Post by Andraste Longo-Drom on Sept 18, 2016 12:42:58 GMT -5
She trembled in her sleep, her body tugged out of the dream into the present. The warmth of her sleep was disrupted by a sound, though she couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Her head turned, listening to the night. The blind could not see, but it didn’t stop the bright violet eyes from searching the darkness. She lifted her head towards the sound. There was a whisper….
“Andraste,” the shadows called, like a lover’s fingertips trailing upon her skin.
Andraste’s form rose from the bed, the solace of the warmth and comfort there. Being sure not to disrupt Logen as she did, stopping for a moment to make sure he had not roused with her absence. She lingered there a moment, simply listening to him and letting that take root before the call could be heard once more. Chestnut soft curls left unbound fell along her features, causing her to feel protected from the unknown for a time; she was not afraid of the whisper from the shadows. You could not fear darkness when it felt the same as the light. Her head tilted in her new position, listening still as the presence stirred there.
“…Come to me, Andraste.”
It was a woman’s voice, it fell along her skin again causing the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end. It was a natural response to danger, was this danger though? Her bare feet fell upon the floor, the world seemed to rock, almost as if she was aboard a ship, though she knew it not true. The woman could not see the way the shadows shifted, almost shimmered, before her as she walked into them, answering the siren’s call.
All at once, it was completely different. The air, the feel, everything changed. She no longer saw things through her senses, but through her mind’s eyes… was she dreaming? It often happened this way, that in her dreams she could see as if she was actually seeing through her own eyes. The violet blinked in surprise, turning about herself. Why was it dark? Normally as a vision came it was overwhelming, it was beyond explanation. The darkness was shadowed and she stood in a stream of light. Her head lifted… trying to find the source. This was not a normal vision – it was neither the Long Road she could see forward and back upon or the shocking depth of darkness that her premonitions gave her. It was something… otherworldly.
“Why have you brought me here?” She asked, steeling herself to questioning the darkness that swirled there within her sight.
“Because you are mine…” Answered the siren again. The caress rolled back along her skin. “Do you not know your Mistress’ voice, my pet?”
Her body trembled, lowering herself upon her knees as if commanded to do so, dropping her lithe and athletic form to the ground below. The submissive pose immediately taken, settling upon her heels with hands upon her knees, palms up as the back of them rested. Her head was dipped, giving the Mother of Shadows her due respect. It was cold under her legs, the senses kicking in that she often felt when she was amongst her only line of sight.
“Kanesh…” Her voice trembled, longing and worry all mixed together in a softness that could not be explained. Her head did not rise towards the shadow, knowing it was there her Mistress lay. But her gaze did, lifting from under dark lashes.
“You walk the path, pet. Did you not think it would come to me?” The figure walked out, her sable locks falling around her head as almost a reflection of Andraste’s own. She had never seen her before, her eyes were cold, strong, her features angular. She couldn’t help but focus upon the mouth that smiled down at her, blood red upon the pale pillar that fell along her skin. She wore a gown that seemed to shift and change as she walked, almost as if she moved in smoke. “You have grown.” Her slender hand reached into the light that Andraste kneeled in, reaching forward to take her single finger under her chin, lifting her face for her inspection. “You have grown beautiful, Andraste, such a distracting tool on which people set the compass of their hearts. But you hide this beautiful face from the world… shame. It is but another tool I have given you. I suppose they are for you to wield as the path seems true.”
“Yes, Mistress.” She whispered, Andraste’s tone taking on one of rapture, welcoming the chilling embrace of the wave of darkness that started from that finger along her skin. Her entire being became attached to the single finger, allowing Kanesh to lift her from her kneeling position.
“You kneel before no other, child. No more.” Her voice was firm, daring the blind-woman to defy her will. At Andraste’s tremble her lips curled with pleasure. “Ah, yes, I had forgotten… well then, perhaps one other. I will let you keep that one indulgence, I cannot possibly deny you that.”
Her cheeks colored and her eyes dropped for a moment at the fact she had no secrets from even Kanesh. How could she? The Goddess gave her sight, surely she could pierce that same darkness to see into Andraste’s life. She couldn’t help the feeling that wrapped around her. “Yes, Mistress. Thank you for the gifts you have laid upon me, especially that one.”
The Mother of Shadow laughed, the deep timber of it caused Andraste to close her eyes, listening to it. “I have given you many gifts, pet. You use them well to my will, you should be rewarded for such. I believe you have been thus far… do you enjoy the caress?” The smile that pulled upon her lips did not have to be seen, Andraste could feel it on her very skin. “No need to answer. I see the depths there well enough. The kiss of it will continue to linger on your soul for as long as you live but you knew that when you choose at the crossroads, didn’t you? Such a good pet, also a good patron to me.” Her fingers trailed from her chin now, along the curve of Andraste’s jaw, her thumb trailing along her lower lip.
The embrace caused her to tremble, her violet gaze opening once more to the Goddess made flesh. What swirled in the depths of her eyes would never make words that could leave her mouth. Instead she simply stared, being watched by the Mother of Shadow and the keeper of her very being. She felt herself laid bare, the path even that had yet to unfold slipping out of her own fingers, allowing Kanesh to see. Whatever it was she saw there pleased her, the darkness growing around them as the light started to be cut off.
