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Post by &&..anumoir,, on Jul 6, 2008 20:58:36 GMT -5
quinn[/size]
Bare feet touched the hard gray pavement silently, slipping stealthily across the hard ground with barely a rustle. A finger twitched, then fingers curled into a compact fist. Those palms were sheathed with black fingerless gloves, extending down over the two wrists, which were covered in several wrist bands of bright and eccentric colors. One was bright orange and rubber with some kind of engraving on it. Another was a thin green rope, another was brown twine interwoven with seashells. And still another was a thick black rubber band decorated with bright yellow beads. They encircled both wrists, thin arms peach-skin colored, splashed with faint bronze freckles. Her eyes were the most colorful next to the wristbands -- vibrant golden-brown, ringed with some dark shade of brown or black. They seemed to change in the shifting light as she passed in and out of shadow, growing dark brown, then liquid gold, then crisp hazel. Her lips, full but pale, moved ever so slightly as a pink tong slipped through the cracked lips and ran over their soft texture several times. You could see the hunger in her eyes, and in her sad face.
Then Quinn made her movie. A gloved hand flashed out, scooping up a shiny red apple quickly as she moved casually along the vendor - flanked market streets. She kept walking slowly, her pace quickening and her bare feet slapping faintly on the roughness of the paved street. She felt the apple -- shiny and luminous in her hand, and she tucked it into the front pocket of her thin navy blue zipped hoodie. Her hood was already up over her face, hiding her hair from the view of anyone behind her. Facing her, her dark brown hair was visible framing her face, a few strands falling willfully from where they were tucked back into the hood. Bangs fell across the left side of her forehead, the most visible part of her hair, and revealing it to be faintly tinted with red as the sun caught her in the face. Quinn squinted and made a sharp turn, cutting into a narrow alley away from the irritant buzz of merchants and townspeople.
Her eyes gleamed as she pulled the apple out and held it before her eyes, bright red and shiny, just as she had wanted. Her mouth watered, craving traced in the crinkled lines beneath her narrowed eyes. So what if she stole it? Quinn felt guilty dig at her stomach, and bit her lip. Hard. Blood welled up from her lower lip, and she could taste the salty liquid in her mouth. She licked her lip, swallowing the blood with a tiny cringe of disgust. The fifteen year old girl was hungry, but she hadn't stolen before. What if someone found out? She silently cursed her blasted guilt, holding the apple before her eyes. Why not...
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Post by SOdA POP ||. on Jul 7, 2008 1:33:19 GMT -5
A sigh was covered by the hustle-and-bustle of the market, and a rather exhasperated sigh at that. It came from a handsome young man named James, who was very tired of being shy and quiet. He had come to the market hoping to improve his social skills, but to his own dismay, he was overcome by them once again. He was immediately self-conscious, barely able to ask for the goods he saught. Many times he had to repeat himself, his voice was so quiet.
A young girl came striding past, glancing over her shoulder every few seconds, a ruby red apple in hand. Her feet were bare, her hands sheathed by fingerless black gloves and her arms strewn with bracelets of all kinds. He cocked his head slightly as she turned down a less crowded alleyway, sitting and leaning against the stone wall. She held the apple in front of her, craving so obvious on her features. But it was also clear that she was guilty about something, he could see it in her eyes.
Again James sighed, wishing he could do something, or talk to this pretty girl. Well, why don't you? She aint stoppin ya. A little voice erupted in his head. There was a moments indecision before he made up his mind, striding over to the side-street. He was feet away when he suddenly felt the shyness creeping over him. But he couldn't turn back now, not when he was so close. "I-um...I uh, hope you paid for that." He stuttered. Idiot.
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Post by &&..anumoir,, on Jul 7, 2008 3:06:55 GMT -5
quinn[/size]
Quinn's eyes widened, her gentle features immediately draw into a mistrusting frown as she scrambled to her feet, apple clutched in one hand behind her back. She stared at the older boy who stood in front of her, a clearly angry gleam present in her slitted hazel eyes. Her eyes refused to leave his, glued to his face, she wiggled her toes against the grimy asphalt; mentally calculating how much of a chance she would have if she ran. Would she, a small girl of fifteen, have a chance against this man? He looked to be in his early twenties, his face was movie-star handsome, his height towering over her. She gritted her teeth, biting her tongue. Even good-looking men could be murders...pedophiles...she shuddered inwardly and clenched her fists.
