The Movement [Open]

[Raine Rivera]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 200px; padding: 15px; border-top: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; border-bottom: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; background: #f2f2f2;][STYLE= float: left; width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm242/DaeSiggil/Me_Dae_/Site/Avatars/Aerith/11-1.jpg); border: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; margin-top: -25px;][/style][STYLE= float: left; width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm242/DaeSiggil/Me_Dae_/Site/Avatars/Aerith/11-1.jpg); border: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; margin-left: 05px; margin-top: -25px;][/style][STYLE= color: #96abc8; font-family: franklin gothic medium, arial narrow; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; float: left; width: 235px; text-transform: uppercase;]❝ breathe out so i can breathe you in — ❞[/style][STYLE= float: left; background: #fcfcfc; width: 225px; font-family: franklin gothic medium, arial narrow; font-size: 10px; text-align: justify; color: #9caab6; padding: 10px; border-top: #c9d2d8 10px solid;] The woman was an elegant creature, walking through the streets. Her hair tied up in a twisted ponytail and bangs allowed to playfully escape. Her arms rang softly when she moved them, the source being metal-looking bracelets. Her hands clasped some flowers, gotten from a young child who admired her, she had only smiled and laughed softly while she ruffled his hair and thanked him in a solemn voice. She had found his blush adorable and for a moment she nearly regretted that she hadn't children of her own. Nonetheless Raine never would allow them to live a life where they would be hunted for what they where. She loved her ability, but many considered a curse and she had to be careful. She didn't want to do that to any child, even less to her own. She shook her head slightly, hoping to discard such thoughts who only brought her down and raised the flowers to her nose and took in their sweet scent. She saw the fields where they had been growing in and for a moment she wished she could see such a place, a place where peace reined and a place where mutants could live without any worries. She smiled behind the flowers she held and carefully loosened her grip around the stems before she crushed them. For a moment she wondered where her kin was, then it dawned on her, they would hide, of course. She would've been smart to do the same, but no one could say that the woman was a coward. She lived for adventure and yet she never had went on one. She stayed in her little house and hoped for the best. The surroundings where nice enough, although she still desired to see more green. The park seemed like the only spot where it still could grow and even then controlled by the hand of man. It was a sad thought, in all honesty. She shook her head again and then sighed softly, moving over to one of the benches and seated herself. The flowers still kept in a careful hold, sometimes being raised so she could smell them again. She could never got enough of them and that made her seem otherworldly, no one could love plants that much, right? It was something she paid no attention, they could think of her whatever they wanted. [/style]

[STYLE= font-family: franklin gothic medium, arial narrow; font-size: 10px;]MADE BY CYANIDE CANDY ✖[/style]

[Miriam Valentine]

The flower girl with the metal bangles was a picture of natural elegance, complimented by a gift from nature as she sat on a bench at the edge of the park. She was framed by the emeralds of well-tended grass, by the pearl-dotted, sapphire blue of the sky and the cotton ball clouds, and by the golden rays of the sun. It seemed a fitting menagerie - the sanctuary or last bastion of 'nature', at least inside Endonia's city limits - primarily because the flower girl was a puzzle piece custom-fitted to the environment.

Still, because the park was not "natural" nature, it was... merely an illusion. The grass was a mixture of carefully selected breeds, chosen for their specific color design when trimmed and for a "symbiosis of life" that promoted a thriving survival in Endonia's particular climate. None of the breeds were native. The nearby shrubbery and the handful of trees that dotted the landscape existed due to similar decisions - a particular color of bark or flower, a certain timing of transitioning to fall colors, a specific scent produced to repulse insects that park-goers might find annoying. Even the clouds held an artificial touch, for they existed, in part, because of the effects of Endonia's industrial district.

An illusion. But as long as one kept their focus at the edge of the sidewalk and forward into the park, it was a grand one. The bench that the woman sat on would be given an exemption for being "unnatural" - otherwise, the picture being painted would have its center point much too close to the ground. A grand illusion, facilitated more perfectly by the coincidental lack of any other human presence IN the park.

