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 Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 9:36 pm
His voice, so calming and warm, was deeply appreciated. She offered a small hum, though with her face away from the pillow it was a bit easier to hear the sullen tone to Ethiriel’s voice. Kindness. Yes, Henry was kind and he was doing his best to keep her comforted in this position, but it was still so hard to work past. Her mind rushed even though it somehow seemed to be frozen at the same time.
His explanation did pull at her lips, a foreign smile she had somehow forgotten amidst the hustle and bustle of moving. She hadn’t thought of it, at least not that way, and it was definitely interesting.
”Oh,” said Ethiriel, momentarily perking up at the invitation. A small flush ran through her face, excitement starting to lift through the veil. ”Of course… I would love to have a night out with you, Sir Rhedefre. I thank you for the invitation.”
Even his laugh was comforting, however muted.
”I have been wondering about your wellbeing in our absence. I am glad to hear that you are fine and I look forward to meeting again.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 9:42 pm
It had not been meant as chiding, but Cesc couldn't help but feel ashamed as Ethiriel spoke. It had been far too long between this connection and their last, and truly, much had happened in between for both. He could not quite put a finger on why it took him so long to simply pick up a phone and call the frei.
"I do apologize for my absence," said Rhedefre quietly. "I fear I may not have been very good company for a while there. But let me make it up to you now. The opera is next Thursday, seven o'clock. Where can I meet you?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 2:39 pm
No. No… he shouldn’t apologize for any reason. He had done nothing wrong, Ethiriel was sure of it. In fact, she herself hadn’t made any attempts at contacting him so she was just as guilty for whatever reason that kept them apart. No, he didn’t need to apologize, but Ethiriel couldn’t find her words for the moment. She did, however, agree after gaining composure. She would love his company, especially as of late.
--
After plans were made, the days that passed seemed both like they had lasted a thousand years and moved by in a second. With Henry and Candice’s help, Ethiriel was dolled up for her date. Wearing a lovely, creamy-tan sundress, a sheer, white blouse was beneath so that she did not feel bare. To accent her silvery branches she was adorned with thin, matching chains with an emerald pendant bringing out the slight tint in her eyes. She had no need for makeup as her lips were naturally pink and her cheeks rosy.
Henry had stayed by Ethiriel’s side as they waited for Cesc to arrive as the man was eager to meet Ethiriel’s friend. He wasn’t quite as fancy as his companion, merely wearing jeans and a shirt, but he was only to be there for just a moment.
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 4:59 pm
It was not a long wait before Cesc arrived. The stag was looking down as he first approached, floating in their general direction while checking an envelope in his hand for their tickets. He was well-dressed for the evening in a black suit jacket and a crisp white shirt, a black silk tie with tiny silver dots in a diamond pattern lending it texture. He wore a silver pocket square and borrowed a true silver tie pin from Shepard, something for Ethiriel to see. His hair was combed in waves back off of his forehead. He looked well-put together and formal, his shoulders straight and his face shaved and clear.
Looking up, he caught sight of Ethiriel and Henry almost immediately. His face broke out into a smile of greeting, one that was tempered instead of wholly inviting by the strangeness and newness of their situation. He was unsure what he was going to find in Ethiriel, and although Henry's presence seemed to prove the man was taking his guardian responsibilities to heart, it did not wholly quell the anxiousness in Cesc's chest. She had not sounded well on the phone.
"Hello, salut," he greeted warmly as he approached, alerting Ethiriel to his arrival. He turned his smile to Henry, and put out his hand to the man as he narrowed the distance between them. "How do you do? I am Cesc."
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 5:15 pm
While his faint scent mixed amongst the crowd had already alerted Ethiriel to her friend’s arrival, hearing his voice without the extra tin added through the phone’s speakers was enough to tempt a smile. He took little pause before turning his attention to Henry, but with her eyes happily locked on to Cesc’s decorations, the Frei reached her arm out delicately for him to take in his own.
”It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cesc! I’m Henry; it’s a real pleasure to meet you!” The man’s voice was so jovial – while she could not share the same feelings it was at least a pick-me-up, even if just a small one. ”Thank you so much for this, I’m sure you guys’ll have a great time!”
Ethiriel’s head bowed in response. She didn’t hate the man – far from it. She appreciated his willingness to help and his attempts at making her comfortable; he really was looking out for her. She still couldn’t shake the feeling of dependency that she wished she didn’t need.
Her eyes remained on each bit of silver Cesc carried.
”I have missed you, Sir Rhedefre… Tonight will be wonderful.”
