Closed You Again?! [Meville]

[Lorelle]

Lorelle doesn't even know why she is so upset. It was just a dream. A meaningless dream that didn't effect anything aside from her mind. It isn't like Meville knows about the dream. If his words told her anything, it was that. He had no idea about the bird in relation to that nightmare. Not until she told him that is. She sighs softly, closing her eyes. She knows she needs to just get a grip and let it go. There is no use worrying about the past. Especially if the past is just a dream. Still, this is hard to let go of. Everything Meville seems to be that way. There is just something about him that brings up the past and dreading it. He brings back the worst mistake she made, another thing she can't seem to let go of. It just makes everything that much more worse when he is around. It isn't fair to say that is what always happens as this is only the second time she has seen him since the morning after that night with him. And, though she probably won't admit it, the first day she spent with him wasn't all that bad. In fact, it is probably best described as pleasant or even, enjoyable.

The door opens as Lorelle is sitting there staring at her fingertips as she tries to decide what to do. She is surprised, pressing her back against the door to make it slam back shut. The sound of impact makes her cringe. Not exactly noiseless. Her eyes roll when she hears Meville's voice speaking to her through the door. Of course it is him. No one else in their right minds would try to come into a room labelled the way this one was. Though, one might argue that Meville doesn't have a right mind. That is something to think about. Lorelle takes a breath as she stands up. She opens the door, looking no more happier than before. In fact, she probably looks more irritated and upset than before with her jaw clenched and her eyes set in a sort of glare. "Meville, why am I not surprised?" she rolls her eyes as she leans against the doorframe, "What do you want now? Have another bird to crash in front of my face? You know what? Don't respond. Let me get you what you want. Stay here." She looks at him before pointing to the spot where he stands. "Right here. Don't move. I really don't need you breaking anything else. We only have so many books here."

She stares at him a moment before nodding. She turns, trying to decide where to look for the tools he has asked for. She looks around the office, deciding if they had such things they would be here. She sees what looks like it will suffice in the back corner of the room. Taking careful steps, as if she will break something, she makes her way over to the broom and dust pan. Once reaching them, she takes them in hand and goes back before handing them to Meville. "Alright, go finish cleaning the bird," she orders, then adds after realizing she probably sounds a bit harsh, "Please. Please go finish cleaning up what is left of the bird." Her tone is softer the second time around, but still very serious and demanding. Nodding with approval, she moves out of the room and closes the door behind her. She looks at him before moving past him and walking back towards the clerk's desk.

On her way to the desk, the Vantha pauses as she comes across the aisle where the bird broke. She turns, looking at the careful care that has been taken to warn people against the harsh spot on the floor. A small smile touches her lips. Yes, he used books that she will now have to put back. She isn't pleased about that. But, he did think a little. Maybe he isn't all bad. Lorelle shakes her head as if shaking the thought away. No. He has to be all bad. If he isn't than she will have to apologize for acting the way she has and that is not something she is willing to do. The smile fades into a frown before she purses her lips once more and turns back towards the desk. He'll get it cleaned up. She is sure of that. And then he says he wants to try and turn what this visit has become around? That will be interesting. Lorelle sits down, sighing as she does so. She sits forward, resting her elbows on her desk. Three questions buzz in her head. What does he have in mind? How will he assuage this? And, will he succeed?

[Meville Brightshade]

When the door opened, Meville's face found itself stuck between a pleasant smile and an a wide-eyed gape of surprise. The resulting confusion of expression looked a bit like a frantic gasp for air before his brain finally decided upon a more neutral, high-browed frown of uncertainty. She looked worse that before, much less angry with eyes much more wet. It seemed as though she'd either been crying or had been about to let loose the waters of frustrated anguish over his clumsy foolishness. Either way, he had no doubt his face was the last one at the moment she wanted to, especially after having asked her to perform in a task she'd already decidedly placed in his hands. She seemed much like she'd been when he'd first encountered her in the library: more annoyed than anything else. It seemed whatever mysterious wave of emotion that had swept over her had subsided for the time being.

