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 Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 3:39 pm
Summary Cordelia and Zul wander into a bar...because why not?
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 3:40 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 12:58 pm
█║ MSN SHORT: The End [Follow Up to ORP]
█║ INVOLVED: Rivener, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Zul struggles with his sense of right and wrong.
Rivener wandered towards the ocean, hands forcibly kept relaxed at his sides. It was kind of strange to force yourself casual like this, the tension of trying to be neutral making the Sigel shiver with nerves. He honestly shouldn't be this concerned, it was just Zul after all, the one Riv would normally be most at ease around... But given their last few moments together, he had reason to be nervous. Rivener had spotted Zul by the water and gathered his courage, waiting until the demon was alone before approaching. As he drew near, the hands he'd kept at his sides twitched up, fingers toying with his favorite ring. "...Zul," Riv began, waiting to see if he'd be given the '********' look.
It was almost time for him to go, and quite frankly, he couldn't wait. All the hooplah and emotionally charged air was more than the demon could pallet. Breathing deeply of the ocean air with a feeling of missing, Zul heard his name from a familiar voice, making him hold the air he'd drawn in his body. He turned his head slightly, eyes downcast though his profile was clear over his shoulder before he turned to face Rivener, exhaling slow and even. The Scorpion didn't look right. He was...guarded. From him? Frowning a touch, the Frei closed the meager distance between them, hands extending to rest on the Sigel's stomach, his partial body pressing against the elder Raevan's, lips resting on his collar. He drew in another breath, this one filled with the scent of his Scorpion. "Ah," he purred quietly over the dark skin, "that feels better." Zul tilted his head back to look up at Rivener. "Have fun?"
Rivener frowned lightly, clearing his throat and glancing aside as Zul didn't turn at first... But in the next moment the Demon more than made up for the wait, facing Rivener and unapologetically moving forward to press himself against the Sigel, breathing in at Riv's neck and sending a helpless shiver down the Scorpion's back. He didn't want to appear as frantically relieved as he felt, so Riv's arms didn't snap up to hold Zul tightly: they took their time in inching up, fingers ghosting over the Demon's skin until Riv could hold him properly. Like his precious Flower, Riv let out a deep sigh, breathing in Zul's scent and finally letting the smile grace his lips properly. He was relaxed again. Zul didn't hate him. Wasn't angry with him. "I missed you, my Zul, I missed you so much. I wanted to be with you all day... But I-" He frowned, burying his head at Zul's neck. He paused a moment to gather himself before launching into it. "Wh-why did you say that, earlier? Why did you say 'No'?"
Zul didn't expect Rivener to hug him; since he was against the Sigel, he was easily hidden from most prying eyes, so the Scorpion wouldn't be in danger of being seen. Thus, when he was hugged, surprise riddled over his features with confusion. He didn't get much time to think about it, feeling the familiar weight of the other's face buried against his gorget and skin. Closing his eyes a moment, he lifted a hand to hesitantly tangle in the Sigel's hair, the other remaining curled against his stomach, fingers tracing small circles. First things first. "I missed you too, I always miss you," he replied earnestly, opening his eyes to the greying sky. Why did this feel so...heavy? His gaze flicked to the side before returning skybound, simply 'holding' his Scorpion. "We aren't, are we?" Zul turned his head a bit, not enough to disturb his one. "You didn't ask me...and I didn't ask you." A pause. "I thought you didn't want anyone to know." Another pause, and hesitation. "The last time we were out, the pool...?"
Thank goodness Rivener's head was hidden at Zul's neck. Hearing he'd been missed was good, but not good enough to counteract the painful words that followed. Zul didn't think they were an item? For a moment Rivener thought he was the one to blame, the one that hadn't been good enough to be Zul's, the one who'd messed things up. The Frei continued on, however, revealing that he'd just not been asked. He thought Riv didn't want anyone to know? At that, red eyes lifted from the protective area of Zul's gorget to blink at their azure counterparts, wholly stunned and confused. At the pool-? Ah. Rivener blushed, ashamed of himself, and frowned as he in turn glanced away. "...At the pool. Right. I was an idiot, Zul, I wasn't sure yet that I wanted to be only yours. I was selfish and I wanted more than one, I wanted everything. But I don't anymore. I only want you now. A-and even though we didn't ask to be an item, I had thought we were. Wh-when we both confessed our love, when I gave you that flower, I just assumed that made us a couple. I'm sorry I wasn't clearer with you, Zul. ...I-is it too late? Can we be an item now? Please?" The Scorpion frowned with bashful embarrassment. He didn't use the word "please" all that often, but this certainly warranted it.
His wings spread and tightened suddenly at the words that were spoken, his expression going from momentarily confused to pure neutral; the demon barely heard anything past those first few sentences. Blue eyes darkened much like the sky had, trying to sort out how the words made him feel less jumbled than he thought they should. Zul felt almost...calm, eerily so. Rivener had said he loved him before the party. Was that a lie, too? When did he 'start' being serious? Could he even believe that he had 'changed'? Was it just being said to keep him...? And did Zul himself really care? "Lucia loved you," the demon said suddenly, his voice absent of warmth. "Even Brian Sparks knew she loved you. Did you say all those pretty things to her too?" Zul carefully extracted himself from the Sigel's grasp, his eyes the dark blue of solid ice. "I don't know how much of what I held in high regard was just...a lie to keep me like a trophy bauble." Jezebelle had extended his vocabulary and with it, his mind; he was not the child Rivener had met that Valentine's Day over a year ago, and he'd let the Scorpion see as much. Instead of answering the question, the Frei floated around Rivener without looking at him. "I have to go," was all he said, making his way over the sand without pause.
This was not how things were supposed to go. Rivener's eyes widened and he held his breath, staring at Zul as though the Demon was running him through with a blade. When Rivener had decided to be faithful, when he'd resolved to tell the truth to people and stop flirting and behave himself, he'd known it would be hard. But this was... he was destroying everything! One little lie- no, not even a lie. If he'd only just not given the truth, skirted around it, this wouldn't have happened. Everything Zul said was true, and Rivener faltered in the face of it all. Lucia had loved him. Had he said he loved her, once? He couldn't even recall. He couldn't recall, his mind was blank, and his voice was dead, abandoning him under the repeated blows Zul was delivering. Zul pried himself free and brought into question everything they felt for one another, calling himself nothing more than a trophy bauble for Riv's taking? No, no, NO, this wasn't how it should go, this wasn't what Rivener wanted! The Frei bypassed his Sigel companion and left, Rivener frozen in place, his gaze focused on the waves. He was reeling. And now it was too late to say anything at all. Riv just knew he shouldn't show weakness in such a public place, so he remained paralyzed as he felt his chest cave in.
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 3:16 pm
█║ SOLO: [GROWTH QUEST] Moving On
█║ INVOLVED: Alex, Brad, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Zul decides to move out of the Delaran household.
Summary (( Summary as too much time has passed to finish this in the proper mindset: ))
Zul gets Brad's blessing to move in with him and in turn, he will start working with the architect. Alex isn't entirely happy about it, but she realizes with all the stress the Frei has been under, that perhaps its best he does find his own way in a new setting rather than suffering with memories. Zul takes very few things as Brad signs the paperwork to be co-guardian for Zul and moves the Raevan in to his surprisingly nice loft in Aekea.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 5:39 pm
█║ SOLO: [GROWTH QUEST] Just Be Friends
█║ INVOLVED: Brad, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Lost, Zul turns to Brad for insight and learns a bit more about Alex and Neil's past.
"How's work?" the demon asked, watching the stoic man as he lounged on the forest green microfiber couch opposite of him.
