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 Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:22 am
Who: Lazarus, Hazeline, Xiu
Where: Hazeline's Bookstore
When: Mid afternoon
Weather: Gloomy with a bit of wind
The day had been gloomy the entire day, it is mid afternoon but the sun is hiding behind thick layers of cloud. There were a little bit of wind but it wasn't enough to blow the clouds away. It was as if the weather was reflecting Lazarus's miserable self. Clutching a piece of paper in hand, he searched for the road sign to make sure he was on the right road. I should be near. He thought silently, a frown never left his features the entire time as he spotted the road sign he was looking for.
Truth to be told, Lazarus doesn't know what to expect later. The scenes from when he was infected played clearly in his mind. The people he had attacked, he had hurt and had threatened to hurt, he remembered them all. Every single detail. He knew he was under the influence of the virus and he wasn't in his right mind, but he felt like it was his fault somehow. The least he could do was apologized to the people he had hurt. He wasn't expecting forgiveness, but he want them to at least know that he felt sorry for what had happened.
Looking around, he finally spotted the bookstore he was looking for - Hazeline's residence. Lazarus remembered the scene clearly, he had violated her, she was stunned silence. She should be hating him now, he knew for sure. Hell, she probably doesn't want to see him even. But he won't know until he try. Floating up to the store front, Lazarus hesitated a little. The store was closed, that much is obvious since today is Sunday. However according to her address, she lives above the store. Gathering his courage, he knocked a few times loudly on the door. Here goes nothing. His heart raced as he waited for an answer.
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 2:01 am
Hazeline was in her room, reading when the knocks came. Looking surprised, Hazeline called to Xiu. “Would you mind getting the door please?”
“Of course, Hazeline,” said Xiu as he floated down the stairs. Opening the door, Xiu blinked in surprised. “Lazarus?” said Xiu floating back a little to allow the other entry. Closing the door gently behind them, the frei turned to look curiously at the Sigel. “This is…certainly a surprise. What brings you here?”
“Who is it, Xiu?” Hazeline called out from above. Soon, the sound of footsteps were heard as the guardian descended the stairs. “Is it a-,”
Hazeline stopped as though paralysed. “L-Lazarus?”
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:59 am
"Hello Xiu." Lazarus nodded curtly at Xiu as he entered the bookstore, his expression somber. He couldn't help but notice the musty smell of books as he glanced around the bookstore. Very comfortable. The Sigel's eyes were however drawn back to the white Frei as the question arose. "I uhm..." he didn't know where to start as he lowered his head a little. "I'm actually here to see..."
He didn't finish his sentence as a female voice came from the stairs. Could it be? Glancing up, he felt his heart stopped for a moment as he saw Hazeline, the memory of the scene came up again in his mind. Shutting his eyes, he shook his head a little as if trying to shake the memory out of his head.
Opening his eyes again, he floated a little bit towards Hazeline, though he was aware of keeping a wary distance. "I... I..." Damnit, he just had to forgot his earlier prepared speech at this very moment. Drawing in a deep breath, he tried to calm his nerves. "I... actually came here to see you, Hazeline." He started, his head bowed slightly but his eyes were fixed on Hazeline, filled with guilt. "I want to apologize... for what happened in the lab last month. I'm not looking for forgiveness, but I just want you to know that if I could, I will take back what I did." He let out a sigh as he finished, though that was different from what he intended, but he hoped at least that his message was sent across to Hazeline.
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 7:46 am
The sight of Hazeline staring down frozen at Lazarus as the Sigel stammered an apology was almost too embarrassing to watch. Shifting his wings uneasily, Xiu floated a little distance away from the Sigel, giving Lazarus some room. This was an almost private conversation between Hazeline and Lazarus and Xiu felt like an intruder. And yet…as the white frei watched, Xiu could not help but respect Lazarus for what he was doing. The Sigel was actually…apologizing.
