laughter of a Cello

[Cello]

Cello flicked back his hair, slapping on a sharp smile on his face as he passed two ladies shopping in the market. The market here was different from other places, for it snowed. The shipments were taken in from the merchants and sold inside small Inn-sized buildings. The goods that needed the cold anyways, were placed outside. The two girls glanced back, cut fish in their hands.

Large steps provided by his long legs took him towards the counters that held the goods. One counter over from the two, Cello picked up an apple from the table. He looked back to the two girls, taking a bite in the bright red fruit as they giggled.

The man behind the counter's voice seemed off in the distance. Cello continued to do flirty signs to the girls. A slight sharp noise interupted his rutine; the man's harsh words. But Cello let the words slip off his ears, falling into the snow. He laughed as one of the girls waved. Chewed apple flicked fom Cello's mouth, flying faster than an arrow from a bow. He laughed louder and turned his head towards the man behind the counter. The man's round face was cherry red, eyebrows lowered over his eyes. Clearly, he was mad.

Cello's eyes widened as they took in the scene of a fat man with chewed apple spattered across his face. He raised a chubby hand, flicking the apple off his cheeks. Cello stood for one moment and the second vanished as the man sprinted from behind the counter. Cello gave out a short yell and ran out from under the shelter.

"Come back here you theif! Stupid kid! I'll teach you some manners! You think those girls attention is more impotant than paying for that you lil' rat!!" The man yelled, his red face stood out against the white snow.

Cello couldn't help but laugh as the image of a fat man chasing him with a raised stick above his head. Cello flicked his head back and saw the man way behind him, words still releasing from his mouth, stick still raised.

He stopped and bent over, laughing. Cello was a fast runner and an out of shape man had no chance against him. The two girls were still at the counters, giggling insanely. He had got what he wanted, a true laugh from them.

[Ice]

Ice found it difficult not to laugh as he watched the Ice Warrior frolicking. There were few Ice Warriors that were overweight, their environment restricted it, but this theiving young man had obviously picked this one out to get the best laugh, or perhaps the best steal, though Ice doubted he was out there simply to steal.

Ice was sitting up on a raised wall of brick, looking down at the people. With white hair and white robes he seemed simply part of the wall and as the snow caught onto his robes, that look was only enforced more. His pale blue eyes, however, looked as alive and vibrant as they always had.

He had no plans on making himself visible at the same time as the fat Warrior chased him. If the fat one saw Ice laughing with him, he would lose a supporter and gain another person who would resent his rulership. So he waited until the fatter man had gone back to his stall, from where if he looked at Ice, he would just see another Ice Warrior. Ice was not wearing anything that would make him look of a higher rank from a distance.

The younger man was looking back at the women with one of the most flirtatious looks on his face. Once again, Ice had to stop himself from laughing. He had to be deadly quiet as he walked up behind the boy distracted so much by good-looking women. He waited till he was standing right behind him before he spoke.

"You know, stealing is an offense that can actually be punishable."

[Cello]

Cello's sparky smile reached out to his ears. He turned around at the voice of another man. His eyes sparkled with curiosity as to who this man was. His appearance was that of anyone elses who would saunter around these parts. Cello raised an eyebrow at the man and simply stretched out his hand, the bitten apple produced from within his gloves.

"Apple?" He said innocently, chunks of the fruit wedged in his teeth as he smiled, "They're ripe for the pickin over there," he added, pointing back to the angry man, his red face still bright against the snow. Cello couldn't help but release another smile that produced a muffled laugh. He bit his tongue, trying not to double over with laughter. Laughter was his language, he always spoke it. And usually his laugh was contagious and would spread faster than a disease.

Cello was about to go on but his words that were about to be spoken echoed in his mind. His thoughts rampaged into images of war. Cello has never been in an actual war, but he has witnissed its powerful blows to a country or any other land. He shook off his mind's words and stood there, still smiling, as usual.

[Alaria]

Alaria heard the bark of a man in anger, and stopped what she was doing. She had on a long violet dress today, with her blonde hair tucked back in a silver cloak. She swiftly paid for the bread and jogged off to see what the commotion was about.

A fat man was waving a stick at some boy in the distance. The girls at a bar were giggling insanely until she turned to give them a stare. All that could be seen were her light blue eyes, and they peirced their own. Funny thing is, Alaria was either the same age or younger. Smileing wryly as they hastily walked away, she reached into her pouch and pulled out her last piece of currency. Sighing, she gave it to the man. He walked away grumbling and she softly walked over to the boy.

Before she could get there however, someone else had gotten there first. Ice. She drew her hood tighter about her face and came closer.

Aye, they are ripe for the picking, but stealing can result in the loss of many things. If you were in the South, they might cut your hand off. Smileing wryly, she watched from her shadow in the trees. Ice would know her by her voice, but the boy would have no clue. All that could be seen were her eyes, and the gleam of a great ruby sword on her hip, and Shakr'am on her other hip. She winked at Ice.

