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Post by Jewel on Sept 9, 2004 20:55:56 GMT -5
"Your eyes aren't the only ones I'm wary of," the spirit continued, now a cold halo around Rose's ears, "This one could be a good teacher for Tsuwari.. help him gain the power he is destined to wield." He left her momentarily, sliding through the air to examine the newcomer. He soon returned, "He could teach him the things I can't. As far as his dreams.. you should know, Rosie, that foals' dreams are often nothing but folly."
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Post by Rose Rebellion on Sept 9, 2004 21:02:01 GMT -5
Rose dared to glance towards Set again, this time her face appeared somewhat harder than the times she'd looked upon him before. That little voice of warning began to make that stirring in her once more, and the unicorn's earlier disregards were beginning to form a pit in her stomach.
What do you mean that he can teach him what you can't, Glayse? Her thoughts were firm and serious. If there was any form of danger a hoof and near her foal, Rose would not hold anything back in shoving the problem out of her house.
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Post by silverfall on Sept 11, 2004 0:44:34 GMT -5
Set waved Rose's apology off to indicate that he was OK, but gave Tsuwari an approving nod of his head.
"You're mother is right, young one," he said to Tsuwari. "Even the greatest sorcerers require rest so that they can weild great magic and you cannot conquor the world in one night." He said the last with a wink. "Off to bed with you, then. In the morning, we can go into the woods and find the place where your lightning has struck."
As he turned his attention to Rose, Set took on a look of concern, which hardened as did her own. What is this? he asked himself. A visistor? He stood his ground. He would not hestitate to show himself in front of both mare and child.
"If that is alright with you, Rose," he said. He turned back to Tsuwari. "A good stallion knows to mind his mother."
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Post by Jewel on Sept 12, 2004 13:06:48 GMT -5
The small faint orange cloud near Rose's ears drifted against her like air when blown past a piece of ice. "He is knowledgable, and very wise.. Tsuwari will be a pony of power--he needs to learn how to control it. No son of mine should be without a teacher, or a guardian, Rosie. He will rise to greatness, whether you would will it or not. So, my love, do not cast this stranger out just yet."
"A sorcererer? Can I be one? Like you?" Tsuwari looked up at Set in admiration, hoping someday he could be like him, or like the big orange pony, he added to himself.
"Off to bed with you, then. In the morning, we can go into the woods and find the place where your lightning has struck."
"Can we?" Tsuwari's little orange-red head turned from Set to his mother, "Is that ok, Mama?" He could barely stay still with excitement, though the yawns emerging from his little mouth protested otherwise.
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Post by Rose Rebellion on Sept 13, 2004 20:47:55 GMT -5
Rose paused in answer, seemingly distracted by Glayse's words. Mentally, she argued with herself. The unicorn knew deep down that anything Glayse should make as a suggestion should probably be the last bit of advice she should take. After all, he was evil, and still is evil and has a great influence on Tsuwari. That he pretty much stated loud and clear earlier that day. Rose accepted that she couldn’t always hide Glayse from Tsuwari, but her goal was to prevent him from becoming like Glayse.
That was going to be unremarkably difficult, especially so when Glayse was so open and wanting for Tsuwari to have a mentor of some sort. It was very obvious that Tsuwari would have a great deal of power, something Rose had to admit that she may not be able to help him control as he aged. A mentor with greater abilities than she would be the likely choice, seemingly the one being Set. Considering Glayse even pointed hooves to Set tipped Rose off that there was some underlying factor, probably not good, that made him choose such. That made Rose very suspicious of the god, which got her to thinking about the decision.
Whoever teaches Tsuwari is someone that will have to be great in their capabilities, as Tsuwari will need to fine-tune them. But I cannot let a mentor teach him in which direction he should use his powers. If he is to have a mentor, than I will learn alongside him in order to keep him in place. All right Glayse. You want a mentor for our boy, than you've got him.
She had half a mind to ask him for something in return, but knew he wouldn't comply anyway. Besides, Rose had no clue what to ask of him aside to leave Tsuwari alone, which was rightfully impossible as is.
"Yes...," she paused, her mind drifting back to reality, "Yes, that would be nice for us to do." She made sure to include herself, Glayse or not she was wary of leaving Tsuwari with a stallion she'd just met. "Now," her mood and vigor switched to something a little more upbeat, "I think it's time you hit bed. The sooner you get to sleep, the sooner you can looking for that spot."
The taf unicorn returned a pleasant face to the other unicorn. Tonight I lock the bedroom doors.
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Post by silverfall on Sept 13, 2004 22:36:33 GMT -5
Tonight I lock the bedroom doors.
Set watched as Rose argued with herself. He swished his tail.
