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 Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:09 pm
█║ RP LINK: Cold Day in Hell
█║ INVOLVED: Alex, Roux
█║ SYNOPS: A terrible mistake is made.
Summary When Roux shows up at the Lab, Alex thinks nothing of it, pleased to see the Sigel...unknowing that his madness has consumed him and she and many others will pay a price.
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 6:22 am
█║ RP LINK: Cold Reception
█║ INVOLVED: Melisande, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Zul goes to the Lab to find Alex; instead, Melisande finds him.
Summary Zul refuses to sit back and wait, knowing Alex, Kyou and Lazarus are in danger. In his attempt to find some way in, he is instead found by Melisande, and together, they breach the ice castle...
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 6:24 am
█║ RP LINK: Ice Breaker
█║ INVOLVED: Lazarus, Melisande, Rivener, Roux, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Roux tries to kill them all -- and with the rage of a Sigel, Zul kills him first.
Summary The four do everything they can to incapacitate Roux, and in the end, Zul makes a decision that will change his life forever.
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Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:35 pm
Voicemail
____________________________________________ Her fingers fumbled with the buttons as she skimmed through her contact list, first landing on Alex alphabetically and giving her a call first. There was no ring, instead it went directly to voicemail as though the phone was off. Hanging up, she tried once more, and again. On the fourth time, Anita let out a frustrated growl and decided to just leave a message—there were other people she needed to get in contact with, as well!
At the beep, Anita immediately let out a ”s**t!” before continuing with a proper message. Her voice was shaking, occasionally gaining a higher pitch as she strained to remain as calm as possible. ”Th-this is Anita,” she stopped and sighed there, trying to catch her breath which felt like was caught in her lungs, ”I just saw the news, are you and Zul okay?! I-I’m gonna call Zeke, but—argh!” Another frustrated wail surged through her and her hand gripped the phone tightly, its plastic creaking from the force, ”Dammit, I hope your line is just busy. Please call me back! Be okay!” As her thumb mashed against the hang up button, another quiet curse slipped through her clenched teeth
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 3:04 pm
█║ SOLO: One Year Later
█║ INVOLVED: Alex, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: She's not over it, and he's still troubled.
He'd been born of rage, and the feeling had never left him.
Zul was reminded of his growth every time he looked at Alex. It was a gnawing sense of heat in his chest, a fire-blooming flower that was tempered by coldest ice. That small bit of frostbite seemed to linger, and after a year, even he was aware that his temperature was typically lower; Alex didn't put her cold hands on his back anymore, food didn't seem to stay warm as long and even flowers suffered if he was near them for a half hour or longer. He'd been trying to make a conscious effort to elevate his heat, but it seemed the events of Roux's attack and Zul's subsequent actions and reactions had taken their toll.
He watched her, with that inkling of heat and bite of ice, needled by her concerned glances and the way she'd automatically skirt around him. It was, he supposed, the wide berths she was giving him - not to avoid him, but to try and mitigate the amount of cold she had to be in contact with. Zul was better about it now, but it was a routine by the time he did something about it: Zul was point A, the destination was point B, and Alex would take the scenic route if he was between her and point B. It wouldn't have bothered him, except...that it did. The frostbite around his heart, he called it - the crackle of discontent and freezing of ire.
Today, Zul was agitated by it, watching her swivel around his presence like a hurdle. "You're doing it again," he remarked with a small drawl of annoyance.
She glanced back to him, having made her way to the kitchen around him as he leaned against the island. Alex had walked around to the opposite side and hadn't really noticed. "Mm, sorry love," she replied as though she'd said it a thousand times. Perhaps she had. "You know it's not -- "
"-- personal," he practically bit the end off her sentence. His lips set into a thin line, gazing at her unblinkingly over a glass of apple cider, left over from the New Year. Straightening, he added, "I'm not going to hurt you."
He regretted the words once they left, but it didn't show in his face, nor did it seem to impact her by the smooth look of her own. Alex frowned a little at him, a small pinch between her brows, and he knew he had made a misstep. "Zul," she said in the tone of voice that suggested she was not amused and perhaps more offended by his flippant comment than he'd been by her gesture, "when have I ever been afraid of you?"
The demon's brows knit and furrowed, holding her gaze before the weight of it became too much. Zul instead found interest in the far wall of the dining room. "Sorry," he murmured in the same tone that suggested he'd said that as often as her 'I'm sorry's.
He started to say more, but she exhaled sharply and put the vase she'd been carrying into the sink loudly, drawing his eyes back to her with alarm. "Zul, this isn't going to be comforting but it's going to be honest: you need to stop projecting your fear on me."
"What?" He looked stricken, brows akimbo in bemusement.
The corner of her mouth ticked, the lids of her eyes narrowing slightly. Zul had the distinct impression that he was about to get tongue-lashed. "Ever since the incident - what, it's been a year now? - you've avoided your friends, you've avoided talking about it with Rivener, you wont even check on the ones that were hurt outside of hounding me about it. You've been projecting this - " he hands lifted, waving about as if trying to grab the problem that was between them, " - fear that they'll reject you, or hate you, or that I should feel that way about you, all onto me. Quite frankly, it needs to stop. Now."
The Sigel's confusion, revelation and embarrassment all crossed over his face, not a single one holding place at once. Alex looking at him with a hand on her hip and her brows in a drawn line of sternness was enough to make him feel like a Frei all over again, missing what was right in front of him and blundering over the simplest of concepts. Tapping his fingers on the glass, he cleared his throat and stared down into the bubbly contents, starting softly, "That was not my intent."
Silence followed, then punctuated by an understanding, "I know."
She was giving him time to digest her words, to refute, to speak, anything he wanted - she was always like that, and while sometimes it made Zul crazy with frustration of her not reacting to his own emotional response, he was grateful for it, now. "...we never talked about it."
He glanced up, seeing one of her brows lift and a flicker of understanding on her own features, soon taken over by guilt. "...you know, you're right." Alex sounded touched by wonder, if not disappointment, prompting him to look at her in full. "I figured we'd talk after I healed and we just -- didn't."
A faint smile curved the demon's lips. "We had a lot on our minds." It was Alex's turn to look away, but it was out of thought and reflection; he could tell by the way her eyes glassed over, unfocused out the window over the sink. "You weren't actually waiting for you to heal, Lex, you were doing paperwork and trying to follow up on the ones that were hurt. Answering calls. Dealing with the public and the media. You never took a moment for you."
She didn't look away, murmuring, "Or you."
"I didn't exactly make myself available."
