Topic: Perchance to Dream: Taneth

Taneth · Date: 2008-06-22 13:31 EST

Broken Glass and Flights of Fancy

It had not started with the big bang; no, what was occurring to Taneth had originally began the moment she had stepped foot in the land of Rhydin. Her very core began to change, become molded by every single being she met as a single, tiny sliver of those around her had, in many ways, been stolen and imbedded into the genetic makeup that was Taneth, though in reality all that she truly possessed of them were their impressions. In addition, as each day passed, as each person came in and out of her life, as events unfolded, and as new experiences were gained, buried memories within Taneth began to surface and, worse yet, manifest itself into the living world. Events, places, and people that should have been long forgotten as a protection mechanism of her core were being found and the holes in the swiss cheese were being filled with some very sour cream, but the process was slow and often unnoticed by the bouncing blonde herself then the big bang occurred and her crystal bright core within shattered and lost scattered shards to the winds of Rhydin.

Since the big bang, Taneth herself received a most welcome gift as she rose to see the moon shining down bright upon her. What few knew to no one knew was that the moon was like a mother figure to the blonde and it filled her with a never ending peace to see it there in the sky, thus when it called to her that night she stepped out of her little cottage on bare feet and thin silk of a nightgown that brushed at her delicate knees. She did not shiver for the glow of the moon just seemed to wrap about her and kept her tucked away safe and warm.

?I hear you,? Taneth said softly to the night sky and she raised her arms, her fingers stretched as far as they could and made her palms flat as she rose up all the way to the very tips of her toes. She never wavered, never lost her delicate balance, and in a moment she flapped her arms like a bird about to take flight and it was soon that she was up in the air higher and higher. Her feet, at first, drew back but as the cool of the night pricked at soft, exposed skin and made her laugh at the tingle she stretched out her body with toes and fingers pointed. She urged her flight to go faster with the thrust of her hands and off she went like Wendy from Peter Pan. Her delighted laughter soared through the sky with her as she traveled throughout the city and Taneth glowed with the moon; however, the delight did not last long as a yawn escaped the blonde headed optimist and, whether or not the flight was truly real, she awoke the next morning tucked safely in her bed and quite happy indeed.

Taneth · Date: 2008-06-22 16:00 EST

The Server

Taneth loved to help others, thus the first shard to manifest was the helpful side. This Taneth smelled of apple blossoms, not the sweet jasmine, and her favorite fruit of all were apples. She had no urge to do anything else, but help other people, especially when it came to food.

Like the original Taneth, she provided baskets full of food, most of which were simply being delivered to the homes of whomever was chosen for that day. If the apple blossom Taneth saw someone on the street, they were given a fruit basket or a drink. No questions were asked and if someone asked a question of ?why? was asked of her then she simply responded with a statement of ?everyone needs to eat.? Other than that, she did not try to draw attention to herself.

There had been one person to detect that the first broken piece was not truly the core Taneth and that had been Kitty. This shard, however, did not last long in the open long as most people tended to question why she was giving them free food, so now she has taken to giving in secret and under the cover of night.

Taneth · Date: 2008-06-22 17:27 EST

Anger

Of the seven deadly sins, anger is possibly the most fun. To lick your wounds, to smack your lips over grievances long past, to roll over your tongue the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come, to savor to the last toothsome morsel both the pain you are given and the pain you are giving back- in many ways it is a feast fit for a king. The chief drawback is that what you are wolfing down is yourself. The skeleton at the feast is you.
-Frederick Buechner

How does a person maintain happiness all the time? Is there a magic potion to keep that person from seeing nothing but good in others? Do they ignore any negative and let it roll off their back? Do they forgive and forget all? Can it just be that their very being was meant to protect from the negative by stripping it from the conscious mind and burying it deep into the subconscious? What would happen if the subconscious anger was suddenly let free and able to manifest into a person? Would all the wrongs, slights, and other unsavory behaviors done to one have some sort of retribution? Who can tell what will come from anger?

She hated everyone and everything that the Core loved. She hated how they looked at her, used her, and abused her all under the disguise of friendship and love. At least some of the more unsavory people admitted that they thought the Core was brainless and pathetic, but the others?oh, how they hide their true feelings well. They would pay for their betrayal and unkindness toward the Core, toward her sensitive feelings and free giving love. They would pay with their life if the Anger was given the chance to burn them, to bring them to ashes, to destroy the last ounce of life they so much as possessed; for the Core could give and take life, but her preference was for giving, the Anger would not only take the life but she would use to take another that they loved.

