| Logs |
2007 December 28
| Burning |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Burning Man Logs |
After Burning Man.
The three angels have returned from Burning Man, and been back at the ranch long enough to relax a bit, clean everything up, and catch up on goings on since their departure for the surprise-filled event. During that time, Slate has come to a decision regarding protecting his close friends, especially Rosenstern.
Shateishael takes his time, planning things out carefully. First he carefully crafts a nice stone plinth for Rosenstern, which is engraved with peace symbols or icons from several different cultures. He includes the modern peace symbol, the ideograms for peace in Norse, Chinese, and Japanese, and he carefully copies the signs he can find for two or three other cultures. He'll set that up with Rosenstern's supervision, in a nice shady spot near one of Rosie's flower gardens. As he does so he casually notes to Rosie that a few more flowers might be nice there as well -- he'll bring a flat of something back from town next time he's there in the truck, if Rosie likes. He's fairly confident Rosenstern won't ever refuse more flowers!
When Shateishael brings back the flat of flowers, he helps Rosenstern plant them. Since he's learning right now how to "de-pot" a plant, he curiously asks how one pots a plant as well. He listens carefully, taking mental notes, and thanks Rosie for the information. He also enjoys himself a surprising amount -- more than he'd expected -- spending an afternoon getting cheerfully muddy with his beautiful little lover!
The new plants are de-potted and planted before noon, and then Slate goes and tinkers with the truck, making sure it can't run due to a critical piece being removed. After that, still with dirty hands, he wanders into the house and asks Rosenstern if he would be kind enough to pick up something for Slate in town? Slate would go except he's busy putting pieces back into the truck?
He sends Rosenstern off with a kiss, then practically runs back where he's got things stashed and ready to pot one of the Hera's Tears plants. About half an hour later he's ready, if a bit breathless -- he's next to a flower garden, picked a large bouquet of flowers, replanted more than ten potted plants, next to a nice stone plinth covered with peace symbols from about 5 cultures... and the pot of Hera's Tears is tucked neatly out of sight nearby.
Shateishael takes a deep breath, still a touch nervous, and mentally reviews. The precious fae flower plant is to be given to Novalis after the conversation is over, regardless of how the Archangel reacts to him, so it's very clear the flowers are a gift and not a bribe -- check. He reviews his bouquet, gently fluffing a few of the flowers to make sure they look nice: blue periwinkle for friendship, white chrysanthemums for truth, and some fern for sincerity and a nice touch of greenery -- check. He nervously chews on a finger, wishing it was the season for either lemon blossoms (for fidelity in love) or magnolia (for perseverance)... ah well, he's making do with what he has to hand. Plus he shouldn't chew on his fingers, he realizes, spitting -- dirt does not taste good!
Shateishael has already confided in Aletheia, and she's lurking near the front to neigh a warning should anyone arrive unexpectedly, or Rosenstern return faster than usual. He smoothes down his shirt, making sure it's neatly tucked into his jeans, and his boots are clean, and his hair's neatly tied back... he looks around, realizing he's stalling, and grins tightly. Okay, now or never! He lays down the bouquet by the little plinth, nervously hits his thighs with his fists once, twice, to help himself focus... then takes a deep breath, straightening, and Sings.
There's a whirl of wind that flutters the flowers Slate has gathered, bringing with it the strong scent of old-fashioned roses -- so much sweeter than the cloying perfume of the newer types. Mixed in with the rose scent is the smell of sandalwood smoke, and a form that starts out looking like heat shimmer takes shape sitting on the plinth. Slowly it solidifies into the form of an ageless woman wearing a patchwork skirt and a peasant blouse. Shateishael's Singing fades off slowly and musically as her form solidifies. Once she's completely there he takes another deep breath, then places his right hand over his heart and bows very politely, "Lady of Flowers. Thank you for hearing me."
Novalis pulls her glasses halfway down her nose to look over the top of the frames at Slate, half-smiling, "I wasn't likely to say no with a set-up like this. Even if you are one of David's."
