Though the horses didn't seem to show it, Noira was sure that they were tired from their journey. She unmounted, and thanked the white stallion, leading him to the castle's pastures.
If you wish, you could stay here. There is no need for you to stay if you do not want to, my lord. She told him.
Nonsense. Of course we shall stay. Thy call took us from no master to whom we would return. We rode free. We shall stay here with thee, he replied.
Yes. Thou hast shown us great kindness, and we shall do the same by remaining as thy steeds, Ksedryn replied, nuzzling her mate.
The crimson-haired noblewoman unmounted and looked expectantly at her new family.
"Welcome to Adela Castle," she said, growing a little happier with each moment. It wasn't home, but it was where she lived now. She waited for the twins to unmount before showing them where she lived.
Adri smiled at the mare's speed. When they arrived she grinned with happiness maybe just maybe she could learn to like it here...to learn to trust the woman who gave them a home. Her eyes turned to find Noira who had just slid off Ahren...the woman...Noira was unusual and she wasn't sure about how she felt about her yet...but still there was a chance. She barely felt her brother's hands as he helped her down from Ksedryn's back...something more important had caught her attetnion. They would stay. She grinned at Ksedryn and her mate and then remembering her manners bowed low to them both. Thank you very much for your help Lady Ksedryn, Lord Ahren. she said kindly...
Lukas grinned and followed his sister's manner bowing low in the style of their homeland. One foot in front of the other and hands behind their back eyes cast down as a sign of respect....he noted that Adri had done the same and couldn't help but smile again...Adri usually showed no respect to anyone...yes she would bow but to keep your eyes off of the person showed that you trusted them. Yes thank you...it was an amzing ride and I am glad that you will stay...if you need anything just ask me....I will be happy to oblige.
Adri smiled at her brother straightening slightly. Yes if we can do anything just ask....
She then turned to Noira and seemingly feel into herself again....For Adri trusting a horse like the two before her was easy...they rarely betrayed you...but to trust another human....no matter how different they seemed was still new to her adn she wasn't sure she accepted that quite yet. So she remained silent.
Lukas grinned at Noira."This place is amazing I think I am really going to love it here."
The moment they stepped out of the sun and into the castle, Noira's old habits returned. Her back straightened as she walked, and she held her hands in front of her, at lower-stomach level. She seemed to float across the floor as they moved. She curtsied to those she met along the way, and walked up the stairs.
Left, right, down the hall, fourth door on right...finally. She stood in front of it, and opened it with a key.
"Welcome to my chamber," she said softly. Her colour was added sparingly, so that the room would not be too dark. Her window looked out over the garden. A few flowers grew there, but not many due to the season.
Still, most of the garden must have been in this room. Roses curled around the canopy posts of the large and elaborate bed, and scented the air. Lit candles were everywhere. "To left is the privy. Please make yourselves comfortable. I must show your adoption papers to the king. Do you have any questions that need to be urgently answered, or are they all things that can wait?"
Adri and Lukas followed her silently watching her curtesy to other people ad the likes...as they reached the room both Lukas and Adri made small gasps of suprise and wonder."This is a very nice room." Lukas commented. Adri just nodded going back to her silent ways.
Lukas came in adn sat on the bed....Adri came slower and sat next to her brother.
As Noira told them she must leave adn if they had any question Lukas' eyes brighten. She quickly put her hand over his mouth and shook her head."She said serious and impotant Lukas....please stay quiet." She turned and looked at Noira."Do we need to come with you?" Her voice was neutral neither showing anger nor happiness....emontionless if you pleased.
Noira shook her head.
"You may stay here. I merely need to show them. All questions - both important and..." she paused, smiling, "...for curiosity's sake can be asked later. It shall not take me long." And with that said, she faded from view, leaving the children with free reign in their new, elegant surroundings.
Lukas watched her leave and pulled Adri's hand from his mouth."Whatcha do that for sister?"
Adri smiled slightly."Because she needed to leave and I know you too well." she tried to pull her hand away from Lukas but he wouldn't let go.
Lukas stared at her hand."Its freezing." he muttered quietly.
Adri pulled away standing up turning her back to him."I will be fine Lukas dont worry about me."
Lukas stood and hugged his sister."But my dear Adri it is my job to worry and you must know that....now lay down I will get a cloth and water." He pushed her to the bed and made her lay down Adri just sighed.
"Luk you dont have to do this."
Lukas disappeared for a moment then came back with a steaming things of water and a cloth."Yes I do Adri....remember the last time we let it go." He sat down next to her.
Adri sighed and nodded slowly. Of course she remembered the last time she had gotten sick it had nearly cost her her life. They had been travelling on a mountian and she had collapsed far away from any help. Lukas had nursed her until people from the Orhange had happened upon them.
