Open A Smoldering Reunion (Ronan, Open)

[Miria]

If Miria believed in destiny she was mentally cursing out her fate in this world. It was fine as she looked over at the unside down face of her victim her auristics giving off an offcolored picture of Ronan's face. It was odd how she would see the person in front of her differently but the floor, the walls, even the snow stayed the same color. Though Miria would have to muse about that later hearing a familiar voice call her by name.

The Coolwater did not speak. If Miria froze recognizing Ronan it would only be for a mere moment before she retreated back in realization. "What are you doing here? Stay where you are." Miria's voice quivered in a way unfamliar with the Vantha as she finally noticed the danger she was presented. Odd weapons on Ronan's hands and the earlier thrown whips of wind that she thought she imagined turning out to be a real danger she pushed back from the ground slowly before eventually finding her feet.

Breathing heavily Miria stopped all attempts of manipulating her djed looking at Ronan. Still in sudden shock at the Syliran's behavior Miria hand went for her gladius. For once it was not out of comfort that she touched her sword as she easily flicked off blade from the scabbard. Miria was shaking but it was not from the cold, her breathing uneasy and mind feeling faint she could barely stand the sudden situation put in front of her.

"Ronan. Your scaring me. Whatever this is. That person who screamed at me. whoever that was....Your not the same person I thought you are. Are you?" Miria found the words after almost an unbearable half chime of staring him down. Whatever it was he had to say, whatever he wanted to prove was to be met with suspicion. After all he wasn't one of her own like he said. Taking every word that he had to say at face value Miria could only regard Ronan differently then the boy she might have had mixed feelings about.

"Please go. Take your prize and go." Though she wanted nothing more then having a friend lead her out Ronan's status was up in the air and Miria was starting towards the safer option. Though she found her decision went everything she stood for she thought this was for the best.

oocCare to prove Miria wrong? Sorry if this feels rushed at times.

[Ronan Dugal]

Now, Ronan had been confused before by Miria, but this time she really topped it all. The way she acted towards him, he wondered if that was because of what had happened or if there was something wrong with her. Ronan took a step towards her, a smile starting to appear on his face but it froze halfway. "Miria? It's me. Ronan." Ronan pointed to himself and felt the sharp point of the shuriken poke his chest. With a quick motion of his hands, the shuriken slipped back into his wrist containers, ready to be thrown if there was any sign of danger. Not that it would come from Miria, Ronan was sure about that. Ronan saw how Miria reached for her weapon and drew it from the scabbard. His earlier step was backtracked as Ronan moved back, his hands up towards her, palms towards her. Ronan was scaring her? She was the one that had attacked him by surprise and was holding the sword now. "Miria, it's me. Ronan Dugal. You know, Syliran Trader Extraordinaire, very charming and handsome, likes to ride dire polar Kelvics... Remember?" Ronan was worried. Miria did not seem like herself. Looking into her eyes, he could see they were red-ish, like she had been crying. The sword was shaking in her hand. They stared at each other, silent, for Ronan knew how long. Miria spoke to him, voiced her concern, her worries to him. "I'm sorry, Miria. That was not supposed to happen. It's a part of me that I like to keep buried. I'm not like that, I swear. It's a part of the past that I want to forget. It's not me. You know that." Ronan tried but he felt like Miria had already decided. Take your prize and go? What prize? What was Miria talking about? Miria was the prize? Ronan shook his head. No, that wasn't it. It was a little misplaced at the moment for her to mention something like that. "I don't want to go anywhere. Miria... I..." I what exactly? Ronan couldn't say. I love you? I like you? I don't want to lose you? I hate you, perhaps? Ronan struggled, the fight visible on his face. And then there was total calm as his facial features settled down in the trader smile he had practiced for so long. "Besides, my prize is still here so I can't go yet." His tone was light, almost playful but with a serious tone to it. There was an ever so slight hint in it that the prize Miria was talking about was not entirely the same as the prize Ronan was talking about. Miria's behavior and her face, with the marks of what seemed to be tears, drew Ronan in. He had never been good with women and their sad faces and he wanted to do something for her. Hug her, pat her on the back, tell her it was alright, anything. He took a step forward towards her, forgetting about the monster and the fact that she didn't seem to know him or seemed to want to remain distant from him. "There's a monster outside." Odd conversation starter but considering the situation, Ronan couldn't really think of anything else to say that would break the ice without getting some part of him chopped off or run through by Miria's still shaking sword. The monster was real to Ronan but little did he know that he was currently talking to it.