Once she was taken away, Henry unceremoniously dipped his hands into his pockets and smiled. ”You’ve got my number if you guys need anything, and I hope you have a blast! I hope you enjoy the music, Ethiriel!”
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 5:27 pm
Henry was a happy man, and that much was obvious just from the timbre of his voice. It broadened Cesc's smile to hear. He seemed a good man, eager to please and eager to see his charge pleased, which spoke well of him. Rhedefre only hoped he would be a better guardian to Ethiriel than her last one -- although again, and again, he told himself not to judge without full knowledge of the situation. Part of him was simply angry on Ethiriel's behalf. She deserved to be well taken care of, to have someone's full love and attention, to be committed to.
He took her hand and wrapped it on his forearm, escorting her.
"Thank you, Henry, have a good night," he called, lifting one hand in a wave. As the man left, he turned back to Ethiriel, guiding her toward the opera hall's doors. The building was old and ornate in the best ways, its balconies carved in stone and the carpet within a plush crimson velvet. Ushers stood outside taking tickets, and the crowd around them was dressed to the nines, heels of hard-soled dress shoes and high-heels clicking on the sidewalk. Cesc floated with Ethiriel more slowly than the rest, taking her in. Her natural beauty masked any true exhaustion or feelings of upset that he could see. She was striking in the gentle whites, and he put his opposite hand over hers on his arm.
"It's lovely to see you again, Ethiriel. You look very beautiful," he told her, leaning his head closer to hers. "It's been too long."
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 5:35 pm
Only able to take in the scents and sounds, Ethiriel was partially content just so feel his hand wrap so carefully around her own. She had nearly forgotten how he allowed her touch over others, the only other to show a fondness for it being Cruz, and she had nearly forgotten the warmth of his essence.
To be honest, however, part of her did wish to see his world. Not by description but actual sight.
Her smile became more natural, more honest, as she felt him duck in and offer compliments. She couldn’t judge that, but he had called her so once before. He was her word for it. ”Thank you… I am sure you are just as fetching.” Her voice carried just a little more emotion as she couldn’t help but grin, her minty eyes fluttering as she lifted her head. Even if it wasn’t for long, she allowed her forehead to meet his in that moment of closeness.
”Have you been well? You have been in my thoughts as of late,” she asked, lifting her free hand to mirror his. ”Things have been so busy, it is nice to find a moment of calm.”
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 12:45 pm
They garnered some looks, the pair of them, as they entered the building. But their combined essences of calm forbade any true discomfort from those that noticed them -- most simply looked for a beat too long before they looked away. Cesc did his best to catch the gazes that locked on them and smile politely.
"I have been well, thank you," said Cesc. "Better for having seen you. I know you have... had many things change recently. I'm anxious to know your feelings."
There was the quiet background hum of conversation as they crossed the threshold, with Rhedefre pausing to show their tickets at the door. It was pleasantly warm within, and the scent of champagne lingered in the air. Soft laughter punctuated conversations.
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Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 7:53 pm
Ethiriel tried her hardest to keep her smile, as timid and weak as it was. She couldn’t let her depression overwhelm the situation, especially as Cesc was showing his gratitude for her help not long ago. This was to be a good time, spent together in liveliness and mirth – his concern drudged up the feelings the tea Frei tried to swallow, but as much as she tried it was just a little too much to go down.
”I am quite pleased to hear that you have been well; and you flatter me so, Rhedefre.” she said, doing her best to keep her tone calm and collected. ”I am fine… please, do not concern yourself over these matters… Not while we are here to have a good time.”
The warmth enveloped Ethiriel like a blanket and she let out a quick shiver, enjoying the temperature as it hit her chilled branches. The constant murmurs of those around them, while not about them, put her in a short state of awe. How many others were there with them, surrounding them? People she would never know, people that neither of them would ever see again? It was an interesting sound, one she had never had the chance to hear prior.
Ethiriel’s grip tightened around Cesc’s arm. ”So many people,” she said, somewhat breathless.
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:28 pm
Cesc smiled and slid his hand over Eth's as her fingers squeezed his arm. He opened his mouth to rejoin, but the two were not an inconspicuous pair, and just then an usher approached them.
"Good evening," the man said, his voice low and faintly accented. "Do you need assistance to your seats?"
"Just a point in the right direction," Cesc replied. His hand left Eth's for just long enough to pull the tickets from his jacket pocket and to offer them to the usher. The man looked at them briefly and then handed them back.
"You're just up the stairs and in the box immediately to your left," he said, gesturing toward the red-carpeted stairway just off the pathway. "And may I say that mademoiselle looks very beautiful tonight."
