Valeska smirked, “I’m not going to make you carry those.� Without waiting for a response she reached over and took his old clothes. After putting them in her pack she opened the door and nodded for him to follow.
Naomi and Joshua were waiting downstairs. Both smiling, as they were the type to do that all the time. That’s a surprise, Valeska was half expecting Naomi to eavesdrop on them again. Joshua came forward and kissed Valeskas hand, she blushed a little.
“My wife has told me of your reasons for leaving so soon.� Valeska twitched and gave a forced smile, I’ll kill them all…
“Many your journey be a safe one,� Naomi winked. Valeska only bushed more. We did nothing! “Take good care of her Veguard.�
Their good bye’s finished, Valeska led Veguard to the Draconi forest. Heading of course by the “quick route�, but then, if she had remembered what day it was, she would have taken the “safe route�.
When Valeska walked it mirrored her walk as a dragon, very catlike. She walked one foot before the other, like she was on a tight rope. Of course, this continued because she’d never taken time to notice how her hips swayed walking this way. As they progressed Valeska seemed to be losing her balance until finally she felt so dizzy her steadied her self against a tree. She put a hand over her heart and shut her eyes, a slight grimace on her face. Dammit…how could I have forgotten…
Her knees buckled and she fell, at that precise moment nearly all Valeska’s magick left her.
Veguard grinned as she took the clothes from him, bowing in thanks before opening the door so she could step out ahead of him. He followed her back downstairs, and returned Joshua and Naomi's smile, still completely unaware of what had been going on. He nodded to Naomi's request. "Of course I will." Was his honest reply, and he did not understand that strange eye movement Naomi shot their way.
He was so clueless...
Soon they were in the forest, and he followed behind Valeska calmly. He didn't catch the swaying of her hips as being anything other than a natural movement of hers. Any other man would have been staring.
And then she was suddenly swaying. "Lady Valeska!" He ran to her side just as she collapsed. He knelt by her, one hand on her shoulder, his face full of worry.
"What is it Lady Valeska? Are you alright? What's wrong?"
Valeska opened her eyes after a few moments, feeling a little drained. She sighed tiredly, “It’s nothing, just-�
Valeska blushed. Wait…how do I explain this!?! …I really don’t want to…but Veguard’s already worried as it is…well…from the beginning then? Valeska got up, no longer feeling light headed. She paced a bit.
“Well…,� she began in a nervous voice, how embarrassing. “Umm…you…are aware that it is the females among a race that bear young yes? Among human women there is a time every month that they bleed. If they don’t it means they are with child…� Now for the really embarrassing part… Her body seemed to know this as well, as her blush grew deeper “This is very similar for me…mine only happens every season…and instead of bleeding…I lose all my magick.�
This was something she took great care in revealing. For a week she possessed no magick. Meaning she would be stuck in whatever form the magick left her in. As a dragon or in her wing walker form this was no problem, she still had fangs, claws and the strength to use them. As a human…well…Valeska was 4’ 10� weighing in at 95 pounds…and that was with some muscle. She weighed closer to 87 when she had been with Valerik, before her daily journey after the sorcerer.
Valeska sighed again, and this time faced Veguard when she spoke, “this will last for about a week.�
Veguard allowed her to stand and begin pacing, though he stayed near, lest she collapse again. He only nodded a bit slowly as she began explaining. What did child birth have to do with Lady Valeska falling to her knees?
There were a few answers to that, none of which readily came to Veguard's innocent mind.
Finally though, it all made sense.
He blinked. "Oh."
Well...what exactly do you say about that? She was without magick. That probably meant she could not shift either. Which meant...
"So you are stuck in your human form then?"
That meant he was going to have to be doubly on his guard if she could not readily defend herself.
Wow...what a hard thing for her to go through!
She nodded, “it is as you say.� Her gaze fell, a hand on her chin.
Now what? We can’t double over to the other path, that would take too long. In this state I won’t last as long walking and I’ll have to sleep longer too… Valeska blinked before her eyes rested on Veguard. It’s not as if I’m alone anymore…and it’s not like that’s out of his job description. She smirked at that last thought.
“Well, no point in worrying. It’ll take to long to go on the other path, so we will continue this one.�
Valeska did not walk at her usual pace, it was subtle, but indeed slower than before. During this time every one of her abilities seemed to have been knocked down a notch. Though it did not seem to matter for now, it was already nearing sunset and their path had not been disturbed. Valeska would have kept going until dark but her muscles refused, she found a relatively open space in the trees and set up for the night.
She was about to go to sleep when she had a touch of curiosity. Valeska truned to face Veguard and sat cross-legged with her face in her hands. “Veguard, what were you like before you met me?�
It had been a nagging question in the back of her mind, half wondering if his naiveté was because of her or because he had not been human before.
Veguard was strangely unnerved at the smirk she shot his way, but that only increased at her words. No need to worry? Uh... "Lady Valeska, I will always have a reason to worry over you..." He commented as he followed after her. She walked a bit slower now, but he didn't notice so much, and simply adjusted his own pace. Which he had to do quite a bit anyway because his legs were so much longer...
They stopped as night fell, and Veguard calmly sat next to Valeska, readjusting his weapons to making the action more comfortable. The question she asked was unexpected. Before...?
"Well...I can't really remember all that well. I was completely different, a different entity entirely. I was what they made me, just as now I am Veguard, and how you made me. My memories are pretty much erased every time I go back to wandering as energy, so they will not interfere with the next person I guide." He felt bad that that was the only answer he could really give her. "Why do you ask, Lady Valeska?"
Valeska nodded and Veguards comment, I suppose I’ll have to get used to that as well…
She tilted her head at his answer. How odd…he would…forget me? Valeska’s gaze fell and her eyes became sad. Valerik had forgotten her on that day, he did not respond to her at all. To forget so much…not just the bad things…but if it doesn’t worry him…
“Nothing really, just curious I guess. Good night Veguard�
The next day was not to be as quiet as the previous. Valeska was walking slightly ahead as before, her mind wandering as usual. If she had been paying attention she would have noticed a second sooner that the ground was a little different were she had just stepped. Damn!
“Ahhh!� Valeska had not cried out in surprise or fear, but in pain. In a second five vines sprung from the ground. The vines had great thorns on them, as they wrapped around her it was like many shallow cuts from a knife. What made it worse was a strange burning from the wounds leaving her to believe they were acidic in some way.
Velska was still wearing the sky blue dress from yesterday, something she now wished she hadn’t done. The first two caught her ankles, but the boots she had on were thick leather and the vines did not cut through. The rest of her was not so fortunate. The sleeves were now red with the blood that came from her wrists. Yet worst of all was the fifth vine. It had managed to go under her dress, cut across her left thigh, wrap along her back, and go between her breasts until finally stopping at wrapping around her left shoulder. Shallow cuts all along the path. Her dress became stained with her blood.
Damn that stings! Valeskas eyes shut tight and clenched her teeth. She tried to struggle against them, but only succeeded in shedding more blood.
Veguard was still curious, but since she seemed done with the conversation, he simply nodded. "Goodnight..." He spoke softly, feeling little tiredness in his veins. He only slept a few hours near the break of morn, still sitting up, ever vigilant.
The next day and Veguard was again slowly following behind Valeska. It was a pleasant day, the sun filtering down through the trees onto the path, keeping it shady and cool but not too dark. Beautiful was really the only way to describe it...
Until the shriek broke the serenity.
Veguard was jarred from his observations, only having enough time to register that Val was in trouble before his legs began to move him forward.
Vines.
Must cut.
The sword was out in the blink of an eye, and before he had even stopped, he was slicing. One cut, the vines were gone from around her ankles, second cut, the one from her left wrist was gone, the back of her dress was sliced open, and the vine that had snaked its way up that path was cut. Third slice, and the vine dropped from her right wrist, as well as that same fifth vine from around her thigh.
He may have damaged her dress, but the vines were no longer able to grasp her bleeding form.
Veguard all but tossed the sword to the ground, gingerly taking Valeska around the waist. Without really worrying about it, he quite smoothly jerked the front of her dress up with his right hand, and dislodged the vine carefully, but quickly, from between her breasts and across her shoulder. He threw it away and then carefully moved and set Val down on the bare earth.