Shateishael flushes (to his own surprise), and takes another deep breath, forcing himself to focus. "Thank you, ma'am. I... gotta a boon t' ask of ya, please, Lady. I, um... suck at being artful, though, so wi' y'r p'mission I'll just speak straightly?"
The angel of flowers chuckles quietly, "I don't mind straight-talk. Stone isn't exactly good at subtlety, anyway." She shifts and pulls her legs up, tucking them into a full lotus position.
Shateishael says, "Um. Yeah. Okay..." he fidgets, then realizes he's fidgeting and hastily puts his hands behind his back, falling reflexively into parade rest. He realizes in sudden horror that he can't remember his carefully planned speech -- and so he simply blurts out what he has to say, "I, um, Rosenstern? Yeah... um, so I'm his lover 'n dominant 'n I wanna be sure he's safe, 'n I um, noticed someone he wuz real 'ttracted to at th'last Burnin' Man, 'n I coulda tole him no but I din', an' I jus' wanna be sure you know, ma'am, it wuz me, not Rosie, who's responsible f'him uh, gettin' intimate wi' 'n 'Thereal?" He bites his lip, wincing... that was pretty dreadfully put, he ruefully decides. A bit trepidatiously he adds, "Uh... did that make sense, ma'am? 'M real sorry... jus'... li'l nervous..."
Novalis leans forward slightly, crow's feet and dimples showing as she smiles, "Run that by me again?"
Shateishael turns bright red, his gaze falling... then he takes a deep breath and straightens again, unwittingly looking like he's reporting to a master sergeant for a verbal drubbing down, "I... am Rosenstern's lover, ma'am, an' his dominant. I'm kinda new t'doin' that, though, so I'm still learnin'... an' while we were at Burnin' Man th'last coupla weeks ago, we met some 'Thereals. Rosie's th'type t'fall real hard f'folks when he c'n see they love him-" a bit wistfully he adds, "wisht I knew how he c'n tell -- but anyways, so there wuz this one that he'n Rosebud were, um... y'could a'most see th'sparks when they looked at each other, y'know? An'... well, it's hard t'say no t'th'li'l Rose, y'know? An'... so I din' tell him no, that it wuzn't 'ppropriate f'angels 'n 'thereals t'be lovers, 'n I let 'em get t'gether." He remembers to take another breath, then concludes firmly, "So I jus' wan'ed t'be sure y'knew 'head a' time, ma'am, 'case Dominic ever finds out 'r nuthin' -- wuz me said it wuz okay. Wuzn't Rosie's fault 'tall."
Shateishael resists the urge to look down and scuff one foot in the dirt -- then wonders amusedly how it is Archangels always make him feel so darned young -- without even saying anything! He smothers a rueful grin, and remains carefully at parade rest -- even if he's nervous as hell, he can at least remain courteous.
Novalis smiles kindly at Slate and scoots over, patting the plinth beside her in invitation, "So... you went to Burning Man and there were some of the Ethereals that slipped past poor, misguided Uriel there. And one of them was drawn to my sweet Star-Rose. And then two perfectly intelligent beings became lovers... but it's your fault?"
Shateishael looks a bit confused for a moment, until it registers -- the Archangel Novalis is asking him to come sit beside her?! He draws another nervous breath... then slowly paces over and sits next to her, excruciatingly careful not to take up too much space. "Um, ma'am, been thinkin' 'bout it, 'n I c'd see Dominic consid'rin' that t'be heresy -- consortin' wi'th'enemy 'r sump'in' -- 'n wantin' alla our Forces dispelled 'r sump'in'. So okay, maybe it's not m'fault so much, but I do take r'spons'bility f'it happ'nin', yeah." He adds in explanation, "Coulda stopped it, but I din', y'know?"
Novalis leans toward Slate and brushes a stray strand of hair off his forehead, still smiling, "No, you couldn't have. I don't think you have it in you to stand in the way of love."
