Eyes growing wide, Sky's heart begins to pound. :How did you...? Oh, telepathy. Sorry, I know I should have said something sooner, but... Just look.: Shifting to his elven form, Sky raises his left arm and begins to concentrate. Soon his flesh begins to ripple, revealing strange runes running the length of his arm from his elbow to his wrist.
Blodwen adjusts her eyes to deal with the strange light emanating from the symbols on Sky's arm.
:What do they mean?:
Blodwen adjusts her eyes to deal with the strange light emanating from the symbols on Sky's arm.
:What do they mean?:
:They are the most powerful runes of binding I could find. I choose to seal part of myself away a millin.. a long time ago.:
:They are the most powerful runes of binding I could find. I choose to bind part of me away a millin.. a long time ago.:Blodwen adjusts her eyes to deal with the strange light emanating from the symbols on Sky's arm.
:What do they mean?:
:Sky, this is very important. I need to know this. I will explain to you exactly why, but I think you need to tell me all of the truth first.:
There is an undercurrent of fear to her thoughts, but not about the bindings. Something else is bothering her.
:I'm... not from this timeline. I am from the distant past. I had found my way to a keep after the War of the Divine Deaths. I had thought all the gods were dead, but I found a young girl and other refugees living there, and later learned she was a godling. Once she was firmly set as a god, I too... rose. But I sealed that part of myself away so I could travel. I didn't expext the world to still hold surprises and walked right through a portal with Kiba, a fellow lycanthrope. Then we were here.: Sky watches Blodwen carefully, waiting for the outcome he expects.
:I'm... not from this timeline. I am from the distant past. I had found my way to a keep after the War of the Divine Deaths. I had thought all the gods were dead, but I found a young girl and other refugees living there, and later learned she was a godling. Once she was firmly set as a god, I too... rose. But I sealed that part of myself away so I could travel. I didn't expext the world to still hold surprises and walked right through a portal with Kiba, a fellow lycanthrope. Then we were here.: Sky watches Blodwen carefully, waiting for the outcome he expects.
Blodwen looks confused. :This...makes no sense. What I... this shouldn't be possible...:
She shifts into her human form and reaches out to touch his face. :I think I have some explaining of my own to do now, Sky. And I don't know how to make sense of this now.: She looks away and takes a deep breath.:Okay, start at the beginning I suppose. The world I come from, I don't even have a name for it, but that is beside the point. There were humans there and our peoples would meet from time to time. Usually we would just observe them. They had this thing, a ritual they called soulbonding. A man and a woman would become magically tied to each other, permanently. They would be perfectly aware of each other, able to anticipate the other ones movement and desires. But there was a price. If one soulbonded partner died, then the other one would too, at the same instant. They literally could not live without each other. The important thing about these unions was that the two soulbonded were perfectly matched in power, not identical, but always equal. Sometimes it happens between starhawks as well, but rarely. Like, once in a century kind of rarely.:
She took another deep breath, still looking down at her hands, almost afraid to look up at him.
:I had begun to think that it was happening between us. There have been moments where...but if what you say is true then I must have been mistaken.: There is a tone of doubt to her thoughts as she says this last. She was fairly certain of what she had experienced and was filled with confusion as she tried to understand competing realities.
Keehaar stirs in his sleep, once again in starhawk form. He ruffles his feathers and mutters in Avian while dreaming
Mother ... blood in the water ... blood in the vaults ... Spring has fallen, but always rises again ..
She took another deep breath, still looking down at her hands, almost afraid to look up at him.
:I had begun to think that it was happening between us. There have been moments...
:It very well may have. I bound this power and cannot acess it while this runes exist. The only thing unbalanced between us is the fact I'm LJ's Herald, and you may be more powerful than even you know. I... I can remove it all together if it will make you happy...:
Keehaar stirs in his sleep, once again in starhawk form. He ruffles his feathers and mutters in Avian while dreaming
Mother ... blood in the water ... blood in the vaults ... Spring has fallen, but always rises again ..
Head tilted one side, Freefall watches Keehaar with new interest.
She took another deep breath, still looking down at her hands, almost afraid to look up at him.
