EIRLYS

If I could have had him, I could have let him go. But without the having there was nothing— so to the nothing I hold.

[eirlysofembers]

▌█ OPENSTARTER || masked fools

Eirlys allowed her eyes to remain unfocused. Around her, it seemed as if chaos had taken the reigns itself while those who’d made the unfortunate decision to attend the party were forced along for the ride. Eirlys herself, felt her magick warp and change. She attempted a shift, trying a fox as it was her most common form, but found that it was not within her reach to do so. It was easy to see what was happening. The masks which held so much intrigue had caused an odd game of roulette, changing everyone’s species around. She was more than human, but was unable, at first to detect what had replaced her own magick. Her hearing was still as strong, perhaps even more so. She clicked her tongue once, and then a second time, closing her eyes to take stock of her surroundings. Merfolk. Opening her eyes again, she whirled around, having detected someone standing directly behind her. ❝A large group of magicks are finding themselves in a state of agitation with uncontrollable powers, on the verge of collective disaster and you think it wise to sneak up on someone?❞

[eirlysofembers]

▌█ guidingguardian:

Eirlys. The young woman often kept to herself. So much so that Aeres worried about her. Then again, they all had their duties. Watching the cairns made it some what more difficult to visit and chat with one another. Though they all needed to step away from time to time. She was glad to see the other guardian approach.

She followed suit and shifted into a human form half a beat after the other did. “Eirlys. It’s a pleasure to see you.” She smiled warmly. Aeres always enjoyed speaking with the other guardians. She worked with young guardians before coming to the forest, so perhaps it was why she often checked in on and spoke with the young guardians. Not that she didn’t check in on Macsen, but they had a different sort of relationship when it came to looking out for one another.

“How have you been?” She inquired. Things had been chaotic in the forest lately. They’d been chaotic for quite some time but even more so recently it seemed. Vampires. Merfolk. There was a lot going on involving the cairns. All of the guardians had been busy it seemed. Which was unfortunate. So Aeres was pleased for the visit.

Eirlys nodded once to the mentor who had known Mabon before she had, who knew him in a different way than the rest of them. There was so much that Eirlys found herself wanting to ask her, yet she could not bring herself to speak any of her concerns. Ignorance was bliss... AT least that was how the saying went. Eirlys was not so foolish as to believe it. 

❝I have been...❞ She allowed her voice to fade away. The guardian thought of all that had come to pass in the past year. Leaving the Embers and all that they had forced upon her, arriving in Arain, falling completely for Mabon, losing him, and managing to allow vampires into the forest. ❝I have been better.❞

❝I fear that I am not entirely meant to serve this forest as Emrys thought.❞ Feeling uncomfortable in her skin, she stepped forward and began to gather sticks between the two of them, her instincts traveling directly to the building of a fire to cope with the overwhelming feeling of awkwardness. ❝How were you certain that you belonged in this place?❞

[eirlysofembers]

▌█ guidingguardian:

Aeres was at her cairn, watching. Waiting. Keeping guard. Warmed by the fur that covered her familiar form. A white rabbit. The children were either just enthralled by a rabbit and wanted to play with her. Or they thought they were going to Wonderland. It made it easier- as easy as it could be she supposed. She always liked to make them comfortable. As best as she could.

However, today she was tucked away under the roots of a nearby tree. The snow melting but enough that she still was able to keep out of view. Watching the cairn, unassuming. Quiet. Warmed by the fur covering her. 

She hopped out as she watched someone approach. Wondering what they were doing. She didn’t go up to them but she made herself visible. Curious. Most knew of the guardians. Most knew they were being watched… so she waited to see their reaction.

Eirlys had been leaving her cairn unattended much less often since the vampires had entered the forest, but knew that there were days that required her leave in order to maintain some semblance of sanity. It would do no good for her to lose it when she relied so very much on maintaining her senses.

Avoiding Macsen had become rather like a chore, but it was one that she intended to maintain, preferring avoidance when it came to matters of discomfort. Aeres, however, was a different story. Something in Eirlys pulled towards the other female guardian in a way that almost yearned for some sort of approval or guidance while still feeling resistant towards the acceptance of such.

