Eternium Krewe

Adventures of the Eternium Krewe. Posts are written in charater. NSFW later on.

[eterniumkrewe]

Always the Same

62nd of Colossus, 1326 AE

Arishen, Age: 23

I wake in a cold sweat, the need to run present but draining away as I realize that it was all a nightmare. I sigh as I hate that this keeps happening. He’s dead, he can’t hurt me anymore... I won, but as much as I tell myself this I’ve kept having this horrid nightmare for three years.

Pulling myself out of bed, I get to work prepping for my day, knowing that I’m not going to want to fall asleep right now. I stand under the warm shower just trying to wash my thoughts away more than any dirt. After I pull myself out of the water and dry off, I make my way to the kitchen for a simple breakfast of eggs and some coffee. When I do finally manage to arrive at my lab area, I’m greeted by the stack of potion requests. 500 healing draughts, 200 potions of endurance... Always the same stuff, never the same amounts.

I’ve tried to do my own research, but I’ve never found an area of study that holds my interest. Even after all of these years out of school, and all the custom orders that I fill. I sigh and get to work on today’s order.... One day, something will change.

[eterniumkrewe]

I've Fallen in Love

60th of Colossus, 1326

Tsubaki Age: 17

After long amounts of thinking I’ve determined that I love Paxx, and not because of this link or being stuck together all the time, but because he is truly a good person. He’s kind, caring, smart, and he treats me so well, even If I feel I don’t deserve it. He does things that he doesn’t want to just to cheer me up when I’m down, and being near him leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy. Even though I gave myself to him, he still blushes at me and doesn’t ask to see me like I was in the forest. I’m truly in love with him.

[eterniumkrewe]

Starry Skies

34th of Colossus 1326

Kromia: Age 26 “Mana, I can't see anything.” “I know, but you will. Can you close your eyes for a minute?” “I can't see anything already, what difference would it even-” “Just for a minute? I promise it will be worth it.” “Fine, fine. If it means that much to you...”

