Siblings

[Vega]

5th Cylus 720

Calm and quiet was not something that Vega did often. Or, at all usually. But, as she listened to Isobella's voice, singing gently, Vega kept her eyes closed and she danced. They knew, the pair of them, that the only way that Vega was going to ever learn to meditate properly was to do so moving. So, Isobella's voice raised in song and Vega danced. With her eyes closed, she was managing to drown out everything, the external noise and concerns. That was her usual problem, of course, that she simply couldn't achieve the quiet and balance that she needed.

As she moved, Vega considered. Always, all her life, she'd felt disconnected - like she was not part of her family and not a true biqaj. Of course, in retrospect, she knew why. She wasn't biqaj at all, for all that she looked like it. "Why is my blood silver, do you think?" Vega asked, and Isobella made a gesture with her hands. Her teacher had now softened to a gentle hum, and her gesture was one Vega had come to recognise. It was a gesture of encouragement, suggesting that Vega continued to explore her own philosophy a little. "Because he pretended to be biqaj, I guess. In some ways, it's what I am, even though I'm not." She continued to move, using the dance as a means of expressing her frustration - her confusion -her conflict. "It's all of what I am. It's my family. I never felt like I wa the same as them an' I wasn't." Unknowingly, Vega's actions grew more fluid as she smiled and spoke softly. "But that only ever mattered to me, an' it were only true for me when it mattered to me, too."

Isobella smiled and continued to hum. Vega, meanwhile, stopped dancing and said, softly. "I've got to go see Varlum. I agreed to meet him. Thanks. I feel like I'm startin' to understand, you know?" Isobella nodded. "You're very welcome. Have fun with your brother," she said, and Vega made her way.

It wasn't until she'd found Varlum and said hello and everything that Vega considered the last thing that Isobella had said. She didn't have a brother, per se. Or, apparently, she did. Glancing at Varlum, the frankly enormous Ithecal, she supposed he was sort of like her sort of brother. But equally, he wasn't. "So, Junior," she said, her name for him. "Let me get this straight. We go an' meet Lovalus - who I've met before," and make a promise to protect Rharne an' stuff, yeah? An' if I'm good enough, Lovalus says 'hello duck, quack on', an' if I'm not she doesn't?"[/b]

It was basic, it was Vega-speak, but she needed to know the way it worked. Glancing at him, the redheaded woman was grimy and looked tired. But her eyes were bright and swirling colours and she gave a cheeky grin. "How're you doin', there? Been fightin' lots of baddies an' generally helpin' out?" Considering it, she added, "And, of course, bein' tall? You're good at that, right?"

[Varlum]

"You know, Varlum" Ivarn said in his usual gruff manor. "You're a Vanquisher now. Have you considered staying in Rharne for a change, or perhaps making plans to take the fight further?" he asked as he coiled around Varlum's arm, the Diri often offering advice to the Ithecal. Varlum gave a chuckle and glanced down. "Why, all this travelling making you weary old man? After everything that happened beyond the barrier it wouldn't be right to just ignore it. Rharne is still the place I live and protect, it always will be. But right now I have to get answers."

Ivarn gave an amused chuckle. "Of course you do. Though, right now, you need to initiate your sister. How many is that now, born of Faldrun that live in Rharne and wish him dead?" he said, despising the name enough to sound happy when discussing how much his own children hated him. Varlum just gave a small glance forward, keeping quiet for a moment. Auya had come to Rharne because of Faldrun, had even been marked by him at the time. Vivian was his daughter and found out close to when Varlum had. It seemed a lot of it was a lucky coincidence - or something more. What were the odds that so many close to Faldrun would end up in Rharne unless he had a plan? The Ithecal didn't like to think about it. If he'd persuaded Varlum to be on his side, a Defier and a Mortalborn in one, the damage he could have done would be awful. Fortunately, he hadn't. But what if there was another that he had succeeded on.

Soon enough, his thoughts were cut off as Vega came over, the Ithecal giving a small smile. She wasn't one to linger on formalities - not that he minded it. "Yes, that's about how it goes. Especially the quack-on part. That's how it went for me at least" he teased, giving a big smirk. Ivarn remained floating around the Ithecal's arm, simply nodding his head to Vega. When she asked what the Ithecal had been up to Varlum just shrugged simply. "Sadly, no baddies have been fought. Not a lot of them at least. I just stand around and look scary."

"Do you have any questions before we go? I can't imagine you being the nervous type."

[Vega]

5th Cylus 720

There was something fundamentally reassuring about being with Varlum, Vega thought. She considered that it might be because they'd both been sired by the same Immortal idiot, but she didn't think so. In truth, she just felt comfortable around him and the red-head was very aware just how rare that was.

Like. Very.

