Um... Awkward....? {Rayas}

[Zara]

Xaemia felt rather awkward as she climbed into the wamr water of the baths, her very slender, delicate frame shifvered at teh change in the temperature as she sank down to sit on the ledge near the edge, the water coming to her chin and her rather long, normally curly auburn hair floating out away from her in every direction, but she just looked straight ahead, unseeing as to what was actually there. Her flitters dove into the water and all she received from them were images of swimming beneath the surface of the water, which were not at all helpful to her... but she would try to wash as best she could, which she did. Starting with her hair. The soap she had was not particularly nice. It was a rough lump that grated against her palms as she rubbed it against her and into her hair. Then under she went, holding her breath and attempting to work all of the white sudsy stuff from her tresses.

When she came back up, she was gasping for breath. Her eyes stung from a small amount of the soap that had gotten in her eyes. She didn't rub at them, but rather tried to let the water get it out. But she sputtered slightly as she shook her head for a moment then rubbed her face, grinning and laughing as her flitts took to the air, showering her in water droplets, which made her smile again and laugh.

It was fun. Very fun. She took a deep breath and settled back against the edge of the baths, most of her body submerged. Her unseeing eyes looked up at hte ceiling, though she was highly aware of every dragon there. IT did'nt hurt as much since Solarith had helped her. And speaking of Solarith... He had become her all time favorite dragon in no time flat. His rider, S'val, was nice too. He was a good man and she would be honored to be his friend.

She wondered if there were any other people who might be interested in making her acquaintance.... She didn't know, but it would be nice to know a few more people better...

[Akira]

Rayas sighed as he walked to the baths. The events of the past few days were still playing in his over-worked mind. They had decided to let him stay, but he couldn’t help but feel that the only person that actually trusted him was Iirla. Then again, she had called him her brother, which made him smile even now. He shook his head and continued on his way. He raised an eyebrow when he heard splashing coming from the baths. He curiously poked his head around the corner, and saw two firelizards playing around. Sorry to interrupt. His voice was sweet and apologetic as he spoke to whomever it was that was in the baths already.

Rayas didn’t mean to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Faranth knows he had already done enough of that to last him a life time. So the last thing he wanted to do was barge in on someone while they were bathing. He looked around trying to find whomever it was he was walking in on. He knew this was the communal baths, but still. He would especially feel bad if it was a girl that didn’t want him around. If that was the case, the poor boy would probably run away and then feint. He might be a sweet and friendly guy, but he has some issues when it comes to embarrassing himself In front of new people.

[Zara]

Oh! Someone was there. "Hi!" she called, coming back to the edge of the baths and putting her elbows on it. Her smile was big and friendly. She wasn't looking at him, as per usual. "You have a very sweet voice." She smiled, though she couldn't see him. Her two flitts landed on either of her shoulders, which were above water. "My name is Xaemia. What's yours?" She floated back into the baths. It really made little difference to her. Perhaps because she couldn't see. Perhaps because she liked to think that he wasn't going to really look at her perhaps give her space. Perhaps because... She was just being her own innocent and naive self.

"The water is plenty warm and is plenty of water to go around." She splashed at him with a light-hearted giggle. It was a clear bell like sound, soft and almost angelic. She allowed herself to fall under the water again before coming up and shaking her head once more to free herself of some of the water which was making its way in a sheet and in drips down her face. Speaking of, her hair now covered her face and she slowly and gently pushed the what now looked black locks away from her eyes.

[Akira]

Rayas entered the door way, but turned his back just to make sure he couldn’t see anything that she, because clearly it was a she, didn’t want him to see. Hi there, and um….thanks? My name is Rayas, and it is nice to meet you Xaemia. The embarrassed smile that was clearly plastered on his face, could be heard in his voice. He reached up with his right hand, and scratched the back of his neck nervously. He chuckled nervously and wondered if he would be able to enter the baths or if he would have to wait till she left. After all, he didn’t know how she felt about sharing the baths with a strange man. Each person was different, that much he did know.

Rayas was tempted to turn around, and face the person he was talking to, but here again, he wasn’t sure if she would let him, let alone want him to. He didn’t want to encroach on her personal space, so he kept facing the hallway. He felt awkward as he stood there. He was over six foot tall, and here he was fidgeting like a school kid who had been sent to the principal’s office for something he hadn’t even done. He looked up at the ceiling and wondered if he should just leave. But wouldn’t that be rude? Oh dear, now he was second guessing himself. He needed a vacation, but didn’t think he’d ever had time for such a thing.

