Butterflies [Rivers and Serenity] [[M]]

[Rivers]

Rivers laughs as Serenity describes the person he used to be. “Well, I won’t deny leaving without a word is kind of a boorish move on my part. Though in my defense, goodbyes are hard, particularly when you care about the person you are saying them too. Maybe I thought you could change my mind.” He suggests in an almost analytical manner, thought the smirk on his face gave it an incongruous feeling.

“That all being said, I am glad you’ve chosen to forgive me, and even more that you’ve chosen to allow me this date.” As he finished speaking Muse cawed at the pair and then flapped her wings giving the pair some space.

“I can say this with certainty though, the fact that we have not had a date is a grave error on my part, but I will admit I am a bit unprepared…” Though he picked up the bottle again and topped off both of their glasses. “Though for a start may I offer something simple, perhaps some wine and a story?” He suggested. “Is there any tale you would like to hear me tell?”

[Serenity Caine]

Seeing Black and Red words: 325. tag: N/A notes: N/A Serenity laughed. I could hardly convince you of anything. I doubt that was it. She shrugged, really not knowing the reason. It had been part of the reason it had bothered her for so long. When he went on, she agreed with a nod, mildly startled by the sound of the bird.  As he continued, she smiled her thanks when he topped of her wine, taking a sip as he asked a question. There was never time. We were in hiding; or running. Either way. She shrugged before pondering which story she could ask; he was always so secretive so she didn’t know much about him. Feel free to turn this one down, but maybe the story behind you and Muse?

ⒶⓀⒾ

[Rivers]

As Rivers listens to Serenity he shakes his head and downs his wine. “Looks like I’m being talkative today, but allow me to let you in on another secret. The best defended individuals never let those who hold sway over them know.” He admits, raising a finger to his lips resting between his slowly flushing cheeks as he gives her a wink.

Though he almost fumbled his glass at her next words, now that he thought about it, this was possibly the first time anyone had ever asked him about Muse. “Well the short answer to that…” though as he watched Serenity he stopped his somewhat flippant tale.

“There once was a boy who could use no magic in a village of mages. The boy was the son of two very skilled and respected members of the village, both with powerful magic at their disposal. Because of this many in the village had high expectations of the boy, but by the time he was 10 they had already come to accept that the boy was magically inert. Then one day in his thirteenth year the boy saw a crow up in a tree. Somehow the injured crow reminded him of his sister who had gone several years before and he decided to try and save the bird.” Rivers paused as he pantomimed arduously climbing a tree stepping onto the air and slowly rising with each labored step.

“But when he almost reached the top…” Rivers suddenly began to fall in slow motion “a branch snapped and he began to fall and in that instant he knew.” Rivers suddenly appeared higher in the air. “He knew that everything in the world was connected, and one merely needed to take the step to bridge the gap.” He mimed picking up the bird and craddeling it in his arms.

“But unbeknownst to the boy, there was a prophecy in his village, that when the tunnel mage was born Ill would befall the village, and the boy’s Father had seen the deed. A week later he was cast from the village with a pocket full of coins, a pack of cloths on his back and a bird on his shoulder.”

With his story finished Rivers landed beside the bucket and poured himself another glass of wine which he began to drink, a bit more rapidly than he had planned. He hadn’t told that story to anyone in a very long time.

[Serenity Caine]

Seeing Black and Red words: 325. tag: N/A notes: N/A Serenity arched an eyebrow at Rivers, but remained quiet as he brought a finger to his lips. Rather than speaking, she took a large sip of her own wine. Much to her surprise, he actually began to tell her his story, which wasn’t something she had expected. Serenity listened avidly, making no comment until he was finished. She giggled as he stepped into the air, getting higher as he climbed imaginary steps. She stopped laughing however, as soon as he started falling.  She watched as he set himself back on the ground, pouring more wine. She didn’t say anything for a moment, just watched him drink. …wow. That must have been rough… But Muse was definitely grateful; she’s stuck with you this long… Serenity stopped, her mind only a bit fuzzy, but enough so to ask a semi insensitive question. Wait… Muse is a bird… how has she stayed alive this long? You’ve told me you’ve lived many lifetimes; if that was when you were a child… She left it open ended, not sure if he would even answer that one. That was a wonderful story. Thank you for telling me. If you’d like, I can return the favour and tell you something from when I was a kid. She shrugged.

ⒶⓀⒾ

[Rivers]

As Serenity asked the question about Muse Rivers froze for a moment and a look of uncertainty came over his face. "...to be honest, I am not sure about what Muse is or why they are still alive, I have been kinda assuming that whatever force keeps me going also affects them." He admits with another sip, the subject clearly bothering him more than he was willing to let on.

When Ser offered to share her own story he considered her offer and said. "Well I've told you quite a personal one, perhaps you can return in kind with a similarly personal one?"

