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 Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 2:42 pm
Tristan discovered that he was unable to contain the nerves that had formed while he waited for Charlie to arrive at the designated meeting spot. His hands held a tremor to them that only seemed to sate when they were pressed against his body or shoved into his pockets. Erratic beats made up his heart rate as he rocked from the balls of his feet to his toes while he willed time to tick faster.
He had shown up twenty-seven minutes early, too paranoid about running late or making his friend wait on him for something he had asked her to accompany him for.
At his feet was a backpack, stuffed with a few essentials. As he had proven time and time again, his sense of time was horrible when he went to his wonder and he didn't want to risk putting either of them in the same, bad position he had been in when he had finally returned to the city. Just in case.
More than once, he had checked his phone for a text or message or even just the time, because he didn't know how to stand still any longer. One final check of his phone told him that only two minutes had passed since he arrived which told him how ridiculous he was being.
In an attempt to distract himself, he began rifling through the bag he had brought to ensure everything he thought they needed would be in it. It was mostly to distract himself from the way he could feel anxiety and panic crawling beneath his skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake, but also just to be sure he was prepared.
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Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 9:32 pm
She was running late. She felt so bad about it because she knew that Tristan was waiting for her, but she didn’t want to show up without anything to offer! She threw her hair up into a ponytail on her way out the door, her backpack slung over her shoulder as she hurried towards their meeting place so that by the time she arrived, she was completely out of breath.
“I am. So sorry. That I’m late,” she panted and heaved, bending over to put her hands on her knees. She looked up at him with worry on her expression because he looked somewhat agitated and she couldn’t tell if it was because he was stressed or worried or upset or who knew.
In fact, she was so concerned about him, that she gave up on trying to catch her breath and took the few steps forward to throw her arms around him, holding on tight for a while. Also because she was sure she would collapse if she let go too soon.
She really needed to get into better shape.
“I am. Ready. For space things. If you are,” she continued to pant slightly, but pulled back to smile up at him. “I swear you’re getting taller,” she added with a note of distress in her voice. “Or I’m getting shorter.”
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Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 7:31 am
By the time Charlie had arrived, Tristan had repacked his bag and counted his supplies twice.
The actions had less to do with waiting on his companion and the general anxiousness that made up all six foot four of the brunet. Idle hands were not something he was good, or comfortable really, with these days and when he saw her running he was relieved. Immediately a softer, kind smile spread across chapped lips and he shook his head at her. "It's okay," he attempted to assure but she was throwing her arms around him and for one moment every thought in his head disappeared.
Air rushed into his lungs as his knees bent and arms wrapped around her torso so he could lift and hug her tightly in return. Breathing was always easier with Charlie around and that was why he wanted her to accompany him when he began the task he had in mind. "It's okay," Tristan reiterated, the line of his nose pressing against the girl's neck as he breathed in deeply for the first time in days without too much trouble.
Charlie pulled away and Tristan straightened, head dipping so he could brush his lips against her forehead before he reluctantly released her and stepped back to assess the area and make sure they were still safe and unwatched. "I am as ready as I will ever be." Which was to say, not that ready but willing to do something that ultimately stressed him in the hopes that one day it wouldn't.
"Perhaps you can will yourself to grow," he replied, tone clearly fond. "I don't think I'm any taller than the last time you saw me, but I can kneel if that makes you feel taller," he offered, sinking to a knee readily.
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 7:30 pm
Charlie let out a squeak of surprise and laughed when he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up, feeling very much relieved that he was okay and felt warm and alive. She tried not to worry about him, but knew he was having a rough time, especially recently. It was difficult for her to not feel anxious thinking about all the things that must be going through his head, especially when she knew his life was completely different than it used to be as Aluminite.
She was glad she got to meet him when he used to be someone else, and so very grateful that she got to meet him again like this.
“You don’t have to do that!” she laughed again, trying to ignore the way her cheeks heated when he’d kissed her forehead and again when he sank to a knee. Although she did take advantage of the temporary similarity in height to once again throw her arms around him to hug, this time around his neck.
Tristan was always so kind to her and made her feel like she was special, so it was growing steadily more difficult to deal with the fact that he probably only looked at her like a little sister. Literally little when comparing his six four to her five two.
But she reminded herself that there was absolutely nothing wrong with being friends, and that things were better when they weren’t complicated, anyway.
“Okay, okay, we should go. I want to see your Wonder,” she smiled as she made herself pull back, one hand lifting to hold onto the strap of her bag and her other hand held out to him.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:42 am
Even when he had been Aluminite, and whomever he was outside of the coat, Charlie - Connie had been a warm light and a promise of hope that he was grateful to have in his life. Things were still rocky because he was halfway convinced that he was on a boat threatening to capsize in the rough waters of his life, but they were slowly getting better.