Though while all these paranoid and suspicions thoughts were running through her mind in little more than a second, her more subconscious mind had already established that he was not going to harm her. His gaze was nervous, his voice hesitant and quiet. Now the smoldering anger returned to her eyes. "Of course I payed for it." she mumbled, averting her eyes. Why can't I lie better? "Who are you? I don't know you..." her voice trailed off softly, her natural quiet nature seeming to take over the angry adrenaline that had come with her alert to the danger that was no longer present. Her eyes left his for the again, running up and down his tall figure and returning to hold his eyes in her hazel gaze. Her eyes seemed to beg him, to scream "well??".
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Post by SOdA POP ||. on Jul 7, 2008 3:18:12 GMT -5
James kicked himself inwardly. What bussiness did he have poking in this young ladies bussiness? None. He watched her stand, fury blazing in her hazel colored eyes. For a moment, mistrust flitted across her features, but the flaming unhappiness soon returned, and she made it clear that he was not welcome nosing around in her life. "Of course I paid for it. Besides, why are you interrogating me. You don't know me!" She had a point there. He didn't know her. He didn't know this ragged, apparently street wise girl any more than he knew the answer to one of Einstien's equations. "Well, er, why do you look so guilty then?" James's voice was a little mre confident now, though he wasn't any more certain that she wouldn't chew him to bits. He ran his hand through his honey-gold hair, scuffing his feet around on the dusty cobblestone floor. He peeked at her, curious as to her reaction, under his lashes, trying to disguise the glance.
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Post by &&..anumoir,, on Jul 7, 2008 15:25:25 GMT -5
quinn[/size]
"Well..I-I'm not guilty of anything." she mumbled angrily, casting her eyes down. She peered up cautiously through a few strands of dark hair fallen before her eyes, noticing he seemed to be doing the same thing. His voice had gained a bit more confidence, but she could see him falter. Quinn suppressed the urge to smile, her fleeting gaze wondering what he was thinking. She finally produced the apple from behind her back, shoving it into his chest, as a flare of either anger or impatience flashed in her eyes . "Just take it. And leave me alone..." she breathed, sighing. She twisted a strand of soft dark hair around a finger, studying his face for a reaction. Should she just run away? Or wait to see what he would do? She found her bare feet glued to the pavement, unable to move more than a finger. Her faintly freckled cheeks were tinged pink with a light blush, her hands sweat as she stuffed them in the pockets of her navy blue hoodie.
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Post by SOdA POP ||. on Jul 7, 2008 16:25:31 GMT -5
James was surprised. This fiery girl seemed almost as shy as he was, though he still felt like an idiot. He thought he saw her expression lighten, but only for a moment. Still, there had been a lively sparkle that he had failed to notice before in those endless hazle eyes. He faltered for a minute, staring a her, completely forgetting what was going on. He saw the apple flash out from behind her, then it was shoved into his chest. James made a small npise, somewhere between a surprised grunt and his breath being knocked out. He managed to catch the apple before it hit the ground, though still slightly confused. "Just take it. And leave me alone..." James thought that she would spin around, contempt in her eyes. But she didn't. In fact, she showed no signs of leaving whatsoever. She was looking at him, twirling a strand of silky black hair around her finger. Her expression was impatient, and perhaps a little resentful, but it was easy to pick out the curiosity in her features. James let out a small, crooked smile as he noticed the slight blush on her cheeks. Perhaps we got off on the wrong foot. I don't even know her name.. Straightening up, James held out a hand. "I'm James, who are you?" He found it easy not to be shy around this girl, there was somehing about her that encouraged him to open up. Perhaps it was her odd appearance, perhaps it was those eyes, perhaps it was even her temper. Either way, there was no going back now.