Hazeline’s grip onto the banister did not lessen the slightest at the Sigel’s apology. The memory of that incident…it was just too painful to ignore. Blinking rapidly, Hazeline turned away from the Sigel and his apologetic gaze. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Hazeline then said softly. “I-It’s fine Lazarus…you were…not yourself. Besides…Xiu thinks highly of you…so….you can’t be all that bad,”
Thus saying so, the guardian then turned and climbed up the stairs. “I have…got some papers to finish. Xiu, if Lazarus would like a warm drink, you know where the cocoa is,”
Left alone, Xiu turned sheepishly to Lazarus. “A warm drink…then?” the white frei asked uncertainly.
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:31 am
Hazeline's words, although did not totally lifted off the heavy feeling in his heart, did made him feel slightly more relieved. Even though she said she was fine with it, but Lazarus knew that deep down, Hazeline haven't forgave him fully just yet. He understood though, everyone would need time to heal. Even Lazarus himself, he knew it will be a while before he could forgive himself, to get over the incident and move on.
Closing his eyes, the Sigel let out a sigh of relief as his tensed shoulders slumped a little. When his eyes opened again, the red gaze was warm and gentle, not filled with sadness and guilt when he first entered the bookstore. "A warm drink sounds nice right now." he said, turning over and went closer to Xiu. "Though, do you have anything else aside from cocoa?" The Sigel asked. He knew that it was kind of impolite to ask like this at someone's house, but he really don't feel like drinking hot cocoa. Lazarus still isn't very fond of chocolate of any kind, harden, processed, or even liquidized.
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:16 am
“Umm…sure, we have some tea, coffee…err…those three in one oat drinks?” said Xiu listing off all available warm drinks that were available. Floating towards the staircase, Xiu indicated that Lazarus should do the same. “Apart from Hazeline, the house’s pretty empty at the moment,” said Xiu. “And I think…we may have the ingredients for warm cider punch but…I’m afraid I do not know how to make them” said Xiu with a soft chuckle. “Have not had too many ventures into the kitchen,”
“So…what would you have, Lazarus?” said Xiu as he led the Sigel to the sitting room. “It’ll take just a moment so please, make yourself comfortable,”
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:36 am
"Coffee would do." Lazarus said as he let Xiu led him to the sitting room. Although he was mildly interested at the suggestion of the cider punch, he made a mental note to find out how to make it when he get home later. At the notion of making oneself comfortable though, Lazarus glanced at the couches and hesitated. He was never a 'sitting' person, and decided that he will follow Xiu to the kitchen instead. Since he felt that is more comfortable than staying in the sitting room alone, he always felt awkward doing that at guest's house. Xiu did told him to make himself comfortable.
Lazarus followed behind Xiu quietly as they entered the kitchen, it was small, not as huge as the lab's one of course, but very cozy. He leaned with an elbow on a counter as he let Xiu do his thing. "So... I noticed your eyes weren't red anymore." The last time he remembered seeing the white Frei was when he was infected, sadly, and his eyes and rune were red. Like the time when he was forced to take blood due to his diet problems. "Are you feeling better now?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:11 am
Xiu was surprised when the Sigel opted to follow him into the kitchen. It was not like they usually have guests over and well…the guests generally remained in the living room. Rummaging through the cupboards, Xiu finally found the tin of coffee powder behind the jar of fruit preserves. Taking the tin down, Xiu placed a kettle onto the stove and waited for the water to boil. Turning to Lazarus, Xiu gave a soft laugh, blue eyes looking amused. “They aren’t are they? To tell the truth, Lazarus I am glad,”
Taking a jar of cookies from a different cabinet and placing them onto the counter for Lazarus to sample, Xiu then placed a couple of teaspoons of coffee into the mug. “And yes, much better, thank you, Lazarus,” said Xiu. “And err…you are better too, I take it?” the frei asked unsure if Lazarus was willing to talk about it. “What you just did, I was…impressed Lazarus,” admitted Xiu quietly. “Not many would have the courage to apologize like that,”
The kettle had then sounded and Xiu poured the steaming water into the mug before adding a little creamer and sugar. “Dr. Kyou has told me that my coffee was too strong so ummm….I’ve added more sugar,” said the frei worriedly. “It’s…not too sweet I hope?”
