shelley_winters | (no subject)

Shelley had been tired when they got back, so tired she had gone to bed immediately rather than reading as she normally did.

But sleep, when it came, was disturbed and confusing. It is warm in her room, but she shivers in her sleep, dancing alone in a room that is empty but she's being watched...

The girl sits up slowly, rubbing her eyes. The tension isn't going away even in the peace of the night, that prickling of undefinable vulnerable terror that the dreams she has been having leave her with.

After splashing her face with water, she quietly steps out of her room to wander down the corridor outside. It's dark and silent, which is oddly comforting as she walks up and down through the silent house, avoiding the area where Elan's study is. He sleeps little, and is often awake working at this time of night.

Her bare feet make no sound on the smooth floor, only the faint brush of her nightdress as she walks telling of her presence. She stops only to look out of the window for a time, trying to calm herself to sleep again. A soft mist has replaced the former clear sky, and she can only just make out the garden past it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Pulling away from her, Elan's blue eyes glare darkly at her. A touch of pain in his voice.

"Perhaps I ought to let the color in your cheeks speak for you, Rasaleb, but I will take you at your word."

A fast motion, her face gently in his hand. A kiss. His soft lips against hers, a moment of passion.

(Just a momentary lapse of reason)

His forehead resting against hers, face so very close. An intensity lay beneath the surface of his soft voice.

"You may still amend your choice. There is no finality in it. No reason you cannot. No reason you should not enjoy what the peace affords us. None at all.

A sad smile.

"Take back your words, and I will take you back into my arms. Just put your arm around me."

A shiver runs through her at that name and he kisses her before she can say don't.

Her heart beats almost painfully, faster in fear - just fear, no room for anything else - and she twists away from his hand, his face near hers.

"Let me go."

He's stronger than her, and Shelley knows it, but suddenly she begins to struggle to get away, unreasoning.

"Let me go."

Pulling away from her, Elan kneels on the window seat next to her. Face dark and turned away. His voice low and dangerous as thunder rolls outside. The rain pours with renewed vengeance.

"Go."

His hands tighten into fists for a moment. Slowly, he stands with his back to her. His voice soft, and pained. No malice, just regret.

"I asked you... I asked you. I wanted... I was going to help you. Now, unless you have had a change of heart, then go."

Shelley scrambles gracelessly off the seat, bare feet thudding hard against the floor.

She gulps for breath, her voice shaking.

"Y-you gave me a choice. I made it."

Turning away, almost in regret for speaking, she runs, a small white figure vanishing around a corner into the darkness.

The rain was so very cold.

The door closed behind him as he stepped from the hallway out into the rain. Closing his eyes, water began to soak him.

How could it go so wrong?

The wind swirled as the darkness of the garden encroached upon him. A slight shivering of his narrow frame. It was very cold in the dark garden.

As he opened his eyes flecks of black billowed across the beautiful blue.