Topic: A Surprise Visit Home

Storm Divine

Date: 2007-12-11 20:48 EST
After stepping through a portal from the backyard, Storm moved to open the back door and step inside the home. Avery was well tucked away with her father, and Storm was practically grinning from ear to ear with her surprise. "Beloved?" She called out for his whereabouts.

He heard the call from where he was working, though if one were to see him it would not look like he was working. He sat on the couch, eyes closed, breath slow. Ewan did not turn to her voice as he replied, "Yes?"

Catching the line of his voice, she moved towards the living room, where her grin grew upon spotting him. She leaned against the wall, "Are you almost ready?" She peered closer at this clothing. "You might want to dress rather warmly."

That did open his eyes and he turned to look over his shoulder at her with some suspicion. "Let me get my cloak then." He rose from the couch and stepped to the front door in no hurry, though his curiosity was high. He did it to tease Storm. With the cloak about him and even the hood pulled up, his face cast in shadow except the line of his jaw and his smile. "Is this better?" he asked upon approach.

Her eyes followed him, even as her face did not. Her grin almost turned smug and she laughed as he returned with the hood over his head. Oddly charmed, she moved to give him a kiss. "Perfect." And with that, she practically started shuffling him out the front door, "You trust me, Ewan, do you not?"

The kiss was shared. The question was one that put most people ill at ease. "Do you want me to answer that question honestly?" he joked as he was pressed to the exit and out. "You do have a most peculiar, dare I say mischievous, grin." The cold air hit him and he breathed in deep of its sharp smell.

"Because I love you?" She offered to explain her grin, though it did not fade. She shut the door behind her, the knitted garment on her head checked to be covering her ears. She easily slipped in front of him, pausing their walk. "I only ask because I want you to close your eyes for a bit of the way. Humor me?" She offered a gloved hand.

His expression changed in the blink of an eye. "I will not deny that makes me a little uncomfortable, but as you wish. I will close my eyes when you request it of me." A brush of a hand over one brow to ease away the wrinkle of concern he knew was there. "So, lead on oh Mistress of Mysteries."

She knew of his discomfort, and reached for the hand that brushed his brow. "Do not worry, m'love. I'll protect you." She offered, her spirits only becoming lighter as she took slow steps over their front yard. She was trying to extend the short distance to the portal there as much as possible. But, she doubted she was fooling his sense of direction. "You might feel a little pressure for just a moment. It will pass." She was saying as she opened the portal, and made their entrance as smooth as possible. They walked into a small forested area, the air cooler with the ground covered in fresh powder with light snow still falling. "Okay, you can open your eyes."

Her words raised alarm in him like a bolt of lightening. Ewan knew what it meant, and he stepped through out of force of will. When he opened his eyes, he looked around in careful study. Not only did he search the area with his eyes, but his ears, he wanted to know where he was and analyze the possible dangers.

Rather than finding insult in his study, she pulled her cloak closer around her. "Welcome to the Air Realm."

"This is the Air Realm?" There was not wonder in his voice, but question, a desire to know more. He walked in a small circle and ever expanding in his gathering of information. "Where in the Air Realm?"

"We are in the Four Winds Forest, which is close to the Temple. Which actually is our first stop." She kept her smile for him, offering her hand for him again. "Unless you wanted to stay here for a bit."

"Lead on," he said and took her hand. Lacking the wide-eyed observation, he made effort to give her a smile knowing he must look grim.

She was still studying him, reasoning with his lack of surprise with every other surprise she had ever presented him with. "You will be safe here. If you are needed, I will know. I promise." An encouraging smile, as she squeezed his hand. They came across a wide and semi-long bridge that lead to the Temple. It size was also large, but easy to spot from the distance. "If you do not care for heights, you might not want to look over the edge." Though she recalled him having no problems the one night she took him into the sky, she gave the warning just the same. "You will not find a ground to look down to."

"That might be disconcerting," he murmured. Yet, being the man that he was, he still felt compelled to look over the edge to see what nothingness looked like. "Hm," was the extent of his words, though he did find the lack of ground uneasy at best and not pressing what the worst could be, he turned his attention to the length of bridge as they crossed. "So, may I ask what it is we are doing here besides visiting your homeland?"

