|
Post by Ziya on Feb 1, 2019 16:12:03 GMT -5
Jen hung her head at Éirín's tease, the words hitting a lot closer to home than anyone there would have thought. "I'm sorry, Éirín. I let my temper get the best of me. If you need me, I'll be thawing out the bed." With that, she turned around and walked away, intending to do just that.
Jason looked at Rand in interest, only to be pulled into the kitchen a moment later. Sighing, he got to work pulling out a magically sealed pork shoulder, already cooked, and a cloudy almost white broth. "Well, since we're cooking for more, go grab the ramen eggs from the fridge. Top shelf, left side, in a container with a black lid." He gathered the rest of the toppings himself before laying them out for chopping and slicing.
Mink just rolled their eyes at the bunch before side-eyeing the only two remaining. "Don't worry about it. There's two guest rooms here right now, and I'll be working on the ship tonight." Rand gave them a grateful look that was answered with a sigh and a wave of their hand. "C'mon, I'll show you the room."
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Feb 1, 2019 17:01:11 GMT -5
Conrí simply nodded and did what Jason said, preferring to work in silence. He also got a pot filled with water and put it on the stove so that it could start to boil. Suddenly, it clicked for him that his sister was alone with her boyfriend, and he felt his cheeks warm and a shiver crawl down his back. He looked at the man he loved and then looked away, choosing to focus on making the ramen noodle dough. Working with his hands calmed him to the point where he thought he could speak.
"I've been a right arse to you these past few moments, a stór." He hung his head and felt tears start to slide down his cheeks. "If you don't want to be around me right now, I can cook by myself. I don't blame you one way or the other." By Lugus, she's alive. And staying in our home...what now? The would be king shook his head, reminding himself that the stay was only for one night. But, do I really only want it to be for one night? He shook his head and sighed, letting the dough rest in a dome of magic so that it would be at just the right temperature. Again, he looked at Jay with downcast eyes.
Éirín opened her mouth and reached out her hand, trying to stop Jen, but, the Hermit reversed showed up in her head, and she lowered her arm and closed her mouth, letting the woman go. I've met you all of an hour, and, I need to apologise. Again. She bit her lip, thankful when Mink said they'd be repairing the ship and their general nonchalance about what she asked.
The wolf girl nodded and took Rand's hand and pulled him along. They followed behind Mink to their room for the night, and she gave Rand a weary look. "Light, I'm tired." There was no teasing wink this time. There might have been a flash of desire in her eyes, but they had a lot to sort out. "After that wonderful display of how much of a bitch I can be, are you...sure you even want to be here?"
Not waiting for an answer, the priestess just curled up on the floor, even though the bed looked comfortable. She really didn't care. she just wanted a place to nap for a bit. Well, that's not exactly true. I just wanted to not have to face this a little longer. But, when it's time, it's time. Doesn't mean I can't try to rest some beforehand, though.
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Feb 2, 2019 21:31:23 GMT -5
Jason shook his head as he began chopping the other ingredients, his voice level yet gentle. "I don't blame you, to be honest. I never had much of a family outside of my mother and those two, but several other families in the Darkness clan had siblings nearly kill each other, and most never got along even as well as you two do. Combination of abuse and discrimination, I guess."
Once everything was chopped he used a touch of magic to dry the garlic into flakes, soak the bean sprouts, and keep the green onions from browning. Then he turned to face his love fully and -with a soft grin- pulled him into a quick kiss. "That doesn't mean what either of you did was right or wrong, by the way.You hurt each other, and that'll take a bit of time to heal. Doesn't mean you can't try to make a new bond, seeing as the old one isn't working out much. I think it's pretty sexy when you stand up for yourself, by the by." That last was punctuated by a wink and the grin growing.
Rand followed Mink to the room, giving his thanks as they floated off again to start the repairs. The instant they left he shut the door, only then turning back to face Éirín. Or rather, he would have been facing her had she not chosen to lay on the floor. Sighing, he sat next to her before answering, his tone soft. "You do recall what I said of Elayne, correct? What just happened is nowhere near the worst I've seen from those I care about. Even without that, the two of you have a strained relationship. It's natural to feel this way, especially given the fact that he doesn't even know about what you were put through."
