Ceeda
Obsidian had been sitting in the Athens airport, half reading, half listening to the announcements over the intercom. Only after a year she was able to pick out the majority of what was being said. In all honesty, after learning Japanese, Greek had been easy.
Her long black hair had been trimmed. Instead of falling to the small of her back it curled gently between her shoulderblades and her long bangs still found their way over her eyes as she leaned over the open book on her lap. The tight pale blue tank she was wearing clung to her slender body and peeking just over the top of her low rider jeans, a new tattoo had been added to the small of her back, a tribal pattern that scrolled elegantly across her skin with a butterfly gracing the center. Her pale skin had a sun kissed golden tan from many hours out on the beach with her new friends that had insisted she get out of her room.
Glancing up at the ever changing screens of the arrival/departure monitors, a warm smiled fell across her lips. They had not seen each other since shortly after graduation, but they had stayed in touch almost religiously the entire time she had spent her freshman year in Athens, studying through an exchange program funded by the Aquila affiliates. Rising to her feet, she draped her sweatshirt over her arm and closed her book. Her outer exterior was as cool as ever, marred only by the excited, warm smile, while inside butterflies were somersaulting relentlessly around in her stomach.
Approaching the gate she would meet him at, she tucked some hair behind her ear and waited somewhat patiently for Ra to make his appearance.
Her long black hair had been trimmed. Instead of falling to the small of her back it curled gently between her shoulderblades and her long bangs still found their way over her eyes as she leaned over the open book on her lap. The tight pale blue tank she was wearing clung to her slender body and peeking just over the top of her low rider jeans, a new tattoo had been added to the small of her back, a tribal pattern that scrolled elegantly across her skin with a butterfly gracing the center. Her pale skin had a sun kissed golden tan from many hours out on the beach with her new friends that had insisted she get out of her room.
Glancing up at the ever changing screens of the arrival/departure monitors, a warm smiled fell across her lips. They had not seen each other since shortly after graduation, but they had stayed in touch almost religiously the entire time she had spent her freshman year in Athens, studying through an exchange program funded by the Aquila affiliates. Rising to her feet, she draped her sweatshirt over her arm and closed her book. Her outer exterior was as cool as ever, marred only by the excited, warm smile, while inside butterflies were somersaulting relentlessly around in her stomach.
Approaching the gate she would meet him at, she tucked some hair behind her ear and waited somewhat patiently for Ra to make his appearance.
Medea
The whole of the short plane ride from Romania Ra had been unable to settle. He was thrilled to be seeing a familiar face. Especially Obie. She was one of the few people who had kept in constant contact with him on his world travels. He had sent her a post card from almost every country he visited but none of it was a replacement for being able to see her face and talk in person.
Aquila felt like an eternity ago, since then he had worked his way around Asia, down to Australasia, across and up thorough the Americas to bring him to Europe. It had been lonely and sometimes scary but he had enjoyed every minute of his new found confidence and freedom.
One glance at him screamed student backpacker. His skin was even darker than it had been at Aquila. No longer fussed about his hair it fell in its natural thich curls to his shoulder. He'd even allowed a bit of facial hair to grow, to add to the travelled look. Not to mention that it made him look older. A slight advantage when being questioned by customs officials ... his count was now at five.
Finally the plane touched down at the runway in Greece. Having no hand luggage Ra made it easily to the baggage claim and picked up his typically large, contains all the essentails, backpack from the carosel.
He had actually started to feel nervous as he stepped out into arrivals. He spotted Obie immediatly. Her silky black hair shorter than before. He smiled, she looked good, and different somehow. Not just in her looks but in her manner also.
"Obie!" He cried, waving at her to get her attention.
Aquila felt like an eternity ago, since then he had worked his way around Asia, down to Australasia, across and up thorough the Americas to bring him to Europe. It had been lonely and sometimes scary but he had enjoyed every minute of his new found confidence and freedom.
One glance at him screamed student backpacker. His skin was even darker than it had been at Aquila. No longer fussed about his hair it fell in its natural thich curls to his shoulder. He'd even allowed a bit of facial hair to grow, to add to the travelled look. Not to mention that it made him look older. A slight advantage when being questioned by customs officials ... his count was now at five.
Finally the plane touched down at the runway in Greece. Having no hand luggage Ra made it easily to the baggage claim and picked up his typically large, contains all the essentails, backpack from the carosel.
He had actually started to feel nervous as he stepped out into arrivals. He spotted Obie immediatly. Her silky black hair shorter than before. He smiled, she looked good, and different somehow. Not just in her looks but in her manner also.
"Obie!" He cried, waving at her to get her attention.
Ceeda
Obie couldn't stop the slight fluttering of her heart at the sight of him. He had been good looking before, but now... And it wasn't just his physical appearance. She could tell even at a distance he was relaxed and confident. Attributes that she had known he possessed, but had never allowed himself to express. She berated herself briefly. She thought she had gotten over her little crush she had had on him. Smiling at herself and unable to contain her excitement any longer, Obie abandoned decorum and slipped through the crowd quickly to throw her arms tightly around him.
"I'm so glad you're finally here!" she exclaimed happily as she placed a quick kiss on his cheek, smiling at the slight scratchiness that brushed across her lips. She then stepped back a little so she could get a good look at him. It really had been too long, she thought as her midnight eyes swept over him. "Come on. Let's get out of here so we can talk properly," she smiled and took his hand to lead him towards the exit and out into the bright Mediterranean early spring sunshine.
