Demon Tears (BIX)

[Pine]

Pine was exploring. Though being a native of San Fransisco he never ventured out of his gang area or the area he used to live in. Now Pine was trying desperately avoid those two areas like the plague so he needed a new place to be. His group home was now in Richmond so it only made sense that he explore the surrounding area. So Pine ducked out of the home and made his way to get lost in the streets.

It must have been about an hour now and Pine continued to look around. In one store he bought a few T-shirts in another some spring water. It was turning out to be a very eventful trip. Still Pine was looking for a few more things he would not find in any consumer store. There were two books Pine had once owned that were no longer in his possession. It seemed all Pine received from his family were his clothes, everything else was destroyed by his parents. Pine did find that fact a little odd though, his peace loving parents wouldn't destroy anything so why change now?

The books were oddly paired in terms of content. One was a book on guiding spirits and Angels which Pine called every so often for help. The other was a book about demons. It would only make sense for a demon to have a book about demons, vampires, witches, and other dangerous creatures. Pine however had no luck finding either of the books in a conventional bookstore. He was now forced to find something almost as rare as the books themselves, an occult shop. Even though the occult is still well practiced by many people only certain aspects have become mainstream. Tarot cards and runes are two good examples of this, people pay large sums of money to know their future when it comes to love, danger, wealth, and happiness. Even some books about Arch Angels and guiding spirits have come out but no store had the particular book he was looking for. One store told Pine they had sold the book earlier that day before he came.

So Pine spent the better part of an hour looking around before he found what he hoped was his prize. Pine entered the store and was greeted by the smell of burning incense. The smell brought an almost calm state to his mind as the door closed behind him. Pine looked at the different herbs, runes, knives, magic paraphernalia, tarot decks and finally to the books. There were so many books Pine had no idea where to start looking. So what did Pine do, he went looking for help.

Returning to the front of the store Pine set his eyes on the girl working there. She stood at roughly his height, blue hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and thin. Pine's eyes were as usual mostly hidden by his bangs. He came over to the desk and stopped perhaps a foot away.

"Excuse me...I-I'm looking for a couple...of books...could you help me?" He asked in the shields usual soft, harmless tone.

~Excellent choice sir! Ask the girl that looks like a ghost for help~ The voice joked happily at the girls appearance.

[bix]

Spellbound
The Shop for the Supernatural

The windchime. How very. Cliche. Chimed. Jingling softly. Into the shop. Unused to customers. Bix looked up. Her blue eyes. Following. The short. Stocky build. Of her patron. She did not. Own the place. But worked here. For the perks of. Being able. To read anything. And getting a major discount. On the supplies. That she needed. Being a witch. He disappeared. Moments later. Behind one. Of the shelving units. And her eyes. Drifted back. To the tome. That was in her hands. It was interesting. A diary. Supposedly. Written by. The demon. Balthazar himself. The handwriting was horrible. And it took. A while to decipher. Each page. But while it. Perhaps was fake. She was finding it. Most interesting. And slightly. Enlightening.

Bix was a strange one. She had extremely. Pale skin. The kind. That almost rivaled. Something of an albino. But she did not. Have that issue. No her pigment. Was just fine. It was certainly. Not that. But she also. Was still pale. Though it was she. That had created. This look herself. Her hair. Was a deep blue. Dyed professionally. To avoid. Any issues. With creating. Damaged hair. Bix was one. That believed. That the body. Was a temple. Her skin was. Like velvet. It saw. No sun. And it was moisturized. Severely. Every night. And every morning. she took warm showers. Never hot. Nor cold. Bix wore strange clothing. As well. Today. She wore a long dress. That came. To her above. Her knees. It was a deep black. In color. And hard large abstract rings. Of different blues. all over it. Black tights. Moved from her knees. Into her heavy. Black well worn boots. Her hair was down.

the boy. Walked around the store. Examining. The goods. That this place. Had to offer. Bix was back. Into her book. And the stories of Balthazar. She did not care. What he was looking for. Bix. and customer service. Really didn't mix well. She tended. To keep to herself. Unless she was prompted. To answer. By being asked. A question. Which rarely happened. Most of the people. That came in here. Either knew. What they wanted. Or they came in. To make fun of the place. And her. But Bix was. Not so easily taken. With verbal barbs. Instead. She let them go. And insulted them. In her own. Intelligent way. Making their heads hurt. By the time they left. And they tended. Not to return.

