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Post by Dr. Daniel Carter on Jan 7, 2005 21:31:58 GMT -5
daniel carter: -It had felt good, taking time to shower and shave, get on a pair of clean clothes, take a deep breath... and relax. He had spent most of his time with Amariette when he first arrived, checking to make sure she was in good hands and regaining her health by the day, but Daniel had his own problems as well, and they were mounting on his mind. He needed some space to think, and so he was doing what he did best- research. The man seated in the biggest of Castle Emain's courtyards looked nothing like he had two days ago; well dressed for the weather, clean shaven and leaning liesurely against the base of an old oak tree with an open book propped on his bent knee reading through a pair of slightly goofy looking glasses. The old, mild mannered(C)- daniel carter: -Dr. Carter was back. The book was nothing of particular note, an archaeological history of death and burial, one of his favorites when he was a child. He had read it cover to cover so many times that all of the words were now familiar to him and reading it was a perfect way to distract the outer layers of his mind so that he could think. So much had happened in the past two months. He had gone from being a normal man, a professor at the Academy, and within two months he had been kidnapped twice, engaged, almost killed countless times and made Grand Duke. It was all very disquieting to his nature to have such uproar, but then perhaps it was the type of uproar. Put him in the jungle, or at a dig, he would be fine in the middle of nature's chaos.(C)- daniel carter: -He supposed it was man's chaos he couldn't quite work around. Either way he had a lot of deciding to do about a good many things now, and the book, the cool air, the refreshing smell of his home, Ulster, were helping to clear his head even now.(F)-
raven bladewing: -How long had it been since she had last had the chance to use her own voice? How long had it been since she had taken flight from the cliffs, just how long had it been? Just because she bore the curse that carried her upon the warm currents of air, delighted in the wind as it ruffled and blew through the sleek black feathers of her wings, that didn't mean she didn't miss being able to walk on her own two feet, or crave to be recognised as a human being. There were many things she could have questioned and demanded given the choice but, alas, it wasn't meant to be. Was it? The calm of the day brought a sense of peace, and harmony of her own, till she felt he familiar tingle in her clawed feet. Had one been able to understand the language of the wild the panicked cries of the raven flying over the castle would have plainly called 'No! not now' -c- raven bladewing: -A frantic beat of wings, the pace of her heart. Knowing that she was going to go down as the feeling was lost within her wings. Her next thought was that of pain. Drifting as well as she could upon what current would carry her down to the ground. The sight of a man sat alone within a space…it was a space and he was alone wasn't he. A chance she had to take. Tilting her body toward the courtyard, speeding in like a bullet or something that may have been shot down. Bracing for the impact, a far from subtle cry as she hit the floor, far from gracefully. Why now? Why did it have to happen now? She should have known better but for the moment she knew very little at all, least of all which way was up, and not at all where she was or what would befall her here. Stranger things perhaps had fallen from the sky -c- raven bladewing: -This day would leave a naked woman, in apparent pain, confused and stunned to say the least…her only flaw being that of her right arm. For a while now it had refused to change as she changed in whole. It still remained that of a raven. Sleek feathers shimmered with various hues caught in the light of the sun…were painfully drawn over her figure to at least save a little of her dignity…not that she had much left at this stage…but wasn't that what 'He' had always wanted?
daniel carter: -His brow was furrowed as if the reading was difficult or stimulating to him, though in reality it was the cog wheels spinning in the back of his mind that were keeping him occupied. To stay with his fiance? To continue teaching at the Academy? He was beginning to think maybe all he needed was a break from Ulster, but it was his home that he loved very dearly. Eyes had been fixed on the pages intently before there was a scream from above an a most peculiar thing cam careening down out of the sky to bump along the grassy area he was in and then lie still. Immediately Daniel was on his feet, but it was not out of fear that he was reacting. He stumbled over to her and ropped to his knees by the side of the woman that had just fallen from the sky(C)- daniel carter: -a pair of vibrant blue eyes wrought with concern behind his glasses. The shock on his face was from the sight of a large black wing where an arm should have been, but somehow he seemed to, for the moment, accept that. "Miss... are you alright?" He asked as he quickly unbuttoned his shirt, leaving the white undershirt on and offering the outer garment to her. Stranger things had fallen from the sky, he supposed, but none of them had been so outwardly in pain when they landed as most of them weren't alive when they landed. He looked her over searching for anything obviously wounded or bleeding but it did not appear that she had anything life threatening that he could see, so his eyes traveled up to her face and remained there(C)- daniel carter: -as he offered a small and comforting smile. "You're pretty good at landings." He said, "I doubt I would be as lucky falling from that height." He paused for a moment, watching her. She must have been terrified. "My name is Daniel... is there anything that I can do to help you?"(F)-
raven bladewing: -"I'm sorry" a coarse whisper was her first words. She was, she hadn't meant to intrude but it had looked like the safest place to drop. Aware of a man at her side, fussing already…with a garment...offered without hesitation. Deep brown eyes would find his face and she's squint a little till she could focus properly before she actually took the shirt he had offered. Movement slow while she fidgeted as best she could, till she was better able to take the shirt and at least cover what her wing could not. "Thank you" croaked roughly…her voice was not yet her own and so she made attempts to clear her throat. Apologetic and degraded as she felt there was a half smile mustered. Even as he'd said about her landing, she offered back "I've had worse. I'll be fine" she was used to it, not by choice but it was a way of life for her. As screwed up as it might have been she still fought the curse she bore. -c- raven bladewing: -The only thing she did wear, while in both the manifestation of her true self and that of the Raven, was nothing more than a gold locket around her neck…only on closer inspection, it was not a complete locket. Her dreams and hopes of ever been able to find that missing piece had long eluded her and her resignation of her fate, her situation was more than clear as Daniel looked her over. Settling back to try regain her bearings she was content to not move, waves of ebon hair framed her face, lips pursed as she just…flopped back onto her back to at least recover. Was there anything he could do for her? There were many things but, rather than release her frustrations upon a total stranger, kind enough to ask, and offer help. She merely shook her head. She couldn't think at the moment, not past the throb in her hip…or the fact that she'd changed once more and not expected it. Random and sporadic…"I hate this" a more suitable whisper for a human female now. -c- raven bladewing: -She really did hate her life, the curse and most of all the man that had lain this upon her. "I really am sorry for…dropping in" raising her head as little as she looked back at Daniel. Another weak smile given.
