. But Rollick, if I try to hide from them and they find me, they almost certainly will do that. It's better for me to go talk to them, and ask them to be understanding. There's no way I can hide for long, not being what I am. I couldn't possibly pass for human. Sooner or later someone will see me and report me. Then things would be a lot worse." Then things would involve him and the children. That was the worst case scenario. She could handle just about anything, knowing they would be alright.
"We could just leave," he suggested.
She shook her head. "It's too far. We have no money and no provisions. We're not prepared to make a trip that would take us far enough to be out of danger."
Rollick looked desperate. "We need you," he said softly. "We can't lose you. I can't lose you."
Uluki smiled at him. "You won't. I'll be fine. They'll see I'm not dangerous, and they'll let me go, and then we won't have to hide."
He still didn't seem convinced. "And if they don't?"
"If they don't, you'll come break me out of my dungeon, and we'll all ride off into the sunset," she said cheerfully. She didn't feel cheerful, she felt terrified, but her mind was made up.
If they decided she was a threat, if they wanted her dead or imprisoned, there would be nothing he-- or anyone-- could do. She knew that. But at least the others would be safe... that mattered more than her life. She would willingly die for them, and she would show no fear, no weakness. Well, maybe a little. "Will you... come with me?" Then, in case he thought she was losing her resolve, she added, "So I have a normal person to vouch for me? And so they can see you aren't under some Fae spell forcing you to be my minion?"
He chuckled a little at that, his tension easing slightly. "Though calling me a 'normal person' is a bit inaccurate, yes, of course I'll go with you."
"Thank you." She wished the relief hadn't been quite so obvious in her voice.
Uluki turned to Angel. "I won't tell them about you or Aislinn, of course. You're welcome to come with me if you like, but either of you could blend easily into the city and avoid notice... which wouldn't be possible for me. Whichever you choose, I promise not to betray your secrets."
Then, as an afterthought to the strange tame but shy horse, "Will you be joining us as well?" though she didn't expect an answer.
Many Roads Merge
-
Lylessa Uluki
- Citizen
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:12 am
- Name: Uluki
- Race: Duskling - Fae
-
AngelMacleod
- Outsider
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:12 pm
- Race: Half-Elf
Angel stepped forwards, reached out his arm, and rubbed the horse's head with his hand. It seemed to be unusually intelligent. Angel had to keep that in mind, should it be useful in the near future.
He then listened to Uluki read what was on the piece of paper. A place where magic was prohibited? That didn't sound like a place he would like to live in. But he had been travelling a very long time and was in dire need of a long rest. So, he considered spending a week or two in Marn, then going before anyone knew what he was.
But then again, Uluki wasn't going to tell anybody else about him, so that would make his stay a bit easier.
"Thank you, Uluki," he said. Then he rubbed the back of his neck. "But I'm not really sure if I can blend in that easily, what with me being a half-elf, as well as my eyes." Yes, he had been avoided in the past, mainly because people were staring into his different colored eyes, which made them uncomfortable.
Still, he hoped for the best.
He then listened to Uluki read what was on the piece of paper. A place where magic was prohibited? That didn't sound like a place he would like to live in. But he had been travelling a very long time and was in dire need of a long rest. So, he considered spending a week or two in Marn, then going before anyone knew what he was.
But then again, Uluki wasn't going to tell anybody else about him, so that would make his stay a bit easier.
"Thank you, Uluki," he said. Then he rubbed the back of his neck. "But I'm not really sure if I can blend in that easily, what with me being a half-elf, as well as my eyes." Yes, he had been avoided in the past, mainly because people were staring into his different colored eyes, which made them uncomfortable.
Still, he hoped for the best.
CHAOS: WHERE GREAT DREAMS BEGIN...
-
Cody
Well...so far they hadn't shown any sign of aggression or hostility to him. That was a good thing. Talk of death, danger, the tone of dread, fear those wern't so good. Why was it that when he got up the nerve to visit a group of travellers they had to be in a bad situation?
Was it worth it? Would he find himself getting in trouble by going with these people? Maybe, but maybe they were making an overly large deal out of a minor thing. The laws seemed strict, it wasn't a person's fault if they had magic, it certainly was not his fault he had been created by magic. He didn't imagine they had any right to create such a law. It didn't bother him much, it wasn't effecting him at the moment, and continued to live day by day.
He had been deciding what he was going to answer, but in the end he was going to follow. He didn't have much in the way of plans, and they did so he might as well go.
Cody took the one step back, turned his head side wise to get a better look at her on his left side and raised and lowered his head a couple of times slowly.
Was it worth it? Would he find himself getting in trouble by going with these people? Maybe, but maybe they were making an overly large deal out of a minor thing. The laws seemed strict, it wasn't a person's fault if they had magic, it certainly was not his fault he had been created by magic. He didn't imagine they had any right to create such a law. It didn't bother him much, it wasn't effecting him at the moment, and continued to live day by day.
He had been deciding what he was going to answer, but in the end he was going to follow. He didn't have much in the way of plans, and they did so he might as well go.
Cody took the one step back, turned his head side wise to get a better look at her on his left side and raised and lowered his head a couple of times slowly.
-
Lylessa Uluki
- Citizen
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:12 am
- Name: Uluki
- Race: Duskling - Fae
"I just... I don't know what to do," Uluki admitted honestly, her brave face slipping away. "Every idea I have of what to do sounds foolish. Turn myself over to the authorities and let them kill me? Try to hide from them, most likely fail, and then have to explain to them why I hadn't been forthright, and then they kill me? There's no good solution to this except running away, and that's not practical given how far away we'd have to get to escape these laws. I just don't know what to do..."
