Rising from the Sea [Open]

[Vespera]

Season of Winter, Day 81, 509 AV

Slipping from the fissure was at once bewilderment and bliss. When it began, Vespera couldn't be certain whether she was falling from the heavens themselves or rising from some sleepy realm beneath the sea.

It was much like being thrown out of orbit, or what a feather might experience upon trying to escape from a whirlwind. The center pulled, thrummed, coercing her back into the cycle. But the outside pleaded, whispered, yearning for her return to the earth. Between the two, she was lashed and spun in fury, her hair whipping and her limbs thrashing. She had no say; no choice. One force would win, and her influence was none.

When Mizahar finally claimed her, she began to fall. Beneath her spread the continent in all its beauty. It was as quick as a moment, but seemed to last for ages. In the vision of the land, she saw her own body reflected. Gleaming through the mist that buoyed her, there were the shimmering lines of vessels and veins, blue-green rivers streaming their lifesource everywhere. Grooves and hollows of flesh, wind-smoothed. Sculptures of bone, mountainous tiers of it, giving passage to invisible layers of caverns beneath. And against it all, the unseen silhouettes, the races of people with geologies in flesh of their own.

She saw and understood all of this in an instant; and in the next, hit the water.

Her plunge into the sea brought her body back to life. She felt cold -- bone-jarring cold -- and the rush of water in her ears. Panic, flailing, as the water twisted powerful currents around her. She was pushed upward.

And finally, she surfaced. Her first sight was that of the ebony sky, and the burning stars above. The Moon's face, filling her chest with hot relief. His milky light illumined shore, silvery sands, beyond.

Pushed forth by the waves and her own struggle, Vespera reached the shore. As she lay there, her naked body lit by the moon, covered only in a sheen of sand, she began to forget.

All that she had known quickly disappeared with each new breath. Her recollections of her past life; her recollections of life beyond the fissure, in the realm of the divine, slowly, painfully, inching out of her mind's grasp. Memories she once feasted upon were now only a dim aftertaste.

As she lay there, her brow furrowed. To anyone watching, she may have looked peaceful. But she felt, in her first new breaths, utter torment. And, for the first time in a very long time, cold. She shivered, and she wondered: What am I?

[Jeremiah DraDerex]

Winter Day 81 509AV “Jeremiah Derex would you stop freezing up!” A voice rung inside Jeremy’s head, “Sorry it is just hard to meditate and keep you in my body.” Jeremy replied to the voice. The man was sitting cross-legged on a flat stone near the cost line. The moon shined bright in the clear sky, its soft glow illuminated his fair skin and fresh wet wounds. In his left hand was a razor sharp piece of black rock; its edge glistened with fresh blood spatter with flakes of skin. “Well suck it up or this will take much longer to finish.” Jeremy dedicated one night a week to this special ceremony, one where his brother was aloud to possess his body. Draven could possess him whenever he wanted; it made good practice for Jeremy. But this night was the night Draven could continue finishing the scarification process that he didn’t get to finish when he was living. Jeremy had given Draven his celtic knot-like scar sleeve, starting from his shoulder and down his forearm. The process was slow; using any sharp object they’d rub the edge along the skin slowly scraping and cutting away flesh creating deep wide or thin gashes, a controlled cut that would heal and become a very pronounced scar. Tonight Draven controlled Jeremy’s body but only for a short while to carve three decorative lines on Jeremy’s chest. Sure Jeremy could do it himself, but the markings held a special place for him. “Hail Dira are you using something sharp or my finger nail!” Special after it healed. Jeremy had stopped his brother from going any further, his body still and unmoving. Jeremy had built up a pain tolerance but having to focus on the possession and meditation at the same time proved to be difficult. “Oh you child suck it up.” Draven said a little frustrated. “Well when you forget what pain feels like you tend to do to much more damage to the one you possess.” Jeremy felt warmth return to his left side of his body, then the all to familiar feeling of shock and sudden pain. Almost like his inner soul was being jabbed with a hot spike the detaching of his brother always ended that way. Though admittedly the pain of possession had dampened since the first time. It’s always easier after the first time (^-^). He could sense Draven near by as he sat next to him on the rock resting, his hand comes up to feel the crevice gouged into his skin, glistening in the moonlight still bleeding a soft trickle. “Well it looks like we got three lines done tonight. Oh and look two of the lines meet with the ones on my back.” Jeremy said excitedly as he inspects the deep gouges that stopped, meeting with previously made scars on his back. The pain soon turned into something more desirable, pleasurable even if you want to say that. The etchings were a way that Draven and Jeremy had developed to pay tribute to Dira and other gods and goddesses. A soft sound much like the wind could be heard, “I know you could of connected them perfectly if I wasn’t such flincher! But it is a good job non the less seeing as you are not all there.” He turned into the direction where he could see a soft out line of his brother sitting. “Well quick soak in the ocean to clean the wound. Feel free to join me if you want.” Jeremy made his way to the waterfront, Draven close by. Slowly he waded into the cold water. Turning toward the coast he could see the water as it moved along the surface with each wave. Two crests could be seen as if some invisible force was stopping the water causing it to curl and roll around the transparent object. “I will not yell when the salt hits the wounds!” Jeremy protested as his brother made comments only some could make out. His body slowly descended into the dark water before stopping in shock from the cold water and wincing. The cold and salty water begins to lap at the gouges wisking away any flesh that remained un attached to his body. The salt water did wonders cleaning and disinfecting wounds, it was one of Jeremy’s ingredients to embalming fluid. After the initial shock of pain from the water passed and transformed into a dull painful throb he stayed and soaked in the water. Several minutes of soaking passed and he decides to come out of the water, dry himself off and bandage himself so he could get some sleep. His body began to crest the black mirror of water, shimmering in the light as the water falls off his bare body. The light from the moon made it look like stars adorned his flesh. Completely out of the water, he shakes his hair to get the water out. Walking through the black sand to his pack where he had two-pieces of cloth and some rolled bandages ready. Taking one of the clothes he dried his body. While Jeremy was drying himself and tending to his markings, Draven was watching a spectacle in the sky. Jeremy wasn’t paying much attention to Draven as he finished covering his wounds being careful to not allow any sand in. Sand could lead to disaster; infection was something to fear just as much as death. The sound of a loud splash caught Jeremy’s attention; Draven knew what it was but decided to not tell Jeremy. Instead he informed him “Something fell into the water.” Jeremy was curious feeling a slightly different feel coming from his brother, he knew something and he wanted to find out what it was. He grabs the other cloth he didn’t use to dry his body and wrapped it around his waist, wearing it like a skirt. “Well I think we should go investigate this event if the sky is falling.” He says to Draven as he begins to walk along the coastline looking out over the ocean for a hint of what had fallen into the black waters.

