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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:46 pm
To feel the gentle squeeze as she was expecting Elijah to let their hands go sent her heart to lodge in her throat. A quick glance to Elijah left Relm to conclude there was a chance he did not know what her was doing. But if he did not know what he was doing did that mean he subconsciously...?
Relm could not let herself continue that thought to completion because doing so only brought the question around to herself and she could not let that happen. Still choked up Relm could only at first shake her head in the negative. Then she cringed the tiniest bit in a sheepish fashion and met Elijah's green eyes with her own. "Maybe ... should at least quicken the pace." The three were waiting and though Relm was often known for her not caring if she was rude to others she acknowledged that this time such actions could ruin things for the potential band if these guys were any good.
"Just a little." Relm smiled, though she could still feel the lump in her throat. A feeling which only grew as she realized what her thumb was doing. The thumb was gently, faintly moving across the back of his hand. Dammit! At the same time... it felt so good. She just wanted to stay like this. This strole... walking hand in hand. Oh Espers...
She smiled brightly up at him and then turned to watch the three with a different smile but still very friendly.
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:48 pm
ELijah gulped back an imaginaary lump in his throat and nodded. "Yeah a little." He agreed quietly and quickened up the pace a bit more, but not by too much. Walking all slow like was questionable. One of three were sure to comment this if they didn't hurry up. There was nothing between them so there was no need to be questioned... right?
The red panda felt a twinge of jealousy when he saw that the two were holding hands. He looked back at the fox who shrugged, knowing exactly what the other was thinking. The red panda didn't feel like waiting anymore and walked towards them to meet them half way. "What? Are you two tired? You're walking like a couple of turtles," He commented, trying to sound like he was teasing. He was a bit annoyed, though.
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:22 pm
Oh Espers. Questions. No... no she did not want any of those. Relm however did not let anything but friendliness and excitement play on her face as the red panda neared them. She took his teasing as it was intended, looking sheepish even as she smiled at him & beyond to the others. However Relm was too observant to miss the annoyed undercurrent though she was not quite sure why it was there -though she had a few suspicions of which one might be correct or at least close. "Truthfully... yeah."
Relm ducked her head even more sheepishly, a blush spreading over her cheeks as she moved her free hand to push back where normally would probably be an errant curl if her hair wasn't back in the barrette. The combination made her laugh a little nervously. So with a smile Relm made to curl her elbow around the red panda's to both turn him around and almost lead him back with them to where the cat & the fox remained. She shot the same quick sheepish smile to Elijah & the others. "I've not been out this late outside since... well let's just say it's been awhile. but it was a thrill! Such a rush! Yet my legs feel like jello." Relm giggled, teetering a little on her 'wobbly' legs. She had to let go of Elijah's hand for the more secure assistance of grabbing his elbow & forearm. Her blush deepened. It was impossible to tell if she was acting or not. "I swear it's a totally different set of muscles to jump around like that for hours!"
This might throw a bit of a monkey wrench in her performance from earlier... she had not said that this was her first concert then. Someone could be into bands & music & instruments and playing without having been to a rock concert before, right? Espers Relm hoped so. Either way... she was going to make sure she pulled this off. They seemed like decent guys for the most part. Her 'adventure sense' was not tingling. Hard to think a bit after the concert... and holding Elijah's hand so long.
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Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:13 pm
The fox chuckled at Relm's words, finding her a bit cute. "I take it you're not very used to going out to these concerts. Either that or these things excite you quite a bit." He smiled. "I admit, its hard not to after that performance. It wasn't half bad..."
The cat shook his head. "They could use a bit of work if you ask me. They were okay, but...." He sighed and had his ears flattened back. He half glared at the red panda as he predicted what he was going to say about him. "No, Kei, I am not overly critical if that's what you're going to say. You're easily pleased...."
The red panda sighed," You're the only one that thinks that, Ryder. Only one..." The panda looked back to Relm and grinned. "It really was something."
Elijah smiled to himself as he watched Relm's reaction. She really was getting into this stuff. He could tell. It was hard to fake a blush like that after all. She must truly mean it. The dog sort of dazed out a little as he watched, only half listening to the conversations around as his thoughts became a little distant.
