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 Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:00 pm
Who: AearHwesta and Seer
What: Seer needs a hug! DX
When: Not too long after Aear has his talk with Crow.
Where: At the dock for the Hiril Anorfalf.
Why: Seer saw something that upset her horribly and Aear's the only one she could think to go to for comfort.
~~~~~
A storm sat fat and heavy on the horizon, stalled from rolling in by whatever whim of the powers that be. It wouldn't wait more than another hour though, she was sure... Seer had learned the moods of the weather on the ocean well by now. Aear was a good teacher. And as much as she wanted to see him... needed to, and really just a hug... she wasn't going to wait out here after the rain got close. There was no real point in getting herself sick...
She lay on the pier next to the Hiril's docking space, fur and feathers fluffed up, tail and wings wrapped around her to ward off the chill from the blustery sea breeze. Tear tracks stained her cheeks, though she'd finally stopped crying some time ago.
Why?... Valefor was always so... gentle. To see her and Ifrit snapping at eachother like that... when she hit Ifrit and knocked him over backward with her wing, and that snarl... she hadn't heard all of the argument, and none of what led up to it, so she had no idea if it was justified on either side for them to be acting like that. Even if was... she doubted it would have troubled her any less.
And where could she go to find comfort for her troubled heart? Talking with Rune about Aear had been one thing... she'd known she needed to go there for that, and while she didn't get any real answers, she'd gotten peace of mind of a sort. Her senses hadn't told her where to go for help with this one, and since Valefor was the reason she was troubled, Aear seemed like the only one to turn to.
But he wasn't here... he was never here anymore. And that made her heart ache in entirely different ways. She was really beginning to wonder if Aear simply didn't want to see her anymore... and the suddenness of the change from being able to see him whenever to never being able to find him made her wonder if she'd done something bad. She couldn't figure out what... she'd tried.
So there she sat, heart in turmoil and distress written clearly on her every feature, hoping that maybe this one thing might go well... nothing else had lately...
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:24 pm
The sailor's mind was focused on the coming storm. He had taken the Hiril Anorfalf out on a run and now was racing the storm in. Nothing like it to clear his mind of everything in it lately. He was well ahead of it, but pretended to be closer to keep his mind focused on the adrenaline of the run. Without using his 'gift' too. Not that AearHwesta used his angelic power very often at all. Most likely did not know he had one.
He sighed, pulling the ship into dock and automatically setting her safely for the storm. Once he was satisfied he flew from her deck...
Seer.
At once his heart pounded and broke all at once. Great Neptune's beard he had missed the lass. But he had been unable to face her after the fiasco with that fiery youth. Had it been a challenge Aear might have used his own skill in return on him. But that would have ben proof positive for how he felt for Seer.
A feeling that welled strongly within him now, siding with the protective feelings he had for her as a father & everything that went with. It overpowered the fear, the needing to stay away. She looked so small, huddled like that.
His heart gave a cry he echoed with a soft anguished call. "Seer!" AearHwesta landed beside her, pulling the brightly colored female to him in an instinctive need to comfort and protect her. "Lass... lass! Wha' ye be doin' ou' here wi' th' storm approachin'?"
Apparently in his emotion the sailor's accent thickened.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:42 pm
Seer squeeked slightly in surprise at how quickly Aear came to her and pulled her into precisely the sort of cuddly, protective hug she was in such dire need of. No way he didn't care about her any more... Oh thank God. All at once the tears came back and things just started bubbling out of her between sobs.
"You're not here anymore... and I can't find you... and I miss you... and Valefor's all distracted lately... and she and Ifrit... earlier... they were fighting... I don't even know what they were arguing about! But she... she... hit him! She's always so nice... I-I d-didn't think she'd ever do something like that... not to a friend... I j-just ran upstairs and took off from the balcony, I couldn't watch that... I didn't know where else to go... and I was starting to think... you wouldn't come back today. But I know you wouldn't keep Hiril out in a storm like that... b-but you haven't been around... neither of you have, and then Valefor was acting like that, and... and... and..."
She sobbed and hiccuped at the same time. The fact of the matter was that Seer had been so lonely of late, and then Valefor's behavior scared her out of her wits, and she was completely at a loss. Seer whined and buried her face in the thick fur around Aear's shoulder, trying and failing to keep back the sobs that were trying to overwhelm her. She just couldn't get used to this... Seer was a very contact-loving kitsu, hugs and simple friendly interactions alike. Maybe she didn't have a lot of friends, but the ones she did have meant everything to her and when they all started disappearing... she floundered.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:59 pm
If he had even suspected any of his actions might have caused Seer to think he did not care -when it was the farthest from the truth- AearHwesta likely would have tried to find a better way to deal with his 'problem'. For it was his burden to bear, not hers. Never hers.
