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Post by DB on Feb 25, 2008 22:16:23 GMT -5
Pachacamac walked along the lake's shore, until finally coming to a point that he considered far enough. Glancing back, he assured he was close enough to see the campsite, yet far enough to not be overheard. He also was checking to make sure his daughter had followed him. She had. Clearing his voice with a small cough, he looked out onto the dark lake. "Tikal."
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Post by Leda on Feb 25, 2008 22:23:19 GMT -5
She'd followed, but she also presently kept as much distance as she felt she could get away with between herself and Pachacamac. Her posture was that of an old and whithering woman, and her arms had laced themselves before her bossom, as though she were hiding behind them. " ...Yes... father?"
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Post by DB on Feb 25, 2008 22:24:47 GMT -5
He didn't turn to look at her, but simple continued to stare out at the lake's surface. "Why did you try to get me killed today?"
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Post by Leda on Feb 25, 2008 22:35:28 GMT -5
"But I... I wasn't trying to do that!!" Tikal sputtered in shock, unexpectedly running to her father's side. "I never wanted anything to happen to you!!"
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Post by DB on Feb 25, 2008 22:49:04 GMT -5
Pachacamac turned slightly, just enough that he could look down at her, frowning. "..." Even though he said nothing, that he didn't believe her was clear.
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Post by Leda on Feb 25, 2008 22:53:04 GMT -5
Tikal felt her heart sink so far she wasn't even certain it'd stayed in her body, and her face fell with panic. "F-Father, I swear, I didn't want you to die!! I spent hours praying to Antowas for your protection!!" Latching hold of her father's arm, the priestess insisted, "Please, it's the truth!!"
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Post by DB on Feb 25, 2008 22:54:56 GMT -5
Pachacamac winced, pulling his arm from the girl's grip. "Why did you ask Antowas for my protection when you could of simply of told me of what was to come?"
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Post by Leda on Feb 25, 2008 23:02:45 GMT -5
"........" Tikal seemed to shrink beneath him, eyeing the wet sand around her feet. She'd suddenly found herself in one of those situations with no correct answer. Tell the truth? Lie? Tell a half-truth? A white lie? Nothing seemed correct to say. So she went with nothing.
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Post by DB on Feb 25, 2008 23:05:47 GMT -5
The older echidna's snout wrinkled a bit, and he returned to looking out at the water. "My own daughter hates me so much she wishes me dead. Haven't I taken care of you, Tikal? Haven't I protected you from danger? What have I done to make you hate me so?"
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Post by Leda on Feb 25, 2008 23:13:28 GMT -5
"It's not true!!" Tikal choked, her vision beginning to blur. The young priestess's face disappeared into her palms as she struggled to hold back tears. " I d-don't hate you! I'm glad that you're okay! I l-love you, Daddy!!"
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Post by DB on Feb 25, 2008 23:19:00 GMT -5
Pachacamac continued to frown, unconvinced. "And then you lie to the Elder about me, when I thought you understood why I did what I did." He closed his eyes and shook his head. "... I don't know what to do with you."
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Post by Leda on Feb 25, 2008 23:22:59 GMT -5
" B-B-But... I d-didn't even kn-know..." Her voice caught for a moment as her throat muscles spasmed. " ...who he w-was!!" Tikal's body trembled, and tears began to trickle into her palms despite her best efforts. She struggled to suppress a sob, but it came out in the next sentence anyway. " H... He was.... w-was the one... that.... m-mentioned y-you!!"
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Post by DB on Feb 25, 2008 23:25:09 GMT -5
"And the only thing you could think of to say was to shame me." He shook his head again, then began to make his way back to the camp. "Wash your face off and calm yourself, Tikal."
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Post by Leda on Feb 26, 2008 15:18:40 GMT -5
Tikal remained rigidly in place as her father left her side, continuing to attempt to swallow the flood of emotions. Her shaking hands massaged her eyes and muzzle, but had no effect in quelling the guilt. In fact, the echidna's condition only deteriorated further, and as she sluggishly waded into the chilly lake, Tikal finally exploded into tears. The priestess flopped down into the shallow water, leaning against her shuddering arms and hanging her head in shame. She'd only expected he was angry that she'd run away; it never even occurred to her that Pachacamac would believe she'd tried to get him killed. The imposing echidna's words resonated repeatedly in her head, her cries growing harder as the seconds ticked passed. I just wanted... I wanted to leave!! I knew he could protect himself!! And Antowas was watching him!! I didn't want him to die... I never wanted him to die!...
