❦ Empatheias Contact ❦

[thefirstbloom]

❧ Contact Trahearne by voice, image, or find him at his apartment in the free district of Verens. He works at Paulson's Books.

Comments

[invigorates]

[ she wants to believe that, she really does. but it's hard when she's told herself time and time again, for centuries, that she is a worthless pile of garbage that doesn't deserve to be happy, that only causes problems for people that she loves.

she takes a deep breath, curling her fingers to grip his lightly for a moment. ]

You have said many times that you think I am sacrificing my life back home to stay here with you. But I can tell you I am not, for there is truly nothing — no one — for me to return home to. My friends have all gone. [ read as: died. ] And though the life I lead now is... good, it is a lonely existence, and it is something I have brought upon myself.

[ she continues, telling him the story that started when she was young (well, young for an elf). the story of the fallen light elf city, of alairr, enfaren, veles, and their journey to right the wrongs committed by an evil wizard. she tells it like they are the true heroes, making only minute notes on herself and her involvement in the events that unfolded.

she tells him how alairr died, how she fell into that sleep for nearly a year, how they saved the world and things didn't seem so terrible. but as she continues, it's evident that this story has no happy ending.

diamanda. betrayal. veles, her father for all intents and purposes, dead at her feet and lioriley, tears in her eyes, shooting that arrow into a man's heart. she's crying for real by the end of it all, muttering something about how they deserved better. how she should have done better, and how she didn't deserve what little she did have back home. ]

I am so afraid the same fate will befall you. [ again, technically, only this time it would be her fault. she whispers, face pressed into his chest. ]

[thefirstbloom]

[He falls silent once again, not daring to interrupt her no matter how many different times he wanted to argue things were not her fault. Though he couldn't possibly visualize every tragedy, he knew that she couldn't possibly be responsible for everything she claimed to be.

He would change it if he could. He would bend time and change the outcomes even if it meant he would not have met her. He wanted her to choose her world, and he wanted it to be something she could bare to go back to. But he was helpless to that.

All he could do is wrap both arms around her and pull her close, rubbing her back soothingly. Hushing her before she could utter another self-depreciating word.] Lioriley, should I ever have that fate befall me... like the others before it, it would not be your fault. I am responsible for myself in this world. And as unlikely as I think it is to happen, I would return to you in day's time.

You have lived hundreds of lifetimes. You cannot blame yourself for everything that takes place in them. All of the men before me would tell you the very same.

[invigorates]

[ she is a very smart woman. but for all her intelligence, she cannot seem to fathom the logic in his words. of course he's right, it's not her fault, and it's absolutely ridiculous that she even thinks it is to begin with. she didn't stab alairr in the chest, nor did she chop diamanda's head off, or rip veles' organs out. but she didn't do anything to stop it either, and perhaps that is what bothers her the most. ]

I could have saved them. [ she mutters, gripping him tightly. ] I could not save you, before I even knew you, but I will not let something happen to you here — no matter what laws of death may apply. [ even if he comes back the next day, she doesn't really seem to care. ] You have suffered enough, and I will not be the cause of any more grief. I would sooner die myself than let you be hurt again.

[thefirstbloom]

I would sooner die than see you in harm's way because of me. [Trahearne frowns, dragging a hand up her back to thread his fingers into her hair. He hated seeing her upset. If what he was feeling now was close to what she did when he'd told her about his suffering, he would never bring it up again. He couldn't stand it.]

... Pain comes, Lioriley. We prologue the periods between it, but it inevitably takes from us again. This island is a second chance to fight for happiness, and to come back stronger when we experience loss.

[He pauses, hesitating for a moment before he went on.] I can't fall harder in love with you if I'm stuck standing behind you.

[invigorates]

Do not say that. [ she tries to sound forceful, demanding, but her voice is weak and she's still trying hard not to cry. she hates crying in front of him.

but he's right. again. and she doesn't even know how to respond as she leans into him just a little more, if it's even possible with how tightly they're coiled around one another now. she grips the hand she captured a few moments before tightly, not realizing how hard she's holding onto him.

his words ring in her ears, echo in her mind a few times and, honestly, it's a good thing he can't see her face with it shoved into his chest because he would see her eyes welling with tears. so much for not crying in front of him. ]

Then stand beside me. For if we must suffer pain regardless, I would rather do it with someone that I love as dearly as I do you.

