..Of A Journey..

[Anatia]

She walked in awe as they entered the courtyard. She still had been speechless. The world was unwrapping before her...and she took notice to evrything. So far, it had been amazing, just as her dreams had predicted - if not better. Plants and flowers littered the walk and consumed the sidings, some exotic some beautiful even so. As they continued, Anatia reached out and wrapped her fingeres around a lone flower, as it eased up at her touch, and she plucked it from where it was. She really couldn't tell what kind of flower it was exactly, as it was indeed still night, and the trees and shrubs hid the moons rays from view. She smoothed her fingers over its velvet petals, so soft it was. She sighed, as she looked up at Loki, her eyes flickered against the cold night, as though they were able to stand out even in the darkness.

"It's beautiful here"

She spoke in a whisper, as though afraid the world around her could hear. A delicate breeze blew by, as the branches of the trees whispered and groaned, as they were reluctantly shaken from their slumber. Anatias dark hair blew delicately in the wind, rippling over her shoulder, then cascading back down to her back. She then pulled a lock away from the rest, and examined it, finding that it was much longer than she had ever remembered.

"Things really do change..."

She spoke, her voice ripped from her lips and carried off into the winds current. That statement hadn't really been aimed at Loki directly, but it was as though she was speaking her thoughts.

--ooc: I really need a new computer...this one crashed too much --

[Loki1]

I'm going to reply. Promise. lol.

[Anatia]

=D lol, OK.

[Loki Volkion]

Loki watched her silently, having stepped back when she stopped. He stood in the shadows, unknowingly he had slipped into them out of habit. He hadn’t meant to, yet he hadn’t tried not to. He took his gaze from her to look around him. Flowers were strewn about each side of the walkway. The dew glinted in the moonlight. A soft breeze ruffled the petals here and there.
Anatia had been still for some time, he had kept her in his peripheral vision. When she moved it startled him and he looked directly at her. The night had brought his senses to their peak, and he was on guard. This was normal for him.
He waited patiently while she examined her own hair, and the things around her. He sighed and sat down on a rock to wait and watch.

((sucky post. Oh well.))

[Anatia]

--I'm sorry for not replying soon...my computer is having really bad issues...I really hope this sends....I'm really sorry, and hopefully, I'll be able to reply tomorrow--

[Loki1]

tis ok. lol. my comp ish bein dumb too.

[Anatia]

Arana sighed, feeling slightly childish at times. Perhaps she was being too naive to all of this, but still, she couldn't help that she was new to it all. Seeing things everyone had seen everyday, things in which she had not. Sighing she looked up, as she had walked to a small clearing in the foilage. She could now see the moon, directly over top of her, its beams reaching out towards her body, overcoming her. Her eyes lingered on it, taking in the colors, as well as its vast size. It was indeed a magnificent sight to her. The color seemed to dance along her features, playing upon her eyes. She was standing there as though frozen, simply under the moons spell. It would of have looked odd from other views deeper in the courtyard, as this clearing was then only one where the rays seemed to only trickle down upon her. It was magical. She then looked over to Loki, seeing as he sat down. Was she annoying him? Maybe. She decided to walk back over to him, her eyes searching for him in the shadows. finally spotting him, she looked at that question placed upon her expression.

"How far are we from the palace?"

She inquired softly. The winds had subsided at the moment she spoke, so her words were clear. She wondered where they were now, if they were close, or still far. She didn't mind walking, as it kept her eyes busy. She cherished sight so much...

--Eh...really hope this sends!

[Loki Volkion]

<sup>Loki stood and looked down into her eyes. So clear they were now. He wondered why he had done such a thing. Why had he helped her? Why was he still with her? He was a thief, a loner, a darkling. He cherished the darkness and the ability to hide in the shadows alone. SHe didn't, she was the complete opposite of him. Why had he helped her? He couldn't figure out why, his mind dwelled on it. Her voice brought him out of his trance like state. How far? He really didn't know.
He looked around him, remembering the stone wall he climbed atop it. From there he could see the Palace. It was huge, like a beacon in the night. He traced their future path with his eyes, not far. Not far at all. He jumped off the wall with a cat like balance and quiet, landing in front of her without so much as a soft thud.

Not far, it should take maybe another hour. Perhaps less if we move now.

