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| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/FifthMovement|Fifth Movement]]
| + | #REDIRECT ADanceOfAngels |
| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/DanceOfAngels|A Dance of Angels]]
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| − | == Heaven's Threat ==
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| − | '''Cian Huang: ''' ''The river of memory... ''<br>
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| − | ''So many things that happened, between them. ''<br>
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| − | ''So many things Cael remembers... ''
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| − | ''Walking on the top of a golden tower, and watching the sleek silver marvel... touching it, feeling it, knowing instinctively all that was within the ship. Cael remembers the feeling well. “This is... impressive. The space on the deck is for her, right?” ''
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| − | '''“I thought she needed the space to practice her techniques. And you can pilot it by yourself so you two get some private time.” His friend nodded, “And sweep people for our parties, too. That is half of its function, after all.” ''
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| − | ''Cael could barely remember what he thought then, flashes of a priestess dancing in the sun deck, under the moonlight, flashes of parties to come, flashes of rushing accross Creation... “Does she have a name yet?” ''
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| − | ''”Well... I have been thinking of'' Quicksilver Zephyr! ''What do you think?” ''
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| − | ''Memories that drag over the ages, until the day they stepped into the ship, distressed. The Orichalcum wings of Fintan, the white feathers of Ofaniel... the translucent coat of Cian. There was an argument. A friend had gone to Hell to quarry with a former flame. And they wished to go after him.After the one some of they owed their loves to. He remembers an argument, something about it suicide... he remembers as Cian threw up a glass of water and cut it with an obsidian butterfly that blossomed in full life and landing on his hair, throwing salt into falling droplets, shattering the mirror.. ''
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| − | ''He remember going to hell with him, to save a friend. ''
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| − | The man takes a shot of the Brandy on his hand before deciding on how to continue. “I have come to give you a warning. To be blunt... Heaven is after you.”
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| − | “I am afraid you have a scant few weeks before they begin to hunt you down for the crime of existing.”
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| − | '''Cael: ''' ''So many memories ... so few things to make sense of them. ''
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| − | ''The ship for he and Tahira. ''<br>
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| − | ''Parties. ''<br>
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| − | ''Suicide for a friend. Something like it anyway. ''<br>
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| − | ''Relationships that were his and nothing to do with him. ''<br>
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| − | ''Friends that were no longer friends. Or maybe not. ''
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| − | ''And now heaven... ''<br>
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| − | ''All of Heaven is after me, and so is the new hell. ''<br>
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| − | ''Popular little me. ''
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| − | Cael doesn't show the smile he smiles inside to the outside, to the concerned man standing before him, the man who had just told him that Heaven would hunt him.<br>
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| − | ''And what do they think will happen if they succeed? ''<br>
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| − | ''What do they think will happen if they fail? ''<br>
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| − | "Thank you for the warning then, friend of old." He says with a slight smile, no animosity for the man. It would not do shoot the messenger after all.
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| − | ''Could they not wait until after the war though? ''
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| − | '''Cian Huang: ''' "Had to, even though it might bring me problems for it. See, on the far West, there is this creed... that one day, the sky itself will be bound with a golden chain. It will be held in bondage, and chaos will sweep through Creation, bringing suffering and pain. And so, in much of the West they pray to the Goddess born of the Hu Dai Liang's tears, and trained from birth to cut the chains. A goddess of emancipation, she is ''She Who Cuts The Binds''. And was created for only one thing."
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| − | "The good part is that to release her and her hunt, they need to ascertain what happens, and go through, well... they need to get all the permissions."
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| − | '''Valencia Silverstar: ''' "Of course the Hunt will come -- it should never have been in doubt." Valencia cuts in, having waited for Cian to finish. "I have revealed myself at last, and deathknights are in league with us. The Realm will not tolerate all of its enemies becoming one legion set to crush them, nor, I think, will Heaven."
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| − | '''Alexsei: ''' He raises an eyebrow at the warning, nodding almost imperceptibly.
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| − | ''And so Heaven make their move. It was to be expected, sooner or later. The time is now at hand. ''
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| − | Rising to his feet once more, he grabs his hat from the ground, readjusting it so it fits back smoothly on his head.
