Wiccan Wonder (Pine)(Mature)

[Bix]

Bloody Sunday

Bix's day off

Things to Aquisition

• Dust of Bone
  
• Bat Wings, three
  
• Wax of Worms
  
• Eye of Toad
  
• Blood of Newt, dried
  
• Cobwebs of Silk, worms of Africa
  

List in hand. Parchment. Rough paper. She did not lower herself. To lined thin paper. That of what schools used. Not for the important things in life. Upon it was ink. Not the kind to find in a fountain pen. It was infintly hard. To procure liquid ink. Within a small blue tinted jar. A pen. That was not a lame feather. But instead. A long silver rod. It would scratch upon the paper leaving it's markings there. Her writing was quite elegant. A style to her own. Very eclectic. It had taken a while. To perfect such a style.

Blue and black striped leggings. Tight black dress. To four inches above the knees. Stopping with a ragged hem. It clung to her body. A wide neck. Made of Knit. Boots. Black, used often. But clean enough. Seven silver rights. Around the left boot. Seven shades of blue. Surrounded her wrist. Moving up her arm in the thick bangles.

Placing her products upon the table. The one where the register was. Payment. Paper was currency. Placed upon the table. Exchanged for the goods. Running out she had been. Spells she needed to cast. Important things that required these ingrediants. This was to restock. And a couple things new. Still though, she moved then. Bag in hand. To the old creaking wooden door. A lame name over the door. But it mattered not. It was a place to buy what she needed. A place to get what was required.

Opening the door. The blue haired witch stepped out. Eager to be on her way. Opening the bag. Checking ingrediants. To make sure she had what she needed. It was all in there. Within the bag. it was this. Checking her things. That she did not see the boy. Her own age. Different school. Coming her way. Barreling past, and that.. was what took Bix down. The Witch fell to the earth. The concrete scraping her skin. Red marks now livid against the pale skin. No look crossed her face. Pain was not that bad. It was merely pain. To be channeled. Blue eyes, from behind blue hair looked up upon the culprit. Saying nothing.

[pinefresh]

(OOC: Yeah so I have time to post now... I'm going with the fact this meeting is happening after the other threads.)

Pine was sore as all hell. Polly had really done a number to his head and back with that stupid 2x4. It was lucky for Pine the boy had no real idea how to use the board properly. Hitting a person with the four inch side did only so much damage, but enough was done to Pine. Out of all this Pine learned a valuable lesson. NEVER EVER lose concentration in a fight where there is a chance someone who hates you might be waiting with a piece of wood. Pine could not have held back the smile that crossed his face due to the irony. The man named after a tree gets his ass handed to him by a piece of wood. Had the board been made of Pine instead of number 2 grade spruce he might have cried.

With head phones on and slightly hunched over, Pine made his way painfully down the street. The hood of his Adidas sports hoodie over his head covered part of his vision. The three white stripes on the left shoulder seemed to glint as they stood out against the blackness of the hoodie. His headphones were Skullcandy lowriders, lime and black in colour, hung from his neck as he walked. The song they were blaring was Shut up and explode by boom boom satellites. In truth he loved the song and he believed it was his personal theme.

The song gave him energy to walk faster. He was to be saved by his own personal theme. Of course the music and the pain hindered his overall awareness of his surroundings. So much so that you could say that he did not notice the person he was walking too close to.

Pain. Lots of pain was all Pine felt as he bumped into the person. He stopped moving and scrunched his face in pain. He did not know whose fault it was. He was able to hear the sound of bags hitting the ground and flesh to concrete. ~shit...~ Was all Pine could manage to think as he pushed the pain aside and slowly turned around to look at the person he hit.

His eyes focused down on the blue eyes just visible behind blue hair staring at him. His hood would cover his eyes almost completely from her view. It would not matter though, Pine knew Bix would know him pretty quickly. He removed his hood exposing a slightly cut lip, the bruising on his neck would be covered by the combination of the headphones and his hood.

He was in a little too much pain to even think about even trying to force a smile. Sure the fight had been two days ago, but that was when the pain began to show. He bent over slightly and extended his hand. The pain was easily seen in his eyes at the effort he had to make.

"My dear Bix it seems we have quite literally run into each other this time. Come, I'll help you up."

[Bix]

Old Acquaintences

Reunited

Skin against concrete. Ripping. Tearing. The pain seared her flesh. Red against the pale. She was without the sun. Never wanting it to marr her skin. The damage of the world was too much. So much so that it was. Not an option. Protected Bix made sure she was. However. She was unprotected from harm. Her clothing did minimal protection. Allowing her skin to hurt. To tear. To burn with the pain. And yet. Focus was what she could do with the pain. Not allowing it. To bother her. To change who she was. To make her different.

Skin. Knee. Cheek. Elbow. The left side of her body. It radiated several points of pain. But fade they would. In time. But she was in no rush. No rush at all. The other. He must be hurt as well. The boy. Black with white stripes. Pulling up. She put her weight on her hurt arm. The left. Sitting up just slightly. Bangs in her face. But the face.. the posture.. no.. no it was impossible. Really it was.

He moved. The hood removed. And grin on her face. So close to a smile. Gently crossing her face. It was him. Pine. Her stalker if that was her title. If not, it was the fact that he was the only one she saw often. Significantly growing in her mind. Attraction taking the place of respect. And much more. He rose. Her eyes followed. And he leaned over. She watched him. Watching his face. She could see it. The way he was changing. The way that his face and his eyes. Pain. Was evident within the windows and so when his hand moved. Extending to her. Her eyes looked at him. Yet wait. Was that pink? Most unusual. Her face turned quickly at 'my dear Bix'.