[Ice]

Ice smiled knowlingly at Alaria as she walked up to the two men gathered there in the street. He could only see her eyes through her silver hood, but that was sufficient to know who she was. That and her voice, which Ice thought he could never forget.

She was on his side of the matter, obviously enough, and he thought they might as well have some fun with the kid. He didn't know either of them, it was fascinating how few people recognised Ice when he wasn't being followed by a crowd of counsellors and guards. But every now and again he managed to slip off. Being High Lord of the North wasn't easy, having no free time made it harder though.

Ice looked back at the young man though and smiled. It was hard to tell what Ice was thinking as he smiled. Ice took the apple from the other man and threw it up in his right hand, catching it in his left before taking a bite out of it. He looked back over at Alaria and returned her wink.

"So what's your name?" He asked the other man.[/size]

[Cello]

"Where I come from a hand is worth an apple," he said, winking to the lady and the man that stood in front of him. Cello smiled, happy the man took the apple with no hesitation. His eyes followed the blank white scenery to the girl and then back to the man, there was something sparking between them and Cello was interested.

"The name's Cello," he said, reaching out a hand to shake the mans and he added to the lady, "And what is it I repay you, mi' lady? My hand?" He said, raising an eyebrow and the skin above his mouth as he formed another smile.

Cello thought back to the wink they gave each other. He laughed and started talking again, "Oh wait, I get it! There's something *sparkly* goin on between you two," he said, being emphatic towards the word "sparkly" by addding his own form of a lisp. His eyes grew when he spoke the word and shrank back down to fit the size of his curious smile. Cello loved this kind of stuff and he couldn't help bringing it up.

[Alaria]

Alaria grinned as Ice winked and took the apple from the boy. She stepped forward from the shadows and lowered her hood. Her striking beauty was not as great as that of others around her. Her pale skin was framed by long blonde hair, while most everyone elses hair was silver like Ice's.

You can repay me later, when I think of something, she said, laughing. Striding up to the lad, she stood next to Ice completly now, while still a ways away. If is boy named Cello recognised Ice for who he was, then they would be found out. Nobody knew of the blossoming love yet.

Alaria, warrior, veteran, and one of the many heros of the North. Nice to meet you. And please, I am not one of noble birth, do not call my M'Lady/ Alaria stuck out her hand to shake the young man's. They both had a strong grip, his because of the masculine gender, and her's because of her training.

[Ice]

Ice watched through slightly narrowed eyes at the goings on around him. When it came his turn to introduce himself he did nothing. He let the silence hang until everyone gathered had taken to note that he wasn't going to say who he was. If this Cello person didn't recognise him, he considered that good. It's not that he wanted to hide Alaria from the people for the sake of embarrasment, he didn't want to put her in the position of danger that was being his lover. Ice had made too many enemies, he would only be giving them to Alaria, and he would never be able to forgive himself for it.

But he was here with Alaria in any case. It's not like he had a choice, it was here or around the castle, where he was bound to be recognised. At least here he could blend in without his royal look or elaborate costumes. Just a simple white coat and he became just another Ice Warrior. He couldn't complain about the break.

Ice gave Cello a grin and moved slightly closer to Alaria. "So, Cello," He began moving his arm towards Alaria's back, sure Cello would notice, but she wouldn't. "Besides stealing, what are you doing in this part of the city?"

As Alaria stood so close to him Ice couldn't resist the temptation to reach around her and dig his fingers into the tender, ticklish area just below her ribs, waiting for the desired effect.

[Cello]

Cello's hand shook firmly with the one who introduced herself as Alaria. She had a strong grip, but that was to be given if she was a warrior. Cello smile again when she said not to call her "M'Lady". He was just about to respond to that when the man that went by the name- he never spoke of his name. Strange.

Cello released Alaria's hand and he straightened up again, listening to the man's words. What was he doing? Honestly, the answer was nothing. Cello had no life and he knew it. He never served anyone in a war. He served himself. By serving himself food, shelter, clothes, Cello was a disgrace to himself. All these years he trained and now he goofs off like a merry, drunk man. Just as that thought struck him deeply, he muffled a laugh as he pictured himself as a drunk old man. Again, Cello broke away from the thoughts of his life. The trail that was leading him to no where.

Cello must lie or they would never buy he was doing absolutely nothing. "I- uh- work here," he said, lowering his self-esteem. All those years of training and right now he had to shun them for he serves no one, yet.

The young man pointed back over the snowy hill. "There's just some stores I stock up," he said, watching as the man grabbed Alaria by the waist. His smile was long gone now. His skin showed no trace of it ever being alive upon his face. What was he doing with himself? His outgoing personality had led him to loneliness. Oblivious to who stood in font of him, Cello would never know he had a chance to talk to royalty and he was blowing it.

