<font color=maroon>in.character - <u>javelin valimos</u></font> Javelin returned Okkie's squeeze with one of his own, fingers unwrapping from hers rather reluctantly. There was a thin film of sweat on his hand, but the young spy didn't wipe it off. Instead, he merely followed the ginger-and-cream female into the room, looking about in interest. Obviously someone had a fetish for decorating. The place was luxurious without seeming overwhelming with a touch of elegance to the already quite lovely room. The dark contrast that the coffee table made with the otherwise carmine coloring was quite intriguing, indeed, as it caught attention almost immedietely. He waited as Okkie got herself settled, still holding the drinks with one hand, prepared to settle them on the table before he got himself seated. At the gesture, Jace nodded slightly and placed the two Irish mochas on the table, as well as the various other objects that had been handed to him by the grumpy waitress. One of the mochas was turned so that the handle was displayed to Stormwing, whereas the other's handle faced his own seat, prepared for him to take it up at any moment. He didn't drink, not yet, anyway, since he found himself caught up in a whirlwind of questions and explanations from his companion. Some of them were a bit uncomfortable. Like those about the Graders killing their enemies, torturing those that opposed them. They had always been marked as "unconfirmed rumors" in the files. Most of them, anyway. It was normal for some assassinations to take place. He doubted that even the Kanji-marked lady before him could say that there was any way for there not to be murders. If someone from the "other side" attacked one of the Graders - or one of their close companions - there would be fierce retaliation. There would be blood paid for that already spilled, even if there were no deaths from the Anti-Graders, there had to be some in order to sate the appetites of a pair of monarchs. The youthful spy ran a hand through his hair, head leaning down as he thought, elbows touching his knees for a moment, messy locks tumbling to shadow his face. It was all so complicated, really. Jace's world was such a rush of information and action that he often lost track of what he knew, for sure, and what was merely rumors he had heard. What was hearsay and what was reality, solid truth. Javelin would have to further investigate the truth of some of the murder-and-torture rumors. <font color=maroon>"From what I have heard, most of the torture-and-murder tales aren't true. There are some assassinations that could be said to be connected with the Grader household... but you have to understand that the Arch Mage and Magosai have allies who would gladly 'off', as you put it, anyone who stood in the way of their leaders. I don't support the killing or torture of anyone innocent, no. If there is a real traitor, though, then of course torture or death a part of the bargain they signed when they committed treason and got caught. Though I don't think many of them get let off that easily. Often, they are put into Krokoni Prison, which I'm sure you've heard of. If they get overthrown, well, I'll probably go down with them. I really don't know what I'd do. Try to put them back in power, probably. Though it would really depend on who overthrew them, wouldn't it?"</font> Javelin wasn't exactly relaxed. He wasn't sure what Okkie would think of his opinions and was surprised to find that, for once, he actually wanted to know what someone else thought.
The more she thought about it, the more Okkie worried about what Jace would think of her personal life. Though she had no shame about what she did, and no regrets about how she lived, she was sure there were pendragons out there that would severly disapprove her lifestyle. They would claim that Shadowlack was nothing but bad news, a rotten clan that would come to a foul end. They would probably also say that her use of drugs was unorthodox, unhealthy, and not very classy. Was Javelin one of them? If and when she chose to tell him about the darker aspects of her life, would he lift his brow and turn away from her, disgusted, reviled? Or he would perhaps accept it, but desire to change her? This thought upset the female for a moment, and made her scowl darkly. Even more insulting than being rejected would be an attempt to polish her up, make her more suitable. No, she would never go for that, would rather rip his testicles off and fry them up for him than allow herself to be molded. Not that she thought Jace was like that. The frown lines on her face smoothed out and she looked at him contemplatively. Somehow, she knew he was not the type that would require her to shift herself to fit in with him. He would either reject her or accept her as the imperfect pendragon she was. Okkie hoped it was the latter — she yearned for this male to love her despite any shortcomings. She knew she would love him despite any that he had. Not that he seemed to have any! As Javelin spoke, his voice curled smoothly around Okkie’s ears, a timbre so soft and mysterious that it thrilled and intrigued the banded female. It was not so much the words that he spoke, but the way he said them… his voice was a brisk, gentle purr. She could imagine that silvery dialect whispering into her ear in the middle of the night, declaring love and passion against the black folds of night. She could also hear how it would sound if they went on adventure — enthusiastic, cracking with excitement. Now a smile slowly unfurled over her maw, and she peered into his eyes, paying close attention as he wrapped up his dialogue. When the silence ultimately came, she found she missed the sound of his voice hanging in the air, and she made a guttural sound in her throat, just hoping he did not mistake it for displeasure in his words. “It’s actually good to hear that you support the execution of traitors,” She finally spoke up, meticulating carefully as she thought of what to say. “Because I definitely share that interest, as you may soon learn more about… But, back to the Graders… Being a spy trainee and all, I have heard a lot of rumors about possible downfall. It seems that there are tons of enemies out there just plotting all the time. Don’t you worry that they may fall, and that the spies trained by their enemies will come after you, clamoring for your death? How do you know they don’t share your views — think that anybody on the other side is treacherous, and deserving of untimely demise?” My, my, wasn’t this conversation getting ever-so-cryptic. Okkie leaned back in her chair, sinking into it like a hot spoon into a glob of warmed butter. She had yet to even glance at her drink, and she hoisted her feet up onto the table to settle near the neglected mug. She was not trying to be rude, or overly serious, but right now the caramel femme was more interested in spies and politics than Irish mochas. Her large ears tilted back as she stared across at Javelin, and she suddenly wondered about his exact level of involvement with the Graders. Sure, he was young, just about her age, but she had heard about spies even more youthful already working in the field. And she suddenly sat up again, her sneakered feet making a thudding noise as they landed abruptly on the soft carpet of the floor. Was it possible that Jace was a seasoned Grader spy, wondering about Shadowlack, or perhaps about her drug trafficking? A cold sweat broke out on her brow… Was it possible that he had subtly led her into this private room so that he could interrogate her, and perhaps even slay her when he was finished…? Okkie suddenly realized just how crucial her spy training was (specifically, the ability to withhold information via mental blockades), and knew just then that she might have to put it to quick use.
