((Tabitha Gweneth continued from Meet Again))
Cold. That was how Tabitha Gweneth felt. No amount of clothing or fire could stoke the warmth inside of her.
Ivan had lead her away from the town. Lead her away from the remains of what had transpired that day. Lead her away from the site of Clio's body. The woman who she had killed with her own hands.
As the evening turned into night, the pain in her head was starting to dim. There were low rumbles and her balance was still uneven, but she had found it easier to shuffle behind her companion now.
But there was a catch...
In its place, the images grew more vivid. Replaying in Tabitha's mind with each passing step. The click of the trigger. The bang from the pistol. The screams in pain. No matter how much she tried to block the sounds, they were now engraved in her memory and nothing would see it cease.
Her trembling fingers were still latched onto Ivan's hand, but the grip was starten to slip. Her free arm was still hugging her belly in a desperate attempt to bring comfort. A hope that was left with little in return.
Everyone had seen. The whole world had seen it happen. The world now knew how Tabitha Gweneth was a killer.
Of the whole world though, there were two people in this world who truly mattered. Only two who saw their daughter on the TV screen back home...
A large fence was coming into view and Ivan was leading her towards it. She merely let herself be herded along. She was in no state to move on her own. Once there, they stopped and the grip that they shared had finally parted. Tabitha's knees shook and her hands drubbed against the plastic chain links. Gently she slid down until her body finally rest on the hard floor.
Her body curled gently into a ball shape. Her arms hugged her knees, pulling them closer to her chest. She rested her head in the space between and held it there. Her gaze, lay fixed in the distance, there was nothing there to be seen, but her eyes did not falter.
Neither of them exchanged words throughout the night. Tabitha did not even look to her partner. She just stared into the night. The sound of her whisping breath the only audible noise. Her entire body ached, it had ached ever since the afternoon and did not cease. The pain was everywhere, it was in her legs, her feet, her arms, her head and her gut.
Mom...Dad...
Tabitha did not sleep that night. The hours passed her by, but the pain did not stop. Although Ivan was siting next to her, Tabitha could not help but feel as if she was on her own. When light finally came, it brought heat, but it did not bring warmth.
Tabitha was still cold...
The Sound of Silence
Private Thread
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GregTheAnti-Viking†
- Posts: 267
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The Sound of Silence
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler GregTheAnti-Viking. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
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MK Kilmarnock
- Posts: 1931
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:28 am
- Location: On one of the coasts, generally
((Ivan Kuznetsov continued from Meet Again))
The most hellish day of each of their lives thus far was over for now, but the night and the following morning can't always wash away the the sadness. With the way the sky looked, dawn was just around the corner. The sun would soon come to warm them up the rest of the way, yet Tabi was still curled up, even shivering a little. Ivan felt guilty for not giving in to the slight urge to hug her, to hold her close, as slight as the urge itself may be. He simply couldn't bring himself to do it and cross that boundary when she was in such a state. Also, it was more than likely that it wasn't the cold she was shivering from.
So here they were, sitting under the laughable shelter of a tree that stood adjacent to the tennis court. It had been so dark when they managed to fumble their way here, but as daylight came, it would likely reveal the body of the girl laying in the court, and possibly even the nearby crate that held his shotgun, assuming it was still there. He decided not to bring up that this was where he went to pick up his weapon. That simply wasn't the thing Tabi wanted to hear right now.
But what did she want to hear? What could he say to make her feel better or to relieve the pain? He had been in her position, he knew how terrible it felt when he had killed somebody, but what did she say to him when he felt like that? There was something... he tried to remember, when he was there on the riverbank and she was in the bath. She said something, shattering him. Did she forgive him? Did he want him to forgive her?
What if he didn't think she did anything wrong? What if there was nothing to forgive?
He was at an endless loss for words. Each time something sounded good, a moment's thought made it sound terrible. What could he do... why wouldn't Tabi say anything?
SCREEEEEEEEEEEECH.
That noise. That terrible, terrible noise.
In a fine example of Pavlovl-style conditioning, he had learned to dread the creaking of the PA system, as it never brought good news. Only the impending death of more and more of their classmates, who would have to fall systematically if any of them were to survive. Ivan quickly glanced at Tabi's unmoving form before looking back up, making a vain attempt to try and see one of the sources of the noise.
The monster in charge of all of this was as cheery as usual, speaking about who had died, who had made it to the next day... so on and so forth. As he rattled off the names, Ivan remembered back to the first announcement. None of the names had mattered to him except Keith, his own personal crime. He didn't have any of the poor children that were slaughtered, but he couldn't bring himself to open up his heart to them. If he made himself that weak, he'd cry at every name, and he just couldn't do that.
But the names were bothering him now. Because each time Danya said a name, Ivan knew Clio's would be next. It was right around the corner.
He put his hand down next to Tabi to support himself, looking at the girl. She needed to be strong... she could get through this.