Brad flicked his indigo eyes towards the Frei, his posture still relaxed despite Zul's presence, fingers loosely held around the mouth of his glass of water. The Raevan could tell that the Italian wasn't fully accustomed to someone sharing his home in such a day-in and day-out capacity, but he was learning admirably; he was thankful for Brad's patience and understanding. It was odd, to live with another male that actively gave a damn about him, but he kind of liked it. The dark-haired man was quiet, didn't talk too much but was polite and always considerate. It was such a total turn around from the Delaran household that he was dreading the idea of going back.
"Not bad," came the thoughtful reply, garnering Zul's full attention. Brad rubbed his jaw as he watched the Frei, who watched him with just as much interest in his sky-blue eyes. "The days are always busy, so they go fast, at least." A smile lit the man's face, small and brief. "How about you? Is Argyle treating you decent?"
It was Zul's turn to smile, though his lingered and was more at ease. "I'd like to see your work someday - and Neil is very nice," he assured the Italian, earning a satisfied nod. "He's very..." The demon hesitated, pulling the corner of his mouth upwards with a soft 'tsk' sound, uncertainty rippling over his features.
"Essentric," Brad offered up helpfully.
The Frei laughed in amusement, thinking that the red-head wouldn't appreciate such a term. "Essentric," he agreed with a crooked grin, "very much so. But I like him, he's not blind to me - he's like you, that...he sees what I am but he doesn't treat me any less for it." Zul had a hard time expressing his like of the human that he found attractive, steepling his fingers and watching as his thumbs touched in a brief, flighty pattern. He did not miss the way the older man's smile curved a bit more warmly, though he said nothing to accompany the expression. The silence stretched comfortably between them as Zul reflected on his time spent with Neil and his relationship with the male. He liked humans well enough, but his 'boss' was probably one of the least annoying he'd met of the male persuasion. "You and Alix are friends with him." His blue eyes lifted to Brad for confirmation.
"Best friends."
"Why don't he and Alix date?"
Dark brows shot up high enough to disappear behind his shaggy bangs, Brad's eyes rather wide. "Did he say that to you?" When Zul shook his head 'no' and wore a confused expression, the Italian put his glass down on the coffee table, the cork coaster immediately gathering the sweat as he leveled his indigo eyes on the Frei. A moment of lingering silence followed before his broad shoulders drooped with a sigh. "Neil's parents were our godparents," he said with a small smile, "which made him something like our brother, though he never thought of her like that." Brad shifted his weight against the arm of the couch, leaning on his elbow so that he was sideways against the furniture. "From the first day we met, we had a language barrier that only his parents could breach. Over time, we learned their language, and we taught him ours. He was utterly smitten with Alessa."
The demon looked baffled. "When was this?"
"I was seventeen," he replied without missing a beat or hesitating on the years past. "She was just turning thirteen, he was twelve. She had no idea - still doesn't, to this day."
"Why--?"
"Sometimes, we feel the risk of losing what we have for the uncertain potential of something more isn't worth it." Brad smiled again, though it was humorless and didn't reach his eyes. "Argyle never wanted to sacrifice his friendship and expose how he felt. He chose to be friends." Zul's flabbergasted expression made the Italian laugh, low and quiet. "We taught each other much, but more importantly, we learned from each other. That was good enough for us."
The demon fell silent, looking both dumbstruck and somewhat enlightened. Why hadn't he thought of that? Of being content with what was? Zul lifted a hand to rub over his cheek and mouth, eyes distant. He'd always assumed that if there was something between him and another, that it should be acted upon and succeed or fail - black and white, no grey. Take the risk, no matter the consequence. Was that a mistake he'd made with Rivener? Could they...just be friends?
Brad's quietly concerned voice disturbed his thoughts. "That seems to have struck a nerve."
Zul blinked and nodded slowly, his mind still feeling muddled. "As much as I wish Neil didn't feel that way," he smiled a little as Brad laughed again, "I think...maybe...that was wise." The demon paused, and when the dark-haired man retained his silence, he continued onward. "Rivener...he lied to me." Another long pause as Zul waited to see how he felt to speaking the words out loud. There was nothing but a dull type of acknowledgement. "I'm not mad, but maybe we started off in the wrong way."
A small sound of understanding left the man. "You think, maybe, things were too rushed?" The Frei nodded and a grim expression of empathy settled on his stoic features. "Nothing good comes out of rushing, kiddo. There are the rare exceptions but believe me on this. Thinking this is it so early in the game will haunt you."
"I'm realizing that." Brad shifted with surprise and sudden alarm, to which Zul lifted his hands and indicated the man should remain seated. "My tutor..."
The Italian leaned back as if hit in the chest, surprise clear on his face and making him look rather young. "Jezebelle? Really? Huh." Brad settled his elbows against the arm of the couch, dark brows furrowed as he thought about this new twist of information. "This is going to sound bad, Zul, but those feelings are misplaced." Confusion lit on the Frei's face, prompting the man to continue. "It's like when people fall for their psychiatrists. It's not love, but a feeling of safety and security that they've let off their secrets - but in this case, it's that she's taught you so much, you feel that she's worldly and knowledgeable. It's an honest--"
"I don't love her!" came the startled interruption, making them both stop and stare. As Brad's look dawned on understanding and something else that made Zul uncomfortable, he felt it necessary to reiterate. "I don't love her."
"So you said." The demon could feel the appraising eyes on him, looking through him, and he could not meet them. Zul stared at the couch in silence, which Brad seemed content to let stretch, the muted sound of jazz pouring out of the radio speakers being the only ambiance between them. Two songs went by before the Italian spoke again, and though the Frei was expecting some sort of inquiry or reprimand, he was deeply relieved to find neither. "I'm beat. I'm going to go shower and head to bed - so have a good evening." Brad stood from the couch with a grunt, picking up his glass and starting out of the living room. His hand lit upon Zul's shoulder, causing the demon to look up at him. "Keep the thing about Argyle between us, okay?"
The Frei nodded and watched as Brad disappeared down the hallway and into his room. Once he heard the water start for the shower, Zul fell back so he was laying on the couch, head backwards over the arm of it, eyes staring off into his own memories. The Italian had given him much to think about, but it only felt like he had more questions than answers - and most disturbingly, it was in relation to himself. Without Alex and finding a great deal of uncertainty in himself all of a sudden, he found that he didn't really have any friends he could turn to.
Except, maybe one...
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 12:32 am
█║ SOLO: [GROWTH QUEST] Feel Good, Inc.
█║ INVOLVED: Jezebelle, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Zul is further exposed to human ways, learning to have a little fun on the way.
With his arms crossed over the back of the vanity couch, Zul watched his tutor press the white pencil to the rim of her eye; it was a somewhat fascinating process to watch, in whole. The way she drew the white line beneath her eye, the skin puckered to make it easier, her plush, candy tangerine-painted lips parted and slightly drawn to make a face of consternation. The rest of her make up was already done, much more vibrant and generous than usual, though the Frei didn't really mind. It brought out a youthful quality to her appearance, though it might have been that she looked genuinely excited to lend to the notion. The room was swarming with her friends - a gaggle of three to four other ladies, he wasn't really watching them - which electrified the atmosphere, breeding a sense of urgency and anticipation.
"Why are you doing this again?" the demon asked, shifting his ribbon so he was draped over the curvy, quilted couch, his form in sharp relief against the rich plum of the furniture. Light blue eyes rested on Jezebelle alone, not paying any mind to the tittering and sidelong glances from the others.
"We, sugar, you aren't bailing on me now," she commented, not even pausing as she inlined a flare at the outer corner of her eye.
The Frei scoffed quietly. "I'm not putting on a new face."
