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 Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:25 pm
Disinclined Riyana made her way tentetively towards the estate where Braedan lived. She knew she was at the right place, the right house, but had no idea if what she was doing was a good thing.
Was Braedan even home? And what would the other people say or think? Maybe she shouldn't interrupt? They might get angry - like Devan tended to - or they might not even be home.
The girl with the long hair peered down the long drive, squinting at the giant manor. Though it might not be the largest castle in the world, to Riyana, it was huge. Compared to the apartment where she and Devan retired, this place was an estate. Braedan lived with affulance, unlike Devan and his minimum-wage graveyard shift of a job. Though money meant little to the girl, she still was smart enough to know the difference between someone who owned a lot, and someone who owned little.
This place was rich.
This place was big.
This placed scared the heck out of her. It was one thing to be brought home with Braedan himself - it was quite another to come here unannounced and uninvited!
Devan never had guests over, at least none that didn't come home without him waiting or expecting. Part of the girl wondered if he'd get mad if someone visited or dropped in - he seemed to get mad at everything else. Well, there was no use standing in the middle of the driveway.
She could always turn around and go back home, but Riyana didn't want to. She was bored, and missed her bright orange friend. He was friendly, like Toshi and Rown were, and actually made her feel happy about being who she was.
He was a nice distraction from the surly, touchy Devan.
And after their earlier fight, Devan was the last thing she wanted to think about. She'd come storming to Braedan first, because it had seemed like a good idea at the time. Now, after the long walk, she'd had a chance to cool down and relax. She wasn't nearly as angry, and she felt guilty for leaving again. Now, she was going to be even more guilty by disturbing everyone here!
Argh.
She just couldn't win, could she?
Wrapping her arms tight about herself, the little girl slowly made her way to the front of the house. She could always run away - maybe they wouldn't see her, maybe they wouldn't notice.
But Riyana didn't. She was too desperate for friendship and company to flee. Slow step by slow step, the little girl finally found herself nose-to-nose with the obsticle between her and a good evening.
The door.
Mouth dry, staring down at her feet, she nervously tapped at the door. She'd wait but a moment - maybe, if she was lucky, they wouldn't hear the tapping and she could run down the drive.
Maybe they'd never even know she'd come to visit.
Maybe they wouldn't get mad, afterall.
Chegrin Braeden lounged in the recliner, feet up, a bowl of cookies perched precariously on his stomach. He was feeling listless as usual, without even the normal motivation to find someone else to pester. The TV wasn't even on, for cripes sake! He was just staring with blank eyes at the dark screen, sinking further into the plush and sinfully comfortable chair, almost mummified by the legnths of his scarf. This feeling wasn't really boredom, either, because he didn't really feel the urge to do anything. Dian was working away, and the whine of the buffer was the only noise to be heard.
Geez, he was lonely! With Audric at the shop, his 'brothers' allready grown enough to move out, stopping in only now and again, he was the only one around. Dian was fun, for sure, but he didn't want to bother his father.
...Not yet, anyway.
Sighing, Braeden shot his gaze upward, watching the handcrafted chandalier with interest. Dian sure dipped his hands into everything, didn't he? Sculpture, writing, drawing, painting, knitting and glass smithing. If it piqued his aesthetic sense, he'd try it out. Granted, the only thing that consistantly held him was sculpting. Braeden offhand wondered what happened to all of Dian's finished works. Perhaps he sold them.
He heard something. A faint tap. Almost quiet enough to be disbelieved, but hell, it was there, wasn't it? Braeden, in an impressive display of aerobatic capacity that no one saw flipped over the back of the chair, bowl of cookies in hand and skipped to the door. He was far too short to use the peephole, so he just unclicked the latch, and flung open the door. Just as fast as the blue girl's image hit his brain, a smile hit his face.
"Hello, Riyana!" He chirped. He'd wanted to speak to no one more than his shy friend, and look who showed up! An orange hand extended the bowl,
"Cookie?" Disinclined The girl almost jumped when the door was flung open, and her bright coloured friend stood before her. Taking a small step back, so as not to look too pushy or intrusive, she didn't have time to reply before being offered a cookie.
"Uh - um -" She stared at her friend, eyes wide, surprised that he was still so friendly even upon intrusion.
Strange, really.
"S-sure," she agreed, hesitantly reaching out a thin fingered hand to take the proferred edible. As if Braedan was going to snatch the cookie back and laugh, or deny her the right to eat it. Well, he might not deny her the latter, but with how playful the orange lanturn was known to be, she wouldn't at all be surprised if he made her chase him down for the snack.
That just seemed to be in the orange one's nature.
Standing awkwardly, the little blue girl tried to figure out what to say or do. "Um - how're you?" There - that was a good start, wasn't it?
She wasn't going to invite herself in - Braedan could indeed be busy or have other friends over or something. Just as the words slipped out of her mouth, the girl then realized that her friend could very much-so-indeed be busy! "I'm not - I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
Her light blue eyes looked almost pained at the thought. It was bad enough she distracted Devan, but to just come unannounced and push herself on Braedan and his household. . .
Crap.
Why didn't she think these things through properly?
It probably would've beeen better if she'd just stayed home.
Chegrin Braeden jounced the bowl lightly, and took a cookie forth. He turned his hand gaily, watching the treat dance around his orange fingers. Balencing the bowl on his knee, Braeden reached out and cupped Riyana's extended hand with a warm one of his own and gently placed the cookie in her palm. Releasing it, he scooped up the bowl to a more safe position nestled in his left arm.
"I'm bored out of my skull, i'm so glad you decided to come by! After last time, I didn't know if you'd ever return." Braeden said with a small laugh. The girl was so flighty, she'd stayed most of the afternoon, and when she saw how late it had gotten, had flown from his house like he'd pointed a gun at her, or something. He hadn't seen his blue friend since then, and was almost worried he'd frightened her off.
Prancing back, Braeden opened the door, and with a flourish bowed to her, when he looked up, his eyes were sparkling with merriment. The molten silver of his eyes was nicely accuented by the slightly glittery eyeshadow he insisted on wearing, but it was an odd juxtopositon to the ratty scarf and hairtie he wore.
"Your presence is always a welcome sight, good lady. Do come in."
The orange boy looked from the door down to the hallway, where Dian was looking back at him, a quizzical expression of 'who's at the door?' on his face. The orange boy called to him,
"Dian, it's Riyana, can she stay here for a while?""Oh, sure! Don't be afraid to call me if you kids need anything!" Disinclined Riyana could only stare at her wild friend, unmoving from her position in the doorway. Braedan was so different than her! He was very bright, in personality and colour, and was always on the move, on the go, on the run. His antics were always full of life and motion, and the little blue girl wasn't sure whether that was something she admired or envied.
Maybe a little of both, perhaps?
Finding a cookie placed in her palm, and the little orange light waiting for her to enter, Riyana stepped further into the house. She winced as Braedan called back to Dian, as if she expected the other man to drive her out and curse her name.
Obviously, that wasn't the case. With some, the glass was half empty, with others half-full, but with Riyana, there was no glass at all. Nothing but a stain of spilled liquid-refreshment.
"Well, uh," the girl finally found her voice, hardly more than a whisper. She was glad her friend was happy to see her - very glad! But she still wasn't sure what do or what to say now that she was here. "I'm glad to visit," she explained meekly, glancing down from Braedan to investigat the cookie within her hand.
What else to say?
What else to do?
Funny how her spine had slipped away somewhere, how it had run away like she had to Devan. There was no reason to be afraid or nervous, not here, especially with her friend so full of good humor and nature.
With minimal force, the edges of her lips curved into the shyest of smiles. "Did you make these?" There - see? Conversation, followed by a little nibble on the edge of the crumbling cookie.
"I don't know how to cook."
Chegrin Braeden closed the door behind her, the sometimes infuriating smile never leaving his face. He took a cookie and neatly folded it in two, sticking it in his mouth and munching it as she figited nervously. Well, not physically, figited mentally. Braeden could see it, from the way she cast her eyes, shifted the cookie, breathed.
Braeden and Riyana were opposite colors on the color spectrum, but when they met, they met with excitement. It took a careful hand to give complementary colors harmony. It would be easy for them to clash and repel, if Braeden weren't so facinated, and Riyana less patient. Riyana made him more meek, subtle if you will. She gentled him in a pleasant way. It was just the way she moved, and the way she spoke.
The way she smiled.
"It's easy, there are directions on the packaging. And if you mess 'em up, no big loss." He said. All you needed to know was how to heat an oven and set the timer- that or be diligent- something Braeden was rarely.
