[ the invitation for Communion is one gently extended to Barnaby on Yima's behalf. should he choose to accept, he will feel a pleasant, soothing wash of welcome journey through their bond that is infectious.
[Barnaby does accept, and in response she'll feel his surprise and concern slip through the connection in turn. It soon settles when he realises she's in a good mood.]
[He does carry it with him all the time, as a Shard attached to a pendant for safekeeping. Automatically he reaches into his jacket for it to find it gone.]
But how did she--? [He has to force himself not to be alarmed. Yima brought her here, after all, so there's no reason to disbelieve what she's saying.] I'll be there as soon as I can.
[When the Communion ends, Barnaby heads straight over. When he arrives, he looks out of breath, as if he ran at least part of the way, perhaps out of some irrational fear that if he takes too long she'll somehow disappear altogether. He puffs and puts his hands on his knees as he catches his breath.]
[ Yima touches his shoulder lightly as he catches his breath, offering some reassurance that the contact provides - before she stretches that hand for him to take. from the serene expression she wears, the joy dancing in her eyes, it seems he has no reason for alarm.
is he excited?
nervous? ]
Come. I will take you to her.
[ and once he places his hand in hers, he will find the roots of the tree beginning to shift, writhe beneath the earth - rise, creating a cavernous entrance in which they may walk. it is surely familiar. ]
She has not yet awakened. I thought you would like to be there for her when she does.
[He's nervous and worried more than anything, and likely will be until he sees her, even with Yima's calming assurances. Nonetheless, he straightens and composes himself to take Yima's hand, then watching cautiously as the roots move to open the way.]
Thank you. But... What about the Dryad? Will that try to bar our path again?
[Perhaps it might be risky to have Yima come along with him, if so.]
[Barnaby is still alert as they descend, but he begins to relax as they proceed and it becomes clearer nothing is going to bar their path this time, as she says.]
I haven't been a hero for a long time, it feels like. [Back on Horos, he did what he could, but it ultimately didn't amount to anything -- and his true memories of being a hero have been left in tatters. Still, he smiles at Yima.] But I'll do everything I can to be one for her.
There is a heroism that goes beyond saving lives, Barnaby. It is the kind that is much less glamorous, much less public.
[ her words are soft, lilting, as she pulls aside one of the thick vines that lay in their path to a split in the cavern ahead; she gestures for him to travel left. ]
It is one thing to save a life. It is another to nurture it. That you so willingly pick up that mantle despite no bond of blood to her... it speaks greatly of just who you are.
[He nods and heads left, stepping carefully over a root strewn across the path, while he considers his answer.]
I know what it's like to grow up without parents... but also what it's like to be under the protection of someone who only cares for you because they want to use you. [For him, it had been Maverick. For her, she would have undoubtedly grown to become a loyal servant of the Regent.]
We had so much in common, I wanted to shield her from all of that.
Not all have the strength to do the same in your position. Some grow bitter and jaded and instead lash out at others for their neglect.
[ and abuse, and suffering.
Yima's eyes tilt toward Barnaby before she comes to a halt just short of another divergence in the path. ]
To be kind instead takes integrity not many possess. Wear the mantle of 'hero' proudly, Barnaby. You have earned it.
[ and her piece said, Yima takes him down another corridor; this one lands them at the site of a faintly glowing cocoon sitting up against one of the gnarled roots. it seems to be slowly, steadily pulsing, rhythmic. it is a heartbeat. ]
[For all the guilt he still feels, it's still hard to accept that kind of praise, but with the way his expression softens, he's taking her words to heart.]
I never thought of it from that perspective. I will, then.
[Cerys deserves someone who can be the person she needs, he knows that much, and that's far more important than any of his own misgivings. His eyes widen when they come upon the cocoon, and he steps forward, feeling his heart in his throat.]
Cerys... [Barnaby's not sure what he should do, at this point, but he moves over to reach out and touch the cocoon as it pulses. He speaks softly, as if to gently rouse her from a very long sleep.] It's me, Cerys. I'm here for you.
[Relief mixes with elation when that hand meets with his, and his vision is blurred by tears he has to blink back.]
Right. [The memory is all too recent, so as much as he'd like to pull her out himself, he'll show restraint. He does, however, help Cerys by creating a small tear in the membrane, then continuing to talk to her, to coax her out, just as he'd spent so much time speaking to her Shard these past weeks.] You're safe... Just follow the sound of my voice.
