The goddess scoffed, and Adrianna quickly buried a feeling of indignance beneath a well-practiced, long-honed curiosity. What was it about the fantasy Adrianna had offered that did not please the goddess? What was she missing? She allowed her curiosity--her hunger for understanding--to show plainly on the surface of her, hopeful that it would sufficiently obfuscate her less palatable feelings about the goddess’ response.
The goddess turned her attention to each of Adrianna’s companions, and Adrianna again--still--buried anxiety, a worry that things were slipping out of her control, a fear that another would be deemed more favored by the power she was attempting to court. She compressed those emotions into a dense marble deep in her core, rock solid and tiny beneath luscious, voluminous layers of serenity, calm, confidence, curiosity, and patience that was well-practiced at giving the impression that they could very well unfurl into infinity.
It would serve her companions just as well as the goddess, really; Adrianna caught Colleen glancing her direction, and she offered the fae a gentle, encouraging smile.
"And you, noble fae," the goddess said, speaking to Colleen, "which would you prefer, crafting portals or regular meetings with me?"
Surprised, Colleen brought a hand to her collarbone and took half a step back, inhaling slightly. She looked to Adrianna again, and again Adrianna re-upped her gentle encouragement with a slight nod. She didn’t necessarily know for certain where Colleen would land on that question, but she had a guess, and really, either way would serve their purpose here just as well.
"P-portals," Colleen said before looking down at the ground, briefly. "Many fae went missing after travel became complicated." After a moment, she hastily added, "Not that we don't enjoy your company, goddess." She curtsied then, her face reddening slightly. Adrianna had half a mind to find it cute. It wasn’t every day she witnessed Colleen seem earnest in quite that way, but, well, when better a time to reveal a genuine desire?
"I doubt any of you have any idea what you're asking for in making portals,” the goddess said, attention already back on Adrianna. In truth, it surprised her--she’d anticipated the goddess responding to Colleen’s reply--but, she was plenty buffeted by her fluffed serenity, and the surprise disappeared handily into the marble deep inside.
“None but me have been entrusted with the task in my knowledge. I'm not even fully certain it is possible for someone of the fae to even attempt it." The goddess took a step to the aside and brought one hand to her chin, perhaps in thought. "It could be dangerous," she added, a glint in her eye.
Adrianna made no attempt to hide her curiosity and interest. While the fantasy she had offered the goddess had been toward rebuilding relationship with her, she was also plainly intrigued by both the practical reality of accessing more portals, and by the tantalizing mystery of how they were made. Her serene expression happily sharpened slightly with a raised eyebrow and a slight curl of a grin. All the moreso when the goddess herself plainly looked Adrianna over, head tilted playfully. The goddess wasn’t so put off by specifically Adrianna’s presence in the fantasy she had presented, then; that was of some relief.
"If you send me someone each time the dark moon fills to half, I could make portals with them. The process would be safer in my presence. And, should there be any additional business to attend to, we can discuss it then."
Now, that was quite the ride the goddess took her on just then. Briefly, it felt like a called bluff, until, on her exhale, Adrianna more fully grokked the goddess’ comment about additional business. The goddess was offering them both requests? In a manner of speaking, anyhow. Just one person treating with the goddess each month would present its own challenges.
"I don't want to begin for three full moon cycles, however," the goddess said, looking again at Adrianna. "By my account, that is more than what you have asked for, except for the wine." Dehaljadrun allowed a sultry smile to cross her lips. "You would need to sweeten your side of the bargain for that."
Adrianna smiled, in some ways delighted for the excuse to play another card, though she kept an edge to her expression that at least played with chagrin. She and the goddess were building a more personal alliance this way, amidst the other threads they wove together in this meeting. If she went back with only the present agreement, she will have played her role well enough for the queen, but something would have been decidedly odd about it; it was in specifically Adrianna's best interests to ensure that she also secured the wine. It was a good thing, then, that she had been preparing for this.
Adrianna reached one hand gingerly across her torso, accessing a small pouch that dangled by her side, obscured beneath the gentle flow of her capelet. She drew out a small bottle, small enough to enclose in one hand, and she held it up for the goddess to see.
"I would trade you this," she said, her voice warm and silken. Memories of the creation of the bottles contents fluttered across Adrianna's mind--coy and, hopefully, tantalizing. Rope knotted gently around a throat. A knife tracing a line across skin. Tongue murmuring fantasies into a small cup of water, and then drinking--aware that some small backwash was inevitable, even with the delicate mindfulness with which lips welcomed the sip. An experiment, to be sure--a risk that Adrianna had wished she'd had more time to mitigate. And yet, there was a thrill in the uncertainty of it--in the need to go ahead and roll the dice, no more time for perfection. If it went awry, then, well, there would be some kind of reckoning. And if it went as she hoped... then surely she would be in the goddess' favor, indeed.
