Time and Solace

[Lovely]

July 22, 2006
Azrathene's Trophy Room - an extraplanar pocket with a portal in the trunk of an old tree, deep in the forest...


A month after the ripple, Az was glad to have her sister's company once again as she polished and sorted out those that had been erased. Some were not completely gone from existence, their various remains adorning her prize shelf. Though she was distracted by her new acquisitions, she was sad for the girl's loss of so many things and tried to give her an opportunity to have some fun now that she'd returned.

"Anyway, it was a thought - and no great hurry while we're shuff-.. Oh, look - we have a single Toby, too," she held up the skull from her bag to admire. "He apparently got careless in his sword training and beheaded Lyssa... whoops." She giggled and polished it to a shine, adding it to the lovely collection of skulls that was growing. "Hmm...that's Runi's, Elliot's, Anton's, Dallas', Lyssa's, Megan's, Summer's...." She named off each as she straightened them for the best viewing.

She watched her sister with a morbid curiosity and partial disgust that she held onto such things. Lily was a much more gentle and sweet natured creature most of the time. She'd found her way to visiting her sister after the ripple and her return to existing as herself. She was left with most memories intact and troubled by them enough to seek Az's company away from the world a bit. She wondered if this had been a wise idea as she watched Az add to her collection. At the mention of Toby being single, Lily rolled her eyes -she was not her looking for a male. Az listed off those she was adding and Lily found herself questioning one that was not mentioned. "Did you go collect mine when I was dead?"

"Oh! I knew I forgot one.. Damn," she shrugged, seeming to cast it off. " Only a minor detail, which in the grand scheme of things... nothing to worry your he-... nevermind. Was that a problem?"

She was hurt by her sister's lack of caring and seeming indifference to her death. Lily looked away from the pile of bones which seemed to be all that held value to Az within this chamber. "Thanks nice to know you care." She murmured softly.

She puckered and blew the girl a shivering breeze disguised as a peck for her cheek. "Kiss, kiss," she teased. The breeze curled through the chamber doing little to add any warmth to the scene in its pale sincerity.

Of all beings to be stuck with for a sister, Lily was given one who was cold even in her more pleasant moments. She glared at the form of woman in front of her, remembering.. "I haven't completely forgotten your games.." She informed her.

She tutted at the girl and tried to sound reassuring, that she did in some way care, even it if was hard to tell. "Awww... I can go hunting for it if you want," she offered. The skull of the being she was before might still be laying where Gabriel had tried to hide it.

She thought about it all of a blink and regarded Az with a cool expression. "Hmm no.... just make sure you leave me alone in the future.."

"Hey - I gave them Jorden's back. Hmm.. now he has -such- potential," she mused, adding him to the list of available bachelors as she patted Runi's tiny little head, approving of the ex-girl's choice in immortal men.

[Lovely]

She arched a brow at Az, her expression clearly not caring in the way her sister was indicating his potential. "Good for him." He could go find himself a nice vampire and settle down, she didn't want him.

She was getting the impression that Lily was not amused. What did it take for the girl to lighten up and enjoy her renewed immortality? "What?" She leaned on her shelf, drumming her nails impatiently, trying to think of someone else that might entertain her a while, or at least entertain herself watching him try to crack this girl's icy shell.

She regarded Az with a slight confusion and distaste, the other woman seemed to find it all amusing to use her like a pawn in her twisted games. It seemed to be of no use to try and explain anything to her. "nothing.." Lily murmured and folded her arms around herself.

"You're still sore about the skull thing? Move on, dear. Mm.... cocoa?" As quickly as she'd said it, she moved on herself, eyeing the kettle and deciding the chill had been enough to deal with. She moved around Lily to prepare them each a cup, dumping her satchel of 'finds' in the corner for now.

Lily looked at the shelf of skulls and the fact that hers was not there didn't bother her as much as some other things. "Not the skull thing, no.. the .." She lowered her voice. "... Raziel thing."