Shateishael flushes again. then rumbles firmly, "If'n I'd been sure it wuz wrong, ma'am, I woulda. I wouldn' knowin'ly let Rosie run inta sump'in' bad f'him."
The archangel chuckles softly, "Uhm... and is real actual love ever wrong?"
Shateishael thinks about that for a moment... then rumbles a bit sadly, "Ma'am, I don' think it is, but Dominic don' include my opinions in his judgments."
Novalis' smile brightens, "And before I let Dominic kill one of my children for loving someone, I'll make him scatter my Forces."
Shateishael looks tremendously relieved, taking a huge breath and letting it out in a gusty sigh. A couple of breaths later he's pulled himself together enough to grin at her a bit shyly, "Thanks, ma'am. Tha's all I really wan'ed t'be sure a', y'know?"
The archangel nods, chuckling softly, "I'm glad you're feeling more relaxed, sugar." She pats Slate on the shoulder, "And, Slate, no matter what you could have said or forbidden him to do, Rosenstern's decisions are his own. Each being is responsible for its own path."
Shateishael hesitates, considering that for a moment... then he rumbles quietly, "Ma'am, I'm one 'a Stone's -- I agree wi'that, 'n I unnerstand there're always consequences t'our actions. But I also know our companions gotta big influence on us too... 'n if my takin' r'spons'bility f' Rosie's actions wi'th' 'thereal keeps him 'bit safer, then 'm happy t'do so." He adds with a touch of both pride and wonder, "He trusts me, ma'am. How could I not do th'best f'him I know how, y'know?"
Novalis smiles, giving Slate's shoulder a squeeze, "I don't think you couldn't do less than the best for him."
Shateishael gives Novalis another slightly abstracted smile, "Try m'best, ma'am." He sighs relievedly, the tension ebbing out of him, then adds shyly, "Glad y'like th'plinth, ma'am. Figgered Rosie'd like it, 'n y'wouldn' mind me usin' it once t'try callin' you. Oh!" He straightens abruptly, sliding to his feet, "Got sump'in' f'ya, ma'am! Moment..." He steps over to where the potted plant is waiting, carefully taking it and turning towards Novalis, "Thoughtcha might like this, ma'am?"
It's hard to see through the green-lensed shades, but the rest of her face shows how she lights up, "Oh! It's gorgeous!" She bounces like a child and holds out her hands, "Is it for me?"
Shateishael grins, suddenly inordinately pleased at how much she seems to like it. He hands it carefully to her, "Yes'm. Th'species's called Hera's Tears, I wuz tole. Figgered you'd be th'best t'make sure it wuz kept safe in Heaven. Rosie's raisin' a few here on Earth too -- this's one a' his stock." He adds quietly, "Figgered folks who care're th'best t'make sure beautiful thin's don' die out completely, y'know?"
Novalis almost hugs the plant to her chest, breathing in the unique, delicious scent. "Oh, sweetheart, thank you."
Shateishael beams, again resisting an urge to shyly scuff one foot in the dirt, "Glad y'like it, ma'am. 'N... thanks f'list'nin' t'me."
Novalis smiles, "Thanks for taking care of my son." With that, she's starting to fade, slowly becoming less substantial.
Shateishael rumbles with quiet sincerity, as he watches, "For as long as he wants me to, ma'am." Her eyes stay longest, becoming clear after the image of the shades has faded -- opalescent irises shining with gentle love before blinking out of existence. Once she's completely gone Slate sighs relievedly again, leaning against the plinth. Thea sticks her head around the corner of the house and whickers, "It went well?" Slate looks up at her and grins tiredly, nodding, "Yeah, think so, sweetheart." Thea clops over calmly, curving her head and neck about Slate in an equine hug and murmuring, "Told you so." He chuckles, hugging her tightly back, "Yeah... you were right, pretty lady."