[Vespera]

As the stars spun above her, Vespera tried to get a grasp on her slipping thoughts.

I am mortal, again. This she knew, at least, from the cold that trembled through her body. But why? Oh, my Lord... what have I done to deserve this? But the face of the Moon remained bleak. No answers; not tonight.

By the blue-tinged light, she looked with new eyes. She took a hand from the sand, and spread her fingers before her face. Long, graceful fingers; almost inhumanly long. Pearly, moonlit skin. Her fingers caught a strand of hair, whipping in the sea wind. Curled around her finger, it glinted a silvery hue.

Her fear rose up in her throat, and she swallowed. Who am I? Not even who - what? What am I? This sensation, this experience, of being so fully thrown into a new body, cast as a new form; feeling flesh rise and blood pulse... being so aware of one's flesh and yet feeling so uneasy in it... this overwhelmed her.

And just as a tight despair began to rise in her chest, she heard the voices.

Men. Men's voices.

She curled up instinctively; tucked her legs against her chest. She glanced about wildly. Nothing, she had nothing - no means by which to defend herself.

As she caught sight of them approaching along the water, she threw herself up like a shadow on a wall. Her arms crossed across her breasts before she could even think about it. Ah, so I have been struck with modesty, as well. Despite her terror, it was a surprisingly amusing thought, and for a moment a smile tempted her lips.

But then the two men were practically upon her, and she had nowhere to run. So she spoke, and heard, in her unfamiliar voice, a warning. She asked the same question she could not stop asking herself.

"Who are you?"

[Jeremiah DraDerex]

Jeremy's feet sunk into the sand as he walked, the cool water licked his feet. His eyes finally notice something move quickly up from the shore, appearing out of the black surface of the coast line. This startled Jeremy who flinched, this earned him another round of comments from his transparent brother. Jeremy shrugged them off and approached the figure in a non threatening way, not sure of whether what he was approaching still lived or not. He stopped just short when he could make out better details of the figure. Her feminine tall frame complimented by the moons light. Pale ivory skin contrast her black hair, she looked like something Jeremy had seen before but had forgotten what they were called, but he did know the worshiped Viratas. "My name is Jeremy, do you need help?" He questioned genuinely concerned with the ladies condition. He approached closer now with in arms length away from the lady, he couldn't help but admire her drawn out figure, black hair, and horns? This he had never seen before which made him think to himself, "What is she?"

