Awe.

"Where are we going?"
Rhia looked over at the teenage boy beside her. His black, shoulder-length hair was pulled back tightly behind his head. His tired, crystal blue eyes looked up at her in curiousity. They'd been travelling over a week now. London was a welcome sight, but as they passed inn after inn, Seth was becoming annoyed. Rhia couldn't help but smile gently, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Some place you should have seen a long time ago."
He arched a brow, but knew by the twinkle in her eye that he wouldn't get anything out of her. He sighed and looked forward again. His cloak was heavy on his shoulders, and his riding boots were beginning to wear out. He was just a boy, Rhia reminded herself, and he had his limits. Hell, she was weary as well. Her own cloak was nothing but tatters, breeches rubbing uncomfortably against her legs. Chaffing was a worry of the past, and now just an annoyance. She'd managed to find herself a new pair of boots along the way, so her feet were feeling a tad bit better than his.
"Where'd Guardian go?" Seth asked as he looked around the city streets. It was nothing like Rome, where he'd spent most of his childhood, but was a little more civilized than Nippon, though he wasn't quite sure he liked London better because of it. Three months ago they'd left Nippon, and somewhere along the way, Guardian, the angel of death who'd looked after Rhia since she was younger than Seth, had flown off. He still had his work besides looking after Rhia, after all, and since she and Seth had kept out of trouble, he was soaking up as much of their peace time by working.
Rhia shrugged, saying absently, "I don't really know. We never know. But it isn't our business to know, right? Look, there it is."
He glanced up at her, then looked where she was pointing. At once, his mouth fell open and he came to a stop. Rhia looked back at him and stopped when she realized he wasn't beside her anymore, smiling in amusement at the dumbfounded look on his face.
Rising up in the distance, towering over the city, was a building the likes Seth had never seen. Temples in Rome were grand, yes. Even the mosques in the Orient were impressive. But this. He gazed at it from the top of the hill they stood. Even so high above the town, he still had to look up to see the top of the building. He swallowed, and carefully stepped forward to meet up with Rhia.
"What..what is it?"
Rhia grinned and rested her arm around his shoulders. "You'll see. It's fascinating, isn't it? I haven't seen anything like it since the castle in the Old Wood."
Seth tilted his head and looked up at her. "The what?"
She smiled faintly and shook her head. "Elven."
"Oh.. I see." He knew well enough what that meant. The only elven castle she would remember so fondly was Tobias', and it was a place filled with both good memories, and her very worst. He kept quiet as he continued down the hill to see this mysterious structure.
It had to stand at least thirty meters high. It was wrought of stone; large granite blocks mixed with different coloured stones for architectural interest. It rose in a peak, with outcroppings, two grand bell towers, and various other towers built around it. There were windows, thin that ran from nearly floor to roof, made with coloured glass, patterned to show pictures or intricate geometric designs. Buttresses flew out from the sides to support it, creating great covered walkways, from which great gardens and courtyards expanded.
As they drew closer, and Seth's neck hurt from looking up, he found it hard to breath, so awed by the massiveness and intricacy of design and architecture. He looked forward again when Rhia touched his arm, so he could see the stairs as they headed up to the door. He licked his lips, Rhia allowing him to prepare himself, before pulling the door open for him. He couldn't help but tremble as he stepped inside. It was one floor. They could see clear up to the ceiling, the rafters cleverly designed to be of interest just as everything else. There were rows upon rows of benches all along the floor as they entered, with aisles to walk on either side and down the middle. The floors were stone, with great pillars reaching up to the ceiling. Chandeliers of beautiful coloured crystal hung down low from the ceiling, though even low they were still ten meters up from where they stood. Lamps and candles lined the walls, though none of them were burning. Statues were set in alcoves as well, though he recognized none of them.
Rhia kept him walking up the center aisle, and Seth soon caught sight of the front of the building. A great, marble table was set up on a raised area, behind which rose a great sculpture of different coloured marbles. In the center, at about chest height, was what looked like a small, inlaid box, the front of which was lined in gold and intricately decorated. All around the front were statues of angels. Those he recognized. The front was seperated from where they stood by large rails that ran from left to right across the whole area.
Even seeing the place, he still could not understand what the place could be used for. He looked up at Rhia, brow furrowed, obviously confused. "I don't get it.. Where are we?"
Her smile softened and she rested her hands on either of his shoulders. "It's a church, son."
His eyes widened. He knew of churches. But Rhia had never taken him to one. She'd always avoided them. And they'd never looked like this. "B-but.. I thought.."
She shook her head, turning him to look up at the front. "It has been hard dealing with His loss. I saw Him raised, and still I hurt. I hated humans for having taken him away. For all these thousand years, I've brooded and let my hate stifle me. And you. Because of me, you hate humans just the same. But it's time to stop that. I realize that now. This place..this place is for Him. A place for Him to rest, and to continue to spread His good among the people. This is a place I should have come to, and brought you to, a long time ago."
He glanced back at her, then looked forward again. Slowly, he closed his eyes, just getting a feel for the place. After a few minutes, the faintest hint of a smile found his lips. "You're right. He is here..."
She nodded, slipping her arms around him and pulling him back to her. "This is safety, son. Come here...and He will always protect you. Even Lucifer himself shutters on the step of His Earthly Home."

