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Topic Started: Aug 21 2010, 12:26 AM (657 Views)
Vivica
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Although Caleb had resigned to staying quiet and out of Sidonie’s way, it bothered him that Quill stood to greet her. To make him feel even worse, she hadn’t even returned his “hello.” Was her boyfriend too big of a distraction for her? They may have been separated for months, but it felt unfair that she would talk to him first. He felt a stab to his gut when it was Sidonie that embraced Quill first and tried not to look at them. Casually, he crossed his leg and looked at his book, stealing one more glance. He didn’t want either of the lovers to catch his gaze and know what was on his mind. And apparently, they didn’t want him to know what they were talking about. Well, if he was unwanted, he could leave them. It was the polite thing to do and he didn’t want to be stuck as a third wheel. There were better ways that he could make use of his time than feeling jealous. Caleb uncrossed his legs and stood up quietly, when Sidonie spoke to him. He made eye contact to let her know that he was listening, and then nodded in acknowledgement. “Thank you for telling me.” He kept his speech even and professional, as if he was addressing a member of his temple’s congregation. In Quill’s presence, he couldn’t be friendly. “I was just going to see how I could help with dinner. I’ll see you two then.” He smiled politely at Sidonie and Quill and nodded in their direction and then left the common room, letting out a sigh once he was out of sight. His face felt hot from the tension. Glad to be out of the room, but upset over leaving Sidonie, Caleb headed towards the kitchen.
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Hiros
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[ *  *  * ]
Sidonie stared after Caleb as he left. Why was he being so distant? She had stuck her neck out for him. She could have just told him to keep it a secret and not turn herself in. Or not, and if Caleb mentioned it to Trent, have Trent think that Caleb had manipulated her into telling him. She could have not told him at all, so Caleb wouldn’t have known what happened to his Moshe. She turned back to Quill. “I should go help too… So I don’t get into more trouble.” She smiled sadly and kissed him. She slipped out of his embrace and went in the direction that Caleb had gone.

“Caleb.” She caught up with him. “Did… Did I do something wrong?” She asked, stepping next to him and tilting her head slightly. “Are you mad at me?” She looked up at him with sad eyes. She didn’t want someone else to be mad at her. Especially since she felt he should be her ally in this. And she wanted him to be her friend… Couldn’t he have comforted her? Said that he was sorry that she got yelled at? Said something other than just “thank you?” It was disappointing.
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Vivica
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[ *  *  * ]
Caleb resisted turning to see who was responsible for the quick footsteps that he heard behind him. He was able to guess whose they were, yet he found himself pleasantly surprised when Sidonie came into view next to him. The concern in her voice made him resist smiling, but he counted her chasing after him as a point in his favor. “No, I’m not mad at you…” With the way that he left the room so abruptly, he could understand how she could interpret his actions that way. “I thought that you would want time alone with Quill.” Now, he couldn’t help but smile warmly at her sad, but endearing eyes. He couldn’t have her upset because of him. Ah, it was good that she had picked him over her boyfriend? “I felt a little awkward sitting there and I wanted to help with dinner in some way...” Whether or not romantic feelings were involved, it was uncomfortable to be in the same room as a couple being affectionate with each other in addition to having a private conversation.
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Hiros
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[ *  *  * ]
His claims that he wasn’t mad didn’t make her feel any less depressed. Even if he wasn’t mad at her… he still had left when she was feeling down. Maybe he didn’t care that she had been scolded. She shrugged. “I wanted to talk to you… I didn’t know that Quill was back...” She frowned. Why was he smiling? She was upset, and had thought he was upset with her. She didn’t understand what there was to be happy about. “And he doesn’t know why I was getting a lecture…” Quill’s physical presence was reassuring, but he didn’t understand the situation, and he had held back because she said she’d explain later, but she felt like he probably would end up scolding her too. He didn’t like foreigners very much. Right now, Caleb would understand better.

“You can help me… I have to help with dinner too…” She wanted to talk to him, and she didn’t want to be left alone through her chores. And it wasn’t probably much of a secret that Trent had lectured her now, so it was likely that the other temple dwellers would avoid her just to stay out of it. She didn’t want that.

