Flowers and Wine and A Sunset ... What? [Aello]

[Sulavik]

oocI forgot what timestamp you wanted, so I'm guesstimating. Give me a shout if it is wrong. Also, if you feel I have taken liberties with your character, or what I have written makes no sense for her, let me know. 48th Spring 511AV It was funny how people blocked out the bad memories. Or rather, they blocked out the bad memories that were their own fault. If one was a victim of something horrific, something someone targeted them for, they moped and whined and angsted over it. But if they were the one that caused such an event ... well, it may as well have not have happened, because their conscience blocks it out to keep everything clean and pure. That was what Sulavik was like. He very rarely thought about that event with Aello, where he had practically molested her - not practically. He genuinely had molested her, or Makil had, but he still took responsibility. It never crossed his mind, and he walked on the streets of Ravok with very little guilt. When it did pop into his mind, he shook his head and sighed, but refused to acknowledged that what he had done to the poor girl was his fault. On this particular morning, he had left his room for a stroll to the Defiled Blade in the Merchant's Ring. He had heard about the weapon shop, and though he had no intention of buying anything there (his trusty Lakan was all he needed), he still thought he would check it out. He made his way early morning out of the boarding house, and began his leisurely stroll to the Blade. It was odd, though. He never thought he would be leisurely in Ravok. He thought he would be constantly on edge and with beady eyes watching him all the time. Well, it was true, there were. Solat had only proved that. But of course, it had already happened to him, what with Kelon and then the Ceruleans. So in a way, a great deal of confidence was inspired in him. He had battled the scum of Ravok once before, and he could do it again. He supposed his height and physicality, although a beacon of 'Lookit me, potential slave!', also served as an intimidation factor. No one would try anything open. It meant he could indeed walk the streets of Ravok relatively safely... it was the alley ways and nights he needed to look out for. But as he walked, his eyes caught a short figure, with mousy brown hair and a particularly familiar look. He thought he recognised her, and his heart skipped a beat when he realised who it was. At least, he THOUGHT it was her. He didn't think he would see her again, but here she was, wandering the streets much the same as him. "Hey, wait!" he called out, and began to jog over to her. He had no idea what he was going to say to her, but he wasn't going to ignore her. After all, he did owe a proper apology to Aello...

[Aello]

Aello walked silently through the city streets. Her long black cloak fluttered about her in the wind. Her hood hid her face, although several long curls of brown hair twisted out of the corners and onto her shoulders. She walked steadily, her bow, which she clutched in her right hand, swinging with each of her steps. Her fingers had curled around the wooden frame, and her thumb absently rubbed the side, causing her flesh to grow warm. Her left hand was cupped, the arm bent slightly at the elbow. She held the arm close to the side of her body, although it was extended a few inches before her. For once, Yune was not perched on her left shoulder, instead, the bird's tiny talons circled the length of Aello's thumb. For in the center of the girl's palm were a few blueberries she had found in the wilderness. From time to time, Yune would dip her head, and reach for the berries with her beak. She'd rip off a small piece, retract her head, and chew furiously before repeating the process. As Aello walked, she glanced up and down the Merchant's Ring, at all the people who were passing by. For once, they all seemed to notice her, when they never really had before. It was Yune, the bird that usually nestled into her shoulder that was drawing so much attention; curiosity. After all, it wasn't every day that one witnessed a bird eating out of the palm of another human being. Aello smiled, satisfied with herself, amused with the Ravokian's curiosity. "What, never seen a bird before?" she snapped at a few of them, hoping it would help them to shut their gaping mouths. For some it worked, and for some the plan failed. But it mattered little to her. "Hey Yune," Aello whispered, "they're all watching you." The bird chirped after finishing her mouthful of blueberry, a thin trickle of blueberry mush sliding off the edges of her facial feathers. Aello laughed, just as a strong wind blew her hood off her head, and ruffled Yune's feathers. Aello glanced up at the sky, "hopefully it doesn't rain," she whispered, before looking back down at the ground; the masses. "Where did we say we were going again?" Aello asked, suddenly feeling disoriented. Or was it simply for a walk to clear the mind? Aello heard her name and turned around. Her eyes darted from the left to the right side of the street. "Hello?" she called, uncertain as to whether or not she were imagining things again. It was then that she noticed an over-sized blue man coming towards her; an Akalak. Sulavik, her mind whispered as he came to a halt in front of her. "Oh hello," Aello said quietly, casting her gaze down at her feet, as she shifted her weight from her right foot to the left. "How are you Sulavik?" Aello asked, before adding, "it is Sulavik, right?" OOCNo the timestamp is fine, and so is the post. Don't worry."