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| − | ''And your sin is being who you are, Cael - or Bastian - for all the knowledge of the past Heaven possesses, we are still unable to keep it from repeating itself. And becasue of this, all of us will be in danger. ''
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| − | He grabs his gloves from his pocket, sliding each hand in turn until they are both perfectly fitted in white satin.
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| − | ''Knowledge is our strenght and our Hubris, for the very cycles of Nature and Creation will not bend to our will. Perhaps even my Way is flawed - the very same hubris I see in my fellow agents my birthright. ''
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| − | He stays silent, watching and waiting, just like the crow on the branch of a dead tree, gazing, pondering, learning. He does not fail to miss the ironic similarities of the image - the cutting of chains, and the cutting of threads, only the faintest mirage of a smile escape his pale lips.
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| − | ''When Heaven falls, it will be because of its lack of unity. It's own pattern is unraveling, its power weakening as the its thread bicker and argue over spoils, and over who will be ruler. When Heaven falls, it will be its own fault. ''
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| − | ''Perhaps my Way is madness, and Perhaps I am filled with Hubris. But Saturn has my word, I will not let this Cut unravel Creation in its wake. ''
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| − | '''Ryshassa: ''' ''Crime of existing? What does that mean? '' Ryshassa's fingers deftly snap the last clasps of her instrument case shut, but her eyes are upon Cael and Cian.
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| − | There was so much she did not know. She feels, as she has so often, as if she had been thrust into the middle of a passion play -- right in the middle of a complex scene unfolding. And she had yet to decide what her role would be, beyond mending what was within her reach to heal.
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| − | "The Hunt will come for any of us that gather in such quantity." ''They would kill me without a second thought, the Realm that birthed me. '' "But what is referred to is something Cael in particular holds in his power."
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| − | She does not feel she needs to speak it. Those golden tattoos burned into his arms. That anomaly of Fate that sent a pillar flaring to the sky. The Empyrean Binds. Now that they had been awakened, there were powers who would want it destroyed before it could be used for ill, or so Cian suggested.
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| − | '''Valencia Silverstar: ''' "Is Cael the only one?" She wonders out loud to herself, pushing that question closer to them all. Who is in greater danger? Who is merely Anathema that needs to be put down?
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| − | ''We can all shake the world, after all. ''
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| − | '''Cian Huang: ''' "He is the one the Goddess will come for, yes. And soon."
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| − | He takes another shot of the glass, "The Wyld Hunt is something will most likely come, of course. But I am not the one to ask about it, another is. There are players in this game who set alarms, however. The Binds set all the alarms of heaven, like Ainerach did of the Underworld... and, if it is ever confirmed Moranine is around here, you will have a crisis reaction on your hand."
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| − | '''Cael: ''' ''They made a goddess who would hunt me? ''<br>
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| − | ''They made a goddess from their fear of the Binds? ''<br>
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| − | ''They made a goddess who will hunt me. ''
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| − | Unless I do something to throw a spanner in the works.
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| − | "She Who Cuts The Binds. When she comes I will be ready for her then." He gives a nod that is almost solemn. <br>
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| − | ''For she will not come until I am ready. ''
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| − | "I am sure the hunt will come for us all in time, Lady La Silverstar. I think Realm might wait until the matter of the Bishop is decided, and then decide what to do with the kingdoms of Windia and Whiteshield. It does however appear that the Goddess will be coming for me, and you will have to content yourself with watching that battle from the sides, unless you wish to get involved. I would not be so foolish to think I could forbid you from becoming involved in it, should you desire."
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| − | '''Valencia Silverstar: ''' ''And if she is already here? ''
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| − | After that night in the dream...can there be much doubt?
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| − | "Of course I will be involved in it." Valencia replies evenly. "If we are allied, we guard one another. If we are friends, we protect our own."
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| − | "Heaven must be taught that it does not raid a flock of meek sheep who will let the wolves cut out one of their number at leisure."
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| − | '''Cian Huang: ''' "Would not be surprised. That is what the Realm tends to do. But, yes.... the Goddess will come for none other than Cael. She has been created and groomed for this. She has been trained in ways to kill Sun-Chosen of the Eclipse. The rest of you do not need to come to his aid."
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| − | "Not that ever stops Chosen..."
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| − | '''Ryshassa: ''' "And I am involved as well."