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Post by Dr. Daniel Carter on Jan 7, 2005 21:32:59 GMT -5
daniel carter: -The smile was returned as she flopped around trying to regain her control on the surroundings. "No need to apologize. It's not even my courtyard." He said with a soft laugh. He did his best to look away from her as she situated herself, hoping to spare her some of her pride and dignity at not having to fully expose herself to a man she did not know. When she seemed to have somewhat fixed herself he raised his head to look at her with a gentle kind of expression on his face and another small almost hesitant smile. "Is anything broken?" He asked reaching a hand to tug the shoulder of his offered shirt up farther over her skin. It was slightly cold outside, and even now as the wind blew there were goosebumps raising on his arms and neck(C)- daniel carter: -He closed the book he had carried over with him and set it beside him on the ground before pulling his knees up and resting his arms on them as he too took a seat beside her on the grass. Hopefully nothing was too injured, though she seemed to be doing alright. The castle infirmiry would be a good place to take her, though hopefully they would have a bed away from Amariette's so that his fiance could sleep in peace which was really what she needed, considering she had- quite literally -been dragged to Hell and back. "Listen... I think I should take you to the infirmiry... you should really get looked over there..." He began, trailing off as his eyes drifted down to the locket. Blue eyes got a little wider, his eyebrows knitted together in the (C)- daniel carter: -middle and he reached up to readjust his glasses, gazing at it with a look of almost... recognition. His hand stretched out but did not reach to touch it, only to move around the circle as if... reading it from a distance. The script was shorthand of some kind, almost like what he had seen on the walls of the temple in Xexoria he had been asked to identify. How on earth could a thing so old wind up with a girl who fell from the sky? Family heirloom maybe? Certainly she was no tomb raider... she didn't have the look about her. His eyes fluttered a moment as he came back to reality and then met hers once more. The infirmiry. Right. (F)-
raven bladewing: - it just got worse didn't it? It wasn't his courtyard? There would probably have to be explanations and all sorts of other bothersome stuff, it wasn't something she really wanted to talk about was it. Grateful for his compassion, enough to have him look away while she did fidget into a better position. "I don't think I broke this time" she muttered. Only her hip aced, there would be a wonderful back bruise there soon enough she was sure of that. "Just bruised I reckon" all so matter of fact about it all really. Despite the discomfort she was still so very resigned. It may brave been cold, cold enough for Daniel to feel the chill and the goose-bumps to alight his arms but she was far too numb and still very much in shock. Lucid enough to converse at least. She still hadn't asked where she was -c- raven bladewing: -"I'll be fine. Really" trying to sound convincing, though a lingering thought in the back of her mind reminded her of a bed. The simplicities she used to take for granted. A soft mattress, clean sheets…a pillow and warmth. This time she did shiver a little as Daniel reached to move the shirt further up on her shoulder. She didn't flinch away though her right hand, the wing was clumsy as it was raised as though fingers would have taken care of that for herself. Another frustration, a constant reminder that her time was, as always short. There was no telling then the Raven would take flight once again. It was only as she watched him, watch her, his sight settling upon the locket that lay at her throat, the concentration in his face as he looked so very intently that had her wake right up and make efforts to cover her belonging with a trembling left hand. -c- raven bladewing* The fear in her eyes was something she could not hide. The locket was her life, without it she was doomed to spend the rest of her days as the bird. Or so she thought. Not having a single idea that he was merely reading the worn markings, nor that he could read them at all but the look and inquisition in his eyes was more than clear. "I should go…" there was no way he was going to take her locket from her, many wanted it, reached for it and perhaps even got close but she'd have given her life before that trinket ever left her possession.
