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 Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:16 pm
The day was warm and the breeze cool. A rare drop in the near insufferable temperatures that had been plaguing the area. It warrented a special sort of pass time. Not the reading or grinding that had been occupying his time of late, hiding in the shade offered by porch and tree.
Sonata walked calmly at his side, a brilliant contrast to the one she chose to follow. He had collected a few fresh herbs that Draconayzia didn't have in her kitchen as well as filled a few flasks with clear mountain water.
The liquid flowing over his hand had tasted sweet when he scooped a few precious mouthfuls in his hands. The invitation was too good to deny. Carefully setting his things on a dry rock by the side of the run he took off his clothing and set it overtop the pack. Done with that he slowly lowered himself into the water, sighing in contentment as heat was washed away and replaced with comforting cool.
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Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:31 pm
Elle made her way barefoot along the stream, burden basket upon her back. Various herbs poked out from the open top container, green and lush and smelling of the woods.
She didn't pause long, seeing the shadow upon the water....some things were so familiar that uncertainty never rose. Instead, she simply slowed....drinking in the sight in the moment before delay became rudeness.
"They settled there,
Upon the water,
Black and gold and green...
Never before,
In Heaven or earth,
Had such a sight been seen..."
With a smile in her voice, Elle announced her arrival...eyes drinking in the dark silhouette.
"Hello, Lonan."
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Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:39 pm
Lonan turned as he heard the soft verse. The faint flicker passed over his face not in the least bit perturbed at being seen for what he was.
"Hello, Elle. Care to come in? The water feels almost like heavens' hands."
He walked close to her, staying in the water and offering a hand down into the water. How he managed to not fall over his own feet on the slick riverbed was anyone's guess.
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Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:09 pm
Pausing long enough to slip from her basket and clothes, Elle accepted his hand and stepped gently down into the water. There was no reason for inequality, simply because he did not see with his eyes. Letting his fingers brush down her side as she lowered herself downward, Elle drifted but a few inches away.
"Close. Is that what you seek today? Heaven?" She smiled, voice lifting, and let her hand find his.
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Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:19 pm
Hs grip was light but sure helping her down into the hip-deep water. It was cool and the flow juts enough to soothe away aches and worries.
"Surely you know by now, Elle, I find my own Heaven with you."
He managed to slip nearby keeping dark wings mostly from the water, pressing a soft, chaste kiss to the top of her hand before granting her space. In a careful move he let his wings touch the water.
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 10:30 am
"Mmm. If that's so, there is more than soft words and cool water." One hand trailed down the arch of his wing, almost never touching, and paused to pick swirling leaves from the water's surface where they strained through his feathers.
"Or did you come seeking only that?" As coy as her words might have been taken, the question was genuine. What else did he hope the day held?
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:17 am
His wing moved into her touch, welcoming it. Drifting close once again he let his own hand trail gently through her hair in the water. When he spoke it was with the soft tone of one telling a story.
"I came out today to find herbs and new things to grind for pigments. I stopped here for water. The water invited me in. It seems it was holding a secret from me that I was only too happy to discover."
The hand followed her hair up to her face, cupping her cheek as the thumb traced the proud line of bone.
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:21 pm
Gently, modesty left her, and Elle wrapped her arms around Lonan's neck in a heartfelt hug. "And what secret did you learn?"
Pigments! A part of her thrilled at the words. She'd always wanted to see Lonan paint, but it wasn't something she would press him to. Art manifested like love...only when it was ripe, and only when it was ready.
"If I can ask, at least." She rose onto her toes only long enough to press a kiss to his cheek, and slowly took a step back.
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:38 pm
His arms moved around her of their own accord, moving his cheek to touch her's.
"Why, that you were headed this way as well. What better surprise-secret than that? When the water leads you home."
Sighing contentedly he let his arms tighten around her for a moment, not caring one ounce for state of dress. Something tickled at his mind from inside and he let himself feel it. He could give her that. "After this, would you like to come back to the Hollow for a while? I have an idea in mind and your company could only improve it."
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:19 pm
"I would love to. You know..." Voice fading for a moment, Elle simply gazed up at him...holding his pale gaze especially. She didn't like asking things of him, but with honesty, there was no one she'd rather ask.
"After the next rain, I was hoping you could take a walk with me. There are...some things I'd like to pick, but..." Was there an easy way to explain? She could only assume Lonan would agree, but part of her worried that it was inappropriate to ask.
"...I...am not very good in the dark." She paused. It was a selfish thing to say, but it rang with truth. Absolute dark was one of the few things that rattled her, and at the thought, his face rose in her memory. Halexei. "It's a type of lichen that grows in the caves, near the waterfall at the head of this creek, actually. If you don't care to, I understand...but I can't bring a light, or I can't see their glow."
Absently her hand found his...squeezing as she unconsciously sought comfort. It was one of the reasons she so enjoyed Lonan's company...he drove the shadows back, and she could feel that she did the same.
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:31 pm
He could feel her uncertainty, the way her arms shifted subtly, muscles tensed and released, breathing faltered for just a moment. The feel of her eyes staring directly into his made him pause and listen to every last word she said and everyting infered.
"Of course I will, Elle. Of course I will." Pressing his lips to her forehead for a moment he drew arms and wings around her, one hand gently rubbing her back as one would a small child. Concern and care welled up. She was so obviously upset about the dark and being alone in it. He could feel it radiating off her. How could he deny such a simple request?
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:44 pm
If silent voices could speak, and truth be told, it wasn't so much personal concern. What worried Elle more was taking him there, farther into the dark, with nothing but stone over his head for yards. She liked the pressure of the earth, the weight of creation above and below her.
Would he accept the same?
"Thank you. Thank you, Lonan." She wished there was something more meaningful to say, but she couldn't find it. Even if it was hard, he would do it...and she was so used to being the support. For everyone, even Aki, but with Lonan...
It could be different. It was different.
Suddenly smiling, weight lifted, Elle slipped back into his arms. "Whatever is waiting at the Hollow had better be tempting. I'm inclined not to move till I'm pruney." Her forehead settled against his chest, eyes closing as she relaxed to the sound of tumbling water.
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 10:16 pm
One of Lonan's hands came up and stroked her cheek, letting the flicker pass over his face again.
"Actually, I'm using one of the outter houses lately. It's cooler than my room in the heat. It's surrounded by trees and quiet. A nice change to have some calm." Feeling her forehead against his chest he relaxed himself, letting himself just feel the water, the air, and the body close to his.
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:42 am
Nodding, Elle leaned into his touch, eyes closing. "Sounds perfect."
There wasn't much else she felt the need to say. Sharing the same silence, Elle relaxed as well...letting the stress and worry of the previous days float away.
Moments like these were worth waiting for.
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:48 am
Lonan snugged his arms around her breifly, letting his chin rest atop her head. The quiet reprieve from the heat and bustling of life around the main part of the Hollow was soothing to him.
Time passed and their skin did start to get a bit water logged, as did the teen's feathers. "Do you want to stayor are you ready to head back?"
The question was quiet, barely ruffling he hair as he spoke.
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