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toxiin generated a random number between
1 and 100 ...
69!
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 Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:34 pm
Xinai frowned at the sketchbook on the table as she absently spooned soup into her mouth. Something wasn't quite right... perhaps it was the arm.. there! Dropping the spoon back into the bowl with a clatter, she picked up a pencil and made a couple of frantic scribbles, dark hair falling over her face.
She was sitting in one of the booths at a downtown cafe, one that served good food and shady atmosphere. Xai had found the place a year ago on one of her whimsical searches for new places to eat, and had marked it down as an excellent place to go to if she ever needed food and a place to work late at night. It was almost midnight now, and the cafe was nearly empty. The cafe was fortunately one of the few that ran twenty four hours a day, so Xinai wasn't worried about getting kicked out. She'd also been here often enough during the late night hours that the waitress recognized her by looks, if not by name. She kept the pop flowing for her while Xai pulled her hair out with frustration, and offered the occasional piece of commentary if she thought Xai could do with some help.
Heaving a sigh, she leaned back into the worn out cushion of the seat and glanced at the screen of the laptop in front of her. Hovering on the screen watching her every move was a small, pale-green Hacker. As she raised an eyebrow in inquiry, the laptop gave a muted beep and a chatbox appeared over the Hacker's head.
< Rioke's playing that new game you bought her. I... do you always draw like that? >
Kiore was the shyer of the pair, and although lately she'd been talking a little more, it was still a rare thing. She was interested in this art thing that Xai was doing, though... and moved closer to the screen to get a better look.
"Nah, usually it's easier. Today, I feel totally uninspired and stuck." Xinai sank lower in her chair as she glanced almost sullenly at the sketchbook in front of her. "You can watch if you want, but don't expect it to get any better."
Picking up her pencil again, Xai glanced at the screen and noted the small < Okay. > that hovered over the Hacker. She smiled quietly to herself at Kiore's interest. It would be nice if she was really interested, but Xinai knew that if she pushed Kiore, the little Hacker would simply shy away and refuse to bring up the topic again. Tilting her head to regard the sketchpad through narrowed eyes, she began to draw in earnest.
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Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:56 pm
A tall man wearing a simple black pinstriped fedora pulled low over his brow stepped into the small cafe, straightening his charcoal gray blazer before sauntering up towards the counter to take a gander at the menu. The bottoms of his black dress slacks were tipped white from the snow he had meandered through to stumble upon the cafe, and his tennis shoes were clearly worn from the journey, leaving one to wonder if his socks weren't a bit soggy. Turning a brilliant flash of a smile onto the young lady, he indicated he'd like to grab a seat before placing an order - but that any Irish beer on tap, would be both loved and well appreciated. A deft, tanned hand had reached out at the last, gently chucking the girl on the chin, as he winked a gray eye in her direction before turning and looking at the mostly empty building.
As his sparkling eyes fell on a lass with dark hair, he gave a nod in her direction, before lilting in a clear, strong Irish accent, "I'll be sittin' wit' that lass o'er there, if ye don't mind?" Again flashing her a smile, the girl merely shook her head before giving a light giggle as he turned and slowly stepped towards the table. Knocking on it thrice as he came up to it, he placed his hands on the side opposite from where the girl was sitting before, beaming down at her, "Mind if I sit down wit' ye, lass?" Without even waiting for an answer, the man sat down in the seat next to where he'd been standing, casting his eyes about the cafe before settling on the girl before him. Scratching at the goatee he'd acquired and kept carefully trimmed, he nodded in her direction, "The name is Ailin. What might your's be, lass?"
Though his eyes flicked towards the laptop, he made no move to move it and extend his hand in friendship or introduction, nor did he make any obvious move to enter into her personal 'bubble' past sitting at her table. As his drink finally arrived, he gave it a hefty swig, closing his eyes as he savored the drink, before giving the waitress a nod. It was just what he'd wanted, though not quite as good as back home. Ah, but he missed the pubs and the songs.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:25 am
Though she startled slightly at the intrusion, Xai barely lifted her head up from her sketchbook as she muttered in irritation, "be quiet a moment, I'm trying to do something here."