The boy reached back to scratch the back of his neck, hoping to disturb the silence by stalling after his words. Stocking items in a shop? It was full proof but he just made himself a poor shop boy who can't defend himself. Although, if he showed he could defend himself his lie would shatter and they'd discover he truly was a nobody.

ooc: Hope you don't mind I centered it like you, Ice. It's puurdy. Tell me if you don't want me too ^.~

[Alaria]

Alaria grinned as Cello shook her hand. Ice moved a bit closer and she felt his body warmth radiating off his skin. Wanting to draw closer, she resisted. Cello then looked away, his eyes a little glassy looking.

All of a sudden, Ice's fingers found their way to her ribcage, digging in to tickle her. Skreiking, she giggled like a school girl and tried to get away, but his arms were around her tickling her. Laughing, she almost started to cry before ducking out of his fingers.

Her hair spilled out over her face and neck, showering her with light as the sun hit it. Fixing herself, she turned to Ice, a steely glint in her eyes, but it was all playful. Walking to him, she lightly pulled him towards her and hugged him.

Haven't seen you in a while.

[Ice]

[ooc: . . . It’s not like I have copyright on it. xD You can use it.]

Ice took some sort of childish glee in seeing Alaria’s reaction to his wandering fingers. He may have to remember that at some point. Ice smiled playfully at Alaria as they drew closer together again and their noses touched. He rubbed them slightly, showing white teeth in a genuine grin. ”I’ve never been too far away.”

He then remembered that he and Alaria were not alone standing in the clearing. Silently cursing at himself for being so rude, Ice turned back to Cello and swore to himself that he wouldn’t be distracted by Alaria in that way again until they were out of everyone else’s company.

”A shop keeper you say?” Ice asked, genuinely interested, thought not sure why. He had always had a fascination with shop keeping, or working on a farm even. It seemed to be such a simple life. A life that required no knowledge of politics or royalty or war. A life where one could spend the time happily serving customers, having conversations and keeping up with around-town gossip, whether it was true or not. Ice had seemed to have less and less time for the townsfolk around him. He was supposed to lead them, he knew, and they had to see him around and about or they would lose faith in him. But there was just so much to do. Piles of papers sat on his desk and everywhere he went in the Ice Tower there was a counselor in close step, telling him what he should do. It didn’t take Ice long to get sick of it and try to find escape, but escape meant that more and more papers would pile up. Every step towards Ice’s realm drew him away from his own happiness, and every step closer to Ice’s heart was a step away from Svëna. Ice was torn apart, and he didn’t know what to do.

But his thoughts had wandered too far, and Ice would prove no good by sitting in melancholy silence thinking about how hard life was.

He began walking, expecting that Alaria and Cello would walk with him. Movement seemed the better option than standing there. At least he could concentrate on his footprints, or the moving landscape around them, as apposed to receding into his own thoughts.

”Cello,” He said, curiousity dancing on his tongue, “what is it that you sell? I would much like to have a look some time. Perhaps I’ve been there before and not known you.”

[Kristen]

The land's very breath was released. It seemed as if everything around him had gulped in air as his lie was spoken. Cello's euphoria seemed to slip away. Just like that, he felt like a new person. This disguise had changed him into someone stepped upon like dirt by the royalty. Would he ever reach his goal of becoming part of the Ice Warriors? No, he was joking, lying to himself. Ice would stuff his nose in the air at the sight of his stretched out body and lack of abilities. But Ice wasn't the one he was facing today, or so he thought.

Cello raised his eyes, ignoring the two that cuddle. As the man skipped his introduction Cello felt something inside him sink inside. Was cello so bad no one even wanted to share their names? Maybe they thought he would stalk them and beg for money, or worse. But that wasn't who Cello was. Or is that basically what he just told them?

The young man sighed, annoyed with life and how his path was leading to a hanging cliff. "Commodities aren't nearly as important as the pursuing shadows that fall upon our lands. The goods in my shop can't even approach a quandary to put a dent in it. It seems something as small as food can't satisfy anyone these days," he drew his breath again and glanced over his shoulder as if he were expecting someone to save him from his thoughts that were opening their pages to be read. But Cello's point had to be towed across someone's mind sooner or later. So he pressed on.

"It seems townsfolk who would sell their heart for the country never have the opportunity to prove their name worth being said by those whose name is too important to be said." His words rang in his ears as they rolled quickly and smoothly off his tongue. What was he doing? Doing to his future, his past, his small token of honor, and his name. Eh, they don't care what I say. Unless they share the same thoughts and have discovered the same experiences I've had. he thought, his thoughts so smeared together they could never be produced as words. His mind jumbled up until his voice slammed to a stop as motion disrupted.

