Books, Baubles & Bing Crosby

[Eidolon]

Eidolon sensed a shift in her demeanor, a flicker of vulnerability beneath her playful facade. He softened his gaze, offering her a reassuring smile. "Forgive my boldness," he murmured, his voice gentle. "It seems I've swept you off your feet, quite literally." He chuckled softly. "Perhaps I'm a bit too eager to explore this newfound connection."


He took a step back, honoring her need for space. "And you're right," he conceded, "life is full of contradictions. But those contradictions are what make us unique, what shape our individual paths." He paused, his expression sincere. "And your path, Aella, is clearly one of passion and adventure. I admire that immensely."


He watched with concern as she struggled to find her voice, her usual vivacity momentarily dimmed. "Take your time, my dear," he said softly. "There's no need to rush. This... connection between us... it's something to be savored, not forced."


He nodded slowly as she reaffirmed her commitment to their date, a warmth spreading through his chest at her integrity. "As you wish," he agreed, his voice laced with respect. "I appreciate your honesty, Aella. And I promise, our date will be an adventure worth waiting for."


He reached out, gently cupping her cheek with his hand. "And yes," he confirmed, his gaze sincere, "I do wish to protect your heart. Not to possess it, but to cherish it, to see it soar alongside mine." He offered her a tender smile.

[Skye]

Softly shaking her head, biting down on her lower lip as she sees an opening with a playful smile.
”No, no, please do not apologize it was beautiful.” Throwing an eye backward before suddenly raising both of her feet just enough to make her fall backward, catching herself with her hands, bended legs as feet land soon after, pushing and throwing herself back upon her feet. ”I am sorry it seems you are right, I do seem to have lost by footing and gotten swept away.” Softly chuckling at her little tension breaking moment. ”I admit that I am curious myself, and shall look forward to Christmas, lets avoid work talk for the evening to come though if that is agreeable?”

Needing a moment to catch herself, to notice the distance, to feel in control, to breathe normally, why was this so hard, did she make people feel like this, was this what she had done to...Ohh damn I have an apology to deliver.
”Life is indeed, but don´t be fooled, my life is one of travels and loneliness, whilst the most special things in life can be just the times shared in common comfort.” Softly smiling, oddly at ease, glad her fellow order mates did not witness the many shifts and crack she had gone through this evening. ”When each day is a fight, when nothing is certain, when each moment is a smile and act of the moment so can sometimes the grandest joys be found in the calmest and most mundane of things.”

”Nothing worth its salt can be forced, honed, experienced, trained, acquired, cherished, held, loved, a source of pride, but never forced. Nothing forced holds a true value, not for long at least.”

Turning her eyes toward the fire.
”We are surrounded by lies, we lie every day, we have secrets to keep, boundless secrets, more than any one person should carry, yet we carry them and ever more are forced upon us by each passing moon.” Turning her eyes back toward the man. ”Amongst our own, amongst those we are meant to trust so should there be no lies, I do not wish to lie to you. We both have things we need to keep secret for obvious reasons, that is our nature, that is a price we are both aware of in our line of work. So all else spoken should be the truth, my word is given, my word I shall keep, as shall each word given to you be. We do not need more lies in our lives, do we?” Eyes shining, the curiosity upon her near palpable, stirring through each of her words in the loss of seriousness in her voice.

Leaning into the palm, closing her eyes to allow the warmth of the charmers skin envelop her, the crackling of the fire be her serenity as she keeps calm.
”Then a quest to be the second to do such a thing you will be, only my primary raiser have ever truly done so before. No man nor woman with a romantic thought has ever attempted such a journey, so threading where only the nurturing warmth of a raiser has been before you attempt to walk.” Seeping in the atmosphere with an eerily gentle tone to her voice. ”I shall do my best to nurture yours in turn, first though tell me are you afraid of heights?”

