[i]She walks as if she does not know, as if she will never know. But this one knows her, this one does. She still has her name... she does not know how powerful of a thing that knowledge is. There was a time when her father passed judgement for an angel. Does she know that that male angel was the deciding vote; the vote that allowed a female into the ranks of the ArchAngels... and for that, sister, this one will never let you fall. There is but seven years for this one to pass the test... four left actually, but do know this, and only in thoughts and dreams to you, sister: This one knew your mother. This one was there when the humiliation she endured came to pass. She was valiant. She was inspirational. She was a beacon of hope for this one to aspire, and claim, that spot meant only for male angels. As an ArchAngel, this one never had the chance to thank her, this one never spoke the words of gratitude that your mother so dearly needed to hear and to know. But actions speak louder than words do they not? They do and this ones actions will speak to your mother loud and clear. When this one's time is up here and this one, this CeCi is successful and free, this one will take you away from here. A feathered beauty in a golden cage no longer; this one will unleash your wings and open your mind to what you have become; no one should own you. You are so much stronger than they, all of them, allow you to believe. This one will cut the lies that tether and strangle you; they are made of phantom breath is all. Today is a new day, sister, and even though we are not as close as we should be, do know this: when this one is done here. By everything that ever has been and ever will be: This one will set Light to your mind and you will be free. You will. Oh Rosalina if you could only know just how much--[/i] “You stare at her, but you do not really see her in thoughts and hearts, am I right, winged and fallen one?” A sharp exhale of air tinged much with humour that really was not in the way of pleasant at all. It was Vivianna. The seer. The witch. The meddlesome lapdog of Mr. Seil. The bitch that CeCi hated... if only because of the angel's own failings; she loved listening to the ill-begotten-or-not words of the head Fortune Teller. A slender, toasty-caramel coloured hand brushed away at raven hair upon a shoulder and brushed away at thoughts that truly were not aimed at Reisa, the young, new and fresh-faced sweetness of a mortal. But a single thought did linger and dip into the heart of the angel. One of wistfulness and regret; it should have been this child that heard Celleci's clarion call whence she first traveled to this mortal world. Silvery eyes cleared and severed the thought; once again those eyes became rimmed with righteousness. As her gaze traced the knowing smile, oh that all-so-knowing smile, that pulled up sharply at the corner of the matriarch of the Seers' mouth, CecCi could not help but smile back. “Yes, Vivianna,” said CeCi as both toned arms raised and then rested both bare wrists upon the silk lined shoulders of the grey-eyed feline framed Fortune Teller, “how do you know CeCi's thoughts for always, witch? Has this one become so transparent? Or are you just that good at reading what you want to see this one see?” “Oh pish, Celleci...” Vivianna chuckled lightly, the sound not unlike that of a proud cat with a mouse in its maw, “as I have said before, wingy-girl, you get to know people... you do not even have to try. I have said it before and I will say it again: it is all in the eyes...” A gesture, an affection really, that CeCi had adopted of late happened and Viv was taken aback. The angel lightly bumped her light-brown forehead to the witch's pale one and CeCi instantly rubbed noses with the other female. Then the gesture, a playful affection really, evolved. With a slight bite of the lower lip, the angel's dusky lips teased closer, so daringly close to the the astonished mouth of Viv, “Oh do tell then, witch... what does it say in this one's eyes then...? Or would you rather this one let you know with this one's own tongue instead... Hmmm?” Colured and heated cheeks of a flustered creature was all the response Viv gave. “Your silence is enough, my dear...” CeCi chuckled, a sound not unlike a captured mouse no longer, squeaking with triumphant glee, “will you tell 'Master about this too...?” Vivianna pulled away from CeCi's embrace and flipped her shawl with much indignance over one shoulder and turned her nose with a sharp sniff, “Oh, but the 'Master shall know all that a Seer will see, wingy-girl! You best watch your step!” “And you best watch your own desires, witch, lest others know what lusts play within your heart..” said CeCi with a playful silver-eyed wink, “[i]...all in the eyes,[/i] is CeCi right, my dear...” Another indignant flip of the shawl and Viv stamped away, but not before giving Celleci a full look up and down and a light shake of her head; something about the boldness of the Guardian Angel, something that was not there before. Perhaps it was a new day afterall for CeCi and loathe to admit it Vivianna could not help but enjoy that moment. For the first time since the mousy angel arrived in the carnival, the mousy angel finally put slinky, purring Vivianna in a spot where the 'cat-got-her-tongue.' “You have nary a soul captured in your time here, mouse! That Mr. Seil knows...! Rectify that, 'my dear.'” said the seer after she had regained her composure, but spoken to CeCi with her back turned to the angel for she did not want that angel to see her eyes. “Yes, Vivianna,” CeCi clasped both palms together and bowed graciously at the back of the witch, “but nary a 'proper incentive' has this one received from your lush and full lips... my dear, never have you parted lips and offered this one, so tastefully heated, so tantalizingly sweet-tongued--” [i]“--and never will, wingy!!!”