Reason Bound [Delilah]

[Eluard Verlaine]

Eluard had been out all night, searching and failing to find what he sought. Worn out from the long hours of walk and run, he slipped into the park, intending to collect his strength on a park bench before heading home. Although the morning sun hurt his tired eyes he sat bathed in sunlight, arms supported on the bench’s wooden back, like a lizard trying to warm its cold blood from its heat. He wore a long black coat and an azure shirt tucked into formal black pants.

Without actually shifting his gaze he took note of everyone who passed, his mind never one to relax. Children and their grandparents, a young woman and her dog and a bum freshly woken from his nap on a park bench all walked by him, animated by their day’s purpose, except for the beggar who more of less drifted, as anyone who lived improvising reason from one moment to the next. Those were the most dangerous of people – you never knew what they decided to do next. Having nothing to lose and nothing to hope for was the worst combination for the most destructive of behaviors.

Eluard’s eyelids lowered so much his eyes were nearly closed. He knew what it was like to feel like such a person, although in the end reason had gripped him and yanked him back before he could do anything reckless. Sometimes he wondered what it would be like to not have Jenny to temper his character and give meaning to his actions. Behind a deeply calculated act there was rage that could corrupt the best of intentions.

The blond man sighed, letting his issues slip back under the surface, repressed to be manifested another time or perhaps never at all. As things stood he did have purpose, and when he looked into the sky he found hope and life. So long as he had his daughter to keep him anchored onto the stage of reason he would be the most determined actor of them all.

[Delilah Hawthorne]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=style, background-image: url('http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/houndoomXdelta/backgrounds/67522.png'); width: 415px;] [style=background-color: #615655; width: 355px; padding: 5px; color: #cacaca; text-align: justify; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px;]Cheerleading practice was soon, the greatest time to talk about football and what cheers to bring up to regionals and possibly the nationals. Pulling loose work out clothing, she stretched in her parent’s living room, just like any morning that summer break. She then gathered up supplies she thought she would need, including a small snack. She pulled the backpack on her back and lightly opened up the door, not wanting to wake up her family. She started with a slow pace, concentrating on her breathing, just slow jog to take in the morning and to allow her muscles to warm up as well. Once more for every good jog it ended up in the park, the girls wanted to meet up there and then move on to the school, so they could practice along with the football players. For Delilah it was only amusement as they would talk about which one they would want to date or at least wear his jersey number for the semester. It seemed so trivial to her but then she was never really good with relationships in the first place, so she always picked a random number and made the boy’s semester. Well, there it was, the park, always so bustling in the morning only to get busier as the day went on. Now, where were those girls meeting up at? Delilah looked around, passing through people, but it started to break up a little, sheesh people staying the front, what was going to happen, a fire? Delilah looked behind her, looking at the crowd. And that was a bad idea, her feet tangled up, trying to go the direction she was looking at while at the same time Delilah tried to keep going straight. “Umph.” Her legs locked together, making sure she didn’t move them one way or another forcing her to turn back the direction she was running, her arms came up to protect her face, a loud thumb noise came from her fall. Delilah slowly got up, rubbing her face. Oh how she hoped that no one saw that, but some wishes were hard to grant for a few people saw her great performance and maybe one would come and help her? [/style][style=background-color: #615655; width: 355px; border-left: 5px solid #615655; border-right: 5px solid #615655; color: #a8a8a8; text-align: justify; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; border-top: 1px dashed #ffa858; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;] words;; 371 tags;; lalalala notes;; :3 credits;; ZETTA! of OTE[/style]

[Eluard Verlaine]

Eluard stared into the sky and found himself tugging on memory strings from the past. It was hard, to keep from reviewing the archives of his mind when he was alone and un-preoccupied. What he saw in the warm sunlight was a day on the lake with the white lady of his life, both nervous and knowing there was no uncertainty between them. That had been it, that feeling of belonging with someone, of wishing time would freeze in that moment forever. Lilies had dotted the surface of the water and they had glided down the slow river until nightfall and then morning.

The information dealer closed his eyes against the memory, letting a brief sight escape his lips. He was remembering Lydia more often than not these days and he couldn’t help but probe his mind for reasons about it. When his eyes were open again they happened upon the tumble moment of a teenage girl. She crashed into the ground so close to him she was moments away from being bowed down before his feet.

