|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 4:25 pm
 A Little Bird Told Me
Vivi meets the farmhands of Hartline, while Cesc hears something from Aina *
– A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME –
Winter 2016; Gambino
For Hartline Farms, there was always cause for its farmhands to celebrate near the end of winter. One, it meant a return to their regular work schedules, and they would finally see some money in their pockets to afford the bills. Two, it meant they would begin their early farmer’s market circuit again, and three, it meant their manager’s birthday was coming up in April.
Maree Hartline, their manager, was - in Kade’s own fond words - a feisty little s**t. She was turning 34 this year, and always professed to hating any and all birthday celebrations, so they always made sure to throw her one in as ridiculous a manner as possible. Really, she always seemed to enjoy them, though she always made sure to warn them against doing anything that might be considered ‘funny’ or ‘cute.’
So, really, they had to do something funny and cute this year.
They’d heard about a bakery up in Gambino from Mordekai, a veteran farmhand, a year back - Vermillion Bakery, it was called, which was owned by another family of guardians in the Lab project they’d all come to recognize quite fondly. They treated Aina as the farm’s little girl, and they were all amused and delighted to see the row of farm animal cupcakes she’d made with a cadre of her Raevan friends so long ago. Back then, they’d heard about the Vermillion too late to put in an order of the same designs, but they weren’t going to let go of that chance this year.
With Aina in tow as their lone guide to the Vermillion, Kade Sweet and a few others from Hartline took their breaks from the farmer’s market collectively to make a trip down to the bakery, effectively abandoning Maree and Mordekai at the busy Hartline booth for an hour. Both of the stranded ones knew Kade and co. were heading to the Vermillion, but they only knew it was for Aina’s own amusement, which was only partially true. And though Aina didn’t like telling lies, however harmless they were, she did so to keep Maree’s surprise gift a secret.
Kade: -wanders in through Vermillion’s entrance and laughs gruffly, Aina in his arms- This it, Aina?
Aina: Mhm!
The bakery was still all done up in golds and whites for winter decorating, and all the pastries and confections in the display case are similarly colored. For a sense of warmth, there’s many dark chocolate pies and tarts and pastries, some with espresso and some with chestnut and cream. There’s chocolate-chip fleur de sel cookies and lavender cupcakes and champagne sorbet and the scent of coffee and fresh bread on the air.
Cesc: -behind the counter, speaking in French to Vivi, beside him-
Vivi: -quite suddenly puts a hand up at his mouth, beaming over his shoulder- Ah! Ah, look! It is that we have the visitors!
Cesc: -turns around, sees Aina with some people he’s never seen before, and smiles curiously- Oh, hey, Aina! Hello!
The farmhands all take a moment to loosen their scarves and take off some of their winter wear, admiring the interior and the smells of espresso and chocolate lingering in the air. Emilio, Josiah, and Edgar stray just behind Kade while he ventures forth with a broad smile.
Josiah: -to Emilio- Christ, this place is fancy. How does Mordekai know about this again?
Emilio: -waves toward Cesc and Vivi from the background, smirking- Pshh.
Kade: -recognizing the Frenchwoman immediately, he raises his brows- Hi Vivi. Don’t know if you remember us, but mind if I drag half of Hartline in here for you?
Aina: -giggles, waving toward Cesc- Hi Cesc! I brought some of papa’s friends.
Vivi: -waggles her fingers at the incoming crowd and smiles quite brightly- But of course I remember you! Those who enjoy the summer tarts, they remember you quite vividly and are grateful for all your hard work! Come in, come in!
Cesc: So I see! -smiles at them- Hi, guys, I’m Rhedefre--or you can call me Cesc, since that’s easier. -waits for introductions and shakes every man’s hand as he can- No Mordekai with you all today?
Vivi: Ah! He should be ashamed--but at least he left the little duchess to do his introductions for him.
Cesc: -smiles at Aina- Thanks for bringing them all!
Edgar: -the other three farmhands make quiet hellos of themselves while the last of them - an Irishman named Edgar - rushes in, cheeks and ears red with the cold- Leave me for the wild, why don’t you?
Josiah: You’ve gotta keep up, Senior. -beams, then points toward Cesc- Hey, look though, it’s the Cesc guy Aina always talks about.
Edgar: Oh! -cheerfully, is the last to offer his hand to Cesc- Hey, nice seein’ you! And no, he’s back at Market. Figure he gets to see enough of you. -grins-
Kade: -laughs quietly at Vivi- Thanks. So, I have a question for you.
Aina: -raises a hand- Mister Kade wants to make cupcakes with you!
Vivi: -laughing as Edgar enters- Why, the wild of the Gambino boardwalk, it will certainly swallow you whole if you are not careful!
Cesc: -gravely- Glad you made it through. -then, with a laugh- I am the Cesc guy! -looks at Aina- Were you telling them about your cupcakes?
Vivi: -to Edgar- Ahhh, well, you tell Mordekai we never see enough of him. -pauses, then laughs cheerily- Oh! I see Aina HAS been talking of the cupcakes! Tell me, what do you wish to make? I am happy to oblige for any member of the farm and Aina’s family. -leans on the counter, propping her head up with both hands- What is the request?
