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 Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 11:21 am
[[braindead. @_@]]
"I'm okay at carpentry," Gabriel acknowledged. Occasionally they would be let out of the prison to perform community service, and he had helped build housing at one point. "But I'm terrible at cleaning. That's Lucy's field. Sometimes I wonder if she ever lifts a finger though... the apartment's always spotless, and I never see her scrubbing. She must do it early in the morning." He realized he was rambling. "Sorry," he said with a sheepish smile. "I guess I'm not used to talking to people that will listen."
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Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 4:02 am
Everything seemed to happen so fast, that Lantis had wondered what if this wasn’t just some elaborate dream world he’d fallen into. From the sad girl he happen to find at the end of a lonely pier, to the mad rush through the carnival with the faces and colors blowing past them in a blur, to the immense maze made of flowers and high walls. And then suddenly, Rae was being spirited away from him as an unruly group plowed into them. Lantis hadn’t been expecting such a thing to happen and he stumbled from the momentum the group that had ambushed them. Guess Rae wasn’t kidding about Carnival folks wanting to make this game interesting. Thankfully, the instant the warmth of Rae’s hand left his, Lantis was shocked back into reality like a machine that had it’s switch flipped. “Hey! What the hell are you guys doing? Let her go!” Wasting not time Lantis dashed after them. Years of trudging through dense over growth in gear that weighed 50 pounds or more had conditioned his body how to move against the weight, and now that he had nothing of the sort on him, he moved faster. His threw his weight forward and picked up his legs to pick up speed. They turned a corner, he cut sharply a few moments after them. Gotta catch up! Faster! As if in response to his thoughts his arms pumped harder and something, something small and quiet in the back of his mind that had always been there, spoke up.
It's just like last time.
Last time, last time, last time.....It took no real effort for the memories to come rushing back like a high tide crashing into him. The sweat was in his eyes as the air was humid and thick. His body was burning, but he couldn't stop, there were explosions behind him, shouting from all around him, it was hard to hear the orders, he had to keep his eyes ahead of him, had to keep up....
"RAE!!?" His voice broke through the haze, the war zone. He stopped as the path split and he didn't see which way the guys had gone, can he hear them? He tried to quiet his breathing to see if he could pick it up anything, sound....
Nothing.
"RAE?" He called again.
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Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 11:34 am
Rae ran blindly through the maze as what had once been noise from the carnival now seemed all to quiet. A quiet her mind long since associated with death of her parents as her mind saw to call that image forward their lifeless bodies and empty eyes staring back at her until tears stung them away and a voice calling her name. Slowing down she heard the voice again but farther away making her stop in her tracks calling out, “LANTIS!” she headed in the direction she heard the voice trying to back track but even though the guys who had taken her seemed to be gone they were just out of sight.
The men had split up into two groups unknowing to them leading them to the center while having some fun ruining what they saw as a date. The first group was hiding in the bushes with a hand full of rocks tossing them down one path trying to confuse him while the second group was going back to annoy Rae to get her more ‘lost’. This group was single handedly turning what was supposed to be a fun walk into almost a haunted maze taking tricks to the extreme.
Rae was moving at a slow walk pretty sure she was getting closer to Lantis when someone grabbed her arms causing her to scream before a hand clamped down over her mouth struggling some after several turns she was pushed back to the grounds so they could get away without being attacked by her. They had been doing this to couples all day and they had learned a few lessons.
(( *squee!!* THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!))
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Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 6:08 pm
((Niwa, sorry I haven't been on! I was busy this weekend actually having a life for once, lol. Today was my last day of school for good! High school anyway, lol))
Nikki nodded in understanding, glad that he was at least willing to open up to her some more. When he had saved her this morning Nikki had found herself doing most of the talking and although she was used to that kind of thing, she was glad that he had finally decided to talk to her, even if it was about trivial things. "You two must get along really well, then." She was quiet for a moment, listening to the soft sizzling of the sandwich on the stove, before another comment slipped past her lips. "Have you ever thought of...ya'know, dating her?"
