Post by Rae-Star Berii on Aug 23, 2013 2:14:06 GMT -5
Momentarily Rae watched him as he lay the books in front of her. She wondered privately why she had opened up to him, why she had told him what she had. It was not something Rae did often, it was not something Rae liked to do. She was insanely private, it not only helped her survive but it encouraged her to be a new person, someone different this time to someone she had always been forced to be. Rae, when she was younger, had always conformed to the ideals, to what the world expected her to be. Now, the more secrets she kept hidden the more mysterious she was and the more she was mysterious the more she could shake the stereotypical expecations the world placed upon her.
They, she came to realise as he presented the formulas, were similar. Yet, despite being sat here with him, alone in the road-side diner and despite his confession to having an emotional investment in her, Rae was not sure she trusted him yet. If she shared her research as freely as he did his would she end up in an even more difficult situation? Was it enough that he had this school-boy crush on her? Would this keep her safe? She wasn’t sure it would. If he was like all other men he would be easily tempted, he would be easily distracted by another should she present herself to him. No, there was no loyalty here, Rae wasn’t sure they were even friends yet, as she looked down at the papers on the table.
In light of her internal monologue she played it dumb. To him she was just an airheaded artist. Yes he knew she was a hunter but he had not yet seen her fight nor had they talked about hunting, truly. Perhaps she could encourage him to think her pathetic…it would add to the façade of weakness she had already created and he had already accepted.
“Looks complicated.” She mmed gently but her eyes were keen and she understood the science. Rae loved science. It made sense, it was logical and organised and she liked that.
“I draw people; caricatures and cartoons.” She told him, in answer to his question. “For a while I had an apprentice with a company in London that created characters for computer games…” she explained, no hint of her internal turmoil evident in the way she spoke.
Post by Adam Alexander Helviath on Aug 23, 2013 8:42:37 GMT -5
Adam nods with a smile. "It was weird at first but it's quite simple once ya get the hang of it..." He finishes all his food as she mentions her past. "Damn! That sounds awesome! Oooh.. You should draw me some time... I'll... Pose for you." And he proceeds to make an over exaggerated pose with his chest pushed out, eyebrow lifted far too high, serious face with pouted lip, one hand on his chin and one behind his back. He can't hold it for long because he starts to crack up and release the pose. "No... really, I'm impressed... I can't draw for shit and I don't have any pictures..." He smiles softly as he drinks his water and leans back. "Hey... I'm sorry if I'm weird....." Adam just states this out of the blue yet for his behavior it might not seem odd. He looks out the window for a bit as his chipper tone and smile fade. "I... I wasn't really the good lookin' or the fun kid on my street... I was home-schooled because I was sick when I was a child.... I wasn't allowed to play with anyone or talk to anyone..." He turns and says the next few words with some excitement however. "I had fun with my mum though... but..." His tone returns as he seemingly sulks back in his chair and turns his gaze down and then to the window, a soft smile now upon his face. "I was told that my studies were the most important and that I didn't have time to be playing because the other children were sick and I had just gotten better.... *Laugh* Some times I wonder if I was really sick at all...."
He shifts his gaze back to her with a soft grin. "Sorry...." he once again shifts to look outside as he finishes his sentence. "...would you be my friend?" No pride, no egotism or anything, just an honest question. However before she could answer the waiter brought over the bill and adam turned, Happy and cheerful he puts more money than what was needed and tells him to keep the change. Has he been faking all this joy and excitement just to cover up some deep seeded depression?
Post by Rae-Star Berii on Aug 23, 2013 11:37:16 GMT -5
"I'll... Pose for you."
Rae laughed, a gentle rose blush on her cheeks as he proceeds to push out his chest and pout at her. It is a sight to behold she confessed privately, his soft features, square jaw, rugged stubble; none of these things really lend themselves to a supermodel pout and she giggles girlishly at him. Rae is glad when he laughs too, then she doesn’t feel like she is mocking him.
Looking down at her fingernails, picking at them as she picks at her food; rabbit like, she blushed deeper. “You haven’t actually seen me draw, Adam, I could be really rubbish at it and then that wouldn’t be very impressive.” But Rae looked artistic, there was a way about her, the splash of colours in her hair, the thick curve of shocking ink eyeliner, all these things suggested an art student; really.
"I... I wasn't really the good lookin' or the fun kid on my street... I was home-schooled because I was sick when I was a child.... I wasn't allowed to play with anyone or talk to anyone…I was told that my studies were the most important and that I didn't have time to be playing because the other children were sick and I had just gotten better....”
Rae blinked at him, the sudden change of attitude was somewhat disarming and she smiled at him in her soft way. Between her teeth she caught her bottom lip, dragging it about anxiously as she watched him; he was curious to her.
