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estdeus_innobis2010-07-27 12:23 am
gaueko-erebus.livejournal.com) wrote in estdeus_innobis2010-07-27 12:23 am
Why must I think of you? Why must I? Why should I?
[After dark, Sunday, January 31st, day 245]
[The ruins of the Voronin manor]
It's been five days since I met with Sugaar outside of the tower. Five days since I took my teeth to myself. The hand has mostly grown back, but it's bald and pink, the skin stretched smooth like over a newly-healed burn. It's still stiff, and when I go hound I limp, just slightly. But I'm not hound now, and I do not limp as I walk.
I swore that I would never return here. That this ground was poison to me. But that was before I found out that Glass had buried my gauekoentzat's bones in this earth, among the scorched stones and the dust of the garden. The ghosts are gone, and the house that was my temple is gone....but she is here. And even if she was not my priestess when she died, the gods do not forget those who loved them.
The frost crunches underneath my boots as I pass through the ruined gates. I haven't been here in a few weeks now. It doesn't matter much; my influence is still heavy in the air. But I like to come here. I like to visit.
Glass intended the cairn of broken and scorched marble as a marker for both of them, for my she-wolf and the war-god too. But this was her place, her land, her stone and her fire. The war god is fucking irrelevant.
When the seasons change and the weather gets warm, jasmine will grow in this place, moonflowers will twine their way through the cracks in the cairn. Already predators will not kill here; they cease their chase, and they will not pursue their prey here. I have marked this place, and they know it to be sacred.
With a heavy sigh, I sit down on the cold ground by the stones. The animals have been leaving tribute in their own way; broken-necked rats and birds, the sharp smell of fox urine. And the stones are icy to the touch.
"Gabon, sweet."
[OPEN to VERDANDI]
[The ruins of the Voronin manor]
It's been five days since I met with Sugaar outside of the tower. Five days since I took my teeth to myself. The hand has mostly grown back, but it's bald and pink, the skin stretched smooth like over a newly-healed burn. It's still stiff, and when I go hound I limp, just slightly. But I'm not hound now, and I do not limp as I walk.
I swore that I would never return here. That this ground was poison to me. But that was before I found out that Glass had buried my gauekoentzat's bones in this earth, among the scorched stones and the dust of the garden. The ghosts are gone, and the house that was my temple is gone....but she is here. And even if she was not my priestess when she died, the gods do not forget those who loved them.
The frost crunches underneath my boots as I pass through the ruined gates. I haven't been here in a few weeks now. It doesn't matter much; my influence is still heavy in the air. But I like to come here. I like to visit.
Glass intended the cairn of broken and scorched marble as a marker for both of them, for my she-wolf and the war-god too. But this was her place, her land, her stone and her fire. The war god is fucking irrelevant.
When the seasons change and the weather gets warm, jasmine will grow in this place, moonflowers will twine their way through the cracks in the cairn. Already predators will not kill here; they cease their chase, and they will not pursue their prey here. I have marked this place, and they know it to be sacred.
With a heavy sigh, I sit down on the cold ground by the stones. The animals have been leaving tribute in their own way; broken-necked rats and birds, the sharp smell of fox urine. And the stones are icy to the touch.
"Gabon, sweet."
[OPEN to VERDANDI]
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This town's opened my eyes and I won't let myself be tethered to the idea of being less when there are new possibilities out there. All growth requires blood as payment, and I've stood firm through countless tears and sharp pain, confident that it would work. For me, if no one else, and I smile at the chill in the air as I head south. It's cooling me off but I'll need something else soon. Something to keep me from being idle.
Everything I've done so far are small steps on my new path, but I need to take larger ones. Much larger. And while I don't want to be impatient, sometimes it crops up at the strangest times. Like tonight, for instance. I was sure I'd stay in the basement, waiting for someone to wander down but no one did. I guess they're on to me, and I laugh as I continue to walk along.
So instead I worked on my new brew but there's a puzzle in it, a connection I'm missing, and I wonder if my moods are affecting it all. Maybe. I glance up from my thoughts, realizing that I'm further away from the Tavern than I originally thought. Odin's teeth, I've wandered all the way to Anushka's, and without even noticing it.
I sigh, ready to turn back when I catch a glimpse of a shape nearby. As I step closer, it's easier to see and well, if this isn't a surprise, then I don't know what it. It's Gaueko and he's speaking softly to the wind. Oh, I remember so much about us, good and bad, and damn, I might even miss him but I haven't forgotten. Though I do wonder if he wishes I did.
