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 Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:37 pm
Taking a breath he ducked under the water for a moment, letting his entire body submerge. The wings broke surface first, creating a glittering cascade as water was shaken off. Soon enough he was out of the water, wrapped in his now reasonably clean, dry wings with dripping hair plastered to his face.
"That would be greatly appretiated. Thank you." He was chilled, but felt much better for the rinse. No more salt in his feathers and the blood was all washed away.
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:06 pm
Stepping back as Lonan shook off the moon bright water, Elle smiled...taken with the image of him. Offering him a hand as he climbed out of the flow, she gave over the staff as well.
"I've had enough cold for one evening...let's head back before we freeze. Is it too late for you to eat, or would you join me for a snack?"
Stomach rumbling even as she asked, Elle ran one hand fondly across his cold feathers. She didn't know how much energy it took out of him, perhaps he could use something home made.
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:27 pm
"Definately enough cold. And... I don't know. I probably should." He moved to wrap a body-warmed section of feathers around her to block the chill. The sooner they were inside and warm the better.
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:44 pm
Slipping her rumpled dress over her head, Elle frowned at the fabric. It wasn't the most comfortable, but then, she didn't have to wear it long. As the reached the top of the trail, the side of the Villa looming from the darkness beside them, Elle took his hand in hers.
"Aki is asleep, as are the younglings. We should be able to wait till morning for introductions. We'll have to head down some stairs, but I've already cleared the center of my room. You should be comfortable."
The Villa was quiet as she nudged the door open, turning to guide Lonan down the wide stone halls. The stairs down to her room were narrow, but not confining...and a sturdy railing of polished wood offered plenty of support.
The smell of apples and musty roses drifted up from the cellar as they edged down the steps, dull light from the old lamp greeting them. It was plenty warm...the windows frosted with steam. "We're here! You can sit here, on my bed, while I find you a robe."
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:56 pm
The rest of the walk back was a bit more sluggish than he'd ever want to admit. Damnable timing.
"I think..." a rather large yawn interupted his sentence. "My apologies, I think that's best. I'd hate to fall asleep while their trying to introduce themselves."
A faint scent of stone, cooking fires and the unmistakable scent of lively young filtered into his senses. It was much like the Hollow in that sense.
Careful steps never faltered. His staff reached out, tapping at the floor to find where the limits were, what obstacles were there. "Alright. Thank you." He left his wings tucked around himself in the mean while.
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:03 pm
Making sure he was comfortable, Elle rummaged through her clothing trunk...finding a shorter white dress for herself and a pair of soft pants for Lonan. She had no idea if they would fit him...she never cared for pants, herself.
"I don't know if I have a shirt that will work with your wings...but will this do?" Offering him the brown earthspun pants, Elle settled on the bed beside him.
"I'll head back up to the kitchen and bring down some food. You're welcome to rest or explore...but be careful sniffing anything you find in bottles."
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:10 pm
His hands found her's, following them to the fabric. They felt right. Using his hand a measure he quickly figured out the dimensions. They'd actually be a bit loose on him. Good thing there was a drawstring.
"These will be more than fine, Elle. And honestly, I only wear shirts when I must. They interfere with my wings and feel wrong unless made for one with wings. Thank you." He stood, taking a moment to blanace in the new place before quickly slipping the pants on and letting his wings fall back. The effect of earthtones with his pale skin and dark hair turned the Fallen to a Fey, a wood nymph almost with the fire light dancing from the lamp.
"I think I'll stay here, and I promise not to get my nose into anything." There were a multitude of things around him and he got small samples of them all. It was calming, like the scent onf insence that clung to Elle. And it would be the perfect kind of atmosphere to calm one's mind in while he tended his wings.
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:22 pm
Pressing a gentle kiss to Lonan's cheek, Elle nodded and turned to push the kettle over the small hearth fire that always burned low, and strolled back up the stairs. She trusted Lonan alone in her room, and truth be told, he was the only one. Even Aki was supervised...there were simply too many dangerous and curious items.
