The sunstone had collected a thin layer of ash over the two weeks that it had sat there. The coals and woods burning behind it had send out sparks and embers into the air, many of which gently settled on the surface of the crystal, turning its glimmering, shiny surface a little dull with gray and black. But then, for the first time since it had grown to encase its avian owner, the stone shivered. It moved, a single crack appearing on its surface. And then, a loud shatter as a golden arm smashes its way out of the chrysalis.
Glory gripped the edge of the opening and pushed, the crack spreading down rapidly until another shattering sound and a large chunk of the stone was punched right off.
And from this opening, Glory's head appeared. He looked unchanged from here, but as he pushed his way out of the chrysalis with no few grunts of effort, the changes became quite obvious. His body was bigger, elongated, with his talons modified to act like proper hands and, as he finished pulling himself from the chrysalis, back legs were pulled free behind his wings.
Now free from his confines, Glory was able to take a moment to breath, process, and fully awaken himself. The last thing he remembered was burning and agony, but doing all in his power to keep himself quiet and still, for Ember's sake, and for his own pride. And now...
The forge!
He whipped around immediately (an action that felt very very strange in this new body), and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the forge still burning. All of what he'd collected had been burned now - perhaps Ember had done as he asked after all, and stoked the flames in his stead.
With that immediate issue out of the way, Glory looked down at himself, finally realizing that he had, to his delight, changed. He sat back, an action that surprised him, as he'd never been able to sit this way before without losing his balance, and looked at his talons.
He raised one. Extended each toe and claw. Moved it around and tested out each finger. Dextrous, not unlike his talons before, but he no longer relied on them for weight. He had back legs now and these...they were like hands.
Joy bubbled in his chest and exploded outwards in a loud, merry crow. A sudden surge of energy and he jumped up, taking to the air to fly a few loops around the forge.
His work! It would continue and be better then ever before!
Ember heard the call, and winged his way over.
He had both dreaded this day--and been hoping desperately for it. Hope, because he wanted terribly to know that Glory would live and thrive.
Dread, because he knew damn well he could never really interact with him again. Not as a friend. Not regularly, not with someone willing to burn themselves alive with a few minutes' warning. It had traumatized him deeply--he'd left, blank and empty, and wandered lost until he'd woken as if from a dream several days later. It was the Blacksmith who had helped him--who'd explained Glory's possible motivations, who had soothed him, taken him to the little garden. Ember had, in those few days, learned that there was nothing he could do about someone else's actions, so there was little point stressing over it. And that he needed to take care of himself, and if that meant breaking off a friendship, that was what he had to do.
The forge had, in those first few days, smoldered out--maybe little embers had stayed lit, but he'd found himself all the way in Leo. He'd re-lit it, brought fresh fuel, as Glory requested. He'd never tell him about the fact it'd guttered down, maybe died; hell, he hadn't really looked too closely, because he didn't care to know. In any case, it was lit now.
Upon hearing Glory awaken, Ember flapped in, landing heavily at the threshold of the forge. He took a moment to look over Glory's new limbs, to allow relief to flood him, and to nod.
The task Glory had asked of him was done--he'd now go about his life, and Glory, at least, would be safe.
As long as he didn't light himself on fire, again.
@Glory
At the sound of wings, Glory turned, eyes gleaming at the sight of his friend winging his way into the forge.
He didn't immediately register what Ember had said, too caught up in joviality to understand that anything was wrong. He turned back to the forge, poking at it with a piece of wood that was set nearby. Golden eyes glowed merrily in the crackling heat.
His head tilted to the side, confused.
He watched in calm silence. And when Glory belatedly registered what he said, he offered a little nod, an incline of his head, in acknowledgement of the eagle's question.
His gaze drifted downward as he formulated his answer. The new forelimbs were good.
He studied Glory for a moment, and then backed up, ready to dip out and depart.
There was relief that the eagle was okay, yes--and it was genuine. But there was also knowledge that someone who didn't understand why having taken such an action was so harmful... wouldn't be a healthy friend to have.
@Glory
Glory stared at Ember, and each word was like a thorn in his heart. It was…his fault? But he’d told him to leave, if he couldn’t watch. He didn’t understand and he wanted to get angry at him, to yell that it was his fault for staying, that Ember just needed to have faith in him…
But he wouldn’t. He wasn’t cruel. He knew he was prideful and yes, a little selfish, but he wasn’t going to berate Ember for his feeling. He wasn’t going to try to force him to stay when he only wanted to leave. He’d never meant to hurt him, but if he had, he would own up to it.
He sighed, pride wounded and heart aching.
He would haves to see, in time.
For now, he looked back up at Ember and took a step forward.
And... there wasn't anything left to say.
Ember wasn't angry. He was a little sad, in a distant and echoing sort of way, but he'd come to terms with everything else in the meantime. He knew Glory hadn't meant to cause him pain; he didn't blame him for that, exactly. And that was kind of the crux of it--the eagle hadn't even been aware. And unless he reached a point where he realized-... Well, it didn't matter now.
Then he turned, stepping out, and to his surprise he felt... relieved. A little empty, but relieved.
exit Ember
@Glory
He watched him leave, feeling his heart break in two. With Ember he'd found a kindred spirit in smithing, a possible eager apprentice and a good friend. But...he was too soft for Glory, who was all bombastic showmanship and dramatic recklessness. He was too kind and good. Glory was good, but a different kind, and maybe a little mad. They just weren't good for each other, after all. Or, at least, Glory was not good for him.
It hurt to admit and think about, but Glory would not hold him hostage or make him feel any guilt over it. His decision was his. And, while it hurt, he'd live with it.
Swallowing heavily, he nodded back.
He stared at the place where Ember had disappeared for a moment, before turning back to his forge and watching the fire burn before him. This...was a new start. His previous life had been shed. He had burned it away, nearly all of it gone in his pyre, and now...he had been reborn from the ashes.
A deep breath, steeled nerves, and he was ready to begin.
*exit