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 Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 9:25 pm
Lucia’s breath caught in her throat as Zul raised himself up. Just because she lifted herself up from him for a second, he got up. But Lucia was with Pasha, so it was okay. Just after Zul got up, Aki removed her hand from the frei’s. And she was alone. Her eyes had a panicked look to them. From the situation it could be because she was afraid that her friend would move. But it was really from being left completely alone on her first meeting with a friend. Her eyes pleaded for Zul’s return silently, but she couldn’t ask him. She’d monopolized so much of his time already, she realized.
As he replied to the Sigel, Lucia felt her hand being grasped again, and she looked down and was pleased to see that Meli was willing, or almost desperate to touch her. The frei scooched her body toward the Muse so that she was next to her. She wasn’t possessed, she reminded herself. She could stand to be closer to Pasha. She wouldn’t attack her friend of her own volition, she knew. The Kitten placed her head on Pasha’s shoulder after gently moving the blonde tresses out of the way, her eyes resting on Zul, who seemed to be unsure of himself.
”The safest place in the world is with Zul,” she said softly, but loud enough for both of the raevans to hear her. Her voice was thoughtful, straightforward and matter-of-fact. She meant every bit of what she said. Zul could protect her from anything. And she was sure that he would protect Pasha as well if she needed it. ”Zul can protect you,” she repeated. Her eyes looked at the Demon with nothing but friendship and affection. Her one arm hugged Pasha’s while her other reached out to him, trying to pull him back down.
She didn’t want to talk. She didn’t know how she could help the Sigel. She bit her lower lip and tried to get the frei back over. ”Where are you staying?” she asked her friend. ”If you need, no one is living in my guardian’s house at the moment. If you need you can crash there.”
The frei fell into silence. She wanted to comfort Pasha, but she didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want to start talking. The last time she really did that, she told Zul everything – so much more than she expected to.
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 10:02 am
Something bad happened.
The demon was beside himself. He began to laugh in his quiet, smoke-warmed manner, one hand on his face as though he'd try to smoother his mirth, though it did little to quiet his amusement. Grinning in a manner that wasn't entirely good-humor, he said, "Something bad happened. Many bad things happened...but it's over now." His blue eyes flicked meaningfully towards the Kitten, though the way she was looking at him served to take away some of his amusement and settle his expression into a kinder smile. Floating to the two females, he took Lucia's free hand and 'settled' again, completely at ease. Zul was not one to be phased by mere talk of danger. If only the lovely Sigel knew the part he had played in the fel virus and Lucia's plight - that he himself was part of those Bad Things - she might not be so open with him.
And then Lucia went and praised him. It was, quite possible, the best compliment he had ever received. Though he was 'sitting,' he floated a tad higher, his head lowering to counter his pride in a sense of humility. Zul wouldn't argue the kind words - he was perfectly capable of taking on anything, he was certain of it - but he wouldn't preen too obviously to them. He squeezed Lucia's hand in gentle gratitude, even though he was looking at Melisande since she was currently the topic of conversation. "Lucia is staying with me and my woman," he explained. "You could come too. She hasn't met you." He was referring to his Guardian, though he didn't think to clarify; it was almost a shame, he thought, that Alex had not had the honor of this one's acquaintance.
One wing lifted from his back, the bone tip arching over his shoulder and towards the Muse, attempting to delicately push back a stray curl that touched her cheek. This close, he thought he could sense her on the air - the scent of Spring, all things growing and new - but he couldn't say for sure. They were in the park, after all. "You two should see each other more. Friends need to stick together." Zul offered as charming of a smile that he could to diffuse any tension, the effort reaching his eyes. "It would help."
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Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 4:43 pm
Melisande had folded over Lucia as though having the Frei close was the most natural thing in the world. She tilted her head to settle her cheek gently against the girl's dark hair, and sighed sweetly. There was something very fulfilling about having the two of them close, as though their very presence lent her both serenity and sustenance. Blond curls mixed with black as Meli listened to the two of them speak.
