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| Alone..; (open) | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 12 2008, 10:28 PM (263 Views) | |
| Valyn | Sep 12 2008, 10:28 PM Post #1 |
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Valyn Dacoras
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Time of Day: Early afternoon Place in timeline: August 29th... It really had been her, fighting in the sky. And she really was gone. The young dragon was old enough to understand, mostly. His big sister was gone, and she wasn’t coming back. The body was returned to the school after a time; identification had been found, apparently. The burial had not been particularly… anything special. People had shown up, though, so that was something. No one really knew what the fight in the skies was about. Talyndal hadn’t been very well known in the school, despite her rather spectacular ability to transform into a dragon. She had been quiet, studious, and didn’t often show off. Raising a child so young, after losing her parents to death and madness, it had forced Talyndal to grow up quickly. While her high school friends went off to college and partying for the most part, she faded into the background and got a job. Val had been her first priority, from the first. They’d come to the Institute when she’d heard of it, because she wanted the best for him and wasn’t sure if she could handle caring for a young dragon on her own. The truth was, though, that she was alone. Although her brother had quickly adjusted to the mansion, she had remained in the woodwork. And there she stayed, even to the end. Perhaps the only time she was seen transforming into a dragon outside of danger room simulations was during the ShadowX battle… There was talk, during the funeral, of her dedication to her brother. Raising him on her own, and all that. Valyn hadn’t wanted to be there. He didn’t know them, Tal hadn’t known them, and he didn’t want to hear them talking about her as if they’d actually known her. The six year old had remained silent throughout, and left quietly, and then went to his room to be alone. People tried to talk to him, probably, but he didn’t notice them. He had been clinging, hopelessly, to the possibility that his big sister would come back. Because she said she would, and she didn’t lie to him. She had come back, though, but she wasn’t there. What was left was returned to the earth, and perhaps she really was watching over him like someone had said. He didn’t see how she could be, since she was underground though. Adults were really weird sometimes. Valyn was very upset that he’d lost his sister. He’d cried before, but he seemed to be done with that for now. A new thought had occurred to him, though, which threatened his rather fragile balance. What was going to happen to him? Who was going to look after him now? A quiet, whimpering noise distracted him before he realized it was coming from his throat. Clutching one of Kel’s stuffed animals to his face to muffle the sound (somehow the entire collection had ended up in the dragonboy’s room), he wasn’t so good at muffling the quiet panic. What was he going to do without his big sister? There were people here he liked, but it wasn’t the same. They liked him, but he didn’t really matter... like he mattered to his sister. The little boy was currently sitting, half curled up, on one of the patio chairs. He didn't want to be alone, but he didn't want to be with anyone either. |
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| Quicksilver | Sep 12 2008, 11:36 PM Post #2 |
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Superspeed/ Superstrength
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He was, as was usual, spending his time between X-Factor and the school, between Wanda and Avery, doing duty as both a brother and a boyfriend... Pietro bristled at the word. Boyfriend... such a juvenile title, but the term lover was too intimate for public use, and he was not yet her husband, though, perhaps someday. They were still quite young, old according to gypsy standards, but, as had been pointed out to him by his elder sister, and his rather boisterous friends, this was America. Things were different here. Whatever he was, however, to Avery, he was happy, and that was a strange thing for the normally grumpy gypsy man. Zipping up the driveway, slowing down already, because while he could stop on a dime, the resulting shockwave from the wave of inertia he dragged behind him was a bit jarring, Pietro was looking forward to finding his elven love and -- A small figure curled on a chair gave Pietro pause. Valyn, the little dragon boy who had so recently lost his sister. Why was he here alone? Perhaps he wanted it this way? If Wanda or Lorna had been lost, he would have ranted and raved and torn his hair out at the roots, and it would have been done alone so that no one could see what he had become in his grief. But he was a grown man, and Valyn was just a very young boy. Perhaps it would be acceptable to interrupt his grieving processes. Pietro was not a man who could be called a comforting presence, but he was one who understood loss. Coming to a gentle stop at the steps of the patio, Pietro took a split second to adjust his green and white sweater, and to tuck his hair into place, before he mounted the stairs. He looked down at the little boy, and folded his hands behind his back. "Young Valyn, taking some time alone to settle your mind?" |
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| Valyn | Sep 13 2008, 02:01 AM Post #3 |
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Valyn Dacoras
