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 Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 3:17 pm
Rivener's Christmas Gift to Zul
This is a private roleplay for:
Zul (Chrystali)
and
storyteller (Aphismet)
Time: morning, December 20th.
Place: multiple, beginning at Zul's apartment.
Weather: cold and brisk, cloud-covered, threatening to snow later in the day.
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 3:18 pm
Rivener had worked so very hard to get this ready for his two special people. He hoped they would enjoy this and appreciate the gift! Perhaps it was because his affections were accepted by Melisande, or perhaps it was because Melisande had stopped thinking of Zul as a monster, but something had inspired Rivener to great depths of romance this year. And so it was that he sent both his special people a little wrapped box, hiding out at Aphismet's house so he couldn't be around when Zul found the gift. On the box was a little note.
To Zul
with love.
-Riv
(open it now!)
Inside the box was a silvery keyring with a variety of keys on them. Each Key had a little round sticker with a number on it, from 1 to 6. Some keys looked small, like they were for padlocks, others were bigger, like car keys or house keys, some were old-fashion and iron-wrought. Under the keys, on the fluffy cotton lining the box, was a folded note. 7043 Beachflower street It seems Zul had a trail to follow.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 12:11 pm
Oh, Rivener.
The demon smiled with all the warmth in the world as he looked at the box, tracing his fingers over the note that was placed carefully on the table, the hand holding the keys squeezing gently as though it were the Scorpion's hand instead. Zul knew his Scorpion had a great capacity for love and thrills and excitement, but it seemed the Muse had unlocked a even deeper well of creative expression in him. He loved what he saw in Rivener, the joy and glow of utter satisfaction in life. That the elder Sigel was choosing to share that feeling with him, to express his affection and gift in this manner -- it made him feel deeply humbled and hold greater love for his dark partner.
His destination was clear: 7043 Beachflower Street, a name so perfect that made him regret not looking for houses upon it before they'd moved. Putting the keys down, he floated across the loft in the 'nude,' absent of his usual adornments as he preferred to be when home, immediately going to Rivener's closet and riffing through it. When he found what he wanted - one of the Scorpion's sharp dark jackets, trendy but moveable with modded slits for the wings - he slipped it on, tugging the collar around his unusually bare neck with contentment and breathing in the mingled scent of Rivener and the night-stained fabric. He added a simple seat belt-buckle belt to his hips (it tended to shock people if he had nothing there, and this at least lended to the notion of being decent) before he returned to the table. He tucked the note in the inner pocket of the jacket and the instructions in the outer, his destination already memorized. Tucking the keys against his palm, he input the address into his cell phone for directions, feeling he was as ready as he could be for the adventure he was to embark upon.
Zipping the lower part of the jacket to the middle of his stomach, the demon went to their balcony and spread his wings, 'leaping' off the edge and taking to the skies. It was a beautiful, almost-stormy day, filled with the scent of rain mingled with icy air and people milling about beneath; he didn't want to waste it on a bus or taxi just yet, especially if one of the keys lead somewhere he could not easily fly to.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 4:44 pm
Zul wouldn't have to go very far. As it turned out, Beachflower street was no more than three blocks away! The building labelled 7043 happened to be a post office, with a few people in the parcel-sending side, talking to the counter help. In the other half of the building were row upon row of mail boxes, varying in size from biggest at the top, to medium in the middle and large at the bottom. The key bearing the little sticker #1 bore another number: etched onto the back was the number "74", which matched one of the medium boxes!
Once the little key was slipped in, the numbered box opened to reveal a small dark burnt-umber colored box with a shimmery red silk ribbon tied around it. Just under the central bow was a folded note. In Rivener's familiar hand the note read:
Zul,
You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I don't think I could comprehend a life without you anymore, and it makes me so happy to see that same sentiment echoed in you every day. I find my day isn't complete until I've seen you smile, heard your voice. Enjoy these little treats and I wish I could see you smile as you do.
-Rivener
PS: Go north on this street and use your second key in the bus stop terminal at the end.
Inside the box, whose lid lifted once the ribbon was pulled free, were six perfect dark-chocolate truffles.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 9:26 pm
His immediate impression was that the post office was quite quaint; it almost felt antiquated compared to the industrial ones he'd seen while working with Brad. Finding the designated box was simple enough, but it was the content that gave the demon pause.