"Would you like to see the study?" He offered. Standing out in the middle of the entryway was a little awkward, he wanted to move her somewhere a little less open, less vulnerable. Plus, the study was full of books, and other such distractions. Plus, it had a shelf of Braeden's own hand crafted glass figurines.
...Not that he wanted to show off, or anything.
Braeden motioned for her to follow, and led her to the study, which aside from one wall that held tall windows, was ceiling to floor in bookshelves full of books. Disinclined The little girl was quiet as she was lead to the study. She walked slightly behind her friend, not quite bold enough to stand readily beside him, and there was no inclination in HER to lead him to the room. Even if she had remembered and known the way, there wasn't that type of boldness in her nature.
She was a subdued colour and that matched her personality to a tee. If things stayed the way they where, if her situation didn't change, then there was a good chance Riyana would never be a leader. She wasn't boisterous like Braedan, she wasn't adventurous and curious - oh no, she was a follower by all means. Let him lead her to the study, let him offer her things to do or eat - Riyana was only too happy to give Braedan such an oppurtunity.
This way, whatever he decided they would do, he'd never be disappointed. This way, it was foolproof for Riyana to be in the wrong.
Quickly finishing the cookie (she didn't want to get crumbs everywhere) the little spirit stole nervous, sidelong glances at the manor. She'd been here once previous, and had had such a good time. The little orange light was one of three whom she knew well enough to cause her joy and contentment.
Toshi, Dusk and Braedan, those she felt closest and dearest too. Devan . . .
Devan. Hmph. He didn't count, nor was she going to think about him today. Not right now, at least - not until she left.
Stepping inside the room, the girl stopped to stare at the mountain of books. Shelves were everywhere, filled to the brim with novels of all sorts. Riyana's eyes went wide, surprise flickering as she took in the sight. She'd never seen so many books in one room before! She'd passed the local library but this wasn't a library - this was a house! Devan didn't have any sort of literature in his room, save a few magazines stashed in the bathroom and beside his bed. To see someone who had so many shelves and books was, to Riyana, absolutely shocking!
"Are these all . . . yours?" Maybe not necessarily Braedans, they had to be the man whom cared for him, but the little girl wasn't concerned about specifics. "Wow," again, her surprise was genuine, but her curiousity mildly piqued. "What are they all about?"
The most bold she'd been in awhile, the little blue light reached a hand out to run against a row of books. Her eyes grazed over the titles, but not every word registered. She wasn't the greatest when it came to reading or writing - surely, she wasn't illiterate, but words weren't her specialty.
She didn't often get a chance to read, thus, she was out of practice.
Chegrin Braeden left the door open, and pulled up two beanbag chairs. Next to one which was a soft green, he dropped the cookie bowl. Letting them sit for a while, he walked to stand a little behind Riyana, a slight switch, as she looked over the books wide eyed. He watched as she lightly grazed some of the worn titles with her fingers, glad he'd found something she was interested in.
"My brother, by adoption, he runs his own library out of town. He keeps sending us books, and we're probably going to have to convert another room to keep them all. There are all sorts of books."
Braeden stepped around her a little to read the titles she had her fingers on. His smile was gentle and genuinely pleased as he mouthed off the titles of a couple of famous novels.
"These are fiction novels. They range from stories about life to epic adventures in far away lands. On the opposite shelf are the dictionaries, enclyclopedias and non fiction books. We also have a bunch on mythology, and plays like from Shakespeare."
Braeden ventured off to get the ladder to access the higher shelves. He'd just climb them, but Dian fell into an awful fit the last time. Scaling it quickly, Braeden quickly pulled out a thick tome and slid down to Riyana's height.
"Like this one, This one is specifically on creature myths."
Flipping open the book, Braeden began fingering through the pages, revealing both long stories and amazing prints of paintings done by famous artists. It ranged from tiny pixies to the mighty dragons, and even the elementals and gods themselves. There were also sketches of skeletons, and studies done of 'if they were real, this is how they would be'.
"Do you like to read?" He asked, holding the book still and watching her with his expressive silver eyes.
Riyana took work, and to draw her completely out of her shell wasn't the most simple of tasks.
Thankfully, it appeared that her orange counter-part was the sort to persevere, and his own extroverted self was a great asset when it came to Riyana. Just because she was more introverted didn't mean that she had to be restrained by such labels. It took an extroverted side to draw her out, which was perhaps easier than two introverts.
Riyana kept her eyes only on Braedan as he chattered on about the library his brother owned, and all of the books they were sent. She had to admit there were many, far too many for her to ever read, but the girl still found herself enjoying the study thoroughly. There was something homey about it, something comforting to be besides the mounds of knowledge.
This was proof that knowledge was neverending. How many authors could be found within the walls of this place? The girl could hardly imagine such a number.
"Myths and creatures?" She repeated curiously, eyes drifting from Braedan to the tome within his hands. It was an awfully large book, one that would take her days (maybe weekes) to read - but it had pictures, and that was a helpful start. Moving closer to her friend, she leaned in (if a bit shyly) to get a better look at the contents inside.
"I," Riyana felt her stomach twist in anxiety and her cheeks darken. Her light seemed to dim, as if she'd tripped over her own shoes or some unforseen trap. "I like to read," she finally admitted, focusing only on the book before her. She didn't want to witness her friend laugh. "But I'm not very good at it," she carefully admitted, wincing as the words left her tongue.
It was difficult for her, but she managed. Reading books was a slow read for her, but Riyana found she had a lot of time on her hands with Devan at work so often.
Chegrin Patience wasn't really a must. Riyana wasn't the annoying anxiety type, the kind who freaked out and hyperventilated every other second. Hers was mostly internal, and just leant to a timid cautious approach to everything. Her nature actually made Braeden want to protect her.
The study indeed was a very homey room. It was warm, the colors not too intense, and had large windows for light and a pleasant view. Haku took great pride in cultivating a pleasant environment, so people would enjoy taking the time to read more.
Braeden's heart nearly leapt for joy when Riyana leaned in for a closer look. It was progress! He'd wanted the girl to warm up to him, and it seemed to be working. He wanted to be Riyana's safe point, where she could return to him whenever she had a problem. From what he could gather, she didn't have a welcome feeling where she lived, and no one should have to deal with that. Sure Dian wasn't the most personable of people, but he was kind and understanding.
He'd only be too happy to share his home, his things with her. Riyana was his friend, one of the very few he could call a friend. The others he'd never seen often enough, and the blue girl had been to his house-twice. That was enough to qualify friendship, right?
"That's good, i'm glad." he said, his brow crinkling slightly when her light, which he'd spent so long trying to get it to really radiate, suddenly diminished.
Laugh? Surely not. Braeden was afraid he'd unknowingly made a fatal blunder. Better to err on caution.
"Is something wrong?" He asked, not noticing the page he'd stopped on was of a little rain sprite, who often traveled at dusk on rainclouds the color of burned roses. It was grey, but held a swirling of purple. The sprite was said to be a merry being who brought luck and good fortune. Disinclined The girl wasn't oblvious to the caution that her friend displayed, noticed his flicker of concern, his worry over her reaction. Had she responded poorly to the question? Had she done something wrong? Looking up at her friend, Riyana realized too late her own mistake.
"Of course everythings all right," she replied, closing her eyes and offering Braedan a smile. It was slight, her lips curling up into a shy, just-as-reserved smile, but it was genuine and true.
She wanted to be happy, and she was. The orange light who was so different from her was one of the only people who could make her smile, one of the only few who could truly make her feel good.
"I just," what was wrong then? Did she admit her flaws? Could she trust Braedan enough to let him know her faults, her slights, and blemishes? He wouldn't make fun of her like Devan did. He wouldn't tease her, or hurt her, would he?
Of course not.
Breadan was her friend, and friends trusted each other. "I just don't read very well, that's all," she exclaimed patiently, hesitating only a moment.
This was a big moment for Riyana, no matter how mundane the conversation. The girl with the blue eyes, blue locks, and blue personality didn't open up easily. Her walls and defenses were tall and strong, and she didn't dare let many enter her court without a fight.
But it wasn't a fight with Breadan, not really. They got along and understood each other. As Dusk knew what it was like to be chained, Breadan seemed to know what it was like to be free.
Maybe they could learn from each other, and as it was, Riyana was learning how to trust. It was a little thing, a little secret, but now it wasn't her own. To Riyana, letting her friend know that she didn't read well, that she had faults was a big deal.
But the girl was glad to let him know. And her smile, despite a trickle of self-conciousness, was pure. "I just need to practice some more, that's all," she continued, looking away from her friend to study the pages of his book.
Chegrin There was little else Braeden posessed for Riyana than admiration and respect. Admiration of her personality, of her grace and vainless charm, of her sometimes charming befuddlement, and of her persistance to try. Respect for her feelings and thoughts. There were others nestled in among them, but they were subdued. Out of politeness, Braeden lowered his own naturally radiant hue, bathing the study in delicious orange light. It was reminiscent of candlelight or fire's glow.