That won't be necessary, he spoke inwardly, making his intrusion of her thoughts known to her. Besides, a locked door would hardly make a difference to him. His eyes darted around the room, looking for the invisible demon. Do you think, then, that you can keep me out? You would be safer under my watch, Rose. His aura simmered at the edge of his shape, seen only by her. Put the foal to bed. Then talk with me. If by morning you wish me to go, I will.
He did not add that despite the decision, he would find his way back again. He was determined Tsuwari's power would be his to command...one way or the other, through his father or his mother made no difference to him. He saw his opportunities and measured them, deciding what card he would play next.
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Post by Jewel on Sept 13, 2004 22:53:13 GMT -5
Tsuwari sighed, and yawned, though he tried to hide it, "Okay, okay.. goodnight, Mama," The little orange-red foal nuzzled against her briefly before turning to head to bed.
Within a few seconds, he was back, looking sheepish. In a small voice, with big sunset eyes, he whispered to Rose hoping Set wouldn't hear, "Mama? Will you tuck me in?"
The aura of Glasye's ghost hummed with energy as the orange shone a shade brighter, "Yes, love, listen to him.. he knows what he's doing. And you know I can find you wherever you are.. and I can find our son. What you choose to do is up to you, but know that little Tsuwari's fate is not completely within your hooves."
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Post by silverfall on Sept 13, 2004 23:01:17 GMT -5
Set was at the window again, pretending not to listen.
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Post by Rose Rebellion on Sept 13, 2004 23:07:57 GMT -5
Rose's eyes narrowed into slights for just a moment, any signs of possible anger or enrage diminished as her thoughts shifted to Tsuwari. "Yes, dear, I'll be there in a moment.," she winked at him.
When he was from sight, her face returned back to the one of anger. "I don't know who or what you are, Seth," she hissed below her breath, "But I do not appreciate have my privacy, my thoughts, invaded."
She spun around, barely controlling an erg to stomp out of the room; "I will speak with you in a moment."
Her pace slowed as she made her voyage upstairs. Just managing to push Set from her mind, just to obtain that tiny security that things were still peaceful and calm, did Rose enter her child's room. A warm smile was on her face instead of the harsh features moments before. "All right then," she said gently to him, picking him up and setting him upon the mattress.
With an easy pull and tug, the blankets came up, and floated down puffily on Tsuwari. She pulled the covers tight so he was snugly in. "Good night, sleep tight," she placed a kiss on his forehead, just under his nose, "Don't let the bed bugs bite." She stood and headed towards the door, turning and pausing just long enough to look at him once more before shutting off the light and closing the door.
Coming down the steps two at a time, with a stern and serious stature, Rose returned to Set. "All right," her forelegs crossed, "I'm listening."
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Post by Jewel on Sept 13, 2004 23:12:09 GMT -5
Tsuwari obeyed his mother, slowly and tiredly ascending the stairs before her. He smiled as the sheets floated down over him--he liked it when she made them do that. If he could never be sure of anything else, he knew he'd always have his mother's love, and that was something that, deep inside, was very special to him in all the ways she showed it.
"Goodnight, Mama," Tsuwari said, curled up on his soft bed. Within seconds, he was fast asleep.
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Post by silverfall on Sept 15, 2004 22:59:08 GMT -5
Set held back a small laugh as Rose exited the room with Tsuwari. He turned back to the window and waited.
Upon Rose's return, Set watched as she stood with crossed hooves and an even crosser look upon her face. He allowed the static of the storm to creep into the room, enough to make their hair stand up. There was an energetic crackling as he moved closer to her. He stopped a few paces away.
"I am Setekh," he said with effortless voice as his aura glowed a soft red. "Set or Seth, if you prefer, the God of Storms." Thunder rumbled overhead. "In a time long before you were born, prayers were spoken of me, oaths taken in my name, and I granted my followers the strength of the storm in their battles."
His ear turned to an unheard noise. "If you will permit me, others might be listening." He did not wait for her permission, but waved his horn over the room. Everything around them suddenly burned with a blood-red light.
And if you know what is good for you, he spoke inwardly to Glayse's spirit, you will play along in silence that we might someday toast your freedom. The barrier will not prevent you from listening, but at least let her think as much for now.
"I have come here to claim you and the boy as my own. It is a brazen statement, I know." He held up a hoof to prevent her from protesting. "Hear me out. I know the boy's father. Not personally, but enough to know what he is. He's here, in spirit, lurking just beyond us. You can feel him as well as I can. He thinks to control his son and gain his freedom, and through my power he hopes to achieve this, but I am not that lightly tossed. I am Setekh!" He snorted. "I'll not play the fool for some lesser scrap of rainbow, even..."
