Scales and Feathers

Ziiver is completely lost. She had not even gotten half-way to the Great Temple before getting separated from her group. Between surviving, and searching for home, she has meet quite a few different people. [[Each rp thread is independent of each other. I may hint at certain experiences, though.]] Wonderful art made by the lovely poketronex.

[scaleyfeathers]

[scaleyfeathers]

“I don’t see how you can keep those straight,”  Ziiver pulled back, out of focus of past-Iolar’s train of thought. She turned, as if to see Iolar floating next to her.

“Dark one?” A shiver ran down her imaginary spine. “Aah…yea.” She didn’t want to appear the coward, but she really didn’t like thinking about it.

[iolar]

Suddenly Ziiver was back in the cave with Iolar’s memories glittering in the walls. Iolar himself was perched nearby, looking down at her with a hint of concern.

“You are well, Ziiver? I apologize, for I had not remembered that the dark one appeared in this memory.” A hint of humor slipped into his gaze. “Hence why I have this part of my dream–if I had not a way to refresh my memories I would lose them at my age, yes?”

[scaleyfeathers]

“Yea, I’m okay.” Her next breath was steadier, and she wrapped courage around her like a blanket. “I can’t ignore it forever.

“I imagine it’s hard to keep things straight, with you being so old.” She grinned. “My dad’s dad was always doing word puzzles to keep his mind sharp.”

[scaleyfeathers]

[scaleyfeathers]

Whoa, Ziiver’s thoughts bounced around in her head. Or, maybe she was the thought bouncing around Iolar’s head. 

It wasn’t like the times she had flown on his back, or been plucked from the earth. She was the one flying. It was natural and vertigo-inducing at the same time. There was no room for fear, even though she knew being unable to turn her head should make her uneasy at least.

“This is really, really weird,” her mouth made the motions and the words came forth, but not with sound. 

[iolar]

“Indeed,” Iolar’s voice sounded in her ears. “I must admit, I have never shared my memories in such a fashion before, and thus I was not fully certain how it would feel.”

At the same time, past-Iolar was thinking that he needed to learn what was causing this feeling. Perhaps he could listen to the Winds for news?

“Ah,” present-Iolar’s voice continued, “This is the moment. Pay careful attention here, my young falcon. This is what you will need to learn.”

Ziiver… no, past-Iolar focused his thoughts and will, concentrating on the sound of the wind whistling past his head as he soared. Then he… there was no word for what he did, really. It was as if he used his thoughts to twist something in his hearing, and suddenly the sound of the wind had meaning.

It was like listening to a dozen conversations at once in a crowded street.

“Look! It’s that pretty bird-spirit again! He’s so cool!”

“Oh, hush, you’ve always liked eagles.”

“Did you see those clouds? There’s going to be a storm!”

“I’m going to get all wound up for blowing about tonight!”

“Did you see that dark cloud in that forest?”

Past-Iolar’s attention suddenly focused with a predator’s intensity on this last snatch of conversation. That sounded familiar.

“Oh, yeah! Gave me the creeps! It’s one of those meany spirits again, isn’t it?”

Warmer, but dry… past-Iolar thought, somehow picking out these characteristics from the voice. It is to the southeast.

Ziiver… err, Iolar turned to the southeast, still listening to the Winds as he flew.

“Ah, yes…” Present-Iolar sighed. “I had not thought about this. After what you went through with this dark one yourself… perhaps it is best to cut off now, yes?” 

[scaleyfeathers]

“I don’t see how you can keep those straight,”  Ziiver pulled back, out of focus of past-Iolar’s train of thought. She turned, as if to see Iolar floating next to her.

“Dark one?” A shiver ran down her imaginary spine. “Aah...yea.” She didn’t want to appear the coward, but she really didn’t like thinking about it.

[scaleyfeathers]

[scaleyfeathers]

“Uh-huh,” Ziiver couldn’t stop grinning. It wasn’t often that she could see Iolar embarrassed. It was such a strange thing to see from a Guardian Spirit. “Well, you are pretty old. It’d be hard to remember things if you can’t write them down.”

