InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "AKUROKU FOREVER!"

Karin Shepherd | Tiamat (sheltering_sky) wrote in paxletalelogs,
@ 2011-09-05 20:44:00

Entry tags:

geb, tiamat

there's magic in the water that attracts all men
Who: Sean & Karin.
What: Two strangers enjoy a little downward facing dog on the beach. Mrowr.
Where: The beach!
When: 7:30 AM.
Warnings: None yet.

Karin's plan had been to be early. Not excruciatingly, painfully, socially awkwardly early, but only moderately so. Early enough to choose the best spot to see the sun slowly marching upward, to place her mat down in the sand closest to this new instructor. She had taken little enough time to get ready, leaving her apartment without a stitch of makeup, her hair loose around her face in a thick and wild mane, her clothes a hastily thrown on combination of fitted workout shorts and a loose white tank. But when she arrived she realized there were no other students, yet, her only companions on the beach a few lone joggers and screaming, wheeling birds. She narrowed her eyes, yoga mat rolled beneath her restless arm, and trudged out onto the beach all the same. Now that she was out here, a rare day off stretching beautifully out before her, there was no reason at all to turn back. Sean had to turn up sooner or later, and even if he did not, the day was breaking beautiful and bright, and she could find countless other ways to spend it.

"Well," she said, sighing at no-one in particular. "Better early than never?" She knelt down in white sand, hoping she had at least approximated the place they had been meant to meet. It looked like the place, and was within walking distance of their building; she had a good feeling about it all, but her inner voice had lied to her before. Leaning over the packed earth she stretched out a slender arm, sweeping away excess sand and a few stray pebbles, then moved to spread her mat out across the smoothed surface.

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sheltering_sky
2011-09-22 12:11 pm UTC (link)

"Water, if it's filtered. Not bottled, please." She looked over, a sheepish smile on her lips at her own request; she wondered if her host might find it presumptuous, somehow.

Turning on one bare heel, she padded to the table, silverware clinking merrily against her plate. As she set her plate across from his she thought on his offer, finding it an increasingly pleasant suggestion. She was not due to meet Elias for hours yet, and meditation might indeed serve to clear her mind, and perhaps even leave her better prepared for that difficult chat. Perhaps, she thought, a step 'too far' would be a step in the right direction.

"That sounds lovely, Sean," she said, nodding subtly. "I really appreciate everything you've done already. You don't know how much it's helped."

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eternalearth
2011-09-22 02:21 pm UTC (link)

"I filter it with my water faucet and place it into pitchers to keep it cold in the fridge." He wasn't sure if she prefered it because of the filter, or if she didn't like the thought of using that many bottles, but either way he appreciated it. He grabbed two glasses from the cabinet and poured both of them water from the pitcher, handing her a glass.

Sean did have to wonder as he sat down at the kitchen table, if he would offer just anyone free yoga and meditation in the same day, especially when he had just met them. Was he doing this because he found her absolutely breathtaking? Probably a little bit, he certainly wouldn't have invited her up for breakfast if he hadn't. "I'm glad to do anything for someone as beautiful and interesting as you."

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sheltering_sky
2011-09-23 12:36 am UTC (link)

She smiled as she took the glass, momentarily distracted by the motion. It took a moment, then, for the compliment to register: Never had she thought of herself in such terms, and indeed saw herself as neither of those things. Strengths she had, of course, the same as anyone. But these strengths were less tangible things than beauty, and certainly more grounded than being desirable or interesting. She was practical, she knew; she was an exceptional caregiver, capable and dedicated. But these same qualities made her the dullest of her siblings: She was mud where they were fire. Where they stirred passions, she calmed them; soothed where they aroused. She was pleased enough with this, proud of the role she had played in their lives, in the lives of her friends. Long years of seeing herself in this light left Karin vexingly unable to respond, struck dumb by a concept she had not faced in years. Not since Texas, she thought, the blush returning to her cheeks with a vengeance. It had been easier to field such conversation while drunk - that much she recalled with perfect clarity.

