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 Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:50 pm
She was used to it, of course, with all the eccentric things she had done in the past, and she was rather asking for it with the way she made her way steadily downtown in the usual navy skirt and fluffy night slippers, her ruffled hair looking in even further disarray than usual. I mean, it would have been alright, completely fine, had she not worn those penguin slippers outside, downtown to the middle class area, where people wore beads of pearls sometimes or carried lovely leather purses, content smiles painting their cheeks. She would have had a content smile, too, had she not ditched that kind of classy life to live in the farmlands with just a few pets and her brother, Cephiel (who wasn’t so human).
Her life was, in any case, much more interesting than any of the lives the normal folk lived, she was sure. And if it wasn’t, it sure beat them in chaos- papers were all that awaited her when she got home, papers, work and the occasional assuring smile from the persocom brother she had so taken to loving.
She had never meant to wear those slippers, though. It was really just a mental slip on her part, something that happened all the time. She wanted to get something nice going with that pesky muse of hers, and a paper was due tomorrow, and there was no other option but to go… outside.
She couldn’t have written anything inside, anyway.
The day was just so… frustrating.
From the metallic hue that painted itself over the eaves of the passing stores, or the lethargic pound of that midday crisis, the world just seemed so weary like that. Shaking her head, annoyed, she sat herself down on the nearest bench and proceeded to stare out into the open, trying to catch the eye of the pigeons settling in the distance.
The sun was just blazing in the sky, as if it had just lifeforce to waste, and all around her the people bore no signs of stopping, even under the force of the vast heat. Sluggish and disoriented, she shielded her sensitive eyes from the rays and cursed the season she hated the most, praying to anyone that would listen for the inspiration that would strike her able to write.
Behind her, a small sign creaked in the almost-summer gale, its wooden surface glistening with left over dew from last night’s shower. Inside the store window, the radiant jewellery pieces left other girls with more time breathless, the argent upon aurulence, the radiance in the light. Stardust, it read, though for all the solace it could provide the flustered student, she did not notice it behind her.
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:07 am
Asha smiled at the person behind the counter, of the small jewelery store, before she went into the back to fetch Asha's order. She had managed to stumble upon it on one of her many ventures into the hustle and bustle of the town. She couldn't resist, after seeing the many fine pieces of jewelery, ordering herself a custom pair of earrings with a unique pink stone in them. Her eyes wondered over all the jewelery in the cases. They sparkled in the sunlight that streamed through the windows at the front of the store.
Lost in thought, Asha didn't realize the lady had returned from the back 'til she cleared her throat. Blinking her eyes Asha turned back around. "Oh, I'm sorry." She smiled apologetic as she fished out her money and handed it to the lady. Asha took the small box in her hands and carefully opened it up. "Oh my! They're wonderful!" She smiled wide as she took one of the earrings out of the box and examined them closely. They looked exactly like her design. She couldn't resist putting them on right then and there.
"Thank you so much." Asha said as she made her way out of the store. Upon opening the door, a small bell sounded and caused Asha to jump. She had forgotten about the danged thing and it had surprised her out of her thoughts. Shaking her head at her own sillyness, Asha continued out the door and into the warm sunlight.
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 12:33 pm
Raina had given up. It was far past the time for her to be dawdling around time, waiting like some idiot with no life for inspiration to strike her in the face. In all honesty, she was much better off just going home and trying to force something out of her. Her professor definitely wouldn't take this as an excuse. Despite her writer's block. Despite her bad mood.
Standing up and dusting her skirt off resignedly, she took one shaky, cushioned step in the embarrassing slippers and flinched at the bright sound of a small bell behind her. Cocking her head backwards, she caught light of the cute little thing, its silvery surface glimmering under the relentless summer rays. It swayed from side to side cheerily and sent Raina into a giggle of jealousy- if only her whole life could have been like that.
Underneath the bell, a cute looking girl with a petite frame stepped out into the sunlight, her tanned skin looking like it was glowing under the unusually bright sun. Soft coral eyes glittered with a contentment and a white horse's tail swished behind her like a brilliant afterthought.
Raina caught her breath, viridian eyes wide. She had never seen someone like that before. And it was wrong, she knew, to stare, but seldom did an unusual person come on Midori, though she had seen elves and shape shifters before. This girl looked like someone in between, and about her age, too (though with magical beings, you could never be sure).
