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Post by darkheart on Nov 13, 2020 11:37:19 GMT -5
Sunny walked idly through the Grand Library, peering at the whole collection of unavailable knowledge. He'd pull down a book or two, flip through them idly, memorizing them, then placing them back on the shelf. A book about kobold anatomy here, Wyld Mage behavioral traits there. Interesting, but mostly useless. He was sure the truly fascinating books were secreted away somewhere special. But he did not want to pry...he was a guest, after all. And there were certain boundaries he did not want to cross. He'd like, eventually, to perhaps have license to read them by invitation. It would be a pleasant change. And trust began with earning it. And so he resolved himself to do so. Things had to change. Practices had to change. The initial secret of Ahanna was out. It would only be time until the dominos fell. Sera was already pursuing the breadcrumbs. It was, perhaps, time to unravel the knot. Perhaps it was that he had lived. Perhaps that he was going to be a grandfather. He wasn't sure. But doing the same things and expecting different results was, by Einstein's definition, insanity. And he was tired of how things had worked out. Trey had his plan. It had only lasted so long. Perhaps it was time for a new one.
Strolling out into the garden, he breathed in the air. It was nice, here in Oghma. Calm. It smelled of his Aunt, and he loved that. He glanced at the structure said to house her body. In spite of its grandeur, it reminded him of a mausoleum. Perhaps it was time to let go. Perhaps Illyana was not meant to return. Perhaps this new avatar was a fresh start for her. Perhaps she subconsciously wanted that. Who was to know, but Illyana herself.
Moving to the workshop, he felt all the materials present, calling to his skin. Tugging on those strings, he pulled scrap metal together, bending it to his will. Forming it into a dome, he smiled. Catching sight of his reflection, with those deep crimson eyes, his smile faded. Sighing heavily, he pulled more metal to create three legs. Dragging it to the garden, he set it there. Motioning towards the forest, he cleanly severed a small limb from one of the trees, pulling it to himself. Motioning his hand, it exploded slowly in an orb before him, then recompressed...into charcoal. Dropping into the small grill, he snapped his fingers and it ignited. He stared into the flames, stirring them with his hand. He idly wondered, then, why there were no animals here. No deer. No rabbits. No birds that he'd seen. Very strange. He'd have thought Illyana would have been quite inclined to have a full ecosystem. Moving back to the workshop, he noted the food fabricator. He'd have the machine print out some venison butterfly steaks and some french bread. Moving to the grill, he'd put the steaks on, letting them sizzle and sear. He'd pull a small kettle from his pack, along with a bottle of spring water. Bringing it to a boil, he set it on some stonework, adding his favorite Kamairicha to steep. Flipping the steaks with his bare hands, he called out as loudly as he could.
"Illyana! Should you wish something to eat and drink, I've prepared lunch! And I am most certainly interested in not eating alone. If you desire to join me, bring a dagger, would you? It would be easier than tearing the bread. No need to be wholly uncivilized, yes?"
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Post by Danü Rèalta on Nov 13, 2020 23:13:17 GMT -5
Illyana's gaze looked down into the valley below, trailing a hawk as it soared beneath her. She leaned on the fence, her gaze stopping at the temple as the raptor passed above it. She still didn't know what to think or how she should feel about all of this. Did she even want to see what was in there? She already believed their story to a degree. Perhaps to see the aged and sleeping form would really sink it home for her. In her mind she had already lived hundreds of years. Already accomplished quite a bit for her people. But it was never enough, not when she had elders who had lived four times as long as she and done much more. She wondered. The Tuatha de Danann were forever. If this was the future for all intents and purposes, did her family still live in Arcadia? Would it be odd to visit as this? She didn't want to know. Maybe a new path. New land to explore was her calling. It was something she had always wanted.
A long ear would flick at the sound of someone calling her name from a distance. It was her new watcher. Now that she thought on it, she hadn't eaten since the melted cheese was provided to her just yesterday. She hadn't really been hungry up till someone mentioned it. Her stomach growled.
"Fine."
