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Post by Ziya on Jan 24, 2019 0:06:11 GMT -5
Éirín's tears hit Rand hard, and her words even harder. It wasn't the fact that she would lie to him, he wasn't naive enough to think that would never happen. It was the pain reflected in those tears and words that tore into his heart and nearly caused him to cry as well.
All he could do at first was hug her tighter, but soon he found the words he hoped to make this at least somewhat bearable to her. "I never want you to feel like that, Éirín. Not around me. But your Talent as a Dreamer doesn't show what will happen; it shows paths of what can happen. Nobody left alive from my world other than Ailill would be willing to use balefire like that, and he only because of the madness. Madness that I can Heal, if given the chance. We can stop that from ever happening, I promise."
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Post by Conrí on Jan 24, 2019 12:11:26 GMT -5
When Éirín looked at Rand's aura, she nearly started crying again. The fact that she had caused him to feel like that made her feel guilty and ashamed. He held her tighter to him, and her body relaxed a little. She hung her head slightly when he spoke. "No, I don't want you to feel the way you are because of what I said. I don't want to lie to you, Rand. I just...I'm sorry."
The wolf girl wiped her cheeks and nodded when everything Rand said finally clicked. The dreams only show what can happen...not what will. She leaned up a little and kissed Rand on the lips, ignoring her empty stomach. "Are we okay, Rand? I know...I know everything is new, but, are we going to be okay? I ask, because I love you, and..."
The priestess grabbed around the man's waist and pulled him closer and put her head on his chest. "I never want to let you go." She pressed her nose into Rand's shirt. "I love your scent, Rand, my dear Dragon Reborn." She listened to the bangers sizzling on the pan, and had to keep herself from drooling on Rand.
Ailill blinked into the tent. It was easy enough to find, because of the dream he saw the night before. The destruction he'd shown her had worked, it seemed, but, he wanted to see his old friend in person and leave a message solidly in the dragon's mind. He smirked and wove Spirit to prepare a short version of a shield. He sent that toward Rand and tied off the weave. If it hit its mark, then the red-headed boy could only watch what would unfold. Then, he turned his attention to the girl who was hugging Rand. "We finally meet again, Dreamer. Though, you really are a sorry excuse of one, since I found you this easily." As he said this, Ailill hoisted Éirín into the air by using Hardened Air and pulled her toward him. Until his hand gripped her throat. He started squeezing and nearly laughed with glee when the girl started to sputter. He lowered his hand, but didn't break the weave of Hardened Air around her throat, and cackled when she turned red and then blue.
"Whatever you're thinking of doing, Therin, I recommend you don't. That Shield won't hold too long, and, I just need to make myself extremely clear." His dull icy mint green eyes stared into Rand's steely grey ones. "Your list never should have started with Moraine, boy. It should have started with Tamara!" His shout echoed through the Maw. When he looked back at the priestess dangling in the air, he sighed and released the weave, letting her drop to the earth. The bruises would serve as a reminder enough. It might even cause the dragon to wake and spring into action for him. "Hear me, Dragon, you will find my wife. You will pray she is alive, because, if she is dead while I am free, I will see to it that you will destroy everything you love a third time."
Ailill smirked coldly, and then shifted on his feet. He grunted as his knees buckled. "This damn...taint...on me...Rand..." In a flash, the clarity was gone. "You will find Tamara, boy." In a flickering blink, the man was gone as quickly as he had appeared.
Éirín coughed and rubbed at her throat. She just stared at the spot where the strange man had been. Her eyes watered, but she mostly just felt sorrow on his behalf. And, fear for her world. "Rand...are you sure you can Heal a man like that? Even if it is because of the taint...do you really think he deserves to be Healed?" She shuddered and stood to her feet, forcing herself to walk over to the pans of food. "I know. I can see it all over your aura. I'm fine. Besides, there's not much more we can do but eat for right now, and, we both need to. And, no, you're not healing these, either," she said as she rubbed at her neck.
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Post by Ziya on Jan 24, 2019 22:35:12 GMT -5
Rand kissed her back before answering, thankful that she was at least asking instead of assuming. "Yes, we're going to be okay. Though if you don't let me go at least for now we'll both starve." He chuckled near the end of his words, meaning it in jest.
Then Ailill blinked in, and everything went wrong.