Stumbling a few steps forward, she spoke gently and carefully, and earnest curiousity in her voice,
"Hello there."
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:44 pm
As Asha stepped out of the store she had to shade her eyes from the sun that shone directly into her face. Letting out a frustrated sigh she looked around, wondering what to do now that she had her jewelery. Should she go home or find something else to do? She just wasn't sure.
Just as she was about to take a step forward and go on her way she heard a soft voice saying hello. Asha looked around, curious to see who would be saying hello to her. Her brilliant, pink eyes fell on to the only person who wasn't busy moving. Asha's eyebrows rose as she noticed the strange slippers the girl was wearing. A twinge of jealousy quickly shot through her but was butted out an instant later.
Smiling slightly, Asha waved in her direction and returned the hello. "Hi." She said as her tail swished uncertainly. Who was this girl? Asha was not use to strangers coming up to her and saying hello. Random acts like this weren't common with her.
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:02 am
Green, forest-inclined eyes traced the shape of the eccentric body to the last detail, but subtle, as if Raina herself was a little afraid of being too assertive. As the girl turned around, she could almost imagine a shimmering, gossamer trail of magic following that body of hers, though, of course, there was none.
The same coral pink eyes that she had spotted earlier were now affixed to her slippers, and it was a wonder the young adult didn't burst out laughing at her own blunders. After all, it wasn't best to introduce yourself when you were standing out quite nicely already.
Watching an uneasy smile graze the girl's lips, Raina returned the smile quickly and flawlessly, stumbling forward another few steps to hold out her hand to the stranger. Behind, the tail looked uncomfortable in what she was saying, and for a moment, Raina lingered at the precipice between knowing the girl and wanting to know her, before diving in again.
"I'm Raina Tremblaine, a freelance writer," she explained cheerily, still holding out the hand to shake, "not to be nosy, or anything, but I've never seen anyone like you! It'd really help in my story, so, if you don't mind, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?"
All of a sudden aware of the girl's prior discomfort, she edged back slighty, a sheepish smile suddenly dragging the edges of her mouth,
"Y-you don't absolutely have to. I was just wondering."
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 3:15 pm
"Nice slippers." Asha said completely seriously. "I can't wear shoes.." She mumbled more to herself than anyone around. She ran a nervous hand through her hair. A habit she had yet to break when things felt weird for her. She let out a frustrated sigh at her own shyness.
Asha blinked her eyes as a hand was thrust out towards her. She hesitated for a moment, not use to such kindness. Eventually, she pushed her hidden fears away and shook the girl's hand. Now, that wasn't so bad, now was it? She asked herself as she forced a smile to come to her lips.
"I'm Asha Étaín." She smiled more warmly now. Someone finally introduced themselves to her. It made her feel warm inside. Someone wanted to be her friend or at least seemed to want to be her friend. He smile instantly turned to a frown as she continued to listen to the girl. "A little bit about myself?" She repeated as she cocked her head to the side. "What kind of story are you writing?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:00 pm
At the comment, Raina opened her mouth to emit a witty, hard edged insult back, but realized soon after that the girl was not joking. Looking on sympathetically at her animalistic hooves, she nodded curtly, hoping it didn't take much out of her to say. It would have scarred herself, that was for sure, if she stood out from crowds because of something she couldn't change, like her appearance. At least she could always choose to remember not to wear slippers outside. But this girl...
Frowning slightly, she shifted her weight from cushy slipper to cushy slipper, her voice gentle and empathetic as the pink-eyed stranger-turned-friend shook her hand warmly,
"T-that's alright! I bet you can do a lot of cool things that we can't do! You're not handicapped, just special, and I think that's really great," she explained hastily, flustered and hoping she'd be able to make the smallest of impacts on the uneasy mood.
Catching her smile, she returned it again, finding the gesture so welcoming that she almost laughed- Raina loved smiles. Smiles of any kind, ever since she was a child. They were what she grew up on when times in the family or at school became a little too tough for her to handle.
As it disappeared, though, so did Raina's mood, and it felt as though a rock settled on her chest, willing her to wonder what she did wrong. Her words came slow and kind, still, true to the feelings that she still felt inside,
"It's very nice to meet you, Asha! I just meant that, because I've never seen anyone like you, and, well- Ah, I'm writing a novel in my spare time, actually. It's about different types of people and their connections, the way we interact as living things and that thin but existing string that connects all of us, no matter how different we might be. I have a bit of a point to prove, actually, because some people are arguing against that view," she laughed, forcing a wink at the female that she willed, with all her heart, to be able to comfort in the slightest.
