Magic in Words (Closed)

[degrepski]

The maid led Alex to his quarters, his body following as his mind was in turmoil.

She looks so real," he thought. It's hard to believe she's not my Nadya. What do I do?

He reached his quarters, thanked the maid, and prepared for bed. But even as weariness tried to overtake him, his mind was wide awake as he tried to make sense of it all.

He got up and went to the window. The moon was full and shined down on the castle grounds like silver. It was a perfect night. Nadya would have found a way to sneak up to his room on a night like this.

An idea struck him. Quickly, he put on his clothes, and rushed out to the grounds.

Looking up at the window to his old room, the room that now housed this new Nadya, he tried to figure out how it was that his Nadya had climbed such a height just to reach him. He looked closely at the walls and found, to his surprise, several worn hand and foot holds, grooved into the rock.

So, that's how she did it! he thought. "I wonder..."

He placed his hand in one of the hand holds. Apparently, the centuries had expanded the holds to something even he could use.

With great care, he sneaked his way up the wall, careful of any guards that might be lurking.

And this is what my Nadya did to see me, he thought. I wonder what this Nadya will think when i appear in her window?

[Asa]

She was sitting on the chaise reading over the last part... the one that he had not heard yet. Trying to sort it out. She was beyond confused... was this her life as it suddenly felt it was... It no longer seemed like just a story from her imagination and dreams but something far too real.

She sat there biting her lip as she read a tear slithering down her cheek. A knock at her door drew her from her thoughts as she glanced over and walked to the door. The old lady from the kitchen had brought her some tea and a portrait of Nadya from so long ago.

Your grandmother could no nothing else but to see to your name being Nadya young one... She was prized by her people for her strange gifts and abilities. You are just like her... her talent with words through song and yours through writing There are those in all worlds that would wish to destroy that or possess it for their own ill gains... you have done a great thing bringing the young man here... when you are both... more settled and calmer with what has happened I will tell you both more of the tales... but for now I will leave.

A strange almost motherly I know something you do not know smile graced the old womans lips as she left some food and wine strangely enough for two and left.

[degrepski]

"Jesus, why is my room so high!" Alex swore. He'd never really given Nadya-His Nadya-the credit she deserved for climbing up to his room at nights.

He looked up. Just a few more feet till he reached his window.

He looked down. Just a hundred feet till serious injury, or worse.

He breathed out a heavy breath. Nothing for it.

Finally, he reached the ledge of the window, his hands grasping tightly to the sill as he pulled himself up.

And realized there was a window.

That...wasn't there when i lived here.

He couldn't hold himself up for long, he was too tired to climb down, and there wasn't enough room for him to just perch there.

He knocked on the window, hoping Nadya wouldn't be too surprised to see him.

[Asa]

Hearing the knock the old woman said with a laugh

Answer your window before the young prince takes a fall that glass is not something he would be expecting.

Nadya whipped around hearing that and moved quickly to the window opening it out towards the night.

No easy feat is it Alexandru...

She smiled and offered a hand to help him in. If felt strange their positions in this scenario were reversed this time.

[degrepski]

He smiled as he, too, realized the situations were reversed. He could guess at her meaning.

Noting that there was no one to translate, he settled for trying to sign what it was he was saying.

This is how Nadya climbed up! I am so amazed, I can't believe how hard it was.

He looked pretty comical, he knew, trying to show how hard the climb was, and how he applauded Nadya's efforts. But, the fact that he was here, in a situation so like one he knew so well, put a fire in his blood.

And the sight of Nadya, whether past or present, was enough to set his blood on fire.

[Asa]

She nodded pointing to the writings and nodded she knew about Nadya climbing up there and how he would sneak her out through the corridors and linked chambers to protect her from his family. Far more accepted by her people than she was by his. She bit her lip knowing what they would have done some part of her feeling as if it had been her there with him so long ago she was confused and in some ways a little scared.

Sighing she moved back to sit down on the chaise burying her face in her hands worried she is losing her mind was past and present seem to be fighting to combine within her mind.

[degrepski]

Aleandru followed Nadya to where she sat. He could tell something was wrong.

Without hesitation, he knelt before her, and gently removed her hands from her face. Concern was written deep in his eyes, and he cupped her face to let her know he was here.

Silently, he asked her what was wrong, wishing that he could understand her, but encouraging her to speak in spite of it.

[Asa]

It was her turn to sign to try to make him understand.

Tapping her skull with a fingertip she spoke.

What I thought were dreams and nightmares since I was a child now fight to combine with the present and I fear I am losing my mind... This can't be real... I am just a writer... thats all how is all of this happening how did I bring you here and how did they know it would happen.

She looked deep into his eyes wanting to hug him to be held by him but was it her feelings or just what some future section of the book would dictate happened in this room.

[degrepski]

He understood her. He did not know why, but he understood her. He had to remind himself that she was not his Nadya.

He took a seat beside her, and signed his own feelings.

"I don't know why these things have happened or how," he signed. "I consider it a blessing to meet someone so like my Nadya. There are differences between you, though."

