It was hours before I was able to leave the caves.
As disheveled and broken as it were revealed in my appearance, I believe that my sisters did not have the wherewithal to press their investigation much further. They looked on me with pity at my ruinous state; now certain that I was clearly undeserving in my punishment.
No thing so small would have, otherwise, suffered my spirit so much.
If I had anything to tell, I need only have left the cave before the appointed time to give them the answer, after all.
I was left to recover as the morning waned to afternoon, and evening into night; my heart soothed only by the looks of silent contrition towards my emotional distress.
I believe they know that I have been pushed too far.
It is with such ease that I offered them forgiveness, they almost assumed me to be lulling them in for a harsher grudge to be festered, but quite frankly I do not have it in me to feel anything but love for all of Harpyiai.
We are one brood, after all. What part of Elektra could I hope to glorify with such selfish behavior as this?
I laugh at the very idea.
What has transpired is nothing more than a common misunderstanding, and if they seek to be forgiven, then I am happy to grant it!
This is why I lay down with the greatest peace written on my face. It is why I must have appeared so preternaturally soothed before my associate in the accursed dream world.
One minute I was screaming, and another, I was completely spiritually assured. I smiled warmly, and settled down slowly onto the checkerboarded valley beneath my talons.
He watched me with bemusement, noting that something interesting had occurred in the few instants before his eyes; patiently awaiting what news I may have carried with my complete shift in demeanor.
I sighed and bowed my head, while suppressing a dry chuckle. "You were right."
"I'm sorry?"
"I said that you were r-No, I'm sorry. I called you a liar... but you were right. about everything!"
He waited for me to continue. This was the first time I had been actually useful, after all.
Why stop a good thing while it's getting better? Why ruin the spectacle of a catastrophe when it's so much easier to watch?
"When I woke up, I was so ready to make up my mind that this was all nonsense... One big trick! I refused to be fooled by some strange being that didn't even have the honor to tell me its name upon request. It turns out that I was the fool, all along.
"I ran to the elders in my brood to laugh off the absurdity of your statements. The look in their eyes was so severe; it was like nothing I had ever seen before. They no longer saw me as a sister, but as some sort of freak!"
My smile had disappeared.
I buried my face in the soft confines of my feather-shrouded kneecaps. I shivered with a feeling of cold dread and sorrow that I forgot was even there, and sobbed.
"I wanted so badly for someone to believe me, to intercede on my behalf, but as soon as anyone heard what I'd said—it's like I was a stranger. Everyone turned away, and bit their tongues like it was business as usual; like they're used to cutting their own flesh off in routine!
"I begged for mercy, but they all just turned on me so easily! I thought I had more faith than this, but I suppose it only carries you so far. I was punished for a crime I hadn't even committed, without any chance for grace... but I'm sure someone immortal like you knows nothing of such things.
"I don't even know why I'm bothering to-" A cool hand rested on my shoulder, cutting my thoughts off in their place. I raised my head up to look into the stoic features of my unfathomable suitor.
His shadowy mists had peeled back momentarily to expose the deep, soulful gaze held within shining blue eyes.
His face... goddesses, I have never seen anything so illustrious in all my days.
If I were to describe it as handsome, it would be a disservice to the grandeur of its beauty; the impossible perfection of its design.
He was beyond beauty.
It could only be the craft of a God who wished His creation to be a beacon of His own impeccable brilliance—Everything I hoped... everything I dreamed I was.
I gasped at the sight. He seemed so wholly sympathetic to my plight that I had almost moved him to tears, as well!
"I do..." he breathed between perfect, rosy lips that shone with the glory of only a creature designed to grace the very feet of God with its presence.
His breath hitched, and his head shook. Indeed, his whole body trembled with the effort to control his voice as he spoke. "Verily, I tell you. I do know..! What it means to be betrayed....." He swallowed a large lump in his throat.
I don't know how to explain my feelings in that moment. It was as if the entire world stopped for an instant, as we stared into each other's eyes.
His radiance was almost blinding, as the tears gathered anew within my vision, blurrying this opportune moment to drink in this sight—to etch it into my memories.
Oh, how I curse my eyes for fouling my chances to spend more time in that instant of glory, for I have never felt closer to the gods as I have in this moment.