I move closer, a restless urge pushing me forward into his view and I smile as I say, "Hello Gaueko."
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I suppose it's a sign of just how distracted I am that I don't hear the footsteps coming up behind me. Maybe it's that I can't imagine anyone approaching me in a place so sacred to me. But there it is, someone calling my name, and I turn.
"Verðandi." I say. "It's been a long time." I stand up, frost melting on the dark fabric of my jeans. What the hell does she want from me? Last I heard from her I was not welcome in her presence.
But something about her is different. I tilt my head to one side and my nostrils flare. Oh yes, something is different. "What have you been playing with, Verðandi?"
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He stands, looking sad and I wonder if Anushka can feel that from the shadowlands. He doesn't look happy to see either me but since our last meeting didn't go so well, I can understand it. I shrug it off, smiling as I agree, "Yes, it has, but what is time to us?" My smiles sweetens as I continue, "Don't be grouchy, Gaueko. You'll spoil our reunion before it even begins."
"What have you been playing with, Verðandi?"
I blink at him, not sure what he could mean and I ask, "Playing? I haven't done any of that lately. Have you?" He's watching me and I glance over him, admiring his form before staring straight back at him. "You're looking better than last time. Good to see that Tez didn't leave you in shreds."
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"We're having a reunion now? My invitation must've gotten lost in the mail." She's still sweet and pretty as ever, and if we hadn't had that battle a few weeks before I'd be seizing her and hauling her to me. But right now I'm wondering just what's happened that's sweetened her temper so much.
She seems puzzled when I ask what she's playing at, though. "Playing? I haven't done any of that lately. Have you?" before grinning and looking me up and down. "You're looking better than last time. Good to see that Tez didn't leave you in shreds."
"Haven't seen Tez in weeks. And considering what he's bloody done, I don't expect to see him any time soon. Or ever again." Not given the way Sugaar's looking. "But you seem different, Verðandi." I study her. I smell her on the night wind, honey and musk and apples and... "...you smell of blood."
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I smile at his joke, ignoring the bite behind it as I say, "Well, maybe we should take that up with the postal service." Laughing lightly, I continue, "They lost mine too, but we're here now, so why waste it?"
"Haven't seen Tez in weeks. And considering what he's bloody done, I don't expect to see him any time soon. Or ever again."
Was he affected by Tez' spell? I think he was and I'm wondering if it was a gain or a loss for him. Smiling, I say, "Oh, I don't think that's true. He's probably hiding off somewhere, hoping everyone will forget what he did." I shrug, "Anyway, I know he's still in Excolo. Did his spell work on you?"
"But you seem different, Verðandi...you smell of blood."
Vaguely surprised, I suppress a laugh and smile wide instead, "Haven't I always smelled of blood? I'm surprised I didn't already," I take a step towards him, hands open and continue, "Isn't that what you wanted for me?" I laugh, not hiding it this time and I say, "Maybe I remember more of the old ways, not just of blood, but of intent too. Did I tell you that my birthday just past?"
Will he understand? I don't know and as much as I want to tell him, I don't trust him. Not yet. Maybe that can change too... "I've noticed that you've kept away from Wanda. That's good," and I smile sweetly as I add, "For a start."
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"Considering what the pup and I did to the post rider, I suppose they might be holding a grudge." I smirk, folding my arms. What in the name of fuck is she playing at? "I thought that you couldn't stand the sight of me, anyway?"
She's still smiling as she says, "He's probably hiding off somewhere, hoping everyone will forget what he did. Anyway, I know he's still in Excolo. Did his spell work on you?"
"Have you seen him?" I ask, curious. I haven't seen hide nor hair of him myself. "And yes, I was affected. Were you?" Not entirely sure when we got back to the point of asking questions of each other, but no skin off my ass if she knows.
When I mention that she smells of blood, her smile grows. I remember hunting with her in the hills and the alleys. We had some times, her and I. "Haven't I always smelled of blood? I'm surprised I didn't already," she says, moving towards me. I might be wary, given our last encounter, but she has no weapon, and she doesn't have that sharp-eyed look she gets right before an attack. "Maybe I remember more of the old ways, not just of blood, but of intent too. Did I tell you that my birthday just past?"
