OOM All Skate Skellig Dream Magic Weirdness -Part Five

[brave_kreyu]

In the morning, after they've both bathed, eaten, and they are finally dressed, she's explaining her plans for the morning to Skellig.

"I'm going to be doing two things at once," she explains. "A very overbooked artist has graciously squeezed me in for some henna work, so I'll be gone for a few hours. I'd bring you along, but she's not comfortable around men." Kreyu has her SUSPICIONS as to why, but she doesn't know.

"And since chatting is very much a part of the process, I'll be seeing what I can find out about any recent pirate attacks."

Comments

[brave_kreyu]

By fate or by chance, the man IS heading closer to Skellig, so he and the birds are likely to get a closer look at him soon.

Two people in the crowd see the man as prey, someone to be robbed. It's a very old trick, having one person, 'accidentally' collide with the target while someone ELSE cuts their purse or picks their pocket. With the life Skellig used to lead, he's probably seen it before.

The large man deliberately collides with the stranger in blue, apologizes profusely. The stranger lets HIM go with a friendly nod, but the would be cut purse has his hand grabbed as soon as it's around the purse. "I think you are trying to take something that does not belong to you, hm?" The voice is calm, serene, but firm as iron.

The would be cut-purse, closer to boyhood than manhood, struggles frantically in his grip. The man is calm, serene, and the boy doesn't know what to make of both being grabbed and held AND the man not being visibly angry. (He isn't angry, Skellig will feel, a strange combination of mildly annoyed and amused at the attempted theft.)

[27_53]

Watching with interest at the scene as it plays out - he has seen this countless times, and he might even be providing narration under his breath at a whisper to the bird beside him - Skellig is initially expecting a much harsher reaction from the man in blue.

He can feel the waves of panicked emotion and fear radiate sharply off the would be thief, and they grate roughly across his senses. But from the other man there is far less than expected. Which in all honesty, Skellig appreciates - as handling the associated negative energy around a beating (or a killing, for that matter) was really not on his list of things he wished to deal with.

"Interesting indeed," he mutters. He allows his hearing to focus a bit closer, so that he does not miss anything in subtle conversation. Both he and the seabird are watching the exchange, now.

[brave_kreyu]

The man in blue has dropped his voice low, but thanks to Skellig's hearing he can still pick it up. "A wolf pack must be careful with which beast it chooses to cut from the herd." He smiles wryly. "Choose your prey more carefully next time, little wolf. Or ask for aid, if need drives you." He fishes a silver coin out of his purse, presses it into the hand of the now open mouthed cut purse. The man in blue lets go of him and makes a shooing motion. "Go on now, off with you."

The wind shifts, blowing from Skellig toward the man in blue. His head tilts, turns Skellig's direction as if something has caught his attention. His course is now directly toward Skellig, although he does not seem hurried or upset in any way, just curious.

[27_53]

As the man's attention and direction of travel changes, Skellig resists the urge to use his own abilities to 'nudge' him past, as while typically he would do so...he has found all of this incredibly interesting. The situation, the encounter, the man himself.

Who, as he draws nearer, the sense in the air of storm and wind grows stronger in Skellig's mind. The hairs on the back of his arms threaten to prickle with static charge, and he can taste the scent of wet earth and stone on his tongue, like after a strong summer's rain.

It is clear now, that this silver-haired man in blue is not simply an ordinary man. But just what kind of being is he? Skellig is still not sure.

There is such a familiarity to him that ripples across his senses in soft waves; the seabirds grow nervous and strut hurriedly across the dock to the far side, near the water's edge. Ready to flee from such a predator! One is screeching loudly at Skellig - flee, run, fly!!

"Hush, you." He mutters. (It is at least well-directed at the seabird, so the man should not think he is speaking to him as he draws near.) And while he is tempted to rise to his feet, to be better in a position to defend himself, he remains sitting.

[brave_kreyu]

"Well met," the stranger says, friendly, as he sits on the other edge of the bench. "There are not many who would speak to the birds in a place like this, it caught my interest."

Admittedly, only AFTER he had smelled Kreyu and sex on Skellig, but that's hardly something to open a conversation with!

He offers a forearm to be clasped, as it the custom in this area. "I am called Elihu."

[27_53]

"They are better conversationalists than most," Skellig offers with a shrug, as 'explanation' when the man sits. And then it is when his name is offered over, as well as the forearm...it clicks.

Elihu.
The familiarity to the energy.
Dragon.
Her brother.

To his credit, there is only a mild outward reaction of surprise on Skellig's part - it is deference which causes him to tip his head (not quite a bow, he would not show weakness, but this is not weakness this is respect) as he clasps Elihu's forearm.

"Well met, Elihu. I am called Skellig."

[brave_kreyu]

"Skellig," Elihu tries the name, tastes it. "Not a name I have heard before, but I feel you have perhaps heard mine?"

