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 Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 11:10 pm
Who: Phiel, Zurine, Vivi, Cesc
When: July 12; early evening
Where: Vermillion Bakery, then elsewhere
Weather: Wiltingly hot, with a side of humid
"I know," Phiel said with a sigh. "It's too hot for you, but soon you'll be safely ensconced in the cool with people you like. Remember Vivi? She's watching you." He was carrying Zurine's bags, as the hesitant frei lurked in the shadow of the car, hating the wilting heat, even though the sun was hanging low and ripe and red just above the horizon; every inch of her was drooping, and Phiel felt an uncomfortable pang of remorse.
Perhaps he ought to have left her alone, really. Perhaps she would have been fine, shut up alone in the house by the sea, and perhaps it was silly to expect that she wouldn't have. But as mature as she had become in the two years he had been caring for her, he still could not stop thinking of her as something fragile and delicate. She just looked it -- despite the determination and the fierce self-assured strength in that bottomless dark gaze, Zurine's slender hunched shoulders and the heat-induced hollows smudged beneath her eyes made him think otherwise. She was still just too young for him to trust to her own devices for a whole evening, all night, and most of a day, especially in the height of summer, when even he felt a little less than self-assured.
It made him grateful that he'd gotten Vivi's number -- after looking for a babysitter for several days, he had called her up apologetically to ask if she would mind watching Zurine at least overnight. He couldn't afford to let go another well-paid job, even if it was so long, and when she had agreed, he had promised payment. It was a relief to know she would be well taken care of. He trusted Vivi, though he didn't know her too well. After all, if she had a charge of her own, he felt safe. Zurine, on the other hand, would have much rathered staying indoors, in the cool shady comfort of her own room, where the chilly air would blow back the feathers at her hairline and keep her cool, and where she could eat as much ice straight from the fridge as she liked. She had agreed, though reluctantly.
"It's too hot," she murmured plaintively, clutching the little plastic travel-cage that contained her pet mouse. "Inside now, please." If Zuri had to be out of the house, she at least preferred to be indoors, and she had liked the bakery when they visited. Maybe Vivi would have more of those delicious ice cubes she could still remember dimly, and Phiel held the door open for her as she floated in, doing her best to look haughty despite the droopiness of her plumage. "Hellooo..." she sighed weakly, though she was almost immediately braced by the cooler air inside.
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Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 5:21 pm
"Thurine?"
Cesc tried to say the name again for what was now the seventeenth time, his eyes squinting as his tongue missed the 'z' sound once again. There was nothing for it -- his pronunciation would always be a softened th, tongue just at the back of the teeth, a slight mis-step away from the traditional 'z' sound. It was noticeable but not wretchedly so, but Vivi could not help but laugh as the poor frei attempted the snowy Raevan's name once again.
"Zurine," Vivi replied again, her voice sweetly excited as she checked on the trays of minty ice cubes in the freezer, taking the prettiest ones out and slowly filling a frosted welcoming glass for their guest. It was amusing to her, Cesc's mispronunciation of the letter. She herself, with her French accent, could not say a 'th', replacing them all with softened 'z's, the exact opposite of the dawn frei's problem! It was too bad, she thought to herself, that they could not each share their overburdening of their specific letters.
But beyond their linguistic issues, both guardian and Raevan were beyond excited for the night. Cesc loved meeting new people, and Vivi loved hosting, and both were beyond pleased to make the better acquaintance of the dainty frei at their doorstep.
"Ah, here they are!" Vivi cooed as the door opened and one bodyguard and one very wilted-looking snow Raevan appeared. Sliding the cup of ice to Cesc, she nodded encouragingly before she glided over to her guests with a bright smile on her face. "Zurine, Phiel, how nice to see you again! I was so pleased to get your call!"
Wrapping one hand around the frosted glass, Cesc floated just behind Vivi at a calmer pace, offering Zurine a faint smile as the two guardians said their hellos. This frei... she was beautiful, like the marble sculptures he had seen in the art history books Granny M was teaching him with. She radiated cold but also a sort of queenly dignity, and Cesc could not escape the feeling that he wished he had set the glass on a tray before offering it to her. His smile grew slightly, warm and welcoming.
The guardian, too, looked every bit like a guardian should, strong and able. Vivi told him that his job was just that -- to guard -- and Cesc could certainly see immediately that the man was capable.
"Salut," he said softly to Zurine, holding out the glass of ice for her. "I am Cesc. Would you like a drink? It is very hot outside."