<font color=maroon>in.character - <u>javelin valimos</u></font> Ah, Valimos felt almost weird being here. Discussing politics wasn't something he did well with, when he was speaking about what he truly thought. Jace was used to making up things to suit his character of the time. This was all flat-out truth, though, given to Stormwing free of charge. Which was exceptionally strange. Most of the time he was a very closemouthed pendragon with a knack for changing the subject. This time he found that he didn't even want to evade it. In fact, the charcoal-and-cream male found that it was better to speak of it now. That meant that if she decided she disapproved of him or his positions on such things, it would happen now. Before things sped up and the pair ended up broken and aching later. Yet he did tend to wonder if she would, when she made the choice of who she would support, take the other side. Javelin knew that if that happened he couldn't contact her anymore - that he wasn't permitted to associate with the enemy on any personal level, where he might slip up and say something that was seemingly innocent, when said between friends, but might reach the wrong ears. Of course, if she wasn't employed by anyone it would be safe, still. How was he to know if she was or wasn't, though? Right now, Okkie could have someone she was reporting back to. Would tell him or her all about the lovely Pro-Grader spy she had met. The idea made him want to shiver fiercely and ask her, frankly, how she got her money. The topic would probably come up later, though, he decided, and this was probably a rather delicate situation, all things considered. Jace was rather unsure about what to do - torn between backing out of the situation and merely letting it roll. He wanted to sip his coffee, to change subjects, but knew this was important - especially to Okkie. The caramel-and-cream female had started this conversation and hadn't so much as sipped her coffee. Then again, neither had he, and the black-eyed spy didn't think he would start doing so until things became more relaxed, once more. Though not tense with anxiety and impending doom, the conversation didn't call for someone to be sipping caffeine or chugging it down. No, that would seem rude, to the ebony-marked pendragon. The sound of her voice was a welcome thing, something that he allowed his eyes to close for, for a bare moment, though he didn't permit his thoughts to wander, for fear of what he might think of. Knowing that it wasn't the time or the place to think about the possibilities of the future. <font color=maroon>"I'm guessing you have experience with traitors, then, of one sort or another?"</font> Javelin inquired, first, starting with her first words. The spy sure hoped he would hear more about this, seeing as it was the most intriguing thing he had heard since they came in here - that there might be a reason for her to feel that treason merited death. <font color=maroon>"As for the downfall of the Graders... I have heard many rumors, but nothing solid. It's all babble, at the moment, though there is said to be an underground society that is heavily into that sort of thing. We do keep our ears out for the possibility. If I die while loyal to what I think is right, then that is fine by me. I knew it was a possibility when I decided to be a Spy, so I really took it upon myself. Though I have my connections, I could probably get out of being caught and executed."</font> No one really realized that Javelin Valimos was a Spy for the Graders. As far as anyone was concerned, he was the eldest son of a "lower branch" of the Valimos hierarchy. There were over a dozen different families with the Valimos name. The best being the one that was led by Mandrid Valimos. A Sorcerer, with Sorcerer sons and a younger generation of daughters that would probably end up as fine wives for some other upperclassman. That was Jace's uncle, though the Pro-Grader spy didn't care much for Mandrid Valimos. The adult didn't seem to think that one of his sons - Raphael - was good enough, just beacuse he wasn't a sorcerer. Was quite the dictator, in truth. The eighteen-year-old pendragon peered curiously at Okkie as her feet thumped onto the ground. Was something wrong? What had he said? The male thought back to what he had replied with and found nothing to be incorrect about it. A faint frown of confusion and worry laced his lips as he watched her, suddenly tense and uncertain, puzzled by this sudden reaction to - seemingly - nothing. <font color=maroon>"Is something wrong, Okkie?"</font>
Just moments before, she had been preparing to tell Jace all about her personal hobbies and habits, but now Okkie realized that perhaps she had fallen into a trap. Perhaps this fellow was just courting and seducing her so that he could gather just such information from her. He was probably behaving so charismatic and charming because he was trying to get the female to let her guard down. Pah, she thought to herself, and if she had had two arms, she would have folded them angrily. You almost did it, fellah. You almost had me. I very nearly trusted you, almost gave myself away. Big bad Grader spy, you must think yourself so successful. Only took you less than an hour to almost get everything out of me. Well, think fast. I’m onto you, and you will never get a word out of me. And she suddenly found herself glaring icily across at Jace, her thoughts jumping now to tainted drinks. There was no way she was going to drink her mocha now. “Wrong? Is something wrong? Hah! I know exactly who and what you are,” Okkie shouted, standing up now to punctuate her sinister glare. “You speak of traitors, and you are one. I know why you’re here — you want the inside story about Shadowlack and my other activities. You were sent here by the Graders to get all the information, and then you’re going to dispense of me, aren’t you? Luckily, I caught on before you got anything real from me, but I have to admit you’ve hurt me. I really did think you were a great catch. Ah.” Abrupt sadness clouded her bi-colored eyes, and she turned her façade away. Indeed, she had begun to fall in love with this salt-and-pepper male, but now she saw that he was merely being so friendly because he wanted something from her (or so she believed). Hot tears sprang up behind her eyes as she realized how she had been majorly duped, and her ears folded completely back to pin against her nape. A deep sense of loss and disappointment engulfed her, and she stepped away from the table and seats, moving towards the corner as she tried to hold back her emotions. “I would love to be wrong in this. I would love if you were just a normal guy, and we could move on, and laugh at this some day. I am so sick of traitors, they’re everywhere. I wish I had someone to trust,” She whispered, mostly to herself.