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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:47 am
No... the blush of excitement was one the pictomancer had never been able to perfect for an act: it was fully genuine. Relm let a blush settle over her features at the fox's amusement & words, by ways of permitting herself to react more than she usually would but in a way she could. "That obvious?" Did she have to answer the 'or' in this case?
Intelligent green eyes flicked. So Kai was the name of the Red Panda & Ryder that of the Cat? Relm filed the information away even as she blinked in 'confusion' at their disagreement. At Kai's grin she returned it, her eyes brightening once more. "I really did enjoy it." Tilting her head cutely she smiled at the other two thoughtfully. "But since I'm not really a musician maybe you can fill me in on why it 'wasn't half bad' or 'could use a bit of work' later. Maybe on the way to where you keep your instruments!"
Okay... so it was a little weird in a way how Elijah was letting her pretty much 'handle' these guys. Not that it bothered her in anyway -Relm actually liked the limelight and being the center of attention. One could almost think she thrived on it at times. All at once Relm gave a small 'oh!' of explanation, 'hugging' Elijah's & the red pandas elbows to her as she tried to stand on her own and bring both hands to her mouth beneath widened eyes all at once. "Espers! Hearing your names... I remembered we never gave you ours." Apology and a look of surprised wonder that they would agree to meet with strangers without having names filled her green eyes. Again she smiled. "I'm Relm -no 'A' in that- and he's Elijah." Looking a little surprised to discover her arms were 'stuck' Relm made a grin like 'lucky me' then instead of indicating with hand or arm she inlined her head at the dog anthro instead. Behind her, Relm's mint-green carbunkle tail swayed easily.
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Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 5:55 pm
Elijah snapped back to reality. "Yeah. We didn't really introduce ourselves. Sorry. So, Kai, Ryder, and....?" He looked to the fox.
"Koen is my name. My stuff and their stuff are over at my place right now. I'll lead you to it. Pretty short walk from here so don't worry about walking too long," The fox said with a smile. He looked over to Ryder. "You might as well give them what they want, Ryder. Your spare key board is there anyway," He said to the cat, continuing a previous conversation that had happened while the dog and carbunkle weren't around.
Ryder hissed lightly at Koen and looked over to Relm. "Hm. Even if I did you might not understand. Those who don't know much of music tend to not have that great an ear. It will take a few more years of experience... "He swished his tail and looked over to the red panda, who looked a bit too happy to be hung onto like that. He sighed. "Fine, Koen. Let's just go. I feel like getting some shut eye and the sooner this is done the better."
Elijah frowned and narrowed his eyes a bit at Ryder's comment. "Actually... she has a pretty good ear and a bit of talent. You did hear her sing. I'm a bit curious to know your opinion too." Elijah held back a growl. It might of been tradition, but Elijah ran into a few cats in the a past that got on his nerves. Even a good friend of his that was a cat tended to start an argument with him every once in a while.
"Ah, don't let Ryder get to you. He tends not to trust anyone for no reason. He has his own plans you see," Kai said to reassure the two. "He'll come around. Ignore the rude stuff. He can be kind of fun once you get to know him. Trust me."
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Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 8:33 pm
Kai, Ryder, Koen. Relm made mental note though she was usually very good with names. Whether she used them or not was often up for grabs though. Of course at the moment her 'game' was not to see how easily she could irritate them or distance herself & she did not need amusement so it was not likely going to happen.
Only wanting to make sure what she said was right kept Relm from talking as the boys were -normally she would make interjections. Instead she was saving them...
...and almost lost them completely as she felt ... well something like tenseness from Elijah through his arm and could almost swear there was something different in the tone of his voice. One of the afore mentioned ears flicked and turned to the dog just before green eyes flicked to his face with a glimmer of surprise, the start of what might have been indignation for what the cat said fading. Was he... defending her? 'Lijah...
Relm mentally shook herself. No time for that. She shifted her arm linked with his to let her hand console his forearm in a gesture that was both to be thankful & calming to him. Smiling as she looked back at everyone Relm gave a look to the red panda. It was an interesting one: grateful for the reassurance, still hurt by rudeness, & curiosity all rolled up into one all some how with a smile that was both outgoing and shy. Behind it... the eyes of a child who knew first hand the reasons not to trust while knowing that sometimes one just had to trust to make life worth living. But dammit! Now he had her really wanting to know about these plans Ryder might have which might not have any significance to her and Elijah's endeavor. dammit. Maybe she could find out sometime later.