In the form of a fox, she approached almost silently, with the knowledge that Aeres would easily be able to hear her. Eirlys looked upon her, weight upon her shoulder as she shifted into a more human form, but remained silent.

[eirlysofembers]

What is something you have tried, but will never do again?

▌█ TMI TUESDAY

❝I would say... dancing.❞

[eirlysofembers]

▌█ wanderessiums:

Yikes. If there was one thing that would be his greatest let down, it was that he was fae. That fact alone made it difficult especially to other creatures with heightened sense of smell. The sweet scent carried by the air was not so easy to hide. There was a hint of panic that arose in his heart, blood pumped faster as he tried to compose himself. Slowly, he began to solidify, “Please don’t panic, I’m not here to cause harm, no - I don’t have any cruel intentions.” Fae do not lie, and this was from the very depths of his hearts. Only curiosity got the best of him, “I… I’ve just, never been comfortable being… me,” And not before long, the air particles had compressed until he was fully humanoid. “I cannot judge my own intentions, so I leave it for you to make your judgement.” he dipped his head low as to bow towards the Guardian. He was never exactly disrespectful, while he may bear spite towards other creatures, he would never let his hatred cloud his mind.

“I am only here to appease my curiosities, if you wish for me to leave I will.” But I cannot assure you that I will not return. Death was not an easy feat for him especially with his magic. Easy to hide and easy to dissipate, once air, bullets or blades can no longer affect him. Only vacuum magic or wind magic can disable him.

Eirlys waited, but her patience was quickly thinning. She did not appreciate her knowledge of a being’s location being distorted in such a way. Eirlys studied him, her only comfort in the biological limitations of fae when it applied to the truth. ❝Of course you can judge your own intentions. Everyone can do that...❞ Eirlys may have been in denial that her own intentions could be anything diverting from that which she felt that she was supposed to intend. She took a cautious step towards him, both showing that the space belonged to her and that she had no intentions of fearing him during his time in her company. 

❝Please, do not bow. I am no leader.❞ And the gesture made her severely uncomfortable. Her head tilted to the side, rather curious as to what anyone could be wondering about her. She could only fear the worst, that someone had seen the marks upon her, had known of her upbringing... or, on the other side of things, they thought her something dark and wrong, something that did not fit as it should in the roles to which she was assigned. ❝Curiosity is odd in that it spreads easily. What do you wish to know? Or have you only come to stare at the odd guardian in the bottom corner of the forest?❞

[eirlysofembers]

▌█ oscarxkam:

Truly, Oscar expected to find himself on the opposite side of the clearing, potentially bleeding and/or bruising so it was somewhat of a shock to have a handful of entirely peaceful moments. She was tenser than some trees he’d leaned against but he held still and silent and after a bit, those shoulders sank down and he, once again, marveled in the ability of a good cuddle even as she pulled away and huffed about it. Fond now, he just rolled his eyes and scooted back to where his basket was, belly rumbling and intoxication fading. That wouldn’t do.

“I think you were perfectly lovely at it. It’s a practice, you know. You get better at it the more you do it.” He looked up to shoot a wink at her before nudging the squirrel her way. “Please eat. I do hate eating alone.” Grabbing a packet of fruit and some cheeses he settled back and shifted his gaze between the cairn and the guardian. He knew Avery had a history with them, despised them, and normally that’d be enough to make him lash out as well, but he had enough sense to realize that without the guardians, they’d probably never leave Arain and well, that simply wouldn’t do. Oscar was already going stir-crazy and imagine if he had to spend his entire life here? No, no, no. It’d be a much shorter than deserved lifetime due to pure insanity. They needed to help the guardians and then Avery could have his vengeance. “Has anything like this happened before?” Oscar questioned suddenly. “The cairns acting outside of your control?”

Eirlys was, quite honestly, surprised that she had not committed some heinous act against the fae. It had taken every muscle within her to prevent herself from contorting the being into several different and unnatural shapes, but she found herself rather proud of her restraint. Had her relationship with her brother been different, perhaps she would have run to him with her accomplishment. Alas, she would have to live with the reward of not cleaning fae from her cairn and the surrounding trees.  Such a chore, really.

