Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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Family, Duty, Honour [Coci]

For once it was not Thurion who was the first to stir from his slumber, but rather the child nestled between mother and father under the warm covers. Young Thirdas had been beset by nightmares the night before and cryingly sought out his parents, whom gladly took him into their bed. The lad was now old enough to walk unsupported, albeit still a bit wobbly. He'd been given his own room as he'd outgrown his old crib, and would often move about on his own and explore the house. The staircase provided quite the obstacle to overcome, but by taking it slow and one step at a time it was manageable. Going up the stairs was much easier as he could just crawl on all fours.

So when the little one woke from his slumber, nightmares long gone from memory, Thirdas would begin to wriggle about until rid of the covers. Then suddenly a pillow was gently shoved in his face as a sleepy Thurion had been awakened far too early to his liking, but this only made the boy giggle which didn't help his attempt at going back to sleep. "Dada," he cooed and began to crawl on top of him. "Mmm," Thurion groaned sleepily, refusing to open his eyes as this would make going back to sleep an impossibility.

Ever the explorer, Thirdas would then put his tiny hands upon his father's face, grasping at his beard and trying to stick his fingers into his mouth. It became harder and harder for him to ignore the boy, and so Thurion freed an arm from under the covers to wrap it around Thirdas and pull him back down into bed. The little one had no chance at escaping his father's strong-as-steel hold, nor did he wish to. He just giggled some more and instead saw this as a challenge to wrestle!

Only then did Thurion open his eyes, gazing across to where Coci rested while Thirdas tried his best to get away. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," he spoke sleepily as it appeared she'd in fact been up this whole time, watching the two interact. "Don't mind the wild animal in our bed," he smiled.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
Sleep was a very rare event these days. Thirdas growing quickly and taking in everything around him, like most children, his mind was troubled with the lack of understanding that would cause his dreams to turn badly. Coci did not return to sleep as her husband had, she lay there in half sleep just in case the nightmares returned to her son and would be there to comfort him if they did.

Yet, father and son passed the remainder of the night in blissful sleep. She had seen the dawn come, the rays of the morning entering their bedroom, and casting his gentle glow and welcoming the new day. Thirdas was completely different to her other children Nina, Mysa and Theo, when they were toddlers hardly gave them both any problems. This small bundle of joy however, was more adventurous than Theo if it was to be believed, in fact Theo was possitively angelic by comparison. Oh how a mother forgets ..

Coci watched as Thirdas beset his father, she smiled knowing that Thurion would soon be awake with the little one climbing all over him. "Most assuredly the most terrifying of our beasties", she grinned at Thurion. There could have been many other comments made in this regard but she decided not to. Coci rolled over on her back and lifted her arms above her head stretching out the fatigue of the night before throwing back the furs and hurrying to find her warm clothes. "I shall be down stairs, as I am sure both the wild animals in the bed will be growling soon enough". She shot her beloved a look as she turned for the door.

Little Thirdas and his father would be wanting food soon enough, as would she and so to the kitchen she went to prepare something to nibble on.


[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]
 
When his wife slipped out of bed, Thurion let out a disapproving groan as he'd much rather spend the whole day in bed as they are. Yet a smile appeared on his lips all the same, and all this while the little warrior tried his damndest at besting the sleeping lion. "I'd kill for some eggs," he called out to her as she made it out the room and down the stairs. Again Thirdas would attempt to rouse his father from his rest, but before he could pull off a well-aimed tackle Thurion simply grabbed hold of him and began tickling his tummy, and so rang the unabashed child's laughter through the humble residence. Finally the boy was drained of all his abundance of morning energy, and as Thurion sat up in bed he took Thirdas into his arms for a firm embrace.

"You are born with the spirit of a warrior," he said while looking down into his child's eyes, those dark pools of infinity so akin to Coci's. Those eyes he fell in love with so many years ago. "Bravery and tenacity are all well and good, but don't forget to use that noggin' of yours," he added, poking his son's head before placing a kiss upon his forehead. Still too young to speak whole sentences, the golden-haired lad instead smiled and buried into his father's chest. "Dada!"