"When I met Lovalus," she said, as they walked, "she were a bit ... well aloof, I s'pose. You know, not quite friendly. Nice, though, an' she were right grateful that we'd helped Heartmourn. Over on Isle Vyrelle, there was some weirdness, an' this spirit-kid turned all the fellas into animals." She grinned at Varlum. Vega had a lot of teeth, and she knew that she tended to have quite a toothy grin. But, in that, Varlum had her beat. The thought, frankly, rather delighted her and so Vega carried on walking with him."Arlo were a raccoon," she said, her voice brimming with love and pride. "Sometimes, if I scratch him behind the ear his leg still thumps," she appeared serious although she dropped a wink to the ithecal and carried on.

But, did she have any questions. "Nah, not really. I mean. No. I'm not ..." gesturing around she considered. "I'm not the nervy type. I generally jus' get on an' do. Can't be bothered with nothin' else, in truth." And, come to that, she supposed, when you had actually died, you knew at least that it wasn't so bad that you couldn't come out of it the other side. And, truth told, Pier and Pre weren't so bad. Not that she was telling them that.

"It's not lookin' good," she said to Varlum, when they spoke about Storm's Edge. "I mean - I don't say that, because it's not point to, but it's not. We're gonna need a miracle or three, that's for sure. So, that's goin' to have to be us, I reckon." She had no intention of losing that battle today - or any day - and so she would fight, and keep fighting. It was, very much, the only thing she knew how to do.

"I'm blessed by Xiur," she said, quietly. "An' Qylios an' Daia. An' I know that what's really important is that we have to keep hopin' an' believin' and, we have to make sure that we're standin' together. There's some good people back there, in Storm's Edge, an' I don't want to see them die. I don't. I won't, not if I can help it." So, she'd fight. She'd fight and more than that, Vega would rise to the challenges in front of her. Frankly, it was the only thing that she could do in this moment, it was - as she saw it - the only skill that she had. Stubborn, the red-head could do. And then some.

They made their way and then, as they got to the small lake in the stormlands, Vega looked at him and smiled. "It's there, innit?" She asked because she felt it. "It's different. She's waitin' for us. That's cool." Then, looking at his legs, then the distance, Vega gave another wide grin. "Race you, Junior," she said.

Solemn moments of quiet reflection - Vega-style.

[Varlum]

Varlum gave a small glance to Vega as she spoke of the last time she met Lovalus, chuckling a little. "Makes you wonder what would happen if a giant Ithecal showed up" he said, curious if he would have been turned to a whole new animal or not. He very much looked like an animal, and biting people in half wasn't very human like of him either. Perhaps he was an exception to all the guys being turned into animals. Not that he'd ever get to find out now.

As she mentioned Storm's Edge, Varlum let his gaze lower. A miracle was right. While they were trying their best these creatures were incredibly strong and versatile, whatever they were, let alone the sorry state Storm's Edge was truly in. "Well, if lighting myself on fire isn't Miracle enough, I'll keep on praying" he said. What interested him, however, were the marks she bore of Immortals. None of the names sounded all too familiar, which from his limited experience was a good thing. Very few Immortals he'd met had left a positive opinion in his mind. What she said spoke more than her Marks, though, that much was undeniable. She cared for the people there, even if she wouldn't announce it to their face every second of the day. She wanted to win for their sake - not just her own.

Varlum raised his hand, showing Faith the shield on the back of his hand before gesturing to the book he carried with him. "Ralaith and Ethelynda. I'm with you, on protecting people. I wouldn't be doing it if I wasn't, I don't care much about a shithole castle. But the people in it, assholes or not sometimes, are worth keeping safe" he nodded, bearing a small smile on his face. She was right for it, the Wardens. He knew it from the little time he'd spent with her. Sure, she was blunt to people. But that had never stopped him from joining. Hell, he was one of the originals. He must be doing something right.

When they got to the lake Varlum nodded. "This is the place" he chuckled, stretching his arm out a little bit. When Vega asked to race, Varlum gave a slight grin and nodded. "Don't expect me to do well. I'm not built for speed" he said, getting into his running position. When Vega was ready he started to sprint, calling on his spark as he did. She wouldn't mind if he cheated a little, would she? With a loud chuckle the wind started to blow, coincidentally only pushing Vega back as he gave her a joking wink, the wind dying down once the Ithecal had a sufficient lead.

"You never stated the rules!" he shouted back to her.

[Vega]

5th Cylus 720

"You cheeky rat!" Vega shouted in delight as she ran after Varlum. He was outrageous and, more than that, he was an outrageous cheat. She skidded to a halt next to him when they arrived at the side of the lake and she gave him a gentle (for her) companionable thump on his arm. "Bloody cheatin', that's what that is." Vega obviously didn't mind one tiny bit and she glanced at him. "Over to you, Junior."

When she needed to be, Vega could actually manage to be quiet and, as such, she stopped fussing about and watched what Varlum was doing. As they stood at the side of the lake, Varlum fell quiet and the lake shuddered and parted, opening for them. He motioned for her to move and Vega raised an eyebrow but said nothing; instead she moved, walking forward and looking around with emotions causing her eyes to swirl a range of colours. It was rather like they were in a cave made of water - the lake above them formed into a cavern and Vega looked around in awe.