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Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 6:31 pm
Chuckling softly, Phiel inclined his head as he was greeted, smiling at Vivi. "Hello, Vivi," he said softly, his voice warm and greeting. "I cannot thank you enough. I was really in a bind; I owe you one." He looked suitably grateful, shifting the strap of Zurine's overnight bag on his shoulder. The bright pink of the strap and the dainty childish bag looked a little silly against the fine dark wool of his blazer, but he carried it without shame or complaint. He looked over at Cesc, and smiled, chuckling softly as his gaze gently appraised. "And I'm glad that Zurine will get to be with someone like her, too. He's very handsome. Congratulations."
Greeted with such charm, though, Zurine felt herself taken a little bit off guard. She hadn't met a Raevan yet who was so polite and charming, especially to her -- often enough her chilly demeanor frightened people off. She fluffed her wings out, wanting to put on a good appearance. Her lips curved in a cautious rosebud smile, the overall effect easing the bedraggled look the heat had made.
"Hello to you, Cesc," Zurine murmured softly, her slender shoulders braced as she held the little plastic cage close to her dainty body -- something about Cesc's smile made her feel more at ease about this whole situation, though, despite her earlier misgivings. Perhaps this would be nice after all -- the others she had met before all had seemed more, well, overbearing. "It is too hot... Will you hold my mouse for me?" In exchange for the 'drink', which she desperately wanted, she held out her armful. The cage's occupant peered up at Cesc, all beady bright eyes and twitching pink nose. "I am very thirsty..."
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Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:56 am
"It is no trouble, I assure you!" Vivi replied with a wave of her hand. It was, in fact, the opposite of trouble -- it was an absolute delight for Vivi to have the opportunity to host Zurine. Cesc had done well in meeting other humans and engaging them, making acquaintances all on his own in the bakery. But as for Raevans, he had not yet had the opportunity to meet many as of yet, and Zurine seemed like such a sweet young thing... "Ah, merci, merci! He is a charming one! We are very lucky to be with him. Ah, may I take the bag? We live upstairs, so it is not so far to walk -- can you stay for a drink, or must you leave for your job?" She extended her hands for the pink overnight bag, her dark eyes pleased and amused by the sight of such a formidable man so gently carrying his charge's things. A princess's loyal knight, that's what Phiel reminded her of.
"Enchanté. And of course. Here..." With a grin, Cesc carefully balanced the mouse cage on one arm as he negotiated the transfer of the ice-filled cup to Zurine, carefully wrapping both arms around the plastic as soon as the frei had accepted the glass. He glanced down to the wriggly little creature inside, making sure the movement hadn't caused it any discomfort, and was intrigued by its quivering movements, its shuddering whiskers, and its glossy fur. His grin grew a touch, and he scrunched his nose back at it.
"Come in," he said, floating to the side to allow Zurine better access to the room. He smiled back at her as he glided forward, his gently-glowing amber eyes soft. "Your ... mouse? He is very cute. Have you named him?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 2:34 pm
Giving a soft, low chuckle, Phiel carefully put the strap of the bag in Vivi's hand. It wasn't heavy, really, and he shook his head. "That's just the mouse's food and her hairbrush," he said, by way of explanation. "I can stay a couple minutes, but that's it... Just to make sure she settles in all right." The expression on his face as he glanced back at his pale charge was surprisingly affectionate, his gaze soft around the edge despite himself. "Though it looks like I shouldn't be worried." There was a hint of amusement in his voice. She was getting so independent these days.
Daintily, Zurine accepted the glass, immediately tilting a cube of ice into her mouth as she watched Cesc with the mouse. She held it on her tongue a moment, pondering, and then exhaled the resultant steam on a relieved sigh. The faces he was making at the mouse made her happy, and she floated in after him, feeling a little fluttery and happy. She hadn't been very happy a moment ago, and she couldn't have explained it -- but she wasn't going to question it.
"Ferdinand," she said softly. "He is cute... Phiel helped me pick a name out. I used the same book he picked my name out of." She looked proud, smiling back at Cesc. "Do you have any pets?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 7:56 pm
"Mm, I quite understand! It is that it is hard to leave a little one while unsure of their comfort, n'est pas? But I think she will be quite well," Vivi mused, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear as she watched the two freis drift from the entrance together. She walked to the back of the bakery and set the pink bag down behind the counter, within easy reach for whomever first made their way upstairs. "May I offer you something before you go? The heat, it is unbearable today!"
"Ferdinand," Cesc repeated, looking up from the mouse back at Zurine, his light eyes meeting her darks. Despite her appearance and the temperature that radiated from her, she was not cold. He had not expected her to be -- Vivi's description of her was nothing but praise -- but still it made a fond impression on him. "You made a good choice. It fits him."