Her eyes flickered to him. He could tell she thought he was humoring her. "I'm yours first, Zul. That -- was a huge oversight on my part--"
"Lex, for goodness sake, you are not the only responsible adult despite what you may believe." His words were touched with only a little ice, his expression one of being tired, as if this war had been fought for a long time. For Zul, it was his entire life. She looked at him in mute shock, prompting him to continue. "You've spent my entire life cleaning up after Kyou, taking care of every new Raevan owner who suddenly regresses in maturity to take care of them -- some older than you! You're like..." he glanced to his glass, irritation crawling up his exposed spine, "...taking responsibility on yourself for everyone else's mistakes and decisions and that's not fair, it's not right." He looked to her again, his expression now narrowed and pressed. "I may not be an adult human but I am more adult than the ones you do deal with - the point of all that is to say, I'm to blame too." He paused, adding in a thoughtful manner, "You have to let me acknowledge my mistakes and take credit for my blunders."
Alex stared at him owlishly. He had the idea that she hadn't intended the conversation to take this turn, though it felt like a necessary one. "I've always wanted to protect you from the worst of what this world has to offer," she said quietly, almost meekly. "I've always wanted you to be better than us."
He smiled crookedly at her, brows lifted. "Aren't I?"
She made a faint sound, and then scoffed, taking the offer for a lighter atmosphere easily. "And so humble."
"You never taught me humility, Lex. That you can take credit for." She laughed, tugging a warmer smile out of him, thawing some of the ice in him. "But really, Lex. You have to hold me accountable for my actions - and you have to give some leniency on yours. You don't take enough care of yourself to beat yourself up, too."
The smile that she wore was faint, if not a little strained. "I know I'm not the best role model." She looked at him with apology in her eyes. "But you're the pride and joy of my life. To me, you're faultless."
Zul made a soft 'tsk' sound, picking up his glass and floating around the island, his temperature raised. "Parents are usually blind to their children's flaws."
"FIRST," she replied immediately, making him grin. He knew what she was going to say. "I am not your mother, jesus, Zul!" Soft laughter answered her as he put the glass on the counter, closer now. "And second, I am not blind to your flaws, I just don't see flaws as something bad. Maybe it deviates from 'the norm' or what's socially acceptable, but...when has that ever been of importance to us?"
Zul's smile reached his eyes, easing them into crescent moons. "If I'm keeping score, then...approximately never."
"That's right." She huffed, giving him a briefly reproachful look before turning the sink on. "So. Do you want to talk about it?"
The demon nodded once. "Please."
"Then we'll talk."
(( 1,511 words // 9 points
Not pictured: Spooky Harvest Party - 3,431 words (without Alex) // 16 points ))
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Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:04 pm
█║ RP LINK: Overdue Overature
█║ INVOLVED: Alex, Anita, Cruz, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: The Croccy Kisser is finally met!
Summary Inactive.
2,031 words // 8 points
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:24 pm
█║ RP LINK: It`s All Been Done
█║ INVOLVED: Ethiriel, Leo, Zul
█║ SYNOPS: The demon and the silver tea goddess meet.
Summary Inactive.
1,710 words // 7 points
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Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 6:28 pm
█║ RP LINK: Tonight is the Night
█║ INVOLVED: Alex, Cesc, Shepard, Vivi
█║ SYNOPS: Alex and Zul meet the three bakers one auspicious night.
Summary On the way home, the terrible two spot the terrific trio; and unshakable friendship is immediately born.
3,843 words // 17 points
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Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 8:30 pm
█║ RP LINK: Not As Think As You Drunk I Am
█║ INVOLVED: Alex, Shepard, Vivi, Zeke
█║ SYNOPS: Like a good pop song, the summer night brings promise of change.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 6:31 pm
█║ MSN SHORT: Need You Now
█║ INVOLVED: Alex & Aphismet
█║ SYNOPS: Suddenly, relationship unpaused!
Aphismet put the car in park and took a deep breath. He looked at his hands- they were shaking on the steering wheel. There was so much to be nervous about. Was this the right address? Was he going to make a giant fool of himself? Would she even remember what had happened last Halloween? Was she even home today? Shaking his head, Aphismet dragged a hand over his face and tried to calm down. "Come on. No more waiting. Take a chance." The white-haired man's shaking fingers reached into the driver's seat and gripped the colorful bouquet he'd painstakingly selected at the store. None had seemed good enough, but this one had shockingly purple blossoms and it made the green leaves pop. Like her eyes. Swallowing again, Aphi left the protection of his car and walked up to the doorbell. His hand trembled as he pushed the doorknob, but he'd decided he'd do this, and he would go through with it. No more waiting to see if she would ever ask for more than that one startling, hope-kindling halloween kiss. Aphi would make the leap himself.
She could scarcely hear the sound of her pen scratching over the paper as she signed her name on the bottom of it, smiling to herself with contentment. Another job done and signed off; it felt good to be working again and not just waiting for the next shoe to drop in the Lab. Alex leaned back in her chair, tilting her head back and listening to the music that poured out of the stereo speakers, drowning her in sweet, comforting sound. It was not loud enough, however, to block out the chiming sound of the doorbell, causing her to glance out of the open space of her office and down the stairs. Pursing her lips, she gave herself a shrug and spun around in her chair, flouncing down the stairs in her tank top and sweatshorts, barefoot with her long hair swinging behind her in a single ponytail. Careful to keep her scarred leg behind the door, she didn't use the peek hole and instead simply opened it up, expecting mail or maybe that Zul had forgotten his key again. Instead, she was faced with a nervous looking white-haired chef that she knew all too well.
Alex lost the air in her lungs, green eyes widening and her back stiffening with a sort of guilt she had no control over. Her lips parted in a bid to reclaim her breath, but it was clear from the way her fingers gripped the edge of the door that she was winded. "...Aphi?" she squeaked out, shock bolting her in place.
Aphismet's breath stuck in his throat as the door opened. Oh god she was right there. It had all been well and good to convince himself of the action he was about to take, but to see her in person... Maybe it was the fact that there was no instant smile greeting him. The chef had enough self-doubts that the lack of that smile instantly convinced him he had made a mistake. She hadn't met someone in the year since- it was almost Halloween again, after all.
He smiled shyly and shrugged a shoulder, raising the bouquet into her field of vision and looking about as sheepish as he could, face staining red. "Uh, H-hi, Alex. I... Got you these. For, uhm..." He scratched at the back of his neck. He floundered. How was he supposed to broach the topic? He should have practiced more in the mirror! "Y-you look good."
If Alex knew she wasn't smiling, it didn't show, as she was having enough time struggling just to breathe. She had almost convinced herself that she'd only ever see Aphi at Lab shindigs anymore, that she'd never have the connection with him that she'd had before. And yet...there he was, on her doorstep, smiling in his shy manner and holding out a bouquet. For one heart-stopping moment, she was overwhelmed with deja vu, seeing him for the first time in years with the ocean in the horizon, roses handed to her on that long-passed Valentine's Day.
