|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 5:35 pm
The last of the party food set out, Gaius stole a handful of chips from the bowl, his third so far, and munched on the cheese powder-covered food. Hopefully his friends would be showing up soon.
A heavyness settled on Gaius's mind. He'd been trying to ignore it, but the fact that he was... well, leaving continued to stiffle his optimistic mood. He settled back into one of the chairs around the little cloth-covered table and sighed. Would he ever see his friends again? "No," he shook his head, "I can't think that way. I'll see them... soon enough. Marshall... and Sophie..." Another sigh escaped him.
"What an idiot I'm being!" he reprimanded himself suddenly. "I should be happy! I'm getting on the Island! This is what I've been dreaming of for months! I just wish I wasn't leaving so many friends behind... But there's no way I could pass up such an opportunity!" Getting to his feet, Gaius licked the cheese off his fingers and whiped them on his jeans. "Right! Better grab some ice for the drinks..."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 5:58 pm
"Gaius!"
Of course Sophie had been surprised to hear the news: after all, it wasn't often that people called for her. That, coupled with the fact that she was losing Gaius, was enough to make just a tad above panicked. In fact, she'd even forgotten to put her shoes on, skidding down the hall in her tall rainbow-striped toe socks to the room where Gaius was supposed to be having his go-away party. It was easy enough to find, of course, with the streamers and the 'Bon Voyage Gaius' sign.
Sophie had expected to run right in and talk with the man, but unfortuately, she didn't realize how close the wall was until she met it, face-to brick. Apparently, socks and tile floors caused one to slide about. The crunching metallic noise that hadn't been her face caused her to look down to her hand, where her cell-phone had been. Mangled and deformed, she realized she would no longer have to worry about over-using her minutes, but, then again, she never did anyway. So it was with serious sock burn and a lack of cellphone that she entered Gaius's party, looking up at him with an expression both happy and heart-broken.
"So...you got to the Island?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 6:12 pm
Gaius looked up at the sound of someone crashing into the other side of the wall. He took a step toward the door to make sure whoever had face-planted was okay, only to be surprised by Sophie's sudden appearance. His smile brightened, before catching sight of her conflicted expression.
"Ah, yeah... I did! It's really an honor to have been chosen..." He scratched at the back of his neck awkwardly. He'd been rather dreading this encounter. How was he supposed to say goodbye to someone he'd had so much fun with, and even grown to care for in a peculiar way?
"Um... I have food if you like! You know, if you like eating... uh... food..." He gestured back at the table he'd filled with plates of finger foods, from healthy carrots to bowls of sugary candies like M&M's and gummi bears. "Help yourself!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 6:56 pm
Sophie smiled weakly, then shook her head, looking back down at her phone. "Uh, actually, I just ate a little while ago. I didn't know you were having a party until about...well, five minutes ago." She shrugged, holding up her phone. "I'd show you the message, but it's been deleted, y'know?" She slid the crumpled remains in the trash with a careless wave, then looked around.
"Don't you figure there'd be more people here?" she asked, trying to skirt around the empty way she was feeling. Why, why did Gaius have to be picked so soon???
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:04 pm
"Ah, yeah!" he chuckled, looking at the bits of technology. "That does make it kind of hard to see."
After her question, Gaius frowned in thought and looked around at the still-empty room. Seemed a bit much for just two people. "Yeah, I thought there would be more... I guess they're being fashionably late? But then, there's been others getting on the island too. Maybe they're holding parties. Though I'm sure none of them have gummi bears!" He picked up the bowl and offered it to her with a boyish grin. "Hopefully the others will show up soon."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:46 pm
Sighing, Sophie took a few of the gummi candies, giving them a look before holding them up. She still didn't like bears. "Here's to hoping," she said, popping one in her mouth, then looking around again. In all truth, it didn't seem fair that people were at other people's parties, when Gaius had worked on his own to set it up. Well, she supposed it couldn't be helped...at least they had some alone time.
Taking the gummi bears away from him and putting them down on the table, she separated the distance, and wrapped her arms around him tightly. "I'm gonna miss you so much, Gaius..." she said, hiding her face in his shirt so he wouldn't hear the stifling of a sob. It hadn't been her first experience in watching others leave without her, but it didn't mean she had to like it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 8:04 pm
Gaius blinked, caught offguard by Sophie's sudden embrace, but returned it as best he could. Automatically, his cheeks flushed pink, both pleased and embarassed. He was never sure what to do in situations like this. Still, he hoped the gentle hand he rested on the top of her head would help... somehow. "Sophie..." he spoke softly. "I'm... going to miss you too."