<font color=maroon>in.character - <u>javelin valimos</u></font> Jace was baffled by the suddenly hostile air - the pure venom radiating from the female across from him. Feet curled instinctively closer to the couch beneath him, pressing the soles against the bottom of the comfy chair, squeaking softly as they scraped along metal. There was something so wrong about what had happened, and earring-studded ears flicked backward, sliding against his skull and rubbing against his hair in a rather upset fashion. It was a sincere reaction, something of agitation and confusion, of hurt and uncertainty. A thing that, normally, would have been repressed by the dawn-and-dusk male to keep anyone from knowing the truth about him. His black eyes were as fathomless as always, though they were slightly wider than was normal, trying to see if she would tell him what was wrong. The icy glare certainly didn't help. Indeed, his shoulders tensed, a desire to bear his teeth defensively repressed, for he knew it would be taken aggressively, in this instance. Her words only caused his mouth to drop - stupefied by the words she had said. Shadowlack? Inside story? Hell, he was off-duty, why would he bother with trying to find out about her little cult? There wasn't even a lot of gossip about the group, only fractured references to it. Though even those were quickly muffled if they were accidentally uttered, covered up by a speedy recovery with more "vital" information. Nothing had triggered anything up the line of his society, however, nothing blatant and evil that could be pinpointed and stopped. No one really knew what the secretive society was about, much less if the Graders approved or disapproved of them. As she moved to stand in the corner, the salt-and-pepper male rose, heart breaking over the tears. What had he done? Why couldn't he have just lied about who he was? Because he wanted her to know the truth. Because she deserved the truth. Because he was falling in love with her. Javelin cursed his sudden rush of emotion and sentiment, a feeling of such intensity that it was hard to shove it away. Tentatively stepping forward, the black-marked male walked toward Okkie. As he moved, words came, as melodic and soothing as they had been before. Not like those of one comforting a child, but the easy croon of a concerned equal... though it seemed more than that. More like a worried lover than anything, though he was no such thing. A thing more intimate than mere peers - though not intentionally. <font color=maroon>"Okkie, I have no clue what you're talking about. Honestly and truly, no idea. If you want to, you can even search my mind - I'm sure you've been taught that much in your spy lessons. While this would actually put me in... a lot of danger... I... If you don't trust me because you think I'm spying on you - do it."</font> Javelin said, while slowly approaching her. If she didn't move after his words - or didn't try and blind him before he got near enough - Valimos would try to comfort her in any way possible. Unable to stand those tears any longer unless he shed some of his own.
The invitation to probe his mind startled the young Okkatteiru. She had not expected him to be so earnest and desiring of her trust, so open to danger simply in order to make her feel better. She blinked the wetness from her eyes and stared at him as he approached, and she felt her stomach perform a few flip-flops. He was so handsome, so damned appealing… and so hard to hate. There was just something about him that she found so loveable. But, ah! There was a very real possibility that he was a spy trying to fish information from her, and Okkie remembered this as a lump placed itself in her throat. Though Jace was encouraging her to probe his mind, she knew that would not necessarily yield full truths. If he was a spy as she suspected, he would have certain pieces of information locked in secretive mental vaults, and she did not have the strength to pry them open. In fact, as she hunched there in the corner, the banded female felt weaker than she ever had before. She wanted to damn Javelin for doing this to her, for causing such uncertainty to quake in her heart. But all she could do was stare at him as he spoke softly and approached with tentative steps. As he got closer, she shrank further back into the corner, but nevertheless kept her eyes peeled and stuck on him. The least she could do now was accept his offer, probe into the bowels of his mind and tug forth the truth. Perhaps it would hurt her, the verity could be strikingly real, but then perhaps it might also relieve her. A small fraction of her heart still held out a flame of hope for his innocence. “I don’t trust you. Something just feels wrong. Maybe I am way off base, but are my suspicions so unfounded? You admitted to me that you are a pro-Grader, and a Spy by trade. Are my fears really too bizarre? I will seek out your mentalities, comb every corner of your mind. I just pray that what I find will not crush me, then neither of us would be safe.” Her tail flicked, and Okkie then closed her glowing oculars. She relaxed her mind and concentrated, using the invisible eye in her forehead to reach out and grasp Javelin. She opened the doors to his psyche, and entered, and her experience could be likened to virtual reality. She whisked through each part of his mind, briefly glancing at his store of long-term memories. Then she found the part of his brain that was dedicated to the storage of secrets, and she easily penetrated. What she found there brought forth from her lips a small gasp. So he was a Spy. She froze as the information glided from his mind to hers. He was an active pro-Grader spy; he had already successfully performed his share of missions. His dedication was startling, he truly adored the leaders. She watched his memories like a movie, saw him playing characters at cocktail parties, watched him slink in alleys under the darkness of night. To her great relief and shame, though, there was nothing there about Shadowlack, nothing to hint that he was here to capture information from her. In that aspect, he was completely clean, and the femme fatale withdrew, a sense of sheepish sadness burning in her throat. She was about to return to herself, leaving Javelin’s mind, but at the last minute, she decided to visit another part. Since he had no blocks (she had been surprised to find absolutely nothing stopping her from entering every and any part of his mentality), Okkie could technically invade any sect that she wanted. And so she did. Rapidly, so that he could not suddenly mount walls against her, she prodded forth into the part of his brain that controlled emotions and stored sentiments. She wanted to know something… something important. And when she found what she was looking for — a fathomless feeling of numbness settled over her. The intensity of her discovery caused her to quickly back out of his mind, returning to herself with a sharp intake of breath. The caramel teenager found that during her mental voyage she had slid to the ground. Or perhaps her sudden realization had simply floored her. What she had seen was an amazing, majestic, profound thing… a love so strong and gentle and kind and innocent that it literally took her breath away. Okkie sat in the corner, looking at the dark carpet, her mind whirling and her heart thumping wildly. The love she had seen came from Javelin, but it was not directed at his father, or his mother, or his sister, or his brother. It was for… her. Not only was he innocent of all her accusations, he also adored her, cherished her, felt a moving love for her. It was so pure and untainted that it very nearly made the young female cry as she stooped there on the carpet, completely bewildered, but all the while incredibly elated. “You were telling the truth.” It came as the softest of whispers. “I apologize for making you subject yourself to this. You didn’t deserve my harsh words, you didn’t deserve having to be put under a miscroscope like that. I would blame this all on PMS, but it’s not that time of the month. Ah. I was just stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I totally messed things up, and I see now that I do not deserve the passion you feel for me. I deserve, instead, to be dragged out in the street and shot in the knee caps. Do me a favor, will you? Take me out back and put me out of both our miseries.”
