For the People. I play away my heart. (Viper, open)

[Ginchoeri]

Day of the 43rd of Fall 512 AV continued She shook in his arms when he wispered to her and picked her up in his arms. She kept mumbling things like, "I out ran you.." or, "I bleed and ran for days...", "My parents were dead already", "it was my birthday when you attacked me..." the list of things she said and repeated went on and on. It was as if she were talking to something, her head darting around back and forth as if what she was talking to were also darting around. Yes, even in a different possition, she still saw that horrible shape even in just the corner of her eye. She whimpered and leaned into Viper closely, somehow in the chaos of her mind, knowing he was the safety net. The thing that would make it all go away. But even as he rocked with her in his lap, brushing her back, she still wimpered, and soon tears started falling. She did not even notice the healer was gone. Viper's words tore their way into her mind, trying to scratch the surface of the wall her memories had put up. Her breathing hitched, but still the image would not leave. "Can't you just leave me alone?" She cried, the cackling of the image echoed through her mind. She put her hands in her face, "It will not leave me alone.. i... want it gone.. but.. i don't want to be alone.. why.. " Her thoughts escaped in semi coherent pieces. "Why does it haunt me so... this.. fear.. that keeps me locked in place..." She deffinately was not aware of Viper's presence, not consiously, and so words just came flying out, no real mind to block them. He could hear every word of it.

[Viper]

Viper continued to rock her back and forth in his gentle manner as she continued to babble on. It pained him to see her like this, and a frown dominated his expression as he simply listened and continued running a hand gently through her hair. At first, he couldn't make heads nor tails of what she was going on about. Then something she said during their first outing came to him from the back of his mind. Leaning his head back a bit, he glanced at the back of her neck and the bad scarring that started there and continued on down her back and out of sight.

Suddenly things began to make a little more sense. He didn't quite understand the catalyst that brought this on though...unless...it was the suffering and misery of those people in that room that brought her own painful history to the forefront. Poor thing. All he could think about was what he could do to try and protect her...comfort her. He had failed the first time...but he wouldn't again. He had to do something to help her.

Shifting her weight in his lap so he could see her face, his frown melted away. Being replaced by a warm caring smile. "Hey." He whispered softly as he looked deeply into her beautiful blue eyes. Raising a hand, he gently carressed her cheek and then wiped away the tears. "You aren't alone. I'm here. Whenever you need someone, I'll be here for you." His eyes looked over her soft features, and he pushed aside a few strands of hair that had fallen in her face. A wave of emotion had begun to wash over him as he tried to stave off feelings he had felt when he lost his own wife and child.

He moved in a little closer and gently bumped her forehead with his, all the while maintaining eye contact so she could see the truth and sincerity within his words and expression. "You're...important to me Gin. I want to be there for you, if you can trust that I'll protect you." His hand, meanwhile still maintained a hold around her arm so she could still feel secure. He suddenly felt the desire to kiss her...but wasn't sure if this was the appropriate time. She was, after all, still in bit of shock. Wouldn't it be taking an unfair advantage of her in a vulnerable state? Although these thoughts ran quickly through his mind, it annoyed him occasionally how he seemed to over analyze everything... Still, he reluctantly pulled his head away slightly, while maintaning a close distance, wanting to see if his words, his expression, or his touch had any impact whatsoever...

[Ginchoeri]

Day of the 43rd of Fall 512 AV continued Viper's voice again tried to penitrate that mental wall. Gin flinched a little when he brushed her cheek with his hand. The fog in her eyes slowly started to clear up a bit. And it seemed that she was looking at him, but he could tell that she was doing so distractedly But then when he continued, something in her shifted, as he spoke, her eyes had moments of clarity, her mumbling fading in and out as her eyes were doing. But she still seemed out of it even as he spoke of her not being alone. When he placed his forehead on hers, he had, coincidentally, caught her falling out of her dream like state, and started to pull her away. He did so even more with the next words that crossed his lips, she blinked a little at him, the words slipped right through the wall, and she tried to comprehend them, she was important, he wanted to be there, he wanted her trust of his protection.. why? But he started to pull away and she started to regress, slower, but still fast enough that if hed did not do something quick he'd lose her again. Gin's face showed it all, she did not want to go back to that living nightmare, but she wasn't strong enough to beat it, not now. Tears started falling again, as mumbling's of fear crossed her lips, of not wanting to lose sight of him. Viper's name fell upon her lips more than once as she seemed to fade back into that horrible nightmare.