"An attempt to distill dreams, that they might be enjoyed at one's leisure."
Doubt flinched deep beneath Adrianna's armor only after she spoke, some concern rising that it had been in some way unwise to play quite that coy. The goddess had been Adrianna's purpose all along, even if she was skilled at finding other uses along the way. Still, her words were out now, and it seemed prudent to give the goddess a moment to weigh them, and to provide some indication as to whether she would like to know more before--hopefully--accepting.
Dehaljadrun: After Nights with Evan
Re: Dehaljadrun: After Nights with Evan
Adrianna smiled, shifting her jaw slightly like she was preparing to go in for the kill. It was an exciting expression, full of desire, and the goddess felt worshipped. Or, she would have, were the expression not, in fact, turned on her.
Sure enough, Adrianna reached across her torso and dipped her hand into a small pouch the goddess hadn't yet noticed. The fae had done an impressively elegant job of keeping thoughts of it from her mind, even now as she brought the small bottle to the goddess' attention.
"I would trade you this," Adrianna said warmly, inviting. And, at last, like a pond finally spilling past its banks, Adrianna allowed the goddess to see into at least a substantial section of her thoughts, offering themselves like the first glimpse of a gift. The goddess closed her eyes to sink more deeply into them all--rope tied and decoratively knotted against a dark throat. A knife gently testing its own sharpness against skin. The promise of the memories' fullness, if only the goddess would drink.
"An attempt to distill dreams, that they might be enjoyed at one's leisure."
Not memories. Dreams.
A flicker of doubt in Adrianna's mental landscape brought Dehaljadrun back above water, and she opened her eyes. This was an experiment--Adrianna wasn't entirely sure it would go the way she expected. And yet, the goddess could feel the fae's earnestness. Adrianna was proud of the craft regardless. It wasn't a trick--that much felt plain.
Dehaljadrun couldn't help it--she began to think of memories of the last fae party she had attended, just before it had gotten out of control: the thorough intoxication as fae after fae fell asleep, their dreams vividly sensual, pulling the goddess in all her favorite directions. It was, before it had been used against her, a delicious tasting flight of desires.
To have such a potency at her leisure--without making her vulnerable to the dream as it happened--with at least the possibility that she herself wouldn't change the dream... the goddess' mouth salivated, and she swallowed, tipping her head back slightly.
Her eyes darkened, then, masking her pleasure. "Has it worked on others?" the goddess asked, suddenly suspicious that this process of distilling dreams had only ever been intended to affect her. And if that were true, then this required some forethought on Adrianna's part. The fae had been ready for this.
Sure enough, Adrianna reached across her torso and dipped her hand into a small pouch the goddess hadn't yet noticed. The fae had done an impressively elegant job of keeping thoughts of it from her mind, even now as she brought the small bottle to the goddess' attention.
"I would trade you this," Adrianna said warmly, inviting. And, at last, like a pond finally spilling past its banks, Adrianna allowed the goddess to see into at least a substantial section of her thoughts, offering themselves like the first glimpse of a gift. The goddess closed her eyes to sink more deeply into them all--rope tied and decoratively knotted against a dark throat. A knife gently testing its own sharpness against skin. The promise of the memories' fullness, if only the goddess would drink.
"An attempt to distill dreams, that they might be enjoyed at one's leisure."
Not memories. Dreams.
A flicker of doubt in Adrianna's mental landscape brought Dehaljadrun back above water, and she opened her eyes. This was an experiment--Adrianna wasn't entirely sure it would go the way she expected. And yet, the goddess could feel the fae's earnestness. Adrianna was proud of the craft regardless. It wasn't a trick--that much felt plain.
Dehaljadrun couldn't help it--she began to think of memories of the last fae party she had attended, just before it had gotten out of control: the thorough intoxication as fae after fae fell asleep, their dreams vividly sensual, pulling the goddess in all her favorite directions. It was, before it had been used against her, a delicious tasting flight of desires.
To have such a potency at her leisure--without making her vulnerable to the dream as it happened--with at least the possibility that she herself wouldn't change the dream... the goddess' mouth salivated, and she swallowed, tipping her head back slightly.
Her eyes darkened, then, masking her pleasure. "Has it worked on others?" the goddess asked, suddenly suspicious that this process of distilling dreams had only ever been intended to affect her. And if that were true, then this required some forethought on Adrianna's part. The fae had been ready for this.
Re: Dehaljadrun: After Nights with Evan
The goddess considered Adrianna's offering, her head finally tipping back and her throat swallowing in what Adrianna hopefully interpreted as, indeed, desire. The goddess was keeping herself in check, though.
"Has it worked on others?" she asked, suspicion darkening her eyes. Adrianna nodded smoothly.
