Post by Kyrie Blaze on Mar 9, 2014 11:49:33 GMT -8
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie felt slow. Heavy. So weighted down despite the fact they were in space. The ship could apply a certain type of gravity on the interior chambers, so it wasn't as though she was literally light, either. She felt lost.
The blonde gravitated towards the chambers with the pods. She didn't know if she would be able to speak. Seeing him like that tore her up. What she needed...was a hug. From him. Even if she hadn't been able to go to the trees as Hyperion told her, she really...
Kyrie really needed his strength right now. Even if it was the same reassurance he had given her in regards to Takehiro. Anything would be welcome. A memory just wasn't enough.
She would be making planet fall back onto earth in a short amount of time. To go fetch Aaron. And Olesya. And search for those that were underground. For him. And if luck was with her she would try to pick up Hyperion and the Colossi.
She didn't even know if they were alright.
The doors slid open. The blonde was greeted by the silent tanks as she swept her eyes over the room, the doors quietly whirring closed behind her.
David B. said:
David floated cooly in a pod. He had no mask on- he breathed the fluid, which mixed with his body and advanced the healing process. All of his limbs were broken, but realigned. His back was missing skin, his body was...crushed. But he was alive. Just...unconcious. He hadn't moved in the days since the departure. He had been put there, by Dragons or by civilians or...by another. Regardless, a small glowing light pulsed slowly behind in, dimming every fifteen seconds before brightening again to a dull glow. It showed his naked outline, with particules in the water attacking to him...trying to see him fixed.
In the shadows between the pods clear across the room from David, another figure sat, silent as the grave. Kiyr was coming into the room to his left, Davids right....and unless the figure moved, he would almost seem not to be there, despite the cold blue eyes that watched the blonde enter.
Kyrie Blaze said:
As it stood, Kiyr was so far from her normal self that she didn't look. She simply wasn't in her right mind. Even if she had been, it wouldn't have helped.Her eyes were drawn to the tank, though partially unwilling to see. The man had been so broken, she had thought him gone. It was worse when she didn't know what and where he'd been taken for a little while after. It had taken her a moment of panic and search command with the ship to reassure herself...
And here she was.
She touched her fingers against the barrier....then pressed her hand to it. Soon after, her forehead pressed against the back of her hand and the petite blonde finally took a shuddering breath.
She had remained, largely, silent. Aside from when it was necessary to issue orders she hardly spoke at all. She didn't know if he could hear her. There wasn't even really a feeling of him. But...even so, even being near his healing body gave her a tiny measure of comfort.
"I...do not know how much longer I can..." Do this. Hold on. Keep it together. "...I thought you might like to know...I found one of your brothers in Utah. Aaron... And I know your other brother is alive. And that...there are more family members, but I could not locate them. They were underground..."
She paused, moistening her lips and swallowing passed the lump in her throat. Her voice was low, a little hoarse, but soft.
"...and I will get Olesya for you. So she is here for you when you wake. And for Maddie. So you three..."
David B. said:
"Thank you."It sounded /just/ like his voice, coming from the darkness around her, dulled by the semi-technical,semi-fleshy body of the ship. Yet he did not seem to move.
Kyrie Blaze said:
The voice caused her to jerk and lift her head from its resting place against her hand to stare, wide-eyed, into the Elder that remained unchanged and unmoving within the pod.It wasn't.
...was it?
"...David..?"
But it wasn't from within the tank...but out here. She blinked and slowly turned.
Damien Blaze said:
Leaning against a pod behind her, a male with jet black hair in a dragon uniform. His blue eyes were identical to Davids, and the beams blew out of the darkness light the bulbs on a lighthouse, staring right at her. Using his shoulder to lean, he was picking the nails on his left hand with a knife held in his right, looking her over."You are the Captain, right?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
With the dim light...it was hard to see. She couldn't see in the dark. The blue of his eyes was exactly like David's. Was it..?"Acting as such in David's stead, but, yes."
She took a slow breath; ready just in case, but hoping luck was on her side with something right now.
Damien Blaze said:
He walked out of the dark, into the light of the glowing tubes. His uniform was different- unlike the crisp, clean and well kept uniform, tightly fitting, the buttons of his jacket were completely undone, revealing the dress shirt and loose tie underneath. As he got closer, she would see a striking resemblance to the Dragon behind her, as his eyes traveled to the man."Hear that? She's just acting in your stead, ya heavy bastard. No need to get squirmy."
The man glanced back at her. Yeah, he carried David there. So what?
"What is your name?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
She didn't step away from the tank...but the glow from it vast his features in soft light. She'd seen him before. In Mexico. She breathed a slow sigh. Just a soft exhale to ease the anxious tension she could still feel building."You forgot my name, Damien? Kiyr Barrial."
Damien Blaze said:
He tilted his head, then gestured at the tank."Looking at me, your back is to the light so I couldn't see your face."
He looked up at David and walked forward, putting his hand on the tank.
"You love him."
It was a statement, not a question.
Kyrie Blaze said:
She might have murmured an apology as she bowed her head just slightly. Slowly, she turned back. Her fingertips brushed the barrier adn then slid down as her hand fell back to her side."Yes." It was a simple response, true and clear despite her hushed voice. Underneath it was just the resignation she would never be with him...but it didn't mean she loved him any less.
Kyrie Blaze said:
"He...does, to my knowledge."Blue eyes flickered to Damien, then back to David.
"He did not, however, choose me."
Kyrie Blaze said:
"...he could not let the little girl Olesya adopted be without a whole family." Kyrie surprised herself with how even her voice was. The major component to his choice...aside from his love for Olesya. Damien Blaze said:
Damien faced her fully."Ah. That is a tough call."
He turned back to David.
"Strange...it wasn't this "Olesya" whose name he spoke when I carried him here. It was yours. The last and first thing I heard him say in years."
He sheathed his knife.
"I'm in love with your sister."
Wow. Tact much?
Kyrie Blaze said:
Damien's words caused her to close her eyes as her heart gave a lurch. A pained hope. One she had to face that...could never be. She had to remember her--Her eyes snapped open despite the sting to them as her head jerked so she could look at him, directly.
"...wh-what?"
Damien Blaze said:
Damien stuck his hands in his pockets, turning now to lean his back against Davids kolo pod."We met north. Traveled together awhile. She started...driving me nuts. Figured out it was that I was in love with her. She had a prior commitment, and I didn't wasnt to interere with it. So. I know what you are going through. It turned out Robert or Ronald or Roger or something was dead, so...I guess I got lucky. But...I still remember what it was like."
He would look into the dark, making sure nobody was hiding.
"I'm sorry it's happening to you."
Kyrie Blaze said:
She stared as he explained. She knew Arianna knew Ronald was dead. She'd travelled with a friend, she said. She had even explained how she was revived...and how she could be revived again. She hadn't known that she could bring a person back, though, hence her panic when she saw her burning.Not a sight she ever wanted to see again.
