| Welcome to our home, a world in which anything can happen. From sprawling deserts and vast forests to massive volcanoes and luscious hot springs, Soare and the Scattered Isles are beautiful places just waiting to be explored. For the brave and the bold or the cautious and the wary, creatures of all kinds roam the earth, looking for adventure or for a place to call their own. Species of all kinds - the well-known and the unknown - thrive here, though not always in harmony. Elenlond is an original medieval fantasy RPG with a world that's as broad as it is unique. Calling on characters of all kinds, the sky's the limit in a world where boundaries are blurred and the imagination runs rampant. Restrictions are limited and members are encouraged to embrace their creativity, to see where they can go and what they can do. It's no longer just text on a page - it becomes real. Enter Our World |
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| sing a song of sixpence; for Dnan! /Autumn | |
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| Topic Started: Nov 15 2011, 09:50 PM (1,072 Views) | |
| Alexandros | Nov 18 2011, 10:38 PM Post #26 |
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One-Liner Wonder
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He stayed a moment, allowing her to get her balance and supporting her as they stood. "Sorry..for what?" He murmured, a touch of confusion registering in his eyes, the faintest tinge of rose entering his cheeks before he shifted his gaze away. Light, anyone would think we're a pair of reluctant lovers, not new acquaintances. How awkward. After she'd lead him to the door and he reluctantly released her hand so that she might stand by herself, he stood for a moment inspecting the interior with her. Disregarding the dust, it looked like it had once been a child's bedroom, untouched in what looked like years, everything perfectly preserved, the light layer of dust giving everything a softness even in the dark. "This was your room, once?" He nodded as Cricket explained that she couldn't enter, and rolling his shoulders a little stepped inside, casting his gaze briefly around the small interior until it finally returned to the piano. A well made piece and beautifully kept, he lifted the cover and trailed his hands across the keys fondly, smooth and cold beneath his fingertips, pale against the dark of his hand. The stool he pulled out had a light layer of dust on it but was more or less intact if a little moth eaten, and after brushing off the cobwebs he hesitantly sat, half expecting it to give under his weight, and was pleasantly surprised when it did not. Well preserved indeed, completely untouched. "I know quite a few songs. Is there anything that springs to your mind that you'd like to hear?" His slender digits caressed the keys again and gently began pressing them, listening to the muffled sound, nodding his satisfaction that it was in tune in a vague sort of way, before he began to play, the gentle melody filling the small room and leaking through the door, unable to be contained in the small space. It seemed to him oddly loud as he played, but perhaps that was the room, the house, the general atmosphere of a yawning uninhabited space. He couldn't hear the rain in here so much as well, perhaps it had died to a drizzle, maybe even stopped. Still the melody was everything and he felt himself slipping into that peaceful tranquil state that only music seemed to bring, the light muzziness from the mulled wine tingling on the edges of thought. He realized after a few moments that the sound had become distinctly minor, almost somber, melancholic, and stopped, blinking, sparing a bashful smile as the last notes trailed off leaving an expectant silence. "Sorry. I tend to get a bit lost sometimes. It does that, pulls me in. Used to hate having to play as a child, but, people change." |
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| Cricket | Nov 18 2011, 11:31 PM Post #27 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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” My hands...” She had responded when he questioned her apology, followed by a little shrug. After all, she doubted ‘ladies of quality’ had callouses from the use of hammers and shovels on their palms. “Yes, this was my room before I died.” She responded to his question, trying not to seem too uncomfortable about the lack of fresh air inside the space, and she was surprised. She could almost make herself do it- almost will her foot to just- Her courage departed with him when he released her hand. She made a fist, trying to catch a wisp of what had been there but it was gone. She had to take a half step back, leaning in the doorway, slouched across the frame while she watched him cross the small distance between his previous position and the piano. Her head tilted while she watched him pull out the bench and settle in atop it. Her eyes glanced back down the hall to the front door where Hugo had lifted his head to peer over the edge of the raised deck. Upon seeing her glance toward him, however, he laid back down, curled up as the rain slowed a bit more, the winds settling a bit as well. Her head snapped back when he started to play, and her heart somehow found its way to her throat. He seemed oddly belonging in the mostly barren room, his goggles pushing his hair up, the strands sticking every which way. It was more noticeable to her now that she could watch him shamelessly. The room was so dark, he was practically a silhouette in the gray, but she could focus only on the song he played for now. It was so somber, sad. It pulled her heart strings and carried her mind to cold thoughts of winters oppression and her perpetual isolation. The small room magnified every note, drowning out the dying rain, making it easy to forget. She tried to sense his emotions for a moment, eyes closing, hanging her head, just listening. She held the doorway with one hand, white knuckled, glancing back behind herself while one dainty bare foot out stretched, hovering a few inches off the dusty floor like a dancer in suspended motion, finally, she set it down, silent as a cats paw. Somehow, he found himself in those notes and played the last few, and then he spoke. ”Why are you apologizing?” She asked, copying his question though her voice came not from the doorway, but from just behind his left shoulder. The bench creaked a bit as she sat beside him. Her heart was beating so hard, she felt sure he could probably hear it, breathing a bit fast as she looked back at the door as if assuring herself it was still here, wide open. Her eyes moved back to his face, white knuckles hands holding onto the edge of the seat. She looked down at the keys his fingers rested on, “Do you know this song?” Her voice was nervous but she took a deep breath and started, singing quietly, shy, though it didn’t matter as she was right beside him now. "Upon one summer's morning I carefully did stray Down by the Walls of Wapping Where I met a sailor gay. Conversing with a young lass Who seem'd to be in pain, Saying, William, when you go I fear you'll ne'er return again. My heart is pierced by Cupid I disdain all glittering gold There is nothing can console me But my jolly sailor bold.” Her voice trailed off into the silence, glancing over at him and then saying, “Listen... the rain stopped.” It was true, between the two songs they had weathered the storm and, though she was now more upset by the space, she had not longer felt the shaken terror she typically associated with her regions volatile but infrequent storms. She stood, gimping across the room and taking a deep breath as she came closer to the front door, looking out at the wet earth and the gloomy sky which seemed to grow more and more blue by the moment. Her unfortunate sign creaked on it’s remaining hinge, drawing her attention and making her grimace, but she didn’t complain out loud, rather she looked down the stairs and then back in the house at her staff. She sort of stumbled down the first step, and then the second, bare feet falling on the moist but prickly grass. SHe shivered, rubbing her lower arms as the lingering chill of the storm bit her skin but she was just enjoying the fresh air, eyes closed, letting it fill her lungs. |
