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001. out there in the sun | beneath the sky // open post
Take a prompt, take some time, drop in whenever you like.
Take a prompt, take some time, drop in whenever you like.
[ There's a distinct feeling of deja vu as she sights the length of red-scaled tail stretching out from the corner of the building that obscures the main lawn from this side of Falner. It's been roughly twenty-eight years, Cisco realizes, doing the math in her head as she walks up to Aidan, Netsach's founder dozing on the lawn in a manner much like the one he is doing now.
She stops right beside his closed eye, and waits. ]
She stops right beside his closed eye, and waits. ]
[He had been aware of her arrival from the moment she had touched down, in the company of her children and (surprisingly) Alistair Mordechai. He had traced her progress, listened in on her conversation with Liandrin Delacroix.
None of that shows, though, because it takes nearly a minute before the dragon is breathing in deep, huffing out a slow, contented sigh, then slowly cracking that eye open just enough to get the job done.]
Have I ever told you that that haircut suits you?
[She has not changed, not physically, but Aidan Clayce knows better than to think that Cisco Montelibano-Profaci has not changed at all.]
None of that shows, though, because it takes nearly a minute before the dragon is breathing in deep, huffing out a slow, contented sigh, then slowly cracking that eye open just enough to get the job done.]
Have I ever told you that that haircut suits you?
[She has not changed, not physically, but Aidan Clayce knows better than to think that Cisco Montelibano-Profaci has not changed at all.]
Edited 2013-12-29 10:45 (UTC)
[ She laughs at that, one hand coming up to touch at the ends of her hair. She'd gotten the haircut at the hotel just the evening before, a small treat, a first in ten years since she'd wandered off like the prodigal daughter.
How short, ma'am? the hairdresser had asked, fingers petting at the length of her dark hair, falling then to her waist. She'd gestured then, about two inches below her shoulder, proceeded to explain the style she'd sported back when she'd been active in the years after the Breaking of the Veil. ]
Hello, Aidan.
[ This brings her back, to over two decades ago, except this time the fox in her skin wants to sit beside the massive dragon instead of quailing before it, because this one is family, not predator. ]
How short, ma'am? the hairdresser had asked, fingers petting at the length of her dark hair, falling then to her waist. She'd gestured then, about two inches below her shoulder, proceeded to explain the style she'd sported back when she'd been active in the years after the Breaking of the Veil. ]
Hello, Aidan.
[ This brings her back, to over two decades ago, except this time the fox in her skin wants to sit beside the massive dragon instead of quailing before it, because this one is family, not predator. ]
Hello. Would you be so kind as to scratch my ear? Can't quite reach the usual spot again.
[...Well, no. He could, but the sunlight is warm and the grass is nice, and he's finally talking, yet again, to one of the children-now-women who had been with Netsach during one of its more trying times.
He had worried, of course. Many of them had, whether they liked to admit it or not. Perhaps it was because seeing another child break because that was the price of growing up as a Keeper of the Vigil hit too close to home, too often.]
[...Well, no. He could, but the sunlight is warm and the grass is nice, and he's finally talking, yet again, to one of the children-now-women who had been with Netsach during one of its more trying times.
He had worried, of course. Many of them had, whether they liked to admit it or not. Perhaps it was because seeing another child break because that was the price of growing up as a Keeper of the Vigil hit too close to home, too often.]
Of course, [ she steps close and reaches up to do just as Aidan asks.
It's so normal, as if wandering by suddenly after she'd dropped off the map for a good ten years wasn't anything to bat an eyelash at. With Lia, she'd had to give her report, had to recall the printed out accounts of her movements, each contact, all the way down to the one that she'd had to personally put down just a year before. With Aidan, it is a request to scratch behind his massive ear.
It's nice. ]
Right here?
It's so normal, as if wandering by suddenly after she'd dropped off the map for a good ten years wasn't anything to bat an eyelash at. With Lia, she'd had to give her report, had to recall the printed out accounts of her movements, each contact, all the way down to the one that she'd had to personally put down just a year before. With Aidan, it is a request to scratch behind his massive ear.
It's nice. ]
Right here?
Mmm. Yes.
[And if his verbal response isn't enough to assure her, the slight shiver of pleasure just beneath his scales probably would be.]
Thank you. Rethe is out right now, so...
[It's becoming easier, day by day, to say things like that. To remind himself that he's with somebody whom he could love for all eternity, someone who could love him just as perfectly and just as fiercely in return.]
[And if his verbal response isn't enough to assure her, the slight shiver of pleasure just beneath his scales probably would be.]
Thank you. Rethe is out right now, so...
[It's becoming easier, day by day, to say things like that. To remind himself that he's with somebody whom he could love for all eternity, someone who could love him just as perfectly and just as fiercely in return.]
