A Pair of Healing Hands (Serrif)

[Blythe]

Blythe's pale pink lips curled into a slender smile as soon as Serrif came into view. Her eyes sparkled as she eased herself onto her feet, and began to move away from the pond. Her long white dress swished around her ankles, fluttering silently as she closed the expanse which hung between them. The woman reached Serrif within a few seconds, raising her right hand as she walked, so that she may cup his cheek with it, when there was nothing left.

"Good evening Ser," Blythe whispered, as she let her thumb dance over his skin. The stubble which lined his cheeks tickling her flesh. "It's good to see you again." The Konti's smile widened as she leaned forward, forcing herself onto the balls of her feet. She rocked on her toes, straightened her back. Planted a delicate kiss upon Serrif's cheek, before allowing herself to roll back onto her soles. She glanced down nervously, biting her bottom lip, as thin wisps of pink wound their way into her facial features.

"I see you brought us something, although, it hardly seems enough for a proper meal," Blythe commented, as her blush deepened. "I wasn't supposed to bring something, was I?" she asked nervously, as she slid her hand beneath Serrif's. The one that was holding the loaf of bread. Offering to take it from him.

Blythe smiled weakly as she swallowed the clump of saliva that had gathered in her throat. She waited for an answer, silently praying to Avalis that she had not forgotten. It had been quite some time, after all, since her last date.

"Come, why don't we go find a place to sit down, and talk a little?" Blythe asked, as she eased her other hand behind Serrif's broad form. Allowing it to finally settle in the middle of his back. "It's so lovely here, we couldn't possibly fail to find something nice..."

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Poor Blythe, she was always worrying about being proper or about something that he saw as just trivial really. She was always caught up in the little things, the common place cultural niceties. Truth was he had brought these things because he wanted to. Not because he wanted to have a meal, no. But because he wanted to have something to eat if they wanted to stop and look at the sky or something. Just something to munch on so they didn’t go hungry really. He didn’t think about a full on meal really. That would be a little much. But there was a winery on the grounds here somewhere…as to where exactly though…well that was left unaccounted for but he knew it was here somewhere.

“No, I brought these things in case you wanted to have something to munch on while we walked around or something like that. I didn’t expect you to bring anything at all…well except yourself.” He said as he gently laid a caress across the left side of her face brushing some of her long hair aside so he could get a good look at her wonderful glistening scales.

Even in the moonlight Konti were beautiful…more subdued beauty but beauty. The scales that adorned their bodies weren’t as intense, but it was like a sly hint that they were indeed something wonderful. Every Konti was indeed something special; as Blythe was. He let her take the bread from him as she slipped a hand behind his back and the two of them walked off down a cobblestone path.

It was spring and all of the garden was in bloom. There were wonderful trees that Serrif didn’t know the name of that were in full bloom with wonderful white flowers. There were all kinds of other plants as well, sporting various orange, red, yellow, and some purple flowers as well. He could smell the various scents in the air that almost seemed to strangle out all his other senses. Blythe was indeed right. There was no way they would find an ugly patch of ground here in this wonderful garden.

[Blythe]

Blythe smiled weakly. "Well thank you, it was really thoughtful of you," she whispered as her cheeks took on a pinkish tint. She glanced down at the ground, at her feet, at the cobblestones as she guided Serrif along. The world seemed quiet, save for the occasional trickling sound, or soft plopping noise, as moisture dripped off a rock and into a pool of still water. "I'm sure everything is going to taste lovely. We just have to find the perfect place to enjoy it."

Blythe's smile brightened as the pair rounded a bend, taking them into another portion of the garden filled with towering plants. Lush plants, with large, teardrop shaped green leaves, and a subtle scent which reminded Blythe of rainfall. Plants devoid of flowers, and plants with them in several different shades- midnight blue, royal violet, magenta, golden yellow, just to name a few. Some had thorns, some of their stems seemed to look more like the trunk of a tree. A very slender tree.

