|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2015 8:04 pm
Who: Ethiriel, Duncan and Aina
When: June
Where: The Clarke household
Weather: Clear and sunny, rather warm Most of Ethiriel’s time with Aina had been spent in the Knight household – babysitting the young Frei was one of the senior Raevan’s favorite pastime as time went on. The pomegranate was beyond sweet and Ethiriel always enjoyed their visits. For the first few times, Henry had supervised to make sure nothing happened, but with each new visit he had left them alone more. The tea Frei was admittedly grateful for the change, despite how much she liked the man.
This time, they were to visit Duncan.
The visit had been in scheduling for what felt like months; it was hard to line up Duncan’s schedule with Henry’s, but after some finagling, the two had finally come to an agreement. Ethiriel enjoyed the elder man’s company; he was calm, collected and very kind – someone good to just sit, have tea with and talk to. They never had much time to themselves, usually accompanied by Aina or Henry, but that wasn’t disagreeable company, even with their general excitement. Ethiriel had long been looking forward to this visit – she had some questions and need for suggestions when it came to her sunroom and the flowers under her care. Henry could only teach so much, and Duncan had his own garden, so he would surely be of help.
”We’re here!” Henry chimed, breaking the silence in the car. Ethiriel, for once, had zoned out in her own thoughts – generally, car rides were definitely not her thing (she never once enjoyed them) and she was hardly ever comfortable enough to retreat to her own thoughts. Hm, she thought. She unbuckled her seatbelt and, rather than waiting for Henry, opened her own car door for once.
The nurse noticed and a smile spread across his face.
”Think you’ll be okay without me?” he teased. Henry had work he needed to do, but their schedules lined up just enough for him to drop the Frei off.
Ethiriel nodded, reaching her arm out for Henry to take. ”I hardly think Sir Duncan and Miss Aina are that far out of my control,” she said, a gentle laugh sprinkling her words.
”Good,” Henry joked back as he knocked on the door.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 11:54 pm
Duncan was quick to learn that summer was not, in fact, an ideal season for the pomegranate Frei. It was strange, watching as Aina fell back into old habits, more content with sleeping than she was exploring-- winter and spring had gone by so quickly, after all, with the entire household being swept into the newborn’s many adventures. When half the year was already dedicated to so much restlessness, it was difficult slowing down. Worse yet, it felt simply impossible to have absolutely nothing to do at all.
Ethiriel visiting was a blessing to Duncan and Aina both-- it had only been two Saturdays ago when they’d seen her last, but the lull cast over their home made time crawl at a particularly slow pace. When Duncan heard the knock at the door, he glanced up from finishing his chore of no challenging (or useful) endeavor-- cleaning the grand piano that sat at the corner of their entertainment room. It was scarcely used in recent years, with the last time being Thanksgiving, and the time before that being many seasons before Aina had even existed in Dr. Kyou’s collection as an essence.
When he opened the door for his guests, Duncan bowed his head just slightly and offered the two a genial smile-- accented, no less, by a slight hint of relief. ”Hello! Please,” he stepped aside, ”Come in. Aina’s with the television-- she's taking a small nap.”
With some microscopic urge for disagreement, Aina managed a small whine in reply, a noise that surprisingly traveled through their quiet home down the hall. While closing the door behind their company, Duncan laughed. ”Oh, I suppose her naptime is over. The summer weather has been quite hard on her.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 12:01 pm
Henry, without thinking, mimicked Duncan’s bow with one of his own. ”Ah, I see. We’ll let her rest for now—“
Interrupted by a small laugh.
”Ethiriel is much the same, save for napping. I wouldn’t be surprised if Summer was a hard season for most other Raevans to be honest.”
Having mostly memorized the house, with a gentle nod of her own Ethiriel moved forward toward the room that Aina claimed for now – the television room. She hadn’t been rude, at least not intended, as she had given her own silent greetings to the elderly man upon passing. However, the Frei entered the room silently and approached the pomegranate on the floor. Ethiriel made quick work of hiding her silver so that she may lay with the younger Raevan, curling up against her back.
”Good morning, young one. Have you slept well?” she whispered softly into Aina’s hair.
In the hallway, Henry offered Duncan a proper shake of the hand. ”Sadly, I can’t stay long. I’m sure you guys will have a great day. Ethiriel’s been in higher spirits.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 2:38 pm
Given how warm it was outside, the younger Frei wasn't napping in her typical environment-- on the couch, nestled in at least a dozen blankets. Instead, she was lying on the floor with one cheek rested against the cool hardwood, trying to relish the cold where she could find it. Still, even with the heat as her enemy, the familiar warmth of Ethiriel at her back was a welcome one-- with another small whine, the pomegranate turned around to face the tea Frei to hug her fully. Aina shook her head in response-- in honesty, she hadn't slept well at all. "I want the sun to go away..."