Zul looked over the note several times, his chest stirring with those butterflies. It wasn't that Rivener had never said a sweet word to him before, nor even that he acknowledged Zul felt the same; but this, this sentiment was much more than a confession of love. To the tri-horned male, it was a mixture of an acceptance of them as a trio and almost...like taking the next step. For humans, it was a proposal, but the three of them -- he didn't have a name for it, but it was glorious and filled him in turn with joy and a comfort of knowing where he belonged. "Ah, Rivener," he murmured to himself, his expression doting and missing his absent love, "you minx."
The demon drew his thumb over the box of truffles as it was opened, his expression distant but affectionate; Rivener wrote of wishing to see him smile, and be damned if he wouldn't do just that. Plucking one out of the cradled box, he quickly recovered it and put them in one of his jacket pockets, intent to share it with the Scorpion when he saw him next -- perhaps even Melisande. Tucking the note in with the first, he had to squash the temptation to call Rivener and speak with him while he was on his journey; he knew it was for him and him alone, but he so did wish he could take his Scorpion with him.
As he left the post office as though in a haze, he nibbled on the rich chocolate with lidded eyes, a habit he had when he consumed human food that he favored. It took him the entire length of the street to consume the small morsel, running his tongue over his thumb as he entered the terminal as instructed. Procuring the keys on his borrowed belt, he matched the appropriate number on the sticker to the one on the key, and the key to the box he needed. A small twist and an audible click, and he was on to clue number there.
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Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 9:20 am
At the end of the street, in the bus stop, Zul would easily guess where the key belonged: there was a wall at the back consisting of personal lockers. Travelers needing to wait for their bus could leave their luggage there and wander the town. In this case, however, the locker was mostly empty.
Zul's key had a plastic head-cover with the embossed number "3". Box 3 was its match, and inside was one single thing: an average-sized white envelope. Inside was another folded note, and a bus ticket! The note read:
Hello Flower,
I chose box three for a reason. I'm sure you can guess it: it represents what I wish our relationship to become. I used to be boxed in by society's preconception of what a relationship should be, and because of that I nearly lost you when we had that misunderstanding. But ever since then, once we'd explained ourselves and I realized what you meant, every single moment seems to feel so RIGHT. I always felt complete, full, satisfied with you only, but the thought of adding someone else makes it feel MORE. Having Melisande in our lives would make me better for you, for her, for everyone. Having you both brings out the best in me, and I never knew it could be better than just you and I. But when I see you with her, how soft you become, how warm, I know you feel the same. We'll be better for her. I love you, and not just because you love me: I love you because you love her, too. Be strong and believe in yourself, Zul: we can be three. You can love her. She will see what a perfect creature you are, Flower.
-Rivener.
PS: don't miss your bus! When you get to your destination, find the closest 7Eleven and ask the cashier where to use your key. You can see the store from the bus station when you arrive!
The ticket was for eleven thirty, with the destination listed as Barton Town, a few hours trip.
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Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 9:03 am
The smile he wore surely made him look like he'd gone mad, the affection and growing expression of adoration he held for the letter probably not exactly normal in the bus terminal. Zul nodded as though Rivener could see him; he believed in his Scorpion, he always did. He hastily checked the time before relocking the locker and heading towards the indicated platform, eyes turning over the ticket. Tugging out his cell phone, he sent a brief text - mostly to reach out to his loved one, but also to let him know where he was in this adventure. "I'm glad you have faith in my timing," he murmured as he punched in the keys and hit send, relieved he hadn't missed the allocated bus. That would have been enormously embarrassing, ruining Rivener's gift for not being more punctual.
As it were, he had very little time to wait before he filed onto the bus, taking a front seat. Usually he would have sat in the back and people-watched, but he was not in the mood for observing any other than the two in his mind and perhaps his own heart in turn. Resting partially against the window, Zul poured over the letters he'd accumulated so far, hearing Rivener's voice with each word. When he'd practically memorized them, he tucked them back in his borrowed jacket and instead browsed the photos on his phone for the remainder of the trip, outwardly anti-social but simply basking in the life he'd built with Rivener. It was a lot to reflect on, as it stretched most of his life, something he'd have taken no other way.
All trips had to come to an end, and in a handful of hours that passed rather quickly for the sentimental demon, his stop was called, tugging him out of his reverie. Disembarking from the bus, he felt prepared - and a bit giddy - for the next leg of the journey.