His tone took a very slight firm edge as he gently placed his hand on her arm and continued. "That doesn't mean you don't have to work on it however. We seem to be connected to them in the future, so we cannot simply cut ties and pretend they don't exist. Perhaps considering him as a new person with a shared past rather than the brother you fought with so often could be a place to start? If the bond you have chafes so, then forge a new one to replace it."
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Feb 2, 2019 22:47:50 GMT -5
Conrí felt heat rise through his body as he listened to Jason. He smiled in spite of his nerves as he really allowed what his love was saying to settle in his mind. The kiss made him shudder, and he resisted the urge to return the gesture. When the wolf boy heard what Jay said about standing up for himself, the heat burned hotter in his body, and he caught himself nearly shaking his head. "Careful, my heart, I know what to do with sassy lads."
In a quick movement, the would be king wrapped his arms around his crimson eyed love and cupped Jay's chin with his hand while fixing his gaze on those eyes he loved to get lost in before giving him a decent enough kiss that should make them both pant a little afterward. His hand wandered down and pinched Jason's arse right before ending the kiss.
Conrí confidently walked back to start rolling out the noodles and pulling them apart. "When we were children, we sparred nearly every day. We'd laugh about it then, and it wasn't always a competition, and then...we were separated when I went to train with the druids. Every summer, we'd see each other for me birthday, but, then...that night...everything just...changed." Opening up in this way was hard, but, he got the sense he had to put this behind him in order to move forward, especially with what was going to come.
Éirín nearly started when Rand sat next to her. She half expected to be hauled onto the bed and then have her punishments doled out right then and there. A blush came over her cheeks as she thought about that, but, she did manage to shift around just enough to look at Rand as he spoke. She quickly pressed her lips together and averted her gaze, despite it not being the worst he'd been through, she was still ashamed that she'd placed the man in that situation.
The wolf girl's arm trembled slightly when Rand touched it. She decided to try explaining her point of view of things to her significant other. "When we were children, we sparred nearly every day. We'd laugh about it then, and it wasn't always a competition, and then...we were separated when I went to train with the priestesses. Every summer, we'd see each other for Conrí's birthday, but, then...that night...everything just...changed."
She decided that the bed looked far too tempting to just stay on the floor, so the priestess nodded toward it and walked over before falling on top of it. The softness of the bed made it harder to concentrate, but, she decided to continue. "I was an entire world away, and, could only watch him from afar. For years. I resented him for destroying it all. For not manning up and taking the throne. And then, Lugus decided to grant him immortality to be with that man with the crimson eyes. Just like that. Do you know how many years I had to practically bend to a deity's will day in and out before that happened for me?"
Éirín felt fire in her eyes and forced herself to sigh instead of scream into her pillow. "And then, today, it all changed again. When he synced up with me like that, it's like we were those innocent children again. He even seems to have learned to control his inner darkness as part of his burden of being the heir. Ironic, that their reason for killing me was null and void from the very start. Still, it...can't have been easy, as most heirs either deny their rage to unhealthy levels or, they just give into the beast, never to return. So, perhaps there is hope, especially after what we will face."
The wolf girl curled up into a ball. "Now, arseling, I was going to take a nap in here while we waited for dinner." She had nearly stuck her tongue out at Rand again, but barely stopped herself. I think that's five times I've called ya that, so...is there anything special you do for that? I doubt anyone will be bothering us for a while, farm boy."
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Feb 3, 2019 16:29:23 GMT -5
Jason barely had time to think between Conrí's reply and reaction, giving a small grunt at the pinch before the sudden end left him breathless for a moment. Once he recovered enough to think he started heating the broth and slicing the pork as he listened to his love.
When he was finished Jason couldn't help but hug him from behind, kissing him on the cheek before responding. "I understand, maður mín. And I'll be here for you, no matter what."
Rand followed Éirín to the bed, frowning at the feel of it before realizing that it was not filled, but rather built around springs of some sort. He paid it no mind after that, choosing instead to focus on her words. When she was finished he smiled and lightly swatted at her arse, just enough to make a sound but not enough to hurt much. "What I do for five of those would leave you unable to sit for a few hours, so we should probably wait until later. As for the rest of what you've said, I've been on the opposite side of that before. Often it's not nearly as simple as what it seems to someone not in the situation, and being granted a boon can mean a greater burden later."
