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how long has it been since I went into a cocoon to try and restrain the demon within?About a day I think. Things slowed down a lot and we haven't gotten that far really.... There are a few days still until the cocoon opens. So like .. probably three or four more years.... ;)
how long has it been since I went into a cocoon to try and restrain the demon within?
"I'm not sure if this is a sign that he's finishing his transformation or it's just another stage. But I'll be sure to keep you informed when we have any new information. You can call me if there's any kind of problem. Until Phaeze is back I'm running this show all on my own," she added with a slight grimace.
Medical Scans The medical scanner show what is happening inside the chrysalis. Phaezeriel's body is undergoing a substantial change; he is growing in height and mass by at least double, his facial structure is changing and becoming less bestial, and his abdominal skeletal and muscular structure is changing to accommodate a new pair of limbs. The nano-monitors show that he is in some small amount of physical distress, but it is not life-threatening. Magical Scans The Null-Psi shell around Phaezeriel's chryaslis must be very specific, as certain magics are still able to penetrate it; specifically, those that are tied to the anti-demon wards of the school. Those wards are detecting a non-authorized demonic energy source in the isolation room where he is. Physical Senses The chrysalis around Phaezeriel is hard, like a shell, and dry. Occasionally, small sounds can be heard from inside as if something has scraped against it.
As a powerful psychic, and knowing Phaezeriel to also be one, Ryleh is somewhat surprised to find that the area occupied by the smooth shell of the chrysalis is utterly impenetrable to any psychic senses.
"Ummm...okay. I...uhhh...I was in the nursery just now. The eggs have been singing. Well, I mean, obviously not real singing. They can't sing. They're eggs. But they replay all the songs we've played for them in their minds and sort of share them around among each other. They were singing one that you taught them last week. It...to be honest it was a really, really annoying song and their parents are probably not going to thank you for that one, but the babies really love it," Vai babbled on about the very first details that came to mind. Nothing like being commanded to talk to someone to make your mind go totally and completely blank.
At the reminder of the dragon eggs, Phaezeriel's eyes flare a brighter red. But the sound of Vai's voice, and the memories her words evoke go to great lengths to calm his mind. As she talks, he seems to bring more of his inner self under control. Some of the red leeches out of his eyes, silver flowing in to replace it, and his breathing slows though it remains labored. His body, on the other hand, continues to pulsate, stretch, and deform. His arms, legs, and wings deflate like empty balloons. The skin over the rest of his body continues to writhe and swell, and it stretches to nearly seven feet in length. Phaezeriel is able to communicate a few times, and Vai learns that the Demon side of Ginni roused his Demonic impulses until they were the only thing driving him. She also learns that Demon-Ginni also triggered another physical change. Shortly after that, the swelling of his body absorbs his head and the skin hardens into a thick chitinous membrane, and all communication from him ceases.
In Ginni's Mind Phaezeriel opens their hundred eyes, fixing their glowing red stare on Ace. A frown creases Phazeriel's brows, and he looks back over their shoulders at the pillar behind them. A silver pulse travels slowly down the pillar, bright as the moon in its contrast to the dark pulses of power. It is slower than the dark pulses of power, and several of them flow down the pillar right through it, neither affected by the other. One of Phaezeriel turns its face back to Ace, and there is a tiny bit of silver seeping back into his eyes, just at the edges. ::My meddling self has terrible timing...:: There is an abrupt inrushing of air as all of Phaezeriel simply winks out of existence, his mind returning to his own body. Isolation Room Phaezeriel looks a right mess. He is bigger than he was before, his skin is swollen and pulsating with a slow rhythm, there are odd bulges in seemingly random places on his body, and the whole mass seems to be gathering a darkness around it. Vai cannot remember Phaezeriel looking this hideous .. pretty much ever. His eyes crack open, and the malignant red light that floods forth is shocking by its abrupt contrast to the expected silver glow. His eyes fix on Vai, and his tumescent arms twitch slightly, his wings rustle limply. His eyes lock onto Vai and a shudder runs through him. A thread of silver seeps into his eyes, swirling with the red as he shudders once more. He reaches out to Vai with his thoughts, but is unable to communicate coherently. She can sense the immense strain within him, which tells her the root of the problem. Somehow the demonic nature within him, normally well controlled, has slipped its leash and is running the show. He is not sure what is happening to him physically, but he is more concerned with the integrity of his mind. Her presence there is enough to remind him why he should fight to gain control again. Finally his thoughts come clear for just a moment before the chaos of a mind and body running amok overwhelms them once more, ::Talk .. To .. Me .. Anything.::