"Oh, him." She waved it off again. The girl just seemed to dwell forever on the dark things. She stirred the cups with a finger, testing the fingertip for sweetness and shivering and smiling with the pleasure such a mortal treat could bring. "He's forgotten everything, honey... He won't bother you again. Reminds me... how's Blondilocks?"

"He may have forgotten.. but I havent.. you sent him after me! That was awful of you.." She finally said what was on her mind, the incident with Raziel, that she could recall but he did not. ".. and I don't believe I know anyone called Blondilocks." She pouted a bit, this subject truly and deeply upsetting to her.

Az smiled gently, setting Lily's cup near her. "You needed someone to take care of your needs, dear. I'm sorry I can't do anything about your memory like we did his. But his brother... hmm... such a nice boy, isn't he?" She took a steaming sip and hummed, repositioning the skulls on her shelf again.

It was so nice for her sister to sit back and watch, not in the fray and simply be amused at the things others suffered, even setting her own sister up for them. "Very funny.. going to have him rape me in the woods as well?" She continued to pout and scuffed her foot along the floor.

"Hey, that's not fair. I only gave him the opportunity, what he did with it was all him. Lily, you collect your things, but you don't spend any time with them before you set them free. There are so many other ways to be needed and wanted. You weren't having any fun at all. This close... you came this close and Alkonost had to come and screw it all up for you... well, Gabe's foul mood and his blade didn't help you much there..., but that little wolf boy, he was something. Have some -fun-, Lily. What... is the point... of having what we have if you don't stretch it out and play with it once in a while?" She was suddenly close enough to kiss her sister's cheek and console her with a pat on her arm. "Your cocoa's getting cold."

[Lovely]

"I don't want the cocoa.. and wolf boy?" She shook her head looking confused and trying to remember something that was ..lost even to her. "..and if you wanted to stretch it out and play with it, why didn't you let him do that to you? Why me? .. and why like that, why by force? .. that wasn't fun.. it was cruel."

"I told you, I didn't do that part," she sighed, getting annoyed that her sister thought that little of her, though she wasn't giving her much reason not to. "I only open the door. How he pushes and prods his way through it... Find the blonde one, Lily. He has something for you that will make Raziel fade from your memory in time."

"You made me.. or what ever trickster you had working with you.. you made me love him Az.. and for a moment he felt the same.. and now you tell me he does not remember.. and I can not be made to forget.. Tis nothing but cruelty there." She insisted softly, the tremor of emotion in her voice telling of how it pained her to be caught in such a way.

"Solace and time... Solace and time," she insisted, hoping Lily was listening. "It is because he was so close to Alkonost that he forgot. The Powers decided that, not me. He is Vengeance and that was wrong of me, yes. I'm sorry. And I can't fix it, but Solace can."

"Why.. how?... both of you now.. you and Raziel pushing me to seek him.. what games do you two play with me now?" The tears slid softly down the gentle creature's cheek and she turned from her sister, moving to the door and tumbling out to find herself in her own home of the forest.

"None..." She followed behind the timid girl, stepping alongside her. "It is what he does and he's the only one who can help. Raziel's reasons are his own, perhaps to keep his brother away from his own haunts - he despises him. Solace does not despise his brother, however. He pities him. Do what you will. I've opened the door, but how you go through it..." She stopped and let her sister go where she would...

She left her sister quietly, wandering through the shade of the trees, with her cheeks dampened from her tears. She'd take solace in her trees.. find her comfort there with her flock.. the one she'd always tended. Lily sank to kneel on the floor of leaves, leaning against a nearby trunk as she let more tears flow quietly.

Perhaps it was that he was looking for her, or simply trying to find his way through the trees that had overgrown the paths he remembered from so long ago. He would have spoken, but honored her meditation, settling the corner of his cloak around her to shield her from the cool breeze.

She felt the breeze suddenly cease to tickle cooly over her skin and the shadow fall over her. Her eyes caught the dark moss of his cloak and slowly travelled up to the light of his long blonde hair. Her gaze paused there for a moment before continuing up to find the gentle and handsome face. "Hello again." She said quietly, finding a soft, gentle smile to grace him with.