That earned a sharp 'don't start' glance from the dark-skinned woman, which Zul heeded with a curl of his lip and a pouty shift in his posture. "It's called blending in," she tried to explain, but the demon wasn't listening anymore. He saw her talking...and heard her making excuses. He wasn't so naive to realize that they were scouting out these parties because the ladies were looking for some male companionship. He couldn't blame the women for wanting to primp and preen to garner the opposite sex's attention, but he didn't understand why they were going as a herd, or why they had chosen the ravers. Something about dancers and their moves. In part, he understood, but mostly...he was unhappy about it.
Finishing putting in her piercings - a small green stud for her nose and full loops for her lips - she turned to the Raevan, excitedly patting the short tips of her hair, wearing a 'serious' expression. "How do I look?"
"Like someone else," he grumbled, deflecting a pillow that seemed to magically spawn out of the air by her vanity. "Nice? The amendment wasn't much better, spoken in a puzzled tone of voice. There was a buzz of nervous laughter from the other women, something the tutor and her pupil seemed to be oblivious to.
Jezebelle put her hands on her ample hips, pursing her lips and raising her brows at him. "That the best you got with all I've taught you?" She sounded slightly wounded, and while that normally upset Zul, he was mostly indifferent to her plight.
He stared at her for a time, sky-cut eyes unblinking before he pushed himself off of the couch. "You don't look like you anymore," he reiterated, his expression settling on something very near to concern. "But I'm sure they'll approve. That's the only opinion you really want."
Her playful demeanor drained, leaving a small frown on her features. "Zul," she started, but the Frei crossed the narrow bathroom floor and lifted a gloved hand, touching his warm fingers to the corner of her mouth.
"You're not smiling." The demon smiled then, but it was absent of warmth. "Don't lose that."
Jezebelle smiled brightly then, taking his hands in hers and bouncing on the balls of her boot-clad feet. "Let's go then! Smiles and all!" Not waiting for his response, Zul found himself tugged out of her meager apartment by four pairs of hands and out to the streets of Aekea, heading towards the party district to begin the courtship dance of excitable young women.
~*~
Thirty minutes and a small detour later, Zul found himself transported to a new world - and it was hardly an exaggeration.
"What," he spoke to Jezebelle, his mouth near her ear so his smoky voice would not get swallowed by the room, "the hell?"
His tutor laughed, but it was a nervous and intimidated sound. The demon could not blame her for her sudden rigidness at his side, staring over the sea of people that flung about seizure-inducing lights beneath the patterned pulse of color and music. Zul couldn't see much with the flashing of lights, the way they spun crazily around some people and built images with others - and the way the people were dressed! He narrowly missed colliding with a girl that looked like an overgrown baby with a glowing pacifier, the stiffest hair of electric blue and lemon yellow pulled into pigtails and more bracelets on her arms than all the jewelry shops on Gaia. And was that sherbet colored fur on her legs?!
He felt Jezebelle take his arm, holding tight, prompting him to lift his free hand to rest over one of hers. Though her girlfriends were around and pointing at various odds and ends, they weren't being much help, almost missing the dark-skinned woman's discomfort entirely. Zul could feel the tension in her grip, though it eased at his reciprocated touch in the slightest. She leaned into him and he lowered his head, her breath soft against his long ear. "It's like some kind of monster's ball," she commented with her eyes on two questionable gendered individuals kissing messily on a table.
"These are not my kind of people," Zul replied, earning laughter from his tutor.
The severity of her grip eased, but in its place, she moved closer to the Frei and kept their arms fully entwined. "I think people is a debatable term!"
"Don't insult monsters!"
They shared a private smile together, she scrunching her nose at him playfully before they decided to move in deeper to the moving mass of techno-color and throbbing music. Zul began to get compliments on his 'outfit,' though those that realized he wasn't human gave him double-takes and exclamations that he couldn't hear. More than one of the club-goers tried to tug his arm to lead him off to dance - or so he hoped, catching brief glints of something slender and sharp, people with their faces unusually close to the glass tables - but he politely declined and indicated Jezebelle on his other arm. He was somewhat surprised that it seemed he was so readily accepted and in some sort of demand, but he supposed in an ocean of weird, he was a bit of a beacon. If anything, he was blending in more than the dark-skinned woman on his arm.
He was suddenly aware of her voice by his ear, but he still couldn't make out what she was saying, so thick was the music in the air. "What?" he said and mouthed at her, his expression perplexed and apologetic. Jezebelle looked at a loss as they somehow ended up in the throng of dancers, bodies pressed together while some had a wide berth with the candy-colored lights spinning around them like some sort of personal aura. The demon looked around to find the friends that they'd lost before he found his eyes resting on the sway of the dancers, observing, and when Jezebelle tugged his arm, he pulled her towards himself until he was as close as he could be with his half-formed body. Her surprise was clear, to which Zul simply smiled, casting his eyes around them meaningfully before he began to sway his ribbon, his exposed spine curling and flexing to move his chest in time with the pulse of repetitive music above.
For a moment, the tutor stared at the Frei as he began his rendition of 'dancing,' casting one last glance to the side before sharpening the wave-like motion of his spine, releasing Jezebelle but keeping his arms to her side. Her autumn eyes were wide and blank, tangerine-painted lips parted. Zul offered her a crooked grin in turn, seeming to break her spell; she laughed then, and he did hear that, the sound accompanied by a light, almost pink tint to her cheeks. Following his lead, she began to sway her hips and shift her legs side to side, her arms held up between them as she too joined the dance. It certainly wasn't the appropriate type of dance for the place, but 'appropriate' was not a word to be spoken in the room that was so loud, it deafened all senses.
Zul spread his wings to give them room, earning a giggle that he felt more than saw from Jezebelle. Content, the Frei decided the night wasn't an entire loss, and danced.
~*~
Though it felt longer, only a handful of hours had passed before the six were beneath the Aekea sky once again, the open air feeling cool by comparison to the warmth they'd been subjected to. His throat felt sore from laughing and trying to yell over the music, but he was content, an unfamiliar ache in his back from all the movement. Zul had seen others dance (funny how his mind blocked the names just then), but he'd never really thought about it outside of the little bits and pieces of formal stuff that Brad had taught him. With his tutor holding onto his arm both to stay steady and for a sense of companionship, he felt that he had taken more out of the night than he had anticipated.
"That was...fun," he commented with a slightly hoarse voice and a bit of surprise. He was rewarded with feminine laughter from all involved.
Jezebelle giggled tiredly. "All I hear right now," she drew in a breath, curling her lip, "is unce unce unce."
Zul laughed, the woman's more vibrant mirth joining his against the dark morning sky. She walked - he floated - along the sidewalk towards her apartment complex in agreeable silence, reflecting. Before they reached the building, Zul tilted his tri-horned head towards the woman, her friends going on ahead while chattering about the dance. "Do you think you'll do it again?"
Jezebelle smiled, the look no less endearing though a good deal of her lip gloss had been smudged from the heat. "Only if you go with me, Zul."
"It's a date."
She laughed in amusement and he smiled with sincerity. It felt good to be depended on, to be needed, and though the feeling was silently mutual, he felt the first tendrils of genuine warmth in his chest. Maybe he could get used to such awkward human activities after all, so long as the company had such a mesmerizing smile.
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 6:09 pm
Summary Lazarus gives Zul some sound advice, helping the younger demon understand himself a bit better in the process.
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 1:38 pm
█║ SOLO: [GROWTH QUEST] Slipping
█║ INVOLVED: Brandon, Jezebelle, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Zul discovers that his patience isn't limitless.
