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

[27_53]

"It is...not quite your sensibilities I fear," Skellig says, his tone wry. "Moreso it is the look on her face I will have to contend with once she realizes that you and I have had this discussion. And some of it I feel should remain private, between her and I."

He sobers slightly at Elihu's original question, and nods.

"After her injury, as she was still quite weak, she needed to hunt." The emphasis on the word 'hunt' will be enough for her brother to understand. "We sought refuge on an island for a few days. Once she had recovered enough to shift back into her form she wears here...she had other desires which needed to be fulfilled."

Skellig will leave those for Elihu to understand on his own, even with the disclaimer.

"During one of our sessions, she and I..." He pauses, considering just how best to explain this. "My true form..." he motions at his 'wings' in the empty air behind his shoulders, even though they are not visible (nor will he reveal them in this space) the hint may be enough. "Is that which is part owl. I have kept my wings well-protected from all, and during one of our sessions...she put her hands into my feathers, and it was as if..."

He looks away at a point on the table, because this is a mystery that still he cannot describe fully in words that make sense.

"It was as if I was no longer lost," he settles on. "I gave myself fully to her, held nothing back, for she is my mate and I am hers. And from that moment forth everything has been...clearer. I said her name and it just...made sense. Her Karma and my Light were joined, our energy. I had not felt that way since I was given my name."

There is much power in a name.

[brave_kreyu]

Elihu nods in understanding at his explanation of Kreyu's response being the issue.

He hums thoughtfully. "There are tribes of Winged Folk on this side of the sea. They look like humans with large feathered wings." Could Skellig be somehow related to them?

Elihu's expression is solemn when Skellig finishes his explanation. "There are echoes in your recounting that are familiar to me. Some dragons find themselves drawn to each other again and again, life and after life. Over time, their souls become entangled. The feelings you describe of not being lost, of things being clearer, they were far slower, more subtle, a process of centuries, but I felt them all the same when I was becoming broodbrother to Kreyu."

Elihu sighs. "And that makes me fear for both of you, for such a bond will draw you together whether either of you would have it so or not." He takes a drink. "I have seen sweet love turn to the bitterest of poisons, seen it curdle into hatred. I do not even know if a soul such as yours was ever meant to bear such a thing."

"Revenin and I HATED each other at first, killed each other repeatedly, and it changed nothing."

[27_53]

Skellig listens with interest to Elihu as he speaks of his past with both Kreyu and Revenin (and also files away in his mind the mention of the tribes of Winged Folk, for that is something he will definitely want to ask about later) and drinks his beer slowly, contemplating the words and the concern behind them.

"I appreciate your honesty," he says. "It is a legitimate concern of mine, some of the things you have mentioned."

(What if she was to tire of him, wish to cast him out and shove him away for something fresh? Someone more powerful, another dragon or a stronger mage? What if she discovered a better way to satisfy her needs and wants, to feed her desires?)

"That night, when my soul bonded with hers on the beach, it was as if each star in the sky overhead seared itself directly onto my soul. A brand, marking a constellation by which I would never be lost again. And even if at some point our paths may diverge..." Skellig shakes his head. "I know with my whole heart that what I want now is this. Regardless of the chances of any risks in the future, or if my soul is meant to bear this...I want her at my side. And I am willing to do whatever it may take to make it work, for as long as the Fates would allow it."

A pause. His conviction is strong, his resolution unwavering.

"And then I would argue with Them, if they try to take my wife from me."

[brave_kreyu]

Elihu tilts his head, considering. "I truly believe you would. Trust my little sister to dive head first into marriage without bothering to tell me about it AND manage to find someone who might be able to handle being married to her." He smiles. "You'll likely need every ounce of that conviction and resolution at one point or another."

He sighs. Takes several glugs of beer. "I'm going to need to break the news to Revenin somewhere that needs a good forest fire." He grimaces, drinks more beer. "Maybe SEVERAL places that need a good forest fire."

[27_53]

Skellig is going to take that as a vote of confidence from Elihu, and it is one he is grateful for!

"I am certain that I have not yet seen her at her most stubborn," he adds. "But I have seen her in a fight, and I suspect you are correct, in regards to my conviction and resolution. She is...not one to back down."

From anything.

Finishing off this beer, he nods and reaches for the pitcher, to refill for them both.

"There were several reason she wished to tell you first," he adds. "She cares greatly for you both, but she was...concerned, about your brother's possible reaction." Not only to the news, but concerned for what Revenin might choose to do to him.