Rand stood helpless as he couldn't reach the Source, panic running through him at not only the threat before him, but at how helpless he was to save the woman he had just fallen in love with. He wouldn't fall into despair again, but it was a near thing as he listened to the man's terns with cold fire in his eyes.
When he released Éirín Rand was instantly there to catch her, barely paying attention to Ailill's last words before he vanished again. He shook from the anger and helplessness as he helped her to her feet, but he didn't disrespect her by Healing her anyhow, though the desire was strong enough that he nearly shattered the Shield before it dissolved on it's own.
"He went through more than any of us, and his study is the only reason I survived long enough to do what needed to be done, even if it was horrible mistranslated. For his sake, I have to try." His tone conveyed his feelings perfectly, though his face showed only the concern that he felt most of all.
Suddenly someone else walked into the tent, and Rand already had three weaves half formed before he recognized the crimson hooded shirt and green hair. A moment later Mink healed both of them with a wave of their hand before lounging as if in an armchair, only while two feet off the ground. "Never said I couldn't heal you. I was following Ailill's ripples and ended up here again, so sorry for not giving you a heads up I guess?" They scratched their cheek before shrugging. "Dunno, time is weird for me as is. Anyhow, you're gonna need Tamara's help to heal him. Yes she's alive, and I know where she was- er, is. Won't be easy though."
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Post by Conrí on Jan 24, 2019 22:50:06 GMT -5
"Okay, Rand." Éirín was grateful that he helped her to her feet. She made herself walk to the food and spun around when someone else entered the tent. Despite the pain in her neck, she growled, but calmed when she recognised Mink. "You are a bloody fae, niece." She really wasn't in the mood to play, and was nearly insatiably hungry to boot.
Still, the wolf girl listened to what they had to say, nodding as she dished out two plates of food for her and Rand. She was somewhat annoyed that they had healed her, but, enough trouble had happened that morning to make her nearly numb to what was going on. "Great, if you know where she is, take us there after we eat and discuss some adult things, youngling." The priestess gave a dismissive wave of her hand to them. She had nearly hit her limit for dealing with shit, and only within the first few moments of being conscious.
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Post by Ziya on Jan 25, 2019 13:22:35 GMT -5
Sighing, Mink descended to the ground and began to cross the tent, at which point Rand noticed something different about them. Something about the way they carried themselves, the weight of their eyes. It was almost as if...
He didn't have time to finish the thought before Mink stopped again a foot from Éirín with their arms crossed. "Okay, one, the proper term for me is 'nibling' to be gender neutral. Two, it's been two years since the last time I was in this time. I'm the same age as you now, and a good deal more mature, despite the fact this damn body can't grow past fifteen thanks to my dad. So if you want a private conversation then just say so, but do not just dismiss me as a child, especially when I'm changing time itself to keep your world intact!" Their voice rose during the final sentence, a rare instance of them showing their anger openly rather than veil it behind sarcasm and apathy.
Rand was stunned by both the information and how it had just been presented. He had no idea how to respond to that, and so ended up taking his plate in silence and hoping it wouldn't come to a fight.
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Post by Conrí on Jan 25, 2019 13:52:50 GMT -5
Éirín simply stared at Mink in between bites of her food. As her stomach filled, her anger subsided, and she couldn't help but laugh at Rand's sheepish nature. She had heard Mink and nodded a bit. "Alright, sibkid, I'm sorry. I was hungry and had just been choked within an inch of my life and not in the enjoyable way." She chuckled a little at her own quip.
"Well, Rand, sweetie, looks like we have to save the world. At least things aren't boring around here." The wolf girl's eyes met Mink's, and the light in them was one of approval and a sense of pride, but, the fire in them proved that she still wasn't going to take crap from anyone right now. "I like your spunk even more now, fae. It's good to see that ya sorted some things out for yourself, and, I'm sorry."
The priestess looked at Rand and unconsciously reached for his hand. "Mink, before we go off with you, can you please give us a moment? I get the sense that Uncle Rand might need to talk about what happened before you showed up." She was just thankful that her cards were deciding to stay quiet today.
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Post by Ziya on Jan 25, 2019 14:22:03 GMT -5
Mink calmed down fairly quickly after they were done, enough so that they laughed at the different gender neutral term Éirín decided to use. Once she finished apologizing and actually asking for a moment they grinned again and nodded. "Hey, it's the least I could do, seeing as you helped me figure some of this out. Take you time, Aunt Éi. There's no rush." With that, they left the tent. Unlike before their back was straight, and they walked rather than floated.