“Good girl.” She whispered, her hand drawing Andraste out of the light, towards the shadow. “The time comes, where you must be my weapon honed. I would be a neglectful Mistress if I did not see to your welfare. You have your mortal Master, don’t you? It is your Mistress who places gifts beyond the human upon you, causing your edge to sharpen with time and effort.” It was with that Kanesh leaned forward, kissing Andraste flesh upon the lips. The kiss wasn’t soft, it was unyielding and forcing Andraste’s very soul through her body as the Goddess breathed it in. “Sweet, sweet Andraste… you will continue to be the line on which others find themselves fall upon one side or the other with you. You will be the unyielding light and darkness for each. And with such, I need you stronger. For the path is dark, the path will need you to be as unyielding as I am.”
It was then that her soul seemed to slam back into her body, as if Kanesh breathed it back into her with a force. She gasped, shaken as she tried to catch her breath from the onslaught that she suddenly felt. In all directions the world closed in on her, the darkness settling back over her as her sight was taken away just as suddenly. She fell back onto her knees in the darkness and oversensitive mortal present. The wood of the floor back upon her knees, it caused her to shiver in recognition. She lifted her fingers to her lips, feeling the lingering coldness that wasn’t due to the night there. She felt different, her whole body lifted. She stood slowly from the knelt position, turning her head back towards the shadows.
“You are my instrument… I will cast you out into the shadows and see what kind of prey we can catch, pet. When the light cast you out…”
“…it was darkness that took me in,” came the automatic whisper of answer to the deity she had chosen long ago, or perhaps that had chosen Andraste. It was the lingering words that caused a tremble to roll over her skin. She went seeking the warmth she knew she would find once more. Logen did not rise, unknowing to the vision that Kanesh had granted her. She curled herself there, absorbing the warmth as he slept.
She was destined always to be the balance, her head settled into the pillows and curving herself around the man she went seeking solace in. The goddess had deemed she would cast her out as a net to see what they could catch. There was fear there… too often there was darkness so great along those paths. She had seen her way through them before bringing false shadow into the embrace of Kanesh so that it was diminished before her. It was her purpose, to balance the scales.
There was a strength and resolve that rolled along with her pulse, she could feel it filling her up even as the unending darkness around her crept upon her. It was that strength and the warmth of the companion with her that caused her body to ease. Drifting just on the edge of sleep as she replayed the vision in her mind time and time again. Could she ever believe it was real? The tingling upon her lips answered her, she pressed them to Logen’s shoulder replacing the cold with warmth as she fell back asleep into the night.
“Andraste,” the shadows called, like a lover’s fingertips trailing upon her skin.
Andraste’s form rose from the bed, the solace of the warmth and comfort there. Being sure not to disrupt Logen as she did, stopping for a moment to make sure he had not roused with her absence. She lingered there a moment, simply listening to him and letting that take root before the call could be heard once more. Chestnut soft curls left unbound fell along her features, causing her to feel protected from the unknown for a time; she was not afraid of the whisper from the shadows. You could not fear darkness when it felt the same as the light. Her head tilted in her new position, listening still as the presence stirred there.
“…Come to me, Andraste.”
It was a woman’s voice, it fell along her skin again causing the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end. It was a natural response to danger, was this danger though? Her bare feet fell upon the floor, the world seemed to rock, almost as if she was aboard a ship, though she knew it not true. The woman could not see the way the shadows shifted, almost shimmered, before her as she walked into them, answering the siren’s call.
All at once, it was completely different. The air, the feel, everything changed. She no longer saw things through her senses, but through her mind’s eyes… was she dreaming? It often happened this way, that in her dreams she could see as if she was actually seeing through her own eyes. The violet blinked in surprise, turning about herself. Why was it dark? Normally as a vision came it was overwhelming, it was beyond explanation. The darkness was shadowed and she stood in a stream of light. Her head lifted… trying to find the source. This was not a normal vision – it was neither the Long Road she could see forward and back upon or the shocking depth of darkness that her premonitions gave her. It was something… otherworldly.
“Why have you brought me here?” She asked, steeling herself to questioning the darkness that swirled there within her sight.
“Because you are mine…” Answered the siren again. The caress rolled back along her skin. “Do you not know your Mistress’ voice, my pet?”
Her body trembled, lowering herself upon her knees as if commanded to do so, dropping her lithe and athletic form to the ground below. The submissive pose immediately taken, settling upon her heels with hands upon her knees, palms up as the back of them rested. Her head was dipped, giving the Mother of Shadows her due respect. It was cold under her legs, the senses kicking in that she often felt when she was amongst her only line of sight.
“Kanesh…” Her voice trembled, longing and worry all mixed together in a softness that could not be explained. Her head did not rise towards the shadow, knowing it was there her Mistress lay. But her gaze did, lifting from under dark lashes.
