((Continued from this thread.))

Mandaz: “Don’t worry” Ozrik laughed.

Before Aria had the chance to slip on any more clothing she’d find herself lifted into the air. Ozrik held her to his chest, bridal style, cradling her comfortably in his arms.

“I’ll be gentle.” He made sure that he was looking at her so she would understand him. This was much better than having her hold onto his back where she couldn’t read his lips.

“I mean…I wont go that fast.”

Nayto: Aria was noticeably surprised when she was suddenly hoisted into the air, letting out a small cry as she was pulled up into Ozrik's arms. As if slightly afraid, she buried her head into his chest and held onto him with her arms around his neck and shoulders as if her life depended on it. When she calmed a bit, she relaxed (a little) and looked up at his face.

"Please . . ." she asked him.

Aria believed that he would, in fact, not go too fast if he said he wasn't going to, but there was no reason why she shouldn't try and assert that, if only just a little. Too much wind was just painful on her skin, and she wasn't wearing anything on her head but her pink ear muffs.

Mandaz: Aria’s little gasp made Ozrik’s heart sink a bit. She sounded so sincerely scared; he couldn’t believe that just a small gesture could make him feel so bad. He gave her a small hug, reminding himself about how fragile she was.

“I promise” he said with a smile, trying to calm her down. “Hold your head against my chest, if anything is wrong I want you to tug on my shirt. Or my hair. Or smack me as hard as you can. I’d deserve it if I hurt such a pretty girl.”

With a sly girn he started to walk, just to get her used to moving before he slightly picked up speed.

Nayto: --I'd deserve it if I hurt such a pretty girl.

Those words echoed in her mind, causing the girl to blush quite a bit. She shook her head quietly, either denying the possibility of herself being attractive, or denying the possibility of her slapping Ozrik if he ran too fast with her. She'd just have to tug on his shirt; hurting him wasn't an option. Truthfully, Aria probably could never bring herself to hurt a soul, no matter what the case. She wasn't all that capable on her own in the first place. She silently buried her head in his chest and shut her eyes, hoping for no excess of wind to sting her skin. She couldn't see or hear it, but her door (fortunately) closed on its own, thanks to springs and gravity.

Mandaz: She was so light in his arms. He just couldn’t get over it. Like a feather, a doll. It was hard to believe she was even alive. Of course, he didn’t even know if he was really alive either. Maybe she was a ghost. A fragile little phantom who was haunting this grey place with no better place to go. No choir of angels to sing with. It was actually very sad, when he thought about it. This girl kept herself so shut off; it was a terrible way to live out their shortened days. Ozrik ran, but not as fast as he could have. He wanted to keep her comfortable, keep her happy, keep her…safe. It may have taken a little longer, but soon enough they’d be outside the door of his little living complex, where he’d finally let Aria down.

Nayto: He wasn't running too fast. It was much appreciated by her. She was even able to relax quite a bit in Ozrik's arms. Eventually coming to terms with the idea that he wasn't going to drop her (which, she even said "please do not let go," which would have been in the form of a whisper if she could control the inflections of her voice like that; as it was, she only seemed to be able to do so when she was singing), she relaxed her arms and let him carry her along without worry. Eventually, she found herself on the ground again, standing up straight and looking up at him. She had no idea where she was . . .

Mandaz: “My humble abode!” Ozrik proudly proclaimed, as if reading her confused thoughts.

He set Aria down, but didn’t let go of her entirely. He held onto her small hand, lacing his fingers between hers slightly, careful not to force his way in. The runner tugged on her gently, coaxing her to follow him as he pushed open the front door and made his way to his room. Up some stairs, but not too terrible of a walk. Still, he’d understand if Aria had trouble with it, being shaken from the trip and all. Once in front of his room he gave a small sigh and looked down to her.

“Don’t mind the mess” he muttered with a bit of a worried tone.