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| − | Ryshassa's assertion is instinctual, at first -- and then surprising. Why should she care so much? Was it because she wished for Cael's safety? Or because she wanted to see for herself whether Cael was capable of such feats of destruction -- and stop them if need be?
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| − | A man who plays with hearts could very well play with power... with dangerous results.
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| − | But she could not quite bring herself to believe it...
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| − | '''Alexsei: ''' "And I will assist you as well."
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| − | When his voice finally rings through the room, it is decisive, and sure, like an edge of Starmetal slicing through a spider's web.
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| − | "It is only a matter of time before I am endagered by them, also. Perhaps they have started to take action already. But even if I am not immediately in danger..."
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| − | He peers at the faces across the room, taking in the expressions of all those present. People to Protect. Companions. Friends. Family.
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| − | "My beliefs cast me here, among you all. Perhaps my help is only minor, but I will still strive... " He straightens up, adjusting his spectacles in the bridge of his nose. "We are at the End of a Cycle, and at the dawn of a new one - And I will be here to crhonicle this change."
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| − | '''Cian Huang: ''' He looks at Alexsei... something sparkling on his eyes. "My, my, you are a real idealist one, Krauser."
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| − | There is a hint of sadness there... or hope?
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| − | ''He could have been like this... ''<br>
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| − | ''If he had been like this, maybe everything... ''
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| − | "You make me remember what a friend was like, once. What he could have remained as. Never lose that, you hear?"
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| − | '''Cael: ''' "Then I am grateful to you all, that you would stand beside me." Cael says, sweaping his his glass about the room, to the four exalts who offered their aid in the struggle he is sure Heaven would have prefered to remain away from such relationships.
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| − | And then his demeanor changes, loosing the whispers and suggestions of seriousness, an unconcerned smile spreading across his face. "However, this party was to be a chance to leave such issues of threats and war and conflict behind, at least for a time. Tell me Cian, can you stay for an hour or too, and if you can, can you play?"
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| − | '''Cian Huang: ''' "Honestly, not really. I need to go now. The time, the time! I am a very busy man, you see."
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| − | A flourish to all, he gives his goodbyes, motes of yellow essence over the party...
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| − | "It was a pleasure to see you, Cael, and you, Valencia. You look great in this life."
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| − | "Oh, and by the way!" He turns around, already at the door, not that anyone saw him ''walking'' there... "Your wife is on the other room trying to kill Blessings." ... '' Gennadi'' they hear, but they also hear the other name... "Just thought you should know!"
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| − | '''Valencia Silverstar: ''' "Ah, it appears his words to me earlier will be repeated." Valencia replies with almost a dry tone.
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| − | '''Cael: ''' "Ah, that is a shame. Farewell then, Cian." he gives a small wave.
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| − | And then Cian drops his parting shot.
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| − | Cael sighs and gives his head a small shake. <br>
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| − | ''Will she do this with anyone I showed the slightest interest in this world or the next? ''<br>
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| − | ''Why does she have to play with them so? ''<br>
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| − | ''What man was Bastian to encourage her? ''
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| − | ''That is perhaps the most important question here. ''
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| − | "Now, if you will all excuse me." and with that, Cael departs the room, heading for the cabin.
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| − | '''Ryshassa: ''' Ryshassa's eyes go wide.
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| − | Perhaps she is too gullible, or simply in ignorance of what Tahira is really like or capable of. But she moves without another word, taking her instrument case with her, not waiting for others to follow. Strides down the hallway -- bursts open the door to her and Alexsei's room long enough to call the Caduceus to her side -- and stops at Gennadi's door.
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| − | A single push and she flings it open -- if it is not open already. And what does she see...?
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| − | '''Tahira: ''' As the cabin opens, she is there. Shining silver light, motes of stardust around the room, weaving the spell that kept it a blind spot even to Calisara. Gennadi sat on the bed, and Tahira standing in front of him, licking the blood from her fingers... the blood on his cheek, the blood staining his clothes.
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| − | "You are not going, not until..."
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| − | Then, the door opens, and the Nine-Tailed Golden Fox smiles at Cael on the door, the lips of the chocolate-hued face smiling a southern smile... "Lover~!"
