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Post by Evangeline on Jan 3, 2009 22:03:03 GMT -5
"Skills and experience, too." Delfina added. She singled out several blocs that appeared to be educational and work-related, and put them on high-level tiers. "Family, friends and first encounters, right." She turned to Shiro again. "What about these stones you speak of?"
"You start with a flawless black onyx, and keep working on it." Shiro answered. "It takes years of seasoning to produce a good one. I haven't found a replacement yet, and I'm not likely to, as my time is growing short."
"What do you mean?" Haruna stiffened.
"Lung cancer, daughter." Shiro replied, matter-of-factly. "A doctor gave me less than a year."
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Post by elizar on Jan 3, 2009 22:15:43 GMT -5
Tyler looked around, the mind and persona were wrapped up and safe. He knew that whatever they did with the memories, Bree would notice something wrong with how you remembered it. Delfina was wrapping up the emotions.
Shiro was dying. Even though the doctors wouldn't really be as reliable as they were before the blowup, it was still something. But there was no actual reason for him to mention it, other than trying to get Haruna to sway to his side, forgive him.
Unless he had something different in mind. It was always clear that how the carverse people arrived, it was done by magic. Powerful magic and unlike anything seen before. Her reputation didn't quite precede her in that way. Tyler thought shielded. Could it be he's looking for longevity? Powerful magic, unlike what we've seen before. What other could it be? Healing as well?
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Post by Evangeline on Jan 3, 2009 22:25:33 GMT -5
"I'm content with the time I've had in this mortal coil." Shiro pointed up, "Though Mrs. Verant over there holds the potential to more than I will ever know. One of these days, she might work up to its full promise. I don't expect you to come weeping to my side, Haruna, but I did want to see you one more time, and tell you the truth."
Haruna's face had taken on a mental shroud. "Because you are my father, I will pay respect to the status, but not the deeds."
Shiro gave a nod. "And that's all I ask."
Delfina shifted to Tyler, communicating securely. "So what is his game, then, if not trying to find more power to extend his life?"
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Post by elizar on Jan 3, 2009 22:32:27 GMT -5
'It's not about a reunion.' Tyler replied. 'But what, I don't now. Maybe their bloodline is different from yours. I know mine's is very different than yours, but they're not fey-blood.'
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Post by Evangeline on Jan 3, 2009 22:45:26 GMT -5
"Family skills, then." Delfina concluded. "Passed down like a craft, or an art, though talent is still a factor."
Shiro then produced a small scroll box out of his tattered oilskin coat, and presented it to Haruna. "This is the knowledge of all of our ancestors. Do not let my own deeds poison your perception of it."
Haruna stood upright, wind teasing her hair out of its loosely upswept style. There were a few grey strands among the black, but she was still a vital, even attractive woman. Her face stilled. Without further display of emotion, she reached out with both hands and accepted it.
Shiro walked back to where Bree was lying. "And now, we get down to business."
"We have everything secure on our end." Delfina told him dispassionately.
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Post by elizar on Jan 3, 2009 22:53:50 GMT -5
"I concur." Tyler said. "You're the one who has to finish the show."
((Alright. Since we haven't even publically hinted at the next plot, I think this could be the last one, mostly due to Ebony's attendance. I don't see how we could do it 'right' just the two of us, so wrapup could even be posted tonight. Yes, I've turned the clock around inside my body.))
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Post by Evangeline on Jan 3, 2009 23:14:00 GMT -5
Shiro gave a nod, then positioned himself at Bree's head. Slowly, he poured out the ampule over her. Once it was inverted, the liquid inside became a vapour, and settled over her body, seeming to expand and increase in density. Shiro then stood back, but not frantically; he had plenty of time to clear. Then the cloud seemed to dissipate, and for a prolonged moment it seemed as if Bree's body had dissolved and blown away, with only the shirt left lying on the wrap. But then it started to recondense, collecting back into a larger cloud that seemed to be billions of swarming particles. The others stood back, instinctively, as the cloud hung over the ground for a moment, then something seemed to solidify and settle within it. An outline became visible as the sun's light penetrated, becoming more tangible as the cloud once more started to thin and dissolve.
Bree stood over the wrap, U/C locked, still unconscious. She was in her natural colors, with blades folded to one side. Shale gasped as he looked upon her, and resisted the impulse to go up to her right away. "Let her come out of it easy." Shiro said, "Poking and prodding won't hasten anything."
Delfina, drained from the effort, collapsed to her knees.
"When she comes around, be sure to test her mental state." Shiro said. "With respect to my daughter, I have overstayed my welcome as it is." He started to walk away. "Goodbye, daughter."
"Father," Haruna called out after him. "You at least owe the Captain something in return for what she's been through."
"I've already given it to her." Shiro shot back, then disappeared in the thermal mists.