In the Isolation room... Phaezeriel's eyes pop open, almost comically wide, and a look of disbelief tinged with horror spreads over his face, ::No! No no no no no...not now!:: Red begins to slowly seep into his eyes from the edges. He turns to Tamina, and his thoughts are nearly panicked and turning more hostile by the word, ::Tamina, Run! Get Vai! Go! Now!::
The Collective... Just before he is pulled into Ginni's mind, Ace can feel the collective shift. It is as if the friendly and compassionate mind that was the force behind the collective had turned dark and sadistic. It was trying to figure out how to change the collective so that it could strike at Ace directly. And Ace is certain that it is only a matter of time before it succeeds. And then it is gone. The collective simply disappears. In Ginni's Mind Phaezeriel shudders as the Demon-Ginni breaks free from his mental grip. He acts like someone who has been asleep for a long time and is just starting to become comfortable moving his body again. He takes a deep breath, and when he opens his eyes, the red glow bursts forth twice as bright. And suddenly Ace is in front of him...
Phaezeriel looks at Ace, and his thoughts are wrong. Wrong like the scent of meat that has just turned rancid, like the taste of spoiled milk in your mouth when you expected a delicious drink, ::I cannot say I am surprised to see you in here, Ace. It was a good move on her part. But her Demon was too clever for its own good, waking me; I am hungry.:: Another Phaezeriel appears beside the first. Then two more beside them. Then four. In two blinks of an eye there are dozens of him. The webwork pillar behind them begins to pulse with a dark energy to be echoed utterly at random by each of the Phaezeriels before Ace and each one folds its arms over its chest, smirking.
There is a brief flash of silver from the eyes of the first Phaezeriel and a flash of horror on his face before the red returns and the cruel smile returns.
So work got out of hand. No Phaezeriel post till later tonight...sorry.
Waiting on an answer to a question before I put up the next Ginni post. But I realized I forgot to ask a couple of other relevant questions. Would Tami see any visible change in Phaeze? How would Ace be effected being connected to Phaeze's secondary mind? So, Tami will most definitely see a physical change in Phaezeriel, and it will affect Ace in an indirect manner. I will include those things in my next post, which will go up directly...
Phaezeriel did not see this coming. He was not mentally prepared for someone else to awaken the demonic urges inside him, and in that moment, he loses himself. Glowing red swirls into the silver of his eyes until there is no silver remaining. He looks at demon-Ginni #3 with calculating interest. His mind closes down around this fragment of the demon-in-Ginni, trying to lock her mental processes away, to leave her dazed and unable to act. He stalks toward her, his thoughts for her alone and dripping with menace and a rather unwholesome desire, ::You are an entirely mental construct aren't you? You are mental power made manifest. And yet you are not the full power of the demon inside Ginni, you are just a small fragment of her.:: His eyes spark with a lust that has nothing to do with flesh, ::I will consume you. I will become more powerful. Why should all of that power go to her?:: Demon-Ginni #3 can feel the powerful pull of Phaezeriel's mind as he tries to absorb the mental energy that gives her form.
Ace smiles wide at Phaez saying how much Ginni cares about him. ::"I'm still willing to help, however you decide is best. You mentioned forming a link tween us via your other mind. Is that still an option?":: Phaez can easily sense how much Ace wants to help his girlfriend, along with the frustration of not being able to do too much. ::Of course.:: Ace feels Phaezeriel's mind creating a collective and allowing a place for him in it. Once the collective is formed, Ace can sense Phaezeriel's mind, and the impression of a larger, more powerful mind looming just out of sight behind Phaezeriel. ::I am helping Ginni to remain strong while she fights, and interfering just enough to help her succeed. She has to win, though. With you here, I can share your strength with her should it become necessary.:: His thoughts turn wry, ::Though I know you will stay close, there is no need with the collective in place. What I will insist on, is that you take care of yourself. Keeping your strength up by eating or sleeping will actually help Ginni.:: For Ginni: Phaezeriel's thoughts come very softly into Ginni's mind, hopefully in such a way the demon inside her will not hear, ::Ace is in contact with my other mind. He is here to help you, and I am keeping his mind isolated from your demon. His love for you is like a small sun in my mind. Do not let your demon make you doubt that.:: Along with the thoughts comes the mental impression of the warmth of the sun on skin too long in the cold dark; the sensation of Ace's love interpreted by Phaezeriel's mind.