...I... didn't I..?Tikal realized with horror that she was no longer certain. DID she actually have some hidden motive? Something hidden in the deeper seeds of her mind that she might've not even been aware of? What if she really HAD tried to kill him? Did she actually just try to murder her father?! The priestess's breath choked itself in her throat, and she stared at her dark reflection with terrified uncertainty. Did I...?! DID I REALLY...?!She couldn't stand to look at herself, at what could possibly be lurking inside of her psyche. Tikal flinched away from her reflection and clenched her eyes, but the crying just wouldn't stop. She gasped, she sobbed, she choked, she trembled. He was right; she was an ungrateful and conniving brat. All he'd ever done was love her and take care of her, and she'd betrayed him. She'd thrown him into the hands of the Swatbots like some sacrificial lamb, and meanwhile she herself and fled the scene. She ran away like the cowardly lump of scum she really was on the inside -- and she'd even failed at it. He'd found her within the same day! Maybe it was just as well that he had; after all, she'd started this day thinking her actions were for the best. Now she'd been given a serious reality check. Tikal gasped rapidly for air, practically hyperventilating. I need to clean up, she somberly reminded herself. Sniffling and coughing in her meek attempts to calm down, the priestess finally began to cup water into her hands and wash her face.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Feb 26, 2008 17:50:39 GMT -5
It would be another minute or so before Tikal would be able to hear footfalls in the sand, coming towards her from the camp, as a hunched figure became visible between her and the distant firelight. As the figure got closer, it resolved itself into a familiar, elderly echidna, who looked around for a moment, looking for Tikal. He could HEAR her, but wasn't sure where exactly she was. All he could tell was that she was probably in the water somewhere. "Tikal? Where are you, child? My eyes aren't what they used to be." Which was true... away from the firelight, Athair was having difficulty seeing farther than a few feet, even by starlight, little as there was.
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Post by Leda on Feb 26, 2008 18:17:28 GMT -5
Unfortunately, his granddaughter was unable to reply. She hadn't even actually heard him over her own crying. The only sounds that floated back to greet the old priest were the sounds of her frantic whimpers and the dripping of water.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Feb 26, 2008 18:24:54 GMT -5
Athair could hear his distressed extended granddaughter, but couldn't SEE her... She's upset. VERY upset... I just hope she doesn't do something foolish...So he didn't bother. Closing his eyes, he just listened until he was able to figure out where Tikal was, before walking out towards her. Once he saw her, the elder stopped short, seeing the hunched, crying girl, sitting in the water. All thoughts of acting as a priest were forgotten in that moment. He was her GRANDFATHER, and he was going to act as such. With a firm nod, the echidna waded into the water, until he stood next to Tikal, and slightly behind her, before resting a hand on her shoulder. "What happened, child?" Am I going to have to make up for years of missed punishment tonight?
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Post by Leda on Feb 26, 2008 18:45:08 GMT -5
She was at least aware of his presence now, but didn't seem too comforted by it; if anything, Tikal got the slightest bit worse. Her erratic hyperventilating increased as she attempted to give some form of response, but all the girl was able to wheeze out was, " I... tried.... I... Daddy... I... k-killed..." Tikal's red, swollen eyes clenched shut again as a sob interrupted her.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Feb 26, 2008 18:49:13 GMT -5
Athair was confused by this, and sat down in the water next to her. His expression was one of deep concern as he tried to make sense of this... and had no luck. She became MORE frightened when she realized I was here... what did Pachacamac say to her?"Tikal, just breath slowly and relax, and tell me what happened." Athair had never really had much luck raising children of any age, and this situation showed that perfectly. He wasn't sure what to do to calm her down, except just... being there.
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Post by Leda on Feb 26, 2008 21:13:03 GMT -5
Eventually the latest wave of emotion passed, and Tikal slowly began to quiet down. Luckily her breathing finally began to stabilize, allowing her a moment to yet again wash her face. Besides, she didn't want to waste the Elder's time, since he'd actually come to check on her. " Ah-I just... I j-just... I.." Tikal croaked in a quivery voice, quickly pausing to sniffle. Her body had continued to shiver, though it was unclear if it was from the excessive emotion or the chill of the water in which she sat. " I th-thought... h-he's so... and Ah-Antow-was... ... ... ... Ah-I r.. really th-thought he'd b-b-be okay!!" Letting out a shrill squeal, Tikal's face plummeted back into her palms, shortly followed by the very muffled repetition, " ItriedtokillhimItriedtokillhimItriedtokillhim!!"
