RP:New Experiences

Monday, September 26, 2016 9:19 PM

Summary: Irenic meets a human who has never flown and despite being carried by a perfect stranger, Valrae takes the flight anyway.

Coastal Breeze

The moment you break away from the walls hiding you from the ocean's beauty, you are hit with the soft, salty, and relaxing breeze of the coast. For miles and miles off in the distance all you can see is blue, from the sky down to the water. A window has been placed on the wall off to your west with an incredible view of the ocean. Going either east or south, you'll find yourself along the beach.

Irenic is taking a moment to relax away from his owner and her home as he is trying to get used to seeing out of one eye when he spots a place to sit where the grass starts to become sand. Whenever he ended up at an ocean area in Hollow it always reminded him of something, but he cannot remember what. He lets the raven hilted longsword be tossed beside him where he sits and elbows drape over bended knees. His gaze set on where the skies meet the water off into the distance while rolling the long sleeves up on his black button down; doing so revealing the start of a tattoo pattern decorating his tawny skin. The Avian's wings are a magnificent sight of ivory as they are curled atop the grass on either side of him and closer observation one could see their near hypnotic nature in reflecting hues of silver and pearly white. His long slender fingers fidget with the eye patch covering the brown left eye as its something new and foreign to him.

Valrae was making her way to the beach on bare feet. Bold in Cenril but the woman loved the feel of sand beneath her feet. Her hair was loose and left to wave freely down to the curve of her waist, a careless waterfall of honey and golden wheat hued tresses trailing behind her. The dress she wore was inky black, flowing around her ankles as she walked in movement reminiscent of smoke, and left her sun-kissed shoulder bare. Her dark eyes, already the most predominate feature of her face, widened at the sight of Irenic. She'd never seen an avian before. She was well read on the race, they were even mention in her book of shadows, but she'd never had the pleasure of meeting one in the flesh. They were more stunning that the pictures she'd seen. Valrae remembered herself and jerked her mossy gaze away from the stranger, hoping he hadn't caught her staring like a dumbfounded fool.

Irenic let out a low and gruff sigh in ripping the eye patch from his head where it fell to the sandy grass between his long legs. Avians are tall for humanoids and Irenic was tall for an Avian atop that… So, legs for days. His eyes focused together, the brown one is sightless, but augmented to see magic and the silver one his own, normal, needs glasses to read. He practically feels the eyes on him and takes just as long - if not longer looking back while his bicolored eyes see different things about her, left eye seeing a rather adorable looking human and the left eye seeing the aura of magic around her like a radiant glow. The combined sighs do cause a slight smirk and a lazy wave to the onlooker before the item that was tucked away under his arm is revealed to be a rather large book. The Avian pulls a flask from his back pocket while procuring his seeing eye glasses, which where clasped in the fold of where his shirt is unbuttoned a tad. He slips the glasses on so he may attempt to red this old magic tome.

Valrae was curious, and curiosity was typically the driving force behind most of her decisions, so she decided to take the wave as an opening to introduce herself. "Ah, hello?" It was posed as more of a question than an actual greeting. She took a few hesitant steps closer and returned the wave with a small one of her own. "I don't mean to be rude..." The book he held would be regarded with almost as much intrigue as the avian before her. Her scholarly heart couldn't resist an old book. "May I introduce myself?" The witch stopped before him, studying him with unbridled and stunned curiosity. She noted the different colored optics but hadn't read that Avian's typically had heterochromia. It was fascinating. The human was almost comically smaller in comparison to the man as she was petite for her own race. "I'm Valrae, it's nice to meet you." She said, offering her hand and a smile. The woman thought he might rather be reading the book he held in his hand but she couldn't miss the chance to speak to an avian.

