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Post by Fallon Silva on Dec 9, 2008 23:44:30 GMT -8
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” Fallon admonished herself. “How could you be so stupid? You just go up and kiss men that you don’t even know? Stupid, I say, stupid.”
Cursing at herself, she slammed her hand down on her steering wheel repeatedly as she drove. She had no particular place in mind; there was no place for her to go. So, she drove aimlessly while thanking herself that she had actually filled up her tank earlier that day.
Soon, the truck rumbling cleared her thoughts enough to think clearly.
“Okay, so I kissed him. So what, it’s not like I haven’t kissed anyone before. It was the atmosphere and the lighting and the dancing. It was how I was attracted to him and I WAS attracted to him. It was stupid to just up and leave like that. What if he didn’t have a car? Well, I suppose that he could live or be staying close to Sunset, I can’t assume anything. I shouldn’t assume anything.”
Her thoughts continued to spill out over her lips and into the air of the truck cab for fifteen minutes before she convinced herself to turn around. She had chosen to head back to the strip club to see if maybe he was still there. She had run away like a child afraid of punishment and didn’t even give herself a chance to really speak to him. She was making a bigger deal out of the kiss than she needed to.
When she made it back to the club, she found him gone and again cursed herself for her luck. It had only been fifteen minutes but there was no way that she could hunt him down. Portland was a large city and as a large city, he could have been anywhere!
Inhaling deeply, Fallon sat in the cab of her truck and thought about what she should do next. Letting out a heavy sigh, she chose to go home. It was really her only option other than heading back to Avandrya but she was really not in the mood for any company. The only company she sought was gone and it was really her own fault.
Shrugging her slender shoulders and then rolling them to ease the tension, Fallon decided in that moment to just be. To be calm and peaceful and let life be as it needed to be. There was no need for her to be upset (though, this was always how it happened after she let her emotions take hold... even if it was usually anger that grabbed her).
The drive was quiet for a bit until she chose to turn on the radio and blare some Incubus. It helped her to concentrate on the road and the music, forgetting Rayik.
“Rayik,” she heard herself say, when she passed the figure walking on the sidewalk.
Shaking her head to clear her mind’s eye of his image... Damn that mind’s eye for superimposing the demon’s image on another person. But when she looked in the rear view mirror, there was no mistaking what she saw.
Slamming on her breaks was a bad idea as the car behind her had to swerve out of the way to avoid hitting her pristine vehicle. Fallon allowed herself a wicked grin as she thought about the way the fiberglass of the other car would have crumbled under her truck’s steel frame before she eased the truck over to the side of the road.
She put on her four way lights, put the truck in park and then leaned over the bench seat to roll down the window.
“Rayik! Hurry up and get in before the cops come and give me a ticket for stopping on the Burnside Bridge!”
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Post by Rayik Sun'tar on Dec 9, 2008 23:55:28 GMT -8
He looked over at the truck perplexed. It took him a second just to convince himself it really was her and not some vision or illusion. Of course, even the real her was a vision, a vision of beauty, that is. Even in the pale lighting of street lamps her eyes shimmered.
Once again acting without thinking, he ran across to her truck and hopped in the cab, closing the door behind him. It took him some time to say anything, but he simply had to ask, “Why did you leave so suddenly?”
The question probably didn't even need to leave his mind. He was sure it was all she thought about in that moment. Rayik wasn't even concerned with why she'd kissed him. He assumed that much was obvious by now. He wanted to know why she hadn't stayed. Plain and simple.
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Post by Fallon Silva on Dec 10, 2008 0:09:28 GMT -8
As soon as he had jumped into the cab of the truck, Fallon was off like a rocket. She took a sharp right and then slowed as they drove carefully through China Town. Not knowing what to say, she was content to sit in the awkward silence that she had brought upon herself. But when Rayik wanted an answer to his question, she zipped into a parking spot and turned off the engine.
Turning her body in the seat, she raised her right leg up and curled it under herself. Her true eyes shimmered the same color as her guise, chocolate brown. Biting on her lower lip, she shrugged her shoulders. Her voice was soft and her eyes watching his face as she spoke.
“I guess… no, I was shocked at myself. It’s not like me to just go kissing random men and no offence but you truly are the randomest man I have met in a long time. Don’t get me wrong. It was nice but of course it would have been better if we were more into the situation. I did kinda spring that on you, didn’t I? So, I left because I was afraid of what you would think and say. I was embarrassed...”
