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Post by Xentus on Dec 4, 2023 2:10:27 GMT -6
"Elysian!", the man commanded more firmly, now knowing he had the beast's attention, "Release!"
More pulling and tugging accompanied these words, enough to begin cutting into his own skin on the sharp edge. Xentus winced, but he was determined. And, miraculously, the bird's grip loosened. Astraea took the opportunity to wriggle herself free, twisting her head and yanking away. She backed off to regain her composure, shaking her amorphous body like a dog would. 'Are you alright, Astraea?', Xentus asked, still holding onto the bird's sectioned beak.
(Yes.. I believe so. Thank you, o' bonded mine) The leopard released the beak quickly, still staring at Elysian. It seemed to stare back, beak still ajar. It seemed to have a strange fixation. The sight of an opened quartered beak with empty eyes seeming to pierce into his soul was eerily chilling. The man stood his ground, doing his best to not show fear or balk, lest he might trigger some response.
"That's a good bird, Elysian", he cooed carefully, "Easy now..." Another twitch. Its whole body motioned toward him. "Ahh.. Elysian, Xentus means you no harm here", his words came nervously. And they prompted the bird to begin edging its way to him, carefully. Curiously.
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Post by Xentus on Dec 4, 2023 2:25:21 GMT -6
To back off or to stand his ground - the leopard debated intensely in his mind. Normally, a creature approaching with a deadlocked stare and open jaws meant it aimed to threaten. Despite this, Xentus somehow felt the bird was not meaning to be threatening. Perhaps it was only an assumption. Perhaps he was truly sensing its feelings; this was a familiar bond he'd forged with some of his dearest creatures. Yet he couldn't pin it exactly on either guess.
"Ely-"
The glass bird lurched forward and took the man's face into its maw.
(Xentus!), Astraea cried into his mind, confirming to him that he did not, in fact, instantly die. His heart raced out of his chest. Never did he think this would be in this kind of predicament. Very easily he could've been dead. Very easily, he could be made dead. The man was wide-eyed and stark still. He could feel the sharp edges of the beak against his cheeks. The bird's glassy tongue consumed his field of vision. A heavy swallow was the only movement he could muster, for fear of being beheaded should he try anything else.
'No sudden movements, Astraea. Xentus is ok', he explained, 'Though.. He fears he is at the mercy of Elysian'
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Post by Xentus on Dec 4, 2023 23:30:38 GMT -6
The initial panic took a moment to subside. Once the man regained his proper wits, he could begin to think this situation through. Most notably, there was no pain; though that much may have been masked by adrenaline. At the very least, he didn’t feel that he was hurt, and surely Astraea would’ve acted more rashly should he be in grave danger. Elysian wasn’t trying to harm him, he decided. But the bird wasn’t letting go either. It was a borderline dumb idea, but for a moment he thought it was trying to merge with him… Thinking back, it did respond whenever he spoke - when his mouth was open. While his muzzle was far from the hard shelled head of a golem, the concept was similar enough. There was nothing to be accomplished with this act, that was clear given the fact all participants were left in their original state.
"Elysian, release!"
The words came muffled through the beak's grasp. Elysian did not respond. Xentus grew more confident in the idea that there was nothing malicious coming from the bird here. Heck, this might even be how it showed affection. Xentus desperately hoped this was the case.
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Post by Xentus on Dec 4, 2023 23:42:41 GMT -6
Of all the ways a creature might show affection, a face hug using its mouth was by far the strangest. If he really wanted to make it seem reasonable, it seemed akin to a vulticus giving kisses. Simply a kiss gone a step too far. However, unlike getting kisses from a dog, the victim of a glass bird face-kiss had no means to back away whilst giggling. Elysian gave no notion that it would be letting go soon.
Xentus began to accept his fate. There was little other option. He gave in and instead of trying to pry the bird's quartered beak off him, he rubbed his hands across its glassy plumage and spikes. This behavior wasn't something he wanted to encourage, but for now, he would try anything to escape. Weaning the bird off this behavior would need to wait for another day.
"Xentus appreciates the kindness, Elysian", the muffled words came now, in a tone far more gentle than his earlier commands. He could feel the bird twitch in response, seeming to contemplate his words now. This one would need a gentle hand to guide it, that was certain. (It seems Elysian is quite merciful and cunning, should you come to enjoy this, bonded mine), Astraea quipped.
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Post by Xentus on Dec 4, 2023 23:58:25 GMT -6
The man scoffed at the jab. 'It seems Elysian simply has a strange form of affection. Xentus is only doing what he must for his release', he informed the golem thusly. His guess seemed to prove right - Elysian's beak soon began to loosen and lift away in response to the man's physical affections. The bird seemed to radiate a pleased shine to its surface, glinting with the swirling opalescent fire trapped within more brightly than before. 'A gentle hand usually does the trick', he told Astraea, finding himself now free.
"Ah there, this is much better. Now Xentus may marvel at your far better, Elysian"
His voice was gentle and calm. The glass bird locked its empty eyes on the man as he rounded about its body, tracing his fingers along the grooves that made up its crystalline plumage. Up close like this, it surely was a sight to behold. Xentus basked in the glow, feeling ever more at ease. Astraea skulked up beside him, pressing her side into his leg. (What plan do you have, bonded mine?), she asked, now too feeling confident enough about being near the bird.