Seth shook his head at the distant memory. He could only glare up at the church he stood before now. Zelda stood beside him, holding his hand as she looked up at him. He paid her little attention, glowering at the church. Safety? It had been anything but ever since that day. Rhia once again avoided churches whenever she could. The only time she came close to praying in one was when she'd been at the shrine Romeo guarded, and prayed before a crucifix. Hardly a church. And Romeo eminated safety himself. There was no false pretense of it. "Lucifer himself shutters on the step," she'd said. Lucifer had scared the wits out of Zelda only two nights before, three feet from the tabernacle in which Jesus resides. His teeth bared at the thought of Lucifer. There was more than bad blood there. To think that he was coming after Zelda now. But still, the girl insisted on coming back.
She tugged at his arm as she looked up at him, eagerness in her voice. "Come on, big brother."
He sighed, offering a faint smile to her. He hated going in there. He hated it with every ounce of his self that he had left, however little that was. But he tried not to show it anymore. Zelda liked it there, and that's all that mattered to him. He headed inside with her, letting go of her hand as she hurried down the center aisle towards the tabernacle, laughing cheerfully. He refused to let her stay there alone ever since Lucifer attacked her, despite the discomfort it brought him. He stayed near the back, giving her privacy with God, and to keep his strangled cries away from her ears. His teeth grit as the pressure in his shoulders built up again. It was the same every time, it seemed. It was getting easier, but only marginally so. He didn't fight it anymore, as he used to. He even pulled his shirt off to ready himself and ease the wings' unfurling. He hadn't had the wings for long, and his shoulders were still adjusting to their presence. Soon, his shoulderblades would callouse so that it didn't hurt anymore when the wings pushed their way out, but as it was it was very uncomfortable. Knowing his knees would weaken, he let himself sink to them on his own, then bent forward to his hands. Slowly, one broke free and spread upward, then the second came a little easier, stretching out across the floor. He held still long enough for the wings to dry, then stood up again. A sense of peace flooded him, but it wasn't a peace he welcomed. His eyes were calmer, and his posture slackened.
This was his new self. He'd become this person in order to walk the Earth again. But it came with sacrifice. He no longer had free will so long as he called upon this power, or was in a situation where he could not avoid it, such as standing within a church. Romeo had assured him that over time, he would be able to control the wings within the presence of God, whether it be in a church or in the Great Hall where God presided. Seth wasn't quite sure himself yet, though he was having an easier time withdrawing the wings once they had been forced out, although he had to be well enough away rom the church before he could do so.
At first, he'd been embarrassed by the wings. They were white, as pure white as a dove's. It was unexpected, and uncharacteristic of his personality - everyone had said so when he'd received them. His big brother, especially. But God had assured him they were what he deserved, and not the black wings of those angels with nastier dispositions or depressing duties, such as Romeo's position as angel of death. Seth was just a low-level guardian angel, with little rights as far as angels go, and a tiny voice when it came to the Courts of angels. Even so, he had great favor with God. He was certain it was because he was Rhia's son. She was one of God's most favorite creations. Why wouldn't he treasure her son? How else did all of his siblings there in Heaven get away with so much mischief? He himself certainly hadn't done anything in his first life to deserve God's favor and love.
He had yet to show even Rhia his wings, he was so embarrassed by them. He dared not show Rhayvin; the guy picked on him enough as it was, he didn't need to fuel the fire. But, even so, as he gazed at those wings, gray in the failing light of evening, he found he was growing fond of them. He ran his hand gently over one of them, and a smile entered his eyes at the memory of a certain young lady doing the same. Red truly did love his wings.
That brought a thought to him, and he moved to sit in one of the pues, wings lifted and settled in the row behind him, to stay out of the way and out of harm. He could call on his wings whenever they were necessary. And with some effort, he could call them at will. It was really only here, in the church, or in Heaven when he felt as though his free will was stripped from him. After all, he'd wreaked mischief on the military base in Kyoto when he first met Red while his wings were in use. Perhaps it was because he had no intention of causing harm, and through his mischief the tools of war were being destroyed, tools that were being abused and not sent out in the country's or allies' defense. But there were other times, when he'd drawn his wings in moments of fury and rage, with every intent to bring harm to what was angering him, and doing so. He sighed heavily and shook his head, deciding he'd rather not think about it. Some things were just too complicated. Trust Him, Rhia had always said. Had. What did she think now? What had she thought before? Which did she feel was right now? He supposed he could ask her. But that would admit he was curious at all. And that...that was something he didn't care to do.