There was a party happening at the park, thrown by one of Jezebelle's friends. It was a pot luck of sorts, thrown for the sake of a get-together than celebrating anything in particular. The dark-skinned woman had invited him to attend under the agreement that he help her with her dish, something he easily agreed to. Four hours and a change of clothes later (given that they ended up wearing more of the ingredients than what ended up in the cake), the twosome made their way to the dingy but well-kept park in central Aekea. The day was bright and welcoming, though the infinite blue of the sky still paled by comparison to that of the Frei's eyes. Zul's intense, unrelenting stare was fixated on the one human he had hoped he'd not have to see ever again - the one who had his arm around Jezebelle and was laughing raucously at some poor joke told by one of his goonies.
Brandon.
Despite his less than sunny disposition, the demon wore his standard, impassive smile, politely speaking with those that addressed him but otherwise keeping to himself. His expanded vocabulary allowed him a handful of more impressive conversations, but his head wasn't in it; every time he spoke with a curious female or interested male, his eyes were drawn towards his tutor and the grungy male that had his arm dangling around her shoulders like a pale, lanky boa. Zul put on his 'silver tongued charm' and was as pleasant as he could be, but there was no heart nor intrigue in his face. Where his enjoyment was once found in observing the humans and learning about each different one, there were only two that existed in his perception, neither of which were paying him any mind.
Slowly, inevitably, the demon's temper began to slip. He'd been there on the invitation of his tutor, but once Brandon had showed up and turned on his flirt, Jezebelle had seemed blinded to anyone else in the area. Ironically, it was a behavior that Zul himself had displayed the last time he was out with the vibrant woman, though far be it from him to compare himself to a human he routinely called a Gutter Troll. As the time passed, he spoke with many of the party-goers and ended up helping serve a good deal of the food, in part because he didn't have to eat it himself. The company was great, he met many good people, but his mood stubbornly remained plastered to the bottom of his ribbon. They weren't who he wanted to talk to. They weren't the reason he was there.
Stubbornly, his eyes flicked towards the two, surprise on his features when he saw only one - Jezebelle, standing on her own with a worried look on her face. Worse than that -- she was looking at Zul. The demon straighted, offering an easy smile to her to try and chase the darkness in her face, tilting his head to the side with a gentle look in his eyes. It seemed to work for the moment, the corners of her plump lips curving upwards, but he didn't get much time to admire, Brandon suddenly blocking his view. His own warm expression immediately faded into something more frigid and unyielding, eyes narrowing over his icy smile. "Cake?" he offered tightly, lifting a plate of the pre-cut sweet.
"Nah," the young man waved off the pastry, disinterested in anything on the table spread. "I wanna talk to ya." Brandon glanced over his shoulder to the worried looking Jezebelle, flashing her a s**t-eating grin and looking back to Zul.
The Frei's expression was less than receptive, the threat in his eyes wholly missed by the human. "Talk."
Brandon looked a bit surprised by the reaction, and on the heels of that, annoyed. The look was quickly masked, but not missed by the keen Raevan. "So, story goes like this," he started, crossing his arms and licking his chapped lips. "I wanna take missy back yonder out to a dance with my friends." If he saw Zul's darkened expression and the cold fire in his eyes, he did not indicate, curling his top lip and almost sneering as if the next words left a bad taste in his mouth. "She wont go 'thout you. So this is your invitation, Zoo." Brandon grinned crookedly, the cocky arrogance he carried showing brightly in his pierced brows. "Come to the rave. You wont get the girl, since you don't got the equipment she needs, but 'ey, you can be a freak show all you want."
The Frei was silent for a moment, his frozen smile unpleasant and without an ounce of warmth. "First off, the name is Zul. Learn your own language, you speak like a child." As Brandon's face twisted into surprise and rage, the demon began to lean over the table, gloved hands placed against the white-clothed surface to allow him to inch closer to the source of his disdain. "Second, even with the 'equipment' you claim to have," the doubt dripped past his lips like the smoke in his voice, eyes condescending, "I doubt she wants the smell of gutter and taste of grease that you have to offer--"
Brandon lunged over the table then, but Zul was ready for him. One gloved hand lifted and gripped the back of the man's neck, pushing his head against the table, keeping him in place amongst the startled cries and gasps at the outburst. Leaning close to Brandon, mouth near his pierced ear, able to smell the gel in his hair, he hissed, "--and third, I accept your invitation."
Just as quickly as it happened, before anyone could intervene, Zul floated back with his hands up, releasing the red-faced male with a fluid smirk. "You ********' freak!" Brandon shouted, walking backwards and pointing angrily at the Frei. Despite the fact the Raevan had been the one to pin the dingy human, Brandon's yelling seemed to make any sympathy he may have garnered drop away in the floating male's favor. Zul crossed his arms, his frigid gaze unyielding above his indented smirk. "You ain't gonna win this war, freak! Game on!" And with that, he turned and pushed beyond the gathered circle, storming out of the park without looking back.
"Zul!" Jezebelle's shocked voice reached his long ears, making the cruel edge drop from his expression, turning his head to look at her. "What the hell, Zul?" She looked perplexed and afraid, almost; in that moment, the demon realized that her crush on Brandon was more severe than he had counted on. The revelation rankled him, rubbing his already ruffled feathers the entirely wrong way. Jezebelle gave him an exasperated sigh, her brows furrowed over her autumn-flecked eyes, disappointment heavy in her gaze. "Zul, sweetie, we gotta talk--"
"No." If he thought his mood was low before, he was absolutely beyond angry now. Zul did not understand how he was wrong in this, as if Brandon being an insufferable monster was to be accepted and he was wrong not to go with the flow. "No. We can talk later. Right now, talking is not what I have in mind." The demon spread his wings wide, sending those closest to him scurrying out of his way. Zul was not willing to compromise or be talked down to after suffering such a grievous insult.
Without a word, he beat his strong wings and took to the sky, whirling in the air and heading towards the bus stop. He wasn't slated to work today, but he had a feeling Neil wouldn't mind if he lent his heat to the excess glass of the day. Zul needed to unleash his convoluted emotions - he'd sort through them and what they meant later.
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Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:34 pm
█║ SOLO: Goodbye, Zavier
█║ INVOLVED: Alex, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: The two try to find closure in the god-steed's loss.
A pair of green eyes stared out listlessly over the damp landscape. The window smeared with the water that fell from the heavens, but it didn't stop her from being able to see the world beyond: everything was dim, colors muted and washed out, the streets devoid of cars and people alike. Alex felt like she was staring into a painting of the saddest day of life, except this was very real, and it was very much beyond words for her to express her agony.
Scarred fingers pressed against the left side of her chest, her heart sore but still beating. Zavier.
Once upon a time, she had met the painfully handsome Frei - in this very room! She couldn't turn to look at the spot, her thoughts trembling on the precipice of pain. Alex knew there was nothing she could have done for the God-Steed, but she could not stop the feeling of poignant loss that followed each tear that each bruised cloud shed. She knew, somewhere, that she should have been glad the storm directly over them seemed to have ebbed for the moment, that she should check on her truck to see if the paint was wholly stripped off - hell, maybe even try to leave and go home...but she couldn't. All she could feel in the swirling storm in her heart was a deep sense of having lost something terribly important.
The hand over her heart lifted, fingers shaking as they pressed against the cold glass, a light haze forming around her significantly warmer digits. It looked like the world darkened outside, casting everything in cool shades of blue and grey...not unlike the Frei himself. Alex's eyes stung, but she could not cry for the fallen Zavier. She had to believe that he went chasing dreams, that he was happy...that maybe, his noble soul had found peace outside his half-formed existence. She had to believe it, or she'd never be able to face Zul when time came for him to question about his beginnings...
She lowered her head, staring sightlessly at the floor. The soft click of the door behind her alerted her that someone had come in, though she hadn't heard it open. Alex didn't move, and once she felt a warm hand on her shoulder, her whole posture sagged. The tears threatened again, but they were useless and she was doing her best to fight them. "Do you think..." she started, her voice pained and husky from the emotion lumped in her throat.
