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.

Comments

[27_53]

Skellig has not been soothed in the slightest by the bits and fragments of conversation that he has heard in the time since they have arrived back at the city, and as he is working to dress himself in more 'appropriate' attire, he is letting his senses and his ears wander, try to find Ajax, or any news of him...and is coming up empty.

This could be a good thing, or it could be a very bad thing.

"Things were...wretched," he says plainly, as he adjusts his amulet, ensures his wings are hidden. "From what I am hearing, it began as a somewhat organized affair and then quickly...devolved." As organized as a battle might be, at least.

[brave_kreyu]

"That would make sense," she says, helping Skellig with some of his jewelry. "Gorgon can cause fear with his gaze as well as turn people to stone. Though I suspect seeing one's comrades turned to stone by a dragon is quite terrifying enough to cause things to go to pieces."

After all, how could mere mortals hope to stand against such power?

[27_53]

Standing against such power would likely be impossible for Skellig, even with the abilities that he possesses - so for a mere mortal, it truly would be a swift death sentence, and elicit fear.

He scrubs a hand over his face, sighs.

"I have not heard Ajax, yet. Or heard of him, or Koschei. Which...I am hoping is a good thing, in the overall sense."

[brave_kreyu]

"I suspect he has been trying to stay OUT of the public eye," Kreyu says, taking his arm.

The crowds are less dense this time, as they weave their way toward the House. As they get closer, Skellig might pick up the sound of Thia speaking Ajax's name inside the House. Might feel Koschei's energy, hear the rumble of his voice.

[27_53]

"Which would be sensible, given your warnings you bestowed upon him."

They navigate their way through the streets to the House with ease; it is familiar in a different sort of sense than the cavern at the tribe, where all the huts were laid out in a much more organic pattern, but with time they learned it well. It is the energy of Koschei and the rumble that he picks up first, a low bass that he can feel through the soles of his feet as they walk.

"They are alive," he says after a moment - relief evident in his tone, voice soft.

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu exhales heavily in relief, her hand loosening on his arm. "That is welcome news, my heart. So very welcome." She keeps her own voice soft, as they enter.

Ajax and Koschei are perched together on a couch in the alcove with the stained glass window. The offending wall painting with the birds has been replaced with a relief carving featuring delicate, life sized, birds portrayed with stunning accuracy.

Ajax sees them enter, and Light surges into his energy. "Sokratis, Kreyu, it is the utmost pleasure to see you."

"Day end well, at least," Koschei rumbles.

[27_53]

"Ajax, Koschei...the feeling is quite mutual."

Skellig takes the lead, as to be expected a bit in the situation, slipping back into the role of Sokratis. "Would you mind if we joined you?" He asks as they approach the alcove - and his eyes flicker to the relief carving, smile crossing his features as he notes that the awful rendition of the birds has been removed.

[brave_kreyu]

"Not at all," Ajax replies. "Though we were about to have dinner in our rooms, if you'd care to join us? I'm sure your journey has been a long one."

When Ajax clasps his forearm in greeting Skellig can feel the echo of wounds healed by magic, wounds that must have happened sometime today by the feel of things. Unnatural terror, a panicking horse, not being able to get off in time, trapped and crushed beneath it as it fell.

[27_53]

The feelings are quite raw and fresh, which gives Skellig pause briefly as he takes Ajax's forearm in greeting. There is a crushing weight upon his chest, a breath that catches in his lungs, a faint surge of pain and panic that makes the hairs in the back of his neck stand up. Kreyu will sense his reaction, certainly, and Koschei might...

"Dinner," he stammers after a moment. "Your rooms would serve us well."

[brave_kreyu]

Ajax, Kreyu, and Koschei all notice his reaction, though they draw different conclusions from it.

Kreyu puts her hand on Skellig's shoulder, seeking to help ease his nerves. She steps into the role of the more social one, to give him time to recover. "Dinner would be lovely, thank you. It has been quite a long day."

"Many having a long day today," Koschei rumbles. "I will tell kitchens we are having company," he says to Ajax. "You can stay out of trouble that long, yes?" he asks Ajax. The tone is mostly good humor but there is the faintest undertone of nerves.

Ajax rolls his eyes, mostly amused, and tips his head slightly in a nod. Koschei makes his way out of the room, light on his feet for a man as large as he is.