daniel carter: -His eyes snapped back to life as he realized his fascination with her necklace had scared her and he put a hand up as if to show he meant no harm by it and protested passively. "No... no, I'm sorry. Please, you need to go to the infirmiry... there's no telling, you may have hurt yourself and not know it yet." Shoudl he mention the locket or no? It seemed to be quite precious to her as she covered it and shyed away from him, and the last thing he wanted to instill in her was fear... it appeared that she had already had quite a trying day. "I did not mean anything by it... it's just... the symbols... on your necklace. I've not seen any so old in... quite some time." Nor, he added to himself, in this part of the world. They were the precursor to the semetic(C)- daniel carter: -scripts. What on earth would a girl like this with an artifact this old be doing in Ulster? Why was she wearing something written in the same hand as the scrolls he had founded covered up in the temple of Tempus? The questions where blurring around the archaeologist's mind with a dazzling speed, but he did not let them cloud him insofar as to forget what ought to be keeping his main attentions. She was still unclothed and badly bruised. "Miss... please. I want to help you." He said, a hand slowly and steadily reaching out and then upturning as he rose to his haunches, offering his aid to her via an upturned palm. "Can you stand... or walk?"(F)-
raven bladewing: -First instinct was to leave this place, leave this man and hide somewhere in the wood, far from sight, but the want to remain and fit in once again while she still could if it were still possible bid her stay and listen. Nodding as he apologised, thought curiosity and a creased brow asked those silent questions she couldn't keep to herself "You can read them?" if he could he was the first person other than 'Him' she had ever come across, that could. Relaxing a little, enough to have her lower her hand from her throat, to leave the locket open for all to see once again. No information offered, he hadn't asked. But she did reach for that offer of his hand to aide her to rise to her feet. "I think I can stand" exceedingly awkward with her right arm something other than it should have been. Feathers bent and creased as they swept the ground. -c- raven bladewing: - Modestly was lost as she flailed rather badly, trying to compensate for her balance. Clumsy at the best of times, this was worse. Any weight she tried to place upon her right leg was wasted. Pain in her hip shot through to her lower back and down to her toes. What a terrible state to be in. Eventually submitting herself to his suggestion "I think you're right. This is hopeless" still matter of fact. Flat tones hid her pain. The lacklustre for all else other than peace, a settlement of this dread that weighed so heavy. She merely offered an embarrassed smile and tried to balance where she stood, half bent. Hand in his, wing unfurled and feather tips bent into the grass, haphazardly keeping her upright. "It just gets worse doesn't it?" in her case, yes it did. Always.
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Post by Dr. Daniel Carter on Jan 7, 2005 21:34:17 GMT -5
daniel carter: -"Whoa, whoa... easy... let me help you..." He said, gently pulling her up, letting her lean on him to support herself. Priorities took over and he left the questions he had and his answer to her unspoken on the topic of the locket... for now. Clearly her leg made her unable to walk. He couldn't very well force her to hobble all of the way to the nurse's center, so instead he decided to try a more direct route. "Hang on to me..." he said as he slipped an arm around her back and the other scooping under her legs to lift her off the ground as gently and painlessly as he possibly could. "You really need to get looked at... so we're going to the infirmiry." He said reassuringly, trying to emphasize the idea that he was not going to hurt her in any way.(C)- daniel carter: -The castle was huge, but most of his royally funded research was done here. Daniel himself had been in and out of the infirmiry several times from escapades ranging from the cave in at the dig site in Invernis to the time Theoren had beaten him senseless and left him in the middle of the main thoroughfare to bleed to death. This time, however, he was in better health, and although not allowed to leave the castle grounds as he was under monitoring from his last little adventure with the potions in Xexoria, he was feeling just fine. The woman was not hard to carry, actually she seemed a little on the underweight side. He was sure the overzealous maids would fix that as soon as they possibly could. Pushing the door open with his foot they entered a(C)- daniel carter: -more quiet room with many people lying sick or sleeping and nurses attending to them. The nurse who was wrapping and sorting bandages at one of the nearest counters looked up at them with an expression of surprise. "Dr. Carter...?" She started to ask as Daniel's attention was caught by her. "Ah... we need a bed, please... she can't walk." He explained as laconically as possible. The nurse nodded with an expression reflecting her wonderment about the situation and lead them down to the end of a row and offered a clean bed. Daniel set the fallen woman down and went to draw the heavy curtains around the area to give her some privacy. The nurse stared a moment at the wing, then looked at Daniel as if to gain confirmation that her eyes(C)- daniel carter: -were not playing tricks on her. "I'll go get the young lady some clothing, then..." she murmured and went off to fetch it, coming back with a loose patient's robe a few moments later. Daniel handed it to her and then respectfully stepped outside the curtain. "I'll.. be outside... if you need anything." He said before moving outside the curtains to speak with the nurse.(F)-
raven bladewing: -For the first time in a long time she was hardly in a position to argue. Holding onto him as he had told her to and glad to do it. Although she'd not noticed the bruising on her hip had started to show. "Thanks" she meant it. Even as she was scooped up so easily and carried from the courtyard she had unceremoniously landed. Still too distracted by the pain's still shooting through her leg to appreciate the interior of the place she was taken through, least of all the route to the Infirmary. It was as she would have thought it'd be. Clean, pristine and quiet. The relief was phenomenal. The last thing she wanted was fuss, but what came next let her in a stunned sort of silence. The looks of amazement, the nudges from a couple of the nurses as they passed. -c- raven bladewing: -Daniel had been so kind. His request for a bed went right over her head and everything was taken care of so swiftly. Perhaps she'd landed in the right place this time. Who knew? Daniel had been right. Tired and hungry…oh…there was the possibility of being able to eat something other than bird food. It was wonderful and people, words and so much passed in a blur till she was left with a rather loose fitting gown…yes standard hospital issue. The thought had her smile, the simplicities of clothes, clean and fresh. Colour touched her cheeks as he left her to it. Only she'd have quite a struggle on her hand, and wing to wriggle into the gown but she'd manage right? There wasn't much she could say. Overwhelmed to the point of exhaustion. She'd fare well enough till she passed out. Perhaps se might have been lucky enough to be given something to ease the pain -c- raven bladewing: -The dance that took place was odd to say the least, while Daniel spoke to the nurse…through it all and after she had fought enough with the garment there's be a rather flustered, tousled looking Raven sat looking rather sheepish as she battled till the bitter end. All lop-sided but covered. "I'm decent" a soft voice, hinted the amusement of her situation. It was pathetic, as if she was nothing more than a child. Oh yes, she'd laugh about it later she was sure.