"Well that's alright." He said reassuringly, meeting and returning her smile with one of his own.
"If you wish, I'd like to help you sometime." He added afterword, as if Riyana would need more incentive to come and visit him. Everyone had faults, and to pretend one didn't was to delve deep into the reaches of denial. It took a strong personality to admit a fault with the intent of improving, rather than meaningless whining.
Lifting the tome, Braeden reached out for Riyana's hands, and found one, cupping it as he did with the cookie. He slid the book into her hands, letting her hold the tome open.
"Why don't you take it home with you so you can practice? I got others too, if you don't want it, but I think you'll like this one. When you finish with it, bring it back." He offered, clasping his hands behind him and giving her an expression of I-won't-take-no-for-an-answer. Disinclined To say Riyana wasn't surprised by the offering would be a blatant lie. Any of her shame in not being a perfect little bookworm was lost by a wave of surprise. He would help her read? And he was even offering her a book!?
Any anxiety she felt about letting Braedan in, one step closer, was swiftly lost. The dimly lit orange lanturn was her friend - she didn't have to fear or mistrust him. She didn't have to worry about his judgements, about the possibility of rejection, and for that, the little blue girl was forever grateful.
Finding a book in her hands, she tightened her grasp on the tome, as if fearing it might somehow escape. Bringing it up to her chest, she hugged it close, and her light seemed to spike and brighten. Stress pushed aside, the girl allowed herself to smile brightly at Braedan, unable to resist such a reaction. Genuine and true, there was no reserve to her gratefulness. A simple gesture, perhaps, but no one had ever let her borrow anything!
Surrounded by mistrust through Devan and her own closeted skeletons, Riyana was truly touched by the offering. "Oh, thank you," she murmured, foreign smile still lighting her face, eyes gleaming. "I promise I'll bring it back as soon as I'm through! I'll keep it safe, you won't have to worry," she hastily assured, just in case Braedan feared she'd mistreat the item.
She wouldn't let the book leave her sight!
Of course, for every reaction, there was an equal and opposite reaction. She hadn't spent long at the manor, nothing more than a few fleeting moments, but part of the girl felt guilty. She'd stormed off and left again, she'd stomped through without giving so much of a second thought about Devan and the tension between them.
Only now, her emotions long since cooled off thanks to Breadan, the long haired lanturn felt a tug of guilt. She should get back home, and if not apologize, at least await to be acknowledged. She didn't want to cause Devan undue anxiety, and by staying here, part of the girl was restless. She wanted to play, to spend time with her bright and amicable friend - but she was hard-pressed to return home too. She'd be distracted if she stayed any longer.
Her radiant smile dimmed, but apologetically. Dropping her gaze, a typical Riyana gesture, she bit her lower lip before continuing. "But I think I should get going home - I know I didn't stay long, but I didn't tell Devan I was leaving. . ."
She didn't care to explain the reasons, but whatever case, the girl was loyal to her pink-haired guardian. Like a bad addiction, she just couldn't seem to abandon him, or leave him for too long. No matter what the strive, no matter how they faught, she would always go back and that, was that.
A love-hate relationship, perhaps, but one couldn't say that there wasn't some sort of love. Or at the very least, a slight mutual need.
Chegrin ((Whenever you wish to resume the rp is fine with me. I'd loathe to neglect Braeden and Riyana's relationship. *Is also waiting for Braeden to grow*)) Like a shy child, Braeden looked demure at his friend. Ever since he'd met her, he'd made steps toward being less excentric and frightening. He was certainly capable of increasing his inner light to radiate like a bonfire, increasing enough to acually spark himself on fire. But now he resembled warm embers in a dark hearth. In the moment where she actually picked up the book and held it to herself, her light actually outshone his.
But her smile was the brightest aspect of it all. The study was bathed in a greenish hue from their combined light. It suited the study just as well as his singular orange glow did. If all of the spirits got together, they'd likely be able to put on a lightshow.
Victory was his, if only for a spare moment.
Braeden watched with worry as her light as quickly as it brightened faded again. Devan was in her thoughts again, and rather than lighting up, as she should, she withdrew and became quiet. He recognized that look in her face as soon as it emerged. To prove his knowlege correct, she mentioned her pink haired guardian.
"You're welcome back whenever you wish to visit." He offered, casting a lingering glance at his shelf of glass statues before turning and leading her from the study and to the front door.
Silver gilded lashes lowered around his eye as he took another long gaze at Riyana, as if trying to burn her image into his mind. As often as Ryana made him smile, she broke his heart with just how tragic she looked. He opened the door for the second time in five minutes, but this time to let her out, where only moments ago she was walking in.
As Riyana walked down his front walk, dissappearing from his life again, Braeden waved and gave a small "Take care of yourself."
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:58 pm
"Here, this is for you." The boy looked down at the little blue girl, who stared up at him with those jaded eyes. The little spirit, the little soul whom had entered his life so suddenly looked callous and cold this afternoon - Devan, of course, wasn't surprised.
They'd been at ends with each other ever since he'd first picked up the light. Her baby-blue lanturn had been an impulse buy, and after meeting the woman with the cat ears, Devan hadn't made Riyana's life easy.
Surely though, she had to understand where he was coming from. In a world full of freaks and weirdos, his normalicy kept him on the outskirts of everything. His jaded personality, his quick defenses, and overall bitterness didn't help him in the popularity department either. Thus, when Riyana appeared as a soul and spirit, he'd been thoroughly surprised.
They were friends, in a fragile sort of relationship. The bonds of attachment between spirit-and-boy were stretched taught, and could easily snap with the most gentle of prodding. The two of them were in a constant state of transition - from chaos to calmness, from skating to slipping on the ice.
Lately, there'd been a silent war between the two. Ever since she'd run away, Devan had been edgy. Since her return, the two managed their relationship by avoiding conversation and eye contact. They got along best the farther they were apart.
Devan didn't care for that sort of relationship. Even more, he didn't want her to grow more and more spiteful towards him. There had to be a way to fix this - if he couldn't converse with her, as words were poisen between them, he could at least try to buy back her trust and kindness.
So, that's exactly what he'd done. He'd gone back to that silly light store and decided to buy the girl a friend - a pretty violet lanturn with darker purple rainclouds. The dark colours seemed fitting, in a strange, depressive sort of way.
"I . . . I thought you might like it. Hang onto it or something," he murumured, holding the light out like an offering.
Riyana stared at the little light, a plethora of emotion rolling through her body. She'd been shocked, to say the least, at such a display. Devan was as cheap as anyone, and hated spending money. She'd never been given anything before, and now he was offering her this light?
It was beautiful, Riyana couldn't help but admire those colours. So sad, so dark, so dreary. Decadently delicious, really. . .
Delicious.
There was something strange about this lanturn, something that beckoned to Riyana. This wasn't just a pretty paper display, oh no, this was something different, something else. This was. . this was . . .
"Th-thank you."
Her words were hardly audible, her eyes focused only on the light. She'd admire it, keep it safe. This gift almost made her hungry, almost made her want to envelop its light and take a piece of the gold found within.
This wasn't a cheap gift, oh no. This was special. This was from Devan, and not only that, but this was something for her heart.
He'd never have to know - but Riyana knew that this light was special. Very special.
Reaching out, she took hold of it within her thin fingered hands, gaze never retreating. "Thank you," she murmured again, feeling stronger with the golden light closer to her.
"Thank you."
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 10:52 pm
". . . you ate it?" Devan stared at the girl, stunned. Who was this . . . . thing? No, it wasn't a thing, she wasn't jello anymore. She was taller, still shorter than himself, but at least discernable as a person and not so much a glowing doll.
There was substance to her, and a life that seemed to radiate from her porcellain skin. Her blue hair was the same, as were her ocean-blue eyes, and the expression upon her face. . .
There was no mistaken that this girl was Riyana.
But what the hell happened!? She was an actual girl-girl-girl. A dress and sandals and everything! This couldn't be right, there had to be some mistake, didn't there?
Riyana shifted, looking a bit uncomfortable, and more than a little embarressed. She hadn't meant for this to happen! And had she known she'd wake up like this, she wouldn't have touched that purple light! "Yes," she softly admitted, finding even her voice foreign to her ears.
This wasn't her, this couldn't be her, and yet in a way, Riyana found herself more familiar than before. She was still shy, still hesitant and reserved, and yet there was something else. . . something different. A change, thought subtle, as if one of her many walls had finally been broken.
Now that she was taller, now that she was larger, she couldn't help but feel different. Strange. Out of place. Foreign. Was this her, or had she lost a part of herself after eating that light?