"This is even prettier than before," Blythe whispered, almost breathlessly as she pulled Serrif along, bringing them alongside one of the midnight blue plants. Intrigued, Blythe studied the flower. The petals, which were the size of her palm. A sort of diamond shape, which shot out of a central, dark green core, which spit tiny wisps of green upwards, alongside the blue. "And so very strange. I don't quite know what it is, but then again, I'm not so sure I've ever seen anything quite like it before. Have you?" Blythe asked, as she looked up at her date expectantly.

The Konti would wait a moment, before peering around at her surroundings. After scrutinizing them a bit, she'd realize there was a small, wooden bench curled around the stone base of another pool of water. It seemed just large enough for two. Smiling from ear to ear, Blythe gave Serrif's arm a light tug. "Why don't we go sit over there?" Blythe asked, as she motioned to the bench with the hand holding the loaf of bread. "We can talk, and have a nice view of the garden... eat a little if you're hungry..."

OOCBlythe is being such a girl. *Facedesks*

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

It was indeed quiet here among the garden. They seemed to be the only ones here, it was peaceful but then again what wasn’t here in Mura? They seemed alone among the beauty of Mura. Completely lost in the almost tragic silence that cradled them. He knew the food would be lovely. He had visited this specific stand several times to purchase food from the vendor. When he had the time…and wasn’t fishing. He had been consumed with the day to day and it looked like only now was he really going to start enjoying himself. He hadn’t ever been here in this garden but he had been in several others like it. Konti beauty was indeed something that they seemed to put in everything they did.

Every last detail of beauty was planned for and envisioned over and over again. Then perfected and finally executed with precision. These gardens were laid out perfectly and were indeed a testament to that fact. Everything about them was perfectly aligned and cared for; in ways that he couldn’t even begin to be aware of right now.

“I agree, it is indeed beautiful.” He said responding to Blythe as he too looked for a spot of some kind for them to sit and enjoy the menial meal he had brought with him.

He looked at the midnight blue flower that Blythe was observing ever so closely. He had studied the plants of the isle but never come across this one before. It was a rare beauty among all the other beautiful things that surrounded it. He watched Blythe’s almost childlike fascination with a smile on his face. His mind raced through his books and then came across what he believed it was. He could see the page in the book he remembered it being in. The illustration was so clear in his mind, he could remember the page, heck he could likely even go the library and pick out the exact book.

“Never seen it…but I think I have read about it. It is called Akajia’s blossom by some, it usually flowers first at night then only for a short time afterward; but that is if I remember it correctly.” Blythe was looking around for something, likely a place to sit.

He was doing much the same but his mind hadn’t come up with a place yet. He felt her tug at him and before he knew it they were off to sit at a bench near a pool of water. He didn’t give it a second thought at all and before long he was sitting on a bench with her, just really enjoying her company more than anything else. [b] “It has been awhile since I have slowed down to appreciate anything…I’m glad I talked you into this. I think we both needed it.”

[Blythe]

Blythe settled down beside Serrif, and simply smiled pleasantly, as she stared into his eyes. "I'm glad you talked me into this too," Blythe whispered, as she leaned forward and planted a delicate kiss on his cheek. "It is nice to simply get away from work for awhile. To not think about everyone else and their problems, to simply take the time to concentrate on the self, and nurture the soul." The Konti paused, as she tugged on Serrif's arm lightly, pulling it into herself, and as she wound both arms around it, effectively, hugging that small portion of him to her. As she did, she thought about how she simply didn't want to let go, as she delicately, lowered her head onto his shoulder, allowing her cheek to settle on the subtle curve of his bone.

"It's nice too, to sit somewhere beautiful with someone so wonderful," Blythe whispered after a time, as she slid a little closer to Serrif, but not so quickly so as to knock the bread that rested in the folds of her dress away. "It's not too often that people get to do simple things such as that." The Konti's smile widened as she shook her head a little, readjusting her cheek's position on Serrif's shoulder; driving it into his skin, until she had produced a slight sense of warmth beneath her. Until she had made herself even more comfortable than before. After that, she simply remained silent, enjoying the sights, and how Serrif made her feel. So safe, so loved, so very warm.