She drew in a slow breath and then nodded, taking the sympathy without complaint but lapsing back to silence.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie's brow drew together in confusion despite her widening eyes. Why..? Aside from sympathy for what she was going through, it was likely because he loved her sister. She didn't think he held a great amount of fondness for her...but...maybe she was wrong. It wasn't like she was in the right place to sort something like that out.Her lips parted as though she would reply...before she kind of shrugged her shoulders instead and wound her arms around herself, casting her gaze downward.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien would clench his teeth before shaking his head."I wish...he was here."
He sort of half flicked his head in Davids direction.
"Dude's all into the touchy feely crap. It just...it's like petting a cat the wrong way for me. Makes me want to hiss, so to speak."
Stop talking about cats.
"I...can find your sister, if you want."
Kyrie Blaze said:
She wished, too.Her gaze she lifted up as he spoke, gauging and weighing and...and really, what did she need? Her arms uncurled and she quietly stepped forward. The hug she gave was brief--no more than a second or two. And light.
She stepped back, after, gaze lowered again.
"I...not yet."
Should she explain?
Damien Blaze said:
His eyes widened a little, hands out to the side for a second awkwardly before he brought them down around her shoulders- and surprisingly, would be a very amazing hug. Just the right about of feeling, with letting her be the one to lead into pulling away. His eyes softened after it- unlike petting a cat the wrong way, once it happened, it spread a warmth in his chest, and made him feel at least a little closer to someone."Ah. I see. Any...particular reason? Was in the whole self-combustion thing? Kuz thats just her Qi...y'know...poof, fire, then bam, life for everyone."
Kyrie Blaze said:
It eased her. It comforted her.It even surprised her.
Kyrie shook her head, slowly.
"No, not that. I know she would only be concerned for him, now..but she was not terribly...pleased with him for a while." She brushed her hand against her arm, looking back into the tank. David's expression was peaceful, at least. "...it helps to have someone that just loves him, here, for now..."
Damien Blaze said:
Damien chuckled."I don't blame her. I hate the bastard too. Self righteous, hypocritical holier than thou semi-narcissist."
He would grin if she seemed shocked.
"I'm only kidding. He's not a bastard."
He chuckled again at his own joke.
"Sorry...I...again, comforting is not my strong point. I'm glad you are here though. Despite how you might feel...you have his strength. I think thats why he put you in charge. Why else would he have made THAT his password?"
He watched her...how would he know what the password was? Well...it didn't need to be brought up unless she asked.
Kyrie Blaze said:
She seemed dumbfounded and shocked alright. It was probably the most unintentionally unguarded she'd been in a while and while it made her extremely uneasy...it was also...okay?She blinked slowly as he explained and almost timidly pat his arm in silent comfort before her hand fell back and she resumed standing with her arms wrapped around her middriff.
But she had to ask, watching him.
"...how did you come to know it..?"
Damien Blaze said:
He seemed to be calming down."When we were little, that was the first thing our parents used to teach us. To trust each other. It was probably one of the biggest things to our family, because outside of the house, we couldn't trust anyone. But when it was us three, that was it. Me, Aaron and David. And our parents, of course. We looked after each other. When I got older, it was something we put in our letters often. "I trust you.". It make one another understand that, despite all the miles that separate us, we're brothers. And it's a bond that outdoes distance. I may have guessed it from that, and it wouldn't be too farfetched."
He winked.
"Or I just asked the ship. It can communicate with humans telepathically, if the humans know how."
Kyrie Blaze said:
The blonde's eyes softened just a bit, easing the hollow quality they'd held. She preferred the story of their family more. But the asking the ship made her blink."...I thought it was only the masks that enabled telepathic communication with the ship."
Her head tilted.
Damien Blaze said:
He shook his head."The masks give you control. The masks allow startup and shut down. The masks are required for every critical function."
He stuck his hands in his pockets.
"But when a mask wearer speaks through the ship and into the minds of those without a mask, the mental energies are consistant. In order for this ship to force its way past the natural mental block, it required the energy and force of a mask. But for those of who have communicated with the telepathic before..."
He tapped the side of his head.
"You remember what it feels like. And how to open your mind to the energy and...start a dialogue, if a restricted one."
Kyrie Blaze said:
"...mmm..." She made the thoughtful sound and exhaled quietly. With such a complete mind meld with teh ship and taking in so much information at once...it was no wonder she could miss some things. She was certain David had missed the search function, after all.With her arms tucked around herself, it made resisting touchin the pod easier.
"I see. That makes sense, then."
Damien Blaze said:
Damien would glance over her."You...have something on your mind, if feels like. But your not saying."
Kyrie Blaze said:
"You are correct." She tilted her head the other way. "But it is not just one thing and...I am not so certain I want to share with anyone, for the moment." Damien Blaze said:
He shrugged."Okay."
And that was it. Damien was literal, and sometimes uncaring-seeming. But he knew the feeling of not wanting to talk about something and having someone bug the shit out of him about it. How annoying! He'd punch himself in his own throat if he went about doing that to other people. So he assumed she was being honest and would tell someone when or if she felt like it.
He turned to the pod.
"Can you ask if you are able to wake him up?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
His agreement allowed her some relief. Others would have pressed and she was thankful he did not. And she was also thankful that he was rational and logical--because she wasn't so much herself, right now.When he asked if she could ask about waking David she blinked once, owlishly, and then looked back at the pod as the mask that was bonded to her appeared over her face. She really didn't need to do it, per se, because the mask was part of her. But it felt a little better this way. And it let Damien know without a verbal answer that she hadn't thought of that.
She posed the question to the ship in silence.
Damien Blaze said:
The ship responded."You could. But his body is in severe truama- wakening him without treatment could cause a breakdown of tissues should he panic. His coma is also localized to his brain- meaning, his mind is most of it, not just his physical damages. Pulling him from the psychosis may completely alter his state of being. Would you like to to initiate an activation protein in order to bring him out of it?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
Her breath wavered - at first hopeful with the inhale, then dejected with the exhale - and she shook her head.'No, there is...no need. Can you give me an estimated time that the damage will be lessened enough so there is minimal risk..?'
Damien Blaze said:
The ship responded."His body will be fully healed in four days. His mental state is unknown. It is internal truama, and even should he have a healthy shell, his mind may still kill him. I could calculate a relatively summarized time schedule if you wish."
Kyrie Blaze said:
'I would appreciate it.'She turned to Damien and pressed her lips together.
"...his body will heal before the mental trauma is healed. Bringing him out of his comatose state could have extreme repercussions. The ship is compiling a schedule for me that notes calculations on a timeframe..."
