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Post by Tiao Lei Shen on Apr 16, 2008 22:59:26 GMT 1
Valencia, haven't seen you 4 a long time. If you would, Id like if youd join me for some jasmine tea at Zen Garden around 6. -T1@OTiao Lei Shen flipped his phone shut, slipping it back into his silk black pants, preventing his phone from being out too long before getting caught texting in class. Tiao turned his head, looking out the window as the teacher continued to talk about the Boxer Rebellion, which Tiao already knew as well as the back of his hand. In truth, Tiao hadn't needed to ask Valencia to meet him later, just as it was a lie that he hadn't seen her in a while. She may not have seen him, but the vice versa would happen everytime Tiao walks by the library. He could have gone in there to talk to her, but Tiao would rather take this matter outside of school, preferrably in a quieter setting. The bell rang, causing Tiao to get to his feet. Flipping the set of keys around his finger, Tiao slipped them into the opposite pocket that his phone was in, leaving the class. ---Later--- Tiao sat on his knees, keeping his back straight as he sipped his tea. He set the cup back on the low table, keeping his eyes on the door in an intense gaze. Tiao was focused, and while he had made it seem like this would be a casual gathering for the two today, it would not. There had been some disturbing footage on that tape, and Tiao intended to dig up those skeletons. And so he flipped the keys around in his pocket once again.
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Post by Valencia Donahue on Apr 17, 2008 8:12:57 GMT 1
((OOC: ::adjusts the time space continuum a smidge:: ))
It's been a long time since the day Tiao invited Valencia to a casual outing after the infiltration of a Watcher interrogation room. If there was anything to blame for the lack of contact, it had to be their business—Tiao as a Pillar and Valencia juggling professions to make ends meet. Regardless of these circumstances and the big hullabaloo caused by Revelation in the gym, the two still found a way to keep in touch with a simple text message. When Valencia got Tiao's message, she simply thought it had to do with the invitation. She definitely didn't know what to expect (except for tea) when she entered the Zen Garden... And was met by Tiao's concentrated gaze. By impulse, she looked away. The stare caught her by surprise and she hesitated in approaching the table for a moment before doing so. She sat down across from Tiao silently with her legs cross-legged and found a warm cup of tea waiting for her, indication that she wasn't late.
There's something uncomfortable in the air... I can sense it... I don't think Tiao is trying to make me uneasy, but I can't help but feel it...
Valencia's fingers brushed against the sides of the cup to test the temperature before risking touch. Her high sensitivity made it virtually dangerous for her handle anything that is too hot. Luckily, the cup was a moderate kind of warmth and she took a sip before initiating the conversation. It unfortunately felt like business...
“I... Thank you for your consideration in planning such a serene setting for our meeting. However, I cannot help but feel as though something is on your mind. Would it be rude of me to ask about what it is?”
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Post by Tiao Lei Shen on Apr 17, 2008 22:29:37 GMT 1
As Valencia entered the room, Tiao's eyes remained on her form. He was aware that Val had noticed his gaze almost immediately, meeting his for a moment before becomming uncomfortable. In such a situation, most people would avert their eyes a moment, feeling awkward if they met someone's eyes and held it there for too long. Tiao, however, did not. Though keeping his gaze on Valencia, his eyes slowly began to dissipate in intensity as she took a seat in front of him.
"No, not at all."
Tiao blinked slowly before responding, cooling his gaze into a much more serene look as he let his body relax just a bit. On the corner's of his lips came a small sad smile, knowing what was to come. The Tiger of Hircine cared very much for Valencia, which he was sure she knew at this point, and what he would bring up could and most likely would upset the girl. This wasn't going to be something Tiao would enjoy.
Of course, there hadn't been much to enjoy in any aspect.
"I'm sorry, Valencia." Tiao stated slowly, pausing a moment before slipping one hand to his pocket. He'd meet her gaze once more before sliding the set of keys forward, moving them to the center of the table.
"Unlike you, I'm not subtle. What happened?"
