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Post by Xedanis Sykonra on Mar 4, 2010 18:38:47 GMT -7
This night hadn't come fast enough. As Xedanis shot from point to point, checking and rechecking his beloved ship for anything out of place, the feeling of anticipation and the thought of what awaited him on this particular voyage repeated constantly in his heart and mind with a buzz that felt like childhood all over again.
"Mast tackle!" He barked in a clear voice that cut through the night like a saber.
"Secure!" Came the disciplined and immediate response.
"Rudder and navigation!" He bellowed.
"Secure!" Came another voice, this time from behind him. Xedanis grinned with the speed and efficiency demonstrated by what was now an entirely-enthralled crew.
Ninety-nine souls, all told. Each one blooded by his veins, but not turned. They were, for lack of a better word, willing bloodslaves. Their loyalty was to him and him alone. That he was certain of; after all, he wouldn't want anyone playing the same trick that had gained him ownership of the vessel almost one hundred and sixty years previously.
He moved to the port railing and cast his cobalt gaze into the night, having consulted the route, checked the ship and other duties until his mind grew numb with the repetitiveness of the tasks.
He looked down along the stone flags of the dock, his eyes following the line of the thick breakwaters next to the enclosed water until they caught on the golden lettering of the ship's name, emblazoned in shimmering script along the prow of her hull;
Dawn Rose.
Wondering if she may be out in the dock itself by now, Xedanis sent a telepathic call to his companion for this voyage, feeling a twinge of guilt about "summoning" her.
"All is in readiness, Persephone," he sent. "As soon as you arrive, our journey to the fountain of youth will begin..."
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Post by Persephone on Mar 8, 2010 17:34:34 GMT -7
Gaze cast round about her, taking in each feature, she needed to get away from it all. There was no secret here. Far too much had transpired. So much in fact, she began to wonder if she should come back at all with all truth revealed. So much had changed, so much was left undone, and yet she knew it was time. When his call came she had already packed, in fact she had already had all in order. Such was one blessing being the Oracle.
She felt his call, and chuckled lightly at the almost hesitation she could feel. He was amusing indeed. A hand moved to cover that small bauble that shared so much with the one that he too wore, onyx orbs were closed. No sooner did she open her eyes that she found herself standing to see golden blaze Dawn Rose.
"Well hello my dear nephew, I trust all is ready and prepared?" She stood off but for a few moments, taking him in, checking him over. She needed to know all was well with him before she took him into her tight embrace.
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Post by Xedanis Sykonra on Mar 9, 2010 22:45:57 GMT -7
Xedanis was halfway back across the deck towards the steer, when he felt her arrive. The Onyx talisman hung around his own neck felt suddenly warm against his chest, touching the skin beneath his silk shirt. And if that were not enough, of course there was the sight of her standing on the dockside, confirming that she had arrived.
Of course, her powers as an Oracle were undiminished. Usually Persephone would embrace Xedanis immediately - somewhat of a rarity, he had gathered - but this time she kept a small distance, almost as if hesitating, or assessing.
"Trifles," Xedanis lied. "It's nothing. I'm fine, dearest aunt. And all that is on my mind at this moment is showing you something that you will never forget, or possibly even believe."
He moved to embrace her then, unsure if she would relent and return the hug. He felt strangely empty without that one simple thing; he noted the odd feeling as he hung there, waiting.
"All prepared and present, captain!" Came the call of the over-zealous first-mate from above. Xedanis ignored him, knowing that Persephone's question had been answered. He grinned, and then finally caught her up in a tight hug.
"We've been waiting for this for what seems like a lifetime," Xedanis whispered as he held her. "Let's not bog our adventure down with my baggage."
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Post by Persephone on May 1, 2010 19:58:03 GMT -7
Brow furrowed at his words, an interesting predicament, yet she would not refuse his embrace. To do so would be a grave insult upon both his person, and the relationship held by the two which had lasted throughout the years. No one could really pin down any longer just how the two had grown so close. He was a son to her, were she to be completely honest, though she was quite well aware he was her sister's childe.
"It is no good lying to an Oracle my dear nephew..." she cautioned, her tone one of due reparation yet not altogether unwarm towards the male. He was after all perhaps her most beloved nephew, and surely the single most who had known her the longest. There was no mistaking the tenderness she held in her heart for him. They had grown and faced many things together.
"So, what shall we do? I'm afraid I am of little use when it comes to directing a vessel such as this. The biggest sea faring I have participated in would be a small canoe upon the river...and let's just say we ended up on the wrong end of the canoe." She laughed lightly, attempting to add a levity to the conversation. Later, she decided, she would press for the answers he so held from her.
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Post by Xedanis Sykonra on May 15, 2010 0:11:21 GMT -7
Xedanis let out an ambivolent sigh as he held onto Persephone with a slow and delicate grace. The sigh was at the same time one of resignation and relief, the tender hold the two were held within at the same time holding its own contrast.
Xedanis partly held onto his beloved Aunt out of happiness to see her, and partly because he felt that he needed to know she was real.
"I know you want answers, dearest aunt," he said, consolingly he hoped. "And i promise, if your heart still yearns for such after the feast of exploration I have planned, then i will satisfy that need if you wish. But for now, let me simply be happy that you are here, and that you are alive - as far as any of us can be alive, that is."
He chuckled, flashing his trademark grin as Persephone made her small anecdote about the canoe. This took Xedanis off guard - he had never imagined her for such an adventurous type.
But if she wasn't such, why was she here?
"Don't worry about the Rose," he said, slipping a hand around her waist and walking her up to the main deck before the mighty ship's wheel. The crew stood to attention with an efficiency that would put armies to shame as the two passed.
"She can steer herself, if I wish. But this time I must plot our course carefully. After all I've not been to the place we are headed in nigh of two centuries. Plus, last time I visited, I do believe I was drunk."
He grinned his best schoolboy grin. All was ready and waiting. The crew anxiously awaited permission to set sail.
Answering their thoughts, Xedanis clasped Persephone's hand gently but firmly, before bellowing into the night the familiar line;
"FULL SAIL!"
And with that, they were Seaborne.
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Post by Persephone on May 17, 2010 20:48:23 GMT -7
Those precious pink tiers pursed, pressing into a thin line, well as thin a line as full lips can be made into at least. She nodded, accepting his answer, she would know in time. After all, what was time to an Oracle? What would happen if all had the patience of the Oracles? Would the world stand still? Would it continue to turn? Drawn away from this train of thought by his shouting "FULL SAIL" she hastened to the side of the ship, grasping the rail with both hands, quite unsure what would happen next beyond the fact that the sails would lower and the ship would be pushed forward with the wind.
She bit her lip, a nervous habit perhaps, however not one she was willing to give up any time soon. It was rather perfect timing. She wondered if he realized just how perfect it was. Yes, her heart may have been quite heavy, but the sea, an escape from it all, it drew her away better than any trip to the Shadow Realm could have done. Gaze swept over the ledge, as fingers caressed the smooth wood. "So much out there..." she whispered, to no one in particular. An observation spoken when none needed to hear, though perhaps they might. She was nervous, but anxious to escape the city.
"Do tell me Xedanis, my dearest nephew...what is it that first drew you to the sea?" She could not look away, so entranced did she find her person with the rolling tides, the upward and downward heaving of waves as the ship made her way forward to a destination well beyond her own experience. One day perhaps, she would take him to the shadow realm. One day.
"And where is Silvanus?"
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