Damien Blaze said:
Almost directly following her saying that, the ship replied."Time schedule complete. Safe awakening should be possible within 15 years. Medium risk at five years. High risk before three. There seems to be a self-confliction at particular synapse connections. His brain has been over stimulated. In human terms...he does not seem to want to wake up."
Kyrie Blaze said:
As the ship relayed information to her, she relayed it to Damien, that sinking feeling growing."It would be guaranteed his mind would not handle waking up in the first three years. There is a medium risk after five...with safely waking him around fifteen years... From what can be discerned...his brain has been over-stimulated. He does not wish to wake."
Her voice fell to a hushed whisper.
'...are you able to keep him in the physical state he is now, then, during this...time schedule..?'
Damien Blaze said:
The ship seemed unpreturbed, obviously unfeeling in regards to what was going on."I can keep him alive. His body will age normally, as I can't control the passage of time, but I can sustain him for up to one hundred years, though he will reflect that time frame."
Kyrie Blaze said:
'Thank you...'The mask remained for the moment.
"...and in that time frame he will age normally." She quietly concluded.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien was oddly quiet.He turned back to the pod.
"You're a selfish bitch, ya know that?"
And he would turn to go.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Her throat locked, but she pushed passed it."Damien?" She remained looking at the pod, brow knotting together before she looked at him. "...are you going to see my sister..?"
She didn't ask him to stay. She didn't ask why he said what he had.
Damien Blaze said:
He turned back."Yes. Why don't you come along? He's obviously not going to wake up."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Her arms shifted and for a moment...she seemed indecisive."You have not seen one another for a long time, right..? ...enjoy your time with her." Right here was proof you never knew how long you had. Not really. David would be able to wake. And Kyrie and Damien would remain unchanged. She imagined maybe her sister would be older, but... David would lose out on ten or fifteen years. He would not be the father he wanted to be for Maddie.
"...I think I would be poor company to keep right now..."
Damien Blaze said:
Damien stared. Then, he took a deep breath, stuffing his riling irritation down. He wasn't even pissed off. He was just irritated. He would watch her for several seconds."Do you want me to stay?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
She stared and struggled again. "You do not have to...I am certain she has missed you."
Damien Blaze said:
He gave a small smile."We had a lot longer together than you will lose with my brother. I will stay."
He took off his jacket and started rolling up his sleeves.
Kyrie Blaze said:
It meant something...that he would stay. So she didn't drive him away. She turned back to the pod and sniffed, softly, but remained standing. She would not...she would not cry, she simply turned to silence.But she was grateful all the same.
Damien Blaze said:
As she turned back...she would notice Davids hand was on the inside of the tube...though he seemed absolutely unconscious. Kyrie Blaze said:
For a few long moments...she didn't move. She simply stared, wondering if she really was losing it, now.One arm snuck free to let her fingers brush against the barrier. Her lip trembled before she pressed them ino a line as her palm pressed to the clear surface.
Damien Blaze said:
The arm seemed to be floating there, and his face and most of his body wasn't visible because of the shadows cast from the light behind him and the general darkness of the room...but there was a clear path in the fluid that showed his arm lifted and pressed....and floated there.Damien was still back, adjusting his clothes, and nothing else changed on David, as his eyes and body remained perfectly still.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Could he hear..? Was it simply a change in density within the fluid itself? She didn't know. Maybe it was simply for the best she didn't press to know. She didn't speak, still. Maybe she should have cursed him, too.But she didn't. Nor could she.
He was alive...and for now would continue to live. Even if they had to wait ten or fifteen years.
"...it is better than never again..."
And yet, chances were highly likely she would live to see him die. It was something she didn't want to think about. There would be questions when others noticed, eventually.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien would call out."So tell me- was your feelings for him the reason you came to get me? Or...would you have come anyway?"
If Kiyr turned back to Damien...she would probably look back at David and notice his arm had slipped back down to his side. If she stayed looking at David, his arm would slowly slide off the pod and rest once more at his side.
Kyrie Blaze said:
She remained watching him a little while longer. When his hand slid down...she moved hers off the pod and turned to Damien."It was not just my feelings for him, but they would have played a part. I lost my entire family the day the bombs fell. I had no idea my grandfather survived...or that my choice in last rights brought Arianna back. What would I not do to see someone I care for have his family restored to him? ...where would I not go and what would I not do so he would not have to live thinking you and Aaron were lost to him?"
...how could she have stood in the way, as well, when he wanted a family for Maddie? A family with Olesya?
All she wished, at the end of the day - aside from him being able to wake safely, sooner - was that he was happy. Her love ran that deep that it could translate so simply. Too simply, it seemed, as it was often understated in such things.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien thought to himself a moment."I see. And what will you do if he never wakes up? It's possible he could be in a coma for the rest of his life. Will you wait? Or will you find a way to move on?"
He stuck his hands in his pockets, curious, but not upset.
Kyrie Blaze said:
"...he made his choice, though, did he not..?" She spoke quietly. Very quietly. She didn't know if she should hold on to whatever hope lay burning beneath it all. It wouldn't be fair to him - not that this was to begin with - or to her, or to Olesya and Maddie. And she had the Dragon civilians on board to think about, not to mention the Core.
They would have to come first, for now, regardless.
"I do not think I could give you an answer right now, Damien...any answer I could give you is lined with grief and uncertainty."
At least she was honest.
Damien Blaze said:
He nodded."You understand, then, the position he has given you. Leon isn't here. Mathew is gone as well. You, as Captain of the ship, lead these people now. Over two thousand lives are under your control, with a standing army of four hundred."
He glanced at David.
"He must have really trusted you."
Kyrie Blaze said:
. o O ( Mathew technically got on the ship. Ryan's just blah. )The blonde slowly turned her head to look at him before shifting her body away from facing the tank, as well.
"...yes... I understand it."
It was one of the many reasons they had to come first. She silently sent the ship a query and received her answer quickly.
"At present capacity we could exist in this ship for two and a half months. I will be looking into hospitable planets we can safely get to that will support us. But I have others to return to earth for. Your brother, and..." She hesitated more than paused, but continued on, because he needed to know. He needed to hear her say it to him, as well. "You all have other family alive on Earth, though they dwell underground."
Damien Blaze said:
Damien frowned."Other family...?"
He stepped forward slowly.
"Like who?"
He had much to tell her, and it seemed like they had little time but....he would do what he could, with what he had to go on. To hear he had more family...? That. That was more than a little shocking.
Kyrie Blaze said:
"I am not sure, but I will be finding out, and retrieving them, as well." She watched him, quietly and closely. Not because she was afraid, but because she strove to understand him more than she did. But she figured that the news of more family would be shocking.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien would chew his lip a moment. He wanted to talk to her about it- but he had gained far too much patience, and it seemed she didn't know much more than that they were related."Okay. In the meantime, I suggest we meet with this Titan you fancy, and perhaps see if he can offer us more supplies and shelter while we figure out what to do. Also, until my brother wakes up, I'd like to step into a role as your advisor. Four hundred years gives me a...rather wide birth of knowledge that can help you in many ways."