After suffering some sort of psychic attack, Ace queries Phaez ::"Just got attacked, mentally, I think. Is everything OK? Should I send my psyche in there as well and help Ginni?":: ::She is fighting with the demon inside herself. The demon just tried to play with you to get at Ginni.:: His thoughts convey amusement at folly, and a certain respect, ::Ginni, uh, dealt with the demon. She cares for you a great deal, Ace.:: There is a sense of hesitation, ::I do not think it would be a good idea for anyone that has one of these solid as stone connections to Ginni to be present for this fight; that would expose you to a much more direct influence by a creature whose entire purpose to exist is to manipulate and control others. If that assessment changes you will be the first to know.::
Phaezeriel shakes his head slightly in denial, gestures with a hand, and all the Ginnis hear his thought, ::Lost.:: The one running toward the pillars disappears.
"I don't want to be nothing," Ginni whispered. "Even if it hurts, I still want to exist. I won't give up. I won't." She tried to reach out and grab the demon-her who had spoken, like she had done before, but this one jumped back out of her reach, while the other two took swipes at her. She shrieked as much in surprise as in pain as their nails hurt her. As soon as Ginni is hurt, the psychic wounds simply vanish. Phaezeriel's psychic healing flows into her through his hand on the pillar behind him. Along with it comes a wordless reminder not to underestimate the demon.
Phaezeriel's strength floods down the connection to Ginni, ::There is pain, yes. And that is just as much a part of being alive as love. Sadness and joy. Courage and fear. To all things there is its opposite. That an emotion is unpleasant does not make it something to avoid, for without sadness, there would be no joy. Without fear there would be no courage. Without pain, there is no love. In nothingness you are nothing.::
Well, he was. But the connection with Ginni's mind means he's not immune to her. I believe I told you that would be the case when he did it. And the Demon in Ginni's mind .. well .. okay, fine, the other Demon in Ginni's mind is Ginni.
As soon as the demon is gone and he will not distract Ginni, Phaezeriel reaches behind himself without looking, laying his palm on the pillar; touching the actual connection between his mind and Ginni's mind. He shudders slightly at the sensation and the disorientation, then he pushes a little of his mental strength into the pillar, making it available to Ginni whenever she might need it. His thoughts are quiet and gentle, a background that seems almost like she herself is remembering his words from earlier, ::You must take the energy that is the demon inside you and incorporate it into yourself, for it is already a part of you. It is yours already; she is simply trying to use it against you.::
Ace sends his thoughts to Phaez. While he doesn't have telepathy normally, he knows the reformed demon is one of the more powerful psions at the school. So he takes the gamble that his thoughts will be picked up, if directed at the telepath ::"Phaez, I'm outside Ginni's room, but I don't think I can get in. Is there anyway I can help her from out here? Or should I seek admittance to her room?":: ::Hey Ace, good job with Repp. That helped Ginni quite a bit, actually; the demon inside her is weaker now. Unless you are immune to the influence of a greater succubus, you should not enter Ginni's mind. I can form a link between you and my other mind and funnel your strength to her that way if you would like.::
Ginni was more than happy to step back from the fight. Especially when Phaezeriel restored her energy. "Thanks. I don't think I could have done this without your help. Still not sure if I can. I've got a feeling the really nasty parts are still coming up. But if nothing else I'll go down fighting," she said, trying to psych herself back up for this fight with herself. Phaezeriel smiled at her, ::The succubi are far too subtle to throw their heaviest punches in the opening moves. But you are up to this task, Ginni. I cannot do this for you, but you will not fail while I yet have the strength to help you. As long as you are truly honest with yourself about who you are and what you have experienced, your hopes, dreams, and fears, she will not be able to defeat you with tricks.:: The pillar that represented her connection to Ace lit up like a Christmas tree. Ginni seemed to gain energy from that, but at the same time she looked concerned. She knew that demon-her would see this as a weakness. Phaezeriel looks at the pillar, then at Ginni's reaction, ::You are right. She will see this as a weakness. And that is the true weakness of the demon-kind. They see the strength we can get through our connection to others as a weakness. While it is true, to an extent, that those we love make us vulnerable, so too do they make us strong. Use that strength. She will not truly know how to deal with it.:: Phaezeriel takes just a moment and looks up behind himself to see how Ginni's mind has represented the connection between them. It will be interesting to see how permanent the connection is between a nascent greater succubus and a master telepath.