[Eidolon]

Eidolon chuckled, relieved to see her playful spirit return. "Indeed, it seems we both lost our footing for a moment there," he admitted, a smile tugging at his lips. "But perhaps a little stumble is just what we needed to find our balance." He winked. "And yes, a work-free evening sounds delightful. Let's explore the lighter side of life for a change."


He listened intently as she spoke of her life of travel and loneliness, a hint of sadness touching her words. "I understand," he said softly, his gaze filled with empathy. "The constant movement, the masks we wear... it can be a heavy burden to bear." He paused, his expression thoughtful. "But perhaps," he suggested, "those moments of shared comfort, of simple joys, are what make the journey worthwhile."


He nodded in agreement as she spoke of the value of earned experiences. "Well said, Aella," he commended. "True treasures are those we strive for, not those handed to us on a silver platter."


He met her gaze, his own eyes filled with sincerity. "And I agree," he affirmed. "Honesty is a precious commodity, especially in our line of work. You have my word, Aella. No lies between us."


He felt a warmth spread through his chest as she leaned into his touch, her trust a balm to his soul. "A quest to protect your heart," he echoed, his voice a low rumble. "It's a challenge I accept willingly." He paused, a playful glint returning to his eyes. "And as for heights..." he grinned, "I'm more accustomed to soaring amongst the clouds than clinging to solid ground. But I'm always up for a new adventure, especially with you at my side."

[Skye]

Smiling widely with a brief momentary sound of a chuckle.
”You lost yours? I think not little charmer, I think you threw me for a loop plain and simple.” Gently swaying her body back and forth in a slow rhythm. ”Sway, sway, sway, like the ocean blue, give in to the motions, change your perspective, walk the path less traveled, stumble through the brambles, who knows what you might find where others have walked not?” Letting out a soft sigh of relief. ”Good, thank you, sometimes it´s nice to just not search for the three extra meanings in everything.” Patrols was enough for that.

Gently exhaling with a thoughtful look upon the man.
”Our lives is a journey, filled with near endless sights, masks, hiding, never getting close, always an arms length away, the more we see the more we learn the price for what we have learned, for what we have seen. Like none other we are, only our community able to understand the world in which we live, yet forced to watch the blind fools blissfully lulled in this world. A blessing and a curse both at once.” Nothing comes without a price huhh. ”I believe so, I believe so, for whilst alone we might feel, where trust is hard, where a calm life will never be ours, so can each moment of the mundane be a blessing worth fighting tooth and nail for.” And cherish to the moon and back.

Making a pondering face with a slight thought.
”No, I disagree.” Lightly shaking her head. ”I do not believe we need to strive for it, we just need to walk our paths and be ready to see it when it presents itself.” Turning her eyes out over the sanctum. ”Be it finding a place to call home, someone to protect.” Eyes back upon him. ”A moment whose memory will linger within ones mind, but if you start out with striving so is it so easy to accidentally force it.” Glancing down to her hands. ”Striving to master something is one thing, but you need to have a core of why any skill, any mastery, any focus you dedicate yourself to matters to you, not just a goal to get good, or master it for no reason, it needs a core that truly matters to you, and you alone.”

”Sadly secrets we must keep, that is our cross to bear.” Always secrets, even within their own orders at times. ”That is a basis, that is a silent agreement we all adhere to when speaking within our company.” Letting her shoulders ease up with a calmed voice. ”As such you need to make certain to keep each word that can be kept, to not hide the aspects that does not need it, words have power, all the more when so much needs to be hidden.”

Keeping her eyes closed, drinking in the sensation, knowing the stupidity, the danger she was inviting, how she should never allow herself to be in such a state yet unable to move, to do anything but keeping still to just enjoy the moment for one more second, one brief second, just one more.
”Be warned it is an odd one.” My odd little heart, how often have I said that? ”Your words be sweet but, be warned, I desire to surf the air currents, to fall from heights where most birds would not travel, to get on a board and ride the winds.” Why are people so scared of it, people jump everyday. ”So be careful or I might just try to convince you to jump out a plane one day.” Eyes kept close, each word just slightly softer than the last, not wishing to move, not wishing to let go, to at ease to truly break the connection.