Footsteps. Moving across the floor. And then stopping. Not at the door. To open it. But at her counter. The desk. With the register. As she looked up. From her book. Eyes of blue, a hue lighter. That her hair. Looked over the pages. Of her book. As he asked her. If she could. Help him. He was on the search. For some books. Her brow rose. Only a fraction. Before she. rose. Putting her own book. Back in her chair. And standing. Looking at him.

"Indeed, help I can. Searching for, exactly what, pray tell?"

[Pine]

~Holy crap it's a Jedi!~ The voice exclaimed in in sheer surprise.

Had Pine's eyes been fully visible the girl probably would have seen it register in his eyes. Pine's eyes actually grew two sizes after hearing the blue haired girl speak. Pine had encountered many things but he had yet to meet anyone outside of a die-hard star wars fan mimic Yoda. Perhaps the girl was a die hard star wars fan. It took a second before he realized the girl was waiting on his reply.

His face turned a slight shade of red in embarrassment as he began to talk. "Oh...ummm...sorry....The books I'm looking for are a little older in nature. One is a book on Arch Angles and Guiding Spirits and the other is on Demonology and other dangerous creatures of that nature. I-I cannot remember the exact titles...Though I do remember what the books look like..." He said as the little voice in his head began to laugh.

[~HAHA look at you little bitch getting all flustered are we. Suck it up and get your precious books.~

~You're not funny~ The shield replied.

~Yeah, well I'm also not the one looking for a couple of stupid books now am I?~ The voice retorted.

~Those books belonged to me you annoying little pest. If you enjoy having the ability to speak I suggest you monitor your thoughts before I start monitoring you~ The sword growled angrily.

Pine's eyes fell from the girls and down to her black dress before reaching the floor. His head tilted slightly down at the same time. "You have...Many books here...I really don't know...Where to start."

[bix]

Bashful
Innocence

Bix waited. It seemed. That he was stuck. His mind working. Or not. Perhaps. He was. Thinking. Of other things. Or perhaps. He was lost. In the void. Not thinking. Not realizing. not really feeling. Anything at all. Just being. For a moment in time. As though. He was pulling away. From reality. And didn't want. To return. Just yet. Howerver, she waited. Silently. When he came to. He seemed to turn. A lovely shade. Of crimison. Her eyes watched. As the color. Flushed into. His neck and cheeks. Before. It began to fade. And he spoke. Demonology. Angels. Books he was looking for. Were about. These subjects. Yes, they. Carried them here. And she had. Her own favorites. As well. But she doubted. They would be the same. Once he finished. Speaking. About how. He remembered. What they looked like. Bix seemed to nod.

"Follow me."

She moved. From behind the desk. Her dress. Was not loose. On her body. But clung. To the simple curves. That she had. She was a bit. On the skinny side. But if she. Filled out a bit. She would be. The kind of girl. That people would. Enjoy looking at. A great deal more. She lead him. Not touching. About a foot. In front of him. Down a long. Isle of books. There was.. cliche wise. A light side. And a dark side. Bix flicked a switch. and a low light. Came on. Down the dark portion. Of the isle. But it was still. No where near. As bright. As the beginning. She started. With the demonology book. As it was. At the dark end. And most. Wanted to move. From darkness. Into light. And not. The other way around. To Bix. It mattered not. She felt nothing. Either way. Merely picked. The book she wanted. And thought. Nothing of dark. Or light.

In the dark end. She turned. And ran her. Fingers across. The spines. Of the many books there. She pulled out her favorite. A large tome. That she had. Read through. Many times. Owned a well. Loved copy at home. But when she was here. She tended. To read it. When she was bored. With everything else. The cover. Depicted one. Of the more fearsome demons. Wings. Dark eyes. Huge muscles. Ugly. And somewhat wolf like. In face. Bix touched the book. Almost affectionatly.

"My favorite. This is." she explained. "Hope, do I, it is yours."