"I'm staying at a shop, for now. I..." The Sigel's light voice trailed off as Zul began to laugh. Lifting her head, eyes wide, Pasha watched him drift back to their patch of grass. His voice was lovely, but his slow, warm laugh gave her those same shivers. Dangerous. She froze, eyes still wide and lips barely parted, as his wing arched over her. It cut between her face and the sun, casting a delicate shadow that slashed over her face like a veil, right below her blue eyes. For a moment, Zul was reflected in those eyes as clearly as the sky over a lake, until Pasha ducked her head with a blush.
"...don't want to impose." She finished, voice feather soft. Her wings had spread just the slightest bit, breeze catching at her feathers. Pasha could hear the smile in Zul's voice now, and Lucia's weight was comforting against her arm, but the Sigel didn't look up. "I think I know where I should go, though. There's a house, not too far from here. I think it belonged to someone...someone in my family." It was a difficult thing to explain. Aki had never been forthcoming about the connection between their family and Aria's, and it was too late to ask. Too late to ask either of them.
"I should go there soon, and see if it's meant for me. It will be an adventure, if you'd both like to come! Something new, to chase away your troubles?" The last was directed to Lucia, Pasha's lips against her hair and spoken with a brighter tone. If the Frei didn't wish to speak about her troubles, the muse could respect that...but at least she could try to distract her from them! For a moment, her eyes flicked hesitantly up to Zul, and then back down.
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 7:12 pm
Lucia felt her friend stiffen at Zul's laugh. "Trust him," she whispered through the blonde tresses. She curled her body against Meli's and just let herself relax. Melisande wasn't afraid of her. The blonde might even love her. It felt nice to be cared for once again. Not that Zul wasn't great, but Pasha was Pasha.
The frei listened to her friend's explanation of a house – an adventure. The kitten closed her eyes for a second. Adventure. Adrenaline. Excitement. Fun. What – Lucia opened her eyes, remembering what Zul had told her.
"We should go now. It'll be fun and with all of us together it'll be okay." The kitten looked at the demon for some sort of confirmation that this was an okay idea. She didn't want to step on any toes. But she floated upward, pulling Zul and Meli up with her. Pulling both of their arms to her body, so their hands brushed against each other.
She was hugging their arms to her chest as she urged, "Lead the way, Meli." She smiled briefly, like her old self. But the excitement she felt made the emotion cool as she remembered Brian's excitement. The frei bit her lower lip and leaned her head towards Zul.
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 2:48 am
The way Melisande draped over Lucia was almost...sweet. It was rather non-possessive and unobtrusive - much unlike how he and Rivener acted - as riddled with innocence and gentle intention as the Muse herself seemed to hold. The demon watched without opinion, and for one, perfect moment, he fancied that he could see himself in her fathomless blues. Zul knew it was an absurd idea, though the blush of rose on her porcelain cheeks told him that she might have truly held him in her gaze for all the world, and that, he had to assume, would be sufficient for a first meeting.
The Kitten was pleased with whatever notion Melisande had offered up, though in truth, Zul had only been half-listening. He inclined his head to Lucia as he was tugged, obediently floating upright to his full height, pulling his exposed spine taut against his back, wings at ease with bone tips over his shoulders. "As you wish," he said to the two encouragingly, eyes flicking to the Sigel's at the brief touch of fingers against Lucia's chest. His gaze did not linger, as the excitement his dark-haired friend displayed was rather important, if not uplifting. He gave a small flex of his arm in her grasp, since he couldn't very well hold her hand in that position. The demon didn't say it outright, but he was certain she'd understand: I'm here for both of you. No harm would befall the females while he was with them, he was certain.
What the elder Raevan might have been hiding, he could not fathom, but so too could he not press. He simply didn't know her well enough to know that she was keeping something to herself, only tasting that something was somewhat askew. His free hand lifted, lightly touching the dark hair that leaned towards him, even more carefully brushing his fingers over a light-furred ear. Zul had no need to speak further without being directly addressed; he was just there to provide the ambiance of safety for Lucia. A shadow to the Kitten, to chase off the things that were as dark as he.