Lukas smiled sadly at his sister and started to pat her forehead with a wet cloth. "So what do you wish to talk about I know you have a lot on your mind." he said after a while of silence. When he didn't get an answer he looked down then smiled. Adri had fallen asleep, he slowly putthe cloth and water down on a table and pulled the cover over her. He sat there leaning against the wall half on the bed half off watchuing his sister.
She seemed more peaceful when she was asleep. He pulled out his book from ealier and started to read again...
Noira returned and smiled slightly when she saw that Adrianna had fallen asleep. She stood at the window, and gazed out at the setting sun. It sent an orangey glowe over the garden, and she sighed. The many flowers in the room, reached in her direction to comfort her.
It is all right, she told them. She continued to stare out the window until the sun had disappeared from sight. Then, she turned to Lukas, who was reading.
"You had questions, yes?" she asked him softly.
He watched as Noira returned flashing her a small smile then returning to his book. Every once in a while he would glance at Adri to make sure she was fine. Besides a little unevenness in her breathing she seemed fine so he slowly relaxed.maybe this would be a weak attack he thought hopefully.
He looked up when Noira finally adressed her a small smile on his face. He put his book down and after lightly touching Adri's face he walked over to Noira. He leaned aginst the wall and stared outside for a moment. "Yes just pointless questions that I just want to know." He looked at her a small smile playing at his lips again."I love to gather as much information as I can about different people I meet." He paused his eyes studying her. "But just curious do you not have any question to ask us?"
"If we allow nature to take her course, all shall be answered," she replied. She sat down at her desk, which was facing the window. One of the lower drawers glowed deep violet with gold tints, but it was dim enough for her not to notice it.
She DID notice some of her flowers beginning to wilt, despite the fact that they were perfectly healthy.
"The flowers say that your sister is ill," she said, her crimson eyes floating over to the sleeping Adrianna before resting again on Lukas.
He grinned at her only slightly confused."Ummm is that a no then?...."
He paused for a moment then sighed his eyes going to the light on the desk drawer. He pulled his eyes away and then looked at Noira. "So what was it you did on the ground in front of Ahren?"
"An ancient ritual," she replied. "He is the descendant of a great king. Ahren means 'lord of horses.' In ancient days, horses each had their own domain. It was customary for all things to show reverence to their ruler. I was born under the crimson rose, and thus, that is my seal."
Her eyes followed his to the drawer, and if she was upset, she did not show it. In fact, she was the perfect picture of serenity. She opened it, revealing fourteen different coloured stones arranged in rows of two. She picked up the luminescent one, and the ghost of a frown appeared and then retreated across her face.
She replaced it, and waited to see if he had anything else to ask her.
His eyes brightened as she told him and he nodded slowly taking everything in. Lukas wasn't one of those people that needed a notebook to remember everything.....he did just find with just his mind...he would write it down later. He watched her take out the stones and was about to ask heranother thing when a slight mental touch made him look over at Adri. Her face had gone pale again. He sighed and stood glancing quickly at Noira before retreating to his sister's side.
He picked up the cloth again dipping it into the water that started to steam the moment he touched it. He placed on his sster's forehead and stared there mopping up the sweat that had appeared on it. He bent close to her for a moment then pulled back his face showing worry. He casted another glance at Noira and hid the worry behind a mask of indifference.
Finally after a few moments he came back over to Noira. He leaned back agianst the wall and remained slient for a moment. "So is your species rare ior common....I mean I haven't heard of it before and I thought I knew most different people around here."
He didn't mention his siter if Noira brought it up he would be happy to tell but other than that he wouldn't bother....
"No one has ever left the kingdom. My family is the first. All because of my sin," she sighed. She looked over at Adrianna, not bothering to hide her concern. She had noticed the flowers in the room had started to droop, but hadn't said anything.
"What ails her?" she asked softly. 'To know what causes suffering is half of the journey,' her teacher had told her long ago. Before her other element revealed itself. Before everything... Adrianna's skin was an unhealthy colour, and worry slowly crept into Noira's features. She was not a professional healer, but pallor in the skin was not a good sign - that much she knew.
Lukas sighed sadly although weather it was because what what she said or what kept his sister from wake even he could not tell. He looked over at his sister sadly for a moment hoping that this wouldn't be as bad as the other times.
"What ails her is nothing any healer can heal." he said slowly at first as if reading her mind. "My parents tried that before they were killed. The healers had no clue what it was or how it happened into my sister. After a while everything disappeared the sickness the nightmares...everything. My parents thought it gone...sadly they left before they knew the truth."He paused once again and tilted his head as if listening to something. His siter seemed to be getting slowly better....good looks like this one isn't going to go pass this level.
