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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 17, 2017 16:39:19 GMT -5
Nicholai listened to Zephyr, quiet. "If you were no different, then that flop of a training session would have ended much differently I bet." Perhaps the potential to become something aggressive was present in the witch, but just because he could command storms didn't mean he didn't have to become some evil being.
Eventually, they made it back to the village, where its inhabitants were not happy to see them. However, they were not attacked again. A bipedal spider walked up to them, studying them for a moment before grunting "You're to have judgement passed by our shaman before you leave. Both of you."
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 17, 2017 16:58:37 GMT -5
'I'm not a member of your village.' Zephyr drily replied. 'I call on the Law of Merlin in my defence; guests in your home. You cannot harm me whilst I am here. I have not physically nor intentionally drawn blood during my visit. Pass all the judgement you want; but harm me, and call down the wrath of the ancestors.' He folded his arms, and his puppy looked rather impressed, blinking up at him.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 17, 2017 17:06:49 GMT -5
The spider clicked his fangs and said with a tsk "We're not afraid to butt heads with ancient magic, child. You just hope that it doesn't come to that. While you're here, we can do whatever we want to you, cause your showing your face here is an act of aggression whether you like it or not." Turning, more bulky-looking villagers came to escort the small group to wherever. It was a grand structure of a temple made from stone and a mass of other beautiful gems and crystals. Bahati was waiting at the foot of the steps. "No lightning from you," she told Zephyr, then turned to Nicholai and said "And no killing from you. You're in a worse position than Zephyr because of how many you killed back at the arena. Now, follow me you two."
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 17, 2017 17:13:55 GMT -5
'I don't want the damned lightning.' Zephyr snapped. 'I want to go home and continue caring for my creatures. I should never have done to this godforsaken place with your stupid people. It's done nothing but bring me more trouble, which is what I've been trying to avoid.' He angrily followed her, tugging his sleeves low over his hands, hiding how badly they were trembling.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 17, 2017 17:42:09 GMT -5
"Shut up," Bahati said with a slight hiss "You are not allowed to speak upon entering the temple unless the shaman addresses you."
They were taken to a large room with the cheesy setting of a circle of chairs, the largest one being some sort of throne. And sitting in that throne was a bipedal reptile of some sort, unlike the rest of the bugs there. Brown scales except for the tan underbelly, with horns erupting from his snout, head and back, and wearing a bunch of jewelry and a feathery headdress and a skirt of sorts to match.
Bahati told Zephyr and Nicholai to sit, natives taking up the rest of the small selection of seats, just as the creature started speaking.
"We gather for discussion of judgement," the creature spoke loudly "Shaman Mountezuma presiding. Speak, Khan."
"Well, this fiend here caused disruption with his magic, attacking the villagers looking on!"
"Liar!" Bahati snapped "Something scared him into an accident, which it was-"
"Silence!" Mountezuma roared "Your words have been stricken from this discussion so far, Bahati. Continue, Khan."
And the ant that spoke basically twisted what happened to into a big fat lie, Bahati and Nicholai showing obvious anger, but did not speak.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 17, 2017 17:48:57 GMT -5
Zephyr listened in perfect silence, his seething anger slowly melting away to a resigned weariness, just wanting to go home and cuddle up with a blanket, hot tea and his favourite movie.
He gazed around the temple, studying it, starting to ignore the trial in favour of bringing himself some peace of mind. He sighed, and the air seemed to sigh with him, becoming slightly less tense in the area he was sat.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 17, 2017 18:00:02 GMT -5
The trial took around three hours, Bahati, Ukuduma (who could talk), and Nicholai doing what they could to make Zephyr look better to the shaman. Mountezuma looked over at Zephyr and spoke "You, explain what made this supposed accident of yours an accident at all, and I will make my decision then."
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 17, 2017 18:07:07 GMT -5
He averted his gaze to his lap, expression growing upset and darker. 'When I remembered how to use my powers, I also remembered a memory my mother must have hidden from me to prevent me ever using my powers again. I killed the demon my father made a pact with when I was seven, freeing the village from his hold- but I lost control, as I was only a child, with no training. It seems I destroyed a few homes and caused panic within the village. My mother managed to fight me down, and then she fled with me and my sister...' he trailed off. 'She altered my memories... made me believe we had fled as a family unit.' He shivered. 'Seems my father was trying to kill me to avenge his demon and take my powers for his own. I suppose I have whoever killed him to thank for saving my life and the lives of others whom would have perished if he'd had the powers of a storm elemental on top of his ice.' He ran a hand through his hair.
'I hurt a lot of people that day without the intention to. I was angry at my father and his new partner only- I acted out, and in doing so, I caused so much destruction. I- the memory came so suddenly. It scared me, I...' shaking, he sighed, looking into his lap. 'I am a healer, Shaman. I give what I can and take nothing but pride in return. If I could turn back the time I would change how I reacted. But not even witches have that power.'
