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 Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 4:11 pm
Sarielle's face was the portrait of stunned silence. All it had taken was a kind gesture toward Shayna, and everyone had forgiven him his earlier intimidating stunt. The reproach she felt (or imagined) in Blood's words stung. Even her friend felt she was in the wrong.
How could she possibly explain to them? That if she turned the corner, she would still know with certainty whether he was there or not? That his presence was a cold breeze in summer, a void left by a long, dark night alone? That there was something about the girl Owle that made her feel the same way, albeit not as overpoweringly?
No, it sounded rediculous any way she put it; or or that she was grasping for an excuse for her overwrought reaction.
Fine. Let them think what they will. Except now, she inwardly raged with faintly a bitter smile, Taka too will believe I am unaccepting.
The Herald was now standing by Shayna, but it was her guardian she stared back at; and Sarielle frowned ever so slightly at the wrenching in her chest.
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 7:26 pm
Azruael stilled when he was addressed by Alexei, a look of utter confusion passing over his features. All this time the boy had called him nothing but 'Az' or 'Azu', but never...never had he been given a title like that. Hearing that word felt like a pleasant punch in the gut, if punches were ever pleasant - it certainly was a nice surprise. Papa'n? Did the child see him as a father figure? Or...wait, did Alexei even know what a father was?
He had probably just heard it some place. Lily, perhaps. Only she would use such strange, country slang. He gave a thin smile before looking up again.
He issued a soft laugh at Elf's words, golden eyes settling upon her for a brief moment.
"Be it a minute or an hour, having my presence lingering here is always far too long," he said politely.
Owle he felt he could almost trust, and he briefly wondered why. Staring at her, he couldn't help but feel as though she were someone familiar, though he knew for a fact that he had never met her until now. He wracked his brain, trying to place his finger on it...she certainly didn't resemble anyone he knew, but her personality --
Then is struck him. Of course! A smile lit his face for a mere moment before disappearing. Though a woman, she reminded him of his closest friend, Ferio. But that had been a long time ago...he hadn't seen his childhood friend - or brother, as they called eachother - since the war. He nodded, "He would, I am sure...both of us would."
Alright, so he couldn't help it at all if his tone became a hint playful. His wings spread out and he made to lift the little boy up.
Tilting his head up again, Azruael gave Blood a strange look before straightening again, wings falling back into place. He nodded simply, hardly able to hold a grudge while knowing that it was the norm for one to fear a demon. Alexei, though, looked beside himself with joy. There was a broad, close lipped smile upon his face, and he was looking at Blood with eyes so full of glee...they flickered to Shayna and Taka before resting upon the red-headed angel.
"...T-Thank you..."
Azruael heaved a loud sigh, apparently figuring that he would never be able to leave now. Alexei wanted to play, didn't he? He wasn't about to leave his charge alone, as young as he was.
"I can understand how you feel," he said aloud, eyes moving to stare directly into Sarielle's. His tone wasn't mocking, wasn't cruel. It wasn't much of anything save for being flat. For once he was serious without being angry or depressed, and his eyes glinted with something akin to interest. Gaining her trust, he wondered if he could. Doubt it, seeing as Azruael could change emotions at the drop of a hat, and she didn't seem like the type of girl who could tolerate that. Hm, difficult indeed. But for Alexei's sake, he would try.
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 7:56 pm
"Good," Owle responded with a grin. "I'll be looking forward to it." If she had matched the playfulness in his voice, well - it was his own fault. At least that was what she told herself.
She wasn't sure why, but she had instantly felt close to him the moment he'd come tumbling down from the roof. Maybe it was the wings, or knowing the awkwardness of learning how to fly for the first time...or maybe it was just that he was hot. No, no...that just tended to make her act unnatural around guys. Whatever the reason, Owle knew that she would be looking forward to seeing him again...she'd go by with Verde at the first chance she got. She could puzzle out why she felt like she'd known him far longer than these few moments later on, while she was lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling. That was the time for meandering thoughts like these.
Owle smiled at the red-headed angel's guardian as she apologized to Azruael. At least someone realized how silly it was to do things like that...Sarielle, though, looked even more unhappy, if that was possible. Probably cause her kid was daring to stand near Azruael.
"Heh..." she muttered. "If I judged people by what they were, I'd be running in fear from your little angels here..." She said it softly, mostly to herself, though it was loud enough for others to pick up.
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 9:17 pm
Once Elf knew Azruael wasn't leaving, she looked back at her book. She had previously scanned the others' faces and had seen Sari's look of hurt. Silently, Elf contemplated this. She did not feel anything strange from Azruael, like this Sari had; she felt nothing new: he existed, and he was what her mind told her was tangible and alive. While there were difference between every person, wasn't that what was so great?
