returning her grin, "It could be a very long process. A very taxing one. Something to make you feel very much alive. Whatever could it be?""I'll do my best", he adds with a grimace. "Besides, I'm not done learning to be me again yet."
With that he gives her a long kiss.
She kisses him back, her feelings of sadness running away like shadows from sunlight.
"Well, if that's part of the process than I'm in favor," she said with an impish grin.
She laughed. She still wished that she had been able to lay the ghosts of the past to rest, but she wasn't about to let that destroy her present. Especially when the man she loved was right here in her arms.
"I'm sure you have some ideas, my love. Perhaps something along these lines?" she added reaching behind her to unfasten her top. The chainmail top slid to the ground with a clink.
Fade to Black
Meanwhile, a hooded woman enters the Eyrie. She appears to be looking for someone.
Meanwhile, a hooded woman enters the Eyrie. She appears to be looking for someone.
"Hello," she said cheerfully. "My name's Arielle. Who are you?"
Meanwhile, a hooded woman enters the Eyrie. She appears to be looking for someone."Hello," she said cheerfully. "My name's Arielle. Who are you?"
The woman turns to Arielle, and smiles. "Hello to you, too. I am Lilsa. I'm supposed to find Lynora. Is she available?"
As Ch'ack sleeps his brow creases in concentration. The rune on his chest pulses with faint blue light.
The woman turns to Arielle, and smiles. "Hello to you, too. I am Lilsa. I'm supposed to find Lynora. Is she available?"Meanwhile, a hooded woman enters the Eyrie. She appears to be looking for someone."Hello," she said cheerfully. "My name's Arielle. Who are you?"
"Not right now. There's a special chime on the door that tells me when it's okay to go in. I checked it a few minutes ago, and it was set for privacy. Mom and Dad are having some alone time I guess. You can wait for her, but it might be awhile."
:::Are they really that powerful? I'be heard stories about that.:::
Sky tenses, his body trying to shift out of instinct. One hand goes to his bow, in case things go badly.
"Pray you see chromatics from farther away should you ever see another."
:Aye little one, they really are that powerful. Why don't we see if you can aim that sword of yours huh? I'm sure the training dummies can handle it.:
"Not right now. There's a special chime on the door that tells me when it's okay to go in. I checked it a few minutes ago, and it was set for privacy. Mom and Dad are having some alone time I guess. You can wait for her, but it might be awhile."The woman turns to Arielle, and smiles. "Hello to you, too. I am Lilsa. I'm supposed to find Lynora. Is she available?"Meanwhile, a hooded woman enters the Eyrie. She appears to be looking for someone."Hello," she said cheerfully. "My name's Arielle. Who are you?"
"Ah, thank you. Is there anybody else I can talk to?"
"Ah, thank you. Is there anybody else I can talk to?""Not right now. There's a special chime on the door that tells me when it's okay to go in. I checked it a few minutes ago, and it was set for privacy. Mom and Dad are having some alone time I guess. You can wait for her, but it might be awhile."The woman turns to Arielle, and smiles. "Hello to you, too. I am Lilsa. I'm supposed to find Lynora. Is she available?"Meanwhile, a hooded woman enters the Eyrie. She appears to be looking for someone."Hello," she said cheerfully. "My name's Arielle. Who are you?"
"Well, there's Sky. He's my Mommy's Herald. And there's also Djuhah. He's her high priest. Sky is helping my friend Tristan right now. Djuhah is in the kitchen. He really likes to cook."
"Well, there's Sky. He's my Mommy's Herald. And there's also Djuhah. He's her high priest. Sky is helping my friend Tristan right now. Djuhah is in the kitchen. He really likes to cook.""Ah, thank you. Is there anybody else I can talk to?""Not right now. There's a special chime on the door that tells me when it's okay to go in. I checked it a few minutes ago, and it was set for privacy. Mom and Dad are having some alone time I guess. You can wait for her, but it might be awhile."The woman turns to Arielle, and smiles. "Hello to you, too. I am Lilsa. I'm supposed to find Lynora. Is she available?"Meanwhile, a hooded woman enters the Eyrie. She appears to be looking for someone."Hello," she said cheerfully. "My name's Arielle. Who are you?"
"Thank you, child. What is your name?"
