Home at Last (open to all Lokoi flock members)

[Eris Allisti]

The cathedral was beautiful.

No other single word could describe it. The stone walls may have been crumbling, eaten away by green lichen and moss; the windows of both stained and clear rippled glass shattered from countless storms; all iron-wrought braces and bars turning the dried blood colors of brown and red, bleeding their own orange to the surface in rust; even the doors stood ajar, the large panels starting to part from each other, saturated with moisture and inner rot. However, it looked as if this place were a shrine to the gods of nature and peace, intertwining mortal and divine life with the very essence of the earth itself.

The child gazed at it, wonder-eyed and awe-inspired as she took it all in. Her figure was slight and compact - only a child of 12, she had yet to grow to her full height, but rested easily on bare feet, refusing to assume that the world would come down to her level. Snow-white hair bound in a mountain of braids coiled atop her head, loose plaits trailing down her back to her waist, brushing bare, tan skin where it could easily find it. Her eyes were dark, and from a distance seemed black, but they reflected light shadows of green and grey, misty as the stone before her. Her white clothes were dirtied by many hard day's travel, and metal circles dangled from wrists and ankles to chime tonelessly in the soft silence. Her wings twitched, still bound reverently by threads of silver and pearl, then lay still, their whiteness a reflection of her innocence if of nothing else.

This youth watched the cathedral in awe, caring little for what else lay around her. For the moment, the dilapidated building was her world. And it was beautiful.

"Eris, my dear, can you help me a moment?" Turning about at the sound of the voice, she rushed back to the side of the elderly gentleman who had brought her here, giving him a helping hand as he stepped from the driver's seat of the horse-drawn cart. He was a hard-worn traveler, though mirth and kindness shone in his colorless grey eyes. "Thank you, my lady."

She curtsied, a formal gesture that she used often, and he shooed her off to explore once again. With a bright smile, the girl dashed over to the doors, running her hands over the gnarled wood as if to memorize its every grain. Behind her, the man chuckled, shaking his head before looking to the other rider he'd brought.

"Thank you again. She needs this."

[r y n t h a e]

Ahkra chuckled, his striking emerald eyes holding amusement in their depths as a wry smile tugged at his lips, his mirth lighting up his attractive features. Auburn hair framed a slightly tan, graceful face, and one hand rested on his slender hips as he considered the place he had called home for quite awhile now. He and his beloved both. He would never know what it had looked like before the fallout -- before everything changed -- but he still considered the old Cathedral to be a place of haunting beauty; it was wild and enigmatic. It held stories and secrets that very nearly leaked out between the cracks in the stone walls, tempting any visitor. Most of the stained glass windows were broken, but the shards which still framed the old arched windows cast colored light into the depths of the vast building, and the doors were wide enough to admit a giant.

Ahkra's wings, black and radiant with color not unlike a prismatic oil spill, shifted on his back as he glanced back over to the older man with a small smile. "Everyone needs a place they can truly call home," he said softly, honestly. "I'm only happy to be able to help others to find it."

He glanced over at Eris, his heart warmed to see the awe in her eyes. The Cathedral had cast its spell on him, those years ago, as well. It had drawn him to it, like two kindred souls coming together, and he and his beloved, Arc, had made their home here.

Glancing one last time to the older man, Ahkra nodded faintly in thanks. "This world is a dark one... and there are so many who are blind to the others around them. You are truly a good man, to have cared for her so well, and helped her in her journey." He smiled gently. "I wish you good fortune, and good trading."

Stepping over to the enormous doors, he inserted an old-looking and very large, brass key into the doors, gently pushing one of them open. Despite their warped appearance, the doors were thick and sturdy, and had held back potential attackers or intruders on more than one occasion.

