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Post by NobleAlyssum on Feb 18, 2014 17:38:56 GMT -8
This is a roleplay that has been transferred over from the old forum. As such, some part of the formatting may be gone.
((This is a closed RP between ActuallyFace and NobleAlyssum.))
Klohtia was set up in three segments: The Sealands, the Windplains, and the Treescape.
The Sealands was, as the name implies, composed of cities powered by water. This lay on the coast of Klohtia, to the West. The Sealands was a mass of hundreds of islands, anywhere from five miles to a hundred yards in perimeter, as well as most of the land on the coast itself. The Sealands was powered by it's ports and bays, which allowed for easy trade among other countries. Most food, spices, and other goods came from the Sealands, as well as the rich fishing community.
The Treescape was also amply named, consisting of all of the land to the East of the Sealands. The Treescape was where most of the hunting went on, as well as most of the building and other dealings in lumber.
The Windplains lay above both, in a collection of hundreds upon thousands of large, floating islands, all connected by bridges. The Windplains were lashed in place by thick ropes, which connected to the ground a mile below, and which kept the Windplaines safe from the wind itself. The Windplains consisted of many farms, as well as most of the large cities. In the middle of the Windplains lay the Capital, the largest island at about twenty miles in perimeter, and the most densely-populated, wealthy place in Klohtia.
Between the Sealands and the Treescape lay Klohtia's largest school, Leckleston University. Leckleston was about the size of a small city, and produced most, if not all, of the land's magically inclined. Leckleston was what allowed for the Runers, who designed and built the Airboats that allowed for easy travel in air and in sea, as well as the many other diverse means of travel in Klohtia. Leckleston also produced the Charmers, who created not only the bottled charms for the hospitals of Klohtia, but also the more black-market drug industry, which sold bottle charms which, when drank, would give the user the sensation of a particular emotion; these were often called "glass thoughts". The third and final group educated at Leckleston were called Notists, who were capable of transporting various items and people through the use of complex music.
Leckleston also educated it's students in the more mundane subjects of mathematics and the like, but those are worthy of little note.
It is at Leckleston that Wess had learned to be a Notist, and found a job in the Capital, transporting workers to and from their homes for a large spice-distribution company. It wasn't the most creative of jobs, and thus not something Wess much liked, but it wasn't mindless either; each position required a set of notes all it's own, and each person another. Each time Wess transported another worker, he composed another song. And though they were all incredibly similar, and he repeated them often, they did occupy him to some extent. The job, too, payed well, and provided him with a rather comfortable lifestyle. Because of his position, Wess was able to stay in an apartment all his own, and fend for himself in one of the most expensive places to live, at only twenty five years of age.
At the moment, Wess was out in the city. Unlike most of the population, he didn't particularly like using glass thoughts, as they often took away from his actual thoughts, but he did frequent some of the bars that sold them. These were the bars that usually played the best music, as rather than using instruments to conjure items for the entertainment of the crowd, these bars played music for the simple reason that it was music, and that it was beautiful.
So Wess sat alone at his table, ignoring the others, who smelled heavily of a rather strange assortment of Glass Thoughts, and allowed the music pouring from the band's instruments to wash over him.
It was like a wave of calm, to him. A wave of beauty, and calm, and almost like taking his own dose of glass thoughts, except this one was pure and simple and lovely. Wess may have been a cold, judgmental ass most of the time, but no one could say he didn't have an appreciation for beauty.
~~~~~
The Capitol.
Its winding roads and twisting streets are in of itself a puzzle to behold. Down that street, the smell of freshly baked bread wafts from a pleasant family owned bakery. Turn a few corners and down an alley or two, and you'll find an alcove overlooking one of the higher class homes. But if you follow yet another few turns, you find yourself in some less than reputable shop, with quite a few unsavory figures. It was a maze, a puzzle, a glorious riddle worth exploring.
And Leta loved riddles.
Leta Darnell had finally agreed to her parents wishes to join them in the Capitol lifestyle. Of course that didn't mean she was going to go into politics like the had groomed her to. No, she was perfectly happy working with the rune arrays that powered the world, ferreting out answers from the unknown and twisting reality itself to make the daily lives of the masses possible.
It was a hard field to get into, Rune technology, and even harder to stay in. The Rune Arrays powered whole cities, enabled the twisting of reality that kept the Windscape afloat, helped gather the strands of magic that flung themselves haphazardly across the world,and wove them into something usable by the common man. One couldn't make just one array ad be done with it either, as the flow of the world shifted, so too would the arrays, ruining all the fine detail work that went into ensuring a functioning system.
Of course, cities don't care that it takes time and energy to fix a misaligned array. They just want the power back on.
And Leta loved it.
The thrill of solving a puzzle so complex, in such a short amount of time, was fantastic. It gave her a high she couldn't get anywhere else. But before she could fiddle with the main array of the Capitol, she would have to work her way up from the smaller sectional arrays of the city. It was of course no mean feat to be chosen to work on any of the Capitols arrays at all, but it was no match for the thought of dealing with the ever shifting array located in the heart of the city.
For now though, she would get to know the ins and outs of the sector she was assigned to, to better factor in the puzzle pieces.
She would start with the entertainment division, a place filled with various leisure activities ranging from recreational parks to establishments that sold "glass thoughts".
As Leta wandered through the sector, jotting down notes in a rather thick tome, it was the sound of music, pure and sweet, that drew her attention away from the noise of the crowd, and the dynamics of their movement.
~~~~~
When the song at last ended, Wess pushed his chair back to stand. It was dark out, he noticed, and probably later than was entirely safe to go wandering this part of town at. And he had work... Perhaps he could stay until after most people would be leaving their own bars and favorite crawling places, but that would be several hours later than he was willing to get himself to sleep.
Wess was almost out the door when the band began to play another song, this one more sad and sweet. The melody was simple, and rose from the bar-provided piano like... like something lovely and bittersweet. And it stopped Wess, almost reluctantly, so that he found that he simply couldn't do anything but give in and lean against the rune-covered brick wall to listen, and to allow his heart strings to pluck out their own matching tune.
It wasn't long before a singer broke in, joining the melody with her soft lyrics. Wess recognized them almost immediately as an old folk song, one that his own mother had often hummed to herself when tending to her daily duties. And they were strangely matched by the new melody, and god if he couldn't just feel the embrace of the sweet past around him again. It was like a finely written history book.
So Wess didn't really notice when the stranger walked in, and thus didn't really see a reason to move the long, gangley leg that was blocking the entrance to the bar. He was only pulled out of his stupor-like state when she actually bumped into it, and then he made a noise somewhere between surprise and annoyance and jerked himself straight and out of her way, his pale eyes narrowed at her, just a bit, behind his squarish glasses.
~~~~~
Stumbling, Leta quickly readjusted her center of balance, taking a quick step back to look at the... obstruction.
"Well, what have we here? That's quite the glare you have on you. Shouldn't you know when its proper manners to say you're sorry?"
Leta matched his glare with one of her own, a small sneer distorting her features.
~~~~~
Wess allowed a huff of air to pass through his nose, in what was almost a snort. He would normally have had no trouble apologizing to the girl, as he was entirely aware that the stumble had been his fault, but she had also jerked him away from his music.
"I wear no glare," He told her, his cold, somewhat feminine voice carrying a tone of haughtiness. He wasn't lying, though; his eyes had returned to calm, and his features showed no real emotion. It was really more of a natural defense, his calm; he didn't like arguments or conflict, and the only way to avoid either was to abstain from expressing emotion. "you must be mistaken. And I do apologize. You do not need to anger so quickly." This last bit seemed to drop as something like an insult, which he felt it was. Anger was an ugly, brutish thing, worn by ugly, brutish people, whom he without variation despised.
~~~~~
Leta's sneer quickly changed to a smirk. So that was the kind of person he was..
"Oh, I see how it is. Tell me stranger, you remind me of something. Power enough to smash ships and crush roofs. Yet it still must fear the sun. What is it?"
~~~~~
Wess's lips turned downwards in a small frown at this sudden change of attitude. What was she playing at now? Why the riddle? She did seem rather intelligent, though... Perhaps he could humor her.
"Ice, of course," Wess answered without much hesitation and a sweep of his hand, as if to illustrate how obvious the riddle was. "and I will not argue you on that point. Uncreative, though."
~~~~~
Leta let out a small laugh. She smiled bright and quick, teeth glinting.
"Perhaps. But it fits, no? You... are as cold and alone as the far off arctic you so resemble."
~~~~~
Wess was surprised by her intuition, and more than a little uncomfortable, but the only sign of this was a quick flicker in his pale eyes.
"As I said, I will not argue you on that point." Was the only, simple answer he would give her. He didn't like the situation anymore, and the song was quickly ending. He had missed almost the entire thing...
~~~~~
A small gleam of victory flashed briefly in her eyes. She did so hate those who tried to act as though they were above her. It was an insult to her own pride, but it always made it sweeter when she hit the target.
"Oh, but that's no fun. Whatever, if you won't play then I won't make you."
If he wouldn't play, then she had no use for him. After all, what use was a toy that wouldn't play? There was no beauty or joy to be found in that. For now she was done, she had unraveled him just enough to see what she wanted. For the moment he was just another puzzle solved, no matter how intelligent he may be. Perhaps, at another time he would be more willing to play her games... She would leave him be, and continue her duties elsewhere.
Leta turned to head back through the door, flashing Wess a grin as she leaves.
~~~~~
Wess shook his head as she left and moved away from the door, baffled by her. While she had solved him, he had only just realized she was a puzzle at all, and was only beginning to figure out that she was one worth solving. When she left, though, he found himself almost tempted to stop or follow her... He was, indeed, intrigued.
Wess remained at the bar for only one more song before he left, and returned to his apartment in the nicer part of the city, only a quick commute by airboat from the spice factory.
He often liked to walk, though, as the Capital was such a beautiful city in the more wealthy places. The architecture was strong and graceful, and there was art everywhere... even strange, modern statues on the street caught Wess's eye, as one had now.
He was standing by a bench on the side of one of the wide pathways through the city, which was large, rounded on the back, and intricately engraved with scenes form Klohtia's past, when something new caught his eyes; a woman walking on the other side of the path. Her hair was black, and pulled mostly into a ponytail, her skin a dusky brown, and her eyes slanted, and colored a strange yellow.
She was the girl from only a couple night earlier, and she appeared not to have noticed him yet. A small smile tugged at Wess's lips, and he turned away from the beautiful bench to fall discreetly into step behind her.
Wess waited a moment when he had done so, then leaned forward so she might hear him better over the hustle and bustle of the city, and spoke.
"There is a man on a hill in Klohtia," he told her, the smile still tugging lightly at his lips, "but not a man on a hill."
~~~~~
Startled, Leta jumps a little before rapidly turning around to face Wess. She clutches a heavy tome in one hand and rod inscribed with glowing sigils in the other. Her eyes narrow slightly before lighting with recognition.
"Wait... What?"
Her forehead furrows in confusion briefly as she processes what Wess said, before smoothing out. A grin slowly stretches across her face as she realizes the meaning behind his words. What an interesting individual, to take her challenge and actually respond in kind...
"You're giving me a riddle? This should be interesting."
She would have to reexamine his words... "There is a man on a hill in Klohtia, but not a man on a hill." Interesting. Perhaps the answer was a woman? No that would be too obvious... Since there was no real question inherent in this riddle, perhaps the answer was not an answer at all? There simply wasn't enough information in that sentence for her to work with... It had been so long since something outside of work had actually challenged her, she had forgotten what it actually felt like!
"Am I allowed to ask questions?"
~~~~~
The smile broadened a bit across Wess's lips. He didn't say anything in response to her, but instead nodded slowly. He looked almost victorious, as if he was certain he'd managed to stump her entirely. Or... perhaps he was simply glad he'd managed to catch her attention.
Actually, it was a bit of both. She intrigued him, but he couldn't figure much out about her when she was the one instrumenting the game, and he was the one trying to win it. He knew she was intelligent, and that pleased him, but he wanted to know more. And what better way than to present her with a riddle? Not to mention one she was clearly having trouble solving, which he was most certainly enjoying. Maybe he would be able to get back at her for her earlier victory.
~~~~~
Her smile became slightly strained upon seeing the look in his eyes. So he had thought he had stumped her? Well, every puzzle needs some time to be solved, and she would certainty not lose to him!. Tucking her book under her arm, she made some quick adjustments to the inscribed rod she was holding, actually appearing to move the sigils stationed on its surface, until it seemed to resemble more of a pen than a rod of metal. Tucking the instrument behind her ear, she quickly flipped through her tome, showing brief glimpses of rune arrays that were shifting and turning as time passed, as well as pages filled with tin handwriting densely packed together, perhaps notes on said arrays? Coming to a blank page she quickly wrote out the following:
There is a man on a hill in Klohtia, but not a man on a hill.
Are questions allowed? Yes.
Turning her attention back to him, she spoke, "So how would you like to go about this? Should I screate a list of questions, or ask them one by one?"
~~~~~
No, and yes." Wess replied, sounding smug.
While she had shifted things around, though, Wess examined her book, hands clasped behind his back. So, she was a runer... He found this suiting. She seemed the type to fit the difficult job of constantly solving the puzzles of complex runes. He himself had dabbled in runing at Leckleston, but found that noting was what he was really suited for. A perfect combination of beauty and intelligence. But runing was difficult, and required quite a lot of intelligence, especially depending on the job. He might first have guessed at her's containing more building and shaping, the architectual things that held the city together and made it's tall buildings and interesting transportation possible. But he recognized some of the runes inside her book as ones for directing, generating, and transporting energy. She was a Rune Tech, which was one of the most prestigious and difficult jobs in the city.
Wess positively grinned. He liked this girl already, he thought, and it wasn't easy for him to like anyone. She was interesting, and clearly smart. far more worthy of his time and attention than the brutes of this city.
~~~~~
What. That didn't really answer her question... and he was grinning at her now? It looked good on him but... she quickly brushed such thoughts away, she had more important things to deal with than some boys expressions. Even if people didn't really smile around her... Think of the riddle!. Yes, the riddle... Quickly regulating her expression, she pondered his response.
He answered her questions strangely...Unless that was part of the riddle? Was it a rule riddle? Her eyes brightened at this thought and she turned her attention back to the book. As she wrote, she asked questions, marking his answers.
"Is the man on a hill in the Sealands?" "Is the man not on a hill in the Sealands?" "Is the man on a hill in the Windplains?" "Is the man not on a hill in the Windplains?" "Is the man on a hill in the Treescape?" "Is the man not on a hill in the Treescape?" "Is the man under a tree?" "Is the man not under a tree?"
~~~~~
Wess found her passion sort of amusing. She seemed so funny, with her jerking expression, and how intent and focused she appeared. If nothing else, she was driven. And it was, well, rather cute.
Not that he though she was cute. This thought, like her's, he quickly pushed form his mind. Perhaps she was smart, ingenious, even, but she wasn't cute. Hell, he didn't even know her name.
Instead he turned his mind to her sudden flurry of questions.
"No." "No." "No." "No." "Yes." "Yes." "Yes." "Yes."
He hoped this would throw her off, though he hadn't exactly instructed her to ask these questions. But so far, he had answered each of her question in a pattern aside from the one the riddle followed; An equal amount of 'no's before an equal amount of 'yes's.
~~~~~
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Post by NobleAlyssum on Feb 18, 2014 17:39:40 GMT -8
Ah, was that it? An equal number of yes and no answers? But something seemed off... What would happen if she had asked an odd number of questions? That answer would be too simple right? She began to pace as she rattled off a few more questions.
"Is the man a woman?" "Is the man not a woman?" "Does the tree have leaves?"
Forcibly stilling her feet, she stopped her pacing, reminding herself to kill that habit, she turned to look expectantly at Wess.
~~~~~
Wess is clearly pleased by this new change of questions. She wasn't pouncing on the first answer she came up with, but rather testing her theory. Very smart.
"No." "No." "No."
He answered, now sounding less smug and more pleased. He was certain she'd picked up on the earlier pattern.
~~~~~
So that wasn't it... She stared down at the page in her book, searching for a pattern.
Is the man on a hill in the Sealands? No Is the man not on a hill in the Sealands? No Is the man on a hill in the Windplains? No Is the man not on a hill in the Windplains? No Is the man on a hill in the Treescape? Yes Is the man not on a hill in the Treescape? Yes Is the man under a tree? Yes Is the man not under a tree? Yes Is the man a woman? No Is the man not a woman? No Does the tree have leaves? No
The questions really didn't have that much to do with each other, but the answer laid in his answers... Wait... perhaps the content didn't matter... What did all the answer he said no to have in common?
She pondered it for a bit, before reaching a conclusion. But she would need to test it with a few final questions.
"Is it yellow?" "Is it an apple?"
~~~~~
Now Wess wasn't too sure what she was playing at... Was she still confused? Or perhaps trying to formulate more theories before choosing an answer... Baffled, he answered the questions.
"No, and yes," He told her, his pale eyes flicking over her features for clues as to what she was doing, what she was thinking. But really, he was lousy at reading people, and this girl was no exemption from that.
~~~~~
She smirked then, a smug curve to her lips. She loved this feeling of accomplishment, it was so empowering.
"Just confirming it. It's a rule riddle right? And the rule is the answer is no when the questions ends on a consonant, and yes when it ends on a vowel."
Leta extended her hand then, her smile turning softer.
"My name is Leta Darnell. It is... a pleasure to meet you."
~~~~~
Wess grinned at that. So, she had figured it out! Incredible... He could get used to being around this girl, and very quickly. She wasn't bad.
"Wess Spingel," He answered, taking her hand and shaking is firmly, "and much the same to you."
~~~~~
He was interesting after all, she thought. What an interesting find in this city... She would have to keep a close eye on him. Perhaps, they could even be friends? Its not like many could actually deal with her brand of interaction. But he had taken their first encounter, and actually taken it as a challenge. She liked that in a person.
"I'm learning the layout of this division, as I am the new Rune tech for it. If you aren't busy... Would you mind showing me a place where one could find some good food?"
She wondered if he would take the invitation, as her interest in him seemed to be reciprocated.
~~~~~
He couldn't have hoped for a better offer. He wanted more time with her, now, to figure her out, and this would be a lovely opportunity.
"Of course," he answered, now turning away from her, "and some good music besides." He began leading her off in the direction of one of his favorite restaurants; it was a little shabby, not to mention small, but the food was good, the music was better, and it was clear that the architecture had once been beautiful as well.
~~~~~
She let him lead the way, following closely by his side. As they walked she began to fiddle with the sigils on her pen, changing it so that it morphed into a relatively large medal ring that she held in her hand. She held the ring loosely by her side, and with her movement it emitted small trails of light, that gradually shifted color to red.
"Hmm, this area needs to be recalibrated..." she muttered. Turning to look at Wess she asked him "What kind of food does this place serve?"
Up ahead she could see the hustle and bustle of several shops, some looking more worn down than others.
