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 Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:02 pm
Sonnen: Voltaire
Why, oh why, had life decided to turn upside down for him? He was sure it was the universe ******** with him. It liked to do that sometimes, like when, no matter how much sun screen he applied, his cheeks still freckled if he stayed in the sun for longer than half an hour, and then copious amounts of pancake makeup were needed to cover it. However, seldom did the universe screw with him in a way that made him like it — which made it even screwier. At least if he was pissed off he knew he had a good reason for it, but when something happened that threw him off in a good way, then it just messed with his head more. Stupid tricksey universe. It needed a nice hard slap to the face. Oh god, he’d gone insane, he realized with cold terror. Cursing the universe. That’s what crazy people did. ‘No! I am not crazy! Not, not, not!’ he yelled at himself. But still, how was he going to go about dealing with this without the comfort of blaming it on insanity? At least then he wouldn’t have to try and figure this crap out. Oh yes, I’m just insane, so I don’t need an explanation for the way I act! Yes, wouldn’t that be nice? Othello’s brash reaction, thought, yanked him back into reality where things still didn’t make sense. Man, was this kid dramatic. It was kind of funny, though. Kill him and burn his body. Yes, of course that was Sonnen’s intention. He somehow had the sanity to smirk in amusement.
“Grind your bones?” he scoffed amusedly. “I’m a Russian, not a giant.” He said this dryly, remembering that nursery rhyme from some English classes he had in college. They’d spent three weeks on children’s rhymes and songs and stories to get foreign students acquainted with a little history. Though he’d always found that concept to be rather frightening, grinding bones for bread. He couldn’t imagine it’d taste very good, either. And as far as he was concerned, Othello wasn’t an Englishman. No fee fie foe fum-ing for Sonnen, then. But then Othello was smiling and, um, hugging him. Okay. Did he think, that just because Sonnen let him kiss him, that these displays of affection were now a-okay? …Actually, the hug didn’t bother him as much as it would have, if it were anyone else. Maybe it was because he was still contemplating his sanity, and wasn’t using his proper judgment. Or maybe he was kind of numb from the onslaught of random kisses. His mind was in a jumble. Yes, that was certainly it. Wait. What was he trying to deny again? He couldn’t remember why he was being so defensive. Though he was knocked off balance a little from Othello’s quick hug, causing him to grip the boy’s shoulders as he did so to make sure he didn’t fall down, which sort of looked like he was returning the hug. Was he? That would be weird, right? What did the word ‘weird’ mean again? Crap. He needed to sit down.
It looked like he would be getting the chance to do that soon, he thought gratefully. Othello seemed to be leading him away to… somewhere. He didn’t really care where he went, so long as it was somewhere with chairs. Sitting on the ground wasn’t something he was fond of. The boy’s dancing, though, made him almost-smile. He sighed and shook his head at Othello’s antics. Such an enthusiastic child, he thought, not unkindly. He followed Othello the short distance to one of the many studies, but couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being monitored. Though looking over his shoulder didn’t show any evidence of stalking, but still, he had an uneasy feeling. Hmm. Oh well. Time for the super fun tarot, he thought sarcastically.
Quite honestly, he had no idea what to expect. He’d never researched tarot reading, and didn’t know how this went down. Did these cards read his mind? That was an unsettling thought, but a good distraction from… other thoughts. Oh, shuffle. Easy enough. He switched the card’s places around a few times, seemingly at random, thought he had a sequence of numbers in his head as he did so. There, systematically shuffled. Part one over. …Was this going to hurt or something? That would really suck. Honestly, he had little faith in this ‘art’ at all, since it seemed like a bunch of hooey to him. Still, it seemed to make Othello ecstatic, and there really was no harm in it. Just wasted time. Once this was over he could retreat to his room and think about the prior transgressions. Up till then he’d been focusing on the cards, but when he looked to he saw someone he didn’t recognize. It was almost as if Othello became another person, like a second personality. He was all serious and foreboding and… un-Othello-like. He couldn’t come up with terms better than those, sadly, as he watched, transfixed, as the boy flipped over those silly cards. The air even felt different around him, like it was thick and crackling with… something. The whole vocabulary thing took an abrupt vacation when he was focused intently on something, unfortunately. However, watching Othello’s intense eyes as he examined these cards almost made him believe it could work, this tarot thing. Almost.