"Are you sure you're not hungry?" Blythe asked after awhile, her womanly instinct to love and nurture beginning to kick in again.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

“I agree Blythe, beautiful and wonderful…but definitely beautiful” He got a small smile in her words. But it was all play to him. He knew Blythe didn’t rush into anything.

“How could I be hungry when in the presence of a Konti so beautiful?” He said managing a question with a compliment all in the same.

He brushed her cheek gently with his hand; there it was….that feeling again. That warm washing feeling that only happened when he touched her. Only where he touched her bare skin; it deepened by the second relaxing her. Calming her mind and settling her nerves. It was…enthralling to have everything washed away like that. No more worries, no more cares. Not thinking about others problems or worries, just them in that moment. Serrif was unaware of this effect on her. He still didn’t know the gift he had been granted. But he did note the effects he had been having lately on everyone he touched.

The ease he put them at seemed to be almost immediate when he laid hands on them. And it deepened the longer he remained. It was an odd sensation; maybe it was some odd effect he was starting to have on Konti women? Maybe just women in general? He didn’t know, maybe because Konti women were unusually hungry for the gentle touch of a man they just enjoyed it more than usual? He couldn’t be sure but recently he noted that the effect was the same. It brought people to level. He chilled emotions and at a mere touch it was surreal. He still didn’t know why but maybe it was him. Having the gentle hand of a large man laid on you was calming to Konti women? It made sense somehow to him.

“A good night and a wonderful Konti. The night is young Blythe.” He stated as he brushed her cheek some more getting the hair away from her wonderful face so he could see her scales sparkle in the night. How he admired the Konti scales. They were wonderful in any lighting. But he most admired them in the moonlight.

They gently and seductively shimmered in the moonlight. The gentle pearlescent strands of light danced along the scales as if to hint they were there. They illuminated just enough to perk the eye. Truly beautiful he now understood why the Konti were so beautiful. They would remain so, but Blythe…she was just too perfect for him. He was too damaged, there were years of suppressed and forgotten memories he knew he didn’t want her to remember him by. So he was going to give her some better ones so that she wouldn’t remember him for who he was then, but rather for who he was now. This new man he had become.

[Blythe]

Blythe could only smile, her lavender colored eyes reflecting but a small portion of what she was feeling. The lightness in her heart. The way it would beat, and then stop for a bit, before picking up again. But it was not because she was afraid that it did this, her heart was beating for Serrif, along with him. Her body felt only peace, and then, even more so, when he touched her, and as always, she let her flesh sink into his palm. Her cheek sink into his hand.

Blythe could feel her heart beating all the more regularly as she slowly closed her eyes, and her teeth scraped over her bottom lip. Pinning it down, as it stripped the color from the pale flesh. Why does he always do this? Blythe wondered. How? The Konti's mind fell silent for a moment, as she forced her eyes open. As she forced them to settle on Serrif's. Why is it that he can always make me feel this way? So calm, so serene, with but a simple touch? A touch that I can never seem to duplicate even though his hands are far rougher? Not at all inclined to a gentle nature, and delicacy, as are the hands and heart of a woman.

Blythe could feel her lips drooping into a confused frown. Her teeth slipping from the plump underbelly; the sloped curve of them. She could sense her brow furrowing as Serrif brushed her hair away, as though trying to get a better look at her. As though trying to discern just what it was she was feeling. Much as she was trying to do, for her heart, felt so strangely conflicted. As though this moment, were perfect in one sense, and that she could feel his love and his longing. She could feel her own, and yet, doubt seemed to creep into the corners. Seep into her skin, her bone, washing everything else away, as the stronger, insidious emotion began to take over.

It hurt Blythe, to know that doubt rested there, within the confines of her heart. But there was nothing she could do. He was young, and she, although she didn't look it, was old enough to be his mother. Nothing was ever going to change that fact; and that fact alone, was enough it seemed, to destroy everything they had. Sadness then, found its way into her heart, as she slowly pulled herself away from his hand. Finding the sense of calm his touch brought slipping away into oblivion.

