--- Neydisa/Shane Lude 1: Swearing to the Sky --- Session Start: Mon Jul 22 02:21:28 2002 -------------Unauthorized Inturlude Start!------------------- * Shane sits in the cabin of the Metal Bird, contemplating the sealed book in front of him nervously. * Shane 's hand hovers above the seal, but he doesn't move to open it... ...blast it, Kema. Why aren't you there...? «ooc: filfre to enter. » * Neydisa returns to the cabin of the Bird after her impromptu beach walk, blanket still about her like an awkward cape. As she trudges inside and shakes some sand from her feet, you can tell something has changed about the woman, though it's not readily apparent. ...Neydisa? * Shane moves his hand away from the book. * Neydisa stops short of where Shane is sitting, hearing her name being called. "Shane?" I... are you okay? * Neydisa takes off the blanket and folds it up neatly on a seat. "I'm feeling a lot better now, actually..." * Shane nods slowly. Are... you up for talking? * Shane looks at the bok nervously. There's been something I've been avoiding. I need to stop pretending... ....that this doesn't exist... «ooc: bok == book. » * Neydisa follows his eyes to the book, still a little uncfortable around the thing. She nods once, and sits where the blanket was placed, running a hand through her blue hair. What's the first you remember of me, Neydisa? * Neydisa folds her hands together in thought. "That depends... but we first met at the festival. You were working as a Meister there when everything happened." Huh... I guess that would be right. Funny that that would slipp my mind... * Shane mutters something about stress under his breath as he scratches his head. He still looks extremly tired from the last week's events, if a little better than before. It was... a simple start to such a big chain of events... I was thinking... in... the Spirit World? * Neydisa mmms softly. "That's.. where I get a little less sure. But..." Less sure? After that first meeting, the nest i saw of you... you were curled up and scared to death with Ellena. And then you were gone again. « er next » ....yes... And when you next saw me... I had... * Shane places his fingers on his face where the dots form. * Neydisa nods. "They said odoryuk healed you, at least the voice of the Raven that day." * Shane nods... I don't know if it's a healing... but... ... * Shane sighs. I wish I could've helped you then. You were so helpless. Like a lost child... At any rate... Neydisa, you and Jeff... ...you are the first Shamans I've ever thought of as anything but a zealotous fool. * Neydisa sighs... ...before last month... I thought... *they* were just myths. Shane, I'm honored you feel that way, even though i've such a terrible example... « er I've been » * Shane smiles and shakes his head. Neydisa, one day I'll corrupt you into getting *some* kind of an ego. * Neydisa looks up more. "Don't worry Shane. I'lll be alright. I just... need some time." * Shane frowns. Everything in due time, then... But... to the matter at hand... But the Guardians... after this trip they are more real than anything to me. I'm encouraged by this. ...What... * Shane frowns in a slightly frigtened way. A little too real. But... I can't run from the truth any longer. * Shane looks up to Neydisa. Did I ever tell you about... when I was a child? What Kema said I did? * Neydisa nods, a little distant in her reply. "I can't run anymore either... I think we agree on that." She chimes in stronger as he speaks. "You mentioned something about it... something you did to make Guardians hate you?" * Shane nods. I've been... loth to divulge the entire story to... your professional kin. I'm a little fuzzy, but I can't imagine what or how that could come about... I don't know if you'll sympathize with my situation, or wish to strike me down, or... * Shane looks concerned. I don't like paradigm shifts. The Guardians were a scary story... and now they're a scary reality. * Shane , usually more sure than a mountain, seems nearly childlike. He's rocking slowly, his arms under his legs as he looks for the works in uncomfortable silence. * Neydisa pauses, not ued to seeing this side of Shane. "You're... looking like that day... do you really fear Them so much?" « er used » I.. * Shane 's eyes look pained. * Shane blinks, and looks away. ...This is hard. * Shane looks to the floor. Not many people understand.. I could understand if your were afraid because you didn't know. but that isn't like you... * Shane nods to the floor, then slowly turns his gaze to Ney Kema said... That... when I was young... In the cradle still... ...That I was... *somehow*... Powerful? * Neydisa waits patiently, not forcing anything out of Shane about such a stressful occurance. In a crying fit, I imagine, somehow I tapped into this... 