The ideas were finally coming to her, and Xai could see the finished sketch clearly in her mind. A few more strokes of the pencil, and the basic concept would be transferred onto paper, where it could be modified and reworked at will. Her side of the table was completely silent save for the faint scratch of pencil on paper for a few minutes as she tuned out all save the rought sketch forming before her eyes.
Satisfied that she had gotten enough down on paper, Xai finally leaned back slightly and allowed her surroundings to come back to her awareness in a rush. Her eyes widened as she took in the stranger now sitting in the booth across from her, and a faint flush appeared on her cheeks as she realized that she had already forgotten what the other had said minutes before.
A faint beep signalled another comment from the Hackers on Xai's laptop as a message appeared. Kiore had noticed the newcomer and made herself scarce on the desktop, but her caregiver's obvious confusion was too much to ignore.
< He said his name is Ailin. I'm going to go play with Rioke now. >
With that, Kiore disappeared completely from the screen, the chat bubble fading to nothingness only seconds later.
Xai's eyes flickered to the screen and read the message before returning to the stranger. "Ailin, was it? I'm sorry if I was rude. I tend to be a little snarly if i get interrupted while working." She flashed a quick grin, full of teasing laughter as she continued, "what would you be doing down here so late at night in any case? The weather is horrible outside."
As she spoke, she took in the man's appearance, noting the sparkling, cheery eyes and the pint of beer in his hand. Intrigued despite herself, she leaned forward and held out a hand. "By the way, my name's Xinai."
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:43 am
A slow easy chuckle escaped the man's mouth as the lass across from him snapped at him. Raising the pint he held in his hand in a silent salute, he drank another swig as he patiently watched the workers by the counter. Knowing how an artist could be when they were in the middle of working, and not wanting to interrupt, he merely waited, obliging her demand, though not for her sake, but the sake of a memory. One that held both bitterness, and sweetness, and always would for the Irishman.
Smirking ever so slightly when he saw the faint blush appear on the woman's cheeks, his head tilted just a tad at the faint beep, and her sudden recollection of his name. He hadn't seen her type anything down, or even really noticed that she had heard a word he'd said and was surprised she'd managed to pull his name so neatly out of thin air. As an eyebrow rose, an amused smile came to his face, "Its all right, lass. No fault o' yours that your muse is so fickle!" Chuckling to show that he meant it as a light, teasing joke, he shrugged and doffed his hat, brushing the faint remains of snowflakes off of it and onto the floor.
Grinning slyly at her as he did so, he nodded towards the counter where the waitress still sat, awaiting his order, "I came for the lasses," setting the hat down on the table, he gave a nod to his beer, "and for the liquor." Running a hand through his dark auburn hair, he smiled, "And how about ye, what brings ye here?" With another swig, the Irishman drained his glass and gave it a frown, ah but the pints here seemed smaller than back home! Raising a hand in wave to the waitress, he raised his empty tankard in silent request. Smiling when she bobbed her head that she understood, and setting the empty one at the edge of the table for her to pick up, and replace.
Returning his attention to the lass before him as she introduced herself, he smiled and repeated her name in his thick lilt, "Xinai, what a bonnie name, for a bonnie lass." Sure, he barely knew her, but that didn't mean he wouldn't throw in a compliment or two when he had the chance. 'Twas part of getting people to trust you, say enough nice things and they were bound to tell you more and give you more, than anything else. Except the one lad he'd come across - no matter how much Ailin had given and waited, it hadn't seemed to make him realize the truth.
Glancing down at the sketchpad the lass had been working away at, he flashed her another friendly smile, "So what are ye drawin'?" Might as well make small talk if he could, being in the company of a pretty lass or lad was always worth small talk.
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toxiin generated a random number between
1 and 100 ...
52!
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:06 am
The stranger - Ailin's Irish accent was heavy, and it took a little getting used to. It seemed like she had gotten herself a rather flirty, friendly man to share conversation with. Raising her brow slightly at his comment, her bottle-green eyes flickered to approaching waitress.
"Rachel? I thought she was married, had kids waiting for her at home." Xai offered a graceful one-shouldered shrug as she grinned up at the waitress she'd just named. "Don't you?"