Edgar: You’re tellin’ me. It’s brutal out there, the snow. -he takes off his hat and chuckle at both Vivi and Cesc- She told us, her dad showed us, and they’re pretty cute. I’ll shoot him a text now.
Josiah: -while Edgar occupies himself with the cellphone, he smiles- Hey, Aina talks more about you than the cupcakes. Seriously, nice to meet you. I heard you have “cool light powers?”
Kade: -raises brows toward Aina, then laughs at Vivi, shaking his head- Oh, no, you don’t want me near a kitchen. I leave that to you and Rhedefre. But I am going to ask you about some custom orders - is that possible? We have pictures.
Emilio: Hey, I have it. -he hands Kade a phone; Kade retrieves it and hands it to Vivi - it’s the very same ones they made back last year with Cruz, Eth, and company- It’s of those little guys.
Aina: -blushes, smiling shyly at Vivi- I told ‘em about Vermillion too… -she glances at Cesc as if she speaks to him, but for some reason seems to hesitate just short of it, then faces Vivi instead- We’re gunna have cupcakes for Miss Maree’s birthday!
Cesc: -colors just slightly, his ears perking up, and laughs- Cool light powers! I don’t know, I do have them around here somewhere… -mildly self-conscious as he looks down at Aina- Aina, can you name me an animal?
Vivi: Custom orders? But of course, we do them all the time… -reaches a hand out to take the phone and peers down at it, smiling fondly- Ahhh, these! Yes, that is simple enough! Is it that you have flavors you would prefer? -hands the phone back- Or animals? - smiling to Aina- Ah, how terribly thoughtful, what a delight you are, my sweet!
Josiah: -doesn’t seem to notice Aina’s shying away from speaking to the stag, pressing forward with a laugh- Yeah, she told us all about how you can make - light boxes? And bees? Can you show us?
Edgar: Go right into it, why don’t you? -grins teasingly while he finishes up the last of his text, quietly sneaking a photo of Cesc, Vivi, and everyone near the register-
Aina: -she brightens when Cesc asks her a question, but the enthuse dies down as quickly as it came and she keeps her eyes toward the ground- Um… -smiles up at Vivi instead, wringing her hands together around her sweater- Do you think Miss Maree will like it?
Kade: Aina can tell you all about which animals we want, but yeah, I did want to talk flavors. -smiles, kneeling down to ease Aina to the floor so she can float on her own- What have you guys got?
Emilio: All I ask is that one of the flavors is chocolate. -smiles-
Cesc: -wonders why Aina is feeling so shy; did he make her uncomfortable by asking her things in front of Mordekai’s friends?- -looks back up at Josiah, his ears flicking and his smile growing again- Bees and boxes, that’s right. -there’s a faint snapping sound, as though someone pulled a dry twig off a branch, and Cesc works with something in his hands as someone would a small mound of clay; in a second, he opens his hand for Josiah and Edgar, and there’s a glittering golden bee inside-
Vivi: -grinning- Well, of course she will like it! Who does not like the cute, delicious cupcakes?
Cesc: -behind her, he has made sparkles appear all around her-
Vivi: -completely unfazed; they match her quite well, really- We can make all manners. We have chocolate, vanilla bean, caramel, strawberry, chai, green tea, red velvet, lemon, coconut, banana cream, carrot and grand marnier. Rhedefre also bakes many special flavors-- do you know that Aina has a flavor, as well?
Cesc: -as she speaks, has magicked up a small pom-looking crown and hovers it close to Aina’s head- I am still fiddling with it. Pomegranate is a little hard to pair…
Vivi: The Rhedefre, he makes many flavors for his friends.
The farmhands all watch Cesc and his little display, all of them laughing quietly at the sparkles behind Vivi and fawning over the golden bee in Cesc’s hand. Aina’s eyes widen as she watches, though she remains quiet, hands still folded together politely; she looks up at the crown of light above her with a tentative smile.
Josiah: -laughing, he claps his hand- Wow, that’s awesome! You going to be able to do that too, Aina?
Aina: Mm… I dunno. -with a bleary smile, she floats away from the crown to hide slightly behind Kade’s leg, arms clung to his shirt-
Kade: -raises brows - grins wide- Wow, lots of flavors. You’re going to have to go through those for me again. -he seems most perceptive of how unusual Aina is being; glances down at her, hand gently at her back- Hey, did you hear that? Cesc made a cupcake flavor just for you. We should get some of those.
Aina: -stays quiet, eyes fixed up toward Vivi, tone a little gloomy, though she nods- I hope Miss Maree likes ‘em.. Miss Vivi, what’s grand marnier?
Edgar: -frowns- Hey, what’s going on, Miss? You were excited to get here more than all of us.
Cesc: Thank you! -smiling, but it becomes a little lopsided as he notices Aina’s dampened reaction- Well, I’m pretty sure she’s going to be doing cooler stuff than this.
