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 Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 2:35 pm
x x x x x WHO: Alex, Ekundayo & Fathle
x x x x x WHEN: Morning
x x x x x WHERE: Lab 305
x x x x x WEATHER: Clear blue skies; cool
She sat on the edge of the desk, the silence filling the front room just as loudly as the fighting had mere minutes before. Alex exhaled slowly, trying to even out her frayed nerves while pinching the bridge of her nose in a stressful habit. The woman did not want to do this. She'd tried to express her concern to Kyou, but it was impossible to fight without being a hypocrite; there was an application process for all Raevan owners, and the most suitable had been chosen for Ekundayo. The Italian didn't know the man chosen, but she'd never heard of him before and it immediately put her on edge. Dayo should go to someone we know, she had tried to tell her boss. Not a stranger!
Even best of friends start off as strangers. So she'd had to tell herself when she could no longer argue. Telling Zul the fate of the Eagle had been even uglier.
They had fought, really, truly fought, even worse than when Rivener was involved. When it came to the Sigel, Alex could claim ignorance or simple lack of understanding, but Dayo...Dayo was Zul's friend and hers as well. It was personal for both of them, but she did not understand why her charge was so unwilling to grasp what had happened. It might have been a 'human' explanation, but it didn't change the fact that the Eagle would need him.
"She's dead!" the demon had roared at her, his wings flared and rattling, his spine arched and his demeanor bristled. "I don't want her! I don't want anything to do with her!"
"She's a RAEVAN!" Alex had roared back with every ounce of vigor and rage she possessed. "She's still one of your kind and she needs your help! It doesn't matter if she isn't one you know anymore Zul, treat her like one you haven't met and do your job!"
He hadn't liked that. The look on his face told her clearly that he had not expected her to use his own logic against him, to say that she was still a Raevan through and through. Zul had left in a huff without a word of where he was going, though she imagined it was the beach...or perhaps the mall, the last place he saw his friend. Either way, Alex couldn't chase him and had instead called her brother to look out for him.
Thus, the woman remained in the lobby, arms crossed over her tank top and her eyes downcast, the dark strands of hair from her standard up-do barely crossing her unfocused green gaze. Now, she had to wait for this new person that she didn't approve of on her own without any type of moral support for herself or Ekundayo. There wasn't much more that would be able to set her on edge and not make her snap.
Sighing, she lifted her hands and rubbed her face. The new guy would be there soon...and Dayo would be gone. Forgive me, Dayo, she thought inwardly, trying to wipe the sorrow and disquiet from her face. We do what we must for love of you.
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Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:22 pm
A shadow filtered through the window of the lab door before it opened to let in an ocean-tainted breeze. It brought with it a faint chill that the morning sun had yet to eradicate from the night before. The newcomer took a few seconds to softly close the heavy door behind him before he lifted his eyes and immediately found Alex leaning against the edge of the desk; a small, polite smile lifted the corners of his lips while his gaze dropped again in a form of chivalrous respect and greeting.
“I beg your forgiveness if I have kept you waiting,” he said as he closed the distance between them, each stride purposeful and imbued with a hungry feline grace. The man was probably a good head taller than Alex with hair that was dark red and eyes to match in hue. His rather formal black dress shirt and pants only served to point out how pale his skin was, which seemed unnaturally smooth. Almost as if he was carved from stone rather than flesh.
“I presume you are the Laboratory staff member I am supposed to meet.” He paused before offering his hand to Alex. “My name is Farael Lekabel but I will answer to Fathle considering my name is rather a mouthful.”
The soft, overhead lights within the lobby seemed to catch the pigment of Fathle’s eyes as he offered another small smile, making it look as though they were glowing.
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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:47 am
She would have missed the door opening, so wrapped around her thoughts as she was, but the brief and familiar scent of the distant ocean was her smelling salt, causing her to wade out of her deep thoughts and turn her green eyes towards the door. Alex pushed herself off of the desk, situating her top and lifting her chin to greet the man with a smile, though the expression briefly froze on her features as he ambled into the room. And really, amble was too unkind a word for the quiet, cat-like way he moved. He had to be taller than her brother and yet he moved as silently as a Raevan itself. That, and he had gorgeous red hair, good god almighty--
Alex blinked a few times as he spoke, snapping out of her trance and shaking her head to physically jump-start her brain. "Far--Fathle? All right. Fathle it is," she mumbled before speaking more loudly. "I'm Alex, I help Kyou out from time to time." Her greeting was absent of her usual warmth and excitement, and though she'd never met the man, she was grateful for their unfamiliarity; he'd never know she was on edge. Or so she hoped. When he smiled, she had a sudden, strange feeling of de ja vu. Her dark brows knitted over her inquisitive gaze, one hand lifting to absently touch her collar bone. Did she...?