Why did he feel this way? He had tons of company before, and was never concerned for his state of things. Without another word he opened the door to let her in to his mess of a room, music notes, drawings, and other various scraps of paper lined along the floor. Along with clothing, a few writing tools, some utencils and a pocket knife, but the most appealing thing in his room would have been his extremely comfortable couch.

Nayto: --the most appealing thing to Ozrik, perhaps. Not so much to Aria. Of course, sitting down was a fantastic idea, but she just didn't do it. Not just yet at least. Seemingly ignorant to Ozrik's worries, she bent down as soon as she was up the stairs and in his loft of a room. Aria was inspecting something in the corner, but opted to look at it a little later.

"This is very nice, Ahsrich," she remarked as she looked around.

Though, she wasn't going to sit down just yet. She was kind of nervous, but far less nervous than she would have been otherwise. Possibly because he had held her hand the entire way here. The whole place seemed familiar, actually. A lot like her little house. Stacks of clothes and piles of papers and such--it was impossible for her to think badly of Ozrik's cleanliness when she, herself, was pretty much a slob around her house. At the very least, she cleaned herself up well.

Mandaz: “Hm?” Ozrik had already made his way into his small kitchen area to fetch water for his guest.

It was probably the first instance where Ozrik couldn’t hear what Aria had said. Which was a little funny when you thought about it, considering her situation. Ha came back to join her, handing her a small cup to drink from. She was talking so much for a girl who barely spoke at all; her throat must have been dry.

“Oh those.” He muttered. “You’d probably like some of the music sheets my friend brings to me. He doesn’t sing though, he plays this weird instrument. It sounds…nice.”

He wanted to take that last part back, but maybe she hadn’t watched him say it.

“Anyway, yeah. My friends like to share a lot with me. Their music, their art, their stories. And I’m just here to listen. I could never do any of that stuff even if I tried.”

Nayto: Aria was surprised to find Ozrik returning with a glass of water. She looked up to him, blinking, before she gently took the glass from him.

"Thank you."

Truth be told, she sung so much that talking like this didn't really bother her all that much, but water helped. That was why she had so many bottles of water and fizzy drinks; anything that made her throat not feel dry was nice. Ozrik's comments were well taken, though; she didn't feel any problem with the remark about sound or anything of the like, either. That didn't mean that she didn't wish that she could have heard it, though. No matter! Aria looked down at the papers again, specifically at the ones with notes on them. She ended up sitting indian style on the floor, setting the glass of water beside of her, and picking up some of the sheet music. She investigated the ups and downs like a professor inspecting a paper for errors, adamantly staring, taking in every detail of ink. It may have been a little rude to pay more attention to it than she did Ozrik for the time being, but it should have been fine. There were no lyrics, but a vocal range. It was all clear on it, too; whoever Ozrik's friend was, he was good at writing sheet music. Aria began to sound out the notes idly, raising and lowering her pitch as if she were singing, but simply matching the notations for an instrument, instead.

Mandaz: Her singing voice caught him off guard; suddenly he felt that strange, beautiful sensation in his chest again. He smiled and sat down beside her, watching her sound out the music that he had only heard in pieces before.

“You like it? I should introduce you to him. You two could gab about music for all of eternity, I bet.” Ozrik nodded, pointing to the piece of paper. “You see, this is one of his cleaner papers, but look.” He said, flipping to the other papers around her.

“He can never decide on what he wants to keep or what sounds right. He always gets too wrapped up in what other people think of it, I don’t think he’s really listening to himself.”

The papers he was pointing to had numerous scribbles and X’s marks though it along with some near illegible notes on the sides. As if frantically written, rewritten, and written again, the paper couldn’t hold all of the man’s revisions.

“That’s why he’s constantly down here, asking me what I think about things, or what should go where. I don’t know anything about music though.” He sighed.