The most hellish day of each of their lives thus far was over for now, but the night and the following morning can't always wash away the the sadness. With the way the sky looked, dawn was just around the corner. The sun would soon come to warm them up the rest of the way, yet Tabi was still curled up, even shivering a little. Ivan felt guilty for not giving in to the slight urge to hug her, to hold her close, as slight as the urge itself may be. He simply couldn't bring himself to do it and cross that boundary when she was in such a state. Also, it was more than likely that it wasn't the cold she was shivering from.
So here they were, sitting under the laughable shelter of a tree that stood adjacent to the tennis court. It had been so dark when they managed to fumble their way here, but as daylight came, it would likely reveal the body of the girl laying in the court, and possibly even the nearby crate that held his shotgun, assuming it was still there. He decided not to bring up that this was where he went to pick up his weapon. That simply wasn't the thing Tabi wanted to hear right now.
But what did she want to hear? What could he say to make her feel better or to relieve the pain? He had been in her position, he knew how terrible it felt when he had killed somebody, but what did she say to him when he felt like that? There was something... he tried to remember, when he was there on the riverbank and she was in the bath. She said something, shattering him. Did she forgive him? Did he want him to forgive her?
What if he didn't think she did anything wrong? What if there was nothing to forgive?
He was at an endless loss for words. Each time something sounded good, a moment's thought made it sound terrible. What could he do... why wouldn't Tabi say anything?
SCREEEEEEEEEEEECH.
That noise. That terrible, terrible noise.
In a fine example of Pavlovl-style conditioning, he had learned to dread the creaking of the PA system, as it never brought good news. Only the impending death of more and more of their classmates, who would have to fall systematically if any of them were to survive. Ivan quickly glanced at Tabi's unmoving form before looking back up, making a vain attempt to try and see one of the sources of the noise.
The monster in charge of all of this was as cheery as usual, speaking about who had died, who had made it to the next day... so on and so forth. As he rattled off the names, Ivan remembered back to the first announcement. None of the names had mattered to him except Keith, his own personal crime. He didn't have any of the poor children that were slaughtered, but he couldn't bring himself to open up his heart to them. If he made himself that weak, he'd cry at every name, and he just couldn't do that.
But the names were bothering him now. Because each time Danya said a name, Ivan knew Clio's would be next. It was right around the corner.
He put his hand down next to Tabi to support himself, looking at the girl. She needed to be strong... she could get through this.
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GregTheAnti-Viking†
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2018 6:10 am
The sound of the voice on the loudspeaker made Tabitha Gweneth flinch. It was that man again. Danya. He was going to talk about what happened in the streets of town. He was going to talk about how Clio Gabriella was now dead. He was going to reveal how she had died.
Most important of all, he would confirm to Tabitha, that she was the one who killed her. There was no chance now that she would be able to escape. She had been painted in her corner.
Tabitha was trying her hardest to keep still. Her eyes were cast out into the pastel skyline, not a single cloud was hiding the morning away from her. It was looking as if it was going to be a wonderful morning. A wonderful morning, but not for her...
The names were rifled through at an alarmingly slow rate. With every name, Tabitha found it harder and harder to hold it in. Breathing became increasingly erratic, wavering as name after name was recited. Her name had not been called yet, but it had to be close, it had to be soon.
"Someone finally managed to extract a little measure of revenge out of one of our big killers."
This was it, the moment that Tabitha Gweneth was dreading. Her body was quivering again, the anticipation was killing her. With her breath held and her cheeks swelled, she waited.
"Clio Gabriella is no more."
Her heart was beating like a hammer. Her eyes were starting to mist.
"Shot by Tabitha Gweneth."
That was it. There was little that she could say now. Tabitha could not hide behind it now. It had been an accident. Her hand had slipped. But nobody would see that. Not even her parents.
Her head drooped down, burying in between her legs. Her head was starting to shake as the tears began to flow. She did not make a sound, lest Ivan should here her now.
If her mother and father hadn't seen the action, if they did not watch a single moment of it all until now. They would still know. How could they not know now? She wished that she could sink where she sat now. Become something that wasn't there, just a piece of the scenery.
"We were awfully impressed by the work of Ms. Gweneth. There's a new toy waiting for you in the Town Center."
Tabitha's head rose out of her nest. A new...toy? The realization took a moment for her, but when she caught on, her lips began to quiver. There was only one reason that people got "toys" from Danya. When their kill... when their kill impressed them. The best kill of the day.
Her wavering hands started to dab her face. She was starting to cry now, but she was trying to keep it in. She didn't mean to do it. Why did Tabitha get a prize for ending someones life?
Her right hand drooped to the soft grassy floor. There was something there. Something solid that had caused her hand to recoil in fear. It was a hand, a hand that was coarse, but familiar. She turned over to see Ivan staring back at her. He was still here, he had been here through all of this. He was still here now.
Days ago, Ivan was in the same spot she had been. He had killed Keith Christoph and he had been rewarded. He had been able to handle it before.
Maybe...maybe she could too...but...she couldn't do it alone...
Tabitha's hand gingerly inched towards the Russian boy's hand. Her fingers gently wormed their way into his, gently mixing in with his own. His hand was warm to her, it was comforting.
