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Post by fyrhtu on Feb 7, 2006 22:48:26 GMT -5
As the librarian introduced herself, Fyrhtu stongly felt a very femine desire to confide in someone. It came on fast and remained until the girl stopped speaking. Should I tell her? Fyrhtu pondered. She seems nice, trustworthy, even. But trustworthy enough for this, her big secret?
Yes, Fyrhtu decided, even for her big secret.
"That's great," she said distractedly, not remembering what it was her companion had mentioned seconds earlier. "Um, do you have a second you could listen to this?" She asked nervously, and uncharacteristicly quietly.
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Post by eleisiakhartou on Feb 8, 2006 0:34:24 GMT -5
eleisia finally was able to look at the girl's face, and the girl's seeking soul touched her. She walked around the girl to stand directly before her, and waited for her to look up. No matter the casual nature of their meeting or the brevity of their acquaintance, she could feel the gravity of the girl's next utterance.
"Among my people, there is a custom. Perhaps you know of the sandstorms of the Khelet? They inundate, overwhelm; you can be lost, standing still. Matters of importance are sworn only on the winds. They are what remains."
The older woman crooked her head to one side, seeking better eye-contact. She raised one fist and covered it with an open palm; then brought her hands to her chest. "I promise you, upon the winds of Khelet, you may tell me anything you wish, with no fear."
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Post by fyrhtu on Feb 8, 2006 16:22:04 GMT -5
Fyrhtu was overcome with emotion, so much that she couldn't understand what emotions they happened to be, only that they were there, clogging up her soul.
Where to begin? What to say and what to withhold? Could she really trust this woman?? It was all a gamble.
She looked intot he woman's searching, beautiful eyes. Yes, I can trust her, of course I can, a voice whispered in her heart,
"Alright," Fyrhtu whispered as she seated herself. "My name is Fyrhtu. I have a sister named Fæger. Our parents just recently died." She sighed. "But not from the Plague or any fever. The villagers killed them. You see, we are damned. My mother was a vampire and my father was a demon. Fæger is a vampire, like my mother. I am, however, an Unchained."
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Post by eleisiakhartou on Feb 8, 2006 22:41:56 GMT -5
The girl's red eyes looked up into her own brown ones, and the impact of her decision to trust made eleisia's stomach clutch. This Fyrhtu must be so very alone. The librarian dared not break such a meaningful moment with platitudes. Instead, she honored the traditions of her people.
She touched her fingers to her forehead, her lip, her heart. This gesture of gratitude she followed with the only question that seemed to matter.
"Then your caution is understandable. Wherever she is, is your Fæger safe now?"
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Post by fyrhtu on Feb 9, 2006 7:13:27 GMT -5
"Yes," Fyrhtu replied. "I left her with a young woman and her husband under the guise that she is a normal toddler. But I worry for my own safety, selfishly, more than hers. After reading some of those books... There are so many that wish me dead." She placed her hands together, as they were shaking.
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Post by eleisiakhartou on Feb 9, 2006 19:25:41 GMT -5
The librarian's eyes never left Fyrhtu's face. "True."
Reaching out, she laid her palm over the girl's shaking hands. It was a considered move, though she could not be sure of the reaction. eleisia considered that perhaps Fæger was the only person who had touched Fyrhtu kindly in a long time. She felt the terror tremor running through the girl's blood.
"On a battlefield, two men stood. The enemy approached, astride mighty elephants. One man feared death, and ran away, leaving his brother. The other feared death, and fought more furiously.
"You are afraid. It need not be paralysis."
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Post by fyrhtu on Feb 9, 2006 21:13:36 GMT -5
"Yes. Yes, I am scared. I am terrified; of what will happen to my sister if anyone finds out what I am, of what will happen to me, or of everyone knowing and taking no actions to alert me that my secret is suspected, I am not sure. But I know that I am, in fact, scared," Fyrhtu whsipered. Her eyes widened slightly and filled with fear, contrasting with the strong compassion she felt from the woman holding her hands. "You won't tell anyone, though, right? I mean, they would kill me, and Fæger would be alone! Or, they would have her as well and it will be my fault, all my fault for confessing, and Fæger's spirit will haunt me in the afterlife for the rest of Eternity, and we'll both be tortured..." Fyrhtu trailed off. She was probably boring this woman with her antics.
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Post by eleisiakhartou on Feb 9, 2006 21:25:54 GMT -5
eleisia overpowered Fyrhtu's trailing voice, her palm growing hot with the force of her calming energy beating up against the panicked terror thrumming through the fragile body.
"You need not fear me. And despite your discouraging result thus far, you need neither fear knowledge. You were right to seek information to escape your ignorance, and you would be equally correct to seek information to dispel your powerlessness. If you like, I will search with you."