"Lady Valeska, are you alright??"
Valeska sighed in relief. She blushed greatly as he pulled up her dress, but it faded quickly as Veguard removed the vine. She gasped at the sudden pain, her left hand gripping his shoulder. For a moment she worried that she might hurt him, but Valeska then remembered it was unlikely she had the strength to do that. She wobbled a little when he set her on the ground.
Besides bleeding and having just been molested by a plant. Just dandy…. In all honesty Veguard had just saved her life and she was very grateful, but her mind was a strange one.
“Not really. These cuts are not fatal…but� her breath hissed, “if this is left unchecked I’m likely to bleed to death…I don’t know the area, and I can’t heal myself…�
Veguard nodded curtly, in full guardian mode and without so much as a sliver of his usual calm, naive nature. He was not even afraid of upsetting at this point. His one and only thought was to help Valeska, whatever he needed to do.
Without looking at her face to watch for reactions, he pulled both of her sleeves up in order to heal the ones on her wrists, the most worried about the blood coming out of so many veins so close to the surface.
He placed one hand, far larger than her own, one either wrist and summoned his healing powers. His hands warmed and glowed, before sparking into gentle flames that did not burn, only healed.
He lifted her dress again, placing a hand over the wound on her thigh, the soothing flame still present, still healing. Without much warning, he lost one hand into the slash in the dress, his hand rubbing over the gashes along her back. That hand then balanced her while the other used that slash to get to the wounds on her shoulder, and then the wounds on her chest.
He did it all with such efficiency, but also with such care, his hands barely gliding over the wounds to stop any unnecessary pain from afflicting her. The flame was a warm glow, tingling along her skin as it healed her.
Death by perverted plant…that’s just pathetic… Valeska watched Veguard with curiosity, she forgotten that she given him healing powers.
Valeska struggled against his grip for a moment. She was an ice dragon, and fire affects them more than normal beings. If burned it would take twice as long to heal on it’s own, or twice as much magick to heal it. After realizing it wasn’t burning her and instead healing her Valeska calmed down a little. She rather liked the feeling Veguards flame left, but then he touched her along the other cuts. Her body decided she liked that a little too much…
“oooh,� she moaned loudly as Veguards hand skimmed across her thigh. She shivered, her hand lost its grip on his shoulder, and her eyes shut softly. Immediately the deep blush came back and Valeska felt ashamed and embarrassed at the same time. Her body felt hot and she was soon losing the will to stand, she might have fallen if Veguard wasn’t holding her. She moaned again as she felt his hand on her chest, “Veguard…�
Througout Valeska's struggles, Veguard kept a firm but gentle hold on her as he continued to heal her, letting nothing get in the way of him helping her. He shushed her softly until she realized what it was he was doing. Apparently she had forgotten that one of her own gifts to him was the power to heal.
The strange noise that left Valeska at first made him think she was groaning in pain, but something deep and hidden inside him told him that was definately not what that sound meant. Faltering alittle, he continued along her wounds, passing over them as many times as necessary for them to completely close.
Unfortunately this was just adding fuel to the proverbial fire that he knew nothing about.
Well, consciously at least.
It was the strange moaning of his name that did it, and Veguard found himself blushing and unable to continue with the wound on her chest. Wait, what was going on? Why was he blushing? And why did he feel so shivery all of a sudden?
Veguard was completely baffled by his own reactions, blinking down at Valeska, unsure of the look on her face and what it meant. She had said his name, so...
"Yes...?" He was startled at how breathy it came out, again trying to puzzle out as to why. Well, obviously it was due to the fact his throat seemed to be a bit tighter than usual, but why?
He just didn't understand...
I don’t think I can stand this much longer…Her breath was quickening, and every passing second Valeska feared she might give in. Or faint. This feeling…something she had also missed. No one had subdued her like this since Valerik was alive.
Then Veguard spoke, so quietly it sent shivers down her spine. She slowly opened her eyes to find him looking at her, with a slight blush on his face. Valeska couldn’t help thinking that look reminded her of someone else. Her eyes widened and her blush, if possible, grew deeper.
She moved away from him quickly, fearing she might do something about it. Though Valeska moved a little too quickly, she fell backwards, landing roughly on her rear. Valeska didn’t move anymore than that, she sat there trying to slow her breathing. She looked Veguard in the eyes for a moment, but found her gaze on the ground soon enough. …I’m sorry Valerik…
The blush was very obvious on her face, and as she opened her eyes to look at him, another strange occurance happened. His heart did something most peculiar as that gaze was turned on him. It skipped a bit, almost painfull, the blush darkening at almost the same time as Valeska's. But unlike her, Veguard did not know what was going on, could not understand what was happening between himself and her.
Without warning she pulled away from him, and he nearly fell forward as his arm had still been wrapped around her under her dress. She wasn't on her feet for very long though, and collapsed into a sitting position. It was a good thing he had finished healing her...
Kneeling next to her, he glanced over her to make sure she was alright. Physically, she was fine.
But he could tell that there was something going on under the surface.
He took a breath, looking down as she did. "I do not understand what happened just now Lady Valeska...but...I will not ask."
His warm gaze moved back to her face.
"Are you alright?" And he did not mean physically.
Valeska’s heartbeat was finally slowing, and her breath was almost back to normal. She tensed as Veguard came near. So much for calming down. Stop it! You’ll just worry him more…
She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “…Thank you.�
Valeska let out a deep breath when he asked her that. “…I’m not sure…I…Veguard…your healing, it’s very…I…don’t think I should let you do it very often. That noise…that came from me,� Valeskas blush returned. “Valerik is the only other…who has caused that reaction. I know that I would have died if you hadn’t…so…when I’m without magick, like this or because of battle, I will allow you free reign. Otherwise…you must allow me to take care of myself. I…cannot say what I might do…if it goes further then what just occurred.�
Now more than ever Valeska realized she could never repress her instincts. A few more seconds and she might have done something she would have regretted. Would she? It pained Valeska to find that something inside her wouldn’t. That had it gone a bit further she would have willingly betrayed her husband. Am I so weak? She instantly felt ashamed and looked at the ground again.
…I’m sorry…now I have let another man touch me…
Veguard tried to understand what she was saying, but did not have the knowledge to piece together the parts she left out. The only thing he understood that he had made her uncomfortable.
Again.
Even that which was most important to him, his ability to heal her, made her uncomfortable.
Perhaps he was cursed.
And then she mentioned Valerik. Perhaps if he knew of love, he would understand why a dead man could hold so much sway over the actions and thoughts of a living woman. Perhaps if he knew, he could understand Valeska better.
But he didn't understand.
And he probably never...would...
"Ah..."
Veguard swivled and sat, wincing as again that pain sprung into his chest. It was a dark fist that closed in a vice grip around his heart, catching his breath in his lungs. It was not quite as bad as the first time, but he felt as though he might suffocate under the weight of this strange sorrow he still did not understand.
What was happening to him??
Valeska looked up quickly when she heard him. Oh no. She knew it immediately this time, what happened in front of the tailor’s store. She also knew that it was because of her again. Because he did not understand what little explanation she had given him. Valeska was about touch him but she pulled back swiftly, remembering what happened the last time.
Dammit! What should I do now!?! How do I…Arrg! Realizing what she had to do, Valeska cast aside her dignity.
“To hell with it! I was sexually aroused all right!?! When you touched me like that my body responded! And I felt guilty because I promised Valerik I would never let another man know me like he did! Especially not my body! So when I realized what was happening I pulled away because I felt I might,� Valeska’s voice died down to it’s normal volume. “… give in to my body’s desires and…try to force myself on you…which is stupid now that I think about it…there’s now way I’m strong enough to do that.�
Valeska’s eyes held tears now, “I can’t ask you to know what it feels like when it seems you’ve betrayed the most important person in your life…it’s almost like seeing him die again…but right now…the only thing making me guilty…is making you feel sorrow again. I would give anything, for you not to know it.�
Her body was shaking, and Valeska feared she might start sobbing. She shifted a little closer to him. Valeska was ready to try to interpret his sadness in case what she had just said didn’t work. She was desperately hoping it did, because for the first time in hundreds of years…Valeska had been completely honest.