"On our travels we have talked with many people about it. Some believe it is part of a curse that was put on her....others that it is just a sickness they have yet to meet." he shrugged. "Personally I believe that it envolves her element. I believe that darkness no matter how good it is should not be contianed to one body....it makes the body weaker because darkness always has to be kept away from evil." he looked over at Noira. "Yes the two are different. So it is more work for the person to control....so she just has to wait it out until it goes domant then she should be fine." He sighed sadly staring at his sister wishing that he could switch spots with her. "I was the lucky one....light does not have that effect or it has not shown yet at least."
"I, too, have suffered from such an illness. It is the physical manifestation of the everlasting battle between darkness and a good heart." Noira put her hands on his shoulders. "I believe that what keeps it at bay is you, Lukas. It cannot feed upon a body filled with love and hope.
By this time, the sky was beginning to fade into midnight blue. Her hands fell from his person to intertwine with each other at her lap.
"You are not tired?" she questioned. "I do not wish to keep you awake." She could feel the drooping blossoms straightening slowly. That, at least, was a good sign.
He smiled slightly startling only a bit when she touched him. Then he blushed slowly at her words."Yes maybe it is. Thanks" he murmered half to himself.
He seemed to snap out of his trance and shook his head slowly. "Not really I don't tire easily. I am really wide awake in fact." he looked closely at her. "Are you not tried?"
"I do not sleep," Noira said with a calm smile. "My body does not need it, therefore there is no point in suffering through night terrors for nothing."
Now, the sky appeared black and was studded in diamonds. The moon tonight was a waning crescent. In a few days, there would be a new moon. She rose without a sound, and walked around the room in a steady circle.
She pointed to each corner of the ceiling, and a mark appeared, and then faded. She then stood still as a stone in the center of the room for a few moments. Then, she walked over to the window and made a mark in the air.
"Do not use any sort of magic in this room until I return," she instructed. She opened the drawer and took out the now dimly lit stone from earlier, putting it into a hidden compartment in her cloak. "It is a protection spell. It is effective because it is sensitive," she explained. "Should you need me, I shall be in the garden. You can see it from that window." She nodded to it.
"However, please do not touch it," she warned gently.
She walked to the door, and the moment the source of the spell stepped through the doorframe, one could see the intracate web of magic in the room for but a moment. She closed the door softly behind her.
He nodded as she told him everything. "Okay thank you. Peaceful night." he said quietly. When she left he went back over to his sister's side.
He pulled a few papers from his bag and sat down on the bed leaning against the wall. He watched his sister for a few moments wondering about what Noira had said. Was it true.....could it be?...that he was all that was keeping Adri from faling...a sudden weight seemed to be placed on his shoulders and he sighed placing his head in one hand.
He felt a hand touch his head lightly and looked up. Adri's eyes were open and she was watching him. "What's wrong brother?" she asked still half asleep.
He smiled sadly at her...Adri seemed so weak now but he knew she would be a different person tomarrow. "Nothing go back to sleep.....I was just worried about you."
She smiled weakly a hand intertwining with his. "You know you mustn't worry this is normal."
He grinned."Adri my dear sister nothing about us is normal....we broke the molds when we were made. Now sleep."
He needn't tell her twice she was already slipping back into sleep. Although she found strength to wishper one last thing....and when he heard it he smiled contently. "She is right you know...you are the only thing keeping me here....you are doing wonderful."
He leaned back again and started to write down notes and short paragraphs......Slowly his head dropped forward and he fell into a light slumber. The papaers fell from his hands to flutter to the floor.... One hand slid to his sister's side as if with touch only he could protect her.
Noira pulled her hood over her head as she melded with the shadows. She could not be interrupted. She cautiously stepped out into the night, and found a place where moonlight was plentiful. She pulled out the stone, and set it on the ground, drawing a simple circle around it. She had not used the Dark Arts in a while. However, she needed to make sure that the children were safe.
The moonlight touched the stone, and the circle became a compass rose. The glowing red petal pointed south.
"Danu, earth goddess, your daughter requests that you aid her in her search. I seek the one to which this stone is tied," she whispered in the ancient tongue. Her mouth opened, but spoken words could not be heard. She used the language of the earth, the most ancient of all. She touched the circle with the tips of her fingers, and closed her eyes for better concentration.
She was cloaked in invisibility so only mages could see. And even that had potential danger. She felt the earth magic stretch out like roots, racing beneath the ground. She felt something. She opened her spirit eyes, and the circle showed her a road with many travelers.
Bye-bye, Angelgirl.. a voice whispered in her mind. Her physical eyes snapped open. She cleared her circle, and put the stone back in her cloak. This was not good. She teleported back to the door of the room, and touched the air in front of the door.
