Title: God of Man, Destroyer of Innocence
Author: Memy (Missheru)
E-mail: midnight_wing@hotmail.com
AIM: MemyWing
ICQ: I really don't use it much.
For Aurora's Background you'll get hints of it here but the whole thing can be found in Eternal Light: The Beginning. Used a lot of Trigun. Kind of apparent isn't it? Please don't sue.
Chapter 12: Stop Calling Me Rori!
Mercurius turned and walked back towards the mountains. The cold mist left the air following Mercurius. Vash shook off the chill and went inside. A few hours went by. I slept and Vash nursed his pride. I woke-up seeing I was in my room now, I'd forgive him this once. He was trying to help. I walked out to the kitchen where he was sitting and drinking. I grabbed the half empty bottle as he fell backwards off the chair surprised when I had reached for it. "Rori you shouldn't sneak up on people."
"Don't call me that."
"What?"
"Rori, I hate that name."
"Mercurius calls you that."
"So you've met Mercurius? Don't call me Rori. I've tried for eons to make him stop calling me that."
"Why Rori? I didn't like him much. He was a bit of a jerk. Although with the pet name and how protective he was with you I'd say you made his good side."
"Stop it. Haven't you noticed we live up to our names? Mercurius is like how the weather can switch from hot to cold very quickly. He does this in his attitude."
"Not a very good excuse. In case you're wondering he's the one who put you in your room so your secrets are still your own."
"I trust your word. See his ice mist?"
"See? It follows him."
"It is a nice trait if you want to hide."
"He's still a jerk."
Shaking the bottle. "This stuff probably didn't help your first impression."
"What? I wasn't drinking."
"You drink. The smell, however faint, still was on you from the last time."
"Take a slug off of it if you want."
I crinkled my nose. "Something about drinking flammable liquids doesn't appeal to me."
I started to make cherry juice on the counter. Vash regained his seat at the table and his bottle of spirits. "What're you doing?"
"Making juice then going to bed."
"Already? You just woke up."
"Makes no difference when you're sleepy. Night Vash."
"Good Night Rori."
I glared at him as I left the kitchen on my way to slumber. He burst out laughing. It was probably due to a mixture of alcohol and knowing he was annoying me.
Vash awoke the next morning with a mild hangover. He looked at the clock. Yep, it was still early enough to make breakfast. He finished cooking. 'Where is Aurora? With the smell cooking bacon she usually comes running.' Deciding it was too strange of an occurrence to ignore he went looking for her. He knocked on her room door, no answer. The whole house was searched with no sign of Aurora. He looked out at the garden. It was almost gone. Mist covered the ground and saturated the air making it impossible to see five feet into the garden. 'She must be outside with Mercurius.'
He ran outside into the mist stopping about ten feet in. It wasn't cold. Actually the mist was very hot. "Itai!"
"Do you mind Vash? I'm having a sauna right now."
"In the garden?"
"Seemed as good of place as any."
"I made breakfast."
"With bacon?"
"Of course."
I stopped generating the steam. Vash clamped his hands over his eyes when he started to see me from the dissipating mists. There was nothing for him to see. I was almost completely covered with a thick robe. "Will you stop that? You're not the most tolerable thing to see in the morning either."
"So you're going to get on my case for being polite?"
"Yep, because I know if I didn't have the robe you'd peak anyways."
"You don't trust me do you?"
"Let me just say this. With even the little hangover you have now, your mind is screaming out every thought it has, even those that just run through."
"My mind betrayed me?"
"Not intentionally. I could get my own headache with how loud your mind is carrying on right now."
"Excuse me then. Food is getting cold."
As Vash powered down a plate of eggs I sat across the table slowly pouring milk over my cereal. "I've got to ask. How can you eat those disgusting things?"
He paused, looked up at my interruption then continued to eat what was left of his eggs. "What do you mean? I made the bacon cause you said you liked it."
"No, I meant the eggs."
I stuck out my tongue. "What do you mean? Eggs are good for you and taste good."
"I guess if you like them."
"Why doesn't little Rori-chan like her eggies?"
I slowly put down my spoon and glared across the table. It was a look that could freeze the blood. I pressed my hands to the table and slowly leaned forward until I was directly in front of his face. "Do not call me Rori. What part of this is not sinking in?"
