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 Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:18 am
Xiu listened to Brutus’s tale with amazement clearly written all over his face. The lengths that the Demon had gone through for his love was admirable but the real piece of the puzzle that made it all fit in had been Margaret’s act of kindness onto Brutus’s animal form. It was because of that that Brutus was willing to sacrifice everything for this woman. For a moment, the White Sigel felt ashamed. He had had doubts about the Demon’s true intention with Margaret. He had been stereotyping Brutus based on what is known about their species. It was…ironic really, seeing that he himself had a special bond with Lazarus.
But how was Margaret taking all of this in? She had just been courted by Brutus, had a fire in her apartment, been saved by two laboratory-created beings and was now listening to Brutus’s tale. Xiu had to admit that it took a special kind of human to be able to handle a day such as this and Margaret lived up to that role. Taking it all in her stride, Margaret even managed to add sarcasm into her words as well.
Chastened by Margaret, Xiu could only look down as Cesc explained to the woman that repayment was the never on their minds. While that was true, the Sigel could not help but wished that the stag would not actually…go out and say it. Those words liberated Brutus of any obligation to return his voice after all. And although that was a good thing, it also sealed the deal on that matter pretty tightly.
Brutus meanwhile, had been quietly observing Margaret and the two Raevans beside her. It was clear that the pink haired male was the younger of the two and despite behaving maturely, still held an innocent child-like view of the world; being eager to assure Margaret that were not thinking of a reward at all. The white Raevan on the other hand, seemed more reserved at making such statements. If ever Brutus felt inclined to make a guess, he’d have deduced that sometime during his brushing them off and them saving Margaret, the white-haired male must have made a decision to allow him to keep the voice despite having come all the way over here in search of it. How else would the pink haired raevan (Cesc was it?) be able to speak up for the both of them? But Brutus figured that now that he was indebted to the Raevans, the white raevan had actually held a trump over him and might have even used it if his friend had not spoken…
It was then that Margaret let out a rather hoarse laugh. Brutus immediately turned a concerned gaze to his woman. But Margaret persisted and when she next spoke, the Demon was surprised. Was he…right in thinking that she was allowing him to return the voice? Saying that it was alright? That they’d be able to manage it somehow?
Brutus felt Margaret’s small hand over his large one and that was all he needed. Looking up at Xiu, the Demon coughed. “Just because I have given away my shape-shifting powers, it does not mean that I am completely powerless,” the Demon said with the grin of a conjurer who still has a trick or two up his sleeves. “ I can still do minor stuff like this you know. Only, because of my species, there has got to be a condition,”
“Tell me,” said the demon looking up at Xiu. “Do you have anyone special to you?”
The colour appearing on the white one’s cheek was enough to verify that. “Good,” said the demon, still grinning. “Then, because I got this voice for love, you shall have to kiss the one you love, on the lips, to get your voice back. You shall have three days,”
“What?” chuckled the Demon at the flustered look the other was giving him. “You seem like a prude and this condition will actually do the both of you a favour. Right Margaret?” the Demon asked, adoration clearly written on his face.
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Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:44 am
Rhedefre was silent as Brutus spoke. There was only a moment, very brief but telling, when Xiu colored, that the stag's ears pricked upward, intrigued. So there was someone special in the sigel's life -- although it remained to be seen just whom. Another little trial to get his voice back, but this one ... this one would be a pleasure rather than a stress.
Cesc smiled gently. He bowed his head in silent thanks. He was happy for his friend.
He looked at Margaret, who let go of Brutus' hand to touch the nape of his neck lightly, drawing him to her and pressing a soft, chaste kiss to his temple.
"There's a good boy," she said with a faint teasing smile, like she was praising a puppy -- but her eyes were wet with unshed tears, and her smile was tinged with exhaustion. There was much bravery in her face, though, a deep and abiding strength. Cesc felt confident that they would be fine. They, the both of them, were not easily defeated or disheartened.
