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 Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 3:36 pm
It pleased Ripley that Rivener didn't act like he was trying to judge him, at least not outwardly. There was plenty of opportunity for the Sigel to pick and giggle at Ripley's apparent failures at navigation despite how sure he'd been, but his companion was taking it all in stride. Ripley's opinion of him improved just a little bit, but still not enough to move him from the meat shield category.
"Don't think about things? I don't know if I could actually do something like that, but that doesn't mean I won't give it a try sometime."
That thin smile Ripley liked to wear replaced his pensive look as Rivener indicated that he knew where they needed to go, his strange phone-like object (cellphone, he recalled) apparently a very good asset. Until Ripley mastered whatever it was he was aiming at doing he might think in investing in one, if it would help prevent instances like the one he was in now.
Above his head another peel of thunder occurred, though this one much louder and closer than the previous rumble. Still no rain, but the air was growing humid enough. Just how long had he been outside? It hadn't even been slightly muggy when he first ventured out.
"It's reassuring to know you're still learning. When a being can no longer find something new to learn about we've reached the end of our capabilities. A shame."
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 3:43 pm
Rivener's eyes turned to sky as that latest rumble of thunder rolled. It was getting louder, closer... Riv frowned, clicking his tongue. He'd be getting cold and wet soon... Ugh. He hoped he could find Ripley's house before that happened, and hopefully wait inside while he called a cab. Being cold did not sit well with the Scorpion-souled Raevan.
A sly smirk drew Rivener's lips up as they began on their way, Ripley doling out that little bit of wisdom. He sounded like a fortune cookie. "I doubt someone would ever run out of things to learn. That would mean they know everything. And I'm pretty damned sure that's impossible. Whoever acts like they know it all is a fool." The Sigel shrugged a shoulder, agreeing with Ripley in essence. "But you never noticed yourself act like this before? With the confusion? And is it only about directions, or about pretty much everything?" Perhaps while they walked, they could try and pinpoint the exact nature of Ripley's current discomfort.
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 4:01 pm
"...Sometimes, when it rains. I have a hard time focusing when there's a thunderstorm outside, though if it's just a simple shower with the sun shining nothing happens. Perhaps my haze is from the rumble in the distance?"
It would make sense if he were troubled by lightning, wouldn't it? He was a creature of warped black lightning after all, if what Rong Wei said was true, and perhaps it was because he was somehow calling to it that he found himself unable to think of anything else? It was a complete long shot for what really could be the problem, but he was all out of ideas. Blaming his failures on something else was easier anyway.
The Frei stopped in his floating as another rumble followed the last, the sounds coming in a more rapid succession as the sky above light up amongst the dark clouds. He turned his face up and towards the sky, dark eyes watching the streaks of white light that seemed to dance. He didn't want to float ahead quickly and try to dance and skip amongst the rain that threatened to fall, but there was something that made him want to stay out here and experience the storm. Of course, he'd never been wet before though and he didn't know how his body would react to that. Would he short circuit and perhaps die? He'd read about water and electricity in books - they never went well together.
"Do you feel this way when you see the night sky? A feeling like you can't think straight except for in those moments when the sky is cut apart by something you can feel? I must admit that this is a little infuriating, I don't want to be controlled by the weather."
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 4:33 pm
Being influenced by a thunderstorm, hm? Would make sense, seeing Ripley's electrical nature. Some kind of electro-magnetic interference? And that thought suddenly brought forth an idea in Rivener, one he pushed to the back of his mind for now. He'd have to test it some other time, subtly... But perhaps it would be a good weapon against Ripley if the strange Frei ended up being Riv's enemy. Not that the Scorpion intended on letting that happen, but just in case.
"No, I've never felt confused from the weather, but my power does fluctuate depending on certain factors. It doesn't affect my mind, though." For the same reasons he wouldn't mention Ripley's possible weakness, Rivener wasn't going to reveal the exact effects he was referring to with his powers. Just to be safe. Until he learned more about Ripley and what the Egyptian was up to. "It really does seem like it's obnoxious, but there's nothing much you can do to stop it. Limit your social outings when you know a storm's coming, that's about all you can do."