[Zara]

"It's nice to meet you too Rayas!" She giggled sweetly. "You're welcome." She laughed and squealed slightly as Tizzy dove into the water, spraying it all over her. "Oh! Tizzy! don't do that! You scared me!" she scolded the firelizard, shaking her finger where there wasn't a firelizard. She thought after a moment. "Aren't you going to bathe too?" she asked him curiously. Of course, she wasn't entirely comfortably with it, but these were the communal baths after all. It was to be expected.

The girl was definitely childlike and innocent in most ways... Not to mention naive. Xaemia wouldn't have known if he was looking in her direction or not, but she felt properly sunk enough below the water that she didn't really need to worry.

Stayn was curious about the new comer, it seemed, because the next thing the little Brown did was fly over to Rayas shoulder and inspect him. He chittered happily and excitedly athte newcomer while Tizzy just continuedto splash around inthe water. There weren't exactly lots of people here right now. Which was fine, but Tizzy just wanted to play.... and Stayn was no fun to play with and hers was ignoring her.

Xae settled down to sit at the edge again with a contented sigh. "It really is nice... You should try it. It might help you relax."

[Akira]

Rayas was beginning to wonder just how old the girl he was talking to was. She seemed so…so…he wasn’t sure what he should call her, but one thing he was certain of, she really was a sweet person. Who’s Tizzy? Oh…I guess so. He wasn’t exactly sure how comfortable bathing with this girl would be but she was the one that had asked him. He started to walk over to one of the many benches in the room to set his stuff down on, when a brown firelizard landed on his shoulder. Well hello there. You’re awfully friendly. He spoke sweetly, and gently to the firelizard that was no on his shoulder. He was glad he had saved a few of those wherry meat balls he had made for Iirla’s firelizards. He grabbed one out of the little pouch he had with him, and offered it to the brown.

Rayas wasn’t sure if the male would want it or not, but he wouldn’t feel bad if it didn’t. He turned around and looked for whatever was making the splashing, and saw another little firelizard. Well, you certain do have plenty of company don’t you. He hadn’t even noticed that she was at the edge, until she spoke that is. He looked down at her and smiled, but for some reason he had an odd sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. I’m sure it is nice…but I don’t think this will help me relax. A small, nervous, chuckle escaped him as he spoke. And once again he reached up and started scratching at the back of his head. He really was making a fool out of himself today. He wasn’t sure what had gotten into him, but he was certain that he was going to find out somehow or other.

[Zara]

Stayn crooned happily and took the treat, eating it appreciatively, holding it between his front claws as he nibbled at it appreciatively. "He really likes that, that's for sure." Xaemia smiled. "He's one happy little bug right now."

She laughed. "Company... and help. I would fall on my face without them or get lost... or... something. Not being able to see can be a pain in the butt, you know." She let her head slip under the water again before emerging, letting the water run down her face before she laughed again.

"Why not, Rayas? Warm water is usually really relaxing..." Her tone was almost worried, but definitely gentle. "I'll leave if that'll make you more comfortable but you are NOT leaving because of me. No way!" She frowned at him. "If you do, I'll leave too."

Tizzy slid on a slick rock and started to, essentially, cry. "OH! Tizzy!" Xaemia was up out of the water in a second and scooping up the little green and cradling her against her chest before sliding back into the water, still holding the little green. "Are you alright honey?" she said to her little companion.

They were soon joined by Stayn who was crooning gently at the little green to comfort her. Tizzy took her time in calming down.

[Akira]

Rayas chuckled at the brown firelizard that was eating the treat he had given him. It felt nice to have his cooking appreciated by someone, even if that someone was a firelizard. I’m glad he does. I think I would have felt bad if he didn’t. He shook his head at himself as he spoke. It was plain to see that he had some mental issues he had to work through, but he was doing his best just to go from day to day. He winced when she told him that she was blind. That had been that prickling feeling he had felt earlier.

Rayas hung his head, and couldn’t think of anything to say to her. Then, as if she knew, she saved him from himself. I’m having some…family issues. He had heard the worry in her tone, and couldn’t help the small smile that spread across his lips. Don’t worry, you won’t have to leave. A small chuckle escaped him as he spoke. It was quite touching to have someone else worried that he’d leave a room because of them. Though, it’s not something he thought he could get used to though.

