Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 7:03 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Drae laughed at how Iva described Angela keeping the food fresh because that was 'what mothers do'. He doubted that this was why Angela did anything when it came to being a goddess, but he didn't dare contradict the child. He wasn't going to ruin her ideals about her mother with his own memoirs about his mother. 

He followed behind her as she let go of his hand, and he listened patiently to her babble on about all the fun things there were to do in this area. He chuckled at the thought of this tiny little girl riding on windmill blades and doing other things that Angela might not exactly approve of her doing. The mention of the mud puddles made him think about when he had first laid eyes on the adorable little imp.

"The stairs, huh? And I trust you haven't gone up there. That seems like a very grown up thing for a little one like yourself to see," Drae said as he came up behind Iva. 

Author: Iva, Posted: Thu Feb 4, 2016 10:13 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Iva found herself blushing towards Drae as he put the tropical flower in her bright hair. Giving him a cheesy grin she was sure glad she had someone to play with since her and her siblings had such a decent gap in ages.

Once they got to the Grand Farmstead she nodded up to him. “Yup! It’s not only just for us either. People from all over Revaliir can come here when they are hungry. The windmills make flour and other things for bread and I think there are even places to cook food around here. As for food there are all kinds! Mama keeps it all fresh here and she supports everyone because that’s what mommies do!”

She jumped down the stairs letting go of his hand. “There are tons of things to do! At least I think so! I like to run through the wheat because I’m short! There are mud pits, windmill blades to ride, and a whole bunch of other probably dangerous things that momma wouldn’t like me doing!” She grinned more as she took a piece of wheat and waved it around.

“Past here is the salt flats, the crystal cavern, and finally the stairs! The stairs are super spiffy because they show you all kinds of stuff like your future children or children you might have lost. It can be sad or awesome.”

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 5:38 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

"I think you are right. She wouldn't let just anyone stay here, let alone bury just anyone here," Drae agreed with Iva. "And I am sure glad that is a rule. I do think I would be scarred for life it that were the case," he joked with her.

She was up and bounding off again, like she was incapable of remaining still for too long. He chuckled and followed after her, lightly fiddling with the charms of the necklace she had made for him, before she was grabbing his hand and holding it quite tightly. 

"Lead on my wonderful little guide," Drae insisted as Iva told them that they would now be heading out to walk the trails that wound around the realm. He admired the stained glass bridge yet again as they passed over it, and practically ran with her through the temple and out to the large open bridge that spanned across the stream that lead right up to the main walk of the shrine. He walked in pace with her skip as they both crossed to the center of the bridge, where she climbed up onto the railing and shouted out over the water. The sound of her voice reverberated tenfold across the water, reporting back to their ears time and time again, bringing a smile to the young girl's face and a laugh that was echoed back to her just as loudly. 

Drae smiled, enjoying the feel of nature all around them as Iva jumped off the railing and ran back to take his hand again, and yanked him forward. He chuckled at her exuberance, though he did slightly rub his shoulder. She had yanked it quite hard. She announced that they were going to technically be going backwards from how the trail was normally supposed to be. 

"Don't worry. I got to experience it the right way when your mother first brought me here," he assured her as they stepped through the great rose covered archway and were engulfed in utter darkness. He let her continue to lead on, never once pulling his hand away in the dark, and soon they reentered the light on the other side and were met by the songs of Earth and the lush green, thriving rain forest on the other side. The humidity immediately clung to Drae, and he rather felt like he had just gone swimming. 

Iva explained the metaphor in the path they had just taken, and Drae nodded in understanding. "I would imagine that it would feel very much like that," he told her. They walked a little more down the path that wound through the thick ropy trees and ivy, flowers of ever kind flashing their bright colors. Drae paused and snatched up a hibiscus flower before he tucked it lightly into Iva's hair behind her ear.

"It's just as lovely as you are," he told her as they came to the mossy stairs and water that streamed down them. They were at the edge of the rain forest, and from their vantage point, Drae thought he could see the entire expanse of the Grand Farmstead. It was more productive than any farm he was sure to have seen, and it proved that this realm was incredibly self-sufficient. 

"Wow. So this is where all the food that we eat comes from, huh?" Drae asked Iva. "What kind of things grow here?"

Author: Iva, Posted: Sat Jan 9, 2016 9:29 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Iva smirked up at Drae as he tussled her red curls. Nodding softly she snuggled herself into the man and looked at the tomb stone. "I think if he wasn't a good man that Momma wouldn't have buried him here." There was a reassurance in her words. "Momma doesn't let just anyone make this place home at. Those who live here are expected a certain level of respect. Like they can't run around naked because of my sisters and me."

Before he knew it Iva was up and bouncing around as she was too scared to stay still in this place. She showed Drae her special place and now she was ready to show him the rest of the realm. She held his hand tightly and gave him a smile. "We're going to go out into the trials now. The first one we'll get to is called the Mother's footpath."

She lead him through the temple and got back to the bridge infront of the large temple. "This way." She skipped across the bridge able to equal her skip to his normal walking speed. A giggle left her lips as she let go and hopped up onto the bridge's side. "ECHO." she listened and it echoed back at her. She laughed hard as she listened to the falling water.

"This way." she ran back to Drae and grabbed his arm almost yanking it out she bet. "It's going to be backwards from how it normally is." She giggled as she took him through the large rose covered arch. They were in a pitch black area now. She dragged him straight forward as the light began to pour in. They were in a rain forest. The songs of her mother poured out as she stopped.

"Momma says this represents your birth into this world. You go from the darkness of the womb to the light of the world." Pulling him once more they went through arches of flowers and trees until they came out to the moss covered stairs with water pouring down.

From there they could see the wheat fields that went on forever. There were windmills. In the fields there were various clergy members gathering the wheat and other vegetables that grew there. "This is the Grand Farm stead."

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Tue Jan 5, 2016 6:31 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Drae looked over as Iva rested her head on his shoulder as they both sat in front of the tombstone. He grinned and lightly tussled her red curls as she admitted to him what she thought her deceased father would tell her and chuckled. 

"You probably aren't wrong. Most fathers would say such things to their rambunctious and energetic children. He sounds like he was a good man, the kind of man that most other men wish to aspire to," he mused softly to her. Her face turned sad, and he hated it. She wasn't supposed to be sad. He shouldn't have hated it, she wasn't his child; hell, he barely new the little girl. But it was suddenly very important to him that she not be sad, ever. He listened without saying anything as she told him about her father, and how sometimes she got scared at night by things unseen by others, some scary some not, and how in these dreams she had seen her father's face and heard his voice. 