How polite they all were when they thought she was the Core, but they soon found out that Anger was not the true Taneth. She was the fire that would burn them, but then the Quiet came and she could not do anything. The Quiet had promised to come forward to the Core if she burned the Norseman, but how Anger wanted to kill him, to pluck every single hair from his old man body. He disgusted her with his supposed care for the Core, but he was just like the rest of the dirty mongrels that simply sought to use her.

The Anger remembered everything that has happened to the true Taneth and she would never forget because it burned inside her. It gave her the power, the drive, and the want to kill them all. They would die; however, she was mildly disappointed she could not kill those lawyers. They reeked of ill intentions and she wanted to kill them too.

There was the pirate, Robert, and now a fairy, Tormay, that Anger had not yet made a decision on yet, but she would. She would decide their fate for touching and infringing on the delicate sensibilities of the Core. They would have to die eventually, so she might just make their death a bit sooner than even they anticipated.

There was also the matter of those that stole Taneth away to Yransea; the black haired woman, Sylvia, and that meddlesome guard, Ewan. They attempted a kindness, but no doubt for some ulterior motive because all people were inherently evil and they used the good for their own dirty deeds. Yes, they would need to die as well, but they can be saved for last. They can enjoy their lives for a little longer and think that they are safe.

Anger will relish these moments as they think there is nothing to fear, but everyone will pay one day. Every grievance made against the Core will be paid back in full and no one is safe, not even the immortal. All Anger needs to do is bide her time and wait for none of the others to not be near long enough for her to exact revenge upon the very people and place that nearly destroyed the true Taneth.

Taneth · Date: 2008-06-23 12:31 EST

Quiet

She was the opposite of the Core in most ways. The Core was colorful, open, loving, free and unafraid to be heard and noticed, but not the Quiet. To those not part of the Core?s inner crystal, she was colorless to the point of being translucent, she had no love but caution, and she was rarely seen or heard for her voice carried on the winds; all in all, Quiet was a recluse. Rarely one to venture out, but on a particular night she had no other choice.

The Quiet felt Anger rising, she felt her want to destroy the Norseman and she could not let it happen. The Core had a love for him, as she did all things, and she needed Anger to be still. In some ways, though, her presence had the opposite affect on her Taneth counterpart.

The inn was busy and she was instantly drawn to Anger. Her words went unheard by the others, but she continued to speak to Anger. ?You must not do this,? she would say. ?The Core loves them.?

Anger had no inclination to listen as she responded with her hostile words. Quiet tried a new tactic. ?The Core is missing and I cannot feel her anywhere.?

Those words drew Anger?s attention, but she instantly felt that the Core had run off with that raunchy pirate. Quiet felt Anger?s disgust for him and her growing want to burn his beard. She tried again to soothe through concern. ?If the Core is injured then so are we. Whatever has happened to her affects us, we are one of the same. Help us to locate her.?

After some time and a failed attempt to remove Quiet?s cloak by the Norseman, Anger chose to leave with Quiet. They made their way to join with the others in search of the one they tried to protect in their own unique ways. They were what shielded her from the harsh realities of the world.

Taneth · Date: 2008-06-25 01:38 EST

Lust

What comes first in a relationship is lust - then more lust.
-Jacqueline Bisset

Since the big bang, Lust has enjoyed her time in a body. She was always held back within the Core and she had always wanted freedom, but if she had let the true Taneth experience the sexual world then she ran the risk of a broken heart and that was a fate worse than death for the blonde. Now, however, she was free and she had a plan to experience as many men as possible.

She wanted all the men that the true Taneth, the Core, had met and she wanted them before Anger had her way of destroying each and every one of those delicious morsels. Thus, the man quest began. It started with some marketplace vendors, but she wanted something more. She wanted the known male associates, perhaps even the females, of the Core. She longed for their taste so much that she found a well groomed gentleman to take out her fantasies on. He did not know that she was pretending him to be someone else, someone well known by the Core; however, they were both so enthused with their actions that Lust had lost track of the true Taneth?s location within the Rhydin city.

It had been her turn to protect Taneth from the harm that the world can cause and she had shrugged off the duty once a man came into her line of sight, once his scent filled her nostrils and all she wanted was to take him to bed. She did not know when this split would be recalled and she would be repressed again, so she wanted to enjoy every delectable moment. Her need was so great that it urged her to go to the Red Dragon Inn with the hope that she would see someone from the memory banks of Taneth and she did.

There was a new man, Sydney, and Daniel DeAuster, both deliciously sinful with their bodies. She wanted them, both at a time would have been preferable, but Sydney came to her so she would take him first. Her desire, however, was dampened somewhat by the appearance of Anger, which caused her to play babysitter to the rage.

