Crashing (Angelique)

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

She trusted him; when she closed her eyes without almost any hesitation at all he was sure of this. A welcome change to the normal. His plan was simple. She needed to focus. Her eyes were closed. Meaning her world was dark, nothing but an endless void. Her other senses would then become more aware. Her hearing more acute to her surroundings and her sense of smell heightened. But what he was really looking to heighten was her sense of touch. He wanted her to feel what he had to show her. When people saw him it was misleading. Sometimes feeling was indeed believing; your eyes could play tricks on you but your fingertips…they couldn’t. He moved and unbuttoned his long sleeved shirt; then tying it around his waist. “It’s about to get a little more vivid Angelique.” His hands gently took hers; oh her heart had to skip a beat just then. His hands were abnormally warm and worn. Callused and so very large. “You wanted to know my past, you want to know everything. But I don’t want you to only see. No eyes are misleading as are words. Too many meanings that can be misleading.” He then lead her hands to his chest and immediately she would feel exactly what he wanted her to. “Keep your eyes closed.” He instructed. She could feel how starved he had been up until now, his body was still recovering. But there were other things there. Scars, deep scars littered his body. They covered his sides chest back they were everywhere. She couldn’t touch a single inch of his body without coming across one or a series of them. Some were deeper than others recessed scars; others were raised scars. Each one had a different characteristic. Some were jagged and horrid; others were clean and exact. Sometimes there were entire patches of skin that was just one large scar like the skin itself had just been carved away entirely. If she felt around his abdomen she would be able to still feel his individual ribs. He was still starved somewhat. She could feel how his body had built though, below the scarring there was definitely a fortified muscle structure. He had been building himself…but for what. His arms were fortified as was his entire chest. The muscles were definitely there; they were easy to feel because when he built them he had absolutely no fat to burn to make them. So they were very pronounced on his body structure. Maybe this would clarify things for her. Maybe not; but she wanted to know and this was the best way he could think of to show her. He would watch her face as she felt the elaborate network of scars and try to read her emotions. He didn’t know how she would react. Or even what she would do.

[Angelique]