She grinned as Rachel merely laughed and replaced Ailin's glass. "I might, but for the sake of this man over here I could temporarily forget." With a saucy wink and slight twitch of her hips, the waitress turned and headed back towards the counter.
Eyes still sparkling a little with amusement at the exchange, Xai tilted her head, casually tossing her hair back over her shoulder as she did so. "Me, I come here for the atmosphere. It's inspiring. And the food's good. Plus, it's open all the time, so I don't have to worry about staying here all night."
The mention of food reminded her that she had yet to finish the sandwich that she'd ordered half an hour ago. Reaching across the laptop, she picked up the half-empty plate and placed it directly infront of her, grabbing a piece before remembering her manners. "Would you like a sandwich? The roast beef here is really the best I've come across."
Xai shrugged off the compliment about her name easily, taking a big bite of her sandwich. The bread was soft, and the roast beef just right. The cafe had made it just the way she liked it, smothered with mayonnaise and lettuce, with no onions. She was used to people making comments about her name, as it was a rather unique one. As a child, people had complimented her often, on everything from her name to her appearance to her manners. They had all been empty things, made by people who had tried to use flattery in an attempt to get into her father's good graces. It had never worked.
Swallowing, Xinai considered Ailin's request. Glancing down at the sketchbook in her lap, Xinai picked it up with her free hand and passed it over to the man. "Go ahead, take a look. But don't feel required to say something about it. People don't always need words to critique something that's been done."
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:27 am
Chuckling as the lass caught him in a bit of a lie, he shrugged, "A lad can look, can't he?" No use in telling her that he'd actually just been walking around aimlessly, thinking about things better left behind. Or the fact that he'd really only dropped into the place simply because it was one of the very few he'd found that were open at this hour. Shaking his head at the latter part, he gave another smile, "Nay, lass. No wife, no kids."
Winking as the previously mentioned waitress switched out his empty glass for a full one, he gave a rich laugh, "Lasses like her are the ones that make lads like me stay single for a long time." Tilting his head with a suspicious gleam to his eyes, though the smirk on his lips gave away the teasing tone, "You're not one o' them, are ye, lass?" Just from the little bit he had sat with her, he'd pegged her as a quieter type, one prone to preferring late nights alone, or at a party nearer to the wall, than out flirting and having a wild old time. But then again, he'd been wrong before...
Nodding as the lass gave her reason for coming in, he smiled. She seemed to be a genuine sort of character, and Ailin was finding those few and far between in this place called Durem. Back home he was used to camaraderie when drinking, but here it seemed to be more of a sport to do on one's own, or only when in need of a drowning than anything else. Tipping his glass in the girl's direction, he gave a small shake of his head, "Nay, I won't be eatin' much food tonight, I think. Don't need it." With that, he lifted the tankard and took a large swig, nodding with pleasure at the way the liquid felt as it went down his throat. He hadn't come to the cafe to get drunk, though, and so set the tankard a little further from his hand than he had the last time.
Taking in the way the lass let the compliment roll right over her, he realized he was either dealing with someone very good at playing games...or just someone very genuine who didn't really care about compliments and such. But, he noted as she warily handed him her sketchbook, she was also clearly at least partially trusting - or wanting to be accepted in some way for who she was, and not whatever had made her let compliments slide off her back as if she were made of oil.
Carefully lifting the sketchbook, he looked it over with a seemingly knowing eye, before merely shrugging and handing it back to the lass. "It looks fine, to me." With a wink and a smile he playfully added, "Granted, I've no eye for art, so I'm afraid I'm not one to be askin' for critique if ye were wantin' it anyway. I'm more for appreciating it than making it." He did have to admit, at least to himself, though that the lass appeared to have talent. But then, it seemed as if almost everyone younger than him that he spoke to had talent in some artistic skill or other.
Briefly, Ailin considered asking the woman if she might know the person he was looking for. An old man had asked for a favor, and though he was loathe to keep it...he would. A man never went back on his word once it was given. Watching the woman carefully with his grey eyes, he concluded that if she'd warmed up to him by the end of the night, before he left he'd ask her his questions. But if she hadn't, then he'd keep on looking until his quarry was located.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:42 am
With a genuine laugh, Xai retrieved the sketchbook and looked at her own work with a critical eye. "It's really not the best, but I suppose it'll do. As for a critique, I never believe the words of someone who gives one simply because they feel they have to."