To be blamed on The Black Gryphon.

Rhia sat atop the cliff, lost in thought as her gaze stretched out across the valley below. Nestled beside the river that had forged it was a small town of peaceful people. It was a town, a valley even, that Rhia had watched form, often returning to that place over the past century or two. She couldn't really remember how long it had been. Why this place? Why come back to such a small, insignificant valley? The valley belonged to a country ruled by gryphons. Not so much in the "lord and vassal" sense, but peace in the lands was overseen by a large society of gryphons. They wanted peace for their fledglings, so kept tabs on the people, the wildlife, and nature itself.
Up until however long ago she first started coming to this valley, she'd been deathly afraid of gryphons. They had hunted her all her life, and had never been a very good omen, even when they weren't sniffing her out. However, upon taking refuge in that country, things changed.
Behind her, a gust of wind kicked up and the gentle thud of feet touching ground could be heard. Rhia smiled gently, though didn't look back. "I wondered how long it would take you to come say hello."
Those feet began to draw near. Not two, but four. A gentle, throaty chuckle danced across the wind to her ears, a sound that made her stomach turn over and her neck warm. "The air is damp from the storm. It was not easy coming across your scent."
A moment later, the gryphon stood behind Rhia. He lowered his beak to gently nuzzle her cheek, and his wings arched down to either side of her, blocking out the chilly wind.
Her smile warmed as she leaned in to that sign of affection. She lifted her hand and scratched under his chin. "Then I am lucky you found me," she said softly. She felt him lean his chest against her back as he sat down behind her, as close to her as he could manage. His wings remained curled around her in his own kind of embrace. She turned sideways and rested close to him. Her fingers trailed absently through his feathers, sensitive ears trained on his breathing and heartbeat. It soothed her, and her eyes drifted shut, though she wouldn't sleep, just rest.
A 'smile' found the gryphon's eyes. With tenderness quite uncharacteristic of gryphons, he lifted his foreleg, curving it around her in a not-so-gryphon-like embrace. Over the years, the two had learned a whole new way of being affectionate. New ways to kiss, to hug, to preen... And for it, their love had grown and perfected itself. While they both knew their limitations, neither of them cared, or at least they spent little time mulling over the truth. What level of intimacy they could reach meant little when it came to the utter peace and tranquility one brought the other. No other partner could accomplish what they did for each other, and so it was enough.
What Rhia was terribly aware of was how their time was growing short. Gryphons were long-lived, but not eternal creatures like elves were, like she was. And he was coming up on his last expected decades of life. She put it out of her mind now that she was with him, though, as she knew all too well that he'd pick up on her brooding if she let it get to her for too long.
"I'm glad you've come back, Rhia.."
"Me, too, Kalen," she said in a whisper, arms draping loosely around him. His warmth and the purr of his heart was hypnotizing and she was finding it harder to stay awake.
"Will..you stay with me this time?"
Her eyes slowly opened and she pulled back to look up at him. So, he had already been thinking about his fading lifespan as well. She smiled warmly to him, hands lifted to cup his head, which was nearly twice the size of her own. "Yes, my love. I will definitely stay with you this time."
The pleasure found his eyes again and he purred softly, head bent down to nuzzle her cheek. With only a gentle prodding to get the message across, Rhia layed back in the grass. Kalen folded one of his wings in to his side as he layed himself down beside her. One foreleg draped over her, almost possessively, while the still open wing layed down across her whole body.
She felt completely protected, hidden from the world, safe from harm. She curled against him, basking in his attention and care. If they stayed, just like that, for the rest of the time he lived, she knew it would be the best years either of them had so far lived. Content with just the company, companionship, and love of the other.