She'd talk to herself, walking back up the path in the direction of the voice. She'd walk up to the Great hall, reaching out to grab the door but finding herself blocked again by the strange orange netting. She had forgotten about it momentarily and it caused a frown to touch her lips. He was outside though. The carriage of his voice and the smell upon the breeze told her that much. Which meant, there was an outdoor area beyond the building.
She'd blink herself atop the roof as a test, finding her footing holding. After all, she wasn't trying to get into the building, just walk atop of it. She'd perch herself at the peak and look across. In the center of this large square building was a beautiful garden. It was filled with flowers that would ever bloom in this perfect weather and a few variations of smaller trees. There, past the trees and the flowering bushes was Sunfire, coming in and out of the far end of the building, it's doors opened up to the garden. She could just see inside. The pieces of metal, the tools. Was this a blacksmith shop? She didn't see a smelter or oven inside. Strange.
She'd walk across the rooftop, following the roof's peak as it turned a corner and she made her way towards the place where he cooked.
"I'd like tae know where they store their meat. Ye certainly dinnae have time tae hunt and prepare that yeself."
She'd call out with a chuckle from atop the roof. From her belt she'd withdraw a dagger, testing her footing and sliding down the roof's tiled surface before dropping to the ground. The look on her face was one of surprise as her booted feet touched grass. She was half expecting to run into that orange netting again which would either catch her or expel her from the building. But it seemed it was doing what it was meant to do, keep her from going inside.
Yana would flip the dagger in her hand, catching the pointed end of the blade with her fingertips and offering it to him handle first.
"As ye requested."
Now that she was outside, but still inside the perimeter of this building, she wondered if she would still be blocked. She moved up to the doors of the workshop and attempted to move inside, only to be stopped by that same orange netting.
"Lugh be damned. Oh well. At least it doesn't stop me from this garden. Small things I suppose."
She'd lean over to enjoy the scent of lavender nearby.
"So. Nihilano Sunfire Shadowstar. I met Nathan and Seraphina Shadowstar earlier. Related I can assume?"
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Post by darkheart on Nov 15, 2020 0:34:06 GMT -5
Taking the knife slowly with a slight smile and a nod, he set it beside the bread on the stonework. He would slowly pour the tea into two cups he'd brought with him, handing her one gently and careful not to spill.
"Young Nathan is my son...well, part of my son, yes...making Seraphina my daughter-in-law. Nathan is smarter in many cases, but Seraphina is wiser by far. He and you have a mite in common, I think.
He would then pick up the knife, slicing the bread and taking the venison off the grill. He used the knife this time, mostly for Illyana's sensibilities. One often did not care for other fondling their food, immune to the heat or not. It wasn't the fanciest of meals, but he was not the chef that his son was. And yet, he'd hoped the rustic fare was a bit more common for one who hunted and spent weeks in the woods. He handed it to her as he spoke.
"As for the meat...well...they have a device called a "food fabricator." While I know your predecessor understood science, I'm not sure where you are in your extra-dimensional education. Please don't think me condescending if I explain something you already comprehend. I've rarely met a previous version of someone else's self...save for my brother. But he's just odd to begin with. Endless trouble. Anyway, food can be broken down into components - proteins, lipids, sugars, amino acids...etcetera. This machine stores each component in separate containers, then uses a recipe to knit them together in the proper configuration to make food. It ends up being the exact same...there are no chemicals necessary to keep it coalesced...but it lacks the skill and satisfaction of stalking your prey. Convenience for practice, I'm afraid. Still, works in a pinch until you can find the real food locker.
He would sip his tea quietly, looking her over. She was his Aunt, through and through, though definitely with more youthful exuberance. She lacked the wisdom and temperament of his Illyana, but there was something exciting and endearing about her all the same. Flicking his wrist, a steak found it's way to some bread, and he looked at it thoughtfully for a moment, before lowering and and taking a good look deep in her eyes.
"I understand what my cousins are doing here, Illyana...but I have to ask. What do you make of all this? What do you want to do?"
He would stare at her with an inquisitiveness similar to Nathan's (Or was it Nathan's that was really similar to his?) and take a bite. Strangely, her youth was making him feel young again, as when he'd first met her fireboarding around the Castle...days that weren't so dark and full of ill memory.