And who ate lights anyway? She hadn't meant to, but something had drawn her to the gift. She had NEEDED to eat the light, to devour it softly within the night as Devan worked.
Now, with him home and her grown, Riyana wasn't sure if she regretted her decision or not. Thus far, she was having difficulty reading Devan's reaction - he seemed disgusted that she ate a lamp, but even more so, he seemed put off.
Did he not like this change?
And if that's how he felt, what would all of her friends say?
Sure, Toshi had grown, and Dusk too! But now her?
Looking down, biting her lower lip softly, the girl tried to come up with some sort of explanation, some sort of reason. "I . . . "
What could she say? What words could she speak to Devan that would make him understand the things she did? Her reasons for eating the light, the strangeness in growing. This was who she was now, and there was no going back.
"I'm sorry," her typical response, to Devan's typical reaction. Except, this time, her words weren't quite so sincere. Yes, she was sorry for upsetting her pink-haired companion, and yes, she didn't mean to be a constant sore in his side. But she wasn't sorry for changing, for allowing what happened to happen.
It hadn't been her choice, not really, and nothing could be done to turn back time.
If Devan didn't like her now, and still didn't appreciate her, fine.
So be it.
So what.
The sensetive girl didn't want her spirit to break a third time around, so she wasn't going to give the boy a chance to speak. Head down, hair still falling down in waves over her shoulders and hiding her face, she decided that now would be a good time to leave.
"Go sleep," she murmured, almost maternally to Devan. He'd had a long night at work, it would only do his attitude some good if he got a decent nights rest.
What? Who did she think she was? "And where are you going?" He barked, though his expression was still dumbfounded.
He didn't expect her to answer.
Devan's expectations were met. Without a word, silent as ever, the girl tugged on the edges of her white dress and slipped out. The day was early, dawn just peaking out over the tops of buildings.
She wanted to think, to get a new feel for this "new" look, this makeover.
There was something different about her, and Riyana wanted to find out what it was.
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:29 am
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:17 pm
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:59 pm
Disinclined The girl ambled cautiously through the streets, ribbon tied loosely through her long, blue hair. The sun shone brightly, casting long shadows on the surrounding skyscrapers. It could easily be considered a glorious day, and Riyana (for once) could truly appreciate the sunshine. A bit of a loner, the girl was searching for the perfect place - somewhere she wouldn't be in the way, somewhere she could immerse herself in her current project: reading.
She enjoyed literature - the stories one could lose themselves in, different worlds, different ideas, different everything. She was a slow reader, and struggled with more difficult chapters, but it came easier now than it did when she was smaller. Now, she could truly appreciate books and the worlds and escape they offered.
Today was no different than any day. The quiet girl, a soft smile carved upon her lips, found the place she wanted to be. A small, inner-city park - a few trees, a bit of greenery, a small fountain and a few benches scattered within the stretch of land. It was small, but it surely served its purpose.
A few other folk were scattered, enjoying the day - dressed up in skirts and suits, focused only upon each other or their lunches. Riyana paid them little notice, settling down on the first available bench. There. Glancing around, the girl closed her eyes, allowing herself to be immersed in sunshine.
Today was going to be a good day - she just knew it!
Rown
Dusk looked up and around as he sat beneath a tree, his sheep ears perked and listening. He had thought...that he felt the pulse of another lanturn, but as he looked around he saw no one. None the less he rose to his feet, dusting the back of his pants off and pushing several strands of loose hair behind his ears.
Rown hadn't been around as of late, and since Dusk had no real desire or care to, his long purple-and-black hair had been left down to cascade about his shoulders. It absorbed the warmth of the sun, helping keep the sheep-boy's neck warm, and it also seemed to sparkle as he walked.
He turned his head from left to right, trying to find the source of what he felt. It was somewhat...familar...but he couldn't place it. Closing the book he had borrowed from Rown earlier, he headed towards the pulse, humming softly.Chegrin Braeden was out on his usual runs through the city, though admitidly it was earlier than normal. Madcap sprinting was dangerous in the dark, despite his natural glow. A few nights ago, had it been daylight, he'd have noticed the people in the alleyway, and wouldn't have run headfirst into the group.
Ach, that was a blunder he didn't care to repeat.
As fast as a small car, Braeden rounded the corner on the pathway about the small park on his way toward the bridge. Time and time again, the river was where he ended his usual sprints, and by this point, he was fairly winded. Keeping up his pace to the very finish, two very distinct flashes of energy speared his mind. Blue and purple.
Braeden tripped, and tumbled across the walkway, rolling head over heels at least six times before skidding to a stop.
"Ugh..." He groaned as he rubbed his bumped head lightly. Standing, he brushed at some of the small scrapes he had aquired and checked his scarf for tears. Finding none, he decided to locate the sources of energy, masking his own as best he could. Silently he approached the two from behind. Over the top of a bench he could spot Riyana's blue head tilted skyward, and further away, a faint violet glow.
Braeden walked up to the bench and rested his elbows over the edge, near Riyana but not directly next to her. He smiled in at her, and waited for her to notice him. kaze1981 Arian was bored - something the unicorn boy had been quite often as late. Really bored as in the cookie wouldn't make it go away and nothing else he'd done seemed interesting bored.
Mummy had suggested that he go out and that if he wanted she could go along with him, but then Uncle Kori had called her and she'd said she had to talk to him - although Arian didn't know why she bothered to talk to such a meenie like him.
The unicorn boy sighed absently fiddling with one of his stray feathers, his tail swishing from side to side, as restless as he was feeling.
What he wanted was something to do! Something different! Or maybe just someone to talk to, maybe some one he knew - like one of the other lantern spirits.
Racking his brain Arian realised he didn't really know any of the other lantern spirits that well, except for Aikori and that was since Mummy knew Enikil and...
"I'm soo bored" he said exasperated. "Boored!" He repeated again for emphasis. Kuuroinochou
Tli walked the lonely path silently, taking in all her surroundings. Her frameless glasses were clasped in her hands softly as she observed all without them. "Finally free..." so many months indoors could cause a person to grow rather claustrophobic, which later Tli realized she had developed.
She didn't like to sit in one place for too long and she definately hated to be closed in. As she walked up the path taking a corner she saw a glow vaguely familiar to her. The last time she was out, she was still a lanturn and had no visual identity. Smiling softly she wondered if anyone would remember the lanturn of the Cat-girl...
She ventured forward to the orange glow and that of a violet one....Disinclined Thoroughly engrossed in her inward pleasure, happy to feel the warmth of the sun, she paid no attention to that of those around her. Surely, she thought she felt the present of other lanturns, other wandering spirits. Ever since growing, she'd been able to feel things stronger than before - was that Dusk's presence? Maybe. It surely felt familiar.
A few more were scattered about - unfamiliar to Riyana, though recognizable as kin nonetheless.
The sunlight was delicious - lately Riyana had been drawn more and more to the lighter sides of life. Despite her more approachable nature, the girl still held the skeletons of her past - some emotions weren't completely forgotten.
Paranoia whispering in her ear, she turned her head and opened her blue eyes - only to jump in surprise. "Breadan!" She squeaked, her eyes wide. She hadn't expected someone to be so close - why hadn't she noticed him? Had she really been that distracted?
Still, her gentle smile was quick to lighten her pale features, and a delighted humor entered her gaze. "You startled me," she admiited as if it weren't obvious. Glancing down at her white sundress, the girl tugged upon it, a new nervous gesture. Now there was a shadow of the old Riyana - always so softspoken and hestiant, always looking out at the world from underneath her eyelashes. If she could blush, she did - a bit embarressed by her jumpyness.
It was then, taking a moment to look at her friend, did she see his disheveled appearance. Eyebrows raising, the Riyana tilted her head, a flash of concern breaking her pleasure in seeing him. "Are you alright? You look . . . a bit tattered," she smiled, glancing away in case her friend took her choice of words as an insult.
Rown Dusk felt a jump in pulses as he walked, looking around with delicate care. Had he felt two before, now he knew for certain that there were at least four lanturns around him. He could pinpoint two of them as very familiar...but the other two were something vague in his mind.
He went towards the ones he knew first, for though Dusk was growing bolder, he was still a sheep inside. New things frightened him a bit more than they should, so perhaps seeing something old before the something new would calm his nerves a good deal.
Dusk's ears swished back and forth as he neared the two familiar pulses, but he stopped and spun around as a new pulse sat directly close to him. He looked around, his blue eyes scanning without any hesitation.
Chegrin Braeden smiled broadly. He still had it! There was something he always enjoyed about suprising people, startling them, and occationally scaring them, but mostly suprise. It had taken her a little longer than he anticipated to notice him. Not that he was complaining, as Riyana's pleased face was as good a view as any.
