Falling Further

[Trésor de Lys]

The dizziness felt by Trésor did not compare to the irreversible pain she felt expelled from her upper spine.  Crouched on her knees in a quaint corner of some unfamiliar space, she began crying in pain, whispering over and over again "No forgiveness, no repentance, no goddess" Trésor after repeating this as the broken record she was, sat up exposing her wingspan and shrieking up to the Goddess she once knew-as she has repeated before "NO FORGIVNESS, NO REPENTANCE, NO GODDESS! YOU HEAR ME? I NEED NOT THIS GUILT! I NEED NOT THIS PAIN! You cannot... You will not receive satisfaction." Her dizziness led her eyes to the walls of the room, how they shone-her legs collapsing beneath her weakened figure. She recognized the precious jewel they were; opal had a calming effect on the fallen Angel in her rawest form. Following the direction of the room, she noticed what she recognized to be an offering table. Trésor struggled to carry herself as she stumbled over to the table, throwing herself at its surface, wrapping herself in the remains of the winged structure that fell from her back, crying into the falling feathers. She had fallen.

[Deleted]

Her hair was left down it fell in soft waves that fluttered in the breeze around her; soft blue green eyes scanned the temple below her. She occasionally traveled back here; the crystal still called her attention. But something else called her attention to the moon temple tonight. She headed there with great haste, one did not ignore a pull like this one. Aria had been at the falls earlier when she felt a familiar itch that always called her to a different location. Her father had told her to always fallow such an ‘itch’ though he never explained why. Frankly it got her into trouble more often than it didn’t.

Aria had taken flight, not in a normal form….mainly because if she was traveling to the city she would have to maintain her human form with clothes. It was dark and the night of the new moon….so her flight would be hidden quite nicely. She wore simple black pants and a form fitting black undershirt, she had cut slits in the shirt specifically to make room for the large garnet red leathery wings that sprouted form her back. She glided on the warm thermals; the wings that were meant for a larger creature then herself carrying her quickly through the night. She arrived at the Moon temple just as dawn approached.

She landed on the overlook that faced out to the sea, her large wings wrapping around her form like an odd demented leather cloak. Two bat like claws hooking around her neck. Really it could pass off as a dragon hide cloak. The soft tap of her knee high boots echoed on the floor as she approached a sobbing woman on the alter. She stepped forward and lifted the girls chin to look in her eyes. The woman would look up to see a small petite figure with a nasty scar that blazed across her face.

”Why do you insult the gods in a place that was built in their honor....I would not insult here....I swear these statues have listening spells in them.....”

Arias voice was soft and soothing; as though she spoke to an injured animal. However it held a small hint of mischief. Her eyes moving to the woman’s raw and bloody back.

"....we should get you to a healer"

[Deleted]

Otsoa had arrived to offer something to Teleska’s statue. He did not have too much to offer her, not having enough Noruvian for even a lesser magical item. Instead, he had a small handful of glowing all flowers. He is just about to place them on an altar when he hears a pained shout the glade and its denizens. Surprised, he nearly drops them, and hastily places them on the shrine. His wolfish black ears nervously go flat against his head and his tail relatively rigid. However, regardless of his apprehensiveness, he goes to investigate the source of the shouting.

He had never seen an angel before. However, admittedly, his contact with other races was rather limited, considering he lived in the gorge among his own kind for the most part. He would be in awe in her magnificence if he wasn’t worried by the fact that she seem badly injured. He recognizes the woman across her from as the person who he met in the forest. He almost wants to defend the angel, but words escape him to do so.

He rushes to her side and then fumbles through the multitude of pouches that he carried with him. Eventually, he locates something helpful. He hands her a glowing blue vial. “For the pain and to hasten the healing. Can I see the wound?” This potion wouldn’t be as strong or as fast-acting as lunar drops, but it also lacked the side effects. However, he imagines she would be eager for the even moderate reduction in pain.

He tries to get a good look at her back, but does not touch the already distressed woman. It didn't look good. A wound like that would not heal quickly nor without leaving a mark.