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Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 9:43 am
At the end of the bus trip, Zul would easily find the location of his next clue. The closest 7Eleven was close indeed, only a few buildings away on the other side of the street from the bus station. The street was one of the busier ones, and the store itself had a good number of patrons in line for service, meaning Zul would unfortunately have to wait before he could ask for the clerk's help with his key. That clerk was a mid-twenties man with dark skin and black hair, a friendly smile, and infinite patience as he served everyone. When he spotted Zul in the line, three people in, he grinned and waved the Raevan forward. There was no mistaking the tri-horned, ribbon-bearing man for anyone other than the one Rivener had asked him to watch out for.
"Zul, right?" he said, smiling. "This is for you." He reached under the counter and pulled out an antique-looking box that matched the third key on Zul's keyring. "You can open here to the side."
He placed the box beside his serving area, where Zul could reach it without being in the way of the folks still in line to pay for their merchandise. When they saw the demonic-looking male wasn't cutting in line, everyone relaxed quite visibly and continued on about their business.
Zul's key would snick in the lock easily and open up to reveal a red-felt interior with only one thin object inside: a polaroid photograph. Rivener was smiling, winking and obviously taking this picture himself, as his arm blocked most of the lower left corner. His other hand pointed to one door in a series of condos that filled a street, the second such door from the corner bearing the street name: "Devil's Cross street". On the white band under the photo was Riv's flowing script:
Find this place!! <3
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Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 4:29 pm
He didn't mind the wait in the line. Since there was only one gentleman and everyone had someone more important to be than where they were, he was content to not make a scene. Zul was, however, a touch surprise when a smile of recognition lit the man's features and he was called over, casting a brief glance at the line. If there was blood for his movement to the front, he sure as hell didn't want to be accountable!
Even so, he approached and dipped his head in acknowledgement. "I am," he confirmed, and before he could politely ask the man's name in return, his eyes fell upon the box that was offered to him. "Thank you," he murmured, floating to the side of the register and unlocking the box with piqued curiosity. Why here? he wondered, but he surmised the answer would be within.
Cracking it open, he lofted his brows at the photo, gingerly removing it from the confines of the antiquated box and gazing at it in silence. More correctly, he was gazing at Rivener, the culprit for his presence there. Shaking his head subtly with a small smile, he followed the Scorpion's indicated finger and glanced to the script beneath. Find this place? Devil's Cross Street. Where in the blue hell did Rivener find all these places?! Impressed - and intrigued - the demon thanked the clerk and floated out of the 7-11, leaving the box behind as he punched in the street name into his phone. It was time to continue the scavenging hunt!
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Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 9:46 am
Demon's Cross street wasn't very far away, in fact! Two blocks over, Zul found the proper street name-plate and could see it was the right place even without that: there was no mistaking those solid lines of houses all built one attached to the next. The one Rivener had pointed to looked freshly emptied: there were no curtains in the windows, no furniture visible inside, the thin layer of snow uncleared from the walkway to the front door. Yet there were no "for sale" signs.
It was no secret where a key might fit here. Once the front door was opened, Zul would find the first traces of life in the place. The front door let into the empty living room, where the floor was a pale, thin carpet all over, gray from age. There was a trail of red rose petals trickling from the door into the house, turning once it reached the hallway. There it continued until the end, bypassing all the arches to kitchen, dining room, and half-bathroom. The last arch held a staircase going up and that's where the roses continued, trailing onto the upstairs landing and into the nearest door.
The upstairs bathroom. The tub was one of the large ones with jets! All around it were candles, ready to be lit. Set up in front of it was a low coffee table with a few offerings on it: Zul's favorite shampoo and conditioner, his favorite fragrance body soap, and a few options for bubblebath in scents Rivener knew Zul to enjoy. There was also a small music-player ready to serenade, and a black picture frame with speakers below it. Riv knew Zul wasn't always the keenest when it came to devices, so there was a yellow post-it on the picture frame, an arrow drawn to the little button that would play the image.
Rivener flickered onscreen, and it looked like he'd recorded this in the very room the Demon stood in. He grinned broadly, looking a little sly.
Hey, Flower! I hope you're enjoying this little treasure hunt. I know it's demanding a lot of your time, so I thought you could use a nice, relaxing bath. Take your time, soak, rest. You're only about half-way done, and you're going to want to be at your most suave when you reach the end! So pamper yourself, make yourself irresistable as I know you can be. He winked flirtily. When you're ready, your gift and your clue are hanging on the back of the bathroom door. Enjoy, my love!
