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 Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 3:39 pm
█║ SOLO: [GROWTH QUEST] This Moment
█║ INVOLVED: Brandon, Jezebelle, Lisa, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: The war is over as soon as it began.
The first indicator that the night was going to be rough was that he was running late. The transit companies were all in a snit with the storm and the reconstruction of the roads and cities that it brought; Zul, being a creature of flight, mostly found it a ridiculous inconvenience. He wasn't usually so impatient, but it was one of the last few times he'd be seeing Jezebelle -- and he didn't want to leave her alone with Brandon any longer than he had to. Granted, they wouldn't really be alone in the middle of the ebb and flow of the club, but anywhere she was left to his mercy without the Frei's interference was bad in his book.
The second indicator was that he was very nearly mentally exhausted by the time he got to the club, working himself into a near anxious state from what he'd say and do tonight. He had run out of time to try and persuade Jezebelle to stay away from Brandon in any subtle, kind way; only direct action was going to work now but he wasn't sure how. As the Frei was let into the club, the din of music beginning to pulse louder in his ears as he descended the walkway, he figured that the waste of male skin would provide a means. He always did.
The third and last warning of the night's unfolding events was the club itself: it was rank with the smell of alcohol and sweat, various perfumes and cologne battling for supremacy whenever he passed a group of people amongst the finer laced smells of leather, plastic and powder. To Zul, it was like a breeding ground for Gutter Trolls like Brandon, supplying the succor of inhibition and as many vulnerable, influenced women as the eye could see. Part of the Frei reveled in the humans inclination to lose control and be lead like lambs, but he didn't have much time to dwell on it. He had to find Jezebelle, fast, and figure out his next move before someone made it for him.
Floating through the mess of people, having been there enough to recognize some of them, he nodded politely to the ones that hailed him by less-than-acceptable names that he didn't pay any attention to, looking for the ones that had enough presence of mind to point him in the right direction. It was amusing, in some respects, to be told where his tutor was by a male that looked more like a woman, decked in black and neon green dreads, pale white eyes and a gas mask, but it was the status quo and not at all amusing to the demon anymore. They might have been odd or freaks to others, but he'd been called similar - and worse. Appearances hardly phased him anymore, save for the greasy-haired snot-nosed brat that was wooing his Jezebelle...
Shaking his tri-horned hair abruptly, Zul exhaled slowly through his nose, his discomfort forming in a lowering of his body temperature. The cool aura he gave off was enough to keep most of the swaying bodies at bay, his bright blue eyes flicking between each group of dancers and loner alike, trying to pick out anyone familiar. It was why he was surprised when someone popped up literally beneath his nose, a pale-skinned woman with burgundy hair that had phosphorescent yellow ribbons tied in it, her diluted gaze somewhat familiar but her appearance rather alien to him. "Zul?" she said his name over the throb of music, earning a bewildered look and a nod from the demon. "Zul, it's me--"
"Lisa," he exclaimed with surprise. She nodded and smiled, though there was a tightness around her over-dressed eyes and a nervous flare of her painted nostrils that quickly quieted his shock. The sweet, flirty friend from the mall was here, but she looked distressed - and Jezebelle was nowhere in sight. Bowing his head to her ear - for she was rather shorter than he - he spoke against her ear, "What's going on?"
Her hands gripped his forearm, the fabric of her glove that covered her palm damp with sweat and her fingernails just shy of digging into his skin. The pale blue eyes that he recognized looked up at him pleadingly, already taking a step back to pull him in her direction. "Zul, it's bad, come--hurry, she's making a mistake and she wont listen to--"
"Go!" he commanded above the racket of the club, loud enough that Lisa turned and darted through the throngs of people with his hand now held in hers. The Frei didn't know if he should feel afraid, worried, angry -- anything! All he could feel was an eerie, steeling calm that was reminiscent of his time under the sway of the virus. The masked madness. The controlled chaos. And for that moment in time, flitting around groups of gaudy colors and scents, Zul was grateful for the familiar, dark feeling. Welcoming that dangerous edge and embracing it, he felt Lisa come to a stop and point, drawing his blue eyes to follow the slender, wavering finger.
As soon as his eyes fell on Jezebelle, the rest of the world fell away. There, leaning back against the plush royal purple of the U-shaped bench edge, was his tutor. There, with her tye-dye green-and-orange lips pursed tight, sweat beading over her painted but rich dark skin, was Jezebelle. There, decked in the attire of another man's dream, hand clenched on the table, a tight plastic tie around her bicep, was the woman he had come to care for immensely. And there, being put upon the table, was an emptied syringe, the soft of the crook of her elbow still puckered from the needle's clumsy entry. Disbelief and shock warred in his body; there was a splash of rage and on the heels of that, a terrible, soothing emptiness. She had succumbed to Brandon's influence and he...so wrapped in his head, so lost to his own convoluted thoughts and feelings, had failed her. He could have stopped this, but she was sitting there, opening her hazy autumn eyes to look at him, and even as the surprise and embarrassment flit over her heated face, he could feel nothing. Nothing at all.
Pulling his hand out of Lisa's slick grip, he floated to his tutor as if in a dream, feeling the stone-set of his expression. He could tell there was no warmth in his face, no smile on the firm set of his mouth; he could taste the passive danger that he radiated just by the reflection of himself in Jezebelle's eyes as he came closer. Her mouth moved - probably his name - but he couldn't hear. There were words in his ears, whispers, but he wasn't paying close enough attention to hear them clearly. One of the junkies next to her reached out as though shield Jezebelle from him, but the Frei didn't do so much as bat an eyelash as he gripped the man's face between his fingers, casting him only a brief glance full of frigid nothingness before throwing him back into the booth and away from his tutor. He saw her shrink from him - could see the fear in her eyes and knew that it was the type that always lingered beneath the surface. She was sluggish, however, and even as she tried to move, she was not fast enough. The Frei's hand shot forward, gripping her wrist, and as soon as his bare fingers met her bare skin, the screaming started.
Zul had a brief moment where he felt like he was falling; it wasn't unlike the time he had felt himself occupying Lucia's body, but not as intense or obvious. It was like a part of him was spilling into Jezebelle's body, into her veins, seeking out the invader in her body just as he'd done with Lucia. He couldn't see himself but he knew his eyes were turning black by the alarmed look on the other's faces; that they didn't react to the screaming made him wonder if it was just in his ears, the same way the deafening whispers were. The problem is that it was Jezebelle's voice, and even if the scream wasn't leaving her lips then, it was now. He could feel her body yank and heave beneath his iron-clad grip, his own posture rigid and unrelenting; Lisa's hands found his shoulders, started to pull -- and then abruptly stopped. The junkies and floosies around the table also froze, all of them staring at the dark-skinned woman that the demon held tight in his grip. Slowly, his glassy black eyes turned downwards to look at her arm, watching with an impassive expression even as a smidgen of smugness colored his nothingness.