Her gaze turned back into the distance she didn't wish to show Ivan her face. Not right now, she wasn't ready now. Not yet.
Sucking in another deep breath, before she closed her eyes; Tabi Gweneth squeezed Ivan's hand as hard as she could muster.
At first, it was a series of small noises. Little peeps that escaped her lips. Soon they became little hiccups, mixing in with her own unstable breathing. Finally, they evolved into full fledged sobs.
Tabi's body was now convulsing in cadence with her crying. It was as if the bolt that kept her restrained had been loosened off. Her body was starting to slink down as the chain fence ran down her back.
As she opened her eyes, her vision was now blurry with light and mist. But as far as she was concerned, as long as she was still squeezing Ivan's hand, she was safe.
He was still here. And she wouldn't let go now. Tabi still kept squeezing.
Most important of all, he would confirm to Tabitha, that she was the one who killed her. There was no chance now that she would be able to escape. She had been painted in her corner.
Tabitha was trying her hardest to keep still. Her eyes were cast out into the pastel skyline, not a single cloud was hiding the morning away from her. It was looking as if it was going to be a wonderful morning. A wonderful morning, but not for her...
The names were rifled through at an alarmingly slow rate. With every name, Tabitha found it harder and harder to hold it in. Breathing became increasingly erratic, wavering as name after name was recited. Her name had not been called yet, but it had to be close, it had to be soon.
"Someone finally managed to extract a little measure of revenge out of one of our big killers."
This was it, the moment that Tabitha Gweneth was dreading. Her body was quivering again, the anticipation was killing her. With her breath held and her cheeks swelled, she waited.
"Clio Gabriella is no more."
Her heart was beating like a hammer. Her eyes were starting to mist.
"Shot by Tabitha Gweneth."
That was it. There was little that she could say now. Tabitha could not hide behind it now. It had been an accident. Her hand had slipped. But nobody would see that. Not even her parents.
Her head drooped down, burying in between her legs. Her head was starting to shake as the tears began to flow. She did not make a sound, lest Ivan should here her now.
If her mother and father hadn't seen the action, if they did not watch a single moment of it all until now. They would still know. How could they not know now? She wished that she could sink where she sat now. Become something that wasn't there, just a piece of the scenery.
"We were awfully impressed by the work of Ms. Gweneth. There's a new toy waiting for you in the Town Center."
Tabitha's head rose out of her nest. A new...toy? The realization took a moment for her, but when she caught on, her lips began to quiver. There was only one reason that people got "toys" from Danya. When their kill... when their kill impressed them. The best kill of the day.
Her wavering hands started to dab her face. She was starting to cry now, but she was trying to keep it in. She didn't mean to do it. Why did Tabitha get a prize for ending someones life?
Her right hand drooped to the soft grassy floor. There was something there. Something solid that had caused her hand to recoil in fear. It was a hand, a hand that was coarse, but familiar. She turned over to see Ivan staring back at her. He was still here, he had been here through all of this. He was still here now.
Days ago, Ivan was in the same spot she had been. He had killed Keith Christoph and he had been rewarded. He had been able to handle it before.
Maybe...maybe she could too...but...she couldn't do it alone...
Tabitha's hand gingerly inched towards the Russian boy's hand. Her fingers gently wormed their way into his, gently mixing in with his own. His hand was warm to her, it was comforting.
Her gaze turned back into the distance she didn't wish to show Ivan her face. Not right now, she wasn't ready now. Not yet.
Sucking in another deep breath, before she closed her eyes; Tabi Gweneth squeezed Ivan's hand as hard as she could muster.
At first, it was a series of small noises. Little peeps that escaped her lips. Soon they became little hiccups, mixing in with her own unstable breathing. Finally, they evolved into full fledged sobs.
Tabi's body was now convulsing in cadence with her crying. It was as if the bolt that kept her restrained had been loosened off. Her body was starting to slink down as the chain fence ran down her back.
As she opened her eyes, her vision was now blurry with light and mist. But as far as she was concerned, as long as she was still squeezing Ivan's hand, she was safe.
He was still here. And she wouldn't let go now. Tabi still kept squeezing.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler GregTheAnti-Viking. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
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MK Kilmarnock
- Posts: 1931
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:28 am
- Location: On one of the coasts, generally
There were so many things he felt like he should have been doing for her, but Ivan could do nothing, as though he were frozen in place. So, the terrorists had decided her actions were every bit as worthy of a reward as his were. They truly were going through the exact same things, and yet he could only let her sit there and take it all straight to the heart. To think that they had been cruel enough to drop this on her, to suggest that she was a monster at all... it was so hurtful. Ivan looked to the wreck sitting next to him and wondered just how anybody could think ill of her.
