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Curse Divide; DarkAngel013 & Seiss
Topic Started: Mar 12 2009, 02:21 AM (8,402 Views)
DarkAngel013
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“Are you unwell?” he asked, dropping to his knees are he looked her over. Pulling up her blanket, he draped it over her shoulders and pulled it around her. “Did something hurt you? Are you cold?” He brushed her hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear, lowering his head to try and get a glimpse of her face. Her whimpers, however grated at his nerves.

Sayuri only shook her head, unable to look up at him. Her slim figure shook from the fear that he was going to come and haunt her. Again, she only shook her head to his questions, saying that she not any of the questions he's asked of her. She squeaked in surprise when he pulled her into his arms... His warm and safe arms...

“Are you crying? Don’t tell me it’s from a nightmare, you too old to get frightened by any ridiculous scares your mind conjures,” he muttered gruffly. Heaving a sigh of resignation, he lifted a hand to stroke her back soothingly. “It’s alright, I’m here. Get some sleep.”

She only whimpered softly to his question, which pretty much verified that it was true. Her mind had given her such a vivid nightmare, that she would have woken up screaming, were it not for herself to restrain from doing so. She didn't want to bring anyone else's attention needlessly, even if they were in the forest. She reached around and squeezed him tightly, as if she was trying to make sure that he was there and not really non-existent. It was scary, her dream that haunted her.

First, it had been about herself, where she was wandering somewhere in the darkness. But then she saw a reflection of herself... only, this girl had dark brown hair with her eyes closed as she floated before her. Sayuri walked forward towards the girl, holding her hand out when she realized that the girl did too. When she raised her second hand, both of their hands reached out and touched each other. She yelped in surprise when the girl felt real. That she was not a mirror.

When she leaned close again, however, there was a glass wall there and when she leaned her face close to the glass to see the girl more closely, the girl opened her eyes with sharp piercing blue eyes and then suddenly the dream changed and the girl was gone and was replaced by a burning house and a cackle of a laugh in the background. Instantly, she replayed the brutal murder in front of her eyes, this time after she met the woman with white hair. She watched the ones she cared about, die before their hands... with her right there, unable to do anything.

Her tears streamed down her face as she squeezed Shura tightly. Anymore, she might be suffocating him with that strength of hers.

"Please don't ever leave me," she whispered in a voice so soft, it might have been too quiet for Shura to hear her. Her voice cracked at the ends of her words, as if another tumble of a wave tears threatened to break. Being so powerless as she watched those she loved die... it hurt her so painfully that she had lost really how to understand the words of loving another.

----------------

Tryst awoke to the sound and movement of something nearby. His eyes twitched before they opened slowly, and found himself staring up into Seryel's crying face. Startled and alarmed, he sat up and looked at her with worried eyes.

"Seryel."

The way he spoke her name, the way he just looked at her with such relief was heartwarming. She was fine... she was going to be fine... NO! She's not! He had to get to the Strata Mountains before it's too late to save her... Gently, he took her hand from his face and kissed her palm... gently. He was keeping his distance as well from her, at the remembrance of the scratches and resistance from Seryel's part. His arms bared more scratches and one more visibly on his face that seemed still very fresh with several on his neck.

"Welcome home," he said softly as he could, looking up at her with his emerald orbs that only held one emotion for his beloved...
Edited by DarkAngel013, Sep 21 2009, 06:14 PM.
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Seiss
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Tcaitacl and vlaliniy Pcrik.
Shit. She was crying. He hated feeling clueless whenever she cried. Good lord… what was it with nightmares and tears? What was he supposed to do? Sing her a lullaby? He wanted to bash his head on a wall. Feeling completely useless and at a loss, he brought a hand to her cheek and wiped her tears. He was growing frantic with every moment she didn’t stop crying, but he told himself to be patient, to wait and let her cry. A part of him wanted to give her a good shake and tell her that it was just a damn nightmare. It couldn’t possibly hurt her.

“What makes you think I’d leave you?” he wondered, a frown of confusion on his brow. “You are stuck with me until we are done with all this missing mage nonsense,” he grumbled. It’d be goodbye after that…. His chest burned at the thought. “Come on, love,” he sighed and said soothingly. “It’s alright. Nothing to be afraid of. Just a nightmare. None of it is real.” He continued to stroke her back, rocking gently forward and back. It was a comforting gesture he mimicked. People liked to do that and he had seen it work pretty well.

She might think her hold was crushing, but he almost wished she could make him feel the pain. The little thing was clinging to him with a fragile hold against his body of stone. She made him feel like a stone. He sighed and resigned himself to humming the haunting tune of the lullaby that had been uncovered from the depths of his memories. Almost a hundred years old. Shura wondered mildly, if he would turn to stone with age.

They had a few more hours left till day break. He pulled her into his lap, blankets and all and shut his eyes for a doze. The hum of his voice didn’t stop.
-----------------

She stiffened involuntarily when he kissed her palm, unprepared for the little fizzle of something at the contact. He was genuine. Not the doppelganger in her dreams. Her eyes followed red, thin line of a scratch mark on the line of his jaw, to the ones on his neck and his arms. For every injury on his body that was revealed to her, the ache on her chest intensified. The sound of his voice made a warmth rise from the very pit of her stomach.

