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 Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:55 pm
Foolish child!, the voice in his head snapped. He sensed you! Awaken!
Eleison was hurled into the world outside of his mind, confused as hell. He what?, Eleison thought.
But before the devil could answer, a giant...thing...fell over him.
"Aaah!" It screamed.
Eleison blinked twice in mild shock before realizing that the object the thing fell over was himself. Feeling quite guilty (and ashamed for being found in such a state), he started to retrieve the man's scattered articles, but paused briefly at the man's yelp.
He took one look at the man's sticky, iron-scented fingers and panicked.
Should I help him with magic?
But what if he's Phoenix?
He doesn't look Phoenix.
So? What if he's afraid of magic?
That cut could be infected!
But what if it's nothing to him?
What if he has magic of his own?
If he did, wouldn't he be healing himself?
Damn it, just ask him if he's ok you stupid whore!
Eleison blushed at his prolonged staring and took out some bandages he always carried in case one of his attacks endangered him physically. "Are you ok? I can wrap you up if you like...I-I..."
It was at this moment that Eleison decided to actually look up at the man, with an appearance with which he was most surprised. He blushed harder. Then he realized he was acting stupid. He was blushing over nothing. It was just a guy with a bloody finger (literally).
He looked up with a more determined gaze in his eyes. You're just being paranoid.
"So," he said, offering up the bandages with a more determined look in his eyes, "You okay?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 12:27 pm
"H-hah--" the newly disguised Alex panted, his chest heaving. That was one thing he hated about changing his insides -- that it really did pain him, though not as much as it would have had he actually had that condition in his natural body. But, still, it was painful -- and yet, it made his "acting" all the more convensing. He felt as if one of his lungs was closing in and he could already feel the beginnings of asphyxiated weakness closing in. He could see, but barely, since in this body he really did need the glasses and also because the lack of oxygen was causing his sight to dim.
Still, though, as he heard the voice he glanced up. His eyes, though muddled by their poor sight and by his steadily constricting chest, were a bright saphire. There was nothing at all remniscent of Phoenix blood in his appearance -- in fact, he looked more like a member of Dragon if anything at all. There was blood dripping steadily down his finger, bright red and sticky. And yet, though weakened in this state as he was, he was still undeniably attractive. Those eyes, though rather fogged with pain, were still a bright, beautiful saphire. His skin, too, was white as snow, his hair darker than a raven's feathers and softer than the lightest of feathers. But it wasn't only his appearance that had changed -- his scent had, as well. There was still that small pepperminty smell, but the scent of cinnamin had been replaced with a light, cool minty fragrence... like evergreen.
"-Ugghh..." He made a slightly hoarse sound that was halfway grunt but distinctly the sound of a person in pain. His unbloodied hand reached into the pocket of his jacket, quickly drawing out an inhaler. His chest heaved some more and then, finally, he had the gadget up to his lips. He took in a deep, steadying breath -- the deepest he had taken since assuming this slightly crippled form -- and felt waves of reassurance and medication fill his body. It wouldn't wack him up light most meds would -- no, it would simply alliviate the condition. This inhaler was one of his special tools for such assignments. It used such a tiny bit of magic that was so subtle that it had become undetectable to outsiders. And so he would remain allert and on guard as well as without the pain of asthma.
"hahhh...hahhh...." His breathing had slowed and though his chest was still heaving, it was not nearly so severe. He took another puff from the inhaler and then put it away.
He nodded slowly at the question, murmuring a small 'thanks' as best he could at the offered bandage, and allowed the other to dress his incredibly minor "wound." It really was a very good disguise -- particularly for one who was so seemingly paranoid. After all, what use could such a weakened body be to any of the Houses?
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:29 pm
Mint Thimble ((Good, that's what I thought. 8D;; ))
The teen nodded slowly, the flush prevalent across his features. He couldn't help it -- he just couldn't. He would have to.... do something about this. He knew Celia insisted that it was alright -- which in and of itself was rather strange -- but he still... he couldn't help it, he had to make it better some how! He didn't want to be compared to that man earlier who had grabbed her butt -- it was things like that that he just couldn't forget.
