The Forgotten Zodiac

Forin sighed and set Luen in a more comfortable position, deciding to give the bread to Diana. She ate it happily, smiling widely. Forin watched her and Luna for a few minutes, then started rummaging through his bag again; he pulled out more toys and set them aside, then found what he was looking for. It was a simple outfit, with a light blue tunic and flowers embroidered on the front, with leggings to go with and simple sandals. "You can change when you're ready," Forin offered to Diana, smiling. "The horse stalls are empty - and free of dung - so you can use one to change."

"Thank you," Diana smiled, taking the clothes into her arms. They were soft and warm, and filled her with a happiness she hadn't felt in a long time. "I'll change right now, and then eat. And then we can sit together more," She said up at Luna, indicating she should let go for the time being. She still seemed quite happy, though.

Luna nodded and watched the girl run off, her heart much lighter than it had been in months, then sat down with her back against a large stone, her silver hair reflecting the firelight and her eyes dancing with joy.

Vorpal finally flew from her shoulder and landed on Forin's instead, turning his lamp-like eyes on his master. "You are happy again," he said simply, tilting his head at his creator. "Though I don't care for emotion, I rather didn't like seeing you so sullen all the time. That's you taking my role."

Forin smiled at this. "Indeed, my fine weapon. Diana...is much my joy in the world. It was forced upon me when she was summoned, and I do believe I've warmed up to it. Her happiness is mine, just as it should be for all summoners. Just as it was...for Welk to Werr. But...let's not speak of such things," He scooted over and sat next to Luna, pulling her gently towards himself and giving her a firm kiss.

"Of all the summoners to wind up with, I wouldn't have chosen any differently. If it wasn't Diana, I may have never landed myself with Seria's group, and I never would have met you..." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and rubbed her arm, still smiling away.

She smiled and leaned against him, placing a hand on his chest as she tilted her head back to study his profile. Her slender hand moved up to gently caress the X-shaped scar over his lips, and said, with a purr in her voice, "And to think you hated me at first." She leaned up as he leaned down, and their lips met in a kiss that made Vorpal roll his eyes and float off to another rock.

Cynyr, who still had said not a word to anyone, leaned back and closed his single eye while Seria nuzzled in closer to him.

Tasia took the glass gently, taking a hesitant sip before looking up at her husband, her blue-green eyes wide. "I feel so sorry for him, the poor dear," she murmured in her slightly-raspy little voice (she was raised by Vaira for nearly all of her life). "He's losing everything, piece by piece..." When Nate sat down next to her, she snuggled up to him for only a moment, not wanting to get him sick too. She had even allowed him to take Ariana over to Jag and Lily's, where she wouldn't risk infecting the baby girl.

Tasia's eyes widened slightly, then she exhaled and nuzzled up to him, her eyes staring into his. "Oh, Nate. You have to deal with so much..." She wanted to kiss him, but she chose not to, not wanting to risk anything. Instead, she curled her tail around his and placed one hand on his cheek, touching her nose to his softly. "What should we do about him? I'm worried about him becoming a danger to others, not only himself..."

Nate hugged Tasia close, not caring about getting sick. He would live. He kissed her forehead, sighing through his nose. "He already sketched out the runes for a sacrificial soul summoning. But...he said he wouldn't be able to do it. He wouldn't be capable of taking an innocent life for that. I...I don't trust him, though. Not in this barred state. He...he's unpredictable. Sure, all of his actions may be logical, but who's to say his logic can't be flawed?"

His wife looked down for a moment, then very gently slid one hand up under his shirt, placing her twisted little fingers against his warm skin and stroking back and forth, caressing his chest softly. "No matter what happens," she murmured. "all we can hope is that he comes around and realizes that if he hurts himself or others, he'll be hurting the only people he has left to love. Little Lexi...she'll wilt away without him. Though...she's already fading."

"I know. Obelisk asked for my help in keeping an eye on her as well as Werr. I hope he gets his powers back soon...it was easier when he was a know-all, see-all kind of guy." Nate sighed, holding Tasia close, needing the comfort as much as she needed it. "I think I need to speak with her again. Perhaps with Ophile's help, we can make her see that not all is lost..."

"Ophile would be happy to help, I'm sure," Obelisk stepped into the room. "I'm sorry for intruding, Nate, but I thought this may interest you. It's a...gift. From Gossain." He held out the box. Nate noted that it was already opened; Obelisk had checked it, most likely. The head guard was expecting a bomb or something of the like; he was disappointed. The box only held a jar of jam, a lovely white dress, a small painting, and a letter.

"Dear King Werr," Nate read aloud. "Please enjoy these gifts from Gossain's finest; we hope towards many days of fruitful export on both our behalfs. The dress, from the best seamstress in Gossain's capital, is made of a fine silk and double-woven wool. The jam is made from a native plant in Gossain called a Brustleberry; its taste is unrivaled by any fruit or sweet.

We hope you enjoy these gifts, just as we hope to enjoy many days of peaceful trade between our kingdoms." Nate finished, and looked up at Obelisk. "You check the jam?"

"Yes. It's not poisoned. The dress has no venomous dust on it, or hidden needles." Obelisk nodded. "They're certainly careful, if they're planning anything at all...they seem friendly enough for now."