He watched her figit nervously for a moment, silent until she mentioned his ragtag appearance. He wrinkled his nose a little but never lost the smile. Bracing his hand against the back of the bench he easily leapt over to land in the seat, facing his good friend with legs crossed. She was looking away from him though.
"I fell, nothing major. What about you? You seem happy." He said, glancing at the sky. Indeed it was a beautiful day out, and she seemed dressed for the occation. kaze1981 Inspiration didn't exactly fall into Arian's lap - ok well so nothing exciting came about of the unicorn spirit voicing his boredom out loud - not immediately at any rate.
Although Arian was suddenly graced with a potential answer to his boredom in the form of spirits - more specifically other lanturn spirits.. At least he thought he could sense them, although how many and how far away they were anyone's guess - though personally Arian thought that they weren't too far away.. Well he hoped they weren't too far away since that meant that there'd be people to talk to and hopefully no more boredom.
One spirit at least seemed quite close though, although Arian wasn't sure if it was some one he'd met before.
"There's only one way to find out" he told himself not realising he was speaking his thoughts aloud.
Following the 'feeling' for lack of a better word Arian was eventually graced with a sort-of-familiar violet glow, in a familiar but not-familiar way.
Plopping himself down next to the lanturn Arian racked his brain briefly for what he thought the lanturn's name might be - something to do with night and night-time and evening and Dusk! That was his name! "Hi Dusk" he said cheerfully. Kuuroinochou There weren't many other lanturns that Tli knew she had yet to mingle with a single one from her days as a glowing bulb of light. She doubted anyone would remember her exuberance to be free.
As she accessed her surroundings she noticed a familiar unicorn spirit with his wings. She didn't know the purplish lanturn and the other lanturns that she could feel were strewn about in various alcoves.
Walking meekly she ventured to put her frameless glasses on her petite little face, although no frames the glasses did slide down her small nose a bit. Brushing her long bangs from her face she simply walked nearer to the feathers that were familiar to her and reached out to touch them like before. It was now her way of greating the unicorn spirit without startling him too much or making a fool of herself. "Hello." she said addressing both spirits before taking a seat on the opposite side of Arian.
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:20 pm
Disinclined Riyana had been at the shop, curled up in a quiet corner when two of her peers entered. Glancing up from her book, she found a disgruntled looking yellow lanturn flopped upon a couch, and another unfamiliar red one peering in from the entrance. Things had been fairly quiet, which made this homey little ara a perfect place to fall into her books.
Devan was at home, spending quality time with another. And when Devan brought people home, Riyana learned to leave. Devan never pushed her out, but she surely had enough intelligence to know when she wasn't wanted or needed. So she'd come to her second home away from home - the shop!
Book propped lovingly in her thin hands, Riyana smiled, albeit a smidge shyly, at the two. "Hello," she responded, voice soft in her ever typical coy manner. She didn't know Gokiloud particularly well, and the red one seemed familiar, in a surreal, almost forgotten way.
Alex Mustang He looked at her for a moment and then bowed. "Nice to meet you Hikari," said Gokiloud. Xenostatica Hikari jumped a little at hearing Riyana and Gokiloud at the same time, but at different ranges.
She lowered her head to bow slightly to Riyana, "Hello, good day. I'm Hikari it is a pleasure."
She then turned back to Gokiloud and smiled, "It is nice to meet more then one lanturn today! I was worried that I would be alone." Alex Mustang "Let's see i have only met a few lanturns in my life. I just wish to meet more when i have the free time to do so." said Gokiloud. Disinclined ((Many apologies in advance in Riyana's not particularly social - she's still a bit of a one-on-one sort of girl. ;P Anymore than one and she gets quiet.)) "It's - It's a pleasure, Hikari," Riyana greeted, glancing from the vibrant red spirit to the yellow. Gokiloud had those interesting ears, and Hikari was so red!
The girl felt a twinge of emotion as she studied the girl. She'd never seen a lanturn as bright as that - save, perhaps, Braedan. Her orange friend was such an intense shade, it was rivaled only by Hikari. The girl thought briefly about Dusk, one of the few cooler coloured spirits to roam. Where were all the darker colours? Where they as quiet and subdued as she, or perhaps their paths hadn't crossed?
Whatever the case, for a brief second the girl wondered what it would like to be a different shade, a different colour. What would she be like if she were one ofthe bright ones?
The thought lasted but a second, before she decided she was being rude. Dropping her gaze, she looked back down at her book. She didn't want to interrupt the pair and their conversation. Xenostatica "I meet someone new all the time, I don't think that I will meet everyone here but I will try," Hikari smiled warmly at the thought, "It would be great to do so." Disinclined The girl sat quietly where she sat, occassionally glancing up to peer at the yellow and red spirits. What could she say? Jumping into conversation wasn't her forte, now was interrupting people. If they wanted to speak to her, they would out of their own choice and interest. Besides, what could she say?
Riyana was a watcher, and a follower - she was by no means a leader. Playing the extrovert was by no means her style or trade. So, to keep herself content, the blue haired girl decided she'd listen in on what they had to say. It was just as fun to listen as it was to converse. ((Sorry - I'll get her chit-chat when an opening allows. She'd never just interrupt. ;P )) Xenostatica ((That's okay...the rp just died all of a sudden)) Hikari noticed that the lanturn was reading a book and as usual her curiosity got the better of her. She moved her legs and got up quietly heading to Riyana.
"What are you reading?" she asked tring not to peek under to see the title.Disinclined Looking up, she found the red one standing before her, looking down at the book in her hands. Flipping the book back over to its front cover, she offered it to Hikari, allowing her to see the pictures on front.
It was the same book she'd been reading after she'd visited the park a few days previous. She was halfway through it, though it was taking her much longer to read than she would have liked. Her vocabulary was in dire need of improvement, and her typically calm nature was riled by her struggles to read. Literature didn't come easy to the girl, and it occassionally was more of a fight than enjoyment, but she felt compelled to battle onward - it would only lead to bigger and better things.
"It's The Call of the Wild," she explained patiently, a self-conscious smile suddenly crossing her features. "It's all about sled dogs and the life of one of them up in the arctic tundra." She stopped herself before she got too enthralled with her choice of conversation.
Devan never cared to hear about books and what she thought about them, so why would Hikari?
It was better to err on the side of caution and NOT bore the red-head to tears. Xenostatica ((Hey Kale!)) Hikari looked at it not wanting to take her book away she shook her head at taking it. "A book about sled dogs? I didn't know dogs could write about their life? I bet it's hard to read that." She tried to make a joke but it sounded a little wrong, "It looks interesting though especially the picture.
She tried to remember any books she had read that would interest someone reading about dogs. She wrinkled her forehead and then smiled, "I've read a lot but not biographies or is that autobiographies...I get confused on which it is when they don't write it."
Disinclined
Riyana looked up at the girl, before cracking the slightest of amused smiles. "Well, it's not really a biography on the dog, it's just - well - it's just about him. It's all made up, really, it's just fiction." Part of Riyana felt a twinge of regret at having to admit that.
Just fiction?
She knew Buck and Spitz weren't real enemies.
She knew that this story was about as real as Devan waking up one morning only to find himself changed into a woman! There were things that would never come to pass, and for an escapist like Riyana, being reminded that the worlds she came to adore were nothing more than dust and smoke, was hurtful.
But that was the way of things, c'est la vie.
"Thus far, I've only read a few things," she admitted, averting her gaze almost shamefully. "I haven't read any biographies, just a lot of fiction." Autobiography? Biography? Yeah - any books she found had lots of pictures and very few bits of text. Picturebooks were great now and then, but the blue haired girl craved words.
She'd have to borrow some more of Braedan's library since the book by London was the only book in Devan's collection!
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:06 pm
Disinclined Disinclined Riyana had been at the shop, curled up in a quiet corner when two of her peers entered. Glancing up from her book, she found a disgruntled looking yellow lanturn flopped upon a couch, and another unfamiliar red one peering in from the entrance. Things had been fairly quiet, which made this homey little ara a perfect place to fall into her books.
Devan was at home, spending quality time with another. And when Devan brought people home, Riyana learned to leave. Devan never pushed her out, but she surely had enough intelligence to know when she wasn't wanted or needed. So she'd come to her second home away from home - the shop!
Book propped lovingly in her thin hands, Riyana smiled, albeit a smidge shyly, at the two. "Hello," she responded, voice soft in her ever typical coy manner. She didn't know Gokiloud particularly well, and the red one seemed familiar, in a surreal, almost forgotten way.