Her hand reached out. Trembling only slightly. It burned But that was not why it trembled. In his. It did not use him to pull her up. Instead. While her hand. Remained in his. She rose herself. Despite her own pain. But it was tiny. Easily hidden as she rose. Keeping her hand in his.

"Fortunate. Fate seems to shine upon us."

Bix left her hand within his. It was comfortable there. Soft. And yet perhaps. Comforting? Maybe to him. Maybe not.

"Pain, seems to drescribe you. This day. Hurt you were in our climactic collision?" she inquired.

[pinefresh]

This girl really needed to work on just letting go. He could see what should have been a smile on her face held at a grin. It seemed like she spent more time forcing herself to suppress emotion than anything else. The question is why, why did she choose to hide what made her human. Pine would be sure to work on the matter as soon as he felt better.

What Bix failed to notice however was when she took his hand she turned a little pink. On a person with such pale skin even the hint of embarassment stood out. It was easy for him to pretend not to notice considering the amount of pain he was in. He was slightly relieved when Bix decided to pick herself up instead of having him pull her up. What he didn't understand was why she took his hand.

The hand was offered to help her up, why take it if she didn't use it. This girl was a walking bank of unanswered questions. Every action and every spoken word posed a new question be be explored. She was a rare gem indeed.

She spoke in her jedi manner in a way that Pine deciphered as 'I'm happy to see you.' Again another question posed in his mind, why was she still holding his hand. Had Pine the energy he might have let go, but right now he was using her hand to support himself. He squeezed a little tighter and allowed a small amount of his weight to be transferred to the grasp.

In an inquiring manner she asked him if he was hurt. Again the irony of his situation brought a small smile to his face and more pain to his back and neck.

"Yes and no... I was hurt pretty badly in a fight a few days ago. Someone that did not like me decided to hit me several times with a large piece of wood. The irony of the situation hurts far more than the physical injuries. So yes, running into you did hurt slightly and no, because I was not really hurt by bumping into you."

Pine looked at Bix and took his free hand (right) and brushed some dirt off her left shoulder and arm. There was a small amount on her face also. Pine lifted his hand so it was beside her left cheek and stopped for a second. He was unsure of how she would react to what he was about to do. Everything said she wouldn't get scared but you never really knew with a person. Pine was not in any shape to be hit. He decided he would continue anyways. He placed his right hand on her cheek and gently brushed the bit of dirt from her face and even moved a small bit of hair from in front of her eye. He slowly with great effort moved his hand back down to his side.

"That's better. Speaking of which are you hurt? You seemed to have taken away the worst from our encounter."

[Bix]

Touch

New Sensations

Pain. It was in his eyes. In his body. In the way that his hand gripped at hers. Bix. Gripped back. Trying to hold onto him. Giving him some of her strength. She was not a built girl. Musculature was not something high on her mind. List of priorities. Sapphire watched Azure. Pale against sunripened. She watched the weight of his pain. She felt for him. It was strange. Bix was not that kind of girl. The kind that felt emotions readily. She had long since repressed most. There was not really. A bad past or such. Nothing that made her do so. But she had realized. Long ago. That emotions were a liability.

He spoke. The pain was not from today. But from two days past. Apparently. His history haunted him. A board. A chuckle. She wondered. If the board had been Pine. Pine versus Pine. Irony was indeed in play. Of course. It was not humorous and yet. In a way. It was. She looked up at him. Absorbing the way he was. But he shocked her still.

Her eyes followed. That hand of his as it reached. Her bare arm, smeared with dirt. Skin. Debris. And blood. He brushed it. His fingers soft. Quick but gentle. With their movements. Kind it was. That he cared to remove the taint from her skin. Perhaps he. Understood the need to preserve oneself. That or.. well. Many other reasons for touch came to mind. Hand rose. Up to her face. Sapphire shifted to see the hand. Hovering. His face unsure. She was unafraid. His touch was gentle before. It would be no less now. Besides. Bix allowed no room for fear. The essence of fear was driven from her.

Finally. Taking the chance. His hand moved. Cupping her cheek. Letting the soft contours of her cheek. Fill his calloused palm. Her eyes widened. Softened. And then shot down. Her boots now, in focus. His hand brushed the dirt. The wound. It stung as he touched. And yet. No care was given to the pain. Gently. Shyly. Her focus moved up. Unused to actual attention she was. People tended to stay away. She was strange. They wanted nothing to do with her. And yet Pine. He seemed to find her often. And she found herself.. enjoying it.

"My strength is in tact. Lean upon my...."

Her sentence cut to the quick. His hand brushed her hair. Away from her face. Allowing her eyes to be seen more. It was a cloudy day. Which was good, she needed no umbrella. But had one. Incase the sun came out. Her eyes widened again. Shocked slightly. So familiar the touch. So gentle and kind. She wished to do the same and yet.. had no reason. No excuse.
He spoke of her pain. Saying her fall had been far worse. As it were she was wearing less. A dress, stockings, and done. Nothing more.

"Perhaps. Yet, pain is a catalyst. Strengthens it can."

