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 Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 6:44 pm
Who : Ripley & Rong Wei (eventually), and Rivener
Where : The City Park, Chess Gardens
When : Later afternoon; 4:30 PM
Weather : Sunny, without a cloud in the sky. It's a good day for shorts and t-shirts.
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Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 7:06 pm
The usual sound of voices that decorated the Chess Garden, sprinkling the air with conversation about the matches being played over, were no where to be heard. Even the normal creatures that chirped in the branches cast their voices into silence as two figures sat (sort of) in the midst of a great duel. Neither side was yielding, pieces littered about on the corners of the board to indicate the battle that was ongoing.
"Checkmate."
A dark hand moved across the board, shifting a piece to swap with another. It flipped into his palm and slender fingers closed around the top, the arm retracting backwards. Slowly the speaking figure raised his hand up to his face and let a smile spread across his lips, dark eyes glancing at the elderly man who rested across from him. There was a sense of victory in his voice, his whole posture standing straight and strong, the wings against his back glistening in the fading light.
Slowly the elderly man knocked the opposite king over, the white piece clattering against the board. Ripley had won yet another match, keeping his rank in the unofficial tourney climbing ever so higher. The King was rising, and it felt amazing. Powerful.
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Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 7:18 pm
Rivener hadn't been to the park in forever. With headphones covering his ears the Scorpion floated along, enjoying the warming spring air... It neared summer, and the change in seasons was obvious today. For one of the few times since the start of the year, Rivener didn't need to wear the leather coat over his usual black-and-crimson vest. Hands casually shoved into his pockets, Riv enjoyed his stroll, bobbing along to the music.
Between songs, however, something clearly felt out of place. There was an odd silence, where there would usually be voices. Riv had walked by this place often enough to know that the Chess Garden gave off a constant din of chatter... But not today. Frowning, curious, the Sigel nudged his headphones down around his neck, and peered around.
Finding the center of attention was child's play; every person had migrated towards the duel, and now there was a mild spattering of applause as the Elderly player tipped his white king over.
Across from him, the winner of this particular match-... A Raevan! Oh good stars in the sky, a gorgeous Raevan! Rivener's jaw fell slack. He'd always had a weakness for the darker ones... Suddenly the Scorpion gasped and shook his head. NO! Remember your resolution! Only Zul!... but, well, it wouldn't do any harm to at least go MEET this person, right? Feeling quite validated, Riv turned and floated towards the fascinating young Frei. Despite his wings being wrapped in bandages still, strapped to his back carefully, Riv tried to make as good an impression as he could, wearing his honeyed smile.
"Nicely done," he bluffed smoothly, having seen none of the game so far.
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:14 pm
Ripley still held the piece in his hands, the white queen he had so easily taken to win the match. He'd been intending on keeping it for now, his reputation for asking to take the last chess piece he removed from the board growing to be quite known amongst the players, but his thoughts and request were interrupted by the gaze of everyone around him shifting quickly and a voice he'd never heard before heralding his ears. Quickly his head turned in that direction, his dark eyes shifting over to find the source and judge it before it had a chance to do the same to him.
" . . . . . "
Ripley's first thought was, well, stunning. Grown would have been a better way to explain what he was thinking, his eyes moving rapidly up and down to take in notes as fast as his brain would process. This figure was clearly another Raeven, one like that 'Eiry' from before - more developed. More developed meant older, stronger. The option of being smarter was up in the air, as thus far Ripley had yet to meet anything or anyone he considered intelligent enough to want for intellectual company, but still. . . .
"Thank you."
It would have been rude for him not to respond to the compliment, though he was slightly aware that this person may not have seen it all. Every now and then the Frei had cast his eyes into the crowd to look for a specific human, one he'd given commands to and was pleased to find them being obeyed, so it was only natural he would have noticed him before this point. There wasn't any reason for him to mention that though, not if he wanted to keep the peace as it were, so Ripley did his best to place a similar looking smile on his own features. It actually wasn't that hard to do, his whole face relaxing into a look he hadn't tried before.