"...would you be my friend?"
The waiter brought the bill over and Rae stares there, numb. She barely moved to glance at the girl as the tab was paid up and she didn’t give a second though to where he got, or how he earn his money, she just stared at him. It was alarming and odd to have a grown man ask such an innocent question.
Trying to make light of the whirling and damaging thoughts in her head; “Sure, on one condition-“ She offered him, smiling softly, her chocolate and honey eyes fixed on him; “-I never have to pay for food when we’re together.” She winked, playfully, trying to find the excited puppy in him once more rather than this…depressed character.
Post by Adam Alexander Helviath on Aug 23, 2013 11:49:37 GMT -5
He smiles brightly as he chuckles. His eyes look to the side as he puts his hands up and shakes his head. "I don't know how... I mean you really take me to the bank with your surplus of spending on food." He shifts his gaze back to her as he laughs in an uproar, Suddenly out of seeming no where a snort comes out. Silence, just staring at her in silence until he laughs harder at the fact he snorted. That snort was the first true laugh he had ever had in years. And of course the laugh that followed.
He smiles after he laughs for a good while, looking at her as he extends his hand. "Deal... Start slow... handshakes for now... I'll make sure you never go hungry... and eventually maybe move on to friendly hugs....OH! And I have one condition too....but.. not till after you shake my hand... and don't worry it's nothing dirty, just I want you to take something...." His smile seems not as bright as usual but his eyes match it exactly, no hint of sorrow or regret inside, he is happy to have made a friend.
Post by Rae-Star Berii on Aug 23, 2013 11:55:07 GMT -5
Back came the ball of energy and she laughed, daintily.
"Deal... Start slow... handshakes for now... I'll make sure you never go hungry... and eventually maybe move on to friendly hugs....OH! And I have one condition too....but.. not till after you shake my hand... and don't worry it's nothing dirty, just I want you to take something...."
Rae casually reaches out and takes his hand. She could see that he was being cautious of her, which was kind of him. After all, she had asked him not to touch her and now he was warning her before even shaking her hand. She wondered if he pitied her, but that wonder was a fleeting moment in which she reminded herself that she did not deserve pity from anyone. But, she took his hand. Not in a sweet girly clasp, but as she reached out her fingers locked to his in something of a warrior shake. Her hands were cool and soft and surprising strong for such a delicate little thing.
“Now what drugs are you going to try and feed me?” She asked, sceptical.
Post by Adam Alexander Helviath on Aug 23, 2013 12:25:09 GMT -5
Adam snorts again as he shakes her hand, not surprised by her grip since she survived so long as a hunter. He took his hand back and smiled. "Close your eyes, hold your hands open like so..." he makes a cupping motion with his hands. "I won't do anythin' except put somethin' in your hands." He'd wait a little bit before unclasping something from around his neck and giving it to her. "I want you to have this." he says softly, his smile still there but not as big. "I hope it protects you like it has protected me..." The words sit there and seem cryptic. The locket is pure silver yet it is sturdier not as bendable as normal silver. The locket is a beautifully designed oval and the chain that hangs around is just as elegant. Inside is a picture of a man almost Identical to the man in front of her with a woman and a small toddler. It is very feminine in nature and obviously looks slightly off on him. It would seem that he took it off before he washed up back in the woods but now he's showing his treasure to her. "You're only allowed to give this back when you don't want to be my friend anymore." he says with a small smile.
Post by Rae-Star Berii on Aug 23, 2013 12:33:09 GMT -5
This was starting to sound strange; it was starting to sound sexual. If he hadn’t already been so good about her no touching rule she’d have gotten anxious with him for making her close her eyes. It seemed silly, ridiculous even but as she felt the weight in her hand and the cold of metal against her palm she opened her eyes. Rae’s gaze fell on the silver locket. She touched the clasp and the locket popped open revealing two pictures. “Is that your father?” She asked him, ignoring momentarily his insistence that she keep the locket. How could she take such a thing from him, such an important thing?
How could they be so similar. It was…uncomfortable. Without letting go of the locket in her left hand she reached into her shirt and pulled from within it her own locket. Egg-shaped it is made with Celtic gold and shines rose pink in the right lights. On the front, engraved into the polish are the initials RSB; inside are two pictures. He had shared something so important with her so she, once more returned the favour; she poppet the clasp of her locket and showed him the two pictures. The first of her mother and father, together, and the second of a small boy; he is brunette and about eight years old. Her brother; Caleb. She did not take the locket off and did not let him touch it. In fact, it was barely on display for more than a few seconds before she clamped it shut and hid it in her shirt once more. Rae did not share her family with anyone; they were too precious of a memory to have slandered.
