"But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura
As if his baby sis hadn't been through enough already. Now this.
Dad called to him in his mind, staying behind to help find more family as Kharon started gathering them together to leave. Kali was already with him, still devastated from her traumatic experiences. He suspected she'd be comatose-silent again for a while. But they'd work through it.
So he rounded them up as he found them, told them they were all heading to the nearest haven. Thankfully, it was another beachy island or he wasn't sure how any of the family would survive. Ischia had always been their home, their whole lives. And it was hard to leave it. The only time they had before was temporarily when a crew of purple marauders had crashed onto the shore with the intent to take over their island as if it had been up for the taking.
It had not been.
But the moment Dad had seen them, had seen his own father leading them, they'd all packed up and left for the safety of Hyaline. Briefly. Then they returned to lead their island on their own after the team of purples had left, gotten bored or whatever their reasons had been. And it had been their island home since. Or, apparently someone else's since one week for he and Dad and Kali had turned out to be a few years. Enough years for his twin sister to age, to have a number of children.
He didn't want to think about that. It had supposed to be the two of them. Always.
And she'd put up such a fight to leave their home. He'd had to beg her, crying and pleading to just please come with him. It wasn't safe on Ischia anymore. He couldn't bear for her to get sick, for any of them. They had to go. They'd return again once there was a cure, once their family estate was safe once more. This was temporary, just a longer temporary than last time. But still temporary.
She finally relented, and he found the rest of them. Her children, and Umbra. Mom and Reilly and his little brother. And anyone else that saw them and tagged along, stayed together with the Ischian-born family of lavenders and purples and white. And silver.
I have them, Dad. It's time to go. Please hurry..
If you have anyone from Ischia that wants to have joined them to safety from the plague, feel free! He's just gathering up the family and getting the hell outta dodge. There are at least, um.. like, 8 of them? Ish? Also are mostly all purple/lavender. So they'd likely be noticed if that works for anyone's stories. :| <3
It was easy to get lost in the shuffle, to let her mind fill with nothingness and simply follow the herd.
Not until she is standing on dry land again does she look for her family, her parents and sister who she had blindly assumed were coming with. The purple stallion had been impossible to resist; Kypria hadn't thought to disbelieve his honesty of his insistence that they leave Ischia.
Yet know she finds herself some distance from the only home that she has ever known, and her quivering white sides begin to rise and fall too rapidly. She can't catch her breath as the panic rises, and she calls out: "Momma?! Kyvi?!"
Her hazel eyes caste around the gathered faces, but they are all strangers. Parts of them are familiar - she sees the slope of Kyveli's nose on that face and her mother's wide eyes on another - which is to be expected in this tightly related little herd, but none are right. There - lavender and white tobiano. Kypria darts toward the pattern, but skids to a halt only a few paces later, finding that it is only Kharon and not Kylin.
Her disappointment is nearly palpable, but she says nothing as her face falls and the worry rises.
Since this winter, she's an adult. It had dawned on her only after Ivar had said he wanted her, but now that the idea has slowly settled, she supposes she should kinda, act like one? So that means when her mother's twin had come running around the island and begged Kylin to leave, well, the moment she'd only even vaguely heard it she'd just run for the shoreline.
And waited out on the water for to make sure Kypria also went. She couldn't leave her little sister behind.
But she was there, simply following, and so the amethyst girl would run towards her. She was a little late though, having scanned the whole crowd from a distance as everybody moved rapidly across the warm waves; but she raced after her little sister not long after, and found that Kypria had found their uncle Kharon instead of Kylin.
"Kyp!" she calls out, a fast trot towards her sister to give her a hug. "Don't worry I'm here. It's safe here."I think. She looks at Kharon with the worried question on her face - it's safe right? But where's Kylin? Has she fallen behind? But she can't go look scared around Kypria now, and she can't very well go search for her mother without raising this suspicion in her sister, too.
I only wanted to one time see you laughing
in the purple rain
BUT HOW COULD YOU KNOW THE SWEETEST SUFFERING OF MOVING ON
He knew it was only a matter of time until more would flock to the idea of a sanctuary, thus finding this island. It hasn’t been a concern or worry; Tiphon has been anxiously awaiting to house others and potentially supply a means of healing. Welcoming as he is, his frequent rounds of the island are to ensure no one trespasses with ill intent. There will always be aggressors that feed on mischief and fear.
So, he waits for them.
Tiphon’s flight is brief, drawn to increased activity on the southwestern section of the beach. Their voices ring as they reunite, scrambling toward each other, embracing each other. Family, he assumes, and confirms upon noticing the similar coloration painted across them. With a simple tilt of his wings and body, Tiphon descends and alights on the sandy shore not at all far from them.