A visionary child… an oracle… diviner…fascinating… darling child…

The voice in his head distracted Drae momentarily with the whispers before quite quickly Iva was up again offering him her hand. He noticed the tears in her eyes and how she had bravely brushed them away again. It was impressive to see such a young child have such control over her emotions. 

Drae got up to his feet, and despite some misgivings, took Iva's hand and allowed her to lead on. He squeezed it gently as a reassurance to her.

"So, where are you going to take me now?" he asked her curiously. 

Author: Iva, Posted: Fri Jan 1, 2016 7:20 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Iva gave him a gentle smile as she hop scotched her way through the tunnel. "Magic silly." She chuckled a bit as they continued.  She wasn't blind to his hesitation like most kids were. Her attention was on Drae after all. Iva gave him a smile and nodded. "That's why he named me Iva."

Iva was life. Life was abundant in Iva even if Angela had no control over that. The child was always on adventures and so full of energy. She could make the darkest heart sing a song back to her. Leaning her head onto Drae's shoulder Iva stared at the tombstone and smiled. "Not to be such a mud golem to my big sisters. To respect mama and listen to her more when she talks. Not to run away from my lessons even when they are boring." She giggled a bit. "Mama said he was that type of man. I ask about him sometimes for night stories."

She frowned and got sad, "He was really sick though so he couldn't be with me right now. That's okay though because I wouldn't want him to be in anymore pain. He loved me enough to want to stay with mama until I was born. I think that is enough to say he loves me. Sometimes I get scared at night when I see things… I see things scaling the walls that no one else can see." 

She turned her face away from Drae. "Things that put the boogeyman on the good side of things. It's not things that go bump in the night that scare me. It's the quiet things that worry me more. Mama says they are visions of what's to come or maybe of something that happened in the past. There aren't just bad things but good things too. I seen my daddy's face… As he held me. I heard his voice."

Her  brown eyes teared up and she immediately wiped her eyes and got up. "Come on, new place now!" She held out her hand for him.

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 5:11 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Drae had to rush and eat his breakfast in order to be done when Iva jumped out of her chair, snatched up Winston and grabbed his hand to take him on a tour of the Temple Realm. He wondered what exactly this "Nice place" would have had to have been. After all, there was so much here that could have been considered a nice place. 

He followed after her, with a smile on his face as they walked out onto a long covered bridge. "I don't know how I didn't notice this from the garden," he mused out loud as the colors from the stained glass adorned their clothes and skin as they passed each intricately designed pane, creating a mosaic of colored light that came in beneath the peaked roof above their heads. He looked ahead past Iva to where the bridge ended, and saw the opening into a courtyard of some kind with a large stone in the center. He didn't hurry her, but followed behind her a pace or two as they reemerged into the sunlight. 

The stone in the center, he realized upon coming closer, was a tombstone, and Iva announced to him that she wanted him to meet her Daddy. Drae suddenly felt as though he didn't belong there in the courtyard, and hesitated coming any closer as Iva scooped up fresh wild flowers and replenished the vase that had been there. She told him how she talked with him all the time, and how she had told her deceased father about him and the gift he had brought. 

Drae ran a hand nervously through his hair, but didn't interrupt Iva as she continued talking. He wasn't sure what he could say to her. He and his father had never met. He sighed. 

"That's what fathers are supposed to do at least. I'm sure your father would definitely protect you," he agreed with her, not feeling he could stomach telling her anything otherwise, despite what he felt about his own sire, and almost felt a twinge of jealousy at her feelings. He stiffled it though, and buried deep in his psyche again where he was certain it would never again be able to resurface. He wanted nothing to do with the man who had brought him into the world, much less to even know who he was. Drae might not be able to keep himself from killing the man. Surely by now he was dead though.

Drae came over and sat down beside Iva. "What do you think he would say to you if he could speak back?" he asked her curiously. 

Author: Iva, Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 2:35 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Sapphire smiled towards Drae as she set the littlest daughter down. Iva was super excited about everything however her sisters we making sure that she ate. After all she was so small she needed all the food she could get to power the energy she required for her day to day adventures. "I promise not to get you lost." It was innocence of words really as this place would never really let Iva get lost. She wiggled her nose as he tapped it and giggled more.

After choking down some food and getting scolded Iva began to pace herself. "It will be tons and tons of fun!" Her brown eyes were filled with curiosity as Drae took a moment to answers. "Mama's roses are grumpy. They are always bickering." She made a face and Sapphire laughed.

"That is because someone decided to try to run through them when they were tall on their trellis." 

"I didn't know they were there! I was running from friends in the garden! I didn't want to be it!"

"It only got thorns into your skin and everything else. Oh I remembered how much you cried." Sapphire teased her sister who stuck out her tongue in response.

"Anyways I am glad you like all the flowers. I'll show you everything in the temple's realm!" After breakfast she hopped off her chair and grabbed Winston. "Come on Drae!" She took his hand and pulled a bit. "I want to show you a nice place here in the temple first." She took him out onto a long covered bridge that didn't appear to be there from the outside. 

The stained glass flooded beautiful colors in. It lead out into an open courtyard and in the center was a beautiful carved tombstone. "I want you to meet my daddy." She ran over and picked some of the wildflowers before bringing them over and replacing the ones in the vase she had obviously put there before. "We talk a lot. He doesn't answer but he is a good listener. I told him all about Winston and you last night before bed."

She squeezed Winston as she watched the stone contently. "I come here to be alone when mama isn't home when I get scared. I know daddy is watching and would protect me if he could. Mama says he would do that for me. That's what daddys do."

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 8:02 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Drae laughed as Iva jumped on him and wrapped her arms tightly about his neck. He was surprised enough that he didn't exactly know how to respond, but gently put his hands on the small girl's back and patted her gently. He wasn't sure how to handle all the affection that this little girl was so ready to give as she rubbed her nose to his and squeezed him again, nearly deafening him with her squeals about how he was the best. He was quite grateful when Sapphire came over and freed him from her grasp, and mouthed a silent word of gratitude to her as she put Iva back in her chair and encouraged her to eat before filling Drae's plate with food. He payed attention to what he had been nibbling on throughout the morning's conversation, but apparently all it had been was a small slice of toast. 