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| − | '''Gennadi: ''' "See? I told you you were taking too long..." He leans back and waves at Cael and Ryshy. "You'd think she'd have a better sense of time by now."
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| − | '''Alexsei: ''' ''The Fateless Witch. Again? ''
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| − | He rushes behind Cael and Ryshassa, without a moment of hesitation. He keeps Epilogue safely hidden it its dimensional pocket, intent on not revealing his hand too soon...
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| − | Slowly moving in as Cael opens the door to the room, the Chosen of Endings braces himself...
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| − | '''Valencia Silverstar: '''Valencia had followed behind them, gliding almost unnoticed and silently till she sees...the other Lunar's face.
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| − | "Oh, it's '''you'''." She says dryly, eyes half-closing in exasperation.
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| − | Unfortunately, it seems, some of their incarnations from that long lost age yet live. She must be even crazier now.
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| − | '''Ryshassa: ''' Ryshassa's first eyeful of Tahira does not impress her one bit. She appeared every bit the sort of woman that relished the pain she wrought, simply for the sake of doing it.
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| − | As Tahira seems fully focused on Cael at the moment, the healer shrugs and continues right on forward towards Gennadi. Her eyes scrutinize the Starchosen closely for any apparent injury. Was that blood even his blood...?
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| − | "Are you hurt?" she asks him aloud. Short and clinically, for now. She could care less what Cael and Tahira had to do with each other if someone was hurt in this room that she should help.
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| − | '''Gennadi: ''' "No more than my pride, and perhaps my grip on sanity. There's a dying goddess in the closet that your services would be most helpful for, however. Coat rack, on the right."
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| − | '''Tahira: ''' She walks tip-toeing on the ground, weaving the stardust all around her, the scent of camelias filling the air as she pecks a kiss on Cael's cheek, and looks over Valencia "It has been so long! How have you been? Met Fintan yet? I heard his reincarnation is most handsome."
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| − | '''Valencia Silverstar: ''' "Uugh." Valencia sighs, wishing she had brought along some wine so she could begin sipping it now. Alot of it.
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| − | '''Ryshassa: ''' "...." Ryshassa's expression shifts slightly, an incredulous lift of her brow, but there was little reason for her NOT to believe him at this point.
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| − | She pivots quickly towards the closet, the Caduceus drifting behind her -- and opens it, more gingerly than she had the door.
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| − | '''Cael: ''' ''Just what were you doing in here then? ''
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| − | ''Why is there a goddess dying in my closet? ''
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| − | ''Why is everyone here to see it? ''
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| − | ''...and why does a peck on the cheek do that to me? ''
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| − | Cael doesn't let his expression flicker at least, as she kisses him, then turns to face the pair of lunars.
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| − | "Tahira, dear, if you would please stop teasing the Lady La Silverstar, and perhaps tell me what brings you to the Zephyr on this night?"
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| − | '''Tahira: ''' "Oh, but she is so cute to tease! She was more playful before, less fun! Just look at her..." She makes a downward sweep of her arm, to present the Countess. "So silent and proper and rigid now. More fun to play with! But..."
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| − | "I had something to tell mr. Ilkov, Lover. I had yet to see this incarnation of his'. One of our best friends of old, and I had yet to see him! I was curious. He is tasty, too." She licks the blood off her fingers, then offers to Cael, "Want?"
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| − | * Gennadi stands, careful not to get too close as he helps Ryshy take the bound goddess from within the coat, butterfly wings stained and torn as they unfold from beneath the coat's cocoon. He holds her up carefully for ryshy's inspection, the wound in her chest having stained one of his shirts deep purple. "Not sure how hurt she is..."
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| − | '''Goddess: ''' She is... very much hurt. Quitessence and stardust is scattered all over her, and the stars on her night-black skin are... fading, muted.
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| − | She has almost no life in her...
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| − | '''Valencia Silverstar: ''' "Oh, am I?" Valencia says dryly, not too loudly, but loudly enough to be heard by all present. "Still heedless as ever in finding new forms, Tahira? Pray, do not kill anyone around me for such trivialities."
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| − | '''Tahira: ''' "I would never, my dear. I respect another's territory."
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| − | '''Alexsei: ''' Once again, he only watches, taking in the surreal scene that unfolds before him. He hangs behind the group, observing and staying on the edge...