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Vivica
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[ *  *  * ]
“You did?” The victory was even sweeter after he heard Sidonie tell him personally that she wanted to talk to him. The subject matter notwithstanding, she really had picked him over Quill. If his significant other had been away for days, he would have wanted to spend time together. He could guess that Sidonie was the same way. However, it was wishful thinking to believe that it meant she preferred him over Quill. Caleb assumed that she wanted to talk about the lecture she had just received, or to hear more about Moshe. “I wanted to ask you about the lecture, but I didn’t want to interrupt you and Quill…” He wondered if he was bringing up Quill too often for it to seem normal. But, if he avoided mentioning the other man altogether, he would seem strange. “What did Father Trent say to you? I’m relieved that you weren’t punished…” He could see himself punishing an acolyte if they had revealed the temple’s secrets without consulting him. Sidonie was lucky that her mentor had decided to be lenient.

“Ah, alright…” Caleb smiled to himself, happy that he would be able to continue the conversation without interruption. Unless there were others that assisted Sidonie in her task… “What do you have to do?”
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Hiros
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[ *  *  * ]
“Yes. I thought you’d want to know what happened.” She frowned a little at him. Why did he sound so excited about her wanting to talk to him? Did he think what happened to her didn’t matter? Even if it was her choice to tell him the secrets, it would have been nice if he had been a little concerned about her. “You’re a guest. It wouldn’t have been interrupting.” She liked talking to guests, and it wouldn’t be polite to just ignore them. She was quiet for a moment, thinking about what to tell him. “I got yelled at… He wasn’t happy that I told you… But he agreed that it was important and that I should try to learn more about my previous reincarnation… So… I didn’t get punished like… with extra chores or anything… getting yelled at was bad enough…” She looked down, disappointed in herself for having gotten scolded.

“One of the neighbors said they were going to donate some cheese. I have to go get it. I could use some help carrying it.” She paused for a moment. “You might want to get your coat.”
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Vivica
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[ *  *  * ]
“I do want to know. I just thought that you would want to see Quill first.” Caleb couldn’t tell her the real reason he had left; how he had felt abject by her embrace with her boyfriend and their private conversation in their native tongue. Setting that reason aside, it wasn’t in his nature to disrupt people whom he had no power over. When an interruption was made, it had a purpose. And what if Sidonie had been mad at him for talking while she was with her boyfriend? He didn’t want her to harbor any ill will towards him. “At least your position wasn’t revoked, Sidonie. When a priest lectures instead of delivering a punishment, it means that he cares about you. Father Trent must think you’re important to the temple.” Caleb felt bad about it, but he wished that she didn’t hold such an important position. Her time had to be dedicated to her work, not visits to other realms. “I would be happy to tell you more about Moshe.” He briefly had the overzealous thought of telling her that he was in ownership of Moshe’s house, which he had left untouched for years—he would have made himself seem a little obsessive.

“Ah…” He hesitated briefly, not wanting to tell her that he wanted to avoid going out into the cold. She had already asked for his help, so it would be rude to back out. “Yes, I should.” Caleb quickened his pace and entered the guest room, then hastily put on his coat and buttoned it up, and then put on his hat and gloves. He must have looked silly compared to what Sidonie was wearing. “How far of a walk is it?”
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Hiros
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[ *  *  * ]
“I really needed a hug, that’s all… He’s going to be upset when I tell him why I got scolded…” This was all very embarrassing. Sidonie watched the floor, somewhat ashamed that he was telling her that Father Trent cared about her. It was kind of awkward to hear. “I know… I’m glad it wasn’t worse…” As it was, people were going to be suspicious because they knew she liked talking to strangers, and her getting lectured when one had just arrived. It would just look bad, even to those who didn’t know her job. It would be even worse if she had been dismissed. She wouldn’t have anywhere to go. Her parents wouldn’t likely take her back into the tribe if she was unable to fulfill her duties, and even Quill would likely be upset. She was not looking forward to his lecture either, when she told him the whole of the story. “Thank you… I’d really appreciate it.” She looked up finally, smiling slightly at him.