Vivi: -also noticing Aina’s demeanor with a lift of her brows- Oh-- yes, a moment-- I have them on an order card. -ducks and fishes out a nicely printed-out piece of paper with all their cake and frosting flavors upon them- -to Aina- Little duchess, what is the matter, my love? -realizes she was asked a question- Oh--she will like them, I promise! And Grand Marnier, it is a liqueur with the flavor of the oranges.
Kade: Much appreciated. -he looks back down at Aina- The stuff’s for grownups, Aina. It’s okay if you don’t know.
Aina: -quietly- I know… -while looking down at the floor, nods again; frowns- Um… it’s just… I remembered somethin’...
Cesc: -gently, prompting- What is it?
Vivi: -nods in encouragement, inclining her head to Aina- We can help, whatever it is!
Aina: -squirms a little, wondering if she should say anything at all-
Kade: C’mon, Aina. Don’t leave us hanging.
Aina: Mm… -looks up between all the adults, frowning, then at Cesc specifically - taking in a small breath, she steels herself a little and stops hiding behind Kade, diligently bundling up her hands- Cesc, are you an’ Zurine really kissy friends?
Emilio and Josiah share looks of vague surprise at each other, brows raised, and Edgar frowns a little.
Edgar: Uh? Zurine? -looks up from his kneel toward Cesc and Vivi- Is this a bad time?
Cesc: -well, he couldn’t possibly be any more surprised than he is, his jaw slackening and his ears growing hot- -stares dumbly at Aina, his cheeks starting to redden and his mouth going dry- Wha--
Vivi: -stands up straight as Aina speaks and immediately has to hide a fit of laughter behind her hands, poorly and delightedly- Oh la la!
Cesc: -flushed- Wait-- what? Do you know Zurine? Who-- -stops to compose himself, laughing self-consciously in front of all these new acquaintances- No, we’re not. We aren’t. We used to be, a few years ago. -wets his lips, laughing again with embarrassment-
Vivi: Ah, but they should be kissy friends, I think! Don’t you think so? They would be quite a lovely couple.
Cesc: -pulls his lips between his teeth, his expression one of resigned humiliation, his brows knit- Well. We are… not.
Kade: -laughs alongside Vivi in his amusement as well, looking between the Frei and the Sigel- Kissy friends is what we’re using now?
Aina: -frowns a little - shakes her head- I dunno Zurine…! But… -looks down again- I know you an’ Miss Zurine are makin’ her really sad… you’re really not kissy friends? -looks up at Cesc- Can you tell her that?
Vivi: It seems that way! -then, at Aina’s words, frowns gently and inclines her head- Making whom sad, little one?
Cesc: -swallows, then wets his lips and sinks one hand into his bangs, massaging his forehead- Oh, man. -reddening again, desperately wishing he didn’t have an audience for this, as innocent as Aina’s motives seemed to be- … are… uh, are you… talking about Eth, by any chance?
Vivi: -turns and stares at him, her eyes gleaming-
Cesc: -pulls his lips tight and shuts one eye, squinting the other in embarrassment-
Aina: -she seems hopeful at first that Cesc would agree, but with a frown she nods certainly-
Josiah: Eth… -looks up in thought- Pretty sure we’ve heard about her too. Asian girl, right?
Emilio: Hey, hey-- -gestures back toward the tables, smiles wryly at Vivi- Vivi? We will be waiting at the tables. Please, take your time. -he glares at Kade while he continues chuckling at the whole affair, and manages to wrangle along the rest of the farmhands to be out of the way-
Vivi: -gives Cesc a long, lingering look that clearly says She Will Be Hearing About This Later- Oh, no-- no, I do not think my presence is required here. -zooms around the counter and goes to the table as well, laughing and bringing the cupcakes back to the forefront of the conversation-
Cesc: -drags one hand down his face, hot humiliation coursing through his veins instead of blood- -frustrated, he wonders if he’s ever going to come out looking good in front of any of his friends where romance is involved, or if he’s cursed to forever stand around with egg on his goddamn face- Okay, well, that’s fine. -more to himself than to Aina, then offers her a small, self-conscious smile as he goes around the counter and floats low to be at her level- No, I’m not kissy friends with Zurine. Eth just thought so because I-- I kissed her for New Year’s, and I… I do like her, a lot. -runs his fingers through his hair, gripping strands loosely by the roots- And I’m really, really sorry for Miss Eth, I don’t ever want her to be sad, especially not because of me… -trails off- ...did she say that’s what she wants? Eth? She wants to be, uh, kissy friends?
The farmhands were happy to join in Vivi’s laughter, eager to celebrate visiting her at the bakery after having only talked about it for what felt like an eternity. Aina watched for a second as they trailed off, feeling some of her courage wander away with them, but she focuses back on Cesc with a resolute frown.