He looked down at his own outstretched legs, feeling uneasy about just watching Tabi sit there with that look on her face, clearly in immense pain. After all, part of this was his fault anyway, wasn't it? Killing Clio had to be done, but it was his responsibility after what she did to the both of them. They had both tried to get away, but in her determination to survive and be the last one standing, Clio had cornered them both. Ivan should've been able to finish the fight and kill Clio herself, taking care of Simon if he really had to. Instead, he had failed and forced Tabi's hand. He may as well have pushed the gun into her shaking fingertips and screamed at her to pull the trigger. Now look at her.
He only brought himself to look back at her when he felt a hand cover his. A moment's inspection showed Tabi had just accidentally dropped her hand onto his. It was only polite to pull his hand back and mumble an apology, maybe giving the girl some space to have a good cry by herself. That was probably what she wanted. Before he could act on this, though, Tabi reset her hand onto his, holding it with a deliberate and firm tone. She looked away, which he thought might've been a sign that perhaps he should move his hand anyway.
His hand would not move.
The very first few chirps of Tabi's voice shattered something. It was a deeply terrible sound - gentle on the ears, but murder on just about everything else. The PA system's hiss and whine, Imraan laying down the law, the screams and wailings of Clio as she bled out on the ground, and even the pulpy mashings of the branch coming down on an already-dead Keith, all of those paled in comparison to this. They were only so horrible because they were so instantly identifiable. It was only a matter of time before the girl finally broke down and sobbed, but she squeezed his hand the entire time. Tighter and tighter she squeezed, making the boy feel, if just for a moment, that it showed just how strong she really was.
Silence continued to grip at his throat while he lost himself in what to say to her. What could reach her in the darkest of her hours? His hand gave a little squeeze back, just to show her that he was trying at the very least. He couldn't do much to help her pull through like this, and yet it was the least he could do. Ivan never expected the next move to come.
Tabi turned to him and pulled on his shoulders, locking herself in close. Before the gesture could even sink in, her arms had locked above his arms and around his back, sobbing into the embrace. Ivan sat perfectly still, wide-eyed and confused at the sudden movement. There were no sounds anymore; Danya and his foreboding message had left them alone together, and Tabi's sobs were all he could hear. Her weeping spurred him on, willing him to support her. To do something more than he had been asked. Gradually but strongly, his arms rose to hug her close to him.
He hugged her tighter than he had anybody before.
He looked down at his own outstretched legs, feeling uneasy about just watching Tabi sit there with that look on her face, clearly in immense pain. After all, part of this was his fault anyway, wasn't it? Killing Clio had to be done, but it was his responsibility after what she did to the both of them. They had both tried to get away, but in her determination to survive and be the last one standing, Clio had cornered them both. Ivan should've been able to finish the fight and kill Clio herself, taking care of Simon if he really had to. Instead, he had failed and forced Tabi's hand. He may as well have pushed the gun into her shaking fingertips and screamed at her to pull the trigger. Now look at her.
He only brought himself to look back at her when he felt a hand cover his. A moment's inspection showed Tabi had just accidentally dropped her hand onto his. It was only polite to pull his hand back and mumble an apology, maybe giving the girl some space to have a good cry by herself. That was probably what she wanted. Before he could act on this, though, Tabi reset her hand onto his, holding it with a deliberate and firm tone. She looked away, which he thought might've been a sign that perhaps he should move his hand anyway.
His hand would not move.
The very first few chirps of Tabi's voice shattered something. It was a deeply terrible sound - gentle on the ears, but murder on just about everything else. The PA system's hiss and whine, Imraan laying down the law, the screams and wailings of Clio as she bled out on the ground, and even the pulpy mashings of the branch coming down on an already-dead Keith, all of those paled in comparison to this. They were only so horrible because they were so instantly identifiable. It was only a matter of time before the girl finally broke down and sobbed, but she squeezed his hand the entire time. Tighter and tighter she squeezed, making the boy feel, if just for a moment, that it showed just how strong she really was.
Silence continued to grip at his throat while he lost himself in what to say to her. What could reach her in the darkest of her hours? His hand gave a little squeeze back, just to show her that he was trying at the very least. He couldn't do much to help her pull through like this, and yet it was the least he could do. Ivan never expected the next move to come.
Tabi turned to him and pulled on his shoulders, locking herself in close. Before the gesture could even sink in, her arms had locked above his arms and around his back, sobbing into the embrace. Ivan sat perfectly still, wide-eyed and confused at the sudden movement. There were no sounds anymore; Danya and his foreboding message had left them alone together, and Tabi's sobs were all he could hear. Her weeping spurred him on, willing him to support her. To do something more than he had been asked. Gradually but strongly, his arms rose to hug her close to him.
He hugged her tighter than he had anybody before.
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GregTheAnti-Viking†
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2018 6:10 am
Tabi Gweneth never expected the squeeze back. It had caught her off guard, and for a moment, her crying had ceased. Tabi gently rubbed her fingers in between his own. Her free hand tried to whipe the tears lingering in the corner of her eyes. She stared up to Ivan, sniffing gently.
He was here, staring down at her. Watching over her as she cried. The two of them had gone through so much. Ivan still had dried blood on his face, and signs of where Clio had cut him. He looked so calm, so in control.
