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| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/EighthMovement|Eighth Movement]]
| + | #REDIRECT [[ADanceOfAngels]] |
| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/DanceOfAngels|A Dance of Angels]]
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| − | == Crimson Essence ==
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' Everything is essence.
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| − | She wonders, looking at a little flower. It girates on her fingers as she turns...
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| − | ''Everything is Essence. ''
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| − | She allows her consciousness to expand and take the world around them. The prince had told her of this wonderful place so far up the Spire... but she was not the type to fly, and thus she stayed far away from it, and on the gardens at ground level. Fiona, the Enchantress of Veils and Chains, was no bird.
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| − | A tome lay open in the branches in front of her, and she takes a deep breath....
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| − | And begins pouring her essence within the rose.
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| − | '''Cael: ''' Cael walks into the garden quietly, and lets his presence roll out, subtly pervading the garden, softly at first so he does not shock Fiona, gradually letting it build in intensity as he pads over the grass, never quiet enough to ''demand'' her attention, as he takes a seat on the bench, watching the magic she works.
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| − | When it is over, he speaks quietly with a soft smile on his face.
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| − | "Good morning, Fiona, The Enchantress of Veils and Chains."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' She turns to him, and smiles. The chains tingle. She seems... so innocent. And no matter her smile, always seeming as helpless as Kanti. She picks the flower on her fingers and sends it towards Cael... and it begins to let its white petals go, as its stem slowly pushes into the blossom... and transforms into petals, a shower of them over her visitor. "Good Morning, Cael Pattonna, the Windwraith." She says, and he can see her amidst the petals, picking the hems of her dress and bowing in a cursty.
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| − | '''Cael: ''' Cael smiles as the petals billow around him, plucking one of them from the air, burning a character on it in elegant golden text, a skytounge 'f', sweeping a bow at a carefully chosen time, the flare of his cloak sending the petals swirling upwards once more, distributing them over the garden.
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| − | He extends a hand toward her
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| − | "How are you this morning, Fiona?"
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' She takes his hand, still smiling, large hazel eyes peering at Cael curiously as her other hand touches the open book... and gently wills it closed, the bound cover of ever-shifting viridian and obsidian oil bound in adamant on her hand... "I'm well. It's been some odd times... but Spire had some ''great'' books! I've discovered soooo much about the nature of essence while I was around here!" She says, so enthusiastically... for her, it was like toys.
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| − | '''Cael: ''' Cael gently helps her rise from the curtsey, his other hand brushing near hers. A few moments after he steps away from her, she notices she has the petal in her hand.
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| − | "That is good to hear, I am glad you are finding things interesting here." He smiles broadly at her enthusiasm.
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| − | "The nature of essence, at least in part, is why I would speak with you if, of course, you can spare the time."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' She picks the petal.... and brings it to her face, as if looking past it.
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| − | "Well, I have all the time in the world, really! And you? Finding anything interesting?"
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| − | '''Cael: '''"Ah, not so much exploration recently. I've been quite busy teaching. The basic principles of Sorcery to Ryshassa Krauser and the amny and varied things needed to run a city to those who have volunteered."
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| − | "That takes up quite a bit of my time."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "Ah, I heard! It is very nice of you to teach... and I from what I heard it seems to be a very advanced curriculum! I'd love to look at it sometime, see how you're intending to do things..." She nods effusively... "And I can probably help with Ryshassa... ah... wish I could be doing so much..."
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| − | '''Cael: ''' "Well, I cannot claim pure altruism in my motives. Having a large corps of people both trained for efficiency and indoctrinated somewhat against corruption will go a long way toward making my job easier. Never the less, you are more than welcome to attend some or all of my talks ... or, well ... " He makes an expansive gesture and a trail of golden text writes itself on the air, detailing his teaching plans and already completed lessons. "I suppose I could make you a copy of that."
