Lights Down Low (Open to Octavia and Caleb) [COMPLETED] - Eternal City RP2024-03-28T16:25:54Zhttps://eternalcityrp.com/forum/topics/lights-down-low-open-to-octavia-and-caleb?commentId=6610746%3AComment%3A394662&xg_source=activity&feed=yes&xn_auth=noCaleb smiled as they finishe…tag:eternalcityrp.com,2020-11-29:6610746:Comment:4221132020-11-29T20:40:32.748Z✓ Caleb Eli Segal ~Mod~https://eternalcityrp.com/profile/CalebSegal
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<p style="text-align: center;">Caleb smiled as they finished kissing and as her hand slipped into his while they walked towards the giant field. It must have looked slightly silly to see two people holding hands, one of them with a giant bear under her arm, and the other yawning every thirty seconds. Thankfully, there was no one to watch. It was completely private, just as it had been all night. The sun was peeking above the trees and a slight cold shivered…</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">Caleb smiled as they finished kissing and as her hand slipped into his while they walked towards the giant field. It must have looked slightly silly to see two people holding hands, one of them with a giant bear under her arm, and the other yawning every thirty seconds. Thankfully, there was no one to watch. It was completely private, just as it had been all night. The sun was peeking above the trees and a slight cold shivered in the mist that hazed over the tall grass. To the left, Caleb could see the tents and equipment quietly sitting in the first light of the day. They didn't glow neon like before, but the sun rolled over them rather perfectly, illuminating the bright oranges and reds. <a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/9ede774a96ad75f5d81cbdcfe9e602c7/9372726405554520-67/s540x810/b074dc055603cf704501552a57b662d488f1b5c8.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/9ede774a96ad75f5d81cbdcfe9e602c7/9372726405554520-67/s540x810/b074dc055603cf704501552a57b662d488f1b5c8.gif?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" style="padding: 2px;"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Caleb strung his finger's between Octavia's as the walked, loosely, carefree. It was about a mile back to the plot of land that he'd purchased in Evermore about a year ago. It had taken almost that long to finish building and there were still a few projects to complete, but it seemed right to have Octavia be the first person he showed his tiny house. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The shingles were blue and there were windowboxes on the four corners that boasted a combination of wild ivy, and baby's breath. Sunflowers grew up against the south side of the house and a dirt path led up to the fence that contained the world's bounciest dog ever. As soon as Caleb came walking up, Chasse bounded up to him, barking. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Caleb chuckled and undid the fence. "Shh. You'll wake the neighbors."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">By neighbors, he really meant the ducks who lived on the pond next door. Otherwise, there weren't people around for a while, but that was just the way he liked it. As Caleb turned towards the door, he smiled; his eyes were getting heavy. He was finally, truly, tired.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">His hand lingered in hers for just a moment, before he raised it to his lips and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles. "I'll see you tomorrow. Have sweet dreams, Octavia." </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">With that, he let her go, pausing to look back over his shoulder once as the dog raced him for the door. If he blinked, it might have been a dream; but it wasn't. It was morning now and his heart felt lighter than it had in years. </p> She could feel the warmth of…tag:eternalcityrp.com,2020-11-28:6610746:Comment:4219322020-11-28T08:47:00.998Z✓ Octavia Grace Ivakovhttps://eternalcityrp.com/profile/O
<p>She could feel the warmth of the sun on the back of her neck but she was too focused on him to turn away. She couldn’t believe she had stayed out all night, perhaps she was taking this whole act like teenagers thing really literally. She didn’t regret a thing though, she had fun tonight and that was the important thing. A small smile spread over her lips when he agreed he would try happy with her.</p>
<p>She swore she wanted that kiss to last forever because then she didn’t need to pull away…</p>
<p>She could feel the warmth of the sun on the back of her neck but she was too focused on him to turn away. She couldn’t believe she had stayed out all night, perhaps she was taking this whole act like teenagers thing really literally. She didn’t regret a thing though, she had fun tonight and that was the important thing. A small smile spread over her lips when he agreed he would try happy with her.</p>
