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3rd Light - Not So Bright... (Forward dated to Dec. 1st)
[Liora woke from her sleep at the dream docks, completely in a state of shock. She couldn't say she regretted making that move, but she was very, very shaken at what she saw back home. Still, she'd better announce her return. However, when she does, her device is very shaky in her talons.]
I'm...I'm back...
[That's all she manages to say before she quickly switches off the feed, not wanting the whole world to see her break down.]
Action: Fayren
[Liora lands at the edge of the town of Fayren, too exhausted to fly too far. This isn't the ideal place to break down, but she can't control her tears any longer. She walks slowly and blindly on her tiny legs, memories of the events back home all too fresh in her mind...]
[It had begun when Liora spotted Erebus in the Burial Grounds. In spite of him daring her to stop him, Liora could only watch helplessly as Erebus cast his dark magic upon the graves. And then Erebus was gone, but Liora could still feel the darkness. She quickly fetched Qubine, but Erebus's work was already done. The deceased dragons woke from their graves, shambling to attack the living dragons. Once the sun set over the horizon, the deceased became even more powerful and aggressive. To make matters worse, some of them were puking out a black sludge that seemed to form even more vicious monsters. Defeated by this threat, Liora regrouped with Cane and Snowy, and the three fled from the lair.]
[The worst part of it all is that Liora has no idea whether the other dragons of the clan had fled as well. Or did they all die fighting to save their home? Liora recalled her last memory of Qubine quite clearly; the clan leader fought so fiercely to save Shayla, the love of his life. While Liora couldn't imagine a warrior as fierce as Qubine falling to the dark forces, was he able to save Shayla? And the others...even if they did survive and flee, where would they have gone?]
[If anyone is passing the little dragon as she's sobbing her eyes out, they might hear whispers of, "It's all my fault..." After crossing through the main town, she'll wander into the forest, where she'll pick a random tree and continue weeping in solitude.]
Action: Genessia City Shrine
[Liora remembered the shrine that Ayame had led her to that one night. She believed it would become one of her favorite places, and so she decides to come here and hopefully try to relax. However, when she saw the fireflies, she remembered what Ayame had told her about them – that it was believed that the fireflies were the souls of the fallen. At that moment, all Liora could see were her clan mates, tiny ghosts drifting about in specks of light. Qubine, the clan leader, and his mate Shayla. Handel, the Fae dragon who had fallen for Liora; his brother Aether, and their other Passage partner Lazarus. Amadeus, a fellow Light dragon, wise and powerful. Reiko, Kitty, and Brenna, who had initially rescued Liora from the Beastclans. And Azalea, whom Liora heard had been in Genessia before. All of them, and the others, whom Liora may never see again. Instead of finding comfort in these fireflies, Liora's heart broke even more, and she began to weep once again.]
It's all my fault...
I'm...I'm back...
[That's all she manages to say before she quickly switches off the feed, not wanting the whole world to see her break down.]
Action: Fayren
[Liora lands at the edge of the town of Fayren, too exhausted to fly too far. This isn't the ideal place to break down, but she can't control her tears any longer. She walks slowly and blindly on her tiny legs, memories of the events back home all too fresh in her mind...]
[It had begun when Liora spotted Erebus in the Burial Grounds. In spite of him daring her to stop him, Liora could only watch helplessly as Erebus cast his dark magic upon the graves. And then Erebus was gone, but Liora could still feel the darkness. She quickly fetched Qubine, but Erebus's work was already done. The deceased dragons woke from their graves, shambling to attack the living dragons. Once the sun set over the horizon, the deceased became even more powerful and aggressive. To make matters worse, some of them were puking out a black sludge that seemed to form even more vicious monsters. Defeated by this threat, Liora regrouped with Cane and Snowy, and the three fled from the lair.]
[The worst part of it all is that Liora has no idea whether the other dragons of the clan had fled as well. Or did they all die fighting to save their home? Liora recalled her last memory of Qubine quite clearly; the clan leader fought so fiercely to save Shayla, the love of his life. While Liora couldn't imagine a warrior as fierce as Qubine falling to the dark forces, was he able to save Shayla? And the others...even if they did survive and flee, where would they have gone?]
[If anyone is passing the little dragon as she's sobbing her eyes out, they might hear whispers of, "It's all my fault..." After crossing through the main town, she'll wander into the forest, where she'll pick a random tree and continue weeping in solitude.]
