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| Fortunate happenings | |
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| Topic Started: May 27 2011, 04:03 PM (200 Views) | |
| Anastasia | Jun 1 2011, 01:20 AM Post #1 |
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“Aicatul, stop it!” Eknara was almost quite literally running for her life. “STOP IT!” she shouted panting. “You know I can’t run as fast as you can fly!” Eknara was hurting and she had no doubt Aicatul was too. But her daemon kept lengthening the distance between them in order to keep her running. For neither could bear prolonged separation by great distances. Aicatul, seeming to hear her latest plea, settled on a nearby tree in the woods. He looked down on his human and yearned greatly to return to her. But he was doing this for her own good. Eknara finally stopped running when the need to disappeared. She fell with her back to the trunk of a tree as she tried to catch her breath. Aicatul, having lost his will to stay apart any longer, flew to her arms and Eknara accepted him gratefully. A few tears escaped her eyes as she held him closely. Aicatul tried to soothe her. “Needed to stop sulking … to get up and actually get your blood pumping.” “I know,” Eknara interjected. Aicatul continued. “We need to accept we’re stuck on Thracs and just move on.” “I know!” Eknara cried. “I know.” She had fallen into a depression after her latest attempt to return to Aerillia had failed. It was her final chance. She had no more avenues to try. Malek and, especially, Ethan would check up on her and make sure she was at least eating, but otherwise she did not leave her room for days and merely sulked. She hadn’t even changed her clothes and was still currently in her full armour. But Aicatul, although of course suffering from the same depression as Eknara, found some strength within himself to force Eknara out of bed. He flew for short stretches and only stopped to let Eknara catch up. As soon as she had caught up to him, he broke into flight again. And he kept on doing this over and over again to keep her moving. It was only now, about a little longer than half an hour later, that he let himself return to her, having deemed that he had pushed for long enough. He nuzzled himself against his human. A few minutes later, after they had recovered from the harsh ordeal, Eknara looked up. “Where are we?” She did not recognize her surroundings. “Aicatul, where did you take us to?” Aicatul, not knowing the answer himself, stayed quiet. Eknara Orkaro bit her lip and continued moving. She was relieved that she at least had the luxury of being able to actually walk at a leisurely pace this time. If it was night, she could have used the constellations that Ethan engraved in her memories to get back. But it was in the middle of the day, and she had nothing but a cloudy sky above her. She continued walking until she heard some water running. Judging that it would help her get back to her new Khaotics home, she followed it. Soon, she had left the deep forested area that Aicatul had blindly guided them to and had reached a little opening that was the home to a small river and … a boy a few years her junior quickly walking out to her as he shouted something. Eknara eyed the state of his clothes and body as her eyes widened in fear. His clothes were tattered and he was bleeding. She stopped in her tracks, frightened, and started to slowly walk backwards as he neared her. She, for some reason, never took her eyes off him even though she was obviously scared by the sight of him. Aicatul shrieked. Edited by Anastasia, Jun 1 2011, 01:26 AM.
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| Anastasia | Jun 1 2011, 07:50 PM Post #2 |
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Eknara watched as Len fell down. He was saying something. But the meaning of the words were lost on her. Unlike with the first people she met in Thracs, she could not understand the language the boy spoke. As she continued to glance at the boy, an understanding slowly settled on her: He was no threat to her. He was a mess, yes. But the look that the boy gave her was one of sorrow. He was pleading with her. She may not have understood what he said, but the tone of his voice, the look in his eyes and the way he had fallen down and was clearly unable to get up again spoke volumes. The blood must have been his own and the way his arm moved clearly indicated that he could no longer move it. Eknara’s features softened at the sight. The tension escaped from her body as fear was quickly replaced with compassion. “He’s hurt, Aicatul.” Her daemon nodded at her. She slowly approached the boy as he lay on his back. |
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| Anastasia | Jun 3 2011, 08:51 PM Post #3 |