The storm might be to blame for Ripley getting lost in the first place, then? Though there was no sign of it when the evening began, apart for a bit of cloud cover...
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 5:52 pm
"Another thing about you that I suppose I will end up being jealous of. At least until one day I can hopefully catch up to you. Also, I never intended to be a social butterfly anyway but it just seems that fate has other plans for me. Of course being social has lead me to meeting people like you, so I suppose it's not entirely a bad thing."
Something inside told the Frei that if they loitered any longer he might end up getting wet after all, what with how there was a slight breeze picking up that oft went hand and hand with a coming storm. He'd been out with Rong Wei enough to know these sorts of things even if he hadn't been actually on the surface of Gaia that long. Perhaps it would be in his best interests to get moving, and get moving now.
"I don't suppose you're bothered by the rain either, are you? Or does your soul not like it? I haven't been able to guess exactly what you are even though you're one I've spent the most time with, but I assume whatever makes you is strong and deadly. You control poisons from your wings, but can you do it as well from your teeth? You have fangs."
Ripely intended to make something of an a** of himself with his questions it seemed, but was he really in control? He could easily blame this all on the bad weather and how it completely changed his perspective on anything, self-control included. Or maybe this was just how his personality always was going to be around Rivener now - make the older Raevan think that he was demure enough to bow to someone stronger. Ripley bowed to no creature even if he appeared to be pandering to them. A ruse was a ruse, and hopefully Rivener could not see through this one so well. He'd set it up strong enough that it would take something fierce to call this quasi-bluff.
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 6:55 pm
Rivener doubted Ripley was truly jealous of anyone, but perhaps in this instance it might be true. The Sigel would only imagine how annoying it would be to beomce a little drunk whenever it started to feel electric in the air... He simply smiled and glanced over at his companion, replying casually: "Socializing is going to happen wether you like it or not, it seems, yeah. At least I'm a nice guy to have met!" His smile turned into a smirking grin.
The conversation about rain degenerated into a question about Rivener's Soul, and with a sigh the red eyes turned up to the sky. Like Ripley, Riv was well aware that the storm was close now... They'd be getting pelted soon. "I'm made from a Scorpion," he revealed, finding no fault with admitting that. "I don't make poison from my fangs though, just the wings. The fangs and horn are just a Raevan thing, I think. Not a scorpion thing. And the rain doesn't really BOTHER me per se, unless it happens to be really cold... Then it can be a bit uncomfortable. I can stand it for a while though."
Despite his words, the Scorpion had quickened their pace. About five or six more blocks down, a turn then two more blocks, another turn and three more blocks... Chances are the storm would hit way before they made it there. Riv sighed. This was going to be annoying.
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 8:23 pm
Rivener didn't seem to catch Ripley's words, his intent. Thankful that his head was turned away so the other couldn't see the glint in his eyes, the Egyptian Frei felt a small victory over the other who'd been picking up on all of his signs all too well. Was his act really that amazing, or was Rivener slowing down to trusting him? Either way he felt delighted but that may or may not have been the weather talking as well.
"Ah, and here I thought it might be fun to watch you bite and inject someone. I guess I'll have to settle for your wings, which are still stunning to look at. The last time I'd seen them you had them in bandages. I was unaware that we Raevans could actually use them for something, or is that unique to you? I can't even move mine at all."
Ripley tried to wiggle his wings as the pair walked along though like the time with Vyn, nothing happened. He didn't except anything to so he stopped looking over his shoulder lest he actually float into something, his gaze turning forward. Things were starting to look a bit more familiar now as they turned at a corner and continued forward, but when a loud crash of thunder erupted over his head and the strange sound of rain trickling at a slow pace to the pavement filled the silence of the night. A few drops of rain hit the Raevan's skin with a sickening plunk, and a look of abject horror crossed over Ripley's face.
"I...I can't be wet!"