Ajax has presumed Skellig's stammering has to do with his being invited to Ajax's chambers after Ajax expressed his....interest in him last time they met. "It is not my intention to impose my desires on you or Kreyu, Sokratis," he assures him, voice soft, quiet enough that no one outside their group is likely to overhear.

Kreyu sees another guest approaching and delicately steers attention to the sculpture. "That new piece is lovely, do you know who made it?" Her words are pitched such that anyone passing by will surely hear them.

[27_53]

Skellig is grateful for her taking the 'lead' in this instance, as he works to force air back into his lungs, to rid himself of the feelings of panic - outwardly he just looks mildly unsettled.

(Though he does pick up on a hint of a deeper connection between Koschei and Ajax as the former moves to head for the kitchens, and that does ease his own nerves a bit.)

He shakes his head in regards to Ajax's comment, offering him a faint smile and a quiet response. "That is not a concern, it has simply been a long day of travel, and my mind is a bit scattered."

And to Kreyu's remark, to steer the 'conversation' towards the mundane, he shifts his energy and focus. "It is quite nice, isn't it," he says, nodding softly.

[brave_kreyu]

"Koschei's work," Ajax replies, beaming. For all of today's trials, there is more Light in him than there was when they last met, old aches have eased a bit.

"He took an immediate dislike to the painting as soon as he saw it, almost demanded to replace it on the spot. It was fascinating, watching him work." There is fondness, and more than fondness, in Ajax's tone when he speaks of Koschei.

Kreyu is quite pleased to see that her 'match making' efforts have gone so well, as Skellig will be able to tell. "I thought you two might get on," she says to Ajax.

[27_53]

Skellig reaches up and gently alllows his grasp to concentrate on her hand, bringing their fingers together as he lightly intertwines them, settling his nerves. The Light that is resonating from Ajax is also something he can sense, and it is welcome, allowing his own nerves to settle a bit.

"It is a benefit to have such an artist here by your side," he agrees. "We should have guessed that it was Koschei's work."

[brave_kreyu]

She applies a little pressure on his fingers where they are intertwined, gives Skellig a small, private, smile.

"He is a genius at capturing form, shape," Ajax enthuses. "Far better than I."

"You are better with colors," Koschei rumbles as he comes back into the room. He gives a patron heading Ajax's direction a LOOK, and they suddenly decide they have business elsewhere!

As they climb up the stairs to the suite, Koschei's hand goes to the small of Ajax's back.

[27_53]

Koschei beats Skellig to the 'nudge' to redirect the other patron, and Skellig's attention can then shift to ensure that anyone else remaining downstairs is not overly interested in their presence or their eventual destination in private.

(Except the staff in the kitchens who are working on dinner- he would not have them get lost!)

"It is a good match of your talents," Skellig offers casually. "Perhaps one you've crafted another piece, Koschei, there cold be ways for him to color it?"

[brave_kreyu]

"I would like that," Koschei rumbles as they near the suite.

Ajax looks quite pleased at the suggestion. "It would be an interesting challenge, I've never worked on anything in more than two dimensions."

There is the faintest tingle in the air as they reach the suite. "Ah, I see you managed to master the ward spell, Koschei," Kreyu says, quite pleased. "It's a tricky one."

There is a brief surge of surprise from Ajax, who apparently DIDN'T know about the wards, but he covers it well. "That and the other one," Koschei replies. "Has been useful."

Once they are inside the suite, Ajax lets a bit of his weariness show, leans more into Koschei's touch. "Please, have a seat. I think we could all use some wine right now." This room is something of a meeting/dining area, with couches to recline upon while one dines.

"Too much trouble too close," Koschei growls.

[27_53]

Once they are within the wards and the door has been closed behind them (he notices that Kreyu subtly 'double checks' things) Skellig also allows a bit of his guard down and motions at the couches.

"Please, sit. I would get the wine for all of us." After all it should not be hard to find the jug and four cups - and while traditionally it would be Koschei and Ajax doing the 'hosting' work...Skellig is not one to hold fast to tradition, especially when there has been a very busy day for all of them.

Instinct leads him towards a counter, towards the wine...

[brave_kreyu]

Ajax blinks, a bit surprised, then chuckles. "I should protest, as the host, but today has been ENTIRELY too exciting. Thank you, Sokratis."

The wine is a fine vintage, and he has no trouble finding the cups or getting the jug open.

Ajax and Koschei take one couch, VERY close to one another.

Kreyu sprawls on a couch nearby, leaving room for Skellig. "I believe we saw some of your interesting on the way here. There have been more than men on the battlefields."