Realizing she had a white-knuckled grip on the door, she forced her fingers to release it, letting it swing open. "Aphi," she murmured his name again, enough of the shock drained from her that she could move again, extending her hands to gingerly accept the flowers. Almost automatically, her fingers slid over his with the gesture, one hand still holding his wrist as she drew the flowers to herself. "They're beautiful, Aphi, but you always did know how to find the most thoughtful gifts." And then she did smile, a quiet, almost tired expression. It wasn't him, though - it was entirely her. "I look like I just rolled out of bed, flatterer. You..." her green eyes dipped to take him in, a pang in her chest at the familiarty of him. "...look as handsome as ever. Would you like to come in?"
Aphismet didn't know what was going on here. She seemed... happy, yet unhappy to see him. Tired. Shocked? Gnh, he wished he knew. Any moment he could be putting his foot in his mouth so badly, and he should come out and SAY it, but the nerves had him so solidly now that his entire frame felt like it would shake itself to pieces.
When she reached for the flower and touched him, a sweeping surge of warmth and tingling terror bowled over him. She sounded tired, and that smile reinforced the opinion. Why? "I always did like how you looked when you roll out of bed," he said before he realized his mouth was moving, and then he blushed bright red, looking away for a moment. "Ah, I mean, thank you, yes. I'd like to come in, yes." He cleared his throat.
Argh, why was this so hard?
Alex uttered a short laugh at his quick response, releasing his hand and resting her own on the door, still cradling the flowers against her chest as she pushed the door open entirely and stepped back for him to come in. "It's good to see you too, Aphi," she responded with a slight grin. It seemed her shyness was nowhere to be found just then. "Please, then, come in. And can I get you something to drink?"
Releasing the door, she turned and began to pad down the hallway and out of the foyer, her heels making a dull sound against the hardwood floor. The house was almost a larger version of the one she had moved out of -- white, spacious, sparse of furniture but full of decoration.
Aphismet followed her in, his own grin coming a little easier after that familiar playful wit made an appearance. God he missed her.
Dark eyes swept across the place, a soft smile tugging at his lips. It was so her, airy and light yet cluttered with personality, giving the impression that you'd always find something new to discover. He was quiet the whole way into the kitchen, or wherever she chose to lead him, hardly paying attention. He was too busy trying to gather his thoughts and his scattered courage. His hands flexed into fists over and over and he swallowed. "I could use some water, yeah," he agreed with a wry laugh. "My throat's dry as the desert."
And to the kitchen she lead him, which was possibly larger than the living room, the type that was meant to hold the dining table as well, though the only one there was a cozy little nook that took up hardly any room. Retrieving a vase, she carefully put the flowers in it before moving to a different cupboard to get a glass. "You taking care of yourself?" she asked over her shoulder, glancing to him as she closed the white cupboard door. "You better be eating right and keeping yourself hydrated, Aphi, working in those kitchens is no joke!"
There was familiarity with him there, like a pause button had been undone, allowing her a sense of ease and comfort rather than bumbling and being jittery. Maybe she'd just grown up a little with what had transpired with Roux. Pouring water from the fridge, she added some ice cubes and brought the glass to the white-haired chef with a quizzical smile. "I know you have a lot to take care of with Isi and Riv and Eiry, but don't forget that you're important too."
His heart ached. He wanted this. Watching her move about the kitchen to put the flowers away, get him a glass of water, all the while asking if he was taking care of himself... He needed her. He'd never wanted anything more in his life, and for someone that usually didn't want or ask for anything, it was a big deal, or so Aphi thought. He took the glass and tried to return Alex's smile, but he ended up frowning down at the counter in determination.
"I'm... I'm lonely, Alex." He downed his water glass and put it aside, trying to pretend he could find courage in it as if it were a shot of whiskey. "It's been so long that you left, and to be honest I just can't get over you. I tried. So hard, I did. And I thought I was doing better, I only wished for you to be happy, but since last Halloween... I've started feeling selfish, a little."
He turned to face her, searching her face for any sign of what she might be thinking. "Why did you kiss me that day?" A simple question, but it held so much importance. The answer could destroy him.
Withdrawing once he had the glass, she returned to the vase and took the bouquet, setting about clipping the bottom of the stems. She was at peace until he spoke again, the scissors clanking against the glass of the vase with her surprise. Alex listened, staring into the sink with unseeing eyes, her shoulders a little tense. She was expecting him to follow up his 'lonely' statement with needing to move on, but instead, he took the darker route -- reminding her of what she'd done almost a year ago.
Carefully drawing in a measured breath, she resumed snipping the stems, her brows furrowing over her distracted gaze as her bangs slid across her eyes. "I didn't mean to hurt you," she responded quietly, her snips slower and more considered. "I kissed you on Halloween because...I wasn't thinking. I just did what I felt was right and that was kissing you." She paused in cutting, putting her scissor-adorned fingers on the sink to steady herself. She couldn't even look at him. "I didn't mean to ruin your life, Aphi. If you were doing better, I -- I'm so sorry I was so thoughtless and selfish to hurt you for all this time." Her words were quiet and a little broken, things she'd kept inside, words never spoken of with anyone cracking as they were given life.
Aphismet felt his throat close. Was she saying it was a mistake? It had felt right, so she'd done it, and that was fine, but why would she be apologizing like this? She looked like this was hurting her now, and the chef felt a monster for having come, for having intruded.
"If it felt right, why did you leave me? I still don't understand, Alex. I don't understand. I never understood, and if it felt right then, does it still feel right now? Would you... Could you kiss me again? Give me another chance?" He stared at her back, hesitating only a moment before joining her at the sink, putting a hand on her arm, soft and pleading.
"I still love you so much, Alex. I'd be better this time, I would... I would fix whatever I did wrong. You don't have to live with me or anything like that, just... Just give me a chance?"
She was surprised when he approached her, finally tearing her eyes from the sink upwards to look at him, the green bright and borderline 'toxic' as her brother liked to say. "Leave you?" she repeated, clearly surprised. Blinking at the chef a few times, she tried to process everything being said and make sense of it. Disentangling her fingers from the scissors, she put the flowers on the countertop and slid her wet fingers over his shoulders and into his hair, not hesitating in the least as she pushed herself on her bare toes to press her lips to his.
Lightly gripping his hair, she held the kiss for several heartbeats, withdrawing slowly but remaining against him. "Aphi, I didn't leave you, I just had to leave the house. It -- it turned into a break up and I don't know how or who started it, but the fact is that my feelings never changed, okay?" She moved one hand to brush over his cheek and through the hair by his temple, her worried eyes searching his face for an answer. "You never did anything wrong, Aphi, I never...stopped being yours. I love you too," she smiled then, and almost immediately, her eyes glistened with unshed tears, "and I don't know where to start again, but if you're willing to give me a chance, you can have all you want!"