A grin tips up the corners of his mouth while his wings neatly tuck against his sides. An expression of amiability softens the chiseled lines of his face. They are here for refuge, perhaps nothing more. ”Hello,” he initially offers as the distance among them shrinks away, his molten eyes darting across their faces in search of a more or less leader of their family. ”Welcome to the Island Resort. I’m Tiphon,” he doesn’t admit his claim on the small island, reserving the information for a later time. The more pressing matters hold his attention. ”How many of you are sick?” He tries to search for symptoms, to extrapolate and observe, but his eyes are fleeting among the numerous faces, uncertain as to whom commands.
"Tiphon," she greets him evenly, too tired to find a way to put an amused light in her eyes. She had traveled further than only Ischia, having just barely returned there from a long vacation with Reilly and Badden.
"Nice of you to have returned after all this time."
Her voice was a little sour and she openly looked over him. Just the same as before, then. He'd left without a goodbye, as all men do. She didn't expect him to remember her. Nobody ever remembers her. She was as plain and boring as they get. And, well, he hadn't really liked her all that much before, and maybe that's why she stood straighter, pushing to the lead of her family and raising her stubborn chin. He'd admonished her once for calling out a total twit for rubbing herself all over him like a cat in heat simply because he had been a man of power. She saw through the act and named it for what it was. She wasn't sorry.
He would be on his own this time. Let his fool ego blind him, then. She didn't care so long as it didn't threaten her family's new home.
"We come from Ischia. You used to help lead it, in case you've forgotten us." Fine, so she was a little bitter. But they were not leaving until Ischia was safe once again.
It had supposed to be the two of them, forever together, but life had had a different plan for them. One Kylin still does not understand, and struggles to accept. Her life has been turned upside down too many times, something she will never get used to.
Also the very reason why she had clung to Ischia. Her island home being the only stable factor in her life, one she had been reluctant to give up. Her eyes had wet, and the tears had stained her cheeks, and the whole expression upon her features one of fear and distress.
But she had agreed, because she deep down knows staying would not do any good, and she has her girls to look after too.
She had stayed a little behind, feeling more insecure than ever now twin, younger sister and parents have returned. The whole family back together, and yet Kylin could not be more separated from them. However, it is her youngest loud cry that makes the lavender and white woman push forward, without looking back.
“I’m here, darling, I’m here..” she murmurs to Kypria, moving closer to pull her nearly almost white girl against her while exchanging a glance with her oldest. Worry shows in her hazel eyes, and most of her fears are momentarily hidden. “Are you two alright?”
What strange family they are. Her oldest now an adult, but Kylin does not look a day older than Kyveli, thanks to the gift of immortality, and her youngest older than Kylin’s younger sibling who is supposed to only be a year younger. Kylin absolutely refuses to think of her parents’ age compared to hers.
It is Mother who steps up and faces the white and golden stud, greeting him like they have known one another before. Perhaps not the most friendly way, but it is definitely how Kylin remembers her. And secretly Kylin has always wished to be a little more like her.
11-05-2018, 08:07 PM (This post was last modified: 11-05-2018, 08:40 PM by Reilly.)
Well. If this isn't the state of things. It bloody well wasn't the way anything was supposed to be, was it. Truly not the way he'd wanted or expected anything to go. Except for their time away. Reilly had needed it, and Lacey did as well. He'd begun to really fear how she might have managed if he hadn't swept them away, back to his homeland. Badden was the only child they took with them, because in the mix of things, Kirby was to be with the others. At least, that was what they'd thought. And Baddie, the tyke, didn't have anyone else to go to. They were the only home he knew, so with them he went. And Jaysus almighty, if Reilly didn't do absolutely everything to show them a good time on their vacation. Showed them all his favorite places he hadn't expected to miss so much. And the best of it all was any time he got Lacey to smile. She had the most amazing smile, even though she spurned him for making her do it. He loved it even more then. Oh, when he sang to her. A song from his heart, he serenaded her. The look on her face (even as she'd tried to hide it)... he would never forget it.
Of course, the plan was to only stay gone for a little while. So that Reilly could show Lacey something he'd never cared to show anyone else. The deeper side to him, the cultured side. So that he could sweep the brunette woman off her feet and away from worries, if only for a little while. They all missed the rest of their family, so truly they were only gone a short time. However, what felt like a couple of weeks for them had clearly been so much longer when they'd returned. They came home, and everything was so different. The way age takes a toll on anything. The trees, the rocks, even the shape of the beach. The smell of everything. As Lacey had put so delicately, that it smelled like some kind of locker room. He'd had to snort at that comment. Apparently, weeks away at his homeland had been the equivalent of fucking years here. Ischia was being run by a bunch of dudes. But they hadn't even had the chance to look around and meet anyone before everything bloody well changed all over again.
