|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:27 am
Serena was seated at the small corner cafe, sipping on her latte. The people that passed her by amazed her, and she wondered if they had the difficulties in life that she had to face... Well, of course they do, but is it had for them too? she wondered, sighing and taking yet another sip. The Verona was one of her favorite places to go, because it was a small business, something that wasn't really found any where else in the other states, and she never really liked to support big businesses. Besides, she knew the owner, and he was a nice man. It was too bad that he didn't know about her issue, otherwise he probably would help support her...
But, Serena didn't want anyone to know. She wanted it to herself... She wanted to just... Sulk, maybe? It was slightly depressing just thinking about it and all. She took another sip and set the cup down, reaching over for her camera, deciding to look through the morning's pictures so far. Being a free-lance photographer, she could take pictures of anything she wanted, landscapes, animals... people. She loved taking pictures of people, especially children and the elderly... Children. She would be having one of those soon, and she wondered if she could really do it... Be a mum at such a young age. A part of her wasn't ready for it, but she wanted to keep it because it was the only tie back that she had to Devon... Devon, the one who had gone off to war and had gotten shot.
She choked back on the tears. She didn't want to cry here. So far, she had done a god job at just... Letting it build up inside of her, but she wouldn't be able to contain it for much longer. It had already been a month, and she still hadn't had a good cry about it. She had to keep up her countenance... Not show it. Who could she run to to wipe the tears away? Not Devon. And she'd be damned if she sulked and ate tubs of ice cream by the loads of it. She took a sip of her drink, finishing it off. Leaving a small tip at the table, she got up and hitched her camera over her shoulder, lifting it before leaving the coffee shop, and readying herself for the small moments she might catch on her way back to her lonely flat. Perhaps she would go to the beach for a little... At least she was dressed in the manner to go...
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:43 pm
As the morning sun filtered down through the leaves Rae wiped the back of her hand across her eyes taking away the tears. Being alone was something she had never dealt with but these days she was starting to question whether she felt anything at all. Moving through the park she heard the gentle movements of the ocean as the stony path of the park started to become sandier and the ocean slowly came into view. That was why she loved this park. The park and trees back all the way up until the dirt became sandy and the ocean threatened to take over. The best part about it was it was generally pretty empty. The odd person here or there but for the most part people only passed through to get to the shops and cafe's farther down the shoreline. Moving closer to the water she walked out onto the long dock standing on the edge when a thought came into her mind. Horribly morbid but it seemed to be logical. Rae may have been a great swimmer but her mind still pointed out how easy it would be to just take the final step and give up. Let the water fill her lungs and it would be over. She was so close to drowning in her own fears and loneliness what was the difference. Everyone had already left her and there was no one to miss her. Rae wasn't alive, just an imitation of living, the husk of a real functional person. Swaying lightly on the dock she wasn't looking at the water but more looking through it into the deep abyss as her mind took her far away. The breeze pushed her hair away from her gently blowing upon her face as if trying to push her back away from the edge of the waters while she stood stone still like a monument to the lost as she gazed out into the sea.
((Short I know but I wanted to post. ^^; I like this rp and anxious for it to get going.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:16 am
[[ 'ooc I can't wait for this to pick up! It's an awesome idea for a roleplay ^^ ]]
Her feet were sandy from the beach as she moved across the shoreline, feet being splashed every so often by cold water, as she snapped photos of families splashing around in the water... Waves catching on the sand... The soft ripples of the ocean, and the glittering sun up above. She sighed. it truly was a beautiful day, and such beauty contrasted terribly with the way she felt inside: Torn up and confused. Why did Devon have to get shot? He was about to be sent home, even. But, stupid wars always had supid drafts... They were sending men out with no regrets, and shrugged their shoulders at the deaths. There were more men out there to drag into war. Devon, though he partly wanted to go, didn't want to leave her, and she knew that. She knew that if he could have changed it, he would have stayed right there in that cozy little town, in their cozy little flat in the perfect little neighborhood up on the hill.
But, all things come to pass, and he was one of them. And she was alone, left to snap pictures of things and places that reminded her dearly of him. She saw his shadow, his ghost, assign everywhere, and it ached in her heart to see lovers at the beach, splashing water at them, because she used to do that with him, especially on beautiful days like this. Drive the highway with the top down and blast music, both of them singing at the top of their lungs. They were the perfect lovers, and all of that had been taken from her. She lowered her camera, seeing a girl on the dock. The girl's eyes were clouded with pondering, the wind blowing her hair askew, and it would make for the perfect picture. She lifted the lense again. Click.