He pointed at the portrait of his Nadya, and at her. "She was a creature full of fire. I was sometimes afraid that she was so strong, so passionate, that she would burn me, but I welcomed it." He pointed at her. "You are calming, like a gentle breeze. Here I am, in a place as familiar and as strange as your own memories, but I'm with you and I feel that there is nothing to fear."

He looked deep into her eyes to make sure his next point was clear. "The Nadya of then was like the waterfall. You are like the lake. The Nadya of then is flowing into you, and it is not something to fear. Just because the waterfall is there does not make the lake anything less."

He smiled. "But whether past or present, I know when a woman needs comfort." He opened his arms to her invitingly.

[Asa]

Instinct guiding her she curled into his embrace still looking into his eyes, Normally she was not so fragile so calm it was just this place... him... her nightmares and dreams all melding together into some terrifying and wonderful adventure.

She laid her head against his shoulder... his heartbeat... She could feel it... something within her seemed to leap as if shocked. She was trembling now... both of them were there Ndaya and Nadya... something was happening she was not sure what it was but she balled up tighter against him or perhaps the other Nadya was doing this. Something fought to keep them seperate but something was trying to make both of them one there within the body they shared.

[degrepski]

He held her in his arms. It was not that long ago that he held his Nadya like this...Actually, technically it was. He kissed her forehead, willing her mind to be still, to give her peace.

He resisted every urge in his body to push this forward, to do with this Nadya what he would do with his. For now, she needed peace, comfort, not passion.

It was hard to resist, though. So very hard...

[Asa]

She curled tighter into his embrace her eyes closed just listening to his heartbeat and breathing nothing else in the room registered. The old woman cracked open the door and smiled to him pointing to the tea she had left there with the food and motioned that he would help them rest. then closing the door she went on her way.

The butler nodded to the old woman as he spoke with someone on a phone well hidden in the ancient kitchen decor.

Yes madam they are both here... yes madam your granddaughter has written much of the tale but it is in scattered pieces... yes he is here with her as well. Yes madam... They are open to accepting this though I fear your granddaughter fears for her sanity... yes... I agree... it will take time but we will guide them as much as we can. Of course madam... I thank you madam and accept your decision... we will miss you and you had better come visit your granddaughter ancestor as soon as you can... Farewell madam...

It is all in their hands now... with our aid of course... have you seen any darkness or problems brought through as well?

The old woman shook her head... The spirits are most silent of late... but they will tell us in time what we must know to aid the young lovers or if danger huts them once more.

[degrepski]

A month passed, and Alexandru was loving the Twenty-First century!

There were so many new things. Moving pictures and Television (though he shied away from that torture device known as "Reality TV"). Automobiles and the railroad. Mankind was even able to harness the ability of Flight, with Airplanes and spaceships!

It was such a wonderful new world. Yet, for all it's marvels, he still found the most comfort within the walls of his ancestral home, spending time with Nadya.

With each passing day, he strove to learn more and more the language of his beautiful host. While he was by no means fluent, he had learned to speak English to a great degree, though he would always have the hint of an accent.

Not that the maids seemed to mind as he practiced with them. For some reason, it seemed speaking English with an accent only made them...more interested in him.

But he had eyes only for Nadya. As he got to know her, the differences would continue to stand out in stark contrast from the Nadya he knew. Gentle, sweet, kind, this Nadya was strong of character where his had been strong of will.

I wonder if Father would have approved of Nadya if she was this refined, he thought. He immediately squashed that thought. He'd done his best not to compare the two (though it grew harder and harder every day).

Still, he treasured the time he spent here. He knocked on Nadya's door, before cracking it open.

"Hello, Nadya," he said in English, poking his head in. "Are you ready for the pic...nic?"

[Asa]

Nadya was balled up shaking her eyes wide the old woman sitting there by her watching over her. The old woman glanced over to him and hobbled over to the door.

The spirits move and speak again... It is time... We spoke of this... You and Nadya would in time have to work with the siprits... They are trying to guide her... we found her in the hallway that contained your parents chambers, office war room all of their area... She was unclear as to why she was there or how she had gotten there.

She smiled to him... perhaps it is time to carefully simply walk through the house and see if this is perhaps your Nadya guiding her new being. We have sheltered you from this but both Nadya appear to be present though only one body.

Progress slowly with her I will do what I can now to pull her from this panic and division... come assist me. Speak with her

[degrepski]

Alexandru was afraid, conflicted.

My Nadya? he thought, both eager and unsure. He had longed for her, desired her for so long.

But his Nadya, the Nadya from back then, in the body of the Nadya of right now...

He slowly approached Nadya, and knelt down beside her. He looked into her eyes, and thought he could see the war between the two Nadyas. It was like looking at where the waterfall hits the lake.

"Nadya?" he asked, speaking Romanian. "Can you hear me?"

[Asa]

Dark eyes of fire stared quickly at him. Alexandru... She does not understand me... We can't be here... they will find us... She will not leave here and the old woman will not listen... they will make the darkness again... they will find us... But we... She... we are...

She was confused struggling to understand. They were both half of one being their magics mixing faster than they could but why could they not become one like their powers did.

[degrepski]

Alexandru began to worry. He wasn't sure what to do, or how to help.