Eluard smiled lightly, got up, walked the step that brought him to her side and reached down a hand for her to take so she could more easily get up. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall,” he remembered a quote and passed it along in a lighthearted manner. It briefly reminded him of his days in highschool and a kindly old teacher he hadn’t seen in many years although they had thought to keep in touch. “Regardless, one must always keep in mind to not fall often and for things of little substance, lest they grow too injured to return to the climb.”

After she would be up, Eluard would cross his arms and consider her for signs of open cuts or bruises. “Are you well? That was quite a lunge you made for the ground.”

[Delilah Hawthorne]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=style, background-image: url('http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/houndoomXdelta/backgrounds/67522.png'); width: 415px;] [style=background-color: #615655; width: 355px; padding: 5px; color: #cacaca; text-align: justify; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px;]Delilah slowly started to get up; she was surprised at herself that she would take a fall like that. A man then came up to her side and reached down, Delilah looked up and smiled, relieved for the help which she gladly took, her muscle shook slightly as she regained her steady breathing which she had lost a moment ago. He was strong enough to help her up; as she was getting up he was talking to her, it seemed very philosophical and deep. As she wiped her knees and arms of any small pebbles or tiny broken off cement. “That’s very deep, mister. After a short time it’s easier to keep down than to climb back up.” She smiled at her reply, it wasn’t the smartest, but it showed she was learning something. Being in sports had taught her that she should never stay down and that you always have to get back up no matter how hard it is. Delilah chuckled slightly. “Yes, I’m fine.” She lightly tapped the top of her head with an embarrassed smile. “It’s been a while since I’ve taken a dive on the ground like that since I’ve started.” Once more a quiet laughter left her lips. “But thank you for helping me; I was kind of shocked there for a moment. It isn’t normal, if you know what I mean.” In a physical sense, it’s rare for a player to fall on accident, but in an emotional or even a spiritual sense that’s when it’s the easiest for one to just give up. Delilah had been considered a pillar of hope for both of her teams, supporting when moral is down. [/style][style=background-color: #615655; width: 355px; border-left: 5px solid #615655; border-right: 5px solid #615655; color: #a8a8a8; text-align: justify; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; border-top: 1px dashed #ffa858; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;] words;; 279 tags;; Elaurd and Delilah notes;; Only two paragraphs. I'm so sorry orz credits;; ZETTA! of OTE[/style]

[Eluard Verlaine]

“No one ever said it was going to be easy,” he agreed with briefly thoughtful eyes and helped her back up. Always getting back up without help when all you seemed to accomplish was falling down was quite trying. It was natural selection at its finest. The stronger managed to pull back up while the weak perished into the shadows of their discontent. Sometimes, not even a helpful hand could lift the weight of someone who thoroughly gave up. Although Eluard had been tried by life as well, he felt his trials hadn’t been as grueling as to call upon bestial strengths when it came to getting back on track. Losing Lydia had been the most crippling experience of his life but he had gotten back up with Jenny’s help. One day she would be as spirited and grown up as the girl before him and he needed to make a better world for her until then.

The girl reassured him she was fine. After briefly inspecting her he concluded all was well. “It’s quite normal. Humans have the brilliant quality of imperfection. It makes us both interesting and unpredictable.” The corners of his lips rose just slightly. “Imagine what it would be like if perfect training meant you never fell or missed a target. That would be grounds for an awful amount of draws and no more chance encounters like this.” Eluard’s face was alit with friendliness. The weariness he had been feeling was forgotten for the moment, even though it was in his eyes. “Where were you off to in such haste? I won’t keep you. Actually, I should be heading home myself.”

He looked into the direction she had been heading. “We seem to be going on the same path. Let’s walk and talk? I’m called Eluard.” He put his suggestion into practice and started down the road. “So why was it so unnatural for you to fall? Are you an athlete?” Sometimes having random conversations was good for the soul. Eluard seemed to have a lot of these, but it was no wonder due to the activities he was involved with. People both strange and somewhat normal approached him on daily basis when he was active under his other identity. Frankly, considering how he was starting to mix his activities, it was only a matter of time before someone linked the kindly surgeon to the mysterious information dealer.

Eluard sighed, ready for whatever fate had to bring.

