OOM All Skate Skellig Dream Magic Weirdness -Part Nine

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu has gathered plenty of henna and even woad, a blue dye, for some experiments with designs on Skellig's skin.

"The blue would look lovely on you, I think," she remarks. "Your fairer skin would show it off quite well. Though I am far more experienced in applying henna."

She's gathered bits and pieces of designs to look at for inspiration. Celtic style knots, viking style abstract patterns and stylized beasts, the mandala and floral type designs he's admired on her, and more.

Comments

[27_53]

"Just another way to make it clear exactly which goddess I am claimed by," he muses. "I like it."

He shrugs his shoulders lightly.

"We can see how it plays out tomorrow. I would like to adventure regardless, get in some flight, see more of the territory. If it works to practice the ritual without it drawing me in too closely, then we can do it."

[brave_kreyu]

She chuckles. "I had not thought of that. I was thinking of your wings, of your ability to float on air."

"That sounds like a good plan," she agrees as she finishes the lines. "Just need to let them sit now, carefully."

[27_53]

"Carefully," he echoes. "Which will require us to behave. "

His sigh might be just the SLIGHTEST bit dramatic, as he settles his body back into the nest, allowing himself to get comfortable (and making room for her to curl up at his side that she did not paint on) and relax.

He is quiet for a moment, but then circles back to the story of the foundling.

"I have often wondered my origins," he admits. "Even Before, I do not think I ever really knew how I came to be."

[brave_kreyu]

She chuckles at his dramatics, then curls up at his side.

"Perhaps you are like my kind, without parents," Kreyu muses. "Though even we must wonder WHY we come to be. Why our souls are kindled by Karma, why our bodies are born from the elements of the world."

[27_53]

"Interestingly enough, it is not a question I have ever thought to ask of Death, in the times I have walked with those destined to meet Them," he muses. "Perhaps it is my mind protecting itself in some way - the answer is one of those that we are not meant to know."

That's not to say that he doesn't still wonder the how (or why) he came to be as he is.

[brave_kreyu]

"Perhaps," Kreyu agrees. "Or Death did not wish for you to ask that question and is powerful enough to nudge your mind a little."

"The first thing I remember is opening my eyes," she offers. She doesn't ask what the earliest thing HE remembers is, as Before has proven to be QUITE unpleasant.

[27_53]

"That is more likely situation, I suspect. I rarely have any true control, in those moments."

Skellig is quiet a moment longer, simply soaking in the closeness, the intimacy of her body next to his as they converse. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he allows his fingertips to stroke her upper arm.

"It was raining," he says softly. "Not a storm, not a driving rain. Steady, though. I don't remember if I was wet. I don't think I was. I remember hearing it, though. And the smell, as it mixed with the dirt."

[brave_kreyu]

"I am fond of that scent as well," she tells him, snuggles close. "And the sound of rain, provided I am not getting soaked to the skin."

She idly preens the feathers near his shoulder. "I tasted lightning and storm with my first breath, the wind was howling and lightning tore the sky open. My scales do not mind the rain, but I was frozen with wonder and terror at the world around me."

[27_53]

"I know it has not rained much yet, I know it is not the right season. But if it does...I would like to take time to listen to it, sheltered, you curled up within my arms..."

A small shiver runs down his spine as she works her fingers to preen his feathers, but it does not spark any other 'desires' yet.

"Your entry sounds much more...wild and raw."

[brave_kreyu]

"Listening to the rain curled up in your arms sounds like a lovely way to pass the time."

"Raw and wild to match how raw and wild I was, perhaps." Her smile turns slightly rueful. "I was even more feral then than I was when I was recovering from that arrow wound."

She likes the shiver down his spine, but she's careful not to work him up too much.

[27_53]

"Your feral nature is not to be trifled with," he admits. "And while I would hope to never have to watch you go through such an injury again...I know there is the possibility of it. It does not scare me, the thought. I would stand with you as I did before, help you in any way I can."