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Post by elizar on Jan 3, 2009 23:27:02 GMT -5
Tyler's body thought it would be just terrific idea to fall down. Before even focusing on getting up, Tyler broke the bridges he had made. After making sure that there wasn't anything left, he slowly rose up. The crystal had blackened by his draw, completely drained of any energy, now looking like a spiffy black diamond and there was nothing behind it.
Aron came out. He had been notified when it was over, and he carried a tray with food and drinks on it. He knew that first thing to do, was to tell the body itself that it is going to recover, and sate it's hunger for something. While it could not be gained by food, it was enough to push the protests away for a moment.
He looked up at Bree. "I've seen the photos, but didn't think it was like that." He said, referring to her coat color. Just what else had she lost in the translation?
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Post by Evangeline on Jan 3, 2009 23:37:13 GMT -5
"You didn't see her when she was in reserve before." Delfina pointed out. "She'd gone natural then too." She grabbed a sandwich from the platter Aron had brought. "Thanks. Tyler would probably like some too."
Bree's natural pigmentation shimmered in the sun like pale gold, with darkening to caramel towards the face and the tail boom. The effect was beautiful, and it seemed to ripple with every breath she took. Shale waited patiently by her side, with the other 'craft now hanging out a hundred feet away. The Bell/Agusta mix gave his mate a gentle nuzzle. "Well, now you see her as she is." his voice almost choked.
Inside the house, the children were straining to get a look through some of the fewer, smaller windows on that side. "Hey, don't push!" "I want to see her too!" "Wow, she's beautiful!"
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Post by elizar on Jan 3, 2009 23:47:33 GMT -5
Ragnheiður sighed. She had at least kept them away before the transformation, knowing there was a reason for why she had been brought there in the first place. "You can all see her." She said. "It isn't like she's going to leave without saying goodbye."
Tyler accepted another sandwich and took a bite. "I'm not going to relax until she wakes up." He said. "We might have to go to her Endurskin to fix any serious jumbles if there are any, but at least she will be there to help us."
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Post by Evangeline on Jan 3, 2009 23:59:52 GMT -5
Bree's head lifted at last, and her eyes fluttered open, large and coppery; the sun set them alight like liquid fire. She groaned and stretched, then squinted as the world hit her like a hammer again.
"Bree?" Shale inquired anxiously.
The eyes opened again, and focused on him. "Sh-Shale?" she uttered faintly. "It's over?"
"The big part is." her husband nuzzled her. "How do you feel?"
"Still tired." Bree suppressed a yawn.
Delfina, Tyler and Haruna exchanged glances with Aron, hoping that she was all there.
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Post by elizar on Jan 4, 2009 0:04:30 GMT -5
"No real complaints then?" Tyler asked. It had worked, if Bree was not immediately aware of any mess, it meant that there was no need to go to her mind and fix it. She would sort it out in her own time by herself.
"We're still waiting on a fuel shipment." Aron said. "But we have some supplement tubes."
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Post by Evangeline on Jan 4, 2009 0:13:54 GMT -5
"Not... really." Bree shook her head to clear it. "I did just think of the damndest thing, though. One of my third-grade recitals... every word, every detail, even the smell of fresh paint in the meeting hall and the class clown making a face at me afterwards." she sighed. "I always did wonder if he had a crush on me." She nudged Shale. "Doesn't mean a thing now, though."
"Oh, I know." Shale blushed a bit. "I'm just glad to see you're all right." He noted Aron. "You'd better have something, hon. What you took in earlier won't keep you going."
"OK, thanks." Bree said to Aron.
Delfina carefully felt Bree over. "Everything's as it should be." She turned to Tyler and Haruna. "Thank you for your help."
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Post by elizar on Jan 4, 2009 0:24:23 GMT -5
"I would like to say it was no problem." Tyler said. "But it was the hardest thing I've ever done before. My uncle had the Talent for this kind of work, he tried to teach me it as I hadn't formed mine yet."
Aron went and came back with a supplement tubes. "The rest of you, let me know if you need something as well." He said as pushing the supplements into Bree.
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Post by Evangeline on Jan 4, 2009 0:35:07 GMT -5
The supplement paste had its usual execrable taste, but Bree took it in gratefully. It was something familiar, at least. That was another thing that seemed to be back to normal. Shale rubbed his head affectionately against hers, now happy that he could do so without knocking her over.
"I'm OK for now." Shale turned to Tara and Shayla, "What about you two?" "We're good, thanks." was the general answer.
"You should really lie down for a bit." Delfina said to Tyler, though it went without saying. "I didn't really come into mine until I was in my twenties."
"Excuse me for a sec." Haruna went back to where her husband and the children were waiting at the door with Ragna. "You can go and talk to her now." she told the children. "But go easy on her." She paused to embrace Micheal, who held her close for a moment before she went upstairs to put the scroll box in a place of safekeeping. What she would do with the knowledge, she had no idea yet.
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