|
Post by Jaiden on Apr 13, 2007 11:08:28 GMT -5
All in all, it was a decent gimmick. Performers typically worked better in pairs, but if nothing else, something flashy like that would at least get their attention. That's not what Jaiden really cared about right now, though. It was more the fact that Aubrey was capable of such a thing that prompted the wide-eyed look he was giving him. "Erm... when exactly did you start creating fire out of thin air? When where you planning on telling me about that? Couldn't you just have burned the inn down in Iodar?" It was a string of rather unfair questions, but you couldn't really blame him. Here he was, impressed with his own abilities in making people believe he could do some sort of magic, and the boy he'd been charged with could apparently do the actual stuff. It was a little jarring, to say the least.
|
|
Aubrey
Initiate
.:Look, but don't touch:.
Posts: 215
|
Post by Aubrey on Apr 13, 2007 16:03:24 GMT -5
Aubrey flushed brightly, his own eyes a bit wide. "W-well.." he began, the slight stutter a sign of nerves. There were a lot of questions, and he was just too timid normally anyways. "When I was in Iodar, I never had any time to practice, and if I ever tried, I'd get.. hurt."
He bit his lip. Beatings were bad enough without accidentally lighting one's self on fire. Yet, he showed no marks from it. He had felt his flesh burn, but the skin had not changed. A strange occurrance indeed. "I was waiting to tell you until I could actually control it a bit.. I couldn't aim for anything, and anything I had tried to burn before was always random, and it always fizzled out too quickly to do anything.. I only just got the hang of it.."
More flushing. It was all true.. He could only make little sparks before, and he couldn't control them. He'd been practicing every time that Jaiden wasn't looking directly at him, working hard now that he actually had a chance to practice. He'd had a decent amount of time when his companion had taken a bath, perfecting the juggling trick. Making small balls of fire and juggling them was just about all he could do right now, though. If he concentrated hard enough and practiced more, he could get better faster.
|
|
|
Post by Jaiden on Apr 16, 2007 16:01:39 GMT -5
He couldn't really describe how he felt. Betrayed? That was a little too strong, not to mention irrational and unfair to Aubrey. Sure, no one liked things being hidden from them, and Jaiden had a secret of his own, but he didn't think of that at the moment. Perhaps it was the voice in his head telling him that Aubrey really could've done something to help them out - that he didn't have to sell off all his belongings and give up every single Ka to his name. The kid wouldn't lie to him, though. Jaiden sighed deeply and ran his fingers through his hair, nodding. "Alright, well... it could work. Don't be surprised if it doesn't, though. People expect entertainers to be followed up by more entertainers, and fortune telling might not be their thing. That's fine. We'll give it a try."
It was a sort of escape for Jaiden... falling into the business part of his mind was much easier than he ever expected. Maybe it was harder to escape the influence of his parents than he thought, but in a way, he was grateful. Emotions could be ugly sometimes, and it was easier to think of everything in the objective "how can I make money with it?" sense than blaming Aubrey for their situation. He just hoped he didn't have to rely on it too much. "We should probably get started."
|
|
Aubrey
Initiate
.:Look, but don't touch:.
Posts: 215
|
Post by Aubrey on Apr 16, 2007 19:26:47 GMT -5
Ah, but poor Aubrey probably felt even worse, firstly for not saying anything until now, and secondly because he was pretty sure that Jaiden was upset with him because of it. When he'd been home in Telsey, he hadn't had any friends, and when in Iodar, his only friend had been killed. Now he was convinced that he'd upset his newest friend, and dear gods, was that upsetting.
He bit his lip and nodded, looking down a bit. He was trying hard not to look upset, but it was a bit difficult for him to mask his emotions. "Okay.." he said, voice soft as he fiddled with a strand of blonde hair. "Where should we start..?"
|
|
|
Post by Jaiden on Apr 17, 2007 1:16:19 GMT -5
It would probably be for the best if Jaiden could realize how unintentionally cruel he was being, but hell, he was just a kid himself... not even in his eighteenth year. That was asking a bit much of a teenager to not be selfish, wasn't it? He still ducked his head a bit, but for the most part, didn't think he'd done anything wrong. "We'll take a walk around the local area. Find the most popular spot, and just set up there... I suppose." The youth blushed and nodded, looking towards the door. "Do you think you can do that in front of a crowd? Without getting nervous?"
|
|
Aubrey
Initiate
.:Look, but don't touch:.
