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 Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 4:33 pm
Tea for Three
WHO: Ethiriel (NeonMace), Duncan, and Aina (Rookeries)
WHEN: Mid October, 2014
WHERE: The Clarke residence.
WEATHER: Very windy, very cold, and very, very grey.
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 11:39 pm
Aina helped Duncan call a Raevan friend over for tea. They had to go through Mister Knight, first, but he was very polite, and Ethiriel seemed keen on the idea. They were to meet on the weekend, just for a little bit, to get acquainted with one another. Duncan recalled Ethiriel at the Christmas Party and considered her very amiable company, to be sure, though they had only met briefly.
And, though Aina had not met her yet, she was very fond of her name. While Duncan prepared what he needed to for Ethiriel's arrival-- the tea set, the kettle, and an offering of rusted material, the Frei sat swaddled in a blanket at the living room. Her head was just poking out of the blankets, her chin tucked on top of the couch she had taken comfort in.
"Ethiriel," she repeated. Though her voice was quiet, it was much livelier than it had been in the past month-- as the fall was kicking in, so was her energy.
Duncan looked up, surprised at the sudden interjection-- he placed the last teacup on the table and nodded, his smile calm. "Yes, Ethiriel. She'll be here very soon."
"Mm..." Aina's swaddle of blankets slowly slipped from around her horns; the Frei stubbornly adjusted them to wrap around her head again, then rested her cheek against her folded arms. Duncan laughed quietly at the display, then pulled a chair out from the dining table to sit on.
"Do you remember what her name means?" he asked, while folding up a napkin.
"Uhuh," she recalled, her voice muffled against her arm, "Light an' delicate. Pretty."
"Not quite pretty."
"Mhm," Aina protested, nodding against her blanket.
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 4:19 pm
Henry had spent the whole morning in preparation. He had never met Duncan or Aina, but with a brief explanation from Ethiriel over their meeting at the Christmas party, the nurse was more than happy to oblige a visit. A pack was put together, comprised of silvery bits and bottles of water; he figured that she would be taken care of but he wanted to be prepared, regardless. He would not be able to stay, having been called into work, so it had worked in their favor anyway.
”I hope you have a good time!” Henry exclaimed, slowing into a park just in front of the older man’s home. Shifting gears, he stopped the car and crawled out of his side. Taking a quick jog, he opened the passenger side door for Ethiriel, then offered a hand to help her out.
She had learned to unbuckle the seatbelt, herself.
”I am sure I will have a wonderful time, Sir Knight,” she offered, bowing her head gracefully.
With a smile, he responded, ”I know, I know!”
Once out of the car, the two locked arms as Henry led the Frei to the doorstep. He knocked three times before straightening his posture, then looked Ethiriel over. She was dressed simply; a light, knotted tank top with a sheer blouse. He was slowly getting her more comfortable in her own skin.
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 5:05 pm
Aina peered over her blanket at the sound of knocking at the door. She let the blankets slip to her shoulders and watched as Duncan stood, walked to the couch, and held out a hand for the young Frei to take. "That must be her," he smiled.
Aina nodded and gently took Duncan's hand in hers. She clung to her blanket, which hung over her like a cape, and floated idly off the couch to be by Duncan's side-- she shook her head a little to keep more awake, and rustled her wings. Duncan looked back at the Frei as she trailed behind him a bit once they reached the foyer, then gave her a moment to catch up.
Duncan opened the door and received Ethiriel and Henry with a bright smile. "Mr. Knight, Ethiriel! Hello," he chuckled and stepped back a bit to allow them to enter, "Please, come in."
Aina looked up at Ethiriel and Henry-- she covered her mouth with her blanket, then floated off to the side, to cling to the hem of Duncan's sleeve. Duncan looked down at her expectantly, and once Aina glanced up at him, he looked back at the Frei and her charge and waved. "Hello. Thank you for comin' over, Mister Knight and Ethiriel..." she quieted, then returned to hugging Duncan's arm.
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 5:17 pm
”Hello, Mr. Clarke! It’s a pleasure to meet you!” Henry gushed, his smile wide across his face. He quickly unlooped his arm from around Ethiriel’s and offered it for shaking while his glance, instead, met Aina. His smile softened. ”And a pleasure to meet you, too!”
Ethiriel’s hands found each other once she was no longer in her guardian’s grasp. The Frei waited patiently as introductions were made, and she offered a bow. ”A pleasure to meet with you again, Sir Clarke,” she offered, quirking her head lightly to the side. Her eyes blindly searched for Aina. She could smell her so clearly; tart, but sweet, mixed with the clear scent of rain. Enjoyable. She then offered her hand to Duncan, holding it out before her daintily. ”And what a fair voice; you must be Miss Aina.”
As they were ushered inside, Henry reached for Ethiriel once more to guide her, to make sure she didn’t hit anything in her blind fumbling.
”Thank you for scheduling this, I know Ethiriel enjoys the time away from home,” said Henry, his grin now toothy. ”I’ll have my cell on me at all times, though it’ll be silenced. Just text if you need anything or if something happens!”
Ethiriel bowed her head again, letting out a silent breath. ”Everything shall be just fine, Sir Knight. I promise,” she said, her eyes unfocused as she tried to pinpoint Aina. Her scent was so distinct – she had already grown used to it. Had it not been for how unfamiliar the house was, she would have long released her companion. Soon enough he would leave and they could get a moment’s peace together.
