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 Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 1:31 pm
█║ WHO: Ethiriel, Zul
█║ WHEN: Late morning
█║ WHERE: Ethiriel's place, the beach
█║ WEATHER: Warm morning, promising to get hot
Though he'd not have called her a close friend, Zul thought of Ethiriel frequently and considered her - well, special. He knew her circumstance was a difficult one, much like Vyn's had been, but he felt more like he'd been a part of the silver Frei's transition. Like he'd witnessed something he shouldn't, but was a part of her for it...
He couldn't explain it in words that made sense, only that it felt right, and that was enough reason for him to be floating in front of the last address he could remember for Henry Knight and Ethiriel. Zul knew he could have texted first, but his relationship with Ethiriel was primarily founded on presence - he just hoped she wasn't adverse to a random visit from an old acquaintance some lifetime ago.
Exhaling slowly, the Sigel lifted his hand and knocked.
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 1:42 pm
Ethiriel quite liked surprise visits from friends, new or old. She had also thought of Zul from time to time, wondering how he had been as of late. It had been a time since they last spoke and worry sometimes tinged the Raevan when her mind would cross the topic.
Having not expected any visitors, Henry opened the door roughly half a minute from the rapping with raised brows and a pleasant smile. "Oh!" he exclaimed, his smile widening. "Zul! It's been a while! Come in!" Henry then stepped away from the door, opening it wider to allow the Sigel entrance. "Ethiriel's in her room. She'll definitely be glad to hear from you!"
Once at the second door, the nurse knocked gently three times and cracked the door just a tad. "Ethiriel?"
"Mm?" she hummed, pausing her walkman. Immediately, Zul's familiar scent was registered and Ethiriel's eyes shot open in surprise. Hovering up and away from the bed, she stared at the silver chain just beside the door in their direction.
With the summer heat, she had taken to wearing loose crop tops to keep herself cool, her new stomach showing.
"Zul...?" she asked, hovering closer.
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 2:01 pm
"Henry," he greeted the human pleasantly, far more so than their first meeting. "You look well." Bowing his tri-horned head gratefully at the invitation, he ducked in and floated near by, awaiting the man to lead. "Thank you for seeing me in." He was dimly aware that his fascination with humans had been greatly tempered; where he usually would have asked the man about his work and how he was and everything that had happened in the past year, he simply let the other lead him towards the room of the one he was visiting. Blue eyes flit only briefly over the decor and surroundings, his focus on the one he'd come to see and little else. One thing at a time.
He waited in the hallway while Henry knocked (brownie points for that), a touch pensive. Would she even want to see him? Maybe he should have texted after all, or called the house line, asked the Guardian - though he was such a jovial, kind man, he probably would have said 'yes' even if the answer was 'no' and --
Zul's long ears lifted subtly when he heard his name, glancing to Henry and floating in close to him, filling the open door. He took a breath to greet her, to apologize, to ask how she was, to say a thousand things that he should have shared in the days that they'd lost between them --
But instead, he froze, and stared.
His eyes snapped to Henry, eyes wide, then back to Ethiriel.
She was Sigel.
There was a brief stretch of silence, a few heartbeats in length, enough for his shocked blue eyes to draw from her parchment colored ribbon up her slim his, her stomach, her crop-top and her beautiful face. Long enough to admire her long hair, the silver shine of her wings. Long enough to see that the reserved, tortured Frei he'd known had matured, softened, and warmed. She'd faced some great upheaval and she'd won.
"Lady Ethiriel!" he cried out in joyous relief, and where their interactions had been careful and considerate before, he was so overcome with exhileration at her growth that he zipped in with a soft clink of gold rings against his bone wings, wrapping his arms around her middle and lifting, spinning with her held against himself. "You grew! You're beautiful, even more beautiful than before! How did you manage such a feat?" His words were playful but true, filled with the wonder and happiness that blossomed in his chest. Her skin felt warm against his, thoroughly enjoying the contact of their full bodies in such a way.
"My dear, sweet lady, I have missed you, and there's so much more to miss!" Zul laughed, the sheer sense of relief and pride draining his concern and doubt.
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 2:12 pm
Beaming, Henry met Zul's eyes with fatherly pride, stepping away to allow him free movement into the room. As soon as contact was made between the two Sigels, the nurse nodded his head and made his exit back to the living room.
With a giggle, Ethiriel wrapped her arms around Zul's neck and hugged tight as he swung her around. "I have!" she exclaimed, though she had no way of judging her own beauty. Holding the baphomet tight, she offered him a single kiss to the cheek before being separated. Her smile was large, much less reserved than the last they spoke, easily meeting her eyes. "I've missed you as well! Where have you been?"
The new Sigel couldn't blame Zul in their lack of contact -- she was just as easy to blame when she could have reached out, herself. With everything that had happened since their last interaction, despite his visits into her mind, perhaps her business had served as a distraction.