There, in the small pinprick of where the needle had entered her skin, the whitish substance that had been injected was now leaking out. Thick but drippy, the drug oozed out of her body until there was nothing left, the last drop tinged with red; Jezebelle whimpered, and it was then that all the sound he hadn't been hearing crashed back into him. The club's music, the startled cries of those around him, the softer prayer of thanks from Lisa behind him - he heard it all. In a time he would have explained himself or cracked a joke, Zul simply stared unforgivably at his tutor, the black of his eyes sliding through his veins and out of his sclera until only his vivid blue remained. She said his name again, her voice soft but still audible to him despite the onward plunge of music. Shock, fear, realization all danced in her features, but it all shifted into a stronger sense of fear as she looked beyond him.
He smelled Brandon before he saw him in his heightened state, felt his hand on his shoulder as Lisa's slipped away. He never heard the man's voice, even though he was certain he could hear the male's lips flapping. Zul released Jezebelle's arm smoothly, everything happening in slow motion; he turned to face Brandon, waited for what he knew was coming even before his cheek turned into the swung fist. He had expected a bloom of pain from the punch, a sting, but he was still consumed by that cold nothingness. Using the momentum to let his head snap back to look at Jezebelle again, he saw her eyes well with tears. An apology was on her lips, but he stopped her with a simple, growled, "Don't." Without warning, his whole body twisted; his clenched fist swung around connected solidly with Brandon's nose, re-breaking it on impact. The demon could smell his blood instantly, the scent of it standardly metallic but somehow enticing. As his arm swung around to finish the blow, his fingers gripped the chair that finished the U-shaped booth around the central table. Just as quickly as he'd swung, he heaved back around again and brought the chair with him. The back and seat collided with Brandon's ear and shoulder, sending him sprawling into a group of dancers several feet away. Putting the unharmed chair back into place, he realized the blood from the attack seemed a lot more real to the demon than anything else in the club, and just like that, the nothingness faded and Zul felt his resolution. He had finally brought about the end of Brandon and Jezebelle.
His name reached his pierced ears, turning to look at the tutor that was now standing. She was a little pale but she looked furious, something that doused any hope he might have had to any friendship pursuing after this moment. Taking her hand abruptly, he turned and pulled her unrelentingly through the crowd, ignoring her fight against his grip. There were cries of surprise mingled with the shouts of approval as he made his way out of the club, Jezebelle in tow. Zul didn't care what the others made of him and his actions just then; his priority was Jezebelle and her safety, even if it meant going against her wishes.
The blast warm summer air on the late night street was a welcome reprieve from the suffocating heat of the club, the smell of asphalt and night sky so much more delicious than he remembered it. The Frei managed to pull his tutor halfway into the empty street before she yanked free of his grip, making him whirl around to face her.
"What the hell were you thinking?" she cried out at him, and with those words, Zul felt relief. She would hate him, then. She would resent him for what he had done but she would not go back. Her need for an answer solidified the knowledge that she had been afraid, and to go back into that situation would bring about even more of the unknown.
Calm, but no longer empty, Zul floated in close to her, forcing her to take a stand or retreat. She took a step back, and Zul was content. "I was thinking of you, which is a lot more than I can say you've been doing," he responded in his easy-going tone, sounding more like he was talking about a new game he got than reprimanding his tutor. The shock on her make up-smudged face was clear to him, satisfying the internal anxiety he had held. "I saved you from yourself and Brandon. I didn't let you fall into that darkness and forget yourself, Jazz." Behind her, he could see some of her friends come out, Lisa leading the pack. He didn't have to look up to see the pale-eyed woman stop the others, letting the teacher and student have one last moment in the clouded moonlight. For that, he was also grateful.
"I -- I liked him, Zul!" the woman cried out at him, earning another soft feeling of peace. Liked. Past-tense. Even if Jezebelle didn't realize it, she was already on her way to getting over Brandon. Surely a broken nose and busted ear-drum would help with that. "It wasn't up to you to decide if -- if he was good enough or if I was doing what I should or shouldn't--"
"It was!" he said in a firm, clipped tone, silencing her. She stared at him in enraged disbelief, but he could only return her gaze with a peaceful tranquility of his own. He had at least done what was right, no matter the cost. "You would have let yourself fade, Jazz. You would have lost your colors and your vibrancy to be dull and worth him. Your friends tried to help but you wouldn't listen -- the very friends you're departing company with me to be with. You're lying to yourself and I wont let you because I care."
Silence stretched between them. The woman still held a great deal of anger towards him but he could see his words reaching her. She was listening. She was realizing and though the cost had been great, he found that seeing Jezebelle, the real Jezebelle again, was worth the price. Zul gently took her hand, her skin clammy against his, but he didn't mind. She pulled out of his grasp sharply, earning a patient smile from the Frei. In that moment, it seemed their roles had reversed; the teacher had passed on the torch to the student, and the student was surpassing the teacher. She started to speak again, but he wouldn't let her. It was his turn to talk. "I know this is goodbye," he said with a tilt of his head at her smoldering glare, "but I brought this goodbye, Jazz. I earned it. And when you walk down the streets and smell the strawberries from your favorite bakery, when the sun filters through the willow boughs in the park to warm your face, when you see a sun set," his fingers lifted to indicate her bangs, though he did not touch, "I hope you'll think fondly of your student."
He heard Lisa call his name, earning her a brief glance and the first genuine smile he'd worn for weeks. "Take care of her, Lisa," he told the slender femme, able to see the watering of her eyes even from his distance and the sharp nod of her head. Turning his attention back to the shivering woman in front of him, he bowed his tri-horned head to her, his hand on his chest. "Know that in the end, I chose you over myself. I chose to be the dragon to protect the princess, even if she didn't know why." Righting himself, Zul fixed his smile on her, spreading his wings and pumping them to make himself taller for a moment, the gentleness of his expression making him look like some fallen, demented angel. "Goodbye, Jazz."
With a bounce of his ribbon, the Frei took to the sky, satisfied with his choice.
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 12:02 am
█║ SOLO: [GROWTH QUEST] Shadow of the Day
█║ INVOLVED: Zul
█║ SYNOPS: The demon knows where his heart truly belongs, and now must clean up the mess of his life to make it right.
Another day, another night; as the sun ascended the sky, Zul had to come to the conclusion that Jezebelle had dropped him as a student and a friend.
Alex had told him that she'd called, the expression on her face worried as Zul had not told her about what had transpired in the club. His lessons were finished, and though the Italian had invited the tutor over for a thank-you-dinner, she had politely declined and that was the last of it. The Frei had simply smiled at the information and shrugged, saying that the teacher had taught all she could. He was grateful his woman didn't pry then, giving him a knowing look before letting him be. That had been the day after the club incident, and now, four days after the fact, he had to accept that the world would move on and that his small pains would heal.
