Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 2, 2010 15:37:24 GMT -5
Korlian sat in his usual tree, not too close and not too far from the wall. He watched everyone in the courtyard for a moment, then flipped over, hanging by his knees from the branch he sat on.
That too very quickly lost its appeal. Still hanging, Korlian pulled out his pipes and looked them over, then began to play quietly. The haunting melody, melancholy and silvery-sweet, floated over the courtyard, so soft it was easily drowned out by the other students chatter. That worked perfectly for Korlian; he didn't want very many people knowing about his pipes, and music such as his would catch attention. He continued playing softly, closing his eyes and unconsciously adding that slight hint of 'come here' that had called Ariel. This was unfocused, hazy, and ended up bringing several birds near who seemed to be uncomfortable with being in Korlian's presence but unable to leave. With his eyes closed, the strange freshman remained oblivious.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 2, 2010 15:56:18 GMT -5
Vincent had just stepped out into the courtyard for some fresh air when he heard the music. It was barely audible, and yet somehow perfectly clear; the tune was eerie and melancholy, unlike anything Vincent had ever heard. and yet something inside of him seemed to be familiar with it.
On a whim, he focused his ears and listened to the magic around him: the steady song of the wards that shielded the castle from the Fae beyond the wall; various melodies from the people nearest to him, mages, mortals and others; and something strange and haunting interwoven with them all, carried on the unnatural music that seemed to be coming from a certain tree close to the wall.
That song was at once beautiful and deeply unsettling, like the voices of untold years of history blended into one, from a time before time to the seconds that were fleeting by Vincent in the present. It was a song of summoning, and Vincent soon heard his own magic lift its voice and sing along, answering the call. Startled and alarmed, he quickly broke focus, leaving only the echoes of music in his mind.
His magic was like that of the Fae, Tristan had told him... Well, he knew of two Fae in this school, and he liked to think of one of them as his friend. Thinking of Korlian made Vincent remember that he had been meaning to speak to the boy for a few days now, to ask him about his apparent fear of being near Vincent. Hopefully today he would find some answers.
The strange feeling that he was being summoned persisted; Vincent warily obeyed, following the music to the base of the tree in which Korlian hung by his knees, surrounded by a flock of nervous-looking birds. Vincent looked quietly up at the Fae-child, who appeared oblivious to everything around him, playing a silver-colored set of panpipes with his eyes closed. Vincent did not speak, content to watch and wait for Korlian to notice him.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 2, 2010 16:03:58 GMT -5
Korlian played for several more minutes before slowly opening his eyes. Then he jumped, fell and somehow, like a cat, twisted to land on his feet. The birds scattered the second he stopped playing, many leaving feathers behind in their haste to escape.
The boy remained crouched as he had landed, one hand's fingers just barely brushing against the ground and the other holding his pipes almost behind his back as if trying to hide them. His angled eyes were wide, and his hair somehow artfully disheveled. Rather like Zephyros' usually was, but with less intention. His usually oddly pale face was a bit darker than Vincent remembered, but the color seemed to flicker in and out of his sight. His eyes were their normal stormy-sea grey, and held a look rather like that of the birds that had so recently surrounded Korlian.
He looked, frankly, like a terrified cat looking for the nearest escape and unsure if he could make it.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 2, 2010 16:08:56 GMT -5
Vincent jumped and gasped in fright as Korlian suddenly tumbled out of the tree, but relaxed when the boy landed on the grass on all fours, disheveled but apparently unhurt. He looked like a cornered cat, his normally pale face dark, his storm-colored eyes wide open. Vincent wanted to step closer to see if he was alright, but somehow it dodn't sound like a very good idea. Korlian might just bolt off to the nearest place he thought was safe.
"Are you alright, Korlian?" he asked in genuine concern, staying reluctantly where he was standing. He dropped to a crouch, not wanting to scare Korlian more by towering over him.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 2, 2010 16:49:02 GMT -5
Korlian gave a very quick, short nod, then straightened, immediately tucking his pipes back into his shirt with the cord looped around his neck. The odd dark to his skin, which was dark only in comparison to his natural skin, flickered in and out of appearance again, then vanished completely. He watched Vincent warily, still with that look of a cornered animal. This was the first professor who had seen his pipes... Korlian wasn't sure if Vincent had realized what they were, or even cared, but it worried him. He didn't want to lose his pipes. They were the only physical, tangible thing he had of his true self, the only thing that proved his memories were actual memories and not just figments of his imagination.