"Zorionak," I say, then search my memory and grin, "Til hammó með ammó." Remembered something, dammit. "And you always smelled of blood, at least to some degree, but it's stronger now. A lot stronger." There's no weapon in her hands, her eyes are bright and clear...but something's changed. Oh yes, something has, and damned if it's not stirring my cock.
"I've noticed that you've kept away from Wanda. That's good. For a start."
Oh, now we're getting down to it, are we? "I've kept away from her," I nod, "just as I said I would. I'd have thought, though, that you were keeping away from me. At least from the ways things ended last time." Really bloody curious as to what she's driving at. Don't get me wrong, I've missed my Verdandi, but I honestly thought that she was never going to seek me out again. But then, she's always been a fickle sort, hasn't she?
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Giggling, I ask, "You and Johnny? Does a postal rider count as two? One for the rider and one for the horse? No wonder you don't get any mail, Gaueko." He hasn't tried to run me off so I wave away the last part of what he says, "I never said that so I'm not sure why you'd think it. Oh, you were a bad dog, for sure, but that doesn't mean I didn't want to see you."
He asks about Tez, "Have you seen him? And yes, I was affected. Were you?"
I shake my head, saying, "No, not at all but the Tapestry still has him in Excolo. That path hasn't changed for him yet." I shrug, "There are hidey-holes all over the place but beyond a general sense, I couldn't tell you more." The Walking Night was touched by Night Wind's spell but by how much? "I was affected too but I didn't notice it until afterwards." I tap my temple, adding, "I guess I'm used to a faulty memory but I didn't forget myself. Not this time."
"Zorionak, Til hammó með ammó. And you always smelled of blood, at least to some degree, but it's stronger now. A lot stronger."
He's being sweet, grinning attractively and I love when he's like this. I beam at him, "Thank you, Gaueko." When he talks about blood, I giggle, "I haven't killed anyone lately so it can't be that. You know the Tavern's rough sometimes and I've been in a couple of fights," More than a couple and I continue, "But it wasn't anything to worry about, definitely not enough to put me down."
Restlessness zips through me and another giggle bubbles from me as I remember everything, and I say, "There was a lot of blood though. You always did have a good nose for that kind of thing."
I comment about Wanda and from the look on his face, you'd think that's all I wanted from him. Did he forget everything else between us, and I listen as he nods, "I've kept away from her, just as I said I would. I'd have thought, though, that you were keeping away from me. At least from the ways things ended last time."
I pull my flask from pocket and say, "We ended badly last time but I didn't promise you anything like that." I take a pull, enjoying the smoothness and delicately wipe my mouth afterwards before saying, "And while you kept away from Wanda, you found time to harass Iago and Lannie."
I offer the flask to him, knowing he'll have to close the distance between us to get it but I don't want to kill him, not tonight. Nostalgia's a funny thing for someone like me and I ask pleasantly, "Why do you make it so hard for me to trust you? I don't want you to go against your nature but I can't go against mine either."
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"You've never had a dog that bit the mailman before?" I grin. "The pup did well, you know. I was pushing him, and we didn't do more than bloody the rider and his horse, but the pup still did well. There's a lot of potential there." Or there will be, once he gets his furry ass out of jail.
She waves her hand when I mention that I'm surprised to see her. "I never said that so I'm not sure why you'd think it. Oh, you were a bad dog, for sure, but that doesn't mean I didn't want to see you."
"I'm always a bad dog," I snort, "and our last parting wasn't exactly friendly. I had the strong impression that you were done with me." I wasn't pleased about that either, but I'm sure she can work that out.
She confirms that Tez is still somewhere in Excolo, but she's not sure where. Just that he's still part of the Tapestry. I'd forgotten that she could see such things. Stupid fucking thing to forget. And then she taps her temple with a long finger, "I was affected too but I didn't notice it until afterwards. I guess I'm used to a faulty memory but I didn't forget myself. Not this time."
I nod, and wonder what she did forget. I don't ask. Doesn't seem polite.
She also seems bloody pleased when i wish her happy birthday, and she grins. So pretty, my Verdandi. "Thank you, Gaueko." She says, and giggles, "I haven't killed anyone lately so it can't be that. You know the Tavern's rough sometimes and I've been in a couple of fights. But it wasn't anything to worry about, definitely not enough to put me down. There was a lot of blood though. You always did have a good nose for that kind of thing."
"I couldn't imagine the tavern brawl that would be enough to take you down," I smirk. I'm getting the sense of more than a brawl about her, though. But I'm rather enjoying her being coquettish. "Did you help the roughness out a bit? Maybe a special brew to stir men's blood?" I grin. That, I can imagine.