[Sulavik]

He ran awkwardly over to her,half walking half jogging. He could feel Makil's irritation at what he was doing. Never apologise for something you've done, he could hear Makil taunt in the back of his head. Sulavik rolled his eyes, probably looking odd to Aello - rolling his eyes at something he couldn't see. I don't, Sulavik began to reply inside his head in a lazy drawl. But this was something YOU did, so, yeah, I feel the need to apologise. Makil shut up at that. He paused in front of her, once again towering over her pale white form. It was odd, standing in front of her again. He unconsciously held a tight rein on his control, unsure of what Makil might do to her if he escaped. He could still feel Makil's appreciation over being ... aesthetically pleasing, but that wasn't going to happen again. No, he had come over to Aello to apologise properly, he wasn't going to add further insult to injury by repeating it again. It was a risk even being here at all. Makil was unpredictable at best. He felt bad as she looked down, shifting and avoiding his gaze. He had done this to her. He hadn't meant to, but Makil had gotten out of hand and he was cynical and he didn't try hard enough. With a sigh, he ran one of his hands frustratedly through his hair. "I'm good, and yeah, it's Sulavik," he said quickly, as if it were only a perfunct answer. "And ... you? How are you?" Why do you CARE so much, Sul?! You look like a petching poof. I care because you're a dickhead, loser. He hesitantly stretched out an arm, but then realised she wouldn't accept a hug, not after last time. He let it hang awkwardly in the air for a moment, before coughing and dropping it. "I... wanted to say I was sorry. Are you okay? With last time and all?" He watched her carefully. "Can I make it up to you, somehow?"

[Aello]

Aello simply stared up at the Akalak, waiting for him to speak. She was wondering why he was talking to her again, considering what had happened the last time they had met. He looks the same as last time, and oddly calm considering whom he is speaking to, Aello thought as she stood in Sulavik's shadow, staring into his eyes. Her own were narrowed, everything he was saying to her was simply so strange. "Doing quite well actually, we've made it nearly a season without being assaulted by an over-sized blue man," Aello finally replied, when she found the strength to do so. Even though Sulavik was in control, Aello still felt a little nervous. She knew that Makil, the brother she detested, and was sure Sulavik himself hated at times, could spring into action at any moment. Take control. She knew that her being near could only make Makil want to take control. Could only increase the chances of there being a repeat of her last encounter with Sul. "Although, the number of street rats and tavern drunkards seem to be on the rise. It is too bad no one bothers to keep them in their proper place," Aello added, hoping that her hostility would drive the Akalak away. For the light one is the only one that may be trusted, even in the slightest. And the dark brother must not be given a chance to be set free... As Sulavik's arm reached for her, Aello instinctually took a step back. What in the name of Dira is he doing? Aello wondered, is he trying to give us reason to chop his hands off? There was a slight pause, well... another reason? And then it hit her, sorry. He was saying it again, apologizing for the dark one. "It happened a long time ago Sul, it had been forgotten, until you brought it up again," Aello said cooly. "Although, your presence does stir up a few unpleasant memories." There was another pause, "make it up?" Aello asked. "Now how do you plan on doing that?" OOCSorry this post is terrible.

[Sulavik]

Sulavik felt awful. The woman's responses were cold and perfunct, quick, as if she were only humouring him. Her words dripped with sarcasm, and Sulavik felt terrible. He didn't know why he cared so much. Perhaps he did know. Perhaps he was not only apologising to Aello, but also forgiving himself for allowing Makil to take over like that. It sounded ridiculous, all feelings-y, like a girl, but it was probably true. Being gay makes you practically a woman anyway. You are a horrible person, Makil dearie. His response was cheery, even as the girl which Makil had attacked stood before him. He didn't understand this connection, this relationship with Makil. They argued, fought, bickered, but completely supported each other. Even as Sulavik stood apologising for Makil's actions, he was not angry at Makil himself. He could not begrudge him the experience of kissing a woman, though he certainly went about it the wrong way. Ultimately, Sulavik was apologising for the means, not the act itself. Sulavik reached up, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. He hadn't actually thought that far, he hadn't decided what he was going to do to make it up to her. He had just seen Aello and run over. He hadn't thought about what he was going to say. "Uh..." he hummed and ahhed for a moment, using it to buy time. He had no idea. God, you're acting like you're about to ask a girl out on a date. Pull it together, will you? "A DATE!" he cried, then flushed a deep colour when he realised he had just spoken aloud. Hurriedly, he tried to cover up the embarrassment, though Aello would surely realise who he had been talking to. "Tonight, at sunset, we can go and have dinner together at Lake Ravok, looking out over it. As an apology. Even if it is kind of a date." He picked at the skin of his thumbnail while he waited, trying to restrain from biting it in nerves. "Just ... so I can apologise. Properly. I cut you, and kissed you. Well, Makil did, but the point still stands..." His voice was surprisingly pleading. "Please?" Poof. Hey, I just asked a girl out on a date. I'm pretty sure that's a sort of straight act to do. It's only straight if you fu-- Shut the petch up, Makil.