❝I though fae were not able to tell untruths...❞ She eyed him, suspiciously before taking the squirrel, thankful for the food and the personal space. She held her food in front of her face, smelling it first to detect any poison that might be present before biting down. Eirlys shook her head. ❝My brother and I have not been here as long as some. Our anniversary of our arrival only just passed... Before then, I’d never come to Arain. Only those who are called come to the forest and our way of life prevented such a calling...❞ She quickly stuffed her mouth to prevent herself for saying much more on that. ❝...but...❞ She swallowed. ❝I don’t think Macsen or Aeres have seen anything like this before.❞ Mabon, however, she did not know. Macsen was older, but Mabon seemed to chase after those curiosities from which others shied away.

[eirlysofembers]

what actions comfort you the most?

▌█ TMI TUESDAY

❝Sitting in front of a fire, shifting, leading someone wicked to a gruesome death, bird watching...❞

[eirlysofembers]

What do you think you can do better than the other guardians?

▌█ TMI TUESDAY

❝I can see past the person when doing that which I am meant to do. Perhaps it is the nature of those that I usually guide, but I rarely become attached to those who are not long for this plane of existence.❞

[eirlysofembers]

How often do you shift? Do you prefer your animal form or your human form?

▌█ TMI TUESDAY

❝I find that I shift quite often. Being in one form makes me restless. I spend more time in animal form as I am often alone.❞

[eirlysofembers]

▌█  guardian-macsen:

His gaze watched a flitting figure shifting restlessly between each glimpse through a branch, he hazarded a guess that it was Eirlys. Seeing the classic crimson tipped ears for each form, he knew he was looking at one of his own. With some reluctance he took off after them, leisurely at first but soon shifting too to a stag to keep up. 

Coming to a halt beside her, he gave her a long stare before shifting back - thinking back to the last time they had spoken being the run in with a crude reappearance of his brother. Hands up in his defense, he approached her slowly. “Eirlys. We should talk.” Brows pulling together slightly, puzzled, he realized he had cut himself off quicker than he expected, too used to excluding certain topics, “I think you know who about.” 

Eirlys used everything within her to keep her eyes upon the stag’s. She was far too familiar with the image of the stag to believe that it could be anyone else but Macsen. She did not break her gaze until the eyes that looked upon her were that of his human form. Then, of course, her own found their way to the ground as she took an even breath in an attempt to level herself before bring her eyes back up to his, a new fire present.

❝Say his name.❞ Eirlys swallowed, her words had left her lips quieter than expected or intended. Her jaw tensed. ❝If you wish so badly to speak of him, then you can say his NAME.❞ The word left her, absent of the usual control that she practiced on a regular basis. Such a lapse would certainly bring a later regret. She reigned herself in, voice falling quiet once more. ❝Just say it.❞

[eirlysofembers]

▌█ wanderessiums:

@eirlysofembers.

Lorien was out and about in the forest, a part of him wondered why they haven’t practiced their magic enough to disappear and forever get stuck in the ozone layer, leaving the forest physically was futile, but as air could they have escaped? It was a wishful thought that he longed for, to stay in isolation and just disappear in death when the time comes. They close their eyes and heaved a deep breath, as of the moment they were in the form of their element, hovering over the trees and enjoying the landscapes and sceneries—the way he soared higher and higher felt as if he were a bird free from its cage, but they knew they were not. Not long after he comes across a familiar red head. A guardian. They slowly compressed the air particles that consisted of their body, and descended from the sky. As much as he did not want to exactly involve himself with these creatures, he could not help the nagging anxiety and doubt he held towards them. They treaded slowly, following quietly—in hopes that while still as air, he could not be seen. He still has yet to know if his magick was strong enough for the guardians not to notice. The Guardian Eirlys, among the others they couldn’t help but feel doubtful towards her, a few times they’ve seen them with another guardian, one who is no longer present within the forest, or that was his perspective.

Eirlys stood before the large stone of her cairn, eyes closed. It was often that she stood this way, speaking with Beli Mawr, the only higher power with which she’d established a connection. In her place, she asked him for guidance, for forgiveness, for the ability to do as she was meant to do rather than following her random fickle impulses. Her deviations from her expectations were that which caused her the most pain in life. Her skin was marked with the burns of her digressions: small crossed lines that scarred her skin in The Embers as well as her own attempts to purify her until she was more compliant with fate and purpose. She inhaled slowly as the wind moved through her hair, breathing in the scents of the forest while paying attention to every small sound that surrounded her. 