Lifting the edge of a cloth, Elle sniffed at a loaf of fresh bread...cool from earlier in the day. Cutting a few fat slices, she bordered the plate with avocado, walnuts and strawberries...munching on one of the strawberry tops, greens and all.
Walking back down the stairs, a good sight more carefully with her arms full, Elle bumped the door open with her hip.
"Have you already started? I can pop a bite in your mouth if you don't wish to get food on your hands."
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:27 pm
He offered the small flicker-smile at the kiss on his cheek. Following her progress absently with his ears he set to work. The feathers absorbed more oil than usual. That could be a problem.
Thoughts wandered idly as he set to work with his wings with methodical care. Automatic care while following Elle subconciously. He'd let himself drift so much that he hadn't noticed her return.
"Ah, I'm sorry. But... that would be nice. Simply say when." His hands returned to their work, taking more time to make sure the oil went as far as it possibly could.
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:33 pm
Watching him work, Elle dabbled with the food upon the plate...slicing the greens off the fruit. She held it up a polite distance from his face. "Strawberry?" If he opened, in it went!
Shifting as she got comfortable upon the bed, Elle ate a slice of avocado and a few walnuts in two big bites. She was starving after so much cold exertion! holding up a piece of the bread a minute later, she announced it as well.
"Bread! Would you like to stay here, tonight? If it's not comfortable, I can ready one of the guest rooms..."
Munching on another walnut half, Elle watched his face for a hint of his true wish. It could be confining down here for some...she'd never think to crowd Devmani as such.
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:36 pm
A soft chuckle and he did open his mouth. Surprising that fruit could still taste fresh this time of year. Chuckling he kept the work, mindful to open his mouth for anything she offered.
"As I said before, you cast the net and snared the wren, you pick where you choose to keep him." There was a light jest. He was not adverse to staying where he was so long as she was comfortable.
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:26 pm
Sharing a few more bites, Elle rose to wash her hands in a shallow dish of water across the room...shaking her hands dry as she returned. Settling in next to him, she looked over what he had done so far...picking a spot that would keep her out of his way.
Smoothing the feathers with a slight push, as she had learned, Elle worked the silky smoothness downward. "I'm sure it'll be warmest here, then."
For a moment, she was quiet...fingers still working gently over his wing. Finally, when she spoke, there was a light curiosity to her voice. "Is there...truth in that? Is this entanglement my doing?"
She hadn't considered the fact that perhaps she was the one reaching for their connection. Had she trapped this poor winter wren?
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:11 pm
The feel of her hands moving over his wing made him falter for a moment before finishing what he had started on it's partner. It had taken more effort than he'd realized to finsh just half the job. The oil had been pulled right off his hands to the point they were only just soft.
"Then here is where I'll stay." A quirked expression, a tilt of the head was his response to the silence. Not like their usual companionable ones, but not necessarily bad either.
Hearing her concern he carefully leaned forward, wrapping his arms lightly around her waist as his chin alighted on her shoudler. "It does not matter to me. Even if I have been snared I am content and happy in the net. And I would soon snare myself in it again if freed."
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 11:21 pm
Elle kept working as he spoke....holding him close with one arm as she worked a feather between her fingers. Finally nodding, she pressed her cheek to the top of his head.
"Someday, though, I'd see you fly." Her voice was warm, worries forgotten as she tended to his wing. She knew how tired he must be, and let him rest as she finished.
Finally, when the last of them had been shined, Elle guided him back upon the bed. The fire would burn itself low, eventually...there was no need to rise.
"I won't stir you with sweet words tonight, Lonan. After a night's rest, we'll both be clearer." Stretching along side him, yawning as feathers brushed silently over her, Elle ended with a happy noise and a smile.
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Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:06 pm
"I will, Elle. If only to make you happy, I will." He left his eyes drift closed as she kept her gentle tending. So calm was he that he nearly fell asleep where he sat.
He let himself be guided back to where she wanted him. The day's toll was becoming more obvious. "Your words are calming, never agravating. It's not a fault to hear it." Sighing softly he let his eyes close again as he curled towards her, one wing moving to automatically cover the both of them. Within moments he was asleep.
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