The statement was as close as she ever got to explaining how she felt about false words and hollow compliments. She had enough experience with them to know that those who gave them almost always had hidden agendas, and it always put her on edge. One of the things, Xai thought wryly, that she could appreciate about the professors at university - they almost never gave compliments, and those they did were very definitely hard earned.
Picking up a pencil again, she twirled it around her fingers as she considered the man sharing the table with her. He was honest in his own way, if you looked under the smooth words and thick Irish brogue. Xai decided, on a whim, to like him. And having made the decision, flashed him a dazzling smile as she answered his first question. "One to keep a lad single for a long time?" The smile widened as she answered, totally serious. "It would depend on the lad, though I generally only play the game with those who can take it."
She'd never settled. Even though it was not in her nature to keep more than one interest on the string at any one time, there'd never been anyone that made her want to give up her carefree independence. She wanted to it - the friendship and the trust, but nobody quite matched up and she was often wary of putting too much of herself into something that so often proved to be a waste of time.
"So, what's an Irishman like you doing over here in Durem? No offence, but your accent's thick enough to walk on, and I figure you're not born and raised here." Xai was actually curious. She enjoyed finding out about others' lives. They were always so different from her own, and infinitely more interesting. Lazily, she began to add to the sketch as she awaited Ailin's answer.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:03 pm
Smiling softly as the lass picked her sketchbook up and eyed her own drawing, he couldn't help but reflect over how all artists seemed to be the same. At least, when it came to criticizing their own works, and with a small laugh, he told Xai just that in his own round about way. "Will it ever be 'the best', lass?" With a wink at the last of it, he watched the girl with a careful eye before taking another sip of his drink. He still wasn't entirely certain about her, who she was and all of that, and though Ailin prided himself on being a good judge of a person's character, it often took more than one simple run in to truly work a person out.
A small smile tilted the corners of his lips as he watched her twirl that pencil around her fingers, as if she'd done it many a time, and he supposed she likely had. People who worked with their hands tended to use them even when sitting idly, and as Ailin caught on that he was being examined, he let his smile broaden just a bit more. While he was used to being considered, it was usually for other reasons...when he was working with the youths back in Ireland, a job he'd picked up with an old man who'd been kind enough to catch on that Ailin had a knack for finding what made people the most comfortable around him. There'd been a lot of training to ensure that he wouldn't be too manipulative - just enough to gain trust and start the healing. Though Ailin never admitted he'd often used the tools he'd learned for his own personal gain just as much as helping out another.
With a deep chuckle as the lass confirmed what she was about, in regards to a relationship. Quirking a eyebrow, he gave a crooked grin, "Aye, so a heartbreaker ye are, lass? Remind me not to get involved with ye, lest ye steal my heart away!" Maybe he was laying the dramatic overtones on a little thick, but it was better she think him a total dope, than someone who was just a little conniving.
Scrubbing a hand through his short, messy hair, he gave a small shrug as she asked what his business was, laughing just a little at the mention of his accent. "And here I thought I'd been learnin' to disguise the lilt!" Perhaps he wasn't really, but it made for an entertaining joke, at the least. Eyes darkening just a little, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table, "I'm here to keep me word, lass. If ye promise ye won't laugh, I might even tell ye what I'm keepin' me word on." And with another wink, the Irishman sat back against the back of the seat, drinking another, smaller, swig of his liquor.
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toxiin generated a random number between
1 and 100 ...
74!
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:46 pm
"One day it will be better than merely good enough, and then I will make a living out of it. Only then will I start to aim for the best. The best only happens once afterall, and it would be a boring life if I attained the best so early on." Xinai laughed softly at herself as she said the words, hearing the hint of arrogance in her own voice.
She had ambition, and a need to prove herself as being something above and beyond the wealth and status that was her inheritance through a quirk of fate. It was a highly personal thing for her, and Xinai kept it well hidden. But this man across the table from her seemed to have a way of reaching to the heart of matters, and his soft inquiry had touched on one of her private doubts. What if she wasn't ever good enough to distinguish herself from being merely Chance Kae's b*****d daughter?