He made no move to leave. He would let her decide. It hadn't yet been one day since he had given her sight. It would last two days, then be gone for three. In which time they could rest at one of the taverns or inns if she so desired. Then they could continue on to wherever she liked. Again his mind flitted back to why he had helped her. Why was he thinking and planning in terms of staying with her? Not only that, but doing and going where she please? This was entirely not like him. Yet he felt drawn to her by some unknown force. Why? The answer evaded him completely. There wasn't even a piece of reason.
Wait and see.</sup>

[/sup][/color][/b]

[Anatia]

Such mysteries of the night, where only the fittest can truly survive. It is where the world holds up an entirely different mask, one of theives and murderous monsters, as opposed to day, where life dwells in normal routines upon the mortal plane. Some fear the dark. Some may cower from the light. It is in such diversities, where we all do thrive. Anatia was one who knew either well enough. She had been in the dark for years, though she imposed that of light. But then, her heart was simply gray. But can you label one so quickly? Perhaps she is considered light. But is there a true difference between the two? Can we just classify it only as 'night and day?' Perhaps. Most do. And those are the diversions, in which we know. In which we live. And so, the two diversities tend to keep distance. On either side of the fading line of gray we stay. Loki was one of shadow, one who is a theif, who dwells in the darkness of the night. Who blends with it perfectly. Anatia could not contain her thoughts on why - he was traveling with her. It was somthing to ponder, for the two, were completely opposite. One derivied of shadow, one forth of light. Was he planning to turn on her when least expected? Kill her? Betray and decieve her? Who was to know? She did not. But why did she trust him so? He had granted her her dreams. Dark had betrayed his calling. Helping one of light? Maybe, there was no true diversion between the two differences. Maybe there never was.


Anatia watched as he scaled the wall with such agility, confirming he had skill in doing so. She wished that she was able to do feats as such, but knew, she was unable, as her muscles were not all too strong yet. Looking up to the sky, she sighed. Perhaps they should depart this beautiful place, to continue on their quest for the palace. She wanted to get there soon, she was anxious to see its marveled magnificence. Looking back to him, she replied,

"So, should we leave now?"

She inquired, the light breeze tugging at her words.

"The palace does await us..."

She then added. She did want to go to the palace soon, she anticipated it highly. He was leading her around, and she was grateful for it. Grateful for everything he had done. She knew she could never make it up to him. Never repay him. She had nothing to give him. Nothing he would want, at least. How could she show any gratitude? Why, she did not know. Not now, that is.

---eh...blah post...---

[Loki Volkion]

Loki's gaze had wandered from her beautiful eyes to the shadows behind her. He watched them out of habit, his senses tuned in to every sound and movement, making sure that nothing and noone was there to hurt him or her. As he searched the shadows for any harm one thought kept running like a broken record through his mind. You will not hurt her. When it finally clicked that he wasn't watching the shadows to protect himself, but to protect her, it startled him into looking back at her. He tipped his head to the side, inquiring as to why in his own thoughts. Again, this question he had no answer to. It made him angry, all of a sudden. Yet, at the same time he felt calmed knowing that there was someone who needed him.
Gazing deep into her eyes it finally hit him as to why. She was everything he wasn't. She was his better half and she made him feel whole. She made him feel as if he mattered, like there was a path for him. He had never felt such a thing before. He had no name for it. He didn't even comprehend what it was, why he felt it. But he knew it was there. What did she feel? What did she think of him? Did she feel the same?
She spoke and he came out of his trance-like state. The words seemed slurred and from a distant place. He blinked and shook his head slightly, clearing his thoughts to zero in on her words. Leave now? To get there before sunrise, yes. He looked up at the sky, a slight orange glow appearing over the horizon. Day was still a long ways off, but it was coming. The giant yellow orb would appear in as little as five hours. Plenty of time to get to the palace if they left now.
He nodded, <i>Yes, we should leave now.</i> He smiled, it was the first time he had given a genuine smile to anyone in years. In seconds his eyes glazed over and he was submersed into his own thoughts.