'source'. A source...? Something spirtual? * Shane nods. She said it was raw Essence. I... She said I used it unknowingly to bring myself to the Spirit World. * Shane 's trembling now. * Neydisa looks down a bit. "Raw essence... I think that would only exist in.... indeed, the Spirit World." * Shane shakes his head. I can... control it some... now... You saw? With my eyes? * Neydisa nods. "I haven't bothered to ask you much about it, or Kema up till this point..." Kema helps me, she says... but she also says I need to find a mentor before I can control it more than... ...This is getting sidetracked. I can't avoid the subject. I need answers, and soon. My life is about to become more dangerous than ever, and I need to rectify this. * Shane looks weakened from the effort of saying that. * Shane looks to Ney for permission to continue. * Neydisa puts her folded hands up to her face. "Shane, I want to protect you... but I don't have the answers you need, I think..." I haven't told you... the important part. This Essence-Power... when I was in the spirit world... I... Do you mean, as a child, you ... did something when you crossed over? ...I was scared. I... She said... I hurt the spirit world. * Neydisa gasps once. "H..hurt? B-but... how could that..." She said my... energy... tore through the spirid world. She said it soon burned me out... I guess I was... I used too much as a frightened child... And I blew my fuse... * Neydisa is still gripped by a modicum of disbelief, trying to get her thoughts in order. She said that the spirit-world hates me for this. I.... I think I still remember this. * Shane looks like a deer who's spyed the hunter. Every night... I... I have nightmares... I haven't wanted to think about it... but I've slowly been... ...From what I remember... It *looks* like the Spirit World. * Shane turns to her, holding back tears. ...nightmares... Every night since I can remember... They've been there... coming to get me... I can remember a few of them... coming for me. I recognize them when Ellena summons them... * Neydisa holds back a tear as well, but for far different reasons... I also... I think... ...That some helped me... Kema said when I burned out... I was stuck between the worlds. ...In my dreams, I see the Pretty O... You've... called Lucadia that, haven't you? ...I see Lucadia. With my mother.... * Shane nods. ...and... The Unicorn? Adoryuk? Odoryuk. 8correct him as if it's a welcome distraction to other serious thoughts* I... There may have been others... Nothing I recognize... ...Most of the things trying to kill me... They... I don't think they were the gods... ...When I met Ellena... Small spirits tried to destroy me. They ignored everyone else, and nearly beat me to death... When I found you, I think blights has driven you to that state... corrupted spirits... * Shane winces. * Shane nods. They nearly buried me in the bogs... when i first found that place. ...Ellena said they ignored everyone else even after I passed out. They hated me... * Shane fights a sneer down. ...As I hate them... As I fear them... To cause such a thing... they only have hated shamans in my experiences however small. So... maybe it's true, hoever unbelievable it seems...? Which part? What Kema says? I... I'm pretty sure it's true. * Neydisa closes her eyes. "How... a child could do so much... how could someone have that power..." * Shane shakes his head. She said I burned myself out doing it. And I have but a fraction now... I can sometimes feel it... It churns in me when I'm angry... But, you said you are getting that strength back... and that means, eventually-- I can almost taste it right before... the dots appear. * Neydisa swallows this. * Shane nods. Kema said that if the Guardians wanted to kill me... truly kill me, I'd already be dead. She also said that some activly protect me... * Neydisa nods slowly. The two I remember... and she said that... The Lord of Darkness protects me as well... * Shane 's hand hovers over his coverall pocket, which contains his rune. I know Drum gave you his rune. I cannot hope to understand why, but even this is extraordinary... and then there's... perhaps how i really met you. * Shane wipes a small amount of moisture from his eye, face twisted to maintain compusure. ...How... you really met me? * Neydisa rocks back and forth once in the seat. "Welll, I met your shadow. Your reflection... it wanted me to meet you at the festival. I believe that spectre of the Pretender is indeed you." ...Pretender? Your spirtual self... I'm not sure I understand it yet, but everyone possess a unique quality, a name in the Guardian's eyes. I believe that is yours. Heh... * Shane looks guilty for a split second. So one of the myths... Do they... really know everything? The myths... That's why I wanted to talk to you... * Neydisa shakes her head slowly. "The Guardians needed us to unblind them if you remember. They are not omnipotent, but they are tied to Filgaia itself..." Do they know everything? Do they sometimes walk as men and eat the souls of men? Did they bring the demons here as a test of us? Was mother one of them? «ooc: Mother » * Shane shifts slightly when he says Mother. I've heard so much about them... I thought them nightmares Neydisa. I feel uneasy when I see their statues. I wanted to scream the few times I was in the churches... or the graveyards... I almost feel the churning whenever I think about them at all... When I remember you're a shaman... when I even read stories... They are a part of life, you can't ignore them... whther reviled or revered, they are always around us, watching. We are their arms in the real world, they say. Servants of this place. It's a chain going back to the dawn of humanity... The