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Feb 3, 2019 17:25:50 GMT -5
Conrí kept his focus on the noodles, but his body instinctively leaned back when he felt his love's hug. He hummed when Jason kissed his cheek and said those soothing, dependable words. "I'm scared. Not of her, but, of what I'm asking you to do. Those memories you showed me aren't easy to deal with. What...what if it causes you to break?"
The wolf boy forced his fingers to work and start to bunch up the noodles before covering them in some magic, to help them with their stickiness and make sure they would cook up right. Suddenly, he turned around and pressed his head into Jay's chest and wrapped his arms around the man's waist. The would be king just started crying. "What...if...I break, or, what if we break?"
Éirín noticed Rand's frown, and, for a moment, she wondered what was wrong. It seemed to be about the bed, but, she was too tired to care, really. Her eyes widened slightly when the red haired man swatted her bottom. She heard a gasp echo in the room, and, a blush spread across her cheeks.
The wolf girl's blush deepened when she heard her boyfriend's words, and her eyes gleamed with anticipation and desire. The last few words that the farm boy said clicked and she nodded. "I understand, my heart. We can wait, then. I am looking forward to it, though. And, also yes, that is correct, and, it makes me scared. What if he breaks, and, what if I'm not as strong as I think I am?"
The priestess looked into Rand's eyes. Their calm blue-grey depths soothed her. She sat up slightly and placed her lips on his. "I seem to remember that there are a few tongues that I need to be...reminded of as well, Rand." She wanted to be held close right now. She wanted to indulge herself in the person she loved.
"What do I do if I accidentally break you by having you come with me?" Éirín moved toward Rand and puckered her lips a bit. She made sure the light in her eyes spoke volumes of what she wanted for now and later. "My heart. My dear one. Can you please be close to me, because I don't want to feel alone right now."
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Feb 3, 2019 20:49:38 GMT -5
Jason didn't know what to do for a moment as Conrí started to cry. There weren't any easy answers when it came to that sort of thing, especially when that castle was involved. Still, he was certain of one thing at least. He held his love tighter before whispering into his ear. "It'll take more than my own memories to break me. That much I know. And you won't break either, not for good. I'll be there with you every step of the way."
Rand's grin returned as a soft smile before he gladly gave in to his girlfriend's request. He held the kiss for a few moments, only ending it to look into her eyes and speak of her worries. "Raya amchali'dival, I have fought against people who betrayed both my love and trust for decades, if not a full century, and had multiple confrontations with Nemene Damendar Boann, who specialized in breaking people so well that captives tried to kill themselves before she could get to them. None of that could break me, and no memories of mine can accomplish what living them the first time could not."
He lowered himself to lay beside her, then kissed her slightly deeper, though for the same amount of time. "From my first impression I'd say he won't break either, and you are stronger than you think you are, not less." This time he kissed her with all of his passion, aiming to lower that count once more.
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Feb 3, 2019 21:27:54 GMT -5
Conrí sighed when Jason held him closer. He felt himself go from shaky to calm. He also tightened his grip on the man. "Thank you. I'm sorry. I just...worry. I don't want you to be anything other than happy, my dear one. So far, that has been something of a challenge, it seems."
The wolf boy finally let go of Jay, remembering that they were supposed to be cooking. He slid what Jason had cut into a hot skillet. The pork was cooking quickly, but, the would be king added some miso to that skillet. For the flavour. He placed his noodles in the boiling water. "I love you. I'm a lucky man, Jay. Before we face this, can you tell me what colors you'd want at our wedding? I...want to make happy memories right now."
Éirín nodded slowly. Her head spun a bit from the look on Rand's face before he'd kissed her, and then the first kiss took her breath away. She still did her best to listen, though. Her and cupped his cheek as she did. Finally, she took a breath. "Most think I'm unfair or cruel. I do not wish to do anything unfair to you, but, I won't play a hero and be something I'm not, either."