[Trésor de Lys]

Her ivory ears poked up as she heard what seemed to be a footstep coming from outside the room. Trésor chose to ignore it, as the pain was too unbearable to try to focus her attention on other things. She began shuddering, feeling her weight giving out from under her. Before she could collapse under herself, she heard a sweet voice come before her. She felt a cold hand under her chin, and was given a glance at a petite woman with a scar residing on one side of her visage. She headed warning to her words, why insult the Gods/Goddesses in a place of their worship? Why feel betrayed? Why feel empty before a temple made in honor of all you knew? She shuddered under the hand of the stranger. Keeping her eyes soft upon this woman, she then felt the presence of another.

Without taking her eyes off the scarred woman, out of her peripheral vision she noticed a man also running to her aid, offering what seemed to be a remedy to her sores and wound. With good intentions his offer was appreciated, however she didn't know what to do. She wasn't used to others caring for her, only she ensuring safety for herself and her goddess.

She proceeded to toss her dark waterfall hair over her head and threw herself back with the assistance of a gust of wind, coming from her weak wings. She, barely standing, now stood parallel to the other figures, her stance similar to those preparing for battle. Her knees were buckling, her breath was short and caught and she could not stand straight. Though her gaze was horizontal with the floor, and the night peaked in from any doors... She felt defenseless. Looking into the woman's blue/green ocean eyes, she formally addressed "You may be correct. In a place of worship such as this, I should not dare utter such curses." She took a shallow breath, softening her stance, using any energy she had to maintain a proper poise before these figures and moved her Amber eyes to the male before her. "May I know who offers their care? Do you respond to any titles?" Her eyes showed pain and agony, but her face refused to demonstrate otherwise.

[Claire]

A voice. A scream. Fate would smile if he had a face to do so. His darling favored sister had lost one of her own, how terribly, terribly sad. He would laugh, but now that people were beginning to file into the temple to help the fallen angel, he elected to stay quiet. His hooded form slid from tapestry to tapestry, lurking closer within the background of a tapestry of Ai surrounded by her handmaidens.

His eyes laid on the woman with red hair and a smile came over his face. Ah, that Fated girl. The Fated girl. He pushed forward, his appearance shifting in a ripple over the cloth. He seated himself in the corner of the tapestry, upon a stone, dressed in the white robes of Saden’s order. He stretched out his hands, gloves forming over them. Fate smiled down at his hands and looked back into the temple, the top half of his face hidden in the shadows of his hood. He kept his eyes close on his Fated girl and Helena’s fallen soldier, just observing.

[Deleted]

Aria glanced at Otsoa, nodding in approval as he got out the vials. Aria looked back at the woman who pushed herself into a fighter’s stance. Aria didn’t move from her spot, her fingers were looped in her belt. She tilted her head to the side as she watched the woman struggle to keep her stance; Aria made no move to help her. This woman’s pride was hurt as it was if she was shouting at the gods. Aria would not worsen the wounds by forcing her aid on the woman.

”I am correct, there is no may be about it. Come we should leave this place before they turn their attention on you.”

Movement was caught out of the corner of her eye, Aria’s gaze left the woman to stare at the wall…towards her father’s statue. Her eyes narrowed at the figure in the tapestry….Her attention turned back to the woman, however she positioned herself to be able to see if the figure would do anything other than watch.

”My name is Wurud, now please have a seat and let Otsoa at least give you something to stem the bleeding on your back…it would be less painful then what I could offer... “

[Deleted]

Otsoa holds his hands out in front of himself, ready to catch the angel if she were to collapse back onto the floor. She looked incredibly unsteady, which was no surprise, considering how much pain she must be in. As she gets into a defensive stance, Otsoa backs up a step, trying to make it clear that he did not wish to hurt her.

“I don’t think we should leave until we can find a way to carry her out of here. I’m not sure she could make it.” He could see bits of bone exposed past the blood. Infection would be the biggest problem after the blood loss. He grimaces. He need to get that cleaned, stitched, and covered quickly.

“Otsoa Zorion. I don’t have any titles. Please, take this,” he says, trying to pass her the potion again. “And please sit down. You shouldn’t over-exert yourself like this.” After all, she really shouldn’t be getting up and walking around. He was already afraid that she might go into shock. It wouldn’t have been abnormal for that injury.