"Hello again," he grinned back, once she'd broken the silence. He lifted a hand to her cheek to stop her tears. "What's this then. Not my cousin's fault, I should hope?"

[Lovely]

Her head shook slightly and her smile warmed some. "No.. not directly.. my sister.. more.. She's the one who opened the door to him finding me you could say.. I just left her, had words with her about it." She didn't realize how her face tilted into the gentle touch of his hand, seeking more of his soft comfort.

"You didn't resolve it, then. She is still your sister, no matter," he reminded gently, holding his hand over her cheek. "Quarrels end, but family is always there. I have something for you."

"Not fully.. but I don't think it can be resolved any further.. what's done can not be changed.." Her eyes swirled in hues of soft blue and green, curious about him and comforted by his pressence and touch. "Something for me?... why?"

"For your earlier kindness, and perhaps a plea for additional assistance," he smiled, moving his hand to open a pouch that appeared as would a mere pile of leaves on the ground where he knelt. He produced from it a dried flower. It had been carefully preserved, still pristene and smelled sweet as it had when it bloomed, but seemed delicate enough to crumble under the weight of a whisper. "It is not much for now, but it is a present. Careful not to speak of anyone while you hold it, however. Whomever you speak of, you will forget."

She hesitated to take the beatiful offering, her eyes lifting to his and she searched for a reason why he would give her such a gift. "It's.. there is only one thing I'd wish to forget.. but it would not be wise.. would it?" She smiled, very gently curling her fingers around the dried bloom. "I shall treasure it always.. as I do your kindness."

He shook his head, "Not for always. It is not meant to last once it is passed along. Hold it when you weep or when you fear. It will fade with your tears and your breath, but return to you resolve and peace with it's sweet aroma... to help ease... to forget. Should you speak a name, to you, that being will no longer exist and it will crumble away to dust."

"I don't think I can.. accept it.. though it is sweet of you to offer." Her hand reached to let him take it back. "Some things may be painful to think about, but it is not wise to forget them, not for those like us. That knowledge -even if from a tragedy is for us to keep and use for the future."

He smiled, though it appeared sad for a moment. The sparkle returned to his eyes just as quickly and he retrieved the flower at her wish. "Spoken wisely, but should you ever need it, it will be kept for you." He looked up over where they huddled and stood with the pouch, tying it to a branch where it seemed to be no more than a dry twig with wasted leaves that resisted the fall to the earth. "Find this tree and it will be here for you. It was made for no one else to use but you."

She nodded and closed her eyes. "I should hope I never feel the need." Her eyes opened and she rose to stand before him, her gaze meeting his with a gentle resolve. "That you would give me such a gift, touches my heart." She found another smile and floated up a few inches to brush a sweet kiss over his lips. "If not your flower.. then might I treasure this.. always?"

She'd find the kiss returned as gently as it was offered. "Yes, of course you may. Some things our kind should never forget," he said, bowing gently to her grace. "Few seek my gifts when they do need them, anymore. They'd sooner seek my cousin." He stood straighter and sighed, pulling his cloak to his comfort and draping it behind his shoulder to free his arm. He reached his hand forward. "Will you be alright?"

[Lovely]

"Solace.. and time.." She whispered softly, reaching to take his hand. "If I were not seeking to use your gifts.. would you allow me your company? I do not seek your cousin when it is you I need."

He grinned and nearly chuckled. "You may. Since I apparently need yours, it works out, I think. Though that is not the only reason I'm here." His fingers clasped hers like sunshine. "Company, in this foresaken place is much appreciated... and made that much better when it's yours."

"Thank you for your lovely compliment.. You were seeking me then?" She smiled, as a warm breeze curled around them both.

"Found you, actually. There is something I appear to have lost and may need your help to locate it... well, them."

"Well then.. it's would be my pleasure to help you find what you seek." She gave him a smile that was warm like dappled sunshine through the canopy of trees. Her fingers held firm yet gently to his hand and she leaned her head to his shoulder, closing her eyes. "Tell me what you hope to find."