His eyes were changing again -- the blue in them had become suddenly much more predominant. Usually, it was a good mix, but now the green had receeded slightly. He really did have strange eyes -- eyes that ebbed and flowed just like the changes of the sea. Those flowing eyes watched the other as "she" attempted to pick leaves out of her hair.
He was still quite embarrassed about what had happened -- and he would likely be for a very long time -- but he made no hesitation at the asking of assistance. He nodded slowly, pale fingers reaching out to delicately and perfectly capture the leaves. His touch was so light, so gentle that it was almost as if there was no hand touching the other's hair, that the leaves were simply picking themselves off -- and they were indeed being taken off rather than crumpling, so soft was his touch.
"There... I can't see any more of them," he murmured, a small smile on his lips. As for Calypso, he had several leaves and twigs in his hair, though he didn't seem to have noticed. At that moment, that kind smile on his face, he looked rather like Prince Charming -- despite the leaves in his hair -- or at least a Prince Charming with white hair. But, truly, it was moments like these when he couldn't hide just how attractive he really was.
Vaughn could empathize with those feelings. He didn't particularly feel good about having a Lizard touch him, but what choice did he have? West had given him a direct order and right now Vaughn was more weary of what his Master would do to him if he disobeyed him then anything Calypso could do.
At the very least, the kid was cute; Vaughn had to keep himself from giggling as Calypso picked the leaves out of his hair. He was just so much shorter then he was... It was almost like watching a younger brother who was desperately trying to receive the approval of an elder sister. Almost.
Unlike Calypso who didn't know the true identity of Celia, Vaughn couldn't afford the luxury of losing sight of exactly who was standing beside him. Calypso wasn't hiding his identity here, he was and if he forgot about why that was then he would be in trouble later. The danger was very real in this situation.
When the task was finished, Vaughn ran a hand lightly through his hair and was pleased to feel nothing tangled in the long strands. Spinning around, dress swirling and twisting around his long legs as he moved, to face the white-haired boy he clapped his hands together.
"Okay, no it's your turn," he said brightly.
He didn't wait for Calypso to give him the go-ahead either and he took a further step closer. Although he was considerably taller then the Dragon, Vaughn still had to raise himself up onto his tippy-toes to get a good bird's eye view of the other's head. It was easier to see wear all the foliage was this way. Unfortunately, however, it also put Calypso in a slightly awkward position too. Vaughn hadn't realized it, mainly because he couldn't feel anything besides the annoying itch from his fake body parts, but his chest was practically in the boy's face. It was an innocent oversight, one that even a real girl could make, but it didn't change the fact that he had a rumoured, yet highly respectable assassin's head in between his breasts.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:49 pm
Yes, there were no leaves left in Celia's hair (or, rather, Vaughn's wig), but there were plenty left in Calypso's. And it was true, as the other thought, that Calypso did not suspect Celia as much of anything -- she made too many mistakes to be any real threat. True, there were those odd moments when Cal did suspect her... slightly, but it didn't matter. He wasn't giving away any vital information and the woman did not at all seem to be any sort of threat. Besides, though his profession made it rather difficult to do, Cal tended to at least want to believe in the best of others. Celia just seemed so... kind and if that was an act, well, then.... he would just deal with it, wouldn't he? After all, he had dealt with so much else before that this would be nothing compared to the many other events of his life.
As the supposed "woman" stepped closer, the boy's pale cheeks flushed once more, a bright crimson spreading across his face. She was too close -- much too close, particularly after what had just happened. And she... her... Cal could barely even hear what she was saying because he was so... distracted. True, he had less interest in the opposite gender (or either gender, really) than the majority of teens but it wasn't as if he could just ignore this sort of thing when it, so literally, was thrust into his face.
