The Wanderer

[Titan]

By now I had packed away the roach remains of the joint I'd been lazily burning, helping to further boost and prolong my high. With it put away and the danger of my cloak's fur catching fire extinguished I pulled my hood back up, casting again my features into shadows. Replacing the emptiness in my hand was one of the four fruits I'd stashed for later enjoyment, taking small nips at the strawberry and relishing the delectable taste that bathed across my tongue.

It helped keep me distracted from the fact that I didn't quite know where I was in this expansive place; still I could hear and feel the presence of others in the rooms I passed by so I must've not strayed too far from where I'd met the other smoker. I mostly tuned out the ecstatic cries of the world, seeking out and following the familiarity of party-goers, signifying the direction of the main hall. I was only doing so as to not lose myself in this place, for I wasn't soon to rejoin them. First, I had some thinking to do.

What was it about this island that made the people so quick to smile and indulge in the lustful and hedonistic acts almost all were practicing. I had first taken notice of it in my partner-in-high. An unnatural haze and happiness that he struggled against rather than embraced. It could not be anything in the food for I felt nothing myself despite my gorging. Neither I nor the other man had partaken of the drug the others shared so freely, but I didn't believe this could account for the air of this land.

"The air?" That wouldn't make sense; I was breathing just as much as everyone else yet still I was free of this unforseen phenomena. I could only guess it was something that affected the mind directly, thus my immunity to it. Before I had realized it I'd reached a door; the door that had led me to this wing of the palace in the first place. Frozen in stance with my fingers embracing the knob I took a deep and cleansing breath. Still though, I found myself unprepared to introduce my presence to the foreigners again and turned back to wander once more.

"Where am I even going? Why did I come here in the first place? Who, or what, is Eroina? And why..." In my self-questioning I moved without sound, as though a mere ghost that wasn't really there.

Edit:

"...don't I remember most of what happened before I arrived? Where did that st... the stone." I stopped; if any could have seen my face I would have appeared shocked. A relevation had sudden come over me. Of course,; my lack of awareness could be explained by the focus of my mind on something other than the world about me. My aggitation revealed to be brought on by the aching of my head as it devoted power towards a project that I normally would never have been able to accomplish. A tremor racked my body as my past came to me like a strike of lightning, unveiling to me what before had been lost.

It was a long and arduous process, submitting the strength of my will on tapping into and drawing upon the energy from the Warp that should have been beyond my control. Painstakingly I formed and shaped this energy into the Wraithbone which Eldar shaped their armor, weapons, vehicles and even homes from. This substance would not have been proper for the creation of the Dreamstone though, for their properties, though similar, were quite different. Thus, even after I had forged the Wraithbone gem, I had to reshape and form it into the precious existence of a Dreamstone. The only thing which would have been more amazing would have been had I made a Spirit Stone instead.

Excitement rushed through me like an overpowering wave, breaths coming in heavy pants as the realization of what I had accomplished fully settled within my skull. My face was revealed by the increasing cerulean glow that emanated from the stone at my throat, doing its best to help focus my thoughts and protect my mind from influences from the outside world, my emotional state leaving me more vulnerable. In the end, it was too much for me and everything went blank. The last thing I could remember before total darkness, was the feeling of falling.

[Mandaz]

The lucid king continued to skip through the hallways, checking up on his servants and guests that found the lonely hallways more interesting than the banquet or throne. He couldn’t blame them, Edric himself often liked to wander about the halls he had created. Each one seemed to have its own life, its own soul. The paintings on the walls would great him differently each time he passed, and the curtains never could stay the same color twice. There was a life to Vice, it was as much a feeling thing as Edric was, as the entire island was. Emotions were what fueled the island and its inhabitants. Pleasant emotions especially, and the angel king was quite proud of that fact. Edric was nearly one with every powerful emotion on the island. Or perhaps it was just the opposite. Things seemed to droop when the king was distressed; perhaps the island relied on him as much as he relied on the island. But he could feel every laugh, every glittering giggle, every scoff, every dance, every sharp moan. And he could feel Tanis’s power, or rather the power of his stone.

