|
|
Post by Virginia Bradburn on Jun 14, 2010 22:55:32 GMT -4
Virgina selected a nice shaded spot along the outside of the mall, the day was just beginning to show the first signs of fading and the girl had more than enough time to kill. People were still going in and out of the mall, so she decided to sit somewhere where they wouldn't see or hear her. It was the perfect sort of place. Cool and quiet, yet not too far away from other people.
She backed against the wall and slowly slid down until he felt the back of her jeans make contact with the cool cement. Looking down, she frowned at it. Why was cement always so cold? She couldn't remember a time when she had rested on some nice warm pavement. Perhaps she was just a tad unlucky.
She tugged at a tiny weed that had made its way up through a crack in the cement. It didn't seem to have been there long, but Virginia didn't really like the sight of it. It was a tenacious little bugger, she wrapped her hand around it's thin stem and exerted enough strength to pull it. A section came off in her hand still leaving a tiny bit visible, the end leaking milky white juices. She pursed her lips, how disappointing. She flung the now useless end into the grass ways ahead, where it landed and disappeared.
She tilted her head back to look at the sky, then down at the pretty pink plastic bag, full of a few items she had gotten from the mall just moments ago. She set up humming a rhythmless tune to herself as she reviewed her belongings. They were a bit of an off assortment. She had made sure t buy feminine products, after all, she was a girl right? But she had also bought a large bag of Lay's Regular Potato chips and bottle of water. Besides that, she had also purchased a harmonica and a book.
Reaching in, she wrapped her fingers around the little plastic covered harmonica box. Taking one of the ends the tore the cellophane wrap off and deposited it back into the bag. Removing the lid, she put it to her lips and blew a long clear note. Smiling she cupped it in her hands, running a thumb over the engraved name of the company who had made it. Virginia didn't really know why she had decided to buy one, it just made her happy. She replaced it in the black box and dropped it into the pink plastic bag.
Next, she removed the book. She had gotten it from the philosophy section in the school book store. I was a slim volume with a bland and unostentatious cover with word printed in black, ARISTOTLE on RHETORIC. Not a particularly outstanding title either, but it made Virginia more than interested to read it. Although it was small, she knew the wording was think, therefore the time to work through it would probably be just as long as if she was reading a physically large book. She turned to the first page.
--------- -------- ------- ------ ----- ---- --- -- -
tag: Sultan Zaafir
word count: 523
notes: None :)
clothing: here~(ignore the picture of the man -_-;)
|
|
|
|
Post by Sultan Zaafir on Jun 15, 2010 19:27:12 GMT -4
PLEASE NO YAHTZEE INTERRUPTIONS.
~ ♛ ~ [/font] I NEED HORNS TO HOLD MY HALOA ∙ H A L O ∙ T O ∙ H O L D ∙ M Y ∙ C R O W N[/center]
Ah, the mall. The one place every teen wants to go to all the time. The people, the shops, the food, and.. .. ugh, the prices. But that didn't hamper Sultan's happiness to be out and about, and maybe spend a few bucks on something he liked for once. With a large smile, the tall teen strode through a few stores, picking up a few small items and examining them before setting them gently back on their shelf. He flitted idly through a few 'world' shops, aristocratic knowledge of the world's nations forced him to comment under his breath about which ones were missing before he exited the place, just walking around a little.
He felt his pants shift a bit as he walked, and he quickly reached down to grab them before they fell. Making sure his belt hadn't come undone, he sighed. Awwh shit. Pulling at the remains of his belt, he saw the last loop had finally ripped, causing the belt to become useless. His brow furrowed as he stepped against a wall, trying to get his pants to stay up as he tied the belt to a loop, making a make-shift cure for now. It wasn't easy, because all the fabric that was needed to clothe his 6'5 frame was rather heavy and didn't stay up well. Carefully walking over to a random clothing shop, he scanned the aisles for a normal, cheap, belt. He found a few pricey, fancy ones, but just rolled his eyes at the fake-tanned guys looking at them. They glared at him, probably envious that his tan was real. It wasn't Sultan's fault, his people were naturally tanned.
Just as he was about to grab a plain old brown leather belt, he spied a more fancy one for the same amount. He looked it over, liking the pattern. It was rather Arabian looking, gold and aqua blue set upon a white field, and it was just as much as the brown one. With a flourish, he snatched it up and paid.
And so now here he was- standing outside the mall, shoving the stiff fabric through the belt loops of his dingy old jeans before pulling his gray shirt over it. A rather old looking gold and amber ring glittered on his finger as he ran his hands through his hair, separating the rough strands. He squinted in the light, golden eyes glittering in much the same way the ring did. Thrusting his hands in his pockets, Sultan started to step off of the pavement into the parking lot when he heard a loud.. what seemed like a whistle.
A small girl was seated on the wall of the large building, playing with a small harmonica. He smiled as he watched her put the instrument back in her bag before taking out a book. He recognized it instantly, having just read it for his class, as Sultan was majoring in Philosophy. Wondering why such a young looking girl was getting such an advanced book, he walked over.
He stepped over slowly, taking his hands out of his pockets. He himself was extremely suspicious, and so anyone approaching him with their hands in anywhere they could be hiding a weapon would earn them a swift kick to the ribs. "Selam." he said cheerily, waving while he was still a bit away from the girl. Once he reached her, he stopped. "You must be very smart.. my 12 year class just finished that.. but you don't look old enough to be in 12.." he tilted his head a bit, swirling the ring around his finger. Crouching down beside her a bit to be more at her level, he smiled. "You don't have to be scared.. if you are that is.. ugh-" he rubbed his forehead. "Sorry.. I still not so sure how to talk to people.." his heavy accent gave away that English was his second language.