Shaking her head abruptly as if banishing the unwelcome thoughts, Xinai focused on the present. "Heartbreaker? I wouldn't think so. I might steal them, but I would never break them." Xai was being outrageous just for the fun of it. Leaning forward conspiratorially, she continued, "sometimes I give them back, if they're nice enough to me."
She laughed at Ailin's joke about his accent, and tilted her head again in interest as he continued. "Your word? Here in Durem? Must be some promise. And I promise not to laugh, but I may break it if your story an amusing one." Studying his darkened eyes and serious expression, Xai frowned slightly. "Though promises are generally not laughing matters in any case."
Growing up amongst bland faces and empty expressions, Xinai had learned well to read the most minute body language. When Ailin leaned forward, she'd seen a hint of sadness and resignation in his eyes that his teasing demeanor could not hide. Deciding not to comment on it, or inquire beyond what the man was willing to give, Xinai kept quiet.
With a one-sided grin that erased the frown as if it hadn't existed at all, Xai resumed her drawing, letting the silence sit comfortably. She didn't consider it rude to maintain a silence during a conversation, as silences added to the ebb and tide of dialogue, and was effective in its own way.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:14 pm
Unable to completely contain the laugh that threatened to erupt at the lass' statements, he grinned wildly at her. The lass had the right idea of it, and she was sure to attain the title of 'the best' if she worked hard enough. Ailin may not know her well enough, but he knew that with hard work - anyone could attain just about anything they set their eyes on. It was a matter of discipline and desire more than it was anything else, and every human had more than enough desire to go 'round. The hardest part, was maintaining your discipline and working hard. "I think lass, that if ye keep headin' in that direction, ye'll find yourself at the top someday." He hadn't sensed so much as arrogance in her voice as he had determination, drive, and the knowledge that she was good at what she did. The very fact she would admit she wasn't the best, was a step in the right direction for her, in his mind.
A tilt of his head was her first response when she shook her head so abruptly. It made Ailin want to inquire into why she had the need to do so, but as she moved on to confront his teasing words, he decided it best to let the sleeping dog lie. For now. Perhaps later, when he knew more about her, or at least had her more comfortable around him, he'd ask. But not for now.
With a chuckle, Ailin grabbed at his own chest, right where his heart would sit, and tossed his head back, "Ah, lass! I think ye might steal mine at this rate, with your teasing words and pleasant smiles!" Dropping the overly dramatic airs, he returned to a more normal seating position, throwing a conspiratorial wink at the girl along with a sweet laugh. She was fun to banter with, and to talk to. He didn't see why she hadn't found a lad to entertain herself with yet.
When the woman inquired after his promise, he couldn't resist a small grin. Sure, it led to him running into a lad he wasn't sure he wanted to see again, but a promise was a promise. Regardless of the circumstances. Shrugging and attempting to keep his eyes clear of the fact that the person in question still brought on the occasional pang of regret, he smiled, "Aye, lass, it was quite a promise. Though a man who can't keep his word isn't worth bein' called a man at all!"
Allowing the silence to settle for a moment, he allowed her to think he had difficulty broaching the topic - when in fact, he had wanted her to give him the opportunity to inquire. Settling himself back into a thoughtful posture, he gave a soft sigh as he began, letting his eyes settle on the table, only occasionally flicking up to glance into Xinai's eyes. It let him give off the air of uncertainty, as well as exude just a little bit of awkwardness and sadness at the topic at hand.
"I made a promise to an older man that I would find the lad he called a grandson and deliver a message to him. The lad came o'er from Ireland not too many years ago with this man, and now that the man has passed away...I'm here to do what the man couldn't. Give the lad a right talkin' to, remind him o' a few things the man asked me to."
Shrugging ever so slightly, he paused before continuing, "If I gave ye a description, think ye might help me locate the lad?"
Wasn't quite as indirect as he'd hoped, but the lass had given him an opening and he intended to use it. Ailin was fairly certain it was unlikely she'd have met Fiach, but perhaps she'd know someone that did know him, or of him, at least...