Anger, naturally, wanted to kill Sydney and she nearly threw fire upon the female DeAuster, Cieara, but luckily she managed to refrain herself from an outright war. Lust had to use what she could to get more time with Sydney, so in the end she asked if Anger knew where the Core was. Apparently, that had been the wrong decision as Anger pointed out to Lust that it had been her turn, thus they had to leave to find Taneth; however, they were delayed by a gallant Sydney, how Lust wanted him more after that, and he needed an explanation. Lust granted him that and now he knows the truth of their existence. She only hoped that he would not tell Taneth.

Taneth · Date: 2008-06-25 22:03 EST

Search and Rescue

Lust had sent up the call for aid in an effort to soothe Anger?s ire. She knew she had left the Core to her own defenses, which were somewhat weaker with the split of her inner emotions. Since she and Anger were the most repressed of Taneth?s feelings, they were two of the strongest in the physical world, except for Taneth herself. Now, though, Lust and Anger needed to band with the others to find their lost Core because if neither could feel her energy anywhere then she could be in serious trouble.

?You barely had her day, Lust, and you have lost her already,? said a voice that was quiet and raspy from lack of use as her figure cowered in a nearby shadow of a bush.

Lust turned to eye Fear. Why that one had to come out Lust never knew. ?You know how she is. A free spirit,? she replied with some disdain for Fear. ?Why are you here? Should you not be closed up at home??

Fear crouched further down, already cringing at Lust?s voice. ?You called for us all. What happens to her happens to me. If she is scared then I will know it before all of you.? She looked at the ground then and yelped. ?There are so many bugs here!?

Anger growled low and flicked flames at the bugs near Fear?s feet. It would not singe her sister self, but it was enough to cause Fear to cover her eyes and shiver with terror. ?Can you sense her then? If not, go home and leave the work to us. You will only get in the way, you wretch.? Apparently, Anger did not like even the different parts of the Core.

?Anger? Stop. Please,? Lust said with a yawn. This was hardly as interesting as seeing how many ways she could enjoy Sydney from the Red Dragon. ?Let us get on with the search so that I can return to my fun. Did you see the way he stood up to you, Anger? And the fairy... mmmm? delectable; I am certain we could have fun with those wings. I knew her choice in men was divine.? Were they not Lust?s choices also? The lines were being drawn in some very crooked ways.

?Focus, Lust. Pool our energy and find her. Come, Fear,? Anger commanded as she held out her hands to her look-alikes.

Fear crept slowly from her hiding spot and took Anger?s hand. She continually tried to crouch down to hide from the noises of the night, but Anger would yank her back up. Lust intertwined her fingers with Anger then Fear as she, too, tried to hold one of the weakest up. All three closed their eyes and the spark, Taneth?s spark, glowed between their hands. Its light was pure, though the color was not entirely Taneth as Fear?s yellow, Anger?s smoky black and Lust?s passion red radiated throughout. It was Fear that recognized the Core first.

?She is scared,? Fear gasped out. That was all Anger and Lust needed to know.

?Find her,? Anger commanded of Fear and she fueled the weaker shard; feeding her rage into her.

?We must fly to be there faster,? Fear replied, and with their hands joined the three shards of Taneth?s core merged and flew off into one comet of light.

The three shards landed at somewhere unfamiliar to them. Apparently, Taneth had taken it upon herself to try to find Robert?s tavern, the Powdered Keg, or so she thought it was called; however, he destination became derailed when the gentleman that Lust had taken to bed earlier saw the blonde and he was determined to have romp in the hay. First, he had followed her in his carriage then, when she was not amongst any crowds, her encouraged her to join him. Taneth adamantly refused as the man seemed odd with his suggestive words and the knowledge of her name, so she hurried along. He, however, would not let her go so easily since she had been so willing before, thus he accosted her being and was attempting to drag her into any nearby alley way when the three shards found them through Fear?s help.

Anger flicked a flame into her hand and was about to destroy the human male when a figured zoomed by in the sky and landed above them on the low rooftop. She was clad in pink spandex, a pink nylon cape, and a pink masked adorned with clear rhinestones. Blonde hair blew behind her as she placed one hand on her hip and pointed a pink gloved finger at the man trying to harm Taneth.

?Unhand her, ruffian,? The pink clad hero shouted. ?Never fear, the hero is here!?

Lust and Anger rolled their eyes and grumbled in annoyance as somewhere in the distance some sort of hero music played. Fear began to shrink away to hide as Courage, who had a severe hero complex, pushed off from the building with her pink leather boots and landed on the ground near Taneth and the man.

