#and what will happen to him if Titi DOES come back? Will they forget about MV... will anyone still care for this child? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

shardclan · 5 years

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A Moment in the Summerlands

High noon rises and finds Analemma in silence. Noon Point stands empty, the merchants warned away, and the residents taking shelter in their homes. The eternal scent of steaming milk from the Happy Harpy Creamery, the one constant through even the darkest depths of winter, is absent.

Rebis stares down at the figure of Malu, sedated and physically restrained to the infirmary bed. Dust is at he side. She has left him only infrequently since bringing him there. Both share the same grim expression. Both are awaiting the inevitable.

"Enamor," Lavi had explained. "The single most basic skill in the entirety of light magic. A brief skill of captivation, something to make your enemy forget to speak their spell. It goes ignored a lot. But here we are, with an astral who has effectively taken it to the outer limits. To enthrallment."

Even Ashlesha had been too afraid to stay. His words blurted and near-panicked, were still fresh in Rebis' mind:

"I brought us here as soon as I realized Titi-tet was here, because Lavi loves you, and I promised I'd be better and I'd care more and think about these things, but I have thought about it and in this case warning you and then leaving and locking the door behind us is best thing for everyone. I'm sorry I can't find it, it's--disseminating itself in the light, to me it feels like Titi-tet is everywhere, and it's too dangerous for me to stay here because she WILL come to you. It's her nature, she has be observed, she has to be worshiped, and if I end up enthralled I'm liable to erase everything you have built here for fun and you have maybe two people in the entire territory who could even begin to stop me, so please, please forgive me and let me take Lavi back to Horizon's Landing. Let us LEAVE."

Rebis didn't see Ashlesha very often, but his behavior was quite different. When they met, he had been unaffected and only interested in Invigilavi. To think he would beg her to allow him anything still weighs on her. Something is...amiss with him. But maybe that is only because he is human.

Malu opens his eyes. He looks around, and does not see the astral that has enthralled him. He shivers, and struggles, and soon begins to cry. His sobs are a rough and unfamiliar croak.

Dust presses a cool hand to his forehead and offers soothing but unheeded whispers. Titi-tet took his will, but they already know that can be returned.

The same is not certain for his voice.

In the main office of the Tahalil Infirmary, Alala watches gravely as her mother flips back to the first page of a report from Noon Point's practice for third time. The symptoms. The names. The proposal written with complete impartiality at the bottom.

Haematica taps her pragmatically short nails with increasing disquiet atop her desk. The report is stirring memories old and rancid as bad wine. With lethal sharpness, she recalls the small practice she had with Tungsten on the edge of the Starwood Spa. She recalls the sharp rise in disassociative episodes before it all went wrong.

She hadn't been able to figure out what it meant, or why it was happening at the time. She had even disclosed that information to Dantalion. But none of them had been able to figure out the source. None of them had been able to stop Opal, or even identify him as the source of the problem, until their homes were in ruin.

She looks up into Alala's eyes. They both know Haematica had her first children to give the clan more plaguelings in a time when she was the only one who knew what it meant to survive. But she has never shared the stories of what the Exodus was like for her.

She cannot articulate the gravity of carrying Copernicus' mother out of the badlands on her back because the bogsneak didn't want to be cremated. Of thanking Carnelian for letting her give up on Ismene to focus on those with better chances. Of working through the night until her fingers were raw and gnarled and still having to watch Tawny set fire to the bodies of three imperials while they all held their breath and prayed that an emperor wouldn't be born.

The last thing Haematica wants is for the past to repeat itself for Alala. She places their family's seal on the letter and rolls it back up, and again she meets her daughter's eyes.

"Alala." Her voice comes out quietly, but with a maternal edge that makes the younger skydancer sit just a bit straighter. "You're also anxious."

"So are you, mother." Alala gives a weak smile. "But I think you are worried about your children, and I am worried about mine."

