Testing the Waters (Darren)

by **Vala** on June 23rd, 2011, 4:01 am

78th of Summer, 511 AV

The thin, milky pale skin of her eyelids barely kept any of the blindingly bright light of the Valintar’s atrium from streaming into her retinas. She sat with hands folded, carefully tucked away in an obscure niche, away from general traffic. Vala blended in quite well with the wall – a petite porcelain statue. Her youthful skin reflected the plethora of chroma. Pearls of ethereal hues glistened over her arms and face like stars in a night sky. Her simple black garb accentuated her illuminated figure. Outwards a shrine of immaculate beauty, housing an all consuming anathema that poisoned everything she touched.

Vala was waiting for Darren.

Even doing nothing had to be ‘active’. Waiting did not suit the impatient, demanding girl. It was too noisy with birds cawing to each other, to meditate in peace. And even dancing in the colors grew tiring; no matter how happy it made her. She needed something, anything to fill her mind. For if she wasn’t doing, she was brooding. Her heart was too light, her mind too clear to go to waste now.

Auristics. So far it had only hurt her. Every time she had practiced it she had gone away with pulsing headaches that threatened to split her skull in two. The risk of pain was almost definite, but there was always that chance, the chance that she had actually succeeded, surpassing all her expectations. It was a slim chance.

Her eyes were closed. Today she was going to ‘feel’. She hated trying to ‘feel’ anything, mostly because she was so dead inside, but it she had already tried to do a preliminary scan with her eyes but the streaming colored light prevented anything from being seen. Torc had taught her that she needed to stop relying on her meditation techniques, it would only get in her way, but he did at least approve of the preliminary work up she did every morning to get into the proper state. Vala began to flex her diaphragm, taking very deep breaths all the way down to her belly button. She relaxed every muscle. She began first with her eyes. The light penetrating her lids were making it hard to keep them closed without flinched, but she forced herself to ignore the stimuli. Then came her face, which was already naturally pliable and half relaxed. She continued to find each muscle down to her toes, until every single one of them lay slack. She still sat ram rod straight. It had taken her a lot of practice not to collapse into a heap when her muscles all relaxed but a season had finally got her conditioned enough to rely mostly on her spine alignment to stay up right. She continued to thinking about breath deep until she only needed a breath every five seconds. It was usually then Vala sunk into a trance like state into her mind, where she closed herself off from the world, mental brick by mental brick, but that was when she forced herself to get into auristics mode and stay alert yet passive.

When she had first started her energy had been an uncontrollable fire that threatened to go out at a moment’s notice. Not much had changed. Only now she did not try to fight the sparks as she once had. Vala let herself get lost in the flares and that erupted from her center, outwards. She could feel the energy crackling on her skin, growing stronger and stronger, fueled by the sun light’s heat.

It was easy to see the outer energy. To feel it was hard. What came easier was feeling one’s core. Vala had yet to see anyone else’s core. A core, unlike an outer façade remained constant. Vala took a deep breath in, focusing on the feeling of her core expanding with her rib cage. Then she felt the same energy contract as she released her air. The center of energy continued to emanate waves upon waves to her outer layers. At times Vala did not like feeling her core. It was strange to her, so unlike what she saw on herself. It was cold for one thing. And it was too calm for her taste. She always saw flickering reds, molten oranges, and blinding yellows dancing upon her skin; it was beautiful. And though she had yet to dare looking into a mirror to get a deeper glance to her core, she knew, just knew from the feel, that it was black, and it was ugly. It didn’t feel solid inside her. It was like a fog, full of unknown monsters just lurking. Vala drew her attention away from her core. The pounding, it was starting to build behind her eyes. She released her hold upon her aura, turning to basic meditation techniques to regain her composure again. Vala’s breathing grew ragged as she tried to stifle the pain.

A little voice within Vala’s head wondered where Darren was, and how long he would take, but she was too lost in herself to listen.

by **Darren** on June 23rd, 2011, 7:06 pm

Darren pulled the heavy doors that led out of the Valintar ineffectually, pursing his lips in confusion he looked back to Kaden who was already back at his table working through some papers. Shaking his head at his own ineptitude he tried again. It just didn't seem to want to move for him. Ah come now. Little Vala was able to will these doors open now it's your turn to do so he instructed himself. Planting his feet forward he pulled at the door until his hand started turn red. "Oh you got to be kidding me" he muttered under his breathe as he tried to figure out what was making it so hard for him to open the door.