Things proceed apace at the Circle-H Ranch. Life has settled down to its usual pace: Bella has happily made herself at home for a short while before heading off to Sonoma again, and should she wish to participate in any of the various communities Slate and Rosie are part of, she is gladly welcomed. Slate continues to work on the different communities he's part of, catching up with those which are invited out to the Circle-H for their irregular monthly meetings or events. In his spare time he works on a Jacuzzi for Bella. Post-Burning Man, Rosenstern seems to be slightly more... sweet-tempered? Docile? Amenable to being played with? -much to Bella's and Slate's enjoyment. He's also extremely busy at this time of year, what with harvesting, canning, pickling, and all the other effort put into the preservation of a good summer's end crop.
Thea has done the end-of-summer examination of the land, making sure everything's snug, in good shape, and sturdy for the winter windstorms. Slate had to repair a few fence posts, remove some dead branches, and replace a few sections of roofing on the garage, but aside from that Thea is pleased with how the ranch is heading into the beginning of October. It's early one morning, when Slate and Rosie are in town to pick up some equipment, that Thea clops over to the open door of Bella's workroom and grazes outside for a while, waiting until Bella finishes the vase she's building on the wheel.
Bella makes the last sweeps of her hand, meant simply to smooth out the lines the throwing process leaves in the clay. She lets the wheel slow and examines the piece for any flaws in shape or symmetry. When the Bright is satisfied with it, she stands and stretches. Sometimes working on the wheel is hard on her back. Thea tilts her head to look into the room, her ears perked up in interest. She sniffs a few times, then whickers, "Smells like mud! Nice, clean mud."
The Bright grins and nods, "It is. I'm surprised more kids don't grow up to be potters, considering how much fun they have playing in mud." Bella eyes the vase again, the shape very round and squat, designed with a mind toward just holding a mound of flowers.
Thea's ears flick back and forth interestedly a few times as she considers... then she says, "Bella? Why are humans so fixated on bathing? And why do the women slather stuff all over their faces, right after they've washed everything off?"
Bella laughs and arches a brow, "Well, humans have this thing about not smelling like humans. Or at least about not smelling what they consider dirty. Most of them have had a very sanitized upbringing."
Thea's silent a moment as she pulls up another mouthful of grass and chews it, considering... then she swallows and huffs a short sigh, looking away. Her ears are still attentively directed at Bella, though, as she casually asks, "So... are Ethereals like that too, do you know?"
Bella eyes Thea curiously, trying to suss out the direction the mare is going to take this direction, "Well, they didn't seem overly concerned with it. Though they didn't exactly smell human. I know I like taking baths just because I like the hot water."
Thea casually rubs her nose against one foreleg, then sighs again, her head swinging around to face Bella, "Beara of the Sun tells me there were two centaur stallions who'll be coming to the ranch to visit -- an older one and his younger nephew. Did you happen to get a good whiff of them, by any chance?"
The blinking sort of points to Bella still being a little confused about this, "I spent some time around both of them. Karl always smelled very... like you and Bear. Like how the two of you smell when you've been running and he's been working. Ajax... he tended to smell pretty much the same. But they're both smiths."
Thea huffs softly, looking away again, her tail switching back and forth... then looks back at Bella, "Bear also says Ethereals can breed... and that there are other equine Ethereals as well." Curiously, she sounds almost... nervous, rather than excited.
Bella nods slowly, "Two unicorns and the pegasus, apparently. And they can breed, but it's apparently not easy."
Thea nods, then shakes her head to toss her mane out of the way... then sighs again. She looks at Bella worriedly and whickers, "I... haven't been around horses for so long, Bella -- it's been all angels and humans, and... um..." she looks away, then back at Bella again, "I can't ask Bear -- he hasn't a clue -- but I'm still worried. What are they like? What do they think is nice? What... what if they think I'm silly and old-fashioned, or ugly and clumsy, or... or whatever?!"
Bella blinks in amazement. She's never once seen Thea unsure about anything, "They're very nice as far as I know, hon." She rinses the clay off her hands and steps toward the door, reaching to stroke Thea's mane, "Karl is a lot like Bear, only more surly. Ajax seems like any young, intelligent man. Their manners are a little old-fashioned. But that's to my eyes. I'm the baby around here."