"I'm so glad you're finally here!" she exclaimed happily as she placed a quick kiss on his cheek, smiling at the slight scratchiness that brushed across her lips. She then stepped back a little so she could get a good look at him. It really had been too long, she thought as her midnight eyes swept over him. "Come on. Let's get out of here so we can talk properly," she smiled and took his hand to lead him towards the exit and out into the bright Mediterranean early spring sunshine.
Medea
Ra was slightly shocked by the hug. He sson got over it and squeezed her back. He liked the change she had gone through since he last saw her, she too was more relaxed and comfortable with her self, and other people it seemed.
"I'll follow your lead." He said, blushing slightly from the kiss on the cheek. Accostomed to stepping out into new worlds he looked around. As always the unfamiliar language was music to his ears, just something else to be discovered.
"You look great." He said as he followed after her, glancing around at the new sights. "Finally got some sun on that pasty skin of yours."
"I'll follow your lead." He said, blushing slightly from the kiss on the cheek. Accostomed to stepping out into new worlds he looked around. As always the unfamiliar language was music to his ears, just something else to be discovered.
"You look great." He said as he followed after her, glancing around at the new sights. "Finally got some sun on that pasty skin of yours."
Ceeda
Obie rolled her eyes and smirked as she looked up at him, releasing his hand so she could tie her sweatshirt around her waist. It was a little cool still, but the sun felt nice on her bare arms.
"I didn't have much of a choice. My dorm mates wouldn't stop hounding me until I went with them to the beach when I got here. I think we've spent more time there than we actually have on campus," she grinned as she slowed her pace to stroll leisurely down the street. "You're not looking so bad yourself. Travel looks good on you," she smirked as she looked around. "Are you hungry?"
"I didn't have much of a choice. My dorm mates wouldn't stop hounding me until I went with them to the beach when I got here. I think we've spent more time there than we actually have on campus," she grinned as she slowed her pace to stroll leisurely down the street. "You're not looking so bad yourself. Travel looks good on you," she smirked as she looked around. "Are you hungry?"
Medea
Ra laughed and smiled down at her.
"I like the soud of your dorm mates." He said as he once more glanced around them. Travelling around had made him realise that there was much more to life than studying your a** off.
"I'm starving." He declared, reaching up to run his fingers through his longer hair. "And I'm not sure my mother would agree with you. She was this close to dragging me down to her salon when I visted London last month." He laughed holding his fingers up to show just how close. "I swear she still thinks I'm fifteen."
"I like the soud of your dorm mates." He said as he once more glanced around them. Travelling around had made him realise that there was much more to life than studying your a** off.
"I'm starving." He declared, reaching up to run his fingers through his longer hair. "And I'm not sure my mother would agree with you. She was this close to dragging me down to her salon when I visted London last month." He laughed holding his fingers up to show just how close. "I swear she still thinks I'm fifteen."
Ceeda
"Well, I'm sure you could find it in your heart to forgive her," she smiled as she slipped into a small family owned restaurant. It was one of her favorites with some of the best homemade Greek dishes she had ever tasted. "I mean... you are her baby after all. It must come as a shock to her that you're all grown up now," she grinned as they sat themselves down at a small table by the window. She took another moment to study his new appearance and a light blush colored her cheeks as she folded her arms on top of the table.
"So... tell me...well, anything. I'm sure you've seen some of the most amazing things," she smiled warmly at him. "Where's your favorite place so far?"
"So... tell me...well, anything. I'm sure you've seen some of the most amazing things," she smiled warmly at him. "Where's your favorite place so far?"
Medea
"I know, I know." He grinned setting his bag on the floor and taking a seat at the table of the quaint restaurant. At her question he thought, he had seen so much and everything had been so amazing in its own way.
"It's so hard to choose." he said picking up a condiment bottle and glancing at the unfamiliar writing. "I mean, the temples in Nepal were amazing, Manchu Pichu was stunning, like standing on top of the world. Um, the best thing would have been my little detour." He said reaching into his bag for a band to tie his hair back with. "Last month I met my dad, uncle and some men from their village in Saudi Arabia for Hajj. It was amazing, to be among millions of people at Mecca, it's given me a lot more respect for religion, I'm still half arsed, but more respectful. Such a priviledge to have been able to take part in it."
He smiled and sighed, it was so good to be here with her, where he could relax and enjoy a slower pace.
"How about you? How's life here?"
"It's so hard to choose." he said picking up a condiment bottle and glancing at the unfamiliar writing. "I mean, the temples in Nepal were amazing, Manchu Pichu was stunning, like standing on top of the world. Um, the best thing would have been my little detour." He said reaching into his bag for a band to tie his hair back with. "Last month I met my dad, uncle and some men from their village in Saudi Arabia for Hajj. It was amazing, to be among millions of people at Mecca, it's given me a lot more respect for religion, I'm still half arsed, but more respectful. Such a priviledge to have been able to take part in it."
He smiled and sighed, it was so good to be here with her, where he could relax and enjoy a slower pace.
"How about you? How's life here?"
Ceeda
She laughed as he admitted that he was still half arsed about his religion, but she listened to him with avid attention. He had told her bits and pieces like this in his postcards and random emails, but actually hearing him talk about it made it all so much more real. He had actually been there and seen these places.