<font color=maroon>in.character - <u>javelin valimos</u></font> Javelin wasn't normally very open. After he had stated his offer, the Spy retreated slightly, mentally, to contemplate the possibilities. If he had misjudged the female before him he could be in serious danger. However, if the caramel-and-marshmallow female had ill intent for the male, or was truly an Anti-Grader who was trying to sneak information out of him, she would probably find herself baffled by the lack of relevant information. Valimos had been officially off-duty for a few weeks. Taking his longer leave so that he might rest and recuperate from another year of work. Now Jace hadn't been entirely honest to himself about that whole resting thing, since he had, still, been working part time. However, there was no reason for anyone to know him as a professional Spy. Most would presume that he was some crony or apprentice among the group, if anything, not some higher-up. The youth shook his head slightly at the thought, shaggy bangs tumbling into his eyes, untouched, this time, seeing as he enjoyed the scratchy feel of his spiked hair - it reminded him that time hadn't stopped. That there was no end of the world coming tumbling down around his ears, that it was going to wait, for a while, at least. The black-and-white male peered quizzically at Okkie, wondering if she would eagerly grasp the chance to peer into his mind. If she seemed too enthusiastic he might throw some mind blocks up to avoid her touch. Though he had dropped them in anticipation of her search. Yet there seemed to be a more quiet approach to the procedure that he relaxed, allowing his barriers to remain down, for now. The salt-and-pepper spy didn't like his family much. They had always been more of a hindrance than a help. Though his mother was fully supportive of his position within the Grader movement, most of his uncles - and even his father, to a certain extent - thought that he was wasting his time. Then again, most of them were sorcerers. Mandrid, Jangor, Laykin, Senkar, and Tempor - all of them brothers. Then there were his father's sisters - Idola, Seilye, and Korina. All three of them were sorceresses, though they were of a more easy art than their brothers. While the brothers were more inclined toward aggressive magic, it was those of home and hearth that interested their sisters. This was fine by Jangor and his siblings, however, considering the fact that Jace's aunts were wives, married to prominent sorcerers from other sorcerer families. They were supposed to carry on the line, too, though they were not disregarded as useless. They were merely a different sort of important. Not meant to defend the family, though they certainly knew little aggressive magics with which they could keep their families safe. The sudden withdrawing of his companion was noticeable. Though his eyes remained open, they were unfocused, his mind shocked as she entered, though he had anticipated it. It screamed for the barriers to be thrown back up, instinct and training warning him that someone could invade any portion of his mind. If there was something more sinister than Okkie that tried to get into his thoughts, however, they would find barriers crossing their path. If that happened, though, he would have to toss Okkie out, as well, lest his attempts to let her search for what she needed allowed the other beast to see in as well. The youth felt strange, for a moment, as if she had uncovered his entire soul to her view, a sudden sense of nervous tension springing up in his soul. Something that she had looked at hadn't been something he had wanted her to see - it was the one thing he hadn't wanted her to see, the only thing that concerned her so directly that it might be crushing to this blooming friendship. Might destroy it because he already wanted more. The male tried to catch Okkie as she crumpled, he really did, but halted himself, seeing that she had come back to herself, knowing what he was about to hear, sure that it would be dismissal. Javelin winced faintly at the words that came forth from her mouth, running a hand through his bangs rather nervously. So she had seen that, had she? There was a dull thud in his heart, a faint ache in his head, then a sudden coldness of realization. She probably didn't want him here. Now that she knew, it was something that would mean he should be the one taken out and shot. The ache of misery that coiled about his heart was almost tangible, shuddering up into his mouth, making the taste on his tongue sour. Sad black eyes peered at the caramel female, a solitary step backward taken as he watched her, wondering what he should do. The cracking sound of his voice wasn't something that he had expected to hear, considering the fact that he didn't remember telling it to speak. <font color=maroon>"Do you want me to leave, Okkatteiru Stormwing?"</font> He inquired, using her full name just to hear it roll sweetly off of his tongue, loving the taste, the flavor, the texture of the vocalized words, the fresh memories that it invoked. Wondering if it would be the last time he said them. It was an initial question ringed with doubt and a dull ache, but it was disregarded as he continued. The faintest of smiles curled his lips. <font color=maroon>"If you don't... would... you... well..."</font> Jace's throat was burning, his heart constricting as he tried to vocalize what he meant, and failed. For once, the rather talented spy hadn't been able to word what he wanted to say in a way that pleased him. It caused a faint frown to tug at his lips, a lost look in his eyes as he considered the way he had heard others phrase it - but they had seemed so fake, so wrong in the way they said it. <font color=maroon>"Okkie, would you do me the great honor of allowing me to court you?"</font> Javelin knew most would have said "go out with me", but that sounded so much like a pair of teenagers. What he meant was something more serious, a thing that meant he had intentions far beyond just those of the here and now, as most of the pendragons of their age would have been hoping for. Just something to appease them for the moment. That wasn't what Jace wanted, so he hadn't phrased it that way - he wanted a committed relationship. Wanted to feel as if she understood that he didn't just want some sort of "fling". Though he hoped she didn't, either. For he didn't work that way.
<h4>Out of Character</h4>*Just felt like mentioning this* The way he asked that reminds me of how one of my friends got asked to prom. The guy handed her a flower and asked he if could have the honor of escorting her to her prom. Hahfunadorable. <h4>In Character</h4>Even though she had long withdrawn from his interior, Okkie could feel the anguish that coursed through her counterpart. She knew that her abrupt accusations had probably stung him, and baffled him to no end. Now she knew that her invasion and reaction to it were paining him even more, so much so that his emotions were palpable upon the stuffy air. Because of this, the female pendragon wanted to retreat into herself, just shrivel up and die, the light of her life snuffed out like a candle. She had violated him, pretty much raped his brain, wringing information out of him like he was some common, filthy criminal. Now, she had to suffer the consequences. But so did he, and that was not fair. It just made Okkie burn with incredible shame and self-loathing, and she held her head in her hands, eyes squeezed shut as she tried to hold back the smoldering tears of guilt. Her heart strings twinged even more painfully when Jace finally spoke, his voice pinched with emotion. Before, she had wanted to hear more of that tremulous timbre, wanted to put her soft ears to his lips and hear his gruff, breathy voice pouring into her mind. Now, the climate had changed dramatically, and every word from his mouth made her stomach sour. Shut up, shut up, please, shut up, she inwardly begged, now clenching her fists against her closed eyes. You’re absolutely torturing me. Your words cut through me like a knife. You… wha? Slowly, Okkie raised her cranium and opened her eyes, her blue and glimmering green eyes moist as they stared at the male across from her. Every lexi had struck her like a blow, but his last fourteen words had a different effect. As she stared at him, she first experienced disbelief. No way, no way. I must have misheard. And then came a pinprick of bittersweet remorse. Even if I heard right, I can’t accept. I can’t forgive myself, and he shouldn’t forgive me. But, overruling everything, there came sweet, succulent elation. Okkie, would you do me the great honor of allowing me to court you? Her hear slammed into her ribcage and a watery smile snaked its way onto her muzzle, and then those hot tears finally fell, giant droplets of emotion that danced down her muzzle and splashed on the fine carpet. “I don’t deserve you. I hurt you. I hurt myself. How can you forgive me for that? But, gods, yes, I would love to be courted by you. If you really mean it?” She never stopped looking at him, an awkward smile decorating her features, but her eyes still oily with sadness. Okkie held out her hands, palm-side up, as if hopeless… as if not daring to believe what he said was real. Then, in belated response to the broken query had he voiced before, she whispered, “No. Never leave. Never, ever leave me.” And still the tears kept cascading.