[ She keeps the motion up, because scratching the Voidseeker's ear whilst he is in dragon form is surprisingly soothing. ] Nice to know I can be of assistance then, even if it is hard to compare to an angel.
[ It's hard to miss the tone of contentment in Aidan's voice. She hadn't been around when his relationship with Rethe had teetered on unsteady legs, had only been there to witness them start to settle into each other and much later, to be present when they'd exchanged vows.
Her hand slows at that, her thoughts wandering not wholly unexpected in a familiar direction, particularly since it is her left hand that's lifted to scratch at Aidan's ear, putting it in line of sight.
( Her wedding ring is tucked away beneath her shirt, hung around a thin gold chain because silver burns her kind as they do werewolves. )
Her expression droops, just a little, but it's enough for anyone to see that her thoughts are elsewhere. She doesn't mind that Aidan will see, though. Of all the Malice Kings, he was the first she'd ever met, and as imposing as he had been, everyone she knew had referred to him as 'Father', though her interpretation of that has always been more parental as opposed to religious. ]
[ It's hard to miss the tone of contentment in Aidan's voice. She hadn't been around when his relationship with Rethe had teetered on unsteady legs, had only been there to witness them start to settle into each other and much later, to be present when they'd exchanged vows.
Her hand slows at that, her thoughts wandering not wholly unexpected in a familiar direction, particularly since it is her left hand that's lifted to scratch at Aidan's ear, putting it in line of sight.
( Her wedding ring is tucked away beneath her shirt, hung around a thin gold chain because silver burns her kind as they do werewolves. )
Her expression droops, just a little, but it's enough for anyone to see that her thoughts are elsewhere. She doesn't mind that Aidan will see, though. Of all the Malice Kings, he was the first she'd ever met, and as imposing as he had been, everyone she knew had referred to him as 'Father', though her interpretation of that has always been more parental as opposed to religious. ]
[There's a light chuckle at that statement, but otherwise, nothing else. He only speaks again, once he spots the lack of a ring, the shift in Cisco's expression.]
You can take your time with that. Speaking to him, I mean. [A beat.] You have time to spare now.
You can take your time with that. Speaking to him, I mean. [A beat.] You have time to spare now.
[ There's a moment of hesitation as she struggles for the words, and her head turns as she hears the familiar noise of children at play. She spies the twins not too far away just then, their hands clasped even as Maggie looks on with the curious ( and hungry ) gaze of someone who has never had anyone but her brother to bother. ]
He'll either call tonight or he'll let it lie for a while longer. [ Her voice is soft. ] You know how the rumor mill goes in these parts.
He'll either call tonight or he'll let it lie for a while longer. [ Her voice is soft. ] You know how the rumor mill goes in these parts.
And I also know that he's not the type to care what others say, much less turn to other people to give him news when the affected party is within reach.
[He's shifting his head a little bit now, to look at her better.]
Enough on that, though. There are equally pressing concerns at hand for you now, I'm sure.
[He's shifting his head a little bit now, to look at her better.]
Enough on that, though. There are equally pressing concerns at hand for you now, I'm sure.
[ True enough. But it helps to hear it from someone else. Ten years is a long time for anyone to wait, even for those with extended life spans.
She turns back to Aidan then, ] We'll be staying at my old house in Quezon City for the meantime. I know it's far from convenient but I'm not-- [ she makes a face ] --I don't think it's a good idea for me to wander down to see my brothers, just yet.
[ At that point, she watches as three children wander close for the basics of introductions, and how, when the three run off, Maggie gives chase, a rather put-upon Renae trailing behind, the exasperated I'm sorry, Mom written all over his face as he turns to her once, flopping his arms in defeat as he goes mind his sister. ]
You're his favorite. [ She turns a smile back to the Voidseeker. ] Alistair is hers. From the stories I told them.
She turns back to Aidan then, ] We'll be staying at my old house in Quezon City for the meantime. I know it's far from convenient but I'm not-- [ she makes a face ] --I don't think it's a good idea for me to wander down to see my brothers, just yet.
[ At that point, she watches as three children wander close for the basics of introductions, and how, when the three run off, Maggie gives chase, a rather put-upon Renae trailing behind, the exasperated I'm sorry, Mom written all over his face as he turns to her once, flopping his arms in defeat as he goes mind his sister. ]
You're his favorite. [ She turns a smile back to the Voidseeker. ] Alistair is hers. From the stories I told them.
Am I?
[He is used to hearing that. Everyone loves dragons, it seems, especially the small children of the many Hunters on the Estate.]
One would think that more children would find me frightening. [A beat, then:] Alistair too.
[Alistair especially. His standoffish demeanor was usually enough to scare away pretty much everybody, and keep them from seeing what he could really be like.]