"Oh, thank you, Sapphire," Drae said as he dug into the eggs, sausage and fresh fruit. "I would definitely enjoy seeing more of this place. It might help me to learn my way around. I don't want to wander off to places I shouldn't," he chuckled. He looked at Iva. "So I am going to trust you not to get me lost, Little Princess," he told her, leaning in to tap her nose. 

He laughed at Iva's excitement as she went on and on about what they would do, but continued on with his food. "It does sound like it will be fun," he told her with a grin as Sapphire scolded her little sister and told her to eat slowly. 

The next question caught him off guard. "You know, I have never thought about it," he answered honestly. He thought about it, and a smile creased his lips. "I do think I rather like Buttercups, Tigerlilies, and Roses," he chuckled. "The roses in particular. They have a bit of attitude about them that kind of reminds me of both me and your mother," he told Iva.

Author: Iva, Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 6:35 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Iva gave him a sweet smile and nodded her head. "Yes!" She loved how he smiled at her and giggled as she pulled the necklace out. She had put a lot of love into it with the help of her faithful bear of course. "I thought they matched your eyes." She said crushing on Drae. 

The child was full of giggles as she watched him tie it around his neck. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She jumped out of her seat and onto him when he was done and hugged him tight. "You are the best Drae! Winston and I know so!" She rubbed her nose on his and hugged him tight before Sapphire got up and set him back down in her chair.

"You need to eat or you will stay small," the teenager said while petting the child's red hair. Sapphire was quiet as she moved some food onto Drae's plate as well. "Momma said we should show you around the realm today. Or rather one of us I figured Iva would be your best bet." Sapphire gave him a smile as Iva got a wide smile.

"We're going to run around in the wheat fields! Jump in the water at the salt flats! Climb on giant crystals! SEE WHO CAN RUN UP THE STAIRS THE FASTEST! We will do everything!" Iva squealed as she rushed to eat. Sapphire pulled her plate around and scolded her for making a mess. Iva gave a look before pulling the plate back and calmly eating. "Fine. I'll eat slow so I don't get sick."

She stuffed a honey roll in her mouth and made a face at Sapphire who sat back down next to Drae.  She took it out and swallowed the bite. "Drae? What's your favorite type of flower?"

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 4:17 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Drae had learned quite young that you could never put a price on listening patiently. You could learn a lot about people just by watching and listening to their conversations. The argument between the two Other-World sisters taught Drae about who their fathers were and what kind of upbringing they had. He also learned that Nerezza was more likely to embrace, or rather accept, their life in Revaliir with their new sisters, while Aelwen seemed to have a hair trigger temper that was bigger than she was. He patted Iva's hand gently when she leaned closer to him during the argument, letting her know that if things started to get out of hand, he would have no problem intervening. 

Surprisingly, he learned something about Angela during the conversation. Of all her children, it seemed that it was her son, Lucian, that she clung to most. He thought about it. Yes, she had told him that most of her children were girls. As a matter of fact, he was pretty sure that Lucian was the only male child he had ever heard mentioned. He made note to do a little research on the rest of Angela's family. He was pretty sure that Sapphire might be able to help him find some sort of family line among the archives in the library. He also felt the need to research the Aerkai as well, and the coven of vampires besides the prominent Rosenites. 

The argument ended very much with Aelwen's admission that Nerezza was right about her father, and the comment that her race might not learn as quickly as vampires would. Drae was contemplating whether or not she was forcing herself to concede the argument for the sake of the younger girls at the table, or if she was actually sincere when he felt Iva tug on his sleeve. Her announcement that she had made something for him made him start with surprise. 

"Really, Little Princess?" he asked, a smile spreading over his lips. He watched as she put Winston in the chair next to her on the opposite side of him and pulled a strand of unique beads and charms from her pocket. He had seen such beads and shells among the fine crafts that made their way into the Wyllmochvar marketplace from Apoy island, but this one distinctly lacked any symmetrical aesthetic, clearly made by the red-headed child he sat beside. He took the necklace from her delicately and looked at it. It was, cute to say the least. 

"Thank you, Iva. This is very sweet. I like the colors you chose," Drae told her and was about to put the necklace into his pocket when she asked if he would wear it. He paused, and looked at the necklace again. It would mean a lot to her, though he could not imagine having an outfit that would go with it properly. He looked at Angela's youngest, and her big brown eyes, hoping that he would wear the treasure she had made for him. She was almost akin to a little puppy with how she looked at him. He let out a laughing sigh and nodded. 

"Of course I'll wear it, Little Princess," he told her. He lifted it to his neck and fastened the cord behind him, and let the assortment hang down near his collar bone. 
"There," he smiled. "How does it look?"

Author: Iva, Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 9:23 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Nerezza watched Aelwen for a bit before a stack of the food floated. "Nerezza!" Aelwen looked at Nerezza angrily. "Give me it!"

"Spoiled rotten." Nerezza said as she floated the food high enough that the small Aerkai could not reach. A war hammer appeared in her hands. It had to weigh more then the girl herself. "Do you really want to fight?"

The sisters stared at each other before Aelwen sat down. "Fine." Nerezza gave Sapphire a whole stack to herself and Aelwen leaned on her war hammer. "I'm not use to this many siblings and neither are you so why are you so happy about it?"

"We don't have much of a choice. We have to learn how to get along. My papa taught me you either adapt to the world or it kills you. Like putting candle snuffer over a lit wick. You adapt or you die. When I got my first kill I was five. I was not innocent like our dear Iva. I had always known my father was a monster, the difference was I did not understand what he was doing was evil. I butchered a man with a dagger." She elegantly cut a slice of food clean. "And I stuffed him into a bag. My papa understood that the visions we shared while he fed were probably very bad for me. However, I grew to understanding that it was not what he wanted for me. So you adapt or you die. Your father, if not stubborn, should have taught you that."

Aelwen slammed her hands on the table. "Say it again Nerezza."

"Taylef was an idiot who waged war on his brother. While he cared for me like he too was my father, he made an error thinking he could best Frey. Not only did he kill your uncle in our world, he put himself into a coma and possibly did not survive the sundering because of his mistakes. Are you going to deny that?" Iva pulled her legs up on the sit and listened as she got close to Drae.

"No, my father was an idiot but even if he made it here… He would leave mom as soon as he seen the way she is now. He doesn't share nor would mom let him keep up with how he lives his life. A life of lies and possibly hurting our brother. Our brother that mom was clinging to." Aelwen admit as she slid the plate over closer to Sapphire. "We Aerkai do not learn as fast as Vampires do. Nerezza has more insight on that then I do. My apologies."