She pulls a flask - was my Verdandi ever without liquor? - from her pocket and drinks from it, "We ended badly last time but I didn't promise you anything like that. And while you kept away from Wanda, you found time to harass Iago and Lannie."
"You need to keep that wolf-girl on a leash. She's going to get herself in trouble, and I don't just mean from me." She holds the flask out to me, and I step forward to take it. Impolite to refuse. "As for Iago, I had no intention of hurting him. But he abandoned my Glass, and his memory sure as fuck wasn't coming back on its own. A few minutes of mind-numbing terror sometimes does what nothing else will." Whisky in the flask, of course. Sits on the tongue like liquid gold.
"Why do you make it so hard for me to trust you? I don't want you to go against your nature but I can't go against mine either."
"I never asked you to," I shrug, passing the flask back to her. "And it's good to see you," she shines in the night like a flame. "You've grown stronger, and you are still ederra, Verðandi."
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For what, I wonder, and I smile, thinking of my own wells. "Sounds very restrained for you or maybe that's what the lesson was about..." He can answer or not. I've never interfered with his followers, except for Glass, and that was a special case.
I smile, waving off his surprise before calling him a bad dog and he doesn't disagree with me before adding, "And our last parting wasn't exactly friendly. I had the strong impression that you were done with me." I shrug a little, "I'll admit I was very angry with you but that's past now and maybe we change things for the better between us."
We talk about Tez and isn't it funny how we were both affected. I wonder if that's something special about Excolo, the random episodes of strangeness, and how no one's really immune to it. I don't give it too much thought though. Can't change it so no need to worry about it, and I'm happily distracted by Gaueko's birthday greeting anyway.
He smells the blood on me and says, "I couldn't imagine the tavern brawl that would be enough to take you down," and he's right. Not much could, and he continues through his very charming grin, "Did you help the roughness out a bit? Maybe a special brew to stir men's blood?"
I smile, knowing it's a little sharper than usual as I reply, "Oh yes. Of course. It surprised them, how violent I can be, and makes me think I smile too much. People forget and that's when..." I'm about to say more than I should and I pause before laughing. He's got such a strong effect on me and I continue, "That's when I remind them otherwise. You showed that," and I smile sweetly before adding, "And more."
He's got my flask and I mention Wanda before talking about Iago and Lannie. He's got advice about Lannie and shares his take on Iago's recent amnesia. I don't agree and I laughingly say, "She can take care of herself, Gaueko, and if she can't, then I'll make sure it changes." I remember my time in the basement and I smile as I continue, "Besides neither of them can take you in a fight so all you're doing is being a bully. Did you want them to not like you?"
I ask him about trust and natures, and in his typical way, he says, "I never asked you to, and it's good to see you." No, he didn't, did he, but he hoped I'd be a particular way and maybe I am, just not how he thinks. He's close to me and I can smell him, and it reminds of all that is Gaueko. I take the flask, admiring his face as he adds, "You've grown stronger, and you are still ederra, Verðandi."
I nod as I agree, "Yes, and it's helped to unfog so many places in my mind. Mine's not an easy path though, and I've paid in blood for each step." I want to move closer to him but I shouldn't. And I won't. We haven't made up yet so I squelch my impatience as I ask, "Did you miss me?"
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I shrug, "It was only our second hunt together. Push a pup too far, too fast, and he'll end up a cripple. The fact that he was willing to go as far as he did on his second hunt tells me he'll go far."
She tells me that she's not angry with me. Guess it shouldn't be a bloody surprise, given how changeable she can be. But when someone comes to me in the daytime and tries to beat the shit out of me it tends to leave an impression. But she also grins, showing all her teeth, when I mention that she might have been prodding folk to violence. "Oh yes. Of course. It surprised them, how violent I can be, and makes me think I smile too much. People forget and that's when..." a pause. She looks at me, and she grins. Thinking better of whatever it was. "That's when I remind them otherwise. You showed that. And more."
"We showed each other a number of things." I grin back at her.
Fucking dismissive of her wolf-girl, though. "She can take care of herself, Gaueko, and if she can't, then I'll make sure it changes. Besides neither of them can take you in a fight so all you're doing is being a bully. Did you want them to not like you?"