Yes, I know, the concept may yet be a tiny bit taboo, with the whole humanoid and not-so-humanoid. But it was to them and their world as well. But hey, so was an elf loving a human. She even gets a vampire to fall in love with her at some point. She was born of a taboo love, as well. Think of it as making a social point.

Heaps of Inspiration, of sorts.

Why is it I only ever get inspiration when I'm no where near anything to write with or am too tired to work it out? Inspiration; she is a cruel, fickle mistress indeed. Here are a few songs by Evanescence that have been plaguing my thoughts lately.

Anywhere
Dear my love, haven't you wanted to be with me?
And, dear my love, haven't you longed to be free?
I can't keep pretending that I don't even know you.
And at sweet night, you are my own.

Take my hand, we're leaving here tonight.
There's no need to tell anyone,
They'd only hold us down.
So by the morning's light,
We'll be halfway to anywhere,
Where love is more than just your name.

I have dreamed of a place for you and I.
No one knows who we are there.
All I want is to give my life only to you.
I've dreamed so long, I can not dream any more.
Let's run away, I'll take you there.

We're leaving here tonight.
There's no need to tell anyone,
They'd only hold us down.
So by the morning's light,
We'll be halfway to anywhere,
Where no one needs a reason.

Forget this life, come with me,
Don't look back, you're safe now.
Unlock you heart, drop your guard.
No one's left to stop you.
Forget this life, come with me,
Don't look back, you're safe now.
Unlock your heart, drop your guard,
No one's left to stop you now.

We're leaving here tonight.
There's no need to tell anyone,
They'd only hold us down.
So by the morning's light,
We'll be halfway to anywhere,
Where love is more than just your name.

Lies
Bound at every limb by my shackles of fear
Sealed with lies through so many tears
Lost from within, pursuing the end
I fight for the chance to be lied to again

You will never be strong enough
You will never be good enough
You were never conceived in love
You will not rise above

They'll never see
I'll never be
I've struggled on and on to feed this hunger
Burning deep inside of me

But through my tears breaks a blinding light
Birthing a dawn to this endless night
Arms outstretched, awaiting me
An open embrace upon a bleeding tree

Rest in me and I'll comfort you
I have lived and I died for you
Abide in me and I vow to you
I will never forsake you

They'll never see
I'll never be
I've struggled on and on to feed this hunger
Burning deep inside of me
They'll never see
I'll never be
I've struggled on and on to feed this hunger
Burning deep inside of me

Rest in me and I'll comfort you
I have lived and I died for you
Abide in me and I vow to you
I will never forsake you

They'll never see
I'll never be
I've struggled on and on to feed this hunger
Burning deep inside of me

Away from Me
I hold my breath as this life starts to take its toll.
I hide behind a smile as this perfect plan unfolds.
But oh, God, I feel I've been lied to.
Lots all faith in the things I have achieved.

And I've woken now to find myself
in the shadows of all I have created.
I'm longing to be lost in you.
Away from this place I have made.
Won't you take me away from me?

Crawling through this world as disease flows through my veins.
I look into myself, but my own heart has been changed.
I can't go on like this, I loathe all I've become.

I've awoken now to find myself
in the shadows of all I have created.
I'm longing to be lost in you.
Away from this place I have made.
Won't you take me away from me?

Lost in a dying world, I reach for something more.
I have grown so weary of this lie I live.

I've woken now to find myself
in the shadows of all I have created.
I'm longing to be lost in you.
I've woken now to find myself.
I'm lost in shadows of my own.
I'm longing to be lost in you.
Away from me.