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Usually it’d seriously brighten up Valyn’s day to see Quicksilver. The fact that his face didn’t immediately light up at seeing him, would’ve been enough to show that something was wrong. That is, if it wasn’t obvious what was wrong, considering that he’d lost the person his life basically revolved around... The young shapeshifter looked at Pietro for a moment after he’d spoken. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. His mouth closed abruptly with a little click of his teeth. He didn’t know what to say, really. Was that what he was doing, settling his mind? That… that was why he wanted to be alone for a bit. It still hadn’t sunk in, completely. “I… guess you could say that,” the six year old said, serious as he tended to be while speaking to adults. More so than usual, but that could only be expected. Pietro was one of the grownups that he looked up to. There were a few, but he was at the top of the list. If only because he didn't talk down to him, he didn't treat him like a kid. He took him seriously. So, he could trust him to tell him the truth he figured. He wouldn't lie about something this serious, just 'cause he was a kid. It was just really hard to ask, because he wasn't just a little worried that it was true. He was almost certain, and he wanted to make sure. 'Cause if it was true... "Why... did they die?" Not just his sister. His mom died too. Because he was born. And now his sister left 'cause he ran away, and now she was dead too. It was his fault, wasn't it? They wouldn't have died if it wasn't for him. He didn't see any other possibility, but if he figured it out, if it was true, he could maybe make it stop. "It's 'cause I..." he couldn't get the rest out. His throat had closed up a bit, and he knew that if he tried to continue talking that he'd cry like a little kid and that wasn't what he wanted. It didn't help... |
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| Quicksilver | Sep 13 2008, 02:36 AM Post #4 |
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Superspeed/ Superstrength
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"Ah," Pietro said, not taking a seat, not making any move to physically comfort the child, because he was not demonstrative a man, not with anyone but his sisters and his beloved. He saw the defiant lift to the boy's chin and the squaring of his shoulders that suggested that Valyn was trying very hard to be a grown up about this. Pietro admired that in the child, not at all certain what he would have done if the little one suddenly threw himself in his arms and sobbed. "That is a very big question and not one that I think anyone can truly answer." He leaned against the wall and said, "I could tell you about my mother, and my sister and how, before I became a mutant, bad things happened to them. I do not think it is a story for small children, but you are not really a small child, not anymore. No child who loses their caregiver is. It makes one grow up. Perhaps you will be allowed to be a child again someday, but for now, you must be as grown up as you can be." His words were quick, and perhaps went over the boy's head, but the emotions and meaning behind them should be clear. The gypsy said, quietly, "Men killed my mother because she dared to have a mutant daughter. They threw stones at her until she died, and I evolved because I wanted to save her and my sister. I ran and I ran until I was as fast as the wind, and I could not save her, my mother died because I could not save her, and I thought, perhaps, it was my fault. Could I have run faster? Could I have run sooner? Perhaps... But I did not do either of those things and so she died." He put his hand on the boy's head. "Your sister died because she died. There is no other answer that I could give you that would make you feel better about it. I do not believe in telling lies, not even to children. I do, however, believe in God, and believe in Heaven, and your sister is surely there, for what it is worth. You, however, are here on earth, and you have now a choice. You can let her death destroy you, or you can let her death give you the strength to make yourself stronger and better, someone who will make her proud. Which will you chose, Little Valyn?" |
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| Valyn | Sep 15 2008, 01:19 AM Post #5 |
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Valyn Dacoras
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The pale haired boy listened quietly as Quicksilver spoke. He'd know that Pietro and his sister lived on their own, but he hadn't explained much as to why... until now. His sad brown eyes widened slightly as his older friend spoke. He knew that bad things happened to mutants, it was on tv, but to hear firsthand what happened to people that he knew... it was very different. It was very sad. It also made him feel slightly less alone. He wasn't the only one. Bad things happened to people, and there wasn't always a good reason. Sometimes it could have been stopped, but wasn't, and who at fault? The person who had did the bad thing, or the one who didn't stop it? How much Valyn understood might have been questionable, but what he did get... he really did need to think about it. The way he felt, it couldn't just disappear all at once. But, he trusted Pietro enough that the older mutant's words eased some of the pain in the child's eyes. It wasn't all his fault. Some of it probably was, to a degree, but it wasn't the way he'd thought. That took care of some measure of the guilt, but the grief, the underlying panic.. was still the same. He'd never been a normal little boy, always too quiet and serious. Always a little too grown up, even when playing around with the other children. Val nodded slightly after Pietro finished speaking. It did make sense, in his head. He still wanted to cry and sulk until his sister came back, but she wasn't coming back. He really was going to miss her, and he couldn't do anything about it. Except... make her proud. He was gonna be a hero like Pietro and Mr. Scott and Warren. He was still little, but he was a dragon. He wouldn't always be little. He could make the bad guys stop hurting people. A watery smile came into a trembling existence. "I'm gonna be strong," he whispered, almost to himself. He could make things better... he would make things better. |
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| Quicksilver | Sep 15 2008, 04:21 AM Post #6 |
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Superspeed/ Superstrength