-------------------------------

A small child and a woman sat on a wicker rocking chair in the middle of a small room. A fire crackled and snapped, sending a warm glow across the room. A bear rug lay on the floor in front of the chair. Loki sat where the fire light did not reach, the fire created the only light in the whole house. The small child, a little girl with amber locks and big brown eyes watched him silently. She smiled, and the woman scowled and turned the childs eyes from him. Loki scowled and returned to bending sthingys and moving the stuffed owl as it would if it were alive. The door in the front hall banged open, a gust of swirling snow and cold bursted into the warm room. The girl and the woman snuggled closer to ward off the chill, the boy in the corner welcomed the cold winter air. A man followed the swirling white flakes. He was tall and well-built. His face wrinkled with age and worn with stress, jet black hair, sprinkled with snow, hung low on his shoulders. The man hitched towards the woman and child, his right leg stiff with age. The three shared hugs and returned kisses. Loki watched from his dark corner, his eyes cold with rage and hate for the little girl that dominated his fathers life. The sthingy floating in front of him bent and snapped, the owl twisted it's head around one too many times and stuffing fought it's way out of the things neck. The fire went out, leaving the house in total darkness, the father lit one candle. The child stared in horror at the owl, the mother glared accusingly at the boy in the corner. Loki held up a hand to draw the girls attention, her gaze tracked to his hand and she smiled again. The girl stood, her eyes glazed, and moved to the side and sat down on the bear rug. The woman scowled threateningly at the boy and the wicker rocking chair beneath her collapsed, leaving her on the floor. The girl, having come out of her trance screamed and ran to her mother. The man rushed to her as well, kneeling down and putting a hand up as if to catch the blood flowing freely from the womans mouth and nose. The boy heard and felt his mothers heart. thump-thump, thump-thump, thump...thump-thump, thump.....thump.............thump. Until it stopped. The boy grinned, the mother collapsed, as the father's heart exploded in his chest he collapsed atop the mother. Both of them dead.
The boy, stood to his full six feet and six inches, he was fifteen, the girl being only eleven. He held out his hand to her, and she followed him out the door and into the night. They left, a genuine smile in place upon his face.

-------------------------------

Loki returned to the present and the girl before him. This girl looked so much like his younger sister that his hand trembled as he traced the light on her cheek gently. Still in a trance, watching his own hand and tracing the features on her face with his grey eyes. When his gaze and fingers tracked to her lucious lips he stopped, his breath caught in his chest as if he was drowning. He took a ragged breath and pushed away from her.

We should leave, come.

His voice was but a whisper in the night. His face hidden by the hood and the night. He waited for her to follow him.

[/color]

((next post can be in the Palace. Unless you'd like to reply right here to this one, and I'll post in the Palace after you post here. sorry for not posting sooner. XD i had no muse. got lots tonight. lol.))

[Anatia]

Anatia found it hard to remember things from her past. The last few images she saw...how her family looked. They were either missing completely, or fading. They were being replaced. With what she saw in the present. Her eyes taking everything in, her mind expanding. And when it expanded, it pushed the old memories out. She tried hard to think of her mother...the long, flowing amber hair...lively green eyes...her perfect figure. Anatia had loved her so much, more than anybody else. Her mother was so kind hearted. Much like Anatia herself. Her mother had her secrets too, even. Hiding it from the public, hiding it inside herself. Anatia had found that out few years ago. She learned the meaning of 'secret'. Something one is not to share, to contain privacy. Her mother hid so much, behind her beauty, lied that woman. The woman who was brave, strong, graceful, and elegant. But everyone treated her like she was a fragile piece of glass. And the jewel she carried around everywhere...the jewel she gave to Anatia. The jewel that seemed to act as though it had a mind of its own completely. That must've been a secret too, for Anatia knew the rest of her family didn't know. Anatia thought of her mothers image, just how she looked. Trying to picture her. And it worked, she saw her normal attire, her long hair, her gentle smile. Then she saw the eyes. Something seemed wrong though. They were gray. ...Much like Loki's. Then the image changed again...the hair went to a coal black. Shorter than it had been. Then the picture changed completely. She was looking at a masculine figure. Loki's image. She quickly shook it off. What...was that about? Why Anatia had no idea. Her memory of her beloved mother, replaced with Loki. That was odd. Why did that happen? Such a question, in which she had no answer to. She had no answer, but, perhaps an idea.

She came from her thoughts, to reality, finding Loki's hand against her face. It surprised her, but she did not jump, nor turn away. No, she stood stationary. She felt frozen by his touch. She just watched him, his eyes shadowed in thought, almost unconsciously. She could not deny that nagging feeling in the back of her mind, making her want to reach out touch his hand with her own. Why? She didn't know once again. But even so she restricted. Was there something wrong with her tonight? Perhaps she was tired. No. She wasn't tired at all. Was there something wrong with her then? What would it be if so? When he was just to be reaching her lips, she saw him pull away, his eyes showing he was no longer in thought. Reality coming to him immediately. And as he pulled away, she still stood. When he turned, however, her own hand reached up to her cheek, feeling where he touched. A shiver shot up her spine, not painful, no not at all. Not like that. What was it? Anatia then quickly caught up to him, coming near his side once again, her gaze focused on the sky, the lightest of orange hues reaching upon the horizon, Morning was yet far away, but still close. The palace; their destination.

--lol, went and replied to it anyway! My dads kicking me off though...blech...Heh, I just realized what 'Loki' meant today. -is stupid---