|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 28, 2006 0:34:14 GMT -5
I was a mess. I had been crying nearly nonstop since Simon had left yesterday. The only times I hadn't cried were when I fell into a fitful sleep that was almost more of a trance. Things had gone so wrong and I still wasn't sure exactly why or what I could have done differently. Simon had no right to ask me to leave Aleron, I had tried to explain things and tried to find a compromise but nothing had worked. Simon was so… stubborn, he refused to even listen. And then when he just left like that… that hurt as bad as anything.
Somehow I had managed to clean myself up and make my way to the square where the marquist's shop was. I was early, but I was hoping Aleron would be early too so that I could spend a few minutes in his arms before my appointment.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 28, 2006 2:02:11 GMT -5
A bench a couple blocks before the marquist's shop was the perfect place to wait for Riva- she had ways of finding me and I knew she would. It had only been a day since I'd last seen her and I missed her deeply- and so I waited. She would be along and maybe we could have a few quiet moments so I could lend her as much courage for the marquing as was possible.
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 28, 2006 11:38:47 GMT -5
With a sob of relief I pushed past a rather imposing man and ran to where Aleron was sitting. I one motion I was on the bench next to him, my arms were around him and my face was buried against his chest.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 29, 2006 0:59:30 GMT -5
She was so warm and soft and I ran my hands through her hair, then over her back. "I'm glad to see you too," I said softly as I shifted my coat to keep her from squishing what I had in the pocket.
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 29, 2006 1:06:45 GMT -5
"I'm sorry," I said, sitting up and wiping at my eyes. "I just had a really bad yesterday after I left you. How are you?"
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 29, 2006 7:53:00 GMT -5
"I'm wonderful now that you're close," I told her with a smile. "Do you want to talk about what happened? Also, do you want your surprise now or later?"
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 29, 2006 11:30:34 GMT -5
"It's Simon," I told him. "It all went so wrong. You were right, he wants to take me away from Gentian, from the City, from you. We had a fight and I told him not to make me choose because you would win and he was so hurt and then he just left…."
I stopped, blinking for a moment. I had been in such a rush to tell him about Simon that the last part of what he'd said hadn't registered.
"Surprise?"
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 29, 2006 11:42:22 GMT -5
Sighing at her words I hugged her closer. "He's just worried about you and trying to do what's best," I said softly. "No matter how far away you go you can't lose me."
Reaching my hand into the pocket I pulled out a soft silvery-grey striped kitten and showed it to her. "Do you remember now?"
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 29, 2006 13:48:21 GMT -5
Everything bad that had happened recently, perhaps everything bad that had ever happened, vanished in a poof as I looked at the kitten he held.
"Oh Aleron," I breathed, smiling so big it almost hurt my cheeks. I looked from him to the kitten and back again and again.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 29, 2006 14:15:27 GMT -5
Smiling to see her so happy, joy almost seeming to roll off of her skin, I held out the now-gyrating puff of fur towards her. "It's yours," I said as I offered it to her.
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 29, 2006 14:26:25 GMT -5
Taking the kitten, I cradled it in my hands and brought it to my face. First I let it sniff my nose and then I tried not to laugh as it rubbed it's cheek on mine. With a little purring meow, it jumped from my hands to my shoulder, curling up against my neck.
"Thank you," I said, looking into Aleron's eyes. Those words were woefully inadequate for what I was feeling, but I knew he would feel how truly happy I was.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 29, 2006 14:37:48 GMT -5
"You're welcome," I replied, letting my eyes catch hers and knowing that she would understand how happy I was to see her happy. "What time have you set your appointment for?"
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 29, 2006 15:41:16 GMT -5
"In about half an hour from now," I said absently, I was too busy grinning and rubbing the kitten with my cheek to think about my marque.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 29, 2006 23:13:30 GMT -5
Smiling again I watched her being absorbed by her newest gift and hopefully loyal companion. "What will you name it?"
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 29, 2006 23:20:29 GMT -5
"I don't know. She'll tell me her name when she's ready," I told him, smiling still.
Careful so as not to dislodge the kitten, I leaned over and kissed Aleron deeply. "Thank you," I whispered again.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 29, 2006 23:47:13 GMT -5
"I'm just glad you like her," I whispered back, naturally assuming that she was right about the kitten's gender without even a second thought. "I'll bring you hundreds if you thank me for all of them like that."
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 30, 2006 0:42:16 GMT -5
I laughed softly. "How about we stick with just the one for now, and I thank you a hundred times for her." Pressing my lips to his, I kissed him until my air had run out, and then a little longer.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 30, 2006 7:51:21 GMT -5
My hands couldn't help but move over the skin of her face, through the softness of her hair. "If you keep doing that I'm going to be sorely tempted to keep you from your appointment," I teased.
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 30, 2006 10:04:47 GMT -5
"Is that supposed to make me stop?" I asked with a grin. A thought of how if Simon could see this, how happy Aleron made me and how he loved me as much as I loved him, he wouldn't be so quick to want to take me away formed in my mind.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 30, 2006 10:13:16 GMT -5
"Not necessarily, just inform you as to the consequences of your actions." A wide grin crossed my face as I kissed the tip of her nose.
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 30, 2006 11:17:06 GMT -5
I giggled softly. The kitten was still curled against my neck, and was purring loudly.
"If it was anything besides starting my marque I would say we forget the appointment, but I have put this off long enough," I said, caressing his thigh. Also, though I didn't say it, I wanted my marque started now more than ever. Once it was started, I would have to complete it, which meant another reason to stay in the City.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 30, 2006 15:22:06 GMT -5
Nodding, I continued to run my hand through her hair. "Do you know how much you want to get done?" I asked softly, worried that if I pried too deeply her fear of the procedure would return and upset her.
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 30, 2006 15:43:27 GMT -5
"As much as I can take. I want to get this over in as few visits as possible," I told, with a wry smile. "I'm still scared of the pain, but not like I was. I want it done."
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 30, 2006 15:46:13 GMT -5
A little startled at her vehemenence I nodded in understanding. "I'll be with you, no matter how many trips it does or doesn't take," I replied. "I love you."
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 30, 2006 16:01:42 GMT -5
"I love you too, with all my heart and everything else as well," I said, my smile becoming tender. Leaning in, I pressed my lips to his and kissed him again.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 30, 2006 16:11:54 GMT -5
Sighing with happiness I kissed her in return, lips soft against hers. "You are so beautiful," I told her softly.
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 30, 2006 21:18:19 GMT -5
"Thank you, as are you," I softly replied, enjoying the feeling of intimacy even though we were in a busy area.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 30, 2006 22:07:22 GMT -5
Smiling yet wider I raised my other hand to brush the kitten with a finger. "Will you need to pick up anything for this little creature on the way back?" I asked.
|
|
|
Post by Riva Carle (R) on Oct 30, 2006 22:55:56 GMT -5
"No, I don't think so," I said, furrowing my brow as I thought. "I can get a bowl and saucer from the kitchen for her food and water, and stuff for her to eat. I think I will be alright. Do you think I need to get her something?" I was suddenly worried I might not be thinking of everything.
|
|
|
Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Oct 30, 2006 23:17:48 GMT -5
"Something for her to go to the bathroom on if you don't want to let her outside," I reminded her lightly, kissing the spot between her brows. "I think- I've never had a pet of my own."
|
|