[Miria]

"I don't. I don't know." Speaking more to herself then Ronan now Miria also questioned her emotional state. First Miria was just exhausted, then slightly cranky and now this. What was going on? "I want to forgive and forget but... I don't think I can. Whoever that was. Why Ronan?"

Nothing actually asked but it conveyed what Miria wanted to say at the time. If only she could be more articulate. Having a friend angry at her was too much for the mostly nonchalant Miria. Truth be told she was not really good at handling these types of situations.

"I'm suppose to guard the prize box and help whoever might find it." The lie came easily but Miria's demeanor still stayed the same. Looking despairingly at her weapon Miria grimaced slightly in her faith at knowing what to even do with the gladius. Trying to gesture Ronan past her Miria flailed slightly with her sword arm showing off her 'extensive' training with the pointy end of her gladius. "I don't feel like I'm ready to help you. Help yourself and go."

Shrugging slightly Miria's eyes felt hot as she rubbed her eyes slightly trying to relieve some of the heat. That was when Ronan decieded to take a step towards her. Going unnoticed for a moment Miria gave Ronan one of the usual incredulous looks as she tried to fight the urge to turn around. "Don't joke around. Vantha can be really superstitious people."

A small facade on Miria's part went on for a a few tics before she started quivering in fear. She knew there wasn't any monster and that Ronan was just pulling her leg but for some reason Miria still felt scared. Not the type of scared that equated to being surprised or seeing something horrific but rather the scared that came from the possibility of losing a friend. It was a scared that already developed into a hopeful sad.

The type of sad that just needed time. Lowering her weapon Miria followed suit as she sheathed the weapon slowly. Staring intently at Ronan Miria made the first move as she sprinted over. Miria did not care anymore, this was what she felt she had to do. Running full force into Ronan's arms Miria let out a soft sob as she buried herself in Ronan's chest. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry Ronan! Please forgive me!"

[Ronan Dugal]

Ronan just stood in silence as Miria tried to get a grasp on whatever she was trying to grasp. But at the same time he could understand what she was going through. Ronan hadn't exactly been at his best in front of her. The weapon in her hand kept waving around as she spoke and thought, still pointing towards Ronan, who was trying his best to not become a target. He listened to her as she explained why she was here. Ronan hadn't known about the puzzle boxes in the maze. He figured that all the pieces on the floor were the puzzle and the prize would be inside if he ever got them back together. As Miria looked at him, silent, Ronan tried to explain to her why he was here and what he had meant by a monster. "I was in the maze and I was attacked by a monster." No, you weren't. "And it was huge, I know it." No, it wasn't. "And when I tried to run it knocked me out." No, it didn't. "And then it stepped on me and started screaming so I shouted at it and ran away..." Yes, you did, didn't you. Very heroic running. Whatever else Ronan might have wanted to say got stuck in his throat as he noticed how Miria was shivering, afraid, scared like a child. His story hadn't been that realistic and he doubted, now in hindsight, that the monster had been all that dangerous, really. Worried about her, Ronan stepped forward, avoiding the bench. At the same time, Miria moved forward as well, quite strongly in fact, and buried herself in his chest. Normally, Ronan would jump at the chance to hug Miria but at that moment, Ronan was more confused than anything. Why would she need forgiving? Why would she be sorry? His arms moved around her shoulders as he pulled her closer to him and hugged her softly, tenderly. "There, there..." Being such a good speaker, Ronan had no idea what to say at this time. They just stood there, silent, Miria sobbing, Ronan holding her, shushing her softly. Lightly guiding her, Ronan tried to sit Miria down on the bench and sat himself next to her, still holding her, softly talking to her. "It's alright, Miria. It wasn't your fault. You don't have to be sorry. There, there." Ronan patted her softly on her back. "I'm sorry I shouted at you. It's just that... I don't know. My life hasn't always been as great as it is now. I wasn't always this charming and handsome, you know..." An attempt at humor, probably badly placed, but Ronan needed it in order to be able to talk about the things that had happened to him. He searched for more words to try and explain but couldn't find any. At the same time that he felt happy to be with Miria he also felt that he wasn't ready yet to talk about any of it. He hoped she would somehow understand. He held her in silence until she seemed to calm down a little. He only let her go for a moment to get a handkerchief from his pocket, offering it to Miria in silence.

