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cut me into pieces - Alys - 06-01-2025
It was a quiet ride home.
With the flowers distributed and the Barrows soon-to-be protected, there was a sense of accomplishment aboard the Peregrine that Alys was loathe to interrupt. She leaned against the railing of the little skyship, her face turned into the wind, enjoying the feeling of the breeze whipping at her dark curls. Every once in a while, she would glance sidelong at Tal, both to admire and adore, and also to ponder just how she might bring up her fears without causing an unnecessary amount of guilt. She'd known, deep down, that eventually he'd end up back in the conflict. And she admired that he was willing and able to protect Caido.
But as much as she appreciated that, it terrified her.
Sensing her bonded's emotions, Sascha padded over, tired out after the companions' game of tag. She plopped down at the seer's feet with a searching rumble, lifting her head to gaze up at her human with an air of concern. Alys reached down to offer a brief pat, but she didn't have any comfort to offer - not when she wasn't sure of what would come next.
It wasn't until they reached the house, climbed down from the Peregrine, and made their way into the upper level that contained their home that Alys spoke. [say]"Do you want some tea, love?"[/say] she said, kicking off her shoes near the door and padding into the kitchen. There, she set some water to boil and began to sort through her collection of various blends. [say]"I was thinking peppermint, but I could be swayed towards something else."[/say]
RE: cut me into pieces - Talyson - 06-01-2025
Tal was pretty pleased that they'd managed to finish their quest for Rae. He could already feel the lightening of the dread that had hung over him since LongNight, secure in the knowledge that their Archon was heading straight for the shrine that the courier had helped him build. It wasn't gone - not completely, not knowing that the Family could still come and go at will through Meadowreach - but the iron bands that had been constricting his chest for the past three months were finally loosening enough to let him draw a full and proper breath.
He hadn't forgotten Alys's look, though. And he hadn't forgotten what Sunjata had said about Starfall, either. The combination dulled his sense of accomplishment somewhat as he turned both things over in his mind during the quiet trip back to the house.
Boreal had abandoned the deck to fly alongside the skyboat, grateful to stretch her wings after staying politely on the ground for the whole day while they entertained their guest aboard. She stayed near to Sascha, however, never straying too far from the little bear for very long before returning to her protective position over the ship.
Home was a welcome sight, and Tal stayed behind to secure the boat for the night while the rest of the family headed in. He joined them soon enough, gratefully pulling his boots off at the top of the stairs and setting them carefully in their place - tucking Alys's neatly in beside his - before padding on stocking feet across the floor to join his partner in the kitchen.
"Peppermint for keepin' us calm, or ginger for soothin' stressed stomachs?" he asked her ruefully, heading straight for the ursur - er, sorry Sascha - in the room. "Y'didn't seem too pleased with th'Archon for sharin' that tale o' Starfall with us."
RE: cut me into pieces - Alys - 06-02-2025
Well, apparently they were going to jump right into the deep end.
Alys glanced up from her teas, something perhaps a bit guilty on her face. [say]"It's not that, exactly,"[/say] she murmured, turning her attention back to the teas and selecting peppermint and ginger, turning to sit both in front of Tal, alongside two mugs. He could choose his own, but she would stick with peppermint, both for its calming effects and its reviving properties. Spreading the flowers had taken more energy than she'd thought it would.
She leaned against the counter as she waited on the water to boil, studying her partner. [say]"You know,"[/say] she said after a moment gathering her thoughts. [say]"There are a lot of things I love about you. You're strong. You're capable. You're selfless."[/say] She picked up a mug and twisted it in her hands. [say]"And those are things I've always admired, even before we were together."[/say] She smiled up at him, but there was something stirring in her eyes. Worry. Fear.
She sat the cup back down and sighed. [say]"I just... I worry. And I know it's selfish of me, but I don't want to lose you. If you go to Starfall..."[/say] She swallowed hard. If he went to Starfall, she couldn't go with him. She wasn't strong enough, and she'd only be a liability. [say]"I just wish I was stronger so I could watch your back."[/say]
RE: cut me into pieces - Talyson - 06-02-2025
No point in waiting to rip the bandaid off. The longer they let it sit and stew the harder it would be to find an opening to start, Tal figured, so he jumped in feet first. It didn't make him feel better about making his partner uncomfortable, though.
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly at the look on her face, knowing she was struggling to say something and having a pretty good idea of what. He didn't know what to do about it, but he took a deep breath and chose the ginger, plopping the bag into his dry mug while they waited for the water before raising his head to meet her eyes. Which lasted... well, surprisingly long given the compliments that he was usually so allergic to. When they came from Alys, though, he found them a lot easier to accept - and he wasn't about to argue with his partner about that when the real reason for their conversation was still coming. Instead he smiled back, a little lopsided and a little sad at the worry in her eyes.