Irenic peers over the narrow lenses up at the human from his seated position and watches her prattle on with that half smirk… After a pause of her speaking he gives a short deep chuckle while he stands himself up, nearly towering her; massive wings only exaggerating the fact. Furthering on the peculiar she would experience that typical Avian trait of smelling the scent she favors the most. He reaches for her hand, his being quite warm and large while he has to practically bow down to offer a peck on the top of the offered hand, which makes those velvety wings umbrella over them. Once he stands himself back up his low gruff tone responds, "Merry meet, Valrae. I am Edlin," Dipping his head after sitting himself down, "Pleasure. And no, you aren't being rude." He let the large book rest on the sand dusted grass for now. "Are you going to be asking me how I'm not still dead, next?" It seemed to be a common question he gets, he was told why, but it was still a common occurrence. He did not seem bitter though as he keeps that devious smirk about his scarred lips.

Valrae found herself tipping her head back to look at the avian. The smell of dragon's blood tree sap and lavender was pleasant and slightly unnerving all the same. Her own hand was cool and small in his. She found color blooming in her cheeks, her greeting seeming awkward and pale in comparison. "Merry meet," She replied with delighted enthusiasm. She had to actively remind chastise herself for gaping at the wings that spread above her. The man took a seat and so she followed suit, delicately settling herself a polite distance beside him, before canting her head at his question. "Well no, I did say I was going to try and avoid being rude," She gave him a playful smile and tucked the errant strands of gold away from her eyes. The witch pulled her knees close to her and straightened the dark fabric of her dress. "I would be very interested to hear your description of flight though, if that was something you would be willing to share."

Irenic lifts his specs from the bridge of his nose, folds them in on themselves, then places them on the book between them; this action causing some dusky brown and graying hair to fall into his view before he smooths it back. He emits a short chuckle, again, at her; even quirking the scarred one of his brows. Her question is sound of reason and causes a genuine half smile from him in which exposes white, but slightly crowded teeth. "Flying…" His gaze travels about her as if he is measuring her bravery, "It's-… When-… Yo-" Bicolored eyes rest in her own, "You can't accurately describe it… The experience is comparable to the stronger of emotions." He knows she will probably turn it down seeing as they literally just met, but - "You have to feel it through your own heart and witness though your own eyes… Wanna try it?" That scarred brow quirked even further while a wing that had folded back so they may chat side by side better, but now it's brought just inches behind the stranger so she may see the intricate alluring nature of each velvety feather.

Valrae sat her elbow on her knee and propped her chin in one hand. She listened intently, her eyes straying from his face, to his wings, and back again. She let out a wistful sigh. No, surely something as miraculous as flight wouldn't fit into the narrow confines of word. She gave him an accommodating smile but it slipped when he offered her the chance to experience it. Her lips formed a surprised 'O'. "Are you serious?" She squeaked, her brows winging up. She dropped her hands to the sand beside her, trying to decide if the offer had be in seriousness or in jest. It would be a woman more prudent, certainly far less curious, and more jaded than she to turn down such an offer. An excited smile was slowly returning to her face. "If you're serious, if that offer isn't a jest, I would be honored." Her voice shook with excitement. Valrae wanted to watch the man's face but found the movement of his wings too inciting to resist. Her green gaze slid over to study the beauty of his wings.

Irenic does, indeed, look a bit shocked and perplexed. He's seen the thugs around town, what if he were one of them? "Lightness doesn’t always mean righteous and darkness doesn't always mean malice... Remember that from now on. Make a note. Mental picture, maybe." His gaze narrows down at her for - only a moment, which pushed crows feet into his temples and if it weren't already for the hints of gray in his hair it would definitely give away his age. "With that said," he stood, possibly casing the wing to caress the shoulders of the woman and he offered his hand to help her up as well, "I won't be going from Cenril. Don’t want your boyfriend thinking you are being kidnapped, now." If she doesn't have any last doubts his hand which would have helped her up, stayed outward, and made a fist, "Grab on here. Tightly. With both arms." He points to the inside of his tattooed forearm.