There was more to that and she knew there was more to that but she just couldn’t say it out loud. She just couldn’t give him the whole truth, not yet. Not like this. So, she left it as it was and let her babble of words hang in the air between them.
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Post by Rayik Sun'tar on Dec 10, 2008 0:23:45 GMT -8
Rayik nodded. He understood what she meant. Of course they were strangers. He rarely kissed anyone, let alone strangers. He smiled to her and without seeming uncomfortable about it at all, he declared, “I'm hungry.” He just smirked and sat back in the seat, running his fingers through his hair.
“If you would like...we can go to where I am staying in town. It's small, simple, quiet, clean and not private. One of my masters and some of his students are staying there as well. I would like to prepare us some sushi.” It was the only meat he ever ate. Uncooked fish was like his birthday cake. His only vice when it came to food.
His offer was genuine as well. In the past he had brought few girls to the dojos he trained or stayed in, but it was always a good measure of how they would handle such a thing. He certainly did not want to go back to another strip club, or even another bar. The dojo was much quieter and cleaner.
It was clear to Rayik now that he wanted to get to know her better. The question was in what fashion. He knew why he was really in Portland, and he sure as hell couldn't have her know. If they talked too much, this could be a problem. He decided that he could handle that question when the time came, for the sake of getting to know her better.
The last thought that crossed his mind was what color her eyes were under the Guise...
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Post by Fallon Silva on Dec 10, 2008 13:57:26 GMT -8
She was shocked as Rayik quickly changed the subject. It seemed that the past was forgotten and new plans were being made. With a smile, Fallon nodded at the idea of food. She hadn’t really thought about it but she was famished.
“Quiet and not so private sounds lovely and your mentioning of Sushi just makes it all the more appealing. It happens to be my favorite.”
She waited then, to find out if they would be walking the rest of the way or if she needed to turn the engine over and drive there.
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Post by Rayik Sun'tar on Dec 10, 2008 23:34:06 GMT -8
Rayik turned to her and looked at the steering wheel. “Its not hard to get there.” He proceeded to give her directions to the dojo, which is right in the middle of Chinatown. The two of them almost got lost trying to find the closest parking garage...but Rayik knew right where it was. This would make sense except that he owned no car.
He walked with her through the slightly crowded streets, keeping a low profile. “Just stay close...I know where it is, even though most don't.” He crosses through some alleys, keeping a watchful eyes on those around him, and a protective eye on Fallon. He led her down a dark alley and knocked on a door that had only three Japanese Kanji written on it. A young Asian teenager answered the door. Apparently he recognized Rayik, because he quickly bowed and said something in Japanese, though she distinctly heard Sensei Rayik.
Rayik bowed to him slightly as well and the teenager stepped aside. Rayik extended an arm invitingly, offering you to step through while he held the door.
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Post by Fallon Silva on Dec 11, 2008 0:21:28 GMT -8
Fallon happily followed the directions to where she was asked to park and laughed brightly at the fact that they had a hell of a time parking. The whole time, her eyes slowly slid from that brown color back to their usual amber behind her Guise.
As they walked together, she took in the sights and sounds of Chinatown and Fallon realized that she had never really been in this section of Downtown. It just seemed too remote for her and the culture too odd. She knew she shouldn’t think that way, being that she wasn’t exactly a norm but when one begins thinking things, they tend to become that thought. She promised herself that she would correct that behavior in herself in the future.
The dark alley did give her a bit of a fright and she was sure that Rayik saw her start when they turned the corner. But she figured that she had come this far, there was no going back now. Besides, he was nice enough. There was no way he was a Ted Bundy in hiding... Well, maybe he was.
Her fears were alleviated when they came to that door and he knocked. Mass murderers and serial killers don’t knock on doors, she assured herself. And when the teen opened the door, what was a shock in and of itself. Sensei? What was that about? Didn’t that mean... Hmm.
When Rayik stepped aside to allow her in, Fallon smiled warmly at her ‘host’ and entered. She couldn’t help but keep her eyes on him as she moved past but had to stop and take in her surroundings.
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Post by Rayik Sun'tar on Dec 11, 2008 1:24:28 GMT -8
As she stepped inside, Rayik came in behind her. Immediately, he removed his shoes, to walk across the unbelievably clean hardwood floor. He motioned for her to follow him.
The main room is a large room, obviously for training. There are about sixteen young Asian men and women all sitting in meditative postures across the floor. Rayik didn't seem to mind or even move quietly, his stride was a comfortable one.