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Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 12:31 pm
He found the houses to be...rather quaint. They looked like they belonged on a television show about friends in the same area, maybe something with a dark undertone, given the street name. Pushing aside those thoughts, the demon floated up to the door that seemed the least likely to be inhabited and used his key; with the satisfying click made audible, he let himself in and closed the door in his wake.
There was something rather beautiful about seeing the dark, aged vestiges of the house and the life it once contained now dotted with a most vibrant, Rivener-eye red. It was like a black and white movie coming to life, something Zul felt rather charmed about. He followed his trail of petals, taking in the view of the house as he went. It was sizable and quite old, but not in a bad way -- it was rustic, it had a story or five to tell. For a moment, he wondered if they'd ever live in a house together, thinking briefly of Brad and Zeke and that whole situation. The Sigel shook his head and kept his eyes on the trail, following; this moment was for him. He had to stop wondering about others. His trail came to an end and when he opened the door, surprise rippled over his features.
A bath.
Zul's thoughts briefly wandered towards Melisande -- vaguely inappropriate at that, he noted with a wry flick of his lips -- before returning to the here and now. The demon entered the room but kept the door open, not having much a mind for privacy in an abandoned house. Picking up the picture frame, he pressed the indicated button as he pinched his fingers around the wick of a candle, setting it aflame. He listened as Rivener's voice and smile filled his senses, earning a sweet smile in return to that sly look. "It'd be nicer if you were here, you know that," he purred at the photo, knowing very well his Scorpion couldn't hear him. With the instructions given, Zul played the message again and paused it on Rivener's smile, putting the frame down by the bath and finishing lighting the candles. It didn't take long for him to put on some music and strip himself of his little clothing before he slid into the bath despite his rune's initial reaction, arms crossed over the back lip of the bath, smiling back at Rivener's stilled image.
-----------------
Zul did not dally too long, washing himself hastily after the initial enjoyment of the jets (and perhaps a picture of himself in the tub sent to Rivener) and getting dressed again. It had been a perfect type of time to bathe, what with the storm outside and the ability to remove the lingering miasma of the bus station and bus itself. His hair dried rapidly under his own heat he put off, a warmth he kept constant for the scent of Rivener's jacket mingling with the bath scents. Putting out the candles and tucking the talking photo into his breast pocket, he approached the door and partially closed it to see what was next.
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Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 2:36 pm
Zul would no doubt be stunned, when he near-closed the bathroom door. Behind it, hanging from the towel hook, was a beautiful Peacoat Jacket, dark blue in color and adorned with silver buttons. Inside it was a white collared button-down shirt and a shining, shimmering ice-blue necktie. A light blue, white-trimmed, thick wool scarf completed the outfit. On top of the lapel was pinned a note. Flower,
I know you're not usually a fan of wearing clothes, and this might look like a bit much for your tastes. But believe me babe, you will turn every head you come across if you wear this. And for what I have planned, you will want to look as stunning as possible.
Head to Barton mall for the next key. Almost done! Love you!
-Riv
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 1:11 pm
And as the door swung to a shut to reveal the present, Zul's brows slowly raised, until stark shock remained. The demon ran his fingers along the lapel of the jacket, tracing down the double-breasted buttons with mingled confusion and interest. The jacket was surely attractive - he rather liked the collar - but not something he'd ever worn before in his life. Truly, the leather jacket that was against his bare skin now was likely the first time he'd ever put something on so concealing.
Unpinning the note, he read it and immediately laughed, always impressed that the Scorpion could pluck his thoughts right out of his head. With an amused sound, he tucked the note in with the others and stripped himself once again, extraordinarily careful with these very new, very expensive looking items. It took a couple tugs and pinching of the dress shirt collar to get it comfortable against his throat, the tie following suit into place (and he had Brad to thank for that). When he slipped the jacket on and buttoned it to the open flap, it did feel heavy but not unbearable. Zul knew he just wasn't used to it, and could more than suck it up for what Rivener had in plan. Besides: it might have felt weighty, but it also felt good in the sense of how it hugged him, having a rather acute sense that he more than likely looked stunning in the ensemble.
Resting the scarf over his shoulders, he slung the jacket and belt over his arm and tucked his hands in his pockets, smiling to himself. It was about then that his phone vibrated. Anticipating a response from Rivener to his previous texts, his expression went into smooth surprise.
This is turning out to be an amazing Christmas. I'm looking forward to New Years.
It was from Melisande.
