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 Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:50 am
NOCTURNE
–noun Music.
1. a piece appropriate to the night or evening.
2. an instrumental composition of a dreamy or pensive character.
an art exchange
from me to you
a beautiful picture of nightmare dreams
of bonds and power and what could be
i suppose, however, i forgot to mention
that this art is in exchange not for pictures
but for the lives of the dreamers that sleep within
The man was pacing back and forth in front of Twilight Designs. His uniform was mussed from the wind and rain that had hit Durem earlier in the day, his hat no longer properly on his head, his name tag no longer on as straight as it once had been; to be frank, the delivery man had seen better days. His mood was beginning to sour, especially when it became apparent that the store was currently unoccupied.
He could not leave without someone taking the package. Though he did not realise it, the compulsion to deliver this parcel was strong and there was nothing he could do to shake it. He wanted the package out of his hands and into the hands of someone who came to this shop. Muttering under his breath about the need for signatures and people not being present for their deliveries, he continued to pace back and forth in front of the shop.
The package itself was very non-descript. From the plain paper bag wrapping to the common twine that tied it all together. There was nothing unusual about the parcel itself. More could be said, in fact, about the man delivering it than the package. It seemed the size of a painting, perhaps a large book, and not at all anything dangerous.
But looks, as they say, can be deceiving.
The evening was quickly approaching, the sun bloody on the horizon as it was sinking behind the land. The first light of twilight was all ready descending, barely there but slowly eating away at the light that remained.
The delivery man was beginning to sweat, his brow creasing with worry and annoyance. He could not leave without this package out of his hands and no matter what he thought, what he wanted, he would stay here until he got rid of it.
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 10:00 pm
Ying hummed softly to the music on her mp3 player. It was a recent gift from her family, and she'd been listening to it almost constantly. Even though the mix was definitely eclectic, having everything from Eriol's favorite rock and metal groups to Linnea's preferred new age music and DS's enka artists, the songs all had the same ability to help her focus. Or perhaps they distracted her, not letting her think too hard.
Are you done yet? You have enough clothes to open a store of your own.
Looking at the half-dozen bags she carried in mock surprise, Ying giggled. "This? Come on Savvy, I couldn't even have a yard sale with these clothes. Not that I'd want to. It's been aaaaages since I've been shopping, and I've saved the best for last."
It was dark enough now that Tsavorite felt comfortable coming out of Ying's shadow. She hovered next to her bond, twirling a strand of hair around her finger boredly. You mean there's more?
"Just one more stop." As they turned the corner, Ying couldn't help but feel excited. Coming to Twilight Designs always felt like a treat to her. Despite some of their more dubious merchandise- namely Tsavorite- she thought that the designs were gorgeous, and the shopkeepers were about the coolest she knew. She couldn't wait to talk to Miss Reyna, to see if she was planning another Halloween party this year.
And what a shame. Looks like they closed early. Savvy pointed out the closed door and waiting delivery man, unable to hide a trace of disappointment. If the shop was closed, it meant she couldn't try her new trick on anyone there, which she'd been wanting to do for a while.
Ying's face fell, and she jogged the last few steps to the door of the shop. Sure enough, there was no one inside. Frowning, she pulled one earphone out and looked at the delivery man. "Are you here for Miss Reyna too, sir?"
No, he's doing avant-garde performance art, Savvy remarked dryly, taking a look in the window herself. To get inside and annoy Ying, or to play with the messenger? Decisions, decisions. For the moment, she waited outside to see if the man had anything useful to say.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:37 pm
The man nearly jumped when Ying spoke, whirling around on his feet and scrambling to keep the parcel in his hands. He cradled it next to his body, as if his life depended on keeping it safe.
He stared at Ying, eyes shifting towards Savvy with some wariness. His paranoia was spiking; the fact he may not get this parcel delivered something he could NOT have happen. It took a moment for him to respond to Ying, as if he was in a daze, but he did.
"Now, not a Reyna, little miss," he freed a hand and used it to wipe his brow, "but a Mister Athan - to be delivered at Twilight Designs before the close of business today." Clearly, however, the shop had all ready closed up for the day.
But ... maybe ...
"Do you know them? The shop keepers?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 6:28 pm
"Ohhhh, I see." Ying nodded understandingly, shooting a glare at Tsavorite. Was she doing something to make the man uncomfortable? Knowing Savvy, probably.
The picture of innocence, Savvy leaned forward a bit. She definitely wanted to see whatever was in the box before Athan got to it. Maybe Ying's tendency to be overly helpful would have some positive side effects this time.
Still not completely reassured, Ying looked back at the man with a smile. "Yes, we know them! If the shop's closed, I'm not sure what we can do for you, but we'd like to help.
"Well, I'd like to help," she clarified, with another glare over her shoulder.
I'm hurt you think so little of me, Savvy remarked. Why don't we take the package? You wanted to wait anyway, and this poor man must want to go home.