Thea sighs again, dipping her head to rest her cheek against Bella for a moment. She finally mumbles, "Bear's no help... he says I'm already beautiful and if they have the brains of a duck they'll see that. But... dammit, it's my herd and territory too, and I want them to think well of me -- not just if it's springtime rut, you know?" She adds a little wistfully, "I... miss having horses around..."
Bella does her best not to giggle at the statement of missing other horses coming right after the remark about rut. "I think you'll rather like Karl, actually. He's sort of grumpy, but he's very good people. And Ajax is sort of mischievous, but nice. Ajax seemed a bit of a flirt." She leans in and says softly, "You keep this place wonderfully. And you are a gorgeous mare. I promise. Karl's sort of a chestnut, by the way..." the Bright adds, stroking Thea's coat, "Ajax is... what's that sort of mottled pattern? Sort of his rear half is brown with brown spots over the rest." She continues, "I didn't get to meet the more fully equine Ethereals. Karl apparently runs sort of a refuge for them."
Thea's ears flick up with interest, "An appaloosa? Those are nice looking coats... and you say Karl's a chestnut? And that they smelled nice, like me and Bear of the Sun... hmm..." she considers a moment, then asks with more animation in her voice, "Did they wear clothes on their human parts? Or rolling -- did you ever see them rolling? Do they wear shoes?"
The Bright grins, "I saw them wearing smithing aprons and something a bit like armor, but they didn't seem overly concerned with wearing shirts or the like. They did have shoes, yes. Karl makes shoes for the equines and the satyrs. I didn't witness any rolling, but the Playa is pretty alkaline."
Thea adds a bit wistfully, "Does Karl have to leave his lead mare at home too?"
Bella blinks at the change in tone, wondering if Thea is being nervous about being around equines or around male equines, "I... don't think he has a lead mare, hon. From what I gathered, he's unattached."
Thea snorts softly, her tail swishing back and forth again, "Hmmm... maybe I'll take a bath before they come then. I can sweet-talk Bear into a nice bath, I bet... and... maybe some war paint too! It's been a while since I dressed up... I should look nice for equine visitors, after all, right?" She adds firmly, "And I might as well be sure I smell like me, not like dirt, every once in a while."
Bella finally slowly asks, "Uhm... Thea, hon, are you trying to impress them as Ethereals or as males?" She slings her arm over Thea's neck and leans against the mare's side, "I'll help give you a scrub if you feel like you need one."
Thea flicks her ears back and forth a few times, then whickers, "I don't know a thing about Ethereals, Bella. But I know horses, and I know stallions, even if it's been a long, long time since I had an equine herd to lead... and Bear's bringing two new stallions home. I want to smell strong and capable and don't-fuck-with-me!" She grins at Bella (a very odd expression on her long face), and adds, "And if they've got good manners, maybe they'll be around during Spring... and I'll get a chance to play with them some too!" Then she chuckles, "Touching is always nice, Bella, whether it's scrubbing or scritching or nibbling -- you're always welcome to do so with me, and I promise to be careful when I return the favor!"
The Bright laughs aloud at Thea's descriptions of how she wants to smell, "I can't blame you there. It's always best to put one's capable face on when people are coming onto your home turf."
Thea nods firmly once, her forelock tossing, "You bet! We'll need to call them and tell them we need at least a day or two warning before they arrive. That will give me enough time to have a nice scrubby bath, and to dry off and get trimmed, and get Bear to put some paint on." She tosses her head, her expression brighter now, "And finally -- finally! -- there'll be more horses on the Circle-H!" She snorts amusedly, "About time. I swear, if I knew how, I'd wear a human form just so I could keep up with you all!
Bella smiles and slides her hand under Thea's main to scritch lightly along her neck, "I'll make sure they know. They do seem very serious about manners and proprieties when they're meeting someone." She grins as Thea's nervousness turns to excitement, "Keep up with us? I'm amazed you don't outrun us all."