Mana's been acting weird ever since I showed up at his place. He invited me over, but he's more nervous than if I invited him directly into my bedroom. I don't know what's gotten into him. He's normally kind of a fidgety dork, but I've honestly really grown to like that about him. I mean, yeah it's not exactly the smooth, gentlemanly thing to do, but it shows to me that he's still worried about trying to look good in front of me even though we've been dating for a while now. Well... Maybe not a while, but to me it's felt like it at least. After our first date I thought maybe I was just enjoying myself because I was spending time with someone again after not being on a date in... By the alchemy, when was my last date before my first one with him? A good few years, I think. The more dates we went on and the more time we just spent together in general, I realized that wasn't the case. He's not perfect, but I'm not trying to hold him up to that standard. I'm not perfect either, after all. What he is, is caring and sweet. He's always trying to make sure that I'm having a good time, that I'm feeling comfortable even when we're in the middle of nowhere out in the wilderness working together, he tries to make sure that I'm always enjoying myself. Normally I think a guy's doing that just to get in my pants, but he's so sincere with everything he does that I think that's the last thing on his mind. He makes me feel... Loved. “Okay, you can open your eyes now.” “...Oh. Y-Yeah. I-I can see why you wanted to keep this a surprise.” Stars. There's stars all over the room. I don't know how he did it, but I'm looking up at the ceiling of whatever room this is supposed to be in his lab and all I see is a starry sky. “How did you even-” “Magic,” he says with that cheesy grin of his. Damn him. How did this dork have a moment like THIS in him. This is amazing. He sits down on the floor and I take a seat next to him, sighing and leaning my head on his shoulder. The moment I make contact, I feel him tense up. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable,” I say as I start to pull my head up. “N-No, it's fine. Y-You can stay there. I'm just...” He sighs as well and looks up at the stars. “I worked so hard to make this moment magical for you. Um, pun not intended.” “Mana, the pun's always intended with you. It's the only joke you know how to tell.” “Point taken. What I meant to say was I put a lot of thought into just how to make this feel special for you.” “You mean the stars? I mean, it certainly is. How did you even do that?” “Fire magic. Tiny little embers all floating up near the ceiling.” “...Okay, that's sweet, but fire and labs tend not to mix in my experience. You've met my sister.” He laughs and wraps an arm around me. “It's safe. They're so small that they'd just be put out the moment they touched anything.” “Alright. I'm gonna trust you on this one. I guess the next question I have is why you did this. This feels like... You know, date stuff.” “And this can't be a date? Just us sitting and looking up at the stars. You loved stargazing with me when we were out camping.” “You noticed that?” “It's hard not to notice a smile that big on your face.” I can't help but blush at that. I'm not normally the blushing and giggling type, but... That was actually really thoughtful of him to remember how much I liked the stars. “Um... Thank you. I don't know what to say.” “Then don't say anything. Just enjoy the moment.” I nod and lie down on my back, pulling Mana down with me since his arm's still around me. Sitting down, on a nice quiet night. Uh... Night type thing? I guess? Whatever. It's just like looking up at the stars with him all over again. Just the two of us. “It's nice.” “What is?” “Huh? Oh, I was thinking to myself. Guess that one came out loud. But um... This. All of this. Just this whole romantic stargazing thing you made for me. It's beautiful.” “Thanks Mia. I'm glad you like it.” “When you can string a coherent sentence together past the nervous babbling, you're one hell of a romantic.” “I try to be. You are so amazing that I feel like I have to be one. You're beautiful, you're funny, you're strong, you're smart, I could go on until it's actually night out listing everything that I love about you and I wouldn't repeat myself.” “Mana...” “I'm sorry Kromia, I just... This has been building up for a while. Can I just... Ramble? For a bit?” “You're good at it,” I say with a gentle chuckle, “So go ahead.” “Thanks. Um... I've just been thinking a lot about us. I know that seems like maybe I'm rushing things since we haven't been together for a long, long time, but the time I have spent with you has been the best of my life. For the longest time I've just had my nose buried in my work and putting up with my sisters and... It's not like I hate my life or anything, but when I'm with you I feel something amazing. Like... Like I'm a new person. I don't know what word to use for it, but it's like everything that happens when I'm with you is something new and amazing.” “I... Know the feeling.” “Y-You... You do?” “I mean, not in so many words? I'm not as... As good with words as you. But... It's like... If I compare what things feel like now and what it was like before we were together, it's like... Colors weren't as bright. Like the world was just a little quieter. Like... Like I was just existing, but with you I feel like I'm actually living.” “Yes! Exactly! I know I'm already plenty cheesy around you and what I'm about to say feels bad even by those standards, but I feel like when we're together we're in our own little world.” I couldn't help myself, and I feel bad for doing it, but I burst out into laughter at that. Laughter that's probably a little too loud. Looking at him, I see him start to frown, so I try and cut him off. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at you! It's just... You're right, that was so bad! But even if it was bad, it was really sweet and I totally get what you mean. Just... Could you have picked words that didn't sound like they were ripped from a ten-copper romance novel?” “I thought you said I was good with words!” I laugh even more and pull him into a hug. “You are, but you're also a giant dork. Alchemy help me though, I love that about you.” That causes him to blush and try and say something, but at this point I think words would just make things even worse with how both of us are acting, so I pull him into a kiss to shut him up and bring back that romantic silence. After feeling confident that we're both back under control, I let him go and  rest my head on his chest, nuzzling close to him, smiling like crazy. “You good now?” “Y-Yeah... I'm good.” “Then continue. You were being romantic until we went off the rails.” “Right... Um... What I was trying to say is that you are the best thing that ever happened to me. I want to keep being with you. I love being with you... No, I love you.” “I love you too, Mana.” It came out so easily it surprised me, but it felt right. He may be a dork, he may not know when to shut up sometimes, and he tries way too hard to impress me, but he makes me feel loved and I love him for it. “Then let's stay together. I don't want anyone but you.” “It sounds like you're trying to propose to me.” That immediately causes him to freeze and straighten up stiff as a board. “Um, I-I didn't mean... Was I laying it on too thick? I'm so sorry if I'm making you feel pressured into anything or-” I laugh again. Not the loud laughter from earlier, but a soft laughter that causes him to stop and look at me curiously. “Relax. I was just teasing you. It's just... You do this big romantic gesture to tell me how much you love me, talk about how want to stay with me forever, we already have a kid.” “We what!?” I laugh even more. “Tsubaki. She calls me mom, she calls you dad. Why can't she be our kid?” “I mean...” I roll over so I'm straddling his waist now and I look down at him with a smile. Now that the thought is in my head... You know what? Fuck it. “Mana. I love you, you love me, we basically have a kid already. I mean why not? Marry me.” “Mia! Are-are you serious!?” “Yes, yes I am. I've been with you long enough to know that I love you and that you're an absolutely amazing man I'd love to spend my life with. So... Why not? Let's get married.” “Are you sure about this? We don't have to get married. We can keep dating and-” “We were going to keep dating anyway, right? I'm not asking you to marry me right now or tomorrow but it's just gonna end in us getting married anyway at this rate. Why not just ask you now instead of beating around the bush for years?” “I... Mia... You really are serious.” “I love you Mana. I wouldn't joke about this. I'm going to ask you again, and I want a yes or no answer on this one. Will you marry me?” He takes a deep breath... Thinks about it... Takes another deep breath... And then smiles. “Yes, Kromia. I will marry you.” I don't even know what noise I made. I don't think it had a word, but it's whatever a cry of pure joy sounds like. I pull him up into a hug and kiss him again. I'm sitting under a starry sky, showing the man I love just how happy he's made me. I wasn't expecting anything when Mana came over to my place and asked me to check something out at his lab today, but I'm glad he did. What happened was the best day of my life.