daniel carter: -The young man entered the curtained area again with a small smile as she sat tousled on the bed sheepishly. "Light blue... looks very nice on you." He made a small joke about the gown as he moved so he could close the curtain again. He stood with his hands in his pockets, a little on the awkward side, not exactly knowing procedure for these types of scenarios at all. Clearing his throat he looked at the floor for a few seconds. "I.. got them to bring you some food. Should be here soon. You looked hungry... I thought you might appreicate some." It was a start at least. "If there's anything else the nurses... they take care of you pretty well. I have trouble convincing them not to sometimes..." He laughed a small laugh, rambling a bit as he was nervous and(C)- daniel carter: -hesitant. "You know, every time I get a cut or a bruise it seems like they've got me in here for a week." He continued walking slowly to the bed, taking a seat beside her before folding his hands over his knees and leaning forwards to look at the floor. The awkward silence was thankfully interupted by the announcing of and subsequent arrival of a nurse outside the curtain who came in with a plate of food and a few herbal painkillers to be chewed on if it behooved the young woman. Daniel thanked her quietly and sat in as much silence as the woman ate. He had so many questions. The wing, the locket... where had she gotten in? He'd only a glimpse of the script on the pendant but he recognized it. If he had more time and a few of the books he knew he (C)- daniel carter: -had at the Academy he could surely read what it said. "To answer your question from before... I can read your necklace. Partially that is... it's very old, you see, and without the proper resources ... well it would take time but I recognize the script." He gave a small chuckle again as he sat back and adjusted his glasses. "I have a lot of questions... I don't even know where to start." He thought for a moment before a smile crossed his lips. "Actually, I don't believe you gave me your name..."(F)-
raven bladewing: -Looking down at her attire she had to smile, this time it was a little more warming. "You've been very kind" looking up as a nurse bustled in with a plate of food. She was so looking forward to eating again. Real food rather than the scraps and offerings from bird tables and the like. Hardly surprising she was malnourished and thin. "Thanks" was once again passed along. She was grateful. However, she was more interested in eating. Even as Daniel spoke to her. It was somehow comforting to know that he was stil here, that he hadn't freaked out at her state, the wing and even that he'd been calm and hadn't fussed or bombarded her with questions she hadn't wanted to answer…though she knew the curiosity must have been agonising. -c- raven bladewing: -"Raven" she spoke up between mouthfuls "They call me Raven" for obvious reasons really. No one had ever asked her for her given name and it was something she had forgotten to give. Raven suited and it would do for now. However, it had been his answer to her earlier question that had her pay that much more attention. Perhaps he'd be able to read about the curse, perhaps he'd be able to fill in the blanks. Maybe she'd find a cure! Too much to hope for really "You could really do that?" stuffing something else in her mouth and munching as though she'd not eaten in a long while before she added "You could really read what the locket says?" the many questions she knew he'd have, and admitted he had would surely come soon enough. If she had the time…before she had to fly once more.
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Post by Raven on Jan 8, 2005 0:23:48 GMT -5
daniel_p_carter: -Candles were not needed as the sun came up, Daniel already awake and furiously scribbling in one of his journals at his desk in his makeshift home away from home. It wasn't shabby, but it made him miss Invernis sometimes. Maybe now he would have an excuse to go home... and that excuse was named Raven. When morning came and though she couldn't see it from her room in the infirmary, it was a clear morning, rather warm for the middle of winter, and outside the room full of the sick and injured the castle was bustling. There was a slight knock on the wall beside the curtain, a hand reaching around to thud on the board. When she spoke to come in the man that came around the heavy drapery was smiling at her. It was Daniel, already been up(C)- daniel_p_carter: - for hours and was little changed from the day before save having found himself a new shirt and forgotten this morning to rid himself of his now day-old stubble. "Good morning." He said softly as he sat down next to her on the bed. In his hands were some books and a leatherbound journal, one of many that he owned and filled on each expedition he went on and noted every artifact he found. This one seemed to be labeled with a date close to today, it was probably started recently. Her look of surprise made him crack a smile. "Didn't think I'd be back? I had to come see you... you still have my shirt." He joked lightly as the nurse brought in some breakfast for the poor malnourished girl. Blue eyes traveled over her and watched as she ate,(C)- daniel_p_carter: - the small smile never fading from him. He was excited to study this pendant, having discovered the left over rubbings and scrolls he had made (and not known about as his memory of the two days he was in Xexoria had gone completely blank) of the texts in the temple and was eager to take a shot at deciphering the necklace for her. Of course, they would need to go to Invernis to do that, but he would cross that bridge when he came to it. "How do you feel this morning, Raven?"(F)-
Raven_Bladewing: -Surprised to say the least as a knock and a familiar face peered around the curtain. Still full of sleep and a little wobbly as she made her best effort to wake up a little more. Clumsily raising her hands to rub her face, only that was to become a disaster, so used to be being able to perform such a simple task, quite forgetting that her right arm was now a wing. The water jug that had been left on the side, the vase with fresh cut flowers carefully placed, were no longer placed. The crash and clatter and the sound of water splashing upon the floor brought a furious colour to taint her pale face. "I am so sorry!" exclaimed quite clearly. Wide awake now, struggling to sit, holding her wing in tight to her body so not to cause any more trouble. Frantically looking between the nurse that brought her breakfast and Daniel as he seemed to make himself comfortable…with a pile of books no less. "I'd forgotten about the shirt" she had too, the meal the evening before and the questions she knew would come had been avoided rather deftly. Passing out with the effort of biting back the pain in her leg, the meal and the comfort…no luxury of clean sheets and a soft mattress -c- Raven_Bladewing: -A morsel was grabbed from the plate, perhaps through fear it be taken from her again for causing such a mess. Speaking past the food she had tucked into her cheek with her tongue as she was asked how she felt. Muffled a little albeit she still managed a response "I'm alright." It was a lie wasn't it? Her leg was still very painful and the bruising was beautiful. Back in colour from hip to calf…she'd landed hard. Swallowing the morsel she had grabbed before she went on, wincing as she should have chewed a little more. Yes she should have known better. "I think they'll throw me out if I keep this up though" had it not been for the reassurances from the nurse and the bustle that happened around them then she'd have panicked for sure. In little to no time at all there would have been no trace of spillage or breakage. Wasn't this just a wonderful start to the day? How embarrassing!