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| − | "Ryshassa, I think I have taught her all that I can, and all that she needs. Now it just rests on her, to make the choice. I could think on litttle to say to help with that, if you can, I am sure she will appreciate it."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "The choice... I can help. It's... it's always so hard, isn't it?" She looks at the plans... and then blinks. And Cael just ''knows'' she has everything she saw on her mind, every last word. "I wonder what it'll be for Ryshassa... it's... it's hard to make a choice when you are like us. I don't think you'd understand."
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| − | '''Cael: ''' "It is, yes." He says, simply. "Especially if it is one you make anew each morning." something in his voice conveying the line the choice makes him take, how easy it would be to just say no and what it means that he does not.
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| − | ''Still, that is the path I have chosen and that is the path I will walk. ''
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| − | "Still, Ryshassa is a strong woman and she is determined. She will make the choice sooner or later."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "She is, I guess... she just seems so... frail, sometimes... she worries me." She walks with him, into the grass, tapping the book on her hands... "Not like you. I guess I just don't know you well... but you sure seem like nothing will be able to hurt you. Like the Angels..."
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| − | "But... why did you come to see me? About essence?"
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| − | '''Cael: '''"It does not take hurt to make something hard." He says, smoothly speaking past the implied question, about if he could be hurt.
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| − | "Abot Essence, about Sorcery. About the Sapphire Circle."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "No.... it doesn't. She taught me ''that'' too." Is all Fiona says, stopping before a tree and climbing on it, her gossamer dress taking the sunlight and scintillating as she sits on a branch to get on eye level with Cael.... smiling oh-so-mischievously. "Ah, yes. Sapphire."
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| − | '''Cael: ''' His face shows sympathy for her remembered hurt, though he passes no comment. "It was quite an experience, watching lady silverstar and yourself casting it. Both known and unknown at the same time. But it is something I would like to know, and I would be very appreciative if you would hold me and guide me through it." He asks, with a warm, just slightly expectant smile on his face.
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "Hmmmm..." She presses a finger to her lips, wondering.... then places that same finger, still wet, on her forehead. "Well... I'm a Twilight, so it's on the charter that I can't refuses to enlighten someone who wishes knowledge, riiiight? Just like it's on the charter for Eclipses to be charming, or something." She giggles. "I can try... but on one condition!"
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| − | '''Cael: '''Cael smiles softly, and makes a polite, expansive gesture for her to continue.
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' Selina walks into the garden, for once not flying in or turning to her solid form from shadows or having followed someone. She simply randomly blunders into the meeting. Although there is a point. "Fiona, I've been looking for---"
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| − | She sees Cael, and then she sees the finger on his forehead. "--you." The Windian finishes that with a black glare.
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' She removes the finger... startled at first... and then she smiles at the Dark Angel. She looks at Cael... and then at Selina.... and suddenly, she begins to giggle, before bursting into a full-blown laughter! "The irony! The sun ''does'' like it!"
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "...what's so funny?"
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| − | '''Cael: ''' Cael returns the black glare neutrally, not letting any annoyance he might feel show.
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| − | "Ah, good day to you, Dark Angel." He says, nodding his head in polite greeting.
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "Well, he... and me... and I was going... and you... oh sun, oh sun." She shakes her head, drying a little tear from her eye from the laughing.... and then, the picks a leaf from the tree, spinning it on her hand... looking at both sides of it, as if it were them. "See, he was asking me about Sapphire Circle. Just like you did the other day. Remember? Well... I got the condition from you two, now."
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| − | She grins, ''so'' mischievously...
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| − | "I will teach you both, but only together. And only if you promise to be friends."
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "This of course, does not surprise me in the least." Selina says evenly, crossing her arms over her chest in the manner she did when Vorpal had interrupted her hentai-sale with Gennadi. "And just why do you want us to be best buddies? He probably considers me uncouth and an agent of darkness ready to strike. And I...well..."
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| − | She looks at Cael with an almost rapaciously fanged grin. "Maybe you have some memory of what I wouldn't like ''you'' for."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "Because you two are ''nice! ''" She points out! "And important. The prince trusts you both... but everybody can see you don't talk much. You are both important, rallying people around each other... but it doesn't seem like it will go well! And Alex is just so completely passive when it comes to the two of you!" She says, hands on her hips.
