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 Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:06 pm
Who: Cruz & Anita (Snoof), Ethiriel & Henry (Neon)
Where: Ethiriel's new home
When: Late April, early evening
Weather: Clear skies
------ March came and went. The crawfish boil had been an excellent idea in theory for Cruz and Etheriel to reconvene, and it allowed Anita and Henry to become properly acquainted face to face, but the boil had been too busy in effect to actually pin anyone down for more than a few minutes at a time. Anita ended up scrambling just to say hello to so many people and Cruz found juggling interactions difficult despite greatly enjoying his time there. It was nearly the middle of April before she and Henry were able to get in contact again.
Both of them lamented the plan falling through, for Ethiriel's sake especially. Things were calming down in her schedule with work, which meant more flexible days off. It was easier to pin point a date that would be good for Henry and then set it aside accordingly. Wednesday evening just on the tail end of the month was decided and Cruz couldn't have been more eager. He never got a chance to meet or speak to Henry himself and it was going to be so good to see Ethiriel.
”I got the bag,” Cruz rumbled with delight as he held a small ziplock of various pieces of jewelry, all silver and oxidized.
Anita laughed. They still weren't sure what kinds of things Ethiriel liked in terms of hobbies but, as she had learned over the years, bringing a raevan's food source as a gift was never received negatively. They were just some things her mother had that she hadn't worn in a while, mostly due to their weathered appearance.
The frei was dressed in his usual attire, though his ponytail hung low over his shoulder this evening as the recent rain had made things cooler. His guardian was in her usual jeans and hoody, a white tank top completing her mostly monochromatic attire. After checking for certain that this was the address – a pleasant surprise that Ethiriel was still in Gambino despite the change in home – the two set out and knocked on the door.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:06 pm
Indeed, silvers made a perfect present for the tea Frei – something she could always have more of. Henry kept her “food” well stocked enough but the gesture was very much appreciated all the same. In fact, food gifts always tasted just a little bit better than what you have on your own.
Ethiriel had been rather listless since the crawfish boil despite her communication with Zul and his help now and again. Things were still weighing terribly and it was becoming harder and harder to hide behind a mask of ‘just fine’s and ‘okay’s. She was as excited as she could have been for Anita and Cruz’s arrival, though she had a hard time picking herself up. Henry was kind enough to set her upright before offering her a mug of hot water.
”They’ll be here any minute,” he said, his warm smile clear in his voice. With a large hand pressed gently against the Frei’s shoulder, he rubbed his thumb lightly across her skin to comfort her. He was still new to this, but he knew well enough how to take care of others.
A small, timid smile flashed for a moment before Ethiriel took her lip into her mouth, gently biting at the corners. ”Thank you, sir Knight. Your kindness is boundless.”
Henry laughed, though it barely carried over a chuckle. ”You’re doing great.”
Before another word could be said, Henry jumped up at the sound of the bell, eager to let their guests in. Ethiriel’s chin lifted slightly at the sound of Henry nearly toppling over the coffee table, followed by a quick laugh from the nurse – another smile flickered.
”Anita, Cruz!” he exclaimed, opening his arms wide like the door that now hung open behind him. ”It’s great to see you! I’m glad you guys could come over for a bit!”
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:07 pm
Laughter sounding from behind the door was a good sign. It made Cruz and Anita's smiles all the more bright when Henry opened the door. The croc clung tightly to the bag hanging in front of his ribbon. Immediately, his eyes set upon the green streaks in Henry's hair.
”Hey! Yeah, thanks for inviting us.” She reached over and clutched Cruz's shoulder, beaming, ”He could barely sit still, he was so excited.”
Cruz didn't register Anita's touch. His attention was still firmly drawn to analyzing Henry's features; his green and brown hair, green eyes, healthy tanned skin, wide frame, very friendly smile and attitude.
He was perfect for Ethiriel.
”Henry,” he rumbled, drawing out the end of his name with a toothy smile, ”Good to meet you. Where is Thiriel?”