Solitude
How many times have you told me you love her?
As many times as I've wanted to tell you the truth.
How long have I stood here, beside you?
I lived through you, you looked through me.

Oo, solitude, still with me is only you.
Oo, solitude, I can't stay away from you.

How many times have I done this to myself?
How long will it take before I see?
When will this hole in my heart be mended?
Who now is left alone but me?

Oo, solitude, forever me, and forever you.
Oo, solitude, only you, only true.

Everyone leaves me stranded, forgotten, abandoned, left behind.
I can't stay her another night.

Your secret admirer. Who could it be?

Can you see, all along, it was me?
How can you be so blind, as to see right through me?

Oo, solitude, still with me is only you.
Oo, solitude, I can't stay away from you.
Oo, solitude, forever me, and forever you.
Oo, solitude, only you, only true.

Where Will You Go?
You're too important for anyone.
You play the role of all you longed to be.
But I, I know who you really are
You're the one who cries when you're alone.

But where will you go?
With no one left to save you from yourself.
You can't escape, you can't escape.

You think that I can't see right through your eyes.
Scared to death to face reality.
No one seems to hear your hidden cries.
You will have to face yourself alone.

But where will you go?
With no one left to save you from yourself.
You can't escape the truth.
I realize you're afraid.
But you can't abandon everyone.
You can't escape, you don't want to escape.

I'm so sick of speaking words that no one understands.
Is it clear enough you can't live your whole life all alone?
I can hear you in a whisper, but you can't even hear me screaming.

And where will you go?
With no one left to save you from yourself.
You can't escape the truth.
I realize you're afraid.
But you can't reject the whole world.
You can't escape, you won't escape.
You can't escape, you don't want to escape.

Field of Innocence
I still remember the world from the eyes of a child.
Slowly those feelings were clouded by what I know now.

Where has my heart gone?
An uneven trade for the real world.
Oh I, I want to go back to believing in everything,
And knowing nothing at all.

I still remember the sun, always warm on my back.
Somehow it seems colder now.

Where has my heart gone?
Trapped in the eyes of a stranger.
Oh I, I want to back to believing in everything.

Where has my heart gone?
An uneven trade for the real world.
Oh I, I want to back to believing in everything.
Oh where, where has my heart gone?
Trapped in the eyes of a stranger.
Oh I, I want to go back to believing in everything.

Even in Death
Give me a reason to believe that you're gone.
I see your shadow so I know they're all wrong.
Moonlight on this soft brown earth,
It leads me to where you lay.
They took you away from me, but now I'm taking you home.

I will stay forever here with you, my love.
These softly spoken words you gave me,
Even in death our love goes on.

Some say I'm crazy for my love, oh, my love.
But no bonds can hold me from your side, oh, my love.
They don't know you can't leave me
They don't hear you singing to me.

I will stay forever here with you, my love.
These softly spoken words you gave me,
Even in death our love goes on.
And I can't love you any more than I do.

I will stay forever here with you, my love.
These softly spoken words you gave me,
Even in death our love goes on.
And I can't love you any more than I do.

People die, but real love is forever.


That's about it. Creepy, ne? They just heap ideas and images of Rhia and others into my mind. It just doesn't help that I'm not ready for any of them yet.. ::sigh::

::stretches::

I suppose you'll notice there have been a few changes to the site. I came to learn that it hasn't been the easiest to read for some people, so I'm doing my best to make the print big enough and the colours agreeable. I'll personally miss the black, but whatever works for the rest, right? Well, I've beaten the game I've been distracted with the past week, though now I've got quite a lot of fanart to sort out and draw for it. It's so nice to be inspired for something that will most likely turn a profit. I've been getting a few ideas for the stories, too, which will slowly be worked out as I go along. Nothing so far on the book I'm actually supposed to be writing...eh-heh.. I'm pathetic, ne? No wonder Dracula took seven years to write @-@ Well, to tide you all over while I submerse myself in fanart...