He merely watched the professor warily, brushing his hair into a semblance of order with one hand while the other rested lightly against his chest, against the pipes beneath his shirt.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 2, 2010 17:20:09 GMT -5
Vincent watched Korlian in silence, unsettled by the terror in the boy's eyes. It must be something to do with his new magic, Vincent thought. Korlian had never been so scared of him before. He took a couple of steps back, his face still concerned.
"Why are you so afraid of me?" he asked softly.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 2, 2010 17:53:31 GMT -5
Korlian nearly hissed at him, but recovered his equilibrium before he quite managed it.
"You... don't even know when you are using magic. How am I supposed to feel safe?" he asked, his eyes narrowed. His voice was low, barely carrying to Vincent. He shifted slightly, and there was a chilling sound of teeth hitting metal. Probably his two necklaces meeting. "Can't be sure of your control. Never safe around rogue magic. Always get hurt."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 2, 2010 21:18:53 GMT -5
Vincent nodded slowly, keeping his voice soft and soothing when he spoke again. He made no move toward or away from Korlian, watching him in quiet concern.
"I understand. But you have no reason to fear me. I can control my magic; it was only when it first manifested that I didn't know what I was doing. Mages are very different than Fae; we aren't inherently magical like you. Our powers lie dormant for years before arising, but we learn to control them quite quickly." He smiled. "You're safe with me. I promise."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 2, 2010 23:26:51 GMT -5
Korlian didn’t apparently believe him. He still watched the man edgily, ready to bolt. “How can I be certain of that? You say you have control, but I know how mages lose control when irritated, and you seem to get irritated easily now. I never know how to talk to you humans. You never make sense.”
He narrowed his eyes at Vincent, actually even more threatened with the man at his own level rather than looking up as usual. When Vincent was standing, Korlian could get out of reach easier and faster, but like this, Korlian was easily in reach.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 2, 2010 23:34:27 GMT -5
"I'm not like the other mages here," Vincent explained gently. "My magic is something more like yours. It acts differently than the high magic of humans. I can only call it up through song, and since I'm extremely disinclined to sing when I'm angry, there's no chance of me harming anyone by accident that way. The only song I would sing if I were upset is one to calm me down, not to lash out in anger. There's no harm in that."
He watched Korlian with unease and a hint of sadness in his face. He didn't want the boy to be frightened of him. Korlian was his friend, strange and sometimes unnerving though he was.
"If you'd like me to leave you alone, just say the word," he told him quietly. "I won't be offended."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 2, 2010 23:41:34 GMT -5
Korlian just looked at him for what felt like forever. Then, finally, he relaxed. It was barely perceptible, but it was there. He watched Vincent still, as it was not only magic that had frightened him, but the way Vincent had gotten so irritated at him when he had no way to know better. At home, that had always been the prelude to punishment, and Korlian did not want that.
“You came here for a reason,” he stated softly. His voice was still soft, and showed that he was still at least somewhat nervous.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 2, 2010 23:43:26 GMT -5
Vincent nodded. "Because I wanted to find out why you've been so frightened of me ever since I became a mage. Now I have my answer, and I'm perfectly content to leave if you're not comfortable with me being here. I don't want you to be afraid of me. I see you as a good friend, Korlian."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 2, 2010 23:53:35 GMT -5
Korlian shook his head. “That isn’t all… You should not have even come near me, not where I was. In fact, that is why I was here. No one comes over here. So you came for another reason. Why?”
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 2, 2010 23:57:56 GMT -5
"I heard a call," Vincent answered after a pause. "You were playing your panpipes, and there was a summons in your music. I listened to the song of your magic, and my own started to sing along with yours. I wanted to investigate."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 3, 2010 0:03:35 GMT -5
Korlian blinked, then touched his pipes again. “Sorry…” he mumbled. “Wasn’t supposed to be using magic, but it felt too right. Shouldn’t have summoned any people. Just animals.”