As he took her hands gently into his own, she did feel her heart flutter softly but her facial features did not show it. She was good when it came to hiding such things, especially when she was still uncertain as to what may be in store after meeting him. The Konti heard his words and kept her eyes closed. She allowed for him to move her hands to his chest. As he moved them over the scars she could see clearly the pain and torture that Serrif had gone through in her mind. While seeing the short glimpses of his past the smile which appeared moments ago upon her lips faded. Her hands lingered, slowly tracing his scars still. This certainly was not what she had thought was going to happen, but she was glad that he had done this. Feeling his scars and being able to see little parts of his past still did not make her want to run, instead it made her want to be there for him even if nothing ever came from this meeting but a friendship. The fact alone that he apparently trusted her to share the scars with her said a lot to her. After a few moments of him leading her hands over the the scars on his chest, her eyes flew open, not to reveal tears, but the look of sadness, hurt and anger which anger was rare to be seen in her eyes. She wanted to help him in whatever way she could, but she did not know exactly how to go about doing so. Angelique now had it set in her mind that she would find some way, anyway to help him. What can I do to help him? She thought. Maybe hide him if his captors from before ever did find him. She was sure she would think of something. “Serrif, again. I apologize that you had to go through what you have been through.” She started, knowing that the natives here in Mura were not like those captors. “If they ever come here looking for you, I will not let them take you back.”She finished. How could she? Fate apparently wanted this Konti to meet him for some reason, and now that she had, she was not going to let those who had hurt him take him from her. Maybe she was supposed to find some way to protect him, and she would do just that whenever the time came, no matter what she had to do to ensure his safety.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Her gentle touch drive electricity down his spine. Even though she was touching horrid scars every finger of hers calmed his mind. The world just simply melted away and for that moment it was just the two of them. Just them; uncertainty filled him. Konti were different. He knew this but he also knew he just couldn’t let her go. She didn’t run; no she stayed and held her ground. She wasn’t afraid of her emotions. She didn’t let them control her; no she was in control of them. Her mind and body were tuned perfectly. Everything she did she controlled. He could sense the elation when he touched her hands. That brought about a very interesting thread of thought. He was almost sorry he had her feel his scars. But he needed to know. He HAD to let her know. She needed to know who he was before he could ever hope to be wholesome with her. With her? No….he was falling for her? He thought quickly his mind dumping clear as he looked into her beautiful eyes. She spoke of not letting the slavers take him if they found him. But he was now thinking about what he had found…He was thinking of her. How insanely lucky he had been to just have her simply run into him. They had the day. He knew this. Again he wanted to be careful but he was getting anxious. He had to know. He had to be sure. His hands found hers, but this time he didn’t take them anywhere, instead he simply held them. She could feel how his hands enveloped hers. She could feel the strength in them, now worn they were. He was tired of fighting, internally and externally. He had seen so much. And now it was time for him to act on his hopes and desires. He wanted to love, but he didn’t want just anyone…No he had specifics in mind. “Can you accept me for what I am Angelique? For who I am?” He believed he already knew the answer but he needed to be sure. He wanted to hear her say it clearly so he couldn’t ever interpret it the wrong way. He had so many horrible run-ins when words were misunderstood. He wanted to be clear with her. He wanted to interpret exactly what she said. No games…no misleading. Just simple words. The anticipation between them was palpable, he swore he could see it between them. She could feel his heart beat in his hands. His grip was strong but weak at the same time. He was hurt, she could sense this. But it wasn’t just the scarring. No there was more there. Maybe that was the reason he was careful. But he was asking her a very blunt question now. And how she answered….well this was a crossroad now. She could go right or left. There was no other real option here.

[Angelique]

Pesky fluttering heart, she thought for a moment as her’s seemed to skip a beat when he took her hands in his again. Angelique was still focused on him. In the now she was not concerned if anyone else had come on to the beach, she could not be. The smile once again returned to her lips as she heard his question. The Konti tried not to ponder on an answer for too long because she already knew what it was. “Serrif, If I were not going to accept you for who or what you are, I would have departed by now.” The tone in her voice had become cheerful as she pushed the thoughts of what she had seen from his past from her mind. “Yet, Here I stand. Since we have started chatting today, You have not given me one reason that I should run away.” Angelique paused as she plotted her next set of words while looking into his eyes. “To be blunt, I do not plan on running. Not now, not after what you have shared with me. If I were to do that when you obviously trusted me enough and gave me a chance to see your pain, it would be like I was turning my back on one of my own, and I am sorry to say this but that is just not how I am.” She finally finished what seemed to be her mind over powering her mouth once more, causing her to ramble, but she once again knew that her words were true. She had no reason to lie to him, or even run from him. He has not threatened her in anyway and she did not believe that he ever would. All that she could do now was wait and see what would happen next.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