By the time that was all sorted Rand was done eating, setting his plate aside just before Éirín reached for his hand, which he gave her with a slight squeeze. He remained silent for a moment, trying to find the words before he finally spoke with a quiet voice. "I'm sorry that happened to you. Everyone I love seems to get hurt because of people trying to hurt me, and I never seem to be able to stop it." He chuckled bitterly. "It seems that they aren't the only ones that need to be stronger."
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Post by Conrí on Jan 25, 2019 15:00:06 GMT -5
Éirín nodded slightly as Mink walked away. She was thankful that they hadn't started a fight, and, she actually set her empty plate aside as well. She forced herself to finish her tea, even though it was too cold at that point to be enjoyable. When Rand's hand squeezed hers lightly, she smiled, but then the smile turned to a frown when he spoke.
"No." Her voice was firm, and her hand shook. "None of that was on you, my dear one. You are strong enough, and, even if it seems like people are always after those you care about because of trying to get to you, I don't think that was happening here." The wolf girl nodded slowly, almost to herself. "If everything is as you say, then, that man has a tragic story of his own. He tried to stop you. I got the sense that it was more than once, and, I can tell, even if he won't admit it, he is hunting for his wife because he's still weary from all of it. He can't be blamed for his madness, can he?"
When she finished speaking, the priestess stood up and walked over to Rand. Her arms were around him without thought, and her lips pressed against his before he could protest anything. "I love you, eejit, and I can handle meself in a fight. I might need aid if we are to go up against him, but, I can be strong, too, and, it's not all on you, arseling." She wondered what her sass was going to earn her, and she mischievously stuck her tongue out for extra measure.
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Post by Ziya on Jan 25, 2019 20:24:58 GMT -5
Éirín's words soothed Rand, at least enough that he could pull himself the rest of the way out of the despair. He had held that blame for so long, even after all his revelations, that it seemed odd to put it aside. But he recognized the truth of her words, and did his best to take them to heart.
His thoughts were interrupted by her last statement and actions, forcing a grin out of him before he snogged her hard enough that they would end up on the floor if she didn't catch them. He also grabbed her arse for good measure, mainly as revenge for the name-calling.
Once their lips finally parted again he hugged her tightly and whispered into her ear. "Thank you, Light of my heart. I love you too."
Outside the tent Mink lounged in the air with headphones in, listening to hard rock and tapping their foot in time to the music.
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Post by Conrí on Jan 25, 2019 21:09:44 GMT -5
Éirín watched Rand's face carefully. She nodded a little when it seemed to sink in. She was caught off guard by the sudden and intense snogging. Her body instinctively reacted to her love's tongue in her mouth and not so much where they were going to end up. She barely even noticed that she had fallen to the ground and was quite content to keep their tongues intertwined. When he pinched her behind, she felt a shudder and yipped slightly.
The wolf girl felt her body press against Rand's, and she certainly gave him quite a look that was full of intention, longing, and desire, especially after the hug and his words. "Rand," she asked breathily, "Are you certain we need to go right now?" Her teeth lightly pulled at the man's earlobe lightly.
"I'm scared, my heart." The priestess finally said, refusing to let go of Rand. "I know we need to do this, but, that doesn't make me any less scared."
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Post by Ziya on Jan 25, 2019 23:02:43 GMT -5
Rand lay on the ground beside Éirín with what Min would describe as a "fool grin" on his face after the kiss. He shuddered at the feel of her teeth on his ear, but resisted the temptation of that and the look she gave. After all, the odd one was just outside the tent!
When she admitted that she was scared he held her tighter, memories of his previous life coming to the surface. "I doubt that we'll be hurt by Tamara directly, unless she thinks we're keeping Ailill from her. The main issue will be her plants. Wherever she's set up will be covered in them, and some of them can actually use a few smaller weaves. But if we're going to prevent a fight with Ailill we'll need her help."
As they spoke Mink sat on the ground outside with a few Soldier Heartless, all of them holding cards and using munny as chips. It seemed that Mink was winning by a decent margin.
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Post by Conrí on Jan 26, 2019 12:13:47 GMT -5
Éirín noticed Rand's shudder, followed by an immediate steeling of his will. A coy smile spread on her lips, and she thought about whispering in his ear about the child they were destined to have together, but, she remembered that they had only just met and stopped herself. A slight blush colored her cheeks, but she still couldn't stop herself from kissing his cheek, getting ever closer to his lips as he held her tight and spoke. "I'm listening, I promise, my dear Rand."