Zul stared at his phone for a long moment in dumbstruck awe before he was able to gather his wits about himself long enough to tap in a quick, heart-felt response. I hope you're having as great a time as I am, wherever you are. Can't wait to see you again. No hesitation, no reconsideration; the demon hit send and, with a rather jovial smile on his face, set about to the Barton Mall.
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 1:49 pm
The mall wasn't all that far away from the house, and Zul made it there just in time to meet the 5 o clock rush. People milled about in a jostling clump of festive colors and happy chatter, though as predicted, all heads he passed turned to follow the well-dressed Demon, the crowd flawlessly parting around him as it always did. Tinsel, lights and all manner of decorations hung from the upper floors along the main mezzanine, and christmas music filled the entire building.
There were help desks and pillars displaying maps all about the place to help someone locate the place Zul's key might be used. It was small, plastic-backed, with another number etched onto it: nearly a match for the one from the bus station, implying it might open a similar personal locker. And as it turned out, Barton Mall had an area specifically for leaving your purchases when they got to be too much!
In a corner of the mall, at the end of a hallway was an alcove sequestered from the corridor by a half-wall. There were large personal lockers here, and Zul's key matched one of them: number 12. When the key was slipped in and turned, it activated a clever little contraption that had been hidden above the locker in question, a small pop! heralding a shower of confetti and flower petals. White and cream rose petals, to be exact. They showered down over Zul gently, fluttering.
Inside the large locker was a single deep red rose, and a letter from Rivener.
Zul,
I picked this locker for a reason. Twelve. That's the number of times I've given you flowers since we lived together. The one you find in here is number thirteen. I didn't want my next gift, my REAL gift, to be your thirteenth flower since that's unlucky. So my next gift, the last key, will be your Fourteenth Flower. And it's the most precious, perfect, amazing flower i have ever seen. I just know you'll love it.
For the next and last key, love, go to the outside skating rink in Barton Park, at 7pm tonight. Stand at the top of the stairs that descend to it, where you can have a perfect view of the giant christmas tree. The last lock will come to you.
I love you, Zul. See ya soon!
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 9:36 pm
If he was watched during his trek through the mall, he scarcely noticed. Zul was on a mission, and while he'd normally revel in the lingering gazes, he had little attention for it that evening. The Sigel floated at a languid pace through the parted throngs of humans, confident in all his decked apparel and starting to find comfort in it as long as he regulated his body temperature. The sounds and smells of the mall washed over him and through him; he was a part of it, but his mind was far beyond, with two that were not anywhere near -- or so he thought.
It didn't take him long to piece together the puzzle of where the key belonged; it wasn't like he'd never been to the mall before. Finding the allotted locker to his number, he turned the key without hesitation and a great deal of curiosity.
When the locker exploded in plastic and petals of color, Zul had partially ducked as though avoiding a gunshot. His eyes were huge and his head was lowered enough that he almost couldn't see in the locker that swung open. Straightening abruptly as though he'd been tugged up on strings, the demon blinked in a perplexed manner at the locker, waiting to see if it was going to vomit rainbows at him again. When he decided it had done with its display and the confetti had mostly settled in his hair and scarf, Zul tipped his head back, and laughed.
He'd never quite been caught off guard like that! The demon laughed for a solid minute, a mirthful sound that rolled in his smokey voice, filling the space around him. Undoubtedly, those that were in the vicinity would join him with repressed smiles or giggles, but he neither noticed nor minded. Rivener had got him there! Still grinning practically ear to ear, he withdrew the Scorpion's note and gift, reading the former while gently twirling the latter between firm fingertips.
The demon half sighed, half chuckled as he finished the note, shaking his head subtly to himself, earning a brief shower of confetti from his hair. It deeply amused him that Rivener could think a number unlucky when he was in love with a demon. Zul quietly admired the rich colored rose, twirling it slower between his fingers to enjoy it before he gingerly tucked it in an unused eye hole in his jacket. Gently sniffing the velvet gift, he again poured over Rivener's note, committing the place and time to memory. He was surprised the game was still afoot, but...Rivener had always been good at keeping him on his ribbon tatters.
Plucking a petal off his shoulder, he smiled to himself and took his time going home. He could at least pick up a gift or two while he was there, make a quick stop home to drop off Rivener's jacket (and maybe get the confetti out of his hair) before he had to make an appearance. And all the while, he knew he'd linger and revel in the day's events, most satisfied but eager to see what the night yet held.
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