Veguard sat, hunched over a bit, one hand clutching his chest. Yet he still tried to listen and understand Valeska's words. "A-aroused...?" He repeated, not exactly understanding. He knew that sex was mating, and that mating equalled children. But he had no idea what it actually was.
...Valerik...
It was him...
Veguard's breaths came in ragged gasps, his lungs refusing to completely cooperate with him. He could hear the tears in her voice, and suddenly...suddenly...
The fist in his chest exploaded into a furious blaze, rushing his breath out in a loud gasp.
"Ahh!"
He sat bolt upright in surprise, his body suddenly burning from the inside. His teeth were gritted, and for once his face was not its usual kind self. It was contorted into a look of pure wrath. This was different from the cold, the heavy saddness! This was quick, rushing, energized. He was enraged!
Anger! That was it!
Veguard could feel anger! And hate!
...Valerik!!
As soon as he realized he had thought ill of Valeska's most precious person, the anger rushed out of him and he collapsed backward. There was a cold sweat on his brow, and he blinked blankly up at the trees, his face feeling a bit strained. What face had he been making...?
"Valeska..." He said softly, not trying to look at her. His amber gaze was on the cool light filtering down onto the path.
"...I felt angry."
Valeska grew more anxious by the second. She had been expecting Veguard to try to describe what was paining him this time. Her heart rushed when she realized it was getting worse. Dammit! I must have said something I shouldn’t have…but I can’t help him until I know what’s wrong… Again Valeska wished embrace him, as it had usually made her feel better, but she couldn’t. She knew if she did that now she would just cause him pain.
She fell back as he cried out, her eyes shut. When Valeska looked at him again, she was shocked, so familiar with his kind and usually confused face. It was small, but she felt a little fear in her heart seeing him that way. She watched him fall back. …what should I do…
Her eyes grew sympathetic at his words, unsure what he could have been angry about. Valeska crawled over to him slowly. She lay at his side, resting her head on his chest and closing her eyes.
“About what…if you don’t mind my asking…�
Veguard was a bit surprised as she lay next to him, but was more surprised by her action of laying her head on his chest. He was going to hold her, but when she asked...
He didn't feel it would be right to touch her.
Because...
"I..."
How was he supposed to say he was angry, hateful even, at Valerik? Surely she would be furious with him saying such things...
But...
He couldn't refuse to tell her.
He was cursed.
"You will not like the answer." He warned, before taking a deep breath. Well, here goes nothing...
"I was angry at Valerik. I felt...hate towards him. I am sorry Lady Valeska...I did not mean to!"
He is nervous… She knew the moment he hesitated to hold her. Valeska was about to reprimand him for not heeding her order, but she knew this was not the time. Valeska waited patiently for his answer
Valerik?
She lifted her head and rose slightly, placing her weight on hands, and looked into Veguards eyes. Her own were surprised at first, then confused, until finally deciding on a calculating look.
Angry at…Valerik? But they’ve never met…is it because his death caused me pain? Or because Valeriks memory hinders my relationship with him…not THAT kind of relationship! Bad thoughts…wait…could he be…jealous? How could he be? He has yet to know such other basic emotions…though…you don’t really need much to be jealous of someone…but Veguard doesn’t love me…no it must be because my devotion causes me to be uneasy around him at times…
“It’s alright,� she gave a gentle smile. Valeska reached over to him, she stopped for a moment, but finally settled her hand on the side of his face and stroked his cheek. “They are your feelings now, as it is obvious I have no control over them. Your reasons, you may keep to yourself if you wish. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to change,� she grinned and winked at him. “No peeking,� she turned his head to the side and opened her pack.
As she shifted off of him, he looked away. She must be mad...She should be mad. He shouldn't have such horrible thoughts about her important person. Besides, it wasn't fair for him to hate someone he had never met...
Right?
He glanced up at her timidly, only to find she was staring into his eyes rather intensely. He couldn't fathom what might be going through her head at that time, though he could see that she did not seem angry with him. Strange...
His surprise was pure and complete when she so easily forgave him, a smile gracing her features. She truly harbored no ill feelings for him...
He was glad for the gentle touch along his face, but was still frowning lightly at his own feelings.
She was being so understanding...
He allowed his head to be turned away, but made no effort to sit up. "You do not wish to know the reason...?" He ventured, surprised she did not show more interest in why he would say he felt hatred and anger toward her Valerik. Perhaps she didn't care? Or maybe she already knew? Were either of those possibilities...possible?
Veguard had the feeling that this emotion would trouble him far longer than the last.
Valeska sighed. Oh dear, why can’t he just leave it be? She took off the dress and put on her other white shirt and blue pants, I’ll never were a dress in the woods again…
“No. If you wish to tell me I will listen, but I will not pry it out of you.� She turned to him after putting on her boots again, poking his cheek to get his attention. Valeska was now ready to move on, “what we should really be worrying about is how to avoid something like that� She nodded her head in the direction of the vines that had nearly killed her.
She thought for a moment. Well, even being so close to each other something happened…Veguard cannot be a few paces back. Oh!
Valeska turned to him. “Why don’t you go into your unipeg form and let me ride on your back? Then I’m not too far away and we can travel faster.�
Veguard sighed at her response. It wasn't so much that he wanted to explain himself, but rather...well...he wanted her to know why. But she obviously wasn't interested in listening unless he was interested in telling. But if she didn't ask, he didn't feel comfortable saying anything...
Oh to hell with it.
Poked in the cheek, Veguard turned to look at Valeska with a peculiarly blank face. He did not rise until she voiced her request, at which point he sat up and nodded. "Very well..."
Standing fully, he called upon his abilities and became what she asked, shifting to his unipeg form. He neighed quietly and bowed his head, pawing the ground slightly as he waited for her to mount.
And all the while he waited for this crummy feeling to leave his heart. But it persisted, unlike when he felt sorrow.
But perhaps that was because he now felt sorrow along with the remnants of his anger...
Gods he looks depressed...
Valeska sighed in frustration. What she had said was not exactly what she meant as usual. What made it worse was that she could tell it was bothering him. She put her hand on her face and pulled it down slowly until it fell from her chin. Valeska groaned and stepped loudly around Veguard until she was before him and kneeled down to see him.
She expression was somewhere between annoyed, ashamed, and bashful. Yes, it was hard to make out. She began by stroking Veguards muzzle and sighed again. “Look, I didn’t mean that. I’m not very good at saying what I mean…I haven’t been since that day really. So…you must have a little more patience with me.�
Valeska moved a strand of his mane and looked into his eyes. “It’s not like I don’t want to know why you’re angry with Valerik, I do, believe me, there is nothing I am more curious about at this moment. But…,� she looked away, “I didn’t want to make you tell me. I thought it made you uncomfortable and that I would make things worse with further questioning. It is exactly like when you ask me a question and then pull back because you think I’m uncomfortable ok?�
“So let me try again, since it seems you really do want me ask. Why are you angry with Valerik? And be honest, I won’t be mad, I could never be mad at you.�
Veguard blinked his large horse eyes at her as she knelt to at the same level as his bowed head. He cold not tell exactly what sort of face she was making, and so wasn't entirely sure what to expect.
He nickered softly as she stroked his impossibly soft muzzle, always enjoying a bit of attention like that, especially in his animal form.
He felt bad after she finished speaking. He hadn't meant to make her feel that way...
But she had more to say.
Her words finally reassurred him, and he felt better even though all she had done was asked and assurred him that she wouldn't be mad. He gently nudged her face, rubbing his velvety nose along her cheek.
Thank you Valeska...
Now, to figure out how to word his anger...
I don't know exactly how to say it but...It just...he is dead and yet he holds more sway over your life than if he had been alive. You cannot find happiness because of him. You are lost because of your great grief over loosing him. I wanted to blame him for all of that, for all of your pain now, but I understand that I must be wrong. And that is because...because I cannot...
He sighed, closing his large amber orbs.