"There was a grove here once, long before the veil weakened here. It was a hallowed ground, a sacred place, but its call has become quiet, overshadowed by the hiss of the darkness that flows here. "Alone I could barely hear it then, but with your strength now, I might still."

Lily nodded, her eyes remaining closed as she let all her anger and harsh feelings flow away from her. Her light, her softness seemed to give her a gentle glow for a moment and her other hand sought his. The breezes died and then rose and died off again, the area around them became silent, still and softly tiny whispers were heard. Faint and nearly inaudible, but gently coming to their ears as she reached out to find what was lost.

His hands were taken up in hers and he watched, enthralled as she called out to the power to guide her, though he'd not explained where or when enough, he thought. He listened as the air changed around them, bringing more distant sounds to them. It might take more than one try to find, it had been so long, but perhaps, he wondered, enchanted by her even if she didn't find it right off.

She chuckled ever so softly and whispered. "You're supposed to be thinking about the place you wish to find.. shhh.." The breeze moved around them, lifting her hair and swirling it gently as if in slow motion.

He nodded and closed his eyes, humming something as soft as the breeze that lifted the smallest leaves around their feet. It was a call to the trees and leaves of the forgotten grove, requesting a reply.

All fell silent again as her breezes took his call and searched for the forgotten place. the wind froze in mid lift, leaving them in an odd half lifted pose, then suddenly rushed back in. She gasped softly and all became silent and gentle, her fingers tightened in his and her eyes glowed behind her shuttered lashes. "Can you hear it?" She whispered and with her voice there was a soft echo of something calling back to them.

"I can, yes," he said, his own eyes fading nearly clear as he concentrated to find the direction and whatever remained of the old wooded grove. He sighed, disappointed, "It's so quiet. Can you take me there?"

She breathed in, and nodded her head. "I think so." The trees creaked and then their boughs bent down to scoop the two up and carry them softly, wrapped protectively in thier embrace.

His fingers grasped tighter to hers as he watched the forest floor leave them as the canopy scooped them up to carry on the breeze from bough to bough. The smile returned as he listened to the leaves telling them the way. "It's been a long time, indeed," he mused, feeling like a small child. It was nearly like flying. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." She whispered, curling to him as they were carried swiftly and softly towards his lost grove.

[Lovely]

"I could ask you," he whispered. He was curious. "Why it is you would help me so willingly, knowing what you've known. How do you know, when to trust and when not to?" Something in the way he asked made him sound older than her, wiser in some way.

She chuckled softly and gave a small shake of her head. "I... did not trust Raziel.. but he was lost when he found me.. whether I trust or not.. it is my place to keep the lost. Though some I would go much farther for.. because I do trust them.. does that make sense?"

"Yes, I do. Thank you." He was satisfied to know that much and looked down through the leaves and branches that tumbled them along, looking for the point they should drop below. "I believe we're nearly there. Yes, do you hear that?"

"I hear.. tell me when.. so I can tell them." She murmured, brushing lovingly along the branches that held them aloft. "..otherwise it will be a rough drop!"

"Perhaps now. We'll be able to walk the rest of the way. It will be a pleasure to come up to it gently, not flailing, I think." He teased, but was not mean about it, squeezing her hand and pointing with the other toward a clearing.

Lily laughed and the branches eased them down to land lightly on their feet a short way from where he'd indicated. She nearly danced her first step to the ground and reached up a gentle kiss to the leaves in thanks.

"They said 'you're welcome'," he smiled, watching the canopy settle from the breeze that had carried them. His eyes were bright, again nearly clear with the smile as it broadened and he took in a deep breath. "Yes, this is the way. Come on." His step was light, barely there, so unlike the heavy earthen hooves of his cousin as he started to jog, not wanting to outstep Lily.

She was nearly as light as the breezes that had carried them this far and quick to come up beside him, her smile soft as she looked to him in question. It seemed she'd shown him the way but he wished her to continue on with him.

"You've come this far. You should see." He insisted gently. "It was once a place of refuge long ago, sought by the ones you help now."

"Gone before I came then.. " She whispered, her eyes lighting up with more sparkle than the night sky on a clear spring eve. "As were you.. for so long.. It brings me joy to find something so surprisingly wonderful."