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Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 8:42 pm
Lantis was not sure what was going on, but he had gotten a pretty good picture once he caught one of the hooligans having their 'fun'. They had tried to over power him when he had started running toward Rae's voice, unfortunately for them, he knew a few quick take down moves, one resulting in having one body thrown into the bushes and the unlucky one being pinned on his stomach with a very unamused Lantis staring at him quite calmly, while holding his hands, his wrist in particular, in a not so comfortable way. It didn't take much to get the guy to spill his guts, to reveal that there were other groups in the maze that did what they did. And their sole purpose was to do the best that they could to keep anyone from finding their way to the center, which Lantis already thought was pretty dumb considering the maze was hectic enough to get people lost WITHOUT help. A few more minutes of painful (painful for the guy Lantis had pinned down, not for Lantis) interrogation, and the guy was released once Lantis was certain he did not know where the other group of misfits had taken Rae. A few choice words were thrown in Lantis' direction as he continued on again. He had heard Rae's voice calling him, and determined not to lose her, Lantis set off as quickly as he could. "Rae, keep talking to me, I'll do the same and you can follow my voice." At least that way they would know if they were getting close to the other. Along the way he found a few scattered misfits and sent them into the bushes with out a second thought....It was then one of them appared before him with the most unassuming pose that instantly told Lantis that this one did not want trouble, lest he be also join his fellow pranksters in a nose dive into the nearest flower bush. He instead instructed Lantis to follow him while at the same time calling for Rae for her to follow his voice. Since neither instruction seemed to hurt or hinder their goal of finding one another, Lantis followed along. It was then that after endless walls of high shrubbery there was an opening to a wide area, at first Lantis thought that it was the exit, but instead, it was a garden complete with a fountain...and was that...Lantis squinted as he could make out something that looked like a...well. Was this the center of the maze? The place smelled of rain and sun, and for Lantis, it felt like the most beautiful place he'd ever stepped into.
He turned from the site to keep calling to Rae, now that he was in one location instead of moving, it should be easier for Rae to follow his voice.
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 7:46 pm
Running through the maze at an all out sprint Rae twisted around corners trying to follow the voice when someone came up behind her tapping her shoulder as she slowed for the next sharp turn. Without thinking she slammed her elbow back into his gut before he called her to stop he would help. Looking down at the man he had sticks in his hair and was looking worse for wear as she watched him suspiciously on the ground. Hearing Lantis calling her name she looked to him, “Lead the way.” Rae demanded where he grudgingly helped her find the way though she was sure he took her the absolute longest way. Turning the last corner she kept calling him to let him know where she was. Hearing him getting closer she pushed past the man who was walking at to slow a pace to suit her turning a final corner seeing Lantis standing in front of an opening looking quite like a knight or prince to her in the mask she had bought him. Whether the front of the maze or the end she didn’t care as Rae sprinted forward virtually tackling him as she jumped up throwing her arms around his neck. She didn’t remember the last time she had been so happy to see someone but Lantis was like her light at the end of the tunnel. Proof that things could be ok.
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Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 1:02 pm
When Rae threw herself into him, Lantis wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but certainly not this, still out of reflex, he brought his arms up and shifted his weight to distribute the force evenly and so that they both don’t fall to the ground. “Glad to see you’re fine.” Lantis managed quietly. But his smile was wide and barely contained. He looked passed her to find a familiar hooligan retreating (or limping) back into the maze. He wanted to apologize, but at the time it really didn’t seem important enough. He turned his attention back to Rae. “Look Rae, do you realize where we are?” Lantis moved the mask up to let it sit comfortably on his head.
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Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 7:32 pm
Rae laughed as he caught her hugging him tightly for a second before letting go at his grin and his words. Her face was full of curiosity as she turned to look her eyes growing wide and her mouth forming a small ‘o’ as she realized that this must be the center of the maze. Looking at the roses and lilies and vast arrays of other flowers and butterflies drawn by them. Within the patches of carefully manicured plants were stone benches around the courtyard along with fountains and lights for when it grew dark. However in the middle sat the most beautiful thing to her. Made of stone with vines over growing it was a stone well, “Gods it’s beautiful.” she exclaimed quietly. The hand that she had left on his shoulder she let fall down to his hand. Standing on her tip toes she whispered in his ear, “Make a wish.” Smiling she took a step forward not wish haste but to take in the beauty as she walked toward the well.