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| Alexandros | Nov 19 2011, 12:11 AM Post #28 |
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One-Liner Wonder
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"Nothing wrong with having hands that aren't work-shy." He smiled slightly, thinking of how his own must feel, rough, calloused and scarred. "Besides! It builds character." He jumped a little as she sat beside him, turning to look at her with raised brows. It must take a lot of courage to come in here. She's near terrified... Not knowing what he could do to relieve her of the tension and fear but to take her hand again, he did so, simply resting his own atop hers on the edge of the seat, playing along to her melody with the other. Haunting, a song for a maiden to sing on losing her love to the sea. As she stopped singing, he lifted his hands from the keys, tilting his head and listening for the rain, but before he could react she had snatched herself away, near leaping from him and leaving him bewildered in the darkened room, puzzlement on his face. Carefully he got to his feet, dusting himself down with a quick shake and stepped more slowly after, feet echoing in the gloom, as if someone were shadowing him, the same way the notes had carried, boots tapping out their own rhythm on the wooden flooring. Uncertainty lingered, and he stepped into the open doorway, stretching a little and wincing at the oddly bright afternoon light suddenly filling the world with color again, so much more than the flickering firelight had given, though almost obnoxious in its intensity at first. He leaned one shoulder against the wooden doorway, folding his arms as he watched Cricket taking the air, dispelling the fear again, his eyes traveling to Hugo sitting out on the porch, before he withdrew back inside, only to step out into the watery sunlight a moment later clutching her staff, her engineer's boots tucked under one arm and the blanket slung over his bare shoulder. "Here. Your pretty little feet will get cold and drop off if you stay out there." Plonking down onto the damp porch he laid the blanket aside for her to dry her feet on, setting the boots down next to them and propping the staff up beside Hugo, pulling the little slapdash sky light from his pocket, and turning it over in his hands to make sure none of the powder had escaped. It was still sealed tighter than a merchant's purse and satisfied with it, he looked to the woman, pulling the scrap of string he'd cut earlier from the other one. "If you've got a stick, we can light this sucker and watch it go. It'll need something to hold it in place so we don't have to...else it might blow a crater in your yard." A fun sight for the customers no doubt. |
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| Cricket | Nov 19 2011, 01:29 AM Post #29 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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The sun pounded down on Cricket’s tanned face, her eyes closed as the pale sunlight did its best not only to dispel the cold, but to vanquish the fear she had felt before. She teetered a bit on her feet, stretching up as if those few centimeters might warm her blood faster, balance precariously up on the balls of her feet. The sign continued creaking, but she ignored it’s complaints, turning her head slowly, eyes finally open she watch Alexandros blinking in the doorway. Hugo had stood slowly, stretching and yawning widely. Her head tilted to the side when Alexandros dashed off, much the way she constantly did. Her face turned back, looking out over the graveyard. In her childhood, it had seemed so far away, but during her brief time on the planet enough death had taken placed that they seemed to creep closer and closer to her front door every year. Her eyes closed again, and she peeked back over her shoulder before she slid her mask off her face, pushing her bangs up to let the sun on the deformed side of her visage. Scar tissue and what appeared to be exposed muscle were illuminated for only a moment before she heard his footsteps back on the deck and quickly she paced the mask back on her face, fastening the buckle that held it firmly where it belonged and only then allowing herself to turn and look at her feet. She blinked at what he said then laughed, really laughed again, looking down at her bare feet on the wet earth. She gimped over to the stairs and had to put her hands on them, using the double over position to balance herself while she ascended them and finally sat down with a light thud beside him. She wrapped the blanket around her damp feet, thankful he had thought ahead. Her eyes travelled down to the night flower in his hands- hands she now knew for a fact were more rough than her own, calloused and scared so that didn’t ned to feel so self conscious about the rough patches of on her own. With her mind on that, she held her hands up, looking at her palms and flexing her fingers a bit before she said, “Thank you, for playing, and getting my shoes and...well, thanks for everything.” She told him lightly, though looked a bit sheepish, pushing the blanket away and pulling on her boots. She meant it, too, she wasn’t sure what on earth had possessed her to enter such a small space, even for such a short while. Still puzzling the cause of her bravery, she took her staff and made her way to her work area, retrieving a few pieces of wood so he could have his choice of which to prop up their explosive with. Hugo turned his head to Alexandros, scrutinizing him even while Cricket returned, excitement etched all over what was visible of her features, “Will any of these work?" She had brought five pieces in different shapes and sizes, hoping one at least would suit his needs. <Don’t set anything on fire.> Hugo warned, examining the sticks and moving over, sitting on the edge of the porch as if to gaze out over the tomb stones. Cricket looked over at the dog and raised an eyebrow, the fresh outside air and the firework in her acquaintance’s hand filling her with joy. “I don’t know why he’s acting so weird. Normally he doesn’t leave my side, when there’s someone new around...He won’t answer when I ask, either.” She poked the dog with her staff and he ignored her, pointedly. Edited by Cricket, Nov 19 2011, 01:32 AM.
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| Alexandros | Nov 19 2011, 01:58 AM Post #30 |
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Alex chuckled lightheartedly and tilted his face up, closing his eyes as the weak warmth finally began to reach him, exposing his throat to the sky for a few minutes of autumn sunshine. "You don't have to thank me. I should be thank you, for keeping the rain off my head." The gentle squish squish of footsteps made him open his eyes again, and watching the horse approach through half lidded orbs that suddenly widened, he flung his hands in front of him with a startled yelp as he was suddenly given a quick dousing, the shaggy beast shaking the water from his mane all over his master. He stood there a moment giving him that flat-eyed unfriendly look, then whickered low and batted his nose against the mans palms. "Bloody-!" He gave over to laughing and slapped the beast in a friendly defeated manner, reaching up to pat his withers affectionately. Spot snorted, his ears flicking back and forth as he tossed his head at Cricket as she bought the sticks over to them, and got another light smack on the nose this time. "Behave yourself. What did I tell you about biting?" He got a nip on the hand in response and traded glares with the stallion, tugging on his bridle instead then slapping him on the flank a couple of times. "We'll run on the way back, aight? Cool your heels, nugget." Alex turned his attention to the sticks with an apologetic glance to Cricket. The last thing he wanted was his horse to try to bite her, foul tempered as he usually was, though he seemed fine for now this close, which was unusual in itself. Normally he would have tried to bite or possibly even kick a stranger by now. "These are good pieces, sure you can let them go to waste?" He picked a shorter one about the length of his hand and tied the stick to one side, wrapping the string around several times to make sure it was secure and wouldn't slip. "He's just concerned I'm going to set you on fire and then he won't have anything to eat later." He flashed her a grin, hinting at her earlier macabre joke, throwing a wink at the retreating hound. "Alright, this should be good to go." He offered it to her, stick first. "Pick somewhere you want to release it and we can hope it doesn't just blow you a new crater." He fumbled in his pockets a moment, and with a touch of chagrin realized he didn't have his matches on his person, gave a shrill whistle calling the horse back as he had begun to roam for a better grazing spot again. He waited as Spot trotted back to them and then dug in one of the saddlebags until he found what he was looking for. A little matchbook of simple sulphur sticks. "Just put the stick into the ground, so the thing faces the sky. We don't want it hitting the house. It might be a struggle to explain how we managed to blow a hole in it with coffins or the like." Chuckling he gestured at the yard, keeping a careful eye on the road in the meantime. |
