Meteion (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
perfectlygoodbird) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
aionlogs2022-07-31 05:02 pm
perfectlygoodbird) wrote in aionlogs2022-07-31 05:02 pm
closed
WHO: Meteion and Estinien Wyrmblood
WHAT: In avoiding the Kenoma, a bird runs into another problem.
WHERE: Venera
WHEN: 26th of Soviseri.
WARNINGS: This will only end in tears, with Meteion a shard.
.
The bird has been doing her best to keep a low profile ever since the events of the Sovereign's Moon had come to an end. She'd spoken to no one, though that had hurt. Hurt in ways that Meteion had not comprehended until now, when she was well and truly alone. There wasn't anyone she could trust any more. Not after the things she had done--but she also had no one to blame for that but herself. Meteion had made her choices now, like she had made them so long ago. Her sisters were no more, though, and despite the assurance she'd had from Cid that the Final Days had not been her fault...was that something the bird truly believed?
Not now. Not yet. She couldn't.
Meteion tugs the edge of her mantle further up over her head. She can't really hide her legs or tailfeathers--not without leaving a trail--so she keeps to the side streets, trusting in the fact that she is small and unobtrusive to hope that prying eyes simply pass over her.
WHAT: In avoiding the Kenoma, a bird runs into another problem.
WHERE: Venera
WHEN: 26th of Soviseri.
WARNINGS: This will only end in tears, with Meteion a shard.
.
The bird has been doing her best to keep a low profile ever since the events of the Sovereign's Moon had come to an end. She'd spoken to no one, though that had hurt. Hurt in ways that Meteion had not comprehended until now, when she was well and truly alone. There wasn't anyone she could trust any more. Not after the things she had done--but she also had no one to blame for that but herself. Meteion had made her choices now, like she had made them so long ago. Her sisters were no more, though, and despite the assurance she'd had from Cid that the Final Days had not been her fault...was that something the bird truly believed?
Not now. Not yet. She couldn't.
Meteion tugs the edge of her mantle further up over her head. She can't really hide her legs or tailfeathers--not without leaving a trail--so she keeps to the side streets, trusting in the fact that she is small and unobtrusive to hope that prying eyes simply pass over her.
no subject
Ryunosuke had wandered off deeper into the cavern when she'd insisted he not look at... Wwwwhatever she was doing, and since then he's been having his own unsuccessful parlay with the Entity. Still rattled by the echoes of its screams-- screams that, in the end, had resolved into the voice of a woman, eerily enough-- it takes a second for it to click mentally, that there are now two voices coming from the direction of the spot where he'd left Hayame with the stricken Estinien. He gives a little jolt once he realizes, hurrying back in that direction... Trying very, very hard to put his discomfort and concern over the abrupt absence of the entity's presence here in the shrine out of his mind.
A thrill of relief goes through him when he emerges to find Hayame helping a now very much awake Estinien up off the ground.]
Ser Estinien--!
[A mixture of relief and concern written on his face, he hurries over to the two of them.]
Thank goodness...! [He glances briefly at Hayame.] I, I wasn't sure what to expect, Madam, but...
[But. Thank you?
...Mid-thought, his relief quickly starts to give way to exasperation, as he realizes the threat is now passed. His attention snaps back to the dragoon.]
...Gods, do you know I've been worried sick about you? You took off and, and this is where you decided to go? [His tail begins to lash back and forth across the ground, betraying further agitation.] Did you not remember that you were specifically warned against coming here??
no subject
As Hayame pulls him to his feet though, his three sets of wings adjusting and folding as he tries to keep his balance, he feels a shift of energy in the cavern. It's the presence of the entity, he's sure of it, and as he holds his head with his free hand he is about to eagerly agree to her recommendation to leave.
...But then it turns out that Ryunosuke is there, too.]
...
[Estinien looks confused - perhaps a bit overwhelmed - to be caught between Hayame and Ryunosuke here, both scolding him for his reckless behaviour. He feels foolish trying to explain himself again when Hayame has already called him out on it, and his ill ease with the vibe of the shrine doesn't help him articulate himself.]
I... had only thought to entreat with the entity... as well as...
[Suddenly it occurs to him that he's forgotten something.]
Meteion! Her shard... 'twas here...!