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| − | "So, I have to take matters into my own hands."
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| − | "And..." She smiles, so mischievously, once again...
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| − | "I have a way to get both of you to Sapphire before long, still in this war."
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| − | '''Cael: ''' Cael quirks an eyebrow at the grin.
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| − | "No, nothing especially springs to mind. You cannot even accuse me of attempting to woo Vorpal after you requested I did not." He says, in honest answer.
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| − | "As to what I think of you ... I am more than willing to extend my hand in friendship." He grins "However uncouth you may be."
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "But I bet you wouldn't say no if I asked you to not do it in the future." Selina says with an irritated huff. "Despite how it may seem, I am not blind to being crafty about things occasionally. At any rate, Fiona, you are an evil little twit now. Is some of that cat demon still in there?"
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' Her ears perk up, and then... she jumps ''up'' the tree, doing a sommersault... allowing them just that short glimpse of her panties, before she begins to fall, and her white tail curls up around a branch... holding her in place. "... ''yes''. Sooo.... is that a yes? He said yes, teach, but you didn't say yes yet...." She nearly sings the last part!
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "Hey, y'know, I have been trying!"
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' She pulls herself back... and then ''foooowwwaaarrrddd'', landing behind Selina's neck and just... hanging, there, arms around her neck and feet not touching the ground... the advntage of hanging from someone so tall! "Try harder! And Cael... there's another price for you too! Teach gets a pass on that because she's teach! But you will have to pay more!" She nods sagely, but not where he can see.
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "I haven't tried to kill him, and I ''did'' try to kill the Prince and the Pale Angel. The latter more than once." She says sullenly, arms still crossed.
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| − | '''Cael: ''' "And for that, I am grateful" He says, simply and honestly.
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| − | "But speak of your second price, Fiona." He says, a grin on his face as she hangs off the Dark Angel.
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' She pulls back... and then holds to Selina's shoulders, jumping foward and landing in front of Cael! God, how much she loved her current nimbleness. The Virdynn certainly left her with... so much.... and then she smiled up at him, and aside from slitted, feline hazel eyes... she was purely the scholar again, the sweet scholar, tapping his arm, and the golden tatoos. "I want to study the binds! I keep seeing strange things when you use them and I am deep in Trance... I want to understand them!"
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| − | '''Cael: ''' Cael considers for a moment.
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| − | "Very well," he nods. "You may study the Binds."
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "That's a rather odd request." Selina says, looking at Fiona wonderingly. "You don't want to make your own versions, do you?"
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' She looks to one side... then to another... making rather shifty eyes....
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| − | "... now, ''why'' would I?" She asks with a grin.
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "You're already weird enough without that." She concludes. "Just like my sister."
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| − | "And even more hyperactive." She uncrosses her arms and shifts her weight to one side. "I do hope you do not expect me to swear on some oath that I'm gonna be friends. I have one set of oaths already, and they are enough for me."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "No...." She shrugs, relaxing a bit. All this had made her so very hyper! After all, it was rare when she could be so evil to both of the most respected and unflappable members of the Circle! "Just... try to be nice, alright? I will see about giving you some books... you read together. We'll meet here when we can.... and you can keep reading, until I do the... thing, that ''might'' get you two to learn Sapphire..."
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| − | "But you dislike oaths? Awws, and we could make such fun oaths!"
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: '''"Yes, fun oaths like 'Aine has to forego wearing panties' or 'Aine isn't allowed to do what her masters order even though they could potentially crush her like a bug if she refuses'?" Selina advances on her. "I should tickle you mercilessly."
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| − | '''Cael: ''' ''Aine isn't allow to wear any panties... ''
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| − | Cael allows his mind to wander for a moment, before he is brought back to the garden, and the possibility of Selina tickling Fiona.
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| − | "The ... thing?" He asks curiously.
