Babysitters Club

[Danü Rèalta]

llyana's ears would perk up curiously as he explained, her eyes narrowing a bit before she would chuckle.

"Well, If twas yours then I suspect ye would remember. Then tis either yours now or will be. And for me..."

She'd look back to the dapple grey, pursing her lips and giving a loud whistle. The ears of the steed would perk in her direction, seeming to recognize the sound but also in no hurry to dislodge himself immediately from his grazing. After a moment, when it had felt it had properly pulled enough of the sweet grass for himself the stallion would begin to walk in the Fae's direction, quickening it's pace with a buck of it's hind legs to express it's displeasure of being summoned.

"Tis hard tae say. Tis mine now, or will be mine. Could also have been hers. I suppose."

She'd reach out her hand and the stallion would move it's head to her chest, standing there a moment as he chewed and sniffed. Finally pushing her away with it's head. Illyana would grumble, pushed back a couple of steps but remaining on her feet. She'd reach out and put her hand upon the top of his nose, shaking her head.

"Stop it." She'd fuss, shaking her head. "Or ye Brother brought me a stubborn colt from ye future stables."

Illyana would grab a handful of mane and pull herself up, holding on tight as the skittish horse pranced sideways a bit, before settling under her. She'd chuckle lightly, looking over to Sunfire with a grin.

"So ye have a Brother? Siblings be rare in Arcadia. If they happen, then they typically be years apart."

[darkheart]

Leere would naturally fall in step with the dapple grey, and they would whinny at each other and pause. The dark horse would eat some grass, his muscles taut with anticipation of being driven hard at any moment. Sunny, on the other hand, looked relaxed. He hadn't ridden a horse since the day he'd fought Archos' armies in the great Castle tournaments. He remembered griffons and necromancers, archers and ninja, power and strategy clashing magnificently in a fashion that had not happened since. There was a part of him that missed it - the chance for glory and to fully let loose on his power. The God Dragon was the only being he'd ever met that had met his full strength and lived. Filled in a world of tissue paper and cardboard, rag dolls and smoke dances, he felt like he would break anything he'd touch.

His words would come out somewhat far away, then, in response to her question.

"A brother and a sister, actually. Children are rare among the Solavi - only one per couple. Twins are an oddity that are bound to my family, somehow. I, myself, am not born naturally I'm told. A clone....a, sort of copy of my brother through magic and science. It is how my people survive. The Elders are copied and their souls transferred. In this way they are able to have more than one child in their lives. My father, along with Lilith and Charon's father made this possible. My Father has never been cloned...I was one of the first. Each of us has an inherent trait to do with with the interstellar universe. A connection, somehow. My sister is connected with the Void of Space...my brother with something known as Quantum Entanglement...put simply, your horse exists in multiple dimensions and realities simultaneously. He is able to see them all and is pulled through space and time to different versions of himself. In this way he has often seen the past, present and future of multiple realities. People think he can predict the future, but in reality he just remembers the future...or, at least, versions of it. The version you just saw was about to die. You may see him 2 days from now at 5 years old. It's...complicated.

Do you have any family?"

[Danü Rèalta]

"Aye. It does sound complicated. And sad. For all three of ye."

She'd grab a handful of mane, encouraging the dapple grey to walk instead of lazily munching grass, the black sensing the movement and falling in easy stride. She was recalling the conversation she had with Nathan and his explanation of his existence. She could see how it could cause an issue in identity if one focused too much on it. Not that she had room to talk. She was actively trying not to focus too much on her own situation. A situation that would likely become too complicated not to focus on if they really were bringing the... others... back here.

"But I suppose I can see the math in it."

She'd quietly think on his next question. She did have family. She hoped they were still well, considering. But it was a sad thought knowing that even if they were, when would she be able to see them again.

"Aye. I do. Father, Mother.... Grandparents on either side. Extended family... friends who travel with me who be close enough tae call family." She'd chuckle then. "All with their own stories. Of course, I donnae know if I have any Great-Grandparents. I've nae heard tell of them and me Grandparents be plenty old as tis."

[darkheart]

As they rode, the world would grow a little cold around them. It would be like a frosty breeze touching their skin. Sunny would turn the horses towards a thicket, pressing through. As they came out the other side, a large field would open into view, strange mists drifting over them. Small creatures would flit back and forth, and the Weave would be thick in the air. There was a slight frost around them, and the horses hooves crunched in the stiff grass. A small pixie would fly up to him, a sawn in half coke can for a helmet and a rather large kabob skewer for a spear. His little voice would ring out clearly with a childish authority.