She stared at the sparkling gem for a moment longer. There was always a level of uncertainty with new things, but she wouldn’t let that stop her. Besides, Iolar was right there. With a deep breath,s he reached forward and touched the gem.

[iolar]

Suddenly, Ziiver was flying high in the air, her keen eyes picking out details below her. All seemed well, but ages of experience told her that something was not quite right. There was a certain feeling in the air, one that was always present when she was needed somewhere.

…Wait. These weren’t her thoughts, they were Iolar’s! But they were in her head like they were her own! And she seemed to be in Iolar’s body…

“Ah, I had wondered what it would be like to share my memories with another.” Iolar’s voice sounded close, but she couldn’t turn her–his?–head to look. “It is an… odd sensation, yes? Though I imagine it feels different for you.”

[scaleyfeathers]

Whoa, Ziiver’s thoughts bounced around in her head. Or, maybe she was the thought bouncing around Iolar’s head. 

It wasn’t like the times she had flown on his back, or been plucked from the earth. She was the one flying. It was natural and vertigo-inducing at the same time. There was no room for fear, even though she knew being unable to turn her head should make her uneasy at least.

“This is really, really weird,” her mouth made the motions and the words came forth, but not with sound. 

[scaleyfeathers]

[iolar]

“Because there are some revelations that should be had gradually,” Iolar explained, cryptically. “And yes, you simply need to touch it. I have thus created my dream that my memories can be seen in such a way. When you are as old as me,” his eyes glittered with humor, “You need to think about how to remember everything. Now, touch it. I will make certain you see the part that shall aid you.”

[scaleyfeathers]

“Uh-huh,” Ziiver couldn’t stop grinning. It wasn’t often that she could see Iolar embarrassed. It was such a strange thing to see from a Guardian Spirit. “Well, you are pretty old. It’d be hard to remember things if you can’t write them down.”

She stared at the sparkling gem for a moment longer. There was always a level of uncertainty with new things, but she wouldn’t let that stop her. Besides, Iolar was right there. With a deep breath,s he reached forward and touched the gem.

[cinnamonphoenix-blog]

Secrets

[scaleyfeathers]

Her expression softened at Topaz’s apology, and she squeezed his hand back. “It’s okay,” she reassured. “It’s been a long day.” There were still some miss-communications to be had for sure. Ziiver and Topaz haven’t known each other very long yet, and it would take a while for bridges to be built over the gaps.

“Yea, let’s go back.” She gave him the opportunity to lead the way, if he wanted to. “ If we hurry, there should still be some hot water left for a bath.”

[cinnamonphoenix-blog]

Topaz nodded, he did like bathing but the bathtubs at the inn weren't exactly naga friendly. He stared at her for a moment, why was she being so nice to him? He hasn't been much of any help, and she could have just left him there or not come back. Both now and when he had been kicked out of his home. He pulled Zii in close suddenly, wrapping his arms around her he hugged Zii as tightly as he could without hurting her. Topaz wanted to cry, he supposed, but he couldn’t let himself. He squeezed his eyes shut, looking pained as he clung onto Zii. Maybe it was too soon after what he did, but he needed someone and all he had right now was her.

[scaleyfeathers]

“Omph!” Zii was surprised at the sudden hug. His arms trembled and his breath seemed ragged. Carefully, she rested her arms around his lower back.

“Hey,” she murmured. “It’s okay.” She didn’t know if her words would be reassuring, but she felt the need to try. He looked right about close to falling apart--not that she could blame him, he’d been through a lot of stuff lately.

“It’ll be alright.”

[cinnamonphoenix-blog]

Secrets

[scaleyfeathers]

"Topaz," she returned the hold on his hands. "Is everything alright?" She wasn’t used to silent people. Normally, if someone had a problem with her, they said it outright. Topaz didn’t act like he was mad at her, but he was super quiet and didn’t look at her for long. Maybe he wanted to avoid talking about the whole thing?

[cinnamonphoenix-blog]

He stared at her for a while in silence, he was used to actions speaking for him, and having someone who didn’t understand them just yet was frustrating. It was like if he was speaking another language, but instead of someone being unable to understand, they couldn’t even hear you to begin with.