Because I cannot feel and do not understand love.
Valeska blushed when Veguard touched her cheek. Well, that reaction may have confused the hell out of him, but at least he feels better…
She closed her eyes after hearing his answer. A soft smile came to her lips, and when she opened her eyes they were sad, as it was often her expression. “That may not be true…you’re not supposed to truly feel sadness or anger, who is to say something wonderful like love is beyond your reach now? As for Valerik, well…you may be surprised to learn that I was almost completely obedient to him, so it is not so different. Deep down I am still a dragon, and so was he. The male is the dominant one, that’s just how I think, almost to the point that if I didn’t love him, I’d simply be his possession.�
She now looked skyward. “But if you wish to blame someone for my pain, since Valerik was not the man I knew when…I killed him…there are really only two people left.�
Valeska stroked his muzzle again before getting up. “Perhaps…you should…ask of my old life, maybe then you’d understand a bit better.� She smirked and looked him in the eyes again, “that’s an invitation.�
Then she walked to his side and realized something, “um…Veguard?� Valeska looked in his direction, embarrassment blatant in her voice, “I can’t leap as high as I am tall…can you bend down, or kneel or something?"
The thought of being able to love, surprisingly enough, scared Veguard. What would happen to him if his heart truly did feel that some day? He was not even meant to have this sorrow or anger, and now love?? What if...
What if he truly did cease to exist from all of this...?
Wait...his possession?? That was a surprise...he couldn't see Valeska being so obedient to anyone, let alone referring to herself as one step above a 'possession'. And for some reason...it truly bothered him to hear her say that.
He did not say anything though, for he was not a dragon, and so could not understand.
Two people to blame...? His muzzle was stroked and then she stood, and he lifted his head to follow. Another surprise came when she openly told him he could ask about her old life.
That was unlike her...
Thank you, Lady Valeska...
He then turned his head to blink at her, noticing the embarrassment in her voice. He nickered lightly, his version of chuckle, and then knelt fully.
Better? He joked, eyes sparkling as he practically laid on the earth and waited for her to mount.
She nodded, “thank you.� Valeska placed a hand just behind his wing and swung her right leg over. Adding a little spring from her remaining foot on the ground, and she was on. She looked around a bit, as if expecting something around her to have changed.
“Ready.� Then she searched her memories. It took a minute but she remembered how to ride a horse soon enough. She didn’t really need reigns anyway, she could just tell Veguard which way to go. Besides even if she did need them, Valeska could never bring herself to put such a thing on him.
Once she stated that she was ready, Veguard stood as slowly as he could. But he sort of had to get enough thrust to get to his feet, so it was still a jolty ride. Once standing again, Veguard began to slowly trot down the path.
He waited a moment before asking the much anticipated question.
W-would you mind...telling me more about yourself now, Lady Valeska...?
He was tentative, even though she had given him permission not minutes earlier. He just didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.
Well, it'd be a way to pass the time.
She did not mind the sudden movement as she had ridden before. Her gaze wandered again. She was not afraid of heights, that would make it a little difficult for flying after all, but she did notice how different it looked from her new eye level. Valeska held on with her legs as she had been taught, she rested her hands just before his wings, causing her to lean forward a bit.
Though, it did just occur to her that riding Veguard all day would make her sore. Wait…that was not the best word to use… neither was really…She blushed and covered the right side of her face again
Valeska blinked, and then an awkward smile came. That was quick.
“Well…what do you want to know? I’ve lived for a bit more than 5000 years after all, pick something.�
Veguard nickered again, realizing that he had been pretty vague the first time he had asked. Well, he did have a specific time frame in mind...
Well...how about the time you spent with Valerik. Um, if that is alright. I want to know more about him, about your relationship. I want to understand you both better.
He hoped she wouldn't mind speaking about it.
(And...my brain hurts really bad...lol)
Hmm…he seems to be very curious about Valerik, I wonder why…Well…were to start…
Valeska looked to the sky again, a small smirk on her lips. “We met when I was about 3000 years old, both of us were chosen to observe humanity. I had not known him really before then. He was Lord Valerik, that’s all, as I’m sure I was just Lady Valeska to him. Valerik was a water dragon, and about 500 years older than I. He and I spent a year perfecting our human forms, so that the humans would not be too suspicious. We were given orders just to watch them, but Valerik quickly grew bored. In my opinion as well, it was a poor way of study, you cannot simply watch something and hope to understand it.�
“So we began to live among them. He was…such a child. I’m beginning to wonder if all men are like that. Everything sparked that mans interest, even if he didn’t know a thing about it. Valerik often interrupted me to show me something new he learned. He was also a fool, always laughing, and hardly ever knew what was going on, and he always acted so proud about it! He had a talent for making me blush as well.�
“At first we pretended to be brother and sister, but as the years went by we noticed our affections would call for another guise. And so we were married, in human terms. Dragons have no such concept, though when we mate we keep the same mate, some animals chose others.�
She sighed, her eyes held sadness, but she smiled. Valeska had never spoken of this before, no one to confide in really. Then she blushed a little, realizing she had not exactly answered his question. “Or am I being too vague? Is there something more you wish to know?�
Veguard listened silently to Valeska's story. He could tell how fond she was of this Valerik, and he really did feel bad for all the horrible thoughts he had earlier. Valeska and Valerik really were...
...in love.
Would he ever understand such a strong emotion??
No, no, that was good, Lady Valeska
He was silent for a moment as he pondered what he had been told.
...He sounds like he was a nice man, a good person.
(Yuuuuuck! Crappy post!!)
Valeska sighed, “yes…he was…� She was a little happy that he didn’t ask her to go further. The memories were still strong, for more reasons than one. It was still a little painful to think about.
“Umm…Veguard? Can I ask you a question? …I mean…besides the one where I just asked you if I could ask…" Valeska shook her head, “ forget that last part.� Why was asking a simple question so hard? She suspected it was the same reason she felt nervous around him. And now I sound like a total idiot, stellar job. I suppose you’ll follow it up with a stutter, because you’re a nervous wreck…and now I’m insane because I’m talking to myself…better than another voice though…
Veguard was instantly relieved that he hadn't asked Valeska any further questions. She was so emotional...
She really had felt strongly for Valerik...
Veguard pricked his ears as Lady Valeska spoke again. He nickered, a soft laugh, at her rambling.
Yes, of course you can. What is it?
He waited patiently for her to ask him. He honestly couldn't fathom what she might want to ask...
(erg, another crap post...)
He’s nickering again…strange word. He’s done that a few times now, I wonder what it means. Valeska couldn’t really apply what little knowledge of horses she had to Veguard. He wasn’t exactly a normal horse in the first place, and anyway, his reasons for doing that are not likely the same as an ordinary equine. Then, she didn’t consider him to be normal at all.
“Well…� she looked at the sky, “you remember last night when I asked you what you were like before we met? You told me you couldn’t really remember. I was just wondering…doesn’t that…bother you?� It does now that you pointed it out stupid…damn… “I’m sorry, I suppose only a being that has such an accurate and vivid memory would be so concerned that a part may be missing.� Idiot, why are your lips still moving? You’re making it worse! Valeska looked to the ground, a little ashamed. In saying this she was reminded that he was not exactly a true being, and shouldn’t be worrying about such things. He shouldn’t have emotions ether, he’s even more cursed than I in some ways. “Sorry.�
Veguard was surprised by her question. Where had that come from? He had already pretty much forgotten about that particular conversation. In any case, he didn't mind answering.
It's alright, you don't have to appologize Lady Valeska. No, it does not bother me so much. Those memories would interfere with my ability to help you. They are unneccesary for me to have now.
It was a strange, sad thing for a creature to say. He truly did not feel those memories were necessary any longer...
Valeska looked up, resting her gaze on the back of his head as he spoke. Her deep blue eyes were again full of pity and sorrow though he would not see it. Unnecessary…is that what he thinks…then I…She shook her head, that can’t be right! Then those others he helped…then I would be…Can he not think for himself!?! Must his purpose be the only thing behind his thoughts!?! For some reason unknown to her Valeska felt despair and anger when she reached that conclusion. Though was quite intense, none of it showed on the outside, she appeared clam as she was a moment before.