[/size] Comments: This is going to be adorable! XD
Wordcount: 651.[/color][/size] |
|
|
|
Post by Virginia Bradburn on Jun 15, 2010 21:45:04 GMT -4
'..Ordinary people do this either at random or through practice and from acquired habit. Both ways being possible, the
subject can plainly be handled systematically..'
Virginia felt a bit confused with that bit so she went back and reread it to make sure she had read right. What is it that ordinary people do? Ah, make statements then defend them or attack others, and for ordinary people it could come from either impulse or habit. But what was the subject he was talking about? She went to searching again. There it was, the subject of the matter was the relationship between Dialectics-or investigating the validity of opinions- and Rhetoric-the art of persuasive speaking. She connected the two in her brain and connected it to the rest of the sentence. And from all of this, she derived that there was indeed a way to deal with people through the usage of rhetoric according to Mr. Aristotle.
The bulk of the paragraph now within her understanding, it set the stage for the rest of the book.
She smiled discreetly, somewhat proud of herself for working it out. She let out a long smile and let her legs slide a little farther away from her as she relaxed. It was a bit chilly in the shade and probably a lot more favorable in the sunlight, but that's what jackets were for right? She suddenly found herself hoping that her beige double-breasted blazer wouldn't get dirty. She wasn't sure if she would have enough money to wash it. She began thinking about that, looking past he book for a bit. Did everything run on a monetary system here? Perhaps there was point system for kids like her who didn't have any means of acquiring money. She shrugged and looked down at her book making a mental note to ask someone about it later... maybe Ryland if she ever saw him again.
She was just about to settle into her book again when a voice jolted her out of her thoughts.
"Selam!"
The girl nearly jumped out of her skin, she looked up and looked around. Was that directed at her? What did that person say anyway? Salem? Maybe he was just greeting a good friend? Then she noticed him. A man was walking towards her, he was tall and tanned, he might have been a student, but he certainly didn't look like one. Virginia made a small squeak and tensed up, hoping that he had somehow made a mistake and would turn and walk away.
No such luck. In no time at all, the person was right beside her and talking, he complimented her on being smart and mentioned something about being a 12th year. Virginia wasn't quite sure what he said, his speech was heavily accented. It sounded kind of middle eastern or Mediterranean. Virginia fixed her eyes on the page, refusing to look up at him. She made a tiny nod to acknowledge his presence but did nothing more.
When he knelt beside her, she really felt scared. Pulling her legs in close to her chest out of instinct. He must have noticed because he then proceeded to tell her that she didn't have to be scared and tried to explain but ended up stumbling over his words.
Virginia lowered her head a bit, "I...I, ah, uh.. It's okay." She cursed her inability to speak clearly, she was just really startled. Was it like this with all the people on this island? First Ryland had randomly introduced himself, now this guy was trying to make conversation. It was all so new, "I'm sorry.." she murmured out of instinct, still trying her best to to meet his gaze.
--------- -------- ------- ------ ----- ---- --- -- -
tag: Sultan
word count: 640
Notes: Ikr? I'm really excited ^^
clothing:here~(ignore the picture of the man -_-
|
|
|
|
Post by Sultan Zaafir on Jun 15, 2010 23:24:25 GMT -4
~ ♛ ~ [/font] I NEED HORNS TO HOLD MY HALOA ∙ H A L O ∙ T O ∙ H O L D ∙ M Y ∙ C R O W N[/center]
Sultan flinched slightly as the girl nearly jumped out of her skin. What was wrong? Did he really look that 'bad' or was she just insanely skittish? He settled on both having something to do with it. She just nodded shallowly and this just made the part of his brain that thought it was his fault become more convinced in itself. His eyebrows pulled together sharply in a long black line above his now crinkled eyes. He watched the girl pull her legs close in a sort of upright fetal position and his expression softened a bit. Sultan would remember that reaction anywhere. He had had that same reaction to anyone approaching him when he had had to flee his home from his father, living in the village as a petty thief for a few years before finding the academy.
"I.. I, ah, uh.. It's okay. I'm sorry.."
Sultan sighed softly, also recognizing this tone of voice. The 'don't hurt me, please.' scared tone he had become so accustomed to. With a small smile, he slid onto his behind in front of her, but still to the side, giving her a wide margin of room to run if she wanted. "What's wrong?" he asked simply as he leaned back on his hands, placed behind him with his legs crossed in front of him. It was like deja vu as this scene played out, and he could swear the exact same happening except that the little girl was a 13 year old, disheveled child Sultan and the present-day Sultan was an old beggar man. It was hot, as is any Turkish summer, and the beggar felt so sorry for the boy that he offered him food and shelter from his limited resources. Sultan had been too scared to take the rations and had passed out from heat stroke, only to be brought back by that beggar. He idly wondered where he was, and made a note to find him if he ever went back. It wouldn't be soon, he had to wait until his dad died or there would be a bounty on his head. You don't run from the king when he wants you killed and stay alive for long.
When she attempted to look at him, he could tell she was rather afraid of people she didn't know. More then likely people in general, looking at the way she carried herself. Leaning forward, Sultan clasped his hands in his lap as he twisted his legs to indian-style. "You know.." he smiled and tapped his fingertips on the opposite wrist a bit, feeling the creases on his skin where his wrist bended. "Someone who is as young as you, understanding that book, there should be nothing in the world you're afraid of." his smile widened, showing the glint of a gold tooth in the left corner of his mouth. "With brains like that, people are probably running from you." his smile stayed as he raised his eyebrows at her in a sort of 'you know I'm right' kind of look before looking back down, not letting his face fall. It was better not to look someone in the eyes for a long period of time if they were uncomfortable with you.