?This is your last chance, fiend, I will not go easy on you,? Courage warned as she pointed again at the man. He shoved Taneth to the ground as he stared in confusion at the pink clad woman. Thankfully, Lust and Anger backed away into the shadows so as not to be seen by the Core. The man withdrew a knife and made a motion to Courage as if meant to strike her and she zapped out a streak of pink energy at him, which gave him quite the electrical shock and sent him flying back against the wall.

Courage moved forward to press a boot to his chest. ?I will not kill you, fiend, but do not touch her again. Sleep, do what you will,? she commanded in a booming hero voice.

A figure rose from the battered, sleeping Taneth, her fingers trailed stars from her forehead to cover her yawn. ?Must I continue? It is past my bedtime,? Sleep asked as she walked in a drowsy state toward the pinned down man. Thoroughly lost and confused, he struggled but to no avail against Courage?s hero strength. Sleep dropped in toward the man and brushed fingertips to his forehead and the man?s eyes closed instantly as he was sent into a deep sleep.

Anger, Lust, and Fear came forward as Taneth and the man were asleep. ?Do you have to be so flashy,? Anger asked Courage in a growl; Gods, how she hated that one.

?It is what a hero does best, Anger,? Courage stated matter of factly as she removed her boot from the man?s chest. ?Lust, you must be more careful of the Core. Change your look if you are to enjoy the men of this realm. Sleep! Rid him of his memory of us and her. Anger! Grab the Core, so we may ready ourselves for departure! Fear, ease her and when sleep is ready, you will remove her memory as well.?

Courage was the commanding sort, apparently, but everyone did as they bid. Lust merely nodded and promised to change her hair color. Sleep touched upon the man again and removed what memories her hand of the whole night. Anger went to grab Taneth and she slung her over her shoulder like a rag doll and Fear gripped to the blonde to ease away her fears until Sleep could take them away. When all was said and done, the shards joined hands once more and zoomed off again in another comet of light, this one bigger and brighter, as they returned Taneth to the safety of her home and their protection.

Taneth · Date: 2008-06-27 01:05 EST

Horns, Salve, and Guilt, oh my!

Taneth Mercer was fast asleep in her bed with Sleep cuddled up next to her doing her duty of helping the blonde to rest. She looked so peaceful, so fragile, and so comfortable that it would be a crime for anyone to disturb her. Nevertheless, someone was about to break the delicate, sleeping calm that had washed over Taneth.

?It is your fault,? a voice whispered in her ear and pinched at the delicate flesh of her forearm. ?You went to find the pirate and got yourself hurt. He will hate you for that. They all will hate you for getting yourself hurt again.? Another pinch in the same spot as she wanted to make sure it was felt. Taneth swatted dreamily at the pinching and tried to duck more under her covers as she hoped it would stop.

The shadowed figure continued to hover over Taneth as she hissed into her ear, ?The Norseman thinks you are stupid for getting hurt. He only helped you because you looked so pitiful. He does not really care and he gave you those items because your smell was on them. He did not want someone that smelled of a weak person.? Nimble fingers pricked at soft flesh along Taneth?s arm. ?It is your fault. You are weak. You are stupid. You bring grief to any that know you. They would rather have you away from them so they no longer must suffer your stupidity.? More pricks were taken as Taneth tosses and turned.

?Must you wake her,? Sleep asked with a yawn as Taneth?s movements caused her to wake. ?It was hard enough to put her at ease. Stop it, Guilt.?

?This is my duty as you have yours. Make her rest again as it is easier this way,? Guilt replied with gleeful anticipation of what she could do to dig at Taneth. Her grin was crooked and broad, and her fingers twitched as she was ready to cause more bruising to the blonde?s arms.

Sleep yawned again and began to her brush her fingers through the blonde?s hair. ?Sleep now, Taneth, sleep,? she cooed into her ear, though words were not needed as the two women were one in the same.

Guilt was about to whisper into Taneth?s ear again when another voice spoke up, ?Leave her be, Guilt. If anyone is to blame it is Lust for not disguising herself.? Anger was draped lazily in a chair, nearly helpless, as she watched Guilt.

?You have no control of me, Anger; this is my time with her and I am stronger than even you during this,? Guilt shot back to Anger. ?I could make her take her own life if I wanted it to be done.?

?And risk your death as well,? Courage, in her pink hero costume, said as she stepped from the kitchen. Heroes were a hungry sort, so she loved to eat. ?Back off, Guilt, or I will be forced to duel you in the name of the Core.?

Guilt laughed as she watched Courage come forward. ?What will you do, Courage? We are nearly equal, but in her sleep state I can possess her more than you can.?

