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 Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 8:59 pm
 Just another day.
{August 3rd, 2010} A cup of coffee in one hand and a slice of toast in the other, Jezabroux stared at the to-do list sitting in front of him on the counter top. Beside him, a washed-out white cd player was churning out a particularly fiery rendition of Libertango by Yo-Yo Ma. Paying no mind to the music, Jezabroux took a sip from his cup before examining the list.
It was short. Obscenely short. SCANDALOUSLY short. So short, that he could get everything on the list done in less than two hours at the most. That meant - he turned to look at the overhanging clock - he would have absolutely nothing to do from noon to night, perhaps even earlier than noon given the simplicity of the tasks on the sheet of paper. And then, to think that he had the next two weeks off starting today only made it worse. If the rest of his break was to spent like this, well then, it was safe to say that tomorrow morning Jezabroux would be back at Hua-Ahn Acupuncture Clinic begging to work again. The man was not an idler. It was in his blood to work, to be productive. It was both a curse and blessing. It was also for that reason that Jezabroux only took off national holidays and his parents' birthdays. And, sick days but everyone took off holidays and sick days.
He set down his coffee mug on the marble counter top and took the last bite of his toast. Using a napkin, he wiped the crumbs off his fingers and placed the dishes in the sink. He'd have to do the dishes once he came back from his errands. A smug smile drifted on his lips. His to-do list had just grown by a fraction. Maybe, he could do survive these two weeks without work. He could make work for himself around the apartment to keep occupied.
Passing by the refrigerator, Jezabroux stopped as he passed by the lime green sheet of paper taped to the door. What an obnoxious color for an informational page. It was a bright sour apple and stood out like a beacon in the white and black color scheme of Jezabroux’s apartment. That thing was a hideous blemish to the apartment’s sleek and sophisticated ambiance. Yet, he instead of throwing it away, he had taped it up instead to visit in on the summer bash it detailed on. Not that Jezabroux was one for beach parties. Rather, it had come in that manila envelope sent by LAB 305 along with a rather hefty stack of papers detailing the history, mission statement, and other miscellaneous information regarding the institution, and a survey. Thus, he had deemed it of importance.
It had taken him several hours spread over the course of three days total to cover all the information provided to him by the envelope and to complete the survey as well. Though, it was more accurately an application than a survey. Ironically enough, the application had taken longer to fill than read all the papers that came in the packet.
He looked up at the clock. It read 9:45 AM. It was about the right time for him to roll out to get started on his errands. Taking his to-do list, he folded it neatly and tucked it into his pant pocket. Then, he grabbed the manila envelope containing the lab application and tucked it under his arm. He gave the apartment a cursory gaze before turning off the lights. Time was awaiting.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:00 pm
Under the Sun - Summer Beach Party 2010
Participants: Everyone
Location: Isle de Gambino
Type: {ORP}
Status: Complete
--- Summary ---
Jezabroux attends Lab 305's summer bash and ends up meeting Lab personality Alex. He also learns more about Lab 305 and it's Project X. He also becomes acquainted with Fathle, a stranger whom he's actually quite familiar with. However, an emergency sends the acupuncturist leaving early before he can meet and greet any other members of the Lab family.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:01 pm
Zavier's Tribute: Dirge of the Maelstrom
{August 9th, 2010} Pressing his palm against the cool surface of the wind, Jezabroux closed his eyes. It was impossible to see past the silicate barrier that surrounding him from the storm; the word distorted by sheets of merciless rain. This maelstrom had come out from now where, a swirling torrent of water and wind that showed no signs of disappearing any time soon. Windows rattled as an angry bolt of lightning snaked through the skies, illuminating the bleak view outside. It was a terrifying display of what Nature was capable of, of what man often looked down upon, trashed.
The longer he stood here looking outside, the more it reminded him of the biblical story Noah's Ark. The tempest was reminiscent of the flood that stemmed from forty days and forty nights of rain in the bible. Jezabroux was no religious man; but like most children, he had grown up listening to the stories of his mother's faith.
"Elai?" A voice called out. "Get away from the windows love, never know then they might shatter from that nasty storm. Why don't you come join us in the kitchen for a hot cup of coffee?" Lieselotte smiled and held out a cup of coffee for her son. "Everyone is waiting on you, mien liebe," Walking over to her son by the mirror, her steel-blue eyes fell onto the sorry sight of her drowning garden. "What are you thinking of Elai?" She asked, a hand reaching over to take Jezabroux's hand in her own.