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Post by Danü Rèalta on Nov 15, 2020 15:06:08 GMT -5
Illyana would walk over to him to accept the cup of tea he offered. It was hot still, and she breathed in the aromatic steam with an appreciative smile. She'd visibly pause as he said 'part of his son'. Not that she hadn't believed Nathan when he said his Father had made him artificially and then split him into 3 different beings, only needing to be split again when death had brought the souls together. No she believed him because she had a good sense of truth and Nathan was being truthful. But it was beyond her scope of understanding and she did wonder, with as confused as he seemed about his own identity, his truth was just something he was led to believe. Hearing Sunfire say this, only led to more solidity to Nathan's truth. But those in Arcadia who worked the weave, could do some truly amazing things. It was one reason why the Tuatha de Danann was looked upon as Gods by the mortal humans in the realms they visited. She had not pursued that path and thus, was only able to follow the thoughts on a surface level and not the application of it. This Sunfire then must be quite the Mage.
"Aye. I suppose we would." She would nod as he mentioned she and his son had something in common, taking a sip of her tea and slowly walking around the grill to watch as he prepared the food. She'd reach out her hand to take the venison sandwich from him with a nod of thanks. She would take a bite, listening for as long as she could as he went on about proteins, lipids, whatchamacallits. Though she would do her best to feign interest, all she could think was that the food was good, but it needed some of that cheese she had the day before.
"Honestly. Sounds like magic tae me. I've seen mages of the Royal court in Arcadia produce food for the show of it. They explained the taste came as the Mage remembered it. Tis a practical trick, but in court it was often entertainment. After eating a meal the mage would offer tae recreate it for tasting. The food tasted as the mage remembered it, and many court guests found it entertaining tae taste the same food differently."
She'd glance up at Sunfire then, catching his thoughtful gaze after her moment of nostalgia. Her eyes were calm, more blue than grey this time as they were wont to change with her emotions, and she would hold his curious gaze as he asked his question.
"Would it be fair tae say I donnae know?" She would offer a small, perhaps sad smile. "I know what I have been told. And I donnae believe anyone has been dishonest with me. I donnae feel like a copy. I feel misplaced in time. As if tis taboo for me tae even be seeing what I have seen thus far. My heart tells me I want tae go home. My head tells me tis nae a good idea, that this is the future and the people there likely donnae know me as I am and again, tis things I donnae think I should see. This realm is nae Arcadia. Tis Fae, aye, and the magics feel like home but... tis wyld. Tis strong. And I cannae explain but I do feel like tis affecting me physically. Again, like I donnae belong here."
She chuckled, recalling the conversation with Nathan before he left.
"Tis silly I know. Tis illogical I would be pulled through time but as I discussed with Nathan before he left, my identity as I know it is all I have and I will keep it for mine own sanity." She started to add she didn't want to be left questioning her identity and if she was who she thought she was or if she only thought she knew who she was because of the implanted memories in her head. She didn't want to take the same path his Son was currently on. She didn't know him or his Son that well. They were the only two here and she shouldn't bring up these things that didn't concern her. So she would just smile and take another bite of her sandwich.
"Tis good. Tastes like the real thing. Would be better with cheese."
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Post by darkheart on Nov 15, 2020 21:44:16 GMT -5
He would listen to her quietly, taking in the voice as a thirst driven man takes in water. He was slowly equilibrating to the situation, but it seemed so foreign. He chuckled at the tale of mages recreating food. The Weave was such a playful thing - Ahanna had mastered it, but he never could. No, his talent lay elsewhere - somewhere far darker. Old Rin had taught him that much, at least. His skills were far more...Infernal. Looking to Illyana with feigned confusion as she noted the need for cheese, he pointed at her sandwich. Pulling lipids from the fat on the venison, sugars and casein from the bread to replicate the dairy, and some other elements from the air, the venison sandwich suddenly had melted provolone, one of the simplest cheeses, on it.
"Cheese, Mi'lady? Why I do believe it is there..."