"Do you come here often? I don't believe we've met."
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:31 pm
Rivener's smile grew the slightest bit as he was being looked at, assessed, admired, judged, whatever you wanted to call it. Riv liked the attention, and this Frei must have come to a satisfyingly good conclusion if he bothered to speak back. He wasn't floored or awed with Riv, so that meant this dark Raevan was either intelligent enough to keep his opinions to himself, reserved enough to know better than to gush over someone, or just plain uninterested. Since the latter was highly unlikely, and the Frei had been playing chess and winning against a seasoned veteran, Rivener guessed that Intelligence was the reason.
He must not be a fresh newborn if he was this smart already... The Sigel wondered why he'd never met before. "I actually do come by here a good few times," he finally answered, having given the other a brief, but blatant, once-over. "I suppose our timing was just not in sync, as I've never seen you either. I normally just walk by, but all this commotion caught my eye today. I'm Rivener." The Scorpion offered his hand, taking the opportunity to admire a little more. Those metal-ended braids were quite pretty. Would they clink together and make a melody as the Frei moved? Those eyes, so sharp, looking through you... There was an air of danger around this one, an air Rivener himself was often attributed simply because of how sharp and deadly he looked... But it was different. This one looked dangerous because there was an intent about him. Fascinating.
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:58 pm
"I am called Ripley. It's a pleasure."
Ripley moved up, his wings jingling with a metallic sound with the movement, and took the hand offered to him. The general pulse that swirled through his body echoed out into the hand of the Sigel once both palms came into contact, though Ripley seemed to be calm enough that it would be something gentle with perhaps a hint of a touchy shock at first. There was no reason to drive this one away, no reason to try and assess him further in terms of physical activity. This one - this Rivener, was wounded, Ripley watching the large wings and the bandages on them. His head tilted a bit as he continued to look, not letting go of the hand, and indeed the tips on his braids clanged against one another and created a small chime.
"I...have only recently started to come here. Before I had not been allowed out of the house yet now that woman lets me come here and play chess. I am quite fond of chess."
The way Ripley talked was almost a purr, his glances finally over and his hand finally releasing Rivener's own. The smile from before remained on his lips as he moved his hands together to let the fingertips touch, his body so much smaller and less developed then the one before him. It wasn't intimidating as so much as promising, and hopefully the two would continue to converse and Ripley would find out more through personality then his initial look-over. His judgment had not been entirely passed, not yet.
"I also don't try to cause a commotion, but apparently the way I am moving through the ranks is something interesting. I just am playing for fun, here to enjoy myself. How about yourself? On a walk?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 7:10 pm
Rivener felt the small shock from the contact, though he attributed it to a regular old static burst at first. The continued hum of Ripley's hand (What a wonderful name! Riv wondered if it had something to do with a certain movie...) was the clue the Scorpion needed; lightning had something to do with this one's make-up.
"The pleasure is all mine, I'm sure," Riv replied smoothly, rather enjoying the sound of the other... His voice, his wings, his bead-ended hair. Ripley was like a quiet concerto, and it was intriguing to listen to.
This was a game, and a challenging one at that. Ripley was prodding at him, they were still judging one another... Rivener needed to pay particular attention to all the little details, with the same careful consideration he'd always given Roux's cryptic words, Eiry's prose-speech, and the convoluted Star-speak. The Sigel found this so very fun! Ruby eyes flicked to every minute little movement, taking them in: Ripley was assessing his wings, noticing they were hurt but mentioning nothing of it yet. He was pressing his fingers together in a thoughtful manner, but one that only mature people normally used... Ripley was used to being around adults. He was casually dismissing his own success at chess but at the same time pointing it out, mentioning how he was climbing the ranks and crushing all opposition.
Rivener smiled. "Yes, a walk. I find myself with lots of free time lately due to obvious reasons," he glanced over a shoulder by way of an explanation. "Staying at home is indeed a giant bore, so I take walks. May I ask who "your woman" is? Perhaps I know her. And really, you don't have to wait for permission to leave your house." The Raevan raised an eyebrow, inclining his head towards the Sphinx. Ripley didn't seem the type who would have stayed if he hadn't wanted to.