<p>She swore she wanted that kiss to last forever because then she didn’t need to pull away and this night didn’t have to come to an end. She could feel his hands against her waist, warm and his grip was tight enough to tell her he didn’t want to let go either. By the time he pulled back her head naturally tilted so she could meet his eyes. She couldn’t help but notice the blush resting on his cheeks which in turn made her blush too “I can’t believe we stayed out all night” she commented and laughed softly.</p>
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<p>She looked down at his hand and gave a sad smile before placing hers into it “Sounds like you two are quite close” she jested with a smile imagining him cuddled up with the pup on the couch and generally doting on him “Send him my apologies for keeping you out all night” she teased with a laugh, it was so unplanned and yet it had turned out perfectly somehow.</p>
<p>She npdded when he asked her to walk with him and before long they were heading back through the empty fairground, the rides were still, the metal parts glinting in the morning sun and the grass was all flattened on the ground where people had been walking around “It’s kinda amazing to me how this whole...little town can be here one moment and yet tomorrow it will be gone and all that will remain is the flattened grass” she laughed softly “Until they come back next year of course” perhaps she was bringing up any topic to prolong the inevitable but it really did fascinate her.</p>
<p></p> Caleb could imagine it - bei…tag:eternalcityrp.com,2020-11-20:6610746:Comment:4216412020-11-20T21:43:54.026Z✓ Caleb Eli Segal ~Mod~https://eternalcityrp.com/profile/CalebSegal
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<p style="text-align: center;">Caleb could imagine it - being happy with Octavia. He liked to imagine that and to think about it. Tonight was really the first time that he'd allowed himself the opportunity to go down that path. Being happy would involve a lot of letting go and setting aside plenty of the things he'd experienced in the last few years, but he felt ready. When he was next to her, it didn't seem so bad. There were good things to look forwards to…</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">Caleb could imagine it - being happy with Octavia. He liked to imagine that and to think about it. Tonight was really the first time that he'd allowed himself the opportunity to go down that path. Being happy would involve a lot of letting go and setting aside plenty of the things he'd experienced in the last few years, but he felt ready. When he was next to her, it didn't seem so bad. There were good things to look forwards to and he wanted to see what would happen. He knew that there was the chance she could have turned him down when asked her out, but in a way, even she hadn't been ready, he knew that it just mattered to have her in his life. Caleb watched as a soft bit of sun come out from behind the cracks of the roof and start shining in between them, the hay, and surround her with a golden halo. It was morning. Just like that, hours has disappeared and he'd spent all of them without sleep, but for once, never feeling exhaustion or restlessness hit him. When he heard her say yes, the artist ducked his head. "I would love to try happy with you." <a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/138cdf8e4a8cf90189ff458a2f287102/8d2ca38c9b2df074-e3/s540x810/1548866f5e918c3c32e61c04fddceb54cb8fea3f.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/138cdf8e4a8cf90189ff458a2f287102/8d2ca38c9b2df074-e3/s540x810/1548866f5e918c3c32e61c04fddceb54cb8fea3f.gif?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="200" class="align-left" style="padding: 3px;"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">As much as her words made a jolt of electric excitement rush through him from head to toe, he knew that ultimately he wanted to everything to slow down. He wanted to do right by her and make memories. Make happy. He was pretty sure that somehow this barn had a magical spell placed over it and all logic defied how he would replicate it, but once he allowed himself to dream about something, it was difficult to to stop him from trying. After every surprise in the last night, he would have been content to sit and enjoy the sunrise with her, but Caleb wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close to him and meeting her gaze as she kissed him.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It wasn't long. It was soft, sweet. It was just long enough that as it stopped, he felt warm inside. Caleb cleared his throat softly, looking at her with a soft blush spreading across his cheeks. He knew that now she could see it. "Good morning," He pressed his forehead against hers. God, he hoped there would be a lot more mornings like this one. "I think the sun is happy to see you."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">There was a brief silence, before Caleb could hear the birds stirring to life in the trees.