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 Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 6:48 pm
She had no idea about the guilt he clung to, justified or not. He kept it from her like one would hold on to a hushed secret, only for himself to hear. Had she known she would have tried to soothe those worries away, to make a clean plate and give him a new slate all just for him. She wouldn’t allow his self-hate if she knew it was there.
That natural curve of a smile remained on those lips.
”I had not even known that I was making a difference, Rhedefre… I am sure any energy I expel will not be missed,” Ethiriel assured, both hands resting at Cesc’s collars as she turned her head to the side, her right cheek pressed against his forehead. Her fingertips idly ran across the fabric of his shirt, just beneath his jacket. His warmth was welcomed and while he felt he couldn’t control it, his comforting aura had already met her. She was content in this moment, enjoying their exchange without a single regret. ”I believe you deserve every kindness, no matter what has come to pass.”
Again, she had no idea that he was tearing himself up inside.
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 8:39 pm
Softly, warmly, Cesc squeezed Ethiriel's shoulders, his thumbs over the curve of arms, embracing her in as easy a way as possible. His mind still screamed that he was taking liberties, that he had no business being so close to her, that he was causing some offense. But all the feedback from the other frei was positive and easy, sweet and kind and terribly giving.
If she really felt as she seemed to, then to put distance between them would have been unkind, he thought.
"Thank you," Cesc said, quiet and humble. "Thank you, truly."
He pulled just slightly away, his hands still on her shoulders.
"Can we... talk about something else?" he said at last. "You have helped me so much. Let me do something for you, anything."
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 8:49 pm
Cesc’s hands were large and warm against Ethiriel’s seemingly frail form and it felt as if the comfort that had become trapped within him had begun seeping out. Of course, it might have been backed up, out of his reach, but she could still feel the meaning behind his touch. Even if he felt as if he were taking advantage, the tea Frei felt nothing of the sort and she relished his aura.
Rather than answering his thanks, another smile spread across Ethiriel’s lips and she bowed her head slightly. She was careful not to press too hard or bump into her newfound friend.
”If that is what you wish, it is a simple enough request,” she said, opening her eyes to soak in what she could. Ethiriel had little idea of how vibrant Cesc was, but she enjoyed what she could of his appearance. Even if they were somewhat muted and dull, the cold of his eyes was enough to please the Frei as she stared into them. There was no romantic intent behind this gesture, but in some ways she was drawn to Cesc – she definitely enjoyed his company thus far, even if their previous topic wasn’t quite as pleasant as it could have been, and he was courteous and polite to boot. Yes, she enjoyed him and his company.
”However,” she said, pulling back slightly with some hesitance. ”I’m afraid I have little to offer in topics.” A small, held-back chuckle escaped like a hum. ”I apologize. My settings have not been so daring as yours. Is there anything you would like me to say?”
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Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:26 pm
"Don't be ridiculous, you needn't say anything you don't like," said the stag, the ghost of humor just touching the edge of his words. Without the constant feedback of pain and hurt and blame, he felt like he could see the outline of himself -- the broken self he'd left in the jungle -- blurry and indistinct, but present all the same.
It was a relief, just the thought that 'okay' might be a possibility. That a life without pain was, while not immediately reachable, possible.
"I imagine you have to come often to events like these..." said Cesc lowly. He wanted to talk, talk the way he used to with new acquaintances, talk about something other than the pain that was his constant focus these days. To put the focus on someone else other than his damned self. "So much glamour to be photographed, I suppose. Do you enjoy them?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:41 pm
A small hum of a chuckle escaped Ethiriel’s lips, the hint of humor in the stag’s voice heard. Even if he was broken, one could be fixed – slowly but surely. She couldn’t begin to know his pain, but Cesc was already so much more relaxed than the two of them were introduced mere minutes prior. His body and mind could be mended with time.
The upward curve gracing the tea frei’s lips faltered but did not disappear, her minty eyes still locked eagerly on her companion’s form. Another hum, this one a far cry from a laugh, sounded from within. Her cool voice kept displeasure or discomfort hidden; many were asking her this similar topic… it wasn’t an irritation, but she couldn’t help but feel at a loss over an answer. ”Leonard enjoys his work; I could only imagine the wondrous sights everyone here is graced with beholding. I am sure everything is absolutely lovely.”