[Miria]

Recognizing that monster as herself own spurred Miria to this. Cluctching at Ronan tightly it took every ounce of self control from the Vantha to not have tackled Ronan along the floor along with her. Miria would show Ronan what it meant to be considerate of others and the possibly painful tackle to the ground was just the start of her example. Sitting down on the bench Miria was incoherently muttering almost to herself. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. So sorry."

Silently sobbing no more tears came from Miria's face the Coolwater had spent too much time before and her tears ducts were almost dried up. "But it is! I... I even stepped on you without knowing it. I want to feel sorry. I want to feel anything. Ronan I..." Miria stayed quiet hearing Ronan's reassuring words. Laughing slightly Miria lightly hugged Ronan back as she rested on his shoulder. That explained so much! How should I go about this.

"I was my fault. I reacted badly from such a simple kiss." Looking up Miria tried to get any recognition from her statement. "I pushed you away when you were just trying to be closer." Putting her hand on his chest Miria tried to convey once more that Ronan was not at fault. "I also should have took your lifestyle as consideration. If my light teasing was too much. I did not know as to settle that."

Pushing away from Ronan Miria eyes shimmered slightly trying to find her usual blue hue, before pouting slightly. "Your not at all charming nor handsome." Looking down and taking Ronan's hands Miria floundered slightly trying to find the exact words she was looking for. "You don't have to be. You just be you Ronan Dugal." Leaning in slightly Miria offered the trader in her moments of weakness what he deserved. Returning Ronan's feeling Miria kissed the man that made her feel so empty not so long ago.

[Ronan Dugal]

Ronan did not have much experience with being stepped on but he was pretty sure that it was never as bad as earlier. And now he found out that his so called monster was actually this beautiful, sobbing and crying, apologetic lady in his arms. That's one way of taking care of a monster, of course. "It was dark. It's fine, Miria. I don't mind too much that you stepped on me." Ronan's lips curled up slightly in a small smile. He hoped she wouldn't remember that one. His arms stayed around her, holding her softly as she tried to explain her actions. "It's not your fault. It's alright, don't worry about it." Why was he forgiving her when he had been at fault? The hand on his chest caused his heart to beat a little faster, caused him to push his chest out slightly, against the palm of her hand. Imagined or not, Ronan felt a little warmth spreading from his chest, under her touch. "I'm not charming? You wound me..." Ronan smiled at her and the rest of his egotrip stuck in his throat. Her hands were holding onto his, the palms of her hands touching the skin of his. He didn't have to be charming and handsome? Then what else was left for him? What would be left of Ronan Dugal if he left the charming part behind? It was a little shocking to think about it. The entire existence of Ronan Dugal seemed to be focused on being as likable as possible towards other people so he could get favors from them, either through buying and selling things or through other...activities. Ronan hesitated as Miria leaned in. It wasn't a good idea, he knew it. It would make things complicated for the future, a future Ronan hadn't managed to set in stone yet. Now it was Ronan's turn to shake and quiver. Excited, hopeful, scared, run away. Different feelings mixed together in Ronan's gut as Miria's lips touched his. He kissed her, softly, ever so softly and most unlike those tonguetwisters that pass between young couples nowadays. A considered kiss, careful, as if Miria was made of glass or brittle ice. His lips touched hers and his fingers squeezed her hands ever so slightly. The kiss lasted only a short moment, a satisfying moment to Ronan, before he moved back, slowly, his eyes focused on Miria. "I..." I what? I liked that? I like you? I'm an idiot? Probably the latter. Ronan didn't say more than the single letter, confused and alert, wondering if he had made a mistake. He hoped he hadn't but at the same time, somewhere deep inside, he also hoped that Miria wouldn't cling too much to that one kiss they had just shared. The little puzzle cave drummed with silence as Ronan looked at Miria, his lips involuntarily curled up in a smile. His hands continued to hold onto hers, not wanting to let go of them yet.