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Post by Valencia Donahue on Apr 18, 2008 6:42:55 GMT 1
Valencia felt more reassured when she caught a glance of Tiao's small smile, but that emotion vanished the moment he apologized and placed her keys on the table. Out of all the keys she lost during the scuffle with Keith in the library, the one that got the most attention from her was the one with “VIBRANCE” on it. She held her breath when Tiao got right down to the point. He didn't need her to say much if he was using her keys, which in itself was a major piece of evidence, to ask her about everything that transpired under the watchful eye of installed cameras. As she promised herself, she was going to tell the truth when asked. She simply hoped that some good would come of this, but that might not happen too soon after so much has gone wrong.
“I think you know enough already, but... I was studying in the library since most of my duties were finished. I got up to copy some papers and when I got back, someone was in my chair, reading my textbook. I was eating a snack and a drink at the time and I didn't trust him, so I threw my muffin away... But I let my guard down and apparently, he drugged my soda. Of course, I didn't realize it until after he came back with another soda for me.”
She held her cup firmly. This story wasn't as vivid as the one she told Ruth and Gladys, but it had the more important details. She didn't know whether to tell Tiao about what happened next though... However, it would be known eventually anyhow. Valencia continued...
“He was feeling me up while I was messed up in the head, but I tried to escape. I fought out of the chair and tried to call my friends on my cell phone. I even dropped it as I screamed for help. I'm not sure if anyone came or even noticed... Nonetheless, I tried to get away and took a picture of him in case I needed to identify him. It's fuzzy compared to another picture I took much later.”
Valencia had her camera with her, as she often did. She hesitated on bringing to Tiao's notice though, so she kept quiet about it. There was already a lot that the Pillar will not like.
“I made my way to the back of the library and tried to call the administration. I was really out of it by then and he destroyed the phone before fighting me down against the desk. I even used my keys to fight and, as you can see, I lost them during the struggle. I was unconscious for a while after he wore me out. I didn't know what he was going to do to me, but he took me to a hotel and...”
This was the most difficult thing for her to talk about, especially with someone who genuinely cared for her like Tiao. Valencia felt terrible about giving this testimony and in a way, this was hurting her more than it was going to hurt Tiao. The Vietnamese woman was silent for a full minute as she carefully selected her words.
“He did things to me. I was partially conscious throughout it all... The drug was still in my system though. As he... Was 'having his way' with me, he told me that he didn't want to take anything from me and I'm pretty sure that he didn't take my virginity but—Somehow, I got him to let me go and stop. Even now I'm not sure how it happened. He even tried to comfort me while my body was out of whack. Anyways, he let me go... His name is Keith Richards.”
Valencia had a weird feeling that the Pillar would explode at any minute, so she quickly added some more information, almost as though trying to defend Keith in her confusion. It made her feel bad that she was right in the middle of “good and evil”...
“I think there is something wrong with him. I mean, he somehow got in touch with me and invited me on a 'date'. I wanted to settle the score once and for all, and I wasn't alone, but things didn't turn out so well. I'm positive that he hasn't been sleeping lately and he wanted me around so he can feel 'better'. I-I can't describe it, I apologize, but ultimately, I just think he needs to see a psychotherapist. I don't know what happened in that hotel room, yet he insisted on me remembering... So I ran away.”
Why must this be so complicated...
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Post by Tiao Lei Shen on Apr 21, 2008 6:57:53 GMT 1
(OOC: Sorry for the wait. Apparently I'm left without internet on weekends.)
By seeing several sides of Valencia given the different circumstances they interacted in, he had seen her act several different ways. However, in most circumstances Valencia had always acted relatively quiet and shy towards Tiao, speaking very little while saying alot through body language. Though this encounter was also saying volumes through things like facial expressions and posture, Tiao was surprised at how much, and more importantly how quickly, she told him. He began to be more relieved, not for the story itself, but Valencia's honesty with him.
Still, Tiao had put much more thought into that fact, as it was quickly replaced with other information. With every tidbit added from where the tape had left off, Tiao's face scrunched tighter and tighter into a scowl. Though extremely angered, Tiao had made very little movment. If Valencia was able to see below the small table, she would see Tiao's hand intensely clutching his thighs, the muscles and vains bulging with intensity.