For the first time in a long time he hung on every word someone spoke. Every single word was carefully taken in and assessed. This could change in the blink of an eye for him. It sure had in the past. Now he was fighting himself. She said she wouldn’t run. No she wouldn’t even though she now had a hint of the truth. She knew that he was what he was. Now to take it just a little further. He needed a hint. Something that told him she wanted to let him know who she was as well. Right now he was just a little past where he had been with Blythe. He knew she wouldn’t run from him. She knew exactly who he was, but now he needed to know who she was. He needed her to open up to him. But the more he thought on it the less he felt like he needed that right now. No letting her open up to him could happen later. At her pace. Perhaps she needed some time to put everything into perspective for him. He could wait for that. Elation blossomed as he smiled as she spoke about how she was. He was now one of her own, and in a small way he was one step closer to being part of this Konti society around him. This was the first small step in a long chain of events that he couldn’t possibly foresee coming. His smile was a true tell of his feelings. He felt wonderful right now. He felt accepted. And that for the first time he was part of something that was wonderful. Now…what did he need to go any farther? He hit a wall; he couldn’t display his affection for her. He wanted; oh how he wanted to. But for some reason he just couldn’t. He wasn’t used to giving into his desires. He wasn’t used to getting what he wanted. This was a perfect example of sabotage. He just wouldn’t let himself have her. He wouldn’t….couldn’t let himself show her affection. “I...” Great he spoke. Now he would have to finish that sentence and finish it fast. Before she thought something was seriously wrong with him. Before she thought that he was having second thoughts…even though he was. But it wasn’t her fault; no it was his past. “...your wonderful, and I am honored.” He stated the obvious. Good God he was flailing now. He smiled nervously as he then gently brushed her long beautiful hair out of her face. The wind had blown some there while she was standing. He then trailed his hand across her delicate cheek. She could feel just how massive his hand was now. One of his hands was the size of her entire cheek and then some. He gently reached behind her head tangling his fingers like the teeth of a comb in her golden hair on the back of her head. She could feel how overpowering his size was compared to herself. Yet he was so gentle; so careful like he was afraid he was going to break something. Why so gentle? He looked down into her hues lost for a few moments in her overwhelming beauty. He felt so weak all the sudden. He couldn’t let himself not have her. He couldn’t let her walk away…no he had to let her know. He had to. He had struggled for so much in his life. He had bled just for the right to be alive. Evert nightmarish pit black night he had dreamed of a moment where he found someone even remotely close to what this woman was. And now that she was here he was struggling to even display how he felt to her in the slightest manner. How could this be so tough? How could someone who could withstand the rigorous thumbscrews of Ildin for nearly a month flounder when faced by another Konti woman? How? He pushed and just like that he let himself have her. He figured he would put it out there one last time. Take it or leave it. That was just how it was going to have to be. He had to do something. He pushed himself and then figured fate would just have to do the rest; fate had been kind to him so far. He let go of her other hand, his other still laced in the back of her head, and gently brought her closer. She could feel even through her clothing how warm his skins surface was. And the flesh underneath was just as warm and pleasing. His arm found itself gently wrapped around her waist. His arm long enough to encompass her like a vine reaching to her far hip. He didn’t grab her but he gently let his hand lay there. He then bent down and gently pressed his warm lips to hers. He kissed her, it wasn’t passionate, but she could feel the love in his kiss. She could feel how lonely he had been up until now. How he had no one. But that all melted away as his eyes closed and the passion deepened if she didn’t break away. As long as she didn’t run.

[Angelique]

Angelique could sense the hesitation. Yes, it was hesitation she was indeed sensing, but why? Had she not proven to him by now that she won’t run? Maybe she scared him when she said that she would find some way to save him if the ones who had enslaved him before came hunting for him. Could what she have said possibly made him want to run? Oh no. She was now beating herself up over what she had told him. She did not want for him to run from her. The Konti continued to watch for his face to contort in some way, she now half way expected it to do so, but hoped that the answer she had given him to his question would not make him run. She now looked away for a moment as if to try to hide the look in her eyes as her heart suddenly plummeted into her gut. She began secretly cursing fate again, but her new hate for fate was abruptly halted when he finally spoke. Wonderful? Wow. That was a first. She had been called many things in her life time, but never wonderful until now. Her gaze quickly returned to Serrif. “I meant every word. No matter the cost, I will find some way to save you from them.” Her voice was once again merely a whisper as she spoke. She could now feel something that seemed like her heart was on a roller coaster as she felt his hand caressing her cheek. Maybe this was how he was going to say good-bye? No. It could not end like this. Wait, no he isn’t going to end it. She finally thought as she felt him bring her closer towards him. The gentle warmth that radiated from his body felt ever so inviting. And there it was the gut wrenching, mind spinning kiss. Angelique did not break away. She could not. Instead her eyes closed while she returned the kiss with just as much love and passion if not more. She could now feel her heart racing. It started as soon as his lips met her own.Her right arm snaked around his own waist. She let her right hand relax on his hip softly, as her left moved to his neck allowing her left hand to gently rest upon his right shoulder.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