Knowing that he was the cause of it.
"I don't want you t'lose me, either," he said, voice soft and utterly serious. He stepped up to close the distance between them, reaching for her hands to fold them into his and running his thumbs over the backs of her knuckles. "It ain't selfish t'worry about someone, love. An' someday y'will be strong enough t'do th'same boneheaded stuff I do. T'gether. As a family." His lips twitched again towards a rueful smile as he gazed down at her with adoration. "An', hail, no one's exactly been beatin' down our door lookin' t'turn me into a soldier yet..." He trailed off with a wince at his unfortunate words, his joke falling flat. He drew a breath to steady the ache in his heart, eyes flicking subconsciously towards the window that had been repaired. "... 'cept mebbe th'Void itself."
He turned his eyes back to her, serious again as he swallowed past the lump of lingering guilt in his throat. "But that's why I gotta do somethin' t'help. So somethin' like that... it doesn't happen t'us again. Not us, an' not anyone else, neither. Is that.. is that okay? Can y'forgive me for runnin' off like a damn fool into danger without you?" His hands trembled a little around hers, knowing damn well that he was asking the far harder sacrifice from her, and for very little in the way of repayment.
RE: cut me into pieces - Alys - 06-02-2025
Alys was worrying at her lower lip with her teeth when Tal interrupted her fidgeting, stepping to close the distance between them and taking her hands. She looked up at him, her eyes open and honest as she considered that perhaps she wasn't being selfish after all. She wasn't asking him not to fight - she was just reminding him, she supposed, of what he was fighting for. For her, and for Sascha, and for a world in which they could once more embrace peace. Even if they did so with new scars to show for their efforts.
At Tal's wince, Alys reached up to cup his face with one hand, stroking her thumb against his cheek. [say]"I know,"[/say] she murmured. [say] "I know you can't just sit by when you can help protect us all." [/say] She swallowed hard, dropping her hand to rest on his chest, feeling the thump-thump of his heart beneath her palm. [say] "And there's nothing to forgive. I'm proud that you want to fight." [/say] And she was, truly, even if that pride was wrapped up in all sorts of other, more complicated emotions.
The seer stood on tiptoe, reaching to rest her forehead against her partner's. [say] "I'm just terrified, too, and I don't know what to - how to -"[/say] She tried to force words past a sudden lump in her throat. [say]"I want to help, too. I want to help you, and I want to help our friends, and I want to help Caido. I can't sit waiting to see if - waiting for you to come home, Tal. Just - promise me I can stay as close to you as I can, for as long as I can. And promise you'll come straight back to me, when you're done."[/say]
RE: cut me into pieces - Talyson - 06-02-2025
The fact that she wasn't asking him not to fight meant more to him than he knew how to say. In spite of how scared she was for him and how much she wanted him to be safe... she knew him so well. Knew that he might grumble and grouse about the inconvenience but when the chips were down he wouldn't leave his friends to face the fight alone, or let anyone get hurt if he could help it.
He closed his eyes as she rested her hand against his cheek, tilting his head just a little to lean into her warmth as she spoke. When he opened them again his gaze saw only her, even as she could feel the speed of his pulse beneath his shirt. The fear of the fight ahead alongside the stubborn determination to not back down from it. And the love he felt for her, for her support and her pride and her strength. He tilted his head down so they could rest their foreheads together and his free hand circled around to hold her in a half-embrace. He had his own lump in his throat making it hard to speak but that was okay, because it was his turn to listen. He swallowed hard, remembering how much it had burned when he had been in her position; not strong enough to survive the dangers his friends and heroes faced without him while he stood back.
"'Course y'can help," he tried to assure her, squeezing the hand he still held as they leaned together. "You're my Seer. Our Seer, if I gotta share. Fightin' doesn't do any good if we're not aimin' at th'right targets. That's somethin' only you an' th'gods can do, Alys." The next part, at least, was easy and he relaxed a little, forehead smoothing as a smile caught him off guard. "I can promise that. You're my home, Alys. I'll always come back t'you." Through rain or storm or dark of night. Though the night had gotten a lot darker as of late, and he hesitated only a moment before adding more soberly: "An' if I get lost along th'way, get hold o'Ronin as fast as y'can. He can bring people back from Mort's Halls if he catches 'em fast enough, I think." Between Mel and Flora and Maea, at least, that seemed to be how it worked.
RE: cut me into pieces - Alys - 06-02-2025
These days, Alys hardly needed her magic when it came to Tal's feelings; she'd learned long ago the way his voice pitched, the way his eyes softened, the way his hold on her tightened, and all the things they meant. Still, that didn't stop the wave of emotion that came crashing over her as the resignation she'd felt at the beginning of their conversation gave way to relief, adoration, understanding, reassurance. And as his arm circled around her, pulling her into a half-embrace, she closed her eyes in appreciation of this moment that they still had together, no matter what the future held.