Nayto: Once Ozrik had her attention, Aria quieted down, almost feeling apologetic. She couldn't help it, sometimes. Singing was something she loved to do; she just loved the way it felt. Not only the vibrations in her diaphragm, but how her heart always seemed at ease when she was doing it. This feeling abated when she looked over the sheets that Ozrik had to show her. That person could probably use some help. He knew what he was doing, it seemed, but Ozrik was definitely right--he couldn't make up his mind. Aria could tell that much.

"That would be nice," she replied about the concept of meeting him.

Maybe even help him a bit. She had never met anyone who either sang or played an instrument before.

"I . . . don't know, though. Um, I have never been around another person who sang or played, so . . . I . . . do not know if I could tell if it is really good or bad."

The whole concept was sort of paradoxical, especially based on how she sang. It was all vibrations to her. Others could hear it, and as Ozrik was able to experience, she could sound nearly angelic when she was singing. Aria didn't know if she'd be able to judge another person's singing at all, though. She wasn't personally experiencing it, after all.

Mandaz: “I think….I think you’d know.” Ozrik said through a smile, patting the girl on the shoulder. Not only so she would look at him while he spoke, but also as a bit of a reassuring gesture. “You’re a pretty amazing girl Aria, I think you could do anything if you really put your head in it.” He nodded and stood up in a stretch, popping and cracking the muscles in his spine and swaying his shoulders side to side. He did the same with his neck too, and his jaw. Ozrik found that if he sat still for too long he became extremely uncomfortable and tense. He had always been fidgety, for as long as he could remember, which wasn’t that far back, but it was enough for him to know that it was one of his inherent bad habits. After he felt loose again he stared at Aria, making sure she could see her before he started to speak again. “Trust me. I’ve met some pretty amazing people. You seem to be the most breathtaking…” He stopped for a second, realizing that might now have been the best choice of words. “I-I mean outstanding! No, I mean, fantastic…ah…not quite what I meant either. You’re just. You’re amazing, Aria, believe me.”

Nathan Knapp: Compliments abound--and how to react to them? Aria stared up at Ozrik's lips, her brow furrowed as she read every movement of his jaw, lips, and tongue when she could see it--and every time she tried to focus, she found herself wanting to look away, embarrassed. It took work to keep watching actually, as her cheeks became pinker and pinker with each word spoken by Ozrik--especially when he called her breathtaking. That was something she didn't read often--ever, actually. No one ever said anything like this to her . . . "A-ah, um--th-thank . . . thank you . . ." she replied meekly, unable to muster up a stronger voice--and in her flustered state, her voice became less controlled, and her inability to hear herself much more obvious. Despite Aria's difficulty communicating when flustered, <c>
Nathan Knapp: their evening went well! They shared dinner, thanks to Ozrik, and although they had a few awkward moments, the night was altogether enjoyable. Ozrik wound up escorting Aria back to her home, and though she didn't provide any sort of physical affection after the night, she was still quite appreciative. Days passed, and the two saw each other more and more--with Ozrik even arranging to have Aria meet his musician friend. Time was an issue, though . . . Nearly a week after Aria and Ozrik's first night out, Ozrik would hear a knock upon his door quite early in the morning . . . <e>

Mandaz: Early, late, the hours always blended together in this place. Ozrik had found he slept more often ever since he met Aria. In sleep he dreamed, and in dreams he saw places. Fantastic places like nothing he had ever seen in the city. Grand hills, mountains even, that’s what they were called, somewhere he just knew. They came in all sorts of fantastic colors, warm sand covered reds, broken up, petrified whites, thick lush greens, each one fantastic and new. Each one providing him with space to run. He’d run so far in his dreams, it never seemed to end. But now in these dreams she would be there. Holding onto his back, burying her nose in his shoulder, or standing at his destination, calling him towards her. Calling with her song, her beautiful song. He could hear it so clearly, everything in his dreams just felt so real. And when he was awoken, Ozrik was forced back into his grey reality, with only the comforting thought of seeing Aria that day to keep him happy.
“I’m coming, I’m coming.” He grumbled, sliding groggily off of the couch. His feet tread harshly against the floor, stomping and stumbling with every movement. “Easy!” He called out to the knocking, the noise causing his head to spin. Ozrik yanked the door open, exposing his nearly nude form to the visitor. All he had worn to bed was a pair of tight boxers that hugged his every perfect curve.