<font color=maroon>out.of.character - <u>harper thorne</u></font> Aww... if I had a prom, that is how I would want to be asked to it. :geek: :] <font color=maroon>in.character - <u>javelin valimos</u></font> The spy wanted to retreat from this room, to dash away and find somewhere else to lean down and release his emotions. He was used to writing to relieve tension and anger - was accustomed to being able to settle down and write something if he was exceptionally agitated. There was no way to do that without disrupting the fragile status that now clung to this conversation, however, instigated by the touch of that single, possibly fatal, question. What if she said no? The thought made him want to crumple to the ground in a furry mass of sorrow. Yet she hadn't said anything yet and he was standing as tall as ever, watching her, just waiting, waiting for her to reply. Knowing he might not like what she would said - that he was a fool for falling in love so fast, for speaking to the female with such frankness, and letting her into his mind. But he didn't care anymore. Javelin adored her more than his job. It could be lost and he would survive, if she was there beside him. The youth had put his heart and soul on the line - even his very life, for having revealed such deep secrets of the Graders. Jobs he had sworn he wouldn't talk about had been revealed, though he had uttered no word to void his vow. No, he had been invaded. If anyone asked, Javelin could always say that. He had dropped his guard for a moment and she had been in. The male had tried to shove her out. Though he would rather take the blame than see her hurt. Though his heart throbbed painfully as he saw the sorrow in her eyes, the tears that cascaded down her cheeks. The glimmering colors of her bi-toned eyes something beautiful to him, though he wished they were tumbling droplets of joy that stained her vision. The male wasn't surprised as she stared, knowing the question was brupt, premature. Surely she must think him a fool for his love - yet asking her to allow him to court her? Well, that was pure insanity! All trangressions but that could be forgiven. Then came the words. Those sweet lacing verbs, adjectives, and nouns, compounded to create something he would remember forever. Acceptance. Though she seemad uncertain that he was honest in his words. He wanted to reach forward and comfort her, to wrap her up in his arms. There was more that she had to say, though, and he listened in rapt attention. That was it. He stepped forward and stretched out limber arms. Presuming she didn't move, his arms wrapped around her, Jace trying to enfold her in a loving embrace. <font color=maroon>"Yes, I meant it... and never. I'll never leave you, Okkie."</font> Mentally he added 'unless you ask me to', but saw no reason to vocalize it.
Tucked there in the corner, Okkie found herself in a position she had, for a long time, thought she would never be in. She was at her weakest, in love, tears tumbling from her oculars like rain from a thunderhead. There was no trace of meanness or sarcasm in this moment, none of her infamous hot-headed and mischevious nature to taint this time in her life. She was just like any lovesick pendragon, crumpled at the feet of her lover, yearning for his touch and smell, for his voice to melt her ears again. As she cried, the crystal tears sliding down her face now ones of elation, she realized she was just as vulnerable as the next person. For a while there, she had been under the impression that she was a rough and tumble girl, infallible, in need of nobody. Evil and darkness and cunning were the names of her game, and she never had a spare minute to consider love. Lust, sure, but romance had never been given a second glance. Now, though, here she was, tender and malleable, curled up beneath the shadow, his shadow, which fell warmly across her, and she knew. Knew she was in love, that her path in life was curving back towards the light. Although she knew she would not suddenly change her lifestyle, this new aspect of it would definitely give her the inspiration to clean her act up a little. But for now — why muse about the future? Okkie blinked her damp orbs and looked at Javelin once more, her palms still held up for his scrutiny. But she saw in his dark eyes that there was nothing judgemental there, no lurking essence that picked at her imperfections. Instead, there danced the same sort of love and ecstasy she was feeling, and the spring of tears abruptly stopped. Her hands turned over and reached out as Jace stretched for an embrace, and once again they were wound in each other. Now laughing through her drying tears, droplets still clinging to her eyelashes, she grasped her newfound lover and dragged him down to the floor with her. Yet even that was not close enough. Putting well-muscled single arm to use, the female dragged Jace as close as he coud possibly get, without crushing her, and she found herself comfortably squashed between him and the wall. She wriggled a bit to get comfortable, and then she wrapped her toned right arm around his midsection, and lay her cranium against the niche in his sternum. Okkie sighed as she closed her eyes and breathed in his scent, her final strands of sadness and guilt dissipating as she drowned in the refreshingly novel feeling of newborn love. “I thought I was tough shit before this. Thought I ruled the world, thought I had everything figured out, thought I was an independent girl. Then you just walk into my life and shake everything up, and I am so confused. I’m a bad girl, Javelin, I have dark secrets that you will have to know. I can never totally change, don’t even want to, but I know you will inspire me to be a better pendragon. You already have. My gosh, how easy it was to fall in love with you. How along ago did we meet? An hour? Two? And here we are, like lovers in a fantasy, and already I cannot imagine being apart from you. Let’s stay here, spend the night, just talk and talk and talk. Mind probing aside, let’s get to know one another inside out. And perhaps during all this we will find the time to actually drink our Irish mochas!”