”Thank you for having me, Sir Clarke.”
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 5:16 pm
Duncan gave Henry a firm handshake and smile in return. "It's good to meet you," he offered; he faced Ethiriel and his smile widened, and he took her hand in his in greeting, "And the same to you, Ethiriel. It's been quite a while!"
Duncan and Aina both stepped to the side to allow Ethiriel and Henry entry. Aina blushed when addressed, then kept her hand close to her mouth in nervousness. Mhm," she quietly replied.
Once Ethiriel was indoors, Duncan turned to Henry and nodded. "Of course. Thank you so much for driving out all this way-- I'll be sure to let you know if anything arises. Have a good evening, Mr. Knight."
Aina offered a hand to the tea Frei once she let Henry go, an extension of her own greeting now that she was so close. "Hi," she whispered, "Are you a princess?"
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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 9:01 am
”You guys have a great time!” Henry exclaimed as he turned on his heel. He wasn’t late but he knew he’d have to leave sooner than later to make it to work on time. ”Thank you, so much, again, Duncan!”
Ethiriel offered another bow in response.
She turned her head once Aina’s hands touched her own, Ethiriel’s expression softening at the sensation. Such tiny hands, and so soft. The tea Raevan hovered lower; though she could not see the rain Frei very well, her light colors stood out just a bit in the darkness. She tried to reach eye level, despite her ribbon resting on the ground.
”If you would like me to be,” Ethiriel responded, bringing a hand up to meet the tiny Raevan’s face – once a cheek was cupped in her larger hands, she offered a tiny kiss to Aina’s crown.
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 4:51 pm
"It's an honor, Henry! Best of luck with your day." Duncan offered Henry a genial smile and a wave once he was to leave. If only he could have stayed for tea, as well: alas, the Raevans already seemed to be enjoying each other's company, and Henry seemed to be of the busy sort. Still, he would have to invite him to tea for another time.
Aina watched wide-eyed as Ethiriel lowered herself to meet her height. The newborn Frei's wings fluttered with her heart, cheeks flush, and she dipped her head (naturally, out of shyness) as Ethiriel placed her gentle hands against her cheeks. She smiled and gasped quietly at the kiss and glanced up at Ethiriel, eyes wide, "Mhm," she responded, nodding slightly.
Duncan admired the two's open greetings, but he wasn't one to idle at the foyer for too long-- with a chuckle, he began walking toward the kitchen, his pace even and slow enough for the two Freis to follow closely behind him. "Would you like anything to eat, Ethiriel? We have some tarnished silver for you, and the water's been heated."
Aina placed her small hands over Ethiriel's, her fingers around the edge of the tea Frei's palms. She nodded again-- "Um-- um, d'you... Ethiriel, d'you like tea?" She held Ethiriel's hand and gently floated forward, to Duncan, "We got lots and lots and lots of tea..."
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 6:19 pm
Henry left quickly, though not without a proper goodbye to Duncan, Aina and Ethiriel each. His last farewell was a wave to the elder man from within the car before taking off.
As Duncan asked, Ethiriel returned to her natural floating height and gently shook her head. She did, however, offer the man a smile. ”I thank you, though I am fine for now. Perhaps later.” She then offered her hand back to Aina to hold rather than continue cupping her cheek. ”When hunger strikes, I will gladly clean your wares for you.”
The silver Frei then turned her attention back down to Aina who had excitedly mentioned tea. While she had never exactly ingested any kind of food or liquid, Ethiriel nodded. ”I do enjoy the scent. Did you know that I am made of tea, Miss Aina?”
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Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 12:02 am
"Of course," Duncan nodded and a smile rested easily on his features, "I'm sure Aina has a full day planned for all of us, so we have plenty of time for tea later."
Duncan paused in his walking to allow the two Freis to catch up. While, of course, he wanted to get more acquainted with the tea Frei, this was more a venture for Ethiriel and Aina to get to know one another-- other than Cruz, Ethiriel was the only other Raevan Aina had met, and these moments were precious to her. Aina took Eth's hand in hers and looked up, bright-eyed and quiet and full of wonder; "Mmhmm," she began, while leading Ethiriel to the gardens, to which the back doors were already wide open.
She pressed her free hand against her heart. "'M a pomegranate... ah... we both have flowers in our hearts? Plants?" She pointed toward the autumn flowers both wilting and abloom just ahead of them, a pleasant grouping of floral smells drifting with the breeze, "Are you my sister too?"
The rest of the day was filled with the idle pleasantries of a garden stroll and a pleasant conversation over tea-- before they knew it, evening arrived, and Henry returned to pick Ethiriel up to return to Gambino. From there, it was the daily routine of getting Aina settled in bed for a story, a kiss on the forehead, and a lullaby to drift off into sleep. Her thoughts whirled with the thoughts of Ethiriel, the dazzling princess with her sing-song voice and a dress of silver and green. She felt like a very silly Raevan for not being green, when Cruz and Ethiriel were.
"I can see Ethiriel again soon?" she asked, just as Duncan turned to leave Aina to her sleep.
"Of course," he assured. Aina smiled and hid under the blankets.
END
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