'Xentus thinks.. He can already feel Elysian's heart. He shall see what it can do with it'
(Is it like mine?)
'Yes, it is... A part, apart'
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Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2023 23:01:26 GMT -6
(... Bonded mine, what does that mean?), the golem asked after a small pause. His words were the ones she had thought to herself earlier. How could he know them? And what did he mean when he said them? She wanted to know if his meant anything different than her own. Xentus took a moment's pause from stroking Elysian to peer down at the golem. His eyes were kind and his touch was warm.
(Elysian is some piece of you, merged with others and free to think on its own. Of course, this means it shares qualities of yours, dear Astraea)
His explanation was stating the obvious. Yet somehow, hearing it was comforting. To know there was another means by which she could be at her keeper's side eased tension at the back of her mind. It proved there would be nothing to fear from Elysian's intentions or acts toward the one which she held most dear. Even if the first encounter was startling. Astraea relaxed and looked between Xentus and the glass bird.
'So then, what purpose will Elysian hold?', she asked plainly. The role of devoted guardian was already taken - and already begrudgingly shared far too much. Not that she would find her keeper too protected.
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Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2023 23:13:20 GMT -6
Xentus had a number of creatures that would give their lives for him. Wiurns of balefire and ice. A gigantic land-pliathor. A sparkling, magical owl. Indestructible golems. Most were large, brutish beasts more than capable of bringing down any potential threat. Only among the golem kind did he have more 'personal' sized protections. And only Astraea served as a more consistent companion. Elysian was large enough to be among the large, brutish beast category, and for that Astraea was partially relieved. It would be no immediate competition for his attention and affections.
(Xentus will nurture Elysian and see what power it holds. It is innately of guardian nature like Astraea. Perhaps it will join the likes of Mashiik as a fighting companion), the man eventually mused in response. Having the creature to marvel at was one of the main reasons for sponsoring its creation, but now that he actually had it in his company, figuring its role was proving difficult. As if in tune with Astraea's mind, he deemed that he'd already had far too many guardians. If that were even possible.
"Elysian, what is it that you wish with this life, hm?", the man asked the bird directly. His hands resumed stroking along its smooth plumage.
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Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2023 23:21:18 GMT -6
The glass bird, roused by the man's voice, cocked its head as if to contemplate the words. While it wasn't so attuned to the man that it knew his will, it did innately find itself fond of him. His presence, touch, voice. It inspired motion and feel. The bird's wings lifted from its body, feathers seemingly melding themselves into place as it gave a few feeble flaps.
"Ah, instinct takes you to yearn for flight!", Xentus inferred, "Yes, this he can teach" Flying was one of his favorite things to teach fledglings across many species. There wasn't anything quite like feeling the flow of air embracing one's body. His artificial wings saw great use, though he did frequently ride atop the backs of his favored flighted friends. Astraea was struck with a strange dismay, seeing his excitement. To the air was the one place she could not go under her own power.
(Bonded mine, what is it like to fly?)
Xentus paused his excitement, mellowing into a somber and almost apologetic look upon hearing the inquiry. The means for her kind to fly was known. He had the means to grace her with it. Yet... He was afraid this change would conform her to all the others.
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Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2023 23:29:24 GMT -6
'Well.. It is exhilarating, it is full freedom', he told her gently, 'Truth be told, this is something Xentus could grant to Astraea, if it is what she wishes' The glass golem was hardly taken aback at learning this. Part of her felt as if she knew it already. Whether by instinct, intuition, or intrusion. Yet, she did feel his will. That he dreaded the thought of her further transformation. That he was happy with her as she was.
(I only wish what you wish, o' bonded mine) Her response was ever the same. Yet Xentus found it conflicting. There was always the chance she wanted to take to the air herself. To be with him no matter where he may tread. She could read the slight twitches making subtle changes to his expression. He was thinking too hard about it.
(You seem already have enough company in the skies as it is), she told him, pointing her head briefly toward Elysian, (I shall stay bound to the earth, but it pleases me that part of me can soar with you) A firm decision. One that both made him proud and put him at ease. She was right, too. Elysian meant no matter where he went, she'd be there in some form.
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Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2023 23:42:52 GMT -6
They'd never need to be truly apart. That made him happy. Despite Elysian having no inkling of the words passed between the bonded pair, it seemed to gleam with pleasure. Its head pointed to man yet again, four-part beak parted slightly. "Elysian, let us find better means of affection, yes?", Xentus quickly muttered to the bird, reading its intent clearly from its body alone. (And to think it seemed it was going to destroy us both in some form - hah), the golem jested with a chiming laugh to make light of the fear felt mere minutes prior. Her head opened and clattered, then she mimicked the motions of the bird, aiming to nip the man's leg.
'A-Astraea!'
As much as he wanted to scold her, this was the first time she seemed to be playful about anything of her own accord. He couldn't help but to laugh with her. She was growing to be what he'd hoped for. Free from cut and dry devotion. Elysian being there spurred this growth, no doubt. To show that it was possible for her to be this way, even if the bird wasn't exactly her. Reflecting a reflection, sparking something new.
The curiosities never ended.
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