The wolf girl was distracted by a second kiss. She instinctively started to pull Rand closer to her as he laid next to her. Being close helped calm her, and, the kissing was a pleasant bonus. Tears started to form at the corners of her eyes, though, when he said that she was stronger than she thought. "Me, stronger than I think I am, when I had to resort to such methods to even try to land a hit on you? Me, the goddess who nearly got herself kicked out of priestess school for not holding my tongue?"
She felt the tears slip down her cheeks as her boyfriend kissed her again, this time, overwhelming her other senses with passion and love. The kiss made her reciprocate with her tongue and pull him into a tight hug. She wanted this kiss to last a while. I love you. I'm still kind of nervous to say it, but, I love you... The thoughts caused her to press against Rand harder, thereby deepening their kiss a bit.
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Feb 3, 2019 22:12:30 GMT -5
Jason's brain ground to a halt once Conrí mentioned wedding colors. Not because he didn't want to think about them, but because he had never considered it. As he pondered for a few moments Jen came into the kitchen, still looking downtrodden. "Hey, I fixed everything in your room. Sorry about that; I thought it would be funny.'
Jason's brain started working again at the sight of her. He hated seeing her like that, so he quickly decided to solve both issues at once. "Hey, don't worry about it Jen. By the way, what colors do you think would be good for our wedding?"
Jen stopped, looked at him with a tilted head, and then her eyes literally lit up with excitement. "Oh, wedding colors?! Hmm..." She looked both of them over for a full minute, mumbling to herself the entire time before clapping her hands. "I could definitely see red and green working. Sure it's a little Christmas-ey, but it can be done well depending on the shades, and the added black from the formal wear will balance things out nicely."
The kiss was intoxicating, once again clouding Rand's mind as he gladly accepted the deepening as his free hand came up to wipe her tears away. Only when he felt he needed to catch his breath did he stop and address her comment finally, his tone slightly wry. "And yet you're here, despite every obstacle in your path. No matter what others said or did, you pushed through, and will continue to push through. That is strength. What you are referring to is self-control, something I have always had trouble with as well."
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Feb 3, 2019 22:38:21 GMT -5
Conrí laughed at watching Jason just stop thinking. He followed his temptation and kissed him softly, but, Jen entering the room did a better job of jolting him out of it. When she mentioned the colors, he smiled and nodded a little. "Like a forest green and a crimson, then? Or, something brighter? What do you think, Jay?"
The wolf boy expertly moved the components of the dish into bowls. "I can go get them, I think." He was out the door before anyone could stop him. His thoughts blurred around, and, he thought he heard his sister talking to Rand, though it was faint. He suddenly remembered what else liked to go on in beds, and blushed a bit.
Éirín panted a bit when Rand finally decided to end the kiss. She wondered if she had made any noise and if anyone had heard. She blushed a bit when she thought it over. "Rand, I--" A knock at the door caused her to bolt upright.
The wolf girl glared at the door. At least they knocked. "Yes?"
The would be king poked his head through the door. She's sitting on the bed, not scrambling for clothes. I don't have to burn my eyes out. He cleared his throat and walked over to the bed. "Dinner's ready, sister. And, I'm sorry about earlier. I'm still in shock, and, I am still bad about...knowing what to do when situations overwhelm me. Still, I'm glad you're not dead. At least I don't need to have that hang over my head."
The priestess looked at her brother and smiled. "No, it's okay. We're Tir Tairngirian, after all. We just hadn't had a proper fight in so long. Anyway, I'm sorry, too. I'm proud of you for controlling it. I want to walk with you tomorrow. Through it. And, I want to get to know you better, so...um...do...do you think we can stay?" She rose to her feet, and the siblings embraced awkwardly.
"Ask and you shall receive. I don't know what, but, it might be something good. Also..."
"If we tell anyone this happened, you're dead to me." The siblings winked at each other and laughed.
Conrí looked at Rand and bowed. "I am sorry for my actions earlier. Please, just take care of her the way Jay takes care of me. Come, let's go eat."
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Feb 4, 2019 18:18:04 GMT -5
Jason nodded gratefully at Jen and Conrí before the latter went to gather the others. Once he was out of the room he turned back to Jen with a comforting look. "Hey, you okay?"