Once the two were at least somewhat dressed they made it downstairs, Thirdas clinging to his father's left leg like a baby monkey, thus making going down the stairs considerably more difficult for the latter. Still, who was he to deny some early morning antics? Once down the stairs the boy promptly let go of his ride and made for his chest of toys, and so Thurion was free to join his wife in the kitchen. At first he stood gazing at her by the doorway, leaning against the door frame. When she'd turn to look at him, he would just stand there looking back at her.

Soon, however, he stepped towards her and gently put his arms around her, holding her in warm embrace. "I just wanted to check you were still real," he spoke softly past her ear before placing a kiss upon her cheek. "I love you, Coci." Throughout this moment of theirs there was no hint of passion or lust, just pure and unadulterated care and tenderness between husband and wife. His hand caressed the back of her head and her long, black hair. "I am never going to stop loving you."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
The request for eggs met her half way down the stairs but before she would fulfill that request she set about lighting the fires in the hearths. Firstly in the living room which did not take long as the night embers still glowed and ignited once refueled, the kitchen hearth would take a little longer .. at the best of times Midvinter is cold and although the morning sun was climbing high in the sky, there was no bit of warmth in it just yet. It had been some years now since Thrand's passing and even though the Sun greeted them each and every day, she still missed him, her father .. their father. And yet, as light of the Sun filtered into the kitchen she smiled.

Coci busied herself with preparing the breakfast, bustling from cupboard to cupboard finding what she needed before cracking the eggs into the hot plate, bread was toasting, the caf pot brewing and she turned to go for the blue milk when she saw Thurion by the door. She did not say a word but her eyes spoke as they met his sapphire blue eyes and as ever, her love for him was evident there. In the background she could hear the sound of toys being spilled over the wooden floor, Thirdas lost in imagination as his game with soldiers began their battle.

As she placed the jug of blue milk on the table his arms folded around her and she turned within them. Her hands slide up his chest and over his shoulders as they embraced, "I am real, and I am yours", she whispered gently back and as he kissed her cheek she nuzzled into his neck and rested there never wanting this tender moment to end. Her arms pulled him in even closer, the words of love so written on her heart each time he speaks them and which will forevermore be returned to him. "Nor I you, I will love you until the end of time and beyond". She pulled back from their embrace just enough for a hand to rest softly on his cheek and she allowed her fingers to play in his morning growth she loves so much. "Your beard needs a clip", she smiled a little teasingly, and she leaned upward to place a soft kiss on her husband's lips.

After breakfast, she would do something special for him out side on the small jetty that pushed out over the half frozen lake where he could sit while Thirdas played.
[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]
 
Her kiss was returned with complete and utter devotion, after which he gently rubbed his nose against hers with a smile upon his lips. "I think I will keep it a bit rugged for now. Besides, you certainly seem to like it more that way," he teased, relishing her fingertips caressing his chin and cheek. Along with this new life of theirs on Midvinter, Thurion had taken to shaving his beard and cutting his hair short for the first time since leaving Teth to wander the stars. It had been the first time Coci had ever gotten to see him without his trademark beard, and even he himself had almost forgotten what his own chin looked like. It felt liberating, somehow.

By now Thirdas had decided to join them in the kitchen, bringing one of his wooden toys in the shape of a gryphon. It seemed he had gotten the most of his morning energy out as he appeared far more docile, and even stood with his arms held out towards his mother, asking to be picked up. "Take a moment with your son, sweetie. I'll take care of breakfast," Thurion assured her with a quick kiss upon her lips before making sure the eggs were not overdone. That's about the extent of his cooking skills, anyway.

After they'd all had their breakfast and gotten properly dressed for the day ahead, Thirdas went back to playing - now with a tummy full of delicious food - and would soon require his morning nap. Knowing this, Thurion would often join him on the fur-covered floor for some morning playing until the lad grew sleepy. Once tucked into bed by his father, Thirdas would not wake for another hour or so. "Out like a light, the little thing," he told Coci upon his return downstairs. He took her by the hand and gave it a kiss, before wrapping his other arm around her as they began to slow dance together, swaying to no music other than the beat of their hearts.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
She opened her arms to her little man that toddled into the kitchen, as she crouched down so he could walk into her embrace and her arms closed around her Thirdas. She nuzzled into his golden hair which had the aroma of the pine forest of Fridheim, before placing a mother’s loving kiss on his cheek all the while Thirdas had his arms around her neck. “I love you my beautiful boy”, she whispered to him as he turned his attention back to his toy. And as she stood with Thirdas in her arms Coci, walked to the table to place him in his spot before breakfast.