There was no moment, no sudden appearance from Lovalus, but Vega knew, somehow, that she had to say something. "So, we met before. It's Vega, I were on Isle Vyrelle with Arlo. He were a raccoon, at the time. We helped the little girl who was Vyrelle, an' saved Heartmourn. He's still with us, he's doin' real well." Looking at the dome above them, Vega marvelled at the fish which she could see swimming around. "Any'ow, I jus' wanted to say that Varlum, here, he told me about the Wardens, an' if I'll be of any use to you, I'm well happy to help. I'll do whatever I need to, in order to protect Rharne."

There was no answer, but the cave started to contract, closing back up and Vega turned to Varlum. It was time to leave, it seemed and, they did so. But, then, from nowhere - or from out of the water itself - formed a small creature, apparently made from the water. "I am warrior RAWER!!!" The tiny creature had a high-pitched, squeaky voice which was more than a little cute-sounding. It was tiny and Vega looked at it with an utterly perplexed expression on her face. "You is my Warden, and I protects you!! RAWR!!!!!" A grin crossed Vega's face. "You name me! I protect you!!!"

Vega got to name her? There was no hesitation in her mind. "Right. Snuffle it is. Come on then, lets go."

"I am Snuffle!!!" the small creature declared. "RAWER!!!"

Vega looked at Varlum and shrugged. "Thanks, Junior." Vega said. She very much did appreciate what he had done and the colours in her eyes showed her positive emotions at this turn of events. Glancing at Snuffle she said, most seriously. "Arlo's gonna love you."

[Varlum]

Varlum couldn't help but chuckle as he stopped at the lake, Vega soon catching up and thumping him. "I have no idea what you mean. Wind does what it wants to do" he poked, glancing forward to the lake as he did. All fun aside, it was time. Having Vega in the Wardens would be a big boost to the group, a relatively small group at that. In the battle against Ellasin, Varlum had only been able to lead a small group of five because the Wardens were few and far in between. The more of them they had the better. Protecting Rharne was one thing. But they protected the world from anything that would harm it. That was their mission - and they needed a bigger army.

Quietly, Varlum let his thoughts run with Lovalus, focusing on the lake at hand quietly for a moment. It didn't take much for things to begin, the water parting open for them both. Varlum gave a nod to Vega and stepped into the cave with her, letting her look around and lead the way. This was her own experience to follow, not his. He was just here to guide her and initiate. Before Varlum had to give any guidance, Vega knew what to do and addressed the Induk, far better than he had when he'd first been down here. Though in his defense, he had no guide. Just two equally confused companions after a close battle with the Flameborns. Then again, he must have done something right. He was a Vanquisher now. That much, he was almost proud of. He'd never intended on staying in Rharne for a long period of time. But now, he didn't plan on leaving. How could he when he had so many people relying on him? He'd made a name for himself in Rharne, that wasn't a name he planned on betraying.

Once Vega was done the cave began to close, Varlum walking out alongside Vega and pausing for a moment. He'd been given his Diri in the water as they lowered. What was happening? Suddenly, Ivarn appeared and gave a small, satisfied chuckle - which told him enough. As if on queue, Vega's Diri appeared, making Ivar chuckle just a little louder. "I think she'd have suited you better than I do" Ivarn said to the Ithecal with an entertained look on his face, Varlum also chuckling. "I'm not sure she'd have liked my energy so much, and I don't imagine you and Vega would be the best of friends either. You're not much for fun conversations" he shot back, before looking to Vega as she thanked him, to which Varlum shook his head.

"No need to thank me. Lovalus needs more people willing to help out. If Flameborn come knocking again, I know I'd want someone at my side to fight them" he said honestly and with a genuine smile. For a moment he pondered what to do or say next. Odds are, they had work to do, so Varlum glanced out around the area. "I should head back to the city. I've spent so much time away as a Knight dealing with the war, I'm gonna lose a job if I'm not careful. If you ever want to catch up, or race again, you know where to find me" he said with a small smile, offering a hand out to shake Vega's before they would part for the day.

"Keep safe."

[Pig Boy]

Varlum

Experience: 15 no magic xp

Knowledge: none

Renown: 10

Skill Usage: Appropriate to level

Loot/Losses: none

Injuries/Conditions: none

Consequences: Vega is in the Wardens, look out!

Vega

Experience: 15 no magic xp

Knowledge: none

Renown: 10

Skill Usage: Appropriate to level

Loot/Losses: none

Injuries/Conditions: none

Consequences: Vega is in the Wardens, look out!

Comments: I very much enjoyed the playfulness of this thread. It was fun to watch Vega and Varlum interact as brother/sister. Vega challenging Varlum to a footrace was pretty classic, although Varlum with as large as he is? She'd better be careful he doesn't trample her on accident.

Vega's diri is cute, and vicious apparently. I hope Snuffle gets to kill lots of wolfernickles and other kinds of nickles.

What has Varlum done?! Nah just kidding, I'm sure Vega will be a great Warden for Lovalus.

Great writing and enjoy the points and wardendom.

If you have any concerns about this review, please PM me about them.