Nathan Knapp: The crimson haired acquaintance on the other side of the door had been really quite patient with his rapping; he wasn't overdoing it or knocking too loudly--modesty was a good policy. It wasn't one that Ozrik seemed to share, though. Attis, dressed down in a simple dark, casual button down shirt and gray slacks, stared Ozrik for a moment, actually finding himself investigating the sight before him--before realizing that he'd been staring. He coughed awkwardly and glanced away, so not to permit his cheeks to take the same color as his hair! "S-sorry, um, did I come at a bad time?" asked Attis as he stared at the door frame. It was quite an odd thing for him to do, and something that Ozrik probably never saw amongst his other male companions. Attis was a strange one, though. Nonetheless, <c>
Nathan Knapp: it had been awhile since Attis had seen Ozrik, and he had promised to come back to him when he had more information. As kind and non-judgmental as he was, Attis was busy enough that he had a difficult time finding someone just to be around them--though, if everything went well, he eventually would . . . <e>

Mandaz: With a sigh, Ozrik eased his shoulders and closed his eyes patiently, clinging onto the last image of the dream that carried with him in his mind. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see Attis, he was just disappointed to be out of the wonderful hallucinations. “No man, not at all” he finally said with a warm smile. Ozrik was never rude to his guests; in fact he was grateful for every one of his estranged friends who liked to visit him at all hours. Attis included, even though the two were only just recently introduced. The athletic man stretched, flexing and twisting each muscle, pulling his skin along the lines cut with each contour. He hadn’t noticed Attis’s staring, and even if he had he wouldn’t have seen any reason to be embarrassed. Ozrik didn’t mind his body as much as some others he had known, and he didn’t hold the same strange moral and social conducts as the others either. He would have walked everywhere in just his undergarments if he wouldn’t have been run out of town. Clothes were a hindrance, and a nuisance at times, they just slowed him down. But if it meant the difference between being fast and alone or slower and surrounded by friends, he really didn’t mind them. “Come in” he said as he stumbled out of the doorway, allowing Attis the room to enter. His apartment, still as messy as always, scattered with stray music, writings, and sketches (some of the aforementioned body he was so proud of) “Can I get you something?”

Nathan Knapp: Attis cleared all hesitation out of his voice before he spoke. He didn't want to seem too awkward. "All right." That didn't mean it was going to be easy being in Ozrik's house, though. He stepped in and passed a glance at every detail. He would have been interested, sure, but there was a good reason that he did this: paying attention to these details meant that he wasn't focusing on and examing Ozrik's details. Truth be told, he didn't see anyone ninety percent nude very often. It was a little difficult for him to avoid staring--and Attis knew that it was both a little awkward and extremely rude. "No--thank you, though," he replied politely, "I'm just here with some news about the Project . . ." <e>

Manda: “Really?”

Ozrik’s head perked up, his interest peeked at this point. Attis never came along unless he had news. Good or bad, any news was exciting. News broke the tedium of his grey life. Unlike dreams, this was real. Change was happening, and he knew it was something big, something that could help him be great. Ozrik quickly grabbed himself a small cup of water to clear his dry, post sleep mouth, and then hoped on the couch opposite of Attis. He stared at him intently, like a puppy ready to play, eager to hear the news.

“Well what can you tell me? Am I going to be going out soon?”

Nayto: Attis remained standing for a moment, unsure if he should take a seat or not. Well, maybe he should, just in case--in case they got to a lengthy discussion and all. It would've been polite anyways, sitting while his host was, and standing when his host was. Attis took a seat in a chair opposite to Ozrik's couch, but still made it a point to keep from staring at his potential colleague. Sometimes, things like that just couldn't be helped.