[brave_kreyu]

"No, she is not," Elihu agrees, chuckling.

"She is right to be concerned," Elihu tells him. "If this had been sprung on him without warning, with his temper and how protective he is of her, he would have killed you when you stated you did not remember where you were from, if not earlier." There's dark humor in his tone. "His fire burns hot enough that it would have been quick, but it's still death by fire."

He takes a few more sips. "That you are having sex with her, THAT won't be the major problem once he's passed the initial shock of it."

[27_53]

"Death by fire is not on my list of preferred methods," he replies bluntly, though there is a hint of humor in his tone. "Regardless of the speed at which it occurs."

Feathers burn quickly, but the flesh beneath them...not so much.

"And I am...glad, of that. The sex not being a problem," Skellig adds, clarifying. "Though I would ask, as I am sure at some point after he has been told, I would meet him eventually...would you have any tips, for how to best prepare?"

[brave_kreyu]

"Have your wings where he can see them," Elihu says after a moment of thought. "My brother is old enough to remember a time before there were such creatures as humans and is prone, when angry, to think of them as little more than animals."

"Her being your wife will be the sticking point, for him. He would never accept a human as worthy of being the equal of ANY of our kind, even such a vile creature as Heka. I do not know if he is capable of accepting someone as an equal who is not our kind but not human either."

[27_53]

"Having been the only one of my kind...I am used to scorn," Skellig says. "It does not make it any less painful, but for Kreyu, I would bear it from him if it would be required. And I will make note, of having my wings visible."

He would try desperately to convince her brother that he was worthy of being called her husband, that he was worthy of acceptance...

At the mention of Heka, his mood shifts, and he lifts his eyes from his beer back to Elihu.

"On the way to Amikaya, we traveled to the Lost City," he says. "With the news of Heka's death, Kreyu wished to...visit, see what we might find among his hoard."

[brave_kreyu]

"It is my hope that the scorn will pass, in time. He can be reasonable...eventually."

"Hah!" Elihu's grin is fierce, predatory. "I hope the two of you robbed him blind. Did you find anything of interest?"

[27_53]

Skellig's expression shifts into a similar grin, better matching Elihu's.

"Blind and deaf," he quips. "Kreyu knew better what to look for. She did find a rather fine strand of pearls that she said held a great deal of Karma, as well as a few other things."

Skellig does not feel as if he needs to hide from Elihu the fact of Kreyu finding Karma items - surely her brother would not work to steal them from his broodsister - but he does not go into great detail. Nor does he mention the several rounds of ecstasy they traded back and forth, to rework the energy in the room to better the echoes.

[brave_kreyu]

"Good, she needs to build her hoard up more," her brother replies. "She's young, hasn't had the time to acquire as many items rich in Karma as Revenin and I have."

[27_53]

Skellig lightly touches the thinner armband that he wears around his right bicep, the one with the blue lapis lazuli feather inlay which she gave to him before they had set off on their trip the Lost City and onwards to Amikaya.

"I have told her I am happy to carry whatever she would wish to take, when there is treasure to be had," he says. "I would help her build her hoard gladly, to ensure her Karma stays well-sustained."

[brave_kreyu]

Skellig might hear Kreyu's heartbeat approaching, nearing the door to this place.

"An extra set of hands is always useful when there is treasure to be carried off," Elihu agrees.

[27_53]

Her heartbeat growing closer is noticed (he wonders briefly just how she has managed to find him, but at the same time, she is a dragon and he is her mate - these things just work) and he signals to a nearby runner that they will need another mug and a fresh pitcher of beer.

"As is my ability to make things lighter," Skellig says. "For Kreyu is quite a fan of gold, and it is not at all light."

The fresh pitcher arrives quickly, along with a clean mug - Skellig offers over a gold coin as a 'thanks', before using his foot to slightly push out the chair beside him at their table. His attention shifts to the doorway, but his eyes cut to Elihu.

"I don't think she knows you are with me," he says. There might be a slight smirk lingering on his features. "I am certain she will be most surprised to see us together."

[brave_kreyu]

"Could have used you when we trying to get that statue into the lair a century or so ago," Elihu muses. "Big thing, awkwardly shaped and heavy granite. But she looked so dejected when we said we didn't think we could take it with us."

"I had wondered at the extra mug," he replies. "She'll be quite surprised," he agrees.

Kreyu comes through the door, elaborate floral designs in henna on her hands and feet that trail up onto her forearms and lower legs. She's pleased to see Skellig, but QUITE surprised to see Elihu.

