"I don't know...this is so difficult. I'm trying to reconcile two lives, two sets of memories, two sets of feelings..."
"I can't believe I forgot...them."
"I don't know...this is so difficult. I'm trying to reconcile two lives, two sets of memories, two sets of feelings..."
"I don't know...this is so difficult. I'm trying to reconcile two lives, two sets of memories, two sets of feelings..."
"I don't know...this is so difficult. I'm trying to reconcile two lives, two sets of memories, two sets of feelings..."
"I can't believe I forgot...them."
She reached out and placed her hand lightly on his.
"Time has a way of doing that. I don't think you forgot them all at once. But it's been such a long time."
She shivered.
"Sometimes the mind has to forget. To shield us from our own memories. No one can experience that much pain all the time and stay sane."
"You'd know that all too well, wouldn't you?"
"I'm so sorry."
"You'd know that all too well, wouldn't you?"
She smiled weakly.
"Yes, I would."
"Jorgen..." she placed her hand gently on his cheek. "It seems so strange to call you that, and yet not strange at all."
She leaned in and softly kissed his lips.
"You'd know that all too well, wouldn't you?"She smiled weakly.
"Yes, I would."
"Jorgen..." she placed her hand gently on his cheek. "It seems so strange to call you that, and yet not strange at all."
She leaned in and softly kissed his lips.
He wanted the kiss to last a lifetime. It'd been much longer than that since he felt one. No. Not that long ago. He memorized the feel of it, it's taste, it's warmth. Finally, he pulled away.
"I'm still Jack Hammer. But Jorgen too. ...I'm both. Neither. Neither name fits."
He wanted the kiss to last a lifetime. It'd been much longer than that since he felt one. No. Not that long ago. He memorized the feel of it, it's taste, it's warmth. Finally, he pulled away.
"I'm still Jack Hammer. But Jorgen too. ...I'm both. Neither. Neither name fits."
"Then what name would you like to be called by? Who is it you want to be?"
"I don't know. No one remembers Jorgen. Of course, I don't look like Jack Hammer much. Unless I put my mask on." He does, and his body transforms.
"Maybe it's better that people know me this way."
"Or by something that reflects both of...me. How 'bout Ch'ack Hammer? In honor of both my families?"
"Maybe it's better that people know me this way."
"That's your choice to make. I love you no matter which face you choose to wear."
"And Arielle will know you regardless. She's disturbingly astute that way."
"Ahh, the face. I have three choices for names, but only two for a face."
"I miss feeling, as a human does."
"Or by something that reflects both of...me. How 'bout Ch'ack Hammer? In honor of both my families?"
She smiled.
"I like it. It suits you."
"Ahh, the face. I have three choices for names, but only two for a face."
"I miss feeling, as a human does."
"Is that what you wish to be then?"
:Well, that was fast wasn't it? Oh, I almosnt forgot,: he looks at Tristan, :didn't I offer you a flight?:
:::"Yes. Yes you did. I still have the feather. I've never rode a giant bird. I'm a little appre..., scared about it.":::
"Is that what you wish to be then?""Ahh, the face. I have three choices for names, but only two for a face."
"I miss feeling, as a human does."
"I fear that I have forgotten what it is to be human. I would like to remember...err, discover what it means."
"My mask will always allow me to return if need be. It's magic has not faded over the centuries. Though it has changed form a bit, to suit the circumstances."
"I fear that I have forgotten what it is to be human. I would like to remember...err, discover what it means."
"My mask will always allow me to return if need be. It's magic has not faded over the centuries. Though it has changed form a bit, to suit the circumstances."
"Then be human. And whatever help I can be in that discovery process," she added with an impish smile, "I will be glad to provide."
"I fear that I have forgotten what it is to be human. I would like to remember...err, discover what it means."
"My mask will always allow me to return if need be. It's magic has not faded over the centuries. Though it has changed form a bit, to suit the circumstances."
"Then be human. And whatever help I can be in that discovery process," she added with an impish smile, "I will be glad to provide."
"Maybe I don't need to find some clothes right away. Then you can 'help' me learn how to make all the parts work. You might need to be a little gentle with me though."
"Maybe I don't need to find some clothes right away. Then you can 'help' me learn how to make all the parts work. You might need to be a little gentle with me though."
"Hmm. An interesting change. Usually I'm the one having to remind you to be gentle. Yes, I think a tutorial in just how pleasant having skin can be is in order," she added leaning in close to him and giving him feather light kisses across his face.
"This could take quite awhile, you know. Just to make sure you really get to appreciate the experience."
"Maybe I don't need to find some clothes right away. Then you can 'help' me learn how to make all the parts work. You might need to be a little gentle with me though."
"Hmm. An interesting change. Usually I'm the one having to remind you to be gentle. Yes, I think a tutorial in just how pleasant having skin can be is in order," she added leaning in close to him and giving him feather light kisses across his face.
"This could take quite awhile, you know. Just to make sure you really get to appreciate the experience."