For it was then that I knew... this man was at once favored by, and bathed in the presence of the gods themselves!
He reached over, and wiped the tears from my eyes and cheek. I blinked wildly at this intimate contact, but I didn't pull away. How could I?
I've been looking forward to this all damned day, after all!
It was only too bad that by the time my vision again cleared, that his face was once again veiled in that thick black mask of obscure shadows and murk.
He offered me his hand. I didn't know what to do, as my heart pounded within my chest.
I felt the need to bow, as my face grew hot. It didn't make sense, all things considered. I had come here prepared to prostrate myself, and beg for a chance at redemption.
Could this be... mercy? Compassion? Empathy? I do not understand it.
As confused as I was, I offered my wing to him.
I didn't have a hand for him to shake!
He simply lifted me to my feet; as if that was always his intention. "O-oh! Haha." I gasped, shivers standing my down on end.
Again, he made me feel so small in his presence. The initial contact was so sudden, that I didn't even notice when he wrapped his arms around me, in one casual motion.
His body had no ambient warmth to radiate through me, but I swear it burned like a Phoenix. I breathlessly stood there for another long moment, tittering in place for a time, before he finally spoke up again.
"Forgive me, my transgresses were so far removed from intention, for I had forgotten.
"It was once my desire, that not one creation should suffer, as I have. I perceived its fingerprints etched into your face the moment you returned. It was writ upon your very face. What terror have they enacted against you, my precious sheltered youth?"
I could only smile, and rest my head upon his shoulder in turn. I breathed in deeply, enjoying this as long as I could.
Only after a quizzical period of silence he began to pull away, but I wrapped my wings about him, to pull him back in. "Are y--?! Uh, Okay." He shrugged, and gave me the physical contact that I so desperately needed. I folded my wings again, and soaked in this blissful feeling of enclosure.
We stood there in silence for as long as it appeared necessary, and I was finally prepared to speak. He seemed unwilling to let me go, at first, but I assured him that I was well with the normal sign of casually preening my feathers. Considering he also had wings, I assumed he would know the gesture. He nodded, releasing me from his hold.
"They imprisoned me." I swallowed, darkly. It was difficult to relive the pain of the memory so fresh in my mind.
"I'm not sure if I can explain how integral to our lives community is, but there is a reason why harpies seldom ever leave the island; beyond our fate as denizens of Strophades. We are filled with so much love, for each other, and for the world, that our family is more a part of us than our own physical bodies.
"Our kind are not designed to live apart for long. A week without nestling up together is like a week without water, or air. I hear stories of young harpies being captured by demigods for a bauble, and dying before even a day has passed for lack of communion."
He nodded, listening intently.
"Those few hours I spent in the cave by myself, I felt the touch of death. Just a bit. I knew it was real, and that I could die, no matter how faithful I was. I believe that's why it is such an impressive discipline for my race.
"I just never knew how terrible a fate it was, as I had never experienced it before! But to be thrown in for such an extreme sentence in my first offense! It was too much."
"I see." He rested his hand on his chin as if in thought. "Well, I hope that what I offered you was enough. I had no idea what you were doing, honestly."
I smiled broadly, and beamed in response. "It was enough! I'm sorry for not explaining sooner, I just... I wanted to make the most out of it while I had the chance!"
He chuckled. "You are strange... Is every member of your race as exuberant as you?"
"Nope!" I grinned, hopping about him now that I was sure of his acceptance of me as his friend; my spirits completely rejuvenated with this tremendous accomplishment. Imagine! A new figure to add to our brood, forever! It's like a dream come true!
"I'm the brightest gem in Elektra's crown. No other harpy can compare! You should consider yourself lucky that you didn't wind up with a worrywart like Celaeno, or Ocypete. The eldest of us all seem so tired all the time, but not me!
"You should see me after I get to singing! Once I get a lyre in my grasp, I can go all day and go and go and keep on going!" I laughed, tumbling somersaults to display the vastness of Elektra's gift of stamina.
"The lyre?" he raised his eyebrow quizzically. "How do you play such a thing?"
I tilted my head again, quizzically, and blinked incredulously at him.