"I've done a fair bit of travelling around Greece, Crete, and even Italy for a week. I've seen so many temples and ancient ruins it would make your head spin, but it's been amazing. And truly, I love it here. The people are so amazing and relaxed. It's hard not to be as well," she smiled and placed their order for them when the owner's wife came up to them. She smiled as she left them, and turned her eyes back to him. "But you know... as much as I love it here, I'll be ready to go back to Japan. It's weird how it feels like home now," she said, tracing a finger along the handle of her silverware.
"I've done a fair bit of travelling around Greece, Crete, and even Italy for a week. I've seen so many temples and ancient ruins it would make your head spin, but it's been amazing. And truly, I love it here. The people are so amazing and relaxed. It's hard not to be as well," she smiled and placed their order for them when the owner's wife came up to them. She smiled as she left them, and turned her eyes back to him. "But you know... as much as I love it here, I'll be ready to go back to Japan. It's weird how it feels like home now," she said, tracing a finger along the handle of her silverware.
Medea
Ra nodded and smiled as he listened to her speak.
"I know what you mean. As much as I couldn't wait to get away, it will be good to return. I can't wait to start Uni." He smiled and leaned back in the chair. "What's it like there?" He asked, knowing she wouldn't have spent long there but might know a little more than him. "I kinda wanted to go to Osaka or the states but their course seemed the most practical."
"I know what you mean. As much as I couldn't wait to get away, it will be good to return. I can't wait to start Uni." He smiled and leaned back in the chair. "What's it like there?" He asked, knowing she wouldn't have spent long there but might know a little more than him. "I kinda wanted to go to Osaka or the states but their course seemed the most practical."
Ceeda
"It's really a nice campus. Very reminiscient of the Academy. Good state of the art facilities. Most of the profs seemed to be pretty nice and there's plenty of new students for the both of us to get to know," she smirked, sitting back and crossing her legs at the knee under the table. Her leg rested lightly against his, but she didn't feel the need to move it. It really amazed her at how comfortable she had become in her own skin.
"I would have liked to go to Osaka as well. The campus there is really nice and I would have been closer to Jess, Hiro, and Yuki-chan. But I needed the scholarship money that the Shutensa project gave me. At least I know I won't be there alone," she grinned and nudged his leg gently with hers.
"I would have liked to go to Osaka as well. The campus there is really nice and I would have been closer to Jess, Hiro, and Yuki-chan. But I needed the scholarship money that the Shutensa project gave me. At least I know I won't be there alone," she grinned and nudged his leg gently with hers.
Medea
Ra nodded as he listened to her and smiled as he mentioned people he hadn't seen in years. How things changed. He nudged her back, happy with how comfortable he now felt at physical contact from people.
"Nope." He smirked his stomach growling a little at the food was brought to their table. "You don't get rid of me easily." He laughed. "It will be good to go back ... if only to have a comfortable bed."
"Nope." He smirked his stomach growling a little at the food was brought to their table. "You don't get rid of me easily." He laughed. "It will be good to go back ... if only to have a comfortable bed."
Ceeda
She sat up straighter in her seat as the food was placed before them and laughed with him as she picked up her fork.
"Well, be glad that tonight at least you will be guaranteed a comfy bed. Well... as comfortable as dorm furniture can be," she smirked as she started to eat.
"Did you see anything of great interest in the states?" she asked. She had only returned once for a very brief time and it had not ended well. Not that she cared. For once in her life, she was completely free. Free from her family and past. It was definitely a good feeling.
"Well, be glad that tonight at least you will be guaranteed a comfy bed. Well... as comfortable as dorm furniture can be," she smirked as she started to eat.
"Did you see anything of great interest in the states?" she asked. She had only returned once for a very brief time and it had not ended well. Not that she cared. For once in her life, she was completely free. Free from her family and past. It was definitely a good feeling.
Medea
"It's got to be more comfy than hostels." He laughed picking up his fork and starting to eat. The food was of course delicious, and was one of his favourite parts of travelling to all these new places.
"Umm, I went to the Rockies and to New York, Chicago." He smiled and took another forkfull of food. "I think the rockies were my favourite, so beautiful and natural. I have to admit, cities are not really my thing. What about you? What have you seen in Greece?"
"Umm, I went to the Rockies and to New York, Chicago." He smiled and took another forkfull of food. "I think the rockies were my favourite, so beautiful and natural. I have to admit, cities are not really my thing. What about you? What have you seen in Greece?"
Ceeda
"I like the Rockies too. We went to Colorado once for a ski trip. So beautiful," she smiled, reaching up to tuck her hair behind her ear.
"I've seen the Parthenon ruins in Acropolis. Been to several of the islands and ancient temples. I've been camping and to museums, beaches, hiking in the mountains. Kind of like what you've been doing, but on a much smaller scale and in between classes," she smiled. In between bites, she couldn't help but watch him. She hadn't realized how much she had missed a familiar face, especially his familiar face until now. "I'll admit, I've become a bit addicted to the Monastiraki. It's a huge flea market. There's so much to see there and it's fun to bargain with the vendors. And I'll have to show you the Plaka. If you are looking for a place to get lost in, that would be it. It's just like a grand scale modern labyrinth," she smiled.
