Day Two - Just in Time

[Samaena]

Aeron Luminatti: There was nothing but a shadow pacing the shoreline as she wondered, waited and thought till she could think no more. Terrified beyond all reasoning she chewed her nails, her lower lip till she almost drew blood. This was the place he had asked her, this was the place he was sure to come back to. There was still within a distinct feeling of knowing where he was, that he would come back. He'd promised her! Had she been so naïve to believe another lie? There was a trail of footprints laid out in the cold sands. Only they were blurred into some decrepit path that marked her pacing. Her heart was broken, she could still hear Noa's voice, see his anger, hear the tone as he had said she would stand trial. There was still no sign of Elg…she didn't want any other involved, this was her problem and with that came her shame and her loneliness. Never had she felt so alone. It was disturbing to the point of wanting to reach out to any that would listen, or perhaps cast a glance her way. To sob within a warm, comforting embrace…to die as she turned away from it all. The sob that shook her was involuntary, she had to quickly check herself, recompose and hold her head high. Perhaps it was that gut wrenching feeling that caused her to sag till she sat upon the cold sands…something was missing, something had been torn from her and she groaned as she felt it leave. It physically pained her and she wondered in that one single moment as she fell back to lay…was this it? Was this what it was like to die? Alone and empty? Tears ran down the sides of her face and dripped into her hair. She really was in deep and there was as Noa had said. No one to blame but herself.

Theoren Roullier: There was laughter on the wind today, a little chuckle of a man's voice that might have just been a trick on the ears. But the little breeze that seemed to have been following Aeron Luminatti, wrapping around her, lifting her hair and her clothes and blowing about her as if it was playing with her betrayed his deception. The laugh grew louder as a pair of arms reached out from behind her, literally materializing from nowhere and grabbed her around the waist, lifting her and spinning her around as the rest of his body coalesced before her in a fantastic display of sparkles as the tear between the two worlds was opened and then repaired almost instantaneously. A broad smile was painted over Theoren's face, and truth was he looked far different from when last they had met. The tattoos had vanished, and in their place was a pair of the most beautiful wings. Like the inside of seashells in color edged in gold and perfectly symmetrical in nature, he flourished them for her to see as he put her down. His hair, once red was now streaked with gold and his once caramel colored eyes glittered with as much color as a wedding band. "What do you think of them?" The accent laden voice had changed as well as he strut back and forth flaring the exquisite wings before her. "I got them back!" He proclaimed, as he reached behind him and unsheathed the flaming sword that sprung to life as it was brought forth from its scabbard. "I got this back, too!" He cried in delight before putting it away. Hands landed on her shoulders and a handsome, debonair smile faced her roguishly. Some things never changed. "I owe it to you, Aeron. Everything will be ok now. I'm back, and I'm going to take care of you." How did he know? Angels could hear things from the far reaches of the nether worlds, too!

Aeron Luminatti: Had she been anything of herself she'd have probably taken the time to play with such a playful spirit. She'd have thought it was just one of the shy that didn't like to show themselves at all, not that she'd have minded but she would have played, she always did with the little ones, there was usually a moment to offer a smile and a promise to be kept for a later date. If only to raise a smile. It was a shame she had no children of her own, she would have made a wonderful Mother…or she'd have liked to have thought. It was when the arms came around her and she was lifted from the floor and spun so easily…she couldn't stop the shriek. Hands instantly balling to fists, breath snatched away as she turned so abruptly to face the person that taunted. No she did not recognise who stood before her. Nor did she recognize the wings…though they were truly a sight to behold…though rather than lash out as first instinct would have had her do, she merely released the breath she had held and her hands relaxed till she could clasp them together before her. Perhaps she shouldn't have but she did, she flinched and drew back as she was shown a sword. A weapon of such beauty would surely be one to covet but she was struck dumb once again. She couldn't speak, nor could she move again. Slowly a strange sense of familiarity came over her and her brow creased as she looked deeper and further. "Theoren?" she questioned just to be sure, tough her voice was no more than a whisper. Her lower lip trembling and her eyes again filling with tears she thought she had run out of. He'd really come back? Only this wasn't the one she knew, this wasn't the one Lillith knew either? Legs almost buckled and gave way but where she found her strength she'd never know.