The hand on her shoulder squeezed. "I'm sorry he had to go."
Green eyes squeezed shut against the surge of mourning that overcame her. "W-was there anything we...?"
"No." The woman turned her head enough to look at Zul. His eyes seemed to carry all that remained of the blue sky, brilliant and bright. Something in his face...hurt her, and scared her, deeply. "He had to brave his storm." The demon's voice was smooth, a chill fog that rolled in the heart of the downpour. "He had to do this. It's what he wanted."
Alex felt cold. Straightening her posture, she looked at the Frei who now easily floated at her height. His eyes turned from the window to meet her gaze, wordless and knowing. "You..." Disbelief riddled her features, wiping off the grief for a brief moment. "You know what happened." It wasn't a question; she could see as plain as the storm outside that he knew this was going to happen.
"He had questions that needed answers," Zul said with that same eerie calm, the grip on her shoulder ceasing to be of comfort and more of an affirmation. "Zave smelled like the sky. He's there, now." The neutral expression softened around his eyes, the likes of which turned from the Italian to look out the window. Something like what she had felt crossed his features, a sense of having lost something, but knowing what it cost. "I hope he's at ease, now."
She wasn't sure if she felt outraged, afraid, or a mixture of the two...maybe something else entirely. Alex lifted a hand to rest on her charge's, squeezing the warm gloved palm and curling her digits with his. His eyes lowered, but he didn't look at her. "Then," she said quietly, "he...he's really gone." Zul nodded. "A-and he knew...?"
The demon tilted his tri-horned head and closed his sky-cut eyes. "He said things that didn't make sense to me, but...yes. I think he knew the risk, and welcomed that as an answer."
Her uncertainty passed, and with it, the chill of the truth. Alex slowly turned her eyes back out the window, beyond the reflection Zul's horn cast and out to the darkening world beyond. Squeezing his hand one last time, she released him, though his fingers remained on her shoulder. "...if you're going to get back to B's...the storm is going to get bad again..."
"I know." His voice was gentle, and for a moment, Alex thought he might have been hurting. "Just...a few more minutes."
She accepted his request, mourning the loss of the God-Steed Zavier together and both hoping he found all the answers he sought.
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Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:35 pm
█║ SOLO: [GROWTH QUEST] Flat on the Floor
█║ INVOLVED: Brandon, Jezebelle, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Violence is becoming the answer.
"Thank you," he told the stout, smiling woman behind the counter, "have a nice day."
Zul smiled as the woman tittered her joy of 'such a nice boy with manners,' his exit from the bakery heralded by a soft tinkle of the bells against the door. The day was brilliant, the sky an endless blue against the canopy of buildings and trees, the sun warm on his dark skin as he floated down the sidewalk. He'd decided it was high time to apologize to Jezebelle for flying off in a huff after his last run-in with Brandon; she'd sounded worried on the phone when she'd ask him to meet her at the park near her place, though Zul couldn't imagine why. Did she think he hated her or something irrational like that...? There was only one way to find out, really.
Though the woman had taught him the power and influence of words, he felt they weren't good enough to express his remorse at upsetting her so. That was where the package on his arm came into play: a strawberry shortcake, one of her favorite sweets from her favorite bakery. Nothing quite said 'forgive me, I'm a male' like pastries! Mentally patting himself on his back for his gesture, he swiftly crossed the quiet midday street and made his way through the park, the sun's rays broken into haphazard patterns as it filtered through the tree boughs above. It'd be a nice day for a picnic, he lamented, briefly imagining being able to sit with Jezebelle beneath the shade of trees as the day panned out before them. It was a nice thought, one that made the corners of his mouth twist upwards and his gaze to soften despite the giddiness in his chest. Maybe he could suggest it as another means of apology--
When he lifted his eyes, he immediately found Jezebelle, as well as the source of worry in her voice, standing so close to her that he could scarcely see around the dirty coveralls.
Brandon. Why was it always Brandon? The Frei's humbled, good mood soured, though he didn't have much time for anger or self-pity. Though he was closing in on them, Jezebelle didn't seem to see him, staring upwards at the taller male with a look of something close to fear in her eyes, though discomfort won out over her features. He was so close to her that his freshly dyed blue hair, the longest tendrils brushed forward, snaked over her brow. Zul was armed to shoot off some sarcastic, scathing remark when his narrowed eyes found the reason for the odd look on her face: Brandon was holding her wrist, his grip tight enough that his pale fingers practically sunk into her much darker flesh.
The tart dropped to his side, a snarl on his lips as he charged at the insolent male. His sound warned Brandon, who had enough time to look up and release Jezebelle, turning to face the Frei. Zul extended an arm towards the male, and though he didn't know what he was going to do once he reached him, it seemed the blue-haired Brandon was ready for him, grabbing his forearm instead, twisting the surprised demon around in a tight half-circle. Zul held his ground and didn't struggle against the grip, his wings splayed, Jezebelle safely at his back. Her soft sound of surprise reached his long ears, but he couldn't turn to make sure she was okay. He had to be the Princess's dragon now, to be a force to reckon with against this tin-can knight.
A leering grin curved Brandon's features, something that some might count as roguishly handsome, but to Zul, there was nothing more repulsive. The smile he'd been wearing earlier was absent as he stared with warning, wings rattling a bit, feeling his eyes itch with the desire to let his power leak in and really scare the crap out of the worthless male. Somehow, Zul managed to swallow down the want of it, determining Brandon to be beneath him in that respect. He could take the male man-handling him because he could dish it back as need be. "Well well, if it ain't the squire boy seekin' out the lady's hand," Brandon sneered, so near to the Frei that he could smell the lingering tobacco on his breath.
Zul said nothing, staring at the young man. The grip on his forearm tightened, and without looking, he knew there'd be a bruise there before his power could knit it away. "Brandon," Jezebelle's voice came from behind him, breathless and wavering, "I called him here so you two could apologize, please don't--"
"'m not apologizing to this freak!" Brandon laughed, throwing aside Zul's arm. Just as the demon had thought, there was some ugly bruising on his dark skin. The warmth that made up his power immediately started to work on it, a distant feeling like tingling alerting him to the fact. "I just came for you, babe, I dunno why you haul this baggage 'round."
"Brandon, don't call him that..." Though Zul wasn't looking at her, he could feel her autumn eyes on him, expecting some sort of rebuttal. She would find none, the demon floating in place with his body acting as a shield to his tutor.
The male was expecting something too, evidenced by the way his features began to cave in a slightly uncertain manner, the expression wiped away in favor of his haughty attitude. "It is what it is, babe. We're still on for the dance? With baggage boy here?"
A slow, wavering breath was drawn in at his back. "There wont be any problems with it, will there?" She sounded so timid. So unsure of herself.
Zul hated it. Floating a little higher to effectively block Jezebelle from the leering man's view, he floated a little closer to Brandon. The male didn't back down, but it was fine, serving the demon's purpose just fine. Close enough to kiss, he uttered his words simply, each one falling like a hot coal from his lips. "If you hurt her again," he lifted his arm for Brandon to see, the bruising already faded into molted yellows and greens, "I will pay the favor back with interest."
Something like shock flickered over Brandon's face, his lip curling in disdain though the uncertainty lingered in his eyes. "Whatever. She wants me, freak, get over it." Trying to look over the Frei's shoulder and not being able to, he growled his frustration. "See you then, Belle." His gaze flicked to Zul. "Beast." And he turned, storming out of the park with his hands in his pockets.