Kyrie Blaze said:
She knew more than she spoke of - the dreams had been hers and David's - but he was right in that she only knew they were related. And she had specifically asked for relations to David....this Titan...she fancied..?
She blinked, her brow furrowing a touch...until she worked out he meant was friends with. At least, that was most likely. She kept her silence as he spoke of his age...seemingly considering the offer.
He would always be four hundred or so years her elder...and it was a thought that made her want to quiver. She closed her eyes and then opened them slowly. She could not make light of it. The offer, nor the fact that she would be like him. Timeless. And yet...there would come a time she would perish.
"I would be honoured, Damien."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie blinked."The ARC..?" She had simply looked up Olesya's location in the middle of the battle, not who was holding her. It was something else she would have to research when she made her other searches to gather as much information as quickly as she could.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien nodded."An old friend started running it back in the thirties. When I left, it was before the bombs fell. He's been using funds from multi-governments to build it. He's making it into a space-faring ship, similar to this one, but mechanical. And huge. The size of a city. But there are plants, animals and food aboard. I'd assume it's already done, but he's waiting for the right time to launch."
He stuck his hands in his pockets and watched her.
"I'd assume he's still running it. He's like me, in that he can live forever. But he can be killed, physically. But I like him."
Kyrie Blaze said:
"...would there be a way to negotiate for Olesya's release..?"She tilted her head.
"Preferably without exchanging someone else for her."
Damien Blaze said:
He shrugged."I don't know Olesya. I know him. He will decide but...if you wish, I will do what I can for her."
Kyrie Blaze said:
"...not currently. At least...not until we know more of what they want."She shook her head.
The door opened.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien would half turned to the door."If thats what you wish."
He waited to see who would come through, as it was a little dark in here.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Even with the shadow and silhouette, it wouldn't take much to figure it out. The outline was female, though it was easy to see a male peek in before easing away to resume holding up the wall outside.Kyrie turned her gaze, a little wary. It immediately faded.
Arianna Barrial said:
"I figured I would eventually find you." Arianna Barrial said:
The smile was in her voice, being that her face was hidden as she carefully picked her way towards them in the darkened 'room'."If I wasn't pleased I'd probably hit you...but it was easier than I thought."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie allowed herself a faint smile. It seemed so familiar. She used to jest with Ronald, too. She said nothing, for now. Just bowed her head a little. Damien Blaze said:
He gave a grin- the first true grin he had given around anyone but her."I thought about hiding a while longer but...the ship is only so large, and I risked enough when I dragged you on board."
Kyrie Blaze said:
She watched them. That grin was more than enough for Kyrie. She hadn't doubted he loved her. The words...there was truth to them. But that simple action conformed what mere words couldn't. Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna sidled closer, glancing at her sister with the grace to look sheepish and apologetic. There were reasons she couldn't say, and she hoped her sister would understand. Regardless, they would talk later. Her gaze found its way back to Damien in the dim glow."I would like to thank you properly, for that." She tilted her head, concerned. "I didn't hurt you too much, did I?"
And teasing.
Damien Blaze said:
He turned his chin up, the old Blaze-smirk on his face."Psh. You still refuse to throw your weight behind your punches. As if you could hurt me otherwise."
He would forget everyone else- he always did when he saw her- and wrap his arms around her, lifting her up into a kiss.
"I missed you."
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna leaned up to press her lips against his chin before settling back onto her feet. She stayed close, but let her hands loosen and fall from the back of his neck. Instead, she let one hand slip behind to rest against his back. Part of her found it a bit hard to believe he'd been there."I thought I would stay there, if for a few days, to ensure everyone settled in. Some of the children are still in need of care, especially the ones that were rescued from the ICU, not to mention the other patients..." She trailed off and looked at the tanks...and the raven-haired man floating in the nearest one. She looked towards her sister, purely sympathetic, before looking back at Damien. She poked his side. "And just how long have you been around?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie shifted her gaze. She didn't stare at tthem, though part of her felt compelled to leave. She stayed, and looked up after a few moments, after their initial greeting. She was happy for them, but she hadn't been lying about saying she wasn't the best company for right now. Damien Blaze said:
Damien would make a gun with his right hand and point to the corner...where, in the dark, a bed and small bag were laid out."I don't much like people.. So...I've stuck it in here. It's quiet, and I can talk all I want to my brother without him mouthing off back."
He let the small smile stay on his face, giving a glance to David before returning them to her.
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna smiled. She knew that. "No, silly. I meant within the Dragon ranks." Damien Blaze said:
Damien laughed aloud, his voice clear and absorbed soundly by the fleshy walls of the room."Oh God, no. I don't. I didn't join the Dragons. I mean, no offense to you, Kiyr and the others but...gangs, groups and civilizations fall. Theres no reason to think this one will stand any longer than the rest. If I'm going to join anything, it has to last for...well, quite a long time. And this little ragtag group...it's already started falling apart."
He didn't mean to sound cold, callous or cruel...he was just calling it like he saw it.
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna gave half a smile with a slight roll of her eyes. He was too literal...but she loved him for it--and at rare times despite it.She leaned her head against his arm. "I meant in hiding, now that we've gone through the steps~"
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie didn't respond. She might not have wanted to believe it...but there it was. She didn't know why David thought she could hold it together. Or at least keep it from breaking apart completely. She mustered a wan smile and then shook her head, turning her attention back to David. Damien Blaze said:
He grinned."I finished my mission, got what information I needed. But i've been hiding here for a few weeks. Trying to...decide what to do."
His grin faded.
Arianna Barrial said:
He'd hidden away. She'd hoped to hear that it was but only a few days... It stung, but, Arianna could tell that it would have been for good reason. "Damien..? What did you find out?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
Missions and information and a decision. Kyrie looked back at Damien, waiting to see if he answered her sister's prompting and what he would say. Damien Blaze said:
He would turn away...before clearing his throat."He's coming. But I doubt he foresaw this ship. So...as long as she stays here, and David as well, we should be safe."
He would walk up to the tank.
"Here me, you squishy bastard? Keep self depricating. We need you to stay as long as possible."
A grin.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie shifted on her feet and glanced between David and Damien, then back to Arianna. She caught her bottom lip and worried it a little. Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna let her hand fall away and gave a faint smile. Worried and concerned, but, still amused at being able to see Damien with his brother, unresponsive though the latter may have been. She was sure even though he would be concerned and upset with David's condition...it would just be good to be around him. To not have to hide. Damien Blaze said:
Damien turned back to her."He wants your sister. I toyed with the idea of killing her in order to save my brother but...figured you wouldn't be too fond of that idea."
He clenched his teeth.