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Reluctantly, he stood up and offered her his hand. "I think my dog will jump his fence and start searching for me if I don't make it home soon." He chuckled. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">He didn't have a better excuse for not wanting to let go, but he knew he'd have to -- life was something that moved, even when hay hideaways made it seem to stop. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Caleb pushed open the door and sunlight came flooding in, illuminating the empty fairgrounds and pink sky. "Walk back with me? It's just beyond the clearing."</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"></p> Tonight had been somewhat of…tag:eternalcityrp.com,2020-11-17:6610746:Comment:4210792020-11-17T16:29:15.583Z✓ Octavia Grace Ivakovhttps://eternalcityrp.com/profile/O
<p>Tonight had been somewhat of a whirlwind of emotions for her, but she was happy. Things were complicated, she knew that but when wasn’t the world complicated, they lived in a reality where vampires and immortality existed. Where dark magic beyond comprehension constantly loomed over them. If it had taught Octavia anything, it was to never take time for granted and assume there was more because one day it was going to run out. When that happened, she hoped not to have any regrets in her mind.…</p>
<p>Tonight had been somewhat of a whirlwind of emotions for her, but she was happy. Things were complicated, she knew that but when wasn’t the world complicated, they lived in a reality where vampires and immortality existed. Where dark magic beyond comprehension constantly loomed over them. If it had taught Octavia anything, it was to never take time for granted and assume there was more because one day it was going to run out. When that happened, she hoped not to have any regrets in her mind. She wanted to live her life and not become the empty shell that had threatened to take over.</p>
<p><a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/738c4384c0abd6f98eb8f05417c17f6a/tumblr_inline_o190aok30S1rifr4k_500.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/738c4384c0abd6f98eb8f05417c17f6a/tumblr_inline_o190aok30S1rifr4k_500.gif?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-left"/></a>She smiled brightly when he said she would make a good teacher, being a guard was essentially part of her identity, she was a warrior at heart and nothing was ever going to change that. Her bonds ran deeply with her family and the aspects who felt like extended family to her too. She had built a life around this. “I would have loved to teach English or maybe history” she had a hint of a smile on her lips, that would have been nice, to really delve into a subject and feel like she knew it really well. It was an appealing idea and something a modern version of her would have no doubt found purpose in.</p>
<p>“Me too” she responded softly when he expressed his wish to stay. But by now the rain had washed out and the sound of the fair was long gone. Everyone had packed up for the night and here they still were hiding out in the barn. When he spoke her name she naturally focused her eyes on him, thumbs sweeping gently against the hands he placed in hers. Her expression softened when she realized what he was trying to say. The smile widening slowly on her lips until it reached her eyes fully and sincerely “Of course I will” she responded before she leaned in slowly, pressing her lips against his delicately.</p>
<p>“And I’m not looking to replace anything...I’m looking for...happy” she tilted her head slightly “Do you think you could try happy with me?” perhaps it was a weird way to phrase it but she was looking forward to exploring what all that could mean to her.</p> It was fun to share a photo…tag:eternalcityrp.com,2020-11-14:6610746:Comment:4207702020-11-14T01:48:41.539Z✓ Caleb Eli Segal ~Mod~https://eternalcityrp.com/profile/CalebSegal
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<p style="text-align: center;">It was fun to share a photo of his childhood self and he wondered if she could bring back some memories, he could paint a portrait of what she'd looked like when she was younger. Many years ago, things like preserving yourself in paint or by photograph was expensive, but today he had the chance to make it available to almost anyone. It was strange to think how many years Octavia had experienced that he'd only ever read about in…</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">It was fun to share a photo of his childhood self and he wondered if she could bring back some memories, he could paint a portrait of what she'd looked like when she was younger. Many years ago, things like preserving yourself in paint or by photograph was expensive, but today he had the chance to make it available to almost anyone. It was strange to think how many years Octavia had experienced that he'd only ever read about in school. Perhaps, someday, he'd ask for some stories of the favorite times of history that he'd always loved. It made him curious. He would have loved for time to slow down, right there, in that moment; everything tonight had been so unplanned, but so special. Caleb knew there wasn't any going back now, but he did wonder what was going to happen next.