[Eidolon]

Eidolon chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, so I've been outmaneuvered," he conceded, a playful smile gracing his lips. "Well played, Aella. You certainly know how to keep a man on his toes." He swayed gently in response to her movements, enjoying the easy rhythm. "And I agree, a change of perspective can be quite enlightening. Sometimes the most unexpected paths lead to the most beautiful discoveries."


He nodded thoughtfully as she spoke of the duality of their lives, the constant balancing act between knowledge and isolation. "It is a blessing and a curse," he agreed, his voice tinged with understanding. "To see the world so clearly, yet be forever apart from it. But perhaps," he mused, "it is in those moments of shared humanity, of simple connection, that we find solace."


He listened intently as she shared her perspective on striving versus readiness, appreciating her insightful words. "You make a compelling argument, Aella," he acknowledged. "Perhaps it's not about forcing the outcome, but cultivating the foundation upon which those treasures can blossom." He smiled warmly. "A core of purpose, you say? I like that."


He nodded in agreement as she emphasized the importance of honesty and the power of words. "Indeed," he affirmed. "Our words carry weight, especially when so much remains unspoken. I'll keep that in mind."


He felt a warmth spread through him as she described her desire to soar amongst the clouds, her adventurous spirit resonating with his own. "An odd heart, you say?" he murmured, his voice a low rumble. "I find it quite captivating." He chuckled softly. "And as for heights... well, let's just say I'm not afraid of a little freefall. Though I might need a bit of convincing before I take the plunge." He paused, his gaze softening. "But with you by my side, Aella, I suspect I could conquer any fear."

[Skye]

Raising an eyebrow with a light tilting of her head.
”I believe you have had the control all the time my dear charmer, none have stayed with me, you took control and left me in a daze.” Keeping up her swaying rhythm, the music of the place surrounding her for a moment to gently get swept by the familiarly foreign Christmas music. ”Ohh trust me I am not the harshest there, I am just free. Now though do you like singing?” Raising both of her hands, to her side, spinning them round and round with her index and long finger pointed outward. ”Lets toss a coin and wish upon a star for that to be right.”

Shining up in agreement to his words.
”It is indeed, but nothing worth it´s salt comes without a price to pay.” Flashing him a wide smile of her lips. ”Apart but still part of, a sensation only those in our line of work can grasp. A freedom within our community, still a risk, a danger, the constant worry, knowing the line between lie of need and necessity the eternal scale we must adhere to.” Offering the faintest of nods. ”Mayhaps we do, mayhaps we can, only those with open eyes may know.”

Raising her left hand like a gun with a ktich sound as she flick her hand upward akin to having fired her finger gun.
”Exactly, cultivate a foundation, find a core, when things have a reason to matter to you, when they have a depth, something you can resonate with. For then and only then” Rapidly spinning around three times. ”can you see its full splendor, to know it, cherish it with all that you are, be it person or be it a skill. Its meaning truly shining when you see from where it comes.”

Letting her eyes follow the invisible signs around them, the fact that no one else could see them still half a mystery to her, how could they miss them? How could they not see something to fundamental of the world?
”Words are a fundamental aspect of the world, words carry a part of our souls.” Closing her eyes for a moment. ”Still ever so fragile when nothing backs them up, when action and word does not work in unison only sadness and negative aspects will remain.”

Softly, softly nodding her head against his palm, not wishing to remove her cheek just yet despite knowing she would soon have to.
”It is odd, exceedingly odd.” How is another question though. ”Then we shall see if the day does indeed come so will I maybe try to pester you for it.” Slowly, slowly opening her eyes to look upon him, meeting that soft gaze of the unexpectedly charming man. ”Careful, I might hold you to that, and I have no fear of heights, for me only excitement beats to jump into the air.” Closing her eyes once more to just soak up a final breath of the warmth. ”I do fear that the time is nigh though, that my steps need to leave this sanctuary soon.”

