Something New
Posted: Fri May 10, 2019 5:36 am
It’d been two breaks since Zarik had transformed for the first time ever. He’d chosen the form of his triplet sister, Kiara. While the process had hurt more than he’d expected, once it was done… he didn’t feel any pain. He didn’t even feel a drain on his ether. It seemed the totem’s form would maintain without additional ether poured into it.
However, there were other things to consider. Zarik realized, now, that his Transmutation traits would follow him between his forms. He still had his new wings, a mutation that was only two trials old; and his crystalline legs, though in the shape and silhouette of his sister’s limbs. He, also, found that he struggled to walk like he normally did. Her hips, though narrow, swished in different ways. Zarik found himself stumbling to the side more than once, then having to right himself by flutters of his wings - which in their own way needed some adjusting as he’d compensate too heavily and go levitating in a random direction much too fast.
All in all, Zarik was grateful that Ashvane was mostly empty. Other than the unfortunate and humiliating run-in with Daniel Blackstone earlier after he’d tried to journey from the attic to the bedroom while naked post-transformation, he hadn’t seen anyone but the thralls and Damien who was watching after the children. More than once, Zarik found himself falling over the stairwell railing to land awkwardly or accidentally fluttering into a door frame when his own feet tripped him up. He had a few different golden bruises over his body where he’d smacked into something a bit too hard.
Balance and momentum wasn’t all he struggled with, in the new body of his. Zarik found himself absolutely starving. It was like he’d never eaten in his life, for how hungry he felt. Along with the intense need to eat a range of various foods, Zarik also had feelings that he was unaccustomed to. Feelings of lethargy that were unlike him, an almost listless apathy. He found himself sitting on a bench in one of the empty bedrooms, the space that had once been Abaddon’s… or had it been Kaelrik’s… it didn’t matter. His arms cradled various foraged food from the pantry. He stared out the window at the pretty Ashan sun that illuminated Quacia in a warm glow.
He chewed on a raw mushroom dipped in honey and contemplated… nothing really. Zarik felt a sense of simply existing. Was this how Kiara felt? It was so different than his own thoughts, his own feelings, his own processing of the world. It was like he was seeing the same Quacia through new eyes - which… technically, he was. His body had completely transformed into Kiara, after all.
Zarik continued to eat and stare out the window, not thinking of much. It was strangely peaceful, in a way. He didn’t feel worried about this or that, nor burdened by the various dramas that rose in and out of his life.
In the distance, he heard crying… Crying? Asher.
The biqaj stood with sudden recognition. All of the food he’d been loosely holding, fell to the floor. Forgotten, he would let a thrall clean the mess. He ran out the room, nearly collided into the frame, but managed to flit around it with use of his wings. Zarik hurried toward the sound of the cries. He found Asher in the crib, alone, with Damien nowhere to be found. Where had the Lich gone? Why wasn’t he here?
“Shh, shh,” he said as he gathered his son into his arms. Only, Zarik wasn’t himself and Asher started to wail louder. He realized that Asher had never seen Kiara before, let alone be able to recognize him. Zarik fluttered his wings, then hummed lowly, “There, there, it’s me. Don’t you recognize me? Hm, hm, hmmm… don’t cry, precious Asher, my little miracle.”
Asher calmed slightly. He recognized the pet name that Zarik used for him. His tears slowed. He glanced at the wings. Zarik fluttered them some more, light dancing from the gossamer.
“It’s me, little Asher,” said Zarik in a gentle tone. He brought the babe over to the window and rocked him. “Your ma, mother. Hm, hm… that’s it, lil’ miracle. No need to be so afraid.”
Zarik decided, right then and there, that he would take Asher outside for a walk in the Gleam. He’d never done such a thing before, but why not? All he knew was that Kleine only took the baby to the courtyard sometimes. Mostly, it seemed whenever he arrived back to Ashvane, Asher was always in his room or in a common room. Perhaps it wasn’t the best idea… considering his balance issues, but…
He left the room with Asher. Wherever Damien had gone, Zarik didn’t care anymore. Whether the Lich had gone to talk with Daniel, or take care of the comatose Kleine, or check on Bellato… Bjorn.