"Thank you, child. What is your name?""Well, there's Sky. He's my Mommy's Herald. And there's also Djuhah. He's her high priest. Sky is helping my friend Tristan right now. Djuhah is in the kitchen. He really likes to cook.""Ah, thank you. Is there anybody else I can talk to?""Not right now. There's a special chime on the door that tells me when it's okay to go in. I checked it a few minutes ago, and it was set for privacy. Mom and Dad are having some alone time I guess. You can wait for her, but it might be awhile."The woman turns to Arielle, and smiles. "Hello to you, too. I am Lilsa. I'm supposed to find Lynora. Is she available?"Meanwhile, a hooded woman enters the Eyrie. She appears to be looking for someone."Hello," she said cheerfully. "My name's Arielle. Who are you?"
"Thank you, child. What is your name?""Well, there's Sky. He's my Mommy's Herald. And there's also Djuhah. He's her high priest. Sky is helping my friend Tristan right now. Djuhah is in the kitchen. He really likes to cook.""Ah, thank you. Is there anybody else I can talk to?""Not right now. There's a special chime on the door that tells me when it's okay to go in. I checked it a few minutes ago, and it was set for privacy. Mom and Dad are having some alone time I guess. You can wait for her, but it might be awhile."The woman turns to Arielle, and smiles. "Hello to you, too. I am Lilsa. I'm supposed to find Lynora. Is she available?"Meanwhile, a hooded woman enters the Eyrie. She appears to be looking for someone."Hello," she said cheerfully. "My name's Arielle. Who are you?"
"Thank you, child. Um, where are the kitchens?"
"Thank you, child. Um, where are the kitchens?"
"I can show you if you like. They aren't difficult to find." Arielle will skip ahead on the way to the kitchens.
"Hi, Djuhah. This lady is called Lilsa and she came to talk to Mom, but Mom's busy. So I brought her to you."
Arielle snuck a piece of taffy on her way out of the kitchen and went to find Tristan and see how his training was going.
"Greetings, Lilsa. Welcome to the Eyrie. If there is any way I can be of assistance...?"
"Oh, where are my manners? Please, sit down. Would you care for something to eat?" he added with a charming smile.
"Greetings, Lilsa. Welcome to the Eyrie. If there is any way I can be of assistance...?"
"Oh, where are my manners? Please, sit down. Would you care for something to eat?" he added with a charming smile.
"Nothing, thank you." She says politely, but remains standing. "I have a message for Lynora, from one who has passed away. I am a medium, you see, and it is my job to find restless spirits and help them find their way to the afterlife. Did you know one called 'Plantjack?'?"
As Ch'ack sleeps his brow creases in concentration. The rune on his chest pulses with faint blue light.
Ch'ack trembles and awakens. Childhood nightmares of the one called Soul Eater fresh on his mind.
"Oh, dear gods. Please that it not be so."
"Nothing, thank you." She says politely, but remains standing. "I have a message for Lynora, from one who has passed away. I am a medium, you see, and it is my job to find restless spirits and help them find their way to the afterlife. Did you know one called 'Plantjack?'?""Greetings, Lilsa. Welcome to the Eyrie. If there is any way I can be of assistance...?"
"Oh, where are my manners? Please, sit down. Would you care for something to eat?" he added with a charming smile.
"I did not know him personally, but I have heard of him. Arielle was talking about someone named Plantjack recently in connection with the dreamlands I think. It can sometimes be hard to follow conversations with Arielle. She jumps around from subject to subject, and she sees things differently than the rest of us. She hasn't figured out yet that the rest of us don't always see things exactly as they truly are, and wouldn't know how to explain things to us if she did know."
As Ch'ack sleeps his brow creases in concentration. The rune on his chest pulses with faint blue light.Ch'ack trembles and awakens. Childhood nightmares of the one called Soul Eater fresh on his mind.
"Oh, dear gods. Please that it not be so."
"What is it, love? What is wrong?"
She had been in a trance, patrolling the borders for weak spots, making sure that the stars were moving in the patterns they should, and her personal Song still filled the air around her, growing fainter as she became more aware of her surroundings.
"I did not know him personally, but I have heard of him. Arielle was talking about someone named Plantjack recently in connection with the dreamlands I think. It can sometimes be hard to follow conversations with Arielle. She jumps around from subject to subject, and she sees things differently than the rest of us. She hasn't figured out yet that the rest of us don't always see things exactly as they truly are, and wouldn't know how to explain things to us if she did know.""Nothing, thank you." She says politely, but remains standing. "I have a message for Lynora, from one who has passed away. I am a medium, you see, and it is my job to find restless spirits and help them find their way to the afterlife. Did you know one called 'Plantjack?'?""Greetings, Lilsa. Welcome to the Eyrie. If there is any way I can be of assistance...?"
