Evening Vespers
Ashiel moved fluidly through the garden. He'd been finishing up his evening prayers and decided to take some time to admire the stillness and the quiet. He'd been preoccupied with his daughter and with renewing his relationship with his mother. He'd been neglecting his duties as an Oracle but he'd be lying if he said he didn't appreciate the respite. In truth he was sure what an Oracle was supposed to do on their down time and he made a note to discuss it with Malleus. He still felt his visions were more a secondary part of his life. Yet, how much of that was because he wanted it to be a secondary part of his life?
He'd talked briefly with Serene and it had helped to some extend. An owl hooted in the distance as Ashiel sat down to admire the clear night sky. His mother had promised to hang around this time and he vowed to mine her for information. She would know much of the old lore and could teach him so much and yet he knew he would have to be careful. His mother was a trickster and he would have difficulty telling what was truth and what was embellishment. He wouldn't put it past Pyralis to make up something right on the spot and sell it as ancient tradition. He'd need to catch her in a more sober mood. Not the easiest of tasks.
"Talk"
The young male wandered away from the castle. Home had been decidedly quiet lately. Without his father around he felt lost. His absence had not been well received, and he wondered how poorly it reflected upon him. Malleus, his mentor, was too busy with his duties to warrant a heart to heart. He was growing into a large creature, though the gangliness of youth had far from faded. Long limbs and no meat to be found upon him, his mottled auburn coat unruly over his form. Crown low between his shoulders, the young phoenix slunk into the new territory that had yet to be explored. The overpowering wave of herbal aromas struck him all at once, and left him a little dumbstruck for a few moments. Plants shot up through the ground all around him, clamouring for the most sunlight. The stars winked in and out overhead, watching over the young wolf. He wasn't sure where he stood anymore, without his parents to guide him. Kaine was so desperate to return his mate and son to the empire that he could not be bothered to consider anything else. Without him, the boy wondered if there was still a place for him here. He sighed softly, cerulean gaze blank as he regarded the dark sky above. He wondered if God had a plan for him- some rubric that he might be able to follow. A few more steps into the flora brought something to his attention. He was not alone in the garden. A much larger male, gazing up at the sky, sat in the midst of all the foliage. Cautiously, the youngster approached him. Curiosity sparkled in his gaze as he eyed the unfamiliar wolf. He was surely family, and he could vaguely recall him from a meeting. This male was important, he knew that much. "Are you here to think, too?" he questioned softly, auds shoved forward with piqued interest. |
Ashiel closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the cool spring evening. Soon the dry season would begin and he would have to acclimate to their new surroundings. He was unfamiliar with this territory in the dry season. New water sources would have to be found. New understanding of prey movements would be necessary to keep the pack fed. He hoped the Fallen god would guide him true to help his family, especially his little daughter. It still seemed so surreal that he was a parent. His anger against Leshia had since cooled and he found himself wanting to be near her again. He missed her. That sounded weak and pathetic, he knew he shouldn't be pining over a mortal he'd only known for such a short time.
Ashiel turned at the sound of approaching paw steps to see a yearling male approaching him. He'd seen the boy around but he hadn't had the chance to properly meet the boy. Ashiel nodded. "Yes, to think and to pray. I don't believe we've been formally introduced. My name is Ashiel, who might you be?"