He turned away, drawing again to the window. The storm was beginning to ebb.
"Time has left its mark on the gods. They have dwindled; their powers are weak. I, too, have suffered much loss." He ground his teeth in silence for a moment, then turned back and approached her again. "I won't lie to you, Rose. I am a dark god and above all else I want power. Having you and Tsuwari as disciples will greatly influence that power.
"In return I can teach the boy to fend for himself in a world that will fear him." He sidled to her near side, pushing a sense of urgency into her thoughts. "You know the world, Rose. Even the simplist mage will smell upon the child his father's scent. It takes only one misstep to cause a great rushing of the villagers, breaking down your door, dragging your baby away to a fate we won't speak of this night. There is hope if only you can hide him from the world, but if you fail, who will protect him? The gods of light? How about the rainbow? What will the rainbow of light do when it comes upon the boy, a child of darkness himself? Can you protect against such hatred?" His voice took on a soft hiss.
"Bend no knee to it, Rose. He is as much his mother as his father and there is no telling who he will be until he is grown and his powers mature. I can both teach and protect him, even beyond what his father might dream, until he is ready to be on his own. Glayse has already charmed his way into the small one's mind, you know this. Will you let his malicious nature destroy Tsuwari? Give your foal a chance by offering yourselves to me. I ask only for your faith. "
He turned to the door, which opened to the dark night.
"If this is too large a price to pay for the boy's safety, then ask me to go."
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Post by Rose Rebellion on Sept 16, 2004 19:50:34 GMT -5
Rose stood patiently, neither her cross expression waning in either a positive or negative direction. She merely listened intently as was asked, waiting patiently for the other unicorn to get to the point.
"I am Setekh," he said with effortless voice as his aura glowed a soft red. "Set or Seth, if you prefer, the God of Storms." Thunder rumbled overhead.
Oh lovely...a god. You know Rose, you really know how to pick them, don't you? Another voice reminiscent of her mother began nagging in her head. I know, I know. This is exactly the type of pony mother warned me about. Rainbow, what have I gotten myself into?
After patiently waiting for him to finish his two cents, Rose waited a moment more, thinking deeply in the choice. Of course there was nothing Rose wouldn't do to protect Tsuwari. After all, Rose believed in her heart that her purpose on this earth was to bring Tsuwari up to neglect his darker side. Selling herself to a god wasn't too wild of an idea considering the past year.
The fact still remained that Set was indeed a dark god. Rose wasn't too certain she felt comfortable with the idea of joining sides with him. That would be the catch Glayse was so certain about him. Well, one thing is certain, Seth has that 'nothing's better than me' complex. Evidently, this 'contract' just seems to include the basis of getting followers and becoming stronger. The point of the matter is he claims to not want to assist Glayse. And honestly why would he? Surely if Seth was a smart god than he'd know that giving any other being of power some sort of boost could ultimately affect his own position in power. Therefore his words should be honest, right?
The logic seemed to be of sound, but her heart sped nervously, thumping out a warning of accepting Set's proposal. All right....I know this is horribly wrong, and dangerous. How do I know he won't hurt Tsuwari? Or me, for that matter? If I get killed be associating with Seth, well, Tsuwari will be without someone to guide him in the right direction. But...let's face it. I really can't stand against a group of crazed villagers, and I know I have thought about it once or twice. And I really don't know anything about the dark mind....how can I teach Tsuwari to avoid darker tendencies if I don't know how these darker thoughts arise? Seth is the first of this kind I've seen since the Dark Rainbow, maybe I can learn from him.
A sinking feeling former in her gut, and her chest felt suddenly weighed down as she mentally came to a resolve. Deep down, Rose was well aware that this certainly would not be the most easiest of things to do, but at the moment, it seemed the best and wisest of routes.
"All right then, Seth. I will accept your offer," she began, "BUT only on a few conditions. No harm will befall my foal during the course of any of this. If he is hurt in any way, shape, or form, the agreement is off. If I am harmed to the point where I am incapable of taking care of my foal, the agreement is off. Any training involving Tsuwari will be accompanied by me. If you wish to be anywhere near him, I will be present. And lastly, you teach me everything I need to know that makes minds like yours tick."
The rebellious unicorn's face was stern and hard, significant proof that she would not back down on her conditions or bargain them.
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Post by silverfall on Sept 16, 2004 21:11:47 GMT -5
"Come, now, Rose, be reasonable," Set laughed. "Should I stop him from stepping on a stone or falling over his own feet? Should I stop his heart from breaking when his first kiss leaves him? To promise that no harm will ever befall him is a promise no one can keep, not even the gods, for he has his own will and it demands experience."