Walking along the dock, she approached the girl slowly. She was alone, like herself, and perhaps they coudl be friends, even? It was always possible. People, as lonely as they were, could always use someone as equally lonely to help them feel better, right? Serena plopped herself down beside the girl, crossing her legs and taking out her camera, to show the girl the perfectly positioned picture of her. "I couldn't help myself..." she said softly to the girl, thinkign twice on what she was doing. Maybe the girl wanted to be alone, and Serena was just barging in. She really hoped not. "You're very photogenic, you know," she said, looking at the girl, an Asian, with raven-black hair.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:15 am
The beach. Lantis wasn't sure why he always drove here except that in his escape from his own mind, his car took him here. It could be something from his subconscious he supposed. The thought had crossed his mind plenty times before. After all the beach held many fond memories. When he was a child he spent countless hours with his family here. When he grew up, he came here with his friends to play and have all sorts of picnics and outings. Those were better times, care free times. All of it so far away and out of his reach now it seemed. After his episode, Lantis distanced himself from everyone, hid away ashamed of what he'd done, afraid now that he knew what he was capable of doing.
The waves crashed far off from the shore. Echoing faintly of mortars or improvised explosive devices. Lantis wondered how he could have ever spoken so casually about taking a life. He remembered back when he hung out with most of the guys, they would laugh and joke about many they'd kill, or try to recreate action scenes from the movies. But the illusion shatters when you actually look at the 'bad guy' you're about to shoot, and see the fear in those eyes, see YOUR SELF, in them. This wasn't a dog you were going to put down. It was a human. His body must have gone into auto mode, because Lantis could not remember exactly what happened after that. His mind must have shut out the horrible experience.
The sea breeze swept over the sands and tousled his raven black hair. Lantis was almost afraid that the winds would carry the faint smell of death or sticky sent of blood. But it did not and it relieved him. Lantis shoved his hands into his pockets as was his normal ritual and he walked along the shore, listening to the waves and wanting to be lost in their sounds. He beckoned them to drown out the voices and purify his mind of those horrible memories. His wandering stopped as he came to a familiar structure.
The dock. Yes more fond memories, sadly not enough to erase the bad. Slowly he walked up onto the wooden structure enjoying the cedar smell that was always present, even so many years later. Then, on a childish impulse, he hauled himself onto the thick wooden block railings. He loved doing this. Done it many times, and on few occasions, fell into the water with the help of his friends. The railings only covered half the dock. Farther out, the railing stopped so that people who wanted to swim, could jump off easily. Lantis walked, one foot before the other, wanting to go as far as he could, wondering what he would do once he reached the end. Suddenly the breeze carried soft voices to him. The young man looked up surprised that anyone else was here. A few feet ahead of him were what appeared to be two girls. One standing at the edge, and the other behind her. They looked to be talking. Perhaps someone talking the other out of a suicide? Oddly interested, Lantis crouched down at the edge of the railing, sitting like a gargoyle and holding his knees. What would happen he wondered.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:40 pm
[Gahh! I am never going to be able to post as much as you guys!!!!]
The plastic was fake. The name was not his. And the picture upon it was not him. The government had done its best to hide him from a group that would surely bring him down. But if this was true, why did it feel so wrong. Why did he feel like he was in a body that was not his. Questions haunted his hollow soul, his life tainted with the blood of his friend and the memories of his past life.
Laurence's life seemed almost empty. He could no longer find a reason, a why, to live on Earth any more. It had seemed like an eternity since his identity had been changed, his world turned around by the taking of a life. Laurence lived in lies. His name was a lie. And it was a miracle he even remembered his old name. And the life he loved so much. The mirror made him seem dead, reflecting the black rings placed beneath hazel eyes that once sparkled. But they were now almost lifeless, like the man himself.