Jen's good mood lessened at the question, sighing as the anxieties returned. She crossed her arms defensively while speaking in an uncharacteristically soft voice. "I really did almost cross that line. I've never done that without realizing it before."
"You picked up on the tension just fine, Aunt Jen."
The other two turned to the hangar door, where Mink was walking in with black smudges across their hands and their hoodie tied at their wast to expose a sleeveless black top. "They told me when I asked about it that you probably kept them from getting into a fight then and there, and dragging my uncles into it."
Jen perked up a bit, just enough to realize how Mink was dressed. "Hey, you're okay without the hoodie now?"
Mink paused on their way to the sink to look at the clothing in question, then back at Jen. "Oh, that. Yeah, I'm better about that now." They started washing up while the other two just started at them, then at each other before shrugging.
Rand sat up nearly as fast as Éirín at the knock, instantly assuming a calm expression by sheer habit. Once he realized who it was he relaxed somewhat, though he only fully relaxed once the apologies happened.
He decided that they both acted far too much like Mat as they spoke together and laughed, though he'd never tell either one. He valued his life far too much for that mistake.
When Conrí turned to him it was to a soft smile, and he gladly returned the bow after standing, bending nearly double. "I swear by the Light and my hope of salvation and rebirth, I will give her all the love and respect she deserves." He rose before glancing at her. "Even when she thinks she doesn't."
That said, he moved to follow the man back to the kitchen.
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Feb 4, 2019 20:05:52 GMT -5
Conrí looked at Rand after he spoke, and nearly coughed in surprise. "By Lugus, you didn't need to make such an oath, but, I see this as the start of a good friend, brother." He still managed to smile at the man. "I will trust you, then, Rand. Do you want to spar sometime?"
Éirín sighed loudly as she walked down the hall. "Brother, you really don't need to initiate him into the pack that way. Must everything be a fight with you?"
"Says the girl who literally knocks me on me arse whenever you see me." The wolf boy rolled his eyes and sighed. "Besides, how else are you supposed to--" He stopped himself from asking the full question, but, it was too late.
"The same way you initiated Jason, madra caorach."
The siblings blushed at each other and coughed. They immediately looked away from each other, and the wolf girl made a point of not looking at Rand. Thinking about the previous night and what might be happening later behind closed doors made her blush deepen, though.
The would be king lead them into the kitchen, where the table was. He bowed a little bit before setting the table. He seated himself, and the priestess sat on one side of him, hoping that Rand would sit next to her. She figured she'd likely be sitting across from Jason, and she was okay with that.
Éirín looked at Jen, though, and bit her lip. "Jen, I'm sorry about my teasing. It seemed to really get to you. And, um...Jason, I understand if ya say no, but, would be alright if Rand and I stayed here for a while? At least...until we know what'll happen to Avalon. Please. I won't intrude or anything and will pull my weight. I can't speak for farm boy, though." She nodded and bowed over her food.
"Éirín, do you want...to...I mean, since you're a proper priestess and all...could you...um..." Conrí slurped down his noodles in one go and looked at his sister sheepishly.
"Is hea, deartháir. I can wed you two, if that's what you want me to do." The Sun card flared in her mind when she thought of that day, next to the Four of Wands, and she found herself smiling. It seemed neither of them wanted to face the storm, but, both of them were being thrown into it, so, they were trying to do their best in the present.
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Feb 4, 2019 22:49:48 GMT -5
Rand returned Conrí's smile earnestly, though his initial interest in the offer to spar was put on hold by Éirín's comments, and the implications therein. He joined them in their blushing, hoping it would fade before they entered the kitchen.
Jen, Jason, and Mink all looked up in interest as the three entered, Mink now sitting but still with their hoodie around their waist. Rand noted idly that his suspicions had been correct, though it changed nothing about how he viewed them. Such things were not unheard of in his world, after all.