"I suppose many of the Raevans have souls or essences with a inclination for cold, then-- worrisome, but interesting." Duncan walked with Henry toward the couches, which were just front of where Eth and Aina were now lying. He folded the washcloth he was still holding onto and rested it on the kitchen table, expecting every bit that the nurse would stay; alas, he was busy. The older man couldn't help but frown just slightly at the news, but if anything, he understood the nature of a busy schedule.
"Ah, that is unfortunate. I hope we can sit down to talk sometime soon, Mr. Knight," he took one cursory glance toward Ethiriel and Aina, to see how they were doing; with them seeming fine, Duncan gestured toward the door and walked briskly back toward the foyer. "But I'm sure we'll have a good time. Best of luck with your day, Henry."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 8:54 pm
Ethiriel hugged Aina close to her once she turned. She softly ran a hand through the small Frei’s hair with a light hum. ”I know, I know. Think of it this way; while the sun may not make the day comfortable, we still need it to grow. We are plants, after all. We can handle this.”
”Yeah. I’d really love to stay, for sure. Definitely next time,” Henry said, placing a hand on Duncan’s shoulder and giving a sturdy pat. ”I’ll call and let you know when I get off of work and maybe I can hang out a bit then.
“As for now, though, I’ve gotta book it. It was nice seeing you, Duncan.”
With a wave, Henry quickly threw himself back into the car and took off.
The older Frei had given Aina a gentle squeeze before pulling away, though she kept her hand linked to the younger. ”Have you seen any good movies lately, little one? Or cartoons? I would love to hear about your days.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 2:00 am
Aina nuzzled against Ethiriel's shoulders and managed a weak nod in understanding; the older Frei was right, of course. They were both plants by nature-- the sun was their friend, and with how well their crocodile friend did during this time, it made Aina sadder still that she couldn't relish in the fun of such an active season. Aina hid her pouting mouth against one of the sleeves of her cardigan and leaned back while Ethiriel spoke, blue eyes looking up at her attentively.
"I like watchin' cartoons in the morning with Momo before he goes to work," the pomegranate smiled, "An' we watched Thumbelina, she's a plant like us."
After Henry's quick farewell, Duncan returned to the living room where the Freis were-- it was a candid sight, seeing the two lie together on the floor. With a soft chuckle, he knelt close to them. "I'm sorry for interrupting your conversation, girls, but are you ready to start our day in the garden?"
Aina's response to the question was simple: she was not, in fact, ready. The fussy Frei chose to hide her face against Ethiriel in lieu of a verbal answer, which earned a surprised look from Duncan as he laughed more fully. "Ah-- no?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 5:31 pm
In response to Aina’s nuzzling, Ethiriel wrapped her arm around her shoulder and rested her hand in the pomegranate’s hair. She gave a soft hum as she pulled the younger Frei closer into a small yet comfortable hug.
”Is she, now? Goodness, maybe I shall have to give it a listen someday.” The title sounded familiar – maybe Gabe or Henry had bought her a book or something at some point. Or maybe she had heard it from conversations between other people in the past. She couldn’t recall other than the fact that it rang a bell. Oh well, she figured. Surely Aina wouldn’t be against another viewing, even though Ethiriel couldn’t enjoy it in the same ways that others would.
Without adjusting otherwise, Ethiriel glanced in Duncan’s direction, a small and pleased smile on her face. ”Not at all, Sir Duncan. Ah, yes , we—“ Ethiriel started, but before she could get her words out, Aina buried herself in the silver Frei’s clothing. A small chuckle escaped her chest as she hugged the young girl closer. ”It would appear so.”
Burying her face into Aina’s hair, Ethiriel let out a shallow breath. ”Is there something else you would like to do, Miss Aina?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 1:24 pm
Despite Aina's fussing, Duncan knew that the little Frei had been sleeping for far too long. With a soft, empathetic chuckle, he leaned forward to brush the pomegranate's hair back, then reached over to gently coax Aina away from hugging Ethiriel so tightly. At this and Ethiriel's question both, Aina's only response was to whine more and stay as stationary as possible.
"Ethiriel's been looking forward to gardening with us for so long, little one," Duncan reminded; this weakened Aina's hold on Ethiriel just a tad more, and Duncan was able to pick the Frei up into his arms. She rested her head against her shoulder as he stood up. He managed to keep the Frei up with one arm while he offered a hand to Ethiriel to help her stand.