The eggs had been cooked to perfection in accordance with everyone’s taste and for her the yolk was soft. And once the mushrooms grilled in butter had been added to her plate did she begin to eat and wash it all down with her caf. Life in House Heavenshield had become most tranquil for the most part although duty to the West would call upon them daily and soon she would begin her work but for now family came first. In fact, life was far more busy these days equally as much as when with the Silver Jedi.

“I shall be traveling to the Dawnbringer Temple soon Thurion, it is time we open the doors but before we do, I need to make sure everything is in readiness”. She told him over eggs and toast. “And there is something I need to ask you”. But now was not the time. Once breakfast had finished, and Thurion took Thirdas to settle on the furs, Coci cleaned up before taking her gathered things to place of the table.

“Come I want to do something for you”, she said turned her face up to look into his eyes where their love lives. Thirdas would be safe in his bed and they would be in range of him were something wrong and so Coci led Thurion out of their home onto the jetty over half frozen lake. Already there was a table, a chair, a bowl of hot warm and a towel. “Please sit here”. It was cool this morning, but crisp and beautiful none the less and she took her husband in her arms and kissed him hard.
[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiSf6w7HZ78&​

"Oh?" came Thurion's inquisitive reply before she took his hand to lead him outside. The wooden jetty shot out several metres across the lake, along which a couple of rowboats were tied in place and bobbing to the rythm of the calm waves, making clucking sounds that tickled the ears. At her bidding he sat down in the chair prepared for him, but not before they shared the deepest of kisses under the morning sun slowly crawling its way over the mountaintops in the east.

As they kisses he slowly sat down in the chair, bringing her with him to sit across his lap with both her legs on one side. There he held her, clinging to her without ever wanting to let go, and as their kiss inevitably reached its end he rested his head against her chest above her heart. "Ek elska þik," he uttered softly in the tongue of his ancestors, even though no words in any language would ever adequately describe his feelings for her. She was the mother of his children and the love of his life. Their hearts and souls were connected in the fiercest and deepest of ways, and should one ever break the other would soon follow. But they were stronger together, and they would not break for anything or anyone.

Thurion looked upon that face he would know everywhere, in any crowd, and gazed into those eyes he felt he could disappear into and never reappear. And he didn't know what it was, but tears began to form in his eyes. There was not sobbing or crying, only tears. Perhaps they were tears of fatigue, or of joy. But he believed it was because the woman in his arms was so beautiful it brought him to tears. And so he smiled at her, his Coci.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
There was little need for encouragement for Coci to come close to her husband as he sat down on the chair, and they sat in each other’s arms with Thurion’s head resting against her chest her hands lifted to caress her fingers among his hair. Her face turned to nuzzle into the top of it, closing her eyes just to enjoy the moment with him and him alone. Nothing else existed in this place, in this moment as they joined each other in silence through that bond that not even the force was the ability to surpass. They have been two heart beating as once from the start and even after all these years, there is nothing more powerful still.

And in her own language she rarely utters, “Min min larel valle”, she pulled back to look into his eyes, “tills oblivion”. Her fingers came to rest on his cheeks and she smiled. Coci would not wipe away these tears that moistened his cheeks every one of them given for her not in sorrow but love. Thurion is so beautiful when his emotions are released and she cannot help but look to take everything about him into her heart. His face, a face she knows beyond anything else.

She remained where she was, sitting astride him and reached for the sponge and towel. “Now, my love. Lean yourself back in the chair”, and she began to wet and lather his face with the cream. She put the towel over his left shoulder and took up the razor, with one finger she tilted his head to the side and leaning in Coci began to shave her husband from the just under the jaw line upward taking great care not to nick his skin.