He did pick up on the surprise when he said his name, after all. And the answer Skellig chooses to give will tell Elihu more about him.

[27_53]

It is not easy that Skellig trusts others - and while this man claims to be Elihu, who is it to say that he is not simply a different dragon, one who would say he is Kreyu's brother, if only to gain closer access to her? That would not be something Skellig would stand for, nor would he wish to endanger her.

So his reply is a bit measured, cautious. Careful.

"I have heard it spoken," he says in confirmation. "But I do not make assumptions of another man from spoken word alone, as often it is full of rumors and falsehoods."

He isn't quite sure how he will be able to ascertain that this truly is her brother. But he will cross that bridge when they come to it.

[brave_kreyu]

"You are cautious, that is wise," Elihu replies. "I am glad that my sister has spent time with someone more cautious than she is."

He sighs softly, and his tone is one of fond exasperation. "My little sister is very brave, but she is young and tends to dive into things headfirst."

[27_53]

That helps.

It also tells Skellig that Elihu at least knows some of what he and Kreyu have been...up to. He refrains from comment on that subject, because this is her brother (technically his brother-in-law!) and while Skellig does not have siblings, he knows how they can act. And Kreyu warned him.

"She is quite brave," he agrees. "But also quite smart, and not afraid to take heed of signals to slow down...if the situation allows for it."

His eyes fall to the tattoo on his forearm, and he considers something a moment. "Did she know you were coming early, and send me off to encounter you alone?" Skellig glances up, a slight smirk. "Or did you find a tailwind for aid?"

[brave_kreyu]

"I have not yet informed her of my arrival," Elihu admits. "I was...generous in estimating my arrival time."

In other words, he wanted to poke around before she knew he was here. He caught Skellig's glance at the tattoo, but doesn't grasp its meaning in this context. "You thought she might send you to meet me?" His tone implies he is curious about that. That Skellig would think such a thing suggests that he is more than a night's amusement or a brief fling.

"We have been worried about her, and we did not part on the best of terms. I don't know how much she's told you about our family?" For all Elihu knows, Skellig might not even know Kreyu is a dragon!

[27_53]

"I know she cares deeply for both you and your brother," Skellig says. "And while she only spoke briefly of the fact that your last meeting did not end favorably, this did not change the feelings I could sense from her, towards family."

He notes the curiosity in Elihu's tone.

"And I only had just considered the thought, while sitting here. After you...spoke...with her last week, I knew she was concerned about how your other brother may react to meeting me. I have been told his temper runs a bit...hotter."

Red hot inferno, more like it.

"She was looking forward to seeing you, first."

[brave_kreyu]

"She is right to be concerned," Elihu admits. "My brother has many virtues, but his temper is a dreadful thing."

"Would you be averse to continuing this conversation over drinks?" he asks. "It would be appropriate for me to buy a friend of my sister some drinks, surely?" He's using 'friend' since Skellig seems to be more than an acquaintance or a means of sating his sister's needs. Husband would never occur to him.

[27_53]

"I would not be adverse in the slightest," Skellig replies cheerfully. "If only you will allow me the same courtesy, and at least cover a round or two."

He moves to stand, rolling his shoulders slightly as he does so - Elihu will not notice the reason why, as he is careful not to brush his wing feathers anywhere close. Or leave any to litter amongst the ground.

"I should mention, while we are in less-crowded company," Skellig looks around them casually, scanning those who are moving about the docks. Listening briefly before he finishes his sentence. "I know of her other forms, including her greatest and most powerful." He is casual as he says it, because how else do you say I'm aware she is a dragon and that means I'm aware you are as well in a conversation?

(Elihu may pick up on a bit more reverence in Skellig's tone, when Skellig speaks of greatest and most powerful, if only because it is true the way that Skellig feels when he is able to see her in her dragon shape. And there is also a deeper fondness underlying his words, one that is definitely reserved for only a select few 'friends'.)

"So I do not know if you would wish to drink in a tavern, or if there are considerations to be met? I am still somewhat unfamiliar with Amikaya, but I am sure we can find some place suitable."

[brave_kreyu]

Elihu chuckles at his mention of buying a round or two. "I could be persuaded."

Elihu is surprised at his admission that he knows of Kreyu's other shapes, raises an eyebrow. "And yet you are here. Not many would be so bold." Or so foolish, but he's not going to say that.

"I have never known a waterfront to be empty of places to drink," Elihu assures him. "Sailing is a dangerous business, and those who ply the sea are generally eager to drink when they are on land again. I'm sure we will find a place to suit our purposes."

[27_53]

"You have a point regarding sailing," he says. "Personally, I have never found it enjoyable, upon a ship. I seek...other means of travel, when needed."