Though he was certainly interested in her new guardian, her new home, overall Cruz was aching to reunite with the silvery frei. She was such a gentle, soothing, and thoroughly accommodating presence, he wanted to be around her again for his own sake as well as hers. How long had it been since she had a friend over? How long had it been since the boil that she interacted with another of her kind? Humans were wonderful, Cruz believed, but there was nothing like being around another raevan.
”Yeah, hey,” Anita continued to smile as she lowered her voice, ”How's she doin'?”
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:08 pm
Cruz’s greeting was enough to make Henry’s already present smile grow even wider as he finally allowed his arms to fall to his sides – he had initially meant for a hug, but since neither went for it he was totally fine with moving on. Already Ethiriel was the point of conversation and he was more than eager to oblige the croc’s wishes.
”Of course!” he exclaimed, extending an arm toward the door and moving out of the way. ”I’m so glad you guys are able to join us today, she’s definitely been needing the boost. She’s doing okay but I’m sure she’ll be even better now that you’re here!”
The entryway was a long hallway with two wide, open doors on either side and a closet at the end – they were lead toward the door to the left, and immediately they were greeted with a silver chain hanging from the center, and within was a large living room. A square of seats sat in the middle, two couches facing one another as well as single lazyboys doing the same. Ethiriel was rested in the farthest of the recliners; a cup of now tepid water held carefully in her hands as she stared at one of the silver pieces left on the coffee table. Already she could smell Cruz, and a gentle smile rested on her lips.
”Greetings Sir Cruz, Miss Anita,” she said, her voice soft. She bowed her head for a moment in greeting.
”Make yourselves at home! Is there anything I can get for you?” Henry asked, hiking a thumb toward the connected kitchen and dining room. ”I don’t really keep alcohol in the house, but I do have different juices and health drinks if you’re interested! And, as always, water.”
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:09 pm
Both frei and guardian beamed at the good news. Henry's demeanor was a wonderful change from the dour circumstances of the situation. Anita and Cruz could both feel the sunshine radiating from Henry, the perfect atmosphere for an elegant plant like Ethiriel compared to a dark photo room.
”Great to hear,” Anita smiled. She dipped her head as they moved past Henry into the foyer and offered him a quiet 'thanks'.
Ethiriel's greeting and way of addressing people was still jarring to Anita, but she smiled all the same. Cruz was practically atwitter, but did his best to retain his composure. The small ziplock of silver rings, necklaces, bracelets, and other accessories jingled lightly in his claws as he held it in front of his chest.
”Hey, sweet leaf.”
”Thiriel,” the croc purred, breaking away from his guardian to hover between the furniture. He paused diagonally in front of the lounge chair and floated lower to be on eye level with Ethiriel. As a small test to familiarize himself with her version of sight, Cruz moved the bag a little within her line of sight before presenting it to her. ”Brought you food. They're 'Nita's mom's, so she'll need them, but – thought you might be hungry.”
Anita chuckled and shrugged at Henry's offer. Health drinks, huh? ”Works for me, I don't drink and he's not allowed,” she thumbed at her charge, ”Um, y'know, some water would be great, actually. Thank you. He can drink that, too.”
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:10 pm
As soon as her head lifted she caught sight of the bag of silver, her brows raising in surprise as her lips opened in surprise. She hadn’t expected a gift, food or otherwise, and soon her brows knit together instead as her smile returned. ”Thank you… thank you very much,” she cooed, offering a hand to Cruz – not for the bag of silver, but for his own hand.
Almost as soon as Henry had left the room he returned with drinks, his smile still beaming with excitement. ”Oh!” he exclaimed, eyeing the bag that Cruz held before him. ”You guys are so nice! Thank you! We’ll have them back to you as soon as possible!”
Setting the drinks onto the table, careful not to bump into any of the four trinkets that served as visible aids, Henry then sat himself down opposite of Ethiriel, his elbows resting on his knees. Happiness seemed to radiate from this man at all times, eager to please and easy to content. ”Is there anything else I can get for you guys?” he asked, eyes panning the room.