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| − | He says nothing, waiting to see what comes of Ryshassa's healing of the wounded goddess, and staying ready to intervene should something go wrong...
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| − | '''Tahira: ''' "And as for it being trivial..." She slips around, dancing around them with impossible moves, showing the chocolate body, the southern grace, magnifying it to such degree... "Beauty, my dear, is never trivial. It is the same as fun."
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| − | '''Ryshassa: '''Ryshy's expression becomes more grim at the sight of her. "You really had to use a coat rack, didn't you. Help me," she tells Gennadi, indicating that she wants the goddess's body laid down on the bed. "We'll deal with the stains later. Or Calisara will."
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| − | Even as she talks, her hand already rests upon the Goddess's mangled chest. Exploring the wound not so much with her senses now as much as her essence, feeling for that sharp, throbbing source of pain. She draws it into her body, letting out a soft hissing breath as the sensation hits full force.
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| − | Through the link Ryshassa forms with the spirit's dwindling life, she suffers with her. Takes the Goddess's pain as her own, replacing it with the vitality of her own blood and body -- healing her, at least in part.
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| − | * Gennadi obviously moves to assist, wiping away his blood from where it falls to drip on the goddess's cheek. "I thought if she was out of sight, and had the wound bound, she wouldn't do anything foolish if it was not as bad as I thought. You'd rather I leave her out in plain sight? I was sort of hoping the closet would be out of the spell as well..."
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| − | '''Valencia Silverstar: ''' "Sometimes our fun gets the better of us." Valencia replies, wondering how cracked Tahira's become over the last millennia or so. She looks toward where the goddess is, hoping the woman is fine.
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| − | "As happened so long ago."
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| − | '''Goddess: ''' It is not simply pain. There is no life there. She needs to seek life, as she is too far gone for pain.
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| − | But a spark of life is there.
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| − | A spark of life is there, and even after Ryshassa takes all she can from the spirit, she is still hanging by the merest thread of Saturn...
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| − | '''Cael: ''' "Certainly not from your fingers, dear. I have told you about this before."
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| − | He tries not to focus too deeply on the southern sways before him, before turning to look past, at the butterfly goddess on the bed.
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| − | Which was really why he shouldn't get caught up too deeply in those southern sways.
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| − | '''Ryshassa: ''' The blood dripping from Gennadi does not escape Ryshassa's notice. "So... she did hurt you," she notes cooly, her voice strained slightly from the wound transfer. Not as much strained as one might expect, though. Her heal-instinct wants to help Gennadi too, but the dying goddess is a higher priority.
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| − | "Well... you did well to bind it... and to put her out of the way. Just ...perhaps she will be better off not knowing. Wounds to dignity... are much harder to heal." Ryshassa smiles sardonically as the bruises from the transfer purple upon her skin, underneath her gown. She gazes down at the body, the smile fading. "Not... enough yet."
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| − | Ryshassa hangs on stubbornly to that glimmer of life pinning the Goddess to this existence. There is great hurt, yes, but the body laid before her no longer feels it, though her own nerves throb ripely with the sensation of agony. The healer's eyes glitter, harden with determination and focus -- and on her brow, the unmistakable mark of Twilight shines forth.
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| − | Again, she pours life itself into the Goddess's limp form, and her slender form shudders minutely with the influx of pain. Bruises layer upon bruises until the blackness of them nearly shows itself through the delicate silk she wears.
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| − | But Ryshassa does not let go. She never lets go of a life she can still feel. Just as a gardener cultivates flora, she coaxes that life to thrive again in the radiance of the Sun.
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| − | '''Goddess: '''And she coughs, life growing back to her... slowly, slowly, she would require attention... part of her essence lost forever, turn asunder...
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| − | But slowly, the life poured in her begins to manifest... and she is not lost. Not if she is tended well from now on...
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| − | '''Tahira: ''' The Lunar pouts, "Ah, yes, you have..." She falls in front of Cael, rubbing her back to him, hugging him with her tails. "But you do not look thirsty for mine now. Well, my message is given... I suppose I will be going, now. You take care, Cael. You do not want to make me cry, do you?"