Aina: -she hides her hands under her sleeves, fiddling with her jacket and sweater a little when Cesc floats closer; brows upturned, it’s clear that the young Frei is quite confused by what Cesc is saying- But if you kissed Zurine on New Years, doesn’t that make you kissy friends? -of course, she’d also seen Cesc share a kiss with Eth as well that night, but the fact was briefly forgotten - she glances down to think for a minute, her memories a little blurry from there, but after a second to pause she nods- Mhm! An’ she said she was scared of botherin’ you an’ Miss Zurine… Eth said! -looks up at Cesc- Eth said you had feelings for Miss Zurine!
Cesc: -nods, looking down for a moment; he’d realized as much during his last conversation with Ethiriel, but the fact that Eth was beating herself up about it was unwelcome and unsurprising in equal measure- ...I, uh… -he lets his hands fall down, plucking his shirt- … I’m not sure how I feel about Miss Zurine. I don’t know if it would be a good thing or not for us to be, ah, girlfriend and boyfriend again. -decides not to use the term they have been, as it seems to be misleading- And I should not have kissed either Eth or Zurine on New Year’s. I thought it would just be nice friendly kisses and it doesn’t seem to have actually worked like that. That was my bad judgment there. -pauses, exhaling- But, ah, Aina… I don’t think it would be good for me or Ethiriel to be boyfriend and girlfriend right now, either. Ethiriel has a lot of things she’s going through and that are on her mind and what she needs right now are good friends, not a boyfriend. -smiles, somewhat awkwardly- I’m not bothered, and I’ll talk to her about it so she won’t be sad. -rubs the side of his face- … she was sad, when she talked about it?
Aina: -listens to Cesc with confusion upturning her brows, but she seems to be coming to an understanding of what the stag is getting at; looks down at the ground- Oh… you were just tryin’ to give ‘em kisses like Cruz? -frowns, thinking on what he said about Eth; she did not know why he would think that, but she nods at his next question and rubs her eyes a little- Mhm.. she sounded really sad… are you an’ Eth still going to be friends?
Cesc: -the thought of Cruz reminds him of the LAST time he felt like a jackass because of bad-judgment kisses, and he gives a defeated half-smile at that- I was. I was trying to Cruz-kiss them. -scoots a little closer to Aina and puts a hand on her shoulder- Of course we’ll still be friends. I’m not gonna let anything happen so we wouldn’t be friends. And I’m going to do my best so she won’t be sad, either, okay?
Aina: -sniffs, rubbing her eyes as Cesc scoots closer, a few droplets floating from her eyes- Mm… -she nods again, though weary- You an’ Miss Zurine an’ Eth are all gonna be okay? An’ she’s not gonna be sad anymore?
Cesc: Hey, don’t cry… -smiles gently- We’re all going to be okay. -well, he thinks darkly, that’s probably not super true, considering my record- Don’t worry. I’m gonna do my best to make Eth happy, no matter what, okay? -laughs, squeezing her shoulder- You’re a good friend, you know that, Aina?
Aina: -she nods, though a few tears still stray from her eyes though she tries her best to wipe them away. She cautiously looks up at Cesc, still distraught- She’s not goin’ to be sad anymore? -she wipes one of her eyes again; despite Cesc’s attempts to reassure her, the laughing worries her nonetheless- Did I make you mad?
Cesc: -shakes his head- You could never make me mad, Aina! I’m a little bummed to have made Eth upset, but we’ll all be okay. -rubs her shoulder- We just need to sit down and talk, she and I. That’s all.
Aina: -a few stray droplets of tears fall from her eyes, but she’s mostly calm while training weary eyes on Cesc. She smiles a little at Cesc’s assurance that he’s not mad, then nods once- After you an’ Miss Eth talk, you’re really gunna be okay…?
Cesc: -inhales slowly while nodding his head- Yeah, yeah. -smiles- Definitely, we will. Don’t worry about it, okay? We’ll get it sorted out.
Aina: -she looks up at Cesc; rubs one of her eyes a bit, frowning a bit and not entirely convinced that everything will be okay - especially Cesc- Are… -she grips her jacket, looking down at the floor- Are you sad, though?
Cesc: Mm. -his smile loosens- I'm sad that Eth is sad. But we’ll figure it out together, don't worry. It’ll all work itself out. -he gestures to the displays above- Besides, I've got cupcakes and ice cream and a catsune! How sad can you be with all that?
Aina: -she listens, eyes still glued to the floor while her frown falters to an unsure grimace - glances at the displays when he gestures toward them- Um… -she glances back at the floor, shrugging minutely- I dunno.. You can tell me if you’re sad if you want… I won’t cry or anythin’. -on the contrary, she rubs her eyes a bit- Can-- um, can I help?
Cesc: -his expression softens- Sure, I'm a little sad. I'm sad that I've made you and Eth sad. I know that she'll be sad when we talk, too. But I also know it'll be better after we talk about it. -pauses- But, hey, you'll be friends with me afterward anyway, right? You won't hold it against me that Eth was sad because of me?
Aina: -shifts a bit where she’s floating and listens; nods, a bit reluctantly at first, then more confidently at his questions- Mhm... -looks up at Cesc, managing to smile a bit- You didn’t mean to make her sad… -glances down- Can… um-- can we always be friends?