[Pine]

The girl made no indication she saw him blush. Every part of him breathed a sigh of relief, even the sword. Still it puzzled Pine as to why she showed no emotion at all. It was slightly disturbing to see. Perhaps before he came in someone had entered the shop and caused problems. Even then he would have expected to see anger. Yet her eyes seemed to show nothing. Pine would hate to play poker against her. There was no way he would be able to see a bluff. There was also no way he would want to fight against her either.

She left the desk and moved to lead him to the location of the books he was seeking. Pine looked at her dress as it clung to her, it was kind of boring. Her curves were small and she could easily put on an extra 10 pounds. Perhaps with an extra 10 pounds Pine's bare interest would have been actual interest. Still, there was promise in the girl. The shield believed that there was hope for everyone where the sword believed anyone could be beaten. It was sad that there was no part of the young boy that ever saw eye to eye. There were times when it seemed there was another person in there, the person Pine was meant to be, and how it longed to be whole again.

They didn't walk far and the girl stopped and turned on a light. Pine could see the different sized books on the cases. Every single one of them about demons and other dark creatures. Pine knew he was looking for a large book to begin with so that ruled out about 50 percent of what was on the shelves. Sadly for Pine to find the right book he would need to see the cover. The girl picked out a book and turned to him. Pine looked down at the cover, and then back at the girl. His bangs hid the eyes that revealed everything. There was no way her favorite book could be the one he was looking for. Pine's left hand reached up and moved the bangs from his eyes so he could clearly see the book.

A small grin crossed his face as he took the book from her. He ran his finger affectionately over the cover.

"Page 342...The fallen ones." Pine said and flipped the pages and was greeted by a title and picture depicting a fallen angel. The grin widened slightly.

"This..is it. A book of demons given to a fallen one by another demon long since past." Pine looked back at the girl and tapped the picture.

"Page 345...Azazel the leader of the w-watchers. Sent from heaven for wanting to know the love of a human and sharing knowledge of them. I-If God loved his Angels as much as...as he loved us none of this would have happened. It's sad to be punished for...for wanting to be different...to know love and to teach others."

Pine closed the book and looked back at his guide. There was still one more book to find and Pine had every intention of doing so.

"N-Next area please."

[bix]

Common Ground
Interest

Bix watched. As he touched. The book. As though. It were. A long lost friend. She could. In a way. Understand. Just what he felt. She too. Felt an intense. Connection. To the written words. Within the book. Intricate pictures. Small diagrams. And many. Other things. The book was well written. And she enjoyed. The quotes. The ways of looking. At different ways. Of life. From the perspective. Of the demons. Of those. That chose to walk. A different avenue. In life. She felt as though. Perhaps. They could. Have something. In common. She never. Had anything. In common. With anyone. But. There wasn't. Anything that. She could do. She was unique. She was interested. In things that. Others. Had never really. thought of. Looked into. Or anything.

He began. To quote. Pages for her. And her brows. Could not help. But rise a bit. Showing a slight. Bit of surprise. She couldn't help it. It was the first emotion. he would see from her. And might. Be the last. She wasn't sure. It all depended. On what happened. her eyes went back. To the way they had been. Quickly enough. But to say. That her interest. Was piqued. Was certainly. An understatement. She wanted. To know more. To find out. Why he knew. So much about. The demonology. when most. wouldn't touch the book. With a pole. She listened still. As he continued. To quote parts of the book. And she. Before he could move on. Quoted her own favorite bit. Speaking normally. For once.

"Page 67. Balthazar. The king of the underworld. For a brief time, cruel in his punishments, genuis in his torture, and the way that he used human women for his devices."

Bix grinned. After quoting it. He mentioned. That he wanted. To find the other. Book. She nodded. And took him. To the other side. Of the isle. And she looked up. At the books. That were there. She wondered. What angelic book. He was interested in. There were many. And bix. Did not have a favorite. Lightside book. Not that she was. Fallen to the darkness. Merely that. She just did not. Find these. As interesting. As the books of. Darkness and demons. Her eyes followed the books. And pulled. A few of the better books. Down hoping that perhaps. One of them. Was the one. He was looking for.

"These perhaps? The one, you search for?"

[Pine]

~Look at that she is capable of emotion.~ The little voice said as Pine watched surprise register on her face.

