brave_kreyu | OOM All Skate Skellig Dream Magic Weirdness -Part 12

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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From:

brave_kreyu

"Know you're here SOMEWHERE," Gorgon growls. He stalks forward, confident and unafraid, which proves to be a fatal mistake.

Most beings are accustomed to the earth being solid. Therefore, Gorgon is taken entirely by surprise when Koschei's draconic head, jaws open wide, rises out of the stone right under Gorgon's feet. Like Kreyu, Gorgon is far more vulnerable in a human shape, and he doesn't have TIME to change that.

Koschei's jaws close around Gorgon's body like a snapping trap, easily holding and hiding his entire body in Koschei's gigantic maw. Thankfully, that also constrains the...mess as the inside edges of his teeth tear Gorgon apart in a matter of seconds.

From:

27_53

That was...surprisingly efficient, and Skellig is impressed! Which Ajax may be able to sense by the not-so-subtle sound of appreciation that escapes Skellig's throat as Koschei's jaws SNAP shut firmly around Gorgon's body.

It is probably better that Ajax's hearing is not as fine-tuned as Skellig's however, given what sounds filter through his ears in the few (thankfully brief) seconds that follow the initial 'catch'.

From:

brave_kreyu

That's definitely for the best. Once Gorgon is dead, Koschei retreats back under the earth to dispose of the body. And, well, probably clean his mouth out. He's not a CANNIBAL!

Ajax is staring at the spot where Koschei was. "He's MAGNIFICENT," he breathes. "Clever tactic, and such power."

"That should postpone any trouble with Gorgon for quite some time," Kreyu says, relieved.

From:

27_53

"He is," Skellig agrees, nodding as Koschei retreats and disappears - relief also entering his system now that the overwhelming sense of rage and anger has begun to dissipate from the room. There will still be hints of those echoes that remain, but they were so very, very brief...that in the overall aura that surrounds the Procession, they are nothing more than a fragment that can be swept away.

He rolls his neck and stretches his shoulders out a little bit - his wings are still concealed and he would not show them yet, but he was ready if needed to do so and that has them 'itchy', in a sense.

From:

brave_kreyu

"Unsettled, darling?" Kreyu asks, a bit concerned. "We can wait here for Koschei to come back, seems the most expedient option."

"Yes, that sounds good," Ajax agrees, staring up again at the false stars.

From:

27_53

"Just...adrenaline," he says. "Koschei took care of our issue with great speed, and I was prepared to do...much more, to be quite honest."

And the nervous energy is still there, and requires an outlet!

"But I am glad that it was not necessary and that none of us were hurt," he adds, glancing back at the spot on the floor where Koschei rose from. "At least, I do not feel as if he suffered any injury."

From:

brave_kreyu

"I was too, but I am glad Koschei dealt with the problem so speedily."

"Nor do I," she agrees. "And he can heal himself quite readily, with as much karma as he has right now. Even if something cut off his head."

"Wait, WHAT?" Ajax blurts out, looking at her with a stunned expression.

From:

27_53

Skellig hadn't considered that option - so he is equally as stunned when Kreyu mentions healing from a decapitation.

"Dragons...can heal themselves from that?" His expression is not quite as shocked as Ajax's is, but it's pretty damn close.

He glances back towards the ground, to see if that sword which Gorgon was carrying is anywhere laying about.

From:

brave_kreyu

"Very few dragons can, but Koschei is one of them. And it takes a TREMENDOUS amount of karma."

Something clicks in Ajax's mind. "He moved my wounds to HIS body, then healed himself."

Kreyu shifts a bit on her feet, not wanting to confirm or deny Ajax's statement.

Ajax sighs. "I won't press you about it," he promises Kreyu. "And it worked quite well, but the thought of him being in so much pain because of ME..."

The sword probably went into Koschei's mouth along with the rest of Gorgon, considering his size. Hopefully it won't get stuck between his teeth!

From:

27_53

"If he can heal himself from his own wounds of such great magnitude, then while your injuries may have been massively painful to you...they likely were not quite as painful to him," Skellig offers, trying to be helpful.

But he also knows intimately how Ajax feels, because he has felt the exact same way about Kreyu working to heal him by taking on his wounds into herself.

From:

brave_kreyu

"I hope so," Ajax says, voice quiet. He kneels, places his hand on the floor.

The stars turn back what must be years, to a particular alignment of the celestial bodies. "The sky I was born under," he explains. "When I was five years old, those who studied the stars told my parents it meant ill for me. That it would be a miracle if I reached adulthood."

"My mother cried at the news, my father was stone faced for a minute or so. Then he said it mattered not, as he had seven older sons."

From:

27_53

"And yet, it seems as you are the one who has had the most sense about you the entire time, and you have survived this far - well into adulthood, with no miracle yet."

Yes, encountering Koschei might have been a bit of 'divine' intervention, but Skellig makes no mention of that, as he turns his face skyward.

"Those who speak of prophecy are often most interested in saying only what they think people want to hear," he adds. "Or whatever might bring them the most coin. It is rare to find one who can truly See."

