[Nexus] The Nest/Karyana's Forest III:

[Lady Serpentine]

[Moor]

Talia grins, and continues manipulating the snakes, adding a third to the cluster.

"I take it you like them?"

[Tsiln]

"You're welcome. It's not like there isn't plenty of room."

[Beans]

[Moor]
Yeah!
---
[Tsiln]
Great!
She hugs Karyana.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Moor]

"You said you have an affinity for water, right? I wonder if you could make something like them."

[Tsiln]

Karyana hugs back, smiling.

[Beans]

[Moor]
I don't have any water powers like that.
She shrugs.
---
[Tsiln]
Tsiln adds herself to the hug!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Moor]

"So, it's just a liking for water, then?"

She sounds curious.

[Tsiln]

Karyana shifts so that she's hugging both of them.

[Beans]

[Moor]
Yeah.
She nods.
---
[Tsiln]
Tsiln grins.
I'm good at picking out presents!
Dedteim.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Moor]

"Oh. Alright, then."

[Tsiln]

Karyana nods.

"You are."

[The Bushranger]

[Forest 3]

Karyana grins back, and follows Dani into the water.

Dani, Karyana, might think, is part mermaid, considering how well she swims.
Because she's...swimming. Yeah.

[Beans]

[Moor]
She nodnods.
---
[Tsiln]
Sooo... what happens around here?

[Lady Serpentine]

[Forest 3]

Karyana is also swimming, and has shifted a set of gills.

After a while, she says "We should probably get you your dress, shouldn't we?"

[Moor]

Talia continues messing with the sculptures.

[Tsiln]

"Well, I'm getting married here soon, and then there's some stuff going on in the other sections, but not a lot, really."

[Beans]

[Moor]
Paisley keeps watching.
---
[Tsiln]
That's really cool!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Moor]

"How long have you been here?"

[Tsiln]

Karyana grins.

"Thanks, Aseti. Do you want to come?"

[Beans]

[Moor]
A few weeks, I guess.
---
[Tsiln]
I'd love to!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Moor]

"So why didn't you come out here before?"

[Tsiln]

"Then consider yourself invited."

[Beans]

[Moor]
Didn't know about it til now.
---
[Tsiln]
Yay!

[The Bushranger]

[Forest 3]

Dani pouts a little, but nods, shaking water droplets everywhere.
"Oh, I guess, if we have to..."

[Lady Serpentine]

[Moor]

"Oh. That makes sense."

Zwei and/or Paisley might notice faint music, that sounds like it's coming from quite a ways off.

[Motel]

Talina returns from the Dancing Fox, and goes to see if Nycca is awake.

[Tsiln]

"So, how did Tsiln end up getting you, anyway?"

[Forest 3]

"We don't have to, I just thought you might want to. If not, that's fine.

[Beans]

[Moor]
Zwei and Paisley listen!
---
[Motel]
She's asleep.
----
[Tsiln]
At a pet market, of course.
Slave market, more like.
I'm glad I'm where I am now---someone nasty coulda bought me otherwise.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Moor]

It's hard to make out, but this, with the appropriate music, is what they hear:

Cold the mist lies, but bold the sun rises, older than me is the dawn,
(C G Am C Dm F C)
Spring in his eyes the king of birds tries his wings on the weight of a song.
(C G Am E)
High he hangs singing, flying and bringing life, love and laughter and signs of spring.
(E E7 Am Dm E7 Am G)
I asked the bird of gold, why was I never told like day and springtime that I could grow old?

Bold the sun rises and gold the land lies, I'm old as the day and my song.
Summer replies to the sun bird's sweet cries as he summons the coming of dawn.
Bright with the day begun, shining and ever young, I see the bird of gold rise in the sun.
Time like the tree of old ripens its fruit to gold, I pluck more days than I find I can hold.