Oh all the things Relm wanted to say. But she would keep it simple. "All right." Simple, and with a smile hopefully enough to tell Kai she would trust him. Let him interpret how much. Turning to the cat her smile became both strong & wavered. "Maybe not... but maybe I will." Green eyes flashed with challenge, an unspoken 'try me' in their intelligent depths. Her smile grew more friendly for him and then Relm turned to the fox with quite the bright smile, fully ready to follow. "Lead on, Koen! As long as it's not days away a walk never worried me."
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:28 am
"Alright. I shall do so." Koen said, a yawn following after his words. His tail swished behind him as he started to walk towards a pathway that eventually leads to his home a little while away. He glanced behind him once just to make sure they were following.
Ryder's ears remained flattened back. "Talent isn't always what makes the expert. It's experience. That's why the first five words in "expert" start off "experience". But... fine..." The cat sighed and walked along side them, a few feet away from Elijah. Ryder wasn't too fond of dogs either. The cat's tail curled around his leg, but his ears slowly perked up again. "The beginning of the song.... it lacked some dynamics that could have made it a lot better. That was boring.... for one thing," He started off. He looked to Relm, wondering if she understood what he meant by dynamics.
Elijah narrowed his eyes a bit, resisting the urge to glare at Ryder. He was being a bit of a know it all. "I think you were looking at that entrance from the wrong approach..." He said, sounding calm enough, thankfully.
Kai sighed and rolled his eyes. He could tell Ryder was going to start some musical debate over nothing. The cat really was a bit picky.
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 9:21 pm
Relm flashed the fox anthro a bright but soft smile as they started out, acknowledging his yawn that yes it was quite late. Interesting though how walking muscles were different and yet connected to those she had just abused bouncing on the balls of her feet and leaning towards the stage. She could still walk all night... maybe. The jellified muscles were certainly making it interesting. Though she was getting tired herself she was far too excited to actually yawn yet.
Then there was that cat... just asking for Relm to blow her act and show why it was often said 'kid has a mouth on her' by her old adventuring party. Green eyes flickered signifying that she knew how the words were spelled and to please not insult her intelligence but she kept her mouth shut. And 'a**' is in 'assume' so don't of me. That thought remained thought as Relm focused on keeping her irritation to a tolerable level and going beyond it into the music discussion. So because she confessed to being only moderately trained in voice he believed her not to know about music? Yes... Relm would be the first to admit she was no musical genius or expert, but one did not live with a bard as basically a 'foster mother' of sorts and not learn a thing or too. Especially if that one was as inquisitive (some would say 'nosy') as Relm. Sure.... Trelweny tended to perform folk & ballads more, but rarely was the abode without music of nearly every genre. That Elijah liked music certainly having an impact in how much she paid attention & retained; even 'studying up' before tonight just in case.
Dynamics she knew.
It was only because she had trained herself to notice subtle things that others most likely would miss that Relm suspected her friend might be refraining himself as well. Resting her hand on his wrist she moved her thumb once lightly there in a reassuring way. Really it did not look much different than how she had he other arm looped through the red panda's -unless someone looked closely or could somehow feel the difference of both at once. No other indication was there that she might have caught his slightly narrowing eyes from the corner of her own. 'Defending' the band or songwriter perhaps, was he? Well Relm had to come to the defense of her insulted intelligence. Elijah could not do that for her this time. "Dynamics would certainly make it more interesting but better is an opinion. Besides dynamics is pretty vague... what would you have done? Crescendo? Sforzando?" Challenge was in her eyes. Yes... she knew the terms.
The female sighed lightly. Not all artists could be masters... should she waste time trying to get Ryder to see that imperfections did not have to draw away from the enjoyment of something? That critiques could be made without being critical? Yes... Relm could have a biting tongue when she chose -but that was her choice & she knew it. "What approach would you take, 'Lijah?"
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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:13 pm
Ryder's ears flattened down once more. The look in Relm's eyes delivered the message clearly. Now he was being challenged which he couldn't seem to believe. "Ah. So I can speak a bit more it seems... Hm. Yes... There is also the volume of the music to take into account. The variation of loud and soft leaned a bit too much towards the loud giving the music very little impact at some important parts. A good musical ear could catch that at anytime..."