"Gorgon," Koschei growls, the sound like grinding stone, his anger flaring.

Ajax's nerves flare a bit at that name. "I thought the stories of him mere tales to frighten children," he confesses, voice soft. Koschei wraps an arm around him in a gesture of both protection and an attempt to comfort.

[27_53]

"Tales and legends are often born of truth," Skellig offers as he returns, two cups in hand - those go first to Kreyu and Ajax, and then a quick turnaround fetches two more, one for himself and one for Koschei...as well as the jug, which he places in the center of a side table, in case there is need of a refill. "But not always. You were not wrong to consider him just a character."

His own wine in hand, he settles on the couch beside Kreyu, opening his arm to her casually.

"The energy that hung over the battlefields was quite erratic," he adds. "It seemed as if there were several things that nobody was prepared for... on both sides of the fighting."

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu slides herself into his open arm, settles against Skellig.

"You came in from the East?" Ajax asks. Kreyu nods. Ajax exhales heavily. "That battlefield was between the forces of Achilles and Patroclus two of my brothers. I suspect, but can't prove, that Gorgon is acting on the behalf of my eldest brother, Menelaus, and that he wished to take both of them out at once."

"A vile plan, but not a bad idea strategically," Kreyu admits.

Ajax's smile turns bitter, sharp, for a moment. "Oh yes, Menelaus always took the most after our father, for good and for ill. He tried to kill me with poison when I was twelve." Ajax sips the wine, makes an appreciative sound. Koschei looks STUNNED into complete silence by that bit of information. Ajax continues on in a matter of fact way. "You might say that our relationship has been rather STRAINED since then. Still can't stomach the taste of almonds."

[27_53]

Skellig's opinions on the validity of this 'battle plan' by Menelaus do differ slightly from Kreyu's, but only a little bit. He brings his hand to rest against her upper arm and rubs gently, as he sips from his cup.

"He must be paying Gorgon quite handsomely with something," he muses. "Do you have any idea what it might be? I know you have kept your distance from all of your siblings during this time of turmoil, but any knowledge you have might aid us in helping."

Because... they are helping. At least, Skellig plans to do so.

[brave_kreyu]

"Promised him the Procession of the Heavens," Koschei growls.

Ajax is visibly surprised by this information. "I didn't think you got the chance to...speak with him, while you were rescuing me," he says to Koschei.

"You were attacked by Gorgon?" Kreyu asks, concerned.

Ajax nods, his hands shaking ever so slightly. "Never felt that small before, that helpless."

"You were trapped under body of horse, no one at their best like that," Koschei argues. His hand rubs soothing circles on Ajax's arms.

Ajax makes a kind of startled laugh at that statement. "You think far too much of me, my dear," he says to Koschei. "I am QUITE certain I would have felt just as small and helpless had I been armed and on my feet."

[27_53]

On one hand - Skellig is pleased to see the connection and relationship that has blossomed and strengthened between the two men - as Kreyu expected, it has worked for them both, it seems. On the other hand, if Gorgon is holding on to the chance to obtain such a valuable piece...the fight will not be easy, and there is worry for the safety of all them.

(Mostly Kreyu, he KNOWS she is tough, he has seen what she can do when she shifts into her 'fighting'...but still, the worry is there.)

"I was quite sore the first time I got off a horse," Skellig mutters. "Trapped beneath one is not an experience I would wish upon anyone." Except maybe Gorgon - or Heka.

[brave_kreyu]

"Your brother must have it hidden, or Gorgon would have surely claimed wherever it currently resides already. It is far too vast a structure even for a dragon to move."

Ajax's expression is sympathetic when Skellig mutters about being sore the first time he got off a horse. "It is quite a strain on a body not used to such things," he agrees. "Poor creature, I'm just glad she perished quickly."

Koschei looks as if he's contemplating speaking up while Ajax and Kreyu speak. "Was never moved from where it was built," he says at last. "Changed shape of landmarks, so place did not look like place. Bargained with the spirits to build a tower around it, make it look a ruin, in the space of a night."

[27_53]

That gets Skellig's attention, though his outward reaction is minimal - he uses his cup to hide any change in his facial expression - and he nods.

"From what I have heard of the Procession, that option seems as if it may have been the easiest to disguise its whereabouts, compared to moving it outright."

Though the spirits who would have been capable of hiding such a thing must be quite powerful.