Leaning against the railing of the loft's patio, basking in the sun and watching the people mill about their daily routines so far below, it felt odd to have extra time on his hands -- time he seemed to be spending on thinking back over everything that had happened. From meeting Jezebelle for the first time in the Delaran house, so happy and excited, to their bittersweet departure, her expression held in pain and a fearful anger. Zul knew he could ask himself if he'd change anything, if he'd do it all over again if he'd try something different, if he had any regrets -- but the answer was 'no.' The Frei knew in the very core of his ribbon-spun being that what he'd felt was beyond his control, and that what he did was the product of his feelings and thoughts. The consequences, while steep, were a necessary part of doing what was right.
And for all the anguish and duress he'd been under, he found that he was content with his decisions.
The Frei smiled a bit, arching his wings and settling himself lower so that his chin rested on his clasped hands, bright eyes flicking over each passing individual. In a way, he had lost himself a little. He'd stayed true to himself but he'd let go of the things that he enjoyed the most to try and make someone else happy. In a way, he'd been no better than Jezebelle even if his intent was pure. People-watching and sunbathing as he hadn't done since he'd met the dark-skinned femme, Zul wondered if that was what made up compromise. It was hard to walk that line, and for the life of him, he couldn't help but think that relationships were unbelievably fickle things. Why, he wondered, couldn't they just be and exist as an extension of one's life rather than to change it entirely? Like...
...like with Rivener.
Rubbing his fingers over his lips, he was awash in a strong sense of what could have very well been guilt. He missed the Scorpion, he missed the Sigel's night-laden scent and the honey of his smile. He missed the way they'd lay on the couch for hours, watching movies or playing games and just soaking in each other. He missed the sound of his laughter and the way his eyes were so bright when he first woke up, the sheepish way Rivener would look at him when he caught Zul watching in private and the way he'd preen when he knew the demon's eyes were on him in public. He missed everything about the red-and-black male, and yet somehow, through the whole mess with Jezebelle, he'd allowed the most important one to him to take a backseat to his own frivolous problems.
Tilting his head enough to feel the gentle scratch of the rose against his skin, pressed into the flesh by the gorget, he found that even with Rivener factored into the equation, he'd still do everything exactly the same. If one good thing came out of it all, it was that he realized the truth of the Sigel's importance to him. With Rivener, the Frei found that he could be himself and that his Scorpion accepted him as is. He...loved him, just the way he was.
A soft, whimsical smile curved the demon's lips, sky-blue eyes closing. The chapter of the events may have closed, but it was a lesson learned, an invaluable one that he'd not soon forget. Zul could be satisfied with that.
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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:29 pm
Summary While visiting the graveyard, Lucia disappears -- only to return with a lot more than she left with!
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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:32 pm
█║ MSN SHORT: [QUEST] Helping Hand
█║ INVOLVED: Vyn, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: The two Frei's help out a bullied child.
Gathering the required materials for her plan had been easy. The incident she had witness with the child had been near enough to town that she could taken him to the shops, holding her hand almost as though she was a guiding older sister or even parent, whilst talking down the phone at her various raevan friends. A few were busy or unable to come due to living too far away and their guardians weren’t able to give them a lift. Some simply didn’t answer her calls... However, one frei did respond with a positive reply. Zul was in Gambino and had seemed more than happy to help out. The rose hadn’t seen him in a while and when they met up and dashed around various stalls buying what they needed she warmly introduced her new small human acquaintance to the demon.
The ginger child was certainly enamoured with the older boy and much of the time spent shopping was filled with the red head quizzing the other raevan about their kind; so much so that by the time everything had been collected the child was pretty well versed in raevans and the definitions such as frei, sigel, fel essence were lodged securely in his now excited mind. These new floating friends, in his opinion, were the coolest people ever! Every time he had spoken their names it was with a gush of excitement!
Now the trio were readying themselves in the park for the lesson they were about to teach to the bullies... Floating outside the public toilets Vyn lowered the bags of materials to the floor were they rested in the fresh grass. “Ready?” She asked the boy. Eager eyed he nodded, looking to Zul to check his bare-chested companion was equally ready.
Zul inclined his tri-horned head to the Shadow Rose, flicking his bright blue eyes to his new friend with a warm smile. "Ready," he agreed, extending a hand to rest against the boy's hair. How anyone could be subjected to such torment for the color of their hair was beyond him - especially for red. Quite frankly, he was rather smitten with the color on others. "Let me handle the dirty work," he added, leaning down to swipe the bag of water balloons, releasing the boy to tuck the guns under his arm as well, "so you and our Dark Lady here can get the plan of attack ironed out." The demon winked at the boy and gave Vyn a more charming smile, excusing himself and entering the public bathroom with an excited glint in his eye. Paybacks...what a fun notion!
Grinning back at Zul, a little foolishly as she was excited with the notion of surprising the mean children, she nodded and floated lower so that she was on eye level with Red.
The battle plan was actually quite simple: They were going to fill up all the water balloons and waterguns here... Then carry them as quietly as possible with all the stealth that they could manage to position themselves behind the smattering of bushes near the playground. They had already checked and as Red had suspected his tormentors were in their usual romping grounds. Then, when Red gave the signal (he was the chief of their little battle team) they would charge out of their hiding place to assault the kids with water. If all went to plan the bullies would be soaked and would flee from Red and his new friends having learnt a valuable life lesson.
Whilst they waited for everything to be prepared Vyn took something unrelated to their actual ambush out of the shopping bags and opened the lid. It was a pot of ‘war paint’, sold as a child’s dressing up accessory. Entertaining the idea of being an actual war band they had agreed that they could decorate each other to look extra fearsome. “I’ll paint you,” she exclaimed, hardly managing to hold back a maternal grin as the boy’s eyes lit up. “Yes, yes! War stripes! Like a red Indian!” Responding to his requests she dipped her fingers into the paint – it had a gooey consistency – and gave the youngster vivid red lines under his eyes. He looked wonderful!
“Can you do me?” The rose asked, keen to get the red paint daubed on her porcelain skin.
He could hear their voices filter through the flimsy walls as he deftly set about his task. Guns were filled first in one sink while he opened the bag of water balloons; by the time he had the second balloon wrapped around the third faucet, the first gun was done, and thus he set the pace of his job. Zul utilized all the sinks in the bathroom to perform his duty swift and efficient, humming a battle tune under his breath that he recalled from one of his shooting games. By the time his two warrior companions had painted each other, the demon returned with the guns, laying them down before picking up the previously discarded bag and returning for the balloons. They more than filled the bag, his expression proud as he returned with the filled container and his arms just about full as well. "Our Ammo, Commander," he quipped happily to the boy, carefully relinquishing his haul so as to ensure they would not pop prematurely. Zul wasn't done with those balloons, but that surprise could wait until they were at the park. Turning his eyes over the decorated two, he spread his arms, grinning in a lop-sided manner. "My turn?"