Theoren Roullier: He laughed again and scooped her up in a huge hug, twirling her down the beach as wings spread and took them a foot off the sand for a moment. "Bingo, honey!" He was so pleased that she recognized him that when he set her down he took her hands and twirled her into his arms, dancing with her on the sand to music that was in his head. "It's a long story, Aeron, really it is, but the short of it is this: That stone allowed me to extract and kill something that was living inside me and feeding off me... it was destroying me from the inside out and turning me into something I did not want to be." He stopped dancing a moment. "It nearly killed me, Aeron, and took my body. It would hurt or stolen everyone I ever cared about. I didn't have a choice but to lie to you, and for that I'm sorry, but I killed it, it's gone now and I'm back. I've got my wings and my family, and I've got your stone." he reached his hand into the air and surprisingly enough it disappeared as Theoren seemed to be searching for something in some pocket of space he had carved out for himself and fished around with his hand. Withdrawing it the palm sized emerald emerged with it and he presented it to her dutifully with a big smile. "I told you it would be ok, didn't I? And here it is." He was nearly bursting with happiness, not tolerating anyone to rain on his parade. He took her hand and placed the stone in it, clasping her fingers around it.

Aeron Luminatti: It was a great shame she could not or did not have the heart to share in his laughter, she would have loved to have danced the length of the beach with him, She's have taken the liberty of wrapping herself up in his wings, snagging another feather to add to her collection…but she barely managed a small giggle. She really didn't have the heart. She listened to him, of course she did but there was only one thing on her mind, well maybe more than one. Her head felt as though it were about to explode. Intrigued to say the least as she listened to his tall tale. Perhaps at a later date she could get him to tell her in more detail. She wanted to say so much, she wanted to tell him how much trouble she was in, what Noa had said to her, about the trial she would have to face. She wanted to scream at him and pound at his chest and make him make it all better like Lillith would have but the image of the child performing such a tantrum was only that. An image in her own minds eye. What really had her attention was the way he reached back into…nothing to retrieve the gem she had stolen away from the homelands. He had promised, he had fulfilled and she could have cried. Only breathing easier as he placed that rock literally in her hand and curled her fingers around it "Thank you" she muttered. Somewhat shell-shocked. "You have no idea what this means tome" she was telling the truth, she doubted anyone could have understood her plight. "I have to take it back…Now!" she wasn't jesting. She had to get that stone back to Noa, immediately and she wasn't going to take no for an answer. She was almost into day two and she did not have the time to dally, she just couldn't afford it. Tentatively taking a step closer, rising on her toes to seek to place the smallest of kisses on Theoren's cheek, nothing more. Perhaps once she had it back where it belonged and things were set right once again. Maybe she'd then get the chance to play and dance along the shore

[Samaena]

Theoren Roullier: "Hey... no problem!" he said, golden tinged skin turning a little red at the kiss she afforded him. "Be there before you can blink, honey!" he said with a second roguish grin as he grabbed her arm and pulled her in close to him. Wings splayed again and picked them up off the ground. "Hang tight baby!" He said as with a sudden push upwards a second hole tore through the fabric of space itself and sent them rocketing into the astral realm in a flourish of sparkling light and a puff of wispy smoke all that was left behind. The place he took them though was more beautiful than anything else in the world, in his opinion. Every color in the world that had ever been created swirled around them in perfect harmony and the white lights that danced along the seemingly tunnel like hole in space-time that served as a guidance system were dazzling beyond all belief. Theoren held Aeron close to him as they sped back towards their destination. When the journey ended a few seconds later they came barrelling out of another rip in the fabric of the material world and were sent tumbling head over heels into the boarders of the Lumination's cherry orchard. There was a groan as the angel rubbed his head, finding himself mashed against a tree trunk much to his dismay. Apparently Air-Theo had some kinks to work out in its propulsion systems. "Sorry about that..." He said rather sheepishly, standing up with a little bit of effort, "I'm not exactly used to havin' these things... fifty years without 'em and your landings start to get a little off." He was more than happy to drop her off at her home, thought. With a hand up he helped her to stand. "Ok." He said, taking on a more serious air about him. "Let's go do this." So it was a we thing, now?