Alex Mustang He looked at her for a moment and then bowed. "Nice to meet you Hikari," said Gokiloud. Xenostatica Hikari jumped a little at hearing Riyana and Gokiloud at the same time, but at different ranges.
She lowered her head to bow slightly to Riyana, "Hello, good day. I'm Hikari it is a pleasure."
She then turned back to Gokiloud and smiled, "It is nice to meet more then one lanturn today! I was worried that I would be alone." Alex Mustang "Let's see i have only met a few lanturns in my life. I just wish to meet more when i have the free time to do so." said Gokiloud. Disinclined ((Many apologies in advance in Riyana's not particularly social - she's still a bit of a one-on-one sort of girl. ;P Anymore than one and she gets quiet.)) "It's - It's a pleasure, Hikari," Riyana greeted, glancing from the vibrant red spirit to the yellow. Gokiloud had those interesting ears, and Hikari was so red!
The girl felt a twinge of emotion as she studied the girl. She'd never seen a lanturn as bright as that - save, perhaps, Braedan. Her orange friend was such an intense shade, it was rivaled only by Hikari. The girl thought briefly about Dusk, one of the few cooler coloured spirits to roam. Where were all the darker colours? Where they as quiet and subdued as she, or perhaps their paths hadn't crossed?
Whatever the case, for a brief second the girl wondered what it would like to be a different shade, a different colour. What would she be like if she were one ofthe bright ones?
The thought lasted but a second, before she decided she was being rude. Dropping her gaze, she looked back down at her book. She didn't want to interrupt the pair and their conversation. Xenostatica "I meet someone new all the time, I don't think that I will meet everyone here but I will try," Hikari smiled warmly at the thought, "It would be great to do so." Disinclined The girl sat quietly where she sat, occassionally glancing up to peer at the yellow and red spirits. What could she say? Jumping into conversation wasn't her forte, now was interrupting people. If they wanted to speak to her, they would out of their own choice and interest. Besides, what could she say?
Riyana was a watcher, and a follower - she was by no means a leader. Playing the extrovert was by no means her style or trade. So, to keep herself content, the blue haired girl decided she'd listen in on what they had to say. It was just as fun to listen as it was to converse. ((Sorry - I'll get her chit-chat when an opening allows. She'd never just interrupt. ;P )) Xenostatica ((That's okay...the rp just died all of a sudden)) Hikari noticed that the lanturn was reading a book and as usual her curiosity got the better of her. She moved her legs and got up quietly heading to Riyana.
"What are you reading?" she asked tring not to peek under to see the title.Disinclined Looking up, she found the red one standing before her, looking down at the book in her hands. Flipping the book back over to its front cover, she offered it to Hikari, allowing her to see the pictures on front.
It was the same book she'd been reading after she'd visited the park a few days previous. She was halfway through it, though it was taking her much longer to read than she would have liked. Her vocabulary was in dire need of improvement, and her typically calm nature was riled by her struggles to read. Literature didn't come easy to the girl, and it occassionally was more of a fight than enjoyment, but she felt compelled to battle onward - it would only lead to bigger and better things.
"It's The Call of the Wild," she explained patiently, a self-conscious smile suddenly crossing her features. "It's all about sled dogs and the life of one of them up in the arctic tundra." She stopped herself before she got too enthralled with her choice of conversation.
Devan never cared to hear about books and what she thought about them, so why would Hikari?
It was better to err on the side of caution and NOT bore the red-head to tears. Xenostatica ((Hey Kale!)) Hikari looked at it not wanting to take her book away she shook her head at taking it. "A book about sled dogs? I didn't know dogs could write about their life? I bet it's hard to read that." She tried to make a joke but it sounded a little wrong, "It looks interesting though especially the picture.
She tried to remember any books she had read that would interest someone reading about dogs. She wrinkled her forehead and then smiled, "I've read a lot but not biographies or is that autobiographies...I get confused on which it is when they don't write it."
Disinclined
Riyana looked up at the girl, before cracking the slightest of amused smiles. "Well, it's not really a biography on the dog, it's just - well - it's just about him. It's all made up, really, it's just fiction." Part of Riyana felt a twinge of regret at having to admit that.
Just fiction?
She knew Buck and Spitz weren't real enemies.
She knew that this story was about as real as Devan waking up one morning only to find himself changed into a woman! There were things that would never come to pass, and for an escapist like Riyana, being reminded that the worlds she came to adore were nothing more than dust and smoke, was hurtful.
But that was the way of things, c'est la vie.
"Thus far, I've only read a few things," she admitted, averting her gaze almost shamefully. "I haven't read any biographies, just a lot of fiction." Autobiography? Biography? Yeah - any books she found had lots of pictures and very few bits of text. Picturebooks were great now and then, but the blue haired girl craved words.
She'd have to borrow some more of Braedan's library since the book by London was the only book in Devan's collection!
Xenostatica Hikari glowed with embarrasement of her mistake, "Oh, I thought it was a real story about the dogs..." she felt a little stupid, but didn't let that discourage her in any manner, "I enjoy a lot fiction, mosly science fiction, fantasy and horror though cause it is stuff that never happens in life except in a few rare cases."
She remember reading a book that Xenos had given her from her collection of children's book, The Hobbit, A Wrinkle in Time, and such. She was now working on higher books so to learn a better vocabulary, she even sat with a dictionary with her so she could look up words.
"I really enjoy science fiction and fantasy cause of the places created for me to explore," she smiled and quickly knelt before Riyana so that she was comfortab;e to speak, "I mean those kings, queens, knight and such or ships, outerspace, super computers that want to destroy the world or the idea earth was a bought planet." She giggled at remembering it all. Disinclined Riyana smiled, though she herself started to feel even more self-concious. She hadn't had a chance to read nearly as much as Hikari. "You must have some library where you live," she admired, wishing she could have had the oppurtunity to have read just as many great and wonderful books.
Well, she wouldn't let that discourage her either. She'd only just started focusing on reading since right before she'd grown - and she was reading more and more everyday! Books were a great way to escape the harsh reality the world could bring. Riyana liked to live other peoples lives and in other peoples worlds. Sometimes the life she lived now felt disgustingly hollow and empty.
Sometimes it just felt better reading about another.
"Fantasy is what I love the most. It is fun to read about things that probably won't ever happen to me - if I can't experience it, at least I can pretend."
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:13 pm
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Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 1:10 pm
The long-haired girl played with the edges of her white sundress. It had been quiet lately. She'd taken a bit of a respite, away from all her friends, just as they'd all seemed to have abandoned each other. There weren't many around, not like there used to be. Devan and she had taken a vacation - a trip away from the city, away from the familiar traffic-lights and sidewalk trash.
The trip had been fun, sort of. The girl had gone to the zoo, and got to see a bunch of animals she'd never seen in the city. Devan had taken her out and about, to a different world, in a sense, to an island. It hadn't been just the two of them. Devan's friend had come along, his latest toy. Riyana hadn't cared for the gentleman, but it wasn't within her jurisdiction to judge the people her 'guardian' hung around.
If they were happy with each other, if they were friends, than so be it. The vacation, in a sense, hadn't been as much for her has it had been for the pair of boys. That was just as fine, as far as Riyana thought - she'd had a chance to catch up on some reading. Besides, being the center of attention was never something she enjoyed. She liked to be within the company of a small few, and only them.
Riyana was glad to be back. She'd felt lonely on the trip, away from Toshi, Dusk, Mikomi and Braedan. She'd felt so very small compared to everything she witnessed, compared to Devan's obsession with his boyfriend.
It would have been fun to have been able to bring her friends.
"I wonder how they're doing?" Riyana murmured, resting her head against the apartment window. The sun was setting behind the cityscape, the electric lights of headlights and street lamps painting an eerie, iridescant glow over town.
How she missed her friends. She truly, honestly, missed them. All she yearned to do was to hug them, to be within their proximity, to laugh and smile, and overall have a good time with them.
"Where have you gone?" She whispered, looking out over the city with a small, wistful smile.
She'd have to look some of them up, she would. She wouldn't let her friends go so easily. Oh no. She'd find them, each and every one, and make sure they were all doing well.
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Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:42 pm
The girl with the long hair, the girl with the sundress, the girl who walked the street wrapped in an aura of blue stared longingly out the window. The scene never changed, never would change, and for some reason it saddened her. The same buildings wit the same graffitti that sat across from the same window she stared out of everyday.
Life had come to a hault for Riyana and the girl wasn't sure she liked it.
Even her small collection of books, placed in the corner of Devan's living room, had been temporarily discarded and forgotten. The stories were all the same; the hero's, the maiden's, the exotic worlds and evil-doers. It was wonderful to read about others adventures, and yet, the girl knew those were places she could never be a part of.