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 7:44 pm
"I don't think you've met her. She says she tries to avoid meeting more 'freaks' then needed, and I'm more than enough in her life. I do not share the same opinion as she does and want to meet many more of my kind. You are a fine example, if you'll allow me to say so."
Part one of his judgment had been passed, the verbal stamp he placed on it more than enough proof. For the time being he felt that Rivener would be strong enough to assist him once he were healed, strong enough to lend him aid should he ask for it. The only problem would be how to make this larger being want to be with him, to protect him.
No, not yet.
Ripley shook his head to scatter such thoughts from his brain, not wanting to plan that far ahead into the future. While it was important for him to start working on his plan as soon as possible, to give himself what he needed early on, it would be almost too difficult to do now since they had hardly moved past the name session of their meeting. Ripley was learning, quickly, about how relationships would be formed. How they would need to be maintained.
"As for permission to leave the home. . . I suppose it's because I am so young? She still talks about putting me back in the freezer, if that means anything. It hasn't even been a month, I wonder how much longer she'll keep using that threat. I'm tired of it."
Almost as if he were amused by something in his memory, his eyes flickering to the side as he though, a smile spread across his lips. It was thin, narrow. Cruel.
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 7:57 pm
Hm, that description did sound like no one Rivener had ever heard of being involved with the Lab. Even more, it made his hackles rise to hear of a mere human calling his kind "freaks". Had the woman actually SAID that?
Rivener's anger was quickly dissolved by the very high praise suddenly lavished upon him. The Sigel moved to rustle his wings in pleasure at the compliment but only ended up rolling his shoulders slightly, covering up the wince of discomfort as the wings pulled against their bindings. "Thank you very much," The red-eyed Raevan whispered back in a rather sultry tone, lowering his head to stare through his lashes.
There was a pause in the conversation during which their gaze connected strongly. Rivener realized instantly what was going on, but Ripley shook his head and released them both from that particular moment of magnetism. Guh, Riv shook his own head in response. Remember Zul, damnit! he coached himself... The smirk returned to his lips moments later as the next though quickly entered his mind: He liiiiikes me.
Rivener returned to his careful observation of the other. Ripley's admission about his woman putting him in a freezer set the Scorpion's eyes to popping wide, disbelief written clear across his features. He growled and bared his teeth, fangs gleaming even as he noticed how amused and cruel Ripley now seemed. Either the treatment hadn't been all that uncomfortable, or he'd meant it figuratively. "She better not have REALLY put you in a freezer. And by the look of you, you've not taken it lying down?" The snarl turned into a smirk nearly as cruel as Ripley's, but not quite as cold. Rivener was too ruled by passion to ever be considered "cold". "Don't let her treat you that way. Just break her. The lab will find you someone else, someone who won't be so disrespectful. Hn."
He had half a mind to go over to that woman and punch her in the face himself. He felt himself a "big brother" of sorts to all Frei, and wanted to make sure they were safe and well taken care of. But for some reason, Riv knew that doing such a thing for Ripley would be like doing a favor for a gang boss; suddenly, you were in their pocket. And the Sigel wasn't so sure he wanted to give Ripley that satisfaction juuust yet.
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:18 pm
"No, I mean a literal freezer. Before I was released to be with her, I was told the lab kept me frozen for several years. I don't know why and the woman doesn't either, but they gave her to me when I awoke. They said she'd be the only one for me, and I actually enjoy having her. But for your compliment, you're welcome. You are much farther developed then the others I have seen."
A conversation swing. Talking about Rong Wei wasn't making Ripley uncomfortable, neither was the reaction that Rivener seemed to be showing (Ripley was enjoying it). Instead the Sphinx Frei was focusing on the reaction that the praise had brought about, the sudden shift in attention and perhaps attraction. This whole deal about contact was still new and quite foreign, Rong Wei avoiding him and his touch like the plague even though she was always with him. Even now if he looked out past a bit of the crowds he could see her near the fountain area with a book, only because the bright color on her arm made her so much easier to spot (and she would never let him out of her sight).