Zarik realized he didn’t know where Fridgar's son, Bjorn, was either. He walked down the hall, to check the other room, and found the boy asleep. Quietly, he walked over and roused the boy from slumber. The toddler rubbed his eyes, then peered suspiciously at Kiara…
“Bjorn, do you recognize me?” asked Zarik in his sister’s melodious voice.
The boy shook his head, then glanced at the crystalline legs. He squinted, then pointed and said, “No good biqaj.”
“Y-yes, I think that’s me,” he said. He sighed. Whether Bjorn had picked up such a label from Fridgar, or Kleine, or simply listening around when Zarik wasn’t in the house, he wasn’t sure. However, he did know that he was the only biqaj in Ashvane. It wasn’t like Bjorn had said man or Lothar. “Come on, let’s get you dressed.”
“No!” Bjorn threw a pillow at Zarik.
Zarik let the pillow smack him in the face, though he moved Asher away from its trajectory. The infant child screeched at this assault, then babbled at the other boy with flails of his hands that slapped against Zarik's chest. “That’s not nice of you, Bjorn. You could have hit your brother. It’s only a pair of pants… and a shirt… and a vest… and a coat. Don’t you want to go outside? Haven't you been asking?”
“O-outside? To yard?” asked the boy in a slow drawl, eyes narrowed.
“No, in the city. Wouldn’t that be nice? You were asking earlier about it, remember? You’ll have to stay next to me, but-”
“Yes!” said Bjorn. He scrambled off the bed. “I’ll get clothes!”
“Slow down, I’ll help you. Let me… here you go, Asher,” he set the baby down on a blanket to play with a gathering of toys. “Play here, okay?”
Asher babbled, then crawled to try and help Bjorn collect the clothes from a small dresser. Zarik followed, and together, the three of them cleared the drawers of all the clothing inside. At first, Zarik tried to stop Bjorn from tossing the fabric all around… but then he saw how much it caused Asher to burst out laughing and saw the grin on Bjorn’s face so… he joined in. He tossed a few shirts to the floor to help Bjorn’s efforts with creating a terrible mess.
Eventually, he managed to get the boy dressed in a dapper outfit. He buttoned the vest tight, then set a cap over the little Lothar’s brunet hair. Zarik made sure Asher was bundled as well, knowing that though the sun shone, a rain storm might set in at any time during the walk. After that, they went to the wardrobe where Zarik had his own clothes. He picked out a simple outfit and pulled on his trenchcoat. It looked strange in his sister's form, the masculine clothing not fitting well and he suspected he would need to get some outfits tailored specifically for Kiara if he were to use her totem often as he suspected he would be, soon. The more used he got to remaining in her totem, the better.
They went to the hall and Zarik saw Damien, who merely glanced at him with the boys, nodded as if confirming they were being watched, then turned on heel and left without a word. Zarik blinked at this display. Did the Lich not want to talk to him or..? Things had been tense ever since Kleine had gone comatose and Alistair had returned to Tyros. With a sigh, he shrugged it off, and led the boys to the foyer. He checked their clothing one last time to make sure that Bjorn’s coat was tightly fastened and his gloves were on, and that Asher had his hat firmly over his thin blond hair. Zarik kept Asher cradled in his arm and held Bjorn’s hand with the other.
By the time he opened the front door, Devin had caught on and was beside them. Zarik smiled at the thrall, then glanced when Icarus also joined them. He supposed the other had been programmed for the boys. It made him feel a sense of security.
In Kiara’s body, Zarik left Ashvane Estate with Asher in his arm, Bjorn’s hand held tight, and the two Revenants following in step behind them. He made his way through the Gleam, with an aim for exactly where they were going - first, a shop and then, perhaps, Lucretia’s. He felt Bjorn pull on his hand, however, as if to stray or perhaps Zarik felt a little overly concerned about such an idea. Zarik tugged and said, “No. Stay near me. You don’t want to get run over by a horse, now do you?”
Bjorn shook his head, then moved closer. He held onto the trenchcoat hem. Zarik wasn’t sure how Fridgar handled the child’s upbringing, in regard to the freedom of where he was allowed to go or how, but Bjorn was part of Alistair's household for the time being and in the absence of the Lothar, Zarik felt no grudge or hesitation toward claiming the mantle of a role Bjorn likely never had until now - a mother.