It seems the girl didn't expect others to read such books. Pine however knew quite a few people that did. Well he used to know several that had that book but now all of them were either dead or in a correctional facility of some sort. Now there was really just him. Now the girl quoted her favorite demon and Pine flipped the pages to check her before closing the book. Placing the book under his arm he followed the his guide to the section of books devoted to the light.

She picked out a few books and Pine looked at the covers and shook his head. None of those books were the one he was looking for. So Pine put down the book about demons and began to search the titles. It took about 10minutes before he found the book he was looking for. On the cover was his favorite Angel, Michael. In Pine's mind Michael was the only reason he was not rotting in a detention center or dead right now. Sometimes Pine wished that Michael didn't favor him so much. Yet there seemed to be a plan for everyone and Pine needed to live his out.

"The Arch Angel Michael...The Angel that defines Guardian Angel... Probably the only reason i'm still alive."

Pine looked up from the cover back to the girl. "Do...Do you have a name...I would like to properly thank you for your help...For that I need your name."

[bix]

Patience
A Virtue Indeed

None. None of the books. She had tried. And picked out. Were the ones. That he was. Looking for. It seemed. That their interests. Were not the same. When it came. To book of light. Then again. Bix was not much. For the belief. In angels. Perhaps. They existed. And perhaps they did not. But she. Seemed to find. That she was more. Attuned. With the dark side. Of many things. She did not. So much see herself. As a dark person. But she was certainly. Not much. For believing in. The light side. Believing that angels. Existed. Believing that. There was an afterlife. That karma did not dictate. But prayer. Bix was. At the moment. Very non religious. She did not pray. NOr belive. In this entity. Known to many. As God. It was not so much. That she needed proof. For she was a witch. And knew. That not all spells. Were cast. And worked. Immediatly. Nor constantly. But, she believed. In hard work. Determination. Study. Research. Tangible things. That would. Make a difference.

He was to. Sit the book down. But her hands. Moved. Reaching over. To grab it. And her fingers. Brushed his. Her own. So soft. They were like. Velvet or silk. Finely cared for. A blush. Crossed her cheeks. Her eyes. Cast to the side. Immediatly. As she took the book. Turning her body. She leaned it. Against the book case. Next to the one. He was looking through. The book. He was going. To buy. Clasped. To her chest. Her eyes. Staring at. The books. Across the isle. From her. But occassionally. Her eyes. Would flicker. To the boy. He hid himself. Much like she did. Though he was hidden. Behind his bangs. And not behind. speech. And many other things. Designed. From letting people. Know her. Know why she was this way. Know her life. Bix had never. Really met anyone. That hid. Like she. Sure some people. Dealt with. Their lives in various ways. Most got angry. Disgruntled. Others shy. And withdrawn. But others. Changed completely. And thus was Bix.

Finally. Ten minutes. Had passed. And he spoke. Touching the cover. Of the book. apparently. He had been looking for. The cover. Depicting. One of the most. Famous angels. Of all. If angels were real. She supposed. He spoke of how. He was only alive. Because of Michael. And Bix deemed. This untrue. Michael was a catalyst. Something to. Believe in. Stay strong for. But he was not. The reason this boy lived. He was the reason. This boy hoped. The reason this boy lived. Was himself.

"Hope, Michael does bring. Life, permission to go on, you grant." Bix spoke softly.

Pushing her body. Off the book case. With a smoothe move. She turned to him. And her eyes. Darted up to his. Bangs moved aside. Slightly. So he could see. The book. Before she could. Ask him if. He was ready. To check out. He asked her. The name that she. Went by. Bix was shocked again. Though this time. It showed not. At least on her face. But her silence. MIght have given. Something away. Her head tilted. To the right. Just slightly.

"Bix." her answer was simple. Eyes watching him. Guarded. Most laughed. Others couldn't understand. Some just nodded. But no one. Really. Seemed to understand. Most thought. She was just strange. No one ever thought. To look behind. Blank eyes and blue hair.

"Inquire of yours, might I?" she asked.

[Pine]

Pine was about to put the book down when the girl reached out and took it from him. Pine was going to pull back but he felt her hand touch his. The girls skin was unusually soft. It was strange because usually your hands were one of the rougher parts of your skin.

