A Destiny Forbidden [Verse & Caeli]
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Caeli on 08-09-2008, 02:29:38</h2>
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				Title: <strong>A Destiny Forbidden [Verse &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caeli</strong> on <strong>08-09-2008, 02:29:38</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/ce/Siliea.png)</div><em><strong>Prologue</strong><br><br>Siliea, the Goddess of Fate. She is youngest of the gods on the Divine Council, which rules the pantheon of Vayulla. She adores her elder brother Soren, who is the God of Fate. Together, the Gods of Fate maintain the divine Balance between good and evil. They also pass judgment over the souls of the dead, and decide when souls are reincarnated on the mortal plane. In the Divine Council, these two gods are most involved in the lives of mortals, and travel most often to the mortal realm. Because they are observers of the mortal plane, it is perhaps these two who have the most sympathy for humans. They always maintain their distance from mortals that they meet, for it would be disastrous if they developed an attachment to one.<br><br>On a routine trip to the mortal realm, Siliea becomes trapped there, unable to return to the Realm of the Gods. None of the gods on the Divine Council, even her brother Soren, can find her anywhere; they only know she is alive because of her bond with the other God of Fate.<br><br>Down on Vayulla, a mercenary rescues Siliea when she runs into trouble. Though she is skeptical of his ability to help, she accepts his assistance, and they make their way to the northern edges of Vayulla, to the ruins of an old temple called the Gateway to Heaven. It is there that she hopes she can find a way to contact her brother and the Divine Council, and get home.<br><br>However, as the goddess and her companion travel north, she becomes closer to a human than she has ever let herself in the past. She sees the imperfect beauty of the mortal realm. She sees a side of humanity the gods blind themselves to. At the end of their journey, will Siliea be able to bring herself to leave the mortal realm? </em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Of Mortals and Gods [Verse &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>08-09-2008, 02:55:22</strong>
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				Dusk had broken not even half an hour ago over the small lightly forested path between the two villages in this area, the gentle wind sweeping over the area rustling the grass, a few smaller branches on the thin gatherings of trees and the tips of the golden-blond hair, attached to the heavily tanned, slightly scarred face of the man sleeping under the tree. The bare remnants of a camp-fire in front of him showed he'd been here since last night,&nbsp; the light dew on his clothing telling it had probably rained on him in his sleep...And it was entirely possible he hadn't noticed. He was big, though it was more in height then anything else...Even propped up against the tree, he nearly had his feet in the camp-fire which was almost six feet away. His skin was scarred in places and an extremely tan color that would have been hard to obtain naturally around this area...That, more then the heavy traveling cloak he used as a blanket or the enormous, almost eight foot tall and maybe two foot wide, merchant pack leaning against the side of the tree, told he was not from the area.<br><br>The combat dagger within reach and bastard sword plainly tied to the side of the pack also told he was not a merchant. He'd truthfully been on a bit of a vacation from his normal work as a mercenary and had been taking it, well, slowly. Any normal day, he'd still be walking along the road with his pack and not even a bit tired, but it felt good to just relax and take a moment to nap on the road honestly. His normal job wouldn't permit such things and normally he'd be breaking his neck and back trying to get things done to make a bit of money, but this trip was more about getting away from that. Ark could go on without him a few more months, especially with the other lunatics running it in his stead. However, even if he was relaxing, he couldn't break the habits his profession had imposed on him. Like waking up with the sun and not being able to fall back to sleep once he had awoken, which meant his relaxing was done for the moment. Slowly, his one good crystal-blue eye snapped open and he slowly started to move, knocking the cloak off in the process. He was muscled and tone, even obvious through the thick, leather armor on his torso and legs, also heavily scarred as his hands and upper arms showed...The bracers on his wrist hid the ones there well, but he definitely had seen his share of blades. Or extremely bad accidents, whichever was which.