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Post by &&..anumoir,, on Jul 7, 2008 18:15:07 GMT -5
quinn[/size]
She could not stop a light smile from crossing her lips briefly, as she watched his tense features relax in her presence. A weight seemed lifted from his trembling eyes, and he peered down at her with newborn curiosity and an almost puppy-like hopefulness. She could not help but feel a twinge of warmth, working its way slowly through her body until the warmth spread to her cold fingertips. She pulled her hands from her pockets, rubbing them together. Sweaty though they were, they always seemed cold. For once, they tingled with this strange warmth that seemed to come from something about his presence. Perhaps it was the soft, gentle shyness of his eyes. Perhaps it was his warm, soothing voice, or trembling hands that brought a slight twist of pity to her stomach. But she felt her tightened throat loosening, her muscles, which had been tensed to bolt, beginning to relax. What was it? It was an inexplicable feeling of belonging, that she was somehow subtly drawn to this man. Something deep in side of her felt home. The way she felt when she was in a familiar place she loved. She knew him. She had known him for her entire life. And yet how was it that they had just met moments before?
She eyed the apple in his hands, shiny and bright. He had caught it just in time, and then she realized her last comment had been somewhat of a final statement. "Just take it! And leave me alone..." If she really wanted to leave she would have stormed off after saying those words, and not turn back. Then why was she still here? Her eyes were drawn to his face again as he straitened up, a newfound ease cool in his clear green eyes. He held out a hand, "I'm James, who are you?" he asked easily. She detected none of the awkward pauses in his words, his confidence seemed assured by something. And her eyes could just make out a faint smile hidden from his face, plain in his crinkled eyes and handsome tan features. She made a suprised noise, opening her mouth. Her hesitation was only brief, and before Quinn realized it the words were spilling from her mouth. "I'm Quinn." She blinked, a little suprised at herself. But then again she wasn't really suprised. James seemed to cast a calm shadow over her, loosening her tight muscles and throbbing stomach. She reached out tentatively and slipped her hand into his, giving it a quick shake before drawing her gloved hand away. Though her palms were sheathed with thin black fabric, she could feel the warmth of his faintly rough skin on her fingers. She felt safe, however much that paradox disgusted her conscious mind. Her subconscious had already given in. There was no gong back now.
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Post by SOdA POP ||. on Jul 9, 2008 3:17:02 GMT -5
James watched as the young girl quickly slipped her hand into his, shyly giving it a quick shake before pulling it away, even if somewhat reluctantly. He liked the way her petite hand felt in his, slipping gently into place against his palm. And when she moved it away, it left his skin tingling, as if it was shocked by her gentle touch. "Quinn.." He tried the name out, and it slipped like honey on his tongue. Quinn seemed to be relaxing, her stance cat-like before, ready to bolt. He noticed her eying the apple n his hands. He brought it up to his face, turning it in his hand, admiring the rich color. Gently, he tossed it back to her, a light smile playing on his lips, his eyes soft. "Do you come here often?" He asked. He tried to keep his voice smooth, for it was all but leaping from his throat. He was excited, the high fed by the new spark that seemed to charge the atmosphere. It made him feel alive, more alive then he had ever felt in the presence of another human since he was a boy. And he liked it. He felt like he could run for miles, or he was floating on a cloud. And he was happy. More happy then he had ever been since his parting with his family. Perhaps, after he left this girl, he could find her here again...
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Post by &&..anumoir,, on Jul 9, 2008 17:46:42 GMT -5
quinn[/size]
Her eyes darted toward the bright red apple, tossed gently toward her, and she caught it in an open hand. She slipped the shiny treasure into the pocket of her hoodie again, letting her hands fall from the safe folds of her jacket and pressing her palms against the rough brick of the wall behind her as she leaned back against the surface more casually. She watched as he seemed to try out her name, liking without even realizing it, the way his clear, deep voice rolled over her name. She had never liked her name, but it didn't sound terrible when James said it ... Quinn forced herself to end that certain train of thought, focusing on allowing a genuine smile to cross her face.