?Stop it. We all have our time of power with the Core,? a calm, soft voice said as she emerged from one of Taneth?s extra rooms. She looked much like Taneth did, but her color was not as vivid and she did not seem to have the energy that the true Taneth possessed. In fact, this shard looked a little older. ?You have had your time, Guilt. Now let the girl have her rest. We must decide upon what to do about the Norseman?s gifts.?

?Burn them,? Anger spoke up suddenly. She had a great hate for the Norseman and gifts were treated skeptically. ?How do you know he is not trying to poison her? I have no doubt he has plans for her death; the bastard. I hope he dies and??

Anger was cut off as the older Taneth held up her hand when she set the tray on the dresser. ?Enough, Anger, I want none of it tonight. If you do not like the Norseman then fine, but I want no death talk tonight. Our primary concern is the Core and her well being is at stake from Lust?s mistake and Guilt?s role in the aftermath. Be calm or be silent.?

The angry Taneth sat back with a grumble of curse words. The older Taneth was the authority in the house and she was the strongest of all the shards, regardless of how repressed they may have been and because she was different than the others. Her primary concern was the younger Taneth and she would make sure that all the other shards remembered that as well.

?Thank you, Anger. Now, if we take the gifts she will be upset, so we will let her have them for now. I will be sure that the salve does no damage to her and Guilt you will stay away for a little while. She already struggles with the ramifications of our existence, and we do not want her driven mad. As it is, I may need to go in and do damage control.?

?You cannot,? Courage shot up straight. ?If you go into public we may not be able to protect the Core and you.?

?I may not have a choice. She needs a peace of mind from this turmoil and none of you will be able to do it.?

?Just give it time. Let her rest with Sleep, and only Sleep, and she will feel better,? Courage urged. The other shards merely watched and listened, though they nodded with the suggestion.

The older Taneth nodded as looked at her sleeping, younger self. ?Very well, but everyone stay low for a while. Anger, call Lust and inform her that she must stay here. I want the Core to be free from us, even if for the day tomorrow. Go now, and get rest yourselves.? She waved her hand in dismissal of the other shards, that disappeared into the shadows of Taneth?s bedroom before she moved to sit on the armchair and watch herself slumber.

Taneth · Date: 2008-06-28 18:51 EST

Finding Sadness and the Strength of Hope

Sadness does not inhere in things; it does not reach us from the world and through mere contemplation of the world. It is a product of our own thought. We create it out of whole cloth.
-Emile Durkheim, Suicide, bk. 2, ch. 6, sct. 1, 1897

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."
-Dale Carnegie

The sun shone bright on the small garden that Taneth had created outside her little cottage. Luckily, the curtain was still covering the window as Taneth had begun to stir from her slumber. She had slept two days, straight, because Sleep had been asked to keep the blonde well rested. First, she stretched from the tips of her toes to the tips of her fingers and she opened her mouth in a great yawn that a whole sailboat could have fit into. Her hands curled back to her chest in little fists before she rubbed at her eyes. No other was around, but she heard it like a clap of thunder. Someone was crying, and it was nearby.

All signs of her previous nights of injuries were gone as Taneth sat up to look around. She had no idea who was crying or why, but she wanted to know, so she threw back the covers and slid from her bed. Clad in her pink, sleeveless nightgown she tiptoed toward her window and drew back the curtain just enough to peek out. She saw the girl bent over her daisies and her fingers clutched at the curtain fabric as big fat tears dropped to the soil. Each drop that fell became a knotted twist in Taneth?s stomach, so she slipped away from the window and to the door.

Barefoot and barely clothed, Taneth emerged from the inside and hurried to the girl. She stood behind her, noting that she too had curled hair, but hers were tinged with multiple shades of blue. Taneth tucked her hands behind her as she rocked every so slightly on her bare feet. The girl continued to cry despite Taneth?s shadow looming over her.

?Who are you and why do you cry,? Taneth asked in her most gentle voice; her first concern was not the garden or the girl watering it with her gigantic tears.

The girl dug at the earth with her fingertips. ?I am all alone,? she sobbed as she lowered her gaze further to the ground. ?No one really likes or understands me.?

Taneth stepped to the side of the girl and crouched down, with modesty maintained as she kept her knees together. She reached out to try to place a hand on the other girl?s leg as she was kneeling on the ground. Her grey blue eyes were filled with concern as she said, ?Well, I like you and you do not have to be alone with me here.?

More tears fell to the soil, watering it in its own way as the flowers that were not ready to bloom on their own began to grow with added life. ?Thank you, but it is not the same. I have no one to call family here. Everyone has family, but me. The others just come to me when they have no one else.?

The blonde nodded her head and somewhere, deep inside, she had felt the same but she shook her head as the hope that people truly did care surfaced. ?Some people make their own families and friends can be family, you know.?

