Of Shadows and Swords (Chiarra)

Lucius and Archer, out of necessity and because of the brightness of the daylight sun, only slept for a few hours. When they did wake, it was around the same time, Lucius coming to first and sitting up a little to blink sleepily at Melody. Archer, waking to someone that wasnt Lucius so close to him, started to draw a knife, but Lucius slapped a hand down on it so that Archer had a moment to become more aware.


To his credit, the thief gave an apologetic wince, though he'd hardly been able to draw the knife, let alone use it. "Sorry. Reflex. Tip for the future - if you ever wake me up, do it from a distance."
 
Melody grew frightened when Archer pulled a knife out and was relieved when Lucius slapped his hand on iit to stop him. When Archer spoke, she nodded, intending to keep that in mind. She fidgeted a bit before holding the basket out to them. "I grabbed the food we brought with us, I figured you would be hungry. She took out her share and then passed it to Lucius first. Archer still scared her.
 
Lucius knew Melody was wary of Archer, as the thief had given her clear reason for it, so he took the basket and gave Archer some food, then took his own and sat eating quietly. "We'll leave as soon as we're done," He said between bites, nodding a bit to himself. "We gained enough ground during the night that sleeping was okay, but we shouldn't stay still for long, not so close to that town." When they were another day's journey away from here, maybe they could relax.
 
((Goodnight))


Melody listened to Lucius, eating as he talked. She nodded and then looked at him. She really hoped that he wouldn't get caught. "Lucius," she started. "Do you or do you not want to hear music today?" She had just been playing on a whim, though...now she realized he may not want to hear it so that's why she was asking.
 
Lucius paused mid-bite, surprised, but finished it slowly and methodically to give himself time to think. Finally, he gave a little shrug, and did his best not to appear as hesitant and, well, shy as he felt. "You . . . You can play if you want to. It's . . . nice, having something to listen to." It was quiet, when they traveled, and though Lucius liked quiet, it could sometimes get to feel too eerie. He was already too much on edge.
 
She smiled softly, happy he was okay with listening to music. She loved playing. She continued eating her food first, and then looked at him. "Any requests?" she asked the both of them this time.
 
Lucius shrugged a little, but Archer was getting to his feet as he ate, wandering around a bit with characteristic restlessness. When he wasn't on a job and didn't have a distinct goal in mind, he generally wasn't too good at staying still. "I don't have a request, but I could teach you a song from the far east, if you'd like. It's very pretty, and I thought it might be nice to pass it on to someone here, but I wasn't sure who until now."
 
She looked up at Archer as he spoke and nodded. "Okay," she smiled at him softly. She thought it would be nice to learn a new song. She couldn't help but watch as he moved around though, finding it rather amusing. He looked like a kid now with too much energy.
 
((Ill link you to the song later, can't find the right vid on my iPad))


Archer smiled and Lucius just got up so they could start walking. Archer spent most of his time next to the horse, teaching Melody the musical part of the song first, because he wasnt sure how long it would take her to learn the complicated lyrics. The languages in the east were so different it usually took time. Archer himself was probably pronouncing everything wrong.
 
She paid attention, getting a bit frustrated when she messed up though. Eventually, she was getting the hang of it and it actually sounded very beautiful. "What do you think Lucius?" she asked him. She was trying to get him to talk more to her, she didn't like him being quiet all the time.
 
((Finally found it!


[media]



[/media]))
Lucius paused, surprised and having gotten used to being ignored for a while, and just stopped to think. ". . . It's very pretty." He said, after a moment, unsure of what else to say. "I'm afraid I'm not very knowledgable about music. Or any of the finer arts, really."


Archer just grinned. "That's what you have me for!"
 
((I'll have to listen to it later though ^_^ . Can't right now. Though I am curious how we are going to get those too closer lol))


She smiled softly at him and said, "Well, if I ever play anything you don't want to hear just tell me." She still stood by what she told him in the garden back at the palace, even if he did hate her, he was her favorite guard and she did value his opinions.


She smiled at Archer too, he was being friendly, even if he did scare her. She continued practicing the song, getting better and better at it.
 
((I have no idea -_- Eventually, it'll happen lol))


Lucius just shook his head. "It's all right. Even if I don't love it, I can tolerate most anything."


Archer, after returning Melody's smile, grinned back at Lucius over his shoulder. "Except me."


