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Post by Caleb Hash on Jun 7, 2014 22:32:54 GMT -5
A snarled word made sure the doors of the Lion's Paw yielded to him. Caleb's assured grip onto Aurelie tugged her inside and he flicked his hand behind him, summoning the "CLOSED" sign into his open palm and set it onto the table. Then the disheveled barkeep waved his fingers over the door, casting both a locking and strengthening charm on the them for good measure.
Now that they were inside, in the dark and empty tavern, they were safe. Aurelie may not have known it, but Caleb knew there were a multitude of old enchantments on the place which would keep them sheltered from a simple summer storm.
He found himself slightly breathless as they stood in the quiet space, save the storm outside.
Caleb's touch still had not left Aurelie's skin.
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Post by Aurelie Enchantez on Jun 8, 2014 16:01:36 GMT -5
Aurelie allowed herself to be dragged along through the storm, too frightened to speak any protest. Caleb seemed angry, and Aurelie felt guilty. Was he angry because she was so... Incapable? It was always so painfully obvious when she was afraid, and she felt so stupidly weak.
Aurelie stood there, numb, swallowing hard as she shivered in fear, still soaked from swimming and shaken from running in the downpour. She hung her head, staring at her and Caleb's feet.
Cra-kow!
Lightening split the sky, shattering into a mosaic. Aurelie nearly jumped out of her own skin and ended up slamming into Caleb's chest. She instinctively buried her head against him, almost knocking them both over.
"Ah-I hope this ends s-s-soon..!" Aurelie gritted her teeth and clenched her eyes shut, trying to block out the terror outside.
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Post by Caleb Hash on Jun 9, 2014 18:04:49 GMT -5
Before Caleb could think of what to do next, lightning flared and thunder sounded overhead. Suddenly Aurelie's face nestled into the barkeep's bare chest. On instinct, Caleb pulled her fully against him, holding her there firmly. He was acting as a shield by reflex, not having thought about his actions. Arms were wrapped around her, one hand on the back of her head and the other around her waist. His body language gave off a persuasive obstinance; she'd be fine here.
Realizing their still-wet bodies, the tall man gestured his fingers into a fist, seemingly having grabbed all the moisture from them and flicking it to the floor for now. For a few moments, as the storm raged particularly loudly overhead, Caleb held Aurelie still. Here, his fingers could feel how soft the student's long curls were - he noted that they smelled nice.
Thick brows sunk low over dark eyes, Cal letting intuition take over. Another wave of his hand, a beckoning gesture, brought his six-string bobbing down the spiral staircase in mid-air.
As the guitar floated into his outstretched hand, the man gently let go of Aurelie. He took a few paces back; as he did so, the candles set into holders along the outside of the spiral staircase railing lit up, their light cascading from the center of the room. Aurelie's form was now backlit by the soft candlelight. Caleb's inelegance returned to him, face becoming hot as he coughed and looked down at his guitar.
He reached out and touched the small of her back, leading her towards the bar. Once there, Cal gestured to a stool awkwardly as he headed behind the bar. I need to put some space between us. He sat down, quickly checking the tuning. After assuring all sounded correct, he finally spoke up.
"I hope this helps." The words were simple and slow, but plainly sincere despite his aloof expression. Slowly, Caleb began to play. The tune sounded warm - almost waltz-like - and relaxed, repeating chord progressions in what he hoped was a pacifying manner. The stuffiness of the space inside the bar seemed to diffuse.
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Post by Aurelie Enchantez on Jun 10, 2014 18:43:52 GMT -5
Aurelie realized she clung to Caleb only after he moved her to a stool, and her face burned red. The bar made itself more accommodating, and she sat trepidly, the sky continuing to break itself apart, crashing over the earth. She shivered in fear, but started hearing music. Too soft, at first, before growing to a steady piano.
Swaying to the music after a few refrains, Aurelie began to recognize the music, and began humming along. Slowly, she began singing with the strumming of the guitar.
"You, give me, something
That makes me scared, alright
This could be, nothing
But I'm willing to give it a try.
Please give me, something
Cause someday I might kno-o-ow my heart..."
Aurelie was full out belting the tune and rocking on her stool. Caleb's plan had worked. Aurelie feared the storm no longer. And she smiled.
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Post by Caleb Hash on Jun 10, 2014 23:24:49 GMT -5
The dulcet notes of Aurelie's voice drifted across the air, accompanied well by Caleb's skillful strumming. He'd actually not heard this particular song before, only seeming to have stumbled into an identical chord progression. He didn't mind at all; his broad, bare shoulders moved easily, fingertips flicking across the strings freely.
Dark eyes flitted up to catch her smile. Caleb's hands did not betray him yet his jaw slackened slightly and his eyes widened a little bit. He gave a shake of his head, hair falling in front of his eyes. Swallowing silently, the young wizard ducked his head back down and continued to play, putting more effort into his actions. The feeling of her up against him from earlier made his skin tingle, but he tried not to think about it.