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Post by fyrhtu on Feb 10, 2006 7:20:19 GMT -5
Fyhrut's eyes brightened considerably and lost some of their hopelessness.
"Would you? Would you really help me?" she asked in a state somewhere between disbelief and ecstasy. She was happy now, that was not alone in her quest for knowledge about her kind. She wanted to discover which powers she possesed, and if there was such a thing as a good Unchained, and if there was any hope for whatsoever, but most importantly she wanted to know why her parents had lied to her about giving birth to her.
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Post by eleisiakhartou on Feb 10, 2006 16:08:06 GMT -5
eleisia's heart lightened in her chest to see the paralyzing terror leave Fyrhtu's face. The dawning light of hope in the back of her red eyes comforted the clench of referred pain in the librarian's gut.
Face soft and voice more brisk, she stood to indicate what study might be possible. "We can start with the more recent texts. Much study has been done in the anatomy and physiology of the various states of humanity, both dead, undead, and ...somewhere in between. Have you experienced any particular proclivities that might indicate a strength or weakness? It would be a good place to start."
As she spoke, she crossed to the desk, removing a sheaf of blank paper and a pair of pencils.
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Post by fyrhtu on Feb 10, 2006 17:11:49 GMT -5
"Well...I can read emotions sometimes. And minds, as well. And, when I'm not thinking about anything or concentrating, I sort of enter other people's minds. Does that help?" Fyrhtu said slowly. She'd never admitted any of that to anyone, not even Fæger.
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Post by eleisiakhartou on Feb 10, 2006 17:57:32 GMT -5
eleisia took notes as Fyrhtu spoke. The mention of extranormal sensory powers did not alarm her at all, but passive possession did. Controlling her own sense of discomfort, she set back to comforting Fyrhtu. Further inquiry also seemed necessary.
"Yes, it is helpful. And not terribly unusual either. Many people are able to read emotions, to a greater or lesser extent. Reading minds is possible as well, through the development of the limbic brain and stimulation of the pons... Perhaps you've heard of the art and science of mesmerism? Though now it's fallen into disfavor amongst the scientific community. But I'm rambling. Forgive me.
"Perhaps I should slow down a bit. I, too, can sense other's emotions, and even alter them. It's not to be alarmed by, but it is something you'll have to learn to control. How long have you noticed that you ...enter other people's minds?"
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Post by fyrhtu on Feb 10, 2006 18:10:50 GMT -5
"The first time it ever happened was when I was three. I didn't really realize it at the time, but later I looked back when it happened again and found the same things had happened: I'd sort of dritetd off, kind of like when you go to sleep, and my eyes rolled around a lot.
"Then I feel like I'm in no where and everywhere at once, in blackness and in blinding white light. And then, before I know what's happened, I'm in the other person's mind.
"It feels like I can do whatever I want, but I don't know how to. Sort of like driving a carriage when you don't how to handle horses.
"I don't particullarly care for doing that, as it gets rather uncomfortable if you're in there too long." Fyrhtu ended her description with a grin. She'd probably thoroughly creeped out her companion by now, though, and she felt apologetic, hoping her new friend would catch her emotion.
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Post by eleisiakhartou on Feb 11, 2006 23:19:18 GMT -5
Fyrhtu's words would have made any sane person nervous. A power like this would make nearly anyone want to fling shields across their minds with great abandon. And frankly, it did make eleisia nervous. But she shielded only the spread of her own emotions, so as not to leave the scent of fear in the air.
eleisia knew what it was to watch people's faces change to shock, then fear, then horror, and finally, rage... She would not subject Fyrhtu to this same treatment, not if she had anything to say about it.
Fyrhtu's good-natured explanation displayed the resilient attitude of the young, and it was infectious. eleisia was amused by her description, till she found herself smiling naturally into the conversation, her face open like the sun.
A wave of apology spread over the librarian like moonrise in the Khaal-hti, and she bowed her head in acceptance.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Fyrhtu. I appreciate that you are trying, but never apologize for what you are. You did not control your own creation. It is the choices you make that you must answer for."
She took a deep breath. "Have you spoken to anyone else about this particular power? It might... unnerve some."
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Post by fyrhtu on Feb 12, 2006 0:22:41 GMT -5
"I've never told anyone about my powers, even my sister. I used them against my parents, as I never loved them.
"I guessed that if I told anyone that they'd--like you said--be a bit shocked. That's why I'm sorry--I don't want to freak you out. I just needed to confide in someone, because I've never actually done that before.
"And, just so you know, you don't have to block your emotions. I feel them anyway. It just drains you block them for no reason. That's another thing; blocks don't work with me." Fyrhtu closed her eyes and relaxed. "I'm sorry. It's been a long day, and I'm tired. But I don't want to go home just yet."
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