But the eye of the beholder of this "watercolor-in-waiting"? She was the counterpart to the "naturally elegant." She was elegance-manufactured. She was cosmopolitan refinery, though admittedly with a touch of the archaic applied to create the necessary (or not) aristocratic air about her.

A pair of sidewalks split down the middle by pavement smoothed by innumerable tires acted as barrier to the scene and as an unforgiving reminder that the picture described was, as stated, merely an illusion. Miriam Valentine, fresh from the annoying necessity of shopping for her upcoming reintroduction to University, was seated just across the street from the flower girl. She was hard not to notice as, like the flower girl, she seemed the only human in her environment. The environment was the outside patio of a "ritzy" cafe (the clientele would be quite insulted if it were to be called a "coffee shop"), framing the young woman with the reds and browns of the bricks of the building, the solid black of wrought iron tables and chairs, and the blue-white-red tricolor of the patio table umbrellas. The woman, flanked by a handful of plastic shopping bags that contained almost exclusively textbooks (for she was of the "old school" mentality, despite having also purchased electronic access to those books - she enjoyed the feeling of paper on her fingertips, even while studying), had positioned herself in the dead center of the patio.

Miriam's solitary existence was not the only reason she would draw attention not directly solicited. Her style of dress was eclectic, to offer a single descriptor, for she seemed as if she had just come from an equestrian competition. In the summer heat, it may have seemed a touch on the side of ridiculous, but such was her way. The bright red jacket covered a long sleeved, button up black dress shirt, complete with frilly collar. Lacy cuffs erupted from the sleeves of the jacket, visible only because Miriam had removed her black gloves and had laid them to rest on the patio table. Her pants, which were quite form-fitting, were so white as to be nearly reflective, and her knee high, spit-shined black boots offered a powerful contrast to them. It was not a "perfect" costume, however. Her hair, a shade of red as deceptive as her middle name, in that it seemed to mimic other colors depending on the light, was loose and flowing, instead of being carefully contained, as was usual equestrian practice. She also do not wear the expected hat. The final touch were the sunglasses - black like midnight to hide her eyes and not of the reflective lens variety.

Behind those glasses, Miriam was watching - her eyes following the movements of the young woman - while she, with perfect posture, sipped at the drink she had purchased a few minutes ago. In truth, aside from appreciating the "picture" presented, she was not terribly interested in... anything in her immediate surroundings. She watched because she could, because it was "break time", and because she was, as was her habit, far ahead of the schedule she had set for the day.