There was a playful glint in his eye, mischievous and light. Pulling another steak off the grill, he flipped it in the air. It atomized, then reconfigured into a small cup of au jus in a small hardened carbon bowl.
"My son has taught me a few things about cooking - I was always more practical. He finds comfort in the art and flavor of it. I suppose I appreciate it in him, though I haven't ever told him. My father - a sort of adopted brother of your Prime, as I'll refer to her, was never approving or appreciative of me. I never...well...Nathan had a hard childhood. He never quite forgave me for it, and I'm sure he has reason not to. Facets of me can be...harsh and cold - sterile, like my father. I have softer moments as well, though by necessity have often had to act in a certain fashion to maintain...appearances. In any event, what I mean to say is that Nathan is better at this than I am, I fear. If he were here he'd cook you something special, I'm sure. Sadly, unless you want swordplay or my particular version of 'magick', as some view it, I'm not much good behind the grill. My wife has no need of mortal food, and I generally just absorb what I need from the world around me. The only time we really eat is for company or if I've angered her. Then I get something called Tiramisu for her...its a sweet desert...it helps keep me from getting killed, and believe me...it's day to day sometimes."
He shot her a kind glance. It was refreshing, in a way, to be around someone he 'knew' but did not know him. To not have anyone else around. To be himself with no fear of the consequences. To not maintain the charade. Looking to her, he nodded quietly.
"You are wise to embrace who you are and what you know, Illyana. It doesn't matter who or what others think you are. It doesn't matter how long you're going to live, or if you've been pulled from someone else's life. Take it from one who has made many mistakes - your time is your own. Your experience is your own. Regardless of where you have come from, this moment is yours. Yours alone. Every life is fleeting. Every life can stretch for ages or end in an instant. You have to take stock of where you are right now. There was a philosopher in the realm of Earth named Descartes. He postulated the question - how do we know what is real? If the Gods exist, how do we even know that our life has gone on for as long as it has? How do we know that we were not merely created moments ago with all of our pre-existing memories? No, the only thing we know for sure is that we ourselves exist, in this very moment - and thus that moment is our reality and to be seized. So I ask you again, Illyana - what is it you want to do? Right now?"
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Post by Danü Rèalta on Nov 16, 2020 1:46:24 GMT -5
Illyana blinked at Sunfire suspiciously as he mentioned cheese. She was certain there were none there and she pulled the bread apart to observe. Much to her surprise, there was in fact cheese upon it, so much that it clung to the bread and the meat as it had not before. She'd give him a knowing but appreciative smile as she took another bite and chewed happily. Was everything just better with cheese? She certainly was used to eating simply when on the road but this was better. She'd look at the cup of au jus, looking around to find a place to set her tea cup before taking the other in her hand and taking a sip. She had expected tea and the face she made told as such, even though she clearly watched him create the liquid out of a venison steak. "Ahhh. Tis nae for drinking." She would laugh at herself, before setting down the other cup and picking up her tea to clear her pallet, listening to him as he explained a little bit about his family.
"Hmm. I understand. My Father was a man with many things upon his shoulders. Our family helped tae protect the kingdom and as such he felt the need tae be the seasoned professional he was when in the public eye. He had not only his family tae protect, but his extended family of soldiers tae direct and train. If one went on tae guard the royal city or royal family and failed, it would not reflect poorly upon that soldier. It would reflect poorly upon my Father. He was harsh, but behind closed doors he was kind. This was extended tae those under him and in kind, they dinnae want tae disappoint him."
She'd take another sip of her tea. Again, this was none of her business and she wasn't known for her advice, but if he wished to open up to her who was she to rebuff him. She didn't have anything better to do and she wasn't unkind.
"Tis none of my business really, and ye can tell me tae mind my own and we'll never speak of it again, but ye home sounds stressful. I always believe home tae be where I could be myself amongst those I let intae it. If ye son, or part of ye son as ye describe him, cannae forgive ye for his childhood and ye at constant risk of ye wife killing ye if nae for this sweet desert, then steps should be taken tae correct it. If ye want it. Start by telling Nathan ye appreciate his cooking. Tis a small step. But there are things I donnae know and I donnae like tae presume. But I also donnae get the feeling this situation sits right with ye."