Valrae had grown wild and unguarded on the streets of Cenril. She'd seen more of humanity and darkness than she cared to recall but refused to let it shake her natural curiosity and optimism. After all she'd seen, all she'd been through, she still believed that most people were innately good. She nodded, her own youthful face made older by the knowing look in her forest shadow eyes, but said nothing. She took the had he offered her and smiled with gratitude, her heart pounding with excitement. A shiver ran the length of her spine with the brush of his wings against her shoulders. "I understand. Thank you." Was really all the words the could manage to string together without looking like a complete mental case. Though, blindly agreeing to take off into the sky with a stranger probably wasn't giving her the best first impression. Curiosity would always land the witch in unusual situations. She'd always wanted to know what it felt like to fly. The poor girl had never been on anything other than her own two feet, not even a horse. She gave him a sardonic smile at the mention of a boyfriend. Her love life was a train wreck. "You don't have to worry about that," She said as she did as she was instructed.

Irenic chuckles once more, "Not worried, but find that hard to believe." He isn't one to judge in the least and usually goes by his own philosophy of 'let others live their life they way the see fit.' Once she took hold of his arm he steps himself behind her and instantly thought how awkward this is, but oh well. His other forearm wraps securely under the other arm, so there is no accidental drop. So, there they were this strange pretty human hugged close to his chest and his body would more than likely feel warm as she is wrapped in a cocoon of a tall Avian and his wings. With a subtle jump the wings lift them into the night skies with brilliant force. He would over the hills, cliffs and rooftops of the town before flying over the glistening waters - if she doesn't end up having a conniption fit from fear of heights or from being too cold, but his body warmth would mostly make up for the winds. He circles about the beach after a long while of flying, if that’s what she would have wanted. When she grows tired, the landing always graceful and for a moment he holds her there because if she tried to walk right away she might fall to the sands like a baby deer trying to walk for the first time from the adrenaline rush.

Valrae wasn't sure why she kept hearing that. She didn't think it was too hard to believe. She would have said so too, if it hadn't been for the fact that the strangeness of the situation crossed her mind the moment she found his arm around her. He was warm and smelled so wonderfully that it wasn't an uncomfortable situation, just a new one. She wasn't in the habit of getting so close to someone she knew practically nothing about. The witch still hadn't considered that she could be in a considerable amount of danger, it just wasn't crossing her mind, she was too excited to be doing something she thought she would only ever dream about. When they actually left the ground, the reality of the situation rushed into her and she found herself clinging to him. Her grip was surprisingly strong for a woman so small. She watched the world pass by underneath them and let out a small, breathless sigh. It was too beautiful, too wonderful for words, and had tears threatening to spill over her cheeks. Sometime during the miraculous trip she'd loosened her death grip. It returned when they landed, though the landing was smooth, because her knees felt as if they were made of jelly. Again, she was struck with the strangeness of the moment as she clung to such an attractive stranger. After a silent moment that she used to catch her breath she dared a step back. "I..." She couldn't find the words to form a sentence that seemed worthy after such a display. "Thank you so much for that experience."

A roving gang of thugs lurks in from the west, looking for trouble

Irenic held onto the strangers hand for another awkward moment, bicolored eyes watching her knees until they stopped shaking and when they did he would place a gentle hand behind her elbow with his free one in a leading gesture, so she may sit on his folded up cloak atop the grass. His hands would gently leave her while he sat the usual respectful distance, after he was looking at her out the side of his good eye with a smirk, "See… No words to describe." When she thanked him, his elongated pointed and pierced ears nearly perked up, his reply was slow and low in the gruffness of his voice, "Yeah, no problem… Anytime, Valrae." The way her name was twisted on his tongue sounded almost taboo and intoxicating at the same time, but he wasn't always this nice to people he just met, if they had no information for him or was of no use to a current objectives they usually went ignored. When the roving gang of thugs appear they may lurk for a moment before spotting the six foot eleven Avian who was pronounced dead months before and his large wingspan, surely to send them to lurk another corner of Cenril. He unscrews the top of his flask offering to her the rum inside in case she was still cold from the flight in cool night air.

