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Post by shawncameron on Mar 30, 2006 3:39:02 GMT -5
It was a cold, day. Too cold in Killian’s opinion, he may have been living inland in the mountains for 12 turns of his life but he was still an islander at heart. He thought vaguely about what the weather would be like at home as he opened the window to his and Apricus’s rehearsal room. “Ah it seems a caravan has just arrived.” He tilted his head bringing his right ear closer to the window wile facing the female Harper as well as he could. The noises of the exited people and children floated up to him and Aprucs through the window. “That’s wonderful.” He smiled over at her… or where he thought she was anyway. “We need to practice with distractions and the Gather is going to be much, much louder then this.”
He moved his hand around in front of him before he found the two chairs they normally used. Still smiling he moved them to sit on either side of the window to maximize the sound, and the distraction. He gestured for the lady to sit as he moved to pick up his fine guitar. This was a planed rehearsal so Apricus had hers, meaning he did not have to use the loner one this time. He had just completed strapping the instrument around his shoulders when he opened his mouth to ask her which song she would like to try first when he stopped, mid word his mouth snapping closed as he tilted his head and furrowed his brow.
“Finally… I thought we would never get here…” “But look at all this snow isn’t it beautiful?”
That was strange, those voices sounded closer then the others… wasn’t the caravan for the Healer Hall? What where people doing here? But more then that they sounded strangely familiar. Killian leaned closer to the window saying noting and with that puzzled look still plastered on his face.
“Are you sure you don’t what to go to the Healer hall first?” “Yeah, I want to see Uncle Konar first, besides it’s too crowded over there.”
Killian straightened quickly his heart threatening to burst from his chest… it couldn’t be… could it?
“You are hopeless Lanira”
His heart stopped. It took a few moments but he began to smile again, a smile of happiness not seen since the night of rain, though this one wasn’t completely untainted by sadness. “Lanira.” Was all he said before turning and heading for the door, not hesitating in one step as he reached for his staff and slung his guitar around to rest on his back.
((he he dove right in didn’t I?))
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E
Raging Demoness
Posts: 978
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Post by E on Mar 30, 2006 15:43:42 GMT -5
Apricus was not surprised that Killian wished to begin practicing with distractions; it was a very good idea after all with only a little while until the gather. Sitting crosslegged in the chair he positioned for her, she brought the guitar into play position. Hearing him stop mid-sentence, however, had her looking back up at him puzzled.
“What is it?” she asked, only to find her question left unanswered as he stood and swiftly moved toward the door. Apri had never seen him move so quickly or with such purpose before.
Watching open mouthed as he sung his guitar to his back and grabbed his staff, she only had one choice. Putting down her own guitar, she quickly followed. What on earth had popped into his head? That name, or at least she thought it was a name, had come out of nowhere and she was completely baffled. Perhaps he had forgotten something? But to get it just as they were starting? and without explanation? No, this had to have been something very important…
She slowed her step slightly. Perhaps it was something she wasn’t suppose to know about? Perhaps she shouldn’t follow him… was that the reason for no explanation. Unsure, but very curious, she decided to follow, but at a slower pace quite a ways behind. At the very least she could catch a glimpse of what was going on. Then if she shouldn’t see it she’d be able to quickly leave without the obviously distracted Killian any the wiser… or so she hoped.
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Post by shawncameron on Mar 30, 2006 16:10:21 GMT -5
Killian was moving with new purpose, having completely forgotten about Apricus momentarily he walked without posing down the steps to the lower level and the entrance hall. There he stopped, quite suddenly, the voices where much closer and louder… it had to be them, it couldn’t be anyone else. But now that he was here what was he supposed to do? Would they recognize him? Would they even remember him? He swallowed hard his throat suddenly dry, as they continued to talk.
“Do you think he is still here?” it was the girls voice, they where moving closer but had not noticed him yet. “I doubt it, he’s probably off harping somewhere, he was always good at this sort of thing…” the man seemed to wave off the hope though his own voice held a little disappointment. “That’s too ba…” she stopped and so did the foot steps, they where only a few yards from him and Killian could swear they could hear his heart beet the way it was pounding in his ears. “Killian?” the voice was a whisper but the Harper could hear it clearly, it was so, so familiar. “Lanira?… Sister…” he was not smiling, he was too stunned to smile. But slowly it came back as he moved slower toward them, “Xicorn.”
They where not moving not yet, “how did you….?” But the man stopped it didn’t mater. They where moving now running and Killian barely managed to open his arms as his younger sister hugged him. “Killian oh it’s been so, so long, we didn’t think you would be here.” She squeezed him tighter and he squeezed right back, taking in the smell of her hair and her close, they still held a hint of the ocean despite the long over land journey they must have come on to get here.