"Do you really think I give a shit whether or not your pet wolf likes me?" I snort. "I don't care if she thinks I eat shit for breakfast, so long as she pays proper respect. And she sure as hell wasn't. Nor did she seem to have any idea the kind of danger she was putting herself in. Assuming that's her general approach to life, she's not going to live very long. I'd think you'd pick a smarter priestess." I shake my head, "Unless you're looking at tits, she was not impressive. And even then, you've got fine enough tits for a whole congregation."
She's looking at me, her eyes shining bright in the darkness. "Did you miss me?"
"Yes." I see no reason to lie. I have missed her. I've missed hunting in the woods, dancing through the shadows, mating on grass and wolf hides. "Yes, I have missed you. Doesn't mean I'm not fucking wary." She could hurt me. Of all the creatures in this town aside from Sugaar, I think she's the most dangerous. But then, given her past performance, if she wanted to hurt me she'd have come after me in the goddamn daylight.
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He and I talk about my not being angry anymore and he asks about me pushing people to violence. I tell him part of the truth and he likes that and it makes me smile. Even through everything, I still like making him happy. I want to be happy too and while I can give that to myself, it's always nice when someone else gets involved.
He gives me a wolfish grin, saying, "We showed each other a number of things." Oh, Gaueko, I remember all that. Maybe he can make me happy and all he needs is the right incentive. I really do want to give him another chance, and I reply, "We did, and there's still so much to see and do. The future's not written yet. We just have to seize it and make it our own."
He doesn't seem to be too concerned with Iago, but Lannie sticks in his teeth as he says, "Do you really think I give a shit whether or not your pet wolf likes me?" I laugh, saying, "Well, your pet wolf likes me. I thought you wanted the same but I guess I was wrong," and I shrug. He goes on about respect and it's clear to me where Gaueko's missed my point. He's a problem I can work around, rather than through and I give him a hard look when he says, "I'd think you'd pick a smarter priestess."
I think he's trying to bait me into an argument and I smile sweetly as I reply, "You have no idea why I picked her and that's fine. You and I don't walk the same paths so even if I explained it to you, you might not understand anyway." I hand him the flask after sipping from it myself before continuing, "Let's just say that I needed a girl-pup and she fits the bill perfectly. I do have a balance to maintain."
He talks about Lannie's tits and mine, and I laugh, "Why am I not surprised that her chest is what you noticed? Definitely a bad dog." And when I ask him if he's missed me, he answers right away, "Yes." He's still sweet on me too and he continues, "Yes, I have missed you. Doesn't mean I'm not fucking wary."
"I understand, Gaueko and I missed you too." He can have that. I won't deny him the truth of my heart. I sigh, smiling sadly at him, "You broke an oath to me and even though you've kept it since then, it still hurts me that you broke it in the first place." I've always loved his handsome face and the roguish way he smiles at me. My hand raises slowly to touch him, almost against my will and with a shiver, I catch myself at the last minute.
Dropping my hand before reaching him, I shake my head and look away as I say, "I wish I could trust you, Mørk Ettall. I wish for that more than anything because I miss us so much." I look back at him, sincerity in my eyes as I add, "I just don't know how."
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"Haven't seen him since," I shrug, "except for when him and his boyfriend got jumped outside the tavern." I smirk, "not that he needed any help with them."
Touchy on the subject of her wolf girl, though. She takes a swig from her flask and passes it back to me. I'm more than happy to take it. She can still brew like no other. "You have no idea why I picked her and that's fine. You and I don't walk the same paths so even if I explained it to you, you might not understand anyway. Let's just say that I needed a girl-pup and she fits the bill perfectly. I do have a balance to maintain."
Personally I think she could find a better fucking counterweight, but clearly she's made up her mind.
When I say that I've missed her, though, she turns somber. "I understand, Gaueko and I missed you too. You broke an oath to me and even though you've kept it since then, it still hurts me that you broke it in the first place."
I broke an oath I wasn't aware that I'd fucking taken. Is what I'm getting ready to snarl. But I stop when I see her raise her hand to touch me. Her fingers almost graze my face, and then her hand drops. "I wish I could trust you, Mørk Ettall. I wish for that more than anything because I miss us so much. I just don't know how."
With a sigh, I shake my head. "I don't know, Verðandi." I look at her, pale and gleaming in the moonlight. "As the injured party, it's your right to choose. At least, that's the way my people handled things." The way many did.
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He's proud of Johnny and I can understand that. One of his stood well in battle but we're not on blood-drenched fields anymore. And while Excolo isn't the safest place to live, it's still not Niflheim. I suppose old glories get relived in different ways and new pups add to the excitement. I should know.