Uluki was no longer sure her idea was a good one. Her solid plan of a moment ago now seemed silly. She was at a complete loss. She was afraid she was going to cry. "What do we do? What... what should I do?" She was trembling.
Rollick could offer no suggestions. He merely wrapped his arms around her and hugged her, and her body relaxed. "It'll be alright, dear one," he said gently. "When the time comes, we'll know the right thing to do."
"You wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for me." She felt incredibly guilty about that, dragging him into her troubles.
"You're right, I wouldn't, because I'd be dead if it weren't for you." His tone was light, but still serious. "I'd rather be with you. No matter what, no matter how bad things are, I'd rather be with you than anywhere else. Don't blame yourself for this. We'll be alright. We'll figure out what to do."
Being reassured of this made her more confident. "Yes, we'll be alright. This can't be worse than an evil god."
"You have a point. Compared to that, this is pretty minor."
She briefly considered explaining to Angel what she meant by that, but was afraid to bring it up in case he found it... and therefore them... too frightening. She decided to change the subject instead.
"Angel, do you think they'll mind you're a Half-Elf?" This was something she'd never even considered, but neither she nor Rollick had seen anyone who appeared to be of mixed species, at least not that he'd mentioned to her. "How do they feel about people from different species being together? I mean, like..." She blushed a little. "...Like being intimate? Or having children?" Was this something else she needed to worry about too?
Uluki was no longer sure her idea was a good one. Her solid plan of a moment ago now seemed silly. She was at a complete loss. She was afraid she was going to cry. "What do we do? What... what should I do?" She was trembling.
Rollick could offer no suggestions. He merely wrapped his arms around her and hugged her, and her body relaxed. "It'll be alright, dear one," he said gently. "When the time comes, we'll know the right thing to do."
"You wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for me." She felt incredibly guilty about that, dragging him into her troubles.
"You're right, I wouldn't, because I'd be dead if it weren't for you." His tone was light, but still serious. "I'd rather be with you. No matter what, no matter how bad things are, I'd rather be with you than anywhere else. Don't blame yourself for this. We'll be alright. We'll figure out what to do."
Being reassured of this made her more confident. "Yes, we'll be alright. This can't be worse than an evil god."
"You have a point. Compared to that, this is pretty minor."
She briefly considered explaining to Angel what she meant by that, but was afraid to bring it up in case he found it... and therefore them... too frightening. She decided to change the subject instead.
"Angel, do you think they'll mind you're a Half-Elf?" This was something she'd never even considered, but neither she nor Rollick had seen anyone who appeared to be of mixed species, at least not that he'd mentioned to her. "How do they feel about people from different species being together? I mean, like..." She blushed a little. "...Like being intimate? Or having children?" Was this something else she needed to worry about too?
-
AngelMacleod
- Outsider
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:12 pm
- Race: Half-Elf
Angel was inwardly astounded by Rollick's devotion to be with Uluki. From what he could tell, there was a very strong, loving bond between these two.
Love...that was an emotion Angel missed dearly. Aerynn Naria...the only person he would ever love...was either dead or missing. He missed her so badly that he still remembers her face as if he had seen it yesterday. Every week he would wake up from dreams that involved her, and he would silently weep over the loss of her. Their bond was extremely deep...and since he lost her, there was a deep wound in his heart, one that may never heal.
Yet he still does his best to mask that wound and carry on with a smile on his face and devotion to his task. If Aerynn was still alive, then he'll find her.
When Uluki asked Angel the question, he snapped out of his thoughts and shrugged. "If you mean where I come from, that kind of thing would be considered blasphemous. If you mean in Marn, then...I'm not so sure, actually. But I'd be willing to find out. I mean, I don't think they'd mind me being a half-elf...they'd be more worried if I used my magic, which I'm not going to use in there."
Love...that was an emotion Angel missed dearly. Aerynn Naria...the only person he would ever love...was either dead or missing. He missed her so badly that he still remembers her face as if he had seen it yesterday. Every week he would wake up from dreams that involved her, and he would silently weep over the loss of her. Their bond was extremely deep...and since he lost her, there was a deep wound in his heart, one that may never heal.
Yet he still does his best to mask that wound and carry on with a smile on his face and devotion to his task. If Aerynn was still alive, then he'll find her.
When Uluki asked Angel the question, he snapped out of his thoughts and shrugged. "If you mean where I come from, that kind of thing would be considered blasphemous. If you mean in Marn, then...I'm not so sure, actually. But I'd be willing to find out. I mean, I don't think they'd mind me being a half-elf...they'd be more worried if I used my magic, which I'm not going to use in there."
-
Lylessa Uluki
- Citizen
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:12 am
- Name: Uluki
- Race: Duskling - Fae
Uluki couldn't quite read the expression that crossed Angel's face in the moment he paused, reflecting. Was it regret? Sorrow? Hope? She couldn't tell. Maybe bit of each. She wondered briefly if there was someone in his life, someone he loved. But if that was the case, why was he here alone?
"Blasphemous? That sounds familiar," she said wryly.
"Actually, in our case I believe the word people used was 'abomination,'" Rollick reminded her.
She nodded. "People in the place we used to live didn't like us being together. Not our friends," she added quickly. "Our friends understood. They saw the things about us that are alike, not just the things that are different."
In fact, their friends not only understood, but had encouraged the relationship. Uluki had at first kept her feelings for Rollick carefully hidden, sure that he wouldn't feel the same way about her. She'd thought she was too broken, too strange, and too unimpressive and unimportant to be someone he'd ever take a romantic interest in. She'd assumed he didn't even notice her. Then one day, at her friend's encouragement and in an uncharacteristic moment of spontaneity, she'd kissed him on the cheek. She'd been terrified afterward, afraid he'd be mad at her... or worse, that he would see it as a joke and laugh at her for it. She could have borne anything but that, being laughed at, not after how hard she'd fought to keep him alive, how much of her heart she'd already secretly given him.