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| − | * Gennadi points to Alexsei. "Would you mind taking care of your wife? I'm going to get her out of the way." He drapes the coat easily over the goddess and picks her up, standing and walking to the door, slipping past and moving down to take Sandara's empty room for the invalid.
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| − | '''Valencia Silverstar: ''' ''You like being made to cry, if I recall correctly. ''
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| − | ''I recall that gossip. ''
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| − | She has the most sinful, disgusting thought at that moment. The Dark Angel -- the creature little Selina has become -- dresses like a dominatrix. And here is a submissive.
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| − | ''Drinks will be necessary now. Far more drinks. ''
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| − | The only hint of this turmoil is a slight darkening of her features as she takes one step back from Cael, who now has Tahira draped all over his back.
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| − | '''Ryshassa: ''' Ryshassa falls heavily to her knees as Gennadi picks up the goddess's still-limp, but living form. Inwardly she is thankful for his quick thinking -- she would have insisted she be cleared out of the room and given a place to rest.
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| − | Tahira's... behavior... creeps into the fringes of her awareness, though, now that the immediate threat is averted. So this was Cael's ...no, ''Bastian's'' wife? It was all the same, though, wasn't it? Or was it? To Cael's credit he didn't seem overly receptive to her playful, flirty behavior, though the fact the Lunar just left this poor spirit for dead in the closet couldn't do much for his regard of her.
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| − | A flush of irritation rises up in Ryshassa as she kneels leaning against the bedside. That was entirely too much force to use for fun. Because it had to be fun, or Tahira wouldn't have stood there flirting and teasing while she went and cleaned up HER mess.
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| − | '''Alexsei: ''' He nods to Gennadi, moving in closer to Ryshassa after she finishes bringing yet another back to life...
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| − | "Please sit, Belladonna." He says simply, gently holding her near the waist as he helps her up, his eyes softening at the view of her battered body, of the receptacle of others' suffering... The tenseness vanishes somewhat as he remove his coat and wraps it around her shoulders, his hand finding her side and the bruises layering on her soft skin.
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| − | "You did well..." He whispers softly and gently to her ear. "She is safe now. You did well, Ryshassa..."
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| − | | |
| − | He continues to keep her warm, and his eyes shift... Shift to Tahira, and Cael. Again he watches in silence, a chronicler of a Past that once was, and a Future that might be...
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| − | '''Cael: ''' Cael relaxes somehow as the tails wrap themselves around him. It was strange how the gesture was so alien to him, and yet so comfortable. He can't help trailing his fingers through them a little as she rubs against him.
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| − | He whispers softly in her ear, merely mouthing the words into her hair and letting her ears hear them or no... ''"Not unless I'm there to watch." ''
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| − | "You should go, yes. I will see you another time, I am sure." <br>
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| − | he pauses "Take care, dear."
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| − | | |
| − | '''Tahira: ''' She moves her head back, kissing his lips... and begins to be unmade in petals of Camelia, disappearing, leaving only her perfume..
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| − | "You all take care, too. Play well, and keep the Blue alive. Cael and Gennadi, bringers of all our chaos..."
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| − | "The game would become so much more boring without you..."
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| − | '''Valencia Silverstar: ''' If she wanted to talk about causing chaos, the woman is leaving a piece or two out of the mosaic.
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| − | ''Moranine and Sati. ''
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| − | All crazy. Every last one of them. Valencia hoped the lot of them do not come back.
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| − | "You really ought to keep your wife on a tighter leash, Cael." She says simply, breaking the newfound silence. "I did not come here to witness her antics. If I desire those, I can walk two-hundred miles out into the snow, and behold a Wyld God pretending the world is his toy."
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| − | '''Ryshassa: ''' The healer nods gratefully to her husband, wrapping the offered coat more tightly around herself, inwardly calling up her reserves of strength. She was not as breakable as she looked; she would sit with some measure of dignity in her posture, at least.
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| − | "Everything is a game to those who love to play," she says aloud as Tahira's form dissipates. And under her breath: "So I'm left fixing what you leave behind."
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| − | | |
| − | Later, Ryshassa would check on the goddess, make sure she is cared well for. But for the moment she would rest -- and glower, at least a bit. "That was completely unnecessary. That much damage, and for what..? Who was that goddess, anyway? Other than someone Gennadi knows."