~~~~~
"Sealand food." He answered, trying not to stare at the ring. He found it intriguing, though it wasn't as if he hadn't seen the likes of it before; while Leckleston had only taught him how to read and write runes, he had seen the more advanced students carrying them around the Rune Technologies building from class to class. He'd never had the chance to see one work, though.
A moment later Wess's interests shifted from Leta and her ring to his own studies at Lackleston, then to the various songs he was composing for the sake of his own enjoyment and to see what sort of things he could transport, and as a couple of new ideas surfaced he found himself hurrying to pull a leather-bound notebook out of his shoulderbag to scratch them down. The paper was lined like a music sheet, and covered with neat music notes, many of which he'd scratched out and written little annotations next to in small, uniform handwriting.
~~~~~
Sealand food sounded delicious. Judging from the area they were in, it would be some of the more common food, or as she considered it, the more real food, than the like which she had been introduced to when she was young.
Watching as he pulled out a leather bound notebook, she smiled when she saw the music notes and detailed annotation. While Notists didn't work in as intensive a field as that of Rune Techs, nearly no one did, and being a Notist was definitely challenging. It seemed... fitting.
Waiting until he finished writing down his thought, she spoke, "At the sound of me, men may dream or stamp their feet. At the sound of me, women may laugh or sometimes weep. Music. Perhaps sometime I can listen to yours?" While music wasn't something she often focused on, it was beautiful, and beauty was always something to be appreciated.
They arrived in front of an arched doorway with white stone and darkened wood. From a window nearby wafted out delicious smells, enough to make the mouth water.
~~~~~
"Perhaps." Wess agreed, though he sounded even more pleased than before at this. She liked music... Which meant she must have an appreciation for beauty, and the fact that she actually wanted to hear his own was... well, he was finding that he liked this girl more the longer he spent around her.
Wess stopped at the door, and opened it for her, ever the gentleman. Usually he wouldn't be so keep to do something for another, but he enjoyed her, and found that he was much more eager to treat her kindly than he may otherwise have been.
When they entered, the place fairly assaulted them with rich, warm smell of cooking seafood, heavily spiced. Sealand food was known for it's exquisite balance of comfort and delicacy, as well as it's incredible assortment of spices, and this was exactly what the air smelled like. It sounded, too, like warm, delicate comfort; a band was playing old Sealandish folk songs, joyful but pretty, and they didn't sound bad doing it.
The hostess there seated them quickly, looking at Wess as if she knew something he didn't, and bent to take only Leta's order for a drink before she moved off again. Clearly, Wess came quite often.
~~~~~
Smiling brightly at him, she rested her chin on her hands. He was acting so much more sophisticated than their first meeting. It was a nice feeling, that someone might actually be capable of keeping up with her.
The atmosphere of the restaurant was lovely too, really brought the feeling of the open sea into this crowded city, and it wasn't like those puffed up excuses for dining that her mother and father frequented. After all, money did not mean quality, only expense. It was indicative of good taste that he brought her here, something she found so hard to find in another. He seemed worth spending her time on... And if he turned out to be, subpar, well, she could always remove herself and forget about him.
He, on the other hand seemed very interested, but she got the feeling that he tended to isolate himself. After all, he had reacted, however well he hid it, to her little jab when they first met. She of course, wouldn't do this all the time, but right now she would speak plainly.
"I believe that we must have gotten off on the wrong foot when we first met. I don't make it a habit to apologize for my tongue, but you have caught my interest, and as such I would like to offer the opportunity to start anew. There are so few in this world that can play may games, and even fewer that can actually win..."
She reached for the drink the waitress brought, taking a sip of the drink. Sweet.
~~~~~
Wess took a sip from his own drink, watching Leta as she spoke. He was actually a bit surprised at her suddenly straightforward way of speaking, but he found that it warmed him some. Did she really care so much what their relationship was like? At this point, they were no more than acquaintances. He was simply showing a stranger to a restaurant he frequented, helping a city newcomer get a feel for the better places in town.
But Leta cared. She actually cared what sort of relationship they had, and she cared to remove the bad parts, which must mean she intended to continue it, right? And she was complimenting him, too... She had even taken an interest in his music. The thoughts warmed him, and he found himself smiling at her again, without really intending to. Yes, he could get used to being around this girl. Perhaps they would even become good friends.
"I agree," He told her when she finished, nodding a little, "I was not exactly kind those nights ago. Perhaps we may disregard that meeting, and remember today's instead?" He like today's interaction, and he liked knowing that she was intelligent and interesting and capable. The last meeting had been cold and aloof, but this one felt warm and friendly.
The waitress returned after a while to take their orders, and this time she actually payed attention to what Wess wanted. Afterwards, she scurried away once more.
~~~~~
"Yes. I think I would like that very much."
They sat in companionable silence for a few moments before she spoke again. "I've already surmised that you're a Notist. It's an interesting occupation. Isn't it lovely how something as beautiful as music can move so much? Hearts, people, even objects. I've read that there used to be a time when music wasn't imbued with the same physical power it has now, and that people used to create music for nothing other than pleasure... Whats it like? Being able to fit together music to create change in the world around us?"
In truth, she just wanted to start him talking, to learn more, discover what made him tick... But music did interest her, as did his answers. Really, the idea of being able to fit together noises and string them together to create something beautiful was novel, almost like a puzzle. Yes, looking at it through that light, she would almost envy him being a Notist, if she weren't so satisfied with her own job.
~~~~~
Wess smiled wider at this. For one usually seeming so cold and emotionless, he now appeared almost overjoyed. The tension had gone out of his shoulders, and he practically louged in his chair, though he was leaning forward ever so slightly as if to get just a bit closer to Leta. His expression, too, was easy and happy, as if a laugh was only just below the surface. It looked sort of strange on him, for being one so usually aloof or distant, but not unpleasant.
"Being a notist is not so difficult as working in the rune industry, but it is pleasant." He replied, his tone warm and easy, "I indeed started creating music for pleasure, my piano being one of my favorite objects. It was not until Leckleston that I found that I had a passion for putting such talents to use, though I admit I was until my second year planning to focus on runing." He paused, allowing the waitress, who had now returned, to place his food in front of himself and Leta. When she left, he resumed speaking. "It is quite a fascinating industry, not only in that beauty may be used for something more physical and practical, but in the way that simple sounds may string themselves not only to spark emotions, but also to draw forth people and objects from so far away." Again he paused, this time to take and chew a bite of his baked fish, before continuing. "But I find it strange that intricate creation may only transport, and not in itself create or destroy. Are not the two tied together?" He let this idea settle while he took a second bite. "In every myth, every religion, creation and destruction are closely associated. Just as love and hate are both passionate feelings of their own kind, and thus not opposites but rather brothers, creation and destruction are necessary for one another. Transportation is a distant cousin; in terms of noting, it seems as if an object is created to that who the object appears to, and destroyed to that one sees the object go, but the object itself is neither created nor destroyed by the creation of music." Again, he paused for another bite, and his pale eyes scanned Leta's features for clues as to what she might be thinking. Not that he would really be capable of recognizing them if he did see any. "Though I hold a job transporting other workers, and I am content in my position in the world, I wish to pursue the idea of true creation and destruction of objects through noting. I believe it is possible, should the right song be found."
While Wess was usually not so chatty, as he found that most were either not worthy of his words, or didn't much care to hear them, he found it easy to speak of such things with Leta. Proof that he found her intelligent, and trusted her to understand and appreciate what he said.
~~~~~
As Wess finished speaking,Leta closed her eyes and nodded. His words were proof that he was searching for something more, and that he was intelligent, perhaps enough to equal herself? His ease and enjoyment of the topic of Notation was readily apparent, and actually pretty cute. He was less icy now, and seemed more open.
"An intriguing idea to be certain. A song of creation and destruction... Truly that would be a work of art... A worthy puzzle to solve indeed. I wonder..." Here she paused, tilting her head to the side as she turned over an idea in her head. " To create something from nothing would be impossible. But if one were to create something using the pieces of something else? That might work... Ah, but that would require an extremely large amount of energy to disassemble and reassemble... That seems more along the lines of runing... But runing doesn't exactly create or destroy thing itself, it's about the transfer of energy and the conversion. That's more in the field of Notation."
Leta's eyes gleamed with excitement and a grin stretched across her face as she thought of a new possibility. "Perhaps Notists do have the ability to create such a song, but not enough power to enact it? The current patterns and usual tunes won't do for such a song as the one you are thinking of... But perhaps, it might be possible with enough testing and the right instruments, they would have to be specially modified of course, and a combination of runic technology, one could actually make the songs of creation and destruction possible!"
It would be one of the ultimate riddles to solve! A master piece of complexity and beauty! Yes, already she could feel that familiar sensation of anticipation and adrenaline. This was something worth her time. Loath as she was to admit it any deficiencies in herself, her own knowledge of notation wouldn't be enough for this task. She needed someone else, a partner to make this happen, and Wess was that partner. She could feel it. Their combined passion and intelligence could make this a reality! But first...
"Wess, would you be willing to work with me to make this song of yours a reality?"
~~~~~
Wess grinned, too. She was thinking along the same lines as he had been with the assembly of particles, but he hadn't thought of adding runes to the process... and now she was asking to help him! He could see them working together on this project, and the idea excited him. Not only could they accomplish something incredible, but he could have more of a chance to be around her while doing it. He leaned a forward a little more, eager to continue the conversation.
"I would love to, of course." He replied, eyes wider and practically shining with excitement and joy behind his glasses, which he reached to pluck off his nose and polish with a cloth from his pocket while he next spoke. "I have considered the possibility of assembling particles from elsewhere, but this does require knowing exactly where each particle is. I do admit I have not thought of adding runes, though... perhaps, if runes were to be added to the instrument, it could increase the power of the notes, and broaden the area in which particles may be found." His fingers quickened on the lenses of his glasses, "If an entire area could be searched, rather than an exact location already found, perhaps it would make the creation of objects easier, and the song shorter and less complex. It may even render most of the Finding portion of the song obsolete."
~~~~~
"Right! The song is already going to be very complex by itself, so any simplifications we can make would be good. Let me think...Probably, the song would have to change based on section, and would need to reference the area rune of the location of the song, so we would probably need a fixed set location in order to play the song. There would need to be an interchangeable pattern for the runes. Considering the nature of runic energy, the area rune will shift quite a bit over time, but since an instrument cant really have its parts being changed all the time, most of the pattern will have to be static. That in of itself will be incredibly difficult... but I'm certain I can do it with your help."
She smiled at him before blushing slightly when she realized how energetic she had become. "A-Ah. Sorry. I get a little over excited when it comes to solving riddles and puzzles." She really wasn't used to talking this much to a person without trying to confuse them, misdirect them, or just plain irritate them.
~~~~~
Wess's grin widened at this, though his own cheeks, too, were heating up some and giving his cold complexion some warmth. He couldn't guard against the thought anymore- she was cute, and he was going to have to deal with it. Perhaps, eventually, enjoy it.
Perhaps.
"No need to apologize," He told her, "I understand. But perhaps we can save some of this conversation for later?" He did want to save it for another time, to give them something more to talk about, and sounded hopeful. "You mentioned that you would like to hear my music; I do happen to be playing at the Silver Hoof this Saturday, if you would like to attend." He tried to keep his voice light, in order to seem as if he wasn't actually asking her on a date. Which he wasn't; he really just wanted to meet up with her, as friends. He enjoyed her company.
~~~~~
"Certainly. It would be my pleasure."
And it would be. She knew how to appreciate music, and she was really beginning to appreciate him as well...
After they had both finished their meals and paid, they walked outside of the restaurant. Looking up at the rapidly darkening sky Leta shivered slightly. She did not relish the prospect of being out in the dark in a still unfamiliar city. Of course she could handle herself, but that didn't mean she was going to go searching for a fight. Of course, the small patches of burning sky that could be seen were quite lovely...
"Cannot be seen, cannot be felt, cannot be heard, cannot be smelt. It lies behind the stars and beneath the hills. Ends life and kills laughter. What is it? The dark." She sighed deeply. "Not exactly the safest of things, is it?"
~~~~~
"No, but the dark itself is not the problem." Wess commented, frowning a bit now. "Glass Thinkers are to this city as rats are to any other." He paused a moment, following her gaze to the sky. "Would you like me to accompany you home?" The offer was sudden, as if the thought had only just occurred to him, but he had been thinking on it for a while. He did want to be able to remain in her presence a little longer... "I may not be an able fighter, and I carry no weapon, but intoxicated brutes tend to wish less to approach men than women." His smile returned, "If not a guard in fighting, then a guard in appearances."
He stepped towards her suddenly, though more beside her than into her, as the door they had just exited through opened so a rather large, burly man could stumble into the street. He was clearly fogged up, though from Glass Thoughts or alcohol it was hard to tell, as he was humming joyfully one of the folk songs the band had been playing. Wess eyed him with irritation, but quickly composed himself and turned to Leta again, his expression free of any emotion. Agitated, he removed his glasses again and polished them absentmindedly.
~~~~~
Leta's eyes softened as he stepped closer to her. "That would be very kind of you. Truly, it is rare that I can find a gentleman such as yourself amongst the masses." If he wanted to play her knight, who was she to refuse? It was rather charming, and after all, the longer they were together the safer the both of them would be. This way had the added bonus of avoiding the unwanted attention she would attract if alone.
"It does seem as though Glass Thoughts are more common here in the Captitol than in the other cities I've traveled to..." She stepped even closer to Wess, hooking her arm into his with a sly smile. "So I thank you for the offer."
With any luck the fogged up man would be a cheerful drunkard.
~~~~~
Wess's face heated up when she slipped her arm into his, and he clumsily shoved his glasses back on his nose and the cloth into his pocket, hands shaking a bit. What was this about? Was she trying to joke with him?
Trying to force an easy smile onto his features, which were steadily growing more red, he nodded and began walking forwards. "Of course," He replied, "It is only the polite thing to do."
Alright, the walking was probably a bad idea. He hadn't the faintest idea where she lived, and he could very likely be taking her in the wrong direction. So a few steps later he stopped, and turned a bit to look at her. "Where, exactly, do you live?" He asked, suddenly struggling to sound normal. Maybe it would have been better if he had left her to return home on her own...
~~~~~
Her smile turned into a smirk when she noticed his reddening features. To be fair, this was a rather forward move on her part, but it was easier to do when you had the element of surprise. The way he fiddled with his glasses was honestly kind of adorable. Regardless, if he was going to spend time with her he would need to learn how to deal with her affection... But maybe it would be more amusing if he didn't?
"I live in the northern part of the sector, along the water way. It shouldn't be too far of a walk..."
She began to lead the way, her arm still intertwined with his before he had the chance to pull away. She wouldn't let him get away that easily. After all, there was no reason for his discomfort, it was just a pleasant stroll to her house, wasn't it?
~~~~~
Wess nodded and followed easily, a little bit upset that he couldn't get away.
A little bit.
He didn't mind her company, or really her touch, but it made him... embarrassed. Perhaps shy. He wasn't really sure what, or really why, but it put him out of his comfort zone and he wasn't all too fond of the feeling.
After a few long moments, Wess fell into deeper though, and his free hand tapped absently against his leg. He had relaxed, but he appeared somewhere far away, and his fingers drummed out a small, thoughtless rhythm on his jeans as he drifted.
~~~~~
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Post by NobleAlyssum on Feb 18, 2014 17:40:22 GMT -8
As they continued along the streets they eventually came to a lane lined with some rather posh looking homes on one side, and sparkling water on the other. The last dying flames of the sun in the sky painted the water a glimmering orange, reflecting dazzling light patterns onto the faces of the homes.
Slowly they made their way to one house in particular. If one cared to look through the large window at the front of the house one would see billowing cream curtains, a polished light wood floor, and just barely visible was te edge of a counter that would lead to the kitchen.
Leta released Wess' arm at the foot of the stairs, turning to face him directly. She was smiling faintly, without malice.
"Thank you for walking me home. Feel free to come by any time if you need me. I'll be looking forward to hearing your music at the Silver Hoof. Before we part our ways, I'll ask you this... High born, my touch is gentle, purest white is my lace; silence is my kingdom, green is the color of my death. What am I?"
~~~~~
Wess pulled himself out of his thoughts as he realized their walk was coming to an end, and found himself much more at ease with her arm in his. He was even somewhat surprised to find that the removal of her touch left him disappointed, and... something else something he couldn't quite pin down, but that held the faintest touches of longing.
"Of course, it was a pleasure." He replied, then, "Do I really appear so cold to you? The answer is snow." He wasn't really sure if she was intending to be cruel with her implications, and it unsettled him. He knew he was cold, and haughty, and he could appear cruel or emotionless at times. But he didn't want to seem so to her.
~~~~~
"You seem... distant. But lovely in a certain way. Like snow. I've always liked the snow."
Her smile was meant to be reassuring, and she hoped that he would get the message. She liked him, she really did. He wasn't as aloof as he first seemed, and she admired his mind. She sighed then, before speaking. "I am not trying to be cruel, and for most people I would speak in my normal manner. I would have left you to ponder my meaning on your own... But I find you fascinating, and I will continue to search you out, until I understand you and know you as well as I know myself." She grinned, teeth bared, "And I will figure you out Wess. Even if I will confuse and irritate and get under your skin."
She turned away then, heading for the door of her home. As she opened it, she looked back towards Wess. "I look forward to our next meeting Wess."
~~~~~
Wess couldn't help but smile at that. It was certainly better than nothing... much, much better. She seemed to like him, and he couldn't have asked for more.
"As do I." He answered her, still smiling. He would even call himself elated, or overjoyed at the idea of her finding him pleasant. He wasn't sure why, but there it was.
Wess turned and left only after she had shut the door, and carried on the long walk home, whistling a bit to himself every now and then. He even caught himself humming a few times.
Actually, he found it difficult to keep Leta off his mind the next few days, and when Saturday finally rolled around he hurried about his house most of the day, trying to find things to occupy his mind. Much of that time he even spent practicing the songs he planned to play, and stopping to write down some ideas he'd had about the Creation project.
But at last, Wess was off to the Silver Hoof, drumming his fingers against the leather-bound notebook he held clasped to his chest all the way, lost deep in thought.
~~~~~
Leta occupied her next few days by actually tinkering with the rune array of the sector. There had been an unforeseen energy shift that had to be cleaned up fast before power faded. Still, she managed to fix it and still have time to prepare for Wess' music performance. A quick twist in her hair, and she had an elegant if messy updo, complimented by a simple red gown and black jacket. She found it mildly irritating that she actually cared to change her appearance, and being cognizant of the reason behind discomfited her.
Stepping outside she headed down a series of twists and turns before finally coming to the front of a building that seemed to exude an air of warmth. It didn't look much music venues she was used to, but that was a good thing. All her life she had been surrounded by 'beautiful' things, but they had no life in them. They were lifeless and ugly to her.