Her words were heavy with acidic bite when she spoke, causing Meville's inner self to cringe a bit at the verbal attack. Despite everything, his brain still couldn't quite fathom just how much he'd upset her. Due to his inability to comprehend the source, magnitude, and longevity of her emotional soreness directed his way, she was even more so unpredictable than usual - though this time in a much less pleasant way. Usually, Meville was used to playing the fool, both by choice and instinct, but Lorelle had apparently had more than enough of him for that moment. She very firmly instructed him as one would a small child, slowly reiterating several times that he remain in the area she designated for him lest he cause any more unwanted chaos. How one even broke a book short of maliciously attacking it, Meville wasn't certain, but at that point, he doubted Lorelle thought him incapable of it - quite the opposite, really. Nodding with a silent, disheartened slant of his lips, Meville slumped his shoulders in wait of her return.

From behind the door, Meville heard the various shuffles and taps that came with the act of searching for something not usually used stored in a familiar place. She didn't take very long and soon returned with a rather flimsy looking stick attached to a bundle of even more flimsy looking twigs and what appeared to be a large wooden spatula with raised sides. They were certainly the tools one might expect a library to have, seeing as spills and messes weren't usually part of the location's description. Shoving the things into his hands, Lorelle gave him a final command. Perhaps it was the rather saddened look in Meville's usually bright and bubbly gaze, or the simple fact she'd suddenly been able to hear herself, but she relented somewhat, adding a "please" and a much more gentle sort of tone. More gentle, mind you, it was still far from friendly, but it at least lacked the animosity it had carried before.

Feeling as though it were Lorelle's way of apologizing for being a bit severe, Meville was quick to accept it - half out of fear it would only make it worse if he did not and half because he really wasn't one for direct confrontation. With a quick nod from both of them, Lorelle returned to the office while Meville turned to head back the way he'd come. Unfortunately, the particular path he chose was one that lead in the directly opposite direction of his wished for destination. The detour took several chimes before he was able to navigate his way through the maze-like shelves to relocate the site of his act of destruction. Thankfully, the little piles of books neatly arranged on the floor made the particular aisle difficult to miss.

Kneeling down, Meville set the tomes aside before using the broom as more of a handbrush to sweep the rest of the scintillating bits and pieces onto the wooden spatula, thus placing the final brick in the wall that was his mission for cleanliness. With the glass contained in the wooden dust pan, Meville set both broom and pan aside to glare down at the books before him. They were, of course, in Vani. He glanced from the spines on the floor to those in the stacks, frowning even deeper when he realized he had no idea how they were arrange. Usually, they were put in place by category then... Then title? Author? Sub-subject? From what he could tell, the current section revolved around animal husbandry. Or just husbandry in general, which made him feel a bit uncomfortable. Either way, the books he'd pulled from the shelves had not left neat little gaps with which he could replace. Instead, the rows had slanted such that the proper placement of the things was difficult to discern.

After glaring from spine to spine for about five chimes, Meville was finally able to place "My Four Legged Companion's More Venereal Needs"" between the appropriate books based off of author (Frostfawn, Garbeth between Frostfawn, Garbete and Frostfawn, Garbid). Using the same strategy of author, Meville was able to put the books back where he figured they were supposed to go, leaving them pulled out so their bindings were easily discernible should he have gone about the process all wrong and it needed correcting. Satisfied with his work, Meville gave a contented sigh before wandering off down the aisle in search of a rubbish bin. This took several more chimes before he was able to locate the thing tucked away in a distant corner of the building. Once that was taken care of, Meville set his shoulders and once more ventured into the labyrinth of knowledge to return the tools he'd used.

Unable to find the office again, he settled for leaning the broom and pan against Lorelle's desk when he happened upon it, giving her an apologetic shrug. He'd never been very excellent with directions outside of the Warrens. The library restricting his vision to what was only immediately in front of him only served to make matters worse. With the sound of his arrival and placement of broom and pan, he'd once more gained Lorelle's attention. This time, however, she didn't seem nearly as perturbed. Perhaps her time alone had given her pause to cool down from her heated state, or perhaps she just hadn't quite registered what was going on. Either way, Meville decided it was time to try again, seeing as if he did nothing it would probably be his last time seeing Lorelle on good terms for another several years.

