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The Mending of Time [M] [Goblin]

Started by Juno, December 04, 2015, 05:51:02 PM

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Juno

His mind knew no peace of that day. The memories played in every idle moment of his waking hours. The sheer pain of loss and of betrayal was haphazardly patched over his heavy heart. Aren had never truly healed and he wasn't sure if he ever would. The weight of guilt and regret had always clung to him despite how he had worked so hard to maintain a normal life. Years of it had carved faint lines on his face despite his relative youth.

The innkeeper's business was still relatively lively, but a lot of the charm from the past was gone. The stage of Three Oaks went largely unused besides the occasional musician. Most had seemed content with moving on ages ago, but Aren still clung to his memories and the deep desire to reverse his own rashness that had driven away his remaining beloved. He'd always assumed that the lack of return meant he'd truly found somewhere else to call home. He could only hope that there was happiness and peace for his dearest friend wherever he was.

Admittedly, Aren felt quite pathetic in the ways he hoped for forgiveness daily. He always kept watch for that familiar face, always kept his room free on the off chance he would return home to them. It had been so long that he wondered if he'd merely picked up and moved elsewhere nearby and had just never sought contact. Regardless, his heart ached and no amount of daily work around the tavern seemed to distract him from it.

Truthfully he felt awful for even thinking the place was anything less than spectacular to that very day. His family still lived very comfortably and they had more than enough to get by so long as the doors remained open.

The busier nights were good for that distraction he craved, at least. That night there was a bit of light background music in the form of a violinist that sat at the edge of the stage. The young man always drew a bit of a crowd but it was never anything like his childhood memories of their bustling halls. Still, he got people talking and talking people always meant good coin in their pockets once the day was done.

Aren leaned on his arms against the bar in a lull between conversation and allowed himself to stare out at the violinist. His gaze went through him, though, as he tried to picture the way it used to look when she'd taken the stage with the whole room turned towards her.

GoblinFae

Time was such a strange thing. It was both fast and slow in moving all at once. Ocarern's days as a tortured slave could not have passed any slower and yet the journey back to a place he had once called home seemed to take even less time despite the many hundreds of miles that separated him from the now distant sea.

When he had left, he had had no intention of returning and yet when he had been able to at last flee the only thought in his mind was of this home. The elf now stood in a dark alley across from a building he knew the appearance of by heart. So much of the blues and purples of his life had come from passing his days and nights under that roof where laughter and mischief reigned.

His heart skipped several beats, seizing painfully in his chest as he fought with himself to enter or not. Ocarern had left cursed and hated with one friend buried in the cold, unforgiving earth and the other casting him out for his own part in that death. It would be a punishment to enter and remember it all again. Yet, he could not stop himself as he suddenly found himself at the wooden door with his hand already in motion to push it open.

The sounds and smells that greeted him nearly overwhelmed him enough to knock him off his feet. Ocarern was grateful for the heavy cloak and scarf that hid his telltale features. Out of habit his eyes alighted upon the stage but he was soon met with paralyzing disappointment. The colors swirling about the figure there were all wrong. They were not her colors for she was long gone.

His head bowed as he shuffled forward and to the side, fighting the polar urges to flee and to stay. It was a torture like no other. Everything was wrong and yet enough remained the same to hurt as if no time had passed at all since the blue and purple. He was mostly not far off though and the elf did not relish running into him again for another painful rejection. There was only so much self-flagellation he could endure before even he broke.

Resolved to leave once more, Ocarern turned to flee only to run straight into one of the servers, causing her tray of pitchers and drinks to topple with them both to the ground with a loud crash that could be heard above the straining notes of the violin. His hood fell back with the fall and in an attempt to assist the woman, one of the tavern's patrons stepped upon his scarf, causing it to pull away from about his neck as he dragged himself to his feet as well.
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Juno

The jarring crash that sounded out in the main room certainly got quite a lot of attention. The musician even faltered, the man's eyes shifting to watch the pair on the floor as he tried to determine if he should stop and help or if they were fine enough from his perch.

Aren himself hadn't noticed the sound itself much. The disturbance was obvious enough to snap him out of his distracted daydreaming, but it was the violinist's eyes that told him where the commotion was coming from. Grabbing a measly dish rag to conquer the unknown mess, Aren hurried around the bar and waded his way between tables to reach the pair who were being quickly surrounded by other patrons. He cast an apologetic smile at the server once he'd finally squeezed his way through, giving her a quick once over to be sure there were no visible injuries as a regular helped her to her feet.

He didn't recognize Ocarern at first, hardly even looking to the man he assumed was one of his normal patrons as he clapped a gentle hand to his shoulder. "You all right there?" he asked kindly, uncertain of who had caused what as he looked to the floor to assess the mess the girl had knelt to.