"I've tried it myself, goddess." She let her attention spill further open, allowing her mind to flicker to a savory moment she herself could remember of her experiments: hands bound against tree, bark both harsh and sensual; fire flickering light and heat amidst chanting both frightening and beautiful; anticipation of a fate both difficult and delectably divine.
She still had not perfected remembering the details, truth told--part of the intoxication, in her experience, was precisely the blurring of her usually-sharp-and-crystal-clear mind--but she had certainly enjoyed what she had gleaned of her partner's proclivities. She wondered what all he had been able to glean about her own--they had not yet opened up quite enough with each other to speak plainly on the topic--but she stopped herself from visiting possibilities under the goddess' attention.
"It is not yet predictable," she said gently, focusing her attention back to the present moment. "But I assure you, the possibilities are full of delight."
"Has it worked on others?" she asked, suspicion darkening her eyes. Adrianna nodded smoothly.
"I've tried it myself, goddess." She let her attention spill further open, allowing her mind to flicker to a savory moment she herself could remember of her experiments: hands bound against tree, bark both harsh and sensual; fire flickering light and heat amidst chanting both frightening and beautiful; anticipation of a fate both difficult and delectably divine.
She still had not perfected remembering the details, truth told--part of the intoxication, in her experience, was precisely the blurring of her usually-sharp-and-crystal-clear mind--but she had certainly enjoyed what she had gleaned of her partner's proclivities. She wondered what all he had been able to glean about her own--they had not yet opened up quite enough with each other to speak plainly on the topic--but she stopped herself from visiting possibilities under the goddess' attention.
"It is not yet predictable," she said gently, focusing her attention back to the present moment. "But I assure you, the possibilities are full of delight."
Re: Dehaljadrun: After Nights with Evan
"I've tried it myself, goddess," Adrianna said, and the goddess relaxed. Keyed in as she was to the select few thoughts Adrianna allowed her to see, the goddess watched as a cascade of images--hands bound to a tree, the texture of bark causing sensual friction, fire flicking warmly across a man's back, a chorus of encouraging chanting--tumbled out of the dark fae's mind, tempting the goddess.
"It is not yet predictable," Adrianna added softly, "but I assure you, the possibilities are full of delight."
The goddess nodded, pleased at the woman's efforts and the trade. It seemed it was possible to get everything each of them wanted, and even retain mutual respect.
"I accept," the goddess said, inclining her head regally, "though know that if I try this and it leaves me vulnerable or otherwise weakened, I will know exactly who to thank."
She paused then, wanting to formally close their negotiations. "After three full moon cycles, during the half-full moon, I will teach one of your people to make portals alongside me. They may also bring any business that the fae wish to discuss with me to that meeting. And, when that begins, I will also send the casks of wine. All this, in exchange for my human charge and the vial of distilled dreams you offer. I trust this is sufficient."
The goddess looked at each of the dark fae before her, ending with Adrianna, before continuing.
"Now, show me that the human is unharmed."
"It is not yet predictable," Adrianna added softly, "but I assure you, the possibilities are full of delight."
The goddess nodded, pleased at the woman's efforts and the trade. It seemed it was possible to get everything each of them wanted, and even retain mutual respect.
"I accept," the goddess said, inclining her head regally, "though know that if I try this and it leaves me vulnerable or otherwise weakened, I will know exactly who to thank."
She paused then, wanting to formally close their negotiations. "After three full moon cycles, during the half-full moon, I will teach one of your people to make portals alongside me. They may also bring any business that the fae wish to discuss with me to that meeting. And, when that begins, I will also send the casks of wine. All this, in exchange for my human charge and the vial of distilled dreams you offer. I trust this is sufficient."
The goddess looked at each of the dark fae before her, ending with Adrianna, before continuing.
"Now, show me that the human is unharmed."
Re: Dehaljadrun: After Nights with Evan
The goddess seemed to relax as Adrianna spoke, and then nodded, and the tiny, dense marble deep within Adrianna lightened some, pleasure and pride dancing out fluidly amidst the luscious frills of her well-maintained serenity.
"I accept," the goddess said, inclining her head regally, "though know that if I try this and it leaves me vulnerable or otherwise weakened, I will know exactly who to thank."
Adrianna simply nodded in return, though she suspected she did allow a modicum of wryness to show in her smile--it was only appropriate, really, to acknowledge that she genuinely hoped the goddess would not have call to 'thank' her on that front.
More formally, the goddess continued, "After three full moon cycles, during the half-full moon, I will teach one of your people to make portals alongside me. They may also bring any business that the fae wish to discuss with me to that meeting. And, when that begins, I will also send the casks of wine. All this, in exchange for my human charge and the vial of distilled dreams you offer. I trust this is sufficient."
The goddess looked at each of Adrianna's companions, and then returned her gaze to Adrianna, who nodded and gave a formal curtsey to acknowledge the agreement.
"Now, show me that the human is unharmed."