Aphismet blinked in surprise as she turned to look at him with that sharp glare, repeating the words as though disbelieving. He frowned in confusion and opened his mouth to elaborate, but she surprised him yet again by lunging up on tip-toes and kissing him!
The man's eyes widened to saucers for a second before he threw all caution to the wind and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, relishing the feel of her in his arms again. It felt so right, so good, and this was exactly why he couldn't live without her.
When she pulled back to speak, he frowned in confusion again. He was sure he'd offered to still see her even if they lived apart: there was no way he wouldn't have offered that... But who cared what had been said in the past? Who cared about anything before now? Alex said she loved him too, and those words put the life back into Aphismet's heart. He grinned broadly, brightly, and his own eyes misted dangerously. Had his gamble really paid off?
Fingers slipped up along her back to cradle the back of her neck, and Aphismet laughed as he leaned in for another kiss, his lips curled up into a smile at the corners the whole while. "If you're really saying what I think you're saying, then this might be one of the best days of my life!"
And then he was holding her, and Alex could scarcely keep her footing, her knees felt so weak with -- what was it? Relief? Hoping she'd not ruin him again? Hope that she wasn't alone anymore? -- something that she could only lean into him and his gentle kiss. Alex bit her bottom lip when it ended, gazing up at him with a soft smile. "Oh Aphi. I don't deserve that!" She laughed then, stealing a fond kiss to his chin, her eyes full of adoration. She still had Zul to consider and she knew...he'd not be happy about this development, and that it was possible her brother wouldn't be either.
"So what do you think I'm saying?" Tilting her head to the side, she had a little playful air about her, leaning into the hand that cradled her against him, her own fingers still seeking through his pale hair affectionately. "That I'm crazy about you and that all this time hasn't dulled how I feel for you? Because if that's what you're saying, then you're golden."
All trace of the nerves and heartache he'd felt before were gone. Aphismet basked in Alex's sense of humor, in the light of her eyes. This was an absolute dream! "Yes, as a matter of fact, that's exactly what I thought you were saying. Thank you for clarifying." He chuckled and, bold as you please, both his hands moved to hook under her legs so he could lift her, plopping her to a seat on the nearest counter where he resumed kissing the Italian he loved so much, sighing repeatedly with relief.
His life was going to have a spark of joy in it again! Not that he didn't love his family, he did... But nothing lit up his day like Alex. Things would be different this time, he told himself.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 6:31 pm
█║ MSN SHORT: Now Is Forever
█║ INVOLVED: Rivener & Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Suddenly, moving!
Rivener back-winged to the ground on Brad's doorstep, knowing in advance that Zul was home. He'd called ahead of course, always mindful of not barging in uninvited, but now that he WAS invited the Scorpion just knocked once, opened the front door, and called out. "Hey hey! It's me!"
Regardless of whether Brad was home or not to return the greeting, Rivener headed directly to where he expected Zul to be: his room. Riv opened the door there after a knock as well, closed the door behind him, and flew straight onto Zul's person, arms lacing around the Demon's shoulders for a deep, passionate greeting kiss. This might very well be Riv's favorite part of any visit with Zul, if only the other parts weren't just as wonderful.
"Hey hey," he said when they finally pulled away from one another. Red eyes glittered. "You are looking as delectable as ever."
Zul had heard the knock and knew what it meant, smiling almost wickedly to himself when he heard Brad let the elder Sigel in. He tried to stay nonchalant about his boyfriend's visit, opening the back window of the room to let the cool air in, turning around just as he heard the knock. He had only seconds to admire the Scorpion's dark presence and striking form before Rivener was in his awaiting arms, almost vicious in his return of the kiss that was equal parts hunger and possession.
His fingers immediately sought the other's warm skin beneath his jacket, tracing up the spine that he knew so intimately well. "Mm, and you are even more perfect from last time -- how do you do that?" he practically purred, dipping his head and kissing the Scorpion's jaw. "And you are delectable." He grinned against the sun-kissed skin, offering a brief, playful n** to Rivener's ear before he pulled his head back, blue eyes intensely ice-colored as he gazed at his darker counterpart. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Riv?"
Rivener laughed and purred in turn, ever amazed at how Zul had turned from such a soft-spoken and passive Frei to this fiery, possessive, sultry and silver-tongued devil. He enjoyed the n** to his ear and showed it by curving his body to slot against the other Sigel's perfectly, humming under his breath. As much as he enjoyed the attention and the compliments, very much so, he had come with news "The pleasure of my visit should be enough, shouldn't it?" he teased with a sultry, confident wink. "But on this occasion I have an actual reason apart for wanting you to taste me all over. Now, this is a secret for now because I haven't figured out how to break it to Aphismet yet, buuuut.... I'm going to get my own place. An apartment, probably in Durem central, closer to work. He's getting nosy about my work, and besides, I feel I want to be on my own now. I certainly make enough to afford it... But, you know, I could use a roomate. If you get my meaning?"
And this is where Riv wasn't sure Zul would be on board. It wouldn't hurt the Scorpion's feelings one way or another, he just wanted to offer. Getting to live with Zul again, without anyone else around, would be like that vacation they never managed to take.
That silver-tongued devil was all eyes for the Sigel in his arms, smiling in his crooked, pleased manner as he watched the Scorpion put on the little show for him. Zul would never tire of Rivener's attention, the way the night male seemed to positively glow when he knew Zul was looking at him. "It's never enough," he uttered in a low, drawling growl, the grin that split his features doing little to lend to the idea of sultry and teetering precariously closer to devilish. It was the part of him he showed almost exclusively to Rivener, that crude, hungry demon in him.
"Oh?" The sudden seriousness of the situation rather surprised him. It wasn't that Rivener had changed the tone, but the idea that Aphismet would let the Scorpion off the leash was a little dubious to him. "That's remarkable news, especially for you -- free at last." Gliding his hands to rest on Rivener's 'hips,' he started to smile again, slow and nearly wicked. "Bear's been talking about moving again. It might be nice to actually have a real...home," he drew his tone out low again, thumbs tracing where the Sigel's obliques were, "and have a reason to come home every day."
Rivener arched into every touch almost wantonly, inviting it, enjoying it. He knew Zul tried to show a more composed part of himself to most, but this wild, primal side attracted Rivener like nothing else he could imagine. He rumbled a pleased laugh as Zul spoke of freedom, of Bear moving, and of home. Was he accepting? The dark Sigel's face lit up at the idea and he ran his fingers through Zul's hair as a reward, knowing how much the Demon liked that.
"So that's a yeah, then? With the both of us together we could probably afford a pretty nice place indeed. Do you want to go looking with me, when you've got the time?"
How exciting! Rivener felt his pulse quicken already: he'd be living with Zul again!
