And just as suddenly, Xyon was on his feet.
"No, I'm not possessed. Occasionally Inohen decides to take things into her own hands. Its... complicated, and there are more important things at hand now."
Xyon turned to the words inscribed in the ground, and then to the two who had just entered the cavern. He knelt beside Geldenwing, and whispered something softly to her that, as it turned out, would be of no consequence but to calm the child down.
Placing a hand gently on her shoulder, Xyon focused his energy into it, feeling it grow warm as other body parts grew colder, with the energy passing out of them. Gently allowing it to release into Geldenwing's body, aiming to relax, and calm her somewhat.
Straightening up, he removed his hand, and drew Inohen from her sheath. The sword's glow shimmered once again in the light of the glowvines, more intense than usual. He frowned, wondering at her, what she might have picked up on.
Inohen was forged from the shards of Fr' Keldos' short sword, which Xyon had recovered from his brother after his death, along with parts of Xyon's own flesh. Literally blood, sweat and tears went into making this weapon, and it came good at the end as a direct result.
She functions like his arm does, and responds in the same way. Blessed by his god, Xant, the weapon glows with a divine light, which intensifies according to need.
The power invested in it was supposed to bring victory to the Xenetians in the war of Calhoun.
It didn't.
What it did do, however, was ensure at least one Xenetian made it out of there alive.
And now... now she was trying to warn him... but of what, he wasn't sure. Obviously, she wanted him to know that fallens had drawn close enough for her to detect them, but how close the threat was, for instance, Xyon didn't know.
"I must speak with you all, if you will hear me," he said, barely able now to keep his tone steady. Inohen hadn't acted like this in years, and he wasn't exactly thrilled about her starting now.
He let go of Inohen, allowing her to remain floating in the air, and turned to the others. Adressing the tiny creature around the spellcaster's neck, he asked,
"Are you ok? I hope you got all the slime off. My apologies if I frightened you."
Haven in the Woods
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Xyon_of_Calhoun
- Guardsman
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:17 am
- Name: Xyon
- Race: Xenetian
Last edited by Xyon_of_Calhoun on Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I have to jump.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander frowned as Gelden practically raced around the newcomer, giving him a wide berth. Fear and anger slammed home. The fear went straight to his head, worry and irritation at himself for leaving a member of his new found family with a perfect, possibly dangerous, stranger. The look on her face, creased eyebrows and a near pout, and the words she said nearly horrified him.
The anger... the anger was a different story. It welled up from deep within, coils roping around his gut and stomach, slowly clenching tighter as the reason behind her expression became clear. Ander's attention was no longer on Gelden. The large stranger who suddenly stood to tower over them. The large stranger with the odd purple eyes approaching, and reaching out to touch ... Gelden.
Quicker than thought, Ander imposed himself between the stranger and Gelden. His eyes flashed with what seemed a light of their own, and if one looked closely, they would swear that lightning flashed from the pupil through the iris and into the whites, but only briefly.
Ander spoke, a hiss between gritted teeth bared in a rictus of fury. "If you -ever- try to touch her again, it -will- be the last thing you ever do..."
The flash in his eyes was a precursor to a spell he had cast before, the one that had injured his father. Electricity coursed through him, oddly not touching Illilli who was wrapped around his neck. Enough electricity to raise the hair on a grown man if he was close enough, although the boy's hair remained untouched.
All of this took a mere moment before Ander backed away, herding Gelden, a shield spell already on his lips to throw between himself and the floating sword or the big man, whichever decided to come at him.
In the back of his mind, Ander knew what he was doing was impossible. He had no control, and he had never even thought of a shield spell, or what it could do. He was only able to watch himself, as if a visitor in his own mind.
The anger... the anger was a different story. It welled up from deep within, coils roping around his gut and stomach, slowly clenching tighter as the reason behind her expression became clear. Ander's attention was no longer on Gelden. The large stranger who suddenly stood to tower over them. The large stranger with the odd purple eyes approaching, and reaching out to touch ... Gelden.