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:36 am
"Sounds like an interesting concept..." Asha said as she thought everything over. Should she go with this new friend and help her or not? Asha never had to make choices like this. Others always choose for her and it was always the choice of Asha not going with them. She sighed a bit as she weighed her options.
Finally, she decided. "Sure, I'll help you." Asha smiled as she held out her hand for a handshake. What did she have to loose? Absolutely nothing. In fact, she'd more than likely gain from this small adventure she was about to take on.
"So, where to?" She asked as she looked around. Would they stay here or go somewhere else? Asha began to get nervous. She wasn't use to being invited over to anyone else's house. Would the girl change her mind and decide that Asha shouldn't be her friend. Her thoughts spun at everything that went running through her head. Asha really needed to learn not to over think things.
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:57 am
The dull light pounded at Raina's sensitive skin behind her as she watched the thoughtfulness of her new companion. Her pink eyes seemed to shine with the options, in all the thoroughness she was giving the idea. She smiled, though, at the concept of her novel, earnestly glad that someone found it the least bit to their liking. Others would have chalked it down as another one of her eccentric ramblings, but it felt quite refreshing to start anew with a stranger who didn't have her long record of strange things dragging down their relationship.
Raina stayed silent as she patiently studied her surroundings, deciding that rushing the girl by watching her, who was timid as it was, wasn't the best of ideas. The pigeons that had settled into the space before were now gone, as residents and workers filed out of restaurants after their lunches, to scatter the frightened grey birds.
The gentle voice of Asha startled her out of her small reverie, and she forced a hasty smile, bringing her gaze back to the girl. Surprised at the gesture, she took the hand again and shook it gently, amused that the girl would want another handshake. It was good, though, that she was starting to become more assertive after the earlier mishaps- Raina, on the other had, would have to focus on being less assertive.
"Thanks, Asha," she gushed, evidently proud of the progress she had made with the petite female.
Checking her watch, she realized it was nearly one o' clock and she hadn't had lunch yet. Looking up to catch the uneasiness of her new friend, she speed-checked the area for the best plan of action. Her voice rose kindly as she spoke, the jovial lilt with a grin to match,
"Have you had lunch yet? It's always better to discuss things over a full stomach."
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:20 am
Asha's cheeks grew red as Raina thanked her. Really, this girl was just full of firsts for Asha. She watched as Raina checked her watch and she wondered what time it was as well. She cursed herself for not remembering her watch but quickly pushed that out of her mind. That wasn't the thing to be focusing on at the moment.
Asha watched as she looked around the place. At the sound of her voice and question Asha's stomach began to rumble. The mention of food having reminded her that she had been in such a rush this morning that she'd forgotten breakfast. "Lunch would be great." She said as she smiled brightly and looked around. "There are so many places...and I'm so new here. How about you choose for us?" She asked as she returned her attention back at Raina.
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 1:03 pm
Tapping her chin thoughtfully, there was a bout of surprise at Asha's pink cheeks. Smiling sweetly, Raina tilted her head to the side, child-like, almost asking why, though there was no real implication for Asha to say anything.
There was something else, though, one o' clock... ah! Cephiel would be bored in the house just about this time. The robotic brother would usually be out with friends that he had no trouble with making, with his charismatic figure and model smile, but lately he would be spending more and more time at home as each of his friends all thinned out with something to do for the summer. She would have called him, but he needed to learn to occupy himself on his own, and she had her own matters to settle at the second.
Eyes suddenly tuning back into focus, she laughed sheepishly, embarassed that she had zoned out in the middle of their conversation, just in time to catch the smile the girl offered, and her comment. Inwardly patting herself on the back, she looked around warmly until the sign caught her eye, dangling precariously high into the outreach of the cruel sunrays.
'Le Papillon', it read, the gold enframing glistening welcomingly. Cephiel would have liked the classiness it boasted, she mused, before smiling delightedly and tapping Asha gently on the shoulder, gesturing towards the doorway.