"Just like you," Blythe whispered, her voice sounding strangely neutral, considering everything she was feeling. As her head tilted down, the hair Serrif had drawn away fell into her features, barring the sight of her from his view. From behind her prison, the Konti stared away at nothing. Past the pebble path, silently wondering where her own would lead. Where his would, and if they would ever, truly cross again.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

He could tell she was conflicted; even though her words would point toward being neutral her body language was telling him something completely different. She was deflecting her attention away from him. Meaning that even though she wanted to feel something she couldn’t. She was too heavily conflicted inside to make any real commitments to anyone or anything right now…especially him. So he sighed and then gently spoke to her. His words level and his tone soft. As if to gently coo her shaky spirit.

“Konti do not love easily Blythe. I know there is much to be considered here. That is why I brought you here, I want to tell you I understand your kind. I know it is difficult to love and then lose. So I will remove myself from the equation. I will harbor my feelings for you and maybe…just maybe you will eventually realize what you do or do not feel for me Blythe. But don’t make up your mind now, it would be unfair to ask you to do this. But like I’ve said before I don’t have eternity to wait.”

He sighed and then looked out to the cobblestone path his mind much like hers. He was hurt, injured from the last time he told her he could love her. And the defense mechanism he had built in was not to love easily again. Especially after Angelique. She had just up and left. He still could not find her again. It seemed she just vanished for unknown reasons. Leaving his heart out on a stake; he would do the only other thing he could. He would make himself difficult to get to. He’d make up excuses for why things couldn’t work so he wouldn’t pursue love any more.

Blythe didn’t love him, and she was volatile. She was also going to live far far longer than he was. He didn’t want to leave her with a child who would outlive him as well. Have her raise the child on her own if and when he perished. He was also so damaged he couldn’t have any kind of an idea on how long he would live. And that was unfair to her. He didn’t want to just pass on one day all the sudden and leave her. Again, that was unfair and not love at all. So he would set her aside. She was unreachable to him. Up on her pedestal far out of his reach even though she was right there well within his physical reach. She was emotionally out of his league and he knew it.

[Blythe]

Blythe forced herself to smile. "If that is what you wish, then I can honor that," she whispered, as she brushed her foot across the pebble path. Drawing them from the left to the right side of her body, up and down, over and over again. She listened to them scrape. Watched as wisps of dust and dirt, which rested beneath them, swirled into the air. "But only if that is what you truly want," she added, as her hand slid across her skin, onto Serrif's knee. Her hand curled. Her palm turning into a crescent as she forced her fingers to furl. To press lightly into the side of the bone, and move. Up and down, much as the stones. The sound though, this produced, was inaudible, and although it may have done nothing for him, it seemed to do much for Blythe. Offering her something to do with her hands for one, and a way to stay connected as well. She didn't want to feel alone. Nor did she want Serrif to feel alone, but she held the sinking feeling that at this very moment, even though they were still so close, he was feeling as though she weren't there, and soon enough, she'd join him. He'd simply fade away.

"Because you think it can offer your heart the slightest semblance of peace," Blythe whispered, as she dug her fingers in a little deeper. "Although, it doesn't seem possible. Not with what you have come to know. Not really." Blythe's smile faded. "I'm sorry Ser. About everything that happened. About this..."

Blythe's voice trailed off for quite some time. Even after she had given Serrif's knee another loving pat, before pulling it away, returning it to her lap. She couldn't look at him. Not when she was like this. Not when he was like this. It simply ruined everything. The relationship, the night, the mood. Any food that they would later bring to their mouths, so they'd have more of an excuse not to speak to one another as they endured awkward moments, long silences. "Do you hate us Ser, for being what we are?" Blythe asked after a time. "Hate yourself, for being as you are?" It was only then, once the words had left her lips, that Blythe was able to bring herself to look up. Into his eyes, whose edges seemed to hold a glimmer of moisture. Of the purest pain and sorrow.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Peace, it was funny that she would mention it to him. He had found peace here in Mura; however, he had also found turmoil. He loved a woman who would not let herself love him back. She was untouchable to him even though she was well within reach. He thought he had written her off long ago; but something about her kept drawing him back…even though he knew the outcome. She was immortal, no matter how she tried to set the events up to him or tell him how it was it changed nothing. Even if he did love her…she didn’t seem to be able to let herself love him.