"U-uhh... C-Celia...." he stammered akwardly, trying his best to avert his eyes. He took a surprisingly clumbsy step back in an effort to distance himself. He didn't know how to say it in a way that wouldn't be... rude. "Celia, uhm.... you... your....." he continued, though he didn't seem to be getting anywhere. "C-could you.... move a bit?" he said finally, his usually pale face a bright patchwork of pink and red. She was so... unaware of herself that even Cal, who usually took hardly interest in such things, was getting... nervous. He couldn't take such close encounters but the extreme almost... innocence (though that wasn't quite the right word -- it was more like cluelessness) of the woman made Cal rather want to... protect her. Just a bit. It was an odd feeling -- one Cal was both completely new to as well as completely unaware of -- but it was deffinately there, lingering in the corners of his chilled heart, waiting for a time when it would need to unveil itself.....
((*edit* Here's a freaky weird pic of Calyboi.))
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 4:23 pm
Oh my God, he's dying! He's suffocating on God knows what and you're just sitting there and he's dying!
Eleison's determined demeanor fell like the walls of Jericho when the man started breathing erratically. He immediately reverted to his earlier panic, willing himself to help the man any way he could, but his body not moving an inch. But just as the panic subsided, the man had taken out his inhaler and breathed in his cure.
Ok. Thank God. He's actually not dying.
But you still didn't help him, you insufferable and uncaring p***k.
Shut up. Talk to him.
Eleison knelt in front of the man and gently took his left hand in his. With delicate fingers, he placed the smallest amounts of gauze around the wounds before wrapping them with the actual bandages, as he was taught in first aid class. He concentrated so much on the fingers that his mind was almost silent. Until he realized that he was afraid of awkward silences and started speaking.
"You got pretty beat by that fall, with the blood and the broken glasses. Not to mention your soggy book and asthma. You don't suffer from anything else do you? Anemia? Hemophilia? Because I'd have to tighten the bandages for either. I don't want you losing anymore blood. Bad things have happened to the careless. D'you want me to take you to the hospital, since the attack and all? Unless your eyesight isn't really that bad, but you seem to be squinting a lot, so you might be far-sighted instead of near-sighted like most of the people I know. Or maybe your vision just really is that bad. I don't know. Oh wait, my name's Eleison. Sorry I didn't introduce myself properly. God, I must be blushing so badly I resemble a tomato. But you can't exactly see my face, not that that's a bad thing, honestly. I've been told I'm not the prettiest face on the planet--far from it in fact. Which reminds me that we'd have to get your glasses fixed too. I don't have much money on me, but I'd be glad to pay for the trouble I've caused. I really shouldn't be this lazy, my mother always chastised me for not sitting properly..."
Suddenly Eleison turned redder than before and looked straight into the eyes of this man, "Oh God, I was rambling wasn't I?" Eleison looked back at the hand he was wrapping up and bit his lip. "Oh God, I'm sorry. I was terribly rude. It must have been boring just hearing me speak."
He turned his concentration to the other hand and wrapped that one up two. Twice as quickly as before, simply because of sheer determination and the willingness not to face his patient again.
Eleison sighed, from both lack of rest and this stressful event.
God, this is almost as bad as hell.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 4:48 pm
Alex was used to the giddiness his good looks sometimes caused when he faced those of his targets who were rather more on the shy side of the spectrum. His hand did hurt a bit but it was alright... really. It was just a small cut, after all.
As the other spoke, he allowed his eyes to stray from the pavement over to the book that had -- at least from what the other said, though he could only barely make it out for himself -- fallen into the gutter. He allowed a rather crestfallen expression to form on his face, his bright blue eyes down-trodden and soft.
"No...." he replied slowly, his voice soft and with a tinge of sadness. It was a slow, kind voice -- one very different from his usual estatic energy. "Just asthma and poor vision. And I don't... need the hospital, really. It was just a minor attack." Those blue eyes roamed back up to the other's face, having to squint to make out even just that. The eyesight he had given himself was just poor in general -- whether objects were near or far. "And... thank you...." he murmured, gesturing down to his hand. "I think it's... fine now. It really is only a small scratch."