Sultan had no idea why he was being so.. 'fatherly' with this little girl, but all he knew was that he was and it felt kind of nice. Normally he was the smooth, chatty, kind of annoying, hyper active middle-easterner who stuck his pointy little nose into too many things that weren't his, and appeared in all the wrong places at all the wrong times with all the wrong people. Today however, he was being a sort of 'big brother.' Sultan even surprised himself at times. He pulled at his shirt a bit before looking back up at her, honestly wondering what was making her so afraid of him.
[/size] Comments: n/a.
Wordcount: 651.[/color][/size] |
|
|
|
Post by Virginia Bradburn on Jun 16, 2010 13:16:36 GMT -4
It wasn't too long to wait until the man was sitting in front of her. Virginia kept her eyes fixed on the book, debating wether or not to make a break for it. The guy just probably wanted to talk to someone. That, and no one was a mind reader. No one could've told that she was terrified. manners, Virge, manners! she chided herself. She risked a glance up at him. She had never seen anything like him; deeply tanned skin, a well-formed face, she noted a scruff of black beard-the same color as his hair- that wrapped up and around to for a thing goatee. His lips were set downward and his eyes.. his eyes were odd. Not only were they a peculiar amber-golden color, the looked almost concerned.
It was so familiar. Virginia called to mind seeing that same expression from her sister a hundred times when they were little kids. Like, if Virginia tripped or forgot something. It was that same motherly expression.
"What's wrong?" He inquired.
The girl opened her mouth to answer but closed it promptly, thinking better of it. After all, what would she have said? You scare me, mister! Oh yeah, that would've gone over well. She hated herself, for that. What was wrong? She looked down at the still-open book, as though the answer would spring off the page and hit her in the face. people formulate opinions either at random or through practice.. she recited to herselfrandom or through practice.. which am I doing?
"Someone who is as young as you, understanding that book, there should be nothing in the world you're afraid of."
His voice broke her from her thinking, "Wh-what?" She looked up at him, totally stunned. She couldn't recall the last time someone had said something so nice to her. It was true that she understood the book, but only barely, she had to work through it, take her time to understand it. As nice as a statement as it was, Virginia couldn't help but feel that being afraid of a book and afraid of a person were two completely different thing. Any book, no matter what the size or depth can be conquered, simply by picking it up and reading it. You don't necessarily have to understand it, you just go for it. But people... they were a whole lot more complicated. You couldn't read a person, persey. Well, there are ways, but none are as easy as reading a book. Hell, people can't even read themselves! Why else would there be countless personality tests online?
What he said next surprised her, "From..me?" her voice was small and unsteady, she cursed herself for her cowardice."Why would they.. run?" At that moment she looked up and locked eyes with him. Once the connection was made, she couldn't break away. She swallowed and froze, wondering if it would offend him if she looked away. She did her best to calm down, there was no need to be afraid of this guy, he was just a little older and a little different looking, that's all.
Mustering her will, she forced herself to move her legs so that she was sitting cross legged. It was more comfortable anyway.
--------- -------- ------- ------ ----- ---- --- -- -
tag: Sultan
word count: 580
Notes: none ^^
here~(ignore the picture of the man -_-
[/size]
|
|
|
|
Post by Sultan Zaafir on Jun 16, 2010 21:45:32 GMT -4
~ ♛ ~ [/font] I NEED HORNS TO HOLD MY HALOA ∙ H A L O ∙ T O ∙ H O L D ∙ M Y ∙ C R O W N[/center]
"What's wrong, child?" he muttered, the long black beard obscuring a smiling face. "Thirsty? Need a place to stay..? You look sunburn." his face fell, sparkling blue eyes containing a glimmer of pity.
"No- no speak En'lish, sir." the child replied, broken, squeaky voice not yet haven't hit puberty, though it was obvious he was no stranger to crying.. his voice cracked often. He cowered, curling up on the dirty floor of the outside marketplace, behind a watermelon vendor.
The man sighed and shook his head. "That's shame.. need anything see me. Benim adim Alsir. Adim?"
"Benim adim Aydi- .. S- Sultan.."
Broken from the melancholy flashback by her voice again, Sultan's eyes flicked from the sky back down to her. She was rather cute.. not in a 'I would date you way,' no, she was far too young and Sulten felt kind of creepy just thinking about it, but in the sort of 'family' kind of way. Her hair was a dark shade, and it waved slightly as it made it's way down past her back. He also noticed her eyes, wide and bright, but not with happiness- with fear and what he thought was resentment.
"Wh-what?"
She looked up at him laboriously, as if it caused her pain to do so. It really hurt him inside to see a little girl, so young and with so much possibility, having to be scared to look at people. Had she been abused? Or was she just afraid? There was no reason to be afraid.. though he looked like a 6'5 walking creeper, he wasn't one. .. she'd have no way of knowing that though. First impressions, Sultan, first impressions make the man.
"From.. me? Why would they.. run?" she said, looking up at him in utter disbelief. It was as if she was afraid of people running from her, he thought, but Sultan figured that it was simply because the thought of her being intimidating scared her a little.
"Because." he said, simply at first. "It's how you use it that makes you intimidating." he nodded and gently tapped his forehead with his finger. "I an owl shift, so I'm pretty small as an animal. But I know how to use my head, and that makes me able to take down the bigger animals. It not always what it seems." he smiled at her and tucked a tuft of unruly hair behind his ears. "It's all how you use your head, and if you can sift through that book, you'd got a good one on your shoulders." He wasn't sure if he should have mentioned being able to take down things, but the aim was to make her a bit more confident and he hoped he had succeeded. If he had to make her uncomfortable to make her comfortable, he would do it in a heart beat. That pitiful feel she emitted just tugged and ripped at his heart.