Action: Genessia City Shrine
[Liora remembered the shrine that Ayame had led her to that one night. She believed it would become one of her favorite places, and so she decides to come here and hopefully try to relax. However, when she saw the fireflies, she remembered what Ayame had told her about them – that it was believed that the fireflies were the souls of the fallen. At that moment, all Liora could see were her clan mates, tiny ghosts drifting about in specks of light. Qubine, the clan leader, and his mate Shayla. Handel, the Fae dragon who had fallen for Liora; his brother Aether, and their other Passage partner Lazarus. Amadeus, a fellow Light dragon, wise and powerful. Reiko, Kitty, and Brenna, who had initially rescued Liora from the Beastclans. And Azalea, whom Liora heard had been in Genessia before. All of them, and the others, whom Liora may never see again. Instead of finding comfort in these fireflies, Liora's heart broke even more, and she began to weep once again.]
It's all my fault...
[action: shrine] and out of the dark comes the moon
[Well, Koumyou Sanzo has always had a knack for when he's needed in some capacity, especially on dark nights. So, he happens to be on the grounds when the little dragon comes to reminisce. He approaches quietly, only the scuff of a sandal here and there to give him away.]
[Then, the Buddhist simply sits down beside the little dragon. Like he belongs there. Which... well, he does. Time to do his job, and not just the one the city's paying him for. A Sanzo is a Sanzo, after all. No escaping it. Apparently, not even in death.]
Hm, what's that?
[Action]
Um...what's...what...?
no subject
[Koumyou reaches into one of his sleeves and produces his long and elegant pipe, and his lighter to light the tiny bowl of tobacco with.]
no subject
[The pain wells up in her chest as she says it, tears still rolling down her cheeks.]
no subject
Were you capable of stopping him? Or would you have just added to the casualties by standing in his way?
no subject
[She knows she wasn't, but still feels that she should have at least tried]
I wanted to stop him...but all I can think about was the first encounter. My friends...Cane and Snowy...they couldn't even touch him...he knocked them both out with one attack. And then he pinned me to the ground with his magic...
I don't think I would have added to the casualties...except...
[Except herself, perhaps? But then again, Erebus had seemed pretty set on keeping her unharmed...]
no subject
[That sounds like there's more to it. Koumyou blows smoke rings into the sky while waiting for her to clarify further. The moonlight is somehow a little brighter, with him around.]
no subject
no subject
[Koumyou was a patient man, at least, as any proper Buddhist ought to be -- though he'd question if he was all that proper. Still, sitting out here in the cold, blowing smoke rings around fireflies, asking questions to try to lead this stranger back onto the right path. Or at least a closer one.]
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[Perhaps she could have gotten Erebus to back off. Sometimes one just had to get hurt to do what they need to do. Liora remembers when Qubine had flown off to rescue Shayla from the Beastclans and came back bloody and beaten. But despite that, Shayla had been successfully rescued. Oh how Liora wishes she could be strong like that...]
no subject
[Focus, it seemed, would be most of what he could provide here.]
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[What is the point of all these questions...?]
But what good would it do to wonder whether doing something would have stopped him? In situations like that, we don't have time to wonder about those things!
[And her "wondering" is what gave Erebus enough time to do his thing.]
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And what good is blaming yourself for the past? What is that, if not wondering if you could have done something to stop him?
You cannot change what already happened. All you can change how you respond to it. Think carefully on it, on the stakes, the wins and the losses. If you ever have another chance, and you think it will make a difference, then you will know better what to do. But the past? All it can be is a lesson learned, for good or ill. The past is not a place one can live in, burrowing into its pain to make a cage for yourself.
[Koumyou took another slow drag of tobacco and blew more smoke rings up into the sky. They were neatly illuminated by the moonlight that had grown so strong from his presence.]
I died, back on my world. The attack was one I could have deflected easily, defended myself against... but there was something more important than myself in the room, and something much more fragile. My son. So, I stood between him and danger and I took all of the damage while he screamed at me to let him fight. Thirteen years old, he was, and he thought he could defend me?
[The priest shook his head.]
I died, but he lived. He lived, and grew, and learned, and is learning. However, if I had thought I couldn't save him... I would have let him fight. And we both would have died that night. But the guilt that crushes him, of watching me die, it wouldn't have found its way into his heart. That's just the price of living, sometimes.