"Halt Intruders, or I shall slay thee! You are in the lands of...oh! Hello Nih Nih! I didn't recognize you! And that's not Lady Puma...that's...that's......THAT'S"

"Hush Flib...that will be enough. Yes, I have brought a guest...it is why I have come only to the Outlands. I would be most grateful if the Winter Knight or Mab do not know that I've come...if you see Hib, after you're done fighting, please let him know that I'd like to escape Titania and the Summer Knight's notice as well. We are here to travel to Arcadia, and we'd prefer not to do it with the Erlking's hounds at our heels, yes? There's a box of donuts in it for you both next time you drop by.."

"Oh! Oh! Bizzy Bismarcks? Bossy Cremes? Yes! YES! Flib will honor the Master's wishes! Hib will say nought lest I finally cut out his tongue, dirty Summer smognoggle!"

A slight smile creased his lips as he clicked his teeth and turned his horse around.

"Mi'lady, perhaps you know the way to Arcadia, then? I am somewhat unfamiliar, and the Nevernever is so....fickle."

He smiled gently to her, thinking in the back of his mind that Lilith was most likely going to kill him in the morning for this...especially if he did not figure a way to get back into Oghma...but then, he promised to keep her out of the library and to keep her safe. Like a good Fae promise, he'd never actually promised to keep her in Oghma.

[Danü Rèalta]

Illyana had become so lost in thought that she almost had not noticed when they left Oghma. She had found it strange when the sensation, or the pull of magic from the realm had ceased to touch her. If Sunny had a care to notice, the floating spiderweb like strings of magic that had a mind to drift from the sanctuary and attach themselves to this Illyana had stopped following her. She would sigh almost in relief, not that she could see or know what was happening, but that the tingly sensation that almost seemed to overwhelm her senses had subsided. At that moment she did not care where they were.

She'd look around, breathing in the air as it grew more brisk and looking around curiously. Until the sprite with his spear and coke can helm would fly up to them like a bottle rocket. The colt she rode upon would start and skitter sideways a step before calming and even without saddle or bridle the Fae would remain upon his back and still control the animal. She'd lead the colt back to stand aside Sunfire's steed, leaning forward a bit to watch the sprite as he seemed to recognize her. Impossible, she thought. They were not in Arcadia, and word of her deeds did not extend past the Kingdom of Gorias. No, this one was recognizing her 'other'.

Yana would just shake her head, looking back over to Sunny as he made mention the realm of her birth. Long ears would perk up and smile would cross over her features as she grasped his intention.

"Aye, because the purpose of the mists is tae keep trespassers out and tae trap the malcontent." Faery Mists, Spirit World, Nevernever, Umbra, the nothing.... so many had different names for the area which he spoke. But every realm of the fae connected to the other if you knew the path. If they were in the lands of Queen Medb of Ulster then she knew where to find a connecting pathway to Arcadia, which would put them out near the northern kingdom of Falias.

"Do keep up then. The unseelie courts are easily offended and do love a good dual tae the death."

She'd grin, grip ahold of the colt's mane tightly and urge the dapple grey into a gallop.

[darkheart]

He would nod quietly, turning his mount to follow her. He knew all too well of the courts - he'd even gone a round or two with the previous winter night. His Solavi nature made many in the Winter Court think him naturally one of Tatiana's, and while he did not mind terribly - it was a pain to come here. All the rules - the food, the oaths, the hounds...oh how he hated running from the Erlking's hounds. There were few being in the universe that he dare not step toe to toe with, but everyone knew not to cross the Erlking. Such was trouble unknown to many and endured by none.

He trotted along behind her in silence, his sharp ears flicking now and then at the whispered promises and the vain threats that chattered through the mists. He'd never minded the Astral, the Umbra or the Prime Material...but the Nevernever...he'd never understood Illyana's care for the place. He had never been to the land of her birth, and he was slightly excited to see it. However, rarely did coming to this place come without a cost, and he had not adequately prepared for this journey. It could mean very little...but he prayed that trouble did not find them just yet.

[Danü Rèalta]

The dapple grey snorted nervously, it's muscles twitching beneath it's smooth flesh. Had Illyana not controlled the colt it certainly would have taken it's head and ran fleet of foot from the area in which they now found themselves. Illyana seemed to pay them no mind, the chittering spiders that loomed overhead and made their homes within the dead trees whose branches passed above them. She paid them no mind, and yet she kept her free hand resting gently upon the hilt of Aimsitheoir Stoirme. There was nothing to fear. So long as they did not panic and try to flee, the spiders would do nothing more than taunt them. And even if they did.... well, she had a taste of what this Sunfire Shadowstar who accompanied her could do.