Aeron Luminatti: Not many knew that the Fae saw things differently to the mortals that were so used to the Banality of day to day things. At one time she had been at risk of succumbing to the very same and she shuddered at the thought. She merely tucked herself in close and held onto that emerald for all she was worth. Both hands clasped tightly around it and she knew…even as she was whisked between planes that there would be none to take it from her. She'd breath her last breath before that took place. Still so silent as they travelled, usually a barrage of questions would have come from her, the want and need to know this and that. This time there was noting. No chatty little Aeron. The scent of cherries hit her before they even barrelled across the orchard and she merely whimpered a little as she landed harder than she'd have liked. The stone never left her grasp though. "I'll be fine" she murmured as she scrambled clumsily to her feet. It would have been so much better had her hands not been so full. However, this was not the place she needed to be. "Go see Lillith." She urged. "She'll be worried about you" she was practically hopping up and down with her eagerness to take the stone back to the Homelands. Each hop taking her a step closer to the wood she had to run through till she reached the place where the veil used to be. She really didn't need any more trouble for her efforts, she had not planned on a 'we' thing at all. This was an Aeron thing and the better she could protect her own and leave them out of it, the better for her. In her own mind anyway. A nervous glance to the Lumination "Tell them I love and miss them and that I'll be fine" really she hadn't meant to be rude or brusque but had Theoren known what she had to face…he may have forgiven her. She'd explain one day…it was only right. With that she turned tail and ran,. She knew the way as well as she knew the lines on the palm of her hand. Deftly hopping, skipping over roots and shrubs that may have snagged her efforts. "Noa! I have it!" she whispered breathlessly. Sheer desperation forced her actions and she had to do this before the sands had finished running their course through that damn hourglass.

Theoren Roullier: -Damn that girl was stubborn. The newly redeemed angel frowned, crossing his arms over his chest as she whisked herself off to see Noa. She would need Theoren before the end, or so he thought, and he would not simply let her go without his help over a situation he caused in the first place. But for now, let her think she won. His time in this world was waning, anyhow. There was only so long that he could stay outside the Outer Planes before his material form could no longer sustain itself and he had to go back and recharge. However... he thought to himself with a smile, there were ways around that, weren't there? He would see first what Noa had to say to his beloved Lillith's little sister before taking action, though. Fortunately some of the old powers of the Phoenix had imprinted on him and he had a few tricks up his sleeve still left for that fight if it came down to it. With a step up off the ground the angel seemed to take flight through the air and disappeared into nothingness, the gold and silver lights flashing for a moment before he was gone.

Noa Amar Sin: The Homelands, the Court of the Fae Lord Noa Amar-Sin was abnormally quiet...the gurgling brooks that lined the oouter edges of the main chambers were silent, the cascading falls of heated waters fell into a pall of silence, a bubble that seemed to wrap the Court in a tight sphere. Dark shapes moved behind each of the waterfalls that lined the circular arena...Noa, the Fae himself rested in the comforts of his throne, which seemed to have taken on a dying dead appearance, the lush green of the Court had taken on an autumn tone, with a shower of leaves falling from the branches overhead, shrouding him from sight now and then in a dazzling display of multi-colored patterns. He felt her as soon as she had crossed the Veiling barrier, his eyes looked in the general direction. He had taken to wearing an almost see-through skirt of black silk, normally red with orange weave, he opted for one that should be more suited for the black mood that had fallen over the Court since the previous engagement had left him somewhat bitter, hurt and deeply wounded beneath his rough, cool exterior. He adverted his eyes to the Hourglass, the falling sand was almost running out, her whispered breath traveled through the corridors, as he reached out, pushing gently upon the trapped sand, and watching as it tips forward, falling and shatters upon the cobblestone underfoot. The crash broke the silence, the sand seeped out of the open wound. The sound of metal and cloth moved in the background, a gesture rose from his hand, and the subtle sound was silenced, for now. He was waiting patiently for her arrival...this was going to be the single most hardest response, a greeting he was not looking forward to announcing...for as soon as she enters and hands the Heart over to him, fifty of his best warriors would be waiting to take her in custody. Chimerical armor and weapons at the ready. They were waiting behind each waterfall for her to appear, they knew the sign, as soon as Noa had a hold of the stone, he would snap his fingers and then they were to react, they waited. Picking himself up from his lazy contours, he sat up straight, composed himself of his sorrow, and knew he had to act in the ways according to the laws of the Fae. " I'm sorry, Aeron," he breathed unto himself and steeled his mind, his will hardening like the carapace of an insect.