I backed down a little from his face. "About the eggs it is just I have never liked the taste I guess."
I brought my hand up and flicked the center of his forehead as I sat back down. He brought a hand up and rubbed the spot I just hit. "Itai. That was uncalled for."
'Do you want to join me next time I sauna?'
'What?'
'It is a simple question. You seemed eager enough to join me this morning.'
'I didn't know. Really I didn't.'
"I'm playing. I know you didn't know but the offer still stands. Thank you for breakfast. Oh, you might want to wait until you're a little more sober until you finish that thought."
I got up and cleared the plates. Vash watched me, still shocked at the offer I had made. "I didn't mean to think of you like that. Well maybe I did cause I did think it but still you weren't supposed to know."
"I warned you about drinking."
"Come on I need a drinking buddy."
"I'm sure Wolfwood would be glad to join you."
"Oh yeah, he's still here too."
"How soon we forget old friends. I guess if you were always drunk when around them you might forget them quicker."
"I have a headache give me a break."
"I'm going to visit Mercurius, I'll see you tonight. Okay?"
"Sure I'll be good."
'That worries me.'
'Go I mean it I'll be good. I think I'll take your advice and see Wolfwood.'
I closed the door behind me and changed to Mystic form again. Be true to yourself when around other Mystics. It is the best way. I took flight to Mercurius's valley. I landed near him. "Rori, you shouldn't be out yet. You haven't had enough time to rest."
"You still worry too much. That's what got you killed the first time."
"You know that it would have been you if I wasn't there. Drago and Dracul, what protectors they have been. How many times have you had to call them back? They died with the Earth their final death."
"It didn't have to be. I could have vanished into the air and then neither of us would have died."
"Then it would have been the end of your dragons. Don't argue with me child. There is a reason I am an elder placed to protect you."
"You know you have Vash calling me Rori now too?"
"He actually was listening to me?"
"Aye, he thinks you a jerk now as well."
"But he takes up my words? Don't think I didn't notice you changed the subject. How can you stand to be around him? He reeked of spirits."
"He hadn't had a drink in over a week. Sure he had one last night after dealing with you but I almost can't blame him. I know how you can be."
"A dirty human vice."
"Fine like any human he has flaws. You do and I do have flaws as well. Don't think yourself that far above them. We are part of what they are. So to cease your concerns, I came here today to see if I could leave with a clean bill of health."
He looked at me for a moment, listening to my hearts and my breathing, felling how much energy was flowing around me. "Other than using human phrases you look fine. Just stop and rest before you pass out next time."
"I will."
"You better. Without a descendant if you die everything will die with it."
"How can I die? Aren't I the god now?"
"You're not strong enough yet to both rule completely and live a full life that you were accustomed to."
"Alright I'll keep energy expenditure down and slowly build up."
I flew back. Vash was still gone so I took the opportunity to take a nap on the couch. The peace lasted about fifteen minutes as Vash and Wolfwood entered. I sat up. "Hey Nicholas, long time no see. What have you been up to?"
"As you said everyone ends up here. I've been making friends and like you, asking forgiveness from some."
"I offered to Vash earlier and I'll offer to you too, I'm going to have a little sauna time. Do you want to join?"
I saw his eyes light up. I wasn't going to pick his mind. It quickly vanished as I went into my room to change. I came back out with a towel wrapped around under my arms with two wraps completely around my body. It came down to my knees. If anything it covered more than some dresses. What a shock these two are in for. I'd never really let them see the form of this illusion. I've always been a loose clothes pants type person. I stepped out of my room closing the door behind me. So far both of them were being good. They both had a towel wrapped around the waist. "Ready?"
Both of them still like teenagers where checking out what they had missed before. "Guys!"
It broke the spell for a moment. "Huh?"
"This form is an illusion, remember?"
"I know but still. Can I call it exploring new territory?"
I glared back at him. "No Vash."
I walked outside and sat on the edge of the fountain. I placed my hand in the water and it started to steam. Just like this morning thick steam filled the garden. Wolfwood and Vash also took a seat on the fountain edge. "Vash, you Bird of Paradise must love this."
"This is something. Why haven't you ever done this before?"
"It really is a waste of energy for me. Hot water is easier to obtain for steam without using my powers. Mercurius would have a fit if he knew I was doing this."
"Who's this Mercurius?"
