Rie
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Post by Rie on Jan 12, 2022 4:04:33 GMT
"You know Wraiths just as ghosts or somethin', right?" Ripley slipped her hands back into the pockets of her trench coat, pulling it around her thin frame ever so slightly. It wasn't as if her outfit was particularly modest - in fact, it left very little to the imagination. Why she would try to cover herself now was beyond comprehension. It was, in short, a defensive move: she had walked her happy little ass down to the dregs of society, and being openly smarter than anybody else was a dangerous move she wasn't often willing to make. If it backfired on her... It could destroy all of the hard work she had put into this.
Or, worse, it could kill her.
Still, this girl was obviously not gang material. Out here in the woods, all by herself, with nothing but the trees and grass to keep her company... Nah, no young, frail thing in a gang would manage to have THAT degree of freedom.
"Wraiths are also a breed of dragon from, like... Viking legend or something. Usually elemental, usually hiding as a human, usually super powerful, and usually super weak looking." She obviously eyed the girl from head to toe and back again, before holding her gaze firmly. There was no lie in her posture, no twitch that would have bespoke deceit. She was being honest, as hard as that might be to believe. "And I don't trust this demeanor for a second. Scared, sure. Sick, maybe. I don't know ya. But weak?" She shook her head slowly from side to side. "Nah. That, I don't believe. There's a dragon in there, just beneath your skin."
Super deep, especially for some girl who had almost passed out in the forest.
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Faythe Lyveaf
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Post by Faythe Lyveaf on Jan 12, 2022 7:33:48 GMT
Faythe paused a moment and in a few seconds she both processed the explanation and tried to recall if she had ever heard of such a thing. Of which she hadn’t and quite frankly it was almost another moment when Faythe understood that if this woman was trying to call her a Wraith then it was a compliment. Not one she could feel right away for the word and the synonyms like it left marks on her soul that made her associate it with a loneliness from her youth. This was unlike anything she had heard before.
She could almost call it preposterous and a quick but lame excuse to cover what might have been a slip of the tongue.
Still Faythe measured the situation and either this much smaller woman was a really good actor or it was the truth.
In the few seconds Faythe surmised all of this together she sputtered a chuckle which rolled into a whispy giggle. She stopped walking in order to hold herself upright as she chortled. “Oh do please lend me the book you pulled that from I would thoroughly enjoy such an imaginative concept.”
A dragon within this frail body was something she had never been told and it was a strange thing no doubt she hardly knew what to do with it. Her parents made more used but fully loving attempts to inspire her confidence. Such as “you are stronger than you know” and “you can do anything you set your mind to” but never as playfully figurative as a dragon within her.
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Rie
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Post by Rie on Jan 12, 2022 7:46:05 GMT
Ripley couldn't help but snicker at the thought. If only this woman knew what book, exactly, she had taken that from... she might not be so inclined to blow her off. "It's a real masterpiece, but I'm not sure you can handle it. It has a lot of deep, emotional points that make most people uncomfortable. It's SO deep, in fact, that they tried to make a video game of it... and then THAT flopped. Because, you know. People were... ah... uncomfortable."
Not because she had a bigger monthly budget than what the entire game probably cost to make. OBVIOUSLY not that at all. She gave a shake of her head. "The game is actually ten times better than the book. But yeah, I'll bring you the book when I tell you the results."
She knew that the woman found it ridiculous, but in all actuality... It was one of her favorite concepts. Oftentimes, she would look at her mother, even at herself, and she would see - for just a moment - what everybody else saw. Very little. Tall, thin frame, spindly limbs that were thin even when encased in muscle, a pretty face... and not much else. When those thoughts got particularly bad, she would always return to the book they were discussing.
"But. You have to promise me to take care of it. Only copy I have is my own personal one."
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Faythe Lyveaf
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Post by Faythe Lyveaf on Jan 12, 2022 12:40:20 GMT
“I’ve spent many a year with a stack of books at my bedside. I still have most of them today in well condition. And I won’t let the carnivorous plants eat it that I can promise.” Faythe stood up straight and adjusted her bag across her shoulder to alleviate some strain from carrying it.