[Viper]

A flash from out of nowhere seemed to occur, yet only visible to him. And for a moment, time stopped while Viper was transported in his mind back to the day he lost his wife and child.

Smoke rose into the midmorning sky, alerting the riders out on a small hunt for their camp's daily food that something was terribly wrong. The group which included Viper raced back with all possible speed, driving their Strider's to their very limits. In the distance they could make out the winged shapes of a zith hunting party attacking their camp, the screams of the helpless shattering the peaceful quiet of the morning air. As the distance between the two groups quickly closed, Viper drew an arrow and loaded it into his short bow.

The sound of thunder eminating from the charging Striders was soon joined by the fierce battle cries of the Drykas hunting party as they raced to try and save any who might still be left. Catching the silhouette of his pregnant wife wrestling to free herself from one of the Zith, he directed his Strider Aeyan toward that target. Close enough to his target, Viper released the reigns and drew back his bow, taking careful aim. The arrow soon streaked toward the unawares Zith.

The Zith soon snarled as the arrow made contact. Unfortunately it had only passed through the thin membrane of it's wings causing almost no real damage outside of a bit of pain. The Zith attempted to take off still clutching his wife. Her struggling though was proving her to be more trouble than she was worth to the Zith. Unable to keep hold of her and evade Viper who was barreling down on it fast, he struck a hard blow to her lower jaw and neck and released her to fall the few feet she had already been hauled into the air.

Viper meanwhile had put his bow back around his chest and drew his sword, while grabbing for the reigns once more. He watched in horror as his wife was struck and sent crashing violently to the floor. Jerking the reigns to the side, he narrowly avoided running over his wife, and then took a giant swing at the Zith who was now beating a hasty retreat by gaining altitude and flying away along with the rest of his brethren. He yelled angrily at the "beast" and followed him for a few feet before coming to a halt not far from his wife.

Viper watched for a just a few more moments till he was satisfied they weren't going to be returning. Turning swiftly in his seat, he caught a glimps of his wife who had still not move from the spot she was dropped. "Eowyn!" He quickly dismounted and ran to her side dropping to his knees and only now seeing the full extent of the damage. Her arms had several gouges from where the Zith had been grabbing her arms. But that paled in comparisson to the crimson stripes that went across her lower jaw and neckline. The look of terror that resided in her eyes, unfathomable to comprehend, was almost identical to what he now saw in Gin.

"Viper!...Viper..." she coughed, her eyes darting back and forth as if not seeing him at first. "It's ok! I'm here...you're safe...", he said with worry in his eyes and he felt a lump building in hs throat. Her skin was growing more and more pale with each passing second, and she gripped his hand tightly. The look of terror did not diminish much, so he cradled her in his arms. "Somebody help me over here!!!" He yelled out before looking back his wife. Placing a hand carressing her cheek he put on as best a smile as he could and said softly, "Don't worry, we'll get you fixed up....just...hang in there ok?" She continued to repeat his name several times, but slowly she seemed to be coming around. After a couple more precious second passed she raised her own hand and carressed the side of Viper's face. He leaned in and gave her a passionate kiss. It was at that moment, when he withdrew that he saw her change. Her breathing slowed, and several tears fell from her eyes as she feigned her best smile. It was obvious it was only for his benefit though, for she was still shaking and now crying.

As the blood from her wounds continued to flow, her eyes began to flutter. He placed his hand over her neck trying to stem the tide, but in her eyes she was beginning to realize the inevitable truth. Despite her moment of recovery she began to fill with a new fear...and fear that nothing on this world could solve. She reached up and drew him in for another kiss. "I love you....and I'm sorry." She whispered in his ear. He placed his forehead on hers but shook it side to side lightly. "No!" He said sadly. "Don't....don't go." She didn't say another thing. Just leaned in giving him a final kiss before she exhaled her last breath.