[eterniumkrewe]

A Day at the Park

33 of Colossus 1326 AE

Kiri Age: 26

Walking about the park today since I just needed to step away from my work. It’s a beautiful day, even with how chilly it is. The flowers don’t seem to mind it at all as they bask in the sunlight. Letting photosynthesis convert the raw material they have gathered into food to help them grow taller and more vibrant, and one day to spread their seeds to the sky.... They look nice too. The path here seems to wander to and fro as it goes into rock arches and I continue to walk about them, loving the look they give this part of the park. Yet as I round one of the larger pillars, I see a small progeny that is pacing around worriedly.

As I gaze upon them, I realize that she’s a little girl no older than six. I have to shake my head as I realize that mine would have been this old now... if she had had a chance. I bend down to the girl and ask, “Is everything alright?” She looks at me with a scared look and says with a lilt in her voice, “I don’t know where she is. Mommy,” and I can see her trying not to cry. “We’ll find her, don’t worry.” I bend down and offer her my hand. She takes it slowly while wiping her eyes, “Promise?” I smile at her as I stand back up, “I promise... what’s your name?” She looks up and me and in the sweetest voice, “Cass.”

It took a while of walking around the park, but as with approach the playground a woman comes running towards of calling out for Cass. I let got of Cass’s hand as she runs to who is obviously her mother. “Oh thank the alchemy you’re safe.” her mother sighs and hugs the stuffing out of her. “That nice woman helped me” Cass points at me. Her mother brings them over to me and hugs me too, “Thank you, thank you, I don’t know what I was going to do if anything happen to my Cass. You must be a mom too if Cass wasn’t that shy of you. Thank you again.” I assure her that I don’t have any children and excuse myself quickly, but do stop and say goodbye to Cass.

I barely step out of sight of those two and the playground, and sink against the wall feeling like my heart is being crushed to an infinitesimal point. I’m not a mother, but I’d give anything to be one. After I lost my first and only child before she was even born, I was left barren to never try again. As I fall into my despair, I steel myself once again, “No, I won’t give in, my research is showing promise, I will have my dream. I will have a child,” I declare, gritting my teeth and stand back up. I head back home with a lingering through that passed into my mind for the briefest moments before fleeing again.

“With whom, and will I ever love again?”

[eterniumkrewe]

North. To Camping

Manawind Age: 25

31st of Colossus 1326 AE

(Somewhere in what will be Northern Dry Top)

Everything is going so well. I haven’t made a fool of myself, I’ve held off of any puns, and the sights out here are breathtaking. Kromia is so sweet to come out with me on this mission. She really didn’t need to, but I’m enjoying the company that she provides. Turns out Kromia, likes to go by Mia to those close to her, and she’s not a fan of the cold. So here I am, using my magic to keep her warm. On a side note, she doesn’t seem to generate any magic of her own, or it’s so small that I’m not sensing it.

We’ve been making our way along this canyon for a while now, keeping our eyes out for a bloodstone shard. One was spotted out here, and it needs to be secured or hidden. We’ve been walking for a while now and haven’t found anything yet, not that I’m complaining.

All of a sudden a massive oakheart spurs into motion near us and slams his mighty fist down. We dodged forward and out of the way to safety. I’d love to say that we made quick work of it, but it was a long and arduous fight. With us slaying the poor creature in the end. Though upon closer inspection of him, we did find the fragment we were looking for.

We make our way down to a cave to bury the fragment somewhere safe, taking great care not to touch it directly. As we enter the cave, Mia latches onto me. It seems she is not a fan of the dark. I create a small orb of fire to light our way in the cave but the light really only casts out a few feet around us.  I think it’s helping as she relaxes a bit, but she stays on my arm the whole way through the cave. Upon burying the fragment, we head out of the cave and Mia reluctantly lets go of my arm.

