OOM: All Skate Skellig Dream Magic Weirdness?

[brave_kreyu]

(OOC: Warning for explicit adult content, mention of noncon/rape, slavery)

Is it a dream? A glimpse of a universe that might have been? A story untold?

Something called Skellig out here, to a road scratched in the earth between the desert and the land irrigated by the river. The sun overhead is like a hammer, the heat murderous. His coat...he can't remember WHAT happened to his coat. In this heat the coat would be as strange as his wings to human eyes in any case.

There are two small mud-brick houses up ahead, then more road, and a mud-brick wall encircling a small village of mud-brick houses.

He needs a drink, desperately.

He hears footsteps coming toward him, the heat haze breaks to reveal a woman. (Except she can't be a woman, no one human has that much Light inside them, that much power.)

"Even one touched by the gods should not be walking about this time of day," her voice is all concern, all worry. She's wearing a white linen kilt around her waist, and nothing at all above it except a necklace of blue clay beads. She's lovely. (And she feels familiar? Why?)

She offers a hand to him, seemingly not concerned in the slightest about his wings.

Comments

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu smiles softly at him, unaccountably nervous for reasons she can't articulate. She takes a good ten steps away from Skellig and then she lets go of this shape of her soul.

The change itself makes no noise, but the amount of air displaced does! Kreyu is, by a large margin, the biggest thing with a pulse that Skellig has ever seen. Perhaps even the largest living thing he has ever laid eyes upon. Half again as long as a blue whale, her talons in this form are longer than he is tall, her scales the size of shields. Violet eyes peer down at him, sheepishly.

[27_53]

Skellig has to blink the dust from his eyes that the shift kicks up off the road, and when he looks back up at her, he is quiet as he takes in the sight of her before him.

She is big. Powerful.

One corner of his mouth lifts into a smile, as he sees her talons. (He may or may not be picturing one of THOSE going through a bandit's chest, but he'll never admit it if he is.) He steps slightly to the side, to get a better look at the nearest scale that covers one of her toes, and then cranes his neck a bit to look up, look into her eyes.

"You are magnificent, Kreyu!"

They are the most perfect, most beautiful shade of violet he has ever seen.

[brave_kreyu]

"I'm glad you think so," she replies. She cranes her head down, slow and careful, so he can have a better look at her head. The fear fades, that strange echo.

"Both of my brothers are larger than I am. I look...dainty next to them."

[27_53]

"I will endeavor to never bring either of them to anger," he says, with a hint of a laugh - though he is very serious, because he knows that SHE would easily be able to crush him like a but without a second thought, and if she looks dainty...

He reaches up a hand, once she is close enough and she stills. Delicate movements will clearly be more difficult for her, given how even a 'small' motion for her will be large for him. Even just the exhale of her 'gentle' breath through her nostrils is enough to knock down a regular man.

(He might be cheating, to keep himself upright.)

One scale on her face is close enough for him to touch, so he does, pressing his palm flat.

"Thank you, for allowing me to see you." To see all of her.

[brave_kreyu]

"I would protect you, but it would be wisest not to provoke them."

"You are most welcome," she says, voice as quiet as this shape can manage.

She shifts back into her human shape, takes a moment to stow her wings away again.

"Taweret next, I think, once I'm clothed again." She laughs softly. "I'm sure we will be stopped by the curious on the way."

[27_53]

Once she has shifted back to her human shape, he hands over the kilt - he would offer to help her re-tie it, but she will be much more efficient, and less distracting.

He does press a kiss to her temple, since her hands are occupied and she can't 'defend' herself.

"I do not think I have ever seen a shade of purple so beautiful, even in nature's finest efforts, as that of your eyes." Skellig has spent a long time, wandering parks and gardens, looking at flowers. And none compare, as far as he can remember.

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu flushes, clearly quite pleased. "You flatter me," she tells him as she ties her kilt around her again.

The trip back to the village is uneventful and they pass the wall without coming to anyone's attention immediately. It's not long before they come across some young men though. The young men don't approach, wary of Skellig, but he can feel their attraction to Kreyu, their jealousy and envy of HIM.