They stood there several moments, in each others' arms, before Gaius finally pulled back enough to lean down and press his lips to her forehead. "I'll always love you, Sophie. Don't forget about me, okay?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 8:47 pm
Sophie hiccuped at the same time as the pat on the head, wiping the small amount of tears from her eyes. She, too, blushed as he kissed her forehead gently, and very much wanted to return the gesture, but alas, the man was so damn tall. So, to show her affections, she pulled herself in closer, lightly kissing his neck.
"I'll never forget you, Gaius, ever...Just, please, wait for me..." The young woman clung to his shirt, nearly unable to form her words. "I know I've been stuck here for so long, but I'll get there someday...Can you promise me you won't forget me, or the rest of us here?"
It was a stupid question: of course all the characters forgot about questers in their Island briefings: it was just a part of getting there. And yet, she still had to ask him, because she was already too distraught to think of an alternative.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 9:09 pm
Gaius smiled sadly, knowing as well as Sophie what happened to those that got on the Island. "I promise... you'll be there, somewhere in the back of my mind, you and all the other friends I've made since becoming a Quester." His eyes hardened with a sudden determination and locked with hers. "Your time will come, I promise. Just be patient. I promise, I will help you, somehow."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 9:28 pm
Sophie smiled weakly: it was a better answer than she could've offered, and somehow, it made her feel better than if she had just said goodbye.
"Gaius..."
Not surprisingly, she didn't have words to say, other than to let the silence ring for a while, and to take in the scenery. She pursed her lips, then reached up, standing on the tips of her toes to kiss him on the cheek.
"...I know you will."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 9:39 pm
Gaius's flush rose to a new shade of pink as Sophie kissed him, even if it was only on the cheek.
"I, I, uh... I... uh..." he fumbled before shutting up again. Staring down at Sophie, who was nearly in tears, Gaius seemed to come to a decision. Grabbing Sophie in a tight hug, he bent down, lifting her up slightly at the same time, and kissed her full on the mouth. It was a bit clumsy, and a bit inexperienced, but it was honest. As he pulled back again, he stammered an apology, hoping he hadn't misread her emotions and been too forward. "S-sorry..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 6:26 pm
Sophie didn't know quite what had happened until the whole moment had ended, and as she slid back down from the kiss, she touched a hand to her lips, her cheeks red as she looked up to Gaius. For a moment, she didn't have words, and just gave a giddly little giggle, pushing her hair into place for her moment of self-consciousness. As he apologized, though, she seemed to find her tongue, and gently touched his shoulder.
"There's nothing to be sorry for...I-Well, that was nice..." She laughed weakly, touching her cheek as it blushed even brighter, then looked around, suddenly realizing something.
"Your party's supposed to start any minute...maybe I should help you with some last-minute decorations."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 6:52 pm
"...I really should go in..." Marshall muttered, staring at the door. It was a party. Marshall liked parties. There fore, he should go. But he despises goodbyes. And going in there would be a goodbye. There fore, he shouldn't go.
He didn't want to acnowledge that his best freind was leaving him. He knew it was going to happen regardless of if he attended the party or not. Some how, acnowleding this little bit of information was hard enough as-is.
Slowly, he opened the door, seeing his best freind and Sophie, along with the colourful decorations and junk food.
"...Hey." he said with a weak smile.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:43 am
Gaius blushed as well, standing there with Sophie still in his arms... at least until Marshall came in. Surprised by his entrance, Gaius jumped back from Sophie, looking guilty. "W-we were just, er... decorating!" he said lamely.
Scratching the back of his head and calming from his initial adrenaline boost, Gaius couldn't help but notice Marshall's glum demeanor - HIGHLY unusual for the guy who would often tackle Gaius from out of nowhere. He tilted his head and reguarded Marshall with a hint of concern. "Hey... you feeling okay, buddy?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:53 pm
"Huh? Oh! Um, I'm...Feeling great. So, how about you? Finally joining the big leauges?" Marshall said with the forced smile, trying to hide the fact he wanted to just bursts out into tears at any random moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