I smile at her and take her hand as we head back towards camp.

[eterniumkrewe]

Inventory Shuffle

25th of Colossus 1326 AE

Zulla Age: 21

We’ve got a couple of shipments coming into today, but the bulk is krewes picking up stuff that they’ve ordered. I’ve luckily got this automated to the point that I just drag and drop the items into the correct loading bay and the golems take care of the rest. However, I’m so bored today. Even with my docket completely full of shipments to get ready, nothing is really happening. Sorra isn’t helping with that at all, she’s been checking in pallets constantly and humming some tune that I can’t get out of my head now. Do do do da do de...

*sigh* Why is today so bland?

Installed a game on my tablet... It’s helping a bit. I can get a game in during the downtime between setting up shipments for pick-up.

[eterniumkrewe]

Aftermath and Planning

13th of Colossus 1326 AE

Manawind Age: 25

Tsu finally woke up, we were getting worried about her. The doctors said that she was fine physically didn’t help the fact that she wasn’t waking up. Paxx stayed with her, more out of choice then being attached to her. So when Tsu walked into the kitchen this morning, she was almost tackled in a hug by first Kromia and then myself. She and Paxx seem much closer now, I wonder what happened in the last day to cause this.

With the drama levels around the lab finally dropping, I’m going to move ahead with my plan to head out to the area west of the wildlands. I’ve had a job to go out there for a while now, but never a good time to head out there. I think I’m going to invite Kromia to come with me, she’s good with a sword and it can be a date too.

[eterniumkrewe]

Our Own Little Adventure Part 4

12th of Colossus 1326 AE

Paxx Age: 17

I don’t remember how long we just laid there in the grass letting the sun wash over us before we get dressed and get back up to start moving again. This may be paradise but we do need to escape at some point. We’ve got friends and family worried about us on the other side of this. If we’re looking for a place that looks like a candidate to be like the place that had Tsubaki’s artifact thing, it’s where the forest gets deeper. From my vantage point in the tree earlier, I see the further into the forest, it gets denser and the trees get taller. I couldn’t see anything obvious outside of the tree cover, so whatever it is will probably be buried in there.

And as soon as we get into the forest I immediately regret my decision. The thicker the tree cover gets, the less sunlight we see. The more we walk, the trees just get taller and thicker, the forest gets darker with the sunlight gone, it’s colder and quieter. It’s… I’m actually scared the longer this goes on. I don’t know if we’re going in circles anymore and we’re just going to be trapped in this dark, cold, quiet forest forever. The only thing that’s keeping me sane and going is having Tsubaki there with me. Every time I feel like I want to quit or I’m too scared to see what’s further into the forest, she’s there with a squeeze of the hand or a kiss on the cheek and a kind word. It’s a small thing, but it’s lighting the fire I need to keep going.

Eventually, the light starts to return and I see a break in the trees. I immediately run us into the light and I’m greeted with the biggest… THING I’ve ever seen. It looks like an Oakheart except it’s so big that no matter how much I try and look up I can’t see its face. I try and lead Tsu and me past the thing but I can’t find a way around it. I can’t tell if it’s moving its legs to stop us or it’s so massive I just haven’t walked around it yet. After one last try of moving forward and being blocked, I just scoop Tsubaki up into my arms and make a run for the first gap I see.

That was almost a mistake. As soon as we run past its foot, it tries stomping on us but I just keep running as fast as I can. The aftershock of something that big is shaking the ground like an earthquake and making it hard to keep my balance, but I don’t care, I just keep running. The running pays off and we find daylight on the other side of this thing and when we get there, we’re face to face with another floating orb like the one I found on Tsubaki’s island. Except it’s green like the forest around us.

I try getting closer to it, but I can’t. It feels like a strong wind pushing me back when I try and get near it. The more I walk towards it, the more it pushes me back and it starts glowing more and the energy around it starts crackling. While walking towards it, I see Tsubaki start walking towards it too out of the corner of my eye. I open my mouth to tell her to stop, but the words die in my throat as I see her walk effortlessly up to it and look at it in wonder. Then she puts her hand up to it and as soon as she touches it, she’s met with a massive bolt of the green energy surrounding the orb.

I run over to catch her and as soon as I touch her, I feel… Something. I don’t have words for it, but it’s like… Like the connection I felt to her when we were making love, but we’re just holding each other. I feel like… Like she’s part of me. I don’t even have words to say to her as I just hug her, letting this feeling wash over us. When we let go, I hear the ground rumble as I see the Oakheart walk away. Is it… Clearing a path for us? It’s heading out of the forest it look like, so I make sure to keep Tsubaki close as we follow it.