She'd take his kind glance and offer a small smile. She'd then take the time to listen to him as he offered his own advice to her situation. The smile perhaps growing a bit more thoughtful at the Descartes quote. The same one Nathan quoted to her, yet with his own interpretation of it. He used it to question his validity.
"What is it I want tae do? Right now? I want tae embrace normalcy. Normal tae me is spending time with those I care about, training, leaving tae explore and familiarize myself with territories I've nae travelled in before, and stopping tae help those in need. I am constantly trying tae improve myself if for nae another reason than tae be there for those that need me. I donnae feel comfortable sitting idly by."
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Post by darkheart on Nov 17, 2020 9:28:08 GMT -5
He would try hard to laugh as she tried to drink the au jus - the salty liquid would indeed be an abrupt difference from the savory tea with sweet notes he enjoyed so much. Reaching out quietly as she offered him her take on his family, he dipped his sandwich into the dark liquid by way of demonstration and took a bite. He did not want to interrupt her. He'd had one too many hand slaps and slaps upside the head when younger by Illyana Prime for being rude and interrupting. Perhaps it was just body memory. He considered her thoughts quietly. She hadn't any idea behind the motivations or complexities that drove him to this point, but that did not mean she was wrong or misguided. He wondered just how often he'd let those complexities be an excuse to enable and justify his choices. Sliding down the slippery slopes, eventually you have to come to the bottom - and then the choice is to remain there or climb back up. Ahanna was out of the bag, now. He considered her reaction when she saw both him and Atreyu together. She'd tried to kill him because she thought he was Atreyu...he wondered what would happen if he approached her as himself. Would it change things? Would it matter?
It was likely not coincidence, either, that both father and son spoke of the same things. They were, in many ways, not terribly dissimilar along certain lines - though they might be loathe to admit it. And while both knew many of the same things, as with all information perspective shaped interpretation and application. He listened to her quietly - such a simple desire, free of the complex worries his Aunt had come to shoulder. And yet, a slow smile crept across his face with a lightly wicked edge to it. He couldn't help himself, it was partly his nature.
"Noble as those ideas are, Illyana, you still have not answered my question, outside of an ambiguous desire to embrace normalcy and then to define what that is to you. I decided I was hungry, and so I cooked. I decided I did not wish to eat alone, so I called out to invite you. I decided I wanted to get to know you, so I engaged you in conversation. You have decided that you want to embrace normalcy, but what is it you want to do? I am not your babysitter, no matter what my cousins say. I am here to keep you safe...whatever that means. But what would you like to do?
He would reach forward, putting his index finger on her forehead gently, and in an instant her mind would slowly change. He would put in a week's worth of memories, the low volume of which would not pain her as the years of memories had for Mia. Instead, it would be a slight tingle. They went horseback riding. They sparred in the courtyard. They played cards, drank wine, then played strip poker down to their underwear, falling over and laughing until they cried. They had a pie eating competition, and despite faces full of blackberries staining their hair, she'd won. They played golf, properly, and he'd won - only to have her hit him in the head with a golf club as Charion had warned. As his finger withdrew, he chuckled.
"Life is for the living, Mi'lady - what is it you want to do?"
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Post by Danü Rèalta on Nov 17, 2020 12:15:52 GMT -5
Illyana casually watched as he dipped his sandwich into the cup. Well that certainly made more sense she supposed. She would try that next as soon as she was finished speaking. Her Mother did try desperately to raise a lady. She knew how to try and act like one when the time called for it.
Once she finished speaking she’d lean forward with her sandwich, dipping it into the broth as he had done. He’d certainly catch a sarcastic look and a roll of her eye at the amused smile on his face. She was trying to be genuine, despite the situation she found herself in. And maybe she didn’t know what she wanted to do. Right there that second. But for right now, this company had been much less boring than the starchy Lilith and the odd Charion. Both of whom were supposed to be the Dana Realta’s children? She didn’t see the relation.