ones I recognize... I want to run... I want to fight... I want them to be gone... * Shane looks scared as he trembles with fear, anger, confusion. * Shane nods. I know they're real... now... ...but I still fear. I need to understand them. I need control. I want... if you... I need to learn. * Neydisa nods slowly. "You know I give my life to them, while you seem to live in fear. It must be hard to try to bridge that gap..." I need to talk to them, Neydisa. And if I can't understand... If I can't controll myself... * Shane nods to Neydisa. Ellena said... When I saw the... The winged one... I shot at him... but I didn't want to... to shoot. I wanted to scream. I wanted to scream until he went away... I almost thought I could... and then I don't remember anything... Solus Emsu judges the living and the dead, the natural and unnatural. You would have nothing to fear of him... Don't I? Neydisa... What if he's judged me for what I did unthinking so long ago...? He... I think he's one of the ones that comes for me. I see him in my nightmares now... I wish if I could remember him being there before last month... * Shane looks troubled. He obviously hates not being able to remember. I don't know. If you saw him and you truly were his enemy, think back to what you just said. I... since... ...we wouldn't be here having this conversation... * Shane gulps. What if they only keep me alive because they want to use me? * Neydisa falls a little quiet. "I've been.. thinking about that, actually." What happens when they're done? If I was so powerful when I was a babe... what happens when I'm fully recovered? I... don't want to be used, Neydisa. I am my own man. The more I think about it, the more I want to... leave. You're not a Shaman, and yet you've had more exposure to Guardians than many holy men. What if... what if the ones that protect me only do so because of my mother? I can't help but think, if there is anything to believe, it is the fact you are being watched... You were suprised when I named her a... high shaman? * Neydisa stops. "Y, yes... a high shaman isn't a light term..." Dad said he'd wait for months outside of Baskar sometimes, waiting for her... Quests... to end. * Shane says "Quests" like a question. Spirit Quests no doubt... as I understand it, High Shamans supposedly have conversations directly with the Guardians. I don't think he believed it was more than a myth, either... but he loved her, and I don't think he questioned her to her face. They are the favored few, the direct ties to this very land... What... happens to dead Shamans? I never knew my mother.... but I knew it was her in my dreams... Even my mother, who was the most devoted Lucadian i have ever met was not so highly esteemed... * Neydisa says this a bit somberly. These 'High'... They're rare? * Neydisa nods. "Shane... about the dead. I heard the sun whisper to me once..." The.... sun? * Shane frowns. Shamans, when they die, they live on... A memory in time if you will. Like a spirtual imprint of their lives on an immortal record... perhaps there are ways to see them once again, even beyond the River ge Ramtos takes us all too... * Shane lights up. You mean...? Could I...? * Neydisa fidgets a moment. "I'd like to understand this better.... but my knowledge is so poor." My mother's been dead for... less than a quarter century. My father less than ten... when I look for the truth... would I be able to see them too? The mention of the place where our spirits reside closest to... do you know of "the Hidden Heart"? I've... I've been so lonly, Ney. I... The Hidden Heart was where I got... * Shane touches his face again. * Neydisa blinks. "You went there by yourself?" I woke up there after I passed out from... Solis Emsu? It must be because you were afraid, frightened. You returned to where you felt comfortable the most. But... to go deep within yourself on that level without training... I don't think I went there by myself. You said... Raven? Is Raven a Guardian? odoryuk could have helped you, as he did me. ...most of the names you use... I feel the storm inside... but that one... and some others don't bring it. That... ward you call Stillwater ... I feel that three energies flow towards it. Odoryuk's is the most familiar... I think the Shaman that touched me... She dressed like the Healer Shamans. I very rarly visited them. Only when I was so fevered my father ignored my cries... ...never since he... ...but I remember... Odoryuk is the guardian of life... many people owe their health to his shamans. * Shane frowns again. It is a miraculous power, the light of his horn. I... saw it once for an instant there... Some of the names don't make me angry... I don't know... None of the ones you whisper. Zef...fir? Lou...seed? Some of them you whisper in reverence... the others in... not. Zephyr... Jeff's path... Hope. You whisper that one in awe. Is that why you act like he's a walking god? Everyone believes he no longer speaks to us... perhaps maybe only to the people in Baskar. I almost did not believe... until I met him. He... he's a miracle Shane... I can't help but feel such things. He fought Fear for my sake, and died, while I was helpless... ge ramtos took him herself. Neydisa... I'm beginning to think... we're all miracles. And