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 17, 2017 18:20:11 GMT -5
Everyone listened to the rather sad story silently. Mountezuma studied Zephyr with his dark brown eyes, getting up after a moment. Simply moving to leave the area down a hallway, he called without looking back "Follow me, boy." No one moved, not even Bahati and Nicholai, with ruling that they weren't allowed to get up anyway until the Shaman had made his decision.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 17, 2017 18:21:54 GMT -5
Zephyr hesitated where he was for a moment, not really wanting to. He stressfully looked at Nicholai- whom he was starting to grow to rely on- before nervously following the shaman down the hallway, fumbling with his jumper.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 17, 2017 18:41:38 GMT -5
Mountezuma led Zephyr to another dome-like room, which was full of more gemstones and crystals. He walked over to a clump that was glowing an electric blue, and he patted it. "Bahati probably told you about that druid boy who became the first Storm Elemental," he stared down at the crystals, which seemed to glow at the mention of the worshiped name. "His name, and I highly doubt that he was actually ever a druid like he claimed, was Barachiel. He had a story similar to your own, though he actually ended up killing much more than just an evil entity that day. Hated what he'd done, and feared his gift. And I told him that it was beyond his scope of control, just like it was for you at the time." Mountezuma broke off a small piece of the clump, which glowed softly, like a warm light at the words spoken. Holding out the shard, he informed "This clump of crystal was made from his first bolt of lightning. It doesn't grant powers or control or anything, but possessors of an element are given a crystal from the strike made by the first of their kind. Accept it as an apology. My people tend to kill first and ask questions later."
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 17, 2017 18:48:44 GMT -5
Zephyr listened intently, before quietly reaching out and accepting the gift, holding it up to the light to study it. He quietly resolved he'd make it into a necklace when he got home. 'Thanks.' He mumbled, not responding to the last part, unable to draw a conclusion on the people just yet. He was too used to being feared and hated.
'May I go home now?'
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 17, 2017 19:03:52 GMT -5
Mountezuma simply turned to lead the way out and back to throne room, where everyone stood up. "Standing before you is a misunderstood individual," he spoke up "Let it be so that his slate is wiped clean under the gaze of all our makers, and is returned to his guardians and his home." The natives spoke up, and an echoing chorus of "so heard" fanned out for a moment. Zephyr was allowed to return to Bahati and Nicholai, both looking relieved that the witch hadn't been harmed or killed.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 17, 2017 19:07:53 GMT -5
He awkwardly glanced around as he was returned to the two, scooping the puppy into his arms, before taking hold of Nicholai's sleeve. 'Can we go home now?' He quietly mumbled, looking wearily up at his mentor.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 17, 2017 19:17:04 GMT -5
Nicholai smiled softly at Zephyr before looking to Bahati, who said "Of course." She reached a hand to grip Nicholai, Zephyr and the puppy, Ukuduma sitting on her head as she raised her free hand and snapped her fingers. Quicker than a blink, they were back in Zephyr's flat. "Well," Bahati said as she shrugged her cloak back on "Now that I've traumatized you on the first lesson, involuntarily by the way, I think it's time for a break. Just call to me whenever your ready to try again, at a different location, and I'll hear your call. One Storm to another." Sliding her mask back on, she turned to leave, Ukuduma flying after her and out of the flat. Once they were gone, Nicholai grumbled something that was probably an insult to the female before looking down at Zephyr. "I'm sorry that I even let her take you there."
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 17, 2017 19:37:28 GMT -5
Zephyr watched her go, before quietly looking up at Nicholai, still standing close to him, finding he felt a lot safer with the guy around. 'It's okay.' He mumbled. 'I guess now I know why so many people want to kill me. Not just cos of my pops.'
He looked away, putting down the pup, who trotted obediently to his bed and lay down to rest.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 17, 2017 19:48:48 GMT -5
Nicholai studied Zephyr for a moment, before he proceeded to take out a pen he had, and the napkin that Zephyr had given him the other day (he'd memorized the witch's number already, so he didn't need it.) The Witcher wrote something down on it, and said "It would be nice to be in your company again while not dealing with witches or monster bugs. If you're ever interested in meeting up... here's my number too." Calling would be much more efficient than a chimp messenger, which was how the message of Zephyr's acceptance of Bahati was carried a few days ago. He gave Zephyr the napkin before walking over to Alder, who'd fallen asleep in a corner. He woke the chimp up, telling him that it was time to head home. What a shame he wouldn't get to sleep though, as he probably had a bunch of jobs waiting for him to start back home.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 18, 2017 3:35:03 GMT -5
Zephyr accepted the napkin, finding his cheeks tinge slightly pink at the Witchers words. 'I... okay.' He softly said, before watching him leave. He studied the man's number, before grabbing a blanket and settling on the sofa, turning on the tv.