”I believe I have everything I might need,” Ethiriel said, taking Cruz’s arm in her own.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:10 pm
Ethiriel's silent request was responded to with immediate eagerness. The bag was set down on the table near some of the other trinkets in the same motion as his free hand came to meet hers. Cruz's fingers coiled around hers, holding gently as he leaned closer and brushed his cheek against Ethiriel's knuckles. The croc couldn't help but smile and his rune thrummed rhythmically as he gave the back of her hand a small peck.
While the freis were occupied, Anita was grinning the whole way. She knew from talking to Henry on the phone, and their brief introduction during the crawfish boil, that the man was a good guy. It was even more obvious now, as he hurried around so eager to please. She took her water and raised the glass gratefully before sipping. Nice, cold, and clear, like water should be. Among all of the stark differences between living in Durem and Gambino, Anita was sure water quality was in the top five.
”I'm good, thanks,” she smiled, resting the bottom of the glass on her knee. One glance to Cruz and Ethiriel, already doting and hanging on each other, told her enough about them too even without the tea raevan's input. ”How 'bout you, bud? You got some water here.” Anita leaned out to lightly tap the side of the glass with the back of her nail to get his attention.
Cruz was completely enthralled with his friend, only glancing back to their guardians at the tapping. His toothy grin refused to quit. ”Thank you,” he rumbled, a response to all three of them while Eth took his arm.
His attention returned to her quickly. Soon his other hand rested atop hers against his arm and he leaned in to nuzzle and brush his face against her cheek. Small, affectionate kisses were planted across it, some longer at her temple and the corner of her mouth, where Cruz stayed close and kept his head dipped. His fingers eagerly tangled with hers and he offered them a small, reassuring squeeze.
”How've things been since the boil?” Anita asked curiously when she went for another sip, raising her brows above the rim of the glass while looking at Henry as if she were none the wiser to Cruz and Ethiriel's public displays of affection.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:11 pm
Ethiriel felt her rune thrum slightly, like the beat of a heart when touched by someone important, as their fingers tangled together. Her eyes settled somewhat listlessly on the bag of silver that they had brought for her, though only because for the moment she couldn’t focus on her friend. The brush of his cheek, the small kiss – her rune responded at each small token of affection he offered, but she wasn’t content until he was closer. The female Frei wanted to see those eyes again.
Henry watched in awe at the two, a small, toothy smile on his face. Seeing Ethiriel be so placated, so at peace, it did the man a world of good to finally see her with the most minute of smiles. They were so rare and he finally got to witness it so naturally. He almost wanted to thank Cruz.
The tea Frei’s eyes drifted from her companion at the tapping of Anita’s finger, but she was quick to return without a single thought. With Cruz’s attention back on her nearly as quickly as it had been torn away, Ethiriel couldn’t help but offer a small smile before closing her eyes and nuzzling her forehead against his. It was nice to be close to someone, something she didn’t feel comfortable with Henry yet, and it comforted her. His being room temperature, much like her, was very much appreciated.
”So long as we’re all content!” Henry replied, finally taking his seat across from Anita. ”Things have been calm since the boil! Aside from work, we’ve just been relaxing, pretty much!”
So long as you could consider exercise ‘relaxing,’ but they did have their downtime.
”What about you? Been busy with work, too?”
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:12 pm
”Ain't that always the way?” Anita laughed and leaned back against the couch. ”Hasn't been too bad, though. It'll pick up again in the Summer, then Winter holidays'll be hell.” She shrugged, managing to keep a smile despite the derisive tone.
After another sip of water, Anita raised her brows at Henry and leaned forward to rest her elbows on her knees. ”I don't think I ever heard what you do for a living.” Considering the size and upkeep of his place, it certainly couldn't have been a retail position in the mall like she had, whatever it was. This place was nice and, while she didn't know what conditions were present for her with Leo before, this must have been a step up.