He wanted to do so many things, he wanted to hold her and hug her and express himself physically, but he knew what he had done just a few days ago was bad enough to make Zii wary if he did the things he wanted to. He settled for squeezing her hands for now Topaz shook his head, “I am sorry.. I just am not feeling very myself..? It will go away in a bit of time.” He looked off to the side again, sighing. He was making quite the impression now, wasn’t he? He hadn’t felt very secure at all in anything he did since he was forced out of his home. Thinking about it made his back sting and ache, and he rolled his shoulders to try and shrug it off. “Let us go back?” He sounded tired, as much as he slept all day, he felt really stressed, especially with the cold settling in.

[scaleyfeathers]

Her expression softened at Topaz’s apology, and she squeezed his hand back. “It’s okay,” she reassured. “It’s been a long day.” There were still some miss-communications to be had for sure. Ziiver and Topaz haven’t known each other very long yet, and it would take a while for bridges to be built over the gaps.

“Yea, let’s go back.” She gave him the opportunity to lead the way, if he wanted to. “ If we hurry, there should still be some hot water left for a bath.”

[iolar]

"Indeed," Iolar said, warmth in his gaze as he looked at Ziiver. "And I am certain..."

He trailed off, perhaps a bit... embarrassed? After a moment of silence, he instead said, "I would advise you not to touch it at the moment--there will be other times for reliving memories. For now, come over here."

He flew over next to another gem. This one sparkled like sapphire, and conjured up images of flight and wind. "This one should do. It is difficult to describe how one listens to the wind. However, through my memories, you shall be able to experience it yourself, which will do more to aid you than years of explanation."

[scaleyfeathers]

"Oh?" Ziiver blinked. That was an expression she wasn't used to seeing on him. Was Iolar, embarrassed? "Why not?” She thought to tease him, but settled for a silly grin instead.

His movement redirected her attention to the task at hand. (She would have opportunities to tease him later.) “So, I just...touch it?” She didn’t have years to learn, and the opportunity of a shortcut was wonderful.

[cinnamonphoenix-blog]

Secrets

[scaleyfeathers]

"Topaz?" Ziiver called, softer than before. She could hear someone breathing—sighing, really—here beyond the trees. A relieved smile worked onto her face when she saw the bright blue of his tail peeking out from behind a tall oak. 

"There you are," she walked calmly into view. He looked frustrated, and just a bit distraught. "Are you okay?" 

[cinnamonphoenix-blog]

He peered up at her, giving a slight pout in response. Topaz stood up, looking apologetic as he moved next to Ziiver, staring steadily at the ground as he hung his head and kept his hands close to his chest. Glancing again at Zii’s face, he was sorry for his sudden outburst and he definitely looked it. He took Zii’s hand in his own, too proud to say he was sorry, but he was always the type to speak more with his actions. Topaz sighed again, ready to go back with Zii.

[scaleyfeathers]

He was so meek now, like a child after being put in time out. It worried her, and made her wonder about his childhood. He avoided eye contact with her, shuffling close like he was ready to be led away.

"Topaz," she returned the hold on his hands. "Is everything alright?" She wasn't used to silent people. Normally, if someone had a problem with her, they said it outright. Topaz didn't act like he was mad at her, but he was super quiet and didn't look at her for long. Maybe he wanted to avoid talking about the whole thing?

[iolar]

Iolar hardly seemed to hear Ziiver. He was staring within the caverns, looking at something within.

It didn't take Ziiver long to see what he was looking at. Embedded in every wall, gemstones of every variety glittered. Rubies and emeralds, turquoises, jet, and others that she had no name for... all gleamed in the even light that filled the twisting passageways.

Quietly, Iolar said, "Magpies line their nests with glittering things, and dragons have their hoards of gold... but my treasures are my memories, my precious things the beings I have known."

He looked over at Ziiver. "These caverns represent my memories, and the gemstones those I find particularly important. Good or bad, light or dark, I treasure them all."

[scaleyfeathers]

"Oh wow," Ziiver carefully walked into the cave. Light seemed to come from nowhere, and made the gems glitter. She resisted the urge to touch them, no doubt it would be impolite to do so.

