December 3: Lakeside Walk, Nostalgic Talk
Ugh, I feel like shit. I better not be coming down with anything...
No warnings for today's chapter.
Mithraiel sighed guiltily as he walked the edge of the small lake located at a slight distance from the small cottage he currently shared with Indra and Leilan. They were probably still in bed - provided they'd even bothered to head in this morning, after they'd all collapsed out in the garden last night.
He felt bad about going out without even telling them, but then again, Angels were generally solitairy, nomadic creatures, according to popular opinion. Besides, they knew he'd come back. Right now, he just didn't have the energy to keep up with them, and their "morning ritual".
He shook his head in amusement. They really were insatiable. Sure, Mithraiel enjoyed the sex every bit as much as they did, but he didn't think his body would last, at this rate. So he'd escaped for a little break. He intended to make it up to them when he got back, anyway, so he really doubted they'd mind any.
Or so he thought, anyway. As if to shake that last bit of niggling doubt, he increased his pace. If he remembered correctly, there was supposed to be a small waterfall up ahead. Perhaps a shower and a quick swim would clear his head some.
Five minutes later, his memory proved correct, and his hands went for the knot on his dark green sash when his eyes fell on the blue-clad Angel standing shin-deep in the water. His hair was so pale it seemed to be a silvery white, and was kept at the traditional length, as Mithraiel's own blond hair was,
Mithraiel grimaced. He wasn't entirely sure he was in the mood to talk to anyone right now - much less an unknown Angel. He had gone out to relax, not to trade sexual exhaustion with scorn. Too many knew of his life with Indra and Leilan, and none of them approved. It was half of the reason they had all relocated to that cottage in the middle of nowhere in the first place. Too many disgusted looks and badly concealed whispers, when they had been in the more populated areas.
But just as he was about to retrace his steps, the other Angel turned around, and spotted him. Mithriel cursed inwardly. There was no helping it now; manners dicated he must greet the other.
Dredging up a smile, he moved closer. "Good morning," he said politely, and his smile turned sincere as he saw who the other Angel was. "Riniel! It has been entirely too long."
Riniel, the last of the four seasons, smiled; a slight up-turn of the corners of his mouth, but it was the widest Mithraiel had ever seen him smile, and never had he heard of anyone else seeing more, either.
"Indeed, Mithraiel," Riniel replied. Mithraiel almost laughed. Riniel had never been one of many words.
"But what are you doing in these parts, Riniel?" Mithraiel asked, wading out to where Riniel was standing. The water was cool, but pleasantly so, and clear enough the bottom was visible.
Riniel shrugged. "Considering relocating. Too many others moving into my area lately. This place is nice. Quiet. And call me Rin. Please." The last was added as an afterthought as if he had suddenly remembered there was such a thing as manners.
Mithraiel smiled brightly. He hadn't thought there were anyone Riniel regarded highly enough to allow them to use the shortening of his name. It was certainly a pleasant surprise to be given such privilege.
"Thank you, Rin," he replied. "And you are free to call me however you wish."
Rin simply nodded.
"This is a nice place, though. I've been living in the area for quite a while," Mithraiel said, and took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of some nearby flowers mixing with the subtle, fresh scent of the water. "One of the less populated areas, so you can enjoy the view without bumping into others every three steps."
"Indeed," Rin agreed, giving Mithraiel an odd look.
"You like it, then?" he said excitedly, It was a mystery even to himself why he was so excited about the prospect of Rin moving nearby. Well, he was a fellow Season, and there was something fascinating about how completely opposite Rin was compared to Mithraiel himself. Angel of Winter to his Summer, Rin's hair, almost the colour of moonlight, compared to his own sunlight-coloured tresses. His cool, calm, independent personality, where Mithraiel always felt things too strongly, it seemed, and hated being alone.
Rin nodded his confirmation.
"It would be wonderful if you came here, then. All the Seasons would be gathered once again." Mithraiel grinned at the thought. Well, he didn't think Rin would want to join them in their relationship; he didn't seem like one for such a physical show of affection - or any way of showing affection, really - and would probably have even more trouble keeping up with Indra and Leilan than Mitraiel himself had.
"All the seasons?" Rin asked, cocking his head in slight confusion. He didn't know, then. Not that it came as a surprise. Despite Rin being almost the picture perfect Angel; regal, calm, never ruled by emotion, he did not care for others' company enough to hear the gossip.
"Leilaniel and Indraiel - Spring and Autumn," Mithraiel clarified, in case Rin did not remember their names, "also live nearby."
He didn't think Rin would judge them, like the others - that would imply Rin cared enough about others to have an opinion about their actions - but for some reason, Mithraiel didn't want to clarify. Well, of course he would have to, eventually, but for now, he really just wanted to talk to Rin without any complications or worries.
"Spring?" Rin said, and the tiniest frown marred his features.
"Yeah," Mithraiel confirmed, wondering at Rin's reaction.
"I see." It was strange, how chill Rin could make his voice sound. Could it be that...?