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But...if you were dead...then how do you really know of his guilt...?
It's already done...so now there's plenty of time to wonder. Perhaps I can learn from this...one day I can become stronger...but right now everything hurts so much, I can't bear it...
[And she begins weeping into her talons quietly once again...]
no subject
[Simply because it would distract from the topic at hand.]
I have experienced the feeling myself.
voice;
voice;
[Although it's only audio, it's still obvious to tell from Liora's rapid gasps that she's not okay, so there's no point in trying to play it off. It's a struggle just to keep her composure long enough to give a simple reply.]
N...Not r-really...
voice;
[It was hard to figure out really.]
voice;
[She mulls on whether to talk or be picked up. She's not sure how either one would help, or how being alone would help.]
I...I don't know what to do...?
Re: voice;
[He paused for a moment.]
You don't know what to do, yet you already said you can't change what happened, so... why should yu worry about it unless it will affect things here.
voice;
I don't know...it just hurts so much...
I don't know what to do here...I feel so lost...
[And more quiet sobbing will ensue...]
voice;
voice;
I...I suppose I could... It's not like sitting here alone will do me any good.
I eat...insects. And, um...water will do for drinking...
[Good luck sorting that out, Fai.]
voice;
As for insects, I'll see what I can do. At least in Everglade it's easy enough.
voice;
[She had been terrified of Everglade at first, but since coming to the terms that no one is specifically after her, she should be able to tolerate it better now. Plus, after her experience, she does want to understand the darkness better...]
Um...should I wait for you, or...? I'm in Fayren right now...
voice;
[He was always more than willing to go where others were comfortable and he had a small amount of free time right now.]
voice;
Do you know where we could meet in Fayren? I don't really have a home...
voice;
voice;
That sounds like a good place. I'll...see you there.
[And then she will make her way to the designated location.]
voice;
When he stepped through he raised his hands and waved slightly.]
action;
Oh...there you are...
action;
[Not that he ever paid much attention, but he at least knew you can't see through it.]
Fayren
It was during one of his stays in the village that he saw the little draconic figure pass through. He had been purchasing some simple fare at the market when he recognized the glittering scaled form. He hadn't seen her in a while, and quickly grew concerned at her body language and demeanor. Paying the merchant, he quickly packed the food he had purchased into a satchel and hurried off towards the edge of the village intent on following the little dragon.
When he eventually caught up to her, she was beyond the edge of the village and in the woods, huddled at the base of a tree. He slowly approached, brows beneath the shadow of his hood furrowed in concern. He wasn't attempting to be stealthy, not wanting to startle her - however he wanted to respect her privacy. He would leave if she wished it. He stopped with a quiet thump of the staff.
"Liora?" He asked with a gruff softness. "What happened?"
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"Oh...Medivh..." she uttered in between gasps. "I...went to visit the dream docks...to see what was happening back home... It was terrible.... My home...our lair...has been destroyed..."
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Medivh too, experienced many visions and dreams of both horrors of the past...and possible futures. He didn't know much about these 'dream docks' though he recalled reading something about them before. What she witnessed most likely happened. With a soft sigh, he reached out and gently brushed the top of her head with his fingers in a somewhat tentative, but clear show of compassion and comfort.
"I am so sorry." Came the soft murmur.
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"Me too..." she murmured in return. "I wish I could have stopped him...but I was paralyzed...I just watched him do it..."
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"I understand all too well, the pain of witnessing something I wished I could prevent. Or even wish I could have changed." He murmured gently. "If you wish to speak of what you saw, I am here. But I understand if it's too soon." He wondered who it was that she spoke of...and why she blamed herself so.
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"Erebus...the dark dragon who wants to cover the world in darkness...I saw him in the Burial Grounds, where we bury the deceased dragons. He unleashed his magic upon the graves. He dared me to stop him...but as I watched, I could only think of our previous encounter. He had knocked out Cane and Snowy easily, and he had restrained me with his magic. But this time there was no restraint. I just watched him, paralyzed with fear. The dragons in the graves...they came back to life and started attacking the living. And the larger ones...they were spitting out black sludge that turned into more dark monsters..."
As she continued her story, her body began to shake more and more. Tears streaked down her face once again.
"All of that... it was too much for us to handle. Cane, Snowy and I...we had to flee. I... I don't know what happened to the rest of the clan..."