Once more, the fucking fairies had their fun rearranging the whole of Beqanna, raising up new lands, and this spread of disease almost everywhere. They just got back, and already, they had to move again. Before even getting to find the rest of the family. And Kirby. He went back and forth on how he felt about the iron and purple man. Honestly, he wasn't all bad. Except for what he'd done to Lacey, the evidence of him still traceable over her hips. He'd apologized, certainly atoned for his sin by being a father to his brood. But sometimes, he remembered how he'd found her crumpled in a heap in the Forest, and he hated him all over. But who was he to tell Lacey who she could see, let alone touch. Especially when the man had every right to his children. And they bloody well love him, so fuck it. Anything to keep them happy. Although what Reilly needed to be happy....
Anyway. The state of things. They'd run into Kirby on Ischia, after Kharon had reached out to them to tell them where they were going. This new island where supposedly they'd all be safe- at least for a time- from whatever this Plague thing was. Good, because it wasn't anything to him to gather them all up and get the hell out of dodge all over again. Much to Reilly and Lacey's dismay, they don't have the ability to walk on water. Baddie can fly, fair play to him, but they didn't have desire to be eaten by sharks on the way either. So.. Kirby and his strange ways turned himself into a god-forsaken boat for them to make it across. And fuck, hopefully before either of them got the sickness from the main island. He was glad of it, really, that the man was useful in his abilities- even if he was a small bit spiteful for needing his help. But he doesn't let it show, instead making idle chit-chat as they crossed the water on the.. back?.. of him. "So, what's canoe with you?" Which, he himself had thought was pretty gas, so he'd at least gotten a laugh out of it.
So then, as they all landed on the beaches, it isn't hard to find the group. Kirby had branched off from them, saying he had to make sure everyone got here okay. Kharon is a welcome and familiar face, and Kali. He's quiet though, as he and Badden make their way alongside Lacey, even as he wants to rush up and scoop them into his embrace. But Kylin. She isn't as he remembers her at all, and he wasn't sure how he was going to get accustomed to it. Apparently, Kharon and Kali had gone to the mountain with Kirby, experiencing the same weird time-jump as they had. Kylin, somehow, had been completely separated. Honestly, that hurt him the most. They'd gone with the notion that the other kids were safe. And the strange of it being not the case now had his heart aching for her. She is clearly older, and here with two young girls. Her daughters, as they were. He has so many questions for her. And then this white and gold fella. There is definitely a certain air about that one. Reilly had never met him- that he could remember- but Lacey had, clearly. Ah, former leader of Ischia, though obviously before he had come to live there. He has assumptions there is more to the story of their knowledge of each other, but Reilly certainly didn't need to ask about it now. He tips his red head to the man, his body otherwise just as white as he (though without the grand glow). "How'ya. I'm Reilly. This is Badden. Not sick that I know of. At least not anymore than I was before, aye?" A sideways smirk to Lacey, and then he sobers, blue-green eyes passing over everyone present. Jaysus, he begins to think he might take a swig of the black stuff to take the edge off things here. Maybe pass it around. At least for the adults.
“Yeah, what she said,” Kirby chimed in with a nod at Lacey. He didn't have much interest in glowing goldilocks beyond that, turning instead to check on and fuss over everyone else in turn and leaving Lace to handle the niceties. Perks of not being in charge anymooore, he could pay attention to his family instead. Lacey was intact, if a little wet, but who was he to complain about that? He managed to keep his smirk under a bit of control anyhow as he tugged a stray strand of her name into place, stole a moment to breathe in her sexy scent and let out a breath against her neck. Damn, he'd missed her.
A grin for Reilly, who had a Look on his face that made Kirby think he needed a few stiff drinks. He'd thought they were on friendlier terms, but maybe the time apart had changed things. Or maybe he'd thought wrong. Who knew? As ever, Kirb wasn’t much fussed about it, and figured time would tell. Quick check in with Baddie to make sure he’ made the crossing okay, and he moved on to fuss over Kharon and Kali hiding in his mane.
So fuckin’ proud of you, kid, he thought, nudging Kharon gently. You handled that brilliantly, got everybody rounded up and safe. Maybe we find you a nice quiet spot to get away from the crowd in case you need it, huh? Kharon was used to a pretty quiet life on Ischia, and this many stressed minds around, it’d be a miracle if he didn’t start needing some peace and quiet. Lemme know if you need me to take her for a bit, he added, nuzzling little monkey Kali clinging to Kharon’s mane.
And then there was Kylin. He headed her way to fuss over her too, to make sure she and her girls had made the crossing okay. Awkward time gap or no, he wanted to hold her close, tuck her up against his chest, nuzzle her--but he had a feeling they weren’t exactly at the touchy stage of okay, huh? So instead he got close enough to exchange a breath, reaching out and brushing his nose against hers if she let him. “Kylin. Girls.” A smile for her babies, who he still sorta had to wrap his mind around being his grandbabies but hell, he could easily accept them as his. “You three made it across alright?”