But that aside the concern that has been brought up about how well Faythe can handle the story mentioned contradicted the earlier compliment. Or so Faythe felt. For she had read many a mysterious pages to find a not so clean surprise in the words. She took things like that in stride these later years. It is easier sometimes to read than to watch. Still I guess there might be somethings she’d find unforgettably disturbing. Still she was curious.
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Rie
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Post by Rie on Jan 12, 2022 13:18:33 GMT
Ripley hesitated a moment before nodding. She wasn't entirely sure if this tiny woman had any idea what, exactly, she was getting herself into... but she couldn't remember the last time she had shared Her Majesty's Dragon with somebody. It was almost... exciting.
"Yeah. We shall see. It'll be fun. You will, of course, tell me what you think?"
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Faythe Lyveaf
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Post by Faythe Lyveaf on Jan 12, 2022 20:10:45 GMT
“When I finish it we may have a whole tea session about it.” Faythe nodded then reconsidered. “Unless you don’t prefer tea? I have a small menu of things we’ll figure something out.”
She didn’t have people over much. I mean customers yes but that was hardly the same.
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Rie
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Post by Rie on Jan 12, 2022 23:09:23 GMT
Tea? She hadn't had tea - like actual, warm tea with sugar cubes and milk - since the last time she had seen her mother. It was strange, the way the two facts overlapped. She could hear the orange haired socialite now. "Sit down with me, Ripley dear, and have a spot of tea..." Once upon a time, Ripley had SWORN her mother must be using the phrase ironically. It wasn't until long after Evie and her husband split up that the young, rebellious, bitter Ripley had realized...
Evie was serious. Every time, she had meant those words. It was almost enough to make her smack her own forehead. What on EARTH could have possessed that woman to act so... so......
And yet, in this wooded paradise just within the realms of Telluride City, this tiny ghost girl asked about tea, and it seemed perfectly fitting.
"Depends on what kind of tea, but sure. I can do tea."
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Faythe Lyveaf
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Post by Faythe Lyveaf on Jan 12, 2022 23:49:38 GMT
“They lack the… refinement of gourmet teas since they are of my own garden, but I have a few blends that, I think, possess a depth you can only get from fresher ingredients. They have more nutrition too. But we can go herbal, fruity, spiced, and floral…” she counted off on her fingers and paused trying to think of that was all she wanted to brag about. They were her recipes even if they were inspired by original sources she balanced out her blends in her own way to highlight more focused flavors. It really took an understanding of the chemistry between the plants used even once they’ve dried.
“Anyway I have plenty to choose from.” She raised a finger remembering. “I’ve not perfected my tapioca boba for those fancy new tea and juice drinks… So not those.”
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Rie
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Post by Rie on Jan 14, 2022 3:24:01 GMT
Ripley's shoulders shuddered back and forth at the thought of anything with tapioca. The ghost of the taste touched her tongue and her features contorted into a look of disgust, tongue half sticking out. She glanced back towards Faythe, as if suddenly remembering that the girl was there. She winced slightly but made no move to actively apologize.
Instead, she offered a little chuckle."Well. That's a huge lift off my shoulders. I'm not super good at those either, so it works out."
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Rie
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Post by Rie on Jan 14, 2022 3:24:43 GMT
Ripley's shoulders shuddered back and forth at the thought of anything with tapioca. The ghost of the taste touched her tongue and her features contorted into a look of disgust, tongue half sticking out. She glanced back towards Faythe, as if suddenly remembering that the girl was there. She winced slightly but made no move to actively apologize.
Instead, she offered a little chuckle."Well. That's a huge lift off my shoulders. I'm not super good at those either, so it works out."
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Faythe Lyveaf
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Post by Faythe Lyveaf on Jan 14, 2022 6:05:47 GMT
Faythe covered her mouth as a chuckle tried to slip at their disgust. It didn’t seem like she needed to worry about her Boba this time around.
“Just as well then.” She nodded. “I’m sorry to have brought up some sour recollection.”
She was back to a comfortable state when the topic of if Faythe could talk to “Grandfather tree” or if she was being called a ghost of sorts.
While she didn’t know if Rie was talking about a literal Grandfather or if it was a figurative Green man variation. She knew of these kinds of lore and if she meant it or not Faythe was trying to keep a low profile about her being able to speak with the Green. It was just that she already looked a little outlandish by birth it was just easier to make herself as normal and unassuming as possible.