[Miria]

Miria didn't feel like smiling as she retracted back. Rather the vantha kept a stoic gaze away from Ronan before watching the man's lip turn into a smile. That was the only face Miria could not seem to make it seemed. Instead Miria shaked her head flippantly as she gave Ronan a stolid stare. "So now what?"

The more things change the more it seemed like everything stayed the same. Yes Miria knew now of how she felt but she questioned if that was enough for the both of them. "...I need someone I can rely on and Ronan you don't seem like that person." Looking down Miria stroked Ronan's hand slightly before letting go of her hold on him. Why doesn't this feel right? I thought if I was did this it would make me feel better? Why doesn't it?

Miria felt a slight shake in her hand before she continued focusing herself. What she was saying and her given condition, the two together with her earlier actions suggested that she was not in the right mind to be saying stuff like this. Yet she had thought of it many times before. Perhaps it was best to do this when she was at her absolute low? After all when it came down to it Miria was going to be the one left to suffer like she did just tics ago.

"I know." Shrugging slightly Miria tried to fight back the dry tear before using a hand to wipe at her face. Though Ronan didn't formally say he was sorry Miria forgave him. It was the least she could do. Leaning in and resting on his chest Miria paused in a moment of weakness before taking a step back. A fresh start wouldn't work. Perhaps start where they left off? "I recall I you owe me a trip to the hot springs. We should go on one last date before you go. You are leaving right?" Miria knew that she might have been the only influence in Ronan's extended stay in the city. Ronan was after all a traveling trader who heard of them settling down so early? Miria just hopped that she didn't skewed Ronan's perspective of Avanthal. "Care to take me home?"

[Ronan Dugal]

Ronan returned Miria's stare, no smile on his face. "I'm not sure, really..." Ronan didn't shrug physically as he didn't want to seem insensitive towards Miria. He was glad, really, when she told him that Ronan wasn't the right person. He knew he wasn't. He knew he wouldn't stay. Sooner or later he would leave, vanish and disappear. He was too young to settle down, right? "I can be relied on, Miria. But not when it comes to... this." He waved a finger between them, pointing at Miria and himself. Ronan didn't move back from her as she seemed to distance herself from him. Not so much physically but her attitude and the way she held herself seemed to make her step back from him. A mental distance, a zone that would keep them both apart, for the better. Ronan looked down on her, his hands dead in his lap, where she had left them. She stepped back from him, making the mental distance real. "I thought you owed me a trip to the hot springs..." Ronan managed a smile as he eased himself from the bench, standing up in front of Miria. "I'd love to take you home. But we'll have to find the way out first. Oh, and the puzzle. I'd like to try and solve it as well." Ronan didn't respond to the leaving part as he wasn't sure yet. There were things he could do here, things that could make him money. He wasn't sure yet. Ronan gave Miria a smile, the boyish, daredevil child-Ronan hiding behind it. He turned around and started gathering up the pieces of the puzzle, putting them on the bench as he bend over to pick up more pieces from the snow. He couldn't say yet if they would find all the pieces again, since Ronan's surprise at Miria's snowball attack had sort of spread the pieces out quite a bit. He dug a little in the snow to see if he had all of them. He hoped so. With the pieces spread out on the bench, Ronan sat himself next to them, inviting Miria to join him with a wave of his hand towards the bench. "Are you any good with puzzles?" Ronan looked at the pieces scattered over the bench.

[Miria]

Why couldn't he be relied on? Oh that's right earlier experience pointed to that. Looking up Miria stayed seated giving Ronan a look that settled somewhere between anger and disappointment. Though showing it for the first time Miria had already mentally shown this face to Ronan. "I wasn't the one who suddenly canceled the trip while we were making our way." Speaking frankly Miria's expression didn't change as she recalled the event, keeping the same look as before with the same green eyes. "Yea... you do that."