He scuffed his toe into the ground, biting the side of his lip a little. “Just… animals don’t like me. Wolves don’t mind me, but animals tend to fear me more than they do you. Don’t like it… used to sing them out of the trees… think I did, anyway. But now I can’t.”
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 3, 2010 0:06:38 GMT -5
"That's alright," Vincent reassured him, smiling softly. "No harm done."
He blinked curiously at Korlian's last statements. "I didn't know you sang at all. Do you ever do so without using magic as well?"
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 3, 2010 0:12:09 GMT -5
Korlian shrugged. “Sure. Can do anything with or without magic. At least, used to. Magic’s hard now. Easier than it was before Halloween, though…”
He bit his lip, looking at Vincent nervously. He hadn’t meant to mention that. Most people avoided any mention of Halloween, considering what had happened that day, and how most people could barely remember it.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 3, 2010 0:18:08 GMT -5
Vincent bit his lower lip a little at the mention of Halloween, seeing the same sort of look on Korlian's face; obviously that had been a slip of the tongue. He wondered how to sidestep the matter.
"I've never heard you sing," he said, keeping his voice light. "Why don't you, magic aside?"
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 3, 2010 0:24:18 GMT -5
The boy seemed relieved that Vincent let that topic die, and just tilted his head. “Because I don’t. Sing often, that is. Nothing anyone wants to hear, or would understand. Maybe Lhachlhass, but he is my brother after all. Maybe you just don’t listen at the right time. Most likely to hear me at night. Usually in a language long dead,” he grinned.
He shifted again, and there was the sound of teeth on metal again.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 3, 2010 0:31:48 GMT -5
Vincent winced at the faint grating noise from under Korlian's shirt, and remembered what was hanging around Korlian's neck aside from the panpipes -- a pair of fangs from a long-dead enemy. He tried not to smirk.
"I'll be sure to keep an ear out for you when I'm on patrol tonight," he replied with a smile. "If you're feeling inclined to sing, that is."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 3, 2010 1:03:20 GMT -5
Korlian made a soft noise. “I don’t sing often, sir. Less often than I play, and considering where we are, I don’t play often. Playing usually involves magic, and Faerie summoning magic while surrounded by hostile Fae is never a good idea.”
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 3, 2010 11:16:11 GMT -5
Vincent nodded. "Good point."
His leg was starting to cramp up. Wincing, Vincent straightened up and bent down to massage his calf until the cramp eased, keeping his eyes on Korlian. He wondered whether he should just leave him alone; he had his answer, after all, and he could tell Korlian was still a bit unsettled by his presence. He took a small step back, staying silent.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 3, 2010 22:30:27 GMT -5
Korlian still watched him, but seemed much less like he was preparing to bolt. He climbed back into the tree, watching Vincent the entire time. "Besides, seems to me like I'm not as good a singer as I was. Memories are hazy, of course, but... Well..."
He shrugged, then resumed his hanging position. He looked at Vincent, somehow looking very mature and wise with his hair reaching for the ground and strangling the wrong way into his face.
"You should not kneel like that if it makes you cramp up..." His wise expression transformed into a mischievous grin which somehow looked as equally at home on his face as his wise look, and he scrambled higher into the tree and well out of reach. "Old man."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 3, 2010 22:51:11 GMT -5
Vincent watched curiously as Korlian hung in the tree, his face turning from looking wise beyond his years to amusingly childish. At the boy's last two words, Vincent's eyebrows shot up, and he made a noise halfway between a startled squawk and a sharp laugh, a strange grin pulling at his mouth.
"You have some nerve, calling me old," he shot back with a cackle, coming closer to the tree and grinning up at Korlian, who wisely was just out of his reach. "You, O prince, who was lived a thousand lives of mortals! I am still just a gleam in my mother's eye compared to you, ancient one!"
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Jul 3, 2010 23:22:01 GMT -5
Korlian actually giggled, "In the ways that matter, my age is only thirteen. So I can call you old. All. I. Want!"
He looked down, his grin somehow growing wider. "Sides, I don't think I could have ever told you how old I was. I doubt even my parents, my real parents could. Not that they CARE."
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