A most uncharacteristic girlish giggle escaped the rose’s lips as the child smeared red paint all over her face. She did not get stripes – the boy had remarked that as a girl she needed to have swirly lines. Of course she hadn’t objected and as Red marked out the squiggles along her arms she told him that he was a very good artist. Of course... By the time Zul had finished his job as water filler There wasn’t much exposed skin left on either of them... Red, as if emulating Zul, had taken off his top and thrown it aside to allow Vyn to print hands on his weedy little boy chest. Now, looking at Zul with both their hands covered in the red goo they both grinned and moved onto him.
Vyn covered his face, marking his cheeks with slashes of scarlet similar to Red’s whilst the human generously slapped the paint onto his hands and printed various handprints on Zul’s tanned torso. After she had done his face Vyn scooped out some of the remaining paint and marked on some bold jagged lines on the baphomet’s arms. Together they made the perfect painted squad and Red was practically bouncing with glee when he remarked that Zul was finished.
“You know the plan Zul, right? Can we start, can we start pleeeeease?!”
The demon was patient as he was adorned in the markings of their brigade, a small smile on his face as he watched Vyn. She'd come far from the days of avoiding touch and never smiling - the way she was giggling and decorating him was proof enough of that. Zul turned his blue eyes over his red-and-tan body, giving a solemn nod of approval at the two. "Good job," he mused out loud, stretching his arms and feeling the paint dry against his abnormally warm skin. To the questions posed by the boy, the Frei gave a salute like he'd seen his woman give her brother, leaning down to help gather up the ammo again. "On your march, Commander!"
Full of childish exuberance and ready to enact his revenge upon his tormentors Red grinned, saluted and grabbed his gun. “Forwaaaaard march!” he exclaimed before raising one knee up high and marching comically in the direction that they needed to go. Vyn also took a gun, but took more time before rushing after her miniature companion. She also needed to take the water bombs and if she didn’t want them to pop prematurely she had to be very careful with them. However, because she could float over the ground smoothly once she had lifted them in their plastic carrier bag she could speedily catch up with Red.
Following the terms of their plan he had manoeuvred himself into the agreed position behind the bushes. In true military fashion he had got down on his knees and was surveying the area. Inside the playpark the children from earlier were lounging around like they ruled the roost. Some were on the swings, kicking off lazily and causing the chains to creak softly. One or two were laying down on a roundabout and a pudgy looking member of the gang was at the top of the slide – looking like he was about to go down it but was instead hammering the keys on his phone, sending a text message to someone.
“Ready to go troops?” Whispered Red. Vyn replied with a curt nod, her darks eyes narrowing. She’d seen the malicious expression on the kids faces earlier. She was pleased they would be getting their comeuppance for picking on cute little Red.
Zul gave an amused smile, glancing to Vyn and picking up the last gun, slinging it over his shoulder and keeping the bag of his water balloons safe as he brought up the rear. He followed the boy's lead once they reached their destination, lowering his floating torso to the ground and carefully putting the balloons in front of him. Dipping his hands into the bag, there was a quiet crackle as the air around him began to chill a bit; frost lined the transluscent bag, the balloons beginning to display sweat of the warm summer's air against the sudden chill of the water within the rubbery confines. Like a pro, the demon unshouldered his gun and gave it the same treatment, tendrils of ice wrapping around the nozzle like a vine of cold, giving the plastic pump a few uses before tucking it against his side. Giving Vyn and their fearless leader a look, he dipped one blue eye in a wink. "Roger that," he purred with a malicious smile, the residual power creating small scales of ice against his forearms that rapidly soaked up the red paint.
The tiny Adam’s apple within the boy’s throat bobbed up and down as he swallowed hard and then, like a creature possessed he let out a war cry that contrasted so greatly with the military effectiveness that they had slipped into that Vyn was a little taken aback. “Attaaaaaaaaack!” He called, jumping to his feet and running crazily at the children luxuriating within the park. As he ran he pumped his gun so that when he’d cleared the distance he could spray right at their faces. He hit his first mark and before they had a chance to react he was onto soaking the next one. One child called out in anger – recognising him and starting to run towards him, presumably to tackle him or somehow prevent him from further wetting them.
However, by this point Vyn was out from the bushy cover and floating at them like some hideous black and red nightmare. Her angry black eyes struck fear into all of them and their mocking laughter at Red’s attack soon turn to screeches as they realised that Red was backed up by this alien woman. Sweeping to a different point of attack from Red Vyn made sure they she had blocked one route of escape; leaving Zul to pin them in on the other side. Having established her position she lowered the balloon bag to the floor. Now was the tricky bit...
She had been practicing her shadow vine skills alongside training Thorn and had admittedly become quite adept. Concentrating hard she plucked her shadow from the ground, split it into several tendrils and dipped them into the bag. With a flick of her mental control they looped around the balloons. Mimicking Red’s warcry she ordered the vine to toss the balloons at the bullies. They splattered everywhere, soaking them through to the skin. “This is payback!”
"Heh." The kid's excitement was enthralling and Zul had no qualms backing the charming red-head up in his endeavor. As Red charged and Vyn moved to her post, the demon did the same, floating low to the opposite side of Vyn's station on the park. He had a little more time to prepare, closing his eyes for a moment and calling to the itch that hid just behind his vision. When his lids opened, the serene blue was gone, now wearing the glassy black of his sixth sense, the inverted pentagram on his brow glowing as bright and bloody as the rest of the paint on him. It wasn't exactly a display he wanted the boy or the Shadow Rose to see, rather desiring their trust and lack of fear in him, but for these boys, these blights on the face of humankind (that he could tolerate), they would be spared no such consideration. Zul's smile evolved into a large grin that showed off his rather sharp teeth, picking up one of his frosty balloons and lobbing it at the kid on the slide; with their eyes focused towards Vyn and Red, it was easy to score a hit on the back of his head, giving another pump to his gun and letting loose his own battle cry. It was less words and more a quieter version of his roar, using the close proximity and limited water supply of the gun to douse the bullies with icy vengeance.
Already the kids were screaming in terror. These assailants had come out of the blue! At first they had thought it was just the wimpy kid from earlier – a pathetic attempt at beating them at their own game... But even now looking at him it didn’t seem to be the same child with eyes full of tears. He was wielding a gun just like the two otherworldly beings and they felt just as much fear of him as they did for the evil eyed woman and the insane dealer of freezing cold water. Some of them were whimpering already as they found that no matter which way they tried to escape they were assaulted with a barrage of water.
One of them made a break for it past Vyn, but the rose was having none of it. They hadn’t paid for their actions yet. With a grunt of effort she split her tendrils into many ended whips and managed to grab a handful of the bombs – hurling them into the boy’s chest and sending him skittering away yelping like a wounded puppy. “Apologise!" She yelled after him. After all, they weren’t just doing this for the fun of it – though the rose was admittedly finding the whole event quite funny in a black humoured manner – they were here to give them a moral lesson.