A pair of a black shorts lay on his bed, along with a blue jersey. The Spirals were in the finals, and his team was on the road to victory. But he couldn't figure out why it felt so wrong. The sixteen year olds all leapt up to the sky as they defeated the Bulldogs in a fight for a place in the tournament. And Laurence should have been proud. But the photo sat upon his black dresser, and it reminded him of the past, a past that would never return. There he was, being who he used to be. Ralph Jordan Browning standing next to his now dead friend Liam Oswald Kendall. Ralph was gone now, replaced with Laurence. With the name had gone his life. How could he ever forget?
The stadium erupted with cheers as the group of blue-jerseyed soccer players entered the stadium. Laurence jogged in front, the frown replaced with a perfectly white smile. The black shirts revealed muscular lower legs, tanned from days in the sun. His blue jersey had the word COACH emblazoned upon the back, the team name Spirals written diagnol down the front. His shaggy brown hair framed his now bright face as his team huddled around him.
"Remember guys, this is just a game. If we loose, we loose happily knowing we made it this far. But lets try and win, just for fun," he yelled, adding a wink at the end. "On the count of three. 1, 2, 3! We've got style, we've got class. Now we're gonna kick your a**! Go Spirals!"
The starters all headed to their positions, the goalkeeper crouching low in front of the looming goal. The game started with the squeal of the whistle. And they were off. The striker headed forward, passing to a fellow Spiral. He stopped it with ease and headed toward the goal. A defender charged toward him, but he was ready. Faking left, he slammed the ball right. The striker moved forward before passing to the right wing. And the crowd erupted in cheers and boos as the right wing kicked it in with power. Laurence threw his fist into the air.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:56 pm
As her mind clouded over her mind seemed to make more and more sense of just taking the final step when a faint shutter click invading into the calm of the ocean followed by a quiet tentative voice though it took her several seconds to comprehend what she was saying or even that she was talking to her as her mind reconnected. Turning to look she realized the proximity of the person sitting next to her, Rae drew in a sharp breath of surprise and instinctively took a step as she smiled though it faded in a split second as her footing slipped on the eternal dampness of the dock. Despite efforts to reclaim her balance she fell back wards reaching toward the dock though she knew she could never make it as surprise flashed in her eyes. Rae was considered graceful when not distracted and though she had fallen and jumped off this dock more than a hundred times in her life, this was different. She opened her mouth to scream but no noise came out as she hit the water and it covered her face and started to pull her under. Was this really the end? Time moved in slow motion as the sun seemed to grow farther away through the distortion of the waters as it poured into her lungs but she felt no pain, nothing but regret about how her life had turned out. She had been saved by her parents for what? To drown? To slowly fade away and wither? After what seemed an eternity her muscles reacted trying to pull her to shore but she was disoriented in the water and always had been. Unless she could see the surface it was hard to tell which way was up and her boots were weighing her down. They were heavy to walk in much less swim and because of they came up to her knees and had been tightly laced there was no way she could get them off. It was then when faced with the actual truth of death Rae realized she was a failure there to and to die would only cause more people trouble than she already did. There was nothing she could do right except continue living in hell.Getting as close as she could to the surface her lungs started to burn as they filled with salt water and she grabbed onto the bottom rung of the ladder to try and pull herself up.
((That is ok. Acebirchy. You are a very good RPer. ^_^.
The whole falling off a dock like that. Not as uncommon as one would think...>> ))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:31 pm
((Wow. So long...))
Nikki rolled over onto her side, her arms wrapped around her thin frame, hugging herself. Her body was tense and shaking, so heavy she felt like she would never be able to move, to speak, to breath again. Her every breath felt like led, a burdonous task she was loath to fulfil. But she would, Nikki would take every single damned breath she could, if only to spite him, to show him that she could live, even if she lived in fear.
Sweat beaded her brow, matting dark brown hair to her forehead, the tips of it mingling with her eyelashes. Warily, she opened chocolate colored eyes and scanned the room quickly for anything or one that wasn't supposed to be there. Once she was sure she was safe, she let her fingers uncurl from the smooth metal under her pillow, though she ran her fingers over the muzzle just to reassure herself. As Nikki sat up, she brushed the sleeve a black shirt over her eyes to wipe away the un-wanted tears from the awful dream. But that wasn't right; something so horrid, so utterly terrifying and mind-numbing had no right to be called a dream. That...ugly, unwanted part of her life ranked only in the shadows with nightmares. And even then, she was loath to admit that she...
