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 Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 12:19 pm
Chloe stood nervously in front of the apartment complex she lived at - Durem Heights. It wasn't as tall as it's name suggested (there were only two floors), but it was definatly large in size. She wasn't standing outside to admire the building, however, she was waiting for someone to arrive. Roux was close beside her, his parisol had been forgotten at Rivener's house and so he had to suffer standing beneath the ordinary shade of a nearby scraggly tree, it's thin trunk surrounded by metal mesh to keep it from harm.
He gave an unhappy sigh, looking around rather moodily. The sun was bright and out and even though summer was beginning to gradually cool down into autumn it was still a bit too stuffy for him on some days. This day, however, he willingly subjected himself to the harsh elements. In fact, he'd been standing outside a good half hour longer than Chloe, looking all up and down the street as he waited.
Rivener. Something was definatly and decidedly splended about the other. Roux enjoyed looking at all of the other's sharp angles and deep colours. Enjoyed the way they agreed. Rivener was the first being that the Ice Raeven had ever encountered that he thought was perhaps on par with himself.
Chloe had spent much time wondering what drew Roux to Rivener. Ever since they had met, for once the usually cold and stand-offish Frei had ...well... warmed up to someone, so to speak. Had it been that... she blushed. Had it been that kiss? She hadn't been paying attention to them very much and so couldn't even really begin to guess.
It was Rivener and Aphismet that she waited for now, quite nervously at that. The last meeting between the four of them had been a horrible disaster. She'd been asked to leave his home, ashamed with herself and Roux. He was giving her a second chance, so to speak, and she would try her best to make amends.
"Remember, Roux. If you arn't good..." She let the half-hearted threat die on her lips, hoping that it made it seem the concequence all the more terrible. She didn't realize that it just made her seem as though she didn't have the heart to actually go on with a punishment.
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 12:46 pm
Aphismet dragged his feet along the street, frowning angrily and shooting dark glares at Rivener, who looked positively pleased with himself. The Raevan had once again exerted his "influence" over Aph, threatening to stab him with a good dose of belladonna while he slept. Aphismet liked to think that Riv wouldn't go through with it, but then again, this wasn't Cuddles, it was something else. Cuddles had NEVER stung him, and yet Rivener had. Who knows what else Riv might be capable of?
And so here he was, following the Raevan down one of Durem's streets. They'd come by train, and Aphismet had studied the streetmap at the trainstation very carefully, remembering the adress of Roux's house. He once in a while called out to Rivener, who floated in front, "left" or "right" depending on where they needed to go.
This part of the city was rather posh-looking, and Aph found his anxiousness mixing with newfound jealousy. Why would some people, as undeserving as they seemed, be allowed to make this much money, live in such nice places? Of course his opinion wasn't really focusing on Chloe...
Rivener smiled his usual bedroom smile. He carried the parasol that had been forgotten at their house; he knew it must be Roux's, and bringing it back to him seemed like a nice thing to do. He had also thought long and hard about what else might please Roux as a gift, and had drawn a blank; he'd resorted to watching televion almost religiously, looking for an answer. Of course there were commercials about everything, but the thing that had finally caught his eye was candy. And so he also brought with him a little ring-pop, a child's plastic ring with a large diamond-shaped hard candy on it, a see-through blue candy flavored like raspberry, or so the wrapper claimed. He also brought himself a red one, so they could try it together. Later, after dinner. Rivener wondered if Roux would like sweets. Being part insect, Rivener had found himself terribly inclined to sweets.
Finally, they had reached the proper street. Further down the way, they both easily spotted the glowing rune half-hidden under Roux's ribbon-bottom. Rivener's smile widened, and he hurried forward to meet the ice Frei.
Aphismet took his time, trying his best to yank the displeased look off his face. He'd rather be putting his eye out than spending time near the Ice boy again. The thought of trying to make smalltalk with Chloe didn't appeal to him either; he didn't quite know how to act around her anymore. Oh well, he thought as he plastered a forced smile on his face. Better get this over with.
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 10:22 am
A small sound of excitement came from Roux as he saw black and red from the corner of his eye. It was Rivener. The Ice Frei floated as far forward as he could without leaving the shadow of the tree, reaching outward. His expression lightened to one of pleasure and rare excitement. "Ah!" The call was soft.