Adrianna nodded again and moved over to open the carriage where the human still slept. She closed her eyes just briefly, then, her mind focusing to find the small tether she had secured between herself and the human with the food she had given it, and then, she released the bond, allowing the human to begin to wake.
"Wake up, my friend." She said, her voice gaining a bit more warmth and sweetness as she spoke, beckoning the human back toward consciousness. "I've brought you back to the goddess."
"I accept," the goddess said, inclining her head regally, "though know that if I try this and it leaves me vulnerable or otherwise weakened, I will know exactly who to thank."
Adrianna simply nodded in return, though she suspected she did allow a modicum of wryness to show in her smile--it was only appropriate, really, to acknowledge that she genuinely hoped the goddess would not have call to 'thank' her on that front.
More formally, the goddess continued, "After three full moon cycles, during the half-full moon, I will teach one of your people to make portals alongside me. They may also bring any business that the fae wish to discuss with me to that meeting. And, when that begins, I will also send the casks of wine. All this, in exchange for my human charge and the vial of distilled dreams you offer. I trust this is sufficient."
The goddess looked at each of Adrianna's companions, and then returned her gaze to Adrianna, who nodded and gave a formal curtsey to acknowledge the agreement.
"Now, show me that the human is unharmed."
Adrianna nodded again and moved over to open the carriage where the human still slept. She closed her eyes just briefly, then, her mind focusing to find the small tether she had secured between herself and the human with the food she had given it, and then, she released the bond, allowing the human to begin to wake.
"Wake up, my friend." She said, her voice gaining a bit more warmth and sweetness as she spoke, beckoning the human back toward consciousness. "I've brought you back to the goddess."
Re: Dehaljadrun: After Nights with Evan
((OOC: Re-reading Raccoon's posts, it seems like Adrianna has everything she could want to know about the other volunteers coming, but I wanted to remind her of that in case she wants to make a comment to the goddess about it or something.))
Raccoon heard a sound like a light crack on one side of their head--or maybe inside their head?--and they started to blink awake. They stared at the carriage around them, confused and startled. The dark fae woman who had spent time with Raccoon, asking questions, was beckoning them out of the carriage, and behind her... the goddess.
The young soldier--no longer a soldier, they supposed--wanted nothing more than to close their eyes and go back to sleep. They didn't like the way either of the women were looking at them. Pitying, plying. Ugh. What a bad dream. But maybe, if they went with the goddess, she would set Raccoon free to explore again. They definitely wouldn't go in the same direction, no sir.
They made a big show of stretching once it was clear that no one was about to leave them alone, and the goddess came around the side of the carriage to get a better look--pretty black gemstones dangling off her dress. Raccoon waved shyly at her.
"Have you been harmed since you left me?" the goddess asked them. Raccoon looked at Adrianna.
"Someone did use a net on me, and there wasn't really enough food, but I think I'm okay." They tried to run a hand through their short hair and found a feather, casually tossing it to the ground as they clambered out of the carriage.
The goddess looked at Adrianna sternly but quickly turned back to Raccoon. "Will you come back with me? It's time you rejoin your fellow soldiers."
"Are they here?" Raccoon asked, and the goddess winced slightly.
"No," Dehaljadrun said simply, beckoning Raccoon over to her. After giving her a crooked frown, they finally obeyed.
Raccoon heard a sound like a light crack on one side of their head--or maybe inside their head?--and they started to blink awake. They stared at the carriage around them, confused and startled. The dark fae woman who had spent time with Raccoon, asking questions, was beckoning them out of the carriage, and behind her... the goddess.
The young soldier--no longer a soldier, they supposed--wanted nothing more than to close their eyes and go back to sleep. They didn't like the way either of the women were looking at them. Pitying, plying. Ugh. What a bad dream. But maybe, if they went with the goddess, she would set Raccoon free to explore again. They definitely wouldn't go in the same direction, no sir.
They made a big show of stretching once it was clear that no one was about to leave them alone, and the goddess came around the side of the carriage to get a better look--pretty black gemstones dangling off her dress. Raccoon waved shyly at her.
"Have you been harmed since you left me?" the goddess asked them. Raccoon looked at Adrianna.
"Someone did use a net on me, and there wasn't really enough food, but I think I'm okay." They tried to run a hand through their short hair and found a feather, casually tossing it to the ground as they clambered out of the carriage.
The goddess looked at Adrianna sternly but quickly turned back to Raccoon. "Will you come back with me? It's time you rejoin your fellow soldiers."
"Are they here?" Raccoon asked, and the goddess winced slightly.
"No," Dehaljadrun said simply, beckoning Raccoon over to her. After giving her a crooked frown, they finally obeyed.
Re: Dehaljadrun: After Nights with Evan
The human seemed for a moment to contemplate pretending to sleep, but instead made a show of stretching soon enough. The goddess came around to get a good look, and Adrianna stepped back to give her more space.