"He's never failed. The puppeteer. And my brother is next on his list."
Arianna Barrial said:
"Not...overly fond, no." Arianna's tone was troubled. It was now she moved forward, to him. There wasn't much she could do - or any of them, really - from here. But it was no small blessing that her sister and David were out of his reach.For now. And hopefully never would they be within his reach.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien would look to Kiyr."You need to do a neurological search of everyone on this ship. If any of them have an E17 mental signature...then he is the one."
He looked to Arianna.
"He's my brother..."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie nodded. She would. There was no way she was not going to. Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna reached up to brush her fingers against his jaw and gently cup her hands against his face."I know, love." They'd do everything they could for him. She had no doubt.
Damien Blaze said:
He lowered his voice."Stay here with me. I...know we're not married yet. But...stay with me."
He searched her eyes.
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna was quiet as she searched his eyes. She trusted him, there was no doubt of that. He wouldn't ask unless...Her brow furrowed a little.
"Okay. I will." She brushed a thumb against his skin, seemingly waiting for something.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien cleared his throat, nodding. He wasn't good at getting hints...and he didn't grasp anything he should do. Beside give her a little kiss."Thank you."
Arianna Barrial said:
"Aside from the obvious--that you just want to be with me." She lifted her head and drew back just enough to comfortably look up. "You're worried about David, but...something else."She thought about it.
"Because I could be used to get to my sister..?"
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna leaned up after he answered to press her lips to his, intending on smoothing his ruffled feathers, so to speak. There was only so much protecting one could do. Sometimes...the person they were protecting needed that knowledge, as well. Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie spoke, at length. "Thank you for thinking of her."It just proved he always would.
Damien Blaze said:
He kissed her back, eyes sliding closed slowly a moment before he blinked and looked over at Kiyr."I know you will live in his room while he is gone. I and Arianna will be on guardian shifts outside your room, along with the other people you trust. Only at the same time. So there will be time...when it's just us three, together, at once. And we can cover all bases."
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna pulled back another step, letting her fingers alide back the opposite way along his jaw before lowering to her sides. Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie nodded after a moment, thinking it over. She would not ask it of August and Youichi--not because she didn't trust them, but that she wasn't thinking she wanted them involved in this. But would they be used against her to get to David?"I will think on who to add to our list. Einrik, certainly."
Kyrie Blaze said:
"Einrik is a Titan. He...chose to try and sell that I had stolen something of the Titan's that I possess, when it was given to me by Hyperion, himself. Then he questioned Hyperion's judgement by continuing to try to decry me." She sighed.
"You can imagine how kindly he took that. After sending me back home, he sent Einrik to be...whatever I wanted him to be, be it servant or warrior. He seems to be my shadow."
Damien Blaze said:
Damien stared, then laughed, after several seconds."Oh God...Hyperion did that? Geez...dude has only gotten even more vivacious in the last several hundred years."
He chuckled to himself more.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie blinked. It was so easy - too easy - to forget that Damien had lived for four hundred years. She managed a small smile."Perhaps sometime you will tell me stories..."
Damien Blaze said:
Damien shook his head."Nah. He's not overly fond of me. Shocking, I know. Probably has something to do with me flirting with his wife."
He glanced at Arianna.
"It was...in the late eighteen hundreds and...right after my wife died. I was a little bitter, and made fun of Hyperion in a bar. We fought, for about two hours, and when I lost, I flirted with his wife. He doesn't like me."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie's eyes dimmed. "Themis... When we see him, I do not recommend asking to do so again." Kyrie Blaze said:
The thought hadn't crossed her mind that he would have done so with her; she furrowed her brows when he explained but smiled and shook her head. It would have been comical, mostly. Aside from the fact that Damien was hurting very much, at the time. Damien Blaze said:
Damien shrugged."Well, since she rolled her eyes and continued to drink...I'd assume she wasn't interested. She still kickin' it with him or has she moved on to greener pastures?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
The blonde pulled in a deep breath."She would be with him, still... My run-ins with the Titans have not been all positive ones. Kronos wanted my sould for a bargaining chip. Khaos wanted my soul for his own purposes. Hyperion helped me...more than he should have. He was exiled for it, and Themis by proximity to him. Khaos found them and took Themis' soul, though Hyperion told me she is dead."
She didn't quite understand how that worked. If the Titan Circle Hyperion gave her would protect her from Khaos...why not Themis?
Kyrie Blaze said:
Arianna frowned. She knew the gist of most of it, though her sister hadn't fully been able to explain everything to her, yet, either. Damien Blaze said:
Damien frowned."I see. Themis gave her Titan circle to her daughter when she was born in the early roman empire. Her daughter...didn't have the titan gene. So Uranos has been watching over her."
Kyrie Blaze said:
...that...that explained it. Kyrie paled, but nodded. She understood, and it made sense, now. Kyrie Blaze said:
"Not really," She admitted. "...but I will be fine again, given time."She knew it was...freely given, all of it. There were just times she didn't understand why.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Arianna stood where she was for now, just watching. Damien Blaze said:
Damien took her shoulders."Like hell. Tell me what just ran through your brain like a freight train."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie's eyes flickered to the hands on her shoulders--first to one, then the others, before looking up."...there are times I do not understand why. Why me, in this case, aside from what he has told me. I still do not, not truly. Some things...make a bit more sense."
And her respolve grew.
"Khaos targeted Themis because she did not have her Titan's Circle. It was an ambush on Khaos's part, and a cowardly one at that. He had hoped to get Hyperion to trade my soul for his wife's." These were just the things she knew, simply reaffirming them, in a sense.
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna moved up and lay her hand lightly on Damien's shoulder, just listening. Damien Blaze said:
David stared."Son of a bitch. He gave you his circle."
He was only a little shocked.
Kyrie Blaze said:
The blonde swallowed and stared. Her silence would be enough of an answer, though her expression said it. She looked back at David, seemingly floating peacefully, and returned to her silence...mostly because her throat closed up again. Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna frowned. The Circle granted a soul protection, from what she gathered. Which undoubtedly was a good thing, but there was something she was missing. Kyrie Blaze said:
"He has said before that I have a powerful light...and I have seen his power first hand." She moved her shoulders a miniscule amount. "When he gave it to me...he spoke...to her, I believe. He said he had done as she--Themis, had asked. For protection."And to let Pan do the rest. Kyrie knew what it did. The burden of it she kept to herself.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie sighed and finally turned her gaze back to Damien."He told me that he would come for me." Though, now, whether he had meant the puppeteer or Khaos or both remained unspoken, as she didn't know. "And that when he would, he would find no hold on my soul. Crackless glass, like steel. Concrete, iron, and brick.Anyone who tried to take it would lose their hand."