[Serenity Caine]

Seeing Black and Red words: 325. tag: N/A notes: N/A Serenity regretted the question moments later, seeing the emotions displayed on Rivers’ face. Sorry… that was a rather insensitive question… She apologized, letting it go immediately after; she wouldn’t continue to push him. When he took her up on her offer, she make a jokingly sour face. His story had been both sad but sweet. Did she have one of those? After a few moments of thought, Serenity launched into a story. When I was a girl, my father hired me a tutor. I never attended regular schooling, so everything I had learnt back then had been from her, from basic survival needs, to “house wife” skills, which was huge in my world. Now the highlight of my time with her was one day a week, we would put aside all our studies and she would teach me how to play the flute. It was a simple task; its not like she was extraordinary at it, but it the dark of the rest of my childhood, it was a shooting star. Serenity shook her head with a reminiscent smile on her face. Though as the rest of the story came back to her mind, that smile faded and she took a drink of the wine; a rather large drink one might add. Given that my mother had died giving birth to me, this was the only motherly figure in my life. I grew very attached to… hell I forget her name. She sighed, moving on. Drastic turn of events, is that after 6 years of my lovely tutoring, I found the little slut in bed with my Boar of a father when I was 13. I never had another tutor after that. I don’t know if it was because my father saw fit that I had “learned” enough, or if it was simply he was tired of hiding his whores behind the pretence of “tutoring.” Serenity shrugged. That story sounded a lot more depressing out loud; she had been hoping some humour would be in it. Whoops.

ⒶⓀⒾ

[Rivers]

Rivers watched as Serenity suddenly became aware of his discomfort regarding her question and shook his head slightly. How did a nice girl like this fall for a scoundrel like me? He could not help but wonder as he gave her a reassuring smile. “Listen Ser, I appreciate your concern, but we are supposed to be friends correct? Friends ask those kinds of questions, if I am truly discomforted by the question I simply won’t answer.” He assured her as he topped off her wine glass.

After listening to her story Rivers continued to watch her, it was a sad story, one he could actually empathize with, her father had been a bastard. “I would love to hear to play the flute someday.” He said in a tone tinged with a bit of longing. He poured himself a bit more wine and took a sip. “It sounds like both of us had a pretty rough childhood, though in different ways.” He admitted as he reached out and took her hand to give it a reassuring squeeze.

Rivers could understand how a person like this who was so closed off yet found the strength to be so honest when the occasion demanded it had won him over. As he looked into her eyes he leaned in slightly so that their faces were close together. “I am sure you will live a better life than he.” He said softly, his full of certainty, not pity, and his breath slightly hot on her skin, though oddly smelling of cinnamon.

[Serenity Caine]

Seeing Black and Red words: 325. tag: N/A notes: N/A Serenity gave him a smile as he assured her not to worry. Alright. Good to know. She tipped her glass to him before taking another sip. When he reacted to her story, she flushed in colour. Oh I highly doubt that. It’s been years since I’ve played. I don’t think I’d be any good anymore. She shook her head, embarrassed at the thought. She’d stopped playing flute when she had been a teenager.  As he squeezed her hand, she looked up to him with wide eyes. She’d always felt comfortable around this man, yet she had never felt so open with him, so heard as she did in that moment. And never before had he reciprocated the honesty as completely as it felt like he was in that moment. I suppose we did. But that’s life. She shrugged, recalling that he only knew one minuscule story in her history.  She tensed lightly as he moved closer to her, her heart beginning to pound in her chest; loud in her ears. She could feel his breath and it was giving her goosebumps. The moment I was fated into this world my life changed for the better. She agreed with him. Her father had been a bitter angry old man and she would always be better off without him. Serenity stared at him, her hazel eyes half lidded, and her face rosy with the wine.

ⒶⓀⒾ

[Rivers]

Rivers could see a story in her expression, a hard life, many betrayals, people did not often realize how much a look and a tale could tell about them as a whole. Rivers had lived nearly a dozen lives and the power of a story remained something that astounded him.

As he stared into her half lidded eyes Rivers felt many things, but an image flashed through his mind like wildfire “Well, I certainly hope there's no refunds. I find kissing as payment sealed that deal.” A grin spread across his face at the thought. It took all of Rivers’ willpower to draw back, but this was not the time, not yet. Rivers took another drink of wine, he was really beginning to feel it as his face was beginning to flush and he turned to reach for a robe.

“You know, since the Grand Mage was so kind to leave us these robes…are you feeling up to a dip?” He asks as he rises slightly and sheds his coat. “If you join me I might even be willing to tell you a tale about the young boy for helped the crow with a broken wing.” He suggested giving Serenity a conspiratorial wink. “Though, don’t tell him I told you.”