It faded as quickly as it came though, as she then realized it he could not be at fault. He was a guide, not a person. Valeska felt sad again. …why does that matter so much? Why does the fact bother me? I feel…something for him…damn…why couldn’t I stay cold like before… Valeska’s emotions were only to be given away by her eyes, for they were again sad and guilty.
“I see.� That was all she could manage. It was quiet and withdrawn, she didn’t want her voice to betray her. She didn’t want him to know how much it troubled her. Valeska absentmindedly reached her right hand forward and began to play a bit with the red tipped curly mane in front of her. Real yet not real…here to help others and is never helped in return…what a…sad existence… She didn’t notice her tears until one began to trail down her cheek. She hastily wiped them away before Veguard could notice.
Veguard continued to walk along calmly, hearing little from Valeska during that time. Unfortunately for her, his being in his natural form made him all the more accutely aware of her thoughts and feelings. Her quiet response was the first clue to her true feelings, and without thinking, Veguard opened up his mind to her once again, feeling out the reason behind her sad voice.
He was surprised by the sudden sorrow he found there.
Without realizing at first he had broken that rule again, Veguard nickered in worry, and then shifted forms without warning.
Valeska was now resting in a human Veguard's arms, a look of worry on his face as he stared down at her watery eyes.
"Lady Valeska, are you alright? What is wrong? Why are you sad?"
He truly did not fathom that his answer could be the reason for her sadness.
Valeska blinked and looked up as she heard him nickering again. Before she knew it Veguard was human and carrying her easily in her arms. A fairly dark blush came to her cheeks as her blue eyes locked with his for a second. In the next Valeska remembered exactly where she was, she was so surprised that she nearly jumped out of his arms. She stopped immediately when she heard his questions, and her body twitched in response.
She lowered her gaze before looking away. Her long bangs hid most of her face but anyone paying attention could see her silent tears falling from her chin. Her voice was again withdrawn, “…I…well, it would seem that your reason for feeling sadness yesterday has finally hit me so to speak. I knew what it meant, but I spent so much thought on how to avoid it…I suppose I’m not really making any sense…� She finally looked back to him, again her eyes the only clue to her feelings, though her tears were beginning to subside. “I have a better answer if you wish me to be blunt.�
Veguard tilted his head, wishing now that he had an extra arm so he could hold Valeska and also wipe her tears away. Well...maybe...
Veguard made a swift change to his wingwalker form, and gently brushed the tears from her chin with the very tips of his wing feathers.
Her response confused him though, and he was still unsure of why she was crying.
He frowned softly at her, letting his wings fold against his back as her tears subsided and she looked up at him.
"Well...I do not think I understand so...yes, be blunt, if you don't mind Lady Valeska..."
Valeska went completely still when he brushed her tears from her chin. She didn’t even breathe. She closed her eyes for a moment, sighing deeply, trying to find the right words. They were guilt ridden when she opened them. “I am sad for the exact same reason Veguard. Because you are not real, and I am terribly sorry to bring this up again. I…do not wish to cause you further pain…� Again Valeska looked away. She felt immediately that she may have been too blunt and should have found a more gentle response. But she reminded herself, that method had not worked just a few moments ago. To do so might only confuse him further.
Veguard opened his mouth, then shut it again, frowning. There was a strange twist of pain in his chest. Her words had...hurt him? Maybe he just didn't understand...
Not real...
What did she mean by that? Was he not here, holding her?
Not real...
Not real...
He took a bit of a deep breath, his brow furrowed. "I...I'm not sure I understand still. I'm sorry. What...what do you mean...not real?"
Why...why did those words bother him so? Why did his chest hurt when he thought of them...?
Not...real...
Valeska slowly turned her gaze to him again, a slightly confused look on her face. He doesn’t remember? Then I must fully explain myself… Her face betrayed her, showing the same sadness in her eyes. She didn’t look away this time, but her eyes did not meet his. Again she sighed, “you are not the same as I. You were not meant to be so, your true purpose only to aid me, so much that you would sacrifice yourself. But even something so noble made hollow, for you will only rise again. Given emotion for your chosen to better cope with you, but it is still false.� Tears began to come again, “And all this made worse because I have given you proper emotion, something you are not meant to have. I am sad because you are not a true being as I. I pity you for having to realize this in such a hard way. My guilt for this only made worse because even when you tell me it is not my fault, I still feel it is.� Valeska shocked herself with her own words, it had been many years since she had been so honest, but even more so by her next action. Instead of looking away as she had done before, she rested her head against him. “I am so sorry.�
Her words were sadly poetic, and pierced Veguard's heart. Right...he remembered now. Not real...he wasn't a real person. He was simply living magick.
This thought had never before bothered him so much...
Was it because of his new emotion??
Veguard gazed softly at the top of Valeska's head as she rested against him, unable to find words for the moment. "I..." He stopped, looking away. She was sorry, but it wasn't her fault. But he knew telling her that would do nothing. He could not leviate her guilt, unfortunately...
"I'm glad to know you, Lady Valeska." He realized then that he would be grieved to forget about her when his time with her was done. His chest tightened, and now he realized it to be true sorrow.
Veguard bowed over a bit, holding Valeska a bit tighter to his form. His eyes were wet with tears, a strange sensation for the spirit guide.
"I do not want to forget you..."
Valeska looked up as he spoke. She tensed a little when he held her closer, but relaxed as she saw his tears. Her gaze lowered for a moment as she cursed herself for causing Veguard further strife. She let out a shaky breath at what she was about to do. She reached and turned his face toward her, a hand on each cheek, and gave him a weak smile. Valeska hesitated for a moment before wrapping her slender arms around his neck. Then she surprised herself further, she kissed Veguards cheek, and then nuzzled her own cheek against his. “Thank you, I as well, am glad to know you.� She didn’t really know what else to say or how else to comfort him.
Veguard's vision was blurred by tears as Valeska turned his face toward hers. He could not muster a smile to return hers. He was surprised by her tenderness, and even more so when she suddenly placed her arms around his neck and hissed his cheek gently. Amber eyes stared past her as she rested against him, cheek to cheek.
The pain in his chest began to decrease slightly, but still he was sad.
"Thank you, Lady Valeska..."
A sudden thought then came to him.
"Lady Valeska...I have already felt true anger, and true saddness." He took a breath, his chest shuddering nervously.
"What if...what if I fall in love...?"
She blinked, for a moment her body froze. Oh dear, he has quite a knack for setting me on edge. Valeska let out a deep breathe before pulling back to meet his gaze, though she left her arms around his neck. Her tears had stopped by now and her eyes held worry and uncertainty. She opened her mouth but then shut it again, her eyes looked to the ground before meeting his gaze. “I…I’m sorry…but…I don’t know.� Valeska couldn’t tell what might happen if he were to do that. So far the emotions Veguard had managed to grasp were negative, which she also blamed herself for. She had seen these emotions exaggerated when he felt them, perhaps that happened with more positive emotions as well? She didn’t know. Her deep blue eye’s avoided his again. “Though…avoiding that is as simple as avoiding the other emotions you’ve already felt. Even so…I…don’t think you should seek it out at least.� Her heart ached when she said that, and why was something she was not exactly sure of. Likely it was something she would not admit for a long time.
Veguard sighed. He had been afraid of that. She didn't know...and neither did he. But as he had mentioned before, the worst outcome for all of this was that his spell would fail and he would cease to exist.
He couldn't let that happen.
He listened to the rest of what she had to say, and sighed again, closing his eyes.
"I...understand. I...I won't try to fall in love."
Of course, he couldn't possibly understand that often, love hits you whether you want it to or not.
Finally, Veguard set Valeska down. "I am very sorry to question you so much. And I am sorry to have broken your rule again." He bowed lightly to her. He was still worried however. Something about all this still bothered him.
What if...what if...
What would he do if it happened...?