She moved slightly. Moving to his side. Taking his arm. Sliding it then, around her shoulders. She was thin. Stature and build. Her shoulders a bit .. boney. Her arm went then. Around his waist. Letting her body. Take on his weight. Any help. Was worth while for Pine.

"Such pain you endure. For what reason?" she asked. "What reason do you walk these avenues in agony?"

[pinefresh]

Had Pine been healthy her reactions to his actions would have caused him to jest. It was the same with every girl he encountered that seemed embarrassed by what he did. It was something he had done since he was but a tyke, and would probably continue the rest of his life. He did it with Nyra and Carrissa and Bix would be no different. He really wanted to joke around at how shocked Bix looked when he moved the hair from her eyes. How her gaze looked human before it shot to the ground to avoid him seeing it. Had the movements been less painful he probably would have done more just to play on the reactions.

Her words were cut short when he brushed the hair from her eyes so she could somewhat see. He was sure whatever she had to say would be repeated as soon as she collected herself. Which wasn't too long after the fact. The few seconds of silence gave Pine a minute to actually look at Bix. Until now he never thought to check her out. He had checked out Alyssa when they met but for some reason never bothered with Bix. In truth she looked pretty average. She was slightly taller than he was, slender, nice hips which meant a decent/nice butt, average bust, small waist. The dress complimented her pretty well though. All-in-all she was an average girl, the only abnormal aspect to her was the way she acted.

What Pine didn't expect was for her to move to try and support him as he stood. She moved his hand over her shoulder and put her hand under his waist. The bruises on his back fired off signals of pain. Pine flinched almost uncontrollably at the act. He knew what she was trying to do was kind but it would cause more pain than good. As a result he allowed himself to slip off of her and stood resting his arm on her shoulder.

"Sorry but it would be in my best interests to carry myself. Though I thank you for the thought, even a kind touch causes me pain. The bruising and injuries are just that severe. I was out here to get a second opinion on my condition. The doctor is just up the road there, the hospital told me there were no broken bones or severe interal injuries and I would be fine in about two weeks. The three doctors I just saw said the same thing. Of course being the upstanding individuals they are, gave me a prescription for pain killers to help."

Pine took his free hand and reached into his pocket and pulled out the small container of pills. He popped the top and swallowed two of the pills dry. He then snapped the lid back on the pills and set them back in his pocket. It only took a minute for the pills to kick in. Whatever these doctors gave him was good shit. Pine slipped his arm back around Bix's shoulders as he could no longer feel the pain and the sensation made him weak.

"Then again perhaps I really do need the help. Come lets find a bench to sit on...These pills make me feel a little light headed. Oh and I may need the help getting there. It seems now that I can't really feel the pain, the rest of me is weak."

Pine was putting more of his 170lbs of weight on her shoulders than he would have cared too. He hoped he would not hurt her even more than he already had. He could see the scrapes on her left side were bleeding slightly. The beauty of scrapes is that they opened, bled, and closed in no time. If he ever made it back to his condo he would be sure to treat them for her. Sadly his place was kind of far from here. It would probably be a few hours before he had the strength to get back there.

"This is why I never take medication..." He said with a small groan.

[Bix]

Assistance

Only for One

Pain. It seemed to ripple through him. While she manipulated his body. Trying to help. Only for him was she kind. Only for him was she almost human. He was different. For her. From the rest. Something set apart. Even Bix. Though she had spent time. Within meditation. Within herself. To find the answer. Why it was she was predispositioned to be different. For him. And him alone. She was cold to the world. Needed nothing. Wanted no one. Until he began to follow her. And she found joy in it. In seeing him often. In learning about him. In observing him. She saw him too. From time to time.

He pulled away. Her eyes watching. She could see the pain. Her eyes were back to hers. To the ones that Bix had. The emotionless kind. But they quickly altered. To worry. Yes. Bix had emotion. But she rarely used it. Rarely decided it was needed. Emotions were liabilities. People used them. Finding your weaknesses. But with him. She felt human. Normal. Emotion. She felt different.

Pills. A small orange bottle. Taken from his pocket. Inside the rattle of pills. He explained. The pain of her help was too much. A nod was his answer. His hands opened the bottle. Pills were swallowed. Perhaps now the pain would fade. She hoped for his sake. But she thought it interesting. Many men would hide their pain. Unwilling to appear weak. And yet this one. He was different. Admitting he hurt. Admitting the pills were needed. She felt more respect. Men that were unafraid to hide their feelings. It was rare. And Pine moved up another notch in her mental scale.

He moved then. Sliding his arm back again. Around her shoulders. She looked up at him. He spoke then. Saying that. The pain was less. And with that. He could use her help. Weak he was now. Because of the pills. She slid her arm again. Around his waist. Pulling him close. Looking up at him she nodded. A bench they could find. It was a city after all. They had those every so often. Especially here. Many walked. And there was a bus and trolley system.

"Come then."

She walked then. A bit slow. His weight was a bit. And her own body hurt. With his weight. The scrapes cried out. But she showed none of it. It would be fine. She cut herself often for blood. When she needed it for her spells. This was no different. Just more than one cut. She would live. Always had. Always would. She walked with him. Taking as much weight as possible. She didn't mind. To support him was important. Pine was important.

"Salve. I could.. make for you. Ease the bruise. Without medication."

