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Post by crue on Oct 5, 2008 17:33:01 GMT -5
[shadow=gray,left,300]aiden[/shadow] [/color] "Oh no, no, you don't gotta talk, I get it. You changed your mind and don't want to see me anymore. I understand."
No! Not both of them! If he couldn't make them both happy, he'd have to expose what he was to her, and why she needed to stay with him. "No! Rhoslyn, listen to me. I need you to understand, because I'm going to sound crazy to you. I can prove myself to you." People were beginning to stare, so he took her by the hand and pulled her to the dark alley alongside the outside wall of the coffee shop after tossing a twenty on the table.
"Shhh, don't say a word. Listen very carefully to me. This is extremely important, and what I meant is that you're risking your life as a human. I'd love to have you stay with me. You'd be safe here." Crazy as he may have seemed, he was speaking the truth. If she left, she was in danger. If she stayed, she was still in danger, but he would keep her as safe as he could. He had let go of her long ago. "Before you freak out, I need to ask you something." He reached out his hand to her. "Do you trust me?" |
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Post by rhoslyn on Oct 5, 2008 17:44:46 GMT -5
She had tried to flinch back away from him, feeling a jolt of lightening as he took her hand. What is he talking about? She's starting to get a little scared, and keeps her lute close to her as they enter the darkness of an alley. Strange...she still felt that small sense of being safe.
She hid her face with the instrument case as he spoke, trying to hide her confused, hurt, and really over all shattered expression. What is he babbling about? "Wha-..what are you talking about, Aiden? I don't understand what you're talking about, "risking my life as a human"...what's that supposed to mean?"
Though she still hides her face, she somehow knew he was holding a hand out for her. Her body stiffens up. "I-...I-..."
Rhoslyn peeks out from behind the safety of her lute. When she saw his eyes, that's all she could feel over the bit of hurt that made her want to cry a bit; trust. So she mutely nods, gray eyes never straying from him. Her mouth moves, yet no words are audible.
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Post by crue on Oct 5, 2008 17:53:42 GMT -5
[shadow=gray,left,300]aiden[/shadow] [/color] "It's okay, Rhoslyn, don't be afraid. I didn't mean to frighten you, especially the day I met you. I didn't think that this would need to happen so soon..." A deep breath calmed him slightly. The only things now were how she would take what would happen next, and also how she would react to them.
"Just don't scream. Hope you like dogs."
A second later, he was gone.
Gone in a burst of black fur. Canines grew longer as his face contorted into a muzzle, paws replaced his hands and feet, and a tail. A wolf the size of a Saint Bernard stood before her now, amber eyes glancing up at her somberly. Immediately, he arranged himself into a non-threatening position; lowering to his haunches, tail curled around him, ears pricked toward her, intelligent eyes full of sorrow.
She would scream, it was likely, and he began seeking places to hide if she would do so. Remaining in the shadows, he kept an eye out for passerby, as this was extremely dangerous for him. But this was the only way he could convince her without scaring her into thinking that he was insane. He let his head droop, eyes closing. How terrible... she must think that she's lost her marbles... |
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Post by rhoslyn on Oct 5, 2008 18:05:36 GMT -5
"Just don't scream. Hope you like dogs."
"Wha-..."
Rhoslyn isn't a cat person, and at one point actually was a dog walker in desperation for cash. But this-...was too much.
Aiden was a doggie. Of course she's going to scream.
Her mouth opens wide, her breath readying her lungs having a small whimper on it as she crushes herself against the wall behind her, lute crashing to the ground. But clenching her fist, she bites down hard on it, unable to blink or look away. A doggie. He just turned into a doggie.
"...is-...this-...happening?" She manages to whisper out, staring down at the Aiden-dog. With her free hand, she reaches down, as if to pet his head, then jerks away and slides away against the wall. She's visibly trembling now, biting her lip hard so she couldn't scream. She didn't want Aiden to get in trouble, because she still found herself caring; what if someone came and saw this?
"...so...y-you're secretly a dog?" She mentally beat herself for asking, since he obviously couldn't say anything back...like that.
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Post by crue on Oct 5, 2008 18:17:56 GMT -5
[shadow=gray,left,300]aiden[/shadow] [/color] He knew exactly how she was going to take it; she was readying to scream. Muscles tensed and rippled under his black coat as he prepared to hide, but she stiffled her screams and began to slide down the wall instead. Scuffling behind the garbage cans he had dashed behind, he re-emerged as Aiden. "Shh, shh, come here. Come here, it's okay," he said as he outstretched his arms to hold her.