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Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 11:30 am
Pasha was stunned. Had they...had they just agreed?! She drifted up eagerly at Lucia's touch, recoiling ever so slightly from her brush against Zul. No matter how gently Lucia encouraged her to trust him, there was still something about him that made her wary. Those thoughts were in the back of her mind, though, buried under the almost dizzying excitement of the adventure ahead.
"It's across the park...up the hill at the edge of the city. I've never been there from here, but I'm sure we can find it!" Meli's eyes were bright, and her enthusiasm was almost contagious. The muses pale wings spread wide, feathers ruffling to catch the breeze. She spun slowly as she lifted into the air, and paused facing them, the sun a wan corona shining through her curls. "I really appreciate you coming with me, both of you. If there's anything you need..."
Pasha's smile said it all.
***
The trip was longer than Melisande had expected. She'd taken the long way around...through the trees at the edge of the park, and along the slower cobbled streets that were lined with older houses. The three of them made quite a spectacle, she thought. No reason to parade down the main streets.
Or perhaps Pasha was taking the long way for a different reason. Now that they were here, her stomach was full of butterflies. She took a deep breath, suddenly missing the days when her body ended just below her chest. The heavy wrought iron gates were shut, sealed with an insignia of two twining cursive letters. Beyond the gates stood a small orchard, painted with the bright green of the leaves and dotted with the delicate pink of unopened buds. Melisande swallowed, her eyes on the mansion beyond.
The shutters of the large victorian house were drawn and latched, all except one. A single candle flickered in the highest window, shutters pinned back and curtains tied open. It was the very window she'd let herself into, when she'd last visited so long ago.
Pasha lifted one hand to the closed gate, but never quite touched it. Fingers curling, she dropped her hand, and looked to Lucia and Zul. "Maybe..." It was obvious the courage was draining out of her, as surely as the color from her cheeks.
"...we should come back another time..."
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Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 1:09 pm
Lucia was able to relax. Around someone other than Zul or Alex! She knew that no matter what happened, Zul would help her. She couldn’t picture herself attacking Melisande, and there was no Brian in her at the moment. So she felt safe and allowed herself to relax a bit more than usual, and much more than before. Though Pasha led them the long way, the trip to the old house flew by for the frei. She was silent most of the way, but she felt happy between her two…only…remaining…friends.
Zul was there. Like always. He was the strong and silent type, but he spoke to her when she needed him to. And Pasha. She was sweet and kind and loving. Lucia appreciated her devotion and support. She was between her two friends. And that, she thought, was good enough for now.
The Kitten didn’t know if there was any reason to be afraid. But if there was, Zul could help. And there couldn’t be anything more scary then what she had just been through. Watching yourself commit horrible acts without being able to do anything about it. Thinking you’re just like the person making you do these things. Lucia blinked at Pasha’s fear and smiled tightly, squeezing the Sigel’s arm firmly.
”We’re here now, we may as well just go in. I mean, if you think you can stay here, aren’t you going to need to go in? Who’s place is this anyway?”
She tilted her head to the side brushing Pasha’a shoulder with her temple. The supportive gesture would hopefully help her friend. Lucia just realized that she didn’t know anything about this place. It didn’t matter really. But if Meli thought she could stay here, why was she afraid to enter? She looked at the place. It wasn’t that bad. It wasn’t light and airy like the house she had been staying in. But it reminded her of her own home with Yuu. Or even Rivener’s home a little.
”It doesn’t look bad. It’s just like my house.”
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 11:48 pm
He didn't mind the trip. It was easy and lackadaisical, allowing the Kitten much needed time with her precious friend. Zul floated next to the two, laid-back but alert, mostly aware of the two females and how they were behaving. Truthfully, he was deeply curious about Melisande and had been since he'd received the little card with her name. An act of kindness from someone he'd never met was most intriguing to the demon, and having met the pale-blonde face-to-face now, he couldn't deny that his interest ran deeper, though if it was from her personality or make-up, he was uncertain.
