Solana
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The morning was nigh as the sun peeked over the horizon, tickling the clouds and painting them all the colors of the spectrum. Enchanted by its beauty, I sighed, leaning slightly out the window.
Sunrises, like sunsets, were the only true source of perfection in this world, to my knowledge, at least. They were flawless and magnificent, beautiful yet simply an occurrence of nature.
I could simply stare at it all day, but, alas, it had to come to an end. All good things must end, after all.
Scampering toward me, a fluff-coated rodent clawed its way across the roof, leaping toward me and landing in my hands. Letting out a soft laugh, I pulled myself back inside the room, kneeling on the floor with my back toward the door and setting my small friend down on the grey rug.
“Why, hello there, Zuelia,” I cooed, stroking behind the squirrel’s ears.
Tucking my damp braid behind my head, I shivered as the wetness caressed my bare skin. While very soft, this simple towel wasn’t the best source of warmth. I suppose it was my fault for taking a shower not fifteen minutes ago. The morning was chilly, after all.
“How are you today, my fine creature?” I inquired, straightening my spine. She chittered something in response, her eyes seeming troubled. “Hmm. Would you like me to sing to you?” Immediately, she nodded, and, with a sigh, I obliged.
“Perfect summers night
Not a wind that breathes
Just the bullets whispering gentle
Amongst the new green leaves
There's things I might have said
Only wish I could
Now I'm leaking life faster
Then I'm leaking blood.”
Though I’d only sang a single verse of one of the few songs I knew, The One I Love by David Gray, it has obviously affected the squirrel, and, after nuzzling my cheek in gratitude, she fled out the window.
The floorboards outside my door creaked, and a slow clapping emerged from the hallway. As my breath hitched in my throat, my heart raced, and I feared turning around.
“You’re a fantastic singer,” an unfamiliar voice called through the wood, accompanied by the squeak of a door slowly being pushed open. “Do you mind if I—”
My head whipped around, my eyes meeting those of a... well, I didn’t know what he was; though I hurriedly scanned him, nothing in his appearance indicated his species. He flushed and averted his eyes from my towel, and, taking the opportunity, I rose to my feet, spinning around to face him completely, my cheeks burning fiercely.
“Ah, sorry,” he apologized, lifting his eyes. “I didn’t mean to barge in like that. I guess I’m so used to the others here...” Shrugging, I looked away, staring anywhere but at him. “So... what’s your name?”
Swallowing hard, I met his gaze for the briefest of moments.
“Solana.” How I managed to put enough power in my voice, I wasn’t sure.
“I’m Sam. Nice to meet you,” he greeted, extending a hand as if this was a normal experience. Timidly, I met his fingers, shakily giving him a handshake. In order to do so, I had to bite down as hard as I could on my tongue, hating every second of contact.
“You’re... a human,” I observed softly as we released hands, eyes wide. He nodded in confirmation.
“Yeah, it’s kind of an abnormality here,” he chuckled sharply, rubbing his neck. “If you don’t mind me asking... what are you? You aren’t... you aren’t human, are you?”
And here we were again, intrusive questions. Why was everyone in the MCC so officious?
“No, sorry,” I sighed, shaking my head. When he continued to peer expectantly at me, I sighed yet again, trembling as I reached for the top hem of my towel. His eyes went wide.
“Whoa, what are you—?” he began with an easy, almost-suggestive grin, but I cut him off with a soft “Shh.” After all, everyone else had seen my wings. Might as well make it everyone.
Turning around so my back was toward him, I lowered my towel to my waist, unwrapping my wings from around my chest and fluttering them timidly for dramatic effect. As he sighed, I glanced over my shoulder, flipping my braid to rest over my chest.
“I should’ve known,” he muttered, probably more to himself than to me. Disappointed, I clutched the front of my towel high enough to cover everything, allowing the back to hang low so my wings were no longer cramped.
“I take it you don’t... like them?” I questioned, lowering my gaze.
“Well, no, I just should have figured that the prettiest girls have wings,” he murmured, drawing my eyes to his charming face, a blush creeping over my cheeks. “I’m just not used to all this...” He drifted off, his thoughts clear, as he gestured limply to my extra appendages. With a sigh, I settled on the edge of the bed, facing the window yet again.
“Believe me, I’m not either,” I admitted, secretly wondering why I was entrusting him with such personal information. “And I’ve lived with it my entire life. I mean, it’s just...” Sighing, I bowed my head, pulling at my hair with a single hand nervously.
Distantly, I heard the floorboards creak under him as he made his way to my bed, resting beside me.
“I know. It’s unbelievable, right?” he filled in, and, in response, I nodded. “If you don’t mind my asking, what’s on your shoul—” As his finger caressed my bared shoulder, briefly brushing against my wing, I flinched, jumping a few feet away in a heartbeat. He stared at me with wide eyes, his hand still in the air.
“Sorry,” I whispered, my wings twitching nervously behind me. “I don’t... I can’t stand... being touched...”
“I understand. It’s my fault,” he countered, offering an apologetic smile. Why was he being so sincere?
“Ah, you asked about... my... tattoo, yes?” I stuttered, trying desperately to change the subject. Even if I had to talk about my younger years, I would stay away from the source of my fears at all costs. When he nodded, I bit my lip, bowing my head.
“Um... if you can’t read it, it says ‘Serenity is not freedom from the storm but peace amid the storm,’” I recited from memory, keeping my gaze averted. “It... it’s for my brother. He... he was lost at sea when I was eight. This chain he gave me and the tattoo I got the day after his passing are the only memories I have of him.”
“Wow, I’m sorry,” he murmured, his eyes wide. Shrugging, I dropped my gaze yet again, hunching forward to make myself as small as possible. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his hand reach for me hesitantly, but, automatically, I jerked away, trembling.
“Sam, please... don’t say anything to the others,” I begged softly, glancing at the blonde once. His name felt foreign in my mouth. “I don’t... I don’t want anyone else to know.”
“Of course, Solana,” he answered kindly, flashing his teeth in a polite smile. “I understand that you want to keep your secrets. It makes sense. You don’t have to worry.” Relieved, I returned his smile forcefully, but, even though I had practiced it, I sensed he could see right through it. How? He was just a human!
“Thank you,” I muttered, casting my gaze downward yet again. After a few seconds of what he probably assumed were awkward silence, he cleared his throat, rising from my bed and drawing my eyes to him.
“I should probably go.”
Blushing, I nodded, rising from the mattress and tightening my towel around me.
“Yeah... ah... thank you again, for... listening.” He nodded smoothly, his cheeks faintly flushed.
“No problem! It was my pleasure. I’ll see you around...” he beamed, leaving abruptly. Was that a... wink?
As he pulled the door closed behind him, I collapsed onto the bed once more, my eyelids heavy.
Why had this meeting seemed almost... natural? Sure, I had been anxious, but that was the norm for me.
Was it because I was growing accustomed to the intrusive questions the members of the MCC were constantly throwing at me? Or was it because I felt I could trust this human?
Honestly, I didn’t know which was the better answer.
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Ahhh... sorry about the lack of characters. Honestly, I intended to have a lot more, but, by the time I realized my mistake, I'd finished. -_- And WHY AM I NO LONGER WRITING AN OBSCENE AMOUNT?! xD Hope you enjoyed FLIRTAY SAM (Thank you harvestmoonluvr for your assistance xD) :3