"Well, from all I've been informed, the Rubicon Project is officially a go. I just returned from all of the preliminary analyses, and it seems our projected idea will work: an excavation site within a nearby canyon, where the river is closest to the surface. In fact, it's just beyond one side of the canyon's walls. Construction on the main excavation has started--at least the preliminary business. Ladders and ramps have been built for getting down there and hauling equipment. If you still want to be involved with this, Ozrik, we can go, well, tomorrow. To get you started. I have to go back tomorrow, as it is . . ."

Manda: “Of course I still want to go!” He quickly exclaimed. “Why would I not. It took enough hassle just to get into the program. What would make me drop something I’ve already worked for?”

It was a serious question directed towards Attis. Ever since he first got into a fight with the stranger weeks ago, Ozrik felt as if he was being kept in the dark about a lot of details on the situation. Sometimes it was better not to know things like that. He agreed to do work because he needed a change. Weather what they were doing was entirely safe or legal didn’t matter to him. However, now with Aria sitting in his heart, he began to value what little time he had in this world. If Attis was sending him to his death, he was sure he’d like to know.

“Is there something you aren’t telling me, Attis?” he said sternly.

Ozrik placed his up on the table and then his hand, pushing his body forward to lean in closer to his guest. He glared at him seriously, wanting to find truth in his eyes.

“Are we messing with something dangerous?”

Nayto: Attis smiled and nodded to Ozrik's initial statement. So he was still in the program. That was good. That was one less thing to worry about--and it meant that he'd be taking Ozrik with him tomorrow, when he made his next trip to the excavation site in the making. Attis hadn't anticipated Ozrik's inquiry, though.

His smile faded. Attis finally looked upon Ozrik, but not at his figure--at his eyes. That was the problem with being respectful and kind; people could read a person like that, well, like a book. "I don't know," replied Attis. And that was just it. He didn't know.

"I don't know what risk is there. If it's high or low; if predators come out those ways, or if the river is even stable. We just don't know."

Manda: “So it’s…heh.” Ozrik eased, leaning back, away from Attis.

Though he was resting, his muscles were still tense, and he was trembling slightly. It wasn’t very noticeable at first, but if Attis stared at him long enough he’d look as if he were jittering. Ozrik did everything faster than normal. It wasn’t clear why he was shaking. Could it have been out of anticipation? Or…fear?

“It’s my job to figure that out, right? You need someone strong enough to test the waters of this river, so to speak.”

Ozrik sat in silence for a long time, Aria’s face so clear in the back of his mind he could almost touch it.

“I’m still in” he said after a sigh. “Just point me in the direction I need to go.”

Nayto: It was hard when someone was right, sometimes. Because they could be right about the exact thing he didn't want them to be remotely accurate about. As it was, Ozrik was completely correct--and it was sobering. Very sobering. Attis didn't want to think of his fellows as guinea pigs, but for the time being, they were. It was going to be as safe as possible, but there was no denying that he was going to be taking notes on the effects the river had on people while building the excavation site--if there were any. Attis hoped there wouldn't be. Attis nodded solemnly.

"We'll be leaving tomorrow, with just a couple of others," Attis hung his head.

There was, however, something he was curious about--something that would make this topic much less sobering.

"Is there anyone you're going to miss?"

Manda: Someone he’d miss? Ozrik weeks ago wouldn’t have given this question a second thought. That Ozrik valued his friends, but knew that their time was short, and accept it. It wasn’t a matter of missing them or not, considering he knew nearly everyone on this side of town. Friend to many, close friend to few. The old Ozrik, anyway. Now the only face that flooded his mind was that of the girl he had become so attached to. Her voice echoed in his ears, singing a never-ending song with every memory he held of her.

“Yeah.” He said, turning his gaze away from Attis. “Aria.”

Even her name brought a smile to his lips.

