Whew! That gave me a scare. Normally I update on Thursday but I couldn't get in so to make up for it, and make sure I have all my bases covered, there will be another chapter after this one.
Things are still walking the fluffy path for the meantime, but that will change oh yes.
I know I haven't put up the translations I promised earlier, but they will come. It's just not the right time yet... ^_^ Enjoy!
Ch 4 Growing Friendship
Zari examined her reflection in the calm stream then nodded in approval. "I like it."
Her uniform had taken nearly two days to create, but now it was done. It was the color of the Earth's afternoon sky. Her top was sleeveless and extended a few short inches beyond her chest. Her skirt was short, extending to the middle of her thighs. A long lavender sash was wrapped around her waist then hung down just above her knees. Every article was trimmed in gold, even the long gloves that she hadn't intended to receive- was rimmed in gold wire. Now only one item was missing, the Potara earrings. Though she had refused them and had them replaced by a button below the collar with the Kai symbol engraved in it.
"Yes but," Talme said from the tree behind Zari. "What's wrong with the boots?"
"I've run barefoot nearly all my life," Zari replied simply. "These have risen blisters in places I never would have thought possible."
"You must have something on your feet lass," said Junid from the other side of the stream, fishing rod in hand.
"Then may I make a suggestion," Shin asked as he closed the book he had been reading then climbed down from the bluff. Once on the ground he began again, "I've read of suck a covering that it closely resembles what I believe is called soft leather. It's enough to protect your feet and at the same time not be a bother." He extended his hand towards the knee high boots, then slowly pulled it back. "How does that feel?"
"How does wha-" She stopped as she realized she no longer felt the sharps pains in her feet. Instead she felt a softness against her skin. She looked down; soft shoes that rose barely above the ankle and were cut in a V in front. The same gold wire rimmed the top and the color was the same as her uniform. "I don't feel them at all."
"That's their intention."
"Thank you."
"Oh please!" Thado cried. "Get a life! Or at least say something new." No one acknowledged his comment or existence. Everything turned silent.
Zari sighed and lightly tapped her foot. She looked at Shin. ~*I hate this silence. How can you stand it?*~
~*Most times, I myself am silent.*~
~*Why?*~
~*Because I can't seem to bring myself to break it. I've heard far too many screams of burning lovers and the cries of their orphaned children to do so. This is always the time to remember.*~
~*Remember what? Sure you and your mentors are relaxing but you're not having any fun.*~ She took his hand in hers and pulled him away from the others. ~*Run with me*~ She pulled him a few steps before he matched her pace.
They ran at a slow speed but covered many miles. "Where are we going?"
"Must there always be a destination?" she asked with a smile. "Sometimes you just run or do something to break away. What do you do to release?"
"I read mostly. I haven't found much else to do, besides enjoy the peace."
"You're kidding!" she shouted as she stopped sharply. "There's a whole universe to explore and you find nothing?"
"I am not permitted to leave milady."
"There is nothing ladylike about me so why do you call me by that name?"
"Habit."
"Stop it!" she said sternly. "And stop being so proper, somehow it doesn't suit you."
"Alright, I'll admit, I was more like you once. That was a long time ago."
She spat off to the side, "so what? What is life to you?" He didn't answer. "Well?" Still no answer. "You know why? Because you've never actually enjoyed what you had. You have your health, what's stopping you?" She paused, "have you ever heard, or read of in your case, about a game called Scather?"
"Striker."
"Hm?"
"I was a striker."
She leaned in close then held up a pale blue energy wave. "Show me." The ball launched from her hand and sped away as a steaming comet. It passed between two long boards -like a short surf board without the fin- one with red designs, the other, yellow. Both hovered vertically, awaiting the chase.
A strong gust pushed the yellow board flat and Zari jumped on it. Shin knocked his board over after his feet had touched it. "Show off," Zari muttered. She took off after the target while Shin stood still.
He drew in a deep breath, "three... two... one." It sailed over his head and he snatched it out of the air.
Zari flew around him, "how'd you do that?"
"The blue ones always come back. Now those in vermillion," he paused as the ball swirled, losing its original color. "They won't give up so easily."