‘The magician...’ The magician? What? That was a card? What a silly thing. Magic didn’t exist. His skepticism was creeping back in, slowly but surely. ‘Your destiny looked bright when it comes to work.’ Of course it looked bright. He worked for Madam bloody Usagi. Your destiny kind of had to be a shining beacon of light to be hired. Was the purpose of this to tell him stuff he already knew? Pointing out the obvious? How trivial. ‘Starting today your skills will be seen for the treasure they are, and your emotions are in a bit of a twist right now.’ What was so special about today? His skills had been recognized for many years now. Why did today mark a milestone? That last part, however, was so accurate it was scary, causing Sonnen to jerk back a little in alarm. No. It was just a coincidence. You couldn’t REALLY predict things with these cards. It was all an act. A very convincing act. ‘Your view of things will make understanding how you’re feeling difficult.’ His view of things? How he was feeling about what? Why did these cards leave more questions than they answered? Stupid vague fortune hullabaloo. …Though that was pretty accurate, too, if he applied that to the whole kissing-Othello-thing. B-But it was still just a dumb coincidence. ‘But if there is a chance at a new relationship, make the first move because your love is balanced.’ How did one’s love go about being balanced? That didn’t seem to make sense. Love was a feeling, not matter that could be weighed. What new relationship could he possible take a chance at? He turned slightly pink, knowing the bloody answer to that question, only refusing to acknowledge it quite yet. It was all happening too fast. Maybe he’d come to terms with it once he calmed down a bit.
Oh crap. There was more of this ******** goodness. And whoa, he flipped that card fast. But that was beside the point. How long would this torture last? ‘Two of Pentacles.’ Two of pentacles? He knew two of hearts, two of diamonds, etcetera, but never heard of two of ‘pentacles.’ ‘You’re suffering from a moody or easily upset time period. This will be balanced by times of self-confidence at a max.’ Holy. Crap. This was starting to seem less like a coincidence. He could no longer comfort himself with that assumption. Sonnen gripped the edge of the table, eyes widening, watching nothing but the cards and hearing Othello’s readings. This wasn’t possible. This couldn’t be possible. They were just cards. Just. Cards. Nothing magical or mystical or anything. Cards. Scarily accurate cards. Crap, Othello couldn’t actually read his mind, could he? No, no, no, no, no, now he was being silly. Okay. So maybe the cards had some… credibility. No big deal, right? Right. ‘This will conflict with your ability to complete the steps towards a relationship in card one.’ His ‘moody or upset time period’ would hinder his relationships? Well, it was logical psychologically speaking, but that could apply to anyone. Right! Of course! These readings could apply to anyone in the world! Not necessarily just him. For some reason this gave him a fake veil of relief, knowing that this could possibly be the same reading for someone else. It wasn’t actually reading his mind. The statements were just vague enough to trick the mind into thinking it was unique. Nice tactic. ‘This side shows your feels towards a particular person whom you have in mind, and those feelings of the person you’re thinking about. First card, Your Image of them.’ Huh? The person he was thinking about? Well, aside from himself and his almost-existent-sanity, he was thinking about… Othello. His eyes snapped up to the boy in question, thinking back to the first card. First card, image of Othello… ‘chance at a new relationship,’ ‘make the first move, because your love life is balanced.’ This was trippy. He swore to God he had never thought of Othello in that manner previously, and bloody hell, now that would be all he could think about. Curses. Then sky blues locked onto his greys since he was still gazing intently at the other, and he quickly averted his eyes; they might betray something.