Haematica frowns. Alala and Rubedo's nests have an unfortunate tendency to precede ill happenings, and this time they have one lone egg to protect. She stands and fiercely embraces her daughter, mother to mother, before pressing the scroll into her hands.

"I would like it if you and Rubedo would take the egg and go stay with Asura for awhile. Maybe take Eshe, she hasn't spent much time in Feldspar."

"I think that's a good idea...for Rubedo, Eshe, and our egg." Alala peers down at the scroll in her hands. Though it is only parchment, it weighs the world. "As the Tribune of Health, I can't leave. Not now."

Haematica nods. "I know. Whenever you need me, blood of my heart, I'm here. Go. You have a lot to do if you're going to quarantine House Perihelion."

Camellia stands alone under the arcade that connects the Foursong Nursery to House Perihelion. Shrouded in layers of black silk and chiffon, with a single golden egg cradled in her arms, she stands out among the marble like the shadow of death in paradise.

When Haematica asked her to retrieve the egg holding their next grandchild, she did not ask why. They were old, dear friends, and Camellia trusted there must have been a reason.

She can feel this reason in the air around her. House Perihelion does not outwardly look different. Glamours wandering through idyllic scenery without any sense of rush or bustle is normal. House Perihelion has no businesses; it is all residences and gardens and skylights into public halls where river waters had been diverted into bubbling streams and mirror-still meditation pools.

But she feels eyes on her. Innumerable irregular clicks of bitten nails and the vibrations of jittery legs resonate in her horns.

Generous spots her and walks to her with friendly, animated haste. "Camellia~!" he sings. "My necro-chic darling, it's been too long!"

While they are familiar, even friendly in the right atmospheres, he has never been one to be touchy with her. Yet he throws his arms around her as though they are the best of friends.

"Big smile dear," he whispers urgently. "Something isn't right and I don't think we're safe."

Camellia immediately responds with her most winning smile and throws one arm around him. "You know how it is Generous, I am always at the spans and you are always at the spa. Do you have a moment to walk with me? I'm on a granny errand."

"Granny?" He looks to the egg, and for a moment his eyes light with genuine joy, before he remembers the situation they are in. "O-oh. Oh dear. Uhm, yes--yes, of course! Let's catch up!"

Generous keeps a protective hold of her shoulders the whole way out. It isn't until they are well beyond the borders that he and Camellia relax and begin to exchange information.

Titi-tet sits in the lap of luxury.

The game of hide and seek is over, and the residents of House Perihelion have all had their time to see her--living wonder that she is. She doesn't really know all their names yet, and it doesn't really matter. She doesn't need to know any of them when Pistis knows all of them. Pistis knows the good ones, and the bad ones, which ones will help most with getting Malu back, and which ones Titi should avoid being seen by.

Titi would have loved to have the guardian named Prophecy. She was old, she knew cool magic, and could have definitely been of use. But Pistis warned that Prophecy was perhaps too accomplished at light magic. She would know if Titi was bending light, and would probably not be easy to make a friend of. On the other hand, Titi would never ever have bothered with Dalma beyond her personal fancy. He was just some boring tundra man, not a special or interesting thing about him by appearances. But apparently he was the Queen's Historian.

"A queen..." Titi murmurs with growing indignance. She kicks over a bowl of fruit. "Hmph, I can be a better queen than some dumb fae... What's an Arcanite even doing running a light clan?"

"She's lightborn," Miscedence clarifies simply. "She is called 'Rebis the Rose-Eyed' because she was poisoned with Arcane magic in a magical mishap. Rebis is many things, but she cannot be called a particularly healthy or hardy queen."

"How's she manage to stay alive? Arcane energy is so gross!"

"A crown of white celestine," Stellaria answers. "It keeps her from getting too sick by siphoning the Arcane energy from her body. It's fine for her, but white celestine is lethal to Arcanites."

"I want that!" Titi-tet said, practically bouncing on her paws. "Can I have it?"