?I do not have any friends; not really. They only are my friends when they need something,? the girl?s tears never ceased; in fact, her cheeks were stained from them. She never looked upwards either as she merely continued to dig up the dirt with her fingers.

?Sometimes all that we can do is become the friend that waits. Is that not what friends are for? They wait until they are needed or they offer,? Taneth removed her hand from the girl and shifted her position so she could kneel as well. Her fingers began to prick at the fabric of her nightgown. ?Sometimes my friends do not always seem like friends, but I know in my heart that they are. They just need their time too.?

The girl lifted her head to look up at Taneth. There was a significant resemblance between the two; however, it was marred by the girl?s neverending, permanent look of sadness. ?Do you really think so? Do you think that if I wait then I will not be alone??

Taneth nodded, assured in her hope that all things work out right in the end. ?I do. If I were to introduce you to my friends then you would know the truth.? The nagging feeling in the very back of Taneth?s mind that she had felt this way before returned, but she would not let herself dwell on it as someone else was in need. ?Do not be sad for there is always hope in this world.?

The girl sniffed and wiped at the liquid that had welled in her eyes. She smiled, though it was, false, and nodded her head. ?Maybe I will try to wait,? she said as she sniffed again.

?Good.? Taneth rose and turned to look at the house. She paused and blinked as she thought she saw someone watching with concern from the window, just as she had done earlier, but as she squinted to be sure she saw nothing there. She lifted her arm to offer her hand to the blue haired girl, but when she turned back around to ask her to join her inside there was no one or nothing there except for moist, turned up soil.

Taneth · Date: 2008-06-29 12:45 EST

A Meeting with Mortality

She had no spark, no vividness, no true love, no light about her, and certainly no bounce that Taneth had. The Master-at-Arms, Ewan, had asked her who was the real Taneth? Was it she, who was matured more than the other blonde, or was it the one that loved so freely? She had, in turn, asked him who came first. He sided with the bouncy blonde and she had to smile at his faith in her. He soon realized she was but another shard broken free of the true Taneth?s core; however, she was not any shard. She was, perhaps, one of the most important as she and Taneth were connected much more deeply and she held almost as much power over the other shards that Taneth did. This shard took a chance on revealing much to Ewan, but she had a trust in him and his honor in not extorting that knowledge; her only hope was that she did not make a wrong decision.

?Do you think it was wise to tell that man,? Anger asked in a much calmer voice than she ever has been. The hour was very late and Taneth was sleeping as Sleep stroked her forehead drowsily. Anger knew her place when the matured Taneth was near. ?He will pretend to be good, but will turn it against her?against us.?

?We must put some trust in someone,? Mortality responded as she was stitching a torn dress for Taneth. ?It was better him than the man Lust revealed herself too. Ewan is a known associate of our girl and the other a complete stranger.? She gave a brief look of disapproval to Lust then returned to her mending of cloth.

?It was not wise for you to have gone out in public. If you had been injured then the Core would have been also,? Fear inserted into the conversation with a tremble. She longed to be near the sleeping Taneth, but she did not want her to be invaded with nightmares.

?Everything would have been just fine, Fear,? Mortality replied calmly. She smiled motherly at Courage, who was eating again. ?I had our hero to protect me.? Courage nodded and did not response since her mouth was entirely full with some sort of pasta. ?My main concern is that she saw you, Sadness. Do you realize how close you came to revealing what has happened to her??

Sadness was sitting in the corner with her face in her hands as she cried softly. She lifted her head enough to say between sobs, ?I am sorry. I had thought that the flowers she planted would make me happy.? Sadness sniffed and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hands. ?I am just so sad that I am unloved, even now my heart breaks that none of my friends come to see me. No one cares.?

?You will never be happy, you sap. You are her sadness and will always be crying and sniveling. Wailing, moaning, weeping?? Anger trailed on in a low growl, which caused Fear to duck and cover and Sadness to place her hands back over her tear stained face and weep some more.

?Enough, Anger. Leave Sadness alone as she knows not what she does,? Mortality interjected. ?Does anyone know if any more shards have broken from her?"

Lust stepped from the wash room looking clean and refreshed. ?Hope remains within her for now as she keeps the one beyond Anger in confinement,? she said as she went to drape herself over the pillows she had set on the floor. She stretched out her bare legs and yawned.

?We must all keep our threads tied tight to Hope and the Core then. I think Hope will resist any separation,? Mortality explained to the others. ?If you feel her slipping then aid her. Also?? She trailed off as she snipped the thread then handed the dress off to the helping Taneth to fold and put away. ?Also, perhaps we should each change our looks somewhat to keep the Core out of trouble with those that do not know. Sadness is already blue, so perhaps we all need to change our coloring.?