Iva's eyes got big as she realized how much an impact their fathers had on their life. Everyone at the table was quiet at the moment perhaps they had realized exactly what little Iva had in that moment. They were all missing out on the lessons their fathers could teach.

After Drae put Winston's ribbon on Iva hugged him tight. She was glad that Drae was sticking up for her. "Drae I made you something!" She put Winton in the seat next to her as she reached in her pocket. "Mama got me beads when she went to Apoy Island. She said the villagers made them from their trees and shells on the beach." She brought out a necklace that had many beautiful beads in a very random pattern. "I made this for you because you got me Winston."

Iva blushed and giggled softly. "Will you wear it?" She was trying to make the mood happier as she spoke up the others did the same going back to their conversations.

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 8:46 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Drae's first thought toward Aelwen was that she was incredibly small built for someone of Fey blood, though what her exact heritage he wasn't sure he could pinpoint it. Nerezza had secrets, he could see that in her eyes, secrets like he had, which amused him greatly, though he did not know what the nature of her secrets were. 

"You are lucky. I was never lucky enough to have a sibling," he chuckled towards Nerezza in her mentioning her twin brother Lucian. He looked to Fern and Belle who were simply like mirrors of each other. Belle announced that she was an herbalist, and Drae smiled at this an nodded. "I know who to come to for herbal remedies then," he told Belle then looked to Fern. "Don't worry, sometimes it take people a long time to find their calling. Is it simply because you like so much that you can't choose, or does nothing hold your interest, Fern?" he asked her curiously. 

He ate as he listened to the girls as they chatted and squabbled, and almost stepped in as Aelwen kept sniping food right out from beneath Sapphire's fork. Drae chuckled softly before he leaned down next to Iva to hear her words. He nodded as she told him that Aelwen was half Aerkai. Drae noticed as she peeked over the table, almost apprehensively at Aelwen. 

"Of course I can," Drae smiled as he took the bow and the black plush bear he had brought for Iva the day before. He carefully wrapped the ribbon about the bear and tied the bow neatly and perfectly before he handed him back to Iva. 

"There, now you two are ready," Drae smiled. He laughed lightly as the twins teased Iva that she was simply going to get her new dress all muddy. As she protested that she would not be getting dirty because Winston didn't want to get dirty, Drae chuckled and gently ruffled her red curls. 

"It's alright, Little Princess," Drae smiled. "There is nothing wrong with getting a little dirty. Its healthy even," he told her. 

Author: Iva, Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 7:48 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Iva was sitting there in her chair with Winston on her lap. She peered over to her sisters who were chatting about. "Do you think they will help us Winston?" Probably but she wanted an adult to do this delicate job of helping them out. Breakfast was brought out for all of them and placed in the center of the table for everyone to choose what they want.

"Can Winston and I have some juice please?" Iva loved juice especially from the sweet fruit in the throne room. Nodding to her request the helper got her and Winston two cups of juice. She kicked her feet lightly as Drae came in. "Good morning Drae!" She yelled excitedly from her chair as she patted the seat next to her. "Winston and I are about to have breakfast!"

When Drae asked about the other four Aelwen was the first one to speak up. She moved her long strawberry hair and nodded her head. "I am Aelwen LeSilve. I'm a battle mage and one of the daughters from DaeLuin. I was also a runner for my uncle's guild before the sundering. My mate is Christian but he will be around later. I think he is scouting Revaliir for signs of his people." Her eyes were silver almost like one of the moons in the sky.

Nerezza was next. "I am Nerezza Rose. I am daughter of Angela and the man named as Raeguel. My twin brother is Lucian. I am a psionic mage or learning to be one. I am the younger sister to Aelwen." Her voice while pleasant had much to hide in her eyes. They were almost like a dark well as if always hiding something. "My papa calls us the only thing he ever did right."

The twins were next as they were chatting and got quiet. The one on the right went first. "I'm Belle Rose! I am a traveling herbalist that studied under my mother I am not here much. This is my twin sister Fern. She doesn't know what she wants to do!" Fern nodded to him and laughed with Belle.

Compared to the ones from Revaliir Aelwen and Nerezza looked hardened perhaps their life had been different back on the other plane. Though Nerezza certainly held more grace to her as she took small amounts of food. Aelwen was basically almost stabbing poor Sapphire's hand to get food.

Iva leaned over. "I heard that Aelwen is kinda half blood elf but they don't call them blood elves. I don't know what the difference is but Aerkai are scary." She peeked over and watched Aelwen eat. "Drae? Can you tie Winston's new bow for me? We want to match!" She gave him a pink bow. "He gets a pink bow today because Mama got me a new dress from Abed!"

"That you're going to get mud all over," the twins teased her.

"Nuh uh! This time it's going to be different because Winston can't get dirty!"

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 7:30 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Kalidyn watched Angela leave, and doing what she insisted, he turned and stormed off to his own private rooms. 

Drae was woken by the rapping of knuckles upon the door of the chamber as a young lady of the clergy popped in. He lifted his head from the cloud-like pillows as the pretty girl came in and delivered the message that Angela's daughters were waiting for him to join them for breakfast. He looked at her groggily as she shared this message with him and he nodded. "Right, I'll get up," he said as he got to his feet, shirtless. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and staggered over to the dresser that Angela had said he could use and began rummaging for a shirt and vest. 

Hefound something dashing but simple and splashed some water on his face before he threw it on. His good vest and shirt was in a wrinkled mess upon the floor. He ran a comb through his slightly mussed hair before he straightened his clothes and headed out of the chamber to where the member of the clergy waited for him. He followed down the hall to the dining room and walked in to see half a dozen young women, ranging in ages, all sitting at the breakfast table. Several of them had Angela's red hair, but there was one or two who did not. Drae put on a charming smile as he came in and greeted them warmly. 

"Ah! Good morning! How lucky am I to be greeted by such lovely faces this fine bright day," he said as he bowed slightly to the girls before he moved to the chair that had been designated for him. He sat between Iva and Sapphire greeting each of them with a smile and a good morning before he looked at the four other unfamiliar faces. 

"Well, I know Sapphire and Iva from yesterday, but I have yet to have the pleasure of making your acquaintance yet," he said to the others. 