Red’s child heart was beating double time as he pumped the gun again and released a new burst of water against his previous attackers. His gun had a variety of settings on it’s nozzle and as the fat kid that Zul had aimed at squealed he narrowed his eyes, swept a lock of furious red hair out of his eyes and aimed for the back of his head. A thin bolt of pressurised liquid arced forth and splashed him, leading Red to give a whoop of joy. “Did you see that Zul?!” He called over to his friend. “Revenge is sweet!” He announced before giving his best evil overlord cackle.
"Eye for an eye!" Zul agreed with his razorblade grin, sharing the mindset of Vyn; there was a purpose for their attack, a means to their madness and he was all about for settling the score. The many against one had the advantage in numbers, but Red's team had the advantage in heart. "What say you to Red, heathens?" he practically crowed with delight, ceasing in his gun fire to let Red have that pleasure. Plucking a few more ice-bomb surprises from his bag, he made sure to aim for any that looked as if they were trying to part from the group and save their own skin, making sure they paid with cold punishment for trying to shirk their just desserts. He was mostly certain the terrified group would never make the mistake of picking on another for being different after seeing what brand of 'different' rained revenge down upon them.
Vyn also slowed down her assault as the message seemed to filter through to the unsavoury band of humans. Just like Zul she reserved her balloons and occasional bouts of water from her gun for the few children that wanted to get away. They were all terrified and huddling in a bunch now and she felt a profound sense of satisfaction. They were probably feeling the same emotions Red had been when she had found him huddled up and crying on the pavement. “Well.... What do you have to say to him?!” She asked, stressing the question posed by Zul.
All eyes turned to Red at this point. Many of them had quivering lips and the red headed boy felt elated. Full of pride that he and his new friends had been placed in power. However, as the chorus of “We’re sorry Red” came mewing into his ear his proud smile softened. His grip on his gun loosened and his strong stance of a leader gradually dissolved. That was all he wanted... Their apologies... and... he supposed... “You can never pick on me again!” He exclaimed, head held high.
“I am who I am. If you pick on me once more I’ll get you and so will my friends!” Giving one last spray into the scared pack of children he grinned at Vyn and Zul. “Thank you...” He said... Something lumpy felt like it was rising in his throat and he hurriedly gulped it down. He knew however that he couldn’t keep it at bay forever. “Can we go now?” He asked, the first glisten of tears rising in his eyes. Though this time they were not tears of sadness but rather... tears of happiness.
Vyn smiled. "Of course!"
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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:33 pm
█║ SOLO: Not Going Back
█║ INVOLVED: Alex, Brad, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Zul makes his intentions about where he wants to live, clear.
Summary (( Summary as too much time has passed to finish this in the proper mindset: ))
Despite the majority of drama ending, Zul makes it clear he has no intention to move back in with Alex, especially while she's still in the Delaran household. This makes Alex feel somewhat as a failure to Zul and makes her own goals clear - that she hadn't been focusing on her ward as much as she should have. Brad accepts Zul's decision as long as it's okay with Alex, and after some soul searching, Alex agrees to Zul's decision.
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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:34 pm
█║ MSN SHORT: Back to Zero
█║ INVOLVED: Alex, Aphismet
█║ SYNOPS: The relationship that should have been forever, ends.
It was late, an hour that the woman often still worked at, but not tonight. Alex sat on the bed she and Aphismet had been sharing in the Lab, fully dressed with her legs tucked beneath her, a worried kleenex held in her vice-like grip. Work-worn fingertips lightly pressed over her brow and cheek, her eyes heavily lidded to hide the constant threat of tears that had sprung up since her talk with Zul two nights ago. She'd been unable to change his mind and, in the end, her hand was forced. She had to talk to Aphismet. She had to tell him...she would not be moving with him when the time came.
Aphismet had returned from work happy, convinced that things were going to be looking up. He'd found their house, he'd started the process of buying it, even Isi didn't seem so reticent anymore... Soon they'd be out of the lab and back to a home of their own. From there, the other little things would begin to mend up: Eiry would hopefully stop being visited by city-ghosts, Rivener would cheer up a bit, the gap between Riv and Zul would lessen... The chef considered dropping by Alex's office to say hello to her, but he knew she was probably busy. He'd see her later, when she came to bed. Aph headed upstairs with a smile, shedding his coat and carrying it under an arm. When he entered the room, however, it was like cold water had been poured down his back. The smile dropped off his face, he paled, his arms twitched and dropped the coat to the ground. "Alex?" he asked, keeping his voice calm despite his inner panic. She NEVER looked upset! Something must be terribly wrong! He hurried to her side, sitting on the bed and wrapping arms around the Italian. "What happened?"
Green eyes turned upwards at the sound of her name, startled; she hadn't even heard him come in! Her lips parted, but nothing came out as the chef sat next to her and wrapped her up in his familiar, warm embrace, prompting her lids to become heavy with unshed tears. "Aphi," she murmured in a wavering voice, lifting her arms to wrap around his shoulders and neck. Alex buried her face into his neck, the grief and upset for what she was about to do tearing her apart inside. This was going to be as easy as pulling her heart out of her chest...which was exactly what she felt like she was doing. Pressing a quick kiss to his neck, she pulled back enough to look at him; her dark cheeks reddened with the flush of tears that wanted to fall, her throat tight. "Aphi, um..." I have some bad news was a bit on the obvious side. Cutting to the chase, she swallowed around her heart in her throat, saying softly, "Zul doesn't want to move back in." She paused with a small hiccup, one of the tears freeing itself from her tortured gaze, lips again moving without sound. Drawing in a shuddering breath, she squeezed out, "I can't leave him..."
Aphismet's heartbeat began to pound in his ears as she half-whimpered his name like that, hugging him back tightly... The chef's mind was quickly running amok with the worst possibilities now. What could possibly make Alex this upset?! Had something happened to her brother? or to one of their Raevans? Was Isikoro alright? Aphismet was starting to think someone had died, and his breathing slowly accelerated with the onset of a panic attack. Alex pulled away to look at him, and the chef forced himself under control for the moment. He couldn't go to pieces, he had to be the rock. He pressed his lips together and listened closely to whatever she'd be telling him, knowing it was important... Zul doesn't want to move back in. The chef's face froze. His heart, his blood, his lungs, everything came to a standstill, shocked. He knew what she'd say next, and all he could do in response is blink a few times. "A-ah?" The sound was all that could escape, the chef struggling to figure out what he could say to that. What COULD he say to that?! A light frown pulled his gaze down to the floor, and he nodded faintly. "...Of course you can't leave him. I under-... stand." He did understand, but he couldn't help how he felt about it. With luck he'd be able to hide that. He wouldn't meet her gaze, and his arms began slipping free from around her, reluctantly. Did this mean they'd have to end? Or was this just a break? They should make it clear, but the white-haired man was afraid to ask.