Weeks ago he had surprised her when coming into the kitchen completely shaved and short hair to the point she had dropped the glasses she had been carrying, it had been the very first time she had seen his features that had been hidden from her for years and she could not have believed that Thurion was even more handsome. As she wiped the cream off the razor blade onto the towel she stole a look into his eyes, the curve of her mouth betrayed a smile, before moving his face to start on the other side.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]
 
The cold blade of the shaving knife moved along his chin, its sharp edge making short work of the short hairs of his rugged beard. Doubly so in the steady hands of his beloved, whose eyes he kept staring into throughout the entire process. With the jetty shooting out towards the western horizon, the sun rising in the east fell upon her face while she remained concentrated on not nicking him. It became difficult for him not to smile, watching her hard at work with such care and attention. He always noticed new little things about her face every single day, it seemed, and today was no different. Just another miniscule detail about her that made him fall in love all over again.

Once she'd finished shaving him and wiped the remainder of the cream from his face, Thurion took a smidgeon of it on his fingertip and put a white dot on the tip of her nose with a boyish grin. He then wiped it off her just as quickly with his sleeve moments before kissing her all over again, starting with her lips and slowly moving down her neck. He stops just above her heart where he lays his head to rest against her soft skin, nuzzling into her.

"All baby smooth," he smiled into the warmth of her chest. It didn't take long before he'd turned her around in his lap so that the two could gaze out across the lake and the horizon together. It was now he that settled her head to rest against his shoulder, keeping an arm wrapped around her while the other caressed her cheek. "We should have moved out here sooner," he said in more serious tone. "This is where we belong, not out there among the stars. They can fight their own bloody wars just as well without us..."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
She closed her eyes in this moment, just drinking in the warmth of his body against her and the touch of his hand on her cheek soothed her soul. Only upon his words did Coci opened her eyes once more and looked down the length of the jetty out across the lake to the far side. The wars, so many they had fought, some wins and losses but never did they not take something from them, a little death of their souls from the first gun fire to the last. Yes, they could fight wars well enough without them. It was now their time for change, their time to be what they always wanted and gain peace in it.

One of her hands that had clung to his shirt lifted to his face, his freshly shaven face and she turned to look up into it and she kissed him along the jaw line, for once directly on his skin and although she relished seeing him this way she kinda missed the beard. It would return in time she knew that too so best to grab these days while they lasted. "This place was waiting for us and now we are here, at the right time". The idea of it, coming sooner, ideal but they would not have been settled, in their hearts at least, for they had not completed what they set out to do .. until now. This was the right time, their time.

The past was where it should be, and now they had the future to grab hold of and make it theirs.

"It is finished", she said of Eirin's Reach, "Shall we take Thirdas and go see later?". On suggesting they move, she only snuggled back into place against his shoulder and pulled him closer not ready to go anywhere just yet and they sat in silence once more. That lasted briefly however before the sound of whooshing large wings broke the calm. Coci sat up and placed her chin on Thurion's shoulder looked back toward the house and she smiled. "Someone has come to see you". Behind them the majestic Skywalker ruffled his feathers upon landing and let out a loud roar that would no doubt wake Thirdas from his slumber.
[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]
 
Thurion looked down into her eyes and smiled. "Yes, it is. Finally." Eirin's Reach was the couple's latest contribution to Midvinter; a healing centre for Fridheim, where Thurion could devote his time when not seeing to his duties as Warden of the West and where modern as well as traditional forms of healing could be offered, including the use of the Force. Its construction had taken longer than expected due to the need to acclimatize the Ankarres tree to the cold earth of Midvinter before work could continue, as the healing properties of the tree would greatly enhance any healers arsenal. "We'll take Thirdas there one day soon," he happily replied, placing a kiss upon her forehead as they sat a bit longer.

The whooshing sound of the mighty gryphon making his landing atop their roof had Thurion turning his head as well, and together he and Coci rose from their seat to greet their avian-feline friend. "Skywalker," he called out to him, at which point the large creature leapt off the roof, landing with a loud yet graceful *thud*. Thurion held Coci's hand when they followed the jetty back onto solid ground, only to then embrace his animal friend with both arms, nuzzling into its soft feathers and warm fur. A comforting purr came pouring out its powerful beak, causing his entire body to tremble.