"Have you been harmed since you left me?" The goddess asked, and the human looked to Adrianna, who gave them a gentle, permissive smile. Jett was instinctively staying out of the human's perception; as was her way, really, when not instructed to do otherwise.
"Someone did use a net on me," the human replied, "and there wasn't really enough food, but I think I'm okay."
Amusement rippled beneath Adrianna's serenity, even if not especially as the goddess tossed her a stern look. Simply being captured and fed only nuts and bread and fruit and cheese was the least of the hardships the human might have endured--but of course, it would do her no good at all to press that point, and she accepted the goddess' stern look with a diplomatic demureness.
"Will you come back with me?" the goddess asked the human then. "It's time you rejoin your fellow soldiers."
"Are they here?" the human asked the goddess innocently, and Adrianna felt another ripple of amusement within her, though she buried this one even deeper, quickly condensing it marble-hard in her core.
"No," the goddess said simply, beckoning the human over to her. The human dithered for a moment, but obliged.
Adrianna stepped forward, then, and held the tincture out on offer for the goddess to take, her expression unflinching from its practiced diplomatic smile. Oh, she did yearn to learn more about these volunteers, the war on in the human realm, the other human who had been seen with the goddess these past days; and Adrianna suspected her curiosity was too strong not to peek through her attempts to curtail it. But, here was hoping the goddess would appreciate Adrianna's restraint, at least. She had gone over in her mind during the journey what she might ask of the goddess about such things, but she had not found a question that was worth trying the goddess at this stage, nor tipping her own hand to Colleen more than she already had. No, her curiosity would burn in private, where only she and the goddess could see.
"Have you been harmed since you left me?" The goddess asked, and the human looked to Adrianna, who gave them a gentle, permissive smile. Jett was instinctively staying out of the human's perception; as was her way, really, when not instructed to do otherwise.
"Someone did use a net on me," the human replied, "and there wasn't really enough food, but I think I'm okay."
Amusement rippled beneath Adrianna's serenity, even if not especially as the goddess tossed her a stern look. Simply being captured and fed only nuts and bread and fruit and cheese was the least of the hardships the human might have endured--but of course, it would do her no good at all to press that point, and she accepted the goddess' stern look with a diplomatic demureness.
"Will you come back with me?" the goddess asked the human then. "It's time you rejoin your fellow soldiers."
"Are they here?" the human asked the goddess innocently, and Adrianna felt another ripple of amusement within her, though she buried this one even deeper, quickly condensing it marble-hard in her core.
"No," the goddess said simply, beckoning the human over to her. The human dithered for a moment, but obliged.
Adrianna stepped forward, then, and held the tincture out on offer for the goddess to take, her expression unflinching from its practiced diplomatic smile. Oh, she did yearn to learn more about these volunteers, the war on in the human realm, the other human who had been seen with the goddess these past days; and Adrianna suspected her curiosity was too strong not to peek through her attempts to curtail it. But, here was hoping the goddess would appreciate Adrianna's restraint, at least. She had gone over in her mind during the journey what she might ask of the goddess about such things, but she had not found a question that was worth trying the goddess at this stage, nor tipping her own hand to Colleen more than she already had. No, her curiosity would burn in private, where only she and the goddess could see.
Re: Dehaljadrun: After Nights with Evan
Dehaljadrun stepped closer, eager to see Raccoon--they had not left on ideal terms, not exactly. She had no desire to force the young soldier back into her care, but the goddess had no idea what she would do if they refused her in front of the dark fae.
After they stretched and blinked their eyes open--Dehaljadrun's concern plain in her raised, pulled-together eyebrows--Raccoon gave the goddess a small wave, just a gesture of folding and unfolding their fingers, really. The goddess' worry broke at once, and her chest ached with relief.
Still, she asked the obvious question, ""Have you been harmed since you left me?"
Raccoon looked at Adrianna, and Adrianna nodded permission. But, in searching both their minds, it seemed that neither was withholding anything--at least, not obviously. "Someone did use a net on me, and there wasn't really enough food, but I think I'm okay."
Dehaljadrun enjoyed the excuse to throw Adrianna a warning look, but Adrianna only reflected her vaguely threatening, falsely innocent smile. They both knew the kinds of things other dark fae might have done to Raccoon. In this way, keeping the human a prisoner was a kindness, and Adrianna seemed to be banking on that.
Raccoon climbed out of the carriage looking no worse for wear. "Will you come back with me?" The goddess asked. She didn't want the dark fae to think she was keeping the human in her realm, though, if she could help it, so Dehaljadrun added, "It's time to rejoin your fellow soldiers." It was vague enough to still be true, and as far as the goddess knew, Adrianna had no idea about the other volunteers on their way. Unless, of course, Raccoon had told her.