A vast hall with an arched ceiling greeted them, it's stone walls cracked, but still very thick. In some of the corners, small plants had wormed their way up through the flooring, which had also cracked with time. Dozens of arched windows from high up shed sunlight into the building with scattered colors, despite their broken glass. Ahkra glanced back towards Eris, letting her take her time with this, and wondered faintly if Arc was around. More than likely, the other raven Avian was reading somewhere, or working on refining a new batch of penicillin. Nevertheless, the boy would have heard their entrance and would probably come looking.

[w h i s p y r]

Arc was below them, in the main underground section of the cathedral, and shifting a little in his chair. His knees were pulled to his chest slightly but mostly leaning against the table, and in his hands he was holding an old book. Quite enveloped in it's pages, even if it was in a bit of white-washed condition, and a tiny smile on his face. He missed looking through books, but then again for him to miss anything it meant maybe a few days or a week without reading anything.

But he jumped a little in his chair, his legs falling to the stone floor, and glancing up to the old ceiling as he heard the doors of the cathedral opening. Blinking a few times he waited to hear some footsteps, and when he did he got to his feet rather quickly at the same time saving his spot in the book and placing it on the table. Ahkra must be back, he silently whispered to himself. And hurried for the stairs back up to where everyone else was, and bit into his lower lip a little.

He heard more than one set of footsteps and he was a little concerned, but at the same time hopeful that the other steps belonged to people that were staying with them. When he got to the top of the stairs he leaned on the stone wall a bit, catching his breath, and glancing up towards the large bulky doors. Ahkra, he said exasperatedly, taking the last few steps into view near the three.

[Eris Allisti]

"I thank you, sir," the trader answered, bowing slightly in respect. "All I can say, however, is that it was the right thing to do. Children should not be tarnished by the world we live in." As the door opened, Dravniir peered inside, marveling that so much remained intact. Motioning to Eris, he added, "Go on, my lady. This is your new home."

Hesitating at the door, the young girl looked questioningly at Ahkra for a moment, almost as if asking if it was all right. When he glanced back, she followed reverently in his wake, looking around in reverence at the old building. Her fingers fluttered across ancient pews while her eyes stared ever upwards at the precisely carved arches of the support structures. So entranced was she that the arrival of a new person caught her completely by surprise. Startled, the girl ducked behind one of the Raven-Lord's wings, peeking out shyly at the newcomer. Meanwhile, the older man laughed.

"Now now, dear one, what's all this?" Dravniir asked, amused. "Come on out and say hello to your other housemates."

Once again, the little one hesitated, hiding shyly behind the avian she knew while watching the other with great intent. To her, he looked much like her father - younger, of course, and more handsome, but similar in build and coloring. This wasn't the cause of her reluctance, however. Simple shyness dominated her actions this time; meeting more than one new person in a day tended to bring it about.

[r y n t h a e]

Ahkra's expression completely transformed at the sight of the younger black-winged boy. It spoke volumes of his relationship to the other, as well. His lips, which had previously been quirked in a mirthful grin softened into a sincere and loving smile, his eyes settling on Arc reverently, and all the playful tension sliding out of his posture as he relaxed. The snow-haired young avian darted behind one of his dark wings as the younger boy darted into view, however.

Slowly folding his wing to expose her, he reassured her softly, his voice melodic and soothing: "Eris, this is Arc... my mate, and the other leader of this flock. He's very kind, dear." He glanced over at Arc, hoping that the other avian, despite his shy nature, would give her a warm hello.

"When you're ready, Eris, we can give you a tour of the rest of the place -- just go on at your own pace, with whatever you're comfortable with."

He glanced around the Main Hall, where they were at currently, remembering the first time he'd seen this place, and wondering whether it called to Eris the same way it called to him. Glancing over to her again, his eyes were drawn to her silver-wrapped wings, feeling a pang of concern. The undeveloped muscles in her snow-white wings wouldn't be able to support flight.... if she exercised and practiced with them, they would be able to grow, and she would fly one day. Why did she constrict her wings with those chains...?