Verbena smiles, and pats Titi's head. "I'm sure we can get Ranti to make you one."

"No! She'll make one that's not as nice because I'm not a princess; I want the queen's crown!"

Verbena, Stellaria and Miscidence look at each other, but they chave nothing to offer. They look to Dalma, who looks to Laleh and Primsy, and they both turn their gaze to Moyo.

"I am not my sister," he reminds with a smile. "But the little diamond deserves a diamond in turn. It is simple, who can retrieve the queen's crown? Surely, the Tribunes must have this access?"

Miscidence quickly shakes his head. "If we touched the crown while it rested on Rebis' head, Bestealcian would take our hands before we could take a step."

"But I want it!" Titi insists. "Phi can't you just magic it off or something?"

"My magic doesn't do that..."

"Well it's quite simple then," Pistis chimes. "If Titi wants the crown, all we have to do is take Titi to see the Tahalil knight. When we explain to her that Titi would like Rebis' crown, I'm sure she'll be able to make it work."

Titi shines brighter than ever. She throws herself into Pistis’ arms, showering her with affection, completely unaware of the envious gazes of her other friends.

If asked, Titi would probably not even remember Malu’s name.

#Flight Rising #Zodiac Goetia #In which House Perihelion is Fucked #And Titi has made the grave mistake of ensnaring two of Caress' favorite people

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fears--all-the-way-down · 3 years