[Raine Rivera]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 200px; padding: 15px; border-top: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; border-bottom: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; background: #f2f2f2;][STYLE= float: left; width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm242/DaeSiggil/Me_Dae_/Site/Avatars/Aerith/11-1.jpg); border: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; margin-top: -25px;][/style][STYLE= float: left; width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm242/DaeSiggil/Me_Dae_/Site/Avatars/Aerith/11-1.jpg); border: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; margin-left: 05px; margin-top: -25px;][/style][STYLE= color: #96abc8; font-family: franklin gothic medium, arial narrow; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; float: left; width: 235px; text-transform: uppercase;]❝ breathe out so i can breathe you in — ❞[/style][STYLE= float: left; background: #fcfcfc; width: 225px; font-family: franklin gothic medium, arial narrow; font-size: 10px; text-align: justify; color: #9caab6; padding: 10px; border-top: #c9d2d8 10px solid;]The woman soon noticed a little place where she could rest comfortable and drink something warm to ward of the incoming chill and escape this place that was clearly controlled by mankind's hand. A saddening thought, but of course someone like she wouldn't change it, even though she wanted to do so. The thought nearly send something uncomfortable through her body and a flush spread over her cheeks, quickly discarding those and biting her lower lip. It was slowly getting colder, too, she thought, hoping to distract herself. It told of the changing seasons and she smiled to herself, barely restraining herself from rubbing her hands and blowing into them. She barely kept her shoulders from raising and giving a body-full shiver. A light movement to loosen her shoulders and then she walked straight to the little shop that she had spotted before and soon stood before the door. She looked at it, curiously for a short moment and then pushed it open. She took a draft of chilly air with her, it blew her slightly forward too and she soon pushed the door closed. An apologetic smile on her features for whoever glanced at her, wondering about the cold disturbance. She looked around, searching for a free spot, stamping the tip of her boot lightly against the floor, creating a dull sound, luckily it wasn't loud enough to disturb anyone. She then moved to one of the boots she still believed to be empty. Only to realize someone already was seated there. Raine took in the shopping bags and nervously nibbled on her lower lip once more, before squaring her shoulders ever so lightly and approaching the person. A woman, a very well-dressed one, for a moment her resolve wavered again and then she forced a small smile on her lips "Excuse me." She drawled out, her voice softer than she had wished "Mind if I join you?" Her green eyes slowly observed the other woman, once more taking in the clothes and how she carried herself. She seemed younger than herself, but then again, most who had money tended to look younger. At least that's how she saw it these days. She didn't know why she had approached, maybe some sense of curiosity that she hadn't quenched in time? She hummed lowly underneath her breath, considering it for a moment, although made sure to appear that she was still appearing to pay attention to the other. Her hands slightly clasped in front of her chest again, upper body slightly bend as if making some kind of bow. The ribbon in her hair fluttering gently with her movements. [/style]

[STYLE= font-family: franklin gothic medium, arial narrow; font-size: 10px;]MADE BY CYANIDE CANDY ✖[/style]

[OOC; Sorry it's so short. orz]

[Miriam Valentine]

If Raine's appearance had caused any alarm to anyone, it was not present in the form of or the aura surrounding Miriam. Perhaps it was because she had half-predicted Raine's entrance - half because the lines of travel the flower girl had traversed had offered her entry to the cafe as a distinct possibility. Perhaps it was because Miriam was rarely surprised by anything or, in the event that she was, she had been carefully schooled to conceal it, unless the reveal allowed for a "turn-around" gaining of position. Though either were quite likely, the most likely reason that the lady with the dark red hair offered no reaction to Raine's entrance or approach, was because that was just her way. There may have been a chill outside from the forthcoming changing of the seasons, but Miriam's aura was naturally that of ice. It was a decent source of the mystique of her reputation, but what it truly was, was an ingrained defense mechanism. Those who did not approach could not be of any direct, immediate threat.

As such, when Raine approached her, Miri seemingly failed to take any notice at all. It was difficult to be certain that the redhead was in "full ignore" mode, given her dark glasses, but she had the straight, proper, dismissive posture of one "above" the rest, and so it could be easily assumed. Especially when there was a delay in responding once Raine had spoken. The delay came at the expense of the remainder of Miriam's drink. The sequence of events was such: Raine approached and spoke. Miri paused, then lifted her glass and considered it for a beat. Then, her hands in correct form, for etiquette's sake, she sipped the last of beverage and carefully placed it back down on its accompanying saucer. Then, and only then, did the young woman turn her head towards the flower girl. From behind dark glasses, Miriam considered the girl for a moment. Then, as if to break her own aura, she lifted a hand and pushed her glasses on to the top of her head. Her eyes started at the top of Raine's head and then, slowly, traveled down the entire length of her body in an unhidden, blatant form of close appraisal. After a moment, Miriam seemed to lean back in her seat. She offered a small, satisfied sigh.

"If it pleases you," she said in response to Raine's request to join her. Her tone was simple and neutral. "Though I regret to say that I have finished my drink. However, as you have requested an audience, I shall do the proper thing an order a second. What is your desire?" A beat passed, and Miriam realized the vagueness of her inquiry. "To drink, I mean. Merely state your choice; I shall facilitate it, as a gift for making new acquaintances."