Cesc: -his smile becomes much brighter and more genuine- Yeah! I’d love that. -gently laughs- I think that’s the best idea you’ve had so far.
Aina: -beams a bit, smiling at Cesc - shyly, she extends her arms out toward him, then floats closer for a timid little hug; nods- Sorry… thank you for bein’ my friend.
Cesc: -wraps both arms around her and puts his chin on her head- Thanks for being mine, Aina.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 4:27 pm
Swordfighting 101
Cesc and Xiu commiserate about how much danger there seems to be in the life of a Raevan. *
"Who the hell are you going to fight with a sword?" laughed Shepard.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 4:29 pm
Swordfighting 101, Part 2
Cesc and Xiu decide to go through with sword fighting lessons and meet their new tutor. *
Well, thought Cesc, this was going to be weird.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 4:31 pm
The Founding of Club Pink
Cesc is overjoyed to find out he's not the only pink Raevan anymore! *
[ongoing]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 4:33 pm
 Fighting Friends
Keep your hands up, Shepard told him before the first time they sparred. It was when he was still a Frei, after the jungle, when the thought of his weakness got the better of him and he begged to learn how to fight.
He still didn’t really know why. There wasn’t much of any fighting he could have done in Khadlok. He hadn’t been asked to do much fighting since then, either.
He’d put his hands up around his face and hovered jerkily just out of arm’s reach. He felt nervous, sweaty. He didn’t want to hit Shepard, even in a spar, even to learn how to fight.
And then Shepard clocked him.
His fist connected with Cesc’s jaw, and the then-Frei had gone sprawling, sputtering, alarm bells going off in his head. It hurt—but the shock of it had hurt more than the hit. Shepard had hit him.
“You wanted to learn how to fight, didn’t you?” Shepard snorted. ”So this is fighting. Keep your hands up if you don’t want to get hit.”
It wasn’t the last time. Cesc had gotten hit since them—harder, by Iorek; hard enough to leave him sore and blue and bruised, everywhere from his antlers to his ribbon. He’d hit back, too, and found out that punching hurt nearly as much as getting punched, the power of the blow radiating up knuckles and bones and muscle and flesh, just the same way.
But it stuck with him, that first time. And it sure as hell taught him to listen.
---
Rhedefre stood across from Xiu. He felt a little ridiculous, his right hand clutching the makeshift blade he’d created from light, his posture more like what he expected from movies than what Professor Estoc had rattled off to them.
He thought about what it had felt to get punched in the face that first time. His mouth twitched—he couldn’t imagine Xiu punching anyone in the face, sparring or not. Xiu’s sensibilities were too much like his own. He wasn’t going to want to do it.
But then, Cesc thought, maybe he was wrong. Xiu had a sword—an honest to goodness sword, a living sword, one that was bound to him. That was not something that Cesc had, or could even imagine having. That was something that fighters had, that souls who needed battle and turmoil and justice had. That was what action heroes had.
Professor Estoc tapped Cesc’s shoulders and lifted his elbow, correcting his posture.
“Stay focused,” he said.
Cesc nodded. He looked at Xiu, at the calm, collected blue eyes that stared back at him. He wondered, distantly, if anyone had ever hit Xiu before.
He shook it off. Xiu would be fine. And anyway, Cesc knew how to listen to instruction now.
If Xiu didn't, he was about to learn.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2016 8:51 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2016 8:58 pm
Let the Lessons Begin
Professor Estoc begins the lesson process with the boys *
This was going to be tougher than expected.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2016 9:01 pm
ORP:Lab 205 Spring Viewing
Cesc is only too happy to go to the lab and enjoy watching the spring flowers bloom... except that's not exactly how it goes. *
Cesc cringed as he cleaned himself up. Nothing to be done about it now but to go out and look.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2016 9:03 pm
MRP: Team D
Cesc, Claire, Vesna and Lorenzo go out to find four fel essences. *
Cesc leaned forward to pin the clover on Claire, then leaned back in his chair with a sigh. He was more than ready to go home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2016 10:48 pm
Coming Along Splendidly
Professor Estoc and his servant Igan consider how well his new students have been doing of late. *
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2016 10:00 pm
Stand by Me
Eth has something she wants to show Cesc, but the conversation doesn't stay as cheerful. *
Gravity nestled into his stomach and would not leave.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2016 10:04 pm
Friends with Benefits: Part I “So,” said Vivi, sliding onto the couch next to Cesc, her eyes sparkling. “What was that about?”
The couch shifted under Vivi’s sudden weight, and Cesc groaned as he realized his moment of reckoning had come—and quite frankly, he wasn’t in the mood to face it. He was still turning over his conversation with Aina in his mind, as well as his encounter with Ethiriel. It was a sticky, humid thought place he’d led himself to, and he felt strangely annoyed to be jolted out of it and into the thin air of reality.
“What is this about kissy friends?” prodded Vivi, still smiling broadly. “What is it that happened, ah? I must know all.”