He didn't laugh at her, though, and as it turned out, he'd also been too shy to tell her felt the same way about her. He'd been afraid he was too old for her, embarrassed that he didn't have any money, and had assumed she'd want to be with a fellow Duskling rather than a human. None of those things mattered to her, of course. Most of all, he'd been worried that, even after the evil god was banished from the Material Plane, Uluki would see Rollick as too tainted by its months-long possession of his unwilling mind and body. On the contrary, however, his strength and bravery throughout that ordeal had made her love him all the more...
"Most people didn't ever even consider being with someone outside their species. Mixed couples, and especially mixed marriages, were quite rare, so we attracted a lot of attention. Often negative attention. It was worth it, though, of course." She was very definite on that point. "I can't imagine being with anybody but him. He's so kind and loyal, and I know I can trust him. He's a very good man."
Rollick smiled at her, pleased by her words, although not surprised by them. Uluki made a point of complimenting him on such things on a regular basis.
She continued her explanation. "We've been together for ten years, and we've never hidden our relationship. I suppose life would have been easier if we had. People said mean things about us. They even threw rocks once." They'd broken her nose with one of the rocks. That had been a bad day. She couldn't understand why their love for each other made people so angry. "Nothing as bad as where you're from, though. They didn't try to do anything more serious to us than that."
It had mainly been humans who had disapproved so vehemently. Only they had ever threatened violence to the couple. But Uluki's fellow Fae had also expressed their displeasure at her choice, albeit in a more restrained and cold way. Her own Duskling family in particular had not been kind to Rollick, ignoring him and making pointed comments about him on the rare occasions they had a visit with the couple. She would insist they be nicer, they'd claim they weren't doing anything wrong, she would argue with her family, and they would continue to treat Rollick the same shabby way. It was ironic, really. Rollick was the sort of man any family should want for their daughter: stable, reliable, faithful, and treated her very well. But because he happened to be human rather than Fae, they're refused to accept him. After ten years, they still claimed to be incapable of remembering Rollick's name; they couldn't even do him that simple courtesy. It made Uluki sad.
"I don't think it's against the law here for humans and non-humans to marry, or be together. At least, I haven't heard anything about that. I guess we'll find out how people feel about it, though," she said with a smile. She just hoped they wouldn't find out the hard way, if people were very closed-minded about it...
Then, curious about the emotion that had crossed Angel's face earlier, but not wanting to pry, she asked carefully, "Are you married, Angel?"
"Blasphemous? That sounds familiar," she said wryly.
"Actually, in our case I believe the word people used was 'abomination,'" Rollick reminded her.
She nodded. "People in the place we used to live didn't like us being together. Not our friends," she added quickly. "Our friends understood. They saw the things about us that are alike, not just the things that are different."
In fact, their friends not only understood, but had encouraged the relationship. Uluki had at first kept her feelings for Rollick carefully hidden, sure that he wouldn't feel the same way about her. She'd thought she was too broken, too strange, and too unimpressive and unimportant to be someone he'd ever take a romantic interest in. She'd assumed he didn't even notice her. Then one day, at her friend's encouragement and in an uncharacteristic moment of spontaneity, she'd kissed him on the cheek. She'd been terrified afterward, afraid he'd be mad at her... or worse, that he would see it as a joke and laugh at her for it. She could have borne anything but that, being laughed at, not after how hard she'd fought to keep him alive, how much of her heart she'd already secretly given him.
He didn't laugh at her, though, and as it turned out, he'd also been too shy to tell her felt the same way about her. He'd been afraid he was too old for her, embarrassed that he didn't have any money, and had assumed she'd want to be with a fellow Duskling rather than a human. None of those things mattered to her, of course. Most of all, he'd been worried that, even after the evil god was banished from the Material Plane, Uluki would see Rollick as too tainted by its months-long possession of his unwilling mind and body. On the contrary, however, his strength and bravery throughout that ordeal had made her love him all the more...
"Most people didn't ever even consider being with someone outside their species. Mixed couples, and especially mixed marriages, were quite rare, so we attracted a lot of attention. Often negative attention. It was worth it, though, of course." She was very definite on that point. "I can't imagine being with anybody but him. He's so kind and loyal, and I know I can trust him. He's a very good man."
Rollick smiled at her, pleased by her words, although not surprised by them. Uluki made a point of complimenting him on such things on a regular basis.
She continued her explanation. "We've been together for ten years, and we've never hidden our relationship. I suppose life would have been easier if we had. People said mean things about us. They even threw rocks once." They'd broken her nose with one of the rocks. That had been a bad day. She couldn't understand why their love for each other made people so angry. "Nothing as bad as where you're from, though. They didn't try to do anything more serious to us than that."
It had mainly been humans who had disapproved so vehemently. Only they had ever threatened violence to the couple. But Uluki's fellow Fae had also expressed their displeasure at her choice, albeit in a more restrained and cold way. Her own Duskling family in particular had not been kind to Rollick, ignoring him and making pointed comments about him on the rare occasions they had a visit with the couple. She would insist they be nicer, they'd claim they weren't doing anything wrong, she would argue with her family, and they would continue to treat Rollick the same shabby way. It was ironic, really. Rollick was the sort of man any family should want for their daughter: stable, reliable, faithful, and treated her very well. But because he happened to be human rather than Fae, they're refused to accept him. After ten years, they still claimed to be incapable of remembering Rollick's name; they couldn't even do him that simple courtesy. It made Uluki sad.
"I don't think it's against the law here for humans and non-humans to marry, or be together. At least, I haven't heard anything about that. I guess we'll find out how people feel about it, though," she said with a smile. She just hoped they wouldn't find out the hard way, if people were very closed-minded about it...