"Are they here?" Raccoon asked with wide eyes, and the goddess winced softly. There went her attempt at subtlety. Perhaps she should have known better with this one. It was truly too risky to have let them wander off on their own.
"No," Dehaljadrun said, afraid of giving anything else away. She gestured for Raccoon to come over to her, then, and for a moment, she thought they would refuse. Their frown deepened, but at last, they approached her.
Adrianna then closed the distance between them and held out the distilled dreams--that same smile plastered onto her face. But, mentally, the woman's landscape ached with a burning curiosity the goddess could hardly have shut out if she had tried. Of course, the goddess thought, she already knows. And knows about Evan as well. They have been watching me. But, the goddess was at least gratified that Adrianna didn't wholly know why the volunteers were coming and had the good sense not to jeopardize their fresh agreement by asking now.
Dehaljadrun took the vial, which immediately gave her the sense of having come away with more than the dark fae in this deal, even if, in the long term, the goddess had offered something of unquantifiable value. The goddess deposited the vial safely in a pouch at her back and pulled out a small, marble-sized portal, handing it to Adrianna.
"As a gesture of good faith," Dehaljadrun said, putting it in the woman's hand. "I expect it back when we fully begin."
With that, she looked at Raccoon, who surprised her by reaching for and holding her hand. She started momentarily, but then looked down at them with a soft smile. Turning slightly over her shoulder, she gave a nod to Adrianna and walked into the depths of her forests with the young soldier.
After they stretched and blinked their eyes open--Dehaljadrun's concern plain in her raised, pulled-together eyebrows--Raccoon gave the goddess a small wave, just a gesture of folding and unfolding their fingers, really. The goddess' worry broke at once, and her chest ached with relief.
Still, she asked the obvious question, ""Have you been harmed since you left me?"
Raccoon looked at Adrianna, and Adrianna nodded permission. But, in searching both their minds, it seemed that neither was withholding anything--at least, not obviously. "Someone did use a net on me, and there wasn't really enough food, but I think I'm okay."
Dehaljadrun enjoyed the excuse to throw Adrianna a warning look, but Adrianna only reflected her vaguely threatening, falsely innocent smile. They both knew the kinds of things other dark fae might have done to Raccoon. In this way, keeping the human a prisoner was a kindness, and Adrianna seemed to be banking on that.
Raccoon climbed out of the carriage looking no worse for wear. "Will you come back with me?" The goddess asked. She didn't want the dark fae to think she was keeping the human in her realm, though, if she could help it, so Dehaljadrun added, "It's time to rejoin your fellow soldiers." It was vague enough to still be true, and as far as the goddess knew, Adrianna had no idea about the other volunteers on their way. Unless, of course, Raccoon had told her.
"Are they here?" Raccoon asked with wide eyes, and the goddess winced softly. There went her attempt at subtlety. Perhaps she should have known better with this one. It was truly too risky to have let them wander off on their own.
"No," Dehaljadrun said, afraid of giving anything else away. She gestured for Raccoon to come over to her, then, and for a moment, she thought they would refuse. Their frown deepened, but at last, they approached her.
Adrianna then closed the distance between them and held out the distilled dreams--that same smile plastered onto her face. But, mentally, the woman's landscape ached with a burning curiosity the goddess could hardly have shut out if she had tried. Of course, the goddess thought, she already knows. And knows about Evan as well. They have been watching me. But, the goddess was at least gratified that Adrianna didn't wholly know why the volunteers were coming and had the good sense not to jeopardize their fresh agreement by asking now.
Dehaljadrun took the vial, which immediately gave her the sense of having come away with more than the dark fae in this deal, even if, in the long term, the goddess had offered something of unquantifiable value. The goddess deposited the vial safely in a pouch at her back and pulled out a small, marble-sized portal, handing it to Adrianna.
"As a gesture of good faith," Dehaljadrun said, putting it in the woman's hand. "I expect it back when we fully begin."
With that, she looked at Raccoon, who surprised her by reaching for and holding her hand. She started momentarily, but then looked down at them with a soft smile. Turning slightly over her shoulder, she gave a nod to Adrianna and walked into the depths of her forests with the young soldier.
Re: Dehaljadrun: After Nights with Evan
The two of them were quiet as they walked deeper into the forest, away from the dark fae. Dehaljadrun slowly allowed her clothing to transition from the extravagant dress she had been wearing to more practical traveling clothes--a black long-sleeve fitted shirt that looped over her middle fingers and sleek black pants. She smirked but did not say anything or stop walking as Raccoon stared at this transformation open-mouthed. The goddess gently pulled them along by the hand--they had a ways to walk.
Dehaljadrun supposed she could transform and carry Raccoon if that became necessary, but she didn't feel the need to do so just yet. Night would be approaching in the human realm, but the goddess suspected by the gently waning light of her own moons that she still had some time before her other guests arrived.