"We'll see, I've caught every one I've sought. This will be no different."
He returned her sly smile, "catch this."
"How do you do it!" Zari said halfway laughing. She jumped off her board and lie down next to him on the grass. "That's five times, not counting the first."
"It could have gone either way," he replied. "You're good, I have to give you that."
"Thanks, but I'll get you yet."
He laughed, "not when I can use my other arm you won't."
"Hah! Your arm doesn't affect your boarding."
"Seems I need to x-plain this to you. I'm a southpaw. Though I can use my right hand, my left is far superior."
"Then in lack of better words, I'm screwed... and drymouthed."
"Me too, I'll be right back."
"I'll be here." Shin turned and smiled, then walked down he steep hill to the river below. She closed her eyes.
"It's been a long time since a person spoke to him as if he were a normal being," a voice said from behind.
"What do you want Thado?" she asked as kindly as she could.
"Only what you're eventually going to give him." She exhaled though it sounded more like a flat hiss. "Exactly," his voice whispered directly above her face.
~*Stay calm ol' girl. He won't advance any further.*~ She felt his breath on her face then the heavy weight of his hand squeezing her breast, while his other hand held her wrists as his tongue searched for an entrance. ~*Oh... you asshole! You better pray you're faster than me. Once I get up, you'll think hell as comfortable as your mother's womb!*~
She heard water splash on grass, not even a moment passed when she heard Thado struggle to breathe. He coughed, choked, and heaved in a raspy voice. She brought her knees to her chest then kicked to land in a standing position. All anger left her as she saw she would have to 'wait in line,' so to speak. Shin already had Thado in a sleeper hold with his right arm. It was a rather pathetic sight to behold. Shin was still considered, by Junid especially, as disabled. Yet there he was, using his one arm against both of Thado's, and not budging and inch. "I don't know what you were thinking," Shin snapped. "But I better hear one damn good excuse, quick!"
~*I can't breathe!*~
"Uh uh," Shin said as he shook his head. "You're making too much noise not to be breathing."
"Alright! But-long-let go," he said still choking. Shin looked at Zari and she nodded. Thado heaved as Shin released him, he held his throat with both hands and coughed. "She..." he paused to gasp again. "She came onto me! I did nothing!"
Utter disgust spread on Shin's face and was already on Zari's. "Prinon," Shin growled. "That's all you are."
"No, he is more," Zari stated coldly. "Though none will I name for they are already said. But stay away from me, and you'll have a better chance of staying alive."
Thado snarled, "inligan tsinque doma tieth-" Shin stepped forward and slammed his fist into Thado's brow. He fell to the ground, eyes closed, blood trailing from the blow, and he lie still, unconscious.
"He talks ever more than you."
Shin turned and smiled, "he won't for a while." He cast his eyes to the sky. "It's late, come with me, I'll escort you home."
"You'll only escort me home, if you race me home."
They had run halfway around the planet at full speed, although Zari lagged behind a few feet behind purposely, and weren't the least bit out of breath. "You're pretty quick for a cripple," Zari teased.
"My arm does not affect my feet," Shin stated.
"Nor your mouth."
"Hah! You're one to talk!"
"That's right, and I'll keep on talking until the day the afterlife bores me."
"Then what?"
"I'll strike up another conversation, that'll be all there is to it." She said it so finally that, instead of making a fool of himself, Shin looked up at Titus, the largest moon.
The smile on his face slowly faded as he recalled the late hour. "I suppose this is where we must part company."
"Only for today. But I think you laughed more that last hour, before Thado, then in the short time I've known you. I thank you for stepping in between Thado and myself by the way."
"Of course, and I swear," he paused to take her hand in his and bring it to his lips. "He won't attempt or dream of touching you like in that way again."
She smiled, "seems I have a 'deloqui' to watch over me." He dropped her hand. Deloqui meant protector, and for a man to be referred to by that title meant much more than that simple meaning, especially when the 'adrien'- the protected- is female.
His posture stiffened as he said, "goodnight milady."
She placed her hand behind his neck and instantly felt him relax. "That's better," she said as she brought her lips next to his ear. "You are the sweetest being I've ever had the honor to meet. Don't you ever... ever! let the sands of time or the stains of war take that away from you. Good night Shin."