Suddenly, his look became more serious.
"I suggest you find an appreciation for what I have offered you tonight. The service of a god is no matter to be dismissed at the first sign of a sniffle. The child's magic is strong and I want him for my mage, but he is not the only magician in the world. Your hesitation may cost him his life.
"I can give guidance, if that is what you seek, but I cannot give you what your mortal mind cannot comprehend in its own fashion. Do not allow yourself to think you can scrutinize the mind of a god."
He waved his horn, abolishing the barrier's red light.
"He is very young, therefore you may accompany us for a time, Rose, but how long will he tolerate being under his mother's nose? No, he cannot explore the full extent of his powers with you running along side. He is a stallion and he'll make his way as all young stallions do. Sooner or later, he will want to break from you. Do you want him sneaking about? Or do you want him under the guidance of one who understands your wishes?"
Set's mind was reaching back out into the void where he knew Glayse was patiently waiting. Mother still needs some convincing. Might I suggest a brief interlude with the boy? Something wrought with unpleasant possibilities?
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Post by Jewel on Sept 16, 2004 23:57:57 GMT -5
But of course, Glasye's spirit purred in response. He was indeed quite pleased with Set's initiative with Rose. In some way, he did love the red mare, but on the list of priorities, taking over the world (or some such goal) would almost always be at the top of his list. Glasye wasn't quick to let out his inner thoughts and intentions though.. he preferred to keep his plans close to the vest, lest anyone should discover and foil them. Without a sound and barely a perceivable movement, the orange blur vanished from sight, heading towards the sleeping Tsuwari's room.
Once in the dark, peaceful room, Glasye's essence pervaded and filled the air around the sleeping foal. Slowly, he pushed himself into Tsuwari's thoughts, which wasn't difficult to do to a young pony.. their minds were still wide open, often uncorrupted by the harsh world they would come to know as they aged.
"Hello, Tsuwari." Glasye stood in his normal form, beside his son, in Tsuwari's mind.
"You're the orange pony!" Tsuwari smiled, "The one that glows!" Glasye smiled cockily, showing his pearly whites. "That I am. Look over there.. that's your mother there in her garden, isn't it?" He asked innocently, pointing an orange hoof toward an image of Rose, standing near some of her flower beds.
"Yeah.. she loves working outside," Tsuwari responded, "She's ALWAYS in her garden."
"Why don't you go see if you can help her?" Glasye suggested, "I'm sure she'd appreciate it."
"Yeah.. okay," Tsuwari agreed, and started toward her. Just then, seemingly out of nowhere, the air all around them stopped, and everything but the red of Rose Rebellion's coat seemed to fade slightly. A big dark form similiar to that of a pony charged its way up to her. Rose neighed in protest as it picked her up from the ground and smothered her in darkness. Winds blew harshly, obstructing the view and tearing leaves from the trees. Then, almost as suddenly as it started, the winds died down and through the last remnants of falling leaves and settling dust, a panic-stricken Tsuwari laid terrified eyes on his mother's nearly lifeless form, "MAMA!" He hesitantly ran toward her, wanting to be near her but at the same time, afraid of what he might see.
Glasye approached the weeping foal, who through sobs demanded, "Who was that? Why did they hurt my m-mama?" A fire burned in his eyes that could have easily been a mirrored image of Glasye himself. He was furious, scared, and confused, but all the same filled with an anger he had never experienced before. Meekly, Rose whispered, "Help me, Tsuwari."
"Do you want to help her, and stop that pony next time?" Glasye asked calmly, with an air of suaveness.
"I wanna.. I wanna kill it! I wanna make it.. never come back!" Tsuwari growled through his tears.
"Then listen to me, little one," Glasye's eyes met those so like his own, "Follow Seth. He will teach you all you need to know to protect your mother. Otherwise.." He directed Tsuwari's attention back to Rose, "Some terrible things will happen."
With that, Glasye withdrew himself from his son's mind and quickly fled the room as an orange wisp, coming back to Rose and Set. In presence of the god, Glasye said silently, I think you'll be most pleased. Have I mentioned how much I would like to be... undead? I--
The orange ghost was interrupted by a panicked whine followed by a yell of "--Mama?? MAMA!"
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Post by silverfall on Sept 17, 2004 10:53:40 GMT -5
Set was listening to Glayse, mentally nodding when he mentioned his desire to be undead. Set had the keys to Glayse's freedom in his mouth and he enjoyed shaking them now and then. All things in due time, he was thinking to himself when Tsuwari's cry rang out.
"Quick! To the boy!" Set shouted to Rose.
He shouldered her ahead of him toward the stairs.
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