[Raine Rivera]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 200px; padding: 15px; border-top: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; border-bottom: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; background: #f2f2f2;][STYLE= float: left; width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm242/DaeSiggil/Me_Dae_/Site/Avatars/Aerith/11-1.jpg); border: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; margin-top: -25px;][/style][STYLE= float: left; width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm242/DaeSiggil/Me_Dae_/Site/Avatars/Aerith/11-1.jpg); border: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; margin-left: 05px; margin-top: -25px;][/style][STYLE= color: #96abc8; font-family: franklin gothic medium, arial narrow; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; float: left; width: 235px; text-transform: uppercase;]❝ breathe out so i can breathe you in — ❞[/style][STYLE= float: left; background: #fcfcfc; width: 225px; font-family: franklin gothic medium, arial narrow; font-size: 10px; text-align: justify; color: #9caab6; padding: 10px; border-top: #c9d2d8 10px solid;]She almost started to shift nervously, but instead squared her shoulders ever so faintly when the other either looked at her or ignored her, it was hard to tell with those sunglasses in front of the other woman's eyes. She didn't let it show though, knowing that some would either look down on her for that weakness or do something else. She seemed to read the aura correctly though, thinking that she was maybe lower in standing, that she wasn't worse than the other woman. But what if she was? Those thoughts where quickly shaken away. She nonetheless felt some of the tension drain when those glasses where pushed up and she saw the other's eyes. She observed those, not realizing that her 'staring' could be considered rude. She tried to learn what she could expect, but until the other woman spoke she would get no real answer. The eyes scanning her shape went ignored, one quickly learned to do so in the poorer parts of the city, especially if it meant fates that, in her eyes, were worse than death itself. Her jaw clenched ever so lightly though and her chin raised minutely to show that she wouldn't be shoved around on anyone's whims, especially not the other woman's if she was considering it. A faint shrug was given in reply, still remaining standing for a while "That remains to be seen." She offered, finally seating herself comfortably and ignoring some of the curious looks aimed their way. After all, it wasn't often that two people of their classes met up. Especially not on accident. The woman then continued speaking and her eyebrows raised ever so faintly, not very much impressed by the choice of words. Her eyes blinking ever so lightly. A faint shrug of the shoulders was the temporary answer "Everything is good." She replied, waving her hand ever so lightly, a smile soon appearing on her features, softening her features even more and taking some of the carelessness away "I'm not very picky.." Unless it came to alcohol, she disliked anything with that poison in it and besides, they wouldn't serve something bad in something like this, right? Right. She then shrugged her shoulders again "And I refuse to let you pay for it, even if we're newly acquaintances." A light stubborn look appeared in her gaze, before it faded slowly as seconds ticked by. She then smiled again "Anyway, the name is Raine." She introduced herself, not asking for the other woman's or suggestion that she wanted to know it. It was optional for Miriam, really. [/style]

[STYLE= font-family: franklin gothic medium, arial narrow; font-size: 10px;]MADE BY CYANIDE CANDY ✖[/style]

[Miriam Valentine]

"It remains to be seen, does it?" The redhead managed a half-smile, somewhat amused at the literal interpretation of "If it pleases you." After a moment of mirth, Miriam allowed her expression to slip back into neutral, gesturing to the side at a waiter heretofore unseen. She placed her hands in her lap. "'Twas an expression, my dear Raine. However, if it is your wish to truly seek pleasure in this arrangement, I would recommend it be a search kept in the most casual, and decidedly not intimate, of senses."

What on earth had she meant by that? For Miriam, this was something of a polite warning to the other woman that she "didn't swing that way", on the off chance that the flower girl had approached her out of an interest meant to be kept behind closed doors. Her amused half-smile returned then, and she brought one hand up to touch her chin in a gesture of consideration.