"Oh, where are my manners? Please, sit down. Would you care for something to eat?" he added with a charming smile.
The woman smiles. "I know the feeling." She seems to relax, and sits down in the chair.
"My name is Lilsa, and Plantjack has instructed me to bring Lynora a message before he can rest."
As Ch'ack sleeps his brow creases in concentration. The rune on his chest pulses with faint blue light.Ch'ack trembles and awakens. Childhood nightmares of the one called Soul Eater fresh on his mind.
"Oh, dear gods. Please that it not be so."
"What is it, love? What is wrong?"
"A dream. A vision. I'm not sure. Two places that guard death, and memories of one called Soul Eater."
"A dream. A vision. I'm not sure. Two places that guard death, and memories of one called Soul Eater."As Ch'ack sleeps his brow creases in concentration. The rune on his chest pulses with faint blue light.Ch'ack trembles and awakens. Childhood nightmares of the one called Soul Eater fresh on his mind.
"Oh, dear gods. Please that it not be so."
"What is it, love? What is wrong?"
She bit her lip and frowned. "Is this Soul Eater the one who destroyed the Ch'acks? Or is this a different abomination?"
"I'm not sure. If it was cultists of him/her/it then that may explain why I've never found a trace of my family."
"I'm not sure. If it was cultists of him/her/it then that may explain why I've never found a trace of my family."
She shuddered.
"You're going to go after it aren't you?" she whispered.
"No. Don't answer that. I already know the answer. I can see it in your eyes. You'll never be at peace until you know for sure."
She stands up and walks over to her dressing table. She picks up a box and breathes on it. Music surrounds the box, fading into it. She hands the box to Ch'ack Hammer.
"This is a compass. It's keyed to my personal Song, so it will show you the way back to me wherever you go. I'll know if you are in trouble, and will lend you whatever strength you require, my love. Just...be careful. I will love you until the end of time and that's not an idle threat coming from me. I could not bear losing you."
:::Are they really that powerful? I'be heard stories about that.:::
Sky tenses, his body trying to shift out of instinct. One hand goes to his bow, in case things go badly.
"Pray you see chromatics from farther away should you ever see another."
:Aye little one, they really are that powerful. Why don't we see if you can aim that sword of yours huh? I'm sure the training dummies can handle it.:
:::Sure. I really don't want to use it on anyone unless I have to in self-defense. My grandparents told me that when I am stronger and more skilled, my blades can become, uh, what was it, Uh ghost-touched and wraithstrike weapons. I'm not sure what that means...:::
"I'm not sure. If it was cultists of him/her/it then that may explain why I've never found a trace of my family."She shuddered.
"You're going to go after it aren't you?" she whispered.
"No. Don't answer that. I already know the answer. I can see it in your eyes. You'll never be at peace until you know for sure."
She stands up and walks over to her dressing table. She picks up a box and breathes on it. Music surrounds the box, fading into it. She hands the box to Ch'ack Hammer.
"This is a compass. It's keyed to my personal Song, so it will show you the way back to me wherever you go. I'll know if you are in trouble, and will lend you whatever strength you require, my love. Just...be careful. I will love you until the end of time and that's not an idle threat coming from me. I could not bear losing you."
"And I you." He kisses the gift.
"It's strange. Returning to flesh has rekindled things I had long forgotten. Mostly good things but also...pain, yearning, and...fear."
"I'm not sure if there is such a creature called the Soul Eater or not. I do remember stories of the cultists. They'll be bad enough if they are alive. Probably worse if they aren't. I won't be alone though. There are always allies amongst the good spirits for one that can sing to them."
he chuckles, "My voice is lot better in the spirit world."
New thread posted, though so many aren't seeing much use. Where Spirits Dream
Balance is restored to the multiverse. ;)
"And I you." He kisses the gift.
"It's strange. Returning to flesh has rekindled things I had long forgotten. Mostly good things but also...pain, yearning, and...fear."
"I'm not sure if there is such a creature called the Soul Eater or not. I do remember stories of the cultists. They'll be bad enough if they are alive. Probably worse if they aren't. I won't be alone though. There are always allies amongst the good spirits for one that can sing to them."
he chuckles, "My voice is lot better in the spirit world."
She smiles. "Your Song has notes in it that are difficult for the mortal voice to convey. It doesn't surprise me you find that easier in the spirit world."