Quicker than thought, Ander imposed himself between the stranger and Gelden. His eyes flashed with what seemed a light of their own, and if one looked closely, they would swear that lightning flashed from the pupil through the iris and into the whites, but only briefly.
Ander spoke, a hiss between gritted teeth bared in a rictus of fury. "If you -ever- try to touch her again, it -will- be the last thing you ever do..."
The flash in his eyes was a precursor to a spell he had cast before, the one that had injured his father. Electricity coursed through him, oddly not touching Illilli who was wrapped around his neck. Enough electricity to raise the hair on a grown man if he was close enough, although the boy's hair remained untouched.
All of this took a mere moment before Ander backed away, herding Gelden, a shield spell already on his lips to throw between himself and the floating sword or the big man, whichever decided to come at him.
In the back of his mind, Ander knew what he was doing was impossible. He had no control, and he had never even thought of a shield spell, or what it could do. He was only able to watch himself, as if a visitor in his own mind.
Last edited by Ander Valman on Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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 began to answer the tall man's question and shrieked in fear and pain as she felt the magic rise up in Ander. This was most certainly not friendly magic and she launched herself clumsily off of Ander's shoulder as he moved towards the newcomer.
The tiny markings on her back shimmered in distress as she swooped around to the little wall outcropping she had used to store her pack. She began to babble at Ander in confusion her wings raised in a pose of fear, and wringing her still painfully tingling hands.
"That doesn't feel right! Whats going on?... Why are you doing that? It hurt! Why?! He was just asking a reasonable question. That magic Hurt! He doesn't feel Bad..." her chirped chatterings cut through the air but were almost all but unintelligible.
Once she calmed down a bit her thin reedy voice rang out from her perch, "Who are you and what's going on?"
The tiny markings on her back shimmered in distress as she swooped around to the little wall outcropping she had used to store her pack. She began to babble at Ander in confusion her wings raised in a pose of fear, and wringing her still painfully tingling hands.
"That doesn't feel right! Whats going on?... Why are you doing that? It hurt! Why?! He was just asking a reasonable question. That magic Hurt! He doesn't feel Bad..." her chirped chatterings cut through the air but were almost all but unintelligible.
Once she calmed down a bit her thin reedy voice rang out from her perch, "Who are you and what's going on?"
Last edited by Illilli on Sat Jul 07, 2007 3:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Gelden's eyes widened when the man reached to touch her, and after his previous display she shied away - but it wasn't needed. Ander's own hand stopped the stranger - Xylo? Xenon? - dead in his tracks. The fae watched with pure shock coursing through her as their teenaged companion threatened the man...in defense of her.
Illilli throwing a fit, Ander looking downright murderous, and this man with the dancing sword. Something had to be done. The faerie reached over to touch Ander's shoulder, though the move was something of a reach for her. She stepped close to him and moved her hand down to his upper arm.
"It's all right. If he was gonna hurt me, I...I guess he would've already, right?"
She didn't think Ander had any notion of what he was doing, but something inside of him sure did, and it was pissed off. He was a powerful weapon - and the faerie thought that maybe, in some way, he was being used.
She maintained physical contact with Ander in the hopes of grounding the boy and turned her attention to their newfound companion. Illilli's question more than covered anything the fae could add, and so she remained silent. Except for...
"Why does your sword fly?"
Illilli throwing a fit, Ander looking downright murderous, and this man with the dancing sword. Something had to be done. The faerie reached over to touch Ander's shoulder, though the move was something of a reach for her. She stepped close to him and moved her hand down to his upper arm.
"It's all right. If he was gonna hurt me, I...I guess he would've already, right?"
She didn't think Ander had any notion of what he was doing, but something inside of him sure did, and it was pissed off. He was a powerful weapon - and the faerie thought that maybe, in some way, he was being used.