His brothers voice broke up the images and thoughts that came with the smells, “hey whose that?” Killian raised his head pulsed before he remembered. His face paled and he spun around, a bit too quickly. “Aprucus!” he shook his head holding onto his staff as he reoriantated himself to the room, “Milady I am so sorry.” He had forgotten all about her, how foolish, rude, horrible of him. “Please forgive me, these… these are my siblings.”
They where standing in the middle of the entrance hall, with a clear view of the hall Killian had come from. It was empty except for them, as most in the hall where working or in classes. On one side of Killian was a small woman standing at an even 5 foot and with gray hair like Killians though it was darker reaching closer to back only really sowing the gray in the sunlight. The man on the other side of him was taller then him but not by much, he was well built from turns of working in the ship yard with auburn hair and black eyes, he has a happy disposition and a smile much like Killians he seems to be the kind to laugh at himself and never stop smiling.
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E
Raging Demoness
Posts: 978
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Post by E on Mar 30, 2006 16:32:37 GMT -5
Apri stopped on the third step from the bottom as she looked out into the Hall. Killian’s back was turned to her, but it was apparent from the look on the other man’s face that this was a very unexpected thing. Upon closer look, she found a short young lady wrapped tightly in Killian’s arms; a look of pure joy on her face. Unexpectedly, the scene brought a slight smile to her face.
The voice of the strange man brought her eyes back to him as he looked right at her. Swallowing hard, she had to force herself to keep from leaving right then and there. People skills… she silently told herself as she put the smile back on her face, a little larger this time.
Stepping off the steps, she didn’t move any closer, but stood with her hand on the wall as she shook her head, “Oh no, Killian… its quite alright… Don’t worry about me… I’m sure you guys have a lot to catch up on…”
Apri found herself at odds with the group before her. It was a family and she was far too curious about the whole idea, and yet she didn’t want to intrude on anything. Perfectly prepared to leave at the slightest hint, she hesitated not exactly wanting to.
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Post by shawncameron on Mar 30, 2006 16:47:05 GMT -5
Killian opened his mouth to argue but Xicorn got there before him, “ah don’t go… it’s a pleasure to meat you.” He was moving closer to her shocking Killian out of his jumbled thoughts he began moving as well his smooth long strides quickly catching up and then cutting the man off just before he got to Apricus. Killian new his family well enough to know they would want to shake hands if not hug outright. Though Killian could not see it his brother arched an eyebrow at him, much like Killian did himself. To divert the attention from his maneuver Killian smiled, “he’s right Milady, I was so rude to ignore you that way, I’m sorry. At least let me make up for it some how?”
Behind him his sister tilted his head looking from Killian to Apricus and back again, there was defiantly something there… Xicorn must have noticed it too as he opened his mouth only to be interrupted by Lanira “Yeah, you should come to lunch with us! Then you can tell us all the juicy embarrassing story’s about our Killian.” That wiped the puzzled look of the older mans face as he patted Killian hard on the back making his knees buckle slightly, “ah I get it this purity lass must be your girl friend…” Killians eyes widened as he stomped his staff down onto his brothers foot making him yelp but he continued to laugh, “don’t be rude Xicorn, she is a fellow student and we are working on a performance peace together.”
Lanira was laughing and had come up to stand beside Apricus, “don’t mind him he’s always like that, he just likes to tease, my name is Lanira by the way and that is Xicorn my brother.”
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E
Raging Demoness
Posts: 978
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Post by E on Mar 30, 2006 17:03:25 GMT -5
Apri’s eyes widened slightly as the man moved closer to her, but she relaxed as Killian stepped in front. “I told you not to worry about it… Killian… and I mean just that…” she said, a twinkle growing in her eyes as she watched the two brothers.
Finding herself suddenly invited to lunch, she quickly racked her brain for an excuse not to simply from habit. “Stories?...” she asked almost puzzled but found herself turning back to the men as the taller of the two slapped the others back rather hard.
At his words, Apri winced slightly but managed to keep the smile on her face. The yelp that escaped his lips a moment later left Apri blushing deeply, knowing exactly why Killian had done the deed; or at least she thought. Strangely, it made her happy to find Killian being so true to his word, even if she had never expected him to be.
She was rather surprised to find the woman next to her in the next moment and forced herself to smile at her. “It is nice to meet you as well, Lanira.” she said politely before turning to Xicorn and giving him a smile as well. “.. And you Xicorn.”
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Post by shawncameron on Mar 30, 2006 17:22:29 GMT -5
Killian continued to face her, it felt all of a sudden as though they, his siblings, had been there all along, noting had changed and with that feeling his concern for Apricus returned to the front of his mind. “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to milady.” But Xicon would have none of that, “what do you mean Kil Kil? Of coarse she wants to come don’t you?” he looked at her almost like a pleading puppy; he really was a social butterfly.
