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 Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:20 pm
“D-drink able?” Belarus looked alarmed as Dari’an pulled out some hot water and the mass of leaves and herbs belched out a wretched stench of steam. Uh oh, “You know—“ he darted to the left as she made to give the cup to him, “—I really don’t want to,” he dodged to the right, “get poisoned here.” All right, maybe he was taking that last little sentence out of line...but he didn’t know Dari’an and that cup could be poisoned. He inched a few meters back, avoiding the offering in the Djardi’s hand, then moved back a couple feet more as she pushed it his way. If he kept up this movement, soon there would be no where to go but the back of the tent and through it! Heh…that actually wasn’t a half bad idea. “Ah, all right, all right!” He held up his hands, looking quite upset that he was actually going to have to drink this thing and his childish nature began to take over. “You don’t have to be so mean,” he huffed, little tears welling up in the corner of his animated eyes. “Just—don’t look,” it was then Dari may have gotten her first clue that there was something besides Belaru’s wrist that needed healing. Maybe she would get a feel for it as she touched him, but the big indicator was that even for treatment Belarus wouldn’t take off his mask. He gave another little warning glare and in an annoyed manor turned around to lift the mask and chug the entire cup in one go, burning his tongue and also stomach on the way down. The annoyance was well worth no longer having Dari’an sloshing that vile thing around is face, though. He did get in one last jabbing hurrah, a sniveling whimpering, “…I hate you.”
***
He would have stayed, placid, stationary, lost in the depths of his mind rather than the show--had Dari'an not cast him the look and tone that she did. Belarus was still lost in thought, still bent on their first meeting; he almost missed that small glance, the wickedly kind smile which sent the sensation of small licks of flame creeping up and along his skin. Unng--he swallowed hard, a knot seeming to appear in the back of his throat and good thing it wasn't his turn to speak because he was also a little tongue tied. You know, away from work...when she was having fun, there was something of an attractive quality to Dari'an. No, it wasn't the fact that she complimented his faults; it was something a little different. It was the fact that she was unique and no matter how you try and put it, Dari was just special. Dari'an was someone Belarus hopped would come into his life more and more... Eh, it wasn't like Belarus really had option of not sticking with Dari, but it was comforting to know it was his choice to want to be with the Usari female, and not the Baba's and not some random strings of fate. Even though their relationship wasn’t one of friends or lovers, in the lamplight, the idea of them together sounded quite appealing.
"Why do I even bother with you?" He mumbled from under the mask, leaning in closer...finding it a bit hard to see his friend through the smoke that Allerun had been kicking up on stage. He inched nearer... but if only because the sounds on stage we're too loud, he kept finding reasons as to why he should get right on snuggled up to her. Unbeknownst to himself, his mask was smiling, like a cat's reactionary purr, he let his inner emotions drift across his face. “I think you really we’re trying to poison me with that tea. No wonder people still say the things they do…Maybe if you showed a little less hostility.” We’ll now he was just baiting her.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:09 am
Dari'an had felt a tiny thrill of alarm at the way her new patient tries to avoid the tea. And a biting curiosity when he'd ordered her to not look at him while he drank. Still, if she wanted to avoid a riot...
"Fine, fine, I'll turn around while you drink that... Honestly, one would think I was trying to poison you the way you're acting," she sniffed. As she turned, she saw the little glare and stifled a smile. Why was it that men always acted like such babies whenever you tried to do anything to help the through illness or injury. If it wasn't so exasperating, it would be terribly funny.
She twitched minutely at his last little poisonous remark, but kept an otherwise serene front as she dryly replied, "I am not exactly impressed with you either..."
***
The wreathing smoke might have made it difficult to see, but the young Djardi loved every moment of the performance and its side effects. She quickly made a mental note to catch any future performances of Belarus' friend that she possibly could.
And... maybe it was the drink she'd had, or just the delicious sensation of being wrapped in smoke and warmth, but whatever the reason, Dari'an was feeling more wicked than was her usual wont. And poor Belarus was unknowingly encouraging her.
"Oh, I don't know," she replied sweetly to his grumbling, noting that while he sounded annoyed, his mask was happily smiling and he certainly wasn't trying to move AWAY from her. Well! The damned chunk of wood was actually helping her for once! Amazing.