Her eyes caught on a smaller stone, roughly cut and not nearly as shiny as the others. "Hey!" She exclaimed, hurrying over. "This one looks like Mikala and Sul!" It was a vague resemblance, but once she made the connection their images were crystal clear to her. Next to them was a slightly larger piece, and she gasped.

"And there's me!"

[iolar]

Iolar laughed with delight, and they spent some time racing through the forest of Iolar's dream-world, translucent images of birds of all types zooming around them as they ran.

Eventually they emerged from the forest at the foot of a tall mountain, one of a massive range that seemed to stretch forever to the left and right. Iolar flew over to a convenient rock and perched, looking back at Ziiver.

"There is our destination," he said, nodding at a cave entrance a little ways up the mountain.

A small path led from where they stood to the opening in the stone. Oddly, from here, it looked like the inside of the cave was as well-lit as the forest had been.

"Come! I will explain within!" Again Iolar took off, flying up and into the cave.

[scaleyfeathers]

Breathless but not tired, she came to a stop next to Iolar. "There's a cave here?" It was odd. She had figured all of Iolar's dream world to be open skies and grassy fields. It was bright inside, nothing like a natural cave would be.

[scaleyfeathers]

"Oh," Ziiver had no idea what to do with that information. "Well, I guess I can correct everyone back home then." So much for that expression. 

She laughed. “I imagine mice don’t have very fond dreams of hawks.” She looked out over the open skies again, as if she could see these bad dreams. It’d be a good thing not to get lost in here. The thought of something dark inside Iolar unsettled her. That murky middle ground where a person could be tipped either way was not something she associated with Iolar.

"So, the good outweighs the bad, and that’s what makes you, you?"

[iolar]

As Ziiver looked out, she saw clear blue skies, the sun... and far off in the distance, a smudge of dark cloud.

Iolar turned his gaze back on Ziiver, and it seemed for a moment she could see the wisdom of long ages in his eyes. "As with any thinking being, I am more complex than can ever truly be explained. But yes, I think in me, the good far outweighs the bad--but I think also that this is due as much to my will as to the dreams which are a part of me."

"Indeed, more than simply dreams make me up. As I said, I have become, over the ages, a spirit of Light, and so Light, in the sense of that which is good, is a part of who I am too, in spite of whatever darkness still lurks within me."

"But come, we did not come here to discuss who and what I am, yes?" Iolar's gaze had a smile in it again. "Come, let me show you that which shall aid you in learning to listen to the wind." He took off and flew under the boughs of the forest around them.

[scaleyfeathers]

It made some sense in the way Iolar explained it--the whole thing was a little out of her philosophical level. Ziiver wasn't the sort to dwell, and so she made it simple. A good person rarely did bad things, even though it was possible.

A hum was her way of replying. "Yes! Let's go!" She was eager to get started. The forest floor was clear of hazards and was greatly lit. It would be perfect for running. With a yell of excitement, she dashed after him. The air was light here, and it barely like she had to put forth any effort to speed ahead.

[scaleyfeathers]

[iolar]

Iolar looked at Ziiver with a glimmer of humor in his eye.

"I am quite certain there were eggs before chickens," he stated. "I was, after all, around long before chickens were. As for your other question…"

He turned his gaze away, staring off into the distance. “When a dream of flying, of an eagle or hawk, or of any such thing is bad, yes, that is here also. Rodents, certainly, have plenty of these,” he commented, the humor returning for a moment.

"As for their effects on me… it is for this that I think I have a significant measure of control over how I am. For while it is true that there is something of darkness in me, overall I have become a spirit of light. I do not think this the case simply because more dreams of raptors conceive of them as noble, though I cannot say I have counted them."

[scaleyfeathers]

"Oh," Ziiver had no idea what to do with that information. "Well, I guess I can correct everyone back home then." So much for that expression. 

She laughed. "I imagine mice don't have very fond dreams of hawks." She looked out over the open skies again, as if she could see these bad dreams. It'd be a good thing not to get lost in here. The thought of something dark inside Iolar unsettled her. That murky middle ground where a person could be tipped either way was not something she associated with Iolar.

"So, the good outweighs the bad, and that's what makes you, you?"