The walls were in the typical Japanese style with the sliding doors. He went to the left side of the room and slid the door to reveal a small kitchen. He let her pass and slid the door behind her. “You know I don't show many people places I stay, especially ones like this.”
He removed some fish from the refrigerator and reached down his back. He slid out a thin blade that must have been tucked in his pants at the small of his back. With a few quick and precise motions the fish's scales were removed with the back of the blade. In a flash he cut the meat and separated it with his knife. It looked just like any other Japanese chef, if it weren't for the fact that his eyes were closed the entire time..
Next, he carefully cut the pieces into morsels. He reached into another drawer and pulled out some rice and seaweed. As he prepared the rest of the food he opened his eyes and looked up into her's. “So you enjoy sushi, then?” He hoped so. It was really the only food he knew how to prepare. Cooking had never really been his thing.
Rayik decided he liked having her here. She seemed a little uncomfortable in deep Chinatown, but seemed to be fine now. He wondered again what color those gorgeous eyes were this time.
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Post by Fallon Silva on Dec 11, 2008 1:39:46 GMT -8
Her babble had ceased in the time that she followed him to the place he stayed. She just couldn’t be loud or bring herself to speak around so many people that were so deep in thought. It just didn’t seem right to her and she was trying her best to be as respectful as she could. She even followed Rayik’s lead and left her own shoes behind.
As her dainty feet pattered against the hardwood floor as she trailed behind him. As the door slid open to allow her inside the small kitchen, she finally spoke.
“This place truly is lovely, Rayik. Thank you for bringing me here. Though, I do wonder why you allowed me here if you don’t allow others.”
Letting her words hang in the air, she hopped up on the stool gracefully and watched as he prepared the fish. Her golden eyes widened as she watched his face as he worked. She was impressed by the level of confidence he had with the knives and idly wondered where those skills came from.
When he did look at her, she grinned and nodded at the question.
“Yes, actually, I’m a Pescetarian and sushi happens to be my favorite food. Of course when you said you would make me some, I had to accept the offer. Besides, I’m just as famished as you. Dancing does that...”
Wrinkling her nose, she shook her head and then giggled. She had brought up the cursed topic. Rolling her eyes, she shook her head again.
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Post by Rayik Sun'tar on Dec 11, 2008 1:56:46 GMT -8
Rayik almost let himself grin. Her bringing up the dance almost distracted him from his preparation of the food. “I let you in, because you were kind to me this evening, and this is the only way I know to repay you. You bought most of my drinks...and I'm beginning to have the feeling that some of your dancing was for more than just the crowd...”
There it was. The first truly flirtatious thing he had said all evening. He simply smiled at the thought and continued working, “About damn time,” he thought to himself. She had flirted with him a good portion of the night, and he had mostly been cold. It didn't happen often, but occasionally Rayik knew when it was appropriate to flirt. Now was one of those times. He read her body language to see if she took the bait or not. He certainly didn't want to offend her at this point.
Of course he then remembered that she had no more than two hours ago exposed herself to him in a strip club. Then it hit him like a wave. She was a stripper. He just brought a stripper to his dojo. He shook the negative thoughts away, because he knew she was different. She was different. Not being able to place a finger on WHY she was different, drove him nuts.
He let his statement hang in the air a moment before he finished preparing the sushi rolls. He grabbed a pair of chopsticks and sat down at the stool opposite hers, handing her the other pair of chopsticks and smirking a little.
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Post by Fallon Silva on Jan 5, 2009 17:02:07 GMT -8
“Well, think nothing of the drinks. It was just a nice thing to do, really. But if you feel that you need to repay the kindness then sushi is the way to my heart,” she lilted while a blush rushed to her ears. “As for the dancing, you’re more correct than you know.” She giggled then and shook her head with a toothy grin because she was going to be damned if she told him that the whole dance was for him and that there wasn’t a thought of the crowd in her mind as she was on the stage.
There was a moment when she thought that she saw a flicker of something come over Rayik’s face but she let it pass as he sat down next to her, handing her the wooden sticks. Turning her face to him and beaming a smile, Fallon cocked her head to the side and appraised the man before her.
“Where did you get those scars, Rayik? Of course, if it’s not something that you want to share... I would totally understand.”
Her voice tapered off as she picked up her Nigiri-zushi, dipped the fish into the small dish of soy and plopped the whole thing into her mouth. A ‘mmm’ sounded at the back of her throat as Fallon closed her eyes and chewed up her first piece of sushi. When the morsel was gone, she opened her eyes and gazed intensely at Rayik.