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Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:38 pm
Lantis blinked almost dumbfounded as though he did not understand what Rae was saying. He looked to her for a few moments. "A, a wish?" All this time he'd been so intent on helping Rae find the center to make a wish that he had not thought of anything for himself. Embarassed and unprepared, Lantis shook his head. "Rae, this is your wishing well, you should use the first wish. I'll wish second." It wasn't to say that Lantis had everything he wanted, but there were many things, too many things, he wished could be solved by a simple well. But when he looked to Rae, he could not help but want her to have all the happiness in the world. Since that time at the pier, Lantis had felt unworthy in some way. After all, he had not been the one to jump in to save her, so he didn't feel the honor of making a 'wish' belonged to him. Besides, he knew this meant much more to Rae than it did to him. He gave her a lopsided smile. "It's your wish Rae, go on. You do it." He didn't give her room to argue as he gently ushered her forward from behind.
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Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:47 pm
Rae was surprised when Lantis ushered her forward embarrassed by the wish that came to mind first. Since she had met him she had known there were things he wasn’t telling her, something bothering him and she knew she had no right to ask but that didn’t mean she couldn’t wish. Digging into her pockets she pulled out two quarters left over from buying the masks. Saving one for Lantis she kissed the coin for luck as she approached the well looking down it. Far down she could see the water glimmering offering hope. Letting it sit in the palm of her hand she turned it sideways and as the coin dropped she closed her eyes and wished mouthing it lightly below a whisper, “I wish Lantis can find peace of mind.” Rae didn’t open her eyes until after she heard the soft splash of the coin but when she opened her eyes a small breeze came through caressing her skin and letting her hair flow slightly. Anyone else would have said it was the incoming storm, or just the weather. Rae wanted to believe it was change. Her father had always told her change came within the winds and if you listened carefully it would tell you secrets of the world. Turning to Lantis she didn’t know if he heard her wish and had temporarily forgotten the embarrassment as she turned to him over her shoulder with a smile, “Your turn.”
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:15 am
Lantis didn't think one was suppose to hear what the other person wished for, but he over heard her regardless. Maybe she had wanted him to hear her? Once Rae was done making her wish and had asked him to do the same, Lantis gave her a pensive look. "Rae, why did you waste a wish on me? That wish was suppose to be for you..." Originally Lantis didn't have a wish in mind, but after what Rae did, he had decided on one wish. Approaching the well he looked down into it's depths. ".......I wish to still win something for Rae that's not a stuffed bear." With that, Lantis released the coin allowing it to fall into the dark waters below. If Rae would use a wish on him then he would use a wish on her.
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:27 pm
A blush crept into her cheeks, “It wasn’t a waste to use it on you. I can’t think of anything I would rather wish for or anyone else I would rather use it on.” She smiled as he wished to be able to win something for her other than a teddy bear. As the breeze blew through her smile softened as she commented, "The gods must favor us for they carried away our wishes to be granted." Looking up at the sky for a moment she Rae's look was pensive and almost wistful for a moment before she added, "It's an old story my parents used to tell me when I was younger." Not wanting to bore him him, "Did you want to take the tunnel back," she said indicating a rather darker tunnel illuminated by various colored lights, "Or brave the maze again?" Rae's smile didn't waver for either way she got to spend time with Lantis.
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 2:55 pm
Gabriel started in surprise. "Lucy?" he asked, as if making sure that was who she was really talking about. "She's pretty and supportive and nice, and only a couple of years older than me, but she has a husband in Spain. He comes to visit every now and then with some money. Even ig that weren't the case, I've never thought of Lucy in a romantic way. She's like an older sister." He grabbed the pan off the stove and put it on an un-lit burner. "She even tries to set up dates for me." He smiled sheepishly. It surprised him to know that she was curious about his relationship - or lack therof - with Lucy. Did this mean that Nikki was interested in him? It was possible, but it definitely wasn't likely. Besides, after what had happened last time....
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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:18 pm
She watched him carefully, tracking the small emotions that flickered through his eyes. It was the last little flicker that caught her attention, the one that seemed to say, 'stay away, don't hurt me.' That emotion, so similar to hers and yet so different, were what prompted her next words, filled with sympathy and fractured understanding. Fractured because she understood and yet she didn't. "You've been hurt before." Nikki's words were soft, so much so that she wasn't sure if he heard her as she reached over to turn off the burner.
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:50 pm
At Nikki's words Gabriel froze. How could she possibly know that? He waited a moment to gather his thoughts. "Um... yeah. Yeah, I have," he said quietly, looking anywhere but at her. When he met her he never would have imagined that this girl would learn more about him in one day than anyone else. Still, she couldn't possibly know that he had been convicted of a crime. What would she think if she knew? Would she believe him? Would she be horrified that she had let him in her house? He bit his lip and went to retrieve plates - he was anxious and it was something for him to do.
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