“Small world, isn’t it?” She asked him, quietly, her voice full of thick emotion.
Post by Adam Alexander Helviath on Aug 23, 2013 12:45:58 GMT -5
He nods in agreement after looking at the family. "Lovely family...." He smiles politely. "Thank you for sharing that with me... I appreciate it." he starts to get up then, patting himself down to make sure he has everything he needs. "I need to stretch... Are you set?" He turns back to her, in this stance he looks just as stoic as the man in the picture. Adam's personality is wrapped with oddities and mystery. How the hell did an individual get to be like this. Even without his answer he leaves the diner as the waitress thanks him for coming and the truck starts up with a loud roar as if it sensed it's master coming. He stands outside and waits for her, his eyes set on the sun. While the sun brought warmth and some form of safety, it also brought a seeming sadness since he now has to take his friend back and seemingly end the day. He contemplated just getting lost with her in his truck but he wouldn't deny the dog it's owner. When she's next to him he smiles. "Thanks for a fun night... I really enjoyed myself..."
Post by Rae-Star Berii on Aug 23, 2013 12:51:14 GMT -5
They had been a lovely family.
Rae pushed the thoughts from her mind before she became nostalgic. She simply followed him out of the diner and towards his truck again. “I’m staying in a motel, just outside of town.” She said as they approached the vehicle. “If you don’t have anything to do….?” She left the question open, though Rae was unsure why she was willing to spend the extra time with him. Wasn’t that what friends did. “I can introduce you to my dog-“ She added, “He likes meeting new people..” She flushed a little, hoping he didn’t get the wrong idea. The last thing she wanted to do was lead him on, particularly after she had made the boundaries so clear.
She glanced up at him, tucked a stray wisp of pink hair behind her ears and added; “The coffee is crap there, but I can make you a cup in return for breakfast?”
Post by Adam Alexander Helviath on Aug 23, 2013 13:22:04 GMT -5
He does everything he can to not burst out with a large grin but a small one does escape. "I'd love to meet your dog and I would love a cup... I appreciate it..." He walks to the passenger side and opens it for her before walking to the drivers side. When he steps in he buckles up and starts to drive off as the radio turns on. The faint music fades into the back ground as he starts to head back to where he picked her up. He will ask where to turn and basically how to get to her motel. He has bouts of bursts of speed just for amusement which reflects his general happy mood. As he pulls up to the motel the engine turns off once he seemingly steps far enough away. The whole way here he just enjoyed the scenery and the idea of meeting a dog. He hasn't seen one alive since his own pal passed away. Adam simply waits for her to lead the way as he follows close behind humming a soft tune to himself, Rammstein's Amerika. He walked with observant eyes darting around at everything while he kept his hands, one inside the other, behind his back.
Post by Rae-Star Berii on Aug 24, 2013 6:06:30 GMT -5
Once more he plays the perfect gentleman and holds the door to the truck for her. Rae climbs in, pulling her five-foot nothing self up and into the cab. For a moment she just rubs the back of her neck, under her hairline is a horrid jagged scar. She very rarely wears her hair up high because of it. The scare is like the ones on her arms in the sense that it is a self-inflicted wound, but it was not done with a razorblade or a knife. She had cut herself open with a blade of glass and scooped out a microchip that had been planted there with a spoon. The work was untidy because it was on the back of her neck. Sometimes it still itched or ached.
The radio plays as he drives. Phoenix was lovely at this time of day; still quiet for the world to be sleeping but the sun was bright and already hot. Rae liked the heat, she liked the sunshine and it made her feel safer.
Rae directs him to the motel she is staying in. It is an unfriendly, dusty looking joint on the outskirts of the main street. There are two floors and the building work is a vomit coloured green. But it is cheap and cheerful and no one asked questions about people coming or going late at night.
Leading him up a set of metal stairs, Rae pulled her key-card out of her back-pocket and opens the door. The room is small, just a bed a bible and bathroom. The décor has the faint odour of smoke and some of the paper is water damaged and peeling away. In the corner of the room, thrown against the wall is a backpack; Rae’s and hanging up against the window on a coat hanger is a leather, blood-red, long jacket. Also Rae’s.
Eli rushes up to his mistress and Rae bends to touch back his ears. He is her only true companion; about the size of a border collie. He licks her hands in a happy hello then turns to growl at the stranger. Rae chuckles softly to herself and whispers; “Friend.”
With her word, her simple command the dog is completely different. No longer guarded he launches himself at Adam as if he has known the man for years. Eli, above anything else, was incredibly loyal and well trained. He did not seem to do anything without Rae’s say so or instruction.