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toxiin generated a random number between
1 and 100 ...
79!
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:12 pm
Hearing the unvoiced approval behind Ailin's words, Xinai smiled. She wasn't sure why, but his encouragement made her believe that it could be done and alleviated some of her doubt. "Thank you." It was said with a simple grace.
Laughter burst from her uncontrolled as she watched Ailin clutch his chest in mock defense. "I could never steal yours, as you are more than a match for me with your outrageous airs. Why, compared to you, I am just a novice!" She widened her eyes in mock respect.
When the man sitting across from her sobered however, she did so as well, feeling that it was an important promise that he was sharing with her. Xai tilted her head, listening intently. She'd noticed the way he had withdrawn, and respected his need to be at least mentally distant as he related the tale. It seemed almost like a story one would find in a book and she raised her eyes at the question that came at the end.
"You could.. try. But Durem is a big city, and unless he is now rich, or famous, I doubt I'd be of much help." A wry smile touched her lips at the words.
It was true. Thanks to her father's never ceasing life of evening entertainments and parties, Xinai knew quite a few of the wealthy and famous people of Durem, at least by sight. Chance Kae never passed up a chance to use his daughter as a pawn in his business games, and as a result she'd attended many of those functions on her father's arm.
A faint beep caught her attention, and she lifted her gaze to the laptop that had almost been forgotten during their conversation. In the bottom left corner, she could see the small figures of her twin Hackers as they surfaced from the game they had been playing.
< We can help. It'll be fun! And you can use us to search through the internet for images and..- >
< Xai won't let us go on the internet, we're grounded remember? >
< But... > Rioke's eyes lit up as she considered another angle. < We'll be helpful, right? >
Rioke and her sister watched in unison as Xinai sighed. Kiore winced, and Rioke broke out into a smile.
< Pleaaase?ItllbefunandIpromisewe'llstayintouchthistime!! >
The exchange had only taken a few moments, and Xai smiled softly in resignation as she turned back to Ailin. "Then again, maybe we'll be able to find him even if he isn't famous. We'd need a description, though."
Xai generally did not try to hide their existence from others, as it was belittling to them, she thought, if she pretended they didn't exist. However, she also did not advertise the fact that she had little pieces of sentient data floating around her computers as people would think she was crazy. The slip from 'I' to 'we' had happened unconsciously, and she was barely aware of it as she waited for Ailin's response.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:02 pm
Ailin merely nodded at Xinai's thanks, pleased that the girl was able to accept high words without growing big headed. She certainly sounded like a lass worth talking to more often, she was polite and gracious, at the least. His eyes twinkled with mischief as she responded to his dramatic posturing, and with a wicked grin, he chuckled, "My lass, I think if ye tried, ye'd have almost any man your heart desired. Ye've the looks and attitude to get most anything if you want it!"
Smiling softly at her response to his question, he again prepared himself to put on airs. This time, rather than going for awkward and sad, he pushed his behavior more towards concerned, but pleased that she was willing to try. Ailin had half a mind to simply hit up half the bars in Durem, fairly sure he'd be able to find the lad that way, faster than anything else - but if she could make his job easier...Well. Why refuse help when it was offered freely?
Waving a hand through the air, he shook his head slightly, eyes alight with worry, "Nay, lass. I doubt he'd be rich and famous, though if he tried...I imagine with his music he could be." There really was no denying it, the lad was a master of music, and that was one thing that Ailin was genuinely sad for missing. The music. So soft and elegant, calming and pleasant late into the night. Shrugging as her laptop beeped at her, he waited patiently for her to finish whatever it was that needed her attention, before he gave her another small smile. An eyebrow quirked when she switched from 'I' to 'we', but he decided he wouldn't question the lass on it.
Instead, laying on a teasing tone as he addressed her accordingly, "M'lady, are ye certain that one of your high status will have no problem helpin' a poor lad such as I?" It was his dramatic way of saying, 'You're using the royal we...why is that?' but in this game, he couldn't afford to be quite so forward, no when he was just earning her trust. Tilting his head slightly, he tapped a finger thoughtfully against his chin, all false airs leaving as he fondly remembered the lad's face.