daniel_p_carter: -"It's ok, it's alright Raven!" He exclaimed, patting her hand trying to calm her down as the nurses came to see what the racket was. The poor girl.. she was terrified of humans, wasn't she? Thinking they would become angry with her and... do what? Had she been abused before, or perhaps the reason for her malnourishment was due to some kind of induced starvation. More and more Daniel was coming to think that she was the product of some kind of torture, though he still didn't ask about the presence of the wing. He stayed silent for a moment, letting her fuss and simply sitting as quietly and reassuringly as possible. She needed help... he couldn't well abandon her he thought as he furrowed his brow in concern. Laying one of the books and(C)- daniel_p_carter: -the journal on his lap he waited for her to calm down a bit. "Don't worry about it Raven. If you liked the flowers I'm sure we can get you some more." A soft smile was offered. Opening the book he read a few paragraphs and then peered at her necklace for a few more moments, blue eyes studying intensely the writing that was carved so beautifully into the gold of the locket. There were only a few words he could make out, and even those he was unsure of. Opening the journal he began to peer and squint at the writing before copying the shorthand characters into the blank parchment of the leather bound book. He spoke all the while, like a doctor easing a patient during a procedure they didn't want to go through. "I did a little research last night."(C)- daniel_p_carter: -He explained, "And I found some literature pertaining to your amulet. I'm afraid the bulk of my matierals are locked up in my office at the Academy, but with a little bit of time and effort I can get them and crack the code on it for you, if you would like." Languages, ancient ones, were one of Daniel's many special talents. He was reknown in the archaeological society for cracking the code for Tamil, the former language of the Aon tribes in the southern deserts. He was one of five in the world that could read it without the aid of a book. This language to him seemed similar in origins.. perhaps his knowledge of Tamil could aid him in it's deciphering. (F)-
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Post by Raven on Jan 8, 2005 0:24:38 GMT -5
Raven_Bladewing: -A moment taken to just…breathe and calm herself down. A connection had been made previous to the terrible curse that plagued her every waking hour. It wasn't fair, she had done nothing to deserve this but love a man…even then that had been short-lived. She could recall sitting on the window seat, eagerly waiting his arrival. They were to go to a ball and the carriage had taken ever so long to arrive…only it never did. To this day she never knew what had happened to the man she had been supposed to be wed to. It had all been done properly! The façade her step brother had put on to comfort her and reassure her that there was probably a reasonable explanation to this upset…of course she had taken what words of comfort were offered, he was her brother after all, only she'd not foreseen the evil intent within his eyes or the wicked sneer of amusement behind her back. She could have imagined it all. Perhaps Daniel may have thought she was lost for the moment for she barely moved, barely even blinked but…as she shook off her reverie and looked to the man that eased her with gentle tones. Lost in his books, scribing away…even she could recognize the script of that which was on her locket -c- Raven_Bladewing: -All she had heard him say as though his voice was merely in the distance was 'crack the code' - Of course she was quick to jump on that and a new eagerness and enthusiasm came over her. "You have? Already? What does it say? Can I fix it?" My God! It was far too much to hope for wasn't it. Each time it happed it got worse. There had once been a predictable routine and she was at one time able to plan. Not any more, her life was well and truly a mess. The wing said as much. Focusing once again on what was left of breakfast she used her fingers to eat…leaving the knife and fork at the side. Even she wasn't that crazy to even try…as much as she'd have loved to. Maybe with Daniels hep, they'd fix it before it was no longer possible, there was no telling what time she had left.