Then, curious about the emotion that had crossed Angel's face earlier, but not wanting to pry, she asked carefully, "Are you married, Angel?"
-
Cody
Two people both offering him friendly attention without him having to do a thing, so far this was actually pretty nice. As the moments passed those tense muscles started unwind.
These people were almost the complete opposite of his owner. He had acted like he was in control of everything, as if the world itself should do whatever he decided. These people seemed to be just working to find a way to survive the a world they had little to no control in.
They wern't going to run away from their problem, it seemed the smartest of decisions. However, he found that most people, or at least most humans seemed to want to fight anything that wasn't part of how they believed life should be. He had been told he was a coward before, and he accepted that was probably true, but at least he wasn't going to die at a young age from fighting a loosing battle.
Of course he was having these thoughts as he was about to follow these people who were putting themselves into danger. They had better not expect he was going to be any help fighting. Even if he wanted to fight...he had no talent at it whatsoever. Too bad...so far they were seeming nice.
Once they reached the city he imagined he should go ahead and be a person again. They sounded like they wouldn't mind too much...if they did he could leave again, certainly seemed the safer thing. He liked being with people though, he also liked teh attention.
For the moment, he lowered his head a bit more, this kept people into petting. People that liked animals would think it cute and a reason to keep petting.
These people were almost the complete opposite of his owner. He had acted like he was in control of everything, as if the world itself should do whatever he decided. These people seemed to be just working to find a way to survive the a world they had little to no control in.
They wern't going to run away from their problem, it seemed the smartest of decisions. However, he found that most people, or at least most humans seemed to want to fight anything that wasn't part of how they believed life should be. He had been told he was a coward before, and he accepted that was probably true, but at least he wasn't going to die at a young age from fighting a loosing battle.
Of course he was having these thoughts as he was about to follow these people who were putting themselves into danger. They had better not expect he was going to be any help fighting. Even if he wanted to fight...he had no talent at it whatsoever. Too bad...so far they were seeming nice.
Once they reached the city he imagined he should go ahead and be a person again. They sounded like they wouldn't mind too much...if they did he could leave again, certainly seemed the safer thing. He liked being with people though, he also liked teh attention.
For the moment, he lowered his head a bit more, this kept people into petting. People that liked animals would think it cute and a reason to keep petting.
-
AngelMacleod
- Outsider
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:12 pm
- Race: Half-Elf
Angel's eyes widened for a second, then they became hauntingly empty once again. "No...though...if she were still here with me...then probably yes."
Well, Uluki had been understanding to him so far, so since she asked the question, he may as well talk to her and Rollick about it. Besides, it helps one to get through one's problems if one talks about them.
"I was twelve," he began as he kept petting the horse. "Her name was Aerynn Naria. She was introduced into the clan...my "family"...after she was saved from being lynched. We never got along well; we were causing each other trouble day in and day out. We called each other names, we got into scuffles a lot...we were simply the terrors of the clan..."
Angel resisted the urge to smile wryly at that, remembering one particular fight between him and Aerynn about who had the more valuable stolen item...that lasted for two days.
"...that is, until the day we escaped from being imprisoned in a slave caravan," he continued, "I saved her life, and since then, we started causing less and less trouble for each other, not immediately, but gradually. Around that time, I started to fall in love with her. I've held that love in secret for months.
"When I was sixteen, I confessed my love to her, not knowing what she might think. I just had to get that urge out. And, to my surprise, she confessed her love to me. We kissed...and that moment seemed to last forever."
He remembered that night clearly...the full moon gazing upon the earth...just the two of them sitting on the rooftops...how nervous and sweaty he was...then the words "I love you" were spoken. A long pause...then Aerynn's eyes glistened...she said, "I love you, too." They embraced...and that was a timeless moment.
"We were inseparable after that. Aerynn had gone from a gutsy, stubborn, and adventurous woman to the one I loved the most...and who loved me right back. Why, she even gave me this coat as a gift." He then raised his arm to show what he meant, then put it back down. "We vowed to be together forever."
"But then, a year or so later, the attack on my clan, my family, came. Everyone died...including Aerynn. I was so horrified...so angry...so sad...so helpless...everything went black."
Angel did not want to mention that he murdered those who killed his clan and his love; he felt that would break Uluki and Rollick's trust in him. A tear could be seen in his turquoise eye as he continued.
"I regained concioussness in the home of a nameless half-elf hermit...he told me that he buried all of the bodies. I wanted to place flowers on Aerynn's grave, but he said there was no Aerynn when he came...only the eleven male clan members. Ever since, I have a strong reason to believe that she may still be alive...but every now and then, I feel that she may be dead...either way, I vowed to find her."
At this time, the tear rolled down his right cheek. "Aerynn...I miss her so much...her shimmering bronze hair...her beautiful emerald eyes...her sweet voice...all I have is this coat that she made to remember her by..."
Angel then noticed the tears welling up in his eyes and wiped them away with his scarred arm. The haunting emptiness in them seemed to wash away. "I'm sorry...I must sound like a complete fool...breaking down in front of you like that."
Well, Uluki had been understanding to him so far, so since she asked the question, he may as well talk to her and Rollick about it. Besides, it helps one to get through one's problems if one talks about them.
"I was twelve," he began as he kept petting the horse. "Her name was Aerynn Naria. She was introduced into the clan...my "family"...after she was saved from being lynched. We never got along well; we were causing each other trouble day in and day out. We called each other names, we got into scuffles a lot...we were simply the terrors of the clan..."
Angel resisted the urge to smile wryly at that, remembering one particular fight between him and Aerynn about who had the more valuable stolen item...that lasted for two days.