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| Cricket | Nov 19 2011, 11:58 AM Post #31 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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The horses motions made Cricket shy away a bit, eying the large animal for a cross between respect and fear. A horse had been what killed her, after all, and thought it had not been the big brute’s fault she still harbored the memory of how it felt to take a heavy hoof to the head. She couldn’t help but laugh when the horse shook it mane, dousing him in rain water. Still, Alexandros didn’t seem to fear the horse, speaking to it in jovial tones, and she couldn’t help but ask, head tilting, “Can he understand like Hugo does?....Hello...” She told the horse from her safe distance. Her eyes turned back to the bundle of scraps in her arms and she nodded, letting him choose and then tossing the rest to the side. Hugo was watching with his usual quiet intensity but his eyes moved back to his maiden friend when the firework was pressed back into her work-worn palms. She held daintily, like she might break it, looking down and then out over the rain softened earth. Her staff sank a bit into the ground as she leaned on it, venturing out to what she suposed would be a good spot and then crouching down. The knees of her pants were wet as she rose up, dusting them off and stepping aside so he could see the firework jammed into the ground, “How’s that?” She asked, looking at his face, reading his expression to make sure she had done alright in her placement. She glanced around, the area of course was silent. She fidgeted anyway, excited to get to see these ‘lights in the sky’ that were typically so expensive. Her eyes moved back to him as he found his matches and she tilted her head. She still used a flint, just the way her father had shown her. She moved closer to look at the matches, head tilting, “What do these do? She inquired of her friend, but paused as a messenger came around a bend in the road, galloping fast and hard into Eldahar. A guard galloped behind him, the poor man no doubt carrying some message for another to the Moghul king Orion, though she could not be sure. These recent politics made her uneasy, and she said her thoughts out loud, “I wish I could just leave Ashoka. Go somewhere greener, see something new...” Her eyes were dream but she glanced back at him, red eyes as amused as they were sad, “But I’ve never lived anywhere besides here in this house- I’ve never even left Eldahar as far as I can remember...” Hugo hunched a little, growling at the passerby but made no move to leap after it the way he had given chase to Alexandros and spot. He huffed a bit, shaking some water from his coat as some way word dropped through a crack in the ceiling. Waiting for the messenger to pass completely Cricket briskly (well, as briskly as she could) re-ascended the steps and picked up her caplet where she had tossed it on the back of her rocking chair. Pulling the black material around her, she fastened the buckles in the front, the material only hanging down to her waist while in back it was cut to a point that hung just barely to her knees. He hood was down, and she readjusted her mask even as she approached him, standing beside him, a bit nervous, but overall, very excited for the explosion to come. |
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| Alexandros | Nov 19 2011, 01:33 PM Post #32 |
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Careful of the horses actions, he led the beast to Cricket warily, beckoning her and reaching for her hand, resting her palm against the warm damp flank, the muscles tense and powerful underneath. "I don't think he understands the words exactly. More the tone of the voice." Alex rubbed his noise fondly and got a nuzzle in return, the horse butting his cheek with his nose. "He seems alright with you though, normally he's nothing but a bad tempered old bastard, aren't ya? Eh?" Spot nickered and snorted again, prancing a little before Alex led him further from them to the side of the porch, glancing up at the creaking sign as he did so and tying the reins to the support post. Not something he'd usually do but if he decided in his strange moment of behavior to bolt then Alex didn't want to have to go running after him. He should be fine anyway, he was war-trained and used to loud noises at least, not to mention having seen his master set these things off before. He trudged back, the soft ground squelching a little underfoot and took out the matches again, showing them to Cricket. "Matches. Fire lighters. You can use them to start a small fire very fast. It's easier than having to light a fire with flint, then find something to use to carry the flame to the fuse." He drew the match sharply over the dark strip glued to the back of the little pouch and the match hissed into life, a tiny flame dancing back and forth as the wind tugged at it. "Alright, let's hope this works then." Cupping his hand around the flame to stop the wind from snatching it away completely he approached the sky light, hunkering down and bringing the fire oh-so-carefully to the string, willing it to catch. As soon as it did he stood, licking his thumb and forefinger and using them to put the match out, then moving back to Cricket's side sharpish, and watched with tense anticipation as the fuse wore down, glancing briefly at her, and then Hugo. She certainly seemed excited, and though he wanted to grin, he found the little bundle of nerves knotted in his stomach made it hard to do so. Making a little small talk as they waited, he folded his arms, though his gaze never left the slowly burning fuse. "What's stopping you from moving around? You could always move to Soto, or Morrim, maybe even Angkar though it might slow your business a bit. And hey, if you choose Morrim, I'm there! What better reason than that?" he teased. Alex found himself wincing as the fuse vanished under the cork, then relaxed with a near explosive sigh himself as it suddenly launched up with a loud rasping noise, trailing golden sparks. At least it hadn't exploded although he wondered if the cork could take the heat before it got very high. His fears were dispelled as the sharp report cracked out, making Spot lay his ears back, the slightest acrid smell on the breeze as a burst of bright red stars bloomed outwards, becoming a poisonous yellow-green color in the middle. They sparkled a moment, then faded as they drifted downwards, leaving tiny embers to be whisked away by the wind. It worked! I mean, of course it worked. I'm just glad it flew and didn't hit the house, wouldn't be the first time that's happened. Turning, the engineer grinned and spread his arms with an enthusiastic "Ta-daaaa!" The messenger and the guardsman would have probably seen that but if they chose to disregard their most pressing errand to investigate, well, they wouldn't be able to pinpoint any real evidence as it had just, quite literally, been blow up. Except the components on his person of course and it wasn't likely they'd just walk up and search him. Either way both of them could deny it and no one would be able to point a finger at them for testing pyrotechnics in her yard without solid proof. Edited by Alexandros, Nov 19 2011, 02:02 PM.
