[IC] The Uisilons

[jagajac]

Dahlia's facial muscles tensed, and she stealthily bit her bottom lip as Asa questioned Jeff's bruised eye socket. She wanted to distract the attention from his suspicious and somewhat reckless behavior, but she also knew that Jeff could hold his own under pressure. Her thoughts were confirmed at his light hearted responses. She couldn't help but catch his contagious smile and relaxed her body simultaneously. Dahlia admired his quick wit and humor, and she had even let it rub off on her during their time together. Although at this particular moment, in the presence of Asa and Carter, Dahlia simply mimicked his grin and resisted interjecting into the conversation. Jeff was smart, despite his rash nature, and she trusted his intentions would be made clear at tonight's meeting. The danger in it was all that concerned her. These Uisilons had literally become a sort of dysfunctional second family to Dahlia, and her instinct to nurture had begun to overcome her. She looked up to Jeff through her thick lenses, lingering on his face, until his head turned as something else caught his attention.

Dahlia followed his gaze and recognized Rayne's bright tresses blowing aimlessly against the breeze. The girl's small body seemed as still and motionless as a statue. Dahlia's cheeks began to warm as the three male Golden's continued their conversation casually, acknowledging Rayne ever so slightly. She hadn't really been able to break a barrier with Rayne. The girl's introverted nature kept her quite silent in words and actions. Dahlia balled her fists slowly at her side, gulped slightly, and took a few cautious steps towards the girl. She looked back over her shoulder for Jeff's reassuring gaze, but he and Carter were exchanging states. Alright Dahlia, you can do this. Just say hi. The worst that can happen is... Her thoughts went unfinished as she realized she was now only a few feet from the timid girl. A man on a motorcycle flew by them loudly, and Dahlia was unable to stifle her hands from grasping at her small earlobes. Her clenched eyes opened cautiously, and she exhaled into the quickening silence. Her golden eyes, shaded by the sunglasses, stared wordlessly into Rayne's face.

"I can't stand these Mundane noises. It makes me miss the quiet places in Undaro. I used to sit under the main bridge by the stream for hours. The lights made the water come alive with colors and gave it a personality."

Dahlia's speech was filled with nostalgia as her mind wandered back to that familiar place. She hadn't meant to say any of it, but it seemed to spew forth like a broken fountain. As another car came speeding towards them, Dahlia stepped backwards and pressed her palms against the windows of the coffee shop. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, and her sweaty palms were beginning to slide down the glass. The car came and went, but Dahlia stayed glued to the building. Her eyes darted from the men and then back to Rayne. She absolutely hated displaying a weaker characteristic so publicly. Jeff was the only one who had truly seen her fearful responses to the Mundane sounds, and even those instances were few and far between. It's only week one. Dahlia rolled her eyes and shakily pushed away from the window.

"I literally can't stand these Mundane noises."

She smiled weakly and felt a twinge of Jeff's teachings rush through her body.

[SUN]

Rayn kept her face forward but she could definitely see Carter wave her over through her dark lenses. Her cheeks flushed rose and she felt nervous. She took a step forward knowing it would be rude not to join them, but suddenly Maven approached her stiffly. Rayn, because of her power, hardly noticed the noises around her unless she wanted to. Maven, however, was obviously bothered by it and Rayn instinctively placed a hand on her shoulder worriedly. When she collected herself she pointed out the motorcycle and Rayn managed a small smile of relief. Maven continued to share with her about when she went to the river. Rayn reflected in her memory remembering the river herself. It was one of the most quiet places to go in Undaro, and was one of her favorites. She nodded simply about to open her mouth to say something back when Maven flew back pressing herself harshly against the building. Rayn's eyebrows furrowed her first thought was that maven was taken back by her presence, but that was ridiculous. She looked behind her to see a car fly down the road in the distance. Rayn was certain that must of spooked Maven, and she stifled a light laugh. She finally stepped into the circle breaking her shell of being alone. She closed her eyes creating a sound block around the group so the noises around them weren't so loud and distracting, or in Mavens case, frightening.

"Is that better?"

The first words she had spoken to anyone and she hardly realized it. Her voice was silky and calm, her father always urged her to talk more just to hear her pretty voice. Maven again didn't take into account that she hadn't been the most talkative or involved with them socially, and they might be suprised to hear her. It wouldn't shock her if they thought she was mute or deaf, the people that didn't know her when she was younger definitely thought this about her. It never bothered her of course because then she didn't have to face her nerves. She kept her eyes fixed on Maven, she seemed embarrassed of her affliction so she tried her best to make her feel better about it.

[Aces Away]

Asa glanced at Carter as he nibbled on the...doughnut. He'll never understand the odd foods that the Mundanes decided to make.

"The beauty I was born with Ace," Jeff replied. Asa raised an eyebrow once more at the comment, letting out a scoff. "the bruise... well that was mission related..." Asa stiffened, glancing around to make sure no Mundanes were around- noticing Maven moving towards Rayn in the process- and he flinched as man on a motor vehicle passed. The rumble that accompanied this was loud and grating, causing the young Uisilon to flinch and glare at the Mundane disappearing around the corner. In the short pan of "silence" that followed, Asa caught Maven's comment to Rayn about the sounds, and couldn't help but nod along as another vehicle, this one a...car, passed by as well. His nerves were on edge, as well as his temper, but suddenly all the noises were muffled, nearly silent.

"Is that better?" Rayn asked, and Asa couldn't help but nod slightly in relief. Her voice was soft and Asa couldn't say he was surprised by it; her voice matched her attitude.

"Thank you, Rayn. That's very helpful; Now I can concentrate." He looked back to Jeff with a serious expression. "Yes, we'll talk about everything at the meeting. And, yes, the morning was...interesting. I have something to say at the meeting as well." He sent a shy, sideways glance through his glasses to Carter. :Probably not as important as what you have to say, but still relevant,"