His gaze suddenly held a caution. "Wonderful, but also sacred, and hopefully unharmed, or unharmed enough to rebuild. And on the contrary, I was never really gone. Always here, but as quiet as the grove is now. Someone called me here."

"I wasn't talking about the grove." Her hand brushed his arm and she glanced away. "I'm sorry.. it's not my place to say such things.. to think them or feel them.. I am but a foolish child."

"Don't apologize, please. I mispoke and misunderstood. You have every right, don't shy away. Please? You of all have a right, Lilian. If you do not feel as others, how can you guide them on their right path?" His hand reached to turn her gaze back to his. "I don't mind. Thank you."

[Lovely]

"I've guided them.. for so long and have been alone.. and I didn't realize that I wanted more." She tried to look away but his finger resting gently against her chin turned her back. "I don't have the right to .. not with you."

"If that is what you believe, I cannot sway you," he said, though his eyes held lingering reassurance if she would see it that she could and he would follow her. Perhaps she had been the one who summoned him and had not yet realized it for herself. Those who most needed healing were often the ones least likely to see it when offered. His offer was more than simple help and healing. This he hoped she understood just be being brought to this place with him.

Lily gave him a soft sad smile, her eyes swirling in dark shades now. "Even I can dream and wish.. but that does not mean it will be.. only that I hope it could be." Her hand lifted to trace a gentle finger over his cheek. "Who am I to believe I could be worthy of you.. would you sway me if you could?" She mused as her eyes roamed his features.

"Of course, but like forgetting, there are some things we should not do," he grinned softly, not hiding how her touch brought him pleasure. "But if you do not believe it for yourself for whomever you choose, it will never be worthy of the depth it could be if you did. Sometimes though, wishing and becoming are the same. Look... there." He diverted his own attention, though still quite aware where her thoughts were. He was not intending to be rude, but kind in helping her understand what was within her grasp if she truly wished it. The clearing he looked to shimmered like a mirage, water in air, though not like the portals of darkness that hissed and warped the woods around them.

She turned her gaze and found her smile softly appreciating the shimmering doorway. "Almost there." She murmured, letting her hand drop down to slip into his. "Perhaps just this once.. you could show me the way?" She meant much more than stepping through the doorway, but perhaps these were signs and deeper meaning in what they shared now.

"Perhaps," he agreed. His hand again curled around hers and his other drew something from his waist. He'd unhooked something that appeared like the tiniest of daggers, like what a courtesan might carry in her bodice. It was intricately carved from a single piece of bone or wood, possibly stone for its darkened color, but its polish shone in the light. He led her to shimmering area that appeared to be the gateway, warded and still intact against intrusion, though the thresshold seemed to waver unsteadily. "It sings in pain. That is why I could not hear clearly. Take this." He offered her the knife and his outstretched palm that she should cut it for him.

She stared at him in shock for a moment -that he would ask her to do this, it was against her nature to do harm to any creature. But because he asked and she knew that he would not without reason, she gently took the knife and held his hand with her other. Despite it not being in her nature she seemed skilled enough with the blade as it ran swiftly and in a smooth motion over his palm. As quick as it passed and split his flesh, there would be little to no sting from the wound.

It caused him no pain and he offered a nod, beginning to whisper something that drew the leaves along the base of the doorway. His scratched hand was placed to the center of the rippling area and she would begin to hear the song he heard, that of the ethereal spirit crying out to be healed. It was not the cut that pained him, but what he drew from the passage they were to enter that made him shudder a moment, doing his best not to recoil. The doorway had withstood the ages and the ripple in time, but had not altered. Instead, the door and the grove beyond still suffered from the havoc and treachery that had been wrought, overlooked by the Powers. "Your hand," he murmured, seeking hers with his unmarked one for her strength.

She watched him at first and her hand slid into his instantly when he asked for it. She was not sure what strength she could offer him in this, not knowing how her gifts could aide him. She was willing to offer all she had, should he need it and she stepped beside him only slightly behind his shoulder. Letting him lead and guide her, she didn't speak in these few moments, remaining quiet and alert.