"Talk"
The larger male turned to look at him, with eyes the colour of a rolling, endless field. "Yes, to think and to pray. I don't believe we've been formally introduced. My name is Ashiel, who might you be?" he questioned, and the man's voice was a deep baritone, not wholly unlike his fathers. However, Ashiel had a much softer, gentler voice. The brashness of his father was missing from this tone. It was.. pleasant. Deciding he wanted to stick around with this male, he settled himself neatly on his haunches to Ashiel's left, with a little under a foot of space between them. A respectful berth to give a higher ranking member. "Mephistopheles." the young phoenix replied softly, attempting to mimic the tone that the older male had used. "Are you praying to God? What about?" he questioned next, with only a few beats in between of pause. He still remembered that night out in the rain, watching the thunder and lightning roll across the sky. He'd felt close to God then, and he wanted to feel that again. He wanted to make God proud. Perhaps Ashiel would know how he could achieve that goal. ooc. short, garbage post. Sorry! I'm trying to get active with Meph, he's been neglected! |
Ashiel mulled over the yearling's name. He new this name, one of Kaine's children if he wasn't mistaken. His family's population had swelled rapidly over the past year and some times he had trouble remember who all was whose. As for Kaine, he hadn't seen the man in some time, but he'd been distracted. The man was likely busy about the empire or off on assignment. Ashiel sweared lightly at himself for not getting to know his packmates, his family better. He needed to start putting forth active effort instead of waiting for opportunity to fall into his lap.
Ashiel chuckled at the boys question. "To the Fallen god, yes." He was particular about the name. Since it was well known that the Fallen god fell with other gods, lesser ones of course, he felt the need to distinguish. To make sure it was known exactly which god he and his family was descended from. Pyralis had told him that the Fallen god had a proper name. That he was called Abraxas and that is why the family was named as it was. They were named in honor of their forbear. Lord Abraxas had a ring to it but he could never tell how serious she was. Lately, his mother had been more difficult to read than usual, often changing the subject whenever religion came up. Even so he liked the idea of it. That this was no distant religious figure but family. Family with a name. They weren't mere followers of some random religion but part of a divine family. Perhaps, with everything he'd been going through, he desperately craved that closeness.
"I pray for guidance. I am an Oracle and sometimes my dreams have meaning, they are visions of possible futures. However, it is not always easy for me to tell what is dream and what is vision. I also pray for guidance to help our family, especially with the dry season. Tell me Mephistopheles, what did you come here to think about? Is there anything I might be able to help with?"
"Talk"
Ashiel seemed amused by his question, as simple as it was. Maybe it was too simple, and he was laughing at the phoenix's stupidity. However, he was quick to elaborate on his response. "I pray for guidance. I am an Oracle and sometimes my dreams have meaning, they are visions of possible futures. However, it is not always easy for me to tell what is dream and what is vision. I also pray for guidance to help our family, especially with the dry season. Tell me Mephistopheles, what did you come here to think about? Is there anything I might be able to help with?" when attention fell upon him, Mephistopheles hesitated. He worried that his concerns and fears were too trivial, too silly to voice. What if Ashiel dismissed him? However, the older male was an oracle. Perhaps his insight would be just what he needed to continue forward. "I-" why was he hesitating? "I'm worried I'm not good enough to be part of the empire." he admitted in a soft voice, brilliant gaze downcast and fixed upon his pale toes. "I want to be a great warrior, and bring honour to our name, but I had to leave with my p-" he cleared his throat. "uh, father. We travelled all over the continents looking for my mother after she disappeared with my brother. My father is still out there looking for her, and I feel lost. Malleus has been avoiding me, probably because I disappeared while he was supposed to be mentoring me in how to fight, and he's disappointed, or too busy to bother with me." he trailed off into silence, wondering how much of that information was reasonably safe to have dumped onto the oracle. Probably not much of it. Too late now, there's no going back. He picked up his gaze from his paws, and tipped his head up to fix his attention on Ashiel's face."Do you know what I can do to make it right? I want to make it up to everyone." |
Ashiel watched curiously as the young man hesitated. When he spoke Ashiel's expression became more serious. These were definitely important concerns. The boy went on to explain that he'd gone travelling with his father to look for his mother and missing brother. Ah… he remembered hearing that the woman had disappeared with an Abraxas pup. The news had not gone over well and he imagined that was why Kaine had gone looking for her so intently. It was a serious crime for an Abraxas pup not to be raised with their family and the consequences could be dire. Kaine was also the most likely to know the woman's habits. Ashiel wished him luck in finding and dealing with her.