Gold the land lies but behold the grey skies, I'm told that my time is half gone.
Fall still denies what the call of the ice tells us all with its silvery song.
By the king's leafy hall high trees in living walls rise to contend with ice as it falls.
Bright leaves of red and gold fight with the cloudy cold, I watch the wheel of time as it rolls.

Behold the grey skies as cold the mist lies, I'm old and may die with the dawn.
Winter wind flies, the king of birds hides and thinks of when snows will be gone.
Nigh comes the spring and then I'll hear him singing and find me new hope in his rising again.
Life is a tale told by the bright bird of gold lighting our way through the night and the cold.

Cold the mist lies but bold the sun rises, older than me is the dawn.
Spring in his eyes, the king of birds tries his wings on the weight of my song.

[Motel]


Talina sits down next to Nycca, and tries to kiss her.

[Tsiln]

Tsiln recieves a look implying that the two are going to talk about this at some point.

"Is there anyone there that you want me to get out?"

[Beans]

[Tsiln]
Tsiln frowns a little.
Not much left but rent-a-golems and construction orcs, actually...
---
[Moor]
They listen intently, amazed.
---
[Motel]
She smiles in her sleep and snuggles.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Tsiln]

Karyana tries to rub Tsiln's back reassuringly, and says "What do you mean by 'not much'?"

[Moor]

There's a brief pause, and then the music starts up again. This time, they should hear this:

I was just seventeen, when to Westclare I came.
To serve Lord o' Laichlann, and fight in his name.
And he gave me a sword, and he promised me fame,
If I'd lay down my life for the Burren.

But, worries we'd none through the westering year,
as I courted my maiden, and hunted the deer.
And my sword gathered dust, as we'd nothing to fear,
'till the snows brought a messenger riding.

And he cried a fierce army'd crossed o'er the far hills,
Our land to despoil and our cattle to kill.
So we took up the banner and marched with a will,
to beat them away from our border.

So certain of glory we marched with the tide,
through the snow covered stones, where the wild rabbits hide.
And we stopped where Lough Rask, lay so peaceful and wide.
And a cry echoed over the water.

And the grey hag, she rose where no foothold could be,
from the heart of the lake, with her back to the sea.
And she thrust out her hand, with her eyes turned to me,
saying, "Soldier of Laichlann take warnin'."

"Get ye home Lord o' Laichlann, get ye home while ye may.
For your fate is decreed if you march on your way.
And no man that fights with you can live out the day.
And a cold wind will blow on the Burren."

Laichlann just smiled, as he raised up his hand,
said, "I hark not to vision, nor bow to demand.
And there's no one on earth, be he devil or man,
can lure me to faithless surrender.

And the cursed outlanders who march to the fore,
will rue the cruel fate that has tempted them o'er.
For we go in God's name as we march unto war.
So take heaven or hell as it please you."

And I wanted to run, but I didn't dare try.
And the hag she just stood as our army marched by.
Well, I wish now I'd spit in my Lord Laichlann's eye,
For a cold wind did blow on the Burren.

The foe fell upon us, with scarcely a sound.
And we froze in confusion, a feast for the hounds.
Quickly and cruelly they cut Loughlin down.
And they harvested us like ripe barley.

Now wounded I lie, though my warnin' was clear.
Scarce was the glory, awaitin' us here.
And this heart that beat only to comfort my dear,
Now stains the white snows of the evening.

Were we true to our duty, well God only knows.
And it won't even matter to him I suppose,
When we all melt away, with the last winter snows.
And the Wild flowers bloom on the Burren.

[Motel]

Talina is happy to snuggle, but tries to gently shake Nycca, since she'd prefer it if the fey were awake when doing so.

[Beans]

[Tsiln]
Besides the golems and orcs, there hadn't been a whole lot for sale today anyway.
----
[Moor]
Zwei and Paisley listen; Zwei rubs her eyes.
---
[Motel]
SHe yawns and giggles.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Tsiln]

"So who's up for sale changes daily? Tsiln, where is this place?"

