Malachite's Throne

Post by **BionicleMandi121** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:13 pm

Houkiboshi held her needle up and passed a thread through the eye. After tying a swift knot on one end of the thread, she looked down at the white square of cloth in her lap. There was a red rose stitched in the middle of it, with the incomplete outlines of dark green leaves at the base. She picked the cloth up and started to pass the needle through the vein of a leaf.
A sudden high-pitched wail snapped her attention away from her embroidery. She dropped the cloth and needle and was halfway on her feet when the girl she took care of burst through the doorway, looking half-crazed. "What is it?" she asked, bending down and working the needle into a free patch of cloth before tucking it into her obi. It wouldn't do to have the child step on the needle.
"Ou-outside," the girl stammered, trembling. Houkiboshi walked over and hugged her, letting her calm down. Eventually, the girl managed to mutter, "Outside...a monster...with a kitten..." She said more, but Houkiboshi was already not listening. A kitten? It couldn't be...
She waited 'til the child stopped shivering, then patted her gently on the head. "It's all right, probably just Lady Serpentia doing something again." The girl hiccuped at the name, but remained quiet. "Look, your mother's home," she continued, hearing a door open elsewhere in the building. "I'll see you tomorrow, all right?" She smiled reassuringly at the girl, who eventually smiled back and gave a tiny nod. Houkiboshi turned and left the house, nodding to the woman she passed in the main hallway. She paused just outside, taking in the sight of Mordotz and Gil as they passed. Her eyes lingered on the latter, a nostalgic expression on her face.

Post by **Prancing Mad** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 11:13 am

Mordotz slowed to a stop, closing his eyes.

Gil stopped with him, tilting his head and blinking, curious as to why they stopped.

His eyes opened, and he turned to Houkiboshi. He glanced backward to gil, and brought him along toward her.

Post by **Isaac** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 5:33 pm

Gil peeked out from behind Mordotz and looked at Houkiboshi with his one golden eye. He recalled that this woman had never visited the fortress before and thus he did not know who she was in the slightest. But there was one thing that he liked about her and that was that she wasn't Lady Sepentia and she also didn't appear to be associated with Sepentia in any way. He allowed himself to be lead over to her but he shyly hid behind his new guardian, not wanting to let go of his hand.

Post by **BionicleMandi121** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:50 am

Houkiboshi blinked as the pair drew near her, then dipped into a deep bow. "I am honored to be in your presence, Mordotz, Gil." She straightened and looked the former in the eye. She had to tilt her head backward to meet his eyes. "It's nice seeing you out and around again," she commented with a smile. "Goodness knows the world needs someone like you around, especially in times like this."

Post by **Prancing Mad** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:08 am

The iksar brought his hand up, grabbing his helmet and removing it. (FYI, 20 years ago, Mordotz was 21. And he's 58 now. So something definatly happened.) "Its Good to see you Houkiboshi" He said, bowing, with a smile. "What've you been up to these past years?"

Post by **BionicleMandi121** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:17 am

Houkiboshi waved a hand casually. "Oh, the usual. Avoiding authority, keeping low...I haven't used my powers for quite some time, other than maintaining this guise, of course. Having hands is nice, but I rather miss running around on four legs." She peered up at his face. "You look different. Older. Older than you should be. The last twenty years have not been kind to you?"

(Whatever "definitely happened," she doesn't know about it.)

Post by **Prancing Mad** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:22 am

(No one does. Cept for Mordotz of course.)He closed his eyes, remaining silent for a few seconds "You could say that." He finally responded. "I noticed the young one, who is she?" He asked his old friend.

Post by **Isaac** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:43 am

Gil stayed behind Mordotz, listening to the conversation he was holding with Houkiboshi. Eventually, his interest drifted to a small butterfly that was perched on a nearby rock. He slowly let go of Mordotz's hand and wandered over to the rock. The butterfly stayed perched where it was. Gil very slowly and calmly lifted his clawed finger to the small insect. It complied and crawled onto his finger. He smiled and slowly brought it up close to his face.

Post by **BionicleMandi121** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:43 am

Houkiboshi glanced back at the house. "Just a human child. I've been babysitting her while her mother works." She looked back at Mordotz. "I suggest we move away from the house. The two humans are at the back right now, but if either catch sight of me conversing with what they deem a 'monster,' I might be out of work." She glanced down at Gil, another smile flitting across her features. He was rather cute, in a cuddly sort of way.

Post by **Prancing Mad** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:54 am

"There aren't much Iksar left in the world..." he crossed his arms. "We have more important things to worry about. Malachite's power is increasing, he's corrupting more kings everyday. We need to stop him." He said, sternly.

Post by **BionicleMandi121** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:02 am

The kitsune's smile faded. She sighed. "I know. The filthy brat will wind up unstoppable if no one does anything. Yet despite how long I've lived, I can't just walk into his castle and attack him. I'd get killed almost immediately." She was still watching Gil. "If only we could free his power from that symbol...But I have no idea how." She uttered a low curse. "Blasted alchemist..."

Post by **Prancing Mad** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:18 am

He turned to Gil, rubbing his head gently. "We need to gather more allies." He commented

Post by **Isaac** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:24 am

Gil ushered the butterfly carefully back onto the rock. He didn't want to hurt it. Then he felt a strong yet gentle hand begin petting him on his head. With a smile, he turned around and grabbed Mordotz's hand again.

Post by **BionicleMandi121** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:35 am

"Indeed, but where to start?" Houkiboshi tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. As she moved, a glimmer of silver sparkled for a split second from beneath the collar of her kimono. Then she lowered her arm and it vanished from view once again. "In any case, we won't rally others to our cause by just standing here chatting, enjoyable as that is." She left the house steps. "Shall we go?"

Post by **Prancing Mad** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:42 am

Mordotz noticed the shimmer, but he knew better thn=an asking her about things like that. "What about the children?"