Closed [End of the World] You Again!?

[Aradia]

The top of the climb was in distance, almost there. But the thoughts of fear came swirling through her mind, the fear of failing before the strong male, the fear of falling and dying, the fear of slipping again if she tried. Aradia had experienced anxiety and panic attacks before. The closing of her throat, the rushed breathing, the foggy mind. It was all going on as she clung to the rope, clung to her life. She called for help, but Darren did not come, he left her up there, alone in her fear, in her panic attack as tears welled up in her bi-colored eyes, rolling down her cheeks in big globs as she tried desperately to control her breathing. Darren was trying to tell her to go on, that salvation was not far, to not give up so easily. Though those words were true, the panic attack still held her in its evil grasps. Still making her body tremble, her mind lighten and dizzy, her breaths come in and out in a rapid short puffs. Her heart pounding her chest like the large drops of a spring rain, beating the dried earth. But Darren said he would be there, but she didn’t need him, that she could do it, that she could reach the top. Aradia didn’t say a word though, she kept silent in her fear and panic attack. Closing her eyes and taking big gulps of air, letting her mind drift to a song she heard someone in Wind Reach sing not too long ago. The song of a soaring Eagle, that protected Wind Reach. She let the words of the song drift through her mind, and out her mouth softly, only for her to hear. The little Singer opened her eyes and looked up instead of down. The top was so close, she could make it. She had to try anyways. With that, Aradia held onto the rope with her hands, and began to search for foot holes slowly. Finally after about a chime she found a foot hole, and started climbing once more, this time not letting her confidence get in the way of her inexperience and inability. She took her time reaching the top. A better climber would of scaled it within a few ticks, but Aradia took five chimes to make it to the top. She hefted her body up to the top, scrambling to get her whole body up, and just laid there breathing in and out heavily. She did not victory yell, or fist pump, she just laid there almost kissing the ground. This was just another of her stupid plans that turned on her, and she laid there thinking maybe she should stop taking so many risks in life, maybe she should just take the more boring path instead.

[Darren]

"Perhaps I came off as insensitive?" Crossing his hands over his chest Bolivar quietly regarded Adaria in her time of need. Knowing full well what might happen if she let go. A frenzied, fall followed by a hard impact on the floor. Somewhat messy but at least the person died swiftly. What am I thinking? The point of his lack of help was to help Adaria in the long run. Right? The sudden manic thought surprised Darren but the Vantha didn't seem the least bit disturbed or disgusted by the notion. Just a thought, nothing less nothing more. Giving off only a uncommitted "hmm" at Adaria's recovery Darren nodded at the small act finally letting loose a small smile in approval. The measured pace, the slight bits of information given from Adaria's experience gave some insight to the Vantha's understanding of climbing the wall. It was going to be his turn soon afterall, had to learn from Adaria's strife. "I heard having friends in high places is good." Darren gave a measured smile at his partner above before settling going up the cliff wall as well. The task proved itself mundane at best as Darren simply followed the rules that he came up with seeing Adaria's little venture just recently. Always have three of your four limbs holding on to something while climbing up a particularly tricky area. Planning out the motions also certainly helped as Darren was also able to pull his body weight with his two arms when needed. Each movement planned and one knew what muscles had to be used to keep going forward. Flux was almost tailored to wall climbing as Darren found little difficulty making his way up the wall. "Looks like I don't get sick of heights." Settling down away from the edge Darren quietly mused atop the End of the World. "Pretty easy huh?" Looking back at Adaria Darren showed a slight medium of concern as he talked to the mixed blood. Chuckling slightly Darren looked up higher the mountain, where the Endal lived. Then he looked back down from his view at the Kalea region. Though he remained mostly silent Darren already had another set of challenges fresh in his mind. This slight climb proved a good workout in some places he never knew existed. So this is the difference huh? It is truly eye opening to see the distance from those that would climb the mountain peek to see from above. Looking at Adaria Darren gave a suave look before inviting her to sit beside him. Compared to those that would just walk the worn path up the hill to get a decent view of the city. Still associating himself with the later Darren was finally finding new resolve to improve. The Vantha didn't have much to say as he checked out Adaria once more. Still I have to admit. The hillside path does let me do this. Shifting slightly Darren yawned lazily as the rising son was well underway, pulling Adaria closer. "What do you have in mind?" Raising an eyebrow up Darren had the usual thoughts to share.