Edric skipped off into that direction. Curious to see what his guest was up to. He knew that his invitations would draw some interesting people, but there had yet to be a display of power that would send him running. His long sleeves and sashes trailing behind him like flags, he was a running rainbow throughout his own halls. When he reached his destination he saw his guest, one of his many beloved guests, feeling faint and falling forward. Never a quick thinker, but always a quick feeler, Edric rushed to his side, grabbing the guest before he had a chance to kiss the soft carpet beneath them.

“Strawberry guest!” he exclaimed, remembering his face briefly from the banquet hall. “You may sleep here if you wish, but I’m afraid my servants may trip over your motionless body! No good, no good indeed.” He spoke to Tanis, who was likely well unconscious by now, but he still spoke to him, hopefully his voice could be heard in his dreams. “Here, I know a place for you to rest. A good place, I rest there all the time. Most nights, in fact. You aren’t too heavy, that’s good, the journey isn’t far either.”

Edric hoisted Tanis’s arms over his shoulders so that he could drag him as comfortably as possible. The angel would then take him back through the maze of halls, into the largest and most grandiose room of the Hall of Escape: His bedroom.

[Titan]

It was not my destiny to be found laying face down upon the floor. The lord of these Mon'Keigh had prevented such a meeting, a multi-colored specter that offered me support it staying upright. My darkened state was not meant to last long. Indeed, it was more a sort of reboot to start me over so again I could maintain control over my emotions. The level of experience I was capable of was as much a curse as it was a blessing. Feelings could become utterly overpowering and euphoric to the extreme, dangerous in that it was this Eldarin aspect that allowed the birth of the Chaos God Slaanesh.

Still though, as I regained consciousness and developed an awareness of my surroundings, the warm presence aiding me and the change in background muddled my senses. I had little thought other than moving my feet to try and walk rather than be drug. Yet with every step my senses sharpened, and by the time we had reached his room I was fully alert. I stopped, carefully retracting my arm from Eldric and standing by my own strength after taking a step back from him. Clearing my throat, I smoothed at the edges of my cloak, trying to regain my dignity and natural grace.

With the stone resting again mostly inert beneath the folds of my cloak, my face was hidden once more. "Thank you..." I would not go into his room, having recovered from my overload of self-awe. Still, I did not feel it would be proper for me to just leave. "This is an interesting place." By this I of course meant the island in its entirety, though how I meant it to be interpreted I gave no hint, keeping my voice level and unrevealing.

"I am Tanis, by the way." So I had given my name to yet another individual; another to learn what I would have preferred secret. Though ultimately I suppose there was no harm in these people having something to call me by. Truthfully, I would have to give some form of reference if I were to be remembered by the world and its people.

[Mandaz]

“Ah! Awake! That’s fantastic!”

Edric felt the tug of his guest reclaiming his footing, and his weight ease off of his back and onto himself. This made the color king turn on his heels joyously, clapping his sleeves together in a muffled cheer.

“I’d hate for sleeping guests to miss out on anything. Though I’ve been told dreams in Persistencia are the most astounding! I wouldn’t know, I try to stay out of others dreams, it’s hard enough keeping my own to myself!”

The king rattled on with glee, hopping on his toes in heels with each word, rising or sinking an inch in his bounce. Though when I came time for Tanis to speak he listened carefully, made sure to give him his utmost attention so he wouldn’t risk being rude. Edric’s mind had a tendency to wander off in the middle of conversations, a flaw he consciously attempting to fix while in the company of so many others. Luckily, Tanis didn’t seem as talkative as the angel, and thus his words were very easy to follow. It would have been a shame if Edric had missed out on his beloved guest’s name!

“Taah-nees” he sung, stretching out the syllables into absurdity. “It’s a good name! Much better than Strawberry Guest. Though now, whenever I think of you, I’ll think of strawberries, and taste them in my mouth. What delightful synesthesia! Tanis, I’m Edric.”

He offered the guest his palm, inscribed with his name, a sign he was indeed who he claimed to be. Though he was already well known as the king of the island, he still found it polite to prove himself with his scar.

“Though, you may call me whatever, I’ve got a lot. Names, that is. And as far as interests go, anyplace becomes interesting when it’s stuffed with interesting people! I’d be terribly bored-boring-boredful and lonely without such company surrounding me! Including you, Tanis. Ah it is a good name, I bet birds know how to sing it.”

