| Logs |
2006 September 09
| Law |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Law Logs |
Gift Exchange.
Phoenix, AZ, Early October, 1978
Bella has spent a lot of the last few days at the Circle-H. She spends almost as much time with Thea as she does with the angels. With Slate's riding lessons, she's even managed to go on a few solo canters as the lead mare's passenger. Thea had patiently explained that the Bright wasn't nearly good enough to actually do the guiding yet. She's also spent quite a few hours watching Rosie in his garden and even more time watching Slate at his forge. Elisheba's job hasn't been one she's wanted to watch, partially for fear that the Calabim might still be hanging around.
This particular morning, she's been out with Thea again, watching the sun rise and pondering the idea of learning to make something.
The companionable ride ends up back at Slate's forge just as the sun has completely cleared the horizon.
Shateishael has been spending quite a bit of time at the forge, although it's obvious he's working on something a bit smaller and more delicate than his usual swords or other implements. This morning Thea and Bella can both hear the ending of his reverent daily orison to the sun's rising, as they approach the forge: "...the more the soul knows, the more she loves; and loving much, she tastes much." He falls silent and waits for the two females to approach, standing barefoot in front of the forge, in his usual jeans and pendant on a thong about his neck. When they come into sight he smiles a bit tentatively and holds out one large hand, "Made something for you, Bella... if you want?"
Bella was already beaming when she and Thea came up, and she keeps smiling at the mention of a gift, though her face gets a little puzzled. She takes Slate's hand and slides off Thea's back to land lightly next to the Seraph, "A present? What sane girl says no to a present?"
Shateishael chuckles, relaxing a bit, and opens his hand. Resting on Slate's calloused palm is a tiny, shining golden pendant -- Slate's still holding the buffing cloth in the other hand, in fact. The pendant is a little horse, head and tail tossing in joy, all eight legs stretched out in a joyous gallop. Slate rumbles, "It's a representation of Sleipnir, the magical horse in Norse myth that had the freedom to travel to all the Norse realms, from Hela's domain all the way to the lands of the gods. No one else could do that -- he was the only one free to do so." He grins down at her, absently brushing back his blonde hair, "Thought it might suit you?"
Shateishael doesn't let go of her other hand until she releases herself... although it's not entirely clear he's aware he's doing that.
Green eyes light up at the pendant and she reaches out with one hand toward it. Letting go of Slate's hand happens several seconds delayed from that. Her fingers just barely touch the tiny sculpture, "It's...." Bella shakes her head and laughs, "It's gorgeous. Thank you!" Rather than reaching for the golden horse, she throws her arms around Slate's neck and hugs him as tightly as she can.
Shateishael blinks -- then grins with a mix of sheepishness and happiness, and hugs her closely back. When she steps away, he releases too, of course... then hastily turns to one of the cupboards on the wall, "I, uh, got some silk cords in here. Think I might have a green to match your eyes." He pauses, glancing over his shoulder at her, "That's right, yeah? Rosie said that'd be a nice thing to do...?"
Bella doesn't seem too eager to let go and continues hugging for several minutes, actually bouncing a little on her toes. When she finally does step back it's to step outside the forge and hold the pendant up for Thea to examine.
Shateishael takes a slow, deep breath when Bella releases -- after he's hastily moved to the cupboard. He smiles, just standing and watching Bella and Thea for a moment.
It takes a moment for Bella to say, "Green would be wonderful, thank you!" She very much has the air of a child having gotten the most wonderful unexpected toy.
Thea steps back enough so she can direct binocular vision on the little pendant... then snorts, "Very nice!" She glances at Slate, adding, "Did you bless it for her too, Bear?" He nods, "'Course," as he absently ponders the way sunlight makes hair shine, and whether there's a way to catch that effect in his metal working...
Bella almost skips back to Slate, still grinning, "You're also a sneaky little bugger. I never even suspected!"
Shateishael blinks a bit startledly, "Er, I what?"
Shateishael looks down at the two green silk cords he's holding, wondering where he sneaked.
Bella grins and watches the consternation on Slate's face, "I'm joking, hon. I wasn't accusing you of actually lying. I just meant I didn't know you were making a present."
Shateishael says, "Oh!" He thinks about it a moment, then grins, "Well, it's only fair, considering our archangels." He holds up both green cords between them, comparing the two different shades to Bella's eyes; it's clear he's no longer avoiding her gaze as he does so. His rumbly voice is calm and deliberate as he continues, "Dunno if y'know the story... but your boss, Eli, he's Creation, right? So one day he comes to my lord Architect -- says he's got a gift for David.""