With a sigh, Nikki broke away from that train of thought, knowing that it was no use to think about things like that. Things that shouldn't matter but underneath, below the surface of everything, still existed and tortured her to the very thin lines of her shaky sanity. A sanity that she was just now, after having lived on her own for more than three years ago, slowly begining to build. She was by no means ready to lose it again.
Letting out another broken sigh, she slipped slowly out of bed and let her feet hit the cold oaken floor boards, relishing in the sharp awareness that jolted through her at the touch. Walking over to her dresser, she pulled the chair away from the round knob, setting it to the side and opened the small door. She turned the light on and easily chose a pair of pale blue jeans, another long-sleeve black shirt and a gray Tee to wear over it. Setting the clothes on the bed, she closed the door and repositioned the chair again, before moving to the bathroom. This door she always left open with the light on, a habit she had been unable to break since she had started to live on her own. Stepping inside, she closed the door behind her.
After about 20 minutes had passed, the door opened and Nikki stepped outside again, dressed and with her curly hair pulled back in a loose pony tail, a small amount of bangs haning to the side of her face. Pulling on the pair of socks she had in her hand and the black skate shoes by her bed, she slowly turned to face the door. There too, like there had been with the closet, was a large chair lodged under the handle. And although Nikki knew that if someone was honestly trying to get it something like that wouldn't really stop them, it too was a security, as much as the bathroom light. Taking in a deep breath, she let it out slowly and only then did Nikki pull the chair out and open the door. Only when she was positive that there was nothing hiding in the shadows did she leave her room.
The apartment was small, one bedroom, one bath, kitchen and living. Small, secure and more than she would have ever thought she'd be able to afford, especially with her job. Her keys and jacket sat on the kitchen counter, exactly where she had left them the night before. Pulling on the warm black leather, she picked up the keys and glanced around once more. One thing she was sure about was that she would not ever feel utterly secure, not from her father, not from other people, not even from herself. This too had become a habit for her, this constantly checking to make sure that everything was alright, to make sure that she would survive yet another day alone. This was her life.
When Nikki was sure that the apartment was empty save for herself, she stepped outside and closed the door, locking the four locks behind her. She didn't explain to her landlord what the locks were for, only that she was from a large metropolis and had become used to the extra precausion. An easy enough lie, one that working ninty percent of the time, especially in small cities like this.
The flat was beach front, only a few minutes walk from the shore line. In the distance she could see the outline of the large dock. It was her daily destination when she woke up, the walk and the morning wind the only thing that helped to calm her after she woke in the mornings. Straightening her shoulders and back, she began the long trek, the pace slow and even as she struggled to keep a hold of all the threads.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:32 pm
Serena's eyes got wide as she stripped off her jacket, and her shoes, leaving herself in her white cami and jeans. Quickly, she jumed into the ocean, searching for the girl. She didn't even care about the camera that was left on the dock in the frenzy... It could be stolen, but what was a camera compared to a person's life?
The water was cold as she plunged into it, searchign around. Further off, she could see the girl sinking, but fighting. The currect made it basically impossible to get to her, but Serena fought against it, trying her best to get to the girl, hopefully to save her life. When she reached her, it was only moments after, but moments could mean so much when drowning. Placing her hands around the girl's chest, she heaved her up, also latching onto the bottom most rungs of the ladder, pulling up.
Luckily for Serena, she was somewhat fit, no matter the little preent in her belly. Pulling up again, she sucked in air, and worked hard to keep the other girl's head above too. "Hey, hey you okay?" she asked the girl over the rush of water around them. Once more, she quickly latched onto another rung, this time, higher up, that way, she wasn't fighting to breathe. "Help!" she yelled out. She couldn't possibly pull the two of them up...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:39 am
Watching the girl fall off the dock and into the water really didn't come as a surprise to Lantis who remained perched upon the wooden rails watching. It happened often, even as a child. It was almost sad as when the girl had looked back he caught a glimpse of her face. She was rather quite beautiful, if it wasn't such an odd thing to think at a time like this. Almost like a sad delicate china doll. And just like that, she disappeared into the dark watery depths. Lantis straightened his haunched back almost attentively. Would the young girl come back up? Or would she give into her demons and let the waters claim her? Lantis envied her, for he could never take his own life.
