Looking for a friend (open)

[dantieduurden]

Darek thanked Niko as he poured him a cup of tea and laughed when Addi called his wings a cloak. " O now surely you of all people would know wings when you saw them." with a little trouble Darek settled himself down. " It was a gift from my parents so that I could fly like the dragons since because of my condition I can never become a rider."

Dantie looked into Ed's eyes when she called her skin a mutation. " It is no mutation Ma komitama. It is what sets you apart from all those others in the world. And it makes you look beautiful as well." Dantie said to Ed' as he poured them both a cup of tea. " And i never even knew there was an elven settlement in the dessert. Then again I have been in Ilirea for almost all of my life." Dantie said to Ed'. " I will take you to Ellesméra if you promise to bring me to where you came from one day." Dantie smiled at her. " I promise no one will hurt you while I am with you, I shall defend you with all my life."


(Ma komitama Means my precious though saying it in the ancient language she may not know it.)

[Elloria]

Niko listened to Darek's explanation curiously. It wasn't beyond the realm of possibility that his parents or some other had attached it. There were elves in the world that were less skilled with magic. He'd just never encountered many. He'd met numerous elves who simply chose not to practice magic, but that didn't necessarily mean they were unskilled with it. He wondered what condition could render something like this transfiguration so difficult. Granted, transfiguring one's self was a very difficult and dangerous thing to do, regardless of one's personal skill level. He almost asked, but refrained. If Darek did not wish to discuss the particulars of his condition, then Niko would not pry. “That is a shame, Darek. You would have made an excellent Rider.” He continued to ignore the two young elves busily flirting with one another just down the table. He probably would have gone into diabetic shock or something from the amount of sappy lovey-doveyness oozing from them. This was why he avoided spending time around people. They were all so openly affectionate and maudlin. It was irksome.

[ladymoth]

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Addison brightened, it wasn't every day that you met someone who could share in your love of solo-flights. "You have the best parents in the world, flying is the best thing ever if I was the king of the world then everyone would have wings, and I don't think people would bother with crime or war or anything because they'd just be busy flying around. Back before I fell I didn't do anything but flying, i mean even now when it makes me look like a broke-neck turkey I still do it all the time because even if I don't look good it makes me feel good enough not to care." Addison had been wondering how Darek came to be such a calm and well collected individual but now everything made sense, it was hard to feel over whelmed when you know that you can just take off.

Ed`raised her eyebrows and opened her mouth to speak but then she heard the flood of words escaping from Addison's mouth. She blinked rapidly and silently wished that she had the lung capacity to talk for that long, not that she would ever use it, but it was quite admirable. "Mutations are good, bad, and anything in between, Dantie" Ed` said being sure to use his name instead of any familiar terms, she was being passive aggressive "it was you who fabricated the negative connotation, I'm quite happy with the way I look" she huffed and looked away from him.

[dantieduurden]

Darek thanked both Niko and Addi in turn before saying. " I do not like to dwell on the past, it is the present we should be concerned with, and how we make the world we are in a better place for all. Somewhere Addi's little angel body's have a plan for me, and though I am mad at my sister for my condition, I know that time will explain to me why I am the way I am. Fate has a way of getting people ready for the battles they are to fight ahead." Darek said as he sipped from his tea.

Dantie was flabbergasted as Ed' took his compliment offensive and turned from him. " Women." N. Dantie thought to himself as he drank his tea in quite, no longer wishing to talk. A.Dantie on the other hand looked up from his bindings and smiled coldly at his other half failure at wooing her. " You never were good with people, never mind women, you are about as charming as a vulture." And with that he broke out into laughter at his own joke.

N. Dantie was not amused at this and whipped A. Dantie for his comment. " O come now after all this time you think a whip can hurt me." A. Dantie laughed as he took the strike with an evil grin, not showing an ounce of weakness. " I am the better of the two of us my dear friend, and you will learn that when I am free from these chains and have my power back." A. Dantie said calmly as he looked at his jailer. " Keep talking and see how well you move when you are hung upside down dog." N. Dantie said as he finally lost his patience and stormed out of the room which held his counterpart.