OOCThe thread now contains more of my posts than any other thread ever. I know the same is true for you I looked. This thread contains over 50% of your total posts ^_^ COOL He hands were cool and her touch gentle. Maybe that was what he needed after all those years of nightmarish existence. Even through the scars he could feel how gentle and almost timid her touch seemed. But he knew every move from her was very intentional. Every movement was likely planned in her head well in advance before it was made. But he knew that she couldn’t have planned for this. No he could feel the relative shock as emotion took over. As her mind tenderly shut down and her emotions and feelings took control. His body felt a warm rush as she returned his affection. Even on his shoulder he delicate hands would be able to feel his pulse. It was strong and fast like rapids in a river. His mind was soaring, he felt distant yet he knew he was indeed right here. The world melted away from them. And in his mind there was only them. Finally something that took everything away. His past didn’t matter here. No all that mattered to him right now was exactly that…this moment. Her cool skin was a wonderful contrast to his warmth. And he enjoyed it, it annunciated her presence to him. It made her that much more real to him. He could now feel her flesh and bone before him. Her body pressed against his. He was sure she was real now. He could feel her existence; taste her lips. Heck with his hand on the back of her head and one of his fingers gently on her neck he could feel her pulse. She was alive, she was real. The reality of this hit him and it was almost overwhelming. She loved him. Or so it seemed at first. To him this meant much more than he could ever have imagined it would. She accepted him for who he was, and still this didn’t deter her. She wanted to protect him; her selflessness was endearing. But he was worried more about this being a two way street. He needed eventually to know her as well. He figured a kiss was a good place to start. Now where all of this went was really mostly up to her. He had done his part; his story was told. His feelings obvious to her now. The kiss was eventually broken. He wasn’t sure how long it had lasted but to him that didn’t matter. What did matter was how he felt. He didn’t know what to do now. He just stood there holding her cool body against his. He felt relieved, finally someone understood. He smiled; he really couldn’t help it. He held her and just looked into her wonderful eyes. Lost for words completely…She would have to break the silence; if she even felt like doing so.

[Angelique]