Éirín's apology made Jen smile slightly more. Though she still seemed less happy than before, it was genuine rather than a mask. "It's okay, dear. It brought up some memories from my childhood, and others from more recently, is all. You were absolutely right to call me out on it, though I'd still prefer for you to vent any frustrations rather than direct them at your brother. And that goes for you as well, Conrí. Sibling rivalries are one thing, but I'd hate to see you grow to hate each other because of something that was beyond either of your control."
It was at that point that Jason spoke up, right after he was certain Jen was done. "As far as I'm concerned, the more the merrier. And feel free to stay even after that if you like. This place is a bit too big for only two people, honestly."
Then Conrí asked his question and Jason's face matched his eyes. Mink snorted as he rushed off to serve the ramen, likely to prevent him from becoming a puddle at the thought. "Might want to hold off till after saving the world and stuff."
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Feb 4, 2019 23:18:45 GMT -5
Éirín sighed in relief and nodded at Jen. "I can't promise we won't full out spar sometimes, because, that's how we are, but, I promise to try to make that less of a thing." She shuddered as the monster in her head started to whisper again. Was she really going to have to face that tomorrow? She shook her head.
The wolf girl bowed slightly when Jason agreed to let them stay. She dared a glance over at her brother who seemed thrilled to have that decision made. "My thanks and the blessings of Éiriú on you, gracious mate of my brother. Thank you for welcoming us into your pack." Some traditions were hard to break, and the priestess fought off a groan as she realised what she said.
Conrí nearly started laughing at her, but then stopped his fool grinning when Jason turned crimson. He looked over at Mink, and sighed. "Aye, ye fae. We will wait, but...well, a chance to ask with this one for a sister is almost as rare as a super wolf blood moon that's in a full lunar eclipse." He snickered despite himself. "And, if you get to state all of that formally, then, I get to spar Rand sometime. We both felt his interest, sis."
Éirín wished she had her ramen, so she could wolf it down in one go, too, but she settled for tapping a finger on the table and groaning. "Fine, just no antics tonight, okay? Rand and I have to talk about some things."
The wolf boy nodded, but raised an eyebrow. "As ye wish."
"Anyway, is there anything we need to know to prep for tomorrow? So we can move on to happier things?"
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Feb 5, 2019 14:35:27 GMT -5
Jen's smile grew into a slight smirk at Éirín's concession. "That's fair, and there's a difference between fighting and sparring after all. Might I suggest using the simulation room if you choose to do that?"
At the mention of that room Jason paled visibly and nearly dropped the two bowls he was carrying. "Um... you might want to hold off on that until we can repair it properly. It nearly killed Conrí and me when we were in there a few hours ago." He decided not to mention his new form or abilities until he could figure out how to control them properly.
Mink looked up in interest before noting the slight change in Uncle Jason's aura with a grin. "Aura, can you interface with the room's hardware and run a diagnostics?" A feminine, yet robotic voice came through the speakers. "I will be happy to, Mink. Initial estimates from the built-in monitors suggests a 72% corruption rate and a 47% damage rate however. I will begin backup of relevant data and begin repair protocols. Current time to completion, five days."
Jen just looked between the two of them before giggling nervously. "Okay then, I guess avoid the simulation room on the ground floor then. Wait," Jen caught the look on Jason's face, ""you never told Conrí about the lower levels?"
Jason rubbed the back of his head as he went back for the last two bowls. "I uh... forgot to. Haven't been down there in a few months, after all."
Meanwhile Rand was listening with interest, up until he heard Éirín and Conrí's comments as Jason and Jen continued to debate. "I'd be happy to spar with you sometime, Conrí. Éirín is correct though; we do have some things to discuss tonight. As for information about tomorrow, I would be interested in that as well." He gave a pointed look at the pair still arguing, who finally noticed with embarrassed looks.
It was Jen who actually gave the in-depth explanation, surprising Rand with it's thoroughness. Jason and Mink seemed to accept it as a regular occurrence however. "Right, so basically Castle Oblivion is a world that has a curse on it to keep people out of a specific area. What's in that area is unknown, and also doesn't matter for us. What does matter is that the curse forces anyone that attempts to move up or down its floors to confront places and events from their memories."