Tasia shivered and turned her gaze down, as Obelisk still somewhat gave her the creeps. She leaned against Nate, studying the contents of the box quietly before saying "Why would Gossain want to hurt Werr? I know he's sort of...going downhill, but...he's not a major threat to anyone but himself so far. Not kingdom-wise." She pulled her hand from Nate's shirt, instead curling a hand over the join of one of his wings.

Nate nodded. "I know...Obelisk is just being careful."

"They move without precedent. It's unpredictable, and Alastor has seen very little connection from them until recently, when they've attempted to move upon the borders of the Haadarak Desert. 'Clean it up and take it off your hands' is a nice way of saying, 'we want to steal your land and clear out the tribal people that live there'. Werr argued with them for ages, determined to keep them out of the desert. Even though the land is practically useless, Werr does what he does to protect the tribal folk within the desert. Ronan, one of Werr's advisors, focuses almost entirely on ensuring his people aren't caught up in political affairs. They have their own system, and Werr has fought for their protection in the past. But for Gossain to build an entire trade road through the desert up to our roads, that's very much invasive and dangerous. It was a risky move on their part."

"Think of it like this," Nate explained. "You have half a pie, and someone else has half. That someone else wants to have part of your half, and you know it; then, a day later, they start acting friendly. They give you a cherry off of the top of their pie half. They wanted something from you before, but now they want to give you things. It's suspicious."

"Werr isn't daft, he knows something is up. As do I." Obelisk sighed. "Well, I wondering if you would like this, Tasia." He held out a third object from the box, which had been under the dress. A silver necklace with a beautiful crystal setting. Nate took it, inspecting it curiously. "I checked that too, Nate. It's safe." Obelisk smiled a bit.

"Right." Nate nodded, leaning over and putting the necklace around his dear wife's neck. "We'll keep it. Thank you, Obelisk."

"Certainly. I'll be on my way." He stood, carrying the box out of the room.

Tasia blinked at the pretty little trinket, smiling as Nate gently set it around her neck. She made a happy sort of purring sound, rubbing his wings softly as she leaned against him, finally lifting her hands up to cup his cheeks in her twisted fingers. "I love you," she murmured, brushing her lips softly against the bridge of his nose. She tucked her head under his chin then, saying "I wonder how Forin and the others are doing. If they found Diana or not..."

"Maybe we'll recieve another letter soon. Or...maybe they'll come home." He smiled a bit, shaking his head. "I hope they did. Diana...and Seria both. They're important..." He kissed Tasia's forehead again, hugging her tight. "I love you too, my dear. But I've got to get back to work now, okay? I'm taking the earlier evening shift...I'll be back later tonight. I'll check on Arianna before I go to work, okay?"

She nodded, closing her eyes as his lips touched her forehead. "Alright," she murmured, sighing. "I wish you could stay, but you do have a job to do. Just...be careful. I'll be fine here." She let go of him and curled up on the bed, tucking her wings against her bed and burrowing under the covers. She was a small dragonian woman, especially when compared to Nate, who was tall and looked intimidating.

But Nate would never use that to his advantage over his wife. He was a good man, with a noble spirit and an upright heart. sure, he had his troubles and worries, but he would never take out anger or stress on someone he loved. And he despised those who did, which led him to almost pity Lexi; he wondered, as he walked down the hallway, if she wished to be home with her father. He was...a very manipulative man. She could have been arrested for her crimes and aiding her father's, but Werr had chosen to show mercy towards her. He had taken her in, and she had fallen for him...now that all that had fallen apart, what went through her mind now?

((You remember that her father is dead, I assume?))

Lexi was currently outside, sitting on one of the castle balconies, doing something she hadn't done in a while; drawing. Around her lay the scattered pages of what appeared to be the picture she was attempting to create, but kept getting frustrated with and throwing out. She was still working on her most current attempt when Nate found her. As he watched, her movements with the pencil became more slow and harsh, rather than the light, fluid way of drawing she had done before. She finally stopped completely, dropping her pencil at her side and sobbing into her arms quietly.

The picture was simple. Werr, Welk and Cynyr. Cynyr was sleeping, with Werr and Welk laying against him. Welk was in lion form, his head and forelegs in Werr's lap, one of Werr's hands behind his ears, scratching gently. They all looked so...happy.

((Yes, but he's wondering if she wishes she hadn't gone with Werr or something.))

Nate started picking up the incomplete pictures, stacking them all up. He decided to place them in order of completion; the ones with only a few lines towards the front, and the more complete versions towards the back. "You're a very good artist, Lexi..." He said quietly, taking the almost finished picture from her. It had a few flaws, mostly with the image of Werr. "I was...I was wondering if you wanted to go for a walk with me. The Moon Festival is tomorrow, there are already all kinds of stands set up..." He offered, grateful he had thought to grab his change bag before leaving his room.

((A'right.))

She lifted her head, wiping tears from her eyes as she stood up. She carefully took the image she had been working on back from Nate, folded it gently one way, then the other, and handed it back. "Sure," she said quietly, taking a band from around her wrist and starting to pull her hair back into a ponytail. "It sounds nice."