"You do not like him?" he guessed, even though he couldn't really understand why. He hadn't thought Rin and Leilan had met enough times for Rin to have that strong of an opinion about the other Angel.
Rin shook his head. "We are too... different," he explained, and grimaced.
Mithraiel laughed. "Surely we are more different! I hope I'm not disliked as well. After all, I rather like you, Rin."
Rin's eyes widened, and he shook his head again. "You are nothing like Spring. He is too capricious, almost cruelly quick to change. But we too are very different, true, Summer is a warm and sweet season, a time of life and joy. Winter, on the other hand, is cold and harsh, creator of nothing and death of too much," he said, almost sounding bitter.
Mithraiel gave Rin a surprised look. He had never thought of it like that. It sounded like Rin... admired him? Such a strange thought.
"I quite like the winter, though? The way the snow seems to make the entire world more quiet and calm, the glint of the morning sun off of ice and snow, the perfect excuse to huddle closer to someone, and sharing of oneself in front of a fire, getting to know others as they share as well," he said, closing his eyes with a smile as he imagined it. A summer day might be warm, but it was nothing compared to sitting in front of a fire mid-winter. He opened his eyes and fixed his gaze on Rin again. "Besides, without death, there can be no rebirth, and then there is only stagnation."
Rin's face brightened in a smile - an actual, proper smile! The sight almost made Mithraiel gape in astonishment.
"Summer is warm and sweet indeed, to make even Winter feel less cold," Rin said, still smiling.
Mithraiel could feel his cheeks heat uncomfortably, and he looked down. He wasn't sure whether Rin had meant himself, or the season he represented, or what exactly his words were supposed to mean, but it felt like a compliment, and one more flattering than any he had received before.
"But I must go, unfortunately," Rin said apologetically.
Mithraiel swallowed a disappointed sigh. "Could... Would you mind meeting me here again? It was fun talking to you." He tried not to get his hopes up too high, but even so, the hopeful tone in his voice was all too obvious.
Rin did his normal, tiny smile. "Gladly. I like this place. I think I will come here often, when I move to the area," he said, and waded to the shore, picking up the shoes and socks discarded there. He turned back to Mithraiel. "Until next time… Mithra? " His tone was questioning, almost as if he was asking for approval for the shortening of his name.
Mithraiel smiled brightly. "Until next time, Rin."
With a slight nod, Rin disappeared among the trees, and Mithraiel plopped down in the water, not caring if his tunic got soaked. Laughter bubbled forth, and he didn't even bother trying to hold it back.
No warnings for today's chapter.
Mithraiel sighed guiltily as he walked the edge of the small lake located at a slight distance from the small cottage he currently shared with Indra and Leilan. They were probably still in bed - provided they'd even bothered to head in this morning, after they'd all collapsed out in the garden last night.
He felt bad about going out without even telling them, but then again, Angels were generally solitairy, nomadic creatures, according to popular opinion. Besides, they knew he'd come back. Right now, he just didn't have the energy to keep up with them, and their "morning ritual".
He shook his head in amusement. They really were insatiable. Sure, Mithraiel enjoyed the sex every bit as much as they did, but he didn't think his body would last, at this rate. So he'd escaped for a little break. He intended to make it up to them when he got back, anyway, so he really doubted they'd mind any.
Or so he thought, anyway. As if to shake that last bit of niggling doubt, he increased his pace. If he remembered correctly, there was supposed to be a small waterfall up ahead. Perhaps a shower and a quick swim would clear his head some.
Five minutes later, his memory proved correct, and his hands went for the knot on his dark green sash when his eyes fell on the blue-clad Angel standing shin-deep in the water. His hair was so pale it seemed to be a silvery white, and was kept at the traditional length, as Mithraiel's own blond hair was,
Mithraiel grimaced. He wasn't entirely sure he was in the mood to talk to anyone right now - much less an unknown Angel. He had gone out to relax, not to trade sexual exhaustion with scorn. Too many knew of his life with Indra and Leilan, and none of them approved. It was half of the reason they had all relocated to that cottage in the middle of nowhere in the first place. Too many disgusted looks and badly concealed whispers, when they had been in the more populated areas.
But just as he was about to retrace his steps, the other Angel turned around, and spotted him. Mithriel cursed inwardly. There was no helping it now; manners dicated he must greet the other.
Dredging up a smile, he moved closer. "Good morning," he said politely, and his smile turned sincere as he saw who the other Angel was. "Riniel! It has been entirely too long."
Riniel, the last of the four seasons, smiled; a slight up-turn of the corners of his mouth, but it was the widest Mithraiel had ever seen him smile, and never had he heard of anyone else seeing more, either.
"Indeed, Mithraiel," Riniel replied. Mithraiel almost laughed. Riniel had never been one of many words.
"But what are you doing in these parts, Riniel?" Mithraiel asked, wading out to where Riniel was standing. The water was cool, but pleasantly so, and clear enough the bottom was visible.