Looking back at the otherwise busy Kaden the idea of forcing his way through the door crept into his mind. Taking in a deep breathe he locked his eyes on the door, his opponent, his metaphorical wall he must overcome. Understand the door, walk though door, open the door, BE THE DOOR!!! he meditated. Letting out a soft shout he brought out his palm to strike the door. Slowing his arm at the last moment he barely hit the door as he quickly retracted his arm back. Alright... I'm ready. I'm ready. Last time I wasn't ready. This time for sure he complentated as he switched positions. "Raaaaggghhh-ahhh..." he cried out in a soft voice. He stopped his arm short again as before he hit the door too hard.

"...I don't want to hurt my hand" he mewed out as he protectively shielded his arm from the door. A soft rumble of indignation went through his lips as he cowered before the heavy doors of the Valintar. A kick? That doesn't hurt. Right? he thought as he tilted his head to the side. But I don't even know how to do them that well... maybe a snap kick? he thought as he ran the motion through his mind. No... that would make the full length of my leg hurt... How about a thrust kick? A kick that puts all the force into the heel and push forward with the toes? he pondered thought as he led with his left leg. ...I don't know how to do that he grimaced as he looked at the heavy doors. "Aww well might as well try..."

Darren considered adding the idea of doing a jump kick to go along with the thrusting motion as he paced towards the door. Jumping a second early he landed awkwardly on his left leg as he extended his right. Misjudging the distance, his leg stretched out as he leaned his body back to reach the door. Impact! Actually just a soft nudge. His heel didn't even touch the door but Darren managed to push his toes out to push the door. And it moved! Goodness it worked! Darren thought as his eyes flared up at the new development.

However the door didn't acted like how he would imagine. Instead of going forward a bit, then bouncing open the door was left slightly forward. Catching himself from the awkward position the kick put him in the moved closer to observe what happened. Looking up saw that he didn't break the door down, in fact it seemed that he did whatever he was suppose to do right. ...push door he realized as his eyes glazed over. He looked at the door handles cynically as he opened up the rest of the door slowly.

He was pleased to see Vala sitting near the doors. Whatever I did to earn such a quick friend, it must have been right he thought as he slowly made his way to the Inarta. He raised his eyebrow as he watched the concentration she had, along with the ragged breathing that soon followed. Constipation? he wondered as he quietly sat in front of her. Leaning forward slightly he grinned as he studied her face closely. I have no idea how or why. But when a girl looks unconscious they always seem so pretty he mentally chuckled as he tried to decide whether to say hi or to lean in just a bit closer....

Darren sighed as he drew himself back, coughing loudly to get Vala's attention. "Hi Vala. I am finish with Valintar now. Ready to go? I am Dek" he said simply as he changed his expression with the last part. Though she wouldn't be familiar with it Darren's eyes grew a very light red at the lie, meant to simply cause the woman a bit of grief. "You okay?" he asked, waving his hand near her face.

by **Vala** on June 23rd, 2011, 8:11 pm

Vala’s eyes opened with a start. The first and only thing she managed to catch was DEK. No! NO! Not another one! The pain in her head exploded as her breath hitched in her throat. It was like she got punched in the gut, but she was sure she still would have preferred that over hearing that her new toy was a Dek.

Her face convulsed until it was a distorted mask of disgust and anger. She was right! She knew she would be. She should never have doubted her first instincts. His aura screamed simpleton! She let his handsome face mislead her. Never again! Deks were not to be trusted. They were nothing but dirt. Vala wanted to scream. She wanted to run and never have to talk to him ever again.

She stopped herself. It took a few seconds of delay for her facial muscles to relax to a stony visor. Val had liked him… and he was a traveler. Even if he was a Dek, travelers had the inherent desirability of their knowledge of the outside. She would play nice… for now. Vala touched her cheek to make sure the strains of disdain had been removed. Her voice came out a little forced, somewhat sharp and nasal. “So… uh. That’s horrible. I’m so sorry for you…” Vala’s condolences came out flat. Lying was one thing, but this totally went against all of her principles. She was unsure of how to continue. She knew if she said anything else it would only be an excuse to get away and regain her composure.

Lol wut :

by **Darren** on June 23rd, 2011, 8:50 pm

Darren watched as her face convulsed at the word, covering his mouth with his hand he held it tightly to prevent himself from interrupting Vala's reaction. He looked down as soon as he realized that the shock had left her system. Hiding his the look on his to prevent any early warning he nodded as he heard her speak. She is really tightly wound he thought as he heard the less then believable statement. He looked up a wide grin on his face as traces of his laughter were still visible. He shook his head as he let off a small crow of amusement. "You really do not like Dek huh? ...Don't worry I am just joking dear" he winked as he ran his hand through his hair, casually.