There was quiet murmuring between the other shards before they nodded. ?May I still have fun with her,? Guilt asked as she twitched her fingers. She was anxious to pluck at Taneth.

?No, Guilt. Now stop or I will send you away for a while,? Mortality, the mother of the group, warned. ?We must also try to find the cause for this split and a way to fix it.? Her hands rose as she began to hear the protests of the others. ?It does not mean we have to be permanently returned, perhaps we can find a way to every now and then be separated; however, to be forever split from her could be damaging to not only her but us. We just do not know the consequences and that is something we also need to find out.? She gave a look over to Anger in silent warning. ?We may need to ask for help from some of Taneth?s friends. I know you do not like them, Anger, but they may be the only ones who could help. For now, keep staying out of trouble for her sake and we will make a decision later.?

The mother of all the shards stood and moved to put out any of the candles that lit the room as she said to the others, ?Goodnight.? They all needed rest now that the meeting was over. Thus, once Mortality decided it then they would follow.

Taneth · Date: 2008-06-30 15:51 EST

Beyond Anger

She wanted her freedom from the Core like the other shards. She wanted to be able to fulfill her purpose, her duty. She wanted to eradicate the other shards so she could have complete domination of Taneth. She wanted what she wanted and with the sudden separation of the other pieces of the blonde, she knew now may be her only chance as they were weaker since their connections were through invisible threads. She would use each shard to fuel her until she drained them dry then she would have Taneth all to herself.

Courage would be destroyed through Taneth?s Fear and Guilt once she could manipulate Anger into killing one that she loved dearly. Sadness would consume Taneth and make her weak so that she, the one beyond anger, could seize control of all the abilities that the blonde had within her. No one would suspect such actions from one so innocent. Her main concerns would be the two that clung so closely to the blonde: Hope and Mortality. Hope, with blinding light, kept her confined within the Core, and she was strong through her connection of Taneth?s own blind love and friendship for the world. All that the deviant needed to do would be to first have Hope break free and separate their connection, which Sadness would be of great use for. Afterwards, she could confine Mortality and her wisdom within the Core, much as she had been imprisoned, then Taneth would be all hers.

She will use what beings she could to gain the power she sought, even if that meant manifesting through other means. She just needed to continue to dig at the cracks left by the broken shards and she soon could begin to make her alliances. The one beyond anger would need to plan carefully and take her time for it all to come together. Besides, all good things came to those that wait, did they not?

Taneth · Date: 2008-07-02 14:03 EST

Stupid Girl

Taneth had been called stupid before. In fact, most people saw her as such, but they never actually voiced their opinion and she never really showed much a reaction to the insult. This time, that night, however, it had hurt her feelings, which were already so sensitive.

Jewell and Taneth had been having fun with the presents before Taneth became fascinated with Horam. She wanted to know more about him as she had never seen a creature like him before. She was willing to overlook his ill temper until the purplish fellow stepped in making sarcastic comments and tossed out the word ?stupid? in her direction. He might as well as slit her throat for all that it hurt and, for the first time, she reacted on the spot. Her eyes wanted to leak held back tears and her throat wanted to release a captive growl as her emotions, sadness and anger, conflicted with each other. She wanted to launch herself at the purplish man and mangle his very features for the unwarranted insult. Instead, she merely left the inn with the viewpoint that it was a hateful place.

The one beyond anger knew this was her chance to try to seep back into Taneth?s existence as Hope seemed to struggle to keep afloat for this time. Anger and Sadness continued their barrage against the blonde?s senses. The one beyond anger had an opening to poison as she coupled what strength she had with the other shards.

?He slighted you, hurt you and nothing was done to help?, she whispered through the single, thin thread that she had with Taneth. Hope was still no where to be found. ?I would have protected you and made him take a care in his words.?

Taneth shook her head much like a dog might have with an ear infection as the words invaded her mind. She took a deep breath and released it slowly as her feet shuffled her toward the Outback. She wanted a friendly, loving face; someone she could hug and cuddle. Someone that would not think she was stupid, but alas she saw people she recognized but none that would offer her the sense of friendship that she needed and so she sunk further into despair.

?I could comfort you. I could protect you. No one else can help you like I can,? the one beyond anger whispered again. ?Go back to the inn. Go back and see who would care.?

Taneth shook her head again as she made her way back to the inn. She did not know why she was listening to the voice, but it was the only one that seemed to talk to her without harsh words. She stopped on the porch as she heard whispers of words from inside. She did not want to go back in. No one would be there that would care, so she settled herself on the swing and sent it into motion with her foot.