Thea tilts her head a bit in pleasure at the scritching, her ears tilting at silly angles as she does so... she snorts absently, "Kind of hard to keep up with you all when you head off the ranch, Bella." She sighs gustily, adding, "How can I keep up with Bear when he spends months on the road every summer?"
Bella nods thoughtfully, "I suppose it must get lonely out here sometimes when we're all off traipsing about."
Thea falls silent, looking out over the ranch... then she sighs quietly, "Well... I suppose someone has to keep the place safe."
Bella smiles slightly, "That's not an answer, beautiful."
Thea's head turns to regard Bella, and she smiles, "No, it's not really, is it?" She chuckles softly, looking out at the ranch again, "Yes, it's a little lonely when there's no one intelligent to talk to. Admittedly, horses aren't usually intelligent, but I at least speak their language."
The Bright smiles, "Do we need to talk to Bear about getting you equine companions? Or do you simply want friends of your own to come visit when your normal herd is away?"
Thea gives Bella a slightly surprised look, her ears pricked sharply, "A... friends of my own? What do you mean?"
Bella motions around the ranch, but manages to make it a more encompassing gesture, "Rosie has the folks he helps out. Bear and I have all the people we know at the Faires, and I have Ian. Do you need someone that's not one of your family to connect with?"
Thea blinks, considering that. Finally she says slowly, "I... I've never had friends that weren't Bear's friends too. I... don't really know how to find friends of my own, Bella." She adds amusedly, "Not many humans are willing to accept talking horses any more."
Bella smiles and steps back so Thea can see her face very clearly, "Well, the Ethereals are Slate's friends, and my friends. I'm... not expressing myself very clearly. No, they aren't. But I think with the Ethereals you may find people that can be very much your friends and not just be your friend as being part of Slate's life."
Thea tilts her head curiously at Bella, "You're saying people who like me for me, and not just because I'm Bear of the Sun's lead mare?"
Bella smiles, "Yes. That's what I mean."
Thea thinks about that a bit... then lifts her head and looks out over the ranch thoughtfully. "I think that would be nice... I would like that, Bella. I will be interested to see how they all behave here." She looks back at Bella, adding, "Do you know how many different ones will be turning up? And what they're all like? Are they all like Karl and Ajax -- and Peony? I've heard you and Rosie and Bear talking about her as well." She adds thoughtfully, "I think Bear is getting protective over Peony..."
Bella smiles, "I think Bear is perhaps getting infatuated with her. She's good people. Well, the ones we know are coming are Ajax and Karl, Bacchus -- who's a satyr -- and Soma. He's... well, he's thin and blue and has butterfly wings."
Thea whickers, "The ones with goat bottoms? And... gracious! Are they all tiny, except for the centaurs?"
Bella laughs, "Soma isn't tiny. He's thin, but very tall. And there were some half-giants. They were pretty large."
Thea hms thoughtfully, "Rosie's scent goes all sexually interested when he talks about Soma, the same way when he's talking about Bear. Okay... a tall butterfly. That'll be interestingly different!" She considers the news about the giants, then nickers cheerfully, "All right, this should be fun! Lots of new people -- it's been a while, and I think you're right -- it's high time Bear brought more folks home!" She pauses, arching her head and neck about Bella in an equine hug as she adds, "Thank you, Bella, for talking with me. You're a friend and a truly nice mare, and I'm glad you've chosen to join our herd."
Bella smiles and gives Thea's forelock an affectionate tug, "I'm glad you like me being part of it. And I think Rosie is pretty crazy about both of them."
Thea chuckles, "Oh, yes, he is -- sometimes he gets so excited he even stutters when he talks about them!" She's silent a moment, then happily adds, "I have work to do! Got to call the centaurs and let them know we need some lead time warning before they arrive!" She whirls lightly, trotting off with her head and tail up towards the barn, and neighs over her shoulder, "Thanks, Bella! -for being my friend as well as Bear's!"