[Trésor de Lys]

Her eyes followed the male and female. Their postures indicated no harm, only help. Otsoa holding vials in his hand and Wurud with her hands wrapped loosely around her belt loops, they appeared calm, level headed. This familiarity eased Trésor into a slump, her feet sliding on the smooth flooring, allowing her to slip onto her side. She gave up acting brave. Her brown hair weaved in front of her face, covering her eyes and her ivory skin. The strap of her dress fell from her shoulder as she tucked her knees near her chest. She had enough space to expose her wingspan to the two acquaintances. "What is this substance, Otsoa? What will it do to me?" 

Out of no where, she felt a familiar presence. Similar to her Goddess, but not the same. She wasn't sure if it was simply the temple, or if it was the Gods responding to her abhorrent cries. She refused to look, her head had no strength to hold itself up. She was as frail as a newborn infant. She knew the recognizable energy came from behind the tapestries. Trésor with caution asked "Wurud, is anyone else present?" 

[Claire]

Fate tilted his head back with a smile, watching the proceedings. Well, this looked to be interesting enough to intervene. Better to speak with this weapon now, before Helena had the chance to lure her back.

“Fallen child, so lost- Fear not, for I have found you.” Fate’s voice, familiar like an old friend, echoed through the temple. He shifted through the tapestries, still wrapped in the robes of Saden’s order. A pendant hung around his neck, resting at his chest, the jewel in the center as red as blood. He smiled, his eyes still hidden in the shadows.

“Disenchanted by my dearest sister? Your feelings are not misplaced, my child.” the woman’s wounds were terrible, but she would recover. They all did, in the end. He knelt in the tapestry closest to the group- in the middle of a bloody battle between gods and man.

“Tell me of your pain.”

[Deleted]

”I have a way to carry her out of here….if she wishes to leave. I will not force her in this condition”

Aria moved forward when the girl finally fell to her knees. She frowned once more when the presence on the wall spoke….and firmly identified himself.

”One moment…..”

She didn’t have her book…unfortunately….but she did have a boot. Aria removed on of her boots and chucked it at the tapestry. Then the other soon fallowed after it. Really father like daughter….the shoes were usually the first things thrown. After one remarkably rude gesture. She turned back to the other two.

”I feel slightly better now….Hypocritical….but better”

Aria knelt by the woman; her eyes scanning her back. She looked up at Otsoa.

”If you can stabilize her I know of a healer in the city. She’ll probably be getting to work soonish…..worse comes to worse we can take her to my home in the forest. I have …supplies growing.”

Aria looked back at Fate whom seemed to be wanting a conversation.

”Is this the best place for a chat Fate? Or do you have another name you go by here….like Fae or something obvious….I will be back to have a conversation with you now that I know you’re here…I’m curious about a few things.”

Really chucking her shoes at him was really all the anger she had towards him…but it would seem her entire life seemed to have been fated over with her…only thing that was missing was her families memories…really in her time like she didn’t think she’d have anyone to go back to if she did ever get to return.

[Trésor de Lys]

A groggy voice broke through the silence within the room. This shape spoke confidently, seeming to want to reassure the young effeminate figure strung along the floor of the temple. Trésor felt emotions welling up within her. She wanted nothing more than to wail to the skies of all the hurt she felt, and of all the agony that was sewn into the missing piece of her back.

Aria seemed to feel similarly. She noticed through the strands of hair that coated her cheeks, that Aria's anger directed towards the shadowy hooded figure were expressed physically. Trésor whispered a laugh through her discomfort. The hypocrisy was astounding, but assuring that she meant well. 

Trésor, wincing as she pushed herself up  onto her elbow to look at Aria, gently muttered through clenched teeth "Where would we be going? What supplies?" Her amber eyes looked gently up at Otsoa, "Where are you taking me?" The quick pace the others seemed to be at made her feel lost. 

[Deleted]

Otsoa is about to answer Tresor’s question. The concoction was rather simple actually. However, the talking tapestry scares the hell out for him. His tail gets tucked beneath his legs as he watches Fate talk to them. He had never been that close to a god before, and he had never seen this kind of magic at work before either.

He blinks as Aria chucks her shoe at the tapestry. It takes him out of sense of awe, but now he was scared of more divine retribution. He turns his attention back to the angel, and nods as Aria asks him to stabilize her. “Uhhh… yeah, I can do that. The potion just has some tree bark, ground up leaves, scales, and some manna. Not as good as lunar drops but it will do. Please drink it.”