Lucius rolled his eyes and confimed, "Except you."


Archer looked back at Melody after that, still grinning widely. "I'm very proud of that."


Lucius just mumbled a quiet "I bet you are," under his breath. Archer did enjoy getting under his skin - all in friendly jest, but still.
 
((Lol))


"Still," she said. "I don't want you to have to tolerate anything." She chuckled at the two though, she found their arguing to be quite funny and entertaining. When they were done, she decided to change the song up and this one even had words and she nervously sang them out. Once she got past the nervousness though, her voice did sound very pretty.
 
The two arguing young men were silent, when she started singing, and Archer shared a quick, conspiratorial glance with Lucius as they went. Saying nothing was probably best, as Melody seemed painfully shy while singing. Archer wasn't sure why, as her voice was beautiful, but he had always been a firm believer that those with talents should show them off. The only reason he didn't leave some sort of calling card when he stole things was that being invisible was the best thing for his 'trade.' And Lucius would've never let him live it down.


((gtg to work. Back in a few hours))
 
She soon grew used to singing in front of them and she grew less and less shy about it. She just hoped they liked it. She continued though, until the song finished and she stopped. She looked at them nervously, wondering what they thought.


((Okay ^_^ ))
 
((Sorry for the delay. It's 8 PM, but that won't stop me from cooking dinner for myself! A real dinner, too lol Chicken Risotto ^_^ Mmmm))


Archer cheered and clapped his hands, while Lucius just gave a small smile. "That was great!" Archer declared, grinning. "Now I know you'll be able to learn the words to that song! Let's practice, shall we? We've got a long trip ahead anyway - we'll have it perfected by the time we hit the next town!"
 
(( ^_^ and it's okay. Went to bed myself and hoped you enjoyed dinner ^_^ ))


She blushed a bit at Archer's enthusiasm and nodded, "Okay." She listened to him sing a bit and then practiced herself, but the words just sounded awkward in her mouth. She had no idea what she was saying, or if she was even saying them correctly.
 
((It could've come out better, but it's still good :) ))


Archer laughed after a while and made spluttering noises, shaking his head. "It feels like your tongue turns to lead, doesn't it?" He looked up at her, smiling brightly like he usually did. "But I swear to you, the woman I learned it from had the most beautiful voice I've ever heard. If we get this right, it'll sound great - promise!"
 
((Sorry about that, at least it was still good ^_^ ))


"Yeah it does," she agreed and her mouth was dry from all that singing practice. "Is there any water?" she asked. "And I think I'm going to take a break," she said putting her harp up. She was tired of listening to music.
 
((It's okay. I just gotta make a note on the recipe to let it cook longer lol Otherwise the rice is crunchy XP Ew))


Lucius nodded and just stepped over, giving her the canteen that had been hanging from his belt. "We'll have to find a place to refill soon, but there's enough for now. Drink as much as you'd like." They would be all right for a few more hours before it ran out, and would surely come upon water before then. If not, Lucius could always scout ahead and find some. He could even practice jumping between shadows, now that Melody knew what he was. He hadn't been able to do that in a long time.
 
((Lol, I bet ^_^ ))


She took it from him and drank a bit greedily. She did watch herself though and handed it back to him when she was finished. "Thank you," she told him. She looked at him, wondering what she could say to him and sighed softly.
 
Lucius took the canteen and hooked it to its belt again, then sighed when he realized Melody was looking at him funny, like she was nervous. "I'm not so much an ogre as I seem," he said, shaking his head, but was interrupted by a cheerful addition from Archer.


"Yes, you are!"


"Shut up.” Lucius glared at him, then looked at Melody again. "I won't get angry with you for speaking."


"Just me."


Lucius glared again. "We all know you're an annoying little twit. You can stop telling us now."
 
She blushed a bit and then looked away, but she couldn't help but chuckle a bit at Archer despite herself. "It's not that," she said to Lucius after a moment. "I...just don't really know what to say is all."
 
Lucius was thinking of a way to respond, but Archer just pounced onto his back, wrapping his limbs around Lucius, and grinned widely. "You know you love me!"


Lucius stumbled a few steps and smacked the top of Archer's head on reflex. "I didn't authorize any piggybacks, you leech! Off!"


"Never! You're more fun than walking!"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top