Strangely enough, the young man found himself hoping it was the former instead of the latter even though he knew nothing of her sorrows. Who was to say that she had any in the first place? Lantis closed his eyes and recalled that split second when he saw that beautiful china rose face. Yes, she smiled, but her eyes were sad, of that he was certain. He was so lost in a cocktail mix of a daze and his own thoughts that he didn't even realize that the second girl had jumped in after until he heard the next splash. She too disappeared into the depths. This sudden intervention actually pulled at Lantis to abandon his perch and approach the edge of the dock slowly. The water rippled with the recent disturbance as Lantis peered down, minding the Camera set upon the ground next to his feet.
'Where are they?' He found himself wondering. Was he really that worried? Perhaps, it would be really troublesome of two girls died while he was there. Didn't want to be implicated in such matters so soon.
As if to answer his silent question, the surface of the water broke as both girls resurfaced. The second working hard to save the first that had fallen in. She made it back to the ladder that was attached to the dock and she shouted for assistance.
Her plea shattered his dark world of despair and the voices were hushed to silence. Lantis's body moved of it's own accord, a condition reaction and he was reaching down, strong arms wrapping themselves around the young lady's cold wet body, hauling her up with such ease. Even after so long, his body was still conditioned to be strong enough to save others when called upon. Lantis had to relieve the second girl of the first because she was fighting to breath and stay above the water. Once he had dragged her onto the dock, he went back and extended a hand to the other girl. "Are you okay?" He asked. He had to make certain she wasn't going to collapse or fall back into the water.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:27 am
She was relieved when someone answered the call, a male, who had grabbed the girl out of her arms and hauled her up and onto the dock... To safety, thank god. But really, it only made Serena wonder... Had the girl meant to do that? Indeed, she was a bit surprised at Serena's sudden appearance... But, what was she doing so near the edge of the dock anyway? It wasn't really something that most people did, save for little children and unattentive parents. Other than that, the position the girl had been in was a precarious one, and Serena could almost assume that she had been playing with the idea of suicide. But, pretty faces like hers should never be wasted on such petty things...
Of course, Serena shouldn't have been thinking that. Hadn't it only been a month or so ago that she had wanted to kill herself too? She had flirted with Death because she was so afraid to be alone... Of course, that was until she learned that she was pregnant with Devon's child, and she couldn't bring herself to give that up... It was her only tie back to him... And Serena, not wanting to accept the death of her beloved fiancee, needed a tie back to him in order to want to live. She sighed, seeing the face of a man, and a hand reaching out to help her. Taking it, she pulled herself up and sat down on the dock, breathing hard, coughing a little due to the salt water she had onl slightly taken in.
"I'm fine," she lied, panting a little. In fact, although she was fairly alright, the pains in her stomach had returned, and she had to fight hard not to allow it to be shown on her face. Pregnancy sucked, almost, and she pressed lightly on the pain, allowing time to let it subside before she collected herself and got up, going over to the girl and kneeling beside her. "Hey, you alright?" she asked the girl curiously. "retty bad fall, you took there," she said. Even in the hardest of times, Serena found ways to try to lighten the mood.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:41 am
Struggling to breathe through the waters Rae tried to stay above the surface but the world had started to grow fainter and she was only vaguely aware of the woman holding her before she was wrenched from the waters by another force. Lying on her side Rae gagged on the water in her lungs that threatened to make her pass out while gasping for breath, What was I thinking, coming out here. her mind scolded her. Death had seemed like such a good idea and until she had made the choice she wanted to live, it hadn't even hurt to drown to just accept it and also why had the girl tried to save her. Why had her or the man who pulled her to shore even bothered. What might seem a natural response to some was alien for Rae because no one had ever saved her before. They would just walk on by as if they had never seen her standing there as if she never existed or those who wished to show their true colors would glare at her as if blaming Rae for every problem across the earth. Opening her eyes to a spinning world as everything flew into focus, Rae heard a man's voice asking if someone was ok and a female voice answered though the truthfulness was questionable. Rae had lied enough that she liked to think she could notice. Looking around she saw a blonde kneeling beside her and a little farther away a taller man with black hair and deep colored skin. Wiping her hand across her mouth it was a futile attempt to get the salt water away from her mouth considering she was soaked but nonetheless she looked back to the blond woman ad with an out of breath voice, "Thank you." she said quietly though it seemed louder of the waves of the sea, "Thank you for pulling me out." Thinking it over she didn't know what else to say. She was a great swimmer, she had even been on a swim team for a semester and took them to state before they disqualified her for not being full time. Trying to smile her eyes still carried the true sorrow of her life, something she had never been able to hide from the world, "I guess it serves me right for standing there," the lies fell off her lips making her feel guilty, but if they knew the truth it would turn out like all those before who disregarded her, "Are you sure your alright?" she asked turning her gaze to look at them both inspecting to look for signs they needed help. Pushing up to sit on her knees Rae's sopping hair hung around her face making her sigh before going to ring it out waiting on their response.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:57 am
Serena's smile formed slowly her lips. Though she could tell that the girl was still fighting some sort of inner conflict, she was glad that she was safe on the dock. Infact, Serena laughed a little, finding the situation quite comical indeed. She had gone over to hopefully strike up nice conversation adn show the girl the picture Serena had taken of her... And this ended up happening. What were the chances? Then again, it wasn't that hard to slip off of a dock, especially becuase the boards were always wet. She sighed.