Nightmares were still present, but they hadn't been as frequent and he had friends, sorta. (He had Fiona and Danny and Charlie.) He met his ancestor and despite the mostly rocky start, they seemed on decent terms. So, things weren't great but they were getting better, slowly but surely.
Her laughter had him grinning and his nose crinkling. "Too late," he remarked, accepting her hug readily. Remaining in place was easy, Charlie's general warmth and brightness seeping into him the longer they stayed like that until she pulled away and he climbed back onto his feet.
One final cautionary glance and he let himself shift from plain old Tristan Lestrange and to Midgard, Squire of Chronos. His own bag was snatched up and tossed over his shoulder with one hand and the other grabbed Charlie's offered one. His fingers slid between hers and he squeezed when he flashed her a grin.
"Guess it's now or never, huh?" He asked rhetorically. Not even a full beat later and he was reciting the words to take them from Earth to Midgard.
Upon arrival, he found that Amelia was waiting for him just outside the door with her arms crossed over her chest while she leaned against the building.
"Oh, you brought company this time," the woman voice, surprised. Pushing off the wall she crossed the courtyard to come to stand a few yards between them. "My name is Amelia, I'd offer you my hand, but I don't think a handshake is feasible."
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Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2017 9:56 am
It was so easy being with Tristan that Charlie almost completely forgot that she should probably power up as well, if only to aid with being able to sense auras, since there wasn’t much she could do with her flower necklace. She’d temporarily dropped the bag from her shoulders so she could shift into her alter guise of Constantinople, and snatched up the bag so Midgard could take them to his wonder.
Connie had every intention of looking around and oohing and ahhing over everything, but instead they were brought face to face with a beautiful woman. Subconsciously, Connie’s hand tightened around Midgard’s as the woman approached, but she smiled brightly upon her introduction.
“Amelia! That’s a beautiful name. You’re beautiful. This place is beautiful!” she practically gushed, taking a quick glance around the courtyard to try and get a look at everything, which was of course impossible in such a short amount of time. Even though it wasn’t perfect, even though it was obvious that time had worn everything down, it was still beautiful. It made Connie both anxious and excited to eventually see the Wonder she shared a name with.
“It’s okay!” Conne said with wide eyes when Amelia suggested that a handshake wasn’t feasible. How was it not feasible? Connie knew there was magic involved, but she didn’t look like a ghost. But was she? Anything was possible, she supposed.
“It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Connie!”
She still hadn’t let go of Midgard’s hand.
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Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2017 1:50 pm
The squeeze of his hand had him glancing over at his companion where he offered her what he hoped was a reassuring smile in her direction. He even let his thumb slide across her knuckles. Something small to assure her that he was there and he wasn't going anywhere.
Amelia's purple eyed gaze appeared to linger on their joined hands before her attention shifted to the enthusiastic girl that her charge had brought along with him. "Thank you," she replied, clearly pleased with the compliment. "It is only in such a state thanks to Midgard." She waved a hand at him, ignoring the way his ears went red and he hunched his shoulders slightly. "Did you bring proper tea this time?"
"I did, for later. After." Midgard sounded a little uncomfortable, because he hadn't quite explained everything in full detail to his companion. He wasn't sure how to explain that he wanted to turn a mass grave into a garden after all.
Amelia shrugged, seeming to push off the wall and turn to head inside. "Then what are we waiting for, shouldn't you show...Connie was it? I'm unfamiliar with a Connie knight." She tilted her head like it would help her place the name. When she couldn't, she waved her hand for them to follow. "Anyway, make him show you around. I'm afraid things are dusty but it's better than it was a bit ago."
Midgard fidgeted, grip tightening like he needed the reassurance this time. "Yeah, I cleaned out a bunch of um...stuff. But, I can show you the library, the kitchen and some of the rooms. Or we can go to the back and I can show you what I wanted help with."
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 5:29 pm
Connie noticed the shift in Midgard’s voice, the unease that was there and it made her heart hurt because she wasn’t sure what she could do to help. He hadn’t really explained to her what was bothering him, so she could only guess. Maybe it was just nerves in general, or was there something else?
She didn’t want to pressure him into telling her if he didn’t feel comfortable, so she kept hold of his hand, even as the woman named Amelia spoke to them.
“Oh!” Connie let out a breath, trying to keep her face from turning too red in embarrassment when Amelia seemed to appraise her. “It’s supposed to be Constantinople, but. It’s kind of long and - I thought Connie sounded cuter,” she explained feeling a little childish for wanting to shorten a name because it sounded cute.