:I had begun to think that it was happening between us. There have been moments...:It very well may have. I bound this power and cannot acess it while this runes exist. The only thing unbalanced between us is the fact I'm LJ's Herald, and you may be more powerful than even you know. I... I can remove it all together if it will make you happy...:
:Remove it? What are you talking about? I do not wish you to make yourself less. I am only afraid of becoming a danger to you. If it is true, that we are soulbonded, then all that someone who cannot defeat you has to do to kill you is attack me. I could not bear it if I was the cause of...: she paused. :That is why it is so important that both people in a soulbond be equal in power. Otherwise it is a horrible vulnerability to one and in time they would come to resent the weaker partner.:
The kobold, having heard enough, slinks back into the shadows and vanishes. His master would want news of this. Not that that meant he would get it.
:Remove it? What are you talking about? I do not wish you to make yourself less. I am only afraid of becoming a danger to you. If it is true, that we are soulbonded, then all that someone who cannot defeat you has to do to kill you is attack me. I could not bear it if I was the cause of...: she paused. :That is why it is so important that both people in a soulbond be equal in power. Otherwise it is a horrible vulnerability to one and in time they would come to resent the weaker partner.:
:If all that bothers you is that we are not equal in power, then you may have some of it. I can do that much at least.:
:If all that bothers you is that we are not equal in power, then you may have some of it. I can do that much at least.:
:Wha- What?: she asked, startled and confused. :I don't understand.:
:Wha- What?: she asked, startled and confused. :I don't understand.::If all that bothers you is that we are not equal in power, then you may have some of it. I can do that much at least.:
:If I remove the runes, I could begin to share the power with you. Very slowly of course, so it does not overwhelm you, and then I could replace my runes and place some on you, if you want them:
Sky looks away, trying not to influence her choice, careful to keep his mind clear. But he has no way to lock his emotions away.
:Wha- What?: she asked, startled and confused. :I don't understand.::If all that bothers you is that we are not equal in power, then you may have some of it. I can do that much at least.:
:A.. power transfer. If I remove the runes, I could begin to share the power with you. Very slowly of course, so it does not overwhelm you, and then I could replace my runes and place some on you, if you want them:
Sky looks away, tryng not to influence her choice, careful to keep his mind clear. But he has no way to lock his emotions away.
She thinks about this very carefully for a few minutes before turning back to him.
:Yes, my eranoyeh, I will do this thing. I do not believe I was mistaken, and a soulbonding cannot be undone. I would not like to become a weight to drag you down. I love you and could not bear that. I would rather be able to stand with you as an equal.:
Relief washes over Sky as he hears Blodwen's answer, but is quickly replaced by fear. What if he can't control the flow of power?
Relief washes over Sky as he hears Blodwen's answer, but is quickly replaced by fear. What if he can't control the flow of power?
She can feel his fear. She kisses him, and as she does he can feel the pace of their heartbeats changing just enough to be completely in sync.
:No, I was not wrong,: she says, her eyes widening. :We are definitely soulbonded. Sky, I know you are afraid. I won't say that I feel no fear about this either. You would know that to be a lie. But remember, I am bound to you, as closely as if I were a part of yourself. Surely that will make this easier.:
She can feel his fear. She kisses him, and as she does he can feel the pace of their heartbeats changing just enough to be completely in sync.
:No, I was not wrong,: she says, her eyes widening. :We are definitely soulbonded. Sky, I know you are afraid. I won't say that I feel no fear about this either. You would know that to be a lie. But remember, I am bound to you, as closely as if I were a part of yourself. Surely that will make this easier.:
Smiling weakly, Sky raises his right hand. After concentrating for a while, his hand grows the talons he normally has in his hybrid form. Placing a razor-sharp claw at his elbow, he slashes quickly through the runes, his talon barely breaking his skin. With a bright flash of light, Sky changes. Now he stands, his hair bright silver and his skin a pale gold. He motions for Blodwen to give her an arm, a small paint-brush appearing in his hand.
Smiling weakly, Sky raises his right hand. After concentrating for a while, his hand grows the talons he normally has in his hybrid form. Placing a razor-sharp claw at his elbow, he slashes quickly through the runes, his talon barely breaking his skin. With a bright flash of light, Sky changes. Now he stands, his hair bright silver and his skin a pale gold. He motions for Blodwen to give her an arm, a small paint-brush appearing in his hand.
She is definitely feeling more than a bit overwhelmed, but nevertheless she holds out her arm trustingly.