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Post by V for Vizetta on Feb 26, 2008 21:25:10 GMT -5
Athair was taken back for a moment as Tikal started saying something about trying to kill someone. After a moment's consideration, the elderly echidna did something that would most likely surprise, well, anyone that knew him. He reached out, and pulled the young girl into a hug. "Who? Who do you think you tried to kill?" The idea of Tikal actually trying to kill someone seemed alien to the priest. Trying to escape... now that he could believe. "Just... tell me everything, grandaughter... I won't judge you for anything you talk about." What had his son been doing? What had he gotten away with when the elder was gone?
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Post by Leda on Feb 26, 2008 21:58:10 GMT -5
" IprayedandprayedforhisprotectionbutifIreallycaredI'dhavejusttoldhim!!" Tikal sobbed into her grandfather's chest. " E-Even if I... *sniffle* w-wanted to l-leave Ishould'vehelpedhim!! Ijustletfhimtodie!!!"
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Post by V for Vizetta on Feb 26, 2008 22:28:40 GMT -5
The elder sighed softly, keeping one arm wrapped around Tikal, as the other pet her head softly. He'd wait till she'd calmed down more before he asked for details... He truly wanted to know what had been happening in his family after he left.
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Post by Leda on Feb 27, 2008 0:10:30 GMT -5
Though she'd had many, many meltdowns throughout her life, there was something different about this one... Something about the fact that she wasn't all alone, with a simple order to pipe down. Something about actually being held rather than jerked away from. The patience and concern that Athair doted onto his granddaughter broke something loose from deep inside of her heart, and Tikal clung to him as though she were afraid to let go. Suddenly she didn't seem so much like a young woman, but more like the little puggle she'd been when they'd last crossed paths. A deep, debilitating ache radiated from Tikal's chest, reverberating through her body all the way to the tips of her paws. The pulse of stabbing emotion repeatedly strangled the sentences from her lips, but little by little, the young echidna managed to relate to her elder about the epiphany she'd had; about how good her father had been to her, only to slap it away with betrayal; about the pains she'd repeatedly caused him with her unwillingness to cooperate, and to screw up the times she did; about the disgrace she'd become as a priestess and the amount of time wasted on attempting to teach her. Tikal rambled without aim until there seemed to be no energy left to ramble with. Eventually the girl fell quiet, her cold and quivering hands still tightly latched onto his body, and her face resolutely bowed with guilt and shame. The only breaking of the silence was that of the lapping water and Tikal's occasional sniffle.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Feb 27, 2008 0:48:50 GMT -5
As Tikal began talking, Athair felt his vision give way to, for a moment, a fog, that parted, showing the events his granddaughter was talking about, but from an impartial view, one left unskewed by her OR her father's perceptions. In a remarkable show of control in the face of her father's sheer, unbelievably horrid treatment of his own daughter, the elderly echidna showed no signs of his anger... THOSE would be saved for Pachacamac himself. Once Tikal's voice stopped, Athair looked down at the echidna he held, and realized just how much damage Pachacamac had done to her confidence, to her will, to her very SPIRIT. His jealousy of her abilities had caused him to twist her into using them for his own gain, thinking that she could be used like a book, to be opened whenever one wanted answers. But the will and power of Antowas wasn't meant to be used in such a way... So Pachacamac had become angry when Tikal could not give her answers whenever he wished them. He had set to work destorying a little more of her with each insult, each word of derison towards her skills. Finally, it came to a head this very morning... She'd read the stones and learned of the soon to come attack of the metallic monsters. But as Athair saw the stones himself through his vision, he read the REST of the divination hidden in them, that her father WOULD survive the attack. He knew now that Tikal blamed herself, simply because she had not recognized consciously the rest of the stones' message. She would have warned him if part of her hadn't realized he WOULD survive, a part that had known the answer given by the stones before they'd even been cast... And his vision ended, showing him the conversation the two younger echidnas had had only a few minutes ago. And the words Pachacamac had used to land this most vicious blow. A blow Athair would attempt to heal NOW, before it, like so many others, was allowed to fester. "Child... you did not betray your father... the stones you cast to learn about the attack he claimed would have taken his life... they had another message, that he would survive that same attack. Part of you recognized that, child, a part your father has tried to stifle in his jealousy of the power you DO possess." The elder smiled softly down at the young woman he still held. "You did not try to kill your father child... Part of you had known that if you HAD warned him, then he would have died... or worse, been sacrificed to that great monster controlling those... machines." Athair gave no explanation as to how he now knew of the results of her divination, and felt one would not be neccessary.