[Elloria]

Niko made some small noise of ambivalence towards Darek's philosophy about life. He saw no patterns in life nor did he believe in a Fate. Life was chaotic and unpredictable - it followed no order, despite all attempts to impose order upon it. It was as violent and erratic as it was peaceful and sedate. There was no explanation for it, as far as he was concerned, beyond the fact that this was simply the nature of things. Not everything needed a reason for its actions and behavior. Sometimes things just were because they were. But he didn't voice any of this. It would probably only have become confusing and rather roundabout for all present. Niko turned his head slightly as Addison rattled off a lot about flying with very little breath. It never ceased to amaze him how much Addison could say without drawing more than a single breath. And yet he managed to sound perfectly intelligent and relatively understandable.

While Addison was babbling away, Niko's focus actually turned to the two young elves just down the table. It appeared that Dantie had said something to offend the young Ed'. He was unsurprised by this. Love and infatuation were always awkward at first, from what Niko had seen of it. And he'd witnessed a surprisingly large amount of that awkwardness in his two and almost a quarter centuries in Ilirea. Not much of his own, really - he felt it was a bit trivial of a thing to think about when one's life was measured in centuries, rather than decades - but he knew plenty who had angsted over love and lust. He was invariably amused by it all, cruel as that sounded. But Dantie seemed quite put out over it and Niko decided to take some small pity on the young graduate. Based on what Ed’ had said, he could only assume what Dantie had said pertained to her dark skin - a mutation, she had said. “Pardon me for interrupting, but I think that Dantie believed you had meant mutation in a negative manner,” Niko stated with his typical calm, blunt, but well-intentioned demeanor. “It is a commonly held notion that when one mentions the word mutation, one means it in a very negative context for mutations are those which are outside the norm. Most individuals view that as undesirable. It seems a bit unfair to judge him so harshly for having a common belief such as that.” He took another long drink from his tea before finishing with, “But that is simply my opinion. Forgive me if you find it unwanted.”

[ladymoth]

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"Nonononononononono..." Addison mock shouted at Niko in a whisper. He leaned back and wrapped his arms around Niko's head, smothering his mouth before he could say anything else. Addison knew that Niko wasn't the best at social situations, but to get in the middle of a "lovers" quarrel? That was something children could grasp. The Damage was already done however.

Ed` narrowed her darkened eyes "Perhaps you would like to walk a mile in my shoes, Niko Danta" if looks could kill then Niko would have been dead on the floor "Would you like to tell me what it is like to spend your days being judged by your own kind as well as humans who have on several occasions attempted to sell you into slavery? What mutations do you have that compare you to me? That blot on your forehead? isn't that a pretty thing? No? maybe it's that 'bad smell' look on your face that hasn't changed since I met you? Oh, I suppose you have emotional scars don't you? Parent's didn't treat you well? Well you can add that to MY pile of troubles that I have to deal with" She sneered walking over to Niko and dropping down to put a gilded hand on the arm of their chair, blocking Niko's mean's of escaping. "which is considerably! higher! than! yours!" she finished poking him in the collar bone as a means of punctuation.

[/quote]

[dantieduurden]

When Ed' began her verbal attack on Niko Darek had had quite enough. Without a second thought he slammed his fist into the table smashing it in half as he stood. " ENOUGH!!" Darek glared at Ed directly. " Girl you think you have it so bad. You haven't even begun your life. Try being denied your dreams do to a sisters jealousy. Try being kicked out of your homeland for a curse that was not your doing..." As Darek kept going is wings unfolded from around him and his form began to flicker from the normal looking Darek that had sat before them to a clawed beast with leathery skin. " You have no idea what burdens are nor mutations child so do not act like you do or disrespect your elders in this house." Darek finished as he glared at Ed. No longer in his normal peaceful mood. He could deal with squabbling and even annoyance, but people asking for pity and thinking they had it so bad got on his last nerves.

A. Dantie saw his opening and stroke, without even a thought he broke his restraints and took to the surface thoughts. " Get away from her Darek." There was a cold glint in Dantie's eyes. One that also had not been there before, it was the only indication that his true self was out of the cage." This is not your fight and you have no right to talk to her that way just like she has no right to speak to Niko the way she is. If he has a problem with what she is saying,let him speak it." Dantie said glaring at his original cager, the animal had been set free but for how long was the question.