He kept his voice gentle, but bright: "I have some cold water waiting for us out back. Would you mind terribly if you waited with Aina for a moment out there? I was just cleaning the piano."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 12:19 pm
At the gentle touch to the back of the Frei’s hand, Ethiriel took the elder man’s with the daintiest of grips; just enough for him to help her ‘to her feet.’ She fixed the crop top that rested just below the start of her ribbon and then crossed her arms. With a smile, she stared forward.
”If there is something else that Miss Aina would prefer to do, I feel we could do without the harsh sun for one day, Sir Clarke.” Ethiriel perked at the mention of their piano and she hovered closer. Music was always something she enjoyed – did this mean that Duncan knew how to play? Maybe even Aina? Interesting, the Raevan thought.
Ethiriel reached out and gently rested her hand on Duncan’s upper arm. ”Will you play for me, if you know how? I would love to hear it.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2015 9:28 pm
Aina continued resting against Duncan's shoulder as he bounced her just slightly, to see if he could motivate her to wake; unfortunately, the pomegranate was a stubborn one and refused to budge. He offered a sympathetic grin and let out a soft, tired laugh, "I suppose we could wait until it's not quite so bright. How's that, little one?"
When Aina nodded, Duncan let his shoulders lax, and he nodded. "Alright, then." He turned toward Ethiriel when she touched his arm-- smiling, he offered Ethiriel's hand a gentle touch.
"Oh, of course!" with Ethiriel's hand against his arm and Aina with him, he began walking toward the piano, which was only a few strides away. He picked up the rag from the piano bench and gave the keyboard a quick dusting-- once that was done, he guided Ethiriel to the corner of the bench where she could sit.
"After you, dear. Is there anything in particular you'd like to hear?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 11:01 am
Being led to the piano bench, Ethiriel’s hand rested lightly on Duncan’s shoulder opposite of Aina. She sat on the bass side of the piano and she gave the keys a quick glide of her fingers, herself. Having heard of them be referred to as ‘ivories,’ the Frei wasn’t sure if they were real of plastic, but the sensation felt nice regardless.
Sheepishly, Ethiriel shook her head. ”I have listened to music all my life, but unfortunately I do not know the name of any songs. I am perfectly fine listening to what you know or like.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 5:39 pm
Duncan sat Aina down on opposing sides with Ethiriel, the small Frei quick to droop against his side as he adjusted himself-- he laughed, offering the little one a brief pat on the head. Like Ethiriel, he guided his hand across the piano's keys, the smiled at her.
"Oh, that's alright-- how about we start with a short one, then? A favorite of my mother's," straightening his back, he began playing to the treble of the first stanza. When Aina recognized it, she looked up with a tired giggle; Duncan glanced back at her in return and, smiling, he put both hands to the piano, and the two began singing:
"Summertime, and the living is easy
Fish are jumping, and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich, and your ma is good looking
So hush little baby, don't you cry."
Aina couldn't help but giggle after the first stanza, and she leaned back to reach for Ethiriel's arm behind Duncan's back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 8:44 pm
Giving a gentle nod, whether Duncan saw it or not, Ethiriel nestled herself beside the elder man as he adjusted to play, himself. Despite her lack of sight, she closed her eyes moments before Mr. Clarke began to play, allowing the vibrations in the air to hit her silver – the sensation was different, she’d never experienced music being played first-hand rather than through a radio or earbuds, and it was nice. She especially liked the lower notes.
Once Aina began singing with Duncan, a smile spread across the tea Frei’s face. Little Miss Pomegranate had such a delicate voice! Ethiriel never would have guessed.
Ethiriel listened closely to the words – possibly putting more attention into them than necessary – and she did her best to remember the tune along with the lyrics. It was then that Aina reached for her, and Ethiriel wrapped her arm around behind Duncan to gently take hold of her hand, and her arm rested softly against the man’s back.
It was such a cute song.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 1:28 am
At the end of the tune, Aina practically glowed as she looked up at Duncan, giggling-- her verve had returned to her with the singing, it seemed, and the older man offered her a warm smile in return. "You memorized the whole song already, Aina?"
"Uhuh! I sing it all the time with Momo," she nodded-- she leaned back and tugged gently on Ethiriel's arm, "Ethiriel? Can you play the piano too?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 4:16 pm
’Momo?’ An interesting nickname, for sure – though it was beyond Ethiriel to guess what it was short for. However, if Aina enjoyed singing with them, that’s what was important. The tea Frei smiled, her hand still in Aina’s.
”Oh… unfortunately I do not know how to play any instruments. Sir Henry listens to music but he is not talented in that way other than by guitar, so I have had no instruction otherwise.” With her brows knit lightly, she offered a sweet smile to the pomegranate passed in her general direction. ”I would be lying if I said I had not thought about it before, however.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