You know I am smarter then I lead others to believe he argued as raised an eyebrow to Vala incredulously. He dismissed the thoughts about his image as he shared with Vala what Kaden said to him. "Chiet working at... The Dreaming Lady? or with Lady Aidarara at infirmary. You show me around? We have good time together?" he invited as he still wasn't too familiar with the city. Granted for another reason also but he would at least try to hide that type of discussion until later that day. There was still much more he had to share in any case. "But before we... get up and go. I was wondering. What do Inarta like you think about... ahh... magic. and. it's. usage." he asked as he made the motions of getting up.

oocSorry if it's short, not too much to note and would like to get acquainted faster.

by **Vala** on June 24th, 2011, 3:04 am

Maybe she had over reacted. Not that Vala would ever admit to it. She found the fingers through the hair bit endearing. It was endearing enough that her eyes flashed with thoughts of ripping every luscious black lock right out of his head. He had lied to her. He had successfully lied to her. She both hated and respected him for it. Maybe he wasn’t a simpleton?

She pretended not to hear him mention his new jobs. Her mental firewalls made sure they never reached her consciousness. Someone who professionally touched people or a medic – both were worse than him being a dek. Vala wasn’t ready to handle that information, not until… no, she just didn’t want to hear it.

Darren was trying to kill her. There was no doubt about it. Her heart stopped. Was he talking about… reimancy? No. She looked again. Darren’s voice had been hesitant. He had paused. Yes. She was sure of it. The pounding, heavier than tribal drums, still echoed at the base of her skull, but she just had to make sure. With eyes wide open Vala tried to see. She couldn’t get a clear reading because she was so unfocused, and she wasn’t angry enough to get a power boost. What she did see was hazy. She had yet to really read emotions before. And even if she did see them, she definitely wasn’t up to par to deciphering them just yet. But there was something in her gut that told her yes, he wasn’t trying to pry into her past. Once she was sure, Vala released the stale air from her lungs and began to breathe normally again.

Bringing a shaking hand to her temple, Vala tried to rub the pain away. Her voice was weak. “I don’t know about other Inarta but… I think it’s… ok. Why do you ask?” She made sure to end with an unassuming note, dropping her hand away from her face. She wanted to Darren to answer honestly and openly. She left her face blank to show that she wouldn’t be judging him for this. Vala already knew the answer. She remembered asking questions like that too. She may not have been able to read auras perfectly, but people, their faces, and their word choices she could do fairly well. No one asked a question like that, about that subject unless it pertained to them. And she wasn't going to tell him about herself until she was sure; she had learned not to reveal anything unless she knew she had the upper hand - trust was a worthless risk. Normally there would have been no doubt in her hypothesis, but she made sure to reign in her expectation since Darren had already managed to out fox her once today.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

by **Darren** on June 24th, 2011, 8:06 pm

The unwavering blank stare Vala gaze him wasn't the most helpful of actions as she seemed to be trying to look past him. Darren frowned as he waited for the somewhat aloof Inarta come back to the conversation. As he saw her shaking hands touch her head along with the shaky voice that followed, Darren drew back from Vala. There was something wrong, the first thing that came to mind was to give her some room. Maybe there was something about him that caused a mild reaction? I tends to have that effect on people, effects both good and bad he thought as he tooted his own horn.

He shrugged as he brought his hands up in an aloof manner. "I want to learn is all. I hear Inarta do a little so I think i can learn alot" he replied back casually as he took a few steps away. ...Erm where are we going? he paused as he looked back at Vala for directions. "Do you do anything else besides ...Reinmancy. Maybe... I think it is called... flux, leeching or auristics" he asked, pronouncing each syllable slowly. He smiled as he went on to explain why those in particular. "I only know about those four magics. I was thinking if I can learn how to use them here or learn what other magics there can be" he said simply. He took a few steps towards Vala as he reached out his hand to take hers.

Bringing her hand up to his face he rested his cheek atop her hand, trying to look as innocent and charming as possible. "Can you show me?" he cooed as he showed her a teasing smile. The sudden contact wasn't for good reason. Not too long ago images of those who used auristics before him flashed in his head. His eyes turning from the playful blue to a intuitive deep red, he recalled the "trances" the two practitioners would put themselves in. Appearing somewhat preoccupied for the moment before snapping at attention. To add Vala was much more obvious then either of them, the pain to her head, the quavering voice. He was pretty sure of it. And if she had that ability she probably already knew he was somewhat talented... "You... know something?" he asked as he tilted his head in apprehension. "Yes... Maybe more then most?" Darren whispered close to her ear.