She smiles. "Your Song has notes in it that are difficult for the mortal voice to convey. It doesn't surprise me you find that easier in the spirit world."
"And I you." He kisses the gift.
"It's strange. Returning to flesh has rekindled things I had long forgotten. Mostly good things but also...pain, yearning, and...fear."
"I'm not sure if there is such a creature called the Soul Eater or not. I do remember stories of the cultists. They'll be bad enough if they are alive. Probably worse if they aren't. I won't be alone though. There are always allies amongst the good spirits for one that can sing to them."
he chuckles, "My voice is lot better in the spirit world."
"Been listening while I'm in the shower, eh?"
"Been listening while I'm in the shower, eh?"
She smiles. "Your Song has notes in it that are difficult for the mortal voice to convey. It doesn't surprise me you find that easier in the spirit world."
She laughed. "No. We're usually busy doing other things in the shower."
"I was talking about your Song. Every single person has their own unique tune that means just them. I hear them all the time. Goddess of music, remember?"
"I was talking about your Song. Every single person has their own unique tune that means just them. I hear them all the time. Goddess of music, remember?"
"Just as each person has their own unique rune."
his concentration deepens
"Instead of focussing on the visible I might be able to listen to the runes as well..."
"This might be enough...."
"To make the difference..."
His eyes brighten
"You're a genius!" He lays a big wet kiss on her
"I was talking about your Song. Every single person has their own unique tune that means just them. I hear them all the time. Goddess of music, remember?""Just as each person has their own unique rune."
his concentration deepens
"Instead of focussing on the visible I might be able to listen to the runes as well..."
"This might be enough...."
"To make the difference..."
His eyes brighten
"You're a genius!" He lays a big wet kiss on her
"I don't think I've ever been accused of being a genius before," she said, laughing. "I'm glad I was able to help."
She gave him a long, soft kiss. "For luck."
"Don't forget to say goodbye to Arielle before you go. She worries when people just disappear."
"I was talking about your Song. Every single person has their own unique tune that means just them. I hear them all the time. Goddess of music, remember?""Just as each person has their own unique rune."
his concentration deepens
"Instead of focussing on the visible I might be able to listen to the runes as well..."
"This might be enough...."
"To make the difference..."
His eyes brighten
"You're a genius!" He lays a big wet kiss on her
"I don't think I've ever been accused of being a genius before," she said, laughing. "I'm glad I was able to help."
She gave him a long, soft kiss. "For luck."
"Don't forget to say goodbye to Arielle before you go. She worries when people just disappear."
"Well then, I guess there's no better time than the present."
Ch'ack fills his backpack with the things he'll need for this long journey into hostile territory, especially the jar of spirit woad. Leo waits patiently by his side.
"I'll have to stop by and see if a decent earthbreaker is to be found around here. And I'll be sure to stop by and see Arielle. Be wary of your dreams while I'm gone. My enemies are very skilled at twisting things to cause pain. The spirit wards I gave you should help."
With that, he gives Lynora a toe-tingling kiss and heads out to the practice area to find Arielle. When he spots her, he watches her play for a long while before approaching. Leo waits.
"Hey, little one. I need to take a trip for a while. Can I get a hug before I go?"
"Well then, I guess there's no better time than the present."
Ch'ack fills his backpack with the things he'll need for this long journey into hostile territory, especially the jar of spirit woad. Leo waits patiently by his side.
"I'll have to stop by and see if a decent earthbreaker is to be found around here. And I'll be sure to stop by and see Arielle. Be wary of your dreams while I'm gone. My enemies are very skilled at twisting things to cause pain. The spirit wards I gave you should help."
"I don't dream anymore, love. I can watch your dreams or Arielle's, but I'm not really allowed in the dreamlands. It's complicated. I'll tell you all about it sometime. The closest I can come to dreams is the time that I spend in the Green. But I will be wary. And you as well. Safe travels, my love."
With that, he gives Lynora a toe-tingling kiss and heads out to the practice area to find Arielle.
She sighed and sat back down on the bed. He wasn't even gone and she already missed him. It was hard not to feel jealous. The thing with Angel had been bad enough, but this...This time she was the replacement. She couldn't blame him for needing to find out what had happened to his wife and daughter, but it was still so hard to let him go. What if he never came back? And why did doing the right thing so often feel so utterly terrible?
With that, he gives Lynora a toe-tingling kiss and heads out to the practice area to find Arielle. When he spots her, he watches her play for a long while before approaching. Leo waits.