"I wonder, though, at the words before your introduction. Are gifts so frowned upon in Endonia these days? I believe, if I understand it correctly, that refusal is... a statement of, mmm, independence? Particularly in women. However, I am more accustomed to the line of thinking that the refusal of a gift-" The waiter had arrived. "-is, in a manner, a display of civil disrespect to the one offering it. Perhaps that is a bit old fashioned. So tell me, Raine... how shall I interpret this, as it pertains to you?"

Miriam turned her attention to the waiter then, and acknowledged him with a slight nod.

"Sir, if you would, bring me a second. The black tea is quite exquisite today. As for the lady, here..."

And she trailed off, leaving Raine to decide for herself, despite the flower girl's claim that anything would be fine. One had to wonder at Miriam's demeanor in this. There was a touch of inherent irony in it - dressed in equestrian garb, she had, so far, not taken a defining lead in the conversation. Instead, she had handed the "reigns" over to Raine, and seemed quite content to spend her time observing how the flower girl responded.

[Raine Rivera]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 200px; padding: 15px; border-top: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; border-bottom: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; background: #f2f2f2;][STYLE= float: left; width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm242/DaeSiggil/Me_Dae_/Site/Avatars/Aerith/11-1.jpg); border: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; margin-top: -25px;][/style][STYLE= float: left; width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm242/DaeSiggil/Me_Dae_/Site/Avatars/Aerith/11-1.jpg); border: #c9d2d8 solid 10px; margin-left: 05px; margin-top: -25px;][/style][STYLE= color: #96abc8; font-family: franklin gothic medium, arial narrow; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; float: left; width: 235px; text-transform: uppercase;]❝ breathe out so i can breathe you in — ❞[/style][STYLE= float: left; background: #fcfcfc; width: 225px; font-family: franklin gothic medium, arial narrow; font-size: 10px; text-align: justify; color: #9caab6; padding: 10px; border-top: #c9d2d8 10px solid;]A faint nod of the head, her own eyes gleaming with some mirth before it faded. She was a bit more cautious than she would've been with another person. She was sure that she soon would get more comfortable with her conversation partner. It seemed almost like instinct to know when one person truly meant harm or not and this person wasn't the type for such a thing, luckily. Otherwise she didn't know what she would've done to end this conversation as soon as possible. The other woman spoke again and she smiled faintly, showing that she knew but hadn't been able to resist the slight teasing. Then, her eyes widened and her mouth opened minutely and then she blushed heavily as what the other woman said sunk in "Oh.. oh no, nonono." She was quick to assure, laughing lightly in shock and placing her hand over her mouth "It certainly is not.... no..." She shook her head, no she couldn't even imagine what it would be like. No, she didn't even want to do so. What others did was their concern, she didn't mind those who preferred their own gender as quite a few women had approached her before, but no... She was only interested in men, thank you very much. "They are not frowned upon." She stated, placing her chin in her upturned hand and staring at her conversation partner to be polite. She had learned never to look away, at least not the entire time, but she also knew it shouldn't turn into staring. A fine balance sometimes. She looked at the waiter for a moment when he arrived, before her attention turned back to Miriam, her lips moving lightly into slight discomfort. She had always refused gifts, but if the other insisted. A faint sigh and then she looked toward her "Independence." She replied, voice slightly stronger than before. Before a smile turned the corners of her mouth upward "But if you insist.." The waiter's attention then turned to her and she stared at Miriam for a moment longer, somewhat knowing what she had done and not really knowing what to do with it at the moment. Raine's attention soon switched however and her mouth curved up again, well if she had to choose. " Baihao Yinzhen, please." She ordered softly, before realizing that they maybe didn't have that here. The shop was most likely not very specialized in teas and seeing some of the confusion in the waiter's eyes "Otherwise a green tea is sufficient enough." He apparently wrote that down and then left and her attention slowly turned back to the woman in front of her. [/style]