She maintained physical contact with Ander in the hopes of grounding the boy and turned her attention to their newfound companion. Illilli's question more than covered anything the fae could add, and so she remained silent. Except for...
"Why does your sword fly?"
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Xyon_of_Calhoun
- Guardsman
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:17 am
- Name: Xyon
- Race: Xenetian
Xyon sighed. His eyes flashed darkly as the smaller man interposed between his intention of help. Taking a deep breath, he removed his hand from Geldenwing, and spoke very softly to Ander.
"My apologies. I only ever intended to help. I was trying to calm her, to relax her." Lowering his voice so only Valman could hear, he bent down low and close to his ear, and whispered, "I said I wouldn't hurt you. I promised I wouldn't hurt you. I keep my promises. But that does not include tolerating being attacked. I saw your intentions in your eyes. I find it admirable that you would protect your own, and I realise I am and unknown stranger with a big sword.
"You said you hadn't control. I suggest you find some, quickly. It would only take a tiny thing to kill each person in this room, if you snapped. You can't say that it wouldn't happen, because you just don't know. Moreover, you could get hurt. I could hurt you, if it came to it. I would never do so, unless you put my life or the lives of those I travel with in danger. Remember that, and try to keep that fantastic temper of yours under control."
He straightened up, stretching some of his muscles that had strained when he leaned over.
"I told you. My name is Xyon of Calhoun. I am a warrior. As for what's going on, suffice to say that those who hunt me have found my trail. That put all of you in danger. And that is why I must leave."
With a swift glance at Ander, Xyon knelt beside the Faerie, so that they were about the same level, and spoke softly, "I'm sorry if she scared you. She scared me as well. She's never done that before. But it means I have to leave. I can't risk putting any of you in danger. Goodbye."
He stood, and turned to leave.
"My apologies. I only ever intended to help. I was trying to calm her, to relax her." Lowering his voice so only Valman could hear, he bent down low and close to his ear, and whispered, "I said I wouldn't hurt you. I promised I wouldn't hurt you. I keep my promises. But that does not include tolerating being attacked. I saw your intentions in your eyes. I find it admirable that you would protect your own, and I realise I am and unknown stranger with a big sword.
"You said you hadn't control. I suggest you find some, quickly. It would only take a tiny thing to kill each person in this room, if you snapped. You can't say that it wouldn't happen, because you just don't know. Moreover, you could get hurt. I could hurt you, if it came to it. I would never do so, unless you put my life or the lives of those I travel with in danger. Remember that, and try to keep that fantastic temper of yours under control."
He straightened up, stretching some of his muscles that had strained when he leaned over.
Xyon glanced around.Illilli wrote:"Who are you and what's going on?"
"I told you. My name is Xyon of Calhoun. I am a warrior. As for what's going on, suffice to say that those who hunt me have found my trail. That put all of you in danger. And that is why I must leave."
"My sword?" he asked, with a sideways glance at Inohen. Stretching out a hand, he brought her back, and slid her into his sheath. She flies because she is part of me. If I want her to move, she will move without any input from my hand." Glancing at the message on the floor, he added "and sometimes without any input from me at all."Geldenwing wrote:"Why does your sword fly?"
With a swift glance at Ander, Xyon knelt beside the Faerie, so that they were about the same level, and spoke softly, "I'm sorry if she scared you. She scared me as well. She's never done that before. But it means I have to leave. I can't risk putting any of you in danger. Goodbye."
He stood, and turned to leave.
I have to jump.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
"I wish you much luck in avoiding whatever it is that is hunting you..." she politely told his retreating back.
Illilli was quite confused by now and was losing grasp of what was going on. She glided down from her perch and landed on a somewhat nearby table. She paced the old stone tabletop, leaving tiny dragon prints in the dust. She kept this up while the others may or may not have said any farewells to the very tall, very strange man that had happened upon them.