Slowing down as he reached the bakery counter, he gestured up the side-stairs with his head. "We do have a cat, he lives upstairs with us." He peered down at the mouse with a mock-thoughtful expression, and his ears flattened, as though listening to the mouse's squeaking. "Ah, yes, there is no worry, Ferdinand. Grumpaws is old and very laze." He paused, a perplexed expression crossing his features. Was that the right word? "Laze? Laz-y. He is very lazy. And very fat." He grinned softly down at Zurine. "Would you like to come meet him?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:14 pm
Finally able to look away from Zurine, satisfied that she was well and happy and secure, Phiel smiled and turned his full attention to Vivi. "I think you're right," he admitted. "And that would be wonderful. Even just a cold water would be perfect; anything more and I'll have to pay for it, I insist." His smile deepened a little, faint dimples in his cheeks. "I hope it cools off once the sun goes down, though. I'm roasting already and I drove here in relative air conditioning..."
Lifting her free hand to her mouth, Zurine covered a little almost-giggle, her dark eyes twinkling with delight as Cesc spoke to Ferdinand. It was charming, and she had often talked to him herself, when Phiel wasn't around and she felt a little lonely. "Ferdinand is afraid of cats," she said primly, hiding her smile as she scooped up her overnight bag with her free hand, floating a little lower for the weight. "But I would like to meet your Grumpaws... fat cats are soft! The books say so..." The little mouse was diligently cleaning himself now, as if reassured by the dawn frei's words.
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Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:40 pm
Vivi nodded commiseratively as Phiel spoke, her full lips pursed as she thought of the heat that was practically blistering the asphalt outside. She went to the refrigerator, waving off his offer to pay, and took out a cold bottle of water, holding it out to the man with a nod.
"Here," she said brightly, "This way you can take it with you on your way! You will need it more out there than in here, I think!" She paused as the freis drifted by and toward the staircase, listening momentarily to Cesc's baritone as he described their cat. She grinned, shaking her head. "Ah -- I am reminded. Is there anything I must know about the little one's habits? Anything she needs, or prefers? Does she sleep? Rhedefre, you know, he wakes very early to feed from the dawn light. Should I prepare anything for mademoiselle?"
"Ah? Then the books were describing Grumpaws, for sure," Rhede nodded with assurance as he gestured with his head up the stairs to make sure Zurine followed, and then slowly floated up the incline. He braced the plastic cage in his arms to make sure Ferdinand didn't get jostled as they moved up, letting the little mouse continue his eager grooming.
The stairs ended in a wide, comfortable space, neat and trendily decorated. One exposed-brick wall served as an accent, with a large framed black-and-white image of a circus performance hung at its center. The picture was a wide shot, a picture of a circus platform and of a crowd -- and in the middle, a performer hanging high, suspended only by swaths of silk. If one looked hard at it, they would notice that it was Vivi, made up in high-contrast lipstick and thickly lined lashes, her clothing skintight, impressive. Below the picture was a wine-colored French sofa of black wood and overstuffed velvet, in good condition but obviously well-loved. A black coffee table, newly made but excellently crafted, sat just beyond it, encircled by two comfortable chairs in the same red hues. Smaller framed pictures decorated the other walls, all of circus scenes, some with a younger-looking Shepard laughing, some with him and Vivi together, but most showing them with others Cesc had never known. It was a comfortable room, clean and neat but obviously filled with memory, relaxation, and love.
On one of the chairs was a furry black mass, seemingly without any recognizable shape, like a pile of silken soot waiting to be transferred to a dustpan. Then, suddenly, two ears appeared, and two emerald eyes split open from the middle of the darkness, brilliantly colored but filled with a blank and obvious sort of disdain and boredom. A pink mouth cracked open in a yawn, and a single velvet paw reached out in a shuddering stretch, and then relaxed. A tail unwound from the silhouette and that was all for Grumpaws' welcome for them. He studied Zurine without much interest, and then his eyes squeezed into a slanted glare to Ferdinand, but any other expenditure seemed like it was too much for the cat. He blinked lazily.
"Salut, Grumpaws," Cesc said with a sort of calm cheer, setting Ferdinand down on one of the sofa's black end tables, a respectful distance from Grumpaws. "This is Zurine. I have told her you are quite soft."
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:29 pm
Accepting the bottle of water gratefully, Phiel rested it momentarily against the back of his neck to cool himself off a little, sighing as the dew on the outside trickled slightly down under his shirt. He chuckled a bit, and waved to Zurine, though she seemed to have forgotten him entirely. "Thank you. Mm, about Zuri. She does sleep, though not much; she wakes early too, typically. She has her own bed at home, next to our air conditioning..." He ticked off points carefully on the gloved fingers of one hand. "If she overheats it's not pretty... I think that's all, really. Anything specific, I'll have my phone on me, so you can call."