The Frei figured the woman was probably cursing a storm away at having seen another creature come into the picture, another 'freak' to add to her never ending fair of them. He would love the conversation they might share on the way home, if she decided she wanted to be on speaking terms with him today. Even if she didn't there were always ways to make her talk, some easier than others. That amused him as well, and he chuckled again at the thought.
"Now, I hope you won't find me so nosy...but..."
He paused, eyes resting on the wings. They swayed back and forth over the bandages, watching the motions that caused different levels of pain. Interesting, but not right now.
"What type of music are you listening to? I can hear faint strains of it, but it doesn't sound like anything I know.
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:30 pm
This Frei had been born and frozen in the lab for a while? Now that was definitely interesting. Rivener wondered why the Doctor had done a thing like that, and why someone who obviously hated Raevans would be "the only one for him"... This was all becoming more and more interesting. The Sigel would have to see if he could learn something in the stars tonight.
That conversation shift hadn't been all that subtle, and Riv noted it with a wry smile. If Ripley said he had no problem with his guardian, then Riv figured he might as well just let the topic drop for now. If the Sphinx ever showed signs of being beaten, however, Rivener would crack bones. Ripley's choice of words to change the topic in the first place were sly, drawing a content grin from the somewhat vain Scorpion. "You'll be developed too someday, I've simply been around a long time."
Again the conversation moved, still to something less personal than one's guardians. And still Ripley noticed Rivener's wings but said nothing, gauging the damage perhaps? Just to be safe, Rivener decided to keep his guard up if this wonderfully attractive Frei decided to test Rivener's constitution in a more violent manner. Riv just shifted his weight, the ribbon coiling under his belts, and placed a hand on his hip absently.
"Not nosy at all. It's mostly Kamelot and Nightwish at the moment. You listen to music much?" The Scorpion raised a hand to his neck, pulling the headphones free and offering them to Ripley for a listen, should the Sphinx so choose. Although... "You're not going to ruin this if you touch it, are you? With your static, I mean." If Ripley really WAS made of something electrical (and Rivener was inclined to believe he was right, given that initial shock), he might screw up anything electronic he touched...
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 2:48 pm
"A long time, hmmm? I'd love to know all the places you've seen, all the people you've met, all the things you've done. I must admit I'm a bit...jealous? I think that is the correct word to use in this case, though feel free to correct me if I'm wrong."
Ripley knew the words he needed to use - his vocabulary was staggering with the sheer amount that he was learning. Rong Wei had provided him with dictionaries in two languages, English and something called "Chinese", and he devoured everything inside the English dictionary on an almost daily basis. Chinese held no interest for him aside from the fact that Rong Wei insisted he would have to learn the almost guttural (and silverware on stairs) sounding secondary language. The fact that he was acting as though he could hardly speak properly was something of a test of this Rivener, to see the reaction. Would his face change into a look of disgust - that he was being childish? Or would he let it slide and keep going? That was always fun.
"As for music, I honestly don't believe I've listened to anything of my own choice. The woman and her house are quiet save for television and someone praying, and even in that salon where she works they don't play music overhead - just the TV screen. I'd love to listen though if you'd let me and as far as I know I shouldn't ruin your...headphones? Anyway if I do you can always have the woman buy you a new pair, she seems to be inclined to clean up behind me whenever something happens."
Ripley held on of his hands out, palm up and fingers slightly splayed to take them shoulder Rivener offer it over. Inwardly he was concentrating heavily to try and keep the pulse that flowed through him low, hardly the normal thrum that echoed about his flesh. He honestly didn't want to ruin something and then ruin his chances.