Valeska nodded at his response, ignoring the dull ache in her heart. He set her down and she wiped away the rest her tears before looking up as he apologized. She blinked. Rule? What rule?Valeska should her head, “I’m not sure what rule you’re talking about but you shouldn’t be sorry for asking questions.� She gave a faint smile, “after all, I spent most of my life doing that. I already gave you permission to ask about me, as far as I’m concerned you can ask me anything. Though, like now I won’t always be able to answer for one reason or another.� Valeska wasn’t too nervous of the sort of questions Veguard would ask, as he wouldn’t ask anything embarrassing intentionally. And if that came up, as it so often did, she’d just have to get over it and tell him why she can’t really tell him.
Well, at least now he wouldn't have to worry so much about asking questions. He knew that often he asked things that made Valeska uneasy. But she told him not to be sorry, so he would try not to be bothered by it.
"I...sort of looked into your thoughts and feelings again, while I was in my true form. I'm sorry, you told me not to do that."
He sighed, looking down. "May I ask one more question?" He looked back into her eyes. "What does it feel like? Love, I mean."
Maybe if he knew what it felt like, it'd be easier to avoid it.
Of course, he didn't know just how complex love was, and how difficult a question he had just asked.
Oh…that rule. Valeska was not as annoyed about this anymore. She had noticed that the occasions he had read her thoughts had ether been unintentional or for good reason. And at ether time he never found the thoughts that were most troubling. Something she was grateful for.
Valeska blinked a couple times as a faint blush crossed her cheeks. Love? Her gaze lowered for moment eyes focused. “That…is a question not easily answered. It is many things,� her eyes softened. “But…I suppose the…principle thoughts behind love would be…when you feel you have found someone who ‘completes you’ so to speak. When you are with them you feel a…sort of peace…like all is right.� Of course to explain this Valeska had to use her memories, her time with Valerik. “You feel as if their happiness is all that matters…so much…that you would die for them…� She sighed and returned her gaze to Veguard, “it’s probably the most powerful emotion there is. But it’s also like a sword, beautiful and dangerous. Love may go astray for one reason or another…if love is the best emotion one could experience, heartbreak…would have to be the worst.�
Veguard had a growing sense of dread as Valeska continued to list off all the things that made up love. But that...that sounded just like...
But that couldn't be, could it? Wouldn't it be more obvious?
No...that couldn't be it...
"But...but Lady Valeska..." He looked at her with worried amber eyes, wings twitching behind him. "I know you have been in love but...that can't be right. I would know if I were in love with you, wouldn't I? I would feel something special, right?" He seemed a bit flustered.
"You described how I feel, but...I'm not in love, right?"
That really...it really couldn't be true...could it...?
Valeska stepped back when he asked that, a furious blush on her cheeks. Her heart skipped and it pounded in her ears. She looked away. That is true, Veguard meets those qualifications, but only up to a point. “What I said was from a logical stand point, but that is only half the equation. Love is not logical. The rest is something I can’t really describe, but yes. There is a sort of feeling that accompanies love…sort of…like happiness…only stronger…and a sort of contentness as well I think…it is difficult to describe. As for knowing…yes, you could tell if you were in love or not, though when you know is something else… some learn too late.�
She sighed tiredly, “and now I’m being a bit contradictory. I’m sorry…but this is not something that is easily made sense of.� She looked back into his eyes, her heart began to ache again, “I would assume this means you are not in love with me. That is…good, since we don’t know what might happen.� Though this hurt her inside Valeska only showed her concern for him.
He realized how complicated it all was as Valeska struggled to explain it further to him. So then...he wasn't in love? Or was he, and he just didn't know it yet?
Ah, he was beginning to wish he hadn't brought it up at all in the first place!
And during the entire conversation, the ache in his chest had actually been growing, not decreasing.
"Yes well, I guess it is good then. I...I..."
Veguard froze, his muscles locking up suddenly and painfully. What...what was going on...?
The pain in his chest blossomed, and Veguard gagged, blood spilling from his mouth before he collapsed.
He couldn't move, blood leaking from his mouth, an oppressive weight on his chest, crushing him.
His spell...oh no, his spell...!
And then Veguard's world went dark.
(aaaand...that was sudden. Lol.)
Valeska’s body tensed when he froze up, her eyes grew worried. “Veguard? What’s wrong,� then blood spilled from Veguards mouth and he fell. With out really thinking Valeska came forward to catch him, but really only succeeded in breaking his fall. She landed in a sitting position with her arms around his waist and his head over her shoulder. Valeska blushed darkly. Fainting aside, Veguard was essentially laying on her, not to mention her lips being against the base of his neck. She shivered, her body heated up and her heartbeat raced. Oh my. Valseka quickly lifted her chin over his shoulder and took a deep calming breath. Don’t think about it, don’t think about it, don’t think about it!
She shook him a little, “Veguard? Veguard…� He’s unconscious…what happened this time? …Maybe…maybe we should stop talking about emotions all together, it seems like anytime we get to close to feelings something happens to him. …And it’s usually painful…Valeska sighed sadly. She laid him gently on his back, and wiped the blood from his mouth then turned his head to the side should he cough again. After that she placed his hands on his chest, why she did not know, likely because then it only looked like he was sleeping. Valeska sighed again, sitting cross-legged by Veguard, waiting for him to come to.
Veguard did indeed cough again. Quite a few more times. Blood continued to spill from his mouth with every shuddering heave of his muscular chest. It wasn't looking good. Of course, normally, even if Veguard died, he would just come back again.
But what about now? This could very well have to do with his spell...
In which case...he might not come back...
Veguard coughed a few more times, the pain of it all threatening to wake him. As he lay there, a slight golden glow started up under his hands, still resting on his chest. It was similar to the glow he had first put off, when he had been in a sort of egg form.
Was his spell breaking down??
The glow intensified beneath his hands, his breathing becoming labored...
Valeska grew more nervous as she waited, and having to watch Veguard cough up more blood wasn’t helping. It pained her to see him like this. Her whole body became jittery with worry. Her eyes widened at the glow, realizing she knew it. She began to panic a little. What could she do? It might work…it’s all I’ve got for now. Valeska moved Veguards hands aside and placed a hand on his chest were the glowing seemed to be coming from.
Earlier, when she had explained her current state, Valeska had said she lost all her magick. That wasn’t true. Valeska knew that there was always some reserve power left that she couldn’t access. It only made itself apparent in a life-threatening situation. When dealt a fatal blow, one that would give a human only seconds before death, Valeska would have at least a half-hour. It wasn’t likely, but she hoped Veguard would draw on this magick if she made it available. She then leaned down a little, “Veguard? Veguard please wake up…� She felt a little guilty for trying to wake him, but she might have a better idea of what to do if he were conscious.
Where his hands had laid there was a large golden spot on his chest, glowing as he had as a spirit entity only. When Valeska placed her hand over it, she would find it to only be semi-solid, and her hand sunk into his chest.
As this happened, Veguard began choking and gagging worse than before, his body quivering.
Within his chest, the glowing became warmer. There was also a pulsing, almost like...
...a heartbeat.
Could it really be that the glowing spot was a path to his heart?
The glowing was becoming brighter, the spot in his chest seeming to get bigger as time passed.
What if his spell really was breaking apart...
Would he dissapear into nothingness...?
Valeska tried to pull her hand back immediately but found she couldn’t! What the hell’s going on!?! She panicked a little. Now what!?! Her eyes darted around nervously, from Veguards face to his chest and sometimes the sky. She noticed the glowing spot it his chest seemed to be getting bigger. By now it occurred to Valeska what might be happening. Her breathing had sped up from her anxiety. I can’t take it out, Veguards getting worse, and he might… She swallowed, and pressed her hand further in. Valeska couldn’t see any other option, she didn’t know what this action might cause, but as is it stood now, Veguard would die. She would not sit there and watch that happen, it was a last desperate act. “I’m sorry Veguard.�
Veguard bucked as Valeska pushed her hand deeper into his chest, blood spurting from his mouth as he did so. This last strained push caused Valeska's hand to touch something warm, soft, and beating.
His heart.
As soon as she touched it, the glowing grew brighter, the gold spot in his chest becoming ever bigger. Her hand was suddenly free of the otherwordly grip in his chest, but only while her hand was on the fluttering heart beating within him.