"I'm fine, and I'm sorry to have surprised you. I'm sure you were slightly scared or surprised at the fact that I suddenly popped up beside you, trying to show you a picture I had taken of you back on the beach. It was just such a perfect picture, especially with the lighting of the sun hitting the water," she said with a nod as she peered at the girl through wet locks of hair. "I tend to pop up at the most unopportune moments," she said, shakign her head, honestly feeling bad that it had probably been her fault that the girl fell in and almost died. Serena coughed, spitting out a bit more salt water. Disgusting taste.
"But anyways, you still haven't seen the picture..." she said softly, getting up slowly, wobbling a bit, and fetching her camera, bringing it back over, and sitting beside the girl to show her the photo. It was of her standing there on the dock, hair askew in the breeze, eyes clouded with thought. Though one could make out the girl's features, they were darkened, due to the sun in the background and on the ocean waves, which looked almost golden. All in all, it was a perfect picture. "We were lucky that this guy was nearby... I don't think I could've pulled us both up and onto the dock..." she said with a blush. She hated not being all that strong, but, que sera sera. "Thank you," she said to him with a smile, before turning back to the girl. "I'm Serena, by the way... Probably really weird to be talking to me without knowing my name, huh?" she asked with another laugh.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:34 pm
This whole time, Lantis sat next to the two simply listening. He felt it would be better to get up and leave since he was no longer needed. But a few more minutes passed and he thought it best to stay, just to make certain that bother were alright and would not need medical attention. "Ah." Lantis nodded accepting the thanks. It wasn't really needed actually. Just normal. When one cried out for help, it was your humane duty to help. He shrugged as the first girl introduced herself as Serena. "What's in a name anyway right?" He feigned a smile. He figured it was proper since everyone here wasn't being terribly honest. Oh, they could hide it, but Lantis was sensitive to this kind of thing. He always had been. Perhaps they weren't trying to hide it and simply didn't care, there was always that yes. But Lantis liked to think that he was still a sensitive human being. Able to listen to the words not said. "I'm Tokugawa....Err, I mean Lantis. You can call me Toku if you like."
Everyone in the military used to. Toku, Toku, Toku. The military was fond of giving it's member's nick names if they proved to be too hard. Later it became shorter, T.K. . In the normal world, people called him Lantis.
"Lantis is good too. Whatever is fine with me." He looked from Serena to the other girl. "You should be more careful next time. With all that you're wearing, it would have been easy to drown. That would have been very sad." And surprisingly, Lantis meant every word he said. She was such a pretty girl and all, but he felt that everyone that knew her, that cared about her would have been upset at her loss.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:09 pm
Rae was suprised by the picture. Its pure quality was mesmerizing yet sad in a way that her emotions were so easy to read. It was amazing the slip ups people made when they thought no one was looking, but the picture was beautiful even if in her opinion her appearance marred the beauty of the ocean. Hearing her speak once more she turned her attention as the woman introduced herself as Serena and the man shortly after declared himself Lantis as she found mind wandering for a moment, she liked that name, Lantis. Playing her part of feigned happiness Rae found that there was something trying to come forth and talking with these people on the dock, maybe she was happy for a moment. She knew it would never last just as it never had before but looking at Lantis and Serena who were responsible for saving her life a pale rose blush crept into her cheeks and she looked down smiling up at the them through her lashes for a moment before raising her head, "I will try to keep that in mind Lantis," she said kindly, "I may not always have as caring people as yourselves around next time my judgment fails me. Or someone else sees fit to startle me."