[ it must seem like such a slow process from the outside looking in; even though it's a few minutes at best, Barnaby must be impatient to finally have the reunion he's been waiting for.
but at long last, a pair of hands pierce through as golden sap pours from the punctured cocoon, spilling a very familiar young girl clad in her nightclothes as if she had simply been plucked from sleeping, delivered across the void. she's damp, went, trembling--
but she lifts her head, glazed eyes blinking blearily as they settle on his face--
[Barnaby falls to his knees to catch her as she spills out of the cocoon and into his arms, and when she looks up at him, the tears in his eyes that had been threatening to spill finally overflow. He hugs her tightly, sap or no sap, so relieved to finally have her here, to let her know that she's safe and protected now, at the end of everything. He's so momentarily overcome, that he has to struggle to find his voice.]
Welcome back. [He speaks softly, and shrugs off his jacket to wrap it around her. Sure enough, she's a Shardbearer now, and he spots the dark gleam of her umber Shard at the top of her sternum, half-covered by her nightdress, as if in imitation of the same place he had kept the Shard close as a pendant.
She's obviously exhausted, the ordeal surely even more strenuous for a young child than for an adult, so he scoops her up in his arms and picks her up, where she clings to him weakly.] Just rest for now. Everything will be fine.
[ once Barnaby has made it to his feet, Yima takes a step closer to the pair of them, looking the girl over as if to ascertain she is well. it seems whatever she sees pleases her, and she gently brushes some dampened hair from the child's brow. ]
I will open a rift that will take you home.
[ home. together.
she half-turns, gesturing with gold-adorned fingers - and in the empty air near the entrance, a shimmering purple void-like doorway appears. ]
Please take as much time to be with her as you need. I will have Kathova bring you anything you request to make her more comfortable; you have but to send word.
[Home. This is Cerys' home now, isn't it? Or, more accurately, theirs. Barnaby's arms are a little full, so he has to use his shoulders to wipe the tears of joy from his face, as he turns to regard Yima. Hopefully this is the last time she has to see him such a mess like this.]
I really can't thank you enough for all that you've done. When Cerys is well enough, I'm sure she'll thank you, too.
[She kept her promise, and even now, she hasn't demanded anything in return. It means a great deal to him.]
[Not for the first time, he finds himself wondering if this is what his parents would have been like, were they here. They're irreplacable to him, but that doesn't mean the kindness Yima has shown him isn't worthy of the comparison. He smiles warmly at her.]
I'll make sure she is. [He looks down at Cerys, then, and though she was clinging to him before, her grip has begun to slacken as she dozes off, giving in to exhaustion. She really must trust him, to not even feel frightened about where they are, so he simply says:] Let's go home.
[She just gives a sleepy little 'mhmm' of agreement and buries her face against him, and with that, he carries her through the portal.]
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hundredpower) wrote2022-09-13 07:11 pm
Communion, morningtime (any day of your choice prior to the 9th)
[ the invitation for Communion is one gently extended to Barnaby on Yima's behalf. should he choose to accept, he will feel a pleasant, soothing wash of welcome journey through their bond that is infectious.
Yima is in a good mood. ]
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Lady Yima. How can I help you?
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And do you have Cerys Shard with you?
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[ there is a reason she asks - and, even if Barnaby had laid eyes on it as much as a moment before their Communion, should he check--
he will find Cerys' Shard missing from its place in his safekeeping. to allay his panic-- ]
Please... come to the Tree. She is ready at last.
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But how did she--? [He has to force himself not to be alarmed. Yima brought her here, after all, so there's no reason to disbelieve what she's saying.] I'll be there as soon as I can.
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[ this is a natural process, it seems - and with that comfort relayed, Yima is gently dissolving their Communion.
whenever Barnaby is ready, he will find Yima standing before the Tree of Life, hands clasped before her and a soft smile on her face. ]
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Is she-- is she here?
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is he excited?
nervous? ]
Come. I will take you to her.
[ and once he places his hand in hers, he will find the roots of the tree beginning to shift, writhe beneath the earth - rise, creating a cavernous entrance in which they may walk. it is surely familiar. ]
She has not yet awakened. I thought you would like to be there for her when she does.
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Thank you. But... What about the Dryad? Will that try to bar our path again?
[Perhaps it might be risky to have Yima come along with him, if so.]
