Inner Mind

[Erlind]

"Good," I say to all of it.

"I always feel like people I don't know will take things the wrong way and it leaves me unsure of what to say. Usually, I don't give two craps what people think of me, but here the people I'm talking to tend to be good writers I want to continue writing with."

 

[Kaena]

I get up off my chair reluctantly.

"Well, unfortunately, I must take my leave once again."

I head towards the door.

"Have a good night"

I disappear once again into the night.

 

[Erlind]

"Sleep well, Kaena."

 

[Erlind]

I storm into the Inner Mind and fling a particularly nondescript book at the wall.

"Days off should not make you feel worse!" As I announce this to the empty room the untitled tome hits the floor with a solid thunk. Outside seems darker than usual and though the lights are on and the fire burns bright, the shadows of out there seem to invade the room. The little piece of metal beneath my shirt burns coldly a little, but I ignore it.

Instead, I halfheartedly storm over to the nice big leather chair and slide into it, properly for once. I stare into the fire at the center of the room and slip into some rather deep, rather unimportant thought.

 

[Kaena]

I slip cautiously into the room, sensing that he isn't in the best of moods. I make my way to my usual chair and grab an ice cold glass of water from the near by table.

"Good evening. Sorry to intrude if you don't wish to have company tonight"

 

[Erlind]

My eyes don't break from the fire until she speaks. I didn't even notice her enter. I really must be out of it.

"No, you're fine. Just in a crappy mood and I don't have a reason to be. Makes it hard to fix."

I slump a little in the chair, but finally actually turn my gaze to her.

"Feeling any better yourself?"

 

[Kaena]

"No, not really. Well, actually, now I feel like crap for another reason. The heat is giving me a migraine, which I don't have any meds for at the moment. Oh well, it will pass eventually"

I take a sip of my water and watch him as he gazes into the fire.

"rough day?"

 

[Erlind]

"No. That's the part getting under my skin though. I feel like crap for no particularly good reason. Nice lazy day. Had a decent enough breakfast. Nothing to worry about. Plenty to keep me entertained. However, I am restless, uninspired, and a little angry and I can't figure out why."

 

[Kaena]

"Sounds like I felt when I got home today. I had a good day off, spent some time with a friend and then just felt angry as soon as I got home. But, myself, my brother was the contributing factor in that. That and the fact that I am not looking forward to working 6 days in a row in this heat."

I lean back into the cushions of the chair for a second and close my eyes, trying to will my headache away.

"I hope your night gets better. I am here for company for awhile, and I posted in our thread. If that helps any" I smile softly.

 

[Erlind]

"I don't envy you and thank you. Distractions are always a great help."

As if to prove a point I remain very distracted.

 

[Kaena]

"Hmm, now I have to think of another reply. Hopefully my headache doesnt impede my creativity tonight. I will do my best to keep you distracted."

 

[Erlind]

"Thank you Kaena. I think you make a wonderful distraction."

 

[Kaena]

I smile at him, noticing he isnt that talkative tonight.

"I know how to distract you. How about you come over here and take care of this knot in my shoulder. I remember your strong hands from last time, they definitely got the job done."

 

[Erlind]

I smirk.

"I'm sure the back rub is all for my sake."

Despite my snarky comment I rise and move behind where Kaena sits. Strong hands begin working on her shoulders.

 

[Kaena]

I smile and shake my head at his comment.

"Yes, entirely for your benefit" I say, leaning back into his hands, groaning softly as his fingers press against the knots causing my headache.

 

[Erlind]

I shake my head a little, but smile.

"What can I say, I enjoy making a woman groan."

I continue to knead her shoulders slowly working out the knots.

 

[Kaena]

I feel the knots starting to loosen, but, my headache continues to pound. I groan again at the pleasure of his hands on my shoulders.

"Well, then I have accomplished what I set out to do. Keep you distracted and let you do something you enjoy" I smile again.

 

[Erlind]

I continue my ministration, but my mind has wandered considerably. As it returns it finds itself in a definitively different state.

"So are you really a tiger?" The question is formed in my mind just as it leaves my mouth, but I find I am curious about my guest's feline nature.

 

[Kaena]

I am taken back at the sudden change of subject, but I brush it off as his curiosity, considering he really doesn't know that much about me. Since I don't usually bring up my feline persona very often except in some role play, I contemplate what to say before answering.

"Not necessarily a tiger in itself," I answer, happy that he has continued his massage of my shoulders, despite the distraction. "I am more of a assortment of felines, panther, leopard, tiger. All depending on the situation. I guess a feline chimera of sorts, if that makes sense. Initially it was just panther, but evolved from there."

I stop before I say more, realizing he could be talking about tiger as in wild side or personality wise and I might have just made myself look a little crazy.

 

[Erlind]

"Fair enough. Change is good. Honestly, I rather like the strong variety in the people in the lounges. It keeps things interesting. I never picked up any animalistic traits, but I appreciate them," I muse idly.

My hands continue their work eager to help Kaena feel more relaxed in a place meant for relaxation.

"I feel a bit silly saying it, but I'm kind of ... shadowy? Not made out of them just very ... connected. I step out of them, produce things from them." I shrug feeling much more awkward than I usually have any right to be.

"Maybe that's not even quite right. I don't think I have a good grip on what I am. Describing myself, even in normal contexts, isn't something I do well."

 

[Kaena]

"I understand what you mean, you don't have to explain," I say, smiling as my muscles relax more.

"I usually only use my persona in my writing, not in real life really."

 

[Erlind]

"Well right. I just meant even when faced with one of those give us things ways you describe yourself or what is important to know about you? questions, I don't know what to say. I can list things I've done, but not condense that into who I am. And frankly even showing what I've done doesn't well explain who I am."

"I know when I look in the mirror the image is distorted and not who I am, but I can't explain what should be different. Or maybe I'm just thinking about this too hard. Eh."

 

[Kaena]

I contemplate what he is saying, not sure if anything I say can be reassuring.

"Well sometimes who you are doesnt need to be defined by words, just actions, in my opinion."

 

[Erlind]

"Fair enough."

I lean in and begin kissing the soft skin of her neck. My hands wander slowly across the front of her body unable to settle anywhere. Wherever this leads I am done with words for the moment.

 

[Kaena]

I reach up and stop his hands from wandering too far and look up at him with a smile, shivering at the kiss on my neck.

"A little forward are you?" I say, smiling so he knows that I am not entirely put off by his actions.

I remove my hand from his to allow him to continue.