"The lad I'm lookin' for has hair dark as a raven's feathers, eyes bright as any sapphire, and skin with a rightful tan to it. He's a couple of inches taller than I am, likely 6'3" or 6'4", as I stand a bare 6'2" meself." Pausing as he thought over what other details he might have been missing, he snapped the fingers of one hand together as he added, "He'd tend to wear darker colored clothing, and long sleeved shirts at that. Aye, lass, even in the summer time." A subtle, sly smile touched his lips as he added fondly, "The lad is slender, but is very well built, has a pretty singing voice, and a talent for instruments."
Raising an eyebrow at how fondly he was remembering the boy that had ignored the truth for as long as he had, forcing Ailin to finally have to leave him, unable to bear to watch as he cavorted around with so many women, almost as if the boy had been flaunting them! Sighing, he added just a little quieter, "His name'd be Fiach, as well, lass. How's that for a description?"
All right, perhaps he hadn't been as ready as he'd imagined to put on a show and get her to think he didn't really care about the person he was to deliver a message to. Still, though, perhaps a little bit of a genuine response tied in with the false attitude about the old man would work to his advantage. His only real goal was to find Fiach, deliver the message...and perhaps have a little fun getting some payback in.
...If he had the heart to once the message was delivered.
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Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:06 am
Raising an eyebrow at Ailin's extravagant words, Xinai shook her head. "Ah, but that's the problem. My heart is happy as it is." Her heart didn't desire anyone. There was lust, certainly, and passion, but they were all temporary things.
She was surprised when he teasingly switched to a more formal mode of address, and Xai blinked, trying to reason out the abrupt change. "High status? Oh."
"It was a slip of the tongue, but as you caught me at it, I'll show you." A little wary, for it wasn't everyday that she introduced her Hackers to someone else, she turned the laptop slightly so that Ailin could see the screen. Watching the man carefully to see his reaction, she explained, "we, as in me and my Hackers. They're rather like AI companions, and they live on my computers. Sounds a little crazy, huh?"
Xai wasn't particularly worried that it would change Ailin's impression of her. They were relative strangers after all, and close-minded people annoyed her immensely. Xai noted with a slight upwards twitch of the lips that Kiore had already made herself scarce, being scared of strangers, while Rioke was now so close to the screen that it looked as if her face was pressed up against it. "You can talk to them just by speaking, or you can type into the chatbox over there." She pointed accordingly. "The one that's on the screen trying to get a better look at you is Rioke, if you'd like to say hi. They're still children, so they're easily amused."
Rioke stared at the man that was coming into view, eyes going wide with wonder. A chatbox over her head appeared, staying empty for a few seconds before...
< WOW! You look nothing like Xai, and you're sooo big! Since she said we could we'll help you find that person you're looking for over the internet. We're still learning but it'll be fun and it'll mean we can get back into cyberspace again since Xinai grounded us for running off without her last time and still hasn't let us play there again yet..- >
She had to wait for her chatbox to clear as she'd filled it up too fast, and she bounced up and down on the desktop impatiently, still staring at Ailin with large, curious eyes.
< And you talk funny! Me and Kiore - that's my sister - we were listening to you talk and why does it sound funny? You use weird words too. Kiore said that 'lass' means girl, why is Xai your girl? and why do you have to use lass instead of girl? >
Xai winced slightly as she read the last part.
Turning back to the more serious topic of locating the subject of the man's promise, she leaned back, considering. His description was quite detailed as it went, but... "Are you always so flowery with your descriptions?"
Curious now, she tilted her head, noting the fondness in his voice, and the slightly annoyed expression as if some memory of the past was going through his head. "You knew him well, before, didn't you? I'm sorry, but it shows." She felt slightly uncomfortable making the statement, as if she had pried in some way. But it had been so obvious, the body language there for all to see.
Looking down at her hands - the one holding the pencil was absently twirling it again - she went through the description, trying to match it to a face she knew. Nothing came to mind.
"I don't think I know him, but if you're willing, Kiore and Rioke could try to track him down using a name search. I know you can do it yourself with a decent computer and an internet connection, but Hackers tend to get to it faster, living on the technology as they do."