<br><br>A few more minutes of idly cleanup and waking himself up had Tarell up and re-dressing himself normally, pulling the dagger back to it's normal spot behind his back and the cloak back around his shoulders, tightening it before reaching out and yanking the pack up off the ground with one hand, easily sliding it over his taunt shoulders and making sure it was on tightly before walking towards the road, aiming to get at least half-way to the village before nightfall...Sure, the road was relatively safe during the day, but being on it at night wasn't quite as safe. Aside from the odd rogue or bandit who wanted your coin, there were still the creatures that liked fleshy things...Dangerous and peaceful at the same time. Somehow, Tarell preferred it to plain peaceful.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Of Mortals and Gods [Verse &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caeli</strong> on <strong>08-09-2008, 11:52:31</strong>
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				The only sound that could be heard in the night was the gentle chirping of crickets, hidden among the shadows of plants and trees that populated the countryside of Vayulla. Across the land, families and wanderers all slept under the peaceful gaze of Khelius, the God of Darkness, for all that they were uneasy about the current temporary cease-fire between Aladel and Morovia, the two most powerful countries on the continent. War had raging in Vayulla for decades, but thanks to a group of history-changing adventurers who had dared to act in accordance to their wishes for peace, there might now be a permanent respite to the previously never-ending violence.<br><br>While the night seemed peaceful, that description was hardly accurate for Siliea’s current situation. Having just returned from speaking to the water mage who had played the largest part in bringing the peace to Vayulla (even if only temporarily), Siliea was anxious to return to the Realm of the Gods, since she had come alone to the mortal realm for this latest assignment. Usually, any speaking to mortals that had to be done was completed with both Gods of Fate, not just one half of the pair; tonight had been an exception rather than the rule, in that the twins had decided that for efficiency’s sake, it might be best for Siliea to come down to the mortal realm while Soren took care of business with Titus and Atalanta.<br><br><em>I want to go home.</em><br><br>She'd tried. Over and over, all night long, standing in that clear lake that reflected all the stars back into the heavens. After standing underneath the skies for gods knew how long, Siliea had finally stopped trying. She couldn't even 'sense' the presence of the divine realm, as she usually could when she tried to return after a mission. Now, she had given up, her shoulders slumped as she tried not to panic. On the horizon, hints of the sun's rising had already begun to appear, with dawn filling the endless expanse of sky with dark lavenders and violets, infinite numbers of blue hues and other dusky colors.<br><br>"Why..."<br><br>The whispered words seemed loud, especially in that utter silence just before dawn. The goddess finally bit her lip and cast her eyes away from the heavens, where the stars slowly faded into a blue that became lighter as minutes passed. Even soaked in lake water and mildly exhausted from trying to return to the Realm of the Gods so many times, her beauty was unquestionable; Siliea’s dark tresses, earthy-brown with traces of honey skating through the strands, caressed her lithe form and emphasized the elegant lines of her body, graceful even as she moved towards shallower water. She pulled her white gown away from her body, hoping that it would dry before she met anybody on the road. <br><br>Siliea had been trying to return to her home for hours now, but each attempt had failed, backfiring with a slingshot of power that had knocked Siliea unconscious the first time it happened. Usually, returning to the divine realm was little more than retreating to an area with a lot of natural energy – for Siliea and Soren, areas such as lakes and mountain tops were ideal – and exerting some divine energy to return. But this time… Well, nothing had worked. And when the sun rose, it would be too risky to try to attempt the flight up; many a weary traveler woke with the sun on their journeys in the wilds, and it would not do for her to be seen by any as she returned to her own Realm.