As the other began to apologize profusely, a small smile slipped onto the dark-haired teen's lips. "It's alright... Eleison, was it? I'm a good listener -- one of the only things I'm good at, in fact. Anyway, it's nice to meet you I suppose..... and my name is Eric." He smiled -- a soft and undeniably kind expression. He really was very attractive.
"And about my eyes, well... I can hardly see anything without my glasses.... I think I have a spare set back home but I'm not sure that I'll be able to get there....." Of course, the "home" he mentioned was not his real home -- it was one of the many his family kept in case it was needed, as it often was, for such missions. After all, they were all in this disguise business and it only raised suspicion if they went home to the House of Phoenix.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:34 pm
Eleison was quite surprised at the forwardness of Eric's request. He hadn't actually been expecting to take the man home, just to the local doc's office or something. Then again, giving the way he was squinting... Yeah, it was pretty bad.
"Scratch or deep gash, either one could be infected by some random disease lurking about. I hope you have anti-bacterial stuff at your place. Iodine or rubbing alcohol? I don't want to be negligent and leave you with tetanus or something. And well... yeah," Eleison laughed out nervously, "Thanks for listening, then."
A bit confused, Eleison wasn't exactly sure how to guide his new acquaintance back to his house. Of course, as the advantaged person, he should take lead, but did he have to hold his hand or anything?
Oh that would most definitely be awkward.
Eleison settled for putting one of his hands on Eric's shoulder and taking him out on the street. "So, which way?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:41 pm
True, it would be a bit weird for a man to ask a complete stranger to lead him home, but in this case it was a neccessity. Besides, he needed Eleison to trust that he wasn't a member of any House -- make him, hopefully, lower his guard just a little.
"Yeah... yeah, I do. I get bunged up pretty easily when I don't have my glasses on so I always have first aid on hand at home," he replied with a small shrug.
He stood up slowly as the other took his shoulder, very careful that he be steady on his feet. Not being able to see well was very... disorienting. It made him clumbsier than was normal.
He frowned slightly, brow wrinkling, at the question. "North... it's on the edge of downtown. Maybe ten minutes or so from here? I'm not sure.... I just need to go straight down this street and then take a left on Conchord.... It's pretty simple," he said.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:37 pm
Eleison steadied the other's balance and began to walk in the direction Eric pointed towards.
"Wow, Conchord... That's a bit of a rough place, though, isn't it? It'd be a bit tedious for a guy like you to get caught there." He stammered at the political incorrectness of his comment, "NOT that you're not a capable guy, you're just... I really should shut up now, shouldn't I?"
You, my friend, are an idiot at making conversation. The little voice had come back.
Oh shut up. You're not helping any. The least you could do is go away so I don't die in the middle of helping him, thanks.
Suit yourself, Dragon-boy.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:44 pm
Alex, who was now Eric, nodded slowly. "It's alright. It is a rough place and it would be bad for just about anyone. Besides, it's not as if I'm exactly hiding my condition, is it? I know that I'm not the strongest guy out there," he replied with a bit off a sheepish smile. All in all, this new Eric character was very... kind. He didn't take to heart any unneccesary or negative comments -- he accepted them in his own way but didn't allow them to get him down. He saw when others had a difficult time of being sociable and accepted it. In short, the perfect match for someone like Eleison who was undeniably odd and yet trying so hard to be normal.
"Would you mind... uhm... grabbing my elbow? I really can't see...." he murmured after a couple minutes of walking. His speech had become much more fluid and his breathing had improved greatly, as well. It was reassuring.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:56 pm
Eleison widened at the confession. In his old neighborhood, pride was everything. For the first decade of his life, he was drilled not to show weakness, even if one was lying on the floor practically dying. This was quite the new development.
While the silence prevailed, Eleison took it upon himself to think, to contemplate--something he enjoyed very much. It was just odd, this Eric-guy. He was just so...nice. He hadn't met a nice guy in such a long time. Then again, he hadn't met many people in a long time. He had forgotten what it was like to be friendly. Maybe this world had changed since he stopped talking. Maybe his parents and his old neighborhood had changed. Maybe he could go back...
But Eleison shook his head. That was stupid. They hated him there, and that was that.