~She takes good care of her skin. So nice and soft I bet I know what else will be nice and soft~ The voice said as the girl pulled away blushing.

Pine was intrigued by the girl. She seemed to be a little bit of a walking contradiction. Her mannerisms were harsh yet her skin was soft. She showed no emotion but easily showed too much. It made no sense to Pine but then again, Pine didn't make any real sense to Pine.

It took a little but Pine found the book he was looking for. After making his comment about the Arch Angel Michael she replied. Every part of Pine sat there dumbfounded by her comment. The word choice was ambiguous and therefore it came out funny. Pine decided that he was not going to ruin the moment by asking the girl to repeat instead he asked her name.

Pine was given an interesting name in reply but what else was he to expect? An interesting girl had to have an interesting name. Though Bix was something he had never heard before. He began to wrack his brain over where such a name could have originated from when she asked his own.

"Pine...Like the tree...I-It's a pleasure to meet you Bix." Pine said and extended his right hand to shake her own. The only question was, would she shake his hand in return.

[bix]

Touch
Comfort

Pine. A strange name. As well. It seemed. Perhaps. both their parents. Were nuts. Though. He would not know. Her real name. Was not much. Better than. The one that. She had given. To herself. Still though. Pine. Such a hippie name. Like naming. Your child. Sunshine. Rainbow. Meadow. Or.. Liberty. It seemed he felt. That he had to clarify. His name. Was like the tree. Bix let a slight. Quirk. Of her lips. Move. Just slightly. As though. She wanted to smile. And yet. Refused to. Allow herself to fully. Smile or show. That full emotion.

"Kibbles and Bix." she teased.

Something. That people had called her. when she first. Came out with. Her own name. Instead of Liberty. She hated that name. And hated more. That certain people. Called her Libby. Or other horrible. Names that. They could find. to create. Out of her name. At least. Pine was a short name. There was really. No way to shorten it. Unless someone. Was to call him Pi. Or Pie. Maybe just P. As very ganster. As that seemed. she doubted. This shy one. In front of her. Would allow such. Instead. She figured. That Pine was Pine. Just as she was Bix. No need to change. shorten. Lengthen. Or otherwise alter. Such names.

He held his hand out. And Bix tensed. For a moment. He. Reaching to touch her. To shake her hand. Before. Their contact. Had been accidental. But now. He wanted. to make it purposeful. Contact. That she chose. to have with him. That he initiated. And she reciprocated. Her eyes. Shot up to his. and then. Back to his hand. They looked so rough. While Bix. Was obsessed with her own. Skin being soft. She enjoyed. The feel of rough hands. It was rare. That she did tough. Touch skin. Rough or soft alike. She was not. Interested. In touching others. There were germs involved. There was actual. Contact. Sweat. Skin flakes. Many things. But. For some reason. Her hand moved. And while her mind. cursed it. For moving. She could not. Stop it. As it moved. Lifting. Gracefully. From the book. And clasping his hand. Her soft gentle. Well cared for palm. Against his own.

"Pleasure it is, as well, for me." she answered.

She let her teeth. Sink momentarily. INto her lower lip. His hand was rough. And yet. It was comfortable. Against her own. Still though. She was not. Going to be. The werid. Awkward person. That left their hand. Forever in someone elses. She was all too aware. Of his touch. Of every twitch. Of his fingers. Of the feeling. That his hand. Had slid on hers. Bix gently. Pulled her hand back.

"Ask, might I? These books, you are interested in, why?" she inquired, curiously.

[Pine]

Well it was official this girls skin was like that of a newborn baby. It felt strange against Pine's rougher hand. He began to wonder how much moisturizer and care it took to keep skin this way. At least two hours a day minimum from what he could guess. Though the shake was firm Pine was scared he might hurt her and therefore held back most of his strength. The shake seemed to be a awkward for Bix as it was for Pine. He could see her bite her bottom lip before pulling her hand away from his own. Immediate disappointment filled his mind as his hands wanted to touch the unusually soft skin.

Bix asked Pine why he was interested in the books and Pine had to stop and think for a second. Not because he did not have the answer but needed to decide on how much of the truth he was going to spill. Telling someone your parents destroyed them after disowning you was not something he particularly wanted to share. So instead he needed to come up with an acceptable false truth.