"...that is, until the day we escaped from being imprisoned in a slave caravan," he continued, "I saved her life, and since then, we started causing less and less trouble for each other, not immediately, but gradually. Around that time, I started to fall in love with her. I've held that love in secret for months.
"When I was sixteen, I confessed my love to her, not knowing what she might think. I just had to get that urge out. And, to my surprise, she confessed her love to me. We kissed...and that moment seemed to last forever."
He remembered that night clearly...the full moon gazing upon the earth...just the two of them sitting on the rooftops...how nervous and sweaty he was...then the words "I love you" were spoken. A long pause...then Aerynn's eyes glistened...she said, "I love you, too." They embraced...and that was a timeless moment.
"We were inseparable after that. Aerynn had gone from a gutsy, stubborn, and adventurous woman to the one I loved the most...and who loved me right back. Why, she even gave me this coat as a gift." He then raised his arm to show what he meant, then put it back down. "We vowed to be together forever."
"But then, a year or so later, the attack on my clan, my family, came. Everyone died...including Aerynn. I was so horrified...so angry...so sad...so helpless...everything went black."
Angel did not want to mention that he murdered those who killed his clan and his love; he felt that would break Uluki and Rollick's trust in him. A tear could be seen in his turquoise eye as he continued.
"I regained concioussness in the home of a nameless half-elf hermit...he told me that he buried all of the bodies. I wanted to place flowers on Aerynn's grave, but he said there was no Aerynn when he came...only the eleven male clan members. Ever since, I have a strong reason to believe that she may still be alive...but every now and then, I feel that she may be dead...either way, I vowed to find her."
At this time, the tear rolled down his right cheek. "Aerynn...I miss her so much...her shimmering bronze hair...her beautiful emerald eyes...her sweet voice...all I have is this coat that she made to remember her by..."
Angel then noticed the tears welling up in his eyes and wiped them away with his scarred arm. The haunting emptiness in them seemed to wash away. "I'm sorry...I must sound like a complete fool...breaking down in front of you like that."
-
Lylessa Uluki
- Citizen
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:12 am
- Name: Uluki
- Race: Duskling - Fae
The horse puzzled Uluki. He seemed different than other horses in some way she couldn't quite put her finger on. He seemed more... aware. Sprocket had been a flighty creature, often seeming more spirit than flesh and blood. Mara's horse was the same way. All the horses Uluki had ever known seemed to live in a world of strange phantoms not visible to people, with the real world acknowledged as an afterthought if at all. This horse was different. He was reacting like he knew what was going on, and understood it.
She dismissed that thought as silly. Horses were just horses. Some were probably smarter and more focused than others. Besides, much as she loved the creatures, she hadn't really been around them much. Though nomadic, Dusklings generally traveled on foot. She had saved her money for years to buy Sprocket. That had been such a proud day, when she finally had her pony. She never actually had a saddle or bridle for him; she rode bareback and guided him with a rope halter she made. Maybe by some miracle she'd see Sprocket again someday...
When Angel began to speak of the woman he loved, though, she gave him her full attention.
"You don't sound like a fool at all. I know what it feels like to be away from the one you love." A meaningful look at Rollick. "We both do. We know how hard it is."
Rollick nodded his agreement. "It's hell," he said simply. He too reached out to pet the horse, as if trying to distract himself from those memories.
"I think..." Uluki spoke carefully. The words were honest, and she didn't want them to sound like platitudes. "I think you'll find her again one day, no matter how unlikely that seems. People gravitate toward one another, against all odds. I've seen it happen." She'd felt it happen.
Rollick seemed on safer emotional ground now, and resumed participation in the conversation. "It sounds like there's a good chance she's still alive. There'd be no reason for them to take her body, and if the hermit didn't find it, maybe she escaped. If so..." He paused a moment, weighing the words. "I don't know much about... spirituality and fate and those things. That's really Uluki's area, not mine. But people find each other, even when it should be impossible. I don't know why."
Uluki knew that wasn't an easy thing for him to say, and she wasn't sure whether anyone else would understand. She hadn't till she'd lived it. Rollick had once been her enemy in a fight to the death. That seemed so strange now. Two worlds, an evil god, both of them had stared death in the face more than once... yet they had ended up together. Their happiness was hard-won, and the hand of fate certainly had seemed to guide them toward one another at every turn.
It was like someone... maybe the spirits, she didn't know... had known what her heart needed, and had let her find someone who understood. Uluki had always been one to form deep, deep bonds to other people. Most people in her life had found this off-putting. Particularly among travelers and adventurers, strong attachments had been seen as a liability, and others had tended to keep Uluki at arm's length. She'd felt lost. She'd felt like a stranger. She'd tried to keep her distance to avoid scaring people away, but it never quite worked. Her heart kept getting hurt. It was different with Rollick. He understood what she was like, and he hadn't tried to push her away. Not only had he not minded her attachment to him, he'd encouraged the bond. He liked that connection with her, liked being around her, liked having her close to him. It didn't scare him that her attachment would be permanent, since he didn't ever want her to leave. That kind of love-- forever love-- was exactly what she needed.
As it turned out, she'd been what he needed, too. It had taken her awhile to see that. He had always seemed so confident, so calm, so controlled. It had never occurred to her that he might also feel the need for companionship. As a member of the Council back in other world, Rollick had been worshiped almost like a god. She hadn't known that at the time, since Dusklings had no dealings with the Council and few with those who revered them; she'd only learned it later, after the Council had collapsed and they'd both ended up in this world. When she found out, she had assumed that was all Rollick had needed emotionally. The more she got to know him, the more she realized her assumption had been wrong. He actually didn't particularly like being worshiped. As much as the other Council members had accepted and even enjoyed it, it had always made Rollick uncomfortable. It made him feel alone, isolated. What he really needed and wanted was real companionship, for someone to care about him not because of his position or his abilities, but because he was him, because of his heart. Not as a Council member or powerful fighter, but just as Rollick. That wasn't something he had been able to express freely, but he was willing to share it with her. He knew she wouldn't see it as weakness. Rollick had no desire to be worshiped. He would rather be loved. He would rather be loved by her than anyone else. She had taken good care of his heart, as she had promised to.