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">He had to think in order to envision Octavia as anything else than a guard. She fit the role so well, but he also loved to see the more relaxed version of her that he'd gotten to know tonight. More than anything, they both seemed to highly value family. He could see her gentle, but firm mannerisms coming across very well as a teacher, perhaps even a middle school teacher. Kids often started to resent authority by that age, but she had a way of getting through to others. He smiled, and squeezed her fingers. "I think you'd be a great teacher. You'd be able to keep the unruly ones under control, but I think kids would like your laughter and your spirit." <a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/4d05d61fca35d3cf359dd04822ef8bc3/8d2ca38c9b2df074-72/s540x810/18505346f0f96f5f8e1c1d64c6146a5e09373b1b.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/4d05d61fca35d3cf359dd04822ef8bc3/8d2ca38c9b2df074-72/s540x810/18505346f0f96f5f8e1c1d64c6146a5e09373b1b.gif?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">He'd never met her daughter, but he could envision a small Octavia having the brightest eyes and a true stubborn streak. He gently played with her hair, as they lay together. "I wish we could stay." He said, looking down at her. "But, I think everyone else has gone now."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">They were the last ones on the fairground. It was late. The moon was high in the sky and multiple hours had gone by since they first took shelter from the rain. "Octavia?" He sat up and reached for both her hands. "Will you...go out with me? On a date. A planned something. I know that I could never replace what you lost, but maybe, when we're together...it wouldn't be as lonely."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">He was rambling. In English. That was a first. Caleb cleared his throat. "I would like that. A lot." </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Because he liked her, a lot. It made him feel confused, and flustered, and happy.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Really, ridiculously happy. "I've smiled more tonight than I have all year." </p> If she closed her eyes for a…tag:eternalcityrp.com,2020-11-11:6610746:Comment:4204952020-11-11T21:22:27.274Z✓ Octavia Grace Ivakovhttps://eternalcityrp.com/profile/O
<p>If she closed her eyes for a few brief seconds, she could believe they were somewhere else entirely than hiding at the back of an old barn. It was comfortable and cosy, despite the draft and damp smell that came from the rain. It almost seemed surreal to be here with him right now because despite knowing she felt something for Caleb for a little while now, it wasn’t something she had expected to act upon. It was complicated, given her family and her history. She wondered if people would…</p>
<p>If she closed her eyes for a few brief seconds, she could believe they were somewhere else entirely than hiding at the back of an old barn. It was comfortable and cosy, despite the draft and damp smell that came from the rain. It almost seemed surreal to be here with him right now because despite knowing she felt something for Caleb for a little while now, it wasn’t something she had expected to act upon. It was complicated, given her family and her history. She wondered if people would think less of her for searching for a certain kind of comfort which someone else had previously filled. The last thing she ever wanted to do was hurt anyone else with the choices she made. But at the same time, was she supposed to deny herself happiness for fear that it might upset someone else? It wasn’t simple but she could fool herself into believing it was in times like this.</p>
<p><a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/679d38c8f1c38616acdeae4d7138962f/tumblr_inline_o190pdUdlK1rifr4k_500.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/679d38c8f1c38616acdeae4d7138962f/tumblr_inline_o190pdUdlK1rifr4k_500.gif?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/></a>Seeing the look in his eyes as that brief moment flashed where eyes could get brighter made her smile softly, she was proud of what she was for the most part, she was a warrior and she had protected countless people from the dragonkin’s attacks. Even after they were defeated she had joined the guard to continue that purpose which drove her. Protecting people was in her blood you could say “That sounds easier said than done” he responded when he said they could play human. She always wondered what her life would had been like if she was born in this era and born a human “What career path do you think would suit a modern version of me?” she giggled slightly, honestly she found it hard to see herself as anything but a guard “Maybe a teacher?” she pursed her lips playfully, that would have been nice.</p>