“I have to come back. I can’t seem to be able to leave her alone. Heh. She’s the kind of girl that needs someone to pester her all the time, or else she’ll never leave her house ya know?"

"Aria?" Attis's interest piqued for the moment. "She's still around?"

Up until now, Ozrik hadn't mentioned the name of the girl that he hung around. Attis remembered hearing something about Ozrik being with a young girl when he was told about him, and Attis had even mentioned that girl when they first met--but he had no details on her, not until now.

Aria, the deaf girl who lived on the other side of town, far separated from anyone else, never leaving for anything other than spending rations on snacks. He knew enough about her to be surprised that Ozrik could get her out of her house, but there was something much more surprising about her than that--surprising only to Attis, who knew something that Ozrik didn't.

"How is she doing? Is she sick at all?" Attis's questions may have seemed awkward, but he knew what he was asking--and why.

“Hm?” Ozrik’s head lifted as he was questioned. Attis spoke as if he knew Aria personally. But how? He was under the impression that she never left the house more than she needed to until he dragged her out. Maybe he knew her when she first came to the town? Attis seemed like the guy who’d know everybody. Ozrik looked at him strangely.

“Of course she’s still around.” He began, surprised that he’d think otherwise. “She lives on the edge of town, all alone. Other than being quiet and sheltered she’s perfectly healthy and very much…alive.”

It was becoming increasingly obvious that Attis knew much more than he let on. Usually Ozrik would try not to ask questions, lets someone’s business be their own business. But when it came to Aria, Ozrik couldn’t help but want to know everything about her.

“You sound surprised, Attis? Is there something I should know about Aria?”

The pause was noticeable. Attis didn't change much; his expression didn't differ, nor did he look avert his eyes to maybe make himself more comfortable--but there was still a pause.

"No," he finally shook his head calmly, smiling at Ozrik, "Nothing to worry about."

Attis glanced to the door. For a moment, he was silent, breaking it only when he stood up and gathered his bearings. Perhaps there was something he was hiding, but it was unlikely he was going to say anything about it. If there even was anything--anything that might be different than the others, that is.

"Well . . . I'm going to continue to prepare. I'll see you tomorrow, Ozrik; we'll all meet at the north gate."

He would've said that Ozrik should go see Aria before he leaves--but that would be like telling someone that they should probably breath if they want to keep living.

Something told him that Attis was lying. But the way he said it, they way he looked at him, without so much as blinking, it made it okay. Ozrik didn’t want to challenge someone who seemed so sincere. It was as if Attis knew what was best of him, like a father or brother, and in that small gesture, Ozrik trusted him.

“Alright” he sighed. If something was really important, he was sure Attis would eventually tell him. He just seemed like that kind of guy.

“I’ll see you then.” He nodded, remaining on the couch. Attis would have to see himself out. Ozrik was too lost in his anxious thoughts to bother with anything else.

Ozrik may have planned to go out to see Aria, but in the end, he didn't actually have to. Not a couple of hours passed after Attis left before a small couple of knocks on Ozrik's door would call for his immediate attention.

The knocking was weak and not a lot of muscle was thrown into it, for a lack of such, but Ozrik was not like his songstress friend--his ears worked perfectly fine.

And whenever Ozrik finally opened the door, he'd find a familiar face looking up at the door expectantly, whilst subtly mouthing words to a new song she had composed. She had her hair all pulled back into a very short pony tail (Aria's hair wasn't all that long, anyways!), and wore a lighter jacket than usual, over a modestly cut blouse, with a skirt down to her shins--and her earmuffs, of course. She always wore her pink earmuffs whenever she left her house.

She waited for him on the other side of the door--waiting to anticipate that maybe, perhaps, he would lean down and embrace her as soon as he saw her, so maybe she could hug him back . . . Coincidentally, this was exactly what she was thinking while she waited.