"Do you come here often?" he asked. His eyes seemed almost to crinkle with some hopefulness, and Quinn shyly wondered why. "No, not really." she answered truthfully. She glanced down at her feet, bare and pale against the dark grimy street, and smudged with what looked like coal. She had shoes of course, she just didn't like to wear them especially if she was only going to the market. "Not here." she was referring to the certain alleyway, unsure for a moment what he meant. She looked up slightly, a small smile carving her soft features. "But I come to the market a lot. Not to steal." she added pointedly, frowning lest he start again. The apple felt hard and smooth against her skin, through the thin layers of fabric, reminding her tauntingly. "I, uh, live near here." she broke off awkwardly, peering up at him through her bangs, her head still tilted downward. Should she have mentioned that? She could feel her paranoia kicking in, mentally slapping her for revealing that bit of not-very-useful information.
For once she fought against her paranoia, scolding herself angrily for even thinking such thoughts. She could trust him. And for once, her instincts seemed to believe her.
Quinn felt oddly calm, oddly peaceful. And yet a strange pressure was building in her chest, sending placid adrenaline seeping into her bloodstream. A quiet blush was brought to her faintly freckled cheek, and she smiled shyly, again at James. She curled her toes, wriggling them slowly into the grimy hard ground, longing for the feeling of lush grass beneath her bare feet. But she would have done anything -- gone anywhere right now. The feeling of a great wave building int her reached her eyes, their hazel depths shining almost slyly. She felt like she could rise to the tip of her toes and burst into the sky, to fly, to grow wings and dance behind the sky. And this odd feeling left her longing to go somewhere -- anywhere. She wanted to do something worthwhile, something more than her usual scavenging the streets and wanderings after work. But even that would have done, at that moment.
She stepped forward from her position leaning against the wall and studied James with a curios tilt of her head, her eyes brimming with shy enthusiasm. The warmth would not go away, it seemed to melt her core. That part of her deep inside that was hard and icy seemed to give way, melt. And she felt light. Quinn wondered, peering into his eyes and trying to read his expression, did he feel this oddly as well? And while only a few seconds had lapsed while these thoughts and emotions were running untamed through her heart, it felt like ages. She made up her mind. In a few seconds she would know what he was thinking. Quinn took a few steps toward the end of the alley, where it merged again with the street. Her skin still seemed to tingle from his touch, yet her fingers had seemed to grow cold when he had let go. Odd. She stopped and turned back, holding out a gloved hand. "Shall we go, then?"
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Post by SOdA POP ||. on Jul 10, 2008 1:55:18 GMT -5
James winked as Quinn caught the apple in one fluid movement. Gently, she slipped it into her pocket with a slight, yet unmistakable air of victory. She moved to lean casually against the wall, a smile on her face. James grinned crookedly too, it was impossible not to be infected by her smile. It was so honest, and it gave her a confident aura while also encouraging him.
"No, not really." That was a blow. His smile weakened somewhat. How would he ever find her now? She gazed down at her feet, and for the first time, James noticed she wore no shoes. Peculiar. Yet inspiring in a way, he liked that she was different. "Not here." A tiny, wry smile appeared on her thin face, leaving James slightly confused. "But I come to the market a lot. Not to steal." He was shot a steely glance, and he got the message. Stealing was a topic she preferred to stay away from. But his smile recovered, now he could find her again, and - stop right there, James. He scolded himself for letting his mind waver in that direction. "I live near here." She cut herself awkwardly, afraid to let any more information slip.
A lively glimmer danced in her eyes, and a faint blush painted her cheeks as she smiled shyly. She looked about ready to burst with energy, just as he felt, and surely he looked it, too. She took a few measured steps forward, studying James with a quiet enthusiasm brimming in her endless eyes. And then their eyes met, and the feeling was of bliss, and he wondered if she could possibly feel the same. She walked to mouth of the alley, and she seemed uncertain. Then she turned back to face him, offering him her hand. "Shall we go then?" She asked, and her voice had a slight anxious edge to it, as if sticking to her throat slightly. James grinned a small, crooked grin, and took her hand without hesitating. "Where to?"