Cruz gave a throaty hum at the nuzzle. The croc floated lower, softly bumping noses and grinning all the more for it. Her staying in a chair made doling out his affection and hugs a little more difficult, but Cruz was determined to offer as much to Ethiriel as he could muster. So there, right in front of her guardian and no reaction from Anita, his lips found the tea frei's.
He closed his eyes and sighed into the kiss, one hand lightly brushing her cheek. Warmth seemed to flow from it, the taste of herbs both bitter and sweet. His rune glowed brighter as he fed.
”How are you?” he whispered while pulling back, cupping her face and looking her over, ”He good? You like it here?”
Cruz still recalled the despondent message in Leo's phone, the suddenness of the change. It must have been difficult to be uprooted.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:13 pm
”That’s definitely something to look forward to,” Henry said, leaning against his legs at his elbows. ”Busy is always good.” He then leaned back into his seat. Crossing his arms at his chest, he let out a contented sigh. ”I’m a nurse! Mostly pediatrics, though I sometimes help in the operating room. It’s a good job!”
Ethiriel was more than happy to receive such attention, having missed it for what felt like so long. Even the kiss, as platonic and necessary for Cruz as it was, was a nice feeling. It held no romantic intentions, as she figured Cruz felt the same, and she was more than happy to feed him. In fact, she knew Cruz would have done the same if it had been her needing fed.
It was also just a nice gesture in general.
Henry’s mouth gaped for a brief second at the sight, having not expected it at all. He stared, blinking twice, before letting out a laugh. ”I’m guessing this is normal? Are they together?” he asked, his voice hushed for Anita.
Of course, Ethiriel heard it.
The tea Frei hesitated, offering a timid nod at Cruz’s question. She felt no words could describe how she felt for the man quite yet and hoped that it was a good enough answer for the croc. ”I am fine, thank you for asking,” she responded, her voice soft and low, almost as to keep the humans from hearing; though that wasn’t her intent. ”And you, my friend?”
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:13 pm
Anita laughed quietly and offered Henry a small shrug. ”Guess so,” she agreed passively but the softer tone she took and her upturned brows told that she wasn't quite sold on the idea. Busy was busy.
From there, her eyebrows rose so high they nearly disappeared beneath her bangs, curious smile coming back in full form. ”Really? Wow.” Anita crossed her legs and wrapped both arms around the one seated atop. She opened her mouth to ask but stopped short when she took note of Henry's own gaping jaw. One short glance to the freis was all it took and Anita turned right back. She sighed.
”Um, no.” She winced. ”Yes. It's-- yes, it's normal. No, they're not together.” Not as far as she could tell, anyway. To be perfectly honest, that wasn't something she and Cruz ever discussed.
The kiss itself was somewhat brief; warm closed lips pressed together, a soothing earthy flavor spreading from that single point of contact down his throat so it pooled at his rune. It glowed brighter, quite vibrant. When fully fed it could perhaps act as its own light source but that was such a rarity. When it came time to separate, Cruz gently brushed Ethiriel's cheeks and tucked any loose hair behind her ears.
Unlike her, the croc wasn't paying them any mind. It was so long ago since he'd seen her that he was absolutely enthralled.
”Good,” he purred deeply while their faces were still close, noses just barely brushing, ”better now.”
After recovering from her awkward fumble, Anita brushed her bangs aside. They just fell further in her face. ”It's a food thing. And a friend thing... and an if he likes you thing.” It was always so hard for her to explain beyond the food aspect, since she couldn't wrap her mind around giving out kisses so easily. Hopefully Henry got the gist.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:14 pm
”Oh, I see,” Henry replied, staring for a moment longer before turning his gaze to Anita as the Freis’ lips parted. Even if it was normal and platonic, he figured privacy was necessary. ”I guess that makes sense! I mean, Ethiriel eats tarnish so kissing can’t be too big of a stretch. What’s his essence, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Ethiriel closed her eyes as Cruz lovingly stroked her cheek, a timid but natural smile spread on her rosy lips. It felt like an eternity since she had felt this way, and she definitely appreciated her companion. She could not, however, offer him her true feelings on the matter, afraid of Henry overhearing. It wasn’t that she disliked the man; he was helpful and always content, but she couldn’t shake the bitterness in her heart.