As they rode the air about them would grow warmer. A light mist would cling to the grass beneath the hooves of the horses and they'd leave the treeline and the spiders behind. The mist would only grow larger and more and more dense as they travelled until they could barely see each other much less the road before them. It was deceptive, clearly it was daylight, the fog nearly white and somewhere above was a sun, though it seemed to move with the turn of a head. A trick of the mystical water vapor that permeated the area. Illyana clicked her tounge, urging the colt to side step until he was near touching the black stallion Sunfire rode upon. She'd unwrap a mauroon satin sash she had tied around her waist, tying one end around her wrist and handing the other to Sunfire.

"Most magic be null here. Or it be reflected in ways ye cannae control. The mists want ye tae get lost. They'll keep ye here, feeding off ye magic and life, bouncing ye around tae different hellish realms tae keep ye addled and lost. Unless ye have a way tae navigate them."

She'd touch Aimsitheoir Stoirme, running her fingers along its sheath only to brush against one of the sapphires in the hilt. She'd continue to trace her fingers outwards through the air, a stream of light the same color as the stone trailing between it and her fingers. It eventually broke away and balled it's self into a small ball of blue light.

"Shepot Devina, privedi nas v dom starshego ottsa."

The light would flicker brightly and slowly move ahead. Yana would grip hold of the colt's mane, urging it forward at a walk, leading her right arm trail at her side and slightly behind, keeping a grip on the long sash so that it wouldn't just fall off of where she bound it to her wrist. She wouldn't lose sight of the whisp. Not so long as Aimsitheoir Stoirme remained upon her person.

They hadn't travelled long, but it felt like hours as the magic of the mists twisted about them and tried to separate them, but eventually the mist began to fade and what they stepped out onto was a forest of evergreens covered in very thick and deep snow. She smiled, breathing in the crisp, cold, and pine scented air.

"Falias. Tis been awhile."

[darkheart]

The chitter of the spiders would cause his features to crease, frowning slightly. He suddenly regretted not having Ausblutant on his back. Reaching out with a nod, he wrapped the scarf around his hand and clicked his teeth so his mount moved forward in time with Illyana's. As the mists curled around him, occasionally a tendril would twist over his skin. As it tried to touch his life force, it would turn crimson for a brief second and then mysteriously transmute to ash. As if sentient, the mist would slightly recoil from him in a silent scream. He truly hated the Nevernever. As it closed around them, his black hair swayed back and forth quietly and his crimson eyes glittered with a dark soulfire. It was good that he did not catch a reflection of himself.

As the air warmed and they moved from the fog, his features shifted from their reddish tint back to the bronzed skin of a sunelf, his eyes back to silver-green. His hair remained black, however. The rays of Solavi did not reach this place and he was mostly 'powerless' here. One more reason to despise this place. Licking his lips, he could taste sulphur in his mouth as he always did here. Not wishing to be misread, he did not spit in front of the lady. Looking out over the lands as they came into view, he smiled.

"You have a beautiful homeland, Illyana. I am not fond of this Realm for many reasons, but it brings me joy that you have memories of a place of grandeur such as this. Are you prepared to search it out?"

[Danü Rèalta]

"Nae."

She'd answer simply, turning her gaze from the pristine and crisp snow to finally look back at Sunfire. Long ears would perk curiously as she'd note the green eyes. They were red when he first entered Oghma and met with her. She'd smile.

"Nae. I donnae want tae search it out as I know it'll be different than my last memory. But I want tae know. Curiosity beckons me tae see."

She'd adjust herself from where she sat on the bare back of the dapple grey, her senses sharper than the horse's as the crack of a branch just within the woods to her left caught her attention. Eyes that would reflect light from the shadows would peer out at them from under a tree heavily leadened with snow. A low grow would emanate from the area and within a moment the grey wolf would emerge from where it had been hiding. That is when the horses would tense and whinny. Both of them once more wanting to run from the creature as they pawed at the thick snow.

The wolf would pause, hesitant as the blonde fae rested her hand upon a familiar sword. It would stalk out in front of their path and in a moment would shift into the form of an elder man in a long grey trench coat.

"Klyanus' bogami, eto ne moya zvezda!"

He would smile with a booming laugh that shook the snow from off the branches of the closest of trees.

"Seryy volk!" She would laugh, quickly sliding off the back of the colt and landing in the thick snow that came nearly to her knees. She would tredge up to him without hesitation. He would simply smile, throwing his arms open wide but not daring to move. If this was some illusion meant to trick him, he would be ready.

She'd hug him, and much like another wild beast Sunfire would be familiar with, this man would casually sniff Illyana's hair.