[w h i s p y r]

He was a bit flustered when he ran up those stairs so fast, but he caught his breath slowly and surely. Even if he was still breathing a bit heavily he slowly approached the others, and waved lightly at Eris with a timid smile himself. Arc could see that she was newly added to the family, seeing as how she was an avian but also the fact that Ahkra had let them in the first place. Whenever Ahkra brought people back with him he knew that they were probably good people that really needed a place to stay, and seeing that it's how it usually worked for even himself he was always happy to have more people.

Stopping close by, more or less near Ahkra, he still wore his shy but kind smile on his lips. Even if Ahkra already introduced me, I am Arc and I'm pleased to meet you two. He said softly, shifting a little on his feet, I'm glad you came here, it's a really safe and beautiful place. The boy's wings fluttered lightly behind him, he raised his right arm behind his head and faintly rubbed the back of his neck a bit.

Arc wasn't sure what to do other than let the other avian do the job he seemed to enjoy doing, and he kept a bit quiet again after speaking a bit on his part. He faintly caught a glimpse of the girl's wings and thought they were pretty but the chains over them really confused the young boy. Attempting not to make a concerned face, he glanced at each of them silently, blinking lightly.

[Eris Allisti]

Still uncertain, the child hesitated before walking out into the open, standing before Arc and Ahkra with her head bowed. Very carefully, she dipped into a curtsy, then looked directly into Arc's eyes. Reflections of deep blue swam in the depths of her own, and she smiled. "Pleased to meet you, Master Arc. Thank you for letting me stay in your beautiful home." Noticing the glances around her, Eris followed the gaze to her wings. There was nothing wrong with them, was there? True, they were white, and the others she had met had black... was something wrong?

Dravniir caught on first. "Ah, gentlemen, if we could speak for a moment? I'll kindly explain the girl's lovely gift." Eris looked back at him, then dipped into a pew up ahead, giving the adults room to speak. The merchant's mist grey eyes followed her for a time, then settled back on the two avians before him. "Those threads are some of the last things that girl's mother ever gave her, from what I'm told. Apparently, it was meant for the ceremonial departure and nothing more, but it's one of the only things she has left of the woman. They mean a great deal to her." Holding up a hand to stifle any outburst, he added, "Though, I'm sure that if you take care, she will let those wings fly free under your watch."

Adding a wise smirk to the equation, he concluded, "Besides, lads; what girl do you know who didn't want to look beautiful, even at a cost?"

[r y n t h a e]

Ahkra regretted having looked too carefully at the silver chains around her wings instantly as doubt and worry flickered through the young girl's gaze. Trying to cheer her up, and direct her thoughts elsewhere, he gently set a hand on her shoulder. "I hope you'll feel at home here, Eris, and come to love it as much as myself and Arc do."

After Dravniir's words, when Eris moved away from the small group, Ahkra's emerald gaze swept upwards to Dravniir's, faint confusion and worry evident in his expression, his eyebrows turned down faintly as he listened to the older man's words. Understanding slowly dawned on him, though, hearing the story behind those small, lovely chains. He sighed softly, running a hand through his auburn hair. "I can't blame her for wearing them, in that case..." he told the man softly. "I only hope that in time she'll lift her wings to the sky, instead of staying Earthbound. After what these wings cost us, and the price we paid, it's the only blessing left to us."

He considered the man's last words thoughtfully, if solemnly. No smile touched his lips, and his eyes looked more mournful than anything else. "A woman who pays for beauty, either through money, pain, or restriction, is no more beautiful than the same woman before she pays, to me. The only thing that can make a person more beautiful is kindness, and the only thing that can turn a person ugly is malice."

Ahkra's words were, perhaps enigmatic; an indecipherable echo of his own past or view of the world. Nonetheless, they were there, even as his emerald gaze stared off towards one of the broken windows, distant and melancholy.