She was restacking the tray with its missing mugs and pitchers, but he just as quickly slipped his hand away to shoo her and finish it himself to hand it back to her and send her on her way. He wiped what he could off the floor, but it was clear a simple rag would not do. "Grab a few more would you?" he called after her, rising once more with the scarf in his outstretched hand. "Sorry, friend, let me get you a drink for the trouble. On the... You." Aren had finally turned his full attention to the elf. The face he saw was one he'd feared and mourned for years he would never see again.

All at once he felt an overwhelming twist of joy and sorrow in the pit of his stomach. He feared such a visit was not a return but a final goodbye and he wanted to stave it off for as long as possible.

He wrapped the smaller man in a tight bear hug, fully bracing himself to stand fast against the struggle he assumed would happen for seizing him in such a way. "Where have you been?" he all but begged at his ear as his heart pounded wildly in his chest, uncaring for the looks they were getting from those who did not know of their past. He knew their last parting had been sour but Aren hoped he could convey to him just how sorely he had been missed. "How long are you here for?" Aren asked warily, uncertain if he wanted to know the answer to that particular question. Privately, though, he hoped the elf might tell him that he'd decided to come home.

GoblinFae

Ocarern froze under the gentle touch. Physical contact had always been something he had rejected as it only seemed to make the colors that swirled about him so much more violently vibrant and exhausting. Under normal circumstances, the elf would have recoiled and screamed or even retreated but the assault of clean soap and aged wood upon his senses held him firmly in place. It was a scent he could never forget for it was unique and special and forever ingrained his mind the way sandalwood and oil always made him think of her.

His shock kept him there too long though. He was speaking to him and then that sharp inhalation of recognition. Ocarern attempted to flee, he really did but the other man was faster. The elf found himself trapped against a brick wall with bands of steel holding him flush against or so it seemed within the human's embrace. His body was too weak to escape though and all his efforts earned him was more pain as old wounds reopened. The monster had been exceptionally cruel and even his elfish healing ability had not yet served him well enough to heal entirely.

Words washed over his madly twitching ears and yet he was deaf to them. Ocarern felt as if he was drowning in all of the emotions. A tiny whimper proceeded the heart-wrenching wail that sounded from his lips. Tears raced down his cheeks as the elf finally collapsed fully against his old friend, sobbing his heart out as he awaited blows and hate-filled words for surely that was all he deserved after returning from banishment.
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Juno

The lack of words or reaction beyond the small struggle he felt within him was a bit frustrating, but Aren vowed to stay patient with him. There must have been a reason for such a sudden return and he would wait as long as he needed to hear it.

The anguished cry he heard was startling for him. Why would he be so upset? He saw no reason for it beyond the extended contact but he didn't think his friend would be that touchy about it. "Ocarern," he whispered mournfully, hugging him close and closing his eyes briefly to think. "Come here, let's talk. Come with me," he commanded gently, turning slightly to lead him away from the crowd and back towards the tavern's store room. He kept an arm around him at all times, wary of the elf bolting for the way that he'd struggled before.

GoblinFae

When no hurt came, the elf opened his eyes in wonder and shock, fearful of what his punishment would be. The words spoken to him though seemed to spell it out to him and he nodded his head slowly and lowly. Ocarern trudged forward. There was no struggling; he did not believe he could escape his fate if he wanted to. So he walked as if he were a man headed towards his own hangman's noose with head bowed, feet shuffling forward and shoulders slumped under the weight of the world. Surely that must have been what was on his old friend's mind. Arensaenger just did not want things to be public. It would be bad for business after all if he was seen screaming at and hurting a perceived client. No, it was better this way to do it behind the privacy of closed doors that obscured vision and muffled sound. He worked at swallowing the frog in his throat, eyes trained on the worn toes of his boots for to look at the man would be to bring him to loud, grating sobs once more instead of the soft, sniffles he had managed to force himself into calming to.
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Juno

It was difficult to not notice the way Ocarern carried himself. The elf seemed positively depressed, despite their reunion. It had Aren worried that he hadn't wanted to be noticed in the tavern at all, that perhaps he felt awkward to even be near him, a heartbreaking thought for him personally after such a long separation.

Without a word he led him away to the quiet of the storeroom until the voices were muffled by both distance and the structure of the solid wall between them and the main hall. "Hopefully this is better, less people...less talking." Aren smiled for him and slipped his arm away slowly, not truly wanting to part from him but worried that the elf might lash out at him for being touched any more. He gave him a quick, gentle squeeze to his hand before breaking the contact, a replacement for the smothering hug he wanted to bury him in.

