Love and Loss

A long, sunny day slowly eases into evening, and the group are taking a well deserved break at a village, one previously visited near the beginning of their travel through Am'shere.

With Vabon captured, and the fight versus Xioyah behind them, the mood is decidedly more upbeat.

Perhap going counter to the general atmosphere, Geir is brooding, his expression blank as he peers into the jungle that surrounds them. He is dressed down once again, freed from the heat-trap that is his scale armor, the copper-scale lays across the top of one of the warming rocks, the coppery tailtip twitching in irritation.

Since the day that a hatchling had nearly been kidnapped by the Charneth, Rune had been more vigilant. What time she has not dedicated to tracking down her own strange connection to this land, or to aiding Harkashan, has been spent acting on 'watch' to try to prevent any further incursions. For most Makari, though, these attacks seem to simply be part of life. There are many reasons most hatchlings don't even survive their first year.

It is on one of these patrols that she finds Geir sprawled out across the warming rocks. There is a glance towards the nearby jungles, and then to the copper-scaled cleric before she decides to take a 'break' by checking in on Geir. "Something the matter?" She asks, head tilted.

Geir is slow to respond, for several long seconds, he doesn't even breath. A long breath is then released, complete with acrid smoke from his nostrils, and gurgle somewhere in his chest.

"Peace on your nest.", he intones, his eyes blinking slowly, and then shifting to regard Rune. "Rune."

The coppery-tail begins to curl back and forth like a great cat's. "The answer is both yess and no. Returning to Am'shere has shaken loose the cobwebss in this one'ss mind. It hass been decadess. Thiss one was barely not a hatchling when they left for ... adventure. A love, broken and reunited and ... recently broken again. A dagger in the heart, twisted."

His head lifts from the rock, face fulling turned to peer at the Half-Sil, yellow eyes focusing fully.

"This one is lesss concerned with himself, however. This one is curiouss. About you. Your relationship with Harkashan. And your ... fear? hesitation? of Am'shere. Thiss one seess thingss, readss your eyes."

When Geir is slow to respond, he may just feel a nudge against his tail. Rune is giving it a poke to make sure he's still alive, it seems. However, the little puff of smoke and the gurgle seems to be enough to signal that he is still amongst the living.

"Peace on your nest, Geir." She offers in return, looming a bit over his prone form. That curious look is followed by a raise of her eyebrows when he starts to speak about his life and what it means to return to Am'shere. There's obviously a lot about him that she doesn't know.

"How about a deal, then?" Rune offers. "You tell me your story, I'll tel you mine?" The rogue settles herself down next to the rocks he is sprawled on, likely offering the comfort of someone else nearby.

"You start." Why? Because Rune has had too many friends offer her an ear and it is definitely time to return the favor.

At first it seems as though he coughs, or is attempting to restrain a cough, but it becomes clear that he is laughing. More smoke escapes his nostrils, the gurgling sounding once more in his chest. The tail curls up, and taps lightly at Rune's shoulder, as if patting there.

"This one is perhaps one hundred and twenty yearss old, give or take a handful. This one was perhapss twenty or so, when they met their love. We had adventuress together. Saw parts of Am'shere, and the world outside of the portal together. Then the other was tempted away by a woman. This one wass lost in the world, on their own."

A more rueful chuckle escapes the copper-scale, his expression changing to match. "Then this one was captured by Charn. Their whipss and abuse left the scarss on this one'ss chest and back. Then this one's love was found again, they had been also captured. Endured. Bided time. This one became a guard, earned trust. Then one night, helped many, many Sith and other slavess escape. This one had to flee too."

A long breath is inhaled, and held for some time, released slowly, as smoke. "Forgive this one for his simplisstic telling of his story. To delve too deeply would risk ... risk being unfit to carry out his worldly tasks and duties to the Deathsinging Dragon."

At the touch of his tail to her shoulder, Rune pats the copper scales in turn, offering that quiet support. It isn't the first time she's seen a Makari spewing smoke from their nostrils, so she can only assume that it is something to do with some sort of powerful emotions.

"You have nothing to ask forgiveness for." Rune replies, rather than addressing his story directly, at least at first. "The Charneth have hurt so many people I know and care for, myself included. And... I can understand loss, all too well."

Her lips press together, "I'm not Makari, and I know both human and Sil relationships are quite different, but... that's kind of fucked if you ask me." She lets out a little huff of breath through her nose in an emulation of a Makari way of speaking. "Honesty and loyalty are two of the things I value most."

Then, she sighs slightly, leaning her back against the rock. "As for me... I came to Am'shere searching for answers about my mother." Rune withdraws the necklace she so often fidgets with. "This necklace had draconic writing that suggested I needed to find someplace in Am'shere. So I offered my talents to a party of Sith-Makar in exchange for their help to find it."

She bites at her lower lip, thoughtfully. "That was almost three and a half years ago. Harkashan was the party's cleric. We traveled together for two years or so, before we walked into a Charneth trap. Most of the group died, myself included." She admits with a soft sigh, "I threw myself in the path of a spell meant for Harkashan."