"I'm sure Vash would love to answer that."
"Not all Mystics are as kind as Aurora and Mephistopheles. Even Iris was better to me than him, Aurora. He basically ripped my self-esteem to bits while he treated Aurora from her blackout."
"Why did you blackout Aurora? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. I just used too much energy and didn't rest when I felt low. I used enough energy to stop one of my hearts momentarily, which was enough for me to take a big nap. Mercurius is actually very nice. He is a guardian, which is part of the reason he is so protective of me. Vash just got on his bad side by smelling like alcohol."
"I told you I hadn't had a drink in over a week before then."
"Anyways, Mercurius doesn't approve of that vice humans have and is forever punishing them for it."
"Is it wise for us to be drinking tonight then?"
"He won't hurt you. He might verbally abuse you a little but I think you can handle it. Just do me this favor since I've herd you handle your drinking better, can you take him home with you? His hangovers are way too loud for me to handle."
"Loud?"
"Yeah, she says my mind blabs out every thought I have."
"He has such clean thoughts in the morning."
"That was low! How was I supposed to know it was just you in the steam and not Mercurius coming to check on you?"
"Vash, calm down. I don't blame you. I was well prepared for you wasn't I?"
"I owe you one then."
"You only owe me one because you know I saw what you were thinking at that moment. I've had enough warmth for today. It should stay pretty thick for the next twenty minutes if you two want to stay in longer. Ja ne."
I walked back inside. "You two seem to be getting along."
"I tease her, she teases me. So I'd guess so."
"Do you realize how long we've been here now?"
"How long has it been? It's harder to keep track when nobody ages."
"At least eighty years now. That means Mephistopheles will be back soon."
"So what does that have to do with anything?"
"Do I have to spell this out for you Needle Noggin?"
Vash scratched his head. Now very confused. "I guess so."
"If you love her and want any chance at having her then you have to act before he comes back."
"Why is that?"
"If Mephistopheles remembers his past again as a Mystic when he comes back you don't have much of a chance. You probably couldn't stay here anymore either."
"Loose my home?"
"Are you really that dense when it comes to matters of the heart? I'm giving up for tonight. Are you ready to go in and have a few drinks?"
"Sure am."
Author: Memy (Missheru)
E-mail: midnight_wing@hotmail.com
AIM: MemyWing
ICQ: I really don't use it much.
For Aurora's Background you'll get hints of it here but the whole thing can be found in Eternal Light: The Beginning. Used a lot of Trigun. Kind of apparent isn't it? Please don't sue.
Chapter 12: Stop Calling Me Rori!
Mercurius turned and walked back towards the mountains. The cold mist left the air following Mercurius. Vash shook off the chill and went inside. A few hours went by. I slept and Vash nursed his pride. I woke-up seeing I was in my room now, I'd forgive him this once. He was trying to help. I walked out to the kitchen where he was sitting and drinking. I grabbed the half empty bottle as he fell backwards off the chair surprised when I had reached for it. "Rori you shouldn't sneak up on people."
"Don't call me that."
"What?"
"Rori, I hate that name."
"Mercurius calls you that."
"So you've met Mercurius? Don't call me Rori. I've tried for eons to make him stop calling me that."
"Why Rori? I didn't like him much. He was a bit of a jerk. Although with the pet name and how protective he was with you I'd say you made his good side."
"Stop it. Haven't you noticed we live up to our names? Mercurius is like how the weather can switch from hot to cold very quickly. He does this in his attitude."
"Not a very good excuse. In case you're wondering he's the one who put you in your room so your secrets are still your own."
"I trust your word. See his ice mist?"
"See? It follows him."
"It is a nice trait if you want to hide."
"He's still a jerk."
Shaking the bottle. "This stuff probably didn't help your first impression."
"What? I wasn't drinking."
"You drink. The smell, however faint, still was on you from the last time."
"Take a slug off of it if you want."
I crinkled my nose. "Something about drinking flammable liquids doesn't appeal to me."
I started to make cherry juice on the counter. Vash regained his seat at the table and his bottle of spirits. "What're you doing?"
"Making juice then going to bed."
"Already? You just woke up."
"Makes no difference when you're sleepy. Night Vash."
"Good Night Rori."
I glared at him as I left the kitchen on my way to slumber. He burst out laughing. It was probably due to a mixture of alcohol and knowing he was annoying me.