Next to the woman Lanira, giggled. “Besides even if you don’t have story’s about Killian we have a few we don’t mind sharing. She was looking at Killian teasing him and forgetting momentarily that he could not see the look, though he did hear the tone and he ran his hand through his hair. This was the last thing he needed… his siblings telling Apricus about all of the stupid things he had done as a kid, “don’t call me Kil kil Xi and…” he faced Apricus more fully looking right through her, “you really don’t have to come if you don’t want to…” but in truth he wanted her there, it just felt right that way.
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E
Raging Demoness
Posts: 978
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Post by E on Mar 30, 2006 17:27:16 GMT -5
Looking from the pleading eyes of Xicon, to the smile on Lanira then to the grey eyes of Killian, Apri found herself trapt. And yet, she was horribly curious. They all seemed to get along so well together… “Well… I didn’t have anything planned… except practice with Killian…” she said softly looking back thru the three faces.
People Skills… rang thru her mind again and she found herself without any options. “Well its early for lunch… but I bet the kitchens would be willing to serve.” she said, giving in.
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Post by shawncameron on Mar 30, 2006 18:29:17 GMT -5
Lanira sighed her smiled widening, threatening to split her face, “oh you two are playing something together? That is so sweet.” She giggled and Killian glared… or he would have had he known exactly where she was instead he sighed running his hand through his hair again. “I already said that…” but Xicon just pat him on the back again, “oh don’t worry about it bro, and don’t you worry little lady, our uncle runs the kitchens and I’m sure its open for early lunches like this.” Killian sighed again covering his face in mock exasperation. “well shall we go then?”
Xicon laughed and Lanira smiled, “we’ll lead the way, it’s the best way to find and remember your way around.” Killian shrugged as the two started off, “I think it was this way.” Shaking his head but smiling Killian said, its though the door and too your ri…”
“shhhh don’t tell me I want to find it.” Killian snapped his mouth shut muttering “stubborn as always under his breath before he turned back to Apricus. The two where already to the door and heading through it without looking back as Killian opened his mouth, sure not to be interrupted this time. “thank you milady… it really is a pleasure to have you with me for this…” now what was that all about? He smiled a bit more apologetically blushing a little, “please don’t mind them they are good people just a little… boisterous…”
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E
Raging Demoness
Posts: 978
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Post by E on Mar 30, 2006 18:38:42 GMT -5
Apri could help but smile as Killian’s voice turned to one of exasperation as his siblings quickly took charge of the situation. Watching the woman shush him as she started to look for the dining hall, Apri couldn’t suppress the giggle that found her way out of her lips.
Hearing Killian next to her, she turned her head to him even as they started to follow the other two. Face warming to his thanks, she shook her head. “Oh no… thank you for letting me come…” At his comment about his siblings she smiled, “They are certainly outgoing… Friendly though… I’m sure I’ll manage.”
Once in the dinning hall, they made their way to the tables normally laden with food. Slowing her pace, she waited for Killian to pass her so that she could be last in line and not get in the way. If the cook was their uncle she was sure there would be more words exchanged and she did not want to interrupt.
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Post by shawncameron on Mar 30, 2006 19:05:38 GMT -5
Killian smiled, truly happy that he had not upset her, and gesturing for them to go fell into step beside her, rather then in front or behind. When they entered the hall Lanira was waving at them shouting, “we’re over here… but Uncle isn’t working today, the lady says he’s at the hold…” she was disappointed but shrugged anyway grabbing her food and waiting for the two of them, Xicon was already taking a bight out of his red fruit though he had not sat down yet.
Feeling Apricus slow next to him Killian took the hint and moved in front of her to grab his own food smiling at the woman before sidestepping out of Apricus’s way. He would have liked to grab her plate too but passing it to her would involve getting is hand a little to close to hers.
“Well its almost empty in here so… where do you two normally sit?” Lanira was looking around curiously still grinning before Killian led the way to their normal table. He waited for his siblings to sit down before taking his seat beside his brother leaving Apricus to sit next to him and Lanira, she wouldn’t know it but Xicon had a tendency to nudge people with his elbows to get his jokes and points across weather he knew them well or not.
setting his food down he pulled out Aprucus’s chair moving out of her way and waiting for her to sit down, Xicon did the same, though he was much more… open with people their parents had trained them both well. Once both the ladies where sitting and there chars pulled in, (as Killian needed that sound to know they where seated.) the two men sat Xicon diving into his food and Killian merely picking at his. He wasn’t very hungry but he would snack as they spoke. “so what brings you Two way out here?” he said smiling across the table at his sister.