Tabi propped herself up and shuffled herself closer to Ivan. She needed someone to hold onto, a person to cry into. Ivan look of concern spurred her into action. She propped onto her knees, and shuffled inches closer to him.
Her arm jerked towards Ivan's shoulder, resting gingerly on the one the wound. She brought her cheek into his chest and for a moment, held it there. She didn't want to let go of the hand. There was a fear there, if only for a moment. A fear of what might happen, should she let her hand slip away. She took a wavered breath before she let go.
The tears were flowing again and her arm quickly draped itself over Ivan's other shoulder. Her face then nuzzled into the fabric of Ivan's shirt, resting her head in his chest. She had begun to shake again, how was it possible that Ivan was still here? How could he be so calm, so inviting to her. After what she had just done? Why was he mearly sitting there, letting her wail into his chest. Nobody would be able to do this. It just didn't make sense. It left her scared.
The arms of Ivan were suddenly on her back. His fingers, gently pressed against her back before squeezing her tightly, pressing the two of them closer together. He didn't say a word, didn't make a sound. he just quietly held her tight, keeping her as close as he could muster.
Light gasps escaped in rapid succession as Tabi struggled to find air in between sobs. Her body was still quivering, but as air surged into her lungs, the girl was finding control. The shirt was now damp with her tears but, Ivan said nothing and just let her cry.
Minutes passed, and Ivan's body shifted. His hands now grabbed onto Tabi's shoulders, pushing her off of his body. Her head rose up to look at Ivan, but his body gave no clues. His hands moved up to her face, and the girl inhaled sharply. His head shot back for a moment, as if she was something to stay away from. Tabi sniffled again, blinking back tears. Ivan sighed before moving in towards her again. His thumbs gently brushed away the water under her eyes. She gave a small hiccup, her breathing quiet, but wavering.
Tabi's body was still trembling. Ivan's blue eyes gave no hints, no giveaways for how he was feeling. He was still a statue. His face began to inch closer and closer to her own, causing Tabi to flinch back, if only for a second.
Ivan gulped silently, gazing into Tabi's eyes.
He leaned in...
Tabi blinked...
Ivan placed his lips onto Tabi's and he kissed her.
When the Russian retracted, Tabi was left struck dumb. Her entire body had been warmed up and numbed in the span of one singular action. She had never expected it.
The girl looked up to her companion. Lost and looking for an answer. He gave a faint smile in response, but again, said nothing. No actual clue about what that meant.
Tabi's confusion took hold and for a moment nearly made her cry again. She had just killed someone on national television, broken down and then in response, Ivan Kuznetsov, the boy she had been travelling with had kissed her. Why? Why on earth would he kiss a murderer? What on earth was she supposed to do in response.
They stared at each other for a long time, only exchanging blinks at first. Tabi's gaze went to the ground, focused at first on the deep green court that they were sitting next to. She was looking away, but she could feel the gaze upon her. There was a wave of discomfort, and it had caused the girl to go red.
In resignation Tabi returned her gaze to the boy. His blue eyes were shimmering behing his green shades. Tabi's hand's shifted on her knees, edging themselves before the tennis captain.
Her face inched closer and closer, still staring at those blue eyes. She felt her gaze cast downwards once more, and she retracted.
Her breathing had become slower and her heartbeat was slowing with it.
Tabi looked back to Ivan, and inched ever closer again.
Her arms were shaking, her mind, clouded, and she found herself pulling back once more.
She felt her right hand twinging, balling into a fist and squeezing as tight as it could. She looked back up to Ivan, he still had that slim smile, that inviting smile...
Tabi moved up to Ivan's face and gently kissed Ivan.
When Tabi retreated, she felt her muscles relaxing and her body melted downwards. Ivan had kissed her. Now she returned the favour. It had been quick, the both of them. She had been too stunned to notice anything when he had done it. And in the heat of the moment, Tabi had no idea what had happened during her own kiss. It was just brief. Warm. Special.
Her gaze turned away from Ivan. Stray hairs had come between her face, obscuring her view. Breathing was heavy again, keeping in slow cadence with the rest of her body. A new question lingered into her mind, mixing in with the thoughts still stewing in her mind.
What did I just do?
He was here, staring down at her. Watching over her as she cried. The two of them had gone through so much. Ivan still had dried blood on his face, and signs of where Clio had cut him. He looked so calm, so in control.
Tabi propped herself up and shuffled herself closer to Ivan. She needed someone to hold onto, a person to cry into. Ivan look of concern spurred her into action. She propped onto her knees, and shuffled inches closer to him.
Her arm jerked towards Ivan's shoulder, resting gingerly on the one the wound. She brought her cheek into his chest and for a moment, held it there. She didn't want to let go of the hand. There was a fear there, if only for a moment. A fear of what might happen, should she let her hand slip away. She took a wavered breath before she let go.
The tears were flowing again and her arm quickly draped itself over Ivan's other shoulder. Her face then nuzzled into the fabric of Ivan's shirt, resting her head in his chest. She had begun to shake again, how was it possible that Ivan was still here? How could he be so calm, so inviting to her. After what she had just done? Why was he mearly sitting there, letting her wail into his chest. Nobody would be able to do this. It just didn't make sense. It left her scared.