What a twist?:3 I love showing Dare when he's holding something over others.

by **Vala** on June 25th, 2011, 4:45 pm

She was tired of being proved wrong. She was tired of realizing that her easy prey wasn’t so easy after all. She should have run then. That’s what her instincts told her: Run, run as fast as you can to your room, run to safety. But she was stuck, unable to go. Her leaden limbs lay limp at her side. Maybe she could survive this? Hey, she was a fighter wasn’t she? Vala smiled weakly.

It was still painful to talk about Reimancy. No amount of acting could cover up the agony Vala felt when she forced herself to answer Darren’s question, just so he could stop bringing it up. Her already pounding head, took a life of its own as it filled further with the screech of inner demons. Her pale lips quivered as each word was squeezed out. “I’m sorry but I don’t know anything about reimancy,” It was only a half lie. “There are several who practice it openly, like Chef Davoid. Earth Reimancy is a little more accepted here since we need them to maintain our warrens and structures, but people prefer if it isn’t practiced too much in the open… Don’t ask me anymore… I don’t know anything.” Vala coughed, the taste of blood pervading every crevice of her mouth.

Before she could talk about auristics… Vala couldn’t snatch her hand back in time. Her body froze as a current of painful electricity radiated from her hand to the rest of her limbs. Somehow he had broken her. Where beratings, beatings, or even death threats could not faze her heartless existence, his sneaky innuendoes had broken though her endless walls, adding another crack to her already fragile sanity. How he had crumbled her armor was a surprise. It was probably his lack of intention. Vala could easily sniff out someone trying to hurt her – Tako or Fois for one. But someone like Darren, one who let her guards down, was privy to one of her happier moods, could do more damage than all of them.

She couldn't help it; Vala started crying. She didn't know why this was happening to her. She had been good. She knew she was. So much effort, so many nights of pulling out her own hair from frustration and rage, all to stifle the beast that hurt others. She had reigned in her usually nasty habits that season. She hadn't maimed anyone in days. Not like she had the time or energy to. But she didn't deserve this! Was he a test? Why was he doing this to her? She didn't care if she was in public. She couldn't keep it in anymore. She didn't want to be strong anymore. She wanted to melt into the ground and die. Vala sobbed pitifully, salty tears rolling down her pale cheeks. “Stop it. Please. Please… please stop it. I don’t want to do this anymore. Stop it please.” Vala begged, blubbering in Nari, the language Darren had yet to understand. She began to choke, losing air, unable to breathe. Her head pounded harder, it was like a hammer being taken to a gong. “Stop… please.”

OOC :

by **Darren** on June 25th, 2011, 6:50 pm

Darren watched the trembling Inarta, speak her piece. Perhaps it wasn't the best of actions to take but he really did want to know. He never would have guessed the Inarta had such an aversion to Reinmancy, or at the very least, Vala. She was lying to him, only diverting the question to someone else. She knew something and she simply just wasn't telling him, that wouldn't do. "Is that so?" Darren replied back, his eyes creasing slightly. He frowned slightly at the sudden shock had affected her. Whether she or knew or not was starting to lose priority, she was really bothered by this.

Not only bothered hurt even, perhaps even temporarily disabled. His mind quickly ran through possible reasons as he moved to comfort her. He was afterall a Whitevine, there was no way he could ignore such a reaction. "Calm down, deep breathes..." he urged quietly as he held Vala closely. Resting his forehead on her own Darren looked deeply in her eyes, trying to otherwise distract her from her feelings. Maybe overgiving? Something bad happened with it? What is it? he raged silently, swallowing down the lump of anxiety welling up in his system. He had to continue, perhaps in a different way but he still would have to keep pressing the point.

Normally Darren was pretty proud of the fact that he understood how things worked. But there was one thing that confounded him, irritated him, and even scared him on occasion. It's was crying. And it didn't stop there, the voice that came out of her was breaking his rhythm. Ugh darn it all he shuddered as he pulled Vala closer to him. Resting her head on his shoulder he pulled her into a deep hug, patting her head slightly as tried to otherwise relax her. "Sorry" he managed to croak out in the final moments of the contact. He looked up to see awkward exchange caused some unwanted attention to curious eyes in the crowd.

This won't do he twitched as he urged Vala back up. "Vala? Let's go. We don't have to talk. Just go" he ordered as he would try to pull her around the Warrens. If she wasn't too keen on following him he would try to otherwise carry her, haphazardly away from all the stares. He whispered to her ear as they were led away. "Where is your home? I'll help you. Make it all better..." he uttered softly. Wandering the Warrens he stopped them in a less active area as he took another scrutinizing look at her. He was holding off for now but by the end of the day he will have his answers answered. Looking at Vala now, a bit broken, he eased up slightly. Maybe he would try something new just for her, for her sake.

ooc :

by **Vala** on June 26th, 2011, 5:30 pm

If it hurt so much to be held, then why did she miss it so much? So long, too long since she'd been held in someone's arms. Almost never. Her heart was beating so fast. Her head was pounding so hard. Vala was close to fainting. Darren was saying something, but she couldn't hear him. She couldn't breathe. She tried to gulp for air in between but it still wasn't enough oxygen. The edges of her vision began to blur, a bloody vignette.