She moved positions a bit, crossing her legs instead. "If I'm making you uncomfortable.. feel free to leave.. I'll even leave first if you want." he nodded with a soft smile and moved a bit, elbows on his knees and his hands just laying there uselessly. "I think I seen you walking around school.. doesn't your name start with like.. a B or an M or something?" to be honest, he actually thought this. Sultan was definitely not good with names. "Benim adi- my name is Sultan Zaafir." he smiled and held out his hand, not really expecting her to shake it, but the gesture should prove his intentions innocent and simply to get her to smile anyway. "Well that's not all my names, but the two the school uses at least." he chuckled softly and smiled again to attempted to lighten the mood.
[/size] Comments: n/a.
Wordcount: 634.[/color][/size] |
|
|
|
Post by Virginia Bradburn on Jun 16, 2010 23:00:11 GMT -4
So he was an owl.. that reminded her of her of Ryland. Ryland was a bird too, a golden eagle. Perhaps it were the bird types that were so friendly and spontaneous. Virginia silently wondered if she would meet other types of people, er.. animals. It was a bit frightening to think that this person actually killed things (or at least that's what she assumed when he said 'take down the bigger animals'). Still he was referring to himself in order to compliment her. Making a comparison.
The girl found herself unable to judge the situation. Was that an egotistical way of complimenting? Or was it just how he did things? Perhaps he had a high opinion of himself, so by comparing him and her as equals was a huge accolade to him. Virginia decided to assume the latter. People were basically good anyway, right?
"It's all how you use your head, and if you can sift through that book, you'd got a good one on your shoulders."
Virginia's face reddened a bit, she looked down opening her mouth to speak. She thought through he words and analyzed them for mistake. Taking a breath she was just about to speak when the person spoke instead.
"If I'm making you uncomfortable.. feel free to leave.. I'll even leave first if you want.
Virginia was surprised, he head snapped up. So she wasn't a very good liar after all, her body language didn't hide a damn thing.Confidence, Virge! Confidence! She straightened up a bit and squared her shoulder, attempting not to lock eyes with the person again.
"I think I seen you walking around school.. doesn't your name start with like.. a B or an M or something? Benim adi- my name is Sultan Zaafir."
Virginia didn't know, for the life of her what 'Benim adi', she figured it was a different language. But then again.. his accent was pretty think, did she just miss something? But his name was interesting, Sultan Zaafir. She wondered how one might spell it. It was an easy enough name to remember; it had an exotic yet regal flavor. A peculiar combination of words not readily available in regular speaking conversation."Sultan. Sultan Zaafir.." She said it slowly, allowing the words to roll off her tounge. They almost had a taste to them. It mixed interestingly enough with her own Pennsylvanian accent, the 'l' in his name was slightly muted when she said it.
She cut her eyes up at him, "It's Virginia, Virginia Bradburn. she looked down at her still-open book and closed it."But what you said before.. I'm not really smart. I just like trying to read this kind of stuff.
She was about to put it down when she noticed his extended hand. It was inevitable, it always was.
She shuddered, "Ah, sorry.. I don't.. I mean I can't." She thought over her words, "I.. can't shake hands with people. It kinda freaks me out."[/color] She sincerely hoped that Sultan would understand. It wasn't her fault, really, the sensation of skin-on-skin just was too weird for her. It wasn't his fault either. She hardly ever touched anyone, regardless of wether or not they were a friend.. perhaps she should just start wearing gloves where ever she went? Either way, it took a lot more than a few minutes for her to feel comfortable with physical contact. --------- -------- ------- ------ ----- ---- --- -- - tag: Sultan Zaafir word count: 608 notes: Aw, Sultan is sweet ^^ clothing: here~[/size]
|
|
|
|
Post by Sultan Zaafir on Jun 17, 2010 1:00:53 GMT -4
~ ♛ ~ [/font] I NEED HORNS TO HOLD MY HALOA ∙ H A L O ∙ T O ∙ H O L D ∙ M Y ∙ C R O W N[/center]
He smiled as he noticed her start to, as it seemed, calm down a bit. See he wasn't dangerous! Just a bit paranoid about how people saw him. She looked around a bit, and he did as well, following her eye movements. Sultan always wondered how people saw the world. Was it different then him? The same? were the colors all wonky and messed up? He never would know, but looking at the things people did when they looked at them could at least help him understand their train of thought a bit. Most of the time, though, he completely missed that train when it left the station.
Sultan smiled even wider when he saw her blush. Secretly he enjoyed making people blush, guys or girls, not because it showed control, just because it was interesting the things that could make one person blush and not another. Some did it when you complimented them, some did it when you brought up something funny, still others did it for seemingly no reason what so ever. He did it, for instance, when he was drunk or if some random gay guy called him cute. He wasn't gay himself, but he liked to think what it'd be like.
He jumped a bit as her head snapped up and she looked at him, looking down again when she realized what she did. She looked discouraged, as if he found something out he wasn't supposed to. When he announced his name a look of mild confusion crossed her face. "Weird isn't it?" he said with a small smirk. "Benim adim is 'my name is' by the way." he added softly, as that seemed to be what she was giving that odd look for. "I still get mixed up." a laugh escaped him as he fidgeted into a more comfortable position yet again.
"Sultan. Sultan Zaafir.."