Her aura was accepted and the door made a soft click.
She saw that now, both of the twins had fallen asleep. Without making a sound, she replaced the stone in its proper place, and pulled out what seemed to be a transparent, rectangular sheet of glass.
"Infinity." Her voice was soft, because she did not wish to wake the children, so she made sure that the volume of the thing was low. It glowed for a moment, then projected the image of the silver-haired young woman.
"It's late. Wait a sec, hold on. Where are you?"
"In a different dimension than you, I assume."
"Psh. A certain fire mage we all know royally screwed us over by landing us in this weird place. I don't even know where 'here' is!"
The aforementioned fire mage appeared, and she yawned.
"Some town called Ketra, I think." Noira blinked.
"We are in the same place, then. I am in Adela Castle not far from you. Still, that is not the point. I believe that I found my sister, Khja." There was silence on the screen.
"I caught only a fragment of thought, but it said this: 'Bye-bye, Angelgirl.'"
"Kat," both the mage and Infinity said together.
"She must be here, as well. There is no doubt she already knows of my presence, and yours if she is already moving towards Kyrithn. She should reach her by sometime in the afternoon."
"You want me to wake up in the morning. I don't do the whole waking up with the rooster thing."
"I have two children to look after now, one of whom is not well. It could take time before I arrived, if I arrived at all," Noira replied. Infinity groaned.
"Fine. Mae and I will track her down for you."
"Thank you. Please forgive me for disturbing you."
"Don't worry. Ty's just pissed that her king isn't here to sex her up," Mae grinned.
"Bye." Noira smirked slightly as she turned off the screen. She could still hear echoes of the bickering that had undoubtedly started between the two best friends. Still, the fact that her sister was here unsettled her.
The noblewoman then resigned herself to walk in her Hall of Memories, in a state between dreaming and being awake. She closed her eyes, for staring blankly with her eyes opened had often upset people more than a little in the past.
Iy wasn't the sound of orhange directors that woke the young brown head up but the lack of them. His eye opened sloly and he looked around the first thing he noticed was that the sun was shinning this made him grin. He looked down to pat Adri and was startled to see that she was not there.
He stood and looked around fear evdivent on his face. If anything had happened......
He tried to smile when she walked through the door. She smirked at him seemingly understanding why he looked so fearful. He walked over and hugged her. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly
Adri pulled back from him."I feel fine." she said just as soft. And she looked it as well....while her skin wasn't as tan as Lukas' it wasn't deathly pale like last night. She didn't shiver at all and wasn't cold. Lukas relaxed a lot.
Noira rose and undid the protection spell cast the previous night. She then stood in the sunlight, lifting her hands towards it and bowing.
She turned to the children.
"Good morning. Let us hope that some of your energy was returned to you whilst you slumbered," she said. "Will you break your fast?"
She pulled a small watering can out of nowhere, filling it from the mini waterfall and pool in the corner. She moved around the room, watering each plant. Once she was done, the can disappeared. She held her hands at her lap, as was her habit, the same serene smile on her face.
Lukas grinned at Noira and pulled away from his siter."Yes I feel much better."
Adri smiled slightly but remained standoffish. Lukas sighed he had known yesterday was to much to ask for.
Adri nodded at the mention of breakfast.'Sounds great."
She smiled, as if bemused by some secret joke. Now was probably a good time to get some things straightened out.
"It is imperative that you understand that if you are to stay with me, you should abide by some rules. You are permitted to do as you wish so long as it does not harm somebody else. In exchange for doing as you please, I ask only that you follow my words when it is important. I will never tell you what to do unless the need arises."
She opened a small box in one of the drawers, and held out two pins. "You may choose when you wish for my company, and when you wish to be alone. These pins will serve as communication among the three of us. You need only to think of me, and I will receive your message."
Noira always made sure that she was prepared for any situation. She was so absorbed in explaining, that she forgot something rather important. "Oh, my. I cannot believe I almost forgot to tell you. In Intajiasen culture, each child is bestowed with three names. The first is a name by which strangers may hail you, though family may also use it if they wish. The second name is exclusively for family or close friends, and the third for lovers. You may call me what you wish, now that I have adopted you. You do not have to follow all of the customs of my people if you do not wish," she added gently.
To call someone by their second name indicated that they had earned the other person's trust, and vice versa. The crimson-haired woman understood that trust was difficult to earn, and usually impossible to regain once it had been lost. "I still hope to teach you something in the realm of magic," she sighed.