[cinnamonphoenix-blog]

Secrets

[scaleyfeathers]

She stayed at the Inn for a while, sure that Topaz would come back once he cleared his head. As an hour passed, she began to worry. He could take care of him himself, but it would be easy to get lost in the city. Someone could jump him! Or he could end up at the wrong place at the wrong time and get hurt!

Concerns in mind, she decided to go out looking for him. Even if he wasn’t ready to come back, she would be reassured by his well-being. 

Her search lead her out the Inn, and down several streets. A few of the vendors pointed her in the direction of a park, where the “blue-tailed guy” ran to. “Never seen one of them move so fast,” an older traveler mentioned. “They always seemed the lazy sort.”

"Topaz?" She called. It was well into the evening now, and it wasn’t safe to be alone at night. People might leave him alone, due to his size, but she didn’t want to take that risk. "Topaz, are you out here?" Maybe he had moved on from here.

[cinnamonphoenix-blog]

Topaz’s ears twitched,he heard Zii but he was quite a bit into the forest near the park. He looked up in the direction of his saviors voice, though he dare not betray his pride and call out to her, even though he leaned towards it, opening his mouth to do so. He pursed his lips, a bit frustrated, and he felt like getting up to go out to her was also admitting defeat, even though there was no winning, nor nothing to win, it wasn’t even as if they had an argument.

He twiddled his thumbs, looking up every time he heard her call his name, looking longingly out into the trees. Should she find him, he would merely pretend he hadn’t heard her. Topaz continued to look down at his fidgeting hands, sighing more and more frequently as he waited for Zii to find him.

[scaleyfeathers]

"Topaz?" Ziiver called, softer than before. She could hear someone breathing--sighing, really--here beyond the trees. A relieved smile worked onto her face when she saw the bright blue of his tail peeking out from behind a tall oak. 

"There you are," she walked calmly into view. He looked frustrated, and just a bit distraught. "Are you okay?" 

[scaleyfeathers]

"Oooh, I suppose that makes sense." She followed a swooping falcon with her eyes. "It’s so weird to see you without them.” It looked weird, even if it didn’t feel weird.

Ziiver blushed at the admonition. His last words caught her attention, though. Something about the way he said it…

"Sometimes, I’ll dream that I can run so fast that I fly." She grinned at the thought, momentarily distracted from her thought. "They don’t happen often, but they are so much fun!"

[iolar]

Iolar's eyes sparkled with joy. "Then those dreams have been here... or the shadow of them, at least."

He turned and looked out over the expanse of his dream. "The worlds of dream and spirit are closely intertwined. Indeed, there are some who have said, and not without reason, that spirits are the sum of dreams. Indeed, as you may see, dreams of flight and birds of prey, or at least the shadows thereof, become a part of me."

He paused a moment, and when he continued his tone was more wistful. "I wonder, sometimes... am I as I am--swift, noble, and free--because others dream that eagles are so, or do others dream such of my charges because I am so?"

He turned to look back at Ziiver. "The answer, I think, as in so many such things, is some of both."

[scaleyfeathers]

She listened with rapt attention. That must have been a lot of dreams, especially since Iolar was so old. "What if they dream bad dreams?" People had nightmares all the time. Did those change him, too? It was a daunting thought.

"It's like the question of which came first: the chicken or the egg?" she grinned, amused at the thought. 

[scaleyfeathers]

[scaleyfeathers]

The sight took her breath away. Nothing she had ever seen before could compare! There were trees and birds she never knew existed before!

"It’s so big in here," she murmured, thinking back to her little patch of grass. Ziiver supposed, since Iolar was a Guardian Spirit, that it was only natural, but she did feel very small in that moment.

It was a good while before she turned to look back at Iolar. “You’re not all sparkly?” She wiggled her fingers, indicating the markings that usually covered his feathers. They has always seemed a part of him. Why would they not show in his dream?

[iolar]

"Indeed, I do not dream of myself with my markings," Iolar said, cocking his head slightly to one side as he decided how to explain. "The markings… are actually a sort of… binding is perhaps not the right word…"

He paused, struggling for words. “You might perhaps say that they are part of what gives me physical form. As a spirit, I do not naturally have a body. Hence I must create a physical form for myself, and the markings… bind it together, and bind me to it, in a way. As such, they are a sort of reflection of my self, but they are not a part of my being. Thus I do not dream myself with them, even though I do not dream myself in my true form.”