Like she said things like that is bad for business and without her business she’ll have nothing at all. It was her home and her reason for getting out of bed and it is the source of income as well as the best way for her to get any amount of exercise. If she didn’t have her business she might be induced into a hospice and waste away in boredom, depression, and lose all motivation to do much else but be forced to remain in bed. Which may or may not be a complete dramatized image for her but it would indeed be the greater of her fears.
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Rie
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Post by Rie on Jan 16, 2022 17:48:55 GMT
Ripley gave a shake of her head, shuddering ever so slightly. Boba tea...
"I think it's the texture. It has to be, because I can't remember ever actually TASTING them. But that slimy, gummy, gooey texture...." The thin girl made a dramatic, full bodied gagging gesture, before straightening up. She grabbed ahold of the front of her trench coat, wrapping it tightly around herself as she fought off the feelings of disgust.
"But hey, man. You want slimy balls in your mouth, then by all means. But me? I'd rather just have my tea normal, thanks."
It was odd how easily this strange, pale girl seemed to assume friendship. They hadn't known each other for more than half an hour, but Ripley chatted with Faythe as easily as if they were best friends, as if they always had been. There was an easy confidence about her, a nonchalance. She seemed to move with the knowledge that whatever she wanted, she could have.
If only people understood how she got what she wanted.
She glanced sideways at Faythe, a little half smirk on her lips, as she waited for her response.
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Faythe Lyveaf
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Post by Faythe Lyveaf on Jan 17, 2022 3:39:34 GMT
“Well when you say it like that…” Faythe’s nose scrunched a bit at the choice of phrasing. Maybe trying to make this endeavor was trying too hard. Faythe might get into these projects and eventually stop because they were not worth the hassle considthe limited amount of time she already had to do the things she absolutely needed to do.
But also Ripley might misunderstand Faythe. The fact this was just the surface of the pale woman’s demeanor. It could almost be a profitable connection.
However it was not something as heartless as it sounded. As a matter of face the open blossom of Faythe’s smile welcomed a friend to any who would come into her communication and whether one person bought anything or not she was happy to have visitors and treated them like old friends.
But if there was something Ripley wanted she might find Faythe hard to crack. She would have to find just the right amount of honesty if Faythe were to really trust the girl.
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Rie
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Post by Rie on Jan 18, 2022 21:25:34 GMT
Ripley couldn't help but chuckle at Faythe's reaction. Finally, somebody who agreed with her opinion! It seemed like all of the people who really liked Boba REALLY LIKED it, and they were staunch supporters of the weird, jellied texture and almost flavorless balls. She stuck her tongue out again in distaste and shook her head.
"Honestly, I'm not big on cold tea anyway." She gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. It was something her mother was always very particular about: tea was to be served hot. Given, in a lot of ways, that made Rie think she should probably try cold tea, if for no other reason than to be obstinate. But tea time was always the best time with miss Evelyn King, and hot tea brought back memories of happier times... when her dad didn't really drink, or at least when he wasn't around to spoil their fun.
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Faythe Lyveaf
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Post by Faythe Lyveaf on Jan 18, 2022 23:31:53 GMT
“Just as well then… tea and snacks that would like to make a proper English woman proud.” She beamed. “Though it sounds like you know what you might prefer, you don’t look like the kind to drink much tea. I mean I know we have a huge wave of people going more “natural”…” she finger quoted. “But you don’t seem the kind to care based on my surface deep observation.”
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Rie
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Post by Rie on Jan 19, 2022 0:40:20 GMT
She gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. If they hadn't just discussed cigarettes and healthy alternatives, if she wasn't out here looking like she hadn't bathed in a week, if the smell of blood wasn't still stuck in her nose and making her feel nauseous... then maybe she would have argued, or at least asked what made Faythe think that. She was too scantily clad to really understand what, exactly, she liked to wear, and she was thin enough that she might be one of those health nuts that took it too far. Who knew?