Some things were just beyond Uluki's comprehension. She had giving up wondering why and how things had worked out, and simply embraced the joy of having him there.
"Angel, if there's anything we can do to help you find her..." The offer was impulsive, but as soon as the words were out of Uluki's mouth, she knew it was the right thing to do.
Rollick nodded. "I don't really know how much we can help. We don't know anyone, and we aren't familiar with the area. But should you find out anything about what happened to her or where she is, we'll do what we can to help you bring her back."
Glad for her husband's agreement, she said gently, "It'll be alright. You'll be with her again someday."
She dismissed that thought as silly. Horses were just horses. Some were probably smarter and more focused than others. Besides, much as she loved the creatures, she hadn't really been around them much. Though nomadic, Dusklings generally traveled on foot. She had saved her money for years to buy Sprocket. That had been such a proud day, when she finally had her pony. She never actually had a saddle or bridle for him; she rode bareback and guided him with a rope halter she made. Maybe by some miracle she'd see Sprocket again someday...
When Angel began to speak of the woman he loved, though, she gave him her full attention.
"You don't sound like a fool at all. I know what it feels like to be away from the one you love." A meaningful look at Rollick. "We both do. We know how hard it is."
Rollick nodded his agreement. "It's hell," he said simply. He too reached out to pet the horse, as if trying to distract himself from those memories.
"I think..." Uluki spoke carefully. The words were honest, and she didn't want them to sound like platitudes. "I think you'll find her again one day, no matter how unlikely that seems. People gravitate toward one another, against all odds. I've seen it happen." She'd felt it happen.
Rollick seemed on safer emotional ground now, and resumed participation in the conversation. "It sounds like there's a good chance she's still alive. There'd be no reason for them to take her body, and if the hermit didn't find it, maybe she escaped. If so..." He paused a moment, weighing the words. "I don't know much about... spirituality and fate and those things. That's really Uluki's area, not mine. But people find each other, even when it should be impossible. I don't know why."
Uluki knew that wasn't an easy thing for him to say, and she wasn't sure whether anyone else would understand. She hadn't till she'd lived it. Rollick had once been her enemy in a fight to the death. That seemed so strange now. Two worlds, an evil god, both of them had stared death in the face more than once... yet they had ended up together. Their happiness was hard-won, and the hand of fate certainly had seemed to guide them toward one another at every turn.
It was like someone... maybe the spirits, she didn't know... had known what her heart needed, and had let her find someone who understood. Uluki had always been one to form deep, deep bonds to other people. Most people in her life had found this off-putting. Particularly among travelers and adventurers, strong attachments had been seen as a liability, and others had tended to keep Uluki at arm's length. She'd felt lost. She'd felt like a stranger. She'd tried to keep her distance to avoid scaring people away, but it never quite worked. Her heart kept getting hurt. It was different with Rollick. He understood what she was like, and he hadn't tried to push her away. Not only had he not minded her attachment to him, he'd encouraged the bond. He liked that connection with her, liked being around her, liked having her close to him. It didn't scare him that her attachment would be permanent, since he didn't ever want her to leave. That kind of love-- forever love-- was exactly what she needed.
As it turned out, she'd been what he needed, too. It had taken her awhile to see that. He had always seemed so confident, so calm, so controlled. It had never occurred to her that he might also feel the need for companionship. As a member of the Council back in other world, Rollick had been worshiped almost like a god. She hadn't known that at the time, since Dusklings had no dealings with the Council and few with those who revered them; she'd only learned it later, after the Council had collapsed and they'd both ended up in this world. When she found out, she had assumed that was all Rollick had needed emotionally. The more she got to know him, the more she realized her assumption had been wrong. He actually didn't particularly like being worshiped. As much as the other Council members had accepted and even enjoyed it, it had always made Rollick uncomfortable. It made him feel alone, isolated. What he really needed and wanted was real companionship, for someone to care about him not because of his position or his abilities, but because he was him, because of his heart. Not as a Council member or powerful fighter, but just as Rollick. That wasn't something he had been able to express freely, but he was willing to share it with her. He knew she wouldn't see it as weakness. Rollick had no desire to be worshiped. He would rather be loved. He would rather be loved by her than anyone else. She had taken good care of his heart, as she had promised to.
Some things were just beyond Uluki's comprehension. She had giving up wondering why and how things had worked out, and simply embraced the joy of having him there.
"Angel, if there's anything we can do to help you find her..." The offer was impulsive, but as soon as the words were out of Uluki's mouth, she knew it was the right thing to do.
Rollick nodded. "I don't really know how much we can help. We don't know anyone, and we aren't familiar with the area. But should you find out anything about what happened to her or where she is, we'll do what we can to help you bring her back."
Glad for her husband's agreement, she said gently, "It'll be alright. You'll be with her again someday."
-
Cody
Cody was glad to be only a horse at the moment. A horse did not have to come up with comforting words to make a person feel better, and they seemed better at finding those words than he did. His advice was to accept and make a new future. However, even he knew it was the wrong thing to say, he just didn't know what one should say. However, this didn't seem like a person who was about to hurt him.
Cody raised his head and then gently lowered it onto Uluki's shoulder. She was deffinetly not like the human women he had known, or she certainly didn't seem to be. Such sad lives these people were having...why? Did most people have lives like this? If he eavesdropped at the right times, was this common?