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Post by Aurelie Enchantez on Jun 13, 2014 23:08:11 GMT -5
"You only waited up for hours
Just to a little time alone with me...
I can say I've never bought you flowers,
I can't work out what they mean...
I never thought...."
Just as the verse came to a crescendo, Aurelie's singing dropped and she quieted to a hum, looking at Caleb. Unrequited feelings stole at her.
"...that was someone else's dream...." Aurelie quieted again, her hands gripping the seat of the stool between her thighs. There was another loud crack, but she didn't jump. She just sat, quiet, morose. But finally..
"..Hey, could you teach me guitar? So I can play for myself.." strong. Independent. Complete front.
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Post by Caleb Hash on Jun 13, 2014 23:47:21 GMT -5
Her words washed over the barkeep, seeming to infect him with the same calm that Aurelie now felt. Even her presence near to him in the dimly-lit space quelled a churning inside of him He was unsure as to what this feeling was, exactly, but he knew that he liked the taste of it. He enjoyed her company.
The power in Aurelie's voice was building, and it caused Caleb's muscles to bunch up as he played on, ready to release into the sweet crescendo that his musical inclination told him would be coming… Only, she cut herself off. Feeling a distinct dissonance now, the wizard's head snapped up, eyes locked on her.
Teach her? His fingernail scraped over two of the strings in his surprise, causing an obnoxious noise. He flinched, then studied her face momentarily.
"What …right now?" Cal's words had held no ill-will, just a slightly gruff edge to an otherwise mystified tone. He lifted an eyebrow and shifted in his seat, only the sound of rain permeating the air.
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Post by Aurelie Enchantez on Jun 13, 2014 23:53:46 GMT -5
"Sure," Aurelie slipped back into her smooth smile, trying to hide the hurt. That was someone else's dream.... "Why not?" She wouldn't be going anywhere in the storm, and Caleb was kind enough he'd insist against such a foolish thing anyhow. Not much left to lose.
"Unless you're suddenly shy again.."
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Post by Caleb Hash on Jun 14, 2014 0:16:38 GMT -5
Blinking off his slight surprise, Caleb's brow now lowered and creased. Ah. An easy shrug and a nod signalled his compliance as he thought, I remember - changeable.
Caleb stood, his guitar twanging softly with his movement. That warm churning in his gut persisted, though he was choosing to remain indifferent to it for the time being.
It was an interesting predicament for him since he could sense that sensation powering his limbs as he swung his legs up to hop swiftly over the bar. It was pumping his blood - he could feel it - as he moved behind Aurelie. Here, Cal's arms reached languidly around her to place the guitar on her lap. Then, his movement fluid now, his fingers grasped her hands. He took his time moving them: one to rest on the frets and the other over the side of the base to hang in front of the strings.
"So," he said, voice quiet and holding no pretense as his mouth rested near her ear, "what do you want to know?"
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Post by Aurelie Enchantez on Jun 14, 2014 0:41:23 GMT -5
Aurelie smirked playfully at Caleb's confusion, sitting upright and crossing her legs. Within seconds, though, the man was over the bar and coming up behind her. She stiffened, eyes widening. How was he so fast? He seemed so tired and slow most of the time..
Aurelie's skin was suddenly alight from his touch; it left a burning sensation behind. 'If this is what it's like to burn, I wouldn't mind...' His chest was pressed lightly against her from proximity, couldn't be helped, and neither could her choppy breathing now.
Caleb leaned in, a little extra close it seemed, and the sudden wisp of breath against her ear made Aurelie prickle in the best way.
"Uhh.." was all she could manage for a moment as Aurelie blinked her saucer-sized eyes, her long lashes enhancing the effort to maintain her cool. For another moment, she could only focus on what she felt from Caleb, her racing pulse, and staggered breathing. Finally, she managed out a low, raspy "..the basics.."
Her neck and ear were still tingling.
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Post by Caleb Hash on Jun 22, 2014 13:21:33 GMT -5
Previously, his eyes were on her hands, which were now resting on his guitar. A small tilt of his head and he saw her blink. His own half-lidded gaze paused, taking in the curve of her cheek, letting the texture of her hair where it touched his shirtless skin distract him for a fraction of a second.
That fraction was still longer than he intended.
He found his voice. "Basics…" The tone matched hers - a bit gruff and muted. Though, he didn't need to speak loudly now that they were this close.
Caleb's thumb brushed over hers as he repositioned his right hand to grip hers more firmly. One by one, he helped her pick each string from top to bottom, whispering each string name to her as he did so. "E… A… D… G… B… and E again." Caleb repeated their picking of the six strings ndividually, saying their names once more. He then led her fingers to strum once over all six strings demonstratively; he grinned at the sound reflexively.
"Now," he paused to shift his weight, "can you repeat them on your own?"