She sobbed and scrambled forward, taking his face in her hands, running her trembling fingers lightly over his injuries. Seryel couldn’t bring herself to believe that she had hurt him. Couldn’t believe that for the time she had been away from him, he had somehow…. She hadn’t been there to look after him. She stared into his eyes, overwhelmed by the emotions she could see and her heart tore just a little.

“I-I’m sorry,” she forced the words through her tight throat. “I didn’t mean to- I-“ She bit her lip, forcing a whimper back. When she was sure her words wouldn’t break out in an incoherent mess, she tried to speak again, still shaky, “Will you help me-help me get my medicine box? I’ll clean your injuries for you. How long have you changed your bandages?” She wiped her face, trying to stop the sobs that interrupted her whenever she wanted to say something. But the flood of tears, like her emotions wouldn’t cease. Tryst didn’t deserve to see her this way. He’d think it was his fault. She didn’t want that.
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问世间情为何物,直教生死相许?
天南地北双飞客,老翅几回寒暑。
欢乐趣,别离苦,就中更有痴儿女。
君应有语,渺万里层云,
千山暮雪,只影向谁去?
横汾路,寂寞当年箫鼓,荒烟依旧平楚。
招魂楚些何嗟及,山鬼暗啼风雨。
天也妒,未信与,莺儿燕子俱黄土。
千秋万古,为留待骚人,
狂歌痛饮,来访雁邱处。
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DarkAngel013
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(( This song is good to listen to when reading this post. x3 [click] ))

“What makes you think I’d leave you?” he wondered, a frown of confusion on his brow. “You are stuck with me until we are done with all this missing mage nonsense,” he grumbled. “Come on, love,” he sighed and said soothingly. “It’s alright. Nothing to be afraid of. Just a nightmare. None of it is real.”

Everyone will eventually leave me, she thought. Just like you said, you will leave me when this is all over. Her heart... or what remained of it her fragile heart almost sounded like it cracked. For a moment, she didn't understand what it meant until she realized that she was becoming heartbroken from the very idea of leaving Shura. Her crying eventually ceased when she was comforted by the rocking and the rubbing of the back. She knew he was trying comfort her but it wasn't working. The humming of the lullaby worked to an extent, but she knew that it wasn't going to work... not fully. Her grip tightened for a moment before he placed her onto his lap.

When she looked up after awhile, she noticed he had dozed off. She still heard his humming and she felt soothed. Slowly, she moved one of her hands to touch the side of his face and wondered for a moment if he would ever stay by her side, no matter what happens. She withdrew her fingers just as they were about to touch his face. She knew he wouldn't... especially after what he said that he would leave her after this mission was over. In the end, she quietly knew that no one would be able to stay by her side forever. Not the ones whom she really...

She froze. Love?

Startled by the very word, she shuddered. NO! She can't! Slowly, she dropped her head against his chest and continued to deny herself that she indeed loved Shura. Her feelings for him were to never appear, especially if she knew that he was going to leave her after her mission has been completed. Her heart cracked again as she clenched her eyes closed. Is loving another like this? Where I know when he departs, will I lose my already shattered heart? she thought softly to herself as Shura's continuous humming hummed her to sleep.

--------------

Not wanting to do anything, he closed his eyes momentarily as he felt her shaky hands examine his injuries. When he opened his eyes, he found that she was shaky in her words of what to say to him.

“I-I’m sorry,” she forced the words through her tight throat. “I didn’t mean to- I-“ She bit her lip, forcing a whimper back.

Tryst only smiled, as if to say that it was all right.

When she was sure her words wouldn’t break out in an incoherent mess, she tried to speak again, still shaky, “Will you help me-help me get my medicine box? I’ll clean your injuries for you. How long have you changed your bandages?” She wiped her face, trying to stop the sobs that interrupted her whenever she wanted to say something.

He only held her hands softly in his own that touched his face. Slowly, he got up and sat before her as he gently pulled her closer to him. He didn't rush moving her, knowing full well the poison that was in her body.

"This is nothing compared anything I've faced before," he murmured. "You know that these wounds are light and are fine as they are." He stopped, hesitant as something flickered across his face. He looked at her straight into her eyes. "I don't want to lose you... but you must make some antidote for yourself first, to save us time as we go to the Strata Mountains for the gall of the twin horned serpent." His eyes glanced around the room for a moment, as he made sure that they had everything. Cautiously, his fingers stroked her face.

"I love you, so very much," he whispered.
Edited by DarkAngel013, Sep 22 2009, 01:36 AM.
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Seiss
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He yawned and blinked owlishly, wondering why his back was feeling a little stiff. There was a foreign warmth on his lap that leaned against his chest. He realized that a few hours ago, he hadn’t been dreaming. The Mage had woken from a bad dream and he had gone to comfort her. That wasn’t his department… but he had tried what he could. For a moment, he looked down and shifted her gently to the curve of his one arm, angling her so that she was cradled against him. She looked like a girl barely past her teens, so peaceful, so serene and completely different from the heart wrenching expression from the night before. He liked her this way- a time when she wasn’t suffering.