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:59 am
"Yeah I feel better." He nodded to Xiu's question. Mentally at least, his body always felt fine throughout the infection period, perhaps stronger even. That thought sent a chill down Lazarus's spine, it would be scary if Kyou didn't quarantine him in that condition.
Lazarus looked at the jar of cookies presented to him for a moment, but he didn't touch them. He was never big with snacks like these, Kyou would probably appreciate them better than he does.
A faint blush crept up to Lazarus's face at the compliment though. Quirking the corner of his lips just a little, the Sigel smiled for the first time today, although it was still tinged with a bit of sadness. "Thank you, I just felt... that it was the correct thing to do - apologizing." he said as he lowered his head. "Do you... hate me for what I did?" The Sigel asked tentatively as he accepted the cup of coffee, raising his eyes to meet with Xiu's for a few moments before dipping them back down again. "Never mind, it was a stupid question." he laughed softly, although it sounded a little forced.
Raising the cup to his lips, he blew softly on the surface of the liquid before taking a tentative sip. It was not too bad actually, the coffee's fragrance is just right, though he must admit that it is still a little too sweet for his taste. Admittedly, his taste with coffee is different with Kyou. "This is just nice, it is a little sweet for me, but it's fine."
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:37 am
“That’s good,” said Xiu in response to Lazarus claiming that he felt better. The white frei was thoughtful. Like Lazarus, he had lost himself back then and was truly determined to kill not only the Doctor but Lazarus and Zul into the bargain. The white frei cringed inwardly. It was fortunate that that did not happen.
Glancing up, Xiu was surprised to see Lazarus smiling with just the faintest trace of a blush present on his handsome features. Lazarus looked good smiling like that; much better than his silent brooding look. Xiu wanted to comment on it but decided that that would not be appropriate. It was not like he knew the Sigel well and…
"Do you... hate me for what I did?"
Xiu was taken by surprised. “No, Lazarus, I do not,” came the reply a little too quickly and now it was Xiu’s turn to look embarrassed; his cheeks colouring just a little at the awkwardness of it all. “ I-I mean…it would have been awkward if Hazeline had not…forgiven you but…if it’s alright, I would like to get to know you better, as a friend,” Xiu added hurriedly afraid that the Sigel would think otherwise. “I mean, I’ve always…well…this is really embarrassing but…I’ve always looked up to you, Lazarus. You were always the strong one. I guess…first impressions are always the strongest,” said Xiu with a sheepish laugh.
“And I’ll remember to add less sugar,” said Xiu with a smile.
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:22 pm
Lazarus stared at Xiu surprisingly at his words, he didn't know that the younger Frei looked up at him so much. Although, admittedly when he was newly born he was rather attached to Lazarus, the Frei was hesitant to go home with Hazeline even. A soft smile spread across the Sigel's features as he recalled the memory. It was Lazarus's first time doing a pick-up job as well. Maybe it had left a stronger impression to Xiu than he thought, he was sure the white Frei had forgotten all about that by now.
"I am not as strong as you think I am." raising the cup, he closed his eyes and took another sip from the coffee, enjoying the fragrance and the warmth. He was glad though, that Xiu doesn't hate him for what he did. "But I would love to know you better as well, as a friend." he echoed Xiu's words, a gentle smile graced his lips. "Thank you, for all your kind words."
Lazarus felt at ease, more relaxed now for some strange reason. Perhaps it was the warm coffee calming his nerves, or was it because he completed his mission today to apologize to Hazeline? Or could it be because of good company? It doesn't matter which, but he is enjoying the moment, and that is what matters.