The panic in his voice was clear as thin lines of black lightning started to form and surge around his body, Ripley stopping in his walk as he stared at himself. He turned to look at Rivener, eyes wide.
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 8:32 pm
Rivener glanced over at the other Raevan as he mentioned wanting to watch Riv bite someone. One dark eyebrow raised over a curious red eye; Ripley wanted to watch Rivener poison people? Alright, that was definitely not a normal thing to say. No other Raevan Riv knew were so keen on watching humans get hurt. The Sigel didn't really mind, of course, it was just another reason to put Ripley in his own category.
"Depends on the Raevan, each of us is different. Xiu, a friend of mine, has wings much like yours: can't be moved all that much. His are more stone-like, whereas yours are more like jewels or something. And as far as I know, no other Raevan uses wings to attack." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Weird, now that you mention it. Why my wings? ....Oh well. Some Raevans can use them to fly, some can't. Some Raevans can move 'em, some can't. It's all just little things that makes us unique, I guess!"
Another lightning strike nearby and suddenly the skies began opening up. Rivener swore, lips tight in displeasure. The rain wasn't cold enough that it would cripple him, but too long out here would be bad.
But, clearly, it would be worse for Ripley. The sound of sheer panic was enough to draw Riv's concerned gaze, and his eyes widened to discs as he spotted the dark lightning. "Holy s**t!" Riv exclaimed, quickly glancing around. A dry place, a dry place... Ah! "Follow me!" He wouldn't be chancing a touch to that lightning-laced skin, so Riv just sped off, trusting the other to follow.
Riv ducked into the bus waiting station, a small three-seat glass house. It was small and paltry, but there were walls and a roof. "Holy hell, Ripley. We're going to have to wait here for the rain to stop, I guess." Tsk, Riv was never going home at this rate.
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Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 5:50 pm
Ripely didn't have to be told twice to get out of the rain once his body started to spark and the lines of lightning rolled over his half-torso like someone winding string about him. When he managed to get into the booth shortly after Rivener he wedged himself in a corner as far as possible away from the other Raevan, yet still enough that there wasn't even a remote chance he'd be getting wet while in this cramped space. All around him the sound of the sudden storm raged on and mixed with the choir of two creatures breathing in a confined area, leaving the crackle and pop of the lightning to round out the music. Ripley glanced down at his hands and was surprised to see the little swirls of electricity started at his fingertips and ran from hand to hand, his entirely body covered right down to the tip of his ribbon and the points of his wings. The electricity over his wings created a stranger sound than the buzzing of that over his flesh and almost on instinct the Frei pulled his hands closer to himself as if to warm them or keep any chance of a stray bolt from jumping over onto Rivener. The very last thing the Egyptian wanted was to shock someone...right now at least.
His evening was not turning out at all like he'd planned seeing as he was now trapped in a bus booth with another Raevan instead of floating around the house milling over some old books. Ripley inwardly cursed himself for going out without some form of supervision, not that he honestly needed it, and his unhappiness at the situation was very apparently on his face. It mixed well and looked funny when combined with the swirling volts of black lightning and his overall drunk feeling, prompting the Frei to believe that rainstorms were the devil incarnate and he would indeed need to remain indoors whenever the slightest sign that something was about to happen reared its head. He could consider this all a strong lesson learned, albeit one learned the very hard way.
"This certainly wasn't how I'd planned to spend the evening, though I'm at least grateful for the company. I'm quite sure this would be a lot worse if I'd managed to somehow stay lost without running into you and everything else that has happened along the way."
Talk was small when Ripely decided to talk at all since he didn't have much else to say with the rain coming down around him. It infuriated him that until he dried from the heat of their combined bodies that he would stay sparking, that he would remain in a haze until the cloud passed over and the night sky was once again cleared. What bothered him most though was how Rivener now knew two things about him that Ripley may have wanted to keep secret from anyone and everyone. Such physical weaknesses were downright crippling and, if the Sigel took advantage of them, downright fatal. He'd been right in his assumptions that he needed to make this Sigel want to be with him in the future, however that was going to play itself out.