[He starts searching in a panic, though he doesn't have to go far. There's a familiar chrysalis growing several feet away. The kind that would be about the right size to host the Aion in question. If one looked close, they may even see her shard inside.]
...Praise Halone... 'tis yet unharmed...
no subject
But it disappears completely the moment Ryunosuke appears, to be replaced by a flash of learned shame and cultural humiliation, her locked joints finally pried open to release Estinien's hand as quickly as she can before she can be seen from up close to be holding it. Before anyone else can see her caring, or being so lewd as to touch a man's bare skin in such a fashion where others could see.
And when the other man glances at her in thanks... He's greeted with a dark, resentful glare over the dragoon's shoulder. A glare that says did I not say what would happen if you turned your eyes back here?
But the punishment will have to wait. Estinien is off, and though she almost reaches to try and keep him still, not sure if he is strong enough yet- he proves himself to be, and so she relents. Instead, she follows the short distance to gaze at the inside she can barely make out. A shard... Why did that name sound familiar... "Meteion"... ? Ah- The birdling creature.]
That is a Kenoma's shard? You managed to capture one?
[Good. He has succeeded where she failed. In Venera, she had nearly taken two... and yet they had been ripped from her hands, one by other Kenoma intent on reclaiming their traitor and one by her own betrayed trust. If Estinien at least had claimed one... They would have better knowledge of Achamoth, of other inner workings, potentially...
But the idea of staying here longer, with him affected by the entity and their continued presence feeling this risky, like it was just daring the thing to crystallize him again...]
How long does it take to reform?
[They can't move a... a crystal cocoon. She's strong, but not- not strong enough to move it unless she let herself be trussed up like a plowhorse, and that-]
Estinien, it feels as if you taunt fate each breath here...
[Only then does her gaze move back to Ryunosuke, appraising. Normally, she'd never suggest it. He looked too weak to defend anything, let alone something so precious, but it wasn't as if they were under assault... if it would just be waiting-]
If it need be watched over, Naruhodo can handle it.
[Can't he?]
Perhaps we may withdraw to the borders of the Innocent's domain, and wait there for its revival before we regroup within the wood.
no subject
...Whatever else he was planning to say to Estinien is quickly forgotten in light of what comes next.]
Meteion?!
[Ryunosuke echos the name in shock, his ears flicking up in surprise when Estinien points out the cocoon. Darnit, he KNEW the relevant clues would be in the area around where they found the body. Gosh. He could've pieced this together a lot sooner if SOMEONE hadn't shooed him off, thanks Hayame--
Was Meteion no longer under the influence of the Kenoma, then? She mustn't be, if Estinien dared to bring her back here; the man is more cautious than most Pleroma, regarding members of the opposing sect. The news brings Ryunosuke a small modicum of comfort; he'd only met the girl briefly before this, but he'd been somewhat worried about her. First on Toge's behalf, and then just generally speaking, after she'd spoken of how she no longer felt safe in Achamoth. He can't say that it's really any safer overall, being a hated Pleroma, but at least she'll be among friends who won't judge her harshly for her legacy.
Hayame appraising him makes him feel a bit like a bug under a microscope; he can't say he's particularly keen about staying alone in the shrine, but Estinien has been through more than enough already, and Ryunosuke is inclined to agree with Hayame's sentiment. It does feel like it would be tempting fate for Estinien to remain here.
...He supposes he wouldn't really be alone, anyway. It's odd how a shard can still feel like a presence, even without a body to give it voice.
His dark eyes are full of determination as he meets Hayame's stare once again, nodding his affirmation confidently.]
I'll stay with her. [A beat.] ...I might have brought a change of clothing if I'd known we'd be receiving a new arrival, but I... I'll figure something out.
[Maybe he can communion in some backup with some clothing. Or all else fails, literally give her the shirt off his back. Why not.]
no subject
Regardless, it seems that she's safe. She will return soon enough... and as the entity had said, he believes her spirit is destined for the Pleroma.]
...Aye. She was turning away from the Kenoma. I... only ensured she could not return to it.
[He couldn't bear her being taken back and ruined by them. Not after everything.]
I know not how long I have languished here, but when I was reformed... it only took two sunrises.