He nodded. "You pronounce it well for not, as far as I know, knowing the language. I can't place your accent, actually, is it somewhere in the US?" he tilted his head, much like a dog who was just presented with a new toy or something- interested confusion. He loved hearing people pronounce his name, actually. Not because of ego- but because of the way they said it. It was fun to hear how different people said different things. The southern accents that said 'pin' and 'pen' the same.. the German ones who always said his last name 'Zah-ver.' and the French ones who never said the 'n' in his first name. It was weird how names translated into other ethnicities.
"It's Virginia, Virginia Bradburn." he watched her look down at her book before deciding something unspoken and closing it again with a muffled 'thud' sound. "But what you said before.. I'm not really smart. I just like trying to read this kind of stuff."
"Well that makes you smart. No stupid person likes trying to read that." his counter arguments rarely made sense, but Sultan was convinced he had a gem here. After all, since when did kids who got D's and F's manage to read college level books? And enjoy them, for that matter? None. Well, none he'd met. Maybe it was different in other places. "And it's nice to meet you, Virginia. .. Virginia.. very pretty name." Sultan nodded, giving her a soft smile before looking back down.
"Ah, sorry.. I don't.. I mean.. I can't." her face screwed up in thought, seemingly trying to find a way to say something. "I.. can't shake hands with people. It kinda freaks me out."
Sultan looked back up with a sort of look that asked why, but politely kept the question to himself. "I understand. I can't talk to people if I can't see their eyes. We all have our little things." it was true. being highly suspicious, Sultan had acquired the trait from his father- if he couldn't see your eyes, he wouldn't speak to you or look at you directly, and not smile at all. He could look pretty threatening if he wanted. If you removed whatever it was blocking your eyes, he would joke around and talk to you as if nothing had happened.
"I have an idea though. Do you like animals?" he smiled a bit and closed his eyes. Feeling his bones pop and shift, he soon felt a scraping sensation as he pranced around the concrete outside the mall on his newly-formed owl talons. He winced inwardly a tad as the bright lights hit his sensitive eyes, and hopped urgently into the shadows created by an overhang on the roof of the building. Hopping slowly over to her, he lifted his wing and held it out, as if to shake her hand again. Loopholes, ahoy!
A soft, friendly peep and what would be a smile rested on his beak as he blinked a few times, keeping his wing held out.
[/size] Comments: Naww. He's just a family boy. XD <3
Wordcount: 817.[/color][/size] |
|
|
|
Post by Virginia Bradburn on Jun 17, 2010 21:32:56 GMT -4
"I understand. I can't talk to people if I can't see their eyes. We all have our little things."
Virginia's eyes narrowed slightly, her eyebrow knitting together and the corners of her mouth tugging downwards slightly. It was interesting that he understood, most people would just sort of get offended. But still, that was an odd reason not to talk to a person. Virginia was haptephobic- afraid of physical contact- and she knew it too. But not being able to talk with people when you couldn't see their eyes? It didn't seem so much like a phobia as it did a simple trust issue.
Right after Julianne died, people suddenly seemed to want to touch her in an attempt to try and comfort her. They were so confident the way they said "It'll be alright." and "Everything will turn out just fine." as they patted her back or grasped her hand. She came to see it as repulsive. How could they say things like that? It wasn't going to be alright. Nothing would ever turn out fine. Her sister was dead, and was all her fault. Eventually she began to push off their hands and in turn their good intentions until all that was left was a little girl looking bitterly at a pale, serene, and very dead face of her big sis set on a background of white satin, hating herself and hating the world. That feeling connected with the sensations of human touch and translated into a fear of it. She didn't want anyone to hold her hand but her sister. Not her mother, not her father, but Julienne.
She wondered if perhaps this person also had a history. What could have made him so afraid-hateful perhaps- of people who couldn't hold his gaze? Maybe he was just a distrustful person. She was halfway tempted to ask him but answered his other questions instead. "I lived in Pennsylvania for a while."
That brought up the question of where he was from. His physical appearance, coupled with his accent was more than enough of a basis for question. he had also said something about "Benim adim" meaning "my name is". It was definitely foreign, but where did it come from? Sounded a little bit Middle eastern, but she just couldn't be sure.
It did seem like he was persistent, saying that he had an idea. But his next question was quite peculiar. "Do I like animals?" she echoed.
No sooner did the words leave her mouth then did she hear awful popping and scraping noises. She looked at the boy as his body began to shift and change shape. Was he shape-shifting? He had to be! Virginia had never actually witnesses such a thing, let alone experienced it for herself. It was frightening to see for the first time. All she could so was brace up against the brick wall and watch with wide eyes and pursed lips as Sultan transformed in front of her eyes. In seconds, all that was left was a large orb-eyed bird hopping about.
She held her breath, her eyes still wide with shock. The owl's pupils contracted at the light, then latched onto her. The bird hopped a bit more towards her and did the strangest thing, it extended it wing towards her. Virginia's shoulders slackened and her look of surprise morphed into one of perplexity. Setting down her book, she moved her legs so that she was kneeling. It let out a tiny peep. It was a really cute sound, it made Virginia give a small smile. "You want me to..?
it seemed to be offering her its wing. It was totally adorable! She couldn't help herself, she extended her own hand and tentatively reached out to gently brush her fingertips over the tips of the feathers. Her smile grew a bit, it was so friendly! She reached a bit farther and rested her hand the farthest extension of the wing. It was so soft, Virginia seemed to forget it was a person inside of an owl's body. She dropped her defenses and smiled, giggling a bit, "Nice to meet you Mr. Owl!"