Phaezeriel stands and watches in admiration as Ginni engages with her demon side. She is clever, strong, resourceful, and above all, determined. But she clearly does not know how to fight an endurance match, ::Ginni, step back for a few moments. This will be an endurance match. You are doing really very well, but let yourself have a moment to recover.:: Once she returns to his side, he reachs out and touches her shoulder. Her fatigue drains out of her like water running off a duck's back, and she can feel Phaezeriel's strength being offered to her. All she need do is accept it and it will become her strength.
The barrier is designed to allow the demon to push its way through. There are weak spots in the barrier that will allow the demon to diffuse through. The plan is for her to get through in small concentration and weakened so Ginni can better fight the erosion of her mind. Phaezeriel knows the barrier will fail completely before the contest is resolved, but he is hoping it will give Ginni a better chance to live. After studying it for a while he turns and walks back to Ginni, ::She is held back for now; the loss of the negative emotions caused by Repp's death has weakened her. But you cannot stop this change. Ginni, you must embrace the fact that you are, at least in part, a demon. But you can still be yourself as well. The barrier will hold her back for a while, and give you some time to pull yourself back together and come to terms with this impending change. Do that swiftly as you can. Then, when she starts to break through, you must not fight to keep her out, you must take the parts of her that make it through and make them yours. You will get stronger as she gets weaker.::
In the room The sapphire in Phaezeriel's hand darkens considerably as the psychic trauma of the severed connection riles Ginni's emotions. His physical body reaches out toward Tamina, and his other mind speaks to her sounding .. younger somewhow, ::Tamina, the next sapphire, bring it to me.:: He hands her a completely black sapphire in return, its feel somehow oily and unpleasant. He begins to direct Tamina in laying a pattern of blue and red stones around Ginni's body, a few green ones mixed in seemingly at random. In Ginni's mind The blue star in Ginni's hand dims almost to the point of going out before it brightens to its full strength once more. Phaezeriel is shaken from his feet as the pillar that is Repp shatters and tumbles down; he spares no thought for trying to keep his footing. Taking advantage of the distraction and disruption to Ginni's mind, and his very intimate knowledge of it, he exerts his will to push the red clouds back past where he now lies on the ground and to erect a buffer between Ginni and her personal demon. It is not a wall, and it cannot stop the demon, but it will cause the demon to expend a considerable amount of energy to bypass, allowing Ginni to deal with a diluted demon's will rather than the succubus at full strength.
Ginni nodded reluctantly. "Okay. But be careful. The demon is dangerous I think. She doesn't want you to help me." Phaezeriel nods, ::I doubt she does;I will interfere with her desires. I will be careful.:: Phaezeriel stands up and walks slowly toward the red clouds, dropping protections over his own mind as he goes. He pauses just outside the red, examining it before stepping carefully into it.