Sure enough, it walks its way straight out of the forest and when it’s done walking, we’re back at the edge of the island and I can feel the sun and the wind again and it feels so good. As we walk away, I see the Oakheart lay down and close its eyes as it sits at the edge of the forest. It looks like some kind of guardian now. Not sure what to do, Tsubaki and I walk back towards her island and we’re amazed at what we see. The rocks that we had to jump across to get to the island aren’t floating anymore. The stones are still there, but now they’re held in place by roots and vines that are growing out of the edge of the island and wrapping themselves around the rocks to form a bridge.

If these islands are our minds, then I don’t know what the space between us or this bridge is. Not completely, anyway. But seeing it in front of me like this, in person, the feeling I have when I’m with her now is making sense. We have some sort of connection between us now. Something special, literally magical. I can’t help but pull Tsubaki into a hug as I look at the island across the bridge and at the bridge itself.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m just glad to have you here with me right now.”

“Me too, Paxx.”

“I… I love you, Tsubaki.” It feels right saying it now. We said it when we were making love in the heat of the moment. But here it feels just as natural. Looking out at the bond we share being manifested in front of us, it’s the only thing I can think of saying. And the only thing that needs to be said.

“I love you too, Paxx.”

I didn’t know what love really was before all of this happened. I still can’t put what it is into words, all I have to go on is the feeling I have in my heart when I hear her say those words. Regardless, I know what it is now, and I know that the love we have is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I am going to do whatever I can to show this amazing girl just how much I love her.

[eterniumkrewe]

Our Own Little Adventure Part 3

12th of Colossus 1326 AE

Paxx Age: 17

“Um, Paxx?”

That’s how it started. When we got down from the tree, Tsubaki asked me a question I didn't’t think I’d hear from her. From anyone. She asked me to… Make love to her. That took me completely by surprise. I mean, yes we’re close and… And I do love her. Neither of us have said it yet, but it’s something I know I feel and I guess she does too if she’s asking me to do this.

“Um… A-Are you sure?” Great, Paxx. You have a beautiful girl literally throwing herself at you and you’re stuttering.

But she’s sure. This crazy adventure we’ve been on has brought us closer together and she wants us to be as close as we can be. I… I feel the same way. Out here, wherever we are, just the two of us… Outside of the floating wreckage and stuff trying to kill me, this has been amazing just being out in nowhere with her. So… So I’m going to do it. Even if I have no idea what I’m doing.

I don’t really know how to describe what happened after that. We’ve snuck looks at each other here and there. Held hands. Maybe a kiss on the cheek or forehead here and there. But when you’re in the moment and the kisses are on the lips, with, like, a lot of tongue and then there’s hands everywhere. The clothes came off somehow in the middle of all of that. I… It’s not the first time I’ve seen her naked. I uh, I did sneak a peek by lifting the blindfold that we usually wear when we’re showering but this is even better. Seeing her like this, wanting me.

Then we get started and we have to stop for a bit. As soon as we try, she makes this noise and this face and I know I’ve hurt her. That’s the one thing I never want to do, so I just hold her and make sure she’s okay. She tells me to keep going after that and… I don’t have words for it. I mean, I’ve seen animals do it working with them before. I’ve seen and read… Things. But actually being in the act yourself? Your body is filled with this special kind of fire and at that moment you just feel alive in a world where only the two of you matter. I don’t know how long we were at it, but however it was, it was the best time of my life. Hers too, hopefully. Judging by how she can’t let go of me or stop kissing me, I think it was.

[eterniumkrewe]

Our Own Little Adventure Part 2

12th of Colossus1326 AE

Tsubaki Age: 17

Paxx is really staying close to me. Evidently I've been unconscious in his arms in the real world for the past couple of hours, and he was crying for me. That's really touching, and I don't know how to respond to him. Now that I'm free we start exploring the island and mostly it’s run down, but there are some signs of some new growth? We come across a set of stairs to lead down underground, but with all the wandering we’ve done I’m sure that this is the way to other island.

Down we head and most all we see is endless corridors and doors with brass nameplates on some of them. I read some of the plaques as we walk by: Fears, Jokes, Happiness. We look in a couple of the unlabeled ones them, and they are all pretty generic. Some major memories or daydreams, not much to look at, but no real order that I can see. Paxx is busy listening to me sing songs when I was six, he’s finding me overly cute... Can’t blame him, I’m just glad that sound doesn’t exit the rooms.