It took him a few days to build up the courage to ring Nicholai, pacing nervously in his room as he held the phone to his ear, listening stressfully to the dialing tone.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 18, 2017 5:38:35 GMT -5
It took a moment before Nicholai actually answered. He'd been busy with a dog he was watching for a few days. Getting the chance to actually reach his phone, he blinked once at the number before answering, speaking a simple "Hello?" He sure hoped it wasn't anything concerning trouble.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 18, 2017 11:08:54 GMT -5
'H-hi, Its Zephyr.' He shakily said, tugging at his jumper. 'You uhm- wanted to uhm- see me with no... witchy crap in the way? I've uhm- got some spare time today and tomorrow, s-so...'
he hated how his voice trembled on the phone, but his anxiety was so terrible with phone calls to people he didn't know well.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 18, 2017 13:27:51 GMT -5
Nicholai listened patiently, lips tugged upward slightly in an amused smile. "I'm free tomorrow," he answered, voice nowhere near Zephyr's bout of nervousness. "Any specific time you'd like to be picked up?" He didn't have anywhere specifically to go in mind at the moment, but it wasn't like they planned to do anything out of the ordinary among the public places throughout the city. Surely they'd decide on something while out.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 18, 2017 13:45:25 GMT -5
'F...five?' He stammered, sitting down and hugging a pillow to his chest, chewing his bottom lip. 'I should be d-done f-feeding everyone and tending their wounds by then.'
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 18, 2017 14:10:00 GMT -5
"Five it is then," Nicholai said with a small laugh "I look forward to seeing you." Call their meetup what you will. A date, an activity, or whatever one saw fit. He personally wasn't so attached (or at least that's what he thought) that he'd call it anything at all, and the thought made his brows furrow in contemplation.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 18, 2017 14:26:07 GMT -5
'Y-yeah.' The witch softly breathed, before hanging up and chewing his lip, hugging the pillow, before burying his face into it with a very relieved sigh.
((Skip?))
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 18, 2017 14:43:59 GMT -5
(Yeah x3)
The next day, Nicholai showed up at Zephyr's place a few minutes after five, finding a spot to park his truck before getting out. He proceeded to head to Zephyr's flat, knocking a few times before waiting. Nothing fancy planned, he was dressed in some nicer jeans with a black shirt with white letters reading "don't BS a BSer" on it. He did bother to tame his usually shaggy ponytail into a single braid though. Nicholai only gave himself a serious, total preening when he had to be somewhere of insane importance, not that spending time with Zephyr would be anywhere near unimportant.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 18, 2017 14:52:51 GMT -5
Zephyr was dressed in warm brown jeans and a dark forest-green jumper that was ten times too big for him; knitted and very warm, the sleeves hung an inch below his fingertips. He'd brushed his hair a little before piling the long mess into a kind of bun on his head, in an attempt to tame the wild mane. He'd also played around with just a little mascara. He grabbed his wallet and leather rucksack as Nicholai knocked, walking to the door and opening it, smiling shyly at the witcher. 'Hi.' He blinked at his braid as he stepped out and locked his door, casting a small safety spell that would halt intruders from stepping inside.
He then looked up at Nicholai. 'Wanna go anywhere specific?'
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 18, 2017 15:24:30 GMT -5
Nicholai had been staring at Zephyr, blinking a few times as he spoke to bring himself out of whatever thought he'd been in. "Nowhere specific in mind," he admitted "I don't have a lot of time to develop preferences." 98% of his meals, entertainment and such were experienced at his home, not sparing time to go out and do anything cause of his job as a Witcher. "I'm sure we'll come across something if you have nothing in mind yet either." It wasn't like they were in some backwoods town with nothing to do.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 18, 2017 15:29:14 GMT -5
His cheeks turned slightly pink at Nicholai's gaze, before he smiled warmly and nodded. 'We can just walk round then and see what we want to do.' He shrugged his bag over his shoulder and began to walk, keeping pace with the other.
'Have you been busy?'
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 18, 2017 17:01:58 GMT -5
Nicholai walked contently with Zephyr, answering "Even though I make a lot of money as a Witcher, I dogsit sometimes. I couldn't meet up with you yesterday because a friend dumped her dog on me for the past few days. The dog had been absolutely ancient though, so nothing really happened." As he looked around at the various restaurants and stores in attempt to find something that caught his eye, he asked in turn "What about you? Anything happen with your dragons and fairfolk?"
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 18, 2017 17:04:53 GMT -5
Zephyr smiled happily. 'I released twenty Faeries yesterday into the nearest woodlands, the fae is no longer sick and went with them to help build their home, and I sent off ten of my little dragons to a special nature reserve. I now have two injured Faeries, and three dragons left to take care of. I'm hoping the Faeries will heal soon and the dragons will grow quickly so I can send them away.' His eyes shone as he spoke of his work, cheeks pink and his face bright as the sun. It was clear how passionate he was about caring for them and giving them the best life he could.
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