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

[brave_kreyu]

Putting her hair up is always a bit of a process. Some of THESE jeweled pins can also double as weapons, in a pinch. She prefers to fight with spells, but you never know.

Also, sparkly, and she and Skellig both like sparkly.

"My hair isn't too tilted to one side or another, is it?" Her pearls, resonant with karma, are looped in plain sight around her neck.

[27_53]

The avian influence in his mind is naturally drawn to the jewels that now decorate her hair, and it takes him a moment to blink his attention and focus back into 'here' when she speaks.

"Mmm?" He draws his gaze to meet hers, then her words (and question) meet up with him. "No, it isn't tilted."

[brave_kreyu]

She is clearly amused at his needing to refocus. "Thank you, love. Hard to tell by myself."

She makes a last adjustment to her chiton, deep green patterned with circles of golden thread.

"You look lovely." She touches his hair with her fingers, 'straightening' it a bit.

They do attract SOME attention as they head downstairs, but not that lingers. Ajax is waiting for them downstairs in the chiton he was wearing when they first met, the one patterned with birds in flight.

Koschei's chiton coordinates with Ajax's, although it's a little shorter than it 'should' be. Most residents of this area are nowhere NEAR Koschei's height, after all!

Koschei rumbles a "Good morning," while Ajax finishes his business with the owner.

[27_53]

"Thank you, love." If anyone can bring some help to his hair, it is his very, very talented wife! "As do you."

Once they have made their way downstairs, Skellig tips his head politely (not a bow, simply a greeting) to them both as they arrive - he can sense that they are gathering some curious glances and extra attention, but it does not linger too long. After all, the events of yesterday are still at the front of everyone's minds...

"Good morning," Skellig says to Koschei, glancing in Ajax's direction. "Did sleep come easily?" He asks quietly. The for him is implied, as he would not dare speak it outloud where others might overhear.

[brave_kreyu]

"It did," Ajax replies, smiling. The 'thank you' is unspoken, but Skellig will pick up on it. As they step out of the House of the Setting Sun, Ajax glance skyward. "Might even introduce you to some of the local sights on the way," he tells them.

Koschei raises an eyebrow. "Not good day for herbalist," he remarks, tone dry.

"No, definitely not," Ajax agrees, chuckling. "We'll need all our wits about us."

[27_53]

"Perhaps a visit to the herbalist after the day's events have come to a close," Skellig suggests, 'helpfully'. "Depending on the outcome of the day, of course."

Though he is holding in his mind that it will be a positive one (for them) and he is currently blocking out any ideas to the contrary, working to build up his energy in the direction he knows he'll need it in.

"Is there anything specific we may benefit from knowing, before we get to the palace?"

[brave_kreyu]

"There are a few local specialties that are good for celebrating," Ajax muses. "But yes, definitely after."

"Nothing specific that I can think of," he says as they weave their way through the streets. "Will have to bribe some guards, but I came prepared for that."

The structure of the palace itself is made of local sandstone, broken up by courtyards with fountains and gardens to help with both light and cooling. They attract SOME attention, but not much, as everyone seems to be quite busy this morning.

One tower is much bigger than the others, but does not appear to be occupied for some reason. As they draw closer, Skellig can feel emotional echoes of wonder, joy, awe, and fascination. Old echoes, and faint at this distance, but definitely THERE.

[27_53]

Again, he does not say anything outright - but Kreyu may be able to pick up on the uptick in his energy and emotions, as the Light reserves within his body pick up a bit of a 'boost' as they make their way through the courtyards of the palace, growing nearer to the tower.

The echoes are faint, but they are THERE and that is a very positive sign that they are on the right trail!

"The stonework is quite skilled," he comments idly as they walk. "Clearly, a great deal of effort went into this work."

Likely by men who were not fairly compensated for their efforts, but he will not think too deeply on that at this time...

[brave_kreyu]

"Stonework fair," Koschei rumbles in quiet agreement. "Many hands and many years."

"Particularly lovely in the moonlight, I find," Ajax replies. "Every generation has added on to the grounds in their own way. The tower we are heading toward is the oldest part. Legend has it that it was built BEFORE the palace, but there's no proof of that."

Despite the tower being abandoned, there are two armed guards in front of it. "Ah, good morning," Ajax tells them, all charm.