Chloe only felt as though her stomach was tightning as she saw the two turn a corner and start down the street toward them. Instantly her hands came together in front of her, worrying at the corner of her tank top. Aphismet didn't look very happy, he was smiling but it seemed forced.
Oh dear, oh, this wasn't the right thing. Aphismet wasn't at all happy, it was plain on his face, but Roux had been as close to hyper as he'd ever been in his so far short life as he'd waited for Rivener to show up.
"M-make it painless.." She murmured softly to herself. She'd do her best, it's all she could do, but she knew it would be awkward and strained. She began walking forward to meet Aphismet half way, passing Rivener as she went. She gave him a gentle smile and nod before focusing back to Aphismet. Chloe stopped half-way to him and let her hands drop to her sides.
"A-Aphismet.... h-h-hello.." Her voice was soft and sulky, belaying her shame and nervousness. She seemed to be stumbling over her words more frequently as well. "I.. I thought... w-we could... I m-mean I-I could d-drive us t-t-to the bar. UHM! S-S-Sushi that is! S-Sushi bar" Her face flushed hotly with embarassment. She bowed her head, hair falling in front of her face. "I-If that's a-a-a.. okay.. with you.."
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 10:28 pm
Rivener hurried to the tree-bound ice Frei, holding his hand out to touch Roux's when he was within reach. He gave the silver-haired boy a sultry smile, and offered the parasol. "I brought you this, you forgot it when you visited us last time."
Rivener caressed his fingers across Roux's hand, enjoying the touching of skin. It felt comforting and nice, nicer than when he touched other people, for some reason. He floated a tad closer still; he liked being out in the sun, but he preferred being close to Roux.
Riv ignored the girl guardian as she walked by, keeping his red eyes on Roux.
Aphismet forced the smile to stay on his lips. He could see how uncomfortable the girl was, and he didn't blame her. HE was uncomfortable too. Then again, this was a rare chance to talk to a girl; Aphismet wasn't normally the kind who was able to speak to girls. This was probably the closest thing to a date that Aphismet would go on this year.
"Oh, hi... Sure, you can erm... you drive? You have a car, I mean? Lucky. I've been trying to save up for one... So, let's uh, let's go then." He always kept a watchful eye on Riv and Roux, to make sure they didn't try THAT again, or even something else. "...I've never had sushi before," he attempted a conversation, "I'm a little nervous. Heheh!"
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Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 10:57 am
"Delicious again." Roux smiled gently, his soft voice lilting a tad with pleasure. He curled his fingers with Rivener's and sighed. He noticed the parasol and gave another of his soft, inarticulate sounds, reaching out to take it. He popped it open (it was a pastel blue with white snowflakes on it) and floated out from beneath the tree, looking down at the circular shadow cast.
He looked back up toward Rivener, head tilting to the side. There was something he wanted to talk to the other about, but it was hard for the Ice Frei to find words. It wasn't just that he was the quiet type, he often found it difficult to communicate vocally. He let go of Rivener's hand and instead just floated comfortably beside him, as close as he could be without hitting the other with his parasol.
He pointed upward toward the sun, frowning delicatly. "Hot, too hot." And then his emotion was changing again, switching to interest. He leaned forward like he was telling a secret. "We eat. Delicious yum, not like us."
He got the vauge impression that he didn't make as much sense as Rivener or all the other two-legs did, and it frustraited him slightly. He looked at the other Raeven with a half-scowl. He would understand though, right?
Chloe got out her keys and nodded, figiting with them a bit. "O-Oh yes. I know, I'm lucky to even have a place to p-park it, though."
She motioned for him to follow her, looking back to call out to the Raevens. "Roux... Rivener... t-time... time to go." She lead them over to a rather old, looking beat up white car.
"O-Oh.. if you don't want to eat the raw fish then... th-there's always soups and things l-like.. uhm.. sesame seed chicken.. and f-fried shrimp... Roux's never eaten s-sushi either.. I'm..." She fell silent. She didn't want to admit that she was afraid he wouldn't like it and might throw a fuss... it would only make Aphismet more afraid of him. "I hope h-he likes it too!"
She opened the backseat cardoor for Roux to get in, he'd NEVER touch the door handle on his own, god forbid, and then got in the front driver's seat on her own.