‘Two of Cups. You’re in a positive image; you’re experiencing a new partnership as well as love possibly entering your life.’ Why were all his cards about love and stuff? Was his mind really focused on that? He’d always been more ‘career first, relationships second’ kind of guy. He certainly wouldn’t think he’d put any weight on ‘love’ or anything… but the cards hadn’t been wrong yet. Sonnen had a feeling this card tied in with the other two, which, if what Othello was saying about ‘person on your mind’ was true, all came back to the one doing the readings. It was a scary thought. ‘This partnership is in the work related area.’ Okay, now Sonnen would be bold enough to think Othello was just making stuff up now. This was getting too specific to be comfortable. This was getting waaaay too correct. ‘And if completed will be harmonious and positive.’ Well, harmony and positivity was always a good thing. But he’d never thought a relationship would make him truly happy. Having to care for another person and devote time and make compromises and deal with someone… it seemed like more work than it was worth. He didn’t believe in all that ‘you’ll find the right person some day’ crap. Then Sonnen felt his eyes being drawn up as if against his will, once again catching Othello’s. The penetrating stare was far too perceptive; it made him feel naked, but he couldn’t look away. ‘Card two, their image of you.’ …Wait, ch’to? What? Card two was… someone’s image of Sonnen? That didn’t seem to make sense from what was on his second card, but he felt sure there was some connection that someone like him, who didn’t have a mystical bone in their body, would be able to find.
‘Four of swords, the image of loneliness and distance. A feeling that you’re bored with the people around you and can't find pleasure in being close to anyone anymore.’ Well, first, he couldn’t fathom how four swords could indicate loneliness and distance. But the picture was probably irrelevant. The second part, though, was close to sending Sonnen into a full-blown panic attack. He was tempted to glare at the cards and yell, ‘How the hell could you possible know that!?’ but he kept his irrational anger to himself. His eyes, though, dulled. He’d never really… looked at it that way. Like he had been thinking before, he’d put his aspirations ahead of his love life. He didn’t like being close to people because most people sucked. Was be bored with the people around him, though? This was pretty interesting, but mostly frightening, so he couldn’t claim he was bored right now. But otherwise… he couldn’t be sure. The panic lowered as contemplation rose. He could feel Othello’s eyes on him, and he didn’t even think of erecting his façade again; he was too caught up in himself to care if Othello saw him looking insecure and doubtful. He didn’t want to hear any more. He didn’t want to have to accept these things about himself. He was happy the way he was, perhaps a bit veiled, but surviving. These cards were seeming like they knew more about himself than he did. Silly, because they were just cards, and it wasn’t like he didn’t know such things about himself; he just repressed them and didn’t think about them, because it was easier to deal with life that way. Wasn’t that what everyone did? Still…
“Go on.”
(( Tel, Lauren, feel free to join in at any time, here. xD ))
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Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:15 pm
lauren Malone ††Emerald††
Lauren listened as Madame Usagi explained everything, nondding slightly at the familiar rule of: no touching. This wasn't a shady prostitution business. As long as that was clear with everyone, then there would be no problems. Honestly, the idea of doing that with someone he'd just met disgusted him. As Madame Usagi left for her office, he followed so that he could reserve Tel for tomorrow, as Madame Usagi said that that would be the soonest he could be available.
"Thank you Madame Usagi. I shall return tomorrow. Thank you for the amazing display of some of your companion's abilities." He said politely, bowing as he got up to leave. He left for home, shrugging out of his Jacket and hanging it up, sitting down on one of the reasonably priced sofas around the room. He didn't spend money foolishly.
((sorry! Posting now.))
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 7:42 am
((((hmmm, shall Tel continue to await the Madame's verdict in his room? or break character and go wandering the mansion like a naughty child?))))
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:10 am
Break away from everybody, break away from everything.-= (( Well, what would Tel do? You know your character better than anyone else. Is he the mischievous type? Contemplative? Curious? Bored as hell? Decide what to do based on what you perceive Tel's character would do. )) =- If you can't stand the way this place is, take yourself to higher places.
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 5:16 pm
H i k a r u - G a l i a n d e r-O t h e l l o All the emotions stammering around Sonnen made Othello slightly light hearted. He could tell what some of them where but for the most part all the confusion and anxiety was making him nauseous. He inhaled taking them all in, and transferring them out making his aura stronger and his vision brighter. He could see the aura of the cards clearer. He glanced towards Sonnen as the darkness of paranoia crept onto his face, he didn't know when he had seen Sonnen so nervous. He could tell by his eyes that his mind was going a mile a minute. He felt a small heap of pride in his stomach. He inhaled as he calmed down his trembling emotions. He sorted what he was feelings his tender eyes closed as the small tremors of aura filled the room raising hairs for those who entered or got close enough. His hair stood on end slightly as he accessed the deeper parts of his power.