"We'll be alright, you and I," she murmured again, soothing.
What things people did for love.
What a powerful sway that love must be.
Rhedefre's warm eyes looked surreptitiously to Xiu. His friend felt that love, he knew that. He wondered what the feeling must be like -- he would give up his life, gladly, for his family, for Shepard and Vivi and Granny Maplethorpe. For his friends, Zurine, Luka... but to treasure one person above all others, to do crazy things for them alone, what was that?
He thought of sweet Jackie, the girl who had liked him. Of her kind eyes, and her hopeful smile... but it did not help. That was puppy love. And it was all alien to him.
He could not understand Brutus' sacrifice.
But maybe he could help.
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Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 7:49 am
The bus ride home was a quiet one for both the Raevans. Sooty and sore from the recent fire escapade, the two Raevans attracted more than a couple of curious glances from the other passengers. Xiu however, paid them no heed this time. The White Sigel wore a thoughtful expression on his face as the bus rumbled on. Kiss the one he loved huh? That would be…
A small blush formed across the Sigel’s features at that thought. Xiu wondered how Lazarus would react to that. Would he be surprised? Delighted? Both? Xiu hoped…it was both. There was so much that he had wanted to tell Lazarus and so many things that he had wanted to say. But writing those things down only made it awkward and had spoiled the mood on several occasions. Three years has been a long wait. But this time…this time!
Xiu turned and noticed the Frei looking curiously over at him before breaking into a grin when their eyes met. Xiu could feel himself feeling flustered and blushing under Cesc’s grin. Steeling himself, Xiu gave Cesc what he hoped was a grave expression but the façade soon gave way to startledness when the bus stopped at the station closest to the Lab. This was his stop!
Floating up a little too quickly, Xiu waved a polite farewell to the Frei before heading down. His heart was thudding loudly as he neared the final part of his quest.
Soon…
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Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 5:58 pm
For Cesc, the ride home was slow and full of thought. He rested his head back against the bus seat and tried not to focus on the ache he felt in his limbs, his shoulder still screaming at him, his body drained from all the magic he'd asked it to perform.
It was strange to him that he was not hungry, that something had still filled him after everything that had happened that day. No, he was just tired, and his head was full of images and thoughts and conflicting emotions.
When he thought of Xiu or locked eyes with him, he smiled. He was overjoyed for his friend.
When he thought of whom Xiu would kiss, he was curious. Curious, but not nosy -- if Xiu didn't volunteer the information, he wouldn't try to weasel it out of his friend. He did wonder, though, who could capture the gentle sigel's heart.
And when he thought of Margaret and Brutus, he felt bittersweet. He watched them sitting together as they left, and even seen them smile at each other, sitting in the back of that ambulance. But Brutus, he won what he desired, but his sacrifice... it seemed like he deserved more, somehow.
Rhedefre closed his eyes. The feeling of loss that emanated from Xiu was no more. His nerves didn't tingle to sit beside his friend. His mind no longer tugged him endlessly -- things here were alright.
It gave him space in his own head, somehow, that feeling. He wondered: if Xiu's voice was lost, then what about others? Were there homeless voices floating out there in the world, looking for owners? Ones that perhaps were centuries old, their homes long dead?
Could he find those? Was it possible?
The bus stopped and Xiu leapt quickly from his seat. Cesc barely had enough time to return the sigel's farewell before Xiu was gone, floating hurriedly down the lane.
Cesc's eyes narrowed in interest. His ears lifted. Wasn't that the way to the Lab?
A faint, wondering smile drew over his features.
* * *
EPILOGUE:
Two days later, Cesc stood outside a motel room, not far away from the burnt apartment building. He wore a button-up, crisp black shirt and grey vest. In his hands, cradled like a baby bird was a small blue box. He could hear music coming from the inside the room, and a little laughter. It was not the prettiest of places, but the warmth of the inside spilled through the windows, and out of the door when it opened.