daniel_p_carter: -Looking up he seemed confused. "Well, I.. .haven't cracked it yet... but I can. I think it's Hittite, or at least some shorthand form thereof... it shouldn't take me that long really but I need my research materials which are at least a day's ride from here at the Academy..." he trailed off as she seemed to go into a trance like state, deep in thought. "Raven?" He asked as she came out of it. Maybe she was just thinking to herself. "And of course... it would be helpful for you to come along to the Academy... but in your current state I don't think it would be that grand of an idea. Which really is fine by me... my... fiance. She just got back from the jungle and she's... not well." He said, looking away with a sad kind of expression. Things between him and (C)- daniel_p_carter: -Amariette were falling apart at the seams. All of the strange events of the last month were weighing on them both. Maybe a break to Invernis was what he needed, and if it would help the girl who fell from the sky, he saw no reason why not to. It was rather obvious even to Daniel... without even so much as touching her that she was suffering something awful and his heart went out to her for that. "And the queen asked me to stay here and make sure her daughter made it home alright. But maybe in a few days we can go to the Academy and see if I can't read your pendant for you, ok?" He smiled as she seemed to perk up at the idea. "But it would really help if you could start by telling me exactly what you know about it... and... well anything else(C)- daniel_p_carter: -you think might be pertinant to me figuring out what to do with it." He thought it was a polite way of telling her to fill him in. Though the thought of touching it ran through his head like a slow train... he could just reach out, see a few flashes, glean some insight as to what was going on, but the girl was so protective it would probably be better to explain and ask. (F)-
Raven_Bladewing: -Attentive as she listened to him tell her about what he thought it was. Specially as he called her by name. He must have had a clue otherwise…otherwise he was leading her up the garden path. Could she trust him? "I'm sorry to hear about your fiancé" she'd have reached to pat him on the hand or something but her fingers were covered in food and it was not polite. However, her wing twitched a little before she realized she was heading for another disaster. A resigned sigh as the plate seemed to be empty, reaching for the napkin instead and fumbling terribly wither left hand. It was unfortunate, Raven was right-handed. Talk of visiting an Academy had her pull an odd sort of face. Intrigued to say the least, her curiosity more than piqued with the idea of actually having found someone that could help. "I can try?" she was keen to find out if he knew more than she did, that was if she could remember, it had been so long and her days with the Murders/Conspiracy’s/Constables had been long and more frequent of late. Clinging to better times such as she had now were far and few between and the longer she had, the better she felt. A heavy sigh and a pause had her sit a little taller. The wing hung limply off the side of the bed it was the safest place to keep it at present. "I know the locket is tied to the curse. Without it, I'm done for" she didn't want to tell him too much. Just in case he was stringing her along -c- Raven_Bladewing: -"At the moment" she began, sighing once more and a wistful, pained sort of look coming over her, saddening her features "I'm trying to hold onto this…what you see right now." Offering that weak sort of smile once again "This…" she raised her wing ever such a little "Its all a part of it. Its getting worse. This should be an arm, a hand with fingers" she'd have loved to have been able to wriggle those fingers but alas, it wasn't going to happen. Rolling her shoulders in a dejected sort of way she sagged then and just looked toward the pile of books he had brought with him.
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Post by Dr. Daniel Carter on Jan 15, 2005 21:07:56 GMT -5
raven_bladewing: There was such a to-do in the infirmary this morning. Nurses ran as quick as they'd allow through the corridors, red faced and flustered beyond all belief. The shouts and cries, the slamming of doors were all to be heard. "Can someone bring a net!" someone cried from the office. "Cant we just use a sheet?" another voice queried. Only to be met with a barrage of burbled curses, a gesture to the poor nurse that was having scratches on her arms and her face bathed "We tried that already" Never before had they encountered such a fuss, least of all a bird in one of the room. They just couldn't understand how a bird could have got in when the room was without window. None had questioned where Raven was. Perhaps she had taken a walk to the gardens, her bruising had healed rather well and she had been making efforts to walk about and do as much as she could without breaking anything. Her wing, had been fastened to her body to keep…things safe. Eventually, a small nurse who had frequently sat with the girl had the mind to ask "Where is the girl? Raven?" the hush that fell over the women and the blank expressions said it all. -c- raven_bladewing: Silence was the stern reply. The small woman turned the key in the lock and waved everyone away. "Well I'm not going to Tell Dr Carter when he gets here. He had been Raven's only other visitor and she was sure he'd perhaps come for the books he had left. "Leave the room and keep quiet. Perhaps the bird will settle enough so we can try again in a little while" - for a young one she seemed to have a good head on her shoulders. Nod and flustered faces were in agreement and they merely tuned away to carry on picking up where they had left off. - Meanwhile a rather agitated Raven perched upon the end of the bed she had been loaned for the time. The gold locket hung around its neck, seeming to beat with the very heart within the small creature. Black, beady eyes glared at the small window in the door, wings were spread and floofed as though to make herself look that much more imposing. A hoarse cry to warn of any that would dare try to capture her once more…left to echo around the small room. Though there were no faces, no strained voices outside…and she would, begin to settle.
daniel_p_carter: -"Stop fussing with it, Daniel. It looks fine." The booming voice in the strange gutteral tongue was still disquieting to the members of the castle, though the large silver dragon it belonged to had become a mainstay since the queen had ordinated Daniel Carter as the Grand Duke. He was trying in vain to fix the suit he had been given marked with the crest of Ulsterian Royalty. It was uncomfortable and altogether too heavy in his opinion, thought he had to admit it was quite warm during the harsh cold of the Ulsterian winter. Halar, the great silver wyrm was resting his chin on the windowsill of Daniel's room, a forked lizard like tongue hanging down waving back and forth from between his long teeth, the rest of his body resting comfortably(C)- daniel_p_carter: -in the courtyard below the first floor room. Daniel looked at himself and sighed. "I'll never get used to it, Halar. It just... doesn't look right." The dragon chuckled and spoke in its native tongue once more, "Of course you won't Daniel. That's why you're perfect for the job. It won't go to your head." For once the great lizard was not chiding his human companion. Daniel had been overly stressed lately, all of the new responsibilities of his status weighing on him when all he had wanted to do was teach. He had been hoping to take Raven to Invernis. It would have been good for her, the mountains, the fresh air, the Academy life of simply and quiet people... but he hadn't the time, so his books had been shipped to him from his office(C)- daniel_p_carter: -to the castle. He had told Raven they were leaving today for Xexoria. Hopefully she was already packed. There was a rapping on the door that roused him from his thoughts and his blue eyes snapped back open from the reverie they had been in. "Come in..." He called distractedly as a young page entered nervously. "I'm so sorry to disturb you, Dr. Carter... but.. but it's the infirmary..." He was cut off as Daniel sighed with a strange pang of panic. Poor Raven. Hadn't the girl been through enough? "Lord almighty, what now?" He asked, snatching up his glasses and hurrying out the door, leaving the boy in the room frozen in fear at the large dragon snout in the window. Halar grinned a toothy grin at the youngster and said in a low common voice, "Boo." (C)- daniel_p_carter: -which sent the boy dashing from the room as quick as his legs could carry him. Daniel entered the infirmary a little short of breath and the nurses looked up to the handsome young Duke in surprise, pointing at the back curtain when he asked "Where's Raven?" in a rather protective tone. Hurrying back to the last bed in the row he knocked on the wall before entering. "Raven? Are you there? It's Daniel... may I come in?" No answer. What good were these nurses, anyhow? He hesitated a few more moments and drew the curtain back... much to his surprise there waiting for him was not a young girl with her bags packed and ready for Xexoria, but a bird... "What on earth?" came the murmur as he squinted at the feathered creature in consternation.(F)-
raven_bladewing: It was all to begin again, the voices, the bustling, the hurry. It was all heard, even the steps coming toward her little safe-haven. The knock upon the wall could not and wouldn't not go answered, however the familiar face that peered around the curtain was met with a rather fine display of wings, an impressive wing-span that met the curtains on either side of her. Even the rising on her toes and the squawk of indignation and anger would have told Daniel that he was not welcome. The clothing…the smell, something didn't sit right and she didn't like it. Her only saving grace was the locket around her neck. Perhaps if Daniel recognised that he'd know. However, the raven didn't have the capacity at that particular moment to rationalise thoughts or motives. If the curtains hadn't been drawn around she'd have took flight and gone for his face, beak and claw. Why couldn't they have just left her alone? Perhaps she shouldn't have asked the questions but once she felt that familiar numbing in her limbs there was no stopping what was to come.