Looking up when he heard Sonnen talk, Othello tilted his head slightly. Nodding his head he looked down at the left cards. His narrowed eyes flashed as his hands moved back into position. The reason everything was loved based was due to the fact that Othello choose to do his love tarot. He was fond of this tarot and it was one of the shorter tarots. That didn't matter though, "Card three your image of yourself, Lovers. This represents two paths. The path of love and the path of work. Work has always been something that took preference over being in love, so this leaves you wondering whether you should continue the path your familiar with or take a risk and try something new." he said softly his voice held a different level of smoothness. It was like silk almost. He glanced towards Sonnen with a level of interest. He pulled back and looked down at the table his hands flying over the fourth card, "Card Four, their image of themselves. The Empress. The feeling of being inferior and unable to preform a very vivid in their lives. They feel worthless, and unable to be as creative as they need to be. This is a dark and cold time for this person..." As Othello read that card his chest heaved slightly as he felt a small amount of pain seep through his chest.
The aura grew dark for a minute and his eyes shadowed slightly. Othello had been having problems before he came here, and giving up his family for this had been a hard choice for him. But, he knew is family wouldn't get him anywhere. He glanced towards the cards again as his eyes flashed brightly. "Card Five, Your Future Challenges. High Priestess. This shows a repressed emotion or intuition, there is a worry of danger or being hurt here. It's due to the fact that shallow people have surrounded you. Take a chance to figure out what's best for you before you act. Jealously is also in the future." glancing towards his future challenges he felt his heart ache slightly. The aura darkened as he flashed his hand over the final card, "Final Card their future challenges, Chariot. Envy and addiction are something that shine in this card. This is the feeling of being unable to preform like someone else and the feeling that their strong abilities don't add up..." With that Othello felt his heart shatter. He pulled back from the table and collected the cards.
Placing them all away Othello looked towards Sonnen. He didn't close his third eye right away. He glanced towards the window and his eyes flashed as the aura in the room tensed for a minute before his eyes closed as his posture changed back to that of the normal Othello. The pain wasn't gone but the dark side that trembled his being childish eyes. His posture remained but there was something childish about him again. Spinning on his toes he looked towards Sonnen, "Did I do good? Did you like it? he asked as he tilted his head and grinned slightly.
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:11 pm
(((I am hoping that, since it's the next day from the Lauren post... that it can be the next day at the mansion as well (even though Othello and Sonnen are doing the tarot reading. If not... feel free to ignore my post (which I'm working on RIGHT NOW)... until the next day.)))
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:47 pm
-( So are we moving to the next day? I am totally confused. Cause I am not sure how to get Othello to skip seeing as he is talking with Sonnen. O.O What do I doo Drakie Dear! )-
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:55 pm
Break away from everybody, break away from everything.-= (( There has been no time skip, it's still the same day. anime_wiccan_chick, I didn't skip ahead to the next day, so your character shouldn't either. Nil, it's still the same day, so if you want to wait until there's a time skip then that's fine, but I can't guarantee when that will be. Wonderland, no, we aren't moving to the next day. Keep on keepin' on. :] )) =- If you can't stand the way this place is, take yourself to higher places.
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:10 pm
(((Mk, then I'll work without a skip. I thought it was odd that the day ended so soon... Good thing the post I'm typing can work with or without a skip, hehe.)))
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:25 pm
理 Aya
It hurt...
That hurt too...
And that...
s**t, everything hurt!
With a groaning sigh, Tetsuya Yoshinaga's green eyes opened to a blurry world of muted colors and semi-confusing surroundings. It wasn't really that he was confused... but when one woke without their glasses on, one would be quite prone to not understand which way was up and which was down. Lithe fingers stretched out, grasping the thin wire frames of his eye wear from the bedside table. Upon being gifted with sight once more, Tetsuya remembered something very important.