On the one hand, most of the books she read were fiction - the worlds were made up, the characters nothing more than figments of anothers imagination. And the books she read that were real, were still located in places further away from her home shared with Devan.
The apartment was feeling stuffy, closed, cramped. Riyana felt caged, like a Bird trapped. The weather had been turning colder, she hadn't seen any of her friends in ages and Devan had been living with his boyfriend for the past week.
Empty.
He called her, every now and then, and stopped by, every now and then, but it wasn't the same. Riyana understood that her guardian's job was at the pizza parlor across the other side of town. She understood it was just easier for him to crash at Andrew's place.
But sometimes it made her feel ever so alone.
Sometimes, Riyana felt the tug of her bitterness, the jadedness that had once enveloped her.
Today was one of those days. Today, the girl with the shy smile and the blue eys was feeling overwhelmed by nothingness. A lack of friends, a lack of guardian, and a lack of freedom.
Her life was going no where. Her friends weren't near, and Devan was at work. The books did nothing but further irritate the girl, to cause her unrest and discontent.
Maybe she should go out but where? wander aimlessly? Stop by the shop and see who might be there? The lanturn shop had been so empty since her return. Stop by Braeden's house? Oh, the girl didn't want to impose or interrupt. . .
Sitting on the edge of Devan's bed, legs drawn up to her chest, the girl stared blandly out the window.
Where was the sunshine that she used to know? Where was the light that she had once gained?
Why was she here and where had she come from? When would he own adventures begin?
Maybe it wasn't worth thinking about. Maybe she was too moody to care. Whatever the case, Riyana lowered her head and stared blandly out at the foggy cityscape.
This was her kingdom, the cockroach hotel. She'd better suck up and deal with it. A new one could be discovered later.
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Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:49 pm
Discontent, the girl laid back on the couch, legs dangling over the arm of the furniture. The apartment was silent, save for the occassional, muffled pound of across the floorboards in the room overhead.
A plate of untouched and partially stale cookies sat on a plate beside the couch. Riyana had a taste for sweets but didn't manage to go through with the plan. Snacks could wait.
The stereo was on, a CD playing a song over and over. That was one blessing she could appreciate during this dismal afternoon. The song played over and over again, the quiet music soothing her soul and allowing her to reflect.
Cookies reminded her of her dear and probably best friend, Braeden. She needed to catch up with her friend, it was long since over do.
Friends. Like Braeden, Toshi, Dusk, Mikomi.
Friends.
.swan dive. ani difranco.
I'm cradling the softest, warmest part of you in my hands
Feels like a little baby bird
Fallen from the nest
I think that your body is something I understand
I think that I'm happy
I think that I'm blessed
But I've had a lack of inhibition
I've had a loss of perspective
I've had a little bit to drink
And it's making me think
That I can jump ship and swim
That the ocean will hold me
That there's got to be more
Than this boat I'm in
They can call me crazy if I fail
All the chance that I need is one-in-a-million,
And they can call me brilliant if I succeed
Gravity is nothing to me
I'm moving at the speed of sound
I'm just gonna to get my feet wet until I drown
I teeter between tired
And really, really tired
I'm wiped and I'm wired
But I guess that's just as well
Cuz I've built my own empire
Out of car tires and chicken wire
And now I'm queen of my own compost heap
And I'm getting used to the smell
I've had a lack of information
I've had a little revelation
I'm climbing up on the railing
Trying not to look down
I'm going to do my best swan dive
In the shark-infested waters
I'm gonna pull out my tampon
And start splashing around
Cuz I don't care if they eat me alive
I've got better things to do than survive
I've got the memory of your warm skin in my hands
And I've got a vision of blue sky and dry land
I'm cradling the hardest, heaviest part of me in my hands
The ship is pitching and heaving
Our limbs are bobbing and weaving
I think this is something I understand
I just need a couple vaccinations
For my far-away vacation
I'm going to go ahead and go boldly
Cuz a little bird told me
That jumping is easy
That falling is fun
Right up until you hit the sidewalk
Shivering stunned
They can call me crazy if I fail
All the chance that I need is one-in-a-million
And they can call me brilliant if I succeed
Gravity is nothing to me
I'm moving at the speed of sound
I'm just gonna get my feet wet untill I drown
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Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:53 pm
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:13 am
((This is a bit backdated, but I never had a chance to log it in my Journal)) ((Well, so long as you don't have any objections, I'd love to continue then. I haven't had a chance RP with Riyana in her new-and-improved affectionate-ness, so this shall be fun. )) Her familiar blue light shone the way to the manor. The afternoon, once so full of sunshine, was starting to lose its battle with an afternoon shower. Dusty grey clouds were already starting to build their fortress, and a slight rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance. The wind, which tickled the girls ears and face, tangling her hair and the ribbon found within it, spoke of the fast-approaching shower.
The afternoon was turning gloomy, and one might say the shower was fitting for Riyana. Always cascaded in gloom and drear, mistrust and uncertainty. Shy as a lamb, and as soft-spoken as a violet, those two attitudes had yet to change. But she was bigger now, and not just in physical height.
The girl had changed since she'd last seen her orange friend, and though she feared how he'd react, she did want to see Braedan - and Riyana had the perfect excuse to do so! The book he had so generously offered her upon their last meeting - she'd finished reading it, and wished to return it.
It was inevitable, really. She couldn't hide from the world just because she'd changed, just because she was a bit. . . different. She was still Riyana, wasn't she? All the changes that had happened, all the foreign feelings she'd started experiencing were for the better - right?
Footsteps pattering lightly down the path to the estate, the girl tried not to worry. It was easier now than it had ever been, to push aside her worries and fears. She felt lighter, more loving, and more of a desire to be with those who liked her. She didn't have to stay with Devan now - not if she didn't feel like putting up with his negitive attitude. Independance was hers to grasp - so long as she did so politely.
There was a change with Riyana, and it showed in both appearance and attitude. Her glow was softer than before, the jagged edges and walls of mistrust, if not completely collapsed, than at least lined with curtains and drapery. If Riyana's older days had been of those cast in shadow and rain, for once her inner radiance could finally cut through the clouds.
For once, she wasn't completely shrouded in darkness, and she wanted Braedan to be the first to see.
Ringing the doorbell to the estate, the girl hugged Breadan's book to her chest, the only sign of her inward conflict. Breadan was her friend before, nothing would have changed between them, would it? Just because she was taller, she was still the same old Riyana, wasn't she? Well, it was too late to run away now - besides, there was no reason to run.
Everything would be the same. Everything would be alright. She'd just have to wait and see.
Chegrin If the storm outside was only beginning, the storm within Braeden was full fledged and vicious. Howling winds, flying debris, lightning crashes and a bitter cold were thoughts and emotions battering the young soul. Braeden had already spent most of the morning raging around the house by himself. Dian certainly would have put an end to the tantrum hours ago had he been home.
It was slowly losing its steam, though.
Laying haphazardly on the recliner, Braeden was swathed in his own scarf, nearly to the point of awkward mummification. He had sat there fuming for the past twenty minutes.
In his hands was perched a tiny sparrow constructed from glass.
Large, vein like cracks split through the bird's body, spiderwebbing around the point of impact, a little above the right wing.
Braeden was angered with himself for having broken it. While making it two nights before, he'd experienced difficulty shaping the small face, and it took him longer than he'd ever tried self immolating before. Driven to the point of exhaustion, Braeden passed out and the bird dropped from his hands, hitting the stone floor and cracking.
It was a present for someone he held dear.
Angered with his flaw, and angered more with his inability to suceed, Braeden berated his lack of control which spurred the current mood. Ironically his tantrum further proved his own point.
But as he stewed in his own sour mood, the realization that it was just an error, but part of the learning process and he still had time to make another broke his frustration.
And that was when the doorbell rang. Thinking it was Dian, Braeden, now just as guilty as anything begrudgingly walked to the door and ungracefully pulled it open, the sudden realization he was very very mistaken causing those luminous silver eyes to widen and the jaw to drop.
"Ri...Ri-Ri...A....na?"
Protectively ashamed he curled the broken bird partially out of sight even as he gawked.
Tall...Dress...Sandles...Legs...Tall...Smile?
Braeden ran cold at how...At how beautifully Riyana had changed. Instinct took over again and he stepped to the side holding the door open for her to enter. Disinclined Riyana looked down at her typically vibrant friend. She wasn't that much taller than him, though she was quick to notice his gaping stare. Oh dear - a flicker of regret pierced the girl, a moments conversion back to the child within. Maybe it would have been better if - -
No no. Everything was fine.
Right?
Suddenly self-conscious, the sun-dressed girl shifted a bit awkwardly on the porch. "Uh - yeah," she murmured, her smile fading ever so slightly, replaced by the softest wash of anxiousness. Would he be happy for her? Would he still be her dear friend?
