OOM All Skate Skellig Dream Magic Weirdness -Part 12

[brave_kreyu]

They wind up staying two full cycles of the Moon with Tyr's tribe.

Time enough to learn the various dances, share recipes, race through the Teeth, make friends, share stories, BELONG.

It might even be enough time for Skellig to sort out how he feels about being among other people with wings!

Tyr clasps Skellig's forearm in farewell. "I would call you my brother, if you would permit it?" he says, voice soft.

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[brave_kreyu]

She reaches for his hand, holds it a moment. "I am glad you have such faith in us." She leans in to kiss his cheek.

[27_53]

It is almost automatic, as he sees her reach for his hand, that he extends his in response.

"I have more than just faith," he says, smiling gently as she kisses his cheek, his gaze moving to their hands. "I just... it is like my soul knows it as a truth. I have never felt this way with anyone before and I just... know. It is hard to explain."

[brave_kreyu]

"Neither have I," she admits. Her stomach chooses that moment to rumble LOUDLY, and it makes her laugh.

"All right, I'll feed you," she teases, poking her stomach.

[27_53]

"It looks as if we have been gifted quite the assortment," he says, laughing. "It may not be a whale...I hope you will still manage to survive?"

This is said knowing that if she needs to hunt while out with Koschei he assumes that will be no problem.

[brave_kreyu]

"I will be fine, at least as long as I spend most of my time in this shape."

She starts portioning the various foods, slicing fruits and cheeses. "An excellent assortment to fuel up for the day ahead."

After breakfast, she dresses, then kisses him goodbye. Ajax shouldn't be too hard to find, as he's looking over the sketches he made yesterday. He's FULL of Light, almost drunk on it.

[27_53]

Once she has gone on her way, Skellig finishes dressing himself - something that is overall light and comfortable - and takes a moment to tidy up some of the mess that they made the night before.

He stops and chats with some of the staff (arranging for both their room to be refreshed as well as some plans for dinner later) before making his way towards Ajax's suite. He has no issues knowing the man is there, as the Light is practically radiating off of him.

"I can tell your 'surprise' was quite a good one," he jokes lightly, as he steps into the room and Ajax closes the door behind him. "You're practically glowing."

[brave_kreyu]

"He gave me the sky," Ajax tells him, voice low, but full of excitement. "I did not see his full shape, when he rescued me, and he has such a connection to the Earth..."

He laughs, his expression full of remembered wonder. "He flies so wonderfully, and he took me with him!" Koschei is slow and rather awkward in the air by draconic standards, but it's not like Ajax has any reference to compare him too.

[27_53]

It is also not like Skellig would work to actively dampen the enthusiasm of anyone who has experienced flight - after all, it is one of the sources of joy that he is most familiar with!

"That truly is a gift," he says. "One that I have shared with my wife, and it is..." He sighs softly. "As one who can fly, I can say this. Koschei likely felt great joy in giving you that experience. Joy he may not ever be able to fully express."

[brave_kreyu]

"I could tell he was very happy," Ajax agrees. "Although I am still learning to read him in his dragon shape."

He leads Skellig into the room they were working on the sketches in yesterday. "The world felt so very small and so very large all at once, when we were in the sky."

[27_53]

"I have felt that it gives you quite an interesting perspective of things - the view from the sky allows you to see just how vast the world is and how small of a piece of it we are, and yet at the same time...I have found that it makes me feel quite...magnificent."

And powerful, but Skellig does not mention that outright, as it is still something he does not discuss freely, just how powerful he feels - especially now that his Light is entangled so fiercely with Kreyu's Karma.

[brave_kreyu]

"Magnificent, yes, that's the word I couldn't find," Ajax replies.

He grins at Skellig. "Speaking of magnificent, would you care to pose again? I might be able to finish the piece today, especially if they are gone until near evening."

[27_53]

Skellig flushes just faintly when Ajax mentions 'magnificent', though it is more in regards to the thought of posing to finish the sketch - especially knowing that this session will be a bit more...involved.

"From what she told me over breakfast, of their plans for practicing wards...I suspect that it will not be until close to dinner until they are back here at the House," he says, nodding. "I would think it would be enough time."

[brave_kreyu]

Ajax nods. "It sounded complicated," he says as he gets out his tools and paper. "I'm not sure even Koschei understands large portions of it, to be honest."

[27_53]

"Kreyu is a fine teacher, when it comes to the use of wards and other types of protection," he says honestly. "It will not only work to keep the Procession of the Heavens safe, but it will also aid Koschei in maintaining his own safety - and yours."

Skellig sighs softly and then moves to the couch as before, removing his amulet to allow his wings to come back into view - and then after a brief pause to steel his nerves, he glances at Ajax. "Would you have me disrobe fully, now?"

[brave_kreyu]

"Only if you wish to be entirely nude in the sketch," Ajax replies. "I would not have you do something you are uncomfortable with."