Post by Adam Alexander Helviath on Aug 24, 2013 6:51:03 GMT -5
Adam had been silent for a while, the room was normal and he admired the jacket, when the dog came up he locked eyes, he stared at the dog for a good moment before she said the word friend. At this he kneels down and starts to playfully flop the dogs ears back and forth in a petting manner. He loved the dog, he thought about his nights with his own dog and the chain on his hip became heavy. While he pet the dog he felt himself choke up slightly but tried to hide it and push it down. Adam pet the dog for what seemed like an eternity before he stood up, still with a hand scratching the top of the pup's head. "Nice lil pad ya got here...." He smiles and is seemingly trying to be polite.
Adam proceeds to take off his jacket and hang it up on the coat rack next to hers, it seems to weigh on the whimsy thing as he picks it back up and puts it on the chair instead. What the hell is that jacket made of might be the only logical question. Regardless Adam sits on a bed and pets the dog whenever it is near him. He smiles innocently and seems pleased to be 'over at someone's house' in a sense. "What ya wanna do hun?"
Post by Rae-Star Berii on Aug 24, 2013 7:26:25 GMT -5
Rae gave him a smile and left him with Eli for a moment, she heads back out into the daylight and away from her room, knowing that he is distracted with the animal. She goes to the vending machine and gets them, as promised, two coffees from within it. In one she has extra milk, the second is black. Rae would drink either, so it would depend on which one he would like. She placed her money in the slots to pay for the coffees and then takes them back, in rubbishy little plastic cups, back to the room. There she find him sat, Eli at his side. She places the two cups on the bedside table and smiles; “Help you.” Rae points out, replacing the change from the machine in her coat pocket.
She sits on the floor, crossing her legs under her and leaning her head back against the wall. The moment she looked comfortable Eli leaves Adam alone and comes to sit with his mistress once more. His loyalties are with her and he puts his nose on her leg, looking up at her with big Disney brown eyes. Absently she strokes his ears, then from her pocket she takes out the locket he has given her. “I can’t accept this, Adam.” She had been thinking about it in the car. “I- could lose it.” She pointed out. “Or it could get damaged or broken and then you would never get it back.”
Rae placed the locket on the floor in front of her; “it doesn’t mean we can or can’t be friends; it means more to you than it does to me and you should keep it.” She gave him a smile. “Do you have a cell phone?” She asked him, the American word feeling natural on her British tongue. “I can give you my number and then you’ll always have a way of contacting me, instead of giving me this prize, okay?”
Post by Adam Alexander Helviath on Aug 24, 2013 7:42:02 GMT -5
Adam smirks a wicked grin, He seemed to know that the statement would leave her mouth. "Few things. One, I don't have a cell phone... yet... maybe.. no.. but I do have an email that I check from random places at times.... Two, if you lose it... Then ya can't give it back and stop being my friend... Three... I think it would look better on you and I'd rather it looked good on someone for a little bit than weight down on my mind.... Besides... you seem to have a lack of silver about you." Adam leans forward as he spoke but then leaned back with his arms supporting him as if he is proud of himself.
A mischievous grin about him, he was determined not to take it back be it he liked her, he trusted her, he just wanted the thing gone, or maybe many different reasons. All in all, he wanted to give his friend a gift. Something that, in all honesty, did in fact look better on a female than a shirtless man. Adam enjoyed being shirtless when he can.
Post by Rae-Star Berii on Aug 25, 2013 8:25:20 GMT -5
”If you do lose it...then ya can't give it back and stop being my friend... Three... I think it would look better on you and I'd rather it looked good on someone for a little bit than weight down on my mind.... Besides... you seem to have a lack of silver about you."
Rae blinked at him and then, for a long time, she just considers him with her dark and chocolate stare. Finally, after what felt like forever to her, though only a few second had passed, she placed looked down at his locket once more. Back in England it was a sign of care and love for someone to give them something precious, particularly in the form of jewellery. It was also a suggestion of a relationship. Rae…felt a little uncomfortable about all of this, but she did as he wished. She undid the small clasp, clipping it open with her thumb nail. Then she came to him, kneeing in front of him where he rested and put her back to him.
“Put it on for me then?” She asked him, whispering.
Rae handed him to two chain parts and with her fingers she swept her hair up off her neck. With the soft pink strands brushed aside and picked up in her nimble fingers the ugly scar on the back of her neck was clearly visible. It was still red, still a little new and jagged in shape. The cut was unclean and circular encompassing the skin in its obnoxious way. But Rae had forgotten it was there for a moment as she asked him to align his locket around her throat; to let it sit and entangle its chain with the rose one she wore.