<font color=maroon>in.character - <u>javelin valimos</u></font> Javelin Valimos had finally found something he thought was lost - his heart. That throb of feeling that informed him that he was alive, that love was bursting endlessly within his soul, that he would never run out of that affection. Knowing fully that he loved ever contour of his companion's body - that this female, now having accepted him as her boyfriend, was now his girlfriend. That he was permitted to kiss her, someday, that it was alright to have his body close to hers, arms wrapped around her. That he wanted to was a startling fact, something that had never been felt before. He had dates before, sure, real ones where he had a girl he went out with. They had always been short, though. Nothing serious like the courtship that he had intended when he spoke. If he was given half the chance, someday, Jace would propose. If she didn't dump him. For he knew that he would never abandon her, no matter what the circumstances. He would rather die and go to hell than leave her behind. He had meant it when he said he would never leav her. Valimos was a pendragon of his word. The black-eyed male felt a swell of hope in his heart, felt the flame at the tip of his tail turn a soft crimson in relation to his emotion, no longer blank slate gray. There was no reason to conceal what it was supposed to tell - Okkie could knnow it all. Javelin was relieved when she permitted his touch, that she, in fact, welcomed the embrace, dragged him down so that he was closer to her. The first breath he took while close to her allowed the rich scent of her essence to flutter into his nostrils, an aroma that he almost wished he could lay beside forever. If there was a way to capture the smell that proclaimed Okkie, he would have bottled it up and kept it with him forever and for always. Just so that he could remember this day, this time, when he had met her. Even if she ended up tearing him apart, making him die in his own blood, it would be enough to have this moment. Pressed up against her, with every inhale drawing in a fragment of her smell, a soft touch of her being caressing his nose with every breath he took. As she settled carefully, pulling him close, the male leaned slightly toward her, so that he was similarly comfortable, while keeping his newfound love carefully cradled so that she wouldn't be uncomfortable in any way. The words that came were taken in with pricked ears, a sense of interest threading through his body. He wondered, indeed, who she was - or who she had been. Was especially curious about Shadowlack. But it was probably a touchy subject, something that he would find trouble approaching unless he wanted to harm her. <font color=maroon>"What do you think the Principal would think of that, mm?"</font> He inquired teasingly, chuckling softly as he continued. <font color=maroon>"Ah, to hell with Demori and what she might think. I'd rather be on her naughty list and spend the time with you than to be in her greatest favor and be without."</font> Jace was truly joking about Hart - he had nothing against her. Though he doubted she would look for him, seeing as he was permitted to keep the pass for as long as he wanted. Okkie obviously had her ways of being unnoticed.
“Naughty lists, ah. Oh, Jace. I want to tell you everything.” This admission came from her lips as nothing more than a breath formed into words — it was just an abrupt and spontaneous declaration, spurred by the intensity of the sentiments which were flooding through the she-pendragon. She blinked at her own openness, then tilted her head backwards a degree until she could peer into the black oculars of her lover. Okkie almost wanted to apologize for her abruptness, but then she decided, why? The truth never apologized, and it hadn’t been too unexpected. Plus, it was now or never. She had so much to tell Javelin. She wanted him to know everything, felt it was his right and privelege as her sweetheart to own all her truths. Their love could not grow beyond its budding youth if there was no honesty, after all. “Let me start with Shadowlack. It is a gang, nothing more, nothing less, and I am its co-Leader. It is tilted towards the darker side of things. I… well. Jace, I’ve committed murder, albeit indirectly. You’re a spy, you probably heard about the disappearance of that student a few weeks ago? I was responsible for that. I took a few hopefuls out into the woods and forced them to swim across a dangerous pond in order to become members of Shadowlack. You’ve probably also heard teachers talking about the body they found in the lower halls of Janardan, missing its eyes and bleeding all over the place, from mid-Mia? I was there. I watched it, watched as the Evil One took that innocent life. I can be a sick, twisted individual, and I must admit I will not to be able to turn away from that so easily. I like killing, love nothing more than seeing those I hate suffer, bleed, and die. It’s a terrible thing, but it’s the truth, and you deserve nothing less.” For a moment, her throat burned, as if acid were creeping up, thick bile. She remembered asking him earlier about how he felt about the Graders killing their enemies. She had wanted to know just to know, but also because she wanted to get his views on murder in cold blood. Though she had never, per se, had the blood on her own hands, she had definitely done her share to provoke violence, to further it. And the worst part was, she liked it, adored the metallic scent of blood, the sight of it splashed on white walls. Okkie winced, hoping Javelin would not suddenly despise her for her cruelty. She knew how unnattractive it could suddenly make her seem, and she knew Jace had every right in the world to back away from her now, reviled by the lingering stench of blood that was smeared into her coat. But she hoped he would accept her, despite her trespasses, perhaps try to help her wean herself from her bloodlust and hunger for carnage (provided she wanted to be. She would never allow him to make that choice for her). She hoped that he could love her, still so-deeply, killer though she was. “I have other bad habits besides killing. I also… smoke. In fact, I grow my own weed in my dormitory. Don’t ask how I manage to do that… I definitely have the aid of the Evil One’s magic with that one. I don’t smoke too often, and a lot of the time I just have virgin joints so that I can relax, but I thought that was a pretty major thing that I should point out.” Stormwing gave Jace a rather sheepish smile as she let go of him and began to dig in her cargo pockets. In a few seconds, she produced a little tin, and she deftly snapped the lid open with her prehensile thumb. Inside, there were rows of white paper rolls, a design decorating each of them near one end. Some of the insignia were blue, and the others red, and Okkie knew that they were color-coded to indicate whether there was marijuana content inside them. But she figured Javelin did not want to hear much more about this particular dark secret, and so she shut the lid slowly and put the little case back in her pocket. Her movements were hesitatant and deliberate, as she was trying to stall before her final confession, the one which would be the most difficult of all to tell him… “This is the one that is hardest to admit. I’m not a virgin. Not too long ago, I seduced and was seduced by my roommate, and we… we did it all. I know it probably burns your ears to hear this, but I want you to know. Though I don’t have regrets — such a waste of emotion — I do wish I could approach you as a pure angel. The only thing I can say in my defense is that I only did it once, and that it was just physical motions, nothing more. I have never made love before. Perhaps you will one day get that honor? It would be mine, as well.” She blushed a deep carmine color, a tinge which rose up beneath her chocolate fur. Though she had no doubt their love was deep, the subject of intimacy was still foreign. Talking about her sensual romp with Tirran, and possible future ones of their own, was both embarrassing and silly, and she bit her lip and folded her ears back as she gave him a plaintive look. Well, she’d laid herself out on the line, had nothing left that was hidden from him. Now she just had to sit there and wait, her innards clenched as she wondered: Will he take me as I am, or take the opportunity to get away as fast as he possibly can…?