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Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 7:51 am
Rivener didn't believe it for one second. Ripley didn't know the correct word to use in this case? Ridiculous. The Sigel only raised one eyebrow, wondering what the Frei was playing at... He found no need to ask at present, simply allowing his smile to grow a very slight bit in response. Riv liked this. Ripley was a mystery, like Eiry, like Roux... But this was less an encrypted message and more a puzzle. All the pieces were there, easily seen, easily understood, you just had to figure out how they all fit together to see the big picture. Rivener thought it was fascinating.
The dark Frei held his hand out and Rivener hesitated only a moment before offering over his headphones. If Ripley ruined them, at least there was a way for Riv to get a new mp3 player. And Riv always did like new gadgets. Still, the Scorpion made sure to test the other's skin first, fingers brushing at Ripley's palm... a very slight buzz, but nothing notable.
"I assume I don't have to explain how to use... headphones?" Riv smirked, copying Ripley's hesitation on the word from earlier, clearly conveying his thought: He knew damned well that Ripley knew what the word had been, what it had meant, and everything else to boot. Surely the Egyptian was sharp enough to pick up on that message. "This might not be to your liking, there's all kinds after all. These are just some of the ones I personally enjoy."
While Ripley put the headphones on, Riv cycled through his songs to find one he liked best, settling on a rather beat-and-bass heavy song from Kamelot. He hit the play button, red eyes trained on the other's face to watch his reaction.
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 10:14 pm
Ripley sucked in his breath ever so slightly as the headphones were handed to him, and actually . . . .Rivener would have to explain how to use them. He knew what they were in all forms of theory, he'd seen Rong Wei with a pair before, but he'd never actually used a set of his own accord. Of course mentioning something like that now wouldn't sit well, he'd not missed the subtle jab offered by the Sigel in response to his own test, and Ripley merely smiled and placed the objects over his ears (hopefully correctly) and closed his eyes, waiting for the sound.
At first there was nothing, clicking perhaps as the older Raeven scrolled to the song of his choice, and finally faint sounds of music started to drift over into his ears. It was nothing like he'd ever heard before, which could be good or bad, but he kept his eyes shut as he listed to the various instruments playing their part. It wasn't horrible but it certainly wasn't something that he could call 'in his taste' (he was quickly developing a preference were it possible), though he took some pains to keep his face in a passive expression. It was easy for him to do, he'd spent a few hours in front of a mirror one day watching his face to try and learn why Rong Wei would shy away at certain looks. He still didn't understand, but he'd developed something of a 'poker face' as it were.
"This has an interesting sound to it. I like the feel of the undercurrent, that pulsing sound. I almost can feel the vibrations though my body, it's a pleasant feeling."
Ripley had moved and placed his hand on his chest, his fingers slightly bent and knuckles a little white. His eyes were still not open but his lips were slightly parted, eyebrows raised up as the notes continued. When the music stopped he did open one dark eye and glance at Rivener, his face narrowing with a suggestive smile.
"Play me another one?"
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 7:50 am
Ripley happened to put the headphones on the proper way, not backwards or anything of the sort, so Rivener was none the wiser that the Egyptian had no idea how to use the things. He simply watched the other's impassive face when the music began, the smirk growing on Riv's lips as Ripley appeared to enjoy it.
It was a long silence, the Frei listening to the song all the way to the end before delivering his verdict. He'd like it, mostly because of the bassline, hm? "That's one of many, you know. There's millions of different kinds of music. If you have the chance, you should listen to a bunch and try to find out which stuff you like best."
The sultry request for another was met with a honey-coated, bedroom-eyed smile from Rivener, the Sigel wearing his full-on come-hither face now. He floated half an inch closer and faked innocence at the action, eyes turned down to his mp3 player as he cycled through the selection. "...If you liked things that have strong undercurrent, maybe you'll like this one more," Riv said, hitting the play button. He'd chosen the most bass-and-drum heavy song in his current list. Hell, even HE could hear that bass from the earphones on Ripley's head, faint dull concussions without actual sound unless you wore the buds. Red eyes watched closely for the dark Frei's reaction to this.
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