[Titan]

This man had quite a thing for talking it seemed; the two of us were very different in this. He was rather content to go on and on without any true provocation while I kept to myself unless I found something I truely cared to share my voice about. I suppose he meant well, but in the end I was quickly beginning to find him annoying. So I didn't even bother correcting him in the pronunciation of my name, which in these people's accent sounded as Tan-ihz as opposed to Tah-nis. I wouldn't even hope to expect they could accurately mimic this nickname as my own people would say it.

Then he thought to suggest birds could vocalize even its Common pronunciation. Sure they sounded pretty to these Mon'Keigh, less of them to one such as I, but even against the most basic of Eldarin songs would their voices utterly pale in comparison. In this naive ignorance I found some charm in him, but still a smile did not come upon my lips. The more time I spent amongst these people the more I understood why my mother never left the boundaries of our elven home. Even comparing us to the elves was like comparing elves to a crippled human. The difference in grace, agility, dexterity and overall understanding was astounding. I couldn't quite hold it against them though; the Eldar had existed even before humanity's ancestors had taken to living on land.

Thankfully the other side of me could not only protect my mind from outside forces affecting it but also from seeing into it. Any emotions or thoughts that ran through my psyche would be as smoke to any whom sought to divine them, formless and utterly in substantial.

My mental contemplation came to an end when Edric, who during that time seemed to be moving so slow as to not be moving at all, gave his name in return. He displayed his name-marked palm and I gave it a swift regard, indicating I had heard him with a minor nod. Now though, I was ready to return to the center of the palace so that I could be more easily found by any that might seek me out. So I would have to use this Edric as I had become lost during our travel to his room. "Well then, Edric; how do we get back to the party?" I could play the honored guest and invite him to come with me to the throne room, rather than just asking for directions and abandoning the poor, bored, lonely sap altogether.

[Mandaz]

“Grand idea! This hall will take us to the main room in no time. Got weary of wandering, did you? I can’t say I’m the same. The palace always has some new sight for me, and I build it!”

He laughed. Despite the guest’s hardened appearance, Edric was never discouraged from finding joy in something, even if he had to provide it himself. Blue eyes danced with wonder around his guest, hoping to grasp some sort of clue as to this person’s nature. It wasn’t everyday he had some falling unconscious in his halls….or rather; it was, but not a guest. And not with such power behind it. The colorful king was worried about his guest’s wellbeing after such a display, but Tanis seemed able enough, and willing to continue on.

Feeling it rude to inquire about Tanis’s fainting spell, the king simply started down the hall he had pointed out, swaying his arms at his sides to allow his sleeves to swing back and forth against his arms. It was difficult to read this guest. Most of the time, Edric could feel what emotions buzzed about the populous, especially if they were under the influence of his drug. This one was strange though, clouded, confusing the king to no end. A defense, he supposed, a way of keeping outsiders away from his most intimate of thoughts. Edric would never intrude on purpose, it was more of an extra sense he had gained by becoming ruler of this land. This Tanis must have been very skilled to resist the pushing of an entire island’s influence, or at least very wise, perhaps very old. The angel king could relate with that, however he never let his age get the best of him. His brothers may have; Lucidity wasn’t the youngest Disciple, but he acted it. The two in the hall were an interesting pair. Both with ties to ancient lineages, yet Tanis seemed to think himself superior for it, while Edric couldn’t have cared less about his heritage. An angel king with a child’s heart, wanting nothing but to see his guest smile.

“I hope you are enjoying it. I haven’t thrown any sort of event this large before. Trying to keep everyone in bright spirits at the same time is taxing, but well worth it! So many guests with so many different tastes. Tell me, please speak, what could Persistencia offer you?”

[Titan]

The ability to shield my mind from others both was and was not a natural gift. Not only was my mind inherently strong but my Soul Stone protected me from external influences, though mostly this defense was focused against the Warp and its Daemons. The added aspect of my being was truly what kept me in safety. Even a human with this similarity could completely resist the mental influence of an individual capable of manipulating armies of beings all at once. My skill, wisdom and age had little to do with it at the moment; as they all improved though, so too would my mental defenses. Until then, I had to be careful with my youthful nature, else it be my undoing, like so many other rebellious young Eldar.