"Would you like to go back to the dorms first to rest a bit and dump off your bag, or would you rather see some of the sights? I'll take you anywhere you like," she smiled, trying her best to leave out the coy expression that wanted to fall over her face. She couldn't explain why, but even after a year apart, she still felt a strong connection with him and it warmed her to think that it had withstood the test of absence.
"I've seen the Parthenon ruins in Acropolis. Been to several of the islands and ancient temples. I've been camping and to museums, beaches, hiking in the mountains. Kind of like what you've been doing, but on a much smaller scale and in between classes," she smiled. In between bites, she couldn't help but watch him. She hadn't realized how much she had missed a familiar face, especially his familiar face until now. "I'll admit, I've become a bit addicted to the Monastiraki. It's a huge flea market. There's so much to see there and it's fun to bargain with the vendors. And I'll have to show you the Plaka. If you are looking for a place to get lost in, that would be it. It's just like a grand scale modern labyrinth," she smiled.
"Would you like to go back to the dorms first to rest a bit and dump off your bag, or would you rather see some of the sights? I'll take you anywhere you like," she smiled, trying her best to leave out the coy expression that wanted to fall over her face. She couldn't explain why, but even after a year apart, she still felt a strong connection with him and it warmed her to think that it had withstood the test of absence.
Medea
"Wow. It sounds like you have done some amazing things." He said as her tried to imagine everything she spoke of in his head. As she spoke he watched her carefully smiling at the way her eyes lit up as she spoke. She seemed worlds away from the Obie he had left just after graduation.
"Um, I'd like to dump my bag if that's o.k." He said with a small smile. "I don't fancy lugging it around places, maybe after we could go to the market or to the beach or something?"
"Um, I'd like to dump my bag if that's o.k." He said with a small smile. "I don't fancy lugging it around places, maybe after we could go to the market or to the beach or something?"
Ceeda
"Perfect," she smiled. "Natasa, my roommate, is home for her sister's wedding, so you won't have to worry about her digging through your stuff," she said, taking a bite. She looked up at him and ginned. "Kidding, of course. It's too bad you won't meet her. She's really sweet. You probably would have liked her a lot," she smiled, reaching out to sip her water.
Medea
"Cool." He said with a smirk and a small shrug. "Not that she'd find anything interesting in my luggage."
he laughed a little and sipped his own glass of water. The food was so unbelievably good he almost didn't want the meal to end. However he was dying for a shower and a clean change of clothes.
"I'm just looking forward to feeling human for the first time in weeks." He said with a grin.
he laughed a little and sipped his own glass of water. The food was so unbelievably good he almost didn't want the meal to end. However he was dying for a shower and a clean change of clothes.
"I'm just looking forward to feeling human for the first time in weeks." He said with a grin.
Ceeda
Obie laughed. Genuinely laughed. Something she had developed since she moved to this Mediterranean paradise, though it was still soft.
"I'll bet you are. Come on. Let's go ahead and head back to the dorms now then. I'm sure a hot shower is in order after all that travelling," she smiled and finished off her water. She rose from her seat and went to pay, laughing and shaking her head when the owner's wife had teased her about bringing a guy in for the first time. She replied simply that he was only her friend, then turned to Ra with a smile.
"Ready?" she asked.
"I'll bet you are. Come on. Let's go ahead and head back to the dorms now then. I'm sure a hot shower is in order after all that travelling," she smiled and finished off her water. She rose from her seat and went to pay, laughing and shaking her head when the owner's wife had teased her about bringing a guy in for the first time. She replied simply that he was only her friend, then turned to Ra with a smile.
"Ready?" she asked.
Medea
Ra watched her talk with the owners with yet another smile. Obie really was a different person now, he liked it. He would have admitted finding her attractive before, but her new found confidence and ease with people made her so much more.
"Yup." He said lifting his backpack up onto back and adjusting it. "Look at you little miss bilingual." He smirked as they left the restaurant. "I'll have to get you to teach me the basics.
"Yup." He said lifting his backpack up onto back and adjusting it. "Look at you little miss bilingual." He smirked as they left the restaurant. "I'll have to get you to teach me the basics.
Ceeda
"Wouldn't it be quadlingual?" she asked with a playfully thoughtful expression on her face as she led the way out into the bright sunshine. "As I know four languages. Not well, I'll admit, but I do know them," she smirked as she walked with a bit more purpose this time through the crowds. "As for teaching you, I would be more than happy to," she smiled up at him and reached out to lightly tug on his arm as she took a sudden turn down a narrow alley. After a few more minutes and turns, she finally arrived at her home away from home, and led him up the stairs to her empty dorm room. Unlocking the door, she stepped inside and tossed her keys carelessly to a desk by the door.
"Here we are. Home sweet home," she smiled and stepped aside so Ra could enter as well. The room was impeccably clean, but very much a traditional freshman dorm. Natasa had plastered the walls with posters of bands and random art pieces and everywhere you looked there was the random combination of knick knacks, framed photos of their adventures together, and actual school supplies.
"You'll be sleeping on my bed," she said pointing to hers. "I'll be sleeping on Nat's." She closed the door and pointed to another door off to the side. "That's the bathroom. Feel free to use anything that's in there if you think you could stand literally smelling like roses," she grinned and slipped her hands into her pockets as she looked up into his eyes.
"Here we are. Home sweet home," she smiled and stepped aside so Ra could enter as well. The room was impeccably clean, but very much a traditional freshman dorm. Natasa had plastered the walls with posters of bands and random art pieces and everywhere you looked there was the random combination of knick knacks, framed photos of their adventures together, and actual school supplies.