“I don’t really want to talk about it,” said Cesc. He sat like he was carved out of wood as Vivi languidly leaned toward him, and suddenly the space seemed too small. She was poking her head into the fog of his thoughts before he’d had a chance to clear it for himself.
“Of course you don’t,” she said airily. “You must in any case.”
Cesc frowned and said nothing, looking away from Vivi. “You don’t always have to stick yourself into—“
“Oh, la la. I may start for you. So, Ethiriel has the crush on you? What a development.” Vivi laughed. “It was not obvious to you at the party? She and Zurine, they were a little—how shall I explain it? Neither woman was very interested in leaving you alone with the other, if I may say.”
“Zurine doesn’t think of me like that anymore.” Cesc snorted.
“Oh?” Vivi’s eyebrows went up. “Is that where your mind went to so quickly?”
Cesc flushed and swallowed, his ears twitching and swerving away. “No, it’s just—everyone—it’s not what—I’m just tired of this, is all.”
“Tired of what?” pressed Vivi, still smiling. “Why do you not kiss them both? They are both clearly interested in receiving kisses. You have little of your own time, but time enough to indulge them both, n’est pas?”
“Vivi, can you stop that?” said Cesc, exhaling slowly, the red in his face not receding. “Not everything is just—doing whatever you want and making fun of me. This isn’t fun. I’m not having a good time.”
“You could be having one.” Vivi’s smile didn’t even sway, and Cesc felt his annoyance spike.
“That’s not what I meant—geezus, can’t things not be about—“ His words were getting garbled in his throat, coming out wrong and too frustrated and passionate for how he felt he should feel. He stopped, stammering, halting badly. “I don’t want to—“
Vivi inclined her head like an inquisitive cat.
“I don’t like this,” said Cesc. “I don’t want to be in this position. I’m sick of feeling like a jackass all the time!” Vivi’s smile started to grow and Cesc straightened angrily, his jaw tightening. “Why is that funny? Geezus, what is the deal with women? Why am I always goddamn hilarious? I kiss Meli and I’m an idiot, I kiss Zuri and she makes me look like a d**k in front of everyone—I kiss Ethiriel and she’s having such a horrible time and somehow there’s all of this awful—and then there’s Aina crying about it and—God, I’m sick of it! I’m sick of feeling like I keep messing up when nobody’s actually telling me what they want and don’t want and I just keep winding up being the a*****e.”
He threw his hands up, his heart pounding, his cheeks burning. He didn’t dare look at Vivi, lest she was still smiling.
“Mm.” Her voice didn’t sound particularly amused, but Cesc didn’t check. “Well, cheri, you have taken this all very seriously.” She paused. “Why, in that case, do you not take yourself off the shelf?”
“Sounds to me like you could be a little more of an a*****e.” Shepard’s footfall—as well as the rushed patter of Guy Smiley’s feet as he entered—heralded his entrance.
Cesc looked up, his expression flat. His shoulders were high and tense. “What.”
“Sure.” Shepard sat down on the armchair opposite, propping one foot up on the coffee table. “Why not? You’ve been a pushover for centuries.”
His tone bit into Cesc’s mood, and the stag furrowed his brow. He wanted to get up and leave, but it felt both immature and ridiculous to even entertain the idea.
“You can be mad if you want,” said Shepard. “But it’s true. You’re still bending over backwards to make sure Zurine doesn’t feel bad about coming back to you when she felt like it.”
The air escaped from Cesc’s lungs. “That’s not fair.”
“It sure isn’t” replied Shepard with a shrug.
“Why are you even torturing yourself thinking about these things?” asked Vivi, her tone curious. “It has been over a year since Zurine left you.”
“She says she didn’t—she was depressed,” interjected Cesc.
“Oh, yeah,” said Shepard. “She ghosted you out of depression, that’s right.”
“Why are you being such a d**k about this?” Cesc bit, the color rising in his face again.
“Because you’re too much of a pushover to realize that these girls had a good time using you when they needed you and ******** off when they didn’t anymore. Vivi said a little girl came in here and cried? Haven’t you gotten your a** handed to you enough times to want to, I don’t know, go out and ******** around with someone who isn’t interested in ******** with your head?” Shepard’s tone was even and his leg swayed gently as he spoke. “There’s more women out there than just Raevans.”
“Your answer to my wanting to feel like less of an a*****e is to go out and be an a*****e. I’m just making sure I’m understanding this,” intoned the stag, staring holes into Shepard.
“Is getting a** an a*****e move?”
Blood was pounding through Cesc’s ears, rhythmic and too loud. “You want me to go out and get some a**.”
“I want you to at least try to go out and talk to some women.” Shepard smiled wolfishly. Rhedefre turned his head to look at Vivi, who was in the middle of shrugging and smiling.
“Oh, do what you please, Rhedefre,” she said. “That is the point. Are you waiting for someone? Do you want Zurine, is that what is the matter? Are you taken or single? It is that I do not quite know.”