<br><br>That was when she heard.. noises. Unnatural; they were deliberate, definitely caused by human hands. Siliea knew she should go in the opposite direction, but she wanted to see who it was. She doubted he could really help her, but it was rare for her to actually speak to humans alone, especially with Soren so often by her side. Since she would be stuck in the mortal realm for at least the rest of the day, it might not be so bad to interact with these people. After all, the entire war and prophecy ordeal was now over with, for the most part; it might be wise to scout the feelings of the general populace, and see how they felt about the whole situation, so she could report back to Titus. Oh, he would be so mad that she hadn't returned last night, but... well, it hadn't been her fault!<br><br>Siliea frowned down at her hand, currently fisted, and continued making her way towards the source of the noise. Why hadn't she been able to sense the Realm of the Gods? And she felt... some lack. Her power felt as if it was waning, like it sometimes did when the double moons crossed paths with each other. It was distinctly odd, though; her power seemed less than ever she had felt previously. Perhaps it was that lack that prevented her from returning home. Well, that would be something to discuss with Atalanta later; hardly anything she could do about it now, of cour-<br><br><em>SNAP.</em><br><br>She froze, then squeaked as she immediately fell to her knees behind the tree. <em>Oh, gods no!</em> She had stepped on some twig, while her thoughts had been scrambling about in her head... maybe the warrior would not notice?<br><br><em>Not very likely...</em> Warriors were usually not the unobservant type. From Siliea's experience, the best would wake up to the slightest noises. She swallowed nervously, kneeling there, her hair still tousled and lightly wet, and her damp dress lightly plastered to her body. Oh no. What was she going to do? She didn't... usually it was Soren who got the mortals talking, who put them at ease. She didn't- well, Siliea usually waited for him to start the conversation, simply because he had a way with words.<br><br>When the bush she was half-hiding behind rustled, she winced and looked up, just as some tall, tree of a man grabbed a hold of her slight wrist and hauled her out of her hiding spot. Siliea whimpered, her free hand clenched nervously at her chest, clearly frightened as he... stared. She stared back, lower lip trembling, and started to stutter out some incoherent, sad semblance of a story, that might explain why she had been trying to sneak a look at him.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Of Mortals and Gods [Verse &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>08-09-2008, 13:56:51</strong>
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				Tarell had been lost in a bit of a musing thought pattern when the twig snapped, idly wondering what his journey would hold for him. The peace that had swept over this place was not of his direct doing, of course, but it had been his hand that played some small part of it...Ark had more then earned their pay blocking the progress of a group sent to end the exploits of the adventurers moving through the land and he was sure Warren hadn't had so much fun in quite some time for so little money. They had been paid by one of the villages the Adventurers had passed through to ensure their safety from the group that had passed through the village looking for them. For most mercenaries, the price would have been too little for the help ending a war, but Tarell had never considered himself a normal mercenary. He liked money, certainly, but he liked that smile on people's faces when you promised to help them much, much more.<br><br>The twig didn't go un-noticed at all, but certainly he didn't respond immediately...He kept walking a few more feet before, in a movement that had to have been practiced, he suddenly darted into the tree-line and dropped the cumbersome pack along the way somewhere to aid his movements. He had always been fond of forests, bushes and rocks, for they provided excellent cover but were easy to circumvent if the situation was turned. Soon, he found the bush and hauled the person out of there by their wrist, intent on giving them a sound beating for spying on him like they had-<br><br>And then Tarell seriously re-thought his approach.<br><br>The poor, soaking and stammering thing in front of him caused his chest to clench as he realized what he was doing, holding the woman up like he was and soon he had let go of her as she rambled out her story, a sigh crossing his lips now as he reached around himself and unfastened his cloaked, resolving to calm her before he tried to get a story from her. The cloak found it's way around her shoulders and he found his way to lean on the tree beside her, watching her quietly. "Thats enough of that. Calm down and take a breath before I end up having to carry you to town because you passed out on me." he said now, watching her with his good eye as his hair drifted over the patch on his other. He was no angelic gentleman, but he had at least some experience in calming hysterical women. Which apparently came in far more handy then any combat training he'd had so far, he noticed.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Of Mortals and Gods [Verse &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caeli</strong> on <strong>08-09-2008, 21:34:59</strong>