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 6:27 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Angela chuckled at him and kissed his lips. "I will hurry the best I can." She gave him a small smile as she caressed his face back. "Sleep Drae." She kissed his forehead and left the room with Kalidyn. "Alright." She pulled herself up from the bed and left the room. There was now much to be done now that the repairs on the clock had begun.

Her green eyes looked up at Kalidyn. "Take the few days I'm gone off. You've earned them quite well. Drae will take care of the girls while I'm away." She reached her hand up and caressed the high elf's face before making her way to where they were portaling out of the temple. Angela's mind was fresh with the sleep she had managed to get last night. 

After a while a young clergy member popped into the room. "Sir? Mister Adraejen, the girls have requested you come and join them for breakfast. I'm afraid there's not many of them here but will that be alright?" The girl was a pretty little thing. "Some are from DaeLuin at the table, the mistress wanted me to tell you that. They will introduce themselves or maybe they will be quiet. When you are ready I'll take you to the to dining hall."

Bowing she left and waited for him outside. Once ready they traveled together down to a large room almost like castle dining hall. The ceiling was vaulted and painted with wondrous murals. Large crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling with bright ever glowing candles. Iva and Sapphire sat there with four other girls. They all looked up at Drae when he entered before going back to chatting. All of them were still fresh in their pajamas except for one.

She had long strawberry hair and was by the looks of things a half elf like Drae. Though when the candles swayed her hair was more red with mixture of silver. She was dressed for the day in a corset dress. She hardly even looked old enough.

Another was a sun-kissed skinned girl. Long white hair with red eyes. She wore a long black nightgown. She was elegant by far and the most proper at the table. Her manners were beyond the others, from the way she held her silverware to her speech.

Finally there were the twins. Their hair long and blonde.  Each of them had enchanting bi-colored eyes. One appeared a light blue while the other was an enchanting gold. They were gossiping about the local things happening around the cities and what not. Everything seemed lively as a spot was prepped for Drae.

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 6:08 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Drae lay there for a while after, watching her sleep in his arms. Her words bothered him a bit, though he couldn't put a finger on why. He watched her for what must have been hours, seeing the powerful woman become reduced to a scared, vulnerable mother in a matter of minutes as the dreams began to bother her. She didn't cry out, and when she did become upset, he held her tighter to him, to bring comfort. At one point he ventured to carefully removed his vest, shirt and belt, so that he could sleep comfortably without risking ruining his best clothes. He fell asleep in her embrace and slept quite soundly. 

He barely shifted when Angela was roused by one of the men that took residence in the shrine and left his arms. If he did wake at all, he was so far gone that their conversation about the clock in Sularia became interwoven into his dreams. He felt the kiss upon his skin, but he could not have been certain if it had been real or not. The only time he did stir was when Angela had come beside him on the bed again and he looked up at her groggily as she explained she would have to go away for a few days, and that this would give him a chance to get to know the girls. Drae, unaware that there was another of her lovers in the room, nodded sleepily. 
"All right… but do hurry back. We have unfinished business," he muttered as he reached up and caressed her face affectionately. "You look stunning, by the way," he added. It was hard to tell if he was joking, for the morning light had yet to enter the Goddess's bedchamber, that is, if it ever did. 

The lover behind Angela, a high elf by the name of Kalidyn, stiffened visibly and he scowled at the half asleep half-elf in his mistress' bed. 
"Come, My Lady. They are waiting for you," he insisted through gritted teeth. He then turned and left the room to wait for her outside while she finished with Drae. 

He stood there, thinking hard. He had not expected that face of all faces to appear sharing a bed with his lover. And how differently she treated him than the rest of them. At least with the other men she was just as indifferent, but here she was treating that silver-tongued charlatan like he was better than the rest of them. He wondered what it was that Adraejen Porthyrius had done, what spell he had woven her, to get her to treat him like a king. It infuriated him. Of all the men there, it was he, Kalidyn, who should have been sharing her bed with her, not Drae. After all, he was Angela's favorite, and was a favorite to her daughters as well. Or at least he had been. He smothered his burning gaze towards the bedroom as Angela exited the chamber. 

"What would you have me do while you are away?" he asked, hoping to do something to gain some favor with her.

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 5:16 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Angela watched his eyes with a gentle smile. She was still so very tired but he was comforting to her. Someone who knew her pain and was wishing to help her even if he was getting something on his end of the deal, he was doing it in a way no one had thought. The Goddess was happily snuggled into him as she thought about everything that the next day would bring. "It is very hard to deal with since she is also missing her husband. Since I haven't found him I am assuming he did not make it through the sundering. Though he is not the type of man who would like my lifestyle. Nor the amount of little ones running around."

Closing her green eyes she thought about it. "He didn't really know how to deal with his own children let alone the ones she gave him. I can't even call her me. Things are so much different here than there." His arms held her close and she kissed his neck as she nuzzled the side of his face.

Nodding to his words she yawned and wrapped her arm loosely around him. "You are a good man despite what you say. At least in the way you treat both the girls and me." That was a plus for her as she fell asleep to his warmth. She twitched a few times but it was not as violent as earlier.

The morning came with one of her other lovers come to wake her from his arms. "What is it?" She didn't even open her eyes as he shook her shoulder gently.

"It's the clock in Sularia. Work has begun on it." His voice was harsh with her and she opened her eyes. Angela kissed Drae softly before pulling herself out of bed. She kissed the other man lightly and moved to undress.

"What is the progress on it? Have the mages begun to find the pieces?" The man moved over to her and helped her undress. He would have been all over her by the looks of it if it were not for 
Drae being there.


"The pieces of the clock are falling from the tears that are recently opening like it was predicted. The water has been pushed back so the repairs can be done. It is with hope that this will balance time." He pulled a dress up onto her and pulled on the strings lacing the corset back up for her.

"Thank you. You may go now, I'll take half the clergy with me to Sularia. You've earned a good rest." The man was upset clearly that Angela hadn't asked him to accompany him instead she moved over to Drae and sat down on the bed. "It looks like you will have time to spend with the girls. I'll be back in a few days time from Sularia. If everything goes well that is."

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 4:37 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Drae thought carefully, keeping mental notes specifically on where the girls, Sapphire in particular, were not to travel. He thought that he may need to pay a visit to Sularia at some point, curious as to what would have been there that would have been so dangerous. His interest was definitely piqued, but he nodded and agreed to make certain that Sapphire and the other girls didn't wander off. 