Elijah raised an eyebrow. The anthro dog resisted adding in a defensive comment, Relm's hand movement comforting him down slightly. After all, the cat could help with their band issues, no matter how rude he was. Elijah couldn't help feel a little angry about his treatment towards Relm, however. "Well, it could have used a bit more quiet to loud contrast at the end, maybe, but I think the ending was supposed to die out a little..." He smiled a bit as he answered Relm. "Well I think it was supposed to come in loud and stay likes that for a while. It was supposed to sort of get the guidance into it. If you listened carefully enough they went down to mezzo piano enough after some seconds later. It was intentional."
The red panda watched the conversation. He kept giving annoyed looks to Ryder, who just seemed to not care. The fox continued to walk as he ignored the conversation completely.
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:19 am
Couldn't believe the artist mage would challenge him? Not surprising... the cat anthro did not know her now, did he? Of course... Relm was not exactly making it easy to know her either. She could be so very complex.
Oh she could so be a royal smart a** and remind Ryder that volume was part of dynamics but instead pressed her lips together in what would appear to be a thoughtful way as she listened to his words. No matter what... she did not want this to become a fight or an angry argument. Once she got it to the point where he would take her seriously, not insult her intelligence and assume that just because she was not a musician that she knew nothing of music, Relm was all about having a good debate like discussion. Without irritation such conversations kept the mind active and sharp. She had to remain sharp. It was so much of who she was.
But more... an argument was bad for their 'mission' to find Elijah bandmates. She was no longer a 10 year old kid, this was not forming a party of adventurers to save the world. This was making a band. Different situations called for different measures. Besides, they would have to bring prospective members IN, not force their own inclusion. Perhaps. What if all three of them were good enough? Now that was an interesting thought. Nearly as interesting as what if only one were good enough. That could lead to bad drama. Not really worth dwelling on before hearing any of them play, but a good thought to have in the back of her mind. Less surprises that way. Relm liked to be prepared.
She gave the red panda a light pat with her hand on his wrist accompanied by an equally light & apologetic smile to sooth his annoyance. As if to say it was okay, she liked a challenge. Then she turned back to Elijah, nearly getting caught off guard to overly show it, trapped for the moment in his smile. Her smile of 'it's all right' lit up only a fraction but those that knew her still would see the change where others likely would not. Pulling it in she went back to looking thoughtful, mulling over what both had said. "It's really opinion & speculation without seeing the sheet music though, isn't it? Or talking to the composer. I can see how the complaints your making are musically valid, Ryder, but what if that's not the effect they wanted? That they did it intentional as 'Lijah said? What if taking your suggestions into account altered the entire feel of the piece away from its intended design? Not saying it's wrong or right, but the thing is... it's opinion. From what I could tell -listening to music, not being a musician- there were few to nil blatant errors in the principal band's performance. Quite possibly I missed some, but nothing screamed out to me that notes were missed or keys were dropped or whatever."
The female let out a deep exhale of breath and then flashed the cat a charming 'let's be friends/I'm a sweetheart' smile. "There's nothing wrong with critiquing someone else's work, but that shouldn't keep you from enjoying the beauty that is there. Is there something saying you can't enjoy it, because it's not perfect? It's hard for others to live up to perfection." Of course perfectionists... had their uses too. As long as their perfectionism did not hold them back.
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 7:20 pm
Ryder listened to Relm, silently and calmly. He didn't seem to get too annoyed by what she said... on the outside. "Well, yes, opinion, but theres opinion and then theres cutting into amateur mistakes." He smiled back at her, it was almost forced. Ryder already had decided he didn't really like her a while ago. "But go on, go off on what your boyfriend says with a few extra intelligent and modest things thrown on the side." He shrugged. "I'm the musician here, not you...You prove your point, however, and I will respect that for now." The cat quickened his pace up enough to catch up to the fox. The fox frowned at Ryder.
Kai clenched his teeth,"Man, Ryder is really on edge tonight. Look, theres no convincing him. Just ignore the idiot and be done with it. Trust me... he lives in his only little world. When it comes to music, it's the only thing her cares about." He paused for a moment and blinked. "Hrm, you two aren't going out right?" He asked hopfully.