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				Siliea bit her lip as soon as he lay the cloak around her shoulders, though she met him square in the eye, understandably cautious and uncomfortable. Still, she was no whimpering, sniveling damsel in distress; the young goddess clutched the cloak around her and took a deep breath, trying not to look as uneasy as she felt. Well, this was certainly something she hadn't expected. A foolish move it had been, not to watch her step carefully... and now, this stranger was watching her, obviously waiting for some explanation as to why she was there, alone, dressed as she was, and soaked.<br><br>Her hair and dress were already well on their way to drying; likely, because it was not a fabric woven by mortal hands, and she was no mortal herself. And inexplicably, her hair dried without knots, though not something easily noticed; it was silky and fine even slightly damp, and Siliea had to fight a scowl, when he didn't look away, and merely continued staring, waiting for his answers. It was... uncomfortable. And she quite wished that she hadn't gotten herself into this predicament.<br><br>"I... My apologies, traveler," she murmured, her voice soft. Birdsong was only just now breaking out in the trees; her voice almost seemed to blend into the music around them, drowned out by the rustle of the trees' foliage as a breeze blew her hair into her face. She stopped mid-sentence and blinked, before continuing again, this time slightly louder, and without that strange sense of <em>other</em>-ness. She'd almost forgotten that she needed to pretend to be... a mortal. Using a goddess' voice would not alert most mortals, but some had an unnatural sense for the otherworldly. Hopefully, this man was not one of those.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Of Mortals and Gods [Verse &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>09-09-2008, 00:56:53</strong>
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				The way she spoke left Tarell with thoughts, but not to her 'true' origin. No, at the moment he thought she was a noblewoman, for he'd never seen that fabric before...Her look, her tone, her voice, all spoke to a heritage he had never encountered before, but this land was mostly new to him. Perhaps the upper class was like this? Beautiful, serene and almost...Divine. It was something to get used to, but he was quite sure he could indeed get used to it. So when she looked as if she was suspicious of him, he reached out and offered his hand right after her attempt to apologize to him. It was fairly big and looked...Well, strong. To say the least. His deep tan did little to hide his muscles and when they flexed, it made them absolutely unavoidable.<br><br>"Lets try this, My lady." he offered instead, even with such kind words his voice somewhat rough and brief. "my name is Tarell. I'm just on a journey." and he smiled now, his eye twinkling a little as if asking for her to take his hand and relax. He was no danger, but he knew she wouldn't believe that from just his attitude. -He- wouldn't trust -himself- in this kind of situation, honestly...But he wanted her to trust him. He wanted to figure out why such a woman looked so alone and frightened on the side of a country road. It wasn't natural and it wasn't right at all.<br><br>So he voiced his thoughts and hoped she'd take no offense. "You're a bit out of place, aren't you? What happened to you to put you so out of sorts?" he asked, tilting his head and smiling still, trying to seem pleasant. Looking like a cyclops with spiked hair didn't help matters, honestly. "Do you need an escort, perhaps?" he offered. Sure he was trying to get away from mercenary work, but he wouldn't accept a payment from her if she accepted...She looked as if she could use an honest soul to help her along and he at least trusted himself to be honest enough to help her.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Of Mortals and Gods [Verse &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caeli</strong> on <strong>09-09-2008, 05:24:17</strong>