Stepping into the venue, she was hit by a wave of noise. In the background cheerful music played, and the chatter of voices filled the air in a low buzz. She wondered if she would see Wess before he began to play?
~~~~~
Wess hadn't begun to play, and was instead leaning against the bar, scanning the room for some time of mood he could play on. Or at least, that was what he told himself, and used to push thoughts of Leta out of his head.
When he saw her enter, though, the frown disappeared and he hurried over to her. It was clear he was nervous from the way his eyes still flitted about the room, and his shoulders seemed tense beneath his black coat and white button-up shirt, but he managed to smile at her and keep his expression mostly on of relaxation.
"You came." He observed when he got within earshot of her, clearly pleased. He wouldn't have been nervous, either, but he wanted now to show her he wasn't entirely inept. He, quite frankly, wanted to impress her.
Still seeming sort of shaky, Wess guided her to a table near the front of the room, where the current band played, explaining along the way that he still had about ten or fifteen minutes until he had to get up on stage. Or, rather, that was what he estimated, because it was really just until the band finished it's set, and he gathered from the change of tune in their music that they were almost done, and ready to pass the stage to him.
He turned out to have estimated incorrectly, because it was only just as Wess had finished explaining all of this to Leta that a short, stout man hurried over to let him know that he needed to go get up on stage because the band was finished playing.
So Wess hurried away with him, and went to find the piano he would roll out when the band finished cleaning up their instruments with only a brief, sidetracked apology to Leta.
~~~~~
Settling in at the table, Leta began to wait for the music to start. Pondering on the man himself, she thought that he had seemed rather nervous. She hoped it didn't interfere with his performance. Since he didn't seem the type to be nervous about his own skills, there had to be another reason for his anxiety... Namely herself. She wasn't sure exactly why she caused this degree of anxiety within him, but it seemed the only logical conclusion. It was quite flattering really, but she would have to be careful and make more of an effort to keep him relaxed around her. After all, it wouldn't be easy having him skittering about when they worked together.
Leta's attention returned to the stage as the current band began to vacate the stage.
~~~~~
Wess rolled the bar's piano onto the stage with the help of the man from before, and sat down. The room hadn't taken notice of him, and they chattered away, but this wasn't wholly unusual and Wess didn't seem to mind. Though, he never really seemed to mind, unless one knew him well... He did appear rather stiff. At least his nervousness seemed mostly gone.
Wess took a moment to set his notebook before him, evidently preparing a song of his own to play. And then he started, the melody soft and slow, and soon the room took the hint and quieted some so that those willing to listen could hear.
He played around a dozen songs, most of which were his own, and all of which were more melancholy than the band before him had played. but they were beautiful, regardless, and held a complexity to them that made it clear that Wess was skilled.
He sang only one song, though; it was lighter than the others, and the tune repeated and halted in an almost hypnotic way. His voice, too, was clear and sweet, if higher than most men's voices were...
"As I sit upon my stool, weaving tapestries from melodies, I do bring you, my friends, a little riddle.
As my fingers pluck the chords, like strings of these tapestries, I do present to you, a little riddle.
In the dark night flies, A many-headed phantom, it soars and spreads it's wings, Above the gloomy human crowds. The whole world does call to it, The whole world does implore it, But at dawn the phantom vanishes, To be reborn in every heart, To be reborn again at night."
He went on with a few more riddles before he ended the song, every so often repeating the first or second verse as a sort of chorus.
The Wess was finished, and he stood again to a couple of claps or hoots from appreciative listeners in the room, and then walked off the stage to let the actual staff roll the piano away again. Looking nervous again, Wess returned to Leta at her table.
~~~~~
Leta felt herself begin to relax as she listened to the sounds of Wess' music. She had known he was a musician, and as a Notist it was obvious that he had to have a great deal of skill. She didn't expect his music to be as lovely as it was though. It felt fresh and sweet, unlike the same overplayed songs most musicians performed. Had he composed this himself? It seemed as though this was the most likely case. But apart from his skill with the piano, what really shocked her was his voice. The only word she could think to describe it was... pure. She had come here expecting an instrumental piece, so the song was more than a pleasant surprise.
She wasn't sure what to make of the verses though. They were certainly lovely, but it felt that... they were made with her in mind... She was drawn out of he reverie when Wess sat down at her table. Regardless of her thoughts, the music was lovely and it had been well worth her time to come here. That riddle he sang of was quite clever too.
"Hello again. That song was quite beautiful, you have a quite the way with your chosen art. That riddle... The answer is dreams, correct?"
~~~~~
Wess sat before her, a smile back on his face again. Though he did feel far less nervous, there was still a shakiness that gripped him, and he suddenly regretted the riddle song, wished she hadn't noticed it. It wasn't exactly blunt, really, but it was still incredibly obvious that he had written it for her. Or at least, it was to him.
"Yes," He replied with a nod, "And the others were stars, night, darkness, ice, and warmth. Thank you."
He smiled a little wider, but the expression was betrayed by that same nervousness in his eyes. Quickly, though, he turned them away again and busied himself with his glasses.
~~~~~
Should she ask? She had wanted to make him more comfortable around her... But the truth was, with most people she went out of her way to put them on edge. This was a situation unfamiliar to her, and it made her anxious. She hated it. She was supposed to be confident, and knowing, someone who never had to second guess their actions, certain that they were right. She felt no shame in admitting that she was prideful, but this man was making her change her behavior. Leta was supposed to be in control, untouched by the actions of others... It made her worry.
But she would have to worry later, he was still in front of her, probably waiting for a response of some kind. She composed herself before he could take too much notice.
"You have a lovely voice. It's... soothing. I'm glad you invited me here, its a different experience than what I'm used to."
~~~~~
Wess seemed to relax a bit at that, glad she wasn't bringing up the song itself anymore. But the risk wasn't really yet gone.
He managed a more real smile at her this time, and his eyes drew back up to her's. "Thank you, and it is my pleasure. It is not often that I allow lyrics to accompany my music, and I am glad you think it sounds good."
Wess glanced behind him at the bar, then back at her. He was definitely tempted to get himself something... Perhaps Leta would want something to drink as well.
Without waiting long for her to reply, Wess began to stand. "I am going to get something to drink. Would you like anything? My treat."
~~~~~
She smiled at that, sensing she had been able to put him more at ease around her. So far, things between them seemed to be going well. As for his offer of a drink, well, she didn't usually drink, but he was paying...
"Certainly. Thank you for the offer. Something light, please?"
~~~~~
Wess nodded in response and went off to weave through the crowd for something to drink. He wasn't really much of a drinker, but every once in a while, it wasn't so bad.
He returned a little while later with a couple of drinks in hand, and gave one to Leta as he sat himself back in his chair.
"Alright," He said, "Enough of my music. What is being a Rune Tech like?" He asked, "I studied runing briefly at Leckleston, but I did not learn as much as any of the more advanced students. What is it like, working on the city as you do?"
~~~~~
Taking a small sip of her drink, Leta thought for a moment and gathered her thoughts.
"To work as a Rune Tech, you must be willing to attempt to solve an ever shifting equation, with an answer that is constantly in flux. The day to day job requires one to learn the layout of the area the rune array corresponds to, and in this city, that can change daily. I have to conduct a variety of tests to gather enough data about the area in order to do the real part of my job. As you already know, our world is one of eternally churning energy. Life as we know it in such large congregations of people simply could not survive. The world is too unstable for that. But Rune Arrays create an 'effect field', and are commonly used to create fields of energy regulation and stability. But you can't just make an array and be done. They need constant maintenance and recalibration to keep those effects going. Its certainly much simpler in smaller settlements, where there are less variables, but here in the Capitol, there are so many different people that the energy here has become chaotic. It isn't as commonly known that we ourselves distort the energy fields. The larger the congregation, the greater the disruption." She paused, taking a small breath before continuing. It was rare she had such a willing audience, and she wanted to make sure he was interested. "The wind, the water, the weather, all of these cause disruptions as well. Some are less noticeable than others, but when combined together... A man of intelligence such as yourself can understand can't you? The lines of energy that fall across our world, and the nature of our interaction with said world, has created an incredibly vast number of variables, and all of these must be taken into account when constructing an array."
She spoke clearly and with conviction, sure in her own knowledge and words. "The array itself taps into the energy of the world, and even the smallest of interactions can cause great change. It takes a great deal of knowledge to be able to predict what moving even one rune will do, thus the reason behind my constant trips around the sector to gather data. Relying on intuition alone will end up ruining a rune array if you make a mistake, and when so many people rely on the array to create the fields of stability, you can't afford to make mistakes. It is a complicated puzzle, and i relish the chance to interact with the arrays the most out of all the tasks required by my job." Her words had begun to form a rhythm, and so when they suddenly stopped it was a little jarring.
"Yet, do not make the mistake of thinking that I do this job to benefit others. While I'm certain that is enough reason to motivate many of my colleagues, it is not enough for me. This city... To be truthful, I care not about why it exists, or for whom. I only care about how it exists. It is for this reason I became a Rune Tech, to gain access to the most complicated array system in our world. You see, the thing I enjoy most in life... Is a challenging puzzle. It is why I love this job as much as I do."
~~~~~
Wess couldn't help the smile on his face as he listened, sipping occasionally at his drink. Usually, he was incredibly cold and unsociable, as Leta had guessed. But her words, her obvious passion, drive, and intelligence, brought a warmth to his core that he hadn't felt anywhere but in his mother's arms.
Not that this was anything like that. No, there was a fluttering, shaky nervousness sewn into this warmth, which was entirely unfamiliar to him. A kind of... pleasant jitter. And he wasn't too keen on pushing those thoughts away anymore, either. He had accepted a while ago that these feelings were going to surface around Leta, though perhaps not in such a large volume until now. But regardless, he acknowledged them, and tried halfheartedly to work them out of their strange tangle while she spoke.
He was still listening, though, and listening well. His eyes were on her's, though they flitted away every now and then in an attempt to make it appear as if he wasn't staring, and he nodded every now and then to show her he really was soaking in her words.
When it was clear Leta was done, Wess sat up a bit in his chair and took another sip at his drink before turning another smile on her. "It is clear you love what you do, and a good thing, too. Rune technology is a complex and difficult art, certainly the most difficult of the three. It is lovely to know that there are some out there who enjoy doing it for the sake of the practice, and to know that there is at least one who enjoys challenging her intellect for a living."
~~~~~
At his smile and words, Leta felt her face warm slightly. "A-Ah, yes." He really did look nice when he smiled..."Without passion, there is no point in doing something. You can never create anything truly beautiful if you don't care for it. I think, that's why I find your music to be so lovely, I can tell you care about it." What was she doing, gushing out praise for him? This was embarrassing... But also invigorating in a way? Her family had always wanted her to follow the path they had set for her, and had never appreciated her own passions and intelligence. So to have someone not only willing to listen to her, but admire her passions. It was an odd feeling, but not unpleasant. But talking about herself felt like it was a dangerous topic. Their research would be a much safer topic to pursue.
"Speaking of your music... I have a few theories on how to most efficiently create what we previously discussed, if you would like to hear them? We should also set up another time to meet so we can begin work. I really look forward to working with you. You're different from the dull masses that inhabit this city."He really was different from the rest of the people she had known throughout her life. She found that she actually enjoyed his company. She was beginning to really hope that they could be good friends, and connect on more than just a working level.
~~~~~
Wess was rather blind to how flustered Leta was, but his smile widened and his expression softened with her words. He couldn't help but feel something like giddiness every time she showed her intellect in another way, or her appreciation for his music, for beauty, for art... It was wonderful.
He wasn't exactly sure, though, how he was supposed to go about expressing that. He had accepted that he was going to feel those things, but was that something he should be showing? Should he let her know, somehow, and if so, how? He knew he had these emotions, but he really wasn't sure what to do with them. Where to put them, or why, or... any of those things, which usually seemed incredibly frivolous, but which he could now see were only too vital.
He couldn't help but wonder how much easier this all would have been, had it been like his books. If he was really Wesley, and if she was Buttercup, and he could feel things for her for no reason more than he felt things fro her, and if she wasn't an intelligent, appreciative, passionate person instead of an uncreative idiot with a pretty face. Of course, he knew the problem with that, though.
But all of these thoughts were beginning to stress him out to a very obvious degree, so he attempted to push them back again while he nodded to respond to her. Ah, yes. The present. That still existed.
"Thank you," He replied, trying to sound smooth and gracious, though it came out a bit small and uncertain. "And of course. Considering my piano happens to be at my house, perhaps we may work there? I am available after six in the evening on weekdays, and as long as you may need me on weekends."
~~~~~
"That sounds reasonable. Perhaps it would be best if we spend our time together on the weekends, that way we can focus more of our energy on the research."
It was a practical arrangement, one that would better suit the both of them. While it was tempting to offer to spend time together during the week, it was probably best if they were to work when energized. Slowly, Leta stood up from the table. "I think it best, if I were to head home soon, as much as I enjoy your company." Smiling she offered her arm, a silent invitation to accompany her on her walk.
~~~~~
Wess agreed, and took Leta's arm with just a bit more enthusiasm than he normally would have. He still appeared, though, rather stiff.
As was usual for him, Wess was almost entirely silent on the way to Leta's house, lost in thought and tapping his fingers to some strange tune. The rhythm of his thoughts, almost...
He gave her his address, written in his small, neat handwriting on a slip of paper, before departing again to his own home. For all of his nervousness, Wess had something like a spring in his step on his way back home.
The following weekend, the two began their work.
It was nicer than Wess thought, working with Leta. They swapped stories and histories as they worked until it seemed like the two weren't strangers at all, but had known each other for years. And Wess, at least, felt the jittery warmth that still gripped his core grow during these times, as if fed by the casual interactions and shared work.
It was indescribable, really, being able to feel so close to Leta after so little time. She was incredibly intelligent, and a fair match for Wess's own brain; and she was as passionate about her job as he was his music in general, and she certainly showed an appreciation for that beauty. All qualities he much admired, and all qualities he had a hard time not noticing and smiling at and just... just... he didn't know what, but there was more he wanted to do. Soak in her presence, pour over her thoughts until he knew her better than himself, or simply be around her. Just close to her.
After a few weeks, the two had the beginnings of a rune array laid out on Wess's desk, and he felt entirely satisfied with their work so far. He was eager to do more, though, and sometimes he would wake at night to pour over their notes again and again, and mark down changes and improvements for the next time Leta might arrive.
Wess had also stopped being able to handle that growing warmth on his own. He didn't have anyone to share this with but his mother, who had trouble communicating with him and would often take several days to get a letter back to him from the Treescape land below the island, and Leta herself. He was trying with his mother, but it was taking too long. She was too far away.
One night, a month into their work, Wess found himself incapable of sleeping. Thoughts raced through his mind faster than he could remember them, and faster than he could pick one up to focus on it, so at last he stood to wander about his apartment for a while before sitting on the couch in the livingroom. After a long, long while, the thoughts settled on Leta.
He decided after an hour of pondering that he couldn't keep it in anymore, and that he needed to somehow so... do /something/. He needed to fix it all, because it was growing difficult.
Wess picked a pen and a pad of paper off of his coffee table, and began to scribble something down.
It took a few tries, but at last he figured something out, and he folded the note and tied a robe around his waist, and trod out into the cold night air.
Leta's house was only a twenty minute walk from his, and he found it easily. Feeling much like he imagined a harp's string feels after being aggressively plucked, Wess trod carefully to her doorstep, and dropped the note there. He scurried off again before he was certain she might possibly notice or catch him, and was quickly on his way home again.
Halfway to his apartment, though, it began to rain. Wess glanced up at the sky with something between gratitude and frustration, and quickened his pace home. The note, he knew, would dissolve in the rain.
~~~~~
It was early morning when Leta woke up, at a time when most people were still asleep. She slowly made her way through her morning routine, eventually stumbling down the stairs as she made her way to the kitchen. Yawning, she poured herself a tall cup of coffee, made plain. Wandering into the main room of her home, she stared blankly out the large window that took up most of her front wall, vaguely registering the darkened skies over the city. Slowly she became more aware as the caffeine did its work, and she remembered her little project.
This past month, she had been having a lovely time, one of the most invigorating that she had experienced. She had never really gotten the chance to work with someone else on equal footing before now, and she had grown very fond of Wess in their time together. Privately she had been copying over some of the research they had conducted into small leather bound journals. Today she would finish up the last few entries and then bring them over to Wess' home.
Stretching briefly, and much more alert Leta made her way back down this floors hallway into her workspace, and to the stack of unfinished books on her desk. Though they did meet on the weekends, Leta had gotten into the habit of doing smaller experiments in her time after work, and she wanted to compile that information so that Wess could access it too. Sitting down, she pulled into view her stack of notes from her drawer desk, and began to inscribe in the books various entries.
Inside the first set of journals, she covered the effects of song strings and corresponding rune effects, and the majority of the pages were filled with charts showing music and analysis of what happens when played. The second pair of journals covered materials and the various results they recorded in regards to energy flow conduction. Different types of piano wire, key and body materials... All her were discussed and given a thorough analysis of pros and cons. The third contained complicated diagrams and explanations about possible rune arrays, as well as the layout of their current array, and a fourth pair of journals was saved for further documentation of the array. Yet another was filled with designs for various instruments, their auditory properties and materials, as well as possible ways to connect the power of the rune array to the Notation. She filled a few pages with her thoughts on constructing an instrument with its own rune array, one that was interchangeable.
It took her quite a few hours, and her hand was cramped by the end, but she was certainly satisfied with the end result. Having all the puzzle pieces actually available made it much easier to try and solve. It was a good thing she had gotten up as early as she did, because it was now midday and she really wanted to be able to show Wess the work she had done.
After she had packed everything neatly away into her bag, Leta stepped out onto her doorstep. As she was locking the door behind her she noticed what appeared to be the remains of a sheet of paper near her door. Reaching down, she picked it up to try and examine it, but whatever had been written on it had run and bled over the paper in the days early rain making it unreadable. She wondered what it was, maybe a handwritten flyer? She hoped it wasn't anything important, as she hated not knowing when something was going on. While it was a puzzle she didn't really have enough pieces to solve it, and she was more interested in seeing Wess today anyways.
She discarded the ruined note, and began to make her way through the city and towards Wess' home. Reaching the building where he lived she rang the door bell, and then began to wait.
~~~~~
Wess had fallen asleep after returning home that night, though it hadn't been very good sleep, and when he woke again in the early morning he still felt busy and conflicted. His mind was racing again, his body aching to do something, but now it was about the note.
It would have been destroyed, totally unreadable, and he wasn't sure if he was glad for that or not. He knew now what he wanted to say to Leta, and he knew that he wanted to say it, but that didn't necessarily make it a good idea. He still wasn't sure how she would react to it, if it would somehow uproot their entire relationship, or... or what. And being around her, even with such a burden, was better than not being around her at all. Surely, she didn't feel the same way. Surely. She couldn't, because she was Leta, and she was incredible. Her intelligence rivaled his, and she appreciated, and she saw beauty, and she was passionate, and she... Well, this was strange. He actually felt inferior to this girl. Or... no, that wasn't it. He admired her. He admired her, and that hadn't happened throughout the course of his entire life, he was certain.