Just when things couldn't get anymore surprisingly sociable for Eleison, he heard the request to hold his elbow. With mild puzzle and another blush on his pale face, he gently held the elbow to guide Eric more easily.
This concerned the devil greatly. For despite his name as the devil, he had taken a liking to his host. This action was just so... intimate. That was bad for Eleison, quite bad indeed.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 8:07 pm
((Taking someone's elbow isn't really... intimate. It's just placing your hand there... like on the shoulder, but it makes it easier for Eleison because it's easier to steer and because with his new appearance, Alex is several inches taller than Ele.))
Well, Eleison would find this "Eric" to be quite different from that. True, Alex had his own pride, but as Eric he was no member of any House and therefor he need not hide his weaknesses. Besides, Eric was humble. He wasn't someone who hid himself just to look strong and he didn't flatter himself that he was any better than he really was. And he was honest. Well, "Eric" was honest... but Alex wasn't.
Eric didn't mind the silence of walking, it seemed, for he didn't speak unless spoken to. His mind, as well, was quiet -- free of the buzzing crowd of thoughts that usually haunted a human's mind. He was... peaceful, really.
When at last they reached Conchord street and took a left, the so-called Eric said, "I'm at 411. It's an apartment...." He squinted his bright eyes, trying to make out the street numbers. "And I'm on the second floor......"
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 8:38 pm
((Lol. It's not that. Eleison just doesn't like touching people. He hates it.)
Eleison nodded his head in approval. It was a short walk and they reached 411 shortly and proceeded to enter the building. It was a bit weird walking up the stairs--the Eleveator was blocked--holding Eric's elbow, but Eleison tried not to show it.
"So what room is it? Or...Will you be able to find it on your own? I know your eyesight's kind of... Oh whatever, I'll just walk you there anyways."
Eleison was surprised at his brotherly abilities. Then again, he had been protecting Kylie for so many years. He guessed it was second nature. His role had always been a protector, a keeper.
God, how he wished for once someone would protect him.
Other than being a Dragon, Eleison had no other allegiances. Even within being a Dragon, there were many that hated him for his Curse, especially those within his neighborhood. Though, he guessed it was nice to have something tangible to protect again.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 8:52 pm
Alex followed the other blindly -- at least for the most part -- stumbling a little on the steps, but otherwise finding no trouble. True, he was quite disoriented due to the lack of sight, but... but he could deal with it, at least slightly. He was used to giving himself disadvantages as an excuse to draw people nearer, to ensnare them in his web.
"It's 207," he replied evenly, once again squinting to try and make out the room numbers. This was 201 so... so 207 was nearby. Of course, he already knew that and he knew the apartment room itself relatively well, but... still, this wasn't one of the homes that he visited more frequently.
When they reached the room, Alex fumbled in his pocket for several moments before drawing out his key. One try at the lock at it was open. "Thank you... really," he said with a small smile, glancing back at Eleison. "I don't think I'd have made it here without your assistance. If there's any way I can repay you, please let me know...." the ebony-haired man offered. His words were soft, unobtrusive. He really didn't seem to be the type who would belong to any House.
As the door was left slightly ajar, a small portion of the room within could be seen. It was small and tidy -- everything was put away well and the decor itself was very... pleasing. Oddly enough, despite the location, it had a rather... homy feel to it. It was nice.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:09 pm
"207... 207... Oh, it's right there. Okay."
At Eric's offer, Eleison was slightly confused--an emotion that had been gracing him often since meeting him. Eric was just so nice. It was kind of creepy, but in a strangely comforting way. "Oh, it's no matter," he stammered out, "I don't really need much tonight, or ever really. I'll just go back ho-" Eleison stopped his train of thought and frowned. He had no home. He was a nomad. Duh. How the hell did he forget that of all things? "Well, really, I should be just getting... back... there's no need for anything. You owe me nothing, just call it a good deed from an odd stranger. I'll just leave."
And damn, it would've worked too. Except Eleison had tripped and fallen on his face when turning around.
Damn those klutzy feet of his. Damn them back to hell.
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