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' She begins to step back, gouts of sweat showing up on her forehead as Selina advances.... and she makes that face... that face one sees on cornered, confused cats! "Well... um... you... see... wait, you've sworn to never use panties?" She stops, her eyes widening... "... well, it does explain the swimsuits..."
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "No I haven't, and Moon can testify to that." She says smoothly, looming over Fiona with a distant, almost scary look. "What is this 'thing'?"
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' She takes a last step back... bumping into Cael. Suddenly, she was on the stage! And all eyes were on her. And this... this is scary. "Well, see... Spire, all of it... it seems to be absorving everything around it. The echoes of the dead, a 'print' of the souls... it is not quite something from the building, though, but it ''is'' there! And the books... there are many books on this phenomena that extrapolate essence from it! It has... waves. There will be a peak in a couple of weeks, during a celestial conjunction... and I think I can... don't laugh now... use all this essence in a ritual to create the trials all within Spire, and melt the energies and the books together! The latter, the Binds seem to be able to do... if I can do that... the trials, and all the understanding, will fill you as you climb a stairway to heaven, made by me!"
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| − | "... or I can blow all of us up, and the whole Spire."
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| − | "... but let's be positive?"
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "I should note, Fiona, that you do not have to follow the Brigid legend to learn sorcery. I didn't. I doubt my cousin does, too." Then she tries to visualize what Fiona is talking about.
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| − | "Spire is a mystical lightning rod, and the Bishop could try to blow it up or knock it down on us all when this is happening."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "He might... but it might be worth it, too! You both, all our power... you have no idea what it is like, Teach... to hold Sapphire Sorcery in your hand. It is such a power... such a dominion... my shard is as powerful as yours', but there is something there that transcends our magic..." She looks to the sky, lost in thought... "It might be worth it..."
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "Maybe not, but I do remember a bit of it." She says loftily.
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| − | '''Cael: ''' "That is a .... interesting plan."
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| − | "If there are no abyssals nearby that claim aleigence to the Bishop....it would quicken things."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "Yes! Yes, it would!" She points to Cael, looking to Selina as if to say 'hey, listen to him!'
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| − | "I'll get the books for you two later... then you'll see." She nods.
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "You know, I did try to kill as many of those as I could, and scatter the rest." Selina reminds them. "Maybe the ones that are left will stay away...but fanatics never take the hint."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "We are at war, and they could attack at any moment...."
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| − | Then she stops, touching the binds...
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| − | "You know, Teach, you seem awfully calm with the fact I'll have to strip him to research the Binds..."
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "Would you rather I was frothing at the mouth at the idea?" Selina asks gleefully, giving her a somewhat toothy grin. "I already know he's perverted underneath that quiet exterior -- it's always the quiet ones."
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| − | '''Cael: ''' Cael raises an eyebrow once more.
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| − | "Quiet?"
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| − | "I am not sure you have spent much time around me, Dark Angel."
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "Oh?" Selina asks, turning to face him. "I don't, yes, but every time I have been around you and it wasn't a meeting you were. One goes on what one knows."
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| − | '''Cael: '''"Perhaps I will have to start shouting you down and insulting you then." He says with a small shrug. "It appears that is what is needed for you to notice people."
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| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "No, it's...your manner. It is hard to describe." She says, not entirely sure of how she's coming across. "It's so low key, I guess."
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| − | === Some Time Later... ===
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| − | '''Cael: ''' Onboard the Zephyr towards the top of the Spire, Cael sat in his study, sipping on a glass of red wine as he worked on a letter to the man who lead the 'Spookies', refining his phrases and content, until the letter was perfectly crafted to convey just what he wanted. It wasn't the first letter he had written today, and probably wouldn't be the last, though it was of vital import that they were 'just so'. He took another sip, and banished a sentence into a golden mist.
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| − | For his part today, Cael was wearing a black silk shirt, picked out in places with small golden birds, over black pants, the shirt unbuttoned at the neck, relaxed as he was.