This set a small frown over Wess's lips as he went about his morning, showering and dressing himself and all of that. In an attempt to distract himself from the knowledge that Leta would be arriving soon and... all of that other stuff, Wess went through the notes again. Or, at least, he tried to.
When Leta rang the doorbell, Wess practically leaped out of his chair to open it for her, grabbing the hormone pills and vitamins he'd forgotten to take that morning on his way. He was trying to swallow them all when he pulled the door open.
~~~~~
Seeing Wess look so stressed was such a surprise that Leta almost didn't react when he opened the door. Still, she had her manners and gave him a warm smile.
"Hello Wess. Its good to see you again. I brought something for you..."
She stepped inside the house, hiding her concern. Something was clearly troubling her friend, and as much as she wanted to help, she couldn't fathom what it was that was causing him distress. If there was some woman causing him distress, well... She knew just how to take care of that. She hated when other people tried to get close to what was hers, and Wess had become her most dear friend this past month. She hated feeling so possessive, but had come to terms with the fact that she actually cared about Wess, what he thought, what he felt, how he viewed her... He was important to her, and she'd be damned if she let anyone mess with him. Leta worried though, that if Wess ever found out how stronly she felt, he might turn away from her. It had become one of the things she feared most in this world.
However she still had to show him what she had been working on, and quickly pulled herself from her thoughts. She pulled out a stack of leather bound journals and set them on the nearest flat surface. "I've compiled a few journals documenting our research, as well as a few of my thoughts on our work in these journals. I thought you might like to have them." Turning away, she looked for the nearest bookcase that she knew had to be around here somewhere...
She picked up a few of the journals and headed over to the bookcase she had finally spotted. As she slid the journals into place between a variety of books, something caught her eye. Was that... what she thought it was?
~~~~~
Wess closed the door behind her and stayed there as she moved about, watching her.
"Nice to see you, too." He replied, moving forward now to see what she was putting away. "That is quite a lot. Have you been working on these all month?" He asked idly, Trying to peer at them around her. What was she looking at, now? This was the bookshelf with his less serious reads, the things without so much sophistication and advanced writing. His favorite books.
~~~~~
"Yes, after each of our times spent together, I wanted to organize my thoughts more coherently, and as such made sets of journals, one for each of us."
She pulled out the book she had been eying, and smiled. "I didn't know you liked The Princess Bride, Wess. It's a lovely book." She began to slowly flip through the pages. Its in my own personal collection back home in fact. I have a soft spot for books of this nature." It was true. The nature of romance was intriguing and beautiful in its own way. Yet another riddle to solve, that of the heart...
~~~~~
Wess grinned at that, the way he did whenever she, or something else (though more often than not it was her) pleased him. Then he turned his eyes away, trying to hide the sudden heating of his face.
"It is my favorite novel." He replied, his voice a bit more quiet, now. "I picked my name from it."
He felt regret creep up on him with more force than it had before. Perhaps that was too much... He wasn't exactly insecure about his own gender, or unsure, but even now it turned some away. Would it turn Leta away, too? She clearly wasn't from the more accepting Capital, but she didn't seem like such a fact would upset her... Still, he had his worries.
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Post by NobleAlyssum on Feb 18, 2014 17:40:54 GMT -8
He picked his name? What did that mean? Was he... Oh. Did his original name not suit his identity? She had never really encountered this sort of thing before.
"You picked your name. That's interesting. Does this mean you are transgender, or that you simply didn't like your original name? I suppose it doesn't really matter." Turning to face him, she picked out the glimmer of nervousness in his eyes. She would have to remedy that. "You're still you. Still Wess."
~~~~~
That did relax Wess some, and he nodded in response. "My original name was Wendy." He told her, trying now to sooth the beating of his heart. A somewhat faltering smile lifted the corners of his lips. "Not much of a Peter Pan fan."
He was truly grateful, though, that she appeared so unfazed. Not even struggling to accept, like his mother was, but she seemed completely calm about the whole situation.
~~~~~
"Gender does not matter to me Wess. I am content with you being you." She smiled at him softly, before switching her mind ack over to work.
"I was thinking about something, and was wondering about your thoughts on it. You see, what if we had the final rune array become an intrinsic part of the instrument. We've done some research on materials and how they interact with energy, so I think if we got a hold of the parts we needed, we could probably play the song on it. Speaking of which, how is that going? I know it's tough work, but is there anything I can do to help?"
~~~~~
Wess managed to return the smile with a small one of his own, and nodded before he followed her into a more business-like manner.
"The song relies heavily on the runes. I have almost caught up in that sense with what you have now, but of course, I can only do so much, and what we have is vague, so only the structure is truly something I may construct, now." He turned his gaze briefly toward the kitchen with the sudden realization that he was hungry, and should probably feed himself something. "Would you like anything to eat?"
~~~~~
"A bit, I haven't really eaten much since this morning." Leta walked over to where they had the beginnings of a rune array drawnout and began to shuffle her notes. "We should consider getting some official backing for our work. It would be dangerous to activate the array without proper procedure..."Research was considered fine, but activating an untested array was completely illegal. And with the work they were doing, it would be nice to get some backing behind it.
"If needed, I have... contacts in the nobility who would probably be interested in our work." She would have to be careful though, she didn't want her parents getting involved. They would question and prod and try and control, and make it into a battle to get her to be what they wanted again.
~~~~~
Wess walked into the kitchen, separated from the rest of the house by a low bar, and began searching for food while she spoke.
"It could be helpful," He agreed, but there was a note of dismay in his tone. He enjoyed working alone with her, for more than a few reasons, and if they talked to people in the nobility, they would want to have people in the area to check and proof things. "We could speak to them, I suppose."
~~~~~
Hearing the note of distress in his voice Leta turned from her current work to face him. "Oh don't worry about them taking over the project, I won't let that happen. I always make sure its clear they have no control over the direction of the project. They simply will be one of the first to benefit from it." That should allay some of his fears, she thought, though she had actually misunderstood his worries.
She smirked then. "I've worked on a few projects before with nobility, and those I work with have come to an understanding with me. I don't exactly play nice with others."
~~~~~
Wess looked tried for a smile, and nodded, though he was still turned towards the food. "Oh, I do not doubt that." He remarked. He supposed, if nothing else, he could just be cold and unpleasant enough that they wouldn't want to be around him... The nobility, though, might insist that he give up the project altogether.
Still fighting off his concerns, Wess strode into the main room with a plate of cheese and crackers, and another two with sandwiches on them. He set these down on a polished coffee table, then took a seat of his own on the couch before it.
~~~~~
Leta smiled at his words. She had no doubt that anyone trying to work their way into the little world they had created would be in for a cold surprise."Thank you for the food." She smiled at him as he brought out their meal.
They ate slowly and in what seemed to Leta like a companionable silence for a while before Leta spoke. "It's funny, that I would prefer a simpler kind of food like this, than the meals of my childhood..."
~~~~~
"And what were the meals of your childhood like?" Wess asked, leaning back on his couch while he ate. His eyes, though, followed her; she was the important thing here. He wondered how much time he was going to have left alone with her like this... He didn't doubt her ability to ensure they still got to work on the project, but he wasn't so certain about what cost that would be at.
Then his mind drifted back to the note he'd left last night. Clearly, she hadn't gotten it, or she would have said something. And he wasn't really sure if he should be glad of that, or upset... It was probably a good thing she didn't have that uncomfortable knowledge forced upon her, but at the same time, he wanted to tell her. It was an urgent matter, and it pressed, and it weighed on his shoulders like a weight he wasn't sure he was capable of carrying. How was he supposed to get a weight off his chest hen the only one he could tell about it was the one it could most upset?
~~~~~
"I suppose one might say I grew up in luxury. You see, both my parents are reasonably wealthy, and as such the food was always rich and plentiful. As the only child, I was well provided for... " Leta's eyes had grown distant, as she sifted through her memories. "...But my meals were lonely. I can count the number of times I remember eating with my family on my hands. They were always busy, busy with work, busy with people, busy with each other." She sneered then, bitterness evident in the curve of her lips, resentment heavy in her words. "Any time spent together was like meeting with strangers."
When she turned her attention back onto Wess, her demeanor softened. "And what of you, Wess?"
~~~~~
Wess looked a bit angry himself when she spoke of her neglect, though he was doing his best to suppress it. That seemed... incredibly unfair. How could a parent just...? He calmed down, though, to speak of his mother.
"I grew up without so much money, in the Treescape city of Angletel." He told her, calming down now as he found his own memories. "My father left when I was young, and I stayed with my mother. She worked to help me through an education first at the local schools, then Leckleston. She is... quite incredible." A smile crept onto his lips, and his fingers tapped, as they often did, against the couch. "A very kind woman, and she has always been supportive. I send her money and visit her still."
He pulled himself out of his thoughts again to look at Leta. It really didn't seem fair, that his mother had shown him only love, and her's nothing as all. They did seem to have fairly opposite lives in many ways.
~~~~~
"I am happy that you had a more pleasant time of things. Perhaps one day, I will get to meet your mother?" Leta felt happy she was able to learn more about Wess. She didn't think of him like she though of others. He felt real, not like the fake little toys she usually messed with.
Leta knew that by now, Wess was her closest and dearest friend, and one of the most important things in her life It was frustrating, how he managed to get into her heart so easily, but she had decided to accept it. He was Wess, and he was hers.
Her parents would probably throw a fit if they realized. Even better.
~~~~~
Wess felt a bit bad, hearing her say the first bit, the request to meet his mother made him smile. That sounded significant... but then again, who wouldn't want to meet his mother? She was a lovely lady.
"Perhaps," He replied, and set down the plate of his finished sandwich. "She really is quite wonderful. I am sorry you had to grow up without kinder parents..." He trailed off a bit there, his anger flooding back up, and tried to push it back before continuing. "It doesn't quite seem fair." He left it at that, not wanting to say something he didn't think she wanted to hear, or something he thought would reveal what he thought, or rather felt, about her.
~~~~~
She turned her head slightly, hiding a slight blush at his words. "It may not have been the best.. But it helped me become who I am. Still, you are kind nevertheless. " Setting down her plate, Leta stood and stretched. She smiled as she spoke, "Shall we get back to work?" They did have things to do after all, but perhaps they could chat like this again... if he was interested.
They spent the rest of the day together, discussing various theories, and tinkering with the rune array. When it came time to part ways, Leta felt a strange melancholy in her heart.
Another month passed, and Leta began to spend more of her time working with Wess, preferring his company to her own empty home. It was strange, she thought, how lonely she felt now that she had someone close to her. Their first meeting had been jarring and combative, and she would have quickly forgotten about him had he not gone out of his way to catch her interest. Ever since then, he had only grown more intriguing, and she found herself feeling at ease around him. She wanted to show more affection to him, to get closer to him. Slowly she began to open up more to him, sharing her thoughts and various things, as well as some of her more fond memories. She spoke to him of the meadows near her childhood home in the Windplains, and the sunset over the river. She told him of the large library she spent most of her days in as a child, and the times she snuck out onto the roof to study the stars at night. Wordlessly, she tried to convey her affection through her actions, taking his arm in hers when they walked together, sitting closer as they worked, and sometimes, when she felt as confident as she seemed, she would take his hand in hers.
On her own, she would correspond with various nobles until she found one that was willing to help with the funding for their project, as well as vouch for them in the authorization forms they would eventually need, and stay relatively disconnected from the project. Every now and then they would ask for updates on the work, and Leta would fill out detailed reports, explaining what they had been doing and why.
It was when Wess could not accompany her home when she noticed something off. Shadows moving rapidly around corners, a figure she could just barely see out of the corner of her eye... They were being watched. Someone had gotten wind of the research she and Wess had been doing, and the were obviously interested in it she reasoned. Whether it was to obtain the results of their endeavors for themselves, or to ensure that is was not completed, Leta did not know. After some thought, she decided she wouldn't let Wess know, as she could take care of it on her own should the need arise. She would however, direct their partner in the nobility to destroy the reports. She didn't particularly care for their safety as she did for Wess, but it would be unseemly to simply leave their work in danger.
At her home, she would look out her window to watch the stars. They were much fainter here, choked out by the lights of the city. It didn't matter, she supposed. She had something more lovely than a star to observe, and she would be meeting with him again at the end of the week.
~~~~~
Wess had grown only more agitated throughout the month, not only because of the looming possibility that he might have to give Leta's company mostly up, or because of that damn urge to tell her how he felt, but also because of a few shadowy figures of his own. They were either figments of his exhausted imagination, which meant he was falling apart mentally more than he thought he was, or they were actually there, which meant both Leta and himself were in danger. Hopefully less so Leta... he didn't want her to get hurt because of him, and those figures seemed to lurk more around him than anything else.
But that was far more on the back of his mind. Really, he was focused on the great urge to just spill what he was feeling... It was far closer to the surface than it had been before, and he found himself avoiding alcohol altogether for fear of making a mistake, and trying to lock himself up in his house at night in an attempt to just get enough sleep.
But finally, he broke.
It was only a few days before the end of the week, when he would see Leta again, but he couldn't take it anymore. Wess wrote again the note he had written to her only a month ago, and because it looked like rain he zipped it up into a plastic bag. It was late at night, so he felt safer in walking to her home to drop it off while she was sleeping. So when she woke again, it would be there on her front doorstep for her to read, in his small, neatly elegant handwriting:
"My first is foremost legally, My second circles outwardly, My third leads all in victory, My fourth ends twice a nominee.
My whole is this gate's only key."
~~~~~
Leta woke from what had been a restless sleep, plagued with dreams of vague unease and flitting shadows. As she stumbled through her morning, slowly preparing herself for the day, she felt a sense of anticipation, for what she did not know. After copious amounts of coffee, she finally felt ready for the day, and stepped outside to make her rounds... But what was this? A note?
Recognizing Wess handwriting, she smiled briefly before reaching out for the bag in which it was held protected from the elements inside.
"My first is foremost legally, My second circles outwardly, My third leads all in victory, My fourth ends twice a nominee.
My whole is this gate's only key."
A riddle? Why would he... Her mind felt like it shut down as she already began dissecting and solving the riddle. A word riddle... Foremost legally, L; Circles outwardly, O; Leading victory, V; Twice ending nominee, E. The whole would be the answer to the riddle and that answer was... Love? She felt herself freeze, and remained till for what seemed like a log time before she came back to herself.
She examined the riddle again, certain that her first answer must be wrong. Despite her own affection and regard for Wess... she doubted his feelings were the same. It's not like she had any real suitors before. She was too waspish, too cruel, too distant to most. Besides, even if her first answer was correct that didn't mean that it was a confession. It was just a riddle. Another puzzle. She tried to convince herself of this, and only half succeeded.
There was another possibility, she tried to convince herself. There was the Capitol Tower in the center of the city that could be the answer. It was the foremost in legal matters, a circular building, and she supposed it did house some of the officials that had led the country to victory in the past. In the back of her mind, she knew this was a stretch, but she just couldn't believe otherwise. It had to be this.
She would confront him and ask what this meant, for she had no idea what the hell this was supposed to mean to her. Leta began forging a path through the days crowds towards Wess' home.
~~~~~
Wess woke up feeling far better than he had in the past two months; clearly, he had slept well, and he had to wonder if it was because of the note... He was still anxious about it, though. He still had two more days until Leta was supposed to come over to work, and what if she showed up angry? What if she decided she didn't want that, that it was too much and not what she wanted, and she tried to stop all of this working and broke everything off and...
He shut his eyes and let a breath out, trying to clear his head. It was done, now, and he was going to have to deal with it. If he hadn't he would only be left to wonder forever, anyways. It would be another month of this torment, and... he didn't want their relationship to end, but it was getting to him too harshly. He had to try, right? And he had. He was powerless, now, for the next two days.
Which was why he was incredibly surprised to see Leta standing on his doorstep that morning.
"Good morning," He greeted her as he opened the door, confusion clear in his tone. "What brings you here?" He was already fully dressed, but breakfast had yet to be cooked. The ingredients were lain out over the counters; he was making a breakfast halibut dish from one of his Sealand cookbooks.
~~~~~
Leta stood there in front of him for a moment before stepping inside. She could feel her heart beat a little faster in his presence, but she quickly calmed herself down. She didn't know what he was trying to convey to her... But she would find out. Perhaps this was about the shadowed figures she had been seeing? Were they from high up in the government? She wasn't sure that was the reason, so she would be cautious instead. She pulled out the note she had found on her doorstep earlier.
"What does the Capitol Tower have to do with anything Wess?"
~~~~~
Wess stared at her for a long moment, suddenly far more confused that he was really comfortable with. Was this another of her riddles? Was he supposed to know something about the Capitol Tower that was somehow relevant here? He searched her for clues, and his eyes landed on the note she held in her hands. His note. Did this have something to do with the note? The answer to the riddle? She... did she have it wrong? Frowning, now, Wess answered slowly.
"The Capitol Tower has little to do with anything aside from politics." He told her, vaguely. "Why? Has something happened?"
~~~~~
What...? Was that not the answer? She turned her gaze downwards and frowned pensively. She wasn't used to getting things wrong. It made her feel irritated and unsure, insecure in her own self. Did he really... mean something else with this riddle? Was it possible that he...? She looked up at Wess, her eyes slightly wide. When she spoke, it was with a much softer voice.
"Wess. What is the answer to this riddle?"
~~~~~
Oh, dear lord, she really didn't know. How could she not have gotten that? She was Leta, she always knew the answer. How could she not...?
Wess felt his face heating up, and his calm demeanor flitted away with his gaze. Was she really going to make him say it? He'd tried to avoid it here, hadn't he? And he had done a damn good job, and he was sure she knew, she had to know. Leta was smart.
But if she did (and she must), she was either playing a very, very cruel game, or she was doubtful of the answer and it's meaning. Either way, Wess didn't really have a choice but to spit it out. She wouldn't give up a game, and she wasn't going to magically realize that her doubts were misplaced without his help.
"It's..." His voice was softer now, too, and he seemed hesitant to spit it out. He was hesitant. Trying to regain some of his composure, he quickly spit out the rest. "The answer is love."
~~~~~
"Love..."
As the full magnitude of what he had said began to seep into her brain, a very noticeable blush spread across her cheeks, and her hands covered her mouth. She had thought that he wouldn't return the affection she held for him... but he did. He did, and no he was standing in front of her just as nervous as she was, and she was happy. Her own doubts and worries felt as though the were melting away, and a quiet confidence filled her instead. She was silent for a few more moments, before she felt herself unable to contain a silly grin. She reached for his hands and intertwined their fingers.