She continued pacing, pushing up from her four-legged sweeping steps to a slightly waddling two-legged swagger.
She had felt some sort of power when Ander confronted Xyon. From the creepy tinglings she received when he used it, she could only guess that he was probably quite talented, she didn't know, but she was just taking a guess.
The big man had mentioned a lack of control. Illilli knew she didn't have much herself, let alone could help anyone like Ander find much control. She had only just recently learned that she was not what she thought she was... human.
About the best she could reckon, she could make certain he had somewhere safe to stay and food to eat.
Maybe Geldenwing, in that timelessness most fae had, had more experience in magical matters. Hell, magic was totally natural for faeries.
Illilli considered bringing the topic of magic up over the next meal. Besides they definatly needed some sort of a front door...
Illilli was quite confused by now and was losing grasp of what was going on. She glided down from her perch and landed on a somewhat nearby table. She paced the old stone tabletop, leaving tiny dragon prints in the dust. She kept this up while the others may or may not have said any farewells to the very tall, very strange man that had happened upon them.
She continued pacing, pushing up from her four-legged sweeping steps to a slightly waddling two-legged swagger.
She had felt some sort of power when Ander confronted Xyon. From the creepy tinglings she received when he used it, she could only guess that he was probably quite talented, she didn't know, but she was just taking a guess.
The big man had mentioned a lack of control. Illilli knew she didn't have much herself, let alone could help anyone like Ander find much control. She had only just recently learned that she was not what she thought she was... human.
About the best she could reckon, she could make certain he had somewhere safe to stay and food to eat.
Maybe Geldenwing, in that timelessness most fae had, had more experience in magical matters. Hell, magic was totally natural for faeries.
Illilli considered bringing the topic of magic up over the next meal. Besides they definatly needed some sort of a front door...
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander stared at the big stranger as Illilli fluttered away. He hardly noticed, so focused on the man coming closer to him. He took one step back, possibly forcing Gelden back as well. He didn't want to be too near this man.
His low words struck a chord in Ander, causing him to look back in horror at what had nearly happened. He still didn't trust anyone that would promise they wouldn't hurt him. The last time that had happened, several brigands had beaten him and rummaged through his pack. The only thing that saved him was that he had nothing of worth to take. He had also not fought back.
Despite his seriously lacking trust and the horror of what had occurred over the last few moments, and despite the stranger speaking sense, Ander's response to the man's intention to leave was none to favorable.
As Illilli wished him luck, Ander spat, "Good riddance! Tell the rest of your kind to keep from bothering us. We are able to protect ourselves!"
He glared after the man, the anger clenching in his gut as he watched Xyon depart. He muttered under his breath.
"I will have control. Forcibly, if need be. Seems he has his own problem controlling his flying sword..."
The glare never wavered, even if the stranger were to turn around.
His low words struck a chord in Ander, causing him to look back in horror at what had nearly happened. He still didn't trust anyone that would promise they wouldn't hurt him. The last time that had happened, several brigands had beaten him and rummaged through his pack. The only thing that saved him was that he had nothing of worth to take. He had also not fought back.
Despite his seriously lacking trust and the horror of what had occurred over the last few moments, and despite the stranger speaking sense, Ander's response to the man's intention to leave was none to favorable.
As Illilli wished him luck, Ander spat, "Good riddance! Tell the rest of your kind to keep from bothering us. We are able to protect ourselves!"
He glared after the man, the anger clenching in his gut as he watched Xyon depart. He muttered under his breath.
"I will have control. Forcibly, if need be. Seems he has his own problem controlling his flying sword..."
The glare never wavered, even if the stranger were to turn around.
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Gelden was torn in three ways - curiosity about this stranger and what he meant, defensive protection of their wayward teen, and wanting to comfort Illilli. She glanced between the three, working up to a decision, and finally decided that whatever this stranger was talking about couldn't be as important as the two people she'd come to know.
Though she still wanted to know!