It was extremely rare. Bix never offered her services to anyone. She did not want. People to know about her arts. The kind of talents that she had. However. A salve would not. Be so bad. It was merely medicinal. It would relax. And help the bruise heal. It would help his body remain limber. Many things. She hoped he would take her up on the offer. For likely it would. Never come again.

[pinefresh]

Pine was leaning pretty heavily on Bix now as the energy continued to drain from his body. He needed to find a place to sit quickly before both of them toppled over. About a block away Pine saw a little park which had some benches and picnic tables. It didn't look too busy there, and he was sure they could find a seat.

Before he could speak Bix made him an offer. She offered him a salve for his pain. ~TIGER BALM~ Was what came screaming like a bat out of hell into Pine's mind. Tiger balm was a salve used in India and Thailand for just about everything. In Thailand the salve is used predominantly by Muay Thai fighters to dull the pain of battle. Sure the smell could clear a room but it was truly a wonderful item to have.

He turned to look at her a small smile on his face. Weak, but there nonetheless. "So you're a healer? That explains...well nothing. I would greatly appreciate it if you made me some. I assume you need to see my injuries to determine how potent it needs to be."

Pine shifted his weight and directed Bix toward the park. There he would plop down on the first empty bench and make room for Bix to sit beside him. That way they could both rest after their trying experience of the day.

[Bix]

Explanation?

Cut from a Different Cloth

He was getting heavier. Perhaps though. It was only. Her imagination. Not the fact. That he was leaning more upon her. But it mattered not. She was not weak. And his weight. She would not let it overcome her. She walked. Steady. Slow steps. Her eyes shot forward. There was a park. Not far off. But her eyes returned to him again. He spoke. Talking of her being a healer. Was she? Perhaps. Sometimes. When she wanted to be. When it suited what she wished for. A healer. No. A witch. Yes. But with her studies. She had learned a great deal. Not merely spells. But herbology as well.

He shifted. They headed for the park. Benches. Grass. Trees. The whole happy family thing. Kids running. Laughing and giggling. Playing with one another. Dogs barking. But Bix was not worried about it. The family bit. She had one. Didn't talk to them. Or about them. They did not understand her. But then. Who did. Her brows furrowed. As he mentioned that. Being a healer explained nothing.

"Explaination, of Bix, do you need?"

She inquired curiously. By now. They had reached the bench. He moved away from her then. Her side. His warmth was gone. She felt cold there. But it would fade. Her skin would regain it's temperature. and she would not miss him then. He slid over. Making room for her. Bix lowered herself. Down to the bench beside him. Close though. Their legs touched. Merely in case. He needed to lean again. If he fell asleep. She had no idea. Just what he had taken. Nor the affects.

"Your injuries. Bruises, they are, yes?"

Another question.

"When you are operational. Accompany you, I can, to see your wounds."

She looked around. Eyes taking in the environment. Taking in what was happening. It was strange. To sit this close to a boy. She hadn't. Not in years. Bix was.. not interested. Not really. Unless it was for Pine. Others. Meant nothing. Bix was not worried for love. Not trying to find completion. One of the few she was, that was. Complete already. Bix was Bix. She had changed. Liberty was no more. Only her mother still called her thus. Even her brother. Had taken to calling her Bix. It was Bix's name now. Strange as she was. It was the change she had created.

"questions. You have about me, yes? Curiosity?"

Bix's eyes shifted. Looking over at him.

[pinefresh]

Did Pine have questions about Bix. That was like asking if birds flew, if the sky was blue, or if the grass was green. The answers were yes,yes,yes and yes, Pine had many questions to ask Bix. He doubted there was a person that met who didn't have at least a million questions to ask her. Why did she dye her hair blue, was Bix really her name, why did she talk like Yoda from star wars, why was she always coming off as weird, and most importantly why was she seemingly different toward Pine.

Pine was generally an idiot when it came to women. Come to think of it most men were, but as a sex they generally noticed the big things. It was always noticed when a girl was giving you special treatment. She always talked to him in a different manner, she always somewhat smiled when he was around, she was playing with his hand in detention, and now she was going out of her way to help him. He wanted to know what was going on to make her do such things.

~Um dumb-ass, if you really have to ask why she treats you that way you must be stupid. You have to have realized she likes you. I mean if the little voice in your head has noticed, it's not like you could have missed it. Moron~

Pine enjoyed the rationality of the little voice in his head. It was greatly comical as it always spoke in a sarcastic manner. Besides, who else would tell him off like that without worrying about getting an ass kicking. Pine however hated the voice because it was generally right more than he was. Pine knew that really didn't make any sense as the voice was his, but it did. He had to know what the voice said was right. Bix had to have feelings for him. Though, it didn't seem like the girl was capable of such acts. She seemed to have the emotional range of a teaspoon. Yet here she was worrying about him so she must... Pine's mind cut out at the overload for a second.

She was sitting right up against him and he could see her thigh touching the outside of his Levi's Capital E jeans. Pine slipped his hand behind Bix so it was resting on her opposite shoulder. His other arm was stretched out along the back of the other side of the bench.

"Asking me if I have questions about you is like asking a kid if he likes candy."

Pine turned so he was facing her. His eyes locked on hers in the dull state they maintained due to his condition.

"I have met many different types of people in my lifetime Bix. You are the only one I do not understand in the slightest. You are like one big question I do not have even a clue to the answer. I do not understand why you choose to hide your emotions, I do not understand why you choose to speak the way you do, I don't understand why you act or think the way you do. Not only that I really don't understand why I'm the only person you let get even remotely close. So if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to know about you. Let's start simple though, what's your name?"