Two somethings actually.
The first, was that this was supposed to be his first official day in the service of Madame Usagi...
The second, was that he had been so horribly sick the night before... his aching back was the least of his current worries.
Bare feet touched a hardwood floor that had lost it's 'early morning ice', as Tetsuya tended to call it, and with this simple movement came the notion that half the day might have already passed him by! Green eyes found the clock at his bedside, an ornate thing of gold which, he had learned, had quite the history in regards to mercury poisoning, and he realized with a sinking heart... that it was almost noon.
Tetsuya nearly collapsed back into the bed, but had grabbed a bed post and kept himself vertical by the skin of his teeth. He had been ordered to wake early... to be presentable to any clients that might happen to seek the services which the Madame graciously provided... for the right price, of course. Fearing a backlash on his first day, the young half Japanese man shifted room temperature feet into house shoes and literally had to push himself into the bathroom.
The visage which greeted him in the expansive mirror... was horrible.
Green eyes, bloodshot, were the first striking feature. His left eye even had a small vein which seemed to have burst... more than likely due to the near projectile vomiting which he had engaged in the night before. His usually fair skin was pale and clammy, with dark circles beneath normally energetic eyes.
He was sick... more than likely he had caught some sort of flu... he hadn't, after all, ever even left his home city of Sapporo before this. It would be understandable that he pick up a germ or two... right?
Of course there was the added stress of having been worried over the fire to the family business, the proposition of Madame Usagi, the packing and moving, the prolonged train ride...
Wait, that was it!
Even on buses, Tetsuya had tended to become ill afterwords, due to the recycled air. The train ride explained everything perfectly!
It certainly explained his loss of voice... something that a person of his talents could simply NOT afford to lose, and the sore scratchiness of his throat. Couple that with the headaches and the nausea... and it was a perfect fit.
Of course... he'd never been THAT sick from a bus ride... but those had never been as long as his trip to the mansion.
Tetsuya went through the motions of brushing his hair and teeth, the former task taking far longer than the latter, and trudged to the closet to try and pick out something suitable. His grey pajama pants were hardly going to count as day-wear, and the thought suddenly struck Tetsuya that he really didn't know what WOULD be acceptable.
"Aya..." the young man whispered, his voice so rough and scratched that it sounded foreign, even to him.
The name's kanji stood for 'Logic'... 'Truth'...
What better way to be truthful... what better way to truly become the name he had chosen for this profession... than to be himself?
All of his life, Tetsuya had helped at his family's 'Yoshinaga Onsen', and in various ways. He had held jobs from cooking to washing laundry, preparing the rooms and checking the water balance of the onsen itself. He had greeted guests and thanked them, checked them in and checked them out, and had even taken to advertising for the small homemade resort.
Always in yukata.
Always.
So, Tetsyua stripped out of his pajama pants, tossing them onto the un-maid bed, and pulled a light blue yukata from the closet. The color would go well with his blond hair, highlighting it, and yet was not quite so bright as to make his clammy afternoon appearance any more visible than it need be.
Once dressed and in matching socks and sandals, Tetsuya opened his bedroom door and started down the hallway.
This feat... was easier said than done, and the young man found that he had to continually keep one arm against the wall at all times. When he finally approached the staircase, his already pale features turned a shade paler, but he took the steps, one at a time, careful to keep his balance.
Pressure... that was another problem that Tetsuya faced now that he was on his feet. His ears hurt, adding a dizzy effect to every step he took, and it wasn't until almost ten minutes had passed that he finally made it to the kitchen.
Of course the staff was a bit shocked to see him, especially not looking his best, as he had intended, but they accommodated his late rising all the same.
He was given a hot cup of green tea, along with some plain, unseasoned rice. Luckily for Tetsuya, he had been able to carry the tea and rice into the dining room without spilling anything.
Before long, he was gratefully picking at the rice with his chopsticks, and praising the kitchen staff for being able to brew such a wonderful cup of tea.
Already, the young man was feeling a tad bit better.