"You'll be sleeping on my bed," she said pointing to hers. "I'll be sleeping on Nat's." She closed the door and pointed to another door off to the side. "That's the bathroom. Feel free to use anything that's in there if you think you could stand literally smelling like roses," she grinned and slipped her hands into her pockets as she looked up into his eyes.
Medea
"Anything has got to be better than eau de hostel." He said with a smirk as he rifled through his bag for clean clothes and the few toiletries he had with him.
~~~
Moments later Ra emerged clean and shiney, not quite smelling of roses. He had used his own shower gel, shampoo and cologne. Dressed in long shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt he ran his fingers through his wet hair and flopped down onto the bed.
"Now that feels better." He said looking over at her with a smirk. "I'm sure my tan is about three shades lighter now I'm rid of all that dirt."
Laying back he stared at the ceiling for a moment before looking back over at her.
"Souviner now or later?" He asked with a smile.
~~~
Moments later Ra emerged clean and shiney, not quite smelling of roses. He had used his own shower gel, shampoo and cologne. Dressed in long shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt he ran his fingers through his wet hair and flopped down onto the bed.
"Now that feels better." He said looking over at her with a smirk. "I'm sure my tan is about three shades lighter now I'm rid of all that dirt."
Laying back he stared at the ceiling for a moment before looking back over at her.
"Souviner now or later?" He asked with a smile.
Ceeda
Obie grinned and stretched out on Natasa's bed with the book she had been reading in the airport. When he returned, she finished her paragraph and closed the book with a smile as she sat up.
"You are looking a little pasty now," she teased, rising to her feet to slip the book onto a shelf. She looked down at him and sank down to sit next to him.
"Depends on when you decide on bestowing your favorite girl with her well deserved gift," she smirked and winked down at him as she turned to tuck one leg under her so she could see him properly. "I mean... I had to read all those postcards. I should get something for that. Your handwriting isn't all that great," she teased.
"You are looking a little pasty now," she teased, rising to her feet to slip the book onto a shelf. She looked down at him and sank down to sit next to him.
"Depends on when you decide on bestowing your favorite girl with her well deserved gift," she smirked and winked down at him as she turned to tuck one leg under her so she could see him properly. "I mean... I had to read all those postcards. I should get something for that. Your handwriting isn't all that great," she teased.
Medea
"You try writing in english when you've spent most of your life writing in Farsi and Arabic." He smirked sitting back up and leaning forward to dig in his bag some more.
"I'm going to give it to you now." He declared pulling out a paper bag. "Because I'm a nerd and I hate waiting to give people presents."
Turning to face her he sat cross legged and held out the bag for her to take.
"I found it in Peru." He said thinking of the small shop he had brought it in. It was so totally perfect for her in everyway.
"I'm going to give it to you now." He declared pulling out a paper bag. "Because I'm a nerd and I hate waiting to give people presents."
Turning to face her he sat cross legged and held out the bag for her to take.
"I found it in Peru." He said thinking of the small shop he had brought it in. It was so totally perfect for her in everyway.
Ceeda
"Right. Excuses, excuses," she smiled as she watched him dig in his bag. He had definitely grown in his confidence. She could only recall him ever wearing such revealing clothes once before, and she had to admit he looked just as good now as he had then. Better even since he seemed to have grown into himself a little since they had last departed. She laughed at his declaration and took the bag from him. With a bit of rustling, she opened it and made a show of peeking inside before reaching in and picking up the small stone figure. Setting the bag off to the side, she held it up to the light and ran her fingers over it.
"It's beautiful Ra. Thank you," she smiled brightly looking over at him.
"It's beautiful Ra. Thank you," she smiled brightly looking over at him.
Medea
He smiled, watching her face, concealing the bouncey feeling he had inside him. He felt like a two year old, he was so eager to tell her just why he had chosen it. So not cool.
"Do you recognise the stone?" He asked with a grin. God he really did need more of a life. She was going to thik him a total dork when he told her. "It's a guardian angel. But I chose it for the stone more than that."
"Do you recognise the stone?" He asked with a grin. God he really did need more of a life. She was going to thik him a total dork when he told her. "It's a guardian angel. But I chose it for the stone more than that."
Ceeda
When he asked if she recognized the stone, she turned her blue eyes back to the figure and studied it a little closer. She ran her fingers over it's cool, smooth surface again and tried to think of which minerals she knew offhand.
"Is it supposed to be a special one for protection?" she asked, looking back up at him, trying to narrow it down a little.
"Is it supposed to be a special one for protection?" she asked, looking back up at him, trying to narrow it down a little.
Medea
Ra smiled as he watched her.
"It is very protective. Aparently it shileds against negativity, enhances health, heightens courage and enjoyment of life." He said reeling off what he had looked up on the internet after he had brought it.
It was so obvious he would have thought that she would have got it straight away.
"It's obsidian." He said looking down at the small angel.
"It is very protective. Aparently it shileds against negativity, enhances health, heightens courage and enjoyment of life." He said reeling off what he had looked up on the internet after he had brought it.
It was so obvious he would have thought that she would have got it straight away.
"It's obsidian." He said looking down at the small angel.