"I'm sorry if I scared you," he apologized gently, unsure why the elf had screamed. In Aren's mind their fighting was long past by now, and he did not realize how fresh it all still was to his friend. "It's just been so long. I was beginning to think I might never see you again," he admitted with a sad and slightly shy smile. "Are you here for dinner? A drink? ...the music?" he tried to guess, assuming from his reaction that the elf had not returned to see him.

GoblinFae

Ocarern gave a one-armed shrug to all the questions. His eyes remained lowered and his shoulders tense in anticipation of his punishment for returning. Yet, his former friend remained insistent on sticking to the nonsense pleasantries instead of getting to the point. He wondered if it was supposed to make him more worried. It certainly was working.

"Just do it already," he finally cried out, flinching at the sound of his own voice. "Yell at me, strike me, toss me out! I hurt enough without the waiting. Please just punish and end it."
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Juno

His indifference and lack of any answer was troubling to him. Perhaps he'd come to give bad news or a more final goodbye as he'd feared. The abrupt yell startled him, the taller man flinching as well.

Aren's expression fell for what he heard and he wanted to cry just from knowing that Ocarern expected him to do any part of that let alone all of it. "What's hurting you?" he asked quietly, his brows narrowed with worry as he gave him a brief once-over again. There was nothing he could see plainly but he was certain clothing could hide a lot. "I-I don't want to end anything," he tried to assure him, hanging his head in defeat as he knew quite well the way he'd lashed out when he had seen him last, so long ago. "No, I won't do that. I'm sorry for what I did before. Truly I am. I want to apologize to you. Properly. I want to make up for what I did if you'll let me, I don't want you to leave again.

"I've missed you so much, Ocarern," he admitted, fighting to try and be strong and composed in front of him and not cry as he desperately wanted to even as his voice cracked slightly to his deep embarrassment. "Why would you want me to do that?"

GoblinFae

"It's what bad elves deserve," he replied weakly, his voice sounding so frail and childlike. His shoulders shook with his efforts to keep his tears from returning to unending sobs again. "Bad bad bad," he murmured over and over to himself. "I shouldn't be here. Wasn't supposed to come back. Brings black to the blue. No good. Didn't mean to. Just happened."

Ocarern shook his head side to side repeatedly causing his hair and ears to whip back and forth across his face. He wanted to run. He wanted to flee. He knew he did not belong here and yet he stayed. Arensaenger's hate was better than Ocaren's own loneliness and he had been so lonely and lost since he had left. Being back though brought so much more pain than he had expected. Everything was the same and yet nothing was. He was different now and perhaps that was what made it so difficult to keep away from the place where he did not belong. He was drawn to an old life where there was beauty and music and magic instead of wretchedness and screaming and lies.
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Juno

Aren couldn't help how he teared up for hearing how Ocarern was verbally punishing himself. He had stopped caring about his anger a very long time ago and it hurt to see someone so dear to him still be so deeply upset. "Not bad," he said stubbornly. "You're not a bad elf. You should have come back. I'm happy you came back," he told him firmly, reaching out to hug him again in a much more gentle manner than the public one where he had been fearful of him running away.

"Did you not miss me at all?" he wondered, though he immediately regretted asking once the words were out. He didn't want to know if he hadn't been missed. It seemed pathetic to Aren that he was so invested if the elf did not care whether he lived or died. He deserved hatred from him. He didn't deserve to be missed with the way that he'd treated him before.

GoblinFae

Ocarern whimpered at being embraced. Pain both real and imagined flared along his back and sides from past abuse. He found himself leaning into the embrace just to escape some of the pain but also to be closer to someone he felt he should not love so much.

"Every day," he declared strongly, meaning it with every fiber of his being. There was not a day that went by since he had left where he had not thought of his two friends. He had prayed, he had pleaded, he had cried for them both in the dark as fear, pain, and loneliness swallowed him whole. Their voices had always guided or ridiculed him. His guilt was always their disappointment. Ocarern hated what he had become especially as he believed that she had been with him and knew what he had done. That was most likely his second greatest shame of all. "S'why I had to see. Shouldn't have come," he cried shaking his head against the other man's shoulder. "Wasn't supposed to. Wasn't allowed to but had to you see. Needed my...my," his throat choked up and closed not letting him finish his sentence.
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Juno

Aren was conflicted between elation and sorrow to hear what Ocarern had to say to him. It made no sense to him that he missed him every day and yet had not returned for so long. "Not allowed? Of course you're allowed, Ocarern. You are always welcome here. This is your home," Aren reminded him stubbornly. He ran a gentle hand along the smaller man's shoulders in an effort to soothe his crying and relaxed his grip on him for the way that he'd leaned against him.