Lukas grinned nodding slightly as he took one of the pins."I can live by that....thank you." as she explained the three names he nodded again."We have something similiar to that but not as complex. See each one of our names can be shortened...one and then twice. Much like you our full name is used with strangers or those we don't trust.It also serves for when you are in trouble. The first shorten means that the person trusts you.....mine is Luk...and Adrianna's is Adri. The second is left for those that get the closest to you...doesn't have a be a lover though." he paused and then shrugged slightly. "You may call me Luk if you wish...you don't need to though." He looked at Adri and shrugged again.
"As for teaching us magic that would be great....I love to learn from others."
Adri then stepped forward and once again studied Noira for a while. She slowly took the pin and nodded slightly....agreeing with everything her brother said.
She pulled backas if unsure holding the pin in a curled hand. Her eyes were guarded again as if she didn't trust anyone at all. Then after a few minutes she relaxed and nodded slowly muttering something to herself. She then spoke up. "Adrianna is such a long and troublesome name....call me Adri although it would be wise tonever introduce me as that." She stood besides her brother who looked like he had been slapped. Adri had never granted anyone except him the trust of a shorten name...not even her mother.
"As for teaching us...fine...but be prepared to learn in return."
Sister you cease to amaze me
Adri just grinned in reponse.
"Such is the process of gaining wisdom. Teacher imparts knowledge to Student, and Student in turn, imparts knowledge to the teacher. Now, what do you wish to do about breakfast? I do not need to eat, but I do enjoy trying new things."
She closed the small box, and replaced it in the drawer. Standing in the sunlight made her feel refreshed. Though she did not need to replenish her minerals, Noira did feel slightly thirsty.
The calm noble decided to follow custom and refrain from using the offered shortened names until the other party felt comfortable enough to call her Noira, or even the shortened form of her second name, Eva.
Lukas grinned at Noira then looked at Adri. "Well sister? What do you wish to eat?"
Adri looked at her brother questioningly. "Why ask me?"
Lukas slung his arm around her shoulder. "Because it seems to me that you are turning over a new leaf." He grinned at the cliche...then noticed how it applied to the people here.
Adri pulled free from him and snorted. "Unlikely brother I don't change."
Lukas sighed as she walked away going over to her bag adn searching through it for something. He shrugged at Noira. "Well Noira....I think eggs and bacon should be good enough we don't need much."
"The castle serves such things. Though the dining hall is not as crowded as it is during suppertime, there will still be a good amount of people there. If Adrianna is averse to such a crowd, we could always go and fetch such things ourselves," Noira suggested.
She decided that her gown, though beautiful, was a bit too elegant for today. She imagined a crimson cotton bodice and skirt, with a black chemise underneath, and her gown from before transformed itself. She was a little sad that she had to part with the beautiful gown, which now hung in her closet, but she didn't want to wear it too much.
Besides, what need was there for such finery if there was no place to which to wear it?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OOC: In case you're interested, here's a link to what Noira's dress transformed into (except it's black instead of white): //http://www.fairemaidencostumes.com/gallery/Fgallery4-8.jpg. Sorry, I like to know what my characters are wearing. :P
Lukas grinned and looked at his siter."Well?"
Adri thought about it then shrugged."It is okay if we go dine with others...not like many would appraoch me anyways...so no fears."
Lukas grinned at his siter. you are more beautiful then you think dear sister....there have been many lined up to talk to you.
Yes I noticed the only problem is that not many have the guts to stay near me after I get a little angry.
Lukas grinned at his sister again and nodded slightly in agreement. Then any that do I deal with
Adri nodded her head slightly and looked at Noira for a few moments...the woman had chaged her gown again. She smiled slightly. "Very nice dress." she said quietly.
Lukas stared at his sister once again then at Noira. "not even two days...that's all we have been here and already between the two of you I have been shocked several times...for some reason I think my life just got more interesting."
Adri just hid her smile as she watched her brother complain. "It could be worse." she suggested.
Lukas looked at her then Noira."How?"
Noira was surprised at the compliment at her downgrade in attire.
"Thank you," she managed. She smiled to herself as Lukas and Adrianna spoke to one another. She could not help but feel right at home with them.
In her mind, she was taken back to the days when her siblings were much younger, and her expression betrayed her remincing.
"Things can always be worse." She walked over to the door and stepped through it. She then turned to the two still inside the room. "Well?" she asked expectantly.
Though the woman enjoyed a profound conversation that required wit, she had to admit that it would not remedy hunger.
Adri grinned at Noira and walked forward dragging her brother.
Lukas just shook his head."I give up...I think that's one species I will never get to understand...woman!"
Adri choked as she looked back at her brother."Yes but that makes life fun." She let go of his hand and walked besides him eyes looking at everything around her before turning to the book in her hands.
Lukas looked at it and smiled slightly but said nothing. The book had be entrusted to her several years ago when they were still chldren. He was suprise the thing wasn't destroyed yet although he had a sneaking supiscion that Adri's magic had something to do with it...