Thus, when they came to a halt in front of the mansion, her hesitation was not missed, nor was Lucia's gentle coaxing. Zul looked quietly at Melisande, then up to the house itself, absorbing its appearance. It almost looked like something out of the movies, grandiose and very nearly inviting with the budded trees and the mansion beyond. He picked up the candle in the single opened window, lifting his chin to gaze at it some. Who used candles at this time of day?
Lucia moved then, which meant the demon didn't have to, and so he remained where he was, observing. "We don't have to go in if you don't want to," he said at length, lifting a hand towards the open window, "though someone is home." He let his tone indicate that now would truly be the best time - if not by grace of someone being home, then by the fact that the Muse had two other Raevans with her in the case that they weren't exactly welcome. Either way, his answer to her was the same as it was to Lucia: you aren't alone. We're right here.
Taking initiative, Zul floated closer to Lucia, extending his hand behind the kitten to lightly rest his warm fingers against Melisande's elbow. He didn't have much else to say, given that the day was for the two friends, but he wasn't entirely against learning more about the Muse in a round-about way. This would afford him such a chance, would it not? "Looks like where I live, too," he finally offered up, giving the place an appraising once-over. "Except friendlier." No swamps, it looked well-kept; that was leagues ahead of the Delaran household.
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:09 pm
Melisande melted against Lucia's reassuring touch, resting her cheek against the kitten's hair. It was only because her eyes closed for a moment that she registered Zul's gentle gesture. The Sigel tensed ever so slightly, freezing where she was until she could force herself to look up. He seemed sincere, but her mind just couldn't reconcile his warmth with his startling appearance. It was hard not to stare and take him in, like a curious child watching a frightening movie from between their spread fingers. Swallowing, she slid away from them both a bit, until her arm was only loosely locked with Lucia's.
"I don't know who's house it is now, but I know who it used to belong too. Her name was Aria." She spoke quietly, unwilling to voice the tragedy behind the story, but it was obvious in her tone "Aki told me once that...we are related. Maybe I have family here."
The muse took a deep breath, her slender chest rising and falling dramatically. She turned to face the other two Raevans fully, wings spreading as she smiled, slow and genuine.
"I don't know what you've been through, either of you, but if you're brave enough to be here with me, I-" The unmistakable creak of a door opening cut the muse off, midway through her speech. Her pink lips formed a perfect O of surprise, eyes wide. Back still to the door, Pasha's eyes flicked from Lucia's face to Zul's, trying to read their expressions. Should she turn? Should she run?
Slowly, gingerly, the Sigel turned. Her hands reached blindly for Lucia's and Zul's, eyes lifting with great trepidation to the door.
"Welcome..back, Miss...d'Pasha." The voice was as slow and careful as the muse felt, wavering with age and emotion. Pasha gasped as she met his eyes, her hands tightening. He was so old, with a smile so sweet...instantly, she forgot her fear. His face crumpled like newspaper as he smiled, contrasting sharply with his pressed white shirt and crisply ironed grey vest.
"Won't you...and your friends...sit for tea?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 1:35 am
Tea was brief. As Pasha seemed much more comfortable with this man, Zul and Lucia also eased up and figured, based on the interactions, that it was more personal for the Muse. Lucia was hungry and wanted to stop by a grave yard before going back to the beach house – it was much faster to get energy there than on the shore.
As Lucia watched the older raevan seem much more comfortable, she whispered to Zul that maybe they should go. She wouldn’t leave without his okay. But as he nodded, she kissed Pasha’s cheek and the duo made a quick farewell.
------
Lucia felt better, having one other friend who did not hate her, who loved her even. She wrapped her arm around Zul’s hugging it close to her body and leaning her head gently on his shoulder as they floated. She moved blindly, for the most part, thinking about what had happened earlier in the park and letting him lead her home.
The only sound, other than their breathing, was the soft chirp of crickets as they followed the route they took backwards, towards the park, then towards the beach. ”Zul,” she whispered softly into the quiet night. ”I meant what I said before. I know I’m safe. With you.” She turned her head towards his bare shoulder and gently rested her lips against it. Breathing out a soft kiss against it, she sighed softly and felt more relaxed and comfortable than she had in months.
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