Things are still walking the fluffy path for the meantime, but that will change oh yes.
I know I haven't put up the translations I promised earlier, but they will come. It's just not the right time yet... ^_^ Enjoy!
Ch 4 Growing Friendship
Zari examined her reflection in the calm stream then nodded in approval. "I like it."
Her uniform had taken nearly two days to create, but now it was done. It was the color of the Earth's afternoon sky. Her top was sleeveless and extended a few short inches beyond her chest. Her skirt was short, extending to the middle of her thighs. A long lavender sash was wrapped around her waist then hung down just above her knees. Every article was trimmed in gold, even the long gloves that she hadn't intended to receive- was rimmed in gold wire. Now only one item was missing, the Potara earrings. Though she had refused them and had them replaced by a button below the collar with the Kai symbol engraved in it.
"Yes but," Talme said from the tree behind Zari. "What's wrong with the boots?"
"I've run barefoot nearly all my life," Zari replied simply. "These have risen blisters in places I never would have thought possible."
"You must have something on your feet lass," said Junid from the other side of the stream, fishing rod in hand.
"Then may I make a suggestion," Shin asked as he closed the book he had been reading then climbed down from the bluff. Once on the ground he began again, "I've read of suck a covering that it closely resembles what I believe is called soft leather. It's enough to protect your feet and at the same time not be a bother." He extended his hand towards the knee high boots, then slowly pulled it back. "How does that feel?"
"How does wha-" She stopped as she realized she no longer felt the sharps pains in her feet. Instead she felt a softness against her skin. She looked down; soft shoes that rose barely above the ankle and were cut in a V in front. The same gold wire rimmed the top and the color was the same as her uniform. "I don't feel them at all."
"That's their intention."
"Thank you."
"Oh please!" Thado cried. "Get a life! Or at least say something new." No one acknowledged his comment or existence. Everything turned silent.
Zari sighed and lightly tapped her foot. She looked at Shin. ~*I hate this silence. How can you stand it?*~
~*Most times, I myself am silent.*~
~*Why?*~
~*Because I can't seem to bring myself to break it. I've heard far too many screams of burning lovers and the cries of their orphaned children to do so. This is always the time to remember.*~
~*Remember what? Sure you and your mentors are relaxing but you're not having any fun.*~ She took his hand in hers and pulled him away from the others. ~*Run with me*~ She pulled him a few steps before he matched her pace.
They ran at a slow speed but covered many miles. "Where are we going?"
"Must there always be a destination?" she asked with a smile. "Sometimes you just run or do something to break away. What do you do to release?"
"I read mostly. I haven't found much else to do, besides enjoy the peace."
"You're kidding!" she shouted as she stopped sharply. "There's a whole universe to explore and you find nothing?"
"I am not permitted to leave milady."
"There is nothing ladylike about me so why do you call me by that name?"
"Habit."
"Stop it!" she said sternly. "And stop being so proper, somehow it doesn't suit you."
"Alright, I'll admit, I was more like you once. That was a long time ago."
She spat off to the side, "so what? What is life to you?" He didn't answer. "Well?" Still no answer. "You know why? Because you've never actually enjoyed what you had. You have your health, what's stopping you?" She paused, "have you ever heard, or read of in your case, about a game called Scather?"
"Striker."
"Hm?"
"I was a striker."
She leaned in close then held up a pale blue energy wave. "Show me." The ball launched from her hand and sped away as a steaming comet. It passed between two long boards -like a short surf board without the fin- one with red designs, the other, yellow. Both hovered vertically, awaiting the chase.
A strong gust pushed the yellow board flat and Zari jumped on it. Shin knocked his board over after his feet had touched it. "Show off," Zari muttered. She took off after the target while Shin stood still.
He drew in a deep breath, "three... two... one." It sailed over his head and he snatched it out of the air.
Zari flew around him, "how'd you do that?"
"The blue ones always come back. Now those in vermillion," he paused as the ball swirled, losing its original color. "They won't give up so easily."
"We'll see, I've caught every one I've sought. This will be no different."
He returned her sly smile, "catch this."