[Lumhai]

Falyndar’s weather remained fairly constant year-round. Hot and wet. Some residents of Falyndar complained about the region’s two seasons: hot and wet, and hotter and wetter. Lumhai new better than to complain of the remarkably mild clime of Black Rock. Even in Eyktol, the nights grew cold. The moon shone bright in the sky. The peaks of gently rolling waves caught the eerie white light, and threw it about to compete with the glow of the Lighthouse. Lumhai’s cloak hung sodden from his shoulders, though there was no rain. Clothes absorbed the thick sea air, becoming heavy and damp with salt water, the breeze was barely strong enough to stir it gently. Lumhai scanned the sea as he had done so many times before. When the burn for adventure had come, he’d at first stood at the edge of the quays, gazing out to the sea. Eventually, on impulse, he had joined a crew to see the world. And see it he had. Now, when the impulse came, he came out here in full kit. For a few moments more he watched the sea, before releasing a long sigh. As the breath left his lungs, a splash shattered his thoughts. The waves obliterated any ripples, but – there! A shape struggled to shore, pushed on my waves and its own flailing arms. Lumhai’s cloak tangled in his legs as he turned. He cursed under his breath as he stumbled on his first step, only his quarterstaff kept him upright. Fortunately, the cloth righted itself, and Lumhai’s quick stride carried him quickly. With each step, the boards creaked ominously, as if considering casting him into the water. The native of Black Rock wended his way through the maze of huts and crates. With each step, he neared the beach, and soon he was close enough to hop down, onto the sand. The sand crunched faintly beneath Lumhai’s boots as he hurried across the beach. The dying gasps of waves washed away his boot prints, filling his ears with the murmur of sand and water ebbing and flowing. A figure stood in the near, wearing nothing but her skin. Her curves stood out against the mixed light of moon and lighthouse. From the back, her hair protected his modesty, but the wet locks followed her ample curves amazingly well. He drove such thoughts from his head, and carried on. "Who are you?” The wrong-sounding voice carried faintly to Lumhai’s ears. The words were clear, but there was awkwardness to the way they were pronounced. He was about to answer, when the other spoke. The woman had driven all thoughts of “the other” out of his mind. The man was nearly as naked as the woman, but, in Lumhai’s opinion, far less beautiful. Fresh, parallel lines decorated the man’s chest, above a wrap-around skirt that protect his modesty, at least. "My name is Jeremy, do you need help?" ”Of course, she needs help, you half-naked fool!” Lumhai knew his words were harsh, but all knew that the waters grew cold of night, no matter from where you came. ”These waters grow cold of night.” Lumhai remembered cold waters and a stiff breeze, and, even when dressed, it was never warm. As he approached, his fingers worked at his brooch. The silver, wrought to resemble one of Dira’s jackals, After, came unpinned. Deftly, Lumhai whirled the length of cloth from his shoulders, and over the woman’s. ”I hope this fool did not ogle you too much, my dear.” Lumhai said, striving for eye contact. ”I am called Lumhai, and, if I may ask, who are you?” For now, he ignored the violet horns and eyes. Certain traits he had learned to see past, but never in all his travels had he met any so strikingly featured. He had, however, heard stories of sea people told by fishermen from all over Mizahar.

((Vespera, if anything doesn't fit, please PM me, and I'll change it.))

[Vespera]

"Vespera." The name flickered into her mind and rolled off her tongue before she had time to consider the question. So I do have a name.

"I..." She wanted to - began to - say more, but the sudden rush around her had that panic tightening her chest once more. Her shoulders drew together beneath the cloak tossed over them, and she tucked herself deeply into it. "I... thank you," she finally whispered, her eyes settling on Lumhai.

Her desire was to study the man, and even the one to the other side of her. Jeremy, he had said. Jeremy and Lumhai. And the other, lingering behind? Beneath a heavy, troubled brow, her gaze slid from man to man to man, uncertain. One was nearly naked, and one very well-dressed; the other in shadows. Immediately, she sensed their contrast, in more ways than one.

And all around them, the sands were changing, paling, as the dark wore thin and morning crept closer. She strained to see what was in the distance, beyond the dunes. There were shapes and shadows, but none she recognized.

Did she know any of these men? Why had they been brought to her? Their features were entirely foreign. She could remember nothing. Still, she shivered, more chilled by her uncanny disorientation than by the winds of the sea.

And, much as she tried, she could not settle her mind or her gaze. She felt that she was scrambling, trying to cling to slipping memories and, at the same time, trying to gain footing on her new surroundings.

"Help? Yes," she said, her words quiet and strangely-formed. "I am lost. I would like... to remedy that."