The leaves, catching the few drops that fell from his hand, drew up upon themselves, climbing and becoming part of the rippling pool until reaching the top and seeming to melt into it. In a few moments beneath his hand was a lattice of tightly interwoven vines and branches, a proper and strong gate of thriving greenery through which they could clearly see the old woods, still shimmering of themselves, but dulled from their true regal standing and withered from the weight of the darkness they'd tried to withstand. "It will take more than this, Lily. They're afraid."

[Lovely]

The place brought tears to her eyes for it's wonder and beauty and it's sorrow and fear. Her voice was hushed as she started to step around his shoulder, drawn into the grove with the desire, the calling to help it. She didn't know how or what a small thing like her could do, her eyes went to his hand and then cast around the grove. She'd gladly spill every drop she had if it would restore this place, she'd let her life end again to renew it if it was what would be asked. Shimmering tears ran down her cheeks, soft as she was and slipping free to fall like tiny drops of crystal rain. Were they hit the leaves, they left shining lush tracks as they soaked in and gave life. She'd been remade from the forest she cared for and that cared for her, her tears were seeds of life and rebirth. Where they landed was renewed and tiny sprigs and blooms pushed their way up. Her fingers curled in his as she gazed around the grove, unaware of what was happening at her feet.

"More than she seems as well," he murmured, watching her pass through the gate unhindered. Where it stayed fast against his hand, it welcomed her, perhaps beckoning, pleading to her more than himself. Solace cast his gaze down with a soft chuckle, amazed, bewildered and somewhat embarrassed that he thought it was he it called. Bewildered more, he watched her step further into the clearing and the trail that sprung to meet her shadow as she passed, green and strong, though timid. "Lilian...," he spoke her name softly that she would not be alarmed, but would hopefully turn to see what she'd brought forth.

She turned at his voice, her eyes shimmering with the tears that fell from them. "Solace.." She whispered his name, reaching back for him, needing him with her.

He stepped carefully, respectful of the new growth, and came to her side, muttering more of the words that had called out to elder life here. He bent to take a greyed leaf from the ground, crushing its powder to his opened palm to seal it, then turning a moment to offer it to the path for what strength and healing it would offer. He appeared pleased and turned back to take her hands, no mark now appearing where it had been.

She more than took his hand, curling towards him and wrapping into an embrace. The tears still flowed freely from her and continued there work, seeming stronger now with his strength to comfort her.

Holding her close as she wished, he let her tears fall as they would, not interfering with their flow nor their path. It was her heart and his knowledge that the grove fed from, thirsting to not be forgotten, to be cared for and mended. It would take time to return to its full splendor but what little they gave had already woken its own magic anew. He continued to chant quietly and she would hear it as the song it was as it too grew stronger, building gently on each verse as each tear fell to the ground.

She held tightly and gently, comforted by the solid chest she leaned against and the sound of his voice. She could remain like this, letting the grove feed upon their combined gifts and strengths for some time. Her eyes closed as she simply let it take what it needed from them and what came freely given from them both.

She'd moved the cloak from his shoulders and he reached to the clasp that held it, letting its weight pull it down to his hand as gently as the leaves it appeared as, easing it to the floor beside them. Beneath it, his coverings were plain and light, the belt fitted with a number of tiny pouches and two more blades, much simpler in design than the one he'd given her for opening the gate. He seemed smaller still, thin and drawn as if from the light and shadow that dappled the clearing where they stood. One might mistake him for human if not for the clarity of his eyes or the manner in which he spoke, peculiar to the ethereals in tone and texture, seeming to speak and sing from the elements themselves. His own voice was rain and sun together with warm breezes and he told her again. "Then believe as you hope, Lilian," he murmured, offering her a place on the blanket of his cloak upon the ground.

Her hand cupped his cheek and her eyes were lit in beautiful swirling hues of gentle blues and greens. She tumbled softly with him to the blanket of his cloak, lifting a sweet kiss to his lips as her voice whispered her hopes to him. "Then I shall believe.. you would love me.. and be mine.. as I would you.. " Her fingers caressed lightly his smooth skin. "I offer you all that I am.. if you would have me as yours."