[Elloria]

Niko shoved Addison away and gave him a look that said very clearly that Addison needed to keep his hands to himself right now. He didn't look at Ed' as she raged at him, nor did he respond to the jabs at his collar bone. He made no move as Darek scolded her and Dantie asked that Niko be allowed to defend himself. He waited until silence had fallen. Then his voice, normally tolerant and moderate in its tone, sounded through the silence like the deep rumble of distant thunder. “I suppose your mother tried to kill you mere moments after you were born. No? Perhaps your father spat upon you whenever you were in his sight. No? Then they obviously beat you for no reason at all, each incident beginning with some gentle and normally kind gesture - a kiss upon the cheek, a hug, perhaps a pat on the head or back. No? Well of course throughout your childhood no other children would ever dare play with you because - as you later learned - your mother was a member of the Hive. And long before you were shipped off to Ilirea, she became the Regent of that very organization. All you had was your twin, who was never quite satisfied with just you. No? Not even that?”

He moved Ed's arm aside with little effort and stood so that he now seemed to tower over her. His brilliant silver eyes had darkened so drastically they were more black than gray. Anger did not blacken his gaze, only a profound disgust. His voice quieted still further, though it was still easily heard in the stillness now enveloping the room. “Then obviously your mother killed your father out of hatred and a desire for revenge for the negligence and mistreatment endured over the course of centuries. Not ringing any bells? No, I don’t suppose it would because you did not live through it. I did. Surprisingly, I know what it is to be judged by my own kind. And while none have ever attempted to sell me as a slave, there were times in my childhood that I wished they would. Because surely slavery would be better than what my parents put me through.” His gaze never left hers as he continued. “Still, my life has been better than most. I do not deny that. Once I came to Ilirea, things improved for me beyond measure. For that, I am grateful. But do not be so ignorant, insolent, self-centered, and pathetic as to think I have not lived through hardship. I simply have let neither bitterness nor sorrow nor even anger shape my character. So perhaps you should stop wallowing in your self-pity and learn to distinguish between when a person is insulting you and when they are simply pointing out a fact of life. Perhaps you should learn to curb your temper and how to recognize friend from foe. Or perhaps you should simply grow up. Because that was the most infantile outburst I have heard in my two hundred and forty-five years on this earth. And believe me, that is quite a feat to achieve.” Finally finished, he sat down again and calmly took another sip from his cup. He had just crossed several of his own personal lines when it came to speaking honestly with people. He generally tried to avoid such harshness, such bluntness in his speech. There were generally other, more effective ways of achieving the same effect. But while he tolerated many things in his presence, ignorant indulgence in self-pity - and attempting to draw pity out of others - was not one of them.

[ladymoth]

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“Oh Niko” Addison breathlessly exclaimed putting his tea down and putting his hand on Niko’s back. He hardly condoned the upping of sob stories, but his heart went out to both of them. He didn’t apeciate that Niko undermined Ed`s problems but he knew that Niko was damaged and he wasn’t thinking. “Niko she’ll grow up by herself, she doesn’t need you forcing her to be more mature, it’s not going to work that way.” Addison whispered as he got to his feet and bowed to Darek. “I think we should go, I think Niko is tired and-”

“No, I will leave” Ed` turned around and walked out quickly, Addison had a feeling she was fighting of the signs she was about to cry. Addison huffed and sat down again next to Niko, he put his head on his own knees and tried to not think about all of the emotion that just shot through the room and left him exhausted. He wanted to comfort Niko and shout at him at the same time, he wanted Ed` to apologize to Niko and Niko to take the apology. He wanted to unsee what had just become of Darek. Must everyone living be corrupted by their past?

“Dantie, go outside and comfort Ed`, do not avenge her honor, do not speak to your master. Niko apologize to Darek for ruining the atmosphere, and I don’t care who started it” Addison added. There was no talk of what would happen if they didn’t comply to these requests, only the feeling that they had all behaved like three year olds, and Addison was going to die if they didn't do as he said. Addison kept his forehead to his knees as if he was suffering from an emotional migraine while his skin and hair slowly started to turn dark and grey and small feathers began to pop up on his neck and hands like sprouts breaking out of the soil.