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Eknara eyed the boy as he closed his eyes. It bugged her that she couldn’t understand what he was saying. Aicatul flew to his side and approached Len cautiously while making sure not to move too close to touch him. “It looks like he’s passed out.” “Yeah …” She placed a wary hand on Len’s forehead. “We really need to get him some help. And quick.” Len’s forehead was not at a cool body temperature. Eknara closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the message she’d send through the Khaotics hive mind and the one or two people she wanted to contact. “Malek, Ethan. I need your help.” She waited a few seconds before a very familiar voice spoke up louder than the other voices in the hive. The rest of the chatter in the hive sounded more like noise than intelligible words to her at that point. “Eknara, where are you?! Malek said he saw you running frantically into the woods and he --” She didn’t let the voice finish. “I’m sorry to have worried Malek and you, Ethan. But I need your help.” “What is the matter, Eknara? Have you been injured?” It was Malek this time who voiced his concern. She bit her lip, and quietly berated herself. They had been really worried about her as of late and she really hated to trouble them with her problems after all they’d done for her. But in this case someone else was at stake. “No, Malek. I’m fine, really. But there’s a boy here and he’s hurt. He’s passed out and I don’t think I can carry him all the way back.” “Please state your current location. I will send a squad out to you immediately.” Eknara had a worried face as she looked about her. She still didn’t know where she was. “I … need to figure out where I am first.” “Aicatul, can you … ?” Aicatul nodded at her before she finished her request, knowing fully well what she wanted to ask of him. He flew up into the air as far as he could before the pain of separation started to sneak up on him. It took him a minute, but he was able to pick out some land features that he was familiar with. He relayed everything to Eknara, and after they had figured out where they most likely were, Eknara used the hive mind once again to let Ethan and Malek know where she was. |
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| Anastasia | Jun 10 2011, 07:34 PM Post #4 |
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Malek was sitting just outside a nearby house, talking to a friend while playing a game similar to chess. The house that Len had been resting in was the one he shared with his twin brother, Ethan. He had also made it his responsibility to make sure the young lad would be taken good care of. So when he heard the commotion that Len had started up, he made sure to rush right over. “What seems to be the problem?” He asked the guards. He didn’t need a response, as he could see that the two guards he had appointed to guard Len were trying to calm the teen down, but Len resisted. “Release him and step away slowly.” Malek said. “He is incapable of running away very far in his condition anyways.” The guards nodded and followed Malek’s commands. As the guards stepped back, Malek approached Len slowly with his hands up to signify he meant no harm. The sight that greeted Len next was a smiling twenty-something year old man at about 1.8m tall, with curly auburn hair. He had fair skin and a rather kind face. After trying to signal to Len that he should calm down, he started making hand motions to ask Len if he was hungry or thirsty. Edited by Anastasia, Jun 10 2011, 07:35 PM.
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| Anastasia | Jun 11 2011, 03:21 PM Post #5 |
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Malek smiled when he heard Len’s stomach rumble in the middle of the indiscernible words he was mouthing with a palpable mix of emotions. ‘He is a scared and cautious young man,’ Malek thought to himself. ’As he should be with the many dangers lying about our midst. In any case, he is conscious enough for introductions to be in order.’ Malek placed his right hand on top of his chest and slowly spoke his name. “Malek,” he said, before repeating himself once more and then extending his hand in an invitation for Len to introduce himself. |
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| Anastasia | Jun 14 2011, 02:52 AM Post #6 |
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Malek looked down at Len’s outstretch hand and quickly met it with his own in a friendly handshake. He smiled once again at the teen, spoke the name “Len” and nodded, signifying that he had committed the name to memory. Malek then flashed his right index finger and quietly spoke the words “one moment” to Len. He then turned around and called for his brother. “Ethan! The young newcomer has awoken!” Then in a softer more thoughtful voice, “Where have you wandered off to? I could have sworn you were just conversing with Aleksiol in the corner …” he said, more to himself than anyone else. An identical copy of Malek, but in different clothes, ran out from behind one of the houses to stand before Malek. “Heya, bro? What’s up?” the twin, Ethan, asked. “The newcomer has been roused from his slumber. I will look to have a meal prepared for him as he seems quite starved.” As Malek spoke, Ethan turned his head to look at Len. Malek continued to talk. “He goes by the name of ‘Len’.” “Ah,” Ethan said. He took a few steps towards Len, offered him a beaming smile with much more emotion than Malek had shown before, and repeated the exact same motions Malek had used earlier to introduce himself before mouthing out his own name. Malek coughed and before Len could respond Ethan had turned his attention back to his brother. “I called you here because I wanted you to summon Eknara. She has agreed to take on the responsibility of acclimating Len.” Ethan eyed Malek cautiously. “You know, Malek. You have been giving Eknara a lot of responsibilities lately. I think you’re over-working her. She won’t turn you down