What a silly question! "With my talons, of course!" I lifted a leg in front of his face, and wiggled the sharp appendages directly in his sight so he could witness first-hand how dexterous they are.
"Harpies are incredibly skillful with their feet, you know. How else do you think we build our nests? We don't have beaks after all!" I giggled brightly.
"I- I see."
"...and how about you, mister?! You sure know an awful lot about me, but I still don't know the first thing about you! That doesn't seem terribly fair, does it?"
This was either the third or the five hundredth time I had asked for his identity, but he didn't seem willing to divulge it, even now.
"Erm, well, since you were so kind as to divulge some aspects of Harpyiai culture, let me share with you a piece of mine."
I stopped stark in my place, astonished. Could this really be the moment where we get to exchange pleasantries?!
Oh, it's only my favorite part of making a new friend!
I was so eager to give my undivided attention that I tumbled onto my hindquarters. "Oof!"
He continued, rolling his eyes at my ponderous display. "Where I come from, a creature's name is a very powerful aspect of their being. We are little more than ideas, and concepts. In fact, when God created us, He did little more than speak those names, and we came into being!"
My eyes grew wide with the picture he was painting to me of his resident paradigm. Their world was so different from my own! Then, my heart sank, as he finished. "The more you know about me, the less powerful I become in your presence. Indeed, to give you my name would be the same as committing myself to slavery. I will not be doing such a thing."
"Oh, prýmni." I scowled. Well this would not do. No, this would not do at all! "That's no fun! I want to trade names, and say 'pleasure to meet you!' Isn't that how friends are supposed to be made?! You're messing with the order of things!"
"Oh? and who said that I had intention to be your friend at all? I'm just trying to escape from this phantasm."
"Which you'll do a lot more quickly with a beautiful harpy compatriot to help you! Besides, I'm already growing on you, admit it."
He scoffed, "I will admit no such thing."
"Don't be a sore winner, mister! We were already friends when you tried to apologize to me, earlier! You crave companionship as much as I do! Why else would you give me the attention I needed? Why did you stop your strike from destroying me before?! I will have your name, sir."
"You will never."
"Tell me!"
"No."
"Yes!"
"No."
"Yes!"
"No."
"Tell me tell me tell me!"
"I will not."
"Yes you will! Ohh, buddy you better believe you will."
"Really? Then let me ask you, could you damn me to eternal servitude with no hope for reprieve or rebuttal? Do you want a loyal servant out of your 'new friend,' or something more?"
I opened my mouth for rebuttal, but then I thought about it. Again, he was right. That didn't sound like friendship at all! ...but I had another thought. "So, you DO admit that we're friends!"
"No! I never said that! Don't you put words into my mouth, siren!"
"You said it! I heard you say it; it came out of your own mouth!"
"I said 'new friend,' only hypothetically! I can still claim plausible deniability!"
I sang, and danced around him teasingly, having caught him in a trap of his own making.
"Na-na-na-na na na! I can't hear you! We're friends now, and there's no taking that back!"
"Stop that!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No."
"Yes!"
"Nope."
"Yes!"
"Noo."
"Yes!"
"Nnooo..."
"Yes!"
"Nnnnno, I don't think I will."
"Cease this at once!"
"No! Actually, I just realized, all this time I have been asking for your identity without even introducing myself! How very rude of me. My name is Xantheaa... and you are?"
"One created as custodian of the one true God. That's all you need to know."
"No, it's your turn. I gave mine, and now you owe me. Who are you?"
"A Seraph."
"That's not an answer."
"It's my race! That counts! You wanted to know more details about me, and that is absolutely a significant detail. Within the hierarchy of angels, you now know all my powers and duties before the throne of God! I even gave you my exact order of magnitude."
"Not if I have never even heard of an angel before! You owe me a name!"
"Alright, alright, I give up. You want to call me something?! Fine. I cannot give my TRUE name, but in the event that my attention is absolutely necessary, I will answer to Thrall."
I sang and leaped about fifty feet in the air. Yes! It was everything I ever wanted. When I landed, it was finally time to complete the attunement ceremony. "It is ever so wonderful to make your acquaintance. Thrall." I took an over-exaggerated bow, and resumed my dance—and so it was that I turned the Nebulous Phantom into the newest member of my brood.