So he had been right. He wasn’t the lonely one. She was.

”Erlahn’ look up.” That voice.

Erlahn’- he remembered that it meant ‘young eagle’, a sort of endearment. He raised his eyes in response, searching the foliage. Look up for what? What was he supposed to look at?

”Erlahn’ look up.” It repeated patiently, in his mind, like some sort of a timed record.

Shura wondered if being a mad man was much easier than having faulty memories. This ridiculous mind talking with some voice in his head really had to stop. He was beginning to think that another soul was sharing his body. Or perhaps a ghost had been tailing him. He glanced down at the sleeping mage and lowered her lightly and lowly onto her sleeping mat. There was still time for her to sleep a little longer. He couldn’t bear to wake her.

He tucked her in, ensuring that she was comfortable before getting up and turning his attention to the forest around him. There had to be something that triggered his memory. His gaze landed on an ordinary tree, just a few feet in front of him. There was something… compelling about it, he wondered how he had missed it before. Casting Sayuri one last glance, he approached it and stared up its vertical length, marveling at its arrow straight form. Its pale buttress roots extended across the forest ground in jagged and soft curves before vanishing into the earth.

An urge to climb it suddenly possessed him. He acted accordingly, grabbing a branch to haul himself up. Something about this strange drive promised him a return of some sort. Whatever it was, he had a feeling that it was important.

Half way up the tree, flashes of images invaded his mind. His grip tightened on the branch. This time, he was prepared to accept it.

”You are lazy to spread your wings, but you are willing to climb a tree?” the incredulous voice of the same man sounded in his head. His voice faded into laughter, murmurs and whispers. A faint blue-green sparkle of a hidden river spiraled into forgotten paths, low cave ceilings and tunneled passes….

I remember….


---------------------

At first, she was hesitant and she nearly resisted out of habit from the past week. There was nothing to fear now. Nothing to fight. So she let him. The familiar racing of her heart with their increasing proximity had a strange calming effect. It was something she missed- feeling something else other than fear. It made Tryst that much more real to her. He was exceedingly gentle, so careful- she almost wished he would just pull her hard against him. Too slow.

Seryel shifted towards him almost impatiently and wound her arms around his waist, holding him to her heart while she pressed her ear to his. His warmth against her oddly chilled body was heavenly. She didn’t know what she had done to deserve him- someone so impossibly right. She could only thank the gods for it.

"This is nothing compared anything I've faced before," he murmured. "You know that these wounds are light and are fine as they are."

No it wasn’t… but she had hurt him. She couldn’t accept that. If there was a way to erase those wounds- no… it wouldn’t have mattered. It wouldn’t erase what was already done. Stifling a sob, she could only shake her head and held him tighter. Her fingers curled into his shirt and she turned her cheek into his chest.

"I don't want to lose you... but you must make some antidote for yourself first, to save us time as we go to the Strata Mountains for the gall of the twin horned serpent."

She stiffened and grew still. What? Seryel pulled away so she could look at him. Confusion was evident in her eyes. “Antidote?” she asked, dreading the answer. Was he- “Are you… poisoned?” It didn’t make sense. The twin horned serpent was one of the ingredients of the most coveted poison brews. A small frown creased her brows when her muddied memory dragged up some sort of a name. Lady’s finger? Dead- something…. Dead Man’s Nail? She sat stunned, eyes still shining with tears but her gaze was empty. The Dead Man’s Nail… odourless, tasteless, colourless, insidious, no visible effects in the first stages. Like drinking contaminated water without knowing it. But it would corrupt the organs from inside out. Only 6 days of life.

"I love you, so very much," he whispered.

Seryel blinked and stared up at him. His eyes… they were so expressive. A sudden cold, that had nothing to do with the poison or the temperature of their room permeated her being. She forced a faint smile and leaned towards him to kiss him lightly on his lips. “I’m fine,” she assured halfheartedly, knowing that it was just as empty as her hollowed chest. “I love you too,” her voice cracked in a strained whisper. Dead Man’s Nail. She held his face in her hands, just staring into his dark green ones with inexpressible, muted fear. Then she pressed her lips to his desperately, drinking in his taste, his feel- everything. Never had she felt so stupid with her shyness. She had wasted time hiding from him because of embarrassment and the silly doubts in her head. Now, Seryel only wished she could be as close to him as possible, to see him happy. She was ready to throw everything away instantly, just for him.

She could only make temporary antidotes- drugs to slow the poison. That was it. Her days were numbered. It hurt more than all those torturous days.
Edited by Seiss, Sep 22 2009, 04:04 AM.
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问世间情为何物,直教生死相许?
天南地北双飞客,老翅几回寒暑。
欢乐趣,别离苦,就中更有痴儿女。
君应有语,渺万里层云,
千山暮雪,只影向谁去?
横汾路,寂寞当年箫鼓,荒烟依旧平楚。
招魂楚些何嗟及,山鬼暗啼风雨。
天也妒,未信与,莺儿燕子俱黄土。
千秋万古,为留待骚人,
狂歌痛饮,来访雁邱处。
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DarkAngel013
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When she awoke, she found herself alone in their small clearing that they had made for their camp. She sat up and took another look around. Shura wasn't nearby, but she felt him nearby. Where, she wasn't sure. As she stood up, she slowly cleaned up their bags and other items to be placed back into the horses' saddles. She had taken off her cloak so now her slim figure was shown in modest places. After she brushed her hair, she noticed that the sun was rising.