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Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 11:59 am
Aphismet smiled as pleasantly as he could manage as they headed to the car; Roux was now close by, and knowing that the Frei would be right behind him in the small confines of the car was disturbing. Nevertheless, he had to go through with this if he wanted to feel even a tiny bit safe from Rivener's dangerous, poisonous anger. He nodded at Chloe's awkward words.
"Nono, don't worry. I said I'd like to go... I figure I should try something new when I have the chance. Raw fish musn't be THAT bad since so many people, erm, like it." He was doing his best to keep his stammering and erm-ing to a minimum. It made him look very concentrated as he spoke, since he was going over his words in his head before he said them. They ended up sounding very scripted. "I'm sure it won't be, erm... bad."
He smiled and got into the car, keeping a weary eye on Roux. Thankfully he was going to be sitting behind Chloe, not behind Aph. Then again, having Rivener behind him, where he couldn't keep an eye on him, was making the pizzamaker a tad uncomfortable too. But, as he spied on his Raevan, Aph noticed that Riv seemed quite happy, so there was probably no danger of being poisoned right now.
Rivener was glad to be holding Roux's hand, and the smiles and many expressions Roux was going through as he attempted to communicate were incredibly endearing. It puzzled Rivener greatly that this mesmerizing boy wasn't as easy to read as a normal person. He definately didn't communicate in a normal fashion, not like people on TV... Rivener liked it. He had to make more of an effort to understand, and it made him feel on par with the ice Frei, not superior like when he was speaking to Aph or other normal humans.
For a second when Roux had spoken about eating, Rivener was slightly confused, but then he thought he understood and he smiled. "We're going to eat good food? I haven't ever tasted anythign except pizza. What are we going to eat?"
Aph did his best to stay out of the parasol's shadow; he was reveling in the sunlight, warming himself. Soon enough they would be in that metal vehicle they were going towards, and the sunwarmth would be gone. He wondered why they were getting into such a small car, since most other times he and Aphismet traveled by subway, train, bus, or such mass transportation. Such a small place, moving... It looked fine on TV, but it made Rivener a little uneasy. Being next to Roux kept him content enough to ignore the small discomfort, however.
Rivener floated at Roux's side until the ice frei got into the car, before floating over to his own side and getting in. Aph had opened the door for him, and closed it behind.
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Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:27 am
She got in the front seat, sitting down and waiting a moment for everybody to get into the car, doors shut, and buckled up. She started the vehicle - it gave a small cough and then rumbled to life. She looked nervously over to Aphismet. "It is... b-but like I said... there's more to try than just the sushi."
She waited for traffic before turning out into the street, heading toward the sushi joint - Mori.
Roux tilted his head from side to side, expression going back to that age old blank, vaugly disapproving stare - the only one that graced his face for a long time when he was new to the world.
"Fish." The way he said this word told of how much he enjoyed this type of food. Ice, popsicles, ice cream... they were all delicious, yes, but he enjoyed fish on a deeper level. It made him feel happier when he was eating it.
He looked out the window on his side at the cars and buses passing by, then focused his eyes from outside to his own reflection inside and Rivener's just behind his own.
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Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 9:42 am
"Fish? Hmm..." Rivener thought about that. He'd tried anchovies on a pizza once, and hadn't liked it one bit. It was too... weird-tasting. He hoped the food wouldn't be like that this time. He would try it anyway, craving any kind of experience apart from the pizza (which he was getting more than tired of). Hopefully, if it wasn't good, there would be other things to try besides the fish.
Rivener noticed Roux's expression turning cold for a moment, and wondered why. Because he'd gotten into a car? The boy's words, however, sounded pleased when he spoke of the fish, so Riv was confused as to what Roux might actually be feeling. The Scorpion Frei smiled. He enjoyed these puzzles. When Roux turned to look outside, Rive decided to let him watch the world go by, instead of trying to talk to him just yet. There would be time for that later. Instead, Riv placed his fingers on the hair at the back of Roux's head, and stroked it slowly, running his fingers through the pale strands, concentrating on that instead of the smallness of the vehicle and the speed they were moving. How strange that hair could feel this fresh, as though it had just been in a refrigerator. It was a tingle along his fingertips, and he smiled as he watched his own hand moving. How pleasant. He could do this all day, if Roux didn't stop him.
"I think I'll try the sushi," Aphismet answered more to himself than anything, looking outside. Strange how, when he spoke to himself and Rivener, he hardly ever stuttered.
