Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
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Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Jan 2, 2007 15:44:45 GMT -5
I kick at the sand below my bare feet with my toe, listening to it fall into the salty ocean with a trickle, glancing up to watch it muddy up the near-clear waters. The waves edge closer, finally oozing between my toes and past my heel, only to fall back with an elongated sigh.
I echo the sigh as I plop on the ground, wincing at the damp sand that molds easily underneath me. Probably not the best idea. But I'm too lazy to care to do anything about it, I realize as I grimace at the thought of walking around with sand dusting the back of my dress.
Tossing the thoughts aside, though, I pull my legs up to my stomach, wrapping my arms around my shins and putting my chin on my knees. I jump as I hear hysterical laughter, though, and turn to find where the giggles were coming from.
A man was playing with his daughter, tossing her into the surf to her exaggerated glee. It looked like something from a painting; the sunset in the background, the spray of the salty ocean, the wind tousling their hair over their goofy grins. It was obviously a tender moment. I quickly turn away before anyone can see my stare, for I can feel the envy burning in my eyes.
I stare at the few others who, like me, had the craving for an ocean sunrise. But I quickly turn my head back towards the waves before I can really see anyone. Everyone had someone with them; a mother, a brother, a lover. Except for me.
Shut up, I tell myself, taking deeper, more confident breaths. I raise my slumped shoulders, trying to adopt a more undaunted posture. I didn't really even see everyone. For all I knew, there was someone who was standing off to the side, though was alone just as I was.
Optimism. I muttered the word under my breath with disgust. I lived on optimism, which was nothing but a positive lie to oneself. I was living on lies that I told to myself, I pondered as I gazed out at the dusk, though not really seeing anything.
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Jan 7, 2007 20:44:51 GMT -5
=When darkness turns to light, it ends tonight=
ooc: ((-raises eyebrow- we have to stop making such similar characters))
I looked around myself, eying the happy couples and families which I passed on my stroll. Three caught my eye, a complete family. The mother lovingly watched her two loved ones, sitting on the beach side gracefully. the father danced through the water with his young son, swinging the child around and around in circles as they laughed together. I smiled at their joy, even though no one could see it because of the mask which covered my lower face. And not that anyone cared, either.
I turned my gaze to the ocean, slowly being lit by far off light on the horizon. Soon the sun would breech the ocean, rising above to give it's light once more to use on the earth below. On the opposite horizon stood the moon, it's cold rays steadily sinking from sight as it gave into a greater power.
I wanted to focus on that, and that alone. I didn't want to watch the family, but despite my insistence, I did, and the memories came back. They always came back, no matter what I did. I'd never rest, not with these images passing through my head at night. I could see it now, the still warm body hanging form the ceiling, and my father's glazed eyes staring back at me. I could see my Aunt, Nana, laying on the couch, blood slowly dripping form her mouth as she died in pain. I could see the horrified look on my friend's faces as I betrayed them to the king, and lastly I could see the gruesome, mangled figures of my soldiers as they breathed their last breaths.
And I could see a girl before me, and feel a thought ask why she was alone.
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Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
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Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Jan 7, 2007 21:20:15 GMT -5
There was the familiar and confusing feeling of being watched as the sun was beginning to bleed its light into the sky, tainting it crimson. At first I don't know how to react. I wasn't even sure if anyone was watching me. I was known to be a paranoid person at points.
But I didn't think as I warily edged my eyes too the side, though I still couldn't see anything. The very edge of a shadow, maybe. But there was a possibility that was the edge of my eyelashes. I weighed the possibilities.
If I turned my head, I risked looking like a complete idiot and staring at nothing. But it wasn't as if I knew anyone here; or ever would. So I slowly tilted my head to the side.
Someone else who was alone. My gaze quickly flashed ahead. Was he watching me? I couldn't remember. I had moved too fast.
Smart, I silently scolded myself.
One more look couldn't hurt. Once more, I looked to my right, rotating my head. The man had a scarf covering half of his face, but his eyes looked thoughtful. Still trying to be demure, I looked away. There was absolutely no way he would have been so blind as to have missed my stares, but at least I had some dignity left to console myself with.
Optimism, my mind snapped. You live on optimism.
((ooc; *curses* I keep changing tenses without meaning to... that's why it's taking me so long. and the fact that I'm supposed to be homework-ing.))
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Jan 7, 2007 21:32:58 GMT -5
=When darkness turns to light, it ends tonight=
There was an uncomfortable moment as I watched her glance at me... twice, but I quickly ignored the feeling and sat down in her vicinity, watching the blank beach before me in an attempt to ward of the dark memories. After a few moments I began to wonder about the stranger. Why was she alone, and not with her lover or child or whatever person loved her? What was her story?
I sighed, resting my chin on my hand as I leaned forward, adjusting the sword which lay on my back so it didn't dig into my neck to much. For a fleeting moment I imagined I could ask her about all these questions, but I quickly shut my covered mouth and began to rub my tattoo absent mindedly for a few more moment of silence.