When it was mentioned, however, Drae raised an eyebrow. "DaeLuin?" he asked, unsure what she was talking about. It was not a place he had ever heard of. He looked at her puzzled, but then looked to the air above them as she formed the two gems and proceeded to explain what was going on, the effect the World Tears were having, and what it that was on the other side. The concept of time and space being torn was a fascinating one, and he listened, his eyes following her object lesson with extreme focus. Dopplegangers had an interesting ring to it, as there were so many theories floating about as to what would happen if someone ever came into contact. Apparently, in this case, the individuals would fuse and become one being. He looked at her as she explained that she was the fusion of two parts of one being, each from a different realm, with the memories and experiences of both. 

Drae wondered what he would have been like, if there had been a doppleganger of him out there in the world that had fallen. Frankly, he wasn't sure he liked the idea of walking around with more than just his memories in his head. 

"I don't know how I would handle having the memories of another me," Drae said softly. "I can understand why you are so stressed out," he told her as the gem was set upon the nightstand and she snuggled close to him. "I'll do what I can to help you here, my services are yours, out there in the Temple, or here in bed," he told her. He held her close. "Sleep now. I'll do what I can to chase away the nightmares," he said as he began stroking her hair soothingly. 

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 7:12 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Pleased with his words she nodded and kissed his cheek. "That's a good way to win her over. She will be swooning over you in no time."

Time. That led into where else she was going with this conversation. She was even more pleased when he gave into her little desire. Glad she reached over and took his hand squeezing it. "That will give Melina a break. She normally watches them but Sapphire in particular has gotten good at sneaking out of the temple." She narrowed her eyes. "And she is not to go to Sularia what so ever. I know I normally let them go but right now it's not a safe place."

She bit her lip a bit. "I can't find the others though I've felt a bit of energy from Holly over on Parvpora. Basselina was spotted in Adeluna a few days ago. The twins come and go especially Belle. Fern stays around to learn whatever it is she is doing in her life at that moment. Then there are the children I had in DaeLuin." She winced a bit as she felt a sort of heart sting from just mentioning it. That was new.

"The tears did more to Revaliir then you can imagine." She made two large gems out of thin air. One was a sapphire and one a ruby. She floated them up in the sky with her magic so he could see. "The blue one is a realm known as DaeLuin. It was wrecked by something I only known as the void. When the void happened there Time was killed here in the red one." She moved the gems closer. "Some of us had doppelgangers. While others are falling through the portals some of us fused together with our counterparts." She fused the gem and it became a beautiful amethyst. "I am two Angelas. I am more so still the me from here but I gained several traits from her. I also happened to inherit her five children. Who  are here for the most part. One requested that she find her own path. I am their mother and yet not their mother. It is very hard for me to understand and yet slowly I am trying to unravel her many unpleasant memories."

Her eyes grew darker still as she caught the amethyst. "For example, here I married Wyatt and we had our daughter. There she was sent away to war and when she came back she found him skinned alive for trying to plan their escape together. She has had a much harder existence than I ever thought I could. It made her cruel in ways I am not but also she was loving to her children all the same. I understand her yet I do not condone some of the things she has done."

Closing her eyes she put the amethyst over onto a nightstand and snuggled back up to him. "My mind feels like its unraveling because of that. This Timedeath as we're calling it has done a number to the Triune. However, we are fighting our way through."

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 6:55 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

"I'll remember that for the next time I get to town. I know where to find all sorts of tiny treasures," Drae smirked. He nuzzled her slightly and settled in, making himself comfortable as she began to make a request of him

Stay for a while. He raised an eyebrow at her. They had discussed his autonomy when they made the agreement that he would come to the shrine at all. He was about to voice this concern when he realized she was explaining why. She wanted to keep him safe. This took him back for a moment as she told him about time being fractured and the powers of the world being all messed up. Her fears were suddenly making sense to him, and he briefly regretted the thoughts of her being whiny. He sighed. 

"Fine, I'll stay for a while, to please you," he told her. "At the very least it will give me a chance to get to know the girls better," he admitted. He chuckled. "We mortals tend to be stupid beings. Without the benefit of long life, we tend to take a very short view on the consequences of our actions, since half the time the consequences come long after many of our normal lifespans have passed on," he replied as she cuddled close to him. He began stroking her hair to help sooth her. 

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 6:16 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

The Goddess stayed close to him as his warmth kept her afloat. She knew that as a mortal he would have a difficult time perhaps understanding the weight she had above her. No one really understood until they had to take it all themselves.

Once they were in bed she had snuggled herself quite closely to him. "Oh? I am sure she was. She has a habit of doing that when no one is paying attention to her. I try to bring her home something new whenever I can. She does fancy tiny things as well. Especially things from the beach." She smiled as he kissed her forehead but it didn't last long.

"To be honest I have a request to make. I want you to stay here for a while. I don't know how long but I can't guarantee your safety if you leave." There was something dark in her eyes. "The powers of the world are shifting Drae. Time is fractured and now the real trouble begins. If we do not come up with a solution the world will most likely crumble. The clock in Sularia is broken and it must be repaired. When I spoke of losing my children I was also talking of this event. There is a large chance if something were to collapse this world I could just drift to another. Without everyone."

She gripped his shirt. "That's the truth of it. When I was on the field during the Godslayer war here I watched many of my people fall. My clergy rushed out to heal and I had to stand there and watch as Time was killed. And all I could think was that we had done something terrible. That was decades ago and now today we deal with the aftermath of all that. The tears in the skies and even the possibility of the world crumbling."

She yawned and snuggled into him. "You would think mortals would have learned not to mess with things they hardly know about after the mess that happened in Parvpora. However, it doesn't surprise me how long it takes them to figure it out."

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 5:56 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Drae sighed and wrapped his arms around Angela as she buried her face into his chest. Apparently he had said something right. Truthfully, he had yelled at her because he was getting a little frustrated with her sudden show of helplessness. He was beginning to fear that the woman he had met this morning was merely a temporary facade; he hadn't exactly planned on being 'tethered' to a whiny prima donna. 

He winced slightly when she thanked him for caring, and he was grateful that her face was still in his chest. It wasn't that he cared so much, after all, he barely knew her or her children. But he did have a knack for knowing what people wanted and or needed to hear, and apparently having someone who at the very least appeared to care was what she needed. The wince disappeared and his face softened quickly as she looked up at him. The bloodshot to her eyes made the green stand out almost too much and he swallowed softly. 