The Frei and his tutor stayed as they were for a time, the demon's eyes following Brandon's back until he crossed the street and disappeared down a busy street. The rustling of the bag he'd been carrying brought him back to the park, folding his wings against his back and turning to look at the spot. Jezebelle stood there with it in her hands, eyes down-turned, the place she'd been held on her arm a little ruddy but not bruised. Zul was grateful. Floating towards her, he unabashedly wrapped his arms around her shoulders, ignoring the way her head jerked upwards in a startled manner. "I'm sorry for being thoughtless," he told her quietly, brushing off Brandon's drama in their day all together. "Let's have a picnic?"
For a long moment, there was silence. Jezebelle didn't react, didn't hug him back, simply standing there in the circle of his arms with her fingers loosely threaded against the bag. After several minutes in that position, he could feel her hands rest against his exposed spine, the bag's weight touching the buoyant ribbon. "That sounds real nice, sugar," she murmured softly against his chest, finally hugging him back. "Let's do that." Pulling back from the hug, he smiled at the woman who tentatively smiled at him in turn. "I forgive you. Now let's seize the day, just you and me. I have another lesson planned, if you're up for it." As if things were okay. As if things hadn't been strained the past few times they'd seen each other. Zul could accept that whole-heartedly.
"Always."
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 4:25 pm
█║ SOLO: [GROWTH QUEST] Lithium Flower
█║ INVOLVED: Jezebelle, Lisa, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Zul has a revelation about his feelings towards Jezebelle.
The muffled strains of the most current popular song tried to fight through the din of the food court, but the idle chatter of hundreds of people far surpassed the speaker system. It was something Zul always found entertaining, one of the many social niceties that humans tried to convey: background music, something to listen to other than one's own thoughts. It did little to help the Frei, however, finding that his thoughts continually were turning inward and resting on one subject, one that was sitting across from him and who had invited him to the mall.
Idly curving his wrist to stir the ice cubes within the cup he was holding, his bright blue eyes flit between Jezebelle who was across from him, and her friend, a cute brunette named Lisa. They were chatting animatedly about guys, and while this would have interested him as a learning experience, he felt unusually withdrawn, if not a bit moody. By the way his tutor's face lit up on the subject of piercings and hair dye, he could only imagine whose greasy visage she was imagining. Zul exhaled in a quiet, slow manner, tearing his eyes away from the two girls to observe the people around him. The mall was always packed with all manner of humans and was a good spot for people-watching; today, however, his gaze simply flit over the individuals without really seeing them, just going through the motions without any of his exuberant curiosity behind it. The demon had no idea what was wrong with him.
"What's wrong?"
Drawn back to the conversation he was never really a part of, Zul cocked a dark brow at the dark-skinned woman looking at him with concern. Jezebelle's expression was earnest, enough to earn a faint chuckle and a small smile in return. "Nothing's wrong. I'm just thinking to myself."
"'bout what?" Lisa quipped, tilting her head with interest at the Raevan. Lisa was a waif of a woman, slender with skin like milk and eyes of dilute blue, startling almost beneath her unruly locks that reached halfway down her back. She was sweet and Zul liked her as well as he had the rest of Jez's friends, in a quaint, polite manner.
He didn't even hesitate to answer honestly, his tone dry. "Why Jazz likes Brandon so much."
Two things happened at once: Jezebelle's cheeks turned an endearing shade of pink and Lisa began to crow with laughter, covering her mouth with her slender hands. The song overhead continued to try and intrude on their conversation, but the blustering of the two girls was enough to keep it at bay, Zul simply watching with a look that challenged either of them to prove his statement wrong. Jezebelle seemed to regain herself first, stammering her denial. "You're the one naming names, sugar, I didn't say anything..."
Lisa and Zul both gave the dark-haired woman a 'don't even' look, earning a small sigh from her.
"Really," he continued, suddenly very keen on garnering an answer from his tutor. Leaning forward, he put his elbows on the table and the cup aside, his gaze intent on her. "What is it? His charming way of dealing with your friends? His crayon-colored hair?"
"His hair is very nice," Jez mumbled defiantly.
Lisa scoffed, leaning towards Zul. "I'm with him on that one Belle, his hair always looks like an amateur got their hands on him." Turning her light blue eyes to the Frei, she hooked her thumb towards him. "His hair is bitchin'."
The demon smiled his thanks at Lisa, deciding he liked her a bit more now. "What about his clothes? He wears the same pair of coveralls every time I see him."
"His fashion sense is lacking," Lisa agreed again, very matter-of-fact. "He always looks like he just crawled out from under a car, y'know? But, Zul, you don't have much room to talk." The girl's eyes turned over his half-formed chest, though it was more with appraisal than scrutiny. "You're kinda naked."
"As I prefer."
That made Lisa laugh and Jezebelle blush again. "We can't all be as good lookin' as you, sugar," his tutor replied, fixing her autumn-colored eyes on him. After a moment, she added tentatively, "Do you really not like him?"
"No." Though Zul was smiling, there was nothing warm or friendly in the expression. "He treats you like a possession and a bartering chip, Jazz. He's rude, vain and his sense of humor sucks."
"Preach it!" Lisa threw a hand in the air, nodding solemnly at the Frei.
"He's ugly, his smile makes me want to punch him and quite frankly, Jazz," leaning forward on the table a bit more, he gazed at her intently, "you are far too beautiful to be seen next to someone who hides behind such a motley guise."
It was Jezebelle's turn to cover her cheeks, averting her eyes as Lisa yet again crowed with laughter. "Man, you are golden, Zul! What--do you have a girlfriend? Do you want one?" The brunette laughed once more, lightly clapping his bare shoulder as he smiled at her. "C'mon Belle, if you want Brandon, can I have Zul? He's way better than that guy. Why you haven't given him a shot is beyond me!" The dark-skinned woman had the grace to look utterly shocked at her friend, though it didn't seem to deter Lisa. "He'd make a way better boyfriend! You were just telling me how he stood up to Brandon and brought you cake, Belle. Cake. What's not to love?"
As the two girls began to squabble over the etiquette of dating students, Zul sat back with a smug smile, crossing his arms over his chest. That's right, he wanted to say. You should be with me, not him. The words never left the demon's mouth, however, as his brain registered what it meant faster for a change; his smile froze and slowly began to fade, his eyes a touch wider and staring at nothing in particular as the realization settled in him. The realization of why he didn't like Brandon. The realization of why he was so protective with Jezebelle. The realization of what, exactly, was wrong with him.
He had feelings for Jezebelle!
The music, the crowd at the food court, even the girls in front of him were suddenly nothing but the dull roar of silence in his ears. The Frei stared in silent horror at his tutor, who was too engrossed in arguing with her friend to see him, something he was distantly grateful for. The longer Zul watched her, the tighter his chest felt, eventually beginning to feel suffocating. 'Standing' abruptly as the world's noises suddenly crashed into him again, his blue eyes stared hard at the table, aware that both women were now looking at him with alarm. "Sorry," he said in a normal voice that didn't feel like it came from him, "I just remembered I have something I need to do. Lisa, nice to meet you -- see you, Jazz."
Without looking back, ignoring the startled sound of his name on their lips, the demon fled from the food court and its warbling music. For once, Zul needed to hear himself think, to sort out all the thoughts and emotions he'd been avoiding with Jezebelle...and Rivener.
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 4:26 pm
█║ SOLO: [GROWTH QUEST] Choices
█║ INVOLVED: Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Zul makes the decision to interfere with Jezebelle and Brandon - no matter the cost.
The door banged against the bathroom tile as it swung open, rocking towards the frame but remaining open in the wake of the Frei's entrance. He was alone - Brad worked on site today - but he felt so very crowded in his head. Zul gripped the marble sink and stared dully into the clean basin, searching for words and answers that were nowhere to be found in the swirled colors. Jezebelle. He had feelings for Jezebelle. Not only was she his tutor, but she was a human! A human that had her eye on someone else! And he -- he had Rivener. They might not have been on speaking terms in that moment, but still...