And the dark-haired woman was afraid to clarify. As Aphismet's arms and eyes slipped from her, Alex felt the need to cry welling hard in her chest. Removing her arms from him, she pressed her hands over her face and bowed her back, shaking violently as she warred to repress the tears that were squeezing past her shut eyes. Why did every stable thing in her life have to be torn asunder? The Italian wanted nothing more than to be able to put the blame on someone else, but that would mean blaming Zul...and in her heart of hearts, she could not do it. She loved him with all her soul, she loved Aphismet with all her heart, and separating the two was going to destroy her. Taking in a ragged breath, she lowered her hands; her lips trembled, her eyes staring sightlessly at the floor, the fight seeming to drain out of her body as defeat settled in. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting from Aphismet, but she supposed acceptance hadn't been it. "I'm sorry," she whispered in a tear-filled voice, lifting her index finger to brush away another tear.
She moved away from him on her own the instant he'd begun to let go, and Aphismet had to fight every fibre of his being to let her go. He wanted nothing more than to hold her closer, fight this, yell about it, demand things, but what right had he? What right had he to anything? He knew, long before, that he was never going to be number one to Alex. Zul would come first. He couldn't begrudge her that. And he had made peace with it, he'd be content with whatever corner of her heart Alex could spare for him, but this-... Aphismet didn't think it would ever have come to this. He leaned forward with elbows on his knees and clenched his own eyes shut, lacing his fingers together and squeezed his hands until it was painful. "...What's going to happen, then?" he asked, his voice low to hide how weak it had become. He'd found the courage to ask, simply because the silence hurt more. "Are we-... is this over? Can't we just-... Can't we just go back to before you moved in? Can't I still be with you?" She wouldn't be crying this badly if she thought they'd still be together, right? Aphismet shook all over, wondering how far he should go to keep this. He wanted to keep this, he loved her. He loved Alex. But he never wanted to force his wishes on anyone, so how could he possibly fight to keep something when she didn't want it anymore?
She couldn't look at him, not easily. She knew that if he was reacting even a fraction of how she was, she'd break. Alex did not break, never had, and damnit, even if it wasn't her turn to be the rock, it was all she knew to be. Squeezing the kleenex still squished pitifully in her hand, she had to take several breaths before she could respond, wrestling with the questions. As much as she hated it, she didn't have answers. Rubbing the curve of her knuckle against her lips, trying to gain some sort of foothold with the turmoil that had her blind and drowning, she replied with hitching words, "I don't--know. I can't...think. I can only--I only feel, and...it hurts. Oh, god, I hurt so much..." And the tears came with renewed vengeance, forcing her to hide her eyes with a shaking hand. She had one question to pose to him, and his answer, she supposed, would also answer his questions. "What if...he never...changes his mind?" Zul was her responsibility. Aphismet taught her to love after years of solitude. Was there no balance to be found?
Aphismet let out a breath of relief. She didn't know the answer to his question, but that was so much better than a clear-cut "no". His hands relaxed from the deathgrip they'd had on themselves, and the chef's shoulders sagged from the tense line they'd been. Alex began sobbing then, and Aphismet felt centered enough that he could once again be a rock. He slipped one arm back around the woman's shoulders and hugged her close, turning his head to press his forehead to the side of her temple. He spoke quietly. "If he doesn't change his mind, it doesn't matter. Raevans, like children, will grow up and eventually leave the nest, right? I can wait. I love you, Alex, and I can wait for you as long as I need to. Just... don't-..." Oh great, NOW he was starting to feel the tears, but he frowned and shoved them back, swallowing. He didn't like even thinking of this possibility. "...-don't get over me or forget me while we're apart, okay?"
The woman's body tensed for a brief moment at the touch, but realizing that he was reaching out to her, Alex relaxed against the chef, leaning into him and drawing strength from his reassurance. It was true...one day, Zul wouldn't be with her anymore. While the idea gave her a cold shock, the notion that she would have the ability to be with Aphismet again outweighed it. The words he spoke to her made her sit up abruptly, her tear-laden eyes very nearly glaring. "Forget you? Agh! Aphi!" She actually smacked him on the shoulder for that in a loving, chiding manner, surprising herself by laughing through the tears. "I love you, you...you doofus, don't you dare forget me--" She moved off the bed then, putting a leg over the chef's own so that she was in his lap, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and leaning in to impart a salty tear-kiss. "Don't wait," she finally said at length, finding focus in him. If she didn't have to deal with her own emotions, she was better off. "Be happy, Aphi. If we're in a g-good place when that day comes..." What would be, would be. Knowing he loved her and supported her was all she could ask for.
Aphismet flinched in surprise at the smack on his shoulder, attempting a sheepish grin. She seemed adamant that she wouldn't forget him, and hearing that she loved him drew an elated chuckle from the chef, though he blinked back a tear. Alex repositioned onto Aphi's lap and the chef wrapped her up in a hug, feeling his insides flutter. This wasn't going to be bad. It wasn't going to be the end. This was just a hiccup, a road bump. After their kiss, Alex declared he shouldn't wait, and the chef only raised an eyebrow, eyes hard and severe. "Alex, you can't tell me not to wait. Why would I want to be with anyone else? I'll wait if I feel like it. And just because we're not living together, it doesn't mean we can't still be together, right? I can still go see you, can't I? Unless-... Unless it's me Zul doesn't want to see?" Dark eyes frowned. If that was the case...
A smile curved her lips then, though her face was still flushed and tears still clung to her long lashes. "I know, Aphi," she replied softly, touching her brow to his. "I'm sorry. I wont tell you what to do. I just don't want you to deny yourself happiness, ever." Alex knew well that hearts could heal and distance didn't always make it fonder. Clinging to 'being a rock' to her core, she sniffled and pushed back the encroaching wave of sadness that lingered just behind her eyes. Focusing on Aphismet allowed her to deny her own inner demons. The part about Zul made her hesitate, her expression somewhat apologetic. "He didn't say directly. He didn't...say a whole lot of anything, I just know he...never saw the house as a home." His less-than-supportive opinion of the chef was not something she wanted to share.
Aphismet pressed his brow back to hers with a soft smile, desperately clinging to the belief that everything would be alright. They'd survive this. Alex wanted Aphi to be happy, but Aphi wanted the same for her. He would have said so as well, but alex continued on to answer his question about Zul. The chef sighed and figured he'd best assume Zul disliked him. But to the extent that he'd destroy his guardian's happiness, just because of his own opinions on her boyfriend? Aphismet's already low opinion of the demon was dipping to near-abysmal, but he made sure not to show a single hint of it. He raised a hand to caress the Italian's dark hair, trying to be soothing. "...Alright, it's alright, we'll deal. You just do what you have to do, and I'll do what I have to do, and we'll see what comes of it. ...I'll wait, Alex. Really. But... you be happy too, alright? If you can't-... I mean if something happens, or something... just, follow your heart. I'll be okay." He'd be devastated, but he wanted her happiness first and foremost.