The wolf girl thought of what to do. Plants and her magic didn't quite get along, and, as far as she knew, it was likely better to keep her brother out of it. "Do you think we should do this on our own with Mink, or do we wait for Lucia and Sky to get back?" It was a fair question, at least, it was in her mind. She sighed and snuggled close to Rand, kissing his neck lightly.
The priestess growled playfully and nipped at his neck as well. The fire in her eyes intensified. "If we get through this in one piece, what will be my reward, my Lord Dragon?" A giggle echoed in the tent for a moment, and she winked as she stuck her tongue out at him. "Shall we say that you keep that tongue to be paid back when we return? It can, of course, gain interest, if you wish it to, arseling."
As she called him the name, she pinched his behind, whispering, "I can't help it, you've a nice arse, too, mo chroí." Éirín cleared her throat and called for Mink, trying to hide the sorrow at needing to let go of Rand from her voice.
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Post by Ziya on Jan 26, 2019 15:53:19 GMT -5
Éirín's teases nearly cost Rand his self-control once more, but lost in his memories as he was it was somewhat easier than before. Despite that the urge rose suddenly at her nip and following question, forcing him to clear his thoughts for a moment before replying. "I think I'll enjoy that interest, priestess."
Suddenly he flinched and glared at her in mock annoyance as they stood once more, rubbing his arse for a moment. It quickly shifted to a chuckle and grin as she called to Mink. Before they could reenter the tent he pinched her back with a wink.
Mink hear their name and sighed mockingly at the Heartless, somehow in nothing but slightly over-sized boxers. "Alright, you can have your armor back at least, but I'm keeping the munny. Tell the others I said hi." Nodding, they quickly vanished into dark swirls as Mink put the doubled pile of orbs into their pocket. Once that was done they walked back in with their hand over their eyes and smirking. "Are ya decent? Don't really want to see my Aunt and Uncle like that after all."
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Post by Conrí on Jan 26, 2019 16:40:39 GMT -5
Éirín shuddered when Rand spoke, and she moaned when her love managed to pinch her back. She almost purred. Her arms pulled him close and kissed him quickly, but turned when the tent flap rustled open. "Later, then, dragon." She laughed when Mink entered with their eyes covered and a smirk on their face. "Yes, nibling, we're decent. We still aren't quite sure how to have fun just yet." She winked at this and chuckled.
The wolf girl stood next to Rand and held onto his hand tightly. "What are we supposed to do now?" A flash of The Tower nearly caused her to drop to her knees. There was something off about the card, and it looked like a white castle instead of a tower, with those icy green eyes flashing in front of her as the card vanished. "Tower that's like a white castle. Green eyes. Ailill seems to be there, but, if we need to go after him, who's going after Tamara?"
The priestess's breathing was heavy from the vision. She started shaking a little. The fear was back, stronger this time, and she hated the idea of whatever she's walking into with Rand and wondered if she should try reaching out to Conrí. If she did, she could potentially also prepare him to be a proper king.
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Post by Ziya on Jan 26, 2019 17:29:21 GMT -5
Mink laughed as they dropped their hand back down, though they quickly grew as serious as Rand once Éirín had her flash. "No, we don't split up. Aunt Jen and Uncle Jason'll be able to help, and if Mom gets out of that book then she will too. There won't be a happy ending if you don't stick together."
Their voice was so certain that Rand didn't dare doubt them. Stepping forward, he looked them in the eyes and nodded. "Very well. Do you know where these two are, then?"
Mink snorted at the question before answering. "Of course I know where they are! They're just on the other side of the city. So..." A pool of Light and Darkness spread out from under them, quickly encompassing the entire tent. "System Call: Generate Luminous and Umbral Elements! Phase Shift Transfer!"
The elements began to float in the air for a few seconds as they called out what appeared to be a powerful spell...
Only to fade away with them laughing.
"Nah, I'm just messing with ya. If I could do that I'd have no problems. Just grab what you need and follow me." Still chuckling they ducked back out of the tent and started heading toward the town.
Rand could only look at Éirín in confusion and mild amusement, though he did put out the fire and grab his sword and saddlebags.