“It isn’t very far. It’s at the other side of the village.” She was quiet for a moment as they walked to the door. “What was his family like? Besides his brother?” She asked as she opened the door and started to head outside.
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Vivica
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[ *  *  * ]
“Ah. Alright…” Caleb could imagine himself obliging her in the event that she had asked him for a hug. He was tempted to embrace her now and stroke her hair, since she still seemed to be in low spirits. He watched her, feeling awkward, and trying to decide if he should be so bold as to act on his thoughts. But, he couldn’t; he was older than her, at a completely different stage in life. To hug Sidonie would mean to overstep boundaries between a priest and an acolyte—even if she wasn’t studying under his watch, it would be improper. There was also the matter of how she would react and what she would think of him. Would she happily accept it, or would he make things awkward between them? Caleb decided that it would be in their best interest to not even offer her a hug. She was smiling again. Caleb told himself that that was enough for him.

“Mm…” Caleb responded noncommittally, regretting his decision to agree to help. The walk in the freezing cold sounded too far to him, but he had already offered his help, so it would reflect poorly on him to back down. “His parents weren’t any better to him.” He felt the harsh chill of the outdoor air as she opened the door. Turning his head slightly to the side, he crossed his arms tightly to his frame and stepped outside. The cold was shocking. “H-he was raised in a homophobic environment. His parents n-never accepted him. The only person in his family that supported our relationship was his grandmother.” And what a sweetheart she was. Caleb made a note that he would have to visit her soon and catch up after he got back to his temple. During the moment of silence, his teeth began chattering—it was so unbearably cold outside that he felt as if his body was losing all warmth and energy. He hoped that their destination was at least a little warm.
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Hiros
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[ *  *  * ]
The thought crossed her mind that perhaps the reason she was reincarnated here, with her parents, was because they were also not very supportive. Was there something about her that put her in that type of situation? Or was she just terribly unlucky? It wasn’t to say that she didn’t love her parents, but… She hadn’t even really lived with them. They didn’t like outsiders, and to some extent, because she lived in town, she felt like she was one to them. Perhaps they would have a better relationship once she had finished her training. “Did he take after her at all? It would be interesting to meet her someday…” She really wished she could convince Father Trent to let her go to the light realm. Wouldn’t it show some solidarity? Since poor Caleb had come all this way here, it would be polite to send some one there. But then, after this stunt, she wondered if Trent would actually allow her to do it. If she was in trouble for exposing secrets to outsiders, she probably would get looked at with some distrust if she asked to go outside the realm. They’d worry that she would expose more secrets. That really wasn’t what she wanted… She just wanted to experience more of the realms… And spend more time with Caleb.

She noticed that he seemed like he was cold, so she tried to pick up the pace a little, hoping that he would do the same and she could get him out of the cold quicker. The thought crossed her mind that she should send him back to the temple, but she really wanted to spend more time with him, and… Well, a small part of her felt a little spiteful about his less than friendly reaction when she needed support. She didn’t want him to get hurt, but helping her when he was uncomfortable seemed a like a suitable way to make it up to her.
Edited by Hiros, Oct 17 2010, 07:34 PM.
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Vivica
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[ *  *  * ]
“Y-yeah, he did; i-in a few ways, actually.” Caleb drew in a quick, sharp breath. He could feel the effects of the frigid air drying out his throat and the inside of his nose. Soon, the latter would be completely numb. Warm thoughts such as cuddling in front of his fireplace while wrapped in a blanket occupied his mind and then he elaborated. “Th-they looked a lot alike.” Moshe’s grandmother had his same, adorable smile and they shared the same eyes as well as a few mannerisms. They also both enjoyed baking sweets, but that was a common hobby for many lights. Maybe Sidonie didn’t know about that since she was isolated from other races. But, the cold prevented Caleb from going into detail; he only wanted to keep his head down, follow Sidonie’s feet, and draw in air only when necessary. His teeth had started chattering far too much for him to speak in a dignified manner.