Ceeda
Obie blinked as he told her what it was and realized that she should have figured that out easy enough. She had never known that about her namesake, the protective values it held. Wrapping her fingers around it tightly, she looked back up at him and her free hand, like on so many different occasions, subconciously went to the jade pendant that she still wore religiously around her neck. She studied him for a moment then leaned forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him. He smelled really good.
"With you for a friend, I don't think I need a guardian angel. You think of so many ways to keep me protected," she smiled as she squeezed him tightly. He really had no idea how much his gifts meant to her.
"With you for a friend, I don't think I need a guardian angel. You think of so many ways to keep me protected," she smiled as she squeezed him tightly. He really had no idea how much his gifts meant to her.
Medea
Ra was suprised by the hug and wrapped one arm around her slightly awkwardly.
"You're welcome." He said, blushing slightly at her warm words. he wanted to tell her that he felt the same, hence the angel. She had pulled him back when he was skimming the bottom and unable to see the surface. "Shall we go for a walk?" He asked, the room suddenly feeling rather stuffy.
"You're welcome." He said, blushing slightly at her warm words. he wanted to tell her that he felt the same, hence the angel. She had pulled him back when he was skimming the bottom and unable to see the surface. "Shall we go for a walk?" He asked, the room suddenly feeling rather stuffy.
Ceeda
She pulled away at his suggestion and looked around for a moment. Rising to her feet, she put the angel on a small shelf with a few random pictures and items that she had started collecting. She looked at it again for a moment, then turned to him with a warm smile.
"Shall we?" she smiled, reaching for her keys and nodding to the door.
"Shall we?" she smiled, reaching for her keys and nodding to the door.
Medea
It was a gorgeous evening and Ra was once more feeling overwhelmed with all the sights and sounds of the market and the town. Despite it being february the air was warmer than the other parts of Europe he had been visiting.
As darkness fell, he looked up at the cool clear air. The stars were bright away from the city, their reflections on the darkening sea were stunning.
"Wow." He said as they stepped down onto the beach. "I can see why you stayed put with nights like these." He said looking around and smiling.
As darkness fell, he looked up at the cool clear air. The stars were bright away from the city, their reflections on the darkening sea were stunning.
"Wow." He said as they stepped down onto the beach. "I can see why you stayed put with nights like these." He said looking around and smiling.
Ceeda
She was certain that the look on his face in the pale moonlight was the exact same one she had had when she had first seen the beach at night. It was her favorite time to visit it. It was always a lot less crowded and the view was amazing. She reached out to hold onto his arm as she quickly slipped her flip flops off. The sand was still warm from the sun and felt good against her bare feet.
"So how does this compare to all the other places you've been?" she asked with a smile as she started walking down towards the surf.
"So how does this compare to all the other places you've been?" she asked with a smile as she started walking down towards the surf.
Medea
"It's different." He said following her down to where the white surf broke on the shore. "I can't compare places, because everywhere was different. Thai beaches were beautiful, so were those in south america. But they all have their own qualities." He said with a smile, bending down to undo his trainers so that he could step into the water.
"This beach has it's own qualities." He smiled, looking out across it. You for a start. Though the thought remained silent. "The sky is clearer than other places." He said as he dipped his toe into the water.
"This beach has it's own qualities." He smiled, looking out across it. You for a start. Though the thought remained silent. "The sky is clearer than other places." He said as he dipped his toe into the water.
Ceeda
Obie smiled and nodded as she bent down to roll her jeans up to her knees. That made perfect sense. She was a little jealous of the things that he had been able to see and experience, but she honestly would not have given up her own experiences for anything. She straightened and looked up at the bright stars, the started to wade out to where the waves broke against her shins, just barely dampening her jeans.
"What's the one thing you've missed the most?" she asked, turning to face him, reaching into her pocket to pull out a hair tie.
"What's the one thing you've missed the most?" she asked, turning to face him, reaching into her pocket to pull out a hair tie.
Medea
"The thing I missed most?" He repeated as he walked into the sea to join her. "Company I suppose." He shrugged and watched her start to tie her hair back. "It got really lonely sometimes. It would have been nice to have someone to laugh and cry with when things were going wrong."
He smirked and watched the sea lap at his legs.
"I wish you could have come with me. We would have had fun, don't you think?"
He smirked and watched the sea lap at his legs.
"I wish you could have come with me. We would have had fun, don't you think?"
Ceeda
Obie watched him as he joined her, rocking a bit as the waves shoved gently against her.
"I do think," she smiled warmly, touched that he really would have wanted to take her with him. "I would have loved it. We could have made a pit stop in Texas. It would have been nice to have had you there when things got crazy," she said, her smile turning wry.
"I do think," she smiled warmly, touched that he really would have wanted to take her with him. "I would have loved it. We could have made a pit stop in Texas. It would have been nice to have had you there when things got crazy," she said, her smile turning wry.
Medea
Ra smiled and moved one foot forwards and back against the pull of the waves.
"How was all that?" He asked, looking over to her. She had talked briefly in e-mails but mentioned nothing in detail about the bust up with her parents. "Sorry I couldn't have been more contactable."
"How was all that?" He asked, looking over to her. She had talked briefly in e-mails but mentioned nothing in detail about the bust up with her parents. "Sorry I couldn't have been more contactable."
Ceeda
Obie smiled and shrugged at his apology.