He lays still while she speaks, the tail remaining upon her shoulder. "There is more to thiss one'ss story, though what has been spoken is the genesis for this Sith. It leadss to where and who this one is."

The tail moves to drape itself over both of Rune's shoulders.

"Relationshipss are ... like a garden. They require tending for them to grow... and can be twisted and spoiled by eventss and lack of care." Geir lets out a light breath. "This one's garden has been twisted, and made barren, by circumstances within and without his control. The blame is his, and not his. The softskinss have a saying, 'Water under the bridge.'. It is very apt."

"This one knows you little, however, you have impressed upon this one that you indeed have the heart of a Sith-makar, even if you do not have the form of one. This one would fight by your side at the ending of the world, and this one understands what Harkashan sees in you. This one sees it also."

"Did your former lover also escape with you or...?" Rune prompts, knowing that it may very well be a sensitive topic. Relationships often are. Ultimately, Geir is right, and the breakdown of those connections often occur on both sides, with both parties to blame. Other times... not so much. "Seems to me, if they were being 'lured' by someone, they should have been honest about it."

Rune leans into the tail wrapped around her shoulders, seeming quite comfortable with Makari ways of affection. If she traveled as long as she did with them, it is only natural to have picked up some measure of those mannerisms. "We weren't actually together prior to my untimely death." She smirks slightly. "I think he wanted to take that step but... there's that struggle when you come from different worlds. Not to mention that he'll far out-live me, even if I don't get myself killed a second time."

Looking to Geir, "It took a while to work it out after I came back. To figure out what we both wanted. So here we are." She smirks slightly, "And here I am following lava-for-brains right into my own personal hell."

After a pause, she admits, "This place, the threat of the Charneth, it scares me. Whatever the spell was, it broke something in me." Her brows furrow, "When we saved that hatchling, I nearly ran. I nearly put my own fear and safety over that of a child." Rune shakes her head, "I didn't... but it was a close call. And that's not okay with me."

"Their name is now Zeke, you may know them or know of them. Do not judge them more harshly than this one would. There are layerss to our storiess that even we may not see. This one knows not the cause nor relationship between them, nor recall all of the detailss this one once knew. All that is left is what thiss one has shared."

Geir chuffs lightly, the tail wrapping more firmly about Rune's shoulders as the woman leans into it. "This one shares a secret, an open secret for any to know should they wish to look deep enough. You are still you, when you make your journey to the other side, where ever your soul is headed. You are still you. You will recognize Harkashan, and he you, in the great beyond. Live your life here as you will. Have a care to avoid senselesss death, but fret not on what happenss."

He locks eyes with her, peering intently. "That is Charn's nature, to break things. Families, bonds of love, the will to do great things. Fear is a healthy thing, it sharpenss you, it honess you, it focusess you. Use it, and try not to let it use you. Easier said than done, thiss one knows well."

"Do not be so hard on yourself. For it worked out well. That is what we hope for, what we work for.. and why we do not work alone."

"I know Zeke." Rune confirms, offering a small nod of her head, "Though not as well as many other people. Mostly, I just know of his given name and the cruelty of his mother." There is another of those huffs, which suggests that she may not look fondly on anyone who treats a hatchling that way. "If you said he was an asshole, that would be one thing, but I trust you."

It is at that point that Rune is reminded that Geir is also a cleric of the same god as Harkashan. Her lips press together in a thin line, a troubled look furrowing her brow. "See, that's the problem. I don't know that I went /anywhere/." She shakes her head again, clearly unsettled as she begins to fidget with the necklace. "Apparently they had a lot of difficulty bringing me back, and it's left scars both mental and physical behind."

There is some worry as she looks to the copper-scaled Makari, "Harkashan seems to have some chains on his spirit from some sort of dragon-creature from another realm. And I have both Eluna and some Fae being that seem to have some threads tied to mine." Which suggests that should the worst happen, neither may be able to find each other as different entities have laid different claims on them.

Reaching a hand up, she rubs at her temple, "I'm dealing with things, not well but... every day is a step forward. I just want to make sure /you're/ okay, too. I imagine being back here is hard for you as much as it is for me."

"Yesss, his mother is cruelty itself. This fact allows this one to forgive. Zeke is not an... asshole. This one does not believe he has meant this one any harm. However, things unfold as they unfold, and we do as we do. This one bears no grudge or ill will, but this does not banish the pain, or feelingss felt."

He nods slowly. "Memory of what happens after one's death and before one's ressssurection is often fragmented or... empty. You are not alone in thiss, so have no fear there. Having difficulty being brought back... this also happensss. Some are simply ready to move on, and do not heed the call to return easily. Other things, perhapss more ominously, can interfere." Geir lets out a huff of a sigh. "It is still possible that one may not find others in the great beyond, but the possibility is certainly there. But if you can see... and it appearss that you can... the obstacles before one dies, you can perhaps take your fate into your hands, and remove these chains."