慶永哲哉 Yoshinaga Tetsuya
(((If that was confusing, gomen! Basically, Tetsuya/Aya is sick from having traveled. It actually happens to me when I'm on a bus for too long. I end up losing my voice the next day. I just figured, with all his stress, it might affect him a bit more severely. But I kept him on the same day as all the posts have been so far... he just got up really late...)))
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Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:14 pm
**Theodore**Tel** Tel let his thoughts drift quietly through his mind as the fortune teller had taught him. Merely observe the thought without embracing it, and let it pass without clinging to it her voice echoed through his memories. Actually doing so was hard though. There were some things he did indeed want to cling to, like the memories of the circus, and his parents, and how they all performed together. The other members of the troupe had all been aunts and uncles to the young Tel. Everyone looked out for one another, and the after show festivities would last until dawn. He had been allowed to pet the tigers and bears; the acrobats tossed him back and forth to each other on the trapeze. Tel could have been entertained by the magician and her assistant for hours on end.
Other memories his mind rejected violently. Like those of Henry, the cruel and possessive patron of the last strip joint he had worked in. The rumors surrounding the man were frightful to be sure, but he paid so well that the owner didn't ban him. One night he had nearly yanked Tel off the stage. The bouncers defended him, but Henry was waiting outside the club for him the next night. Tel wanted to run from these terrifying memories as surely as he had run away from the beast in man flesh. Yearning to be accepted into this haven of the Madam's swelled up in him until his head bowed and his body shook. Let it pass the fortune teller urged. Tel took several tremulous breaths until calm embraced him once more.
He continued to try and meditate. The past weeks had been a headlong rush to find this place, and then to impress the Madam. His mind and body were exhausted now. In the midst of Tel's new calm, he sensed a tingly buzzing coming from somewhere below him. It was the same sensation that surrounded the fortune teller's tent whenever she had a client. Was there a seer in this house? How interesting! It had been many years, ever since he left the circus actually, that Tel had encountered one with a real gift of the third eye. The current age's technology driven world had fairly well put aside such antiquated practices. As he thought of this it became apparent that of course Madam Usagi would employ such a find if at all possible.
Tel realized he was once again thinking too much to be properly meditating. He sighed and had almost gotten back into it when an odd sort of dragging noise passed by his doorway. Listening carefully he realized the noise was shuffling footsteps moving slowly down the hall, accompanied by a soft rubbing type of sound along the wall. Very odd. Tel gave up on meditating and hopped off the bed. Crossing the room he opened the door slowly and looked down the hall in the direction the footsteps had been moving. Perched precariously at the top of the stairs was a blond man in a blue robe of some sort. The man wavered slightly before moving carefully down. Tel hesitated to call out to him, afraid he would be startled and lose his already seemingly shaky grasp on his balance.
He stood in the doorway watching until the man disappeared. Tel drummed his fingers on the doorframe uncharacteristically. It was so hard waiting for Madame Usagi to come and officially hire or fire him! And now that he had poked his head out of the door, he didn't much feel like staying in the grand room wishing it was really his. But where to go? And was it really alright to go wandering about? Tel hated not knowing what to do and feeling frustrated like this. It was one of the worst emotions conceived by man. Unable to stand the indecision, Tel strode out forcefully into the hall. He went down the stairs, nodding once more to the staff in the foyer. Here he had to pause because now there were optional paths to take. Without a real destination Tel was once again at a loss. He glanced down one hallway to see the blonde in the robe pop out of one door with a tray of food and then totter into another room. Tel seized the moment and followed the other into this new place. It was a dining room, and the other was starting in on his meal. Closer now, Tel could see that the robe was of a Japanese type and that the blond man actually had some asian features. He took a few steps forward and greeted, "Ello."
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Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:14 pm
~ 理 Aya ~
From within the yukata which Tetsuya wore, he had drawn an old book, worn and weathered. It was his newest read, something that he was giving a try as he had breakfast.
Lithe fingers handled the chopsticks with great dexterity as bite after bite of rice found it's way into his mouth, without his green eyes missing a single beat as they scanned over the pages.
He had just started this book during breakfast, in fact....