Valrae let herself be helped to a sitting position. She still didn't trust her own legs. The witch offered a knowing and shy smile to his smirk. There were no words. Her gratitude seemed to take him off guard and that puzzled her. The way he said her name sent another shiver dancing down her spine. The quiet of their moment was interrupted by a boisterous group of Cenril's worst but the witch seemed unconcerned. She knew their kind, how to handle them, and found herself significantly less worried for her own safety with the towering and imposing presence of the avian sitting with her. Though she knew he had no obligation to worry with her safety, she still doubted a group like that would want to bother with anything other than what they deemed 'easy prey'. Nothing about the man who had just shown her the marvel of flight said 'easy prey'. Valrae took the offered flask with a bright smile. "Thanks," She said, taking a quick drink before passing it back. The rum and the adrenaline were sure to go to her head. "Not that I'm assuming you care, but I don't usually make it a habit of jumping into the arms of strange men."

Irenic sipped the flask after she did, twisted the lid back on, and set it in the grass between them if the either of them desired more. When she started to explain herself his attention turned fully on her now, a seriousness coming over him, "You are correct, I don't care. You shouldn't care if I did. What a cute girl like you does with her free time is no ones business but your own." A shrug was given, "Not to sound offensive or morbid, but in my opinion humans - I assume you are human - should get their thrills when they are young because in comparison a human's timeline can be a speck on the altered beings of this world." He was strangely wise for an Knight and although he looked young, his soul is blemished with more aging experience than one should bare, yet, he wouldn't even know it. His wing nearest her would go back to being just inches from her back because If she were still cold all she would need to do is lean back on the wing, they are sturdier than they appear.

Valrae found her cheeks turning pink from the rush of the rum and the compliment. The woman sitting before the avian now with her wind tossed hair and healthy weight was far from the dirty, starving shell she'd been before her mentor had pulled her off the streets. It would probably always be a little surprising to hear that anyone would find her attractive. She found herself nodding along with him and offering an easy smile to assure him she hadn't been offended. "Oh I agree completely," She pulled her knees up and smoothed out her skirts again, a habitual way of sitting for the woman, and sensed the movement of his stunning wings. "I'm sure I could be more careful, but when an opportunity to experience something I never have before presents, I usually dive head first." Pushing a few stubborn strands of honey hued tress from her eyes, Val offered him a rueful grin. "I'm actually pretty good at getting myself into trouble that way." The desire to lean herself against his wings was one she demanded herself to ignore, thinking it would be rude. "What about you? Are there things you're still waiting to experience?"

Irenic sipped a bit more from the rum causing him to lose focus on the wing behind Valrae and it begins to slowly slump until it somewhat falls around her, feeling as if it's the softest of blankets. He draped his tawny tattooed arms over bended knees again allowing his eyes to look out over the horizons of Hollow. A low chuckle was given, "Trouble? I'd say… So, if I am flying about and see an adorable little human being cornered by trouble I have permission to swoop down and pluck you from the situation?" Again a sideways glance was given, the brown left eye still picking up traces of magic on her, "But I am assuming you have been able to hold your own in those getting-self-into-trouble times?" When she asked him the question of her own he fell quiet for a moment, "You are just full of great questions tonight… Well, I have no memory. I don't remember the love I had for my ex-fiancé or the privet times we had together. I don't remember the rage which drove me to fight the man who caused the loss of our unborn child. I don't remember what I've done before coming to Hollow, which - from what I've been told, I am not a good man. So, these things happened that I don't recall, the experiences too, but it is like every day I have that sense of being there before - déjà vu… So, to answer your question, almost anything and everything."

Valrae found herself under the soft warmth of the avian's wing. It felt strangely intimate, as if he'd put his arm around her, but he seemed unconcerned so she let herself enjoy it without over thinking it. In truth, she was grateful for the barrier against the slight chill. Her dress, all silk and clinging material, was made more for accentuating and showcasing her features and not warmth or practicality. The hypothetical he posed had laughter tumbling past her lips. "Of course, feel free to play the hero," She agreed. The witch canted her head, the arch of one dark brow raising slightly with his next question. It surprised her that he seemed to have some level of awareness of her magical abilities. "Sure, yeah, I'm pretty good at finding my way out of a tight spot." Comfortable silence reigned in the short absence conversation but the one that followed his answer was not as comfortable. Val struggled to keep the sympathy from her face. She pushed air through her teeth. "I'm sorry, I can't fathom what that must be like," She said after a notable length of time. "But if you don't mind me saying," She pushed at the hair that had returned to her eyes. "I don't know you very well but I'd like to think I'm a pretty good judge of character and you don't seem like a bad man either."