"As for the size…" His eyes glittered with amusement, "Perhaps after dreamwalking for a few million years yours would be as large. Do not feel yourself less for your dream. I myself would give… much to truly live…" His gaze grew distant, then he shook himself slightly.

"Not only that, but it well might be that your dreams helped form my dream. Have you ever dreamed of flying? Of being an eagle or other bird?"

[scaleyfeathers]

"Oooh, I suppose that makes sense." She followed a swooping falcon with her eyes. "It's so weird to see you without them." It looked weird, even if it didn't feel weird.

Ziiver blushed at the admonition. His last words caught her attention, though. Something about the way he said it...

"Sometimes, I'll dream that I can run so fast that I fly." She grinned at the thought, momentarily distracted from her thought. "They don't happen often, but they are so much fun!"

[scaleyfeathers]

[scaleyfeathers]

She didn’t give herself time to doubt. Iolar knew what he was doing, and he wouldn’t let something bad happen without warning her first. She trusted him. As she stepped up and through the door, the grassy plain disappeared into darkness; and there was a moment of ohdeargodthefloorisntthereanymore panic. Then it was gone, and she emerged behind Iolar.

[iolar]

Ziiver stepped out from between an archway of trees onto the top of a grassy, sunlit hill. Iolar was perched in front of her on another tree, at just the right height for his eyes to meet hers. But he was… different. He had no markings, looking instead like a simple eagle, though such a perfect specimen it would have been hard to mistake him for a normal bird. The intelligent, joyful glimmer in his eyes was still the same, however.

"Welcome to my dream, Ziiver," Iolar said, spreading his wings to indicate all around them.

Looking out, Ziiver could see they were in the midst of a vast forest, though their higher vantage point let her see it was interspersed with frequent clearings. In one direction, dramatic mountains framed the horizon, with green foothills leading up to them. In the other, forest and grassland seemed to continue forever. Above it all shone a brilliant noonday sun in a clear blue sky, and all of it had a certain… sharpness, an immediacy, as if it were actively inviting wonder.

And through it all, there were birds.

Birds of every size and description flew everywhere she looked, wheeling in the sky, diving between trees, perched on branches or rocks… but unlike the intense reality of the landscape, the birds were translucent, some of them hardly more than a shadow. As they flew and cried and dove, their calls seemed distant, as if even those that zoomed just past Ziiver were miles away.

Iolar folded his wings, looking at Ziiver. “Welcome, I might say, to me.”

[scaleyfeathers]

The sight took her breath away. Nothing she had ever seen before could compare! There were trees and birds she never knew existed before!

"It's so big in here," she murmured, thinking back to her little patch of grass. Ziiver supposed, since Iolar was a Guardian Spirit, that it was only natural, but she did feel very small in that moment.

It was a good while before she turned to look back at Iolar. "You're not all sparkly?" She wiggled her fingers, indicating the markings that usually covered his feathers. They has always seemed a part of him. Why would they not show in his dream?

[scaleyfeathers]

[scaleyfeathers]

"Really? Ziiver jumped up, excitedly running over. She could only imagine what Iolar’s dream would be like. Probably something in the sky. Oh! Would she be able to fly in Iolar’s dream? The thought had her spinning.

"Okay, so I just walk through the door?" That was how Iolar left the last time—she had bid him farewell, and off he flew—so it should be the same.

[iolar]

Iolar laughed joyfully, taking to the air and circling around Ziiver once. “Yes, that is all! Just think of me as you do. Now, follow me!”

He wheeled and dove, swooping into the still-open door and disappearing.

[scaleyfeathers]

She didn't give herself time to doubt. Iolar knew what he was doing, and he wouldn't let something bad happen without warning her first. She trusted him. As she stepped up and through the door, the grassy plain disappeared into darkness; and there was a moment of ohdeargodthefloorisntthereanymore panic. Then it was gone, and she emerged behind Iolar.