"Ah, it is all clean now." He made a half-hearted gesture in the general direction of "not immediately in the vicinity around us", as he had no idea where the accident had taken place in relation to where Lorelle now sat and he now stood. I put books on the ground, and I put books back. Maybe I put them wrong, so I pulling them out a little so you can see. Them. The books." He sighed, a bit exasperated. "I really am sorry. For being late. For break. For mess and noise." He offered Lorelle a wince. "Can I doing anything to fix? No present. I am not a good gift giver, so I have learning." After which he gave a little chuckle, more at the depressing truth of the statement than anything else.

Common | Vani

[Lorelle]

If one has ever encountered a small child they may find at least two things true. That child will make messes and be noisy and annoying unless sound asleep. And two, it will be simply impossible to stay mad at the child for too long. Seeing as children have the uncanny ability to make the so called "grown ups" that run the world around them do their bidding. It is that tug to fall over like a puppy wanting a belly rub and forgive Meville so easily that Lorelle is feeling now. His broken Vani gives him the advantage of sounding like a child and if she wasn't staring right at his grown up form now, she probably would believe him to be one. She sighs softly as she crosses her arms. He has tried. Put the books away, left them out some in case they were wrong. The amusing walking back and forth looking for things. While it was hard to believe he had lost his way in such a small library, it was quite comical to get glimpses of him as he walked back and forth. Maybe it is wrong to hold the bird against him? After all it was an accident. A stupid, avoidable one. But still, just an accident.

Lorelle bites down on her lower lip. What could make him make it up to her? She isn't sure. It would be quite hard here and she knows she can't leave. She only just got here a bell or two ago. She looks up to Meville's face before nodding. "Okay, Meville, I hesitantly accept your apology and I will check the books later. Make sure you did them right," she tells him, realizing that her tone isn't exactly what one would call pleasant. More demanding and blunt than anything. She takes a breath, closing her eyes to gather herself before looking back to Meville.]"I must agree with you on the gift giving, not your brightest moment," she says with a small smile, "But, truth be told, you are a good acquaintance. Maybe friend, I am not really sure what our relationship is here. However, whatever we are, you are a good that." She winces. Her somewhat of a compliment isn't making any sense. She shakes her head slightly, needing to focus.

"Okay, well I have an idea on a possible way for you to make it up to me. No presents, I promise. Unless you want to, but no more glass birds," her gaze is one that not many would find comforting as she talks of the bird. She rests her hand on the desk, tapping her fingers lightly over the surface as she thinks a tick. She nods before turning back to Meville. "See, the problem is, I am working right now. Just started not long ago and won't be getting off soon," she tells him, "So how about, you decide what we do. Pick something you think we would both enjoy that isn't something we have already done and take me there or bring it to me. Get my mind off this upcoming birthday." She thinks a moment again before remembering something she should add. "Don't wait a whole rest of this season either, do it soon. Before or on my birthday, which is the fourteenth of this season. Tell me when and I'll be there, or you can pick me up. I don't care. Just tell me when so I am ready and not caught off guard." She pauses before quietly grumbling,"Though I have a feeling, that is how you like me. Caught off guard."

Her gaze drifts to the floor. Was that the right thing to say? She isn't sure. She isn't even sure that she wants to see him again after today. No wait, that isn't true. She wants to see him, just not like he is today. He seems a little more out of it and childish today than he was last time she hung out with him. She sighs before looking up to him. She raises her eyebrows before putting out a hand towards him. "What do you say? Do we have a date?" she winces at her choice of words. Not the right idea. "Not as in a date, date. Not like two years ago, like … like last time we hung out together," she hastily explains herself before sighing. She is just digging herself a deeper hole. "You know what I mean. Do we agree on this idea or not?" she asks, a bit more harsh than she means to. She doesn't try to fix it this time though. She just waits for his response. It is up to him. It is starting to grow strange and almost normal (in a scary way) how much she leaves up to him when it comes to decisions. It is a very scary thing to think about. Like letting a child hold your most prized possession. Stupid and reckless.