[Jeremiah DraDerex]

Draven and Jerry both looked at each other then down at what they where wearing. From the time they were little lads this had been there uniform. Both came to the conclusion that different people have different standards and allowed the comment of being half naked slide off. However these two were not fools, they knew of strange practices and they both never liked it when they were interrupted while practicing their faith. "Fools I know not who you speak of. There are no fools here, just people who see a problem and want to fix it yes?" He said passively uncaring about the others actions. First impressions where always important no matter the circumstance, surely someone as well dressed as he was would know that. Observing the way the strange women reacted at the quick movements of the cloak he opted to stay where he was. Draven however was curious, the strange women seemed to be able to see him. Draven cautiously left Jerry's side glitching subtly as to not alarm the woman. He appeared closer observing the her main feature the horns closer. Jerry could see from where he was standing that Draven was not interested in her but more of her origins. Draven glitched again behind Jerry, "Yeah sure Draven." Draven seemed to step into Jerry who grimaced a little as he listens to the women and Draven. Talking within their shared mind, "Jeremiah do you realize what she is?" "No, should I?" He questioned Draven, "You should of heard possibly even read about this race before. They are the ones who are bound by the goddess's of Night and Day, Shape changers." Jerry replied, "How in Dira do you remember all that...oh yes I remember now. Mother and father told us they ran into one of these beings before while in route. I thought it was only a myth, guess I was wrong didn't dad call them something like the fallen stars race or something like that I can't remember."Should we tell the one who called us fools?" Draven asked, "No lets let the hero try to milk the information out of her. Besides look," Jerry turned his head out over the ocean, sun rays begin to reveal themselves over the flat horizon of the world. "I'd rather stay here, I don't know what she might be at nights end." ""I am lost. I would like... to remedy that."" Jerry said from where he was standing, "I will help as much as I can falling star."

[Lumhai]

Vespera,” Lumhai said, in his most soothing of voices. “You need not thank me, and you are lost no more. The sands beneath your feet are those of Black Rock, Dira’s port in the storm.” Almost as an afterthought, he added. “You are safe here.” Lumhai found Jeremy’s long silence eerie. It had lasted no more than a second, but it was long enough to break the flow of his words. What does he mean by falling star?” As far as he knew, the storied sky-watchers came from the sea, as had Vespera. He pushed that from his mind, questions – and answers – could come later. A ray of light caught his father's old brooch, and sent light spinning in all directions. The rising sun illuminated a line of clouds to the south. More rain on Black Rock today, and more water for Vespera. No place for a woman with only a cloak for decency. ”If you would like, Vespera, I could escort you to my home.” Lumhai offered. “It is small, yes, but warm. I will introduce you to Zynna, she is a skilled seamstress, and could, undoubtedly, provide for you more… ah… suitable clothing." The stink of fish and the sea was beginning to grow stronger. With each wave, an inch less of the beach was scraped clean. Soon, the city would change again. Lumhai cast his gaze on Jeremy. ”I will extend the invitation to you, as well.” Under his breath, he continued. ”I suppose.” More audibly, he said. ”Though, you will have to ascertain your own clothing. Rain is drawing near, so it is best we make our decision swiftly."

[Vespera]

Falling star. What a strange thing to be called.

Vespera did not easily shrug off any word that was spoken to her. Her mind, instead, absorbed everything. And so, Jeremy's words struck her as more than just an endearment. She took them quite literally, and felt a nagging tug in her chest to consider them.

But other strings tugged at her, as well, changing and distracting her. The Moon was fast becoming no more than a silvery figment beyond the clouds. Rising within her were the first raw, sharp stirrings of emotion. As the pale light of dawn began to filter through the clouds, she became more real.

The transformation was subtle: nothing that could be observed exactly. There was nothing magnificent about it. Nothing magical. But beneath the blinking of an eye, the starry patterns of her skin dispersed, leaving in their wake the cool, ashen skin of a Symenestra. The silver of her hair bled into black; the violet horns retracted, sinking away somewhere beneath the dark fall of curls.

Her eyes, their pupils opening dark and wide, fixated on the tricks of light emitting from Lumhai's brooch.

The cold sunk into her bones deeper, still.

"I would like that, Lumhai." Vespera's voice caught, trembled. She could not see the changes occurring, but felt them acutely, and was wearied by them. A dull ache settled in her stomach: hunger. Her eyes grew heavy, in need of rest. She was becoming more fully mortal, and plagued by needs she had not felt in what seemed, to her, ages. Wants, needs, trickling into her body and mind. She expressed them without thinking, without a care for how awkward they might sound. "I would like to feel warmth and safety, in Black Rock."

[Jeremiah DraDerex]

Draven stayed in Jerry's body and encouraged Jerry to go home and get sleep. Jerry needed the sleep to have the fresh wounds to heal correctly. "Lumhai I have seen you on the way to the Chapel, do you live near there? I have to get some rest and make sure that these," he points to his bandaged chest, "Heal properly." His eyes didn't notice much of a change in the strange women, but when she asked for safety and warmth in black rock he couldn't help but say, "I am sure you will find that and more Vespera here. You already have two people who are willing to help you in anyway they can." He looked at Lumhai, "I'll come by later to check on you both, I think you should house her, I do not have the necessary supplies to house one other beside myself."