Since they had picked a place that overlooked a small valley, she walked over to it to view the sunrise. She was not disobeying Shura by wandering away from their camp, she was still in view of it. She closed her eyes as she felt a breeze blow by her, whipping up her hair and dress. Her back seemed to burn, but it wasn't painful. For some reason, she felt like she could fly when she gazed at the rising sun.

"Are you all right, Lady Sayuri?" Eve asked. She sounded almost frightened.

"I'm fine, Eve," she murmured. She held her hands in front of her chest, holding something that was wound around her neck that she had just placed on moments ago. Her hair blew around her, lifting it like a flag. "I'm just... wondering if my emotions that I feel is sometimes actually mine." She didn't know why, but lately, she's been feeling as if she was hollow or missing something. What she was missing, she couldn't figure it out.

Sayuri turned her back towards Eve and continued to gaze out towards the rising sun. Her dark maroon hair that usually appeared dark, now appeared blood red, as if it had been spilled across the sun. Even her eyes seemed to have taken an ethereal effect when she looked at something.

But when one looked at her from behind, it looked like it was as if she was going to disappear... with what appears to be faded, broken wings on her back...

-----------

He held her softly, and comfortingly, being more gentle than he has ever been before. For some reason, he felt that she was more fragile than before and didn't want to hurt her further.

“Antidote?” she asked, dreading the answer. Was he- “Are you… poisoned?”

He didn't answer as he watched her realize the answer for herself. He felt horrible for telling her, but he knew that she knew ways to slow down the effects of the poison. He could only watch as she realized that she was the one, that she needed to save herself. He observed everything about her before he decided to say anything when he noticed that she spoke up again.

She forced a faint smile and leaned towards him to kiss him lightly on his lips. “I’m fine,” she assured halfheartedly. Knowing that it was just as empty as her hollowed chest. “I love you too,” her voice cracked in a strained whisper.

"Don't force yourself," he said softly after the light kiss. He stroked her face as he moved a stray strand of hair away from her face. "Don't strain yourself either..." He knew that she was trying to make him not worry, but it was pointless; he was worrying regardless of what she says. He already knows that they must move after she's taken the antidote. When she took his face between her hands, he looked up into her light blue-green eyes. He was surprised by her sudden kiss, sensing the desperation underneath it. He was desperate too, and for the first time, he threw away all the gentleness he usually held for her like a delicate flower and kissed her back, tasting every bit of her she would give him. His fingers curled into her hair, the other hand wrapping around her to pull her close to his own body. He pulled her up so that her knees would be sitting on the bed while he still remained sitting as he continued to kiss her deeply and passionately.

Already, he wanted to taste and take everything again away from her, but he knew he could not. Not with her condition. Roughly, he held her close as he continued to kiss her, knowing full well that her body was still exhausted. He wanted her close to him, forever.

When he realized it got out of hand, he had already begun to slip off the top of her sleeping clothes. He pulled away from her and swore. Rarely has he ever swore, he realized he had lost control for the first time. He had been so desperate to hold her again, that he had almost forgotten...

"We can't..." his voice was pained. He rested his forehead against her own, his ragged breathes already beginning to slow down to an even pace. "Please... you must make the temporary ones... I want us to leave as soon as possible to the Mountains... I want to save you..." His fingers held her so tightly, he might have crushed her in his grip. "I-I don't want to lose you..." His voice cracked and was pleading.
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Tcaitacl and vlaliniy Pcrik.
The moment she moved, his gaze dropped down, following her. He watched her packed their things, brush her hair and walked to the edge of the clearing, where the trees separated. She was beautiful, entrancing, almost hypnotizing. He understood now why her scent was off- she was not griffin, not of his kind. Why he was still attracted to her, however, was a mystery to him. Perhaps it was her magic? He remembered that magical creatures are often drawn to magic itself.

She cut a solitary figure against the fiery scenery. He almost wished he could paint additional companions next to her. There was that someone he couldn’t remember… he had given him memories of this land. He had shown him the way to the mountains, to the mirror that had to be broken. Sayuri and that someone were similar. Shura understood why she felt familiar before. She had magic, just like the other.

Planting his feet at the smooth sides of the bark, he slid down, pausing on several branches to regain his balance and grip. The morning air was fresh and cool. He remembered that he used to love drinking the morning dew from leaves and grass. Landing easily on the ground, he took their horses and led them to where Sayuri stood.

He frowned and blinked rapidly. Was it some sort of a trick of light? He swore he could almost see through her. What the hell? He almost literally leapt onto her, but he kept his calm and stroke swiftly, reaching out to grasp her arms instead. He had thought his hand would go through... but it didn't....