<font color=maroon>in.character - <u>javelin valimos</u></font> The words that came first were greeted with a suddenly solemn look to his entire face, a shroud of concern as he waited for the continuation he was sure would come. When it did, he almost wished he didn't have to know. That Okkie would have held back this dirty secret from his heart, that it might not touch him in a manner that was far from indirect. He could almost feel the bloodlust, the sense of a quenched thirst at the sight of blood being spilt onto the eager ground, tainting it forever with the wicked touch of life's liquid. Something that made him tingle all over with a sense of something otherworldly, as if he had brushed against a different part of himself in the process of contemplating his beloved's dark secret. Yet there was something of firm resolution in his heart, a vague whisper of understanding that threaded through his entire body in a sympathetic wave. Jace had never hurt anyone on purpose because he didn't want to - had avoided any missions where he might have to. Maybe it was because he was afraid that he would like it, that his claws loved the feel of dried blood, his heart thumped more quickly for the smell of it, surged forward in predatory interest even at the smell of one of his own's death. The reek of someone's end something that could be enjoyed? He had never thought of it before, really. Had avoided the thought, actually. Now Okkie had brought him to it, dragged him before his fears. The male's face was schooled to be expressionless, because he didn't think it was time to speak, didn't want to halt her words, wanted to hear her voice, whether it spoke of blood or chocolate. The male didn't know how to vocalize what he wanted to say, anyway. That he had never killed anyone? That it hurt his soul at the mere thought of trying it out, of even viewing it. Because he was afraid of hurting someone and enjoying it, losing himself in a bloodthirsty trance he only felt in his dreams. Though he was trained in how to defend himself, how to kill with daggers, poisons, and the even the sword he occasionally carried, the youth had never needed to. His heart never stopped loving her, though, nor did it change its position even in the slightest. There was an untainted purity that cast his warm glow of adoration upon Okkie despite her faults. Or maybe because of them, because he wanted to see her become the pendragon she wanted to be. If that was a vicious assassin, then so be it. He would support her, so long as she didn't try to harm the Graders. Though it seemed silly to think that, as he loved her beyond his adoration and loyalty to his monarches, the black-eyed spy wasn't about to let someone he knew as going to assassinate his leaders go through with it - not while they were with him. If he knew that she was Anti-Grader, that would be fine, as long as she didn't try and slash up the throats of the rulers of Ramath-lehi. If she spied for the Anti faction, he would, naturally, have to avoid telling her anything about his job. That he could deal with. But assassinating the Graders? He couldn't permit that, just because it would scream against everything he stood for. His faction would kill them both if they found out he had known about the attempt and hadn't stopped her, anyway. The second secret was taken in with more relief. Smoking was alright, seeing as there might be repercussions she didn't want, but the ginger female was permitted to make her own choices. He would not force her to take his own views. Because of his duties, his jobs, he never took anything more dangerous than a simple cigarette. Even that was only if he absolutely had to, however, seeing as he didn't want to harm his body in any way, shape, or form, and he saw all drugs and the like as body-and-mind harmers. That was something he wouldn't risk. Javelin had to be completely with it and controlled all of the time. Otherwise he could get himself caught - could reveal something he didn't want to reveal. The same reason he wasn't a heavy drinker. As Okkie released her hold on him, the male peered curiously at her. As she opened the container, the male looked at the white rolls, decorated by red or blue. Nostrils flared, a faint nod given, more to himself than to her. That was definitely marijuana, though how much, he couldn't exactly tell. He was no drug sniffer, merely a spy. Valimos could recognize it when he smelled it, that was how he avoided having it put in his drink or something. Head shook slightly as she seemed reluctant to continue speaking, though the black-eyed male wanted to put in his own words, he understood that she wasn't complete. The last words almost made him want to crumple right then and there, to peer at her in a quizzical manner. Because that caused a sudden rise of emotion in the eighteen-year-old, as well, his face flaming red at the mere thought of Okkie... with another guy... Hell, in many ways, it made him jealous. He would murder the one who had taken her virginity, if 'Kie had seemed the slightest bit inclined to hate this other male. Despite his fears of spilling blood, the male would do it to someone who had touched her in that way, if it was something that Stormwing regretted. Yet these thoughts faded in response to the last words. Someday... would they? He wanted to, someday, ask her to be his forever, to be bound to him forever in mateship as his wife - though he wasn't sure that she would accept, being the free spirit that she was. There was time, anyway, and it didn't matter. However, the black-eyed spy found that his thoughts wandered to him and her... well, he stopped them rather quickly. There was no reason to get even more red than he already was, though the color was fading as he watched her. The plaintive look, the pinned ears, the strangely nervous way she looked to him in that moment. Vulnerable and revealed before him, in a far more intimate manner than even if she had been without her clothing. There was the faintest of smiles dusting his lips, as he replied, but it was one that was full of love and... forgiveness? Acceptance, more like. <font color=maroon>"Okkie... I'm glad you felt that you could tell me all of this, I really am."</font> There was an encouraging and grateful look on his face, then, as he continued. <font color=maroon>"I don't think I could ever tell you how grateful, either. I have just one question... who is this 'Evil One'?"</font> While he wanted to get off of the subject of all of this stuff, to let her calm down, to make drink their mochas and talk about more pleasant things, that title was the one thing that had stuck with him.
Okkie had a tough time gauging his exact reactions as Javelin processed the information. Her bright orbs watched his patterned face closely, saw the expressions shift and melt from one to the next. She saw hurt underscoring every one of his other emotions, and from thereon came sadness, disappointment, and even anger. The female pendragon felt her heart squeeze inside her rib cage as all these sentiments flashed across his features, and in them she tried to read his judgement. His verdict. For some reason, she felt more nervous than she had ever felt before — just sitting there, against him, waiting for her side to become cold as he left her in disgust. But that moment never did come. Just as Okkie lifted her single arm to agitatedly brush back her short, bladed mop, Jace gave her a look of acceptance, if not approval. All the other feelings that had been clouding his façade cleared away, and Okkie was left to shine under an encouraging, beaming smile. In that moment, a feeling of gratitude coursed through her, ran like blood through her veins. She suddenly realized just how much she liked this male, and how much she seeked his approval. She wanted him to like her. Nay, she wanted him to love her, and now that she knew he did, well… the realization was staggering. But not so much that it prevented Okkie from displaying her delighted reaction — returning his grin, the caramel femme threw her right arm around his neck, and clung to him, burying her muzzle in his sternum even as he inquired about the Evil One. For a moment, Okkie merely let his question hang on the air. She was far too comfortable where she was, nuzzling and cuddling against her new lover. Not only was he warm and perfectly molded to cup her bodice against his, he felt and smelled lovely. The texture of his pelt against her own soothed and excited the banded teenager, and she found herself rubbing her digits, rolling and kneading them against his back. Just adoring the way his flesh and fur felt beneath her fingertips. Meanwhile, she placed her nose against his throat, inhaling that tang of maleness and tenderness, the bouquet she would forever associate with him. She could not really describe it aptly, even to herself, but as she finally drew away with a smile, she had to admit there was a tinge of Irish mocha laced in the tips of his hair. “The Evil One? My leader in Shadowlack, and also my consort in bad deed. She is really my only close confidante. And though she may not be the best influence on me, I will follow her anywhere. Even," And she peered deeply into Javelin’s eyes, her countenance now carrying a more grim manifestation, “To the grave, as it were. And the one thing that I truly beg that you never ask me, never, before all other things, is to leave her, abandon her. I am loyal and I am just. Never ask of me that I depart from her; she is a soul-friend, we are bound by things you could never imagine."