"How do you do it!" Zari said halfway laughing. She jumped off her board and lie down next to him on the grass. "That's five times, not counting the first."
"It could have gone either way," he replied. "You're good, I have to give you that."
"Thanks, but I'll get you yet."
He laughed, "not when I can use my other arm you won't."
"Hah! Your arm doesn't affect your boarding."
"Seems I need to x-plain this to you. I'm a southpaw. Though I can use my right hand, my left is far superior."
"Then in lack of better words, I'm screwed... and drymouthed."
"Me too, I'll be right back."
"I'll be here." Shin turned and smiled, then walked down he steep hill to the river below. She closed her eyes.
"It's been a long time since a person spoke to him as if he were a normal being," a voice said from behind.
"What do you want Thado?" she asked as kindly as she could.
"Only what you're eventually going to give him." She exhaled though it sounded more like a flat hiss. "Exactly," his voice whispered directly above her face.
~*Stay calm ol' girl. He won't advance any further.*~ She felt his breath on her face then the heavy weight of his hand squeezing her breast, while his other hand held her wrists as his tongue searched for an entrance. ~*Oh... you asshole! You better pray you're faster than me. Once I get up, you'll think hell as comfortable as your mother's womb!*~
She heard water splash on grass, not even a moment passed when she heard Thado struggle to breathe. He coughed, choked, and heaved in a raspy voice. She brought her knees to her chest then kicked to land in a standing position. All anger left her as she saw she would have to 'wait in line,' so to speak. Shin already had Thado in a sleeper hold with his right arm. It was a rather pathetic sight to behold. Shin was still considered, by Junid especially, as disabled. Yet there he was, using his one arm against both of Thado's, and not budging and inch. "I don't know what you were thinking," Shin snapped. "But I better hear one damn good excuse, quick!"
~*I can't breathe!*~
"Uh uh," Shin said as he shook his head. "You're making too much noise not to be breathing."
"Alright! But-long-let go," he said still choking. Shin looked at Zari and she nodded. Thado heaved as Shin released him, he held his throat with both hands and coughed. "She..." he paused to gasp again. "She came onto me! I did nothing!"
Utter disgust spread on Shin's face and was already on Zari's. "Prinon," Shin growled. "That's all you are."
"No, he is more," Zari stated coldly. "Though none will I name for they are already said. But stay away from me, and you'll have a better chance of staying alive."
Thado snarled, "inligan tsinque doma tieth-" Shin stepped forward and slammed his fist into Thado's brow. He fell to the ground, eyes closed, blood trailing from the blow, and he lie still, unconscious.
"He talks ever more than you."
Shin turned and smiled, "he won't for a while." He cast his eyes to the sky. "It's late, come with me, I'll escort you home."
"You'll only escort me home, if you race me home."
They had run halfway around the planet at full speed, although Zari lagged behind a few feet behind purposely, and weren't the least bit out of breath. "You're pretty quick for a cripple," Zari teased.
"My arm does not affect my feet," Shin stated.
"Nor your mouth."
"Hah! You're one to talk!"
"That's right, and I'll keep on talking until the day the afterlife bores me."
"Then what?"
"I'll strike up another conversation, that'll be all there is to it." She said it so finally that, instead of making a fool of himself, Shin looked up at Titus, the largest moon.
The smile on his face slowly faded as he recalled the late hour. "I suppose this is where we must part company."
"Only for today. But I think you laughed more that last hour, before Thado, then in the short time I've known you. I thank you for stepping in between Thado and myself by the way."
"Of course, and I swear," he paused to take her hand in his and bring it to his lips. "He won't attempt or dream of touching you like in that way again."
She smiled, "seems I have a 'deloqui' to watch over me." He dropped her hand. Deloqui meant protector, and for a man to be referred to by that title meant much more than that simple meaning, especially when the 'adrien'- the protected- is female.
His posture stiffened as he said, "goodnight milady."
She placed her hand behind his neck and instantly felt him relax. "That's better," she said as she brought her lips next to his ear. "You are the sweetest being I've ever had the honor to meet. Don't you ever... ever! let the sands of time or the stains of war take that away from you. Good night Shin."