"Agh!" he snarled his frustration into the empty room, the smooth surfaces holding the sound and reverberating it loudly enough to satisfy his frustration. His fingers kept a tight death-grip on the edge of the sink, blue eyes flicking upwards to look at his reflection: head slightly bowed, pentagram-clad brow skewered over his eyes, tension singing in his facial muscles. He really looked like a demon, then. "What would she ever see in you?" he asked himself angrily, the annoyance beginning to stir in his chest again. "You weren't even enough for Rivener--"
His voice caught and his head lowered again, staring off moodily towards the shower. What was he doing? Zul knew damn well that his beef wasn't with Jezebelle not viewing him in the same light. It wasn't even with Rivener wanting more than himself. The truth was...his upset lay in the fact that his feelings were getting in the way of his judgement. He was being selfish, that was the problem. He could see that his tutor was suffering, that she was making bad decisions...but he turned a blind eye because he wanted to stay with her. He wanted to be around her. If he pointed out what she was doing anymore than he already had, if he tried to intervene...she would cast him away. She'd block him from her life, wouldn't she? He'd seen her withdraw, her denial -- if he acted on what he knew was right, he didn't know if he'd be able to pay the cost: Jezebelle herself.
The Frei lowered himself, elbows sliding to the side, his body half draped against the sink. Tangling his fingers into his hair, pulling a bit at his horns, he sighed heavily; what was he supposed to do? Did he keep her near him so she could be safe in his presence, looking away as she fell into the dark pit of Brandon...or did he stand up for her, putting his feelings aside -- no, acting on his feelings -- and fight for her, even if he knew it meant no longer being at her side? No longer even being friends? He knew the woman well enough to know that his outcomes were limited to stay and go. How was he supposed to pick?
Leaning against the sink as he was, he could feel the slight pressure of the necklace that was wrapped around his neck beneath his gorget, the red pendant nearly cutting against his skin as a reminder. Zul knew that his decision wasn't just about Jezebelle...but about Rivener. About himself. He was the only one who could take this step because he was the only one who could see it. The woman's friends wouldn't step in because her denial was too great for them to see past. He was in a unique position of knowing, of seeing...of having the ability to spare her the fall. To save her from the false feelings Brandon gave her.
Yanking on his hair hard enough to hurt, he growled softly, "I didn't ask for this." The Frei never wanted this for himself, for anyone else, but he had to make a choice, now. Pressing his forehead against the sink, slowly releasing the tight grip on his hair and curved horns, he came to the slow, unhappy realization that he'd already made a choice now that he knew. He would always chose Jezebelle.
He had chosen to fight.
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 4:27 pm
█║ SOLO: Eye of the Storm
█║ INVOLVED: Alex, Brad, Neil
█║ SYNOPS: Alex finds herself a bit alone after the storm.
Thump.
Alex's brow hit the top of her desk again, the dull sound and twinge of discomfort doing little to stem the growing tide of panic in her chest. Her fingers curled and twitched over the paper that she'd been reading, her cell phone held loosely in the other hand. Aphismet had just called her to inform her that his house - their home - had flooded. The water damage was extensive to the old building, and though they'd moved and saved all they could, the Italian felt like her small grasp on happiness was beginning to slip away. Ever since the beach party, it seemed life was gunning up to test her resolve again. Just like the year before, all the weird stuff started happening in July. She wouldn't admit it, but she was beginning to dread the rest of the year with a hot, sick feeling in her stomach.
Drawing in a breath that shook, Alex lifted her head, her hand following suit and pressing her palm against her warm brow, squeezing the phone. She didn't break down last year, and she couldn't do it this time. Others were depending on her. She had to be strong... Even rocks are worn down by the storms of life. The woman's shoulders tightened, scowling at nothing as her mother's words flit through her mind. "Not this rock," she muttered in a thickly tired voice, stubborn as always. Forcing herself to sit up straight in her chair and reorganize the papers that had scattered when she'd dropped her head and arms onto her desk, she flipped open her cell phone and hit the #1 speed dial. She had to pass on the news, just in case.
"This is Brad."
"Ciao, fratello. Is Zul there?"
Silence followed, and just as Alex was about to repeat herself, her brother's voice rumbled against her ear. "What's wrong? And don't give me a line, Alessa, I'm not as stupid as you'd like to think." Sometimes she forgot that this was her brother she was dealing with; he could sense her thoughts with eerie precision.
The gruff pointedness threw her off a little, but he deserved to know just as much as her charge. With a small sigh, Alex detailed everything Aphismet had told her about the flood and the damage to their home, earning a small but sympathetic sound from the man on the other end. He had liked the house, after all. Before she could ask if he could help at all, the architect offered to get in touch with a few people that owed him a favor and send inspectors to look at the property. Alex felt a blossom of warmth at the kindness her elder sibling was displaying towards her, quietly thanking him and assuring him it would be immensely helpful. Brad then pointed out that it was Friday, and thus Zul was at The Erchless working with Neil; the conversation quickly wrapped up with several more heart-felt thanks from the woman before the phone blipped into silence.
The number five was held this time, her free hand lifting to rub against one of her green eyes. She felt terribly winded by all that was transpiring, but it made her feel immeasurably better to know her brother would be handling the structural appraisal. That was one thing they wouldn't have to worry about being cheated out of or mistaken. Alex smiled a little when an unfamiliar voice answered the phone, asking for Neil and explaining she was a friend. There was a polite response, a few seconds on hold with a song she recognized from her younger days before a very familiar and well-loved voice answered the line.
"Ally, lass, ye know y'dinnae 'ave t'call th'main line if'n ye need me." Neil's tone was warm with concern and gentle chiding. "T'what d'I owe th'pleasure?"
For a brief moment, Alex couldn't speak. Her eyes stung with the sudden and sharp threat of tears, her throat tight and filled with a lump of emotion that she could not breathe past. The Italian's pride was greater than her emotions, however, and doing her best to gather her wits about her, she smiled in a trembling manner against the receiver. "You know I don't want to bother you Neil," she returned the chiding in a mostly normal voice. "That and I just wanted to see if Zul was there."
"Ne'er a bother!" the Irishman laughed, steadying her smile. "Zool? Aye, 'e's...actually--" The sound was muffled; she could pick out Neil's voice asking someone else something before he came back clearly. "'e went out with one of me lads t'get lunch. 'e should be back 'n an'alf 'our..."
She sighed softly, and from the sudden waiting silence on the other end of the phone, it occurred to her that Neil could also pick up traces of her unhappiness - he just wasn't as pushy as her brother about it. Alex immediately began to smile again, knowing just as quickly that she should have known better than to try and play it down. Neil knew her just as well as Brad, if not better. "The storm - the one in Gambino? It reached where I live in Durem...the house was old, and...it was a lot of water, I-I guess, I haven't seen it..."
"Ah, lass." She fell silent at his soft exclamation. "D'ye 'ave somewhere t'go?"
The woman sat up a little straighter. She had assumed she'd meet up with Aphi and Isi at the motel, but now that she thought of it...how big was the place, to be able to house two men, two Raevans, a woman and what earthly belongings they could salvage? "Yes," she finally said at length, hesitating. "Aphi got a room where he works..." But he did mention it fit the four comfortably, didn't he...?
There was a sound of shifting, the voice on the other end softening, lowering so it couldn't be overheard. "Ye're as 'ard a worker as I, lass. Ye keep odd 'ours, d'ye nae?" Alex nodded, and although she knew Neil couldn't see it, that he was expecting it. He continued, "'ow 'bout ye come stay with me for a bit? I could use th'comp'ny an' ye'd 'ave freedom t'come 'n go as ye please. Nay any others t'worry 'bout. Let yer boy figure out th' 'ouse details."