Posts: 215
|
Post by Aubrey on Apr 17, 2007 15:22:40 GMT -5
Aubrey bit his lip in thought, unsure of himself as he considered it. Strange how he'd failed to realize that he'd be performing in front of a possible crowd. He should have expected it, he knew he should have, and yet he hadn't.. At least Jaiden's question brought Aubrey's mind temporarily away from his self-disappointment.
"Uh.. w-well.. I can try," he said finally, nodding at Jaiden. His eyes were large, full of an eagerness to try, a willing-to-please sort of look about him.. Almost like a puppy that wants to make its owner proud..
|
|
|
Post by Jaiden on Apr 18, 2007 0:13:40 GMT -5
The sad part was that he didn't even feel guilty about this whole "shutting out Aubrey" thing. It was a natural reaction - like a defense, or something close to it. Jaiden wasn't all that much different from other confused teenagers in that he was prone to irrational behavior, even when dealing with someone like Aubrey, who was so delicate that he had to be handled like a glass figurine. He gave a short stare with those brilliant green eyes before turning to leave without a word. The other would find him upstairs, changing... apparently he so enveloped in his business mindset that he didn't wait to change into his robes, and didn't even close the door all the way.
|
|
Aubrey
Initiate
.:Look, but don't touch:.
Posts: 215
|
Post by Aubrey on Apr 18, 2007 6:42:56 GMT -5
Oh, gods! He hates me..! kept running through Aubrey's mind as he fought off tears, walking somberly up to the room. A sympathetic hand reached to him, but he did not know the owner, and with a fear-stricken face, he ran from it, stopping outside of their room to catch his breath. Crystal blue eyes glistening with tears caught the sight inside the room, and immediately, his cheeks flared with red.
He abated his eyes, stared at the floor, bit his lip.. waited. What was he waiting for? After a moment, when he was pretty sure-- but not positive-- that Jaiden was finished changing, Aubrey dared to enter the room, eyes still at the floor as he shut the door behind him and leaned against it, fiddling now with a strand of blonde yet again. He said nothing.
|
|
|
Post by Jaiden on Apr 18, 2007 20:46:41 GMT -5
It was almost scary, how quickly he could change - ever since the "rescue," Jaiden had found better parts of himself that he hardly knew existed. Kindness, altruism, all that sort of thing... but the young man who turned his attention to the closed door probably reminded Aubrey more of vampyre than his friend, all the way down to the drawn hood. It was part of the performance, of course, hiding his face, but there was something about it that got his blood rushing as well. As if it was permission to be something else entirely - for him it usually was, typically the guise of the fortune-teller. He smirked at the sight of the other boy, who seemed upset... typical.
All in all, Aubrey was a lot of work, both physically and emotionally. Maybe this was Jaiden's own way of "snapping." He hadn't been through everything that the other had, but it was a burden all the same, and he felt like he deserved something in return. His soft footsteps brought him closer, close enough to see those tears welling up... then Jaiden leaned in, kissing them away, the soft fabric of his hood brushing Aubrey's forehead. His lips only lingered so long there before they drifted further down, allowing him to steal the kiss he'd wanted to be willingly given. No, he wasn't proud of this particular side of his personality, but you couldn't keep it in forever...
|
|
Aubrey
Initiate
.:Look, but don't touch:.
Posts: 215
|
Post by Aubrey on Apr 18, 2007 21:52:50 GMT -5
It was hard for Aubrey not to find himself a little intimidated by Jaiden, dressed like that, looking so.. so.. not Jaiden.. And then-
Stunned. Aubrey was completely stunned. He.. Jaiden.. kiss..? Aubrey liked Jaiden, but he was so surprised, and he hadn't been ready for such an action. His body began to tremble almost immediately, eyes wide as saucers as he stared up at his companion in what was a mix of shock, a sort of numbness, and.. was that fear?
Yes.. Aubrey was afraid. Already his breathing was becoming faster, shallower.. He was petrified with that mix of shock and terror, watching Jaiden, unsure of what to do. Should he run? Fight? But.. this was Jaiden! He was so confused.. Tears began to fall down his cheeks as luscious lips trembled and blue eyes as crystal clear as shallow sea water stared at his friend, lost, confused.. afraid.. What would Jaiden do to him..?
|
|
|
Post by Jaiden on Apr 19, 2007 11:38:32 GMT -5
His delicate fingers had already begun to push the fabric of Aubrey's shirt away from his shoulders, sighing softly as he came into contact with that lovely skin. It would be easy enough - he doubted that Aubrey would even try to resist. Jaiden would take what he wanted, would satisfy himself just like he'd imagined. It didn't matter anymore if it destroyed all the trust they'd built up, the friendship - Wait... What the hell am I doing?