[Moor]

Karyana comes over to Zwei, and tries to put an arm or three around her.

After another pause, they probably hear this:

The fife and a harp ghostly on the wind comes to me.
A soft drum matches my heartbeat, but no drummer can I see.
Outside my window, the night is calling.
I am on my feet and gone, before I know I'm moving.

A wild and secret summons, brought me here,
On paths among the trees, no one knows.
Here to the circle, of Standing Stones
Music without players lingers in my ears.

A midsummer's rain is dancing, with my new-seen love
Within the Standing Stones, they dance and weave their spell.
A full moon looks down, through a gap in the clouds'
And set her hair a-glistenin', like silk and diamonds woven.

Oh, with her eyes, she reaches out to me,
Into the green, where I lie concealed.
With her eyes, she asks me to join her,
I know not how nor care I to refuse.

Her sweet and gentle darkness, is stirring me,
In this place deep in the wilds, few mortals see.
If I choose, I might ignore her call,
But what remained after that choir, could mean nothing at all.

So I step into the circle, and I take her hand,
And then I too am dancing and we whirl upon the green.
Like the sunset we fade, from this world I've known,
Into another I've longed for, laughing as we go.

Into her eyes, a joyous light is shining,
A light that is echoed in my own eyes.
For I and my magic moonlight girl,
Are suddenly and finally going home.

Sweet and gentle darkness, come take me away.

[Motel]

"Hey, love. Did you sleep well?"

[Beans]

[Tsiln]
She tells her where it is.
... Is something wrong?
---
[Moor]
Zwei smiles and snuggles close.
---
[Motel]
She nods.
Mm-hmm.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Tsiln]

"Not really... It's probably better that she ended up here than was bought by someone else. It's just that I don't like that you went and bought me a slave."

She smiles at the coyote girl.

"Not that I have anything against you, Aseti."

[Moor]

Karyana smiles at her, and is quite happy to snuggle.

They probably hear this:

The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees,
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
And the road was a ribbon of moonlight looping the purple moor,
When the highwayman came riding --riding-- riding--
Yes, the highwayman came riding up to the old inn-door.

Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in dark inn-yard
He tapped with his whip on the shutter, but all was locked and barred;
So he whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter, Bess, the landlord's daughter,
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.

"One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I'm after a prize tonight,
I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light;
Yet, if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day,
then look for me by moonlight, watch for me by moonlight,
And I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way."


He did not come at the dawning; he did not come at the noon;
And out of the tawny sunset, before the rise of the moon,
When the road was a ribbon of moonlight, looping the purple moor,
A red-coat troop came marching-marching--marching--
King George's men came marching, up to the old inn-door

They bound the landlord's daughter, with many a sniggering jest,
They bound the musket beside her, with the barrel beneath her breast!
"Now keep good watch!", and they kissed her. She heard the dead man say,
"Oh look for me by moonlight; watch for me by moonlight;
and I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way!"

"Look for me by moonlight;" the hoof-beats ringing clear,
"Watch for me by moonlight;" were the deaf that the could not hear?
For he rode on the gypsy highway, she drew one final breath,
Then her finger moved in the moonlight, the musket shattered the moonlight,
Shattered her breast in the moonlight and warned him--with her death.

Back he spurred into the west, he could not know who stood
Bound with her black hair flowing down, drenched in her own red blood!
Not toll the morning he heard it, his face grew gray to hear
How the landlord's black-eyed daughter, yes, the landlord's daughter
Had waited for her love in the moonlight, and died in the darkness there.

Back he spurred like a madman, shrieking a curse to the sky,
With the white road smoking behind him, and his rapier brandished high!
Blood-red his spurs in the golden noon; wine-red his velvet coat,
When they shot him down on the highway, down like a dog on the highway
And he lay in his blood on the highway, with a bunch of lace at his throat.

And still on a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees,
When the moon is a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
And the road is a ribbon of moonlight, looping the purple moor,
Well the highwayman comes riding-- riding--- riding--
Well the highwayman still comes riding, up to the old inn-door.