Shateishael selects one of the cords, putting the other away, then gently taking the pendant from Bella to string it as he tells the story, "It's a new vessel, all made of some kind of black stone. It's perfect, too -- a 7' tall human form that moves just like flesh and bone, complete with long hair and muscled like a blacksmith, and it's just the most wonderful gift! David's really pleased, and he swears he'll never wear another vessel until this one wears out..." He knots the green cord, then (unless Bella takes it) will carefully lay it around her neck...
Shateishael pauses a moment, tilting his head to see Bella's reaction.
Bella stands still and lets Slate put the necklace around her neck. She's listening raptly, and watching the Davidite as he tells the story.
Shateishael grins with quiet pleasure, then concludes simply, "So... that's why Stone always appears in that particular form -- 'cause it's his favorite gift ever." He considers a moment, his eyes distant, then adds slowly, "I... wonder if he misses Eli. I know Michael's supposed to consider Eli AWOL... but I can't help but wonder if the Architect just misses Eli something fierce." He sighs softly, adding, "I bet David'd be more willing to wait and hear what Eli has to say in explanation, y'know?"
Bella finds a place to sit, hopping up onto a chunk of wood that's just a little too tall for her, "It's a great story." She says quite sincerely, fingers still moving over the shape of the horse absently, "I really just think he wants to give the humans a chance to really just do things on their own."
Shateishael smiles quietly, "Hope so. Considering Gabriel's madness, and Yves not publicly supportin' her when she 'xplained t' Lawrence that Yves told her t' speak t' Mohammed (may he live in peace forever)... well, it worries me some how... how aggressive Dominic's Christianity's gotten lately. It's like... like a lot of David's old friends -- the non-Christians in particular -- are either leavin' or driftin' off... Uriel, Gabriel, Jordi, Blandine, Janus, Eli..." He's silent and still a moment, watching the sunlight splash around Bella... then he smiles a bit, "But I'm guessin' celestial politics is no more your forte than it is mine. So... whatcha been thinkin' about lately? Havin' a good time with Thea?"
Bella's expression grows serious at the tone of concern in Slate's voice. She smiles crookedly, "Politics aren't my best thing, period. They weren't my best thing before or I'd never have gotten mixed up with Baal and his thugs." She shifts in her seat, curling her toes against the ground. She's not been bothering much with shoes, "Thea's being a very patient teacher."
Shateishael grins, casually lifting another very wide chunk of wood to set it next to Bella's, then sitting comfortably cross-legged on it, "She's the best." He's silent for a moment, considering, then says carefully, "Bella, can I ask a favor?"
The grin the Bright gives Slate with impish in the extreme, the sort that makes her eyes glint, "I thought favors were my thing?"
Shateishael chuckles ruefully in spite of himself, looking down at his intertwined fingers, "Well, yeah, but this isn't that kinda favor, really." He looks up at her again, quite earnest as he rumbles, "I just... will you promise me you'll be real careful for the next decade or so, an' make sure you always stay with Ian or other warrior angels? Baal's a sadistic bastard, an' I wouldn't put it past him t'try grabbing you later... an' I don't want that t'happen to you."
Bella leans over and kisses Slate's cheek and stays tilted toward him as she answers solemnly, "I promise." Her voice is very close to his ear, "Thank you, Slate. I mean that, you know." The tone takes on a tinge of amusement, "I don't think I was ever really grateful to anyone before. Usually, if someone did something for me, it was because they had to or because they wanted something."
Shateishael sighs softly, obviously relieved as he gently touches one of her hands. He rumbles quietly, "Thank you, sweetheart. Been worryin' 'bout that, 'n figured it'd be smartest t'just ask you." He grins, his mood improving now his big worry is taken care of, "Oh, but I do want somethin' from you!" He grins at her, his eyes bright with teasing, "Wanna guess? Or do you already know?"
Bella turns her hand over so she can lace her fingers with his, laughing again as she watches the blond's face light up, "Honey, if I told you what I hope you're gonna ask..." She grins and shakes her head, changing her mind after a moment, "I don't know. What are you wanting?" Despite his missing the leaning, she continues to do it.
Shateishael feels curiously joyous this morning, although he's not exactly sure what makes this one so much more special than usual. He hopes Bella and Thea feel it too, actually. At Bella's words he looks intrigued, "Whoa... now I wanna know what you're wanting too!" He laughs, then studies Bella's face as he smiles and says simply, "I want you to be happy. I like watching your face light up when you're happy." There's a distinctly amused snort from off to the side of the forge, then the sound of grass being determinedly cropped... away from the two angels.