"What are you doing here, buddy? What about your family up at Blessed Peak?" Skywalker simply look to the skies just as another cry filled the air, followed by a whole host of gentler ones. High above them there soared his family, with the large female leading their cubs in a V-formation. Said cubs had all grown to the point where they could take flight on their own, and assuming they had travelled all this way in one go it was astonishing how strong they had become in such short time. Thurion then met Skywalker's gaze as the animal nodded before he could even ask his question.

"I think we have some additions to make," he turned to Coci with a grin, his mind bursting at the seams with ideas. But before he was given time to give them more than a moment's thought the family of gryphons landed around them. All the cubs came pouncing him at once, now about the size of large hounds, and promptly tackled him to the ground. "Eep," he cried out from the sudden show of affection before laughter broke out from all their beaks nuzzling and tickling him. "Do not mourn my loss, my love! Save yourself!"

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
A soft hand glided across the furfeathers of Skywalker, he is so amazing to behold, graceful yet brimming with power and strength. It was easy to see why Thurion and he got along so well, they are like .. kindred. But what she loved to see the most was the eyes of her husband and his mind raced with what? she did not know but this was it. This was what they needed for so long, to throw themselves into something, anything, that filled them with purpose once more. Selfish it may be for Jedi to do this, but they both earned this life, this new life. The Jedi of yesteryear are gone, the new Jedi live, and are allowed it. After all, Jedi are not gods as some still believe them to be.

Coci turned her gaze to the skies as well, and watched mother and cubs glide down in formation before alighting upon the snow covered ground. She released Thurion's hand as they 'attacked' him with fun and life. It was in these moments that Coci caught a glimpse of the boy in him, playful and without care. Now she knew where Théo got it from, and mostly likely, most probably .. Thirdas as well. She grinned while walking over to the mother of the brood, bowed her respects before greeting her with a warm embrace.

"What is in their minds?", she asked of the mother who's head tilted with a knowing gaze. Some additions to be made, seems the family Heavenshield just grew larger. And it would be most welcomed.

The front door of their home opened, and out came Thirdas rubbing his sleepy eyes and wondering where Mama and Papa were. But upon opening them once more and seeing the sight before him, his mouth dropped open in awe before he got scared for his father thinking him under attack for real. His little legs ran down the steps and he fell hurting his knee which began to bleed but he would not cry although his bottom lip began to tremble with the pain. Coci held out her hand and beckoned him to come, "Thirdas, it is alright Papa is playing .. come see", she walked toward him and he ran to her for safety.

Coci picked Thirdas up into her arms and held him close, "Look", she pointed to his father laughing among the cubs. Still unsure of what to think of these large creatures, he nuzzled into his shoulder but his eyes remained fixed on his father and the cubs in wonderment.
[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]
 
Catching glimpse of little Thirdas falling down the steps had him immediately leap up from where he was being pounced on by the litter of cubs, taking notice of the bloodied knee. It cut him like a knife to see his youngest in such pain and confusion over what is going on that he couldn't help but feel responsible. "Thirdas," he got up and walked over to mother and son, cupping the boy's cheek as his lip quivered. It didn't take long for the crying to start as tears streamed down his face, and so Thurion wrapped his arms around them both.

"It's alright, my sweet boy," he comforted him, hushing him until the worst of the crying subsided, replaced by quiet sobbing. "Did you go and hurt yourself," he asked and placed a kiss upon Thirdas' forehead as he nuzzling into his father's shirt to wipe away his tears. Thurion then got down on one knee as Coci held their boy and very gently placed his palm over his tiny cut on his knee, all the while maintaining eye contact with him. In less than a minute the wound was no more, with only a small boo-boo in its place. "See? Everything is alright now, sweetie."