"How does Le Papillon sound? It's a new place that just opened up, and I've been meaning to try it out. Everyone says it's absolutely wonderful, care to give it a try?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:08 pm
Right then and there Asha decided to push all her fears of rejection aside. After all, Raina hadn't shown any hints, what so ever, that she was just messing with her. She was in a new city and although her appearance was still quite odd and made it a bit unsettling she would at least try to be more outgoing. It was going to be tough, but maybe helping Raina out with this story was just what Asha needed.
Asha's face brightened at the prospect of eating at a new restaurant. The name of the place sounded kind of fancy and she wondered what kind of food would be served there. Asha nodded in agreement as she glanced up at the sign and watched it sway in a slight breeze that seemed to come out of no where.
Now that she had her eyes on the sign, it too, seemed fancy. Asha's nerves threatened to get the best of her. Boy did she have a lot to work on. She closed her eyes for a bit and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes back up she started to walk toward the building. "Lets go, then." She said as she looked back at Raina and smiled. "I'll try to do whatever I can to help you with your story."
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Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:14 pm
Raina took a quick sweep of Asha, up and down, before falling back into her relaxed stance. The girl looked a bit nervous, as if she still wasn't fully relaxed, and though Raina wondered why, she stayed silent about it. She admired the pink eyes that Asha lived behind, actually- they glittered like well-polished seashells, and she was sure there were none to be found like them for many years of her life to come.
She would do well to make friends with this girl. Even if the girl was the most mundane girl on Midori, she would still make an effort, that was just the way she was. She found her haven, where she belonged, in the people and comrades that she had met.
With an amused smile, she took the first steps forward, keeping her eyes on the practices that Asha indulged in, perhaps to calm her fears? To take a little bit of pressure off the situation, she turned her eyes away and focused them on the glistening sign, instead, as she walked, listening closely for the steps of her companion behind her.
Oh, what was she thinking! The place looked like an expensive restaurant, not something they would eat in regularly. Turning around sheepishly, she stopped in the middle of the street to the grunts and unappreciative moans of the thinning passerby.
"Lunch is on me, Asha, I forgot to mention that," she laughed cheerily, fingering the bag that she had slung over her shoulder.
Really, how could she have been so forgetful!
At the comments that came out of the timid girl's mouth, she corrected herself again, her voice gentle and reassuring,
"It's not just for the story, really! You just seemed like, well... I mean, I really wanted to know what kind of person you were at first, yes, for the story, but let's just concentrate on getting to know each other better. I want to be your friend, Asha," she said, pulling a lock of hair behind her ear to another abashed laugh. "That is, if that's alright with you. I don't want it to seem like we're here just for this book's sake."
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Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:43 pm
Asha cocked her head to the side as Raina stopped in the middle of the street. What was she doing? Asha raised an eyebrow as the girl offered to pay for the meal they were about to have. "Are you sure?" She blinked as she walked up beside her and smiled. "That sure is nice of you. Thanks."
Asha squeaked a bit as she was shoved, a bit, aside from someone walking by. "We had best get out of the way." She said as she laughed a bit.
"Friends..?" Asha smiled yet again. She seemed to be doing that more often since meeting Raina just a little bit ago. "That sounds nice." Asha raked her hand through her short hair as she sighed. "I'm sorry if I'm...a little awkward." She gave a short laugh as she continued on towards the restaurant. "My social skills are a bit lacking. Not many people have been nice to me in the past." As she reached the door of the place she turned around to face Raina. "I'd love to be your friend."
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 5:54 pm
Raina let out another sheepish laugh at Asha's surprise, admiring how naive the girl was. She couldn't have been that far away in age from her own, she was sure, but the horse-bodied girl didn't seem to have much knowledge of common conventions. To drag someone into a restaurant for lunch without paying for them seemed sort of risky to her, but it could have been the heavy weight she put on the important of their friendship. Not so much for herself, but for the girl who seemed to have trouble opening up.
"Of course, it's my pleasure- we're friends, after all," she bubbled happily as she apologized again to annoyed passerby before starting up on her walk again. Looking back at the pink-eyed female, her face fell into a childish smile as she shielded the more petite figure in the now-bustling crowd. Her sandals clipped cleanly behind her as her smooth carriage led her to the door, hesitating at the doorknob before turning to face her new found companion, her viridian eyes soft.
"It's nothing to apologize about, Asha," she said earnestly, the same radiant grin still gracing her countenance. "There's a first for everything. And, besides, it's very nice for me to be able to have lunch with someone as delightful as you! It's my pleasure, really."
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