Bella snickers slightly at Thea's obvious display of leaving the two of them alone, and she can't quite manage to get the amusement out of her own voice, "I have never been happier in my existence. Never. Hopefully, that will keep up." She ponders for a moment, then shrugs, "I really want two things. I want you to know I really am grateful." There's a pause, but it's not shyness, it's simply giving her time to lean even closer so she can be very quiet about saying, "And I'd like to kiss you."
The Bright is very, very careful to phrase that last as a statement rather than a request.
Shateishael's ice-blue eyes widen a bit as he realizes she really means it! He'd been about to gently let her know she doesn't have to 'pay back' angels... but whoa, she really wants to kiss him?! He opens his mouth to say something... can't think of a damned thing to say... so simply leans forward and gently kisses her lips. He's not exactly sure why she wants to kiss him, but he can't see any reason to deny such a pleasant request... hm... maybe she'll want to kiss more later too? That'd be nice...
Shateishael is very careful and cautious. He's keenly aware he's huge and strong and possibly scary seeming to smaller angels and humans.
Bella keeps her hands very carefully where they are as she kisses Slate in return, though she does make a very quiet and very happy little sound against his mouth. The kiss doesn't go on very long before Bella leans back, eyes twinkling, "Thea's right, you know."
Shateishael doesn't move for a moment when Bella sits up, and his eyes remain half-closed while he sighs faintly. Then he straightens unhurriedly and smiles, "Mmm? She usually is. What about this time?"
Her hand reaches up and brushes stray strands of hair off Slate's forehead, "That seduction wouldn't work." She chuckles and traces her fingertips along the lines of the Seraph's brow, "Do you know just how many times I tried to get you to do that without actually asking?"
Shateishael is a bit distracted by enjoying the feeling of Bella's fingers on his face, but after a moment he blinks, focusing on Bella, "Wait, what? You did? Damn! I missed it again?!" He sighs and frowns, "Well, crap. Don't tell Rosie -- he went to a lot of effort to explain what to look for, to me."
Bella can't help but laugh again at watching Slate come out of that pleasant haze, "Oh, good. I thought I was just losing my touch." She tries to school her face to seriousness again, "Here, I'll demonstrate. If I do this...." She leans until her lips almost brush Slate's cheek, "I'm hoping you'll turn your head and kiss me."
Shateishael goes still, his demeanor lightening as Bella leans towards him... then he gives a small grin at her instructions, and happily follows them. This time he's a bit more willing to let the kiss linger, if she wants, although he's still careful to keep his hands to himself.
The Bright leans into the kiss a little more firmly this time, trying to let the eagerness translate slightly. Her eyes close as she lets herself sink into the moment. This is new as well. Not the kiss itself, but the motivations behind it.
Shateishael ends up resting his weight on his hands as he leans to kiss Bella -- the urge to cuddle her close is rather strong, and he really doesn't want to scare her off by grabbing at her! His kisses are much like him: slow, thorough, savoring, sometimes gently teasing... he's in no rush, and quite willing for the celestially pretty Bright to enjoy herself all she'd like with him. Well... and he wouldn't mind if she, um, wanted to enjoy a lot... with him...
Bella breaks the kiss again and breathes in through her nose, breathing out with a content little sigh, "Now, it's your turn to choose something." The Bright just can't seem to keep a little teasing out of her voice. Most of the cynicism has melted away in the last few days, but it seems to all have turned to humor.
Shateishael sits still for a moment, the fingers of one strong hand lightly brushing against his lips. After a bit of thought, he grins and shakes his head, "Nope, don't know what your touch was like before, but I sure like your touch now... so I'm guessin' you haven't lost it." He blinks at her, his blue eyes bright and interested, "Okay. What am I choosing?"
The lazy quality of that pronouncement as well as her surety of it being the truth makes her giggle, making her sound quite young. "Something you'd like from me. I chose a kiss. Now it's your turn."
Shateishael says, "Oh!" He ponders a moment, then carefully asks, "If you don' wanna do it, you'll tell me so, right? You won't just get scared?"
Bella rolls her eyes and reaches up to take Slate's face between her hands, "Slate, I am not scared of you. You could be scary, I'm sure, but I have yet to see you threaten anyone that wasn't doing something to deserve it. If I say yes to anything you ask, it's because I want to." She winks at him mischievously, "Remember, I told Baal no. I think I can tell you the same."
Shateishael considers a moment... then smiles, carefully not moving his head from Bella's touch, "'kay. Gotta check, though." He grins a bit shyly, adding, "Um... would you mind it, then, if I hugged you while we kissed again?"