Damien Blaze said:
Damien searched her eyes."Kiyr. Why would he do that? A titan...simply isn't whole without that. It's magnitude...religously, spiritually...it is the pride of their race. I can't...it doesn't process correctly that they would give it to someone who...no offense...who doesn't earn it or deserve it. Kiyr. Why would he give you his circle?"
His eyes penetrated her.
Kyrie Blaze said:
She was silent. Stubbornly so, for quite a while."Many reasons, I would imagine. So he could follow Themis, perhaps, being one among them." She stood still a moment, staring, not quite defiant but feeling defeated. "So my soul would never be twisted by Khaos. Maybe so this puppeteer could not have me. I do not know. He would need to explain it, himself."
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna let her hand fall, watching and listening. Damien Blaze said:
Damien stepped forward...and would plant a hand on her chest, on her sternum."Show me."
Kyrie Blaze said:
"You think a Titan would lie about seeing it? You think a Titan so loyal to Hyperion would dare question him, would accuse me of stealing it, if it were not so?" She partially hissed the whisper, then instead of using her palm to shift his hand away - no luck, anyway - she curled her fingers around his wrist to direct his hand. "Just do not be foolish enough to test to see if taking it would take your hand." Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna didn't take the warning, if it was to stay back. She remained, unsure of what she could do, but...she could at least convince them to settle down, if need be, she was fairly sure. Damien Blaze said:
Damien stared into her eyes."It's not about believing you Kiyr. I want to see it's extent. To see if...maybe. MAYBE it could protect you."
Or even kill him.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie's eyes widened at the same time Arianna's did. He meant to test it? To test its extent?! Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna, thankful she hadn't - thankful for being willfully stubborn when it counted - abruptly stepped forward and twisted, planting herself between Damien and her sister. "Damien. No." She tried to keep her voice level, but her sister just said it would take the hand of anyone that tried to take her soul, and so the second word wavered. But by his word it was even clear to her he intended to test more than just that, even if she hadn't understood the extent of what the Circle did...it was rapidly making sense to her.
Arianna Barrial said:
She didn't say to make her, because he likely would, but the stubbornly tense line of her jaw said as much, anyway. She was afraid for her sister, too, if she didn't. Would it really help? Damien had a point, albeit a rather ruthless one that was destined to bring him to harm, at the very least.She didn't move.
Damien Blaze said:
Damiens face slackened, and he seemed to almost...lose emotion in his face...like he was preparing for something."....move."
Arianna Barrial said:
If his intentions were to frighten her with that..."Damien..."
...well. It was working.
What did he really want her to do? Just step back like it was alright that either he or her sister would possibly be hurt - seriously or no - by this? There were some things a person couldn't accept and this, for her, was one of them. That he was distancing himself and essentially shutting her out made it worse.
She reached up, taking his chin to pull him down towards her to kiss him and then nearly whirled to stride away. There was no way she could have grace with that 'acceptance'. She didn't want to watch. Yet...she turned back.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie watched the echange, her heartbeats hard, fast, and painful. She didn't say anything to them, but eased back a little...and watched. Damien Blaze said:
Damien would et her kiss him...and reflexively kissed her back, which caused his wall to crack, and her walking away caused it to crumble. He turned away...walked toward the pods for several seconds...before stopping and shouting."ARIANNA!"
He hoped she would stop and turn back. He never shouted before, and he...realy didn't want to make her scared of him. He wanted her to love him, one hundred percent of the time. He kicked a metal beam next to the pod...and turned back to her. He ignored Kiyr- he let his wall stay down so he could talk to her.
"He's my brother. When...when Themis gave her circle to her daughter, I was there. My Qi...it doesn't react well to the Titan circle. My Qi is...metaphysically identical to the man coming after her. If I touch it...if I touch it and die, like i did when I touched Themis' daughter's, I will know that this circle is not different from Themis'. That this circle does the same to me that...that it will do to the man who wants to visit his horrors on my family."
He turned away, running a hand through his hair. Very Blaze-like.
"I love you, okay? But I love my brother. He's all I have in the world. The only blood relative I have. When he is dead, and Aaron is dead, and Kiyr is dead and everyone I know is gone...then it will be me. And you. I...don't want you to be afraid of me. Not like everyone else in the last four hundred years. But...I have to know."
He watched her, eyes full of emotion, again, pretending Kiyr did not exist.
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna didn't leave. She couldn't. But he'd told her to move, so move she did. So she had moved away--out of the way. Out of his way, out of her sister's way, out of the way of the door. She just went to the side of where Damien and Kyrie were. She hadn't intended on watching, if it came down to him dying. Her gaze was bright, with unshed tears. A little hard, simply because she had to brace herself if it did do as it was supposed to do.She watched him, and despite the edge and tears, they were warm and alive with emotion.
"It's not you I'm afraid of, Damien; I love you. Just--do what you need to do, before I feel like I can't stop myself from stopping you and we can talk after." Her brows drew together, not in the slightest bit happy she'd just essentially said 'Okay, try to harm my sister even though it's very likely going to backfire and probably kill you.'...both were equally bad. She clenched a hand and exhaled. He had her, here, too. She wouldn't let him go even if something did happen.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien would stare for several seconds...before nodding."Okay."
He would step forward and plant his hand again on her sternum.
"Do it."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie shifted, uncomfortably."Do...what, exactly."
It wasn't like Hyperion told her if she could activate it or not. She knew it was there--the sensation of it faded over time but...it was still there. If she could hazard a guess...
"You may need to...have the intent to do me harm."
But she tried to figure out a way to activate it, regardless, focusing on the circle that wound itself in a small ball below her heart.
Damien Blaze said:
He shook his head."Kiyr, a fourteen year old girl was able to do this. You know what it felt like when he gave it to you. A pressure, a warmth behind the sternum. Find it and push it forward using your inner energy. The same energy you use to direct your Qi. The shadows don't come from inside you- the energy that interacts with them does."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Fourteen year old girl or not, the blonde thought it was a safeguard from harm. She just hadn't thought she could actually activate it. For a moment or two, she closed her eyes to work with the energy before her crystaline blue irises were exposed to the world again. They stared at Damien as she did as he instructed.She knew his qi. He had already said he'd died from causing Themis' daughter to use it against him. He would be back. She had to believe that as she copied the feeling and sensation as closely as she could to push it twards him.
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna stood. Braced but nowhere near ready. Even though she didn't want it to happen in the slightest...she thought it had best happen sooner rather than later. Damien Blaze said:
As Kiyr shifted it, she would feel a strange shift in the energies in her chest. Like a rubber band was stretching there. The orb moved, and she would feel the warm vibrations of the orb, surrounding everything she was. Kiyr could feel everything she was moving like a rubber band-And as it touched Damiens palm, he would be blasted backward, flying across the room and slamming into the wall, catching on fire and burning brightly. The orb would snab back into place, bouncing a little there up and down before settling...and Kiyr would feel everything turn back to normal.