The arms of Ivan were suddenly on her back. His fingers, gently pressed against her back before squeezing her tightly, pressing the two of them closer together. He didn't say a word, didn't make a sound. he just quietly held her tight, keeping her as close as he could muster.
Light gasps escaped in rapid succession as Tabi struggled to find air in between sobs. Her body was still quivering, but as air surged into her lungs, the girl was finding control. The shirt was now damp with her tears but, Ivan said nothing and just let her cry.
Minutes passed, and Ivan's body shifted. His hands now grabbed onto Tabi's shoulders, pushing her off of his body. Her head rose up to look at Ivan, but his body gave no clues. His hands moved up to her face, and the girl inhaled sharply. His head shot back for a moment, as if she was something to stay away from. Tabi sniffled again, blinking back tears. Ivan sighed before moving in towards her again. His thumbs gently brushed away the water under her eyes. She gave a small hiccup, her breathing quiet, but wavering.
Tabi's body was still trembling. Ivan's blue eyes gave no hints, no giveaways for how he was feeling. He was still a statue. His face began to inch closer and closer to her own, causing Tabi to flinch back, if only for a second.
Ivan gulped silently, gazing into Tabi's eyes.
He leaned in...
Tabi blinked...
Ivan placed his lips onto Tabi's and he kissed her.
When the Russian retracted, Tabi was left struck dumb. Her entire body had been warmed up and numbed in the span of one singular action. She had never expected it.
The girl looked up to her companion. Lost and looking for an answer. He gave a faint smile in response, but again, said nothing. No actual clue about what that meant.
Tabi's confusion took hold and for a moment nearly made her cry again. She had just killed someone on national television, broken down and then in response, Ivan Kuznetsov, the boy she had been travelling with had kissed her. Why? Why on earth would he kiss a murderer? What on earth was she supposed to do in response.
They stared at each other for a long time, only exchanging blinks at first. Tabi's gaze went to the ground, focused at first on the deep green court that they were sitting next to. She was looking away, but she could feel the gaze upon her. There was a wave of discomfort, and it had caused the girl to go red.
In resignation Tabi returned her gaze to the boy. His blue eyes were shimmering behing his green shades. Tabi's hand's shifted on her knees, edging themselves before the tennis captain.
Her face inched closer and closer, still staring at those blue eyes. She felt her gaze cast downwards once more, and she retracted.
Her breathing had become slower and her heartbeat was slowing with it.
Tabi looked back to Ivan, and inched ever closer again.
Her arms were shaking, her mind, clouded, and she found herself pulling back once more.
She felt her right hand twinging, balling into a fist and squeezing as tight as it could. She looked back up to Ivan, he still had that slim smile, that inviting smile...
Tabi moved up to Ivan's face and gently kissed Ivan.
When Tabi retreated, she felt her muscles relaxing and her body melted downwards. Ivan had kissed her. Now she returned the favour. It had been quick, the both of them. She had been too stunned to notice anything when he had done it. And in the heat of the moment, Tabi had no idea what had happened during her own kiss. It was just brief. Warm. Special.
Her gaze turned away from Ivan. Stray hairs had come between her face, obscuring her view. Breathing was heavy again, keeping in slow cadence with the rest of her body. A new question lingered into her mind, mixing in with the thoughts still stewing in her mind.
What did I just do?
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler GregTheAnti-Viking. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
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MK Kilmarnock
- Posts: 1931
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:28 am
- Location: On one of the coasts, generally
The last few moments of Ivan's mind had become so clouded so fast. From where they were, the thought that they were both in an unimaginable amount of pain was now just a memory. Somewhere in those memories, Tabi was crying. She had experienced the same trauma Ivan had and deserved it even less, while he himself could do nothing except offer his hand, and even that was accidental at first. Following the accident, it morphed into a gesture of effort, the least he could do. The best he could hope for was to ask himself what he could offer in aid. This was a question Tabi decided to answer by hugging him.
The embrace had come out of nowhere and caught the boy with his defenses down. At an earlier point in time, Ivan might have let his arms hang awkwardly at his sides, unable to return any of the hug. He may have even pushed her away. It wasn't that he had any reservations about contact in general, but Ivan had never bothered to foster any respectable connection to other students at Bayview. Aside from the occasional necessary motions or actions on the court and in other athletic settings, or the polite shaking of hands, there was no reason to initiate such contact. To hug anybody that wasn't part of his family, his mother or his brother or his aunt just seemed unnatural.
But now, there was nothing unnatural about what the two were sharing. Tabi had been weeping again, not a unique occurence, yet something made it special. Before, Ivan had handled Tabi's weaknesses and her crying as though he had been made from iron: unyielding, unforgiving. When she had her head on his shoulder, her tears trickling down onto his shirt and his hands gently working and tending to her back, he wanted to show her that it was okay to cry. There was no shame in giving in and finally letting it out, because in the end, it only meant you were human. Nobody could expect more from her.