Ginni's face is very expressive as she struggles to accept this new information. He knows from putting her memories back together how often she was told that she was bad because of her demonic heritage. And how thoroughly she had always rejected it. She doesn't want to believe that she's becoming a demon in spite of the evidence in front of her. But the time he spent helping her process and move past some of her most negative memories is paying off now. Instead of running away and refusing to believe him she looks up at him uncertainly. "I'll still be myself when it's over?" she asked in a small voice. Phaezeriel nods to her, ::It is rare for one such as you to survive the transformation, but it even more rare for one such as you to have the allies in this struggle that you have. We will ensure that you have the strength to overcome its corruption, and that the demon in you moves slowly enough that you can adjust to the changes.:: Phaezeriel looks up at the waiting red, ::I need to go look at the demon in you, Ginni, to see how this one works its transformation; all demons are a little different. That will help me figure out how best to slow it.::
Phaezeriel squats beside Ginni, his thoughts gentle, ::The reason it is so strong is because it is feeding off your fear, anger, and hate that is connected to the killer. It is also so strong because .. I do not know a gentler way to put this .. the demon is you, Ginni. But look at me and know this, one can be a demon and not be a monster.:: He looks up at the red clouds, his gesture taking in the whole of it, ::Ginni, this is kind of like another puberty for you. And like puberty, there isn't any way to stop it completely. What we have to do is slow it down a lot, and give you the strength to keep your self intact through the process. It is going to be hard, but you can do it.:: He glances down at the blue star, taking note of how fast it is dimming before he continues, ::I went through something similar not too long ago. When a demon gains a certain amount of power, it undergoes a metamorphosis, similar to what is happening to you now. I nearly lost myself to my demonic nature during that process, but I made it through with the help of a couple of very powerful allies. I will be that ally for you, Ginni, and if I am not enough, I will call in others. We will help you through this. Know full well that you will have the strength to survive this. Take that knowledge and hold it close; it will give you strength.::
Inside Ginni's mind, Phaezeriel finds a now familiar landscape, except that there is one more pillar than there used to be. It is near the pillar that represents her connection to Melody, and it logically must be from her new connection with Ace. In the distance he can see that pillar that represents her connection to her murderer. Where before, when he was last here, there had only been a little bit of red fog near the pillar, now there are billowing, towering clouds of it spreading across the landscape of Ginni's mind. He finds Ginni herself curled up in between the two pillars, knees clutched close to her chest as she tried to focus on staying calm. Phaezeriel moves swiftly to Ginni's side, ::Ginni. How are you holding up?:: He holds out his hand to her. In it there seems to be a small blue star. Feeling almost like cool air pouring off a chunk of ice, the star radiates a soothing calm. ::Take this Ginni, it will buy us some time. Hold it close and try to imagine soaking in the calm that it is radiating.::
Phaezeriel takes a few deep breaths, then turns back to Ginni as the silver washes out the red in the glow of his eyes, ::Be swift. Be safe. I will care for Ginni.:: With that he sets the case on a nearby table and opens it revealing a kingdoms fortune in large flawless gemstones, perfectly cut and glowing each with an inner light.** spoiler omitted **... Phaezeriel picks up a flawless sapphire almost three inches wide and moves over to Ginni. He looks up at Tamina and holds up the sapphire, ::If, or perhaps when, this turns the color of black tar, place the next one in my hand. I have split my mind, so I will still be aware of what passes out here. Try not to distract my other mind too much though. I will be taking the majority of my power into Ginni's mind with me, so I am going to activate the isolation protocols. If anyone can get in after that, either they have the authority to do so, or we are all in very deep trouble.:: He smiles gently, ::Do not worry too much, I know a thing or two about wrestling with a demonic nature. I will help her.:: Saying nothing further, Phaezeriel places one hand over Ginni's brow and reaches out to find Ginni's mind with his own.
Ace opens the door, and confirms that is indeed Tamina and Phaez. "Its not good in there Phaez. She's holding her own, barely, and she needs our help. I'm going to go after the killer, to try and sever their connection. Do what you can for her here" Phaezeriel nods to Ace, ::I will do my utmost, be assured.:: As he turns away toward Ginni, he pauses and turns back and the silver glow from his eyes bleeds into red, and his thoughts quiver with rage, ::Fin͘d̛ hi̶m͘, ̕Ac̀e̷.͢ ̵ ͏Ḑo no̵t t͡o͟y̨ ̕wit̶h hi͏m̶,͏ d͏o͜ n͠o͡t ̨d̸r̷a͞g͠ ̵t͜h͢i͟s͜ ͢out͞. T̛ho̴u̡gh ͠i͟t̡ máy s҉eem͞ ͝a mer̡cy͏, ͜e͡nd͜ i͢t͞ s͟w͠if͡tly and w̧ith a͘ll ͝f͞inality.҉ ͘ ́Do n̴ot́ ̨allo̸w h҉ìm ̧ȩv͡e͜n t͢h҉e̸ s̴l͜i̶ghtes͝t cha̛n͟ce̢ ͜of ̀e̸sca̧p̡e͘.̡:: Phaezeriel takes a few deep breaths, then turns back to Ginni as the silver washes out the red in the glow of his eyes, ::Be swift. Be safe. I will care for Ginni.:: With that he sets the case on a nearby table and opens it revealing a kingdoms fortune in large flawless gemstones, perfectly cut and glowing each with an inner light.