Kyrie Blaze said:
She could liken it to a slingshot, really. And it was something amazing. But there was no time to dwell on the awe of feeling as Damien was blown back. Her eyes widened and before she knew it she was sprinting to get there. What did she--should she put the flames out--obvious answer for her was yes. He didn't explain anything about this part--probably because he'd been dead the last time it happened, too.She used her qi to try smothering it, wincing.
Arianna Barrial said:
It happened fast, and though she tried to brace herself, she couldn't help but scream Damien's name as he flew back, hitting the wall and bursting into flames. She was slower than her younger sister, but adrenaline made it seem like a quick sprint regardless, even though her sister was already trying to put out the flames. She'd felt it before, again--but now she was aware of the tell-tale burning sensation in her own body. She wrapped her arms around herself, pushing her qi back--like she had done with the child dead at her feet. Damien Blaze said:
Kiyr would notice Damiens wide, open eyes. Lifeless. His skin was black and bubbling, the fire of the sun toasting him like a marshmellow put right in the white of the flame. He was dead as a doornail.Arianna and Kiyr would feel the heat of the flames under Kiyrs shadow...as they did not dim, and would not be smothered.
Kyrie Blaze said:
That was not a sight she was comfortable with--not at all, but she turned to Arianna when she noticed the flames wouldn't go out--but didn't seem to be spreading, either. She didn't know what or how hers worked, but she did the only thing she could think of, which was to hug her. Arianna Barrial said:
The elder Barrial stared, mouth agape, until she brought a hand to cover it to muffle a gasped sob. He would--he had to. The fire had to go out and he would-- Damien Blaze said:
After several moments, the fire dimmed...sizzled, and went out. A charred and blackened spit of mass was left. Minutes rolled by....before skin started to crinkle and shift over the form, the face came back into being as muscle moved back over his body. After twenty minutes of healing, as his body cracked and broke back into place, a gasp blasted into his lungs.He started hyperventilating, but spoke-
"Ow...ow...fuck...ow...ow.....ow...ow..."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Well, there wasn't much chance of her letting go of Arianna for quite a while. Arianna Barrial said:
Nothing but charcoal, it seemed. A human-sized lump of charcoal. She'd never seen--she was grateful her sister was here, because she kept her from going completely over--and even though the first quiver of skin looked disgusting it brought a sense of relief. Still she was held on to as her legs gave out so her younger sister lowered them. She sat, sprawled, and watched. And waited. It was just as bad - not really - as watching him burn and she was thankful that even if he had to watch her burn, at least the revival was instant. It was about fifteen minutes in when she finally tore away and scrambled to sit there--so when he gasped and began to hyperventilate, she was there, already brushing her hands over his face, her own still wet."Shh-hh. Br-reathe. Just breathe..."
Damien Blaze said:
He growled, as bones that were snapped from the strength of the blow cricked back into place."Yea...AUGH! I'll do that...uughh..."
He groaned, his skin healing over as his back popped three vertebre back into place. He took several deep breaths, his ankle the last to twist back on.
Thirty minutes later, he was whole again. He lay there, breathing steadily but still slightly pink.
"Burning...burning always sucks. You feel the tingle for weeks."
He would sit up, putting a hand on his abs before looking to Kiyr and giving a smile...before leaning in with a smile and kissing her cheek.
"Thank you. We...you are safe. Oh...god you are safe."
He clenched his teeth.
"I need...to lie down. Acids are rolling through my body, and my qi is fighting to push the cellular deconstruction down. Titan circles are...such a bitch, and they always kill you in the worst ways. Themis'....hers was worse but...still, this blew."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie watched, able to compose herself better than her sister, though she was still pale and rather drawn. The bones snapped back into place and she winced, just slightly, before watching again. If she had had to do it, then she made herself watch the death...and the emergence back into life.She exhaled slowly and nodded. She would help him get back to the spot he'd pointed out, earlier. Likely he could manage to move his legs and walk, but, she imagined Arianna wouldn't be leaving his side any time soon.
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna shook her head and lifted a hand to try and rub away the worst of the tear stains, her other hand soothingly stroking over his brow. And when he sat up, she moved to sit there with him, an arm looped against his back. She was having a hard time holding her tongue, but looked to her younger sister when he mentioned needing to lie down. She nodded, and both of them helped Damien to his feet and moved him over to lower him to lie down. She sniffed...but her crying had passed a while back.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien would allow them to carry him to his bed, leaning heavily on the pair before he would lie down, taking Ariannas hand and holding her there, looking up at her sadly."This is our life. I will die, many times. As will you. Such...such is the circle of immortality. You get to feel the pain, and enter the darkness...only to be brought back to life to see it all again. This pain...is a small price to pay for your safety."
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna didn't stand, nor did she make an attempt to, after Damien was settled. She just watched him for a few moments as she threaded her fingers through his."I know--but I don't have four hundred years under my belt to...cope with it, right now."
Compared to him, she was the very first green of spring. It was quite a gap to span, and there was no way for her to take it so stoically. Maybe she never would truly get over it...but it wasn't something she would dwell on right now.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie backed away a foot or two and waited for a break to ask: "What had you done to Themis' daughter that she would use it on you..?" Damien Blaze said:
Damien smiled, a little pale."It's not that you ever get over seeing it...you are too kind hearted to turn out like me. Cold and...unfeeling. Your mind won't change like mine. I won't let it."
He looked at Kiyr....and stared.
"I don't know what you mean." he lied.
Arianna Barrial said:
She squeezed his hand and brushed her lips against his, before sitting up. She hadn't forgotten about that, just, she hadn't known when it would be best to ask. She lay her free hand, cool, upon his brow. Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie stared right back, her expression going a little flat."You admitted that you have been killed by Themis' circle before, and it was her daughter that holds it, Damien. You can either answer now, or I would think you will hear no end of it from Arianna."
Her head tilted, just a little. She had an edge when it was needed.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien glanced at Arianna, then winced, rolling onto his back."I'm not afraid of Arianna. To know that she would sit by my side and yell at me for several hours would be relieving. I'd have a normal marriage, at that point."
He smirked...but knew Kiyr would probably have a thin patience. He sighed.
"Themis and I were...working on a project together. There were...various pieces of Titan art we wanted to remove from the hands of the Greeks and Romans during the transition. At the close...her husband betrayed me. Not that i blame him- i assumed that he learned I planned to betray him first. As smart as I am, Hyperion was always one step ahead."
He half shrugged.
"Don't take it too harshly- the idea of me betraying him. You weren't really a man back then if you didn't stick your hands in your friends pockets. He had done it to others, and I had as well. It was a rite of passage, so to speak."
He twisted a moment, slightly sweaty but getting some color back in his face.