"Eto moya zvezda! No etogo ne mozhet byt'! You left Arcadia when last I hear. Now you return and are same!"

He'd laugh, slapping her on the shoulders, to which she would offer a sheepish smile. She had no memory of leaving. She wondered what else had happened she couldn't remember. The sound of the horses would bring her back to herself, and she'd look around to Sunfire.

"Ach. I have nary a manner. Boris, this is my.....friend. Sunfire Shadowstar. Sunfire, this be Boris Grey Wolf. An old friend of the family."

[darkheart]

He would dismount slowly, his hands away from his sides and palms forward so as not to be seen reaching for his blade. Turning the gesture into a slight bow with a flourish of the wrists, he nodded to Boris quietly.

Privetstvuyu, Seryy Volk, ya uvazhayu tebya i tvoyu territoriyu i proshu razreshit' mne peredat' tvoi zemli v druzhbe.

As he stood in the snow, the white powder would slowly pull away from his legs in small circles, melting around him as the ambient heat from his skin radiated with warmth. He would look up to the sky where the sun shone - it was not a true red star, and as such his features did not fully revert, but as the light hit him he felt stronger - faster - as if he had eaten a large meal. Nodding quietly with appreciation, he chuckled.

"This place is so much more agreeable than either the Courts of Summer or Winter. The air is fresh and clean - balanced. It is an honor to see it, Mi'lady!"

[Danü Rèalta]

Boris wouldn't move as he watched this Sunfire tentatively slide off of his horse. Boris' smile would be toothy, actually trying to lock eyes with the tall elf, either as a show of dominance or a threat, it would be hard to read. But he found his mannerisms respectful and thus, let down his guard.

"Itak, dobro pozhalovat', Solar Shadowstar, drug Illiany Griffinsbeyn. Ty mozhesh' nayti pokoy v ​​moyem lesu."

He'd smirk then, turning a playful gaze back to Illyana and give her a wink. She would merely chuckle, turning to look back to Sunny as he commented about the environment.

"Aye. Ye will find it akin tae Oghma. If I had my guess, Oghma be modeled after Arcadia."

"Oh?" Boris would speak up, taking a step back to cross his arms over his chest. "That is where you have been all this time?" He'd pause and shrug. "Never hear of Oghma."

Illyana would chuckle and just offer a bright smile. "Boris. It seems I've been away for awhile. Can ye tell me of House Devin?"

Boris would frown then, reaching up to scratch at his white and grey beard as he looked down at her. She didn't know? He found it odd.

"Empty. Lord i ledi Devin left for eternal lands long ago."

Bushy brows would arch upwards sharply, his face twisting as if a sudden realization had just come upon him.

"Am sorry mladshaya sestra! Boris forgot you were cut off!"

He'd shake his head, crouching down and once more changing back into the large grey wolf that stood nearly as tall as the horses they rode in upon. He'd make a motion with his head towards the east and take a couple steps in the snow before turning to speak, as clearly as he did as a man, once more.

"Let me escort you both there. We make sure no angry spirit makes new home, yes?"

[darkheart]

He would lock eyes with Boris, but rather than an attempt on dominance, his were completely dispassionate - clinical. Smile to your face, analyze your weakness and prepare for a strike. You had to love the Russian influence. Nodding to Illyana as she spoke, he mused quietly.

"Aye, but replications do not quite hold the true magic of a place...figuratively and literally, I suppose."

Turning quietly, he mounted his horse in one graceful, fluid motion. Stroking the side of its neck gently, it let out a snort of thick, warm mist from its nostrils as the cool air condensated from the hot breath. The beast's blood and breath were clearly warmer than normal, he noted. He wondered where, precisely, Atreyu had picked it up. He hoped it wasn't some strange, offensive breed that would get him killed. That would be just like his brother to pull some half-assed prank like that - even at such an old age. Bastard.

Turning his horse towards Boris, he waited for Illyana to take the lead. These were her lands, and he was no longer the only escort. He only hoped they could trust Boris.

[Danü Rèalta]

Long ears perked up beneath blonde hair, listening to Boris, grey eyes widening as he mentioned the passing of the Lord and Lady. She didn't know how to react. Again she wondered how much time had passed since her most recent memory. And what was this about being cut off.

"Aye Boris. Longer time in ye company would be quite enjoyable."

She'd offer a small smile, turning to walk back through the snow and pulling herself easily up the bare back of the dappled grey. She'd reach down, brushing the snow off of her boots.

Boris would turn in the snow, lowering his gaze and pushing his nose through the white snow beneath him to sniff at the ground below. He could smell her unease. Again the thought passed that something was off, but again he would pass it off with a reasonable explanation. She had been gone a long time and did not know of House Devin.