[Serenity Caine]

Seeing Black and Red words: 325. tag: N/A notes: N/A When she saw him grin, Serenity started smiling as well, finding it contagious, though she had no idea why. She blinked out of it as he took a sip of wine, deciding to do the same and finishing off her second glass. She blinked again as he moved, grabbing a robe. Arching an eyebrow as he spoke, she slowly shook her head at his suggestion.  I should have known it would end up here… Though seeing as some goddess seems to think its a good idea… Serenity laughed lightly, pretending to think about it. Sounds fun. She put down her glass, grabbing the other robe and standing up. I’ll take you up on that story, but first turn away. You don’t remember this, but I tend to like a bit of modesty. She winked jokingly, moving a few feet away from him.

ⒶⓀⒾ

[Rivers]

As Ser’s asked him to turn around Rivers nodded, though as he turned his back he said, “the same to you, I’m not sure what of my supple flesh you have seen, but I sometimes fear for me virtue in these dens of wolves.” He joked as he turned his back and began to strip. Rivers not in fact turn around, respecting her request and stepping into the pool after changing his robes.

As he continued to look away he found himself oddly nervous. You are not some naïve youth! You have seen a woman laid bare before, stop being so nervous just because it’s this one. He scolded himself as he felt his heart pounding before he managed to get his next words out.

“So which of the Fools tales would you like to hear about? I will admit, I know too many to be able to decide between them.” He explained as he waited in the water with his back turned for her response.

[Serenity Caine]

Seeing Black and Red words: 325. tag: N/A notes: N/A Serenity let out an unflattering snort of a laugh at his response, turning herself as she placed the robe back on the rocks to undress herself. Luckily she hadn’t chosen a corseted gown today, and it was a lot simpler than usual. Once it was all off, she quickly slipped the robe on, tying it tight around her. Before getting into the water, she turned, finding Rivers waiting with his back to her, giving her the modesty she’d requested. She smiled, answering him as she stepped into the water. Well, how about whichever one is your favourite one to tell? She settled into the water, the ends of her autumn hair dipping into the pool, clinging to the robe.

ⒶⓀⒾ

[Rivers]

Rivers grinned in response to Serenity’s snort, in truth Rivers’ hadn’t had fair and unblemished skin in a very longtime. While he was not unattractive the body beneath his coat spoke to a harder life than what he pretended to lead, and plenty of scars adorned his abdomen.

A calm smile remained across Rivers lips as he heard Serenity slip into the water and even as he heard her response to his question. “A vague response, and one without much specificity, but let me give that some thought.” He replies, as he raises his fingers to delicately stroke his chin.

As she slowly drew closer Rivers figured out the story he wished to tell. “Well this is not a story about the boy, but is instead about when he was a man, and a foolish one at that. The man wandered into a town called Feyerlun, which was in fact much like this one. Running low on funds he decided to use his unique talents to raise his stock with a few hands of cards. He was deep into the game when the event occurred, having lost several small hands before winning all of it and then come back with one big one.” He explained a nostalgic smile crossing his face.

“However the bar’s owner was a firey lass, just barely sixteen and a waif without the charms of a woman grown, but she had a fire in her eyes and many’a beast at her command. She caught the man cheating with her nose that could scent the very manna in the air.” Rivers paused and raised his hands slightly, keeping his back to Serenity.

“This was in a time when magic was sin and the Noru house punished any who practiced it. Even the mighty Ku-Deyu walked with caution in the wake of the kingdom’s might and strict rule.” With an almost delicate gesture Rivers reached down and scooped up some water staring at his reflection in it. “However, instead of turning the man in, the crimson haired girl offer the man a job and gave him a home, the first he’d had in many years. He worked for her for quite a while after that before he was pulled onto his next adventure.” Rivers hands dropped to his sides as the story finished and an almost fragile air seemed to surround him.

[Serenity Caine]

Seeing Black and Red words: 325. tag: N/A notes: N/A Serenity smiled, awaiting his tale. When he began speaking, Serenity listened with a small smile on her face, having a hunch she may know who this “fiery redhead” was; given that she knew Aria and Rivers had history. But she kept the thoughts to herself, enjoying the illusion of a story. She loved how animated he got as he told his story, from hand movements to full body, soon enough she was entranced in it, despite knowing who it was about. When the tale was finished, Serenity let a moment or so of silence pass before speaking, allowing the fragile state to settle. Sounds like that man found a strong friend in the woman. Serenity mused, a knowing smile on her face.

ⒶⓀⒾ

[Rivers]

“He did indeed…” Rivers replies as he lets his hands rest at his sides, his back still turned waiting for a signal. “But time changes many things, and that man is not the same as he was before, more afraid, less naïve, a weight far heavier on his shoulders. I wonder if the girl has changed since he saw her all those years ago.” Rivers contemplates aloud.

“But the boy met another girl of fire upon his return to his homeland. Perhaps this time he will be able to do better by her.” Rivers says softly.