The room they emerged on from the stairs were quite lovely -- Zurine was very happy just to look around for a long few seconds, taking in the sights. The picture of Vivi drew her attention, but the feel of the place made her comfortable. She let out a little sigh and smiled, her dark eyes trailing over the place. She liked this home a lot, and she felt a little bit like basking.
When her eyes fell on the cat, though, Zurine lit up delightedly. "Oh he is pretty! Hello, Grumpaws," the cool frei said, floating a little forward to look at him closer, then back up at Cesc, her pale lips curved in a pleased smile. "This is a good place, I can tell..." She lifted her slender shoulders, playing with the strap on her bag. "Can I... pet the kitty?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 10:10 pm
Vivi turned to watch the two Raevans as they left the area, completely unconcerned with the humans now that they had each other's company. She could not but smile at the sight of it -- they were becoming fast friends, just as she had hoped. She was quick to return to Phiel as he spoke, however, not wanting to miss any information about caring for the dainty ice frei. "I think she will be alright here! We have a very large refrigerator, you know, so if she is quite warm, she can always have a place to cool."
Cesc checked to make sure that Ferdinand was well-placed and looked up at Zurine, his eyes warming as he watched the girl taking in the space. She seemed... content with it, somehow, pleased with what she found, and it made him feel fonder of her. He loved the home he had been welcome into; it spoke of its owners and their shared history, of the warmth they had extended to him. He was happy to further extend it to her, even if just for the night, and happier that she seemed to like it.
Grumpaws, meanwhile, seemed little interested as to whether Zurine liked or disliked the space. He laid his head back down and resumed his impression of a soot pile.
"He does not mind it if you pet," Cesc said, floating over to the chair and scratching the cat behind one ear. Mint-colored eyes split just slightly open, just a sliver of color in the black, but the cat did not move or make a sound. "So long as you are... ah, friendly." He paused, thinking of the right word. "Gentle."
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Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 11:14 pm
"It looks like I could not have found a more perfect place for her to stay, or someone I could trust more," Phiel said, his voice warm with a note of gratefulness. "Other than that, though, I don't think there's much you could do short of on purpose to hurt her. She's more resilient than she looks. Lucky me, hm?" He managed a soft chuckle, and a brief glance down at his watch to make sure he was still running as early as usual.
Cautiously, Zurine floated closer to Cesc and the cat, as if still unsure what exactly constituted a proper closeness. It was different for her and Phiel, but as long as no one flinched away, it was all right, right? "Okay, I can be gentle," she said softly, and casting her dark gaze in a momentary look to make sure Ferdinand was out of harm's way, she very carefully reached out her hand. "Grumpaws, I'm going to pet you now..." Gently, her chilly little fingers stroked across the top of the cat's head, soft and cautious. The feeling of fur longer than Ferdinand's against her fingers was unfamiliar, but oh, it felt wonderful, silky and soft and delightful. She let out a low, sweet hum of pleasure, and then stroked with her palm, smiling without reserve. "Books were right..."
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:04 am
"I am happy to hear you say such things!" Vivi replied with a broad smile. "I am certain Rhedefre will be happy to visit Zurine on occassion, as well -- how lucky for us that you both are so close by." She paused as Phiel checked his watch, her eyebrows lifting.
"Oh, do not let me keep you," she said with an airy wave. "We will have plenty of chances to talk when you are not on a schedule, non?"
Grumpaws' ear flicked as cold fingers touched his head, then slid down the length of his back. Due to a long day of sleeping in sushine, the cat was warm, so the cold was not unwelcome, but his light eyes split open just the same to level a squinted stare at the blue frei. He lifted his head to watch the hand as it stroked him, his expression flat, as though still making up his mind: should he let this action continue? Was it pleasing? Annoying? His tail thumped once, twice, against the chair cushion. Then he stretched, his toes uncurling and reaching, and he lazily batted Zurine's hand with a soft paw. That's enough, he seemed to say.
"He is not, how you say..." Cesc's expression was wry but good-humored as he fumbled for the words, making a rotating gesture with his hands as if to ask for more time. "... very... cuddly."
Floating along and leaving Grumpaws and the chairs, Cesc opened a door on the other end of the landing area, motioning to Zurine. "This is where you will stay tonight," he said. "If you want to put down your bag."