Deciding to check out a door diagonal to Paxx, I pry it open as it was almost rusted shut, and step in just enough to see and hear what this one has. I was not prepared to see a version of me there on her hands and knees, without an ounce of clothing to be seen. She’s just there, butt arched in the air, wiggling it for someone that she’s looking back at. “Come and get it. You know you’ll love it,” she calls out. I’m blushing so hard, my ears feel like they are on fire. It was then I hear Paxx start to move, and I rocket out of my room and shut that door as fast a possible.

“What’s up? You feeling okay?” He says as he checks my temperature with his hand.

“Fine, I’m fine,” I manage to force out. I can’t tell him what I just saw.

He thankfully didn’t push the point, and let me keep my mouth shut.

We finally find another way up and make our way back to the surface. There we come across the remains of what I guess was a bridge to Paxx’s Island. I stupidly looked down and am now blushing as I cling to Paxx as we cross the floating rocks between the two islands. Its pretty slow going and we've been doing some creative hops to get across. I'm finally put down on the other side, and thank goodness.... I don't like heights.

Paxx’s island is much nicer than mine. His is a green lush forest, and the ground is soft and feels good on my feet. Looking around we decide that the center of the island is the best place to start. As we walk we chat about all the neat trees and ponds we see, but all the while I’m thinking about how lucky I am to have him care about me. This continues on until he notices that we’ve been walking in circles. We are going to need to climb a tree to get a look at where we are.  I’m not happy about going high up again. ‘Convincing’ him to let me climb on his back, as I’m going to be useless at climbing, works like a charm...

I keep my eyes closed the whole way up, and only focus on him and the ways that he needs me to move. This turned out to be a bad idea as to shift our weight around results in me constantly grinding my hips into him and causing some feelings that I’ve been trying to hide from him, but now that I think about it, I think he’s been doing the same to me, in the mornings and at night. Then there is the shower, I know that we are both blindfolded but I’ve brushed by him enough to know. You know... Maybe this feeling isn’t that bad, I mean I do feel for him and him for me.

When we reach the bottom of the tree. “Um Paxx?” I ask, as I give one last hug to him as I’m lowered to the ground.

[eterniumkrewe]

Our Own Little Adventure, Part 1

12th of Colossus1326 AE

Tsubaki Age:17

Oh my head hurts. Let’s see, what was the last thing I remember...

Mexxa. Why must she make my days hell? It has gotten so much worse since Paxx started coming with me to class. I like going to his classes better *blushes* Even if I do sleep through them. Yet today, I don’t know what is going on. Mexxa is just hounding us non-stop during and between classes.... And then... Oh right, she confronted us when we were going to lunch, I finally lost it and yelled at her to leave us alone. She grinned and said, “Then go away,” as a device of some sort was tossed between me and Paxx. I didn’t have long to look at it before it blew and flung me and Paxx apart... I think I impacted something.... And then I was here.

I don’t even know where here is. I seem to be outside, but nowhere near anything I know. The broken down floating rocks are a big hint to that. I inch near the wall to get a look over everything, but recoil back with a large amount of vertigo as I look down into nothing but sky. I seem to be on a massive floating island and is covered in a maze of ruins. I move around the open area that I’m in, and the only thing of note is a massive purple orb that is pushing light into channels that cut into the stone slabs of the floor. Wonder what that is for. There is no exit to this room, I can look out of the room over the low walls, but I’m repelled if I try to hop over them. I’m trapped.

That’s when I notice movement far below and I can just barely make them out. It looks like Paxx and me? That’s not me. He’s running back and forth, from room to room, but seems to be working his way up the ruins slowly. Wait... Is he coming to save me? Upon this thought, I realize that he’s not in contact with me for once. It feels odd, and I don’t like this one bit. I’ve grown used to him always being here beside me, always having someone to talk to and never being alone. As he makes his way up the tiered ruins, coming closer and closer, it looks like he’s working on traps or puzzles, maybe. I can’t help but cheer for him, even if he can’t hear me.

He finally leaves my sight as he makes his way to the same level I am, and after many of the longest minutes of my life, a gate forms in the wall and there stands Paxx. Though the other me seems to have vanished. Though when I move to go to him, the orb in the center of the room pulling me towards it. I fight against it but its too strong and drags me to it and holds me there against its surface. I yell for him in a panic, “Paxx! Help!” and I can’t help but smile as he rushes to me. I appear to be adhered to the orb, but the instant Paxx touches it, it releases me and arc a bolt of energy to him. Thankfully he’s not hurt by it, that I can see, but I rush to him all the same and hug the stuffing out of him.