From:

brave_kreyu

"That is comforting to hear," Ajax says, looking at Skellig and smiling faintly.

"And even those who CAN see, if they are honest, will admit the future shifts easily and often," Kreyu adds.

Ajax looks back up at the crystal stars. "Only five sons now, I think. I can't imagine in that temper that Gorgon left my oldest brother alive." He sighs. "The four of them had best work something out soon with regard to the throne, I don't want the damn thing."

From:

27_53

"Could offer to rule by a court," Skellig suggests. "Rather than one of them assume the entire responsibility outright. Spread balance across the four of them?"

Even with the oldest brother likely dead (and while there is technically probably some reason for there to be a hint of sadness there, he can sense that the relationship with all his older brothers is...quite unhealthy, the elder ones especially) and a new struggle to emerge, perhaps with Gorgon out of the picture and the Procession no longer such a magnet for power and Karma...

"It might bring great prosperity to your region if this was carefully reintroduced to society," he adds. "Offerings from visitors..."

From:

brave_kreyu

"I might be able to convince them of that, will take some doing." He strokes his beard, thinking.

"Yes, the world should see this wonder again," Kreyu agrees.

Ajax nods. "If nothing else, I think I can accomplish that."

Koschei emerges from the stone of the Procession quite naked, but clean. He cuts quite the fine figure, does Koschei. One can see why many maidens, and some men, have rather swooned over him.

Ajax runs over, throws his arms around Koschei. "You're safe!" he says, pressed against Koschei's chest. Koschei wraps his arms around him.

"Safe, Gorgon never trouble you again," Koschei murmurs.

From:

27_53

Turning slightly as to give them a moment of privacy (once he is satisfied that Koschei is not in need of healing - though if he can heal himself from losing his head, there is probably little that Skellig would be called upon for) he brings a hand up to Kreyu's cheek, cupping it gently.

"We will have reason to celebrate tonight," he says softly. "Neither of us wounded, Gorgon disposed of, and to find this treasure, see it with our own eyes..."

He glances up at the stars. "I am most grateful."

From:

brave_kreyu

"So am I," she whispers, leaning into his touch.

She smiles, slightly impish. "Would you kiss me under these stars?" The sky above has gone back to the configuration of when Skellig arrived in this world.

From:

27_53

The blazing tail of the comet has caught his eye, and he wraps one arm around her body and pulls her in closer, with the intention of a true kiss lingering on the horizon. But first he smirks gently against her mouth.

"I believe I did more than kiss you under these stars," he mutters playfully. "Though it is nice to see at last what they looked like that night, beyond the roof of our home."

From:

brave_kreyu

"You did," she whispers against his lips, voice slightly rough. The memories of THAT night are quite clear and quite pleasant to recall!

"I DID see one star that night," she admits. "You, the star who wandered into my world. The star I found, invited into my heart and my bed."

From:

27_53

It is Skellig's turn to flush, touched by her words and praise.

"I was quite lucky to be spotted by one with such a keen eye as yours," he says honestly. "And one so brave as to see the star wandering without course and not run in the other direction out of fear. Instead, you helped me find my place here among this world, among these heavens."

From:

brave_kreyu

"We were both lucky," she says, smiling. "I ached with wanting for things I couldn't name, but my star saw what I needed, was brave enough not to fear the truth of my nature."

Skellig can probably hear Koschei and Ajax kissing quite...enthusiastically somewhere behind them.

From:

27_53

Skellig can hear Things Happening behind them, but he chooses to direct his attention to gentle (and increasingly lingering) kisses with Kreyu instead, rather than listen to Ajax and Koschei exchange...gratitude.

After a moment, he chuckles under his breath.

"Would we be better served to move lower among the branches," he whispers. "Give them a bit of...privacy?"

From:

brave_kreyu

"Might not be a bad idea," she whispers. "I don't think they'll get TOO frisky, but better safe than sorry."

She chuckles, takes him by the hand. As they exit the crystalline dome, Kreyu waves a hand and light flows over the door. It's suddenly MUCH harder for even Skellig to hear whatever might be going on in there! "Remembered something Elihu told me, about the Procession having the ability to create a kind of sound dampening for things inside the dome. With a lot of people inside, the echoes off of the crystal could get QUITE loud."

They head down the tree to the passageway with the owl carving. The ramp branches off into a small section they didn't notice on the way up. A place for people to rest, apparently. Quite small and close, but undoubtedly welcome.

From:

27_53

"Even with just the four of us in there, it was...loud," Skellig admits - closing his eyes briefly and exhaling with relief once she casts whatever she does to help with the noise. "That is...better. I was filtering more than I realized..."

There is a branch that has been worn smooth with time into a 'bench' of sorts, the stone clearly has seen many people pause here along their journey into the top of the crown of leaves, or perhaps just a spot to wait if the chamber was crowded?

He sits, opens his arm to her so she can sit beside him.

From:

brave_kreyu

Quite possibly both, considering the climb and how popular it once was.

She takes that invitation gladly, leaning into him a bit. "So very lovely," she murmurs. There are apple blossoms of stone, with bees and butterflies perched here and there either on their way to the blossoms or 'feeding' on them.