Aeron Luminatti: It was good to be back within the homelands, in fact she brightened considerably as she dodged and weaved and still hopped over the dwellings she knew were hidden away. "Noa! I have it!" this time her voice held a little more conviction, a little more of her normal self surfacing if only to convey her euphoria. The Heart was back where it belonged and already the veil was once again lifting to shroud the homelands from the sight of inquisitive mortals that thought they had a special gift of sight. Almost tripping over her own feet as she stumbled into the hallways of the court. A frown as she glanced at the hourglass he had taunted her with before. Though there was no query regarding the accident. It had to have been "With time to spare too" she was well and truly thrilled. The honeyed tones of the foliage that always kept the courts so fresh were regarded but she said noting. Intent on proving that she held the Heart in her hands. Why did everything seem so dim and dismal, she'd brought the stone back as she had promised. There should have been laughter and games, merriment and Uncle Briar's best moonshine. A weak smile offered from pale lips, and both hands offered out as she saw Noa rise from the cushions she had taunted him on previously. "I told you I'd do it. Promise Kept Noa" many things had been said earlier and so many hateful tones. Now it was up to Noa…would the trial be held off? It was worth hoping for. Merely pausing before him, a deep sigh of relief left her and the whole of the Homelands must have felt it. Now all she needed to do was eat, and sleep…for a very long time. She couldn't remember the last she had eaten. Still the gem was clutched so tightly and brought up so she could feel her lips upon the smooth faceted surface. It was home, and so was she.

[Samaena]

Noa Amar Sin: His eyes were intent and drawn upon her as she stumbled into the dead and quiet Court, from which he did rise as she entered and with fragile, lithe steps he rose from the cushions, which issued a sigh of relief, the leaves that made it up were curling and turning brown around their edges, as if the life were draining from them. Carefully and with caution his bare feet made not a sound until he came to step through the golden sand, his flesh leaving behind a few bare threads of his passing, as he came to stand before her. " Right on time," he said, his lips barely moved, they held not the high glossy impact as their usual stature, his eyes almost seemed to be lifeless, dull and dark, smoldering embers from a doused fire of trust. A few seconds passed and he slowly reached out. Reaching forward, his arm raised, the bare flesh was quite pale, not its tanned usual luster a glow with ripe seduction and infinite powers, his fingers fumbled, uncurling, opening wide, his palm exposed as he would now wait to retake the stone. Leaning forward, he stepped a few paces closer, almost brushing against her as he took a moment to speak. " I knew you would bring it back...but you should have come to me in the first place, Aeron," he said, the dry smack of his lips, the click of his tongue, lacking the bold angry expression from her previous visits to the Homelands. As he spoke, the waters of the falls began to part as they had when he had crossed beneath them, and the faint sound of shuffling feet were anticipating the awaited signal, as he pulled away from her. He would reach for the stone of his own accord, to fold his fingers of his right hand around her wrist, and to pry it loose with those elongated digits of his left. " I'm so very sorry Aeron," he said with a faint hint of regret, he dropped his eyes, his chin touched his bare chest...." Now." It was the only other word to crest over his lips, and then all Hell seemed to break loose...the flood of warriors from every direction moving in towards her, two immediately drawing a pair of cold iron manacles to be locked around her wrists, binding her arms and her ankles by a length of chain and intricate locks designed with Fae magic. " The other Lords and Ladies are unsure I can rule here properly...this act must be punished and made an example of....its out of my hands now...I'm sorry."

Aeron Luminatti: Too quiet, it was far too quite and the change within the court should have had those alarm bells ringing louder than they were already. Maybe she'd have fared better if she had trusted her inner instinct. A woman's intuition? Noa was regarded carefully and silently as he came toward her to take back that which she had stolen. Of course she would not have held it back. It still pained her and cut deeper than it ever had as she saw the state he was in. Why? Why like this? Confusion passed over her visage as she listened to his whispered words, hastily adding her own thoughts "You'd not have let me take even if I had" nothing more than a parched whisper. The Heart was of course placed in his outstretched hand but she had seen the waters of the falls parting from the corner of her eye. This time her frown marred her features as everything unfolded with the perfect timing Noa had obviously planned. She didn't have the chance to run, there would have been little point, her exit was being barred even as the thought crossed her mind "Noa! Please!" she implored as the cold iron clasped her fragile wrists. Aeron may have been half human but she felt the agony of that very cold iron upon her flesh. Her cry of pain and the tears that instantly streaked her face she could into have bitten back ad she wanted to. "NOA!" she panicked and her cry echoed through the court. "Don't do this!" did any of them have any idea how much she hurt. She fought against her bindings like a cat with unsheathed claws. "Sorry!?" she spat with more venom than she had ever lashed at any other with. "You don't now the meaning of the word!" and he couldn't look at her? He couldn't see her pain, the coward! The disturbance had brought forth the voice of the wood itself, the cacophony of sound rushing through the whole court, the Homelands, the woods that led back to the Lumination He couldn't take that from her. A cry of anger and pain like she had never felt before and the direction of such anger and frustration had been the unfortunate group of five that thought they needed to add to her stress by holding her upper arms. The Low hanging branch of the willow swung with such a force as the tree seemed to share that which she felt. She was released to some degree as three of them were swept right off their feet, all a clatter of armour and gauntlets that made sure to keep them from the touch of that iron. She had told him she'd fight, and she would till she breathed her last.