After a bit, I tie the end of my braid to his wrist. Even though we don’t have to do that here it seems, we both visibly relax at the familiar contact.

“Where are we?” A finally remember to ask.

“The other you said this is your mind,” he tells me back.

I’m taken aback by that, and not sure how to respond. These ruins are my mind.... Huh? I guess this all makes sense.

“...And Mine is over there.” he adds while pointing over a collection of floating wreckage to a second island the same size as mine.

[eterniumkrewe]

Kids Getting Along With A Bang

12th of Colossus 1326 AE

Manawind Age: 25

It’s been a pretty tame day, just filing paperwork today. I’ve been thinking about how far Tsu and Paxx have come in a short time. Bring unable to leave physical contact with each other kinda does that. They seem to have linked to each other both mentally and magically, and maybe one day they can pull apart, at least a bit.

Paxx is a good kid, though I wish he would stop calling me sir. He really cares for her, and would do anything to protect her. As for Tsu, I've seen the looks she gives him. She's already fallen in love but doesn't know it yet.

It's been quite the task smoothing over Kromia’s ruffled feathers over these two. Having the girl you've come to see as a daughter now be required to sleep with the boy every night, and also shower with him.  Well, I'm very thankful for blindfolds and the fact that Tsu doesn't show anything of a sex drive.

Oh hang on, phone.*Gets up to answers the phone *

I may have had a “mild” freak out after hearing of an explosion at Tsu’s school, and that her and Paxx were caught up in it. I also might have nearly chewed the head of the guy that called me to let me know that they were alive. He really should have led with that.

*Dashes out the door*

[eterniumkrewe]

What Is Going On?

84th of Scion 1326 AE

Paxx Age: 17

This has been weird. Very weird.

Last week I got to meet a new girl named Tsubaki. She’s really nice and really pretty. Very shy though. That part’s been helping me look way more confident and cool than I actually am I think. I’ve been sweating bullets the whole time around her trying not to look like an idiot, but she seems to like being around me so far.

The uh... Being around me thing is what’s gotten weird though. Yesterday I went over to her place to have some food and hang out with her and it was really nice. She didn’t say much. More than usual, but it’s hard to get more than a few words out of her normally. That said, we really did enjoy the meal and spend time together. Some time after that we must’ve dozed off.

This is where things got weird. When we eventually woke up, we were curled up in her bed together. I... Don’t remember when that happened. I know nothing happened. We woke up with our clothes on and everything seemed fine. I mean, I wouldn’t... We’ve only known each other for like, a week and...

Not the point! The point I’m trying to make is now that we’re both awake, I don’t think Tsubaki can actually leave my side physically. Every time I try, she clings to me. When she was separated for me for a second, she just... She screamed. It sounded like it hurt. A lot. I was scared I did it to her or something, but as soon as we were back in contact, she was fine.

Whatever is going on right now, we need to actually be in physical contact or she’s screaming and in pain again. I know I haven’t known her very long, but I just can’t hurt her like that. She’s been too nice to me and it sounds like she doesn’t spend a lot of time with people, so the contact is doing her some good. Right now... I’m just worried about her. I don’t want to hurt her. I just want her to be alright and right now I’m going to do whatever I can to help that.

[eterniumkrewe]

First Day of the Rest of My Life

84th of Scion 1326 AE

Tsubaki Age: 17

Rising to back to the world of the waking, I find that rolling over is proving to be a task that shouldn’t be this hard. I feel like a massive force is keeping me in place and I don’t want to move my limbs. Opening my eyes just gives me blurry shapes of grays and greens with the soft pinks of my blankets. Blinking doesn’t seem to do anything for that. Inhaling a deep breath lets me pick up the strongest earthy smell I can think of, kind of a mix of: stone, the forest and a large animal . Kinda reminds me of.... Paxx.

Looking up and finally able to clear my eyes I see that I’m wrapped up in a mutual embrace with Paxx and we’ve been sleeping in my bed, in my room.  Oh, if anyone sees us! I move to get up, but feel a pain, from the inside out sear through my body the more I let go of Paxx. I quickly latch back onto him, and as I do the pain vanishes as if it was never there. Guess I’m stuck here.... Well this could be worse as I get comfy with Paxx.