"Anyway, I threatened to kill him wife if he went through with it, and he didn't believe me, as I had fallen in love with her too. So, I used my hand turner and stuck it inside her chest to prove the point. The hand turner is an object that allows one to take a titan circle from someone. Unfortunately...my Qi had a bad reaction, as you just saw. I died instantly."
He would lick his lips.
"Hyperion took the turner from me, and left me there. He said he knew I would have given her the soul back- that he had lived much longer than i ever would, and would still be more human than me."
Damien rolled his eyes.
"Pompous ass, he was."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie tipped her head a little more as he explained. He'd fallen in love with Themis..? She could see why--it wasn't hard, at all. She nodded as he finished but before the part of the mild insult escaped the younger-yet-older Blaze's lips--and then she just shook her head. She would be surrounded by egos, wouldn't she? From all sides."Thank you for explaining... I suppose...I will leave you two," Three, really. "Be and make my rounds. I do not suppose Arianna will want to leave, nor would you want her to, so...I will see about bringing something more than your current setup for the two of you."
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna smiled, slightly. Silly man. She lightly flicked his forehead and then lay her hand back where it had been. She looked up as her sister spoke, and pushed herself up to her feet to enclose her solemn sister in a hug. Damien Blaze said:
Damien didn't respond to her thanks, but just watched them hug, to which he would give Kiyr a nod before she left. He would look to Arianna."He knew I had fallen in love with her...or, I felt that I had. In hind sight, I fell in love with the idea of her. An immortal beauty to share my forever with. But who she was...was not what I wanted or needed. Too cold, and rash. She had seen too much. You...you are warmth. Sharing my centuries with you will be...exhilirating."
Kyrie Blaze said:
She hugged back, tightly. Then let go and stepped back to head out--but not before pausing in front of the tank. She touched her hand to the clear barrier."I will be back. Once a day, I hope." Her fingers curled as she lifted her hand away and moved out the door.
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna settled herself again with a sigh. Her lips twitched at his words: reassurance and truth, for him. She was tempted to flick his forehead again, but decided against it. Instead her hand found his again and she squeezed."Centuries still feels...intimidating." Unnerving and maybe frightening, sometimes. "But it's easier to contemplate and look forward to, with you."
Damien Blaze said:
Damien smiled."When I was left at the dawn of the civil war, I was terrified. I was ten times older than you, and scared out of my wits. Would I eventually break down? How would I stay sane through the years I had to live? Why at this century was I stuck? It wasn't a...choice, for me. I didn't get to pick where I would be and move through time from. I know almost everything about history because I lived so much of it. But the future....the future is a scary thing."
He brought her other hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles.
"It's all better with someone to share it with. You don't think about time, or what will happen from one year to the next. You just...think about them, and where to go and what do to that will make them happy. I will make you happy. And you know you make me happy. So. Don't be intimidated. I'll be with you every step of the way."
Arianna Barrial said:
There was a certain security with the past. You knew what would happen. Maybe sometimes you had to interfere to see things on the right course. Mostly, though, she imagined history would play out with minimal interference. Deciding to get a little more comfortable, considering she didn't plan on going anywhere, she sidled and shifted to lie with him.She slid her arms around him and looked him in the eyes.
"You won't be alone, not any more." She smiled, faintly, her gaze soft. And when she continued, her tone was warm and amused. "You already make me happy, Damien, even at the times you vex me and make me think I could possibly hate you if I didn't love you so much."
Damien Blaze said:
Damien gave her a soft smile."I vex you? I love that. Vexing."
He would lean over and kiss her, having shifted to make room for her on the small cot. He looked into her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Do you think your sister likes me?"
It was very important to him that she did...Kiyr was the only living relative of Arianna that Damien knew about. That his future wife spent any time around. He had to get that girl to like him, otherwise, he would hate himself for it.
Arianna Barrial said:
"You can." She intoned seriously, but stopped short of saying anything more to return the kiss that helped to ease the remnants of tension. "Like before."She blinked at the question, but, considered it.
"She...doesn't dislike you. I think she just needs to continue to get to know you. She hasn't had the time to know you like I have. And you probably remind her of David, right now." And now that the cat was out of the bag between them, and Kyrie knew he was here and what he meant to her...she could ask. She brushed her hand against his side and down across his back. "How is the pain with the acids and your qi..?"
As if she would forget.
Damien Blaze said:
He glanced at her.Damn woman.
"It hurts, still. My Qi is pulling energy from my body, and its making me weaker but....I should be good to go in a few hours...you should-"
He sat up straight, staring long and hard at Davids tank.
Arianna Barrial said:
Did he forget what she was? She raised an eyebrow at his look, reproachful.She was going to ask if he would like anything to eat, even something small, but he continued and cut himself off. She twitched in a slight jerk and twisted to look.
Damien Blaze said:
the shadow was still there, bubbles coming from his mouth...Damiens eyes narrowed before he stood, groaning, to his feet. He planted a hand on the empty tank next to his bed, snarling across the room."Hey! You awake you bastard!? Don't fucking play games with me David!"
Silence.
Arianna Barrial said:
Well, jeez! Arianna shifts to her feet so Damien could get up, watching with concern before slipping herself under his arm for support. Gilded eyes moved from Damien to the tank."What did you see, or hear..?" Or feel?
She wrapped an arm around him, just to further that supportive brace.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien was sweating still, but continued looking at the tank."The punk moved. I saw his arm twitch. The bastards probably laughing at me, getting some sleep in his warm tank, enjoying the life. I'll...kick his worthless ass."
Arianna Barrial said:
He was still in pain and exerting himself too much. While she didn't doubt he'd seen what he said, there was something to be said for not being in any shape to go threatening to kick ass.The blonde brushed her cheek against him and looked up.
"Maybe after you've rested, Damien. Right now you need rest," She gave her arm a comforting squeeze against him, ready to coax him back. "And some food and liquids."
Damien Blaze said:
Damien growled...but allowed himself to be relowered. She might notice he was still sweating profusely, face red and cheeks warm. If she happened to press her hand to his forehead...it would feel quite hot to the touch."Damn Hyperion...Set...a fire inside..."
Arianna Barrial said:
She watched him, concerned. His look and words made her reach up and she frowned. "Damien? Is this a waiting game or--or is there something else you need? The tanks..?"
That she had no idea how to operate.
Damien Blaze said:
Damien shook his head."Sleep...I need.... to sleep." He would close his eyes...and pass out immediately.
Arianna Barrial said:
Arianna frowned a little more and pressed her hand to Damien's forehead before looking back towards the man floating in the tank. "I hope you're not stringing them along, David..."
Her game plan would be to have her sister grab some provisions when she brought whatever else she was bringing back to them. For now she settled beside the cot and stroked her fingers against Damien's brow, her chin resting on the edge of the cot. Keeping watch over him.
Damien Blaze said:
From the tank- silence.