<p>Her green eyes were focused on him as he considered what secrets he had to keep, in her mind a lot of secrets weren’t purposely kept secret, they were little things you did for self-care that no one was interested enough to know, the things you did to make others happy without looking for any praise or recognition. Not every secret was harmful or even particularly impactful in her mind “You’d be surprised how many people are very good at internalizing” she spoke softly, it was a nature thing, most people didn’t want to be seen as a burden to others.</p>
<p>She reached up her hand to rest gently against his shoulder and she stroked gently against him as he spoke, comforting him with small touches which spoke her appreciation for him to share something so personal and difficult to admit “Eventually you do learn that other people don’t mind taking on your problems...just a little” she nodded in an assuring voice “People want to care” even if you didn’t think they did, often someone just needed the opportunity to do something good.</p>
<p>She sat up a little when he took the photo out of his pocket so she could study it, a smile resting on her lips when he pointed out each person “You resemble both of them in different ways” she spoke softly, her eyes scanning carefully over it “You were very cute” she teased softly and nudged him slightly “Sadly cameras weren’t a thing when I was growing up” she winked because it meant she got out of showing him baby pictures “It feels a long time ago now...I have to think hard to remember it all” she gave a slight smile “But somehow I manage to hold onto the important memories, they always stay” no matter how much time passed.</p>
<p>She giggled under her breath “We should probably get going before they lock us in here” she teased softly.</p> The cuddles were warm and th…tag:eternalcityrp.com,2020-11-10:6610746:Comment:4202882020-11-10T00:19:03.631Z✓ Caleb Eli Segal ~Mod~https://eternalcityrp.com/profile/CalebSegal
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<p><span>The cuddles were warm and the conversation, equally so -- l</span>ying here was comfortable. If Caleb hadn't been so eager to listen and learn more about Octavia, he might have fallen asleep; but now it was his turn to talk. It took him a moment to think of a secret that he had never told anyone at all. While there had only been a few people in his life that Caleb tended to confide things in, once he chose to, he was often willing to talk about…</p>
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<p><span>The cuddles were warm and the conversation, equally so -- l</span>ying here was comfortable. If Caleb hadn't been so eager to listen and learn more about Octavia, he might have fallen asleep; but now it was his turn to talk. It took him a moment to think of a secret that he had never told anyone at all. While there had only been a few people in his life that Caleb tended to confide things in, once he chose to, he was often willing to talk about almost anything. It took a while to get past that place of casual acquaintance for him and some people lost interest in the meantime. Those who knew the most about him tended to be those whom he considered his family. They were people that he could share parts of himself with that perhaps he was not confident in, hadn't talked about in a long time, or even, never faced at all. The few people who stayed in his life that long had been awarded every loyalty that he had to give. For the most part, Caleb found it easier to talk to women. He'd been raised by his mother and his father had been entirely absent from his life. The first good role model that he had was in the form of a second grade teacher, but there had still been a lack of connection. As a child, he had resented that the favorite tutor went home to his own kids. Sometimes, he wondered how different he'd be if his father had raised him. Would he have become a rancher, hard on the outside, but still a deep lover of the arts? His parents shared that and because he'd grown up around art, it was still a large part of his life. His first confidant had been Adalie and that had only started to change in secondary school, right before she died. It had taken him quite a while to connect with his Aunt, whom he knew loved him dearly and deeply. <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://i.imgur.com/avntY2v.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/avntY2v.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="150" class="align-left" style="padding: 3px;"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">He was certain that his first few years at University had brought her plenty of near-miss heart attacks. He'd been far from a model student and the trajectory of his life had only changed upon meeting Ava. Caleb knew that a part of him would always love Ava. She was the reason that he'd become the best version of himself. He couldn't change that and it was something he respected and accepted about Octavia, they'd both been deeply touched by love before. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">As she sent a bit of energy pulsing his way, Caleb could see the purple in her eyes, that perhaps he thought he'd imagined before. It often seemed to be a trick of the light, but as they lay there, it almost seemed obvious. He'd never seen eyes like that. An 'oh' formed on his mouth as the curiosity truly hit him. He'd lived in Evermore for several years now and while he'd learned fairly early on that it wasn't exactly a simple city, Caleb had never exactly seen anything too irregular. He knew there must be a burden that came with living through more centuries than a human. "We can play pretend whenever you'd like. You can come over and play human for a day. No one has to know. We can imagine that you aren't many years beyond me, and that all there is those things that are obvious. No magic." Caleb whispered. "I'll cook you dinner, we can watch Shrek and Kungfu Panda, and pretend we're in Paris."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Perhaps, the one thing that Caleb never vocalized was how much he missed home, but how hard it was to go back. It was complicated to be so tied to his family and want such distance from them. He loved them, but had a hard time letting them love him back. "A secret?" He asked. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Caleb knew he'd promised to talk about the happy things, but somehow he didn't feel sad talking about life. Perhaps, that was the difference. When they were together, no matter how heavy things got, the burden could be shared. "I deal with things. If I am struggling, most people can't tell. I hide it really well." </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Caleb sighed, sheepishly. "Even when I was little, I learned to compartmentalize. My mother was sick, so in some ways I raised myself. My parents never knew that I wanted to be a teacher, not an artist and no one else has ever known that I went to Catholic school so, sometimes I still sing old hymns when I can't sleep. I like to help others, but sometimes I am pretty bad at letting people help me." </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The Parisian reached into his jacket pocket for his wallet. He kept pictures, a lot of pictures. "This is my Mama, and my Aunt. And this...this is me in second grade." He snickered. "<em>J</em><span><em>'étais un petit nerd</em>. Does that satisfy your curiosity?"</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p> Losing Vlad had been one of t…tag:eternalcityrp.com,2020-11-09:6610746:Comment:4205192020-11-09T20:48:54.298Z✓ Octavia Grace Ivakovhttps://eternalcityrp.com/profile/O
<p>Losing Vlad had been one of the hardest thing she had ever endured. He wasn’t just her husband but he had been this pillar which she leaned against when times were hard and after losing him, for a while she felt like she had been freefalling. Not only that but she had a family to take care of and they were looking on her to be strong. There had been a while where she couldn’t even bear the thought of sleep. Things had changed slowly. She was a resilient person and she knew Vlad would have…</p>
<p>Losing Vlad had been one of the hardest thing she had ever endured. He wasn’t just her husband but he had been this pillar which she leaned against when times were hard and after losing him, for a while she felt like she had been freefalling. Not only that but she had a family to take care of and they were looking on her to be strong. There had been a while where she couldn’t even bear the thought of sleep. Things had changed slowly. She was a resilient person and she knew Vlad would have never wanted her to be sad, he was the kind of person who always made people smile and it would have killed him inside to know there was a time when she just couldn’t. It was complicated, but she felt like he would understand.</p>
<p>Caleb was patient and sweet, despite the two of the harboring feelings for a while, neither wanted to rush into anything and tonight had felt like letting go of her past very slowly. Reaching out for a taste of happiness which she had no idea would last or not. Perhaps she didn’t care, perhaps for a night she just wanted to throw caution to the wind and see what happened.</p>
<p>She giggled slightly when he jested how he had little resistance to her because she was an angel “If you look really closely into my eyes, you’ll see the faintest hint of purple in them” that was a nephilim’s supernatural tell, most species had one, though none were quite as obvious as hers. She touched her hand gently against his and used her clairsentience power to send a fuzzy feeling to him while she smiled softly, knowing the purple appeared brighter when she used her powers.</p>