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| Cricket | Nov 19 2011, 09:07 PM Post #33 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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Cricket was a bit apprehensive as the horse was brought closer and his hand found hers yet again. The action didn’t even surprise her now, as if in the brief while they’d been in contact she had become accustom to the feeling of his bigger hand on hers. Her head tilted a bit as she felt the damp coat of the warhorse, surprised by the immense power that seemed to dwell just beyond her hand. She had never been taught to ride a horse, never having needed to travel for and not holding much interest after her little accident. Her head nodded a little when he explained the horses perception of words, and she moved her hand, petting the animal a bit. His interactions with Spot made her smile even more, “Well... I’m flattered.” She stepped back as he was lead away then, turning her head to look over at Hugo. He must’ve been speaking to her, as a blush rose on her face and she turned her back on him curtly, watching as Alexandros lit the fuse. She was as excited as she was nervous- he knew what he was doing right? There was no danger in this right? She looked over as he responded to her thinking out loud, shrugging meekly she toed at the ground, “But I don’t know anywhere else. Besides, I can’t ride a horse, and it isn’t as if I can walk there.” She paused, then went on, “I’d have to find somewhere new to live, too, and people would stare and ask question...” She shook her head, it was hard enough now just having to go into town to buy food and supplies. People always jostled her in crowds, and children shied away from her masked face. Her eyes lifted though, back to the firework and she found that her breath caught in her throat as the makeshift fuse burnt past the cork. That half-second of silence was followed by a loud gasp as it shot up into the air. Her hand found his, somehow, as if of it’s own accord, squeezing it while she watching the explosive rise higher and higher. Suddenly, a shower of color-changing sparks were reflected in her eyes, cascading to earth. Her smile was wide, and she laughed with her joy as he withdrew and held his arms wide. Her eyes lingered on his face, smile wide while she leaned on her staff. She felt a strange impulse to step forwards and hug him, but she pushed it away, assuming it was just some socially starved aspect of her personality or, perhaps, a side effect of the sheer amazement she felt. “That was amazing!” She told him, “Are there other colors, too?” She was distracted as Hugo suddenly leapt off the porch, growling loudly and bounding past where they stood. The guard had apparently turned off the road at hearing the explosions or seeing the lights. Hugo stayed a few yards away from Alexandros, growling and snapping as the man grew closer and yelled, voice harsh, “Control your mongrel, wench!” The guard called, obviously in a foul temper. As he dismounted. His horse snorted a bit, pawing the ground uneasily as Cricket looked uncertainly at Alexandros, her joy having melted quietly to anxiety. “Hugo, come. Come on Hugo, go inside...” The dog would not be sent away, though he moved back to sit near her, ears back, showing the drenched warrior his teeth as he approached and demanded, “What in hellsname was that?!” He pointed at the sky and then turned his attention to Alexandros and spat, “And who are you?” The few guards that remained in Eldahar were not notoriously cruel, but they seemed to have caught this particular man at a bad time. Cricket opened her mouth and closed it, looking at Alexandros. She didn’t want the engineer to be in any trouble or danger, hell she didn’t want to be in trouble or danger either! She had gotten closer, “Uhm...” She managed. Conflict was definitely not her forte, but the man gave her a harsh prod in the shoulder, “Cat got your tongue?” He mocked, and she grit her teeth. “It was just..nothing.” She managed, staring at the ground between her feet. |
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| Alexandros | Nov 19 2011, 09:51 PM Post #34 |
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Jumping a little at the contact of her hand gripping his so fiercely, he returned the squeeze, slowly turning his head to watch her with amusement, so tense and excited she made him look laid back, until the hiss of the little cone as it shot upwards taking the stick right out of the ground with it. Alex laughed, her joy so obvious was contagious. "There's at least one for each color in the rainbow, plus silver and gold besides..." he trailed off, turning at the sound of hoofbeats as Hugo dashed past, the smile fading from his face to become a grimace, quickly schooled to well-practiced blankness as the man approached. He didn't need to hear the tone of the man's voice to get how pissed he was from the body language he displayed stalking towards them, and glanced to Cricket at his side, his eyes showing a faint puzzlement. He'd not yet encountered the guards in Eldahar save for them merely waving him on through the gates and casting their suspicious glances at him, but then everyone was getting those at the time and he'd paid no mind to it. "I'm sorry sir, it was just a simple parlor trick. My name is Alexandros, I'm her cousin, visiting family. I didn't mean to cause any trouble, really..." The best lies have a good dose of truth in them after all. It's worked before, don't see why it wouldn't now but...what's gotten him so rattled? It was just a bit of fun... As the man reached out giving Cricket a shove, his own arm snapped out, gripping the guard's wrist and refusing to let go, holding him in a ridiculous position with his arm prostrate. His face was grim, mouth a hard line and the scar beneath his eye a stark white slash, only seeming to highlight them like grey flinty chips of ice, his angular face hard. "Hey! Don't you dare touch her. You have no right." He knew that if the man decided to draw his sword he might be in trouble, his own was buckled to the saddle of his horse who was still tied to the porch, watching them from across the yard with ears forward, stamping and pawing at the ground restlessly. Regardless, he wasn't about to simply let this man, guard or no, come storming here and start literally throwing his weight around. Being a part of the upholding of the law did not give him the right to start treating the citizens he was meant to protect with such carelessness. "Back off." He spoke calmly enough, though there was a subtle undertone, like a final warning as the nobleman released his grip on the guards' wrist, making half a step forwards, no longer hunched and standing at his full height, shoulders thrown back, a challenge seeming to resonate from every part of him. What kind of man would push an unarmed woman, to boot? He wants to try this shit, I'm game. Wait, do I really believe that I'm outside their laws..? I suppose I do at that. I can deal with the repercussions later, no one's going to push her around, she's such a gentle soul...besides, it was my idea to do this in the first place. Mind made up, he stood firm and resolute, carefully watching the guard's reaction. |