'In that pleasant district of merry England which is watered by the river Don, there extended in ancient times a large forest, covering the greater part of the beautiful hills and valleys which lie between Sheffield and the pleasant town of Doncaster. The remains of this extensive wood are still to be seen at the noble seats of Wentworth, of Wharncliffe Park, and around Rotherham. Here haunted of yore the fabulous Dragon of Wantley; here were fought many of the most desperate battles during the Civil Wars of the Roses; and here also flourished in ancient times those bands of gallant outlaws whose deeds have been rendered so popular in English song.
Such being our chief scene, the date of our story refers to a period towards the end of the reign of Richard I., when his return from his long captivity had become an event rather wished than hoped for by his despairing subjects, who were in the meantime subjected to every species of subordinate oppression. The nobles, who power had be-...'
Having need to turn the page, Tetsuya set down his chopsticks and used that hand to turn the page of his book.
It was when in the process of doing this... that he noticed a young man.
The youth seemed to be of European descent, maybe even American, but he seemed terribly thin for a lad his age.
Raising one narrow eyebrow, Tetsuya took in this young man's accent and decided immediately that it was British.
"Hello and good morning." Tetsuya replied in perfect English, his own accent not even evident.
In truth, he had spent so much time studying English language and literature, that not only could he read English fluently, but he could speak it without adding accent to his words.
Of course he had not yet had to speak English when panicked, stressed, or angered... so Tetsuya was rather curious as to how his voice would sound under such pressures.
"My name is Aya," he spoke, giving the name which he had decided to be called while under the Madame's roof. "And you are?"
~ 慶永哲哉 Yoshinaga Tetsuya ~
(((Book excerpt is from "Ivanhoe" by Sir Walter Scott. Chapter I. Page 3.)))
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Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:20 am
**Theodore**Tel** Surprisingly bright green eyes lifted from an old book to focus on the tiny male. Perfect english issued a question. "Tel," he replied. Then he realized that the other was probably looking for a little more than a name. The pretty man belonged here and Tel was very aware that he did not. So much so that he could not bring himself to sit at the table. Who was Tel in this instance? New? True, but also slightly misleading. An inteloper? Also true, but not something he was keen on voicing. His mind continued to cast about fruitlessly for an appropriate response.
Finally, after what felt like an awkward pause, he settled on redirection. Compliment the beautiful robe? Everyone likes compliments. But it didn't exactly make for a conversation. Tel's hand floated upwards in a slight gesture to the novel. "An old favourite?" he ventured the guess from the book's obvious wear and tear. The young man continued to stand while he mentally lashed himself for his inability to ease into this conversation like any other socially adept human. His withdrawal after his parent's death, and his subsequent employment as a stripper, which didn't require much by way of social discourse, left him rusty and wanting in this arena. And now Tel was trying to garner employment as a companion to elites with very high expectations? He felt like a fool.
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Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:14 pm
~ 理 Aya ~
Nervous...
Skittish...
Shy...
Unsure...
Ill equipped...
Lacking in self-confidence...
Any one of these things could have been applied to the boy who stood across the table from Aya.
And, more than likely, each one would be correct in some form or fashion.
However, Tetsuya wasn't a snobbish bookworm. He had met quite a few of them, and had decided early on that his knowledge was to benefit everyone, not just himself.
Smiling warmly, Aya closed the book and turned it around, handing the publication to Tel so the other man could look through it.
"It's called 'Ivanhoe'." Aya spoke, keeping that friendly smile. "My first time reading it actually... I like to buy my books from used stores. Old books tend to need love too, after all."
In other words, new books cost more money than used ones, and sometimes the notes written in margins by the previous owner or owners... were quite entertaining.
Not to mention the more wear and tear a book had, the more it was loved and thus, the better a read it might turn out to be in the long run.
"I've only just started it actually." Tetsuya added, sipping his hot tea, his voice sounding rough, even given his smile.
His throat was literally on fire with talking... but he could swallow a bit of pain in order to be polite.
No pun intended, of course.
~ 慶永哲哉 Yoshinaga Tetsuya ~
(((Does it actually have to be split into two paragraphs or can it be the length of two but all in one?)))
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Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:42 pm
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