[Bix]

Acceptance

Reciprocation

As they settled. Bix felt his arm. As though it was a brand of fire. Across her shoulders. And his hand. On her far shoulder. She stature was thin. Her shoulders a bit boney. But it was more that. She forgot to eat. At times. And when she did. It was unhealthy. But she didn't mind. Food was for survival. She found no comfort in it. She had her favorite. Of course. But. That did not mean. However. That she didn't like to eat. Or had some sort of disorder. merely forgot at times.

A smile touched her face. Shy though. As he spoke of her. And the fact that he had many questions. She would hear them all. Answer some. She didn't want to spill her life out. Perhaps slowly. But she was unsure. If he would invest that much time in her. Perhaps she was unworth it. Perhaps not. Bix was confident. In herself alone. But unconfident. When in the eyes of others. It was a hard place to be.

"Many questions, you have. Answers, I can give."

He said that there were many. Listed some. She was interested. That she was the sole person. He could not figure out. Was she that hard. Was she unreadable. Or perhaps. She was merely talented. At hiding who she had been. Who she was. Who she had become. Perhaps. He seemed to notice. She hid her emotions. That she spoke in a strange way. Did she? Perhaps she did. Though she was used to it now. There was no other way. Perhaps once. Or if she was comfortable. But it was just the way. She kept everyone away. When he mentioned her. Liking him. He was right. She did. She let him closer than anyone in years. Especially since she began. Her witchcraft. But. She could not be open with that. People would. Not understand.

He decided to start small. Her name. She assumed he was asking. Not for Bix. But for the name. That her parents had given her.

"First person, in many years, to know this answer."

She looked up at him. The blush. Of her attraction to him. Slowly fading on her pale cheeks. Head tilted. To she side slightly.. Bangs casting to the left.

"Liberty." she said. "Liberty Fontaine."

Her eyes cast to the side. Then. And looked up. The sky reflecting against her blue. Her hands lay. On top of the bag. That she had brought from the store. Folded gently. It was cloudy. Which was good. Her umbrella. Lost to the pavement in the fall. Hopefully the sun would stay away. She did not. Want him to see. Her paleness. In the light.

"curiosity you are, as well. Pine. A strong scent. A strong man."

Bix mused. Her eyes. Returned to his again. Long black lashes moving.

"Question, I have. As to. What drives you? From within? Makes you, who you are?"

[pinefresh]

~Liberty, that's a pretty name. Much better than Bix~ Pine thought as she told him her real name. Which of course brought up another question. Where the hell did she get the name Bix? It was not even close to Liberty. Just when you think getting the answer you want was a good thing, it just brings up another question in it's place.

What Pine could not ignore was she began to blush when she gave him the name. It was as if he had called her beautiful or something. He was the only person she had told in a long time what her real name was. Why? This time Pine could not resist joking around a little with her. He could ignore the first instance of her blushing but a second, he could not let that slide. His playful nature was somehow still able to kick in even with his mind dulled.

"Well Miss Liberty Fontain it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Pinefresh Treefellow, I'd shake your hand but that would take a little too much effort. Besides, your blushing and I would hate to embarrass you anymore than I already have." Depending on her reaction would determine if he laughed or not.

Though he was slightly stumped by the question she asked him. What drove Pine. Pine had no clue what drove him to be the way he was. No, that would not be accurate. He knew why, his mind was just trying to protect him. The answer was not something his consciousness wanted to come to terms with. Pine closed his eyes and thought about it. He was able to clear his mind and beat his mind into submission.

~There are some things you are better off not knowing dumb-ass and this is one of them~ His little voice said.

~Tell me~ Pine said to it.

~Fuck off~ Was the wonderful retort it gave.

~No, fuck you. You fucking tell me.~ Pine thought back.

~No, you really don't want to know~ It said.

~TELL ME NOW~

~I can't tell you shit head, think about it. What started all this? What brought you to Varron and now to here?"

Pine thought hard and the memories came flooding back. He remembered the faces of his old friends from Lawrence Park, now dead and gone. He remembered the gang leader he slew in cold blood. He remembered his parents disowning him. He remembered his trial and his choice. He remembered his friends those missing and those found from Varron. He remembered his siblings turning their backs on him. He remember Carissa and losing her to Varron's closure. He remembered Aarondale. Pine remembered what drove him.

"Pain, sadness, and anger are what drive me to be who I am. Ultimately I suppose it is a fear of losing more than I already have. That is why I fight so hard for my beliefs and those that I serve. I guess it is also to forget what made me who I am and what I may become. To protect what is, and what might be." Pine finished with a sigh and opened his eyes. She was the first person that ever thought to ask him that. Her mind worked well, she would make a great addition to Genaht if he could somewhat figure her out.

"So Liberty, same question your way. What makes you who you are, what drives you? Oh and why Bix?"

[Bix]

Conversation

Introspection

He teased. Making her cheeks grow. No longer pink. But more of a harsh red. She was unused. To these sorts of feelings now. Unused to the way. That it made her feel. She was not. Used to letting one close. Not to let one in. To know her. To find her, to figure her out. Head tilted. She sighed out a bit. Her pale pink lips. Parting. She wondered. What it might be like. To just. Have the confidence. Save it up. For a whole month. And shut him up. Right then and there. With a kiss. Would he think she was nuts. Probably. But then. He probably already did.