Watching quietly from afar Miria closed her eyes in a pained expression at the look Ronan gave her. Perhaps it was because she was hormonal but the sight only proved Miria's insecurities about Ronan. Trying to focus on something else Miria once more tried to focus her djed into her eyes. Looking deeply at the snow before her Miria somberly looked through the slight impressions that have happened in the last few chimes. Hearing Ronan's voice Miria declined at the offer saying she needed some time to herself if they weren't going to go.

"Life is a puzzle I'm still trying to figure out." Speaking at length Miria shrugged slightly at the progress Ronan was making. It wouldn't be fair for her to help him, after all Miria already knew what was inside the puzzle box. Slightly embarrassing Ronan turned out to be the person who found the puzzle box when she helped make this week's prize. Or rather, Miria just added to it. Sighing softly Miria was now starting to feel a acute in her head as the archer stopped checking whatever auras the recent impressions in the snow made.

Taking in a sharp breathe of air Miria clutched at her head gingerly leaning in on the side of the bench. Apparently headaches were a sign that she was using Auristics too much. "I'll just rest awhile Ronan. Don't leave me behind." Yawning slightly rubbing at exhausted eyes, Miria brought up her feet before dozing off. With only the odd sound from Ronan's direction Miria quietly fell asleep to the rhythmic sounds of her breathe.

[Ronan Dugal]

Ronan ignored Miria's remark on him running out on their previous date. Things hadn't gone very smoothly back then. His focus was on the puzzle in front of him. Everything else seemed to blur out as Ronan observed the pieces of the puzzle. Miria became a distant voice as she said something about life and puzzles. He started to match the pieces together, locking them together whenever the puzzle allowed it. What had started off as a pile of piece was slowly but surely turning into something solid. He looked up for a moment, to see if Miria was alright. She was sitting with her feet up and her eyes closed, seemingly asleep. With some quiet around him, Ronan settled in on his part of the bench and focused on the puzzle in front of him. He started matching pieces, trying to find the connecting ones and putting them together. The pile of pieces turned into a pile of somewhat connected pieces and slowly but surely, Ronan worked his way through the puzzle. Some piece had holes in their sides while other had additions to their sides, allowing them to connect to others. With no real idea of what he was puzzling together, Ronan matched piece by piece until it fit and started with the next one. He didn't know how much time was passing. Occasionally he looked at Miria, soundly asleep on her bench, her chest moving with her breathing, slowly going up and down. With a smile, Ronan focused back on his task. The puzzle was slowly shaping itself as he matched more pieces together. It didn't take him long after that to fit everything together. Except... Ronan looked at the finished puzzle, complete apart from one piece missing. Really? You're doing that?" Sighing to himself, Ronan tried to move quietly from the bench, trying not to wake Miria as he started to look through the snow for the missing piece. Consider that it was roughly the size of his thumb nail, it was quite a challenge. A close inspection of the snow told Ronan that the puzzle piece was not lying on top of the snow. Which brought him to the hard part. Sifting through snow. With his hands wrapped in his archery gloves, only partly covering his skin, he started digging in the snow, sifting it though his fingers to find the missing piece. He grumbled a lot, quietly, and felt the cold of the snow on his skin. Soon the cold made way for no feeling what so ever as Ronan continued his search. The pieces had fallen and Miria and him had... rolled over the floor. Ronan focused on the area where Miria and him had been lying, sifting through the snow there first, digging up the imprint of his body in the snow. "Cheeky bugger..." Ronan said to the piece of the puzzle as he fished it out of the snow. The last piece fit nicely in the puzzle. Complete, Ronan had no idea what to with it, really, so he turned to the one person who might be able to explain it to him. Careful, Ronan approached Miria and tapped her on the shoulder. "Miria?" Ronan whispered as he poked her softly. Asleep, she seemed less dangerous than she tried to portray while awake. Ronan smiled softly. "Miria." He tried again, a little louder this time. He continued to raise his voice, speaking her name, until she woke up. When she was awake again, he would show her the puzzle, complete and ask her what to do next. He admitted to her that he hadn't even known that there were puzzles in the maze so he had no clue what to do, really.