Margaret beamed at him from within. "Well, if it isn't Mr. Save Us himself. Cesc, what on earth are you doing here?" She tossed her hair, vibrant as ever. "We aren't about to burn down again, are we?"
She waved him into the room. It was a clean room, smelling just lightly of smoke, the scent coming from a few boxes of what could be saved from Margaret's apartment. "Come in, darling creature. But however did you find us? We're still looking for a new place, but I think perhaps we might, oh, I don't know, travel or something now. All those useless things out of the way, you know."
Rhedefre smiled. "It is wonderful to see you so well." He turned toward Brutus, who sat within a well, and raised a hand.
"Well, out with it -- you didn't fall in love with me, too, did you? Or is this a social call?" Margaret sat next to her demon. She waved a hand. "Or don't come out with it, whatever you like. You may stay as long as you wish!"
Cesc shook his head and put out his hand with the small blue box to Brutus. "I cannot stay long. I am just here to give you both this. I hope it will come in handy for you both. It's just something I found."
He locked eyes with the big demon, his own gaze warm and sweet. "Something I found waiting in a cave. No strings attached."
"What on earth? My goodness, you don't owe us a gift..." Margaret's eyes traced the path of the box from Cesc's hand into Brutus' palm, curiousity written plainly over her features. She frowned just slightly as she watched Brutus opening it, uncomprehending.
To her, it seemed the box was empty.
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Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 7:13 am
Brutus was tapping his feet to the beat of the music when the knocked on the door revealed Cesc. For a moment the Demon frowned; which was his default expression for being surprised. Then he grinned and raised a hand at the half-human. The other one was not with him today it seemed. Probably enjoying his newfound voice.
Getting up with a grunt, Brutus was just about to offer Cesc a drink from the half empty coffee pot when the stag floated over to hand the Demon a small blue box. For a minute the Demon had the impression that there would be a diamond ring inside it but that thought was soon replaced by one of suspicion when Cesc mentioned that there were no strings attached. Growing up like his did, the old Demon was wont to believe that there were no free meals. But then again, this was the lad who was quick to offer his services for free. The demon gave Cesc a long stare. The poor kid would probably be exploited for that.
Brutus then opened the box and let out a wide grin at its contents. Turning to face Margaret briefly with that same lopsided grin of his, Brutus quickly bent over the tiny box and seemed to be inhaling its contents greedily.
“Much bettah,” rumbled the demon in a deep throaty voice. “Dis voice is one I can live with,”
The Demon then grinned at Margaret whose eyes looked about ready to pop out of their sockets. “That little runt just gave me a voice Margaret. Useful ain’t he?”
Turning to Cesc, the demon held out a hand to the small stag. “Thank you, Cesc. This voice you found, it suits me much, much better than that other guy’s voice. But…,”
“What would you like as a reward?” the demon asked, looking serious once more. “I don’t like the thought of being in debt y’hear,”
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Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 9:41 am
Margaret let out a faint noise as Brutus spoke, the low voice far more fitting to his frame than Xiu's had been. Instantly, her hands went over her mouth, and she stared at Cesc with amazement written plainly over her features.
"What on earth--" she gasped, then put out a hand to playfully smack the stag on the shoulder. "Good, lord, don't tell me you're a demon, too." Margaret paused, shaking her head. "Or maybe the exact opposite, I don't know, you strange things."
Cesc beamed under her compliments, and quickly shook his head to Brutus. "No -- that is not what I want. I think you have sacrificed enough, the both of you. If anything, just send us a card now and then. Let us know how you are doing."
Margaret only laughed and nodded.
For a little while longer, they spoke, the three of them, until the stag noticed the late hour and excused himself for the buses.
It was over, he thought to himself as he boarded the bus and sat down, closing his eyes heavily over the memory of the past few days. Finally, it was over the right way.
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