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"I'm gonna be strong," he whispered, almost to himself. Pietro did not smile at the boy's resolve, didn't hug him, or pat his head in pleased pride, though he was indeed quite proud to see him lift his chin in such a manner. He never expected to have children, was concerned at the thought of his parenting skills, and did not intend on taking this suddenly orphaned child as his own, but that did not in anyway mean that he was not fond of the little one. He just dealt with his emotions in his own way, and whether or not that was a good thing was no one's business but Pietro's. He did, however, tuck his hand under Valyn's chin and bring his face up so they met eyes. "You are, young man, at a crossroads, and you will be strong, because you have an entire school of people here to love and care for you. In a gypsy clan when a child is orphaned, the whole caravan bands together to care for him. He is kept safe and happy by not just a mother and a father but by dozens of parents, who raise him into a strong and healthy man with the best parts of each and every one who takes a hand in his upbringing. This school is more than a gypsy caravan could ever be. You have twenty parents and a hundred brothers and sisters. You will grow to be a man of immense potency and strength that does not come from your draconian mutation. A powerful man you will be, and your sister, your mother, they will look down upon and feel a pride unsurpassed." He dropped his hand, "You are lucky to have a family here, young Valyn. I find myself envious a bit." His tone was still even and expressionless, but a careful eye could see that one corner of his lips turned upward in teasing humor. "You will soon grow beyond me and think I am quite uninteresting compared to those who are around you." |
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| Lorna Dane | Sep 17 2008, 03:52 PM Post #7 |
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Lorna's presence around the Mansion was a rare thing these days, but the teaching job she had started when she lived at school had been something that she kept on when she moved to X-Factor and so twice a week she would make the journey to Westchester from New York. She was glad of the excuse to return to the Institute in all honesty, and used the time to catch up with everything going on. Before heading back to the chaos and boxed in surroundings of New York, she wanted to go for a short walk around the grounds, breath in some fresh air. She had always been fairly "outdoor-sy", despite growing up in Chicago, her father having taken her camping and going on digs during her degree and so living in the thick of the city was sometimes a little claustrophobic. With the added stress of X-Factor and troubles in Mutant Town it didn't always make for the most pleasant environment. However, she wouldn't change any of it for the world. They would all be escaping soon any way, as X-Factors vacation was only days away, and Lorna had to admit she was getting rather excited about it. Stepping out onto the patio, she was pleasantly surprised to see her brother there. "Hey Piet" she said with a smile. "Are you here to see Avery?" Lorna began, before pausing as she realised that he wasn't alone. She walked a little further onto the patio and with her view no longer obscured she could see a little blonde boy was curled on the chair. Lorna recognised him immediately as Valyn, the younger of two siblings who had been able to change into dragons. She had, of course, heard about his older sister, and she felt an immediate rush of sympathy. As far as she knew he didn't have any other family and she couldn't imagine being that alone at such a young age. Her contact with either had been limited but she knew them, and if she could offer some support to Valyn, she would "Hi Valyn." She said, crouching down by his side, her voice gentle. "How are you doing, sweetie?" |
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| Valyn | Sep 18 2008, 04:52 PM Post #8 |
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Valyn Dacoras
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Perhaps most people would not consider Pietro's words and way comforting, but it was to Valyn to a certain extent. The pain, the kind of pain that would be held close and fester, that pain was replaced by a more bearable kind of pain. The kind that might heal with time, given some help. There'd always be an empty place where his sister should be, but at least he wasn't alone. Not really alone. He didn't see how the whole school would love and care for him, but he didn't think that the older mutant would lie to him. Even to make him feel better. They'd be his family. They were his family. Val gave a weak smile at the thought that he'd ever think that Quicksilver was boring. Like that would ever happen. He was cool, the coolest. No one else at the school even compared. He was glad that he stopped to talk to him, because he felt better. Not a lot better, but enough that he thought he could maybe go play with Rosie for a little bit without being a crybaby. The green haired lady, for a moment Valyn couldn't remember her name. He was pretty good with names, but sometimes it wasn't easy in this school. Not everyone had such pretty green hair, though, and after a bit of thought he responded, "Hiya, Lorna.." It wasn't quite the cheerful yet serious tone that he tended to use, before, but he wasn't holding back tears anymore. "I... I'm gonna be alright." |
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| Quicksilver | Sep 18 2008, 07:40 PM Post #9 |
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Superspeed/ Superstrength
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"Hey Piet" [Lorna] said with a smile. "Are you here to see Avery?" Pietro greeted her with a nod and brief clasping of hands, "My dear one," he said, "I have indeed come for a visit with the elf, but there is time always for visits with our young brothers." He looked down at young Valyn, and Lorna was already crouching beside her, offering him, with her very presence, the comfort that Pietro was no good in giving. Valyn managed a small smile and told Lorna that he would be alright, and Pietro lifted his own chin, proudly, "Of course you shall, child. You are not a gypsy boy, perhaps, but you are the next best thing. You are a dragon, which must give you strength possibly even matching my own." He harumphed a playful harumph, which in any other man might have been seen as belittling to the child, but in Pietro was as close to affection as he could show to someone not related to him. "And, you are a mutant, and we are not species to let our trials and tribulations kill us. We will make ourselves stronger in mind, body and spirit with each setback until we are who we need to be." He crouched next to Valyn and said, "Make me proud... make your sister proud, but most importantly make yourself proud. I have faith in you." Turning, he kissed his older sister on the cheek, before straightening and said, "I am pleased to see you. You will perhaps be more soothing than I for our young brother's heart. I am not a tender man, and I believe our Valyn needs a hug and perhaps some sweets." |
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2:52 PM Jul 11