Noa Amar Sin: As the guards rushed in, they had been under orders that Aeron was not to be physically harmed in anyway, it had not been his idea to use the iron, but that of the Kilth that were now being swept aside by the low hanging branch...but Noa stepped in to intervene, silencing the nature around and within his Court. Perhaps had she come to him in the first place, they could have arranged a better way than having to steal it, but what’s done is done and there was no going back...ever. He did not turn to meet her gaze as she began to plead, his name crying from her lips, the sag in his shoulders, but he had no choice, she had broken the laws, and she must pay. " Do not fight them, Aeron. If you do it will only become harder for you, and for those you care about," he said with a sad sigh. It was by her own choice, that she had said she would pay for what she had done, and now was that time...he told her the day before, she would have to be put on trial in front of a panel of her peers, both half Fae and those that were full blood. Noa himself would not be residing over as the final say, the judge, but an outside Lord from another court, who had not the flush of emotions, the intimate knowledge that he had for Aeron, this was demanded by his own subjects. She spat venomous words, which only hindered her chances for a fair verdict, all her actions between now and then would be carefully looked over and through, some would be more than likely counted against her. He said nothing more, as he gestured for the Guards to close in, they feared not the Woods. They were becoming a bit defensive, which might lead to someone getting hurt in the progress, either themselves or Aeron, she should know that by now it would be useless to fight...for what would it accomplish but prove to the others her act was malicious and deviant, whether it was for family or not. More rushed in to take the place of those that were brushed aside, to secure the manacles, others trying desperately to haul her from the Court towards the corridor leading to the dungeon-esque keep. " Do not fight them," he said to himself, as he moved to place the Heart in its rightful place...the sadness was obvious, and this would be held accountable towards himself, when it came time for him to be called to testify on the Court's behalf in the trial assured to come.

Aeron Luminatti: Never had she sobbed such heart wrenching sobs since she was a child. Her whole body shook and trembled with each convulsion that shook her. She had learned fast enough that to fight the shackles only caused more pain. Almost delirious with her anguish, fatigue and hunger…she was no more the fighter…but that was what he wanted wasn't it. To break her into submission…she said not another word to him or any of them. She couldn't bear the shame. Merely losing her eyes to block out the world and those in it. Even Evie and Lillith.. That thread upon the link she had clung to wavered and thinned further, she had not forgotten the grilling she'd had when she had closed the door. This time was different, she severed that link for reasons she could only reason with. Noa had sealed that for her with what he had said 'Harder for those she cared for' and she would not see them suffer for her own foolish actions. The continual threats against her own had been too much for her to place them in any amount of risk or danger. They were family! She knew not where they would take her, for she had never been that curious, only told horrifying tales from around the warming fires of a night when they had gathered to drink, dance and make merry. There's be no more of that now. Aeron bore her shame well, still so defiant despite the sobs that betrayed her pain.

Noa Amar Sin: The room or cell in this case, was nothing more than a hole in the ground, dug out, and ranged from about eight feet deep, to about seven feet wide, with a simple bed, the frame made of iron and bolted to the floor. The room itself was made from iron as well, prisoners were not meant to be kept in lavish comforts, they had broken the law and were not to be pampered. A pillow and a couple of wool blankets rested on the foot of the twin bed. There was an indentation in the southern wall, that held a small shelf with collecting water, and an iron grate would be closed from above, locking her inside. Four guards would be stationed at all times, and meals would be brought to her, as well as taking of any possessions and her clothing, and replaced with a wool dress.