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 Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 3:15 pm
It was a good thing she reached and took his hand; the closer they got, the more reluctant his steps became. He suspected nothing nefarious from his friend, but there was a sort of hesitation in Arias that had not been there before. It was a sort of hesitation that had begun to slip into Newgrange's actions as well.
But this wasn't a battle. This was a trip, and he trudged along after her. "All right," he said, sounding only slightly wary. "Who are we going to meet, again?"
He was looking around, trying to take in everything that he could without being too suspicious. He had been in this part of town many times, but he had so few time that his days of exploration seemed like the very distant past.
As hesitant as he was eager, though, he followed Delilah without any resistance. This was a day off, right? Why should he be worrying?
And yet, try as he might, the faintest crease of worry marred his brow.
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Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 6:01 pm
With her hand around his, Delilah could feel the growing tension. The years had not been easy on her friend and she was worrying now that he lived with too much caution. Short an arm or not...he deserved something to smile about.
When she opened the door though, Delilah had to stop short as a pair of six year olds ran past her into the next room.
"Sue! James! No running in the halls!" An older woman called who walked after them but stopped to meet the new pair. Seeing Delilah, her eyes softened. "Ms. White. How good to see you again."
"Mary, please, Delilah. And this is my friend Arias. He's a wonderful baker. I hope you don't mind but we brought some goodies." Delilah smiled pointing to the box they had with them. "I figured we could all use a treat. I know it's been hard on everyone. And Arias..." Delilah looked back at him smiling. "Needs a reminder that even in these days, there is a reason to smile."
The elderly woman only nodded and motioned towards the side room. In it, six kids ranging in age from four to twelve sat around digging into games or cards or books.
Stepping back, Delilah whispered for Arias only to hear. "Look at them. They have nothing but themselves and yet they still smile. These children are stronger than most. Why not see if any want a cupcake?"
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Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 12:48 pm
Children? Arias didn't know what he had been bracing himself for, and almost immediately he found himself relaxing. At least...as much as he ever could. He glanced around the room, watching the children having fun...
And something in him clicked. It wasn't immediately obvious--not even to him, but something about seeing them had set the cogs in motion. "There's a lot that we know that they don't," he mused, just to her. They didn't see just how evil the world was, not in the way someone who powered up did.
...Or, at least, he seriously hoped they didn't.
But he wouldn't deny that these children were likely stronger than most, though he didn't know how deep their suffering might have been.
He softened a bit, though kept his hand wrapped around hers. He was reluctant to impose and was comfortable watching from the sidelines. "I suppose I must seem silly sometimes," he added after a moment. "If you can come here and see these kids being so strong. I'll warrant they've lost so much, themselves. And yet...they still find so much joy in everything. I suppose...Perhaps I forgot how to be happy with the little things." He seemed distant for a second and then hastily looked back at her. "Oh! Not that I'm not happy, just..."
He glanced back at the kids. "Are they why you still fight?"
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Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 9:48 pm
"You would be surprised how much they do know, Arias. As much as adults try to protect them, they might see things clear than any of us." Delilah answered his musing with her own thoughts as she cast him a soft look. Interlocking her fingers with his, Delilah gave his hand a squeeze. It was a simple gesture but she wanted to be sure he knew that out of everything, she was there. She was real.
But his question stopped her and loosened her grip. "I...." Her voice trailed off and finally, she let go of his hand. Sliding it from his, she dropped to her knees as a little girl walked towards them. 'I fight so they don't have to. So they have a chance to grow up...so we all have a chance to grow up."The child carried with her a large stuffed elephant. The creature looked well worn but she hugged it tightly.
"So that we can remember the good and create it again...." Delilah reached out and ran her hand along the girl's hair causing her to giggle. "You have taken good care of him. I thank you!"
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 1:00 pm
Arias nodded, watching still. He kept himself sort of distanced, partially because he didn't want to startle the girl, and partially because he had too much on his mind to really focus. But Delilah was right, and he smiled.
He'd been fighting, for a long time. He knew what his goals were, but seeing people…innocent people, who shouldn't have been involved in this? Who deserved better than they had?
It was invigorating, in a way. He knew why he wanted to fight. He knew he wasn't going to give up. Not when there were still people he cared about—friends, family…and kids, like these.
Who didn't deserve to live in a world overrun by chaos, where every day was more dangerous than the last.
"I like the way you think, Delilah. I'm glad you dropped by, today. Though I shouldn't stay for too much longer. I've…" He paused, patted her on the shoulder with his good hand, and concluded, "I've got a lot of cookies to bake, tonight."
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 1:41 pm
The smile that appeared on her face as Delilah looked over her shoulder and back at Arias was one of the largest she had given in some time. Standing up quickly, she turned around and reacted as instinct told her. Delilah threw her arms out and gave Arias a hug.
"That's the Arias I know." Delilah cooed before pulling back and taking the box of cupcakes. Quickly walking over to an empty table, she put them down, opened the lid and took out one of the cookies. "Everyone, please say thank you to Mr. Arais. He brought you all a surprise."
Mumbles from the pre-teens and beaming smiles from the kids were the response but all of them made a dive for the box. Delilah however, offered the cookie to the little girl with the elephant. She took it, laughing, and ran off.
"So, want some company? My schedule is clear and I would like to catch up more. Promise I won't touch the oven."
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Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:01 am
Arias blinked by returned the hug after a second of confusion. He smiled, obviously appreciating the gesture. "Only if you want to take some cookies home with you. I have a bad habit of baking too much when I've got company over," he teased, and then quickly ammended, "Of course you can come over. I would love the company, as long as you don't mind me making a mess. But that thing about taking home some cookies, that is true, so I've warned you. You can't blame me or say no, no matter how many boxes I try to give you. Deal?" He asked.
He was smiling faintly, glancing back at the children.
There wasn't enough happiness in the world. He was grateful that Delilah managed to bring more joy into the world, and he couldn't help but beam seeing the children enjoying the sweets.
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 9:28 pm
Her eyebrow was raised at the so called 'threat' of having to take boxes of cookies home. Who did he think she was? A super model? Delilah had long ago accepted the fact that she would always go between a size 6 and a size 8. Not to mention that if she had to give some away, it would be all too easy.
"Arias, you ask too much of me." She played with him before a smile broke over her face. "That is a deal I could not refuse. Though I might add to the mess." She winked before interlinking her arm with his.
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Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2014 1:39 am
Arias just smiled and gave her arm a squeeze as she linked with his. "I'm sure any mess you make is more than worth the pleasure of your company."
He leaned over and gave her a quick, platonic kiss on the cheek; it was the best way for him to express his gratitude. "Thank you, Delilah. You're too good to me."
There was a bounce in his step that hadn't been there before, and he seemed more excited to be back, baking. He had things to think about, things to do. Maybe he'd have to come up with some new recipes or something—or just go out and have fun.
Oh, the possibilities!
Sirene Naiads I think we can call this finished, if you'd like! <333 Either way, I am going to have to bug you for more RP, you are always a delight!
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