The room beyond was not overly large but very cosy, masculine in its decoration, with a simple blue bed beside a large window. There was a desk, a closet, a bookcase, and what looked like a hat rack made of carved wood, the reaching arms resembling antlers. From these antlers hung a small collection of keys on strings -- all sorts, from skeleton keys to rusted copper to house keys on novelty keychains. Hanging above the desk were a few simple wooden shelves, sporting a collection of framed pictures and mason jars filled with odds and ends; single mateless earrings, rings of varying shapes and sizes. It was a comfortable room but clearly one not yet fully lived-in, lacking the history that was so immediately present in the living room.
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:30 pm
"I'm glad we are so close. It's a very short drive, and probably a short walk, too," Phiel said with a faint chuckle, as he shook his head to shift the watch on his wrist. "I am sorry to have to leave so quickly, though. I wish I could spend some time chatting, at least... Tell her I said good night, yes?" He said it softly, smiling a bit.
The warmth of the cat's fur lingered on Zurine's fingers, not entirely pleasant, but she'd liked the softness. Still, her tolerance for the warmth ran out just about the same time that the cat's tolerance ran out for her chill, and she didn't mind it overmuch as Grumpaws batted away her hand. She wiggled her fingers delicately, to get the chill back into them, as she turned to follow Cesc. Maybe later, when it was cooler, she'd try again to pet the cat -- but for now there was exploring to do and that was fine with her. Clutching her bag strap daintily, she floated after him.
Peering into the room he indicated, she was quiet as she mused about, looking around with wide curious eyes. This, too, was a good room -- it looked comfortable, snug, warm in that way that had nothing to do with the physical. It made her feel nice. "Really? Oh, this is nice..." She floated in, smiling as she looked all around. The little baubles caught her eyes, reflecting a little in the dark shine of them, and she hummed as she chose a place to put down her bag. She beamed a little at Cesc, dipping a little curtsy-bow in midair. "Thank you again... I think I could sleep well here..."
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Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 6:32 am
"Mm, or a short float, n'est pas?" laughed Vivi with Phiel, pleased at the mental image of Raevans gliding easily between the two houses. A lovely Raevan friend close by, it would perfect... She did so hope the two would get along well. She knew little of the icy frei other than her immediate sweetness of disposition and her beauty, but she knew also that Cesc was of a good and easy humor. She was confident they would like each other.
As Phiel made his goodbyes, Vivi smiled and promised to deliver his good nights, walking the other to the bakery door. She said all the usual things one says when hosting someone young: that she would call if there were any issue, that she would make sure Zurine enjoyed herself, and that Phiel shouldn't have any worries. "And perhaps next time we will be luckier and you can stay longer," she said, leaning against the doorjamb as she waved after the bodyguard.
It wasn't until after Phiel had gone, after Vivi saw his car turn the corner, that Vivi succumbed to her curiosity about the Raevans. She shut and locked the bakery door and half-walked, half-tiptoed to the back staircase to see if she could hear any talking. She had noticed them floating up together but otherwise had no clue regarding their activities: were they sitting together in silence, conversing, navigating small talk? Cesc's voice, while generally of a calm and quiet tone, was deep and therefore reverberated easily when he spoke.
"I am glad," Cesc was saying, his voice softly pleased and relieved as he watched her taking in her surroundings. Unconsciously, he had held his breath as she looked: it was his room, still in the process of being imbued with his things and spirit (as he collected both), and it was nice to have it approved. He let out that breath in a faint laugh as Zurine curtsied, and he bowed a little bow in return, his eyes warm with amusement.
Meanwhile, Vivi slowly climbed the staircase, coming out into the landing area just as Rhedefre righted himself.
"Ah, you are getting settled in?" she asked, approaching and peeking her head in from around the door. Her lips tipped upwards in a smile. "Phiel, he had to leave for his work, but he wishes for me to tell you good night from him. Are you quite cool again, cheri? Or would you like some little more ice?"
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Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 9:08 pm
It was funny and cute, Zurine thought, to see Cesc bow; then again, she liked watching him in general, and seeing the top of that fluffy pink head made her let out a little, warm laugh, almost a giggle. It was strange to feel that Phiel was not around. Most of the time they were together, or she was waiting for Phiel to return home. But to not be alone when he was gone was a strange thing indeed! But when Vivi returned to check in on them, she turned to face her, eyes wide and her wings fluffing open wide again with a cool, icy little tinkle of frosty feathers. It was not often that Zurine was caught off-guard, but Vivi had surprised her!
"I feel better now," she said softly, giving a little cautious smile. She had already gotten comfortable. If she couldn't be inside her own nest, she'd make a little one here, too. "But more ice... would be nice?" She hummed happily, tilting her head as she floated a little closer, ribbon-tip twitching prettily.
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