<font color=maroon>in.character - <u>javelin valimos</u></font> There was an instant twist in his heart, a sort of stab to his soul, the harsh jolt of invisible fingers against his rib cage. Something about her words made him want to curse aloud and leave to sort out his thoughts. To regather the scattered papers that had been a vital part of today's going-ons. Yet the male remained there, feeling lost and forlorn for the first time in a long time. As if the entire world had suddenly decided that there was no reason for him to exist within time and space, had ripped him out of what he knew, and placed him into a whole 'nother life. The mere insanity of the fact that he had fallen so heavily made Jace want to push away, too. Knowing very well that if the Graders or his Watcher knew, there would be quite the talk for him. Eyes flickered abruptly with emotion, though it was unplacable, even if it was evident within black depths. There was something wrong with the picture, something that didn't fit, here. Not Okkie or him, they were right, somehow. Though he could never explain just how to anyone. Was there a spy here? Someone who had been sent to trail him? Surely their eyebrows must have shot up at the private room he had taken up with Okkie. If there was a spy watching him, however, they would presume that Javelin had "finally gotten laid", as they would have put it, back at the base. Always teasing him. They considered him the funless spy - thought that "getting some" (again, their phrasing) was the best part of being a spy. Which was why he was almost a freelancer who just happened to be Pro-Grader, thus, he worked for them. Invisible within the tangled web of hierarchy and foolish attempts to scramble to the top of the ladder. That was how he wanted to be, how he would remain. Though, given the chance, all of his so-called "comrades" would leap at the chance to get anything on him - to get him out of the Society. It was pathetic, really. Jace was tempted to kiss her, due to the close proximity of their bodies. However, because he had never graced anyone with that honor, trivial though it was, the male felt nervous at the thought. Due to what she had told him, earlier, Valimos knew that she must have kissed before, seeing as she had obviously done much, much, more. Irritation smoldered unhappily in his heart at the hesitation that was his trademark. Never a brash one, Javelin. That was another reason that there was so much trust in him, he was always cool and collected. Now there was something wrong with that, at least at that moment. Valimos would rather be a bold beast who would lean in, would let his nose touch hers, his muzzle run alongside her own fur, rubbing in such a manner that displayed his affection. Yet there had been no real, solid proof that she would accept such a thing in the state she was in. He didn't doubt that someday he would kiss her, but Javelin knew very well that she wasn't exactly happy right now, regardless of the fact that he was here. The things she had brought up were personal, intimate details that, it was likely, none knew except Javelin - and this "Evil One", Kakosenas. They were so close, molded in an embrace that just felt right, though Javelin couldn't explain why. The male would be happy to be enfolded within the arms of the caramel-and-cream lady for the rest of his life, if such a thing were possible. Of course it wasn't. That didn't stop him from thinking about it. He leaned into the embrace, though, his muzzle resting smoothly against her neck, curved so that his cheek was placed delicately against the ginger pendragon's shoulder. Just inhaling her scent that was, in essence, Okkie herself. It reminded him of gingersnaps and cocoa, of a warm fire blazing on a cold winter's night. Yet also of poisons and dark alleys, of saccharine crimson blood, something that his predatory senses automatically responded positively to. It wasn't the smell of his own wound, but, rather, the scent of an enemy defeated, of someone hated forced to tumble down toward the ground. These darker things were trivial compared to the warmth and chocolate he would now forever associate with Okkie, on purpose or not. Though he would prefer to remain in that position for a longer period of time, he pulled back slightly to respond to her prior words. <Font color=maroon>"I'd never ask you to do such a thing, Okkie."</font> Was his simple reply to the emphasized matter of her staying with Kakos. <font color=maroon>"Though someday, I suppose, you shall have to let me meet her? Judging by your description, it would definitely be interesting."</font> There was a curling, charismatic smile that moved his lips delicately, such a contended, affectionate quirk that most that knew him would be shocked to see it on Javelin's face.
<h4>Out of Character</h4>Thought I would wrap this particular thread up, and we should have a new one as soon as possible, eh? Probably when I’m a lot less scarce. ;) Lyrics belong to Daniel Bedingfield. <h4>In Character</h4>As each slow moment passed by, the heat betwixt his and hers bodies became more welcome and comforting. Okkie seemed to be sinking into Jace’s infinite warmth, as her figure melted and molded against his side. But, Hélas, she was not satisfied with this simple level of affection. Sitting side by side would no longer suffice. Thus, even as the male spoke, caramel pendragon became deaf to the world, numb to everything but his embrace and their new love. She leaned against him, pushed gently, and then slipped sideways. Her head now in his lap, left cheek against cotton material. Her muscular right arm dangled across his legs, idly playing with the rough fabric. Okkie sighed, suddenly more comfortable and at home than she had ever been before. For a moment, she let her mismatched orbs slide shut, her tail stirring slightly behind her as she mulled, and then a few whispered lyrics she breathed forth from restful maw. “If you’re not the one, then why does my soul feel glad today? If you’re not the one, then why does my hand fit yours this way? If you are not mine, then why does your heart return my call? If you are not mine, would I have the strength to stand at all? We never know what the future brings, but I know you’re here with me now. We’ll make it through and I hope you are the one that I share my life with.” As she sang softly, the devil’s laces swift in her silky voice, Okkie fell into a sort of trance. She was wrapped tightly in a blanket of love, its tepid heat warm against her soul and spirit. Her mind and her body were at peace, and every muscle was stilled. That was, except for her heart, both of their hearts. As she lay there, her left ear against Javelin’s stomach and lap region, she could sense the drumming of his pulse. Sang coursed sluggishly through his veins, and she noticed that the cadence was just even with her breathing. How sweetly, perfectly romantic. In like a lion, out like a lamb, they say. Okkie, once more, your heart beats in time with another’s. Kanji-marked female chortled softly, then closed her eyes, now begging for sleep to come, in the arms of her love, as she sighed the last words of her song. <b>“I don’t wanna run away. But I can’t take, it I don't understand — If I’m not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am? Is there any way that I can stay in your arms…?”<b>