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' She knocks on his door, at exactly the time she had set, not a second too late.
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| − | When one learns how to bend time, ponctuality becomes very important!
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| − | She is in her gossamer dress, resplendent in pearlescent white, same color was her fur-covered ears and tail, a tail that swishes back and forth as she waits. Slung down her right is a large violet bag, clicking with the sounds of metal instruments and moving in the way of being filled with books. On her feet were high heels taken on the House of Heavenly Pleasures, and her hair was, for the first time in weeks, done in the twin tails that Kanti still sported.
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| − | "Cael? It's me, Fiona!"
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| − | '''Cael: ''' Cael drains the last of his wine and sets the glass down, pulling the letters back into the binds and walking from the study and down to the main door of the Zephyr, opening it with a smile.
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| − | "Fiona, welcome. It is good to see you. How are you today?" He gestures that she should come inside. "You are looking very welll though." He starts to lead her up through the Zephyr and towards the lounge, making small talk as he goes before they reach the room. "Please, take a seat." He makes another idle gesture.
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| − | "Calisara, if you could attend please. I am sure Fiona would like a drink." He takes his own seat. He wondered if Cal would have changed from the outfit she had worn this morning...
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' She walks with him, smiling at his words... "Thank you. Days gave me this dress... and I think it looks very good. The shoes are Vivian's... I wonder how she is now..." She wonders, as they walk through the Zephyr... "I miss Anne and Millia... the Zephyr is not the same without them, is it?" She asks, as she sits down...
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| − | '''Cael: ''' "I thought I could see her work there." Cael isn't leering, of course, but neither is he ignoring her.
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| − | He smiles as she mentions Anne and Millia, a slightly sad smile. "It's certainly ''quieter'' ... at least when Shara isn't complaining."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' So... full of ''class! '' She had to give that to him. Selina knew all the manneirisms, but had too much energy and raw passion to have such class... and none of the others did. Alex... Alex was still too young. He tried, though, she'd give him that. But Cael... "The quieter is probably due to the lack of Cedric." she giggles. "That would certainly do it. I miss Millia and Anne, though... if just because I miss people of my age to talk to. They never understood raw magical theory and theorems... but they understood what counted."
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| − | "Ah, Shara..." She looks a little somber... "You have a Vidynn here alright."
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| − | '''Calisara: ''' Calisara appears, still dressed in the same outfit of the morning... if that could be called an outfit. A maid's apron and tiara, with ribbons on her arms and legs... and nothing else. She smiled to Fiona... she loved to do this, when they were just girls there. To show she is the woman of the ship, for one. And because it was much less embarassing than if it was a man. "Good day, Fiona. How are you?" She asked, leaving a tray with many drinks for them to choose.
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| − | Well, because it is less embarassing than a man and because she was sure Fiona would...
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' ... blush. Like she did.
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| − | "G... good day, Cal..."
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| − | '''Cael: ''' Cael laughs too. "Yes, a lack of Cedric would explain it all rather neatly. Not that the other two were exactly silent." He shakes his head. "I can understand why you miss them though. I don't suppose there are that many of your age around here though..."
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| − | "But yes, Shara is a Virdynn, but I could hardly fight her in Millia's body, so I had to talk her out of trying to kill me ..." He gives a small shrug to suggest that the rest was history.
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| − | "Ah, Cal." He shakes his head. "You are incorrigable. Though thank you for the drinks."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "She is still a Virdynn. Did Millia tell you what it feels like to have one of those in you?"
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| − | Her eyes are full of venom as she picks a bottle of brandy and pours it on a glass for herself.
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| − | "They are monsters."
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| − | '''Cael: ''' "No, I don't." He stands and walks over, picking up a glass and pouring some brandy of his own and taking a sip.
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| − | "I do know that she will be riding no other people while she is on this ship. She is most certainly not the only 'monster' who moves with the Shades of Eventide."
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| − | "Though still, you did not come to talk of Shara today, so what does bring you here?"
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "Aine doesn't count... she is nice."
