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 Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 9:16 pm
Who: Simon and Annabel~ Where: Behind the Beaver cabin When: Day Eight; late evening  It seemed that not a moment passed by in this excruciatingly short day that he wasn't moving, darting his gaze through trees and tripping over their roots without caring how bruised up he might be getting. His nerves were making him even clumsier than usual... as the sun rolled across the sky his shadow profiled the mess he was slowly becoming, both physically and emotionally, in his search for Annabel. The forest, the lakeside, the campgrounds, even the 1000 foot cliff... searched and scoured more times than he could count for any trace of the girl. Hopefully Noel or someone else on the island was having more luck...
One spot on the island kept dragging him back more often than all others, though. The back wall of the Beaver cabin remained woefully, nervewrackingly bare every time Simon chanced a look at it; it was the only place he dared to rest. Sometimes he was unable to resist the irrational desire to sit where he had the night before and just wait to see if she would miraculously come back, triumphant grin on her face and asking with a joking tone if she could borrow his shirt again.
That moment never came, and he had long since stopped hoping that it would. It was only through some weary compulsion that his tired feet were dragging him back there now, to rest and hope... for no one.
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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:04 pm
 God, Noel had kept her longer than she thought he would- makeup and hair was absolutely ridiculous. How he'd ever talked her into getting them done, she'd had no idea- but, somehow, she'd sat through the entire makeover- almost HAPPILY, really- before her senses had snapped back in. When she'd finally told him she'd needed to find Simon, thankfully, he'd shoo'd her out of there.
...But really? Noel was a case she didn't think she was going to crack any time soon.
Stumbling out of the cabin, Annabel had taken a moment to simply think- try and figure out where exactly Simon was. Noel had said he'd taken the entire day to search the island, and honestly? The place was pretty damn big. God, he could be back up on the cliff, or in messhall... anywhere! Sighing in frustration at the thought, Annabel stormed from the cabin, her softly waving hair flowing behind her. She might've looked more beautiful tonight, yes- if only thanks to Noel- but god, she was still tired, and on top of that, worried about Simon.
...Maybe storming out wasn't the best idea. Rounding quickly to the back of the cabin, absorbed in her own thoughts, Annabel didn't even notice her friend sitting on the opposite end of the wall. Sliding to the ground with only a 'tch', she rubbed gently at her temples, trying to will some intelligent thought into her mind of where her friend might be.
...The wavemachine? ...No, he wouldn't have been able to find that...
Oh, poor Simon. She REALLY hoped he was alright...
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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:20 pm
An ear flicked a bit at the noise Annabel made as she sat down, but it was a moment or two until Simon's tired mind would pick it up. Even at that point, though, he was half-convinced that his fatigue and worry were just making him hear things. He didn't even bother looking up for a while, out of fear of the nothing that would be waiting to meet his eyes if he did.
He finally did cast his gaze in the direction of the sound, and blinked once...
Then twice... in utter disbelief of what met his view, he was shocked into silence for a while, unable to move anything but his eyes.
It was her - that much was plain as day, thank god - but it all seemed off. He could spy a sliver of discolored blotch from where the wall had bunched her shirt up, which he uneasily realized might be a bruise.
"A-annabel..." he quietly choked out, finally, after an excruciating moment struggling to get his voice to work. That was all he could say - but if his voice had carried well enough for her to turn her head, the pile of questions rushing through his mind were plain on his face.
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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:09 pm
At the sound of her name, Annabel whipped around in mad, desperate hope. Could it be...?! And yes, it was! Simply unable to do anything more than stare, her mouth hung slightly agape- accented more by the unusual application of lipgloss. Blinking a few times, just to make sure her mind wasn't playing tricks on her, Annabel was perfectly still. Tilting her head slightly to the side, she continued to simply regard him- was... was it actually him..!?
And just as quickly as she'd arrive, she was moving- scrambling over, <******** the hair and makeup! to throw her arms around him, burying her face into his chest. For a moment, it seemed like she was simply trembling- not saying anything or moving at all- but in actuality, she was sobbing. A soft, steady sort of sound, but it was terribly obvious that she was desperately clinging to Simon, desperately needing the contact. She could handle going without comfort from other people, but something about Simon being upset with her just... it didn't settle will. Grabbing at the back of his shirt and balling the fabric into fists, she very weakly looked up.