“Oh.” Xicon tried to swallow his food quickly to answer the question only to have Lanira answer first. “I’m taking my Journeywoman test at the healer hall, Xicon is my escort.” She looked over at him her face and tone sarcastic. “What about you Apricus have you taken your tests yet? You seem to be about my age.”
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E
Raging Demoness
Posts: 978
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Post by E on Mar 30, 2006 19:13:44 GMT -5
Surprised to find a question directed toward her, Apri set her glass down and looked at each of the faces again. She was half hoping to be able to sit silently and listen to what they had to say rather than taking apart in it. People Skills. rang silently in her mind.
“Y-yes… I have…” she said a little uncertain, glancing in Killian’s direction. She hadn’t yet told the man that she had or wished him good luck in his own. “I… I passed all of the sections but one…”
Leaving at that, she picked up her spoon and quickly filled her mouth so she wouldn’t be forced to answer again before she had time to think about how to speak her words correctly. She found herself ashamed that she hadn’t passed, but she didn’t let it show.
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Post by shawncameron on Mar 30, 2006 19:45:40 GMT -5
Lanira was not in the least bit deterred by the sad news of the woman not passing, “well I’m sure it will all be a mater of time then, at least now you know exactly where you stand and what you need to work on.” Smiling reassuringly she took a bight of her food savoring it. But now it was Xicons turn to talk. Killian was not paying attention though he was facing between his sister and Apricus but thinking of the later. He had not know she was testing… “Ha what?” Xicon had said something and rolling his eyes the man repeated himself. “I asked if you had tested yet, you are older then her after all, and you’ve been studying longer.”
Killian blushed a bit looking away from Apricus, when he put it that way he should have tested sooner… he just didn’t have a reason until recently, “well no but I will be in about a week.” Not realizing it he mimicked Apricus in quickly talking a bight of his food to avoid having to say more. But Xicon was not going to let him off so easily, “what do you mean you haven’t tested yet? You’ve been hear for 12 turns,” “ten I’ve only been harping for 10” Killian interrupted but the older man waved it way, “it doesn’t matter, what have you been doing this long anyway?”
“Oh leave him alone Xicon.” Lanira was smiling though and so was Xicon, he was just poking fun that was all. “Don’t mind them Apricus, they have always been like that, our older brothers are worse sometimes.” She looked slyly over at them and Xicon just grinned real big, Killian did nothing, as he could not see the look, only ran his hand through his hair like he normally did a bashful grin on his handsome face. “So Apricus… what about you? Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
that stopped Killian mid motion, he only knew of one of Apricus’s family members and he did not want to go down that path, thinking quickly he opened his mouth to speak, a Harper smile on his face as he used every ounce of his Harper charm to divert the conversation. “of cores she had hundreds. With the masters as your parents and the Apprentices as siblings how could you not?”
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E
Raging Demoness
Posts: 978
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Post by E on Mar 30, 2006 19:58:04 GMT -5
When Killian spoke of his own testing in a week, she swallowed, having found the perfect time to wish him luck. “Oh, good luck Killian…” she said simply as the conversation continued.
Fight as she might, Apri could not keep the blush in her cheeks from disappearing at the mention of her own family. Looking down quickly to hide it, she was thankful to hear Killian’s voice break thru with a perfect answer, one she would not have been able to come up with on the spot. Bringing her eyes back up to meet Killian’s, she wished he could see her thankful look.
“Yes… Killian is right… I’ve the best family in the world… right here at the Hall.” Turning, she smiled at each of the siblings in turn wondering what they thought of such an answer.
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Post by shawncameron on Mar 30, 2006 23:14:34 GMT -5
Lanira and Xicon arched their left eyebrows almost simultaneously, exactly like Killian did. They looked to each other and then to Apricus before they both shrugged and smiled. Xicon shrugged going back to his food wile Lanira looked from Killian to Apricus then smiled deeper. “Your very lucky then Apricus, this is actually the first time I’ve been to my craft hall.” She turned back to her food getting a fork full but continuing to talk. “my mother trained me up until now…” she was still smiling but with an unexpected hint of sadness in it showing clearly her relation to Killian, really if she was male they could almost be twins on occasions like this.
Xicon looked up concern in his eyes but he shook it away smiling again, almost forced, “so Killian you sure have grown.” Killian turned away from his sister who he was facing with his own concern to grin evilly at his brother, “almost as tall as you.” That threw Xicon back, “how…? I will never understand you man. Its almost like you can see, like your just pretending.” Killian laughed out right running his hand through his hair showing his blank eyes clearly, ever staring into the darkness. “Nope blind as a deep tunnel snake. But I have hearing like one too.” he taped his ears grinning.
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