"Thank you," said Cesc with a smile. He placed his hand back over Ethiriel's. "And I heartily agree."
He tilted his head just forward enough to touch his temple briefly, fondly, against Ethiriel's crown. Gently, he lead her toward the staircase and up to their seats, which were angled toward the stage.
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:58 pm
Ethiriel’s eyes flashed as the man spoke, surprised by his proximity and tone; not to mention he had actively directed himself at the two. It was unexpected and somehow loud, precise, compared to the voices that surrounded them. Then again, he knew what he was doing.
His compliment did not fall on deaf ears, but rather than take it with grace the tea Frei somehow found herself flustered and a blush crept across her tanned cheeks. She did not feel it true but she finally bowed and offered a quiet, ”thank you,” and attempted a smile. Cesc’s agreement made her rune thrum in embarrassment, and she gave him another gentle squeeze in silent thanks. She had not expected her depression to make her so timid, so graceless, and it almost embarrassed her further.
The feeling of Cesc’s forehead gently touching her crown was surprising but oddly welcomed. Her smile became a bit more natural, less forced, as Ethiriel closed her eyes at the sensation. It was a small gesture but the fondness was felt and very much appreciated.
She had become silent in their short journey, linked so carefully in Rhedefre’s arm and grateful for every moment that she had with such a kind and caring companion. Henry was beyond friendly and welcoming, but there was something more intimate, a stronger bond, when around one of her own. Ethiriel couldn’t think of anything she would want to even consider doing more than what she was doing now. Cesc had been so kind to plan an event with her, of all Raevens, and it warmed her soul that he would even wish to spend time with her.
The tea Frei couldn’t be more humbled.
”Thank you…. Again, Rhedefre.”
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:06 pm
As the pair took their balcony seats -- so selected such that their wings and his antlers would bother no one -- Cesc took a moment to look over at the stage and the other opera-goers. The velvet curtain was down, but the art deco filigree and decorations on the opera house pillars was astoundingly beautiful. Cesc was trying to think of a way to describe them in his head when Ethiriel's voice recalled him to the present.
"It's my pleasure. I'm so happy you came with me tonight." he replied, moving his hand over the armrest to hold onto the tea Raevan's hand. "I hope you enjoy the music. The stage isn't yet lit, but we're angled so that I can just spy the orchestra... They're all dressed in black tuxes and dresses in there. Everyone's filed into their seats."
A hush descended on the crowd. Cesc lowered his voice to explain: "The orchestra conductor just stood and the lights dimmed."
His explanation was soon bolstered by the sound of the orchestra's harmonization, each musician letting their instrument speak for them. Then there was a few taps of the conductor's wand, and the music began.
A single soprano, dressed in period clothing, stepped onto the stage. Her voice trilled like a bird's as she began to sing in Italian, the notes clear and strong as they reached the balcony.
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:19 pm
Ethiriel almost felt the warm sting of tears at his kindness. He was so honest, so sincere, and she couldn’t fathom Cesc’s affections. However, he was quick to try and describe all that he saw to her and she was honestly relieved.
Colors meant little to her, but Ethiriel hung to every word Cesc uttered. When the hum of the crowd lowered, she found herself mindlessly glancing around in the darkness, but the stag brought her back with more explanations. She was excited and nervous, but her companion’s calming aura kept her in place as the air somehow felt so, so thick.
The first note of the orchestra, playing together, caused the tea Frei’s breath to hitch. She gasped quietly, eyes widening as she stared forward to what she assumed was the stage, or at least its general direction. Even if it was just to warm up, the sound played in her ears so wonderfully and she already was enamored.
The first sung note, though…
Ethiriel’s grip on Cesc’s hand, which she had been mindlessly, gently stroking in affection, tightened; her free hand found its way to his upper arm and locked carefully around. She had heard music played quietly over radios and idle hummings of those around her, but she had never heard something so practiced, so talented and so lovely in all of her short life. Her hair stood as she could only stare in awe. The grip she held on Rhedefre slowly softened and her expression calmed, but her admiration grew with each note.
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Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 1:59 pm
Although the opera started, Cesc could not keep his eyes on the stage. As Ethiriel gasped, he flicked his gaze toward her, and in another second was glad that he did. Her expression, so awed and entranced, was gently illuminated by the stage lighting, and the strong impression the music left upon her was easily seen. Cesc smiled to see it, the way the enchantment lit her features.
He kept close to her, still linked at his arm, and turned back toward the opera. Thus comfortably situated, he relaxed, and allowed himself to be transported by the music as well.
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