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| Cricket | Nov 19 2011, 10:41 PM Post #35 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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“Is there blue?” That particular hue, after all, was Cricket’s favorite color. The light in her eyes died, though, upon that angry guards approach. The man scratched at his coarse, curly black beard and sneered, “Thought all your family was dead? S’what I heard, anyway...” He challenged Alexandros story a bit, an obnoxious smirk on his otherwise tired looking face, “Didn’t think you had any aunts’r’uncles, Pursa-a-phone.” Many people knew her by name, usually because she’d built the box a loved one was buried in, or because people often whispered about her face behind cupped hands. She didn’t correct his horrible pronunciation either, but felt the urge to. Her house was so far outside of town that she rarely had to come into contact with these overly strict though allegedly moral men. She knew some of them, of course, from previous orders- not uncommon for a grown man to bury his mother, after all, but the fact remained she did her best to stay out of town and thus as far out of reach as she could be from the local law enforcement. Hugo was still showing the man his teeth, ears laid back, shoulders hunched a bit, every muscle in the canines body tense and ready to pounce on the guard, though he resisted clear up until the man shoved Cricket so harshly that she stumbled back a bit, having to jerk her staff backwards to stay up, and then find her balance with the large poles aid, holding it with both hands. Her eyes were wide at seeing Alexandros’ hand around the guard’s wrist. She felt her stomach in knots as the sentry demanded, “Was that some sort of threat?!” As soon as Alexandros released the man’s hand he brought it back. He eyed Alexandros for only a moment before he made a broad fist and threw a punch aimed to strike the engineer’s face. Cricket’s red eyes grew wide and she covered her mouth with her hand as the guard aimed a punch at Alexandros and, regardless of the outcome of the attack, or her new acquaintance’s (friend’s?) response, she pushed herself between them, "S-stop it!" The guard turned his aggression on Cricket again, mocking Alexandros’ valor “I told you to call off your dog!” He hissed in her face, eyes full of the frustration that he was venting on them. Cricket's eyes narrowed as she responded, searching for the courage she'd had earlier and finding enough to say, "W-we haven't dont anything to...to deserve this..." There was no doubt in anyones mind, really, that his provocative actions were unwarranted, but he was definitely enjoying the outlet. He pushed her again, to the side this time as she tried to stop the violence, but the mans beetle black eyes were on Alexandros, his free hand on his sword as if itching for an excuse to draw it. “Get out of my way you ugly little witch.” |
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| Alexandros | Nov 19 2011, 11:26 PM Post #36 |
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Alex staggered a little as he took the blow, hunched, feeling like his teeth might fly out of his head. He hadn't actually expected the man to go so far, and his eyes widened a little. He flexed his jaw, checking that it was still in working order, then straightened, the faintest ripple of wind gusting his legs as he felt that simmering anger begin to rise. He shouldn't respond. Just cool it, stop him from allowing this to escalate to blows, or at least to blades, but the retort snapped from him faster than he could stop it, his tone steel laced with venom. "Really? A dog now am I? And what does that make you sir? The dirt I crap on, surely?" Regardless of whether his story would stick, it didn't matter now, he was clearly itching for a fight, or at least a good kicking himself. Whether Alex should give it to him however hung in the balance. The usually good-tempered engineer found himself itching to retaliate, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he sized the man up, his jaw already beginning to bruise. It ached, sure, but he'd had worse. His gaze slid down to Hugo, wondering once again if the dog would hear him if he directed a thought at him, and opted to give it a try. Hugo? I don't suppose I might ask a favor, if you can hear me. Break the reins on Spot holding him over there. If this bastard thinks I'll tolerate him drawing a blade on any of us, he's going to find himself in a lot of trouble. As Cricket stepped between them he felt a pang of concern seize him, muscles paralyzed, for fear that the man would lash out at her, but he seemed to have more restraint than that, limiting it to a shove. Still, it was enough, the simmering anger at his continued offense of her burst into flame. "Clearly you didn't hear me or you'd have let it be. I told you not to touch her, but apparently someone needs to put you in your place." He growled, stepping forwards and grappling with the guard, gripping his shoulder and roughly driving his knee hard into his gut, then pulled back, one hand going into his pocket and grasping the little spherical shape of a ball tightly, whilst putting himself between them. He hoped he'd take the message and leave, he wasn't above using dirty tricks like blinding his opponents but he hoped fervently that it wouldn't resort to more than this. Or maybe he did. He wasn't sure with that small flame of anger trying to find tinder in him. If it came to it, Cricket might be making another coffin, or at least making the one he'd asked for. It's the thought that counts. He wants a fight, by god he'll get it, I can only hope to draw the trouble away with me afterwards, the last thing Cricket needs is someone ruining her business over this. He shot the woman in question an apologetic glance. I'm more trouble than I'm worth, seem to do nothing but find fights and awkward situations. Forgive me...I'll get out of your hair soon enough. |
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| Cricket | Nov 20 2011, 12:20 AM Post #37 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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Hugo was just watching the fight progress, eyes turning to Alexandros’ face though and then turning again to look at the unfortunate Spot still tethered to the porch. <Sure thing. We’ll show him a thing or two about dogs.> He stood, nimble despite his size, and trotted up the steps of the establishment and over to the beam, putting a heavy paw against the wood he leaned up and gripped the reins in his strong jaws. He shook his head hard and pulled, snapping the reins to free to warhorse. Upon seeing Cricket hit the ground, though, the gargantuan brute snarled, eyes rolling in an almost crazed fashion. He leapt off the porch and raced to Cricket’s side, nudging her up and then growling. The guard was a bit startled by Alexandros’ response, though he wanted a fight, he had not expected such a sudden and fierce attack. He took the knee to his gut and grunted, doubling over, only to come up with his sword in hand, thrusting the hilt against Alexandros’ chest in an attempt to make him stumble backwards before he drew the sword and fully and swung it in a wide, dangerous arc. Hugo took the opportunity to lunge then, singing his ivory into the mans leg and then leaping back. The sword crazed his shoulder, splitting the skin but it was just a shallow cut. The mutt didn’t so much as yelp, crouched, ready to spring again as soon as the opportunity arose. Cricket had clambered to her feet, looking progressively more upset by each passing moment. Finally, though, upon seeing the blood on her dogs shoulder she brought the staff back like a club and brought it down with surprising power against the back of the man’s head. He had forgotten her in his eagerness to engage her ‘cousin’ in battle, but he regretted that now as his vision blurred a moment and he felt the muddy end of Cricket’s staff on his chest. It was her turn to shove him backwards and she sort of stepped backwards and then sideways, a bit off balance, so she was half behind Alexandros. It seemed a bit cowardly, but really, she had no chance were he to straighten up and retaliate. Under her breath, so quiet only she and Alex and perhaps Hugo could hear, she muttered, “How do YOU like it?” The guard rose up to his full height in a matter of seconds really, she lacked the strength to make him fall over, and he menaced them with the sword. “You god damn- you’re going to regret that you useless gimp!” He shouted at them, spit flying from his lips, face red, eyes full of anger. He stepped closer, steal brandished, before the messenger who lingered on the road hollered back to his escort. “Oi! Ivan! We have to go!” The guard glanced back, reluctant to leave any unfinished business. He spat in Alexandros’ face before he moved back towards his horse, sword still drawn, as if daring Alexandros to give him a reason to stay and finish the fight. Cricket’s hand fell on Alexandros’ shoulder, easily shrugged off of course, but she gave it a squeeze and murmured, “Let him go, he’s just a bully.” She felt horrible though, not only did she dislike violence, but all of the mans insults had stuck. She fumbled to readjust her mask, she looked down, “The nightflower though- that was amazing, next time I see you... if there is a next time... I’d like to see m-more.” Her face turned away, to the graveyard, the masked side towards him. She just wanted things to feel how they had been before the brawl. Edited by Cricket, Nov 20 2011, 12:22 AM.