Now his own hands were trembling, as a starving man's do when he knows better than to eat a poisoned meal no matter how tempting. He shouldn't be doing this. This wasn't him... he wasn't a rapist. Hell, he'd never even considered it before. Was his desire for Aubrey really this bad? Far worse than he realized, in any case. He swallowed softly and righted the other boy's clothing, lifting his hood with one hand and pulling the other inside, giving him a generous helping of sleeve to work with. "I'm sorry," he whispered, starting to wipe away the wet streaks with the fabric. As much as he wanted to, he found himself unable to look into his friend's eyes as he worked. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry."
|
|
Aubrey
Initiate
.:Look, but don't touch:.
Posts: 215
|
Post by Aubrey on Apr 19, 2007 21:50:15 GMT -5
It was almost frightening, how badly Aubrey shook. It was almost as if he were having convulsions, only he was still standing, and somehow still in control of himself. As fingers moved to touch the flesh of his shoulders, he squeezed his eyes closed and bit his lip, wincing visibly as memories of other, rougher hands on his shoulders flooded his mind. Jaiden.. this wasn't his Jaiden!
And then.. Aubrey opened his eyes, feeling his clothing replaced where it rightfully belonged, and he stared up at Jaiden again. His tears were being wiped away.. And Jaiden was apologizing.. Not knowing what else to do, and now overwhelmed by memories he'd thought that he could block, he fell foreward, clinging to Jaiden as his tears poured from his eyes, spilling down his cheeks quickly.
So many memories.. So many pains! Aubrey's lithe form shook and trembled almost violently, and his breathing as he wept came in desperate gasps and pants, choked sobs escaping him. He was so afraid, so vulnerable.. Did he even notice that he clung to Jaiden? He wept, and wept, and wept.. remembering, reliving, re-fearing..
|
|
|
Post by Jaiden on Apr 19, 2007 22:42:46 GMT -5
It was painful, seeing Aubrey like this, feeling him... he didn't have anyone to blame but himself, though. No one liked their darker side, those forbidden thoughts and unsavory feelings, but that didn't make them any less vunerable to them. He wasn't any different, and he wasn't very proud of himself at the moment. Jaiden did all he could for the other boy, wrapping his arms about him and stroking his back. Gods, how many old wounds did he re-open with that stupid kiss? With his stupid lust? He'd done more damage than he could have ever imagined, and he doubted that Aubrey would ever forgive him for it.
|
|
Aubrey
Initiate
.:Look, but don't touch:.
Posts: 215
|
Post by Aubrey on Apr 20, 2007 11:50:26 GMT -5
Whether he realized it or not, Aubrey still clung to Jaiden, much like a child who clings to their mother after falling. It was a long few moments before he stopped crying, leaving him with only dry sobs and that never ceasing trembling. At least his shakes were subsiding.
Face red and damp, Aubrey pulled himself away from Jaiden, wiping his eyes with trembling hands. He felt so.. there were many things, and he couldn't pick the right words.. Stupid, embarrassed, confused, lost.. What would he do next? Hell, what should he do next? Stupid memories.. Aubrey blamed himself for everything still, and the trauma of it all had yet to fully pass over him.
"Too soon.." he said, voice a little hoarse and eyes covered with his hands as he coninued to dry them. "Too.. t-too soon.."
[XD And to think, I have an even worse mental breakdown planned *cackles evilly* I'm so mean to my charries XD]
|
|
|
Post by Jaiden on Apr 20, 2007 14:13:46 GMT -5
Jaiden could hardly raise his eyes to look at the other. The tears that had dampened his sleeves might as well have been blood... he'd done something terrible, and he wasn't even really sure why. A cheap thrill? Wasn't Aubrey worth more than that to him? Of course he was; just a moment of weakness, he supposed. In any case, the damage was already done, and he felt terrible. Apologizing again probably wouldn't do too much, but he wasn't sure what else he should do. "I'm sorry, I just... lost control of myself. I'm really sorry!"
He couldn't see Aubrey trusting him anymore from this point on, but maybe that was for the best. If he wasn't around the other boy all the time, if he wasn't so trusting, maybe these urges wouldn't happen so often. He worried his bottom lip gently, watching him. "I really am sorry," he whispered.
|
|