No, she told herself firmly. I'd remember a face like that. Damn you, Logan, for ruining me for red hair. Snorting inwardly, she offered up a faint smile, turning on heel and seizing the clipboard on the desk with a sort of snapping motion, plucking the pen from the clip itself. "I'll take you right in," she started, skipping pleasantries since she had none, "after you take a brief gander at this and sign your understanding." She handed the objects over to Fathle, her smile doing little to remove the neutrality from her face. If you hurt her, she promised him silently, I will beat you with this clipboard.
Well, that made her feel a bit better! With a smile that was a little more herself, she added, "Her name is Ekundayo. She used to go by Dayo, but - well, I'll tell you on the way. She's special." The way the Italian said the last words gave much weight to her opinion of the Raevan; Dayo was the star of this show, and he was just her spotlight holder.
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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:12 pm
Fathle’s polite countenance never faltered when Alex did not bother to shake his hand. Instead, he pulled it back toward his stomach and gave the young woman a small bow.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Alex,” he said softly. When he straightened his back, he met her gaze and the corner of his lip lifted slightly. She looked troubled as if his was a face that she should have remembered. Yes, perhaps a part of her seemed to realize who he was. Fathle touched the tip of his tongue against the sharp point of his canines. He had managed to keep his face from registering his surprise and amusement at the way the Fates like to play with him when he first opened the doors of the Lab. It seemed strangely appropriate that she would be his tour guide for this new branch of his life. Close to a year had passed but he would not forget such an important face. She had not changed and the year’s time had done nothing to diminish her subtle beauty that reminded Fathle of mountain laurels – hardy and strong. If there was anything that Fathle could point out, it was that she did not seemed to earnestly use the laugh lines that surrounded her mouth and green eyes, leaving her entire demeanor a bit distant and cold. He absently wondered what sort of hardship had hardened her so.
Fathle took the clipboard with a small word of thanks and let his eyes quickly scan the pages pinned to it. He signed his name with a rapid swivel and flick of his wrist and placed the pen securely within the metal hinges of the clipboard; Fathle handed it back to Alex.
“Ekundayo,” he said, testing the name on his tongue. “I am most eager to learn everything about my new charge. You have my gratitude and full attention, Ms. Alex.”
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Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:38 pm
In truth, she'd missed the hand entirely, so busy cursing someone in her past to notice anything below those red eyes. Giving a small snort, an even smaller smile accompanied the expression, stating, "No Miss. Just Alex. We're all family here, and Dayo is very precious to us - to me." She accepted the clipboard, giving it a brief glance before removing the contract and putting the board and pen on the desk. Popping open a drawer on the desk, she put the contract in a folder for later filing, and pushing it closed with her boot, she nodded and gave a 'come here' gesture with her hand.
Usually, her walk was brisk to bring the Guardians to their newborns as quickly as possible. This time, however, the Raevan was not a newborn and not to be treated as one. Without Zul, the Italian had let Dayo stay in her office. "Last year, approximately late October, a fel virus broke out." Alex was not going to pull the punches; she needed to impart as much information as she could, as quickly as she could. "It only affected the Raevans. Dayo was infected when she came in contact with Zul - Zul is the one I take care of." Her lips pursed together, her eyes turning towards the hallway. This was the hard part.
"Dayo's powers are very unique. She's an empath - she can feed off of other's emotions and amplify her own to the point they can influence those around her. That being said, the virus made her very apathetic, to the point that we don't know what happened to her past Guardian." She exhaled in a slow, measured breath, her chest tight as the memories flashed behind her vivid green eyes; the ring of dead animals, the way Zul looked at her when he realized what it could mean for the Eagle. "Zul and I went to check on her in mid-January. She was nearly dead when we found her."
Her eyes turned back to Fathle, that same blank expression on her face, her gaze guarded. "She was in a coma for a while, and when she woke up, she had no memories of anything at all. Not of her old Guardian, the virus...not of any of the Raevans." Alex lifted a hand, her fingers rubbing over one of her eyebrows as though to soothe a headache. "Zul took it hard. I have no idea if any of the others will...I imagine they'll be more friendly. But you need to know what to expect, because she'll need the support. I'd have kept her myself if I could." A rueful smile curved the woman's lips, taking a few lazy steps towards the hallway and putting her hand on the first door on the left - the one to her office.
"If you have any questions..." Alex nodded to the red-head, knocking on the door with her knuckles to indicate they'd be coming in. If he had nothing to say, they would get to the part both of them were waiting for, with very different emotions tied to the being behind the door.