[Eidolon]

Eidolon chuckled, a warmth spreading through his chest at her playful banter. "Perhaps a bit of both," he conceded, a mischievous glint in his eye. "But there's no denying the captivating effect you have on me, Aella." He swayed in time with her, enjoying the shared rhythm. "And yes, I do enjoy singing, though I'm more accustomed to ancient chants than modern tunes." He winked. "But I'm always willing to try something new, especially if it involves wishing upon a star."


He nodded in agreement as she spoke of the delicate balance between their roles and the world they inhabited. "It is a tightrope walk," he acknowledged, "but one we navigate with grace and determination. And perhaps," he added, a hopeful note in his voice, "one day we'll find a way to bridge the gap between our world and theirs."


He smiled warmly as she emphasized the importance of finding meaning and purpose in one's pursuits. "Beautifully said, Aella," he commended. "It's when we connect with something on a deeper level that it truly shines."
He met her gaze, his own eyes filled with sincerity. "And yes," he affirmed, "words are indeed powerful. They can build bridges or tear them down. It's a responsibility we must wield with care."


He felt a pang of regret as she spoke of her impending departure, but he respected her need to leave. "I understand," he said softly, his voice laced with warmth. "But before you go..." He extended his hand towards her, a hopeful invitation in his eyes. "May I have this last dance?"

[Skye]

Keeping up her slow gentle swaying with a slow raise of her head as lips spread widely apart, as if ready to sing but nothing coming out. Turning her head to the side to look up at him with a mischievous look.
”I cannot claim to be a good one myself, but I do like to sing, it brightens the days, and fills them with something festive.” Looking a bit intrigued at his words. ”These ancient chants do make me curious though. Maybe I should wish upon a star to get to hear it one day.”

Freezing up, unsure what to think of his words, part of them sweet the other...He cannot mean to bridge the gap between us and the Sleepers right? That would be plain awful, let them live in ignorant bliss, don´t curse them all with this knowledge they fear the bogeymen of imagination enough, what would they do if they realized those are pale imitations of what is really out there.

”It is something easy to forget, especially in our world, especially with the knowledge and muscle memories we muster forth.” Meeting his gaze, knowing she would have to pull herself away. ”It is the power cursed upon man, the power to make plans, to give promises, to give ones word, a source of strength, wonder and pain alike, and a power that must be wielded right.” The fact that it can also be used to empower a truth into the lie only proves all the more that it is indeed a source of power.

Opening her eyes to look down upon the hand, slowly slowly turning her gaze up at him as she grabs it and steps in close, one arm wrapping around him as she lets him lead her in a slow gentle dance to the Christmas music and crackle of the fire. Fully letting him take the charge, just being close with no sign of retreating or fear other than a widespread red shining against her pale skin, waiting for a song to start and fully pass before stepping back, extending her arm to let their hands slowly drift apart whilst maintaining a longing gaze until their touch comes to an end. Spinning around and jumping down to the general part of the store, tumbling forward to the table of gingerbread cookies, grabbing two and blowing him a kiss as she starts spinning faster and faster towards the door, letting her hair fly through the air, avoiding every obstacle, fully utilizing her small stature and well honed body to navigate the aisles to the door. Stopping with a lightly dizzied look as she smiles up at him.
”See you for Christmas, I have no allergies and eat meat.” Raising a hand to give him a light wink before disappearing out into the street, walking just far enough away to find an opening between two houses to slide into and fall down against the wall panting, unable to stop smiling. What just happened? Was that all real?

And we are at 30 days, thank you for the scene it was an absolute delight.

[Eidolon]

Eidolon watched as his beautiful companion made her way to the door, "See you Christmas." he says with a wave as he makes his way to the door to lock up for the night.

Thank you for the delightful scene.