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| Alexandros | Nov 20 2011, 01:05 AM Post #38 |
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Alex felt grateful towards the hound, then loosed a sharp whistle that set the horse tugging at his binding until he was freed, cantering over towards them. It was apparent exactly what the horse intended as the guard shoved the engineer back, getting that gleam in his eye as he picked up pace with a shrill whinny. The engineer himself grunted as the hilt smacked against his ribs, and stepped back swiftly, the tip of the blade slicing through his shirt and leaving a stinging shallow gash across his chest. It only served to feed the fire, more so when the hound joined in and took a blow to the shoulder as well, and as the horse reached them he tore the sheath of his sword breaker from the loop on the saddle, drawing an inch of steel and baring his teeth as the man staggered back from Cricket's own hit with the staff. He was impressed that she'd hit him hard enough to daze him, and were he not trying to keep a reign on his temper he might have laughed. He'd not drawn a blade on anyone that he could remember in the last year at least, not that he didn't practice, though he knew he could be better if he put his mind to it. Perhaps later, after this, he would. It didn't take a genius to see the man was clumsy with his strokes anyway, and even in his rusty state he knew he was more than a match for this oaf. "Run on back to your master, dog, before I run you through faster than a whore can snatch a coin." A muscle in his cheek twitched as the man spat at him, and he wiped it from his face with the back of his hand, clenching his teeth and only wincing slightly as his jaw made an uncomfortable popping noise, slamming the weapon back against the catch of the sheath with the barest sigh. He tried to relax but couldn't make himself, his shoulders tense, just waiting for him to turn around and come back. Spot stamped a hoof, screamed loudly and made as if to charge after him but he reached up, gripping the bridle. "No, Spot. Let him go. I'm sure we'll run into him again." The horse didn't seem to understand because he tugged roughly, almost dragging the leather from his master's hand, snorting, ears poised forwards. "I said no!" He shrugged her hand off, the horse instantly shying back and laying his ears flat at the sudden change in temperament as the man stalked a short distance away, tossing the sword breaker into the mud and covering his eyes with one hand in frustration. He took a moment to compose himself, then turned and walked back to them, the tightening around his eyes and the flare within, his anger still simmering but no longer unchecked. "..I'm sorry. I'm...really not helping with matters." He couldn't look her in the face, shame slowly seeping back. If I hadn't have hit him...well what's done is done, can't change it now. "Are you alright? He didn't hurt you, did he? And Hugo?" He glanced across to the wound on the hound's shoulder, feeling momentary regret that he had nothing that could help it, before the aching of his jaw and stinging chest came back, the shirt ruined and stained now. "If he causes you trouble after this, I swear I will personally see him on the headsman's block." Or better yet, at the end of my blade. |
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| Cricket | Nov 20 2011, 01:41 AM Post #39 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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The guard was reluctant to leave, sheathing his sword at the last possible moment and pulling himself up onto his horse, kicking it to run back to the road, around a bend and out of sight. The aftermath was still heavy in the air, suffocating amounts of anger and harsh words lingering in the stony silence. Hugo was above whimpering but turned his head, long pink tongue worrying the shallow wound a moment. As her hand was shrugged away Cricket looked a bit like she’d been struck, hand falling limp as she watched him stalk off, his muscles tense. This was all quiet a bit for the typically solitary girl to take in, not to mention the fact that she so rarely reached out and touched anyone. She covered her own face with both hands, somehow convinced that this was all he doing. Hugo’s eyes narrowed a bit but he wasn’t in the habit of chastising grown men for their actions. He just watched him calm down and, as soon as the engineer moved back to them his icy stare turned to Cricket. He nudged her back with his nose and she just ignored the dog for now. Her shoulders shook a little and the dog whined, more out of frustration than concern. When Alexandros returned she lowered her hands, wiping her eyes with them a moment she shook her head, “Don’t apologize...” She insisted, not looking up from the toes of her boots. Hugo bumped her again, and she finally glanced back and then at Alexandros though her gaze just lingered at the cut on his chest. Her lack of social experience made this all very hard for her to comprehend. She felt responsible- and somehow convinced he was now angry with her. “I-I’m not hurt.” Her voice was small and shaken, stepping closer to him and lifting a hand, gingerly touching the wound she looked back at the house, “I have some bandages inside.” She had to keep fresh ones around after all, her work involved a lot of pointy objects, and sometimes the buckle on her mask needed replaced... “I-I’m really sorry.” She told him quietly, eyes brimming again but she turned her back to him quickly and staggered up to the house, leaning on her staff. Hugo sat down with a heavy sigh, <I’ve suffered worse, it’s just a scratch...She’s getting bandages.> He informed Alexandros, personally quite accustom to Cricket’s habit of just dashing off. He turned his head again, licking the wound, the proud beast finally said, <Never seen her so happy as she was before.> His icy eyes peered at Alexandros with something akin to curious jealousy, but his tail wagged a bit when he saw Cricket returning, gesturing them both to come up to the porch. Even as he padded up to the steps he went on, privately speaking to the male, <You seemed pretty damn happy too. Now kiss and make up, or you'll leave less a few fingers.> He meant it figuratively of course. He sat at Cricket’s feet then, letting her eye his wound and clean it with a damp rag, not looking up at Alexandros. Any confidence she’d gained in his presence seemed to have gone A-wall. Still, once she’d finished with the dog she said, “Come closer...How’s your...uhm.. your...face...” |
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| Alexandros | Nov 20 2011, 02:15 AM Post #40 |
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Well done you idiot, now she's upset. Why can't I do anything right? He bowed his head as she left, scowling and closing his eyes, releasing a strained sigh, not honestly expecting her to come back. Maybe he should just leave now, come back and apologize properly later, if she'd even see him. He'd wanted to reach out and brush those tears from her cheeks himself, tell her that he'd go and not cause her the grief any more, but she'd already dashed away, surprisingly quick for her leg, and left him standing still slightly frustrated, and bewildered. Alex pinched the bridge of his nose, the flame of his anger had gone out, died to an ember and left, leaving only regret behind. As it always did. Stop being sappy and man up. The hound's words left him with a tinge of pink in his cheeks, and he half turned, gazing at the house, his hardened face softening again, falling into a muddled expression. Was he meant to go after her now? Would she thump him with her stick if he did? No less than you bloody deserve. Sighing he rolled his shoulders and walked to where he'd cast the weapon into the mud, stooping to pick it up, and almost went over on his face as Spot headbutted him in the small of his back. "Will you cut that out?" He slapped the beasts nudging away half heartedly, grasping the plain sheath of stiff leather and shaking the mus from it, before starting towards the porch when Cricket reappeared, gesturing to them. He hesitated at the sight of the bandages then steeled himself and walked up the steps, hunkering down to watch as she tended to Hugo. "..What about it?" Reluctantly he met her gaze, bearing Hugo's words in mind. Make her smile again. If you're going to go, don't leave it on a sad note at least. He reached up, still holding her eyes and gingerly prodded at his jaw, winced as he found a tender spot. "Sure it'll be fine. No harm done, really." Least he hoped, it didn't feel broken or anything, so that was a bonus. He glanced down at Hugo, the corner of his mouth tilting in a smile, then back at the woman and her bandages. "Are you going to play nurse to me too? Now I really am in your debt." Sighing he eased himself down beside her on the porch, and considered his words, a little tongue tied after the slight flirtiness. "I really am, you know. Sorry I mean. I shouldn't have hit him. When he pushed I just..." the engineer shook his head and snapped his fingers, finally relaxing enough again that he was no longer feeling the taught uncomfortable tension of the aftermath of the fight. "I didn't mean to upset you. I was just...I didn't want you to see me angry. Just...needed to breathe for a minute." |