Ozrik was never one to sit still for very long. Even when he body felt heavy enough to sleep, it was usually only for a few hours. The first thing he did when Attis left was scrounge for some clothes to wear. Perhaps the need to search and move was why Ozrik never cleaned his home, there was always a small adventure waiting for him. Red top, black pants, nothing too bright or fancy. All of his clothes were faded and worn anyway with all of the movement he’d put into them. He ran his fingers through his shaggy hair to straighten out the kinks, noting how long it was becoming. Maybe he’d have to cut it soon. Long hair was no good in running.

He hurried to finish his morning routine. He wanted to see Aria today, to spend as much time with her before he left. Just talking about her with Attis made him yearn to see the shy girl’s face. Ozrik wondered what he could do with her today as a proper good bye. It would have to be special, that was for sure. While he thought his hand moved to his doorknob, not hearing the small knocks placed upon it. When he flung the door open and saw the meek body before him, he couldn’t help but grin wildly and scoop her into his arms.

“Aria! You came out? I was just about to visit you!”

Ozrik was overjoyed to see the girl had come for him on her own volition. She probably wouldn’t have known what he was saying, considering he was smothering her in a hug and his lips couldn’t be read. He swept her off of her feet and into his apartment with a twirl, holding her close, before realizing she needed to see him so they could speak.

“It’s a great surprise.” He smiled “I missed you”

Aria nearly jumped out of her skin when Ozrik practically slammed his door open. But the momentary fright he gave her was completely justified, for less than a second later, he picked her up and squeezed her in his arms. She didn't know what he was saying; she simply couldn't hear it, and without being able to see his lips . . . but . . . that didn't actually matter. Aria knew not if he was speaking at all, only that he was hugging her, and it was nice. Shyly--and weakly, at that--she wrapped her around around his shoulders.

"H-hello, Ahsrich . . ." she meekly declared as she rest her chin on his shoulder. Though, there was no way to hide the tone of happiness in her voice, shy as it may be.

Aria didn't quite know what to say, once he set her back enough that she could watch his lips. She didn't quite know what made her want to dress nice and leave her house--in the direction where she could remember Ozrik's place. Was it because she missed him, too? Aria didn't know. She didn't have people around. Maybe it was that. Maybe she was starting to like to be around someone. Maybe . . .

She missed him, too.

The songstress smiled up at Ozrik. She didn't know what to say, but sometimes, saying nothing at all said than a thousand words ever could.

It didn’t matter that Aria couldn’t think of what to say. Ozrik’s mind was buzzing a mile a minute with excited thoughts now that she was with him. Even if she did have something to say, she probably wouldn’t have been able to get a word in.

“Did you make it here okay? Well of course you did, you look like you’re in one piece!” He looked her over, spinning her around once just to make sure. “Better than that even!” he said once she was facing him again. “You look really nice today. I haven’t seen you outside of your coat and pj’s. What’s the occasion? Ah it doesn’t matter anyway, I’m being rude asking you about your clothes. I’m just excited that you came all this way by yourself. And a little worried. Don’t do that again, okay? I mean it was really nice and all. But you could have gotten hurt.”

He hugged her again and tussled her hair, knowing that he must have been annoying to gush over her like that. He couldn’t help it though. When Ozrik was happy he expressed it in a big way.

“But I’m still really glad you came. Can I get you anything?”

Once Ozrik started . . . there was no stopping him, was there? Aria stared up at his face awkwardly. She could keep up usually, watching someone's lips and all--but Ozrik spoke very, very fast, and once he spun her around--which resulted in her letting out a small cry of surprise--she was instantly dizzied, and for a moment, couldn't focus on his lips all that well; with her equilibrium completely thrown off, everything looked subtly like a spinning blur. By the time she was able to focus again (which she was honestly trying for!), Ozrik had drifted from all that he was talking about and onto something else.

And by the time she started to see him speak again, and recognize what he was saying, he was done, and lifted her up into a hug again.