Storm Divine

Date: 2007-12-11 21:09 EST
"I thought it was time for you to see my home. We have plans to met with Father and Avery later, and eat should we be inclined to. We can do whatever you wish, though I might have a few other ideas after showing you the Temple." Nodding towards the approaching building. They past a few people, most offering the Guardian and her companion friendly waves of greetings.

"Sounds like a fine day, and I am at your will, lady, so whatever you have in mind is perfect for me." Ewan drew on a pleasant persona, managed cheerful smiles and nods to those in passing, and continued to make casual perusal of the surroundings. His hand fit comfortably with Storm's, and for all intents and purposes, he was content to be where he was and with whom he was.

"Good." She said, pleased that he was not completely appalled with her surprise. Once they came to the outer courts, there were several shops and booths. Some were open, though most still showed signs of the fire, but with promising repairs. "This is the outer courts, something like the Marketplace. This is the place that still needs the most work." She held up a finger for him that she would be just a moment, before releasing his hand to step inside a near shop that appeared closed. The exchange was quick, before she returned back outside. Looking off to the right, she pointed his gaze in another direction. "Down that bridge, there are more shops, though mostly food and spices. But this," she gestured the the Temple before them, and started up the stairs, "is where I grew up."

Turning his head to take in all she pointed out, constructing the map in his head, he gave a nod to each in its turn. "Lead on," he smiled and gestured towards the Temple and followed behind her up the stairs. "There does look to be excellent progress in the reconstruction. I am glad to see things go well."

"It has been a great deal of work, but everyone has been working together very well. It mending some rough edges within." Once up the stairs, she lead them through the large supporting pillars of white marble, before opening the door for him. Once inside, there were several people walking around, and in the middle of the room held a table that could easily hold each person within the small realm. "This is the Grand Hall, where most share each meal. We also use this room for special occasions, like a ball." She was leaning close to speak over to soft murmur. She was walking at a pace that allowed him to glance around, but to head them to the right. Various tapestries showing pictures of stories long ago. as well as a few different pieces of art. Storm however, was trying to avoid as many people as possible.

However, Ewan was eager to look over the tapestries and art and stopped frequently before each, catching details to ask her about later. She paused with him, looking at the tapestry that portrayed a beautiful woman, all features white against a starry night. "Many of the art pieces are spelled for protect against the elements. Though, several things were still lost." She watched a trio of young men, instruments in hand spot her and wave, making teasing faces towards her. "Those are the boys I played at the ball with." She murmured quietly to him, still aiming for the hallway to the right.

He looked over to the trio of boys, and cast a wry grin to Storm. "Charming," he chuckled and just to see what they would do, he aimed a kiss to Storm's cheek and rested his hand on the small of her back joining her in her aim.

"Trouble." She replied with a cheeky grin. "I am sure I will be teased later for showing my handsome husband with unique hair off to everyone." She returned the kiss to her cheek and closed in closer to him. She gestured to the hallway of her aim. "Down there are the training fields and the kitchen. We can go look, or continue on."

He chuckled at the comment of his hair, and gave a nod. "If we will not be delayed for lunch, then I would like to see the training fields and kitchen, though more so the former than the latter."

"Oh, we have plenty of time." She started down the hallway, passing by the loud hustle and bustle of those within the kitchen. "Every time I walk in there, I end up getting talked into doing something. Best we keep our distance." She said with a grin, before they came into a clearing. It was like having outdoors inside the Temple, coming across short grass as well as several Airs training. Few sparred with iced katanas, and more continued to practice the sword while flying around the large space. It almost seemed like the large area should not fit within the building. Across the path, held a small wooden building that held various objects and other things. "This room was one of the worst damaged. There was little here to spell."

Adjusting his posture to be more concealing of Storm as they walked through the kitchen, he shared a grin with her. Upon arriving in the arena, having cast aside disbelief upon knowing the arrival and accepting all as available and ordinary, as one who dreams, knows it is a dream, and lets it go by to glean some knowledge or advantage to real life. He looked over all with a careful eye, nodded to her words when she spoke, listening and applying the knowledge to what he saw.

"The more.. skilled fighters take to the air. The ability there holds a bit a status among those called to be by the sword. I do not partake in such gloating." Though her grinned might have suggested her lifestyle once being differentBut come, we still have much to see before lunch." She reached for his hand again, and gave it a gentle tug to head back into the Grand Hall.