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				She took his hand, nervously eyeing his evident strength even as she did so. Siliea blinked several times as he talked, but nothing that she could read from him told her that he was dangerous. She'd encountered mortals and watched them often enough to recognize hostility; there was none in this man, though... she couldn't place where he was from, which was odd. She had been here on divine business, of course - tying up loose ends with Lady-Mage Sorayiis, that lively young mage who had been foretold in prophecies, and who more than one of the Divine Council had seen, in visions or seeing quests. An interesting girl, she - but that was a different story. She had been in this region often enough to recognize the general traits of her people.<br><br>He wasn't from this area.<br><br><em>Still, that doesn't change anything...</em> Siliea thought doubtfully. He... seemed kind enough. And he seemed genuine in his offer to help. It was hard to fight her natural instinct, which was still to flee - a voice at the back of her head (oddly resembling Soren, of all people) insisted that he could be the duplicitious sort; dangerous, especially if he discovered that she was not wholly human. Only Soren could protect her. Nobody else had such loyalty and love, possessed such power and strength at his disposal.<br><br>She smiled, lopsidedly. "I... Something unexpected happened, and I got lost," Siliea admitted hesitantly. How much was safe to share? Surely that was information that couldn't let slip her true identity. And then she finally put a name to his... type. A mercenary - soldiers or warriors who worked for money. An honest profession, more honest than most mortals gave credit. "I... I could use an escort, certainly, but I've no money." Why in all the heavens would she have mortal coin? There was no way she could pay for this man's escort, even if she thought he was safe. Oh, what to do... she would have the spend the day somewhere, and then find a way to return to this lake and try going up again. She also needed someplace quiet and safe to figure out why her powers seemed to be fluxing so wildly.<br><br><em>Oh, Soren... if it were you, what would you do?</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Of Mortals and Gods [Verse &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>09-09-2008, 18:16:06</strong>
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				The admittance she had no money would have driven most normal mercenaries off. He knew mercs that would take jobs involving near suicide for a copper, because that was their excuse. They did it all for the money, no matter how little there was. Thankfully for this poor woman, he was not one of them at all. Her not having any money told him again she was not from this area and raised flags. A kidnapped noblewoman who'd escaped? But certainly she'd be more scared or upset if that was the case...Maybe she'd been robbed? That might explain it, but still....Something seemed off with all those scenarios and before long, he just sighed and shook his head, brushing those thoughts away quietly and shook the hand she had offered him.<br><br>"Well, that doesn't change much. If you need an escort, you need an escort." he said, grinning at her in a happy way as he released her hand, letting his fall to his side idly. He wasn't about to refuse someone in such a position as her, even if he was a mercenary. He was on vacation -anyway-. "I'd still be happy to help, even for nothing, but if you'd prefer to journey alone the very least I can offer is company to the next town? It's still a fair walk from here and you seem like you could use a bit of a rest soon anyway." he said now, watching her keenly. It was true...She was strong, but it seemed as if she had been doing something for a great deal of time and it had ebbed her strength away, which fit in with his theories at very least. She certainly needed an ally or a friend out here and he hoped she wasn't so stubborn as to turn away his offer.<br><br>Besides, Tarell had been getting a bit bored of travel for travel's own sake. Wandering the roads looking for pathways and making camps in the forest at night was fine for him, but he missed the comforting sound of talking and even breathing that another person could offer. "I'd infact be honored to help. I may not seem like much, but I can assure you that I can protect you at very least." he said, smiling again in another attempt to console and calm her. Sure, he was probably doing a horrible job of it, but...Well, he wasn't exactly a ladies' man in any sense of the word and aside from being blunt and honest, he had no idea of how to reassure her.