Irenic let out a subtle sigh before his gaze looked right back at the one she was giving him, "I've run into my ex-fiance again and again. She doesn't even know how to act around me because she is the only one that bears the burden of losing a loved one… Two loved ones. She is engaged to get married to someone else now and to be completely honest… I don't care. I might even have a chance to getting my memories back from my owner," Slipping on the fact that he is a slave, again he cares not what others think, " And you know what… I don't even want the memories of Irenic back. My master has called me Edlin since she saved me from death and if she wanted me to kill in her name I would… I don't think there are bad or good people. There are just the determined and from the stories I've been told, Avians are stubborn beings, but I made that look like poppycock compared to the lengths I went through to get to Hollow." In his quiet and gentle rant he didn't even notice how his hand shifted to occupying the space between them in order to allow his leaned in stature. He noticed he was quite close to her face, probably scaring the poor girl… "Apologies." It was half-hearted while he started to right himself to his previous position.

Valrae had listened to the avian's speech with keen interest. Her dark eyes watching the features of his face as he spoke while trying to follow along and understand the story he was offering. Meeting strangers, learning the stories they carried with them, truly one of the witch's great joys in life. Though Edlin's story was undeniably one of great tragedy, she was grateful to be offered it. She was a little thrown off guard by the use of the words 'owner' and 'master', though she was trying to keep an open mind. The idea of the man before her being anyone's slave was almost a laughable one. If Val hadn't heard it from his own mouth she would have struggled to believe it. She was listening so intently, so engrossed in the telling of his story, that she wasn't bothered with the closeness. She waited a moment after he had gone quiet before offering, "I'd have to disagree, I've known true evil," The smile she gave him was a sad one. "Some people just aren't capable of goodness, that I'm sure of." The woman waved away his apology. "Don't trouble yourself over it,"

Irenic also listened intently as she had given the same attention to him and his wing around her seemed to give a subtle squeeze, like a hug almost, in exchange for her belief in him. For the first time he said, "Uh… Thanks…" The words felt weird to say before he chuckles shortly with a sarcastic sneer at her response to his apology, "Alright then. I wont." He fell into silence again, but this time it was different, his bicolored eyes focused on the grass as if listening to something. He stood with haste before offering a hand down to her and help her up as well while asking, "Was there somewhere I can take you, maybe wherever you were headed?" He glances about at the ruffians keeping his wingspan expanded to give off the intimidation factor before kneeling down and picking up his belongings, book, glasses, cloak, but overlooking the flask.

Valrae took the offered hand with a gracious smile and righted her self. She took a moment to smooth her skirts. "Ah, I'll be on the beach for a while yet," She followed his gaze to the band of questionable youths. "I'm grateful but I have nothing to fear from them." It might have been worth mentioning that her brother, a cold, ruthless man was a notable figure in such groups of Cenril. He'd made quite a name for himself in the dark underbelly of the city... It would simply be a matter of giving her name to send most of the lower group of thugs scattering off of the beach. But that was an embarrassment to her, so she said nothing. "It was an enormous pleasure meeting you," Noticing that he'd missed his flask, she collected it and then held it out in offering. "I hope we run into each other again."

Irenic was smirking down at her again almost in admiration of her fearless attitude, wasn't often it didn't burden him with the damsel in distress. "That's good." Again her compliments to him fell to a slight surprise, his response coming slower and with a bit more caution, "Pleasure meeting you as well…" He looked down at the flask in her hand nearly too big for her to hold, harboring an engraving of the name Eldin Corier. "Um… Keep it. Feels a bit nippy out. The rum will warm you, just no sharing with strangers!" He teases her, before adding "… This way I am sure we will meet again." He offered a wink of the eye that is silver like the flask before a step back was taken so be may fly up into the night sky with that marvelous force once more.