In the past year, Tiao's behavior had changed in many ways. However, that didn't mean it was all for the better. Tiao used to explode immediately, and even though he felt he was once again, he had developed a very silent rage that went with him almost anywhere he went. Of course, he exploded quite often regardless, which was demonstrated when Tiao had first found light of this event. If this had been the first time, the tea shop would likely be a much less tranquil environment for all its patrons, and not just Tiao and Valencia.
Tiao immediately took note of the name Keith Richards, already forming a mental image of ripping out his throat. However, there was another part that came next, one that took Tiao by surprise. His face showed it as well, as his brow arched and his mouth began to part slightly. He didn't speak for several beats after Valencia had finished, as he was at a loss of what to say for a moment before speaking up regardless, trying to place words to his confusion.
"Your voice seems to carry little resentment towards your rapist." Tiao stated, not holding back on his own resentment as he clenched his jaw.
"I don't care whatever problems this son of a bitch might have. Right now, the only one of them that matters is me. He'll get plenty of sleep after he drowns in his own blood."
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Post by Valencia Donahue on Apr 21, 2008 7:55:38 GMT 1
Valencia was literally speechless at Tiao's response--It was clearly a death threat. The Vietnamese woman feared relationships of any kind because of scenarios like these and this triggered a split-second memory of that scene in the hotel. She couldn't make heads or tails of it, yet the question was there: “What is love?” It terrified her to think that her feelings for Keith were anything beyond what the drug caused her to think. She began to regret ever studying in the library and from there, began to regret staying behind to work at her high school and anything else that in any way can be linked to her kidnapping. Typical symptoms of trauma after being raped, even though Valencia didn't acknowledge it as such at the time. No matter how much she tried to get back her mental control, everything got confusing again. She sighed and looked away from Tiao, seemingly ashamed of what happened and everything she's said to thus far.
“I am not one to ignore different perspectives, especially when I've been wronged. This is one of those cases where I wish there was enough for me have some kind of unfaltering conviction, but I apologize to say I harbor too much mercy and pity for someone like Keith. While I agree that his actions shouldn't go unpunished and I truly cannot forgive what he did, I am against letting vengeance get the best of me...”
Well, giving it some thought, I've fallen prey to vengeance hundreds of times and rarely conquered it myself, but... I shouldn't be worth this kind of vengeance. Not like this.
“Do as you wish. I only hope that karma flows the course it should. It would be wrong of me to interfere.”
She truly wished that she was as spiteful as a demon or had the fortitude of a saint to know what life had in store for her. Valencia turned away from the table and held her tea, feeling weaker with each moment she was in Tiao's presence. She gave a tentative sip but couldn't swallow in fear of Tiao's response.
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Post by Tiao Lei Shen on Apr 21, 2008 22:21:37 GMT 1
It wasn't anything out of the ordinary for Valencia to avert her eyes from Tiao after sharing such a disturbing experience. That in itself wasn't strange, but something here was. As for what Tiao had heard, there were two typcial responses to sexual assault. The victim would be extremely angry, taking on a personal vendetta to get back at the person through legal or personal means. Flip the coin and there was also the self-loathing victim, the one who blamed themselves for what happened and dripped into a depression.
Valencia was both, or possibly neither. She seemed to blame Keith for what had happened, but not enough to do anything about it. Not even filing a police report for the date rape. Not only that, but she had also said she met him on another occasion. Valencia seemed more or less content of the situation. She wasn't pleased with it by any means of course, but it didn't seem to be eating her away either. Perhaps this was simply Tiao's misinterpretation, or Valencia was even better at subtlety than Tiao thought, but one thing was for sure. Something was very much off.
"When you looked through that different perspective, what did you see? While gazing through his eyes, did you not come across the scared girl in the library, crawling away to different rooms and lashing back out of anger and self-perservation? Because that's what these eyes saw, when I watched the feed. And right now, I'm not seeing that same girl at all."
Tiao averted his eyes from Valencia, taking a moment to quietly take in a deep inhalation to keep him calm. While he was frustrated with Valencia, he did not want to take out the hate he harbored for Richards upon her. She had been through a lot, and Tiao knew it would be walking a tight rope to not push her over the edge....or would it?
"It's as if you're apologizing for him, Val. You may be more much more peaceful than me, but you simply seem disinterested in what happens to him...and that's being generous."