Eyes opened. She was not alone.

No sounds were there to alarm her, no sight of any others. Yet, the air had taken on the scent of something sweet. Morning dew with a hint of sugar along with the feeling that she was no longer alone. ❝Fae...❞ She turned, eyes traveling about her surroundings, still failing to see the image of another. Her heart sped, alertness raised by anyone who felt the need to hide from her. ❝You fail to show yourself... Is this for your sake or mine? Those who hide often have cruel intentions, is this true of you as well?❞

[eirlysofembers]

▌█ oscarxkam:

For a moment, all Oscar could do was stare with some intense confusion as she discovered tiny mammals wrapped up in his basket, before brightening. “Yes!! For a slightly grumpy enchanter friendish of mine, but help yourself. I can get him some more later.” It’s not like there wasn’t plenty all around them. His mood dipped slightly as she admitted to not attending the party as she couldn’t leave her post and what…what’d been going on here? He was under the impression that besides the light and the brief entry of vamps and mers, nothing new had happened. But she quickly distracted him with talks of sparkles before sending his world topsy-turvy.

“Wait, wait.” He paused for a moment to run a quick triage on his reactions and decide what to precede with first. “Firstly, thank you. I try hard to sparkle. Secondly, when you say fur…do you mean in fur-form or quite literally in fur because that could be accommodated and lastly, I’m going to cuddle you, ok?” Abandoning food and drink, he sat next to her for a moment to get her used to the close proximity. “I am a master partier and refuse to believe that there is not a type of party out there that you couldn’t have fun at. I also believe that everyone should be cuddled because it feels nice, and warm, and secure, and for a tiny bit of time, you can pretend you’re not all alone in the universe. I like that feeling and I like sharing it with others. So, try to refrain from punching me, pretty please.” With that, he scooted a bit closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. 

Eirlys nodded at his thanks, having been uncertain that her statements could be taken as compliments when her perceptions labeled them as merely observations. Opinions and the like still seemed taboo. Despite all that had changed since her and her brother had left The Embers, there were still far too many things burned inside her, scars that matched those decorating her skin in a way that reminded her that there were always repercussions for dancing outside of the lines of the majority. For being one instead of one of a whole. Even in Arain, she found it hard to do anything other than attempt to meld into the average, while all those she came across seemed to see her as far outside the range of normal. 

❝Fur form. It is the most comfortable and natural way for me to sleep.❞ Eirlys felt her face contort into something akin to confusion and fear. ❝Cuddle?❞ She resisted the urge to move away from the fae, despite the overwhelming urge to do so. ❝I make most uncomfortable. It is a trait that is rarely beneficial to the merriment of parties.❞ Eirlys felt her body immediately tense at the contact, pulling her sleeves down over her arms in a habit of nervousness. In a few moments, her shoulders began to slowly drop. Even so, she pulled away shortly after. ❝I... do not think I am meant to cuddle.❞

[eirlysofembers]

Who is that one person you can talk to about just anything?

▌█ TMI TUESDAY

❝Mabon.❞

[eirlysofembers]

▌█ oscarxkam:

Well, that was a bit of a downer, wasn’t it? Considering yourself bad luck if someone happened to stumble upon you with fresh food, no wonder she was so hard to get to crack a smile. But she had no problem getting him to smile as she labeled him hard to forget. He was choosing to take that as a compliment. “It is all fresh from the market.” he confirmed. “Pleasure to officially meet you, Eirlys.” She too, probably left a lasting impression on people but he kept that bit to himself as he folded his hands and waited for her to take her desires first.

He lit up slightly at the mention of the party before racking his brain to see if he remembered seeing her there. He was usually a fairly decent host and would have tried to greet everyone. “That was I, indeed. I don’t recall seeing you there, but it was unfortunately, a bit of a disaster. I’ll have to find a way to redeem myself.” Pausing, he perked up at a passing thought. “Oh! I was actually considering a slumber party. Would you attend such a thing? PJs and hot cocoa and cuddles?” 