He RESPECTS the raw and feral nature - as he should.

[brave_kreyu]

"I am glad you were not with me in those days," she says quietly. "To my eternal shame and regret, I did not know that humans were different from any other animal, and I hungered." She can't bear to look at Skellig when she speaks those words.

[27_53]

Skellig presses his lips to her hair, inhales the scent of her. It is a moment before he speaks, but not more than appropriate for the gravity of her statement.

"What matters is that you do feel that shame, that regret. I know there are others who would not, after such an incident." He holds her a little closer. "And now you are able to work to heal those scars."

[brave_kreyu]

"Thank you, love," she says, voice quiet. "I don't know that they will ever heal completely."

"They had survived the dreadful storm, the wreck of their ship, only to wash up on the tiny island of volcanic rock on which I was first incarnated. It seems to me still a cruel fate."

"Elihu might be right in that they would have probably died anyway of thirst, starvation, or exposure, but even so..."

[27_53]

"They probably will not ever fully heal," he says honestly. "I have my own that linger, that hurt my soul. You just...learn to live with them. And your brother was likely correct, but that does not make it hurt any less."

He smiles, though it is a bit tight.

"I will work to help you in whatever way I can."

[brave_kreyu]

"You help me so much, just by being yourself," she tells him. "I would help you too, however I can."

This makeshift nest is quite comfortable. Comfortable enough that they might just fall asleep in it if they are not careful.

[27_53]

Skellig has slept in FAR worse places than a makeshift nest of cushions and blankets in the middle of a dragon's lair! This is a luxury, and he would not complain if sleep is what happened.

"I am just glad that I am able to aid you without effort," he says, before adding: "Which is not to say I would ever hesitate to expend effort, if it was required." He has proven that, several times over. "I am just glad that I am able to help at all times."

[brave_kreyu]

She nods. "You have given so much of yourself, for my sake," she says, smiling softly. Her eyes flick to the art in progress on his skin. "Put up with a great deal." She's teasing just a little with that last.

[27_53]

"For the pleasures you have brought me, I would 'put up' with a great deal more." He's also teasing, but at the same time he does mean it truthfully.

His eyes follow her gaze, and then on to the more permanent piece that is tattooed on his arm. "Maybe if we decide that some of these look good in their places, I might add them permanently," he contemplates. "Give you new things to trace upon my skin, mark special occasions in our life together, our adventures."

[brave_kreyu]

"That is a wonderful idea, Skellig," she tells him. "I don't know that the ink would stay, with an ordinary tattoo, but I could change my coloration to make marks upon my own skin for the same purpose."

[27_53]

"That is a handy skill to have at your disposal," he muses playfully. "And all I was given were these wings."

Which she will KNOW he is teasing about, as it is not really like they were 'given' to him, they are just a part of him. The same as his hands, his feet, his own two eyes.

"Learning to shift your form must have taken you much practice," he says. "You have done well to come up with such a fine one."

[brave_kreyu]

She chuckles softly, leans over to kiss him.

"In some ways, this shape is easier because it is another shape of my soul," she tries to explain. "Truly ME. Learning how to remove the wings from this shape proved far more difficult."

[27_53]

Skellig might let the kiss linger for just a moment longer than is "safe" to maintain his level of self-control, but he's willing to risk it, especially when she is right there curled up with him.

(To be fair, he does yawn when they break, because he is also quite comfortable and quite sleepy.)

"We have proven that I adore this shape very much," he says. "You have a beautiful soul, and it reflects that."

[brave_kreyu]

"We have," she agrees, amused. "And that I quite enjoy your flattery."

"The two seldom go together, I have found. Heka's human shape is supposed to be quite handsome, but I have never met a viler soul in all my life."

[27_53]

"I have never met him, and would be glad if that remains the case. If only because I would not be able to contain my tongue, and I know he's stronger...and I would not wish for you to have to get involved, put yourself at risk."

He is only slightly annoyed that he could not kick Heka's ass if he wanted (or needed) to.