"I... I summoned a feather," Raccoon said, squeezing her hand a little. The goddess looked down at them with a frown of confusion. They shied away from her slightly at the sight but did not let go of her hand. "I was thinking about wings realllllllly hard. There wasn't a feather, and then there was a feather." They were quiet again for a moment, and the goddess shared their silence, gathering her thoughts. Before she knew what to say, they added, "Do you think I could do more things like that?"
The goddess laughed quietly, feeling a pulse of their desire and excitement leap up through her arm like a steady, pleasant static buzz. "Yes, I suppose you could," she mused. The pulsing excitement grew stronger but then suddenly ceased altogether. The goddess felt their mood darken as their mind clouded. She looked over at them curiously.
"What are you going to do with me." It was barely a question, and it was delivered in such a defeated tone that Dehaljadrun's chest ached. She sighed.
"Honestly," she said," I don't know." She allowed a span of quiet to pass between them for a moment as they continued walking. "I don't intend to force you to do anything." Another, somewhat more awkward silence passed, and finally the goddess spoke again. "I've spent a great number of years alone--it's good to have company, whatever that looks like, even if it means that some of that company runs off." With her last statement, she gave Raccoon a look, and they giggled, shirking away playfully and tugged against her arm, putting her momentarily off balance.
"So, you'd let me go?" Raccoon asked. "If I wanted to leave again?"
In response, the goddess paused their walking, turned toward Raccoon, and gently coaxed her hand out of theirs. Immediately, she felt both their sadness at the separation, the mild shock and pain of it coursing up her arm and gripping at her throat.
"Yes," she said, looking at them kindly, doing everything she could to communicate that she wasn't upset with them in any way. But then she turned her head and looked at them from the corner of her eye with a smirk, "Although, if the dark fae catch you again, I can't promise I'll come save you next time."
Raccoon quickly grasped her hand once more and started walking themselves, pulling the goddess along further away from the fae. She laughed again, lightly, the sadness assuaged.
After a moment, they asked, "Can I practice the magic now?" The goddess stopped and turned toward them, nodding.
"What would you like to do?"
They looked to one side for a moment before closing their eyes tightly. For a few silent moments, the goddess did not touch their mind or intervene, curious if they would surprise her and not wanting to know ahead of time. But, as she felt them begin to draw on her magic in the very smallest of ways, Dehaljadrun suddenly knew what they wanted. With another airy, light laugh, she stepped forward, placing her hands on their shoulders and lending a small amount of her power to accentuate their own desires, gently encouraging them to clumsily weave the purple light behind their eyes until it began to take shape, lengthening and elongating their spine.
Raccoon hadn't thought much about the practical reality of their craving, though, and their tail was now scrunched up against the backside of their army-issue pants. As they felt back at the discomfort, the goddess laughed again, weaving her own quick magic to allow a slit for the tail to release. Raccoon sighed as a ringed tuft of fur extended out of the hole she had made, and then, touching what they had manifested together, Raccoon hooped and hollered, running away from her and circling several trees, jumping with a joy that made the goddess's heart fill. Such easy, uncomplicated desires, this one. Such small, simple joys.
Dehaljadrun supposed she could transform and carry Raccoon if that became necessary, but she didn't feel the need to do so just yet. Night would be approaching in the human realm, but the goddess suspected by the gently waning light of her own moons that she still had some time before her other guests arrived.
"I... I summoned a feather," Raccoon said, squeezing her hand a little. The goddess looked down at them with a frown of confusion. They shied away from her slightly at the sight but did not let go of her hand. "I was thinking about wings realllllllly hard. There wasn't a feather, and then there was a feather." They were quiet again for a moment, and the goddess shared their silence, gathering her thoughts. Before she knew what to say, they added, "Do you think I could do more things like that?"
The goddess laughed quietly, feeling a pulse of their desire and excitement leap up through her arm like a steady, pleasant static buzz. "Yes, I suppose you could," she mused. The pulsing excitement grew stronger but then suddenly ceased altogether. The goddess felt their mood darken as their mind clouded. She looked over at them curiously.
"What are you going to do with me." It was barely a question, and it was delivered in such a defeated tone that Dehaljadrun's chest ached. She sighed.
"Honestly," she said," I don't know." She allowed a span of quiet to pass between them for a moment as they continued walking. "I don't intend to force you to do anything." Another, somewhat more awkward silence passed, and finally the goddess spoke again. "I've spent a great number of years alone--it's good to have company, whatever that looks like, even if it means that some of that company runs off." With her last statement, she gave Raccoon a look, and they giggled, shirking away playfully and tugged against her arm, putting her momentarily off balance.
"So, you'd let me go?" Raccoon asked. "If I wanted to leave again?"
In response, the goddess paused their walking, turned toward Raccoon, and gently coaxed her hand out of theirs. Immediately, she felt both their sadness at the separation, the mild shock and pain of it coursing up her arm and gripping at her throat.