"Perhaps you're a closet masochist," she murmured teasingly. "That could explain why you keep coming back."
She was quietly elated as he snuggled in closer, though she hoped she was careful not to show it too much. And still keeping that soft, teasing tone, she molded her expression into one of mock solemnity.
"Why poison you when it's much more fun to give you teas to make you relax so I can work my wicked will on your muscles? Besides, poisoning is so messy if the poisonee doesn't get just the right amount to completely do them in."
Laughing huskily, she shook her head and leaned in closer so they were nearly face to damned-chunk-of-wood. And when she spoke, she was practically purring with devilment.
"Oh so? And how, pray tell, would you suggest I show less hostility?"
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:17 am
Tish, just a little bit of a drink and some encouragement had got Dari'an to loosen up this much? We'll if that's what it took to be civil with her, he would drag her here every single day. She really was more scandalous than she lead herself to believe, all females we're. Even Belarus couldn't compete with their fine form of acting...it actually made his head spin quite a bit. Dari'an was an Usari who was not a person to be crossed, or someone he could get away with teasing forever. It was just like he was thinking, he wanted her to get close, but how close was safe? ...Heh, if he messed up she didn't leave the most encouraging comments. "You really think that giving me a massage his punishment?" He made a amused face. Dari'an, I think your a little tipsy.
Their relationship was anything but masochistic, in fact, if you had to think about it in those terms, Belarus was more of a sadist. He kept coming back to Dari'an because he liked bothering her, he liked seeing how long he could chip away at her until she snapped or put her foot down. It was almost too easy to be a sport though, she seemed to crack daily. Ha! Now if only she could get the same out of him not that he wanted her too, mind you. It was just that she had been trying for so, so, long...and still no progress. Even though the enjoyed each other, Belarus was certain that if Dari'an made no progress at all, she would leave. As kind and selfless as she was, her payment was her satisfaction and their was no satisfaction to be had while Belarus kept his face hidden from her.
"Oh~? I don't know," he spoke slowly, a hand leaning back to flick at the bells in her hair. "I've heard that kisses are always nice," and for just a moment, the images of Belarus' face flashed red and devilish. He had dared her to try and get at him, of course, if she moved in...she would be shocked to fine that a kiss was by no means a good reason for him to remove his mask. 'Sorry, but no dice'.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:14 am
Dari'an played along with Belarus. Her alcohol fueled brain tripped over an idea and buzzed happily for a moment before withdrawing to titter softly to itself. Assuming a thoughtful expression, she drummed her fingers against his shoulder.
"Welllll~ Maybe the massages aren't. But I'm sure you'd label the teas as a form of capital punishment."
She smiled slightly as he flicked at the tiny bells woven into her hair and leaned in closer. Her eyes gleamed with inner mischief as she narrowed them.
"Kisses, hrmm? I don't know... that sounds entirely too friendly to me. And doubtless you'd be leaving the mask on." Now she pouted. "I hardly want to get splinters in my lips from that silly chunk of wood."
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:42 am
"Yeah," he mumbled, giving a sheepish look at her. Her insistence that he get the proper vitamins and minerals was something he could do without. "Though why you would go and need to punish me, I have no idea." He wasn't a rotten little Aishe, no, not at all. He casually let out a sigh and pretended to be ignorant as to why Dari'an would ever get mad at him. He was feeling rather cool with himself too, staring up at the stage until she had to go and do that. Not only did she reject his offer, no, but she flat out insulted him. His lips curled into a pout, his hands let go of her and he crossed his arms, sending a scowl her way. Too friendly, too friendly? Have you been listening to the words coming out of your mouth? He didn't say it out loud, but the message couldn't be written more clearly across his face.
"And it's not just a chunk of wood!" He protested, feeling the hostility in his tone rise. What didn't she get about, "I don't even think my family, all twelve brothers and sisters remember what I look like even more," and good riddence. Before he choose his profession, before he found whom he really was, he had been a nothing...and in a family of twelve, where everyone was vying for the same attention that he was, he had been forgotten. Ever since he had gotten the mask, he had found it easier to bring attention to himself, he could be loud and obnoxious and not care, people remembered who he was and best of all he felt confident. "So why should I show you? You won't get splinters, I promise!" This thing is magical, remember Dari'an? With that he pulled her near into his version of a "kiss".