The copper tail squeezes gently once more. "This one, as you, cannot rightly say they are ... okay. However, this one is ready to meet what lies ahead. And, this one is grateful for your care. That you have in your mind a place for this one, concern and care. This one, likewise, has a place for you, and wishes to make known that they care, that there is concern for you and your wellbeing." The tail beings to move away, replaced quickly by a firm hand patting and offering support. "This one believes that your experience is likely harder than mine. This one's beginnings are well and fondly remembered. Charn, however, will weigh heavily upon both of us, and we are lucky to have the others and ourselves for support."

"I'm not sure I really follow everything going on with Zeke, but I met a woman who claimed to be his mother, once, in Mictlan." Rune shows a look of confusion, "I didn't fully understand her cruelty at the time, that didn't come until later. The next time I met Zeke, she was dead and he was looking for answers." She is obviously missing something that occured between those two events.

The reassurances offer some sort of comfort, though. "That may be easier said than done. As it is, I still need to find where ever the 'Golden Sands' may be, and figure out just what this Fae being has in store for me. As for Harkashan, he was offered even before he hatched." Her lips press together, "I knew it was a very real possibility we'd be separated at some point, so I'm just going to take advantage of whatever time I have. We never know when we'll get another chance."

The hand that is laid on her shoulder is covered with one of her own. "Well, if you do need anything, I'm here, okay?" She offers out, tilting her head back to look up at the copper-scaled Makari.

"As for Charn... I think that won't be the last of our dealings with them. Though we've got a lot on our plates back in Alexandros, Harkashan seems concerned that there is an up-tick in Charn activity and we may very well find ourselves facing them again soon enough."

The Sith lets out a lengthy sigh, and nods in understanding. "He lovess his mother still, even though he knows the extent of the damage she's done. He is very strong, much stronger then he realizess, much stronger than anyone realizess. This one knowss not if they made amendss or not. Nor if their relationship improved or worsened. It hass been some time..."

Geir nods to Rune, his hand turning to capture hers, squeezing gently before it moves away. The copper-scale slowly sits up. "If you have need, yourself or Harkashan, of another to aid you, thiss one offers himself for such. In this life, and the next, for yours is a worthy goal. This one feels... reinvigorated. And this one will come to you, in times of need. Though... not to unduly burden you."

The copper-scale chuffs. "This one firmly believes that if we put our minds to it, and endeavor to work towards it, we could break Charn. It would take everything, but we could break Charn. Thisss one feels it in their being."

"Well, the last time he spoke of his mother was at a festival to commune with the dead. He asked why she hurt her own child. She responded that she did not birth a child, but a monster." There is a low sound in the back of Rune's throat that is likely her equivalent of a growl. Another of those Makari mannerisms that she seems to have picked up. "What an absolute bitch." Rune has opinions.

"Burdens are lighter when they are shared. I've learned that much." She offers the healer, "And you're always welcome."

Shifting, Rune starts to gets to her feet, rolling up and then stretching her arms up over her head before letting them fall again, "Honestly, I'd be glad with just dealing them a few blows they'll struggle to recover from. They're working with our enemies and supporting the werewolves. They're kidnapping Makari to turn them into monsters."

"I just want to take them down a few pegs."

"Indeed, she is such.", the copper-scale says with a nod. "All can see that she is, many times over. Zeke is neither a monster, nor broken as she named him. In fact, it is she who is broken, and a monster. And worse of all... she knowsss such."

"Indeed, burdens are easier when shared. But in the depths of our grief and pain, it is often difficult to share such with otherss. It is... an oddity, is it not? This one would not wish you to feel the pain this one has felt, and yet, thiss one would gladly take such a burden from you." He chuffs mirthfully. "The wonderss of love, be it friendship, familial or romantic. How it can fuel usss just as hate can, evoking similar strengthss."

Geir nods slowly then, and rolls his shoulders in a shrug. "It will be a good thing to deal them a blow... this one, however, looks to the day when it is a blow they never recover from, their prisoners, enslaved and ensorcelled break free, their evil temples thrown down, and their citizens chase the evil from their lands."

"It's hard, isn't it?" Rune agrees with a soft laugh, "But... good friends have taught me that it's worth trusting people and leaning on them. Otherwise..." There is a motion of the hand around, as if encompassing all of Am'shere, "I wouldn't even be here." Rune had been quite anxious when they first arrived, but she seems to have recovered, at least somewhat.

"I think you're right, though. Love is important for how much it shapes and strengthens us. Not just lovers, but friends, allies, those we know who will stand with us." She reaches out to touch the copper-scaled cleric on the arm, giving a soft smile. "Know that you're cared about."

Then, her expression seems to go stern as she nods, taking in a deep breath. "For right now, I'm going to keep watch and make sure no more hatchlings get taken, at least not while I can do anything about it. Otherwise, we're just in a waiting game for someone to decipher that message that the kidnapper left behind. Hopefully that will give us some kind of lead."

Geir's eyes are bright, his expression matching Rune's as she laughs. "Indeed, trust, and love, are what carry the day far more often than not." His hand pats at hers when it touches his arm. "This one knowss. Know, too, that you are cared about. We shall all stand together, and weather what comess." The copper-scale looks to her then, his eyes searching. "Thiss one gently reminds that you should get proper sleep, to maintain alertness. This one shall walk with you a short time, and then head to bed."