That was stupid. No... that wasn't right. Something was off. Not now... not in the morning. He'd deal with it after they had food in their stomachs.

“We should get going,” he said with a smile. He felt so much lighter after remembering so much. More would come. “I know the way.” Of course he would, he was after all, a Tenarin citizen who had travelled his own homeland several times. The Strata Mountains was a famed place. He had been there thrice. However, he wasn’t quite a genuine Tenarin. “We’ll be avoiding settlements from here. I hope it wouldn’t be too inconvenient. There’s a river a few miles north, we’ll stop there for a wash and fish for lunch.”

--------

Her startled gasp was cut short when he captured her lips for a deeper kiss. It took a few seconds for her brain to register that he was kissing her back. The movement of his lips against hers was much rougher than she was used to, but she returned it all the same, shoving away her fear and doubts and giving in entirely to his passion. Her arms wrapped around his neck reflexively when he levered her up onto her knees. She was drowning, blissfully. Vaguely, in the back of her mind, she noticed the difference- the doppelganger in her dreams, his touch was so different compared to Tryst. Seryel wondered why she fell for its trick at all.

Her breaths hastened when he pulled her close, pressing her body to his. She was warming up rapidly. Her tear stained cheeks were flushed, along with her neck. Her hazy, desire clouded mind wasn’t registering much of anything anymore. She was content to allow him to take control and to immerse in his love and the pleasure he gave her. It was a little beyond her comfort zone to return it with no slightest restraint, but she tried, boldly shifting against him to find a more comfortable fit. She hadn’t known her movements would increase the simmering fire in the pit of her stomach. When it did, she blushed furiously, but was too drunk form his kisses to care.

When he pulled away and cursed, she stared at him, a little disorientated. The colours of her eyes had darkened, her breaths were heavy and Seryel felt oddly… lightheaded and empty despite the glowing warmth.

”We can’t...”

She had no idea what he was talking about. It made her frown. Had she done something he didn’t like? Then… it hit her. He was talking about that intimacy. Her reddened cheeks couldn’t possibly grow anymore flushed. She lowered her head in embarrassment and suddenly noticed that one of the straps of her nightgown was pulled off her shoulder, revealing the entire left, down her collarbone and the top curve of her breast. She wondered how he had managed that without her notice. Seryel wasn’t worried about revealing too much of her skin. He had seen all of her anyway.

The touch of his forehead against hers brought her attention back to him.

"Please... you must make the temporary ones... I want us to leave as soon as possible to the Mountains... I want to save you..." His fingers held her so tightly, he might have crushed her in his grip. "I-I don't want to lose you..." His voice cracked and was pleading.

She nodded and smiled at him, tilted her head to press one last, brief kiss on his lips before unwinding her arms from his neck. “I love you.”

The poison must have reacted to the rush of blood from earlier. Seryel was feeling strangely unfocused. “I’ll get dressed and head to the kitchen.” She turned and swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up slowly. She was reluctant to let him go. For a brief moment, she looked at him indecisively. It was silly… so she headed to their bathroom and simply pulled on a dress. She stepped out and went to him, slipping her hand in his and tugging him with her out their room.
Edited by Seiss, Sep 22 2009, 06:06 AM.
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问世间情为何物,直教生死相许?
天南地北双飞客,老翅几回寒暑。
欢乐趣,别离苦,就中更有痴儿女。
君应有语,渺万里层云,
千山暮雪,只影向谁去?
横汾路,寂寞当年箫鼓,荒烟依旧平楚。
招魂楚些何嗟及,山鬼暗啼风雨。
天也妒,未信与,莺儿燕子俱黄土。
千秋万古,为留待骚人,
狂歌痛饮,来访雁邱处。
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DarkAngel013
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When arms suddenly reached out to her, she was startled out of her daze that seemed to have taken hold of her. How did it come to be like this?

“We should get going,” he said with a smile. “I know the way.”

Sayuri looked up at him and smiled back. Smiles were contagious. "Of course you would, otherwise you wouldn't be taking me there, now would you?" However, she wondered mildly why she had been grabbed like that out of where she stood. However, when he put her down, she realized she had been floating. Wait a minute, was that the reason why Eve sounded so frightened?

“We’ll be avoiding settlements from here. I hope it wouldn’t be too inconvenient. There’s a river a few miles north, we’ll stop there for a wash and fish for lunch.”

"But we ought to restock on some other supplies," she said softly as she followed on after him as she got on the horse. "Like bandages, spices for food, and the like." But she shrugged, knowing full well that he was not going to budge on that. After all, this was Shura.

~

It was after lunch now, and Eve had just finished hunting and now again sat at the saddle of the horses. She watched with wary eyes at Sayuri as she cleaned up after herself over at the river. She didn't have the air about her anymore.

"I'm sorry if I'm invading you again, but this is urgent," Eve pleaded. Her voice was anxious and extremely worried. "Please tell me that you saw her beginning to fade, and that you will prevent her from disappearing!"