Gelden squeezed Ander's arm in a companionable offer of comfort, then ducked her head to the stranger.
"G'bye, Zeon! I hope you...find...peace?"
She made a face, then raced off to the stone table to check on her pacing dragon friend. Minus the huffy anger and clear agitation, Illilli was downright adorable. The fae wanted to comfort her, but couldn't help the resulting action instead. She held out her arms with a beaming grin and said:
"Can I hold you?"
She wondered if Illilli's little leg would kick if scratched in the right spot.
Though she still wanted to know!
Gelden squeezed Ander's arm in a companionable offer of comfort, then ducked her head to the stranger.
"G'bye, Zeon! I hope you...find...peace?"
She made a face, then raced off to the stone table to check on her pacing dragon friend. Minus the huffy anger and clear agitation, Illilli was downright adorable. The fae wanted to comfort her, but couldn't help the resulting action instead. She held out her arms with a beaming grin and said:
"Can I hold you?"
She wondered if Illilli's little leg would kick if scratched in the right spot.
Illilli pondered for a moment, and scratched her delicate little chin.
Oh, why the hell not...
She walked across the table to Geldenwing, folded her wings and stretched her arms up to be picked up. Once she was picked up she went limp, just like one of her old farm cats would when carried. She waited for Geldenwing to get her adjusted the way she wanted.
Illilli sighed, feeling a quite a bit better. Being held started to make her feel drowsy and comfortable, just like when she had wrapped herself around Ander's neck.
She figured now would be a good time to open the topic of magic to Geldenwing.
"So Geld, do you know anything about teaching magic?"
Oh, why the hell not...
She walked across the table to Geldenwing, folded her wings and stretched her arms up to be picked up. Once she was picked up she went limp, just like one of her old farm cats would when carried. She waited for Geldenwing to get her adjusted the way she wanted.
Illilli sighed, feeling a quite a bit better. Being held started to make her feel drowsy and comfortable, just like when she had wrapped herself around Ander's neck.
She figured now would be a good time to open the topic of magic to Geldenwing.
"So Geld, do you know anything about teaching magic?"
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander continued to glare at the exit some moments after the stranger had left. With the absence of the man, Ander suddenly realized what he was doing.
He worked to unclench his fists, brooding over what had just happened. Already it felt as if it was a dream. He couldn't quite remember what had happened, except that he had nearly started a fight with a man several times his own size. With that realization, the last vestiges of anger drained from him, the fist releasing it's grip on his innards.
Ander turned when he felt he had control of himself, but he was pale and shaking, and there was a hollow feeling in his gut left behind from the absence of the anger dwelling there. He was scared of what he was becoming. He took a few steps towards Gelden and Illilli, watching as Illilli snuggled up against the little fairy, as she had been doing to him only minutes before.
"I ... I'm sorry. I don't know what ... came over me." He swallowed hard as a tear formed at the inside edge of his right eye. It trembled on his lashes for a moment, then broke and ran down the outside of his nose. He wiped it away quickly, but continued speaking. "It seems... I guess maybe I am a monster, like Mom and Dad thought ..."
Ander's gaze dropped from his two new companions to the floor, and he sniffled.
He worked to unclench his fists, brooding over what had just happened. Already it felt as if it was a dream. He couldn't quite remember what had happened, except that he had nearly started a fight with a man several times his own size. With that realization, the last vestiges of anger drained from him, the fist releasing it's grip on his innards.
Ander turned when he felt he had control of himself, but he was pale and shaking, and there was a hollow feeling in his gut left behind from the absence of the anger dwelling there. He was scared of what he was becoming. He took a few steps towards Gelden and Illilli, watching as Illilli snuggled up against the little fairy, as she had been doing to him only minutes before.
"I ... I'm sorry. I don't know what ... came over me." He swallowed hard as a tear formed at the inside edge of his right eye. It trembled on his lashes for a moment, then broke and ran down the outside of his nose. He wiped it away quickly, but continued speaking. "It seems... I guess maybe I am a monster, like Mom and Dad thought ..."