I lay here, wishing to keep him asleep as this is going to be awkward when he wakes up. I find myself feeling a strange new feeling poking at me. Looking over Paxx, I can’t help but notice how much I’m enjoying being wrapped up by his larger frame, though he may only be large due to how small I am. This is very odd for me as until I met him, I don’t think I’ve ever even given boys a passing glance or thought. Looking back now, I find this rather odd.

I try to move away again, and again the I can feel the precursors of pain start. So I shamelessly curl back up with him, both not wanting him to wake up and wanting to know how he will take being in bed with me.

[eterniumkrewe]

Bonding

83rd of Scion 1326 AE

Tsubaki Age: 17

O-okay, today is the day I get to put everything I learned from Kiri into practice. Hair braided down to my knees with the rest looking like a paintbrush tip, check... My good green blouse and pants, check... Good shoes, check... Dab of perfume I was given, *puts the faintest hint of it on her * check... And now we wait for Paxx to get here and then we...

*Interrupted by a flowing membrane of light that grinds her mind to a stop*

I manage to shake it off, finally, but jump at the sight of Paxx being right next to me. It seems like he was calling my name. I hope I didn’t worry him.

“Hi Paxx,” I squeak out.

“Hey... I like your hair.” He states.

“T-Thank you,” I stutter out, feeling the blush run up my face and to my ears.

We make it to the main room and thank goodness the food is ready, roast moa with a rum sauce. I keep making small talk with Paxx, as I’m not sure what to actually talk about. After a bit, I go quiet and lean against him, feeling all fuzzy inside. I’m not sure when we moved to the couch, but I can tell Paxx is okay with me being here beside him. Though in a bold move, I lean up and rub my cheek to his *purring* before resting back onto his shoulder.

It wasn’t long after that that we were out like a light, just in time to miss Mana talking about how the rum didn’t all cook out of the Moa that we had.

[eterniumkrewe]

The Flower Blooms

78th of Scion 1326 AE

Kiri Age: 26

Nursing a hangover that I swear I shouldn’t have, I find myself sitting in the kitchen with the lights off. My coffee is slowly helping my head, but I am aware enough to spy movement to my left. Tsu stumbles in looking like she both has slept far too long and not at all. Though what grabs my attention right away is that her hair has gone from blonde and in a shoulder length cut to down to her feet and jet black except for the tips that are a crimson red. She flops down next to me and looks to be trying to sleep more. Thinking to myself, I realize she took the hair tonic that she got for her birthday.

“Tsu how many doses did you take of that stuff?” I question of her.

“Doses? I just took the bottle like it said,” she slurs out.

Again I look at my coffee, praying that I wake up more. There were ten doses in that bottle. *shaking my head* I’d offer to cut her hair back to normal, but that tonic is going to be in her system for months at this rate.

“Why did you take so much?” as I eye her.

She mumbles out a couple of tries, before saying, “I wanted to look good for Paxx.”

Oh, little Tsu has a crush. *grins* This is far better than the coffee. “Come with me Tsu, I’m going to teach you all the girl stuff you want.” Grabbing her hand and carting her off to do her hair.

[eterniumkrewe]

Birthday Cake

75th of Scion 1326 AE

Tsubaki Age: 17 (Woot)

I-it’s my Birthday, and my family is throwing me a party. It’s really sweet of them. Sweet... I’m a bit surprised that I’m able to pick up on this but, spending time with mom... Er, Kromia, has helped my see and express emotions again. Alright, I’ve got a my good clothes on and hair doesn’t seem to be a rat’s nest. Let’s do this.

My sisters are being so nice to me. Arishen gave me a tonic that she made for growing out hair. She says it’s for if I want to try any styles and don’t like them, I can cut them off and regrow the hair in a night. I don’t know that I’ll do that, but it’s still nice of her. Mana gave me a book called “Everything You Wanted to Know About Being a Mesmer”, I’ll probably read it later... Kiri got me a book of sappy love stories, and I-I think I’ll enjoy reading them. *smiles *

I perked up as Kromia arrived just now and looks like she brought.... Oh wow. I feel myself getting up and making my way over to them. I think mom was introducing us, but the only thing I caught was his name, Paxx. He’s a fair bit taller than me, but then again everyone is. He looks a little nervous, but I can see that he’s got a well defined and strong face. Finally, his ears. Oh man, they are so big. I can almost hide under them.

Talking with him was my plan, but I couldn’t seem to do it. So I did next best thing. I took his hand and stayed with him for the rest of the party. I hope he doesn’t think I’m too weird... I hope he wants to hang out with me again.