Vash awoke the next morning with a mild hangover. He looked at the clock. Yep, it was still early enough to make breakfast. He finished cooking. 'Where is Aurora? With the smell cooking bacon she usually comes running.' Deciding it was too strange of an occurrence to ignore he went looking for her. He knocked on her room door, no answer. The whole house was searched with no sign of Aurora. He looked out at the garden. It was almost gone. Mist covered the ground and saturated the air making it impossible to see five feet into the garden. 'She must be outside with Mercurius.'
He ran outside into the mist stopping about ten feet in. It wasn't cold. Actually the mist was very hot. "Itai!"
"Do you mind Vash? I'm having a sauna right now."
"In the garden?"
"Seemed as good of place as any."
"I made breakfast."
"With bacon?"
"Of course."
I stopped generating the steam. Vash clamped his hands over his eyes when he started to see me from the dissipating mists. There was nothing for him to see. I was almost completely covered with a thick robe. "Will you stop that? You're not the most tolerable thing to see in the morning either."
"So you're going to get on my case for being polite?"
"Yep, because I know if I didn't have the robe you'd peak anyways."
"You don't trust me do you?"
"Let me just say this. With even the little hangover you have now, your mind is screaming out every thought it has, even those that just run through."
"My mind betrayed me?"
"Not intentionally. I could get my own headache with how loud your mind is carrying on right now."
"Excuse me then. Food is getting cold."
As Vash powered down a plate of eggs I sat across the table slowly pouring milk over my cereal. "I've got to ask. How can you eat those disgusting things?"
He paused, looked up at my interruption then continued to eat what was left of his eggs. "What do you mean? I made the bacon cause you said you liked it."
"No, I meant the eggs."
I stuck out my tongue. "What do you mean? Eggs are good for you and taste good."
"I guess if you like them."
"Why doesn't little Rori-chan like her eggies?"
I slowly put down my spoon and glared across the table. It was a look that could freeze the blood. I pressed my hands to the table and slowly leaned forward until I was directly in front of his face. "Do not call me Rori. What part of this is not sinking in?"
I backed down a little from his face. "About the eggs it is just I have never liked the taste I guess."
I brought my hand up and flicked the center of his forehead as I sat back down. He brought a hand up and rubbed the spot I just hit. "Itai. That was uncalled for."
'Do you want to join me next time I sauna?'
'What?'
'It is a simple question. You seemed eager enough to join me this morning.'
'I didn't know. Really I didn't.'
"I'm playing. I know you didn't know but the offer still stands. Thank you for breakfast. Oh, you might want to wait until you're a little more sober until you finish that thought."
I got up and cleared the plates. Vash watched me, still shocked at the offer I had made. "I didn't mean to think of you like that. Well maybe I did cause I did think it but still you weren't supposed to know."
"I warned you about drinking."
"Come on I need a drinking buddy."
"I'm sure Wolfwood would be glad to join you."
"Oh yeah, he's still here too."
"How soon we forget old friends. I guess if you were always drunk when around them you might forget them quicker."
"I have a headache give me a break."
"I'm going to visit Mercurius, I'll see you tonight. Okay?"
"Sure I'll be good."
'That worries me.'
'Go I mean it I'll be good. I think I'll take your advice and see Wolfwood.'
I closed the door behind me and changed to Mystic form again. Be true to yourself when around other Mystics. It is the best way. I took flight to Mercurius's valley. I landed near him. "Rori, you shouldn't be out yet. You haven't had enough time to rest."
"You still worry too much. That's what got you killed the first time."
"You know that it would have been you if I wasn't there. Drago and Dracul, what protectors they have been. How many times have you had to call them back? They died with the Earth their final death."
"It didn't have to be. I could have vanished into the air and then neither of us would have died."
"Then it would have been the end of your dragons. Don't argue with me child. There is a reason I am an elder placed to protect you."
"You know you have Vash calling me Rori now too?"
"He actually was listening to me?"
"Aye, he thinks you a jerk now as well."
"But he takes up my words? Don't think I didn't notice you changed the subject. How can you stand to be around him? He reeked of spirits."
"He hadn't had a drink in over a week. Sure he had one last night after dealing with you but I almost can't blame him. I know how you can be."
"A dirty human vice."