She scowls at her brother and STOMPS toward him, hands on hips. She is NOT pleased. "You might have TOLD me you were in town BEFORE you absconded with my husband," she growls. She's clearly expecting Elihu to object to her calling Skellig her husband, there's a protective energy in her anger toward her brother.

[27_53]

When Kreyu enters the door, Skellig brightens - as while he can easily hear her heartbeat, it still is a boost to see her - and then he notices the way her expression switches to a scowl when she sees them together.

"Perhaps surprised was not the only mood I should have chosen," he mutters under his breath to Elihu, tone a hint wry.

Once she nears their table, he stands from his chair (and notices how every other male in the room is watching her walk through it, it is not often that such a woman - who is not 'working' - comes into a dockside establishment such as this) and reaches his hand for her to join him.

"Before you growl further at him, let me first dissuade any thoughts these other men may be having in regards to their prospects with you this evening," he says quietly, leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek. "You look lovely."

[brave_kreyu]

If Kreyu HAD feathers right now they would be a bit less puffed up after what Skellig does. "Thank you, love," she says quietly. "They ought to have known better when I said you were my husband, but some of them might be hard of hearing."

She takes the other chair and sits gracefully.

Elihu smiles at his little sister. "I wanted to have a look about before I called upon you, and then I happened upon Skellig near here," he explains, tone serene.

The anger is fading into irritation at her brother.

[27_53]

"They ought to have, but now there is no doubt."

Skellig sits after she does, pours her a mug of beer from the pitcher, and tops off both his and Elihu's mugs in the meantime before settling back into his chair.

"I assure you I joined your brother of my own free will, once he introduced himself to me," he adds. And then drinks, because he has a feeling he might need it.

[brave_kreyu]

The irritation is, almost, gone when Skellig assures her he joined Elihu of his own free will. Her left hand rests on Skellig's. The henna patterns on her arm were designed in such a way as to complement the tattoo, rather than detract from it.

She makes a huffing sound. "Good. Or Elihu and I would be having more than words." She glances at her brother. "Pumping him for information, were you?"

"Of course," he replies, sipping his beer. "How could I not, given your connection to one another?"

[27_53]

Briefly allowing his focus to drift along her hand and forearm, he allows his eyes to begin to follow the henna patterns on her skin - it will require much more detailed exploration later, so he shifts his attention back after only a moment, upturning his hand to allow her palm to rest against his.

"We had some discussion," Skellig agrees. "But there is no need for you to resort to more than words, I promise."

At the mention of given your connection Skellig hesitates ever-so-slightly as he considers just how in-depth he wishes to tell Kreyu of his talk with her brother, in this public space. He decides on 'not very', for now.

"We spoke of marriage," he says. "And of the fact that you were smart to suggest I meet Elihu first, rather than your brother."

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu relaxes at that, the irritation fading.

"I'm glad," she tells Skellig. "Will you break the news to Revenin?" she asks her brother.

Elihu sips his drink. "I can, but you'll need to guard the Lair for a while, he's getting restless."

"In need of big prey and a fight?" she drawls.

Elihu grunts in agreement. "I'll let him get the worst of his restlessness out of his system first, then lead him to a few...suitable places for discussion."

[27_53]

"Your help is appreciated," Skellig reiterates - and he truly does mean that as he's certain Elihu knows. If only because Skellig has no desire to experience death by fire, nor would Kreyu be happy if that were the result of the news being broken.

Kreyu had spoke to him of the likelihood of them having to guard the Lair in the absence of her brothers, so that is something to look forward to - another adventure.

"I would ask you if you heard any news about the happenings upon the sea," he adds, directed at Kreyu. "But I do not know if this is perhaps the best setting to discuss it?"

Unless she were to ward the table to ensure their privacy, perhaps.

[brave_kreyu]

"I have a potential location," she tells him. "On the way to the Lair, as luck would have it. Will need to finish up a few things in the city for a day or so, but then we could head on our way to give Revenin some relief."

There are certain purchases she is NOT going to mention in front of her brother, thank you.

[27_53]

Those purchases - even if Skellig is unaware of exactly what they are yet - would likely cause him to flush a color of red that would rival that of his skin after being in the sun for so long on his first day. It is a good thing they will not be mentioned in front of her brother.

"That is excellent news to hear," he says. "And it seems the Fates would align to make things easier for us, with it on the way to the Lair."

Because obviously, he's coming along on this trip. She will not be fighting pirates and monsters or whatever she's discovered without him at her side. That much should be automatic knowledge.