[Aradia]

Aradia scowled at Darren’s remark about having friend’s in high places, and moved away from the edge, trying to still calm down her breathing. Aradia had experienced anxiety and panic attacks before, and the after effects always made her feel slightly dizzy, a little disoriented to say the least. The Singer closed her eyes tightly, rubbing at her temples, trying to find some peace within herself, within her fear raging mind. It seemed she had only been sitting there for a few ticks, and before she knew the damned Vantha male had scaled the wall, with little effort. Aradia glared at the man with her multicolored eyes, a little jealous, a little mad at him. She ignored his question about it being easy, only giving a shrug of her shoulders, and looked out at the view from a top the cliff. It was glorious, she could see so far from so high up. The wind rushed around her, blowing her crimson hair around in the sunlight, a small smile crept on her face. It was almost like riding on an eagle, soaring through the sky, with the wind rushing around you, in your hair. But of course, instead of being so high up, she was safely on the ground. Aradia quickly wiped at her cheeks, wiped away the tears of her fears, not wanting Darren to see her weakness. Usually she did not care if people saw how weak she was, but this man, somehow she just felt self-conscious around him. She felt as if any sign of weakness would be brought to light, and then made fun of. The Singer looked over as Darren motioned for her to come sit beside him, she shrugged her shoulders and scooted slowly over to the man, keeping a little distance as she was still a little angry at him for not coming to help her, especially since it was obviously so easy for him to climb. But then the man had the audacity to move her closer, and she almost growled when he asked what she had in mind. Aradia wanted to slap the man in the face and yell at him, ask him why he had not come to help her since it was so easy, that was what she had in mind. But instead she kept her anger quiet, thankful that her eyes were stuck in their multicoloredness, and did not shift with her mood. ”I would prefer not to climb again, that is for sure.” Aradia said in a low voice, that still held a slight growl of the anger she felt towards the man. ”Even if it is easy for you…” The Singer said in a whisper, looking away from the Vantha male as she crossed her arms over her chest once more.

[Darren]

"Sorta hard when you live on a mountain." Offering the usual rhetoric Darren gave Adaria a frank look as he looked back down the wall. The usual amounts of people seemed to pass by the area though still not many takers on the wall it seemed. Either way they should either move or just end their conversation. "You'll have to do some climbing down though. What else do you have lined up for today? I bet you'd want to be anywhere but here." Trying to come off as subtle Darren really meant it when he wasn't really good to keep around for social needs. Friends weren't too high up on his list and there was always something to do. The Vantha needed something else to do. The climb proved itself as a warm up and now Darren was well motivated to continue with the exercise routine. Still it would be best if it looked like Adaria was the reason why they decided to move, Darren knew how to keep appearances that much at least. "Got anything else besides that frivolous singing and that lithe body for me?"

[Aradia]

Aradia rolled her eyes at Darren and looked away. She could not help but be tortured by his harsh use of words this time. She was feeling tender from the whole experience on the wall. Foolish and embarrassed, and not to mention that her muscles seemed to be screaming at her. She did not realize at the time of the climb what muscles had to be used to climb. All she knew was that her arms and legs were sore, which was normal, but even her core was feeling it. She had not realized how out of shape she had become over the Winter Season. ”Climbing down seems easier than going up.” Aradia retorted with a little shove towards the man, a small smile on her face. She stood up and went back to her savior, the rope that helped her climb the wall, and started sliding down the side of the wall when the Vantha’s voice came back to her. ”Maybe… Maybe not.” was all the singer would say, and kept her focus on the climbing and off of the male. She climbed down the wall, and it was indeed easier this time around. It still took her a few chimes to make it to the ground, but she was not AS frightened as she was before. Once she landed on her two feet on the stone ground, she stretched her arms up in the arm, stretching out the tense muscles from the work out she had just done. She casually strolled away from the wall, and waited for the Vantha male. When he was down from the climb she glanced over her shoulder at him, ”You have anything besides that boring body building and that venomous mouth to show me?” Aradia said with a smirk on her face, and strolled down the path leading away from the rock wall. If the Vantha followed that would be fine, if he did not, all the well she would find her entertainment and pleasure elsewhere for the day.

[Darren]

Darren said nothing shrugging at being told the obvious. The Vantha wasn't sure what he was feeling at the moment sitting without a care on the wall. Peace? Solemn? Perhaps a tired of dealing with these small trials? When was would he be able to really challenge himself? Perhaps this feeling of stagnation was of his own accord. Had he really lost his way? Why did he felt so irritable and lashed out so much? Looking at his palm slightly before looking down at Adaria who seemed to be waiting at below her Darren stepped forth near the edge looking down at the drop before him. Whispers of some sort. Perhaps he imagined them but thoughts to simply lean forward without hesitation overtook him. Standing there on the ledge Darren's face was listless as he literally lived his life on what seemed to be the razor's edge. A slight impression of the wind and Darren started to fall forward. In that moment Darren found himself smiling widely as he started to descend. With a quick grab at a nearby leading rope near the top Darren was left dangling for a few tics before grasping the rope with both of his hands. The rest of the climb down was unsuccessful as Darren scaled down the mountain with little finesse. Dropping down Darren was brought to a crouch as he tried to stick his landing. Without another word Darren followed Adaria ignoring the small incident. The Vantha chose to live. Rather his body told him to and how could he ignore that? Cutting off Adaria Darren pressed his arm against the wall as he had his usual smirk on his face. "Just my mouth? I'm pretty sure you saw everything that one day. Or did I just imagine that?" Going around the mountain naked was a weird thing to imagine doing. Darren almost second guessed himself before he saw whatever reaction Adaria had. "Believe it or not I am a pretty understanding person. Straightforward, spicy and sexy. What about you? I know nothing of you. What were you doing alone there?" Darren did not hear singing as he came across Adaria and peaceful pass times weren't really an Inartan staple. It something else. Something malicious hopefully. Part of him wanted her to be just as messed up as him. Darren wanted her to tell him how messed up exactly. Rather Darren would have liked it if she had told him. The Vantha kept quiet about it now but after seeing it so many times Darren what to look at when meeting someone for the first time. Their eyes, their assets and their hands.