[w h i s p y r]

The young boy smiled softly at the girl in return, a faint flicker of a blush over his cheeks in response by the way she was so polite. He hadn't seen such kindness for a while after the world changed, rather it was really hard to come by, but he was happy to see it still. Though when she seemed to react by the way he and Ahkra looked at her wings concerned-like he bit into his lower lip harder, and about to say something until the other man who accompanied Eris spoke to intervene. He was a bit tense, but he tried not to be, in his efforts to get rid of it his shoulders quivered a little in response.

I'm sorry... Arc said in thought, his eyes followed Eris when she went to one of the pews upon Dravniir's request. Though he listened to what the man had to say in response to that, and he sighed a little, especially with now understanding why she wore such items over her wings. I understand, the boy nodded lightly in response. He glanced back towards the young girl, then back to Dravniir not a moment to long afterwards.

Listening quietly to the both of them, and nodding faintly every few times in understanding he shifted a little on his feet. But he gave a light smile in response to what they both said because he pretty much could see these things either way with what they said. Arc wasn't sure what else to do, but stand by Ahkra's side and stay quiet so he wouldn't interrupt if the other avian had something more important to talk about.

[Eris Allisti]

With a casual shrug, the older man replied, "Well, I don't disagree with you, lad, but women's minds are shaped very differently than ours. I only go along and pay attention." Shrugging once again, he looked to the young girl, now flipping through a dilapidated book with awe, and his face fell into a soft, sad smile. "Best be going now though, lads. I've got rounds to finish, and the girl needs her new watchers. Be good to her."

Dipping his head respectfully, the man left without another word, leaving the cathedral in the same unassuming manner that he had arrived. By the time Eris looked back around, Dravniir was gone.

This hardly seemed to phase the child, as she had been used to being passed around without goodbyes. Instead she looked to Arc and Ahkra, smiling brightly. "Can I see the rest?" she asked, completely at home in this new place. Their looks seem sad, but she hoped that her own smiles would make them happier.

[r y n t h a e]

Ahkra considered Dravniir's words thoughtfully, and nodded. At the last comment, though, he reassured the older man, "we will take good care of Eris. I promise." He gave a charming, and sincere smile, and nodded respectfully back to Dravniir as he left the Cathedral. Stepping up to the old doors, after the older man had closed them, he pulled out the key from earlier, and locked the doors, reaching up to pull a large, more recently added, bolt down across the doors. Having secured the place, perhaps unnecessarily, but these days you could never have too much caution, Ahkra stepped back over to Eris and Arc, offering the young girl a smile.

"Of course you can see the rest, dear," he told her, leading the way as he stepped forward. Walking forward as he lead the others, Ahkra left the Main Hall, where they had been, and they entered a large dining hall. Long wooden tables stretched the length of the room, littered with the odd book or object, and chandeliers hung from the ceiling. They were off, for now, as daylight filtered in through the windows up above, and in one corner a small dividing wall partially set apart a kitchen. More than one refrigerator, two oven/stove combo appliances, a large divided sink, and tile counter-tops filled the area.

"Here is the Dining Hall. All of the appliances in the kitchen work, but they usually need a little TLC to get them to do what you'd like. If you're cooking, don't be afraid to kick them if they aren't coming on." Ahkra gave a bit of a wry grin, and as evidence to his words, the stainless steel appliances sported at least a couple of pronounced dents.

[w h i s p y r]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500px,true][atrb=style, background-image: url(http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3043/gbackgroundbackdrop.jpg); border: 1px solid #c6c5ae; opacity: 0.8;][atrb=cellpadding, 10, true][atrb=style, border: 0px solid #c6c5ae] Arc still smiled softly, shifting a little on his feet, and silently fiddling his fingers behind his back as he left Ahkra to his own devices. But even if he followed around a bit he kept getting distracted by other things, and didn't want to be rude to just disappear either. He bit into his cheek, and caught up with them when they stopped in the kitchen area. I don't want to just leave unannounced, but I have a few things to get back to. I just remembered, frankly. The young boy gave a faint smile, one that was a bit embarrassed. I will still be around should you need me. Arc told them both, and nodded to Eris while he quickly gave a kiss on Ahkra's cheek before rushing off again. He didn't really want to leave, because she was new, but he felt like he had to go. The boy had been so distracted earlier with his reading, and waiting for Ahkra, that he completely ignored the fact that he had his own duties and chores to get done by the days end.