"I'd heard about that night and I'm glad to hear he came out alright. Deputy Hollow asked us about it but it didn't seem like a different night than usual. It sounds like your pretty pup made enough of an impression to get attention. Sounds like he takes after you," and I smile, hoping that Johnny will survive Gaueko and his training.
We talk about my pup and soon enough, we're back to us. I share my feelings with Gaueko, half-expecting him to spurn me but he doesn't. Oh, my Mørk Ettall, my heart is with you and I want to fix this. I really do but I don't know how and I tell him so.
He's sad about it too. I can see it in his eyes and as he shakes his head, he says, "I don't know, Verðandi. As the injured party, it's your right to choose. At least, that's the way my people handled things."
Ah, the old ways and maybe he's on to something and I say, "My people did the same thing. Ordeals or wergild, but since no one's died, I think we should go with ordeals instead." For him to do this for me, well, I don't take it lightly and I smile brightly as I finally touch his handsome face. "That you would do this for me is noble and I won't forget it, especially since I want you to succeed."
Pondering what I could ask of him, I toss a few ideas around before finally settling on one. "I have a quest for you, Gaueko, something that will show me without a doubt that we can start new and fresh, and leave those old pains behind us." I'd love something new with you, and then nothing would stop us from dancing in the shadows or being together ever again.
"I want you to gather five items for me. There are conditions, of course, but that's the gist of it. Do you accept?"
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She thinks for a few minutes as I fold my arms and continue partaking of her whiskey. "I have a quest for you, Gaueko, something that will show me without a doubt that we can start new and fresh, and leave those old pains behind us. I want you to gather five items for me. There are conditions, of course, but that's the gist of it. Do you accept?"
I raise my eyebrows. There's a catch, of course there is. There always is. But what the hell. I'm actually damned curious to see what she's come up with. "I accept." I grin, "And I'm waiting to hear what your plan is."
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I beam at him, my eyes shining with hope and love, as I practically bounce with happiness. He's grinning and oh, I want him but first things first and I smile sweetly as I begin, "Each of the five items is to be gathered from a different person or creature, and don't worry, I'll tell you who the five are after I explain the conditions."
As I turn over possibilities, I say, "First condition: each item should be something personal but not necessarily special, unless you think you can manage it." That's easy enough and I smile as I continue, "Second condition: each item has to be given freely to you, so no beatings or intimidations or middlemen either. Don't be a bad dog on that one because it's important." The flask is getting low and I gently tap it with my fingertip to refill it for him. Gaueko always did love my firewhiskey and I'd happily give him barrels of it, if he asked me.
It feels wonderful to talk and be near him, and Odin's teeth, I've missed him more than I thought I did. "Third condition: you can't tell anyone that the item is for me. You can't even hint at it either," and I lay a gentle hand on his chest as I continue with a coy smile, "However, you can lie as you see fit. I can't take away all your fun, can I?"
This won't be hard for him at all. My Mørk Ettall is a god, not some mortal hero. He can do anything when he sets his mind to it and I believe in him. "The last condition is that you have only two cycles of the moon to complete it. If you're faster than that, then I'll add something special for you at the end." My hand moves up to his cheek, ghosting over his whiskers and I smile dreamily at him as I ask, "Do you have any questions before I name the five?"
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She touches the flask, and it grows heavy in my hand. I grin and take another deep pull of her whisky.
"Third condition: you can't tell anyone that the item is for me. You can't even hint at it either. However, you can lie as you see fit. I can't take away all your fun, can I?"
She reaches up, and her hand strokes my face. I grumble deep in my chest and resist the urge to reach for her. "The last condition is that you have only two cycles of the moon to complete it. If you're faster than that, then I'll add something special for you at the end. Do you have any questions before I name the five?"
"Not yet." I smirk, swigging from the whisky. "Name them."
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I slip the flask from his fingers, tasting him in the whiskey before I say, "Jack Hollow, the scarecrow golem we met at that party and Chester, he's a fluffy white cat if you haven't seen him already." I hand the flask back to him, licking any stray liquor from my lips before I continue, "The fallen angel, Marbas and Azrael, the angel-butcher from the Organ Grinder."
