Why Welios lived so far away was beyond her. Maybe he liked the seclusion. Maybe he liked the view. Whatever the reason. It made her trek up the hill all the more tiring. But it gave her one hell of a view.
Shena walked along a series of winding stone pathway leading up a steadily steep green hill. The formation of rock rested right against the edge of the cliffside with the sea crashing and creeping against it's side far below.
It was early morning with the sky still a dazzling still orange from the sunlight in the distance as it roze. Shena had wandered around the town after the party, unable to sleep, and unwilling to return to her family tomb of a mansion. The thought of meeting with him again had made her eager at the prospect of him accepting the proposal she had in store. She hoped he would accept. She knew no other who could help her in this regard. And she needed him.
As she emerged over the last steep step of the walkway onto relatively flat ground Shena smiled at seeing the familiar sight of a single large towering building resting right in front of her resembling a polished lighthouse. It looked as if it would fall over the edge and into the ocean it was so close to the cliff's edge, yet still it stood strong against the weather. Shena had to tilt her head all the way upward in order to see that a large telescope protruded through a clear blue dome at it's very top. While her family home was one of, military tradition, disrepair and lacklusterness. House Warren was one of science, discovery and excellence.
There were no iron gates and Shena walked right up to the door. There were no signs of decay, disrepair or any sharpened spear like fences to keep out anyone as there had been at her home. Whelios prefered to give his ancestral home a friendly and down to earth appearance for a building so apparently grand and full of history.
Shena knocked against the heavy wooden door once she climbed the last set of polished white marble stairs. Another automaton opened the door for her. Only this one was of an unusual design.
Ah Miss Shena! Oseka said aloud cheerily. Hovering just a few feet above the ground in front of her as if she were swimming through the air. "Master Warren has been expecting you." I'm so glad you could join us. Please this way." She gestured kindly with a soft childlike voice. Shena nodded and followed through the building. With only herself making any footsteps. As they walked together Shena couldn't help but stare at the small nimble creation leading her through the hallways again.
The small constructs form was feminine in design and of a shimmering gold and bronze colored hull. Between the rounded metal pieces and numerous open joints, Shena could see she had no interior skeleton or internal frame. She was only held together by a body of water, allowing her to move and twist as if she were one with the fluid which outlined the shape of her slender figure. Her fish like head was set by three beautiful rounded sapphire eyes. Two placed side by side angled downward with the largest one at the center of her forehead and downward into being shaped like a falling heavy rain drop. Atop these three rare glowing gems sat a large upright golden crown curving slightly around her metal cranium, It's shape resembling an upturned scallop sea shell or fan held by ladies of court.
And then there was the hair.
That long flowing hair as always sprouted from behind the top of her wide rimmed head as a free flowing glowing waterfall with liquid pulsating ripples of pure energy traveling up and down in a single continuous horizontal line until they split off into hundreds of blue tendrils at the base of the hair, moving and shifting as if the each had a mind of their own. The water tentacles purpose being to perform the innumerous duties around the house with a similar dexterity of the octopus family this construct had served for centuries.
I trust your travels were pleasant? She asked kindly.
Her tone of voice was young sounding, yet it had an aura that was the professional manner of an old kindly woman with years of experience reassuring the fact that she was in fact ancient just like codswa,, perhaps more so. However, her spotless yellow frame had been clearly very well taken care for by a master who knew how to treat a servant accordingly and which much respect. Shena wanted to keep staring in awe at such a creation and wished her step mother had bothered to afford the same care regularly and respect codswa deserved while while she had been away. Things might have been different in the end.
Yes it was manageable shena replied.
Very good then she nodded camly with her arms placed together. Shall we? She gestured her to follow.
Oseka led Shena down a step of brightly lit spiraling hallway stairs to at last arrive in the lower level gym lying inside the top of the cliffside itself. Shena could see warm sunlight seeping through the clear glass window reaching across the entire room to allow a clear grand view of the ocean just beyond it's glass and of the massive room in front of it. Shena looked around for her friend, hoping to find him in the chamber filled with athletic equipment, weapons, even a pool at the very back the size of a large pond. Not seeing him anywhere she sniffed the air for his signature cologne and a surprised grin formed under her face as she glanced up and saw him hanging above in the air. Whelios was keeping himself upright and perfectly still while his arms were propped downward fighting against two steady rings suspended by wires beside him.
Miss Shena to see you sir. Oseka said as she flew upward right next to him to inform him of her arrival. He nodded grateful and jumped down twenty feet in the air to land on the blue matt not giving it much thought.
Sorry about all this he panted, arching his shoulders and jumping off the matt. Didn't expect you to arrive so soon.
Don't mind me. Shena said patiently, leaning against a nearby wall.
Thank you for your permission he chuckled. Wiping his red forehead with a fresh rag soaked in cold water provided by Oracle. Care to talk and walk while I finish up? He asked as he began sparring against a black boxing stand. I prefer not to finish early.
Shena nodded. And waited patiently while her friend finished his morning workout. Despite being retired from the military and public life. He never rested or became complacent with his health. Taking it upon himself to focus and his mind and body no matter how old he became. The hard work certainly still showed. If any of the partygoers from the previous night had seen his true warrior self hidden under an extravert coat and vest, they would certainly kept their distance.
Whelios was standing bare chested near the target, wearing only a long set of black trousers and layers upon layers of white boxing tape wrapped tightly around each of his two massive muscular forearms. Despite his old age and more admittedly more rounded build as opposed to his earlier years, his physique was still in top shape from constant practice and unbroken disciplined routine. He looked like a cage fighter broken free from his veil of high society to cut loose at his very best against who dared challenge him.
Care if I join? Shena darred challenge him. That target doesn't look like much of a threat.
Whelios slammed the target to the ground with a loud crack from a sideways kick, proving her right. He then turned camly to face her. His head tilted sideways intrigued as his arms folded confidently and gleefully.
Been a while since I sparred against someone. He smiled approaching. I could use a refresher I suppose.
We both could. She replied truthfully. Approaching the sparring matt at the center of the room. Whelio's climbed atop it first and offered her a hand onto the small arena. She took it and once the two were raised up off the ground, he then walked to the very edge of the opposite side preparing his stance against her. Standing and waiting patiently for her to prepare. Shena removed her boots and simple military jacket to reveal a sleeves black shirt. And numerous scars.
Whelio's didn't heed them any mind. For he had a few of his own. And although the ones' outside had healed to be practically nonexistent thanks to his exceptional healing abilities. The one's inside his brilliant mind still had not yet faded.
Best out of three he called from across the room. His square shaped fists tightening inward as his yellow eyes' narrowed on her fiercely on his first real opponent in years.
Shena nodded and spread her feet wide apart, raising her palms open like knives angled right toward him. Her tail waved back and forth ominously as the two began to circle one another, eager to see who would attempt or make the blunder of a first strike.
Shena was that person and ducked low toward the ground slashing her tail at Whelorum's leg as it lifted upward in a sudden attempt to trip him and catch him off balance. Whelorum noticed the act and jumped in the air as much as he needed to in order for it to pass by harmlessly underneath before bringing his foot down hard against the tip of her tailfin. Pinning Shena to the floor under his heel.
Angered and invigorated Shena spiraled around on the floor and brought a heavy kick toward his face. Whelorum made sure she hit nothing by tilting his head slightly backward and catching her ankle in his grip, stopping it in place.