because she feels she owes you, and well us and everybody. But today was the first day she even stepped outside after her last failed attempt to go back to Aerillia. And already you’re laying weight on those poor shoulders that crumbled after her latest failure?” Ethan’s eyes had moved from his brother and was now seemingly eyeing something off in the distance. Malek’s eyes grew listless as he let his brother finish speaking. “It was by her insistence, only, that I appointed this task to her.” Ethan turned back to look at Malek with a hint of surprise. “Oh?” Malek nodded. “Well, she’s taking a bath … over at the ---” “I sure do hope you did not try to steal a peek like when ---” “Don’t even, Malek! I would never!” “You used to enjoy it a lot just a few years ago,” Malek said with a mischievous smile. “You know, Malek. I know you’re trying to say something, so just stop beating around the bush and come out and say it already!” Malek eyed Len, hoping he wasn’t frightened by Ethan having raised his voice. “You know, young Len here has the eyes of a Tragnix: Intelligent but wary of the first signs of trouble. It would be best if we did not scare him off by raising our voices.” Ethan set his jaw tight, sighed and offered Len a comforting smile then quickly turned back to his brother. “Please,” Malek asked. “Go summon Eknara. I can not stay with Len for long as I must meet with Fenix soon. And also,” he gave Ethan a concerned look. “I really do think that you need to ‘stop beating around the bush.’ Enough time has passed. I believe the fallen leaves of fate are finally being accepted. And with acceptance comes the inclination to make the best of what fate has dealt out. Do not think you are not good enough.” Malek then turned around to lead Len back into the house. Ethan’s feet remained firmly planted where they were as he tried to make sense of Malek’s cryptic message. A part of him knew what his twin brother meant. But the other part, forever cautious, doubtful and unwilling to yield, constantly fought for supremacy of Ethan’s convictions. The young man somberly shook his head before walking off to the small hot spring Eknara was at. Ethan heard the voice of Eknara as he neared her location. Although the ground was covered more by rocks than soil, still long-leafed deciduous trees flourished. Ethan found himself stopping and leaning languidly by a tree as soon as he could catch a few words. Just a few metres away from him, and out of view, Eknara was bathing in a little opening amongst the trees where warm water ran down from a nearby hill and pooled into a small basin just a few metres wide: It was perfect for one or a few people to bathe in. And Ethan knew she had come to the spot as much to relax as she did to cleanse. He meant it when he said he had no intention of peeking. He respected Eknara far too much for that. But even such a firm resolution, for some reason, did not prevent him from listening into her words. Eknara had her eyes closed and her body leaning by a huge boulder. She hummed inwardly at the relaxed state the water put her in. Aicatul was right to her side, laying down on that same boulder. “This is really, really nice. I almost don’t want to get up even though I should be heading back soon.” “Hmm,” Aicatul replied. “I really needed this. I love this spot. I ...” she opened her eyes to look up at the sky. A lone bird soared overhead. “Really hope I haven’t worried Ethan and Malek too much these last few days. I can’t ever repay them for all they’ve done for me. Especially Ethan.” Aicatul gently nudged Eknara. “I think we’ll be okay: Here.” Eknara’s eyes watered. “Yeah.” She clenched her eyes shut at an attempt to stifle an onslaught of tears once again getting the best of her. A single tear trickled down her right cheek instead. She was really stuck on Thracs. It had been about a year and she had tried everything she could and more to get back to Aerillia. Everything had failed. No matter who helped her. No matter what magics she studied and tried. Everything. “Although we miss Aerillia so much, it’s not too bad here with Ethan and the others. The Khaotics aren’t always easy to be around, but it’s home now. And it’s not a bad one at that.” A few seconds of silence passed as Eknara tried to stop dwelling on what she had lost and to continue in her new effort to settle with and accept what she had gained. “Hmm, Aicatul. I kinda wish you settled in a form that was a tad bit more aquatic right now. You’d love this water. I can’t imagine a more soothing activity.” “I can still feel what you feel though.” “Yes, but seriously. This will feel so much better. Let me just hold you up in it.” Aicatul climbed down her shoulder and let his human support his weight on both arms. His falcon body below his neck lay submerged in the soothing warm water. Having her body and the body of her daemon take relish in the hot spring waters helped relax and rejuvenate Eknara even more. Ethan, by this time, had found himself sitting down by the tree, with his legs stretched out before him. He smiled to himself faintly. He was relieved Eknara was finally really accepting Thracs. And this time it wasn’t mere words meant to put him and Malek at ease, but her actual feelings. No more would she stay up late nights trying one spell after another to cross back to Aerillia, thus exhausting herself in spirit, body and mind. No more would she disappear for long periods of time with no notice to try and conduct her attempts in secrecy. And no more would everyone try to help her out in broad daylight merely because of pity, or pretend to not notice just what lengths she was going to behind their backs. ’It’s about time, Eknara. I’ve never seen someone more determined than you or try as hard as you for so long. But I really think you’ll be happier now here. Now that you’re genuinely giving us a chance. I’ll make sure of it.’ He couldn’t help but feel relieved at this new realization. A few minutes later, he heard Eknara getting up from her bath. Ethan slowly got to his feet and pretended he was just walking towards them when she showed up right before his eyes. “Ah, there you are.” Eknara seemed at first surprised to see him but then embarrassed about something. Her eyes soon moved the floor between them. “Are you done and feeling all better now?” He asked. Eknara contemplated his question for a moment before offering him a sad smile. She finally looked him in the eyes. “Yeah. You really don’t have to worry so much about me, you know.” “Nonsense.” He walked up to her and offered her a warm pat on the back. “You’re family. Of course we worry.” Then he offered her that tender and encouraging smile of his that was just too powerful not to convince her the future can and will be bright. “How’s that boy, I found? Is he doing okay?” “Actually, that’s why I’m here. He’s up and seems to be doing well. Malek’s eating with him right now, but he asked me to come get you to look after him.” Eknara nodded. “Good.” “He says his name is Len, by the way.” “Hmm... Len, huh? I’ll remember that.” They were now walking back to town. Ethan eyed her closely, before deciding to broach the subject that had been bothering him for some time. “Did you really ask Malek to be put in charge of taking care of him?” Ethan eyed her, trying to read her reaction and tell if was being sincere in her response. She always had a few tell-tale signs if she was lying or hiding something. She nodded and sincerely responded. “Yeah. He seemed hurt really badly and confused. I thought I could help him more than whoever Malek or Fenix would put in charge of taking care of him. I’m much closer to his age, that’s for sure.” “Well, just checking. I know you tend to push yourself too far and accept more responsibilities than you should. And Malek doesn’t always see that as he keeps you quite busy. You have this crazy sense of obligation and keep acting like you owe us.” Eknara turned to look at him, but still kept up her pace. “How could I not?!” She was surprised by what he was saying. Of course she owes them. Ethan shook his head in disbelief and sighed, especially at the enthusiasm of her retort. She almost seemed mad to be told she was wrong. “Listen to me carefully when I say this. You don’t owe Malek, Fenix, me or anyone else anything. We have taken you in and helped you because we wanted to. Not because we expected you to pay us back. Malek sees that you are always willing. He knows you push yourself, but he figures it’s healthy and good for you. I don’t think he actually notices just how much you do push yourself in your services to the Khaotics and how unhealthy it might be. If you insist on being really active and following a similar path to Malek, so be it. But you better be doing it for yourself and because you actually want to. Not out of some naive and childish sense of obligation to us. If you insist on trying to repay us back in any way, it better be by making sure you take good care of yourself and not let all our efforts go to waste. You got me?” Eknara stopped in her tracks and stared at Ethan wide-eyed but repay all their goodwill. It was just how she was. “But I --” “I’m not asking you, young lady. I am telling you this. Why don’t you pretend I’m Malek for one instance and that I’m giving you an order as next in line to Khaotics leadership.” He said the last bit with a wry smile, but he was very serious about everything else he was saying, and Eknara knew this. “I’m not that much younger than you, you know. Please don’t call me ‘young lady.’ It feels weird coming from you.” Ethan smiled, offering no words in response. “But okay. I understand. I’ll try and not --” “No, not try.” He shook his head. Eknara was feeling the full brunt of Ethan’s order on her shoulders. She closed her eyes as going against her nature wasn’t easy. But if she was going to try and appease Ethan, she had no intention of being dishonest with him this time. She would make good on her word, but it would take a lot of conscious effort on her part to do so. “I’ll make sure to take better care of myself. I’ll ... say no sometimes if I have to. I promise.” “I’ll make sure you keep to that promise.” They continued walking again. “Personally though,” Ethan added. “I think you should join me in lazing around half the day. Stay away from all the politics and just enjoy the good life.” Eknara chuckled to herself. “You two are so different sometimes, it’s hard to believe you’re related.” “I got the good looks in the family, at least. Malek got the seriousness from our mother.” Ethan winked. “... you’re identical twins for goodness sakes!” “It doesn’t mean you can’t tell us apart though, does it?” “Well,” she thought to herself. She really didn’t have a hard time telling the them apart anymore at all. “I … I guess so.” They walked slowly back