“That’s not—“ Cesc swallowed, leaning back against the couch, his hands on his face to cover his embarrassment. “I don’t know? What’s—I mean, yes. I am single. But it’s not fair when Ethiriel is—“
“It is very unfortunate what she is going through,” said Vivi. “I am very sorry to hear she is unwell, that she is poorly, and I understand that you want to help her and help her feel better. Would giving her you make you both feel better? Do you want to confess some love to her, take her into your arms? You may, if you wish. You are allowed this. If you want it.”
“You don’t want it,” murmured Shepard.
“Will you stop that?” snapped Cesc.
“But you don’t.”
“I—fine.” Cesc dropped his hands to the couch. “Yes. That’s right. I don’t want to be with Ethiriel.”
“Why not?” asked Vivi. “You have admitted you find her lovely.”
“I don’t know. Because she’s not—this is a crappy time for her and I don’t want—I don’t think I can be in charge of her happiness like that,” said Cesc. “She’s just… I know she talks like that and looks like that, but she’s just still figuring herself out, and I…”
He paused, waiting to be interrupted. He looked up, surprised to find Shepard and Vivi both with eyes on him, waiting for him to continue
“…I don’t want to mess with it,” he finished, a little lamely.
“That’s fair,” said Shepard. “And you’re mad that you have to say no when she’s feeling really bad.”
“Yeah. Yes.”
“And you’re mad that a little girl cried about it.”
Rhedefre let out a sigh. “Yes.”
“Okay. What about Zurine?”
Cesc eyes snapped to the floor. He forced himself to look back up squarely at Shepard, his teeth set against each other. “What about her?”
“What’s going on there?”
Cesc shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Mm…” Vivi drummed her fingers. “But I think you know a little, at least.”
Cesc shook his head. “I don’t. I think I do sometimes. I think there’s something there sometimes, but I don’t know if I’m fooling myself or if it’s a good idea. I don’t know. I don’t want to deal with it, I just want to leave all of this stuff and go… I don’t know.”
“Get some a**?” supplied Shepard, grinning.
“You’ve got to stop with that.” Cesc exhaled slowly. “Seriously.”
“Why?” Shepard was still grinning.
“I can’t—I can’t get any a**.” said the stag, his ears and face and chest all starting to feel warm again. He felt like he might burst from collective embarrassment.
“Why?” Shepard intoned the question the same infuriating way as before, his expression impassive.
“I don’t—I’m not built for that yet,” Cesc said through a fog of humiliation, waving with one hand toward his lack of a bottom half, wanting to sink into the couch cushions and expire.
Accordingly, Vivi began to laugh, and Shepard’s lips cracked into a smile. Cesc hated them thoroughly for a moment, hated their full human bodies and their attractive faces and their self-assurance and sexual histories, their experience and knowledge and all of the things he had no idea how to get or use or even understand.
“You guys are such dicks” he seethed, red.
“Well, we will be until you get one,” said Shepard, thick with amusement at his own joke. “You’re too sensitive. You don’t need that to have a good time.”
“Okay. Yeah.” Cesc nodded. “That sounds real.”
“Mon Dieu, it is that it will be an interesting time when you grow again, I will just say this,” laughed Vivi. “—but is that what you worry about? That you won’t have anything to… offer, if you choose to be with a woman that is not a Raevan?”
“It’s not like you’re hiding anything,” said Shepard, waving ribbon-wards, still laughing. “They’d know it going in. Didn’t someone have a crush on you when you were a frei?”
“This is not a conversation I’m really enjoying,” said Cesc, nodding. “I’m pretty ready for it to be over, if you are.”
“Christ, get over yourself,” laughed Shepard. “It’s not exactly broad appeal, sure, but you’re a good looking guy and, come on. If you think that’s the only thing someone’s interested in, even just to have a good fun, I have some video recommendations for you, mate.”
“Super ready for this to be over,” repeated Cesc, covering his face with both hands.
“Just promise me if you do want to talk to some girls, you’ll tell me next time we go out,” said Shepard. “We’re both pretty good wingmen.”
“Very good,” repeated Vivi.
“Okay, I’m done,” said Cesc, rising. “Thanks for that.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2016 10:05 pm
Friends with Benefits: Part II Shepard and Vivi were getting ready. Shepard already was, actually, his least-rumpled grey collared shirt buttoned, his maroon motorcycle jacket open over it, dark jeans, his hair actually tamed. Vivi was slipping on high heels by the door, her black dress a little too short to be decent. It looked like liquid on her, the cut and the fabric, the way it shimmered in the low light and flickered over her body like she’d conjured it. Her eyes were smoky and her lips were devilish and red.
Cesc took a deep breath and floated out of his bathroom. He had been staring at his reflection for the better part of a half hour, flicking his hair out of his eyes, smoothing it back and re-ruffling it, rolling up the sleeves of his navy button-down and unrolling them. He contemplated shaving and then rejected the idea, and then settled on just cleaning the stubble up at the edges.
Well, he thought. This is as good as it’s going to get.
He smoothed his hands over his chest as he floated down the stairs, his face red. Vivi and Shepard were by the door, but Vivi turned and her eye caught him as he came down, and she stopped.
“Rhedefre,” she said, her voice surprised. “Are you coming?”