then... even though they told him to be a stranger, I know the man in white was... a friend. Even if noone trusted him. Maybe... I'm a miracle. That somehow, I keep going on. These last few weeks have been exceedingly odd. We all recieved... these 'Runes'? I think we're all being used... by them. Why does Duras frighten me? I want to throw this thing into a river, but I want it near me. I almost feel... smarter when it's against me. It's like a drug... * Neydisa hangs her head a bit, though she is smiling. "I seek nothing but to be a worthy servant, Shane... maybe it sounds pitiful, but it is what holds me together." * Shane shakes his head. I think... I think you're as important as any of us. You're almost not even like a... * Shane 's last word dies in his throat. * Shane smiles. I think you're very much like me. * Neydisa shoots him a questioning glance with her amber eyes. * Shane 's voice is very soft now. In fact, since he's been afraid, it hasn't been his hard-driven husky voice. Instead, it's been shifting between fear and awe quietly. I learned how not to submit, Neydisa. I like to control the circumstances around me. You seem to think, and accept you're only a servant... but sometimes... sometimes you act like you could lead. I think... you have more will than you want to admit. I'm usually a good judge of this, I think... * Shane gives the impression that while this is true, it's not exactly the thing he was going to say. * Neydisa remains a bit quiet. "I can... but I'll always have to believe in something. I'm trying to finally rediscover that quality of believing in me." Will... I.. need to. Things are getting so much bigger than i ever intended. * Shane 's voice is a very, very light whisper now. Fear lives in his eyes. When they are done with me, will they murder me? I want to leave. If I'm dangerous, won't they just let me? * Neydisa feeds a little off this fear, the subject switching. "Do you want to go to the stars, beyond Filgaia, and finally do that...?" If they don't know everything... can I tell them I'm leaving? Will they spare me? I don't know... part of the reason I wanted to leave was this fear... but mostly it's to see that which lies beyond... ...I liked things better before I knew I could kill a world. Before I knew there are things I couldn't know about myself. * Shane looks angry. That bloody gate... it's the most dangerous thing I've ever seen, but I don't fear it. I know how it works. *I understand it*. Guardianism is not like a machine, there's a certain part you need to take without understanding it fully. That's belief... But if destruction was a death sentance... I'd be murdered by them just for having it. I've told you what it could do... But what reason do I have to use it like that? I believe the Guardians exist. It's foolish not to. I've *seen* them. But you don't understand why they are doing such things yet... that is why you fear... right? Usually... if I don't know something, I don't fear it. I know I can learn... I want to learn about them. I need to know them. I need to be able to guess. * Neydisa thinks. "And you feel meeting them is the only way." I... I need to learn what I can *before* I meet them. I think... if... ...I need to control my fear, Neydisa. Sometimes when I'm... emotionless... I feel the ward stretching. It's brittle. It's very strong, but it's a hard ward. I think it's sometimes taxed to it's limit. * Neydisa gestures. "There is information out there for you.... absorb all you can. Maybe it will come together with a bit more reasoning... maybe that will ease the stress somehow. You can't go on like this..." It's not like a mage's ward, but there are similarities. Frankly, I didn't know there was so much difference in the magic. I thought you all were simple mages... but it's sometimes like a different language. Well... I... Will you help me learn? Your patron was my mother's. I don't fear her. I think you can help... help me overcome this. If there is anything in this world I share with you it is trying to learn more about Them. I know I was brought to you for reasons I am still trying to grasp yet... * Shane smiles. Then you'll help? * Neydisa tries to put on a smile, though it is her weary one. "I still haven't left your side yet. That should answer your question." * Shane nods. Well, then... I think I know tomorrows destination. At least for you and Jeff... if you're willing? I'm fit to walk again, mostly... what are you thinking? My father always said mother came from the place where your profession get answers. It was never home to me... but I suppose I have kin there still. * Shane touches his jet-black hair. Baskar, then? I've.. actually never ben there myself. « er been » * Shane nods. I... can't come with you. The one time I did, I felt as... I won't go there until I have control. You understand, yes? * Neydisa nods, completely understanding in her eyes what he means. "I do." * Shane nods. * Neydisa rubs her hair gently. "I always entertained the though of a pilgrimidge someday... maybe this is the right time." * Shane smiles, although the fear hides behind it. Clearly the shamantic thoughts are still unnerving him. And... Jeff could visit the place of the West Wind. Maybe he can also find his own answers