He already felt guilt nibbling at him. Something bad would happen in the city...they would need help and he would run away. They seemed in need of friends who could help and all he would do is turn tail and run.
Well...he certainly hadn't made them any promises. He hoped they didn't get hurt, if they really were this nice he wouldn't mind staying with them. Would they ever get the idea to ride him? He hoped not...if he said no that might upset them. Of course he had killed the last person that was ever on his back. Cody didn't ever plan to share that dark secret. I killed my owner.
He gently rubbed his velvety head against her neck. He was careful..never laying the full weight of his head on her, he didn't know how sturdy that small frame of hers really was.
Cody raised his head and then gently lowered it onto Uluki's shoulder. She was deffinetly not like the human women he had known, or she certainly didn't seem to be. Such sad lives these people were having...why? Did most people have lives like this? If he eavesdropped at the right times, was this common?
He already felt guilt nibbling at him. Something bad would happen in the city...they would need help and he would run away. They seemed in need of friends who could help and all he would do is turn tail and run.
Well...he certainly hadn't made them any promises. He hoped they didn't get hurt, if they really were this nice he wouldn't mind staying with them. Would they ever get the idea to ride him? He hoped not...if he said no that might upset them. Of course he had killed the last person that was ever on his back. Cody didn't ever plan to share that dark secret. I killed my owner.
He gently rubbed his velvety head against her neck. He was careful..never laying the full weight of his head on her, he didn't know how sturdy that small frame of hers really was.
-
AngelMacleod
- Outsider
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:12 pm
- Race: Half-Elf
Angel nodded. Then he managed a very warm smile. "Thank you, Uluki and Rollick. Any help at all, no matter how small or great, is invaluable to me."
Really. Any help that he could either find or stumble across. He had followed rumors, but they always turned out to be empty. But it didn't matter to him. They helped him, even though he was a half-elven thief, and that was all that mattered to him.
"And thank you for understanding my plight. It's quite rare to come across someone who has similar troubles and can understand my own," he said.
It was rare. The last time he had encountered someone like that was five years ago. He missed that person a lot...but not as much as he missed Aerynn.
"Well, I'm thirty years old and I'm not getting any younger. I always try to get through my troubles and keep a smile on my face. And I will find her. Maybe tomorrow, maybe years from now. But I will find her. And I'm always ready to accept any kind of help."
Really. Any help that he could either find or stumble across. He had followed rumors, but they always turned out to be empty. But it didn't matter to him. They helped him, even though he was a half-elven thief, and that was all that mattered to him.
"And thank you for understanding my plight. It's quite rare to come across someone who has similar troubles and can understand my own," he said.
It was rare. The last time he had encountered someone like that was five years ago. He missed that person a lot...but not as much as he missed Aerynn.
"Well, I'm thirty years old and I'm not getting any younger. I always try to get through my troubles and keep a smile on my face. And I will find her. Maybe tomorrow, maybe years from now. But I will find her. And I'm always ready to accept any kind of help."
-
Lylessa Uluki
- Citizen
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:12 am
- Name: Uluki
- Race: Duskling - Fae
Uluki laughed as the horse rubbed against her, and braced herself. Sprocket had done that frequently, and though he was just a pony, he was strong enough that he had occasionally knocked her down. She assumed that with a horse this big, she'd end up on the ground. He seemed to be more careful about that than Sprocket was, though, which surprised and pleased her. This certainly was a smart horse...
Uluki agreed with what Angel had said. "Yes, I'm sure you will. I found what I was looking for. I found my family. Now I just want to keep them safe..." Her face clouded for a moment, but she pushed those thoughts away. There was little she could do about that till she reached Marn. "And you'll find what you seek, too. You'll be with her again."
Uluki considered for a moment. She'd never been much of an investigator. That was Mara's job. What would Mara do in this situation? Aside from the likelihood that Mara would ignore the problem entirely and either start picking pockets or firing her crossbow near random pedestrians for the the thrill of scaring them... what had Mara done to try to find Elijah? They'd found him, although tragically too late.
"Maybe you could ask around Marn if anyone has seen her. You could tell them her name and where you saw her last. Maybe you could even draw a picture of her, so they'd know what she looks like, in case they saw her but didn't talk to her? I know it seems like a longshot, but Marn is a city, and cities have people from all over the place. Even if she was never in Marn, you may find someone who recognizes her from somewhere else."
Uluki agreed with what Angel had said. "Yes, I'm sure you will. I found what I was looking for. I found my family. Now I just want to keep them safe..." Her face clouded for a moment, but she pushed those thoughts away. There was little she could do about that till she reached Marn. "And you'll find what you seek, too. You'll be with her again."
Uluki considered for a moment. She'd never been much of an investigator. That was Mara's job. What would Mara do in this situation? Aside from the likelihood that Mara would ignore the problem entirely and either start picking pockets or firing her crossbow near random pedestrians for the the thrill of scaring them... what had Mara done to try to find Elijah? They'd found him, although tragically too late.
"Maybe you could ask around Marn if anyone has seen her. You could tell them her name and where you saw her last. Maybe you could even draw a picture of her, so they'd know what she looks like, in case they saw her but didn't talk to her? I know it seems like a longshot, but Marn is a city, and cities have people from all over the place. Even if she was never in Marn, you may find someone who recognizes her from somewhere else."
-
Cody
Good, she laughed. They were both talking about hoping for better futures instead of sad pasts. Cody backed up and walked off a short ways and started sniffing the ground deciding if anything here was good enough to eat. Of course this was assuming he was picky, which he was not. Still he did have particular grasses he favored, and once he found a patch he went to eating. He kept one ear turned towards the people, the other ear did its job of listening for predators, though with humans of..part humans...the only predators likely to appear would be more humans.