"It dances and skips, it's read in the eyes but it cheats with the hips, if it meets its match it's easily caught, but it's worth nothing if it is bought." Her blush darkened."Since you've given me yours, I'll give you mine in return. You may have my heart. "
~~~~~
Wess couldn't hide his surprise at her positive reaction, nor his glee. He took a moment to allow the shock run it's course, then the glee quickly followed in it's wake, and he couldn't suppress an abashed grin of his own. Did she really, actually...? She was saying words that made it seem like she was actually happy about this, but he hadn't expected that, and her hands in his own felt wonderful, and he wasn't really certain how he should be reacting. Instead, he stuttered.
"Oh, I..." he started, and he was sure his face was bright red, a strange warmth on his pale features. "Okay, that is... okay." His grin widened a bit, and he looked away, cursing himself for his own stupidity. "I mean, it is not... well, it is, but it is more than that, and... really?"
~~~~~
She let out a small laugh, a sign of her own joy, and spoke.
"Yes. Really. To be honest, I didn't expect... Well I'm not exactly the type of girl most people develop feelings for. I'm a little too fond of complications, and a little to cruel when irritated. I suppose, I've also been a bit intimidating in some aspects, but you... You've never let me get to you for too long. Even from the start, you responded back to my challenges. I've never met someone who is my equal before, and knowing that you feel this way about me... I'm not going to let you go."
~~~~~
His expression softened a bit at that and he returned his gaze to her, meeting her eyes at last. He was still blushing furiously, but he was calming down some, and gaining a bit of confidence.
"Do not fool yourself. Those who have missed your overwhelming better qualities are deprived of something..." He lost momentum there and his voice became shaky again, "something lovely. I couldn't let you go if I wanted to." His gaze flitted away again. "I am surprised that you are not repelled by my... my note. I am cold."
~~~~~
"I think it was very sweet of you." She reached up and cupped his cheek with the palm of her hand. "And I can say with confidence that you are not cold to me. I care not for if you are cold to others, but you will melt for me." Leta was confident now, secure in his feelings for her that she could make this relationship last. She grinned up at him, affection present in her features. After a moments pause, she spoke again. " I am glad that others did what you do in me. For if they did then we may have never had the chance to be... And I won't give this up for any amount of adoration from another."
A sudden realization hit her, as she noticed curious stares from passerby. They had this whole encounter outside. Truthfully it didn't bother her that others could see their affection for each other... But the should go inside nevertheless. With a small laugh she addressed the man that had so thoroughly captured her affections. "May I come inside? I am only just now realizing that I probably should have sent some warning of my arrival in advance."
~~~~~
Wess was about to reply to her praise with furiously flushed face, but then he, too, turned his gaze to the passer-by. Had they really...? His face bloomed, if possible, a darker red, and he gently pulled her warm hand off his cheek and intertwine their fingers again.
"Do not worry yourself over it." He told her, and guided her inside his home with a small smile still dancing across his lips. Half-reluctant and half-relieved, Wess pulled away from her to close the door and then drift into the kitchen, where breakfast was still waiting to be made. "Are you hungry?" He inquired, shaking hands going to pull out pans and chop vegetables.
~~~~~
"A little." She smiled at him, missing the feel of his hand in hers as he prepared the meal. A small sense of unease filled her though. She had never been in this kind of situation before, and she didn't want to ruin it.
She watched as he cooked with interest. She really only knew how to cook the basics, and while she could do that well enough, it wasn't as if the food she made was anything special. If she wanted something that actually tantalized her palette, she usually had to eat out. But the smell coming from the kitchen was quite delicious...
"Where did you learn how to cook, Wess?"
~~~~~
Wess had added another fish when she said she was hungry, but he kept quiet, trying to think. He wasn't really sure what to do about this either, as he hadn't ever even entertained the thought of being in such a position. He'd read his books, sure, but this wasn't The Notebook, or even The Princess Bride. They weren't going to kiss on a canoe in the rain, or in front of the setting sun. They were going to stand in his apartment while he cooked his fish and she stood around without a clue as to what to say or do, and he was going to wonder endlessly how to deal with the situation.
"My mother taught me." He told her over a pan of happily sizzling fish, "Where else does anyone learn how to properly cook?" Despite the tight nervousness in his tone, there was a small smile on his lips, a ray of glee he couldn't hide.
~~~~~
She laughed at that. "I'm mostly self-taught. Neither of my parents really cooked so..." Not wanting to make him feel awkward, as her parents were a rather... touchy issue, she quickly spoke again. "But perhaps that is for the best." She let out another small laugh. "Maybe your mother might teach me one day?"
She was fairly certain she would catch on to the fact that she was flirting with him. Regardless, he obviously held a deep affection for his mother, and if things were to become more stable between the two of them, it would most definitely be of use to have his mother's approval. Learning to actually cook some advanced dishes with her would be an excellent chance to bond with her. Of course, she had no way of getting into contact with the woman right now to win her over... But letting Wess know that she would play nice with the other woman in his life would not hurt anything. It might ease him some. The flirty tone that touched her words might fluster him a little, or help him realize that she really was interested in him. Sure, it was a bit manipulative, but it wasn't like she was actually being harmful. She was just trying to help him into some state of security with her. She didn't want to lose his affection, and if that meant being a bit manipulative, then so be it.
~~~~~
Wess's smile widened at that, and he shook the pan a bit to move the fish around, and keep them from burning. Did she really want to meet his mother that badly? Oh, but he knew she would love his mother... it was impossible not to! And certainly, his mother would approve, and he really did need her to. He wouldn't be able to stand it if she didn't. Sure, it was a bit strange, but he needed Leta to have his mother's approval. Having the two at odd with each other would be terrible.
"Perhaps," He answered, "she lives in the Treescape, several hours away by airboat. Perhaps we could make a weekend of going to visit her sometime, and take a break from our work." He seemed a bit hesitant in his suggestion, entirely too aware that it sounded as if he was asking for a date with Leta. But it was only to see his mother, surely she wouldn't mind? Would she mind anyways? He wanted to spend more time with her, especially now, but he didn't want to go too fast. Not only was he practically terrified of scaring her off, but he was unsure what steps to take to do this right, and to make things easy between them. He wanted to try this, and do it well.
~~~~~
Her smile grew even wider at his words. "Yes, I would like that very much." She liked that he was offering, it showed how serious he was about her. It would also be nice to get out of the city, it was getting closer to the event season, and her parents would be harassing her to attend, to make connections. This would be a good chance to spend more time with Wess, integrate with his family, and avoid her own. But for now...
"After we eat, if you would like, we could take a walk? There's a place I would like to show you."
It was on a whim really, that she decided she would take him out to one of her favorite places. She may not be close with her parents, but she wasn't against using them if she needed to. Being esteemed scholars on their own, they tended to mix well with the nobility, and had without a doubt had hopes for her to marry into the nobility and make it official. The political clout that would come from such a union would be enough to help move things in whatever direction they saw fit. All at the expense of herself of course. While that obviously wouldn't happen, her parents did have connections, and being their daughter allowed her into some of the more exclusive areas. Such as the upper levels in the Grand Library. It seemed to her that Wess was a man of taste and refinement. She was sure he would appreciate the contents that were held within, as well as the beauty of the library itself.
~~~~~
Wess nodded again in reply to this, and finally flipped off the stove to plate the two fish.
"Oh?" He asked in regards to her suggestion, handing her a plate of the breakfast fish while he took his usual seat on the couch. "That sounds lovely. Do I get a hint as to what we may be seeing, or shall it be a surprise?" He looked up at her expectantly, his mouth suddenly full of hot fish.
~~~~~
they ate they made idle small talk, sometimes lapsing into a comfortable silence. When they finished Leta took the plates and went to set them in the sink. It was only polite after all to clean the dishes when someone cooks you a meal. Soon enough they were ready to go, and out the door.
She reached for him, and held his hand in her own as they began to walk down the stone paved streets of the city. She luxuriated in the feeling of happiness she felt. Before she had met Wess, she had been... content. But contentment was nothing compared to how she felt right now. Looking up at him, she spoke. "It's a bit easy, but here is your hint. I am a ship to lands of treasure, I am a key to wisdom's pleasure. I will always lead you on an upward trek, I have so much to tell you but cannot speak. If you can guess who might I be... I will tell you all about the mysterious sea! Who am I?"
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Post by NobleAlyssum on Feb 18, 2014 17:41:21 GMT -8
Wess couldn't keep a smile off his face, though something uneasy still stirred in the pit of his stomach. Ge absolutely wanted to be here with her, but he wasn't sure how to act now. He wasn't sure what he was doing right or wrong, or what things she would and wouldn't be okay with, or.... or any of those things. But he did know that he liked her hand in his, so he gave it a gentle squeeze and twined their fingers together as he contemplated her riddle. A story without words.... no, without spoken words. Oh, that was easy, then.
"A book." He replied easily, confidence more evident in his answer than it had been in his tone since she had arrived that morning. "Are we off to a book shop, perhaps?" He wasn't sure where else they would go, other than the library, or why they would even go there. It wasn't entirely romantic, not that it needed to be, but... what was her thinking, here?
~~~~~
"Yes! You'll understand a little bit after we arrive." She led him down the winding streets, until they arrived in front of a grand building. With smooth white marble making up the exterior, carved vines and flowers twining around smooth columns, scenes from famous works of literature were carved into the sides, it was a beautiful work of art. Tall arched windows could be seen letting in the natural light inside, and as they moved to the large dark wooden door at the entrance Leta looked back and smiled at Wess. She could see his nervousness, and she gently squeezed his hand in a comforting gesture. "Don't ask questions yet." She said, and led him inside.
The interior was bright and airy, the natural sunlight giving everything a sort of glow. Tall bookcases filled with all manner of books and tomes created aisles and pathways. Leta led Wess, their hands still intertwined to the large spiraled stairs that led to the the second and third floors, and up to the third. Up here was a large door with a desk to the side. She headed for the desk, and began to speak with the person behind, who seemed to recognize her.
"I'll be heading inside, and I'm bringing a guest with me. I trust that won't be a problem?"
With a bored nod, the person gave their acquiescence, and Leta led Wess inside.
"You can ask any questions you have now. I thought you might like to see some of the older texts that aren't open to public viewing."
~~~~~
Wess appeared to be somewhere between thoughtful and confused as they entered the building. He knew of the library, of course; before Leta, it was where he would often spend entire weekends. Not only was the architecture gorgeous, and the expanse of books immense, but the art that hung on the walls was simply lovely. He adored it there, but... why would Leta think to bring him? And cloaking the event in so much suspense... She had to know he would be familiar with the place.
He was actually less confused when she lead him up to the third floor. Alright, this one was new... this was where they kept the special books, the off-limits ones he had always longed to pour through, so it would make sense that she would wish to bring him there. But how would they even get in...?
And then she simply let the librarian know they were entering, and without much event they slipped into the great, dusty room. Sunlight filtered through the windows and dust danced in their rays, which in turn spilled over beautiful paintings and books that looked old enough to simply disintegrate, but, by some miracle, remained intact. Wess held his breath anyways, though, afraid that a stray breeze would knock to dust the rows of tomes. And he remained like that for a long moment, too, before turning to Leta with wistful excitement in his eyes.
"You have some strange connections." He noted, and turned back to the books. "I would ask each and every question buzzing through my head right now, but I am afraid the resulting gale might stir up such a dust storm such as to choke us both. Might I ask instead for an explanation?"
~~~~~
Leta softly laughed at that. He really was cute. "Very well. My mother and father, are both scholars of some great renown. They are quite popular with the nobles who favor intellectualism and academia, and have formed many powerful connections over their lifetime. One of the benefits of being so well connected is that they have access to this library. From what I have surmised, they were frequent visitors for quite a while, but I suppose the novelty wore off eventually. You see, underneath all of that talk of their intelligence and academic prowess, they really are nothing more than social climbers who happen to be scholars. They both knew how to play the game, how to work politics, meet the right people..." A slight sneer curled at her features. "None of their work is truly groundbreaking, yet they are renowned in their fields because they know who to talk to and when. As their daughter, I have some... political clout of my own. A sad way to come about gaining access to such a lovely trove of knowledge, but I am not a fool who fails to take advantage of something that is presented to them on a silver platter. I am not above using the tricks of my parents to my own benefit." Leta began to wander towards a section she knew well, dusty tomes of poetry and romance lining the shelves. She walked down the aisle, gently brushing her fingers along the spines of the books.
"My parents may have always known what to say to get into someones good graces, how to do a decent amount of work and puff it up into some pompous presentation. But they never sought knowledge for the sake of knowledge itself. They see the answers, but they don't know them. I am different." She turned back to Wess. "I was handed this boon so easily when I arrived here in the Capitol, when so many others would never even come close. I choose to share it with someone who truly deserves this library, someone I care about. You."
~~~~~
Anger flitted again over Wess's features when she spoke of her parents, but that quickly turned into a smile as she went on. She was lovely... She really, really was, and Wess followed her into the rows of poetry and romance. He cast a few glances towards the old books, but his focus was really mostly on Leta, who he watched speak with something between admiration and adoration.
"You are kind." He commented, stepping closer. Had she brought him here just to wander, or was she intending for him to look around? They were in a section he would have to classify as his favorite, he knew; he adored poetry and romance. Perhaps she knew that, and wanted to show it to him? Or maybe she wanted to read something with him... He didn't know any of the books here, but he could choose one if the need presented itself. He could see a thick tome now, older than the rest, with red leather bindings and elegant, looping words scrawled in silver across the front. That one looked appealing, and it seemed to be a compilation of poetry, too...
Wess reached for the book, and slid it carefully off the shelf and into his thin hands, where he let his gaze wander carefully over the over, as if he was afraid he would break it by looking. "Did you bring me here to wander, or read?"
~~~~~
"Feel free to wander and to read. I am content with just your company." She moved closer to him. She had not missed the anger that appeared on his face. He truly cared about her... and that made her so very happy. Leta was glad he seemed like he would enjoy the library, she of course would not have brought him if she thought he wouldn't. She would need to make arrangements to ensure that he had full access. She leaned closer to him, enjoying the sense of peace she felt with him. She looked in at the tome in his hands to see what he was interested in.
"You like poetry too? This is one of the best sections in my opinion. One of my favorites actually. I have a collection of my own at home..."
~~~~~
Wess looked up and smiled at her again, still holding the book in his hands. He loved that she loved these things, the poetry and the romance and everything he thought was beautiful.
"Of course I like poetry. It is beautiful." He told her, and turned his attention back to the book, which he then opened carefully to a page in the middle. His eyes scanned it for a moment, reading the top of page entitled She Walks in Beauty quickly, then he looked back up at her her again with his cold eyes suddenly warm. "Perhaps there is a place in which we may read, then? I find reading a library's contents does more in terms of exploration than physical wandering."
~~~~~
She felt slightly giddy from how his eyes fixated on her with such warmth. She turned her attention to the shelves briefly, choosing her own collection of poetry, thinking that she should grab something to read before bed tonight... She looked towards Wess yet again, and spoke. "Yes. There are quite a few places set up for just that purpose."
Their hands intertwined, she led him through the aisles until they came to an corner with a variety of furniture set up. It was cozy and secluded, and no one else intruded upon the quiet. A large swath of light cast over the area, filtering in through the glass panes along the wall. Leta sat down upon a plush couch, making herself comfortable. It was clear that she felt very at home in this environment. She turned her attention back to Wess and smiled softly. "What have you chosen to read. Wess?"
~~~~~
Wess followed her without protest, and sat beside her on the couch. He looked about, then, at the lovely way the place was set up... It was so comfortable, yet everything seemed grand and admirable at the same time. it was simply gorgeous.
Then he returned his attention to Leta, and smile a bit, opening the book to the page he'd held with a careful thumb.
"Well, I suppose we could read this.. it is called She Walks in Beauty. He looked down at the page, and pushed his glasses back on his nose with a sniff before beginning.
"She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellowed to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impaired the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o'er her face; Where thoughts serenely sweet express How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent."
~~~~~
She could feel her cheeks grow warm as his voice painted the words in the air. They hung there for a slight moment after, imprinting upon her mind. He made the poem come to life, and filled it with eve more beauty. She leaned her weight against him, pressing closer, wanting to intertwine their hands and their lives and... She calmed her thoughts quickly. Some may say it was just a poem, but to her it was more. Whether he knew it at the front of his mind or had simply subconsciously chosen the poem, she could see the parallels and feel the affection in this poem. He had captured her heart, her very essence in his grasp, this man of music and snow. She wanted many things in her life. She enjoyed and adored puzzles and riddles. It brought her happiness to see the frustration and bewilderment of others as she toyed with them. But here, with the sunlight warm on their faces, their bodies so close together, and their hearts intertwining as they admired beauty together. She gently took the book from his hands, and searched through the book quickly until she found what she was looking for. She wasn't sure if this poem would be in the book at all, but she was lucky that she was able to find it. Settling on one page, she began to speak, her voice slightly lower than usual.
"You... really have a wonderful voice Wess. I want..." She wanted to tell him that she wanted to intertwine their lives even more, but she was aware of how rash a decision it was, ad that she probably wasn't thinking straight. She would settle for sharing her own piece of beauty. "To share this with you."
"I died for Beauty – but was scarce Adjusted in the Tomb When One who died for Truth, was lain In an adjoining Room –
He questioned softly ‘Why I failed’? ‘For Beauty’, I replied – ‘And I – for Truth – Themself are One – We Bretheren, are’, He said –
And so, as Kinsmen, met a Night – We talked between the Rooms – Until the Moss had reached our lips – And covered up – our names –"
It conveyed her feelings in a way, the sentiment of eternity.
~~~~~
Wess hadn't really chosen the poem purposely, but after reading through a few lines of his own accord, he'd been pleased with how nicely it fit Leta herself. And he was even more pleased, after reading it aloud, at her reaction. She was so easily moved, and... sweet, and warm. She was perfect, really, and he reveled in the fact that she'd chosen to think something similar of him. His earlier nervousness beginning to ebb some, Wess took his hand from her's and instead wrapped it around her shoulders, bringing her closer as she read.
The poem she had chosen was lovely, too, and his smile widened while she spoke it. Had she chosen that purposefully? It was sweet, and... well, he could understand, to some extent, what she herself had felt while he read his. It warmed him inside-out and he really just wanted to sit there forever with her, swapping little snatches of beauty to make each other happy, and to try to express through the words of long-dead poets how they felt.
"That is lovely," He commented, his voice much lower and softer now, "I think it is you who has the beautiful voice. That was lovely."
~~~~~
She felt him pull her into his arms, and a warmth spread throughout her. She could hear her heart beating in her ears like a small drum. If he was going to make her heart feel so unstable, then it was only fair that she do the same for him. She knew he wasn't as forward as she, and could feel the magic in this moment... She angled her body next to him, and placed a chaste, but firm kiss upon his lips. She looked up at him from her perch, and smiled, smug and content.
"Then we shall be lovely together."