She was having too much difficulty getting over it.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:14 pm
”Yeah.” Anita's laugh was hesitant, sheepish.
She rubbed her face with both hands and settled into a less casual sit, hands clasped atop her lap and practically hidden by her sleeves. ”Mistletoe,” she sighed with a smile, ”you can see that really easily, now, I bet.”
To Cruz, Ethiriel's silence wasn't an immediate worry. She was being receptive and warm to his kisses and touch, so the croc was ready to assume the best. Of course, the longer it went, the more curious he became. This was a new place, a new guardian, a completely new experience for her. Cruz's wings bristled.
”Where's your room?” Both hands cupped her cheeks, their faces close enough to initiate another kiss with just a subtle forward lean.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:15 pm
”Of course!” Henry exclaimed, lightly slapping his knee in the process. ”I can definitely see that! So long as they’re both consenting I think it’s great that they’re such close friends. Honestly,” he started, leaning in just a bit closer to Anita, ”I’ve been so worried for Ethiriel. She’s barely been eating or leaving her room… I’ve just been giving her, her own space for now, but…”
Of course, Ethiriel heard it.
”Maybe I’m just paranoid and she’s always been like this.”
No, of course not, Henry.
The Frei had to think it over for just a minute, her nose just barely touching his. She initiated no second kiss despite their closeness as she had always allowed Cruz to feed if he wanted; she was not the one in charge. Ethiriel floated just high enough, leading her croccy companion up with him.
She offered a bow to the two humans, or at least, in their general direction. ”Sir Cruz has requested to see my quarters. If you would excuse us…”
”Not at all!” said Henry, just as chipper as he always was. ”You remember how many chains down, yeah?”
”Indeed.”
Ethiriel’s hands then slipped down Cruz’s arms, stopping so that the crook of her elbow could rest comfortably in his, before leading him out of the room. Down the hall, the last door down the hall. Two chains, as one rested before you could reach the living room; the third door down.
She fumbled for the handle, clumsily opening it and holding the door open for Cruz to make his way in with her still attached.
It was simple; the only decorations were silver and they were all just guide points. She had a double sized bed just for her, with silky sheets and a down comforter for the colder nights. There was a dresser opposite of the bed, several silver trinkets decorating its top and small accessories hanging off of the handles. There were no posters or photos.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:16 pm
”Oh no,” Anita offered softly. She leaned in a bit further too, with a hand gently against her lips like they were telling secrets. At his next suggestion, all Anita could manage was a soft sound of disagreement. Though she didn't know Ethiriel especially well, that sounded uncharacteristic from the few experiences they had.
It sounded downright worrying.
When the silvery frei piped up, Anita glanced back. Cruz was as close as ever, practically clinging and nuzzling against his friend. She gave the two a small wave and he grinned to his guardian and Henry in return while being lead away. ”Have a good time,” she encouraged just before they were out of sight.
Through the hall, Cruz rumbled appreciatively. He was lead with no complaint or question, only looking around to take in the scenery. Henry's house was much bigger than Minerva's apartment. While the layout and what was inside was completely different, it reminded Cruz more of Duncan's home and that made him quite comfortable. Ethiriel's own room was unique but sparsely decorated. The empty walls made sense but felt lonely compared to the video game posters strewn around the bedroom walls at home. All of the silver items scattered around made him smile; though he didn't recognize them as markers for Eth to find her way he was glad she had such pretty things she could see.
”I like it,” he purred. Cruz gave Ethiriel's hand a gentle squeeze. ”Do you?”
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