[He is used to hearing that. Everyone loves dragons, it seems, especially the small children of the many Hunters on the Estate.]
One would think that more children would find me frightening. [A beat, then:] Alistair too.
[Alistair especially. His standoffish demeanor was usually enough to scare away pretty much everybody, and keep them from seeing what he could really be like.]
Edited 2013-12-29 15:09 (UTC)
[ She lets her hand drop, folds her arms across her chest as if to keep warm from a cold that is not really there. The expression on her face is thoughtful, musing, and she smiles up at Aidan, recalling the way she'd narrated their first meeting. ]
I think Renae is partial to the fact that the big, scary dragon has an even bigger heart. [ She takes a breath, her gaze sliding over to where the children are at play. ] I told him how his mother was scared shitless at the sight of a long and curved tail, because she didn't know better and it's kind of hard not to be afraid of something that huge when you're as big as a gym bag when in animal form. [ Her voice softens when she adds: ] I think he also liked how the dragon was someone everyone called "Father". People who get called that usually are because they're admired and respected.
[ To anyone watching, the smile that she throws Aidan is remiscent of the smile she used to wear in the earlier years of her career in Netsach: the hint of mischief in the curve of her lips, the slight glint of cheekiness in her eyes. ]
And Alistair... well. [ She'd only started telling the stories she remembered after they'd settled in China, when the need to bring the twins a sense of normalcy had overridden her desire to keep on running. Maggie had been having night terrors then, though she would claim not to remember much upon waking, so when Cisco had noted the way her daughter perked up at the mention of the tracker who would never grow old, who had asked to stay frozen in order to keep an eye on a charge she hadn't had the heart to name, she'd started including more of what she could remember from her own experiences; slid in the stories that Wolf's Choice and Cen had recounted to her of Mapayapa and the missions that had come and gone before she'd fallen among their number. ]
Hard not to latch onto the grumpy and grizzled anti-hero. Though I don't imagine Alistair would appreciate being compared to the likes of Han Solo.
I think Renae is partial to the fact that the big, scary dragon has an even bigger heart. [ She takes a breath, her gaze sliding over to where the children are at play. ] I told him how his mother was scared shitless at the sight of a long and curved tail, because she didn't know better and it's kind of hard not to be afraid of something that huge when you're as big as a gym bag when in animal form. [ Her voice softens when she adds: ] I think he also liked how the dragon was someone everyone called "Father". People who get called that usually are because they're admired and respected.
[ To anyone watching, the smile that she throws Aidan is remiscent of the smile she used to wear in the earlier years of her career in Netsach: the hint of mischief in the curve of her lips, the slight glint of cheekiness in her eyes. ]
And Alistair... well. [ She'd only started telling the stories she remembered after they'd settled in China, when the need to bring the twins a sense of normalcy had overridden her desire to keep on running. Maggie had been having night terrors then, though she would claim not to remember much upon waking, so when Cisco had noted the way her daughter perked up at the mention of the tracker who would never grow old, who had asked to stay frozen in order to keep an eye on a charge she hadn't had the heart to name, she'd started including more of what she could remember from her own experiences; slid in the stories that Wolf's Choice and Cen had recounted to her of Mapayapa and the missions that had come and gone before she'd fallen among their number. ]
Hard not to latch onto the grumpy and grizzled anti-hero. Though I don't imagine Alistair would appreciate being compared to the likes of Han Solo.
[He listens intently, of course. Hearing from his own is one of the main things that keep him grounded, keep him sane and focused. It's always the little things that remind one why they keep on going.
At that last part, though, he chuckles, deep and amused.]
I highly doubt that, yes. [And now a part of him simply can't unsee it.] I've always seen him more as an anti-hero straight out of a gangster movie, though. Call it, ah, firsthand experience of that possibility, I suppose.
[Yeah, that one? Quite a story for the kids.]
At that last part, though, he chuckles, deep and amused.]
I highly doubt that, yes. [And now a part of him simply can't unsee it.] I've always seen him more as an anti-hero straight out of a gangster movie, though. Call it, ah, firsthand experience of that possibility, I suppose.
[Yeah, that one? Quite a story for the kids.]
[ She's giving him a look at that, a cross between amused and wanting to press him more for details and the incredulous expression that says simply: Please, tell me you're joking.
Cisco shakes her head a moment after, and then settles down quietly on the grass beside him. ]
Cisco shakes her head a moment after, and then settles down quietly on the grass beside him. ]
[There's a Dragon on the Lawn. Kaz smiles as he watches the Voidseeker be turned into a playground, be greeted by Hunters, other Malice Kings... And by his 'children'. He's done this a lot over the past couple of days, having found that the roof of their dorm is the perfect place to relax, meditate... But he doesn't miss much when he's sitting up here.