Bright blue eyes lidded beneath the fingers that traced the length of his creme-to-flame hair, drawing in a slow breath as his rune flared brilliantly in the coil of his ribbon. Rivener's laughter and sensual touch was everything he'd wanted after working that morning, and the idea of living with him, seeing him every day -- he almost couldn't wrap his head around it. "It's a yes, it's a hell yes, and it's an 'it's about time' too." Zul grinned, clearly teasing the other. He knew well Rivener liked his lavish things just about as much as Zul didn't need any, but together...
"I'd love that." The Sigel smiled with a twinge of excitement, the first non-suggestive expression he'd given Rivener since he'd arrived. "When can we go?" His grip tightened a little on the Scorpion, his mind already running ahead of him -- they could actually get their own furniture, go shopping for food they liked together, play video games or stay in bed all day with no one to harass them...this was sounding like a better idea the more he thought on it.
Rivener felt the excitement rise in himself as Zul seemed to mirror that emotion. The Demon wasn't just saying this to make Rivener happy, then. Zul would never do something he did NOT enjoy just to make someone else happy, but he was known to do things he only mildly tolerated. This, though, Zul seemed to really want!
"We can go right now, if you've got the time!" the Scorpion whispered, all but vibrating in the other's arms, spined wings spreading wide and flapping a few times with the eagerness to go. He gave the demon a tight hug, nuzzling at the choker that hid their private symbol of affection beneath it. "This is going to be awesome, and I agree with you fully: it's about time. Now we just have to find the place, and I have to tell Aphi somehow." Not that he'd let the man stop him even if he was against this.
"Now sounds great," Zul affirmed, his own bone wings extending and stretching the marbled leather to feed off of the Scorpion's joy. "We'll get our home and then take a vacation. Or take the vacation before we move. Either way, I'm going to have you all to myself." The demon's smile softened into a gentle sigh of contentment, giving the Scorpion a firm squeeze before finally releasing him from his grasp, instead taking his hand. "Just tell him. Don't give him any room for an opinion or advice." And that was all he'd say about the pale haired chef, as he didn't trust himself to say anything else even remotely nice.
Rivener smiled sheepishly at the mention of their long-overdue vacation. He perked up soon after though, shivering pleasantly at the emphasis Zul placed on that word. "Definitely yes. A life together." His grin grew. He could feel lighter, free, just as the Demon had said. This was what he wanted most in the world. Every night sleeping in Zul's arms, ah, bliss!
"You're right about Aphi, too. I'll just tell him. Now come on, let's go find a place to live! I was thinking something high, close to the stars so I could feed easily. And with a balcony, so we can come and go flying. And a big bathroom with a huge mirror! And-..." He continued and was liable to go on as they went out hand-in-hand. The Scorpion's red eyes shone with fire and determination to find the perfect place. He wouldn't settle! His first home with Zul would be PERFECT!(( 679 words // 1 point ))
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:24 pm
█║ MSN SHORT: This Is How a Heart Breaks pt 2
█║ INVOLVED: Rivener & Zul
█║ SYNOPS: Rivener has a confession to make that changes everything.
Rivener was biting at his thumb nail as he floated up to the front door, insanely nervous. That was not an emotion he usually displayed when he visited Zul, but the Scorpion couldn't help it. Just two days ago he'd asked Zul to live with him, in their own place, and they'd gone looking for the first time. Nothing had met Riv's standards, so he hadn't picked a place yet, but still... He was going to live with Zul! This was a dream, and one that Rivener was suddenly afraid he'd prematurely ruined by hiding something that had happened a while before. It wasn't a big thing! Not at all! But hiding it from Zul suddenly seemed so WRONG, and if they would live together Rivener wanted his conscience clean. Straightening, he rang the doorbell and opened without waiting for permission, floating inside. "Hey hey," he called, heading straight towards Zul's room though Brad wasn't around to interrupt them, so who knew where Zul was currently hanging out. "Are you in your room?"
He heard the knock and the door opening, the sound of his Scorpion's voice reaching his pointed ears. Zul repressed a small smile, immediately floating out of his 'room' where he'd been leaning on the patio and floating to the top of the staircase. "I'm here," he called, his quiet voice still carrying in the open house. He floated slowly down the stairs, fingers on the banister and watching Rivener with a lop-sided smile as he descended. "How wonderful the day has become to see you again so soon."
Rivener's eyes snapped to the top floor as Zul's voice rang out, and his nerves doubled. He hadn't even done anything remotely BAD per se, but that day at the beach so long ago was burned into his heart with such force that he couldn't feel anything but nervous now. He didn't want to feel like that ever again, and if this little itty bitty thing made Zul rip his heart out again, Rivener didn't think he'd recover. He adored the demon. And that made it all worse: why would Rivener potentially ruin that by being unable to control himself around other people, dammit? As Zul reached the bottom of the stairs, it was clear Riv was preoccupied, his smile tentative at best. The Scorpion crossed over to join Zul at the last step, and put a hand on the strong chest, frowning. God, was he ever nervous. "Um. Listen, I came because there's something I really... I have to say. I mean something that you have to know. But it doesn't mean anything, I promise! I'll stop if you ask me! I... Uh, this is hard." He grumbled at himself and spun once in place. "Look, I hung out once or twice with someone outside of Lab events, and... And I kind of kissed her on the cheek. And I may have a tiny crush on her. But it's just a crush! I love YOU! I'll stop seeing her if you ask me to, I really will, I wasn't TRYING to keep it a secret, it just seemed to small that I never thought to mention it, a-and now that we're going to be living together I figured you should know. I'll stop seeing her if you ask me to. I love YOU, Zul, YOU."
Immediately, the demon could pick up the discontent within Rivener, the smile the largest indicator that the Scorpion was troubled. His own slender brows furrowed as he received the other Sigel, putting a hand over the one on his chest. As Rivener struggled with his words, Zul became even more concerned, lifting his free hand to delicately touch his love's cheek, trying to offer him some form of silent comfort as he spun back from him. Zul folded his arms across his chest and simply watched, listening, waiting for the news that seemed so damning. Rivener spoke of a crush, of kissing a woman's cheek, and the way he worded it made it seem as though the demon ought to have been angry or self-righteous in response. Instead, the simply stared unblinkingly at Rivener, offering a small, albeit perplexed smile. "You once told me that you only kiss those who are important, those who are special, Rivener." The smile warmed, once again trying for comfort, rather uncertain about the entire situation and why he should have been upset over it. "If she's special, then I don't see the problem."