As Sky takes her hand in his, she shivers at the sheer power he contains. Ever so slowly, she feels some of that power flow into her hand and through her body. When she feels af if she is about to burst with the new amount of power surging within, she feels something cool touch her arm. Instantly, she feels the power strength lessen, the paint-brush flowing swiftly across her arm, runes of binding following quickly. Sky finishes her runes with a flourish and begins to fix his own. Done, he sits down, looking like his old self and shivering slightly. Their runes pulse with strength, keeping the power within the two contained and under control. Looking up they realize the whole process had taken a long time, for now the sun was farther in the sky than it had been when they started. Flesh ripples and the runes are concealed.
:Are you okay, eranoyeh?:
:Are you okay, eranoyeh?:
:I think so. That was - I don't even know how to describe that.: Her ink-black eyes look up at him with wonder.
The kobold, having heard enough, slinks back into the shadows and vanishes. His master would want news of this. Not that that meant he would get it.
[ooc]He's a very powerful utilizer of the Black. He's easily capable of listening in on telepathic conversations, especially if the 'speakers' are inexperienced.
:I think so. That was - I don't even know how to describe that.: Her ink-black eyes look up at him with wonder.
:Are you okay, eranoyeh?:
:Not exactly something you can describe, just experience. Remember, if you ever need to, only you can remove the runes, and only you will be able to replace them. it looks like it took easily, more proof that we are soulbonded.:
Looking at the sky, his face fills with wonder.
:That didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. Beginner's luck, huh?:
The kobold, having heard enough, slinks back into the shadows and vanishes. His master would want news of this. Not that that meant he would get it.
:Not exactly something you can describe, just experience. Remember, if you ever need to, only you can remove the runes, and only you will be able to replace them. it looks like it took easily, more proof that we are soulbonded.:
Looking at the sky, his face fills with wonder.
:That didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. Beginner's luck, huh?:
:That was not as long as you thought it would take?: she asks surprised looking at how far the sun has moved across the sky. :Still, it has been a long time. The chicks will likely be awake by now. We should head back soon. We really do need to give them names. It seems odd to always be referring to our chicks as 'the chicks' and not even being able to differentiate between them.:
The kobold, having heard enough, slinks back into the shadows and vanishes. His master would want news of this. Not that that meant he would get it.
In that case, she might or might not have noticed the intruder after he left.
:That was not as long as you thought it would take?: she asks surprised looking at how far the sun has moved across the sky. :Still, it has been a long time. The chicks will likely be awake by now. We should head back soon. We really do need to give them names. It seems odd to always be referring to our chicks as 'the chicks' and not even being able to differentiate between them.:
:True, but what to name them? Hmm, I should probably bring Freefall back a piece of the elk. Where is that liver...: Finding the liver and shifting into his dire eagle, he flies off clutching it in one claw.
:Catch me if you can Blodwen!: Despite his taunting, he is flying slowly. Flying just to be flying.
:That was not as long as you thought it would take?: she asks surprised looking at how far the sun has moved across the sky. :Still, it has been a long time. The chicks will likely be awake by now. We should head back soon. We really do need to give them names. It seems odd to always be referring to our chicks as 'the chicks' and not even being able to differentiate between them.::True, but what to name them? Hmm, I should probably bring Freefall back a piece of the elk. Where is that liver...: [/i]Finding the liver and shifting into his dire eagle, he flies off clutching it in one claw.[/i]
:Catch me if you can Blodwen!: Despite his taunting, he is flying slowly. Flying just to be flying.
She laughs. :I doubt I will be catching you this time,: she says as she carefully folds up the skins, using one of them as a bundle to hold the bits she had carefully set aside for the chicks. When this was done to her satisfaction she shifted into her starhawk form, adding a little reinforcement to her muscles to allow her to carry this burden all the way back to the Eyrie, picked up the bundle and took off. It was awkward flying, even for her, but she persisted.
:I just hope I don't fly into the side of a mountain again,: she said dryly. :I still haven't managed to live down the last time even though I was ridiculously tired at the time and hadn't eaten anything for over a week.:
Flying below her, sky flips over and carefully takes the bundle, replacing it with the liver.
:If you give him the liver, you'll be on Freefall's good side for a very long time.: She can tell that he doesn't want her to do anything strenuous after the power transfer.