She took a drink of water before continuing. "There are thirteen floors up, and another thirteen down, and every floor will be a random person's memory from those that are in the castle. The specific memories can be controlled if you have the knowledge to, but I have no idea how. When I went through with a group of five it showed the worst memories of each of us, then the second worst, and then the upper three were specific events from my husband Riley's memories. It was being guided by an enemy of ours however, so I don't know if that's the default or not. Basically, we should be prepared to face anything from our pasts, and if the person whose memory it is says to do something then it's because they remember what's going to happen."
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Feb 5, 2019 15:31:18 GMT -5
Conrí paled when Jason did and thought he was going to not have an appetite at that point. He winced when the computer answered Mink and noted out the damage of that sim room. Then, he gaped when his adopted sister mentioned there were lower levels to their abode. His eyes had a teasing light in them when he looked at Jason. "More house to destroy, isn't that great, honey?"
The wolf boy chuckled and winked at his love, grateful for the bowl of ramen in front of him. He decided to kiss the cook, but, not for too long in front of the others. He turned his attention to his food, nodding seriously when Rand mentioned that they would be talking that night. "Ye told me twice, but, I get it. Promise, no shenanigans, sis."
Éirín nearly gave her brother a look before smiling. She slurped at her noodles, then felt like having a bit of a challenge. "50 munny says I can eat faster than you, still, brother."
The would be king smirked, "Make it 100." He readied his chopsticks as did she. It was easier than listening to Jason and Jen debate. In a flash, both of their bowls were empty.
"Done!" The siblings growled and glared at each other before resisting their urges. "Damn, I thought I had you that time..."
Once they were finished with their mini-showdown, Jen had turned her attention to the castle. The wolf girl nodded knowingly, and Conrí looked down at his empty bowl contemplatively. "What if...we get separated and someone has to go through the floors going down? What then?"
"Furthermore, what do we do if one of us runs into Ailill? My cards said he sould be there, somewhere, and, we can't save him without Tamara. Avoid him, somehow, until we can bring Tamara to him? The nature of the castle might be a...blessing for us, if it traps him there." The priestess looked at Rand. "I'm sorry, dear. I know he was your friend, but, we want him to live...maybe the castle will delay his fall, somehow, then." She wanted the last words to be soothing, and, she put her hand on his gently, to let him know she was there.
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Feb 5, 2019 20:19:37 GMT -5
Jason nervously chuckled at Conrí's joke before grabbing his own bowl and eating quickly, albeit still taking far longer than the siblings. He chose to take it as a compliment that they were done so soon, though he did hope that they kept it down after eating that quickly.
Once Jen was finished Jason explained to Conrí why he had forgotten about the lower levels. "We've only used the ground floor for the past two years. Pretty much since the last members of the Twilight Brigade other than us left, actually. With Lucia taking that four year break they all formed their own groups with our blessings."
Mink decided to jump in at that point, addressing Conrí's fear as they dropped their chopsticks into the empty bowl. "The castle doesn't work like that. You either start at the ground level and go to the top or start at the lowest basement and go to the ground floor. As long as we start from the main door we'll be fine."
"As for Ailill," Rand took his turn, having finished eating shortly before they were finished speaking, "if we find him there we should only fight if there's no other choice. I believe that he's obsessed enough with finding his wife that if we tell him we're looking he'll likely leave us be." He smiled reassuringly at Éirín when she laid her hand on his, giving it a light squeeze.
Jen finally had a change at that point to add her own thoughts, despite being the third done at one minute. "The place literally can't throw anything at him that he hasn't seen before, so I doubt that he'll be held up too long by any floor of his. The main challenge them we went was keeping the five of us together while still finishing the memory as close to what originally happened as possible. Well, for the most part at least."
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Feb 5, 2019 20:41:19 GMT -5
Conrí nodded once everything was explained. "I want to take the main levels, then. I'd rather go up to the top. And, we'll be sure to do this as a group for each of our memories, if need be. I have nothing to hide." He still sighed slowly. He looked at Jason and smiled. He gazed back at the kitchen, wondering if it was worth it for him to try to get seconds or not. He decided he could wait, though he watched his sister nervously.
