Inner Mind

[Erlind]

I pulled my book to my lap and opened it. A Brief History of the Vikings. Not sure why I picked it up originally, but its actually turning out to be a pretty good read. I get lost in my book for a little while again. When I look up I realize a lot of time has passed but my innocent visitor is still standing though in view now.

She has this quiet beauty about her. It makes me smile a soft warm grin. I pat the couch next to me.

"Sit."

Its not commanding or stern, but more like a host insisting a guest offer his hospitality. I lean over to the coffee table and grab a steam mug of tea from a tray that wasn't there before. There's another empty mug for her. Also resting on the tray is a pot of coffee, a teapot, and a pitcher of lemonade.

I go back to my book as I wait for her to accept my invitation.

 

[choklatekoneko]

She saw his grin, and it made her smile a bit. She did as he said, and sat gently, crossing her legs softly as she looked around his room, biting her lip a bit nervously. She jumped as she saw him lean and tilted her head, wondering when that tray got there. She didn't realize how thirsty she was until she saw it, and looked back at him. He was in his book, but she nodded softly to herself and grabbed the mug, looking around for the milk only.

 

[Erlind]

She sits daintily and takes a mug, but takes nothing to drink. I watch as the young woman searches for something else. I look at her for a moment and stroke my chin thoughtfully for a moment. There's more than a little stubble as I haven't shaved since morning and that was a long way back.

"Milk," I say more to myself than her. I'm not sure how, but I feel certain that is what she is looking for. I get up and walk over to another wayward chair. I pull at the side of it until the door to the fridge hidden in it swings open and I produce a carton of milk and set it on the coffee table for her.

"How has your night been treating you, stranger?"

 

[choklatekoneko]

Whimpered a bit, but as he says the words, she turned, looking at him, smiling a bit. She was wondering how he knew, but didn't question. She watched him as he stood, wondering where he was going. She gasped a bit, seeing the hidden fridge. She giggled softly, watching him come back. This time she takes the carton, pouring a nice glass and sips it, a soft purr escaping. She looked at him, and shrugged at him question.

"It's...been okay. How about you?"

 

[Erlind]

"A nice relaxing night. I've been a bit distracted, but some nights are like that, I guess."

I drink some of the tea and set it back on the table. The book is set aside as well.

"I'm Erlind by the way. I can't remember if I've ever introduced myself."

 

[choklatekoneko]

Smiled at him, nodding. She had been distracted as well, so she definitely understood. She watched him drink, and bit her lip softly.

"I'm Neko. Or CK. You can call me whatever you like."
She sipped her milk again, moaning softly at the taste.

 

[Erlind]

"Well, its a pleasure to have such a beautiful young woman in my little corner of unreality, Neko."

She really is a beauty. How nervous and shy she is only compliments her natural beauty and lithe form. I suddenly find myself touching her hair just to find out how soft it is. My hand runs down her soft locks.

"Is there a reason you like to lurk in my shadows, Neko? I'm not upset, by any means, only curious."

 

[choklatekoneko]

She couldn't help blush softly. She was happy being called beautiful. She jumped as she felt his hand, freezing a bit. She wasn't expecting it. She looked at him softly, and blinked, her blush growing deep as he ran a finger through her black curls. She heard his question and swallowed softly, shrugging.

"I...don't really know. I just....saw a new place. I like new places."

 

[Erlind]

I hate it when the real world interrupts my time here. My power goes out and I end up cut off from my preferred world. Neko is long gone as I knew she would be. I hope she doesn't think I tired of her when I had only begun to get to know her. Perhaps if she appears again we can go exploring.

I clean up the tray and drinks from the night, before settling back onto the couch with my book.

 

[Erlind]

Another night, it wouldn't hurt to be asleep already. Another night I'm not and probably won't be for a while. Can't sleep. Don't want to. Won't.

I wander the cracked stone pathways that surround my online home. My hands are buried deep in a long brown coat as cold winds tug at me. It feels good to be cold sometimes, but only natural cold like this. Air conditioning really doesn't cut it.

I stop and sit on the edge of the worked stone. My feet dangle over the edge as I stare down past all of the arches of nonsensical architecture to the darkness above. After a while I like up to the storm clouds far above. Lightning will sometimes tear across followed by thunder, but it never rains.

I sit and ponder.

 

[choklatekoneko]

Again she lurks. Why is she here? She didn't really understand. She was just a kitteh, roaming, looking for a lap to seat in- especially since she didn't have a home. And..the place interested her--she wanted to know more. She stood in the shadows this time, waiting, and watching him. She decides to wait inside, and scurries in.

 

[Erlind]

After a long thoughtful time spent in the quiet of the wind I get up and head back inside. I spent too long out there and have gotten numb with the chill. The door to my home opens easily and I hurry inside glad to be warm.

I move over to a big chair near the fire, it's kind of a dark chocolate color. Sitting down I suddenly feel something is different about my familiar home. I look around and again back out of sight is the young beauty that has been paying me visits.