"Would it be possible for my friends and I to view the tower alone for a bit?"

They hesitate at telling a prince 'no', but caution wins out. "We're not allowed to let anyone in there, sir."

"Of course, of course," Ajax says, waving a hand. "On my honor, none of us will even TOUCH the door." Two gold coins appear in his palm by sleight of hand.

The money is, well, it's a lot of money. One of the guards takes the coins, coughs nervously. "We're going to, uh, make sure that our replacements are going to arrive on time. Don't want to be stuck here pulling ANOTHER shift."

They scurry off, probably to put those coins somewhere safe or spend them!

As they approach the door, the echoes are MUCH louder. Whatever is behind that door has TREMENDOUSLY strong emotional echoes.

"How are you planning on investigating without anyone touching the door?" Kreyu asks.

[27_53]

"There are other ways to open doors," Skellig says, somewhat cryptically, muttering a bit as his eyes narrow slightly - he is currently quite distracted by those echoes, as they are LOUD and highly charged with emotions of all sorts.

(It is almost how he reacted the first time he neared the Lair - a bit woozy on his feet, leaning on Kreyu for 'balance'.)

"I am not good at any of them, but I...we are likely in the right place," he offers.

[brave_kreyu]

She wraps an arm around him for support.

"Can take through the walls, move through the stone," Koschei offers. "Holding breath might help nerves?"

The stone parts like water as Koschei carries Ajax through the wall. "Are you up for it, my dear?"

[27_53]

That...was not at all what Skellig had anticipated. Not in the slightest.

"I..."

He tilts his head curiously, blinks a few times...then shrugs. "I will hold my breath," he offers. "Nerves are...distractions." He waves a hand slightly in the air - it is a good thing that this is work needed by Koschei, as Skellig is a bit too out of sorts mentally to focus on his own abilities, as there is just SO MUCH to listen to!

[brave_kreyu]

Koschei pulls Kreyu and Skellig through the wall and beyond it. And oh, beyond it lies a Wonder! The Procession of the Heavens in all it's glory.

The heart of the tree's structure is one with the bedrock, going down deep and wide for support. It looks shockingly like a real apple tree of gigantic size, and in the crown of the tree is a structure with many domes made from the crystals they found in that cavern near Tyr's village!

The karma around the piece is tremendously potent, sparking a dragon's instinctive GREED in both Kreyu and Koschei. The surge of WANT from both of them is a palpable thing.

"Trouble," they mutter in unison, glancing at one another.

[27_53]

Skellig's attention is drawn to it, but for other reasons than greed or want - it is simply LOUD - the Karma a bit overwhelming to his senses, even with how he has managed to 'adjust' over time to that of the Lair...this is different, in some ways. Less familiar, perhaps?"

He assumes they are going to have to climb the tree on one of the many pathways that lead up towards the crown.

"Adjust...adjusting," he mutters, forcing himself to look upon the trunk and the branches - it truly is incredible, the detail of the craftsmanship that went into the creation. "Is bright. Loud. Lots...lots of Light here, all over and surrounding it."

He is talking simply for the sake of explaining (perhaps to himself) and because rambling takes a bit of the 'bite' off his senses.

[brave_kreyu]

"We'll try to help you, my love," she says, hugging him.

"Drain it?" Koschei asks.

"The only way it won't be a trouble magnet," Kreyu agrees nodding.

The whole party approaches the Procession of the Heavens slowly. It truly IS a wonder, so very beautiful.

Kreyu and Koschei place their hands on the 'trunk' of the piece, start draining the Karma that has accumulated around the item.

Hopefully, by the time it has completely drained, Skellig will be doing better.

[27_53]

Between the draining of the Karma from the Procession, and his body and mind adjusting to the slow decrease of overwhelming noise - Skellig is doing better, slowly but surely.

"The echoes are incredible," he says quietly, to nobody in particular. "Such strong reactions, joy and amazed voices, disbelief and awe...it is a true piece of art, and wonderous for those who laid eyes upon it, before it was hidden away. They are so strong...even after all this time."

[brave_kreyu]

Ajax speaks at last, his voice cracking. "I knew my family was selfish, greedy, but to see THIS hidden away."