Storm Divine

Date: 2007-12-18 00:52 EST
Once she gently tugged him away from the training fields, she went back down towards the Grand Hall, and started for the next hall that was north of the entrance. "I do not think Avery and Father will be here just yet, so you are still at my mercy." She teased gently, her eyes doing a quick scan of those around. Friendly greetings to a few, she continued to lead them.

He kept watch over their surroundings and still managed polite if reserved nods to those Storm greeted. A murmured challenge, "Should I be scared to be at your mercy?"

"Have you ever had to be?" She answered with a question, leaning to give his cheek a kiss. This hallway was significantly shorter, and they walked into a large room that held four large chairs. Each was adorned with different colors and symbols that reflected their owner, and so Storm's and her father's might be familiar with the symbol's worn at the ceremony. The chairs were set in a semi circle, surrounding a broken orb that was positioned on a stand. This room also held a few adornments that reflected power and age. "This is the Guardian Chamber." She said softly for him, releasing her hand to let him walk around should he wish to.

He did not answer her question with words, but only an undecipherable grin. The arrival in the chamber drew his eyes around to the symbolism, the arrangement, and the method of tradition made clear in those things. He examined the broken orb as well, and a silent questioning look was sent to Storm. He had thoughts on its meaning and its purpose, but would much rather hear it from her.

At his look she came up behind him and gather the orb in her hands, needing both to support its size. The middle held remains of blues and greys, but there was a strong and deep crack of black that covered most of it. "This was used for the Guardians to call peace, or to call every Air into the Temple. It held many different purposes, some that I am sure were never discovered. It required a great deal of power to use, but its ability was taken with the attack." She offered it to him to hold.

With firm care he took the object and studied it more through the feel of its beneath his fingers, the heft of it upon the strength of his arms, than by sight. "It is not to be repaired or is that not possible?"

A small shrug, "To our knowledge, we cannot replace the power. However, there are many things that we do not know and have yet to learn. Maybe one day it will repair itself." A faint smile was offered then, though she did not believe her last words. Her grey eyes moved over to the chairs, and pointed to the one at the left, "This one is mine, then father's, then Lukas," her voice dipped slightly, "he was here during the attack and did not survive. And the last is Anton, the father of the boys from earlier."

He listened to her information with sober expression, detailing it in his mind and not interrupting. He offered back the orb to replace. Taking the orb, she set it back on it's stand with care. "Within the next few weeks, the chair will be changed with whomever is picked from the Choosing Ceremony. But, I have one more place to show you before we meet with everyone else." Taking his hand again, she started them back out through the hallway. "Have questions yet?" She asked, almost in a teasing manner that reflected that she might already know his answer.

He decided to be cheeky, and asked, "Who cleans the place?" But it was obvious the answer was not important as the jesting tone of the question. A shake of his head, he answered in earnest, "No, no questions, madam tour guide." He followed her willingly. His eyes roved the surroundings still, details added, distinctions memorized.

She laughed lightly, aiming to try and lift her boot to his backside. "Actually, everyone takes a turn and sections for cleaning. Or, it is a unique punishment for adolescent pranks." She moved them down the last hall from the Grand Hall, this one leading towards several different shut doors. "And this, is where many have their homes." She lead him down several different hallways, before stopping at a door. "And this one is mine, and should you ever stay here, yours as well." And with that, she opened the door to reveal a small and bare area. There was a small couch, dresser and a bed without a quilt. "Of course, most of my things are with us."

A sidestep avoided the kick to his backside. The review of the many doored hallway lead him to think of a over large barracks in a way. Upon arriving at the room designated for Storm, he moved inside. He looked it over, sharing a glance over his shoulder to her, "Yes, I was going to say it was rather spartan, but then you are not one for many things, are you?" He walked the room and returned to her side. "It is you." A kiss aimed to her cheek.

She chuckled softly as he pressed the kiss to her cheek. "I used to have frivolous things in here, but they did not survive. The only things that were originally mine is the bed and.." she knelt to reach under her bed, producing two instrument cases, "these." She placed them on the bed, one case clearly a fiddle and the other a small guitar. "Oh, and a few clothing items." A small shrug, "Most things can be replaced."