Suddenly he was back in the present, staring back at Gin as she to now called his name, desperate for him to do something. As he looked at her, he knew full well she was not his wife. He fully realized he was beginning to fall for someone else. But in her, he could see the same inner strength of his fallen wife. Maybe...just maybe, the same action could be of some use here. Reaching a hand up, he slid his fingers through her hair till it stopped with him holding the back of her head. He leaned in and kissed her soft lips. After linger for a moment, he bumped her forhead with his again and whispered, "Stay with me Gin. You'r safe now..."

[Ginchoeri]

Day of the 43rd of Fall 512 AV continued Gin had almost completely fallen back into her dillusions, had completely stopped muttering his name, but something pulled her back. A touch, his touch, his hand, in her silvery white hair, holding her from the back of the head. She closed and opened her eyes, just at the moment when Viper's lips touched hers, and a strange warmth filled her. His lips lingered there, and she slammed back into herself, no more dillusions, just sweet ole Gin. When his forehead touched hers, she immediatly started blushing, even before the words he whispered came to her ear. She tried to think back on what happened, and remembered things he'd said to her, which made her blush more. Then she realized what she had been doing, what happened that prompted his kiss. She had faded from reality, a lapse into the past, and she was sure she had spilled the beans on a lot of things. But it did not matter right now. He had saved her from a night of torture, and for that she was greatful. She gave him a big smile, blushing furiously still, "Thank you... and .. I am.. sorry..." She hesitated, not really sure what to say. How could she put it into words, explain how much freedom he returned to her with just that simple action. The kiss, it was sweet, and gentle, her first one ever in real life. She blushed again and placed the tips of her fingers on her uninjured hand over her bottom lip and she looked up at him again, small bits of confussion and hope splashed together in her eyes and on her face. She, deep down, had wanted this, in some way, though she must admit, the reason it happened did not really make her one hundred percent happy, but, she was still glad. Her lips quivered, she kind of did not know what to do next, locked in his hold, their faced inches appart. She only gave herself a moment to think about what she could do. It did not take her long to find what it was she wanted to do. But her problem was, she was a little afraid to do it. But if her dream from the night before had taught her anything, it was to let herself go every once in a while. She leaned up just a bit, their breaths mixing, her heart pounding, as she let her lips touch his again, feather light and sweet, it was nothing but a touch, but it was a big deal to her, and probably also for him. When she peeled away from their kiss, she moved in his lap, and started to get down from it carefully. She wanted to hide, where had that come from? She looked away from him, nervousness settling in. Her heart screaming for her to do two things. Stay, and hope he says something to you, but Gin feared what he might say to her.

[Viper]

It would take a liar to say he wasn't worried what her reaction to the kiss was going to be. And a feeling of complete and total relief washed over him when he saw her smiling brightly and even blushing. He was also relieved to see her old self coming back to the forefront, his traditional smile for her quickly appearing again to match hers. "You have nothing to be sorry for...I...can understand where you're coming from in a way."

For a moment he was sort of at a loss for what else to say when he noticed her lean in toward him. He wasted no time in returning the gesture. The smell of her skin was alluring, the taste of her kiss intoxicating, and the look in her eyes had all come together to revive a feeling he thought dead and gone. His heart was beating faster and faster with each passing moment. He was just overjoyed to see that he wasn't alone in what he had been slowly feeling more and more for her. Much to his regret, the kiss ended almost as quickly as it had begun.

Then surprisingly, she began to move away from him, seemingly trying to hide herself from his gaze. A small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as he leaned over trying to catch a glimpse of her expression. In a soft caring tone he asked while reaching out and gently taking hold of her hand to prevent her from going to far away. "Hey...you ok? Did I...do something wrong?

[Ginchoeri]