Forehead lay softly. On the crest of his shoulder. Hiding her face. Among her blue. Liberty. She couldn't remember. The last time anyone had called her that. Aside from her mother. Pinefresh. She looked up. Into his eyes then. Her face was close. Very close, and yet. Not too close. She could focus on him easily. Sapphire to Azure once more.

"Willow."

She whispered.

"My middle name."

Something in common. She had thought of it then. The first time they had met. Yet. Her name at school was not. Liberty Willow Fontaine. It was Bix. And that was all. She had no last name. No signficant first name. Just Bix. It had been that way for years. She could not imagine herself. Changing it. She was still unsure of where. It had come from. It had just. come to her. As if her inner spirit. Had named itself. As though. Liberty had repressed. And Bix had come forth. Coming out. Inhabiting the body of the girl.

He spoke then. Of what drove him. Not losing more than he had. More than he wanted. Of keeping what he had gained. She could understand these things. Her head nodded. An admirable reason. She was glad. He was not about strength. Not about being the strongest. The best fighter. Or any such thing. He wanted to protect what was his. There was nothing more primal. And yet more admirable to have chosen.

He then turned. The question back upon her. A smile rose across her face. Eyes glinting for a moment. She looked away for a moment. Before returning her gaze. To the sadly named boy beside her. Eyes meeting eyes.

"To be whole. Within myself. Needing no other."

Her left hand rose. To return the feeling. Her hand stopped. millimeters from his face. Before it reached there. Touching the cheek for a moment. With the back of her fingers.

"Stand on my own. I wish."

Her hand stroked across his cheek and then fell. Along with it. Her eyes. As she left her information at that. He would have to ask. If he wanted to know. Why she wished to be strong. Why she wanted to be self sufficient.

"Bix. A name that came. To myself. One day. No where it seemed. Yet it was there. In my mind. And from then on. The one as Liberty faded. The one as Bix took, her place."

Bix let out a long slow sigh. Eyes finding his again.

"However. You. Found her again, you have. The one, thought gone."

She looked at her hands again.

"Question once more. For you, Pine. You are curious about me. Yes? But, I wonder greatly. Why?"

[pinefresh]

Bix turned scarlet at his joke. Pine had never seen anyone turn so red in his life. For a second he was sure her head was going to explode. Pine chuckled (which hurt) and Bix buried her head into his shoulder to hide her face. Bix really was embarrassed, it was as if the human side had come out to play. The girl hiding her face in his shoulder was not the same girl he had seen in the school yard. It was curious as too how different she was when there was no one else around. Why was she so scared to show a normal side to other people. The Bix he was talking to now, was someone he was sure anyone could get along with.

Bix lifted her head and Pine noticed how close her face was to his. It seemed his dull eyes were able to pick up the extremes of everything. She was looking right into his eyes and he could barely tell. It was here she gave him her middle name, Willow. As in the weeping willow tree everyone everyone knew. Pine nodded knowingly at her before he told her about what drove him.

After his question was asked she smiled at him. It was a genuine smile. Whomever he was talking to was not the Bix he was accustomed to dealing with. It seemed everything was starting to fall into place with her answer. Pine finally began to understand the blue haired girl that sat beside him. What he didn't expect was for her to touch his face. He was slightly caught off guard for a moment. She would notice his eyes widen for a second before returning to normal. He allowed her to finish talking before replying. He even found out why she chose Bix as a name.

"At one point, my lowest point, I strove for exactly what you seek...I failed. I failed because people are not meant to be fully self-sufficient. To better explain I guess I need to tell you more about myself. I was disowned by my parents, my siblings refuse to talk with me, most of my friends are either dead or have disappeared. I tried to survive only by myself. The fact was I was strong, physically and mentally. I was emotionless and destructive, always fighting, always in the hospital. I have three scars on my face but dozens over the rest of my body because of it. If it weren't for the friends I made I would be dead now. They took me in, gave me a safe place to be, and I became less destructive. In turn I became stronger. I was one of the strongest fighters in Varron not because I could fight but because I knew I had people behind me, those I would willingly fight for and who would do the same for me. What Bix seeks will lead to self-destruction. Liberty is the one that will make you strong not her."

Pine took his hand off her shoulder and moved the hair yet again from her eyes.

"I am curious because up I don't really understand you. I am drawn to things I do not understand. I want to learn about you. In turn I can teach you much about the strength you seek. Stick with me and I'll show you how it's done."

[Bix]

Road Map
A New Direction

Shock. Crossed his face. When she touched his cheek. Was it inproper? She didn't care. He touched her. And she. Wanted to know the feel. Of his skin. She didn't mind the scars. In fact. She found them attractive. Liking the way they looked. The story that they held. She wished to hear. And she would ask. When she felt the moment was right. He spoke then. Telling her of his history. That he had once. Strove to be like she. To be alone. To stand with her own two feet. To prove to the world. That Bix needed no one. That she was her own person. And could stand alone.

But he said. That it didn't work. That things would never be such. That no one could stand alone. it was not meant. For humans to do so. Her brow rose. The sable line hiding. For a moment. Under her hair. Before it came down. Speaking the truth. She could tell it. In his v oice. But was it the truth. That he thought. Or was it the truth. Of the world. She listened still. As he told her that. Friends had come in. And helped him. To find himself. To realize. That being with someone. made you stronger in the end.