Skellig thinks briefly about pirates, and wonders what Kreyu may have discovered so far during her conversation with the henna artist. He does not reach or invade her privacy by 'listening', but he does allow himself a brief second or two to focus on her heartbeat amid all the noise, reassure himself that she is well.

As they near the end of the dock itself (at least this section of it, the harbor is quite vast and there are several) there is an establishment that looks suitable enough.

"And I am here, yes. I care deeply for Kreyu's well-being, and while there are risks...I have found them worth it."

There will be places inside to sit, out of the heat of the blazing sun. And drinks!

[brave_kreyu]

Her heartbeat is calm, steady, relaxed.

"How did you meet my sister?" he asks, curious, as they enter the drinking establishment. "Last I heard, she was in a rather out of the way location."

A table near the back of the place is easily secured by Elihu along with the first round of beer.

[27_53]

"You are correct," he says. "She has taken a home in a smaller village -- a fair distance from here -- along the Mother River."

Skellig contemplates briefly how best to word this next part. He would not lie to her brother about how they met, but he knows it may be best if the story is told carefully.

"I am not originally from here," he says. "And I found myself in need of aid, near her village, during the hottest hours of the day. She provided shelter, and beer, for which I was very grateful." Skellig lifts his mug slightly. "Our meeting was quite...fortuitous, as later that day a band of raiders attempted to make off with one of the villagers, and Kreyu and I...put a stop to that."

He will leave out the first instance of digging an arrow from Kreyu's chest out of the story, for now.

[brave_kreyu]

Elihu smiles at hearing that Kreyu offered him shelter and beer. "That is quite like her. She is kind, sometimes even to her own detriment."

"I am not entirely surprised by the bandits," Elihu admits. "The neighboring kingdom is having considerable political unrest, internal strife, and that breeds desperate men and those willing to take advantage of them."

"Where are you from, originally? I thought I had at least a passing knowledge of all of the peoples on this side of the great sea, but I have not met your kind before."

[27_53]

"I am from..." Skellig looks down at the table, his mug of beer, his hands (which no longer ache, not since the moment Kreyu picked him up off of the sand and coated him in her blood) and then his attention shifts to the doorway as someone walks in. It is nobody of importance, but it gives him at least a reason to shift his gaze.

your kind

"I do not believe I am from this side of the great sea," he offers, voice low. It is not tinged with sadness or regret, but Elihu might pick up on a hint of something when he speaks, that runs beneath the surface of his words. The pain of not knowing, perhaps. "I...I do not remember from where I hail. And as far as I know, there are no others of my kind."

your kind

"I am what Kreyu calls...god-touched," he adds, lifting his mug to his lips - and meeting Elihu's gaze again. "At least, that is how she says these people would speak of me."

[brave_kreyu]

Elihu listens quietly to his explanation, picks up the emotion running underneath.

"God touched may be closest to what you are, this side of the sea," he allows after a moment of thought. "A mix of human and not human."

He takes a sip of beer, ponders his words. "There are those that would say amnesia is a convenient excuse to hide one's past. I know my brother, Revenin, would wonder if you were some being altered by an enemy, by magic." His smile turns bitter. "What better weapon to use against my kind sister than a weapon that does not KNOW it is a weapon until it is too late?"

There is no accusation in his tone, in his emotions.

[27_53]

While there is no emotion or accusation in Elihu's tone, this line of thought has brought a great deal of concern into Skellig's mind. It will be easily evident to the other man that this is a distressing thought to ponder, one that had not yet been considered.

"I truly do not believe that is the case," he says firmly. "I...I cannot explain fully, the reasons that I have to believe that. Nor would I expect you to believe it, from a being you have only just met, who is involved with your dear sister."

Skellig swallows hard.

"And I know I am not well-versed yet, in the ways of your Karma. But if there was a way to check if I had been...altered, somehow, and it was found I am a threat to her..."

He does not know if he would be able to live with himself, if that were the case. He would work to rid himself of the poison, the bad magic that might taint his being. But if it could not be removed, then he would find a way to remove the threat - himself - from her.

"...then I would do it, without hesitation. My care for her is too great for that uncertainty to exist."

[brave_kreyu]

"Kreyu is a stronger mage than I," Elihu admits. "The best able to find and remove such things, if she were to look for them. But if I were an enemy, I would have planned for something nasty to happen if she poked about your being in such a way."

"I can tell you if you have been changed, but I can not be certain of my ability to ensure your safety if some kind of trap has been left behind in your being."

[27_53]

"I would rather ensure her safety over my own," he says bluntly, without hesitation.

Finishing off his beer, Skellig shifts his jaw before he nods.

"Could it be done here, in this space? Whatever you would do to check?"

[brave_kreyu]

"It can be done right here," Elihu assures him. "Unless there are traps, none here should even know there is something going on. I do not know what it will feel like to you, but I don't think it will be painful."

Skellig's response has earned Skellig some approval from Elihu, which he might be able to sense.