With another of those laughs, Bella moves to wrap her arms around Slate's neck, fitting herself comfortably against him. It's intimate rather than sexual and then she tips her head up, offering her lips for another kiss.
Shateishael draws his breath in sharply as Bella cuddles unreservedly against him, then gets a slow, pleased smile. He envelops her in a warm, close, not-too- tight hug and gladly tilts his head down to give her another slow kiss. He's starting to feel a bit more confident that she's really comfortable with him, and it shows in his kisses: he's a bit more willing to explore, to teasingly invite as well.
Bella lets Slate guide the kiss this time, but one of her hands slides up tangle in his hair. She leans into his body and leaves it up to him to decide when it's enough.
Shateishael is more than happy to support as much of Bella's weight as she'd like -- he'll shift accommodatingly if necessary. She can feel him draw in his breath slowly and deeply again when she starts playing with his hair, but aside from his eyes drifting closed he'll gladly continue the kiss for as long as she likes... or until he's not sure whether he's getting too urgent.
Either she's very much enjoying the kiss or she's enjoying feeling Slate react to her. Or it could really be both. She gives no sign that he's being too urgent or too pushy. Actually, there is a moment where she makes a little whimpering sound and presses closer before catching herself and easing back. The bright actually seems concerned that she'll scare Slate.
Shateishael tends to go utterly still for a moment when Bella shifts or makes noise, so she can do what she wants... but if she presses closer she can feel a quiet rumble in his chest, and his arms tighten a little. It's a good bet it's not occurred to Slate at all that she might be concerned about scaring -- or harming, even -- him.
Bella does eventually make a slightly frustrated sound against Slate's mouth. Whether Slate can tell that it's because she's reining in her rather earthy nature is in doubt, though.
Shateishael pauses (albeit with some difficulty), and takes a deep breath. Then, opening his eyes and pulling his head back enough that he can see her face, he rumbles a touch uncertainly, "Um... am I doin' this wrong for you?"
Bella throws her head back and laughs, "Slate, do you realize how damn much you make me laugh?" She leans in and kisses his cheek, "The only thing that's wrong is that I'm trying not to climb into your lap. Really, it's OK."
Shateishael looks a bit wistful, "Really? Why?"
Shateishael helpfully adds, "I sure wouldn't mind...?"
Bella kisses Slate's cheek again, "Because if I climb into your lap, pretty soon I'm going to want to do other things having to do with your lap and that might startle the geese." She teases slightly, resting her head on his shoulder.
Shateishael considers a moment... then grins hopefully again, gently rubbing his cheek against her hair, "Um... well, there are other places to go if you want?"
Her voice is a little muffled as she nestles in, "That would be very, very nice..." She raises her head to call over to Thea, "You were right, beautiful."
There's a slightly smug snort from behind the forge, and Slate chuckles, easily and gently scooping Bella up in his arms as he rises. He closes his eyes for a moment, resting his cheek against her hair again and inhaling her scent, then rumbling quietly, "Indoors or out, sweetheart?"
Bella grins happily at being scooped up, nestling into being carried, "Out. Definitely out." She says in a dreamy little voice.
Shateishael is surprisingly strong, and so Bella is effortlessly carried around behind the forge. Slate's voice is a bit rough with how tightly he's working at reining in his emotions as he rumbles, "Thea, sweetheart, can you, uh-" She whickers amusedly, already bending one knee so he can swing onto her without putting Bella down, "Of course, silly stallion." She straightens carefully once he's astride her, adding cheerfully, "I think out by the pond sounds lovely, don't you?" Her gait is easy and carefully non-jostling as she canters out there. Slate sways with the ease of the long-time rider, more lost in Bella's eyes than paying attention to where they're going.
Bella has that half-eager, half-satisfied look of having finally found out what to do to get something she's wanted. "Yes, the pond sounds really nice..."
Thea slows to a careful halt near the gazebo out by the willow, carefully bending one knee again. Slate focuses enough so dismounting involves no stumbles, pausing long enough to grin at Thea, "Thanks, pretty lady." She whickers amusedly again, "No, I should thank Bella!" She tosses her head amusedly, whirling to canter off a bit and calling over one shoulder, "I think I'll just go graze over here -- have fun!" Slate chuckles again, watching her... then looks back at Bella. His blue eyes are thoughtful as he settles down cross- legged under the willow tree's sheltering branches, carefully easing Bella onto his lap -- and, perhaps unsurprisingly, still hugging her. "So, um... you're still comfortable with me?"
The Bright immediately settles herself into Slate's lap when he's sitting down. Rather than bother answering with words, she leans in and kisses along the side of his neck, that hand reaching to tangle in his hair again.