Not that he was thinking about that now, a silent, heavy sigh shacking his chest as he pulled her even closer & circled them both with his wings. Aear nuzzled the top of her head, his eyes closed. "Ah! my darling lass! Sweet sweet Seer! I'm here now, lass." Was he crying? It did not matter. Aear could hardly feel his body over his heart. He held her close, feeling terrible for having caused her grief and oddly, wonderfully beside himself to have her near. Beside him against him.
He knew of Valefor being distracted. It washed over him against the torrent that was Seer & now. "She hit Ifrit? There now. Don't ye be worryin, They're like kin of millenia, aye? It'll blow over. Ye'll see." He spoke soft, soothing, like he had cooing her to sleep at night sometimes as a kit. Only... the depth of caring & love in his tone was more. Deeper, somehow. Not that the sailor was listening to his own voice. He heard only Seer's sobs & ached inside.
"Forgive me... please forgive me!"
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:21 pm
Here. She belonged here. She didn't like being on her own. Not this way she had been lately. He kept speaking, she kept listening, and slowly her sobbing eased and she relaxed... though she still hung against him limply with the side of her face in his chest fur. She just wasn't ready to get up on her own again. That and she hadn't realized until just now how much she'd missed listening to his heartbeat when she was smaller...
Something was different. About the feeling in his voice. About the way he held her. Maybe even something about what she was feeling... but it was the barest blip on the radar, a small creature poking its nose above the surface for a breath before it dove back down to the recessess of her mind that she'd never had any reason to examine before. So why would she start now?
She nodded, very slowly. "I... I hope... you think so? I've seen rival lions on the tv that didn't look that ready to kill eachother..." ._. She shivered, remembering that last snarl Valefor made. Her blood went cold just thinking about it.
"I'm not mad... or anything... Aear..." She stuck her cold, wet little nose against the bottom of his chin, a "kiddy kiss" of sorts she couldn't even remember when she'd gotten in the habit of giving him, she'd been at it for so long. Then she sighed just barely and stuck her face back in his fur. "I just... I was starting to wonder if I did something..."
She shook herself and looked up at him, trying to smile playfully, but both smile and voice wavered uncertainly. "You... should be glad... Valefor never got mad at you... she's scary..."
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:42 pm
A soft chuckle of reassurance. "Aye Seer-lass. When one has the powers an' the time those two have, high emotion can be both beautiful an' ugly. They know the other can handle it." He hoped, with what little of his thoughts could be pulled from the lovely female in his embrace. Tenderly Aear nuzzled her as she shivered, offering what support & solace he could.
It was his turn to shiver, as Seer's kiddie kiss affected him. He had missed them... so much. Missed her. "Nay ye, Lass! Ne'er ye!"
His voice cracked as his eyes opened to see Seer looking up at him & there was a flicker of fear. What if she could read him? But Aear could not let her go. Not when she needed him. He gave a nervous chuckle, managing a wane smile. "sure if she e'er did I'd more'n deserve it."
And how angry would the aeon be if she knew Aear loved their adoptive daughter? The sailor did not want to find out. Gently he snuggled Seer. He could not leave her so long again. Not if it hurt her too. Aear would have to come up with a way to be able to be near Seer, often, and yet still keep his feelings secret from the world. From her.
It was best.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:55 pm
Everything was all right then... different, somehow, for some reason, but it was all right. Or would be. Seer relaxed into him again, so very glad that he was here again... and noticed that it had gotten a lot darker. And then squeeked when a big fat raindrop landed smack between her ears. "Oh! Ah..." She peered toward the main body of the storm and saw what looked like a sheet of rain progressing toward them. "Oh no..." She couldn't hope to make it home in front of that, and she definitely couldn't fly in it. "I guess we're gonna have to wait it out here... I didn't mean to take so long, Aear, I'm sorry..." At least... he'd seemed in a rush to get somewhere before he spotted her.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:10 pm
Heh? Almost casually the sailor flicked his russet gaze at the approaching storm. Right. The storm. Closing his eyes AearHwesta rested his chin on the top of Seer's head, a low thrumming sound much like a purr coming from him as he debated internally. His blue ears with their scattering of snow flicked behind him thoughtfully. They had really only one option. Was he strong enough?
He would have to be. Seer meant far too much to him. In ways the ladies' kitsu never had thought of much less comprehended before. Not that he understood them now in the slightest. Only he wouldn't... couldn't...
Squeezing her once Aear nuzzled her gently before starting to draw away. The action made him feel cold as the wind heralding the coming storm whipped to cool the area where there bodies had been touching. The rest of him did not seem to feel it but Aear shuddered at the loss, an ache within him. "c'mon, Seer-lass. Let's get ye inside where we can be warm. Maybe think abou' somethin' te eat."