Then, in the next instance of his memory, her head had raised and he had kissed her. The tears glistening on Tabi's cheeks changed their thoughts, if only for the moment, as he continued to hold her. His heart fluttered and he felt so giddy even when the quick peck on the lips had broken off. Tabi had blushed and withdrawn a bit, but had still been so receptive to the kiss, at least so he thought. Then, for a dark second or two, the lights in Ivan's heart dimmed when he realized that Tabi may have not exactly felt as passionately about the kiss as he had.
Then Tabi kissed him back.
It's arrival had been less expected than the kiss, and so it was all the more exciting. At that moment, it was clear that the emotions both of them were feeling were as though looking into a mirror. Just for now, their world consisted of just Tabi and Ivan, and all other things had been locked away. There was no threat of imminent death hanging over their heads, or the fear that somebody else may join them. There were only the emotions Ivan held in that first kiss to Tabi, and those that she held towards him when she returned it. Still so nervous in her movements, how she lightly caught his upper lip and quivered a little, but her arms around his back pulled him close. Everything in the world was all right, and this wasn't just 'in-the-moment'. There was no falsifying what they were both feeling, no way to cheapen it.
Feeling truly happy for the first time in almost a week, a smile slipped on to Ivan's face, and he leaned in close to kiss Tabi once more, just a little longer and a little more deeply. No matter how much time they might have together after this, he'd do all he could to improve it for her. It was the least he could do.
Everything was okay.
The embrace had come out of nowhere and caught the boy with his defenses down. At an earlier point in time, Ivan might have let his arms hang awkwardly at his sides, unable to return any of the hug. He may have even pushed her away. It wasn't that he had any reservations about contact in general, but Ivan had never bothered to foster any respectable connection to other students at Bayview. Aside from the occasional necessary motions or actions on the court and in other athletic settings, or the polite shaking of hands, there was no reason to initiate such contact. To hug anybody that wasn't part of his family, his mother or his brother or his aunt just seemed unnatural.
But now, there was nothing unnatural about what the two were sharing. Tabi had been weeping again, not a unique occurence, yet something made it special. Before, Ivan had handled Tabi's weaknesses and her crying as though he had been made from iron: unyielding, unforgiving. When she had her head on his shoulder, her tears trickling down onto his shirt and his hands gently working and tending to her back, he wanted to show her that it was okay to cry. There was no shame in giving in and finally letting it out, because in the end, it only meant you were human. Nobody could expect more from her.
Then, in the next instance of his memory, her head had raised and he had kissed her. The tears glistening on Tabi's cheeks changed their thoughts, if only for the moment, as he continued to hold her. His heart fluttered and he felt so giddy even when the quick peck on the lips had broken off. Tabi had blushed and withdrawn a bit, but had still been so receptive to the kiss, at least so he thought. Then, for a dark second or two, the lights in Ivan's heart dimmed when he realized that Tabi may have not exactly felt as passionately about the kiss as he had.
Then Tabi kissed him back.
It's arrival had been less expected than the kiss, and so it was all the more exciting. At that moment, it was clear that the emotions both of them were feeling were as though looking into a mirror. Just for now, their world consisted of just Tabi and Ivan, and all other things had been locked away. There was no threat of imminent death hanging over their heads, or the fear that somebody else may join them. There were only the emotions Ivan held in that first kiss to Tabi, and those that she held towards him when she returned it. Still so nervous in her movements, how she lightly caught his upper lip and quivered a little, but her arms around his back pulled him close. Everything in the world was all right, and this wasn't just 'in-the-moment'. There was no falsifying what they were both feeling, no way to cheapen it.
Feeling truly happy for the first time in almost a week, a smile slipped on to Ivan's face, and he leaned in close to kiss Tabi once more, just a little longer and a little more deeply. No matter how much time they might have together after this, he'd do all he could to improve it for her. It was the least he could do.
Everything was okay.
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GregTheAnti-Viking†
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2018 6:10 am
Tabi found comfort in fiddling with her fingers and staring at her hands. It was a great distraction tool, one that could keep her minds off of what had just happened. She had just kissed a guy. Not just any guy for that matter either, she just kissed Ivan...
Her thoughts then turned to what had happened before that. Her thoughts turned back to Clio and the events in the town. This kiss still didn't solve the fact that she had just murdered someone. The fact that because of her, she was now hated for what she had done. And the fact that she was probably cheered for what she had done too. It wasn't just Danya that was watching them after all...
Her hands were beginning to clam up, a thin layer of sticky sweat seeping inbetween. Ivan was still in her periferal vision, he was starting to shuffle again as if there was something he had wished to say. Tabi turned to face him again...
And Ivan kissed her once more.
It had caught her off guard, and at first, she found herself, trying to retreat again. But Ivan had stayed with her. Ivan's lips still were gently pressed against hers. Tabi found her eyes closing, and soon, she too was embracing the moment. They held it there, for what had seemed like hours, before finally, their lips parted.