But Elf could understand Sari's words as well, only she interpreted them differently. "Feelings are not always correct; never judge a book by its cover," she mumbled quietly under her breath, with a caring and understanding tone.
((Yuh, I have no idea what to do.... *raises hand* Human wahoo!))
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 9:18 pm
"I can understand how you feel," Azruael said, no hint of mocking this time.
"I'd be running in fear from your little angels here..." Owle said, after flirting with Azruael.
"Sari, Shayna gets to play," Taka said in accusing tones, arms folded stubbornly across her chest.
The voices whirled and rattled against each other in her mind, and Sarielle was suddenly struck with this insane desire to cry.
Oh God, no! she thought desperately, raising a slightly shakey hand to shield her eyes from view. I canNOT cry.
Was this what it felt like to be a parent? If so, she regretted having ever stumbled into the role. She wished for nothing more than to be away in her cool, quiet bedroom, away from all the emotions hidden behind all the eyes. Azruael had something about however long he lingered in a place, it was TOO long; and she agreed.
"I-I'm very tired, Taka," she said rubbing her forehead, the barest of tremors in her voice. It was the truth; Sarielle felt exhausted, and she WAS more emotional then. "Please, don't make a fuss today. If you are that set on playing with Alexei..."
Don't say it, don't!
"...then, well, we'll talk about it, alright?"
Outright confrontation wasn't Taka's style; so she acquiesced without another word, though Sarielle was left with the impression that the rest of the day would not go smoothly.
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:17 am
Elf looked up and watched Sari, concerned, "Do you need help getting back? You don't look so hot right now"
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:43 pm
Shayna smiled to Alexei. But she could sense that Sari wasn't feeling very.... up... The small angel walked up to Taka's guardian. "Sari... why? Why won't you give him a chance?" Her voice was strong, but at the same time soft. She was so curious about Sari's situation. Why did she reject the man? Perhaps it was personal. This made Shayna think twice about asking the question. She bowed her head slightly and looked up at Sari through her bangs.
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Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 7:23 am
Alexei was becoming quite nervous again and what color his face held drained away. There was something in this picture that didn't fit, like someone had taken the shears to a puzzle piece and it failed to fit the puzzle anymore. It took him a moment to realize that that piece was Azruael, and no matter how one could try to repair him, he would never fit. The demon knew this the moment he sold his soul. He had damned himself and the only one to blame WAS himself.
The herald became somewhat antsy, losing all will and want to play...the atmosphere that still lingered made him ill.
Looking down, Azruael bit his inner cheek and cursed as he saw the child become wary again, feet bumping against one another in nervous habit - the boy did that, he noticed, whenever he felt out of place. Just how Azruael became on-the-spot annoying when he felt out of the loop. He brandished a one-sided smile at the boy before leaning down and grabbing him under the arms. Okay, so it had taken him some time to learn how to hold a child...but he got it now!
It took him all his willpower not to fling the child over his shoulder like he was some meal. Redemption, he reminded himself. Alexei is your charge, dumbass, not your dinner.
"For the sake of the others, I do believe I should take my leave. Lecks isn't feeling so well anymore, it seems," he drew back to look at the angel, who barely allowed him to look into his face at all. "And I don't think Lily can handle the bar on her own."
It was more than just Alexei, of course. The way that Sarielle was acting was a warning for him to high-tail it out of there. One of the things he hated most in life was seeing a woman cry, and he doubly hated the fact if he were the one to cause the tears. Granted, they hadn't fallen, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
Black wings stretched out, and one graceful flap took him to the roof that he had once crashed upon. One flight over was all it took for him to relearn how to fly - lovely.
"However...a playdate in later times may be in order. For the sake of the children," his voice was brisk, comical at how no-nonsense it sounded; purposely whimsical sounding. It had to be if he was going to rid the Herald of nervousness.
"It was a pleasure meeting you all," he purred, bowing dramatically and earning a quiet smile from Alexei. "Farewell!"
All an act. All of it, even as he shot into the air, and as he turned away from them all, it was only then his coy smile vanished, only then that he allowed his resentment to burn his throat.
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Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 8:17 am
Even though Owle could acutely feel that something was out of place, Azruael's dramatic performance still brought a smile to her face. Did he do nothing that wasn't a show?
It was only the trembling in Sarielle's voice, and the waves of emotional discord Owle imagined she could feel rolling out from around her, that kept the shifter from laughing outright.
Still, she waved to Azruael and Alexei energetically with her one arm, grinning broadly up at them. "Till we meet again!" she called, watching them fly off till the pair were merely a speck in the sky. Then, and only then, did she turn around to look at Sarielle and the others...but mostly at Sarielle.