daniel_p_carter: -He blinked. The bird was squwaking and flailing like any cornered animal would, but its reactions were far more... human. Something patterned. He'd encountered this before out in the desert with the set of dragon wyrmlings he and Halar had rescued just after birth from a tribe of poachers. In all truth the tribe was just trying to survive, but Blue Dragons were so scarce in the world that Daniel violated his usual rule of not interfering with local cultures to save them. They were animals at birth in all senses of the word, but even then they had some cognisance of a higher intellect, and thought they did not speak they reacted as though a human child would. Putting up his hands he took a step back. "Easy... eaaasy..." He said, his tone(C)- daniel_p_carter: -softening to try to calm the animal down. It certainly was big, even for a Raven. It wasn't until it did indeed settle again that he noticed the gold locket hanging around its neck. His eyes intensified in blue, his brow furrowed and he leaned forwards looking at it incredulously. No... could it be? But it would make sense, wouldn't it? The girl had fallen from the sky, her one arm was a big black wing... it all fit. "Raven?" He breathed in wonderment, "Is that really you?"(F)-
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Post by Dr. Daniel Carter on Jan 15, 2005 21:09:44 GMT -5
raven_bladewing: What could she have told him? Had she opened beak to say something nothing but a squawk would have followed. Eventually as voice recognition fell into pace, the familiar scent hidden beneath the garb or Royalty, the glasses upon his nose…his calm tone. Wings were drawn in and she did settle. The only person to have shown her any inkling of kindness in…forever was still trying to ease, offering with nothing at all a cam she gladly accepted with a bow of feathered head. Another ruffle of disturbed feathers till wings lay perfectly along her back, the feathers a wonderful hue of black, the light enhancing the blues that didn't exist. A moment taken before she hopped from the foot of the bed onto the rumpled sheets of the bed, closer…another hop closer. At this point in time she would have begged on her hands and knees for the cure, for the answers. The only person she had given the smallest shred of trust to. Daniel, the only time ever in her life had she been desperate enough to do as she did now. Settling before him, as she were to roost, only sticking her neck out in the most literal of senses…in more than any one way. The locket lay easy for him to actually touch. Though her current state may have allowed such an action, it didn't stop the frantic beating of her heart, or the keen eyes to cease watching. Of all the people she had ever come close to, he had been the only one to offer help. Time grew shorter for her and she was in no position to fight, not any more. Daniel was here.