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| − | ''Well... kind of. ''<br>
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| − | ''Does Kanti count too? ''<br>
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| − | ''She... she could hurt... ''
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| − | A moment lost in thoughts, looking at the glass. She decides not to drink.
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| − | "You forgot already? You told me I could get a good look at the Empyrean Binds...well, and... other stuff!" She proclaims happily, picking her bag from the floor and throwing it on a chair to her side. "Who are the other monsters? Is teach one?"
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| − | '''Cael: ''' "Ah, that is a judgement I will not pass. I was merely pointing out that Shara was hardly the only person who might be considered a monster based purely on what she is." He assumes Fiona is intelligent enough to draw the inference there.
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| − | "But yes, I do recall saying that, though I must express a certain curiousity at the other things I think I will tease you with the fact that I have something to ask of you too."
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| − | '''Fiona: ''' "Oooh?" She asked, as tools begun to pour on the table... instruments of essence-measurement, metallic and golden, silver and bronze... couple of ones with magnifying lenses to better help even with essence sight, tools of a savant, much used by thaumathurges trying to work with geomancy. "I ''did'' hear you are ever a tease. What is that you wish to ask of me?"
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| − | | |
| − | '''Cael: ''' "It would hardly be polite of me to put my own agenda above your own, especially with the favour you are granting me." He says with a smile that hints at devilishness. "Is there anything you would know about the binds before you start your ... ''examination''?"
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| − | | |
| − | '''Fiona: ''' "Only everything you can tell me about how they work, and how they came about!" She nods sagely.
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| − | | |
| − | "And you can tell me while I do it, if you wish... but that's only when you want. I'll need you to strip and lie down your front on that couch when you are ready..." She nods, blushing a little more. "... er, remember, underwear on."
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| − |
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| − | '''Cael: ''' "Ah, nothing much then." He says with a grin and stands slowly, starting to casually unbutton his shirt, slipping it from his shoulders to reveal a smoothly muscled torso, golden lines gracefully curving over the surface. Next he slips two sunlight bracers from his wrists, setting them on the chair arm next to his shirt, then slipping his pants off, laying them over the back of the chair. Thus disrobed, Fiona is ''almost'' certain he raises an eyebrow, as if inviting examination, though perhaps she is just imagining it.
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| − | | |
| − | He walks easily over to the couch and lies down on it, settling himself in easily.
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| − | | |
| − | "I am not sure of their origin. I know only that shortly after I Exalted, after I took my leave of the Haslanti, I flew the Zephyr - though I knew not where, at the time - and found the great mountain which is my manse and when I found it, I passed into a deep sleep, and when I awoke, they were twisted around my body..."
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| − | | |
| − | '''Fiona: '''She ''admired'' him.
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| − | | |
| − | ''So beautiful... ''
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| − | | |
| − | She nearly ogled. Nearly. Almost. Not really.<br>
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| − | But she ''did'' blush. So much.<br>
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| − | And tried sooo hard not to look at his underwear.<br>
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| − | With not much success.
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| − | | |
| − | Fiona picked the instruments, walking to Cael's side... and running her hands on his back.
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| − | | |
| − | "What about their story? They must have quite a legend, with a name like that..."
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| − | | |
| − | '''Cael: ''' Cael seemed to shift a little under her hands, his skin so very warm, except where the binds crossed over it, and there it almost felt like it was rimmed with ice, sometimes at least.
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| − | | |
| − | "Of their story, I am less sure - not for lack of searching, I can assure you. I know that they were crafted in the First Age, I know that my predecessor used them in the war that shattered the North. I know that he used them in the final battle that he fought."
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| − | | |
| − | "I know that Heaven fears them, and that She Who Cuts The Binds will be released ... just as soon as they sort out a few niggling paperwork issues." Something in his voice suggests that perhaps he has something to do with these issues.
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| − | | |
| − | '''Calisara: ''' Cal wrapped her arms around Fiona's neck for a moment, whispering, in what is ''supposedly'' too low for Cael to hear...