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Post by Leda on Feb 27, 2008 20:46:02 GMT -5
Tikal wheezed softly and rubbed her red, puffy eyes as she listened to Athair speak. Though she heard and understood the words, she still didn't really believe him; her mind could comprehend what he was saying, and knew he probably knew what he was talking about, but in her heart nothing had changed. She was more comforted than anything over simply being held. It had been such a long time since she'd even been hugged... She didn't realize how much she longed for it until she'd finally received it, and it was quite some time before Tikal forced herself to pull away from the elderly priest. Without a word, the younger echidna turned slightly and cupped some water into her hands to, yet again, clean her face. I did it again, she silently lamented, tenderly massaging her swollen eyes and cheeks. They trobbed with a piercing sting, and while the cool water had some dim effect, it was unfortunately temporary. Tikal gave herself another splash and hiccuped. All I ever do is make my father look bad... He really was right. All I ever say to the Elder are things that disgrace him.Tikal's posture wilted slightly; why was she such a vicious person? Would it kill her to actually say something NICE about her dad? After all, he'd raised her on his own, since her mother had fallen ill and died so many years ago. That couldn't have been easy on him. He'd protected her when the tribe was attacked and broken. He even continued to look after her now, long after she was technically an adult. He even came looking for me after the Swatbots attacked. He could've just as easily gone on without me. And I tarnish his name to the Elder... Tikal probably would've broken into tears again, but she seemed to have none left. " U-um..." she awkwardly began, her voice just above a whisper, " p-please... don't think ill of m-my father, Elder. I... I h-haven't been... very good to him, lately..."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Feb 28, 2008 1:27:45 GMT -5
The elder actually chuckled softly as he rested his hand on her back, rubbing it softly. "My dear child, you've been far kinder to him than he deserves." The elder turned, looking towards the campsite. His eyes narrowed, but not in anger, but more... as if he was remembering. "Your father was always a rough man. He was angry that he, a son in a line of priests, had almost no power to speak of..." Athair's head turned to face his grandaughter again, and he smiled softly. "I do not think ill of him. I... only wish he had controlled himself better in my absence... I thought I had taught him better." The elder's head fell slightly, as he sighed. And I can't help thinking that I've been gone too long to repair the damage he's done.
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Post by Leda on Feb 28, 2008 1:37:07 GMT -5
Tikal flinched out of instinct at the unexpected contact, but as Athair began to gently rub her back, a warm wave washed over her body, and the young priestess released a great deal of tension. Her swollen eyelids abruptly drooped; she hadn't realized how incredibly tired she'd become. After the exertion of such a long, strenuous breakdown, Tikal's energy was near completely depleted. Her weary gaze also drifted back to the distant glow of the campsite, and she released an exhausted huff. That was going to be a very long walk back.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Feb 28, 2008 1:55:26 GMT -5
The elder smiled softly as Tikal visibly relaxed. He could tell he hadn't really gotten through to her very well, but this was a good first step. The first step on a very long road... But Athair had plenty of time... and speaking of which, he noticed it WAS getting rather late, and they were still away from camp. The older echidna gently pulled Tikal against his side, speaking softly to her, to help keep her relaxed. " We should head back to camp before you fall asleep here in the water, child." Athair then, remembering who would be waiting at the camp, continued quickly. " Don't worry about your father being angry with you for being out here so long. I'm sure he's worried about you, so I'll explain that you simply needed time to get your thoughts in order, all right?"
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Post by Leda on Feb 28, 2008 2:10:22 GMT -5
" Thank you, Elder," Tikal whispered, slumping slightly against her grandfather. He seemed to be correct about the possibility of the young priestess falling asleep prematurely, because the longer she lingered with him, the heavier and heavier her body felt -- especially her eyelids. Tikal groaned slightly and rubbed at them, encouraging herself to wake back up, then wobbly rose to her feet.
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