Alex smiled ruefully. "Don't call him that..."
"'ey," he countered, "if 'e cannae pin ye down an' make an 'onest woman out of ye--"
"Neil, I'm gonna rip your tongue out and beat you with it." He laughed then, the type that made her chuckle. It was infectious and rare. "You sure you want me to stay with you?" she asked with slow hesitance. It did sound nice, to be out of the stress, mostly because there wasn't anything she could do. Alex never felt the house was hers, she just lived there. She'd do what she could but there was nothing for her to do outside of biting her nails and amping the stress levels. Part of her knew she was not able to shoulder the responsibility and knew that the Delaran's knew as much. The other part of her wasn't satisfied with that type of acceptance.
A soft scoff drew her out of her thoughts. "Aye, I'm certain, an' if 'e's nae careful, I'll nae let ye leave. 'ow does that sound?"
The teasing made her laugh, rubbing her brow. It was hard to believe that mere minutes ago, she'd been on the verge of tears for all her frustration. "You can't handle me, Neil," she replied, grinning as he made a sound as though he was wounded. "But before your get your panties in a wad, I actually called to let Zul know. Could you have him call me when he gets back?"
"What's this 'bout panties? I'll 'ave ye know I dinnae wear panties. Ye can take a peek if'n ye dinnae believe me..."
To say the conversation went downhill from there was an understatement. A few idle threats on Alex's end and good-natured teasing on his, the woman hung up once she got a promise out of him to get Zul to call her. She smiled at the phone in her hand as it told her the time, feeling that maybe...just maybe...something good could come out of all the chaos.
Maybe.
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 4:28 pm
█║ SOLO: [GROWTH QUEST] Her Diamonds
█║ INVOLVED: Jezebelle, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Zul finds out exactly where he stands with his tutor.
"Good, good, sugar."
Gold-tipped lacquered nails tapped encouragingly against the test that the Frei had turned in, a smile curving her light pink-glossed lips. Zul could only muster a thin smile, one that didn't reach his eyes and didn't do much to warm his features. He was glad he'd done well on the history test, but...he wasn't really thinking about it. All the information he'd been taught had put him something on auto-pilot, the knowledge and words at a dim murmur in the back of his mind while the rest of him agonized over the smiling woman before him. Even then, sitting there, he didn't know what was expected of him. He'd made his decision of what to do but he didn't have the first clue on what to do to carry out his thoughts.
A warm hand lit on his forearm, making him blink and focus on Jezebelle. She was closer to him now, her brows furrowed in a concerned way over her autumn gaze. "Did you hear me?"
"No," he answered automatically and without thought, cocking his head to the side. He seemed to be spacing out to his own thoughts more lately, something she had quickly caught onto and misunderstood as boredom with the subjects.
The woman chuckled under her breath, withdrawing her hand and folding her dark fingers together over the paper. "Don't you worry sunshine, you're just about done here." Her smile grew. "Then you wont have to deal with my lecturing, wont that just be rainbows and unicorns?"
Zul's lips twisted downwards out of his smile, more confusion on his face than anything. "Why would I be glad to not see you?" he queried in a slightly guarded tone, resting his sun-kissed arms on the table. They were at Brad's place; the Italian was elsewhere in the loft to give them their privacy, seated at the dining room table, the wood of it darker than both of their skin tones. It caught the light above and around in the room, setting a strange sort of glow over Jezebelle. The Frei couldn't decide if it was just a really brilliant design on Brad's part or a trick of his mind, though he was willing to bet on something inbetween.
His tutor's smile softened, the expression gentle but withdrawn; it was the type of look a parent might give a child when telling them that no, Santa Claus wasn't real. "Zul, you know I can't be your tutor forever," she started to say, lifting a hand and resting her cheek against her palm, "much as it may be a learnin' experience for me." She watched him as the shock of realization settled into his face, disbelief writ clear in his bright blue eyes; she laughed then, though there was no trace of condescension in it. "Honey, I've taught you everything I can. Your options are going to be college or teaching me, but I -- I've done all I can, love."
The demon slowly sat back, his lack of legs allowing for him to literally slump beneath the table, his tri-horned head barely visible over the lip of the table. He could still hear her laugh, figuring that she found his antics amusing, but two things occurred to him then: first, she really did see him as a child, and second -- Jezebelle was going to be gone, soon. Very soon. Maybe even as soon as the last party with Brandon! Exhaling slowly, staring down at the shadows cast beneath the table and chairs, he wondered why he hadn't thought of that information sooner. Jezebelle wouldn't be there forever, he knew that, and yet -- he had convinced himself that he'd have more time with her. What was he thinking? "I'm not ready for you to leave," he said out loud, flicking his vibrant blues over the table to look at her with an almost stubborn expression.
More laughter followed, softer this time. Her well manicured hand extended to rest on his head -- something very few people ever got to do -- smoothing between his three horns and brushing through his hair. The motion earned a soft, rumbled purr, one that eased her expression further still. "We can still be friends," she said, giving him a momentary spike of hope, "but I can't see you like this afterwards, y'know? I have to get back to school, to my friends I've missed during this time...and you have to go back to your life. We had a good run but that storm made me realize that I've spent a lot of time with this." Continuing her slow stroke of his hair, her eyes lidded and her gaze turned to the side; there was something almost sad there, in her gaze. "I don't regret it sugar. I think it was just more than I bargained for."
The words hit him in the chest and stung just as potently as a knife lodged in his ribs, winding him for a moment. Did she mean him? The program? Brandon? Why did emotions have to over-complicate everything?! "I'd like to see you again," Zul offered cautiously, slowly pushing himself up as her hand slid out of his hair. "You've been a good friend and a great teacher." Rewarded with a lower of her eyes and a light pink touch of her cheeks, he dared to continue. "You're an amazing woman, Jazz, I--"
"Hold on, sugar." Her voice was soft, her eyes lifting to meet his. Silence stretched between them, her expression unreadable as she looked at him and his own, he hoped, being similarly neutral while he waited. He didn't have to wait long. "You need to be more careful with what you say. Now--" she held up her hand as he started to protest, making him fall silent again, "--I know I taught you the power of words, Zul, but you have to decide when best to use them. You can't go usin' that honey on every sweet-lovin' bee on the street, you hear? Keep it for those who are important, for those who need to hear your gift."
He wanted to tell her that he was, that's why he used them on her -- but there was something by the way she was looking at him, in the way she kept looking elsewhere, that spoke loudly of her already knowing. That maybe, she was uncomfortable with his affections. Frowning, Zul instead said nothing, looking at her in silence.
"That doesn't mean don't talk to me at all," she quickly amended, smiling to diffuse any tension in the air, "but...I am your tutor, Zul. Even when I'm not, that's what I'm going to be. When you introduce me to your other gorgeous friends, you're going to say, 'This is Jazz, she was my tutor.' And that's good enough for me, sweetie."
And Zul realized, in his own way, that Jezebelle, too, had made a choice. Her choice was life as she knew it; fun-loving and adventurous as she was, Zul was not a dish she would be able to stomach on a regular basis.
"But make sure you tell them nice things about me, okay? And I do expect to meet them..." Jezebelle continued to speak, Zul continued to look at her and offer a polite smile when appropriate, but he couldn't quite wrap his head around all the information that was just now hitting him. Cues and signs that had been there all along but that he'd been too selfish to see. It was too late, though -- he'd felt, he'd decided, and now, he had to carry out his choice.
Next time he saw Jezebelle and Brandon, he would have to end his relationship with his tutor and learn to let go. In hindsight, there was absolutely no other choice. They had separate lives and it was time he returned to his own -- without her.
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