"I'm so, so sorry.." she sobbed, at least a tiny part of her brain thanking Noel for giving her waterproof mascara. Almost nuzzling Simon as she returned her face to his shirt, Annabel continued amidst the crying.
"I- it wasn't supposed to happen like that, Simon! I thought I might be in trouble, but... I'm so, so sorry..."
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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:45 pm
Simon, on the other hand, looked an utter mess, but Annabel seemed as concerned with his looks as he was with hers. And that was, to say, not at all.
For the brief instant it took her to move Simon thought she had just vanished, and seeing her had turned out to be his worries and hopes manifesting as a hallucination - but then he felt a sudden and now very familiar presence wrapped around his waist. He realized for a quiet moment that she was shaking... no, even worse than that, he could feel her tears dampening his shirt.
This was the third time she'd broken down like this in front of him... he peered down at her sadly for the briefest of instants before curling his arms around her, one wrapping firmly around her back while the other rested gently on the back of her head. The embrace had changed this time around... instead of it being another comforting hug, one could dare to say that it was more like he was holding her.
He gritted his jaw in a vain attempt at not letting her hear him sniffle and weep over her, but that endeavor was hopeless before it had even started.
"I... I was w-w-worried... Annabel, please, just... please say you're okay..."
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:57 am
It was good that neither of them particularly cared- sobbing on Simon, Annabel couldn't have looked very dignified or beautiful at all. There was just something about him that'd turned into a comforting presence- almost like he was her safety blanket of camp. Probably with all of the breaking down in front of him, she'd just associated the idea that crying to the boy and worrying about her problems with him was safe- no ridicule, no judgment. Just kind, understanding Simon. Good old Simon, Annabel found herself thinking between bouts of sobbing. At least I know if I fall, he'll always catch me.
Somehow, in the midst of her crying, as Simon had shifted his arms around her, Annabel had honest to god slid into the boy's lap, snuggling up against him in the most comforting way she could think of. So maybe she was a bit overdramatic, so what? She'd really missed him- and definitely could've used someone holding her like this, last night. For all intensive purposes, it officially seemed like she was beginning to develop a fear of being alone at night- particularly here at camp. Managing to stifle her sobs just a bit, Annabel didn't even bother to look up as she spoke- crooning softly into Simon's shirt.
"I- I'm getting there, Simon," she uneasily gave him, still not sure if she was up to okay.
"I- last night. I know I deserved it, but oh god, it was horrible. And I hurt you, and Chris, and I'm so, so sorry..."
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:23 am
There was no protest and only a little surprise when she moved to sit on his lap; the most notable response she got for it was him shifting his posture to accommodate her. He'd carried her half-naked through the woods before, for godsakes, and this seemed so much tamer by comparison. In spite of the mood it came with it just felt good to have her get this close to him again-- not to mention his hopes that something like this would happen the previous night.
His grip around her sympathetically tightened a bit at her answer. So something bad did happen to her... and by the sound of it, it wasn't something as simple as tripping and getting lost in the woods. The thought of it made his heart sink into a pool of sick curiosity.
"What happened to you..."
His voice trailed off before he could draw its pitch into a question. Really, knowing Annabel, he had no idea if she would even be willing to give him an answer... and part of him was very afraid that she would.
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 12:34 pm
Had he forced her off or asked her to move, Annabel might've fled- to where? She had no idea, but she just couldn't have handled it if Simon hadn't been so accepting. Managing to calm herself slightly from the heaving sobs, she looked up to him in utter silence, simply watching. If she kept up this chain of events, her voice was going to go wayside once more in nothing flat. Besides that, they were likely to have a challenge tomorrow- if Chris's attitude toward the producers had shown anything, it was very likely going to be a bad one.
When Simon asked of what happened, she stilled aside from the tears trickling down her cheeks, wondering if it would be alright to tell him. Or, rather.. how much she'd actually be able to tell without upsetting Chris once more. Perhaps, if she were quiet enough, the cameras wouldn't be able to pick her up? Taking a short glance in either direction, her ears nervously flattened, Annabel considered just how much would be too much to tell. He... he had a right to know, but Chris... well, the host definitely wouldn't approve. His alliance was with her; not Simon. Had he wanted to work with the boy, something probably would've been struck up much earlier.
"I-if I tell you.." she murmured, obviously uneasy about even considering this- her tone low and ears flickering every which way in worry of picking something out from the quiet settling over camp...