However, there were other things to consider. Zarik realized, now, that his Transmutation traits would follow him between his forms. He still had his new wings, a mutation that was only two trials old; and his crystalline legs, though in the shape and silhouette of his sister’s limbs. He, also, found that he struggled to walk like he normally did. Her hips, though narrow, swished in different ways. Zarik found himself stumbling to the side more than once, then having to right himself by flutters of his wings - which in their own way needed some adjusting as he’d compensate too heavily and go levitating in a random direction much too fast.
All in all, Zarik was grateful that Ashvane was mostly empty. Other than the unfortunate and humiliating run-in with Daniel Blackstone earlier after he’d tried to journey from the attic to the bedroom while naked post-transformation, he hadn’t seen anyone but the thralls and Damien who was watching after the children. More than once, Zarik found himself falling over the stairwell railing to land awkwardly or accidentally fluttering into a door frame when his own feet tripped him up. He had a few different golden bruises over his body where he’d smacked into something a bit too hard.
Balance and momentum wasn’t all he struggled with, in the new body of his. Zarik found himself absolutely starving. It was like he’d never eaten in his life, for how hungry he felt. Along with the intense need to eat a range of various foods, Zarik also had feelings that he was unaccustomed to. Feelings of lethargy that were unlike him, an almost listless apathy. He found himself sitting on a bench in one of the empty bedrooms, the space that had once been Abaddon’s… or had it been Kaelrik’s… it didn’t matter. His arms cradled various foraged food from the pantry. He stared out the window at the pretty Ashan sun that illuminated Quacia in a warm glow.
He chewed on a raw mushroom dipped in honey and contemplated… nothing really. Zarik felt a sense of simply existing. Was this how Kiara felt? It was so different than his own thoughts, his own feelings, his own processing of the world. It was like he was seeing the same Quacia through new eyes - which… technically, he was. His body had completely transformed into Kiara, after all.
Zarik continued to eat and stare out the window, not thinking of much. It was strangely peaceful, in a way. He didn’t feel worried about this or that, nor burdened by the various dramas that rose in and out of his life.
In the distance, he heard crying… Crying? Asher.
The biqaj stood with sudden recognition. All of the food he’d been loosely holding, fell to the floor. Forgotten, he would let a thrall clean the mess. He ran out the room, nearly collided into the frame, but managed to flit around it with use of his wings. Zarik hurried toward the sound of the cries. He found Asher in the crib, alone, with Damien nowhere to be found. Where had the Lich gone? Why wasn’t he here?
“Shh, shh,” he said as he gathered his son into his arms. Only, Zarik wasn’t himself and Asher started to wail louder. He realized that Asher had never seen Kiara before, let alone be able to recognize him. Zarik fluttered his wings, then hummed lowly, “There, there, it’s me. Don’t you recognize me? Hm, hm, hmmm… don’t cry, precious Asher, my little miracle.”
Asher calmed slightly. He recognized the pet name that Zarik used for him. His tears slowed. He glanced at the wings. Zarik fluttered them some more, light dancing from the gossamer.
“It’s me, little Asher,” said Zarik in a gentle tone. He brought the babe over to the window and rocked him. “Your ma, mother. Hm, hm… that’s it, lil’ miracle. No need to be so afraid.”
Zarik decided, right then and there, that he would take Asher outside for a walk in the Gleam. He’d never done such a thing before, but why not? All he knew was that Kleine only took the baby to the courtyard sometimes. Mostly, it seemed whenever he arrived back to Ashvane, Asher was always in his room or in a common room. Perhaps it wasn’t the best idea… considering his balance issues, but…
He left the room with Asher. Wherever Damien had gone, Zarik didn’t care anymore. Whether the Lich had gone to talk with Daniel, or take care of the comatose Kleine, or check on Bellato… Bjorn.
Zarik realized he didn’t know where Fridgar's son, Bjorn, was either. He walked down the hall, to check the other room, and found the boy asleep. Quietly, he walked over and roused the boy from slumber. The toddler rubbed his eyes, then peered suspiciously at Kiara…
“Bjorn, do you recognize me?” asked Zarik in his sister’s melodious voice.