about what to do now with his second chance... I... I think while you're gone... I'll search for Allen. He... He hasn't been in his room latly. * Shane frowns. I'm not sure if he's entirly safe. I feel an obligation to him. Which... is odd for me. I never felt this way before I met all of you. * Neydisa loses some of her chipeprness. "I'm.. worried about him, too. You could say... he's another I've been told to be close to. Something terrible looms for him, but I don't know what it is." Terrible? * Shane looks startled for a second. * Neydisa closes her eyes and shakes her head. "I've seen too many visions of him... he is all in metal. he is in pain... body, and especially his heart..." He... * Shane pauses, as if unsure to tell you something. Kema once said that I would change. I thought once that this meant I'd no longer be human... but I think now I'll be something more than Human... but the same still... Kema said... Allen... ...He... Isn't completly human. * Neydisa looks surprised. "Not human...?" She said Ellena was more human than he was. Or closer to being... ...Shane... ...There's something very alien in the young mage. * Shane frowns. * Neydisa looks down. "I spoke to you of names before..." * Shane nods. They speak of Allen as the sword Bearer. One who will carry a sword to rend the earth... it's frightening when you suddenly say such a thing now. * Shane nods. Kema said... she said the 'other' thing awakened in him in the Lab. You remember? He... he started shaking... and that... thing came from him? That conflaguration... I thought it was a crest magic, but something felt wrong about it. * Shane nods «ooc: err.. » * Shane shakes his head. I was almost blinded when I saw it through my lenses. At the edges... it looked... * Shane 's face twists. I can't explain. I've never seen anything like it. There weren't any lines of fire in it. It burned, but without Frey... at least... not that I could see. I don't think it was anything like my Ward, either. It could be, though... I don't know much about these things. * Neydisa shakes her head. "When we were in the station... I had such a strong feeling of worry for him." How could an Elw be more human than Allen? He's a nobleman! I... should ask Kema if she can sense Allen's family, too... I didnt know what to do but keep Caliban away from him, his anger... it was welling up around him so tangibly. * Shane nods. There are so many questions still Shane. He... he was acting the same way he did in the lab a few tmies. It was always in battle, but I watch everything I can... * Shane nods. Even the Eater of Souls has a part... Hikaru.... I'll look for the answers I can find myself, if you look for the answers I can't handle yet. Eater of...? * Shane 's face twists inscrutably. he's the inheritor of his master's technique. It bore a name like that. he's is caught in some plot... Messiah papers... Faugh. * Shane looks outraged at something he's been pondering. * Neydisa looks a little exasperated. "They all need to be answered, they are all connected, I know it. Amelia left us so many tasks..." * Shane nods. * Shane sighs and closes his eyes. I couldn't keep one promise... so.. I must keep my other ones. .oO{ I refuse to extend my goodwill to one who's threatened me so many times. Play your part, Hikaru. When it is over, we will settle this. } * Neydisa leans back in the chair some more. ...Promise? I promised I would do my best to help the Lonely walker... the princess... but I couldn't... I wasn't strong enough. She betrayed us all. * Shane sighs. I know... but... when i first emt her, maybe there was a chance things could have been different. I saw something there that she wanted a friend... In trying to chase Death, I missed maybe the most obvious signs of all, and then it turned out this way. I doubt it. She was controlling the Demon even then. She orchestrated her kin's own death. She was already committed by the time we became pawns in this game. You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. * Neydisa sighs. "Maybe so, but, that's over... and all that remains is the promise I made... to my soul, now." If it comforts you any... from what I can reason from her transformation... we probably did save her. I doubt her soul would've survived Mother. Perhaps... perhaps if we see my family, she will be in the Heart as well? I can only wish such a thing is true.... I am trying to see if I can learn the secrets to these things. Wen I'm ready... * Shane smiles. Thank you. You... you live by your promises? * Neydisa laughs a little. "I have spoken to the dream servants. I will break my body before my word. So is the way of my family's pride." * Shane nods slowly. I... never promise anything. I couldn't trust anyone before... Shane.. ...I have a great promise to ask of you. But... you who have so much to think, to worry over, I don't want to be one of those things. ...I will promise you something in return. You need but ask. What is that? * Shane looks stone serious. I'd... I'd rather you name your price first. Shane I... I don't know what to ask for. you know what I need I can't get from you or anyone else... ...What do you need? * Neydisa dismisses this a little. "Don't worry Shane, this is something I need to find on my own... back