If he had taken on human form he could probably have gotten some other type of food to eat besides grass, possibly even for free. However, if they planned to start traveling at some point it made sense to be in this form. One was comfortable as another, and while there were some human foods that tasted better than grass...grass was still fun to eat. Apples were better...carrots were good to...pears and sugar cubes. He ate almost any human food at points, due to what was available but the fruits...they were always the best!
Still...on a whim he turned away from the grass he'd been planning on eating and went to go see what the people had brought with them. If he checked the items that were dumped near the campsite more than likely he'd find food. With any luck maybe he'd find surgar cubes...his own complained he had too much of a sweet tooth for those things. Obviously the man had no good taste when it came to sugar cubes. He hoped they wouldn't mind too much his helping himself, but if they were going to Marn, they could always restock when they arrived. He imaged they would have more money than he did, most everyone did.
If he had taken on human form he could probably have gotten some other type of food to eat besides grass, possibly even for free. However, if they planned to start traveling at some point it made sense to be in this form. One was comfortable as another, and while there were some human foods that tasted better than grass...grass was still fun to eat. Apples were better...carrots were good to...pears and sugar cubes. He ate almost any human food at points, due to what was available but the fruits...they were always the best!
Still...on a whim he turned away from the grass he'd been planning on eating and went to go see what the people had brought with them. If he checked the items that were dumped near the campsite more than likely he'd find food. With any luck maybe he'd find surgar cubes...his own complained he had too much of a sweet tooth for those things. Obviously the man had no good taste when it came to sugar cubes. He hoped they wouldn't mind too much his helping himself, but if they were going to Marn, they could always restock when they arrived. He imaged they would have more money than he did, most everyone did.
-
Lylessa Uluki
- Citizen
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:12 am
- Name: Uluki
- Race: Duskling - Fae
Uluki noticed the horse was getting awfully close to her gathering basket as he foraged for food.
"Hey, don't eat those mushrooms, please!" she called desperately, though she knew her words wouldn't stop a determined horse. Did horses even eat mushrooms? She wasn't sure. Sprocket hadn't, but maybe he just didn't like them.
"I'm sorry, it's just that I've been working for hours to gather them. You can eat grass, but my family can't." Why exactly was she explaining this to a horse? What good would that accomplish? Yet she kept talking. "We don't have any money, and those mushrooms have to last us for awhile."
And that was the root of it, why she was bothering to explain it. The money worried her, and worry made her talkative. They had literally no currency, not a single coin, and little in the way of skills to trade to acquire any. She hoped they'd find some way to barter in the city, because if they didn't...
Best not to think about it. And poor horse, he was probably hungry too. She filled both her hands with mushrooms from the basket, and laid them on the ground by the horse. "There you go," she said kindly. "You can eat those mushrooms, alright? We can share."
Then, turning back to her other companions. "Angel, you probably think I'm crazy for talking to a horse. Rollick is used to it, but you probably think I'm very odd. Well... even odder than you did before."
"Hey, don't eat those mushrooms, please!" she called desperately, though she knew her words wouldn't stop a determined horse. Did horses even eat mushrooms? She wasn't sure. Sprocket hadn't, but maybe he just didn't like them.
"I'm sorry, it's just that I've been working for hours to gather them. You can eat grass, but my family can't." Why exactly was she explaining this to a horse? What good would that accomplish? Yet she kept talking. "We don't have any money, and those mushrooms have to last us for awhile."
And that was the root of it, why she was bothering to explain it. The money worried her, and worry made her talkative. They had literally no currency, not a single coin, and little in the way of skills to trade to acquire any. She hoped they'd find some way to barter in the city, because if they didn't...
Best not to think about it. And poor horse, he was probably hungry too. She filled both her hands with mushrooms from the basket, and laid them on the ground by the horse. "There you go," she said kindly. "You can eat those mushrooms, alright? We can share."
Then, turning back to her other companions. "Angel, you probably think I'm crazy for talking to a horse. Rollick is used to it, but you probably think I'm very odd. Well... even odder than you did before."
-
AngelMacleod
- Outsider
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:12 pm
- Race: Half-Elf
During Uluki's "conversation" with the horse, Angel had been thinking on Uluki's suggestions on finding Aerynn. He had tried asking around cities, towns, and villages, but the people he asked either didn't know or gave him false leads. As for the picture...he wasn't the best artist, so he had an experienced artist draw an exceptionally detailed picture of Aerynn, down to the smallest of details, which was now kept in one of the pockets inside his coat. That had helped him somewhat, but he wasn't about to give up now.
When Uluki spoke to Angel about being odd, he gave a lighthearted chuckle. "Don't be silly, Uluki. I've met plenty of odd people in my travels, and believe me, you're not the oddest I've come across...well, you're definitely odd, no doubt...but not the oddest. Why, I've met someone who believed he could talk to trees." He remembered that person well; he would laugh when that person "angered" a tree.
"Well, in my opinion, everyone is odd. It could be in a very obvious way, or it could be something more subtle, but no matter how big or small that oddity is, everyone is indeed odd. I'm odd, you're odd, Rollick's odd...everyone's odd."
When Uluki spoke to Angel about being odd, he gave a lighthearted chuckle. "Don't be silly, Uluki. I've met plenty of odd people in my travels, and believe me, you're not the oddest I've come across...well, you're definitely odd, no doubt...but not the oddest. Why, I've met someone who believed he could talk to trees." He remembered that person well; he would laugh when that person "angered" a tree.
"Well, in my opinion, everyone is odd. It could be in a very obvious way, or it could be something more subtle, but no matter how big or small that oddity is, everyone is indeed odd. I'm odd, you're odd, Rollick's odd...everyone's odd."