[Meville Brightshade]

He waited with the kind of patience that fit his position: a great deal of it. Lorelle took her time with her response, the results of her thought process showing in the slight frowns and biting of lip. Like a wave of cool, newly fallen snow, Lorelle seemed to relent. She didn't let him off free, still badgering him about his clean-up, but that didn't really matter as much to him seeing as he could now relax a little bit. At least, he believed he could relax before she continued, twisting his placid smile into a more impish grin. It seemed the tables had been turned and she now scrambled for the correct way to say what was on her mind. Meville chuckled some, switching his gaze to the floor until the bubbles of mirth subsided some. The effect of her matter-of-fact tone paired with the confusing nonsense she'd just spouted played her for quite the fool. Occasionally, it was nice to watch others flail about rather than just him.

Without missing much of a the beat, Lorelle continued on, apparently choosing to just distance herself from her botched statement. Again, the strange, unnerving feeling groped at Meville's chest as she once more mentioned the bird. Her eyes held that same fearful sort of gaze they'd had initially, though it lasted for only a moment, as if in passing. Meville frowned then, uncertain whether she'd fall back into her manic mood or move on. Fortunately for the both of them, she stuck with the current flow of conversation rather than choosing the more uncomfortable tangent.

Her next request was... Peculiar. As was common with Lorelle, Meville had little idea what she was going to do until she did it. In this case, it was to distract once more, though this time she seemed to want something novel as well as organized. Meville could handle the first, but making plans had never been his forte. She spoke a bit quickly, forcing Meville's lips to rapidly repeat what she said in a silent whisper as his brain ran into overdrive to pick up what she was saying along with the nuances of her voice. Something they both liked that she'd never done? That was a fairly tall order seeing as he knew her about as well as any other Vantha he passed on the street. Or no, that wasn't entirely true. He knew her well enough to know she was being serious, which many others might have figured she were joking.

Lorelle was back into her usual business like tone and meter, and though her words were a bit demanding, Meville was much happier to have the current side of Lorelle back. When she added that he act quickly and promptly, Meville gave her a wide grin. Of course he preferred her off guard. It gave him a better idea of what sort of person she was, as when she had time to gather herself she became the Lorelle she was now, standing before him, fingers rapping on the desk, staring at him in a no-nonsense sort of manner. Meville certainly wouldn't promise there wouldn't be any surprises, but he'd try, if for no other reason than to clear the air before them, if that were even possible with their current track record.

For a brief moment, it seemed as though Lorelle had regretted asking for what she had just told him. Knowing it was not the time to speak, Meville let her ruminate. Apparently deciding she was going to go through with it, Lorelle extended her hand in a business-like finalization of a deal. The words that accompanied the hand brought fourth a muted bubble of laughter from Meville, who had moved to shake but stopped when Lorelle winced. "Of course I agree." Meville took Lorelle's hand in his, shaking firmly before adding, "It's a date."

With that, he gave her a sly wink before turning to leave. "Do not be worry, Lorelle. I will return before you turn one more year." He paused then, biting his lower lip. He wanted to know why exactly Lorelle was so worried about her birthday, but for the first time in a long time, his intuition told him the question was better saved for later. Instead, he turned to give her an energetic wave goodbye before waltzing off into the stacks. His departure took several more minutes of him wandering around until he finally found the exit. He passed by Lorelle's field of vision several time, but averted his gaze, more out of not wanting to ruin is his exit than anything else.

Once outside, he chewed on his lower lip as he watched the snow fall. What in the world was he going to do?

Common | Vani

~CONGRATULATIONS~ Lorelle : Skills Organization +2 Socialization +1 Lores Work: Warned about her behaviour Birthday present 513 (given) Work: Fun? Broken Glass Bird Comments: You guys always have the most wonderful partner threads, I'm delighted to read and grade them. You are rapidly turning into Avanthal's most deliciously fascinating couple ;p Meville : Skills Investigation +1 Socialization +1 Lores Lorelle: Birthday present 513 (giving) How to calm a woman, Gifts! Broken Glass Bird Lorelle: Birthday is Fall 14th Lorelle: True charity Library: Smells like parchment and ink Comments: You guys always have the most wonderful partner threads, I'm delighted to read and grade them. You are rapidly turning into Avanthal's most deliciously fascinating couple ;p[/webfont] If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade please feel free to send me PM.