"It was... messy, but necessary. They were never real parents towards me, so I just got fed up with them acting like it when it suited them, especially where my future was concerned. The argument was epic. You almost would have thought they cared or something," she smirked. She fell silent and looked out to the endless horizon for a moment. Her smirk softened into a smile and she looked back up at him.
"Once I got over the shock of thinking I had nothing, I realized how wrong I was," she said, tilting her head to the side. She had returned to Japan shortly afterwards and Jess had been there for her as had his postcards and emails. "And you know what? I'm actually glad it happened. I've never felt so free before."
"It was... messy, but necessary. They were never real parents towards me, so I just got fed up with them acting like it when it suited them, especially where my future was concerned. The argument was epic. You almost would have thought they cared or something," she smirked. She fell silent and looked out to the endless horizon for a moment. Her smirk softened into a smile and she looked back up at him.
"Once I got over the shock of thinking I had nothing, I realized how wrong I was," she said, tilting her head to the side. She had returned to Japan shortly afterwards and Jess had been there for her as had his postcards and emails. "And you know what? I'm actually glad it happened. I've never felt so free before."
Medea
"Then ... I'm happy for you." He said smiling over to her again. She certainly seemed so much happier. As though the weight she had been carrying had been removed. "Free is a good way to feel. This little adventure has made me realise this more than anything. He yawned a little and shoved his hands into his pockets.
"What do you miss most being here?" He asked, turning her earlier question back on her.
"What do you miss most being here?" He asked, turning her earlier question back on her.
Ceeda
"You," she replied with a smirk as she started walk back to the shore. She reached up and pulled her low ponytail over her shoulder to play with her hair in an all too familiar gesture. She half couldn't believe she had said that aloud, but at the same time she realized he had no reason to believe that she had meant anything more to it. The truth was, she had missed him. A lot. A lot more than she had expected. She had looked forward to finding his letters randomly in the post and Natasa had teased her relentlessly for the smile that they would put on her face.
"It would have been nicer to have had a steadier correspondence. But I really can't complain," she smiled over her shoulder at him. "I've also missed Jess and her family. And chinese food. It's hard to find really good chinese food here," she smirked as she started walking down along the hardpacked wet sand.
"It would have been nicer to have had a steadier correspondence. But I really can't complain," she smiled over her shoulder at him. "I've also missed Jess and her family. And chinese food. It's hard to find really good chinese food here," she smirked as she started walking down along the hardpacked wet sand.
Medea
Ra smirked and followed her back to the relative dry. He had missed her a lot too. This was definitely the first time since he left that he had felt able to relax so much with someone familiar. Her e-mails kept him going when things got tough or lonely.
"How is Jess?" He asked as he neared her. "I'm really bad at keeping in contact and Kayne doesn't go on about her like he used to." He smirked and shook his head. Those days seemed so far away now.
"How is Jess?" He asked as he neared her. "I'm really bad at keeping in contact and Kayne doesn't go on about her like he used to." He smirked and shook his head. Those days seemed so far away now.
Ceeda
"She's doing remarkably well," she smiled and slowed her pace so that they fell in step with each other. "She's very happy working at the dojo with Hiro and Yuki keeps her on her toes. Especially now as he's entering the terrible twos. When we get back to Japan, we'll have to go down to Osaka together to visit them. I know she'll like seeing you again. She's always liked you."
Medea
Ra smirked and nodded.
"I'd like that." He said simply it would be good to see Jess and he could even swing by Kayne's. Two people he owed for making him a better person. "I think she always liked teasing me more than anything." He laughed as they walked back up to the street.
"Do you mind if we head back?" He asked, turning to smile at her. "I'm begining to feel exhaustion set in."
"I'd like that." He said simply it would be good to see Jess and he could even swing by Kayne's. Two people he owed for making him a better person. "I think she always liked teasing me more than anything." He laughed as they walked back up to the street.
"Do you mind if we head back?" He asked, turning to smile at her. "I'm begining to feel exhaustion set in."
Ceeda
"It's because you were such an easy target," she smirked, pausing to slip her shoes back on and not bothering to roll her jeans down. At his question, she smiled and nodded.
"Of course. Don't want you passing out on the street on me," she smiled. "I'm fairly certain that I wouldn't be able to carry you." Smiling warmly up at him, she gently nudged him with her elbow as they started back towards the campus. Even when she withdrew her elbow from him she could feel his warmth on the cool breeze and it made her smile more to simply know that he was really here with her.
"Of course. Don't want you passing out on the street on me," she smiled. "I'm fairly certain that I wouldn't be able to carry you." Smiling warmly up at him, she gently nudged him with her elbow as they started back towards the campus. Even when she withdrew her elbow from him she could feel his warmth on the cool breeze and it made her smile more to simply know that he was really here with her.
Medea
"I'm not that heavy surely?" He smirked as they walked back towards the dorms. It was a perfect evening and felt good having her so close. He had to shove his hands in his pocket to refraing from taking her hand or putting his arm around her shoulders.
She just wasn't that kind of person and he didn't want to ruin things. The sooner he slept and woke up normal the better.
"What are you doing tomorrow?" He asked as they walked along the still busy streets.
She just wasn't that kind of person and he didn't want to ruin things. The sooner he slept and woke up normal the better.
"What are you doing tomorrow?" He asked as they walked along the still busy streets.
Ceeda
Obie laughed and tucked some hair behind her ear as she looked up at him. "You might not be that heavy, but I'm not that strong," she smiled, turning her head to look around at the dimly lit buildings around them.