to where everything started for me." "There is one thing you might be able to do for me." « er but ^^ » Please. Ask. * Neydisa feels a little embrassed at first, but then gets up the nerve to speak. "You said you wanted me to help you learn, so promise me that you will help me to help you. Find a teacher in the ways of the Spirit. I know you seem to know everyone around the globe far more than me... that way, we both could benefit and get what we want." * Shane frowns. You ask for something I was intending to do already. Usually, I would accept this and gain something for nothing. I cannot do this and keep your trust, even if you never knew. * Shane frowns deeper, and gulps. Perhaps... perhaps I can offer you something better. * Shane looks up for your response. Shane, youv'e already promised me some time to think, to go home. There's nothing more I want right now... That is as well, nothing. What I will ask is... too great to shrug off. Perhaps this is the only way you will accept. * Neydisa rubs the side of her right arm, a bit sore yet, very curious despite her very sincere humbleness. If you agree to what I ask, I will promise that... that as long as she does not plan to kill me, I will serve the will of your master until this is over. * Shane closes his eyes. If I am a feared object to them... Perhaps willfully serving them will curry favor, eh? * Shane looks pained. As if he was betraying himself. If it's of free will, yes... but don't be so quick to compromise like that before you understand... But, go on, please. It's free will. My eyes are open. * Shane seems surprised as the Baskarian proverb passes his lips. * Neydisa nods slightly. "If that's so, what are you going to tie to this vow then, Shane?" I ask of you... That which the guardians tell you... I must know what they say, without holding back. Even if they demand your silence. I need to understand. I need to comprhend as much as possible. I know... I ask much. That is why I couldn't cheat. I will swear the only oath I know that will prove this to you, if you never speak what you learn from the oath. * Neydisa looks very serious suddenly, tensing up visibly. " nly if Lucadia herself wishes it to not be known, but then you are her servant, as your mother before you. I... think I can accept this, then..." ...I... respect my... privacy. It is enough that Allen almost knows. It is sometimes hard to hide that what must be hidden. * Shane nods. Then we shall speak the oath. I've never needed to before, but I know the words. Some of my associates... demand it of people they hire. * Shane braces himself, and closes his eyes. * Neydisa seems intrigued by the last few words. "Your associates.... I suppose I'm very much one of them now." « need to go soon grue. hate to rush but nearly 5. ^^ » * Shane chuckes, and opens his eyes from the steeling of thimself. Heh heh... You are so far from the ones I speak of, as to be in another world. «ooc: Almost done. » No... no use delaying this. My mind is made. I hereby do swear under the protection... * Shane gulps heavily. ...under the protection of the Guardians, that if I fail that they may recind their love and give my undying soul to the torments of Angol Moa. I vow this on the... ... ...I vow this on the honor of the families Wavemaster and... D'Arcturis, may my ancestors and descendants wip me from memory if I lie. «ooc: wipe » I shall serve the will of the Guardian of the Sea, Lucadia, as her will requires until the tasks she sets before me are completed, and until she or someone acting on her behalf releases me of my sworn onus. * Neydisa studies Shane as he speaks these with obvious difficulty. * Shane takes his utility knife from his belt, and cuts his right hand's palm open, biting his lip as he does it. My vow is given. This pact shall be kept. * Shane opens his eyes, and looks to Neydisa, offering the knife. That oath... now I know... It's... it's the only oath that I know that won't be broken. I'm sorry to ask it of you. * Neydisa looks at the knife. "Regret nothing Shane... especially now." She takes a short breath and holds it. * Shane 's eyes actually seem to reflect his sorrow. I hereby.. do swear under the protections of the Guardians, that if I fail, that they may recind their love and give my undying soul... to the torments of Angol Moa. *short breath after this word* I vow this... on the honors of the families Kingfisher, and Danielson... may my ancestors and decendants wipe me from memory if I lie. * Shane braces himself as she holds the knife. I shall swear to divulge the whispers of the Guardians and their ineffiable will to my oath-brother, that he may understand his place in the order of Life. If I am sworn to silence by the great Guardians, let this oath be my first and foremost duty, until such time as I am released of my sworn onus... * Shane gulps, a very pained look of anticipaction on his face. * Neydisa grips the knife, hesitating just a narrow moment, then strikes a deft slit across her palm, wincing only once and biting it back. * Shane winces as she cuts. My vow... is given. Let this pact be kept... I... We don't have the time to wait as they heal together... But they don't usually either. I'll finish it like they do. * Shane takes your bleeding