[27_53]

Not having to worry about hiding his wings (he does check that the amulet is still in fact tied around his throat before they pass the wall into the village) while walking shirtless is still a little unsettling, but he turns his focus elsewhere as they walk.

(Typically, he would be throwing off subtle signals for those nearby to turn, to look away, to find something else less interesting to pay attention to. But he does not do that, here, unsure if it would even work - and he doesn't want to give off any hints of what he's capable of to those who might be sensitive.)

The energy he can feel is easily noticed, because the young men aren't bothering to try to hide it. Both the attention to Kreyu, and the envy, which is something else quite odd as it is...incredibly unfamiliar.

He stays quiet, but walks closer to her, slightly protective. They can look all the want (even if he'd rather they didn't) but they can't touch.

[brave_kreyu]

They round a corner, see some young women giggling, scattered in a cluster around a young man. He is very handsome, and he knows it. He catches sight of them, dares to approach.

"Good morning, Kreyu," he says as he gets within a polite distance. "And that must be your...friend who helped with the bandits yesterday?"

Kreyu is either oblivious to the undertones he's putting in the word 'friend' or deliberately ignoring them. "Hello, Akatan. Yes, this is Skellig."

"Well met, Skellig," Akatan says to him. "Will you be staying a while, or are you just passing through?"

Kreyu feels an echo, when she looks at Akatan. But unlike the echo she feels with Skellig, THIS echo isn't nice at all! Anger and heartbreak, betrayal and shame, seeping into the edges, tainting her energy.

[27_53]

"Well met, Akatan."

The man's name tastes...odd, in his mouth, but he pushes aside the feelings for the time being.

Skellig has heard many echoes before, and even already several from Kreyu (this Kreyu, in this place) as well, in this time they've spent together. But this one that he 'hears' when she looks at Akatan is different, and he Does Not Like It.

But, he doesn't know why. And he doesn't think Kreyu knows why, either.

"I am a traveler by nature," he offers, non-committal. "But Kreyu is a long-known friend to me, and as I have found myself in your village...I plan to stay as long as I would be welcomed by her."

Skellig notices that one of the young women in the group has turned their attention to him, and while he does not react outwardly in any obvious manner...she will be aware that he has looked at her.

[brave_kreyu]

The young woman blushes, giggles harder, turns to whisper to the others.

Akatan's smile shifts a little, turns ever so slightly false. "I should help my sister with the water, before she completely loses track of time again." Akatan does not like that his sister was looking at Skellig, not at all. She should not be acting as if a demon is just some other man she might lay with.

"Of course," Kreyu replies, glad of the conversational exit.

Once they're out of earshot, Kreyu leans against the wall. "I don't know why, but being around him was making me feel..." The words catch in her throat. "I kissed him a few moons ago, and we both enjoyed it well enough, but there hasn't been anything between he and I that should make me feel so awful."

[27_53]

Skellig is still 'keeping track' of Akatan, even as he, his sister, and the other young women make their way towards the well to gather water. If this man has set Kreyu on this much of an edge, then he wants to learn exactly what he feels like, smells like, and sounds like.

His jaw shifts slightly at her admission that she had kissed him, but it is not judgement or shame - simply an observation, collecting information.

"I do not like that you feel awful," he says quietly. "I would not know what that could mean, your body giving such signs...but if you would wish, I will ensure you are not alone with him."

Skellig would also offer to get rid of him entirely, but that might be a step too far, this soon. They are alone here, as much as they can be in the village during a time of day when being outside is relatively comfortable. He offers his hand to her.

[brave_kreyu]

She takes his hand. "That, that sounds like a good idea."

"These...echoes, they helped me to trust you. They have brought me so much good that however odd they may be I can't bring myself to ignore them."

[27_53]

"I do not know...what I sound like, to others. Everyone is different. I am glad that you felt as if you could trust me."

Skellig brushes his thumb over her knuckles.

"I do not know why I am called to certain places," he adds softly, looking down at their hands.. "I never have. But perhaps my landing here...was no accident."

[brave_kreyu]

She shivers just a little as his thumb brushes over her knuckles. "Fate, or destiny?" She squeezes his hand gently. "It could be. I am glad of its existence, if it brought me you."