A short trip across the village was a frigid hell to Caleb, but he couldn’t reprimand himself for making the decision to go along with Sidonie. He wanted to be with her, even if he had to put up with the intolerable cold. As the numbing sensation spread from his legs to his entire body, his last thought was to reach out to Sidonie and hold her for warmth. He began to extend his arm towards her, when his eyes rolled up and his vision went black. Caleb fell forward into the snow.
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Hiros
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[ *  *  * ]
It sounded like Caleb was having a hard time talking. She kept glancing back at him, worried that maybe this had been a really bad idea. She wondered if she should send him back to the temple, but right now, it might actually be closer to the home that they were headed towards. Then again, the temple had more sources of warmth than a normal ice realm home, and it’d be faster for him to warm up. She returned her attention to the road ahead of her. Maybe it would be okay.

She heard a thump and immediately spun around. “Caleb?” Her eyes widened and fear and guilt slammed into her. She shouldn’t have asked him around. She felt selfish and horrible. She knelt down next to him and turned him over on his back. It didn’t seem like he was going to wake up here… She looked around in panic. She didn’t know what to do. Drag him the rest of the way to the home, or take him back to the temple? Who knew how long it’d take him to recover if they went to the home with the cheese. And she didn’t want to impose on them. To the temple then. She took off her light jacket and draped it over his chest, and then grabbed under his arms and started dragging him back to the temple. It felt like it was taking much longer than what it should. Maybe she should have taken him to the house instead. It was too late to turn back now.

Finally, she managed to get him back to the temple. She was sweaty and out of breath, but it seemed like Caleb was still alive. “Help!” She cried out as she struggled to get him in the door. “He needs to be put by a fire…” She said when someone appeared to help. With their help, they managed to get him back to his room and tucked, with a fire roaring. Despite the discomfort in the room, she decided to wait there and make sure he would be alright. Dinner was the furthest thing from her mind.
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Vivica
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[ *  *  * ]
Caleb awoke feeling cold and shivering. His black eyes opened groggily and he immediately shut them and pulled the blanket over his head. He rolled onto his side, curled into a tight ball, and remained that way until his body stopped shaking. When he was warmed up, he sensed another presence in the room. If he hadn’t had a hunch that the presence was Sidonie, he would have stayed the way he was to stay warm. But she must have been worried about him. Caleb pulled the blanket off of his head and sat up, meeting Sidonie’s eyes. That was right… He had been with her when he fainted—that was what happened, right? “What happened?” His voice creaked, so he cleared his throat and repeated the question. His stomach gurgled in demand of food. That was right; he had missed dinner. He could also guess that he had collapsed while outside. How embarrassing, to be seen so weak and vulnerable in front of the woman whose respect he wanted.
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Hiros
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The heat in the room was making Sidonie a little uncomfortable, but she was worried about Caleb, and wanted to make sure he’d be okay. She sat up straight when she noticed him stirring. She thought that maybe he was starting to come to. She felt her heart race when he sat up and looked at her. “Are you getting warmed up enough?” She asked, looking at him with a worried expression. “You passed out from the cold… I brought you back to the temple...” She looked away, ashamed that it had been her fault that he had gotten hurt. “I’m really sorry… I shouldn’t have asked you to come with me…”
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Vivica
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“Yes. It’s warm enough…” Ah, she was very worried about him… Caleb may have suffered before learning that she could display so much concern towards him, but it was worth it. It felt good to know that she cared, perhaps enough to stay by his side until he awoke. But, he wouldn’t ask her that; it would sound too self-absorbed. He should have displayed more concern for her, after the scare that he gave her from passing out. “By yourself? I’m sorry… As skinny as I am, it must have been difficult to drag me through the snow…” And how embarrassing that he fainted—he couldn’t have been that delicate. He had made it safely to the temple, after all.

“Don’t apologize… I wanted to help you and neither of us was expecting me to faint. I should be apologizing to you for giving you a scare.” He wanted to get out of bed and give her a hug for her trouble. Caleb’s stomach growled loudly again. Had he been this hungry before they left to fetch the cheese? He wondered if everyone had eaten already and wanted to ask for food, but there were priorities ahead of that… “I should let Father Trent know that I’m alright. He must be worried, too…” He swung his legs over the side of the bed, but was reluctant to abandon the blanket and the guest room. He could already feel himself starting to shiver. But, he was a guest. He had to apologize to his host for causing any concern. “Do you know where he is?”
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