They walked through the dimly lit hallway towards the great hall where the king and all of his nobles dined. Come to think of it, it had been a long while since she'd bothered at all to be here.
"Sit anywhere you like, and platters will be brought to you. You may choose what you wish." As Noira had said, there were a decent amount of people eating, but it seemed lacking in body. Not that the crimson-clad woman minded. It was the noise that she minded. Most humans were always so noisy.
OOC: Srry it took so long.......
BIC:
Adri smiled and then nodded choosing a table that was nearly empty. Lukas sat down besides her and took out his notes. He started to look them over his brow furrowed in conteraction.
Adri looked at Noira after staring at her brother and shrugged. Sometimes Lukas was just weird.
OOC: That was bad.........o.0
OOC: Don't worry. I'm supposed to be studying for an AP History test tomorrow, but I'll never finish in time ;_;
BIC:
Noira sat down next to Lukas, not really noticing any of the food. She disliked eating meat, and was uncomfortable with eating vegetables. For Cailleach*'s sake, they were technically her brethren! She passed the platter on, not taking anything from it.
"M'lady, would you care for some fruit?" a server asked. Noira looked up at the plate before her.
"Are those...strawberries?" she asked calmly.
"Yeah. Would you like to try one?" he asked.
Noira smiled.
"No. I would prefer a dozen." And they were given to her. If ever Noira showed her true emotions, this was one of those times. She sat with a contented smile upon her face as she ate the red fruit.
*Cailleach = In Celtic myth, she created the earth
Adri smiled as she took some food and started to pick at it. She wasn't all that hungry so she pushed the plate away from her...only to have it pushed back into her face.
"Adri eat more." Lukas said without looking up from his notes. Adri hit his hand which was still on her plate.
"Why don't you eat."
Lukas grinned and stole one of her grapes and ate it. "There happy?"
Adri sighed and muttered something...only the words stupid and boys..being heard clearly.
OOC: Srry it took so long..........
The strawberries had put Noira in quite a happy state. She sensed someone calling her, and did not hide her smile when she pulled out the screen that she had tucked in her sleeve. A very concerned face appeared. Noira spoke in low tones, and the other person answered.
Her smile quickly faded, and she nodded.
"I shall wait for you at the gate to the castle." And then, the screen went blank. She walked over to the children. "Lukas, Adrianna, you may do as you like. I'm afraid that I am needed, but I will return shortly."
As calm and cool as ever, Noira left the grand hall, and made her way to the castle gate, as promised.
Adri and Lukas nodded. Adri had taken out her book again and Lukas was still writing notes.
Both remained like thise for a good part of an hour.
(Srry that really sucked but I am having a bad day*Sigh*)
When Noira returned, she had a pale and shivering teenage girl with her. The girl's red-brown hair seemed to stick to her face, and the noble sighed.
"However did you get so sick?" she gently cooed. "Let us get you back upstairs."
They disappeared for a moment, and then Noira came back, a worried look on her face.
"Please forgive me. I was suddenly told she was ill. Her name is Maeve, and she is a fire mage. She will be staying with us temporarily, until she is well again. I am sure that her best friend will also be here to check on her from time to time," Noira explained.
OOC: Aww, I'm sorry. ;_;
Lukas looked up as they walked in his ryrs running over the young girl before flickering to Noira then to his sister.
Adri stared at the girl then looked away Noira seemed to have to deal with a lot of sick people today.
Lukas looked at Noira again as the woman came back. "Is there anything we can do?"
(Iys okay...things are getting better>_<)
It was nice of Lukas to offer, Noira thought.
"I am afraid all that you can do is be patient with her. She is especially irritable when ill. It was a kind offer," she told them.
Healing the sickly mage could take more than just a day. After all, Noira's powers merely helped the body to get quickly faster. If Kat was there, she would be able to instantly cure Maeve.
If Infinity and Maeve are here, then there is no one to intercept Khja. What is it that you are planning, Ave? she silently questioned. If she wasn't present, there would be much destruction. The Intajiasen could not help but feel as if this situation was being manipulated by some force.
It seemed as things were in Khja's favour...too much.
Kat appeared and was surprised to find Noira with two children. If she hadn't gotten the angel's message, she wasn't startled at her appearance.
"Ah, you are here. Her recovery will be much faster," the crimson-haired woman said, glancing at the girl's companion. "Who is this?" she asked, frowning.
Kat smiled beautifully.
"This is Aceltia! We met some time ago. I saw her while I was flying," she explained. "Is Maeve well?"
"She is in my chambers," Noira replied, still giving Aceltia a dubious, untrusting look. "Please follow me..." And she disappeared.
"We're going to have to teleport again. Sorry," Kat apologized to the hawkling.