[thefirstbloom]

I can do that. I will do anything for you. [He mumbles, resting his head against hers. Even if her tight grip and tears bothered him, he wasn't going to move a muscle. He needed her to know he was there for anything she needed. He wanted her to tell him everything she needed.

He took his time before he spoke up again, lost in thought of how to try and lighten the mood. They needn't linger there. They needn't linger on so much death anymore.] We should go out into the city. There are so many things we have not tried.

[invigorates]

You know I would do the same for you. [ that goes without saying, she thinks, but she says it anyway to make sure that he knows. her grip loosens the longer they remain curled into one another, though her tears continue to stream down her cheeks until she finally wills herself to wipe them away.

she leans back just enough to look up at him. ]

I — of course, if you would like to. What did you have in mind?

[thefirstbloom]

Well... [He leaned back just far enough to ensure there were no remaining tears, then smiled at her. He had just the place in mind already.] There is an icecream parlor not too far from here. I never had the opportunity to try any in my world, so if you would like...

[And he leans to kiss her forehead.] We may.

[invigorates]

[ she seems to perk up at the suggestion, nodding slowly as not to jostle him when he leans down to kiss her forehead. ]

I would like that. [ she's had ice cream here, and though it's not the most amazing thing in the world, she's found that she enjoys it — more so when sharing the experience with others. she shifts to try and sit up properly now, albeit grudgingly because both trahearne and the blankets they're under are incredibly warm and comfortable. ]

Ah... thank you, by the way. For listening. [ a small smile, fingers brushing his cheek. ] For everything.

[thefirstbloom]

You know I will always be available should you need me. For anything. [He meets her gaze with a sincere one, sitting up with her and taking her hand to pull her in for more kisses all over her cheeks and lips. There just wasn't any escape.

Until he got really really excited about that icecream.] Now, let's go!

[invigorates]

Likewise. [ she manages to get that single word out before she's accosted by kisses. his attack sends her into a fit of giggles, and her attempts to return the affections fall a little short while she's in hysterics. ]

Ah, if you will allow me leave for a moment, I should get dressed properly before we head out. [ she manages to steal a kiss first before she slithers out of his grasp and heads over to the closet. IS SHE GOING TO CHANGE RIGHT NOW. right in front of him.

she is. ]

[thefirstbloom]

[Trahearne thinks nothing of it, sitting back with a grin across his face... until he realizes she hadn't left the room. He glanced over and froze, quickly realizing why that was. And he took a long while to stop staring at her when he did. Wide-eyed at just how far her leylines went, he takes a moment to appreciate her before looking away with a flushed face. He was a lucky man.

A lucky man that had to get dressed. He snaps out of his daze to head for his wardrobe, starting to dress with occasional glances back to her. And by occasional, it was one every minute that went by.]

[invigorates]

[ unashamed (and why should she be ashamed? especially in front of her boyfriend) and mostly oblivious to the fact that trahearne is staring, lioriley takes only a few minutes to strip out of her clothes and change into something more appropriate for the warm weather outside. a dress she bought recently, these cuteass socks, and a surprisingly tame pair of boots

she turns around in time to watch him dress for a moment, unable to hide the bright pulse of color on her cheeks. she busies herself with pulling her hair into its customary side-braid, smiling when he finally finishes. ]

Shall we? [ she extends her hand toward him. ]

[thefirstbloom]

[Thanks to Lioriley, Trahearne isn't so basic. He's in a hipster sweater, boots and his messenger bag. He's a total hipster. And he's actually proud of how he looks.

He finally tears his gaze from the mirror to look back at her, taking a moment to appreciate how absolutely adorable he was. Nothing could have him grinning like a lovestruck fool like she did. He reaches out too intertwine his fingers in hers.] We shall.