[Aello]

"A date?" Aello asked, her voice low, and laced with an edge of surprise. Isn't he the one who said you couldn't kiss the last time the two of you met? Aello gave a slight nod. The gay one? There was another slight nod as Aello waited, then why would he use the word "date?" Aello wondered as she simply stared at Sulavik, as a pale blue mist came into view. It hovered around Sulavik's head, while the rest of his body was shrouded in a slightly darker blue mist. Well Sulavik is in control, Aello knew, this isn't Makil playing another one of his tricks. Thank goodness, since there is no way to be prepared for one of those. Especially when the bird feeds from one hand, and the archer's bow is clutched in the other, not even loaded. Useless. Aello watched the lighter mist wind itself around the Akalak's head, and then swirl down to his neck. It seemed to wrestle with the darker blue mist, as though they were each fighting for the head; for control. They must be arguing amongst themselves, Aello thought, as she stood in silence, trying to choose the best way to respond, the right words. One brother trying to make up for the other, seemingly calm, and loving. Well, caring is the better word, there is no way he could love you... and then there is Makil. The darker of the two, the one who nearly raped you. The one that could love you, if he so chose. The one who is stuck in hiding because Sulavik gets in his way. He still seems to want you... or at least, he must still be considering it. Perhaps that is why Sulavik fights so hard to maintain control? He fears losing it; fears the consequences, just what might happen to you. There was a slight pause, at least this time, now that your paths have crossed once more, you know what he is. What his kind is, and you know precisely how to wield a blade to defend yourself. There was another slight pause, assuming he hasn't been training too much, your skills should be about matched by now. A small smile crossed Aello's pale pink lips. If only Makil could see us now. What we have become. Perhaps he would learn to fear us, Aello thought, as she replied, "if looking at the dead is what you would like, then we can meet by the lake. You always find a few corpses floating around..." her voice trailed off as she looked at him, the darker blue mist seemed to be pushing a little harder, causing the tendrils of light blue mist to unravel from around the blue man's neck. It was making its way upwards it seemed, fighting back. Aello's muscles tensed for a moment, before relaxing. There was always a way out of everything... should the need present itself. "On second thought," Aello went on, "perhaps it would be best for us to meet elsewhere, and then find a place along the lake to go." There was a slight pause, "considering how large the lake is, who is to say we'd gravitate towards the same place?" she asked, tilting her head slightly to the side. "Perhaps we should meet in front of Odds and Ends, and walk from there Sulavik? If you truly wish to apologize for what your other half did?" If there is really such a strong need, who are we to say that he cannot fill it? Aello waited a moment in silence, before glancing down at the ground, and then back up at Sulavik, shrouded by a mist so like his own skin. "We can meet there in a few hours. Say another six from now, or so. You should have more than enough time to get ready by then, and that should give us enough time to clean up," Aello added, with a small smile. "See you then Sul," Aello said, her voice a little louder now, slightly more cheery. Assuming he bothers to show up... With that, Aello turned abruptly on her heels and began to walk away from Sul. Now that her concentration had been broken, his aura began to fade away, and soon, she was left with a quickened pulse, and heavy eyes. Perhaps six hours will be enough to catch up on your sleep...

[Verilian]

Sulavik +1 Rhetoric Lores: Avoiding Guilt, Offering an Apology, Asking a girl out on a Date Aello +1 Intimidation +1 Auristics Lores: go here You Question My Logic? : I think the xp speaks for itself. Notes: Aw.. too bad Aello didn't get to go on her date. Maybe she could have turned him straight.