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| Cricket | Nov 20 2011, 02:49 AM Post #41 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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She watched him a little, shaking her head a bit when he poked his jaw. Hugo padded only a few steps away to make room for the biped male to sit where he just had, turning his head yet again to worry his wound with his tongue. It really was just a scratch, and the ferocious brute had faced much greater hardships than an itty bitty wound on his shoulder. Cricket looked over at his face, eying the spot that would no doubt bruise, murmuring, “You don’t owe me anything.” She was pretty convinced now that he was going to ride off on his horse never to be seen again. It served her right for daydreaming. Still, she was careful while she cleaned the wound on his chest and fumbled to bandage it, looking down a little. His apology bewildered her, and she lifted her gaze, the whites of her red eyes a bit reddened themselves. She hadn’t stormed off in some hurry to get gauze and wet cloth, rather, she’d wanted to shed a few tears by herself. “But I’m glad you hit him- I just didn’t like that he hit you.” Her face felt hot as she tried to explain, eyes lowering again, biting her lip. Hugo’s tail wagged, looking pleased with himself as he watched Cricket open her mouth to speak, close it, and open it again. She listened to him explain away his actions, eyes lifting a little hesitantly looking at his face. “I thought you were mad at me.” She admitted, the corners of her lips twitched, almost smiling, but not quiet. Her down trodden expression was a far from from the unstoppable bouts of happy laughter and the wide unrefined smiles she’d shown him before. She reached a hand up, touching he bruise on his cheek gingerly, eyes sorrowful. She lingered that way a moment before he hand fell, and she looked down, “You’re going to leave soon, aren’t you?” She sucked in a deep breath- why did her chest feel so tight when she was sitting outside? “I’ll get you see you again, won’t I? I mean you talked about it but..” She trailed off, assuming she had caused him enough hardship to warrant his reneging on all his previous mentions of plans for later meetings, such as his land skimmer, or picking up the coffin he’d sort of half-ordered. She had trouble putting her finger on the weird feeling she kept getting, a sort of uncomfortable empty fluttering something in the pit of her stomach. Hugo’s tongue lulled out, as if he was laughing at the awkward little moment between the two. He stood though, moving innocently past Alexandros and then rising up, putting his paws on his back as if to shove him forward, using his surprising weight. “Hugo!” Cricket scolded, blinking in surprise at the unusual action of the dog who just seemed to ignore her, giving Alexandros one last good shove towards her before he hopped off and bounced away in an almost puppy-like fashion. |
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| Alexandros | Nov 20 2011, 03:40 AM Post #42 |
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Alex plucked glumly at his shirt and unlaced the ties, shrugging out of the linen and letting it pool around his waist so that Cricket could better reach the stinging gash with the bandages. He'd have been simply happy to let it go but if he got some sort of infection he'd never hear the end of it back home, both from his mother and his uncle. Besides, the last thing he wanted was to catch a fever and spend weeks trying to heal from a simple flesh wound. The thought of bearing the various old scars from shrapnel, arrows and blades didn't occur to him and he found himself watching Hugo worry the wound on his shoulder instead. "Honestly I didn't expect him to go so far with it. Or to walk away afterwards." The corner of his mouth quirked into a smile and he shook his head slowly. "No, not mad at you. More myself for letting it go that far in the first place. He clearly had it coming though." He turned at her hand on his cheek, puzzled at the sorrow he saw in her face, relishing the warmth from her palm for a moment and regretted when she pulled back again. "I..I suppose." He turned his face away again, not enjoying the thought of leaving her here with only Hugo when the guard could come back, and with friends even. "Do you want me to come back?" After the trouble, he wouldn't be surprised if she said no, and was a little confused as to why she wanted to in the first place after that. Without the trouble with the night flower the guard wouldn't have come here poking around in the first place. Alex stretched, wincing as the skin across the wound pulled taught then gasping as the weight of Hugo trying to squash him pushed him forward, almost topping over completely. "Uh?!" Laughing softly he righted himself, raising his face to find himself almost nose to nose with Cricket and turned nearly scarlet, hurriedly grinning and burbling, "I uh, well...I-I'll come back, if you really want." |
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| Cricket | Nov 20 2011, 11:50 AM Post #43 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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Cricket felt an unfamiliar shyness fill her as his shirt was shrugged away, but she continued to dab at the wound, a lump in her throat. Her eyes, however, just would not behave, and they wandered across his form. A puzzled look filled the red orbs as she eyed all the scars, setting the wash cloth aside and picking up to fresh bandages she asked quietly, “How did you get all these?” Her hand lingered a moment over a the long shrapnel scar on his side, hesitantly grazing the tissue and thinking weakly on the fact that his battle scars seemed dashing in comparison to the deformation she kept hidden by the mask. Such thoughts led her down a trail of repeating all the insults that man-Ivan- had uttered. “He did have it coming.” She agreed with a nod, listening to him speak as she covered his wound in the thin white material. Her heart felt lighter when he insisted that he had definitely not be cross with her, and her gaze lifted a bit from her task to look at his face with that same weak smile. His question in response to hers, however, made her eyebrows furrow a bit. She parted her lips to respond, of course she wanted him to return, but there was no time as Hugo’s massive body suddenly felt the need to clamber atop Alexandros, thrusting him forward and down. When the grim went pouncing off, he lingered a moment standing just behind Cricket, watching with a doggish grin as the coffin builder asked, “Are you alright?? I don’t know why-” She stopped talking as she too became acutely aware of the proximity of their faces. A hot blush began to stretch from ear to ear, across the bridge of her nose as she looked at his eyes, her own a bit wide before they softened and she murmured, “O-Of course I want you to come back.” This was Hugo’s cue as he pressed his snout against the back of Cricket’s head and pushed it forward. She had to grab onto Alexandro’s shoulders to keep from just toppling over onto him, lips brushing against his stubbled cheek as she was jolted forward and then quickly withdrew, a hand flew to cover her mouth, hiding a giddy smile. It wasn’t exactly a kiss on the cheek, but it was the closet Cricket had ever come to one. Her eyes were bright as she let the hand fall and gave the huge dog a shove, “What do you think you’re doing?!” She chastised the dog who just panted and wagged his tail, not so much as budged by her little shove he lowered himself down to lay, chin resting neatly on his folded paws. Even as she yelled at her dog, she couldn’t seem to turn down the corners of her mouth, she looked back at Alexandros, flustered and red-faced still, shaking a little bit and fumbling to re-roll the bandages up in her hand, “You said uhm...about your flying ship and stuff... Of course I want you to come back.” She repeated, looking up at him again. Edited by Cricket, Nov 20 2011, 12:00 PM.