"At least I now know as well not to ever try and get myself wet. It will likely end in something pleasurable for me and anyone around me."
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:59 pm
Rivener was damned thankful the Frei had enough presence of mind to keep himself far away, laced with lightning as he was. Riv smushed himself into the opposite corner, closer to the door, and watched. Ripley looked near panic, and nowhere close to the calm, collected air he usually wore. What a horrible day this has been for the Egyptian, hadn't it.
Rivener would have been alright with silence, thinking that's what Ripley would prefer right about now, but the Frei surprised him by quietly attempting conversation. Riv's eyebrow raised lightly and he smirked. "Yeah, today really wasn't your day, Ripley. I'm glad I ran into you too, I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to a friend. It's almost over, anyway: we just have to wait out this storm, and your home is only like a ten or twenty minute walk from here."
At least this was another thing to note about Ripley, just in case. Splash him with water, or lob magnets at him, and he might be weakened enough to be taken out. Not that Rivener expected to need to do that, of course.
"I'm with you about the being-wet thing though. Not so much that it would harm others like your problem might, but I agree with the idea of trying to stay dry." He grinned over, trying to cheer the other a little by sympathizing. "Would it help if I make some wind, you think?" He stretched a wing slightly towards the Egyptian and gave a short few beats, sending Ripley's beads swaying with a very faint breeze. "Maybe it'll dry you faster?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:05 am
For once Ripley didn't really have much to say in response to Rivener's questioning of him or his actions, for he found that when he opened his mouth to speak he could feel the pulse of lightning running through his jaws. He'd discovered that little fact with the brief words he'd shared before growing silent, the tingle in his mouth not quite unpleasant but certainly not something he wanted to show off. His whole body trembled against the cool air that was washing over him with the flapping of the Sigel's wings, some of the rain blowing off his skin and onto the ground. The streaks of lightning that still danced over his flesh helped to dry some of it as well with intense heat, but overall the Egyptian Frei was still very much wet and still quite unhappy.
That was no excuse to be rude though, he would have to speak eventually, and Ripley turned his gaze back over to face Rivener (he'd looked away when he noticed his mouth sparked) and proceeded to give a smile; a strained smile, but still a smile. What looked like a sliver of black lightning pressed itself between his lips, mocking a lizard tongue, and it crackled before it darted over his cheek and backs towards his wings like a child scorned and running from punishment. If it weren't for the fact all of this had been caused because he was wet and was a product of his free will one could say Ripley looked downright. . . .scary? No, perhaps scary was not the correct word to use in this situation, but it certainly was close to what would be proper. Outwardly he was daunting, inwardly Ripley was confused and exhausted.
Who knew how much time had passed before Ripley felt himself dry enough to speak again, the sky above the bus stop booth actually clearing a bit of its clouds and allowing what appeared to be a very starry night shine through. The little streaks and sparks that decorated Ripley like a tree were few and far between now, his braids the only thing left on his head that were even remotely damp from the sudden downpour. The booth itself had become rather humid and hot from two bodies being crammed in for so long, and the Frei was ready to get out. Now.
"The rain. It looks like it's letting up."
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:33 am
Rivener kept beating his wings to create that light breeze, since Ripley hadn't asked him to stop or given him a "you're an idiot" look. The wind must be doing something to help; the flashes of static that danced across Ripley's body lessened on the side closest to the breeze. The Frei had given Riv a smile a few moments ago, though it was stressed to say the least, and laced with electricity. Poor Ripley must be looking damned forward to getting home, Riv thought with a surge of sympathy.
Eventually, the rain outside seemed to move on. Riv turned his eyes up to the few stars he could see in the sky, glaring accusingly at them for not warning him of this... But in the middle of the city, there wasn't much actual starlight. The building lights and general glow of a city this large blocked out most of the stuff, so Rivener couldn't hear the Starspeak here. But still, they could have said something!