“You walk the path, pet. Did you not think it would come to me?” The figure walked out, her sable locks falling around her head as almost a reflection of Andraste’s own. She had never seen her before, her eyes were cold, strong, her features angular. She couldn’t help but focus upon the mouth that smiled down at her, blood red upon the pale pillar that fell along her skin. She wore a gown that seemed to shift and change as she walked, almost as if she moved in smoke. “You have grown.” Her slender hand reached into the light that Andraste kneeled in, reaching forward to take her single finger under her chin, lifting her face for her inspection. “You have grown beautiful, Andraste, such a distracting tool on which people set the compass of their hearts. But you hide this beautiful face from the world… shame. It is but another tool I have given you. I suppose they are for you to wield as the path seems true.”
“Yes, Mistress.” She whispered, Andraste’s tone taking on one of rapture, welcoming the chilling embrace of the wave of darkness that started from that finger along her skin. Her entire being became attached to the single finger, allowing Kanesh to lift her from her kneeling position.
“You kneel before no other, child. No more.” Her voice was firm, daring the blind-woman to defy her will. At Andraste’s tremble her lips curled with pleasure. “Ah, yes, I had forgotten… well then, perhaps one other. I will let you keep that one indulgence, I cannot possibly deny you that.”
Her cheeks colored and her eyes dropped for a moment at the fact she had no secrets from even Kanesh. How could she? The Goddess gave her sight, surely she could pierce that same darkness to see into Andraste’s life. She couldn’t help the feeling that wrapped around her. “Yes, Mistress. Thank you for the gifts you have laid upon me, especially that one.”
The Mother of Shadow laughed, the deep timber of it caused Andraste to close her eyes, listening to it. “I have given you many gifts, pet. You use them well to my will, you should be rewarded for such. I believe you have been thus far… do you enjoy the caress?” The smile that pulled upon her lips did not have to be seen, Andraste could feel it on her very skin. “No need to answer. I see the depths there well enough. The kiss of it will continue to linger on your soul for as long as you live but you knew that when you choose at the crossroads, didn’t you? Such a good pet, also a good patron to me.” Her fingers trailed from her chin now, along the curve of Andraste’s jaw, her thumb trailing along her lower lip.
The embrace caused her to tremble, her violet gaze opening once more to the Goddess made flesh. What swirled in the depths of her eyes would never make words that could leave her mouth. Instead she simply stared, being watched by the Mother of Shadow and the keeper of her very being. She felt herself laid bare, the path even that had yet to unfold slipping out of her own fingers, allowing Kanesh to see. Whatever it was she saw there pleased her, the darkness growing around them as the light started to be cut off.
“Good girl.” She whispered, her hand drawing Andraste out of the light, towards the shadow. “The time comes, where you must be my weapon honed. I would be a neglectful Mistress if I did not see to your welfare. You have your mortal Master, don’t you? It is your Mistress who places gifts beyond the human upon you, causing your edge to sharpen with time and effort.” It was with that Kanesh leaned forward, kissing Andraste flesh upon the lips. The kiss wasn’t soft, it was unyielding and forcing Andraste’s very soul through her body as the Goddess breathed it in. “Sweet, sweet Andraste… you will continue to be the line on which others find themselves fall upon one side or the other with you. You will be the unyielding light and darkness for each. And with such, I need you stronger. For the path is dark, the path will need you to be as unyielding as I am.”
It was then that her soul seemed to slam back into her body, as if Kanesh breathed it back into her with a force. She gasped, shaken as she tried to catch her breath from the onslaught that she suddenly felt. In all directions the world closed in on her, the darkness settling back over her as her sight was taken away just as suddenly. She fell back onto her knees in the darkness and oversensitive mortal present. The wood of the floor back upon her knees, it caused her to shiver in recognition. She lifted her fingers to her lips, feeling the lingering coldness that wasn’t due to the night there. She felt different, her whole body lifted. She stood slowly from the knelt position, turning her head back towards the shadows.
“You are my instrument… I will cast you out into the shadows and see what kind of prey we can catch, pet. When the light cast you out…”
“…it was darkness that took me in,” came the automatic whisper of answer to the deity she had chosen long ago, or perhaps that had chosen Andraste. It was the lingering words that caused a tremble to roll over her skin. She went seeking the warmth she knew she would find once more. Logen did not rise, unknowing to the vision that Kanesh had granted her. She curled herself there, absorbing the warmth as he slept.
She was destined always to be the balance, her head settled into the pillows and curving herself around the man she went seeking solace in. The goddess had deemed she would cast her out as a net to see what they could catch. There was fear there… too often there was darkness so great along those paths. She had seen her way through them before bringing false shadow into the embrace of Kanesh so that it was diminished before her. It was her purpose, to balance the scales.
There was a strength and resolve that rolled along with her pulse, she could feel it filling her up even as the unending darkness around her crept upon her. It was that strength and the warmth of the companion with her that caused her body to ease. Drifting just on the edge of sleep as she replayed the vision in her mind time and time again. Could she ever believe it was real? The tingling upon her lips answered her, she pressed them to Logen’s shoulder replacing the cold with warmth as she fell back asleep into the night.