His hand rose. Touching her hair again. Removing it from her eyes. She didn't blush this time. But that didn't mean. Her heart stayed still. Liking him more. Every second she was. But she was afraid. To admit. To be rejected. Surely as strong as he was. He had someone. Someone that took care of him. And helped him enjoy his life. Someone that gave him strength. He said he would help her. If she stuck with him. He would help her find that way. And she. She would let him learn. About her. Something he apparently wished for. Her cheek turned, catching his hand. Before it could go. And placed itself. Within his palm. Feeling the warmth there. Beckoning for it. To stay.

"Help me, you will?" Her eyes. Boring into his. But softened like no one. Until Pine had ever seen. "Bix does not understand."

Her hand reached up. Touching the scars with her fingers. Attractive. He was to her. Body, mind, and soul. The complete package. She enjoyed.

"I wish, for much." she continued for a second. "To learn. More. About you, as well."

[pinefresh]

~Wrapped around your little finger she is~ The little voice in his head said as it mimicked her speech.

~Fuck off Yoda, now is not the time~ He told himself.

For once the voice was inclined to obey. He assumed it was because the pain would start to comeback soon. Soon the medication would wear off and Pine would again be back to the pain. Pine did not want the pain anymore. He grew tired of it and wished with all his being that it would just go away. Bix did say she would help him and he really hoped she could. Though the marks were long coming, the situation was unprovoked. Had Pine been hurt during a fight he was actually fighting in, it would be a different story.

When Pine began to slip his had away from Liberty's hair she stopped it. She didn't use her hand, but her face. She moved her cheek so it was cupped in his hand. Pine had no idea how that happened. Then again his mind was on other things. The look on her face told him she wanted his hand to stay there a while. Pine obliged and stroked her cheek with his thumb for a little.

Again she spoke about wanting his help. It seemed she wanted a little more than his help judging by her actions. She said Bix did not understand. she began to touch his face and run her fingers over his scars. She wanted much alright and Pine had an idea of what she really wanted. What her other self Bix was trying to keep her from. Affection from another person.

~Lesson number one coming right up!~

Pine stopped stroking her cheek. He cupped his hand and drew her face close to his. Mustering the energy, he tilted his head slightly to the side and kissed her.

[Bix]

Changes
New Developments

Surprised. He seemed. Looking at him. As her cheek moved. To catch his hand. His touch was warm. And. As much as Bix. Hated to admit it. She felt. Good when his touch came. Warm inside. Her heart. Beat so fast as he sat there. Looking into her eyes. Her fingers. Traced his scars. She liked them. Unsure why though. They were just. Beautiful. In the mind of the witch.

Her dream. Came true then. Unlikely as it had always been. Apparently. He felt the same. Or was toying with her. Bix did not like. To be toyed with. And while he may be stronger. She would not be afraid. To fight him. For playing with. The emotions of her.

The thumb upon her skin. Stopped it's movements. Making her eyes. Widen slightly. As it cupped her cheek. He pulled. Bix shifted her weight. So that she was close. His breath. and Her own. Mingling. She looked into his eyes. Wondering. If it would happen. If this was a special day. If this would live in her memory. For time. His head tilted, and he moved then. His lips found hers. It was so soft. Bix could not help. But gasp. It was her first kiss. At first. Her body was tense. But soon relaxed. Her eyes. Slid closed. Dark lashes against. Her very pale skin. She lips moved. Kissing him back slowly. She hoped she was good. It was her first. And one thing Bix hated. Was embarassing herself.

Naturally. Their lips parted. A perfect first kiss. At least in her opinion. Her eyes stayed closed for a moment. Relishing in the touch. The taste of his lips. His hand on her cheek still. A smile upon her lips. Slowly. Her eyes opened. They were soft. A bit of sparkle to them. That kiss. Had until today. Been a dream. A fantasy. A wish. And it had happened. No spell necessary. She wondered then. Her mind kicking in. If it was just a kiss. Or perhaps it would lead to more. He said. To stick with her. But in what kind of way. That would lead to being close. Holding hands. Walking underneath her umbrella. Finding herself. As he wished her to.

"Enjoy, very much, I did." Her voice. A whisper. But soft. She stayed close. Perhaps there was more. "Attracted you are, to .. me?"

An inquiry. But it had to be made. Afterall. She did not want to assume. And she wanted to either. Fuel. or Kill the hope that had nestled itself between her breasts.

[pinefresh]

~Woah, insecure much. Man don't you know how to pick em?"

Pine didn't feel the need to reply to the voice as it spoke. He was concentrating more on what Bix had said. She enjoyed the kiss and now wondered if he was attracted to her.

In truth, the kiss was okay. Pine was never a master at the art and by Bix's reaction she was extremely inexperienced. Depending on how long she had been 'herself' she might have never kissed a boy before. Actually, scratch that, if she was like she is now for a while there was no way she had ever kissed a boy. Though the thought made Pine breath a mental sigh of relief. Her inexperience meant that she would not notice if he messed something up. It also meant that he would not have to try as hard as he would with an experienced girl. Truth was Pine hated 'experienced' girls. They served a purpose and that was all. They were not anything more than a one time thing. He wanted Bix for a little longer than one time.