"Hmmmm... Well when I moved to this side of the city one of my boxes went missing. That...That box held those two books and a few other things that were precious to me. While I cannot get my exact books back I can at least find suitable replacements." Pine replied, satisfied with his version of the truth. He was telling just enough of the truth that he would not get caught in his lie.

Pine looked at the girl and wondered why she had taken the demon book from his hands while he was searching for the other book. It was interesting she would do such a thing for no real reason. It had spiked Pine's interest and since the girl seemed to be in a talking mood no reason not to ask.

"So...Bix...You seem quite attached to that book of demons may I ask why?"

[bix]

Dismay
&& Heartache

He seemed to pause. She was unsure. Of what that meant. It could mean. That he was thinking. Of what parts. Of the truth. To tell her. He could be. Creating. A new. Less harmful truth. Or perhaps. He just. Wanted the books. But felt pressured. To have a story. Nothing so simple. As. I was interested. Or they seemed. Cool. No, there had to be. Some sort of. Bigger answer. There. Instead. Of seeming so. Simplistic. But finally. His answer came. And her eyes. Watched him. as he spoke. Curious. If that really was the truth. But Bix decided. That it mattered not. If something. So very trivial. Was truth or not. It was only. Two books. And it was not as though. They held anything. Magical. Within their pages.

His books. Had been destroyed. During a move. Which was a shame. Such books. As beautiful. And as wonderful as these. Should not. Be lost. To the wayside. Bix knew the pain. Of that. Of losing something. That had meant. The world to you. She bit her lip again. She was. Showing far. Too many emotions here. In front of someone. She had only just met. And for the life of her. she could not. Figure out why. Her brain wracking itself. Trying to find. What it was. That made her. So.. open. So talkative to. This boy. That had wandered. Into her store. Today. It was there. In the back. HIdden under. So many guards and sheilds. Perhaps. She was attracted to him. This. Had never happened before. She had. Spoken with others. Sat through school. With others. But never. Had she felt. So vulnerable. So willing.

"Shame it is, to lose, a treasure." she explained to him. For she knew. quite well. How it could be. He even then. Asked her. The question. Himself. Asking her why. She held the book. So dear. Bix. Looked down. To see her arms. Carefully wrapped. Around the book. Like a school girl. Before looking over. To the one. Known as Pine.

"Began I did, some years ago, into my own. Hobbies." she explained gently. "This book, among others, given to me, they were. My mentor, she gifted. Destroyed they have been, new replaced old, yet, nothing quite.. comparable to the original."

Bix's eyes. Went soft. And distant. For a moment. Remembering that day. And her father. Ripping the book up. In front of her. Tossing the pages. Into his shredder. So many books. So many things. That had meant so much to her. They were gone. They had been replaced. Thanks to. Her job here. But nothing. Would ever. Really take. Their places. Her eyes came back. To themselves. And looked up. At him.

"Tea?"

[Pine]

My book was given to me by an old friend. He told me it was one of his favorites and I should read it. He let me look at his and just seeing my interest got me my own copy...I was not happy to find it missing." Pine replied when she told him about how her books were also destroyed.

It seemed they had a little bit of history in common. Here stood a boy who believed he was the only one that suffered the way he did and here stood a girl who felt some of his pain. Both seemed to be saddened by the loss of a similar book. Pine took a step forward and put his left hand on her shoulder as she looked at the book. He wasn't sure how she would react to an arm around the shoulder so he took the safer road.

"If it is any consolation...That book will come to no harm in my hands." He said and gave her shoulder a little reassuring squeeze. Then he slowly slid his hand off her shoulder. The girl seemed to have slipped into a dream land for a minute before talking again. One of Pine's eyebrows cocked as the simple little word escaped her lips.

~Tea?~ The little voice inquired as Pine's own mind did the same. He was not quite sure what to do. He knew it was starting to get a little late in the day and he had homework to do. On the other hand he had been walking around for the past two hours and sitting down would be nice. Decisions, decisions, so many choices and never sure of which one would be right to make.

Still, Bix seemed to be making an effort here and it would be rude for Pine to turn her down. Besides, his presence might deter some of the jackasses that walk in here just to start trouble.

"Sure." Pine replied simply.