But she was more than happy for an excuse to spend more time with Midgard, and tugged at his hand when Amelia suggested him showing her around.
“This looks amazing,” she said as she peered up at him, feeling strangely intimidated by the woman for no apparent reason. “I want to see everything! Please,” she added, her voice quiet as she looked up at him. “Are you okay? You seem… upset about something…”
In the end, she couldn’t stop herself from asking.
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Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2017 2:11 pm
Amelia regarded Midgard's companion quietly, something unreadable in her expression. "That sounds more familiar, but I fear in my 'old' age I don't recognize it." The woman didn't look much older than her twenties but the way she held herself implied that she had been around for a very, very long time. "Connie is a very fine name," she said, kindly. Amelia's smile however was a bit more strained than she would have liked.
Regarding the pair who seemed to clutch to each other tightly, Amelia sighed. "I'll leave you two to your explorations." With that the once-knight disappeared into the building.
Midgard, who had been uncomfortably silent as the exchanged happened exhaled slowly when his companion looked to him. "I'll show you everything," he promised with a squeeze of his hand. There were many places he hadn't explored yet, outside of purging the place of the dead, and perhaps exploring with her would make it easier. "I don't think we have enough time for all of it, but we'll work on it. Okay?"
There would always be future visits he was sure.
"I'm fine, really. I apologize for worrying you." Midgard had shifted using his free hand to smooth stray wisps of hair from her forehead so that he could press lips chastely against it. "I have to admit...the garden I want to make...it's going to be made above a grave."
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Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 8:51 pm
There was a strange sort of intimidation Connie felt in regards to the woman named Amelia, like maybe Connie was too inexperienced or too average or too insignificant to be accompanying Midgard to this place. In her heart she knew this wasn’t the case, because Midgard obviously trusted this strange, wise woman.
But standing beside those with such elegance as Amelia and poise as Midgard, Connie couldn’t help but feel awkward and… very very small.
She shook her head quickly when Midgard apologized, wondering if it was okay that he tended to dote on her in little ways, such as the way he brushed her hair back, or gave her a comforting kiss on the forehead.
It was both sweet and frustrating, because once again she felt small and awkward, as though she was intruding on someone else’s fairy tale that just hadn’t started yet.
Her heart seemed to stop as his next words reached her ears.
The garden was going to be made above a grave.
Connie stared at Midgard, unable to speak for a long moment, her chest tight and eyes stinging a little, but she did her best to compose herself. It had nothing to do with the fact that people had obviously died and were buried there. Instead, she couldn’t help the strong surge of emotion because this was something Midgard wanted. He was there to plant a garden, and in doing so, Connie knew he was placing a piece of his soul there.
“It will be the most beautiful garden ever,” she promised, her voice quiet even as she smiled softly up at him, giving his hand a tight squeeze. “I’ll help you. Tell me what you’d like to do.”
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Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 1:53 pm
While he generally appreciated the guidance that Amelia had to offer him, he was grateful that she had left them because it allowed him to focus on his companion instead. The girl by his side was someone he treasured greatly and a person he hoped he would be able to always keep at his side, if not always in his life.
His distractedness, and the worry - anxiety that kept crawling up trying to suffocate him - prevented him from noticing that perhaps Connie was experiencing her own quiet frustrations. Had he known he would have sought to ease her concerns.
Instead, they were entirely too focused upon him which made him feel off balanced even though he knew it was to be expected considering what they were doing. He was acutely aware of the way she gazed up at him and looking at her in return was difficult. He also no longer knew what to do with his hands and he found them settling on her hips where his fingers fidgeted with the fabric of her dress.
"I hope so," he said softly, almost too quiet to hear. "I think they deserve a peaceful rest after everything." He could remember how they all looked as he pulled skeleton after skeleton out of their resting place to carry them to the hole he spent hours digging. "Your company helps the most," he admitted, ears burning red when he finally looked at her.
How did he tell her that her mere presence gave him strength?
"I don't know much about gardens or carrying for them but...I brought everything I think we need?" Carefully he pulled away and found her hand. "This way," he stated, leading her out back.
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Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:20 pm
Although she tried to smile up at him, her smile was sad because she could see the pain in his eyes. Maybe not physical pain, but there was something there, deep inside that was eating away at him. She hated that look on his face, because she didn’t know what she could do to ease his troubles, or if there even was something she could do.
She didn’t pull away as hands found their way to her hips, fingers clutching lightly at the fabric of her dress. Instead, she just looked up at Midgard, trying to search the expression on his face for something that might help her understand better.
And when he moved his hands away and found her hand again, she clasped onto his.
It wasn’t much, but she knew he needed something and this was all she could think to give at that moment.
