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Post by Erik on Feb 11, 2009 15:57:00 GMT -5
Erik hands tightened, one around Julian's upper arm, one on his opposite hand. "Yes, Julian," he said. "You are safe." He did not know this for certain, of course, but he had him back, and that was a start. "Where were you?"
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Post by Julian on Feb 11, 2009 16:11:06 GMT -5
*Julian frowned as if unsure, a heavy haze still on him. He gasped softly in the remembering.*
"They...they want me to..." *He strained, trying to remember like a dream half-forgotten. It perplexed him. And made his head hurt.*
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Post by Erik on Feb 11, 2009 16:47:25 GMT -5
"Shh," Erik soothed, but he did not want Julian quiet, only relaxed. "Want you to what?" He had to remember--it was why they'd come here. Erik did not like not knowing what was against hem.
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Post by Julian on Feb 11, 2009 17:14:58 GMT -5
*Julian shook his head, trying to push the cloud away.*
"A vessel. Something...something here." *He touched the dry earth beneath him slowly. If only he could remember why.*
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Post by Erik on Feb 11, 2009 17:22:28 GMT -5
Erik's brow furrowed. "You are the vessel? For what?" He knew Julian did not know, but could not help but ask.
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Post by Julian on Feb 11, 2009 17:35:04 GMT -5
"I was." *Julian clarified, trying to make sense of it.* "But...they need another. I..."
*His eyes lifted to Erik's.*
"I am too human for their liking."
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Post by Erik on Feb 11, 2009 17:39:14 GMT -5
Erik cradled Julian's face in his hand, searching his eyes.
"Too human," he echoed, his mind racing. Can you hear me, Julian? "A vessel for what?"
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Post by Julian on Feb 11, 2009 17:55:20 GMT -5
*Julian just blinked slowly.*
"Not a vessel. A...an ambassador? Someone...to serve their interests here." *They'd been his friends, his confidants. Why were they suddenly so disagreeable?*
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Post by Erik on Feb 11, 2009 17:59:32 GMT -5
"And you are no longer that person," Erik said. "You are free, then."
Julian, Erik cannot feel you. Tell me you can hear me.
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Post by Julian on Feb 11, 2009 18:12:43 GMT -5
*Julian shook his head.*
"I don't know. I only know that I must...make them a vessel." *He didn't seem to sense Erik, though at the time, he was unaware of it.*
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Post by Erik on Feb 11, 2009 18:19:22 GMT -5
"Make it how? Julian..." Erik grabbed the man's shoulders. "Julian, Erik cannot feel you."
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Post by Julian on Feb 12, 2009 6:59:46 GMT -5
*Julian's eyes, just starting to clear, darkened at the confession. He grew still. Then panic welled in him.*
"I...I cannot..." *His fingers were desperate on Erik, trying to pull himself to the man, into him for safety. He needed to feel him. To be with him. His expression was growing wild in fresh fear.*
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Post by Erik on Feb 12, 2009 13:54:41 GMT -5
Erik pressed Julian against him, touching him as much as possible, the length of their bodies pressed together. Had he been thinking, he would have toned down his own panic, but he was not. He only know what had changed, what he had lost. The void within him seemed almost physical.
"Shh, Julian," he whispered, his voice not as soothing as he would have wished. "We will figure this out. We will... Erik is with you."
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Post by Julian on Feb 12, 2009 14:59:15 GMT -5
*Julian seemed only more agitated, a caged animal seeking release.*
"Please," *He whispered desperately.* "Get me out of here. Take me home."
*His eyes darted frantically about the room, as if terrified him might be gone again in any moment.*
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Post by Erik on Feb 13, 2009 11:51:58 GMT -5
Erik rose fluidly to his feet, supporting Julian along with him and taking much of his weight without actually picking him up. Even though he could not feel Julian's panic, the outward signs of it were agitating him, and he wanted to be gone as much as the other man did.
"Yes," he said, the words not mattering, only the sound meant to sooth. "Come along, Julian. Erik is with you... Erik will care for you..."
They moved from the rough-hewn room, back towards Erik's home.
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