Eilijah, who had been currently glaring into the back of the cat's head, snapped out of the trance at the panda's last statement. "Wha? Why are you asking that?" He jumped a bit since it caught him off guard. Did they really look like that?
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Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 12:11 pm
The pictomancer was too well versed in watching people to think the cat's smile was anything but forced. She would not be surprised to find he did not like her -she had gotten accustomed to that 'before'- though suspecting it was hurting as she was trying (for once) not to be too antagonistic. Any argument Relm might have added to the conversation about how a non-angry, intelligent discussion of music was right up her alley & that she was interested to know of these other amateurish mistakes died as her mind smashed into the brick wall of that single word.
Boyfriend.
Relm kept walking forward but her act had a serious crack in it. Her face had gone pale, retort frozen on her open mouth which she snapped shut. Her mint green tail lost its swing and her ears sank. It was as if from far away she heard Kai's words on the cat, haphazardly seeing Elijah glare at Ryder though it did not really register. It was hard to say if when the red panda's question came the pictomancer was startled by that or the sudden jolt of Elijah's jump jarring her where their arms met. Quite likely both combined.
"Wha-at?" Relm, always so readily acting the parts she wanted, winced internally as her voice caught & lifted. Espers! "Going out? Like Boyfriend/Girlfriend?" Shaking her head Relm found herself laughing while feeling... well something she did not quite like inside. "No... we came as friends." Stories of how her housemates got together with their 'best friends' would not leave her thoughts and though she would not hope... she wanted to make sure that anything she did say would not hurt Elijah if... well. Just in case.
That ... and true as perhaps it was (or should be) Relm could not bring herself to say they were 'just friends.'
Though we are! Her thoughts screamed at her as she flashed a shy & sheepish smile. "Never 'went out' with anyone before."
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Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 5:59 pm
Elijah nodded to Relm's words, almost too quickly. "Yup, friends, friends. Of course. Nothing else," He said and forced a laugh. It was an awkward way to blow the conversaton towards for some reason. He looked to Relm out of the corner of his eye. For some reason his and Relm's answer seemed to strike something in him that didn't feel all that great. It was strange. Really, nothing was going on between the two. A guy and a girl could be 'just friends', so why assume more? That's all it was.... Really, it shouldn't of been so hard for him to say it. He also smiled sheepishly about the situation, hoping that they were close to the fox's house already.
Kai smiled a bit at this response. "Oh... I didn't think so! Good, I mean.. uhm... well... I guess it's good?" He grinned and chuckled a bit, keeping the rest of his thoughts on the subject to himself. Ryder smirked secretly up ahead. He must of been pleased to have started something between the two.
Elijah's wishes were answered. The fox was currently pulling his keys out to open the small, dark green colored house they had walked up to. It seemed to be the only house around. The lights were all currently off inside so it wasn't easy to spot out from afar in the dark.
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Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 6:46 pm
'Nothing more.'
Only a lifetime of acting kept the expression that would have accompanied the sudden lurch and drop within her chest from showing upon Relm's smiling face. Only a hint of it touched her eyes in a fading of brightness in them. 'Nothing more.' The words echoed dully inside her where she felt like a big hallow drum in that instant. Stupid! Stupid stupid STUPID! Espers Relm! Have you learned NOTHING! Just keep the friend, you're only real friend that isn't your friend 'cause you're housemates or you feed him. Whatever those feelings mean -stomp them away! Relm could not let herself think of how good her hand had felt in his, how she liked their arms linked even now, not how looking in his eyes made her feel or anything like that. She had to push it away from her.
Only she could not.
Pretend then. Yes... she could act over it.
In her own inner turmoil the little actress who prided herself on watching how people reacted missed the key elements of Elijah's reaction: the quickness, the forced laugh. Relm missed them for otherwise she might not have taken the words as she did. That was the funny thing when words struck hidden emotions -logic was often thrown out the window.
Giving a sweetly confused little smile Relm laughed lightly. "Sure, I guess?" She repeated Kai, her shoulders shrugging a little. The sound of keys turned her attention to Koen and ears that had been dejectedly low lifted with interest & curiosity. Green eyes brightened to see the dark green of the house and looked it over with an artist's appraising eye. "What a nice secluded spot, Koen."
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