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| − | | |
| − | "Should have told him to take it all. The rest is even ''more'' magnificent!"
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| − | | |
| − | The giggles, vanishing the next moment...
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| − | | |
| − | '''Fiona: '''... and leaving a ''furiously blushing'' Fiona behind.
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| − | | |
| − | "I... I s..see.... eh, wel...."
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| − | | |
| − | "An... and wha... what do.. do you know about what they... do?"
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| − | | |
| − | She holds her chest, and the pounding heart.
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| − | | |
| − | ''Calm down, Fiona, calm down, think of the knowledge... ''
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| − | | |
| − | '''Cael: ''' "Is ''something'' the matter?" He asks, his voice full of .. concern. Anything else was just her imaginaton. Obviously. Since he was just lying there, still. Almost naked, but still.
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| − | | |
| − | "But as for what they can do ... they can write words of gold on the air, as you have seen. Those words can cut right to the heart of people. I can write myself wings ... wings of a thousand paens to flight .. those words keep me aloft. I can write a message on the world, one that will travel to whoever I say. They can devour books, dissolving them into a golden pool of words, and those I can drink in reading the words and drawing power from them."
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| − | | |
| − | "And I can write things into the world, tangiable things." He concentrates, and golden lines trace over the surface, gathering at his outstretched hand in a torrent of words far deeper than any she has seen.
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| − | | |
| − | And then he holds a golden rose.
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| − | | |
| − | "Like this."
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| − | | |
| − | '''Fiona: ''' "N... no, not really..." She trails of, her voice coarse. So full of blushes and things and...
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| − | | |
| − | A rose!
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| − | | |
| − | She picks it, bringing it to her lips, feeling its scent...
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| − | | |
| − | ''That is so... so... ''
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| − | | |
| − | "It is just like a real rose..."
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| − | | |
| − | "Drinking words... I'd like to drink words. Hmmm..."
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| − | | |
| − | Rose in hand, she brought some angle-thing to his back, cold needles touching his back and his tatoos, and playing over it as she watched their arrangement... "I would like to drink words. Read books so fast, taste knowledge... would be so useful! Maybe I'll make a spell for that!"
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| − | | |
| − | '''Cael: ''' "It is a real rose. At least as far as I know." He says, his voice rolling from his lips warm and golden, just like the rose.
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| − | | |
| − | She can also see the slight tremble that passes through him at the chill, watch the minute shifting of muscles as he reacts to the points on his back.
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| − | | |
| − | "Of course, the big problem is that once you have drunk them ... you have no book any more."
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| − | | |
| − | '''Fiona: ''' "True..." Her voice was calmer now. So much calmer. She had herself under control... least a bit... and poured herself into his back, seeing the ebbs and flows in the essence of the golden binds... "But then, I'd just learn how to write all of them again! I've always wanted to write books... sorcerous treatises... and I know we can achieve masteries that do it so fast, maybe by themselves..." She nods, noticing something... "So interesting... it seems to be... well, it is... hard to describe. But it is just what i am talking about. The Binds are language. Someone wrote in your soul."
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| − | | |
| − | "Hmmm, and what were you going to ask me?"
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| − | | |
| − | '''Cael: ''' "That ''is'' interesting. I have often thought I saw words in the binds, words on my skin and others have said so too, though no-one has ever understood them...Not knowing what they say has always bothered me."
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| − | | |
| − | "Ah...Well, I suppose I have ''teased'' you enough for one day at least." As he says those words, his deameanor seems to shift just a little, inviting further imagination on the part of Fiona.
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| − | | |
| − | Gold flows from his fingertips once more. rising above him in a perfectly scribed kanji that steams slightly with the chill. The character is skytongue for 'one', a singular symbol. It is only when you look at it correctly that suddenly the whole meaning is clear and that the symbol is that of 'One', the unity and co-operation of all, in the Northern variation of the old realm script.