He soaks in every kiss.
"It's been centuries since I've felt these things. I'm fine making the moment last a long while. Or should I say 'moments'?"
He returns the kisses, adding soft caresses for good measure.
fade to black....
:Well, that was fast wasn't it? Oh, I almosnt forgot,: he looks at Tristan, :didn't I offer you a flight?::::"Yes. Yes you did. I still have the feather. I've never rode a giant bird. I'm a little appre..., scared about it.":::
:Well isn't that a platinum piece word. Being scared is part of the fun sometimes, but I will stop and land whenever you want. Now,: he shifts into a giant primal eagle, :hop on and we'll see if you are brave enough to touch the clouds.:
He casts a spell to keep Tristan on his back, even if he is upside down. If Tristan is knocked off, he will stop in midair, be surronded by strong winds, and even dragons will not be able to move him... or harm him. Even if they could they would have to deal with an angry Herald.:Don't worry little one I'll keep you safe.:
"Wow! My sense of touch has definitely improved! But Oww! Those nail and nibble marks are gonna be noticeable."
"I haven't felt...so alive...in such a long time!"
He watches her try to ignore his words and get more sleep. He smiles.
"Well, can't make up for centuries all in one night."
He tries to settle in but can't fall asleep. He's still too wound up, and his stomach is growling like a bear. Heading to the side table he eats everything in sight, and finishes every drink. Even the water. Each morsel is savored, as if tasted for the 1st time.
"Looks like I should probably see if any of my old clothes fit." They don't, but he is able to cobble together something.
As Ch'ack relaxes he contemplates the happiness he feels and the twinge of guilt. Part of him felt like he was betraying the memory of Liselle. Was he reading too much in the similarities Lyn shared with her?
Her body was buried in the dust, as his own was until recently. But her soul, her essence, may yet be out there. Yet there was no sign of it in all his years of searching.
Aiselle. His first daughter. Life snuffed out before she had a chance to truly experience it. How could he not look at Arielle and see Aiselle's smile behind her eyes?
His yearning for redemption was overwhelming, renewed by the return of his flesh.
Skulking, stealthing searching, hunting, tra la la...
:Don't worry little one I'll keep you safe.:
Reassured by his words and magic, Tristan climbs onto Sky's back and lays flat on his stomach. Tristan feels his heartbeat grow stronger by each passing minute and his breathing become deeper with the approaching flight. Something he's never done before is going to happen.
:::"Okay,"::: he inhales deeply. :::"I'm ready.":::
Skulking, stealthing searching, hunting, tra la la...
:Don't worry little one I'll keep you safe.:Reassured by his words and magic, Tristan climbs onto Sky's back and lays flat on his stomach. Tristan feels his heartbeat grow stronger by each passing minute and his breathing become deeper with the approaching flight. Something he's never done before is going to happen.
:::"Okay,"::: he inhales deeply. :::"I'm ready.":::
:Then let's fly!:
A mighty flap of wings, and they soar up and out of the Eyrie. Sky slows down when he is about 100ft above the Eyrie.:Blodwen, I'm keeping a promise. I'm flying above the Eyrie if I'm needed.:
:So little one, how high would you like to go?:
Stands in the doorway to the balcony and takes in the smell of the sky, the sounds echoing off the cliffs, the feel of the breeze, and the warmth of the sun.
Skulking, stealthing searching, hunting, tra la la...
Skulking, stealthing searching, hunting, tra la la...
She woke up screaming, the dream only just beginning to fade. She punched a pillow with frustration when she realized what had happened. Exactly how long was it going to take her mind to accept that she wasn't mortal anymore? She was so tired of having this dream, reliving her death over and over again.
Skulking, stealthing searching, hunting, tra la la...
She woke up screaming, the dream only just beginning to fade. She punched a pillow with frustration when she realized what had happened. Exactly how long was it going to take her mind to accept that she wasn't mortal anymore? She was so tired of having this dream, reliving her death over and over again.
Ch'ack jumps as Lyn screams. He rushes to her side, trying to comfort her. He holds her as long as she needs him to.
When she calms herself he asks, "I wasn't that bad was I?" ;)
"Seriously though, do you want to talk about it?"
She woke up screaming, the dream only just beginning to fade. She punched a pillow with frustration when she realized what had happened. Exactly how long was it going to take her mind to accept that she wasn't mortal anymore? She was so tired of having this dream, reliving her death over and over again.Ch'ack jumps as Lyn screams. He rushes to her side, trying to comfort her. He holds her as long as she needs him to.
When she calms herself he asks, "I wasn't that bad was I?" ;)
"Seriously though, do you want to talk about it?"
She took a shaky breath.
"It's...I may not really be mortal anymore, but my mind doesn't seem to know that. I keep dreaming about dying. Over and over and over. The battlefield, the dagger in my heart, the desperate attempt to save our daughter. I'm sure it will stop eventually, but I really wish it would end sooner rather than later."