[STYLE= font-family: franklin gothic medium, arial narrow; font-size: 10px;]MADE BY CYANIDE CANDY ✖[/style]

[Miriam Valentine]

In the next beat, an amusing - at least, to Miriam - exchange occurred, for the flower girl that had joined the proprietor of The Palace had, despite claiming that "anything was fine", ordered the most expensive of the Chinese White Teas. There were many things to consider here. The first and foremost, of course, was the question Miriam had raised on etiquette. By her mind and, given the sudden widening eyes of the waiter, she (Miriam) was the hostess - by default, since Raine had joined her table and not the other way around. Of interest here was the phrase Raine had used - "But if you insist-" - because insistence, by the host was, of course, required. The issue? The "guest" was, by default, meant to request something of moderate or low quality, because the next exchange, delivered by the host, was a second insistence - this time on the best. But the exchange had been pre-empted. Raine had gone to the top of the list first.

Ah, the jousting match that was supposed to be. Even though Raine followed with the mentioning of a "green tea", generally, the card was already played. The waiter was as white as the type of tea she had first requested. Had it been any other "hostess", perhaps he would not have been so surprised, but the Queen of the Palace was known for her ice... and yet, in that moment, she seemed slow to react.

There was more to consider, of course. Semantics, symbolism - these things were always terribly important. White against black. Perhaps in a "common" setting, such a blatant contrast would have been missed completely, but the reputation of the one made every detail important and this one - this counter-contrast - seemed an insult, even if was not intended to be. Still, the redhead did not flinch, but the waiter seemed on the verge of choking from tension.

A beat passed and then... Miriam smirked. She raised a hand and offered a small, dismissive wave to the man in the apron.

"Ease your worry, sir. 'Tis neither the time or place. Retrieve the lady what she wishes, and - to be clear - I do insist, and the charge shall be placed on my tab. And, dear waiter, do take your time. This afternoon is not meant for haste; and caution ensures a lack of incidence, does it not?"

Another flippant wave of her fingers accompanied her question, but the waiter was not quick to act. His tension had been turned on its head, and the look he turned on Raine was one that started with a touch of the incredulous, transitioned into one of deliberate spite and, finally, melted into one of pure envy. By his account, no one deserved such a graceful gesture - hell, he was of the mind that Miri had literally just pardoned Raine from any perceived offense - and the look in his eyes seemed to make it clear that he had sabotage in mind. But, despite her seeming neutrality, this was not lost on Miri. As the waiter turned to go, she cleared her throat.

"Do not rush, sir, but I expect a pristine delivery. Is that clear?"

"Y-yes, ma'am!"

And he scurried off, like a scolded dog with his tail between his legs. Once he had disappeared, Miriam let out a soft sigh, closing her eyes and managing a rather satisfied smile. Manipulation, by mere words and reputation, was always, in her mind, an amazing thing. The waiter was a puppet and she had plucked his strings without even trying. She had brought him to her side by simply "being", turned him on Raine only because of who she was, twisted his vision of what was "proper" by forgiving and facilitating the flower girl, and then, finally, rendered him helpless to react with a simple "reminder" of proper duty.

It was... honestly, a tiresome affair. She paused, uncrossing and recrossing her legs beneath the table, before she opened her eyes. They locked onto Raine's instantly, as if she had already known precisely where the flower girl's orbs would be from behind her closed lids. She kept her smile in place.

"My apologies, Miss Raine. I am afraid the waiter momentarily forgot his place, but... perhaps you were unaware of the situation in which you have placed yourself. And if that is truly the case, then, an introduction I thought unnecessary may be in order. In a sense, I am surprised, but then, I have been away from Endonia for over a year. Memories are such... fickle things." She brought a hand up across her chest, fist pressed to her breast, and she bowed her head. "Miriam Valentine, owner and proprietor of The Palace at Versailles, at your service, my dear lady. Perhaps you have heard of me or my establishment?"