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:05 pm
“Well, you and Rivener are pretty strong in my books,” replied the frei with a soft chuckle. At Lazarus reply about wanting to know Xiu better as a friend, the white frei beamed. “I am honoured, Lazarus,” said Xiu with a graceful dip of his head. “And I have only been speaking my mind,”
Drumming his fingers absently across the counter’s surface, Xiu then gave Lazarus a thoughtful look. “How is it like being a Sigel?” Xiu asked curiously. “Rivener seems to enjoy it and well…you seem pretty confident of yourself for the most part,” said Xiu. “I wonder if this confidence comes with growing up or …were you guys naturally confident to begin with?” enquired Xiu in a slightly teasing tone. “It is hard trying to imagine you and Rivener as freis and equally, if not harder to ever imagine myself ever growing to a Sigel,”
“Although I have thought about it,” admitted Xiu with a dismissive wave of a hand. “Rather like how a child would think about growing up; it is interesting in its own way but I guess only time will tell; more coffee, Lazarus? The water’s still hot,” the frei offered, noticing that the Sigel’s cup was almost empty. “Or perhaps something else?”
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:50 pm
Pausing for a moment, Lazarus pondered Xiu's question. Does he exudes the image of confidence? The Sigel had never thought of himself that way, he just acts like himself normally. "I think, it's not so much as confidence than it is quiet maturity." he began, reflecting over the words he wants to say. "Me and Rivener had been through more I guess, so we grew and mature in the process."
"You had been through a lot too." Lazarus said, raising his red eyes to meet with Xiu's blue ones, he was reminded of the things Xiu had to endure during the month of Hungry Ghost, when those bright blue eyes turned red. "You're still young, but already quite matured, kind too. Don't worry about growing into a Sigel, when it happens, it will happen." It was true, when it happens, you can't even do anything to stop it, Lazarus learnt that the hard way. He did enjoyed the Sigel body more than when he was a Frei, but along with it came a huge price. The Sigel was sure that Rivener's growth was probably far less dramatic.
"I don't mind another cup." The Sigel said, handing the almost empty cup to Xiu. Barely noticing that he almost finished the coffee.
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Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:28 am
Xiu listened attentively as the Sigel spoke, telling him of what he and Rivener had been through. “Quiet…maturity, huh?” Xiu said quietly. The white frei had never thought of that. Well…Rivener was not exactly the quiet kind (hell, he even liked the limelight, as could be seen during their visit to the convention center)…but…there was a certain air about him that the white frei could identify with Lazarus. Perhaps that was the ‘maturity’ part. The quiet was probably optional.
Shifting his wings slightly, Xiu nodded. “Yeah,” agreed the white frei, the memory of the Hungry Ghost event still deeply etched into his mind. “That’s one…period I’ll not forget so easily…,”
“And you are probably right, Lazarus…,” admitted Xiu with a soft smile. “Best to enjoy being a frei while I still can,”
Taking the cup from the Sigel, the white frei poured Lazarus another cup of coffee, adding a little less sugar this time. “Christmas is coming,” remarked Xiu with a smile. “Have you done your Christmas shopping yet, Lazarus?”
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Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:48 am
"Yeah," Lazarus nodded at Xiu. "You are only Frei once. Although there really isn't a lot of difference between Frei and Sigel aside from the developed abdomen." he chuckled as he patted a hand on his stomach, his voice light and clear.
Accepting the refilled cup, Lazarus mouthed a soundless 'thank you' as he took another sip. This one tasted better this time, warm and bitter. "Christmas?" The Sigel didn't realized it is almost Christmas already, the period he was infected probably screwed his perception of time a little, since he was quarantined in a nearly empty room for more than a month. He felt like it was still November. No wonder it was so cold outside. Quietly, he made a mental note to dig out some warm clothes later when he get home, to prepare for winter.
"I uhm... I haven't thought much about Christmas yet." which was the sad truth. "Kyou will probably ask me to do some Christmas shopping for him, but I haven't planned anything yet. What about you? Had you done your shopping yet? Any gifts you plan on getting?"
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