[That's how the cutest couple ended up out on the streets of Verens. He's pointing out a pair of stray cats on the way to the parlor. Look, Lior. They're on a date.]

[invigorates]

[ she raises her free hand to her lips, unable to fully hide the laugh that bubbles up from her throat when she hears him talk of cats on dates. she highly doubts that's the case, but he's always so excited about it she doesn't dare say otherwise. ]

Perhaps they are on their way to get ice cream, too. [ because this is also a date, right? also, can cats eat ice cream? she doesn't know. who cares. ]

[thefirstbloom]

[Cats can't eat icecream, Lior, Gods. He cares. He's holding his tongue, as cat facts would ruin the moment.] Perhaps. Or they'll relax in the park, birdwatching! Hopefully not for dinner. [Look at those cats go... He's so happy for them.]

Have you already had it? What does it taste like? [there's more than one flavor, Trahearne...]

[invigorates]

[ she wasn't being serious you dingus. ]

Oh, that does sound like fun. [ she laughs again, tilting her head to watch trahearne as he watches the cats. he looks so happy, and she can't help but mirror the smile on his lips with one of her own. ]

I tried it once a few weeks ago. The one I had was strawberry, but there were dozens of other options from what I saw. [ she can't remember them all, even if she tries. ] It is sweet, and very creamy. And, ah... cold, as one might imagine.

[thefirstbloom]

Dozens! How am I possibly going to choose, then? [He looks so dismayed, as if this is the most important decision of his life. It doesn't last long, though, since he can't help but smile when they reach the parlor.]

I suppose I'll just have to trust your judgement.

[invigorates]

'Twas a difficult decision for me, as well. But we will find something suitable for the both of us.

[ she's easy to please, and will probably go for something lame like vanilla or chocolate this time around. she's not certain how trahearne's tastes vary from her own, though.

they step into the parlor and hang back away from the counter. lioriley motions to the man behind said counter that they will be a moment, and then turns to trahearne. ]

Does anything jump out at you? [ cotton candy? double dipped chocolate chunk? come on, work with her here. ]

[thefirstbloom]

Not so far... [Hmmm... Trahearne remains indecisive as ever, staring over at the wide variety of flavors. There were so many... He can't possibly pick.]

... Lioriley, a word. [He admits, leaning into her with a pout.] I can't choose. You must for me.

[invigorates]

[ she blinks, leaning on close like trahearne is telling her some important secret.

Of course it's anything but, and the elf giggles softly. ] Hm, How about... [ a thought as she looks over the list of flavors. then, without warning, she moves around to stand behind him, reaching up to cover his eyes. ]

Since you cannot choose, you can just point and we will try whatever flavor you land on together.

[thefirstbloom]

What are you-- Ah! [Trahearne held his hands out in front of him, grinning from ear to ear. He had to try and stop laughing before he pointed it in the general direction of the flavors. Trip Chocolate Crunch.] I don't-- that-- that one!

... Is it a good one? [He whispered, turning his head to look back at her.]

[invigorates]

[ she's up on her tip-toes, peering over his shoulder to see which one he pointed to. ]

I do not know, but it certainly sounds interesting. [ she lets her hands fall, kissing his cheek quickly before hurrying back to her position beside him. now that it's been decided, she places the order and waits patiently for the man behind the counter to give them their cones.

she orders the triple chocolate crunch for him, and mint chocolate chip for herself because why the hell not. they're going to share it anyway. she hands his off, waiting with bated breath to see him try it. ]

[thefirstbloom]

[He eyes it with skepticism before leaning to take a bite, eyes becoming wide at both how cold it was and how rich it tasted. He swallowed and pulled back with it still on his lips, looking back to Lioriley with a stupid, stunned expression.] I never imagined something so... so... sweet? I can't describe...

[invigorates]

[ despite her best attempts, she can't help but laugh as she watches him; unable to truly discern his expression for a moment. ]

It is not too sweet, is it? Do you like it? [ she cocks her head to the side, totally ignoring the ice cream in her own hand that is slowly starting to melt and dribble down the cone. the other moves up to gently brush her thumb over his mouth. dork.]