Chaos-Two timidly stepped forward, craning their neck despite being 12 feet tall. They reached behind them and took one of Khavur's many hands, "I guess so... I think we're safe."

They guided Khavur forward, ears perked up and tail wiggling with excitement. They glanced at Pride and did a double-take, blinking at him. It was almost like looking at himself, only Pride had branch-like antlers and no quills or hands. They were similar. Very similar, and it was the same with Tahi-shei, though they didn't like the look of that crown.

"Bound by love?", they said softly, and looked to their sibling, whispering excitedly, "Khavur! The word!"

They were shivering with excitement, their lamb tail wiggling. Maybe Vargas wouldn't approve, but what he didn't know wouldn't kill him. They were allowed to go where they wanted and therefore do what they wanted, right?

"Can we?", they asked Khavur, training their new eyes on the other, eyes that looked like emerald butterfly wings.

@Khavur

A grasping hand slipped with surprising ease into the little sibling’s. It was a strange sensation, almost bordering on dissociative — staring at the claws and muscles built for rending and mauling, shredding flesh and entrails, and yet, here, used with such ginger care for the purpose of holding his sibling’s hand. For forging connections. Perhaps they really were built differently from how Master Vargas had intended.

With the same sudden ease, the Reaver was guided towards the group. Towards the speaker. Upon hearing the word, both sets of eyes widened, and noses twitched. Yes, yes! That was the word, the one that referred to—

Some of the hesitation shedded from its limbs at the sound of the word, while seeing the excitement in Maximus melted away the rest. Something the offerer, or, maybe teacher...? Something they had said was sticking, echoing in Khavur’s brain. It was all he would say in response, using the small-horned head: ”Family loves family.” With the big-horned head, he would simply nod a ‘yes’.

Khavur then attempted to take the lead, carefully pressing forward to the offerer. Teacher? They hadn’t taught him how to love. Offerer, then. How old was this power, these ceremonies? What were they capable of? This was, Khavur supposed, likely the only time they could receive the answers. So he tried to speak to the offerer, to offer what was needed.

Names. ”I am Khavur of the Chaos Forge,” he said, trying to keep his voice soft. He then gestured to Maximus. ”They are...” A designation was not a name, but would they feel safe having their name given to another? Khavur would turn a head to his sibling, worry evident in his eyes. Maximus nodded. With that, the beast would then bend one head, trying to get it close to the offerer. ”They are Maximus. This is a secret name. Tell no one else, please,” he would whisper.

Having said that, now a relationship was needed. Khavur would withdraw his head. “We are siblings. Family.” There it was again, looping in his head... Family loves family. It may never leave him.

@V-Chaos-Two (phooooone post)

Permission to powerplay Chaos-Two a little given by charlie via Discord :3

Tahi-shei glanced to James. He'd heard about this magic before -- he'd been wanting to ask the stallion anyway, so... he smiled gently. "Do you want to--?" He cleared his throat. "I've, ah... heard about magic that can link one mind to another. It sounds similar to what you do, doesn't it? I've been thinking of asking you for a while now, but this seems like the perfect opportunity, doesn't it?" He smiled. "I'm willing, if you are."

It would help him with his eyesight if they were around each other, at least. It would also mean that James was privy to what went on inside his head, but more importantly, they could make plans and hang out with each other without needing to actually be nearby. It was like a cellphone, but a little less private. Not that Tahi-shei knew what a cellphone was, but telempathetic bonds between loved ones were always a staple of the fantasy genre.

@james

James looked on at Khavur and Chaos-Two, genuinely happy for them. They were... smiling. Both of them were happy, which was unusual for the Chaos Forge. Take that Vargas.

He looked over at Tahi, jumping as if startled, "I-I what- huh?"

He stared at Tahi, lips twitching as if he wanted to speak, before he swallowed down whatever he was going to ramble about and simply said...

"Yes."

He fluttered his wings, his tail fanning out as he bumped his nose against Tahi's, a massive grin on his face. He was all fluffed up with happiness, giggling uncontrollably.

"Yes!! That would be- oh that would be wonderful!", he gasped, "I would love to!"

@Tahi-shei

Tahi-shei grinned, leaning up to press his nose against James's. "Why don't you try the spell? It sounds like it'll be similar enough to your magic; you'll probably find it easier than I might." Tahi-shei was unaware that only the caster of the spell could break the bond, but if he had known, it would have only reinforced his decision to have James cast it. Not that he ever wanted it to break, but he'd have been a liar if he said that he wasn't, at least in part, planning for the Mother assault with this. He cleared the thought from his mind -- he wouldn't want that to be the first thing James noticed.

He looked back in the direction of the other creature's voice. "Help me up?" he asked gently, leaning on James. Once they were upon the pedestal (after the other two, naturally), he leaned slightly into him and raised his ears. "My name is Tahi-shei Deimos, and this is James. He's my partner." To the stag, there was no better word -- even if, in some aspects, they frequently left each other behind. He smiled, turning his face slightly towards James. "We're actually expecting some children soon."

@james

Khavur and V-Chaos-Two

Momma Bolormaa beamed. Here were the first pair, then!

"Here, here, come on up here--stand there--yes, perfect!" she beamed. Around she scurried, gently guiding V-Chaos-Two and Khavur into place, side-by-side at the center of the platform. Then she took up a position before them, bright-eyed. She seemed unafraid of their size, of their monstrous appearances, of their gemstones: she looked happy for them.

"Family... siblings. Please, everyone, welcome the siblings Khavur of the Chaos Forge! And-" and here she leaned in close, whispering with a wink: "Maximus!" It was a name no one would hear, bar the two very close and even then, it was so soft as to be near-inaudible. Then she leaned back, smiling broadly, joy clear across her features.