<p><a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/0b532daafe5666e62728193d7806b73d/tumblr_inline_o191ktxfqH1rifr4k_500.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/0b532daafe5666e62728193d7806b73d/tumblr_inline_o191ktxfqH1rifr4k_500.gif?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-left"/></a>She sucked in a soft breath when he mentioned the moment when things had changed for him, a soft smile appearing on her lips as she looked back at him, squeezing his hand when he trailed off his sentence. They had both found one another at a time when their minds felt dark and the world felt heavy and while neither of them were responsible for pulling the other out, they had found comfort in knowing someone understood. “You were sleeping really peacefully...it seemed cruel to wake you from that” she whispered softly and smiled.</p>
<p>“Well I’d hope so” she responded in a soft voice, offering a smile when he complimented her “And you’re pretty interesting yourself...mysterious artist living in the simple life, surrounded by the supernatural and yet somehow...completely untouched by it” it was honestly fascinating to her just how much of a normal life he led “Sometimes I’m a little jealous” she confessed in a quiet voice.</p>
<p>She laughed at his comment about watching Kung Fu Panda so much that he ruined the disk “Mine was Shrek 2...you have to admit that movie is iconic no matter how many times you see it” and far better than original she would argue. The soundtrack was stellar too.</p>
<p>A few silly dares came to her mind when he asked for another but she couldn’t bring herself to give him one that would make him get up and leave her arms and so she bit her lip as she tried to think of something new “Tell me something you’ve never told someone before” she prompted, raising her brows as though to challenge him to take the dare.</p> Caleb nodded. "I remember."…tag:eternalcityrp.com,2020-11-07:6610746:Comment:4203722020-11-07T22:12:55.355Z✓ Caleb Eli Segal ~Mod~https://eternalcityrp.com/profile/CalebSegal
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<p style="text-align: center;">Caleb nodded. "I remember." He hadn't quite seen Octavia being so excited before that, although he had many other nights to remember, such as the one where she'd brought him cupcakes. It was going to be hard to describe how and when it had changed for him. Their first months of conversation had been only about loss and the ones that they loved and missed. The first time he'd realized what was happening, it had been a great…</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">Caleb nodded. "I remember." He hadn't quite seen Octavia being so excited before that, although he had many other nights to remember, such as the one where she'd brought him cupcakes. It was going to be hard to describe how and when it had changed for him. Their first months of conversation had been only about loss and the ones that they loved and missed. The first time he'd realized what was happening, it had been a great source of anxiety. It was difficult. He hadn't had anything since the plane crash. Caleb had cut himself off from romance; and barring the occasional one night stand, he'd been completely celibate. After Ava, anything that he wanted or anything he could see becoming something seemed too much, but she was different. As much as he described what he'd lost to her, it was easy to see a future they could build. As inspiring as that was to him, it still made Caleb nervous to think about. He was comfortable taking it slow. He smiled as her nose scrunched up against his and again as she kissed him. It was soft, quick -- a tease and a congratulations -- but he wouldn't have changed it. It was good to be in the quiet with her, together, but alone. There was a silence that he liked. Even the rain had stopped and the crickets hushed to listen. <a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/711c6115e7e69d55205069359a0a6e19/9372726405554520-c3/s540x810/76ae18c6d10dee1c9c7972a5d84e15eb413f35ac.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/711c6115e7e69d55205069359a0a6e19/9372726405554520-c3/s540x810/76ae18c6d10dee1c9c7972a5d84e15eb413f35ac.gif?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" style="padding: 3px;"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">"I am not surprised," He said, when she admitted to her angel heritage. "No wonder I have such little resistance when it comes to you."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It wasn't like he wanted to keep up his guard, not now, not anymore. Despite the confusion of everything and how sudden some of this seemed, Caleb hadn't ever felt more certain. "I...remember one night. I fell asleep on the bench. Six weeks ago. It was still warm out then. I couldn't sleep at home. I'd tried, but the dreams wouldn't leave me alone and when I woke up, you were sitting with me. And I'd been sleeping. Without the nightmares. For the first time in months. I..." His voice trailed off. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">He'd had bad dreams for as long as he could remember. They'd only gotten worse a few years back. Octavia was the first person who seemed to help. He could be surrounded by fire and smoke and still feel safe if she was there. Caleb's eyes stared into the dark, meeting hers. "Octavia, I have never met someone like you."