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Destiny Forbidden [Verse &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caeli</strong> on <strong>14-09-2008, 12:03:46</strong>
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				She stared at him, still unsure, but... well, there were few options to be had, at this juncture. He had her hand in his - his cloak around her small shoulders. Had he wished to do something nefarious and dastardly, he'd had ample opportunity, from the moment he had hauled her up from the bushes. Nothing had happened - indeed, the warrior had seen fit to try to calm her, and hear her story out... was now offering even to escort her to her destination, though she had no money to pay him. And he was a mercenary - they lived off their earnings. It made little sense for a man of his ilk to offer his help to a penniless girl.<br><br>Even a beautiful, penniless girl.<br><br>With a glorious smile and a nod, she stepped forward and took one of his hands in both of hers. He was so tall - taller even than her, and she was no short female. Decidedly large, with a strange kindness and gentleness about him that was almost odd in such a large, powerful body. Siliea fell smoothly to her knees, the movement so liquid and subtle that it almost as if she had not moved, but as if the ground had moved up to meet her. "You have my gratitude, warrior, for your kindness," she murmured, before laying a soft kiss against the back of his hand. She waited for him to beckon for her to rise before she did so, an unperturbed smile hovering at the corner of her lips.<br><br>"I am not quite sure yet, of my destination. I would be grateful if you could escort me to a nearby town, to repair to until I determine what I can best do to return to- to my family." He would likely suggest Dowain... and if he didn't, she would. It was there that the peace talks between Aladel and Morovia were currently being held, though that was not precisely the reason Siliea wished to go there. When she rose again, she smiled - shyly. This man did not exhibit the typical aggression and foolishness that some male mortals often did when they saw her. Intriguing.<br><br>"I am Siliea," she said simply, sweeping him a graceful curtsy. "Might I have the honor of knowing your name, warrior?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Destiny Forbidden [Verse &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>14-09-2008, 14:55:04</strong>
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				There it was. That smile that intrigued him so very much, despite the situation and seemed so fitting on her face that he couldn't help but smile brighter along with her. And when she took his hand in both of hers, then knelt down in front of him as if kneeling to a monarch, he actually blushed rather thickly and it for a brief moment looked as if his cheeks were, indeed, burnt. Especially when she spoke and treated him with words he usually only heard when someone from a village wanted him or Ark to work for them without a fee. True, she was getting his 'services' for free but he'd offered first, so really there was no need for the flowered speech...Not that he didn't immensely enjoy it from her. However, he did gently wrap his hand around one of hers and slowly tug her up to her feet, shaking his head. "Theres no need to kneel, you know. As of right now, I am no mercenary. I'm just a big guy who'd rather not see you get harmed in this place." he said with a smile, nodding back at her.<br><br>As she spoke about not knowing where they should be going, he began to churn over the idea as she finished her sentence, then he nodded a little bit. "Mm...Dowain should be close, even if it will be a bit crowded with the peace talks. It should be alright to stay there for a few days while you figure out the best course of action." and he smiled now, that odd blush gone from his cheeks already until she curtsied him and then it was back, thick and actually a little darker this time. "A-ah...My name? It's Tarell Moraen." he said softly and turned a little. "One second, I'll be right back..." and he walked off for a brief moment. For his stature and warrior-esque manners, he certainly knew how to sneak around for such a big fellow...No twigs broke under his heels and the only indication of his presence was a few disturbed rustling of leaves. It took a few moments for him to locate his discarded pack and he hefted it upwards, then slung it around his shoulders as if it weighed nothing, tightened the straps and then moved back towards Siliea.<br><br>Ark might not have been famous, but Tarell definitely was which is most likely why he was chosen to be the leader. Who better to lead a mercenary outfit then a man once known as the Cyclops? Whirl winding through battlefields as the right-hand of a General in another country, he had outclassed even the generals he served in strategy and combat even after he lost his eye.<br><br>Once he found Siliea again, still somehow moving noiselessly with that gigantic pack/sleeping roll/storage shed on his back, Tarell offered her a calm smile and said "Did you wish to start immediately or would you like more time to rest? We still have a good few hours of daylight left." softly, gaging her reaction. She definitely seemed tired and could use a bit of rest, but if she didn't wish to recover more then he'd follow that wish as best he could. He was still quite rested from earlier and doubted he'd be tired until later on into the day. It was going to be interesting, traveling with company that he, at least hoped, wasn't the type to run off on the side to make money doing odd-jobs in town, or sit at the largest table in the bar with women all around them running up enough of a tab to make Tarell's head spin. Yes, Ark was a good bunch of mercenaries, but they drove Tarell insane most days. No wonder he needed a vacation.
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