"Just wonder if its worse than monsoon season in China." Kissing his mother on the forehead, he took the cup of coffee from her. "I'm thinking of returning to China for a bit. I haven't decided for sure."
"Why would you go back?" Liselotte's carefully shaped eyebrows furrow down into a worried expression for her son. "What is there that you need to return every year to China?"
"I haven't decided for sure. Don't fret yourself mami." He looked back at the faint light coming from the kitchen. "Everyone's waiting for us, remember mutter?"
"Oh? Are they?" Liselotte asked, forgetting what had happened only seconds ago. "Then what are we waiting for miene liebe? Let's go join them before the coffee goes cold."
Taking his mother by the arm, Jezabroux escorted her away from the windows. "... Do you think the storm was sent by God?"
"Nein, Elai. The rainbow is a promise from God to never flood the world again." Patting her son behind the back, Liselotte scowled as she took one last look behind her. "Ah, Elai, did I tell you? Everyone is in the kitchen waiting for you Elai."
Letting out a choking sound, Jezabroux pulled his mother into a hug. "Ich liebe dich, Mutter." The acupuncturist whispered. A hour from now, she'd forget that they had ever stood here talking. Another day and she would forget his face, his name. But maybe, she would remember the storm that killed her garden.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:02 pm
 Let The Light One In
Participants: Anastacia, Jezabroux, Luka, and Zeke
Location: Lab 305
Type: {PRP - Pick Up}
Status: Complete
--- Summary ---
With his guardianship application checked and approved, the acupuncturist has finally received a call from the mysteriously Lab 305 about a pick-up! Once there, he meets lab's colorful receptionist Zeke and his own charge Anya. And just as things are warming up, Jezabroux's own charge enters the fray with a bang!
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:03 pm
[Day 1] Scat Cat!
{August 10th, 2010} “Come on Luka, just come into the living room at least. He’s not going to attack you.”
”No.”
Jezabroux let out an exasperated sign as Luka gave him a sour expression. It was hard to believe the boy could be giving him such a hard time now, when he had been so cooperative getting in a car and partaking in a hour long drive. He had expected for Luka to throw a fit about getting into a car, a mechanized strange thing. He had not anticipated for the youth to react like this… towards his cat.
Luka was made from the soul of a Satyr and Light. Satyr were woodland spirits. So, the acupuncturist had expected for the youth to get along just dandy with Winston, his Russian Blue. On the contrary, the moment Luka had spotted the cat, he’d let out a slight scream before shooting back out of the apartment. It had taken him a hour of standing outside in the humid, sweltering Durem heat trying to coax the newborn back it. And when he had succeeded in bringing Luka back inside the apartment, the Frei had made it clear that he wasn’t going to be in the same room as Winston.
In fact, even now, the Frei was sitting across from the living room at the dining room table. He had maximized the distance between himself and the cat on the couch, while keeping his guardian his sight. The acupuncturist was actually sitting right beside the cat. Winston didn’t seem too bothered by the whole situation, having a stranger in the house that was terrified of him. But Luka, Luka just seemed miserable trying to stay as far away from the cat while keeping his guardian in eye’s sight.
“Please Luka, please just come join us in the living room. I swear Winston will not harm you. He will lick you, but he will not bite you. He’s not like that at all.”
Jezabroux pleaded towards the Raevan, only to facepalm as he heard his charge’s succinct reply.
”No.”
The acupuncturist let out a long and loud exasperated sigh. He was on his wits end with the youth already. It was beyond him how was it that they were still going at this after five hours?! FIVE HOURS. That was just ridiculous. Five hours was much time had passed since Luka had arrived at Jezabroux’s apartment. Four if you take away the hour the two spent outside while Jezabroux tried to coax Luka to come back in. Jezabroux had been expecting five hours of explanations and examples, and kinetic learning. Not this, not four hours sitting down trying to get the youth to come inside the living room.
Luka merely scowled as he shot the cat suspicious glances.
”No, Elai. No cat. Or, no me.”
As if to prove his point, Luka crossed his arms across his chest. An action that left his guardian blustering.