[bix]

Acceptance
Invite

He told her. The history. Of his own book. The one. Like he was buying. The one. That he and she. Had lost alike. She looked over at him. As he told her this. About his friend. Who had the book. And upon. Noticing the interest. Of the one. That stood in front of her. He had bought him. The book. And that had made it. Seem so. Important to him. That he was. Devestated. By this loss. She nodded. Understanding. Exactly. What he meant. He took a step. Catching her attention. Immediatly. His hand lifting. And she felt it. Alight on. Her shoulder gently. She started. Just slightly. Her eyes widening. And she looked up at him. As he promised. That he would not hurt. The book. That she held. a bright blush. Crossed her cheeks. She couldn' thelp it.

Tea. Seemed to be met. With a cocked brow. On his end. His hand was gone. But the feeling. Of his hand. Had not. It seemed to burn. A slight tingle. Through her clothing. And on the skin. That was hidden. She nodded. When he finally. Told her. That he would. Indeed. Like some tea. She nodded. Handing him the book. With both hands. Letting their fingers. Brush again. Feeling the tingle. Now. erase from her shoulder. And move. To her fingers. He took the book from her. To be put. With it's opposite. She moved past him. Careful. Not to touch him again. Just yet. She did not. Want him. Onto the fact. That it was. Curious. That she enjoyed. The tingle. And the way. That she felt. As though. She could be open. Somehow. And not be afraid. He would judge. And yet. She could not. Figure out. Just how she. Knew that.

There was a cushy. Red. But well worn. Chair by her desk. And she motioned. That he could. If he wished. Sit in it. It was almost time. For them to close. So she. Hoped that maybe. She would not. See the visitors. She normally did. Nor would she have to. Walk home alone. Though it wasn't. As though. She expected him. To walk her. It would just. Be nice to leave. with a bit. Of company. Regardless. Once he sat. She turned. The burner on. The small camp stove. Behind her desk. And set the tea kettle. On it. It was already filled. With water from earlier. She got out. Two small tea cups. And saucers. Setting them on the desk. In front of her. She got out. Some actual. Tea. Not bags. Real tea. And the tiny strainer. Used to keep. Leaves from the water.

"Moved here, recently, you say, where from, are you then?" she asked curiously.

[Pine]

When Pine put his hand on Bix's shoulder he saw her eyes widen in surprise and her face turn kind of red. It seemed she really wasn't that accustomed to being touched by others. Judging by her speech it would not be far fetched to assume the girl had a social phobia or something. Probably used the speech to confuse and keep people away much. The shield was not so different, except it used a method of speech that promoted the idea of harmlessness. As a girl who he shared lockers with knew, there was a part of Pine that was vicious. A part that loved to fight, a part that loved blood, a remorseless part that wanted nothing but to fight.

Bix passed the book back to Pine and their hands met again. Not purposely but they had touched again and Pine could feel the softness as he took the book. The voice in his head uttered something that was not PG-13 but Pine ignored it and the sword laughed. Strange with strange, the Bix and Pine made a good couple in that sense. Both seemed to be hiding behind something, both seemed to have far more walls up for defense than were actually needed. Both seemed to be curious about the other. The extent of Pine's curiosity was unknown even to the boy.

He moved over to the chair she had motioned to. It was comfortable and well worn, a testament to it's appearance. Pine looked over at a deck of tarot cards that was open for display. He picked up the deck and began to shuffle the cards while the girl turned on the stove to boil water. Pine was so focused on the girl and what she was doing he barely noticed a card had fallen out of the deck. Pine looked down at the upright 10 of cups and let a small grin cross his lips. There was no reason for him to draw a card or anything else, that single card told him everything he needed to know.

Pine picked up the card and put it back on the deck. The girl put a tea cup in front of him. The question that came next and a grin flashed across the boys face for a second. The shield was forced to look on as the sword took over. Pine took his left hand and ran it through his hair. He stopped as soon as his hand was cupping his crown and held it there. His eyes were now fully visible and they were different from the ones of before. These eyes were confident and took in everything around them, a small grin appeared on his face, the eyes settled on the girl.

"That depends on who you're asking." Pine said without the normal stuttering or hesitation that was characteristic of the shield.