--------- -------- ------- ------ ----- ---- --- -- -
tag: Sultan Zaafir
word count: 728
notes: Still, he's really clever
clothing: here~
|
|
|
|
Post by Sultan Zaafir on Jun 18, 2010 21:51:13 GMT -4
~ ♛ ~ [/font] I NEED HORNS TO HOLD MY HALOA ∙ H A L O ∙ T O ∙ H O L D ∙ M Y ∙ C R O W N[/center]
Sultan watched Virginia's brows pull together, wondering what the girl was thinking of. It was probably a response to his phobia.. it really was awkward to have and explain, but he figured that since she had such an odd phobia she wold be the one person on earth who would really.. get him? Wrong choice of words.. well it kind of was right. How could a 9th year girl understand him though? Regardless, of all their differences, she was the first not to comment on the irregularity.
"I lived in Pennsylvania for a while."
Smiling a bit, Sultan acted for a few seconds as if he knew where that was. He didn't to be honest. Only after a few minutes of smiling and nodding did he remember that he didn't know where on the earth that was. "Pen.. sil van.. yah?" he said, trying to get the word out. It really was a mouthful. "So is.. that in the US? Where?" his face reddened slightly, as it always did when he felt foolish or uneducated in the world. "Sorry.. I don't know many paces but here and at home overseas."
He asked her if she liked animals to get a puzzled reply. "Do I like animals?"
No sooner had she said that then he had shifted, leaving his clothes on the ground as a little owl hopped out of them. He had to shake his head to get it out of the shirt. His peeping grew louder and then stopped as he sat in front of her with his wing out.
To be honest, based on how jumpy she was, he thought she's freak out and run away. But for all Sultan knew, she was a shifter as well and this wouldn't affect her in any way. Or.. it shouldn't. But she still looked pretty scared when he hopped out of his clothes with feathers and a beak. After a few minutes she calmed down, a faint smile forming on her lips and an amused expression reaching her eyes, making him smile inwardly. Eventually when her fear seemed to have subsided, she knelt down beside him.
"You want me to..?"
When he held out his wing, she seemed to be wondering what he wanted. Then she realized that he was doing the same as he was doing as a human. Slowly, Sultan felt her reach out and softly touch his wing before pulling back. He bobbed his head a little to indicate it was okay and ruffled his feathers, still keeping his wing out. Virginia gently shook his wing. Sultan chirruped happily as she giggled, wanting that exact reaction. Knowing he could make this sad little girl smile and laugh was possibly the best at the moment.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Owl!"
With an extra loud chirp, he fluttered onto her hand, perching. With another happy peep he gently nudged her fingers with his beak, showing that contact with something else wasn't that bad. Maybe he could get her out of her phobias. Just maybe. To be quite honest, it hurt him inside to find people with such chance-breaking phobias. Sultan quickly hopped from his place on her hand, onto her knee, and back to the ground with a few muffled rustling noises and his feathers scraped the fabric of her clothes.
A new noise joined it as he bounced along the concrete back to his own clothes and jumped back inside them, tucking his head under the shirt. with the same popping noises that had accompanied his shifting the first time, his clothes bulged and grew as he fit back into them, eventually back to sitting he way he first was. "It took me forever to perfect how to do that."
With a smile, he held out his hand again. "Any better?"
[/size] Comments: <3!
Wordcount: 634.[/color][/size] |
|
|
|
Post by Virginia Bradburn on Jun 19, 2010 12:01:51 GMT -4
Virginia didn't get the time to answer his question before he started to change, but that was just fine. She was laughing too hard to notice. After greeting the bird and she had moved, it made another sound and jumped onto her hand. She felt the skin of its feet wrap around her wrist and the shiny black talons just barely touch their tips to her skin. The strange thing was, she didn't feel any bit of repulsion whatsoever. The skin was dry and bumpy, not oiled and smooth like a human touch. It was hardly like touching another person at all. It nudged he fingers and hopped onto her knee, steading itself quickly with it's talons, but taking care not to poke the girl too hard. The just as quickly, jumped back down, its feathers gently brushing her skin and clothing as it did so.
The handsome bird made it way back to its clothing. Virginia helped him get situated inside. Virginia hadn't really thought about the whole clothes problem with shifters. It must be pretty hard for people who shifted into bigger animals, like rhinos maybe, to keep getting new clothes if they shifted and tore it off by mistake. But for birds it must be easier. The popping and shapeshifting took place again. Virginia turned away this time.
Seeing that made her remember her big sister again. Her parents had once told her in a grief stricken rage that Julieanne would've been able to shift had she just reached her 13th birthday. Virginia wondered what sort of animals she might have turned into. Virgina didn't know ho the process worked, if you choose your own animal or just got what you were given. Perhaps it was based on personality? It would've probably hurt her to change, from the sounds of that, but how incredible it would be to have such an ability! The possibilities were endless. It made her smile a bit, only to frown when she remembered that she was not one of these people. She has human totally normal, yet vastly different on this island. She'd never become a bird and taste the sky as she cut through it, never taste the thrill of a deep dive as a fish or whale might, never have the rush that an animal would have as it reached top speed. She was normal, completely average and plain. Nobody liked plain. Why else did no one buy plain yogurt at the grocery store? Why does no one see anyone else at the circus? Who can when there are so many unique and different options right next to the ordinary and tasteless?
Virgina figured she was really just coming up with a bunch or rhetorical questions. She was where she was now and there was no changing that fact. She'd just have to play along, the white sheep in the herd of so-called black sheep. Play the part. She banished the thoughts as Sultan took his on his original form.
"It took me forever to perfect how to do that."
Virginia simply nodded in response, offering a weak smile.
"Any better?"