He had no idea why she would ask him if he was attracted to her. He had just kissed her, stuck his neck on the line and yet she was the one that needed reassurance. Why did women always have to be so complicated? Pine did not like to have to constantly reassure a girl of anything. He would however give Bix the benefit of the doubt this one time considering her circumstances. She was not used to affection from other people and doubted she accepted it from her family. In time, he hoped he could change that.

Pine instead of answering tilted toward her and kissed her again. This kiss was more quick then the last. It's purpose was to say 'doubt me now?' He figured it would be a better show of reassurance than just saying some words.

[Bix]

Confirmation
Someone to Care For

She waited. For the answer. She only wanted to be sure. She had read many books. Seen many movies. And though she was not a fan. Of television. Her brothers purveyed it often. and she knew the stories. To some. A kiss was nothing. Nothing but a simple. Small. Sign of affection. But to someone like Bix. She felt as though. It was more than that. So she watched him. For any sign. To let her know which way his thinking went. But instead of words. A sign came to her. He leaned in. Capturing her lips again. She kissed him back. It felt good. To be sure that he wanted her. To be his. That they could. Share lives together.

This kiss. Shorter than the last broke. Bix smiled. Warming from the cold self that she usually was. Pehraps around him. She could be somone different. Perhaps around him. she could show him who she was. Deep down inside. She smiled at him. To tell him without words. That she was happy. He found her such. That they could be together now. Her head tilted and lay. Lightly upon his shoulder. Unwilling to cause him pain. She just wanted to know that touch more. It was soft. And nice. And she knew that. If she was spoiled with it. She would come to need it.

Long minutes passed. Silently.

"Wait here, you can, for a moment."

Lifting her head gently. Off his shoulder. Bix looked into his eyes. She needed to get the supplies. For his salve. The one that she wanted to make. For his pain. So that he would heal. Faster and better. Than without.

"Supplies, I need. For your salve."

With a smile. She rose gently. Figuring that. She would only be gone a moment. Bix left the bag she had gotten earlier. On the bench. Beside Pine. She took off at a run. As fast as she could run in a dress. The silver rings around her left ankle. Jingled as she did so. Back to the store she had been in. Earlier that day. Opening the door. She was a girl. On a mission. Knowing exactly what she wanted. She moved quickly. To the herb counter. Taking what she knew she needed. The weights and the like she knew easily. Placing what she needed in a bag. A certain odd ingrediant. Then a glass jar. With a lid. Paying for it all. She ran back returning. Not five minutes had passed.

"Return to your home. We should. Your pain. May come back. Uncomfortable, I do not wish you to be." she explained. "Salve I will make. Ready to leave?"

[pinefresh]

It seemed the point got across and Bix ran off to get the stuff for the salve. Pine could not help but laugh quietly to himself as watched her go. It seemed Bix was just a cover for a scared little girl. There was much he still had to learn but in time he would learn it all. The smile was quickly wiped off his face as the little voice decided to start talking again.

~That'll be the second girl you have led on so far. Or did you already forget about your friend Nyra and how that ended? Of course you didn't. You do realize you just created the same problem for yourself yet again right?~

The world it seemed came full circle faster than Pine could have wanted. The voice in his head was right, what was he doing? He had to stop with Nyra over his fears and he just made the same mistake again. What was he to do now? There was no way he could go through what he went through with Nyra again. So soon to say the least. Then again there was something Pine was overlooking, the fact that he had no idea what Bix was capable of.

He looked over into the bag she had left and noticed what some of the ingredients said. Bat wings, eye of toad, blood of newt, it looked like a collection of things you would see in a story about witches. Pine went cold with the realization of what he was looking at. These were items for spells. What the hell could she be doing spells for? Pine had experience with Wiccans before but this was a little extreme. Then again maybe they were not for what he thought. She was making him a salve after all, perhaps they were items for a poultice or something.

~Yeah...Items for healing...Forget what I said about worrying about her, you should probably start worrying about yourself laddy.~

Pine watched as Bix approached. His gaze was dull with a hint of cheerfulness at her return. Until he could prove his paranoia he would go on the assumption she was what he originally thought, a healer even though witch fit better.

"Yeah my place is about 20 minutes from here so let's start walking. If we are lucky we can catch a trolly or something."

20 MINUTES LATER

Pine was walking up the stairs of his waterfront condo with Bix. The door man saw him and opened the door saying hello as he did so. Pine groaned in reply and walked in the door. Jimmy the doorman understood what was going on with Pine so he didn't take it personally. Jimmy probably would have made a joke about it had Bix not been there.

Pine lived on the fourth floor in a huge unit that was several thousand square feet. Pine forgot the actual footage but it was about a quarter of the floor. When Pine opened the door the hallway was white with marble flooring all the way into the rather generously sized kitchen. The rest of the flooring was solid hardwood (Maple), save the washrooms which were also marble flooring. His walls were pretty bare as Pine cared not for decoration.

A giant living room which had three couches, a 50'' flat screen wall mounted LCD T.V., a lazy boy, a playstation three and top a of the line Boss home speaker system. Pine went over the the couch and basically flung himself onto it. He looked over at Bix who was no doubt shocked at what she saw.

"This place has the living room you see here, the kitchen over there, the dining room over there, and four bedrooms including the master and about three bathrooms. The best part about it is I live here all by myself. Feel free to explore if you wish. You'll find everything you need in the kitchen though." He said not bothering to get up. The walk had done a good job of draining much of his remaining energy stores.