"Really?" Ying's eyes widened. "You really want to help out Mister Athan?"
Savvy paused for a moment. If she didn't play her cards right, Ying could get suspicious. I guess I have to have some respect for my creator, she said finally. This wasn't even remotely true, but Ying rarely noticed her lies.
This was still the case, and Ying brightened considerably. "I think you're changing, Savvy! Okay, mister, since we were going to wait anyway, we can hold onto the package, if you like."
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:47 am
"The package is suppose to be delivered to one of the owners ..." He shifted, uneasily ( never mind repeating himself ), on his feet watching the two warily. One seemed all right - but the other was just as creepy as the person who had given him the package.
As if they were nothing BUT shadows that danced about in the twilight of hte evening.
It was getting late and it HAD to be delivered. He knew it did - he just wasn't sure what would happen if he did not have it delivered.
It would be bad.
He knew it.
"You have to sign for it ..." He fumbled for the small handheld in his pocket and shuffled the package in his hands to pass it to Ying. "... just sign your name there ... please ..."
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Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:45 pm
"Of course it is," Ying said soothingly. "I'm sure they've just stepped out for a while. We'd be glad to wait in your place."
Savvy almost asked about Ying's use of "we," but stopped herself. She had time to be critical later. Now was the time to be quiet, so she could find out what was in that box. Sure. If we weren't waiting, Ying would just go to another dozen clothing stores.
Ying laughed. "Maybe not a dozen, but that does sound nice. Maybe tomorrow."
Smiling at the man, she took the handheld and neatly signed Ying Satourne on the line. "Is that good?"
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Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:57 pm
The moment Ying signed for the package, it seemed as if all his stress left him. He wiped his brow one last time and checked the signature. "Yes ... That will do. Thank you," he looked down at the signature, "Miss Satourne."
Practically shoving the package into her arms, the delivery man gave a tip of his hat and walked off down the road. It was as if once out of his hands, he no longer fretted the package getting delivered.
A memory that was now forgotten.
The package, now in Ying's arms, was light at first. Except that the longer it was held, the heavier it became.
As if it wanted to be set down.
And the moment it was set down, it was hard to resist wanting to open it. There was an allure to the parcel; the curiousity of the holder eating at them until they could no longer resist it ...
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:18 am
"You're welcome," Ying said, taking the package in one arm and waving the man off with the other. It felt good to do something nice for someone.
The moment the man was out of sight, Savvy made a grab for the package. You must be tired. Let me hold that a while.
"It's not that heavy." As soon as she said that, Ying could have sworn she felt the package grow heavier. She put both arms around it and shook her head. That wasn't possible.
Still, we can take turns. Savvy saw Ying's discomfort and grabbed at the box again, only to have it moved out of the way again.
Ying frowned. Maybe the box was just heavier than it felt. "How about neither of us holds it?" she offered, setting the box on the ground. That felt better... but only for a moment. Then Ying was sure it was still pulling on her, wanting something else.
As soon as the box was set down, Savvy swooped in. Don't you want to know what cloak-face has in there? Aren't you even curious?
"No," Ying lied. But the more she thought about it, the more she did wonder. It could be a shipment of pretty jewelry, or something infinitely more exciting. "Well..."
The "well" was the only opening Savvy needed. Her hands felt around the package for an opening. Finally she found a place where the tape was peeling off and began to help it along.
"Savvy, be careful!" Ying started to stop the fiend, but found herself helping open the package for reasons she couldn't quite explain. At least they were doing a neat job, she thought. Hopefully Mister Athan wouldn't be too mad at them.
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Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:24 pm
As soon as the parcel was opened, the last piece of string falling to the side, the portrait was visible. It was twilight, though if it was the time just before dawn or dusk, one could not tell. The scenery stretched out, a massive labyrinth painted in the background. Creatures flew in the sky over the disjointed land below - it was all most lifelike.
As if when touched one would sink right into the picture. All it took was just one brush of the fingers against the paint, it would feel as if it was still wet ...
It would be sticky and stuck to one's fingers and the more they tried to pull back, the more it would try to pull them in.
There was no resisting it, just as there was no escaping it.
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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 11:11 pm
That's it? If Tsavorite had a nose, she would have wrinkled it. A picture? Gee, I can see why it was soooo important. Still, despite the picture's apparent mundaneness, something about it bothered her. It felt off, but she couldn't quite figure out why.
Ying absently swatted at Savvy, her hand phasing through the fiend's arm. "Stop that. It's very lifelike, isn't it? Mr. Athan has good tastes in artists." Perhaps not in subjects, however. The landscape was giving her the creeps.
"It almost looks like you could walk into it," she continued, gently stroking the surface. The paint felt wet at first, and then her fingers abruptly stopped moving. "Hmmm?" While she hadn't been paying full attention before, Ying's eyes focused fully on the painting. And her hand. And the fact that she couldn't seem to separate the two.