"Neko, what a pleasant surprise. Come over here."

 

[choklatekoneko]

She smiled at him brightly. This time, she wasn't in the shadows. She blushed softly, biting her lip as she walked over, and sits on the floor.

 

[Erlind]

Its so odd to see her take a seat on the floor at my feet. I want to offer her someplace comfier, but there was chairs and the like available and she didn't take them.

"You're having a pleasant night, I hope."

I feel awkward exchanging the same pleasantries again. I want to know more about the mysterious kitten that continues to visit my little corner of the universe, but what questions do you ask? I had startled her a little when I'd stroked her hair that other night and I don't want to scare her away.

 

[choklatekoneko]

She sat comfortably. She wanted to be on the floor. It was warm, and of course, she liked being warm.

She heard his words and nodded softly, looking around. She was intrigued. And that's why she kept coming back.


"Why...do you stay here?"

 

[Erlind]

Now there was a question. I rub my chin as I think, trying to formulate the best explanation more than really find the answer.

"I like to think this place is what my mind is like, but really its not. I can control this place and that's something not so easily done with our own minds. Maybe I just wanted a place people could visit me. My small attempt to be social, something I'm not always known for."

I pause for a moment, thinking I'm finished, but something else pops into my head.

"I was to like going on long walks, especially into parks that didn't see as much use. I particularly liked it when I could go for walks in the bitter cold. When I had a lot on my mind it really helped me. I always imagined meeting a stranger and talking over life with them for hours before returning home. Unfortunately, its not the kind of thing that is always practical. This place allows me that little escape too I guess. And much better chance the stranger will want to talk and not mug me or something."

 

[choklatekoneko]

She listened to him intensely, saying nothing, curling up a bit. She was comfortable.

"Why aren't you very social?"

The question was asked softly, and she tilted her head, her eyes looking curiously.

 

[Erlind]

I sigh. She doesn't ask easy questions. I lean forward a little more, elbows on my knees.

"Just so you know I had a whole other couple of paragraphs written before I got this far. It boils down to a couple of things. I forget about people is probably one of the biggest. If I left myself to my own devices I'd rarely talk to anyone besides general pleasantries as I pass by."

"The next biggest thing is that there are a lot of people out in the world that I rather don't like. They think they know a lot more than they do. They put others around them down without a slightest thought. Ignorance. I find it easiest if I just don't deal with them. I'm pretty arrogant in the way I view the world, I know."

I'm quiet for a bit as I wonder just how this young woman sitting on my floor is dragging all of this out of me.

"Then when I do want to be social I find myself at a loss. I remove myself so much that it becomes difficult when I do step forward. Out of practice, I guess."

 

[choklatekoneko]

She didn't know how to respond. She felt a little happy that he was confiding in her. At least a little. She gave a small yawn and looked around, smiling.

"You shouldn't. I suppose you're right. I'm too nice for my own good."

 

[Erlind]

"Being too nice is a flaw a lot more people should have," I tell her smiling.

I get out of my chair and move over to a tangled pile of blankets and pillows near the fire. I half collapse into them, only peaking up so I can talk to my guest.

"I stayed up too late. I knew I was going to, but I'm going to have a rough day tomorrow. You don't have to leave, but I am going to sleep."

 

[choklatekoneko]

She blushed a bit, and watched him, biting her lip. She crawled over, playing with a strand of her curly hair. She covered him up a bit as she smiled softly, nodding. "Alright. I'll stay. Sleep well." She spoke the words softly, and as she saw his eyes close, stood silently, standing up and going into the chair. She curled up, falling asleep, slightly purring.

 

[Erlind]

I sucked this weekend. Normally I don't write much on my work nights and I catch up on my weekends. Tonight is my Sunday and I haven't written shit. I get being in a funk every once in a while, but I seriously seem to be getting worse and worse about this kind of thing. I even had a cool little piece about a sealed library I was going to try to post here and I haven't managed to get it together.

Maybe I need to change my approach? Maybe I need to start some new stuff? Maybe I just need to buckle down and do some writing. Even if its not here I just need to freaking write. What is up with me lately?

 

[choklatekoneko]

She was waiting. Maybe...not....waiting. But when he had awaken that next morning, she was gone- even as a hot tray of coffee was next to him, waiting for him to drink. She lurked occasionally, around, in the woods. She didn't really have a home, and took comfort when she could. She saw the light on and lurked in the shadows once more, before stepping out, revealing herself. She wasn't as shy as she was before.

 

[Erlind]

I had been a bit lost in thought, as I seem to be perpetually lately, and hadn't noticed her appear. As soon as I see her I look up and smile.

"Its good to see you, Neko. Having a pleasant night, I hope."

I pat a spot on the couch next to me as an offer for her to come over and sit.

 

[choklatekoneko]

She smiled back at him, walking, a natural sway to hips as she sits.

"Hi. I am. How is your night going?"