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Post by &&..anumoir,, on Jul 10, 2008 23:47:01 GMT -5
quinn[/size]
She could not help the smile that crossed her face, lighting her features. She looked back at James, and he seemed to be smiling as well. His eyes were light, alive with some mixture of emotions that left him looking fresh. Quinn decided he looked beautiful when he was happy. The light seemed to lay perfectly in his bronze hair, his eyes shining, seemed to soften the lines of his face and add an edge of warmth, humanity to an otherwise picture-perfect stone carving.
"Anywhere." She almost whispered the words, uttered through the lively smile on her lips. Her eyes glowed, and she felt his hand firmly in hers. So that was it. No going back. They were friends now. His fingers seemed to tighten in hers, warm even through the black fabric of her fingerless gloves. It was not the tender hold of lovers, nor was it, though closer, the casual grasp of two friends. But how could they be friends, for having only know each other a few minutes? Something reminded Quinn that she had known James her entire life. She liked his crooked grin. Something about his sad shyness had fallen away, leaving him glowing with fervor. Yet she could still see it, hidden behind his eyes and his crooked smile. But that sadness, that shyness, did not exist for the two of them at that moment. And she could see clearly that he wasn't suppressing it; his light smile was honest. And so she was glad. Whatever for?
Her common sense kept pricking at her, even after she set a pale bare foot outside the grimy alley, gently pulling him along behind her. Her mind was hurtling questions at her, one after another. Why are you doing this? What is this feeling? Who is he? But for once, Quinn cast a side her common sense, leaving it behind in the alley as she pulled James through the swarm of vendors and the busy market.
Not one vendor, intent on shouting their products to the world, noticed the small dark-haired girl pulling the taller young man through the throng of people, shouting at the top of their lungs it seemed. And Quinn had had enough of it. They reached the end of the road, dust billowing up in the hard paved street. Suddenly the familiar roar of an engine send clouds of dust into the already dust-misted air. Quinn turned, for a moment letting go of his hand. An old red truck, it's engine sputtering weakly, seemed to limp by them at a painfully slow pace. The truck had once been bright, shiny red. Like the apple in her pocket, it had gleamed. And now dust seemed to lay over it sadly, the once-sharp metal faded and the gleam gone from it's chipped paint.
The dark-haired girl watched it pass in almost a trance, an expression of almost regret clouding her eyes. But the impact of age's weary grasp on the car passed in a flash, replaced by a most uncharacteristic smile of mischief. Her eyes gleamed as Quinn turned to look at James, an idea quickly forming. Trailing behind the truck was an old trailer, full of wooden crates.
Without a word Quinn took his hand again, pulling James after the slowly-moving car. She breathed deeply the dusty air and turned, one last smile crossing her face before she placed a foot on the bumper and heaved herself onto the trailer. "Come one!" she hissed. She didn't dare let go of his hand, as the truck moved on. James would have no choice but to follow.
And one question remained, as she had climbed up onto the trailer and pulled James along with her.
What on earth am I doing?
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Post by SOdA POP ||. on Jul 11, 2008 1:23:38 GMT -5
James reveled in her whisper and the small silence that followed as they gazed at each other. Then he was gently tugged into the market throng. A path seemed to open up for them, and they were paid no attention. They continued on silently, all the while their hands never parting and the warmth remaining. There was a moment though when Quinn let go, watching a dusty red pickup wheeze past with sad eyes. Another one of her wry smiles appeared again, and she nimbly jumped into the trailer it was carrying. "Come on!" she hissed. He still had her hand, but the truck was moving away fast. Moving his legs, James ran to catch up, to jump onto the bumper. For a moment he was worried he wouldn make it, their hands now only held together at the fingers. The truck was inches away now, and James leaped into the bumper, and leaped into the trailer, also managing to land ontop of Quinn as he lost balance, his hands above her shoulders. "Uh, heh.." James blushed and rolled off her, embarassed beyond reason. Smooth move Mr.Cool.
If only he had been able to shift, that would have been prevented. And then he wondered if Quinn was a shifter. What if she wasn't? It could never be safe for her to be around him then, for danger of exposing his secret. There had to be a way... James continued to ponder this dilemma as the truck bumped on, jade eyes staring at the sky.
My apologies for teh shortness. ^^;
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