Ander's gaze dropped from his two new companions to the floor, and he sniffled.
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Gelden cuddled and tickled the little dragon in her arms, carrying her with the same delicate caution as she would a baby. Her muscles remembered - after all, the tiny woman had once carried twins.
Illilli's question took the small woman by surprise, and she sniffed as she considered her answer. Needless to say, she'd never taught a thing to anybody - not counting children who didn't know any better- and she wasn't sure it was something she could handle. Especially with someone as volatile as their wayward teenager. She turned her gaze to Ander as he began speaking, and once his pity party completed, she snuggled the little dragon in her arms against her face, watching him. It was partly because cuddling was fun, but also because she wanted to whisper to her friend.
"The boy needs a guide. You don't think I could do it?"
She lowered the dragon again, then reached out to let Illilli go back to the tabletop. The small fae fluttered her wings as she eyed her charge. If nothing else, she had to try and cheer him up.
"You're no monster."
She stepped up to him and took his hand in her two small ones, cupping her fingers around his palm.
"Maybe you need to learn control, but Ander...everything you've done, you did out of defense. You haven't struck out without being...prodded."
She gripped his hand tightly, trying to meet his eyes.
"I'm not afraid of you."
Illilli's question took the small woman by surprise, and she sniffed as she considered her answer. Needless to say, she'd never taught a thing to anybody - not counting children who didn't know any better- and she wasn't sure it was something she could handle. Especially with someone as volatile as their wayward teenager. She turned her gaze to Ander as he began speaking, and once his pity party completed, she snuggled the little dragon in her arms against her face, watching him. It was partly because cuddling was fun, but also because she wanted to whisper to her friend.
"The boy needs a guide. You don't think I could do it?"
She lowered the dragon again, then reached out to let Illilli go back to the tabletop. The small fae fluttered her wings as she eyed her charge. If nothing else, she had to try and cheer him up.
"You're no monster."
She stepped up to him and took his hand in her two small ones, cupping her fingers around his palm.
"Maybe you need to learn control, but Ander...everything you've done, you did out of defense. You haven't struck out without being...prodded."
She gripped his hand tightly, trying to meet his eyes.
"I'm not afraid of you."
"Me either. If anyone is a monster here... its me..." she wiggled her eye ridges in a manner she hoped was comical. It might not have been very effective but she was trying to cheer him up in her own way.
"I have the teeth and claws to prove it... Rarr" she said in a cutesy voice as she made a little feint in the air like a cat clawing.
"Joking aside, I find myself sometimes acting well... a bit more wild lately since I first changed... but it feels natural to act that way."
She followed Geldenwing over towards Ander and flopped down on the table in a comfortable sprawl. She looked up from the table and grew thoughtful for a minute.
"I don't know much being new to this myself, but I know that for me, changing has gotten a little easier these past few days with practice." she paused and stretched with a dainty yawn.
"Maybe you could try practicing at trying to do something... well, magical... I don't know what but I think if you are careful it should be ok. Geldenwing did mention most of what you have done was provoked... Have you tried doing anything on purpose yet?"
She paused to scratch her chin and sighed lightly as she started thinking of possible things or tasks he might be able to practice on. Most that she could think of weren't particularly glamorous or fun though so she kept them to herself for now.
"I have the teeth and claws to prove it... Rarr" she said in a cutesy voice as she made a little feint in the air like a cat clawing.
"Joking aside, I find myself sometimes acting well... a bit more wild lately since I first changed... but it feels natural to act that way."
She followed Geldenwing over towards Ander and flopped down on the table in a comfortable sprawl. She looked up from the table and grew thoughtful for a minute.
"I don't know much being new to this myself, but I know that for me, changing has gotten a little easier these past few days with practice." she paused and stretched with a dainty yawn.