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Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 8:41 pm
He was quiet as he drew next to Alex and walked with her toward her office, his face remaining still as he listened to Ekundayo’s unfortunate sickness and outcome. When she looked at him, Fathle turned to meet her gaze instinctively.
“I am… sorry, Alex,” he said quietly, his voice strangely sincere for someone who was just a stranger to the world of the Raevens. “For what you have gone through. And for what Zul and Ekundayo were put through as well.”
Fathle stepped to the side as Alex raised her hand to knock on the door, his eyes following her motions. He hesitated for a moment before he pressed his weight against the office entrance.
“This may sound strange to you but… Ekundayo may have found a kindred spirit in me,” he said, a strange, crooked, sad smile lifting his lips. “Whatever she may need, I will provide for her.”
Standing, or rather, floating in the middle of the room was a female figure with voluminous brown hair that gently parted and fell below her shoulders. The very ends of her hair seemed to curl and fade as they approached her torso that was made purely of a single, curling ribbon and a glowing rune. She turned as the door opened, her golden eyes meeting Fathle’s eyes without concern. Caught in her critical gaze, Fathle felt a calm steal over him; it was as if he had taken refuge in the shade. For a moment, he forgot about his carefully laid plans, about Alex, and about the ring.
She was beautiful. There was something hauntingly sad in her eyes that immediately pulled him to her, almost as if he was facing a familiar reflection. Fathle knew it was most likely her fel essence that gave off such an alluring aura but he could not help but wonder if it had been tempered by her own sense of loss that was brought on by her sickness. Alex said she could not remember but could one truly forget?
A dreamless sleep…
“Hello, Ekundayo,” he said with a small smile that warmed his face. “My name is Fathle.”
“…Hello, Fay—Faye-leh,” she said without much enthusiasm, her eyes flicking over at Alex before she looked back at him. The inviting crinkle in his red eyes did not falter at the Raeven’s apprehensive reception. Fathle stretched out a pale hand to her, his palm facing the ceiling.
“I come here as your new guardian, if you will have me,” he said quietly.
She looked at Alex again, a small frown settling upon her lips. However, she said nothing and stretched out her hand to place it in Fathle’s, something regal and resigned in the way she used her wrists; her golden eyes remained defiant.
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Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 4:17 am
She wasn't expecting an apology. Her green eyes stared into those bright reds, and for some reason, she felt her anger diffusing. No matter how she tried, she could not dislike this man, odd as he was, for taking Ekundayo. Yes, he was taking her away, but he was also...he was giving her a home. A life. A second chance that she nor Zul could offer. Alex drew in a short, shaky breath, listening to his words and noting his smile. Part of her was unnerved by it, but the other part, perhaps, understood. What was unspoken, spoke volumes.
The Italian quietly followed the Ancient into her office, stepping to his side so she could see the familiar Frei. Her heart ached to see her waiting there so patiently...there was no amount of telling or explaining that she was about to leave all that was familiar to her and go into that big, bright world. She didn't anticipate that it would be overly jarring for Dayo, but she didn't imagine that it would be all cookies and sugarplums, either. Alex offered the Eagle a soft, earnest smile, nodding with encouragement to her.
"Dayo," she murmured softly, moving next to the two. She extend her own hand to put on top of the Frei's, the other moving to cup the back of Fathle's, holding their two between hers. "This man is going to take care of you." Her green eyes were only for the Eagle, though she was aware of his cooler skin against her palm. There was no question or room for argument in her voice. "You're going to have a real home now, not just this office and these halls to wander. You're going to have a wonderful life with him..." Alex swallowed hard, pushing back the wave of tears she could feel stinging at the back of her eyes. Why was this so hard? She'd given Domevlo a new home with Thanatos, so why was she hung up...? It's personal, she answered herself, though she truly already knew as much. Dayo was always that smiling face, that feeling of happiness and warmth. The Italian tried to smile, her heart pained. May you be that beacon of light in your own right, Ekundayo.
Her hands slipped away then, hooking a thumb in the belt loop of her jeans. "When you're ready, Dayo. If you have any questions for either of us, go ahead and ask now, okay?" Her smile felt a little more strong, her heart no less heavy. It was hard to be a rock for the Eagle when she felt so ungrounded herself.