"Ace made contact with GInni's mind, and he found out the identity of the killer, but now her demonic energy is really out of control, and she needs help," she said quickly, glossing over the hows and whys. After all, at the moment all that mattered was the what. And the what was her best friend was in trouble. The only thought to reach Tamina is a bit of profanity that is cut off mid word as Phaezeriel disappears mid-stride. After about 10 seconds, he reappears a short ways further down the corridor, still walking, with a simple steel case held in his hands. ::Thank you, Tamina, I will help her as much as I can. You may come with me, as long as you do not interrupt.::
Phaezeriel stares at Tamina for the space of almost 5 heartbeats before turning back to Nala and bowing low, his thoughts for her alone, ::Consider well what we have learned and what your options are. Let me know when you have made a decision, so I may give what help I can. Farewell for now, Nala, I must tend another patient.:: Turning to Tamina he gestures for her to precede him from the room, ::Tell me what is wrong Tamina.:: Phaezeriel turns toward Ginni's isolation room with a purposeful stride.
Nala stood up, shifting back from her bear form to her humanoid one. "I...see. That is a great deal to consider. And I have more than just my own feelings on the matter to think of. I am currently protected from my fey heritage to some extent because of the bargain I have made with my Patron. But that bargain ends when I die. It is possible that my Patron would agree to reinstate it, but equally possible that Luck may decide to move on. I need time to consider how to proceed in this case. I would like to talk this over with Ryuzo as well," she said, leaning against the desk as she spoke. Phaezeriel nods at Nala with a smile, ::Of course. And we can certainly try other approaches first. Just let me know.::
::No, I've never died. I've come close any number of times, but never actually died. Why?:: ::Normally, I would never even consider this, but it may be the easiest and least traumatic way. As I said, the ritual magic sustaining these memories is linked to your life-force. The ritual magic uses little bits of your life-force to sustain itself and keep these memories as fresh as the instant they were made.:: He pauses for a moment to let that sink in. ::I am not entirely sure if it would work, for it would depend on the Fey magic involved, but the logic is sound.::
The memories themselves, while horrific, are ordinary enough. But they are encased in the diamond-like structure of the icicles. This appears to be how Nala's mind processes the structure of the ritual magic. If the structure of the magic can be deconstructed, then these memories will fade over time just like any others. It's the magic itself that keeps it current. The magic seems to be tied in to Nala herself, still drawing on bits of her life force long after the original effects of the spells were over, and looks as if it can continue to do so for all eternity. Removing the ritual magic may require temporarily stopping her heart. Satisfied with his inspection and understanding, Phaezeriel allows himself to settle back to the floor. He regards Nala sadly, and though he makes no mention of it, his thoughts are full of the compassion he feels for her, ::It seems that the ritual magic that keeps the memories fresh renews itself through a connection to your life-force. I can try several things. I can try to shatter the ritual magic encasing the memories, I can try to sever the links between the ritual and your life-force, or I can try to penetrate the ritual magic and erase the memories that are held inside. But first, let me ask this: have you ever died?::
::This is fey magic,:: Nala says, continuing to speak in monotone. The 'icicles' that house the memories are incredibly sharp and clear and crystalline. ::Ritual magic tapping into the source of creation itself, meant to protect. It was never supposed to be used this way.:: Phaezeriel draws closer to the base of the icicle, where it connects to Nala's minscape. Extending his senses, he tries to get a sense of the bonds between the memory and her mind. Would destroying the memory harm her? Is it possible to weaken its connection to her? How is the bond formed?
Phaezeriel looks up at the icicles, and with a little effort of his will, begins to float up toward them, ::Normally a memory fades because we change as time goes by and its link to who we are becomes more tenuous. This is why the most defining moments of our lives remain the strongest memories. But these have managed to keep the link to you strong, so they remain fresh and vivid. I am going to examine them to find how this is happening.:: He drifts closer to one, careful not to touch it, and ascends toward the base of the icicle.