"Hey, little one. I need to take a trip for a while. Can I get a hug before I go?"
"Sure, Daddy," she says smiling as she runs over to hug him. "Are you going to be gone for very long?" she asks concerned.
"Sure, Daddy," she says smiling as she runs over to hug him. "Are you going to be gone for very long?" she asks concerned.
With that, he gives Lynora a toe-tingling kiss and heads out to the practice area to find Arielle. When he spots her, he watches her play for a long while before approaching. Leo waits.
"Hey, little one. I need to take a trip for a while. Can I get a hug before I go?"
He hugs her back, holding her close
"I'm not sure..."
"I won't be alone though. Do you like my long lost friend?" he points to Leo, expecting her to see him clearly.
"Sure, Daddy," she says smiling as she runs over to hug him. "Are you going to be gone for very long?" she asks concerned.
With that, he gives Lynora a toe-tingling kiss and heads out to the practice area to find Arielle. When he spots her, he watches her play for a long while before approaching. Leo waits.
"Hey, little one. I need to take a trip for a while. Can I get a hug before I go?"
He hugs her back, holding her close
"I'm not sure..."
"I won't be alone though. Do like my long lost friend?" he points to Leo, expecting her to see him clearly.
She smiles and reaches out a hand to pet Leo.
"Hi, Leo. I remember you. You were in the Grove when we were looking for the pieces of Mommy. You're gonna take really good care of my daddy, right? I'm counting on you."
She looks back up at CH.
"I'll miss you while you're gone. Please don't stay away too long."
"No longer than necessary, honey. Keep your mommy busy while I'm gone, OK? I love you both."
With a final hug and kiss he heads off.
LJ decided that it was time to pull herself together and at least pretend to be somewhat well-adjusted. She went to find Arielle, spending a couple of hours listening to her daughter's account of her day including a long description of how boring plants are, and how scared she was about using her weather magic. LJ sighed. It wasn't exactly the best timing. She wanted her daughter here with her. Especially now. But Arielle had to learn to control her abilities.
"I think that lessons in the Eyrie aren't going to be enough, sweetie. I think that it's time that you and Grandpa Azuri'ith went on a little camping trip. A week should do it. He can take you out to the Place of the Winds, where there aren't so many people. And you're going to practice until you feel sure that you can control what you're doing. How does that sound?"
"That sounds great," Arielle said excitedly and then stopped looking up at her mom with a concerned expression. "Are you going to be alright here all by yourself?"
She hugged her daughter tightly. "I'll be fine. It's just for a few days. And there's plenty of people here to keep me company. Don't you worry about me."
Arielle ran around packing things up, while her mom sighed and smiled and repacked everything so she'd actually have the things she needed. She was practically bursting with excitement. She'd been trying so hard not to let on how worried she'd been, but it was going to be okay. She was going to get to learn to control her abilities and she'd be too busy to miss her dad while he was away.
"Are you sure you're okay with me going now?" she asked again.
"I'm sure," her mom said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Now we'd better hurry and finish up. Your grandpa is going to be here in just a few minutes. Don't forget that medallion I gave you. If you ever need to get back here in a hurry just touch it and think of home and you'll be right here, okay?"
Lilsa is silent for a moment. She closes her brown eyes. When she reopens them, they are bright green.
"Who are you? The woman told me she would take me to Lynora."
Lilsa is silent for a moment. She closes her brown eyes. When she reopens them, they are bright green.
"Who are you? The woman told me she would take me to Lynora."
"Ah. The most honorable PlantJack, I presume? I have heard about you. My name is Djuhah. I serve Starsong, the one you call Lynora, as a priest. I am in charge of the temple while she is busy with other things. Right now Starsong is occupied with some family matters, but if your need is truly urgent I can call her for you."
"Her-humm." Azuri'ith cleared his throat loudly to get his granddaughters' attention.
"Grandpa!" Arielle ran over to him and tried to give him a hug. It wasn't very easy since he was an air elemental, but she tried anyways.
"Now, you be good while you're gone, Arielle, and mind what Grandpa Azuri'ith tells you."
"Yes, mom," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Are you - " Azuri'ith started to ask, concerned by the look of sadness in Lynora-Jill's eyes.
"I'm fine," she interrupted. "Just missing my little girl already. I may very well fly over to where you're camping every night just so I can tuck her in," she said with a half-hearted smile.
"Okay, mom," Arielle said with a last-minute hug.