It was their first one and totally pathetic.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 12:19 pm
Feeling pleased that she'd finally gotten a reaction out of him for once, Dari'an proceeded with Operation: Payback. It was about time he got taught a small lesson, she thought. The clear anger that flashed across his mask nearly made her cheer. For once, he wasn't hiding his heart behind that damned mask. Now, to soothe the ruffled feathers and give him a few other things to think about...
But before she could begin, she felt her nose and lips being squashed against the mask in some bizarre parody of a real kiss. Once Belarus released his grip a bit, she sat back and rubbed gingerly at her nose.
"Oww.... You're absolutely right. It's not just a chunk of wood. It's a rather cunning albatross tied about your neck. Thanks to that mask, any passion, any feelings are completely hidden. Not to mention that kind of hurt."
Twitching her nose slightly, she must have surely amazed him by leaning back in and sliding one hand around his neck to toy with his hair while the other hand rested against his chest. Smiling into his mask, she leaned in close enough to land a light, playful kiss on his neck while the hand behind his head lightly played with his hair and ears.
"This is called foreplay, my dear friend," Dari'an breathed into his ear before nipping it gently (and not so consequently seeing exactly where and how his mask was fastened). "Perhaps you've heard of it in your line of work? Is this friendly enough for you? Hrmm?"
Pulling back slightly, she studied him briefly before leaning back as if she was going to kiss him where his lips would be hiding behind the mask. Really, as still as he was being, though she had no doubt some of his stillness was utter shock at her behavior, one would almost think she'd turned him to stone. Under the pretense of stroking his hair and ears with one hand, she undid the ties holding the mask in place. Then, just before her lips would've touched the wooden mask, her other hand came up with snake-like swiftness to rip the mask away. Dari'an had a blurred impression of startled, pale eyes in a rather attractive face before she made sure to give the Aishe a kiss that he'd never forget.
Then, with utter serenity, she put the mask back, sat back, crossed her arms and grinned wolfishly.
"You know, you're much more attractive without the mask on. And I'm sure even you noticed the difference in the two kisses, hrmm?"
The female Djardi was nearly purring as she threw a challenging glance at Belarus.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:05 pm
Was he a bad lover? No, Belarus simply was just toying with Dari'an. Their kiss, we'll more his kiss, was just a little teaser. Nya, nya, too bad you can't have the real thing. The Usari was back to old ways. His relationship with Dari'an was horribly pathetic, not to mention lame, in poor taste, there we're a million other adjectives Belarus could have said, but it didn't bug him. He had got Dari'an and had had a good laugh at her expense, man, some partner he was turning out to be. "You're welcome," he just laughed back, his ego soaring to new heights. Life was good for the little jester, the crafty little knave, which was why he perhaps didn't see the storm that was coming along his way.
He admittedly was a little curious when she leaned closer, instead of pulling away like he had calculated. Why a hug instead of a slap? And then Dari'an started getting risky--what, what on earth was she doing?! He opened his mouth to speak but quickly decided against the idea least he be called a hypocrite for calling her prude. He was a hypocrite, but sometimes a man had to maintain pride when it came to specific subjects. T-too friendly Dari'an, and as much as the touches made his toes curl underneath the table, he wanted them to stop. This was getting creepy, people didn't change their attitudes back and forth as fast as he did--he was allowed to do it cause he was an actor, but years of Usari watching had told him that Dari'an's behavior was not normal.
"A-nn--guu---" he was really at a loss of words, not just frozen in place, but his mind seemed to be in a lock down. "Comeagain?" he tried to hide the current red running over his mask. "Dari--" he protested as she started coming closer, "Maybe you Djardi are a little different," his voice raised into a harsh whisper, "But this really isn't the place--" she practically had him apologizing. He would have to, had he gone completely blank; the light of the room hitting his eyes wholly for the first time in a long time. He wasn't exactly sure what was going on, all he knew that he was flinching and Dari'an had her lips pressed up to his face and it was very warm and felt quite unusual--his mask!.