I'll always come back to you, he said, and she squeezed the hand she still held, the love and adoration she felt for her partner reaching an overwhelming pitch that she wasn't sure she could give voice to even if she tried. [say]"Ronin. Got it."[/say] She filed the information away, praying that she wouldn't need it, but grateful to have it - just in case.
She opened her eyes, peering up at Tal, brushing her nose against his before pressing a lingering kiss to his mouth. [say]"I love you, Tal,"[/say] she whispered against his lips. And, gods willing, one day they'd be able to go back to a time of peace and quiet and love and life, and for Alys, that day couldn't come quickly enough.
It was at that moment that the kettle started to whistle, and Alys pulled away with a regretful sigh. She squeezed Tal's fingers as she let go, bustling over to the stove to prepare their tea. She poured the water, then turned back to Tal, setting the mug of ginger tea in front of him. [say]"Careful, it's hot."[/say] A brief pause, and then: [say]"I had another vision."[/say] She curled her fingers around her own warm mug, a bleak expression on her face. [say]"They're getting worse."[/say]
RE: cut me into pieces - Talyson - 06-03-2025
If there was one sure way to stop Tal from rambling, it was a kiss from Alys Glasse. He blinked once as their conversation took a much more pleasant shift and then tilted his head to return it, his lips curving into smile as the heavy topics felt a little lighter for having been discussed and cleared up between them. Sure, things would still be difficult when either of them ended up in danger, but they were a team and he recognized her strength and resilience even as she recognized his stubbornness and questionable life choices when it came to everything except her.
"Love you, too, Alys," he murmured back between kisses, and somehow all the words came out clearly as he slowed down to save each one.
Then the stupid kettle went off and Tal started having second thoughts about tea, but it was too late. He let his partner go with a lingering squeeze to her fingers before releasing her so he could watch the way the light shone off her hair and the curve of her cheek in profile. It only took a minute or two and he accepted his tea with a distracted nod until she spoke again. The smile faded from his lips as he took in what she'd said and he bit his lip, worry surging up anew. "Glad I picked th'ginger," he murmured ruefully, at least until her expression warned him that there was worse to come. That sobered him instantly, and he reached out to wrap his fingers around hers again as if to anchor her in the present moment. "D'you want t'talk about it?" he asked cautiously, not wanting to push if it had been too unsettling.
RE: cut me into pieces - Alys - 06-05-2025
If she could have, she'd have lingered in Tal's arms all day - but the kettle was whistling, and it was sure to become an annoyance if she didn't at least move it off the heat. And while she was there, she might as well make the tea, and by the time she'd turned back around, she had both cups already in hand. Besides, she hadn't yet had a chance to share her latest dream with her partner, and this seemed like an opportune moment - before work and duty called them away from home again.
With one hand, she reached out to accept Tal's fingers with hers, squeezing gratefully. [say]"It wasn't a good night, with the nightmares,"[/say] she started - Tal knew what she meant, how she was still plagued by dreams of losing Sascha, or him, or Boreal. Some nights were worse than others. [say]"But this dream started off... normal. I don't really remember what was happening, at first. But then, all of a sudden, it got dark and it felt damp, like I was underground somewhere. I saw flickers of what I thought was lightning - purple, of course, just like everything else, these days."[/say] She drummed the fingers of her free hand on the counter. [say]"But it wasn't lightning. It was these... markings, I think, that were lighting up all over this giant creature. I'm not sure what it was, but as soon as I recognized it as something living, I woke up."[/say]
She thought back over the other visions she'd had, things she'd shared with him and things she'd heard in return, and all the information that had been gathered up to this point. [say]"Every vision I get seems clearer. More detailed. Like... like a veil is lifting. I think... I think it means we're running out of time."[/say] And maybe that, at the end of the day, was why she understood Tal's drive to fight. Because if they didn't do something, and soon, they would be too late.
RE: cut me into pieces - Talyson - 06-20-2025
Nightmares, he understood. That he couldn't help her fight them in her sleep chafed at him, but he could only do so much. And she was strong enough to win her own battles; he trusted in her to come home to him in the morning, as he would always try to come home to her. So he only squeezed her fingers again, lacing them more tightly through his own as she spoke.
He listened with his brows beetled together in concentration, but the vision was hard to pin down and he didn't have the context needed to really understand what she was describing. But he knew about her other visions, where her mind's eye took her in the night, and he swallowed hard. "Somethin' livin' on Starfall, y'mean," he said quietly, voice gruff with tension. "Some new monster they'll have t'fight." Or maybe we, if anything happened to the demigods and leaders who had been leading the charge so far, if Sah's reports to him were any indication.