"These two come today to the Union Pillars to affirm their bond as siblings. What is life without someone to share it with-? And how lucky these two are. We may not always love the family we are hatched into but these two come before us to day to assure us that yes--they are not only family by hatching, but family by choice; they hold one another beloved, they would share their lives and all they have. We share with such heart-mates our joy; we support one another in our times of fear, or grief; we offer a new viewpoint when needed, or a rock to lean on." She beamed at them both.

As Momma Bolormaa spoke, the five pillars began to glow softly. A pink-red light swam up like mist, each pillar seeming to illuminate from within: and the area across the platform nearly hummed with power. It felt as though V-Chaos-Two and Khavur were truly becoming linked, somehow.

"Khavur," she began, and then--again in a subtle whisper--"and Maximus-" and here she spoke up once more)"-if you agree to affirm your bond as siblings, to love one another and help one another through times of need, to grow together and to share your lives, then you will find this magic proving your bond. Please, promise these things to one another, and you will find yourself strengthened, for a time; the Pillars will accept you."

She smiled brightly, and waited for them to speak.

Khavur and V-Chaos-Two have now been touched by the Union Pillars' magic. Until March 4th, they will find a new effect available if they are close together in a thread, AND linked by Sensorial Link. (This power requires that they be close by and linked.) This effect is as follows:

One posting round per thread, one of the two may choose to take all damage intended for their paired partner.

Tahi-Shei Deimos & James

Ahh, and here were the next lovely pair!

Again Momma Bolormaa was beaming. The wispy pink light was only just now fading from the Union Pillars, but once again its strange, spicy scent and bright light swelled as she began to speak.

She smiled at them both. "We welcome Tahi-shei Deimos-" (and she leaned in, half-whispering, wide-eyed--"Did I say that right-?") "And James! Here to the Union Pillars to affirm their love for one another!" Joyousness lit her face, and she clapped two small hands together happily. "Wht are partners? Partners are those whom we meet along the way... we may not be hatched to them, and yet, when we meet them, we know suddenly that their lives have truly intersected with ours. That no matter what happens, they have changed us, and our lives. Once they have met, they are a part of one another forever. Every moment they share, every hour they spend together: it enriches them both. Their lives would simply not be the same apart."

She took a breath, smiling. The pillars were gleaming now, a soft glow pulsing through them. Their magic tingled to James and Tahi-shei where they stood upon the platform. "James, and Tahi-shei Deimos: do you pledge to look after one another; to love one another, support one another, and look to one another in care and understanding? To truly share your lives as partners, in love?"

She squished her head a little down to one side, as if this was just too beautiful to handle, her shoulders coming up and shaking a little, happily.

Tahi-shei and James have now been touched by the Union Pillars' magic. Until March 4th, they will find a new effect available if they are close together in a thread, AND linked by Sensorial Link. (This power requires that they be close by and linked.) This effect is as follows:

Critical failure rolls do not actually backfire, and are treated as Failures instead.

Note that the ceremonies take place consecutively, so don't worry about posting order being messed up in your replies.

@James (V-Chaos-Two) @Khavur @Tahi-shei

"Thank you," Chaos-Two whispered, both to Khavur and to Momma Bolormaa.

They walked up with Bolormaa's guidance, a grin spreading across their face. They gasped softly as the pink magic swirled around them, taking a step to the side and bumping into Khavur. Looking up, they smiled again, a blinding grin.

"I do! I promise to affirm our bond as siblings, to love you and help one you through times of need, to grow together and to share our lives," they said, excitement making their heart flutter.

They reached forward to take Khavur's hand in their own, squeezing gently.

"Thank you," they said softly, "For everything. And I love you."

The offerer did not seem afraid, but rather... happy. Khavur was happy too. Happiness seemed to flood the room in waves, to gush from the pores of everyone there. It may stain the walls with its immense presence for... cycles to come. As the small Gembound introduced Khavur boldly and Maximus secretly, Khavur grinned. He liked the... the thing they did with their eye there. Felt cunning, surreptitious, like a secret language. The speech was unlike any other Khavur had witnessed. Master Vargas tried to tug at something with his speeches, but it was never quite the heart that was his aim. And it was hardly ever as effective. It truly felt like this Gembound spoke in complete confidence and knowledge of the two of them, of what they shared. How long had love existed in these caves? What kind of ancient excellence...

Then, unexpectedly, came a time to speak. Khavur wasn't prepared. Maximus went first, and their words, too, were powerful. Khavur had always appreciated the way Maximus used words. He returned the squeeze on his hand, and breathed, letting his heart guide him this time: "I do. I promise each one to you, my Eyes. I will not hesitate to love you, and to help you in times of need, and to grow and live with you. It would be an honor." Something hot pricked at all four of Khavur's eyes. He did not understand it. His whole heart tickled and fluttered. "Thank you, Maximus. You have made a beast into a butterfly," he whispered softly. No one else had that power.

@V-Chaos-Two

James watched, eyes almost wet, his face spread in a grin. He stepped forward with Tahi as they were beckoned forward, taking the two's place on the altar. His heart swelled and he felt tears prick his eyes, so happy he could cry.

"I do," he said, breathless, "Always and forever."

He looked over at Tahi and smiled, a tear finally rolling down his face. Emotion taking a physical form.

He felt magic swell over them both, not quite binding them together, not yet, but close.

"Tahi?", he said softly, "I love you. So much."

He bumped their noses together, "For you? I'd hang the stars."