"It would have kept attracting covetous dragons," Kreyu murmurs, sounding slightly drunk on karma.

"Many dragons," Koschei adds. "But, we fix. Won't attract karma anymore. Won't give power. Can't be moved either. Should be...safer to have in the open."

Human greed and human ambition to have the wonder will still apply.

[27_53]

"Will..." Skellig hesitates to say Gorgon out loud, because he does not fully understand what that might do in such a space as this - even with the Karma pulled away and divided between Koschei and Kreyu. "Will he be less interested, now that it is not a source of power?"

It is Kreyu who is 'bright' to his senses now, and Skellig might be staring at her, just a little, as they move closer to it. The echoes are still loud within the tower, but it is not as nearly deafening as it was previously.

[brave_kreyu]

"Yes, too much risk for reward," Koschei replies. "Would not function at all, if moved, might shatter. Too dangerous for him to bring rest of hoard here for decorative item."

Kreyu flushes at his staring, laughs. "I am surprised I can attract your attention in the presence of such a wonder."

Ajax is the last to reach the tree, touches the trunk reverently. "It has the look of wood turned to stone," he whispers, awed. Given that much of the exterior of the tree is made of petrified wood, his impression is surprisingly accurate.

[27_53]

Skellig huffs a laugh under his breath at her comment. "With the Karma, it... it is as if you are... extra shiny," he struggles to explain, though does divert his gaze back to the tree, allowing his fingertips to trace the veins in the stone.

To me you are the most wonderous piece in this room he 'says' to her, privately.

[brave_kreyu]

"Interesting," she muses. "I certainly FEEL very good right now."

"Karma drunk," Koschei quips. "I spent much karma yesterday, so it not affecting me."

She flushes more at his private comment, looks away. You say the sweetest things, my love. You are the greatest wonder in the world to me.

They climb up the ramps wrapped around and through the tree, the passage of countless feet over time making marks in the stone despite its magical reinforcement. As they climb the tree, they'll see wildlife captured in stone: squirrels, birds, insects. (Some of the insects are no larger than Skellig's thumbprint would be!)

As they pass through the trunk of the tree as the path winds upward, they will see a life sized stone owl roosting inside the 'cavity' of the tree. The patterns on its wings look very much like those on Skellig's.

[27_53]

"The detail in these carvings is incredible," he says as they pass the various depicted creatures. The owl itself actually stuns him a bit into reverence and silence when he first catches a glimpse of it - simply because it looks so very real!

He pauses at it, to study closer.

"Feathers are...very difficult," he comments quietly. "These are...very well done."

[brave_kreyu]

"My brood sister master of stone," Koschei replies, his voice soft, but proud. "One day, perhaps, I equal her."

"I have never seen such a wonder," Kreyu adds, awed. "And we have not even REACHED the top yet."

Ajax has been very quiet as they climb, deep in awe and thought tinged with guilt because his family has hidden this WONDER from the world. But the words 'brood sister' catch his attention. "Brood sister? I have not heard that term before."

Kreyu touches the carving oh so gently, in wonder and awe, leaning into Skellig.

"My kind no kin of the body," Koschei explains. "Kin of the soul, karma intertwined. Brood."

Ajax, judging by his face, is trying VERY HARD to figure out how THAT works for a few moments before he gives up.

[27_53]

Skellig's touch also goes to the feathers near where Kreyu is touching them, tracing the delicate lines of the vane and then where each individual barb has been etched into the stone. It is almost identical to a real feather, and it is not even that cold, even though it is stone...

He wraps one arm around her shoulders, hugging her close to him.

"It truly is a marvel the amount of effort that went into this," he says, as they begin to climb higher into the 'branches' of the tree.

[brave_kreyu]

"Miraculous," Kreyu murmurs.

At last, they step into the dome at the crown of the tree. Vast crystal domes arch above them. The one they can see most clearly is the color of the night sky, speckled with glowing 'stars'. A giant, moon colored, orb, lit to show the moon's current phase, sits at what would be the horizon, rising. The great stars, the planets, are orbs of their own. The planets that would be visible this time of year, the Great Stars, are orbs of their own, of different sizes and colors, in THEIR places in the sky.

Kreyu, Koschei, and Ajax are left breathless with wonder, with awe.