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">He took a deep breath, wondering how many hours had passed. It seemed like it had only been minutes. "I like cheesy movies, really. I like animation and comedy. Anything that can make things seem a little brighter. I could watch Kung Fu Panda anytime or place. I've worn out two of those DVD's since 2008." </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Which was slightly embarrassing, but true, which was the point of the game. "Dare me again." He smiled, snuggling into her arms. "I feel brave when I'm with you." </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Maybe not ninja warrior brave, but brave for him. Brave for the introverted artist.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p> She had a gentle, wistful smi…tag:eternalcityrp.com,2020-11-07:6610746:Comment:4204542020-11-07T18:40:12.175Z✓ Octavia Grace Ivakovhttps://eternalcityrp.com/profile/O
<p>She had a gentle, wistful smile on her lips when he said he was patient “I know” she responded nodding her head slightly, she had noticed that about him in the time they had spent with one another, he could spend hours just putting the perfect few strokes on a painting or he would sit and listen for a long time while she ranted about something on her mind without interrupting “It’s definitely charming... I feel like the world spins at a slightly slower pace in your eyes” which was…</p>
<p>She had a gentle, wistful smile on her lips when he said he was patient “I know” she responded nodding her head slightly, she had noticed that about him in the time they had spent with one another, he could spend hours just putting the perfect few strokes on a painting or he would sit and listen for a long time while she ranted about something on her mind without interrupting “It’s definitely charming... I feel like the world spins at a slightly slower pace in your eyes” which was interesting considering he was the one between them that was mortal.</p>
<p>She couldn’t stop the stupid cheesy smile tha came over her when he decided to choose that particular pickup line to use on her. She was expecting the whole thing to be laughable and silly but there was something about his tone of voice that was soft and caring and gave the whole thing another vibe entirely “I am an angel” she teased softly biting her lip gently “or half of one anyway” he was yet to see her wings, that was something she had kept hidden because it was one of the things which made her so different from ordinary and maybe when she was with him she wanted to believe she was a normal girl for a while.</p>
<p><a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/fc188be558374fa726c2ff36f5cf43e9/tumblr_inline_o190n0XqOu1rifr4k_500.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/fc188be558374fa726c2ff36f5cf43e9/tumblr_inline_o190n0XqOu1rifr4k_500.gif?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/></a>He was warm. That was one of the main things she noticed as they laid there together. The temperature had dropped because of the storm and the rain but with how close they laid together, she could barely feel it. The soft patter of the raindrops was the only sound she could hear now aside from their two voices. Even the jingle of the carnival music had faded away.</p>
<p>The second one though, did make her laugh because it brought back their discussion on socks from earlier, she shook her head in amusement but there was also a sense of wonder in her gaze because she had never seen him act so bold before and honestly, she found it attractive. “I can approve the hot chocolate and blankets...perhaps even paired with a cute movie?” she offered wondering if that sort of thing appealed.</p>
<p>She leaned into the gentle touch he placed against her face, reaching out to cup his jaw like gently with her right hand, fingers tracing very slowly against him before she let a bright smile cross her lips when he leaned closer and spoke his final pick up line. She scrunched her nose knowing he would feel the movement against him and pressed a chaste kiss against his lips as a reward for his bravery “You did better than I did” she teased softly as she pulled away.</p>
<p>She wasn’t really scared of much, but handing over her trust and speaking her feelings, that was something which felt more risky to her. She found it easier to face a battlefield of dragonkin than she did to talk about her feelings. So his question made her go quiet for a moment as she pondered the moment when things changed “The exact moment is blurry but...I remember having a really good day...it was that night when I got my acceptance letter to start night classes at the university...I sat here and chatted to you for hours about how excited I was to do something new” and it had been good for her so far “You were the first person I wanted to tell about it” she spoke and nodded her head softly, that was when she knew things were...different.</p>