"I came - I uh - I came to drop off the book," she quickly explained, trying to brush off any "differences" as if they weren't there. She hadn't changed, she was still the same-old Riyana. "And," she added hastily as she stepped through the opened door, "and to see you too, of course!"
Had she really admitted that? Well, she certainly didn't want the orange lanturn to think she didn't want to visit. The book was merely the excuse!
Glad to be out of the storm, Riyana twirled on her sandled feet, before pausing to face her friend. She wasn't showing off - it just felt good to move! Riyana felt genuinely happy, and for once she wasn't afraid to show it. She wanted Braedan to know that she felt good, and she felt happy to be around him - that's what friends were the best at, and Braedan was no exception.
Before, she had trouble showing her emotions, had trouble showing her feelings and care. But now - now she wasn't quite as afraid, and it didn't necessarily feel wrong. She could smile freely here - right?
Chegrin Braeden shook his head vigorously to clear his thoughts. After all, there were more things to be concerned about than a shattered sparrow. He was unfairly transferring his doubts about failure into an innocent little bird.
"You finished it quickly." He said, only now casting his emotive grey eyes up to meet hers. "I'm impressed." He added, closing the door behind her. The interior of the house was very warm, from the sheer heat of Braeden's rampaging around. It was however very dark.
That was changed as Braeden tapped the lightswitch, illuminating the living room and hallway. While he was behind her, Braeden quickly smoothed out his hair and unwound himself from the tails of his scarf.
He stopped to watch her spin, admiring the way her long hair seemed to float on the air behind her, drawn into the spin and forming a graceful arc. Braeden's eyebrows upturned slightly as he smiled, giving him a slightly relieved smile. His hand gripped the sparrow that before its untimely fall was to be a present for Riyana in an attempt to hide it away.
"You picked a fine time to come," He said, "With the storm outside, you have to stay here until Dian comes, so he can drive you home."
His smile began a little wicked grin as he realized Riyana couldn't dart out within ten minutes of arriving. Well, she COULD, but that would entail leaving in the rain. Disinclined The girl studied her friend from behind her ocean blue eyes. There was a light to her that seemed to smolder behind that gaze, a light that could finally give way to her sparkle and shine. The shadows had been rolled away, and a temorary softness had taken hold of her. She was a different girl, in a way, and yet all the same pieces that made her up before were brought to life.
Lips still curved in a content little smile, Riyana was pleased that her friend seemed happy with her growth. "I didn't think I'd finish it so quick either," she admitted softly, a bit of pride lacing her words. "But it was. . fascinating, really. I - I really enjoyed it." If she could blush, she would have. Part of Riyana couldn't remember the last time she'd chatted so freely or openly. Was she talking too much?
Oh bother, perhaps it was time to talk about something else? Not about her, but about the weather, or Braedan for a change!
"So," she started softly, still holding onto the book as if it were a life line, rolling back and forth on her feet. "What've you been up to?" Her eyes drifted to what he held in his hands. It was a flicker of a glance, proof that her curiousity was piqued. But, just in case he didn't want to talk about himself or his hobbies, Riyana decided to give him an opening. "You have been well, I hope?"
Chegrin ((I would like to rp B-kun's growth, if that's okay with you. :3)) "That's good!" He chirped at her expression that she liked the book he selected. He'd never in his days seen Riyana so pleased with herself, and quite honestly, he couldn't be happier for her.
Where Riyana had finally begun to open up and flower out, Braeden's latest change had somehow draped cobwebs over him, dragging him down and closing him up in ways. His own odd emotions embaressed him terribly to a point where he no longer wanted to discuss them.
He tugged gingerly at his jacket tails, regretful he didn't have more pockets.
"Working mainly, or trying to. I mean, well...There isn't much else to do here...When i'm alone. Dian, he..."
Braeden sucessfully stuttered himself into frustration.
"I mold glass, or sculpt it." He said at last. Before when they were in the library, Riyana was too enraptured by the books to notice the shelving that held his handiwork. He held out that cracked and ruined sparrow remorsefully.
"This was going to be for you, b- but I dropped it."
Braeden tucked it in again. "I wanted to give you a present because I like you so much, and you usually seem like no one's given you anything at all. I wanted you to laugh and to smile for me."
He'd said too much.
"I'm sorry I broke it, I'll make you another, a better one, when i'm stronger."Disinclined ((I certainly have no problem with B-kun's new-and-improved growth. n_n )) The girl's attention was focused solely on Braedan and the words he spoke. He too, had changed, much to her surprise. Of course it wasn't necessarily a bad change, but it was different. He was still bright as ever, and he surely looked the same, but part of Riyana wondered if his growth had made him more subdued.
Whatever the case, Riyana couldn't help but study her friend. They were different together but, somehow, that was alright.
Cool blue eyes dimmed as Braedan spoke, her eyes focused first on his face, than on the broken bird he'd kept hidden in his hands. Riyana knew about not having much to do when all alone. She found herself without Devan's company more and more, the pink-haired punk as elusive as ever. Be it through purpose or coincidence, Riyana often was alone in the apartment, taking solace only through books or escapades through the town.
Lonliness was an emotion that nobody coul ever truly escape.
"Well," she started, trying hard to sound optimistic, "at least you can keep yourself busy!" Reaching forward, almost without thinking, she tugged lightly on Braedan's sleeve. She wanted to see the broken bird, wanted to study the gift more thoroughly. "I didn't even know you could make such art," she explained meekly, looking up apologetically to catch Braedan's eyes. "But I think this is wonderful, I really really do!"
Part of the girl was astounded that someone would make her something. It wasn't entirely inaccurate to say that she DID seem like nobody had given her anything, and when it came to physical gifts, it was true. "Please don't be sorry that you broke it," she continued, almost begging him to be happy. "Because you make me happy even when - even when sometimes I don't look it." The girl paused, glancing down at her hand which still grasped loosely at the sleeve of his shirt.
Slowly letting it go, her manners kicking in, the girl's lips curved into a smile. It was genuine, bright, with her blue eyes lighting up with a rather affectionate gaze. "I'll laugh and smile just for you, just because you're my friend, if you'd like me to."
She tilted her head, before dropping her gaze to the floor, in such a typical coy maneuver. Would he think she was only smiling for his benefit? Maybe she'd better clarify. "Because I'd like to, too."
Chegrin Lonliness could never be truly escaped except by those who never needed another. There were few, but they existed, and Braeden was not one of them. How long the orange soul had spent alone in limbo before recaptured as a small flickering basket was unknown, but amplified even now by the way he so desperately clung to those he thought to trust.
Yes...Riyana had found herself on the list of few Braeden truly trusted.
She reached out and tugged at his sleeve, revealing the bird once again. Yes, if he managed to ignore the violent cobweb shatter marks, it really was a well made trinket. As he listened to her speak, his trademark smile began to emerge again.
"Thank you." He said at last to her compliment on the sparrow. Riyana's brightening caused his own to flare and spark back alive, still as vibrant as ever.
"If you'd like, I can show you the others I've made. You can pick out which one you like the best from them, you know, and you can have that one instead. I'm always improving with practice."
Braeden didn't care to demonstate, he thought it would scare Riyana, which was really the last thing he wanted to do by this point. Disinclined ((Wow- I've found time to post. ._. I really need to get a better schedule!)) The girl studied her bright friend, peeking curiously between the broken sparrow within his hands and the bright smile found upon his face. There was her friend, with all his vibrant glory. His smiles were contagious, and the girl couldn't help but allow her own lips to twist up in a brighter grin.
She didn't have to live in shadows all the time. These rare moments were like pearls - it wasn't often she'd had a chance to smile so easily.
"I'd love to see some of your work!" Her blue eyes were bright with a sudden spark of interest and curiousity. She'd never known that her friend was such an artist! A shame, really - when it came down to it, though Braedan was one of the few Riyana trusted or even liked, she didn't know much about him personally.
They chatted from time to time, and the girl surely enjoyed his company. They were strangely opposite, one ever full of light, another hidden in shadow, but together they complimented each other. Braedan drew out her personality, gave her the ability to dance in the sunshine.
"I'd love to see what you've made, but," she smiled softly, tilting her head in a most coy manner. "I'd like to keep the sparrow, even if it's not as perfect as you'd like. This was the one you've made for me, afterall - and that takes away any flaw you might see in it!"
She didn't have to see the others to know which one she wanted. Just because the sparrow had fractures, just because this gift had imperfection - it didn't bother Riyana. The fact that he made it for her made it more special than all the other trinkets found within the manor.
Riyana certainly wanted to see Braedan's work, but there was no second thought or second pick for when it came to choosing a gift.
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