[As for Hayame's worries, she is absolutely right. It's foolish to remain here, even for a moment, but he had to see what Meteion was well before going. With Ryunosuke promising to watch over her, he feels secure enough to leave it at that. He looks to Hayame and nods.]
Ryunosuke will have it well in hand. Let us quit this place, before the spirit of this shrine makes another attempt on my soul.
[He'd pushed his luck enough already. He rises, eager to escape to the open air.]
no subject
She should have done the same to Liem, to Barnaby. Just taken their shards by force. If she had... If she had not failed-]
... Two sunrises can be done.
[She suspected it may even be less, seeing that a day had passed in which she'd noticed his absence, traveled here by those accursed portals and a hard gallop on legs repaired by the magic she distrusted so. Relieved that Estinien sees the sense in her caution, Hayame turns to accompany the man out of the shrine... but before she does...
She fixes Naruhodo with a withering stare, long and uncomfortable. Could he truly be trusted with a task such as this? He, who could not even obey a simple instruction to not turn his eyes upon something, who could not give a proper, succinct report? ... She does not know, but he is who is there, and Estinien has expressed no doubt. So rather than risk him bringing more people to this place in his fussy complaints about clothing-]
Do not whine so about nakedness, of all things.
[At a time like this? If she's aware of how hypocritical this makes her, when she had flushed with shame to be seen with her hand on Estinien's not moments ago, she certainly does not act it. (It was different, she was a mare grown, and it was the woman who would be shamed, anyway, not the man-)
Hayame's hand disappears into one of the two saddlebags slung over her withers, where every single thing (so few things) that she owned were located. Fishing about inside by sense of touch, she pulls out a simple piece of cloth, folds it even smaller, and tosses it Ryunosuke's way. It's her own spare shirt, a simple sage green homespun without sleeves that wraps and ties... and though it is but a shirt, it is long so that Hayame can fold it up and cushion the bite of her "waist" harness, so on a thing as slight as Meteion was, it would make a modest enough short smock.]
Dress her when she wakes, then, and contact us for our location.
[With one last look that sought to impress upon him the importance of this task... Hayame gathers herself and turns, trying to disguise the way she watches the other man mindfully for any sign he may need support or for her to slow her pace while he is yet newly uncrystallized.]
Come, Estinien....
[He had a communion to make, she had a fellow Firebrand to guard, Naruhodo had a shard to watch vigil over, and Meteion... had a sect waiting to hear from her about the place called Achamoth.]
no subject
Two sunrises?
Is he going to have to sit here in this accursed shrine? By himself? For two days? He didn't even pack any provisions!! What's he supposed to eat while he waits?!
...Oh... But Estinien is showing faith in him. He doesn't want to spurn that trust by complaining about frivolous things like food... And as for Hayame...
He tries to disguise the look of dismay that's still lingering on his face when she addresses him, snapping to attention with perfect, straight-backed posture... Just before she throws a shirt at him. He catches it, thankfully, and starts to open his mouth to argue that he's not whining, his concern is Meteion's comfort first and foremost, but-- Ugh. It's not worth it.]
Right. I... I'll keep you both informed... [He looks at Estinien instead of Hayame, nodding firmly.] You can count on me.
[It's after they leave, as Ryunosuke is settling down and trying to make himself comfortable for the long wait, that the eerie apology from the entity echoes in his head.
'I'm sorry,' it whispers faintly.
His eyes bug out as he glances around in alarm, and then he shudders, looking at the chrysalis pleadingly.]
...Far be it from me to rush you, but... Please try not to take too long, Miss Meteion...
[Ugh.]
no subject
It's only once they are out in the grass of the valley, the shrine looming behind them, that the entity's phantom whisper arrives in his thoughts. An apology.
He stops mid-step, his gut twisting. He casts an uneasy gaze back to the shrine, his fingers shaking at his sides, before being pressed firm into fists. Sorry, was it? After all it had done? After it had denied him his chance to be heard, when he had come to speak his heart to it?
Some part of him wants to go back, to try to take this opportunity to make it know just how sorry it should be. He doesn't, though. Not while knowing what Hayame had to do for him, and knowing what the consequences of entering its presence again could be. So, instead, he pulls himself together and carries on, rejoining Hayame's side.
No. He will not be fooled by its promises again.]