The two came to a halt at the top of the ridge. From there, they could see the entire valley. At least, it had ben a valley. Now, all they could see was a sea of flames. Rhia shuddered and stepped closer to Kalvin, hands lifted to take his arm. "What's happened..?"
He glanced down at her, then back down to the valley. "I'm not quite sure." He lifted his hand, black as charcoal, and rested it over one of Rhia's. A wind swept down into the valley from behind them, as the fire sucked in the oxygen around them to feed its never-ending hunger. It played through Rhia's hair, as well as Kalvin's, his shoulder-length and silver like starlight.
Rhia looked up at him, worry strewn across her face. His face mirrored her own look of worry, as their hearts ached as one for the forest and all that had resided within it. "I don't smell any fuel.."
"The grass here is wet.. It must have been lightning from a storm."
Rhia closed her eyes, forehead lowered to his arm. "A freak of nature, then."
"Well, that's not a very nice thing to say," a voice came from behind them.
Kalvin turned sharply, putting himself between Rhia and the stranger, arm stretched out in her protection. Standing before them was what appeared to be a young man, though his blonde hair seemed to resonate with a strange energy. His clothes were a deep red, and his eyes the dark blue of a stormy sky.
"Who are you?" Kalvin kept on edge, teeth slightly bared.
"Why, according to your little girlfriend, I'm a freak of nature."
Rhia frowned as she glanced around Kalvin's arm. "You're...you're a nymph, aren't you?"
"Something like that." He grinned, hands on his hips. "If an embodiment of nature is called a nymph, then yes, I am."
She ignored his taunting, stepping around Kalvin. Tears began to show in her eyes. "Why did you do this?"
"Why? Because that's my job, cutey-pie. You can make another forest, can't you?"
"But what about the people and the animals that were living inside of the forest?"
"Hmph. Nature spares no creature. We do not discriminate, remember? We cleanse the Earth as we see fit. If a few, what do you call them, innocents? are taken out in the process, well, that is not our fault. That is how it's always been, cutey." He grinned again as he stepped closer, bending down so he could be nose to nose with her. "You never complained before. Besides." He straightened up again. He stood nearly a head taller than the both of them. His gaze shifted off to the side, arms folded over his chest. "Most of the people and animals escaped before the fire got going. The rain of the storm made sure to hold it off long enough for that. You'll find them in the next valley."
Her brows lifted as she looked up at him, a smile growing on her lips. "Oh, thank-you..."
"You're most welcome, Rhia. We knew you were coming, and knew you would be upset.. Our mother doesn't much like seeing you upset." His hand rested on top of her head, ruffling her hair some.
"You mean Gaia..?" She gazed up at him, tears dried.
"That's right. Now go on. They'll be needing your help. And so will this forest once I'm finished."
"Right." She grinned, stepping back beside Kalvin, who put his arm around her.
"Well, ciao." He winked, then with a snap of his fingers, disappeared in a ball of flame.

Can't stop thinking about this..

Rhia sat outside the house the others were staying in. It wasn't as though she wasn't welcome inside, but she never felt comfortable being in such a small space, and with so many men. Granted, she would probably have been safer inside. But safety wasn't something she commonly thought about in those days, despite recent happenings. The robes were soft against her skin and kept her warm in the evening breeze. It was definitely winter. Her gaze lifted to the sky, which grew darker by the minute. It would be dinner time soon.
A young man stepped out of the house and moved around in front of her. His hands lifted to his hips as he gazed down at her with a smile. She shifted her gaze to his face and couldn't help but smile back. He had a handsome face, long dark hair framing it. It was a bit frizzy and even a little curly, but the desert winds and endless sun did that to a man's hair.
"Why is it I always find you out here?"
Rhia's smile grew to hear his playful tone. "Why do you insist on staying inside?"
He laughed and moved to sit beside her. He let out a groan as he sat, leaning back against the house. Rhia returned her gaze to the sky, and he lifted his own to follow it. "You have been with us for some time now."
"And why not, my Lord? Who, with any sense in them, would choose to be anywhere else but at the side of God?"
His smile warmed and he looked over at her. "You have had a hard life."
She slowly lowered her gaze. "Yours, too, will be hard, won't it, Master?"
He sighed and nodded faintly. "I am afraid that may be what it comes to."
She closed her eyes. Her chest swelled with the pain of sympathy and love and brought tears to her eyes. After a few seconds, she couldn't take it any longer, turning and lowering her head to his lap. "I wish I could take your place..."
His brows lifted in surprise to see her so moved with compassion. His hands lifted and came to rest one on her shoulder, the other softly stroking her hair. "I know, Rhia. But, it is I who is to take the place of everyone else. You will have your time."