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Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 3:45 pm
Ekundayo was silent as Alex solemnly pressed her hands on top of her own. Her golden eyes lingered on her before she glanced upwards at Fathle. He smiled. He couldn’t help but feel as though he was entering a marriage arrangement of sorts. We are tied to each other now, beautiful Ekundayo. Will I be the man and the person you need me to be? A part of him knew the answer. Fathle knew it the moment he laid eyes on her; he would hopelessly love her and protect her as a father did a child. Blindly, he would offer her everything. Act kindly, for you have a piece of me in your hands… Fathle dropped his red eyes to their bound hands and gently squeezed the Raeven’s long, graceful fingers. They both turned their gazes on Alex when her words drifted off and lingered in the air, neither missing the strange strain of emotion that was being courageously suppressed. Ekundayo tilted her head slightly to study Alex. She sounded so sad. The Raeven let go of Fathle’s hand and floated over towards her, her brown, feathered wings gently beating against the air.
“And I cannot stay,” she said. It wasn’t a question. Ekundayo was quiet as her gold eyes roamed over Alex’s face. She could feel a trembling curl of sadness lifting away from the woman’s shoulders. The Raeven did not understand how but she could feel it soak gently into her skin. Ekundayo felt an instinctive pull to draw more from her and empty Alex of that sadness. She had been so kind to her. She wanted her to be happy. Ekundayo reached out a hand and placed it upon Alex’s arm. For the first time in Fathle’s presence, she smiled. Her lips barely lifted at the corners but it was strong enough to warm her sharp eyes.
“…Goodbye, Alex,” Ekundayo said. The words weren’t as much of a farewell as they were a comforting assurance that she would be alright and that Alex shouldn’t be sad. Her touch lingered before she pulled away, her smile fading as she looked over at Fathle. He had been touched by her gesture and nodded to Ekundayo with respect.
“Are you ready, Ekundayo?” he asked softly and the Raeven nodded. Fathle stretched out his hand to her again and drew Ekundayo to him.
“Is there anything else I must do – perhaps sign - before I may take Ekundayo home?” he asked as he turned his red eyes back to Alex.
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Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 9:15 pm
Muted eyes watched the femme approach, the smile worn small but earnest. "You can't stay," Alex agreed quietly, a lack of apology in her voice. For that, she could not say she was sorry - more than anything, she wanted Dayo and the new Ice Rose to experience the life they'd both had taken from them so unfairly. The Italian dipped her head in a nod at the 'goodbye,' lifting one hand to rest over the one touching her arm. Whether by the Eagle's empathy or that expression of fond thoughts through a simple touch, she already felt better. "Be well, Dayo."
Looking to Fathle as the man spoke to her again, she shook her head, releasing the hand on her arm and removing the other from her pocket to slip her fingers through her bangs, pushing them behind an ear. "You signed everything you need, just--here." The Italian took a few jogging steps to the desk in the room, leaning over the thick wood and tugging open a drawer, procuring a single piece of oblong paper. Giving it a once over and a nod, she returned to the red-head's side, handing it to him.
"This is a list of all the Guardians, their phone numbers and what city they live in. For an emergency, for help, even just to get together and exchange recipes, it doesn't matter - don't be afraid to use it." Alex turned her green eyes around the room, resting briefly upon Ekundayo with a smile before again finding the Ancient's crimson gaze. "That's it, then." She paused, looking at the man a moment longer before dipping her head in a nod. "You take care, Fathle."
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Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 10:37 pm
He quickly scanned the relatively long list of guardians, his eyes lingering upon Alex’s name and number. Fathle carefully tucked the parchment within one of his pockets before he offered the woman a small smile.
“Thank you, Alex.”
He hesitated for a moment. There was a second where he was going to open his lips and tell her about the cave. Tell her that he had been slowly working his way toward this very moment. However, when their eyes met again, his confession died within his mouth. No. Not now. Not when she was quietly hurting like this. Instead, he smiled and thwarted his impulse to press his thumb lightly against Alex’s forehead to brush back the small strands of hair she had not managed to tuck behind her ear. Would she weep when he left? No… she didn’t seem like the kind of woman to do so. She was selflessly beautiful in her sadness.
“And you as well, Alex,” Fathle said. He glanced back at Ekundayo for a moment and squeezed the Raeven’s hand before letting it go. She watched placidly as he bowed over Alex’s hand and pressed a soft kiss to it.
“I hope to call upon you one day, Alex, if that is not too presumptuous of me.” He smiled. “And I am sure Ekundayo would be glad to see you again.” Fathle straightened up, resuming his former height but he did not let go of Alex’s hand just yet.
“And I promise, Alex, I will offer everything that I am to Ekundayo… I will love her as you do,” he said with a rather sad smile. He gently squeezed her hand before letting it go and bowing once more.
“Goodbye, Alex. And thank you for everything.”
Ekundayo took hold of his pale hand and grasped it, floating out of Alex’s office. She glanced up at Fathle before looking back at her. The Raeven raised a hand and offered a small wave before she disappeared into the hallway.
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