[Delilah Hawthorne]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=style, background-image: url('http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/houndoomXdelta/backgrounds/67522.png'); width: 415px;] [style=background-color: #615655; width: 355px; padding: 5px; color: #cacaca; text-align: justify; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px;]Delilah shrugged and nodded in agreement, getting up was never easy and only a few could get up, it all depended on who that person was and how much will they had. Delilah had always been on the easy track of life and took everything she had for granted, of course it wasn’t always easy, there was one girl in her life who was in the spotlight more than her. Whatever happened to the girl Delilah would figure out and bring her back into the light, as painful as getting herself into the spotlight once more and Delilah going slightly more into the shadows once more; it was the duty of a friend and a rival to do that. ”Yeah, if everyone was perfect it would a very boring world.” Even though everyone strived for that perfection, no one can reach it. Plus he was right, everyone would be on t he same level, no imperfections meant no fun, no strategies; the excitement would disappear from life. She then blinked slowly getting out of that line of thought and to his question. ”Oh, uh, I was going to meet up with Endonia High’s cheer squad, we’re starting practice for next season.” Her face brightened up along with his, this man seemed so friendly, it was rare to meet a lot of friendly people. ”And I don’t mind the company,” she twirled her arms behind her back, her smile growing, ”it’s always nice to talk to someone. I hope I’ll be good company.” Her body was warmed up enough so she could walk the rest of the way without any problems, she can stretch once more when she would reach the girls. He introduced himself so she should do the same in respect. ”Im Delilah.” Oh, how would she answer that question? Her eyes widened up a little in astonish as she thoughts to answer. ”Well, some people have busy thoughts. And it’s interesting to see what they’re thinking.”

[/i] Delilah hoped that was a good answer, it disguised the fact that she was mind reader and yet could potentially say that she interested in watching people. ”It’s a good distraction, to just see people’s expressions when I jog. But you are right, for an athlete like me; it was such a simple mistake.” She laughed quietly slightly before letting out a soft sigh. It was stressful not giving her powers away, but since it wasn’t a flashy power it was easy to hide, some people subconsciously knew if she reached out to them mentally and would either let her in to see their outer thoughts or they would lock her out, scrambling her thoughts to where she would have to pull away.

Her dark eyes flickered up to the man, if she went in he would probably have a lot of philosophical thoughts.


[/style][style=background-color: #615655; width: 355px; border-left: 5px solid #615655; border-right: 5px solid #615655; color: #a8a8a8; text-align: justify; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 10px; border-top: 1px dashed #ffa858; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;] words;; 472
tags;; Elaurd and Delilah
notes;; |3
credits;; ZETTA! of OTE[/style][/center][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Eluard Verlaine]

Eluard’s eyebrows rose slightly when he was told of her direction and intentions for the day. Cheerleaders sent memories of highschool bubbling to the surface although he had never been the type to interact with them much. The world of adolescent popularity had passed him by without welcome or rejection. He had been one of those strange kids no one could classify as belonging to any one group. Not exactly geeky, nor especially social and sporty, Eluard had breezed through highschool as an accessory to any “faction” that he came into contact with, even though he never fully adhered to one.

The information dealer’s smile brightened along with hers and he gestured to the path ahead. “Then let us not keep them waiting. Will you be practicing in the park or elsewhere?” If they would choose the outdoor public location for their endeavors Eluard considered being a temporary spectator. A little distraction from his usual thoughts and company would be refreshing, regardless of his tiredness. There would be time for sleep later. Eluard’s eyes twinkled dully as she partially mirrored his thoughts in her words. “I don’t see how you could be bad company, Delilah.” They started walking together and Eluard took note of the brightness of the day once more. His eyes still stung from the sun and more than once he found himself raising a hand to shield them from its glare.

When she answered his question, Eluard looked to her from the corner of a moderately tired eye. “Expressions are often quite revealing,” he agreed and his eyes sharpened just briefly, “but it’s so hard to tell what someone is thinking. The best you can really hope for is to see how they feel about whatever they are considering.” If only Eluard could look into others’ minds, his life would become that much easier. Or would it? He smiled to the sky and sighed lightly. Things were best left as they were. “Does your cheerleading group have a name?” Eluard wasn’t originally from this country and he knew remarkably little about the local educational institutes.

If Delilah would have decided to venture into the tired surgeon’s mind she would find his thoughts to be in a fragmented minimal state that was far from any real philosophical bend. Thoughts were not always as propositional and organized as speech. They often worked with the essence of whatever was being considered, ideas not always outlined in their entirety. When very consciously alert and thorough, thoughts were more integral, but Eluard was anything but at the moment. His thoughts were a string of quick intentions, impressions, labels, something like “Ground. Walking. Bright smile. Pleasant company. Dark. Last night headache. Go home. Cheerleaders. Watch?” along with a series of mental images that flashed along with the short, to the point words that built up his thoughts.