[/i] CeCi bowed again and held the pose. Then the corners of her mouth pulled upward as she then put her hands upon her hips and stared at the fleeting image of the graceful witch. Once again, Vivianna tossed her shawl over one shoulder and stepped hurriedly away. The angel did not have to see Vivianna's eyes to know that the exasperation within those shining grey eyes was an exasperation filled with a well received shine of humour for once. [hider=Some earlier interactions.] ~ Earlier, in the day, her hands were on shapely hips too as she gazed at one half of her lot in life here; the mess of mirrors, lamps, translucent filter disks, rigging and hoists, spotlights, candles and pyrotechnics. Oh the life of a Lighting Tech. Oh joy. She was about to sigh and start unravelling the gaggle of items when her white and sparkling gown ruffled up and something dashed underneath her. “Oh! He. Is. Gunna. Eat! ME! Oh. NO!” said the wheezing voice before it disappeared neath the hem of her gown and between her glowing legs. “Warlockice. Is that you, is it?” she asked then rolled her tongue against her teeth with much more than plain distaste. “Aye. Aye, Wingy-CeCi! 'Tis I! Seeking only but refuge in such a warm and moist loverly holy refuge, miss! From the big bad wolfy, aye! Is gunna' eat me, he is, miss!” said a high-pitched, crackly voice dripping with sweaty palmed glee from neath her gown. “And so, in this refuge does your eyes peer upward, wide and with ill intent, goblin..?” “Oh, but nay... nay and a promise! Not upward at such a glorious and temptingly tasty sight, miss! But oh, my eyes, miss! They are closed in fear and fear with a promise! It will eat me, it says!” “Oh, but nay, goblin...! That Dimuegos says it will eat you?!” a dark eyebrow raised and silver eyes darkened as she took in the sight of the scraggly blonde male doing a very bad job of stifling its laughter and hiding a look of perverted voyeuring glee; such a sight of an angel with a goblin in her skirt. “Oh aye!” “Then eyes wide open, see what you will and learn from Celleci, goblin!” “Permission to look up at ye, miss?” It was already staring upwards beyond her glowing thighs, she could sense its desire to do more than just look up at her. “Oh. Aye. Eyes wide, goblin?” “Oooooooh.... aaaaayeeeeee.... oooooohhhhh.... I sees.... your... words, miss... so loverly... oh... soooo--” [i]“Then see this!”[/i] CeCi let go of her concentration to conceal her glow and every single ounce of her halo's glow was directed to the place neath her gown. She hiked up her gown to mid-thigh then barefeet took her back a pace, the light from beneath her shining for all to see. “Each time you think to see what is there, between this one's legs, you will know that Light is your answer and forever will it burn into your eyes and mind, foul perversion of a thing! Know that anytime you pull that stunt on any other female here, you will feel her humiliation by CeCi's glow; by Her halo, goblin! Your actions only hurt you... now begone! Away, dark and twisted git!” “Aye, miss, AYE! Oh, but it burns mine eyes! It BURNS!!!!” Yowling loudly and with grimy hands covering dirty face, Warlockice stumbled and bumbled its way away from the angel, still with hands on hips, silver eyes flashing, burning brightly... but the humour therein betrayed the angered look. It flopped down once, then twice before crawling its way back to the braying laughter of Dimuegos, “Oh fine then, gobby, 'twas worth the sight of it all and a half!!! Hua! Huahahahahah! Oh, but the look on that pimply face of yours... oh, dear, I do owe you two pitchers of amber, but oh dear, 'twas worth the dare... huahahahahah! Oh, Wingsy... [i]“THEN SEE THIS!!! WHOOSH!!!”[/i] huahahahah, oh.dearie me... don't know whether I hate you more or want to run over there and plant a kiss on your uppity lips, Wingsy! [i]“Then see this...”[/i] saw the holiest hole up there, did he... so beeyouteeful it blinded 'im...! Huahahahahah!!!” “Shut yer hole, Dimmy! Shut it and pay up!” said a scrunched up faced Warlockice as it held out its hands, feeling its way towards the shifter. “Ahhhh... fine, 'Lock... but first...” the blonde shifter danced around the goblin and swallowed it up with his cloak like the righteous gown of an angel, [i]“'THEN SEES THIS...!!!!”[/i] Rubbing himself against the back of the head of Warlockice, the shaggy mane of the bouncer tossed back as he aimed his loud guffaws to the grey skies above. “Oh, Wingsy... you slay me... utterly and completerly ya' do... 'twas worth the double-dare... you just-- oof...!” An elbow to those rubbing parts ceased his laughter, “'Ey, you try it next time then, Dimmy! I dids it! See your eyes burn then! 