The Aishe sat, petrified in horror as Dari laughed, chatted, taunted and in general just sat there making him feel more naked than he all ready was. Not like any of that read across his face, he just started reaching his hand towards his precious cover. He was too slow though, she had all ready given it back. His hands shook as he tried to tie the strings back together, but the damn thing just kept slipping...and his nervousness just kept rising. Tie, slip, tie, slip...he should have gotten this thing cursed so that it should never leave his face. Belarus had to finally give up at some point and look hollowly at Dari'an. "You broke me--it," Belarus quickly corrected himself, letting his own statement wash across his ears. "...You broke it," he said it again, this time curiously looking down at the mask. What, what, had she done? He couldn't believe it, no one, no one had ever dared; it was just too...
"Ha," he let out a small laugh. "Ahaha...HAHAHAHA!" Yes, this was just too funny, so funny he didn't know what to do but just laugh, it had been years since he'd done the real thing so why not. "HAHAHA," he continued on, continued on for quite some time until he was pretty much crying. "Dari'an--" he quickly glanced around the venue, trying to avoid the looks of some of the other Usari. "Why'd you do that?" Poor thing, he was just sniffles now.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:24 pm
Watching Belarus carefully, Dari'an judged the time was right to try a simple, non-threatening touch. Carefully reaching out and stroking one of his hands comfortingly, she made no other moves, said nothing until he was ready to speak. Granted, his laughter had a touch of hysteria to it, but at least he wasn't going to have an emotional breakdown in public.
"Want to head back out to the field?" she asked gently, in the softest voice she'd ever used on him. "I think the fresh air will do us both a great deal of good."
Standing, she held out her hand to him, her face full of concern and sympathy and affection. She didn't want to hurt Belarus. And it had nearly broken her heart when he'd said she had broken him. So overcome with protectiveness was she, that she turned to glare daggers at the Ursari who were so rudely staring at them.
Offering the Aishe a scrap of silk for his nose, Dari'an quickly led him outside and inhaled the clean, crisp air gratefully.
"Now," she began in a stubborn, worried voice, "I won't apologize for doing that. You needed a quick, hard dose of reality. You really want to know why I did that?"
At his nod, she paced back and forth in the moonlight as she tried to explain it to him.
"Firstly, you halfway brought it on yourself, peacock. So now you know that there is a limit to how much I will allow you to tease me before I retaliate. A good thing to know that will hopefully teach you to not take a thing about me for granted. Secondly, if I am going to go around kissing you, it will be you, the real you, I kiss. And I really did want to see your face. It's a good face, you should let it out more often. However, my primary reason is a bit harder to detail. To put it simply, I think we can both safely say that for better or worse, we are bonded, yes? Well. I am bonded to YOU. Not to the mask you hide your entire self behind."
Pausing for a breath, she turned and held up her hands entreatingly.
"I don't want to see you hurt, ever. But I won't let you hurt me either, Belarus. Do you understand? Or am I using too much technical jargon?"
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:45 pm
It was around the time he stopped crying that he noticed her hand making its way over to himself. It was like a little spider, making it way cautiously across the smooth terrain of the table, his clothing and then onto his skin. He didn't shrink back from it or even scowl, he just started rather glumly at it. Though he wasn't expressive, you could tell he was down in the dumps about this one. Was he mad? Embarrassed? There were so many Usari staring, he had made quite the scene. At this moment in time he was reluctant to follow anything Dari'an asked of him, despite her motherly touch and calming effect, her actions had made him deeply bitter. Still, Dari'an was going outside and at the moment that was where Belarus wanted to go. It wasn't like he was listening to her, he was just going where he wanted to go, out.
His eyes continued to water as they walked, he only bothered to dab at them once or twice before he gave up. This was his fault, wasn't it? Dari'an said so and for once, he had to believe her. Not that it made the scolding he received that much easier, or her truthful words nicer to swallow. It was funny how life forced certain things upon you, apparently this was the only way to get through to Belarus because Dari'an had tried everything else. It was going to be hard to trust her from now on, to get along...in fact, he wasn't sure if he could get along with her at all.
This disgusting pity party of upset and self loathing continued for quite a bit, it lasted at least until Dari had finished. He then looked back at her, "I can't believe you called me a peacock." Though he had never in person seen one of the brightly colored birds, he knew perfectly well what she meant by it. Belarus didn't pout, he didn't whine, he simply sat their in a dead-lock staring competition till he dropped his head and put on the mask. His emotions remained blank for quite sometime, the mask white, as if he had lost the power to summon back the many faces that belonged to him. Those faces, each personality, he loved them dearly...but he felt so severed from them. Apparently he would have to do the talking from heart this time.