There was no malice in her tone, but a slight hint of curiosity and wonder. Ethiriel couldn’t begrudge Cesc or anyone, not when her lack of sight wasn’t the norm. Everyone enjoyed the world around them, except for her.
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Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 6:01 pm
Cesc's eyebrows went up, and his ears flicked gently. That was right, of course -- she couldn't see. Probably had been born that way, he realized, although Cesc had no idea that his own kind could be so incumbered.
He paused, looking over at the open door that led back out into the wine-colored room, full of lush and expensive furnishings and designs. He could just see the cake that Vivi crafted, and the beautiful centerpieces...
"It is..." said Rhedefre, his voice soft. He hesitated, unsure of himself, and then continued. "Would you like me to, ah... tell you how it looks?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 12:52 pm
Cesc’s slight hiccup in pacing caused Ethiriel to lift her chin – she attempted to meet his eyes once more, those beautiful golden orbs, but from this distance she could only see the blurry outline of his head. She allowed her expression to soften, her lips tugging upward while her head tilted down in a bow.
”I would very much love to see what you do, Rhedefre. The sentiment is appreciated,” she confirmed. Part of her wanted to reach back up and soak in his eyes once more, but instead her hands slowly and carefully drifted from his shoulders and down to his hands. Ethiriel took them graciously, her soft fingers running over his palms before she took them in her own. ”Allow me to understand this beauty. I wish to know what lies around me.”
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:19 pm
Cesc made his way to the door with Eth's hand still twined in his. He moved slowly, like his joints were stiff. Moving from their previous closeness, he noted with some alarm, brought back some of the swimming pain that still sloshed about in his head.
But there was no call for him to focus on the pain which had made itself a constant the past two weeks. He was tired of focusing on it, and more tired calling her attention to it. No. Her focus needed to be on something else.
"I'm not sure how to explain," said Cesc. He looked around the beautiful entrance hall, at the ceilings and the floor, at the decorations and the cake. "I do not know how much you have ever seen, or can. At the far edge of the room is a cake my guardian Vivi crafted. It is white -- a frosted white, cold and stark like snow -- but she's tamed the color into rosettes around the cake, petals of buttercream that fold over each other like --" He looked down at their hands, together. "Like our fingers, now. The whole cake, five tiers, is made this way, roses crowded against each other, over and over, layered together. It sits as a crown on a table that's covered in a silk the warmest and deepest red, a color like ... like laying deep in a warm bath. It tames the white of the cake and they bring each other both forward. There's silver decorations around it, the color and natural shape of the decorations not unlike your own wings."
He continued, slow and methodical, from the table's decorations to those of the staircase, to the bustling of the guests to Leo's own movements. He did not seem to tire, speaking quietly, by Eth's side, trying with difficulty to explain each scene as he saw it.
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Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:20 pm
Each descriptive captured Ethiriel more than the last, enjoying each and every word as if they were delicacies for the ears. She couldn’t compare his phrases to the meanings behind them, having never seen any of it for her own, but the way Cesc tried to explain each and every little thing had her captured like no other. It might have been the light accent on his heavy tongue, perhaps it was his voice alone, but the tea frei enjoyed their seemingly simple activity – even if she couldn’t sympathize.
Her fingers tangled in his just a bit tighter when Rhedefre’s focus shifted, especially as he pointed their attention at Leo. Ethiriel had appreciated all of it prior, but as the stag described the way her guardian worked, it somehow had her more moved than the fantastical cakes and decorations. She never knew Leo like those who saw could; his attention to detail, his ways of getting very into his work, and the way Cesc described it was touching while it would have meant little to anyone else.
While Cesc never tired of speaking, Ethiriel never tired of hearing his voice. She could have listened to him all night, or at least continued to. His voice was a comfort, a treat and the frei appreciated it just as much as she did the sentiment behind it.
Once again, Ethiriel’s fingers tightened around her companion’s as the smile on her lips softened. It was rare to receive this kind of treatment, regardless of intent, and she greatly enjoyed every moment of it. Part of her was more than glad that he continued to speak, describing every little thing his eyes laid on, as she couldn’t put her own appreciation into words. It left her the opportunity to focus on things around her rather than herself – something she never realized she wanted. Rhedefre was giving her that.
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