Meanwhile Veguard continued to writh in pain, blood still spurting periodically from his mouth.
The gold was growing...
He was ceasing to exist...
Valeska shut her eyes as she pushed her hand further in, not wanting to see Veguards pain. She froze as she felt something pulsing. She also noticed the force that kept her hand there dissipated when she touched what seemed to be his heart. She opened her eyes. Valeska let out a small gasp, looking from his face to the growing glow. Then she had a strange thought, and acted on it quickly. She closed her eyes again and grit her teeth. Valeska grabbed his heart and attempted to pull it out.
There was only a slight resistance, and then out it came. But it wasn't what one would expect. With the heart came the glowing and the goldness, leaving Veguard's chest normal, aside from one thing.
A crooked golden scar, right where Valeska's hand had been.
What she held in her hand was a warm, golden thing that fluttered and pulsed in her palm. It was the part of Veguard that held emotion, and it whispered to her. Of love, saddness, hate...
All the things she had given to Veguard. The part of him that broke all the rules.
The little fluttering thing was like a quivering orb of light, and there was a sad little crack in one side.
Veguard's heart had been...breaking?
And now Valeska had a choice. Leave it and let it break away into nothingness, leaving Veguard as he should be.
Or fix it and replace it.
Which would it be...?
Valeska slowly opened her eyes once it came out. First she looked to Veguard. He seemed fine now…except for the strange scar in his chest. Then she heard something whispering to her, Valeskas eyes widened when she realized it was his heart. Her eyes became confused, there was a crack on one side. Her expression grew more grim as she knew she was handed a very difficult choice. She looked back to Veguard, wishing he were awake to tell her what to do, as it was his life she was about to tamper with.
Her first thought was to let it go, and leave Veguard as he should be. After all, the only thing it seemed to do was cause him pain. But as she continued to ponder, Valeska wondered, would Veguard be the same? Would he change without a heart? If she were to put it back, would this happen again? And why the hell wasn’t Veguard awake to tell her what he wanted!?! Valeska’s eyes began to fill with tears once more, she couldn’t believe what she was doing.
How do you mend a broken heart? Valeska sat there staring blankly at the heart, thinking hard. You…care for it I suppose, but that still doesn’t... She blinked…she tilted her head, giving it a confused look. Could it be so simple? Valska brought the heart up to her face, and moved it so the crack faced her. She let out a deep breath, and kissed it. After a moment she drew back, waiting.
Unfortunately for Valeska, Veguard slept peacefully on, in a state of inertia while his heart was held. She'd have to make one decision or another, or he would never awaken again.
No pressure Val!
The orb quivered and then pulsated after she had kissed it, and the crack closed itself up. It began pulsing with renewed vigor after she had done so, its glow growing a bit, almost...happily.
So now it was up to Valeska. She had created him from a spell, made him what she wished. And now it was again up to her to make a fate-altering decision as the golden orb sat warmly in her palm.
Which would it be?
She watched with curiosity at the orbs strange behavior. The crack closed, it’s pulse renewed and it even seemed to glow better than before. Valeska assumed this meant she had ‘fixed’ it. She sighed tiredly and looked to Veguard again. Her eyes traveling down from his face to the unusual scar on his chest were she had pulled his heart from. She looked back to the orb, thinking things over again, but coming up with the same result. She came to him again and pressed the heart against the scar in his chest lightly.
The scar glowed, and then opened, allowing the golden orb to be pushed back into his chest. The scar closed and then dissapeared after all of this, all the while Veguard did not seem affected by it at all.
He seemed to just be peacefully sleeping.
Finally, his warm honey amber eyes opened, and he yawned, sitting up. He winced a bit as he did so, holding his chest, blood still on his face from earlier.
"Oh ow, my chest really hurts..."
He looked up at Valeska.
"And I had a very strange dream. It was about you, but I can't remember what happened..."
Valeska felt extremely relived when Veguard opened his eyes. A grateful smile came to her face, though it dimmed as he spoke of a pain in his chest. Dream? He…but he says he doesn’t remember. She looked away for a moment, should I tell him? She shook her head, I’d want him to tell me. I shouldn’t keep him in the dark. With out a word she took a navy blue flask from her hip and put some water on her hand. She then began to gently wipe the blood from Veguards face, needing the water for help with the dryer parts. When she was finished she wiped her hand on the flask, which was likely that color for this reason, because it was too dark to make out any remaining blood. Her face had a weary look to it, “Can you tell me…do you remember how you felt in this dream?�
Veguard was a bit worried about the silence that seemed to settle like a heavy blanket over them. Why wasn't she saying anything...? Had something bad happened...?
He blinked as she began to wash his face free of blood, and the feeling of the sticky substance being removed jogged a few memories.
He had been in pain...coughing up blood...before...
Before what...?
Then she asked about his dream, and he thought back on how he had felt. "Er, well...at first I felt rather cold, and there was a strange pain everywhere. Then something happened, and I felt light, like a weight had been lifted from me, but I was still cold. I guess something happened, because all of a sudden I felt warm and happy and just...I don't know, it's hard to describe. It was incredible." His grin, which had grown near the end of his discription, faded a bit as his attention returned to Valeska. "Why do you ask Lady Valeska?"
Valeska matched what Veguard described to what actually happened in her mind. She smiled faintly as he described what must have been the moment she had kissed his heart. Again her smile dimmed, now for the depressing part, she sighed.
“Well…I was idiotically trying to describe love to you. When you started coughing, blood. Then you collapsed and fainted, I…sort of caught you, then laid you on your back. I had hoped it would subside, but it just got worse. Then a gold glow came from your chest,� she rested her palm lightly on the area she spoke of. “I recognized the glow and worried you were reverting back into you energy form. So I put my hand on you chest so that you could get at the reserve magick in my blood. Then…my hand…fell into your chest,� she took her hand back, as if she were afraid it would happen again. “I couldn’t pull it out and the glow kept getting bigger and you looked like you were in great pain so….so…so I did the only thing I could do. I pushed my hand further in until I touched something. When I did whatever force held my hand let go, so…I…acted on impulse and pulled it out…I think it was your heart Veguard.� At this time Valeska pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around hem loosely, by holding one wrist. “It was a golden orb but it beat like a heart so I assumed. It…it had a crack on one side. Gods I must sound insane…� She sighed, “Do you believe me at all? Shall I keep going?"
Veguard listened closely to her discription, his eyes not belying any sort of confusion. He also wasn't giving her a 'you're messed up in the head' look either. It seemed like what she was saying to him made perfect sense, despite how odd it all sounded.
He stared at her for a moment after she stopped, his mouth alittle slack.
"You...you did what...?"
She couldn't have...that was something...
Only Luna could do that...
Only she could alter his heart like that, his very spell...
He went as though to take Valeska's shoulder, but stopped, his face closer than before. "You...you altered my heart...?" He just had to make sure it was true, searching her eyes carefully. That was...too amazing...or perhaps amazingly bad...
He sat back.
"Only Luna is supposed to be able to do that, Lady Valeska. You...you changed my heart, my very spell. I didn't think anyone else could do that..."
Only Luna could ever do that...
Valeska blinked as he first spoke. She grew more nervous as he continued. Her eyes were guilty, as they were saying for her that she hadn’t meant to, because she truly hadn’t. Her only goal had been to help Veguard, but she still wasn’t sure if she had. Altered his spell? Oh dear, that doesn’t sound good. Valeska was even more worried about the fact that apparently only the being who had actually created Veguard was able to do this. Somehow, she, a mortal dragon, who at the time had none of her power, had accomplished the same feat as Luna the angle, a celestial being. That could mean quite a few things…and many of them were not good. Valeska looked away, “ I’m sorry Veguard, did I do something wrong? I…was just trying to help you…�
Veguard smiled softly at her and shook his head. "I feel fine. Better even. I don't think what you did was a bad thing. I was just surprised. Luna was the only one ever able to do that. Even other angels couldn't alter my spell."
He placed a warm, gentle hand on the side of Valeska's face, trying to calm her.
"It's alright. You saved my life, Lady Valeska. Thank you."