[Motel]

Talina tries to pull Nycaa into her lap, and kiss the fey again.

[Beans]

[Tsiln]
She frowns.
This is another thing where I don't know how things work here and I messed up, isn't it?
---
[Moor]
Zwei lays her head on Karyana's shoulder and listens.
---
[Motel]
Nycca kisses back.

[The Bushranger]

[Forest 3]

"We don't have to, I just thought you might want to. If not, that's fine.

"Oh, might as well."
Dani giggles and swims to the shore, climbing out of the water without a shred of modesty.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Tsiln]

Karyana tries to rub Tsiln's back, and smiles at her reassuringly.

"Like I said, not too badly. It's for the best that she's here, instead of wherever else she'd have ended up."

[Moor]

Karyana smiles at her, and listens as well.

(Am Em)
Yes they're real. No they can't be
(Am C)
Yes they are, I've seen them walking
(F C G)
Out beyond the wooded garden
(E Am)
Through the townand through the valley.
(Am Em)
Yes they're real. No they can't be!
(Am C)
Yes they are - you are not hearing -
(F C G)
For I say I've seen them drinking
(E Am)
In the Tavern of the Moon.

(F C G Am)
Steel and mail and gilded crossbow,
(Em Am)
Feather of the ancient wind bird.
(F C G Am)
Wide as wonder, tall as starlight,
(Em Am)
Lords of earth and lords of fire,
(G Am)
Life the love that they desire,
(Em Am)
Lords of earth and lords of fire,
(G E Am)
Life the love that they desire.

Yes they're real. No they can't be.
Come with me and see what might be.
I'm afraid! O, you are childish,
Nothing kills that does not know ye!
(CHORUS CHORDS)

Come ye now. No I fear Thee.
Did I say that I would lead thee?
We have walked too far this night out beyond the firelight!
Come y now. No I fear Thee!
Come with me, for I will take ye
Dancing now with all my brothers -
I am Real! And like the others!
Yes, they're real "No!" you told me,
"Yes" I said, you should believe me.
Now we have you wrapped in darkness,
Now we keep you, never leaving.
Trade your life for not believing!

CHORUS

[Motel]

Talina will hold the kiss until Nycca breaks it off.

[Beans]

[Tsiln]
She smiles then; Aseti decides to get out of the hug and nap on the floor.
----
[Moor]
Zwei leans close and listens.
---
[Motel]
Afterward, she grins.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Tsiln]

"Do you want a bed, Aseti?"

[Moor]

Karyana smiles at Zwei, and tries to kiss her.

(Am Dm Am)
Many a man has sailed the Seas since days of ancient lore.
(Dm Am E Am)
And few have never rued the day they ventured from the shore.
(Am Dm Am)
For days on end one crew had sought through wave, and storm, and squall,
(Dm Am E)
Till finally they reached their goal: the shores of Donegal.
(Dm Am)
The land was fair; a greedy heart awoke in every man.
(Dm Am E Am)
Said one, "The first to touch the shore is leader of our clan."

And at that cry, the crew swarmed off till
but a single man,
Remained upon the empty deck
to watch that frenzied band.

And as they swarmed toward the shore,
the only man on board,
Half smiling at the eager mob drew
out his fearsome sword.

The sun flashed off that blade so grim
O'Donnel swept it down.
His left hand lay upon the deck,
He tossed it to the ground.

The crew recoiled in shock when they
first saw upon the sand,
The pool of blood which spurted from
O'Donnel's severed hand.

And so the man who stayed on deck was
first to touch the shore,
O'Donnel's clan ruled Donegal
for generations more.

Aye, many a man has sailed the Seas
and not found what he sought.
But few would pay a price so dear, for what O'Donnel bought.

[Motel]

Talina tries to start stroking Nycca's wings, and says "So when's the next meeting, anyway?"