His voice was warm and concerned and his hand was outstretched again. Virginia looked at it, unsure if she should shake it. It was the same skin that she touched moments ago right? and if that owl was this same person, he had to be friendly. But there was something more, something about the way he spoke and how his eyes would soften belayed a kind of concern. One that she had seen from her sister for many a year. She smiled a bit and looked up. She took his hand in her and gave it a quick shake, "Yeah... I guess so."
--------- -------- ------- ------ ----- ---- --- -- -
tag: Sultan Zaafir
word count: 623
notes: I concour
clothing: here~ [/size]
|
|
|
|
Post by Sultan Zaafir on Jun 21, 2010 21:11:16 GMT -4
~ ♛ ~ [/font] I NEED HORNS TO HOLD MY HALOA ∙ H A L O ∙ T O ∙ H O L D ∙ M Y ∙ C R O W N[/center]
After he had managed to pop back into his clothes and grow back into the fabric, he was relieved that his arm didn't end up out of the top, or his head out of the arm holes or something weird like that. It had happened, and it wasn't pretty. Got him laughed at by a few kids, notably the popular ones that pegged him as a psychopathic nerd. Because apparently all people who are quiet, look different, and study philosophy are blood thirsty murderers.
After he was situated back on the concrete with his legs folded and his arms resting in his knees again, he reached up and swiped the hair out of his face with a smile. After he held out his hand, Sultan saw her look at it with a look of apprehension for a moment before shyly reaching her hand out and softly shaking his. "Yeah.. I guess so." she said softly.
"See, it's fine." Sultan's face lit up when she decided to shake his hand. Her hand was soft and warm. "A handshake isn't going to hurt you." It was odd, Sultan had never so much as hugged a girl and his first contact was with a 9th grade girl.. a handshake. It was innocent as you'd get. But that wasn't the reason he was virtually beaming. To be honest, Sultan was just happy he got the kid to come out of her shell. It wasn't every day you got to help someone get out there and overcome something they can't seem to get past, and it was amazing when they did that because of something you encouraged them to do.
After he had situated himself back on his behind from leaning forward to shake her hand, Sultan tilted his head a little once more. "So why did you look so afraid when I shifted?" as far as he knew she was a shifter. Probably something small and cute.. like a bunny or a mouse. Maybe a hamster.. or for irony, something big and deadly. A tigress? Naah.. Oh well, no matter. People generally found his shift weird. A small bird with good eyesight for a 6'5 guy who needs glasses. At least the appearance fit somewhat. Random shades of brown. "What's your shift?" he asked curiously. Sultan always liked to see how people resembled their shift, and his mind was already whirring at the various possibilities.
Sultan stayed quiet for a moment, waiting for a reply. He didn't think he'd get one, but it was worth a try! Playing idly with the bulky ring on his finger, Sultan thought back to when he was still uncomfortable with his shifting. He'd deny it, deny it, deny it, and then someone would catch him shift and then they'd know. Pretty soon everyone knew, and pretty soon he stopped caring and started to embrace the bird he was. Hopefully she wasn't too shy to tell him.
"You don't have to tell me if you want.. but I'll tell you one of my secrets in return." he smiled and chuckled softly, looking down as bit as to not make her uncomfortable.
[/size] Comments: sorry it's not long. D:
Wordcount: 522.[/color][/size] |
|
|
|
Post by Virginia Bradburn on Jun 21, 2010 23:00:10 GMT -4
Virginia slipped her hand out of his and looked at it. She felt the urge to rub it on her pant leg to get rid of the sensation, but did nothing. She didn't want to insult what she hoped was her new friend. She didn't want to admit it, but she liked the guy he had a warmness to him that was strikingly similar to her big sister's. It had been a long time since the accident but Virginia reminded herself everyday about Julieanne.
It seemed to make him happy that she had decided to shake his hand, saying that a handshake doesn't hurt. One of the corners of Virginia's mouth lifted a bit, slightly amused. It wasn't so much that handshakes 'hurt', well, they could if the person was a overzealous greeter, but they normally were totally painless. The feel of skin was just a bit disturbing to her. She never thought of her skin was gross, but everyone else's was dirty. But she decided to play along, "Yeah.. I guess not."
Then he asked a question that sent a cold shock through her body, "Why did you look scared when I shifted?" Her mouth felt dry but she immediately thought of an answer, but before she could answer it he said the next inevitable question."What's your shift?"
Virginia's body felt cold, then hot, and then cold again. She swallowed and looked down. She knew her lie for this one, she had rehearsed it over and over again to herself on the plane trip to Hawaii and on the ferry ride to the academy. Her parents had told her to pick her favorite animal, she had immediately said 'cats'. They told her to tell everyone that she was "a cat shift". Just like that. Don't hesitate just say that you're a cat. If they asked to see, she was to say that it hurt too much or that she felt kind of sick. The girl didn't feel like a cat at all though, no, she felt much more similar to a slug. Spineless, weak, and useless..
Unknown to her, she was neither a cat nor a slug. Although she couldn't shift, she still carried the recessive gene from the trait. As such she still had under-the-radar wisps of shifter likeness. If she had the ability to shift, it would be as a crab, for obvious reasons. She never considered this, thinking herself totally normal.
"You don't have to tell me if you want.. but I'll tell you one of my secrets in return."
Virgina was shaken from her thoughts, not realizing she had taken such a long time to answer. "Oh, uh.. I've never actually see anyone shift. But I'm a cat." She smiled and decided to try and add it a little bit of humor to make the lie convincing, "But I think i'm more like a banana slug."
The first part was true, her mother said she could shift but had never shown her. She just said that it hurts a lot. The second part, however, was a blatant lie. She prayed that Sultan wouldn't catch it.