“We can learn together,” she promised, not wanting to sound too cheesy or optimistic about things, especially with the reality of everything. Besides, how could they know how plants would grow on this world? “Whatever you need, I’ll help,” she said as she followed along, looking out over the landscape and ruins of what must have been a beautiful place once. It was still beautiful in its decay, but it definitely wasn’t like it had been.
“What was this place before? Or do you not know?” she asked, her voice still quiet, not wanting to somehow be offensive.
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Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:50 pm
Having her hand in his was perhaps the best thing she could have done for him. The simple touch helped him feel more grounded, present and in the moment rather than lost in his thoughts and letting the crushing threat of anxiety overwhelm him. While it was present, a humming sensation trying to coil around his heart and lung, he knew that if Connie was beside him he would be fine.
Surely he would sway and perhaps his knees might buckle but he would remain on his feet, pressing forward.
"Okay," he agreed, complete with a nodding hand as dark boots clomped forward and his hand pulled hers along with him. His free hand pushed the door open to reveal the mounds of dirt that had been recently shoveled and he felt that constricting of pain that made him rock on his feet, stilling for a moment as he tried to remember how to breathe.
One look at Connie allowed his airwaves to open up again and he felt the light-headedness recede. He was fine.
"You're helping by being here with me, really," he squeezed his hand and when he smiled this time it was a little brighter, more genuine.
"Amelia says that it was a research lab. Most of the equipment is below but there are several rooms full of work stations and books." Not that he could read any of them, the appeared to be transcribed in a language he couldn't understand. "After, when we finish here, we can look if you want?"
Despite his desire to still cling to her, he reluctantly released her hand to sling the bag off of his shoulder and kneel beside it as he pulled out the supplies he had brought along with him.
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Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2017 10:26 pm
”A research lab? That sounds so cool,” she said, trying to keep her enthusiasm down to a minimum, especially since this was obviously a difficult time and process for Midgard to handle. They were trying to plan out how to make a grave into a garden, after all. Even she knew that her enthusiasm needed to be checked at the door and offer a little more reverence for the situation.
Connie drew in a deep breath and then let it out slowly, watching as Midgard let go of her hand so he could dig through the supplies he brought with him. Even though he said she was helping him by being there, she couldn’t help but feel a certain amount of sadness and anxiety coming from him as he looked away from her to go through his bag. Maybe she was making it up in her head. Maybe she was just worrying about him too much.
But because she didn’t get this opportunity often, Connie took a quick step forward while Midgard was on his knee and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, burying her face against his hair.
She knew she was probably distracting him from getting work done, and he probably wanted it done as quickly as possible, but him being okay was most important and they could always take their time with working on the garden. It would take a while to grow, anyway.
“You’re important to me,” she said, muffled against his hair and feeling a little awkward about it because she knew she seemed clingy and emotional. “When you’re upset, I’m upset. When you hurt, I hurt. And when you’re happy, I’m happy. So things will be okay. I promise.”
It was a long moment before the action caught up with her, and she drew back, her face flushed because being able to hug him like that was wonderful and now she felt ridiculously.
“D-did you have certain plants or… flowers in mind?” she asked, lifting one of her hands to her face to try and cool her cheeks down with her knuckles without it being too obvious what she was doing. “We could… draw something out. Unless you already know where you want things. I can… make little markers for where things are planted.”
Okay Connie, you were there to help him with his project, not to distract him.
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:45 am
"I think so too, maybe we'll get to--" Midgard cut off as Connie's body pressed against his back and her arms around his shoulder. Her nose was pressed into his hair and he found that for a moment, he couldn't breathe but then his eyes closed and he enjoyed the intimacy for what it was. It took a bit of maneuvering but his arm slipped out, slid across her waist, and tugged her closer so that he could return her hug in some manner.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled, fingers grasping the fabric of her dress too tightly. "I don't mean to worry you Connie, I'm okay, really." When she pulled away, he didn't resist and only offered her a weary smile instead. "You're important to me too Connie," he assured her, carefully picking himself up off the ground with everything still in the bag.
A large hand rubbed at his face as if he could wipe away the perpetual exhaustion and restlessness that settled between his shoulder blades and made homes in the spaces between his spine. "I thought some flowers would be nice? I don't...I don't know if they'll actually grow but I want to try." Maybe he could be like that Mark guy from the Martian, only he wouldn't have to do it alone.
"Bought some seeds and um, a book about flower and plant meanings? I thought maybe...we could pick together?" He sounded uncertain, shifting from foot to foot while thinking he was being a bit ridiculous.
"I...didn't plan very well. I'm sorry." The tips of his ears went red.
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