When she was set down, Aria gave him a very puzzled, and a little bit dizzy, look. So far, she had only understood less than two sentences--with the final one making the most sense, wherein he had asked her if she wanted anything.

"May I sit down?" she asked--her only request, currently.

That might allow her the opportunity to get her bearings back, now that Ozrik successfully knocked them out of her! But that didn't actually feel like that big of a deal to her, despite the fact that a few days ago, before she met him, she would have thought of it as quite the nuisance! She wasn't a very active person, but Ozrik sort of made her want to be. He was energetic, and she was not. Maybe she'd just have to work harder to keep up with him.

“Of course” Ozrik nodded, feeling a little silly that he’d made such a fuss about getting her in the doorway. He always forgot that she didn’t like to move quickly, and didn’t like to be startled. Most of all, he could never remember to speak in front of her on his own. He always had to be reminded or let the realization come to him. His mind just buzzed so fast when he was around her, memory was pushed back by glee.

Instead of lifting her this time, he gently placed his hand on her shoulder, leading her to his couch. She knew the way, obviously, but it was nice to just be close to her. Once there, Ozrik sat on the other end of the couch, not too close, but not very far away. He started grinning like mad, almost as if he had a dirty secret to himself.

“Aria” he called, his hand brushing against hers to get her attention. “There’s a bag under the couch. Right where you’re sitting. You should look inside.”

That was a little better. When things happened too fast, Aria wasn't able to keep up with them, and . . . a lot of the time, she liked it when she could comprehend what was going on. Running blindly in the wilderness scared her to death.

Aria calmly sat at one end of the couch, and instantly relaxed. It was actually kind of a long walk to get here. Ozrik could run it easily--but then again, he ran all the time. He could actually run blindly into the wilderness. But still--Aria wanted to come see him, so she braved the walk. It was just a little much for her, after going so long without exercising. It was funny, though, because she didn't look it at all. Aria still had a slender figure, despite her laziness and love for snack foods.

At first, she was just looking around his apartment. It was like there were new things added each time she came here. She still hadn't met the people that left things with him, but maybe someday she would. Hopefully. If they were as nice as he said they were.

Ozrik calling out to her fell on deaf ears initially, but once he tapped her on the shoulder, she turned her head and looked at his lips instinctively, only to learn that there was something under the couch for her. She was instantly confused--but also sort of . . . excited. Surprises--and excitement. That's what made Ozrik so fun to be around.

Aria spread her legs and bent down between her legs (in a show of flexibility) to see under the couch, whereupon she remembered that, for once, she was wearing a skirt, which prompted her to sit up instantly, clamp her legs together, and fix her skirt. The better plan was to scoot closer to Ozrik, lean over and down a little, and pull the bag out from under the couch that way.

And, of course, inspect its contents, which she did without hesitation . . .

Ozrik watched Aria’s little display with great amusement. He laughed a little to himself as she seemed to be having trouble reaching under the couch. He didn’t help though, finding too much enjoyment in her little spectacles. His eyes kept on her while he leaned back into the couch, stretching his arms to rest along the back edge of it. Any lower and it would be around her shoulder, holding her close, embracing her as he wanted to. But he didn’t, it was nice to have her beside him, excitedly unwrapping the paper and plastic of her gift. A few bags sat between her small fingers and her prize, but once they were unraveled it would be revealed. A large bar of sweet chocolate, bigger than the girl’s slender hand would soon be in view. Ozrik had picked it up earlier, planning on surprising her with it. A sort of going away present, only he was the one going away. Aria didn’t have to get him anything. Just the smile on her face as she contently nibbled on it would have been gift enough for him. It would have been a sweet memory to take with him and hold in his heart.

“I know they’re your favorite.” He said, but knew he wouldn’t have heard him, she was too busy staring at the sweet.

He let his fingers trail away from the couch to tussle up a few strands of the girl’s hair playfully. Ozrik was going to miss her terribly. Her smile, her sweet mannerisms, and most of all, her voice.