daniel_p_carter: -She was offering it to him. "Raven... I don't think I... " should touch that locket? She didn't know. He was afraid of the gift, something that had been passed down from his father. It was what made him a brilliant archaeologist, like a telepath for the non living. It scared him, the ability to see and know things that were far beyond his lifetime. Time seemed to have little meaning to his subconscious. It was something Halar encouraged in him ever since he was a teenager, but in fifteen years it had never gotten any easier. Yet, here, this girl needed his help and one did not have to be a telepath to know she was very desperate, for whatever reason. His hand was shaking as he reached forwards to touch the locket, fingers picking it up gingerly(C)- daniel_p_carter: -At first touch the images began to flood him. A chamber, dimmly lit, yellowish light. Underground. It smelled like dust, like an old library. A chest, locked. Opened by a man, face couldn't be made out. He had the key. Velvet coat? Black. Yes, black velvet. Inside the chest was a wooden box carved in Tamil. And then as suddenly as the vision came it faded again leaving Daniel's photographic memory to take over. He closed his eyes and let the locket fall from his finger tips, one hand coming up to squeeze the bridge of his nose as his eyelids pressed together tightly. It hurt every time. He didn't like it, even if it did give him the upper hand on all his digs and artifacts. "It's Tamil. It came from the desert. Someone took it from a queen's treasure...(C)- daniel_p_carter: -Probably from an underground tomb, some kind of side chamber to a burial room." He recited from his head as he waited for the pain to ebb away from his temples. It took a few minutes. "It's cursed. I remember an old story... a babylonian myth about it. A jealous woman turned her husband's lover into a bird with a curse to punish her, then killed her husband in a fit of rage and threw his body into the Euphrates." Finally blue eyes opened and looked down at the raven with a weak smile. She needed some support right now, he supposed. He didn't remember much of the myth, but it seemed to him that the wing, the story... it didn't bode well for the girl. They needed to get to Xexoria as fast as they could. (F)-
raven_bladewing: Had Daniel not made the move to even see what her locket said her heart would have broken and she would have had to have resigned herself to her fate. She'd always known in a way what she was to become. Daniel's offer of help, being able to read what the strange marking were upon the worn surface of the gold had been enough to cling to. Hope came in al shapes and sizes and Daniel it appeared, was hers. Had she known it would pain him to see what he needed she'd not have asked? Perhaps she would, if only to give herself that chance. She had been right about him though, he hadn't taken it from her as she thought he might have, the simplicity of touch, that was all it took. The tone of his voice as he repeated what he saw? How could he see? Questions she could perhaps ask at a later date. For now she was struggling with that numbing feeling that came over her just as Daniel had closed his eyes. The hoarse cry becoming so much more than that of the bird she was to become. The sound of bone crunching, tendons snapping and reforming over human frame painful to say the least, agonising to watch and be a part of but human features were that of clenched jaw, held breath, through the sheer force of forcing limbs to stretch and become what they were supposed to be. -c- raven_bladewing: There was no smile as Daniel looked down upon her once more. The only sound a rasping whisper as her throat needed to work as that of a human once again. "I don't have much time do I?" Nothing said about what he got from the locket to agree or disagree. Silence in this case was her best answer. - Though she ached from head to tow she was righting herself and reaching for the cotton gown she'd been given previous. She was ready, there were no bags to pack for she had nothing, nothing but what she wore around her neck.
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Post by Dr. Daniel Carter on Jan 15, 2005 21:54:21 GMT -5
daniel_p_carter: -A hand pushed on the matress as he got up and turned his head to let her get dressed. "Hold on Raven." he said, moving around the curtain the the cabinet across the walkway from her section of the room. He had picked up something for her to make her feel... more comfortable, he supposed. Halar had suggested it would be the proper thing to do if they were going to Xexoria. Moving back around the curtain he tried to avert his eyes from her form in respect for her as he laid the dress he had in hand over the bed. It was pretty, a dark blue color with silver trim along the sleeves and hem, a modest but still striking dip in the neck. It was not anything royal or splended like those worn in the royal court, but it was pretty in its simplicity and Daniel(C)-
daniel_p_carter: -secretly much preferred that kind to the flashy new styles of the Ladies in the castle. "I hope it's the right size." he said softly and ducked back around the curtain again. Amariette wore dresses like that. It was what made him choose it. Simple, yet elegant. He had heard his fiancee, or was it now former fiancee had gone back to Chartha. He supposed that sealed things, then. He could not shake the guilt he felt over what had happened, but what was he to do? He could not even remember what had happened, let alone, from what Charlie said, be held responsible for it. But that did not seem to fill the hole left in his heart from hearing that she had left. When Raven came out from around the curtain he smiled and snapped from his thoughts(C)-
daniel_p_carter: -a bit relieved at having the distraction to keep him from his heartache. "You look... good." He said with an awkward smile. They needed to get going, and at the protest of a nurse Daniel insisted that they leave for Xexoria immediately and promptly walked Raven from the infirmary and down the stairs that lead to the lower courtyard. There the large silver wyrm had been waiting patiently. "Good morning, M'Lady." He said in a deep voice, his common tongue richly laden with a draconic accent. "It is my pleasure to be escorting Daniel and yourself to Xexoria. I am Halar, and I would shake your hand but I am afraid it is a bit unweildly as appendages go."He chuckled at his own joke and crouched low to the ground, allowing(C)-
daniel_p_carter: -his head to be used as a step up onto his massive form if they so needed it. Stepping up on Halar's snout Daniel offered Raven a hand, having done this many times before. The bags and books were already tied securely around Halar's neck, and the only thing left to load was the humans. "Don't mind the lizard. He thinks his jokes are funny." Daniel gave the dragon a wink sharing a teasing rapport with the scaly beast that was rare between warm and cold blood. "If you're ready... we'll leave now."(F)-
raven_bladewing: Still so weary from the fuss and the whole issue of the bird she was quite relieved and actually -felt- good as Daniel had said. The dress certainly made all the difference and for the first time in a long time, tough it hadn't quite sunk in yet she had all her appendages. All fingers and toes, there was nothing to suggest she had ever been anything other than whom she was now. Flustered tanks and apologies offered to the nurses as they seemed to pass in a blur…Daniel was more than keen to leave and she was just too numb to fight much more. Even as she faced a rather large dragon there was only one step taken aback, a blink, then a double blink and finally a very big grin. She had only glimpsed one other like it in all her time roaming the currents of air, in fact, it hadn't seen her for it seemed to take on its own flight path and it was far away from hers. "I'm very pleased to meet you Halar" she managed to croak, clearing her throat then to try make herself sound more like a female. As though such things mattered. A dragon she might have faced but, she was not afraid…so many overlooked creatures and animals, so often thought of as, unfeeling things -c- raven_bladewing: Daniels hand taken and she boarded? Boarding a dragon? A brow arched as the thought of the hour involved in such a fitting term though her silence followed, All she really wanted to do was curl up and sleep. Then again, her time was short, far too short and she had to make the most of every moment she could. "Lets get this over with?" a tone that lacked the life that should have filled Raven with al the joys it could bring? No…it was definitely getting worse. Much worse.
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