She flushes. "We're not far from Taweret's house now. I should apologize for how little attention I paid to her last night, after she took the trouble to visit."

[27_53]

"I've never claimed to hold much stock in either, but if it has brought us together, then I would do so."

Skellig smiles when squeezes his hand, and nods.

"I do not think she will require an apology, but I would not speak for her." He allows her to lead on, keeping her hand in his, if she would like to do so as they walk through the village.

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu does hold his hand the entire way, even if likely draws some extra stares.

Taweret's house is not much larger than Kreyu's. The main difference is an additional bed and a small shrine containing a Goddess painting that is clearly regularly used and well maintained.

"I'm sorry for not greeting you properly last night, Taweret," Kreyu says as they step through the open doorway.

"That's quite alright dear," Taweret replies. "It seems like your Skellig rather wore you out last night." Her tone is slightly teasing, and Kreyu blushes.

[27_53]

Kreyu is not the only one who blushes at that comment, as Skellig also feels a rush of heat rise to his cheekbones.

He considers his next words carefully. Then decides 'what the hell' and goes for it, given Tawaret's tone. He gives her a knowing glance, before he speaks.

"You could say I did my best to do so," he offers 'helpfully'.

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu blushes further, but Taweret laughs out loud. "Oh, I LIKE you, Skellig," she tells him. "Experience will trump youth every time, I always say."

"His best was very good," Kreyu replies. She's still blushing furiously. "I thank you for the potion, but is there something less...bitter that would serve the purpose?"

"That would depend on if you can remember to drink something every day," Taweret replies, tapping her fingers on the table.

[27_53]

"If it became routine, you would likely remember easily," he offers. "And I could offer to remind you, in the meantime."

Meaning he isn't planning on just 'passing through' their village.

Also:

"And my best was merely...'very good'?" Skellig asks Kreyu, looking almost disappointed - though from his tone, Kreyu should easily be able to tell that he is teasing her. "I will have to do better next time, then."

[brave_kreyu]

"Thank you, Skellig. That would be helpful," Kreyu tells him.

Taweret fishes out a much larger jar than the one she brought them last night. "You'll want to brew a spoonful every morning."

"Thank you, Taweret." Kreyu takes the jar carefully.

Kreyu rolls her eyes at him. "I might not SURVIVE you doing better next time." She's teasing him, a little. "And I will need to take...precautions." So the entire village doesn't want to murder them both for sleep deprivation.

[27_53]

Skellig makes a non-committal sound at that. "I would not harm you," he murmurs, tone a little softer. After all, there are plenty of ways he can improve, without her having to do a thing.

(Unless she wants to, of course.)

"And I would not keep you from your apprenticeship," he adds. "Your skills are valued, as Taweret mentioned last night. It would be wrong of me to keep you from your duties."

He might just have to find things to do around her home (their home?) in the meantime.

[brave_kreyu]

She squeezes his hand gently. "I am sure we will manage," she tells Skellig, though her eyes flick to Taweret too.

"We'll manage, dear. Although you already know children can demand to be born at all hours," Taweret replies. She looks to Skellig. "There's always something that needs a steady set of hands or sharp senses around the village. Yesterday wasn't the first time we've had trouble."

[27_53]

"It did not seem that way," Skellig admits. "I am simply glad that I arrived in time to be of use."

And to Kreyu, to fight for her defense, and the act of healing her shoulder wound - which his eyes fall briefly to her skin which he knows holds no scar, no mark.

"It would be no trouble, whenever the need for either of us arose." He wonders if Taweret has her own suspicions about his abilities as well as Kreyu's, what with the talk of the villagers...

He lowers his voice.

"I am no demon," he adds, his focus shifting to Taweret "I do not feel as if I have to explain to you, but...I would bring no harm to this place, to your people, regardless of what talk may have spread in the overnight."

[brave_kreyu]

"I did not think you were," Taweret replies. "I do not believe in demons, only beings that do evil things, human or not."

"You are both part of the world's wonders, my dears. I am not afraid." She sighs. "Some of the others will be, they will mutter, gossip, spread rumors. I've never found a way to stop people from doing that, I'm afraid. They'll accept you both, eventually. Will just take a while for the idea to work its way through some thick skulls."