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Post by Aurelie Enchantez on Jun 22, 2014 13:48:09 GMT -5
Aurelie turned her head as Caleb's hands took hers.
Just turn me around and kiss me.. she thought. Do it, stop toying with me.. But he didn't. He started doing exactly as she'd asked instead. His hands were rough, slightly calloused, and his movements were self assured, but he still seemed gentle.
Aurelie forced herself to focus, but Caleb's wisp of breath caught her ear again, and her skin prickled with goosebumps. She forced herself to breathe carefully.
"E.. A.. D.. G, B, E. Right?" Aurelie rushed through plucking the strings, and very gently strummed twice. She allowed herself to scoot back just the smallest distance to have her body brush against Caleb's. Was he even interested, or just being nice?
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Post by Caleb Hash on Dec 21, 2014 13:56:46 GMT -5
"Mmhmm. Do you... play any other instruments? Or just sing?" This was Caleb's way of expressing how impressed he was feeling. He figured maybe she might have some help with the instrument since she was really talented at singing, but she still seemed quick on the uptake so far.
Now he really was concentrating more on the task she'd given him than his complex emotional upswings. She might not realize it, but still waters run deep and Caleb was not above savoring how close the two were. Where the barkeep had always seen murky waters in matters of sexuality, Aurelie's reflection was becoming more and more clear to him. Objectively, he knew what this meant - he wasn't completely clueless - but dealing with these feelings... was really new and, frankly, scary. The man could be quite talented in his own right when compartmentalizing feelings on the subject, so he put a proverbial lid on it.
For now.
Cal wasn't going to insult her obvious musical intellect by having her practice the strings so onto chords it was. "All right, next are chords. Here's an easy one: G." As he moved his own fingers into position and strummed to show her, the bottom E string snapped, lashing at his thumb. Caleb hissed, nostrils flaring. The weather continued to churn and grumble outside.
"Hold on, let me fix this." Caleb brought both ends of the string together and rubbed them together, repairing the string. However, albeit curiously to Aurelie, left his thumb alone.
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Post by Aurelie Enchantez on Jan 4, 2015 22:57:46 GMT -5
Aurelie blushed. Hard. Her cheeks grew feverish as she replied to Caleb.
"I don't.." Aurelie had to clean her throat, and it hurt. Her throat had become parched suddenly. Quietly, she rushed a mumbled reply. "I'm not really good or very musical. ." She looked down at the guitar and concentrated all her effort to learn the chord. But something interrupted even that, of course. And with the snap of the string, something snapped in her.
Of course.. Then Why didnt he heal himself..? Men..
Aurelie, quick on the draw as ever, muttered while gripping the amulet around her neck. After healing Caleb's wound, she felt like Caleb only cared about his guitar. Maybe he did. She grumped inwardly, brooding at the storm outside. Hopefully it would let up and she could leave soon.
But something else came to Aurelie too.
What if Caleb's guitar was to him as her hats were to her? Suddenly feeling very foolish, and a touch ill, Aurelie lowered her head. The rain became softer, gentler, kinder for those sad souls like hers right now.
Soft enough to get home in.
Aurelie slid off the stool. "Hey, looks like the rain let up!" Bright. Cheerful. Fake. "Well... I'm sorry you had to save a poor sob like me in the storm. I owe you one. Um.." Awkward pause. Awkward
C'mon, Aure, put up your smooth mask. Put your proverbial hat on and get going. Home is warmer anyway. Big quilt, mug of cocoa, books...
"I'm sure I can make it home now. Thank you." Quiet, sincere. "Just let me know how I can repay you sometime." And Aurelie was at the door. Soft as a floating feather and quick as the wind. How had she managed into Clay with this behavior? It was so deeply unlike who she thought she was.
Or was it really?
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Post by Caleb Hash on Jan 5, 2015 1:25:48 GMT -5
He couldn't help himself, his face twisting up and shoulders bunching as she healed his thumb. The musician didn't like relying on magic for his guitar-playing - if his skin didn't toughen up then he'd be wasting his time treating it after every snapped string and hard fret press. The feeling was dissonant with the cooling feeling of the healing magic.
A soft noise of confusion punctuated Aurelie's stilted excuse. Caleb saw right through her false tone: he could tell she wanted to get out of here… and he found himself not blaming her. The man didn't think it was him, really. He only hoped that the place wasn't smothering her, too. That's the last thing he wanted… Because maybe she might not come back.
Cal's expression settled once she slipped out from under him. Eyes squinting slightly, he put down his guitar and stared at her, rising from his seat. He felt like there was some flint catching sparks in his chest earlier, only to be extinguished by her excuse, by that rain outside.
"You don't have to insist on repaying me." Caleb jammed his hands into his pockets, still gazing at her. He was being plain, repaying he quiet candor in kind. "And you don't have to go out into that rain if you don't want to."
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Thank you and welcome to SMA!