to Ethan and Malek’s house. Malek, initially irritated at how late Ethan was in getting back with Eknara, couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the two walking so close to each other as they casually chatted. “You sure took your time, Ethan.” Malek had been waiting by his front porch and had seen the two walk back from a distance. He did not miss their slow pace. “Yeah. Well …” Ethan shrugged. “Eknara, Len has eaten. I have him laying down, as he is still quite tired and his wounds need time to heal. He is wide awake, however, so he could use some company. I have a meeting with Fenix now. So I will leave you to it.” He turned to walk off but after taking two steps turned back around. “One more thing. Ethan, Aleksiol has been searching for you. He said something about you not wanting to miss what he wanted to show you. I have no clue as to what he could be referring to.” “You don’t say? Well, it’s about time. I’ll be off too then, Eknara.” Ethan offered a casual wave. Eknara offered a more stiff wave back. Both brothers sprinted off in two different directions, as Eknara walked into the house. She found Len inside and sitting up in bed as he played with a large globe. He was obviously intrigued by its magical properties. |
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| Anastasia | Jun 17 2011, 05:14 PM Post #7 |
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Eknara smiled and approached Len as soon as he noticed her. “Hi,” she simply said. Aicatul flew in from the door and landed on a dresser. Eknara turned to him with a frown. “Aicatul, I told you to stay hidden. You might scare poor Len here.” “He’s already seen me,” he said smoothing his beak along his outstretched right wing. “He was barely conscious then,” Eknara growled. “And now he’s seen you speak, which would probably scare him even more.” Eknara sighed inwardly and gave up. It was too late to complain or argue anymore. She turned back around to look at Len. |
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| Anastasia | Jun 18 2011, 08:56 AM Post #8 |
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Eknara gasped as her heart skipped a beat. Luckily, Aicatul was very quick to react and easily evaded the onslaught of thrown items. Aicatul flew to his human and Eknara accepted him greedily into his arms. She hugged him closely and took a few steps back before giving Len a pained and hurt look. She walked out of the room and into the hallway. Eknara knew that Aicatul wasn’t hurt, for she would have felt any physical pain he would have felt. She leaned by a wall and tried patiently to calm her pacing heart. Pain or no pain, the incident had given her a scare. Eknara Orkaro hated incidents like this. People kept on mistaking Aicatul as a wild beast and often reacted in harmful ways. The idea of daemons being outside of their bodies, like everyone from Aerillia, was just too alien for them. Edited by Anastasia, Jun 18 2011, 08:59 AM.
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| Anastasia | Jun 18 2011, 06:23 PM Post #9 |
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Eknara let out a breath of relief and readied herself to return back to the room. She was here to help Len and still had every intention to do so. Len was scared. She understood that. And she would not let this hurdle prevent her from accomplishing her goal. Aicatul would make double sure to stay out of sight from now on. No words needed to be exchanged to confirm that. She kissed her daemon lightly on the head and just as soon as she loosened her grip on Aicatul, she heard a loud voice to her right. She turned and saw Len bowing. The tone of his voice, his body language and the look on his face clearly indicated that he was issuing an apology, whether or not she could understand his words. Eknara smiled sadly. He seemed to at least understand that Aicatul was precious to her. And maybe soon he’ll come to understand that he was vital for her very being. “I should--,” Aicatul started, getting ready to fly away. “No. I think he understands a little. If he had a daemon, she would be trying to make peace with you right now.” Aicatul nodded and moved to rest on his human’s left arm. Eknara then took two steps towards Len and extended her right hand, waiting for him to let her help him up. “It’s okay. It’s alright,” she cooed and offered Len a faint smile. Edited by Anastasia, Jun 18 2011, 06:24 PM.
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| Anastasia | Jun 18 2011, 08:35 PM Post #10 |
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Eknara jumped back as Len stretched his hand out to Aicatul. Her daemon quickly took to the air and flew to the other end of the hallway. He landed on the vase of a large plant in the corner with his attention turned towards his human. She winced. Personal boundaries would have to be established later: One does not touch another’s daemon. But for now, at least they were safe from harm. Eknara relaxed her shoulders. She did happen to catch the word ‘Len’ from earlier. Perhaps he was trying to introduce himself. She knew his name, but he had yet to come to know hers. So Eknara offered Len a smile to signal that all was well, before placing her now free left hand on her breast and mouthing “Eknara.” She then pointed to Aicatul and slowly pronounced his name as well. |
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