Rivener stared blankly at Zul. Where was the upset? Where was the anger, or even a frown? It was baffling, puzzling, and Rivener was the one suddenly wearing a frown, confused beyond words. He floated there for a while with arms at his sides, then his hands began gesturing as though seeking answers in the air between them. "Buh... But you left me once. You broke my heart because I'd been flirting with people for fun. You were upset, and rightfully so, because I shouldn't have been doing that if I already have you. I-... Have you been kissing people who are "special" to you, apart for me?" Suddenly Rivener wasn't nervous about the same thing anymore, and his wings bristled. His frown turned from confused to tentatively angry. "How can you not care that I kissed someone else, even if it WAS just on the cheek?"
Ah, there was his Scorpion's venom, all ire and defenses. Zul loved all the facets of Rivener, though he was aware he shouldn't have been admiring the other in his wrath, as it could give off the wrong impression. Stretching his own wings to match the other's, he flew forward and abruptly took Rivener's face between his hands, floating high with his eyes becoming an icy blue. "I felt like a thing to be owned, then, Rivener; it was not because of your affection with others. Why do I not mind that you show fondness to another? Because you love me." His hold lessened, allowing him to float more against the dark male's body. "Rivener, you are amazing - you are full of potential beyond imagination, a life of unknown joys and excitement ahead of you. Why would you limit yourself to me? I'm not a woman. I cannot offer you what she can."
Dark fingers tightened in Rivener's hair, wanting the Scorpion to hear him out. "If you love me, and you have enough love in you to warm the life of another without those feelings diminishing or being replaced, who am I to be angry? Who am I to tell you that you can't, to keep your perfection to myself?" Zul's eyes brightened again, his smile absent but also without a frown or scowl. He stared at him for a long moment before releasing him and floating back to give him space for the moment, adding quietly, "And to your accusations, no. There's been no others."
Rivener didn't flinch back as Zul flew to him. He stared right back into those blues with hot reds, the air between them sparking. Usually being this close would make Riv swoon, but now he listened raptly, all attention on the other's words, with no toughts for the more base things they usually engaged in. Zul had said something to that effect, actually, that he was not a bauble to be owned. But how was that different from this? Rivener had loved Zul back then, too, and it hadn't been enough. Riv thought faithfulness and unflinching loyalty had been what was missing, but apparently he'd been wrong. "I'd loved you back then, too." There was no other way to find out- he would ask. "I'd loved you then as much as now, and still you thought yourself a bauble. What changed? Why do you suddenly not feel like that? I just want to understand, Zul, so I don't make a mistake. ...I am glad you haven't been kissing others, Zul. I don't want you to do anything I'm not part of. I'm selfish, and possessive, Zul. You're mine. Mine, and I don't like sharing." He very nearly pouted then, rubies daring the other to say otherwise.
Exhaling slowly, the demon shook his head, crossing his arms once again. The distance was there, then, and Zul was going to take that dare. "What changed? I was a Frei that couldn't love, by your own words, my Rivener. I'm older now; wiser. I can understand love because of what you have taught me." Turning his eyes over Rivener's floating form, he tried to formulate how best to express his thoughts on the matter - why he wasn't angry, and why he wasn't bound by human convention. "It's not sharing, Rivener, because you - or I - would not be divided. You feel no less for me, do you? Do you have less a desire to see me, to touch me, to let me take you upstairs...?" He let his question trail off, both in suggestion and in clarity. Zul was damn sure he knew the answer.
"You would never be replaced, Rivener, anymore than you'd be replacing me. I trust you. I know you. I love you. If you can still say the same for me, even with these feelings towards another, then why would I be angry?" Zul smiled again, though it was rueful. It was so clear to him. Why was it so hard to understand that they were more than what they'd been taught to believe?
Rivener had been fully ready to stay angry. Zul's words did ring true, he HAD been a Frei, and perhaps that was the problem in its entirety. Without the butterflies, how could Zul have ever returned Riv's feelings? So he'd thought himself a prize for Rivener to claim. That, yes, that made sense. Riv relaxed a bit, finally understanding to some degree. But the rest of it, he wasn't so sure he understood. The dark eyebrows curved into puzzled skepticism, and Riv crossed his arms. Yes, he would always want to go upstairs, and his eyes flicked towards that destination without his consent, a soft flush coloring his cheeks. Damn smug Demon, he cursed without venom, smirking at Zul's clear confidence. "It would be different, between you and her. How to maintain a balance? One would be favored over the other from time to time, and that's unfair to both! And honestly, Zul, just thinking about you with someone else behind my back makes me angry! Maybe I just don't have the same level of trust you do... You hurt me before, no matter what you meant it as, and I never want to feel that again. I want to keep you. I don't want someone else stealing your heart and taking you away from me!"
Zul's discontent began to show, his brows narrowing a little. "How is it me that you don't trust? You're projecting your own guilt on me and I don't appreciate it." There was a lowness in his tone, rolling just above a growl. "If you don't like what you're doing, Rivener, then stop. Tell her she means nothing to you; regret it, be unable to resist it, resent me for it, and see how well that turns out for us." The demon began to float backwards in the slightest, only coming to a stop when he was even with the staircase again. "I support you, Rivener. I trust you. If you don't feel the same, then perhaps we need to re-evaluate taking this next step in living together." And it was then that his voice became flat, losing the edge; the demon was not the type to lose himself to unnecessary emotions.
Rivener did flinch this time, frowning, mouth agape angrily. Zul was... different, in every way of him, but never had it been so obvious or problematic for Riv. The Scorpion's heart felt on the verge of shattering. He knew the picture Zul was trying to paint, of Rivener trying to deny something in himself and ending up resenting Zul for it. He knew that picture, but it still felt... wrong. The fact that Zul would so easily share him made him feel less in the Demon's eyes. Zul's conclusion almost finished the job of shattering Riv's heart. "...I-..." The Demon would do that one day, Riv knew. If he found someone he would feel for, he wouldn't stop on Rivener's sake. He would not feel less for Riv... Until one day Riv would just kind of fade out in favor of another? Riv's eyes watered and he glared at the Demon, but he loved him SO much... "I have to think. I should go." He couldn't agree to anything now. Or disagree. He had to think, really think, and see if he'd be able to live with himself if Zul ever wanted someone else...
"If you want." The demon's support was in short supply now that the truth of Rivener's yet-harbored hurt and mistrust was revealed. It almost disappointed Zul that Rivener still viewed him as an aimless Frei, rather than a Sigel who would do anything to keep him safe and in his life. Exhaling slowly, the Sigel floated slowly to Rivener, his expression reserved as he unfolded his arms. Resting his hands on Rivener's hips, he leaned in and tried to kiss the Scorpion to bid him farewell, though he'd settle for a kiss on his cheek if he was refused. "I have only loved you more each day," he murmured in parting, "and I love you more now than when you knocked on the door. Please know that." And that would be the last he'd say, giving Rivener all the time he needed to think - to consider what to do about her, and what to do about him.
