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+---- Thread: [RQ] we look at the world once (/showthread.php?tid=12316)
we look at the world once - Deimos - 01-01-2026
It wasn’t an unaccustomed thing for Erebos to follow after him as he wound about his duties in the morning – but something altogether when the youth was determined to help with the proceedings. Uncertain about how he felt within the matter, the Sword had only relented once it became quite clear Erebos wouldn’t have him been able to keep up with their luxere herding (nor would he have put him in that semblance of danger, but perhaps that went without saying). The bargaining chip had been, in the end, to help with purifying the springs.
The first thing they committed to was checking in on the herd, regardless, even as the creatures shied away or looked at him with those large, widened eyes. Picking another fresh batch of hay laden off to the side, he went about depositing piles, a casual inspection as he went along to ascertain each reindeer seemed to be in good health despite the long journey. Zuriel snorted, and he took enough of a hint to ensure she had the same assemblage, despite already having breakfast at home, with a few apples thrown in for good measure.
He could hear the youth chattering away to the animals though, and grinned once he turned around, heading towards the springs themselves. [say]“When you are ready then,” [/say]the Warden called back over his shoulder, unicorn already following as her teeth worked through a chunk of fruit.
RE: we look at the world once - Erebos - 01-01-2026
The boy was enamored with all of it. Between being able to help his father, see the luxere and the springs, he was a melded portion of endless, restless energy, zipping and zooming past unicorn and Warden with wandering intentions and ricocheting mayhem. [say]“This is so cool!”[/say] he uttered with more than a few similar exchanges, feet pushing off through snow noisily – there’d be no sneaking up on reindeer today – and once he spotted their glowing antlers beyond the fence, he unleashed an audible gasp.
While Deimos’ long strides easily ushered around the gate, the youth clambered around in distinct jumps and hops, excitedly watching as hay and apples were deposited, and happily followed suit. [say]“Hi there,” [/say]was a whisper to each luxere, and more than once he fetched a whole bushel of apples to start doling out. As one by one snorted at his hair or ate out of his hand, he was enamored, cheeks rosy in the glowing light of incoming suns and Safrin’s luminary beams; hardly noticing the way they avoided Deimos. Stretching out to pet a muzzle, quietly, without too much movement as he’d been instructed, the creature was soft and velvety, not unlike Zuriel, and his grin grew impossibly wider and brighter.
Only when he was beckoned did he remember why he was there in the first place, and gave one last pat to whatever creature was closest, before floating down towards the water. In all its twinkling, starlit glory, Erebos took the time to savor its breathtaking ideals, eyes wide as his senses tracked the haze of warmth in plumes and teardrops. Crouching down, he tried to mirror his dad’s movements, proud to even have a place or a chance here. [say]“What do I need to do?”[/say]
RE: we look at the world once - Deimos - 01-01-2026
Smothering down his laughter as he watched the luxere invade the child’s space, he patiently waited for Erebos to come skimming underneath the fence and down towards the springs themselves. He crouched too upon the opposite side of the gentle waters, head tilting, while Zuriel lingered along the top end of the threshold, content with her apple arrangement, horn already lowered and ready.
At Erebos’s inquiry, he smiled. [say]“We are cleansing it, in a way.”[/say] Not unlike how he’d done so to assist with the springs once nestled within the Fangs, he spread his water incantations outward, so they immersed within the confines of the plumes and ripples, then charted its movements, bigger, more tangible and noticeable, so Erebos would be able to see the alterations. Crisp and clear, he commanded and wielded the elements in a slow, purposeful mannerism, the waves unfurling, undulating, becoming a makeshift current as he swayed them from side to side. [say]“You can change the directions, immerse them into the water itself – however you think would be best.”[/say]
The unicorn took the notions directly too, the glow of her horn a gentle nudge into the effects of the water – aiming to purge any negative components that had ever touched the surface. More than a few curious, nosier luxere came to hang their heads over the fence and watch.
RE: we look at the world once - Erebos - 01-01-2026
The boy stared in awe as his father began – set to be both a bewildering, exciting, and informational day. His eyes tracked the movements of both unicorn and Warden, watching as the water flowed in whatever way he deigned. [say]“Okay,”[/say] he nodded, trying to emphasize his comprehension while his little mind toiled and strived to figure out where he could place his own work. Along the surface, like Zuriel? Everywhere, like Deimos?
Furrowing his brows and taking a deep breath, he remembered the recollection of its natural essence. A beacon he could call at any time. An element he could summon from beneath his skin and under his pulse and anywhere in between. So when it bubbled and immersed at his fingertips, he nearly laughed; hiding it behind a proud, grand smile instead. Instead of broadening it towards the top, he shoved the light incantations downward, plunging it through celestial expanses, churning the pinnacles underneath. [say]“Like that?”[/say] came along with a sharp incline to his head, eager for reassurance and acceptance.