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| − | | |
| − | '''Calisara: ''' "Alexsei would known Sweet Demise for sure, she works on his division, after all."
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| − | | |
| − | The spirit speaks, appearing on the air... "She asked me to talk to Gennadi in private... I did not think there was any problem with that.. I am sorry I did not mention, Cael, I was going to later..." She speaks, her eyes cast down...
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| − | '''Alexsei: ''' He nods to Calisara, his eyes darkening somewhat at the mention of the name. "Ah yes... It did not occur to me at first... But I do know of her."
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| − | | |
| − | He could think of a few reasons why a messenger and goddes of death, not to mention a familiar to one of his superior, would be found in the Zephyr. But now was not the time or place to talk about these things - not to mention, the Chosen of Endings walks a fine enough thread without endangering himself by speculating while he would do better to regroup and think.
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| − | "She will need assistance, in any case. I do believe the emergency comes first, in this case."
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| − | | |
| − | '''Cael: ''' ''Camelia's... ''<br>
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| − | Cael watches the dissolution to blossoms.<br>
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| − | "I do not think she was ever mine to leash, Lady La Silverstar, and certainly not for long."<br> He says in calm reply. "It was not my desire to have her interupt, either..."
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| − | | |
| − | "Sweet Demise...I see. I do wonder why she was here..." he gives a small shake of his head, and a small look to Calisara, that perhaps she will explain things later. In private.
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| − | '''Ryshassa: ''' "Yes..." Alexsei's last statement alone is enough to bring Ryshassa back to her feet. It is painful to walk with bruises and scar tissue fairly caked upon one's chest and back. But she has felt worse.
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| − | | |
| − | Such a shame that the party had to be interrupted on such a note, though. As she stands she rests a hand on Alexsei's shoulder, and looks to Cael and Valencia. "I hope you will excuse me... it will weigh too heavily on my conscience if I indulge myself further with one so wounded aboard. I must see to this... Sweet Demise, as you call her... but I did enjoy the party. And I dare hope it is not the last time we will enjoy ourselves for a while."
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| − | '''Valencia Silverstar: ''' "I see. I have a question to ask you later, then." Valencia replies with some amount of thoughtfulness trying to gauge just how Cael had slanted his reply.
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| − | ''A question I have held off too long on. ''
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| − | | |
| − | She nods to Ryshassa as the woman takes her leave to go tend the prisoner. At least she understood, or so Valencia thinks. "I hope not either, but that depends on how the war goes."
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| − | | |
| − | '''Alexsei: ''' He helps her stand then, holding her close as he tries to support her as gently as possible, careful not to apply to much pressure on her wounded torso.
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| − | "It was indeed a very pleasant evening Cael, despite the... and unpredictable conclusion. I hope no one will mind, I will assist Ryshassa in tending the wounded."
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| − | | |
| − | ''And also try to answer some thoughts I have to confirm or deny... ''
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| − | '''Cael: ''' "I will see you both later, then. I am glad that you at least enjoyed the start of evening, and that you both got to play, for that truely was an experience." Cael gives a slight bow of his head to the pair.
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| − | | |
| − | "And now if you would like too, we could go back up to the lounge, Lady La Silverstar?" he looks at the lunar general.
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| − | '''Valencia Silverstar: ''' "A considerably lessened party, I'm afraid. My presence will not liven it up much." Valencia replies, but moves to go back up the occasion anyway, lapsing back into her denial of being a good party-goer once again.
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| − | '''Ryshassa: ''' "It seems we have much more than just the war to worry about," Ryshassa replies, not without a touch of regretful undertone, as her steps take her past Valencia.
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| − | She stops beneath the doorway to meet Cael's gaze, and nods. "I was overjoyed to play for all of you. Please give my regards to the others? Especially Millia and the young Prince. She does so much to keep Cedric in high spirits, it is.. inspiring."
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| − | Ryshassa feels a strong urge to speak to Cael, too, but it could wait. Would have to wait. For now she nods to Alexsei -- his company was always welcome, but she had no doubt he had further motives in accompanying her -- and heads out the door towards where Gennadi took the goddess.
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| − | ----
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| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/FifthMovement|Fifth Movement]]
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| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/DanceOfAngels|A Dance of Angels]]
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