Rivener didn't move away from Zul's touch, or from his kiss. Each made the hurt sharper. The words did the same. Rivener had loved Zul with everything he could give too, but when Zul had changed and been able to love, Rivener hadn't changed and he still hurt. That memory, that day on the beach, was in him like a scar that never healed. The thought that Zul would knowingly do that again, would love someone else and think that wouldn't slash at Rivener... Was there something Riv was missing, again? He couldn't wrap his head around the way Zul was thinking. "I know, Zul. I'll... I'll call you some other day, when I've... Figured this out." Chest hurting, Rivener attempted a pathetic smile and turned to escape, to return home.(( 1,061 words // 3 points ))
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 11:17 pm
█║ MSN SHORT: When the Heartache Ends
█║ INVOLVED: Rivener & Zul
█║ SYNOPS: The two try to reconcile the upset from the night before.
He hadn't slept, but when did he ever? He was stressed out, this time, gazing quietly at the form that was peacefully dreaming in his arms. Like the Scorpion, he was 'naked,' their clothes neatly placed aside, the covers pulled over their lower bodies, giving the impression of more being there than was. The room was foreign, neutral ground: a hotel room, bedecked in warm autumn colors of rich wine red comforter and drapes, the former gilded in gold, the room softly lit by the light that filtered through the edges of the thick curtains. The room smelled of clean linen and just on the edge of it, the alcohol that clung to Rivener's distant clothes. There was a couch halfway into the room, facing a broad television screen that seemed dwarfed by the immense covered windows, the likes of which looked over Durem city. It wasn't a posh hotel, but it was a hell of a nice suite, as Zul hadn't wanted to take Rivener too far in the state he'd found him in. And still, the concern gnawed at him; he kept the arm beneath the Scorpion in place, palm cupping Rivener's chest, the other hand tracing his fingers slowly along the sleeping Sigel's side, thoughtful.
Rivener groggily felt the world creep back in on him, and for the first time in his life his head pounded like a drum. He'd never gotten so drunk before, even in all the times he'd gone out with Lazarus for their ritualistic monthly pub-crawl. The work-boys had really done a number on him when they'd noticed his mopiness. It had been expensive wines, then hard liquor, then something that Riv was almost sure was pure alcohol, and Riv had been sooo drunk! He vaguely remembered spilling his worries out to the boys, and they'd listened so well! They'd ranted and raged with him, until... until Rivener couldn't remember falling asleep. He cracked open his eyes and tried to look around, thankful that it was dark in here. His mouth was full of cotton, his head drummed, and... "Zul!" He gasped, eyes widening. The very subject of last night's rant! And... they were in a hotel room? Frowning slightly, confused, Riv felt his eyes water again, as they did when he thought of this Demon and the disagreement they'd had a few days before. Groaning against the light, he pulled closer, just slightly, and mumbled. "What happened? Why are we here?"
"Good morning, sunshine," he murmured after Rivener gaped at him, smiling a little. Zul tucked the Scorpion more against his body, pulling his wings from behind his body to curl around him as well. "We're at Durem Point, and we're here because I got a pretty vicious verbal beating from who I assume were your coworkers. I came to retrieve you and..." His rune pulsed beneath the blankets, setting an eerie orange glow over his skin and briefly washing the wall in its hue as the blankets shifted. "...I didn't want to take you home like this. So I brought you here." Carefully, he moved one of his hands to trace his fingers through Rivener's hair, tucking a lock behind a pointed ear.
Rivener listened to the story and groaned, rubbing at his face. That did sound like something the damned boys would do. Particularly Thomas. He was infamous for drunk-dialing everyone, and after Rivener had spent all night ranting about his problem with Zul... "Uh... S-sorry. I didn't mean for them to do that, I was just... really drunk." He sighed deeply, closing his eyes again and bending his head against Zul's chest, slipping arms around the man's waist. This felt nice. Being in bed peacefully, not needing to go anywhere... This was VERY nice. But Rivener frowned and his jaw clenched and he scrunched his eyes shut. "What, ah... What did they say, exactly?"
Gently stroking Rivener's hair, the arm wrapped around the Scorpion slid to his spine, tracing the length of his back. "It was a lot of yelling. It was slurred, something about 'new holes' and creative ways to hide bodies. I wasn't really paying that much heed. I just wanted to get to you." Tilting his head into the pillow, he lifts his eyes from the two-tone hair, gazing across the room at the wall. It was peaceful, this room with only them to exist in their world just then...but he was aware that wasn't entirely true. "...who is she?" he asked at length, his voice quiet. He wasn't the type to beat around the bush, and if hell was going to come, he'd meet it with high water.
Rivener snorted. Yeah, that was the boys alright. He would have to knock their heads when he went into work tonight. They had to have touched his phone, and he didn't remember that part of the night at all, but he doubted he'd just handed it over. And as much as he felt a tiny bit glad that they'd given Zul hell on his behalf, loyal to a fault as they were, it was still none of their business. Though really, Rivener was the one at fault: he should have kept his mouth shut about all this. He kept his eyes shut and tried to focus only on the now, but the context of what might have set the boys off into a drunk-dialing frenzy was making his stomach knot up with pain, his brows draw down with confusion. He still hadn't considered things enough, he hadn't figured out what to do about-...
Zul's question was so sudden it made the hung-over Scorpion reel. The body in Zul's arms stiffened, and for a moment Rivener felt the darkest pit of guilt and shame open up in his stomach. He didn't want to talk about this! But Zul deserved to know. "M-... It's Melisande. But I've only seen her once outside the lab events. And it's only a crush! It'll probably pass..."
The body holding Rivener stiffened in turn at the name that fell from the Scorpion's lips. Melisande? Just hearing her name brought a mental image of the Muse to mind -- perfect, pure, everything light and sweet, smelling of exotic flowers and the air around her tasting of spring...and poised so distant from him. Zul didn't realize he had caught his breath until he exhaled slowly, pulling Rivener more tightly against himself. "Then I definitely approve," he murmured, a little quiet as if it was he that had been caught fawning over the absent female. "I was fine with your feelings before because I trust you, but...Rivener, she's...
...special." He didn't know what else to say. Everytime Zul had met with Melisande, it was at a very bad time in his life: with a broken Lucia, breaching the Lab and having her witness his refusal to let Roux harm her with the other two males already felled... "...she wouldn't let me near her, though." The demon spoke as if it had already been agreed upon that Rivener would pursue her. "She can't even look at me."