I don't like the crimson.
I muttered out loud, studying the brightening sky,
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Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
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Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Jan 8, 2007 18:08:01 GMT -5
The sand rustled as he sat down, and I instinctively sat up straighter, my mind galloping away like a wild horse without reins and me, rooted to the saddle. Oh, stop being an imbecile, I snapped at myself. He was allowed to sit down without my wondering why. Humans got tired. It was unavoidable. As I lectured myself on this topic, more thoughts leaked into my mind.
Like why was he alone? It wasn't any of my business, really. And what was he thinking about, anyway, I pondered, throwing the last thought away. From what I could see, he seemed pensive. And at the same time, extremely obscure. But then again, I had only given him a passing glace. If you could call it that.
His voice interrupted my thoughts, making me jump. Who was he talking to? Was he talking to me? Or was he really with someone, and I had actually just hallucinated the fact that he was alone. It was possible. I had been surprised before with how my mind worked. But still. What was I supposed to do?
Without thinking, I twisted around, staring him full in the face. Unbeknownst to myself, my eyes narrowed as I analyzed him. Definitely mysterious. He was clad all in black, and lacking sleeves. Though it was uncharacteristically warm this winter, that was odd. And, as far as I could tell, he was no hallucination.
Now what? Was I just going to sit here like the stupid idiot I was and stare? Or turn around and pretend he hadn't said anything and I hadn't done anything?
He had spoken about the color of the sunrise. But what if he wasn't talking to me, and just wanted to be alone. That had been my plan. But, as usual, I had forgotten all about it. I was torn; I wanted to know more about him. But, at the same time, I wanted to mope alone, without company.
My stare went forward once more. The sun was flaming away from the sea, turning it red as well. "...Oh," I finally managed. It was a safe answer; if he was talking to me, great. If he wasn't, that worked too.
"It is sort of depressing," I agreed without presence of mind. Hadn't I just told myself I wasn't going to say anything? Whatever. What was the worst that could happen? I cleared my throat, taking a finger and sketching a few random lines into the sand.
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Jan 8, 2007 19:38:21 GMT -5
=When darkness turns to light, it ends tonight=
I turned my head to look at her for a second, pondering over her choice of words. It was funny, they were exactly the onces I would have chosen. Not to describe the sunrise itself, for everyday I waited for it's warmth, but the colors on this morning seemed so hideous to me. I preferred the pale, gentle colors. Shades of lavender, blue, and pink swirling in the sky like an echo of the ocean. It was morning like that which I could loose myself in, gazing thoughtlessly at the playing lights.
One has to wonder what inspired those words.
I stated, leaning back onto the cool sand as rested my arms beneath my head. The sun seemed to be rising far to slowly today, for it was still only half light out. Above me the clouds stayed cold and grey, oblivious to the waking warmth soon to touch their edges. I found their image to be a dull one, and with a half interested glance I looked around again. Many couples had sat down, echoing my own movements and turning their eyes upon the others around them. A few children ran past us, flinging themselves into the arms of their parents. This was the world I enjoyed, for it was not the one I lived in.
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Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
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Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Jan 8, 2007 21:56:53 GMT -5
My finger was hovering over the sand, not moving. My mind was the only thing that was working, currently. Finally, I whirled around, narrowing my eyes into slits so that the pupils were only edged in a small amount of blue. "What are you insinuating, exactly?" I snapped, resting my hand back down on the sand and marring my picture of... well, I didn't know what is was going to be.
The sun had now cleared away from the ocean, and was hovering on its own, the colors slowly lightening into something much more pleasant.
But my mood had gone from serene to hostile in record time. And not even I knew why. I waited for him to answer, feeling my anger boil. It could have been a harmless comment; innocent. Or he could have been poking fun at my moping.
I silently hoped for his sake it wasn't the latter. Please, the sadistic side of my mind scoffed. What can you do? Your father wouldn't even teach you swordplay because he had such low expectations of you.
My mood darkened.
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Jan 8, 2007 22:09:10 GMT -5
=When darkness turns to light, it ends tonight=
I don't know, that depends on what the word "insinuating" means.
I replied lazily, pushing myself up to watch the sun. I knew you weren't supposed to look directly at it, but I somehow found comfort in it's sting, the way it blinded me. That probably wasn't a good thing, but that was me, and I'd stopped trying to change me a long time ago.
But if it means what I think it means, then I'm just wondering why you chose those words when many other people would have said something pleasant about the scene. You see, I've got a feeling you and I are alike in some way, and I thought it might be interesting to figure out exactly how.
I added, feeling it might be wise to explain myself. After all, you had to admit it was a bit of an odd request.
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Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
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Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Jan 8, 2007 22:23:59 GMT -5
My muscles contracted, craving to stand and take a more offensive stance. But I only put my other hand on the ground, continuing to stare at him. "Are you assuming that you know me? Because you don't know me. For all you know, we could be totally... different and you wouldn't even... you wouldn't even know it!"