"Come, sit!" Ethiriel motioned toward the bed with her chin, though they still remained connected by arms.
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:07 pm
She giggled. Zul was near beside himself with this new, welcome sound, grinning at her though he knew she couldn't see it. She could, however, hear it, and he'd give her all his expression and warmth that he could in hopes she'd understand it in other means. "I've been working, making the best of this thing we call life," he responded in a casual and nonchalant manner, leaning in to kiss her cheek as well. "You've been busy, growing and all. You're doing well then? All is as it should be?"
He didn't mean to pry, but he could no longer use his fingers to count how many times his friends had suffered and said nothing - hell, he himself could take up both hands on the times he'd done the same. The demon knew not how else to express his concern, and with Ethiriel still gently held, he floated to the indicated bed with her and 'sat,' holding the new Sigel playfully in his non-existent lap.
"I wanted to come pay visit, it's been so long -- but I forgot my silver." The last words were said as a surprised afterthought. He'd been so tied up in knots about visiting at all that he'd forgotten the most basic of his manners. "It wont happen again - neither my departure for a year, nor forgetting the proper attire."
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:18 pm
A blush crept across the Sigel's tanned cheeks as she was positioned in such a way, but Ethiriel's smile remained at the kiss to her cheek. With a nod, she gently bumped her forehead against Zul's.
"Yes, yes; all is well. Things are better and I'm at peace." she said. Without pulling away, content in their position, Ethiriel shook her head lightly in the news of the missing silver. "All is well, no need to worry. I know you are here!", she responded, her voice light and airy. She hadn't realized just how much she had missed the Baphomet and was beyond happy to meet with him again. "I am glad to know there will be no more disappearances."
Finally, Ethiriel pushed herself away without parting with Zul entirely, her eyes wandering fruitlessly for a moment. Disappointment managed to sink into her, missing the days where she could see at least a little when close up -- it was gone entirely now, but the Sigel was glad to feel her companion's warmth.
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:34 pm
He did not miss the blush, but far be it from him to bring it to light. Instead, he basked in the seeming acceptance she shared with him, brows touching, his eyes closing slowly. A darker part of him whispered a question of her acceptance - would she still sit with him like this, if she could see the skewed star on his brow? - but he pushed it away. Now was not the time to let that war surface.
"That is music to my ears," he practically breathed the words, earnest and warm. "I worried for you, sweet Ethiriel, I did. I hoped you'd be happy with Henry - and moreover, happy with yourself. And here you are, content and comfortable." Blue eyes opened again. "I still like to think that swathing myself in silver helps, even if just a little."
There was no protest when she pulled back, though her wandering eyes gave him a curious pause. He would not have anticipated that someone born blind would be able to 'seek' him visually - but then, he couldn't pretend to know what she'd endured. "Tell me. Have you explored the world with your new body?" A rakish smile formed, moving one hand to gently lift one of hers to press against his cheek, the curve of his lips near her palm, allowing her full access to his reactions to her. "There's nothing quite like the sea breeze over skin, sunbathing on the warm sand."
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 9:04 pm
"All that you have needed to worry over has passed," Ethiriel said calmly, smile in place. "I have moved past my darkness and have come out on top. Everything is well."
Brows rising, Ethiriel gently shook her head -- she'd been out and about but not yet had she gone to the beach. "I fear it has been far too long since I have encountered such wonderful notions. I can't remember the last time I've been to the beach!"
The Sigel knew nothing about Zul's musings over the mark decorating his forehead.
"I would like to go..." she said, expression calming into warm contentment. "I have only been to the city and back, and around the block. Henry trusts in my ability to be on my own now, but I have had little reason to leave the area."
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Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 4:28 pm
"Then you have done better than I," he remarked, but his voice was proud. "That is most wondrous to hear."
Lifting his brows with an amused curl of a smile, he rose from the bed and extended his hands, gently taking hers within them. "Then why don't we go? I can take you now, if you're not busy. We can catch up, or perhaps just speak of the now and the future, enjoy the sun and surf together." His warmed hands squeezed hers, affectionate. "What do you say?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:18 pm
Ethiriel's smile easily met her eyes as she relaxed, beaming at Zul. There was an ease within her, knowing that he was fine and well -- it had been so long; she hadn't forgotten about him, but she thought that maybe he had moved on to bigger and better things. It was good to know that he still cared, still wanted her in his life.
It felt nice.
"I say that sounds amazing," the Sigel laughed, light and airy. Holding out her arm for Zul to take, Ethiriel took charge and led the baphomet forward into the hall. Henry had already retreated back to the living room by the time they had passed the door. "Henry, we're going to the beach. Do you mind?"
Looking up from his book, Henry's brows rose in surprise, but a smile grew just as quickly. "That's fine! You guys have a good time!" he said before burying himself back into his book.
Smiling again, Ethiriel offered thanks as she led Zul once more. She held her hand out to feel against the door, then searched for the knob. It was the first time her fellow Sigel had ever seen her take matters into her own hands and not rely too heavily on others.