She felt his fingertip upon her forehead and in an instant the visions appeared. She was startled, smacking away his hand with a deep frown and scooting back reflexively.
“Donnae do that!”
She’d snap, her features changing from anger to confusion.
“I… I donnae know if what ye showing me is fantasy or tis real memories with the other.”
Features and tone would fade from confusion to regret. That was him, yes? That wasn’t something that happened accidentally, right? Lilith kept asking if other memories had surfaced when she was first brought here. It was just a little much. Despite the amusing tone the memories took.
“I’m sorry. Tis confusing.”
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Post by darkheart on Nov 19, 2020 8:44:56 GMT -5
He barely moved, his face remaining calm and his posture relaxed. In his mind, he made a note of the expressed discomfort and cognitive dissonance associated with the psychological break in identity relative to the inserted memories and the temporal displacement of pre-cognitive memories in a separated state of consciousness. Fascinating.
"Are you quite alright, Mi'lady? I apologize...I should not have touched you without your permission. Sometimes I, too, forget that you are not my Aunt. I should not take such liberties as physical contact as I am accustomed to. It shall not happen again...please know this is odd for me as well, in spite of my adjustment and recognition that you are not her. My body's memory and action are not so quick to let go as my conscious mind. On your part, however, may I ask what is confusing?
His question was genuine, even though he knew her recoiling was due to the inserted memory. He was exploring her psychological response to the stimuli - it didn't matter that he knew what the stimuli was, he wanted to understand her reaction. Thus, given the honesty of the question, in spite of the pretenses, the deception would be imperceptible.
He would wave his hand over the grill, pulling the steel and charcoal together and rearranging the molecular structure into two golf ball sized, etched tai chi balls. They would drop unceremoniously into his hand, and he would idly spin them round and round in a smooth, mesmerizing dance in his palm. The patterns would swirl and change, almost hypnotically, as the smooth sound of the metal on metal produced a gentle, atonal ringing. The noise would resonate on her tympanic membrane, affecting her aural nerves, telling her brain to release dopamine, endorphins and other hormones, similar to both a sedative and extreme pleasure, stimulating her mind to calm and her body to relax.
He would stare at them for a moment, then back at her, calmly waiting for an answer.
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Post by Danü Rèalta on Nov 19, 2020 15:05:16 GMT -5
Illyana’s long ears would perk up at the question. Her gaze narrowed, seemingly slightly annoyed that she should be asked to explain why having memories implanted in her brain was confusing. But then, he did not admit that it was what he had done. He apologized only for touching her. Had she just accused him of doing something to her then without admission.
She’d open her mouth to speak and then close it again. Now she thought she was losing her mind. Did his touch actually trigger something in her mind accidentally or did he do something. She felt something, a fluctuation of energies that tingled through the air as they did now. Now as she watched the grill transmute before her by his hand. She did not have a complex understanding of the weave, despite a supposed natural gift for it, and it showed in her inability to differentiate between what Sunfire was doing and actual magic.
She had already visibly calmed, and now seemed to be wavering between embarrassment and annoyance. The calming sounds of the tai chi balls he had just created indeed triggering a bit of an autonomous sensory meridian response within the young Fae, though not entirely the reason for her shift in mood.
“I am nae ye Realta Dana. I am certain I’ve nae met ye before today. Yet ye touch me and I seem tae recall things. Can ye explain?”
A question before fully answering his question. A need to understand before making another remark. Her actions and words quick yet sometimes regretful, and yet still with a bit of a haughty tone in belief she did nothing wrong.
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Post by darkheart on Nov 29, 2020 12:46:56 GMT -5
"Recollections, you say? Interesting. What, precisely, do you recall and how do those recollections make you feel?"
He would sit there, passively, spinning the balls and watching her with a curious but unwavering gaze. He would not invade her consciousness further nor exude any form of magical energy. There was an intrinsic, undeveloped reflex magic around her, seeking and subconsciously searching for magical influences coming from him, and he would not wish to trip those senses further.