Riniel shrugged. "Considering relocating. Too many others moving into my area lately. This place is nice. Quiet. And call me Rin. Please." The last was added as an afterthought as if he had suddenly remembered there was such a thing as manners.
Mithraiel smiled brightly. He hadn't thought there were anyone Riniel regarded highly enough to allow them to use the shortening of his name. It was certainly a pleasant surprise to be given such privilege.
"Thank you, Rin," he replied. "And you are free to call me however you wish."
Rin simply nodded.
"This is a nice place, though. I've been living in the area for quite a while," Mithraiel said, and took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of some nearby flowers mixing with the subtle, fresh scent of the water. "One of the less populated areas, so you can enjoy the view without bumping into others every three steps."
"Indeed," Rin agreed, giving Mithraiel an odd look.
"You like it, then?" he said excitedly, It was a mystery even to himself why he was so excited about the prospect of Rin moving nearby. Well, he was a fellow Season, and there was something fascinating about how completely opposite Rin was compared to Mithraiel himself. Angel of Winter to his Summer, Rin's hair, almost the colour of moonlight, compared to his own sunlight-coloured tresses. His cool, calm, independent personality, where Mithraiel always felt things too strongly, it seemed, and hated being alone.
Rin nodded his confirmation.
"It would be wonderful if you came here, then. All the Seasons would be gathered once again." Mithraiel grinned at the thought. Well, he didn't think Rin would want to join them in their relationship; he didn't seem like one for such a physical show of affection - or any way of showing affection, really - and would probably have even more trouble keeping up with Indra and Leilan than Mitraiel himself had.
"All the seasons?" Rin asked, cocking his head in slight confusion. He didn't know, then. Not that it came as a surprise. Despite Rin being almost the picture perfect Angel; regal, calm, never ruled by emotion, he did not care for others' company enough to hear the gossip.
"Leilaniel and Indraiel - Spring and Autumn," Mithraiel clarified, in case Rin did not remember their names, "also live nearby."
He didn't think Rin would judge them, like the others - that would imply Rin cared enough about others to have an opinion about their actions - but for some reason, Mithraiel didn't want to clarify. Well, of course he would have to, eventually, but for now, he really just wanted to talk to Rin without any complications or worries.
"Spring?" Rin said, and the tiniest frown marred his features.
"Yeah," Mithraiel confirmed, wondering at Rin's reaction.
"I see." It was strange, how chill Rin could make his voice sound. Could it be that...?
"You do not like him?" he guessed, even though he couldn't really understand why. He hadn't thought Rin and Leilan had met enough times for Rin to have that strong of an opinion about the other Angel.
Rin shook his head. "We are too... different," he explained, and grimaced.
Mithraiel laughed. "Surely we are more different! I hope I'm not disliked as well. After all, I rather like you, Rin."
Rin's eyes widened, and he shook his head again. "You are nothing like Spring. He is too capricious, almost cruelly quick to change. But we too are very different, true, Summer is a warm and sweet season, a time of life and joy. Winter, on the other hand, is cold and harsh, creator of nothing and death of too much," he said, almost sounding bitter.
Mithraiel gave Rin a surprised look. He had never thought of it like that. It sounded like Rin... admired him? Such a strange thought.
"I quite like the winter, though? The way the snow seems to make the entire world more quiet and calm, the glint of the morning sun off of ice and snow, the perfect excuse to huddle closer to someone, and sharing of oneself in front of a fire, getting to know others as they share as well," he said, closing his eyes with a smile as he imagined it. A summer day might be warm, but it was nothing compared to sitting in front of a fire mid-winter. He opened his eyes and fixed his gaze on Rin again. "Besides, without death, there can be no rebirth, and then there is only stagnation."
Rin's face brightened in a smile - an actual, proper smile! The sight almost made Mithraiel gape in astonishment.
"Summer is warm and sweet indeed, to make even Winter feel less cold," Rin said, still smiling.
Mithraiel could feel his cheeks heat uncomfortably, and he looked down. He wasn't sure whether Rin had meant himself, or the season he represented, or what exactly his words were supposed to mean, but it felt like a compliment, and one more flattering than any he had received before.
"But I must go, unfortunately," Rin said apologetically.
Mithraiel swallowed a disappointed sigh. "Could... Would you mind meeting me here again? It was fun talking to you." He tried not to get his hopes up too high, but even so, the hopeful tone in his voice was all too obvious.
Rin did his normal, tiny smile. "Gladly. I like this place. I think I will come here often, when I move to the area," he said, and waded to the shore, picking up the shoes and socks discarded there. He turned back to Mithraiel. "Until next time… Mithra? " His tone was questioning, almost as if he was asking for approval for the shortening of his name.
Mithraiel smiled brightly. "Until next time, Rin."
With a slight nod, Rin disappeared among the trees, and Mithraiel plopped down in the water, not caring if his tunic got soaked. Laughter bubbled forth, and he didn't even bother trying to hold it back.