Day of the 43rd of Fall 512 AV continued His hand wrapped around her uninjured hand, stopping her in her tracks, she was still in his lap. She was using her hair as a shield, but she knew he was trying to look, trying to see. His voice shook through her, reminding her how close they were, not that her sitting on him did not also tell her, but the verbal confirmation made her insides stir. Did she dare turn around, risk losing control of herself when she just met this man? Why did she feel so close to him in such a little amount of time? Was it because they had saved eachother in different ways? No, because she had been feeling an inkling of what she felt now before the wolf incedent even happened. And she knew she should, for she had told herself already that she wanted to know if this would turn into something more. She scooted back and turned in his lap, and she turned her head so he could see her face. Her expression slightly embarassed, and even a bit scared. But it was probably adorable in a way, it made her look like a kid, which she was in age, but deffinately not in body. She shook her head, "No.. you.. did not do anything wrong.. in fact.. if I must say so.. you did something really good." She blushed a bit and could not help but touch her fingers to her lips yet again. "It is.. just.. I.. am new to this...I mean.. I have.. never.. done this. I am a little scared.. to be honest. This.. falling for someone.. and everything... I mean...That.. that was my first kiss." She blushed even more at her hesitant last words. She looked at him with her blue eyes, still blushing, her heart pounding more and more against her chest. Gin had said it. She had told him pretty much everything on her mind. Now to wait for his reaction, and pray her words did not scare him away from her.

[Viper]

Her declaration had slightly taken him by surprise. How could a sweet lil thing like this not have had anyone else in the past...but then the fact that she was a kelvic came to mind. Right...Technically she was probably only a few years old. It was a little strange rapping that concept around his head, since she certainly didn't look like someone of only a few years.

He let out a small chuckle and said, "Well that makes two of us who are scared...cuz I have to admit I had no idea how you would take that kiss..." He shrugged his shoulders a bit and paused, biting his lower lip for just a moment before releasing it. "So uh...does this mean I'll get to see you more often? Because if that was really your first kiss...I'm not sure how long I can really go without gettin' another." He actually blushed himself. And this time there was no hiding the look.

Quite honestly, the speed at which things were moving was making him nervous. He couldn't be sure at the moment, but he felt like in a good way. For now, he would simply run with it and see where things went. Who knows, maybe with her, he could finally rebuild the pieces of his shattered, wayward life.

[Ginchoeri]

Day of the 43rd of Fall 512 AV continued Seeing him blush made her blush even more, his words seeping in slowly as the meaning of them slipped her mind momentarily. When she finally realized, her eyes widened, but she could not help a smile that passed her lips. It made her unspeakable happy to know that he was being honest, if not a little overly sweet. She thought for a moment and when an idea popped in her head she had to stop herself from smirking. She wanted to try something, just once, and if he showed any signs of not liking what she did, she would back off immediatly. Her hand gripped his a little tighter as she leaned in and put her lips close to his ear. "Yes, but you know, if it is just a kiss, all you have to do is ask," She paused for a moment, "or you could just do it... Whatever, i feel as if i am already yours" Her words came to him at a whisper, her breath on his neck and ear, and she slowly leaned back to look at him, this time not hiding her playful smirk. "Or, I could just take kisses when I like," she smiled leaning in closer to him as if to kiss him. But backed away. "But, you know.. this is.. kind of moving a little fast, if you want.. we can slow down a bit." She looked at him, her gorgeous blues searching his wonderous green eyes. "It is your choice, i will not push you to do something you do not really want to do." She started to move out of his lap again, it was a test of sorts, to see how much he really wanted her. She knew it was horribly mean, but she wanted to know, just how much he had fallen for her in such a short time. She was just hoping for the right kind of response. Something she would be happy with, even if it were just for now.

[Viper]

All he had to do was ask eh?...or now just do? The very notion was tempting. He had to admit, he had missed deeply the closeness that came with having someone he cared about. Course her next comment about her simply taking them made him laugh. He hadn't known her long, but aggressive was probably not the word he would have used to describe her. But perhaps she herself was full of more surprises? Her sudden suggestion to then "take it slow" caught him off guard.

WHAT A TEASE! He thought to himself. Oi, what had he gotten himself into he thought jokingly...course then again. Two could play at that game, he smirked mischeviously as he narrowed his eyes. It was taking everything he had not to start laughing, so really, his eyes held no secret about whether he was actually annoyed or not. He obviously wasn't. As she got up, he decided to let her, though he still held on to her hand. He even began to stand himself.

As their arms could no longer stretch anymore, he quickly pulled her back toward him and "took" another kiss. Again, he lingered savoring every moment. Pulling away from her now, he then grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "If you really want to slow things down, I guess we could..." He barely held back a laugh as he wondered what he might learn about her next. He couldn't wait to see how she would handle it. In the back of his mind, he also randomly started to wonder if her hand was feeling better. It certainly seemed to not be to bad....considering, the rather happy state they were both in now.