"We'll figure it out," she promised him, as it was all she could do. She didn't want Aphismet to pledge himself to her when she was very clearly not doing that just now; she'd had to pick sides, and in the end, Alex would never choose herself over another. Tilting her head into his touch, she lifted one of her hands to lightly twine into his hair, giving him another sad, trembling smile. "There will never be another you, Aphi." The words were spoken from the heart, as she could not express just how much he meant to her, how grateful she was for all he'd done, what he continued to do even then. Lifting her head, she pressed her lips to his brow, slow and lingering. She didn't know when...or if...she'd ever be able to do this again. "I should...get back to work," she murmured against his white hair. "We can talk more later if you want." Alex needed to breathe, some space to figure out what to do now, once her heart stopped bleeding.
There was something in the way she was speaking, acting, that left Aphismet's throat in knots. She wasn't all better from this. They were both still confused and hurt. She wasn't agreeing to Aphismet's last-ditch plea for them to try... The chef sighed at the kiss on his brow, and kept his eyes down when she spoke again. She wanted to go back to work, now, and as much as Aphismet wanted to deny her that and ask that they spend this one last night together, warm in one another's arms, he once again found he couldn't force his wishes on her. He had no right. "...Alright. Go. I'll be waiting." He doubted there was more for them to talk about now, but he would be waiting for her far beyond tonight. He'd wait years if he needed to. "I'll always be here when you need me. When we're ready."
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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:34 pm
█║ RP LINK: Save Your Goodbye
█║ INVOLVED: Alex, Aphi, Rivener, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: And the relationship that shouldn't have survived, blooms again.
Summary After being called and told Rivener is shot, Alex and Zul pay the fallen Sigel a visit. It seems Riv's gunshot wound isn't the only thing that will be healing, now!
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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:36 pm
█║ SOLO: Begin Again
█║ INVOLVED: Alex, Neil
█║ SYNOPS: Alex needs a new home, and Neil comes with her.
Summary (( Summary as too much time has passed to finish this in the proper mindset: ))
Alex needs a new place to live that's closer to work, deciding to relocate to Gambino. Despite it being further away from his work, Neil moves with her so they can afford a nice place near the beach.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 7:21 pm
█║ MSN SHORT: This Is How a Heart Breaks
█║ INVOLVED: Aphismet, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Idle threats are shared.
Aphismet pondered saying something. He'd spotted Zul on the street, and the chef knew he might be late if he said something now, but he just couldn't keep quiet. Frowning only slightly (and covering that up soon after, not wanting to appear abrasive), the white-haired man crossed the street and intercepted the Frei. "Zul, can I talk to you for a second? I won't take too much of your time." He was probably on an errand or something, so Aphi wouldn't keep him.
The look that crossed the demon's face when the white-haired chef came into view was beyond surprised. In the time he lived with the Delaran's, they hadn't really spoken...at all, and now...? Zul was certain it wasn't just a coincidence. Wearing a good-humored smile, the Frei inclined his tri-horned head with curiosity in his blue eyes. "Afeezmet, what a surprise." Crossing his arms over his half-formed chest, he gave an inquisitive tilt of his head. "Certainly. I'm in no hurry."
The chef slowed his pace to a stop as he neared the Frei, raising an eyebrow lightly. He couldn't recall ever really conversing with Zul before, but had he always spoken like that? ...Not that it mattered. The chef put his hands in his pockets to keep them warm and out of the way (he wasn't sure what to do with them otherwise; they seemed to want to hang at his sides in tight fists, and that wouldn't do), smiled back rather tensely, and just dove into the heart of the matter. "...Alex broke up with me. You knew this, right? You must have. ...Did you ask her to do it?"
Zul stared at the chef without blinking for several moments, trying to determine if the human had a bad sense of humor or if he was serious. When no punchline followed, the Frei could only assume he meant it. "No," he said at length, a touch of surprise in his smoky voice. "I only told her I wasn't moving back in. That I'd stay with Bear, if she wanted to go with you." He finally blinked, cocking his head to the side. "I don't know you." It was as blunt a reason as the chef would get as to the demon's opinion of him.
Aphismet actually did frown at that. Zul didn't know him, fine, he could understand that. He could even understand Zul not wanting to live in their house, if he felt uncomfortable there. But... "Didn't you even think about what you said to her? You made her choose. She loves you, and she loves me, and you honestly didn't know what you were doing when you said that to her? That you would stay with Bear IF she wanted to go with me?" Maybe he was just lashing out now, knowing there was no way this could have worked out, but unlike Alex, Aphismet DID blame Zul for this. Even if he didn't do it purposefully. The chef opened his mouth to say more, but he knew whatever came out would just be frustrated and angry words with no real point. He sighed and glared to the sidewalk. "Don't ever make her cry like that again, you selfish p***k. Take care of her better."
Zul remained silent, staring at the chef with his passive smile. He wasn't going to explain himself to Aphismet anymore than he did to his woman - his reasons were his and his alone, a burden he would carry on his shoulders by himself. Yes, he may have inconvenienced the Italian, but he also believed she would have been more upset if he'd told her now, after eight months of abuse. He could have made some quip in return, be it about Alex or Rivener, but wisely, the Frei said nothing. Zul still had limited grasp of human emotions and reactions, this being no exception. After staring at the white-haired man for a few more moments, he turned away. "Neil is waiting on me." And he had nothing else to say.
Typical. Aphismet scoffed and let his frown develop to a full, hateful, angry glower as he watched the Frei turn and leave. By all appearances, Zul hadn't listened to a single damned word. The chef swore to himself and turned around to go, crossing the street again and trying to push this unpleasant experience under the rug. If Zul ever did hurt Alex again, Aphismet would not let it slide.
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 3:48 pm
█║ MSN SHORT: November 1st
█║ INVOLVED: Rivener, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Affection is rekindled with the promise of a date.
Rivener dialed the number he'd already memorized by heart, the number to Zul's workplace. He didn't usually bother the demon at work, but today was special! Today deserved a call! The smile on his face grew wider and wider with each ring, and he fidgeted on the bed eagerly. As soon as someone picked up he spoke. "Hello! Is Zul there?"
The glass beneath his fingers had just curled to a satisfying tip when Neil poked his head in, telling him he had a call. Zul was so unaccustomed to getting calls at work - and any of it being good - that he had to stop and stare at the contraption for a few heartbeats before he reached for it. Tucking the phone between his shoulder and his long ear, he spoke clearly into the receiver, "This is Zul."
Rivener felt his heart leap into his throat with happiness at just hearing Zul's voice, still elated to realize they were on speaking terms again. One month of calling Zul every day from the hospital still hadn't dimmed Rivener's boundless joy. But as usual, he did his best not to sound as enthusiastic as he felt. He came off as Casually Happy, which was fine by him. "Hi Zul! It's Riv! Sorry to bug you at work, I just wanted to let you know the good news: I'm out of the hospital! Came home today!"
The sound of the Scorpion's voice completely lit his face into unreserved joy, his polite smile widening into a grin. "Rivener," he purred the name with surprise palpable in his voice, "you're home now? That's great! How do you feel? Can I see you again soon?" With Zul's excitement came the inane bubbling words that he couldn't seem to get a grip on, wanting to see the elder Raevan and hug him again - to feel him whole and uninjured.