Savvy hovered over Ying's shoulder, watching her struggle with mild scorn. Just drop it already. It's hardly worth the bother we went to to look at it.
"I can't," Ying said, pulling harder. She wasn't afraid, but she was uncomfortable and unhappy. "It's stuck!"
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Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 2:29 pm
Did she not believe? It all most seemed like the portrait whispered to Savvy, calling her to investigate and look and touch just as her guardian was slowly being pulled inside.
The scenery seemed to darken in the painting, even as it continued to pull Ying into it.
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 12:03 am
It wasn't as if the paint itself felt sticky, Ying decided, flicking her hand from side to side anxiously. It felt wet, but also like she should have no trouble separating from it. Then, abruptly, the tips of her fingers felt dry air. They were still on the painting, though- or, perhaps more accurately, inside it.
Do I have to do everything? This wasn't exciting anymore, just a nuisance. Tsavorite grabbed Ying's wrist with one hand and the painting with the other and attempted to separate the two. Instead, she felt the cold wetness against her skin drawing her inside. She tried to phase out of it, to no avail. How could it keep her stuck like that?
Forgetting her previous sentiment, she glared at Ying. Do something!
Ying looked back at Tsavorite grumpily. "Like what? If you hadn't tried opening Mister Athan's package, none of this would have happened-"
Something useful, I meant, Savvy corrected, the dull, familiar feeling of fear beginning to set in. Ying was scared now, and covering it up with anger. Or was it Savvy herself who was scared? At times like this, it became difficult to tell. She stopped fighting the force that pulled her inside, and felt slightly better. If she was being dragged into paintings, she would arrive with her dignity intact. And there were worse things that could happen. At least it's dark in there.
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Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 12:56 pm
Not resisting was either a good idea, or an especially bad idea. The moment that Savvy stopped resisting, the painting started to pull her in faster.
And with each bit of her that was pulled in further, it was like a sharp pain in Ying's chest - as if encouraging her to give in as well. To let herself be pulled into the painting.
There was no longer anything charming about the painting - not to them. It was sinister and dark and it would not be content until they were both devoured and inside.
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Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 2:45 pm
Demare muttered under his breath as he walked back toward the shop, Chrys floating not far behind. He fumbled with the keys a little bit, trying to pick out the right one, and they slipped out of his hands, falling to the sidewalk.
"Damn it, Chrys... You just HAD to leave something at the shop, didn't you..." he signed, leaning down to pick up the mess of keys. "That's the last time I let you out. If Clare even finds out about this, he'll have my head."
Chrys was quiet, his normally white pupils a faded shade of red, his shoulders twitching a little bit in his torn up jacket. He needed out. He needed to get out of the shadows for a bit, before anything else happened. Why couldn't he understand that? ...Oh, right. Because he couldn't tell him.
The fiend glanced toward the direction they had been walking, noticing the man with a painting of some sort standing in front of the door to the shop. His body shivered as he fought the urge to move ahead, instead lifting a hand to grasp tightly onto Demare's sleeve.
Wait... Wasn't that...? Was there something coming out of that painting?
S... Something wrong... Chrys whispered, his grip getting tighter. Look funny.
"What looks funny?" the halfling grumbled with a frown, turning his eyes upward. Was that... Ying? It looked like she was being sucked into something.
He quickly gathered his keys and started to make his way to the shop again. Every part of him wanted to run, but he was afraid of spooking the man at the door, not sure what his intentions were. Demare's wings drew close to his back as he got closer to the shop.
"Excuse me!" Demare called out, shifting the keys in his hands a little. "Can I help you?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 7:03 pm
Alarmed by the sudden drag on her, Savvy tried to drop the painting. She wasn't expecting it to work, but Ying was clearly useless, so it was up to her to get out of this mess. The fact that she had gotten them into it wasn't worth thinking about, not with such a desperate situation.
"Savvy, stop that," Ying scolded sharply. "You're hurting me."
You'll be hurt a lot more if you let some unknown magic get at you, Tsavorite retorted. The fact that she had given into it just moments ago was also not worth what little time she had. If you won't do something, I will.
Ying was near tears with frustration, pain, and fear. In desperation she pulled back with all of her weight, hoping to jerk out of the painting's pull. It didn't work, but it turned her around so she could see the person (or was it persons?) approaching them.
"Demare!" she shrieked, flailing wildly. His offer of help was the only buoy in the sea of panic that was quickly engulfing her, and she didn't hesitate to grab it. "Yes, please! Something's wrong... it hurts so much!"
Quit whining and let them do something! Tsavorite butted in. Phasing through it didn't work. Going into Ying's shadow didn't work. Now she had to depend on other people to help her. Things were not going the way she wanted them to, and she was... not scared, but extremely unhappy. If you're going to help, do it quickly!
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