[dantieduurden]

" Niko did not ruin the atmosphere Addi." Darek said as Ed' and Dantie left the building. " That child who thinks she has had such a hard life was. Don't be so hard on Niko,." Darek then sat back down in his chair looking at Addi as he himself changed. " Very nice change by the way, your appearance is much more desirable then my own."

Dantie did as Addi told without question and easily followed Ed's tracks. " So where do you plan to go now?" Dantie asked with a cocky smile as he walked up to her and held out his arm to her. " To see the dragons perhaps." Dantie asked kindly as he waited for her answer.

[Elloria]

“I will not apologize for telling some insignificant, self-centered brat that she needs to stop acting like a child.” There was an uncharacteristically harsh edge to Niko’s voice when he replied to Addison’s demand. He was sad, frustrated, and angry all at once. This was why he wasn’t a teacher. Children like Ed’ grated on his nerves with their I’m-the-center-of-the-universe attitude. He had soon grown out of it after Aisheila had given him a similar lecture. She, however, had softened him up first with patient tolerance and understanding before she finally snapped at him. Niko tended to skip the tolerance and understanding when someone got under his skin so rapidly.

He turned a rather scathing glare onto Addison. It did not matter that Addison was so distressed he was beginning to transform. Niko was in rare form at the moment and in a state of mind that did not allow for his usual tolerant, pacifistic nature. “Children like her rarely respond to a patient, understanding sort of attitude. I’ve known more people like her than I care to count, myself included. It’s the sort of lesson you almost have to beat into a person like that before it finally gets through.” He set down his cup with a gentle but definitive clink. He rose from his seat once more and brushed himself off. “I think it is time I was on my way again. I have other business to attend to at the Library.” He bowed low. “Thank you for your hospitality, Darek. If ever you would like to see me, you will be able to find me in the Citadel in the mornings and the Library in the afternoons. I should rather like to speak with you again...preferably without the girl around.” He looked down at Addison once more, his eyes not nearly as harsh this time. “I’m sure I will see you around, Addison.”

With that, Niko swept out of the kitchen, through the hall, grabbed his sword belt and left. He continued on out into the street. At one point, he even passed Ed’ and Dantie but he paid as much attention to them as he would to a puddle of water - just enough to avoid them, not enough to really acknowledge they might be of some importance - and made his way home. He would need a bit of solitude there before entering the Library.

[ladymoth]

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"Oh Niko" Addison shook his head. Niko cut him but not as deeply as the elf would have liked to. Addison thought of Niko as being of a young and angsty teenager, much the same way that Niko thought of Ed`. If Niko yelled at him he wasn't angry, he was just disappointed. His mother used to say that to him, he didn't know the feeling until he met Niko. "you're young as well but, I think things worked out well for you, at least up here" Addison tapped his forehead.

He slipped low into the chair and took a long sip of tea "I don't mean to be mean, but he's just so angry all the time. You cant see it, but you can feel it. Something happened to him when he was younger that he never got over and it's effecting him every day." Addison finished his tea and looked at the cloud pattern on the cup "every damn day." he muttered under his breath, he looked tired and old, his skin was turning dark.

"I'll ignore that sniping comment about my fallen side" he added snapping his blue eyes up to stare into Darek's. Addison did not receive complement about his fallen side well, he was entirely convinced it was the most grotesque thing on earth, like turning into a monstrousness bug. Any complements he ever heard about it he took to be in jest and rounded on the comment giver, and honestly Darek was lucky to get a pass.

rolled the hot mug over his forehead, he didn't say anything, he seemed to be trying to work out a solution for Niko, but none came. "He likes you though" Addison offered "You do him good, thank you." Addison got to his feet and bowed to Darek "Don't worry about cutting it short, this is how outings with Niko ALWAYS end" Addison added as he climbed onto a high circular window, which he opened and walked out of disappearing for a moment then swooping up again and flying off faster than even an elf could have registered in detail.

[dantieduurden]

Darek bowed his head as the angel and all others left his house. " What an odd day." Darek thought to himself as he went to his sparing area and began to do the riga morta.

Closed