Adri smiled alittle at her brother's offer. He always wanted to help. She went back to her writing but looked up as another person arrived.
Her eyes narrowed a little...giving a warning it would seem.
Luk smiled slightly. "Are you sure?"
He looked up as the other person arrived. He nodded slightly then sighed as she started to talk to Noira. Noira then left with the other person and her companion. He looked over at Adri. "Seems like she is really busy."
Adri looked up at him and sighed. "She is important...of course she is busy." She then stood and put away her book. "I am going for some fresh air." She turned and walked away without another word.
Lukas watched her walk away and then sighed. "Figures....."
OOC: Im SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Sorry it took so long for me to reply. I just kind of lost my muse for quite a while..*Sighs* I hate family porblems...I promise I will be better from now on >_<
In an instant the hawkling found herself somewhere besides the castle corridors and blinked a few times to adjust. Her akward and foreign appearance stood out in the room and her brown garments were still draped over her wings. Both of which were pressed neatly onto her back. Blonde headed and blue eyed, she looked around. Where was she? Now she only stood quietly by Kat, simply listening to the conversation that had begun.
She'd never been a presumptous person and didn't like being rash, besides that, she was trying to get the story straight on this ill friend of Kat's. Who were all these other people? Thoughts fizzled like soda pop in her head again. Her mind worked like a clock with all it's gears.
Confidently she carried herself, the shapes and images of the people around here were being minted into her mind like portraits in stone. A strange scent was present here. Likely that of the different people, different emotions, and possibly even different magics.
[This is to Aceltia]
Noira's room, as was all rooms in which she stayed for an extended period, was scented with various sorts of flowers. The room itself seemed to have become a makeshift greenhouse, since the courtyard outside seemed to cold to bear any sort of blossom.
Still, something was wrong; it was uncomfortably warm.
A girl with reddish-brown hair tossed in the bed, dripping with sweat. Though her first instinct was to race to her aid, Kat held herself back so that she could take some time to explain to Aceltia.
"Noira is a dear friend. She has excellent healing powers, but the sickness seems stronger," Kat told the hawkling. The semblance of a smile passed over Noira's lips.
"Kathryn is being far too modest. It is nothing more than a fever that ails Maeve. My healing powers take time to heal. Kathryn, however, is a child of Heaven. Her powers are divine, and therefore, much more potent."
The angel blushed, and then bit her lip.
"I'm really sorry for dragging you everywhere. Right after I heal Maeve," here she gestured to the girl, "we can do whatever you want." Upon saying this, she carefully crept toward the bed. "Maeve, how are you feeling?" she asked.
"How the hell do you think I feel, stupid angel?!" she shot back. "This damn fever is making me feel naseous and dizzy."
"It has no effect on your tongue, it would seem," Noira pointed out, her face blank.
"Look, it's not like I get sick often. Just do the damn spell and get it over with! I need to make sure that Kat is..." she stopped. Kat was already there. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a second. If you're here, does that mean...?"
"Nevermind, Maeve," Noira said. She turned her gaze to Aceltia, still dubious and untrusting of the newcomer. "I doubt that Maeve's body will resist the healing spell, but it is probably better to not be in here while it is cast." She opened the door to the hallway, and stepped through the doorframe, holding the door open.
She looked expectantly at the hawk girl to do the same. "Close it behind you," she instructed.
She did this obediently and swiftly. The bitterness that hung in the air made her feel insecure and so all she knew was to wait quietly. In this state she withdrew. It was her way of avoiding in problems or complications that could possibly come from her opening her mouth and saying something. The scent of magic became quite thick and Aceltia felt it. Surely it was the angel's magic preparing to be worked.
The scent gave her flashbacks, and she stood, letting them pass through her mind...
Davainii hit the floor, absorbing the blow uncomfortably. He didn't show his pain, for that was not how he was brought up, but the sound of cracking bone would surely reveal it. Gaurtann's magic swelled in his palms and the wicked man sent another shock through Davainii. Aceltia found herself between them, stopping the bolt with herself. Surges of electrical and magical energy fused together and she too, hit the ground...
The memory faded and she found herself breathing heavily. She hadn't had a flashback for a long time, and she hoped that no one noticed that she was sweating.
Noira was not an unkind person, but was inclined not to be entirely trusting of any new person she met. Her friend was being hunted, and she wasn't sure if Aceltia was really who Kat said she was.
But the noblewoman sensed memories filtering through this individual. Emotions to which her sister, the one who would harm Kat, was foreign. She softened as the emotions began to filter through her own body.
This girl was the same as her. The past loomed over both of them, leaking into their lives. Noira felt very guilty, now.