Sayuri giggled as some water was sprinkled onto Lancelot, whom she held in her hand. Her smile was carefree, as if she had not a care in the world at this moment. She waved over to Shura about what she seemed to have discovered before realizing that Lancelot jumped out of her hand. She made to follow him... and picked him up. However, just as she did, she stumbled but caught herself. For that brief moment, her hair had turned brown and her eyes blue. She looked confused as she looked about herself, wondering what had happened and only seemed to shrug it off. For that moment, it was as if Sayuri had disappeared and was replaced by someone else. Her expression was still confused softly as she walked over... the last wisp of magic leaving her in a form that Sayuri herself would not recognize...

"Shura, did you feel anyone here?" she asked, confused as she placed Lancelot into her bag and into her saddle. She was still there, all flesh and blood. "Hmm... I guess not..." She walked over back to the river as she tried to walk across it... then seemed to find something in the water as she tried to bend over and get it.

Before Shura had the chance to warn her that it would be slippery, she fell, drenching herself in the river's water. "Goodness," she said softly as she tried to get up.

Eve only watched worriedly.

----------

Her kiss was wonderfully sweet. And he loved that about her.

“I love you.”

"I love you too," he murmured. Then watched as she prepared herself to get off the bed.

“I’ll get dressed and head to the kitchen.”

He nodded, somewhat... sad that she had to go. He didn't want to let her go either, but he knew he must for her to hold the poison from working at its best or worst. Tryst noticed her hesitant glance his way. Oh, you don't want to leave either... he thought. He noticed her slight unfocused way. She disappeared into the bathroom and came back out with another dress. He grabbed their bags after her fingers intertwined with his own. As she tugged him out of their room, he headed out after her towards the kitchens. He watched her work... he's always loved how she does it.

When she had finished, he kissed her softly on the cheek before pulling away, "I'm going to get the horses ready... Our guests' food is on the table, give it to them when they come down..." He paused for a moment before he described and told her who they were. Then, he hesitantly looked at her before sighing and then pulling her along with him and the breakfast out into the lobby. He set the food down as well as their bags as he clicked his tongue. The horses came trotting out with a snort.

"Stay in here," he said as he gave her a kiss before he went outside. He was still in view as began to set up the horses for the long ride. While he was setting up the horses, he was pretty sure he heard the rustlings of someone moving upstairs, heading down the stairs...
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Seiss
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He chuckled quietly as he helped her up her horse. “I am sure we have enough bandages to wrap an entire horse. As for spices, princess, I can cook without them. We still have enough dried food for now,” he said, passing her the reigns before he stepped into his stirrup and swung his leg over the saddle to settle on top of it. He nudged his horse to a fast walk, tracing the path he had travelled before.

Catching fish hadn’t been easier. He had caught two fairly large carps. All he had to do was cook them over the fire and peel their scales off. Fresh fish for lunch. He was resting against a tree, eyes never leaving the Mage. She was washing her hands in the river. He wondered why her movements were so alluring to him. Shura couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything else aside from her. Maybe I’ve been away from… willing women for too long.

When the forsaken bird intruded upon his mind, he glared at it and was about to snap at it when the bird’s words made him think twice. So it wasn’t a trick of light? She had really… turned translucent? Lose her substance? What in the world is happening to her? Worry, confusion and a mild twinge of dread twisted his gut. “I thought it was an illusion,” he told the bird, articulating his words slowly. “Why- What the-“ He glowered at the bird and snapped at it mentally, What In the world do you take me for? The High Magus of Rania? I don’t bloodly know what is wrong with her. In fact, I’ve been trying to figure it out for a long time now. How am I supposed to stop something I don’t know? How about YOU tell me?

His scowl faded when Sayuri waved at him. The sound of her laughter and her bright smile made him smile back. The little rabbit pet, no larger than her palm sure knew how to play. It was one frisky thing, daring to jump out of her hands like that. Then something strange made his smile falter. Her blood red hair had turned rapidly brown. His sharp vision caught a twinkle of blue from her eyes. He blinked and it vanished. Sayuri had her dark red hair back and eyes.

If it wasn’t an illusion before, this sure didn’t look like one either. “Feel anyone?” he repeated her question dumbly.

Shura wanted to curse. He scrambled to his feet and hurried towards her when she slipped. Stepping gingerly into the water, he helped her up and inspected her for any injuries. “I didn’t know you are clumsy,” he commently lightly, underneath, however, he had no idea what was going on. “Are you alright?” Wet. Well at least it was the back of her dress that was drenched and not entirely….

OOC [I might edit and post for the others if I have time]
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问世间情为何物,直教生死相许?
天南地北双飞客,老翅几回寒暑。
欢乐趣,别离苦,就中更有痴儿女。
君应有语,渺万里层云,
千山暮雪,只影向谁去?
横汾路,寂寞当年箫鼓,荒烟依旧平楚。
招魂楚些何嗟及,山鬼暗啼风雨。
天也妒,未信与,莺儿燕子俱黄土。
千秋万古,为留待骚人,
狂歌痛饮,来访雁邱处。
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DarkAngel013
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Eve only withdrew and told herself that she wasn't going to talk to him again and so, she flew off. It told him that she herself did not know as much as he did. By her means of leaving, it proved that no one would know now what's going on with Sayuri. But she was... disappearing. The very idea that Sayuri was no longer going to be around, that she would disappear like that was frightening. It was different if she were dying, but in this case, even Sayuri did not know what was happening to her.