And there it was. I had just made a complete fool of myself. That didn't even make sense to me, and I was the one who said it.
Why stop there, though? "To answer your request, I'm a perfectly happy person who came here on a... on a vacation! Just relaxing... by myself." I motioned grandly with my hands. A few glances were being aimed at me, but I ignored them. "And that's who I am. Fairy princesses and all."
...I probably just screwed up the believable factor with my last comment, but I was too hot to really think about it. Something told me, though, that he wasn't going to believe what I said anyway.
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Jan 8, 2007 22:59:52 GMT -5
=When darkness turns to light, it ends tonight=
Now, that there had been a truly fascinating reply, and I took it all in with a small smile on my face, hidden safely behind my mask. I didn't think her bewilderment was funny, but the entire explanation was just a tad humorous. It was the Fairy Princess part which really did.
Oh, sorry, my mistake your majesty. Perhaps I should take my leave, and allow you to return to your vacation.
I said, standing up and bowing to her. I'd probably over done it again, but I figured it was fine since she'd gone over board, too. We could be fools together.
I noticed several people were now training their eyes on us, glancing curiously at me as I bowed. One small child clung to his mother, point in our direction and mouthing something like "Princess!" which made me wonder just how humorous this situation could get before the end.
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Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
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Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Jan 9, 2007 18:38:25 GMT -5
My eyes widened considerably as more children would pause in their frolicking to stare. As for the adults, they only allowed their gaze to shift over to me minutely, as if expecting to see a crown on my head. My mouth moved quite a bit before I finally found my voice, nervously smiling and holding up my hands innocently. "I, I'm not--"
Without warning, my gaze flashed over to the person who had brought this entire situation upon me and my voice died in my throat. My hand clenched at the sand, and I silently debated throwing it at him. I decided against it, though, realizing it would be immature, and that I didn't want to look anymore like an idiot than I already did. Instead, I flattened my hand, standing up and dusting off the back of my dress angrily. I made a move as if to walk away, but stopped, turning back to him.
"What about you, then?" I motioned at his attire. "Are you all doom and gloom or what?"
Two could play this game.
But just because I could play didn't mean I was going to win, I reminded myself as I remembered how smooth the man appeared.
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Jan 9, 2007 19:46:21 GMT -5
=When darkness turns to light, it ends tonight=
I shrugged uncaringly. OK, pretended to shrug uncaringly, because I did care a lot, and I was trying to buy some time to think of some, witty, smart answer. I should have realized she was going to turn the tables on me, and being prepared would have been a smart thing to do.
Me? Oh, I'm not always doom and gloom. You'd really have to know my story to understand.
I finally replied, a tad disappointed with the words. There was nothing witty or smart about them, and as I turned my eyes around the beach, I noticed most of the people had returned to their regular lives. All except one small child, who stood before both of us transfixed on our figures as if we were dragons.
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Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
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Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Jan 9, 2007 20:01:11 GMT -5
What was that, a lure? To try and get me to ask about his story? I had to be honest with myself; it was tempting. Questions flooded my mind. Why did he wear a mask? What was up with the pensive stare? What did his tattoo mean to him? Why was he--like me--alone?
And, this one came from the part of my mind I had grown to despise; whose side was he on? Rutherford's or the Sanguine Revenge?
It doesn't matter, I snapped at myself.
"I'll pass on that," I said. The smart and most logical thing to do would have been to walk away and leave it at that. But instead, I stayed rooted to the spot, my arms crossed and my face turned up to the sky. I silently wonder what I'm doing still standing there. What was I waiting for?
My mouth works before my head. "Where'd you get the tattoo?"
Since when was I smart or logical?
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Jan 9, 2007 20:23:27 GMT -5
=When darkness turns to light, it ends tonight=
I was surprised at how blunt the comment was, and hadn't even prepared to answer something like that. I was expecting something like. "Ok, what's your story?" then I'd say "Tell me yours first, and I'll tell you mine," and it would all be peachy-keen from there with us getting to know each other, becoming friends, eventually getting mar- Uh, I mean, that's not what I, you can't really think I wanted, or really expected something like, you know, that, wasn't really...
Give me a break, it had been a whole year since I'd seen a women, let alone talk to one.
I've had it since I was kid.
I replied shortly, narrowing my eyes slightly, daring her to ask more questions. I knew I would answer them if she did, and even though i didn't want to, for some reason, I did want to.
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Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
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Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Jan 9, 2007 21:07:42 GMT -5
A kid who got a tattoo? I tried to guess his age, but found iy near impossible because of his mask. My own eyes hooked on his for a moment, and I saw the flame in them. Wait a minute. Was he challenging me?
I sucked on my teeth, wondering if I should ask another question. My lip curled in thought, and I tried to look bored, my eyes fanning over the beach. Everyone had lost interest now, even the previous child. "How long ago was that?" I asked, tilting my head and trying my hardest to hide the curiosity from my voice.
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