Slowly he stood, smiling down at Valeska. There was a small bit of worry within him though. What would Luna do if she found out...?
And just what had Valeska altered...?
He held out a hand to her, to help her up.
"Should we continue?"
For now, he was content to shove his worries into the back of his mind. He'd have time to ponder on them later.
They had stayed here too long.
A dark blush came to Valeskas cheeks when Veguard touched her, her gaze coming back to meet his. She watched him stand up silently. He didn’t let me finish…does he have to know? I did tell him the most important part. She blushed again, I think. Her eyes fell to his hand when Veguard offered to help her up. She took it after a moment, wearing a faint smile.
Again Valeska decided to set up for the night at sun down. Physically she had the energy to go further, but for obvious reasons she was emotionally and mentally strained from earlier. She sighed and took out the sky blue dress and the white shirt she had worn with it. She had folded them carefully, so as to make sure the blood did not stain anything else inside. The incident involving Veguards spell making her own problem that morning seem so far away, and just plain unimportant in comparison. Valeska took out a needle and thread and began to sew the dress up. It calmed her down and cleared her thoughts, so much that she actually started humming a little, forgetting that she wasn’t alone.
Veguard sat himself a few paces from Valeska, still in his wing-walker style form. His feathery wings ruffled together every so often as he shifted, his head tilted back a bit to stare at the sky through the trees. Soon the sound of Valeska's humming carried through the peaceful silence, and Veguard smiled a bit before turning his attention to her.
His head tilted as he watched what she was doing.
He didn't know what sewing was.
"Lady Valeska, what are you doing?" He asked innocently, standing to come sit closer to her and watch. His amber eyes were bright, as if trying to figure it out just by watching.
Valeska blinked and stopped humming, looking up at Veguard. She looked at him blankly before smiling a little at his expression. He doesn’t know what the hell I’m doing. Her smile widened a little, knowing she must have looked just like that when she first watched a woman sew. She motioned him to sit by her. “I’m sewing. You see here� she held up the fabric, “the dress is made of many threads of string, just like the one on this needle. Using the needle,� she sewed up a little more of the dress slowly. “I can get between the original treads and bring the two halves back together.�
Veguard leaned closer to watch as she demonstrated, listening in to her explination. Oh, that seemed simple enough.
She was fixing the tears in the clothing using this method. Sewing, was it?
He nodded, watching a few more passes of the needle before he sat up and looked back at Lady Valeska.
"Would you...would you keep doing that, Lady Valeska? Those sounds that you made before. They were very nice."
He didn't know what humming was either.
Maybe his existance really was a sad one, even if he himself did not realize it.
Valeska looked at Veguard curiously. Sounds? She thought back for a moment, what had she been doing? Humming? Valeska blushed a little, she had barely noticed she was doing so. It was a habit she had developed hundreds of years ago, nearly as normal as walking for her. What made her blush more was his complementing the sound.
Her gaze avoided his for a moment before returning to her sewing. “…alright.� She began to hum again as she continued, expertly repairing the dress. That’s what happens when you’ve lived as a housewife for a thousand years.
Veguard smiled as she continued her humming, and rested back on his arms, tilting his head once again to stare at the darkening sky. It was such a soothing sound...
For some reason, Veguard felt utterly at peace right at that moment. He just felt so...alive. More so than he ever had before.
He wondered if this had anything to do with her altering his heart.
Maybe...
Veguard sighed softly. "Luna used to tell me that I was like her child. She always told me she loved me. She'd hold me in her hands and sing to me until I fell asleep. It was nice...very peaceful." He shut his eyes, his wings stretching out behind him a bit. "I kind of feel like that now."
Valeska listened closely as Veguard spoke, still humming as he requested. Valeska did not know Luna obviously and was intent on learning more about her. By Veguards account she seemed kind and loving. Her mind wandered a bit, wondering what Luna looked like, she had never seen an angel. She had seen illustrations of angels by humans, but who knew if they were accurate? Valeska finished the dress and began to fix the shirt as well. She had thought to ask Veguard more but decided against it. She simply continued humming, looking him every once and a while.
Soon she finished the shirt as well and folded it with the dress, returning them to the pack. Then Valeska looked to sky for a moment. She sighed, feeling a little exhausted. “Veguard? I’m going to go to sleep now.�
Veguard sat up and looked over at her, nodding as she spoke. "Alright. I'll keep watch. And this time, if you wake up and want to wander around, please tell me first." He ordered with a grin, remembering last time at the river.
He then stood, and moved over toward their small night fire. Sitting next to it, he calmly watched the flames flicker and dance before him. He was surprised to remember Luna. He'd never remembered her before...
And after remembering her, he was very glad that two of his forms had wings. It reminded him of Luna...
He sighed, shutting his eyes. "Sleep well, Valeska..."
She gave a small smile as he said that, knowing what he referred to. Valeska laid down on her blanket, “you too Veguard.�
A couple days later they were on the outskirts of Ketra, the forest thinning out as they got closer. Valeska was again wearing her full set of traveling clothes, minus the cloak. She walked beside Veguard, whom she had already warned to be in human form. So far it looked like the forest would give them no more trouble, but it seemed Valeska had hoped too soon. Three figures came from the bushes, all armed. Run of the mill bandits. Oh joy.
“Hand over the girl.�
The men were of average height. One was more muscular than the others, carrying an ax. The other two held swords. Valeska noticed that they seemed to be losing their nerve as they approached. She didn’t have to look at their line of sight to see who had their attention. Standing next to him Valeska only made Veguard look taller than he actually was. A confident smirk came to her lips. Over the few days Valeska worried she might snap at Veguad for something irrelavent as she became easily agitated at this time. But Veguard proved to calm her at all times. These bandits would certainly get rid of any tension.
“Well it seems their minds are made up. I’ll deal with them�
The bandits grew even more confused, but then they grew annoyed. How dare this small woman insinuate that they were so weak!
Veguard walked calmly beside Valeska, again in his human form and fully armed. His large body tensed as the three men came before them, one hand instinctively going toward the handle of his own axe.
"Excuse me?" He said on impulse, surprised at their blatant demand. As if he would ever hand Valeska over to anyone.
He was oblivous to just how intimidating he looked.
At Valeska's words, he blinked down at her. "Alright Lady Valeska, as you wish..." He replied, alittle unwilling to allow her to take on the three men. But he knew she could take care of herself.
Still, he would watch this all closely in case he needed to intervene...
She nodded and stepped forward. Valeska stood there, with no weapon and not even getting into a stance, she just waited. Her confident smirk turned into a grin, “well…come and catch me...if you can…�
The bandits were even more confused now, but Valeskas manner had them highly annoyed now. One of the men with a sword came at her, and at what seemed the last second Valeska sidestepped and tripped him. He fell flat on his face and she examined the blade she had snatched from him at the same time. “I’m surprised, you couldn’t steal a better sword?� He got to his feet quickly at the insult, coming around with a fist. Again she dodged and gave a quick blow to the back of his head. She dropped the sword on his body. “Next?�
The other two men decided to take her at once, since they now knew she was no ordinary woman. Each got on one side of Valeska and came at her. She sighed and ducked out, causing them to run into each other. The other sword man passed out from the force of his more muscular friend. The one with the ax was now the only one left. He swung it at her with one hand, but Valeska quickly got behind him and pinned his other arm painfully against his back. He yelped and let go of the ax.
“Quiet!�
The man whimpered but shut up quickly.
“Pick up your friends and get your sorry carcasses out of my way,� she let go and kicked him over.
“Yes ma’am!� He got the other two men and left as fast as he could.
“I guess I expected too much from them,� she stretched a little. Valeska looked back to Veguard with a small smile. “Come on, we’ll get rooms at the tavern. Then I need to do some research in the library.�
Veguard watched in amazment as Valeska totally kicked the crap out of the three bandits. Or more like, totally humiliated them with just a hand full of moves.
Woah.
Just, woah.
Veguard smiled a bit as she turned to him. "That was amazing Lady Valeska." He complimented, following after her. He nodded a bit as she spoke. "That sounds good. What do you want to research, if I might ask?"
(lol, sorry its so short, I just don't have much to say!)