[phone calls (Rinoa & Rydia) / Action for Dali folks!] - forward dated to the 29th!

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[She's jittery with excitement and nerves when she makes these two phone calls. As soon as Rinoa and Rydia pick up, she gets right to the heart of the matter:]

It's time!

[Later on, she returns to Raine's side to see what she can do. She's worried. She can't help feeling that this is a repeat of what happened last time. She's worried it'll turn out that way. But she won't let Raine see that. Trying to protect Slai, she'll do her best to help Raine while keeping the child occupied. It's the least she can do right now.]


[ooc: I think this would go faster party style tagging? But that's up for debate, still. Anyway, I'll get a couple of subthreads up and then we can all have at and whenever it gets done, it gets done!]

Comments

[for-ephramad.livejournal.com]

[It has been days since since Ellone made her announcement about the birth. And it has been days since he held his conversation with her. Luzaf has been typically very... male in the matter and not ventured into Raine's chambers- Instead electing to wait outside, assist with resupplying the mages and generally worrying- but he can tell by their exhausted faces that they themselves are starting to give.

Quietness is what he wanted; so he enters the room quietly, just at the break of dusk. Save for a few mages tired glances and some slight whisperings among them, the room is silent.

"Raine..."

He starts, before stopping himself, and he merely takes a few footsteps to where she lies-- kneeling beside her at her bed. She doesn't look good. Not at all. It becomes more profound to him, as if it was not clear before-- that she doesn't deserve this.

"I come to help you. Only with your consent of course. Give me your hand."

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[Raine is miserable and in pain, the labor is building but showing no signs of surcease... and she's reaching the brink of exhaustion. She remembers this feeling all too well. She experienced it just before she woke up here in this world. Realization is slowly coming to her: she will die again.]

Please, my children...

[She reaches out her hand to Luzaf as he asks but she's intent that the kids aren't left utterly alone again.]

[for-ephramad.livejournal.com]

They shall not be left alone. And you shall not leave any of them. I have means of making sure as such... if you would willingly put your existance at the judgement of my master. You have much responsibility left unto you...
And his mercy shall permit you to carry it out.

[He tilts his head slightly, looking to the side and then allowing a certain coin (http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Ephramadian_Gold_Coin) to pass beneath his fingers into the woman's hand -- caring not that she takes note of it.]

Repayment in kind. And a gift... for the little one. ... Use it as you see fit, for I...

[No, he can't. She's a decent person; she would not accept what he is about to do if she knew the cost it should bear unto him. He smiles -- and it is a sad one. Then he raises his head, no longer speaking to her.]

... Glorious Odin.
Divinity of the glorious dead, battle, darkness... and death. I exchange the life you bestowed upon me to this woman, Raine. For she... is more rightly deserving of a second life than I. She is weak. Yet with your boon... your gifts, she shall grow strong.
Hear my call.

[He raises the hand she holds and lo and behold, a strange darkness comes from it. Not imposing. Not even frightening... just warm. Very warm. A few mages make noises of surprise, and a few rush forward -- yet it is almost as if the pair are seperated from them. Luzaf increasingly grows more and more pale until the darkness fades into nothingness.

...The life he bore is now hers. He is breathing heavily, and his hand begins to shake, slowly falling free of her grasp. In fact, his whole body is shaking as the last few breaths of life escape him.]

...
Raine... He has answered. You are restored. Do not give in. You now have the strength you need to finish this...

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[The things that Luzaf is saying makes little sense to Raine, but she feels she must trust him regardless. Once she feels him press something into her hand, she assumes it is some medicinal until the cold feel of metal registers with her.

His prayer sends a chill through her and all she can do is shake her head. Life exchange? What is this?

For a woman unaccustomed to magic, and truthfully still terrified of it, all she can do is stare in wonder at the emergence of darkness from Luzaf. Warmth fills her and all at once she feels restored, no longer tired or weary, energized as if she'd just come out from the best sleep of her life. And then the prayer begins to make a sick sense. Luzaf is dying so she won't.]

Luzaf! What have you done?!

[She looks desperately to the others.]

Help him!

[for-ephramad.livejournal.com]

...Just pray I return to the seas.
Do not...

[His sentiment for her not to berate him for his actions is cut short. Instead, he merely drops his head. Yet he is not fading. He halfliddedly stares at his fingertips, expecting himself to vanish. It's too difficult to keep his eyes open though. Soon enough even they close -- and the shaking stops. He is not breathing; yet he has not vanished. He merely slumps there until gravity takes it's course and he falls backward on the floor.]

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

Luzaf? LUZAF!

[Her yelling brings on another strong contraction and some frantic kicking from the baby. At least the people with her can reach him now and a collection of hands rush forward to try reviving the corsair.]

Do something, please!