"Thank you," she said, belated. She hoped her delay would not make him feel self conscious or fear that his compliment was not accepted - off the mark though she may have considered it. His kindess was as appreciated as the rest of the day had been, and she had no desire to make him feel otherwise. "I promise I'm not that interesting," she said, hoping to defuse the moment with a quiet, self deprecating laugh. "Unless you see me at work, I guess. Then it's all chaos and disorder, and me right in the middle of it."

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eternalearth
2011-09-23 03:04 am UTC (link)

From the pause, Sean only assumed that she hadn't known how to respond, and he assumed further that she had simply been taken back by it. Sean cut into his omlette and took a small bite, chewing on a bit of mushroom as he decided what to say next. Did he choose to flirt with her a little more, did he change the topic, or did he just continue casually? "You don't have to be interesting to be surrounded by chaos and disorder, I find you very interesting right now, and I find myself wanting to get to know you better." Perhaps over a cup of coffee, or a meal out somewhere? He could only dream. "At least you didn't try to deny that you are beautiful."

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sheltering_sky
2011-09-23 03:32 am UTC (link)

Again she flushed, brighter this time. She chewed her small bite of omelette thoughtfully, wondering if this were mere flattery or something more genuine. Though she had not known him long, it seemed a stretch to believe him capable of empty, baseless praise. Whether it was better or worse that he thought so highly of her, Karin could not truly say.

"I..." She smiled, self conscious, glancing up to him from beneath thick lashes. "I'm just lucky God gave me good genes," she said, laughing. "Between work, exercise, and insomnia, there's not much I do to play up my looks." She pushed a bit of omelette around her plate, the tines of her fork squeaking as she did. "But thank you, though. You're welcome to learn basically whatever you like about me, though I can't promise I'll still seem so interesting once you do."

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eternalearth
2011-09-23 03:48 am UTC (link)

"Well maybe that's why I find you so attractive. California is filled with so many people who feel the need to primp all day long, making themselves look like someone else with makeup and plastic surgery. It's refreshing to meet someone who is beautiful naturally and not afraid of it." Insomnia though, that did interest him, even though he wasn't sure why. He took another bite from his omelette, debating whether to ask further about it or not, but she HAD said that he was welcome to learn what he wanted from her. "Anything in particular keeping you from being unable to sleep?"

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sheltering_sky
2011-09-26 12:13 pm UTC (link)

"Well thank you," she said, sincerely. Awkwardly she started to laugh, an effort to downplay his continued compliments, when his question stopped her firmly in her tracks. Still, she recovered quickly, having had much practice in such lies thanks to work; even busy as they were, the other nurses had noticed the deepening shadows beneath her eyes, the way she walked like a dreamer when she thought no-one was looking. It was difficult, living such a lie, but it had to be done, lest she find herself foisted into one of the very beds she typically attended.

"I blame it on homesickness," she said, giving a self conscious little chuckle. "I've always been within an easy drive of my family, and it's hard, now, being a very expensive plane ride away instead." She shrugged, cutting a bit of egg with her fork, lifting it to her forcibly smiling lips. "It's good to get out and meet people," she said. "People like you. Gets me out of my own head, you know?"

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eternalearth
2011-09-27 12:50 am UTC (link)

Sean ate from his omlette, starving but enjoying their conversation too much to focus on eating. As he listened to her he couldn't help but realize that it had been a long time since he had fallen for a woman, maybe right after he graduated college. He didn't have a problem with it whatsoever, it was simply a thought that popped into his mind. "Well, if you ever need out of your own head I'm around for you, promise."

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	sheltering_sky 2011-09-27 01:24 am UTC (link)
	A small smile crept across her lips; this time it reached her eyes. "Thank you... Sean." She stumbled a bit on his name, as if uncertain of the liberty she was taking. But if ever there was a time to bite the bullet, that time seemed to be now. She hid an unsteady hand by tucking her hair behind one ear. "I just might take you up on that." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	eternalearth 2011-09-27 01:30 am UTC (link)
	"Of course." Sean reached out and gently placed a hand on top of hers. He had a feeling that she dearly needed his support right now, and if it was one thing he was good at, it was being someone's rock. "My home is your home and what I can do to help is at your disposal." (Reply to this) (Parent)

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