Still though, I had great pride in the heritage of my people. It was true; my love for my people of whom my mother was the only I'd ever known was inherently strong. I remember a story mother once told me of a captured Eldarin Ranger, at one point saying to his captors, "Ten thousand Eldar lives would have been lost... What sacrifice is a million humans for such a cause?" Arrogant, yes, but that was how we viewed the universe. I was careful not to let such an emotion to overtake me, lest I weaken my defense against the infernal Slaanesh. This too came natural for my people; a strong desire to prolong our minds and souls. Without the proper precautions our everlasting consciousness fell prey to The Great Enemy, feeding him instead of the lord Ynnead whom is destined to face and destroy the Eldar's greatest foe. When that day came, it would be the greatest victory our kind could ever hope for. Not only would our most dangerous enemy be felled but the Eldar would be free to truly return to power once again.

My hopeful illusions of grandeur had me lagging behind Edric for a moment. He had already begun to move while I was stationary, but for no more than a single breath. It took me little time at all to catch up with him and mimic his stride, making the difference between us even more apparent. There was a way we Eldar moved that was just so alien and ethereal compared to the motions of others. If a being could not tell what we were by sight alone, even the most subtle of gestures could reveal us. It was a grace and smoothness that unnerved many people, putting them on edge around a foe that could so swiftly act as to seem he'd done nothing at all. I did not bounce with each step I took but maintained a streamlined gait, keeping the hem of my cloak flush with the ground at all times, moving along as if on some platform that carried me to my destination.

Now though was not the time to reflect on myself and my people; it was time to take in the world I was only experiencing for the first time, even as a sub-conscious fear grew for these people who delved unrestrained into the lusts and desires of mind and flesh. Foolish Mon'Keigh... What was it that Persistencia could offer me? For now I really wished to have my quiet time with Eroina, to inspect and examine her and divine what I could of her existence. If it was possible I could find some means to return my own people to life, it would be a most invaluable skill to have. I could not force her to be with me though, so I elected to do what I could to pass the time until she sought me out herself. With this in mind, I could ask only one thing; "When will it be night, and at what phase is the moon?"

Edit:

Yet simple as the question was, it appeared as if I'd captivated dear Edric's mind in an inescapable wonder, perhaps at the silken, mystic tone of my voice which I had let slip for just a moment. The shake of my head went unnoticed and I left him standing there bewildered, departing as silently as smoke.

[Mandaz]

The king stared curiously at his guest who questioned the moon. He seemed very eager to bring on the night, something which struck Edric as strange. The night was beautiful, to be sure, but the day was just as lovely. Time mattered not in Persistencia, of course, not a lot of things that mattered in reality seemed to matter here.

“The moon was new just a few nights ago. It should be a babe tonight, a sweet little sliver of silver in its cradle of a sky, opening its fresh eyes to shine upon the isla-“

He stopped short, frozen to the spot, before turning his head behind him, down another one of the anonymous halls. His eyes widened, and his breath was held in place for a moment. For once, the Rift King looked troubled, disturbingly so. He turned around completely, gasping as he found his breath again.

“-a…E-Eroina!” He exclaimed, worry shaking his voice. The angel acted like a concerned parent for the temporary princess for whom the gala was thrown. At that exact moment he could feel a horible emotion rip through the happiness of the party, and that emotion came from the stitched princess herself.

“You feel it, yes? A terrible emotion coming from one of the island’s most pure! The poor girl is so scared. Oh my little Ero. Tanis, would you go to her? Make sure she’s all right? I have much to attend to, but I’ll feel ten times safer if I know you’re looking after her. She likes you! You two seemed to be having such a fond conversation earlier. Please please check up on her for me?

But when Edric turned back to impede this task upon Tanis, he found him gone; disappearing without so much as a warning or goodbye. This wasn’t good at all. Not only did he have to worry about Eroina, he had a missing guest running about! Quite silently at that! The once happy and bright monarch now had a heavy heart and stress filled sadness fueling him. Because of this, nearly the entire island would feel a wave of this anxiety. If not for just a brief flash of a moment, a slight hint of despair would fill them; some of the natives would even start to shed a tear or two.