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Post by Valencia Donahue on Apr 25, 2008 8:23:49 GMT 1
Valencia didn't want to answer Tiao's question about Keith's perspective. As much as she tried to observe and predict Keith's behavior and personality, she was deathly afraid of getting into his mind and its predetermined, twisted logic. The fight in the library alone was enough to repel Valencia from Keith and the stay at the hotel sent her to the opposite end of the universe because of the thoughts Keith (and the drug) invoked. She already said too much about she and Keith. To say any more would make this problem worse, but would that lead to a solution? Valencia often faced her fears, for better of worse.
This is vaguely reminding me of “Phantom of the Opera”... Okay, maybe NOT vaguely...
“I asked a lot of questions that day. Most of them were 'why'. Why was he doing those things to me, why me, why did he let me go, why he's still after me... I couldn't get any answers, so I tried to form answers of my own. They weren't good answers... That's the reason why I'm... Apologizing for him. It's like Stockholm syndrome.”
She then unconsciously shifted from her cross-legged position to sit with her knees up, similar to a fetal position. If the earlier signs weren't enough to show that she was disconcerted, this should be enough to show her vulnerable state internally as well as externally. Valencia continued, masking the unease in her throat to feign resilience.
“When I was partially conscious in the hotel room with the drugs still in my system, I thought about weird things, all kinds of things. I even thought about you. Most of all though, I thought about things I'd rather not talk about. I'm ashamed that I thought about something like that with what was going on, but I blame the drugs. I blame myself.”
The word “love” was taboo, especially with Keith involved in any shape or form. Hopefully, Tiao wouldn't catch that, with the vague-ness Valencia was using to cover herself up.
“I just want to make sense of things and move on. I do not wish to waste any more time where I have to keep thinking about this. Having my own faith or personal beliefs shaken isn't comfortable. I felt much more safer fighting to my last breath.”
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Post by Tiao Lei Shen on Apr 26, 2008 6:20:14 GMT 1
Watching Valencia curl up into her knees caused Tiao's heart to sink, which his eyes followed suitely by taking his eyes off her for a moment in hopes to lessen the feeling that she was being backed into a corner. Tiao didn't say anything yet, continuing to process what had been said. Before he could change that, however, Valencia continued.
Tiao held his gaze on the table, beginning to find it just as hard to hold eye contact as Valencia had been. At the mention of her thoughts of him, Tiao couldn't help but raise his eyes to meet her gaze, not sure what to make of the meaning within the context. However, it was something else altogether that would hold Tiao's thoughts, also causing him to miss half of her final sentence as he lowered his eyes again in contemplation.
She was being raped. What in the hell could she have been thinking about then that could have made her feel more ashamed? What could have made that kind of situation worse...she blames herself...wait. The Stockholm Syndrome. God-
"-Dammit..." Tiao clenched his jaw, baring his teeth a moment before raising his eyes back up to Valencia's.
"Did you... god dammit." Tiao hesitated, looking away from Valencia with a slight shake of his head before returning once more. "Are you saying you enjoyed it?"
Curse me out, slap me. Just tell me I'm wrong.
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Post by Valencia Donahue on Apr 26, 2008 8:08:06 GMT 1
The Vietnamese woman took a couple gulps of her tea and swooshed some of the leaves and bits in her cup in contemplation. Valencia felt momentarily tempted to divine her fate until she heard Tiao utter an expletive. She stopped what she was doing to take in the situation, sensing anger and perhaps a sign for her to act. The Pillar continued off with the beginning of his question before repeating himself and that was enough for Valencia to practice caution with a hint of pain on Tiao's behalf. Her eyes peered over her side in time to catch him shaking his head and finally telling her what was on his mind.
From there, Valencia lost her self control and turned back to the table—One hand gripped the table while the other smashed the cup against it. She grabbed the largest piece, held it like a knife, and raised it as though threatening to stab Tiao. She was like an animal ready to tear him to pieces. Her silver eyes were so remorseless as they looked into the Pillar's that most people's blood would run stone cold at that point. It was clear that she greatly offended her with that statement and upon realization of her action, Valencia placed the large shard on the table and got back to her previous position. Of all times she intentionally showed Tiao her eyes, the first time belonged to a killer's.