"Maybe you could try practicing at trying to do something... well, magical... I don't know what but I think if you are careful it should be ok. Geldenwing did mention most of what you have done was provoked... Have you tried doing anything on purpose yet?"
She paused to scratch her chin and sighed lightly as she started thinking of possible things or tasks he might be able to practice on. Most that she could think of weren't particularly glamorous or fun though so she kept them to herself for now.
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander let Gelden approach, and allowed her to grab his hand. He glanced occasionally into her eyes, but never for very long. He listened as she spoke, but he knew it wouldn't work. He had tried to control it. He had tried to use magic when he wasn't provoked or pushed into defending himself. Even at those times, Ander didn't know if the magic would work for him, or even if it would rear it's ugly head.
There were even times when he would be simply doing nothing, and the magic would take hold of him. There was one simple truth that he had discovered about his magic. It was not within his control.
And that made the stranger correct. At some point, it could to more than harm someone close to him, as it had his father. It could kill someone, and that was something that he didn't want to happen to either of these two.
Before he could respond to Gelden, Illilli chimed in, trying to make a joke. His solemn expression remained, and the weight of great responsibility was visible in his eyes, and in the tightness of the muscles around his eyes. Ander shrugged as she finished.
"I've tried it all before. For years, when I first learned I could do magic, I tried to control it, but I've never been able to. Ever since ..." Ander grimaced at the memory, pausing and taking a deep breath before continuing. "Ever since I knocked my mother unconscious with some type of magic when she surprised me in my room. That was shortly after my twelfth birthday. We managed to keep it a secret until ..." He swallowed this time when he paused. It was a little easier now that he was admitting to everything, but it was still difficult to think of the pain he had caused his parents, both physically and emotionally.
His voice dropped as he continued, sadness causing his throat to tighten while adding a trace of itself to his voice.
"We kept it secret until I shocked my father. With electricity, I mean. He came home drunk, and decided to beat me, again. I guess... I guess I snapped. I had to run away, and I've been hiding in these woods ever since."
It came out like a confession, but he wanted his new friends to know what had happened. He needed them to know. He no longer cared that they would judge him, since he was sure that what the three of them had been through in the short period of time they'd been together would be enough for even this confession to keep them together.
He waited anxiously, however, for the two to say something.
There were even times when he would be simply doing nothing, and the magic would take hold of him. There was one simple truth that he had discovered about his magic. It was not within his control.
And that made the stranger correct. At some point, it could to more than harm someone close to him, as it had his father. It could kill someone, and that was something that he didn't want to happen to either of these two.
Before he could respond to Gelden, Illilli chimed in, trying to make a joke. His solemn expression remained, and the weight of great responsibility was visible in his eyes, and in the tightness of the muscles around his eyes. Ander shrugged as she finished.
"I've tried it all before. For years, when I first learned I could do magic, I tried to control it, but I've never been able to. Ever since ..." Ander grimaced at the memory, pausing and taking a deep breath before continuing. "Ever since I knocked my mother unconscious with some type of magic when she surprised me in my room. That was shortly after my twelfth birthday. We managed to keep it a secret until ..." He swallowed this time when he paused. It was a little easier now that he was admitting to everything, but it was still difficult to think of the pain he had caused his parents, both physically and emotionally.
His voice dropped as he continued, sadness causing his throat to tighten while adding a trace of itself to his voice.
"We kept it secret until I shocked my father. With electricity, I mean. He came home drunk, and decided to beat me, again. I guess... I guess I snapped. I had to run away, and I've been hiding in these woods ever since."
It came out like a confession, but he wanted his new friends to know what had happened. He needed them to know. He no longer cared that they would judge him, since he was sure that what the three of them had been through in the short period of time they'd been together would be enough for even this confession to keep them together.
He waited anxiously, however, for the two to say something.
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
"Oh Ander..."
