Stark Raven Mad
The idea of insanity is predicated on the premise that society itself is sane, that the ideas and framework for the perception of reality are truest when they are shared. And while that may be sometimes a good guage, it leaves little room for genius that could perceive beyond average. That isn't to say that the two things (genius and insanity) don't separately exist, nor does it suggest that they are mutually exclusive. It also fails to recognize the causal effect that cascades when someone who is quite brilliant is regarded as crazy.
Knowledge itself is a reactive thing that takes great effect from its environment. Likewise, knowledge affects the environment it's in. Much like a river can flood, when knowledge surpasses the capacity of its container it can roll over the terrain and change the landscape of the mind. A mind that's under water might not be able to swim.
Sink or swim, Corvis was determined to fly. But when you know the future and the past, it's like reading a book out of order from both directions, you can easily lose your place. He always managed to find it again, but currently he was feeling lost. Where was Zion when he needed them?
Corvis had figured out how to tell time based on Zion. Depending on what body the lich was currently possessing he was able to know where he was, or more importantly when he was. He had another way of telling, but it had grave consequences.
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Tell the old who left their mark:
"Can you see in the dark?"
The night is cold, do we embark?
Can you see in the dark?
The map is faded and torn apart.
But can you see in the dark?
I am the coal and you the spark.
Within this current be my arc.
Light my goal; make the contrast stark.
By the loon and by the lark,
Under water or land depart,
When no brightness burns within my heart,
Help me see through the dark.
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The danger of bearing fruit is being harvested...
When you are something unique and brilliant you are already, by nature, distinguished. Being easily distinguishable makes for an easy target and invites a challenge.
In the world of magic it's much worse. The greater the inclination and ability the things conspire to steal your power. It's not an easy life and never the kind of life the half sprite wanted. Capture was not a possibility, it was an absolute as certain as death, not an if, but a when. There was no freedom in this and a fire will easily suffocate if it's not free to burn.
Running wasn't sustainable, and she knew that, but she had gotten comfortable in her hiding place. She'd truly fallen in love with him, and this was a new source of danger, not to her directly, but to him. She knew he would much prefer death than life without her, but she also knew he was a necessity to the realm of the Fae. His rule was the only thing stabilizing it. Despite knowing this it was too easy for her to get distracted. She was starting to feel happy. And that was a dangerous drug.
The moonlight reflected off his shiny hair as he slept beside her. Initially she had taken to savoring these moments, but something eerie and unsettling had crept too close. The night had become too quiet and the air had that cold thinness about it like something was eating the magic.
She got up and draped herself in a silk robe to walk out onto the stone balcony. There, cloaked in the stars was coyote.
"The time is close." Coyote said.
In her heart she knew this was the truth, but in her mind she couldn't give up. "There has to be another way."
A trickster will always invite a challenge. For a deity that encourages the development of thought, when noticing a student of their wisdom has learned enough to not accept the answers they're given, it's taken as compliment. Coyote was pleased. "There is.."
"I don't expect you to outright tell me. I know you well enough by now, but I'm asking you as a mercy, because I feel I have reached the limit of my abilities." She pleaded with her eyes.
"It would be arrogant of me to assume I could teach you, but it would be equally disingenuous if I said you were incapable of learning. You chose me just as much as I chose you." With that coyote evaporated into the night sky, the silver glowing eyes fading into stars.
A solemn, yet determined look crept over the half fire's face as she lowered her head and whispered "I understand."
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Lucky chirped her answer to Cerberus who got a distinct look on his face. Chipmunks were like little rodent ninjas.. swift, often silent, and smart. Everyone was in awe of dragons, but it was clear Lucky's chipmunk form was advantageous in many different ways. He felt like he understood his fluffy little familiar better. Letting the black piece fall into his palm he grasped it with a closed fist, then, reopening his hand he returned the now white piece to Lucky. She shoved it into her cheek pouch and scurried off.