--------- -------- ------- ------ ----- ---- --- -- -
tag: Sultan Zaafir
word count: 557
notes: It's fine~
clothing: here~ [/size]
|
|
|
|
Post by Sultan Zaafir on Jun 22, 2010 0:11:44 GMT -4
~ ♛ ~ [/font] I NEED HORNS TO HOLD MY HALOA ∙ H A L O ∙ T O ∙ H O L D ∙ M Y ∙ C R O W N[/center]
With a slightly faltering smile, Sultan watched as she debated wiping her hand on her pant leg for a moment. It wasn't as if he hadn't expected anything like this.. it took a lot for someone to overcome a fear and not have anything wrong with it. Gradually, gradually. With a small smile, he noticed the corner of her mouth twitch in what he hoped was a smile as well. This was also like what had happened with that beggar that took him in for a while.. Sultan had felt really uncomfortable when anyone looked at him the wrong way. He had hoped he could just wash away everyone's pitiful, sorry looks. Especially the guards who were sent to look for him. They always wore scarves that covered their faces.. maybe that was where his fear of people who hid their eyes came in.. Sultan had no clue but it seemed the only decent explanation.
After he asked her shift, sultan noticed Virginia become a bit uncomfortable as he got a bit suspicious. Even if she was ashamed of her shifting, she shouldn't be acting like this. It was as if she had something to hide, and against his will, Sultan's traits he had gotten from his father showed. He wasn't a very trusting person, and the littlest thing got him suspicious. This definitely counted. His eyebrows raised slightly, not enough to let her know he was thinking something and going over plans in his head.
"Oh, uh.. I've never actually see anyone shift. But I'm a cat." she smiled a bit, but to Sultan it looked a bit strained. ".. but I think I'm more like a banana slug."
He smiled back. "Yeah.. sometimes I think I'm better off as.. hm.. maybe a chihuahua or something.." his eyes still showed his suspicions a bit, but they let up enormously after he said this. You're over reacting, Sul.. there's nothing to be concerned about! he told himself sternly. Actually, it always amused him when he told himself things like this. The voice in his head spoke in a bad English accent. Would you like some tea with that?
"Are.. you sure..?" he said, not confident in his argument anymore. Then again, why had she looked so shameful when he had asked? Heh? Why was she being so secretive? Oh no, there was something being hidden beyond the facade of humor and obstructive conversation. His thoughts gained new confidence as he closed his eyes to think, face skewed up in concentration. So if this meant that, then that meant she was or wasn't hiding something? After a few moments alone his brain hurt from the thoughts and logic passing by behind his eyes.
Maybe if he kept his promise and kept talking as if he believed her fully, she would trust him more and tell him if she was indeed hiding something? Hopefully. His curiosity was getting the best of him. Curiosity killed the owl? Is that how the saying went? Eh, close enough.
He smiled and opened his eyes, dipping his head in soft acknowledgment. "Well since you told me your end of the deal, I'll say mine. Fair is fair. But you have to keep it quiet." he let a mischievous smirk touch his lips before leaning close to her and looking side to side in an almost exaggerated 'secret agent' style. "I, Sultan Aydin Ebri Tabak Zaafir.. am a prince." he leaned back quickly and brought a finger to his lips with a smile. "Shhh." he laughed softly and smiled, half hoping she wouldn't believe him. It was always good for certain people (blabbermouths..) to play it off as a joke.
Maybe she wasn't one of them.
[/size] Comments: Now this wordcount is more like it~~!
Wordcount: 618.[/color][/size] |
|
|
|
Post by Virginia Bradburn on Jun 26, 2010 15:28:23 GMT -4
Sultan eyed her suspiciously. Virginia didn't like that, she felt herself closing up. Did he know? Could he know? Either way the thought terrified her. What would he do if he found out. Her parents assured her that if they ever found out that she was merely a human, it would be all over in a heartbeat. They would kill her. Humans weren't supposed to know about this place,and well, Virginia was a human. She tried to stay still and not give away her nervousness, but it was especially difficult when Sultan asked "Are..you..sure?"The suspicion in his voice was a dead giveaway. Why didn't anyone believe her? She told them what they needed to know. Although she hated lying to people it's better to lie and live then tell an die. If she had been an actual shifter she might have gotten offended, but instead she just did her best to meet his eyes and said, "Yes, of course."She was pleasantly surprised when Sultan said that he would tell her his secret. She felt like she was cheating him in a way, but once she heard what he said she immediately came under the impression that he was making fun of her. All the same the blinked, stilted her head and looked him over again. Yes, he did have a look that fit his name. Very middle eastern. Didn't 'Sultan' mean 'king' or something like that? She couldn't help but think of the disney movie. His look sort of fir the description too. Clean cut, stong, bold, and impressive. He definitely carried a regal kind of atmosphere with him. But a prince? Virginia never imagined royalty would ever, ever go to a simple "commoner's" school. Granted, Shifter Academy wasn't really that common, persey. Still, what would a prince be doing here? Didn't they have things like private tutors for princes? He seemed to think it was a great joke-if it was a joke at all- by the way he acted. Or perhaps this was his way of telling her that he didn't believe one word of what she had said. Virginia felt cold and nauseous. She ran a hand up and down her arm as if she was cold. She didn't smile, she just leaned in a bit and said, "Are you really?"If he really was just making fun of her she would just come off as incredibly naive, and he would perhaps just tell her he was kidding. If he wasn't lying and was, in fact, telling the truth he might tell her. But she doubted the latter. --------- -------- ------- ------ ----- ---- --- -- - tag: Sultan Zaafir word count: 558 notes: ^^ yay for muses! clothing: here~[/size] [/size] |
|