Stop lying! Her mind yelled at her as she talked. You know how to swim, you are a great swimmer. But she didn't know what else to do. The truth was seemed impossible and lying hurt so much less it seemed.
Though the sorrow in her eyes never faded she did smile, "I suppose it would be only proper for me to give my name at some point." she said with a rueful grin, "I am Desirae though most people simple call me Rae and I must argue with you on one point. Only the wind would notice I have gone. I just moved back to town quite recently and there is no one anywhere who would miss me." Rae stopped mid movement of brushing her hair back from her face when she realized what she had said aloud before continuing quickly hoping they would not have heard or assume they heard wrong, "For all the trouble I have caused you both, will you at least let me buy you some breakfast and coffee as a thank you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:58 pm
Gabriel woke, but didn't open his eyes. He lay still. Hearing no movement, his eyelids flickered open. A sigh of relief escaped his lips. He had only left prison a few weeks ago. Every morning now he woke on a couch in a cramped living room instead of on a prison bunk, with two life-sentence inmates waiting for him. Instead, some others were waiting for him. "Gabriel!" a young and high voice shouted. "Oomph!" he said involuntarily, as a little girl of seven landed on his chest. He made to sit up and she hopped down, impossibly long and beautiful brown pigtails bouncing. He noticed she was already dressed.
He smiled sleepily. "Good morning to you too Marisol," he said. "Is your mom up yet?"
"Yes, and you missed breakfast again," a rapid voice answered from the kitchen. "I don't know why I let you live here Gabriel. You never wake up on time, you cost me more money than you make, and..." She sighed and came out from the kitchen, dressed in her waitress outfit, and holding Marisol's lunch. "Just heat up the eggs." Lucy was the woman who Gabriel had been staying with ever since he had gotten out of prison. What he loved about the woman was how much she could trust a total stranger who was down on his luck. The other thing was, she never asked questions about what had happened to him. She believed that he was innocent, and that he was good.
It had taken him much longer to trust Lucy. But her daughter Marisol had definitely helped in that. Gabriel wished that he could have her childlike innocence once again. But more than that, he wished that she would never be deceived or hurt. Amazing, that a few short weeks could make him feel so parental. He smiled to himself. "Bye Lucy," he said, standing up and hugging the woman. "I'm taking Marisol with me today. We should be back by the time you get off of work, but we'll probably be at the cafe or the park."
"I trust you, Gabriel," Lucy said, returning the hug, and left the apartment. He felt the usual consticting feeling in his chest as she said this. Trust... so easily gained... so painfully lost. He remembered Melissa, the first time he had met her, a beautiful blond figure on the beach as he came in on his surfboard. She had waved and smiled, and they had talked some. Every day that summer they had met. If he had only known that it all would have ended so soon, and in such a devastating way. 'But I saw you on the dock with your arm around him!' 'Gabe, it was nothing. You shouldn't overreact.' No, he couldn't focus on that. Today was about him and Marisol. So thinking, he went to the bathroom where he changed and washed up.
He smiled at the little girl as he returned to the living room. "Come on, let's go to the cafe - we can get you a donut before I play. Got your lunch?" He picked up the guitar case, stashed under the couch protectively, and they left the apartment. He locked the door with the spare key and put it in his fashionable blue plaid shorts that almost looked as if they weren't second-hand knock-offs. He shouldered the case and they made their way to the cafe. It was a warm, sunny day. His favorite.
Gabriel paid for a sprinkle donut with a crinkled bill in his pocket- the man at the counter knew well enough that he didn't have to ask, and handed Marisol the pastry. Soon after, she took a seat outside and Gabriel sat with his guitar case open hopefully, strumming his guitar softly. Before he knew it, he was playing a song with lyrics that were all too familiar - he had listened to them every day since he had been set free. It was probably making it worse, but it was the first thing that came to mind. It was softer than the original, more laced with the sadness and bitterness he could still taste on his tongue.
"You took my hand
You showed me how
You promised me you'd be around
Uh huh
That's right
I took your words
And I believed
In everything
You said to me
Yeah huh
That's right..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