He whispered into her ear, "Do you see now? All the myths you've heard about vampires and werewolves... they're real, Rhoslyn. I didn't think that they were either, until now. I told you that I wasn't safe, and neither are you. The vampires and werewolves... they'll want you. To change you to be like us. I'm a human with a sliver of wolf in me. At least I'm still alive, and you can hear my heart beating. Others do not have it so well."
"I knew that you'd think I was nuts if I just told you. You might have left, run off, straight into them. I had to show you; I know it wasn't very couth of me, but I need you to be safe. I have to be the one to keep you that way."
"Do you believe me now, dearest? I'm so sorry... shhh. It'll be all right." Consolation was the only thing a mutt could give someone he didn't ever deserve, whom he'd freaked out to the point of no return. |
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Post by rhoslyn on Oct 5, 2008 18:30:59 GMT -5
The next thing she knew she was being held, and she almost started beating at whoever had her until she realized it was Aiden, no longer in the shape of a black furred animal. Her arms drop, trembling lightly. He's hugging her, and-...it had literally been years since she's had a hug. At first it felt strange and unnatural, but soon she felt herself hugging back, felt herself crying as she hid her face in his chest. It felt good to hug, and she realized how much she'd been longing to do it...and to hug Aiden made the hurt in her heart stop.
Rhoslyn listens with her eyes screwed shut tightly as she holds in a sob, keeping her breath in her body. Now she was afraid of monsters in the night that could take her, like in some demented fairy tale. But right here, right now, she didn't think it'd happen. Aiden made her feel too safe and protected.
"Do you believe me now, dearest? I'm so sorry... shhh. It'll be all right."
She nods, holding onto him tighter. Nothing could happen when Aiden's right here, she tells herself. Nothing will happen.
"Aiden-..." She was going to say something, but stopped suddenly, biting down hard on her lip.
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Post by crue on Oct 5, 2008 18:49:22 GMT -5
[shadow=gray,left,300]aiden[/shadow] [/color] "And when you think that you're all alone and begin to worry, don't. I'll always be right there, protecting you. Night and day, I'll be there. If you ever need me and you don't think I'm there, whisper my name into the darkness, and I'll come. I'll guard your apartment, whatever I have to do. Don't worry anymore."
She began to cry, and he held her tighter, making sure not to harm her as he did so. The hug felt good, and he knew that she trusted him; really trusted him now.
"I got into a bit of a spat with--" he stopped. "What? What is it?" |
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Post by rhoslyn on Oct 5, 2008 18:57:22 GMT -5
She listens still, feeling herself calming down with his every word. His presence soothed her, and she pulls her face up so she could rub an eye with a fist. Everything's okay now. She smiles a bit, looking up at him while not letting go.
"I got into a bit of a spat with--" he stopped. "What? What is it?"
Rhoslyn shakes her head quickly, looking down now. "Oh, you first. I can wait. You got in a spat, you said?"
She couldn't say what she almost said as he was telling her something. It'd have to wait, maybe to a more suitable time. Maybe she wouldn't say it at all, but she felt she'd implode if she didn't tell Aiden sometime.
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Post by crue on Oct 5, 2008 19:06:32 GMT -5
[shadow=gray,left,300]aiden[/shadow] [/color] Pursing his lips at her reaction, he tilted his head, his brows quirked, then decided to humor her. "Augustina is a vampire. She is--was one of my good friends. I felt for her at one time like I feel for you now. Revenge is bittersweet, so if there's one person you don't want to be caught by is her. But don't worry, again, I'll deal with her if she causes you any stress."
"Now, what is this that you need to tell me? I risked everything by telling you my secret. What is it, Rhos?" Surely this would be something like, 'I can't be near a mythical creature, a wild animal at that' or 'You dirty mutt, away with you.' Bracing for the hurt, he watched her carefully, waiting for her emotions to reveal a clue or something to him. |
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Post by rhoslyn on Oct 5, 2008 19:22:34 GMT -5
Augustina; the name already sent a shiver down her spine. Rhoslyn gulps a bit, feeling like something bad was going to happen and the name Augustina would definitely be involved. But...Aiden would protect her. And she'd pick up some garlic from the store or something. Did that work on vampires?
"Now,what is this that you need to tell me? I risked everything by telling you my secret. What is it, Rhos?"