Rivener chuckled, his entire self fizzing with happiness at his Flower’s clearly heard happiness. The Sigel could almost see that smoky smile spreading, lighting up Zul’s beautiful face. “I still feel a little banged up, can’t move my arm without wincing, but it’s a lot less than it used to be! I don’t have to take the pain pills anymore, and I am out of that dreadfully boring place. It’s SO GOOD to be out and feel the sun and the wind!” There, he’d pattered about enough that he didn’t seem over-eager now that he jumped onto the topic he’d REALLY wanted to answer. “I’d love to see you, Zul! We could go on a date! …If that’s okay? I’d like to take you out on a date.” Still wounded at being told he had kept Zul like a trophy bauble, Riv made sure he never demanded anything anymore. He asked, and let the other decide.
A soft, smoky chuckle followed Rivener's exuberance for his freedom, sky-blue eyes unfocused as he imagined the Sigel animatedly speaking, his gaze fond. "I bet the sun and wind missed you too, Rivener," the demon smiled a little. "It doesn't shine so bright when you're away." At the agreement and proposal of a date, Zul extended his wings in his own brand of an excited motion, the rings against the bone tinkling in the background. "I would like that very much. We still need our vacation too."
Flattery… Rivener flushed darkly at the praise, butterflies fluttering against his ribs. Zul could be so eloquent… The Vacation! He’d completely forgotten about that! Rivener gasped and held his breath, eyes widening in shame. HOW could he have forgotten!? A whole week of him and Zul, alone, comfortable, needing to share each other with no one else… The Scorpion let out a shaky, dreamy sigh. “Yeah, we definitely have to take that Vacation sometime soon. As soon as my arm’s healed, if that’s alright with you?” Again, asking instead of demanding. He’d been good so far since their reconciliation. ”But we can still go on a date, of course! What would you like to do? I’m up for ANYthing, as long as it gets me out and about.”
The light intake of breath was not missed, a sort of silent amusement twisting his lips at the sweet sigh that followed. His Scorpion could be such a romantic! "Sounds perfect," Zul affirmed with another soft sound of mirth. But a date? Where could they go for a date...? "It may start to be cold out," he ventured to say, turning over possibilities in his mind, "so something indoors or busy...like a festival." The demon paused in thought before adding with a gentle honesty, "I'd be happy to sit on a couch with you and watch movies, my Rivener. Whatever you want to do. I want to celebrate your health."
Rivener swooned. Sounds perfect, Zul said. The Scorpion was damned glad he wasn’t face-to-face with his beloved Flower right now, because there was no way he could have hidden the dumb, smitten smile that pulled his face up. Riv forced himself to pay attention, clearing his throat ever so slightly as he composed himself. ”Uh, hm. Cold, yeah, that kind of sucks for me.” He never liked winter, but as long as he wore a heavy coat and had Zul’s constant heat supply beside him, he’d be fine. Still, movies sounded nice too… Again Riv’s dumb-smitten smile appeared at the demon’s words. ”H-how about we do a bit of both? See a movie, but go somewhere indoors and busy? We could go see something in the movie theatre!” He’d recovered quickly enough from the swooning, if he said so himself.
Another light chuckle followed the words, folding his arms against the counter the phone was perched upon and leaning against it lazily. "That would be very nice," Zul practically purred, sky-blue eyes lidding, "and we could almost make a day of it, hm? Just you and me, sharing time and warmth." The words were light and almost had a sultry edge, the Frei teasing his Sigel counterpart though he had every intention of holding true to his playful suggestion.
Oh jeez, Rivener realized he was turning into a sissy girl. Why else would his stomach explode with fluttering the instant Zul ever used that voice?! Blushing up to his long, pointed ears and frowning at his girlish reactions (telling himself harshly to man the ******** up while he was at it), Riv cleared his throat and tried not to sound so bowled over with complete and utter adoration. He pretty much failed. ”That sounds-… a-amazing. I mean, it’d be cool, I guess. Fun. Would be nice. So, uhm, when are you available? And do you care what movie we watch?” For some reason, Riv got the impression Zul was going to whip out something incredibly flattering and butterfly-releasing again, something about only wanting to spend time with his Rivener…
Rivener was getting rather adept at judging the demon's antics. "Whatever you want," he murmurs in a low, content tone of voice, "because my attention is likely to not be on the movie." Zul grinned then, a flash of teeth with a devious glint in his normally happy-go-lucky eyes, painting him as the darker creature of old that composed him. "I want to celebrate you, my Rivener. As long as I'm with you, what we do is second." It seemed that silver tongue his ex-tutor had been so worried about was beginning to take a rather solid hold on Zul, something he was eager to exploit.
Rivener grinned in a knowing way, trying to hide his blushing and flattered awe under a veneer of smugness. He knew Zul would say that! Or something like it… Since when had Zul been so-… so smooth? Riv’s spine nearly turned to jelly as his mind hurried to populate with images that were wholly inappropriate, all fueled by the sultry smoke in that voice. ”…Silver-tongued Devil,” Riv accused playfully, chuckling. ”I can’t wait to see you, then. I miss your attention on me already. So when can we have our date?” Dark wings rustled with enthusiasm.
Smoky laughter chased Rivener's accusation, as it wasn't the first time he'd been called that - nor would it be the last, he hoped! "Whenever you want. Neil thinks I should get out more anyway - he wouldn't mind giving me time off whenever you feel up for it." Pausing, Zul pushed himself off of the counter and peered around the door frame of the room he was in, eyes resting on the baffled looking Irishman in question. "Right?" Satisfied by the equally stupefied nod, he floated back into his little workroom, wings flexing behind himself again. "I look forward to seeing you too, my Rivener," he adds in a softer tone.
Rivener preened, happy to hear that he wouldn’t need to wait long for their date. The coming weekend, maybe! He chuckled as Zul apparently checked in with his boss right then and there, getting the permission he needed. ”Then this Saturday, yeah? Can you meet me at the Lab’s front doors at 9am? That way we can have all day together, like you said.” He didn’t want Zul coming to the house to pick him up, because then Stars knew Rivener would never leave, he’d just pull Zul inside and they’d stay there all day. While that sounded nice, he still truly wanted to get out and see the world again after being cooped up so long. ”Is that okay?”
Zul was grateful that Rivener didn't ask him to meet the Sigel at the new house. The less chances for him to run into Aphismet, especially on a day that was supposed to be for the Scorpion and himself, the better. "Saturday," he confirmed with a warm expression, "nine at the Lab. I'll be there."
Rivener grinned and blushed again, keeping his voice carefully controlled so it wouldn’t betray how completely happy he was. His entire body tingled with the force of the butterflies in his stomach now. ”Alright. See you Saturday, then, my Flower. …Bye!” Reluctantly, he waited a moment and then hung up, clutching the phone to his chest and letting his eyes slip closed in bliss.
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