Aph tried his best to keep from glancing backward at the two Frei, but somehow ended up looking at them from the corner of his eye once or twice. He felt stiff as a board, nervous... He had no idea what to talk about. The silence was getting to him very quickly. If he didn't find something to talk about soon, he'd freak out and jump off the moving car.
"So, erm... Err, eh... I, em... Aw s**t." He muttered the last to himself. Dammit, the only thing he could think of was to ask "So, nice weather we're having", and that was so cliche and desperate he didn't even want to say it.
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Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 11:07 am
Roux startled slightly, a little annoyed that he'd been brought out his self-meditation. He looked back slightly over his shoulder toward Rivener, frowning slightly at the pets. It felt strange, and sticky to have his hair pet, it pulled slightly. He reached up and waved his hand slightly at the other Frei.
"Mphf." He made a small inarticulate sound, turning to focus fully back on the Nocturne Rock Raeven. He gave a stern little scowl, as though to chide him. He didn't feel like being touched right now.
He pointed to the window to show Rivener what he had been looking at, however. "Roux." And the very faint, foreign lilt was most pronounced in this one word. He looked back at the window, focusing on his own reflection and cooed slightly. "Pretty Roux. Rivener, too." He touched the cool glass at where Rivener's cheek was.
Chloe began to panic as Aphismet struggled to find something to say. This wasn't going as well as she hoped it would at all. "S-So... H-How about this nice weather?!" She all but shouted the words, gripping the stearing wheel tighter. She shifted awkwardly. "I... I mean it's n-nice and warm. Well R-Roux doesn't like the h-heat b-but I do."
Thank god they were almost there.
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Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:31 pm
Rivener pouted when Roux waved him off, returning the ice Frei's soft scowl with one of his own. For a minute he tried to ignore the other's reflection in the window, but soon enough he was charmed again. Notably, when Roux called him pretty. At these words he turned to watch the window, smiling despite himself. He tilted his head and peered at the window, admiring his reflection for a moment, running fingers through his own hair. He then nodded in agreement, seeing Roux touch the glass version of Riv's face.
"I like to be seeing you again," Rivener said in his usual sultry voice. "I was sad that you weren't at the party. That's the only reason I went, you know." Well, that, and torturing Lazarus, but he wouldn't say that.
Aphismet blinked at the weather comment. After a moment of silence, he burst out laughing, trying to stop himself, knowing he was probably making Chloe very uneasy with his sudden mirth. He tried to answer, but everytime he started to talk he would only laugh more.
He turned to the window and tried to think of serious things, like work on the next day, Rivener's poisonings, Roux being right beside him...
A minute later the laughter was pretty much gone, although he still chuckled more than he should.
"I am... I er... I am so s-sorry." He couldn't figure out what he could possibly say. He suddenly realized that Chloe and he were very alike, so much so that they were probably the worst possible pair to stick alone together in a car.
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Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 7:01 pm
Roux's expression turned to one of childish anger and disappointment, turning back to face Rivener with a pout. "Wanted to be there. See Pasha, see Rivener." He made a low, angry sound at the back of his throat as his eyes flickered toward Chloe. He'd punished her very well for not letting him go.. he'd refused to see her or talk to her and had made the apartment as cold as he could from within his room.
Chloe gave such a startle when Aphismet began to laugh that she actually swerved a little into the next lane, quickly correcting her driving. She sat hunched slightly, eyes wide open and her hands clutching the wheel like claws.
"W-What.. ah..... " She gave a small nervous smile, trying to summon up some laughter as well, only managing a weak "Hehea..." She pulled into the parking lot of the resturaunt, it was large and very elegant, looking as japanese as an american built building could.
"W-We're here."
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Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:44 pm
"Pasha? Who's Pasha?" Rivener tilted his head in puzzlement; although he'd been there, he hadn't met anyone named that... Then again, there were a few Frei he hadn't had time to speak to. The thought flickered through his head that Roux liked someone else, but Riv didn't much care. He didn't feel like he had a claim of any kind on Roux; if Roux liked other people, all the better for the Icy Frei.
"I didn't meet anyone called that," Rivener continued, turning to the window to think more clearly about that night, trying to recall every moment... "Is he nice?" The Scorpion's voice lulled as Riv smiled to his reflection, wondering if it was perhaps one of the other attractive young male Raevans he saw there.