Tabi opened her eyes to see Ivan was still staring at her. His face was flushed, as if he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He didn't look away though, a slim smile on his face. A smile that Tabi was struggling to recollect ever seeing on the boy having such a smile before. It was peaceful. Gentle. Like that kiss just was.
There was a faint taste to the kiss that lingered. A taste that had been altogeather unknown to her. Something that she couldn't quite place as anything that she had ever eaten before. It had a profound side-effect to it though. It wasn't unpleasent, it was just odd.
The kiss had warmed her entire face into a furnace like heat. Her mind, was starting to lose all thought that didn't revolve around that kiss. Her jaw had gone slack before slowly floating upwards into the littlest smile she could muster. If she went any larger, it would have felt, wrong.
She curled back a little, keeping that upward arch of her lips. Her body turned back to the ground, she looked absolutely silly in front of Ivan now. There wasn't any way that she could possibly show her this face of hers. This flushed face that lingered on the bizzare taste.
And yet, her eyes kept darting back up. Stealing glances of the boy who waited patiently beside her. Ivan had not moved from his spot.
Tabi's hand began to brush the grassy floor once more. Only this time, she was actively searching for Ivan's hand. When she finally touched his, there was no trepedation. She actively slid her hand into Ivan's happily waiting one.
Their hands clasped togeather, gently resting on the ground. Tabi placed a stray finger to her lips, and let it linger there. Letting it absorb the memory inside. It gently fell to her lap and Tabi finally turned her attention up to where Ivan sat.
Blue. Happy. Peaceful. Ivan Kuznetsov's eyes shone behind the green tint of his glasses.
Tabi's lower was starting to lose some of it's feeling. A sign that the moment was going to end. But how she wished that it could linger. How she wished that they could simply hold hands. How they could simply be.
Tabi lightly squeezed Ivan's hands twice and gently lifted her head. Ivan seemed to understand and, nodding, he lifted himself off the ground and helped her up. The two of them walked away from the chain link fence. Their hands were still locked togeather.
((Tabitha "Tabi" Gweneth and Ivan Kuznetsov continued in Still in the Dark))
Her thoughts then turned to what had happened before that. Her thoughts turned back to Clio and the events in the town. This kiss still didn't solve the fact that she had just murdered someone. The fact that because of her, she was now hated for what she had done. And the fact that she was probably cheered for what she had done too. It wasn't just Danya that was watching them after all...
Her hands were beginning to clam up, a thin layer of sticky sweat seeping inbetween. Ivan was still in her periferal vision, he was starting to shuffle again as if there was something he had wished to say. Tabi turned to face him again...
And Ivan kissed her once more.
It had caught her off guard, and at first, she found herself, trying to retreat again. But Ivan had stayed with her. Ivan's lips still were gently pressed against hers. Tabi found her eyes closing, and soon, she too was embracing the moment. They held it there, for what had seemed like hours, before finally, their lips parted.
Tabi opened her eyes to see Ivan was still staring at her. His face was flushed, as if he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He didn't look away though, a slim smile on his face. A smile that Tabi was struggling to recollect ever seeing on the boy having such a smile before. It was peaceful. Gentle. Like that kiss just was.
There was a faint taste to the kiss that lingered. A taste that had been altogeather unknown to her. Something that she couldn't quite place as anything that she had ever eaten before. It had a profound side-effect to it though. It wasn't unpleasent, it was just odd.
The kiss had warmed her entire face into a furnace like heat. Her mind, was starting to lose all thought that didn't revolve around that kiss. Her jaw had gone slack before slowly floating upwards into the littlest smile she could muster. If she went any larger, it would have felt, wrong.
She curled back a little, keeping that upward arch of her lips. Her body turned back to the ground, she looked absolutely silly in front of Ivan now. There wasn't any way that she could possibly show her this face of hers. This flushed face that lingered on the bizzare taste.
And yet, her eyes kept darting back up. Stealing glances of the boy who waited patiently beside her. Ivan had not moved from his spot.
Tabi's hand began to brush the grassy floor once more. Only this time, she was actively searching for Ivan's hand. When she finally touched his, there was no trepedation. She actively slid her hand into Ivan's happily waiting one.
Their hands clasped togeather, gently resting on the ground. Tabi placed a stray finger to her lips, and let it linger there. Letting it absorb the memory inside. It gently fell to her lap and Tabi finally turned her attention up to where Ivan sat.
Blue. Happy. Peaceful. Ivan Kuznetsov's eyes shone behind the green tint of his glasses.
Tabi's lower was starting to lose some of it's feeling. A sign that the moment was going to end. But how she wished that it could linger. How she wished that they could simply hold hands. How they could simply be.
Tabi lightly squeezed Ivan's hands twice and gently lifted her head. Ivan seemed to understand and, nodding, he lifted himself off the ground and helped her up. The two of them walked away from the chain link fence. Their hands were still locked togeather.
((Tabitha "Tabi" Gweneth and Ivan Kuznetsov continued in Still in the Dark))
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler GregTheAnti-Viking. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.