"...Will you promise not to bring it up again, and not tell anyone? I-I'm really trusting you with this, Simon..."
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 12:54 pm
Simon watched carefully as Annabel's gaze darted across their surroundings in a way that could be described as secretive... and fearfully so, even. True, she hadn't outright denied his right to an inquiry, but it was clear that whatever had happened to her, she was afraid to talk about it. Was she merely unwilling to admit that something had caught her off guard in such a way, or... no, the fear could be of a deeper thing than harm to her own pride. He shivered for a brief moment when that thought dragged its claws across his mind, before it trickled coldly to the pit of his stomach.
"Someone hurt you," he whispered, voice trembling. With yesterday's events still clear in his mind, it was easy to hazard a guess as to who that someone might be.
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:31 pm
Shifting so that she sat directly facing him, Annabel leaned forward to be right next to his ear- no sense having anyone overhear her, after all. This would probably freak the poor boy out, but it had to be done. Trying to ignore the recollection that she'd faced a situation terribly similar to this with Chris- minus the crying and secret revealing, of course, Annabel swallowed heavily, trying to think of where to start. Eight days, and she already had this many secrets... god, she worried about what all was due to happen the longer they stayed. Had anyone else dug up this much drama? Sighing quietly, forgetting her position to Simon's ear momentarily, she started in the quietest voice possible.
"I-I'm sorry to seem rude, but I need you to pay attention- I'm not repeating this again, under any circumstances," it was quiet- barely even a whisper. But, she was being entirely honest- she wasn't going to be repeating this. Hell, she was probably even dead for starting to tell him. Hopefully, from the way they were sitting, Chris would think it nothing more than whispering sweet nothing's in another teen's ear. ...Hell, she should probably play that up a bit. It'd look better than telling the host's secrets, anyway. Shifting a bit so the way they were sitting would look slightly more promiscuous- even going so far as to drape her arms around his neck, Annabel continued.
"Don't mind how I'm sitting. If there's any cameras here? They're just going to think we're being teenagers. That's what I need them to think," and still, she was whispering- though her tone was starting to become a bit more easy, even in the hushed whisper it was.
"There's a spot on the island- just one, if you don't count his trailer- where there's no cameras. I found it pretty early on, and... I've been meeting there with Chris. Frequently. Nothing happens, we just... talk. But he's rooting for us- the Beavers. We... I can't tell you much, but he sort of warns me about the challenges. Not much, because he's sadistic, but..." she paused, then, in consideration.
"...When he's not pissed off at me. Like... like he was last night. The stripping him stunt... really pissed him off. You CANNOT," she went into an almost hiss on the word, menace dripping off of word in threat.
"tell him- or anyone- that you know this... but he's got a scar, down his chest. Huge. I discovered it when I first found the spot, and... and that's why the stripping thing set him off. When I went to return the shirt last night, I figured he might not go back to the spot- he'd be too angry to be there... but I obviously thought wrong. He had some kind of dart thing set up- similar to the ones that got us the first day, and got me in the forest. But.. more body paralyzing than sleep-inducing. So, he warned me not to pull something like that- left the little souvenir I'm pretty sure you saw," Annabel gave a slight head-gesture at this, slightly nodding toward her hip.
"..And left me for the night. I only managed to pull myself up and out of the woods after wakeup call. ...And that's why I've been disappearing. That's why McLean... knows so much. Almost cares, I suppose, as much as that kind of a man can." Pulling back, Annabel closed her eyes, and quickly put on her best seductive look. Flicking her tail slightly, desperately hoping Simon would catch on, she cocked her head slightly.
"So can you see why I feel the way I do, Tiger...~?" she practically purred that last bit, still in the act- even if her eyes were giving her away.
Catch on, damn it...
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:57 pm
And then Annabel went on to explain everything... truth be told he was a bit confused at the start, but at the mention of the word 'cameras' the motivations behind her behavior clicked as brightly as a stadium light. It was hard for him to do but he started to play along with it, keeping an arm loosely snaked around her waste and even managing to force his expression into a dorky, surprised-looking little smile as her monologue went on.
Underneath it, though, it took all the willpower he possessed to not grit his teeth. He wasn't sure what was harder to believe, the fact that Annabel had a secret alliance with McLean, or that the host was willing and able to abuse her trust in him enough to get away with hurting her like that. If he'd been terrified of the man before, the phobia was covering a layer of growing hatred towards him.