[Aradia]

Aradia chuckled softly, as the words of Darren reached her back. She glanced over her shoulder, ”I saw so very…. Little. Aradia said, glancing down at Darren’s groins. Her face was set afire at the remembrance of seeing her first naked male, in truth she was flustered by it all, as well as a little curious as to how everything with the male and female antimony worked when intimate between one another. But, she could not help but jab at him, just like he did at her. It was a playful jab to Aradia, she was not sure how sensitive a male was about the size of a certain region. She just shrugged her shoulders, her eyes going back ahead of her as she continued to walk forward. Darren’s description of himself was almost correct, though Aradia liked to fancy that there was more to the man than just that. He was a little bit more complicated then he liked to believe it seemed. Somewhere, there was something more inside the man, that he kept hidden, ”You know nothing because you do not fancy “small talk”.” Aradia stopped walking turning to face the man, ”As to what I was doing there, I was dancing in freedom.” The Crimson haired woman said with a smirk on her face. Her first encounter with Darren left her confused, flustered and a little ashamed that she kept herself so closed up. Now though, she felt more comfortable with him, even though she still knew nothing of him. Aradia cleared her throat, ”Did you not find the dancing of naked women… pleasing?” Aradia asked softly, keeping her face calm. Maybe Darren did not like women as much as he let on. Maybe it was all a cover up. Aradia had heard of men liking other men before, though she had never met such a male before, nor seen such a thing with her own eyes. But it was possible. Aradia searched the Vantha’s changing eyes with her own multicolored ones, searching for that something he kept hidden. After holding his gaze for a mere precious moments she shrugged her shoulders once again, gave a small chuckle, and looked over at the horizon as Darren answered her question.

[Darren]

The Whitevine rolled his eyes at the comment. Such an obvious try at getting a rise from him was not worth fussing over. If anything. "It just shows how much you know." Giving Adaria a look Darren gave a knowing smirk before shrugging slightly. There were more important things looking into then Adaria's lack of knowledge in that area. The Vantha knew the first time they had met and the second time was only reinforced it. Finally with that comment Adaria unknowingly made it all too clear. "If you had any idea of the stuff out of small talk you won't think me so unpleasant." Shrugging slightly Darren mentally chided Adaria when she gave the odd excuse. The Vantha was no fool having not only disturbed the mixed blood during her meditations but even going as far as to ambushing her with his lips. "You'll have to work on those deflections. I'm not buying that for even a moment." Playing coy was one thing but continuing to do so when he was trying to be less then subtle was irritating to say the least. His chances at being sociable being turned aside Darren did what he did best. A direct forceful approach. "You truly leave me no choice. You realize this yes?" A switch went off in his head. A manic type of reasoning was slowly overwhelming Darren as he tried to position Adaria between him and a wall. "No more lies. Deny me no longer." A strong grip went up to Adaria's arm. Slowly trailing down Darren tried to make it obvious what he was looking for. If it was not already then it looked like this Inarta was in for quite the scare. "Let me see it. I already know you have them. No need to hide them any longer. You won't fight me then at least let us... 'talk' about this. Preferable alone. In a private room." Once more trying to stay somewhat subtle with what he actually wanted Darren tried to get a clear view of Adaria's hands. She was a reimancer for sure. He had seen it so many times that this odd, dainty behavior would not have fooled Darren anymore. oocAlrighty

[Aradia]

Aradia just shrugged her shoulders at Darren’s reply. She did not care whether or not it hit the spot, it was just fun to pick at the man a little. A dose of his own medicine. But it was no secret that she had not a clue about the male anatomy, or what the male and female did with one another in their privacy. She knew the basics of course, but that was about it. The idle chit chat made Aradia chuckle slightly, she turned to walk away from the man, until he grabbed her and shoved her against a wall. A look of shock and surprise appeared on her face, she did not understand what this man was rattling on about. Her chest was going up and down rapidly, as her breath came out in and out slightly panicked. Then Darren’s hand started moving, lower, until they were uncomfortably close to her breasts. Then his next words made her gasp and tense, ”Darren… Stop. Get your hands off of me.” Aradia said through gritted teeth, her hands clenched tightly as she stared the man in the eyes. ”You will never have me like this.” Aradia said in a growl, trying to jerk herself out of the man’s hold. She had never been treated this way before. Sure she was used to cruel behavior from people, but not this. This was new and it frightened the little singer.