So, he did something impulsive, something he hoped would work.

He kissed her.

It was a fool's gambit, the hope that his kiss would bring enough of his Nadya to the surface so she could tell him what to do. It was a hope that he knew was foolish, but he had no idea what to do.

When he broke the kiss, he spoke sweetly. "Nadya...Both of you, hear me." He spoke in Romanian, and again in English, to be sure they both understood. "We three need to work together. You can do this. i have faith in both of you."

In English: "Nadya, this is why you wrote the book. She's here to set things right. Let her in. We'll make this work."

In Romanian: "My moon flower. Centuries you have waited for me, waited for this chance for us to make things right. Please, relax, be calm, dear heart."

[Asa]

Nadya answered in Romanian... We are two halves but can not... something keeps us apart... Help her I will... calm for now... help her... you and the old woman help her... she is not losing her mind

The modern Nadya was too stunned at the kiss to say or do anything but the trembling slowly stopped as she finally stared at him with her own eyes. Pushing to sit up she spoke.

I don't understand any of this but we have to find out what happened to her... I only get very fleeting glimpses then everything goes black but its not death... I don't know what it is. All I do know is your father hated her... your brother hated that he would not let him have her for her powers and darkness.

[degrepski]

Alex nodded, happy that this crisis was over, if only temporarily.

He turned to the old woman. "We need to get to my father's study. It's where he'd keep everything, maybe even a journal or a key, or something!"

He turned back to Nadya, and gently cupped her face.

"We will make things right, sweet Nadya," he said, looking deep into her eyes. He gave her a brief kiss, still hesitant, but sure.

[Asa]

Nadya stood.

Yeah its about time I finish exploring this place... Lets go. I am tired of thinking I am losing my mind I want answers.

She smiled to him at the kiss still not sure what to think of the kiss or if she was just the inevitable target as he tried to kiss the past Nadya. Either way she liked the kisses as her hand slipped unconsciously into his as she started towards the door following the old woman. The castle never felt so small as making a straight path with purpose towards his fathers office and their main corridor. She was scared of that hall but she had no idea why.

She doesn't like this area does she?

[degrepski]

Alex nodded. "Guess that means we're on the right track."

He held onto her hand, enjoying the feel of her touch. His mind tried to take him to another place, but now was not the time.

They made it to his father's study; a dark, dreary room with various books, a hard oak desk, and only three, simple chairs.

"Just like my father," he mumbled. "Always did a great job making people small."

He looked to Nadya to see if there was anything she got from this. Any clues he could go off on.

[Asa]

Bare feet almost trying to dig into the stone floor slowing her steps drastically she tried to back away from the room. The old woman helped push her into the room and then handing her her mug that was on her bedside.

Finish this... I sorrow that this will be so dark and cruel... must see what happen here this is room your action tell me so...

She looked to Alexandru

I do not know if the spirits will reveal the actions of this place to you but I will see them as she... relives them...

The old woman sighed she had wished it would not have come to this but the other Nadya was stubborn in her not revealing beyond the briefest of images and then the darkness to modern Nadya so she would get the spirits to tell her instead of relying on Nadya's spirit.

She moved back over to Nadya and brushing her hand over her brow then down between her eyes as her eyes fell shut... reveal to us what befell this spirit within the walls of this chamber.

Slowly mists settled and formed Nadya seemed almost dragged to the center of the room. She spoke in Romanian pleading terrified as then her body reacted the the mists attacking her first backhanded then beaten hauled back up to her feet as the assault continued with every answer she gave of love for Alexandru and refusal of revealing her peoples hiding places and then quiet... before she again began pleading refusing to aid with any powers one who does nothing but harm and abuse then again nothing as the mists of a man slightly smaller than the father or the captain of the guard fled the room past them and the return of the father and then...

The room warmed considerably as Nadya's eyes revealed near fire as she glared at them

NO!!!! WON"T LET HER DIE TOO!!!! Won't....

Nadya collapsed sobbing...

We have to know... I have to know please stop fighting them please let this come to an end...

[degrepski]

Alex stayed close to Nadya, a comforting hand on her shoulder.

I feel so powerless, he thought. It's like I'm losing her all over again, and this time I'll lose this Nadya, too.

He looked around the office, hoping to see something, anything out of place. It had been cleaned, and some things had been rearranged.

Except for one book case.

That book case had been there last time. But everything else had been moved away from it.

So why not move that book case, too?

He approached it, put his ear to the worn leather books.

He swore he could hear wind.

"Nadya," he said in English. "I think there's something behind here!"

[Asa]

The old woman moved over to her helping her up as they moved over to the bookshelf.

All furniture was as it was in your fathers time.

Nadya did notice something as she watched Alexandru.

There is something odd about the wall... its...is it curved?

[degrepski]

Alex observed the wall. It was curved.

"Nadya!" He said, excited. "I think this is it! I think this is how you get into that secret chamber" He puzzled over the bookshelf. "I've never heard of a door behind a bookshelf. Is this something they do in your modern times?"

He tried to budge the shelf. No luck, as strong as he was, he could not budge it.

"Ugh," Alex said. "How do you open one of these things?"