She couldn't say that she knew he would never hurt her, not for anything in the world, because the boy lacked the control for such a statement. But Illilli's question nagged at her mind until she could hardly stand it - had Ander ever done anything on purpose? Or was it always reflex?
There was a sorta way to test it.
Gelden eyed both of her friends as she sucked in her lower lip to bite it gently. When Ander finished his abbreviated history, the fae walked over to their beds and dug through the debris, trying to find something in particular. She found a small stub of a stick, no more than a few inches long but thick enough to have some weight to it. She stood, fiddling with the stick and considering things.
It didn't take long for the fae to come to a very stupid decision indeed. She turned and cocked her head as she swept Ander with her gaze. She had no idea if this would work, but she wasn't much for taking possible death into consideration.
Suddenly she hauled back and flung the stubby stick straight at Ander, putting as much fling as she could into the throw.
She couldn't say that she knew he would never hurt her, not for anything in the world, because the boy lacked the control for such a statement. But Illilli's question nagged at her mind until she could hardly stand it - had Ander ever done anything on purpose? Or was it always reflex?
There was a sorta way to test it.
Gelden eyed both of her friends as she sucked in her lower lip to bite it gently. When Ander finished his abbreviated history, the fae walked over to their beds and dug through the debris, trying to find something in particular. She found a small stub of a stick, no more than a few inches long but thick enough to have some weight to it. She stood, fiddling with the stick and considering things.
It didn't take long for the fae to come to a very stupid decision indeed. She turned and cocked her head as she swept Ander with her gaze. She had no idea if this would work, but she wasn't much for taking possible death into consideration.
Suddenly she hauled back and flung the stubby stick straight at Ander, putting as much fling as she could into the throw.
Illilli figured from Ander's expression that she had seriously put her clawed foot in her mouth... maybe somewhere up past the heel. She sighed and curled up in a slightly sulky curl. She had tried, but she just didn't have much experience with sad people.
She had her wings slicked along her back and the end of her tail was under her hands, much like a cat might curl up. She completed the sulk by dropping her chin on her hands and looking up at the other two from the floor.
She listened intently to Ander's story. She was shocked to hear that his father would beat him. Illilli came from a very pleasant, pastoral, and rather matriarcal family.
In Illilli's eyes, if his father had beaten him that was definatly something that was provoked. She supposed his mother must have caught him by surprise that previous time.
She was not too afraid of the boy possibly hurting her or Geldenwing. Illilli figured that maybe since they weren't human they might be a little less susceptible to magic. Well, that was her theory and she was sticking to it... she wasn't quite interested in testing it...
Illilli was more worried that Ander would suffer terribly in his mind if he couldn't develop some measure of control. She would certainly risk getting a jolt or something similar if she could help the boy out.
Her musings came to a screeching halt as she saw the stick sailing through the air towards Ander. As the stick hurtled towards the boy Illilli experience a brief moment of panic and rushed to choke it down as her eyes followed the path of the stick.
She had her wings slicked along her back and the end of her tail was under her hands, much like a cat might curl up. She completed the sulk by dropping her chin on her hands and looking up at the other two from the floor.
She listened intently to Ander's story. She was shocked to hear that his father would beat him. Illilli came from a very pleasant, pastoral, and rather matriarcal family.
In Illilli's eyes, if his father had beaten him that was definatly something that was provoked. She supposed his mother must have caught him by surprise that previous time.
She was not too afraid of the boy possibly hurting her or Geldenwing. Illilli figured that maybe since they weren't human they might be a little less susceptible to magic. Well, that was her theory and she was sticking to it... she wasn't quite interested in testing it...
Illilli was more worried that Ander would suffer terribly in his mind if he couldn't develop some measure of control. She would certainly risk getting a jolt or something similar if she could help the boy out.
Her musings came to a screeching halt as she saw the stick sailing through the air towards Ander. As the stick hurtled towards the boy Illilli experience a brief moment of panic and rushed to choke it down as her eyes followed the path of the stick.