Today though... Today feels different, because he's clambering down the side of their dorm (f**k yeah parkour) and making his way to where Aidan Clayce is just... Being still. Feeling a little bushed still, Kaz actually sits near the Dragon's side and leans against him, feeling the rumble of his breathing over the Wings of Therion, currently strapped to his back.
Kaz's eyes close and his breathing falls in sync with Aidan's - not asleep, but he IS starting to calm down.]
Today though... Today feels different, because he's clambering down the side of their dorm (f**k yeah parkour) and making his way to where Aidan Clayce is just... Being still. Feeling a little bushed still, Kaz actually sits near the Dragon's side and leans against him, feeling the rumble of his breathing over the Wings of Therion, currently strapped to his back.
Kaz's eyes close and his breathing falls in sync with Aidan's - not asleep, but he IS starting to calm down.]
Good morning, Father. Thank you, though my dismount off the balcony was a bit sloppy.
[ He smiles just a little, because he's been Running all over Falner in full gear so that he'd get used to having to move about in potential battle situations. So yeah, maybe it's starting to show - not that he can take pride in it just yet.]
I see you most mornings, I thought that I'd meditate near you today.
[ He smiles just a little, because he's been Running all over Falner in full gear so that he'd get used to having to move about in potential battle situations. So yeah, maybe it's starting to show - not that he can take pride in it just yet.]
I see you most mornings, I thought that I'd meditate near you today.
[ Her shoulders curl in a little, her head ducking before as she looks up at Aidan again. ]
It's good to be home.
It's good to be home.
Edited 2014-01-01 21:48 (UTC)
[ Margaret locks the bathroom door with a self-satisfied smirk ( and a lot of vindictiveness ) and steps back to survey her handiwork, the tip of her tongue rubbing over one canine as she narrows her eyes at the door that is shaking with the force behind two fists thumping against the other side.
Going to the school at Falner is hard and not nearly as fun as she thought it would be. The first few weeks were okay, but then one of the boys in the class she shared with her brother had started bothering Renae, constantly coming over and picking the seat to his other side -- or behind him, or in front -- once she'd convinced her twin that the seat by the window had an excellent view of the lawn and Father Clayce.
It's been the worst birthday month she's ever had, her mother leaving them to the care of her uncles while she was away on an assignmebt where they couldn't tag along. She understands, at some level, that things are changing, now that they have come to live at Netsach--
--but did it really have to change so much?
She hears the boy call out ( pitiful, really ) but she's angry and she's hurt and she still remembers the confused look on her brother's face when she'd practically dragged him away before confronting the offending party. ]
Going to the school at Falner is hard and not nearly as fun as she thought it would be. The first few weeks were okay, but then one of the boys in the class she shared with her brother had started bothering Renae, constantly coming over and picking the seat to his other side -- or behind him, or in front -- once she'd convinced her twin that the seat by the window had an excellent view of the lawn and Father Clayce.
It's been the worst birthday month she's ever had, her mother leaving them to the care of her uncles while she was away on an assignmebt where they couldn't tag along. She understands, at some level, that things are changing, now that they have come to live at Netsach--
--but did it really have to change so much?
She hears the boy call out ( pitiful, really ) but she's angry and she's hurt and she still remembers the confused look on her brother's face when she'd practically dragged him away before confronting the offending party. ]
[And what Maggie is going to hear next is a yelp of surprise from the boy, followed by the sight of him floating rather harmlessly up and out of the cell that she locked him in.
Have one Aidan Clayce standing in the doorway, one hand outstretched, each gesture directing the boy towards him, then back on his own two feet beside one very unimpressed Malice King looking at Maggie straight in the eye.
There is also their headmistress hovering anxiously in the background. It is hard to tell if she is embarrassed, fearful, angry, or all three and then some, much less about what.
There is, as well, a Calintz Duskrider close by, trying very hard not to grin. You sure you got this, Clayce? That look seems to say.]
I'll catch up with you later, Calintz.
[And even while he's speaking to his companion, his eyes have not moved away from Maggie, not for one second.]
Have one Aidan Clayce standing in the doorway, one hand outstretched, each gesture directing the boy towards him, then back on his own two feet beside one very unimpressed Malice King looking at Maggie straight in the eye.
There is also their headmistress hovering anxiously in the background. It is hard to tell if she is embarrassed, fearful, angry, or all three and then some, much less about what.
There is, as well, a Calintz Duskrider close by, trying very hard not to grin. You sure you got this, Clayce? That look seems to say.]
I'll catch up with you later, Calintz.
[And even while he's speaking to his companion, his eyes have not moved away from Maggie, not for one second.]
Edited 2014-01-02 03:00 (UTC)
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