~~~~~
Wess definitely wasn't expecting her to do that. He wasn't expecting anything, actually; just a sweet moment together in the library, and nothing had to be particularly special about it, he just... but then she had kissed him, and he felt his cheeks heat up like fire and his ears go bright red, and he turned his gaze away, not necessarily unhappy, but... unsure. What the hell was he supposed to do about that, and had she really even just...?
He tugged his scarf up to cover the lower part of his face and turned a look of shock to her, face still bright with embarrassment. He opened his mouth as if to comment, but his face warmed up further so instead he lowered the scarf again and offered her a shaky smile.
~~~~~
At his shaky smile, she felt her heart flutter. Had she misjudged things? No, he seemed okay with what she had done... Was he unsure of how to respond? She supposed it was a bit forward of her, but she didn't regret her actions. His response was definitely something she didn't mind either. She liked seeing him when he was a bit flustered. But she had to reassure him somehow...
"I apologize if that was a bit much... I simply wanted to show my affection. If I ever become" She paused, searching for the right word, "...overbearing or smothering, please let me know."
~~~~~
Wess hesitated a moment, then shook his head, something in him melting at her words. He hadn't exactly disliked that, he was just surprised, and he was... Well, he didn't know how to react. He wasn't really sure what he was supposed to do, now, if anything at all.
"It is alright." He told her, now tightening his hold around her shoulders a bit and finally returning his gaze to her. Her reassurance that she wouldn't push if he didn't want her to was comforting, and her uncertainty helped calm him, too. Maybe he was just afraid that she was more sure than he was, really... Which sounded dumb, and probably was, but he didn't know what he was doing, and somehow her knowing everything and not helping him understand was a bit unnerving. "I... it was not bad. I mean, wrong. It was not wrong. It was not bad, either, but I do not think that is so relevant as the other... thing."
~~~~~
She blinked a few times, trying to make sense of his statement. Did she need a deep reason to kiss him? That seemed silly to her. He was someone who she held affection for, and he returned that affection, so wasn't it only natural to show it? His arms around her were a comfort to her, letting her now that despite her actions, which seemed to discomfit him somewhat, he wasn't letting her go anywhere. Perhaps he was just unused to romantic affection from her. Well, she was sure that would change with time. After all, they were together now. Realizing she had been lost in her thoughts, she began to voice them.
"If you mean the kiss, then I'm not sure why there needs to be a deep reason. I am with you now, and hold affection for you. Is it not natural for me to show my affection?"
~~~~~
Wess nodding, his face deepening in color. Oh, shit, she had misinterpreted what he'd said...
"No, I..." He paused, trying to coral his thoughts into something more logical. "That is what I meant. You do not have to apologize, and you do not have to worry about being too much." He smiled a bit, then, "You will never be too much."
He hadn't wanted to offend her, and she sounded like she was offended. He was still uncertain, yes, and unsure of how to handle this new relationship thing, but he didn't want to offend her. And he didn't want, either, to make her restrain herself of any of that, if it was going to make her unhappy. And.. well, no, she didn't need some kind of profound reason to kiss him, he'd just been startled was all, and he didn't really know how to properly handle it. But he wasn't sure how to put words to all this... it was more of a jumble of feelings and thoughts all happening at once.
~~~~~
She sat in silence for a moment before speaking. "Thank you. You are very sweet to me. If you feel uncertain, I am always willing to let you sort your thoughts out." She felt relieved that he was merely a little overwhelmed, and was receptive of her more romantic actions.
 She leaned into him, and opened up the book of poetry again. She began reading excerpts, and smiled when she felt the tension in him begin to slowly drain away. They spent the day like that, swapping bits of poetry, trading pieces of beauty, and simply enjoying the presence of each other. When they parted she left a quick peck upon his cheek as a sign of her continued affections.
They began to spend more time together outside of their research, and Leta felt herself growing more and more attached to Wess every day. He was lovely and intelligent, and he was hers. She luxuriated in the fact that they were together, and that he had chosen to focus his attentions on her. She felt certain now as the days passed by, that she had fallen in love with him. She was careful not to overwhelm him with her emotions, not wanting to scare him away.
But she felt a shadow hanging over them. She had begun to see more of the group that had been following them as of late, and she worried about what exactly their plans were. She made sure to never let her distress show to Wess though. She would hate to make him worried. She would have to find out who they were and what they wanted. But that was not the focus of her attentions at the moment. Today was set aside for research, and she felt certain they were nearing a breakthrough.
She began to head up the street that led towards Wess' home and arrived in front of his door. A series of short raps signified her arrival, and seemed to echo in her ears.
~~~~~
Wess had begun to notice the figures as well, though he tried to push thoughts about them from his mind. They agitated them, and he didn't need that... and neither did Leta. They had been spending much more time together, and their work was nearing completion. He wondered, sometimes, what they would do after they finished it, and if they would find as many excuses to be around each other, but he sort of doubted that would be a problem. He'd had a plethora of ideas for things he wanted to do with her, places he wanted to show her, and he'd been saving them just for that reason.
He often reveled in the fact that she'd chosen to come closer to him, rather than moving away, when he'd told her how he felt. It seemed like a dream, to him... How was it that she could want him back? Sure, Wess was not insecure about himself in general. He valued himself above most others, even. But the one thing he was insecure about and that he knew he had full right to be insecure about, was his ability to make and preserve bonds between others. The fact that Leta had chosen to not only keep, but strengthen the bond between them, was a marvel to Wess. And a good one. She was lovely, and perfect, and really, honestly wonderful in every way Wess could imagine a person should be wonderful in. She was warm to him, and intelligent, and she appreciated the things he appreciated. He was lucky, he knew, to have even met her.
So things went well, for the most part. Wess was happy, and Leta seemed to be as well, and his only real source of anxiety came from a couple of lurking figures he could only amount his wariness about to a couple of vague feelings.
And then things changed, and very suddenly.
Wess had received a letter from his mother earlier on the day Leta rapped at his door. His mother was old-fashioned and poor, and she lived down in the Treescape, so she sent him letters instead of phone calls, or emails, or anything of the sort. And usually they were regular updates on her life there, or birthday wishes, or gratitude for the money he sent back to her in order to help support her.
Except this time, it was all of that, plus a note at the bottom that spoke of a recent discovery: she was falling ill, and she didn't know what with, and she didn't have the money to consult any sort of doctor. But it was okay, of course, she told him. She would be alright, no need to come down... Which of course he would have to do, because she was his mother, and he had to take care of her.
When Leta knocked on his door, Wess was in the middle of hurriedly packing to go down to see her. He was anxious, and stressed, and he looked like a mess when he opened the door; his clothes weren't quite on right, and his hair hadn't been combed, and his glasses were awry. His eyes looked big and scared, and he almost appeared to be shaking. He was worried about his mother, down there in the germy Treescape... he had to get down to her, and Leta's arrival didn't even seem to faze him, for once.
"Hello," he greeted distractedly upon opening the door, and then moved off, leaving it open for her, to rush over to the couch where he was packing a couple of bags.
~~~~~
Well this was certainly unexpected. She felt disbelief and no small amount of worry at seeing Wess in this state, and to be honest it frightened her. Usually he was so attentive around her, but he was so focused on his task right now, It was puzzling, and so she would have to treat this with caution.
She moved to help him with the various things strewn about the room, tidying things up and taking items of use for travel over to his bags. She could tell that he was going somewhere, but the question was where? Leta waited for a while until things began to calm down more. Then she grabbed Wess' hand and pulled him towards her. She had been mullling over her thoughts long enough, and she needed to know what was happening before she let her thoughts race out of the bounds of normalcy.
"Okay, Wess, now you need to tell me whats going on. If you're in some sort of trouble I can help. I have connections you know." Her voice was quiet and soft, worry evident on her face.
~~~~~
Wess registered Leta helping him pack, but it was only a side note; a grateful, passing thought that didn't really stick. It wasn't util she pulled him aside that his attention shifted wholly to her, and he stared blankly at her for a moment before his expression melted into apology, then back to anxious worry. Oh, god, he'd ignored her, hadn't he? He hadn't meant to do that, of course he hadn't. And now she was worried about him... no, no, she shouldn't be worried about him. His mother was the one in trouble, not him.
"No, I am fine." He told her, and smiled what he hoped was a comforting smile, though the effect was ruined by the return of what seemed a permanent expression of anxiousness. "My mother has fallen ill, I am leaving to find her medical assistance and stay with her until she is better. Do not worry about me."
~~~~~
His mother? She understood now, his frantic worry and his actions. She knew he loved her deeply, and would of course go to her side. Nothing Leta could say or do would make him stay. She hadn't expected this at all. Of course she was worried for his mother, someone so important to him was naturally important to her... But it didn't stop her heart from hurting. He would be leaving her, traveling far away. She would go with him, but her job... It would take ages to get where she was again, and they would be left without a Rune Tech for months perhaps. He didn't really need her there with him anyway... He would be too busy taking care of his mother for her. She just couldn't shake the feeling that this was the start of something bad. She had finally gotten someone close to her heart and now it felt like he was going away... Leta hated feeling like this. She curled her arms around herself, and finally spoke in a quiet voice.
"I... I understand. She's your mother and you have to take care of her. I'm so sorry that she has fallen ill, and I hope you'll convey my best wishes to her. I'm going to miss you though." She reached for him,pulling him into an embrace."So much. You need to contact me often, okay?" Her voice was slightly muffled as she held herself close to him. She guided his face down to her level and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
~~~~~
His eyes widened a bit, then, as he'd forgotten to think about what Leta was going to feel about all of this. Oh, god, he was terrible... but she seemed okay, and that was good. He hoped she didn't miss him... He didn't need to be missed, and he shouldn't be missed. He was just going to be gone until his mom was okay enough to be without him, and then he would come back to his job and his life and Leta.
But he had to go, of course, because she was his mother. He cared deeply for her, and he had to be there for her. Leta understood, and she needed to stay for her job... that was good. That eased a bit of worry.
He would miss her too, though, and he hugged her tightly back, even returned her kiss with one of his own. Clearly, he'd grown more comfortable in the last few months.
"I will not be gone long." He assured her, pulling her in for another embrace, "Not if I can help it. It is only until she is well enough to be without me. I will return to you, and in the meantime I will contact you, and miss you terribly."
~~~~~
"Ok... Be safe in your travels."
She was going to miss him terribly, she had grown so used to his presence in her life that this time apart would be painful. Slowly she parted from him and stepped away from him. Already her mind was coming up with solutions to bring Wess back to her side sooner. Unfortunately in her field, she didn't often come into contact with people in the medical profession. As she left Wess' abode, she changed her course towards the Courtyard. She had a few visits to make.
She entered through the large iron gates that surrounded the living abodes of the well to do, and elite of the political scene. Smooth stone pathways lined lush fields of perfectly trimmed grass and boxes of multicolored flowers in pristine condition. An old man with a weathered face and hunched back tended studiously to a rose bush, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible as she passed by.
Though the landscape in the Courtyard was beautiful, it was silent. There were no children playing, nor was there the delighted laughter of friends seeing each other on the street. The only sound that accompanied her trek was the clicking of Leta' heels upon the stone.
She headed down various paths until she came to the gates of a home that was smaller than its neighbors, but no less impressive. Trees lined the inner parts of the walls, creating a dark leafy canopy above, emulating the feel of the forest. It was almost comical really, since Leta knew that neither her parents, nor she had ever been anywhere close to an actual forest. They had never been to the lush greenery of the Treescape, and probably never would. Leta pulled open the gate, knowing that it was connected to a system that would allow her parents advance notice of her arrival. Of course, it would not give them enough time to prepare anything special. She knew they would hate that. They did care so much about proper appearances.
The door to her parent's home was already open, and her mother stood in the doorway a pleasant smile plastered on her face, her father silently standing beside her.
"Leta! So good to see you, darling. Its always a pleasant surprise to have you drop in." Her mother's simpering words made Leta feel sick. She knew from the start that they would have the advantage in this encounter, but it was still nauseating to actually experience it.
"Mother, Father. I apologize for our limited contact, it truly is a shame we haven't been able to see each other more often, but you know how work is..." She would play the game for the moment, and not give them any reason to become angry in front of the prying eyes that filled the courtyard. No, that would only take place when they were safely ensconced in the house, away from the attentions of the neighbors.
The decor inside the halls and rooms felt stiff and fake. Various baubles and gifts lined shelves, as well as a good deal of dusty books. The furniture was made to look good, and was not for actual heavy use. The cushions on the parlor chairs were stiff and hard, covered in luxurious floral printed fabric. The curtains that lined the windows across the main wall were swiftly drawn closed as her parents entered the room.
Leta made herself as comfortable as she could in the arms of the stiff furniture,and waited for her parents to settle in as well. They seemed to adjust with ease. When she spoke she dropped the pleasant tone she had used with her parents earlier, for this would be a business transaction, nothing more. "I require a favor from you. In return I will satisfy one of your whims within reason."
Her mother laughed at this, a shrill, trilling sound, fake and unpleasant to the ears. Her father spoke, "So cold, so cold. Not even a moment for small talk? You don't want to let your dear parents know what you've been up to? Where you've been?" Her mother joined in, "Why we almost feel insulted. You've never even returned our letters and invitations. We know that you get them... What could you be doing with them?" Leta felt her patience shrivel, her hands clenched and teeth gritted together. She was free to be as cruel as she wanted, when the neighbors eyes couldn't reach. It was something that she learned early on, that they would only take her seriously when she was cold and resolute.
"I burned them of course. But I didn't come here to discuss how infuriating it is to have my mail full of invitations to your pathetic little social get togethers. I came to talk buisness." She enjoyed the blanching looks on their faces at that. She knew that as despicable as she found their personality, and as little regard they gave to her and her wishes, they still thought of her as their daughter. Of course that meant something different to them than to most families. The smooth voice of her father spoke again. "I see you are full as full of charm as ever, darling. Very well, ask of us what you will, and we'll drop the act."
"I need to meet and establish connections with those in the medical profession. Not the social climbers, mind you, but the actual experts. In return I am willing to... mingle with your circle again for a while, and play the part you groomed me for. If only for a while."
Her mothers face lit up at that. "Ooh, I'm so happy you've seen sense dear. Life is rather hard when a family doesn't stick together, isn't it? Perhaps we can even find a nice young man for you to-"
"No."
Leta knew that she had to be firm on this point. A few introductions to some doctors was not enough to force her into the mold they had set for her. She would act the part for a little while, attend a few events, charm a few people, and then she would disappear again, like she always did. She wouldn't tell them about Wess, that would only lead to trouble for him.
"I am not some doll Mother. I will only play along with your games for a little bit. You'll get to show off the ever so charming and intelligent daughter you've so carefully raised to the nobles, score a few points here and there, and I will get my connections. That's it. There will be none of what you consider 'romance'."
Her mothers face drew into a scowl at this, but she gave a nod of acceptance. "Very well then. We'll send you the details for our next gathering. You will attend."
Accepting this, Leta stayed for only a little while longer in silence before leaving. A short visit between parents and child would not be seemly to those in the Courtyard, especially when said child only visited rarely.
She would wait until she actually had contact with the right doctor to mention this to Wess. She might leave out the part about her agreement with her parents. as well. That would just cause him undue distress.
~~~~~
Wess would no doubt miss Leta as well, but he'd have the distraction of his mother. Nevertheless, she'd become a part of his life, and a welcome, joyful one. She was another constant spot of warmth, and he would have trouble being without her.
It took Wess two airships and a train to get to the tiny, poor town he'd grown up in, and it was deep into that night when he did, but he did. He found his old home easily, too, and knocked anxiously on the door of the small home. He should have been exhausted, but concern for his mother had kept him wide awake.
She answered, after a long delay, looking much like a bewildered mouse behind her great, rounded spectacles. She was smaller than Wess, and she looked sort of frail. She was thin, at least, and she wore a flower-patterned nightgown and her grey-streaked thin, curly brown hair let down in a wild mess to her armpits. There was also a sort of paleness to her face, which clearly had Wess's cold skin tone already, and it was clear from even that that she was sick. But she was smiling.
"Wess, love." She greeted tiredly, and immediately pulled him into a warm hug. Wess dropped his bags to reciprocate. "What are you here for? I love you, dear, and of course I'm glad to see you, but you have your work to do up in the Capitol." She finally released him there, to stare up into his face with tired concern.
"You are sick," He replied simply, "And I wanted to come to ensure your health. My work will be fine." She tutted at him, but picked up one of his two bags and gestured him inside before continuing.
"There's no need for that, but you're a sweet boy. If you want, of course, you can stay." Wess took his bag from her and picked up the other, then stepped in after her. She closed the door behind him.
"Of course there is a need. But thank you, mother."
She smiled at him and lead him upstairs, to his old room. It was painted a hasty blue, with spots of pink showing in a couple of places near the molding, and the furniture was old and too small for Wess, but he loved it. It was home. So he set his bags down there, idly chatting with his mother while he unpacked his things into a dresser that was falling apart.
He slept after that, and well, more stabilized now that he could see that his mother looked alright. In the morning he would have to deal with her sickness, but for now he was comfortable.
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Post by NobleAlyssum on Feb 18, 2014 17:42:12 GMT -8
For the next few days Leta spent her days busy with work, and some of her nights at her parents parties. She hated having to act like she cared about the simpering fools around her, about their various sons and daughters, how they were related to distant royalty in another land, or how their infernal rats that they called dogs were doing. She smiled and nodded along, said something witty, and charmed her way through the night. It was exhausting and infuriating. But she knew it was worth it when she met Doctor Desrosier. Desrosier seemed uncomfortable in the party scene, and taking pity on the poor woman Leta helped her escape from the hustle and bustle of the crowds. It helped somewhat in her decision that it was obvious the woman had changed into her evening clothes at the hospital, as a quick glance at her bags when she walked in showed the edges of her doctors coat. Leta had truthfully been examining her the whole night, the woman was short and stout, her blonde hair streaked with grey at her temples was pulled back in a no nonsense fashion, and her shoes were sensible flats, quite unlike the towering heels worn by many of the others around the venue. She seemed much more real than the perfumed ladies with heavy makeup, and the self absorbed men that frequented these occasions. She silently thanked her parents for actually following through with their end of the bargain.
Leta spent the rest of the night making comfortable small talk with Desrosier, slowly making her feel more at ease, even expressing her own disgust at these parties to make Desrosier laugh. She played the woman for all she was worth and integrated herself as a friendly influence around Desrosier. Later that night after the party, Leta gathered some information about her to find that Desrosier was an accomplished physician, and up to the standards that she held someone who would be treating someone as close to Wess as his mother was.
It was not too long before Leta invited the older woman over to her home by the waterway, and over a pot of tea, just happened to mention her worry over Wess' mother.
"I've never met the woman myself, but someone so important to Wess must be wonderful. She lives in the Treescape, so it would be hard to pop by for a quick visit just to introduce myself and check in on her... But I wish there was something I could do."
Then, as if realizing something for the moment, Leta slowly met Desrosier's eyes and grinned as if she had finally figured out the solution to all her problems.