"I didn't expect you to know and I know as much as you do; the only thing noticeable about Lady Sayuri is that she has been feeling incomplete lately and she does not know why," Eve told him. "That she's missing something of herself and sometimes even feeling hollow. I have a feeling that she might actually disappear if we do not watch her." And now, Eve was too far for him to retort anything back. Eve did not know as much as he did and all else was a feeling that Eve had. Maybe it had been the trick of the light, but it would not ease Eve's worry that Sayuri's magic too had been disappearing with her during that moment.

Sayuri wasn't expecting Shura to answer her question about the regards as to if anyone was here or not. She felt someone here for that one and brief moment. It was as if it was the girl she had seen in her dream was here. Mildly, she wondered what on earth who she was and what she was doing here. She had never seemed real before until last night. And she looked just like her. Who was she?

When she had fallen, it was because she had found herself gazing into her reflection. It didn't seem real. In place of her usual maroon hair and ruby eyes, it was replaced again by brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Sayuri knew that it was her reflection, that it can't be something else. But she knew she did not have those features of herself. If Shura had been looking carefully enough, a swirl of wind had touched upon Sayuri... So when she had reached down, she broke the reflection and fell.

“I didn’t know you are clumsy,” he commented lightly, underneath, however, he had no idea what was going on. “Are you alright?”

She looked up and was helped up. All of her clothes were now drenched, clearly revealing all of her curves and contours of her figure. She moved her arms quickly to cover herself in the process as she got up. "Does it look like I am?" she asked as she sneezed. Quickly, she withdrew the water from her clothes and then her clothes were dry again. "Well, I'm fine now." Swiftly, she got to the side of the river where it was dry and held the orb of water that seemed to have come from her clothes. She began to play with the water, morphing it into all kinds of shapes while still in its liquid form.

She giggled when she made a miniature of Eve on a horse and Eve responded by clicking her beak and ruffling up her feathers. Then she made one of a miniature of Shura and she said, "Hey, it's Shura!" She made the miniature move about as she made him explode in what appears to be feathers as it became the griffin. But then it broke as she felt the presence of another person and flinched. As the water sank into the soil, she looked around again to try to figure out what she felt. Then she turned to Shura and said with a shrug as she made her way towards the horses, stretching her arms in the process, "Shall we get going now?"

When she got onto the horse, she felt... suddenly unsure. As she pulled on her cloak, she felt as if... She couldn't figure out what she was feeling. As she watched Shura get on his horse, she watched his form and how he moved. Something close to a blush touched upon her face as she remembered their intimate moment a few days before. Her heart raced and her face burned as she used the hood of her cloak to cover her face from Shura. She realized that at that time, whatever she was wanting from him had burned her entire core, that she didn't know it was possible.

Then came to the question of matter if she was going to let him take her or not. If that necklace had not been there... Her face burned further still. She felt her entire body tense as she remembered everything so vividly from that night. Everywhere he touched, everywhere he breathed, everywhere he kissed. She made a small sound of surprise when Eve landed on her shoulder. Eve looked at her with what appears to be a wary gaze.

When Sayuri looked up at towards Eve, she stroked her feathers with a flushed face. "It's nothing," she murmured.
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Ever since Tryst left the King’s service, Seryel had never had to brew anymore antidotes for poisons. She had simply settled into a role of a minor healer. Those who knew her would come and seek her for treatment when they were ill. Otherwise, she kept her practices private. There was Tryst’s inn to run. It was their main business, so she had chosen to help him instead.

It had been a long time since she pulled out the clay pots. She arranged them methodically over the stoves, pouring water into a few, before lighting the fire beneath them. Dead Man’s Nail was a rare encounter. She had to consult her herbal records to get the ingredients and quantities right. There were a few missing herbs, but she replaced them with those of similar properties. She would have to make do with her current supplies. When they leave, she’d have to look for the correct ones. It wouldn’t work right otherwise. Moving to and fro from pot to pot, then to the fire to blow it, she pounded a few seeds, crushed several herbs, boiled some and cooled some. It wasn’t an antidote exactly. The Dead Man’s Nail required another poison to counter it. She was brewing a drug. While it would have been extremely damaging to her body, with another stronger, existing poison inside, the drug’s effects should be nullified.

At the beginning of it all, she was constantly looking back at Tryst, just so she could assure herself that he was there. She didn’t have the concentration to make the drug… she wanted to be in his arms, to simply… hold him. She couldn’t believe how ridiculous she was. For her life’s sake, and for his, she should be worried about brewing the drug right. But it had been so long… it felt like she had been away from him for a long time. Heaving a sigh, Seryel chided herself for her misplaced priorities and returned resolutely to her work.