“What? Why? Why are you afraid of him? If you come here, I can show you that he’s not frightening at all.”
”No cat.”
Suddenly, as if tired by all the noise and bickering, Winston stood up and stretched himself. The cat gave a slow meow as he rubbing his head against the acupuncturist’s leg. Almost as if, the cat seemed to be saying: You’ve done enough, let me handle things. Giving off another meow, the cat leaped off the couch gracefully before quickly closing the distance between himself and the Raevan in the dining room. And before Luka could even get out of the seat to press himself against the wall, Winston took a leap and landed on the boy’s ‘lap’. Well, it was hardly a lap given the boy didn’t even have a stomach. Curling up on top of the Frei’s ribbon, Winston let off a deep purr that shook his whole body.
The moment that cat landed on his ribbon coil, the Raevan froze. He looked up at his guardian, horror written all over the youth’s face. Surely, surely the black and white haired man would get this vibrating beastly heat monster off of him.
“Cat. Off. Now.”
The Raevan called hoarsely, his sunbeam orbs locked on his guardian’s own heterochromic ones across the room.
“GET IT OFF ELAI!”
Luka shouted. He wanted the cat off him now, but there was no way in hell he was going to touch it either.
“Calm down, Luka. He’s not going to hurt you.”
Jezabroux replied quickly, getting up from his seat to approach the panicking newborn. Now that he thought about it, the last thing he needed was a panicking Luka throwing Winston across the room.
“Luka, just calm down. I promise that he won’t hurt you.”
It was a long shot, but worth a shot anyways. He knelt beside Luka before reaching to take one of the Raevan’s hands in his own. He slowly brought the youth’s resisting hand to the purring mass of fur.
“Just trust me. Okay?”
He looked up to give Luka a reassuring smile before bringing the boy’s fingers against the cat’s hair. When he felt Luka’s fingers rubbing against Winston’s fur on their own, he pulled his own hand back.
“See? It’s not that bad.”
The Raevan made no response.
In fact, he was in a word of his own now. Luka was enthralled by the softness on the tips of his fingers. Warm and soft, it was very pleasing. When Winston purred with pleasure under his fingers, the Raevan let out a smile before running his hand from the top of the cat’s heat down his back.
This thing. It wasn’t so bad after all. Suddenly, it made no sense that he’d been so afraid of it earlier.
”Hello Winston.”
Luka greeted, before picking up the cat with both hands and embracing him in a hug. A gesture that the cat responded to by letting out a meow as a return greeting before giving Luka’s chin a light lick. Luka’s smile grew, and he couldn’t help but look at his guardian.
”Cat.”
The Satyr said as he set Winston back down on his lap so he could scratch the feline’s stomach.
“Yes. He is a cat.”
Jezabroux could only watch with a smile as Luka continued to give Winston more tummy rubs. The five hours before had been hellish, but standing here watching this made everything worth it. It was like watching a little child playing with a cat for the first time. Now that he thought on it, this was exactly that.
Luka, the Raevan, was nothing more than a child right now experiencing things for the first time.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:04 pm
[Day 2] First Light
{August 11th, 2010} Pressing his palm against the cool glass of the balcony door, Luka opened the door as quietly as possible. It was early morning, and Elai was still asleep. He had no intention of waking up his guardian yet either. He’d kept the poor man up almost all night as he continued to ask questions about Elai’s habits and the many appliances around the house. His favorite so far was the stereo. Its ability to play such beautiful (and awful) sounds had kept the two up all night as they discovered what kind of music genres Luka seemed to prefer.
Taking a seat in the metal chair, Luka closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could taste the first hints of the rising sun in the air; the deep powerful bursts of flavor that shot through his mouth, through his entire body. It was a sensation that was both new and familiar to him. Opening his eyes, he turned the amber orbs to the direction of the rising sun. The first golden rays lighting up the sky, painting the clouds in its warm. He could feel the same warmth flooding through his own body, shooting like electricity through his chest to the tip of his fingertips. It was a pure, raw energy that powered him and welcomed him, whispering at him to take in more of its power.
Knuckles white from gripping the balcony railing so hard, Luka trembled as the heat of the first meal continued to zip through his body. There was no other sensation like this. Every touch was like a ripple of lightening through his body. The gentle caress of the morning wind in his hair had instead become a burst, no, an explosion of warmth on his face. And the cool sensation of the railing had become a deep chill that sank to his bones.