"You're a doctor aren't you. Do you think you could stop by and help her recover? I'd be willing to pay you of course for your time. I'd be so happy knowing that she was in good hands..."
After a bit of shuffling and a big sip of tea, the older woman spoke. "I suppose I could do that... But only since its you." Her voice was gruff, and she seemed a bit uncomfortable.
Leta grinned. She had finally gotten what she wanted, but she'd be sure to keep Desrosier as a friend. The woman had a rough charm to her, and made some rather amusing observations.
After Derosier left, Leta looked back over the letters she had received from Wess, and smiled softly. He seemed to pen every letter to her so carefully, but perhaps that was just his way of writing. She took out a few sheets of paper and began to pen her latest response.
Darling Wess,
It is as always good to hear from you. I miss you terribly, and think of you often. I often find myself distracted by thoughts of you during my work. The city feels a bit colder without you in it, you know. I expect you to make up for your absence with a romantic picnic in one of the parks around the city when you return.
I hope your mother is doing well, and have been contemplating on how best to help with her recovery from my position. As such, I hope you will be alright with the fact that I have found a doctor that would be willing to help treat and care for your mother. Everything will of course, be paid for in advance from my accounts, so you don't need to worry about a thing. She will check by a few days after this letter arrives, and if you decide you do not wish to have her continue her services then she will leave. The payment is the same either way. I'm sure you want to know just who is coming to look over your mother, and I'll have you know that she is Doctor Derosier. She's a bit gruff, but she's well known for her work, and should be more than qualified to look over your mother. I would know, I had multiple background checks run on her.
As for our research, I've made some headway on it, but find myself unable to continue without your expertise on the art of Notation. It would not be viable to share our research through mail, and as such I suppose any real progress that is to be made will have to wait until you are back in the Capitol. I will begin acquiring the materials to construct the rune array, and will update you on it's progress.
I think I've covered most everything for now. I do hope to see you soon.
With the deepest affection, Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Leta Darnell
Sealing the letter, she dropped it off at the post office later that day, and made her way back to her abode.
~~~~~
Wess wasn't really certain what was wrong with his mother, only that it wasn't good. She held up alright the first few days that he was there, with her only break in her busy cooking, cleaning, working, and trying to fill Wess's every need the occasional odd shiver or need to vomit. Wess did his best to help her where he could, but there wasn't much she would allow him to do. After those few days, though, she started to break. She looked terminally pale and frail, and she started running a high fever and needed to drop what she was doing to empty out her insides. And then she started revealing how much trouble she was having eating, and he noticed her tossing and turning at night through the thin walls, rather than sleeping as she'd said she was. She definitely was not okay.
And Wess grew worried, of course, and started telling her no, making her lie in bed unless she needed to get up for the bathroom. He tried a wide array of easy, stomach-soothing foods on her before he settled on a couple of soups and crackers and water, which she seemed to be able to hold down better than anything else. He cooked and cleaned for her, and told the people she worked for that she was going to be staying home a little while. And while it was all difficult work, Wess found it necessary. He cared about his mother like he cared about few others, and she worried him with this. This was, he figured, like all of his sick days as a child rolled into one. He was repaying her for every kindness she'd shown him on those days, and more.
He was less worried than he had been, though. Less agitated. He was glad he was able to be with her for this, because he knew that otherwise he would be anxious constantly, awaiting always another letter from her, a small glimpse into what was going on, like peering into a complex wasteland that held the root of every one of it's problems, but only through the smallest of cracks in the wall. He was still worried, here, but he could do and know more about the situation.
He wanted to get help for her, but the money he had (and was still receiving, for now) wasn't cutting it. And he didn't know how long it would all have to last, either... So he was relieved when he got Leta's letter, and even more when the gruff doctor showed up at his door, looking uncertain.
He lead her to his mother with more of a rush than he usually put on things, his usual grace dampened by his general worry. His mother greeted the woman with kindness, as she did anyone, but she also frowned at Wess when he wasn't looking, as if to tell him that he really shouldn't have.
The doctor was, of course, able to puzzle out her ailment, and while Wess fed her and set up his room to house her instead, she and his mother talked. Desrosier informed her of the bottled charms she'd have to take and when, what they would do, what they might do, and a few other things. After Wess finished up with the room and she finished up with her talk, he sat down to a late lunch with her and talked to her himself.
He showed Desrosier more kindness than he usually did to someone he'd newly met, but he knew that his mother would expect now less, and he was grateful for her presence regardless. He thanked her for her coming, and then she gave him the same talk she'd given his mother.
That night, Wess penned a new letter, his worries greatly eased.
Dearest Leta,
Thank you for your assistance. I would argue that my own funds are sufficient to cover Dr. Desrosier's costs, but I regret to admit that I would be lying. I will repay you in a million picnics in the park, if that is what it costs, though I fear that may be paying myself as well.
She has been a great help so far; already she has solved the mystery of my mother's health, and prescribed a bi-daily medication for her. My concerns have ebbed greatly.
I am, as always, colder without you with you. I fear I must add a new blanket to my collection every night in order to keep warm, as each passing day without you proves a drop in my own temperatures. I can hardly contain myself when the thought of returning to you crosses my mind, though I fear this will take some time yet. I have told my mother about us, and she longs to meet you almost as much as I do. She is a kind woman.
How is your work? And your life? Inform me if anything happens to our precious library, too, please.
With love,
Wess Spingel
He sealed the letter than night, and took it to the post office the next morning after breakfast.
~~~~~
Leta smiled happily when she received Wess' latest letter to her. She felt a little silly getting so worked up whenever they interacted in any way... But since it was Wess, she found she didn't mind. Reading over the letter, she felt relief at hearing her efforts had paid off. Her parents would probably harass her for a little while more, but she could deal with that. Speaking of which, she shuffled through the rest of the letters and pulled out their latest correspondence. She'd dispose of it with dinner later tonight.
She went inside and finished her morning routine, it had become common for her to remember halfway through in her sleep dazed state to check the mail, and immediately look for Wess' letters. She tied her hair back in her usual quick and efficient manner, and grabbed a cup of coffee. Leta felt as though she could finally focus during her work again today.
~~~~~
Wess's mother seemed to improve in her condition after a little while in Dr. Desrosier's care, though he was still worried about her, and he wasn't going to leave until she was entirely well again (despite her constant protests). He was hoping it would only be a couple of weeks yet, despite his care for her, as he did need to get back to Leta and his work and all of those other things that awaited him back in the Capitol.
He didn't really get that chance, though, as he learned all to quickly what those shadowy figures had been.
His mother, as well as Dr. Desrosier, had gone to bed some time before Wess. The only reason he was still up was that he was reading, and taking advantage of the few hours he could steal alone. The night was, of course, quiet, and his little lamp light in the living room was the only light on in the house. Wess, and the story he was currently engrossed in, felt entirely alone in the peaceful world. And it was... relaxing.
And then he heard a knock on the door, which was in itself a strange occurrence. Not only did his mother get very few visitors, but this also happened to be the dead of night. Bewildered, Wess got up, still in his flannel pajamas, to answer it.
"We gotta talk to you." Said the tall woman that stood on his doorstep, and what he guessed was he overly-shadowy male companion nodded his agreement. He voice was thick with the spiking and rolling accent of the inner Sealand cities.
"Well, I dearly hope you do not assume this is some sort of secret password into my home. You may speak to me here." Wess retorted, firm, despite the fact that he was still in pajamas.
"Look, this is gonna take a wile. You oughta just let us in." She sighed, and looked up at her male companion. "Business is business, yeah? You know? And business takes a while." Her half-shadowed gaze returned to Wess, who could only raise a brow at the two.
"I do not know. However, if you share your names and the nature of your business, we might see how far inside I will allow you."
"What's that girl's name?" The man spoke up. His was was more deep and gruff, but held the same accent. "Lena? Leta?"
Wess stopped the retort he was about to give in it's tracks, then, and narrowed his eyes. Two hulking strangers had come to his door in the middle of the night to talk to him about Leta? To label it anything less than suspicious would be a mistake of mammoth proportions... as would letting these two into his home.
"We will speak out here." Wess told them, his tone much more firm than it had been before. "But we will speak. Tell me what it is you have to say."
"What a terrible host." The woman frowned at him. "But have it your way... you remember that piano you were workin' on? The one that can make anything? Money, gold, diamonds... All you gotta do is know the song." She smiled wistfully, leaning a bit more into the light so that he could see her features. She had a rounded face, framed by short, dark, and curly hair. Her wide, flat mouth was painted a lush pink. "See, we could use that, and we got the means to do it. We bein' the group a' people lookin' to take it, once you finish." Her eyes fairly shone with her greedy eagerness. "But how can we do that, when you're here with your old ladies? Kid, we got your lady. I got a recordin' on my phone a' her beggin' for ya', and instructions to play it if you ain't persuaded. And let me tell ya'," She grinned, "It ain't the hot kinda' beggin'." The man just behind her snorted.
"What we're tryna' say is, you oughta get back up to the Capitol and start workin' on this again. And by that we don't mean "eventually", neither. You got two days."
Wess frowned at the two. Well... there wasn't much he could do about this. If he was judging things right, these were only a couple of cronies. Useless, really, and without any power to persuade anyone above them of anything. Who else would an organization send? This was only dirty work.
It didn't seem he had much of a choice, then... and if Leta was in danger, he had to get back up there now. He could find her then, and perhaps try to persuade them...
The two left without offering him any new information, and he went back inside and gathered his belongings together in his bags again. There weren't any more trains tonight, but he could catch one early next morning... He decided he wouldn't explain things to his mother, or to the Doctor. He'd come up with some excuse.
Wess didn't sleep that night, and left before the Doctor and his mother got up, with a note explaining that his his landlord was prepared to evict him, if he didn't return immediately. He gave his mother his love, and the Doctor his promise of her pay and a thanks, and he was on a train and back to the Capitol before they knew he was gone.
He made it back to his apartment only a few hours after the sun had risen, dropped his things off, and then left immediately to see Leta at her own home, more distraught now with worry than he'd been after first hearing of his mother.
~~~~~
At the sound of someone at her door, Leta stumbled downstairs. It was still relatively early in the morning, so she wasn't quite awake yet. almost tripping over her own feet, she caught herself. She grabbed a soft grey blanket from the couch in her living room on her way to the entrance of her home and draped it over her shoulders. Slowly she unlocked the door, and as it creaked open she rubbed at her eyes, cringing at the bright light outside.
"What is it... It's too early in the morning for-" She stopped and was momentarily startled out of her morning stupor at the sight of a worried Wess. "Wess? You're back... But I thought...?" Shaking her head to clear some of the fuzziness from it, she opened the door wider and invited him inside. Closing the door behind them, she moved forward to embrace him. "Doesn't matter..." She mumbled, "Missed you..."
~~~~~
Wess was, needless to say, incredibly relieved to see that Leta was alright, and he smiled when he saw her, taking her invitation to enter her home. He was only a bit surprised by her embrace, and he returned it without his usual hesitation, resting his face in her hair.
"Good morning," He mumbled back, "I missed you, too."
He allowed them to remain like that for quite some time, incredibly glad that Leta was there and well. But then he pulled back, holding onto her upper arms, and looked her up and down. "Are you alright?" He asked her seriously, a bit of a frown to his lips, now.
~~~~~
Leta stared up at him, a mildly puzzled expression on her face. "Yes, why wouldn't I be?" He was acting strange... In fact the whole situation was strange.
Why was he here so early, wasn't he taking care of his mother? She couldn't fathom any reason why he would just leave his mother behind, even if she was getting better. Something was definitely wrong here, and the fact that he was here so early in the morning was suspicious as well. Her brows furrowed, she asked "Wess, is there something wrong? I know you wouldn't leave your mother without good reason... Even though I'm very happy to see you, it's a bit worrying."
~~~~~
His face fell into relief at her confirmation that she was alright, and he smiled a bit. She was okay... and clearly, she didn't know what was going on. Which meant the two that had shown up at his door had been lying... anger flared briefly in him, but he managed to keep it off of his face. It had only been a threat... perhaps not an empty one, though. They obviously knew who she was, that she was important to him, and now they would know just how important she was to him, too.
But it also meant that he had to cover this up, he had to make sure she didn't know. He couldn't worry her with this... he probably shouldn't even let her continued to be involved in it, too. Not in any way. He would have to distance himself from her, maybe even convince her to stop working on that project with him... no, that could only bring more trouble. They would start threatening him more, they might hurt her, and they would certainly know he was only doing it all because he cared. He had to be more careful about this, convince whoever was watching that he didn't care so much... which would be hard, considering his reaction to the idea of Leta being in danger. It would have to be more gradual, or maybe they would have to fight. He would... he would probably have to hurt her, in the process of doing this. And she was intuitive. He would have to be thorough and convincing in doing it, too.
But not just yet. He would plan it after this, make it seem real.
"No, nothing is wrong. My mother is doing alright now, and the Doctor is still with her. I returned because of a threat from my landlord, not to mention a depletion of my money reserves. Once I remedy these things, I will check back on her condition and return if the need still presents itself." He smiled at her, then, and embraced her again. "Of course, I also missed you. My heart simply could not stand another day away from you. It is grateful for the excuse to be near your's again, if only briefly."
~~~~~
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Post by NobleAlyssum on Feb 18, 2014 17:58:36 GMT -8
His word brought a flush to her cheeks, and she smiled up at him. He really was too sweet. His explanation sounded reasonable enough, it was certainly plausible. She felt confident knowing that he was okay, that he was here with her again, that everything was going well. Now that he was back, things could only get better, and she was determined to keep him close. Still, there was a niggling doubt, a warning in her gut that told her something was wrong, that not everything was right with him. She brushed it aside. She may trust her own intuition, but this was Wess. She would follow what her mind said this time.
"I'm glad. If you want, you could stay for breakfeast. It's a bit early, and I'm not nearly as good of a cook as you are, but if you don't have anywhere to be..."
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Post by ActuallyFace on Feb 19, 2014 9:00:10 GMT -8
Wess looked relieved at that, glad that she seemed to be accepting it. He'd have to be careful about this, really... she was so smart, so intuitive. And he was honestly reluctant to hurt her in any way, but... maybe he could do this without that, and if he couldn't, it was better than what the alternative might be.
"I would love to," he replied, smiling again at her, "you are a fine cook, and I long for the opportunity to be near you again." He let go of her again, and stepped back to look at her. Even in her half-asleep early-morning state, she was still absolutely lovely... and he'd missed her so much. It had been too long, and now he was going to have to start pulling away again... that was going to be painful, so painful.
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Post by NobleAlyssum on Feb 20, 2014 11:43:38 GMT -8
Seeing Wess had perked her up a bit, but she still wasn't awake enough to attempt cooking at the moment. She made her way into the kitchen and towards the coffee machine, quickly brewing a cup. While the machine was brewing, she started gathering ingredients from her fridge. She pulled eggs, sausage, and some butter into her arms and then placed them on the counter, and grabbed a loaf of bread and set it upon the cutting board. As long as she wasn't using anything with heat or sharp edges she would be fine.
A small chime let her know that the coffee was done, and she quickly poured herself a cup, before drinking it black. Most people couldn't handle pure coffee, but Leta found she rather liked it plain. Bitter tastes were actually one of her favorite things.
Feeling herself wake up, she searched through the cabinets for two frying pan and then set them on the stove top. Turning up the flames, she tossed the butter into one pan, letting the sizzling fill the air. She cracked the eggs and poured the insides into the other pan, planning on making scrambled eggs. As things began to cook and melt, she moved over to the cutting board and sliced up the bread and sausage, placing the sausage with the eggs, and the sliced bread in the pan with the butter.
She diligently tended to the cooking food, making sure it didn't burn. She had many unfortunate experiences where she had tried to multitask, and had ended up with nothing but charred remains and an unpleasant burnt smell filling her home.
As everything finally finished cooking, she grabbed some plates and slid the scrambled egg and sausage onto the plate, and placed the toast onto the plate's sides. She turned off the heat and brought the plates over to the high counter that had stools situated by it. She usually ate her meals at the counter rather than her table as she didn't have that many guests over.
She was fully awake now, and turned to Wess to ask him a question. "Would you like something to drink? The coffee is still warm, I have a few different varieties of tea, and there is juice and milk in the fridge."
She glanced back at the pans still on the stove top, making a mental note to soak them later.
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Post by ActuallyFace on Feb 20, 2014 18:18:55 GMT -8
Wess had leaned against the counter while she cooked, watching her, and finally calming down enough to realize how tired he was in the process. He hadn't slept much the night before, or well, really... and for once, the idea of coffee seemed somewhat appealing.
The food in front of him sort of woke him up, though, and he gladly took a seat beside Leta to eat his. He hadn't been this close to her in too long... ugh, he'd missed her. And while the hugging was nice, being able to sit beside her and just be close to her again was nicer. It was so much more a casual acknowledgement of one another, an acceptance and subtle gratitude that the other was there, and it was comfortable.
"Ah..." he started when she mentioned drinks, still half-temped have some coffee. But... no, no. Tea was better, and it would wake him up, too. "Some tea would be absolutely lovely, if you do not mind." He replied, already digging into the food she'd given him. While she wasn't the perfect cook, and she was no restaurant chef, he didn't mind her cooking. Not really. And it was warm, and it was Leta, and that was really all he cared about, when it came right down to it.
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Post by NobleAlyssum on Feb 21, 2014 23:30:06 GMT -8
She smiled at him, and began to prepare a cup of tea. This particular blend had been imported from the southern parts of the continents, far off where the sun beat down upon oceans of sands. She wasn't sure if they actually grew the leaves there or imported it from some other, even farther off land. She had a certain fondness for the more high end teas herself, and it showed in the quality of the leaves. She reached for the Ceylon leaves, letting the mild aroma of citrus fill the air, as she was planning on making Koshary Tea. It was a rather simple brewing method, letting the black tea steep in boiled water and letting it set. It took a few minutes the water was boiled and the leaves had steeped to give it the distinct flavor that high end Ceylon had. She searched through her spice cabinet to find cane sugar, and added a decent amount to sweeten it. She brought it over to Wess, hoping he would enjoy it. Normally she would partake in it as well, but for her, mornings were reserved for coffee alone.
They ate in silence for the most part, simply enjoying the company of one another. Leta felt these moments were precious to her, and carefully stored them away in her mind. The early morning light streamed in through the large windows that overlooked the waterway, and cast a warm glow on everything, giving a sense of ephemeral beauty. Leta hadn't noticed the beauty of morning often, usually asleep, or merely going through the motions in the early parts of the day. But here with Wess, she felt happy, and thought that she wouldn't mind getting up earlier if only to spend these quiet moments with him.