'Nuff, you mangy mutt! Just pay up then...” A cuff upside the head. A punch in return. An appreciative wink at CeCi before Dimuegos turned and yanked Warlockice away to get their 'refreshments' then they were gone. But Dimmy could still be heard braying loudly in the distance. ~ Large and warty arms wrapped themselves around the slight frame of the humour-struck angel. The hand covering her giggles fell to her side, clenched tightly into a readied fist as she jumped a bit. “Friend is okay...?” CeCi settled down and leaned back into the embrace and both caramel hands held fondly at the gargantuan arms. “Yes, Grog.. this one is fine. Just fine... now that you are here. How are you, friend?” “Friend is good. Friend must gives you somethings, friend CeCi...” “Oh Grog... you know you do not need to...” her cheek nuzzled at the large vein of his forearm. He was always so sweet to her. It took a year, but she finally came to grips that this monster had taught her something. All the candies, kitties and flowers he had given her were not bribes from a cowering monster that kneeled in darkness to ravage her, but rather, merely they were gifts from a sweetheart that was merely looking for a friend. And so finally after a year, he had taught her that beyond the skin she should look harder and find a heart; not everything was as it seemed in the mortal world. A gargantuan hand held a white feather pinched between forefinger and thumb, both of which were almost as large as her head. “Oh... Grog...!” “Little, dirty gobbler-thing took from friend CeCi's wings...” “But CeCi's wings were hidden...! How was it possible--” but it was. Her wings would come up when she felt righteousness. But they would not be visible. It was impossible! Unless... unless she was becoming less of an angel and more of a-- “nevermind. Grog... dear, dear friend... you keep it...” She squiggled her way from his embrace and turned to face him and his protesting eyes. “No! CeCi does not want to hear it...! This one, this angel says for you to keep her feather. It is a piece of this angel that this one would never give another unless it meant something dear. It means that CeCi will watch over you as you have watched over CeCi... it is this one's turn to be your Guardian Angel... this feather means that to you now; an angel's wings wrap you in serenity and protection. We truly are friends, Grog. Keep it, says this protective angel and friend to Grog...” Immense eyes shone and an even more immense head turned away. A pause. Then: “Thank you, friend CeCi. Truly. For truly it is a new day.” “Aye. That it is. That it is, CeCi's friend...” Slowly and tenderly he brought his wrinkled and sloping forehead to hers. She let out a surprised laugh then nuzzled her soft and angelic nose against his huge, warty troll one. “Meeting at three, Angel wingsy friend, do not be late,” he said with his rumbling baritone voice, and gave her a flower as always; his gift to her as a token of grateful friendship as always. “Meeting at three then. A new day...” she said as she took it and nodded into his forehead graciously. He broke their affectionate pose then stared at the feather she gave to him, “But same days will always be for me, friend CeCi. Same till ends...” Grog said with a sigh then tucked the shining white gift away into a pocket before lumbering away.[/hider] ~ She took pause from disassembling the mess of oh-so-honourable-Lighting-Tech-paraphernalia and stood upright. Her thoughts tumbled forward in time and faded away from the bittersweet meetup with her Troll-friend, Grog. [i] There are those that belong here, it is true, [/i]echoed out in the hollows of her mind. Silver eyes then found themselves once again resting upon the newest member of the Carnival, the pretty yet naive one, Reira. [I]And then there are those others that lose their way and find themselves as merely lines of ink upon parchment... You are not the only one who is damned, Grog...[/i] CeCi moved forward, seemingly floating upon silent barefeet, whispering her way over, but not to Reira. [i]But for all the days left here, this one, this angel will take care of those deserved as you have taken care of this angel, my Troll friend...[/i] A smile parted dusky lips and she reached out a hand to the radiant angel before her, a flower extending out from her glowing caramel fingertips as a token of honour and a promise of somethings more. [i]..and when this one is ready, the final soul this one takes in the name of freedom will be the soul taken from the most precious being this one knows here in this nameless and timed existence...[/i] “Hello,” she said politely, yet not trying to hide her other-worldly accent, and with a voice as clear and resounding as a clarion call from up high; it was time to finally speak with the daughter of the Judgement Angel, “this one is called: “Celleci,” for it means: [i]This One,[/i] as you may already know. But you may say: “CeCi,” if it pleases you...” [i]...a soul taken from the most precious being... if it even has a soul. Oh how wondrous it would be to finally be free by taking the soul of--[/i] “--Mr. Seil most endearingly has you in the collective of Mr. Seil's Carnival, no? For whatever reason, we never talk, Rosalina. Perhaps it is because this one is shamed to never speak this one's name, nor refer to CeCi as a thing with an ownership of being; forbidden to use the selfish word: [i]'I.'[/i] Why we never talk, CeCi is not certain... for we are sisters in the Azure afterall. Then perhaps it is a new day here for us and we may speak as winged sisters in the Carnival as well?”