But he only had the one sleeping area. It had been different, with the three of them. He had never slept there with just Seer alone since she came to her full adulthood. But it would be warmer. And if he elected to sleep elsewhere she might suspect. Or worry. And... what if Seer needed or wanted his comfort as just now? Could he deny her that?
No. In all truth... Aear knew he could deny Seer nothing. He closed his eyes from the frightening reality of that thought, waiting for Seer to be ready to sail aboard his ship so he could join her.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:19 pm
Seer nodded, waiting only until she and Aear were clear of eachother before taking a short running start to hop off the pier and glide over the Hiril. Out of habit her gaze flicked to all the knots and mooring ties to make sure everything was safely tied down; not that it was likely that Aear would ever forget to make sure everything was secure before a storm, but it was what he'd taught her and it was second nature by now. Then a cold breeze ruffled up her back in the wrong direction, making her fur stand on end, and she darted downstairs to the small galley. He'd said something about eating, so she assumed it was a safe bet to wait down here for him... where it was warm.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:36 pm
He was a split second behind her her: a pause to watch the play of muscles in her body as she moved & took flight. Aear shook his head at himself and followed, smiling again to catch Seer's double checking of his knots. She was a ship's girl, that she was, and it did his heart good to see it.
If only Seer did not effect his heart other ways so.
Landing on the deck he padded down the stairs, pausing to batten the hatch behind him. It was not like they would be heading out again before the storm hit. If they were lucky, he could have food ready before it hit. Very lucky, they would be fed. His mind went over the quickest and safest meals he could make. Something warm. To fill their bellies, make them drowsy. Mild, so if the storm rocked them too much they would not mind if they'd overeaten. By the time he reached the galley he had chosen, giving Seer a gentle nuzzle as he moved by asking her to get this small part of the meal ready as he started without ado into the rest. There was precious little time if he hoped to have the galley restored before the crux of the storm hit.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:44 pm
Seer wagged her tails and hopped to to help where he asked. She could do that, surely... she understood that he wanted the galley settled back down for the storm. And what he'd chosen took relatively little time, so she padded over to the table when she was done and rested her head on it while she watched him finish the rest. Honestly she was already feeling just a little drowsy... the frantic flight here and the emotional strain had tired the "little" girl out.
But the food was warm and filling and passing decent in taste, and she did what she could to help with cleanup and getting the galley ready again. That done she sat back down. "So... what do we do now?" She yawned, almost as if in answer to her own question, and blinked. Then she jumped when a loud peal of thunder rolled overhead. "Ah... hope it's not gonna be that loud the whole time..."
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:59 pm
It was a pleasant silence as food was prepared and they ate. Aear's thoughts able to keep to that & the approaching storm rather than anything uncomfortable. As Seer yawned he chuckled, it turning to a gentle laugh closer to his own as she jumped at the storm's calling card. Almost normal, but with an edge of relief as if surprised to be able to laugh like that.
Coming to her side AerHwesta nuzzled her gently. "Come. We'll lay down an' let th' storm rock us te sleep like kits." With force he stilled his thoughts, eyes closing momentarily with the effort. he would hold her... keep her safe... and not touch her sensually in any way. With the gentlest of nudges Aear directed her to the cabin. It had the only bed and would be the most comfortable place to spend the night & wait out the storm.
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:08 am
After the incident with Igni, Seer had grown more wary of males in general. Anyone else, and she might have been at least nervous about this. But with Aear, Seer was all blind trust and innocence. One thing she did know without out a doubt was that Aear would never do anything to hurt her. She'd known it for so long that the thought never, ever had time to cross her thougths. And so she trotted down the hall to the cabin, squirming all over the bed the way she always did until she found "her" spot and curled up in a fluffy ball. Even grown it was amazing how small of a space she could fit herself in. That settled, she peeked up at Aear with a sleepy smile and wagged her tails in that "I'm not really awake anymore" fashion.
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:24 am
He watched from the doorway as Seer readied herself for sleep, a smile on his face. How could watching her be so damn adorable both lighten his heart & shatter it at the same time? Shaking his head & smiling AearHwesta padded towards the bed. He circled the ball of colorful fluff and feathers that was Seer twice before kissing her head and curling around her. He rested his head beside hers, breathing. In. Out. In. Out.
There. He should be calm enough now. "Sleep well, Seer-lass. I'll keep ye safe."
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:36 am
She was already half-asleep by this point, feeling safe and comfortable. Though she did stick her tongue out at the ceiling when another round of thunder rolled overhead. She made a soft little chur noise of contentment right before her eyes flickered closed, and very soon she was sleeping quietly.
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