RE: we look at the world once - Deimos - 01-01-2026
Deimos was always content to give both to his son – so his brow arched, watching as the youth strived and tried. He could feel the potency reaching downward, churning below, and he gave a strong, stalwart nod of his head, the brightening of his own grin. [say]“Good. Well done.”[/say] From there, he wove his own enchantments through the threads of light and dark contrast, as if untangling knot after knot, gently coercing and coursing along the brim and outwards, extending all that might so that perhaps Erebos could snag on it too, be enveloped and surrounded and pervaded by the ability, to know it, to understand it, to take value and pride in it. To not be ashamed of what he carried; hold his head high, confident and emboldened.
Zuriel followed suit, though her pathway came along from the sides, her horn dipping into the fine edges, lithe and lissome steps and strides taking her in a solid loop around the springs itself.
RE: we look at the world once - Erebos - 01-01-2026
Heartened and encouraged by the praise, he dug deeper into his soul, unfurling the elements in rapid fortification. But when his father unleashed, and gods knew that wasn’t all the Warden could encompass, his eyes widened again, feeling the enriched portions flicker against him. Power and prowess and prestige sauntered beneath his fingertips like it had all the time in the world. Gathered in some effortless facets, it lingered at his senses, maybe as much a promise as potential in him and the thought of the future; one day believing he’d be able to do all of that too, so easily, so infinitely.
Goaded onwards, he tried to have his magic follow, sweeping within turns and toils of the springs, chasing after particular stars reflecting along the veneer and reflection. But eventually he had to take a breath, feeling the pulse of sweat rambling down his features and curls, could feel the wear and tear of the minutes going by. [say]“This is a lot harder than I thought,”[/say] he uttered on half a laugh, glancing back at the luxere, shifting his head upwards to the morning sunrise.
RE: we look at the world once - Deimos - 01-01-2026
Despite youthful energy, he knew Erebos wouldn’t have the ability to carry on for much longer – endurance and fortitude made up much of incantations’ worth too, so he rallied, gave more where it was needed, a little zeal for a grand finale. [say]“Want to help me make a whirlpool?”[/say] came on a mischievous grin, not unlike the times he’d teased Evie with learning how to swim and pulling her amidst its orbit instead. Zuriel gave a huff of annoyance from her healing angles nearby, perhaps far too haughty and superior to be snagged into such immaturity and juvenile tendencies, but the Sword certainly wasn’t. [say]“Then we can be done.”[/say] An assurance of the end in sight, and to not push the youth into dangerous limitations – Deimos knew he should understand how far the range went, but there was no need to cajole and swarm in lethal predilections.
And like that, he toyed with the water, beginning to snag and coil it around so it maneuvered on itself; eventually swarming into circular motions. He forged it deeper, watching as the elements churned, twisted, not unlike some mythical drain out in the endless sea, contorting, distorting, swallowing constellations until they burst on the other side.
RE: we look at the world once - Erebos - 01-01-2026
Erebos had seen enough in his picture books and bedtime stories to know what Deimos meant – still, it was far more amusing to see in person. Nodding eagerly at the encouragement and mild cajoling to get the job done, he set a determined little brow in his features, watching as the liquid began to spin. Then he added his own, barely a hint in comparison, following and trickling after the larger twirls and pivots; laughing as he imagined it’d be gobbled up too. [say]“Do you think we could toss something in, and it’d be swallowed whole?”[/say] Of course, that would destroy the purpose of the cleansing, and he knew the springs were collected all there, but it was difficult to take that young boy compulsion to throw rocks into water and witness the impending splashes and manufactured doom.
So he did manage to snag at a snowball nearby, launching it perfectly into the center, and giggled as it was easily consumed; either melted by the temperature or smothered into the depths.
RE: we look at the world once - Deimos - 01-01-2026
Not even bothering to hide his laughter, it came as an amused rumble when the snowball went flying, and of course, evaporated almost immediately. Thereafter, he let the water drift back over itself, giving one last turn to ensure the newfound elements didn’t mean it was less purified and cleansed, before rising from his crouch. [say]“There. That should do it.” [/say]Then he gave a long, low exhale, felt the power flow back into his form rather than outward, making his way back over to Erebos and offering his hand to take as they crossed over more grounds and intended to leave the springs behind; their duty done. [say]“How about a second breakfast for our efforts?”[/say] He watched Zuriel’s head snap up at that presumption and assertion, muffling the snort that followed.
[say]“You did very well. Thank you for the help,”[/say] he insisted, tucking the youth against his side and giving a wave towards the luxere as they began to leave – content that they’d done ample amounts and enough to secure another fixture for Halo.
[FIN]