Her explanation done, she was gazing at him waiting for his response. He carefully lifted a hand to cup one side of her face, and leaned himself in to close the gap she'd just created, gazing intently at her eyes. When he spoke, it was in a breathless tone that perfectly summed up how he was feeling in both the real situation and the fake one they were putting on for the cameras.
"Annabel... I had no idea..."
Then he kissed her.
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 4:22 pm
Had it been any other situation, honest to god, she could've kissed him. He understood- and even better, he was acting along! Thankful that Simon was good with personal cues, Annabel had managed to hold herself in their setup through her little confession, steadied a great deal by the presence of the arm snaked around her help. In a girlish sort of way, the contact was wonderful- not that she'd ever say such a thing, and scare the poor boy off. But honestly, she wondered if Simon really knew how much of a helping character he was. Anyone else, she probably wouldn't have admitted it- wouldn't have been able to keep herself here.
When she'd moved away and he started moving, Annabel nearly giggled with how perfect this was. God, she'd have to tell him what a wonderful actor he was! Maybe that's what he did outside of camp- theater, or something along those lines. That'd be something to talk about- all the shows and what-not he'd been in! Oh, this was perfect. And see, there he was, moving in like he was going to kiss her.
Blinking slightly at the realization, Annabel wondered how far he was going to take this charade- had it been another time and place, there would've been a nice, snarky comment on her part. But here? Here, her cheeks flushed slightly, eyes turning from an intense gaze to one of confusion.
Annabel... I had no idea... and he was kissing her. For just a short while- though it seemed like forever- time and space seemed to stop, keeping Annabel frozen in that perfect moment. Eyelids fluttering shut, she might've gotten a bit too into the charade, happily kissing Simon back.
But, really- she liked him? And when was a chance like this going to come again?
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:54 pm
That small moment was perfect for Annabel - but for Simon it gave him the opportunity to realized just what it was he had done, and panic about it. This was it, he'd gone way too far, the next second would earn him a handmark on the face and an angry tirade about how he'd taken advantage of her when she was vulnerable--
--and his breath caught in his throat when the realization blossomed that she wasn't retaliating, but reciprocating.
Oh. God. He could die on the spot right now, and for once in his time at this hell of a camp it wouldn't be from misery. He was really getting into the "performance" too, running his fingers through her why did I never notice how soft it is hair and bringing her in closer with his embrace wow, she smells AMAZING.
The fact that this was supposed to be for the cameras had all but extinguished in his mind for the moment. He was too busy gleefully noting that something was making her taste like cherries.
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:20 pm
This kiss, she was happy to note, was nothing like the earlier one with Chris; it wasn't forced, or rough, or violent. No, this was sweet, gentle, kind and caring- in its own right, it seemed like the way the two kissed was a reflection of their personalities. Honestly? She was definitely preferring this one- even if it didn't have that same spark Chris's had.
They both, honestly, might've been getting a bit caught up in the performance aspect of the kiss, as the second Simon's hands went up into her hair, Annabel was semi-forcefully pressed him back to the cabin wall, like they tended to do in any sort of romantic movie. Alright, so yeah- she wasn't the most experienced kisser in the entire world, but like hell that didn't mean she wasn't going to try.
She'd already known how wonderfully soft his fur was, and how good it felt between her fingers- this just made it that much better. She admittedly was smiling into the kiss, horribly on the verge of laughing- not out of lack of quality or anything, god know! It was honestly just so... nice, really.
He's so... perfect.
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:53 pm
The lack of experience wasn't a trait exclusive to Annabel - this was the first time that Simon had ever even attempted to kiss anyone. He had to be doing something right here, though, as she was reacting pretty damn positively to how he had approached things so far. Bad kissing didn't get people passionately pressed against a wall. If this ended up giving him splinters somehow, he would have a hard time removing them... and purely for psychological reasons.
It ended smoothly and suddenly as it started. He took a moment to collect himself, contentedly resting his forehead against hers, before slowly and giddily pulling himself back. Kissing was all fine and good, yes... but it made it very difficult for him to look at the girl. Now he wanted to steal a look at Annabel's face and try to find some hint that it had been as real for him as it was for her in spite of the bit of acting that had let up to it. He wanted this to have meant something for both of them.
Giving her a slow stroke behind the ear, he nervously smiled and quietly asked, "How was that?"
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