:The way to his heart is through his stomach?: she asked amused. He could feel her gratitude that he took the bundle. She is much more tired now than she wants to admit. She spends the rest of the flight back discussing possible names for the chicks with him.
Aira
Alezae
Anila
Brisa
Sirocco
Hova
Knoton
Makani
Mystral
Nodin
Notin
Oya
Phong
Ruzgar
Solana
Tadewi
Vayu
Veata
Zephyr
** spoiler omitted **
As they finally fly into the Eyrie, Blodwen is very grateful to see their nest up ahead. She lands and offers the liver to Freefall.
:A gift for you.:
** spoiler omitted **
As they finally fly into the Eyrie, Blodwen is very grateful to see their nest up ahead. She lands and offers the liver to Freefall.
:A gift for you.:
Taking it from her, Freefall begins to eat it slowly/ savoring every bite. He says something to Blodwen in eagle.
:He is saying thank you for the liver i gave you. Guess I still can't fool him. Now, what to name the little ones?:
** spoiler omitted **
As they finally fly into the Eyrie, Blodwen is very grateful to see their nest up ahead. She lands and offers the liver to Freefall.
:A gift for you.:Taking it from her, Freefall begins to eat it slowly/ savoring every bite. He says something to Blodwen in eagle.
:He is saying thank you for the liver i gave you. Guess I still can't fool him. Now, what to name the little ones?:
Blodwen laughs. :You know that I can understand him right? Because I'm telepathic. And a bird.:
She shifts back to human and takes the bundle from him, unwrapping it and handing out the tidbits she'd brought back for the eagle chicks and for Keehaar. She then asks him to get some milk out for the other little ones. She picks one up and, leaning her head tiredly on the side of the nest, begins to feed her.:This one is a girl, and not one of the twins. So what was that girl's name you liked so much again? Started with an A.:
Keehaar eats some in starhawk form. He has been unusually quiet since the death of his mother
Keehaar eats some in starhawk form. He has been unusually quiet since the death of his mother
:Did you not like that piece, Keehaar? I'm sorry if I chose badly. If you tell me what you do like I'll be sure to bring that for you next time.:
Keehaar looks up
No it's fine Blodwen, I'm just not that hungry ..
He flaps his wings and pecks at the food.
Keehaar looks up
No it's fine Blodwen, I'm just not that hungry ..
He flaps his wings and pecks at the food.
:Is there anything I can do, Keehaar?: She hesitates, thinking of how much it was helping her to keep busy. :Would you like to help us feed the chicks?:
:Would you like to help us feed the chicks?:
::Sure Blodwen, that would be nice::
Keehaar hops over and helps Blodwen with the young chicks
Keehaar feels a wave of affection from Blodwen. :I know we're not exactly a normal family, lyssla, what with none of us being actually related, well, except the twins I suppose. But we are a family of sorts and you always have a place here. And these little ones could use a big brother to help teach them as they grow. I know none of this makes up for your loss, believe me, I know. But you are not all alone.:
Keehaar rubs his beak along Blodwen's
::Thank you Blodwen, that means a lot::
:This one is a girl, and not one of the twins. So what was that girl's name you liked so much again? Started with an A.:
:I think your confusing Amiri with Lark. Amiri is a boy's name, so I'm pretty sure your thinking of Lark.:
Sky notices Keehaar's mood, and after Blodwen comforts him, Sky remembers something. Reaching into his pack, he pulls out a flute. It is one made of oak with simple brass designs embedded into it. He offers it to Keehaar, hoping to distract him.
:Keehaar, I'm teaching Blodwen how to play the flute, would you like to learn?:
He offers it to Keehaar, hoping to distract him.
When the group comes through the omniportal into the main room in the cliff face, they can see before them a large network of rope bridges connecting a series of nests. When they walk out onto the balcony they can see celestial eagles and starhawks flying around or settled into their nests.
When the group comes through the omniportal into the main room in the cliff face, they can see before them a large network of rope bridges connecting a series of nests. When they walk out onto the balcony they can see celestial eagles and starhawks flying around or settled into their nests.
Devlyn lets out an impressed whistle as he takes in the view around him.
"I sure am glad I'm not too scared of heights," he says with a smile. "Wow - this is amazing."