"My... mother used to make us sit down for tea time," she muttered softly, and her tone was suddenly devoid of emotion altogether. It was a defense mechanism, going numb when she thought about the beautiful orange haired woman. If she could stay numb, she could let the good times be good without wanting to forgive her.... and let the bad times be bad without wanting to hate her. It was easier that way. Yet, the young girl that prided herself on being in total control... seemed to let it slip, ever so slightly, when that numbness crept in. It was as if the numbness was too oppressive to really hide, even for young Ripley.
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Faythe Lyveaf
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Post by Faythe Lyveaf on Jan 19, 2022 12:25:14 GMT
Faythe blinked twice and looked down at the Ripley. She really examined the body language that came with the startling change in voice. Faythe could feel it and in turn really heard it. This was where her strength lies.
The way Faythe might hear a whisper from a flower is like it travels through her and into her mind. She can see it, hear it, and feel it. For a forest doesn’t have its own language or even uses words, but Faythe knows what they are saying if she listens.
“I… apologize if I brought up something difficult to recall.” She surmised if possible Ripley’s mother had passed or maybe these “tea times” were uncomfortably forced of which made Faythe consider a different beverage or another thing altogether. “It doesn’t have to be tea… maybe coffee?”
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Rie
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Post by Rie on Jan 19, 2022 12:54:44 GMT
A beat of silence as Ripley realized just how much she had given away... just how much this strange little girl could have gleaned from that simple sentence. She almost flinched, almost, if it wouldn't mean giving away even more than she already had. Ripley was as woman of many, many secrets, and most often, she kept those pinned against her heart, where nobody could get to them. She balled her hands into tight, dangerous fists and took a steadying breath. She couldn't expose any more... Not here, not now, possibly not ever.
And then, just like that, the moment passed. She forced her body to relax as much as she could manage, her muscles rather suddenly loosening. Her eyes, a brilliant and odd shade of teal, lightened once more as she forced her sour mood to the back of her mind. She turned to look at Faythe and gave a shake of her head. "Tea time was honestly the pinnacle of my time with my mother," she said, honestly. "I actually really love tea. Coffee makes me jittery. Not that it keeps me from drinking it, but..." She gave a shrug of her slender shoulders, stuffing both hands into the pockets of her trench coat in an effort to hide the fists she couldn't release.
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Faythe Lyveaf
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Post by Faythe Lyveaf on Jan 20, 2022 3:38:04 GMT
All the more for Faythe to assume Ripley’s mother might have likely passed on. It was not Faythe’s business if Ripley didn’t want to say so. She could respect that. Faythe could almost see a shaken carbonated bottle that was opened just enough to let out the pressure. And with quickly risen bubbles it was closed once more to build its pressure. This imagery was what Faythe correlated Ripley’s efforts.
She was surprised however that Ripley's wall on the matter fell very easily. Given the nature that Faythe originally perceived she felt either this was a moment Ripley’s guard was down or beneath this dark and steeled appearance she was a softy. And possibly one with a lot of love to give and maybe even a lot of loss experienced.
“I might consider low caffeinated tea then. To be fair stronger teas and coffee make me jittery too. I don’t have a strong enough body to stress it out with caffeine.”
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Rie
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Post by Rie on Jan 21, 2022 3:42:35 GMT
"There's low caffeinated tea?" Ripley asked, her eyes widening almost comically, as she stared at the woman. She faked complete and utter surprise, holding a hand to her chest in a dramatic, sweeping gesture. "Oh my WORD, but that sounds like a sin! And we don't condone sinning round these parts, no no."
She snickered slightly at her own little performance. It was obvious that she was covering the emotion that had peaked out moments before, but it was also obvious that she was making no secret of it. She could continue to ride the emotional rollercoaster that was her relationship with her mother... or she could move on, get back to the lighter mood that she had managed to maintain prior. She gave a shake of her head, black pigtails shaking back and forth.
"I don't skimp out on caffeine just because it makes me nervous. Coffee just gets to me more than tea does. Dunno if that's all in my head or what... but I don't think I'd be okay with low or no caffeine....ated.... Uh." She stopped herself, realizing that she had stumbled her way into a strange place, grammatically. THAT... was unintentional, which was rare for the young girl.
She gave a shake of her head, firmer this time.
"What I'm trying to say is, I prefer caffeine. White teas, for example."
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