"Tomorrow? I didn't have any real plans. I'd be more than happy to take you to some of the big sights if you'd like," she smiled as they neared the dorms.
"Tomorrow? I didn't have any real plans. I'd be more than happy to take you to some of the big sights if you'd like," she smiled as they neared the dorms.
Medea
Ra smiled and nodded.
"That sounds like fun. If you're not too busy." He said holding the door open for her as they walked into the dorms. "I can't come here and not see the big things I suppose."
"That sounds like fun. If you're not too busy." He said holding the door open for her as they walked into the dorms. "I can't come here and not see the big things I suppose."
Ceeda
"For you I'm never too busy," she smiled warmly up at him as she slipped past him and led the way up the stairs to the room. She unlocked the door and walked in with a contented sigh.
"Would you like to watch a movie to help you fall asleep, or are you about to pass out as you are?" she asked, pulling the hair tie out of her hair and reaching for her brush off her desk. She turned to face him as she combed the tangles out and leaned back against her desk.
"Would you like to watch a movie to help you fall asleep, or are you about to pass out as you are?" she asked, pulling the hair tie out of her hair and reaching for her brush off her desk. She turned to face him as she combed the tangles out and leaned back against her desk.
Medea
"A movie sounds good." He said flopping down on the bed and pulling his shoes off. "Though I do apologise if I don't make it through the whole thing."
Grabbing his pj bottoms he dissapeared into the bathroom to change. Leaving his t-shirt on. Tying his hair up, he emerged from the bathroom and flopped down onto the bed again.
"What are we watching?" He asked.
Grabbing his pj bottoms he dissapeared into the bathroom to change. Leaving his t-shirt on. Tying his hair up, he emerged from the bathroom and flopped down onto the bed again.
"What are we watching?" He asked.
Ceeda
As he disappeared into the bathroom, she slipped out of her clothes and into her pjs, soft pants paired with a fresh tank. She smiled at him as he flopped down onto the bed and she slipped a DVD into the player. She grabbed the remotes for the player and TV and went to Natasa's bed.
"Finding Nemo. Brainless and fun," she smiled as she started the movie and tucked her legs up on the bed. She reached out and turned off the lamp that was between the beds then settled herself to watch the movie.
"Finding Nemo. Brainless and fun," she smiled as she started the movie and tucked her legs up on the bed. She reached out and turned off the lamp that was between the beds then settled herself to watch the movie.
Medea
Grabbing a pillow he got comfortable on his front and leaned on his elbows to watch the movie. He hadn't seen it before, though it looked cute.
"You know I wasn't allowed to watch disney cartoons as a kid." He said glancing over at her with a smile. "My grandmother wouldn't let us."
"You know I wasn't allowed to watch disney cartoons as a kid." He said glancing over at her with a smile. "My grandmother wouldn't let us."
Ceeda
Obie slipped under the covers and stretched out, leaning on one elbow. She looked down at him in the dim light of the TV and smiled.
"I've heard of people like that. I never understood it. It's just a movie unless you go digging for bad stuff. But then you could do that with anything if you put your mind to it," she replied and rested her head on her pillow, bringing her face down close to his. Without giving it a second thought, she reached out and gently tucked a stray curl of his off of his forehead. Her smile warmed slightly at the naturalness of the action. Looking away, she slowly dropped her hand down onto her mattress close to her face.
"I've heard of people like that. I never understood it. It's just a movie unless you go digging for bad stuff. But then you could do that with anything if you put your mind to it," she replied and rested her head on her pillow, bringing her face down close to his. Without giving it a second thought, she reached out and gently tucked a stray curl of his off of his forehead. Her smile warmed slightly at the naturalness of the action. Looking away, she slowly dropped her hand down onto her mattress close to her face.
Medea
"Yep, but my grandmother has always been one for bandwagons." He smirked. Watching her, he smiled as she reached out to tuck his hair away from his face.
"You know." He bagan laying his head on his arms so he could face her. "Freedom really suits you. Don't lose it when we have to go back."
"You know." He bagan laying his head on his arms so he could face her. "Freedom really suits you. Don't lose it when we have to go back."
Ceeda
Obie looked back at him and shifted a little so she mirrored his position. She studied him in the flickering light from the movie and smiled. She had the sudden urge to be close to him, but she didn't want to make things awkward by actually moving to sit next to him.
"Freedom suits you well too," she smiled softly and reached out her hand to him in hopes that he would take it. She would settle for that if she couldn't have anything else. "I promise I won't lose it, if you promise the same."
"Freedom suits you well too," she smiled softly and reached out her hand to him in hopes that he would take it. She would settle for that if she couldn't have anything else. "I promise I won't lose it, if you promise the same."
Medea
"I promise." He said with a soft smile taking her hand in his and lacing his fingers through hers. Smiling he turned to watch the movie for a while before exhaustion finally overtook and he fell fast asleep.
Ceeda
After turning back and watching the movie for a while she tilted her head a little to check on him and could tell he had drifted off. Smiling, she turned her eyes back to the TV and watched the movie to the end. As the credits rolled, she yawned and turned the TV and DVD off. Hugging the pillow tightly, she smiled as she glanced at their joined hands in the dark. Giving his hand a little squeeze she closed her eyes and soon followed him off to dreamland.