“Not in the way I think you are implying... And I hope not.”
By then did she feel a slight sting in her hand caused by a cut. Valencia didn't realize how tightly she probably gripped the shard of the cup. She ignored it and hastily smeared it against her shirt like a makeshift towel.
“I just thought about all the things that'd never happen and how half of them did within that moment.”
Attention. Directly preventing me from doing something I set my mind to. Feeling a bit more special for once. Sappy feelings. Things like that. The guilt is me wanting so much yet pushing it all away each time it is offered to me until then.
“That is all.”
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Post by Tiao Lei Shen on Apr 29, 2008 4:20:55 GMT 1
In a matter of seconds, Valencia went from being the sight of insecurity to the vision of murderous rage. However, while Valencia hovered in front of Tiao with the jagged piece of porcelain, Tiao hadn't moved from his original sitting position, nor had his facial expression changed. Tiao was the only one in the room who didn't move, as the other half dozen patrons in the shop turned to look at Valencia with shock and murmurs. Unlike them, however, Tiao had not only been able to expect such a reaction, but hope for it.
Though he didn't show it, Tiao was scared. Not of his own safety, of course, as he was confident in his ability to defend himself in all situations if it came to it, though he didn't expect Val would actually take it that far. No, Tiao was frightened by the several layers of Valencia. Unlike her, Tiao had always worn his heart on his sleeve, be it a cold heart or not. Tiao was worred that these layers would only suppress this event, which would eventually claw her to pieces. In addition, who's to say that Valencia hadn't already buried other terrible memories, like this one?
As quick as the threat had come, it had dissipated. Tiao remained as he was until Valencia had sat back down, and finished speaking. When that was over, Tiao waited another few beats before moving. Moving his left hand to his right wrist, Tiao gracefully removed his right yellow silk armband. He then extended his left hand across the table palm up, motioning for Valencia to give him her hand. Tiao would wait until she did so, as he assumed she would be hesitant to seek any sort of gesture from Tiao at the moment. If or when she did, Tiao would gently yet firmly wrap the cloth around her cut hand, tieing it at the back of her hand before letting go and sliding his hands back to his thighs.
"I'm sorry."
Tiao stated, meeting her gaze for a moment before bending at the waist and the neck for a slight bow, making Valencia the first to recieve the gesture of respect previously only used in service to his father. Holding it for a count of three seconds, Tiao Lei Shen sat back up to his kneeling seated position before speaking up again.
"I'm not sure I understand fully but at this point, I'm not sure I want to understand anymore. I know enough. I hope you'll forgive me for what I said, though if you cannot, so be it. I can't pretend to know how this will effect you, and therefore whatever relationship we have, or could have. Just know whether I have your blessing or not, I'm going after Richards."
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Post by Valencia Donahue on Apr 29, 2008 16:04:11 GMT 1
There was silence between Valencia and Tiao as the startled murmurings in the shop calmed down. The Vietnamese woman at this point felt bad that she destroyed a cup and wasted some tea she wish she still had. It was a strange habit for her to destroy something then pay compensation, like windows. At this point, Tiao removed his armband and got her attention, despite her attempt to appear nonchalant. He then reached out with the armband in his hand. Valencia scrutinized Tiao's gesture and pondered if she should accept it after what happened. She typically refused most kinds of offers for the sake of practicing humility. This kind of gesture was accepted to make amends. She gave him her hand to wrap it up and after he finished, he apologized. Valencia inspected the makeshift bandage as her cut kept bleeding slightly but not as much as before.
Accompanying the verbal apology, Tiao gave her a steady and sincere bow. She did not know the significance of this action in relation to Tiao's father and she felt confused when his bow lasted longer than most done by others. Nonetheless, Valencia gave him a quiet nod of approval and felt that peace was made, even though a lingering feeling haunted her after the fact. Tiao elaborated upon his thoughts and Valencia felt like the talk was over. What he said was like her confession earlier to having some feelings for him. She was speechless and felt like there was nothing else to add since Tiao was so dead set on taking down Keith. She looked away as if further hinting that she didn't care for the consequences. She looked around for anything to distract her from all this and only at the last minute did she fish for her wallet to help pay for the tea and damages.
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