"I'm sorry..." Any hint of her smile was gone from her face. She didn't know why she felt she owed them an apology. But someone was upset...and she was sure she'd had some part in that.
Her wings twitched nervously, the feathers rubbing together. She was beginning to feel distinctly out of place here...as though by standing behind Azruael, she had somehow identified herself with him...somehow lumped herself into the same category. Staying here..like this...it wouldn't do anyone any good.
"I should probably be going too," Owle said, trying to sound as lighthearted as Azruael had, and failing miserably. She had never been good at concealing her own feelings...that was ever Flare's job. "I...hope I'll see you all again sometime."
She lingered for a moment longer, hoping someone would shout out to her that it wasn't necessary for her to leave, that she hadn't done anything wrong and should stay. But Owle was pretty sure that she had done something wrong...something that set her apart, more than the missing arm and the wings on her back. No one was going to call out to her. It was time to go.
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Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 10:23 pm
Elf watched as Azruael, Alexei in tow, and then Owle left. She frowned for a moment but then waved to the disappearing specks as they left, for she had no immediate way to follow them to make sure they made it to their destiantion alright, if they were truly going there now or not. "Good bye!" she shouted as loud as she could, the wind carrying her voice along, "It was nice meeting you all!"
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Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:53 am
((Sorry bout the long delay. I'll try to not ever let it get this long again. xp ))
Sarielle heard Shayna's question...she did. But it was only after Azruael had soared high and away, only after Owle had apologized when she had done nothing, and only after an impatient "Sari!" from Taka (accompanied by a swift tug on her clothes) that she blinked and her eyes came back into focus once more.
The grey depths lost the hollow, far away look; still over-bright, but at least she was looking at all of them now.
She relaxed a bit, realizing she'd clenched her fists so hard her nails were digging into her palms rather painfully. She swallowed hard a couple of times, making sure her voice didn't shake when she prepared to speak.
"I suppose it's just like...deja vu," she told the red-head at last, as Shayna stared up through her bangs. Sarielle reminded herself that the young Herald was still a child, after all, and might not be familiar with the phrase. "Like...like I've met him before, even though that's impossible. Like something bad happened that I don't want to repeat."
She shrugged, not really expecting anyone to understand; she hardly did herself.
Taka watched the exchange out of the corner of her eyes. She had already learned that while her guardian was willing to let Taka keep secrets, she expected the same courtesy.
But she had to know what was going on. She had to. Somehow, she'd find out.
So absorbed in her own thoughts was Taka that she did not even protest as Sari wordlessly led her back in the direction of home.
The dirty blue rabbit dragged forlornly behind.
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Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 1:48 pm
Elf looked around at the diminshing group and shrugged. Maybe it was time for her to leave as well. She had a house to refurnish and pets to make welcome.
With a bow and goodbyes to those remaining, Elf headed home for the day, her book whipped out and her nose in it. At least she had met her neighbors!
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Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 6:40 pm
They arrived during the darkest hour.
Everyone had gone to bed that evening, and the field out by the old grocery had been empty; but in the morning, when the first rosy rays of the sun crept over the horizon, they were there.
Bright tents in every shade imaginable, so long as it was glimmering. Red and silver and blue and beyond. The dark faces of the people with their flashing white teeth held a mystery and a charm all their own.; the gypsies had not come here before.
Some sold trinkets, others love potions and elixers, and still others sold their skills as artisans and handymen. One tent, though, stood at the edge of the encampment, where the weeds had grown a little taller and a little wilder. Yellow and green stripes marched down the sides, and an extra flap, set up on poles, made a sort of "porch."
A sign was staked out beside it, the handwriting highly stylized. It read:
And below that, in smaller letters:
Will you go in? ::ENTER::
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Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:55 pm
Elf was excited when she woke that morning, not really knowing why. When she went in to town, her koi-spotted dragon curled around her neck, resting on her shoulder and chittering happily in Elf's ear.
She had to go to the grocery store for some food, so she ended up seeing the tents. Her eyes became round and she jumped up and down, "YAY!"
Not long after, Elf was running from stall to stall, talking with gypsies, other customers, and seeing what was to be offered.
She saw the sign and smiled, "At night it shall be!"
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Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:59 pm
Aethelind skipped happily down the road, chattering animatedly at Subo, who was trailing behind him. He flitted from storefron to storefront, never stopping more than a few seconds to stare at the objecst behind the windows.
"Oohooohoooooh! S'boo!!" He called, hands pressed agiants the window of one shop with a large display of jewelry and such.
Subo, being quite used to being dragged to any shop with shinies in it, only sighed and trudged through the crowd to the store.
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