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Post by Conrí on Jan 26, 2019 20:07:27 GMT -5
Éirín simply nodded. She didn't dare question Mink, either, and, Rand seemed to agree with them. She breathed in sharply when the strange child started to amass a large spell before it blinked away. "Mink, is Conrí supposed to help us with this? And...uh...Fen warned me that those two might be busy." She visibly shuddered at the thought, and desperately hoped that the fae wouldn't take them directly to wherever Jason was.
The wolf girl gave Rand a wary look and a chuckle as he grabbed his saddlebags. "What, do you think yourself a horse now, or, do you intend to try making me into a pack animal?" She said this and stuck her tongue out at Rand again before she put her tongue back in her mouth and leaned up to him.
The priestess's lips met his and lingered there for a few moments before picking up her staff. "I have everything I came with, my love, but, if you could hold my hand while we walk, I would appreciate it."
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Post by Ziya on Jan 26, 2019 21:13:28 GMT -5
Rand grinned back at Éirín after the quick kiss before shouldering the bags and holding her hand with his free right. That lasted right up until they left the tent, at which point Mink turned around and sighed. They immediately floated back over to the two and took the bags, somehow shoving them into one of the pockets of the hoodie with an eye roll. "Is there anything else you'd like to bring?"
Rand decided not to comment on that, simply following them as they neared the city instead.
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Post by Conrí on Jan 26, 2019 21:30:19 GMT -5
Éirín shook her head at Mink and gave Rand's hand a squeeze. She was still nervous about meeting with her brother, but she decided to let that go for the moment. "Okay, so, what's the plan after we get them, nibling? This isn't spoiler territory. I actually need to know what I'm getting into."
As they walked into the city, the wolf girl had to fight to maintain her focus. There were far too many sights and smells that could distract her. She occasionally pointed things out to Rand that interested her. "Might as well try to make the best out of this that we can. Some 'date', though. I suppose you can make up for it when we get back." The priestess half wondered if her sheepdog of a brother had such problems, but, simply wouldn't want to ask until they were on speaking terms at the very least.
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Post by Ziya on Jan 26, 2019 21:50:28 GMT -5
As they walked and Mink floated they answered Éirín's question. "Well Uncles Jason and Conrí should have gotten enough out of their system to behave, though I think this might also be the point that Jen iced their bed, so..." They trailed off for a moment before shrugging. "Meh, we'll figure it out when we get there. Worst case is they end up frustrated at each other and take it out on whatever we fight."
Meanwhile Rand listened to both them and Éirín as he followed them, feeling very out of place in the city. Everything was so square and grid-like that for a moment he thought he was in Cairhien again. He nearly missed her comment thanks to his gawking, but quickly came up with a reply on the spot. "You're just lucky I remember what a date even is. They weren't a think in the modern era of my world. Still, I'm sure we can find a more romantic place after this."
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Post by Conrí on Jan 27, 2019 9:53:47 GMT -5
Éirín sighed when Mink spoke. She didn't exactly want to be thinking of her brother in such a context, but, she figured that they didn't want to be thinking of their uncles in that context, either. Still, she thought, absentmindedly stroking Rand's hand with her thumb, it's hard for me not to ask what kind of pack he's led me into, and now, I guess I also have a lot to explain to him. This won't be easy. She turned her gaze away from the buildings and decided to make an observation vocal. "For someone who sees a lot more of time and its threads than I do, you are certainly more 'eh, it will sort itself' than I'd thought you'd be. Should I be keeping an eye out for a big, blue police box?"
The wolf girl wondered if her nibling would get the reference. The show was one of her guilty pleasures, as much as Éiriú disapproved of how she had managed to get such technology to work on Avalon. Shaking her head with a bit of a chuckle, she turned her attention back to Rand. "Oh? You have how many wives, and, you're telling me, dear, that not one of them ever tried to drag you out to an inn or something like that for a dinner or something other than just making sure their bed was warm at night?" She winked playfully at the man. She supposed, on some level, that she kind of did something similar, though.
Unconsciously, the priestess leaned her head down to Rand's arm while holding his hand tighter. It seemed like the closer they got to wherever they were going, the more her heart threatened to beat out of her chest. "So, Rand, my dragon, do we know what we are yet? I know it's been less than two days, but, I'm trying to figure out how to explain any of this to my sheepdog of a brother. Oh, um, leave the haughty deity act to me, okay? He expects it from his...dead sister, as far as he's concerned." Éirín pressed herself closer to Rand, hoping he didn't feel how badly she was shaking from what she thought she was about to face once they made it to the house.
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