Rayas jumped, and felt like he almost had a heart attack when he heard Xaemia call out. He turned around quickly, just in time to see the young girl jump out of the water to “rescue” her firelizard. He felt his cheeks get hot and quickly turned away. He felt like he should say something, but didn’t know what to so in a situation like that. I mean…would anyone really know what to say? Either way, he tried to pretend like he hadn’t just seen her, and went about trying to get ready for a bath, silently praying for help.

Rayas grabbed a couple more of the firelizard treats, and then headed for the water. He slid into the hot water slowly and then slowly made his way over to where Xaemia was with her firelizards. He made sure to keep the treats dry though, that way they wouldn’t taste funny. Uh…here…maybe this will make her feel better. He held out the two treats, one for each firelizard, as he spoke to her. He wasn’t sure what else to say, but he did keep his eyes turned away from her though. He thought that that might make her, well…more or less him, feel more comfortable.

[Zara]

"Oh, you shouldn't. Besides, even if he didn't, it just means you get to try to make some again and they'll be better." She smiled again.

"Thanks Rayas!" She said as her green started to eat it excitably. She smiled. "Rayas... Are you a candidate?" she asked him almost enviously. She wanted to be one too, so badly, b ut she couldn't... because she was blind.

She couldn't tell that she was looking away from her. she reached towards him slowly to touch him and gently touched his cheek. "I hope you don't mind.... it helps me get to know people..." She still held Tizzy cradled in one arm as she ran a hand over his face gently.

"I won't feel awkward if you look at me... but... I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. I can't see you. But I know you can see me..." She turned a bright red color as she brushed, embarrassed.

((sorry is so short... x.x))

[Akira]

Rayas nodded his head at her words and chuckled softly when she thanked him. You don’t have to thank me, and yes, I am a candidate. He raised an eyebrow at her and wondered why she sounded a little envious. He had never known anyone that had been envious of him before. It felt kinda strange, and wasn’t exactly a feeling he wanted to get used to either. Oh go right ahead Xaemia. His voice was soft and sweet as he spoke to the girl. Hey, if she wanted to try to get a feel of what he looked like by feeling his face, then so be it.

Rayas raised an eyebrow when she spoke about him looking at her. He didn’t know how she had known that he was trying not to look at her fear of making her uncomfortable, but he had heard that those who lose their site are extremely intuitive. A soft smile spread across his face when he saw her turn red. So how long have you had the two firelizards? His voice was light and curious as he spoke. He had always wanted one of the little miniature dragons, but had never really thought that he would have the time to take care of one.

[Zara]

"I've always wished I could be a Candidate... but you know... Blind people can't be dragon candidates..." She gave a soft sigh and continued to gently explore his face with her finger tips. "Your face is so kind, Rayas... But... you have a lot of pain..." She smiled softly at him, her eyes gentle and caring. "Faces get lines on them over time... often based on the expressions we make and what we go through... or... It feels like it... Or that's what people say or whatever it is that I got that from."

She could feel it as he raised and eyebrow and giggled. "I love your expressions... when I can feel them anyways." She grinned again. She still turned red, though, but that didn't seem to stop her from gently exploring his face, from forehead to chin until she gently reached his neck and then back up along his cheeks again. "You're very handsome, Rayas."

She smiled at the question. "Oh... since I was around five turns old... They have been my lifeline to help me navigate and take care of me for a long time."

Tizzy gave a chirp and glided over to Rayas' shoulder and looked at him curiously. "Tizzy has decided she likes you."

[Akira]

Rayas nodded when she spoke about being a candidate. He wasn’t sure all the chores were as exciting as some people seemed to think they were. He blinked slowly as she continued to feel his face, he had never been touched like this before, and wasn’t sure he would be able to get used to it. Lines, I didn’t know I had lines. His voice was soft yet teasing as he spoke. He didn’t understand what she meant about loving his expressions, but didn’t want to ask for fear of upsetting Xaemia. He chuckled a little when he saw her turn read, and couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. It was cute when she blushed, well, the thought it was cute anyways.

Rayas I don’t know about all that but I’ll take your word for it. He chuckled again and shook his head, ok this wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be. He looked over at Tizzy when she landed on his shoulder, and nodded when Xaemia told him that the little green liked him. I like you too Tizzy, but if you want another treat, you’ll have to get me the back that’s with the rest of my stuff. How much the flit really liked him, he wasn’t sure. Though, he thought they more or less liked him because he could cook tasty treats for them.