Éirín, of course, hearing her brother's admission that he had nothing to hide lowered her gaze and bit her lip. She couldn't tell him right now, and, she didn't feel like telling all the others as well. She glanced nervously at Rand, feeling tears form in the corners of her eyes. "That is fine, brother, but, promise me that the last door we open, only you and Jason, me, and Rand will enter. Please, for the sake of your future as king."
The wolf boy nearly reached out to his sister to wipe away the tears, then simply nodded. His eyes had a serious light to them. He rose from the table and grabbed his bowl. "Does anyone else want seconds?" He asked this, then realised that Rand was still eating. The would be king started whistling and blushed a little. "You're in my pack, Rand, might as well learn how to eat like us." He winked at the man and stuck out his tongue. "Jay, dear, I can get the dishes once we're all done, if you want to have some time to yourself."
The priestess cleared her throat and stood. She covered her mouth from a fake yawn. She glanced at Rand, who was still eating. "Please, excuse me. I'm going to retire to my room, if that's alright." The monsters started to shout again. She kissed Rand on the cheek and quickly whispered in his ear. "You may tell Jen and Mink if you wish. I would rather that you do, if you can, as I may never be able to. Conrí mustn't know until after he sees it for himself. Same with Jason." Éirín bowed and carried herself calmly down the hall, trying not to give into the urge to run and scream at the same time.
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Feb 5, 2019 21:41:39 GMT -5
Everyone looked at Éirín as she stood and retired, and nobody believed the yawn either. Rand obviously knew what was actually happening, Mink knew a decent amount from what they had been told in the future, Jason could see the fear and other emotions in her aura, and Jen could tell from her body language. The latter two weren't quite sure what was going on, but Mink nodded to Rand before turning to Jen and tapping their head.
Jason decided to follow Conrí back to the kitchen, giving him a quick kiss before helping himself to seconds and refilling Jen and Mink's bowls as well, knowing how much they eat. "I'll be there by your side right up to the top, Conrí. I promise you that, and that I'll come back here too. We've got a wedding to plan now, after all."
Rand could tell that somehow Mink and Jennifer were talking without speaking, and so quickly excused himself. Within a minute he was back to the room, slipping in quietly before locking the door and speaking gently. "Mink seems to already know, and is telling Jennifer through what appears to be telepathy or a very odd form of hand-talk." He wasn't sure how she would react, so he simply stood within the door with his arms slightly open, silently asking if she needed comfort.
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Feb 5, 2019 22:53:17 GMT -5
Conrí chuckled a bit and nodded, walking with bowls of seconds back to the table. He kissed Jason a bit harder in response to the kiss he was given. "While we can't really do anything concrete, would you like to talk about it some more with Jen, and maybe Mink?" He felt relatively happy, which seemed to be a first for him.
Still, the wolf boy frowned at the empty chair. He was pleased that Rand had gone to be with her, but, the would be king still wished that he could do something for his sister. I suppose trusting her judgement with whatever this is counts. He slurped at his noodles more thoughtfully. "Whatever it is, I trust you will tell me in your own time, sister." He muttered to himself. He took Jason's hand and squeezed it gently. He turned to face his love, and he simply stared into his eyes. "Food is important at a wedding, too, you know." He all but glared at Mink. "Before you make a quip, I'm choosing to talk about this in the light of what we're all about to face, so that we can linger on happy memories if we need."
Éirín had removed her robe and let it fall to the floor, choosing to sleep in her underwear. In truth, she probably could have used a shower or a bath, but, was too embarrassed to go ask. Right as she was about to just slide under the covers and try to force herself to fall asleep, Rand had entered the room.
When the wolf girl heard his words and saw his open arms. Before she realised what had happened, she found herself wrapping her arms around him. She buried her head into Rand's chest and started crying until her body was trembling and she felt sweaty. She cried so hard she coughed, and then finally managed to take a proper breath. And, she realised she was in her underwear and scrambled for her robes, blushing like a fool. "S-Sorry! I'll...um...just give me a minute, and I'll be decent again."
Her thoughts turned to what they had planned for the night, and her blush deepened. The priestess nearly dropped her robe with a sigh, but tightened her grip on it at the last second. "I can make myself decent, and...I really want a bath, but...I...don't know if I can go back out there."
|
|