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| − | | |
| − | '''Fiona: ''' She takes a deep breath as he says it... all the hidden meanings clear to her, but she tries not to see them, and her cheeks, finally becoming white again, tinge with the lightest rose. And then she looks at the Kanji... deep within, deciphering it... "... unity? You told me... or was it Alex? That you wanted to keep the north united and in the light, right? Is that about that?"
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| − | | |
| − | '''Cael: ''' "In a manner of speaking, yes." he continues, still lounging there mostly naked.
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| − | | |
| − | "I would be very much grateful if you could make that symbol for me. Craft it into tiny pins of gold, hard to spot unless you should see them. That will be the symbol of the One. They will be my foremost agents of change, wherever I send them ... but they will not always work openly, they will not always make themselves known ... unless, of course, they need too."
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| − | | |
| − | '''Fiona: ''' "... ooh? You are trusting on my craft ability?" Her voice is full of... lots of things.
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| − | | |
| − | A '''whole''' lot!
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| − | | |
| − | She drops the angle, and it falls aside the couch...
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| − | | |
| − | "That is... I..."
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| − | | |
| − | '''Cael: ''' "You know someone I should turn too instead for such work?" He asks simply, not turning to look at her.
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| − | | |
| − | "I need someone with deft fingers and a skill with jewellery, I need someone who can weave the pins with the subtlest of enchantments to hide them when that is needful. I need someone I can trust to form them just perfectly, because that too is important. Who else should I trust, if not you?"
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| − | | |
| − | '''Fiona: ''' She blushes... and smiles. And beams. Literally. Butterflies of golden and violet light, the burning of the last sunlight through the leaves of the eastern forests... and she is happy. So very happy. "... and I thought you would only do so after I gave you that." She nods, and gets up from sidding on his back, walking to her bag... and picking something from it. "Now, it will be a gift for you being such a ''perfect'' gentleman, too. The greatest gentleman in Spire."
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| − | | |
| − | She takes... something red. And burning with golden words wreathed in the red, tinged with shadow. She walks closer to him... leaving it on the couch in front of him. "I took this. Made it. Ryshassa helped. It is... the General's cape. The Binds touched it..." Indeed, it was warm. And cold. At once. The red was almost like velvet... but not. What was his cape made of?
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| − | | |
| − | "It is a coat for you, my loved gentleman. Courtesy of a twin twilight."
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| − | | |
| − | '''Cael: ''' Cael accepts the hug from the very warm young twilight on his back, and the hug pleases him, far more than even that though. Mostly, he was pleased just for the smile her voice.
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| − | | |
| − | He looked at the coat as she laid it in front of him, and he wondered, running his hand along the fabric, tracing the red, tracing the gold, tracing the shadow. "It appears that I owe Ryshassa and yourself even more for such a fine gift."
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| − | | |
| − | "Though I do wonder if I am allowed to dress yet." And though she can't be sure, the way he says it seems to imply that all she need to do is say so, if she wishes his current state of undress to continue.
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| − | | |
| − | '''Fiona: ''' He touches the gold... and sees those are words. There is a poem there. But it is a poem that is neither light nor shadow, a poem of Frozen Light worked into gems in the coat. A poem created by the clash of a verse for the General's demise and a march for void's dominance. And this poem defines this coat of carmine. She looks at him... and smiled. Still smiling so much. "Glad you liked. Now, you can dress... I have seen enough of the Binds for a day! I gotta try to puzzle what it means, what I learned today..." She nods, admiring him again, and the coat, and wondering how he'd look in red...that dark skin...
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| − | | |
| − | '''Cael: '''"As you like."
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| − | | |
| − | Cael flows smoothly to his feet, stretching slightly, apparently not noticing her looks as he does so, walking casually back over to the chair he had sat at before and pulling on his pants and shirt, buttoning them up, concealing the binds once more. He walks back over to the sofa, picking up the coat and slipping into it.
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| − | | |
| − | "Perfect."
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| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | ----
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| − | | |
| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/EighthMovement|Eighth Movement]]
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| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/DanceOfAngels|A Dance of Angels]]
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