Leta was not a fool. She knew herself well, knew in her heart that she held a deep regard for Wess that no other being had ever matched. She was not blind to the nature of her soul, she knew she was bitter and distant. But her Wess was flawed too, and she accepted and cherished that. She had built up a barrier in her past, one from which she could survey others from, and interact safely from a distance. At her core she knew she was cruel, and her affections were sparse, her words sharp and dry. But for him she had become gentle, soft. Was that what love was? She knew it to be true.
Perhaps it was a bit odd, realizing you loved someone over breakfast. There had been no grand gestures, nobody was swept of their feet, no heroic adventure... Just two people enjoying a simple meal together. Perhaps that was what meant it was real. When placed in some grandiose situation, she supposed it was easy to think you had fallen in love, when you in fact, were merely enamored with the idea, the drama, the glamor. That didn't mean that you couldn't fall in love from such a situation, but... She felt as though this love was more real, solid. It wouldn't be shaken, or stolen from her. No, she would keep this feeling close to her heart, and protect what they had together.
Not that it particularly needed protection, she thought. Wess had expressed his own affections for her, and she was certain he had no interest in backing out of the relationship. He after all, had confessed to her. She had no cause to worry about the state of things between them. Things could only continue to grow stronger between them, right?
After they had finished the food she had prepared, and the dishes were placed in the sink, Leta spoke again to Wess.
"I suppose that you will have to meet with your landlord soon..." Her words had a slight melancholy tinge to them. She was quite happy he was back, and understood that he had things to take care of, but it didn't make parting any easier for her. She took solace in the fact that at least he was in the city, within her reach.
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Post by ActuallyFace on Feb 23, 2014 18:04:17 GMT -8
Wess was so enjoying the time with Leta, the ability to just be near her again, that he'd forgotten entirely about all of those things he'd said and decided on... the mythical landlord he didn't actually need to talk to, and the fact that soon, much too soon, he would have to start pulling away... couldn't he just enjoy this moment with Leta? Just this last morning, one breakfast with her, one handful of hours in her presence...
Well, it looked like he couldn't. He'd maybe be able to steal once more hour, but then...
"Soon, yes, but not quite yet." Wess answered, a comforting smile on his lips. He leaned a bit closer and placed a rare kiss on her lips, his face heating up as he did, and then hesitated a moment before taking her hand. "He may wait another hour. You are more important now, I think."
And he did wait with her another hour, taking the time to remember what all of this was like, what made time with Leta so incredible, and... then he had to leave. Much too soon, he thought, but there it was.
He didn't go see his landlord. Instead, he left a note at the door of the woman's own apartment int he building letting her know he was back, and then spent the rest of the day in his flat, pacing and reading the journals Leta had made him, and even eating, every so often.
He went back to the Spice factory later to ask for his job back, and they gave him an application and told him they would consider it. A week later, he was working there again, and his salary was back as it was.
In the meantime, he'd made sure to resume his work with Leta, hoping that whoever was watching would see that they were back to working on this. She would probably notice, too, that he seemed to be getting more agitated and nervous as the weeks passed... sleepless circles faded into existence beneath his eyes, and the warm smile he wore so often around her looked to be slowly dissolving.
And he began to pull away.
He was careful about it, first slowly stopping the small amount of physical affection he showed her, then the extravagance of his compliments... then he started stiffening when she showed him affection of her own, and then he pulled away from her... He tried to look like he didn't want to be around her any longer, and perhaps the guilty, pained look that touched his eyes whenever he was near her helped that. Or maybe it would tip her off as to what he was doing...
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Post by NobleAlyssum on Feb 24, 2014 9:37:35 GMT -8
There was a chill in the air, and Leta pulled her coat tighter around herself, a protective barrier against the world. She was returning home from her time researching with Wess, but she was walking alone.
Her expression shifted into one of pain, her brows furrowed, and her heart ached whenever she thought too hard about the source of her worries. She hadn't noticed it quite at first, but as time went on she could feel him slipping away from her. He nearly recoiled from her now days... Every time she tried to pull him closer, he slipped farther away like sand through her fingers.
What was she doing wrong? He looked so... pained when he was in her presence. How could she fix this? What was she supposed to do? Every time she tried to figure out what to do, she felt like she was drowning in her own frantic thoughts.
So she tried being better, more attentive. She drew out her time with him as much as she could, but that was getting harder each day as he pushed her farther and farther away. She could survive without him, she knew this... But she wouldn't be the same. She had opened her heart to him completely, let him carve it out and fit himself in, and now he was pulling away, drawing it out agonizingly slowly.
It made her want to scream. In sadness, in pain, in anger... How dare he do this to her! How could he come into her life, and just worm his way in, only to leave? This was much worse than the pain she had felt when she was young, before she learned to keep her distance... Was this way it was supposed to be? Had she been mistaken in letting him in?
No. There had to be more to it. There must be, or... She didn't know what she would do. She felt unstable, off balance. Everything was wrong, too wrong to be the truth. She would do what she had always done.
It was a riddle.
If she looked at it like that she would be okay. She could function. She began to turn the pieces over in her mind. His sudden appearance that day, that was the beginning of the end wasn't it? He had been frantic almost... and she had accepted his reassurances with ease. Obviously she was wrong to do so, as it wasn't long after that when he began drifting away from her. She briefly entertained the idea of him with another, and felt a vicious jealousy pool in her veins, but dismissed it soon after. Wess wasn't like that, he had a hard enough time confessing his love to her in the first place. Reexamining the day, their conversation, the little details... He had been worried about her safety hadn't he? What would cause him to-
The shadowed figures. How hadn't she seen it? It was clear now. They obviously were watching their research, she had know this, and she had put it out of her mind. But their intentions were less shrouded i mystery now, they must have wanted it completed, for whatever reason... and knew that she couldn't complete it on her own. They had been lenient so far, refraining from restricting their freedom, letting them work at their own pace... But they had decided to draw the line at leaving the city, hadn't they? They must have done something, said something that would bring him back to see her. Then it was also their fault that he was separating himself from her! Her face twisted into a sneer, she would make sure they knew not to even think of touching her Wess again.
It was a bitter relief, to understand what was going on. But she would have to test her theory, make sure that they were the ones behind this... Then, she would take real action. But she would be careful, they wouldn't know of their mistake until it was too late. As for Wess, when all of this was said and done, she would have to redefine a few things in his world for him...
When she finally made it to her home and went inside, she made her way to her the basement. She had plenty of runing materials stored down here, as well as one particular item that she would need in the coming dawn.
The blade of the khopesh that she kept carefully tucked away in a case was soon polished until it gleamed, the edges of the blade rendered to a keen edge.
She would observe them for a few days, and hopefully figure out which follower to target. She would wring as much information as she could from them, and then move on to the next until she got names, addresses, anything. She should have cut them down long ago.
The next few days passed in quiet tranquility. Leta hadn't been able to get Wess to spend time with her outside of research as of late, and didn't even bother this week. Without him by her side, she was more aware of those who followed her. With quiet discreet observance, she noticed that there were periods she wasn't observed at all. The people would switch off regularly too... She noticed the build of her followers, and that one was just a little clumsier than the others, a little less sure of themselves going by their body language. Of course, she was certain she could go after any of them, they were just grunts after all, but why make things harder for herself?
She paid more attention to the change in shifts, working out the schedule they would abide by. By the time she had though, it was one of the research focused days. She would need to bring her blade with her, and keep it hidden, as well as leave a little early to throw off the watchers.
She brought a larger bag than usual to hide her khopesh in. It was carefully swaddled in cloth. The runing instrument she had when Wess had first approached her with a riddle, was in there as well. It had a few... modifications to it. It didn't exactly work anymore, but it still manipulated energy, enough to at least release a burst that could stun somebody for a little bit. She could probably get arrested for creating something like that, but anyone who could find out wouldn't be able to lift a finger against her when she was done. Energy manipulation was highly regulated after all.
That day Leta and Wess barely even talked at all. The silence was stifling, and there was a palpable tension between them. She spoke softly, as though noise would tear apart the bubble that contained all of the unsaid things between them. She felt that their research was almost done, just a few more pieces needed to complete it. Leta hoped that when she found out what she needed to know, things would go back to normal between them.
Before she left, Leta studied Wess, taking in everything about him. He had stress lines in his brow, and dark circles under his eyes. His clothing was rumpled, and he was obviously exhausted. She suspected he had been working on their research outside of their time together. She felt a low pulse of anger, knowing that he was probably trying to appease the demands of those that followed them. She would make their time under her blade even more painful for this.
Sunset had fallen upon the city, and the lowering sun painted it red under its rays. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the follower rushing to keep up with her pace as she turned down sharp corners and small streets, while still struggling to stay out of her sight. She moved to her chosen point of ambush, a long alleyway. She had set up a small rune array built with the intent of creating a series of pulses that would knock down some rather heavy crates, blocking off the alley. She made sure that her trailer thought she would head down the whole alley without stopping, her pace and stride indicating that she wasn't going to stop or even turn around. If they didn't take the bait and follow her, she would just have to hunt them through the city.
The soft patter of footsteps behind her let her know it had worked, and as she passed the array, she sent out a burst of energy from the modded runing instrument, and heard the clatter of the crates and gasp of shock from her pursuer.
Slowing her pace, she came to a slow stop, before turning on her heel and taking deliberate strides towards the figure. Now that they were trapped, Leta could make out the average, slightly dumb look on his face. He wore a thick cloak, but she could make out the shiver that went down his spine when she puled out the bundle of cloth that covered her khopesh, and slowly pulled off the fabric. Stopping a few feet in front of him, and tested the balance of the blade, and shoved her bag to the side of the alley way.
She had one of them trapped. She would finally get her answers, and she would make sure they suffered through every moment. She could feel the unnatural wideness to her eyes, as well as the slightly crazed tilt to her lips. She was certain he was going to pass out from fear when she took one lurching step forwards. She would play this for all it was worth, after all intimidation was a perfectly viable method of extracting information, wasn't it?
"He who makes it, sells it he who buys it, doesn't use it he who uses it, doesn't know it. What is it?"
When the man didn't respond, she raised her voice.
"Answer me. NOW."
The man stuttered out a reply, backing away with every step she took closer, until his back hit the large pile of crates.
"I-I don't know!"
She grinned, he didn't appear to have any weapons on him, and was probably scared for his life right now. Good. She lunged forward, pinning him to the crates with her blade against his neck. She laughed brightly and spoke again.
"The answer is a coffin, and you're going to need one if I don't get what I want."
Quickly she grabbed him by the collar of his clothes and threw him onto the ground. He let out a small cry as the impact knocked the breath from his lungs. She held his chest under her heel, pressure keeping him short of breath, the fine edge of her blade pointed directly at his throat.
"Start talking."
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Post by ActuallyFace on Feb 24, 2014 17:23:14 GMT -8
It was hurting Wess, too, distancing himself from Leta... he wanted to be close to her again so terribly, to tell her he was sorry for all he'd done and that he hated it, too. He didn't want to do this... and it should be clear, too, that it was killing him. He really did look a mess, nothing like how he had before. He didn't stand so tall and elegantly, didn't move or speak with the same grace, he couldn't. He needed Leta, he loved her, he... he didn't want to have to hurt her. And he could tell he was, too, could tell she hated this just as much as he did. She spoke so softly, with so little of her usual confidence, and... it wasn't fair to her. It wasn't fair to either of them.
So he'd distracted himself with his work, even while she was gone. He wanted to move this along, now, as quickly as he could manage, and he didn't have anything else to think about. He did compose a few songs, all sad and bitter and ending just halfway through when he'd gotten frustrated with them, but the work was what really occupied his mind, and what brought the end of this horror ever closer. If he could just finish it, he could give it up, keep some records, sell the idea to someone somewhere, get this dream off the fucking ground already, and then go back to being with Leta again. God, did he want that...
After the encounter he'd had with those cronies, this... whatever it was, probably some kind of crazy gang, went back to watching him from the shadows. They were a little less careful, though, and they made their presence a little more obvious, but Wess was fairly certain this was intentional. They were trying to scare him, to get him to move a little faster with all of this. Well, let them. He didn't care anymore, he was doing more than he had before, and he doubted they were actually going to try to threaten him or anyone else again. And if they did, at least Leta was almost certainly safe, and his mom... well, he'd left rather suddenly. He doubted they thought there was much of a bond between them.
There was, though... he hid the letters, but he'd still been getting them from her, reminders that she was doing better and on her way to being just fine, back to normal. Gratitude for his presence, and assurance that she would manage now without it. He even got a few brief notes from Desrosier, letting him know that his mother's condition was improving, and that she would be just fine. And it was comforting, knowing these things, though he couldn't help but add the worry of his mother to the pile.
That particular day had been... well, exhausting. Days with Leta always tired him. There was so much damn emotion, so much anxiety and guilt and regret that came with being around her, now... not that he disliked Leta herself, god no, but he'd actually begun to find it hard to be around her. At least, he found it hard to act like this around her. If he could just go back to how he'd been again, everything would be so much easier... but it would be at the risk of endangering Leta, and he couldn't do that. He couldn't.
It was comforting, though, to know that they were creeping up on the end of their project. This would be over soon, he was certain! And after she left, alone, he went immediately back to working on their project.
It was really only a little while after Leta had left, really, but Wess was... well, he was almost certain they were done! He took another hour to make sure, though, playing a few of the harmless songs he'd composed for that purpose. It took a few tries to get everything just right, and the songs were rather long, but then, finally, finally, those incredibly little particles arranged themselves in a little round ball, a generic cube, and, with a longer song, a piece of stone shaped like a flower.
Relief and elation swept through him.
His shoulders slumped, his face fell from stiff guilt, pain and worry, and he leaned forward on his bench to put his head in his hands, elbows touching a few meaningless notes as they landed on the keys of his piano. Oh, god... he was done, he was fucking done, he could... he could tell Leta, he could get rid of this, all of it, oh god. He felt a few tears well up in his eyes and one or two even spilled over, soaking into the sleeves of his shirt as that incredible weight lifted from his shoulders. It was going to be okay, now... it was going to be alright.
After a few moments he straightened again, then stood, and grabbed his RCD off the coffee table. the case it was in had only one inscribed rune, which was colored yellow for Leta. He placed that into the long slot on the device, sending a pulse of light to her that should let her know he'd finished, or... at least that they needed to meet.
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Post by NobleAlyssum on Feb 24, 2014 23:54:43 GMT -8
A brief flash of defiance flickered in the mans eyes at her words, and a weak grimace passed over his face.
"I ain't telling you anything."
She crushed that defiance beneath her heel, grinding it to dust in an instant. With a quick stomp she had cracked his rib, and he let out a shriek of pain.
"Do you think this blade is just for show? That I won't go through with the deed if you displease me?"
He was a stupid man to defy her. It was their fault she was in such a state, and it was only natural that they would suffer for it. She didn't care that the man was probably just following orders, anyone who had taken part in driving Wess away from her would pay dearly.
Before she had felt a heavy weight on her shoulders, the thought of losing Wess eating at her constantly no matter what she did. If he were to reject her... to push her aside, if he had only been using her... She felt as though part of her would splinter off and wither away. She had been living with the same thoughts and worries circulating in her mind for too long.
With the revelation that he was pulling away from in some misguided attempt to care for and protect her, something else had been triggered inside her. She could feel her anger crackling in her veins and heating her thoughts. Now that she had her chance to repay some of the sorrow that had been forced upon her and Wess, she would show no kindness. She felt her own cruelty rising to the surface, and reveled in it.
She spoke again, her voice low. "Now we are going to try again. Who sent you and what do they want with our work?"
The man let out a whimper, but stayed silent. That is, until Leta applied pressure to his ribs. Leta grinned as he began to babble out what he knew. Every one had a breaking point, and she had chosen the prey with a rather weak tolerance for pain.
"O-Okay! I'll talk, I'll talk! P-Please stop!" He was taking in gasping breaths, whether out of fear or pain, it didn't really matter to Leta. "I don't know exactly what the boss wants, I'm not that high up! But I mean, isn't it o-obvious?" Leta pressed the tip of the khopesh to his neck at that, hard enough to draw droplets of blood, a snarl distorting her features. "R-Right, answers! I got it!" The man took another shuddering breath before continuing. "The boss wants riches! You've got a song that can create literally anything, so who wouldn't want that?"
Leta eased up on the pressure she was exerting on him, tilting her head to the side in thought. "And your boss? Who are they?"
"It's A-Adamo, Adamo of the Praesent Risus!"
The Praesent Risus? They were a relatively new gang in the crime world from what she had heard. But they were gaining power fast, and steadily amassing influence in the seedy underbelly of the Capitol. This Adamo... was a fool.
She would talk with a few of her contacts, it shouldn't be too hard to pin down the area which the Praesent Risus occupied. Then... well, she did have access to the Rune Arrays. A simple visit to that district's facilities, a hidden time release energy surge array...
She would ruin this man, and enjoy watching everything he built go down in flames.
She slowly moved away from the grunt on the ground, a look of disdain crossing her features as the man curled up into a pitiful little ball. What she wasn't expecting when she turned around were the two figures at the end of the alleyway heading towards her at a fast pace. When they saw the man lying by the crates, they gasped.
"You bitch! What did you do to Paulo?!"
At that moment, the RCD in her coat pocket lit up with Wess' ice blue, and Leta felt her heart skip a beat. Wess was trying to contact her, and these two brutes were in her way. He wouldn't contact her unless it was really important, unless he really needed her, not when things between them had turned so sour. She quickly analyzed her chances of getting out of the situation without violence, only to stop short when the two grunts pulled out blades of their own. Although they were small, if she wasn't careful she could get hurt.
But she still had the advantage. Just by their movements she could tell that their anger didn't give them focus the way it did her... and they were untrained, where she had paid for a tutor in the art of the blade when she was younger. Of course going by their build, they were physically stronger... but she had skill and speed on her side.
She lunged forward suddenly slipping under the guard of the larger of the two, and landing a slice on their stomach. They were nothing more than mongrels that needed to be put down, and she would do so and get to Wess. The khopesh was mad for slicing and cutting, not for piercing, so she slipped away as cleanly a she could, landing a gash on the grunts arm. Unfortunately, the second one, while as sloppy as the first was quicker than she expected and managed to land a cut on her shoulder, slicing through the fabric of the coat. Spinning her body around, she used her own momentum to drive the khopesh through the air, slashing across the face of the second grunt. As both reeled back in pain from their injuries, Leta grabbed the bag she had shoved to the side earlier and ran out of the alley.
She didn't want to take the risk of serious injury when taking on two people larger than her. Leta had the capability, but not the desire to deal with the risks involved with taking them down right now.
Later she would deal with the fact that she might have left two people maimed. Though to her, it didn't matter as long as she got to Wess, but others might see it differently.
She quickly wrapped the blade with a cloth and shoved it into her bag. She garnered a few stares as she traversed the streets but ignored them. The pain in her shoulder was pretty distracting though, and she could feel the blood seeping as she clutched the wound.
Leta finally reached Wess' door, and knocked. It must have been at least forty five minutes since he had used the RCD, and she oped he wasn't too concerned.
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