Cesc swallowed and nodded.
“I think… I think yeah,” he said.
Vivi’s smile was languid, powerful, dark.
“Good,” she said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2016 10:06 pm
Friends with Benefits: Part III
The club was loud. The lights flickered, sweeping over the undulating, rhythmic movement of the crowd. Cesc squinted in the darkness as they entered—all he could see in the flashing of the light was body parts less than individuals: the rolling of a woman’s back, a man’s hand smoothing over a shoulder, the bouncing of hair. He felt short of breath as he entered, breathing in smoke and the scent of liquor and sweat.
They parked at the bar and Shepard leaned through a crowd to get the bartender’s attention and drinks. He and Vivi, Cesc noticed, immediately drew eyes. Shepard—his easy, handsome face, his tall stature and broad back—almost instantly had smiles, while men turned in their seats to watch Vivi, and all her curves and grace and liquid dress, walk past them.
And it was more than that. They were unaffected by eyes on them, Cesc realized. They noticed without reacting, without feeling flustered or self-conscious. Vivi smiled and Shepard placed a hand at her exposed low back and most of the looks folded away again; it was all silent and understood but astonishing for the stag.
Shepard came forward with two shots, Vivi beside him with another.
“A shot?” Cesc’s voice was barely audible over the music.
“Liquid courage!” Shepard yelled into his ear.
“To the hunt!” Vivi cheered with a laugh, throwing the shot back in a quick motion. Shepard followed suit and Cesc hesitated, then opened his mouth and tried not to overthink, gulping down the alcohol. It burned, and his eyes screwed shut as he let out a cough.
Shepard clapped him hard on the back, laughing, while a fire traced its way down Cesc’s esophagus.
“You look great, you smell great, you’ve got a great ******** face,” Shepard hollered. “Just let yourself have some fun!”
Cesc put the glass down on the bar. The DJ shifted the song to something slow and Vivi and Shepard spoke to each other inaudibly. They waved, turning toward the dance floor. Cesc’s palms sweat and he pressed them together, digging his thumb into the palm of his opposite hand. Dimly, he longed to have someone else beside him, to be a duo the way that Vivi and Shepard were, so easy and assured.
Alright, stag, Cesc said to himself, shaking his head. He started floating toward the dance floor, pushing himself out of his own head. Now or never.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2016 10:07 pm
Friends with Benefits: Part IV Nobody was laughing at him.
Cesc wasn’t sure what he had been expecting, only that it hadn’t been good. He knew, intellectually and from the bakery clientele and from his classes with Granny, that there were plenty of magical beings in Gaia, and that Raevans, while eye-catching, were not exactly the most exotic of the bunch. He realized now, at an alternate club filled with vampires, dark elves, and all manners of other types, that he’d been wrong to expect to be the strangest thing any of them had seen.
Not that he wasn’t being looked at. He was being looked at, he noticed—three shots and a Dark and Stormy in—that there was a dark elf girl that kept swiveling her head toward him, her dark eyes sweeping up and down his form. He also noticed that Shepard and Vivi had also taken note, and had slowly forced them closer on the dance floor.
Why hadn’t this happened earlier in the evening? Cesc wondered. He was now sweaty and disheveled, thoroughly drunk but not nearly drunk enough. His hair was clinging to his cheeks and he felt warm, flushed, muddled. He didn’t have much in the way of pick up lines—did those even work?—and hadn’t actually entertained the possibility of…
When had he gotten this way? He never cared before. He’d talk to anyone, anywhere, about anything, unconcerned about who knew more or how he was coming off or anything else. He wasn’t used to the self-consciousness, the living in his own head. It wasn’t how he was built. It was an insecurity built off the failed romantic everything—that bullshit. Who gave a ********?
This girl now close beside him, she was exquisite. She tossed her hair and made eye contact with him and nodded, a beckoning motion. He allowed himself to look at her without concern for Zurine, for Ethiriel, for their imaginary ability to see what he was doing, thinking, saying.
The color of her skin was dark and rich, in sharp contrast to the bright white of her hair, slicked back and gathered into a high ponytail. She was long-legged and moved with a snakelike liquidity, all hips and smooth shoulders, like she was gliding. She smiled at him as he neared and turned toward him to pull him into the dance, her eyes dark and heavy-lidded.
She turned her body and pulled his closer with both hands and a smile, her hands sure. She slid her palms up his arms, her thumbs trailing over the curve of his biceps and then around the broadness of his shoulders. There was a slow, pleased quality to how she smiled then, clasping her hands together at his neck. The rhythm of the music pounded around them and Cesc tried to keep up with her motions, unsure of what to do with his own hands. He settled on the small of her back, and as he touched her he felt a thrill at his fingertips like he’d brushed electricity. She mouthed the words to the song, her mouth bright with glossy lipstick.
When the song ended, she smiled and started off the dance floor. When he hesitated, she took his hand, pulling him toward the bar. She paused as he continued to float, closing the distance between them and tipping up her head toward his ears.
“Buy me a drink!” she called, smiling.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