"As for explanations, you are both correct and incorrect. You may not be my Dana Realta, but you are still a facet of the Dana Realta. It's possible you have some of her memories and they may come back, if unlocked. You may have only time before you develop into a younger version of her. Without running a number of tests, I could not be sure. But I'm of the persuasion you'd rather not be a test subject...if even if it gets you answers. I'll admit, you have my curiosity...but I do not intend to force you beyond your will unless previously agreed upon."
He would rise slowly, turning to view the inner courtyard. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly.
"So, in a less philosophical permutation of the question...we seem to have nothing but time on our hands, at present. What do you want to do? I rather hate being bored."
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Post by Danü Rèalta on Nov 29, 2020 16:12:09 GMT -5
Illyana would open her mouth and then close it again. Once more starting to speak and answer his question about what she could recall before changing her mind. Instead she'd reach up both hands, pressing them to her face and simply shake her head with a deep exhale of breath, pulling them down and dragging her fingers across her skin with a frustrated sigh.
"Never ye mind then." A slight frown would then crease her lips. He had said he was not here to be her jailer. Was he here to be her therapist then. She'd snort, a long ear flicking sharply in agitation as she crossed her arms and wrinkled her nose. She was listening to his explanation and it made her uncomfortable. None of this was a surprise for her to hear, it just was something she didn't want to hear.
"Here I thought I was already supposed tae be a younger version of ye Dana Realta. Ye also be correct. I donnae like the idea of being a test subject. Perhaps go test on the other one. I'm sure she'd nae object."
She'd sit in grumpy silence as he rose to his feet and walked about until after a moment he'd speak again. She'd sigh, relaxing her posture and reaching up to rub at her temples in thought. What did she want to do? Anything except sit and talk about how this whole situation made her feel or how these new memories suddenly came into her head with but a touch. After another moment, she'd speak.
"I explored this realm only a little last night. The forest beyond this complex and down intae the valley, but I can tell tis a realm bigger than just this. If we are the same person, then there has tae be horses here somewhere. It seems alien tae me for them nae tae be present. I had even found riding tack, though she could have kept it only for sentimental reasons. I would like tae go look."
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Post by darkheart on Dec 1, 2020 9:04:29 GMT -5
Sunny would nod, moving towards the door of complex. Pausing, he realized that she would not be able to follow him, giving the security barrier. He sighed in exasperation - he didn't understand why it was necessary. And yet, he assumed that it was. It was not the presence that bothered him, nor the inconvienence. It was the not knowing. All quantities needed to be identified. All problems needed resolution. All conundrums needed viable responses. Not being told by Charon and Lilith was just...sloppy. He supposed he was being judgemental...but then, he always was. No changing that now. Not to make Yana the 10th feel out of place, he crouched then bounded up to the roof, sticking his hands in his pockets and strolling slowly across the roof's apex. He looked in the direction she had mentioned, and with a hop, skip and a jump he enhanced his kinetic energy and propelled himself like a thrown trebuchet boulder towards the track, reabsorbing that energy just before his feet touched the ground, dropping him gently in place with no forward momentum to speak of. Looking around, he saw a fresh tack. Over in the corner was a strange looking man of exceptional age. He was brushing a black stallion with crimson red eyes slowly, appreciatively. He had a familiarity about him, but it wasn't until Sunny neared him that he saw small traces of blue hair just behind his ears on his balding, wrinkled head.
"How did you get here?"
"How have I gotten anywhere in all this time. The 5th dimension is strange."
"Do you know why you're here?"
"Do I ever? Have I ever? Will I ever? Knowing is experiencing. Experiencing is knowing. But knowing is not understanding. I'd have thought you'd finally figured that out."
"Maybe I do. Maybe I will. Maybe I already have."
"Now you're getting it. It only took forever."
"Not for me. Not yet. I still have to open the box."
"Don't be sad if it turns out bad. I know you and your love of....Cats. This may be the last time...for me, anyway. You will see me again, or already have...but before I go...I wanted to say...I'm sorry."
"We're all sorry for something."
"Perhaps. We are or we are not - but we do regardless."
"Now you're getting it. It only took forever."