"Two things, actually." Rhoslyn smiles with all the gratitude in the world, her eyes aglow with a soft, happy light. Like a gray candle. "Thank you for protecting me, Aiden...I've never had-...anyone do that before...thank you..."
And now thing two.
Rhoslyn closes her eyes. She didn't know if she should really say it or not. How would Aiden take it? Think she was crazy, especially after...the doggie incident? Oh well. Rhoslyn is taking a chance.
"Aiden, I've known you for one day, and it might as well have been a life time...well..." Opening her eyes, Rhoslyn takes a deep breath. Now she felt ridiculous; she's loosing her courage and nerve.
"I-...um...I think I love you, Aiden."
It was sudden. A day. She felt like friggin' Juliet or something. Looking down and pulling back from him, she feels her face heat up like she'd just eaten a jalapeno pepper. So she wouldn't face his reaction full on, she turns and picks up her lute, dusting it off.
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Post by crue on Oct 7, 2008 15:03:10 GMT -5
[shadow=gray,left,300]aiden[/shadow] [/color] "Two things, actually. Thank you for protecting me, Aiden...I've never had-...anyone do that before...thank you..."
"Truly, it's the least I could do for you. There's just something about you that makes me feel again. Ever since they changed me, I've hated everything. There was no reason to live, no one to care if I lived or died... although I never thought of ending it all. Then, you came along, and I began to see a reason that I'm the monster I am. I feel--wanted, accepted; and thsoe two feelings alone make all the difference." Confession spilled from his lips in the form of beautiful baratones, lyrics floating along with the air that swept them away.
Remembering that there was something else that she had wanted to tell him, he closed his mouth, hazel gaze upon her.
"Aiden, I've known you for one day, and it might as well have been a life time...well... I-...um...I think I love you, Aiden."
Taken aback, he felt his mouth drop open slightly, and snapped it shut again. So, she really felt the same for him as he did for her? This made things different; good, but also very difficult. So surprised was he that he temporarily forgot how to make simple facial movements. As his brain slowly came out of its fog, he revealed his white teeth in a smile.
Trying not to get too excited about the matter at hand, he gazed down at her, realizing that this reminded him of something... maybe a piece of literature that he had liked at one time. Straining to remember did no good, so he focused on replying. "Don't be embarrassed, Rhoslyn. If I didn't truly love you as well, I don't think I could have told you what I was. I didn't want you to leave me, and I think, if you would have left, I would have followed you as a wolf and watched over you. However, this makes things much more difficult for the both of us. Augustina will not be happy, but I'm not so sure how much I care anymore. I'm not her dog, I was her friend. I don't know if I can handle her now, but we'll be fine." We'll as in you will be fine.
As soon as he finished speaking, he remembered. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. The elusive piece of literature he had been grasping for. Hopefully their lives didn't end up the same way. |
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Post by rhoslyn on Oct 7, 2008 15:18:58 GMT -5
"Truly, it's the least I could do for you. There's just something about you that makes me feel again. Ever since they changed me, I've hated everything. There was no reason to live, no one to care if I lived or died... although I never thought of ending it all. Then, you came along, and I began to see a reason that I'm the monster I am. I feel--wanted, accepted; and those two feelings alone make all the difference."
Rhoslyn smiles a bit to herself, pulling her lute case up to her. She holds it to her chest, arms tucked around the black of the case. That certainly made her smile on the inside. But she frowned at the word monster. Who told him he was a monster? "...you're not a monster, Aiden." She says it softly, back still turned to him and facing the alley wall.
During his silence after she explained her affection, she grew more and more tense. The air pressed on her like cement. Yup, he hated her or something now. Definitely. Thought she was a freak, or worse, a freaky looney girl. But when he replies, it startled her out of her tense silence good enough to make her face him again.
"Don't be embarrassed, Rhoslyn. If I didn't truly love you as well, I don't think I could have told you what I was. I didn't want you to leave me, and I think, if you would have left, I would have followed you as a wolf and watched over you. However, this makes things much more difficult for the both of us. Augustina will not be happy, but I'm not so sure how much I care anymore. I'm not her dog, I was her friend. I don't know if I can handle her now, but we'll be fine."
Her eyes widen a bit, but then she smiles wide enough to match his own. She couldn't believe that he felt the exact same way she did, and felt like doing a quick jig to release some of the happy growing like a new born inside her.
"I'll just get some garlic to ward off this Augustina," Rhoslyn laughs a bit.