And her escort. With his skin of bronze and his green bindings. He wasn't Fae. Wasn't of Arcadia. What companions had she aligned herself outside. Dragons? Demons? Still, it made sense, but something didn't smell right. His nose was never wrong.

The three of them trudged through the deep snow. They'd weave in and out of the trees, over watched by tiny ice sprites as they passed underneath the trees. Mischievously they'd shake the branches, attempting to dump the white substance onto the travelers beneath. After awhile it became a game to see who could hit the travelers or even startle the horses. Boris would growl, but eventually he would be the one to find himself under an avalanche of snow from the tree tops. The tiny fae would cheer, one even daring to flit down to check on the target who would leap out of the snowbank with a fearful snap of his large jaws. The tiny one would shriek and ascent back into the trees to which Boris would just laugh and shake off the snow.

It would be not much longer until they reached a cleared and well used road that ran parallel to the forest. And not much longer after that they would approach a large and darkened estate. The snow was piled thick upon the walls and one could tell any greenery or vines hearty enough to survive the cold climate had overgrown from years of being unattended. Still, beneath the disuse remained a brilliant castle of black stone no doubt still protected by wards of power.

Illyana would sigh, and slide off the back of her horse, which would follow her up to the gate as if she had hold of invisible reins. She'd touch the seemingly aged wood and watch as it shivered and shed it's layer of dirt and debris, leaving behind only a polished and primed finish. This was not her power, but the power of the gate its self reacting to her touch.

Boris would howl, sitting down in the snow and reaching a back leg to kick at his neck with a lazy smile spread across his maw, turning to look at Illyana's friend.

"I have touched door many times, Shadow's star. Never did it budge or clean self. Perhaps is mad I pissed on it many times, yes?"

[darkheart]

He would watch the whole scene dispassionately, his expression hard etched into his visage. Even when snow began to fall and his hair was covered in white, almost looking normal, he did not react. He was watching Boris's nose. The twitch. The hesitation, though repressed, was apparent. Problematic. He didn't have his bio-empathy here, so a fight would be messy, and the Lady seemed to approve of him. This was for her peace of mind - perhaps skewering one she perceived as an old friend would not be beneficial. His index finger tapped against the pommel he held in metronomic time.

As Illyana dismounted, he watched her closely, then as the horse followed. He dismounted quietly and nodded to his mount. In a second it puffed into black smoke and vanished. His eyebrow would raise, wondering precisely what mount Atreyu had brought. He was only slightly aware of Boris speaking to him, his eyes slowly sliding towards the old man, his head not moving at all. After a slight pause, he whispered out to him.

"Your instincts are not off...but think to harm her and I'll pin your corpse to the gate. Piss on me as you did the handle, and I'll do it slowly.

And it's Shadowstar."

He managed a half-genuine smile that held an icy promise...one he'd not offered in a very long time. Something of this place made him feel like times long past. Shaking the snow from his hair, he clicked his tongue and moved towards Illyana in silence. He wondered what mysteries or connections they might find inside.

[Danü Rèalta]

Boris would remain as the horse sized grey wolf, turning his gaze over to Illyana's companion. His lips would curl away from his teeth. A look that could be perceived as either a smile or a snarl.

"English not main language... Shadowstar. Tell me..." He'd stand then, shaking the snow off of his coat. "Why would Boris harm a piece of dear family friend. Hm?" He'd laugh loudly, walking up to follow Illyana.

Illyana had pushed on the door and the sounds of large beams could be heard sliding away to unlock and open the gate. Once inside, you see that no one was there to perform such a task. It didn't seem to surprise her though. Instead she would just continue on to the main house.

No one had travelled inside of the castle walls and the snow was just as thick inside as it was out. She'd push through to the main door, which she'd stop in front of. A similar reaction to her touch would happen here. The door shimmering clean and unlocking from within. She'd push through and step inside, leaving the door open for Sunfire and Boris.

The inside of the castle was immaculate, as if preserved from time, dust, and dirt. The giant fireplace would roar to life, chandeliers blazing up to light the entirety of the large space. She'd stop in front of the fireplace and look up to the larger than life painting that hung above it.

A man and woman there with a young girl. The adults were dressed in fine garments of purple and gold, the woman bearing a striking resemblance to Illyana herself, save for the bright purple eyes. Her delicate hand rested gently upon the shoulder of the young red headed girl before her, the male standing just to the woman's left with his hand upon her shoulder.

She'd sigh, her face hinting at a sad frown. Beneath the painting bore the inscription Lord Michail, Lady Illyana, and Annika Devin.