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[ she sends him a look that is both confident and composed with no signs of distress, and begins leading him underground. ]
And so too will Cerys be safe. She has made a perilous journey and deserves peace, rest, with someone who cares for her.
[ Yima ducks low beneath some hanging vines, taking him further and further into the depths of the Tree's roots. ]
It is lucky for her that she has such a hero.
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I haven't been a hero for a long time, it feels like. [Back on Horos, he did what he could, but it ultimately didn't amount to anything -- and his true memories of being a hero have been left in tatters. Still, he smiles at Yima.] But I'll do everything I can to be one for her.
no subject
[ her words are soft, lilting, as she pulls aside one of the thick vines that lay in their path to a split in the cavern ahead; she gestures for him to travel left. ]
It is one thing to save a life. It is another to nurture it. That you so willingly pick up that mantle despite no bond of blood to her... it speaks greatly of just who you are.
no subject
I know what it's like to grow up without parents... but also what it's like to be under the protection of someone who only cares for you because they want to use you. [For him, it had been Maverick. For her, she would have undoubtedly grown to become a loyal servant of the Regent.]
We had so much in common, I wanted to shield her from all of that.
no subject
[ and abuse, and suffering.
Yima's eyes tilt toward Barnaby before she comes to a halt just short of another divergence in the path. ]
To be kind instead takes integrity not many possess. Wear the mantle of 'hero' proudly, Barnaby. You have earned it.
[ and her piece said, Yima takes him down another corridor; this one lands them at the site of a faintly glowing cocoon sitting up against one of the gnarled roots. it seems to be slowly, steadily pulsing, rhythmic. it is a heartbeat. ]
She is ready for you.
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I never thought of it from that perspective. I will, then.
[Cerys deserves someone who can be the person she needs, he knows that much, and that's far more important than any of his own misgivings. His eyes widen when they come upon the cocoon, and he steps forward, feeling his heart in his throat.]
Cerys... [Barnaby's not sure what he should do, at this point, but he moves over to reach out and touch the cocoon as it pulses. He speaks softly, as if to gently rouse her from a very long sleep.] It's me, Cerys. I'm here for you.
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and then comes a hand jutting out to meet his where it rests on the thin membrane, before another hand joins it, trying to create an opening. ]
Gently, Barnaby. [ Yima's voice is soft from behind him. ] You remember what it is to wake as a Bearer.
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Right. [The memory is all too recent, so as much as he'd like to pull her out himself, he'll show restraint. He does, however, help Cerys by creating a small tear in the membrane, then continuing to talk to her, to coax her out, just as he'd spent so much time speaking to her Shard these past weeks.] You're safe... Just follow the sound of my voice.
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but at long last, a pair of hands pierce through as golden sap pours from the punctured cocoon, spilling a very familiar young girl clad in her nightclothes as if she had simply been plucked from sleeping, delivered across the void. she's damp, went, trembling--
but she lifts her head, glazed eyes blinking blearily as they settle on his face--
and light up with recognition. ]
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Welcome back. [He speaks softly, and shrugs off his jacket to wrap it around her. Sure enough, she's a Shardbearer now, and he spots the dark gleam of her umber Shard at the top of her sternum, half-covered by her nightdress, as if in imitation of the same place he had kept the Shard close as a pendant.
She's obviously exhausted, the ordeal surely even more strenuous for a young child than for an adult, so he scoops her up in his arms and picks her up, where she clings to him weakly.] Just rest for now. Everything will be fine.
no subject
I will open a rift that will take you home.
[ home. together.
she half-turns, gesturing with gold-adorned fingers - and in the empty air near the entrance, a shimmering purple void-like doorway appears. ]
Please take as much time to be with her as you need. I will have Kathova bring you anything you request to make her more comfortable; you have but to send word.
no subject
I really can't thank you enough for all that you've done. When Cerys is well enough, I'm sure she'll thank you, too.
[She kept her promise, and even now, she hasn't demanded anything in return. It means a great deal to him.]
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[ she gives him a look of pride - like a mother looking upon a beloved son - before stepping aside and gesturing to the portal. ]
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I'll make sure she is. [He looks down at Cerys, then, and though she was clinging to him before, her grip has begun to slacken as she dozes off, giving in to exhaustion. She really must trust him, to not even feel frightened about where they are, so he simply says:] Let's go home.
[She just gives a sleepy little 'mhmm' of agreement and buries her face against him, and with that, he carries her through the portal.]