He honestly couldn't believe the words that came out of his mouth next.

"Of course. And I will be here to be that person," he heard himself say. Honestly, the last thing he needed was to suddenly be the crying post her. Then he recalled that morning and reminded himself that there would be perks for doing such a thing. He swallowed softly and rested his cheek on her head as she put her head back on his chest. 

"Of course we can," he replied to her request. Cuddling was something he definitely knew how to do very well. The garden vanished and suddenly they were laying down on her bed. He chuckled softly and kicked off his boots quickly before he pulled her close as she asked about his movements around the temple. 

"Not so much lost before I found the library. I had an interesting conversation with Sapphire there. Then I wandered around a bit, got a little turned around before I ended up at Iva's room. I couldn't interrupt her. She was quite busy introducing Winston to her other animals. There was tea and cake involved too. Then I wandered a bit until I found you in the garden," he explained. "Not too exciting, though I must admit, this place is amazing," he smirked as she kissed his cheek. 

He ran his fingers though her hair softly and pressed a kiss to her forehead. 

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 2:10 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Angela felt the kiss atop her head and when she turned his thumb was smooth across her quivering lips.  "That's all I want Drae." She snuggled her face into his hand. "I'm a miracle worker and I still cannot fix this by myself but I think you can." 

She held back her tears as she listened to him speak. It was rather unusual for her to be losing herself like she was. He took hold of her and he yelled at her telling her exactly what she needed to hear. Sniffling and trying to pull herself together she snuggled herself into him and hide her face in his chest.

"Thank you for caring about us so much." She wrapped her arms around him. "For so long it's just been me taking care of everyone. I try my best to keep everyone safe." Her green eyes looked up and they were bloodshot. "What I really want is someone to be there with me to shoulder everything. I am strong and a lot of the times I am brave, but even the strongest and bravest people need someone they can lean on once in a while."

She put her head back on his chest. "I'm so tired Drae. Can we go lay down? Maybe for a little bit.. We can talk there?" She snuggled her head into him move and moved them to the room almost instantly. She had them on the bed and she closed her eyes. "Did you get lost? Or maybe Iva showed you around? Tell me about it." She gripped his side and kissed his cheek softly.

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 7:36 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

"Yes, but you aren't just a Goddess, my dear," Drae told her softly as he held her to him. "You are one of the Three, of the Triune. You are the Earth Mother. The Tree would not have picked you if it knew that you would falter," he told her. 

Drae listened quietly to the fears that kept her from sleeping soundly for any amount of time, of the horrors of being powerless to find what she felt she had lost in these dreams. He felt a sudden surge of familiarity with her recollections and he swallowed hard, the muscle in his jaw tensing as he held her close. He pressed his nose into her hair and inhaled deeply of her scent before he kissed the top of her head. As she turned to look at her, he saw the fear inside her. He ran his thumb over her bottom lip as it quivered. 

Could he make her feel safe? Could he do all that she begged? 

He swallowed hard as memories came screaming back to mind. He had promised someone he would keep them safe before. And he had failed. That failure had kept him from making such foolish promises for the past decade or so. He sighed softly. 

"I can't make you any promises," he told her honestly, which was new for him. "I am not a safe person, I told you this earlier today," he reminded her. "But… I will do what I can," he said as he caressed her cheek. "I am not a miracle worker, but if my staying nearby can help alleviate your suffering, then I will be at your beck and call," he told her. 

"And if you do lose one of your children, you can bet that I will use what I have at my disposal to help you find them and get them back," Drae told her. He grabbed her shoulders as the panic began to set in. 

"Angela! Nothing has happened to your children. Right now, they are all safe," he told her. "You cannot let the panic of possibly losing one cripple you right now!" he urged her. "If such a thing ever happens, you will face it, brave and strong, like the Rosenite you are," he told her flatly. "And even if I have to sniff the child out, they will be returned to you!"

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 6:00 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

It calmed her when he moved a stand of her red hair away just before she kissed him and let him see a glimpse of the world she was in. She smiled and took his hand as he gripped. It was entertaining to watch for the most part. The goddess was glad that he could take it in stride and not immediately run away from her because of it driving him crazy.

When she had turned away from him Angela found herself surprised when he comforted her. She leaned into him and gave him a small smile. Listening to him she felt silly for once and the look on her face said it all as she chuckled. "I suppose I've been silly thinking they don't know how hard it can be on me. I suppose that is why they are very patient with me."

Shaking her head she wasn't sure that was true. "I've seen the strongest Gods fall with the passage of time. It's just a matter of if the Tree needs you anymore though I have faith that the Voice will understand me and in turn be gentle upon my time here." She took his other hand and stood there with him as they held hands. Her thumbs rubbed his as she thought about it.

"I've had them for a long time. Since I was a child. These bizarre nightmares that I have no explanation for. I've seen myself as I am now since that time. I've lost something precious to me. I don't know what it is that I've lost but I can't find it. No matter where I look or how much I look. It's not there. For some reason it absolutely terrifies me. Maybe it's because as I've grown I've come to realize no amount of power makes me feel safe."

Locking eyes with him her lip quivered for a moment. "Can you make me feel safe? Can you make them stop so I can rest? It's been a lot worse lately and I hate to think that something is going to come true from these nightmares. I keep thinking of Iva or Sapphire… Maybe even one of the older ones." She was terrified and it showed. "And what if I can't find them? That sounds silly because I can find anyone but why wouldn't I be able to find them?" She began to panic as she became scared.

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 4:53 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Drae had heard part of the conversation she had been having with the flowers, though he had thought she had been speaking to herself at first. He had shot a glare at the roses who apparently didn't like him too much, and regarded the buttercups with amusement. Though he found himself wondering why of all things she had decided to describe him as a wonderful person. He really was far from that, but apparently he had made some sort of a good impression. 

When he had come over and disturbed the conversation, he had half expected her to be as vibrant and lively as she had been in Wyllmochvar that morning, but instead he was met with the tired green eyes that betrayed the weight of the burdens on her shoulders. His brow furrowed as gently pushed a wisp of stray red hair from her face as she leaned in and pressed her lips to his lightly. He was about to ask her what she had meant when the sudden cacophony of voices assaulted his ears and he looked around quite dazed for a moment. Loud, soft, big, small, shrill, sing-song, however you could describe the voices of all around them, Drae could hear them all, each yapping at him, some trying to get his attention while others fought amongst themselves or called out to Angela. He looked at Angela in surprise, but listened as she had asked, a small smile coming to his lips as gently gripped her hand. 