hand with his. Press... press them together hard. * Neydisa looks at him, though it's not really showing much of the pain, which she's obviously good at holding back, and does so onto his palm with her own. * Shane closes his eyes and starts muttering his heals spell over the hands. As the charm works it's effect, your hands merge together at the cuts, flesh one and the same. * Shane winces. Have... have you ever seen this oath given? * Neydisa gets a little tense, though she almost seems to be... smiling in some strange way. * Shane holds his hand still as not to tug at her. He is being very, very careful. It reminds me.. if some seamen's oaths... but.. I don't remember this part... « er of » ...When my parents vowed their hearts to each other, my father said that they did it the old way. I cannot imagine the amount of dedication it must've taken to spend a week motionless. * Shane frowns, in regret. He said it was an oath you can only give twice, as you can't promise things so strongly like this often. Such devotion is... so rare now. They must have truly loved each other. * Shane nods. My father said he suggested it, and my mother cried with joy. We... should finish. * Shane clears his throat. * Neydisa nods as well. *** Huw (htjones@192.168.0.13) has joined #Warpg As we are sealed, thus is the pact. I will betray not my Oath-Sister. May she open my heart with this very blade if I do. * Shane palms the knife in his left hand, and raises it, waiting for your hand to join it. * Neydisa keeps her gaze rooted on the pair of joined hands, waiting. "As we are sealed, thus is the pact. I will betray not my Oath-brother. May he open my heart with this very blade if I do." We must do this slowly. I believe I can guide it cleanly. Working with such small parts has given me the hands of a surgeon. But you must still hold it to finish the ritual. * Shane looks for your acceptance. * Neydisa reaches out for his left hand with hers. "I trust you." * Shane momentarily looks like he'd cry again. * Shane nods. * Neydisa has a very even stare, very calm... * Shane guides your hands to the hands now pressed together. Slowly he workd from the top of the conjoined flesh, and works his way down. He bites his lip hand several times, and you see a trickle of blood from his lip, but you never feel any pain from the conjoined skin. * Shane finishes, and slowly moves the knife-hand free, and lets go of your hand. Your right hand now has a clean upraised X-mark across the palm where the cuts were. * Shane 's hand is now bleeding in several places where he cut his hand rather than cutting yours. His hand has the mirror of your X. * Shane finally lets out his breath. * Neydisa lets out a short , worried half-breath as she sees the result. "Shane..." I don't think I'll ever give that oath again in my life... but it's still comforting to know I have another hand... just in case. * Shane rubs his right hand with his left, rubbing the wounds. He reaches back into his pocket, and pulls a bandage. He was obviously planning this. ...Yes, Ney? * Shane wraps his hand. * Neydisa lowers her hand after appraising it, looking somewhat irritated but only half serious. "If you're going to be a servant of Lucadia, don't go doing that again." Don't... promise? * Shane looks confused. I thought Lucadians often promised things. * Neydisa looks slightly exasperated, folding the right hand behind her. "No, not the promising... oh. Just forget it..." * Shane smiles. I'll give you the knife tomorrow. I want to have it enchanted for you first. Enchanted? You sure have very grand vows, Shane. If you ever need me... The knife will be able to summon me to you. It's a very rare enchantment, and expensive... but I will protect you to my death, now. ...You are the only family I've had in 10 years. .me looks at his bleeding palm. «ooc: ... » * Shane looks at his bleeding palm. * Neydisa parts her lips, a little stunned by that statement. "You mean..." * Shane nods. One of my people's few traditions I know. I have no living relatives I know of, but you may find some new cousins in Baskar. * Shane chuckles sadly. * Neydisa puts her hands in front of her, looking at the X again clearly. It's funny. When I was younger... I almost had a baby brother... but.. he didn't make it.. * Shane shakes his head at the mark. I never thought I'd have Oath-Kin. ...how old are you? * Neydisa hmms thoughtfully « well cripe. i suddenly forgot her age +-1 year. eep ^^ » «ooc: we can edit it ;) » Not too long and I'll be 22. «ooc: I know exactly how old Shane is, and how old he looks. The Pretender is well named. » * Shane looks shocked. I... really? * Neydisa nods. "Really. Want me to drag you to my house and prove it over a full corse meal?" ^^; « er course » ...well, you still don't have younger kin. * Shane winks. Sorry to dissappoint. You... should go to bed soon. You need to recover your health, and I've got to check on Allen and... some others. But I have two last things to ask you. * Neydisa smiles. "I think age is entirely relative." * Shane defers to her for approval before going on. But... yes... I should get back to resting. Please, ask away, Shane. Firstly... will you please not give my family names to anyone? If I'm your "Pretender", I'd like to keep