Ripley's words clearly spoke his impatience, not in the words themselves but in the tense fashion they were uttered. Riv smirked and nodded, floating out of the booth and stretching up to work his muscles loose again. The one wing he'd been beating the whole time felt sore and tired, so the Scorpion streeeeetched both wings out at the same time, pulling the leather taut. "Ah, it feels good to be out of there. We should keep going, just in case there's more rain coming. Wouldn't want that!" Leading the way, Riv turned and resumed their trek, hoping to all the heavens that they wouldn't get roadblocked again.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:58 pm
Ripley couldn't be out of that small booth fast enough, his manners holding on just long enough for him to be polite and not shove the Sigel to the floor in an effort to get free. He felt claustrophobic, not to mention he was hot and sticky from being crammed in such a small space. As soon as his arms reached out and touched the sweet air of freedom he took a long gasp and exhaled it loudly, a weight almost visibly lifting off his shoulders. The stormy weather was affecting his moods still, even though the taint was only slight, and he hoped he could play off that for the rest of the trip back to his house. Rivener would surely be none the wiser after witnessing all that had occurred this evening, and Ripley hoped to profit from that.
Of course he'd shared some weaknesses, things he would need to explore further on his own to see if they truly were a weakness and nothing else in disguise, so a little bit of Rivener's guard must have been lowered in response. The Sigel could not always call a bluff, right? Ripley was certain that there was no such thing as a Raevan who could detect lies from a mile away, and if there was such a being he'd better get practicing now for that meeting so he could get by without much trouble. That thought actually amused him enough that he had to stifle a chuckle, though if the other Raevan heard the Frei could pass it off as a chuckle of happiness at being free of the weather.
When the Sigel started to move towards Ripley's house the Sphinx was pleased to see that things were becoming more and more familiar as the wind carried the clouds and the storm away from him and his companion, but he kept such things to himself as he allowed his Knight to lead the way. A king need not trouble himself with such things like directions, he mused, when there was a walking and talking meat shield to get him where he needed to go. Now if only there was a way for him to be carried in the process? He'd be all set.
"Ah, this is it."
Ripley suddenly stopped in his floating in front of a darkened building, all the lights inside off and the whole house silent with the night and sleep. Rong Wei had not waited up for him, hardly surprising, and Ripley looked over at the Scorpion with what could be interpreted as a heartfelt and honest smile of thanks for what had transpired that evening. While the Frei still wasn't sure how he felt about the Sigel, in terms of use and nothing more, he could at least show that he was glad Rivener had been there to help him out and not ridicule him during a small moment of personal crisis. Such things were becoming of a Knight, though the King wouldn't mention that. Yet.
"Is there any way I can thank you for getting me back this far? A reward, perhaps? It is sort of my fault that you ended up getting hit in the head by those human scarabs."
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:11 pm
They came to a stop in front of a house with dark windows. Rong Wei, that horrid harpy. Rivener scowled at the windows and made a mental note of the address. Should he ever need to, he'd be back here to help Ripley beat her around some. That would be highly satisfying. Nothing much irritated Rivener more than bad guardians. They'd caused the rehoming or, worse, death of Raevans before... But somehow it seemed Ripley would probably be alright even without a guardian. If only he were a little older and knew more about himself.
The Egyptian turned to offer Rivener his thanks, and the Sigel scoffed with amusement at the term "Scarabs". Fitting. "Pah, I didn't get hit in the head, they just nicked my horn is all. No need for a reward. I'd have helped any Raevan in your situation." ...Well, perhaps not, but Riv figured he didn't need to get into the finer points of his friendships at the moment. "Just go inside, and let's say your reward to me will be: slapping Rong Wei upside the head once. Cool?" He snickered, clearly joking, but he hoped the Frei would take it seriously.
With a final wave, Rivener began the trip back home. "Good night, then, Ripley." He would have added advice about watching out for the weather from now on, but he knew the other was already well-aware of the need for that. Ripley wasn't stupid. Shoving hands in his pockets, Rivener rounded the corner and headed home.
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