Eirlys gave him a slightly formal nod at his pleasantries, choosing not to return the sentiment as he likely already believed it to be a pleasure to meet himself. No need for redundancy. Eirlys breathed in the scent of so many treats. It was honestly a bit of sensory overload, but she was able to pull her focus onto the scent of one particular treat. ❝Is this... squirrel?❞ Some shifters, save the werewolves, seemed to have some reservations about consuming animals, but it seemed as though those with such a philosophy forgot that nature was, in fact, not as Utopian as some wished to believe. 

❝I did not attend. It seems I’ve been far too much time away from my post... And I don’t dance.❞ Last time she had, it had not been anything close to resembling pretty. ❝I am sure they will not hold it against you. It seems that most flock to that which... sparkles.❞ The world brought a twitch to her nose, never quite understanding how one could be so comfortable around others. ❝I usually sleep in fur and I’m not entirely certain that I grasp the idea of... cuddles. Besides, I’ve been told that I am not exactly the most fun at parties.❞

[eirlysofembers]

Secret Valentine's! A bouquet of orange mocks and pink and white roses appears by your doorstep 💕

❝...❞

[eirlysofembers]

▌█ oscarxkam:

Oscar rather liked the fox but the human form allowed them to converse so he didn’t complain. He could see as much, in regard to returns, but perked up when she was agreeable to eat though the quip about the cairn eating only hope made him snicker before catching it and setting the basket and himself down on the ground. Cross-legged, he peeked into the basket and tried to make an educated guess about what she might like. Unlike his new friends, she didn’t exactly seem the fruit and veggie type, but he could be wrong. 

“I have some dried meats, fruits, breads, sweets…does any of that interest you? Oh! Cheeses. For the breads.” He began to pull out a few packages and set them on the side of the basket closest to her while humming a little to himself. It was an unexpected pleasure that she’d agreed to some company and some food and he found himself wishing he had something more to offer. But this would do. His eyes widened slightly as he realized in his excitement, he’d skipped right over pleasantries. “I’m terribly sorry. I’m Oscar. And you are?” 

❝You have quite a bit and it smells fresh. Have you just ventured from the market? If so, you really have gone off track. Most would find it bad luck to do so and find a guardian.❞ Eirlys’ eyes moved to the food, she would certainly be able to smell if any of it held poison with which he would meet his end, but perhaps he truly was in her presence for less morbid dealings, only stumbling about. ❝Eirlys. I have seen you before. You are difficult to forget.❞ So bright in front of the backdrop of the greens and browns of the forest. 

Eirlys fell quiet at the sight of so much food and moved from her cairn. Her eyes traveled back to him and remained in place as she hesitantly took a seat near him in a place where she could keep an eye on both him and her cairn. ❝It was you that held the Solstice party near the forts was it not?❞ The one after which she’d seen him, her love cloaked in darkness above a bed of twigs. She’d yet to speak to Macsen since. 

[eirlysofembers]

▌█ n-sapheire:

“Yes.” Nadeia was simple with her answer, she did not exactly smile as easily, as if testing the waters before opening up to a more familiar stance. She knew of Emrys, even heard stories from other mer and ‘seen’ him in her dreams. His sister though was slightly different - despite Nadeia being aware of her presence and those of whom she leads to their departure, there was always something odd, guarded that other Guardians lacked to show. 

“Where are you going Eirlys?” she started, trying her best to strike conversation though was ready to walk in companionable silence if need be. “I was just going to your brother’s cairn, but then I saw you and… it had been some time since the last time I had talked to you.” Nadeia’s face looked straight forward, even though a whisper of a smile was on her face. Even though she was very cautious with the redhead, it did not mean she was in any way hostile or on bad terms with them.

Eirlys studied the mer for a couple of moments, the silence became awkward, but Eirlys failed to notice in her decision to wait to speak until she felt truly inspired to do so. There was recognition of the mer, but it was clouded by a lapse in time... and past that was shaped around another individual who could no longer be found in the forest or in her life.

Turning to face her fully rather than remain crouched as a preying animal she regarded her with a neutral expression. ❝I was on my way to the marketplace... Why have you felt the need to follow me today, Nadeia? I am hardly the most interesting being to listen to...❞ When looked to the ground. ❝It has been quite a while.❞