my illusions. Allen would instantly know me for who I am if he heard. I am not ready for the truth to be known. My rightful estates are actually part of the reason I must go tomorrow to Adlehyde. * Shane looks pained. I don't know if that is encouraging or more worrying. But I won't share them, I can promise this. One day, you will know my truths, Neydisa Kingfisher. The names of Wavemaster and D'Arcturis are now yours as well... but keep them hidden in your heart for my sake. ...Some things about me are hidden from even the Guardians... Will the Mistress of the Seas require my soul be laid naked? * Neydisa nods, pointing lightly to her chest. "I hold more things there than you think. It's safer than most places in this world..." * Shane doesn't seem to've asked that of you. * Shane smiles at your words. If your past actions indicate your heart, Ney, you are more right than you may know. * Shane rubs his hand gantly, wincing, while he ponders his last question. Ah... Neydisa. I don't know much about your lore... But a Shaman I once had to deal with... a very truthful man, and the most.. ah... 'devout' Shaman I'd ever known... He told me a tale of this oath we just took. * Neydisa seems on the verge of the first signs of drowsiness, the chair beginning to be comfortable. "Really..." He told me that he watched a man break his Kin-Oath... ...and he said the sky parted and he actually saw Heaven's Judge smite the oathbreaker. I thought it a silly story, but... after everything I've gone through recently... ...who's this Judge? Is this real? I... He was truthful to a fault. He refused to lie even when it would've saved his life. * Shane frowns in the memory. He refused to speak any Guardian's name, but he said the title in the same way that he'd any of the others. I didn't inquire futher, of course, being my mindset at the time. * Shane frowns again. * Neydisa nods. "That sounds a lot like a follower of the Heavenly Judge indeed... you know that one too well, unfortunately. I suppose it's one more reason to stay faithful to things." I... know him? * Shane looks curious. Is it Odoryuk then? I don't imagine that Lucadia'd be called heavenly... But I can't imagine that Odoryuk'd injure anyone... Solus Emsu.,, * Shane 's mouth hangs open from his last word, now cut-off halfway. ...I. * Shane looks at his hand incredulously, then back to you. You hear him gulp audibly. ... * Neydisa lays there. "Don't let it bother you Shane. You have made a decision... and you stick by it till the end... like this oath. I'm sure it will make him happy." ...even if I'd known... I'd still promise. He won't have claim to me. * Shane sounds proud. "I won't break this oath even if he's no longer there by the end." * Neydisa raises her eyebrows at that. I've... never had a Master before. But I find it comforting that I'm upholding Wavemaster tradition. The eldest... the eldest of each branch of my mother's family always served your... our Mistress. * Shane shakes his head, in odd acceptance. I believe it's a tradition... it's much the same with me. * Shane laughs quietly. It goes back forever... it's nice to be a part of that, a family, a history. Who knows, Neydisa. Everything's been so odd latly, I wouldn't be surprised at anything anymore. Maybe I'll be a Shaman myself by the end. I hope you appreciate this gift, Shane, or should I say brother. ^^; * Shane nods to Ney. I've... It's been a while since I had family. I don't think brother is the proper term, but I don't recall the actual word. My Baskarian is virtually non-existant. ...but it shall suffice. * Shane smiles to himself. * Shane quickly wipes his tender smile off with some more-usual-for-shane sarcasm. Now, young lady... if you don't go to bed this instant, I'll... tell on you! * Shane smiles widly like a fox. * Neydisa rolls her eyes once. "Now that's just mean, elder brother...." witht hat she proceeds to get some rest after the strang mix of revelations tonight... * Shane quietly takes the Sealed Book quietly, and enters the engine room, shutting the door quietly. « aww. too bad I can't enjoy more.. » * Shane 's bandaged hand reaches once more to the Seal marked in so many tounges, shakes his head sadly, and locks it in the cabinet. * Shane sits at the desk there with a slump, and winces as he holds his head in both hands. You're becoming weak, "Mister Arturis". Secrets spread like fire, and you know it. You should've asked her to keep your name secret as part of the oath itself... not a request afterwards... ... ...She won't. I don't think. The oath was only for me. I'm the one who can't be trusted, aren't I? This oath was by me, and for me... Now I have to keep my word. * Shane chuckles softly. « solus eagerly waits in the clouds the chance to smite ... >:o » «ooc: hee. That wasn't what he meant. » *** Neydisa is now known as Storen-zzz « I know, I'm teasing. goodnight. ^^ » «ooc: Shane wouldn't've broken it even if he didn't know. » I only hope I can keep the three of us alive. Shane... would you really sacrifice yourself for either of them, if it came to it? * Shane falls asleep in his own folded arms. Tonight, he doesn't even have nightmares. ------------------------------FIN---------------------------- Session Close: Mon Jul 22 06:21:46 2002