The boy shook his head, then glanced at the crystalline legs. He squinted, then pointed and said, “No good biqaj.”
“Y-yes, I think that’s me,” he said. He sighed. Whether Bjorn had picked up such a label from Fridgar, or Kleine, or simply listening around when Zarik wasn’t in the house, he wasn’t sure. However, he did know that he was the only biqaj in Ashvane. It wasn’t like Bjorn had said man or Lothar. “Come on, let’s get you dressed.”
“No!” Bjorn threw a pillow at Zarik.
Zarik let the pillow smack him in the face, though he moved Asher away from its trajectory. The infant child screeched at this assault, then babbled at the other boy with flails of his hands that slapped against Zarik's chest. “That’s not nice of you, Bjorn. You could have hit your brother. It’s only a pair of pants… and a shirt… and a vest… and a coat. Don’t you want to go outside? Haven't you been asking?”
“O-outside? To yard?” asked the boy in a slow drawl, eyes narrowed.
“No, in the city. Wouldn’t that be nice? You were asking earlier about it, remember? You’ll have to stay next to me, but-”
“Yes!” said Bjorn. He scrambled off the bed. “I’ll get clothes!”
“Slow down, I’ll help you. Let me… here you go, Asher,” he set the baby down on a blanket to play with a gathering of toys. “Play here, okay?”
Asher babbled, then crawled to try and help Bjorn collect the clothes from a small dresser. Zarik followed, and together, the three of them cleared the drawers of all the clothing inside. At first, Zarik tried to stop Bjorn from tossing the fabric all around… but then he saw how much it caused Asher to burst out laughing and saw the grin on Bjorn’s face so… he joined in. He tossed a few shirts to the floor to help Bjorn’s efforts with creating a terrible mess.
Eventually, he managed to get the boy dressed in a dapper outfit. He buttoned the vest tight, then set a cap over the little Lothar’s brunet hair. Zarik made sure Asher was bundled as well, knowing that though the sun shone, a rain storm might set in at any time during the walk. After that, they went to the wardrobe where Zarik had his own clothes. He picked out a simple outfit and pulled on his trenchcoat. It looked strange in his sister's form, the masculine clothing not fitting well and he suspected he would need to get some outfits tailored specifically for Kiara if he were to use her totem often as he suspected he would be, soon. The more used he got to remaining in her totem, the better.
They went to the hall and Zarik saw Damien, who merely glanced at him with the boys, nodded as if confirming they were being watched, then turned on heel and left without a word. Zarik blinked at this display. Did the Lich not want to talk to him or..? Things had been tense ever since Kleine had gone comatose and Alistair had returned to Tyros. With a sigh, he shrugged it off, and led the boys to the foyer. He checked their clothing one last time to make sure that Bjorn’s coat was tightly fastened and his gloves were on, and that Asher had his hat firmly over his thin blond hair. Zarik kept Asher cradled in his arm and held Bjorn’s hand with the other.
By the time he opened the front door, Devin had caught on and was beside them. Zarik smiled at the thrall, then glanced when Icarus also joined them. He supposed the other had been programmed for the boys. It made him feel a sense of security.
In Kiara’s body, Zarik left Ashvane Estate with Asher in his arm, Bjorn’s hand held tight, and the two Revenants following in step behind them. He made his way through the Gleam, with an aim for exactly where they were going - first, a shop and then, perhaps, Lucretia’s. He felt Bjorn pull on his hand, however, as if to stray or perhaps Zarik felt a little overly concerned about such an idea. Zarik tugged and said, “No. Stay near me. You don’t want to get run over by a horse, now do you?”
Bjorn shook his head, then moved closer. He held onto the trenchcoat hem. Zarik wasn’t sure how Fridgar handled the child’s upbringing, in regard to the freedom of where he was allowed to go or how, but Bjorn was part of Alistair's household for the time being and in the absence of the Lothar, Zarik felt no grudge or hesitation toward claiming the mantle of a role Bjorn likely never had until now - a mother.