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Post by crue on Oct 7, 2008 16:58:17 GMT -5
[shadow=gray,left,300]aiden[/shadow] [/color] A disbelieving cough slipped out before he could stop it. "People run from monsters, Rhoslyn. What were you going to do when I changed for you?" Pondering this thought, he dismissed it after a few seconds. "But, that's not what matters. What does matter is how you thought that I was going to think you were nutty after you told me how you felt." Deciding to finally explain, he continued, beginning with, "Your emotions and facial expressions give away a lot. How in the world could you be crazier than me? I'm a wolf, for the love, and you're concerned with whether I'll get mad at you if you tell me the truth more than the dangers of running around with a werewolf. Seriously, I've been through some insane things. You don't even make my 'Crazy People to Stay Away From' list. Feel better?"
Smiling, he shook his head. Silly girl. If anything, everything that she said needed to be flipped. In no normal world does a beautiful human girl go for a werewolf guy she hardly knows. Good thing this isn't a normal world. "Come on, it's starting to get dark. I'll walk you back to your apartment. Would you happen to have a balcony or something of the like? I'll stay with you tonight." |
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Post by rhoslyn on Oct 8, 2008 17:04:44 GMT -5
"People run from monsters, Rhoslyn. What were you going to do when I changed for you?"
Her mouth had opened to answer him quickly, but he changed the subject before she could respond. Rhoslyn slowly pressed her lips together as Aiden began talking again. You're not a monster, she says what she had been going to tell him to herself. You just-...you just have more than what the average person does. Just a little more to you.
"But, that's not what matters. What does matter is how you thought that I was going to think you were nutty after you told me how you felt."
Again, her mouth opened to retort. "W-well-!" ...and, she couldn't think of anything to say. A rather comical expression takes over her face; a load of confusion. So she just shuts up and listens to the rest of what he had to say.
"Your emotions and facial expressions give away a lot. How in the world could you be crazier than me? I'm a wolf, for the love, and you're concerned with whether I'll get mad at you if you tell me the truth more than the dangers of running around with a werewolf. Seriously, I've been through some insane things. You don't even make my 'Crazy People to Stay Away From' list. Feel better?"
"Better? You have no idea," Rhoslyn sighed out with a relieved sigh. She leans her back against the alley wall behind her, eyes closed. What a day; it was supposed to be a boring performance outing, and it turned into probably one of the most memorable points of her life. And she wasn't crazy. That made it even sweeter.
"Come on, it's starting to get dark. I'll walk you back to your apartment. Would you happen to have a balcony or something of the like? I'll stay with you tonight."
"I'm staying in a hotel right now," Rhoslyn flushes a bit, kicking off the wall. "But it has a balcony. Nothing big, but it's got a pretty okay view. Why would you need a balcony, anyway?" Smiling a bit, Rhoslyn starts walking out of the alley, eyes squinted to see. "Boy, it is gettin' dark...times like this I wish I had nightvision."
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Post by crue on Oct 8, 2008 17:59:24 GMT -5
[shadow=gray,left,300]aiden[/shadow] [/color] It took everything he had to keep quiet as she sputtered and attempted to retort, although a smile slipped through the cracks.
A sigh of relief came from her, and he relaxed too. He visibly already was calm, but inside, there were butterflies. Her prescence made him want to run, but not from her. With her. Instead, he was good, and kept his 'cool.' There was no need to cause a scene in town without reason.
A look down at the lutenist made him think. She was cold, that much was for certain, but he had no extra clothing with him. Sure, he could run back and grab some, but why, when he himself was warm enough? White clouds emitted from parted lips as the air grew still colder, and he put one arm around her protectively.
"I'm staying in a hotel right now, but it has a balcony. Nothing big, but it's got a pretty okay view. Why would you need a balcony, anyway?"
"Hotels are better than apartments in the Big Easy anyhow," he said softly, hazel eyes taking in the sights of the place that had been his home for only the past few years. Italy still held a big attraction for him, as he was born and raised there, and he wished to return there someday.
But not now.
"The balcony?" he questioned, head tilting to the side ever so slightly. "That will be my bed for tonight. I can just pretend to be-- your extremely large wolf-dog that you keep out on the balcony... I don't know." Grinning, they passed under the shadows of large buildings. "Is that it?" he asked as he pointed toward a hotel across the road from where they were now.
"Boy, it is gettin' dark...times like this I wish I had nightvision."
"It's one of the traits of the wolf that I don't mind that much."
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