Counting on my fingers, I come up with four. Ah yes, how could I forget and I smile especially sweet as I name the last one, "And Iblis. Those are the five, Gaueko." I touch his cheek again, sliding over the rough whiskers and I laugh lightly, "I wish you all the luck, my Mørk Ettall, but I don't think you'll need it. I think you'll do fine on your own."
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"I guess the cat's hide isn't acceptable?" I smirk. I remember the golem, but fucked if I know how I'm going to get a gift out of him. He didn't seem all that impressed with me.
"The fallen angel, Marbas and Azrael, the angel-butcher from the Organ Grinder."
"Last time I met Marbas I bit him. This should a be a challenge." I grin. It was fucking worth it.
"And Iblis. Those are the five, Gaueko."
"And Sugaar?!" For the first time, I'm a bit taken aback. "Fuck's sake, Verdandi, you don't mind adding a bloody element of danger." She knows I don't ask my master for favours lightly, and he sure as shit doesn't grant them. Muttering, I fish my cigarettes out of my pocket. "I'll do it, I already swore that I would, but I hope you know what you're asking."
She strokes my face again and laughs. Oh, she knows. "I wish you all the luck, my Mørk Ettall, but I don't think you'll need it. I think you'll do fine on your own."
"Glad you think so." I grumble, but my heart isn't in it. I've missed her more than I realized, between the dream of Anushka and the strange development of my nina. Having my Verdandi back in my life would be more than welcome.
Thinking of that, I glance back at Anushka's grave. "Have you visited her before?"
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He grumbles at me but I know he doesn't mean it so I lean closer, running my hand up and down his chest. He's even more handsome than I remembered and I smile, happy that he's being so sweet. When he's agreeable, it makes it harder for me to resist my impulses where he's concerned.
He glances behind him and I follow his look to Anushka's grave. "Have you visited her before?"
Nodding, I slide my arms around his waist. "Yes, I've been here a few times and once, I found a pair of shoes. It wasn't long after she died and I think someone left them for her, to honor her." I stare up into his face, not hiding how much I admire him. "Another time, I met the Djinn here." I give him a coy smile. "He doesn't like you at all."
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"Might have been the Bakeneko," I mutter. "They got along, after they got past the part where it tried to kill me." I remember smelling it around the manor grounds. It didn't bother me overmuch, so long as it didn't cross my path again.
"Another time, I met the Djinn here. He doesn't like you at all."
"The feeling is very much mutual." I growl. "Thankfully I haven't seen him around much lately. And what the fuck was he doing here, anyway? The last time I saw him in this place he tried to kill us both."
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"Bakeneko? I don't think I've met it." I hug him tighter, a bit fierce when I ask, "And it tried to kill you? Where does it live?" I want to see the creature that Anushka forgave. Oh, Gaueko probably asked for it but I don't care, feeling suddenly protective of him. "This Bakeneko and I should have a talk."
I tell him about Djinn's visit and he growls, "The feeling is very much mutual. Thankfully I haven't seen him around much lately. And what the fuck was he doing here, anyway? The last time I saw him in this place he tried to kill us both." I love it when he growls and the rumble almost makes me squirm. It's gone, though, when I think about the Bakeneko and Djinn both trying to kill Gaueko. But I really shouldn't worry because honestly, who hasn't fought with Gaueko yet? It's just part of who he is.
"He didn't try to kill me but he did show me an otherworld place and it was fiery, like Surtr's realm." I remember the endless screams of pain before softly admitting, "It knew I missed you and was angry. I think it wanted to hurt me and for the first time in a long time, that worried me."
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My Verdandi. Still so fierce. "Haven't seen it in a good long while. Used to hang out at the library, I think; could be either a little black and white cat, a pretty Japanese boy or a nasty feline monster with fucking ginsu knives for claws." I consider, then add, "it also had associations with the Djinn. Watch yourself if you challenge it." I doubt the Djinn has as personal a method of attack for her as it did for me, but it's still a nasty fucker.
When she speaks of the Djinn she squirms against me, but her tone is serious. "He didn't try to kill me but he did show me an otherworld place and it was fiery, like Surtr's realm. It knew I missed you and was angry. I think it wanted to hurt me and for the first time in a long time, that worried me."
"He always wants to hurt," I growl, running my hand over her hair. "Which isn't something that'd bother me usually, but he doesn't bloody discriminate. And considering that he fought me to a standstill when I was at near full power, I'm not exactly eager to tangle with him now." And neither should you you be, Verdandi. "Also watch out for the bitch who holds his leash. She's a whole other fucking story."