"Will you at least stay the night?" Aren asked, unable to hide the hope from his voice. "I can get your room set up with fresh bedding. It wouldn't take any time at all, but..." His brow creased with concern for his dear friend, the innkeeper simply ignorant to the suffering he had endured since he had left him. "I'd love for you to stay for a little while if you can. At least so we can catch up again," he explained, dreading the very idea of losing him again but knowing he would get nowhere if he didn't allow him any options.

GoblinFae

"You want me to stay? Why? You hate me. You wanted me to leave. This wasn't my home anymore. I don't understand. I'm sorry I came and caused a mess. I'm sorry I made all the blue turn black. I didn't mean to. I shouldn't have come. I just couldn't help it. I don't understand how you could want me here when I'm so horrible." Ocarern hissed the last as Arensaenger's touch stung and his own shoulders stiffened. "I'm just a pathetic and worthless slave," he whimpered, repeating words that had been heavily reinforced during his stay along the coast. "Why do you want me here, Aren?"
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Juno

"No, no, no. Not horrible, Ocarern. Not at all," he insisted, his heart breaking to hear the way he continued to berate himself. A few words had caught his attention more than the rest, though, sending a feeling of absolute despair tearing through his heart and down through his stomach. "What? A slave? ...Oca. Is that where you were all this time?" Aren dreaded to know the answer, as important as it was to know the truth.

Trying to gather himself and blink back tears he pulled away slightly to hold him at arm's length so he could look him in the eye. "I want you here because this is your home as much as it is mine. I was so very wrong to turn you out like I did. I was angry and grieving, but I should have treated you better, it was no excuse. I'm the disgrace because I let the wrong emotions lead me." Aren hung his head slightly, his cheeks flushing with deep embarrassment and regret over his behavior.

Not knowing what else to do to convince him, Aren loosened his arms around the elf and lowered himself to kneel in front of him and hug him around his legs instead. "I'm the pathetic one," he insisted, pressing his head to the elf's thighs as he failed to fight back tears from finally flowing. "I pushed you away. I never should have done that to you and I'm so sorry, Oca.

"Please. Stay," he begged, his voice shaking as he tried to hold himself together. He was certain he would break if Ocarern left him then. "I love you, and I'm so lost when you aren't here."

GoblinFae

Ocarern cursed himself for Arensaenger's questions regarding what had happened since last they met but that was soon forgotten as he physically and mentally froze in the face of his friend kneeling before him and clinging to his legs. The wetness of the human's tears upon him broke his heart and him out of his reverie though. The elf slid to the ground in a puddle while his hands moved to cup the other man's face. He felt wretched for being the cause of such sorrow and tears. He was undeserving of them and yet his friend now wept and begged for him in such ways that flared guilt and regret so thickly in Ocarern's stomach he feared he would be physically ill.

"I deserved it," he whispered against Arensaenger's brow. "But I will stay because you ask it of me. I'll stay."
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Juno

Aren felt horrid and pitiful for showing such weakness to Ocarern. Once the elf had joined him on the floor he removed his arms from their lock around his legs and instead moved them to hold his arms. Flustered for the sudden intimacy and compassion, the human bowed his head to hide both his shock and embarrassment. "Nobody deserves that," he muttered stubbornly, disgusted with himself. He was calming a bit, though, to hear that he had agreed to stay.

"Thank you, friend. At least until...things are normal again?" It was said with hope more than anything, the man struggling to quiet his sniffling as he wiped at his eyes even while tears streamed freely.

GoblinFae

The elf placed a chaste kiss, barely more than a brush of lips against skin, to his friend's forehead while his own thumbs whipped away the tears that continued to flow down the other man's face. "Such colors," he murmured, watching the mix of emotions swirling about Arensaenger as they bled into each other. "Don't like them. Prefer the happy ones." So saying, Ocarern leaned more into his old friend, allowing his own arms to slide forward to embrace him tightly in an extremely uncharacteristic need for physical contact and comfort.
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Juno

"I'm sorry, Oca." He shook his head gently, stubbornly taking a few shaky breaths to try and calm his breathing and, in turn, calm the storm of emotions in his heart. "I shouldn't be blubbering when I am happy. Such a mess," he sighed, lifting his arms to fully embrace his friend. It felt so good to be held by someone so familiar to him, though he worried the elf might panic at any moment for the rare contact. "Shall we move somewhere other than the floor, you think? My knees are killing me," he chuckled, leaning into Ocarern slightly. He dared a quick nuzzle and kiss to his shoulder before turning his head slightly to try looking him in the eye.

GoblinFae

Ocarern shivered at the extra affection, still feeling he did not deserve it. Given the opportunity to retreat, he did, flowing easily to his feet and holding out a hand to help the other, taller man up as well. "I have kept you long enough. Your parents will not be happy to know I have kept you from work. You always were a lazy one," he attempted to tease, though the joke came out a bit flat as he did not feel the mirth intended.
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]