"Yes," she said, looking at them kindly, doing everything she could to communicate that she wasn't upset with them in any way. But then she turned her head and looked at them from the corner of her eye with a smirk, "Although, if the dark fae catch you again, I can't promise I'll come save you next time."
Raccoon quickly grasped her hand once more and started walking themselves, pulling the goddess along further away from the fae. She laughed again, lightly, the sadness assuaged.
After a moment, they asked, "Can I practice the magic now?" The goddess stopped and turned toward them, nodding.
"What would you like to do?"
They looked to one side for a moment before closing their eyes tightly. For a few silent moments, the goddess did not touch their mind or intervene, curious if they would surprise her and not wanting to know ahead of time. But, as she felt them begin to draw on her magic in the very smallest of ways, Dehaljadrun suddenly knew what they wanted. With another airy, light laugh, she stepped forward, placing her hands on their shoulders and lending a small amount of her power to accentuate their own desires, gently encouraging them to clumsily weave the purple light behind their eyes until it began to take shape, lengthening and elongating their spine.
Raccoon hadn't thought much about the practical reality of their craving, though, and their tail was now scrunched up against the backside of their army-issue pants. As they felt back at the discomfort, the goddess laughed again, weaving her own quick magic to allow a slit for the tail to release. Raccoon sighed as a ringed tuft of fur extended out of the hole she had made, and then, touching what they had manifested together, Raccoon hooped and hollered, running away from her and circling several trees, jumping with a joy that made the goddess's heart fill. Such easy, uncomplicated desires, this one. Such small, simple joys.
Re: Dehaljadrun: After Nights with Evan
Raccoon was content to run and jump and otherwise explore their tail for some time as they walked, but after a while, they came back to her excitedly, asking, "Do you think I could turn myself into a monkey? Or maybe a gorilla? Or I could be a tree!" The goddess laughed. She didn't think they had the patience at all to be a tree.
Dehaljadrun took a deep breath, uncertain how to explain her magic to them. Finally, she asked, "May I show you something?" She held out a hand.
"Will it hurt?" Raccoon asked.
"Not exactly," the goddess said. Raccoon hesitated for a few moments before they obliged her. Closing her eyes, she started to weave thoughts and gently press them toward Raccoon. She replicated the slight draining sensation she had felt in her body as Raccoon had coaxed their tail into being and the small effort it was to keep it from returning back to the fabric of dreams. She then also recalled when she had transformed into a panther for Evan to demonstrate the ways she could not help but take on some of the characteristics of the creature she bore a resemblance to.
The magic is not of your world or your body, the goddess explained in Raccoon's mind, So there will be more resistance and confusion. And there may be side effects if you take on a form too long. You may not return to your full human self. She felt Raccoon's understanding, and that pleased her. She did not want them thinking the magic was limitless or without dangers, but all told, the goddess was not concerned. Without her help, there was little that the soldier could manage on their own, at least not without long and careful practice.
And you need to want what you make more than you've ever wanted anything else, need to feel it as though it is real. Your desire is what gives something shape here, whether you are aware of what you desire or not.
With that, Dehaljadrun pulled away from Raccoon and opened her eyes. They looked thoughtful and were surprisingly quiet. Allowing the silence, the goddess began walking again.
"You're not at all what I expected," Raccoon said without looking at her, though they did take her hand again, and the goddess smiled quietly to herself.
Dehaljadrun took a deep breath, uncertain how to explain her magic to them. Finally, she asked, "May I show you something?" She held out a hand.
"Will it hurt?" Raccoon asked.
"Not exactly," the goddess said. Raccoon hesitated for a few moments before they obliged her. Closing her eyes, she started to weave thoughts and gently press them toward Raccoon. She replicated the slight draining sensation she had felt in her body as Raccoon had coaxed their tail into being and the small effort it was to keep it from returning back to the fabric of dreams. She then also recalled when she had transformed into a panther for Evan to demonstrate the ways she could not help but take on some of the characteristics of the creature she bore a resemblance to.
The magic is not of your world or your body, the goddess explained in Raccoon's mind, So there will be more resistance and confusion. And there may be side effects if you take on a form too long. You may not return to your full human self. She felt Raccoon's understanding, and that pleased her. She did not want them thinking the magic was limitless or without dangers, but all told, the goddess was not concerned. Without her help, there was little that the soldier could manage on their own, at least not without long and careful practice.
And you need to want what you make more than you've ever wanted anything else, need to feel it as though it is real. Your desire is what gives something shape here, whether you are aware of what you desire or not.
With that, Dehaljadrun pulled away from Raccoon and opened her eyes. They looked thoughtful and were surprisingly quiet. Allowing the silence, the goddess began walking again.
"You're not at all what I expected," Raccoon said without looking at her, though they did take her hand again, and the goddess smiled quietly to herself.