Thirdas sniffled some more before returning his focus to the strange creatures surrounding the three. Taking him into his arms, Thurion approached Skywalker with the boy staring wide-eyed, and his short arm reached out to the massive gryphon who began nuzzling his tiny palm with the tip of his beak. By now it was as if the fall down the steps had never happened, with Thirdas cooing and giggling with fascination. "This is Skywalker and his family. They are going to stay with us from now on. Would you like that, Snowball?" Thirdas was so enraptured by the creature now licking his hand with its big tongue that at first it seemed he had paid no attention to his father's words, when suddenly he spoke.

"Die-dawker," he attempted to repeat the name, to which Skywalker began to pur.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 
It was lovely to watch father and son together, her mind went back to when Théo was of the same age and what joys the two of them had together and now it was Thirdas. Coci let the push in her back before she turned around to see the mother of the gryphon pull up beside her and Coci raised her hand to rest gently on her neck. A low gurgling noise issued from deep down within her, not a purr as such, but something more akin to pride as she watched her cubs playing about the place. Coci had the feeling that if danger ever came to them, the mother would be equally as furious as she would be in defending them.

A quick look to the skies, only her eyes moved, and that was enough to put forward her suggestion. Coci took in a long breath but also, since her first flight on the back of the majestic creature, she had come far less fearful of flying. Not completely but he had to admit it was a huge adrenaline rush. Thurion and Thirdas were busy with Skywalker, had their backs to Coci and, "I am going to find you a name", she whispered before quickly climbing on her back and gripping firmly her long feathery mane.

Beautiful golden caramel wings spread wide and it would only take her two paces before pushing off the ground and climbing to sky. Coci sucked in a deep breath, hold it in her chest as her heart raced again. But the crisp Midvinter air flowing through her long black hair and biting through her clothing felt amazing. And a loud laugh filled with excitement fell around Thirdas and Thurion from the sky above as Coci's hands let go of mane and she spread them wide beside her feeling the unbridled freedom take over her mind and soul.

And through the clouds they flew, swaying and dipping in the moist air. It was simply incredible to be so high but in the clouds? without a metal structure around you? Coci closed her eyes and just took a moment to feel the moisture on her skin and met the rhythm of movement of the flight lead the dance.

"Cloudancer", she said to her female companion and the reply of acceptance came in the form of a loud lyrical screech. Coci looked for Thurion and Thirdas on the ground still, and she waved to them as they swooped lower before climbing above once more.
[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]
 
Watching Coci take off on the aptly-named Cloudancer, it wasn't long before the litter of cubs joined them in taking to the skies, leaving Thurion, Thirdas and Skywalker on the ground. Setting the lad down to explore the fantastical creature on his own, it wasn't until now that Thurion noticed the curious onlookers gathering outside the Heavenshield home, all of them awe-struck by the sight of a being so oft-told of in their myths of the glorious Gryphon Knights. None of them every thought to see one in person, let alone one so very much alive and vigorous. Eyes turned to the skies where six more sailed on the wind in the form of Cloudancer and her five cubs, announcing their presences with proud screeches.

Skywalker stared them all down with his piercing gaze, and even as little Thirdas began playing with his tail he managed to remain unwavering in his majesty and dignity. The people kept their distance out of respect, as well as fear. They had all heard of the gryphon's ferocity. "People of Fridheim," Thurion addressed them all. "This is Skywalker, one of the last of his kind, but is also my friend. He and his family came in search of a new home, and we will provide it for them, here in our city. It is the least we can do to make up for our ancestors driving his kind to near-extinction thousands of years ago," he said and turned to Skywalker for a pat on his beak.

"I wish to start work on a great eyrie to overlook the city, large enough to house him and his family. And if there are more of his kind out there, it should be made available to them as well. From this day and for all days to come, let it be known that the City of Fridheim shall ever bear the sigil of the Gryphon!" By now the entire city had gathered around them to hear his speech, and as loud cheering and applause filled the streets Skywalker spread his wings and joined in with a powerful screech.

As the people cheered and warmed up to the sight of gryphons, old Belegar appeared seemingly out of nowhere. "Lord Thurion," he called upon his attention with a tiny scroll in hand. "Message from the High King, sent by raven." Taking it from him, Thurion read his brother's message with great haste, thinking it a matter of urgency. He was forced to slow down and make a second pass at it to fully grasp the situation.

"Elves?"

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
 

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