"Too much technical jargon, you're getting boring." He walked over and picked up Dari'an's had to let her know that he was just kidding about that last part. "...Will you walk me home?"
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:06 pm
"Well, you do have rather bright plumage," Dari'an joked gently. "And I did mean it in the most affectionate way possible."
She watched him for several moments, carefully weighing him up in her mind. Granted, she wasn't an expert, but unless she missed her mark, he'd heal in time. She'd just have to give him time for the lesson to sink in and for him to puzzle out what would probably be some very confusing emotions for a while.
She did jump a tiny bit when he took her hand up. Staring at him with wide, puzzled eyes, she caught the joke and decided to make one back, letting him know she was done scolding for now.
"Pfft! I'm naturally boring, you've told me so yourself. Why, fish would fly if I suddenly became exciting!"
She hesitated for a moment before fidgeting slightly, a sure sign that he probably wasn't going to like what was coming next.
"I'll walk you home. And assuming you trust my intentions, I'd recommend some nice peppermint tea to help sooth your nerves... and... well... I'd also recommend you not stay alone right now."
As they walked, she kept her eyes open for one of the tiny night blooming flowers that grew around the caravan. Finally spying one, she knelt quickly, picked it and just as quickly turned to give it to Belarus.
"It's one of my favorite flowers. I usually dry the buds and turn them into incense for myself. But the blooms, now... Even when one is picked, it doesn't dry out or wither and fade. Its quiet beauty stays with it almost forever before the scent finally fades away. Consider me like the flower. I will always be there for you if you need me, Belarus."
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 6:44 pm
He didn't make an conjecture to her suggestions, no reply to her thoughts. Belarus walked along in silence, nodding his head, one foot in front of the other. Tea or therapy, he didn't want her to spend the night, but couldn't find a good reason to argue against it. He could sit back and think about it all night, or listen to his gut which said that Dari'an was the leader here. Despite his 'bright plumage', the way you couldn't seem to get him to shut up and the adventures he lead them on...she was the one that made sure in the end everything was right. He was the puppy of the relationship, the baby and she was the doting mother hen who took care of him. Even now she was trying to make him feel better, heh, too bad fish would never fly Dari'an. As cruel of a thought it was, it made him smile...just a little bit.
His calm expression remained placid as Dari paused their journey towards his tent and knelt down to pick the little white bud. It was a plant that Belarus had never seen before and despite the fact he pretended not to like what was the scent of Dari'an and her office, from here he could not deny that the sent which drifted over on the breeze, as enchantingly calming.
Reaching over, he plucked the small bloom from Dari'an's hands and tucked it behind his ear, but between his mask. "Then I will always keep it with me, as a sign of how my confidence in you will never fade." Pinking up his mask just a bit, he leaned down and kissed Dari'an's palm. The time had come where they we're finally making progress.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:00 pm
Quite contrary to the image she presented, Dari'an found herself blushing profusely as Belarus kissed her palm. And his words made the blush brighten a few shades. Continuing walking, she stayed silent and slightly confused. She was used to a Belarus who strutted and argued and teased. This silent, introspective version, while refreshing from a healer's standpoint, was also very unnerving. She only hoped that he wasn't stifling up his emotions. People who stifled too much tended to explode rather spectacularly... Still... he was showing signs of actual emotion, even if it was subdued.
When they reached his tent, Dari'an followed him in silently and headed directly for the tiny stove and teapot tucked into the corner. She brewed enough tea for them both and once it had finished steeping, poured it into two cups. Handing him one, she managed a tiny, sweet smile.
"I know you don't like bitter things, so I put a tiny bit of honey in it."
She waited until he took the cup and sank into one of the cushions strewn about the floor. She remained standing for a few more moments to allow him time to get comfortable before she sat by him and firmly put her arms around him protectively and pulled his head to her shoulder.
"You can't fool your Healer, Belarus," she whispered. "You still need to let your upset and tears out. It's all right... I'll never let you down. And I'll never tell anyone that the masks came off. I promise I will always be here for you.. no matter what...."
And in the hours that followed, she held him while he clung to her and shook with tears that had been held in for far too long.
And outside the tent, the stars kept their silent, cold watch over them all.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:14 pm
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