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| Alexandros | Nov 20 2011, 04:30 PM Post #44 |
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Alex glanced down at himself, slight chagrin twisting his lips as he considered how he'd gotten the scars in the first place and tried to not shrug to put off her ministrations. "Stupidity, mostly. And bad luck." Shivering barely as she ran her fingertips over the old shrapnel scar he murmured, "that's the one that almost got me." He caught that look again on her face and frowned slightly in response to it, resisting the urge to shift about again. He never could sit still when he was being stitched, bandaged or prodded at, call it a failing. "He did. I hope you won't take any of the bullshit he said to heart. Er...pardon me." As he was shoved forward and locked reluctant gazes with Cricket, his smile faded a little, and he nodded very slightly. "Then I will." He blinked, startled as she suddenly thrust forward, their cheeks brushing and what he thought might be her lips on his jaw causing him to redden further were it possible, mouth slightly parted as his gaze flicked to the large dog, who appeared to be grinning mischievously. As she pulled away hurriedly and began scolding the dog he found himself laughing until his chest ached, the smile fitting easily on his face as he sat back and watched the banter. "Kissing on the first date Hugo? You could at least let her decide if I'm good enough for her first!" Still chuckling he slipped the shirt back on though left it open. There wasn't much point to it with the front cut open like that anyway. Truth be told he was relieved she wanted to have him back, and that she wanted to help him test the Skimmer, it would be better with the feedback from another person. Setting boxes on it to estimate a human weight was all well and good but they couldn't react to anything that happened. Still, as the blush receded from his cheeks he rubbed the back of his neck a little bashfully, still feeling the heat from her nearness where Hugo had pushed them together for that brief second, her hands on his shoulders and the wide eyes in startlement. He wasn't likely to forget that in a hurry, just thinking about it made the heat rise in his cheeks again, to his embarrassment. Cool your blood, gods, anyone would think you're a young lad who's never so much as held a girls' hand! "The offer...i-it's still open, if you want. Ah, I meant the flying, not the kissing!" He held his hands up hurriedly, the full force of the heat returning to his cheeks again and making him curse himself mentally, didn't really want her thinking he'd simply leap on her at a moment's notice, that would be...odd. After all, they'd not long met, even if the hound did have ideas of his own. It was good to see that she was smiling again though, that too was a relief. |
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| Cricket | Nov 20 2011, 08:23 PM Post #45 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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Cricket’s eyes had brightened in the moment before her unintentional lunge forward, hands having to grab his shoulders to keep from falling. In the red-faced aftermath, all Hugo did was wag his tail, ears twitching a bit when Alexandros’ laughter began, icy eyes focused on the two as Cricket sat back on her boots. His laughter was infectious, and it only took moments before she was laughing too, doubling over a little, her messy mop of black hair, shadowing her face. Their laughter seemed oddly macabre in such a dismal setting, echoing around tombstones and over the storm-ravaged earth. She lived in such an isolated setting, there was no one else to hear their guffaw. The dog’s nose twitched and he lifted his head when Alexandros spoke, <She doesn’t know what’s good enough.> Still the dog licked Cricket on the cheek and she turned, her smile still wide on her face, wiping any blood from her hands with the cloth as she stood. “Good enough? That’s hardly...” She just shook her head, his comment not making much sense to her. She tossed the excess bandages and the cloth over on the rocking chair, pulling a bit at her cloak. She fumbled with the buckles, as if thoughtful, glancing over at him while he pulled his shirt back on. His face was reddened too, she noticed, and the thought offered her some sort of relief, looking out over the graveyard. “Don’t tease him, Hugo. You have that look on your face.” The dog just stood and moved over to her, nudging her bad leg a little, gentle, and she scratched him behind the ears. His doggish grin returned however as Alexandros spoke, stumbling through his offer and his tail wagged, looking up at Cricket. The coffin girl blushed a little too but smiled again and nodded, “I’d like to go flying.” she said lightly, while Hugo said, eyes closed, enjoying a good scratching under the chin, <You humans don’t make any sense at all.> Though that fact had been partly why Hugo had felt the need to chase down some bipedal company for her friend. Her eyes strayed back to her workshop though, eying it and heaving a heavy sigh, smile fading slowly. “I need to finish that order for dawn tomorrow...” She looked at him, hesitated, and then went on, “When will you be back, do you think?” Hugo was eying Alexandros, but his attention turning to Cricket and he whined, “I know I know, so much excitement, but I have to finish my work...” She told the mutt softly. The day had grown older in the company of her strange new acquaintance. It was the most ‘adventure’ she’d had in a long time. Her eyes were sad at the prospect of having to return to her usually beloved task, mouth in a small grimace. |
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| Alexandros | Nov 20 2011, 08:59 PM Post #46 |
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Scratching at his chin the engineer adopted a thoughtful expression, mentally listing the things he'd yet to do before he could get away and start testing the craft. Today had been a one off, a day of rest after several days of travel. "Can you wait two days? I have some family matters I need to take care of. I'd rather get right to it, but you know, everything has to be done their way first." Considering how he was going to get the skimmer out towards the desert itself where they had more room to act freely without people staring or guards poking their noses in, less room for accidents too, he made a mental tally of the time it would take and the supplies needed, then a thought struck him that might show up to be problematic. "Are you alright with riding horseback? I mean, if not, you can either ride with me, or I can arrange to come right here with the ship and you can ride with it in the wagon, though it won't exactly be comfortable, I need to keep it covered if I'm to take it right out of the city." It was currently stored in a warehouse under a tarp on the back of a long flat wagon, safe enough for now, and would hopefully not raise too much suspicion moving it through the city proper to get out where they could actually try it. Hopefully the dunes would be safe enough, there wasn't much to crash into out there though the wind often got strong as it whisked across the sands. All providing he could get it past the guardsmen again of course. Getting it in hadn't been much trouble though they'd insisted on checking it and had bought the story of it being a ship to be taken to the coast, lightweight and portable, a prototype for a much larger version. Their interest had dwindled almost immediately when he started explaining with big words, so he'd been happy enough. Now his back was up after the little encounter. Grinning he looked to Hugo. "Would you like to come along too, or are you on guard duty?" Idly he turned the sword breaker in its sheath over in his hands, brushing off the dried mud from the stiff leather, plain as it was. He'd have to fix the loop on the saddle seeing as he'd yanked it off with enough force to snap the seam. He'd fix it tonight once he returned to the inn and checked that he'd sorted enough supplies, water, medical aids, just in case of course, tools to repair, sail cloth, wood... Snapping back to reality he slowly got to his feet, holding the weapon loosely in one hand, a faint smile hovering on his lips. "Well. If that's alright with you, of course. I...suppose I should be off. If anyone comes back and starts causing trouble...I'm staying at the 'Maiden Fair'." He drew the steel with a silken hiss, flashing in the weak sunlight, the curved edge glittering menacingly and bouncing off of the series of notches along the back of the tang, the corner of his mouth shadowing in a grim smile. "You know where to find me." He sheathed the blade again with a small flourish, clacking as it met the crossguard, and began walking down the steps, boots tapping hollowly, braid swinging against the small of his back. |
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| Cricket | Nov 20 2011, 09:22 PM Post #47 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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Two days? That would be fine, she was glad, actually for the wait, though it didn’t show on her stoic face, “That’s fine, gives me time to finish my orders.” She nodded her head a little. It was weird, the way the air was sort of heavy and oppressive even though they were outside. His question made her smile sheepishly though, looking down once more, “I’ll have to ride with you, if you don’t mind, I never learned.” The wind tugged her cockeyed sign, making that remaining forlorn hinge creak and complain. Her eyes flew up to it while Hugo’s eyes watched her. She was usually happy when people left, she didn’t have to deal with whispers or uncomfortable stares- or tears, there was always a lot of crying, when she received new orders. Now, though, she was the one who felt a bit sad. In an effort to avoid having to feel the unpleasant sensation, she focused on feeling Hugo’s emotions. The dog’s curiosity and amusement was as refreshing as it was familiar. She pet his ears back and just nodded a little, “How about it Hugo?” The dog’s tail thumped on the deck, head tilting a bit as he looked up at Cricket, and then looked at Alexandros. He barked, one loud, startling sound, and even as he made the utterance he offered his telepathic response, <I will watch. Just watch.> After all, it didn’t matter how much he like Alexandros, he didn’t trust some new fellow alone with his maiden. When he drew his sword Cricket’s eyes widened a bit, stepping back and then smiling a little again. Hugo was pleased by the action, and his pleasure showed on her face due to her parasitic response to earlier’s confusing sorrow. “That’s good to know... thanks again.” She murmured, watching him tuck the blade away once more and turn. His braid swung behind him. Hugo said no farewell, good bye’s not being in his nature. Cricket just waved a bit and called after a moment, “I’ll see you in a few days!” She turned away then, disappearing into her work area. As she began measuring the wood she had to pause, leaning far over her work bench to watch Spot disappear down the road. Hugo lifted his head, watching her a moment, he told her finally <He’ll come back. Just relax, Persephone.> Cricket picked up a nail and a hammer, answering as she did so; “I know.” |
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