The daisies were giggling back and forth over jokes they were telling each other, while the buttercups were sighing over how adorable they were holding hands, while the roses, scoffed at the display, and Drae was certain they would have turned up their noses if they could. He laughed outloud as the tigerlilies growled at him in a suggestive manner. 

He looked back at Angela as she began explaining her duties as Mother Earth, tending for the rocks, fixing the earth when the actions of another deity destroy something, and the ire of the people who do not get what they want the way they want it as far as having children, though never taking responsibility for their own misaction. Drae squeezed her hand reassuringly. He released her hand as she turned away and spoke about choices she had to make between family and her duties to the tree. He moved up behind her and gently put his hands on her arms and rubbed up and down. 

"Your children know you love them," he told her softly as the voices vanish. "Some of them understand more than you'd think about what you have upon your shoulders," he said. "And they love you just as much," he said, hoping that he wasn't really telling her a lie. From what he had seen of Sapphire and Iva, the two loved their mother dearly. 

The voices stopped and he let go of her as she put down the watering can down on the ground. 
"And as long as you do your best, this place will always be a haven for you and for your children," he told her as he took her hand. "What are these nightmares that plague you? Is there something I can do?"

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 12:34 AM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Angela laid in her bed. Her body shook her from her dreams as she relived the one moment she did not. She bolted up and found her body covered in cold sweat and shaking. Breathing heavily she pushed her red hair back and pulled herself off the bed. Her dress changed to a more comfortable one. It wasn't at all elegant but she didn't care at the moment. She loosely pulled her hair together at the nape of her neck and tied a ribbon around it.

Making her way out to her gardens she at first sat down and listened to the nature of the shrine. "Oh you are terrible." She looked down at a flower by her feet. "I do not stink. I will have you know I took a bath earlier. You aren't the best smelling flower in the world either." She laughed a bit and listened to the flowers around her. "I see. Uh huh." She listened to them and made sure she answered them.

Standing up she started to water the plants.  "You all think you are so funny. I will have you know that I think Drae is a wonderful person." She gasped a bit. "I DO NOT have bad judgement." She took the watering can and threw water at one of her rose bushes. "You are absolutely terrible at least give him a chance."

Looking over at some buttercups she laughed a bit. "You are always sweet on the new people who come here. I think he is adorable as well." She watered them a bit extra and before long found Drae at her side. Her tired eyes deceived her as she nodded. "Nothing is allowed to keep me down."

She did not want to ruin his cheerful mood. "You should listen to these little gossipers we were just talking about you. The Rose bush isn't quite keen on new people. You know what they say about their thorns. The buttercups absolutely love you. Watch out for the Tiger Lilies they would try to steal you from me if they could."

She leaned over by him. "I want to let you into my world for a moment." She pressed her lips against his and for a moment all of the world around him came engulfed in voices. Some were tiny and some were big but all of them were yapping at them or at each other. "Listen to them Drae. Just for a moment." She moved her hand to his.

"It's not just the people I take care of. I take care of them as well. From the earth that supports the rivers to the mountains that reign the skies. I take care of it. I get tired a lot when something happens. If another god messes with the earth and I have to take extra energy to fix it, especially something large. This job is very tiresome. Not quite always rewarding. People hate you when they don't get pregnant but I can't keep track of everyone. People hate you when they do get pregnant because they don't know how to take a damn herbal medicine."

A sigh left her lips more. "People hate you if their crop doesn't turn out or if their house burns down.. If a rock breaks their leg. You never know when it is going to be your fault. It's not a job I could see just anyone taking though I suppose that's why it was given to me. I am not ungrateful to be given what I have been but sometimes I get tired and I want to take a break." She looked over to him. "Sometimes you don't get one. I want to spend time with my children more. I want to read them books and teach them what I know whenever I want."

Looking away from him. "You have to make decisions. Your family or your duties to the tree. Make the people hate you just a little for that tiny sliver of happiness. That little moment to read your children a bedtime story. I am not a woman who pushes her duties of motherhood off on a nanny. However, sometimes I have to."

She let those voices stop for him and she sighed as she set the bucket down. "These are my gardens. My home is what I make it. It is safe for my children and the only place I can guarantee no one will take them from. It is a place no other god can best me in. Here I can control even if I don't think I can control all the time. Even when I can't even get the nightmares to stop long enough for me to rest."

Author: Porthyrius, Posted: Tue Dec 8, 2015 9:01 PM, Post Subject: Compromises [P/R]

Drae was pensive as he left Sapphire in the library. Being pensive lead to getting very turned around and he spent the better part of an hour or so trying to figure out where the hell he was. Angela had warned him that it would be easy to get lost. Suddenly he found himself wishing that he actually HAD tied a string to the Goddess's ankle like he had joked about doing; it seemed that it was not as silly an idea as he had originally thought. Eventually, after a little bit of wandering and finding the kitchens, the dining room, and the clergy quarters, he did manage to find Iva's room. The little girl was still entranced with her new teddy bear, Winston, and was avidly introducing him to the other stuffed animals by way of a giant tea party in the middle of her floor. 

Drae didn't interrupt, but quietly pulled his head out of the doorway so as to not interrupt, and turned back into the hallway. Now that he had his bearings, it was significantly easier to find his way back to Angela's sleeping quarters. Shockingly, Angela was not in bed as he had left her. Apparently the fatigue had worn off a lot faster than he had thought it would. That was a goddess for you though; she did have other responsibilities after all. Drae did wonder where she would have gone, and moved back down the hallway, and somehow managed to find himself back in the throne room. Angela wasn't there either. 

Feeling a little bit cooped up from being lost in the shrine, Drae huffed slightly and decided that he could do with a little bit of fresh, non-salty air, and made his way back out of the shrine. The sunshine felt wonderful on his face, and he wondered if Angela's magic kept this place sunny and summer all year round, or if it experienced the seasons like the rest of Revaliir. 

He ran his hands through his hair as he followed the path that lead around the massive tree-shrine until he found himself walking into the gardens. The cries of exotic birds and the rich powerful smells of earth and flowers assaulted his senses. He came around a massive tree and spotted the red-head he had been idly searching for, tending to the plants there in the garden. He smirked and came up beside her. 

"I see nothing keeps you down for very long," he said cheerfully.