A sober nod, his words soft, "True." He reached for her, wanting to hold her close as he said, "But you cannot."

Storm Divine

Date: 2007-12-18 01:03 EST
She went into his embrace, her arms going tight around his waist. Her body relaxed against his and her face was buried in his chest. It was the place where she felt most secure. "I wish I could have been here." She murmured against him, "I might have been able to prevent so much more."

He rested his cheek upon the top of her head. One hand caressed her back. "There is no changing the past. Do not dwell upon it or use the wishing for the impossible. You can wish to the future, do you part to prepare and prevent from its happening again."

"I know." She very nearly sniffled as he caressed her back. Tender emotions that were only showed to him tried to surface, "I try to be here when I am needed most, and offer all that I have to give. I could not do that without you." That last part seemed to not fit, but it was said with confidence.

"And so it is the same for me in my duties and obligations. We are a good fit after all, my beautiful bird." He kissed the top of her head and gave her a warm, comforting squeeze in the hug.

She laughed softly, her arms returning the comforting squeeze. "Yes, much to the surprise of many." She lifted up her head to offer a sweet kiss to him. The kiss returned, his hands moved up her body to cup her face in careful hands.

Her arms remained snug around him as they shared the kiss, a stream of thoughts and concerns vanished. Once she broke the kiss, she kept her face close by resting her forehead against his, "Shall I serenade you with my music, and try to tell you just all that you are to me?" She teased just above a whisper, enjoying the close and tender moment.

He smiled, "Do you know, beloved, I have never heard you sing? I have heard you play the piano, but none other instrument?" A kiss to her forehead, "I would hear it for the hearing of you."

Finding him interested in her offer, her cheeks flushed at the kiss to her forehead. She was however, a woman of her word. "My instruments have always remained here. And I sing when no one can hear me." Her smile was almost cheeky as she took his hand and motioned for him to sit on a corner of the bed. "Though my fiddle needs some repair." She said as she moved to take out the fiddle, showing the black marks on its back, and what was left of her bow. "Perhaps I will take this home with us and have it repaired." She then set it on top of the case, in case he wanted to inspect further. The case with the guitar was next, pulling out a slim guitar with five strings. Sitting on the bed to somewhat face him, she started to pluck the five courses, finding and correcting the pitches with ease.

He sat upon the bed, watched her begin the tuning, and a memory crept up unbidden that he ruminated upon and then set it aside with ease. His eyes moved over her form as well as the precise movement of her hands.

She felt his eyes on her, but she did not look up as her fingers plucked the last string to find it's note. Once satisfied, her fingers moved to play a simple but sweet rhythm. The chords were met with a few plucked notes, each movement appearing well practiced despite the period between playings. "You've made all my deserts into gardens. You've made all my deserts into gardens. You've made all my ashes into beauty. You've made all my ashes into beauty." It was an easy start, her voice sounding low and smoky to the ear. It would never earn her a living, but her pitch was perfect within the chords provided. She rearranged the melody each time, and a slow smile crept on her features. "You have caused flowers to, grow in my fields. And you have, brought bright and new colors to my eyes. And you have, brought a cool wind underneath, my windowsill. And I rest here, underneath your hand." It might be obvious by the way she arranged her words, that she was making them up as she went along. "It was then that I became alive." Her grey eyes lifted then, her cheeks still flushed and the sensation of revealing feelings through song as she looked him. "What a joy it is, to live again."

He listened to her voice keen to the emotional pitch behind the words than the words themselves. The interplay of chord and melody he could appreciate well from the years in Kiema's company and some foray into playing a few instruments on his own. His smile true to its form and he did not falter for the blush he could see in her cheeks.

She found that words nor longer filled her mind, for words could not express what emotions where at play. And so, she finished the last chord and let the guitar rest in that position for a few moments. Clearing her throat softly, she moved to place each instrument back into their homes. "There are no words that bring justice to what you are." She said simply, now using her hands to cup his face as she placed a warm kiss to his lips. Despite her want to dwell within her feelings, she slowly set them back aside to let surface later. "Come, I think it is time to eat and find our boy." Once reaching for his hand, she started them out and towards the large gathering.