"Lead the way," she said, easing her grip on Zul's arm as she looked up at him, still beaming.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 11:02 pm
Her laughter was such a new and wonderful thing, it felt like a balm to his tried and tired soul. Zul easily took the offer and was more than pleased to let Ethiriel lead, to see her take charge instead of being such a ghost of herself. "Thank you," he said to Henry in passing, allowing her to grapple with the door before they were free of the apartment. With a soft chuckle and a, "This way, fair Ethiriel," he lead her out of the complex and stretched his wings with intent to take to the sky --
-- but for the Sigel on his arm, he paused, the rings against the leather of his wings tinkling against the bone. "Would you like to fly or float?" he asked mindfully, his gloved hand covering one that held to his arm.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 11:10 pm
While nowadays she definitely preferred to take charge whenever possible, when it came to being around her kind and those she cared about, she didn't mind allowing herself to be led -- especially to places she never went on her own; sure, her phone could guide her, but she wasn't adventurous enough to travel too much further than some of the parks or shops in the area.
The gentle sound of the rings clanging together caused Ethiriel to lift her chin, turning her head to "look" at Zul a bit better. She considered his question, giving a soft breath in thought, before allowing herself to beam up at him. "I am fine with either -- flying could possibly get us there faster, I would thing... I am just glad to be able to spend time with you, again." While the one time she had been flown was during a very strange and stressful time, she never harbored any strange feelings toward the concept. Beneath his hand, her own squeezed Zul's arm gently/
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 11:28 pm
The smile he wore was soft, even knowing she could not see it. "Then I will be your chariot. Let me get you settled. Put your hands here, be careful, they're sharp..." Zul gently removed Ethiriel's hands from his arm and guided them to his back, helping her trace the spikes that came from his exposed spine before letting her hold onto him the way that was the best for her. Once she was comfortable, they flew.
He couldn't remember if he'd ever flown with anyone before, and he couldn't imagine how he hadn't thought to do it until now; it was exhilarating to fly normally, but to share it with someone was something else entirely. They weren't so far that he they had much time to fly, so he couldn't really enjoy it all that much. When they landed, he turned while beating his wings powerfully to help them touch down safely, arms around Ethiriel.
The scent of the ocean was thick and relaxing, competing with the tea-Raevan's natural scent and closeness. The sound of the sea washing up softly over the sand was audible, the time of day not having too many high waves or anything crashing to worry about. "I wish I could help you see it," the demon murmured, blue eyes that matched the deeper color of the water turning out over the churn of it. "It's one of my most favorite places to be."
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 11:38 pm
Humming at the sentiment, Ethiriel followed Zul's guided touch eagerly as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. Curious fingers ran along his spine and its spikes, brows raising in interest at the sensation. Once she was content with her idle exploring, even if it was brief, she slid the palms of her hands flat against the baphomet's shoulder blades and held tight. The Sigel rested her right ear gently against Zul's chest and smiled as she heard the murmur of his heartbeat.
After all that had happened, this... this was oddly nice.
Flying was just as she remembered it, especially the wind in her hair and the cool touch of being higher in the air. This was under difference circumstances: she was safe, nowhere near in harm's way -- this was a casual flight, an oddly intimate moment whether she realized it or not. The idea made her smile soften gently.
As soon as the ocean air hit, its salty tint tingling Ethiriel's skin, she released a small sigh into Zul's chest. It had been so long since she'd been to a beach; she almost couldn't even remember when that had last been. Once they landed, the Raevan was almost afraid to let go, wanting to be this close to someone for just a bit longer... at least, until her companion decided to part, perhaps she could hold on just a little longer...
"Thank you..." she hummed, closing her eyes as her temple rested just near Zul's collar bone. "I can at least enjoy the other senses here with you. I've always been fond of the sounds..."
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2016 6:03 pm
"I agree," he rumbled, blue eyes flitting towards the sea that was similar in color. "There's a song to the sea, not just a crash of waves -- at the breeze sounds different over the sand." Zul didn't let her go, nor was he eager to remove her; he was a creature of affection and craved intimacy whether platonic or otherwise. "There's nothing quite like the scent, either. It's some sort of different world." The words were said with a soft hum, lidding his eyes -- and he had an idea.
He floated only a little closer to the sea but not by much, and gingerly, he rearranged his arms around Ethiriel and slowly began to lead her to follow him as he leaned backwards. His wings spread out flat against the sand as the spikes of his spine sunk into it, his ribbon furling and rolling lazily as it, too, settled. With her leaned against his chest, he moved one arm back behind his head for support and closed his eyes, content to experience the way of the beach the way she did -- while she enjoyed his method of sunbathing with him.
Zul's body temperature warmed subtly, soaking into the sand and basking in the returned warmth it offered. "You can stay like this," he offered vocally, his tone a low rolling sound of lazy contentment, "if you want."
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