When it was finally done, she poured the meager amount of drug into three vials. Despite the large amount of herbs and water used, only a small portion of the brew was useful. She let them cool, before corking and storing them in a small pouch. Seryel didn’t want to drink them now. She had never taken drugs like these. If it still had some sort of negative effect, she didn’t want Tryst to see. She’d rather take them and sleep to hide it.

Her eyes fluttered shut briefly at the feel of his lips on her cheek. Guests? She didn’t ask but listened to him when he gave her instructions. Seryel had to smile when he changed his mind and tugged her along as she set the food on the table himself. Her hand curled around his, loving the warmth that passed from him to her. She was still warm from the hot kitchen, but this was something she would willingly scorch herself with.

”Stay in here.”

She nodded and released him reluctantly, eyes never leaving him as she stood by the table. Mildly, she wondered why she wasn’t hungry. The memory of rotten flesh and bloody bowls, however, made her shudder. Food didn’t sound so appealing anymore. She was sick at the thought of eating anything.

“Good morning…” a woman’s voice drew her away from her thoughts. Seryel was instantly grateful for it. She turned to face the source of the voice. The appearance of two Rune Knights surprised her. She blinked at them before hastily dipping to a low bow.

Before she could utter a greeting however, the female Rune Knight rushed forward to pull her up. “Please, there is no need for formalities,” she said, her green eyes pleading, filled with regret and worry. “Are you well?” she asked.

They knew? Seryel stared at her, taking in her appearance. The Rune Knight appeared worn and exhausted, almost haggard despite the grandeur of her armour. There were dark rings under her eyes, her skin was ashen and something about her hinted that she was unwell. Seryel couldn’t be sure… she could simply be tired. Then her gaze drifted to the man. His hair was dark, like Shura’s but his eyes were dark coals, not gold. He had a slightly narrower face, almost boyish in nature but refined with distinct bone structure at his jaw, cheeks and nose. Like his female companion, he seemed fatigued, but was doing far better. “A pleasure to meet you, my Lady,” he greeted with a smile. Instantly his solemn expression transformed with a charming smile. “My name is Jegan and this is Resee,” he introduced.

“Seryel,” she returned timidly. “Pleased to meet you. And I am well, thank you. Your breakfast is ready.”

Resee knew better than to take the… girl? Woman’s word. Was this really the innkeeper’s wife? She looked so young. Resee didn’t get the chance to see her clearly last night. This was surprising. Then again, she had heard of albinos before. Some of them tend to look young. “Thank you,” she said, offering a smile, hoping not to intimidate her. She looked a little uncomfortable, but not quite frightened. Resee wasn’t hungry, but she sat down with Jegan and tried to eat something. “I’m sorry… for what we’ve brought upon you,” Resee murmured. Jegan hadn’t touched his food either.

“As I am,” he added. “We are supposed to escort the ambassador along with Shura-“

“It’s alright,” she whispered, cutting him short. She didn’t even know them, and here they were, taking the responsibility for what happened to her. To Tryst and her both. It didn’t matter much. It had already happened. The more they talked about it, the more it hurt. It wouldn’t change anything. “Enjoy your food,” she said and turned to step out of the door, increasing her pace so she could reach Tryst faster. She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, resting her cheek against his back. She held him tight and closed her eyes, feeling a hot sting of tears behind them. She was going to be fine, as long as she has him.

Jegan and Resee watched in a bitter silence. The couple loved each other. It was almost painful to watch. Resee envied them as well. At least none was alone. They had each other.

The Rune Knights ate in silence, each immersed in their own thoughts. When they were finished, they grabbed their packs and went quietly to retrieve their horses.

-----------------

“I was asking if you were hurt,” he muttered.

He tucked his hand into his pocket and watched her play with the water. He had always known she’d look good when wet. She didn’t only look good, but she was wonderful under his touch. Thankfully it was only a glimpse. A faint smile touched his lips, amused by her antics. He could get used to this- watching her. When she dropped the water, however, his smile vanished and he took a step forward, ready to catch her should she fall this time. He frowned as she turned to her surroundings, as if she sensed something. Shura turned his gaze to the surrounding forest. Maybe she did see something.

”Shall we get going now?”

There wasn’t anything worthy to take note of. He nodded slowly, watching her closely. He only mounted his horse when she was safely seated on hers. They were nearing the edge of the valley now and beyond, they would have to ride through the open plains. Shura had other plans. He was going to follow the map of his memory. Shura led them to the valley side and picked their way through the trees to come upon a stone tunnel. An unused path was hidden by overgrown thickets and spreading grass. He tied the reigns of her horse to his saddle and dismounted.

“We’ll camp here for now. It’s too late to enter. It takes a day to pass through,” he told her, helping her down her horse.
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问世间情为何物,直教生死相许?
天南地北双飞客,老翅几回寒暑。
欢乐趣,别离苦,就中更有痴儿女。
君应有语,渺万里层云,
千山暮雪,只影向谁去?
横汾路,寂寞当年箫鼓,荒烟依旧平楚。
招魂楚些何嗟及,山鬼暗啼风雨。
天也妒,未信与,莺儿燕子俱黄土。
千秋万古,为留待骚人,
狂歌痛饮,来访雁邱处。
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