He gulped air and then gave a sharp nod of his head, coming to a decision. "Take this. Whatever we're doin', wherever we are... if there's trouble, get Sascha an' get out. Y'can fly th'Peregrine better'n anyone else now, so I'll leave 'er in your hands 'til I can meet up with y'again. Back here, if we get separated." He pulled the Compass from his pocket and turned her hand over, pressing it into her palm with a crooked smile. "Not that we will. But... just in case, yeah?"
Tal has given Alys:
Type: Grey | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Constellation Compass | A small compass that can teleport the user and one other back to the Peregrine so long as it is no more than 1 region away.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
The Peregrine | A personal skyboat capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
RE: cut me into pieces - Alys - 06-21-2025
[say]"Yes,"[/say] she said simply. Her visions all pointed to Starfall, and if her intuition was right, she was seeing whatever lay at the island's heart. It wouldn't be easy to defeat such a monstrosity - not for anyone - and that her partner might get pulled into the thick of things without her able to follow chafed. It wasn't a lack of trust; she knew he was smart, and strong, and capable. But this was Starfall. This was the Family. There were things she knew they didn't know about their adversary, and her visions might come too late to change that.
Tal nodded sharply, pulling the Constellation Compass from his pocket and pressing it into Alys's palm. [say]"Tal -"[/say] she started, intending to protest, but if it gave him peace of mind, if it freed up his attention to focus on the fight... Alys sighed, peering into her partner's face. [say]"But what about you? What if you need to get out?"[/say] Out of what, she didn't say - but she rather thought that out of trouble was implied.
Still, she pocketed the Compass. [say]"But we'll stay together for now, right? For as long as we can."[/say] She stepped closer, her tea forgotten on the counter, and reached up to cup his face in her hands. [say]"And if we get separated, it's not goodbye. Not forever."[/say] She swallowed hard, her gaze determined. [say]"I will find you, Tal."[/say] She smiled crookedly. [say]"But maybe try not to need me to, yeah?"[/say]
RE: cut me into pieces - Talyson - 07-02-2025
"I can run pretty fast," he assured her with that crooked smile softening as he looked down into her eyes and curled her fingers around the Compass. "An' worst case, I'm sturdy enough t'take a few hits while I'm runnin'." If he was only given the chance to run. He wasn't too proud to flee if it came down to facing the Family alone and outmatched, but sticking around to save a friend? That, the courier might be feckless enough to do. "An' Boreal can fly high enough t'stay out o' range o' just about anythin'."
Something in him eased, releasing like a gentle draw down on an overstrung bow when she took the Compass without further argument. Her free hands cupped his face and he closed his eyes, smiling down into her touch as the worry eased from his brow. She was his home, his light, his comfort and his joy, and at her promise he reached out to rest his hands on her waist, holding her gently close. "Long as we can,' he echoed, eyes drifting open and smile fading at the seriousness of her tone. "An' I'll do th'same for you, if it comes to it. Never goodbye, love. Not between us. We've still got plenty o' journeys ahead o' us, an' not all th'Void in Caido can stop us." He bent his head slowly, giving her time to adjust her hands as he pressed his forehead to hers and and brushed their noses together. "I love you, Alys Glasse. Now an' forever."
RE: cut me into pieces - Alys - 07-04-2025
Tal's reassurances did little to calm the Fateweaver; she knew her partner well enough to know that while he wasn't too proud to run if it was just him, he would absolutely stay and fight and even die for his friends. Still, she allowed him to curl her fingers around the Compass, if only because she felt his relief as she did so.
Alys melted into his touch as his hands settled on her waist, pressing closer, as if to reassure herself that he was here, and that they were safe, and that no matter what came next, they had this moment in which to live. The hand that cupped Tal's face drifted down to rest atop his heart. At his quiet vow, the seer smiled, pouring all of her love into the gesture.
Her hand fisted in her partner's shirt. [say]"I love you, Talyson Seawright."[/say] She nudged his nose with hers, adding a final promise: [say]"Always."[/say] And then she pressed her lips to his.
RE: cut me into pieces - Talyson - 07-04-2025
Her smile lit up his world, soothing the last of the worry from his mind and giving him strength that buoyed his spirits. All of that even before the hand over his heart - where it beat strong and steady within his chest - curled through fabric to hold him close. Not that she had to worry about him getting away! Nothing in the world could have separated him from his lady in that moment as he held her like something precious. Not something fragile, but someone treasured, as worthy of his loyalty and worship as any goddess.
Her words of love wrapped around him and held him tighter even than her hands, and when her lips found his he tilted his head in joyful surrender to her kiss. He met and matched it with an affection both tender and fierce, and if Boreal chortled contentedly to herself in the background and reached out a lazy wing to distract Sascha, well, Tal would thank her later for her discretion. For now, he had a partner to hold and reassure with a kiss whose glow became his whole world.
At least for one perfect evening.
~Fin