"I've been working on that, actually. I think I have something else that will work just as well," she said, walking around the desk before transforming into a polar bear and laying down on the floor, resting her head on her front paws. ::I also feel safe in this form. Not much is going to attack a polar bear,:: she said, with just a touch of amusement. She took a deep breath. ::I'm ready whenever you are.:: Phaezeriel grins as Nala turns into a massive bear, ::I can see your point. Let us get started then.:: He settles to the ground near Nala's now-massive head and places his palms on either temple. It does take a moment for him to find where a polar bear's temples are. Phaezeriel splits his mind, leaving one half behind to watch over he and Nala, and the other settles into Nala's mind. With barely any disturbance his mental persona is standing beside Nala's in the landscape of her mind, ::Hello, Miss Zamarosok, let us have a look at these memories that cause you so much pain, shall we?::
Phaezeriel steps inside and closes the door behind him, smiling up at Nala, ::Not really, but perhaps there is that one thing I might be able to help you with? I have let too many things distract me, and for that I apologize. But if you have time, I am ready.::"Oh," she said, surprised. "Yes, of course. For that I can make time," she added, smiling. "I'm willing to try whatever is necessary to get those memories to fade," she added with a slight grimace. Phaezeriel smiles gently, or at least as gently as a demon can, ::It will perhaps be best if you lie down. It may be that this will cause you physical or emotional pain, though I will do my best to minimize any pain.:: He pauses for a moment before continuing delicately, ::I will also need to touch you. I have noticed that you seem able to bear the contact of small furry creatures more readily than that of others. I can assume the form of such a creature if it will make this less traumatic for you.::
Phaezeriel steps inside and closes the door behind him, smiling up at Nala, ::Not really, but perhaps there is that one thing I might be able to help you with? I have let too many things distract me, and for that I apologize. But if you have time, I am ready.::
Phaezeriel, not wanting to disturb any small children with a flying demon, will come to her office through the infirmary. He lands softly outside her door and knocks politely.
After several more minutes of sitting together in pleasant silence, Phaezeriel shifts slightly, causing Vai to sit up and release him. He 'speaks' as she does, ::I am sorry to abandon you to the eggs and the silence, but I must seek out one of my patients; it is time to resume her treatment. I will see you later, okay?:: He rises, gathers up the empty trays and leaves the hatchery. After dropping the trays off in the cafeteria, he brushes a wall with his hand and flies off in search of Nala.
Phaezeriel leans into Vai as she embraces him. One of his wings arches up and around her, nearly as flexible as an arm. His thoughts are full of the warmth of his affection, ::You would not be the Vai I love if you did not have the empathy that you do for even such as the Patrons. That you can show me such a view of them...:: He smiles happily up at Vai, ::You are truly a very special person.:: His expression turns more serious and he goes back to looking at the eggs while they sit there, ::I do not know how we could alter the eternal struggle in which they are involved. How do you reason with a force of nature, much less one of the primal forces of the universe?::
Phaezeriel looks at Vai, and though his silver eyes make reading his facial expressions more difficult, long practice shows Vai that there is a profound, remembered pain in Phaezeriel that does not echo into his thoughts, ::It is. It is a lonely and dark place. The only thing that there is to keep you going is your own convictions; doing what you think it right. Until you find the people that can be trusted to not simply use you. To someone who has lived without the possibility of friendship for any length of time, a true friend is of incalculable importance.:: Though he does not need to stop talking while he eats, Phaezeriel pauses to take a bite, chew, and swallow before continuing, ::But you have to be able to accept that another might not be manipulating you, might actually be your friend. If you cannot encompass that possibility with your mind, there is little hope of finding someone like that. I had never thought of the Patrons as possibly being lonely. Do you think they really are?::
The smile weakens just a little bit. "Just... been a bit thoughtful, I guess. Lumos has been quiet, and I think she knows I was serious about my threat. But I dunno. It's just easy to be alone, I guess." Phaezeriel grins at Vai, ::It's always good to have quiet time. I know how that can be sometimes. I just wanted to make sure my first real friend was okay.::
Phaezeriel shrugs a little, ::I dunno. You all certainly seem to think so. And far be it from me to argue with dragons.:: His smile shows the joke for what it is. He turns to face her fully after a moment, and his thoughts are serious when they come again, ::You don't have to answer if you don't want to: But why are you spending so much time alone lately?::
Phaezeriel laughs silently, ::Or having friends at all. And being trusted to this extent.:: He makes a broad gesture that takes in the entire chamber. |