She woke up screaming, the dream only just beginning to fade. She punched a pillow with frustration when she realized what had happened. Exactly how long was it going to take her mind to accept that she wasn't mortal anymore? She was so tired of having this dream, reliving her death over and over again.Ch'ack jumps as Lyn screams. He rushes to her side, trying to comfort her. He holds her as long as she needs him to.
When she calms herself he asks, "I wasn't that bad was I?" ;)
"Seriously though, do you want to talk about it?"
She took a shaky breath.
"It's...I may not really be mortal anymore, but my mind doesn't seem to know that. I keep dreaming about dying. Over and over and over. The battlefield, the dagger in my heart, the desperate attempt to save our daughter. I'm sure it will stop eventually, but I really wish it would end sooner rather than later."
He sighs. "I hope it ends too."
He sighs. "I hope it ends too."
"The dreams that aren't an exact memory of what happened are the worst. Especially the ones where I can't save her."
"But dwelling on it doesn't make it go away."
"And I bet Arielle is starting to wonder where we are. You know what an early riser she is."
He sighs. "I hope it ends too."
"The dreams that aren't an exact memory of what happened are the worst. Especially the ones where I can't save her."
"But dwelling on it doesn't make it go away."
"And I bet Arielle is starting to wonder where we are. You know what an early riser she is."
"I've lived that nightmare..."
He brightens, "Yes, I'd like to see her. Err...what way should I look? What should I wear?" laughs at his nervousness
"Of course we could always pretend that you snuck in a stranger into your bedroom. Wouldn't that make some eyes pop? Until Arielle blasted me with a lightning bolt. Then my eyes would pop."
"I've lived that dream..."
He brightens, "Yes, I'd like to see her. Err...what way should I look?"
"Of course we could always pretend that you snuck in a stranger into your bedroom. Wouldn't that make some eyes pop? Until Arielle blasted me with a lightning bolt. Then my eyes would pop."
She laughed, throwing off the last of the lingering terror of the dream.
"You can fool everyone but Arielle. She'll know exactly who you are. Come on, she probably went to get some breakfast. And if she's not there, then Djuhah will know where she went."
She gets out of bed and quickly dresses.
Since Djuhah was busy, Arielle had talked Allura into letting her help make breakfast. Allura sighed as she looked around at the mess they had made of the kitchen. Buying breakfast from the market at the bazaar was so much easier.
"I've lived that dream..."
He brightens, "Yes, I'd like to see her. Err...what way should I look?"
"Of course we could always pretend that you snuck in a stranger into your bedroom. Wouldn't that make some eyes pop? Until Arielle blasted me with a lightning bolt. Then my eyes would pop."
She laughed, throwing off the last of the lingering terror of the dream.
"You can fool everyone but Arielle. She'll know exactly who you are. Come on, she probably went to get some breakfast. And if she's not there, then Djuhah will know where she went."
She gets out of bed and quickly dresses.
He looks on admiringly, "Do you realize how warm your skin is?"
"You're making my warmer right now."
Devlyn stood up from where he was crouching, allowing himself the luxury of stretching out his limbs as he finally finished searching the Eyrie for the shadowy spies who somehow got in here. They apparently fled as soon as they knew their presence had been revealed, as he had not found a single one.
He surveyed the corridor he was in from his vantage point on the ceiling for a few more minutes, then started making his way back to the main caverns.
He looks on admiringly, "Do you realize how warm your skin is?"
"You're making my warmer right now."
"We'll have to explore that more later," she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "A lot more."
"But right now, we're going to go find Arielle and make sure that she hasn't caused too much trouble."
He looks on admiringly, "Do you realize how warm your skin is?"
"You're making my warmer right now."
"We'll have to explore that more later," she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "A lot more."
"But right now, we're going to go find Arielle and make sure that she hasn't caused too much trouble."
"Lead on, milady. I could use something to drink. I think I've dried out our stores up here."
LJ took his hand and they went to the Hole in the Wall, looking for Arielle.
She frowned when she saw the crowd that had gathered there.
"What's going on?"
LJ took his hand and they went to the Hole in the Wall, looking for Arielle.
She frowned when she saw the crowd that had gathered there.
"What's going on?"
Arielle came bounding over and gave her mom a quick hug. There was a big smear of flour stuck on her nose.
"Some bad shadows got into the Eyrie while you were busy so we had a campout. It was fun. And I got to help make breakfast. I made pancakes. They're extra special cause I added chocolate chips to them so they'd be yummier. Are you gonna have some of my special pancakes?"
"Some bad shadows got into the Eyrie while you were busy so we had a campout. It was fun. And I got to help make breakfast. I made pancakes. They're extra special cause I added chocolate chips to them so they'd be yummier. Are you gonna have some of my special pancakes?"
"Of course sweetie. It sounds delicious. But first I need to spend a couple of minutes taking care of this problem with the bad shadows, okay?"
Ch'ack stares at Arielle, unable to speak at first.
"Hi, Sunshine."