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Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:29 am
With a small, knowing smile, Ailin gave the lass a shrug, "The future is an uncertain thing, lass, don't sell it short, now." If there was one thing Ailin understood, it was how truly uncertain love and the future were. After all, had he had his way...he would still be in Ireland, cozied up in his flat to a certain young man who had caught his fancy. But, the fates had played a cruel trick on Ailin, and he had wound up leaving, moving from town to town helping out troubled youths. Perhaps trying to make amends for his decision to run, but perhaps just doing what he enjoyed - listening to people.
Cocking his head to one side with obvious interest, this time completely genuine, he stared at her computer screen in surprise, merely nodding his head at her explanation. Seeing the creatures move about on her screen, he could only shake his head before giving a more vocal response, "Nay, lass. Not crazy at all." After all, he was watching them move around, and as the one seemed to press its face to the monitor, an amused laugh quickly escaped his mouth.
More than a little entertained, he gave a small wave at the screen, "Hello there, little one." Barely getting his hello out before the little hacker set off a rapid fire message, he found himself struggling to read it as she fired it off. Ah, but she talked fast for a kid! With his amused smile, he gave a small shrug, "I'm not that big, only about average sized for a man, in all honesty." With a glance over at Xai, he grinned, "I should hope I look different from the lass, I'd be a bit frightened o' meself if I were to look the same as she!"
Chuckling as the hacker continued on, he wondered at how excited she was. Just like an actual little kid!
"I don't talk weird, I speak with an accent. An Irish accent, at that. I'm from o'er in Ireland, lass, that's all." Nodding slightly, he confirmed, "Aye, lass means girl. I don't have to say it that way, but its how I grew up talkin', so talk that way I will, and till the day I die, at that!" Having skipped over one of the questions, he paused for a moment, pondering over what the little one was talking about, before recalling he'd called Xai 'my lass', at least once. Laughing at the slip, he grinned, "She's not my lass, its just an endearment. Granted, I certainly wouldn't mind if she were my lass...But we've only just met." Tossing a wink towards Xai, he shrugged with relief that the Hackers questions were finished - only to sigh as Xai started up.
The lasses in Durem, it seemed, were more than talkative enough to keep the lad on his toes!
With what he hoped might pass as an abashed grin, he nodded, "Aye, can't be helped, lass. Used to dream of writin' a bit o' poetry back when I was a lad."
As the lass made the observation about his obvious behavior, he gave her an affirming nod. Aye, he knew Fiach well. Better than he'd often like to admit, but not well enough to have kept the lad's attentions to himself. It was a bittersweet thing, remembering the lad that had once been the object of his affection. Deciding to go out on a limb with the lass, he spread his hands wide in front of him, showing he was being open, and honest...or at least pretending he was. "Aye, I knew the lad well. Better than most, but not well enough, it seems. For a while, we lived together, bittersweet memories, that." A soft smile touched his lips at the last of it, and he concluded to allow her to think what she would. Didn't really matter to him much, anyway.
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Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:02 pm
Xinai watched with a half smile on her face as Ailin interacted with her Hackers. It pleased her that he was taking it all in stride. When he had finished answering Rioke's questions, she poked gently at the screen.
"Enough for now, honey. Go find Kiore and play for a bit so Ailin over here can talk without having to answer your floods of questions." The half smile bloomed into a full one at the last, reflecting her amusement.
With a cherry < Okay!! Bye Ailin!! >, the Hacker dissappeared from the screen, and a game filled up the screen.
Turning back to Ailin, Xai considered the man's next words. They had lived together, hm? So that meant that there was a much deeper connection than the man was willing to admit. She didn't think that Ailin, for all his flirtatious behavior, would move in with someone unless their relationship had been serious.
Intruiged despite herself, she asked, "did the old man know of your previous relationship with this Fiach when he asked you to deliver a message? It must be somewhat ironic, isn't it?"
Sketching again now, as an idea came to her, she spoke again. "In any case, I could get Kiore and Rioke to do a bit of searching over the internet. The name is pretty unique, perhaps something will turn up. Would you like to do it now, or maybe another time?" Xai wasn't sure how determined Ailin was to find the boy, and didn't want to rush him.
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