As the Frei feasted on his first meal his skin began to give off a light glow as well, his eyes beacons of light in the waking sky.
As the sun rose to its full glory in the sky, Luka exhaled slowly.
If this was what it meant to be alive, to feel, he couldn’t wait for the next morning.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:05 pm
[Day 3] Follow the Notes
{August 11th, 2010} Luka let out a yawn as he rubbed the sleep from out of his eyes. The apartment was empty from what he could gather.
He had called out Elai’s name several times, and the Satyr had been met with silence. Which was strange given that just two days ago, Elai had been bending over backwards to show the Frei that he was always available to help him. It was strange, but Luka didn’t mind.
He actually found it to be a little more relaxing now that the older male wasn’t around and about hovering like a helicopter.
Floating into the kitchen, Luka cocked his head to the side as he spotted the yellow sticky note stuck to the stainless fridge door. That was something that was not there yesterday. And, he had also seen Elai use them around the house to leave messages to himself or even pictures for Luka to explain what something was for.
Luka plucked the sticky note off the fridge and immediately smirked as he saw the all too familiar stick figures that Elai had drawn on the other sticky notes. From what he could make out, the stick figure was holding something square with other things in it. So, the man was out to carry things? Or, was he perhaps throwing things out? Shrugging, the Satyr placed the sticky note back on the fridge. Under the image, there were strange squiggles written underneath.
Grocery shopping, the words read. But, Luka wouldn’t figure that out until much later.
He let out a yawn, stretching his arms above his head.
”What to do, cat?” Luka asked aloud as he picked up Winston off the kitchen countertop. It was funny to think that even just a day ago he had been terrified of the furry animal, especially given how harmless it was. If anything, he found the cat’s tiny rumblings to be pleasant.
Carrying Winston in his arms, Luka floated back out to the living room.
There, there was another yellow note on the black stick on the table.
On the sticky was a drawing of a partial circle with a line through it inside another circle.
What was that even supposed to mean?
Looking down at the remote, Luka’s eyes light up as a light bulb went off in his head. On the remote, there was a red button with the same sigil as the sticky note. He gave the button a press and let out a loud gasp as the television came to life.
Now this, this was even more fascinating than the cat.
Taking a seat on the couch, Luka began touch the other buttons on the remote. And his eyes grew even wider as the tv began to flip through the various channels.
When Elai returned from his grocery store visit, he walked in to see his charge’s attention glued to the tv with The Blue Planet playing.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:06 pm
[Day 4] Happiness Comes in a Box
{August 13th, 2010} ”How? What? HOW??”
The Frei’s excited shouts rang through the apartment. Although Luka’s vocabulary was still limited, his tone was more than enough to convey the amount of excitement coursing through the Satyr. ”When did Elai get? How????”
Opening the Gaimazon cardboard box wider, Luka pulled the sealed boxed set of DVDs out the box. While he was still illiterate, he recognized the words written across the DVD boxed set to know what they were. They were the same shapes that were shown at the bottom right of the television when his nature documentaries were playing.
Luka traced the letterings with his finger, The Blue Planet.
”How? Luka is happy, Elai.” There was no other way he could convey what he was feeling to his guardian. He needed more words than this. Holding the box close to his chest, the Satyr couldn’t help but give the acupuncturist a big goofy smile. ”How to words? Very happy tv.” Luka knew his communication was broken at best, but he had a feeling that Elai would still understand him.
Elai chuckled. “I’m glad you like them. And, when someone gives you a gift that makes you very happy, you say ‘Thank you,’” he repeated the words one more time, before mouthing them to his charge. “You try saying it.”
”THANK! VERY HAPPY THANK!” Luka shouted back, beaming at his guardian. ”Can watch TV? Want watch thank you.”
The older male chuckled. “Yes, we can watch them on the TV. Why don’t you go sit on the couch, and I’ll get the DVD playing.”
”Very happy, Elai.” Luka repeated, handing his guardian the boxed set before taking a seat on the couch.