Aphismet realized he wasn't making it any easier for poor Chloe, and he wondered how he could possibly ease a bit of the tension. As the car came to a stop, Aph uneasily tried to explain by just telling the truth. "I, erm... I'm sorry, I was la-laughing... I only laughed 'cause, uhm, just before you s-said it, I was just trying to think of anything other th-than the weather... To talk about, that is... Because I was scared you'd think I was stupid."
He gasped when he realized what he said. "OH! Erm, not that I think you're stupid, or anything! I, erm... Uhm... Oh god, this isn't going well at all, is it," he muttered to himself as he let himself out of the car, reaching over to open the door for Rivener shortly after.
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 5:58 pm
Roux shook his head, breaking away from the window for a moment to suddenly give Rivener a brilliantly wide smile, which faded away immediatly. "Pasha... Pink flower yellow chest." He made a motioned toward his own chest as he said the word, making half circles just above it. "Pasha..." He paused, tongue poking out between his lips for a moment as his eyes narrowed in contemplation.
He looked back at Rivener, steadfast and serious as he said a single word. "Prey."
"O-Oh!" Chloe blinked... and then a small, shy smile crept across her lips. She ducked her head down apologetically, giving a nod. "I-I see..." She got out of the car as well, going on tip-toe to peek over the roof toward her guest. "I know y-you don't think I'm.. w-well.... I'm glad that.. d-do you feel more.. ah... relaxed?"
She reached for Roux's car door as well, opening it for him as he wouldn't dare touch the handle himself. He floated up and out of the vehicle gracefully, popping open his parisol and standing beside the car, looking over toward the sushi joint they had arrived at.
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:56 pm
Rivener was striken by the sudden smile, blinking in helpless, charmed surprise. When he heard Roux's description, however, his expression darkened to slight disgust. Urgh, he thought, it's that girl who was crying. The blond one. She was by far the most unpleasant person Riv had ever met. Roux liked her?!
"Prey", said the Ice Frei, just before exiting the car.
Rivener, now also getting out of the car through the door his keeper was holding open, was thoroughly confused. Did Roux like Pasha, or not? Was the girl only a plaything for Roux, someone he wanted to destroy? Hm... this was a complicated statement, even though it was just one word. Riv smiled. Roux was so much fun to try to understand, not a simpleton like most others.
"Prey, like you're hunting her?" Rivener asked. "What are you going to do when you catch her?" Now this was the million-dollar question, in Riv's mind.
Chloe's last question caught Aphismet off-guard. That was much more direct than he thought she would ever be! He considered being polite and just saying yes, but he was almost completely certain that she would easily see through his demeanor. He smiled sheepishly as he closed the car door after Riv got out.
"N-not really," he admitted, hoping he wasn't blushing. This was so awkward. "I'm really sorry, I don't know what to talk to girls about. Or, or anyone, for, erm... for that matter." He began walking towards the sushi place. "That's why I normally ju-just keep to m-myself. I can't do anything right, apart for make pizza. I'm good at that!" he claimed proudly.
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 8:18 pm
Chloe's face fell a little, she very much wanted Aphismet to have a good time. When she heard his comment on pizza, however, she brightened. "You make pizza? I'm trying to learn how to cook! M-Maybe... s-sometime you could t-t-teach me?" Her voice softened toward the end of the question, almost too shy to want to know the answer. She'd understand if he refused.
She began walking toward the restaurant, opening the door for the two Raeven's and her guest. She walked up to the waitress and informed her that she had a reservation and they were promptly lead to the secluded table and given menu's from both the grill and the sushi bar.
Roux shrugged his shoulders in answer to Rivener's question. What would he do when he caught Pasha...? He wasn't sure, exactly, he just knew that she was prey. The way she fluttered, the way she looked... it set something instinctual off in him and he was compelled to chase after.
He floated after Chloe to the familiar little spot - they'd come here before and she'd gotten the out of the way seat so that no body would stare at them as they ate. He 'sat' down, motioning for Rivener to lower himself beside him.
He picked up the sushi menu and pointed at a few of the things to show the other Raeven, obviously pointing out his favourites. They so happened to be 'California Roll', 'Shrimp Tempura Roll', and the 'Spicy Tuna Roll', as well as a noodle dish called 'Yakisoba'. "Mmh." He made yummy sounds to indicate that they were good for eating.
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