Malleus has been avoiding me, probably because I disappeared…
Ashiel swiftly shook his head. "I know for certain that he is not avoiding you because you left for a time with your father or because he's disappointed. There has been much going on lately, especially with the move and his children. His thoughts may be elsewhere but that does not mean he has forgotten about you or does not wish to bother with you." Ashiel may not have known for certain but if he knew anything of his cousin he'd given the boy his best guess. He did assume that Malleus was probably to busy to mentor another child.
"Do you know what I can do to make it right? I want to make it up to everyone."
Ashiel's gaze turned to the horizon as he thought for a moment before turning back to Meph. "Well, I think it would be a good show of perseverance and intent for you to take the initiative. Summon Malleus, tell him you wish to be trained in the arts of battle and ask if he can spare time to train you and if not have him recommend someone who can." Initiative, strong will, these were prized qualities in their family. "And… if you like I could perhaps hold a training session or two with you. You know I was a skilled warrior before I became an Oracle. I lived and breathed for battle and my skills have not dulled with time."
"Talk"
Ashiel seemed rather confident that his assumption had been incorrect, a vigorous shake of his head indicating a defense of his point to follow. "I know for certain that he is not avoiding you because you left for a time with your father or because he's disappointed. There has been much going on lately, especially with the move and his children. His thoughts may be elsewhere but that does not mean he has forgotten about you or does not wish to bother with you." the older male assured him, vocals ringing out calm and stony across the garden. The reassurance was all he could have asked for. There was no one to provide him with that guidance now, with his father absent. Perhaps Ashiel had been placed in his path at this moment by God in order to keep him moving in the right direction. It took a moment, while Ashiel considered the question, before an answer to his predicament arose. The oracle cast his verdant gaze towards the phoenix, who held it as calmly as he could. "Well, I think it would be a good show of perseverance and intent for you to take the initiative. Summon Malleus, tell him you wish to be trained in the arts of battle and ask if he can spare time to train you and if not have him recommend someone who can." he finally said with decisiveness. That was a brilliant idea! The boy hummed thoughtfully, a gesture of acknowledgment and and an indication that he was going to take this under advisement. "And… if you like I could perhaps hold a training session or two with you. You know I was a skilled warrior before I became an Oracle. I lived and breathed for battle and my skills have not dulled with time." A little twinkle played in his cerulean eyes, thrilled that he was being given not only the time of day by the older male, but an opportunity to learn from him. "I would gladly accept, it would be an honour to learn from you." he said softly, lips twitching up into a smile. "Would you tell me the story of how you became an oracle, too? That seems like an interesting transition." he felt a stillness in his chest that hadn't been there previously, only the hammering of his heart where something feral and afraid had previously been tearing at the confines of his ribs. |
In the distance the call of a lone coyote echoed out across the terra. No other voices joined its mournful cry. He dimly wondered if his mother had been harassing the creatures again. She did seem to pursue more than her fair share of blood and trouble though he didn't feel he had any control over her. Ashiel turned to Meph with a grin and nodded. He'd be pleased to instruct the younger male in what he could. "Find me again when you wish to start. I'd like to spar against you first to see where your skills lie. We can go from there."
Would you tell me the story of how you became an oracle, too? That seems like an interesting transition.
Ashiel hesitated but nodded. While he wasn't terribly comfortable yet with the events that led him to such a position he figured it would be beneficial to share the store, for both him and the boy. "I was the alpha of the Eclipse Empire. We'd been having trouble with heavy rains and mudslides. Once I cracked my head during a storm and had visions. I ignored them. I thought they were just dreams. Then in the great flood that destroyed the canyon in which we made our home I was seized by the river and dragged down its depths." He resisted the urge to shudder. Some days when the evenings were cool and he held still enough Ashiel could almost feel the weight of the water pressing in on him. "I lost consciousness and had another vision, more vivid than the one before in which the Fallen god, Lord Abraxas, was speaking to me. He gave me my life back so that I might relay his message."
"Talk"