He tries to reassure the angel, who is obviously confused. “Some place where there is a healer and that is safe for you to rest. It wouldn’t be good to stay here. Would you let Aria take you there?” He wasn’t sure exactly how Aria planned to move her, but really most methods would be preferable to leaving her here, especially if a healer was close by.

[Deleted]

Aria went over and picked up her boots, as Otsoa was busy with the angel Arias ‘cloak’ receded as she walked back over to the group. As the angel looked up at her she gave her a small smile.

”I know a healer at the Library, and she could use the practice. After I offer you my home as a place to rest…it’s not much but it’s isolated….If I am guessing right you’re not much in a mood for dealing with people right now.”

Aria looked back at the Gorge hound anthro.

”Otty, I’m going to need you to keep her on my back and travel with me…It certainly will look a little less odd with a anthro with me, then it was when I did this the last time for a demon in labor…..ANYWAYS Otty can I ask you to do me one more favor and carry my clothes for me? They don’t transform with me.”

Aria stripped down really not caring if Fate was watching or not, if he wanted to be a creeper let him. She folded up her things and handed them to Otty. There was the sound of cracking bones, fur spouted out over her body, and her face elongated into a snout. There was a sickening pause before her body rapidly took on the large form of a blood red gorge hound. Her eyes were closed, in order to prevent anyone from being affected by its gaze, but the oversized long erect pointed ears twitched at ever little movement. Similar in size to a dire wolf, gorge hounds were easily identified by their pupiless gaze. However there were more subtle differences as well, a gorge hound’s snout was much longer and narrower. Their fur also tended to be a bit longer and less course; giving it a slightly more fluffy appearance. The more noticeable feature being the oversized ears used for picking up even the most minute sounds.

Through these ears she could hear the heartbeats of both individuals, her head turned towards Otsoa her mind reaching out to his. When her consciousness touched his he would noticed it was much larger than the ones that was his companion species; whether he allowed the communication to happen or didn’t would be up to him. Aria laid down on the floor, hopefully Otty would be able to get the girl onto her back.

[Trésor de Lys]

Looking into the reassuring eyes of this mundane anthro, Trésor felt comfort in his presence. She smiled faintly, whispering "Alright." Confirming that she understood what this concoction was created from-it was natural, giving her a feeling of relief, hopefully no side effects.

Trésor propped herself up onto one arm, struggling as she might. Her remaining wings helped her to balance herself into a clumsy stance. Otsoa seemed the character to help her stand. She couldn't hold herself up for too long. She then watched as the beautiful Aria transformed into this howling figure. Trésor was in awe, and through weepy eyes she gazed upon this hound that was once woman. With her eyes she followed it's figure, she had never seen anything like this. Sure, she has heard of these figures, who can transform from animal to being. But never had she viewed it up close. Her heart beat faster from exhilaration and amazement. "Thank you for your kindness Aria, Otsoa." She muttered. She only wished she had the strength to bow in their presence. But should would not dare in this case, especially in front of the seemingly hidden Fate.

Trésor could feel herself slowly slipping into a dizziness. The blood loss was getting exponentially worse, and the wound seemed to begin clotting. Her snow white wings were now tainted by the blood of her mistakes. She would bore this irreversible stain upon her back, carrying shame over her. As of this moment, she could no longer control her eyes, Trésor collapsed onto her side, most likely into the arms of Otsoa. Her weight, not unbearable but her wings were preventing an easy transition from her now sleep-like stance, onto the back of the hound, Aria. She could no longer function properly, nor see.

Trésor fainted due to blood loss.

[Deleted]

Otsoa looks relieved as Tresor drinks the potion. Pain would slowly begin to dull, but not fully disappear. Bleeding would begin to decrease, but much of the gore of the wound remain. It wasn’t a perfect nor permanent solution, but it bought time for her to get to a real healer.

Otsoa nods and grabs the clothes. Honestly, he had never witnessed a complete transformation. His mother and father never quite figured it out. However, he supposedly had more distant relatives and ancestors that managed it. It was a rather impressive feat. He allows her consciousness to communicate with his.

“It’s no big deal,” Otsoa says automatically as Tresor thanks them. He notices the slight swaying before she falls. Reacting quickly, Otsoa catches Tresor as she falls. He carefully tries to avoid touching the bone itself. He was honestly surprised that she didn’t faint earlier with such a grievous injury. Carefully, he positions her on top of Aria’s back. “Lead the way,” he says.