“Delicious. I haven’t had anything this fresh in a very long time. Thank you!”
With that, another piece of sushi found its way into her waiting mouth.
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Post by Rayik Sun'tar on Jan 5, 2009 18:24:44 GMT -8
Rayik closed his right eye and gently ran a finger over his scars. It had been quite a long time since someone had asked about them. Most people were too concerned with being polite, and trying not point them out, than to give a shit about how they got there.
“”I was much cockier when I was younger,” he said before a long pause.
“One day I approached my sensei and told him I was ready to best him in combat. I knew I could. Had I not said that to him, I probably would have. I'll never forget what he said. He told me, 'You just lost.' With that, we sparred, for real, and for the first time, since I trained under him. Real swords. After he disarmed me, he slashed a single cut across my eye. He said it was to remind me not to look into the future at a possible victory, but to always be in the fight. In the present.” Rayik took a long pause, as if to relish in the memory. He continued.
“After that, I traveled the world, determined to apply his teachings. It worked marvelously and had awarded me many more teachers. I returned to him after a long time of training. This time all I said was, 'It will be different from last time.' We sparred and I lost, so he gave me another cut across the same eye. He said, 'This one is for looking to the past.' I left, furious again.” He paused again, letting the story soak in, more so for himself than anyone else.
“After more traveling, and a little more growing up, I returned. This time I told him I did not wish to challenge him, for I had nothing to prove. Nothing to gain or to lose. Then he turned to me and told me to draw my weapons, because HE had something to prove. That time I won...and that was his lesson.” Rayik said nothing after this, just ate his sushi.
Rayik hadn't told that story in a long time, but he had told it often. 'I just hope she doesn't ask questions about all my scars, because that's a lot of stories,' he thought to himself. He disliked discussing his past with people, but he told that story very frequently to his students, at this dojo and many others.
Rayik wondered how she would receive the tale, as well as where she would ask to sleep tonight. He really needed to stop having those little thoughts slip in.
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Post by Fallon Silva on Jan 5, 2009 20:00:57 GMT -8
Fallon listened consciously as she ate her sushi. Her mind followed his train of thought easily and she felt herself almost learning the lesson that he was learning. Behind her guise, her eyes turned white. As the story came to an end Fallon nodded to Rayik and turned back to her food, lost in thought.
“He was a smart man, your Sensei,” she proclaimed. Nodding to herself she smiled and that was the end of that portion of the conversation.
With a bit of a contented sigh, she pushed her plate back and grinned at him.
“Really, truly delicious. You are excellent. Unfortunately, I wonder if I should be off. It is getting late. Must be around three in the morning,” she said with a sad tone to her voice.
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Post by Rayik Sun'tar on Jan 5, 2009 21:05:54 GMT -8
Rayik started to put the food away and moved behind her to wash the dishes at the small sink. He thought of her statement for only a moment.
He knew she needed to go. He didn't really want her to, but that could be easily suppressed. Darker thoughts occurred to him. “The food was my pleasure, and I'm not sure its a good idea for you to wander this time of night through Chinatown by yourself. I'm sure you are comfortable with it, but I'm not sure I am.”
“I can escort you home if you wish, or I could find a room for you to stay here for the night, if you are quiet.” Rayik wasn't quite sure what he was offering, but he did not want her out on the streets by herself. He could never forgive himself if something was to happen to her. It was honest, and was fast turning into a great excuse for her to stick around.
Still unable to understand why he wanted her around, he cleaned off the knife and placed in the back of his pants again. He turned to her, and gazed into her eyes, which were not too far apart given the small proximity of the kitchen. Rayik's heart raced just a bit with that realization of closeness. He truly wondered what she was thinking, or what color her eyes were...or if the two were related.
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Post by Fallon Silva on Jan 5, 2009 21:41:37 GMT -8
Raising a delicate eyebrow, Fallon swiveled around on the stool to watch Rayik as the words fell out of his mouth. She was unsure as to why he was so concerned about her safety. It seemed out of sorts for the man that she had met. With a bit of a shrug, she ran his offer over in her head.
“What if I snore,” she exclaimed. “I would be aghast if I woke up... one of your... one of the people that live here.”
Pushing herself off of the perched position she held on the stool, she stood up and pushed her hands against his chest to give them a bit more room.
“Honestly, I think it would be best if I went home,” Fallon whispered before standing on her tip toes to press her lips gently against his. “Thank you again for everything. I’ll see my way out.”
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