"I apologize if I seemed harsh. Kathryn tends to be...more trusting than is safe," she said at last.
Then, overcome by her maternal instincts, she added,
"Conjuring up images from the past that are painful will only bring you further pain." Her voice was gentle, and knowing. "Though it is difficult, you must leave it behind you. Just as the crocus peeps through the frozen snow, so must you find the strength to emerge through the weight of the past in order to show the world your blossom." She pressed into Aceltia's hand something that looked rather like a rectangular screen, or mirror.
"If you get into trouble, call us. We will come."
At this moment, Kat opened the door, cautiously.
"Um...I'm done. I sent Maeve back to Infinity. I'm sure that Noira-san is very busy..."
"Not at all. However, if you feel the need to leave, by all means, do." She smiled at Aceltia, which very much shocked Kat.
"Um...I'm r-ready when Aceltia is..." she stammered.
Aceltia was caught off guard with Noira's words. She didn't understand how the other knew. A moment of softness befell her, and she peered at the mirror, closing her hand when Kat walked in. The warmth of comfort circulated through her, the words had soaked in. Then all of the sudden her stomach growled and surely everyone else in the room had heard. The feeling of hunger and emptiness had been pushed aside during all the excitement and she'd forgotten. She blushed, "Uh, does anyone know where we could get some good food?"
The hawkling couldn't remember when she last ate...
Yesterday? No... that was another traveling day...
What about the day before that? Ah, maybe the last of her jelly rolls...
Her mouth desired to savor the taste of cheese-rice and kuus-kuus.
To Aceltia:
OOC: Meet me in Ketra. Either use our old one or make a new one - doesn't matter to me.
Kat smiled brightly.
"I'm sure we could get plenty of food at the marketplace!" she replied gaily.
To ~*Angel of the Fallen Dead*~
OOC: It's okay, don't worry about it. I'm also busy with schoolwork, so. ^^()
Noira had left the two newfound friends to plan their journey, and returned to Adrianna and Lukas, to find that only the latter remained.
Today had been full of surprises, and she was actually quite worn.
"Where is Adrianna?" she asked.
Lukas once again noted when Noria came back. He was reading now his notes set aside. The book had no title was just black and clearly worn.
He looked up at her words and shrugged slightly. "Im not sure. Is there a garden or trees around here? Most likely that would be your best bet. She said she was going to get some fresh air though." He paused flashing her one of his usual grins.
"If you wish to talk to her I could call her for you. She could be here in a short time depending on how far away she is."
Already his mind was searching for her familiar link. He smiled as he noted it was blocked off. He looked at Noria waiting he really didn't want to force her mind if he didn't have too.
"No, it is fine." She returned the smile, though hers quickly faded. She then busied herself with finding enough room for a circle. It occurred to her that she had never really asked about the book nor the notes. She paused what she was doing, something she always did because she felt movement was distracting when one was attempting to have a conversation.
"What does that book say?" she asked. "There is no title, so I cannot tell its subject." She had many books when she was younger, and like everyone else, had some she enjoyed enough to read more than once, some that were interesting enough for only one read, and others that she abandoned before the end came.
"Where I live, there are an assortment of different creatures under the same roof. There is a wind mage and priestess called Aira who has an impressive library in her room, though the means of getting there are...unconventional." She smiled as she thought of the stoic and straightforward Seer.
She continued to make her circle. A faded copper-coloured glow appeared behind her steps, but quickly disappeared when she would take another step forward. At last, the circle was complete, and the noble knelt in the center.
Noira calmly waited to see if Lukas would respond.
Lukas grinned at her. "This book? Well it is mainly of our travels. Places we saw stuff of that sorts. But it also has my father's travels in it."
He grinned again and watched her make the circle. "I hoping one day that we have traveled and seen more things then he ever did."
To Kat
OOC: She awaits you in Ketra under a topic titled "Food?"
Noira smiled as she closed her eyes.
"And perhaps you shall," she said softly, before descending into her meditation mode.
This would give her back the energy she had lost, and replenish her magic, which was almost completely spent. What a shame she didn't have infinite magic like some other creatures. No, there was only so much energy in the air at a given time.
Nature wore out eventually. She needed time to rest before she would allow the Intajiasen woman to draw from her power.
When Noira opened her eyes again, the sun was sending splashes of reds and oranges across the floor. It had taken longer than usual to replenish her magic, but one could not rush nature; she had her own time.
She gathered herself together, taking in her surroundings before she ever so slowly rose to her feet. The type of meditation she did disconnected her from her body. To make sure that her essence was not still scattered about, she moved her fingers.
She continued through the ballet stretches she had been taught from her human - well, half-human now - friend, and smiled as each body part did as it was told. A smirk lingered over her face as she thought about how strange she must have looked.