He felt his legs move on their own, automatically responding to the other's movement. The falter in his silent words appeared across his face as he concentrated on what he was thinking only moments ago. Again, he was disrupted by the crunching of snow underneath him. How much more snow would fall for the days that approach? The question was just as unpredictable as his future career. He probably just shoved the dream deeper into the mud. It wasn't just a career, but a life.

[Alaria]

Alaria felt Ice get close, and then drift away, and she went still, waiting to see what he would do. She waited for Cello to keep walking out behind him, and follow slowly, her violet dress flowing out behind her. The tip of the sleeve came to rest on her middle finger's knuckle, like all of her dresses did.

Humming silently, she adjusted her hair clasp, pushing the silver headband up farther to keep the fly away curls in place. Folding her hands behind her back, she walked like any good soldier would. At attention. But the war was over, and she didn't have to be a soldier right now. Thats a damn hard thing to get out of though.

Trying to go into that walk that most ladies had, she tripped over her own feet and fell face first into a snow bank. Coming to her feet quickly, she shook herself and got the snow off, making sure that nobody saw her. She kept walking though, trying to float like any other good lady. Eventually she got it, and Alaria caught up with them, but still a few feet behind, where she should be.

I hate being a lady. We're expected to follow behind quietly, she thought moodily. Always in the shadows they were expected to be. And if anyone recognised Ice for what he was, then she would definetly be in tow behind him. Shaking her head, she walked slower, looking around. They soon passed the fountain where her and Ice first met. Smileing slightly, she stopped and looked down into the water.

The fish inside were yet again frozen. Winter was upon them once more. The North was always frozen, but winter made it freezing. Of course, the Northerners were used to it. She touched a frozen fish and felt its heart beat. Turning, she saw them far in the distance and raced to catch up, once again taking her spot behind them.

[Ice]

Ice walked smoothly, as a High Lord should. He was not good at acting as a person of lower class, and he stood straight and tall and his feet made nearly a noise as they did not scoff and walked lightly. His eyes were not downcast, focused on the job he had to do before nightfall, like other workers around them; Ice’s eyes were high and looked around the place, drinking in the very sight of the world so close to him that seemed so distant.

”Don’t underestimate the need for merchandise.” Ice said in a smooth, clipped voice, well pronounced and strong, the voice of someone of his stature, not the quiet voice of someone used to obeying a higher power. ”Sometimes all that is needed to win a war is words and the bribery of rare commodities.”

Ice, from the corner of his eye noticed Alaria trip and fall. He smiled, but not cruelly. One of the things he was attracted to about her was the fact she wasn’t just another lady. Why should she try and act it in his presence? If she wasn’t true to herself then she could not be true to anyone. Then the thought of how hypocritical that thought was hit Ice in his guise as an average townsman, and he almost laughed at himself. But then Cello was talking again, so he stopped to listen.

Ice stopped dead in his tracks and turned around to look at Cello. His words had struck a string within Ice that he had been tuning for so long. Cello had said it in a profound way, but the meaning was laid as bare and cold before Ice as the snow he stood on. Ice glanced slightly at Alaria, wondering what her reaction was, but she had wandered off the path, leaving Ice alone to field the statement sent before him. What would Cello have said if he had known who he was really talking to? Would he had said the same thing, or would he have been afraid of Ice’s reaction? Ice’s brows furrowed slightly as he tried to think of something to say that would defend what himself in a guise of a different person. He was right, though, and Ice knew it.

”Sometimes we get a different plan in life to that which we want.” Ice said, turning slightly away from Cello and walking again, but slower. ”Sometimes we don’t have a choice what we do, because what position we aren’t born into is not ours to choose.” Was Ice talking to Cello or comforting himself? ”We just have to do with our lives what we can, even if we sometimes have to give up what we want most.” He turned back around to face Cello. ”Perhaps even our dreams.”

[Cello]

Cello stopped when the man had slowed down. He listened, even after the man's voice stopped. He said nothing and all he heard was the light wind traveling around the trees.

A pause. Cello had noticed the girl had trailed off behind them but it seemed the man before him just now noticed. And then Cello replied, but still remained standing in the snow. "Dreams are not produced by a weak mind that just lets go. A strong mind is followed by a determined body that can reach such a desire." Cello paused and looked into the man's eyes deeply. Cello had the feeling he was just restating words the man had thought long ago. "However, some beings are stronger and can stand in one's way of pursuing a path."

Cello stopped and looked farther inside the man's eyes. "Do you mean to tell me our lives should not continue with passion for reaching an aspiration, but instead walk a road of crushed dreams and leave behind a life that had been dead long ago?" Cello's eyes shrank as his eyebrows lowered with each word. He couldn't pin-point the answer to the question: Was this man teaching him or was Cello teaching the man?