?Why do you not go inside? Do you know the truth of my words? You are alone, but I can be there to comfort you,? she said again. ?All you need?.? The words were cut off as Tormay simply walked by and into the inn as he had not seen her sitting there.

Tormay, Taneth questioned herself. She had not seen him in some time and he served as a good enough distraction from the voice that kept speaking to her, so she rose from the porch swing and snuck inside. She still saw the mean pair of males, but Tormay was more important than they were. She crept to him and when they finally did connect and hug, Taneth positively radiated with Hope once more, and the one beyond anger shrunk back into her crystal cage to be silent and wait for another day.

Taneth · Date: 2008-07-13 22:43 EST

More than Friends

A glass shattered against a wall followed by kitchen chair. Someone was on a rampage as kitchen items were thrown hard and angrily against the poor, defenseless wall. The various Taneth?s scattered about the cottage dodged whatever may come their way as one particular Taneth was venting.

?He wants her to become his girlfriend,? Anger shouted and threw a vase. ?HIM! HER! He would no doubt corrupt and kill her before it was all said and done!? CRASH! There went another chair.

?Calm down, Anger, it is not so bad. He seems like he could take care of her,? Lust said with a grin. ?I bet he would be great in bed.? She had a one tracked mind.

Lust?s statement earned a plate toward her head, but she ducked expectantly as Anger shouted, ?It is your fault! He cannot have his way. He cannot have her! Let that filthy pirate taint someone else, but not her!?

Sleep slipped up by Anger and reached out to drain some of her pent up emotion per the request of the mother figure in the house. ?Other than Lust, we are not in disagreement with you, Anger. Although it would be beneficial to her people, she was supposed to be kept from mating. Why do you think so many of us have been repressed,? Mortality asked calmly as she watched Anger in the kitchen.

?Then you will permit me to kill him??

?No. You cannot kill everyone and anyone, Anger,? Mortality sighed at the question. ?She already has shown hesitation from my thread to her, but now she questions why she does not know of what girlfriends do. Perhaps she needs to try it and find a dislike of it by herself.?

It was a daring suggestion and Anger?s face turned a red shade darker than a tomato. ?What?! Let her try it? With him? Are you kidding me?!? Apparently, she was more shocked than angry.

?Perhaps not with him, but maybe someone safer and who can and will protect her? Someone we may be able to control as well, but how do we keep the pirate away long enough for that to happen??

Anger began to grin. ?We simply need to either scare him or trick him away. The Trickster of the Core did recently make herself known to us. I am sure she would love an opportunity to cause trouble. Besides, if she does not work then I can always step in.?

Mortality sighed and shook her head. They were walking a very fine, a very dangerous line. ?Ask the Trickster, but you do nothing else until I say so.?

Taneth · Date: 2008-07-20 02:19 EST

Seeping through the Cracks

What exactly could be beyond anger? What sort of emotion could lurk there? Would it be lunacy and madness? Or perhaps it could be pure, uncontained rage? What manner of dark deeds could be done from someone that was filled with a pent up crazed rage? Would anyone be safe? What if the lunatic within made a deal with equally dark devils to gain entrance into the living world?

She had been waiting patiently, silently; remaining within the Core as quiet and docile as a newborn lamb. Although cracks have been made, she would not make a move until there was enough distraction that she would not be noticed by the Core or any of the other shards. Her time was coming, she sensed, as Taneth began a search for information on the finer points of relationships and the shards scrambled to keep her safe from any unsavory information or gents that would seek to abuse the thirst for knowledge. Hope, herself, seemed unusually quiet after some recent events. Now was her time to move.

The one beyond anger, the crazed rage, began to slowly, carefully seep through the cracks of Taneth?s core. Her energy crackled along the floor and under the door of Taneth?s cottage into the outside world. She could not manifest into a full Taneth form like the other shards as she was still weak from being held, for the most part, in captivity; so instead, she would need to use a weaker, more vulnerable shell and it would not last long without a thread being found by Hope.

Her dark energy traveled the land of Rhydin like a slight gust of wind. It rolled and crackled until she could reach her destination of the law offices of the demonic lawyers. It was not until she reached this door that she raised into a somewhat pale translucent child form of about ten years with blonde hair, grey blue eyes, and the same easy grace of the real adult counterpart. She stepped into the offices and looked about. Her eyes flashed black a moment as her dark energy pulsed then back to the original color before she said in a faint, but noticeable voice, ?I need to speak with one of the leading lawyers now.?

((Cross posted in Blood House Onyx as any interactions with the lawyers will be there))