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“I don’t get why we have to come to all of his stupid games anyway. I had band practice!” Mike’s whine occurred every time Lucas had a baseball game. Max was sick of the complaints. As if any of them really wanted to spend extra time at school. They did this because when one member of the party needed support they all provided it. Like building blocks. Considering the strain that Lucas and Max’s friendship was under, if anyone should have gotten the chance to complain and bail it should have been her. Yet for the good of the party Max didn’t complain. She painted his number onto her cheek and pulled Dustin’s debate sweatshirt that she’d stolen out of his locker tighter around her shoulders, “get a grip Mike” she barked, annoyed. She wasn’t about to allow Mike to get his way for the millionth time. They were going to watch the 9 innings and he had no say in the matter. Another groan spilled from Mike, angering her further as she felt an arm wrap around her shoulders that only could have belonged to one person, “oh shut it Mike, you’re not going to lose an octave by sitting in the stands. Unless a pop fly or whatever hits you in the balls.” Robotics had to have ended early. She’d expected to go most of the game doing her best not to murder Mike or text El that she was going to do so. “All for one and one for all Mikey” he chimed in again as Mike grimaced at his words, clearly over the party’s antics already, “oh fuck off Henderson.” It was as if on cue, as Lucas spotted them a smile crossed his features and a left hand proudly supporting a middle finger was admonished in their direction. As much as he said he didn’t care if they showed or not, he was always clearly happy to show off for them. This was the reason that they bothered to show up. “Look, he saw us, we can go now.” if only. Throwing a punch to Mike’s arm, Max smirked as he complained and held his bicep. “Hey Dusty, come sit over here.” Carmen’s voice broke across the bleachers as the girl who’d had her eye on Dustin for weeks now patted the spot beside her. She’d caught the conversations in calculus. Something about how he wasn’t a pudge any longer, how she and the other girls had noticed that he’d pretty much come back from Camp Know Where a different person this time. “Go ahead Dusty, go sit” she egged along, knowing that the name always got under his skin unless it was coming from his mother. It was a tactic she employed just to aggravate him. One that she would especially continue after this whole thing. She followed in step with Mike behind her, as they made their way to the other side of the lower bleachers where Carmen and the other junior girls sat staring way to hard at the field without actually understanding the game. Sitting between Dustin and Mike she made herself comfortable, putting her converses up on the chain-link fence in front of her that separated them from the dugout. “So Dusty, a couple of us are going to the diner for dinner tonight. You should join.” she felt Mike reach across in back of her just to thump Dustin on the back and she held in an eye roll. Lucas and Mike had an ongoing obsession with trying to get D to take the asking girls up on their offers. “Actually my mom’s making pizza tonight. Can’t miss pizza night.” beside her Mike groaned and dropped his head into his hands, clearly annoyed with Dustin’s response to the girl beside him. “Not cool D” Mike mumbled under his breath and Max took the moment to once again jab him in the shoulder, this time with her elbow. A second later Mike leaned into her, whispering into her ear, “You are not helping D get any sort of a sex life here Max” wouldn’t he like to know. Those were details they hadn’t included Mike or Lucas into, what happened between her and D didn’t need to be broadcast to the entire party. It only would have caused trouble that none of them needed. “Shouldn’t you worry about your own?” “my girlfriend is states away!” These were the moments when she missed El the most. Mike had pulled out his cell phone and Dustin was engaged in conversation with the girls as Max looked across the field to find Lucas on second base, he was concentrating hard on the batter and waiting for his chance to run to third. She hadn’t minded being forced into these games so much. They always gave her the slightest reminder of Billy playing back when they were in California. In the little things she always looked for her brother now. “So you still coming camping with us D? Or does your mom have plans for next weekend too?” Dustin’s obvious confusion gave off the notion that he hadn’t heard a word of hers and Mike’s talk while he’d been deep in conversation with Carmen. She wasn’t sure for a moment if she was relieved or concerned. “What are you talking about? I’m the one with the tent!” she let the conversation go on around her, once again looking out into the baseball field. In that moment a strange sensation hit her, as if a sudden drop on a rollercoaster had started off a flurry of butterflies. “Max? You okay?” she should have known he’d been looking at her. Placing her hand in the front pocket of the sweatshirt she regrouped herself, “huh?” running her other hand through her hair she finally zoned back into the moment, “yeah, i’m good. Think I need a snack though.” Slipping off of the bench, she started to head in the direction of the concession stand without looking at either of the boys and wasn’t remotely surprised when footsteps suddenly became in sync with her own, “sunshine?” his tone was worried, even though there was hardly a reason for it, she hadn’t been lying. “Oh wait, I have this that Lucas slipped me earlier.” pulling a clear packet from his pocket her face lit at the site of the gummy bear and without a seconds hesitation she snatched it from his hand and pulled it from the package. Thanks to the baseball team, Lucas had become one of their best sources for CBD products. “Remind me to thank you later.” the elicit smirk that crossed his dorky features told her that he wouldn’t soon forget. They’d finally reached the line of the concession stand when a voice beside them and a child’s wail made them both turn, “Titi” the little boy with the crocodile tears couldn’t have been more than three years old had fallen off of his bike, blood poured out of a scrape in his knee. “Little boys don’t cry Dax, get up and stop your whining. Don’t be a sissy.” she and Dustin exchanged a look at the young aunt of the child stood by lecturing him instead of taking care of the scrape. Dustin was the first one to make a move. “Actually, boys do cry. I cry all the time, especially when she’s mad at me.” blue eyes followed him as he knelt on the ground in front of the child, using the sleeve of his own tee-shirt to wipe the excess blood off of the torn knee. “It’s totally okay to cry when you’re hurt or sad.”producing a bandaid from his pocket (one that she could only guess was probably meant for her just in case). She watched him carefully place the bandaid the way she’d shown him how, the same way she’d patched all of her own injuries, with such a delicate touch to even a strange child. Over emotion fogged her eyes and she couldn’t explain why. She must have been overtired from the first few weeks of school hitting her again. Because if there was anything Max hated most it was emotion. That wasn’t a question to anyone around her. The little boy had a smile on his face when she looked back over to the commotion, where Dustin was standing up now from his crouch in front of the kid. She had to admit, he was pretty good at that. She really shouldn’t have been all that surprised by it either.

#continuity: paper rings #paper rings: flashback #max mayfield rp #dustmax

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