It seemed love on this isle was reserved for Akalaks and other races of like life spans. But not him. No, humans were good for one night stands and maybe gifting these women with a few Konti daughters while they were here. But Akalaks…their love could last forever or at least as long as the Konti lifespan was. He didn’t hate the Konti race for what they were. No, to him they were a beautiful people needed among the ruthless world. These women were a needed balance to all the chaos that hunted the rest of the realm like a bloodthirsty predator. He couldn’t hate her for what she was; he couldn’t hate the Konti people. Especially after all they had done for him here.

But that didn’t mean he couldn’t hate himself. For all his strength he still had moments where he viewed himself as completely worthless, and this was definitely one of them. Was there something wrong with him? Was there something that seemed to make him undesirable? It seemed that he was unable to touch anyone or anything and no matter what he did none of it was really important. He had gotten the feeling lately that he was being groomed to be sent away. People seemed to be keeping secrets from him at an astonishing rate; so in his mind it was only a matter of time before he would leave this isle. And did he really want to leave behind someone who loved him?

No, that wasn’t right. That wasn’t love either. “I don’t hate your kind. I’ve come to respect the Konti for what they are. Loving, caring people who lift the spirits of all those that travel here. Mura is a wonderful place Blythe; but I do not think it is my place. I don’t belong here I fear.” No in his mind he belonged in that cage still at the slave camp.

This freedom he had here was a little unsettling almost. He was tired of fearing the men who enslaved him, tired of feeling like he didn’t belong. But he was coming to the conclusion that he would be alone for a very long time. Truth was he didn’t really belong anywhere. Unlike the Konti there was no racial belonging just for being human. There was no draw for him to visit home even if he knew where that was. No, there was nothing for him. No place to belong, and no niche to fill. He was just human, a single mortal man who likely only had twenty or so more years to live. What was he to do with these years? That question still rung in his head louder than any of the others.

“Truth is, I don’t think I truly deserve of any of the isles daughters anyway. You are the children of a godly union. And me, laughably we are apes in comparison.” Down talking himself was definitely making him feel a little better about the entire situation.

Stretching for reasons why none of this would ever really work. He was a man, a very broken man. Where these women seemed to have it all together. They were godly in a way and touching one was like laying hands on the gods themselves; something he was unworthy of entirely. These women, this place as much as they would want to touch him with mercy he didn’t really want it. He just wanted to belong, not be pitied. He could stand strong on his own two feet, hold his own ground; but for some reason here among these women he felt completely disarmed. He sighed and shook his head.

“Sometimes…sometimes I wish I was something else Blythe.” He sighed again and continued with a heavy heart. “Someone or something that was worthy of this isle and the beauty it has to offer. But, I am only a man…just a man Blythe. With nothing extraordinarily special to speak of.” He let that sink until he then felt the urge to continue.

”I have nothing to offer but my short life, love, and ambitions. And that…well that doesn’t even seem like enough at times.” Like Blythe he felt the sorrow, it dripped from every one of his heart felt words. But unlike her he didn’t cry. There were no tears in his eyes, the sign of a man who had found no use for tears any longer. But the emotion was written all over his face.

He did wish he was someone…something else rather than Seven. It all came back to that didn’t it? He was Seven because he didn’t know who else he could be; who he had been. He was Seven, nothing but an insignificant number to those who wanted to use him for their own benefit. Insignificant, he was nothing only designated by a number so they could keep track of him within the massive amount of people they had broken. But he was not broken. He could stand on his own two feet as a new man. But for some reason…even then he still felt like Seven. Just a number among numbers.

“Seems it just isn’t meant to be Blythe.”
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