"You spend a great deal of time with humans, do you not? I wonder," he mused, seeming to caution her as well as encourage. "As I embody healing and nurturing, do you not understand that even if I said yes, that as others call out in need, I must answer? Neither will I answer 'no', for that is not where my heart lies, I think. I should like to say yes with all the heart I have, but I would no longer be what I am nor have the power to do what I must." He spoke the truth, not to hurt her, but to be sure she understood. As Solace, he would be called upon by many, though he felt as he believed and hoped, the same as she'd asked.

[Lovely]

Her eyes clouded in confusion and she pulled away from him only to turn her gaze back to him. Her head shook, no she did not understand at all. She did not want him to change what he was, as she would not change what she was.. Would sharing her love with him somehow break or destroy him? She could not ask him that.. she could not do that.

He smiled softly to reassure her, resting down on the cloak beside her. "I cannot give all, but I can give that part that is mine to share as I wish," he said, in the manner that was meant to heal her worry. "It is only by your understanding that I am called upon to console others that I would dare to take from you and would never take all, for that would in turn leave you without a part for yourself and those you exist to protect and guide, nor would I be foolish enough to expect you ever to give that all. What you would spare, I would, however, be honored and pleased to share."

It was much easier dealing with trees, plants, and the animals that inhabited the forest.. they at least told her in simple direct ways what they needed or wanted. Hadn't she told him.. quite openly what she offered.. but had he refused it or accepted it? Sharing all that she was with him would not change what she was, she would still hear the calls and answer them. He spoke as if he shared the same with her he would not be what he was meant to be. That there was only a sliver of him that he could share and expected her to only share a sliver as well? "I am sorry I asked for and offered more than you would allow."

"You misundertand," he shook his head, reaching for her hand. "I am honored than you asked and will give all that I can."

"You speak as though I would destroy what you are by loving you.. and sharing all that I am.. I do not wish to do that. Only to make us both better and stronger.. by sharing what we are.. sharing love.. "

His expression bent briefly and he appeared sorrowful, but it passed quickly as his gaze moved over her. He'd hurt her without intending it. "Perhaps it is a matter of our words. I believe we are arrived to the same wish, not to diminish the other by taking more than we ought but desiring to give all we can or dare. Sharing, yes, as you said," he grinned, leaning back on one hand, and pulling up his knee on which he rested the other. "This place," he noted, motioning lightly to all around them that trembled gently with new life. "It longs for more but will not take more than it is given. You sense it and know it without being told. You are much more than you seem... so much more." He mused, curious to know.

She turned a gentle smile his way, forgiving the hurt he caused and letting it pass away as quickly as it came. Lily was not one to hold ill will towards any creature, much less one she felt so strongly towards. "What is it.. that I seem?"

"A part, within it. You hear its song though you are scarcely aware of it more than the air we breathe or travel through," he mused further, a glimmer of awe and admiration matched with the glimmer of his smile. "Few understand that here. You are one of those few, yet here we are first met, really. I had only thought it of the elders and first guardians, but a keeper? You are the keeper of those who have lost their way, yet... not a mere keeper, Lilian. Whatever it is, is held from my sight, though I am beguiled by its mystery."

She started to mirror his pose, her flimsy skirt breezing over her thighs and her small feet bare and curling into his cloak where they sat. Her eyes were full of light sparkles and she chuckled softly. "Perhaps.. because I don't know what I am.. I know what I was.. I know that returned to my calling.. but so much of it is a mystery.. faded dreams and whispers of memories.. "

The hand on his knee reached for hers. "Tell me then, what you do remember. Perhaps we have met before, though you have not truly seen me as you do now. That you do, is in itself a charm rarely bestowed, for I did not choose that you should see me, yet," he motioned to himself that here he was before her to view. "I am glad for it," he grinned shyly for a moment, something distant in his eyes, perhaps longing, or a forgotten sadness. "I find my own level of comfort that I may retrieve with the company. Thank you."