Fight it, her mind screamed. Vala tried to pound her fists against his chest, but Darren was stronger, bigger, and better built. It was like a child trying to break down a brick wall. Her struggles grew weaker and weaker, until her arms just fell limp to her sides. She looked away from his prying gaze, pressing her face into the comfort of his solid chest. Tearing herself away wasn't working, so she did the next best thing. Vala crumpled herself up smaller, until she fit perfectly in his arms. He was her safe space now. She needed him; she hated him too. She didn't want him to let go.

She mewled, pain and fear straining her weak call. She looked at him, unable to speak, willing him to understand she didn't want to be let go just yet. Her face was flushed, painfully so. She was burning up and her skin, well her skin just didn't feel right. Vala wanted to rip every inch of her flesh, every scrap that he touched, off, but still she wanted him to hold her, tighter and tighter until it all went away.

Chattering filled a far corner of the brightly lit hall. Many of the Inartans, even the Avora, recognized Vala from helping out at the Valintar every now and then. They looked with their open, prying, cold sapphire eyes. They didn't bother covering up their mouths as they spoke. It was only a matter of time before one of them came over and asked what the fuss was about. Just as a snooty looking Avora was about to take her first step in their direction, Darren began to lead the two out.

Her small feet stumbled, wobbly legs barely able to support her weight. Vala leaned on Darren, letting him half carry, half drag her along. Clinging to his chest with such desperate need, her fingers paled from lack of blood flow. It wasn't long before Darren's shirt clung to his skin from the tears that had saturated the entire front. It was nice because it felt cool against her burning cheek.

People still looked at the foreigner and their fellow citizen with questioning stares. Thankfully Darren had found a hall empty enough that they stayed enough out of the way so that no one bothered them. Only a couple Dek passed them every other chime or so.

The stone walls of the warren spoke of disrepair, cracks marring the ceiling with silent threats. Even the few and far between torches that lined the walls, flickered as if they were about to go out at any moment from any importunate breath or breeze. Even Vala, a citizen of Wind Reach all her life, new little of where Darren had taken her; she did not know where it led. If one listened carefully they could hear Vala's sobbing echoing deeper, far deeper into the shadows. What made it strange, was that Vala had stopped crying since the Valintar.

OOC :

by **Darren** on June 27th, 2011, 1:35 am

She was beginning to comply. Alright that's good. I think. Darren mused as the two sat secluded. Where the heck are we? He pulled Vala closer as she rested on him. This was something he knew, at the very least he would be able to help in this regard. "I got you. Your okay" he said softly as he started to squeeze a bit tighter. Looking down at his shirt he grimaced slightly as he saw Vala's handiwork, staining his normally pristine shirt. "Hmm... we really do have ourselves a problem huh?" he asked almost to himself.

His mind came at a blank, what was he suppose to do in situations like this? Anything that deemed itself as an intimate moment was something that Darren usually avoided. Well at least the sad parts. Hopelessly lost in his situation he gritted his teeth as he furiously thought of another way to help Vala cope with... whatever she had wrong with her. Was this a side effect of reinmancy? Being unable to deal with emotions? Prone to sudden mood swings and succumbing to emotions? The side effects were much worse then he thought possible. How did this Inarta succumb to it's influence?

Alright... Vala is probably not that good with magic. Probably. Perhaps a dropout or something? This is truly something that should be looked further into. Now just to calm her down... Darren knew what to do. Granted he have mixed feelings about it but he knew what he had to do. To those that are watching over me. Forgive me. And Vala... forgive me for forcing myself to do this. You deserve better then this, maybe I can learn to do this without an ulterior motive. Perhaps... I'll find out now. he thought as he brought her chin up. Bring himself forward he placed his lips of hers in a heated kiss.

"You feeling better now?" he asked desperately as he clutched Vala tightly. "...or would you like me to try again?" he asked in an aside. Still he heard crying, what the heck? "Stop crying..." he said absently as he looked upon the reddened eyes of the Inarta. ...she did stop crying. Yet he still heard someone off in the distance. He looked to Vala uncomprehendingly if she heard the same voice. "Let's go?" he asked as he pulled themselves up.

oocItalics be common