"It did indeed...it truly did. Anyway...enjoy the horses. I've got to be consumed by the infinitude of multiple dimensions of time and space. Maybe I can finally leave the weight of my regrets of what I did to you, your wife and children. Oh...and there's something you need to know."
"Hm...and what's that?"
And with a whisper the old man was gone. Sighing, Sunfire reached up to pat the black stallion's nose. There was a familiarity about it...as if it were once his...or would be. Shaking his head, he wondered how his brother always managed to show up in the most inopportune times. And yet, to have seen him so frequently in such a short time period was disturbing. It was normally years between moments. Oh well...he was just another cat in a box anyway. He looked around, wondering where the other horse might be. His brother never mispoke, so there had to be one for the lady as well.
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Post by Danü Rèalta on Dec 1, 2020 23:13:26 GMT -5
Illyana took note as Sunfire walked through the garden and paused in front of the door that led into the great hall. She knew he could pass through unhindered and yet he chose not to. It was unnecessary, but she appreciated the consideration.
She'd watch as he leapt upon the roof, making his way up to the top and moving along before leaping up herself. He would then, properly launch himself like a cannon across the entirety of the complex and down into the valley below. Her eyes would grow wide a moment, blinking back the surprise before just flat out laughing.
"Oh. Now he be showin' off."
She'd shake her head, watching him to see where he landed. The valley below was shaped much like a horseshoe with the sanctuary being up near the top curve. The rest was grassy plains that continued to spill out past the rocky walls. He landed somewhere in the middle. She walked along the length of the building, hopping off and walking over to where she could see into the valley. It was far enough away, but it did in fact look as if he had already found what she intended to hunt for.
A long ear would flick, finding it odd before finally teleporting down and walking towards him with a curious expression.
"Did I also see.... achk... never ye mind. I'm seeing horses and now people it seems."
She'd laugh lightly, walking up gently to the black stallion and speaking to him, palm of her hand flat up to it's nose and the other coming to rest upon it's jaw.
"Tá buachaill maith ann. Fear dathúil. N’fheadar cá as a tháinig tú. Ye remind me of me Onyx. Best Fae steed tae come out of House Griffinsbane. She'd be a good one tae see again."
A wistful look would cross over her features, giving the stallion a good pat before looking off into the field, seeing a second dapple gray lazily grazing not terribly far away. She'd smirk, looking over to Sunny with eyes that hinted at more blue than gray.
"Did ye magic them here. Or did ye truly just happened upon them. Seems suspicious tae me."
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Post by darkheart on Dec 6, 2020 11:44:33 GMT -5
Sunfire would chuckle, silver crimson eyes dulled and far away. Atreyu had lived to be an old man after all. Ahanna had not killed him. Interesting. And yet there was still another secret...one from long ago or yet to come. One more unspoken truth. He was wearied by the notion it even existed.
"These are horses from another time, Mi'lady. The black one was mine....or will be. The grey one...well, I assume he meant it for you. It was yours, is now, or will be. Atreyu would not steal. Perhaps a different version will be back for them later. I'm not sure if he wrote his future self a note to deliver them now, or if it was the whim of a dying man...and excuse to see me one last time. How he knew I was here or how to find me I don't know. Presumably he finds out at some point in the future. He's....complicated. For now, know that the fine steed you've laid eyes on will likely be familiar with you...it is not your memory that has failed you nor your eyes playing tricks on you. it is the excessively frustrating nature of having a brother bound to quantum entanglement and teleporting through time like a quark...unstable, unpredictable and untraceable. Kind of a dick, too...but I think that may be a family trait. We've all a little Devil in us, I suppose."
He would gently pat the shoulder flank of the black horse, grabbing his mane gently and mounting.
"I think I'll call you Leere...or I already have and I just don't know it yet. What do you say...Leere sound good?"
The horse looked at him the first time he spoke the name, then whinnied the second time, as if he understood his master.
"Yeah...damnit Atreyu...I hope I didn't need Leere soon after you took him....Likely standing there looking for him with wild aborigines I don't want to kill chasing me down.
He would click his teeth and Leere would respond, turning to trot toward the dapple gray slowly.
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