After a moment, it occurs to her how literal-minded Slate has proven himself to be, "Yes, I'm very, very comfortable. Are you really that scared?"
Shateishael draws in his breath sharply again, both startled and deeply pleased. He hesitates, his head tilting to make it easier for her to touch him where she wants... then he smiles slowly at her question, "Beautiful, I don't want to hurt or scare anyone accidentally... and when I was younger and didn't know my own strength, occasionally I did. It's like a Stone thing, I guess... we don't throw the first punch, and we want community to build on its own -- not to force it. And... well, it's been kinda a while since I was with a woman like this, so I'm not sure if folks've changed how they do it again or not."
Shateishael grins slightly mischievously, his eyes sparkling as he adds, "I've been told I'm a quick study though?"
It's getting harder for Bella to sound like she's paying attention to talking, "Slate, if you hurt me or scare me, I will say "Slate you're hurting me," or "Slate, you're scaring me." Otherwise, assume I'm doing fine. So, why don't we just go about it the way you remember and I'll let you know if there's something wrong."
Shateishael brightens, and his voice is a bit husky as he rumbles, "Okay!" He lays back on the ground slowly enough that Bella can comfortably shift to lay across his front. Once she's settled he slowly and savoringly runs his hands along her vessel's body, and tries to draw her into another lingering kiss.
Once words aren't needed any more, Bella actually seems more comfortable. And after the pair of them have finished, she's all but purring. She curls against Slate's side, head pillowed on his shoulder and one hand resting on his chest. She's got a sleepy, contented smile on her face. "Must be like riding a bike."
Shateishael rumbles quietly, too full of happiness at the moment to bother vocalizing coherently. Bella's hair has fallen half across his face and half across his chest, and he's steeped in sense-pleasure. She smells and tastes good, she feels wonderful, she sounds happy... part of his brain wonders idly what he did to deserve the attention of such a lovely Bright, but the other half is still occupied.
Bella rolls onto her belly and props her chin on Slate's chest, watching his face with a sleepy little grin. She seems to be drinking in that same sense of contentment from the Seraph. After a few minutes of just basking, she speaks, "I've not learned to make much of anything yet, but I'd like to give you something."
Shateishael blinks slowly at her, still very, very awash in pleasure. Finally he smiles lazily and rumbles, "C'n give me anythin' you want, beautiful."
She sits up, crossing her legs tailor-fashion, her hand resting on his chest, where a human's heart would be. "My name is Belofte." Bella speaks very carefully, sounding a little nervous, "My name is Belofte. It means "Promise.""
Shateishael's eyes widen a bit -- then he smiles, his whole face lighting up. He tucks one arm behind his head, and gently strokes his free hand along her side, "That's a lovely name, sweetheart; thank you! Here's my True Name: Shateishael. It's a salute to the angels that influenced me," his voice gets a slightly rhythmic lilt to it, as if he were reciting a prose poem or a Norse story, "they were the Liberating Angel, Shekinah, who inspires mortals to be just and fair, the healer of their bodies, minds, and spirits, to incorporate the feminine aspect of the Maker Who delivers the world in all ages; Samandiriel, the angel who holds dominion over imagination, inspiring mortals to realize what a remarkable tool they have in their vivid imaginations, allowing them to visualize and create alternative realities with which to transform their own lives as well as the world around them; Shamshiel, the angel of Daylight; and Shateiel, the angel of Silence."
Shateishael grins, adding a little sheepishly, "I... couldn't make up my mind which I respected most, so it's not as nice and clear as your name."
Bella leans over until her hair is falling around Slate's face and murmurs his True Name before kissing his forehead, "It means more, though."
Shateishael sighs softly, letting his fingers trail gently along her cheek as she kisses his forehead. He rumbles quietly, "No... your name is like you, sweetheart -- full of promise and beauty." He smiles, adding reassuringly, "You do know it's different for angels, right? We can be summoned, but we choose whether to respond or not."
Bella shrugs and smiles, "It's still not something I want everyone to know."
Shateishael nods, "That's wise. If nothing else, I've been told it can be annoying to have that almost constant *ping*! in the back of your head." He smiles again, slowly brushing her hair back from her face, and adds, "Thank you, beautiful. I'll keep it safe with mine."
She nuzzles against t he stroking of her hair and settles down into the grass again, stretching just to enjoy the feel of her muscles moving, "Thank you, sweetheart."
Shateishael continues to slowly and rhythmically stroke Bella as he rumbles contentedly, "Mmmmany time, sweetheart..."
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