Rivener wasn't sure what was going on here. He pulled away slightly to look up at Zul, frowning in confusion. Again with that? Again with that... that acceptance? And Melisande... Yes, she was special, and yes, she was amazing, but... And why was Zul speaking about not being allowed near her? The Scorpion grumbled. "She thinks you're dangerous. As dangerous as Roux was. I tried to explain to her in the Maze, at the summer garden party thing, that you'd done whatever you did to save us all. I tried to tell her that putting Roux in a cage would be giving him a chance to hurt people again. But she seemed pretty traumatized. ...Why are we talking about this?" He looked up into the blue eyes, angry again. This whole thing with Zul and his want to have Other People was the reason Riv's head hurt today, the reason Zul had gotten death threats from mobsters. And Rivener was NOT ready to discuss any of this!
The demon listened with surprise. "Why would you do that?" Why would Rivener feel it was important for Melisande to accept him? Zul shook his head a little, lifting his hand to again trace through his dark hair. "Because that's how it works, Rivener. If you wish to love another, I have to accept them, and vice versa. I told you, it's not putting you aside, sharing or making you less important. We're a couple, Rivener. I do nothing that would hurt you, and you give me the same consideration." Frowning, he loosened his hold to weasel his way down beneath the covers a bit more so he could better face the Scorpion, though all he did was touch their brows, his eyes still closed. "I cannot think of anyone else I'd be so...content to see around more than Melisande, except maybe Vivi." The last part was a joke, but only a little, offering a faint smile despite his closed eyes. "She's beautiful, Rivener, and absolutely deserving of your care."
Rivener blushed at the first question. That one was easy to answer, and he formulated the words though they didn't make it out of his mouth yet. Not when Zul went on to explain this crazy notion of his, stunning Rivener. He'd had half a mind to scuttle out of the other's embrace as Zul began again with the whole thing, but the explanation was just too... unexpected. "What?" he babbled, blinking in startlement like a drowning fish. "Then this whole... thing..., he couldn't think of another way to put it, "This whole thing would be seperate relationships? You'd only... court people, kiss people that I approve of? That I like, too? We could... it wouldn't be two pairs, it would be three, together?" The pain and anger dissolved quickly, a sort of amazed and skeptical smile pulling up his lips. "That's crazy. ...Does this mean you like Melisande? You want her to like you? ...That's why I was trying to convince her, you know. I wanted her to like you. If she doesn't like you, she doesn't like a piece of me." This really was a crazy concept. Completely crazy.
He could practically feel the warmth radiating off of Rivener, prompting his sky blue eyes to open and gaze upon the blushing Scorpion. Before he could make mention, Rivener reacted, earning a rather surprised look in response. "Yes," he replied in a bewildered manner, "there is no separation of us as a couple. It's...loving entirely. Together. As we are now, no exclusion..." And it was only then that it dawned upon the Baphomet that they had had a grievious misunderstanding, and that it could have cost him Rivener entirely. Now thoroughly unsettled, he pulled Rivener closer still, concern on his features. "We would be three, ah--" And that stopped him. Did he like Melisande? Ah, that was complicated...
"...you did that for me?" Zul had never experienced something like this before - someone sticking up for him without knowing, doing it on principle of affection. It earned a quick, warm smile, easing his features back into the easy affability that he usually carried. "You're amazing, my Rivener. You make me so happy--" and he stole a quick kiss then, gently cupping the Scorpion's jaw. He gazed at him for some time before he realized he had a question still hanging over his head. Hesitation came to him for a change, pursing his lips. "I would very much hope she'd look kindly to me, but she is made of light and I...am not."
Rivener gave a deep sigh of relief as Zul confirmed that IF they were to fall for someone, it would be falling as a pair, not just one of them going off on their own. That was so much better. And though Riv had a hard time picturing anyone else he'd like added to their love (certainly not a human no matter how nice Vivi was), Melisande was definitely fitting. Riv's grin broadened. Adding to their love. Not splitting it up into portions of a pie. Yes, he could live with that. Easily!
The sudden kiss had Rivener yelping softly in surprise, though his arms wrapped around Zul a short while later. The red eyes were joyous again when they weren't wincing with pain from the terrible headache, and when Zul spoke of his darkness compared to her light, Rivener snorted, lips curling. "I'm not either! And that's not stopping her so far. I think she likes me, a tiny little bit. Maybe not LIKE me, like me, but she does like me. We have a long history, she and I, and a lot of it isn't pleasant, Zul. If I could work my way closer to her, there's hope for you, too. She's kind, she'd give you a second chance. Eventually. Just be kind. Oh! Where's my phone!" Scrabbling away from Zul, Riv lurched about the room until he located his cell in the usual pocket, and he brought it back to the bed, sinking into the blankets once more. "I got some pictures of her. She'd invited me to shop at a thrift store and we made up a pair of mannequins for fun... Ah here is it. See?" He handed the cell over, grinning at the picture of Melisande posing playfully with the life-sized dolls.
Ah, that grin! Zul was immediately smitten by Rivener's response, feeling like the weight that had been around his neck since the Scorpion had left was now dispersing into thin air. "Perhaps, but you are the night, and she is the day. You are not the same, but you are complimentary." The demon sobered a little as Rivener divulged a little of his past with the Muse, his expression patient with understanding. After all he'd learned of Roux, he believed the Night Sigel had so much more to him than he was now.
"But did you kill one of our kin in front of her?" he asked quietly, somewhat withdrawn. There was no second chance for her witnessing what he'd done to Roux -- but Rivener was off, jarring his thoughts with surprise. Watching the other, he extended his arms and received Rivener back into the bed, putting his chin on the Scorpion's shoulder and looking at the phone as the picture was found. He uttered a low, soft sound as her picture came up, feeling that strange sort of quietness come over him whenever he saw her. "She's radiant. Look at the way she's smiling at you." There was a fondness to his tone, squeezing the Sigel against him.
Rivener could tell Zul felt he had lost his chance, but Rivener was adamant. "No, I didn't, but I'd stolen her light of life from her, once. I'd killed her spirit. That's worse, in my opinion." He sighed. "Besides, what you did was for the best. Roux was a rapid, insane monster. He would have hurt so many others. I can make her see, Zul. I'll try." He smiled confidently, though it turned into a bright grin as Zul noticed how whole-heartedly Pasha was smiling into the camera for Riv. Someday she'll smile that much for BOTH of us, Riv promised himself, clapping the phone closed and dropping it on the nearest end-table. "She IS radiant, and she's not the only one who smiles at me like that. I think it's about time we make good use of this hotel room, hm? But not too much hard movements: my head's pounding."
And just like that, after one night of drunken complaining, everything felt right in Rivener's world again. He'd be finding a place to live with Zul, and he felt not a sliver of guilt over his supposedly-harmless little crush. Life was good. If only he could get his head to stop drumming.(( 1,254 words // 4 points ))
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 6:58 pm
█║ RP LINK: The Lesson
█║ INVOLVED: Brad, Zul, Luka
█║ SYNOPS: Luka learns an ugly truth about life.
Summary Inactive.
1,049 words // 5 points
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