It wasn’t much longer before both guardian and charge were on the couch enjoying the documentary.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:08 pm
The King Meets The Pawn
Participants: Jezabroux, Luka, Ripley, and Rong Wei
Location: A locally owned bookstore known as the Inkblot in Durem
Type: {PRP}
Status: Void
--- Summary ---
Jezabroux takes Luka to the bookstore so that they can pick up some educational material. During their errand, they happen to run into the strong headed lady Rong Wei and her equally charismatic charge, Ripley.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:09 pm
Catching Butterflies
Participants: Jezabroux, Lucia, Luka, and Ty
Location: Durem Insectarium, the Butterfly Garden
Type: {PRP}
Status: Complete
--- Summary ---
Jezabroux and Luka head to the Durem Insectarium's grand opening of the Butterfly Garden. Once there, the pair happen to run into Lucia and Ty. The two Raevans hit off well and have fun flying with the butterflies. However, soon their fun is put to a stop by the insectarium's security.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:10 pm
The Delicatessen
Participants: Ekundayo, Fathle, Jezabroux, and Luka
Location: Mr. Bennett's and Sons Delicatessen
Type: {PRP}
Status: Void
--- Summary ---
Elai takes Luka out to the nearby store to expose the boy to some exotic foods, smells and textures. They happen to come across the delightful Ekundayo and her enigmatic guardian Fathle.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:11 pm
Growth is Exponential -An Observation-
{November 23rd, 2010} Sitting in his study, Jezabroux couldn't help but smile. It was astounding really.... the speed at which Luka had developed mentally over the past couple months. The boy was already learning to speak in sentences already. And now, Luka had already taken it upon himself to establish a role in the house by engaging in chores.
Tapping his chin, the acupuncturist scribbled a few words down on his notepad.
"ELAI!"
Upon hearing his name, Jezabroux set the pen back down. He would have to finish this entry later. The more Luka seemed to understand about his surroundings, the more energy and time Jezabroux seemed to spend keeping the Frei engaged and occupied. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, just something he hadn't anticipated. It was like working with a teenager who had the energy level of a toddler, both terrifying and amazing.
"I'm coming Luka."
Getting out of chair, Jezabroux turned off the lights and shut the door on his way out. He couldn't help but recall what'd he'd written down earlier.
4:43 PM - Luka shows an innate (fluent?) understanding of the Greek language.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:12 pm
Reserved Solo: Hints of a White Christmas
{December 13th, 2010} It was quiet in the Ferenan apartment.
Elai was asleep as well as the rest of the residents in Durem. But Luka was up, the Frei had found himself surprisingly restless tonight. Something about the silence in the night had kept him awake.
Pushing the blankets off, Luka made his way to the window seat and sat down. Wrapping the afghan around himself, he peered out the lightly frosted window to look down at the winding streets of Durem.
It was past midnight, but he could still see a few stragglers moving through the dark pathways. Wherever they were headed, they were all wrapped up warming in thick coats, scarves and mittens. He also spotted more than one person blowing into their hands as they rushed their way through the night.
Why were those people still out at night? And what were they doing by themselves? What could possibly be out there for them to want to walk around in this cold?
The Satyr mused to himself as he pressed a svelte finger to the glass. It was cold to the touch, but he liked it. It was a completely different kind of cold than he had experienced so far. It was a harsh, visceral cold that bit through his skin and sank through the flesh.
A smile tugged at his lips as he began to trace little shapes into the frosted pane. The first one was a stickman, like the ones Elai drew on his sticky notes. And then the sun and some flowers.
”Ah…”
The Satyr’s eyes drew away from the window to outside as he spotted white flecks falling from the sky. Face pressed against the cold glass, the Satyr stared in awe as more of the white flecks fell from the sky.
Slowly but steadily, there were more falling. And in some places, they were even beginning to form a white layer on the streets and buildings. Consuming, covering, the snow slowly enveloping Durem with a white kiss before Christmas.
Mesmerized by the flurry of snow falling from the sky, it wasn’t long before the Satyr fell asleep.
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:13 pm
Christmas Fever
Participants: Basil, Cordelia, and Luka with a guest appearance featuring Jezabroux
Location: Durem Mall
Type: {PRP}
Status: Complete
--- Summary ---
Jezabroux takes Luka to Durem Mall to get away from home and for his first trip to the mall. The two arrive for some much necessary Christmas shopping. However, in the large holiday crowd, the two are separated. While searching for his guardian, Luka happens to run into the serpentine siblings Cordelia and Basil who go out of their way to help him look for Jezabroux.
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