She hesitated and felt silly for doing so, chuckling again and looking to him with those eyes that seemed to connect to him. "I don't know.. I.. when I speak of what Raziel has done to me.. it was before.. another life.. but not another.. It's all so strange.. what I remember and what I don't. I've only just returned, did you know that? I don't think you would have come when I died though.. "

[Lovely]

"Died," he murmured, looking at her and listening to the hushed whispers through the leaves around them. His expression rippled with confusion and slight understanding as the songs rose and fell in the breeze, telling him what it knew. "No, not because you died, but because of what this place felt," he nodded. "I was here, but you would not have known me or felt my presence. I'd come too late to help. The woods here remember it. There is a story they tell me, that you were restored of it.. the woods, this place, its magic. Is that true?"

She glanced around the grove and brought her gaze back to him, nodding slowly and softly. "Yes.. that is true.. I was restored by the wonderous place I had served faithfully for so long."

"Then I am mistaken and owe you this," he uncurled and bowed his head a little to her. "It is you the woods have called and not me at all. They have called to me to bring you here for you are their childe."

She shook her head, her lips parted in a tiny gasp of surprise. "No.. it was you.. you were trying find this place.. I.." She reached soft fingers to his chin to lift his head from the slight bow he made. "Could it be.. that it called us both.. I would not have known.. if not for your connection to this place."

Her hand was swept into his and a kiss, one of servitude combined with admiration, met her wrist. "The breezes carried far and faint were hard to hear, Lilian. That was my connection, having heard it so long ago to know its voice now," he smiled. "But, you do hear it... here." His finger touched over her wrist where the pulse of the life in her beat with the same rhythm that blew in the breeze around them. "You... brought me. Shared, yes, combined, but for a reason I misunderstood." His finger still traced lightly over her arm, charmed by the sensation of being near another.

Her hand stayed with his as the other traced along her wrist -sending shivers through her. Her other hand lifted to his cheek and she traced along his face in wonder and admiration of him. "Then know I need you with me.. and to teach me of things I do not yet understand, there is much you know that I do not.. "

"And things for you to show me as well. I do understand this now," he agreed and chuckled softly. "The elders... strange ways and strange games they play."

"Strange, yes." Lily curled closer to him, settling her legs outside of his as she faced him, slightly off to the side. and somewhat encircling him with her legs. "I do not pretend to know the ways of the elders.. I am so tiny in comparasion."

"There is much to be said about not thinking like them," he cautioned, seeming to tease in his tone, though his expression changed little. "I simply do as I am bid to, which I find satisfies their curiosity enough."

Lily nodded, this she did understand and on impulse she darted a soft kiss to his cheek. She let him keep ahold of her hand as she fell back to lay against the cloak. her other hand drifted off and touched the ground. Very lightly she traced lines and shapes, absently, though with each brush of her finger tips a tiny bit of color, vibrance, life returned to the cracked and drying earth.

His gaze followed her as she tipped back to the earth, tugged gently to follow her form and lay beside her. “And am I being bid now, childe of these woods, to comfort and console as you wish?” The words once whispered carried out to her and to the breeze and the leaves it tossed around them, asking her and the hallowed earth they lay upon to answer.

Her hand turned enough to slid a bit and her fingers laced into his, her smile turning to shine sweetly upon him. Perhaps his answer was the call of the breeze like a gentle content sigh or maybe it was the tender kiss that she reached to bestow.

It was strange that he’d felt compelled to ask, but there was reason for him being seen by her in this form and his usual soulfelt embrace would embrace her differently than most because of it. It was the bidding not only by her, but his own heart that echoed the soft breeze that sighed her answer and its own. To serve a purpose, to rebuild and preserve, life unto life and to renew and heal this place, he understood, beginning the song that would bind them in this promise as her kiss was returned.

She felt as though her heart sang out as did her breezes, softly through the trees in tender harmony. This meeting and drawing to him seemed much more than chance.. more than just a fancy of elders to play games. There was a soft sensation of love building in the tender sweet kisses that brushed over his lips.