[Eris Allisti]

Dipping into a low curtsy as Arc departed, the little one waited until he had truly gone before rising again. As she did, her gaze shifted from the doorway to Ahkra, and she seemed puzzled.

"Forgive me, Lord Ahkra, but I have questions." Though her words were strong and unshaken, she seemed nervous - a child asking about something they should not know. "What... what do you believe we are?"

Every time she had asked this question, every time she had sought answers, no human had had them. She had been silenced or diverted - either no one knew, or did not wish to say. It was terribly troubling, and despite the reverence with which she was treated, she had hoped... she had wished that she could be what they wanted. What they needed. What all those people who came to her for just a view of something beautiful had actually wanted. Her mother stated it briefly, but those words were fading, like every other memory she had of the times before travel.

Though she was only a child, she simply wanted to know: What am I? Where do I belong? Why am I here? And she had no idea that these were questions searched for since the dawn of conscious thought.

[r y n t h a e]

Ahkra kissed Arc briefly as the other avian excused himself, and nodded lightly. True enough, there was plenty to do around the old cathedral. Turning his gaze from his beloved to the younger avian, his expression softened, as he considered her words. He was quiet for a moment, trying to find a way to put his thoughts into words. Emerald eyes unfathomable, he replied: "Hope, risen out of darkness. Our creation is and was mired with cruelty, pain, and death. There were many, many avians in the first generation... the ones who first had their genetics altered, who either didn't make it or were terribly disfigured. For every one of us who possesses a strong pair of wings and a sweet voice, a hundred others died or became monsters. Although our existence is grim, in and of itself... we are the only race immune to the Disease. We are a new species, one that may be equal to the task of surviving this dark world."

"Everything is changing, Eris. Once, this world was untainted and humans were able to live here comfortably. The war killed most of them, and the ones that survived face dangers they have never known. Although our adaptations are artificial in origin, we have been made strong enough to forge a new and brighter future. Like the other new species, we are not harmed by the radiation or toxins, we are resistant to many of the lethal viruses that were born from biowarfare. We are stronger, faster, more agile.... and no longer bound to the earth."

"We are a lot of things, dear. Angels, monsters, or walking science experiments. But the most important thing that we are, is hope for the future. This world may prove too much for humans. If so, it is our destiny to carry on in their place."

His expression was difficult to read, but carried traces of sadness and thoughtfulness. He offered a reassuring smile, hoping that his words were not too sharp with honesty.

[Eris Allisti]

His ideas brought forth many questions, but the child remained silent, contemplating and sorting the ideas in her mind. It was much to take in all at once - she remembered so very little now, it was hard to understand. Yet, taking Ahkra at his word... was not. She trusted him more than she trusted herself. You see, other people are easy to understand; one's self... is not. And she was still a child, and would likely be one for many more years to come.

Smiling very shyly up at him, Eris wandered about the room, studying all the various cupboards and jars and containers in the room, asking what this and that were, what they tasted like or were used for... the simple questions were endless and continued on into other rooms until the sun's rays no longer reached through the leaves and dusk had fallen. Having come with only the clothes on her back, she needed no settling in, and it was back in the sanctuary of the church that she found the book.

It was old and dusty, as if the others here had never deigned to touch it, and its paper crackled at her touch. The binding was a fake leather, strapped over cardboard that creaked in despair when she lifted the cover. The words she knew, but this book she had never seen... at least, not this version. Her father had a different one, and some words were different as she carefully picked through the old tome. Looking up to her guide, question appeared in her gaze, though she did not voice them. This was all simply... too surreal.