By now it was clear that many hours had passed as she talked with Serrif on the beach, but some how Angelique did not seem to mind even though she knew she had other things to do that day. What is one day of complete relaxation? She thought for a moment after they had both broke from the kiss. While standing there wrapped in his arms, She could see on his face that he was wanting her to open up to him, he wanted to know about her. She was ready to tell him what he wished to know, even though there was not too many things to know. She was a Konti woman after all. Where to start? She decided that she would begin her tale from a time that she could remember and just go from there. “Serrif, there is something I wish to share with you..” The Konti started then paused for a moment. “Like most Konti, I was brought up by my Mother and Grand-mother.” She paused again and realized that he probably already knew that since the Konti was a race of all women. “At a young age I watched my Grand-mother pass away. I barely remember the day that she died, or even what she looked like.” As she spoke of her Grand-mother’s passing, her face showed a gentle glimpse of sadness, but she tried not to dwell on the woman’s death because she knew that there was nothing that she could do to bring her back. “I still hear her voice sometimes, it brings back distant memories of a childhood long since passed.” Angelique missed her Grand-mother greatly, this was clear, however she still had her Mother who was some where to be found on the Island. A sigh escaped from her lips as the thoughts of her Mother played in her mind. The Konti knew that it would soon be her Mother’s time to leave the Island, like her Grand-mother had. Angelique was certain that she would miss her beloved Mother just as much, if not more as she did her Grand-mother. Deciding to skip past talking of her Grand-mother and Mother she went on. She remembered once again about the passer-by who she had taken an interest in once before. It was a few years back. “There was man traveling through here a few years ago. Over time I had begun to care for him, much like I do you, now.” Angelique said before pausing. “He was on a path of redemption for a crime that he had committed. When he told me of his crime, and how truly sorry that he was for killing the person, I had looked passed that.” The Konti paused again as she remembered how he vanished in the middle of the night one evening in late fall, AV 509. They were supposed to meet at outside of the pavilion the following morning. She had spent the past couple of years trying to tell herself that he would return. It had not been until recently that she gave up hope. “We were supposed to meet, we had plans to run off together. The night before we were going to leave, he disappeared.” This memory saddened her more than the one of her Grand-mother. It was because of this passer-by that she had wanted to be alone before.. Before she met Serrif. He was also the reason she was a little hesitant on letting Serrif know her. Angelique now tried to tell herself that Serrif would not do such a thing.But her inner ramblings were nothing more than secret hopes.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Being raised by women was indeed something that was quite common among Konti women. Usually the men were not present in any way since they usually wouldn’t live nearly as long as their Konti mate. Something he was sure he would have to come to terms with someday. But as for right now he was perfectly fine with where he was. He was more than happy just being here with her right now. He listened to her explain how she loved and missed her Grand-Mother. He felt sorrow for her because he had not the chance to really miss anyone like that yet. He couldn’t say he understood how she felt. Because he didn’t. Sure there was death all around the slave camp. But you never got attached; not to anyone. You couldn’t afford to; because the slavers would use this. So you learned to look out for yours and yours only. But in the darkness you could do all kinds of other work if you wanted. You just couldn’t make your aid known to anyone. He did all kinds of work in the darkness; when the slavers weren’t looking. He would mix remedies for all kinds of things; they were primitive but they worked. And that was what was important. But her story got a little more interesting when she mentioned the man whom she had planned on meeting and running away with. This started all kinds of other questions in his mind. And well brought to mind Blythe. How he had almost had her, and how it felt like he had left her hanging but at the same time she had hung him as well. She knew who he was; more than anyone else. She had literally ‘seen’ his past almost like she participated in it. She had seen it from the vantage of a slaver. She had seen the layout of the camp as well as what he had to endure to even stay alive. Something he didn’t wish for Angelique to see. He wasn’t sure how she would handle it and to be sure she had been doing so well up until now. A question perked in his mind and he had to ask it. “Are you sure you are ready for this? I understand if you are not, or if you are having second thoughts.” He said as he had a faint smile of understanding on his face. He wanted her to know that he was ready to give this a try if she was indeed ready for it.

[Angelique]

Are you sure you are ready for this? I understand if you are not, or if you are having second thoughts.” He said as he had a faint smile of understanding on his face. She heard his question and noted the smile that was upon his face.Angelique did not need to take any time to think about her answer. The Konti knew by now that if the one she had cared for before were going to return for her, he would have done so already. He had plenty of time to come back for her and he had not. Looking into his eyes she knew exactly how to answer the question that was now out there. There was no doubts in her mind at all that she were ready to give Serrif and her a try. For once the blurted answer was more than welcome by her. “Yes, Serrif. I am ready for this.” Angelique said as a smile returned to her lips. Was it because of her telling him about the passer-by from before that he felt she were having second thoughts, or even that she were not ready for this? He wanted to know about her and that was part of who she was now. Maybe she should not have told him about him, or that she had planned to run off with him before. Why did it matter about the other from before? That door has been closed for some time now. To her it did not matter anymore, it just hurt whenever she had a passing thought about that time in her life. The Konti was ready to start something new, she had waited long enough and she wanted to experience love again. She knew this now, and she understood that after meeting Serrif and getting see parts of what he had gone through, she was willing to stick around until the bitter end.Yes, until the bitter end, Angelique told herself. Losing him would most definitely hurt when the time came, but for her there was no walking away.