[27_53]

He could make a joke about how during the first few weeks of his meeting and relationship with Kreyu - they were practically nude together at all times, especially once they made it to the Lair! But he refrains...

"I am not uncomfortable," he shakes his head lightly. "I know you are a man I can trust, and I am not concerned. I look forward to seeing myself drawn by your hand," he says. "As I know Kreyu will also."

Skellig sheds his chiton and settles himself on the bed - using some guidance to find the pose that they had decided on earlier, with some minor adjustments here and there as Ajax works to fine-tune the drawing.

[brave_kreyu]

Skellig will sense a brief increase in Ajax's heart rate when he first sees Skellig nude, a flicker of desire. Ajax DOES find him quite attractive, even if he has no interest in pursuing that in any way!

But that fades into concentration, work. The process of seeing with his eyes then using his hands to capture a moment of time in ink demands a great deal from the mind and the body.

[27_53]

There is a faint shift in Skellig's own energy, as he takes note of the flicker of desire and surge of want that ripples across Ajax's senses. While he has no interest in Ajax in that manner, he can appreciate being desired - it is a new feeling to him, but one he is willing to embrace a bit more as he grows more comfortable with his own form and being.

(Kreyu's unconditional love and acceptance - as well as her desire - for him have played a large part in that.)

Skellig holds his pose as long as he can, relaxed and comfortable with only brief pauses for breaks to allow himself to stretch or for Ajax to move about the room and study him from a different angle.

[brave_kreyu]

"I have finished the sketch," Ajax says at last. "At least, as much as I ever feel I have finished a piece. I fear I will ruin it if I tinker any further."

It's quite a good likeness, all told. There's an ache in Ajax's hands, his neck, from so long spent on such fine detailed work.

[27_53]

Skellig can sense the ache and the weariness that is running beneath the surface of Ajax's senses, and he will handle that in a moment; he redresses after he rises from the bed - and stretches his own body and wings, silently grateful for the 'freedom' to move once more as he moves to stand beside Ajax and look at the piece.

"That is wonderful," he says, voice soft (and mildly stunned). "I...to be quite honest, for a long time before I met my Lady, I did not hold myself in the highest regard. She has changed much of that, and to view myself in such a form...I understand why I was mistaken, before."

He rests a hand on Ajax's shoulder; the transfer of Light is subtle, but the tension in the other man's neck will ease, the tightness in his hands and fingers with fade.

"I cannot thank you or repay you enough. She will be most delighted."

[brave_kreyu]

"Thank you," Ajax replies, very pleased that his friend likes the sketch so much.

"I have found that how others have seen me has affected my understanding of MYSELF more than I care to admit," he confesses. "I do not know if that is true for you, but it has been a...process, finding where that poison has wormed its way into my being and removing it."

"I would ask you to tell me how she responds to it, but that might not be appropriate for me to hear," he teases.

[27_53]

That prompts a true laugh, and a shake of his head. "No, it will likely not be appropriate," he agrees. "But I will likely be able to give you the...summarized version, after I have gifted it to her."

A faint flush rises to his ears and cheeks at the thought of it.

"I do not know if you have plans for this evening once they return; would you like to settle in for a drink, perhaps, if not? I think they will likely still not be back for at least a while," he says. (He is listening further outside the walls of the building, and it is quite a distance to where Kreyu and Koschei have wandered off to.) "They will likely both need time to recover once they have finished their practice of the magic."

[brave_kreyu]

Ajax laughs with him.

"A drink will be lovely," Ajax replies. "I had no great plans, other than dinner and farewells." There is a faint sadness in him at the thought of farewells, but he pushes it aside. "I know you and Kreyu must return home soon, and it is no short journey you must make."

The time of the ritual in Kreyu's temple is quite close, only a few more days! He can not hear either Kreyu or Koschei yet. There is SOME uproar in the city after what happened yesterday, but it's not as bad as it could be. Most people seem to be waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[27_53]

"It will be less of a farewell and more of...a promise to visit again, either us return here to your homeland, or you and Koschei to visit ours," Skellig offers. "I would take this to our rooms and change clothes, then I will meet you downstairs?"

Gathering the art carefully, he does just that - stopping by their rooms to stealthily pack it away in a safe place (there is no risk of Kreyu rifling through his personal bags - even in their shared relationship, there are still things they keep private) where it won't be damaged. Then after a quick change to his clothing (to better play the 'part') he moves on to meet Ajax down at one of the more private alcoves, where there are drinks waiting at the ready.

Still no 'sign' of Kreyu or Koschei on his senses, but he is not overly concerned. He would know if something was wrong, he is certain!

[brave_kreyu]

"That is a far more palatable thought," Ajax replies, smiling. "I would like to travel a bit, once things have settled down."

The sun is beginning to set as Kreyu and Koschei draw near the House. Kreyu is frustrated, but otherwise well.

"Hello, love," she greets him, smiling. She slides onto the couch next to him, kisses his cheek. Koschei settles next to Ajax, touching his arm lightly near the elbow, a more subtle gesture of claiming.