"Fine like any human he has flaws. You do and I do have flaws as well. Don't think yourself that far above them. We are part of what they are. So to cease your concerns, I came here today to see if I could leave with a clean bill of health."
He looked at me for a moment, listening to my hearts and my breathing, felling how much energy was flowing around me. "Other than using human phrases you look fine. Just stop and rest before you pass out next time."
"I will."
"You better. Without a descendant if you die everything will die with it."
"How can I die? Aren't I the god now?"
"You're not strong enough yet to both rule completely and live a full life that you were accustomed to."
"Alright I'll keep energy expenditure down and slowly build up."
I flew back. Vash was still gone so I took the opportunity to take a nap on the couch. The peace lasted about fifteen minutes as Vash and Wolfwood entered. I sat up. "Hey Nicholas, long time no see. What have you been up to?"
"As you said everyone ends up here. I've been making friends and like you, asking forgiveness from some."
"I offered to Vash earlier and I'll offer to you too, I'm going to have a little sauna time. Do you want to join?"
I saw his eyes light up. I wasn't going to pick his mind. It quickly vanished as I went into my room to change. I came back out with a towel wrapped around under my arms with two wraps completely around my body. It came down to my knees. If anything it covered more than some dresses. What a shock these two are in for. I'd never really let them see the form of this illusion. I've always been a loose clothes pants type person. I stepped out of my room closing the door behind me. So far both of them were being good. They both had a towel wrapped around the waist. "Ready?"
Both of them still like teenagers where checking out what they had missed before. "Guys!"
It broke the spell for a moment. "Huh?"
"This form is an illusion, remember?"
"I know but still. Can I call it exploring new territory?"
I glared back at him. "No Vash."
I walked outside and sat on the edge of the fountain. I placed my hand in the water and it started to steam. Just like this morning thick steam filled the garden. Wolfwood and Vash also took a seat on the fountain edge. "Vash, you Bird of Paradise must love this."
"This is something. Why haven't you ever done this before?"
"It really is a waste of energy for me. Hot water is easier to obtain for steam without using my powers. Mercurius would have a fit if he knew I was doing this."
"Who's this Mercurius?"
"I'm sure Vash would love to answer that."
"Not all Mystics are as kind as Aurora and Mephistopheles. Even Iris was better to me than him, Aurora. He basically ripped my self-esteem to bits while he treated Aurora from her blackout."
"Why did you blackout Aurora? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. I just used too much energy and didn't rest when I felt low. I used enough energy to stop one of my hearts momentarily, which was enough for me to take a big nap. Mercurius is actually very nice. He is a guardian, which is part of the reason he is so protective of me. Vash just got on his bad side by smelling like alcohol."
"I told you I hadn't had a drink in over a week before then."
"Anyways, Mercurius doesn't approve of that vice humans have and is forever punishing them for it."
"Is it wise for us to be drinking tonight then?"
"He won't hurt you. He might verbally abuse you a little but I think you can handle it. Just do me this favor since I've herd you handle your drinking better, can you take him home with you? His hangovers are way too loud for me to handle."
"Loud?"
"Yeah, she says my mind blabs out every thought I have."
"He has such clean thoughts in the morning."
"That was low! How was I supposed to know it was just you in the steam and not Mercurius coming to check on you?"
"Vash, calm down. I don't blame you. I was well prepared for you wasn't I?"
"I owe you one then."
"You only owe me one because you know I saw what you were thinking at that moment. I've had enough warmth for today. It should stay pretty thick for the next twenty minutes if you two want to stay in longer. Ja ne."
I walked back inside. "You two seem to be getting along."
"I tease her, she teases me. So I'd guess so."
"Do you realize how long we've been here now?"
"How long has it been? It's harder to keep track when nobody ages."
"At least eighty years now. That means Mephistopheles will be back soon."
"So what does that have to do with anything?"
"Do I have to spell this out for you Needle Noggin?"
Vash scratched his head. Now very confused. "I guess so."
"If you love her and want any chance at having her then you have to act before he comes back."
"Why is that?"
"If Mephistopheles remembers his past again as a Mystic when he comes back you don't have much of a chance. You probably couldn't stay here anymore either."
"Loose my home?"
"Are you really that dense when it comes to matters of the heart? I'm giving up for tonight. Are you ready to go in and have a few drinks?"
"Sure am."